Kisume Quest VIII - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Kilgamayan]

> "Oh good! Then you won't mind when I stab her in the neck for being a traitorous nuisance. Anyway, you'll probably just want to circle around the village this way."
> Trace up and around the east side of the outside of the village, the side with the road that connects to the Shrine.
> "The road might have people on it, but it's not like people are an abnormal or suspicious thing, so there shouldn't be too much in the way of concerns. The red-white's shrine is further down the road, so you might run into her, but if you have Sariel with you and you let the red-white know that you're giving Higan back its garbage she probably won't care much."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Oh good! Then you won't mind when I stab her in the neck for being a traitorous nuisance. Anyway, you'll probably just want to circle around the village this way."
> Trace up and around the east side of the outside of the village, the side with the road that connects to the Shrine.
> "The road might have people on it, but it's not like people are an abnormal or suspicious thing, so there shouldn't be too much in the way of concerns. The red-white's shrine is further down the road, so you might run into her, but if you have Sariel with you and you let the red-white know that you're giving Higan back its garbage she probably won't care much."

>"Red white?" says the General, glancing toward the Agent.
>"A local hero," says Sombraluz. "All indications suggest she is best to be left alone or placated unless it's decided she is to be removed."
>"And she won't take exception to troops moving across her territory?" says the general.

>_

[Jana]

>What do we think about the way the Red-White lays down the law?

[Hello Purvis]

>What do we think about the way the Red-White lays down the law?

>You imagine it's effective, all told, but you sure don't like to be on the receiving end of it. Aside from that, you really don't care who she beats up as long as they aren't a friend. Then again, you have kinda made some friends over the past couple days...

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Look to Kasen.
> "The red-white's not going to care much about them if they have business in Higan and just go around the village, right?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Look to Kasen.
> "The red-white's not going to care much about them if they have business in Higan and just go around the village, right?"

>"Well, it's a little hard to say," says Kasen. "Normally she wouldn't, but there was an incident going on so she might be a little more on edge than usual. It's hard to say when she'll shift between being lazy and being a busybody."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Frown.
> "Is it possible she'll mistake those spirits for souls and blame Higan?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Frown.
> "Is it possible she'll mistake those spirits for souls and blame Higan?"

>"Perhaps," says Kasen. "But I imagine she might have already investigated that by now if she hasn't found any clues."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Then it probably won't be a problem, will it?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Then it probably won't be a problem, will it?"

>"Probably," says Kasen, "But I certainly wouldn't guarantee it."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Look back up at the General.
> "It's possible she'll care, but not likely. And she may not even see you, if she's back at her shrine."

[Hello Purvis]

> Look back up at the General.
> "It's possible she'll care, but not likely. And she may not even see you, if she's back at her shrine."

>"What's the worst case scenario?" says the General.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Someone tries to piss her off and succeeds and a fight breaks out."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Someone tries to piss her off and succeeds and a fight breaks out."

>"Notoriously tetchy sort, is she?" says the General.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Only if some incident is going on. There was one when we first came here, but it's been long enough that it's probably been resolved by now, so she should be back to normal."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Only if some incident is going on. There was one when we first came here, but it's been long enough that it's probably been resolved by now, so she should be back to normal."

>"And what are we avoiding by going this way?" says the General, tracing his finger along the western side of town.
>"A graveyard, and magician with few thoughts in her head and enough minions to potentially cause us some issues," says the Agent.
>"Right," says the General. "What obstacles are we anticipating in the forest?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Look to Kasen.
> "If they take the eastern way around the village and go through the Forest of Magic, will they run into anyone important?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Look to Kasen.
> "If they take the eastern way around the village and go through the Forest of Magic, will they run into anyone important?"

>"Do you mean cutting through the eastern part of the Forest of Magic?" says Kasen. "I think someone is running a food stand there, But otherwise, it should just be faeries. If we move toward the road, we shouldn't encounter anyone unless they are on the road."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Look back to the General.
> "If you head through the part of the forest east of the human village, there might be a food stand, but otherwise the only predictable concern would be fairies."

[Hello Purvis]

> Look back to the General.
> "If you head through the part of the forest east of the human village, there might be a food stand, but otherwise the only predictable concern would be fairies."

>"And how much of a concern are they?" says the General.


>-

[Kilgamayan]

> "They're dumb and irritating and can appear just about anywhere. They're no more than an inconvenience in a fight, though, and it's entirely random how they'll react to you. Some might be scared, some might try to fight you, some might think you look really cool, some might not give a damn who you are and just spew a whole bunch of moronic nonsense."
> Gesture toward Sombraluz.
> "He's probably got some experience with them. I'm not kidding when I say that they're stupid and everywhere."

