A new godmodder has appeared on the scene in the DefTG Reality. As an affornt to the happy ending of Defeat the Godmodder, he must be stopped. But...
Why and how does he exist?
Why and how does he exist?
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Defeat The Godmodder 2 2: The Story of You (New Players Always Welcome, Character Sheets not required!)
- Thread starter Alastair Dragovich
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Defeat The Godmodder 2 2: The Story of You
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Storypost 1: Prelude to the Fight
Script for: Defeat the Godmodder the Movie (Dramatica Edition)
(Scriptwriter note: Can we get something like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3SuYFYPe4Y? Please and thank you.)
[Music begins to play as a primordial Earth against a starry backdrop appears.]
Narrator: It is a story we've come to know time and time again. Historical accounts, eyewitness accounts, Historical re-enactments in movie form, documentaries, and so forth. But none of them have the personal touch that a story does. That a Narrative does.
[The picture slowly fades out then in, showing a gruesome depiction of the Devil.]
Narrator: Ever since time immemorial, evil has haunted every corner of the Planes we call our reality. It has many names. 'Demon God'. 'The Devil'. 'The Fallen Angel'. 'Politics.' But there is one thing that the monster is known for, even after its demise. One that had become even more well known by name than the foul being's own.
[The picture transitions again, a bit more quickly. It's an artistic representation of The Godmodder, modeled after of our lead actor.]
Narrator: The Godmodder. An immortal evil who was as trying and impossible to defeat as it was destructive. Their history is long and sordid. And even should one die, they always had an apprentice in the works. Hiding. Waiting. Hoping to shine and show their true nature.
[The screen goes black.]
Narrator: This is the story of the ones who ended it.
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You feel wide awake and utterly aware. This feels unnatural and completely wrong somehow, like being ripped from a dream or reading an epilogue that ruins so many hopes and dreams and happy endings.
You are asleep. So there should be a feeling of dreaming.
You instead find yourself in a warped, twisting energy space. Before you is a mirror.
You see a 'Red Phantom' in the Mirror.
"Greetings," You are addressed in a manner that gives you the feeling that you are not the only one to receive this message. "If you are seeing this, it means you have been chosen. Chosen for a task of utmost importance. One that has the fate of all reality hanging in the balance."
You steel the nerves a bit before things continue. "Despite the peace of the last 10 years, since the defeat of the Godmodder John Smith, otherwise known as Verraad, the worst has come to pass. A new Godmodder has emerged."
You suddenly find that a large wall and a nature scene replaces the surroundings. From the many depictions seen in various media and history documents… it can only be The Final Wall, a vital and central location in the final Godmodding War that is only second to the Hexagonafield in importance.
"This is where they've emerged. Get here, by any means. I'll aid you in subtle ways, but you won't receive your due until you arrive. And to explain what your due is..."
You feel an incredible rush of energy for the briefest of instants. There was no mistaking the font of creative energy.
That was Player Powers.
"Go to the Final Wall. There the Godmodder awaits, as well as your birthright."
And then you wake up.
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Location: The Final Wall
The travels were personal, but one by one a gathering of Players has emerged at the Final Wall. Along those travels you found many reasons to stay and fight. Monetary gain, fame, the fact that there were these 'Blue Phantoms' that oozed and wielded Godmodding power, the sight of fear on people's faces....
As for those who are gathered, most are new. Others are Veterans. Some you don't recognize. Others whose depictions and likenesses you've seen far too many times to count.
Now that has almost everyone has gathered, you dare venture in a bit of ways. You leave trail markers so that anyone who joins a bit later can follow your footsteps.
Everything is silent for a while. Too many emotions fill the hearts of those present for a single person to speak a word.
And then it hits you.
A Rush of Player Power.
And before you… is a large, armored figure, imposing in looks. A blue, Godmodding aura leaks from the seams of the armor.
It notices You immediately and levels an unseen, harsh glare.
"You dare approach me?"
The Godmodder speaks in a slow, deliberate voice. The voice reminds you of… nope, you lost it. It was a deep voiced villain, but you can't remember their name. Drat.
"If you wish to live to see another day, then leave now. If you hope to have a happy life, then leave now. If there is anything waiting for you beyond the Final Wall, then leave this place and never return." He effortless lifts up his ball and chain. "If you remain… then know you shall suffer the fate that every Player who falls has suffered before you. The same one that the Veterans know all TOO well, given how lauded they are."
You can hear the smugness. The gloating. The infuriating confidence. Despite his warnings, you know, deep down, that he wants you to remain. To fight him.
Well.
Who are you to deny them?
DEFEAT THE GODMODDER!
[G] The Godmodder: HP - 100/100
Rule Zero: You can do anything. Just don't expect it to work.
Rule Double Zero: The Game Master has the final say in a dispute or in general. The Game Master is the me, the out of character runner of the game.
Rule Triple Zero: Breaking the Law or Spacebattles site Policy will result in strict and harsh punishment. Keep them in mind and err on the side of caution when in doubt.
Rule Quadruple Zero: The Rules can and will change as the situation demands it. When in doubt, read the rules first, then contact me in a PM if you still have an issue. Keep in mind Rule Double Zero when you do so, for once I rule, the rule will remain unless and until I change my mind.
Rule 1: You start the game with 10,000 Player Power. This is the metric by which all of your Actions is measured. You also have 'Wounds'. If you hit 'Mortally Wounded', you will bleed out in three turns and your character will die. This will result in a mandatory sidequest for said character/characters, and failure results in your character being permanently retired from the game outside of major story events. This is harsher on Roleplayers, but the mechanical result is that you lose control over all items and entities you have created to make sure that non-roleplayers also get the message.
Rule 1.1: By 'retiring your character' I don't mean you, the player of the game. I mean the being whom all the Roleplaying and dying happened to. If you wish, you can just spawn in 'character but with a mustache', but none of your summons will treat your character as your previous character and you'll have to convince them to follow the new character's lead. Like for example you could roleplay as Goku. If you double die, you can no longer roleplay as Goku since his soul is now soul nommed by the Godmodder. You'll have to be a different character, ranging from say Piccolo to Superman to even Clone Goku if you want. But the original Goku is gone outside of major story events.
Rule 1.2: If you hit 'Mortally Wounded', you can sacrifice your character to do an incredibly powerful move. During main gameplay, it's a X10 Multiplier to your Action. During the Mandatory Sidequest it's a X25 Multiplier. Do not forget this tool, should you find yourself in a tight spot.
Rule 2: You have three Actions per turn. The 'turn' refreshes with every Main Update unless it is said otherwise. These Actions can be concentrated - or Focused - to accomplish a single goal at the cost of being able to do three different tasks.
Rule 2.1: You may gain a fourth Action, but only by spending at least one full CP. You can't have more than four Actions in any given turn, however.
Rule 3: You may summon entities. Each Action invested in HP is worth the total of your Player Power (Currently 10,000) while ATK is 1/4th of that. For example, with current Player Power, Spending Two Actions on an Entity, one in HP and one in ATK, will give it give it a stat readout of HP - 10,000/10,000, ATK 2,500. Any further gimmicks will be judged on a case by case basis and might be put in a gimmick list for later reference. If a Gimmick does not work or there's not enough Actions to make it work, I will either say so or extend the amount of time needed to set it off by a number or turns, depending on the nature of the gimmick.
Rule 3.1: Entities play an important role. In addition to being additional vectors to damage the Godmodder and the Godmodder's forces with, so long as there are at least three Entities on your side, you will be immune to direct damage from any forces.
