Author Topic: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure  (Read 100160 times)

Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #570 on: September 03, 2010, 10:29:58 AM »
>"Well, um, kinda. ...to be honest, I'm also curious what it's like."
>"But if you're worried that I desire power for negative ends, I'd like to assure you that I don't. I have no desire to harm others in any way. If anything, I'd think being stronger would give one more leeway to help in situations you'd otherwise be unable to. Byakuren was satisfied of my nature."

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #571 on: September 03, 2010, 10:55:54 AM »
>"Well, um, kinda. ...to be honest, I'm also curious what it's like."
>"But if you're worried that I desire power for negative ends, I'd like to assure you that I don't. I have no desire to harm others in any way. If anything, I'd think being stronger would give one more leeway to help in situations you'd otherwise be unable to. Byakuren was satisfied of my nature."

>She nods. "I got no doubt you mean to do good. Hell, you might even go right out and do it. But, five to one says you're thinking wrong. Let me tell you how it is. There's three kinds of youkai. There's the ones who are born youkai, there's the ones that become youkai, and there's the one's who turn themselves into youkai. With me so far? You're looking all the youkai you've met, and you've seen 'em be okay people. And that's pretty true, there's some swell youkai out there. But, those are people who are born that way, or became that way because they're supposed to. Look at the people who made themselves youkai, and you'll start to see that I'm getting that. Because that's what you're going to be."
>"And I already know what you're going to ask, "What about those who became youkai? Why are they different?" Am I right? I'll tell you why. The ones who just become youkai? They were ready for it. Their minds and their bodies were ready for it. Beast Youkai, in particular, it's a huge step up in how they think. They were ready for it. But the ones that made themselves youkai? Their bodies changed, but what about their minds? You see my point?"

>_

Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #572 on: September 03, 2010, 10:59:48 AM »
>"But... if a magician youkai is so much like a human in the first place, why would their mind need to change? I'm not sure I understand."
>"And Byakuren turned herself into a youkai. Yet she seems like one of the kindest and most level people I've met while I've been here."

Kilgamayan

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #573 on: September 03, 2010, 04:25:02 PM »
And stop lying about it not being about power, or at least note that we HOPE it's not just about power ={

In all fairness, in Draco's case, it isn't just about the power. I imagine he's having the same difficulty maintaining a sense of neutrality in conversation that I did when talking with Renko. We both have out-of-game biases influencing the path we want Mari to take.
[22:40:12] <Drake> "guys i donwloaded esod but its not workan"
[22:40:21] <Drake> REPORTED
[22:40:25] <NaturallyOccurringChoja> PROBATED
[22:40:30] <Drake> ORGASM
[22:40:32] <NaturallyOccurringChoja> FUCK YEAH

[22:28:39] <Edible> Mafia would be a much easier game if we were playing "spot the asshole"

UncertainJakutten

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #574 on: September 03, 2010, 04:37:00 PM »
I'm fine with no enhancement for the time being if you all so move that way.


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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #575 on: September 03, 2010, 05:31:07 PM »
Yeah, I don't mind holding off if you guys want to. but if/when we do it, I'm still leaning towards the second enhancement over the former one. Kilga does raise some good points, but I think the pros outweigh the cons here.

Spoiler:
I also have a sneaking suspicion that regardless of what enhancement we take, Maribel's still going to end up as a youkai. Remember that Byakuren mentioned that there was a chance of that when we were offered the first one.

EDIT:
Spoiler:
In fact, that's also one of the reasons I favor the second powerup over the first one. If both lead to the same result, there's not really a reason to take a weaker powerup over a stronger one. Of course, this is my reasoning. Not maribel's in-character reasoning.
« Last Edit: September 03, 2010, 05:34:54 PM by headcrabs »

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #576 on: September 03, 2010, 05:38:31 PM »
Given the "might" nature of the first, I would assume, at worst, that we would be able to fight the process.
[22:40:12] <Drake> "guys i donwloaded esod but its not workan"
[22:40:21] <Drake> REPORTED
[22:40:25] <NaturallyOccurringChoja> PROBATED
[22:40:30] <Drake> ORGASM
[22:40:32] <NaturallyOccurringChoja> FUCK YEAH

[22:28:39] <Edible> Mafia would be a much easier game if we were playing "spot the asshole"

communist unity (comm-unity)

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #577 on: September 03, 2010, 05:49:16 PM »
That's a point too, assuming it can be fought off.

