Power Permissions / Dimensions

[flawmaturge]

Wiktor is a thaumaturge. Per canon:

"A thaumaturge, or a tempermancer is one able to discover secrets lingering in persons or places. They recognize Flaws, or stigmas imprinted on the human psyche, and can bring them to the surface."
"'Thaumaturgy' comes from the Greek word for miracle-working. [It] is a different, deeper kind of comprehension of the world --seeing the most secret emotions, hearing the unspoken words, the ability to glimpse into someone's thoughts. [...] A thaumaturge, having made a pact with a salutor, is also able to manipulate human thoughts, words, deeds, and emotions."
In practical terms, Wiktor's abilities break down into six main areas; clicking on the word will give you a rundown of what he can do:

• Perception

  
  Wiktor's perception can pick up a lot, but especially traces: emotional or mental imprints left in places or on items. [Examples: (familiar person trace) / (unfamiliar person trace)] He can also use those to identify people once he's met them; he'll know if you touched something or were somewhere if something emotionally significant happened there. His gift will guide him towards them as well; there's a certain amount of guided intuition that comes with it. He will also often see one of his salutors sort of haunting around someone if they happen to be more prone towards or are currently driven by a Flaw (not necessarily Their Flaw, but A Flaw) in their wheelhouse at the moment.
  
  Part of this is being able to see salutors at all. Only a thaumaturge can see salutors in the real world. ...yes, even if they're effecting you in some way. There's a reason people are terrified of them.
  
  
• Salutor Manipulation

  
  Wiktor can Manipulate people's thoughts, words, deeds, and emotions using his salutors. Depending on what might be driving the action, he'll have to use a different salutor and a different method. This is not a silver bullet that just lets him jerk people around; he does have to know what he's actually trying to effect for it to be useful and actually work right.
  
  
• Salutor Combat

  
  His salutors can do things like effect luck, effect focus, heal, attack, cause mental or physical pain, internal damage, slow people down, spook them, weaken them, distract, etc. PERSONA!
  
  I kid. They're actually more like mythological pokemon. Like ShinMegamiTensei!type Persona, though, he goes into battle with them (especially since no one else can *see* them). Wiktor, despite being a nerd, is a brawler.
  
  
• Communication

  
  If there were other thaumaturges (one can hope), he could leave messages on items or in places for them to read with intention. I'm up for allowing other psychometrics or someone with similar abilities to be able to read his messages and vice versa 'cause that's fun.
  
  
• Connection

  
  He can pull someone in the same room with him into a mental connection, a mindscape of sorts, where they can see his salutors and communicate without time passing and without anyone else hearing them. No one else is visible during this time (you're in, essentially, a blank void) but since time isn't passing it's very convenient. He can go in there himself if he needs to think something out before continuing. This mindscape can also be used to show someone a salutor when they couldn't see it normally.
  
  
• Flaws

  
  Not everyone has a Flaw. But those who have had something 'traumatic or routine' imprint upon them in a way that it might act as a driving force in their life or decision making will have a Flaw, a singular trait that Wiktor can see. Think of it like the 'fatal flaw' in a Greek tragedy; this isn't just a little quirk or minor issue.
  
  Flaws fall into dimensions: heart (emotion), mind (thought), word, and deed, the 'realms' that they fall under and the salutors that are drawn to them accordingly. Wiktor's Flaw is Pride, which is Heart-based. His first/primary salutor is, accordingly Heart-aligned and allows him to manipulate emotions.
  
  Note: Wiktor can remove a Flaw from someone if it is ruining their life for them, but he considers this a last recourse as it can have the reverse effect of drawing all passion and drive from them and just ruin it in a different way. Instead, he'd be inclined to use that information to help him figure out how to help them since, as he's learned himself, there are ways to use one's Flaws to drive you forward instead of hold you back. Generally, Flaws are manageable: it's salutors that can make them too much to handle. That said, it *is* an option for him if you'd like to explore that.
  

As with any ability (short of the combat stuff, which is combat stuff and presumably we'd have talked out that beforehand anyway), none of this is going to be a part of your play if you'd prefer it wasn't. Which is why I've got helpful forms for sorting letting me know if you're interested in playing with this aspect of his powers at all.

Please Note: This is to give me a general guide and interest check; any and all use of these abilities will be checked with you, the player, before it shows up in thread. Example:

Hey, it sounded like he dropped his bag while running away from the murder. Would it make sense for Wiktor to find a pen or something that might hold a trace identifying them there?

or

Wiktor wants to tell her that he knows they have a gun. Can he pull her into the mindscape to pass this info on?

or

They seem kind of pissed off in this thread, like they might actually punch him. Would it make sense for him to see the Bukavac sniffing around behind them?