Rule 3.2: The Three Entities rule does not apply to all sides. This instead applies on a faction by faction basis. This includes AG-Leaning and PG-Leaning Neutrals, but not True Neutrals. For example, if the PG-Leaning Neutrals have 3 entities to their side, but the AGs only have 2 and the PGs have none, then the PG-Leaning Neutrals are immune to attack and damage while the AGs and PGs can be damaged and even killed. Another example: If Neutral Bill has 0 entities but Neutral Cain has 3, then Neutral Bill will be vulnerable while Neutral Cain is immune to damage until one of his entities dies.
Rule 4: You can save an action to use later as 'CP'. CP are equal to Actions. Useful if IRL makes it hard to post. They are used to augment Actions, which can have any amount of CP added to them to make them more numerically potent.
Rule 4.1: Shenanigans are Actions whose results don't rely on numerical power at the cost of 'anything can happen'. All Godmodder attacks, by default, are shenanigans. You cannot use any CP to 'boost' a shenanigan numerically, since the non-numerical results are the point of shenanigans. They can and will backfire, but sometimes what you want or need isn't easy or even possible to get through numbers alone...
Rule 4.2: Items act as CP, but they have a special purpose. For one, you can use the item without using the CP invested in it as flavortext for an attack, though its mechanical bonus won't be applied until CP from the Item is spent. Second, items can be specialized from the outset in their abilities and purpose. Third and final, when an item's CP is used, it acts as a 'gamble bonus'. The bonus in question (detailed in Rule 5) usually has a variable range. However, if you use an item's CP in an Action, then if you trigger the bonus, you will get the full multiplier - X3. If you fail to trigger the bonus, or fail to trigger the bonus sufficiently, then no matter what the bare minimum will be what you get out of it - the value that you get by investing CP into an Action.
Rule 4.3: CP Projects are basically the original form of charging and can be used to accomplish major effects as a group. The charge will have a set amount of CP it needs to be completed, and anyone can donate to it. If you apply flavortext to the donation of CP to the project, then there is a chance to trigger the bonus (Rule 5) which will double or triple the CP invested.
Rule 5: Creativity, humor, and coolness can boost anything you do, such as attacks or summons. This is effectively a X1.5, X2, or X3 multiplier depending on how I like it. Or it's a special gimmick or some fudging if multipliers are hard to work with or contextualize.
Rule 5.1: Long posts/'smashsposts' are not inherently creative, cool, or funny, and can slow the game down. If long posts are spammed, or if they aren't creative, they will not get the 'creativity bonus'. Not a rule, exactly, so much as a clarification or warning. But if your base idea is creative/cool/funny and you have the time, I don't mind reading them and will judge them like the other attacks.
Rule 5.2: Roleplaying can be cool or funny or build up to such moments, but don't sweat it if you don't have the time. Do it because you like it and have time to do so.
Rule 6: The Godmodder does not take damage easily. Don't expect to do damage in the double digits even if you do get a hit in. Heck, don't expect to make it past 5 Damage dealt in one go. 1 Will often be what you get.
Rule 7: Have fun! The lore is a vehicle, the plot is an excuse, and logic is barely a participant assuming it isn't hiding in a corner trying not to die. There will be moments where lore or plot will take center focus, and there will be some things that can't be altered, but those are few and far between.
Rule Double Zero: The Game Master has the final say in a dispute or in general. The Game Master is the me, the out of character runner of the game.
Rule Triple Zero: Breaking the Law or Spacebattles site Policy will result in strict and harsh punishment. Keep them in mind and err on the side of caution when in doubt.
Rule Quadruple Zero: The Rules can and will change as the situation demands it. When in doubt, read the rules first, then contact me in a PM if you still have an issue. Keep in mind Rule Double Zero when you do so, for once I rule, the rule will remain unless and until I change my mind.
Rule 1: You start the game with 10,000 Player Power. This is the metric by which all of your Actions is measured. You also have 'Wounds'. If you hit 'Mortally Wounded', you will bleed out in three turns and your character will die. This will result in a mandatory sidequest for said character/characters, and failure results in your character being permanently retired from the game outside of major story events. This is harsher on Roleplayers, but the mechanical result is that you lose control over all items and entities you have created to make sure that non-roleplayers also get the message.
Rule 1.1: By 'retiring your character' I don't mean you, the player of the game. I mean the being whom all the Roleplaying and dying happened to. If you wish, you can just spawn in 'character but with a mustache', but none of your summons will treat your character as your previous character and you'll have to convince them to follow the new character's lead. Like for example you could roleplay as Goku. If you double die, you can no longer roleplay as Goku since his soul is now soul nommed by the Godmodder. You'll have to be a different character, ranging from say Piccolo to Superman to even Clone Goku if you want. But the original Goku is gone outside of major story events.
Rule 1.2: If you hit 'Mortally Wounded', you can sacrifice your character to do an incredibly powerful move. During main gameplay, it's a X10 Multiplier to your Action. During the Mandatory Sidequest it's a X25 Multiplier. Do not forget this tool, should you find yourself in a tight spot.
Rule 2: You have three Actions per turn. The 'turn' refreshes with every Main Update unless it is said otherwise. These Actions can be concentrated - or Focused - to accomplish a single goal at the cost of being able to do three different tasks.
Rule 2.1: You may gain a fourth Action, but only by spending at least one full CP. You can't have more than four Actions in any given turn, however.
Rule 3: You may summon entities. Each Action invested in HP is worth the total of your Player Power (Currently 10,000) while ATK is 1/4th of that. For example, with current Player Power, Spending Two Actions on an Entity, one in HP and one in ATK, will give it give it a stat readout of HP - 10,000/10,000, ATK 2,500. Any further gimmicks will be judged on a case by case basis and might be put in a gimmick list for later reference. If a Gimmick does not work or there's not enough Actions to make it work, I will either say so or extend the amount of time needed to set it off by a number or turns, depending on the nature of the gimmick.
Rule 3.1: Entities play an important role. In addition to being additional vectors to damage the Godmodder and the Godmodder's forces with, so long as there are at least three Entities on your side, you will be immune to direct damage from any forces.
Rule 3.2: The Three Entities rule does not apply to all sides. This instead applies on a faction by faction basis. This includes AG-Leaning and PG-Leaning Neutrals, but not True Neutrals. For example, if the PG-Leaning Neutrals have 3 entities to their side, but the AGs only have 2 and the PGs have none, then the PG-Leaning Neutrals are immune to attack and damage while the AGs and PGs can be damaged and even killed. Another example: If Neutral Bill has 0 entities but Neutral Cain has 3, then Neutral Bill will be vulnerable while Neutral Cain is immune to damage until one of his entities dies.
Rule 4: You can save an action to use later as 'CP'. CP are equal to Actions. Useful if IRL makes it hard to post. They are used to augment Actions, which can have any amount of CP added to them to make them more numerically potent.
Rule 4.1: Shenanigans are Actions whose results don't rely on numerical power at the cost of 'anything can happen'. All Godmodder attacks, by default, are shenanigans. You cannot use any CP to 'boost' a shenanigan numerically, since the non-numerical results are the point of shenanigans. They can and will backfire, but sometimes what you want or need isn't easy or even possible to get through numbers alone...
