Mike said:
While I know Alycia’s probably wanting some stability on her social life, I figured she’s appreciate having someone who (save for a magic sword) operates fairly similar to her (in a broad sense, at least). Looking forward to see how that shakes out in game.
Someone willing to throw down and fight for a worthy cause, to protect the innocent, to do what’s right?
They may very well get along famously. Or …
Alycia’s intel on the Grail Knights is fairly sketchy (presumably they and Chin didn’t directly conflict much … at least so far as she knows, heh). Between creepy romanticism for a bygone ahistoric era and its autocratic authority, and tying themselves by name to either Christian or pre-Christian Celtic mysticism, her initial reactions aren’t very positive, esp. since she took Lucius’ behavior as pre-emptive and Very Annoying Adult in nature. Throw in a lot of skepticism about self-proclaimed agents of a (corrupt) order and about organized religion (whether or not the Knights see themselves a religious order), and she is likely to need winning over.
(Which is not to say that it’s William’s job to do so.)
I sort of see the Grail Knights as similar to the Wardens of the White Council in the Dresden Files – agents of the magical order, preserving the Laws of Magic against anyone who breaks them in any way. There are nice, friendly, engaging Wardens, and there are sons of bitches who take satisfaction in lopping off the heads of teenagers who inadvertently violated one of the Laws.
So with all that said, I’m curious how much (if at all) Alycia - daughter of a conqueror, still clearly willing to use those impulses and training, clearly regretting the outcomes of a lot of that - could lift the sword. I’ll leave that to you two to figure out, if it ever comes up.
From a meta standpoint, my guess is she could – but she would never do so just to prove she could. It would be one of those Alycia dives for where William dropped the sword, nabs it without thinking, then whips around to stab the dragon / toss it to William / throw through the image of Doctor Infinity things that happens without any consideration in advance.
(Of that quartet of qualifies – fighting, conquering, defending, and ruling – does Alycia want to rule? Of course she does. She’s just frightened by the prospect, of the corruption of power, and hasn’t figured out how leadership – rule – can strike the balance between coaching to wisdom and directing objections, how to use both soft and hard influence. Her examples of “rule” are mainly horror shows of tyranny, greed, and corruption
That spin on what Excalibur does / demands is an interesting twist on things, though. Does that Need to Lead ultimately go to a Highlander-style there can be only One gathering of the shards to decide the Once and Future King?
But I loved this scene, and I’m always down for scenes mixing powers and friendship.
Oh, I dearly love it – for the evolution of expressions on Thor’s face, if nothing else.
author: *** Dave H.
url: Community Forums: MENAGERIE #57 - "FOR JUST ONE MINUTE" | Roll20: Online virtual tabletop