[2026/01/20 14:36] Sapphire: so, um.... advancement.
[2026/01/20 14:36] Sapphire: you may have noticed that the word "level" does not occur on your character sheet
[2026/01/20 14:37] Sonja Bikergrrl: hmm. That's true.
[2026/01/20 14:37] Mecha: Oh yeah, just noticed that.
[2026/01/20 14:37] Sapphire: the way Ars handles it, is that your Abilities and Arts are what level up, they gain xp independantly
[2026/01/20 14:37] Mecha: *Will be intermittent making spaghetti and moving back and forth to cook.*
[2026/01/20 14:38] Sapphire: there's a chart for it in a couple places, if it helps i could make a notecard
[2026/01/20 14:38] Sapphire: but basically, to raise an Art, it costs xp equal to the current level, and five times that for abilities
[2026/01/20 14:38] Sonja Bikergrrl: so I thought...
[2026/01/20 14:39] Sapphire: so, for example Sonja, to raise your Brawl from 1 to 2 would be 10 xp
[2026/01/20 14:39] Sonja Bikergrrl: it's already 2...?
[2026/01/20 14:40] Sapphire: ah, raising to 3 would cost 15 xp then
[2026/01/20 14:40] Sapphire: now normally you don't "bank" xp in advance, you invest it as you gain it each season
[2026/01/20 14:40] Sapphire: Ars is a game that likes to pay attention to the calendar
[2026/01/20 14:41] Sapphire: you *probably* want to put the dueling arcs xp into some of your arts
[2026/01/20 14:42] Sapphire: the way xp from "adventuring" works, is you can apply it to any art or ability you used during the course of the adventure, in this case this would be your respective duels
[2026/01/20 14:42] Sonja Bikergrrl: okay... xp goes to used skills, basically
[2026/01/20 14:42] Sapphire: yes
[2026/01/20 14:43] Sapphire: and since it took us like... five sessions, I'm gonna go a *bit* above the recommended numbers and provide 10 xp, you might also consider that a bit of a starter bonus above the... 6 or so it should probably be rules as written.
[2026/01/20 14:43] Sapphire: you *are* allowed to split it
[2026/01/20 14:44] Sapphire: but raising an art from 0 to 4 would be ten xp if my math is right
[2026/01/20 14:44] Sapphire: 1+2+3+4 = 10, yeah?
[2026/01/20 14:44] Sonja Bikergrrl: ...if there's no level how do you know the multiplier...
[2026/01/20 14:44] Sapphire: it's the level of the *destination* rank
[2026/01/20 14:44] Sapphire: so going from art 0 to art 1 costs 1 xp
[2026/01/20 14:44] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me confirms Sapphires' arithmetical progression summation
[2026/01/20 14:44] Sonja Bikergrrl: right
[2026/01/20 14:44] Sapphire: and then art 1 to 2 is 2 xp
[2026/01/20 14:45] Sapphire: so on upwards
[2026/01/20 14:45] Sonja Bikergrrl: so... to raise Pe from 4 to 5 is... 20?
[2026/01/20 14:45] Mecha: did this one neglect to put a spot for XP?
[2026/01/20 14:45] Sonja Bikergrrl: no, you said it was 5x, so, 100?
