The quantitative leap at those levels is akin to three and a half normal levels. Few dare to face more than two levels up but it can be done.
The qualitative shift of the wall, of fully manifested Affinity is the true threat. Creatures and even Awakened sometimes benefit from their Affinity prior to level 10, however without conscious intent. Intent and even intuitive understanding of one's Affinity is enough to tip the scales entirely, especially when coupled with the massive difference in power.
~ * ~
Fay took the offered bacon and bit down on it almost aggressively while adjusting the EDN Feeds to project Path Selection options in front of the two. She couldn't believe that Anya had managed to get her going again, that she'd gone from blushing to bickering in a matter of minutes.
Then again she couldn't believe that Briana had stayed over, had been wanting to stay over. That she'd came down to say goodbye and that Anya had made her run off through teasing. Briana hadn't stayed to defend her, to glare at Anya and make her regret her words, but then again why would she. Fay had told her stories about Anya, told her how close they were despite the teasing and bickering. She didn't need to be defended, not when she was home.
And maybe she had panicked a little. She was a researcher, she was supposed to find the information and share it with other Seers, not teach young Awakened what their Paths meant. But that didn't mean Anya got to bring it up like she had some secret advantage, again.
"Specialization Change option?" Anya said.
"You-?" Fay pulled up a mirror of the information and sighed. "Of course you would."
Energy Signature identified as [ Lysanya Sovereign Syl - Path of the Mystic ]
NOTES 1, 2, 3 recorded
Affinity: Challenge
Specialization Change Option
- Defiant Mystic Continue along the path of the Mystic, incorporating your Energystic abilities to attune yourself to who you are.
- Path of the Defiant Defiant Monks pit themselves against threats. They not only endure but thrive in the face of opposition.
Archetype Advancement Options (Pick 3, must pick 1 Knowledge and 1 Enhancement)
- Knowledge Slightly improved awareness of how physical and energystic techniques can be combined.
- Knowledge Slightly improved understanding of self balance and how to achieve it.
- Knowledge Slightly improved ability to learn or discover techniques that allow Energy to affect friendly physical bodies and Husks.
- Enhancement Techniques combining energy and physical properties are slightly more effective.
- Enhancement Slightly improved Husk proprioception.
- Enhancement Slightly less vulnerable to physical and energy based injuries while in balance.
She hadn't been certain of Anya's Affinity. Seb might have used his as an example but Anya had said nothing, content to ask questions before provoking her with her talk of panic. The concept fit her sister so perfectly she couldn't imagine a better choice.
"My Archetype options are the same as last time." Anya added.
"So are mine." Seb said.
"Archetype options often remain the same." she explained. "They are the most common portion of a Path so continue to reflect where that Path leads. Taking the same choices will compound the benefits slightly, while new choices allow for breadth of benefits."
"A Specialization Change is not rare, but neither is it common." she continued. "It reflects an option to diverge from your previous Specialization, to have it be more closely in tune with your behaviour. Archetype changes can occur, but those require significant changes."
"So the first choice is to continue as I am?" Anya asked.
"Yes. The choice means both fit you to some degree, but allow you to choose which way you want to progress."
"I don't have a choice, only a change in the name." Seb said. "It isn't called a Path anymore."
"Path is the first step along a Specialization, continuing along it shapes the name to fit. Similar to how a Seer becomes a Senior Seer and then an OverSeer."
She pulled up Seb's path on her second display, wondering where he would go with his choices while Anya was still clearly debating her choice of Specialization.
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Energy Signature identified as [ Sebastian Holding Syl - Witchblade Farer ]
NOTES 1, 2, 3 recorded
Affinity: Currents
Archetype Advancement Options (Pick 3, must pick 1 Knowledge and 1 Enhancement)
- Knowledge Slightly improved awareness of how energy can be used to avoid detection.
- Knowledge Slightly improved understanding of timing and placement in combat.
- Knowledge Slightly improved ability to learn or discover techniques that allow energy to influence opponents.
- Enhancement Slightly improved Husk proprioception.
- Enhancement Techniques meant to hinder opponents are slightly more effective.
- Enhancement Slightly less vulnerable to physical and energy based injuries from opponents who are hindered.