[Hello Purvis]

> "They're dumb and irritating and can appear just about anywhere. They're no more than an inconvenience in a fight, though, and it's entirely random how they'll react to you. Some might be scared, some might try to fight you, some might think you look really cool, some might not give a damn who you are and just spew a whole bunch of moronic nonsense."
> Gesture toward Sombraluz.
> "He's probably got some experience with them. I'm not kidding when I say that they're stupid and everywhere."

>"She really isn't kidding," says the Agent. "I have no idea how they haven't all been eaten by wolves by now."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "They're not worth factoring into any itinerary plans you may make. There's going to be a nontrivial chance you'll run into some no matter what you do, and if they actually get aggressive it won't be hard for you to knock them out, and no one with even half a brain in their head will care much if you do."

[Hello Purvis]

> "They're not worth factoring into any itinerary plans you may make. There's going to be a nontrivial chance you'll run into some no matter what you do, and if they actually get aggressive it won't be hard for you to knock them out, and no one with even half a brain in their head will care much if you do."

>The General is about to reply, when he glances over, and his eyesbrows raise a little. "Your Majesty!"
>Glancing over, you see that the Emperor is traversing the hangar, flanked by another group of soldiers. Immediately, the general doffs his hat, holding it over his head, and  bows. The soldiers gathered around the table fall to one knee.  You note that the Agent seems to be exempt from this, as are the soldiers who have been keeping an eye on your and Kasen. The Emperor approaches, and says, "Rise, all." As everyone complies, he says. "General, having given this some consideration, I shall be taking your place on this expedition."
>'But-" the General starts, before being silenced by a wave of the Emperor's hand. "I have decided I would rather have you personally reviewing our security protocols. Go and tend to this task."
>The general gives another bow, then replaces his hat. "At once, your Majesty."
>As the General quickly departs, Emperor Canus moves to take his is place. "Brief me, Agent."
>"Sir," says the Agent, "I must object! It's too dangerous for you to go with such a small escort into what is essentially lawless territory. "
>"I have considered those factors," says the Emperor " and discarded them."
>"As you wish," says the Agent. "We have been finalizing our path to the objective."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

>Nod and trace a path from the blue dot to Higan with our finger, curving eastward around the human village.
> "Yeah, this here is what we're thinking. Best combination of expedience and avoiding possible issues with locals."

[Hello Purvis]

>Nod and trace a path from the blue dot to Higan with our finger, curving eastward around the human village.
> "Yeah, this here is what we're thinking. Best combination of expedience and avoiding possible issues with locals."

>"What issues are anticipated?" says the Emperor.
>"We may encounter faeries," the Agent says, "but they are likely more of a nuisance than a threat. There is some possibility that we may encounter one of the local heroes, but in all likelihood she will not be a problem due our prisoner."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Alternatively, going through the village practically guarantees your team will get as much attention from the locals as they could ever want. Going around to the west will probably run you into an acquaintance of your Agent and a bunch of her minions. Fairies and a small possibility of the hero your Agent mentioned are definitely the best of the three choices."

[O4rfish]

This is my favorite style. Plant an idea in someone's head, let them think it over until they think it's their own idea.

[Hello Purvis]

> "Alternatively, going through the village practically guarantees your team will get as much attention from the locals as they could ever want. Going around to the west will probably run you into an acquaintance of your Agent and a bunch of her minions. Fairies and a small possibility of the hero your Agent mentioned are definitely the best of the three choices."

>"How thick is this forest?" says the Emperor.
>"Rather thick, sir," says the Agent. "We won't be able to travel in standard formation. I would not advise cutting a path through, I doubt the faeries would take a pleasant view of it."
>"We'll have to compensate," says the Emperor. "How are the provisions?"
>"We got enough to feed everyone for three days," VIVIT says. "We could stretch it to four if necessary. Tents have been stored away, and we should have instant bedding for everyone, save the prisoner and those two." She nods toward you. "But there won't be any spares."
>"And are we waiting on anything at this point?" The Emperor says.
>"Anything to add?" says the Agent, glancing toward you.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Do we know anything about any strange artifacts in the forest very near the Sanzu River?
> "Among other things, I was gonna ask if you were going to bring extra soldiers given the change of plans, but after hearing about your supplies situation I guess you've all already thought that through more than I would."