Rule 4.2: Items act as CP, but they have a special purpose. For one, you can use the item without using the CP invested in it as flavortext for an attack, though its mechanical bonus won't be applied until CP from the Item is spent. Second, items can be specialized from the outset in their abilities and purpose. Third and final, when an item's CP is used, it acts as a 'gamble bonus'. The bonus in question (detailed in Rule 5) usually has a variable range. However, if you use an item's CP in an Action, then if you trigger the bonus, you will get the full multiplier - X3. If you fail to trigger the bonus, or fail to trigger the bonus sufficiently, then no matter what the bare minimum will be what you get out of it - the value that you get by investing CP into an Action.
Rule 4.3: CP Projects are basically the original form of charging and can be used to accomplish major effects as a group. The charge will have a set amount of CP it needs to be completed, and anyone can donate to it. If you apply flavortext to the donation of CP to the project, then there is a chance to trigger the bonus (Rule 5) which will double or triple the CP invested.
Rule 5: Creativity, humor, and coolness can boost anything you do, such as attacks or summons. This is effectively a X1.5, X2, or X3 multiplier depending on how I like it. Or it's a special gimmick or some fudging if multipliers are hard to work with or contextualize.
Rule 5.1: Long posts/'smashsposts' are not inherently creative, cool, or funny, and can slow the game down. If long posts are spammed, or if they aren't creative, they will not get the 'creativity bonus'. Not a rule, exactly, so much as a clarification or warning. But if your base idea is creative/cool/funny and you have the time, I don't mind reading them and will judge them like the other attacks.
Rule 5.2: Roleplaying can be cool or funny or build up to such moments, but don't sweat it if you don't have the time. Do it because you like it and have time to do so.
Rule 6: The Godmodder does not take damage easily. Don't expect to do damage in the double digits even if you do get a hit in. Heck, don't expect to make it past 5 Damage dealt in one go. 1 Will often be what you get.
Rule 7: Have fun! The lore is a vehicle, the plot is an excuse, and logic is barely a participant assuming it isn't hiding in a corner trying not to die. There will be moments where lore or plot will take center focus, and there will be some things that can't be altered, but those are few and far between.
Credit to Torix for the Wounds System Overview, who is running this game: https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/destroy-the-godmodder-alchemiquest.807355/
Not Injured - The normal and ideal position for Players to be in.
Slightly Injured - Occurs when somebody has been hit with an attack that goes through. Though there's no effect on their actions yet, this is separate and requires healing.
Moderately Wounded - The Player is injured to the point where it has a serious effect on their actions, lessening the effect of whatever the action does.
Seriously Wounded - The Player is noticeably injured and bleeding. Actions are far less powerful, averaging around half of their normal Player Power.
Critically Wounded - The Player is on their last legs. Actions are close to having almost no power and the average attack is pitiful.
Mortally Wounded - The Player is literally on the deathbed. Any action preformed here will be their last, called a Mortal Action and being immensely powerful. It will also kill them as the last of their power, which was keeping them alive, is used up in the attack. Healing from this condition must be preformed by another Player or an item, and can't come from the Mortally Wounded player.
There are two kinds of shields in the game that can prevent a player or entity from coming to harm: Regen Shields and plain Attack Shields. Regen Shields only reduce one incoming attack's damage by 25%, but they come back the following turn. For example, if an entity attacked an entity with a regen shield twice in one turn and once the next for 4,000 damage, then the first turn the regen shield entity would take 3,000 + 4,000 damage, and then next turn would only take 3,000 damage. Multiple Regen Shields cannot be applied to the same attack, but multiple can be applied to an entity to reduce multiple attacks by 25% each.
A full attack shield negates an attack entirely, but it does not come back. So for example if the same 4,000 ATK entity attacked an entity with an attack shield twice, the first attack would do no damage, but no matter what the next attack would go right back to doing full damage if a regen shield or another Attack shield wasn't put down.
Players can only take one Wound of damage at a time outside of select, plot important situations. If the attack does any damage at all, it will only drop the player by one wound stage, and only one attack that an opponent launches per turn will hurt that specific player. As such, Regen Shields are useless and cannot be applied to Players - only full Attack Shields.
Not Injured - The normal and ideal position for Players to be in.
Slightly Injured - Occurs when somebody has been hit with an attack that goes through. Though there's no effect on their actions yet, this is separate and requires healing.
Moderately Wounded - The Player is injured to the point where it has a serious effect on their actions, lessening the effect of whatever the action does.
Seriously Wounded - The Player is noticeably injured and bleeding. Actions are far less powerful, averaging around half of their normal Player Power.
Critically Wounded - The Player is on their last legs. Actions are close to having almost no power and the average attack is pitiful.
Mortally Wounded - The Player is literally on the deathbed. Any action preformed here will be their last, called a Mortal Action and being immensely powerful. It will also kill them as the last of their power, which was keeping them alive, is used up in the attack. Healing from this condition must be preformed by another Player or an item, and can't come from the Mortally Wounded player.
There are two kinds of shields in the game that can prevent a player or entity from coming to harm: Regen Shields and plain Attack Shields. Regen Shields only reduce one incoming attack's damage by 25%, but they come back the following turn. For example, if an entity attacked an entity with a regen shield twice in one turn and once the next for 4,000 damage, then the first turn the regen shield entity would take 3,000 + 4,000 damage, and then next turn would only take 3,000 damage. Multiple Regen Shields cannot be applied to the same attack, but multiple can be applied to an entity to reduce multiple attacks by 25% each.
A full attack shield negates an attack entirely, but it does not come back. So for example if the same 4,000 ATK entity attacked an entity with an attack shield twice, the first attack would do no damage, but no matter what the next attack would go right back to doing full damage if a regen shield or another Attack shield wasn't put down.
Players can only take one Wound of damage at a time outside of select, plot important situations. If the attack does any damage at all, it will only drop the player by one wound stage, and only one attack that an opponent launches per turn will hurt that specific player. As such, Regen Shields are useless and cannot be applied to Players - only full Attack Shields.
Alignment System: I presume you've noticed the colored tags in front of the Entities. Essentially, they're set up so that their color and the first part of the tag shows which side they're serving, and the second part of the tag shows which Player created it if applicable in the event of something like, say Mind Control.
As for the Alignments themselves, there's 3 you need to concern yourself with: PG, AG, and N.
PG is Pro-Godmodder. This mostly applies to the Godmodder's minions due to how miserable these creeps are.
AG is Anti-Godmodder. Players are this alignment by default until their actions or declarations state otherwise.
N is Neutral. These Players or beings are not bound by any sort of Loyalty to either side. If they do show favoritism, the Neutralladder will show which way they lean, whether it's AG leaning or PG leaning.
Free Actions: Not everything requires use of your Actions. Some things just can be done with few to no consequences. Talking is always a free action - unless it's part of a shenanigan or achieving a mechanical effect. Commanding Entities - telling them to defend, to attack a specific target, or to use a special ability - is also a Free Action. Rule of Thumb is if it's something that can be classified as Roleplaying on a Forum Game and it has no mechanical effect, it's probably a free action.
As for the Alignments themselves, there's 3 you need to concern yourself with: PG, AG, and N.
PG is Pro-Godmodder. This mostly applies to the Godmodder's minions due to how miserable these creeps are.
AG is Anti-Godmodder. Players are this alignment by default until their actions or declarations state otherwise.
N is Neutral. These Players or beings are not bound by any sort of Loyalty to either side. If they do show favoritism, the Neutralladder will show which way they lean, whether it's AG leaning or PG leaning.
