I’m more inclined to think she means “day”. It’s much more intuitive and relevant to the timeline. 40 years is longer than any of the Floof Squad have been alive. And frankly, even forty days is oddly long, considering it hasn’t even been 30 since Vash’s destruction all the way back in Arc 1 Chapter 1. One might wonder why the heck were there dragons assembling at the Snowfast even before the Light Dragon relayed the intel on Erin to Stefan.
Alinua is back to her chapter 5 look
now, i’m imagining Primordial Life being like “don’t forget your gills!” and instantly fish-ifying her every time she goes into water
It’s real unfortunate that, realistically, this actually will probably be a solo adventure for Alinua. They absolutely can’t bring Erin, even if he was at 100% and not in desperate need of a “stern talking-to” by his big sis. Tess isn’t exactly suitable, plus she needs to give him that “stern talking-to”. Dainix struggled against a single dragon, so he’s probably not up to the task of blasting them all, even if he was inclined. Also, he realistically ought to stay behind and therapize Erin (and keep an eye on Walter).
At least she’s got Stealthy Boi Falst to back her up from the inside.
Alinua seems to have figured out the switch from surface-to-underwater-bodyform pretty well. Now I want to know if she did it for the others (assuming they’re willing), or are they waiting in an air bubble nearby, or on the surface somewhere? Pretty sure Dainix would prefer being on the surface, though that raises the question if there’s a safe place to wait, what with the nearest land currently being in liquid form.
I assume she didn’t transform them, since she said earlier that there are a lot of very deep changes required. She would need to shatter another person’s soul barrier in order to do it to them (according to my understanding of the lore).
This is actually one of the reasons why I (and probably others) think that her initial transformation wasn’t Life doing anything, but her own magic going by instinct. After all, not only does Life not want to shatter her only companion, but she also doesn’t want Alinua to channel her full power unless absolutely necessary. Besides, Zurrith now has a tree as its primary landmark instead of the mountain that was there, and that was all Alinua because Life refused to get involved.
Hm, Pagos. As another worldbuilder who likes to use Greek because his D&D players don’t speak it, I see what you did there! (In my case Pagomenia is the Antarctis-equivalent.)
I would love to know how Alinua changes back and forth from Gills to No Gills when she is awake. Also, if she gave herself gills right in front of the others, how did they react? (Erin especially)
Life: Well insulated you say? No problem! One elf with 50 pounds of seal blubber, coming right up!
(Alinua’s body begins to glow green and steadily becomes plumper) Alinua: N-No- Wait! Not yet! They’re still exploring options!
I really dig that map and the sensible world-building of it. Having land as the boundaries instead of water is obvious, but also the emphasis on contour lines; maintaining proper ocean depth, shielding against the elemental energies one way and extreme water pressure the other, is vital for merpeople.
40 turns, and in the extra calendar lore numerous feast days are called ‘turns’, so I take that as 40 days. Sounds about right, as the activity around the Snowfast likely started when L.D. first possessed that Stormdrake and raised the alarm. Well, the gang knows where the Snowfast is and approximate dragon numbers, but nothing much on the geography, fortifications, or garrison numbers.
@DadyCoool does bring up an interesting angle, another party split, but one done purposely. The Floof Squad/Coterie of the Blade can’t match the Paladin’s sheer numbers and power, even at 100%, Erin after his Void/Light theorising knows he should stay away from them, and just one mind-read from any party member could be catastrophic.
Stealth is their best, maybe only, option to spring Kendal and help Falst, and will be best achieved with as few people as possible. Sorry everyone, but it may be time to break the Fellowship and let Frolinua go to Mordowfast alone.
For mobile readers.
Alt-text: this mermaid is based on a black goldfish!
Image source: map
It IS a very very nice design!
Assuming a “turn” is a year, the Snowfast might not have existed for a super long time. And it must be quite close to the northern tip of Helm.
Actually, scratch that. From what the mermaid is saying, it looks like the Snowfast is north of Helm on the edge of the polar ice.
