Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Topic started by: Oldmansour on November 24, 2012, 10:40:15 AM
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>The world of Gensokyo is not alone in the universe. It has many neighbors, many worlds, each holding their own brand of wonder, of mystery, of perils. One of the things that all these worlds have in common is that they all suffer the
peeping watchful eye of one Yukari Yakumo. Some would say she does this to ensure the safety of her own world. Some would say she's a nosy little so-and-so. Some would say both, but this being Yukari, the truth is likely far to the side of any of these options.
>Her faithful shikigami slave servant Ran understood why she hadn't informed anyone outside of herself of these other worlds. Gensokyo functioned just fine on its own. It didn't need to meddle in other worlds' business any more than other worlds needed to stick their nose into Gensokyo's business. So it was with a great deal of surprise that, on one clear winter's night, when Ran was seated on the veranda of their home, her own Shikigami Chen dozing in her lap as she gazed at the full moon in the sky, her mistress barged out of their front door and declared "I'll be gone for a while, Ran."
>Centuries of discipline meant that Ran managed not to jump in surprise, though she did blink once as Yukari strode past her. "Where are you going, Yukari-sama?"
>"Flonyard first, then Laharl's Netherworld."
>The kitsune's jaw sagged momentarily. "Beg your pardon?"
>"Mind the barrier. I'll be back for the others in a while." was all Yukari said before jumping into a gap and disappearing. Under normal circumstances, she would have sighed in resignation and made ready to pick up her slack. As usual. But the mention of those two names rendered Ran, for the first time in nearly a century, simply stunned. She did think, however, that while she didn't know who these 'others' were, she had a pretty strong inclination that they had some interesting days ahead. At least, she hoped it would remain merely 'interesting', as one could never be sure when Yukari-sama was up to something.
Welcome to Visiting the Neighbors, a Z-adventure. As you may infer from the post above, this game will involve some of the residents of Gensokyo visiting three worlds not their own. To what end? For what purpose? All in good time.
You, the players, shall decide which of these three worlds you wish to explore. Once you have made this decision, you will be able to choose which of the available Touhous you wish to control while she (or perhaps he) is there. Yukari has already decided who shall be sent to each world, but you shall decide whose hand you wish to guide, whose actions to determine. And the three worlds available to you to explore are:
Choice A - The world of Pok?mon
Choice B - The world of Flonyard (Dog Days)
Choice C - The Netherworld (Disgaea 1)
The choice is yours.
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Ooh!
>Choice C!
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The Netherworld. Was there really any doubt?
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I'll leave voting open for another day or two, for those of you that wish to jump in at this point of the game.
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You have chosen: Disgaea route.
Character Selection Screen:
>Kanako Yasaka
>Suwako Moriya
>Yuugi Hoshigami
>Shou Toramaru*
>Shikieiki Yamaxanadu
>Remilia Scarlet*
>Kaguya Houraisan
>Seiga Kaku*
>Rika
>Hina Kagiyama
* = These three characters start with other touhous as companions. If you start as Shou, Nazrin accompanies you as an NPC. If you start as Remilia, Flandre accompanies you as an NPC. If you start as Seiga, Yoshika accompanies you as your NPC slave.
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Why aren't Kanako and Suwako together (and why isn't Sanae with either of them)?
>Kanako
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Why aren't Kanako and Suwako together (and why isn't Sanae with either of them)?
Both are very good questions. The first one will be answered during the course of the game, even if neither of those two are the chosen protagonist. As for Sanae, quite simply, someone has to mind the store while the Goddesses are away.
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Kanako. We must abuse Laharl's weakness.
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>Remilia Scarlet
Because hey, three insanely powerful demon kids butting heads due to arrogance and childish naivete? That's standard Disgaea comedy right there!
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Yeah, so shouldn't we mix things up a bit by throwing something different into the mix? Besides, Kanako trying to get faith from all the whackjobs there oughta be fun.
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I still wanna see Remi and Laharl butt heads. :V
Think of the concentrated arrogance and ham! Oh sure, we could get that with Kanako, but due to Laharl's weakness to just what she is, the only ham's gonna be from her.
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We'll likely run into the others at some point, so there's a pretty good chance that'll happen anyways.
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Either way, I ain't changin' my vote.
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Wasn't trying to get you to.
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Wouldn't have thought you'd want to play Remilia in two games at once, there, Hanzo. :P
Nevertheless, that's 2 for Kanako, 1 for Remilia/Flandre. As before, voting will remain open for a day or two.
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Hey, the prospect of Remi getting to butt heads with Laharl is a rare opportunity y'know, I can't pass this up!
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Yeah, that's another reason I'd rather not play Remilia; we already have a Remilia Quest.
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Ah, but the thing about this one is that once we clear Remi's Route, we can likely play through the OTHER routes.
Correct?
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I still want to play as Kanako.
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Ah, but the thing about this one is that once we clear Remi's Route, we can likely play through the OTHER routes.
Correct?
You pose an interesting question.
All characters in Disgaea will be active at the same time. In my initial inception, I had not considered the 'alternate routes' approach. I'll give it some thought.
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I'll vote Kanako to break the vote. Now I'll be lurking this thread if you don't mind.
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I'll vote Kanako to break the vote. Now I'll be lurking this thread if you don't mind.
Lurk or play as you may. Either way, that's 3 for Kanako and 1 for Remilia/Flandre. I'll be starting the game tomorrow sometime. I'm about to launch Lotus Episode 3, and I don't enough gas to make TWO opening posts before I crash.
In regards to Hanzo's question about alternate routes, I'm inclined to say that yes, you can. Treating each protagonist as a seperate playable route is an idea that hadn't occured to me when I came up with this quest, but it's a good one. Once you finish the Kanako route, assuming she wins, then you'll be free to start another one, if you choose.
Of course, you can also choose one of the other two worlds as well, if you wish. Which reminds me, if anyone's interested in seeing the protagonist options from either Pokemon or Dog Days, I can toss them up here if you wish
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>You are Kanako Yasaka, Goddess of the Winds, 'patron' god of the Moriya Shrine. Mentor to Sanae Kochiya, partner and friend to Suwako Moriya. By some standards, you are the ruler of Youkai Mountain, but you don't really consider yourself such. Such an impression, after all, tends to give people the wrong idea about you.
>Ages ago, you were one of many warring Gods in ancient Japan, and you carved a niche for yourself after getting the better of the earth goddess Suwako, taking over her shrine and her territory. However, you eventually agreed to let her stay on, and an arrangement formed between you. In business terminology, you would be the front man of the shrine, while Suwako handled the books. This arrangement served you well for many, many years, and now you would consider the frog goddess your friend.
>Eventually, though, you realized that the faith of the outside world could no longer sustain you, so you and Suwako pooled your might and transported your shrine, along with its nearby lake, to the land of Gensokyo, and set about setting up your supply of faith anew. Your plan was not only to revitalize your own shrine, but also unite the faiths of Gensokyo under your banner, thus bolstering the spirits of the people of Gensokyo and ensuring your own prosperity for ages yet to come. Reimu Hakurei, however, had other ideas, and bested not only Sanae but you as well.
>Some years have passed since that day when you first arrived, and you and your family have firmly established a place for yourself in Gensokyo. The Tengu of Youkai Mountain have come to an agreement with you, and while your relationship is cordial, even friendly, there is still a current of 'you stay off my turf, we'll stay off yours'. The Kappa, however, are more friendly towards you, as both you and they share a common interest: Scientific exploration and advancement. Some would consider it odd for a God such as yourself to be more progressive than traditional, but that's how you are. You have no time for being stuck in the past. True, that Utsuho situation didn't turn out quite the way you expected, but Reimu was there to clean up your mess, and the results have been positive, all in all.
>The recent arrivals of the Myoren crew, as well as those Taoists, have caused you some measure of concern. Your relationship with both factions is good, largely due to Sanae's actions, but the arrival of more rivals religions is always a cause for concern. You've vowed to keep a close watch on both factions. In fact, you had been considering going down to visit the Myoren temple yourself soon, to see if they're all Sanae cracks them up to be. You love your shrine maiden Sanae, but sometimes you do need to verify her stories yourself.
>It is summer, early morning, and you are standing by the lakeside behind your shrine, enjoying the reflection of the sun in the water. The wind tells you the weather will be clear today. One of Yukari Yakumo's gaps is opening above the lake waters, and a fish swims by the shore in front of y-
>Wait, a gap? You quench a sigh before it forms. Whenever THAT youkai shows her face, you know things are going to get troublesome.
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> Prepare the
logs onbashira!
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> Prepare the logs onbashira!
>Never one to be caught unprepared, when you can help it, you call in your trademarked onbashira and lock them on your back.
>It is the sight of a battle-ready Kanako that Yukari sees when she emerges from her gap, which closes behind her. She takes note of your so-called 'gun-cannons', then gives you that smirk of hers that seems to infuriate everyone who sees it. "I'm sorry, have I come at a bad time?"
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>"One can never be too careful when you are involved."
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>"One can never be too careful when you are involved."
>"I'm hurt." Yukari replies, feigning wounded pride. "One would think I was some kind of harbinger of chaos."
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>Raise an eyebrow in that sort of 'I know how you are' way.
>"As they say in the Outside World, 'If the shoe fits'."
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>Raise an eyebrow in that sort of 'I know how you are' way.
>"As they say in the Outside World, 'If the shoe fits'."
>Yukari heaves a much put upon sigh. "Perhaps I should hire a publicist." she muses as she floats through the air towards you. "Does that mean you've no interest in hearing my proposal?"
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>Raise an eyebrow in a slightly interested way. "I know I will likely end up regretting this, but I'll hear it and decide for myself if it's beneficial."
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>Raise an eyebrow in a slightly interested way. "I know I will likely end up regretting this, but I'll hear it and decide for myself if it's beneficial."
>Yukari smiles. "I knew you'd be pragmatic." she says as she touches down on the shore to your right. "I'll come right to the point. You're aware of the two new groups of faith here in Gensokyo."
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>"Yes."
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>"Yes."
>"Then you also know that they are, for you, potentially bad for your business."
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>"They have as much right to be here as I do. I will not take action against them just for coming to the same land as I, as much as I might have preferred for them not to come."
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>"They have as much right to be here as I do. I will not take action against them just for coming to the same land as I, as much as I might have preferred for them not to come."
>Yukari smiles. "That's good to hear. But you're an intelligent Goddess, you've seen a lot in your time. You know how things can happen. One thing leads to another, one side gets shunned by the humans and youkai, and things can get a bit.. chaotic from there."
>"But..." she pulls her umbrella from a gap and pops it open, shielding her head from the light of the sun. "What if I was able to supplement your faith, without having to worry about either of them? Or more precisely, give you the chance to supplement your faith yourself."
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>"I would immediately wonder what benefit you meant to gain from doing so."
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>"I would immediately wonder what benefit you meant to gain from doing so."
>"Weren't you listening?" Yukari chides you. "I gain the benefit of avoiding a religious conflict in Gensokyo."
>"Besides, is it so hard to believe that I'd simply be trying to, as they say on the outside, 'do you a solid'?"
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>"You might, but only so that I'd owe you a favor in return."
>"Still, I suppose it can't hurt to at least hear your proposal."
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>"You might, but only so that I'd owe you a favor in return."
>"Still, I suppose it can't hurt to at least hear your proposal."
>Yukari pouts. "So distrusting..." She sighs, then adjusts her umbrella. "Still, I'm happy you'll hear me out."
>"As you know, this world of ours is composed of multiple realms: the Outside world, gensokyo, Bhava Agra, and so on and so on. But what if I told you there are worlds beyond all of those?"
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>"It wouldn't be difficult to believe this. Should I take it you desire to send me to one of these other worlds?"
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>"It wouldn't be difficult to believe this. Should I take it you desire to send me to one of these other worlds?"
>"I wouldn't phrase it quite that way. I would put it as, an opportunity. Not only to see something no one else has, but a chance to tap a resource that is as yet untouched. And you wouldn't even have to worry about a certain Hakurei Shrine Maiden thwarting you this time, either." she adds with a smile.
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>"I would very much like that, but I once again find myself coming back to the question of your motives. You're offering to give me access to a new source of faith; what are you going to want in return?"
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>"I would very much like that, but I once again find myself coming back to the question of your motives. You're offering to give me access to a new source of faith; what are you going to want in return?"
>"Apart from what I mentioned earlier?" she asks. "Well, if you want me to be honest, the satisfaction of a curiosity I've had for some time. I've known of the Netherworld's existence for some time, but no one from Gensokyo has ever been there. I'm dying to see what will happen when that happens."
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>"The 'Netherworld'? I take it this is a different place than Gensokyo's netherworld, then."
>"So in the end, this is simply for your own amusement. You send somebody there, then sit back and watch. And you thought I would be a good choice because I would have something to gain for myself there."
>"If I were to go to this other world, I would need a guaranteed means of returning to Gensokyo at any time. Preferably one that the denizens of that world could not use."
>Powers/abilities.
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>"The 'Netherworld'? I take it this is a different place than Gensokyo's netherworld, then."
>"So in the end, this is simply for your own amusement. You send somebody there, then sit back and watch. And you thought I would be a good choice because I would have something to gain for myself there."
>"If I were to go to this other world, I would need a guaranteed means of returning to Gensokyo at any time. Preferably one that the denizens of that world could not use."
>"It is indeed. It is a touch confusing, I admit, but I didn't name it."
>Yukari sighs, then shrugs. "Believe what you will of me. I've grown accustomed to being misjudged."
>The gap hag nods. "But of course. You didn't think I'd simply drop you in another world and leave you there forever, did you?"
>Powers/abilities.
>Wind Goddess: The winds bow to your whim, carry you news, and blow at your will. This extends as far as creating and/or dissipating hurricanes, cyclones and tornadoes. You don't particularly care for using the extreme end of your powers, though, and fortunately you've never had cause to in Gensokyo. Though you have wondered what it would be like to channel some of that into a spellcard or two.
>Rain Goddess: You also have domain over the rains. You can call down a gentle drizzle, a torrential downpour, and anything in between. The rains you conjure generate pure water, untainted in any way. Your presence also purifies any rains that fall in your presence.
>Flight. High winds can accelerate your top speed.
>Danmaku: Your prowess in the art of danmaku is extremely high.
>Onbashira: You can conjure forth onbashira at your will, up to eight at a time outside of your shrine, up to twenty on your ground. You can use these as physical weapons, as obstacles and objects, but your most famed ability is to lock a quartet of them on your back and use them to supplement your danmaku ability. While in Gensokyo you use them in danmaku battles, they can be used to discharge more destructive divine energy or powerful blasts of wind, as well.
>Divine Servant - Sanae Kochiya. The young demigod is your miko. Your power infuses her, and the faith she gathers empowers you. She can hear your voice wherever she is, wherever you are. You can even summon her to your location, though this take a rather large amount of energy. Plus, Suwako gets jealous when you hog Sanae's attention, so you try not to do this too often.
>Washbin Dropping: In order to reign in Sanae and/or Suwako whenever their enthusiasm gets the better of them (which is often), you have developed the art of conjuring a metal washbin over their heads, wherever they are, and dropping it onto their craniums. It doesn't do any significant damage, but it does keep them in line. Mostly.
>Divine Strength: While you are not as strong as Suwako, you still possess enormous physical strength and resiliency. Your strength decreases outside of your shrine.
>Teleportation: Within the boundaries of your shrine and its lake, you can disappear and reappear at another location at will.
>Intangibility: Within the boundaries of your shrine and its lake, you can temporarily make yourself intangible, for a time not exceeding five seconds.
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>"...Very well. I'm still suspicious, of course, but you're correct that this will be of benefit to me. Allow me a brief period of time to prepare the shrine for my absense, then I shall go."
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>"...Very well. I'm still suspicious, of course, but you're correct that this will be of benefit to me. Allow me a brief period of time to prepare the shrine for my absense, then I shall go."
>Yukari inclines her head politely. "Certainly."
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>Where is Sanae? If she's within the shrine grounds, teleport to her. Otherwise, simply contact her.
>Do we have any means of locating Suwako?
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>Where is Sanae? If she's within the shrine grounds, teleport to her. Otherwise, simply contact her.
>Do we have any means of locating Suwako?
>Given the time of day, Suwako is guaranteed to be asleep in her room. Lazy frog likes to sleep in.
>Sanae is presently in the kitchen. Cooking bacon, by the smell of it. So you teleport to that location.
>"Breakfast will be ready soon, Kanako-sama." she says without turning around from the stove.
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>"Thank you."
>"Something has come up. Let me go wake Suwako, and I will tell you both about it."
>Enter Suwako's room and rouse her in whatever way works the best.
>Can we teleport to the shrine from other loactions? Or can it only be from one part of the shrine to another?
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>"Thank you."
>"Something has come up. Let me go wake Suwako, and I will tell you both about it."
>Enter Suwako's room and rouse her in whatever way works the best.
>Can we teleport to the shrine from other loactions? Or can it only be from one part of the shrine to another?
>"As you wish."
>Knowing Suwako as well as you do, you walk down the short hallway to the room the both of you share and fling open the door. Sure enough, your counterpart is splayed across her futon, snoring away. But the smell of bacon sizzling in the pan crosses her nose with just the faintest of nudges from your wind powers, and the frog Goddess sits upright. She immediately looks around looking for breakfast.
>Your teleportational powers are limited to within your shrine and the grounds it sits upon.
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>Meaning we can only teleport when already within the grounds? Or can we teleport to the grounds from elsewhere?
>"Good morning, Suwako."
>Bring her into the kitchen.
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>Meaning we can only teleport when already within the grounds? Or can we teleport to the grounds from elsewhere?
>"Good morning, Suwako."
>Bring her into the kitchen.
>You can only teleport on the grounds of the shrine, the land around the shrine, and the lake.
>Suwako yawns mightily and plops her hat on her head. "Mornin'..." she mumbles, dragging herself to her feet and hopping out of the room.
>Sanae is in the process of buttering toast as you return to the kitchen. Suwako wastes no time in dropping herself down at the table.
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>Do we actually even need to eat? Or sleep, for that matter?
>Take a seat ourselves.
>Exchange basic pleasantries.
>"Sanae, Suwako, something has come up. I was just visited by Yukari."
>Summarize Yukari's proposal.
>"It should go without saying that I'm suspicious, but whatever she hopes to gain, she's correct that we, too, would benefit from this. I suspect she is doing it for simple amusement, but even so, I have decided to accept her offer."
>"Yukari has agreed to provide me with the means to return here at any time, but even so, I will likely be absent for a while. Can I trust the two of you to keep things running smoothly in my absense?"
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>Do we actually even need to eat? Or sleep, for that matter?
>Take a seat ourselves.
>Exchange basic pleasantries.
>Contrary to popular belief, you do both hunger and tire. Plus, Sanae's cooking is good and dreams can be pleasant, so you would even if you didn't need to. And you enjoy both activities. That said, however, you do not hunger or tire at the same rate as a human, and while you can choose to sleep at regular intervals, you do not NEED to for days at least. At least while you are within temple grounds.
>Sanae serves up your meal and Suwako's before serving her own, and you engage in everyday conversation. Sanae mentions that she might stop in to visit Reimu later today after handling the laundry.
>"Sanae, Suwako, something has come up. I was just visited by Yukari."
>Summarize Yukari's proposal.
>"It should go without saying that I'm suspicious, but whatever she hopes to gain, she's correct that we, too, would benefit from this. I suspect she is doing it for simple amusement, but even so, I have decided to accept her offer."
>"Yukari has agreed to provide me with the means to return here at any time, but even so, I will likely be absent for a while. Can I trust the two of you to keep things running smoothly in my absense?"
>Sanae seems rather surprised by the presence of Yukari, but Suwako merely rests her chin on the heated table in front of her as you outline what Yukari told you. Despite appearances, you know Suwako is paying close attention, but she won't say anything unless it's important. Well, important as far as she's concerned, anyway.
>"Did she tell you anything about this world, or who lives there?" Sanae asks.
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>"Not yet. I do intend to get this information before I depart, however."
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>"Not yet. I do intend to get this information before I depart, however."
>Sanae seems satisfied at this. You can tell she's curious, but she knows you can handle yourself at pretty much anything you set your mind to. "Yukari's a schemer, yeah, but as long as you can come back, I won't worry. Just take care of yourself, Kanako-sama, like I know you can."
>"Bring us back some souvenirs." is all Suwako says.
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>"Very well. I will leave matters here to you, then."
>Once we're done eating, pop back over to the lake.
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>"Very well. I will leave matters here to you, then."
>Once we're done eating, pop back over to the lake.
>"You can count on me, Kanako-sama!" Sanae declares, clenching her fist to her chest for emphasis.
>With your troops informed, and yourself reassured about the security of your home during your absence, you finish your repast. And after tidying up your dishes as a proper Goddess should, you return to the matter of Yukari.
>The youkai of gaps is still where you left her, though she has one of her gaps open in front of her. She seems to be speaking with that shikigami of hers, Ran.
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>Wait for them to finish, being sure to pay attention to anything we can hear.
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>Wait for them to finish, being sure to pay attention to anything we can hear.
>So far as you can determine, they seem to be discussing the nutritional gains of different types of fish. After a about fourty seconds, Yukari closes up her gap. "Eavesdropping doesn't really become you, Kanako." she says over her shoulder.
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>"I was simply waiting for you to finish. I wouldn't want to inturrupt, after all."
>"Before I leave for this other world, what can you tell me about the people there?"
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>"I was simply waiting for you to finish. I wouldn't want to inturrupt, after all."
>"Before I leave for this other world, what can you tell me about the people there?"
>Yukari turns and bows her head politely. "Why, thank you."
>"Yes, the details." she says, business like, and folds her umbrella up, leaving it hanging in midair paradoxically. "In a sense, this Netherworld isn't all that dissimilar from Gensokyo, in terms of its people. A number of intelligent and semi-intelligent species live there, though the dominant species call themselves 'demons'. They're less malicious than the Outside world's definition of the term. Well, most of them are, anyway. But it's these people that would be your best source of faith, should you be able to win them over."