Free Actions: Not everything requires use of your Actions. Some things just can be done with few to no consequences. Talking is always a free action - unless it's part of a shenanigan or achieving a mechanical effect. Commanding Entities - telling them to defend, to attack a specific target, or to use a special ability - is also a Free Action. Rule of Thumb is if it's something that can be classified as Roleplaying on a Forum Game and it has no mechanical effect, it's probably a free action.
First off, CP and, as a result of items being like CP but flavored, are off limits when it comes to direct confrontations. This only counts for Free CP/standalone items, not projects like the Superlaser. It seems that messing with other Player's CP stores is still off limits, thankfully.
Second but related, CP projects, such as someone charging a Spirit Bomb with the rest of the team pitching in their energy, can be countered by throwing down your own CP project, such as a counter spirit bomb or by making something that will disrupt the technique or just distracting the charger a set CP amount of times. Basically, CP Project Counters must be equal to the CP of the opposing project. The Godmodder's CP will help beef up PG or even PG-Leaning Neutrals if he finds their counter worthy, and GCP's unfixed nature will make the results always tense and difficult to tell how much the enemy will be away from succeeding in their goals...
Third, there is a measure known as Reactive countering. Reactive countering an enemy's Action, such as an attempt to stop the mass AG entity destruction, depends on if it's a shenanigan or CP based. If it's CP based, then responding with equal or greater CP is sufficient, but the side that has less people involved will get a 'little guy' bonus. This is a result of the possibility that one side may simply have less CP to throw around, and the Player Power manifests in trying to even the odds through a 'little guy' multiplier. If it's a shenanigan, then there's no counters, but shenanigans are capable of failing on their own and outright anyway, making it a 'risky' means of trying to attack or mess with the opponent.
Fourth, since there's A) Entity Immunity, B) Attack shields and C) Reactive counters, Direct Attacks will generally go through as is, but only one successful attack per target is allowed. Direct Attacks can be countered, however, up to until the next time the person being attacked posts - usually next turn, but maybe longer in an extended absence.
For some examples, say Player Don and Player Nod get into a fight. Player Don attacks Player Nod. If Player Nod does not have Entity Immunity or attack shields, then if he fails to make a Reactive counter in the post he makes before the update, then he'll take damage. If Player Don attacks Player Nod just before the Update goes live, then Player Nod won't take damage unless the post he makes for a later update fails to address the attack.
Second but related, CP projects, such as someone charging a Spirit Bomb with the rest of the team pitching in their energy, can be countered by throwing down your own CP project, such as a counter spirit bomb or by making something that will disrupt the technique or just distracting the charger a set CP amount of times. Basically, CP Project Counters must be equal to the CP of the opposing project. The Godmodder's CP will help beef up PG or even PG-Leaning Neutrals if he finds their counter worthy, and GCP's unfixed nature will make the results always tense and difficult to tell how much the enemy will be away from succeeding in their goals...
Third, there is a measure known as Reactive countering. Reactive countering an enemy's Action, such as an attempt to stop the mass AG entity destruction, depends on if it's a shenanigan or CP based. If it's CP based, then responding with equal or greater CP is sufficient, but the side that has less people involved will get a 'little guy' bonus. This is a result of the possibility that one side may simply have less CP to throw around, and the Player Power manifests in trying to even the odds through a 'little guy' multiplier. If it's a shenanigan, then there's no counters, but shenanigans are capable of failing on their own and outright anyway, making it a 'risky' means of trying to attack or mess with the opponent.
Fourth, since there's A) Entity Immunity, B) Attack shields and C) Reactive counters, Direct Attacks will generally go through as is, but only one successful attack per target is allowed. Direct Attacks can be countered, however, up to until the next time the person being attacked posts - usually next turn, but maybe longer in an extended absence.
For some examples, say Player Don and Player Nod get into a fight. Player Don attacks Player Nod. If Player Nod does not have Entity Immunity or attack shields, then if he fails to make a Reactive counter in the post he makes before the update, then he'll take damage. If Player Don attacks Player Nod just before the Update goes live, then Player Nod won't take damage unless the post he makes for a later update fails to address the attack.
Here within lies a list of every entity that has perished in this war after being deployed, and every machine of note. General formatting is as such, with some exceptions:
(Owner's Name) (Entity name) : X HP, Y ATK, (Abilities)
Entities:
AG -
Boohoooo!'s Ball Weevil: 10,000 HP, 10,000 ATK(Warm up time: 2 turns)
Boohoooo!'s Twerky: 10,000 HP, 1,250 ATK
Splashcat's Tofu Shield: 10,000 HP, Bait. Stealth capable
BlackJesustheOne's Bank Teller: 10,000/10,000 HP, Manages CP
Crusher48's Tenno: 10,000/10,000 HP
RedRover's Overmind: 10,000/10,000 HP, Mass Mind Control (Specialty: Psi Beings)
AG-Leaning N -
Fortress Fighters(55): 5,000/5,000 HP, 2,500 ATK
N -
FBI Lead Investigator: 5,000/5,000 HP, 2,500 ATK
FBI Operatives(10): 1,000/1,000 HP, 500 ATK
Elite Armed Forces(2): 25,000/25,000 HP, 12,500 ATK
Armed Forces(30): 10,000/10,000 HP, 5,000 ATK
PG-Leaning N -
Gnich's Canoptek Scarab: 15,000 HP, 2,500 ATK, Gathers 1 Resource per turn (Can't use for itself, is not CP)
PG -
Wild BearLions(4): 10,000 HP, 5,000 X 2 ATK
Cyborg Scorpions(5): 10,000 HP, 5,000 ATK
Ninja Tyrannosaurus Rex: 150,000 HP, 25,000 ATK, Ninjutsu (Sacrifice an attack to apply a buff for 3 turns)
Abominable Snowball-ling: 150,000 HP, Original Value: 25,000 ATK, Minor Snowballing: Increase ATK by 2,500 each turn before attacking
Fear Monger Sorcerer: 150,000 HP, 3 Scares (Stuns one foe or boosts a Fear Meter by 10%)
Machines/Structures of Note:
AG -
Crusher48's Truth Zone Orb: 10,000 HP, Creates a Zone of no lies - only truth
Crusher 48's Anti-Stealing Shield: 10,000 HP Blocks All Steal Attempts.
Crusher48's Warframe: 10,000 HP, 10,000 ATK, Needs a Tenno to pilot.
Troglodyte's Evolution Pit: 20,000 HP, Boosts Zerg Evolution Actions by 3, Zerg Actions by 2, Evolution Actions by 1
BlackJesustheOne's CP Bank: 10,000 HP, generates +1 CP per Account every 5 turns (Accounts: 0, CP : 0)
AG-Leaning N -
The Flying Fortress: 2,500,000 HP, 1,000,000 ATK (Main Cannon Fires in 5 turns after arrival!), Creates the Teleport interdiction fields and dome!, Fighter Craft Summon/creation, Regen: 30,000 HP healed each turn!
-Subsection - The Walls: 50,000 HP
-Subsection - The Barrel: 30,000 HP
-Subsection - Nanite Manufacturing Core: 5,000 HP X 10
-Subsection - Main Power Grid: 30,000 HP
-Subsection - Floors/Ceilings: 50,000 HP
-Subsection - Resource Stores: 30,000 HP
-Subsection - Miscellaneous: 30,000 HP
-Subsection - Backup Power Supply: 50,000 HP
-Subsection - A.I. Systems: 30,000 HP
-Subsection - Fighter Craft Assembly: 50,000 HP
-Whoever made this was a DICK.
