The Grail Works Mission Dossier (Discussion & Ideas)

[Kieran]

Is there a class that has similar powers to when Kuro used the Archer card as the vessel? I mean, that's the only power she has ever been shown to have in Prisma Illya.

The answer is sort of. Yes, there is a class that can make a 'magic' weapon on the fly; problem is a) the weapons it can make are limited in form, and b) the class really really sucks.

He has, however, pointed me in the direction of a class that will do more or less what Kuro does - she won't have the whole "infinite variety" of weapons that Archer does (though she can learn to craft different ones on the fly, eventually), but as far as creating a single (pair) of weapons, and modifying their abilities? That, it can do.

[Xamusel]

Hrm... this is gonna be a right pain and a half to figure out (how to finish writing up my end of things in an orderly and timely manner). Hopefully I can set up the whole plan in time for this... and finish the writing phase of the origin story.

[Kieran]

. . . It occurs to me that while I've talked about turning my character into a Lumen Sage, I haven't really gone into detail what that would mean, to those unfamiliar with the concept - or what I plan to do, specifically.


In the setting of "Bayonetta," there are three worlds: the World of Light, Paradiso (home of the Laguna/angels), The World of Darkness, Inferno (home of the Infernals/demons), and the World of Chaos (Earth). There's also an overlapping dimension where angels, demons and their servitors can meet without interfering in the human world, known as Purgatorio - and as you can probably already tell, there's a distinct Italian influence to the setting (specifically, that of Dante's Divine Comedy); though there are Norse aspects to it, as well . . .

Now, the Earth used to be home to two clans, known as the Overseers of History: the Lumen Sages, bound to the light, and the Umbra Witches, bound to the dark. Each protecting one of the Eyes of the World (which, when bound together, had the power to rewrite reality), the two clans maintained a balance between the forces, and largely left humanity to their own devices . . . Naturally, it didn't last. Due to certain influences, the clans went to war, and wiped each other out - more or less, at least. Bayonetta (at least, as of the first game) is the sole survivor of the Umbra Witches, having been magically put to sleep for 500 years, and the Lumen Sages are considered extinct.

Umbra Witches are bound to the Moon and to the darkness. Each one makes a compact with a specific Infernal as their partner, for knowledge and power, and in exchange, their soul is forfeited to Inferno upon their death. This isn't as bad as it initially sounds, since as long the Umbra Witch kills at least one angel a day (and believe me, they keep trying to kill the Umbra Witch), they're effectively immortal (ageless) - though if they fail to do so, the compact is considered broken. And the Lumen Sages, from all appearances, work similarly.

Effectively speaking, as a Lumen Sage, my character would be bound to an angel, and compelled to kill demons. In exchange, he'd gain enhanced physical capability, limited shape-shifting (specific animal forms) gravity (the ability to walk on walls and ceilings - but only in direct sunlight) and time control (an ability called "Light Speed"), as well as specific, powerful attacks (not unlike spells). As to which angel he'd be bound to . . . The only example of a Lumen in the Bayonetta games seems to be bound more to a class of angels, rather than a specific one - and they represent the four Cardinal Virtues. I was thinking more of the three Theological Virtues; specifically, Caritas (Charity/Love).

As to the angel's manifestation . . . Well, given the Italian influence already present, and the association with "love" (not to mention, given how "Crisis of Fayth" ended), I was thinking of Nero. The only problem is, while I can find plenty of fan art that depicts Arturia as an angel, nobody seems to have done so for my Empress yet.

[Xamusel]

Well... that sounds interesting, to say the least.

I say go for it!

[Kieran]

As I've said, though, I'm a little worried that it might be overkill - and not fit in well with the rest of the theme (both of this particular story, and of the Works in general).

[Xamusel]

Why not pull a pureauthor on us and keep your SI from being overpowered by sheer virtue of circumstances?

[Mattias]

But Angels in Bayo are much more of the biblical variety, looking like a Lovecraft creation dyed white rather than looking like Nero.