>She chuckles quietly. "I realize that the idea of gathering faith from 'demons' may sound a bit strange, but that's really a mere technicality."
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>"What they call themselves means little to me."
>"Do these people have powers of their own, or do they lack such things like the humans of the outside world?"
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>"What they call themselves means little to me."
>"Do these people have powers of their own, or do they lack such things like the humans of the outside world?"
>"They have a great deal of power." Yukari assures you. "In fact, there are some on this world whose power may even rival my own. Make no mistake, Wind God, this won't be an easy world for you to exploit. But I wouldn't have suggested it if I didn't believe you could do it."
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>"Just because people of a world have power doesn't mean there's no room for one such as I. I've done just fine here, have I not?"
>"What do you know of their power? Any information you have will be useful."
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>"Just because people of a world have power doesn't mean there's no room for one such as I. I've done just fine here, have I not?"
>"What do you know of their power? Any information you have will be useful."
>Yukari smiles. "You have indeed. I merely thought you should know that you could, and will, be challenged."
>"Well, that's a broad topic." the gap youkai replies. She gestures with her left hand to a gap that opens in the air. The image of a shirtless, muscular brown haired man with dark eyes. "Some residents of this Netherworld specialize in physical power. Hand to hand combat, jumping, running, that sort of thing. But they can generate amazing feats with their weapon skill, easily the equal of many residents of our world. The greatest of swordsman can cleave an island in half. The most skilled lancer can impale a person from practically another continent." She grins slightly. "Though those poles of yours should prove the equal to that."
>The image in her gap shifts to a young girl with long red hair, clad in a formal style of clothes, a big ribbon in her head. "The netherworld also has vast numbers of spellcasters. Some of them can't manage much beyond flinging a few embers, but there are some that can conjure forth flames hot enough to make even hell ravens break a sweat." Her veiled reference to Utsuho makes your eyebrow twitch slightly.
>The image in Yukari's gap changes to display both the warrior and the mage, and a number appears over both of their heads. 47 over the male, 88 over the female.
>"No matter what they specialize in, each resident of the Netherworld's power can be measured by their 'level', which is the number you see here." She grabs her umbrella and points towards the indicated numbers. "Your shrine maiden was fond of video games when you lived in the outside, if I'm not mistaken. Well, the principal there is essentially the same here."
>The girl mage and the male warrior turn face each other. The mage raises her hand over her head, and the warrior is engulfed in an explosion of flame. After the flame fades, the warrior vanishes is a ball of blue and white light. "The higher your level, the more powerful you are." Yukari announces as she closes her gap, this particular demonstration complete.
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>"So magic, then, but not the variety of specific abilities you can find here."
>Which means they won't have already have anyone who can do something such as manipulate the weather. Good.
>Inform Sanae of what we've just been told about this other world.
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>"So magic, then, but not the variety of specific abilities you can find here."
>Which means they won't have already have anyone who can do something such as manipulate the weather. Good.
>Inform Sanae of what we've just been told about this other world.
>"For the most part. There are a few individuals that have powers and abilities beyond the norm, but not quite like it is here."
>You take a moment to inform your miko of what you've learned. Her voice carries back to you, "I wonder what MY level would be. Or YOURS, Kanako-sama."
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>[I thought you might react that way.]
>"What will be my means of travel between here and the other world?"
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>[I thought you might react that way.]
>"What will be my means of travel between here and the other world?"
>You hear Sanae chuckle. [Oh yeah, who's the boss of this Netherworld place? If she's like Reimu, you might have to give her a bit of a fight.]
>Yukari smiles and opens a tall gap to her left. "This, goddess of the mountain, is your door to the Netherworld. But as for getting home," she pauses and produces a small black door-shaped object inscribed with a silver snake in the shape of an infinity symbol. "I call this a Mrs. Gency Exit. Touching the snake will activate it, and transport you back to Gensokyo, no matter where in the Netherworld you are. It will also let me know that you're back, and I can provide transport back to the Netherworld. But the battery in it needs some time to recharge. It can't be activated more than once every twenty-four hours." She smiles apologetically. "And it won't activate in the middle of a fight."
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>"You worked that in deliberately, didn't you?"
>Take it.
>"What sort of society should I expect to find?"
-
>"You worked that in deliberately, didn't you?"
>Take it.
>"What sort of society should I expect to find?"
>"I was working off of a base model." Yukari counters. "Ordinarily the thing would just vanish after being used once."
>"The Netherworld society is controlled by one being: the Overlord. The shape the Netherworld takes depends almost entirely on the Overlord. A strong Overlord will yield an orderly society, a weak one breeds only chaos."
>"Which brings up a point." She points her umbrella towards another gap, this one showing a shirtless boy with blue hair and a long scarf. "The current Overlord's rule is rather weak. He's fallen on some hard times of late, and as a result, there are a number of powerful individuals vying for the title. It sounds a bit dramatic, but the Netherworld is in a bit of a civil war at the moment."
-
>"I appreciate the warning."
>"I believe I am ready to depart."
-
>"I appreciate the warning."
>"I believe I am ready to depart."
>"You should know what you're getting into." Yukari says simply.
>"Oh, one more thing." she adds as she closes every gap save the large one she called your 'doorway to the Netherworld'. "While you're there, confrontation with at least one of these other powers is all but inevitable. You're strong, there's no question at all of that, but you might want to consider gathering some minions from the locals."
-
>"I intend to."
>Steel ourselves, and pass through.
-
>"I intend to."
>Steel ourselves, and pass through.
>Armed with Yukari's information, and your own determination, you step forward into Yukari's gap (a slightly unnerving act in and of itself) and brace yourself for the worst. Your stomach lurches and for a moment, you almost feel as though you were falling.
>The first sensation that hits you once you reorient yourself is the bitingly cold wind that assaults you. Bracing yourself against it, you take in your surroundings.
>You find yourself in the midst of a vast frozen expanse, a field of snow and ice splaying out before you as far as your eye can see. Distant frozen hills lie in the distance to the north, east and west. Bridges of ice span vast gulfs in the frozen land, tumbling down into depths unseen. It is shockingly cold.
>Your ears detect the sound of animalistic snarling coming from the area behind you, and the sound of singing coming from the north, the source of which seems to be a group of figures marching slowly towards an angular snow-covered hill to the northeast.
>You have the sensation that your powers are changing.
-
>How so?
-
>How so?
>You believe you have a level now. As well as a spell list and equipment slots.
-
>View them.
-
>View them.
>You are level 962.
>Spell List:
>Wind
>Mega Wind
>Giga Wind
>Boulder Crush
>Skull Splitter
>Boomerang Axe
>Kuzui Clear Water - Heals up to four units.
>Heaven's Dragon - Heals all units in an 'S' shaped pattern, damages undead and diabolic types.
>Expanded Onbashira - Deals physical damage to an enemy up to three squares away.
>Yamato Torus - Columns of slashing wind deals damage in two lines.
>Meteroic Onbashira - Deals heavy physical damage to all enemies in an X-shaped area
>Virtue of Wind God - Ultimate Spell. Deals massive Wind damage to all enemies around you and in a targeted square area.
>Currently Equipped:
>White Onbashira (Functions as Axe)
>Yasaka's Mirror (+acc +int)
-
>Those seem mostly suited for combat.
>Our power can do much more than attack and support. We are connected to the wind and the rain themselves. How is that translating to this world?
-
>Those seem mostly suited for combat.
>Our power can do much more than attack and support. We are connected to the wind and the rain themselves. How is that translating to this world?
>Your influences over the wind and the rains appear unchanged. Though the voice of the wind here seems different, somehow. It's like listening to a voice you know that's using another language. It IS a new world, after all, so this might change once you get used to it.
>It seems that, while some of your spellcards and techniques may not function quite the same, and you have some different skills, the core of who and what you are remains intact.
-
>Let's practice a little, make sure our influence over it still functions the same way.
>So our abilities in battle have altered to support the system of combat used here. The mention of 'squares' and 'lines' implied some sort of grid-based battlefield.
>Try to contact Sanae. [Can you hear me?]
>If she can hear us: [To satisfy your curiosity, Sanae, my level is 962.]
-
>Let's practice a little, make sure our influence over it still functions the same way.
>So our abilities in battle have altered to support the system of combat used here. The mention of 'squares' and 'lines' implied some sort of grid-based battlefield.
>Try to contact Sanae. [Can you hear me?]
>If she can hear us: [To satisfy your curiosity, Sanae, my level is 962.]
>Deciding to practice a bit before setting off elsewhere, you raise your hand and try to wrap the wind around, a simple skill. And it comes, but it takes a bit more persuasion than it did back on Earth or in Gensokyo. The wind here feels different, heavier somehow. It doesn't feel quite right, doesn't smell right. It reminds you that you are a stranger, in a strange land. You've no doubt your powers will adjust. It will just take some time.
>Likewise, when you send your voice our to Sanae, it takes an extra try before she responds with [Kanako-sama? You sound kinda funny.] Her voice, too, sounds odd to your ear. Clear, yes, but distorted slightly, coming through at a faster speed than she usually talks. Nevertheless, she sounds quite impressed by your level. [Wow! You're almost at the level cap already! ... IS there a level cap?]
-
>[I do not know if there is an upper limit, nor do I know what it is if there is one. Without that knowledge, I cannot say how high mine might be. I do not intend to makeuninformed assumptions about how my level measures to the levels of others.]
>Try it with the rain, too. Just a minor thing, nothing anyone is likely to notice.
-
>[I do not know if there is an upper limit, nor do I know what it is if there is one. Without that knowledge, I cannot say how high mine might be. I do not intend to makeuninformed assumptions about how my level measures to the levels of others.]
>Try it with the rain, too. Just a minor thing, nothing anyone is likely to notice.
>[Well, if that Netherworld works like a lot of games, 999 will be the tops. Of course, there's some that go up to nine THOUSAND....] Sanae muses. [Have you seen anyone else around to compare it to? What's it like over there?]
>You turn your eyes to the skies over your head. There are a handful of wispy red clouds in the sky, colored red by the low-hanging red moon that looms over the distant hills. Strange skies, strange moon, strange wind. You take a breath of the cold air. This could be interesting...
>Focusing on the small scale, you pick one of the smaller clouds hanging to your northwest and command it to release its rains. And so it does, just as you willed. But the water freezes as it falls, yielding baseball-sized chunks of hail that scatter and crash against the icy field below.
-
>Well, that's not unexpected, given that we're in a frozen-over area.
>Describe what we're seeing to Sanae.
>Look behind us, see if we can find the source of that snarling noise.
-
>Well, that's not unexpected, given that we're in a frozen-over area.
>Describe what we're seeing to Sanae.
>Look behind us, see if we can find the source of that snarling noise.
>Indeed. Though you wouldn't have thought the hail would have been QUITE that big. Possibly heavier water here than back home. You'll have to adjust for that.
>Sanae shivers at your description of the frigid landscape. [Maybe I should get Yukari to send you a coat?] she offers.
>Turning your attention away from the moon, your eyes and ears are drawn towards an icy cave carved in the side of a small hill, and the beasts arrayed in front of it. Two animals circle each other warily, snarling at each other, while two more look on. Each of them is vaguely wolf-ish in form, with long tails and manes flowing in the wind. But they also have large horns extending from their foreheads. The largest of them, one of the observers of the two circling each other, has a golden colored hide, its mane and tail a light, almost sky blue. The other three have dark blue hides, and pinkish hair.
>Despite your unfamiliarity with this world and its air, you can sense that these beasts have a connection to the winds, as you do.
-
>Are we bothered by things such as the cold?
>Let's watch.
-
>Connected to the wind, hm? Perhaps they'll be useful allies in the event that we require such a thing. Let's watch, and see what unfolds.
-
>Are we bothered by things such as the cold?
>Ordinarily, not really. You prefer the cold over the heat as a general rule, but this cold feels different than the kind of cold you've felt before. More... primal, somehow.
>Let's watch.
>Connected to the wind, hm? Perhaps they'll be useful allies in the event that we require such a thing. Let's watch, and see what unfolds.
>You interest piqued, you observe the wolf-like creatures as they circle each other warily, studying each other. You do not sense lethal intent from them, however, though there is a sense of enmity between the two, a challenge obviously lies between the two. But to your eye, they seem practically identical, the wind flows around them in nearly identical patterns, at least as far as you can tell from the strange winds of this strange world.
>After several long moments, the wind around the on the left changes and it lunges forward, leaving a trail of green energy behind it. The horns of the two beasts crash against each other with a metallic sound, displaced air slicing out around them, and they split apart again.
-
>Continue to observe.
-
>Continue to observe.
>The two beasts rush each other again, a second time, a third time, all the while the gold skinned hound and his partner look on, critically observing the dueling pair. The two appear to be very evenly matched, but you can see damage start to accumulate more on one than the other.
>Their contest is cut short, however, at a low growl from the gold hound. He raises his head up towards the sky, listening. He seems to be reading the wind as much as he is listening to the sounds. And while your own sense for this alien worlds' winds is not as exact as it is at home, you too, like the large hound, can sense something wrong. Something is approaching from the south, the direction you currently face, something with vile intent.
-
>Ready ourselves.
-
>Ready ourselves.
>Taking your onbashira in hand, you scan the skies for whatever drew the attention of the lupine creatures. The three blue-hided ones dash into the cave they were standing in front of, while the gold one remains at the entrance, waiting and watching.
>Almost a minute passes before the thing comes into your view hidden as it was behind a tall hill. The sight of the creature gives you pause, which is quite a feat in and of itself. The creature is a dragon. And a large one, at that, and western in shape. It has to be at least fourty feet long, from its snout to the end of its tail. As it flies closer to you, more details reveal themselves. It's hide is a vivid black, almost purple. The underside of its wings, as well as its underbelly and four clawed feet are an orangy-red, like cinders wisping from a bonfire. A small horn protrudes from its snout, and a trio of spikes protect the back of its head, as well as a row of dull red scales obviously thicker than others. Its yellow eyes gleam with an evil light, and its saw-like teeth gnash in the cold night air, its open mouth hinting at flames burning in the things' throat.
>The wind surrounding the dragon is a harsh feeling, hot and cutting, showing the dragons' cruel intentions. But those intentions are not aimed at you, or the creatures in the cave to your south. In fact, the dragon shows no sign that it even knows you are beneath it.
-
>Don't do anything to draw its attention, but stay alert. If it makes any moves in our direction, we need to be ready.
-
>Don't do anything to draw its attention, but stay alert. If it makes any moves in our direction, we need to be ready.
>Keeping yourself primed to act in case the beast changes its course, you keep an eye on the winged lizard. But it's flight path does not change, and it passes harmlessly over your head, taking its hot and foul wind with it. Its present course would take it towards that band of marching figures you noted to the north.
>The wolf with the gold hide growls a command to its brethren, then pads slowly forward, following the dragon's path. It is only now that its eyes fall upon you, and it stops in its tracks.
-
>Face it, but make no motions towards it.
>Remain aware of the dragon's position.
-
>Face it, but make no motions towards it.
>Remain aware of the dragon's position.
>Keeping one eye on the dragon and one eye on the wolf, you prepare for hostility from either.
>But while the feeling of the wind around the dragon was searing, cruel, the wolf feels only curious as he looks at you. You would guess that he can sense your connection to the winds, just as you can sense his.
-
>Then let's use that. Try to communicate with it through the winds.
-
>Then let's use that. Try to communicate with it through the winds.
>Unlike your previous experiences with the weather in this world, this one yields the desired result right away. "I don't know you, and yet, I feel a kinship."
-
>"We are both beings of the wind, though I know nothing about you aside from this."
-
>"We are both beings of the wind, though I know nothing about you aside from this."
>"Nor I, you." the hound replies. He seems curious, but wary. "Apart from the difference in your scent. You are not of this world."
-
>"True. I am from another world. I am a being of a variety that may not exist here as we do in the world I am from."
-
>"True. I am from another world. I am a being of a variety that may not exist here as we do in the world I am from."
>"There have been many such as you recently." His eyes dart to the still-departing dragon. "That one and those like him seek conquest and bring destruction. I was not expecting him to ignore my clan."
-
>"Are you saying that creature is also not of this world?"
-
>"Interesting...However, there is one fundamental difference. I do not deal in destruction, though my power and abilities do indeed lend themselves to it quite well."
-
>"Are you saying that creature is also not of this world?"
>"Indeed."
>"Interesting...However, there is one fundamental difference. I do not deal in destruction, though my power and abilities do indeed lend themselves to it quite well."
>"Then why have you come to this world?"
-
>"The word I am about to use may mean something different here, but I am a god."
>Explain briefly about gods as they exist in our world. Be sure to mention the need for faith.
>"I have come here to gain the faith of this world's denizens."
>"Do realize that giving me your faith benefits you as well as me. The more faith I gain, the greater the blessings I can offer."
-
>"The word I am about to use may mean something different here, but I am a god."
>Explain briefly about gods as they exist in our world. Be sure to mention the need for faith.
>"I have come here to gain the faith of this world's denizens."
>"Do realize that giving me your faith benefits you as well as me. The more faith I gain, the greater the blessings I can offer."
>The lupine beast listens as you fill him in on the mechanics of divinity in Gensokyo.
>"Divine beings exist in this world as well." he informs you. "They likely require faith as well, which is why they conflict as often as they do."
>"If that is the case, you will end up in conflict with the Overlord, as well as all the others come here to take his throne."
-
...I don't think anything in Disgaea says anything about anyone needing faith or anything like that.
>"I am no stranger to conflict."
-
...I don't think anything in Disgaea says anything about anyone needing faith or anything like that.
>"I am no stranger to conflict."
That's a fair point, but that doesn't mean one of its residents wouldn't THINK it's true. Whether it is or not.
>The wolf's voice conveys a hint of dry humor as her replies, "Then you'll fit in well in the Netherworld."
-
>"I am, however, unfamiliar with the system of combat used here. In my world, combat is done in a certain way, but here, I can already tell that battle is much different. I would appreciate a brief lesson as to how things work."
>If everything else here is going to function like it's from a game, why the hell can't there be a combat tutorial?
-
>"I am, however, unfamiliar with the system of combat used here. In my world, combat is done in a certain way, but here, I can already tell that battle is much different. I would appreciate a brief lesson as to how things work."
>If everything else here is going to function like it's from a game, why the hell can't there be a combat tutorial?
>The wolf tilts his head back, listening and gauging the flow of the wind around you. He seems to be listening for signs of what you mentioned, gauging the way you fight in your world.
>No one ever said everything here functioned like it's a game. The parser was trying to capture some of the flavor of Disgaea, without all the stats and abilities that go with it.
Updates are going to be a bit more sporadic over the next couple of weeks, folks. Christmas hours start at work tonight, that'll take a lot of good out of Sour.
-
>Sanae commented on it being like one of her games, and Yukari seems to have implied similarly.
>"In my world, battles are resolved with two things. one of which is known as Danmaku."
>Let's see about flinging a typical rice pellet type one off in a direction away from the wolves, but in a direction that will allow them to see it.
>"The second means of resolving combat is with Spellcards, which also produce Danmaku. But in a much larger amount. From what I can understand of this world's doings, Skills are the general equivalent.."
-
>"It should be mentioned, though, that danmaku is inherently non-lethal; we use it because it allows us to fight without risk to our lives. I don't know, however, that this is the case here."
-
>Sanae commented on it being like one of her games, and Yukari seems to have implied similarly.
>"In my world, battles are resolved with two things. one of which is known as Danmaku."
>Let's see about flinging a typical rice pellet type one off in a direction away from the wolves, but in a direction that will allow them to see it.
>"The second means of resolving combat is with Spellcards, which also produce Danmaku. But in a much larger amount. From what I can understand of this world's doings, Skills are the general equivalent.."
>"It should be mentioned, though, that danmaku is inherently non-lethal; we use it because it allows us to fight without risk to our lives. I don't know, however, that this is the case here."
>Prudently aiming your single shot away from both the wolf and the dragon- no sense in poking that proverbial bear yet, despite the still-increasing distance between you and it- you demonstrate the basics of danmaku to the lupine beast. He seems curious. "You are correct in that the skills and abilities we serve the same sort of purpose. All residents of the Netherworld possess certain skills once they become powerful enough. The more powerful a being is, the more skills they possess, at least usually. As for non-lethality, some beings possess them, some do not. I assume it is not as common here as in your realm, but your wind is not easy for me to read."
>As the wolf advises you, "You may have to adjust some of your tactics, if you wish to become Overload.", a quartet of fireballs drops from the dragon's claws, dropping down towards a narrow bridge over a deep chasm.
-
>Regard the Dragon's actions with no small measure of annoyance. "A new world means one must play by new rules, after all. I am no stranger to that, given that the world I hail from is also not precisely the world of my birth. This is essentially the third world I have come to in my quest to gather Faith. Though I regard the previous world as my current home, due to it having those I live with."
>Could we still use the Washbin trick? Ponder on how the Dragon would react to having a washbin dropped on it.
-
>Regard the Dragon's actions with no small measure of annoyance. "A new world means one must play by new rules, after all. I am no stranger to that, given that the world I hail from is also not precisely the world of my birth. This is essentially the third world I have come to in my quest to gather Faith. Though I regard the previous world as my current home, due to it having those I live with."
>Could we still use the Washbin trick? Ponder on how the Dragon would react to having a washbin dropped on it.
>"That may explain the strength of you wind." the wolf replies with a small measure of respect. "You have a great deal of power."
>Strictly speaking, you had developed that little trick solely for Sanae and Suwako. But then again, this IS a new world, and some of your techniques already function a little differently...
-
>"My level here is 962. You likely have some knowledge of the relative levels of the people here, whereas I have none, so that number may well mean more to you than it does to me."
<"Is it possible to view the levels of others?"
>"Do you know anything about the people the dragon is attacking?"
-
>"My level here is 962. You likely have some knowledge of the relative levels of the people here, whereas I have none, so that number may well mean more to you than it does to me."
<"Is it possible to view the levels of others?"
>"Do you know anything about the people the dragon is attacking?"
