The next big quest with everypony in it is coming soon (TM)
/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal
1777 replies and 48 files omitted.
>>176204
Kira takes her necklace, and puts it back on around her neck. "That was really impressive! Not that raising farm animals isn't amazing, either, but I really wasn't expecting you to be able to do that without me even knowing."
Kira takes her necklace, and puts it back on around her neck. "That was really impressive! Not that raising farm animals isn't amazing, either, but I really wasn't expecting you to be able to do that without me even knowing."
>>176201
>An afflicted humanoid who dies of ghoul fever rises as a ghoul at the next midnight. A humanoid who becomes a ghoul in this way retains none of the abilities it possessed in life.
The manual says no abilities; it says nothing about memories.
I was basing my information on a handbook that an associate of mine made, which draws from various books (but excludes Dragon Magazine, annoyingly):
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QIKsct279kZgBNdCwQmstog3fuQrjNdxpnYq3VuNN48/edit?usp=drivesdk
There are other passages in various books that support this, but I guess it's all open to interpretation.
I guess I should have asked first though. I was assuming that Posey knew about ghouls well enough because she knew so many of them in the Dread League, and was taking 10 for relevant knowledge. I certainly don't want to go forcing my interpretations on you though, since it's your setting. I would like it clarified though, since I this is relevant to my character.
I guess this is as good a time as any to roll to see what Posey actually knows about ghouls.
[1d20+13 = (10+13) = 23]
[Read more] >An afflicted humanoid who dies of ghoul fever rises as a ghoul at the next midnight. A humanoid who becomes a ghoul in this way retains none of the abilities it possessed in life.
The manual says no abilities; it says nothing about memories.
I was basing my information on a handbook that an associate of mine made, which draws from various books (but excludes Dragon Magazine, annoyingly):
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QIKsct279kZgBNdCwQmstog3fuQrjNdxpnYq3VuNN48/edit?usp=drivesdk
There are other passages in various books that support this, but I guess it's all open to interpretation.
I guess I should have asked first though. I was assuming that Posey knew about ghouls well enough because she knew so many of them in the Dread League, and was taking 10 for relevant knowledge. I certainly don't want to go forcing my interpretations on you though, since it's your setting. I would like it clarified though, since I this is relevant to my character.
I guess this is as good a time as any to roll to see what Posey actually knows about ghouls.
[1d20+13 = (10+13) = 23]
>>176205
Amber may go back up the hill and cross the tree strand the way she came, or a bit to the left, going around the hill and through a tree-less area directly opposite the ridge with the monster. "Hill" is relative, as the actual variation in the topography is slight.
>>176207
Kira would have to slither over to take it, as Neela isn't super close to offer it.
Bright Dye is partly scrunchy.
Neela says "I guess this is yours" and holds up a wallet. Then Bright Dye is definitely scrunchy.
Amber may go back up the hill and cross the tree strand the way she came, or a bit to the left, going around the hill and through a tree-less area directly opposite the ridge with the monster. "Hill" is relative, as the actual variation in the topography is slight.
>>176207
Kira would have to slither over to take it, as Neela isn't super close to offer it.
Bright Dye is partly scrunchy.
Neela says "I guess this is yours" and holds up a wallet. Then Bright Dye is definitely scrunchy.
>>176201
>it seems like a cheap way to obtain resurrection
BoVD sacrifice rules are ludicrously cheap if taken at face value, which I never expected.
Most Ghouls retain no abilities in life, and thus can't really be likened to resurrection, although it might be a good way to start taking levels in the Ghoul Class.
Gravetouched Ghouls do retain their abilities, but they can't be induced with spells, since they're only created with divine intervention (what I just tried to plead for).
That's just my opinion on the matter. I understand if you decide that sacrificing a POW on an altar is not enough to functionally bring back this NPC that was already dead at the time I started the game, that's fine with me. Agire's fate ultimately means little to Posey, but she would be very pleased if she were able to make a new discovery on creating new undead that she could write home about. I just found the idea of bringing back a priest as a ghastly undead version of his previous self through a black magic ritual as a means of "repaying debt" to be a fun character development with no actual reward other than maybe getting on the good side of the Kaftars.
[Read more] >it seems like a cheap way to obtain resurrection
BoVD sacrifice rules are ludicrously cheap if taken at face value, which I never expected.
Most Ghouls retain no abilities in life, and thus can't really be likened to resurrection, although it might be a good way to start taking levels in the Ghoul Class.
Gravetouched Ghouls do retain their abilities, but they can't be induced with spells, since they're only created with divine intervention (what I just tried to plead for).
That's just my opinion on the matter. I understand if you decide that sacrificing a POW on an altar is not enough to functionally bring back this NPC that was already dead at the time I started the game, that's fine with me. Agire's fate ultimately means little to Posey, but she would be very pleased if she were able to make a new discovery on creating new undead that she could write home about. I just found the idea of bringing back a priest as a ghastly undead version of his previous self through a black magic ritual as a means of "repaying debt" to be a fun character development with no actual reward other than maybe getting on the good side of the Kaftars.
>>176209
Kira giggles, and slithers over to take both. She gives the wallet back to Bright Dye.
