The Legend of Hieda III: Esteemed Companion

[Fightest]

>Muse on Ani's whereabouts. Hope for her safety.

> Ani had very deliberately made an enigma of herself, but she sounded genuinely threatened by whatever specter the two of you saw back then. Was Ani defeated by it? Would you even know? Would anything even become different if she were? There are many questions, and you are the only person to even know to ask them.

[Mr_Bob]

>"From whence do you hail Illuminating Decree? How do you know so much about stories, and why do you want re-assemble them?"
>"I intend to complete these tales by integrating them into my ideal fantasy heaven, a re-imagining where a lack of suffering is not a flaw."

[Fightest]

>"From whence do you hail Illuminating Decree? How do you know so much about stories, and why do you want re-assemble them?"

> "Strange question, Dream-child. I have always been here. Your heaven brought to it the most fascinating of beings, did it not? But, perhaps, with them gone, I am the most fascinating one here now, hmm?"
> The crow creature cackles.

>"I intend to complete these tales by integrating them into my ideal fantasy heaven, a re-imagining where a lack of suffering is not a flaw."

> "Then you fight the nature of the world itself, as dictated by the Anguish Engine."
> burn the effigy throw the spear pull the rope cut the seal catch the bird
> "-olve, but do you even know where to begin?"

[Fightest]

> If you wish to get to the mainland, then you will need a ship with range for a month or so of travel. You have several options:
> Private vessel - some wealthy traveller might have space on their ship and a charitable enough disposition.
> Merchant ship - you might be able to convince a trader to free up some precious cargo space for you.
> Stow away - hide amongst some cargo on one of the above.
> Piracy - seize a ship for your own use.

[Mr_Bob]

>Is that Marisa girl, Principle-of-Magic, still around does she know any good ways to get to the mainland?

[Fightest]

>Is that Marisa girl, Principle-of-Magic, still around does she know any good ways to get to the mainland?

> She left sometime during your ritual, with no indication where she could have gone.

[Mr_Bob]

>Attempt to locate her, she seemed to know a bit about the community.  We could thank her as well.
>Speaking of which, give thanks to Key and Mountain, we're in her debt.

[Fightest]

While that is all well and good, please put in a course of action involving the boat, assuming you do not find Marisa. I'm trying to move this along.

Also, Happy New Year, everyone!

[Mr_Bob]

>Have we had any previous experience stowing away?  Barring that, try to see if there are any charitable travelers; name drop Hieda family.

Any other suggestions players?

[Jq1790]

I'm fine with that, Mr_Bob. 

Sorry for no posting on my part, but Christmas then MAGFest kinda distracted me, the former with new games and movies and stuff, the latter with being a con and thus I was doing other stuff.  I'm with Fightest on getting this thing progressing.  We've still got a ways to go in this series, after all~!

[Fightest]

Fightest's note: sorry, my internet presence may be sketchy over the next two weeks.

>Have we had any previous experience stowing away?  Barring that, try to see if there are any charitable travelers; name drop Hieda family.

> Pick one, brah. Both are possible options and lead in different directions.

[Jq1790]

>Search for a ship that looks unguarded enough to sneak aboard that is headed towards the mainland

[Fightest]

>Search for a ship that looks unguarded enough to sneak aboard that is headed towards the mainland

> You can see the light reflecting off it before you see the ship itself, a magnificent golden yacht, built and decorated with an expert eye, a wondrous piece of engineering that is rarely seen in this age. Only Ani's skiff surpassed it in splendor.
> With attention drawn to the ship, little goes in the direction of the various crates being loaded by local workers through a cargo hatch cleverly concealed in the rear of the yacht.
> Is it your own skill, or the cold influence of your Fantasy Heaven that steers curious glances away from you? Whichever the case, it is easy enough to pick a moment when nobody is watching, and the workers are concerned with the transport of some large, possibly precious container, to slip into the cargo hold and hunker down in the darkness.
> Minutes pass. Hours? Your only indication is the movement of air and the steps and thuds of the loaders and their cargo, but the moment comes when the hatch closes and you are fully blanketed in darkness. Then the ship shudders and faint lights run across the ceiling of the cargo hold as the ship comes to life. The slightest shift in balance tells you that the ship has left port.