N -
Black Market Trading Stall: 10,000 HP, each turn it makes sales to give one side either a valuable item in trade or 1 CP per sale to be distributed among all CP capable entities for that side.
PG - Leaning N -
Gnich's Necron Obelisk: 40,000 HP, Resource booster( insert 3 Resources for 2 CP), Summon: 1/2 (Summons 3 5 CP Necron Warriors)
-Wasn't this from Warhammer 40k?
PG -
None yet.
(Owner's Name) (Entity name) : X HP, Y ATK, (Abilities)
Entities:
AG -
Boohoooo!'s Ball Weevil: 10,000 HP, 10,000 ATK(Warm up time: 2 turns)
Boohoooo!'s Twerky: 10,000 HP, 1,250 ATK
Splashcat's Tofu Shield: 10,000 HP, Bait. Stealth capable
BlackJesustheOne's Bank Teller: 10,000/10,000 HP, Manages CP
Crusher48's Tenno: 10,000/10,000 HP
RedRover's Overmind: 10,000/10,000 HP, Mass Mind Control (Specialty: Psi Beings)
AG-Leaning N -
Fortress Fighters(55): 5,000/5,000 HP, 2,500 ATK
N -
FBI Lead Investigator: 5,000/5,000 HP, 2,500 ATK
FBI Operatives(10): 1,000/1,000 HP, 500 ATK
Elite Armed Forces(2): 25,000/25,000 HP, 12,500 ATK
Armed Forces(30): 10,000/10,000 HP, 5,000 ATK
PG-Leaning N -
Gnich's Canoptek Scarab: 15,000 HP, 2,500 ATK, Gathers 1 Resource per turn (Can't use for itself, is not CP)
PG -
Wild BearLions(4): 10,000 HP, 5,000 X 2 ATK
Cyborg Scorpions(5): 10,000 HP, 5,000 ATK
Ninja Tyrannosaurus Rex: 150,000 HP, 25,000 ATK, Ninjutsu (Sacrifice an attack to apply a buff for 3 turns)
Abominable Snowball-ling: 150,000 HP, Original Value: 25,000 ATK, Minor Snowballing: Increase ATK by 2,500 each turn before attacking
Fear Monger Sorcerer: 150,000 HP, 3 Scares (Stuns one foe or boosts a Fear Meter by 10%)
Machines/Structures of Note:
AG -
Crusher48's Truth Zone Orb: 10,000 HP, Creates a Zone of no lies - only truth
Crusher 48's Anti-Stealing Shield: 10,000 HP Blocks All Steal Attempts.
Crusher48's Warframe: 10,000 HP, 10,000 ATK, Needs a Tenno to pilot.
Troglodyte's Evolution Pit: 20,000 HP, Boosts Zerg Evolution Actions by 3, Zerg Actions by 2, Evolution Actions by 1
BlackJesustheOne's CP Bank: 10,000 HP, generates +1 CP per Account every 5 turns (Accounts: 0, CP : 0)
AG-Leaning N -
The Flying Fortress: 2,500,000 HP, 1,000,000 ATK (Main Cannon Fires in 5 turns after arrival!), Creates the Teleport interdiction fields and dome!, Fighter Craft Summon/creation, Regen: 30,000 HP healed each turn!
-Subsection - The Walls: 50,000 HP
-Subsection - The Barrel: 30,000 HP
-Subsection - Nanite Manufacturing Core: 5,000 HP X 10
-Subsection - Main Power Grid: 30,000 HP
-Subsection - Floors/Ceilings: 50,000 HP
-Subsection - Resource Stores: 30,000 HP
-Subsection - Miscellaneous: 30,000 HP
-Subsection - Backup Power Supply: 50,000 HP
-Subsection - A.I. Systems: 30,000 HP
-Subsection - Fighter Craft Assembly: 50,000 HP
-Whoever made this was a DICK.
N -
Black Market Trading Stall: 10,000 HP, each turn it makes sales to give one side either a valuable item in trade or 1 CP per sale to be distributed among all CP capable entities for that side.
PG - Leaning N -
Gnich's Necron Obelisk: 40,000 HP, Resource booster( insert 3 Resources for 2 CP), Summon: 1/2 (Summons 3 5 CP Necron Warriors)
-Wasn't this from Warhammer 40k?
PG -
None yet.
Edit 1: Clarified something in the rules pertaining to character death and added it to the Rule 1 section. The Wounds System Overview has also been added to this post.
Edit 1.1: Added sections on the Alignment System and how Free Actions work.
Edit 2: Added Algot's 'Book of the Fallen' to record the Entities that have been summoned and died by both sides.
Edit 3: Added the PvP rules and updated the Book of the Fallen. Put the Edit Notes into this Edit Spoiler.
Edit 4: Edited Rule 4 and added Rule 2.1. Updated the Book of the Fallen.
Edit 1.1: Added sections on the Alignment System and how Free Actions work.
Edit 2: Added Algot's 'Book of the Fallen' to record the Entities that have been summoned and died by both sides.
Edit 3: Added the PvP rules and updated the Book of the Fallen. Put the Edit Notes into this Edit Spoiler.
Edit 4: Edited Rule 4 and added Rule 2.1. Updated the Book of the Fallen.
Last edited:
Storypost 2: Arbiters
...I think I'll just set this autorecorder on. Good policy, should something happen to me. Don't think it will, but this situation is unusual. Only twice have people broken into the Arbiter Plane, and twice has it resulted in death. I'd pray this isn't a repeat but...
Well, there's no one left to pray to.
As I walk along the paths of the Arbiter Plane, I smile wryly. John Smith would have hated it. The entire damn place was like a sick cross between an office space and those classic looking DnD Dungeons. The kind that would also remind him of the room where he ground that grindstone.
Still... this place was home. It would be home for me for the rest of my days, most likely. Which is why this intruder was all the more alarming.
My mind raced through the different memories, layouts, and configurations of the Arbiter Posts and locations. This intruder was supposedly taking on the Godmodding fight in the Himilayas, right? So that means they're probably...
I step into the appropriate room and find the intruder right away.
"You know, you could talk to me directly since we're in the same room now."
Torix turns around, looking panicked. Nearly jumping into the desk as he sees me, he quickly regains his composure… err, tries to. He still looks very frazzled."... Oh… uh... hello there. Guessing you're the other Arbiter I've been talking to?" A young-ish looking teen stands before me. Wearing a familiar, burnt orange tee and looking more corporeal than the version on the distant battlefield, Torix stands before me, the other Arbiter, looking very confused and a bit alarmed still. "Also, how'd you find your way here? I thought this room didn't really have an entry point..."
I raise an eyebrow. Well, the closest thing I had to an eyebrow. Wait, could people tell? That didn't matter right away.
"That's honestly a bit strange, since you somehow managed to get here into the Arbiter Plane."
"Frankly… I'm just used to workarounds. I've always had to do that a lot… so I just warped in here after finding the Godmodder. The Truth about Arbiters stated there was an Arbiter Plane, so I quite simply… warped to the Arbiter Plane as my first action, and found myself here. Since then, I've been working the fight." The other one sort of shrugs. What's the shrug supposed to mean? Why are you shrugging, it's not like you don't know anything here!
"I… I can't say I'm not surprised that worked, but I am surprised that it did work," I grimace and rub my head. "You need more than just to be here to make these things work and to do the job right."
I give him a Look. The kind that stares right into them, and… my jaw - 'jaw'? Something else to think about later - my jaw goes slack at what I see.