[2026/01/20 14:45] Sapphire: arts are 1 to 1, it's abilities that are 5 to 1
[2026/01/20 14:45] Sapphire: so Perdo 5 costs 5
[2026/01/20 14:45] Sonja Bikergrrl: okay
[2026/01/20 14:45] Sapphire: assuming you already have the 4
[2026/01/20 14:46] Sapphire: Perdo 5 from 0 would cost you 15 xp
[2026/01/20 14:46] Sonja Bikergrrl: well, let's spend XP
[2026/01/20 14:46] Sapphire: Mecha: rather than "banking" xp in Ars the game rathers you invest xp towards the skill directly, noting "partial progress" kinda ad hoc
[2026/01/20 14:47] Sapphire: i've done full on excel sheets for it in the past but have found it.... overkill, often? and clunky to check
[2026/01/20 14:47] Sonja Bikergrrl: I think... Aq 0 -> 2 is going to be 3xp
[2026/01/20 14:47] Sapphire: yes
[2026/01/20 14:47] Sonja Bikergrrl: same for Mu 0 -> 2
[2026/01/20 14:48] Sapphire: yes. but notice
[2026/01/20 14:48] Sapphire: that would be 11 xp if you also take the perdo increase
[2026/01/20 14:48] Sonja Bikergrrl: yeah, no, that was just my example
[2026/01/20 14:48] Sapphire: *nods*
[2026/01/20 14:49] Sapphire: as an aside, and you're young enough magi to not really care about the rule
[2026/01/20 14:49] Sapphire: but to Open the Arts of a new apprentice, you are meant to have 5 in every art
[2026/01/20 14:49] Sapphire: (lest you mess up the process and damage the students gift)
[2026/01/20 14:49] Sonja Bikergrrl: so, start again with the increases?
[2026/01/20 14:50] Mecha: ... and more eggs
[2026/01/20 14:50] Sonja Bikergrrl: okay, so... 10xp...
[2026/01/20 14:50] Sapphire: for Arts (i'm gonna presume you mostly care about your casting stats) , it's a plain triangular pattern. buying the NEXT level costs xp equal to the Next level.
[2026/01/20 14:51] Sapphire: my default suggestion is look at something you currently have at 0 and raise it to 4 which spends all 10 xp cleanly
[2026/01/20 14:51] Sonja Bikergrrl: so Te 1 -> 3 is 5
[2026/01/20 14:51] Sapphire: yes
[2026/01/20 14:51] Sapphire: splitting it into five and five xp is also pretty smooth
[2026/01/20 14:51] Sonja Bikergrrl: ...you said have 5 in all before raising a new one?
[2026/01/20 14:52] Sapphire: ah, not what i meant
[2026/01/20 14:52] Mecha: Got an IN of zero so moving that to 4 is good.. Helps understand her form a bit more
[2026/01/20 14:52] Mecha: her form for Terram
[2026/01/20 14:52] Sapphire: more that.... mage expectations are that by the time you take a new apprentice, you want to have 5 in everything
[2026/01/20 14:52] Sapphire: (or more)
[2026/01/20 14:52] Sonja Bikergrrl: Ah. I think.
[2026/01/20 14:53] Sapphire: that's also probably, like, a decade away if you're progressing at normal speeds
[2026/01/20 14:53] Sonja Bikergrrl: okay, so... Mu 0 -> 3 is 6xp
[2026/01/20 14:53] Sapphire: (in game decade)
[2026/01/20 14:53] Sapphire: correct, 0 to 3 costs 6 (1+2+3)
[2026/01/20 14:54] Sonja Bikergrrl: Aq 0 -> 2 is 3, and... Vi 0 -> 1 makes 10 total
[2026/01/20 14:54] Sapphire: /me nods. "That is a valid arrangement as well."
[2026/01/20 14:56] Sapphire: Mecha, so you're thinkint to raise your Intellego from 0 to 4 ?
[2026/01/20 14:57] Mecha: /me nods."Indeed. right now might be the best option"
[2026/01/20 14:58] Sapphire: getting information is nice!
[2026/01/20 14:58] Sapphire: you likely also want to note at the bottom of your sheet where you're spending xp
[2026/01/20 15:00] Mecha: Now this one can have Sarah start working on learning more forms
[2026/01/20 15:01] Sapphire: thoughts, comments, questions before we start the next adventure ?
[2026/01/20 15:01] Sonja Bikergrrl: ...no?
[2026/01/20 15:02] Sapphire: ♥
[2026/01/20 15:02] Sapphire: /me checks with mecha while typa typing
[2026/01/20 15:02] Mecha: nope
[2026/01/20 15:07] Mecha: though if questions do arise as this one thinks of them she will speak up to make sure she is caught up
[2026/01/20 15:08] Mecha: And she realizes it just took her brain five minutes to get to the second part of that
[2026/01/20 15:09] Sapphire: -☼- -🌓︎- -☼-
[2026/01/20 15:09] Sapphire: It's several days after the big tournament, you've had some time to compose your thoughts and get youselves settled. The weather is sunny but windy.