"Hey, no harm no foul. Plus it was a really neat trick!"
Kira giggles, and slithers over to take both. She gives the wallet back to Bright Dye.
"Hey, no harm no foul. Plus it was a really neat trick!"
>>176209
Amber decides for the latter opinion, as her instincts kick in and she looks for a more circuitous path to make being followed more difficult. Then she realizes that it's moot because of their hoofprints anyway. Thinking quick, she grabs a twiggy branch and sweeps the snow behind them as they proceed. Doing this slows down the two further.
Amber decides for the latter opinion, as her instincts kick in and she looks for a more circuitous path to make being followed more difficult. Then she realizes that it's moot because of their hoofprints anyway. Thinking quick, she grabs a twiggy branch and sweeps the snow behind them as they proceed. Doing this slows down the two further.
>>176211
Bright Dye takes the wallet back, still a little scrunchy
"Well, let's see how well you two keep a flock of sheep"
>>176212
sweep sweep
Slowly but steadily they leave the downed forests and are back on the tundra. Amber doesn't think she's being stalked, but does she really want to go back and find out?
Bright Dye takes the wallet back, still a little scrunchy
"Well, let's see how well you two keep a flock of sheep"
>>176212
sweep sweep
Slowly but steadily they leave the downed forests and are back on the tundra. Amber doesn't think she's being stalked, but does she really want to go back and find out?
>>176213
"Oh no, there is no way I could do that. I was telling the truth when I said you provide a truly invaluable service to us predators. It's very hard to do, and you do it very well!"
"Oh no, there is no way I could do that. I was telling the truth when I said you provide a truly invaluable service to us predators. It's very hard to do, and you do it very well!"
>>176213
Right now it's her priority to get back to the village. They got the firewood and Amber is exhausted from exertion and fear. How does Jakala look?
Right now it's her priority to get back to the village. They got the firewood and Amber is exhausted from exertion and fear. How does Jakala look?
>>176216
"Jakala! Stop and lie down," Amber hoarsely whispers. As if to set an example, she crouches down close to the flat, hard ground, and she strains her eyes to see what is moving.
"Jakala! Stop and lie down," Amber hoarsely whispers. As if to set an example, she crouches down close to the flat, hard ground, and she strains her eyes to see what is moving.
>>176217
Amber sees a pony walking. The pony twitches and sways back and forth slightly as it moves forward. It seems to be a beige mare, with the hood down and a single layer of a fur coat. She is speaking to herself.
Amber sees a pony walking. The pony twitches and sways back and forth slightly as it moves forward. It seems to be a beige mare, with the hood down and a single layer of a fur coat. She is speaking to herself.
>>176216
"Hmmm...well, sort of, though probably not to the same extent as others. Like it used to, way way way long ago, back when the role of predators was to keep prey populations in check as part of nature's fragile balance, but civilization has changed that. It's sort of...supplanted nature, I guess. I'm fine with that, even if I'm a predator and need to eat other creatures to live; it's just a fact of life that I am one. I'd much rather be friends with creatures if it could be helped! It did used to be an idea among some lamias, though, that because of the natural roles of predators and prey that it somehow justified that predators were placed higher up than prey on some kind of hierarchy, like we were destined by nature to rule. That was before my time, though. Recently our leaders were encouraging cooperation with the prey societies around us before this whole war thing, and the only lamias who still held that old 'predator supremacy' belief were either old snakes or just delusional."
"Hmmm...well, sort of, though probably not to the same extent as others. Like it used to, way way way long ago, back when the role of predators was to keep prey populations in check as part of nature's fragile balance, but civilization has changed that. It's sort of...supplanted nature, I guess. I'm fine with that, even if I'm a predator and need to eat other creatures to live; it's just a fact of life that I am one. I'd much rather be friends with creatures if it could be helped! It did used to be an idea among some lamias, though, that because of the natural roles of predators and prey that it somehow justified that predators were placed higher up than prey on some kind of hierarchy, like we were destined by nature to rule. That was before my time, though. Recently our leaders were encouraging cooperation with the prey societies around us before this whole war thing, and the only lamias who still held that old 'predator supremacy' belief were either old snakes or just delusional."
>>176221
Kira nods in the affirmative. "You know, societies of creatures that don't eat meat. Zebras, kirins...I haven't seen a pony eating meat yet so I'm assuming you could probably call ponies prey animals?"
Kira nods in the affirmative. "You know, societies of creatures that don't eat meat. Zebras, kirins...I haven't seen a pony eating meat yet so I'm assuming you could probably call ponies prey animals?"
>>176222
Bright Dye tilts his head
“So any herbivorous creature is ‘prey’? Is that the only reason you use that word?” The angle of his head almost exceeds 90 degrees. “Is there any other reason you use that word a not, I don’t know ‘herbivore’?”
Bright Dye tilts his head
“So any herbivorous creature is ‘prey’? Is that the only reason you use that word?” The angle of his head almost exceeds 90 degrees. “Is there any other reason you use that word a not, I don’t know ‘herbivore’?”
