Voidus

Voidus continued to smile as he saw Mac begin panicking. It was a risk certainly, but they'd already managed to escape from HR once tonight, doing so a second time while already prepared for it should be manageable. "Just a moment." He said towards Lita, still outwardly calm. Inwardly he was on alert, waiting for the faintest signs of Alleytravel or other kinds of spatial warping that would allow HR entrance to this place. He stilled his breath altogether, along with his heartbeat. They were unnecessary distractions, he needed to catch this as soon as possible. There. As soon as he noticed it he completed the warping of the Alleys that he'd started before, connecting them to a point a little deeper in the Alleys. He took everyone one step further in, watching their surroundings shift to a simple gray cobblestone walled alley. "That should deal with anyone who felt a need to follow us." Voidus said. "That department can deal with any unauthorized travelers, and it might keep them distracted for a bit if we're lucky." He was careful this time to avoid mentioning the departments name. Summoning them here again would somewhat defeat the point, even if what he'd done was technically acceptable within current policy. "We'll be going to the Vortex as they called it." He said, answering Lita's question. "But we should have a moment to breathe for now, a little time before the next job." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Laurelai mirrored Mac's look of panic, she hadn't had a personal encounter with the department that Voidus had summoned, not since she'd first been inducted into the DA. But that one time had been enough, along with every whispered conversation she'd ever heard about them. The department that even other denizens of the DA didn't speak of directly. HR. She began planning a path through the Alleys to escape, but she also knew that running away from this meeting was likely to be just as suicidal as waiting for them to arrive. Possibly more given the glances that had been thrown her way. She was still waiting to find out exactly what she'd done wrong, but fleeing didn't seem like a good way to find out. Suddenly she felt the Alleys folding around them, and a small but insistent push in the small of her back forced her forwards a step into the new Alley. Not one she recognized on sight but many of them did look the same after all. She stood up straight again, correct the balance that had been broken during that awkward step in between, and trying to catch her breath at the same time. She hadn't even noticed that she'd been holding it but the sudden push had caused her to gasp in an intake of air, almost triggering a coughing fit. "We'll be going to the Vortex as they called it." Voidus said, ignoring the catastrophe that he'd almost caused. "But we should have a moment to breathe for now, a little time before the next job." Laurelai felt her hand twitch again, she felt an urgent need to send a message to Lita, try to get her read on this situation. And how likely it was that she was about to be murdered. But she was in front of the men who'd probably invented Alleycant, she wouldn't be able to disguise it from them no matter how she tried.

"Fortunate for us then that we acquired your talents before they did." Voidus replied, a slight curl at the corner of his mouth. "But yes, their apparent lack of concern for security was troubling. Perhaps we should lend them the services of our HR department?" Would be an excuse to get them off of my back at least, but then they'd probably recruit more people from TUBA to form another HR department and just end up multiplying. Voidus repressed a shudder at the thought of HR spreading across the planet and converting more and more to their cause. Sometimes they seemed like a bigger threat than any hidden gargantuan abominations that the DA held. "Fortunately not the first time we've had to be cautious of spren spies. The number of aspiring Radiants who thought they could curry favour with one guild or another by sending spren into the Alleys to try to gather information..." He held himself still, not letting the exhaustion show as he recalled all the numerous times they'd needed to update security protocols. Another of the endless tasks that pulled him away from important work. "Well, in any case our own information at least should still be safe. TUBA are the ones that wish to prioritise civilians, if they have an information leak due to their own negligence then they shall wear the consequences. Our own goals shouldn't be affected. We'll be heading towards the primary building of PlasmaCore to put an end to this. The three of you have been there before already haven't you? Your previous experiences may prove useful in finding anything out of the ordinary."

