Sword Quest X - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Kilgamayan]

> Is the umbrella actually shielding any against the petals?

[Hello Purvis]

> Is the umbrella actually shielding any against the petals?

>You think you feel a few plop onto it as Tojiko speaks, then one neatly slices through and flutters between you.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> So some, but not all, of the petals are getting through the umbrella?

[Hello Purvis]

> So some, but not all, of the petals are getting through the umbrella?

>Yes. It seems to be at least partially effective.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Is Tojiko completely out of our item bag?

[Hello Purvis]

> Is Tojiko completely out of our item bag?

>Yes, she is floating next to you.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Keep an eye on the umbrella for more petals that may come ripping through.
> "I will explain further once I am satisfied that I can keep you safe. I have an idea, but this may become stranger still. Do you trust my intentions, Tojiko?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Keep an eye on the umbrella for more petals that may come ripping through.
> "I will explain further once I am satisfied that I can keep you safe. I have an idea, but this may become stranger still. Do you trust my intentions, Tojiko?"

>"Of course, Crown Prince," she says. "It's the circumstances I'm wondering about..."
>A couple more cut through, and you notice one lodge about halfway through as Tojiko and you speak.  You see a couple tumble off the edges.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Of course, and I will explain those as best I can. Now hold tight, my dear."
> Put Tojiko back in our back most of the way, leaving her head sticking out.

[Hello Purvis]

> "Of course, and I will explain those as best I can. Now hold tight, my dear."
> Put Tojiko back in our back most of the way, leaving her head sticking out.

>Tojiko squawks as you grab her and put her most of the way into your bag. "Crown Prince! This isn't very civil of you at all!"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Take on a sympathetic tone.
> "My deepest apologies, Tojiko, but this will keep you much safer from all that is going on around us."

[Hello Purvis]

> Take on a sympathetic tone.
> "My deepest apologies, Tojiko, but this will keep you much safer from all that is going on around us."

>She just makes a frustrated noise.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Have a look downward. Is there any room to progress that way, with an end goal of getting back below the tree?

[Hello Purvis]

> Have a look downward. Is there any room to progress that way, with an end goal of getting back below the tree?

>Below you is reasonable clear, at least until you get to the lower trunk and roots, which are currently on fire.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Begin descending, without throwing ourselves into anything flaming.
> "Anyway, I believe we are in some sort of strange life force mindscape dimension. You will recall I mentioned that Seiga had stolen the life force of a Netherworld youkai tree and bestowed it upon a local noble? It seems Miss Youmu defeated this noble in combat. We brought the noble's body to the affected tree, at which point I began the transferrence ritual to return the tree's life force to its proper place. Unfortunately, I soon found myself in an illusory land, and after dissolving the illusion, found myself...wherever here is."

[Hello Purvis]

> Begin descending, without throwing ourselves into anything flaming.
> "Anyway, I believe we are in some sort of strange life force mindscape dimension. You will recall I mentioned that Seiga had stolen the life force of a Netherworld youkai tree and bestowed it upon a local noble? It seems Miss Youmu defeated this noble in combat. We brought the noble's body to the affected tree, at which point I began the transferrence ritual to return the tree's life force to its proper place. Unfortunately, I soon found myself in an illusory land, and after dissolving the illusion, found myself...wherever here is."

>"And why am I here?" she says, as you make your way down to the roots. The cherry blossoms past the tree's canopy are coming down as hard as ever. Your umbrella catches several more from above; one slices through and seem to settle into your hair without causing any harm.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Look outward, away from the trunk, toward areas where the roots are thinner and we are more able to continue descending below the roots without burning ourselves. How clear is the way?
> Once the above is complete, look back upward. Are the branches we primed still visible?

[Hello Purvis]

> Look outward, away from the trunk, toward areas where the roots are thinner and we are more able to continue descending below the roots without burning ourselves. How clear is the way?
> Once the above is complete, look back upward. Are the branches we primed still visible?

>You might have some luck moving between the roots a little ways to the left (facing the trunk).
>Yes.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Ignite the talismans we placed on the branches, and then head in the direction we just determined. Lean the umbrella forward a little bit so as to catch more blossoms before they descend into our air space.
> "Truth be told, I am not sure. In my efforts to combat this tree's efforts to break free of the ritual, I found myself able to retrieve things I did not actually possess. The tree is aflame due to a multitude of fire charm talismans I had not actually prepared. I was able to produce a machete to trim some of the tree's branches. And then, in an effort to test the limits of this phenomenon, I tried to summon you, and apparently succeeded."

[Hello Purvis]

> Ignite the talismans we placed on the branches, and then head in the direction we just determined. Lean the umbrella forward a little bit so as to catch more blossoms before they descend into our air space.
> "Truth be told, I am not sure. In my efforts to combat this tree's efforts to break free of the ritual, I found myself able to retrieve things I did not actually possess. The tree is aflame due to a multitude of fire charm talismans I had not actually prepared. I was able to produce a machete to trim some of the tree's branches. And then, in an effort to test the limits of this phenomenon, I tried to summon you, and apparently succeeded."

>You set off the talismans and begin a fire in the branches.
>"I see," says Tojiko. "I want you to understand, Crown Prince, that I barely made sense of any of that. So, ah, is there anything I can do to help?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Nod.
> "I understand, yes. Mmm...with the multitude of deadly cherry blossom petals floating about, you will, at the very least, be valuable as a second set of eyes, as I can only look in so many directions at once. I...must admit I have not thought considered your potential role beyond that. I was merely testing my new-found ability to produce whatever I wished; I had not yet considered the practical ramifications of succeeding in summoning you."

[Hello Purvis]

> Nod.
> "I understand, yes. Mmm...with the multitude of deadly cherry blossom petals floating about, you will, at the very least, be valuable as a second set of eyes, as I can only look in so many directions at once. I...must admit I have not thought considered your potential role beyond that. I was merely testing my new-found ability to produce whatever I wished; I had not yet considered the practical ramifications of succeeding in summoning you."

>"Crown prince, you shouldn't be so short-sighted!" Tojiko says.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Chuckle and grin a bit sheepishly.
> "Quite. This is what happens when I do not have the two of you around to keep me in line."

[Hello Purvis]

> Chuckle and grin a bit sheepishly.
> "Quite. This is what happens when I do not have the two of you around to keep me in line."

>"Well, perhaps it is time that you focus on the situation at hand," says Tojiko. "Even if I don't understand what is going on, it seems quite perilous."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Have we yet made it to a point where we can safely descend further and get under the level of the roots?

[Hello Purvis]

> Have we yet made it to a point where we can safely descend further and get under the level of the roots?

>Safely is questionable, but you think you found a spot where you can do it if you turn sideways.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Of course."
> Make our way to said spot.

[Hello Purvis]

> "Of course."
> Make our way to said spot.

>You make your way over there. Tojiko seems to be observing the blossom storm.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I am closing the umbrella now. Fortunately, we should experience a substantial decrease in petals once we are below root level."
> Turn sideways as needed, close the umbrella, and descend until we're below the roots.

[Hello Purvis]

> "I am closing the umbrella now. Fortunately, we should experience a substantial decrease in petals once we are below root level."
> Turn sideways as needed, close the umbrella, and descend until we're below the roots.

>"As you say, Crown Prince," says Tojiko.
>Getting through the roots is a little tricky, they are blazing quite strongly now, and the odd petal doesn't help. Tojiko presses back against your side to keep away from them. But you pass through with little more than some petals getting much too close to you for comfort.
>Underneath, things are reasonably calm. You can see that Meira is where you left her, and doesn't seem much worse for wear, perhaps bearing a couple more cuts.

>_