Yukari Quest - A Z-machine Adventure

[GuyYouMetOnline]

I say do the outfit.

[Kilgamayan]

I suspect mahjong in Gensokyo would actually be less unruly because youkai have pride to consider. The likes of Remilia and Kaguya wouldn't be caught dead throwing a hissy fit in public over a game of nobles.

Anyway. It's about as obvious as a monsoon that, regardless of player whims, Ran is decidedly uninterested in wearing this thing. Hell, she's suspicious of you for even suggesting it. If you want her to wear it, you'll need to give her a good reason to wear it, and your options there are (a) proving it would have some function Ran would find meaningful, or (b) abusing the established relationship between the two, something that is both out-of-character and an action that will get you escorted from the RPG premises. Ran has put up with your bullshit for centuries, a few strategically-placed tildes are only going to make things worse if they change anything. Make her want to wear it.

[GuyYouMetOnline]

I think Hanzo's got this under control.

[O4rfish]

>Given our experience with hax powers and their abuses, how confident can we be in Ran's ability to detect and forestall magical cheating? Or normal cheating for that matter.
Also, I think a new outfit would be in order if we're going with the idea of the tournament being an offical thing, rather than just Yukari playing around. Ran wearing her ordinary clothing would give the wrong impression.

[Hello Purvis]

>Given our experience with hax powers and their abuses, how confident can we be in Ran's ability to detect and forestall magical cheating? Or normal cheating for that matter.

>You are confident that Ran can probably suss out most forms of magical cheating and trace them to the source, perhaps not fast enough to stop them the first time but certainly fast enough to call a halt and make sense of what is happening. With more mundane methods, she doesn't have any special advantages, but she does have a reasonably sharp eye. The real problem there, you've determined, is an audience member just blurting out something. At that point, all you could really do is reset the game, which would play well into giving a losing player a second chance, or declare the match void, which would help other players.

>_

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>Could we alter sound borders such that the players cannot hear the audience?

[Hello Purvis]

>Could we alter sound borders such that the players cannot hear the audience?

>You could do this, but then it leads to the question of whether or not there is any reason to have an audience if the players cannot hear their reactions.

>_

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>Audiences aren't there for the players' benefit. They're there to watch the games. Hell, the players would probably appreciate the freedom from potentially distracting noises.

[O4rfish]

>Alternatively, could we present a punishment for cheaty audience members sufficient to deter them? Perhaps we could give the illusion that we are only involved for punishment, and not the organizer of the whole event.

[Hello Purvis]

>Audiences aren't there for the players' benefit. They're there to watch the games. Hell, the players would probably appreciate the freedom from potentially distracting noises.

>You consider this, then discard it at once. The audience exists to lionize and inspire the players as much as the players exist to entertain the audience. You didn't quietly observe the rise of organized sports as a phenomena without picking that up.

>Alternatively, could we present a punishment for cheaty audience members sufficient to deter them? Perhaps we could give the illusion that we are only involved for punishment, and not the organizer of the whole event.

>That would probably work for a lot of people. Though you don't think your presence would deter the likes of Tenshi or any rogue faeries, or possibly Nue or Tewi if they're in the mood. If anything, it would probably make cheating and getting away with it it; or at least failing to be stopped, more of an incentive.

>_

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>You consider this, then discard it at once. The audience exists to lionize and inspire the players as much as the players exist to entertain the audience. You didn't quietly the rise of organized sports as a phenomena without picking that up.

I'll admit that I know little about mahjong, but it is, at least to an extent, a game of strategy, is it not? What you said there may be true for more commonly-recognized sports such as basketball and football (American or otherwise), but for things like mahjong (presumably), or poker, or chess, or anything where you're sitting at a table and thinking and planning and whatever like that, outside noise is not welcome. I've been in a few local chess tournaments-I was on the chess team in grade school-and believe me, even at that level, nobody wanted outside noise of any kind during a game. Physical games like basketball and such are one thing, but in games of the mind, outside noise is not welcome.

[O4rfish]

>You consider this, then discard it at once. The audience exists to lionize and inspire the players as much as the players exist to entertain the audience. You didn't quietly {Parser, which word goes here?} the rise of organized sports as a phenomena without picking that up.
>That would probably work for a lot of people. Though you don't think your presence would deter the likes of Tenshi or any rogue faeries, or possibly Nue or Tewi if they're in the mood. If anything, it would probably make cheating and getting away with it it; or at least failing to be stopped, more of an incentive.

>Of course, we are only punishing people at the direction of the referee, not on our own initiative. That would probably lessen the thrill, right?

[Kilgamayan]

Physical games like basketball and such are one thing, but in games of the mind, outside noise is not welcome.

Have you ever seen World Series of Poker events? Those crowds get quite rambunctious.

[Hello Purvis]

>Of course, we are only punishing people at the direction of the referee, not on our own initiative. That would probably lessen the thrill, right?