[2026/01/20 15:09] Sapphire: As well, your parens have provided you with some graduation gifts, including an enchanted chest of silver that should be... *difficult* to steal from, as well as Troya giving you permission to take a couple horses from her herd. They should be decently acclimated to you... though finding a cart, wagon, or chariot for your giant-blooded member would be better than risking a mounts back.
[2026/01/20 15:09] Sapphire: You now also have details on the current "medium sized aggrivation" that the Primus wants you to deal with. The so called "slithering horror of Toulouse" attempted to waylay an official Mercere messenger of the Order, ambushing the traveling man on the way in from the northern road. The messenger, a Nichol ex Mercere, is currently staying in the guest lodge on the second of his planned three days of stay before he moves on to the next wizardly residence.
[2026/01/20 15:11] Mecha: Well if it is toulouse we should tighten it more
[2026/01/20 15:13] Sapphire: talking to him to get info, gathering supplies, heading out directly?
[2026/01/20 15:14] Sonja Bikergrrl: talk to him first
[2026/01/20 15:14] Sonja Bikergrrl: see what we can beat out of him
[2026/01/20 15:14] Sapphire: -- --
[2026/01/20 15:14] Sapphire: Nicol himself is a tall, but wiry man with dark hair and a bright red beret, the red cap highlighting his status as a messenger for wizards. The wise know not to underestimate such folk. His room is on the second floor, and he's out on the balcony smoking a pipe of sour smelling herbs, blowing smoke rings out over the militia practice grounds, watching the youths smack each other with hefty sticks. "Ah, I think I've heard of you. The two Seras?" He lifts his cap to get a better look at each of you. "Prize winners, eh?"
[2026/01/20 15:16] Mecha: Sarah nods."Yes, yes we are." She paused. I am under the impression you are having a problem.
[2026/01/20 15:16] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me looks to Mecha to check she didn't bring her twin
[2026/01/20 15:17] Mecha: Looks to Syra."I believe he is using a combination of our names to adress or recognize us
[2026/01/20 15:20] Sonja Bikergrrl: "So, this problem of yours...?"
[2026/01/20 15:20] Sapphire: He likely gets some of his info second hand, having arrived just after the tourney concluded.
[2026/01/20 15:20] Sapphire: "Well, I'm heading south after this, so more like I *had* a problem with the slithering caterwauler." he answers, gesturing circles with his pipe, "So I told the head of house about the problem and now it's *your* problem is it not? ha ha," he takes a drag off his pipe before continueing.
[2026/01/20 15:20] Sapphire: "But I should recall my manners when presented with two and a half lovely ladies! I am Nicol ex Mercere, redcap and rumormonger at your service, and my rates are quite reasonable." He winks. "Did I mishear your names from the locals, then? What would you two wish to be called by one such as myself?"
[2026/01/20 15:21] Sonja Bikergrrl: "You can call me Alice, and call her Bob."
[2026/01/20 15:21] Mecha: Sarah leans over."Is he unable to count? He seemed to count you 2 and a half times."
[2026/01/20 15:22] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me replies "Well I do outnumber him one to one."
[2026/01/20 15:22] Mecha: Sarah pauses to ponder that, before blinking."ANyway, what can you tell us about this.. problem?"
[2026/01/20 15:23] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me nods. "Tell us all, little man, the big Girls will solve it for you."
[2026/01/20 15:23] Sapphire: He laughs at the flippant answer, grinning. "Alice and Bob, then. And yes, I am rather outnumbered!"
[2026/01/20 15:23] Sapphire: The man leans forwards in his chair, gesturing to the other chairs. "Please please, feel free to take up a seat while I tell my tale."
