Nue Quest 7 - Serpent Isle: A Z-Machine Adventure

[Kilgamayan]

> Follow along at his pace.
> "I 'm pretty sure I've been able to get mild reactions from it by willing it. I've also been getting sensations from it just by connecting it. It may be that I'll be able to draw whatever I need just from holding it, it may be that I can draw what I need to by willing it. If neither of those work for some reason, I have some very pious friends that would be very well versed in figuring out what else needs to be done."

[Hello Purvis]

> Follow along at his pace.
> "I 'm pretty sure I've been able to get mild reactions from it by willing it. I've also been getting sensations from it just by connecting it. It may be that I'll be able to draw whatever I need just from holding it, it may be that I can draw what I need to by willing it. If neither of those work for some reason, I have some very pious friends that would be very well versed in figuring out what else needs to be done."

>"And if it ends up controlling you?"

>_

[Hanzo K.]

>"Heh, I wouldn't worry too much about that, there's folks who could smack some sense into me if it came to that."

[Kilgamayan]

> "Besides, I've always been pretty strong-willed and self-confident, and never much liked people trying to control me. If whatever is in that sword thinks it can get me, it has another thing coming:"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Heh, I wouldn't worry too much about that, there's folks who could smack some sense into me if it came to that."

>"If they're there," he says.

> "Besides, I've always been pretty strong-willed and self-confident, and never much liked people trying to control me. If whatever is in that sword thinks it can get me, it has another thing coming:"

>"So you claim," he says. "I've heard many a peasant claim they can venture into the night, and collapse into a ball of fear the moment they leave their hearth behind."

>_

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Well, if you're that worried, you can just keep a blade at my neck until you've decided I'm fine. Or until I've left."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Well, if you're that worried, you can just keep a blade at my neck until you've decided I'm fine."

>"I would be much more comfortable with not having to drop everything, you understand," says the knight. "A slight detour is one thing, keeping a knife at your throat for who knows how long like some kind of assassin with second thoughts is not quite how I would prefer to spend my time."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I assume you'd want to be present for any theoretical reforging of this thing, right? If it tries to take influence over me immediately, I'll know immediately, and as a result, so will you. If it has to be activated somehow, I don't plan on activating it until I'm in the presence of someone that can put me down if need be, be that you or my friends. Either way, it would be impossible for me to run around possessed and unattended."

[Hello Purvis]

> "I assume you'd want to be present for any theoretical reforging of this thing, right? If it tries to take influence over me immediately, I'll know immediately, and as a result, so will you. If it has to be activated somehow, I don't plan on activating it until I'm in the presence of someone that can put me down if need be, be that you or my friends. Either way, it would be impossible for me to run around possessed and unattended."

>"Which leaves us with the trip from here to there," he says.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "If it doesn't activate immediately, I'd have to trigger it. If I had those kinds of intentions, I sure wouldn't be trying anything with a weapon that has demonstrably not fared so well against Sir Percival's axe. As much as I like my trident in one piece, I like my neck in one piece many times more."

[Hello Purvis]

> "If it doesn't activate immediately, I'd have to trigger it. If I had those kinds of intentions, I sure wouldn't be trying anything with a weapon that has demonstrably not fared so well against Sir Percival's axe. As much as I like my trident in one piece, I like my neck in one piece many times more."

>"Unless it chooses to bide its time," says the knight, as you approach the edge of town.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Do you think it would? Is that something Edmund would have done?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Do you think it would? Is that something Edmund would have done?"

>"I would not assume it could not," says Sir Kay, "and Edmund would if it served his purposes and wasn't an affront to him."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "You could always bind my hands."

[Hello Purvis]

> "You could always bind my hands."

>"And you can get your way home like that, safely?" he says. "Without, say, being waylaid by some rogue and perhaps robbed?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Grin.
> "I wouldn't be volunteering the idea if I couldn't defend myself from thieves and bullies."

[Hello Purvis]

> Grin.
> "I wouldn't be volunteering the idea if I couldn't defend myself from thieves and bullies."

>"I think I shall need you to demonstrate that," says the knight.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Look around. How many people are in the area?

[Hello Purvis]

> Look around. How many people are in the area?

>You have left the town behind by some yards. You're following a kind of path in the fields between two fenced off pastures.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Well, assuming I don't fly away, there's always this."
> Tuck the handle into the opposite armpit, then use our now free hand to fire some talisman danmaku in a direction away from Kay and not straight up.

[Hello Purvis]

> "Well, assuming I don't fly away, there's always this."
> Tuck the handle into the opposite armpit, then use our now free hand to fire some talisman danmaku in a direction away from Kay and not straight up.

>You tuck the handle under your arm, and fire off some danmaku in the general direction of the forest that you emerged from.
>"Impressive," says Sir Kay, observing the shots with raised eyesbrows. "Can you do this with your hands bound?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Shouldn't be a problem. Aiming would be a larger concern, and even then I'm not too worried about that. I'm flexible and agile enough and have been doing this for a while."

[Hanzo K.]

>"It's how most problems and disputes are solved back home anyways. Unless it's among the Oni, who solve things with either that, or an out and out brawl. Bunch of rowdy drunks yes, but they're dead honest, can't stand liars and cheats y'know."
>Thoughtful expression.
>"Come to think of it, they have a code of conduct, if memory serves."
>They do have a code they go by right?

[Hello Purvis]

> "Shouldn't be a problem. Aiming would be a larger concern, and even then I'm not too worried about that. I'm flexible and agile enough and have been doing this for a while."

>"You've impressed me," says Sir Kay.

>"It's how most problems and disputes are solved back home anyways. Unless it's among the Oni, who solve things with either that, or an out and out brawl. Bunch of rowdy drunks yes, but they're dead honest, can't stand liars and cheats y'know."
>Thoughtful expression.
>"Come to think of it, they have a code of conduct, if memory serves."
>They do have a code they go by right?

>"So I see," says Sir Kay, in a tone that suggests the opposite, as he approaches his horse.
>The oni don't have a proper code per se', insomuch as it's not really codified or laid out in any specific way. But it can be summed up as them living with as much sincerity as possible; they try to be honest and not mislead others. That honesty extends to not committing crimes; as they see it, for few oni would consider it a crime to beat up someone on the street and take their stuff, as long as it wasn't an ambush. Though this usually doesn't happen, oni who get a little too rowdy tend to get a visit from their neighbors or possibly a deva.

[Kilgamayan]

> "And when I get back I know some people close by that can undo those bonds and keep an eye on me, so that shouldn't be a concern."

[Hello Purvis]

> "And when I get back I know some people close by that can undo those bonds and keep an eye on me, so that shouldn't be a concern."

>"There is one possible flaw that I can see in your plan," says Sir Kay.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Shoot."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Shoot."

>"Not what I had in mind," in mind, he says, as he reaches down, and you hear the unmistakable sound of a sword of unsheathing; and see the unmistakable sight of one coming right at your torso!

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Is he left- or right-handed?

[Kilgamayan]

Generic reminder: I am not good with combat, though I can certainly try my hand if no one else steps up. If anyone else out there wants to give it a go, however, do remember to be creative and detailed in your actions. Specific directions and motions are key to successful actions. Generic actions are banking on the parser to send you in the optimal directions, and this is an extremely dangerous game to play.

Also do keep in mind that our opponent has armor, and that our hands are currently full. I would also guess that this is a test of our talents, rather than a fight to the death, so keep that in mind.