>>176223
Dang, that's one tilted head. Kira's not sure she could match that without bending over. "Uh...I suppose there isn't really any particular reason, other than that it's the term I'm used to hearing from other lamias. Would you prefer that I use herbivore?"
Dang, that's one tilted head. Kira's not sure she could match that without bending over. "Uh...I suppose there isn't really any particular reason, other than that it's the term I'm used to hearing from other lamias. Would you prefer that I use herbivore?"
>>176221
She does not trust this mare, especially considering the direction she originated from. In what direction is the mare headed? Amber nudges Jakala to get up and starts carefully walking toward the village, giving the mare a wide berth.
She does not trust this mare, especially considering the direction she originated from. In what direction is the mare headed? Amber nudges Jakala to get up and starts carefully walking toward the village, giving the mare a wide berth.
>>176226
The mare is travelling sort of perpendicular to the path of Amber and Jakala, slightly angled towards the direction of the settlement, though she would pass it
Amber can hear a phrase of the mare that actually sounds intelligible:
"Beaivi bring the sun. With the seraph at its head and light it."
As she comes near, Amber can see that the right side of her lip, the part that is closest to Amber, is exposed to the air and not covered by a mask. There is visible frost bite on her lip, as it has started to turn black. Her ears are likewise exposed, and the right ear is frost bit at the tip. It's hard to tell given the coat, but she looks somewhat thin. Her boots have ice high along the shaft. She is shaking.
>>176225
He stops tilting his head, and rotates his head back upright.
"No, I was just curious. For what it's worth, you seem really sweet and sincere to me. Not like some others that come to me. Not like some of the griffins who don't speak ponish well, and the gnolls, who generally kind of creep me out."
[Read more] The mare is travelling sort of perpendicular to the path of Amber and Jakala, slightly angled towards the direction of the settlement, though she would pass it
Amber can hear a phrase of the mare that actually sounds intelligible:
"Beaivi bring the sun. With the seraph at its head and light it."
As she comes near, Amber can see that the right side of her lip, the part that is closest to Amber, is exposed to the air and not covered by a mask. There is visible frost bite on her lip, as it has started to turn black. Her ears are likewise exposed, and the right ear is frost bit at the tip. It's hard to tell given the coat, but she looks somewhat thin. Her boots have ice high along the shaft. She is shaking.
>>176225
He stops tilting his head, and rotates his head back upright.
"No, I was just curious. For what it's worth, you seem really sweet and sincere to me. Not like some others that come to me. Not like some of the griffins who don't speak ponish well, and the gnolls, who generally kind of creep me out."
>>176227
Kira smiles, closes her eyes, and claps her hooves together.
"Yay! Thank you so much, that really means a lot to hear! I sure hope I can get other ponies to see that, too. I know I look like a scary monster to some of them, but I hope they give me a chance to actually know me and see that I really mean no harm. You know, like all of those stories I've heard about Harmony and such!"
Kira smiles, closes her eyes, and claps her hooves together.
"Yay! Thank you so much, that really means a lot to hear! I sure hope I can get other ponies to see that, too. I know I look like a scary monster to some of them, but I hope they give me a chance to actually know me and see that I really mean no harm. You know, like all of those stories I've heard about Harmony and such!"
>>176228
He looks down at Kira's body
"Ponies can be a little... intimidated by your large size, and many of us... most of us are afraid of snakes." He looks up towards Kira and her eyes. "But you're very friendly, and you know the language and that goes far. Thank you for inviting me over."
He looks down at Kira's body
"Ponies can be a little... intimidated by your large size, and many of us... most of us are afraid of snakes." He looks up towards Kira and her eyes. "But you're very friendly, and you know the language and that goes far. Thank you for inviting me over."
>>176229
Kira smiles some more, and opens her forelegs to the stallion. "Thank you for coming! Would you like a hug?"
Kira smiles some more, and opens her forelegs to the stallion. "Thank you for coming! Would you like a hug?"
>>176232
Still with an awkward smile, he opens his forelegs and inches a few inches closer. Then a little closer. Poor stallion probably doesn't know he's been within hugging range this whole time.
Still with an awkward smile, he opens his forelegs and inches a few inches closer. Then a little closer. Poor stallion probably doesn't know he's been within hugging range this whole time.
>>176208
>>176210
Wider Ghoul world-building aside, can this roll give Posey a hint if a unique ghoul like Agire in particular might recover some of his previous potential? That's all that matters right now.
Regardless of the outcome, Milyaketan seems satisfied with the results, so it looks like this quest is successful.
>>176210
Wider Ghoul world-building aside, can this roll give Posey a hint if a unique ghoul like Agire in particular might recover some of his previous potential? That's all that matters right now.
Regardless of the outcome, Milyaketan seems satisfied with the results, so it looks like this quest is successful.
>>176237
Indeed he has been, but Kira is a polite snek and hasn't tried to hug him without his consent. Now that he has given it, she closes the gap, giving him a big pony-style hug with her forelegs. It's a very secure hug, but not uncomfortable, showing that in addition to being very sneaky she may also be adept at giving out hugs. As Bright Dye (presumably) hugs back, he makes an observation: her pony half doesn't feel all that much different from an actual pony, save for her feeling a bit firm due to all of the muscle.