>Watch
>That might do it enough to make it less interesting for some of the name-conscious mischief-makers; pulling the wool over Ran's eyes doesn't hold the same allure as pulling it over your own eyes. It's a shame, but there are prices to be paid for being yourself, and you're not always the one that must pay them.

>_

[Yaersulf]

>While we have been musing to ourself has dinner become ready?

[Hello Purvis]

>While we have been musing to ourself has dinner become ready?

>Ran has been working on it while speaking with you.
>Yuyuko seems to have produced a small book and is reading it while you were talking with Ran.

>_

[Shadoweh]

Yuyuko is reading a book. :| The universal sign of being bored of your antics.

> Speak to Ran about our musings relating why we need a referee and why she'd be a better fit then ourselves just to keep the game from getting Tewi'd. `
> Then actually have dinner and ask her about how Gensokyo's been while we were asleep as an excuse to talk about it with Yuyuko.

[Hello Purvis]

> Speak to Ran about our musings relating why we need a referee and why she'd be a better fit then ourselves just to keep the game from getting Tewi'd. `
> Then actually have dinner and ask her about how Gensokyo's been while we were asleep as an excuse to talk about it with Yuyuko.

>You explain to Ran about why you imagine a referee would be needed, and how she would be best to keep the Inabas away. "I suppose that would make sense," says Ran. "But you're going to tell me what that outfit is before I agree to that."
>By the time you're done explaining, dinner is ready. It is a simple dish, bits of fried tofu and a few vegetables in noodles, but you are well aware that Ran's work with tofu is never to be underestimated. Indeed, sampling it, you are quite pleased to find a number of spices that add a subtle flavor to the various elements that come together just right. Yuyuko, for her part, doesn't bother to speak, being too busy enjoying her meal.
>"Mmm, things have been pretty quiet this winter," says Yuyuko. "The vampire's mansion held another open house to show off their treasures. They're still rather proud of what they liberated from you, Yuyuko."
>"As well they ought to be," says Yuyuko, looking up from her plate just long enough to comment."
>"The village is doing well. That tanuki has been making small loans to people, but from what I have been able to tell, the temple has been making certain she isn't doing anything too questionable. Ah, yes, speaking of the Myouren Temple, someone has been donating statutes to them, which they have been setting out. From what I understand, Rinnosuke is being allowed to wander a bit more freely now, I haven't had a chance to talk with him, but I am told he's quite a bit more relaxed than he was beforehand. I've not heard of anything happening further north. You'll forgive me for not bothering Reimu over the winter, but I've not had a need to go that way. I'm sure you'll find your way there soon enough as it is. Ah yes, the kappa seem to be getting ready for another exposition of their work, if what I heard from the fishermen is correct. I imagine they'll probably have it in a couple weeks. Oh yes, part of the university burned down again, I don't think anyone was hurt badly."
>"Have the tengu been behaving," says Yuyuko
>"Secretive as always," says Ran. "I don't sense they're up to anything sinister. What little I've gleaned suggests they've been behaving. There hasn't been word from Eientei, but typically there isn't. The rabbits sell their medicine, I haven't seen anything unusual in it from the samples I've gathered."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> IS the kappa university going up in flames a regular event?

[Hello Purvis]

> IS the kappa university going up in flames a regular event?

>Fires are not uncommon. Part of the building going up has happened a couple times in the past. There hasn't been anything truly ruinous, though.

>_

[O4rfish]

>Myouren Temple has been setting out statues, yes? Wonder if any of them will become a Yama.

[Hello Purvis]

>Myouren Temple has been setting out statues, yes? Wonder if any of them will become a Yama.

>Now that would be amusing. But, you suspect that Shikieiki's case is probably reasonably unique. But who knows? There's a lot of universe out there.
>As you muse over that thought, you hear the door slide open. "Sorry I'm late!" comes Chen's voice, as she dashes inside and throws the door closed. "Me and Rumia were looking at some neat rocks and then a faerie started yelling at us and we had to get even and then we found a snake and then the sun was going down!"
>"It's hasn't gotten cold yet, dear," says Ran. "Come sit down and mind your manners, we have a guest."
>"Hello Miss Saigyouji," says Chen, as she ambles toward the table. "It's been awhile since you came."
>"It's a pleasure, Chen," says Yuyuko. "Though you did just get in the way of my second course."
>"Hey you're not allowed to do that!" Chen says.
>"Then you best not let dinner get cold," says Yuyuko.

>_

[Shadoweh]

> Let Chen get settled in for more dinner.
> "How dull. It sounds like there's nothing that needed my direct attention. If I weren't coming up with my own mischief I would go back to sleep!"
> Add Mahjong tournament to quests. Also inwardly plot to use it as an excuse to visit Maribel to give her a personal invitation. "Let's see, making arrangments with the tengu's to advertise, finding a seamstress for the outfits, a builder for the stage, and we'll save telling Reimu about it for last."
> Do we have high quality mahjong pieces worthy of a tournament?