For example Fortitude:

Temperance:


Justice:

And Prudence:

[Kieran]

True - but the same can be said of the Infernals. The Madamas are a lot more human-looking than most of the others, including bosses (with exceptions like Alrune). And the flip side, we have an angelic examples in Father Rodin and Jubileus (sorry, I can't seem to link the pictures directly).

So it's not totally implausible to me that an angel representing the three Christian virtues (which theoretically stand above even the cardinal ones), much less the greatest of the three, could look human(-ish). And the idea of Nero with wings of fire . . .

[Mattias]

But both those examples are pretty much God (Rodin is implied to be stronger than Jublieus himself), so unless you give her that kind of power I just don't see it. Unless you touted her as a major shapeshifter.

[Kieran]

But both those examples are pretty much God (Rodin is implied to be stronger than Jublieus himself), so unless you give her that kind of power I just don't see it.

Well, as noted, the Madamas are both relatively human-looking and powerful, unlike most of their Infernal peers. I'm just thinking that it's quite probable the Hierarchy of Laguna has similar creatures, since the two sides do seem to reflect one another. I think they'd probably be along the lines of the named Archangels, if you want a Biblical example.

Unless you touted her as a major shapeshifter.

You mean I can't claim Imperial Privilege . . .?

All right - as I recall, the Joys have that capability, so it's definitely something that the angels are capable of, even if they're the only specialists.

(. . . And here I was thinking that the power level was going to be the main source of objections - it's what's got me concerned . . . )

[Kieran]

Some good news: I've acquired the psionics book for Pathfinder, so I can now work on Kuro's character more thoroughly - and even better, it has the mechanics I need to do Elsa's powers properly. So, when I get back to "Reign of Winter," it ought to be relatively simple - for a given value of "simple."

[Xamusel]

Kieran... you got lucky!

[Xamusel]

...I hope it's alright for me to double post here. I was just curious as to how many scenes were needed for the (Grail) Works in Progress stories (and how many I can get away with putting in without making the number obscene).

[Kieran]

When this much time has passed, double-posting really isn't an issue.

In practical terms, I wouldn't generally use more than three or four scenes (I'd say five is doable but pushing it), but so long as you can fit the story into one post, there's no actual limit.

[Kieran]

Now, this is a double-post that should be apologised for (and I do), but as it has no relevance to the prior discussion topic, I hope I'll be forgiven . . .

I just finished "bare-bones"-ing Kuro, and I thought those of you who know D&D/Pathfinder (or Prisma Ilya, for that matter) might like a look at her - not to mention (hopefully) point out anywhere I might've gone wrong.




Personal Data:


NAME: Ilyasviel von Einzbern

ALIASES/TITLES: Kuro, Chloe, Archer-ko, EMIYA Ilya

BASE SPECIES: Half-elf (Drow/Tian Min human)

CREATURE TYPE: Half-elf (young)

SIZE: Small

CLASS/LEVEL: Nimble Blade (Soulknife) 1

MYTHIC TIER/PATH: 1 (Trickster)

WORLD OF ORIGIN: Earth, Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Ilya/Golarion

ETHNIC TYPE: Euro-Japanese

GENDER: Female

AGE: 10

HEIGHT: 137 cm (4’ 6”)

WEIGHT: Unknown

HAIR: White

EYES: Gold

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES: None



Ability Scores / Bonuses:


Strength 12 (+ 1)

Dexterity: 20 (+ 5)

Constitution: 14 (+ 2)

Intelligence: 14 (+ 2)

Wisdom: 15 (+ 2)

Charisma: 16 (+ 3)


Hit Points: 16 (1d10 + 2 from nimble blade level, +4 from trickster tier)

Languages: Common, Elven, German, Japanese

Skills: Acrobatics + 11, Autohypnosis + 6, Knowledge (arcana) + 3, Perception + 8, Spellcraft + 3, Stealth + 13 (+4 size bonus)

Favoured Classes: Nimble Blade and Oracle

Feats: Skill Focus (Acrobatics), Mythic Two-Weapon Fighting, Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Finesse

Racial Traits: + 2 to one Ability score (Dexterity), low-light vision, adaptability (Skill Focus bonus feat), elf blood (counts as both elf and human), elven immunities (immune to magic sleep, + 2 to save vs. enchantment spells and effects), keen senses (+ 2 to Perception checks), multitalented (two favoured classes).

