Random question but are there going to be any Tinkers (or something like them) in Price?
Well, yeah, although they're a harder powerset to pin down than they are in Worm. Less Clarktech, and more Doctor Doom//Reed Richards style technomagic. Reverse engineering is impossible, because the devices tend to have parts that cannot be reproduced. Or parts that simply cannot behave the way they do. In fact, the really impressive ones tend to have parts that you can't even prove actually exist.
"How does this death machine work?"
"Well, according to Psychotech, it's powered by Prana. Literally eats your life force to fuel itself."
"You're fucking with me."
"That's what he said. Before he exploded and that tentacle monster climbed out of his corpse and attacked us."
"Do you think it really..."
"All I know is we've ruled out all possible forms of combustion and electricity as a power source. And we're sending it to a power nullifier and then melting it down into slag, because I'm not willing to take that chance."
Yes. This is the kind of conversation that can actually happen in this setting. Does Pranic energy actually exist in Price? No one can prove it, but the number of Imbued that swear their powers come from the spiritual strictly outnumbers the ones that believe their powers have a scientific explanation. Of course, the powers show no real sign of favoritism toward any given belief or lack thereof... but they DO tend to give their wielders powers that fit their mentality... which means religious individuals often have powers that support their own beliefs about themselves.
Abrahamic faiths will tend to get angelic themed powersets like flaming swords and healing touch- a particularly evil or sadistic individual with an Christian upbringing may get "demonic" powers. A Buddhist will likely get more meditative and concentration themed powers and remote viewing or telekinesis type powers. Maybe ki style martial arts, even... although that's more likely to occur in a more Western mindset that likes to blend the spiritual with more flashy stuff... so, well, Japan...
And secularists also tend to get powers that support their own beliefs- if they're particularly scientifically minded, then they could very well get "Tinker" powers of Mad Science! And I do mean Mad. Most of these types of powers are off the wall campy weirdness a la "Weird Science' where there's no way in balls it's even trying to pretend it's seriously technology.
Not that only secularists will get up to stuff like that. There's no reason to expect a Christian to not be scientifically minded (contrary to certain opinions expressed by bigots), and thus end up with a "Tinker" power type. Although their tech will probably angle itself in a manner that supports the religious upbringing- like a "soul reader" that can tell if you're "evil". That Buddhist mentioned may also have that very same power, just with their own eyes instead of a machine.
Really, the key to any "Tinker" powerset, overall, is a personality that wants to give others the tools to accomplish goals as opposed to accomplishing them personally. The 'benefactor' type, like Merlin. But the expression of powers is as dynamic as the personalities of those who get them.
Europe and Asia have millennium old religious orders that have based their belief systems around certain assumptions about how powers work.
The Crown Jewels of England, France, China, and most other older nations include actual "magic" weapons that still work. Because someone who was a blacksmith just so happened to gain a "Tinker" powerset and used it to build magic swords. Because that was the nature of his personality.
Long story short- the only thing about Glaistig Uaine that would stand out in this universe is that she's exponentially more powerful than any other character. Granted, most people would still think she's quite insane... and "insane" plus "superpowers" is never a good combination. But it's also a combination they've seen plenty of times before.
Still working on the opening. Once I get some inertia going it should be easier, but damn if getting those first few chapters started aren't driving me insane.
Now how that works with a Victoria expy in play is beyond me
Because you're greatly overestimating Vicky's powers. She is strictly inferior, on every possible level, to Spider Man. Except the biodiagnostic power and the low end shapeshifting, but as far as powers go that one's not particularly exciting. What made her legitimately effective was her battle armor.
Now stick Spider Man in a suit designed by Tony Stark to specifically exploit his abilities... and then... well, actually, the Iron Man suits are ALSO strictly superior to Vicky and her equipment... so, yeah...