At the very least, before we do this, I'd like to ask Marisa her thoughts on it. She strikes me as the most 'credible' source to ask about this. Considering she manages to be one of the best magicians in the running, while still being human.

E-Nazrin

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #578 on: September 03, 2010, 05:51:10 PM »
Personally, I think if you want to get Mary a reputation for doing well without becoming a youkai or relying on other external help, you're best off not getting an enchantment at all. The first one seems half-assed to me for both getting the most out of being enchanted when/if the time comes, and wanting Mary to prove herself as a plain human first and foremost. That's what I really don't like about it.

Overall, still leaning towards "it sounds like a good idea, but I think I'll give it a few years first because damn" as the ultimate solution. If we get one, though, I'd prefer to go the whole hog. But that doesn't have to be now or in this Quest. Once Mary and Renko are good and ready and have tried out the outstanding-plain-human thing.

Actually, giving that a chance for a while to see whether Kilga's idea works out and agreeing on doing the full thing if it goes poorly could be a satisfactory solution for all of us. If it works out, cool - there's always later if things fall apart. If it doesn't, then there's a good alternative to help out that hasn't shown any overwhelming downsides, and we've gotten evidence that turning it down hasn't worked out perfectly.
There was something here once. Wonder what...

UncertainJakutten

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #579 on: September 03, 2010, 05:51:49 PM »
I agree VERY MUCH with headcrabs. That's who I was hoping to talk to next if possible (though it is rather late)


Kilgamayan

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #580 on: September 03, 2010, 06:02:33 PM »
I would also like to talk to Marisa, half because she is sure to be a valuable source of info and half because I would feel like a total douche if I got what I wanted out of Mokou/Keine and said "well that's it then the second enhancement needs to be scrapped let's go get the first!" instead of going around and getting more opinions. In fact, I still haven't ruled out the idea of going back to Alice, though given how late it is I imagine she'd be even less likely to assist.

For the record, my attachment to the first is rather loose, and I would shed no tears if we decided to not do anything at all. I fought so hard for the first because the one outcome I cannot accept is green lighting the second one. I will take literally anything else. Just not that.
[22:40:12] <Drake> "guys i donwloaded esod but its not workan"
[22:40:21] <Drake> REPORTED
[22:40:25] <NaturallyOccurringChoja> PROBATED
[22:40:30] <Drake> ORGASM
[22:40:32] <NaturallyOccurringChoja> FUCK YEAH

[22:28:39] <Edible> Mafia would be a much easier game if we were playing "spot the asshole"

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #581 on: September 03, 2010, 06:05:20 PM »
Another option would be to ask... Yukari, I guess. She's the most unreliable source to ask, but if she wants to help, she would be a very important source of information. The problem is that she may try to kill us/claim us as her firstborn/be us from the future/be insane. Also, she's a complete stranger to us.

But yeah. Marisa is the best person to ask on this.

Kilgamayan

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #582 on: September 03, 2010, 06:07:24 PM »
I doubt Yukari is malevolent for two reasons:

- Chen was very casual about meeting us
- She hasn't gone after us yet despite having had plenty of time between Chen seeing us and now

If she wishes us harm, it would have happened by now, and it's a good bet Chen would have been a lot more belligerent about going to see her.
[22:40:12] <Drake> "guys i donwloaded esod but its not workan"
[22:40:21] <Drake> REPORTED
[22:40:25] <NaturallyOccurringChoja> PROBATED
[22:40:30] <Drake> ORGASM
[22:40:32] <NaturallyOccurringChoja> FUCK YEAH

[22:28:39] <Edible> Mafia would be a much easier game if we were playing "spot the asshole"

communist unity (comm-unity)

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #583 on: September 03, 2010, 06:23:03 PM »
Personally, I don't think she intends harm either. Which is why I'd like to get Maribel 'introduced' to her when we can. If things went well, we could learn a lot about the current situation and why we're here. I have a feeling she has something to say to us anyways, considering what Chen said.

