Keychain of Creation 3: Not-a-Keyblade Understanding & Falafel-is-Awesome Prana Combo

[Rockphed]

What are Oneiromancy and the Protocols? I'm guessing Protocols deal with Alchemicals, but I would like some slighlty more solid confirmation.

[Weimann]

Indeed, weaving Protocols is what Alchemicals do instead of shaping Sorcery. According to the Alchemicals book, the protocols canonically lay inbetween the circles powerwise (that is, Man-Machine is stronger than Terrestrial but weaker than Celestial, and God-Machine is stronger than Celestial but weaker than Solar), but I'm not sure how that's reflected in the actual spells.

Oneiromancy is a strange little thing that's not really Sorcery at all. It's a Shaping thing that Rakshas do, and it basically creates artifats for them to use out of Gossamer. I think it can be used in Creation, while their usual Shaping requires at least some kind of Wyld to function, but don't quote me on that; I suck at Raksha.

For completeness, one could mention Thaumaturgy as well. That's not sorcery in any sense of the word; it costs no motes to use, and it can't enforce your will upon reality. Instead, it works by manipulating the magical bonds that already permeates Creation, manipulating them to your will. It's highly ritualistic, takes long time to cast and have very minor benefits compared to Sorcery spells and charms. The benefit is that everyone, even mortals, can use it.

[Yuki Akuma]

Protocols are basically a programming language. Protocol users send instructions to the Pattern Spiders, who make changes in reality for them.

They can also simply reprogram reality itself, although doing so is quite strenuous. But it's the only way to affect beings outside Fate like demons, fair folk and such. It also works in places outside the Pattern Spider's purview, so if you wanna use a Protocol in Malfaes... better get spending that Willpower.

[The Rose Dragon]

I wish Secret's fear was meditating on the creature of death she has become and she would overcome it by raising her Essence and becoming even more powerful.

[Xelloss]

For completeness, one could mention Thaumaturgy as well. That's not sorcery in any sense of the word; it costs no motes to use, and it can't enforce your will upon reality. Instead, it works by manipulating the magical bonds that already permeates Creation, manipulating them to your will. It's highly ritualistic, takes long time to cast and have very minor benefits compared to Sorcery spells and charms. The benefit is that everyone, even mortals, can use it.

Thaumaturgy needs exotic components to work. But you can do without if you spend essence instead (That's why the better non-exalted thaumaturges are enlighten mortals)

[Ganurath]

*doubletakes*

As Marena said, Necromancy?!

[golentan]

...

I have a feeling secret is about to have a very, very bad night.

But I also have a feeling we'll learn more about her...

[Tavar]

Damn...that's cold, Misho. Plus, didn't she just get a bit more Resonance?

[Tackyhillbillu]

Well done Jukashi. Well done.

[Ganurath]

Damn...that's cold, Misho. Plus, didn't she just get a bit more Resonance?

It's her name that causes it, not names of others from her former life.

Also... Hypnotic Tongue Technique?

[spectralphoenix]

Damn...that's cold, Misho. Plus, didn't she just get a bit more Resonance?

I don't think she gains Resonance from telling him her father's name (she only gave up her name, after all,) I think he's using Irresistable Questioning Technique (hence the colored speech bubble.)

But yeah, when he said this was going to be unpleasant, he wasn't kidding.

[The Demented One]

Also... Hypnotic Tongue Technique?

My guess would be Terrifying Apparition of Glory or Irresistible Questioning Technique (or perhaps, more amusingly, Enemy-Castigating Solar Judgment).

[Xelloss]

My guess would be Terrifying Apparition of Glory or Irresistible Questioning Technique (or perhaps, more amusingly, Enemy-Castigating Solar Judgment).

I'd bet Irresistible Questioning Technique. Not really burning in glory nor drawing from the guilt/shame of the target.

Funny, I would have thought Misho would be more the kind to learn Art of the Dead than Necromancy. I guess Thaumaturgy is just not badass enough when you're a First Age Solar...

[Aquillion]

...so, wait, does this mean he has his SCS initiation from the First Age?

[Yuki Akuma]

So... He knows Solar Circle Sorcery and Necromancy? Yeah, he's not a God-Mode Sue.

