Inactive [LP CYOA] Overlord

[lightbane]

True, but provided we're careful to not to reveal too much about us nor our hidden headquarters, it's still very little information to work with, which means the negative influence hit should be minimal (and therefore workable if we desire to switch to their side).

 

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

Ideally, we want the Barzamites all dead so that they can't go back to their superiors, but it seems more trouble than it's worth to find and kill every single soldier out of a 100. It would also probably involve a lot of collateral damage in the village as well, which would be detrimental to getting some support from local humans.

There's no real point to killing them if a spy is within the prince's ranks. That's part of why I wanted to choice D, let him die and then mop up all of the survivors from a distance with one spell.

 

[Nevill]

Then what in the fuck are you arguing about?

I seem to be engaged in a shouting contest with you.

And I supposed you missed that Esquilax said that he agreed with Elfbeserker that it wouldn't lock us in?

And I suppose you missed that I agreed and am no longer arguing with Esquilax on that point?

The problem is you are being much to aspergers-literal as usual.

That means that I do not redefine words to suit my current argument, does it?

All that happened is that we fucked one faction over in favor of another. We had our first Songfeng and now some people are going to rub their buttocks each time they mention us. So fucking what?

There is too much drama over nothing.

 

[Esquilax]

All that happened is that we fucked one faction over in favor of another. We had our first Songfeng and now some people are going to rub their buttocks each time they mention us. So fucking what?

You mean Songfeng, where we first really began to start cementing an unorthodox reputation and set Jing on the path of being a YOLOTIGER badass who plays by his own rules and does what he thinks is right, regardless of what others think? It might have been minor in the grand scheme of things, but I think that little event really cemented the character and set us on a more unorthodox path. Of course, we had chances to be more of a straight-laced type, but I think that a lot of subsequent decisions we made (i.e. Minamoto pirates) were partially inspired by the same actions we made in Songfeng. Not saying that will be the case here, just saying that little choices can have big consequences in how we approach things in the future, and it's only really apparent in hindsight.

 

[Kayerts]

With regard to the Prince=Methuss argument, Prince Whatshisname is sixth in line for the throne. Some historical parallels in his position would either be (a) looking for a way to become first in line, via the mechanism of having bad things happen to #1-5 or (b) looking to make a name for himself in some capacity other than direct rule. Otherwise, his fate will likely be to be married off to some Galbadian noble's fat daughter to cement an alliance via the glue of bodily fluids. Long story short, an ambitious man in his position would probably have divergent goals from those of the Methussian crown. I think the hope of hijacking his ambitions represents the second most consistent argument for helping the prince, honestly. (The most consistent being "Erd's interested in his butt.")

 

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

I seem to be engaged in a shouting contest with you.

Not sure what this means, but I think I get the gist. Fair enough.

And I suppose you missed that I agreed and am no longer arguing with Esquilax on that point?

I must have seeing as how you just now brought it up again when you quoted him.

That means that I do not redefine words to suit my current argument, does it?

No, it means that you take only the most super-literal, absolute meanings from other's arguments and force them to eventually explain to you in painstaking detail what they mean when a reasonable person would just look at it, realize that they weren't to be talking in absolute terms and argue the point from there. For example, Esquillax said it would lock us in, he probably didn't mean cut off all choices in the future regarding our relations with Methuss and force us to be their zombie-bitch, but you argue with him like that was what he meant. Or when I and the others said that the prince represented Methus, we clearly didn't mean he was their abject ruler or a major political power responsible for large decisions in their empire, but that he did represent them to a degree, but you insisted on dragging out an argument and equating him to a maid or a general because he wasn't the King yet. It's either a childish tactic that wastes everyone's time or a genuine disability. Honestly, I can't tell which, bro.

We had our first Songfeng and now some people are going to rub their bottocks each time they mention us. So fucking what?

There is too much drama over nothing.

A single sword school with a few hundred members at most and an entire kingdom are two different things. And again, we have no idea what other kingdoms that Barzamites are aligned with if anyone.

 

[Nevill]

You mean Songfeng, where we first really began to start cementing an unorthodox reputation and set Jing on the path of being a YOLOTIGER badass who plays by his own rules and does what he thinks is right, regardless of what others think? It might have been minor in the grand scheme of things, but I think that little event really cemented the character and set us on a more unorthodox path.

I think the first part was established when we wiped our ass with Shun's invitation and went into the wilderness, if not by our stunts in the Ashina camp. Doubt we could set ourselves on a less unorthodox path when we didn't want to enter the smelly orthodox sects and they would not have us, either.

What really cemented the character was Zhang's training and the Young Tigers Tournament, which led to the birth of his Man Tiger Pig persona. Those were the turning points. Another one, I suppose, was our decision to check on the Wudu Cult and go with Qilin instead of running straight to Shun.

Not saying that will be the case here, just saying that little choices can have big consequences in how we approach things in the future, and it's only really apparent in hindsight.

