Nue Quest 8 - Pagan: A Z-Machine Adventure

[Kilgamayan]

> "Um, hello. Can we help you?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Um, hello. Can we help you?"

>She gives you the faintest hint of a smile, you aren't sure if it's meant to be a calming smile or an intimidating one.. "Mmm, I think not anymore. I was wondering how this became unzipped, and now I know. I suppose it isn't a surprise, now that I think on it."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Wait, this isn't supposed to be like this? The heretics told me they had heard faerie stories about unusual trees before I got here myself."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Wait, this isn't supposed to be like this? The heretics told me they had heard faerie stories about unusual trees before I got here myself."

>"Mmm, yes, there are some unusual trees," says the gap youkai, glancing toward one of the trees that Mamizou had called ash. "But, don't you think there would be a bit more, if there were really such an easy path through here?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "That's probably true. I'm just making sure you know it was like that when I got here."
> Grin.
> "I'm not exactly at the bottom of the list of people to blame when shenanigans occur."

[Hello Purvis]

> "That's probably true. I'm just making sure you know it was like that when I got here."
> Grin.
> "I'm not exactly at the bottom of the list of people to blame when shenanigans occur."

>"I am afraid that there's a small problem," says the Gap Youkai.
>She makes a small gesture toward the ash trees.
>"There were indeed in a few of those trees to be found. But, most certainly there was no entrance to another world. At least, not of the sort that you could use."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Yeah, I suppose that would be why neither side of this entrance was aware of the other's existence at all. Just a bunch of weird trees at most. If I had to guess, I'd guess the broken pieces of this sword are responsible, since they came from that side and exuded a sense that they really wanted to get back there."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Yeah, I suppose that would be why neither side of this entrance was aware of the other's existence at all. Just a bunch of weird trees at most. If I had to guess, I'd guess the broken pieces of this sword are responsible, since they came from that side and exuded a sense that they really wanted to get back there."

>"Do go on," says the gap youkai.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "The sword apparently belonged to a former ruler that no one in the land really liked because he was a total asshole that had no qualms killing to get his way. Apparently he believed himself to be better than everything and everyone. My friend here might be able to give you further details on the guy; even though she wasn't around for his reign, his story is very well-known over there. Anyway, this sword seems to have some feelings of its own, and even instilled a bizarre megalomaniacal dream in me last night. I'm thinking there's some sort of sheer force of will and belief in self-superiority in this thing, and I want to use that belief to fix the current money crisis and make sure it doesn't happen again."

[Hello Purvis]

> "The sword apparently belonged to a former ruler that no one in the land really liked because he was a total asshole that had no qualms killing to get his way. Apparently he believed himself to be better than everything and everyone. My friend here might be able to give you further details on the guy; even though she wasn't around for his reign, his story is very well-known over there. Anyway, this sword seems to have some feelings of its own, and even instilled a bizarre megalomaniacal dream in me last night. I'm thinking there's some sort of sheer force of will and belief in self-superiority in this thing, and I want to use that belief to fix the current money crisis and make sure it doesn't happen again."

>The Gap Youkai considers the weapon on your hip for a moment.  "Ah, I see," she says. "So you restored it? It is interesting to see the whole thing found its way here."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Had a blacksmith on their side restore it, yeah. No idea how it got here, but I imagine they'd prefer it stay here. Not too many happy memories attached to it."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Had a blacksmith on their side restore it, yeah. No idea how it got here, but I imagine they'd prefer it stay here. Not too many happy memories attached to it."

>The Gap Youkai nods, her face still calm and unreadable. "I see. I must admit, I am not certain what to make of your honesty, because I am rather irritated with you at the moment. This little hole you've made could be quite troublesome, you understand."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Is it difficult to repair?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Is it difficult to repair?"

>"And it is raining," says the gap youkai.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I have an umbrella."

[Hello Purvis]

> "I have an umbrella."