[O4rfish]

>make sure not to accidentally use pai gow pieces or dominoes

[Hello Purvis]

> Let Chen get settled in for more dinner.
> "How dull. It sounds like there's nothing that needed my direct attention. If I weren't coming up with my own mischief I would go back to sleep!"
> Add Mahjong tournament to quests. Also inwardly plot to use it as an excuse to visit Maribel to give her a personal invitation. "Let's see, making arrangments with the tengu's to advertise, finding a seamstress for the outfits, a builder for the stage, and we'll save telling Reimu about it for last."
> Do we have high quality mahjong pieces worthy of a tournament?

>"It's been a quiet winter," says Ran. "I would expect the next wave of trouble to come from that hermit and her jiang shi, myself. But there hasn't been much sign of her, either."
>Ah yes, that one. Another troublemaker to consider.
>Fantasy Temple Mahjong Tournament
>You have decided to host a mahjong tournament! Surely this will stir things up, and perhaps get someone to overplay their hand. Or just provide some good fun.
>Oh yes, this will definitely provide a good excuse to have some time with Maribel.
>You outline the orders of things, while Chen takes up place on the left side of the table. "I think that sounds like a natural way to approach it," says Yuyuko.
>"Indeed," says Ran. "I should be able to arrange for a builder tomorrow morning."
>Chen slips over to her place quickly, sitting to your left. "Hi Miss Yukari," she says to you. "Did you sleep well?"
>You think you have a decent Mahjong set. It's a little worn, but you liberated it from an Emperor of the Tang Dynasty as the social order was collapsing.

>_

[Shadoweh]

> Did we sleep well?
> "Oh, well enough. I was drifting in a cotton candy bed while being fanned and small dangling fuzzy things tickled my nose. Wait, was that your dream too, Chen?" Pat Chen on head. After teasing her earlier we can at least make up to Ran by being nice to Chen tonight.
> Right, the newcomers. What do we know about them? Especially this troublesome hermit.

[Hello Purvis]

> Did we sleep well?
> "Oh, well enough. I was drifting in a cotton candy bed while being fanned and small dangling fuzzy things tickled my nose. Wait, was that your dream too, Chen?" Pat Chen on head. After teasing her earlier we can at least make up to Ran by being nice to Chen tonight.
> Right, the newcomers. What do we know about them? Especially this troublesome hermit.

>You can't complain about it. But it'll be a little bit before you're really back up to one hundred percent. You'll want another nap in a few hours, which will probably carry you to nearly morning. That should do it.
>You pat Chen on the head, "Now I'm jealous of your dreams!" she says.
>The newcomers don't worry you too much. Toyosatomimi and her retainers, as far as you can tell, are harmless. They've tunneled out their own little domain for now. You suspect that she might try to increase her influence in the future, but she doesn't seem to wish for political influence. However, she likely has a rival in Remilia, who considers herself to be the real monarch of Gensokyo, even if she chooses not to exert that influence. As for Seiga, she could be dangerous if she attaches herself to someone powerful and guides them to misuse that power. However, you don't think there is much danger of that, it's no secret that she has been dismissed from Miko's service.

>_

[Shadoweh]

> "Well, I heard that good kittens who eat all their dinner get to have good dreams too."
> Ask Yuyuko what she thinks of the newcomers, especially the hermit. "I think I'll try to track her down for a personal invitation. Best to see what interesting people are doing, isn't it?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Well, I heard that good kittens who eat all their dinner get to have good dreams too."
> Ask Yuyuko what she thinks of the newcomers, especially the hermit. "I think I'll try to track her down for a personal invitation. Best to see what interesting people are doing, isn't it?"

>"I'm going to, I'm going to!" says Chen.
>"Ah, the former prince?" says Yuyuko. "She doesn't seem too bad, I believe. Perhaps a bit serious from what I've gathered, but I think she'll do well. Now, that Seiga, I am not so sure. I do rather frown on her bothering the dead. But that's what the living do sometimes, isn't it? I don't think she and Youmu would ever get along."
>"A personal invitation?" says Yuyuko. "I'm sure she'd be honored, if she knew what was good for her!"

>_

[Shadoweh]

> "I imagine the prince and the scarlet princess will be causing their own interesting troubles when they notice each other's presences." Tap our lip. "Come to think of it, if they both come we'll be their first meeting ground. An excellent match already in the making."
> "She might not be as bad as her reputation, that Seiga." Smile enigmatically. "After all, cultivating that kind of atmosphere is an art of it's own. I'll judge her motives when I see her for myself."
> "We could check over anywhere we wished to see right now, really. Did you have somewhere you'd like to spy on, dear Yuyuko?"