Myth: A New Age CYOA

[Nevill]

I... uh... am not sure how well the grenadiers fit with the chariots. Besides, we only have 14 of them.

I prefer the original composition of troops.

About the second ring... maybe? A part of me wants to play it safe and keep one Heal - you'll never know who gets hit with some nasty stuff they are throwing, but maybe we need to go on full offensive here. I'll leave it to the others to decide.

It is certainly something you could prepare for should the siege drag out though.

Wait, but where would we find a Focus? I believe it was said that preparing a proper one takes about a week:

What is required for a Strengthen Will ritual? What is there to prevent us casting it each time we go on a mission? 2 hours aren't that much of a deterrent.

Sure if you want the exact details here is how the ritual works.

Each mage that is going to receive the bonus requires a Focus (an object that acts as a conduit) to channel the residual magical energies surrounding them into them. When you did it in the desert Lyssa provided you each with one made from animal tissue (bones, tendons and the like, a bit gross really) but you could also fashion one out of plant tissue, mandrake roots, certain metals if properly prepared, or even gemstones if enchanted correctly. Lyssa knows how to make them but the ones she is familiar with take about a week to construct and are consumed during the ritual.

 

[Fangshi]

Wait, but where would we find a Focus? I believe it was said that preparing a proper one takes about a week.

Kill one of the eagles or a bunch of the mice. That or grab one (or more) of the corpses you will hopefully create when you hit the vanguard. Lyssa could craft Foci from that though they would not be pretty. (You could also use the bodies of your dead enemies taken from the fort, no one will care what you do with a ghôl's corpse and Derryth and Thaïs should be able to rationalize it as well without too much difficulty.)

It will take a week to prepare that is correct (I should probably add the material components for rituals to their descriptions in the name of clarity now that I think about it) but sieges can drag on for a while. A lot will depend on whether or not your enemies know you sent for help and on how quickly your reinforcements can arrive.



So the general impression I am getting is that everyone voting C is relatively fine with using two eagles with two rings but otherwise the plan should stay as listed?

If so I can make that change and/or list the alternative Avian Strike plan as option E.

 

[Nevill]

For funsies we can load one eagle with the Greater Energy Bolt and one with the Greater Fire Bolt. That sure would be one big BOOM. And it probably does not even need to be aimed to be lethal. The previous one left a hole in the earth two meters wide, and the spells were less powerful.

We might want to attack the same target, though - but it would be an AoE attack, so something will definitely get caught in the blast.

Fangshi, how destructive do our girls think the results are going to be?

 

[Fangshi]

Fangshi, how destructive do our girls think the results are going to be?

More destructive than Derryth's fire/pitch improvised spell for sure. Since both your spells will be operating at the same strength when they try to unravel each other they are likely to cause a fair bit of devastation.

They won't know how big the AOE might be till they try it though, as each spell is designed only to hit a single target it will largely depend on how they react to one another.

 

[Nevill]

But we know how the regular Zap reacted to the regular Firebolt. Aren't they just bigger versions of the same spells?

 

[Fangshi]

But we know how the regular Zap reacted to the regular Firebolt. Aren't they just a bigger versions of the same spells?

Yes, they are more powerful versions of your basic firebolt and energy bolt spells. When the two basic spells interact there is no real AOE, they just do a lot of damage to a single target.

So that is a likely outcome from hitting one person with both spells, you will wipe out the target and leave a slight hole perhaps.

However the greater version of each spell is less controlled and easier to spread.

It is possible that the two together might be able to do damage to an area and not just an individual. It is all just theory until it gets tested though.

Keep in mind that the ladies have not really received formal training at a proper institution. If they had they would have a proper set of spells and a solid (if limiting) magical foundation to extrapolate from. They would know exactly what their spells can do, or at least what 'common knowledge' dictates they can do. The trade off is that they would have fewer spells and a more focused spell list.

Instead most of what the women know has come from the odd lesson given to them by some of the most powerful mages in existence coupled with experimentation and intuition on their part. They are both quite naturally gifted and that allows them to get away with things that less wise/intelligent mages could not. (As an aside their peculiar casting method also lets them coordinate things that more orthodox mages would definitely struggle with.)

So you wind up with two talented individuals that can do a great deal but also have a number of holes in their knowledge of magic, magical theory and magical history. If they had gone through the school/college system they would have far fewer holes but they would also have far more limitations (the two may be related).

