Quicklink to current stats and items.-----
Three years have passed since the land was torn asunder.
You have no knowledge why the spirits and gods of the west came to your Gensoukyo, nor why they came as one instead of in scattered groups, but they did come, and the land reacted to their power. Your land thrives on the minds of mortals, and the thoughts of a single island nation were crushed by the thoughts of two continents, as a castle made of sand is crushed by the tide. The lakes and forests of your land twisted to fit their new lords and ladies, and the lesser youkai and fairies changed to fit their new homes.
Some of the strong kept their forms and bodies, but the magics of the west weakened them. The conquest of their homes was swift, and their fates varied. Some fled to the dark corners of the land to rally troops to their banner. Others were captured and imprisoned. And the fate of some is unknown. Your home has become an occupied land. The hideous castle of the human 'king' that looms over the village is a constant reminder of this truth.
You force these thoughts from your mind as you pass the village guards. Whether craven cowards who betrayed their heritage for coin, or invaders themselves they would turn against you if they knew your true thoughts. But fortune smiled upon you, as it frequently does. You were one of the greatest of the weak. Your body and mind was changed yes, but you remembered what you once were.
You are Cirno, strongest knight of the Eastern Fae. And though your mind is chained to chivalry and your brethern serve as slaves to Titania and Oberon, you stand strong.
For three years you have rode through the wilds, ranging from your home at the misty lake. You have faced many foes, and with lance, sword and righteous courage you have emerged victorious on the fields of honor. You now feel strong enough to rise up and challenge the false lords of your home, but you know you can not accomplish this feat alone.
Which is why you have come here, to the human village. It is from here your old companions dispersed three years ago, and it is here, today, that your true journey begins.
You arrive at the small tavern without query from the guards. They care little who does business in the village, for each coin eventually makes its way to the kings coffers. One day the fat pig of a king shall learn that neither crown nor coin can stay the blade of the just. But that day will sadly not be this day. You once again shake those thoughts from your mind and dismount from your steed. You nod to the stableboy who comes to take your reins and flip him a silver coin. ?Treat them well boy and there shall be a bonus for you. But do not think to groom my steed. He only will bend to my hand.?
The boy catches the coin and bows quickly. ?As you command sir knight.?
You nod in reply then turn to your traveling companion. ?Do you need a hand my lady??
Daiyousei rewards you with a smile. ?I do not need a hand Sir Cirno, but I will graciously accept it.? She allows you to help her dismount from her own steed. ?I thank you. Shall we go meet our friends??
?Indeed, with all due haste, for we are late,? you reply. ?I have grown used to many things, but I fear I shall never grow accustomed to being bound to the earth. Twas much easier when the skies were out road.?
?Aye. And even more vexing that we still are burdened by these clipped wings,? Daiyousei sighs.
?Ah, do not say that fair lady, for your wings, while useless for travel, do greatly enhance your beauty.?
?Fie,? Daiyousei giggles and waves you towards the door. ?Waste not time with empty flattery sir knight. We have friends to meet.?
?Aye, that we do.? You turn and enter the tavern, Daiyousei following behind.
The bartender gives you a look when you enter, but you imagine it is because he rarely sees patrons capable of adorning themselves in steel armor. His interest fades when he sees you are a fairy, knowing that your accoutrements are no indication of your coin. However he does not make a fuss at your presence. The one good thing the tyrant king and queen have brought to your people is respect for their vengeance.
You find your companions quickly, for the tavern is mostly empty. Though even if it was full and boisterous your allies would stand out. Mystia rises to greet you with a wave. ?My good friends! Come sit and drink with us! My mouth is filled with new sagas for your ears. Bartender, a round for my companions!? Rumia and Wriggle do not stand, but they lower the hoods of their robes and give you a nod.
You walk over to the table where Mystia greets you both with a fierce hug. She then clasps your shoulders. ?You are well and strong yes??
?I am good, friend,? you reply, gently extracting yourself. Mystia had been near Youkai Mountain when the change struck, so she had gained the boisterous nature of the gods who became its new rulers. You pull out a chair for Daiyousei before taking a seat. Mystia drops into her own chair as well, while the Bartender hurries over another set of tankards. You wait for him to leave before continuing. ?I trust you all have had success in your own travels??