> Time passes.

> The sea looked calm when you stowed away on the ship, and the sky cloudless, but it seems even the ship's powerful dampening enchantments have begun to fail, and you are rocked, more and more strongly, from side to side. The cargo is tightly-clamped, of course, but you have to be careful not to be thrown into anything hard and edged.
> You start to feel the little blackness again, growing from little pinpricks into threads of rot under your skin. You will need to purify again, sooner rather than later.

[Jq1790]

>Take out the gohei, wave it to banish the blackness within like we did before.
>Do we have any idea how we might more permanently banish the curses and blackness?

[Fightest]

>Take out the gohei, wave it to banish the blackness within like we did before.
>Do we have any idea how we might more permanently banish the curses and blackness?

> It is strange to perform the ritual of purification in an unprepared space like this, shifting to and fro, but the waving of the gohei, in rhythm to your own breath and steps, is enough to push away the little blackness that comes from within. The curses that come from without are still held at bay by your Fantasy Heaven.
> To banish the curses without would be to upset the cycle of karma that binds the world and spins the wheel of samsara. The world would literally have to be broken and made anew.
> To banish the curses within would require you to fully and utterly reject your humanity, for the fundamental imperfections of your form and function are what give birth to the little blackness. For as long as you have two arms, two legs, eat and breathe, see and hear, you still hold some shred of humanity within you.
> It is impossible to walk a perfect circle, but you make do with a winding path between boxes and crates.
> As you are halfway through your second lap, a repeat of your path just to make sure, a woman's voice resounds through the cargo hold. There is nobody here. A communication enchantment, then.
> "Miss Stowaway, we do know that you are there, do you take us for a fool? Now, it is clearly not coincidence that we are in the middle of the worst storm for a hundred years on the same day that you chose to grace our yacht with your surprisingly clean - thank Heaven for that - presence. Tell us your name that we might have a proper ... conversation. We are to be called Remilia, if you please."

[Mr_Bob]

Remilia doesn't sound too archaic, so Reimu is probably the correct introductory name.

>"I am called Reimu.  I have stowed away to reach the main land to complete a task of much importance.  I would be glad to be of assistance if I can secure safe passage to my destination."

[Fightest]

>"I am called Reimu.  I have stowed away to reach the main land to complete a task of much importance.  I would be glad to be of assistance if I can secure safe passage to my destination."

> "Aah, wonderful, Miss Reimu it is. Now, Miss Reimu, would you most kindly
> throw the spear
> "...the red, lacquered container, about your height, and bring its contents up on deck, along with your Esteemed presence?"
> The container she is talking about it hard to miss, its elaborate finish with oristeel patterning and golden filigree stands out amongst the dull wood and metal.

[Mr_Bob]

>Open up the box.
>Examine the contents.
>Go up topside.

[Fightest]

> The lacquered container opens easily.
> Within is a long and thin object, like a staff or a spear, tightly-wrapped in silk. The wrappings have come undone in parts, revealing a strange gleaming red metal, entirely unlike the grey-gold of oristeel.
> It is so heavy, you can barely lift it, and it takes all your strength just to keep it from dragging on the floor as you climb the stairs to the main deck.
> You emerge outside to a black sky, a ravaging wind and sheets of rain whipping across your face. Lightning crackles in low clouds, with booming thunder to accompany.
> "Marvelous to see you on deck, Miss Reimu," yells a woman in a black raincoat. She is standing towards the front of the ship, looking out at the churning waves.
> "We would like you to kill the ocean, please!"

[Mr_Bob]

>Grab any nearby support.
>Loudly: "You mean put the ocean to rest?"

[Fightest]

> "If that is how you want to call it!" she yells. "You can see it crest the surface every so often! There!"
> She points somewhere ahead, where it is as if an island rises from the ocean, all iridescent hide and scale, and a fin the size of a palace breaks the water, cleaving the low clouds, and submerges again.
> throw the spear
> "It wants you dead, Miss Reimu, and we do not want to be collateral damage. The solution is quite literally in your hands!"

[Mr_Bob]

>Do we know any stories or legends regarding such a leviathan?
>Can such a being be conversed / reasoned with?
>"Do you know why it's after me?!"