 

[archaen]

So the general impression I am getting is that everyone voting C is relatively fine with using two eagles with two rings but otherwise the plan should stay as listed?
If so I can make that change and/or list the alternative Avian Strike plan as option E.

You would be correct. Keep the range plan as C and the charge with cocktails as E. Two Eagles with greater fire bolt and energy bolt in their respective rings.

I will vote C.

 

[archaen]

Oh, and pull out 5 dwarves from the chariots so we all have rides.

 

[Fangshi]

Alright, I will make those changes and add E as an option.

Current Tally:
Grimgravy - A
Nevill - Ci>Cii
GreyViper - D?
Kz3r0 - E>Cii
archaen - Cii>Ci
Jester - D
Absinthe - Cii>Ci

A) 1 vote
B)
C) 3 votes (i. 1 vote, ii. 2 votes)
D) 2 votes
E) 1 vote

Post Flop:

A) 1 vote
B)
C) 4 votes (ii. 4 votes)
D) 2 votes
E)

 

[Nevill]

Oh, and pull out 5 dwarves from the chariots so we all have rides.

Why would we need that?

For that matter, we have 14 chariots, but only use 12. Why?

If we aren't going to abandon our Black Arrow troops, we won't need rides. We will retreat with them, or not at all.

Besides, there are six of us. Lyssa, Derryth, Thais, Uttu, Billiku, and Berty.

I'd prefer for the main characters to remain on foot and have all the chariots (except the ones carrying the Pathfinders) filled with the Royal Escort troops for a mop up duty. Someone has to kill those 100 undead, and we can't put all of our stock in ranged fighters (even though the burder is still largely on them), because those 40 Soulless are ranged, too.

Let's just say I liked the original composition better.

 

[archaen]

The archers are further back and much faster than dwarves on foot if they have to dismount to let us on to escape. I actually don't see any real tactical reason to take our body guards except for Uttu and her flare arrow. How about we take all the chariots, leave Biliku and Berty, but have us mounted on four separate chariots? That leaves 8 combat chariots to screen the archers.

 

[Nevill]

The archers are further back and much faster than dwarves on foot if they have to dismount to let us on to escape.

That's the thing. Why do the dwarves need to dismount? The only time we'll need a chariot is when we run abandoning the archers. Else we can retreat with them on foot.

And I don't want to abandon the archers.

There might not be a tactical reason, but I'd rather not separate the sisters, and Berty's... innovative... style is always appreciated. Having them around won't hurt. That we aren't planning to engage in melee does not really mean we absolutely won't.

That said, I find leaving Biliku and Berty out and taking 8 fully staffed chariots acceptable, especially considering that we could always dismount and add another two full chariots to the force if we really need them.

It's your call, really. Me, I am perfectly willing to ignore this:

He can not see any real glaring weakesses though he does suggest that you leave space on the chariots for you and Thaïs to escape quickly if you have to. If the worst comes about you can abandon the infantry and make for the fort. Derryth and Thaïs are unwilling to do that though unless there is also room for Biliku and Uttu to escape. They will not abandon the girls.

So we are choosing between:

Team Ci

Lyssa, Derryth, and Thais.
Uttu, Billiku, and Berty.
Two of Lyssa's Eagles with a greater energy bolt ring and a greater firebolt ring.
All Pathfinders with their mortars loaded onto two separate chariots with drivers.
Ceannard and half his archers. The other half left in overwatch on walls.
Neel and his scouts.
Twelve chariots loaded with royal guards.

And

Team Cii

Lyssa, Derryth, Thais and Uttu.
Two of Lyssa's Eagles with a greater energy bolt ring and a greater firebolt ring.
All Pathfinders with their mortars loaded onto two separate chariots with drivers.
Ceannard and half his archers. The other half left in overwatch on walls.
Neel and his scouts.
Eight chariots loaded with royal guards.
Four chariots with drivers for our main characters.

I'll make a preference vote of Ci>Cii. I don't mind either.

If Kz3r0 makes his own list of forces, we can add it as a Ciii, since the core of the plan is essentially the same.

 

[Jester]

D - get best people at being annoying out in the field like Berthy and pathfinders with small detachment of troops. Rest take care of walls.

 

[Kz3r0]

If Kz3r0 makes his own list of forces, we can add it as a Ciii, since the core of the plan is essentially the same.