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #584 on: September 03, 2010, 06:31:46 PM »
>"But... if a magician youkai is so much like a human in the first place, why would their mind need to change? I'm not sure I understand."
>"And Byakuren turned herself into a youkai. Yet she seems like one of the kindest and most level people I've met while I've been here."

>"Yeah, but is Byakuren the only one?" says Mokou. "You gotta look at the others, too."

>_

Kilgamayan

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #585 on: September 03, 2010, 06:39:19 PM »
> "What others? You mean like Patchouli?"
[22:40:12] <Drake> "guys i donwloaded esod but its not workan"
[22:40:21] <Drake> REPORTED
[22:40:25] <NaturallyOccurringChoja> PROBATED
[22:40:30] <Drake> ORGASM
[22:40:32] <NaturallyOccurringChoja> FUCK YEAH

[22:28:39] <Edible> Mafia would be a much easier game if we were playing "spot the asshole"

E-Nazrin

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #586 on: September 03, 2010, 07:15:01 PM »
>"The... other two I know I've met weren't the friendliest, I admit. But how much of that would actually be caused by becoming a youkai?"
There was something here once. Wonder what...

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #587 on: September 03, 2010, 07:17:59 PM »
> "What others? You mean like Patchouli?"

>"The... other two I know I've met weren't the friendliest, I admit. But how much of that would actually be caused by becoming a youkai?"

>She nods. "I'm kind of behind on people like that, you understand, but you got to realize you might end up like them instead. I'll tell you why, you're a human being. You're built to live about seventy to a hundred years. You're also built to think and feel on that scale, if you get what I'm saying. You're young now, and I don't mean that in a bad way, but you're not going to think and feel in twenty years quite like you are now. And you'll be more different twenty years after that. That's how a mind works, you see? It's made to do that, lets you adapt to the world as you live in it. Problem is, it's also made so that it works within that seventy to a hundred years. Once you start going past that, it becomes a problem. You start finding yourself ready to move on, feeling you're done with things, and your body won't. See what I mean? That's what I mean by the difference between those who became youkai, and those who made themselves youkai."
>"So, were they unfriendly because they became youkai, or because they're just pains in the ass? Answer is, could be either. The mind's not made to just do that, and when it's forced to do it anyways it's gotta cope somehow." She tips back the chair a bit. "Am I making sense here?"

>_

Kilgamayan

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #588 on: September 03, 2010, 07:23:28 PM »
> "So...you're saying, if I do this, I could turn into a jerk just as easily as someone like Byakuren?"
[22:40:12] <Drake> "guys i donwloaded esod but its not workan"
[22:40:21] <Drake> REPORTED
[22:40:25] <NaturallyOccurringChoja> PROBATED
[22:40:30] <Drake> ORGASM
[22:40:32] <NaturallyOccurringChoja> FUCK YEAH

[22:28:39] <Edible> Mafia would be a much easier game if we were playing "spot the asshole"

E-Nazrin

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #589 on: September 03, 2010, 07:31:55 PM »
>Not discussing the lifespan bit with Renko first would also be a big no-no.

Also: The purpose of getting the power-up tonight is to have someone powerful on standby in case things go terribly wrong.

That someone powerful does not have to be Mary.

It's a long shot, but we DO owe it to Byakuren to come clean to her about what we're being complicit with in Renko's antics. But, her intention to bring more respect to the fairies is reasonably noble - I don't know what Byakuren would think about that on the whole. But there's a chance that she'd approve of that claimed motive and want to see for herself how that pans out. And while she's at it, she could be on the lookout for if someone that Mary and Renko have upset - for reasons that we've tried to smooth over by swearing not to talk about - decides to intervene to be spiteful or selfish.
There was something here once. Wonder what...

