Iku Quest - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Hello Purvis]

> "I am aware of what happened. My back especially."
> Wince.
> "I might have a few ideas why, too. The what or the how, though, escape me."

>You express your own difficulties with what happen, and feel that it is slightly amused, but also pleased you've weathered things well.
>It is curious about your ideas of why.

>_

[E-Nazrin]

>Does the Dragon prefer we refer to Tenshi as Tenshi, or Eldest Daughter...? Well, rather doubtful it matters too much.
>"Tenshi... I'm afraid Tenshi took the Sword of Hisou again. I tried to speak with her about what she intended to use it for - she promised that it... wasn't the same as last time, but she did say that she intended to show that the Celestials 'aren't as great as you think you are.' If I recall correctly."
>"... and while I would like to be able to give her the benefit of the doubt..."

[Fightest]

>You express your own difficulties with what happen, and feel that it is slightly amused, but also pleased you've weathered things well.
>It is curious about your ideas of why.

>_

> "I've been around long enough to know that there's no such thing as coincidence. The Eldest Daughter has taken the Sword of Hisou for a plan of rebellion, and suddenly the sky is falling, literally. I am not saying that she is doing this - intentionally or not, but there must be a connection. Perhaps we are facing an attack that somehow includes the Eldest Daughter as a target or a tool?"
> "That said, I now do not know where the Eldest Daughter is, and that worries me. I will require manpower and resources to seek her out."

[Hello Purvis]

>Does the Dragon prefer we refer to Tenshi as Tenshi, or Eldest Daughter...? Well, rather doubtful it matters too much.
>"Tenshi... I'm afraid Tenshi took the Sword of Hisou again. I tried to speak with her about what she intended to use it for - she promised that it... wasn't the same as last time, but she did say that she intended to show that the Celestials 'aren't as great as you think you are.' If I recall correctly."
>"... and while I would like to be able to give her the benefit of the doubt..."

> "I've been around long enough to know that there's no such thing as coincidence. The Eldest Daughter has taken the Sword of Hisou for a plan of rebellion, and suddenly the sky is falling, literally. I am not saying that she is doing this - intentionally or not, but there must be a connection. Perhaps we are facing an attack that somehow includes the Eldest Daughter as a target or a tool?"
> "That said, I now do not know where the Eldest Daughter is, and that worries me. I will require manpower and resources to seek her out."

>The Dragon doesn't seem to be surprised by this revelation, but it does not believe the sword would be able to do such a thing.
>It is pleased that you have anticipated what it wants, but there will be little to be given to assist. People are going to be busy tending to the wounded, repairing damage, and making sure that people from Gensokyo don't cause problems.

>_

[Fightest]

> "Then I will need allies."
> Are there any Gensokyans that we are on good terms with?

[E-Nazrin]

oh god don't tell me this is Nue's favor

>"I should probably stop back and get my purse before I head down. I have a feeling I may need it..."
>"I will probably have to speak with the residents of Gensokyo about this, to some degree. Is there any advice I should take on what to say?"

[Kilgamayan]

oh god don't tell me this is Nue's favor

It was her all along.

[E-Nazrin]

I rather doubt she could roleplay Tenshi THAT convincingly. :V But if she's in on it, I wouldn't be surprised.

>"... and this may be a more controversial idea, but would it be unthinkable to ask trustworthy residents of Gensokyo to help with tending the wounded and cleaning up the worst of the damage here?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Then I will need allies."
> Are there any Gensokyans that we are on good terms with?

>You feel it will have no difficulty with you recruiting help, so long as it goes interfere with the recovery and defense measures.
>You think you're on good terms with most people. But...you don't know if you're on good enough terms with any of them to actually get them to help with this. You're well regarded, you think, but also somewhat distant.

>"I should probably stop back and get my purse before I head down. I have a feeling I may need it..."
>"I will probably have to speak with the residents of Gensokyo about this, to some degree. Is there any advice I should take on what to say?"

>It agrees with this.
>It would like you try try not to undermine the faith and respect that people of Gensokyo hold for celestials and Bhava-Agra, if at all possible. Though it is aware Tenshi has already done a fair amount in this regard.

>"... and this may be a more controversial idea, but would it be unthinkable to ask trustworthy residents of Gensokyo to help with tending the wounded and cleaning up the worst of the damage here?"

