Small but CRITICAL changes to Chapter 28 of STORMWEAVER III
Added 2025-01-28 17:58:25 +0000 UTCHey all! I didn't want to give this the usual title because I AM trying to get you guys a new chapter this week/early next, but I was doing some rereading and reworking and I realized I wanted to make some small but hugely important changes to Chapter 28.
I've attached the new Chapter 28 (v4) here for you guys to reread if you want! It's cleaned up now so it's a little bit of a different read.
BUT
If you just want the TLDR, it's below
(STOP READING HERE IF YOU DON'T WANT THE CHANGES SPOILED)
TLDR:
Viv now uses a forearm crutch instead of a cane. I wanted to draw parallels to von Bor with the cane, and I realized I failed. Not to mention there's another character I want Viv to have parallels with much more.
Viv's Growth has been bumped from D5 to D6 instead of going from D5 to S0. I now this is a massive change, but after sitting on it I think this is going to allow for a lot of positive things, include more progression among the squad and, critically, and easier time balancing their specs over time with each other while still allowing Rei to be the powerhouse of the team/universe.
Comments
I could have missed the section where this happens, but reading through the rest of the team don't actually know about the shard before this point other than Aria? Colonel Guest placed them under a gag order in the hospital on that first night and after that I can't really see any mention of the shard again until Viv's talk with the MIND and then all of a sudden in the locker rooms when Viv is about to tell them on p.11-12 it seems like everyone is aware that Shido is linked to Gemala and about the shard. Also, was it ever spoken between the group that Shido is even having an effect on the other CADs? Think that was also just between Aria and Rei, maybe also Catcher but not 100% sure on that one.
Jaxon King
2025-03-04 21:21:14 +0000 UTCI think the freak out is supposed to be more about Shido being able to directly affect other CADs specs now. In the previous version of this chapter it seemed they were freaking out about the huge jump to S0 _and_ the fact that Shido can affect a CAD stats. Now since it is just a single point jump plus the fact Shido can affect a CAD. It does "seem" like they're flipping out over less since we saw the version where they are flipping out over more and comparing the two. But to the characters they just saw something that shouldnt be possible, regardless how "little" the effect is currently.
QuixoticPirateCptn
2025-01-30 17:01:11 +0000 UTCI agree. It just doesn't feel right to have them all freaking out this much about a one level jump (I guess 2 if you count the one before she passed out, but still). I know it's definitely not normal, and it was said most ppl would be lucky to have 2 jumps in growth over a life time, but still, this reaction is a bit over the top in my opinion. Even if central know about the jump, it's enough to get her put on their radar a little more, not to get them carted away and chopped up!
PeterBarbosa
2025-01-29 21:49:00 +0000 UTCI think just the increase in growth due to Shidos influence is the important part. By just making the increase 1 point means that Bryce can increase growth further at a later date for a second impact. Making it S means the S part is more important than the influence. Bryce can slowly increase growth further due to the influence from Shido. The fact that shido even influences other CADs should be of major importance.
Arvid
2025-01-29 19:51:41 +0000 UTCOk, I earlier posted that I thought D5 to C5 was a more appropriate change. I apologize. After re-reading the revised chapter a couple of times. C5 would (still) be too big a jump. But, I still feel D5 to D6 wasnt enough. Maybe D5 to D8 or D9? One level bump just feels like, ok, could have maybe possibly happened on its own, where as a 3 or 4 level bump is .... well, HUGE. On the other hand, Bryce has already mentioned here that he has plans, and this will likely grow some more. So..... I Love the books, the chapters, and enjoy the discussions! Even when I am clueless. Maybe even especially when I am clueless
Scott
2025-01-29 16:48:12 +0000 UTCI think its going to be a while for Grant because he, like Aria, was already such a massive powerhouse coming into this mix. Kinda the same reason it took Viv nearly killing herself to make the leap, she was already so darn good! I have to admit, I have grown to really like Grant and cant wait to see the beast he becomes! Give that powerhouse some insanely rare or unique ability and he will be someone everyone fears!
