Sword Quest III - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Kilgamayan]

> Head back to the Clinic, with a new bounce in our step.

[Hello Purvis]

> Head back to the Clinic, with a new bounce in our step.

>You make your way back to the Clinic. As you head back up the main street, you note there is an thin oni in shabby clothes who is definitely been following you since you've left The Felt.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> How far behind us are they?

[Hello Purvis]

> How far behind us are they?

>Several yards.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Continue at our current pace toward the clinic, acting like nothing is wrong, but keeping track of how far away this oni is from us.

[Hello Purvis]

> Continue at our current pace toward the clinic, acting like nothing is wrong, but keeping track of how far away this oni is from us.

>You continue at your current pace; as well as you can around the notably crowded marketplace, and note the oni seems to be getting closer.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> How far ahead of us does the crowd stretch?

[Yaersulf]

>Would we be able to make out his desires, or would the crowd be too overwhelming?

[Hello Purvis]

> How far ahead of us does the crowd stretch?

>For some ways.

>Would we be able to make out his desires, or would the crowd be too overwhelming?

>Possibly, but it would be a very very unpleasant experience with the crowds here. Even with your earmuffs on, the hundreds of muffled desires are not trivial to ignore.

>_

[Yaersulf]

>How well do we feel we would fare in a fight against an oni?

[Kilgamayan]

> Are there any nearby side roads or alleyways?

I would rather avoid a fight due to risk of damaging our snazzy new cloak.

[Hello Purvis]

> Are there any nearby side roads or alleyways?

>There is an alley between two buildings you cannot immediately identify to your left.

>How well do we feel we would fare in a fight against an oni?

>You have never faced an oni before, but you would like to think that you can handle yourself against most foes. However, without your sword, you are at something of a disadvantage.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Head into that alley.

[Hello Purvis]

> Head into that alley.

>You head into the alley. It is small and cramped, the ground merely rough cavern stone littered with the broken remains of dozens of clay bottles and jugs, as well as some unidentified trash. It opens to some smaller street up ahead.
>As you make you way down the alley, you just get a glimpse of the small oni following you in.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Does the oni have any distinguishing features?

[Hello Purvis]

> Does the oni have any distinguishing features?

>She is thin and fairly short, with dark red hair, and two long horns that are each about a foot long. The only other feature you can note without taking a closer look is that she wears a long green bow in her hair.
>"We doin' this 'ere, then?" the oni calls out in an amicable voice.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I beg your pardon?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "I beg your pardon?"

>"I said, we doin' this 'ere, then?" the oni repeats. "Kind of a manky alley, if you ask me."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Please forgive me, for I am new to this region. What exactly are we going to do? I do not believe I know you."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Please forgive me, for I am new to this region. What exactly are we going to do? I do not believe I know you."

>"Well, you're looking for something, ain't you?" says the oni. "Sounds like you need someone to clue you in. Lucky for you, that's what I'm here for, so long as your money's good."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Ah, I see."
> Frown.
> "Your offer is most intriguing. However, as I follow the way of the Tao, I do not carry money on my person, or collect it anywhere else."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Ah, I see."
> Frown.
> "Your offer is most intriguing. However, as I follow the way of the Tao, I do not carry money on my person, or collect it anywhere else."

>"Got anything to pawn?" says the oni. "Or maybe some good, juicy information?"

>_

[Yaersulf]

>Be thankful that this didn't turn out worse.
>Inventory.

[Hello Purvis]

>Be thankful that this didn't turn out worse.
>Inventory.

>Indeed, this could have been worse.
>You inventory contains:
>Regal Clothing
>Strong enough for a monarch, simple enough for a hermit.
>Shaku
>A ritual baton that is part of any ruler?s regalia. You keep it as a symbol of your old office.
>Harmony Earmuffs
>This does much to cut down the babel of voices you can hear from other people. Particularly strong desires can still get through.
>Travel Bag
>A sack for keeping your things in.
>Used Clothing
>Regal, but in need of a wash
>Bag of Konpeito x2
>Apparently it is regarded as good manners these days for a royal to give these guests and such, they didn't have such things in your day!
>Bag of Curry Powder
>A donation from a potential follower. Quite fresh!
>Iron Key
>A simple ring-handled key made of iron.
>Bundle of Incense
>This is a bundle of incense; it it unlabeled.
>Steel Trap
>This trap features steel jaws and a powerful spring mechanism with a plate trigger. A bit of chain extends from it, ending in a long metal stake.
>Regal Cloak
>A high-collared cloak gifted to you by Tojiko and Futo.

>_

[Suwako Moriya]

> "Hmmm...I may have a possession or two I could part with, I suppose. Would you have any use for a bundle of incense?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Hmmm...I may have a possession or two I could part with, I suppose. Would you have any use for a bundle of incense?"

>"Could probably flog it for somethin'" says the oni. "That'll get you something little."

>_

[Suwako Moriya]

> "What about a bag of konpeito?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "What about a bag of konpeito?"

>"Maybe something not so little, but still kinda weedy," says the oni with a shrug.

>_

[Suwako Moriya]

> Frown.
> "And both together?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Frown.
> "And both together?"

>"Depends on what you're asking, innit?"

>_