Thus Spake Zaraborgstrom/ReactionsToShaping

This raises another question, though: is it possible to disguise a shaping attack as a harmless shaping action? For Cup and Staff attacks in particular, wouldn't it sort of be the nature of those attacks that the target doesn't realize he's being attacked until it's too late?

So, can our charming Entertainer here weave a benign vision of comfort and beauty, to which the Warrior acquiesces, only to discover that he's having a genuine emotional reaction that's wearing away at his Cup and driving him towards Ravishment? Or would he instinctively feel the difference when the shaping became targeted at him?

You can tell if someone is trying to force a real emotional reaction from you with the weight of narrative.

Now.

Suppose you're a warrior. And you have a consort, an entertainer. She's your consort because you get something out of it---she's an ally in your quests, or participates in an Eightfold Ring Binding, or you like playing warrior-and-consort with her, or you've traded Swords to keep your Hearts safe, or whatever.

Then, one day,

She attacks you with the Cup!!!

. . .

The proper reaction is: well, duh. She's an entertainer. That's what they do. They try to make you dependent on them. That's how they survive.

First, okay, of course, you defend yourself. I mean, no reason not to.

Second, you do a quick mental inventory. Does she have any reason to be all-out betraying me? Is she going to ravish me to make it harder for me to fight my upcoming enemy, or just take away my Temperance regarding her? If you think she's going to really mess you up, it's time to start planning how to defeat her and get away from her, and figuring out how many people are waiting in the wings to attack you. Abort to "serious battle strategy time."

If you think she's just, you know, pushing the boundaries, then you discourage her. I dunno. Use Sword-shaping or something. Scourging Wind Raid. Put up a story-length Sword combat buff and make her nervous.

This does mean that eventually, if you hang out with her long enough, she'll probably manage to ravish you. And you'll probably vex her a few times. That happens with consorts.

Rebecca