Bill Hilliard
2025-01-29 13:15:36 +0000 UTCOkay you have a deal 🤝
Kutloano Dlamini
2025-01-29 13:00:43 +0000 UTCIts been stated several times that User's growth can and does also grow slowly over time with enough effort. So this is more about removing the obvious signs of Shido's insane effect on other devices.
ProVVoke
2025-01-29 12:53:15 +0000 UTCI'm just sitting here wondering what Brice has in store for Grant. Or what the next revolution Ray is going to have? It's just about time for him to evolve again.
Tim Kilgore
2025-01-29 11:52:04 +0000 UTCI really like the growth change. Rei's growth should remain spectacularly special, especially this early in his career...and bumped growth of others in his team is still incredible.
Richard Jackway
2025-01-29 09:09:04 +0000 UTCEPIC!!!!
Eneko
2025-01-29 04:24:47 +0000 UTCHahaha deal!
Devin Jaros
2025-01-29 02:19:50 +0000 UTCSo, Rei doesn't make the discovery that the display of S instead of S0 indicates that Shido's growth is far from just a rank designator
Russell Stephenson
2025-01-29 02:03:18 +0000 UTCFive yard wide and circles the turf.
Russell Stephenson
2025-01-29 01:48:11 +0000 UTCAwesome changes!
Tr Da
2025-01-29 01:07:44 +0000 UTCyall, this is a rare moment where I'm gonna confidently say... let me cook 🤣 -bryce
Wraithmarked Creative
2025-01-29 00:07:48 +0000 UTCCan anyone enlighten me as to what a 5 yard track is please?
Gwydion
2025-01-28 23:48:38 +0000 UTCYeah I completely agree it should be a little more than that! Only one level isn’t satisfying enough for the hell that Viv put herself through. Maybe C0 would be good and then see consistent growth in the growth spec from here on out as her link with Shido grows.
Devin Jaros
2025-01-28 23:16:18 +0000 UTCI had the same thought. S0 might have been too much but a single point increase in growth seems too little. At least a 2or 3 point jump to D8 or D9 or even C0 shows how significant a boost the shard has given Gemela.
Greg Cumberworth
2025-01-28 21:50:26 +0000 UTCAh okay so it’s what I’d consider a normal crutch. Got it :o)
Iron Akela
2025-01-28 20:24:27 +0000 UTCOkay I agree that S0 is insane at this point in the story but a first year with a User unique something that most CAD users never even get is atleast C5 her getting a stroke for only a single growth point seems insane and narratively disatesfying for me. Her brain is like a quarter cybernetic 2 CAD ranks seems owed.
Kutloano Dlamini
2025-01-28 20:19:58 +0000 UTCYeah but those stats don’t tend to make huge jumps. It’s incremental and not fast.
Brandon Baier
2025-01-28 19:56:31 +0000 UTCI forget where in the story it was, maybe at the end of book two with Viv's epilogue, but most CADs only increase in growth once or twice in a user's lifetime. Viv getting another small increase to growth, and maybe keeping that (blinking green?) visual indicator that it is something Central can't see the change, I think that would be huge for Rei's circle of influence. Especially given the inference that those increases will come at a steady rate. It also is much less of a sudden change to certain people's CADs. Viv(or others) suddenly getting Rei-like results from training is practically begging Central and others to launch an investigation, but Viv slowly getting better results from training over time is much less suspicious. On a meta level I think it would be interesting if those with a shard of Shido have a way to consistently and predictably train growth somehow; the shard being a conduit to that end. Maybe just by pushing themselves hard in training, or maybe it would be something like facing overwhelming odds, perhaps something entirely different. Having a new aspect of training would be interesting to see them explore.