Yeah I just felt like 'X points per era' felt a little generic, it's difficult to determine whether or not a reward like that should be applied in all cases unless we go through case by case, and that's something I'd like to try to avoid. But the point about points for actions being prone to being gamed is also one that rings true. Possible alternative thought: Rather than dealing with points at all we can skip straight to what people actually want to do with those points, and then as part of character bios people could submit goals and hopeful outcomes. Eg. Goal: This year I wish to complete my studies of weapon combat at the canton by winning a duel. Outcome: Melee Weapon expert These goals could then be somewhat self rated, letting players decide when they have been met but still limited to once per era and subject to mod approval. Still not perfect but it does place a little less need on overall oversight, let's things be a little more flexible than just a straight points per era type thing. Now this is still somewhat likely to be seen as simply reward for certain actions but it's at the least not gameable or repeatable, ties in necessarily to backstory and encourages RP rather than a purely mechanical 'tick the box to participate in the main plot and receive points' type thing.

It's going to be somewhat character dependent, probably not a huge amount though given that mechanically speaking it's not going to be hugely detrimental. Maybe a -15.

Character growth seems to be something that a number of people are concerned about, will definitely make it a priority to iron out how this can occur. One thought that I'm not entirely sure about, but it's the first thing that popped into my head would be giving out points for things like participating in a major plot, joining a guild, initiating a side plot, etc. and based on that those points can be applied to the characters Investiture/skills. But that is quite a bit of work and also feels a little gamey, so as I say, not sure how I'd feel about it. As always if anyone has any specific ideas they're always welcome.

Sure

Happy to make the edits if you let me know what you need changed.

Laurelai took the cue from Lita and began walking forwards, she tried to appear impassive and as non offensive as possible as she crossed the short distance that separated them before stopping in front of Voidus. But then she hesitated over how to proceed. Did she nod? Curtsy? Bow? Why did the DA never give correct protocol on things like this? She eventually settled for directing her gaze slightly downward as she spoke. "Sir." It was just for an instant but she saw a slight twitch in Voidus' wrist muscles as she spoke. Was he trying to restrain himself from hitting her? Or wishing he could clench his fist in frustration? She instinctively applied a familiar Forgery to herself, feeling her years of studying people become over a decade, no longer focused on purely their history but their present as well, reading body language, accent, speech patterns. She would need all the help she could get in navigating what was about to come. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Voidus fought to keep his expression neutral as the three approached, he tried not to focus too much or too little on any of them, calmly moving his gaze past each of them in turn. Idly he wondered what the relationship between the three of them was like. Laurelai had been the one to recruit Lita if he recalled correctly, had they gotten close in that time? It would probably be best if she was kept safe for now as well, perhaps an assignment that could keep all three of them together? "Sir." Laurelai said, looking towards the ground. Voidus felt his chest constrict at the word, the coldness of it, the distance. A reminder of their respective positions right now. He felt his fist begin to clench in frustration at himself but managed to quell the motion before more than a tremor past through the muscle. I know so little of what she'd become. He lamented silently. And she knows even less of me. His gaze shifted towards Lita as an idea occurred to him. She was recruited into Mac's department as a spy, admittedly he didn't know much about her capabilities yet but even if all she could uncover was basic information... Perhaps an assignment phrased as an internal investigation? To compile a report on Laurelai's history, skills, hobbies, likes and dislikes, things of that nature. Maybe add in a few other subjects to investigate so it doesn't seem too suspicious? But then it might seem a little invasive, and if they are friends it might drive them apart. He shelved the thought for later, it would need some additional considerations before it could be practical. For now the safest thing to do would be simply to keep them with him, barring any world-ending devastation he should be able to keep the three of them protected. "Well done." He said, making sure again to shift his gaze between the three of them. "We may need you for something else but for now let's move this conversation somewhere a little more private." He grabbed hold of the space around them and shifted it. Transporting them first towards a nearby Alley and then beginning to fold the Alleys around them to begin the process of Alleytravelling. "I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on those events." He began.