?The dragons tongue flows cleanly from mine own,? Mystia stated with pride. ?The runes may be beyond my sight, but once again my voice causes men to tremble.?
Rumia smiled slowly, a disquieting expression. ?Yes. I have learned much, and better yet I have left little evidence of my passing. At least, I doubt they can trace anything back to me.?
?A fair comfort that is,? Wriggle muttered. ?But aye. I've done well and a bit better myself. You've heard have you? Yuuka has taken the Hills of the Sun, and routed the Druids that laid claim to the land.?
?That is fair news indeed!? You reply. ?I thought that Yuuka was bound.?
?She did sleep for a time, as is her will, but she is the land.? Wriggle shook her head. ?Fools that they were the Druids ceased their reverence to her. And that was a bit of foolishness. Nature will bend with a calm hand, but try to break it and you'll wind up in a cairn.?
?And there be even better tidings. With that some of the old ways return.? Wriggle carefully placed her sleeves on the table, then lifted her hands to show two kama sewn in. ?An old man taught me how to use the wee things. Said he just remembered how.
?That gladdens my heart. Now we know our course is true. Our might can break this foul magic,? Mystia replied.
?It is good to know we can succeed, but there are... complications,? Rumia said quietly. ?The foes we must face are strong. Yuuka won because she could wield their own strength against them. If we make a frontal assault we would be swallowed by the darkness. We must make them learn fear, then strike when they are weak.?
?Indeed. We must plan our campaign carefully, lest we find ourselves encircled.? You check again to make sure no one is listening then pull out a crude map of Gensoukyo. ?So, what do we know, and what do you think we should do first??
Daiyousei speaks up first. ?The village we all know well. Lady Keine and Akyuu are both imprisoned in the castle, and the King and his Prince have many soldiers and priests in his service.? She traces her finger over to the Bamboo Forest. ?The Bamboo Forest has become filled with brambles and monsters in addition to the bamboo of it's name. They say a great witch lives there now, and has Eientei under her spell.? She then points towards the Misty Lake and a bit of the surrounding forest. ?Lord Oberon and Lady Titania rule over the fey court from here. They are mighty, perhaps mightier then most, but they are feckless and honorable to a slight degree. We might be able to negotiate with them. Or at least avoid their gaze until our forces are strong.?
You frown at the thought of leaving the tyrants in charge of your kin. But Rumia takes up the flow of conversation. ?The deeper Forest of Magic is still a wild land, filled with man eating monsters and horrors such as myself.? Her chuckle does little to lessen the statement. ?They say there are witches here too, though they are even more distant from humanity then the one who rules the Bamboo forest. I've also heard those witches are personifications of the fates.? Rumia lets that hang in the air a bit before continuing. ?And of course there is Castle Dracula. Once the Mansion of the Scarlet Devil, the vampires could maintain their personalities, but they could not stand against the greatest of their kind. I'm sure they despise their master, but until he dies they are our enemies as well.?
Your eyes narrow at that. ?I remember that fiend. He executed all the fairy maids of the mansion as a show of dominance. He shall pay for his villainy!?
?Aye, a right monster that one. But mayhaps we should look into gettin some allies of our own.? Wriggle points at the old Hakurei Shrine. ?I have an itch to go back to the Garden of the Sun and train more, but I bet you have a different thought. But I don't know the man whose been to the old Shrine. And few be the adventurer who's dared seek the old spirits beneath the earth. There might be allies to be found there, if we can pass the guards.?
?If you seek strong allies then listen to my words friends,? Mystia taps the Youkai Mountain. ?The Norse Gods may have laid claim to the mountains of the world, but the hearts of true youkai do not bow to invaders. The Gods of our own land still rally their troops and strike against the carrion god and his lackeys. The dwarves and the elves may make steadings in our lands, but the Tengu and Kappa stand proud. Monsters may fill the rocks and caves, but we of stout heart can brave them and gather an army.?
You look over the map as your companions turn to you. ?Well Sir Cirno, what are your thoughts?? Daiyousei asks.
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I'm suffering from madness again, and from this a game idea was born.
Unlike Succubus Manor this one will be a lot more standard, with diplomacy, planning and combat being the primary movers. Expect quickish updates during plotting and battle, and slower when more grandiose plans some into play.
The dice are ready. Go forth and reclaim your land.