Indeed he has been, but Kira is a polite snek and hasn't tried to hug him without his consent. Now that he has given it, she closes the gap, giving him a big pony-style hug with her forelegs. It's a very secure hug, but not uncomfortable, showing that in addition to being very sneaky she may also be adept at giving out hugs. As Bright Dye (presumably) hugs back, he makes an observation: her pony half doesn't feel all that much different from an actual pony, save for her feeling a bit firm due to all of the muscle.
>>176210
>>176208
It's not about whether or not the new undead creature has the same abilities as the deceased. It's about whether or not it's the same person as the deceased. Is there a continuity of consciousness such that the person is brought back from death and gains personal immortality. Memories are a similar issue, especially because it's practically impossible to know if there is or is not a continuity of consciousness, and memories are used as a proxy.
Nevermind the question of "why wouldn't the players just sacrifice a single vagabond ethnic minority to bring back a dead NPC or player character," why wouldn't every single faction in the setting simply sacrifice an unloved ethnic minority or foreigner to bring back their own dead by the hundred thousand. Killing leaders would be pointless because they would simply be brought back and live forever, spies, moles, informants, and witnesses couldn't be killed to be silenced, and death in general would cease to have meaning.
Of course I'd like to have the ghast say who he was, like the brains in cylinders in The Whisperer in Darkness, but it is indeed an issue.
>>176238
It was his mentor and the Angels who made Agire a powerful conduit. It will be they who may restore him.
>>176239
Neela:
"And for the record, it fell out on the couch"
squeaky
The pony is hugged. He's muscular under the fur, like Kira. He's shorter than some of the other ponies, particularly the mover ponies, but he's stocky and high in muscle. He's also just a little dirty.
[Read more] >>176208
It's not about whether or not the new undead creature has the same abilities as the deceased. It's about whether or not it's the same person as the deceased. Is there a continuity of consciousness such that the person is brought back from death and gains personal immortality. Memories are a similar issue, especially because it's practically impossible to know if there is or is not a continuity of consciousness, and memories are used as a proxy.
Nevermind the question of "why wouldn't the players just sacrifice a single vagabond ethnic minority to bring back a dead NPC or player character," why wouldn't every single faction in the setting simply sacrifice an unloved ethnic minority or foreigner to bring back their own dead by the hundred thousand. Killing leaders would be pointless because they would simply be brought back and live forever, spies, moles, informants, and witnesses couldn't be killed to be silenced, and death in general would cease to have meaning.
Of course I'd like to have the ghast say who he was, like the brains in cylinders in The Whisperer in Darkness, but it is indeed an issue.
>>176238
It was his mentor and the Angels who made Agire a powerful conduit. It will be they who may restore him.
>>176239
Neela:
"And for the record, it fell out on the couch"
squeaky
The pony is hugged. He's muscular under the fur, like Kira. He's shorter than some of the other ponies, particularly the mover ponies, but he's stocky and high in muscle. He's also just a little dirty.
>>176227
Amber has seen that her fears from before have fueled her misgivings and feels immediately ashamed about it. After all, even her tribe of ponies are creatures of feeling and logical fear has little weight compared to their sympathy. The poor mare needs immediate help and Amber rushes to her side.
"Wait! I'm coming to help!" she shouts, hoping her voice carries across the frigid air.
Amber has seen that her fears from before have fueled her misgivings and feels immediately ashamed about it. After all, even her tribe of ponies are creatures of feeling and logical fear has little weight compared to their sympathy. The poor mare needs immediate help and Amber rushes to her side.
"Wait! I'm coming to help!" she shouts, hoping her voice carries across the frigid air.
>>176242
is squeezed
Kira lets out a small, quiet, contented sssss. Hugs are always nice, but ponies are especially great to hug for some reason Kira has yet to actually figure out.
is squeezed
Kira lets out a small, quiet, contented sssss. Hugs are always nice, but ponies are especially great to hug for some reason Kira has yet to actually figure out.
>>176243
The mare does not respond but moves forward.
>>176203
Silver goes into the small room behind the bedroom, and sees that ominous inscription in bright, white stones above the slab. The warning of a generation long ago.
THIS IS A WARNING TO ANY WHO MAY COME UPON IT, AS WHAT LIES BENEATH IS A DANGER EVEN TO GENERATIONS YET UNBORN
THIS IS NOT A PLACE OF HONOR
NOTHING IS COMMEMORATED HERE, NOR IS ANYTHING OF VALUE SEALED HERE
WHAT IS SEALED AWAY BENEATH THESE WORDS IS BOTH DANGEROUS AND DISTURBING TO US
SEALED AWAY BENEATH THESE WORDS IS A LICH, AN EVIL MAGE WHO HAS TRADED HIS SOUL FOR IMMORTAL LIFE
HE IS AS DANGEROUS IN YOUR TIME AS HE WAS IN OURS
HE MAY BE UNLEASHED ONLY BY THE PHYSICAL DESTRUCTION OF HIS SARCOPHAGUS
And below the inscription, on the slab, is a trunk made of ancient, rusting cast iron.