I don't want to sound defensive here, the points system is far from perfect as a solution, it's the best we've had so far I think but far from what I'd say is ideal. But one thing I did believe about it is that it's fairly open for fluff to be added where it's not going to change things much. The only skills that have listed point totals should be those that would have some form of effect on the RP. If there's something that wouldn't have an effect like that that you've been unable to include then please let us know, the Index can always be updated for things like that. The intention is to avoid everyone creating a jack of all trades with no meaningful weakness who's clever, well-read and knowledgeable as well as experienced in every form of combat, stealth and lockpicking, etc., etc. That being said if you forgo Investiture or limit yourself to less than the full 100 point limit then you can get quite a number of skills wracked up. So if anyone does have any specific concerns like this please let us know, as with most things the Index isn't a set in stone decision that can never be changed. That being said I personally don't think that increasing the point limit will do much, most likely people will tend towards stronger or more varied forms of Investiture rather than an increased skill portfolio. In my experience most of the best RP I've ever read has been between relatively low-power level characters, or characters with a wide gap in abilities, rather than two OP characters. We have had some discussions around this, definitely something we want to iron out before next era, especially if there's some kind of time skip. In the meantime if anyone does feel like there's an appropriate moment for an Oath progression then let us know and it might get approved. We'd be looking for longer term characters who have had some kind of significant story arc ideally, unfortunately there's no easy way to quantify that so it's going to be case by case for now.

Voidus watched Lusk for a few seconds more after he called the meeting to an end, or more accurately after he'd dismissed them all. On the one hand, having someone who knew who he was and was still willing to try to dismiss him was a welcome sign that perhaps his deification hadn't spread quite as widely as feared, but on the other hand he'd dismissed not just Voidus personally, but the entire DA, and that after issuing them with orders. Eventually he shrugged, turning towards the other department heads from the DA. In the end they would do what they thought was best, if that coincided with the plans that others made for now then it would help show the other guilds that the DA could be team players when they wished. A small spike spun between his fingers as he mused the matters over, he noticed Mac's message and replied in kind. Agreed. We need to bring these 3 back to the Alleys in any event. His gaze slid over towards where the other three members from the DA were gathered. He tried to keep his expression as neutral as possible, it wouldn't do to give any hints to others like Mac who may have been growing suspicious. We can discuss things there. He held up a hand towards the three and crooked a finger, beckoning them closer. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The meeting seemed to have adjourned, and the building and all occupants within seemed to somehow avoid destruction. A minor miracle all things considered. Though there were still some outstanding issues, chief among them being how they were supposed to improve communications to avoid needing to meet up like this again. But perhaps they were concerned with something else tapping any communications? She shook her head once again, the decision wasn't hers to make one way or the other. She'd finished the job she'd been asked to do, now maybe she could go back and continue on some safer research. Or possibly study this Vortex that they'd discovered, it might prove particularly interesting if their description was anything to go by. Chaotic surges of Investiture that hurled out seemingly random manifestations? It didn't sound too dissimilar to the bane given to her by the Nightwatcher, though on a much larger scale of course. And given some of the things that had come out she had to assume there was some level of control over it as well. Or direction at least. She sidled up to Lita, about to ask for her thoughts on the meeting when she saw that Voidus was looking towards them again. She shivered as she felt the gaze, it was somehow piercing with intensity while also freezing with indifference. Time to face... whatever it is I did I suppose? She paused mid-stride and audibly gulped. Unsure of what she'd done or what was waiting for her but sure that whatever it was it wouldn't be good. "Shall we?" She whispered low to Lita.

Experimental subjects generally wouldn't, no. And those that did would be heavily reliant on spikes.

*Ironpulls for perfect backstabbing spike placement* Yeah probably. *Ironpulls something else as well just in case* Well, you kids have fun with your memes. *Alleytravels out before impending asteroid collision*

OOC: Because it wouldn't make for a very interesting RP. IC: Answer changes by era. Era 1: They weren't really causing any problems until they started marching on the city, at which point the DA started throwing some abominations out as a warning. If the war had continued and Voidus hadn't been stuck then eventually some things probably would have happened. Era 2: Voidus was stuck at the Worldspike all era. Now: Sudiov exists as a counter so it wouldn't be as easy for the DA to attack directly as it would have been previously. *Ironpulls/Steelpushes spikes back onto correct trajectory*

Don't I? *Steelpushes more spikes, one of which is imbued with a Soulstamp*

Good point. *Spikes* *Soothes* There we go, much better way of changing minds.

Oh we wouldn't do that. After all we've already taken it over, no need to do it again.