Also, because it's the Barge, anything can be a little faulty or not work as needed or misfire in a certain situation. Cool? Cool.

✔😃✔I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers! (lemme specify stuff) ✔😃✔ <b>I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!</b> <b>Have a Flaw?</b> If so, list it here! Examples include: Recklessness, Audacity, Negligence, Vehemence, etc. <b>If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in?</b> Is it something you feel (heart), something you tend to do (deed), something about how you tend to talk or communicate (word), or something you tend to think (mind). Categorization examples found here: https://flawmaturge.dreamwidth.org/#extra . <b>I've got an idea for plot!:</b> Go for it! <b>There's a specific part I DNW:</b> Go for it! (Manipulation, for instance) <b>Other Notes:</b> Something I didn't think of!

•😑• I am neutral about his abilities. No real ideas, no real objections. Just chat with me if it comes up. •😑• <b>I am neutral about his abilities. No real ideas, no real objections. Lets chat if it comes up.</b> Additional Notes: Feel free to write anything else you'd like here!

✘😒✘I would prefer not to engage with Wiktor and/or with his abilities. ✘😒✘ <b>I would prefer not to engage with Wiktor and/or with his abilities.</b> I want to engage with Wiktor but not his powers. / I don't mind his powers working in relation to my character but I'd prefer not to engage with him personally. / I don't want either! (select one and erase the others)

HEART	MIND	DEED	WORD
[ Heart Folks ] Aerith - Repression Kahl - Bitterness Hakkai - Unforgiving Arthur Lester - Inadequacy Iris Wildtyme - Impulsivity Ciel Phantomhive - Stultophobia D'Vana Tendi - Assimilation	[ Mind Folks ] Ishmael - Obsession Jedao - Exacting Steven Universe - Obligated Avalon - Apathy	[ Deed Folks ] Zhao Yunlan - Recklessness Jedao - Adamant Sam Walls - Beholden Sha Gojyo - Martyrdom Hanna Cross - Martyrdom Ethan Lemaire - Reactive	[ Word Folks ] Norton - Scheming

Comments

Questions!

[flawmaturge]

Not sure about what something actually means or how it might play out? Interested in Wiktor's powers but need help figuring out a Flaw or the dimension it would be in? Need more specific assistance? Ask here!

Re: Questions!

[brattyremains]

So how would this work for people who weren't actually people until they came here?

✔😃✔

[planetdialup]

I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? Secretive? Suppression? SOMETHING LIKE THAT
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? Heart!
Other Notes: Aerith and Wiktor might end up in an accidental tug of war if there's mindscapes and things of that nature, considering her own weird cetra powers, especially if either one of them is asleep. They might even accidentally share information psychically to one another!

So this could be a possible accidental plot sometime!

Re: ✔😃✔

[flawmaturge]

Wiktor has had dream visions and he's definitely on the back foot while in an altered state of consciousness. Given some of his history with Rasputin, this could be very interesting.

As for her Flaw, perhaps Repression?

[witnessforthedead]

•😑• I am neutral about his abilities. No real ideas, no real objections. Lets chat if it comes up.
Additional Notes: You know me, I'm always easy, but what comes up is going to vary and my brain is tired lol.

[chartmyownpath]

✔😃✔ I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? Compulsion
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? Mind
Other Notes: Objectively this could be 'Obsession' as a Deed Flaw, but as stands it's a game mechanics reference (Ishmael's story chapter gives her a unique debuff called Compulsion that means she starts every battle with Sanity in the negatives). You could probably call it Obsession anyway.

[flawmaturge]

Most flaws are compulsions of one type or another, but Obsession 100% fits and I would agree with you here that Mind makes the most sense if I'm reading this right: it might not always come out in any particular way (such as emotions or words or deeds) but it's there in her mind, fucking about with things.

[pharadyne]

✔😃✔ I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? Scheming/manipulative
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? Word
Other Notes: I am extremely canon-blind, so if there's a different Flaw/dimension that makes more sense, I'm flexible!

[flawmaturge]

Ooo, Scheming is one of the Flaws he's got too (thanks Veles) so he could definitely see this guy (see icon) slithering around thoughtfully on Norton.