But Curwhinny's sarcophagus was made of stone.
>>176244
"heh heh"
[Read more] The mare does not respond but moves forward.
>>176203
Silver goes into the small room behind the bedroom, and sees that ominous inscription in bright, white stones above the slab. The warning of a generation long ago.
THIS IS A WARNING TO ANY WHO MAY COME UPON IT, AS WHAT LIES BENEATH IS A DANGER EVEN TO GENERATIONS YET UNBORN
THIS IS NOT A PLACE OF HONOR
NOTHING IS COMMEMORATED HERE, NOR IS ANYTHING OF VALUE SEALED HERE
WHAT IS SEALED AWAY BENEATH THESE WORDS IS BOTH DANGEROUS AND DISTURBING TO US
SEALED AWAY BENEATH THESE WORDS IS A LICH, AN EVIL MAGE WHO HAS TRADED HIS SOUL FOR IMMORTAL LIFE
HE IS AS DANGEROUS IN YOUR TIME AS HE WAS IN OURS
HE MAY BE UNLEASHED ONLY BY THE PHYSICAL DESTRUCTION OF HIS SARCOPHAGUS
And below the inscription, on the slab, is a trunk made of ancient, rusting cast iron.
But Curwhinny's sarcophagus was made of stone.
>>176244
"heh heh"
>>176245
"I really am glad you decided to stay and chat, I'm glad to have you as a friend! Maybe sometime I could come over to visit, too?"
"I really am glad you decided to stay and chat, I'm glad to have you as a friend! Maybe sometime I could come over to visit, too?"
>>176245
Amber canters to get in front of the mare's path.
"Ma'am! We're going to get you some help!" she shouts again.
Amber canters to get in front of the mare's path.
"Ma'am! We're going to get you some help!" she shouts again.
>>176246
Pear shines the light primarily on the words above the casket.
"Feather Duster isn't exactly on an academic track... if you were the graduate student told to open that casket, would you?"
>>176246
"Heh, yeah, me too." He pulls away, and is smiling. "You probably can. Although my wife is a little afraid of snakes. Thank's for the tea and the chat. I really need to get back though." He moves away, and a little towards the couch."
"Ms. Pheeta?" He addresses Neela, who looks up at him with her ears standing up. He extends a hoof as if he's going to place it on her shoulder, but then he moves it suddenly up and
boop
Taps her on the snout
"I'll see you." He smiles to her, and walks towards the door
>>176248
She looks towards Amber finally, though her eyes dart about. One seems to have frost around it. She continues mumbling to herself.
[Read more] Pear shines the light primarily on the words above the casket.
"Feather Duster isn't exactly on an academic track... if you were the graduate student told to open that casket, would you?"
>>176246
"Heh, yeah, me too." He pulls away, and is smiling. "You probably can. Although my wife is a little afraid of snakes. Thank's for the tea and the chat. I really need to get back though." He moves away, and a little towards the couch."
"Ms. Pheeta?" He addresses Neela, who looks up at him with her ears standing up. He extends a hoof as if he's going to place it on her shoulder, but then he moves it suddenly up and
boop
Taps her on the snout
"I'll see you." He smiles to her, and walks towards the door
>>176248
She looks towards Amber finally, though her eyes dart about. One seems to have frost around it. She continues mumbling to herself.
>>176249
Amber gets very close to the mare, close enough that Amber is scared by her and her condition. She reaches out to touch her on the chest.
"There's a village nearby. I'll get you help. Jakala!" She ends by shouting to the little filly, motioning her to come over.
Amber gets very close to the mare, close enough that Amber is scared by her and her condition. She reaches out to touch her on the chest.
"There's a village nearby. I'll get you help. Jakala!" She ends by shouting to the little filly, motioning her to come over.
>>176249
Silver looks at the words again.
"Well, I know that liches and evil mages are real. There is entire country of them. I also know that these ponies had to have died to something, and either they wrote that message down in their dying moments or what survivors there were from this event wrote it down. You would have to be very ignorant to want to open that casket seeing that message without knowing his phylactery was smashed. But real question is; would any of your compatriots be ignorant enough to ignore this warning and either open that casket, or steal it away somewhere?"
Silver looks at the words again.
"Well, I know that liches and evil mages are real. There is entire country of them. I also know that these ponies had to have died to something, and either they wrote that message down in their dying moments or what survivors there were from this event wrote it down. You would have to be very ignorant to want to open that casket seeing that message without knowing his phylactery was smashed. But real question is; would any of your compatriots be ignorant enough to ignore this warning and either open that casket, or steal it away somewhere?"
>>176249
Kira giggles at the cute little snout boop he gives Neela, and waves goodbye to her.
"Bye Bright Dye! I'll see you, too!"
Kira giggles at the cute little snout boop he gives Neela, and waves goodbye to her.
"Bye Bright Dye! I'll see you, too!"
>>176240
>It's not about whether or not the new undead creature has the same abilities as the deceased. It's about whether or not it's the same person as the deceased.