>"Not as much as you might think. I have little cause to venture far from my den and my pack. But I do know that the current Overlord, Laharl, has a level of somewhere over one thousand. I cannot say for certain, but I suspect you are very close to his level."
>The lupine figure nods. "But only in combat with those others."
>He tilts his head to the side again, listening. "The battle is not joined yet. But the people he will soon attack are servants of another being seeking the title of Overlord, one who calls himself Chromium, the Rainbow Dragon. Those servants of his you see in the distance are guiding the Prinnies to the Red Moon. I do not believe they will make it. I believe that dragon will destroy them all."
-
>"I suppose then, that it is time I make my move, no? That dragon, theoretically speaking, should not have a level any higher than...Oh, maybe 200-300? Judging from the obviously inflated standards of this world. In saving them, I will undoubtedly procure more Faith. And thus, grow stronger still."
>If even the Washbin trick has changed, then that opens up new mediums of punishing the foolish.
>"Wait here, and watch. You shall soon see what a Wind Goddess is capable of."
>Let's beeline for the dragon with our weapon at the ready! After all, being that we're essentially representing Gensokyo, that would make us something like a 'Main Character', no? And Sanae always says that Main Characters never lose! ....We really need to drop a washbin on her next time we go back.
-
>"I suppose then, that it is time I make my move, no? That dragon, theoretically speaking, should not have a level any higher than...Oh, maybe 200-300? Judging from the obviously inflated standards of this world. In saving them, I will undoubtedly procure more Faith. And thus, grow stronger still."
>If even the Washbin trick has changed, then that opens up new mediums of punishing the foolish.
>"Wait here, and watch. You shall soon see what a Wind Goddess is capable of."
>Let's beeline for the dragon with our weapon at the ready! After all, being that we're essentially representing Gensokyo, that would make us something like a 'Main Character', no? And Sanae always says that Main Characters never lose! ....We really need to drop a washbin on her next time we go back.
>"If you wish to challenge that dragon, be aware that it is capable of summoning allies to its side." the lupine informs you. "You may be mightier than he, but you can also be overwhelmed."
>Armed with your new friends' advice, you set off after the large airborne wyrm. You've never been one to doubt your own skills, but you've also never faced a Western-style dragon before, which this one seems very close to. It will be very interesting indeed to see how your powers square off against his. One thing's for sure, though, Sanae is going to love hearing about this one. And Suwako will probably be sorry she missed the fireworks.
>The dragon has passed over the ice bridge it had been bombarding and is closing in on the procession the wolf mentioned. Belying its size, the beast flies pretty quickly. As you draw closer to the bridge, however, you see that there are four figures standing in proximity to it that were not there before, two on one side, two on the other. Of the two on your side of the bridge, one is humanoid with short white hair clad in brown trousers and a white shirt. The other looks like nothing you've ever seen before. It looks vaguely like those creatures called 'centaurs' you've seen in some of Sanae's manga. But this one is distinctly draconic, shod in black and red scales. In fact, its coloring is virtually identical to the large dragon that dropped the fireballs, though this one has no wings and its head is covered by a red hood.
>This... Dracotaur, for lack of a better term, is alerted to your approach by its companion, who points in your direction. The scaled beast turns, and you can see it holds a curved sword in one hand. Its free hand, however, is the one that concerns you, as it raises the hand and points in your direction, and unleashes a burst of flame, rising into your path.
-
>Hmm...Well, let's attempt to dodge, and retaliate with Giga Wind! "Fool."
-
>Now that we're in battle with them, can we see their levels?
-
>Now that we're in battle with them, can we see their levels?
>You can indeed. The humanoid is level 199, the draconoid is level 225. According to Yukari, that means you should be able to make minced meat out of them without breaking a sweat.
>Hmm...Well, let's attempt to dodge, and retaliate with Giga Wind! "Fool."
>The flame seems to be purely monodirectional, so you evade it by the simple method of slowing down, letting the fire fly right past you. Raising your hand in answer, you employ one of the new techniques granted you by this strange world. A whirlwind of greenish wind surrounds the dracotaur, hurling the four legged creature miles upon miles into the air. It takes several seconds for the beast to land, and when it does, it dents the ground, leaving a small crater in the frozen turf. The dracotaur is quite immobile.
>The humanoid, seeing this, and probably seeing the difference in power between you and him, immediately turns and dashes towards the two figures on the other side of the bridge.
-
>Giga Wind for everyone! Him specifically.
-
>Giga Wind for everyone! Him specifically.
>Well, it worked before, so, you employ giga wind again, first on the retreating humanoid. He moves pretty quick for a man on the ground, but not fast enough to evade your spell.
>As their companion is hurled into the air by your spell, the other two turn to face you. One is another humanoid, a male rather similar to the one in Yukari's gap, only with purple hair and very dark blue pants, and leveled 260. This one produces a gun as the other humanoid crashes to the ground and is still.
>The other figure arrayed before you is another dracotaur, but this one is larger and more muscular than the other. It carries a wicked looking axe and has two great wings, and its horned head is uncovered. Its level its 295.
>The warrior shoots at you as you unleash your spell in a broad enough line to envelop the both of them. The projectile strikes you in the sternum, but you barely feel it. It had all the force of an ambitious mosquito bite. Your attack, however, is more dramatic in its effect, as the humanoid get dropped on his head and plants into the ground, sticking out like a discarded shovel.
>The dracotaur, however, waves his free hand over head head, and his scales light up with burning red energy. When he hits the ground, he too digs into the frozen turf, but unlike the other three, he doesn't keel over right away. He does, however, drop down to all four of his knees, obviously very badly damaged.
-
>Let's float on over, but keep careful. Someone at Lv295 can't possibly cause too much lasting harm to someone near what is presumably the level cap.
>"Well...It has been a long while since someone withstood that attack."
-
>No, we probably aren't near the max. The wolf creature said that Laharl's is over 1000. That means 999 isn't the cap. There's no telling what the cap actually is.
-
>Let's float on over, but keep careful. Someone at Lv295 can't possibly cause too much lasting harm to someone near what is presumably the level cap.
>"Well...It has been a long while since someone withstood that attack."
>No, we probably aren't near the max. The wolf creature said that Laharl's is over 1000. That means 999 isn't the cap. There's no telling what the cap actually is.
>Whatever the level cap of this world is, this guy is nowhere near as close to it as you are, despite his unique species. But you still keep a cautious eye on him as you approach.
>The dracotaur raises his eyes, but not his head. Armor spell or no, he's in bad shape.
-
>"What are you doing here?"
-
>"What are you doing here?"
>The dracotaur snorts hot air through his nostrils. "Evidently, watching my squad get torn apart by another Overlord."
-
>"It is one of yours who struck first. I merely retaliated against a proven threat."
>"But you're avoiding the question. Why did you come here?"
-
>"It is one of yours who struck first. I merely retaliated against a proven threat."
>"But you're avoiding the question. Why did you come here?"
>The creature's tongue flicks in and out of its mouth. "Kill me if you're going to kill, but don't insult me."
-
>"I was not aware that I had offered insult. And I am not going to kill you unless you make it necessary for me to do so. All I desire from you is information."
>"Perhaps we could start with a different question. Why did one of yours attack me on sight?"
-
>"I was not aware that I had offered insult. And I am not going to kill you unless you make it necessary for me to do so. All I desire from you is information."
>"Perhaps we could start with a different question. Why did one of yours attack me on sight?"
>The dracotaur looks to his downed fellow on the other side of the bridge. He snorts. "Because you were there."
-
>"Because I was here, specifically? Or because he happened to see me?"
>If the latter: "And why would any of you take such an aggressive action simply because you happened to see me? Why would you attack people simply on sight?"
-
>"Because I was here, specifically? Or because he happened to see me?"
>If the latter: "And why would any of you take such an aggressive action simply because you happened to see me? Why would you attack people simply on sight?"
>"Have you really never met a black Wyrm before?" he demands. "Do we not inhabit the world you come from?"
-
>"You can tell I'm from a different world, yet you're surprised that I do not know of your kind?"
>"No, there are not any 'black Wyrms' in the world I come from, just as I would expect to find no tengu or kappa here. Different worlds have different inhabitants, after all."
>"You implied that black Wyrms are simply hostile creatures. Is this truly the only reason I was attacked?"
-
>"You can tell I'm from a different world, yet you're surprised that I do not know of your kind?"
>"No, there are not any 'black Wyrms' in the world I come from, just as I would expect to find no tengu or kappa here. Different worlds have different inhabitants, after all."
>"You implied that black Wyrms are simply hostile creatures. Is this truly the only reason I was attacked?"
>"Dragonkin are prevalent on many worlds, fleshling." the dracotaur growls. "If yours has none, it is a strange world."
>"Why don't you ask him?" he asks, flicking his snout towards the fallen dracotaur. "Assuming he survived your spell."
-
>"Hmmm...Well, he may well have, given how combat in my home realm is non-lethal. It still feels real though. Besides, I believe I have a means to restore him if he did. One moment, if you will."
>Let's investigate that other one, and if he's alive, let's peruse our Healing skills, and use the most appropriate one for the job.
-
>"Hmmm...Well, he may well have, given how combat in my home realm is non-lethal. It still feels real though. Besides, I believe I have a means to restore him if he did. One moment, if you will."
>Let's investigate that other one, and if he's alive, let's peruse our Healing skills, and use the most appropriate one for the job.
>The dragonoid snorts, but says no more.
>You look over the hooded dracotaur once you close the gap between you, but as you've never seen this species before, you're not as certain what a sign of life would be in it as you would a human or a youkai. Settling on breathing, which you know they do, you lean in and check the creatures nose and mouth. Somewhat to your surprise, the creature has indeed survived, but by the sound of its breathing, only just. Glancing through your altered skill list, of your two healing techniques, Kuzui Clear Water seems more designed for individuals, so you employ that one on the fallen dracotaur. A wave of blue pointed bubbles fly out from your outstretched hand, splitting to travel left and right, and then converging on the fallen dracotaur.
>The wolf's voice comes to you on the winds, "Why are you healing that one?"
-
>Respond in like. "Simple, information. That, and it might be useful to have more followers. They might be weak compared to myself, but they could have the potential to grow almost as powerful. Also, Faith."
-
>Respond in like. "Simple, information. That, and it might be useful to have more followers. They might be weak compared to myself, but they could have the potential to grow almost as powerful. Also, Faith."
>The draconoid stirs as your healing spell takes effect, hissing softly as its slitted eyes open.
>"I wouldn't advise that." the lupine's voice returns. "The black dragons are arrogant and dangerous, and highly-"
>As he speaks, the draconoid opens its mouth and exhales, engulfing your head in a gout of flame.
>"-aggressive." the wolf finishes.
-
>"That's not very nice."
>Blast it again.
>"Or intelligent."
-
>Blast it again.
>Blast it with what?
-
>Let's just use Mega Wind this time. Try to keep it conscious.
-
>Let's just use Mega Wind this time. Try to keep it conscious.
>Taking a fireball to the face is no fun. True, you've been hit by worse in your time, it's never pleasant having fire blown in your face. And it's downright rude. So you return the favor with a blast of wind to the face of the hooded draconoid. Your spell, while not as powerful as the one you hit him with before, still sends the scaled being careening backwards, bouncing and tumbling over the frozen fields. He comes to rest at least thirty five feet or so away.
>The winged dracotaur chuckles darkly.
-
>"I would suggest you refrain from doing that again. I could very easily crush you where you stand, but for the time I am choosing not to."
>Let's brace our Onbashira just in case he tries something again.
-
>"I would suggest you refrain from doing that again. I could very easily crush you where you stand, but for the time I am choosing not to."
>Let's brace our Onbashira just in case he tries something again.
>The fire-breather remains lying quite still. You may have KO'ed him again.
-
>Sigh. "So troublesome...I have to figure out how much power I'm putting into these. Perhaps he's vulnerable to a good gust?"
>Let's drag him back to the others then.
-
>Sigh. "So troublesome...I have to figure out how much power I'm putting into these. Perhaps he's vulnerable to a good gust?"
>Let's drag him back to the others then.
>Pondering how to adjust your newer powers, and using classic ones as well, you fly over to the icy patch where the fire breather came to rest, grab him by his scaly tail, then drag him back towards the bridge. You have to take care in your grip, as his scales are quite sharp, and despite the fact that he breathed fire, his scales are very cold to the touch.
>In the time it takes you to do this, the winged one has managed to return to his feet and is testing his wings.
-
>"Such an annoying little troublemaker. I'm having second thoughts about healing him again in fact."
-
>"Such an annoying little troublemaker. I'm having second thoughts about healing him again in fact."
>"So you're finally going to kill him." the winged one growls, more statement than question. He does not seem averse to the idea.
-
>"Perhaps, perhaps not. He might still prove useful in some way. Everyone has their uses, that's what I've learned over the many long years of my life as a Goddess. It's just a matter of finding out what he's good at besides being a nuisance."
>Sigh. "His one mistake was picking a fight with me."
>Perhaps that Washbin spell would work to prevent any further foolishness on this idiot's part.
-
>"Perhaps, perhaps not. He might still prove useful in some way. Everyone has their uses, that's what I've learned over the many long years of my life as a Goddess. It's just a matter of finding out what he's good at besides being a nuisance."
>"Ahh." the dracotaur says, understanding. "A Goddess."
-
>"Hmm...Come to think of it, I might have a spell that could 'encourage' him to not be such a fool. I've had to use it in the past quite often when a few associate of mine have been rather foolish."
>Let's try healing him one more time, but if he looks like he's about to try something, drop a washbin on him!
-
>"Is your kind always so hostile?"
-
>"Is your kind always so hostile?"
>The dracotaur answers with an angular curl of his lip. "Black Wyrms are among the most adversarial. And the strongest." He mutters something in a language you don't know after a few seconds' pause.
>"Hmm...Come to think of it, I might have a spell that could 'encourage' him to not be such a fool. I've had to use it in the past quite often when a few associate of mine have been rather foolish."
>Let's try healing him one more time, but if he looks like he's about to try something, drop a washbin on him!
>Primed and prepared for the hooded one to get up to more shenanigans, you employ Kuzui Clear Water once more. As this one returns to consciousness again, his eyes blaze as they fall upon your face. He shouts something at you in a language you don't recognize, but he neither breathes fire nor casts anything else. He may be outraged, but he may also be learning his lesson.
-
>"Might you explain precicely why you decided to attack me?"
-
>"Might you explain precicely why you decided to attack me?"
>The hooded one answers again in that baritone language again, dropping into a bass range on the more sibilant syllables. This time, however, the winged one answers him in kind. The two exchange words, then the winged one, two small wicks of flame escaping the sides of his snout, says to you, "He won't demean himself by speaking a language other than our own."
-
>"There is nothing demeaning about such a thing. I would be more than willing to speak in yours if I knew it."
>"Very well, then. What did he say?"
-
>Arrogant, and believe themselves the strongest...Don't we know of a stubborn little Ice Fairy who fits these definitions?
-
>Arrogant, and believe themselves the strongest...Don't we know of a stubborn little Ice Fairy who fits these definitions?
>You do indeed. But these two seem a bit more... belligerent, than Cirno does. The impression you got from her when she came to challenge Sanae was that she was, for all intents and purposes, a kid who was a little too big for her britches. These two dracotaurs, however, seem more advanced than that, is more confrontational. Cirno, after all, didn't introduce herself to you by flinging an ice cloud in your face.
>"There is nothing demeaning about such a thing. I would be more than willing to speak in yours if I knew it."
>"Very well, then. What did he say?"
>The two Wyrmkin exchange words again, the hooded one sounding quite heated. The axe-wielding one, offering his fellow a sardonic leer, says in your tongue, "Wyrmtongue doesn't translate perfectly into Basic, but in short, 'Because I can.'"
-
>"I don't suppose there's much chance of settling this peacefully, then, is there?"
>Assuming a reply indicating that we indeed won't be settling this peacefully: "I think I've wasted enough time on you." Then Giga Wind them, and make sure they both stay down.
-
>"I don't suppose there's much chance of settling this peacefully, then, is there?"
>Assuming a reply indicating that we indeed won't be settling this peacefully: "I think I've wasted enough time on you." Then Giga Wind them, and make sure they both stay down.
>The hooded one merely glowers at you, but the winged one replies, "What's left to settle, Goddess?"
-
>"Well, are you going to attack me again?"
-
>"Well, are you going to attack me again?"
>"There's no point." the winged one snorts. "I'm not so proud as to throw my life away attacking a being who's stronger than me, whether she has scales or not." He leers at his fellow dracotaur. "Though I can't say the same for him."
-
>"Well, at least you're smarter than that Ice Fairy from back home."
>Sigh, and put a hand on our face in a frustrated way. "But she never introduced herself with a blast of ice in my face...That was quite rude after all. But, I am merciful, as one cannot get faith easily if they are not."
-
>"Well, at least you're smarter than that Ice Fairy from back home."
>Sigh, and put a hand on our face in a frustrated way. "But she never introduced herself with a blast of ice in my face...That was quite rude after all. But, I am merciful, as one cannot get faith easily if they are not."
>At your comparison between the dracotaur and that particular fairy, the hooded dracotaur snaps its head forward towards you, its mouth open, its fangs bared.
-
>Let's drop a washbin on him. "Quiet you."
-
>Let's drop a washbin on him. "Quiet you."
>With a nonchalant gesture, a solid metal washbin materializes in the air and drops down onto the dracotaur's head with a resounding *clunk*, a very different sound than hitting flesh. Not as satisfying, somehow, but it does have the desired effect. The beasts eyes swirl and he keels over again.
>His winged comrade grins evilly. "Warned you."
-
>Shrug. "Not as good as the usual, but it suffices. I originally devised that little trick for two specific people, but it seems my entrance into this world changed it to a more general-target one."
-
>Shrug. "Not as good as the usual, but it suffices. I originally devised that little trick for two specific people, but it seems my entrance into this world changed it to a more general-target one."
>"You surprise me, Goddess." the dracotaur says. "Three times now have you struck at him, and still you have not killed him. Do you intend to turn him to your service?"
-
>Smirk slightly. "I know the value of even those such as he. Besides, if I am after Faith, it wouldn't do to go around killing those I intend to get it from."
-
>Smirk slightly. "I know the value of even those such as he. Besides, if I am after Faith, it wouldn't do to go around killing those I intend to get it from."
>The dracotaur chuckles a bass, growly chuckle. "You must have a large army, then."
-
>Smirk slightly. "Not in this world yet though. That, as you can see, is a work in progress. I'm a firm believer in taking care of that matter personally, cut out the middleman as it were."
>Then glance at the guy we washbinned. "Is he always this rowdy though?"
-
>Smirk slightly. "Not in this world yet though. That, as you can see, is a work in progress. I'm a firm believer in taking care of that matter personally, cut out the middleman as it were."
>Then glance at the guy we washbinned. "Is he always this rowdy though?"
>The creature nods in approval of that sentiment.
>"No more so than most of my kind."
>Away in the distance, in the direction the dragon was flying, the sky fills with the lights of battle. The dracotaur, however, either does not notice, or ignores it, as he continues to answer your question, "I prefer to play things smarter than that. I didn't rise to the rank of Lieutenant by being stupid." He snorts derisively. "Case in point. I'm still conscious. He is not."
-
>Smile a bit, in that typically confident manner we're known for. "I can agree with that myself. You don't get to be as powerful as I am without knowing how to choose your battles."
>Hmm...How would Suwako respond to all this were she in our shoes instead...?
-
>Smile a bit, in that typically confident manner we're known for. "I can agree with that myself. You don't get to be as powerful as I am without knowing how to choose your battles."
>Hmm...How would Suwako respond to all this were she in our shoes instead...?
>"I think it would be a very interesting sight, to see you challenge the Broodmother."
>Suwako would probably have disposed of the small fries in one pass and kept chasing the dragon. Dragons, after all, would be more fun, and that little runt is all about the fun. Although her definition of the word is somewhat... suspect.
-
>"Hmm....Perhaps you could tell me about her then? I have to admit, you do have my interest piqued."
>Yes..She always was the more whimsical of the two, never planning in the long-term, and just in general being eccentric.
>Come to think of it, what was the specific incident that prompted us to develop the washbin spell?
-
>"Hmm....Perhaps you could tell me about her then? I have to admit, you do have my interest piqued."
>Yes..She always was the more whimsical of the two, never planning in the long-term, and just in general being eccentric.
>Come to think of it, what was the specific incident that prompted us to develop the washbin spell?
>The dracotaur exhales slowly. "Perhaps. But you must understand, there will be only so much I can say. I am no traitor to my kind."
>It wasn't so much an 'incident', so much as it was a 'declaration'. After that taoist Miko and her bad of troublemakers appeared and Sanae went out played hero again, after she got home, she was inspired and energetic. She flew to the roof of the Moriya temple and declared herself 'DEFENDER OF GENSOKYO!' while striking a pose every bit as ridiculous as those you saw in those science fictions shows she used to watch back on Earth. Suwako, of course, cheered her on, but you thought both of their enthusiasm needed to be curbed a bit, and you thought a nice metal object to the head would do that nicely, without causing permanent damage. And the rest is history.
-
>Nod. "Understandable, just a simple overview of who she is, what role she fills, and how powerful she is in comparison to myself should suffice. Yes? You've already seen my level, so you can give a rough comparison."
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>Nod. "Understandable, just a simple overview of who she is, what role she fills, and how powerful she is in comparison to myself should suffice. Yes? You've already seen my level, so you can give a rough comparison."
>The dracotaur sighs in thought, black smoke wafting from its nostrils. "It is... difficult to relate the power of one of my kind to one of yours. It is not often we have encountered a non Wyrm that could rival the Broodmother. But from that title, you can probably guess what she is to us. She is not only our leader, she is our mother. Every Wyrm that follows her are her children, save those that serve as mounts for her lesser servants. Her children would never stoop so low. That fate is reserved for those she has cowed to her will, and there have been many that have bowed before her. Worlds have bowed to her, and more worlds yet will fall."
-
>Smirk. "She sounds rather interesting. I happen to have a reptilian motif myself, having an affinity for snakes and such."