[takestime]

✔😃✔ I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? idk if it would Read on a god, it might come across like [TOO LOUD TO BE INTELLIGIBLE][SPERM WHALE SONIC BLAST EXPLODES YOUR LIVER] but it's maybe Bitterness or Despair, something in that vein
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? heart for SURE
I've got an idea for plot!: plot is such a strong word
There's a specific part I DNW: i think if Wiktor tried to pull Kahl into the timeless place it would be very much like harpooning a whale in a rowboat. he's pulling YOU now
Other Notes: I'm totally down for Wiktor Seeing like...More Of Kahl than mortals can usually see - shadows of the tiger or kraken forms around him like afterimages, white shining claws on his hands, etc etc whatever you think makes sense. he can probably also tell that Kahl has a strong instability/fundamental chaos component

[flawmaturge]

The fun part of Wiktor is he's going to Investigate until it knocks him clean over so expect Kahl to get a Curious New Friend. I am A Okay with Kahl having to poke him.

[reformedsinner]

Cho Hakkai
✔😃✔ I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? ... oh, Hakkai's flaw definitely has to do with his temper. Unforgiving?
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? Heart
Other Notes: I'm good with any use of Wiktor's powers, but Hakkai ICly is going to be pretty upset about attempts to manipulate his emotions -- he'd hold a big grudge. See above re: his core flaw, unfortunately.

Zhao Yunlan
✔😃✔ I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? Absolutely Recklessness.
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? Deed
Other Notes: ZYL is considerably more easygoing about other people using powers on him than Hakkai is and would be interested and curious!

[flawmaturge]

He doesn't generally use that unless he's preventing serious harm or stopping a situation from going super south; a thaumaturge who manipulates willy nilly is a thaumaturge that creates problems for himself and others. So it probably won't come up?

He'd be willing to find a case to show ZYL though!

[deuceoftears]

✔😃✔ I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? I'm not sure exactly what it means in context, but I'm pretty sure Jedao is a Vehemence boy. he Is Going To Do The Thing Right Now Because He's Decided It Has to Be Done. It's not strictly recklessness, he's done the math (usually), but he's done it very fast And Now Everything Will Either Get Out of His Way Or He'll Move It. if he has a secondary it's like, Stringency - the fact that his convictions are so intense and sometimes his standards are just a little ridiculously too high, even though he applies them to himself most of all as well as others
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? Deed primary for Vehemence, but the Stringency/Severity/Austerity whatever you want to call it is more Mind I think
I've got an idea for plot!: Jedao's got some strong traces on the engine room door for sure?
There's a specific part I DNW: if they actually end up in conflict somehow we'll talk out any specifics re: moth weirdness i'm sure
Other Notes: if you want him to See the Ninefox Crowned With Eyes and the Immolation Fox as Very Similar To Salutors just following him around, I'm 100% down.

[flawmaturge]

Most people only have one, but I could see Jedao having 2: one that's his and one that came with the parts that are Jedao 1. And I absolutely see the Ninefox Crowned with Eyes and Immolation Fox as being salutors given what you've said about them. Pretty much exactly.

[lestercraft]

Arthur Lester
✔😃✔ I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? Inadequacy
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? Heart 100%
Other Notes: Arthur is mostly in control of how he reacts to this one, so he's less likely to be susceptible to external manipulation, but it's still extreeeeeeemly deep.

Steven Universe
✔😃✔ I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? Obligation
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? Mind
Other Notes: If Steven gets his own telepathic powers back he might well be able to see the Salutors if he's synced up with Wiktor! ALSO actually I wonder if Pink Diamond might be able to count as a Salutor itself in some way, because Steven is just wild like that.

Sam Walls
✔😃✔ I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? Restitution
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? Deed
Other Notes: I'm just excited for them to talk tbh

[flawmaturge]

Arthur looks great and yeah, that's a flaw managed!

Steven, I am curious what you mean by 'synched up'. As for her being a salutor, I don't think so? Mostly because what energy that Steven is bringing with him of Pink Diamond is her presence. Salutors are essentially human belief coalesced by stories into pokemons/personas as opposed to an actual sentient life form. But he could certainly potentially feel her as a separate Thing with her own Flaw, potentially (Avoidance?)

YES come talk Sam.

[anashthetic]

✔😃✔ I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? Calamitous? This is that fundamental deeply-held feeling of destruction is the only thing I'm good at or good for. If his natural inclination is towards ruin, both his and others -- it's not like it matters that he hates it, right?
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? Heart
Other Notes: Self-destructive tendencies can be the same thing as powerlust and blowing your problems up if you process them badly enough!

[flawmaturge]

Hmm. Given that they hate it, I'd probably put that more on Deed than Heart. The emotion isn't a desire to destroy; that's how it *expresses* itself in action.