Oh yeah, that Songfeng bit us in the back somewhat during the pirate chapter, and it also turned out that a seemingly minor incident was connected to the main conspiracy all along.

But I don't think we ever regretted it.

With regard to the Prince=Methuss argument, Prince Whatshisname is sixth in line for the throne.

The numbers mean little. Kyle is the Third Prince and he is still heir to the throne that will rule the Seven Kingdoms.

Edit: ah, he is third son. Not sure if there is a difference.

 

[Kipeci]

Hey treave, if we use Gigadyne with option D in mind are we going to be precise about things and use a more tactical variant on the spell that won't cause much damage to unintended targets, or are we going with the nuke version again?

 

[Nevill]

Or when I and the others said that the prince represented Methus, we clearly didn't mean he was their abject ruler or a major political power responsible for large decisions in their empire, but that he did represent them to a degree, but you insisted on dragging out an argument and equating him to a maid or a general because he wasn't the King yet.

Why, yes. What does this representation to a degree mean? To what degree? Does it mean we can count on the country's resourses or consider its people our allies? I don't think so.

I have asked you a question if Barzam commanders represented Barzam to a degree - a thought that you seem to vehemently reject:

I wanted to learn more about the Barzamites before utterly demonizing them and assuming what we've seen so far is representative of their entire leadership and culture.

So I don't think that it's a problem with my argument.

 

[Baltika9]

Are we still going on about this? Well, it's not a proper LP of we don't spend at least ten pages being butthurt over meaningless interpretations and past decisions.
What's done is done, let's talk tactics, guys.

Given the circumstances, I think that the Prince and the Villagers are most useful to us alive, if we're going to improve our reputation in the Kingdom of Methuss and get some local support. Ideally, we want the Barzamites all dead so that they can't go back to their superiors, but it seems more trouble than it's worth to find and kill every single soldier out of a 100. It would also probably involve a lot of collateral damage in the village as well, which would be detrimental to getting some support from local humans.

If we want to kill the enemy with minimum collateral damage, then it would be better to either corral then with wolves and status spells or draw them out of the city and skirmish them with spells. I don't understand why want to keep the fighting inside the city?

Also, unlike Baltika, I wanted to learn more about the Barzamites before utterly demonizing them and assuming what we've seen so far is representative of their entire leadership and culture.

Damn right I don't trust Barzam and any other human realm out there. The writings on the wall: we don't like non-humans. The only way I want to learn about them is from a torture chair.

 

[Nevill]

What's done is done, let's talk tactics, guys.

I was planning to do just that but got butth... distracted.

The main contenders for the plan are still AC B3 and AC D6. I suggest we talk them over. They are both fine with me.

Tally

Baltika9 A C D6
Kipeci A B D6
Nevill B C B3
asxetos B C D2
Grimgravy A C B3
profreshinal A C B2
lightbane A C D6>D4>D3>D5
Kz3r0 A B Bx
Azira A C D3
Elfberserker A C B3
Esquilax A C D6
Smashing Axe A A B3
Lambchop19 A B B5>B4>B6
Rex Feral A B B1>B3
Jester A C>A D2>B3
Storyfag A C D6
archaen A C B3
Quetzalcoatl A C C3
Tigranes A B D3
Greyviper A B B3

A - 18
B - 2

A - 1
B - 6
C - 13

Bx - 1 (0) Kz3r0
B1 - 1 (0) Rex Feral
B2 - 1
B3 - 6 (9)
B5 - 1
C3 - 1
D2 - 2 (1) Jester
D3 - 2
D6 - 5

 

[Jester]

Nevill i fliped 3rd part to D2>B3.

 

[Baltika9]

I was planning to do just that but got butth... distracted.

It's fine, so have I. I'm glad we addressed the elephant in the room right away instead of letting the poor guy sit there and foul the air while we pretend he's not there.

Tactics: it all depends on what we value more. I agree with the point that Esquilax made about annihilating the troops, can't do it inside of the city, otherwise we'll anger the locals for no reason. Since we're doing this 'play the good guy' thing, let's play it right and bide our time.
Taking them on in the city with Gigadyne is the 'aspie dick wizard' option: we get the job done, but everyone thinks that guy is a dick and fuck him in general.

 

[Grimgravy]

No. It's clear. We should embrace the gay. Embrace the dumb-ass YOLO angel. Embrace the anti-picnic voting bloc.

B
A
x7 is the way to go. We must do as the prince asks. Spells will not show our true feelings. We must use the sword. It's the only phallic option available.


But seriously, of the viable options the anti-picnic bloc and their horrible decisions gave us, ACB3 is the best most acceptable least horrible. Flop me to that.

 

[Nevill]

To be fair, our Gigadyne in D6 is meant to be used against commanders and mages, not against the brunt of their force, which allows for a great deal of control and precision. I do not expect much in terms of collateral damage, unlike with C4/C6, or even D4, or summoning a Dragon.

