proceed to new world (do not ask questions, do not collect delightful prizes)

[space_between]

Here is a young woman curled up on a bed, shivering, having thrown off her blankets when she woke earlier.

She is asleep. For now.

Comments

[shadopolis]

"Not to Lilim, yes, the tomes take about an hour to perform the ritual, the Service augments take one heartbeat."

[space_between]

"What are the other effects? The tomes take an hour of ritual every time they are used? --Do the shields need to be already activated to defend me, or can they do that themselves?"

[shadopolis]

"You would gain a new true demonic form. No. Yes, they must be already activated."

[space_between]

"...What are the advantages, disadvantages, and other properties of this new demonic form? When do the tome take an hour of ritual, how long do they take in other cases, and what is the determining factor?"

[shadopolis]

"It will make your shadow become a haven for the teeth and eyes of demons. Your body will become durable and amorphous. These will be permanent effects once you spend the hour on the ritual: thereafter your powers can be used with a mere thought."

[space_between]

That... sounds unsettling, but what exactly does it mean?

"What do you mean by it becoming a haven? What would the practical effects be of my body being amorphous? By with a thought, do you mean the powers will activate as soon as I decide to use them?"

[shadopolis]

"... the answers to your first two questions are difficult to explain, but will not be harmful to you in any direct way. The answer to your third question is yes."

[space_between]

"Would they be harmful to me in indirect ways? Would they be harmful to other people around without my input, or against my wishes?"

[shadopolis]

"Yes, in that they might make you unsettling: no, they will be entirely within your control."

[space_between]

"And this would only be while I was in my true form, correct? ...can they spy on me?"

[shadopolis]

"Yes, and no."

[space_between]

So: Social, cards, Life tome, Gate tome. She needs to decide on a fifth, but for the moment...

"What are the limits of the social augment?"

[shadopolis]

"Clarify."

[space_between]

"You used the word 'almost' multiple times describing it. What are the exceptions? How large an audience is necessary for its full effect? --For that matter, how does it being used appear to the audience, and outside observers? How long does the conviction last? Are there any other limitations along those lines?"

[shadopolis]

"Those with very strong wills. At least five other people. It appears as natural charisma. Until the public speech is done. No."

[space_between]

"--They are only convinced for the duration of the public speech? What happens after?"

[shadopolis]

"They will react as anyone might to a tremendously powerful speech given by a great orator."

[space_between]

"So, afterwards it -- consistently? -- seems like a very powerful speech given by a great orator? And they react -- what do you mean by 'as anyone might'?"

[shadopolis]

"Yes. People are different from other people. I cannot list every reaction a person might have to hearing a great speech."

[space_between]

"So they react as they otherwise would to hearing it? Can you give me a range and -- distribution of reactions? How common are people strong-willed enough to resist the effect, and what does it look like to them?"

[shadopolis]

"Yes, no, I do not know."

[space_between]

"Why don't you know?"

More questions-- "Will the social augment always be active when speaking to groups of people over that threshold, or is it optional? Does it have any side effects you have not previously mentioned?"

[shadopolis]

"I do not have personal experience using this augment. It is optional. No."

[space_between]

She sighs slightly. "Is how to activate and use each of these augments intuitive?"

[shadopolis]

"Yes."