>Then nod with the same smirk. "Alright then, I have decided. I wish to meet this woman."
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>Smirk. "She sounds rather interesting. I happen to have a reptilian motif myself, having an affinity for snakes and such."
>Then nod with the same smirk. "Alright then, I have decided. I wish to meet this woman."
>The dracotaur seethes, rage burning in his countenance at your mention of reptiles, undoubtedly 'lesser' ones to one as arrogant as these seem to be. All he says is, "Be on your way, then."
-
>Facepalm. "I cannot exactly meet her if I do not know the way you know."
-
>Facepalm. "I cannot exactly meet her if I do not know the way you know."
>"That's not my problem." the dracotaur grunts. "I still have a mission in this place, and I still have to carry it out, even with a demolished squad. Pyremaw would swallow me whole if I abandoned his order. You can kill me if you want, but it'd be a cleaner death than he'd give me."
-
>"Hmm....So then I take it this 'Pyremaw' is a powerful sort. Which means if I best him, then there would not be much keeping you from pointing the way, no? A sort of 'You kill it, you bought it' matter, no?"
>Nod. "Incidentally, what is this 'mission' by any chance? I assume it's related to the domination of this world, no?"
-
>"Hmm....So then I take it this 'Pyremaw' is a powerful sort. Which means if I best him, then there would not be much keeping you from pointing the way, no? A sort of 'You kill it, you bought it' matter, no?"
>Nod. "Incidentally, what is this 'mission' by any chance? I assume it's related to the domination of this world, no?"
>"Pyremaw is one of the Broodmother's more powerful children, though not the most." The dracotaur's tail flicks back and forth, sending pieces of ice scattering. "If you want to know how powerful..." He raises his tail and points to the battle raging in the distance, the way the dragon went. "I suspect you would have seen him. And now you can see him in action."
>"We were to be his rearguard. To ensure none escaped his wrath." He looks around at his fallen allies. "Only to find out that we couldn't escape the wrath of another Overlord. But I survive, therefore the mission remains."
-
>"Hmm...I normally don't indulge myself, but this could prove to be an interesting battle. I suppose everyone has to take their first steps, and this is just the first of many on my path to gaining this world's faith as well. And for the record, I am a Wind Goddess. Kanako Yasaka. Though I suppose in this world's terminology, I would be considered an Overlord."
>Smirk a bit. "I wonder how Pyremaw will withstand my greatest technique? That wind magic I used earlier was just a small portion of my power after all. I haven't even begun to flex my divinity in this world."
>Let's let a dramatic breeze flare up, just because we can. We're certainly given towards a bit of the ham ourselves, but we prefer the more subtle sort. And, being a Wind Goddess certainly helps a bit.
-
>"Hmm...I normally don't indulge myself, but this could prove to be an interesting battle. I suppose everyone has to take their first steps, and this is just the first of many on my path to gaining this world's faith as well. And for the record, I am a Wind Goddess. Kanako Yasaka. Though I suppose in this world's terminology, I would be considered an Overlord."
>Smirk a bit. "I wonder how Pyremaw will withstand my greatest technique? That wind magic I used earlier was just a small portion of my power after all. I haven't even begun to flex my divinity in this world."
>Let's let a dramatic breeze flare up, just because we can. We're certainly given towards a bit of the ham ourselves, but we prefer the more subtle sort. And, being a Wind Goddess certainly helps a bit.
>"An Overlord is one who rules a world." The dracotaur informs you. "True, you have the power of an Overlord, that is not in dispute. Were you the ruler of your world?"
>The winged being returns your smirk. His face gives him a bit of an edge in that department. "As I wonder how you will fare against a Full dragon.
>Strictly speaking, you're not really the hammy sort, unless you know it will garner you some advantage. Displays of excess for the sake of said are much more the department of the other two residents of your shrine. Even when it comes to grandiose displays, yours are measured and strategic in their implementation. Suwako, of course, merely says that you think too much.
>On the other hand, there's almost never a bad reason to start up a bit of a breeze, alien wind or no. But a simple one will do.
-
>"Ruler? Not quite. I am but one of several powerful beings. I suppose one could classify them as Overlord-Level as well in a way. One of my associates who I ended up befriending in a way after defeating her long ago is one such example. And my Shrine Maiden, the one who acts on my behalf for the majority of the time, is also relatively powerful herself. Though her mastery of the winds pales in comparison to my own."
>Smirk a bit. "Well, I suppose it's time I go test my strength, no? If Suwako were here, she would have simply flattened you, and gone after the dragon right away. Ah, she's the one I mentioned earlier, the one I defeated long ago. She too is a Goddess. Specifically, Earth. These days, we work together....Though I often have to rein in the mad antics she and Sanae get up to..."
>Sigh. "They're quite troublesome at times you know. Like little children....Ignoring the fact that Suwako herself resembles one."
>Nod. "Well, I suppose that since you're interested in seeing how I fare, shall we be off?"
>Let's go after that dragon!
-
>"Ruler? Not quite. I am but one of several powerful beings. I suppose one could classify them as Overlord-Level as well in a way. One of my associates who I ended up befriending in a way after defeating her long ago is one such example. And my Shrine Maiden, the one who acts on my behalf for the majority of the time, is also relatively powerful herself. Though her mastery of the winds pales in comparison to my own."
>Smirk a bit. "Well, I suppose it's time I go test my strength, no? If Suwako were here, she would have simply flattened you, and gone after the dragon right away. Ah, she's the one I mentioned earlier, the one I defeated long ago. She too is a Goddess. Specifically, Earth. These days, we work together....Though I often have to rein in the mad antics she and Sanae get up to..."
>Sigh. "They're quite troublesome at times you know. Like little children....Ignoring the fact that Suwako herself resembles one."
>Nod. "Well, I suppose that since you're interested in seeing how I fare, shall we be off?"
>Let's go after that dragon!
>Finishing your recount of your family, you take to the air once more, setting off towards the battle raging between Pyremaw the dragon and whomever he battles. Judging from the quantity of the flashes of fire and energy, either that dragon is packing a lot of firepower, or he had more minions than just these four. And for all you know, his opponents may be just as hostile as that dracotaur that fired on you. This could be quite a challenge.
>One of the aforementioned minions, the winged one you've been conversing with, does not follow you as you suggested, but instead starts limping towards the gun-wielding humanoid you dispatched.
-
>Hmm....Let's see how wide we can get that Giga Wind spell to spread, hmm?
>Ah what the hell, let's aim directly for the dragon with it. We'll knock him right outta the sky!
-
>Hmm....Let's see how wide we can get that Giga Wind spell to spread, hmm?
>Ah what the hell, let's aim directly for the dragon with it. We'll knock him right outta the sky!
>Pyremaw is no longer visible. He has at least several miles on you, and the region he went towards is very hilly.
-
>Well, let's stop off on the site of the battle he probably just got through with and look for survivors to heal.
-
>Well, let's stop off on the site of the battle he probably just got through with and look for survivors to heal.
>Keeping your onbashira at the ready, and your magics prepped, you track after the explosions in the air, curling around a tall hill and taking in the still raging-battle in an icy valley squashed between two large hills.
>In the air above the ground there flies a quartet of inhuman figures. A dragon the same build as Pyremaw only much smaller, and a pair what seems nothing more than oversized moths with blue and green wings, seem to be triple teaming a being that looks to be a cross between a canine and a dragon with feathery wings. The winged dog with gold colored fur dives down away from the drake, but the two moths are waiting to intercept it, discharging rings of energy from their mouths as the canine descends.
>Below this battle rages one on the ground. A column of small vaguely-humanoid penguins stand guarded by a quartet of humanoids, and they are surrounded by foes. The canyon walls to their left and right hold a four figures each, two dark-skinned males with dark trousers, wide country hats and large pistol weapons, and two shorter males with red cloaks carrying staves. The gunners are exchanging fire with a pair of curly haired flat-chested girls carrying silver bows, while the hooded boys point their staves and grin, waiting and watching. At least, two of them two, the other two are trading turns launching fire spells at a second flying dog dancing in the air above the penguins.
>A pair of armored humans stand at the front of the column of penguins, themselves outnumbered more than two to one. The armored male on the left, wielding a sword and shield, is pressed by a pair of black dracotaurs wielding vicious axes while a warrior like the one you bested before stands behind them armed with a lance, striking over, around and between the dracotaurs at the knight. His partner, a woman with long green hair and slightly less armor, swings a ranseur at another dracotaur and warrior, both wielding curved two-handed blades, while a female warrior stands about fifteen feet behind them aiming a bow, waiting for her chance to strike.
>Pyremaw himself stands perched on an icy flat outcropping on the north hillface, watching his minions battle below, smoke rising from his nostrils and a serpentine grin upon his cruel black face.
-
>Let's bide our time, and deduce which ones serve Pyremaw.
-
>Let's bide our time, and deduce which ones serve Pyremaw.
>The presence of black draconic creatures would seem to be an obvious indication of who's on who's side, but, nevertheless, you slow your approach enough to take in the sights before you.
>The lone gold winged dog banks hard to its right, managing to evade one of the sonic pulses but the closer one catches the beast on its flank. The gold beast ignores the pain that had to have caused him and dives towards one of the gunner/mage pairs. The winged dog draws his wings back and sends them forward, sending out a dozen large white feathers shooting out at the pair.
>The male knight fends off the dracotaur's descending axe with his shield upraised, then points his sword arm out towards his female companion. A white healing light forms around his hand and around the woman. You've seen enough healing magic to know one when you see one. The move very nearly costs him, too, as the warrior behind the dracotaurs stabs forward with his lance, seeking the knight's arm. Desperately the helmeted man draws his sword back in line to intercept the incoming polearm, but even dealing with that blow does not escape him harm, as one of the gunners behind him takes aim and blasts the man in the back.
>His partner isn't faring all that much better, for although she wards off a pair of blows from the dracotaur and the warrior attacking her, the archer behind them fires a quintet of twisting energy bolts that fly between her two allies and strike the woman knight, flying through her as they deal their damage. Simultaneously, one of the red-clad mages on the north cliff points his staff at her, and a bolt of flame strikes down from the sky overhead onto her body.
>One of the archers with curly hair returns fire, sending an arrow flying into the torso of the dracotaur attacking the lance-wielding knight, but for her efforts, two of the gunners blast away at her, unloading triple shots each into her unarmored body. The gold beast flying over this battle tries to head towards the gunner on the south wall that fired on her, but the mage standing next to the gunner unleashes a triad of fireballs at the beast. Two out of three strike home, and the beast has to veer off, his back legs and rear torso engulfed in flames.
-
>So, that mage in red serves Pyremaw then? Let's see if we can't peg the mage that burnt the winged creature, as well as his gunner comrade, with a Giga Wind.
-
>So, that mage in red serves Pyremaw then? Let's see if we can't peg the mage that burnt the winged creature, as well as his gunner comrade, with a Giga Wind.
>It would seem that the mages, the gunners, the mothmen, the dracotaurs and the warriors are all on Pyremaw's side, as well as the other black drake, of course. The knights, the winged dogs and the archers are allied against them and seem to be protecting the penguin-things. And while the latter group seem to be holding their own, they're badly outnumbered.
>So it's time someone evened the odds. Taking aim at the gunner/mage pair closest to you, you unleash your mighty spell once more, catching them completely unawares and sending the both of them hurtling into the sky. Both of them crash down to the icy rocks and are quite still where they lie.
>The archer that had taken all those bullets glances in your direction, salutes you with her bow, then leaps into the air with a series of flips, the arrow nocked in her bow glowing. When she stops, she unleashes a torrent of glowing bolts at the other gunner/mage pair on the south cliff.
>The female knight raises the butt end of her ranseur and drives it into the dracotaur's jaw, snapping it shut, then extends her left hand towards the burning beast, casting a healing spell of her own, before turning back to the warrior in front of her. The female warrior behind them, however, looks in your direction, and points her bow at you. When she releases the arrow at you, not one but five projectiles launch from her weapon in an expanding cone.
-
>Heh, like leaves in the wind...So let's hammer them out of the air with our control of the wind!
>Then, return fire with a pinpoint Giga Wind!
>Incidentally, let's look at everyone's levels, hm?
-
>Incidentally, let's look at everyone's levels, hm?
>1 Male Paladin - Lv. 425.
>1 Female Paladin - lv. 420
>2 Saint Dragon - lv. 380
>2 Archer - lv. 355
>3 Gunner - lv. 250
>3 Red Skull - lv. 285
>2 Mothman - lv. 240
>1 Warrior - lv. 350
>1 Female Warrior - lv. 345
>2 Black Dracotaur - lv. 390
>1 Black Drake - lv. 370
>Pyremaw. - Level 675
>Heh, like leaves in the wind...So let's hammer them out of the air with our control of the wind!
>Then, return fire with a pinpoint Giga Wind!
>A mere gesture is normally all you need to deflect simple projectiles, but these arrows are charged with some form of energy as well, magic or otherwise. So you sweep your arm in front of you and erect a barrier of wind in front of the incoming arrows, shredding four of them and stopping the fifth dead in its tracks.
>Your return spell is not quite as 'pinpoint' as you'd intended, as the whirlwind of green air appears slightly to left of the bowman's center mass, rather than directly underneath. It seems that these magics have a range, and that target is at the effective edge of it. You still hit her, yes, but as a consequence, you now have a sense of the range of your new magics.
>And your efforts have finally drawn the attention of the large dragon called Pyremaw, as he swivels his head from the battle below to gaze upon you. The beast's eyes glow and the edges of his scales glow a dark red.
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>Well, looks like it's time then. Let's look to the two Paladins then, and send our message on the wind to their ears, so the din of battle won't drown it out. "I suggest you and your allies take cover. This little clash will be quite the spectacle."
>Once that's set, let's get ready to create a wind barrier that'll reflect instead of block. We'll send Pyremaw's own attack right back at him!
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>Well, looks like it's time then. Let's look to the two Paladins then, and send our message on the wind to their ears, so the din of battle won't drown it out. "I suggest you and your allies take cover. This little clash will be quite the spectacle."
>Once that's set, let's get ready to create a wind barrier that'll reflect instead of block. We'll send Pyremaw's own attack right back at him!
>If the two armored figures hear your message, they show no signs of it, occupied as they are with their foes.
>Well, you did what you could for them, now to settle your own issue. That being the large dragon with the glowing hide looking in your direction. Admittedly you're not sure what it's about to do, but generally when beasts start to glow like that, it's a sign that it's about to do something bad.
>Sure enough, the dragon opens its mouth almost lazily and spits a fireball in your direction. A simplistic and predictable attack, but it would certainly be effective if it connected. But you are Kanako, and well prepared, and with a wave of your arm you erect a reflective barrier of air currents. The incendiary orb strikes your defensive screen and flies back towards the dragon. The fireball splats against the dragon's snout, to no visible effect. Well, not NO effect, as the dragon appears annoyed, but he does appear undamaged.
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>"As someone once said in a book from my world, 'Not enough gun'. Admirable effort though, were I any mere mortal, that likely would have worked. But even a Dragon cannot beat one of the Divine."
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>"As someone once said in a book from my world, 'Not enough gun'. Admirable effort though, were I any mere mortal, that likely would have worked. But even a Dragon cannot beat one of the Divine."
>The dragon makes no intelligible sound, merely snorts in irritation, then flares his nostrils again. Streams of blackened flame pour from the openings, twining together like a great coil of DNA. The sooty strands pool together in a large orb, from which a pair of arms extend, ending in four-fingered hands. A pair of pupil-less red eyes appear in the center of the mass, and the armed flame creature floats towards you at about a walking pace.
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>Raise an eyebrow. "Oh? An elemental, hm? Impressive."
>Let's get a nice little wind barrier, something like that 'Invisible Air' thing Sanae and Suwako mentioned back in the outside world.
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>Raise an eyebrow. "Oh? An elemental, hm? Impressive."
>Let's get a nice little wind barrier, something like that 'Invisible Air' thing Sanae and Suwako mentioned back in the outside world.
>Surrounding yourself with a shield of wind, you wait for the oncoming elemental to make the first move.
>The flaming creature extends its hand outwards towards you, and a wave of sooty flame emerges the its palm. Your barrier of air, however, easily diffuses the flame. The elemental, you note, only has a level of 150.
>The elemental, however, may have served as a diversion only, as a quartet of fireballs range up from the direction of the dragon only seconds after the flame wave washes over you, impacting heavily against your shield. These projectiles are also blocked by your screen, but they do force you backwards a few handspans. They packed a lot more impact than the elementals' shots.
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>Smirk a bit. "Impressive. But I wonder if you can put up as good a fight as Suwako did..."
>How far from Pyremaw is the elemental, and if we were to use Mountain of Faith in an effort to peg both at once, with some added bonuses, would any of the allies of those paladins, or the paladins themselves, be in the firing range?
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>Smirk a bit. "Impressive. But I wonder if you can put up as good a fight as Suwako did..."
>How far from Pyremaw is the elemental, and if we were to use Mountain of Faith in an effort to peg both at once, with some added bonuses, would any of the allies of those paladins, or the paladins themselves, be in the firing range?
>There is approximately 60 feet of distance total between the elemental and Pyremaw.
>Mountain of Faith, like a great many spellcards, is omnidirectional. If you unleashed it upon the elemental and the dragon, you'd essentially be blanketing the area with danmaku. The only ones that might not be within range of it would be the remaining mage and gunner pair along the south face of the valley, due to your position and the cover they have from you where you are.
>However, danmaku does have a 'friendly fire' addendum. If you're practiced at it, you can exclude your allies from the effects of your danmaku. It's a technique you picked up from that traveling band of poltergeists. Their danmaku allows them to fire indiscriminately without worrying about hitting themselves. Now, you haven't had many chances to practice it, but you did learn it for yourself, in the event you ever ended up fighting alongside Suwako or Sanae. You're a Goddess who prides herself on being prepared.
>The only uncertain factor would be, you're not technically sure if the paladins and their allies would count as YOUR allies. You may be on their side, but thus far, you haven't seen any sign that they feel the same towards you. You're not quite sure if you can exclude them in this case. The Prismrivers didn't know if both sides had to agree or not.
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>Alright, let's make our way to the Paladins, keeping the barrier up.
>"You two, take your allies and get at least sixty feet away from the area. I plan to make a decisive attack that will dispose of much of the opposition."
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>Alright, let's make our way to the Paladins, keeping the barrier up.
>"You two, take your allies and get at least sixty feet away from the area. I plan to make a decisive attack that will dispose of much of the opposition."
>Adjusting the wind shield around you to be mobile, you fly forwards and down towards the armored pair clashing with Pyremaw's forces below. And it's as well you do, for you draw your share of attention along the way. The elemental stretches out its hand again, and a column of sooty flame strikes down from over your head, dealing you no damage, but it does obscure your view momentarily. Only enough to slow you a little. One of the gunners on the north cliffside fires a triple burst of shots at you, but these two are repelled by your shield of air. It seems that the dragon Pyremaw himself is really the only one in your weight class, if this is the best the small fries have to offer.
>The female paladin sweeps her ranseur low and takes the humanoid warrior facing her off his feet, then calls back to you. "Love to, but we can't. The Prinnies have to keep going forward." The dracotaur facing her raises his sword and charges forward in a blur of motion, slashing her with his two-hander in the process, then leaping back to his starting position once he's done with the blade rush.
>"Prithee, mighty woman," the male adds, his voice archaic and proper, "if an ally true ye be, aid our valiant saint dragons in their plight. 'twill not be long ere the foul drake enters the fray himself."
>As he speaks, the dracotaur in front of him pauses his attack on the paladin and raises his head in your direction, unleashing his flame breath upon you. Simultaneously, an explosion of flame erupts all around you, a spell cast by one of the red-hooded mages. Both are slightly distracting, but neither scratches you, though the flame breath of the dracotaur does manage to singe the shoulder areas of your shirt ever so slightly.
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>"Very well then, I'll provide support for them until you can fall back temporarily. My planned attack will remove much of the opposition after all, which will in turn clear a path for these 'prinnies', whatever they may be."
>Alright, let's see whatever enemies are aiming for the saint dragons, and literally blow them away with whatever spell or skill we have at our disposal that's sure to nail them all down in one pass. Well, that isn't Mountain of Faith that is. Have to be mindful of possible friendly fire after all, and they seem a tad skeptical.
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>Alright, let's see whatever enemies are aiming for the saint dragons, and literally blow them away with whatever spell or skill we have at our disposal that's sure to nail them all down in one pass. Well, that isn't Mountain of Faith that is. Have to be mindful of possible friendly fire after all, and they seem a tad skeptical.
>How can you determine what are the saint dragons? You've never heard the term before.
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>"Which ones might they be? I'm afraid I'm rather new to this world you know."
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>"Which ones might they be? I'm afraid I'm rather new to this world you know."
>"The four-legged beings with feathered wings, be they." the man informs you.
>"Incoming!" the woman shouts.
>Pyremaw has decided to escalate his offense, and has unleashed a massive wave of shadow energy-infused flame traveling down the valley, a roiling mass of hellish flames and black tendrills of energy. It seems that unlike you, he has no compunctions about friendly fire.
>"Shadowflame." the male says darkly as he crosses blades with the dracotaur. "Truly thy master is a merciless monster. He shall destroy thee as surely as us."
>"Think again, fleshling." the creature snarls. "We get to enjoy watching you burn."
>The male fighter to his right, as well as the fighter squaring off again the female paladin, both flee towards the cliff walls of the valley, trying to get to cover.
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>"....I suggest you find something to hold onto, mortals, things are about to get rather 'breezy'."
>Let's bring up the biggest gale we can to send the flame back at him! We'll put some of our own divine might into this one, a Divine Wind!
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>"....I suggest you find something to hold onto, mortals, things are about to get rather 'breezy'."
>Let's bring up the biggest gale we can to send the flame back at him! We'll put some of our own divine might into this one, a Divine Wind!
>Time to show off just what you can do.