It varies based on the species of undead, but many undead are considered to not be the same people, but monsters created from the remains of what were those people. Intelligent undead retaining the memories of who they were in life contributes to the the horror of their existence, but that doesn't mean they're the same. If not possessing full memories, intelligent undead should at least inherit parts of their previous memories, since that makes them more interesting.
Liches carry scrolls of their most precious memories inside their phylacteries, to avoid forgetting who they are over the centuries.
>gains personal immortality
If you consider being a hollow mockery of your former self consumed by unending hunger and hate to be immortality, then sure.
Liches for example are created in pursuit of immorality, but they lose themselves in the process: hobbies, appreciation for art, things that brought them pleasure, it all turns to dust overtime.
>Memories are a similar issue, especially because it's practically impossible to know if there is or is not a continuity of consciousness, and memories are used as a proxy.
Well, souls are a thing in d&d, so the concept of continuity is much clearer. An undead monster that inherits the memories of a person is not the same person if the soul is elsewhere.
>why wouldn't every single faction in the setting simply sacrifice an unloved ethnic minority or foreigner to bring back their own dead by the hundred thousand
Well, worshipping demons and making sacrifices to dark powers to bring back the dead as monsters has other consequences, and doing so archetypically leads societies to rot and ruin one way or another.
Although, that's kind of what the Dread League is trying to do, so maybe it could work. Who knows.
>Killing leaders would be pointless because they would simply be brought back
Resurrection spells already exist. If your leaders consider being undead to be worth it, they should invest in becoming lich kings.
>spies, moles, informants, and witnesses couldn't be killed to be silenced
We have Speak With Dead too, and could just read their entrails.
Magic complicates things.
>death in general would cease to have meaning
Well, that's part of Posey's cause, in her twisted, evil way.
>Of course I'd like to have the ghast say who he was, like the brains in cylinders in The Whisperer in Darkness, but it is indeed an issue.
That's are already unique among ghouls, having been created from people of heroic level. A ghast telling the story about the person it was before it's horrid transformation into the monster it is today shouldn't mess up the setting that badly.
Besides, I think ghouls as characters can add to this game. We can even have Fallout references. Ghouls are fun when they're more than flesh eating monsters, even if they're still flesh eating monsters. They have their own Cleric domains and magic items that only they can use. I like the idea of ghoul society.
>It was his mentor and the Angels who made Agire a powerful conduit. It will be they who may restore him.
Good enough for me.
[Read more] >It's not about whether or not the new undead creature has the same abilities as the deceased. It's about whether or not it's the same person as the deceased.
It varies based on the species of undead, but many undead are considered to not be the same people, but monsters created from the remains of what were those people. Intelligent undead retaining the memories of who they were in life contributes to the the horror of their existence, but that doesn't mean they're the same. If not possessing full memories, intelligent undead should at least inherit parts of their previous memories, since that makes them more interesting.
Liches carry scrolls of their most precious memories inside their phylacteries, to avoid forgetting who they are over the centuries.
>gains personal immortality
If you consider being a hollow mockery of your former self consumed by unending hunger and hate to be immortality, then sure.
Liches for example are created in pursuit of immorality, but they lose themselves in the process: hobbies, appreciation for art, things that brought them pleasure, it all turns to dust overtime.
>Memories are a similar issue, especially because it's practically impossible to know if there is or is not a continuity of consciousness, and memories are used as a proxy.
Well, souls are a thing in d&d, so the concept of continuity is much clearer. An undead monster that inherits the memories of a person is not the same person if the soul is elsewhere.
>why wouldn't every single faction in the setting simply sacrifice an unloved ethnic minority or foreigner to bring back their own dead by the hundred thousand
Well, worshipping demons and making sacrifices to dark powers to bring back the dead as monsters has other consequences, and doing so archetypically leads societies to rot and ruin one way or another.
Although, that's kind of what the Dread League is trying to do, so maybe it could work. Who knows.
>Killing leaders would be pointless because they would simply be brought back
Resurrection spells already exist. If your leaders consider being undead to be worth it, they should invest in becoming lich kings.
>spies, moles, informants, and witnesses couldn't be killed to be silenced
We have Speak With Dead too, and could just read their entrails.
Magic complicates things.
>death in general would cease to have meaning
Well, that's part of Posey's cause, in her twisted, evil way.
>Of course I'd like to have the ghast say who he was, like the brains in cylinders in The Whisperer in Darkness, but it is indeed an issue.
That's are already unique among ghouls, having been created from people of heroic level. A ghast telling the story about the person it was before it's horrid transformation into the monster it is today shouldn't mess up the setting that badly.
Besides, I think ghouls as characters can add to this game. We can even have Fallout references. Ghouls are fun when they're more than flesh eating monsters, even if they're still flesh eating monsters. They have their own Cleric domains and magic items that only they can use. I like the idea of ghoul society.
>It was his mentor and the Angels who made Agire a powerful conduit. It will be they who may restore him.
Good enough for me.
>>176250
tap tap tap
Jakala moves closer
Amber touches her fur jacket. The mare looks in the direction of Amber, but her eyes do not focus. She mutters,
"The Sun is coming, pulled by the wings of the Seraph. It will light up all. Can you see it? Can you hear it calling?"
