Visiting the Neighbors - Kanako in the Netherworld

[Hanzo K.]

>Connected to the wind, hm? Perhaps they'll be useful allies in the event that we require such a thing. Let's watch, and see what unfolds.

[Oldmansour]

>Are we bothered by things such as the cold?

>Ordinarily, not really. You prefer the cold over the heat as a general rule, but this cold feels different than the kind of cold you've felt before. More... primal, somehow.

>Let's watch.

>Connected to the wind, hm? Perhaps they'll be useful allies in the event that we require such a thing. Let's watch, and see what unfolds.

>You interest piqued, you observe the wolf-like creatures as they circle each other warily, studying each other. You do not sense lethal intent from them, however, though there is a sense of enmity between the two, a challenge obviously lies between the two. But to your eye, they seem practically identical, the wind flows around them in nearly identical patterns, at least as far as you can tell from the strange winds of this strange world.
>After several long moments, the wind around the on the left changes and it lunges forward, leaving a trail of green energy behind it. The horns of the two beasts crash against each other with a metallic sound, displaced air slicing out around them, and they split apart again.

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>Continue to observe.

[Oldmansour]

>Continue to observe.

>The two beasts rush each other again, a second time, a third time, all the while the gold skinned hound and his partner look on, critically observing the dueling pair. The two appear to be very evenly matched, but you can see damage start to accumulate more on one than the other.
>Their contest is cut short, however, at a low growl from the gold hound. He raises his head up towards the sky, listening. He seems to be reading the wind as much as he is listening to the sounds. And while your own sense for this alien worlds' winds is not as exact as it is at home, you too, like the large hound, can sense something wrong. Something is approaching from the south, the direction you currently face, something with vile intent.

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>Ready ourselves.

[Oldmansour]

>Ready ourselves.

>Taking your onbashira in hand, you scan the skies for whatever drew the attention of the lupine creatures. The three blue-hided ones dash into the cave they were standing in front of, while the gold one remains at the entrance, waiting and watching.
>Almost a minute passes before the thing comes into your view hidden as it was behind a tall hill. The sight of the creature gives you pause, which is quite a feat in and of itself. The creature is a dragon. And a large one, at that, and western in shape. It has to be at least fourty feet long, from its snout to the end of its tail. As it flies closer to you, more details reveal themselves. It's hide is a vivid black, almost purple. The underside of its wings, as well as its underbelly and four clawed feet are an orangy-red, like cinders wisping from a bonfire. A small horn protrudes from its snout, and a trio of spikes protect the back of its head, as well as a row of dull red scales obviously thicker than others. Its yellow eyes gleam with an evil light, and its saw-like teeth gnash in the cold night air, its open mouth hinting at flames burning in the things' throat.
>The wind surrounding the dragon is a harsh feeling, hot and cutting, showing the dragons' cruel intentions. But those intentions are not aimed at you, or the creatures in the cave to your south. In fact, the dragon shows no sign that it even knows you are beneath it.

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>Don't do anything to draw its attention, but stay alert. If it makes any moves in our direction, we need to be ready.

[Oldmansour]

>Don't do anything to draw its attention, but stay alert. If it makes any moves in our direction, we need to be ready.

>Keeping yourself primed to act in case the beast changes its course, you keep an eye on the winged lizard. But it's flight path does not change, and it passes harmlessly over your head, taking its hot and foul wind with it. Its present course would take it towards that band of marching figures you noted to the north.
>The wolf with the gold hide growls a command to its brethren, then pads slowly forward, following the dragon's path. It is only now that its eyes fall upon you, and it stops in its tracks.

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>Face it, but make no motions towards it.
>Remain aware of the dragon's position.

[Oldmansour]

>Face it, but make no motions towards it.
>Remain aware of the dragon's position.

>Keeping one eye on the dragon and one eye on the wolf, you prepare for hostility from either.
>But while the feeling of the wind around the dragon was searing, cruel, the wolf feels only curious as he looks at you. You would guess that he can sense your connection to the winds, just as you can sense his.

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>Then let's use that. Try to communicate with it through the winds.

[Oldmansour]

>Then let's use that. Try to communicate with it through the winds.

>Unlike your previous experiences with the weather in this world, this one yields the desired result right away. "I don't know you, and yet, I feel a kinship."

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>"We are both beings of the wind, though I know nothing about you aside from this."

[Oldmansour]

>"We are both beings of the wind, though I know nothing about you aside from this."

>"Nor I, you." the hound replies. He seems curious, but wary. "Apart from the difference in your scent. You are not of this world."

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>"True. I am from another world. I am a being of a variety that may not exist here as we do in the world I am from."

[Oldmansour]

>"True. I am from another world. I am a being of a variety that may not exist here as we do in the world I am from."

>"There have been many such as you recently." His eyes dart to the still-departing dragon. "That one and those like him seek conquest and bring destruction. I was not expecting him to ignore my clan."

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>"Are you saying that creature is also not of this world?"

[Hanzo K.]

>"Interesting...However, there is one fundamental difference. I do not deal in destruction, though my power and abilities do indeed lend themselves to it quite well."

[Oldmansour]

>"Are you saying that creature is also not of this world?"

>"Indeed."

>"Interesting...However, there is one fundamental difference. I do not deal in destruction, though my power and abilities do indeed lend themselves to it quite well."

>"Then why have you come to this world?"