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #590 on: September 03, 2010, 07:36:12 PM »
> "So...you're saying, if I do this, I could turn into a jerk just as easily as someone like Byakuren?"

>"Maybe," says Mokou. "Maybe you are strong enough to cope."
>She shrugs. "That's the thing. If you're ready to be a youkai, you'd be one already. So it's a question of what's missing? And I don't think anyone can answer that. But if the thing that's not ready is your mind, and I'd bet my house that's it, well... you'll do okay until you start living longer than you're supposed to. Then...it'll get nasty."

>Not discussing the lifespan bit with Renko first would also be a big no-no.

>You are entirely certain Renko's not thought about that.

>_

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #591 on: September 03, 2010, 07:38:31 PM »
>"I... take it you speak from experience?"
There was something here once. Wonder what...

Hello Purvis

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #592 on: September 03, 2010, 07:42:49 PM »
>"I... take it you speak from experience?"

>"Let's just say it like this," says Mokou. "You know how in math, with you want to times something, you use an X to show it? I invented that."
>She chuckles. "Okay, not really. But I could have. Been around enough centuries, seen a lot of history. Seen a lot of people.  Heh, why do you think Keine was so damn eager to get in my pants?"
>"Don't tell her I said that," she adds after a pause.

>_

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #593 on: September 03, 2010, 08:31:33 PM »
>A moment to contemplate the strangeness of that comment.
>"And what effect has that had on you? It doesn't sound like you're too bad off now, considering."
There was something here once. Wonder what...

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #594 on: September 03, 2010, 08:57:05 PM »
>A moment to contemplate the strangeness of that comment.
>"And what effect has that had on you? It doesn't sound like you're too bad off now, considering."

>What an odd time to drop a joke.
>"That's because you've not seen me a hundred years ago," says Mokou, "when I spent damn close to a decade just staring at the ceiling. You didn't see me when I was just seventy or eighty or so, when my last old friend passed away, and I realized I was the only thing left of the world I knew."

>_

E-Nazrin

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #595 on: September 03, 2010, 09:46:12 PM »
>"... to be fair, there's not much in Gensokyo that's particularly similar to the outer world I knew."
>"But... a decade staring at the ceiling? That sounds... unbelievably boring. Why?"
There was something here once. Wonder what...

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #596 on: September 03, 2010, 10:02:56 PM »
>"... to be fair, there's not much in Gensokyo that's particularly similar to the outer world I knew."
>"But... a decade staring at the ceiling? That sounds... unbelievably boring. Why?"

>She nods. "That's a point, but it'll still happen. And yeah, Keine mentioned that you were from outside. Thing is, you'll get to a point where you've been here longer than you've been outside, and then it'll happen. As for the ceiling?" She shrugs. "Well...just couldn't be assed to do anything else. Didn't seem like it was worth it."

>_

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #597 on: September 03, 2010, 10:04:21 PM »
>"Why not?"
>"What snapped you out of it?"
There was something here once. Wonder what...

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #598 on: September 03, 2010, 10:15:40 PM »
>"Why not?"
>"What snapped you out of it?"

>"It's a hard thing to explain," says Mokou. "I'm not really proud of it. Kinda regretting I brought it up at all. But, it's just all that stuff I told you about not being ready for it coming to a head. Just didn't feel like it was worth doing anything. And what got me out of it? I...don't really remember, to be honest. I think I just got so pissed at one point I flipped out and burned the house down. That's another thing. Your memory's probably not ready for it either."

>_

E-Nazrin

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Re: Maribel Quest More - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #599 on: September 03, 2010, 10:20:41 PM »
>That apathy like textbook depression as much as anything...
>"Do natural youkai tend to have a better memory for such long periods?"
>"What about now? What's been most effective for coping with it?"
There was something here once. Wonder what...