Specialization Advancement Options (Pick 3)
- Knowledge Slightly improved understanding of movement around and through combat.
- Knowledge Slightly improved ability to learn or discover non-standard uses for Techniques.
- Knowledge Slightly improved understanding of Bladesong.
- Enhancement Techniques meant to hinder opponents are slightly less noticeable.
- Enhancement Techniques manipulating the flow of battle are slightly more effective.
- Enhancement Hindered opponents are slightly affected by weapon imbuements as long as they are in range of the Bladesong.
~ * ~
The Specialization choices hovered in the air before her, demanding she decide before she could continue. Both defied, both reflected her Affinity and her approach to life. But was she a Mystic, or did she defy even that.
Should I switch? she sent.
I don't know, he sent back after leaning over to glance at her choices. Both are you, but which you do you want to be?
She frowned, taking a moment to glance at his as well and grumbling about how he had the easier choice this time. She knew she'd complained last time about the lack of choice, that she had been deprived of the opportunity, only to now complain about having an opportunity he didn't.
Following the existing Path is the easier choice. Mystic was the best choice at the time, it helped me find me. But I've never really found balance.
I love you, no matter your choice.
Seb! she sent back, her own love for him flowing over the band despite her frustration at his avoiding answering.
Before she could reconsider she made her selection, the display updating itself almost instantly to allow her to make her choices.
Energy Signature identified as [ Lysanya Sovereign Syl - Path of the Defiant ]
NOTES 1, 2, 3 recorded
Affinity: Challenge
Archetype Advancement Options (Pick 3, must pick 1 Knowledge and 1 Enhancement)
- Knowledge Slightly improved awareness of how physical and energystic techniques can be combined.
- Knowledge Slightly improved understanding of self balance and how to achieve it.
- Knowledge Slightly improved ability to learn or discover techniques that allow Energy to affect friendly physical bodies and Husks.
- Enhancement Techniques combining energy and physical properties are slightly more effective.
- Enhancement Slightly improved Husk proprioception.
- Enhancement Slightly less vulnerable to physical and energy based injuries while in balance.
Specialization Advancement Options (Pick 3)
- Knowledge Slightly improved understanding of how to defy and challenge threats.
- Knowledge Slightly improved ability to learn or discover techniques that draw the attention of threats.
- Knowledge Slightly improved understanding of how to apply Affinity to existing techniques.
- Enhancement Techniques meant to defy and challenge are slightly more effective.
- Enhancement Slightly less vulnerable to physical and energy based injuries from opponents who are actively defied or challenged.
- Enhancement Slightly improved ability to resist hostile techniques meant to defy or challenge.
"Is this just a tanking Path?" she asked as she read through the options. "Did I really just go back to that first Protector choice?"
She could see Fay reading through the choices and frowning as she did.
"No… A protector would be meant to tank and prevent damage to others. To ensure everything focused on them."
"But this..?"
"Anya," Fay continued. "It doesn't say you force their attention onto you. It doesn't say you must be the focus. Challenging can draw attention, or force them to retreat. Defying means refusing to back down when challenged."
"Oh!" she said before rereading the choices and smiling. It wasn't a tanking Path, but it wasn't not a tanking Path.
It suits you love, Seb sent.
Hush. You have to make your choices, not distract me.
If telling you that it suits you is a distraction, then what would my saying it makes you look-
"Seb!" she said, not bothering to keep it to the band even as she blushed.
She had no idea how he'd meant to finish that sentence. No clue what he had been going for, except for the emotions and impressions the band layered beneath the words. She knew what he was doing, suspected what he was thinking, and wasn't going to let him draw her into that, not while Fay was sitting there watching her-
"Something wrong sis?" Fay asked, not quite managing to keep her tone completely innocent.
"Sis?!" she nearly spluttered. "No, nothing wrong, just Seb being Seb"
"If you're sure. We can always take a break if you need-"
"Seb!"
"All I said is that I thought it suited you."
Anya grabbed her coffee mug and drained it, keeping the mug in front of her face as she took a few deep breaths. She wasn't going to look away, or blush any more. She wasn't going to let them push her around this way. Except, she admitted to herself, she was going to, because she loved them both in their own ways. They weren't playing fair, but neither would she.
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