>"As do I," says the gap youkai. "It really doesn't do much about the situation."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "It alleviates the inconvenience of the rain. Unless you're saying the rain is more than just an inconvenience. This sort of thing was never my specialty."

[Hello Purvis]

> "It alleviates the inconvenience of the rain. Unless you're saying the rain is more than just an inconvenience."

>"Let us say there's no end to the inconveniences and leave it at that," says the gap youkai.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "You're telling me. Given what you've said, this needs to get fixed sooner rather than later, and difficulty and inconveniences aside, you've yet to say it's actually impossible. Which means it will get done, because you're you and you didn't get to be who or where you are by not having the attitudes and abilities to make sure things were done correctly the first time, and I'm going to help if you want me to, because this is apparently my fault and I'm the same kind of person as you are in the sense of doing things properly. And what that means is that it's not going to open again, so my best friend here, whom I haven't seen in centuries, is either going to be stuck on this side and have to start a new life, or she'll be stuck on that side and we'll never get to see each other again."

[Hello Purvis]

> "You're telling me. Given what you've said, this needs to get fixed sooner rather than later, and difficulty and inconveniences aside, you've yet to say it's actually impossible. Which means it will get done, because you're you and you didn't get to be who or where you are by not having the attitudes and abilities to make sure things were done correctly the first time, and I'm going to help if you want me to, because this is apparently my fault and I'm the same kind of person as you are in the sense of doing things properly. And what that means is that it's not going to open again, so my best friend here, whom I haven't seen in centuries, is either going to be stuck on this side and have to start a new life, or she'll be stuck on that side and we'll never get to see each other again."

>"Ah...yes, that may be a problem," says Mamizou.
>"Perhaps," says the gap youkai, eyes barely flickering toward the tanuki before looking back to you. "And how will you be making good on that offer to help?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Depends. What needs doing?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Depends. What needs doing?"

>"Quite a few things that you would be unable to do, I am afraid," says the gap youkai, "Unless you've happened to tumble into some special insight, I am afraid your offer is quite well meaning, but useless. It should be a few hours before it is impermeable for your quiet friend, so do put the time to good use."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Turn to Mamizou with a sad frown.
> "I'm so sorry, I had no idea things would turn out like this."

[Hello Purvis]

> Turn to Mamizou with a sad frown.
> "I'm so sorry, I had no idea things would turn out like this."

>"Thank you," says Mamizou, "But I'm sure no one could have predicted it would happen."
>"Almost no one, in any event," says the Gap Youkai.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "What should we do in the meantime, then? I have stuff I can do here, so you can get a light tour of the place, I guess."

[Hello Purvis]

> "What should we do in the meantime, then? I have stuff I can do here, so you can get a light tour of the place, I guess."

>"I suppose that would be fine," says Mamizou.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Turn back to the gap youkai.
> "Is there someone I can fetch for you? Or is this fated to be a solo job?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Turn back to the gap youkai.
> "Is there someone I can fetch for you? Or is this fated to be a solo job?"

>"I would be quite favorably inclined if you could convince the weather gods to stop the rain for awhile," says the gap youkai. "But otherwise, you are just keeping me here longer."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "We're gone."
> Turn back to Mamizou.
> "Let's go. Time's a-wastin'."
> Keep making our way toward area where we can crest the canopy, then do so and look around for the landmarks we use to find the heretics.

[Hello Purvis]

> "We're gone."
> Turn back to Mamizou.
> "Let's go. Time's a-wastin'."
> Keep making our way toward area where we can crest the canopy, then do so and look around for the landmarks we use to find the heretics.

>"Lead the way," says Mamizou,  while the gap youkai strides a few steps away."You know this place much better than me."
>You make your to a place where the canopy is thin, and take to the air. With no leaves to block it, the rain quickly sets to reminding you that it is cold and wet. Looking around, you note a few of the trees you marked being near the heretic's home.

>_