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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on Jan 29, 2009 5:21:13 GMT -5
OOG: Your call. It'd be wise to speak to her too, incidentally.
Fred says, "Well, yeah, dude, they're half our power level and counting pets we outnumbered them."
Ray takes the captives and the unconscious back to base for medical treatment. Fred uses Healing Touch on Brian. The team has a sense that his paranormal power has increased tremendously recently. As such, the one healing combined with the tailend of Solfeather's Renew is enough to get Brian back up and running.
Mario finds that no arteries were struck. The blade was not poisoned - machetes are not the right vehicle for such an attack in any respect. The bleeding is stopped. Producing a modified chakra scalpel, he then chiropractically adjusts Black's crushed organs to their former state, and puts an icepack onto the abdominal area so that the organs can stop being sore and heal.
Redfox produces a caduceus, the twisting snake staff of Apollo [that symbol you see in doctor's offices]. He uses this to heal the moderate damage the rest of the team took.
Returning to the air, the group soon comes to the Berkeley campus unaccosted. Professor Frank is holding office hours. When the team walks in, he pulls down his reading glasses and immediately smiles. "Ah, guys! But who's the new kid?" He refers to Quinn.
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Post by GM on Jan 29, 2009 6:01:23 GMT -5
"An old friend of mine, we would love to make small talk but considering recent events and Aizens determination to see us dead well keep this as short as possible." Mario pauses for Fred to step in and explain why we are here and direct the questions.
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on Jan 29, 2009 16:17:15 GMT -5
"Aizen? Oh, right, that Yu Yu Hakusho ripoff."
Fred says, "You're about to get classified material. We can only give you some of the relevant information, of course." He then gives Avi a brief summary of the situation with the Arcana.
Avi sighs. "Well, that's not necessarily good. First, you have to understand why he is the Dealer. One key interpretation of the Tarot cards in order is the path that people take through life and the afterlife. The Fool represents all of us: Ordinary people, young, making mistakes. We advance on a long path until Death, but Death is not the last Tarot. Death is associated with the Emperor, Arcana #4, the sum of the digits of Death (#13) since the Emperor rules through death and terror. The Hanged Man is the precipice before Death, and Temperance guides the souls to Judgment.
The point is that the Fool, the Emperor, Death itself... all are bound by their role in the deck. Emperors rule temporarily, but no Emperor, nor even any empire, can be permanent or unchanging. The Hanged Man dies, but he is more than just a dying man.
The archetypal power of the Tarot is tremendous. It channels Gnostic spirituality, Christian imagery, Satanic and devilish power, and tremendous mysticism. And the fact that the Arcana as a whole are used as a guidepost to the future is another powerful element.
But the individual Arcana fighters are also going to be limited in their ability to grow. If what you've told me is accurate, the fact that they channel from the elements of the Tarot mean that elements that do not match their role will not become part of them. And no element of the Tarot is supposed to be stronger than The Truth, or The Word, or God. Both these factors will limit their upward mobility in power. So you have an advantage.
The Dealer, on the other hand, is trying to represent the unseen force that guides humanity through every step. But archetypally, the Dealer herself is part of the future she is predicting. She is not God, nor even a simulacrum or representation. She is a Fool just like the rest of us.
Your particular Dealer finds himself in a conundrum. If God is dealing the cards, if the cards are a representation of what must be, then that is the Future that must be. That'd deny himself agency - God doesn't change Her plans. But if he represents a mortal dealing the cards, using magic or the subconscious or what not to provide a possible interpretation, he gains agency at the cost of limitations.
Your Dealer might think that because he's above the Tarot, he's above the exigencies of life that the Tarot represent. But that's a silly and erroneous interpretation, ignoring the idea of levels of divinity that is so important to the Gnostic tradition.
That having been said, according to the research done on Kin, if he's really as strong a manipulator as you say, able to imbue so many people with so much power so efficiently, he's going to be damn difficult to beat. He's going to be arrogant and assume he's omnipotent or at least potentially so, which will be a weakness that you can take advantage of. He'll be able to resist a lot of your effects, particularly if your mastery is limited.
Our understanding of the Imagination Force is that its rewards are initially tentative. You imagine yourself as, say, a pirate or a ninja, but you don't put a lot of stock and investment and heart into it. As you do so more and more, though, those elements become part of you. Previous people who could manipulate the Imagination Force itself found that they could deal with and repel things that others hadn't mastered or hadn't invested a lot of themselves into.
Still, he'll be able to produce a wide variety of effects, he'll be able to simulate a lot of abilities on the fly, he'll be able to disable and repel and deflect your attacks...
Any other questions?"
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Post by GM on Jan 31, 2009 21:01:00 GMT -5
Mario thinks to himself "Still shit ive heard before."
Mario then says aloud "No unless you have anything new well be on our way."
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on Feb 1, 2009 1:56:50 GMT -5
"So far, I've given you only what they are, not how to stop them."