Also, a magical art that destroys ghosts almost as an afterthought isn't evil? Suure.

[lord_khaine]

So... He knows Solar Circle Sorcery and Necromancy? Yeah, he's not a God-Mode Sue.

Also, a magical art that destroys ghosts almost as an afterthought isn't evil? Suure.

Yeah, he isnt a god-mode sue, since im pretty sure one of those has yet to lose a important battle for the fate of creation because he broken down and startet to cry.

Anyway, todays comic looked pretty good, especaly the effects for magic very quite dramatic.

[horngeek]

What? Necromancy doesn't destroy ghosts 'as an afterthought'. There are spells that destroy ghosts, yes.

But some spells from Necromancy are actually good. Plus, you can only counter Necromancy with Necromancy.

[Xelloss]

Also, a magical art that destroys ghosts almost as an afterthought isn't evil? Suure.

Gentle Touch of Lethe is totally evil ! You force the target to pass to the soul-blender called Lethe without he could say anything about it ! How can you impose the natural circle of life upon someone ?

[Gez]

For someone who doesn't know much of the rules, this development is a bit puzzling.

Bear with me.
"We want to learn sorcery."
"Why, Secret?" "To do stuff not related to death."
"Okay, I'll teach you. Here's what you'll need to do in order to become sorcerers."
"But are you really sure you want to learn sorcery?
"Do I look sorcerous enough?" "Yes, you look like a sorcerous sorcerer about to teach sorcery to Exalted who learn sorcery."
"Right, sorcery training begins. You'll do the trials of the sorcerer now."
"This is not sorcery. I'm not going to teach it to you."

[Recaiden]

Gentle Touch of Lethe is totally evil ! You force the target to pass to the soul-blender called Lethe without he could say anything about it ! How can you impose the natural circle of life upon someone ?

Why is nature not evil, exactly?

@^: I think he means that he isn't going to teach them necromancy. He just wants to prove a point.

[Doran]

As I understand it:
In order to become a sorceror you need to pass trials including a trial of fear.
Secret's fear is one to do with her family, so Misho is (presumably) going to summon her father's soul by Necromancy for the trial.

He won't teach them necromancy.

Also considering that reincarnation destroys the personality, it could be held akin to sending them to the Void.

[Gez]

I read "it" as "sorcery" -- "I'm not going to teach sorcery to you. Here, take necromancy instead!" That's why I was confused. Makes more sense if "it" refers to necromancy.

[Raz_Fox]

...

I have a feeling secret is about to have a very, very bad night.

But I also have a feeling we'll learn more about her...

Agreed. Poor Secret.

Also, red-eyed Misho looks very disturbing. Very.

[AmberVael]

Necromancy being evil or not aside... doesn't knowing Necromancy degrade your ability to use Sorcery? Like, for each circle of Necromancy you know, you lose access to one Sorcery circle (out of the maximum, not of the ones you know), and vice-versa?

Because that would mean Misho can't ever hit the Solar Circle, at the very least.

[horngeek]

Um... does it actually say that anywhere? I'm not sure.

[WalkingTarget]

My (first edition) understanding was simply that one's capacity to learn one was one less than one's capacity to learn the other (i.e. a solar can learn all 3 levels of sorcery, but only the first 2 circles of necromancy, an abyssal is the other way around, lunars and sidereals can only learn the first necro circle, etc.)

Granted, it's been a long time since I read this stuff, so I may be remembering wrong (and it might not be the same in second edition anyway).

[AmberVael]

I can find things in the Exalted wiki which support what I'm saying, but I'm having a difficult time actually finding corresponding passages in the books (and since I don't trust wikis to be entirely accurate, this is frustrating to me).

I swear I've read it somewhere though.

[Xelloss]

Enlightened Mortals can learn either Sorcery or Necromancy, but not both of them. I don't remember reading something about Exalts.

[AmberVael]

Ah, I found what I was looking for. Doesn't seem to have any mechanical basis though, which just makes it bizarre.
In the lexicon of the main book, page 18. Under Necromancy and Sorcery it mentions one inhibiting your ability to use the other.

[The Glyphstone]

Secret's little "oh no" at the end there was excellent. She knows what's coming, and doesn't like it.