(Vol 2) Chapter 36: Choices to Make, Paths to Take

She drew up the Create Illusion changes. Minor Persistent Illusion (Object) had been replaced with a bit of an upgrade, for one.

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Ranged Emission: Instead of a continuous radius around you, you can instead anchor an illusion to a discrete point within (80 meters + 20 meters per level), where it will stay for its full duration. You must be in range to actively change it (though ‘Independent’ effects can continue). Total area covered is (3 meters x level) in radius from the point chosen.

Minor Persistent Illusion: For 1 FE (Illusion) or 2 FE, you may create a small, persistent illusion over a discrete point within 10 meters, lasting 24 hours. The total diameter of the effect is up to 1 meter plus (0.5 meters per level above 3), though multiple castings can be integrated. This illusion is entirely still, however.

You may also create a persistent illusion on an object, having it appear as something else or altered, lasting for 24 hours. It must maintain the same basic shape and apparent mass with minor variations.

If you cast this 3 days in a row for the same exact effect, the duration becomes permanent (but may be canceled or dispelled).

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Ooh, I hope Persistent Illusion keeps getting better like this. With this, I can make permanent secret doors, though. And creepy lawn gnomes! Ohhh, you know I’m gonna make a creepy lawn gnome. I gifted a new one to my dad every Christmas!

And he would say something sarcastic like ‘Oh yay, a new boil on my ass, thanks so much, Sammy!’ The last one she gifted was a zombie with a bloody beard, and he said Sammy was losing her touch. The one before that was so disturbing he boxed it back up. It was a subtle one. A smile and eyes that seemed to dissect you when you looked into them.

I spent ages in the attic finding that damn thing to sneak it back outside right before I left. And it almost gave him a heart attack when he noticed it! So awesome! I think his text said, ‘You're lucky I can’t ground you anymore, Turd Ferguson’...

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Dazzling Spectrum

Once per day for free, or for 1 FE (Illusion) or 2 FE, you may cause an especially intense flash of illusory imagery, in a variable but concentrated direction. At maximum effect, it is a cone to a distance of 2 meters + 2 meters per deity level OR a spherical AoE of diameter 2 meters + 1 meter per level, to a range of 30 meters + 10 meters per level. You may warp the shape within this radius to avoid allies.

Targets that do not resist will be stunned senseless for 5 seconds and completely blinded for 1 minute (alternatively, the blinding effect may be removed).

Alternately, if out of combat, you may have the imagery strobe and Hypnotize instead, which will cause targets to do nothing for as long as you concentrate and maintain it, and for 10 seconds after.

Targets will snap out of it upon any perceived threat (their perceptions are inhibited, however) or upon vigorous shaking (or similar) by an ally. If any of a given group are attacked, it breaks for all automatically. If broken due to a threat, they will know they’ve been hypnotized, but if broken by duration running out, they will be confused and only recall zoning out. The deduction of supernatural foul play is up to the individuals.

Base classes for level comparison for resistance purposes are: [Goddess], [Bard], [Wizard], or some special classes. One additional class may add as normal, providing (level/3, rounded up) to the base class. If concentrated on one single target, add 1 Effective Level.

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Okay, that’s more versatile, now. I can dig it. Pretty super for a distraction.

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Grant Invisibility

Once per day for free, or for 1 FE (Illusion) or 2 FE, a target at touch range (or self) becomes invisible. For double this value, you may affect everyone within 2 meters of you. This only affects normal vision and lasts 1 hour per deity level. Any act of violence or non-informational spell or spell-like ability use (i.e. 'overt') by the subject ends the effect immediately.

This may be used on an object as well, in which case attacking with it specifically ends the effect immediately.

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AoE capability on it, okay. Minor but noteworthy, obviously.

She next drew up the new addition to False Auras:

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Self-Deception: You may edit your own personal aura and information at will with lies as desired. These double the Effective Level bonuses: +4 to detect lies, +6 to reveal the actual truth.