Phil
2025-01-28 19:50:22 +0000 UTCI think I've figured out the balance, not to worry ;) no one says she's staying at D6 forever... or even for long 😉
Wraithmarked Creative
2025-01-28 19:27:48 +0000 UTCOh don't worry. No one is saying Viv won't get S0... eventually ;) And yes! Author just has a lot of other priorities before getting to it!
Wraithmarked Creative
2025-01-28 19:26:41 +0000 UTCcause it's a forearm crutch, not an arm crutch 😉🩼
Wraithmarked Creative
2025-01-28 19:24:28 +0000 UTCYeah, we are told in the first book Growth Spec does increase occasionally, so having it go up a single point could be completely natural, having it grow from D5 to D9 or something would definitely let everyone know, readers and characters alike, that the growth is no doubt due to Shido putting a little shard in Viv's head.
Raymond Lenihan
2025-01-28 19:24:03 +0000 UTCI get why you didn’t want an S0 already - she’d shoot too far ahead of the others (aside from Rei obviously). I do hope the shard raises it slowly as time goes on though, because otherwise… well what does the shard do otherwise. Gotta admit, arm crutch isn’t a term I’m familiar with and google isn’t very helpful, so I’m not sure the kind of crutch you’re talking about.
Iron Akela
2025-01-28 19:20:33 +0000 UTCMakes a lot of sense if the S0 bump turns into a growth progression acceleration. Perhaps making the growth spec progress at around half or more the rate of other specs. Perhaps faster as Shido itself grows.
Rasmus Salling
2025-01-28 19:17:54 +0000 UTCI think I'm with the other commenters who think the single-digit spec bump feels like it could be indistinguishable as "new and different" from Viv getting a "natural" growth spec bump. Previous books have these as possible but rare -- so how is Shido's any different from that? (Time will tell on this one, it's entirely possible Bryce has further plans in mind). An interesting medical side-track-down-the-rabbit-hole: Shoulder crutches are prescribed in the US (as best as I can tell) in the vast majority of cases, and it's interesting to note that Viv has a forearm crutch, which are virtually unseen in the states. Apparently the rest of the world uses them far more frequently according to some quick google-fu (which gave me the interesting tidbit that shoulder crutches are prescribed 58:1 over forearm crutches). Bryce are you one of those progressive people bucking the trend and trying to drag the US kicking and screaming into the "future" the rest of the world already accepts? (cough cough metric as well). :) Also I learned that shoulder crutches require significantly more upper body strength to use than shoulder crutches -- I'm NOT a medical professional like Bryce -- but since we're dealing with post-coma weakness, rather than instability that the cane would address, are we dealing with some sort of injury that is NOT the coma? Maybe there's something more going on here that Bryce is sneakily hiding! Generalized weakness doesn't seem a good fit for something that requires *more* upper-body strength to use. Wow..... ok climbing out of the rabbit hole Bryce tossed me down with that simple change. Edit: consistency note - cane is still mentioned in the chapter, in at least one place.
Craig Bentsen
2025-01-28 19:09:31 +0000 UTCI like the changes. I thought the S0 was a bit excessive of a jump and sorta diminished Rei and also created an imbalance amongst the team. Viv nearly kills herself because she doesn’t get a skill. Well what are the other team members going to do in order to get S growth?
Brandon Baier
2025-01-28 19:03:56 +0000 UTCI like the C5 idea a lot
Jake Johnson
2025-01-28 18:59:57 +0000 UTCHas there been a lot of discussion among the 'team' or story about how the growth spec has been thought to be static? I'd like to add another wrinkle to the spec, since Rei's spec is S, not S0, etc. so maybe Viv's could be D5*, and let everyone speculate on what that could mean, maybe have Rei explain for a chapter or two how the code in a node could be controlled by the 'mind', etc. But also this could dove tail into why central is not all up in Viv's business, because the algorithms might miss the change from D5 to D5*.