>That is fine. It is more concerned with troublemakers and thieves, of which Gensokyo has many. But it would like you to be careful with that.

>_

[E-Nazrin]

>"I will take care to present myself as I should, regardless of the emergency."
>"To be honest, the speed of response in tending to the wounded here is heart-warming... but it's a pity that it had to become necessary."
>Sigh.
>"I wish I knew what would satisfy that girl..."
>"Sexually, of course"
>"If there are no more concerns to address, then I should be on my way."

[Hello Purvis]

>"I will take care to present myself as I should, regardless of the emergency."
>"To be honest, the speed of response in tending to the wounded here is heart-warming... but it's a pity that it had to become necessary."
>Sigh.
>"I wish I knew what would satisfy that girl..."
>"Sexually, of course"
>"If there are no more concerns to address, then I should be on my way."

>It has every confidence in you, and in the people here. It too is please, though, that confusion is not worse than it is.
>You sigh and wonder about Tenshi. You feel a hint of amusement from The Dragon. It's pleased with your concern, and feels things will sort themselves out with time.
>It suggests you just give her some tongue. Not like she's ever had it.
>The Dragon feels if you are content, you may go.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>Tenshi was not allowed to take up the Sword of Hisou, even before the issues she caused with it the first time, correct?
>Were there circumstances under which use of the sword was officially permissible?

[Hello Purvis]

>Tenshi was not allowed to take up the Sword of Hisou, even before the issues she caused with it the first time, correct?
>Were there circumstances under which use of the sword was officially permissible?

>Not officially so, to your understanding, but it was understood she wasn't supposed to take it.
>As of right now, no. An official decree would needed to resend it.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>Do official decrees only come ultimately from The Dragon? Or can they mostly come from lower levels of authority?
>In rough terms, what is the general hierarchy here? The Dragon is on top, but are there other authorities above you, but below it? What about day to day administration and basic laws?

[Hello Purvis]

>Do official decrees only come ultimately from The Dragon? Or can they mostly come from lower levels of authority?
>In rough terms, what is the general hierarchy here? The Dragon is on top, but are there other authorities above you, but below it? What about day to day administration and basic laws?

>They can come from lower levels of authority than The Dragon itself. The Dragon is seldom involved in daily affairs.
>The heirarchy is actually rather vague. Generally, there isn't a need for it, Celestials tend to take care of things on their own without an excess of trouble. The judges, at least until Tenshi began to act up, most sorted out little civil disputes. Leaders and functionaries tend to be selected by whomever feels they are necessary at the time. By far the most complex administration would be at the Dragon Palace, which takes a great deal of coordination to keep it running properly. In theory, you're in charge of all of this. In reality, you learned long ago that delegation is a word that takes worries off your shoulders. There's numerous people working under you to keep the Palace clean, fed, and in working order.  As far as laws go, there really aren't many, aside from don't bother The Dragon. Typically, Celestials behave well enough; thankfully Suika has played along when she visits.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Do you have any idea what would be capable of causing our sudden descent?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Do you have any idea what would be capable of causing our sudden descent?"

>You feel that it is considering a few ideas, but doesn't seem to have settled upon any as likely, yet.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Well, I'll do my best to see if I can find out anything related to it."
>"I pray that people remain safe and this place aloft. I will do the best I can."
>Return to our quarters

[Hello Purvis]

>"Well, I'll do my best to see if I can find out anything related to it."
>"I pray that people remain safe and this place aloft. I will do the best I can."
>Return to our quarters

>You feel The Dragon is very confident in you. It's honestly reassuring. Even if you are nervous enough to repeat yourself a little.
>You stand and take a step backwards, walking through the doorway you entered. It's honestly easier when you can't see it.
>Stepping out, you see the devastation is about as you left it. You can only wonder how much damage has been done, and how long it will take to help the wounded, then clean the Palace up. You head toward your chambers, taking the northern doorway closest to The Dragon's chamber; frowning that the lacquered mahogany doors are hanging from their hinges. You follow the corridor a short ways, until your reach your personal quarters.
>You enter, and find they are in a frighten state. Pictures have fallen from the walls. Tables have overturned. You bed has fallen all to pieces. Shards of broken pottery are everywhere, often obscured by the contents of your wardrobe, which have been disgorged onto the floor. Originally, you had a lovely suite, with a sitting room off to the side, a sizable bed room, and a small dance floor for practicing your steps. Now it is a mess.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>Give ourselves a little time to be dismayed at the state of our room...
>Take a few moments to clean up some of the easiest and most obvious things, such a righting tables, and getting our clothes up off the floor
>What possessions do we have that we think could be useful on such an expedition? Money, spellcards, etc.