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Well, well. This bears some thought about what to make it. But my Avatar is definitely getting a template to stick on it when I don’t want to crank up the divinity. And not a virgin, either!

Sammy winced a bit at her own thoughts. But she was pretty sure the status of being a maiden was still relevant for mortals, at least when it came to dealing with certain spirits or for some rituals. It was kind of amusing if she could just edit that in and out.

The last thing to see was Mirror Sense, which appeared subtle in alteration:

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Level 3: See/hear through mirrors of inferior or better reflection quality and manufactured design, or other not-roughly-disturbed mirrored surfaces at least able to show a 15x15 centimeter square picture (such as a polished shield or reflective water surface). Passive awareness is moderate, requiring relevant engagement or activity. Familiarity (with a mirror or subject) increases sensitivity.

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‘Inferior quality.’ She could tap into more mirrors, perhaps only excepting the worst quality, as otherwise she would assume it would say ‘any’. Her passive awareness was increased as well. Yep, subtle was the word.

“Congratulations on the level up, Madam,” Jeeves offered as a resonant voice through the throne realm. Others echoed him.

Sammy smiled. “Thanks, everyone. It seems to add a lot of versatility and utility in addition to the raw weight of the level. Still a Minor Deity, though, and no additional domain. I guess it’s in a level range. Which means my next one has to be considered very, very carefully.”

“Indeed so, Madam. You seem to have a lot of bases covered after Light, so it could be anything, hmm?”

The new dragon Athos has polymorphed into a man, quite the spitting image of a dashing swashbuckler — he had long, dark hair and distinguished facial hair, clad in a fine dark blue coat accentuated with flaring white trim. His hat curled on one side with a brooch and feather flaring out. He had a brooding way about him.

He was rubbing his chin in thought, standing at the bottom of her throne platform with one foot on the steps. “I’d suggest Magic. Powerful, broad, challenging our enemies at their own game. What could be better? And you’d be the Queen over this world’s very advancement in the long term. Truly the hope of the future, wouldn’t you say?”

A lovely feminine face — with one side and eye painted white with a big diamond — appeared over his shoulder, resting her chin there with a face-splitting grin, an arm wrapping around the far shoulder. Constance. “But dangerous, Cutie Athos! Wizards could notice such a goddess innately, no? It might reveal our hand too soon. Perhaps something a bit subtler… something to shore up our weaknesses, hmm?”

Athos raised an eyebrow as he curled his head around to look at her, frowning. “Like what? And how would it bridge from what we have?”

“She must mean Psionics,” Samantha said. “Psyche, Thought. The Mind. So on. I think it’s quite likely a worse risk than magic — what are the odds they don’t have discerning sensitivity if they have a presence in this sphere? I’ve heard whispers about their Inquisitors and their supposed capabilities. If they are the specialists here, I’d totally fuck myself getting more on their radar before I am too powerful to stop. Like, level 4 or 5, that’s not exactly Jean Grey or Professor X.”

And they have a supervillain team of seven, at the least…

She gazed down at her fellow pondering immortals, drumming her fingers on the throne arm. “Magic is the crown jewel, it is the future here due to all the restrictions. It seems like it was the past, too, but the Dominion was too greedy with it. Now it has retarded from what it should’ve been, possibly even for them. When I’m done hiding, or when Illusion seems powerful enough to hide even that, maybe… then I’ll take that core, blatant metaphysical aspect. Light might be dangerous enough, right? I guess we’ll see.”

I should consider something tapping into an afterlife, as well. How the hell do I do that?

“System, how does a deity provide an afterlife that is more elaborate and longer than just something like the Mirror Mazes? And can catch people even if they do die?”

Specific domains related to realms can provide the means.

“I knew it! So like… Hell, The Underworld, Heaven?”

Correct, User Sammy.

“Food for thought.” It worried her a bit, though. Did other entities have them? Almost certainly the pantheon of the minotaurs did. Other unknown deities elsewhere were also logical if the Dominion hadn’t scoured the globe. She was pretty sure they hadn’t, though. They’d failed over the mountains and sea to take Valuwei, and failed in the mountains against the minotaurs. Failed while already waning in the Southlands. Mostly failed, anyway.