"...I. You."
"Me?"
"You somehow qualify as an Arbiter. How. No, literally how - there's no more Architects around to give that title to people!" I sort of flail my arms about to emphasize my feelings on the matter.
"I'm not entirely sure myself, if I'm being honest. I could ask the same thing about you - yet we're both here, on the Arbiter Plane, with the powers of an Arbiter." Utilizing his arms in… a honestly more capable manner, he gestures to the stone brick walls of the Arbiter Plane around them.
I make a clicking sound with my mouth. He... he had a point. What mattered more was that we were here, and how we're able to do it not so much.
"Well, okay. But even still, you admitted you were a Player, and yet you're overseeing a Godmodding War. That's some heavy bias right there. The kind that got Arbiters killed in the past."
Well, Arbiter. But that's semantics.
"I did this out of necessity. Without the ability of an Arbiter to oversee the conflict, these conflicts can't happen - and the Godmodder wins by default. Somebody had to do this - and as the first to the battle, the responsibility fell on me."
I thought over his words. I think I took a little bit too long, for he started to squirm nervously for a moment. But eventually…
" Okay. I can't say your reasoning is entirely wrong - Godmodders are notorious for snowballing when they're not closely supervised. Fine. I guess we'll have to work with each other until our incidents are finished. But I still think we should have a talk after this is over to decide where things go next."
" Agreed. Speaking of snowballing entities though… um." He gestures to the monitor he views the battle in the Himalayas with. Tricky, the Ice Jester, is on the field. "A - I found Alastair. B - The Godmodder can also use the Alchemiter. This is a problem, as… well, he's created a Tricky. That can snowball."
I blanche a little, which is impressive considering how pale I was already. Tricky's history in reality… Let's just say that was the worst case scenario of Players trying to 'improve' on Godmodder design. I nod in agreement.
"That's a nasty combination. I don't know anything about the Alchemiter, but maybe reminding the Players about Critical Soul Weaknesses could be necessary. Everything has one, and even in the worst case scenario, as long as it lands on this Tricky it can put him down on the spot."
"Agreed. I'll remind them as soon as the next "Fight Post" as you put them comes out. Seems like it could be a decent idea, especially as he's definitely started… pulling out all the stops rather quickly." He checks his watch. "I should get to working on that, too... I wish you luck against the other Godmodder. I'll try my best to assist." Turning around to what appears to be a laptop of some sort, he begins typing hurriedly.
I give him my thanks and turn around. Just before I leave though, I belatedly remember something. I'm hesitant to mention it, but…
"The Doors are invisible- sort of. Just watch." I then proceed to twist what looks like air and step through what would look like solid wall. "Classic defense mechanism. "
With that, I head back to my station hurriedly. There was a lot going on and little time to manage it and all that...
-----------------------------
OOC: The Next post will be your normal Fight Post. Work will begin on that front shortly!
Well, there's no one left to pray to.
As I walk along the paths of the Arbiter Plane, I smile wryly. John Smith would have hated it. The entire damn place was like a sick cross between an office space and those classic looking DnD Dungeons. The kind that would also remind him of the room where he ground that grindstone.
Still... this place was home. It would be home for me for the rest of my days, most likely. Which is why this intruder was all the more alarming.
My mind raced through the different memories, layouts, and configurations of the Arbiter Posts and locations. This intruder was supposedly taking on the Godmodding fight in the Himilayas, right? So that means they're probably...
I step into the appropriate room and find the intruder right away.
"You know, you could talk to me directly since we're in the same room now."
Torix turns around, looking panicked. Nearly jumping into the desk as he sees me, he quickly regains his composure… err, tries to. He still looks very frazzled."... Oh… uh... hello there. Guessing you're the other Arbiter I've been talking to?" A young-ish looking teen stands before me. Wearing a familiar, burnt orange tee and looking more corporeal than the version on the distant battlefield, Torix stands before me, the other Arbiter, looking very confused and a bit alarmed still. "Also, how'd you find your way here? I thought this room didn't really have an entry point..."
I raise an eyebrow. Well, the closest thing I had to an eyebrow. Wait, could people tell? That didn't matter right away.
"That's honestly a bit strange, since you somehow managed to get here into the Arbiter Plane."
"Frankly… I'm just used to workarounds. I've always had to do that a lot… so I just warped in here after finding the Godmodder. The Truth about Arbiters stated there was an Arbiter Plane, so I quite simply… warped to the Arbiter Plane as my first action, and found myself here. Since then, I've been working the fight." The other one sort of shrugs. What's the shrug supposed to mean? Why are you shrugging, it's not like you don't know anything here!
"I… I can't say I'm not surprised that worked, but I am surprised that it did work," I grimace and rub my head. "You need more than just to be here to make these things work and to do the job right."
I give him a Look. The kind that stares right into them, and… my jaw - 'jaw'? Something else to think about later - my jaw goes slack at what I see.
"...I. You."
"Me?"
"You somehow qualify as an Arbiter. How. No, literally how - there's no more Architects around to give that title to people!" I sort of flail my arms about to emphasize my feelings on the matter.
"I'm not entirely sure myself, if I'm being honest. I could ask the same thing about you - yet we're both here, on the Arbiter Plane, with the powers of an Arbiter." Utilizing his arms in… a honestly more capable manner, he gestures to the stone brick walls of the Arbiter Plane around them.
I make a clicking sound with my mouth. He... he had a point. What mattered more was that we were here, and how we're able to do it not so much.
"Well, okay. But even still, you admitted you were a Player, and yet you're overseeing a Godmodding War. That's some heavy bias right there. The kind that got Arbiters killed in the past."
Well, Arbiter. But that's semantics.
"I did this out of necessity. Without the ability of an Arbiter to oversee the conflict, these conflicts can't happen - and the Godmodder wins by default. Somebody had to do this - and as the first to the battle, the responsibility fell on me."
I thought over his words. I think I took a little bit too long, for he started to squirm nervously for a moment. But eventually…
" Okay. I can't say your reasoning is entirely wrong - Godmodders are notorious for snowballing when they're not closely supervised. Fine. I guess we'll have to work with each other until our incidents are finished. But I still think we should have a talk after this is over to decide where things go next."
" Agreed. Speaking of snowballing entities though… um." He gestures to the monitor he views the battle in the Himalayas with. Tricky, the Ice Jester, is on the field. "A - I found Alastair. B - The Godmodder can also use the Alchemiter. This is a problem, as… well, he's created a Tricky. That can snowball."
I blanche a little, which is impressive considering how pale I was already. Tricky's history in reality… Let's just say that was the worst case scenario of Players trying to 'improve' on Godmodder design. I nod in agreement.
"That's a nasty combination. I don't know anything about the Alchemiter, but maybe reminding the Players about Critical Soul Weaknesses could be necessary. Everything has one, and even in the worst case scenario, as long as it lands on this Tricky it can put him down on the spot."
"Agreed. I'll remind them as soon as the next "Fight Post" as you put them comes out. Seems like it could be a decent idea, especially as he's definitely started… pulling out all the stops rather quickly." He checks his watch. "I should get to working on that, too... I wish you luck against the other Godmodder. I'll try my best to assist." Turning around to what appears to be a laptop of some sort, he begins typing hurriedly.
I give him my thanks and turn around. Just before I leave though, I belatedly remember something. I'm hesitant to mention it, but…
"The Doors are invisible- sort of. Just watch." I then proceed to twist what looks like air and step through what would look like solid wall. "Classic defense mechanism. "
With that, I head back to my station hurriedly. There was a lot going on and little time to manage it and all that...