>Elevating yourself above the battling mortals, above the beleaguered saint dragons and the flying beasts assaulting them, you draw in your power as the wall of unholy flame washes down the valley, leaving charred earth and melted ice in its path. Extending your left hand out almost casually, palm up, the air between the cliff walls swirls and twists, gathering and strengthening. The saint dragons, you note, take notice of this right away, and heel over and dive down towards the paladins. The mothmen harassing them attempt to follow them, but the paladin's archer comrades unleash nearly a dozen arrows simultaneously, covering the dragon's retreat.
>You wall of wind takes almost physical form, endowed with your own divine energy, sparking blue and green currents of energy among the visible air currents. The sound is massive, but still not enough to drown out the horrible noise of the oncoming firestorm. The combination of the two warring noises is practically deafening. Sending the divine wind forward only serves to make the dramatic sight even louder.
>The two forces meet with an almost epic noise, corrupted fire crashing against sanctified air, the burning darkness scattered by the divine wind of the Moriya Goddess. The paladins and draconids both pause in their clash to look back at a sight you would venture to guess none of them have ever beheld before.
>When the dust settles and the wind quiets down, both attacks have played themselves out against each other. No trace of the shadowflame of Pyremaw remains, nor does your divine wind. Only the dragon himself, glaring malevolently at you from hundreds of feet away. You were sure he was annoyed before. Now you have no doubt that the dragon is enraged.
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>"I'll handle the dragon."
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>"I'll handle the dragon."
>"Good fortune to you, mighty woman." the man replies in his archaic speech, smashing his glowing shield into the nose of the dracotaur in front of him. "Be wary. The likes of wyrmkind are not to be underestimated, even for one such as yourself."
>Its heavy wings beating heavily, Pyremaw rises slowly from the rock he was standing upon. But it is not he that gives you trouble right away. The three flying creatures arrayed against the saint dragons, the pair of moths and the smaller black drake, are all flying in your direction, the dragon and one of the moths coming from just above and in front of you, the second moth from an eighty degree angle above you.
>Support for you comes from below, as a swarm of arrows fly up from the surface and strike both the drake and the moth, impaling them both in many places. But this turns out to be only have the equation, as the arrows strike sparks and lightning falls from the sky, striking the pair of fliers with heavenly wrath. The moth falls smoking from the sky, motionless and crispy, but the drake presses on, and breathes out a line of flame at you.
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>Let's casually throw out a little whirlwind into the path of his attack to capture it, then send it on it's way to him for a case of being hoisted by his own petard!
>"It'll take more than that to best the very wind itself you know."
>Ah, there is that other moth after all, let's have that whirlwind from earlier swing around for a pass against it as well.
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>Let's casually throw out a little whirlwind into the path of his attack to capture it, then send it on it's way to him for a case of being hoisted by his own petard!
>"It'll take more than that to best the very wind itself you know."
>Ah, there is that other moth after all, let's have that whirlwind from earlier swing around for a pass against it as well.
>A twisting whirlwind appears in front of the line of flame, drawing air inwards into the vortex in the center. Dragon's flame, however, doesn't quite behave the same way a normal flame would, and a great deal of fire spills out around the sides of your whirlwind, disappearing in the strong gale generated by the vortex. The remainder permeates throughout the whirlwind, casting a burning orange glow in all directions as you fling the vortex forward. The horse-sized drake runs headlong into your whirlwind, and while the flames bounce harmlessly off its scaly hide, it is thrown violently to your left and towards the ground by the force of your wind. The beast manages to right itself barely a foot off the icy ground and glides away from you, back towards Pyremaw.
>As you direct your whirlwind towards the moth, you are enveloped in another column of sooty flame. The elemental, no doubt.
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>Let's fling a cutting gale at the elemental then. We'll scatter it to the four winds in one blast! "Begone."
>And we'll finish bringing that Flaming Whirlwind around to take out that moth as well.
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>Let's fling a cutting gale at the elemental then. We'll scatter it to the four winds in one blast! "Begone."
>And we'll finish bringing that Flaming Whirlwind around to take out that moth as well.
>Time to deal with that little irritant. Bladed winds fly from your hands, and buffet the elemental. The beast casts of flaming bits of itself for a few seconds, then simply explodes into rapidly fading licks of flame.
>One down, one to go. You send the burning vortex of air towards the moth as the bug unleashes a cloud of purple dust from its wings. The dust seems to have no effect on your beyond making your nose slightly itchy. Your whirlwind, however, has a much more dramatic effect. The crisped form of the moth falls away, trailing ash and smoke from its tattered wings as it makes a nosedive towards the ground.
>You've not the opportunity to enjoy the removal of these foes, however, before a bolt of black energy slams into your side. Matching shadowy blasts strike the pair of saint dragons, the archers and the female paladin with full force. The male manages to use his shield to ward off part of the blast, but the shot nearly rips the shield from his hand. His dracotaur opponent, a fierce grin on his face, takes the opportunity to deliver a vicious rising slash to the paladin with his axe. The female is in no better shape, as her dracotaur employs his flame breath, engulfing the warrior in a gout of thick fire.
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>Pyremaw, no doubt. Time to turn our attention to the real threat.
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>Pyremaw, no doubt. Time to turn our attention to the real threat.
>It does indeed seem that Pyremaw launched that volley of shadow bolts. And he has an escort now, as well, as the small drake has fallen in below and in front of him, to his right, and this one unleashes a volley of fireballs at you and your six new allies below you.
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>Deflect that attack, then Giga Wind the drake. Take it out.
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>Deflect that attack, then Giga Wind the drake. Take it out.
>Did you wish to deflect just the fireball heading in your direction, or would you like to try and take care of all seven?
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>All seven, if it won't be overly taxing. Then take out the drake.
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>The drake is flying, isn't it? Be sure to shoot it downward with the Giga Wind if so.
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>Hell, let's redirect all seven right back at Pyremaw. If he's too angry, he won't think straight. And that means he'll be that much sloppier an opponent when we come around to fight him.
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>Deflect that attack, then Giga Wind the drake. Take it out.
>All seven, if it won't be overly taxing. Then take out the drake.
>The drake is flying, isn't it? Be sure to shoot it downward with the Giga Wind if so.
>Hell, let's redirect all seven right back at Pyremaw. If he's too angry, he won't think straight. And that means he'll be that much sloppier an opponent when we come around to fight him.
>Quickly analyzing the paths of the fireballs, you wave your hand and generate a septet of swirling vortexes of air in their paths. Redirecting seven different attacks traveling in different directions to go all towards the same destination is no easy feat, even for a Goddess. On the other hand, it isn't the first time you've done something like this. The fireball volley is diverted away from you and your new allies, and back towards the larger dragon. Each burst of flame simply splashes harmlessly against the huge Wyrm's hide, dealing no damage whatsoever.
>With that attack dealt with, you turn your attack towards the smaller drake, employing what is quickly becoming your new favourite spell. Though you try to invert it, in a rather clever move. You feel a sense of resistance, however. The spell seems to have been designed to work one way, and that's up. You are certain that, given enough time, you could master the spell and turn it to your desire, but the middle of a battle is not the best place for magical experimentation. Especially not when you have a plethora of other tools at your disposal. So you settle for a normal giga wind against the smaller drake, sending the beast flying up into the air. It does not rise far, however, as the small drake impacts against the underside of Pyremaw's jaw, hard enough to snap the larger dragon's mouth shut with a resounding *clack*.
>Visibly angered, Pyremaw snaps his forarm forward and snatches the smaller drake out of the air. The drake is motionless, either dead or unconscious, you can't tell. Pyremaw doesn't seem to care, as he hurls his smaller fellow dragon at you, the drake trailing blood as it flies through the air at an impressive rate.
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>Blow it back. If we can't do that quickly enough, dodge.
>If it gets sent at us again, blow it back again, a little faster each time, until Pyremaw misses and gets hit.
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>Blow it back. If we can't do that quickly enough, dodge.
>If it gets sent at us again, blow it back again, a little faster each time, until Pyremaw misses and gets hit.
>A powerful gale intercepts the incoming small dragon, but the beasts momentum prevents you from sending it back the way it came. It merely drops from the sky, while heading ever so slightly back in the direction of Pyremaw.
>This affords you a moment to take stock of the scene below you. One of the two dracotaurs is down, unconscious but breathing, while its opponent, the female paladin, has joined her male partner in assailing the remaining dracotaur. Of the humanoid minions of Pyremaw, you see no sign. Either they're hiding, or they've beaten a retreat.
>One of the two gold-skinned saint dragons flies up from the ground towards you. "Allow me to Magichange with you, warrior, and add my power to yours." he calls.
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>"I don't know what that is, and this strikes me as a bad time for learning about it. You should remain ready in case more enemies arrive. I am quite capable of dealing with this beast on my own, I assure you."
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>"I don't know what that is, and this strikes me as a bad time for learning about it. You should remain ready in case more enemies arrive. I am quite capable of dealing with this beast on my own, I assure you."
>Insomuch as you can read canine faces, the saint dragon seems about to argue, but his attention, and yours, is drawn by Pyremaw, who has surrounded himself with a field of angry red energy. You brace yourself for another attack, but the dragon does not launch one. Instead, he launches himself downwards, towards the ground, his dive leaving crimson afterimages of light in his path. The dragon slams into the ground, cratering the icy ground with the impact, his aura flowing into the frozen earth below him. Spheres of what appear to be molten lava burst from the earth, nearly a dozen of them, each as large as a large boulder. It is not lava, however, your eyes reveal, but molten metal which the dragon has generated from the ground. One after the other, these orbs of red-hot liquid iron fly up and away from Pyremaw, dripping molten metal in their wake and striking flames from the air, the burning projectiles sear the air as they fly at you.
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>"You should leave this to me."
>Let's show off our dodging skills. Compared to danmaku, a dozen orbs is nothing, even if they are fairly large.
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>And while we're at it, let's call up a cold wind to trap the attacks and cool them into metal orbs to fling right back at Pyremaw! After we've dodged them of course.
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>No need to dodge if we're doing that.
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>"You should leave this to me."
>Let's show off our dodging skills. Compared to danmaku, a dozen orbs is nothing, even if they are fairly large.
>And while we're at it, let's call up a cold wind to trap the attacks and cool them into metal orbs to fling right back at Pyremaw! After we've dodged them of course.
>No need to dodge if we're doing that.
>Years of life in Gensokyo have given you plenty of experience combating attacks such as these, even if you've never faced molten metal-themed danmaku before. Watching them fly, however, you note that they are homing projectiles, following your movements. Don't see a lot of those in Gensokyo. So you opt to employ the winds of the north to defeat the dragons's molten missiles.
>Unlike your previous efforts to deflect the dragons attacks, this one is not as successful as you'd intended. Your winds do indeed cool the metal, chilling it from molten to merely hot, but you fail to divert the missiles from their paths. The flying iron spheres continue to home in you, but before the first one draws within striking distance of you, at about six feet away you, the sphere explodes, detonating into thousands of shards of razor-sharp flak. The shockwave provides a solid, buffeting impact on your body, but the shrapnel is far worse. Each iron orb follows suit, hammering you with pressure waves and an absolutely hideous volume of metallic shrapnel.
>Given the difference in power between you and the dragon, its Ferrous assault produced only a moderate amount of damage upon your body, but it didn't do your clothes any favors.
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>Well, we can't let that go.
>We've dealt with homing danmaku before (damn homing amulets). Twelve homing orbs wouldn't have been a problem. We'd best attempt evasion if Pyremaw uses that move again.
>Make sure we're clear of any allies and close in. If we're in range for Virtue of Wind God, hit Pyremaw with it. Otherwise, throw out a few Giga Winds until we are close enough.
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>Well, we can't let that go.
>We've dealt with homing danmaku before (damn homing amulets). Twelve homing orbs wouldn't have been a problem. We'd best attempt evasion if Pyremaw uses that move again.
>Make sure we're clear of any allies and close in. If we're in range for Virtue of Wind God, hit Pyremaw with it. Otherwise, throw out a few Giga Winds until we are close enough.
>You make a note to adjust your tactics if and when Pyremaw decides to employ that attack once more. It may not have done that much damage, but you're not the type who relishes suffering the same blow twice, if you have any choice in the matter.
>The dragon that was closest to you has retreated back towards the rest of his allies, leaving you alone in the air. Setting your course for the dragon, who is in the process of lifting off again, you fly forward and closer to the ground, and produce perhaps your most infamous spellcard: Virtue of a Wind God. And just as in Gensokyo, circles of red amulet and charm-shapen danmaku appear around you, which are in turn circled by blue danmaku, then a third layer of green shots on top of all three. A truly impressive emblem traced in bullets.
>The only downside to this spell is that it takes a little while warm up and actually start firing. It's wind-up time is somewhat long compared to other spellcards. This has the unfortunate side effect of allowing your opponents to take a shot at you as you ramp up VoWG, as it's truncated by some, and Pyremaw takes advantage of this opportunity, unleashing his flaming breath upon you once more as he rises to face you.
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>We can spare some energy to put up a Wind Barrier, yes?
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I meant the Virtue of Wind God that appeared in our spell list, not the spellcard.
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I meant the Virtue of Wind God that appeared in our spell list, not the spellcard.
Ah. Yes. Right. I knew I left off the 'A' for a reason.
A moment while I adjust.
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>Well, we can't let that go.
>We've dealt with homing danmaku before (damn homing amulets). Twelve homing orbs wouldn't have been a problem. We'd best attempt evasion if Pyremaw uses that move again.
>Make sure we're clear of any allies and close in. If we're in range for Virtue of Wind God, hit Pyremaw with it. Otherwise, throw out a few Giga Winds until we are close enough.
>You make a note to adjust your tactics if and when Pyremaw decides to employ that attack once more. It may not have done that much damage, but you're not the type who relishes suffering the same blow twice, if you have any choice in the matter.
>The dragon that was closest to you has retreated back towards the rest of his allies, leaving you alone in the air. Setting your course for the dragon, who is in the process of lifting off again, you fly forward and closer to the ground, and you invoke your newfound, and supposed, ultimate magic, Virtue of Wind God.
>A massive tornado springs to life in front of the dragon, intense and immense, enfused with your divine energy. The tornado drives forward, spinning the dragon around and scything its hide with terrible cutting winds, blasting its scales with the essence of wind. When the dragon emerges, the damage is obvious, but your attack isn't finished yet. A section of the tornado near the top of it sprouts viridian blades and splits off from the main body of the tornado, a whirling disc of airy death. The blade of wind roars forward and gouges the dragons' flank, coming to rest in front of it and to its right. Another section of the tornado follows suit, then another, then another, then another, until seven different disc of bladed air have struck the dragon and surround the beast, six on each side, one hovering over Pyremaw. The six on the dragons' side shoot out currents of green energy, almost electric, shocking and paralyzing the dragon, while the blade above spins faster and faster, growing larger and larger, the cacophony of sound deafening. When the top blade has grown to twice the size of the dragon itself, it orients itself down and dives for the dragon, while the other six converge on Pyremaw as well, the resulting impact erupting in a truly epic eruption of energy.
>From below, you hear the female paladin remark, "Damn, Ken."
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>Ken?
>What's Pyremaw's condition following that attack?
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>Ken?
>What's Pyremaw's condition following that attack?
>You're not quite sure what she means by that. Perhaps it's a local expression.
>The torrent of light and energy released by your spells final explosion obscured the dragon, even from your divine eyes, but the light is now beginning to fade. To your amazement, with the labored sound of beating wings, the dragon emerges from the explosion, still heading in your direction. Its hide has numerous grooves dug into it from your blades, and its black blood trails behind it, steaming in the cold air, streaming from its nose and its dozens of wounds. His left front leg hangs limp, and he seems to be missing a few teeth. But he's still in good enough shape to send a linear gout of flaming breath in your direction.
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>He doesn't know when to quit, does he?
>Evade the flames.
>Let's go with Meteoric Onbashira next.
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>Let's go with Meteoric Onbashira next.
Just to make sure this time...
>The spellcard or the technique?
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>Technique. In this world, we'll be best served by fighting according to its rules. Spellcards are not the way to go here.
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>Technique. In this world, we'll be best served by fighting according to its rules. Spellcards are not the way to go here.
>Very good. But don't think that danmaku and spellcards are useless, either. They're still inherantly non-lethal, but they also do damage. It would be a flashy and effective way to show one's power, and a good way to guarantee taking an enemy alive, should you ever want to.
>But that aside...
>He doesn't know when to quit, does he?
>Evade the flames.
>Let's go with Meteoric Onbashira next.
>Either he's got a truckload and a half of endurance, or he's massively stubborn. If not both.
>Banking to your right to get around his breath attack, your proximity to him due to your previous attack, and his own continued momentum, doesn't allow you to completely evade his breath, but you only catch enough to singe your side a little. His molten metal attack was far worse.
>Your return attack takes the form of a massive onbashira rising up from the ground, rocketing upwards and smacking the dragon right in his sternum. Assuming dragons HAVE a sternum, but no matter. Your onbashira, flames spewing out the bottom of it like a genuine rocket, carries the black dragon up. And up, up into the sky, into the upper atmosphere, out of the atmosphere, before your pole falls away. Only for another onbashira to come rocketing out of the void to strike the dragon squarely between its wings, driving it back down towards the ground below. When it return to your visual range, Pyremaw's atmospheric re-entry has given him the appearance of a shooting star, albeit a huge one. The burning dragon is smalled into the ground but your rocket powered onbashira, kicking up a cloud of ice and steam and shards of frozen ground.
>You take a moment to appraise your altered techniques. If attacks like this are the standard for this world, this must quite a world indeed.
>But you don't have time to properly reflect upon your new powers before, impossibly, Pyremaw rises again out of the fog of boiled earth.
-
>Doesn't know when to stop, does he.
>Are we getting any signs of exhaustion?
>Pummel him with something more basic - the Expanded Onbashira technique should do.
-
>Actually, let's hold off and gauge his condition first. He could be completely tapped-out for all we know.
>Let's be ready to dodge though.
-
>Doesn't know when to stop, does he.
>Are we getting any signs of exhaustion?
>Pummel him with something more basic - the Expanded Onbashira technique should do.
>Actually, let's hold off and gauge his condition first. He could be completely tapped-out for all we know.
>Let's be ready to dodge though.
>He may be outmatched, but there doesn't seem to be any quit in this dragon.
>You've been employing some fairly heavy duty powers, but you think you could keep going for a while yet. You've had more exhausting battles against Suwako and even Reimu, although this dragon did more physical damage to you than Reimu did.
>Taking a grip on your onbashira, you consider pounding him once more, but there may not be much fight left in him, so you opt to assess his condition first. Needless to say, the dragon's in bad shape. He was in bad shape before, but he now has a visible dent in his back where your onbashira hit him between his wings, and he probably has a matching one on his belly as well. He is walking now instead of flying, and even that movement looks pained as he limps out of the small crater your attack left him in, his left front leg useless, the leg on the right side affording only halting steps.
>While he doesn't make any offensive moves just yet, Pyremaw's face doesn't show any signs that he's about to give up or go home.
-
>Even if it doesn't attack us, if we let it go now, Pyremaw will only cause more problems later. We should finish it off here.
>Use the Expanded Onbashira technique.
-
>Even if it doesn't attack us, if we let it go now, Pyremaw will only cause more problems later. We should finish it off here.
>Use the Expanded Onbashira technique.
>Resolved to end the threat of Pyremaw, and it certainly does appear like he has power enough to be a serious threat to people, you raise your onbashira over your head. The pole quadruples in length, and is surrounded with green divine energy. Bring the onbashira down with a mighty swing, you aim for the dragon's skull, to end him once and for all.
>Pyremaw, however, simply refuses to go down, and he spins on his hind legs, his spiked tail lashing forward. His appendage and your weapon meet with a resounding crash, metal and wood striking down mightily upon scale and bone. Flecks of armored hide trail away from the dragon's tail, and blood flows from several new wounds on his tail. And you're pretty sure you heard the very distinct sound of bones crushing.
>"I call upon thee to yield, Wyrm." the voice of the male paladin resounds. You glance down, and see both he and the female approaching the dragon from the front, the two arches flanking them farther to the left and right. The archers are now carrying very different looking bows. If anything, they look like someone took the saint dragons you saw and turned them into bows. Of the saint dragons themselves, there is no sign. Very curious.
>"Thy allies hath fallen or fled, and thou art overmatched by the powers arrayed against thee." the paladin continues. "Yield thyself to us, and allow the darkness in your soul to be purged by the Light."
>You're not sure what he means by that, but Pyremaw obviously doesn't think much of the offer, as he unleashes another barrage of shadow bolts, five this time, each bolt targeting one of the foes before him, only one heading your way.
-
>Time for another Divine Wind Barrier! "You're wasting your energy on such attacks."
-
>Time for another Divine Wind Barrier! "You're wasting your energy on such attacks."
>Did you wish to protect merely yourself or the other four as well?
-
>Them too, naturally.
-
>Time for another Divine Wind Barrier! "You're wasting your energy on such attacks."
>Did you wish to protect merely yourself or the other four as well?
>Them too, naturally.
>With a wave of your hand, a quintet of roiling barriers of air appear to intercept the shadow spell cast by Pyremaw, the bolts of dark energy impacting upon the wind and dissipating harmlessly.
>"Pay heed to the wind woman's words, Wyrm." the paladin declares. "Thou hast no chance. Accept the benedictions of our Light, and allow thyself to be saved!"
>The archers flanking the paladins, however, answer the dragon not with words, but with drawn bows. Silver arrows fly from their bows, imbedding themselves in the serpentine neck of the dragon, and your divine senses detect Divine energy pumping into the dragon from those bolts.
>Pyremaw roars in outrage, and opens his furnace-like mouth, pointing it at the archer to your right. But the female paladin has leaped high into the air, easily twenty feet up, and a silvered lance, surrounded by blue flames, which you sense are also divine in nature, has appeared in her hands. She hurls the sanctified weapon down, the lance slamming into the top of Pyremaw's jaw, exploding into a cascade of silver and blue light, and the dragon's head smashes into the ground before he can unleash his flame breath. The paladin lands about fifteen feet in front of the dragon.
>The male comes to stand beside his fellow paladin, and lifts his shield high. "Surely thou can see. Thy evil days are at an end. Only salvation or destruction awaits you."