[2026/01/20 15:24] Mecha: Sarah looks at the chair before sitting on the floor
[2026/01/20 15:25] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me settles besides Bob
[2026/01/20 15:26] Mecha: "Thank you but I fear I might break one of those chairs
[2026/01/20 15:29] Sapphire: He clears his throat, waving his pipe for emphasis. "So I was coming down from the Normandy lands, lovely little places up there, and making my way down the pilgrams road. Not that I am a pilgrim myself, on business you see, so I was keeping clear of the crowds. Some of the men in lots of metal have been asking pointed questions of 'weird' people you see, and harder to get weirder than a wizard, you know. So I was keeping to myself before they cut through more than a shirt sleeve of me, and traveling by the long hours of sunset to make better time."
[2026/01/20 15:29] Sapphire: "The monster, you'd think itd be quiet to hide, but no, it likes to announce it's hunt with a scream like dying doves, this..." he closes his eyes and waves his pipe, "screech of pained throats. Multiple, perhaps. And then it moves through the forests and hills. Quite fast, nearly so fast as a horse, i'd say. no mean feat to do that through thick trees."
[2026/01/20 15:29] Sapphire: "The hissing, and the bubbling of the road ahead was when I knew I was being circled around. Some... spittle
[2026/01/20 15:29] Sapphire: "The hissing, and the bubbling of the road ahead was when I knew I was being circled around. Some... spittle, or a spray, that had made the road smoky in the sort of way I wasn't about to lose my best pair of boots trying to wade through, you can be quite sure of that!"
[2026/01/20 15:31] Mecha: Sarah listened to this before pulling out her notebook and writing things down.
[2026/01/20 15:31] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me notes. "Wierdo... fled."
[2026/01/20 15:32] Sonja Bikergrrl: "So did you actually see anything... useful...?"
[2026/01/20 15:34] Sapphire: "Well, while a gaggle of pilgrims or a wedge of knights might baulk at such a fantasmagoric obstacle might waver and panic, old Nicol here, I have some tricks up these sleeves, you see. I had from my last travel, a bottle of distilled sunshine. Given to me by a wonderful maga. I'd told them they illuminated the room and my heart alike, and well, she showed off some of her works." He pauses with a sly smile, puffing his pipe.
[2026/01/20 15:34] Sapphire: "The beast, of course, has too much hate in their heart to appreciate the road being swathed in sunshine. Didn't like that one bit. I saw it's shape then too, at least two heads, possibly four, with green and black scales all mungled up together with no rhyme or reason."
[2026/01/20 15:34] Mecha: So, something made a noise, rapidly approached and sprayed some kind of smoke around you? Am I understanding that correctly?"
[2026/01/20 15:35] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me looks over Seras' shoulder, and helpfully adds: "And he bravely ran away."
[2026/01/20 15:36] Sapphire: "Oh, not just a smoke. Reduced the road ahead of me into this nasty puddle of slime. I tossed a few twigs into it after, the stick dissolved like honey into water. I had to get clear of it with quite the running start while the beast was stunned."
[2026/01/20 15:37] Mecha: Then exiting was the right idea. that does sound rather nasty. Glad you managed to escape.
[2026/01/20 15:37] Sapphire: "ah, you might call me cowardly, but I had letters and news to deliver. Wouldn't do to get myself torn open and leave the business of wizards strewn on a pilgrams roads for some foolish crusaders to stumble upon and then stick their noses into your business, would it?"
[2026/01/20 15:37] Sonja Bikergrrl: "Absolutely, only someone brave would stand up to that."
[2026/01/20 15:38] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me looks shocked. "I never called you cowardly!"
[2026/01/20 15:39] Sapphire: He smiles to Bob's appreciation. "Well, if you're looking for someone brave up there... perhaps you can talk some of those knights into chasing a dragon. Goodness knows they brought along their own bard in advance of their trip. Squeaky little thing."
[2026/01/20 15:44] Sapphire: "ah, my apologies, Alice, I didn't mean to imply anything too untoward."
[2026/01/20 15:45] Mecha: Sarah cocks her head to the side."This does sound rather intensive. but Alice..."Your name is alice?" But Alice and i should chek it out. it is why we were sent I believe
[2026/01/20 15:45] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me nods. "Leave this to the professionals, we can handle this. Better'n amateurs getting hurt."