[routemistress]

✔😃✔ I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? Impulsivity
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? Heart. Iris is inclined to use it to make decisions.
I've got an idea for plot!: I have no ideas but I'm very enthused
There's a specific part I DNW: nah
Other Notes: nah

[flawmaturge]

Woot, sounds good!

[thespareone]

✔😃✔ I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? Unsure I'm fully understanding how it all works haha. Maybe something like Pride, too.
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? Heart, if Pride. Could be something of "Mind" given he's usually scheming things?
I've got an idea for plot!: Not at the moment but I'm open to things!
There's a specific part I DNW: Nah, it's all good. (Just watch out for Sebastian getting murdery about it)
Other Notes: Apologies if this is too unhelpful haha

[flawmaturge]

If you had to pick a flaw that lead to his downfall, something that makes him make *stupid* decisions when he's otherwise very smart, what would that be? And give his self-worth issues (peeked at app), 'Pride' could work but is that pride in himself or pride in something else (like his family name, his heritage)? Does his scheming actively detract from his life quality and happiness?

[cigsandbeer]

Sha Gojyo

✔😃✔ I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? Kindness Martyrdom
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? Deed
I've got an idea for plot!: Not at the moment, but I am open to things.
There's a specific part I DNW: Nope.

Sebastian Michaelis

✔😃✔ I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? No ♥

[flawmaturge]

got it!

✔😃✔

[weaponuser]

✔😃✔
I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? Disconnection, the tendency to keep people away and remain isolated
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? Deed, most likely
There's a specific part I DNW: No manipulation and steering clear of his deepest issues.

Re: ✔😃✔

[flawmaturge]

Is there a reason why he does that?

✔😃✔

[chaos_drifter]

I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? Something to do with emptiness/apathy/identity instability — they had to work through some of that stuff to graduate, but it’s still very much a part of who and what they are.
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? Heart or mind (I’m canon blind, so I’m not sure which would be a better fit)
I've got an idea for plot!: Not a specific plot, but it’d be interesting for them to see/interact with Wiktor’s mindscape — they’ve got a similar ability, plus their own telepathy/empathy stuff.
There's a specific part I DNW: Salutor Manipulation/Combat
Other Notes: If Perception would let him find out that they’re not human and/or that their emotional landscape is…weird, that could be fun!

Re: ✔😃✔

[flawmaturge]

Apathy works, and I'd think of that as a Mind thing since it's a lack of interest. It's the absence of heart.

Perception wouldn't really tell him that, though.

[inthebiblicalsense]

Hanna Cross
✔😃✔ I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? Martyrdom
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? deed Categorization examples found here:
I've got an idea for plot!: not currently but always open!
There's a specific part I DNW: not currently but you're pretty communicative so if it comes up, we can chat!
Other Notes: note on traces, Hanna's ratty old checkered vans would ping. As witness to the aftermath of a double murder, he might keep them cleanish but they hold onto the fear and loss that Hanna rarely expresses outloud.

Ethan Lemaire(Abel)
✔😃✔ I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? Reactive
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? deed
I've got an idea for plot!: same as above!
There's a specific part I DNW: same as above!
Other Notes: not currently!

[flawmaturge]

Sounds good!

[notthatkindoforion]

✔😃✔ I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? Assimilation (lol)
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? Heart (her desire to do what people want even when it's not good for her is absolutely driven by emotions)
I've got an idea for plot!: None at the moment!
There's a specific part I DNW: None I can think of, so long as I get a heads up first!
Other Notes: Tendi has exceptionally Big Emotions and generally strong reactions to things, so if you want him to notice that he sees more traces of her than average, especially in areas she spends a lot of time, go for it!

[flawmaturge]

Sure! I'm sure he'll come poking around her areas at some point.

✔😃✔

[unilaterallydisarming]

Have a Flaw? Altruism
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in?Deed
Other Notes: Nothing yet!

Re: ✔😃✔

[flawmaturge]

Altruism isn't really a flaw in and of itself because it doesn't actually include any part where overindulging is harmful. Do you think maybe Martyrdom or Recklessness or even Self-Negligence would be closer?

✔😃✔

[weirdnecro]

Have a Flaw? Self blame/ Avoidance / Martyrdom?
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? Mind

Other Notes: Sokie's magic senses will likely have her ping him as a Lind of magic user so it may be fun to see how their magics will interact in the future!