>Pyremaw seems to disagree, as he raises his head once more, and unleashes his fiery breath upon the two paladins standing in front of him.
-
>Bit zealous, aren't they? Perhaps it's time we find out the full story then. Let's make another wind barrier to reflect his flames.
>"Now then...Before things have the potential to get 'messy', I would like to know a little more about this situation. You people would not have survived were it not for my intervention. Equivalent Exchange after all."
-
>Bit zealous, aren't they? Perhaps it's time we find out the full story then. Let's make another wind barrier to reflect his flames.
>"Now then...Before things have the potential to get 'messy', I would like to know a little more about this situation. You people would not have survived were it not for my intervention. Equivalent Exchange after all."
>The two paladins had both extended their weapons towards the flame, both glowing with white light, but whatever defences they might have been mustering, if any, your shield of wind diverts the flames to either side of the armored humanoids before it reaches them.
>"'tis our mission to save those we can, noble woman." the male replies. "Our exalted patron decrees that we must save those we can, whenever the possibilty exists. And the possibility exists ever, and we are gifted the means to make it so."
>The female looks about ready to add more, but Pyremaw doesn't seem in the mood for conversation. The dragon slams his injured tail into the ground, and a missile-like bolt of molten metal bursts from the ground and hurtles towards you, dripping liquid lead.
-
>Deflect it with wind. If we don't have enough time, just dodge.
>"It seems only death will halt this beast's attack. Stay behind me; I'll handle this."
>Let's try the Yamato Torus techinque this time.
-
>"Although, a sufficient beating might also suffice. Give it a sound thrashing until it simply cannot fight back any more, that sort of thing. Even a dragon will crumble before a powerful wind. If possible, it would be nice to take this one alive."
Remember, this guy's the only in-character key to learning more about that 'Broodmother' that we've found. It never hurts to learn about potential foes or allies after all.
Although, that one fellow we thrashed a little while back might be more willing to tell us what he knows if he sees Pyremaw broken before us.
-
>Deflect it with wind. If we don't have enough time, just dodge.
>"It seems only death will halt this beast's attack. Stay behind me; I'll handle this."
>Let's try the Yamato Torus techinque this time.
>Based on the speed, and potential explosive potential of the projectile, given the last molten metal attack Pyremaw launched against you, you opt to employ both deflection AND agility. A powerful burst of wind deflects the missile's path to your right while you sideslip to your left. You keep a close eye on the thing as it flies, in case it explodes when it gets close. No explosion comes, however, and the missile passes harmlessly to your right, leaving you closer to the dragon, but unharmed. Not by a great deal, however, as the missile came a bit closer than you would have liked. Goddess though you may be, being that close to red-hot liquid lead is not entirely comfortable.
>Anxious to bring this battle to its conclusion, you raise your hand and cast Yamato Torus. A veritable forest of green and blue daggers fly from your hand, not entirely unlike the spellcard version of the attack, although this one doesn't feel nearly as non-lethal as the spellcard. The flashing blades of energy gather themselves into two parallel columns of slashing blades, and while only one line connects with Pyremaw, the damage it deals is impressive. Almost thirty blue daggers imbed themselves down the dragons' neck and back. Pyremaw roars and sinks to the ground, his breath hissing out of his mouth, which lolls open. The dragon survived your attack, but you get the feeling it isn't by much.
>"Although, a sufficient beating might also suffice. Give it a sound thrashing until it simply cannot fight back any more, that sort of thing. Even a dragon will crumble before a powerful wind. If possible, it would be nice to take this one alive."
>As the dragon falls, the two archers draw their bows again, but hold their fire. The male paladin sheathes his sword, then closes his eyes and starts speaking quietly to himself. He seems to be praying.
>The female however, remains armed, and steps forward, keeping her ranseur pointed at Pyremaw. She does not, however, attack, and calls back to you, "I know why we want him alive, but why do you?"
-
>"Information. This beast is not acting on its own. It serves another, one I know only as 'the Broodmother'. I want information on her. It's fairly unlikely I'll be able to get anything from this beast-given its stubborn refusal to back down, it's more likely to try and bite my head off then it is to answer questions-but I can at least try."
>"Why do you want it alive?'
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>"Information. This beast is not acting on its own. It serves another, one I know only as 'the Broodmother'. I want information on her. It's fairly unlikely I'll be able to get anything from this beast-given its stubborn refusal to back down, it's more likely to try and bite my head off then it is to answer questions-but I can at least try."
>"Ah, you mean Obsidia." the female says sourly. "We know her, all right. She damn near killed our pat-"
>Despite the hideous wounds all over his body, Pyremaw nearly jumps to his feet, shadowed flame spilling out of the corners of his mouth, and murder in his eyes. For the first time since you laid eyes upon him, he speaks, his voice, though pained, still booming and powerful, as he roars, "You will NOT speak her name, fleshling!"
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>Drop a washbin on him.
>"Surely you know by now how outmatched you are. I would recommend against further resistance. Cooperate, and you might actually leave here alive."
>"First things first: what does your 'Broodmother' want with this world? Why did she send you here? What purpose is served by you attacking this world?"
-
>Drop a washbin on him.
>"Surely you know by now how outmatched you are. I would recommend against further resistance. Cooperate, and you might actually leave here alive."
>"First things first: what does your 'Broodmother' want with this world? Why did she send you here? What purpose is served by you attacking this world?"
>A metal washbin drops from the sky and clangs against Pyremaw's head, the dragon going momentarily cross-eyed.
>"You ought to listen to her." the female paladin says, though she does take a couple of steps backwards, drawing nearer to the still-praying male. His shield, you note, is tinged with divine energy again, which seems to be growing.
>Black fire still dripping from Pyremaw's mouth, the dragon pulls himself together and fixes his burning eyes on you. "This world will fall like all the others. YOU will fall, like all the others."
-
>Let out a short and sarcastic laugh. "Oh really? To put things in perspective, my scaled friend, your attacks did absolutely nothing to me. Short of damaging these clothes I happen to be rather fond of. In comparison, examine thy own condition. Note how wounded you are. I strongly suggest that you rethink that little claim of yours."
-
>Let out a short and sarcastic laugh. "Oh really? To put things in perspective, my scaled friend, your attacks did absolutely nothing to me. Short of damaging these clothes I happen to be rather fond of. In comparison, examine thy own condition. Note how wounded you are. I strongly suggest that you rethink that little claim of yours."
>"Then take this!" the dragon roars, and opens his mouth again, revealing a craw full of roiling black fire, unleashing a cone of shadowflame upon you. The unholy fire travels faster than the dragon's other attack, and washes across you like a vile tide. Shadowflame proves to be hotter even than the molten metal the dragon fired before, and teems with evil energy, an unhallowed attack that, despite the distance in level between you, strikes to your very core. The blasphemy of the shadowflame wounds you more than the fire aspect of it, though obviously your form is not undamaged, your clothes searing and charring, the skin on your forearms and calves blackening and burning. Against a lesser being, Pyremaw's gout of vile flame would surely melt its target completely.
>Despite the pain and the damage of the strike, you make a note. If Pyremaw mistress, this Broodmother Obsidia, possesses a similar attack, you'd be well served to avoid it, as she is likely to be far more powerful than this dragon.
-
>Let's bring up a full-power Divine Gale to send the flames back at him!
>Ah, but make sure he's merely trapped, not taken down.
-
>Let's bring up a full-power Divine Gale to send the flames back at him!
>Ah, but make sure he's merely trapped, not taken down.
>Employing your wind to, once again, send the dragon's attack back at him, the torrent of shadowflame that has passed you and done its damage turns back the way it came, though you make sure to divert the unholy fire around you. Much as before, reflecting this attack takes more energy than the rest of the dragon's attack, due to the unhallowed component of the flame. Such power is poisonous to a divine being such as yourself, and dealing with it requires more effort on your part. This level is nothing you can't handle, it simply requires a bit more work than his flame breath or his molten metal.
>Rather than direct the shadowflame to wash over the dragon directly, you arrange the blighted flame in a ring around Pyremaw. You could probably swing a cage, to cover him on all sides, but looking at his wings and the damage you've inflicted upon them, you deem this unnecessary. For the moment, at least. The dragon closes his mouth slowly, dark fire still dripping from his mouth.
-
>"One more chance, dragon. Attack again, and your life is at an end."
>"Why does your Broodmother wish to attack this world?"
>To our companions: "What is your desire to take this beast alive?"
-
>"One more chance, dragon. Attack again, and your life is at an end."
>"Why does your Broodmother wish to attack this world?"
>To our companions: "What is your desire to take this beast alive?"
>Pyremaw doesn't answer right away, as he examines the shadowflame cage around him first. When he does answer, his tone is more measured than it was before. "This was world is no more special than the others. And she will have it."
>"Exalted Chromium bids us to." the female replies, holding her polearm in front of her defensively. "All beings are worthy of redemption, of being freed from the evil that consumes their soul. We've saved countless souls from evil lives and evil ends. Redeeming the vile is every bit as important to us as protecting the meek."
-
>"Why does she want it?"
-
>"Why does she want it?"
>You can almost feel the dragon's vile nature as it replies, "Because it exists."
-
>"Allow me to rephrase, then. How will taking it benefit her?"
-
>"Allow me to rephrase, then. How will taking it benefit her?"
>"Weak minded fleshling." the dragon spits. "You have no heart for conquest, to ask Pyremaw that."
-
>Laugh.
>"'No heart for conquest?' It has been some time, I admit, but conquest is something I am quite familiar with. In ages past, I conquered many seperate peoples and united them under myself."
>Too bad things aren't that easy now.
>"I know full well that there is always a reason behind conquest, a purpose. To secure the safety of one's nation, in response to aggression, to expand one's resources. Many reasons are less than noble, but there is always a reason. What is your Broodmother's reason?"
-
>Laugh.
>"'No heart for conquest?' It has been some time, I admit, but conquest is something I am quite familiar with. In ages past, I conquered many seperate peoples and united them under myself."
>Too bad things aren't that easy now.
>"I know full well that there is always a reason behind conquest, a purpose. To secure the safety of one's nation, in response to aggression, to expand one's resources. Many reasons are less than noble, but there is always a reason. What is your Broodmother's reason?"
>Reliving your past conquests always makes you a little wistful. You very much enjoy the life you have now, but it's vastly different from your days as a warlord, and you do miss them now and then.
>Pyremaw takes a deep breath, the shadowflame wall encircling him bowing in and out with the motion. "Yes. You did, didn't you." his voice comes like the bass growl of an engine. "But you were beaten, weren't you? You no longer rule where you once did. The power you once wield is now lessened. So you came here to reclaim your glory, your power. You're a conquorer again, at long last."
-
>"I was not defeated. The ways of my world were changing, and I am part of the old ways. That world is no longer habitable by one such as I, so I had to leave."
>"And you are correct that I am here to reclaim my power, but wrong that I must do it through conquest. I desire only faith, not rulership."
>In fact, we'll probably be well served to ally with one of the Overlord contenders. Gives us a good follower base right away, and when it's all over, we will not need to concern ourself with them as a ruler, only as a god. Fulfilling one role is far easier than fulfilling two, and we wouldn't benefit from rulership anyways, not if we already had the people's faith.
>"And I couldn't help but notice that you did not answer my question. How will the conquest of this world benefit your Broodmother?"
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>In fact, we'll probably be well served to ally with one of the Overlord contenders. Gives us a good follower base right away, and when it's all over, we will not need to concern ourself with them as a ruler, only as a god. Fulfilling one role is far easier than fulfilling two, and we wouldn't benefit from rulership anyways, not if we already had the people's faith.
>And in addition to those upsides, you'd have someone to work with as well. Dealing with one Pyremaw wasn't that bad, but many more of them would be another story, let alone his master and however many minions she possesses.
>"I was not defeated. The ways of my world were changing, and I am part of the old ways. That world is no longer habitable by one such as I, so I had to leave."
>"And you are correct that I am here to reclaim my power, but wrong that I must do it through conquest. I desire only faith, not rulership."
>"And I couldn't help but notice that you did not answer my question. How will the conquest of this world benefit your Broodmother?"
>"Then you are weak." Pyremaw declares. "If you have no desire to rule, you have no place among the Overlords."
>"The Broodmother desires all worlds to rule over. This one is but the next one in her path." The dragon's eyes lower as he tests out his wings. You brace yourself, in the event he's up to something, but no attack nor flight ensues. The dragon seems well and truly grounded as he takes another flame-shaking breath.
-
>"I do not desire a place among the Overlords. Ruling this world holds no intrest for me."
>To our companions: "I don't think I'll be getting anything more out of this one. If you want it left alive, I will do so, but I recommend strongly against it. Not everyone can be 'redeemed'. Allowing this one to live will simply mean it will strike again. And next time, I may not be nearby to defeat it."
-
>"...I've seen such things before."
-
>"I do not desire a place among the Overlords. Ruling this world holds no intrest for me."
>To our companions: "I don't think I'll be getting anything more out of this one. If you want it left alive, I will do so, but I recommend strongly against it. Not everyone can be 'redeemed'. Allowing this one to live will simply mean it will strike again. And next time, I may not be nearby to defeat it."
>"...I've seen such things before."
>"If rulership and conquest are not your goal, fleshling," Pyremaw intones, "there is another option for you beyond destruction or retreat."
-
>"Let me guess, serving? I would much rather be working with someone, as opposed to working for someone. Even footing and the like."
-
>"Let me guess, serving? I would much rather be working with someone, as opposed to working for someone. Even footing and the like."
>"My arrogance is justified, goddess." the dragon hisses. "Is yours?"
-
>"You have seen for yourself my power. And that is just as it is now. It will soon be far greater."
>To our companions: "I don't think I'll be getting anything more out of this one. If you want it left alive, I will do so, but I recommend strongly against it. Not everyone can be 'redeemed'. Allowing this one to live will simply mean it will strike again. And next time, I may not be nearby to defeat it."
-
>"You have seen for yourself my power. And that is just as it is now. It will soon be far greater."
>To our companions: "I don't think I'll be getting anything more out of this one. If you want it left alive, I will do so, but I recommend strongly against it. Not everyone can be 'redeemed'. Allowing this one to live will simply mean it will strike again. And next time, I may not be nearby to defeat it."
>"You still will not surpass the Broodmother. No fleshling can. Your defiance will be your end."
>"Afraid you don't get it." the female paladin replies, the male falling silent, his prayer over. His shield now teems with divine energy, though you sense he himself seems weaker, somehow. "We bear the blessings of Chromium, and he has empowered all his followers with the power to Sanctify the Wicked. His power, and the power of the Creator, flows through us, and with that power, we burn the evil from those who do wrong, and set them on the path of right. Just like the two dracotaurs back there, Pyremaw shall feel the Light, and be reborn."
>The dragon takes a deep breath, the shadowflame in front of him almost touching the tip of his snout. "You corrupted my underlings?"
>"They hath been purified, fel drake." the male declares, the first clear words he's spoken in a while, the handsome man coming to his feet. "As ye yourself shall be." You spare a glance behind you, and sure enough, the pair of dracotaurs the paladins fought lie still, but they are alive. Your Divine senses show you the holy power coursing through their being. You're not sure what it's doing, but it's definately doing something.
>Pyremaw takes a very long, very measured breath. And then a dark red glow surrounds his right foreclaw, and he slams his clenched fist down. You brace yourself for his last, desperation strike, but the sounds of eruptions come not from him or from near you, but from behind you, sounding like a pair of volcanic eruptions. Glancing back, you find that the two downed dracotaurs have been engulfed in geyser-like bursts of magma and molten metal. The dragons proved immune to fire, but as your eyes show, they're not immune to red-hot molten metal. Pyremaw has incinerated his own servants.
>The female paladin blanches at the savagery of the immolation, while the male looks on, horrified, before whirling back on Pyremaw and demanding, "How couldst thou? They were thine own kin!"
>"No Black will ever be enslaved by fleshlings." Pyremaw snarls through clenched teeth. He opens his mouth wide and inhales again, the shadow flame cage in front of him flowing into his open craw. "I will not be perverted!" the defiant dragon roars, sending the gathered shadowflame at you in a roiling meteor.
-
>Deflecting these hasn't been all that effective. Use some wind leverage to propel ourselves out of the shadowflame's trajectory.
>"I've had enough of this."
>Position ourselves above the drake.
>"No worries, this is a strictly non-lethal attack."
>Call off the Meteoric Onbashira spellcard!
-
>Deflecting these hasn't been all that effective. Use some wind leverage to propel ourselves out of the shadowflame's trajectory.
>"I've had enough of this."
>Position ourselves above the drake.
>"No worries, this is a strictly non-lethal attack."
>Call off the Meteoric Onbashira spellcard!
>Casting a burst of wind downwards, you use this added momentum to jet yourself up and forward, out of the path of the shadowflame bolt. At least, very nearly, as your proximity to the dragon, and the speed of its attack, evading it completely is not possible. The missile nicks your feet, sending a feeling of cold heat shooting up to your knees, leaving your feet smoking but otherwise unharmed.
>Time to show these people, dragon and otherwise, how fights are settled in Gensokyo. Producing one of your spellcards, column-like shots of danmaku propel themselves through the air. Considering the size of the dragon, you doubt he could dodge your shots even if he wasn't beaten half to death, but you do wonder something, before the first onbashira impacts upon the dragon's flank, as it's about to. Although you established earlier that danmaku does indeed work here, Yukari didn't mention if it functioned like it does in Gensokyo, or even if the people here would be affected by it at all. Knowing that gap youkai, it'd be just like her not to be entirely forward with details of that kind.
>Judging from the dragon's grunt as your column-maku strikes his right side, danmaku does indeed affect the people on this world. And it seems that danmaku is indeed still non-lethal, considering the lack of new visible damage after your shot connects.
>And dealing non-lethal damage in the form of flying column-maku coupled with expanding cones of rice-shaped danmaku, not only proves effective against Pyremaw, but it also keeps his attention on you, as the male paladin raises his shield up over his head. "Death shall not be thy fate, Wyrm. Thy fate shall be the light." His partner, however, is watching your danmaku fly, keeping a watch for any stray rice-shot or incoming column-maku that might impact upon the male. They'd both be safe from your spellcard- probably, anyway- but she doesn't know that yet.
>Pyremaw endures another impact from a coulmn-shot, then raises his head and sends out a cone of flame breath in intercept your rice-shaped come coming in. The flames negate the danmaku and press on towards you, but you handle this threat by raising a shield of wind in front of you, diverting the dragon's flame to either side of you.
>The male paladin takes advantage of this and yells, "Be cleansed, evil doer! I, Alexandros, take thy sins upon myself!" At his proud declaration, a coruscating beam of blindingly white divine energy bursts forth from his shield, striking the dragon where his sinuous neck meets the trunk of his body, and the dragon screams, louder than he did under the impact of any of your spells, as the holy power blasts through his body. Rather than disintegrate him, however, the white light begins to pull back towards the paladin's shield, taking Pyremaw's body with it, the dragon's physical form twisting and warping as it is drawn towards the paladin's shield, the young man straining and sweating under the strain of the power he channels. The dragon's body shrinks and contorts further, both Pyremaw and humanoid screaming as the dragon's tail makes contact with the glowing shield and disappears into it. The dragon tries to turn his head, unleash his breath upon the paladin, but all that comes from his contorted snout is a gout of light, and with one more howl, Pyremaw slides fully into the glowing shield of the paladin.
>The male sinks to his knees, his armor clattering, his body exhausted, and his fellow paladin has to catch him before he slumps over, dropping her ranseur to do so.
-
>Raise an eyebrow. "Interesting little technique."
-
>Raise an eyebrow. "Interesting little technique."
>"You all right, Lex?" the woman asks the gasping male. Though on his knees and sweating profusely, the man called Alexandros nods wanly. Visibly sighing in relief, the woman releases the shield bearing man, reclaims her ranseur from where it had fallen, and looks up at you. "Yours is interesting as well, goddess. That last one, I mean. Very chaotic and colorful, but it isn't designed to kill, or even to really harm, is it?"
-
>Chuckle slightly. "Indeed. A little something from the world I've based myself in. Very handy for resolving conflicts there you know, it's called a 'Spellcard'. Non-lethal, yet never fails to cause damage against those unskilled at dodging. And due to Pyremaw's bulk he had no chance, as Spellcards are designed mostly for use against human-sized opponents. The damage inflicted by a Spellcard is, by and large, temporary. So if say, I were to strike one of you with a simple burst of Danmaku, the attacks that a Spellcard produces en masse, you would simply feel like you were struck with a punch or three, but that pain would subside after a short while."
>Smirk slightly. "Though that's not to say that I don't have to rely on those for my other techniques. It's been some time since I got to 'fight seriously', as some would put it. And I know a few who would rather like how things are resolved here as well, they've always been fond of being as flashy and extravagant as possible you know."
>We should be able to restore the young lad's energy with a little healing skill, yes?
-
>Chuckle slightly. "Indeed. A little something from the world I've based myself in. Very handy for resolving conflicts there you know, it's called a 'Spellcard'. Non-lethal, yet never fails to cause damage against those unskilled at dodging. And due to Pyremaw's bulk he had no chance, as Spellcards are designed mostly for use against human-sized opponents. The damage inflicted by a Spellcard is, by and large, temporary. So if say, I were to strike one of you with a simple burst of Danmaku, the attacks that a Spellcard produces en masse, you would simply feel like you were struck with a punch or three, but that pain would subside after a short while."
>Smirk slightly. "Though that's not to say that I don't have to rely on those for my other techniques. It's been some time since I got to 'fight seriously', as some would put it. And I know a few who would rather like how things are resolved here as well, they've always been fond of being as flashy and extravagant as possible you know."
>We should be able to restore the young lad's energy with a little healing skill, yes?
>"Well, we're certainly glad you and your spellcards were here today." the female says gratefully. "We had been expecting trouble, but.. Well, you saw what we got."
>Provided the young man is suffering from simply physical exhaustion, that's well within your ability to heal. The winds and the rains can refresh and soothe as much as they can heal.