>>176251
"Yes. Most of them would. Peer Review doesn't believe in Liches in the sense of an immortal magician that doesn't need food or external magic. Critical theory is the same, and he's the one who ordered it. Mr. Loans and Dr. Grant would just follow orders. And Feather Duster would risk being fired by switching out the casket."
>>176252
Bright Dye waves at Kira, then looks to Neela and waves to her. He smiles towards the creatures, and leaves out the door, closing it behind him.
[Read more] tap tap tap
Jakala moves closer
Amber touches her fur jacket. The mare looks in the direction of Amber, but her eyes do not focus. She mutters,
"The Sun is coming, pulled by the wings of the Seraph. It will light up all. Can you see it? Can you hear it calling?"
>>176251
"Yes. Most of them would. Peer Review doesn't believe in Liches in the sense of an immortal magician that doesn't need food or external magic. Critical theory is the same, and he's the one who ordered it. Mr. Loans and Dr. Grant would just follow orders. And Feather Duster would risk being fired by switching out the casket."
>>176252
Bright Dye waves at Kira, then looks to Neela and waves to her. He smiles towards the creatures, and leaves out the door, closing it behind him.
>>176254
"The sun won't be here for three weeks. We need to get you to our village. You…aren't well." It's a bit of an understatement. The mare has hours, if even that.
"The sun won't be here for three weeks. We need to get you to our village. You…aren't well." It's a bit of an understatement. The mare has hours, if even that.
>>176256
"Do you feel it's warmth? Do you hear it calling?" She says
>>176253
>many undead are considered to not be the same people, but monsters created from the remains of what were those people
This is my understanding of basically all undead that aren't created directly from the living. Vampires and Liches are different, because they are created directly from the living, and thus have a continuity of consciousness.
>Well, souls are a thing in d&d, so the concept of continuity is much clearer. An undead monster that inherits the memories of a person is not the same person if the soul is elsewhere.
Dungeons and Dragons is a darker and more cynical version of the world created by Tolkien. Tolkien's world is very heavily based off of his catholic faith, and thus has features of that philosophy: his world has a definite and known metaphysics, a definite and known good and evil, a definite and known theology. These work well enough for high fantasy escapism.
That isn't what this is. This campaign actually takes more thematically from Hearts of Iron 4 than it does from Dungeons and Dragons or even My Little Pony. In so far as that war-arcade game has a theme, it is how differing ideologies compel warfare in a sort of Hegelian Dialectic. This campaign seeks to explore how culture, ideology, religion, and belief motivate behavior, and how these influence interactions between different groups of people. In the real world, people have different views on metaphysics. They have completely different ideas about what is good and what is evil. They have different ideas about whatever gods may be. These ideas are tied into their ideologies, and they are not easily confirmed or disproven by observable facts. To confirm or deny that one religion is correct and another is wrong is for God himself to intervene and tip his hand on the scale of one position over the other. That is actively harmful to the entire point, which is an exploration of motivation and social psychology. So to that end, as far as possible, I will always, always, always, try to keep as much ambiguity as possible concerning the truth of religious matters.
Take the Kaftar praying to their god and getting some kind of response. Does that mean their religion is true? Possibly, but it could also be that they are getting a response from a lesser spiritual being. Perhaps these are from Lovecraftian style aliens. Perhaps the response is from a god they misunderstand the nature of. Perhaps it is from malevolent spiritual entities. Exactly what it is thoroughly besides the point. They have a religion that they think is correct. The ponies think they are devil worshipers at best. Trying to clarify the truth of that matter is to miss the story about how immigrant communities react to their host nations, and how host nations react to the foreign cultures who immigrate there. That's what this is about. This is about an immigrant group trying to maintain their culture and identity, and a native culture who fears the alien, but also wants them to work the night shift. So clarifying whether the Peacock is who Posey thinks it is harmful to the theme. The real world does not eliminate doubt. I don't think this needs to either. The Kaftar believe what they believe because they are who they are. Posey ought to believe what Posey believes because she is who she is. I don't think the truth needs to be divinely revealed in every instance.
>Resurrection spells already exist
They aren't easily powered by genocide
>We have Speak With Dead too, and could just read their entrails. Magic complicates things
I try to disregard it
>Posey's cause and what the Dread League is trying to do
Perhaps you have a different interpretation, but my understanding of the Dread League's mission, or at least, Rosa Maledicta's mission, is that existence is intrinsically evil, as it necessarily entails pain, suffering, and want. She wishes to end this by ending all life, including ultimately all undeath.
>A ghast telling the story about the person it was before it's horrid transformation into the monster it is today shouldn't mess up the setting that badly. Besides, I think ghouls as characters can add to this game. We can even have Fallout references. Ghouls are fun when they're more than flesh eating monsters, even if they're still flesh eating monsters. They have their own Cleric domains and magic items that only they can use. I like the idea of ghoul society.