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Post by GM on Feb 1, 2009 6:37:45 GMT -5
"Oh well im sorry to have had so little faith, I figured you would give us yet another dead end seems I was wrong." Mario is happy to hear that he may finally be getting some answers.
"If you have a way I would love to hear it." waits for him to speak after that.
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on Feb 1, 2009 6:52:34 GMT -5
"It's not merely strength that you have to acquire. Their archetypal powers give them weaknesses. The Hanged Man, for example, cannot help but regenerate, returning to the gallows again and again. Perhaps trapping him in a box where he cannot escape could be an approach.
And their perversion of the Tarot could be used to make them a focus for a divine attack for their blasphemy."
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Post by GM on Feb 1, 2009 7:06:03 GMT -5
"None of us are really the divine types, besides I think they have divine already meaning there a step ahead."
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on Feb 1, 2009 7:23:15 GMT -5
"Yes, the High Priestess should be able to channel the Secret Church. But any agent of God should do the trick, whether as shinigami, shamans, and so forth. And you can do this through ritual magic, calling God's name, which could be handled by many of you. There may be powerful rituals available that would seal their powers, or reduce them, or turn them against each other, or damage them, or weaken the Dealer.
Remember that, while the individual Arcana may be acting out their roles, the Dealer is trying to subvert them to his end. This makes him a target, and insofar as the Arcana do his bidding, undermine their connection as well. You may be able to challenge them for their very archetypal positions, or prove them unworthy of it. Moreover, this makes the Dealer vulnerable to any agent who honestly is carrying out the true role of the Dealer, or to the true Dealer itself: God.
It is likely that the Vatican, or the ancient churches in Ethiopia, or the Taoists, or other spiritual groups would have something. Perhaps you could ask them? Then again, with the Vatican at least, I'd just recommend you break in.
It might also be possible to leverage your advantage in history against them. The Tarot draw the power from antiquity. The Dealer is regressive. Progressive, scientific, cosmic forces, may be effective.
Further, the juxtaposition between the original identities of the Dealer and the Arcana members and their new, corrupted states makes them vulnerable to their true names and identities. If you find enough elements of their true names and identities, you may be able to sever their connection with their archetypal powers.
There is a reasonable chance that some of the Arcana members have been forced into being his puppets by the very force of the Arcana. Their true personalities may be another weakness."
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Post by GM on Feb 1, 2009 8:22:17 GMT -5
"You speak of God I assume you mean a higher belief or do you mean a very specific god?" Mario is slightly confused because this guy could mean a general thing or something very specific so he just wants to clarify.
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on Feb 1, 2009 15:58:11 GMT -5
"Either/or, which gives you some options."
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Post by Grubrot Zodd on Feb 1, 2009 21:55:26 GMT -5
"This 'Dealer' character is trying to assume an imaginary position" The many eyes encompassing Joseph's body blink in unison, as if of annoyance. "of god,he may raise up as he thinks he will, but it is inevitable that the universe will cast him back down, for there can be no god"
"and the vatican, those fools created me, as is mens nature to create monsters, but it is the nature of monsters to destroy their creators" says Joseph while smiling wickedly.
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Post by GM on Feb 1, 2009 21:56:10 GMT -5
"You speak of a truth or a word? what do you mean."
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on Feb 1, 2009 22:01:06 GMT -5
"Joe, there's a few ways to run with what you just said.
It could be that there can be no God, no omnipotent overlord that can run us indefinitely. If that is cosmologically true, then he is doomed.
But it could also be that there is no God and therefore nothing to stop someone from becoming the nearest thing. That no fundamental justice prevents an endless Emperor from taking the vacancy at the top of the world.
Aizen and your Dealer hope that the latter is true.
As for your question, Mario: The Truth, the Word, in Gnostic spirituality is the Word of God, represented superficially by the Bible. For literal traditionalists, the Bible has one layer of meaning that it indicates directly. The Gnostics have a deeper interpretation, where the text has unlimited layers of meaning, behind which is the final Truth, which IS God. For the Gnostics, God Is. God is revealed in the Word and its many layers of meaning.
This Truth can be a weapon against him."
Fred says, "There is good, there is justice, and that will be our in to defeating him."
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Post by GM on Feb 1, 2009 22:10:45 GMT -5
Mario turns to Fred "That's a nice notion and all but unless you know how that will beat the dealer that's all it is.
A nice notion." Marios voice is easy and level with no hostility per usual he obviously doesn't mean it as an attack on Fred.
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on Feb 1, 2009 22:25:39 GMT -5
Fred says, "Yeah, Joe, we're not going to slaughter the Vatican. But maybe we can combine trips: Deal with the people who keep trying to kill you and find the rituals we need to actually get a fighting chance. As far as taking advantage of it: Simple. Synergy. Developing my brow chakra assaults. Shamanic attacks, like the Ancestral Army and the Sanctum of Sanctums. Verbus Justiciar. A blessed dragon form, like Agni."