-
>Then let's do that.
>"If you would, I would appreciate it if you were to enlighten me as to a few things. First of all, what exactly are 'prinnies', and what is the 'Red Moon'?"
>"There are, I understand, multiple individuals vying for the title of Overlord. Do you serve one of these people, and if so, which one?"
-
>Then let's do that.
>What form would you like this expression of your power to take?
-
>Keep it basic. Functionality over flashiness. No need to show off; the battle established quite well what we're capable of.
>Spell list.
-
>Spell list.
>Spell List:
>Wind
>Mega Wind
>Giga Wind
>Boulder Crush
>Skull Splitter
>Boomerang Axe
>Kuzui Clear Water - Heals up to four units.
>Heaven's Dragon - Heals all units in an 'S' shaped pattern, damages undead and diabolic types.
>Expanded Onbashira - Deals physical damage to an enemy up to three squares away.
>Yamato Torus - Columns of slashing wind deals damage in two lines.
>Meteroic Onbashira - Deals heavy physical damage to all enemies in an X-shaped area
>Virtue of Wind God - Ultimate Spell. Deals massive Wind damage to all enemies around you and in a targeted square area.
>Keep it basic. Functionality over flashiness. No need to show off; the battle established quite well what we're capable of.
>You have indeed demonstrated your might, time for something subtler. A gentle white healing wind flows from nowhere and swirls around Alexandros. The young man's sweating stops, and his breathing starts to come more easily. You're quite certain you've restored his health, though for some reason his face still seems strained and somewhat pale as he pulls himself back to his feet, his armor clinking on the way up.
>"If you would, I would appreciate it if you were to enlighten me as to a few things. First of all, what exactly are 'prinnies', and what is the 'Red Moon'?"
>"There are, I understand, multiple individuals vying for the title of Overlord. Do you serve one of these people, and if so, which one?"
>The woman nods. "Of course, we'd be happy to fill you in on anything we can. You saved us from Pyremaw, it's the least we can do. But, would you mind if we talked on the go? The Prinnies need to reach a certain hill before the Red Moon sets. This fight obviously delayed us a bit."
-
>"Then let us go. You explain along the way."
>They're the ones who know the destination, so let them lead the way.
-
>"Then let us go. You explain along the way."
>They're the ones who know the destination, so let them lead the way.
>"Of course."
>The two saint dragons seem to have reappeared, and with the archers riding atop them, they fly back down the valley towards the prinnies, who are in the process of coming out of hiding among the rocks of the eastern hill.
>While the quartet of them gather up the small penguin-things, the woman turns and walks over to Alexandros as the young man retrieves his fallen shield. "You okay to keep walking, Lex?" she asks him. His shield, you note, now depicts a black dragon emblazoned on the front of it, black fire spewing from his open mouth. Even the image of that shadowflame gives off a faint aura of blasphemy.
>"The Sanctifying of that Wyrm was indeed taxing, Cassiopea." the young man replies, his voice indeed strained. "Yet I shall be fine. The benediction of this goddess hath alleviated the pain that might otherwise hath wracked my frame." He turns to you and inclines his head. "Thou hast our everlasting gratitude, noble divinity. Thou hast saved the lives of the servants of Exalted Chromium, and more, thou.... th-" His noble speech falters as his face contorts, his cheeks puffing out slightly.
>"Oh, no, I was afraid of this." the woman called Cassiopea mutters just before Lex falls to his knees again, and with a racking cough, a dark black ichor spews from the young man's mouth, reeking like something unholy and steaming inky smoke in the frigid air.
-
>Ugh. That's definitely not easy on the body, especially for a mortal. "Afraid of what?"
-
>Ugh. That's definitely not easy on the body, especially for a mortal. "Afraid of what?"
>The young man coughs, and expels more brackish ichor, the stuff bubbling as it fumes.
>Cassiopea supplies, "That spell you saw him use. It takes a great an enormous toll on our bodies to use that technique. Each time we Sanctify an evil being, part of that person's evil, their sins and vileness, comes into us. That wind you used healed the strain the spell takes on his body, but not his soul. What you're seeing is his soul grappling with the evil that's staining it." She frowns, concern plain upon her face. "I had a bad feeling about what Sanctifying the dragon would do to him. It's what we do, but, the demands it asks of us can be great."
-
>So he's fighting his own darkness so to speak, hm? We should be able to aid in that effort, no?
-
>So he's fighting his own darkness so to speak, hm? We should be able to aid in that effort, no?
>As a divine being, purging evil from living beings is something you have done before, and could do so again.
>On the other hand, this manner of sin transfer, for lack of a better term, isn't something you've seen before. The process may have complications you're not familiar with.
-
>"I believe I can help somewhat with that. Removing evil is a trivial matter for me, but I do not know how it would react with this sin transfer technique."
-
>"I believe I can help somewhat with that. Removing evil is a trivial matter for me, but I do not know how it would react with this sin transfer technique."
>The woman smiles, gratefully. "I appreciate that, goddess. Believe me." She then shakes her head once, slowly, before looking at the young man on the ground, who is no longer expelling fluid but is still making choking and coughing noises. "But the Sanctifying of the Wicked is a process that no one can help with. Even Exalted Chromium himself could not help Lex now. It is a sacrifice we make every time. It is our sacred duty, our calling. Our burden to bear."
>The prinnies have gathered again and are marching towards you and the paladins, led by the saint dragons and their archer mounts.
-
>Well then, let's hope that this brave young mortal can handle it then. "Well, let's move along then. I can at least save him the effort of walking."
>Let's help the young lad by carrying him on the wind. That way he doesn't have to expend the effort in walking, and can devote himself to recovery.
-
>Well then, let's hope that this brave young mortal can handle it then. "Well, let's move along then. I can at least save him the effort of walking."
>Let's help the young lad by carrying him on the wind. That way he doesn't have to expend the effort in walking, and can devote himself to recovery.
>A cushion of air forms beneath the noble young man, lifting him off the ground.
>"Thanks again, goddess." the woman says, planting her ranseur on the ground. "By the way, what do you prefer to be called?"
-
>"My name is Kanako."
-
>"My name is Kanako."
>"Cassiopea." the paladin replies. "But you can call me Cass, if you want. I'm not big on long names."
>One of the prinnies waddles out ahead of the main group and calls up to you, in a high-pitched and somewhat grating voice, "Thanks a bunch for helping us out, dood! We thought that dragons was gonna cook us for good, dood!"
-
>...'Dood'?
>"You are welcome."
-
>Slip an aside glance to Cass, with a neutrally questioning expression. "Do they usually talk like this?"
-
>...'Dood'?
>"You are welcome."
>Slip an aside glance to Cass, with a neutrally questioning expression. "Do they usually talk like this?"
>The paladin, her face that of a woman gamely trying not to laugh, nods. "In every world we've seen them in."
>"'tis..." noble Alexandros starts, coughs, then tries again, "'tis the way... of the Prinny..."
-
>Can we sense anything about the Prinnies? What do our divine senses tell us?
>"What are they?"
-
>Can we sense anything about the Prinnies? What do our divine senses tell us?
>"What are they?"
>You detect a very faint trace of sin, like old crimes weighing on their souls.
>"Let me do the talking, Lex." Cass orders her partner. "You just try to catch your breath."
>With the prinnies in tow, you and the group set off towards the north end of the valley.
>"I'm guessing your world doesn't have Prinnies?" she asks you.
-
>"You guess correctly. But I can feel the sins they bear. Are they attoning for past actions?"
-
>"You guess correctly. But I can feel the sins they bear. Are they attoning for past actions?"
>"On the nose." Cass says with a nod. "When a human dies, if their soul is burdened with sin, they are sent to the Netherworld and incarnated as a Prinny. Prinnies are employed by powerful Netherworlds and work to atone for their sins."
>With a verbal shudder, one the prinnies cries, "You mean we're used, dood! It's HORRIBLE!"
>"We have to work 23 hours a day, dood! No days off, no vacations!"
>"Work for pennies a day, dood!"
-
>"Were it not, it wouldn't be effective. Atonement isn't supposed to be easy."
>"What, then, is this 'Red Moon'?"
-
>"Were it not, it wouldn't be effective. Atonement isn't supposed to be easy."
>"What, then, is this 'Red Moon'?"
>"They didn't warn us it was gonna be this when we were human, dood!" one of the prinnies whines.
>As you mention the red moon hanging in the sky, the prinnies take up their strange song again. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StrJuz3cF9A)
>"Well, the Prinnies earn money for their work. The goal for them is to earn enough money to pay off their debt of sin." She points with her ranseur to the crimson orb in the sky. "When the Red Moon appears, the prinnies that've earned enough to pay off their debt come to this place."
>"Why this place... Well, we're not sure." Cass admits. "There's something special about this place that no other place in the Netherworld has. And I'm also not clear on why exactly the Red Moon is special. But I do know the prinnies revere it, and it is definately tied in to their reincarnation cycle."
-
>"Then they'd best be taken there while this 'Red Moon' remains."
-
>"Then they'd best be taken there while this 'Red Moon' remains."
>"That's what we were doing. We think the prinnies handle this affair themselves, normally. But we were told that prinnies making this kind of pilgramage often get attacked. We wanted to make sure they made it here safely. "
>"Which we couldn't have done without your help."
-
>"I wonder, though. What did Pyremaw hope to gain by attacking the pilgramage?"
-
>"I wonder, though. What did Pyremaw hope to gain by attacking the pilgramage?"
>The woman's face goes dark. "He did it for fun. The Black Wyrms of Draykl live to inflict terror on 'lesser' beings."
-
>We've dealt with his like in the past before, haven't we?
>"That sort of being, hm? You get those every now and again, even among the divine."
-
>We've dealt with his like in the past before, haven't we?
>"That sort of being, hm? You get those every now and again, even among the divine."
>Not altogether often, but yes, you have. Amongst mortals and amongst divinities, there are sadists and tyrants, blackhearted creatures that have no value for any life beyond their own, and you have dealt with them on both sides of life.
>"Being like that are the reasons we fight." the paladin answers, clenching her fist for emphasis. "Whether we're defending Prinnies, Humans, Elves, Luminians, or any other being that's being oppressed, threatened or terrorized."
-
>"And are you from this world, or are you, like myself, from another?"
-
>"And are you from this world, or are you, like myself, from another?"
>"We hail from a world known as Serra's Realm. As you could probably guess, it was named that because of its creator, Hallowed Serra."
-
>"And what is your purpose here?"
-
>"And what is your purpose here?"
>"To bring peace and stability to this world. Well, not this world specifically, but to any world we travel to."
>The edge of the valley slopes upwards here, ice and white rock covering the hill, but the incline is gentle enough to prove merely a slowing obstacle to the paladin and the prinnies as they walk, not a roadblock.
>"Even if those Black Wyrms hadn't come here, this world still would be in bad shape." Cassiopea continues. "The current Overlord is one of those beings who cares more about his video games than his people. We plan to correct that."
-
>"Who would be in control here if you are successful?"
-
>"Who would be in control here if you are successful?"
>"I'm not really sure, at this point. Exalted Chromium will stay until our rule is secure, of course, but as to who he plans to leave as his Clarissi- the title given to the ones that rule in his place- he hasn't said."
-
>Hmm...
>"I would like to meet with this 'Exalted Chromium'. I think we may be able to assist each other."
>"As I told Pyremay, I do not desire to rule this land myself. I seek the people's faith, not their allegience. I would be willing to add my power to Chromium's cause in exchange for the chance to spread my name through this world."
>We can have more than one shrine, correct? And a seperate miko for it, too, presumably. If we're going to gather faith in this world, we should establish a shrine within it.
-
>Hmm...
>"I would like to meet with this 'Exalted Chromium'. I think we may be able to assist each other."
>"As I told Pyremay, I do not desire to rule this land myself. I seek the people's faith, not their allegience. I would be willing to add my power to Chromium's cause in exchange for the chance to spread my name through this world."
>We can have more than one shrine, correct? And a seperate miko for it, too, presumably. If we're going to gather faith in this world, we should establish a shrine within it.
>"After what you did for us, I'm sure he would like to meet you, as well." Cass says with a smile.
>"Speaking for myself, I would be more than happy to have you fighting alongside us. But I can't speak for Exalted Chromium, obviously. That's a decision he must make."
>You can indeed. As a matter of fact, you presently have two in Gensokyo. Sanae established a small branch shrine at the base of Youkai mountain, to allow humans to reach you more easily. It is presently not manned regularly, but it does still belong to you and Suwako. Establishing a shrine on another world while maintaining your base in Gensokyo will be a new experience, but you don't foresee any intrinsic problems. Though you will definitely require at least one shrine maiden to maintain your shrine in this world. Sanae can't be everyone at once, after all.
-
>"Well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, no? Let's just focus on handling the Prinnies for now, hm? Though I would not be averse to hearing more about what Chromium is like. His likes, dislikes, the standard things that one must know to work with someone."
>Let's keep moving along.
-
>"Well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, no? Let's just focus on handling the Prinnies for now, hm? Though I would not be averse to hearing more about what Chromium is like. His likes, dislikes, the standard things that one must know to work with someone."
>Let's keep moving along.
>You have been moving along, and are now travelling northeast, in the direction of a raised stretch of icy rock protruding from the ground, like a white finger extending towards the red moon hanging in the sky.
>Cassiopea takes a moment a steadies herself visibly before saying, "The first thing you should know, then, is that Exalted Chromium is, himself, a dragon."
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>"Is he from the same world as Pyremaw?"
-
>"Is he from the same world as Pyremaw?"
>Cass blinks in surprise, then her eyebrows drop into something resembling a scowl. "No. He, like us, are from Serra's Realm. THAT Wyrm," she points at the black dragon displayed on Alexandros's shield. "and his kin, are from Draykl."
-
>"Have you dealt with ones from that world before?"
-
>Nod thoughtfully. "I see. I do wonder if perhaps there isn't some long-distant relation hidden in the far-flung mists of time though. You find that remarkably often among divinities you know, such as in the pantheon I play a part in. Izanagi and Izanami are possibly the most famous case of it from both of the previous places I've called home. Once, they were husband and wife, but in giving birth to Kagutsuchi, Izanami perished, and fell into the Underworld, Yomi, land of the dead. Very sad tale really."
-
>Nod thoughtfully. "I see. I do wonder if perhaps there isn't some long-distant relation hidden in the far-flung mists of time though. You find that remarkably often among divinities you know, such as in the pantheon I play a part in. Izanagi and Izanami are possibly the most famous case of it from both of the previous places I've called home. Once, they were husband and wife, but in giving birth to Kagutsuchi, Izanami perished, and fell into the Underworld, Yomi, land of the dead. Very sad tale really."
>The woman's scowl deepens. "I doubt you realize this, so I'll overlook it. But insinuating there was some kind of connection between a dragon like that and Hallowed Serra and her realm is an insult. Almost blasphemy. So don't do it again."
>"Have you dealt with ones from that world before?"
>She nods. "Once. On the volcanic world of Yoskral, we encountered a Green Wyrm called Vyrox. That one was no more compassionate or good hearted than Pyremaw was, but he was more talkative. From him, we learned that every dragon of Draykl desires conquest, that they consider themselves Gods amongst mortals. It is their right to do whatever they please with anyone that doesn't have scales, and even then, they only show any semblance of respect to a scaled being who obeys them."
>"And the Wyrms of Draykl travel the worlds." Alexandros supplies, most of the strain gone from his voice, though his body language betrays his weakness. "They come in all the colors of the rainbow, and more besides. They rule their home world of Draykl with fists of iron, and seek to spread that reign across the stars."
-
>"I wasn't meaning any offense you know, merely stating that even the pure can become even worse than a demon if such a situation causes it. Perhaps, once, that Broodmother they refer to was something else entirely. I was actually intending on finding her myself to learn more about her really. One must know both their allies, and their enemies after all, I used to be a War Goddess in the Old Days you know."
-
>"I wasn't meaning any offense you know, merely stating that even the pure can become even worse than a demon if such a situation causes it. Perhaps, once, that Broodmother they refer to was something else entirely. I was actually intending on finding her myself to learn more about her really. One must know both their allies, and their enemies after all, I used to be a War Goddess in the Old Days you know."
>Both paladin's faces show displeasure at the first part of your statement, when you mention the potential for the best of people to fall, but neither one of them says anything about it.
>"If I may advise you, goddess, it would be in your best interest not to stand in her presence." Lex cautions you. "We believe the Blacks to be among the cruelest and vilest of the Wyrms of Draykl. Little doubt is in my mind..." The paladin stops here to take a breath before continuing, "that thou wouldst be attacked upon sight, and the Broodmother has power enough to rival Exalted Chromium himself. Thy power be both considerable and undeniable, but the Broodmother...." Another breath. "and her Brood would be too much, even for thee. 'twould be a true shame should harm befall thee... in thy attempt to learn more of thy foes."
-
>"Well, I have ways, being of the Wind has it's 'perks', as Suwako would say."
>Since Suwako can 'swim' in the earth, we are capable of a similar feat with the Wind, yes?
-
>"Well, I have ways, being of the Wind has it's 'perks', as Suwako would say."
>Since Suwako can 'swim' in the earth, we are capable of a similar feat with the Wind, yes?
>"'tis your decision, goddess of the four Winds. Caution is warranted, is as much as I will venture to say."
>"Who's Suwako?" Cassiopea asks you.
>'Flight' usually covers that field.
-
>"I suppose you would call her an old rival-turned-comrade. While my domain is the Wind, hers is Earth. I fought and defeated her once in the old days, quite an exciting time really. While I have a serpentine motif, hers is that of a Frog. Due to that, people tend see us more as Rivals than how things truly are."
>Then sigh. "She has a tendency towards the more insane spectrum of ideas though, you recall how I dropped a washbin on Pyremaw earlier? I originally devised that to use on her when she gets carried away."
-
>"I suppose you would call her an old rival-turned-comrade. While my domain is the Wind, hers is Earth. I fought and defeated her once in the old days, quite an exciting time really. While I have a serpentine motif, hers is that of a Frog. Due to that, people tend see us more as Rivals than how things truly are."
>Then sigh. "She has a tendency towards the more insane spectrum of ideas though, you recall how I dropped a washbin on Pyremaw earlier? I originally devised that to use on her when she gets carried away."
>"'twas a rather unorthodox form of attack thou employedest, yet it seemed effective." Lex compliments you. "And any form... of attack that incapacitates but slays not is admirable."
>"I take it you two operate out of churches that are nearby each other, then?" Cassiopea guesses.
-
>"Shrine actually, we share one. And that is not the only method I have that doesn't kill you know, there is one style known as Danmaku that is quite common in my current home. I, along with Suwako and the current Shrine Maiden, a young girl by the name of Sanae who is just as prone to being foolish as Suwako, moved our shrine from our original world, to one known as Gensokyo. Faith was in short supply, which forced my hand."
-
>"Shrine actually, we share one. And that is not the only method I have that doesn't kill you know, there is one style known as Danmaku that is quite common in my current home. I, along with Suwako and the current Shrine Maiden, a young girl by the name of Sanae who is just as prone to being foolish as Suwako, moved our shrine from our original world, to one known as Gensokyo. Faith was in short supply, which forced my hand."
>"And that's what brought you here." says Cassiopea. "Hoping to tap the faith of this world."
>Alexandros, however, has a different area of interest, ask he asks, "Prithee, goddess of the winds, enlighten us further of this 'Danmaku'."
-
>"I displayed it once already - my final attack on Pyremaw is an example. It is a common technique in my shrine's realm."
>"Gensokyo has a great many beings in it who are both pugnacious and powerful. Quickly enough a few developed danmaku as a way of battling without vaporising each other or the landscape while still resolving whatever conflicts they have. By now it's more or less outlawed to fight with anything else there, although it occurs from time to time."
-
>"I displayed it once already - my final attack on Pyremaw is an example. It is a common technique in my shrine's realm."
>"Gensokyo has a great many beings in it who are both pugnacious and powerful. Quickly enough a few developed danmaku as a way of battling without vaporising each other or the landscape while still resolving whatever conflicts they have. By now it's more or less outlawed to fight with anything else there, although it occurs from time to time."
>Lex smiles, somewhat sadly. "Would that all realms would follow such an example as set by thy world. 'twould no longer be a need for beings such as myself and my dear comrades to wield arms in defense of the downtrodden and innocent."
>"Is it a kind of sorcery?" Cassiopea asks. "We've run into a fair amount of different types of magic during our journeys, and I'd never felt anything quite like that before."
>"Hast thou forgotten the blessed realm of Flonyard, noble Cassiopea?" Lex asks her.
>The female scowls at her fellow paladin. "Like I could. But that energy wasn't the same as this danmaku. Not completely different, but different enough."
-
>"Somewhat. It is, in effect, using one's own magical energy, as well as that of the surrounding area to cause different effects, such as pattern-based attacks. One of the things that Danmaku is well-known for outside of being nonlethal, is the beauty of the patterns. One of my best 'Spellcards' in fact, is quite the sight to behold. And as a bonus, even a human with little magical ability has a chance to best even one of my power. Quite fascinating really, in this world's terminology, it is the equivalent of someone at Level 5, defeating someone at Level 500. My own being in the range of 900. Which also explains how I was able to essentially 'manhandle' Pyremaw. Though I do admit he gave a bit of trouble, but mostly in the range of making me mad. Which, ironically, was what I was aiming for when I was sending his attacks back to him. I've seen his type before after all, they hate being hoisted on their own petard."
-
>"Somewhat. It is, in effect, using one's own magical energy, as well as that of the surrounding area to cause different effects, such as pattern-based attacks. One of the things that Danmaku is well-known for outside of being nonlethal, is the beauty of the patterns. One of my best 'Spellcards' in fact, is quite the sight to behold. And as a bonus, even a human with little magical ability has a chance to best even one of my power. Quite fascinating really, in this world's terminology, it is the equivalent of someone at Level 5, defeating someone at Level 500. My own being in the range of 900. Which also explains how I was able to essentially 'manhandle' Pyremaw. Though I do admit he gave a bit of trouble, but mostly in the range of making me mad. Which, ironically, was what I was aiming for when I was sending his attacks back to him. I've seen his type before after all, they hate being hoisted on their own petard."