While I don't think the fallout reference holds because Fallout Ghouls are created directly from living people, and thus have a direct continuity of consciousness, and are technically not undead at all - this is still a pretty good argument in favor of having intelligent ghouls
>>176255
This is actually going through the remains of a location of a quest from years ago
>>176257
"Do you think he was in to me? He was in to me a little, right?" Neela asks
>>176258
"Well, I've barely seen him. Mostly I've been looking at my book."
[Read more] "Do you feel it's warmth? Do you hear it calling?" She says
>>176253
>many undead are considered to not be the same people, but monsters created from the remains of what were those people
This is my understanding of basically all undead that aren't created directly from the living. Vampires and Liches are different, because they are created directly from the living, and thus have a continuity of consciousness.
>Well, souls are a thing in d&d, so the concept of continuity is much clearer. An undead monster that inherits the memories of a person is not the same person if the soul is elsewhere.
Dungeons and Dragons is a darker and more cynical version of the world created by Tolkien. Tolkien's world is very heavily based off of his catholic faith, and thus has features of that philosophy: his world has a definite and known metaphysics, a definite and known good and evil, a definite and known theology. These work well enough for high fantasy escapism.
That isn't what this is. This campaign actually takes more thematically from Hearts of Iron 4 than it does from Dungeons and Dragons or even My Little Pony. In so far as that war-arcade game has a theme, it is how differing ideologies compel warfare in a sort of Hegelian Dialectic. This campaign seeks to explore how culture, ideology, religion, and belief motivate behavior, and how these influence interactions between different groups of people. In the real world, people have different views on metaphysics. They have completely different ideas about what is good and what is evil. They have different ideas about whatever gods may be. These ideas are tied into their ideologies, and they are not easily confirmed or disproven by observable facts. To confirm or deny that one religion is correct and another is wrong is for God himself to intervene and tip his hand on the scale of one position over the other. That is actively harmful to the entire point, which is an exploration of motivation and social psychology. So to that end, as far as possible, I will always, always, always, try to keep as much ambiguity as possible concerning the truth of religious matters.
Take the Kaftar praying to their god and getting some kind of response. Does that mean their religion is true? Possibly, but it could also be that they are getting a response from a lesser spiritual being. Perhaps these are from Lovecraftian style aliens. Perhaps the response is from a god they misunderstand the nature of. Perhaps it is from malevolent spiritual entities. Exactly what it is thoroughly besides the point. They have a religion that they think is correct. The ponies think they are devil worshipers at best. Trying to clarify the truth of that matter is to miss the story about how immigrant communities react to their host nations, and how host nations react to the foreign cultures who immigrate there. That's what this is about. This is about an immigrant group trying to maintain their culture and identity, and a native culture who fears the alien, but also wants them to work the night shift. So clarifying whether the Peacock is who Posey thinks it is harmful to the theme. The real world does not eliminate doubt. I don't think this needs to either. The Kaftar believe what they believe because they are who they are. Posey ought to believe what Posey believes because she is who she is. I don't think the truth needs to be divinely revealed in every instance.
>Resurrection spells already exist
They aren't easily powered by genocide
>We have Speak With Dead too, and could just read their entrails. Magic complicates things
I try to disregard it
>Posey's cause and what the Dread League is trying to do
Perhaps you have a different interpretation, but my understanding of the Dread League's mission, or at least, Rosa Maledicta's mission, is that existence is intrinsically evil, as it necessarily entails pain, suffering, and want. She wishes to end this by ending all life, including ultimately all undeath.
>A ghast telling the story about the person it was before it's horrid transformation into the monster it is today shouldn't mess up the setting that badly. Besides, I think ghouls as characters can add to this game. We can even have Fallout references. Ghouls are fun when they're more than flesh eating monsters, even if they're still flesh eating monsters. They have their own Cleric domains and magic items that only they can use. I like the idea of ghoul society.
While I don't think the fallout reference holds because Fallout Ghouls are created directly from living people, and thus have a direct continuity of consciousness, and are technically not undead at all - this is still a pretty good argument in favor of having intelligent ghouls
>>176255
This is actually going through the remains of a location of a quest from years ago
>>176257
"Do you think he was in to me? He was in to me a little, right?" Neela asks
>>176258
"Well, I've barely seen him. Mostly I've been looking at my book."
>>176260
"Yes, yes I do…Jakala! Bring the sled over here." Amber feels close to panicking, but realizes she needs to stay calm for her little friend.
"Yes, yes I do…Jakala! Bring the sled over here." Amber feels close to panicking, but realizes she needs to stay calm for her little friend.
>>176260
"Hmmmm...well, we cannot just go up to him and accuse him of swapping out sarcophagus. If he did it, he would immediately move to cover his tracks, including moving wherever he stashed original sarcophagus. If he did not, he will be outraged and may end up tipping off actual culprit, who will then cover their tracks. Have you truly not seen him acting at all weird, or going off on his own out of nowhere?"
"Hmmmm...well, we cannot just go up to him and accuse him of swapping out sarcophagus. If he did it, he would immediately move to cover his tracks, including moving wherever he stashed original sarcophagus. If he did not, he will be outraged and may end up tipping off actual culprit, who will then cover their tracks. Have you truly not seen him acting at all weird, or going off on his own out of nowhere?"
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