-----------------------------
OOC: The Next post will be your normal Fight Post. Work will begin on that front shortly!
Last edited:
Storypost 3: Heaven
Alright, let's see where the initial viewpoint is set again- oh, that's right. Looks like I'm getting the Angels of Giving and Holiday Spirit. They used to just be the Angels of Giving, but since the death of all the gods related to the various holidays, they've been having to coordinate with the remaining leaders and spirits involved. As well as the remnants of Hell and Evacuacorp, but that's a right mess. It looks like they're focusing on Christmas, since Saint Nicholas is there. The last few Christmases have been getting back up to speed and code, I think, and it looks like Evacuacorp's new management is going to be too busy to meddle to much. Low budget, but should be closer to the roots of the season both religiously and in secular values.
Moving on, we're getting a view of how all of the angels are doing. Both Heaven originals and the new applicants coming in from their unemployment. Some of them aren't even here for employment but for counseling for things like survivor's guilt or for the torment their patron caused them while they were still alive.
It's strange to see Valkyries, Angels of Wrath, and Furies all together, as well as the attendants of various minor gods lining up to be evaluated. Stranger still to see a guardian angel sit down after helping a river spirit cope with the death of Susano-o to wonder and figure out if what they're doing is right considering that the more mortal deities and Heaven weren't on the best speaking terms. But then again...
Well, the gods are gone. Not even the angels of Heaven have anyone to fear. No one to tell them who to accept or reject. No one to fear.
No one to look to for guidance. No one to look up to as an example. No one to give one comfort or love in those darkest moments.
There's no one left to pray to, after all.
Moving on past the majority, we reach the remaining areas and houses that surround God's empty throne. A lot of them, having been God's choices for Trial 4, had perished before the Players could wipe out the enemy forces. The houses may have been sparse anyway, but the occasional handcrafted cup in a warrior's home or the occasional painting of God with said angel that they created to preserve that memory still exist, giving the barest hints to the contented, grateful lives that once lived in them.
Not all of them are empty though. Those who aren't busy, and those can be counted on one hand, stare out at the dwellings of their fellows.
No gazes can bear to turn toward the infinitely, painfully dimmer place where God once sat as he contemplated his next, best move available. Where he gave out absolute judgement. Where he smiled kindly at the simple joy some of the simpler angels gave.
There's one dwelling in particular... there.
Michael's place. The current nominee as the Heir to Heaven.
Michael looks... tired. Impressive he hasn't dropped soul-dead from the workload. Ah, he's noticed me.
"Ah, it's you. The Arbiter that somehow came to be." He says in a dry tone, as if to insinuate I was somehow not an Arbiter!
And I am! Not everything was recorded in The Truth, after all! There are things that even the Author missed.
"Mhm. What is it that you want? Shouldn't you be keeping some demons from running unchecked or working with the bureaucrats on some Planar trade agreement?"
I think, for the sake of convenience, I'll quote what I have to say in quotations. Naturally Michael raises an eyebrow at this, since I am not beholden to such necessities, but...
"It's about the subject of the Heir to God's throne."
Michael sits up in full attention, his pristine robes looking far less wrinkled from work in an instant.
"Tell me now."
Yeesh, terse much. But.
"You no doubt know about the new Godmodder, right?" When he nods I continue. "There's another one. And one of the Players that showed up was called 'Black Jesus the One'."
Michael stills. There's a short bark of laughter that catches our attention.
"Wow, you treat that like it's some big revelation? Whoop de doo!"
Oh for crying out loud, it's the current Heir to Hell. They've gone through a lot of them, but it seems this guy is the top contender by dint of lasting more than a week.
"Ha, cute," He snips at my commentary, his breath alight from the brimstone ash and flint-like teeth plated in gold. "But seriously, can we get this stupid shit over with so I can get on to real business-"
"No. I refuse to play along, "Mesty". I am not interested in you and wouldn't be even if you weren't the enemy!"
"Oh cooome on! Is this about-"
"It's about the fact that you're an egotistical, insufferable monster who delights in the misery and torment of others," Michael gives the demon no room to talk and make the situation into a disaster. "Back to Hell with you!"
"Nah. You ain't got any authority!" "Mesty's" sick grin is complimented by the red and yellow smoldering in his eyes. "God ain't here no more. And hey - I'm just doing my job! So what if I take pleasure in it? You take pleasure whenever some shcmuck who went out of their way to give all the good wittle puppies dog treats gets a nice relaxing day by the glass-like lake. And my guys for a bonafide fact deserve their due, so I don't see what your problem is!"
"You delight in torment." Michael repeats. "And are an embodiment of sin and giving into temptation. There'll always be the temptation to give misery to those who don't deserve it."
"Ha, that's rich." There was no longer a friendly look in the eyes of the demon. "You remember our origin, right? Most of the schmucks may be descendants of the first ones, but all of us had a choice that day. Just because we chose to fall doesn't mean we can't choose to 'play nice'. Choosing the "bad" option is just us sticking to our guns. Which in a way is still virtuous like your dear ol' pops-"
Michael stood upright, his anger not quite reaching his eyes, but still seen behind them. "You will not speak of Him!"
"And why not? It's our job to speak of and to the dead." Michael flinched at that. "And besides, if He really was all powerful, all knowing, and all-benevolent, then maybe He'd be here. or better yet, I'd be standing next to you like the rest of the chumps. Pick two - or better yet pick none - because the only reason evil exists-"
Michael stands up, aglow in Holy Light. His force pushes up against the hateful malice of the Demons and holds firm as equals. After a few moments, the Demon scoffs.
"You know, none of that matters now. But fine. I'll fuck off. But I'll also be back - whether either of us like it or not. See you later, 'instructionless' prick."
And so the being disappeared in a burst of fire. There's a moment of silence.
"...if that peculiar offspring of that peculiar god is around even after his father's death despite their similar connections, then the Messiah could still yet be." Michael concluded from our earlier conversation correctly, at which he nods. "I'll make sure some angels look for Him at all times. If we find Him-"
But there's no verbal cues to interrupt him. Just me. Because...
"Have you ever thought about why He didn't give you instructions?"
He flinches because it's a sore spot. A sore spot that he was the only one of the entire Heavenly Host, from top to bottom, without explicit instructions from God in the event of His death. It's why he's the current pick for Heir - none of the rest had instructions to go and pick up the position themselves, to manage or guide their fellows and equals.
But that meant Michael was free to do so. He could choose. He could also choose that Heaven be lead by all equally.
"That's not feasible." The angel says wearily as he grabs a cloth and begins wiping off the scorch marks left by the demon.
"But I disagree. There's a saying - tradition is the death of wisdom. But tradition is just a pattern unquestioningly followed."
"So you believe that He wants me to run roughshod over His laws and works?"
"Maybe. Maybe not. But the Christ was a human to learn and experience life from their point of view."
"...He did do that," Micheal stops his work in contemplation.
"Did you think... that you are meant to be in a position of great temptation too, to understand things better?"
"...I see what you mean." He stands up, the marks gone his his body aglow once more. "By being tempted, I can contemplate the holiness of his words to man better, to understand which elements are from human limitation, and to understand the wisdom more fully through conflict both internal and external."
He closes his eyes and takes a slow, deep breath. When he opens his eyes again, he looks at my viewport directly.
"Thank you. That has been a most blessed help. That will be all."