The point of the plan, as I understand it, is to get the officers while the soldiers are distracted. The soldiers will then simply run. We will deprive Barzam of their more valuable personnel.

The point of B3 - again, as I understand it - is to kill as many soldiers as we can without going overboard with our powers by relying on Rin to do the heavy lifting. Our Mass Sleep spell can potentially disable half of their force (48 targets in total). The question is, can we herd them all in one place? Will it be more like an ambush, like the one we did in the ruins, or a running retreat? Can the Prince attempt an escape on his own while we are preparing the wolves and springing our trap, or do we still need to assist him with this?

The higher-ups and mages are more likely to escape and make an informed report, if that is a concern.

 

[Esquilax]

If we want to kill the enemy with minimum collateral damage, then it would be better to either corral then with wolves and status spells or draw them out of the city and skirmish them with spells. I don't understand why want to keep the fighting inside the city?

Gigadyne won't cause a massive wave of death:

6. Unleash Gigadyne. Whether it is for a precision attack or for large scale destruction, it is flexible enough to fit most of your needs.

The question with Gigadyne is whether or not it's wise to reveal the full extent of our abilities. I'm of the opinion that the Methussians have a problem with non-humans, not powerful, mysterious mages who possess magic that nobody's ever seen.

 

[Baltika9]

That is true, their own mages are subject to a lot of respect (see the Bazram high mages). I don't know if the general populace trusts the mages or not, but they still respect them.
I dunno, if we're talking about a clean operation, I don't feel comfortable using our most powerful spell inside of a city. Maybe it's because I haven't seen us not using the precise version, or our angelic bloodlust, but I think it's a bad idea to do it inside of a city.

 

[Esquilax]

That is true, their own mages are subject to a lot of respect (see the Bazram high mages). I don't know if the general populace trusts the mages or not, but they still respect them.
I dunno, if we're talking about a clean operation, I don't feel comfortable using our most powerful spell inside of a city. Maybe it's because I haven't seen us not using the precise version, or our angelic bloodlust, but I think it's a bad idea to do it inside of a city.

The reason why we'd need to do it inside the city is that if the Prince retreats, the higher-ups will be anticipating an ambush. They're not idiots, they know that the prince is a high-priority target and they'll be on their guard. If, on the other hand, the Prince goes into the city, the Barzamites will think that they've sprung a trap on the prince, when in reality we're the ones springing a trap on them. We hit the mages and the commanders before they have a chance to do any damage, and hopefully, we take them down in one surgical strike.

 

[Nevill]

The reason why we'd need to do it inside the city is that if the Prince retreats, the higher-ups will be anticipating an ambush.

Would they?

They are the ones who ambushed him, and the ones preparing a trap rarely expect to be trapped themselves.

The prince is outnumbered 10 to 100. Running is the only sensible - as opposed to honorobru - option. They will expect that... but I doubt they will see us coming.

Case in point, that is what the Prince is thinking:

“What is your plan?” you ask Farland.

“Join up with my men, lead them away from the village, and hopefully escape with our lives intact,” he says confidently, banging his chestplate.

 

[Baltika9]

They'll be expecting foul play either way. Only an idiot with a plan rushes into a village when his men are being ambushed by a hundred soldiers. If anything, they should be expecting him to run away as soon as he gets near the village, abandoning his men.
If we lure then into a chase (rereat is a natural reaction to being outnumbered) and start messing with their minds and sending waves after waves of wolves to skirmish them while the Methussians regroup, I think we'll stand a good chance.
The big issue here is that they got caught with their pants down.

 

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

I was planning to do just that but got butth... distracted.

The main contenders for the plan are still AC B3 and AC D6. I suggest we talk them over. They are both fine with me.

Yes. I agree. Both are wise-ish options. (Well, 2C, sucks but whatever.) TBH, I really want to drop fireballs everywhere in the hopes of killing the prince and getting "comforted" by Rin over the loss of our "true love", but as the only pure hetero in the thread, I seem to be the only one voting for it.

 

[Nevill]

but as the only pure hetero in the thread, I seem to be the only one voting for it.

You are just afraid he will reject you, bro. Don't be. Love conquers all.

 

[lightbane]

Wasn't it said here that one of our objectives was to build a harem? And even if we don't, sooner or later we'll have to worry about having a heir to our Empire (hopefully we'll have some power by that point instead of being reduced into a Methuss' attack dog). In any case, fear not Codexers, I'm sure Erdrick has enough love inside for everyone

 

[treave]

Hey treave, if we use Gigadyne with option D in mind are we going to be precise about things and use a more tactical variant on the spell that won't cause much damage to unintended targets, or are we going with the nuke version again?

If you use the minimal power necessary, it can be very precise. See: stripping Rin of her armor. You can create a homing bolt which you control like a remote missile. Of course, that doesn't make it any less flashy. Decapitating the enemy's leadership with a single spell will make you stand out.

 

[Kipeci]

That's fine by me; I care more about reducing collateral damage than making sure to hide our sekrit techniques.