[Fightest]

>Do we know any stories or legends regarding such a leviathan?
>Can such a being be conversed / reasoned with?
>"Do you know why it's after me?!"

> If the ocean is acting the way it is, it must be some major spirit or god.
> It is utterly berserk. You will have to pacify it first before you can parley.
> "We were hoping very much that you would know, Miss Stowaway!"
> If Key And Mountain's reaction is anything to go by, it could have been driven into this state by your mere presence.

[Mr_Bob]

>"How is this going to help anyway?", regarding the metal object, "It's extremely heavy!"

[Fightest]

Fightest's note: blame the Eurozone crisis for lack of updates.

>"How is this going to help anyway?", regarding the metal object, "It's extremely heavy!"

> "It is a weapon, Miss Reimu," she shouts as a particularly large wave breaks over the side of the ship, "I would think it rather obvious how it can help!"

[Mr_Bob]

>Unwrap the weapon. Is it magical?
>How far away is The Ocean?
>When the fin crests again, make like Ahab, aiming at the base of the fin.

[Fightest]

>Unwrap the weapon. Is it magical?
>How far away is The Ocean?
>When the fin crests again, make like Ahab, aiming at the base of the fin.

> You unwrap the heavy weapon, the galeforce winds instantly snatching up the cloth and carrying it out of sight.
> It is a beautiful spear, all deep red metal and crystal. Intermittent flashes of lightning send your reflection scattering across its many facets.
> There is a power in this weapon, a strange and terrible power, as if a black sun's light washing over you.
> And suddenly the spear feels much lighter, as if it has come to understand you, to see a kindred soul. You walk steadily to the side of the ship, your legs not even wholly your own
> and visions come unbeckoned, of things that have not happened
> the vast spider darts with a speed born of legend, leaving webs of suffering at every step, and its realm is the world itself, how could you possibly hope to hunt it?
> You test the spear's weight. You line up the throw.
> The wind and waves batter at you, but the strange trance still holds you, and the sea rises up as the spirit-beast crests the surface again, and the shot is perfect
> But a flash of lightning!
> And you know that the throw is off-target.
> Still the spear leaves your hand, almost voracious for a kill, ripping away with a speed far greater than your throw could allow for.
> Like a red bolt of lightning it hits the water, raising a plume that reaches the sky, and the vast force of the impact sends the beast careening to the side. With a wail, it submerges below the churning waves.
> With a dull red glow, the spear reforms in your hand. The beast is wounded. The hunt is on.

[Fightest]

All right, lads, give it to me straight. This is probably the lowest activity we have had in a very long time. What's up? Pacing, things proceeding to slowly? Characters, not compelling enough? The setting, unengaging? A lot of things are open to adjustment.

[Mr_Bob]

Combination of transferring to a four year, and generally not having internet access at my location.  Still excited whenever I get the chance to input some stuff.

>What color is the Ocean Beast?
>Wait for another opportunity.

[Fightest]

Fightest's note: I do owe you guys an explanation for the spotty as hell update schedule. The matter is that it is much easier to have creative juices flowing when one is busy at work. Ideas come much more readily. Sitting at home as I am, I've basically got the mother of all writer's blocks. The good news is that I've had a few very key ideas around which I can continue building story.

>What color is the Ocean Beast?
>Wait for another opportunity.

> The beast is the midnight black of the stormcloud-covered sky. Lightning flashes sometimes illuminate its hide, which pearlesces with every color of the rainbow for these briefest of moments.
> You steady yourself, the tip of the spear twitching left and right of its own volition like a dog sniffing for prey.
> and things start to get strange
> sound muted
> lightning like cracks in glass
> along webstrands the span of trees, through clouds and the sky, from pole to pole, how are you keeping up
> "What..." mutters Remilia, and you hear her clearly for it is as if the storm has stopped.
> she clutches at her head, her eyes darting
> "Things running together... a spider? A spider that spans the sky!"
> you ignore her, the hunt far more important
> "But when? Now or then? Of course, of course! HAKUREI!"
> you cannot even tell where you are any more, as if all that exists, all that matters are you and your quarry
> so close, lead the target
> "THROW THE SPEAR!"