Re: ✔😃✔

[flawmaturge]

Avoidance seems like the big one for her. Avoid thinking about it, avoid dealing with it, avoid getting close, FLEE

[withintenfeet]

✔😃✔ I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? Either Pride or Hubris
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? Pride is emotion but Hubris might be deed? Basically, whichever one would be more interesting to play with.
There's a specific part I DNW: Very cool with Wiktor attempting and possibly succeeding with Manipulation, but I think it'd be harder for him between paladin buffs and devil resistance.
Other Notes: Speaking of those things, if you want Wiktor to notice he's bound to something divine and infernal, go for it. o/ Or that his paladin oath violently conflicts with his nature as a devil/duty as a champion. Or that he was mortal once and isn't now.

[flawmaturge]

What do you see as the difference between the two? Because in many ways them having the same flaw in the same way would be kind of fun for him to see from the outside.

[surgeryandsarcasm]

Cloud:
✔😃✔ I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? Isolation
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? Deed
I've got an idea for plot!: I don't really have any specifics right now, but the interactions between Wiktor's powers and Cloud's Jenova stuff could be really interesting! Especially since he's been working on taking more control over some of his psychic stuff instead of it all just happening to him, and also he's been looking for someone to teach him how to defend himself against psychic invasion and whatnot. I'd be happy to chat with you about which aspects of Jenova might be relevant and how they might interact in fun ways!
Other Notes: Just a note that Cloud will not want anything to do with any of this, but I'm good with any/all of it!

Julian:
✔😃✔ I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? Audacity
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? Heart, per the example, although if Word is an option I could see it potentially falling there for Julian instead... (thinking of things like his outburst at the Cap'n for instance)
I've got an idea for plot!: nothing comes to mind at the moment, but it could be really interesting for Wiktor to get a glimpse of Julian's mind because we know from canon he's actually immune to some kinds of mind probes and very good at resisting some other types of mind fuckery because of his genetic enhancements, so that could be something to explore/play with sometime!

[flawmaturge]

Per Cloud: is there a singular reason why he tends to isolate himself or is it just his default reaction to how he handles anything?

Per Julian: it's generally Heart because the Audacity is the source of feeling like you have the right to do/say/etc. such things. It can 100% be expressed in words, but unless his audacity is only in the sense of saying things (as in, he says things specifically to be inflammatory and not because he feels them), I'd say it fits more in Heart.

[empathicfault]

✔😃✔ I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? Unfortunately, I can't think of anything that'd be his Flaw more than Pride. So...uh, twinsies? (let me know if you have any other thoughts on this!)
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? It'd be heart, of course.
I've got an idea for plot!: I'd love for them to connect on these similar abilities they both have. Will is more open to his 'condition' being possibly supernatural/magic-based, after being on the Barge for a couple of years. He'll find the mechanics extremely interesting, and might overly-attach to Wiktor, if the man allows it. Not too people understand the burden of knowing too much, all the time.
There's a specific part I DNW: Nah, nothing I can think of.
Other Notes: You're welcome to extrapolate on traces or readings from what you know of Will already on the Barge, if you'd like.

[flawmaturge]

Nope, I agree: TWINSIES. This asshole flew too close to the sun trying to bag Paimon and ended up in a mental hospital for a few years. And he's got his own Hannibal in Rasputin, 100%. Twinsies all the way down here.

And I definitely would love them to have a good relationship and bond. Having a Barge Coterie perhaps? Could be fun.

[abyssalflames]

✔😃✔ I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!
Have a Flaw? Curiosity, in a scholarly sense
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? Mind! It probably also touches a little on Heart, given the whole Athena Situation, but it's Mind at its core
I've got an idea for plot!: n/a
There's a specific part I DNW: He will be touchy/unhappy with any direct mental manipulation (as a result of the Athena Stuff) but I'm fine with that/anything else that comes up.
Other Notes: Lahabrea's abilities with the echo will probably vibe with the communication aspect of Wiktor's abilities! Though he won't know it until/unless it comes up, most likely.

[brokenallthelaws]

•😑• I am neutral about his abilities. No real ideas, no real objections. Lets chat if it comes up.
Additional Notes: I have no specific thoughts about Xigbar at this time, but am more than happy to interact with Wiktor's powerset with him all the same!

[todayiwas]

✔😃✔ I am interested in engaging with Wiktor and his powers!

Justine
Have a Flaw? Rebellion.
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? Heart
Other Notes: I know that artists can sort of sense salutors in a way, so I'm down to play with this aspect if you want!

Iago
Have a Flaw? Scheming/Devious
If you have a Flaw, what dimension do you think it's in? Word or Deed - I'm not sold
Other Notes: Not at this time!

[flawmaturge]

Yes. I'm sure you've seen it seems like kind of a shadowy figure/shape/energy around them as seen in the family portrait.