As I switch my views position and put the console monitoring Heaven into passive mode, I sigh.
I was going to say more 'By being free of instruction, he was also free to make mistakes, and in doing so understand who he was meant to help.' I... didn't expect him to view it as 'Wisdom through Conflict'. That... rubs me the wrong way.
Conflict only gets you so far before it breaks down everything you hold dear. At least that's what I believe.
Unfortunately, there's no quick or easy way to bring down a Godmodder and end that conflict.
Moving on, we're getting a view of how all of the angels are doing. Both Heaven originals and the new applicants coming in from their unemployment. Some of them aren't even here for employment but for counseling for things like survivor's guilt or for the torment their patron caused them while they were still alive.
It's strange to see Valkyries, Angels of Wrath, and Furies all together, as well as the attendants of various minor gods lining up to be evaluated. Stranger still to see a guardian angel sit down after helping a river spirit cope with the death of Susano-o to wonder and figure out if what they're doing is right considering that the more mortal deities and Heaven weren't on the best speaking terms. But then again...
Well, the gods are gone. Not even the angels of Heaven have anyone to fear. No one to tell them who to accept or reject. No one to fear.
No one to look to for guidance. No one to look up to as an example. No one to give one comfort or love in those darkest moments.
There's no one left to pray to, after all.
Moving on past the majority, we reach the remaining areas and houses that surround God's empty throne. A lot of them, having been God's choices for Trial 4, had perished before the Players could wipe out the enemy forces. The houses may have been sparse anyway, but the occasional handcrafted cup in a warrior's home or the occasional painting of God with said angel that they created to preserve that memory still exist, giving the barest hints to the contented, grateful lives that once lived in them.
Not all of them are empty though. Those who aren't busy, and those can be counted on one hand, stare out at the dwellings of their fellows.
No gazes can bear to turn toward the infinitely, painfully dimmer place where God once sat as he contemplated his next, best move available. Where he gave out absolute judgement. Where he smiled kindly at the simple joy some of the simpler angels gave.
There's one dwelling in particular... there.
Michael's place. The current nominee as the Heir to Heaven.
Michael looks... tired. Impressive he hasn't dropped soul-dead from the workload. Ah, he's noticed me.
"Ah, it's you. The Arbiter that somehow came to be." He says in a dry tone, as if to insinuate I was somehow not an Arbiter!
And I am! Not everything was recorded in The Truth, after all! There are things that even the Author missed.
"Mhm. What is it that you want? Shouldn't you be keeping some demons from running unchecked or working with the bureaucrats on some Planar trade agreement?"
I think, for the sake of convenience, I'll quote what I have to say in quotations. Naturally Michael raises an eyebrow at this, since I am not beholden to such necessities, but...
"It's about the subject of the Heir to God's throne."
Michael sits up in full attention, his pristine robes looking far less wrinkled from work in an instant.
"Tell me now."
Yeesh, terse much. But.
"You no doubt know about the new Godmodder, right?" When he nods I continue. "There's another one. And one of the Players that showed up was called 'Black Jesus the One'."
Michael stills. There's a short bark of laughter that catches our attention.
"Wow, you treat that like it's some big revelation? Whoop de doo!"
Oh for crying out loud, it's the current Heir to Hell. They've gone through a lot of them, but it seems this guy is the top contender by dint of lasting more than a week.
"Ha, cute," He snips at my commentary, his breath alight from the brimstone ash and flint-like teeth plated in gold. "But seriously, can we get this stupid shit over with so I can get on to real business-"
"No. I refuse to play along, "Mesty". I am not interested in you and wouldn't be even if you weren't the enemy!"
"Oh cooome on! Is this about-"
"It's about the fact that you're an egotistical, insufferable monster who delights in the misery and torment of others," Michael gives the demon no room to talk and make the situation into a disaster. "Back to Hell with you!"
"Nah. You ain't got any authority!" "Mesty's" sick grin is complimented by the red and yellow smoldering in his eyes. "God ain't here no more. And hey - I'm just doing my job! So what if I take pleasure in it? You take pleasure whenever some shcmuck who went out of their way to give all the good wittle puppies dog treats gets a nice relaxing day by the glass-like lake. And my guys for a bonafide fact deserve their due, so I don't see what your problem is!"
"You delight in torment." Michael repeats. "And are an embodiment of sin and giving into temptation. There'll always be the temptation to give misery to those who don't deserve it."
"Ha, that's rich." There was no longer a friendly look in the eyes of the demon. "You remember our origin, right? Most of the schmucks may be descendants of the first ones, but all of us had a choice that day. Just because we chose to fall doesn't mean we can't choose to 'play nice'. Choosing the "bad" option is just us sticking to our guns. Which in a way is still virtuous like your dear ol' pops-"
Michael stood upright, his anger not quite reaching his eyes, but still seen behind them. "You will not speak of Him!"
"And why not? It's our job to speak of and to the dead." Michael flinched at that. "And besides, if He really was all powerful, all knowing, and all-benevolent, then maybe He'd be here. or better yet, I'd be standing next to you like the rest of the chumps. Pick two - or better yet pick none - because the only reason evil exists-"
Michael stands up, aglow in Holy Light. His force pushes up against the hateful malice of the Demons and holds firm as equals. After a few moments, the Demon scoffs.
"You know, none of that matters now. But fine. I'll fuck off. But I'll also be back - whether either of us like it or not. See you later, 'instructionless' prick."
And so the being disappeared in a burst of fire. There's a moment of silence.
"...if that peculiar offspring of that peculiar god is around even after his father's death despite their similar connections, then the Messiah could still yet be." Michael concluded from our earlier conversation correctly, at which he nods. "I'll make sure some angels look for Him at all times. If we find Him-"
But there's no verbal cues to interrupt him. Just me. Because...
"Have you ever thought about why He didn't give you instructions?"
He flinches because it's a sore spot. A sore spot that he was the only one of the entire Heavenly Host, from top to bottom, without explicit instructions from God in the event of His death. It's why he's the current pick for Heir - none of the rest had instructions to go and pick up the position themselves, to manage or guide their fellows and equals.
But that meant Michael was free to do so. He could choose. He could also choose that Heaven be lead by all equally.
"That's not feasible." The angel says wearily as he grabs a cloth and begins wiping off the scorch marks left by the demon.
"But I disagree. There's a saying - tradition is the death of wisdom. But tradition is just a pattern unquestioningly followed."
"So you believe that He wants me to run roughshod over His laws and works?"
"Maybe. Maybe not. But the Christ was a human to learn and experience life from their point of view."
"...He did do that," Micheal stops his work in contemplation.
"Did you think... that you are meant to be in a position of great temptation too, to understand things better?"
"...I see what you mean." He stands up, the marks gone his his body aglow once more. "By being tempted, I can contemplate the holiness of his words to man better, to understand which elements are from human limitation, and to understand the wisdom more fully through conflict both internal and external."
He closes his eyes and takes a slow, deep breath. When he opens his eyes again, he looks at my viewport directly.
"Thank you. That has been a most blessed help. That will be all."
As I switch my views position and put the console monitoring Heaven into passive mode, I sigh.
I was going to say more 'By being free of instruction, he was also free to make mistakes, and in doing so understand who he was meant to help.' I... didn't expect him to view it as 'Wisdom through Conflict'. That... rubs me the wrong way.
Conflict only gets you so far before it breaks down everything you hold dear. At least that's what I believe.
Unfortunately, there's no quick or easy way to bring down a Godmodder and end that conflict.