>"I'd sort of wondered why you were doing that, actually." Cassiopea replies. "I've seen a lot of people fight a lot of dragons, but nobody I know ever tried that. I mean, you did know that dragons are immune to their own elements, right?"
>Alexandros, however, obviously is wondering something else, as he asks you, "Is it possible to learn this power?"
-
>"I had no experience with dragons up to fifteen minutes ago. So... no."
>"I'm not even sure if the elements in my realm are the same as here - fire, water, earth, metal, wood, sun and moon are the ones I know, and even then few people actually make use of them."
>To Alexandros: "I had to learn it once I got properly acquainted with Gensokyo, and I believe most beings with a semblance of magic are capable of it. I'm not sure if the same is true here, of course."
>How did we pick up danmaku and how hard was it to get to our current level?
-
>"I had no experience with dragons up to fifteen minutes ago. So... no."
>"I'm not even sure if the elements in my realm are the same as here - fire, water, earth, metal, wood, sun and moon are the ones I know, and even then few people actually make use of them."
>To Alexandros: "I had to learn it once I got properly acquainted with Gensokyo, and I believe most beings with a semblance of magic are capable of it. I'm not sure if the same is true here, of course."
>How did we pick up danmaku and how hard was it to get to our current level?
>Cass nods. "Attack magic in this world is mostly divided into four schools: Fire, Ice, Wind and Star. Star is a neutral element: no one's weak to it, but no one resists it, either."
>"At least, that's the magic native to this world." she adds after a moment. "The holy magics we employ seem to have been unaffected by coming here."
>The male paladin nods. "If indeed thou dost join with Exalted Chromium to bring peace and stability to this poor world that hast known naught but chaos and strife for years untold, mayhap thou wouldst consent to teaching some number of we that follow him this power? I must confess, I myself find this idea most intriguing, and my own skills in the arts of sacred magecraft are not inconsiderable."
>You were informed of the existence of danmaku from one of the tengu envoys who came to the shrine to investigate your arrival. Suwako fell in love with the concept right off the bat, likening it to a festival, full of fireworks, but the kind you have to dodge. You yourself saw the logistical applications of the power; a method of resolving conflicts without undue harm coming to either party.
>As to the level of power you currently have, you rose to it rather quickly, actually. Danmaku isn't all that hard to pick up, once you get down to it, and you possess both a very quick mind and a tremendous work ethic. You rose to the level of danmaku you currently possess in a matter of days. Although you have to admit, had you known that the red-white miko of the Hakurei shrine, and the black-white mage of Gensokyo, were as skilled and as strong as they were, you might have worked a bit harder. You've no real complaints about losing to them, not the way that things have worked out since. But you are a very proud Goddess, and losing stings, no matter how you slice it.
-
>"If we can find the time for it, certainly. It's not too hard to pick up."
>Fire, Ice, Wind and Star... Can we see the elements of our techniques?
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>Fire, Ice, Wind and Star... Can we see the elements of our techniques?
>The three Wind spells are, obviously, wind type. The physical skills you now possess seem to be type-less, including your Expanded Onbashira and Meteroic Onbashira techniques.
>Kuzui Clear Water and Heaven's Dragon, your healing techniques, also appear to be typeless, while Yamato Torus and Virtue of Wind God are also wind type.
>"If we can find the time for it, certainly. It's not too hard to pick up."
>"I eagerly anticipate-" the young man begins, but a raking cough interrupts her flowery speech before it can ramp up.
>"Try to save your breath, Lex." Cassiopea advises her fellow paladin. "About dragons, wind goddess, at least the ones from Drakyl. Each of them is attuned to a certain power, and they themselves are immune to that power. Black Wyrms, for instance, are attuned with darkness and flame, and thus, attacks of that nature are useless against them. It would be like someone trying to harm you with a tornado. The fact that you were even able to turn Pyremaw's attacks back at him is a testament of your power, but it won't do any damage to their kind."
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>"It certainly works wonders for infuriating them though, if Pyremaw is any measure. An angered foe is a weakened foe after all, they make sloppy mistakes and such. Take it from a former War Goddess, I know all the 'tricks of the trade', as some would say. How to properly respond to a flanking maneuver with only archers, and such matters."
>"As for Danmaku, provided that talks go well, I would be happy to teach some of your number how to utilize it. I daresay that given your response to it, even Chromium himself might be interested in a few lessons."
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>"It certainly works wonders for infuriating them though, if Pyremaw is any measure. An angered foe is a weakened foe after all, they make sloppy mistakes and such. Take it from a former War Goddess, I know all the 'tricks of the trade', as some would say. How to properly respond to a flanking maneuver with only archers, and such matters."
>"As for Danmaku, provided that talks go well, I would be happy to teach some of your number how to utilize it. I daresay that given your response to it, even Chromium himself might be interested in a few lessons."
>"But an angered foe can also be a more dangerous one, as well. They're more prone to unleashing more dangerous and damaging attacks, rather than acting rationally and holding back some. A rabid animal is ultimately more harmful than merely an angry one."
>"And they're also all the more unreasonable when they're enraged." Cass continues. She shrugs and adds, "Granted, more Wyrms aren't going to be the most reasonable anyway, but I mean in general."
>Alexandros nods, his cough subsiding. "Our patron dragon epitomizes control over power wielded by sentients, as any attack he chooses to employ, be it with his sacred fangs, his hallowed claws, his mighty tail, his substantial body mass, his radiant breath, or the vast sorcerous might he possesses, may be rendered non-lethal at his will, and though such damage MAY in fact reave the life from the living, such an unfortune-" The eloquent paladin once more breaks off, coughing and choking.
>Cassiopea, shaking her head with a soft sigh, steps in, "To get to the bottom of his thought there, Exalted Chromium can make any strike he launches non-lethal. But even though he has enormous power and wisdom, none of us have ever encountered danmaku before. I believe I can say he would welcome the chance to see such a thing himself."
>"And of course, we'd be willing to share our knowledge with you, as well." the woman says with a smile. "Exalted Chromium and his followers never take anything without offering something in return."
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>"Interesting. Well, if he ever finds his way to Gensokyo, he'll need to learn about Danmaku and such. Fighting without it and Spellcards is generally frowned-upon you know, and there are quite a few who are...Shall we say, 'lively' in welcoming people. All in good fun though, and it's rather entertaining really, even the peaceful sorts tend to enjoy it a bit. it's akin to sparring really. The main draw is, as I stated earlier, the beautiful patterns. I shall demonstrate a few when the time comes. The best thing about it is that they come from the heart and mind. In fact, some of my more damaging techniques I employed are versions of my spellcards that adapted themselves to this world."
>"But enough discussion, time is of the essence after all. We can finish things afterwards. And should any others show up to cause trouble, then I shall handle them myself while the rest of you move onward. I trust you have no qualms with that?"
>Let's wrap this up so the Prinnies can do their thing.
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>"Interesting. Well, if he ever finds his way to Gensokyo, he'll need to learn about Danmaku and such. Fighting without it and Spellcards is generally frowned-upon you know, and there are quite a few who are...Shall we say, 'lively' in welcoming people. All in good fun though, and it's rather entertaining really, even the peaceful sorts tend to enjoy it a bit. it's akin to sparring really. The main draw is, as I stated earlier, the beautiful patterns. I shall demonstrate a few when the time comes. The best thing about it is that they come from the heart and mind. In fact, some of my more damaging techniques I employed are versions of my spellcards that adapted themselves to this world."
>"But enough discussion, time is of the essence after all. We can finish things afterwards. And should any others show up to cause trouble, then I shall handle them myself while the rest of you move onward. I trust you have no qualms with that?"
>Let's wrap this up so the Prinnies can do their thing.
>Cass looks between the Prinnies and her debilitated comrade. "I think that would be a good idea. I doubt we'll have to worry about the Broodmother's people anymore, but there's a lot more powerful beings in the Netherworld beyond them. After the fight we just had, we'd welcome your support if we're attacked again."
>It is only after about fifteen seconds have passed when one of the saint dragons announces, "You may get your chance, divinity. We're being followed."
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>"Oh? How many? And what are they? If they're wolves with bladed horns, then I believe I might know them already."
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>"Oh? How many? And what are they? If they're wolves with bladed horns, then I believe I might know them already."
>The canine-like dragon nods. "It's actually just one of them. But you're right, it's a mystic beast."
>"The beings you described are called that." Cass supplies.
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>"I think I know why it's following us. It's because I was speaking with one when Pyremaw started causing trouble. I won't be long."
>Let's go see it.
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>"I think I know why it's following us. It's because I was speaking with one when Pyremaw started causing trouble. I won't be long."
>Let's go see it.
>The saint dragon points its rear left paw behind it. "The mystic beast is approaching from the southwest." he supplies helpfully.
>Letting the paladins lead the prinnies to the north, you divert yourself to the southwest to see if it is indeed your helpful canine from before. And sure enough it is him, loping up over a hillock of thick snow and ice.
>"I had to see it for myself." he says as you float down to meet him. "The winds told me you were powerful, but I didn't think you'd best that dragon, and his minions, essentially single-handedly."
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>"I'll admit, he was a bit of a challenge. I suppose Sanae would have called him the 'Tutorial Boss'. That girl's always playing those games of hers in her free time. The underlings though, I'll admit were no challenge whatsoever. They weren't much level-wise, so they couldn't hope to stand on the same playing field as I."
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>"I'll admit, he was a bit of a challenge. I suppose Sanae would have called him the 'Tutorial Boss'. That girl's always playing those games of hers in her free time. The underlings though, I'll admit were no challenge whatsoever. They weren't much level-wise, so they couldn't hope to stand on the same playing field as I."
>"That seems to be how these dragons, these 'Wyrms' operate. They can't seem to summon minions too close to their own level. Apart from their leader, she's a different story, but that's true for all the Overlords."
>"Is she your next target?" he asks, his head tilting sideways ever so slightly.
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>"Possibly. I still need to gather more information though. I do have a potential lead on how to gather more however."
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>"Possibly. I still need to gather more information though. I do have a potential lead on how to gather more however."
>"I can tell you this much. When the other Wyrms hear about you, some of them, at least, will be coming for you."
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>"Theoretically, I should be even stronger by then though. Not to mention that I won't be alone."
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>"Theoretically, I should be even stronger by then though. Not to mention that I won't be alone."
>The dog of the winds sits down. "You believe you can work with those ahead?"
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>"There's a possibility, given how interested they were in learning about Danmaku. Equivalent Exchange is an important principle after all, I teach them Danmaku, and they provide me with information."
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>"There's a possibility, given how interested they were in learning about Danmaku. Equivalent Exchange is an important principle after all, I teach them Danmaku, and they provide me with information."
>The hound stands again, and says simply, "I will join you."
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>"Very well then, I am Kanako Yasaka, Wind Goddess. Though I believe I already introduced myself. And you are?"
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>"Are you familiar with the followers of this... 'Exalted Chromium' yourself?"
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>"Very well then, I am Kanako Yasaka, Wind Goddess. Though I believe I already introduced myself. And you are?"
>"You may call me Dobenbak. But you'll need to name the others of my clan yourself, if you wish to."
>"Are you familiar with the followers of this... 'Exalted Chromium' yourself?"
>The canine nods. "Slightly. Chromium seeks the title of Overlord like many others. But his followers are neither hedonists, destroyers or defilers, as far as I know. I believe they have spent most of their time fighting the forces of the Broodmother, Kollros and the Swamp King."
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>Raise an eyebrow. "Am I to assume they'll be joining up as well?"
>This is an interesting little mess we've gotten into, isn't it? Well, we know Broodmother's lot are no good, though she herself might be a different case. The other two merit further investigation as well. For all we know, one of them might well be the sort of 'Evil Powers, Good Motive' brand of person. You get those every so often after all.
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>Raise an eyebrow. "Am I to assume they'll be joining up as well?"
>This is an interesting little mess we've gotten into, isn't it? Well, we know Broodmother's lot are no good, though she herself might be a different case. The other two merit further investigation as well. For all we know, one of them might well be the sort of 'Evil Powers, Good Motive' brand of person. You get those every so often after all.
>"Naturally. I am the alpha. They go where I go."
>Yukari did warn you that the Netherworld was caught up in what she described as a civil war. Only natural that such an event would draw a few colorful characters, both good and bad.
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>Nod. "Alright, how many are there? I think I know someone who can help with providing names."
>Perhaps she intends for us to resolve this matter. Interesting.
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>Nod. "Alright, how many are there? I think I know someone who can help with providing names."
>Perhaps she intends for us to resolve this matter. Interesting.
>"We number six at present, myself included."
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>"Alright, that's a nice number. Do you need time to gather them?"
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>"Alright, that's a nice number. Do you need time to gather them?"
>"Not long, depending on where we are going. My kind moves with the wind."
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>"I take it you know of the Prinnies and the Red Moon, yes? I decided to help some of Chromium's servants escort a group to a specific location, though I admittedly lack knowledge on the lay of the land. Shall we be off? We simply need to rejoin with them."
>Let's head back to the group with...Well, More Party Members!
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>"I take it you know of the Prinnies and the Red Moon, yes? I decided to help some of Chromium's servants escort a group to a specific location, though I admittedly lack knowledge on the lay of the land. Shall we be off? We simply need to rejoin with them."
>Let's head back to the group with...Well, More Party Members!
>Dobenbak the mystic beast (black dog) has joined you!
>2x Hell Hounds have joined you!
>3x Mystic Beasts have joined you!
>The golden hided hound tilts his head back and howls, a deep resonating note that rises up into the air and is caught by the winds. Some sort of message, you can tell, but the language is alien to you. Probably him communicating with his people. If these hounds are children of the winds, it would be logical to assume they can communicate in such a manner.
>With you new allies updated (presumably), you return back the way you came, flying over the snow-covered fields back towards the finger of rock extending towards the Red Moon, Dobenbak following you on the ground. Despite the slipperiness of the ice and the uneven layout of the terrain, the hound has no trouble at all matching your aerial pace.
>Along the way, the hound glances up at you and says "The winds that told of your fight with the dragon were chaotic, so I am not sure if I heard this correctly. You said that you were unfamiliar with the concept of magichange?"
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>"Somewhat. One of those Saint Dragons offered to assist me by doing so, but I could tell from Pyremaw's level relative to my own that it was unneeded. I would like a bit of an explanation as to what exactly it is though, on the off chance that I actually do end up needing it."
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>"Somewhat. One of those Saint Dragons offered to assist me by doing so, but I could tell from Pyremaw's level relative to my own that it was unneeded. I would like a bit of an explanation as to what exactly it is though, on the off chance that I actually do end up needing it."
>"It's a relatively new concept. It was only brought here about a year or so ago, by a would-be conqueror who was bested by the Overlord, but it was such a good idea, every monster learned of it."
>"Magichange allows a monster, a being such as my kind and a saint dragon, to transform themselves into a weapon. Doing so, a monster-weapon provides a boost in power to its wielder, as well as giving them access to a number of new, unique techniques."
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>"Interesting. According to what I've learned, my Onbashira are classified as 'Axe-type Weapons'. So in this world I'm apparently quite proficient with axes."
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>"Interesting. According to what I've learned, my Onbashira are classified as 'Axe-type Weapons'. So in this world I'm apparently quite proficient with axes."
>"Mystic beasts such as myself can change into swords. I know that zombies change into guns, but beyond that, I do not know. It seems to change from species to species."
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>Being a former war goddess, we're skilled with many different weapons, correct?
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>Being a former war goddess, we're skilled with many different weapons, correct?
>Not as familiar as you once were. Once, you were skilled with any weapon that belonged to the region you were worshipped in. For instance, once you were worshiped in what is now India, and thus you were skilled with weapons such as the chakram and the katar. Now, however, since you are worshipped only in Gensokyo, your divine nature grants you inherant familiarity only with japanese weapons.
>However, while you may not be automatically skilled with as many weapons as you once were, you also have a very long, and a very good memory. You remember your training with every weapon you've ever laid your hands on, and you made it a point to be familiar with a large number beyond your areas of worship, both as a point of pride and pragmatism. As a result, you are at least reasonably familiar with a vast number of weapons originating on the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa.
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>"I suppose it's a good thing that I was also once a War Goddess as well, which means I can use nearly any weapon relatively well. European, Oriental, if it is a weapon, I can use it. It's a matter of pride you know, nevermind the practicality of it."
>Pause thoughtfully. "I do wonder what that Pyremaw fellow could have become? I daresay he would have made a fine weapon, though I doubt he would have submitted to this 'Magichange' so easily. Dragons of his sort are always quite proud, quite common among dragons of the Western variety really."
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>"I suppose it's a good thing that I was also once a War Goddess as well, which means I can use nearly any weapon relatively well. European, Oriental, if it is a weapon, I can use it. It's a matter of pride you know, nevermind the practicality of it."
>Pause thoughtfully. "I do wonder what that Pyremaw fellow could have become? I daresay he would have made a fine weapon, though I doubt he would have submitted to this 'Magichange' so easily. Dragons of his sort are always quite proud, quite common among dragons of the Western variety really."
>"Maybe those paladins would know?" Dobenbak suggests. "They seem to be more familiar with Pyremaw's kind than you or me."
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>"Good thinking, I shall be sure to ask them. Shall we pick up the pace?"
>Let's pick up the pace a bit, and use the wind to give our new allies a bit of a speed boost as well, just in case some of them have trouble keeping up.
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>"Good thinking, I shall be sure to ask them. Shall we pick up the pace?"
>Let's pick up the pace a bit, and use the wind to give our new allies a bit of a speed boost as well, just in case some of them have trouble keeping up.
>"Very well."
>Dobenbak is presently the only one with you. Although he seems to have informed his clan of his allegiance with you, he has yet to summon them. And he keeps pace with you rather well. Well, almost, anyway, so you give him just a bit of a boost.
>A fascinating scene is unfolding before you at the finger of icy rock stretching towards the red moon. Several spheres of light are floating up towards the moon, rising up from near the end of the rock. Some of the prinnies are moving slowly forward towards the edge of the finger, flanked by vaguely humanoid figures covered by green hooded robes.
>The paladins and their fellows are maintaining a respectable distance from the prinnies and the figures, though the lot of them, save Alexandros, seem on alert. The young man is on one knee, resting his hands on his sword. He seems to be in prayer.
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>Let's keep a respectful distance, alongside the paladins.
>"Fascinating, isn't it?"
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>Let's keep a respectful distance, alongside the paladins.
>"Fascinating, isn't it?"
>The prinnies advance in groups of three, walking abreast. As one line nears the end of the rock, they stop, and undergo what would seem to many to be an alarming transmogrification. Their bodies seem to wilt and fall to the ground, empty shells, looking for all the world like a shed piece of clothing. A globe of light floats up from the empty husk, and joins the others floating towards the Red Moon.
>"We call it the redemption of the prinnies." Cassiopea replies. "The souls of the prinnies are on their way towards a new life, free of the sins that brought them here." The woman turns her head towards Dobenback. "Friend of yours?" she asks you.
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>Nod. "Indeed. One of the first beings I met in this world really. He is called Dobenback, and and since he too is of the wind, that makes it all the easier to work with him and his pack."
>Smile slightly. "It's rather nice having people you can speak 'on the level' with."
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>Nod. "Indeed. One of the first beings I met in this world really. He is called Dobenback, and and since he too is of the wind, that makes it all the easier to work with him and his pack."
>Smile slightly. "It's rather nice having people you can speak 'on the level' with."
>"It's 'Bak', Kanako." the canine corrects you. Pronunciation seems to matter to him.
>The paladin looks between you and he. "You've pledged your support to her, haven't you?"
>"Yes." the mystic beast looks up at you. "The Netherworld is too chaotic, with too many people posing too great a danger to everyone. I believe the Wind Goddess can bring some peace back to the Netherworld. I had to act, for the sake of my pack."
>Cassiopea nods in agreement. "Anyone that can handle a Black Wyrm, and its minions, I can understand wanting to support her."
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>Look to the little wind hound. "Ah, my apologies. New words are always a mite tricky the first time you encounter them after all."
>Then smirk a bit proudly. "But as long as they're on the same side as I, there's little to fear. I used to be a War Goddess as you already know, and there's very few battles I oversaw that ended in a loss for the side I favored."
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>Look to the little wind hound. "Ah, my apologies. New words are always a mite tricky the first time you encounter them after all."
>Then smirk a bit proudly. "But as long as they're on the same side as I, there's little to fear. I used to be a War Goddess as you already know, and there's very few battles I oversaw that ended in a loss for the side I favored."
>The canine nods in acceptance of your apology.
>"For now, hope there won't be another one here." Cass says with a note of warning. "The saint dragons caught a whiff of decaying flesh en route to here. There may be something else out here hunting."
>"Undead." Dobenbak supplies. "Zombies are fairly common in this region. But they should pose no threat."
>"Just the same, best to be on guard until the Redemption is complete." Which will not be much longer, you think. Six Prinnies remain on the finger of rock where once there were nearly thirty.
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>Scoff lightly. "Undead? Pah, all that will be required is a light breeze. Nothing more than the buzzing of flies."
>"Now if they had...'Abnormal Equipment', then there might be a bit of pause."
>After all, who knows what we'll run into in this crazy world! We might even find Chimeric Undead.
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At this point, I should make a couple of confessions.
One, about a couple of months ago, I sat down with myself and was brutally honest. I'd overstretched myself. Between Magical Lotus, RemiliQuest, and this game here, I had taken on too much responsibilty. Writing for all three games was, to put it plainly, burning me out. Not to mention my involvement with games outside my own. So I had to pull myself back and limit myself to a workload I felt was managable.
Am I ready to start parsing three games at once again? I don't know. But it was high time I gave a long overdue explanation to anyone who had been following this game, and had wondered why I seemed to have abandoned it.
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If you feel you're up to the task, then go for it. You're the one who gets the final say in things, being the parser and all.
That said, if you don't want to continue with this until a later date when you feel ready, then that's alright too.