William T. Hidden
2025-01-28 18:46:57 +0000 UTCwell, i sort of felt S0 was too much - but then again, I dont feel D6 is enough. Guess Im never satisfied..... :) I would have been comfortable with a full tier though - D5 to C5 maybe? I havent looked but seem to remember that S0 was mentioned in more than ne chapter. You may need to do a sanity check here to see if you caught all instances?
Scott
2025-01-28 18:46:06 +0000 UTCI’m thrilled you are not having growth go to S0. It was too much in MHO. Thanks….
Lori
2025-01-28 18:36:15 +0000 UTCOh yea, 100% it just made my anxiety about the team continuing to stay together better. If BO'C wants me to be uneasy about it then I'll go on that ride.
Sean Knight
2025-01-28 18:34:58 +0000 UTCI think I'm in agreement with the sentiment that reducing the growth jump was a good thing, but that it would be better and more impactful if the jump was more than a single point. Still the story is yours and whatever path you have it take is your choice
Elijah Monture
2025-01-28 18:21:45 +0000 UTCIIRC in book 1 they talk about how crazy Rei's spec is not only because it is S, but also it isn't likely to advance much over time. If Shido starts allowing the team to see even moderate increases in their Growth spec it is still a massive advantage in comparison to other CAD users.
John Kilpatrick
2025-01-28 18:21:37 +0000 UTCI mean, I get the changes but what does the shard do now? For all we know the second growth jump is intrinsic to Gemela and not through the shard. So, does it make it easier for Growth to level up? Carry over Rei's potential for upgrades and ability-development? It kinda has to, because of her mask and user-unique, but it's unsure now. Defenitely feels more mysterious now but also takes away some, idk, weight of it? Not sure how to feel about it, but let's see where Bryce will take it. Edit: this also leaves me with a (stupid) worry, that it'll evolve into a Solo Leveling situation where other characters beside our MC will be quickly overpowered and fade into irrelevancy for the actual plot and fighting, since there's no way they'll fight in the MCs leagues. Again, I have faith that Bryce will do it well, but I still kind of have it...
TheCatDemon
2025-01-28 18:20:14 +0000 UTCS0 was sort of worrying - though D6 seems like an over correction for what a shard of Shido in your brain gets for one. Firesong is obviously growing with unique abilities and crazy evolutions even if they don’t stat up as quickly as Rei. Should that be reflected in their growth stat? Even B0 growth while under Shido link would be impressive and allow them to narratively sit somewhere above the crowd but still below Rei.
gratch42
2025-01-28 18:18:02 +0000 UTCYea, the growth change definitely makes more sense now, I wish it was a bit more than one point though.
Daniel Bellick
2025-01-28 18:15:49 +0000 UTCI can understand why the growth spec change was implemented, can’t say I’m not a little disappointed though. It would have been pretty interesting to see how you’d go about Viv’s S0 advancement in comparison to Rei’s S advancement. Btw, is that Warformed: Skybreaker(?) series still on the table for this year or has it been shelved?
Sugoi
2025-01-28 18:09:52 +0000 UTCI may be in the minority but I like the spec change being S0. It gave me some hope that Rei isn't just going to outpace everyone and that Firesong would be able to stay together. BUT... I also understand trusting the process and BO'C has done a solid job on everything else.
Sean Knight
2025-01-28 18:09:52 +0000 UTCHonestly, changes are much more reasonable. The S0 just wouldn’t have made much sense unless you forced it.
Jacob S
2025-01-28 18:08:16 +0000 UTCWow the growth spec change is interesting, can’t wait to see how that conversation changes, since that will leave the S without a number situation will remain a mystery to the team.
Christopher Generazio
2025-01-28 18:05:10 +0000 UTCReally like that change to Viv's growth stat. S0 made me uneasy for some reason and almost opened up more questions. Always a pleasure seeing things like this evolve naturally from your rereads.
Joe Barzilai
2025-01-28 18:04:57 +0000 UTCThat’s fricking brilliant! Can’t wait to read the completed version.
Ryan Beirne
2025-01-28 18:03:51 +0000 UTC