Class Features: Form Mind Blade, Light Armour Proficiency, Mind Blade Finesse, Mind Blade Proficiency, Shape Mind Blade, Simple Weapon Proficiency, Throw Mind Blade, Wild Talent


Base Mythic Abilities:

Hard to Kill (Ex): Whenever Kuro drops to below 0 Hit Points, she automatically stabilises. If she has an ability that allows her to take action while below 0 Hit Points, she still loses Hit Points for taking actions, as specified. Bleed damage still causes her to lose Hit Points while below 0 Hit Points. In addition, she doesn’t die until her total number of negative Hit Points is equal to or greater than double her Constitution score.

Mythic Power (Su): Each day, Kuro has a pool of 5 uses of mythic power.

Surge (Su): Kuro can spend one use of mythic power to add 1d6 to the result of any d20 roll she just made as an immediate action.


Path Abilities:


Defensive Move (Ex): Once per round, Kuro can designate one opponent. Unless she attempts to move through that opponent’s space, her movement (including standing up from a prone position) doesn’t provoke an attack of opportunity from that opponent—and if she does move through the opponent’s space, she can make an Acrobatics check to avoid attacks of opportunity.

Surprise Strike (Ex): As a swift action, Kuro can expend one use of mythic power to make a ranged or melee attack against any target within 30 feet in addition to any other attacks she makes that round. When making a surprise strike, the target is considered flat-footed regardless of any class features or abilities it might have, and she adds her tier to her attack roll. Damage from this attack bypasses damage reduction.

Special Qualities: Simple template (young): +4 size bonus to Dexterity, - 1 Size category, - 2 to natural armour bonus (inapplicable), - 4 to Strength and Constitution, attacks decrease damage dice by one step (as per Small weaponry).



COMBAT CAPABILITIES:


Base Attack Bonus: +1

Base Saving Throws: Fortitude + 2, Reflex + 7, Will + 4 (+ 6 when against enchantment/mind-affecting effects)

Initiative: + 5

Base AC: 16 (10 + 5 Dex + 1 size)

Combat Manoeuvre Bonus: + 0

Combat Manoeuvre Defence: + 15

Base Speed: 20 ft.



Attack List:


Mind Blade (kukri): + 6 (1d3 + 1 slashing damage)

[Xamusel]

Kieran... hmm... this looks nice!

Well, gonna need to look into making my own character sheets... yes, sheets.

[Kieran]

Kieran... hmm... this looks nice!

As a soulknife (of any variation), her only psychic power is to create that weapon, and alter it; she can change its type, split it into two weapons, add properties (like corrosive, flame aura, and the standard +__ enchantment) . . . There's even a trick that will let her "break" it/them.

As an oracle, she'd have access to divine magic, with an eventual transformation if she ever reached 20th level (I'm figuring "Life" for her focus).

[Xamusel]

Oh, Kieran, I have an idea for how to get more exposure to the Grail Works... posting the stories on AO3 (Archive Of Our Own)!

Don't worry about needing to register for the site, I'll just use a Pseud for my account on it, to make sure that you guys get the stories under one account.

Is it alright with you guys?

[Kieran]

Do we need more exposure? It's barely established as it is.

[Xamusel]

Well, I've been meaning to test and see how fic importing even works, and if it even works with forum software like vBulletin.

In any case, all I'm hoping to do is import your redone FFX crossover and see how many people there actually like it, so that we might get more authors in the setting.

...with your consent.