I think if we were to do a prequel it'd need to be in parallel to a present-day plot, otherwise people would have to leave some characters for several months and be unable to RP them until we got back to the present day. But I do like the idea. I'd also prefer either no or a very small time skip (Maybe a couple of months)

Voidus maintained a professional demeanour as he looked towards Detecca, he barely managed to suppress the intense sigh and adjoining eyeroll that felt imminent at the conditions she'd attached. "Yes. fine." He said, a touch of irritation coming through at the delays. "If we simply wished to harm random citizens then we would have long since done so by now." That second condition was particularly infuriating, in its implication. The DA never did anything with the intent to harm people, well rarely anyway. They worked to improve things, not destroy them. Destruction was easy, simple. Incremental improvement was where the true challenges lay. "Now is that all? Or did you wish to also stipulate that we must perform a near instantaneous evacuation of the entire city while blindfolded and shackled as well?" That actually wouldn't be too difficult in truth, many denizens from R&D had additional appendages and senses that would allow them to complete such a task with relative ease, but the point would hopefully carry across.

So I realize this may be a little early for this discussion but I figure it's probably better too early than too late, don't want to hold things up while we finish making decisions. So, era four will be happening eventually. What kinds of things did people want to see? We had some discussions about the potential plot, though that has stagnated a bit recently I believe. But do we want a timeskip? And if so by how much? Do we want to retain current power levels, or raise/lower them? Or eliminate scoring altogether? Do we want to expand the setting at all? Explore the wider world a little more? More worldhopping possibly? Feel free to raise any questions that I've missed, just want to start discussions about how we want to change/improve things.

I also found this greatly amusing So no I definitely don't mind.

Voidus shifted a little as he scanned the room, retaining his straight posture but his arm muscles continued to tense and then relax. He kept himself from inadvertently Voidmaking anything else this time, but he could feel the irritation at having to do so welling up. It would be so much faster to just be rid of the lot of them and solve this their own way. They'd obligingly gathered in a single room, it couldn't have been easier. But then that might have some negative repercussions, she might be opposed to wholesale slaughter as a means of problem solving. His eyes continued to move but they were distant now as he lost himself in thought, trying to plan the best way forwards. Evacuating them through the Alleys would be fastest but we'd need to devote some resources to ensuring they don't wander. Freely opening the Alleys would be problematic if someone else tried to slip in as well. Could slip in some loyalty spikes along with the Strangers spikes. And then there's the communication issues that were also mentioned, it has been an issue in terms of effective collaboration but then that may not be a bad thing. Plausible deniability could be maintained if communication were slowed. And it should serve as an easy and safe mission. He shook himself a little, breaking his train of thought so he could focus on the room again. He'd need to keep an eye out for whatever was causing her anxieties still. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Laurelai kept her eyes turned downwards for a few more seconds before cautiously lifting them as the conversation continued. She listened to each of the speakers and began making some mental notes for their topics, eyes briefly glazing over as she thought them over. Evacuations are resource and time intensive, and spiking everyone in the city even more so, though given who's offering to do so I suppose it's possible he could just wave his hand and do it. Her eyes drifted to the Stranger, focusing on his figure before she averted her eyes again. No point tempting fate. But even assuming it's reasonable to evacuate shouldn't we leave that to the other guilds? Let them do the work given that that's their priority, then we'd have reign to handle matters that are more up our alley so to speak. Investigation of a strange vortex of Investiture certainly sounds like something the denizens from R&D would excel at. But we do need to fix communication lines, if we don't know how to contact the other guilds then it'll be harder to know what they're doing and how much they know. Her mind circled for a while, thinking over other possibilities but she kept them to herself for now. Best to know what everyone else thought would be the best course of action first, you could learn a lot about a person by how they prioritised things. She shook her head, breaking the train of thought so she could listen to the conversation again. It definitely wouldn't do to be to wrapped up in her own thoughts to notice what they were discussing. She cast another wary glance towards the leaders of the DA where they sat before shifting her gaze towards the other guilds.

She is, but as far as I know she's not currently a Savant, just heading there so wasn't sure if I should mention it or not. But people should read Lita's scenes anyway cause they're awesome

I believe we've had a couple, but couldn't remember off the top of my head who they were. I don't recall any scenes that particularly explored the negative side effects of savantism so far in the RP.