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Post by GM on Feb 1, 2009 22:35:54 GMT -5
Fred says, "There is good, there is justice, and that will be our in to defeating him." "Don't tell me Fred." Mario adjusts his glasses. "That you believe that you are justice."
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on Feb 1, 2009 22:38:17 GMT -5
Fred says, "Well, dude, we DO have L robbing our pantry blind. As if we had anything in there after feeding your 'broke' ass."
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Post by GM on Feb 1, 2009 22:40:19 GMT -5
"Funny yet that does not answer my question." Marios voice is completely serious this time. "Do you think you are justice, a holy blade with which to smite the arcana."
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on Feb 1, 2009 22:44:25 GMT -5
Fred says, "No, I think we, collectively, are acting on behalf of justice, as is anyone who resists this tyrant. I'm not special, I'm just pointing out that as far as achieving what Avi is talking about I already have plenty of ideas and mechanisms. And if it turns out that the Arcana members are in fact dupes or puppets or victims, then we have to help them too. Since it's unfair, and unjust, that that happened to them. Which means that the rest of you guys could do something too. Black, for example, could try spraying Gnostic symbols, or what not. And if we start investigating into the true or original identities of the Arcana members, we have a leg up. So far, we've seen Death, Chariot, Strength and a tiny bit of Judgment. Cory and Feickert further told me a little more about Magician, Sun, Moon and Justice."
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Post by GM on Feb 1, 2009 23:12:06 GMT -5
"Okay then were do we start, and are we moving as a group cause were kinda noticeable like this."
OOG: not to mention that I think we lost half the party quinn hasn't posted in days brians to sick to post apparently and black just hasn't been postin here.
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on Feb 2, 2009 3:55:05 GMT -5
OOG: Apparently so. Hopefully Quinn is doing well. Same with the ITM thread. But you can continue planning and discussing for a few days until we decide to proceed.
Fred says, "I'm not sure. L, Kurama, Arexa and I have yet to catch a break on the investigation front."
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Post by GM on Feb 2, 2009 20:05:06 GMT -5
Mario sighs. "Well at least we have the Vatican idea, lets go do that then unless you have something more pressing first."
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on Feb 2, 2009 20:52:18 GMT -5
"There's another option. We could try to scout out the strength of the organization, try to find the #2-8 or so of any of the Minor Arcana, see if we can beat them or turn them or what not."
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Post by blacktothefuture on Feb 3, 2009 0:11:21 GMT -5
OOG: Yeah, I try to only post when it's necessary. I just haven't had too much to say so far that you guys haven't already.
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on Feb 3, 2009 2:28:44 GMT -5
OOG: Well, right now this is the, y'know, PLANNING stage.
"I have an idea. Let's have the Big Gete Star do an aerial power level map. I think most of the Arcana members won't be found, but we can probably get a few combined with my Power Sense. We'll try to take one to justice, see what happens."
Fred hits himself immediately thereafter. "God DAMN, I am an idiot! What about Dusk Sky? She's a powerful ritualist. She's already doing ritual research. I'll call her and tell her about what Avi just told us, have her do some research there. And she might be able to use her ritual magic to scrye for some of the weaker members. But we might want to keep that as a trump card, surprise him later with it."
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Post by クインӥ on Feb 3, 2009 8:43:43 GMT -5
OOG: sorry, I have been busy as I said in ITM but like Black i try to post when I have to or if I had something to add.
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on Feb 3, 2009 16:28:48 GMT -5
"All right, then. Is everyone agreed? We'll try to reduce the number of the Arcana and get a feel for their members."
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Post by blacktothefuture on Feb 3, 2009 17:52:32 GMT -5
"Vague enough to conform to the plot as it unfolds, sounds good to me man" Black will agree, then leave space for everyone else to respond as they would.
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on Feb 3, 2009 21:54:14 GMT -5
Fred nods. "Thanks, Avi!"
Avi says, "Go out and get them, kids." He pulls out a sandwich and begins to consume psychotropics. Fred subconsciously identifies them as a new cocktail of Risperidone and Valentitol, used to treat paranoid schizophrenics. The dose indicates that his symptoms are well-controlled.
[1 Fate Point for the interaction.]
As Fred walks outside, he suddenly looks down. Mario with his Sharingan almost sees it after it happens: A coiling round that hammered into Fred's stomach. The speed of it was so intense that it ripped through the nerves before Fred even felt it. The shot ripped through Fred's new, enhanced hierro, pounding through skin as strong as reinforced titanium, then ripped through a cyber-armor that can repel temperatures of tens of thousands of degrees. Fred pulls his hand closer to his face. His eyes, one a purple sun around his original green-brown and one a set of concentric rings with a purplish tint, begin to dilate as he clearly is struggling to see straight. The hand is covered with blood, as is his jacket, armored though it is, and the rear side of his mail plate. He slumps down into the ground.
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