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>"The word I am about to use may mean something different here, but I am a god."
>Explain briefly about gods as they exist in our world. Be sure to mention the need for faith.
>"I have come here to gain the faith of this world's denizens."
>"Do realize that giving me your faith benefits you as well as me. The more faith I gain, the greater the blessings I can offer."

[Oldmansour]

>"The word I am about to use may mean something different here, but I am a god."
>Explain briefly about gods as they exist in our world. Be sure to mention the need for faith.
>"I have come here to gain the faith of this world's denizens."
>"Do realize that giving me your faith benefits you as well as me. The more faith I gain, the greater the blessings I can offer."

>The lupine beast listens as you fill him in on the mechanics of divinity in Gensokyo.
>"Divine beings exist in this world as well." he informs you. "They likely require faith as well, which is why they conflict as often as they do."
>"If that is the case, you will end up in conflict with the Overlord, as well as all the others come here to take his throne."

[GuyYouMetOnline]

...I don't think anything in Disgaea says anything about anyone needing faith or anything like that.


>"I am no stranger to conflict."

[Oldmansour]

...I don't think anything in Disgaea says anything about anyone needing faith or anything like that.


>"I am no stranger to conflict."

That's a fair point, but that doesn't mean one of its residents wouldn't THINK it's true. Whether it is or not.

>The wolf's voice conveys a hint of dry humor as her replies, "Then you'll fit in well in the Netherworld."

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>"I am, however, unfamiliar with the system of combat used here. In my world, combat is done in a certain way, but here, I can already tell that battle is much different. I would appreciate a brief lesson as to how things work."
>If everything else here is going to function like it's from a game, why the hell can't there be a combat tutorial?

[Oldmansour]

>"I am, however, unfamiliar with the system of combat used here. In my world, combat is done in a certain way, but here, I can already tell that battle is much different. I would appreciate a brief lesson as to how things work."
>If everything else here is going to function like it's from a game, why the hell can't there be a combat tutorial?

>The wolf tilts his head back, listening and gauging the flow of the wind around you. He seems to be listening for signs of what you mentioned, gauging the way you fight in your world.
>No one ever said everything here functioned like it's a game. The parser was trying to capture some of the flavor of Disgaea, without all the stats and abilities that go with it.


Updates are going to be a bit more sporadic over the next couple of weeks, folks. Christmas hours start at work tonight, that'll take a lot of good out of Sour.

[Hanzo K.]

>Sanae commented on it being like one of her games, and Yukari seems to have implied similarly.
>"In my world, battles are resolved with two things. one of which is known as Danmaku."
>Let's see about flinging a typical rice pellet type one off in a direction away from the wolves, but in a direction that will allow them to see it.
>"The second means of resolving combat is with Spellcards, which also produce Danmaku. But in a much larger amount. From what I can understand of this world's doings, Skills are the general equivalent.."

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>"It should be mentioned, though, that danmaku is inherently non-lethal; we use it because it allows us to fight without risk to our lives. I don't know, however, that this is the case here."

[Oldmansour]

>Sanae commented on it being like one of her games, and Yukari seems to have implied similarly.
>"In my world, battles are resolved with two things. one of which is known as Danmaku."
>Let's see about flinging a typical rice pellet type one off in a direction away from the wolves, but in a direction that will allow them to see it.
>"The second means of resolving combat is with Spellcards, which also produce Danmaku. But in a much larger amount. From what I can understand of this world's doings, Skills are the general equivalent.."

>"It should be mentioned, though, that danmaku is inherently non-lethal; we use it because it allows us to fight without risk to our lives. I don't know, however, that this is the case here."

>Prudently aiming your single shot away from both the wolf and the dragon- no sense in poking that proverbial bear yet, despite the still-increasing distance between you and it- you demonstrate the basics of danmaku to the lupine beast. He seems curious. "You are correct in that the skills and abilities we serve the same sort of purpose. All residents of the Netherworld possess certain skills once they become powerful enough. The more powerful a being is, the more skills they possess, at least usually. As for non-lethality, some beings possess them, some do not. I assume it is not as common here as in your realm, but your wind is not easy for me to read."
>As the wolf advises you, "You may have to adjust some of your tactics, if you wish to become Overload.", a quartet of fireballs drops from the dragon's claws, dropping down towards a narrow bridge over a deep chasm.

[Hanzo K.]

>Regard the Dragon's actions with no small measure of annoyance. "A new world means one must play by new rules, after all. I am no stranger to that, given that the world I hail from is also not precisely the world of my birth. This is essentially the third world I have come to in my quest to gather Faith. Though I regard the previous world as my current home, due to it having those I live with."
>Could we still use the Washbin trick? Ponder on how the Dragon would react to having a washbin dropped on it.

[Oldmansour]

>Regard the Dragon's actions with no small measure of annoyance. "A new world means one must play by new rules, after all. I am no stranger to that, given that the world I hail from is also not precisely the world of my birth. This is essentially the third world I have come to in my quest to gather Faith. Though I regard the previous world as my current home, due to it having those I live with."
>Could we still use the Washbin trick? Ponder on how the Dragon would react to having a washbin dropped on it.

>"That may explain the strength of you wind." the wolf replies with a small measure of respect. "You have a great deal of power."
>Strictly speaking, you had developed that little trick solely for Sanae and Suwako. But then again, this IS a new world, and some of your techniques already function a little differently...