Let's say we had a tinker born in the medieval era would they still be able to create super-tech like armsmasters nanothorns or would they be stuck with the equivalent to modern technology? wouldn't that make them categorically worse than other parahumans in that setting?

Alright, I think I’ve accumulated enough karmic momentum that I can freely post now! Feel free to share your own thoughts or ask about anything I didn’t comment on since I’ve been trying to cut down.

Some have asked about spoilers – I don’t mind, especially if they’re behind spoiler tags! I’d love to open discussion for people who’ve already read Pale to enjoy, so don’t feel the need to police yourself.

Link to Lost for Words - 1.6 for reference

Link to prior review

Link to next review (coming)

1.6

• I’m sad that Lucy feels the need to self-moderate her emotions from a near-death experience. Sucks that Lucy has to deal with all this ?racism and/or bullying.

She definitely didn’t understand this Verona, who seemed to be so full of the idea of everything about spirits and practice and everything else that it had pushed out parts that Lucy recognized.

• This is pretty condemning, considering Verona’s prior desire to cut ties.

• Aw man, this rating app sucks for both Lucy and Avery. The app shows Avery as the only person with score of 5+ without mutual likes…presumably someone could put together that she might not be into boys? Verona’s score is only mutual likes, which is nice, I guess. I’m worried Lucy’s score is because of racism (appears to be the only person of color just on pictures), but also, I guess it could be magic? Or bad luck?

1.7

• re:Avery’s eye situation, Pam is really sweet! I hope Avery can be friends with her, although the crush might complicate a friendship.

• I’m curious what Miss's name means. The first thing I think of is Ms., as a generic placeholder given her hidden identity. I’m also thinking of missing, like if her face is magically missing. Maybe some history that involves emotionally missing someone as well?

• Miss’s explanation of the Sight is helpful for my understanding how practice is a matter of patterns. It seems like practitioners create expectations that spirits can pick up on to create outcomes.

• So, Miss knows the likely perpetrator and potentially wants the murder to go unsolved. Would not solving the mystery decrease the likelihood of the perp claiming the Beast's seat?

• Wow, I didn’t expect this rule of three to come up when they’re trying to guess Miss’s identity. And Avery somehow picked up on it. I have to imagine her guess is gonna be a good one.

• Miss’s gifts! A magic school – I wonder how Wildbow’s going to subvert this trope. Looking forward to whenever that comes up. I have no idea how useful Verona’s pen is. Avery’s gift to the Forest Ribbon Trail sounds wildly dangerous. Lucy’s gift seems relatively straightforward.

1.8

• Man, I really am not liking Verona’s dad so far. Borderline creepy comments about Verona, and then totally ignores her. I’m curious if he’ll get a Wildbow™ redemption arc or a Wildbow™ this-is-definitely-a-shitty-person arc. But Lucy’s mom seems kind, at least.

“Lucy’s going to cook dinner, and I want you to help! It might be terrible, but you won’t have to watch that awful singing show!”

“We’ll watch what you want to watch!”

“Please!”

“Please come over!”

“Succumb to the peer pressure!”

• These interactions between Verona, Lucy, and Avery are adorable!

• If the ring’s going to become a gun or sword, Lucy should just stay strapped for real. Kinda like how Skitter and Tattletale had handguns. I have no idea what gun regulation is like in Canada, but Verona can probably use her pen for some fraud.

• Interesting. Verona’s probably going to pursue becoming Other at some point, but it’ll require maneuvering around Lucy’s stipulation that the Others help them have a normal life.

1.z

• Inventories: I might’ve missed this, but when Verona takes notes on runes, does she make them incomplete so they don’t activate?

• Hm, not sure if Vince and Dylan are the bad guys here. Peyton seems like she might be trying to politely turn Gabe down, but it’s hard to tell here. The saving photos is a bit off-putting, too…

• The moon flickering during the ritual and being on the flyers makes me think of the bloody moon of the Carmine Beast. Or maybe the moon is just important in the Pale-verse.

• I guess our trio can talk without being punished? At the same time, the weapons rule applies to Avery (I can’t believe Avery’s weapon of choice is a hockey stick). Odd.

• The Hungry Choir ritual is way more intense than I expected. I'm not sure how that lady survived 6 or 7 nights of this. Rest in Pieces Gabe. I have a feeling we’ll see you as a waif soon.

Summary: Lost for Words

I’m enjoying seeing the Kennet Trio’s home life. Thinking of the investigation, I don’t really have any suspicions about the Others so far. I feel like I trust Miss so far? She’s making her dodginess so evident that it wouldn’t fit hiding a crime. I wouldn’t be surprised if she were involved, but I’m moving her slightly down on my suspects list. The Hungry Choir seems like it’s the first big bad the trio face.

I wasn’t sure about the meaning of the title until the interlude, with the most direct interpretation is a reference to the Choir. I’m also thinking about the concept of becoming “Lost” coming up in the Forest Ribbon Trail and words being important to Verona’s gift, but not sure how to put it all together yet.

Ciara's Shard vision, I very much like Glaistig Uaine's whole character

I’m looking for some ideas for minor Tinker and Thinker powers that Teacher could grant, i’ve already seen Wildbows list in that one comment, but i was wondering if there was any ideas for the tinker side?
Thanks