She was also aware by way of Azure and the filtration of rumors and the flow of trade, that east of the Southlands were routes only known to a precious few, to other lands. Some heavily controlled port on another continent of unknown size, exact location a mystery. It was sometimes called (oh so creatively) the Otherlands. And there was an indication of the greater influence of elves as well as catfolk.

There are other deities, I’m certain of it, though societies are either more primitive, retain customs against mirrors or both. All of them would be a leap of faith to approach anytime soon.

Sammy’s first level 3 act was to edit her Avatar, making the aura and information appear as some bullshittery consistent with Dymonei. A mortal human. She made her classes Wizard 2, Witch 9, as 6 levels were the most she could add. It was less verifiable or not than a high-level Wizard, she figured.

Sammy also activated Anyone, Everyone, figuring that slowing down and making rumors more inconsistent as soon as possible was a good thing. Some of the extraneous farmers she met might forget her or slip their minds for a while, but she didn’t think Essie and Axe would forget her anytime soon.

She spent the 50 FE necessary on Mental Resistance for her Avatar, which added +1 Effective Levels against any mind-based effect. Mental Resistance 2 was 200 FE, however. She frowned, as it was a considerable investment when she wanted another avatar eventually, too.

Not gonna drop to fucking 47 FE right now for it anyway. That’s ass.

The compromise was to add to Magic Resistance, which was a similar hole to plug up and could even stack against enchantment and other mind-based spells.

She added it and left the third free until she had a higher total to play with. And hopefully more Followers. Which was the other big issue… She understood what the plan was long-term, but short-term to get her FE gains up was less directly obvious. Alecto? His daughter and son-in-law? They were already in danger, after all, and possibly could use the help.

Popping in on Alecto’s office from her throne, she connected with a circular wall mirror hanging there. Alecto was checking books, counting, writing, probably shit he did for hours on end having so many affairs to juggle.

Sammy made a little flash of light pass over the mirror in his peripheral vision. Nothing. She did it again, a little flashier. He turned his head with his brows furrowed at the mirror. Frowning in puzzlement, he got up and walked over.

His eyes widened as they locked in on hers despite how he was looking into his own reflection… and Sammy knew absolutely that the other vibes about him were accurate.

'Here we are again, old friend.' This time, the thought out-of-time really didn’t bother her.

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« (Vol 2) Chapter 35 | Table of Contents | (Vol 2) Chapter 37: Cornerstones »

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Samantha, Virgin Goddess of Mirrors & Illusion
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Goddess Level 3 [0/30]; Minor Deity

Domains (3/4): Mirrors, Illusion, Fate
Faith Energy: 197/3000
FE (Mirrors): 5 ; FE (Illusion): 14 ; FE (Fate): 7 ; FE (Light): 45
Followers: 38 (Daily FE Gain: 48 [52])

Devout: 7
Priests: 3

Brute: 0
Rogue: 0
Wizard: 1 [18/20]
Bard: 0 [7/10]

MP: 18/28

Special Skills: First Aid, Tarot Reading, Priestly Ordination, Holy Relic Investiture, Create Servitor, Read Runes, Spell Construction, Detect Magic

Special Traits: Token User, Immortal, Demiplane Domain, Conceptual Body, Fueled By Faith, Detection Ward, Split Prediction, Avatar (Samantha; Core, Mental Res 1, Magic Res 1, PFE: 48/70)

Spells: Identify (5 MP), Icebolt (3 MP)

Powers: Faith Energy Utilization, Grant Prayer (Illusion), Grant Prayer (Fate), Mirror: (Sense, Communication, Maze, Walk, Other), Intuition, Alter Fate, Create Illusion, Grant Invisibility, Dazzling Spectrum, False Auras, Mirroring Duplicates, Reflect Force

Status: Token User Promotional Bonus (9/30)