[2026/01/20 15:47] Mecha: Oh well if professionals are involved we wont need to stick around either
[2026/01/20 15:49] Sapphire: "Hah! I like you two, excellent senses of fun," he nods, taking another drag on his pipe. "I do wish you two the best with your efforts! Come back intact, I'm looking forwards to seeing you two again. I can already tell the letters you two receive are going to be exciting news."
[2026/01/20 15:49] Sonja Bikergrrl: "But of course, we have a growing and very active fan club."
[2026/01/20 15:51] Mecha: Sarah just looks at Alice confused again.
[2026/01/20 15:52] Sapphire: "Ah ha, I think I've heard from one or two of them already."
[2026/01/20 15:53] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me looks back to Sarah. In her rooms, there's all manner of folded pieces of paper, some large, some small, some hand-held and some attached to pivots in the ceiling. She doesn't keep anything else. ONLY FANS.
[2026/01/20 15:54] Mecha: ...
[2026/01/20 15:55] Mecha: "So we will go explore. about how far away from here was the situation?"
[2026/01/20 15:55] Mecha: *Stayin in character here in RL, laughing and trying not to facepalm for walking in to that*
[2026/01/20 15:57] Sapphire: "At a walking pace? If you stride from sunrise to high noon west of north along the road, you'll come to a shrine dug into the hill side. It's to the virgin mary, I think. Then two handspans of the sun past that, is where I was attacked. But that beast is swift and patrols the whole forest.Many people talking about it, now. It doesn't seem to like staying near too many knights, but the knights keep looking."
[2026/01/20 15:58] Mecha: Then logically we should head out. *What time of day is it? We might need rest before going to face it*
[2026/01/20 15:58] Sonja Bikergrrl: It doesn't sound like they're looking very hard
[2026/01/20 15:59] Mecha: It is possible whatever this is is very good at hiding and trying to find prey it believes to be obtainable
[2026/01/20 16:00] Sapphire: You likely inquired with him about a handspan before lunch
[2026/01/20 16:01] Sapphire: hmmm, closer to an hour before
[2026/01/20 16:02] Sapphire: "Might I ask, how many monster hunts you two have been on? Many from the way you speak," he asks, a soft smirk while he smokes his pipe.
[2026/01/20 16:02] Mecha: So I think we should take the night to prepare any studies we need to do and be well rested before going to search for it. Other wise we will be dealing with it in the dark. Make it difficult to see anything
[2026/01/20 16:02] Sonja Bikergrrl: Oh, a few. We don't boast about that, though. Maidenly modesty, and all that.
[2026/01/20 16:03] Sapphire: "Oh, of course," he agrees amicably.
[2026/01/20 16:04] Sapphire: "I will not pry into the affairs of mages preparing for battle," he nods to Bob. "I have learned that lession well."
[2026/01/20 16:06] Mecha: Sarah/Bob Scratches her head."I think I am very confused."
[2026/01/20 16:07] Sapphire: "About?"
[2026/01/20 16:08] Mecha: Well I have an idea what the plan is but the conversation between the two of you." She just shrugs.
[2026/01/20 16:11] Mecha: Sarah gets to her feet."I think I will get some food and do some study to prepare for tomorrow."
[2026/01/20 16:11] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me rises. "Right, we better get to it."
[2026/01/20 16:12] Sapphire: "Good luck, both of ya. I mean that too, loooking forwards to hearing you tell me the tale of how you managed with thatmonster."
[2026/01/20 16:13] Mecha: I will let Alice tell it. She seems to have a knack
[2026/01/20 16:14] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me nods. "We come, we see, we kick its' ass!"
[2026/01/20 16:15] Sapphire: ( this a good time to wrap? sounds like peeps need sleep soon )
[2026/01/20 16:16] Sapphire: -🌓︎- -🌓︎- -🌓︎-
[2026/01/20 16:16] Sonja Bikergrrl: yus
[2026/01/20 16:16] Mecha: *Nods*
[2026/01/20 16:17] Sonja Bikergrrl: I better dash, not been sleeping well and might be working tomorrow
[2026/01/20 16:17] Sapphire: ooooof
[2026/01/20 16:17] Sapphire: *huggas*
[2026/01/20 16:18] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me facedesks