Here it is:
E>Cii

Team E

Lyssa, Derryth, Thais and Uttu.
Two of Lyssa's Eagles with a greater energy bolt ring and a greater firebolt ring.
All Pathfinders with their mortars loaded onto two separate chariots with drivers.
Ceannard and half his archers. The other half left in overwatch on walls.
Neel and his scouts.
Eight chariots loaded with grenadiers for throwing cocktails.
Four chariots with drivers for our main characters.

 

[Absinthe]

Cii>Ci

 

[archaen]

Cii> Ci

 

[Fangshi]

I won't have time to write anything today but I should have time for an update tomorrow.

The vote will close in twenty four hours with an update to come within sixteen hours of that.

 

[Fangshi]

Alright, the vote is closed and Cii takes it.

Here is the plan you will go with:

Spoiler

Avian Assault Plan: "Since the sky is finally clear of the crows. While we are busy fighting their vanguard, two of Lyssa's eagles each equipped with a spell ring with something powerful (Greater Firebolt and Greater Energy Bolt respectively) in it would soar in the sky, well beyond the spell range. When the time is right, we give them a signal (say, Uttu's flare in the enemy faces, which can also - probably? - blind them, giving us an additional advantage), whereupon they dive on the enemy from behind at top speed and unleashes the spells at the Mage while we do our best to distract him."

You have a few proposed force compositions for C, they are as follows, if you do not care about the actual composition of the raiding force then a plain C vote will suffice:

"Lyssa, Derryth, Thais and Uttu.
Two of Lyssa's Eagles with a greater energy bolt ring and a greater firebolt ring.
All Pathfinders with their mortars loaded onto two separate chariots with drivers.
Ceannard and half his archers. The other half left in overwatch on walls.
Neel and his scouts.
Eight chariots loaded with royal guards.
Four chariots with drivers for our main characters."

An update should be ready in sixteen hours, give or take one or two.

 

[Azira]

 

[Grimgravy]

Can't wait to see the crazy bullshit you guys want to try to kill off the thin white mage next time.

 

[archaen]

Can't wait to see the crazy bullshit you guys want to try to kill off the thin white mage next time.

Next time we are going to lose people as we go in for his head to box it up like leftovers for the in-laws. We need to learn/make a stasis or healing spell that can keep a disembodied head alive for long enough for us to get it in there. We don't have any time magic so I think we are going to have to experiment with a healing spell, rodents, and ground mandrake root to see if we can make it work.

 

[Jester]

White mage going to love us. We are preparing new screwed up death for him each time our roads cross. This time carpet bombardment flavour.

 

[Nevill]

We don't have any time magic so I think we are going to have to experiment with a healing spell, rodents, and ground mandrake root to see if we can make it work.

I don't think it will have a desired effect on the Mage.

The way I will approach it is that the "turn undead" ability of the roots is a result of releasing their inherent healing properties, which do not play well with the necromantic energies that sustain the undead, so yes Serpent can use them like the Journeymen in the game. In addition, Heron Guards will be able to cast Turn Undead as a spell even without the herbs to give them a bit of a boost. IT will still drain the Guard though so it is a sort of last ditch thing.

Though it makes for another unexpected way of killing him.

We should probably do some research before we start thinking about getting rid of him for good.

 

[Fangshi]

I am afraid this is going to be a bit of a good news/bad news sort of post.

I had something come up tonight which I really could not put off. What that means:

The Good News:

The update is about three quarters of the way finished so it should not take too long to complete.

The Bad News:

I am not going to have time to finish it for maybe twelve hours or so unless I can get it done in the next thirty minutes (not terribly likely to be honest).

So I am afraid the update will be delayed by about twelve to fifteen hours, my apologies.

Also, since apologies are not good for much:

I have a few finished interludes in one of the folders around here. When I have a moment this week I will type one up and post it so you will get an extra update this week to make up for this one being delayed.


I am also willing to let you pick which one you get:

A. Serpent & Christine's Honeymoon Part 2

B. Amena and Ithapi's boarding school for gifted young cultists.

C. Nanshe's rebellion

 

[Nevill]

C! Seeing how the Thin White Mage outsmarted himself by sending her our way would give me a much needed boost of confidence when dealing with him in the future.

Besides, I don't think we will have a better opportunity to have an inside look at the ghol society. It is highly unlikely we will poke our curious nose anywhere near their tribes without an army behind our backs.