[Hello Purvis]

>Give ourselves a little time to be dismayed at the state of our room...
>Take a few moments to clean up some of the easiest and most obvious things, such a righting tables, and getting our clothes up off the floor
>What possessions do we have that we think could be useful on such an expedition? Money, spellcards, etc.

>You were prepared for this, but it's still a blow.
>You set yourself to righting tables and cleaning up some of the clothes, while trying to figure out where everything is now.
>You do not have much money; it simply isn't used in Bhava-agra. You do keep a little for your occasional venture down to Gensokyo, but you doubt there is more than 40☼ to your name. You see the coins scattered about; you kept them in a little dish. There are your spellcards, of course. You have four of them. Your purse would be very helpful if you intend to lug anything around. You also kept a small folding knife that was gifted to you some time ago, you don't know where it is.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>Get spellcards, purse, and collect the coins
>Have a little look around for the knife

[Hello Purvis]

>Get spellcards, purse, and collect the coins
>Have a little look around for the knife

>You purse isn't too hard to find, thankfully. It's fairly sizable, so it stands out pretty well. You do have to clean off some soil from a fallen potted plant, but otherwise it is fine.
>You obtain: Large Black Purse
>It takes longer to find your spell cards. You kept them in a little box, whose latch popped when it hit the floor. Two of them you find near the box. A third you find half-wedged under the fallen wardrobe. The fourth seems to have found its way into the sitting room.
>You obtain: Spine Sign: "Acanthodii of the Thunder Clouds"
>You obtain: Light Orb: "Dragon's Gleaming Eyes"
>You obtain: Cloud Realm: "The Thunder Court in the Sea of Abstruse Clouds"
>You obtain: Dragonfish: "Dragon Palace's Messenger Swimming Shot"
>While hunting for these things, you grab coins when you see them.
>You obtain: 26☼

>_

[DracoOmega]

>No sign of the knife?
>Assuming not, head out of the palace and down over the edge we last saw Tenshi at

[Hello Purvis]

>No sign of the knife?
>Assuming not, head out of the palace and down over the edge we last saw Tenshi at

>You're certain it's in here somewhere, just there are a lot of places it could be hiding...
>You start to leave the palace, returning to the main hall, when you notice a tall, red-haired Celestial approach you. You recognize her as Yuki, one of your underlings. In particular, she's in charge of the kitchen. She curtsies toward you, and says, "Lady Nagae, have you any orders for us? Or words from the August One?" Her eyes flick briefly toward the great jade doors at the end of the hall.

>_

[Fightest]

> Console ourselves weakly that these are merely material possession, trifles which must be ultimately discarded to truly reach the upper reaches.
> ...
> Our stuff

>You start to leave the palace, returning to the main hall, when you notice a tall, red-haired Celestial approach you. You recognize her as Yuki, one of your underlings. In particular, she's in charge of the kitchen. She curtsies toward you, and says, "Lady Nagae, have you any orders for us? Or words from the August One?" Her eyes flick briefly toward the great jade doors at the end of the hall.

>_

> "Start preparing meals for any wounded. Keep the kitchen staffed at all times, but feel free to divert some workers to the damage control effort. Break out the high-quality ingredients, we need to keep morale high."

[Hello Purvis]

> Console ourselves weakly that these are merely material possession, trifles which must be ultimately discarded to truly reach the upper reaches.
> ...
> Our stuff

> "Start preparing meals for any wounded. Keep the kitchen staffed at all times, but feel free to divert some workers to the damage control effort. Break out the high-quality ingredients, we need to keep morale high."

>You'd like to think you're not particularly attached to these things, but it's still saddening to see them ruined and cast about amidst all the other problems.
>Yuki nods. "It shall be done, Lady Nagae."
>She flies away. Alas, there's only so much she can really do. Meals in Bhava-Agra have always been a bit limited. But you have faith she'll be able to do something.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>Continue back to that edge

[Hello Purvis]

>Continue back to that edge

>You depart the Dragon Palace, and return to Shrine Island, nearing the edge where Tenshi vanished.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>Fly over the edge and descend
>What seems to be directly below?