I’m more inclined to think she means “day”. It’s much more intuitive and relevant to the timeline. 40 years is longer than any of the Floof Squad have been alive. And frankly, even forty days is oddly long, considering it hasn’t even been 30 since Vash’s destruction all the way back in Arc 1 Chapter 1. One might wonder why the heck were there dragons assembling at the Snowfast even before the Light Dragon relayed the intel on Erin to Stefan.
Alinua is back to her chapter 5 look
now, i’m imagining Primordial Life being like “don’t forget your gills!” and instantly fish-ifying her every time she goes into water
“It’s dangerous to go alone. Take this!” *Slaps gills on her*
It’s real unfortunate that, realistically, this actually will probably be a solo adventure for Alinua. They absolutely can’t bring Erin, even if he was at 100% and not in desperate need of a “stern talking-to” by his big sis. Tess isn’t exactly suitable, plus she needs to give him that “stern talking-to”. Dainix struggled against a single dragon, so he’s probably not up to the task of blasting them all, even if he was inclined. Also, he realistically ought to stay behind and therapize Erin (and keep an eye on Walter).
At least she’s got Stealthy Boi Falst to back her up from the inside.
Mermaid planner points out a Pagos bay
Anomalous counts of dragons there stay
Promise to Alinua they’ll find a way
Huh. I guess the Snowfast isn’t on Helm.
Ooh! You’re pretty.
Also, hi Alinua!
Anyway time to sleep.
-Signed The Vessel Of A Glowing God
(aka The Princess)
Alinua seems to have figured out the switch from surface-to-underwater-bodyform pretty well. Now I want to know if she did it for the others (assuming they’re willing), or are they waiting in an air bubble nearby, or on the surface somewhere? Pretty sure Dainix would prefer being on the surface, though that raises the question if there’s a safe place to wait, what with the nearest land currently being in liquid form.
I assume she didn’t transform them, since she said earlier that there are a lot of very deep changes required. She would need to shatter another person’s soul barrier in order to do it to them (according to my understanding of the lore).
This is actually one of the reasons why I (and probably others) think that her initial transformation wasn’t Life doing anything, but her own magic going by instinct. After all, not only does Life not want to shatter her only companion, but she also doesn’t want Alinua to channel her full power unless absolutely necessary. Besides, Zurrith now has a tree as its primary landmark instead of the mountain that was there, and that was all Alinua because Life refused to get involved.
Hm, Pagos. As another worldbuilder who likes to use Greek because his D&D players don’t speak it, I see what you did there! (In my case Pagomenia is the Antarctis-equivalent.)
Placeholder for when I’m awake enough to form real thoughts
I would love to know how Alinua changes back and forth from Gills to No Gills when she is awake. Also, if she gave herself gills right in front of the others, how did they react? (Erin especially)
Life: Well insulated you say? No problem! One elf with 50 pounds of seal blubber, coming right up!
(Alinua’s body begins to glow green and steadily becomes plumper)
Alinua: N-No- Wait! Not yet! They’re still exploring options!
I really dig that map and the sensible world-building of it. Having land as the boundaries instead of water is obvious, but also the emphasis on contour lines; maintaining proper ocean depth, shielding against the elemental energies one way and extreme water pressure the other, is vital for merpeople.
40 turns, and in the extra calendar lore numerous feast days are called ‘turns’, so I take that as 40 days. Sounds about right, as the activity around the Snowfast likely started when L.D. first possessed that Stormdrake and raised the alarm. Well, the gang knows where the Snowfast is and approximate dragon numbers, but nothing much on the geography, fortifications, or garrison numbers.
@DadyCoool does bring up an interesting angle, another party split, but one done purposely. The Floof Squad/Coterie of the Blade can’t match the Paladin’s sheer numbers and power, even at 100%, Erin after his Void/Light theorising knows he should stay away from them, and just one mind-read from any party member could be catastrophic.
Stealth is their best, maybe only, option to spring Kendal and help Falst, and will be best achieved with as few people as possible. Sorry everyone, but it may be time to break the Fellowship and let Frolinua go to Mordowfast alone.
Aurora Question #72: What other Adaptations do you think Alinua might be able to develop, assuming this isn’t a thing specific to being underwater.