Sword Quest X - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Kilgamayan]

> Use each hand to place a flame talisman on the tunnel walls, then reel our arms in, all at once and not with haste.

[Hello Purvis]

> Use each hand to place a flame talisman on the tunnel walls, then reel our arms in, all at once and not with haste.

>You place many flame talismans, then reel your arms in. As you are in the process of fumbling with this, you notice that Tojiko is nearly done.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Oh crap, that.
> Dissolve all of our additional arms except for the very first pair, so that we end up with four arms total. Then, squish our torso back down to its normal size, restore our lower body to its normal state, and dissolve the metal sheet behind us.

[Hello Purvis]

> Oh crap, that.
> Dissolve all of our additional arms except for the very first pair, so that we end up with four arms total. Then, squish our torso back down to its normal size, restore our lower body to its normal state, and dissolve the metal sheet behind us.

>You return yourself to almost normal in a fairly dizzying display as Tojiko finishes and glances back toward you. "There's a lot of fire ahead, Crown Prince, be careful if you intend to leave."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Nod with a smile.
> "Excellent work, Tojiko. Your help so far has been invaluable."

[Hello Purvis]

> Nod with a smile.
> "Excellent work, Tojiko. Your help so far has been invaluable."

>"I'm glad to hear it, Crown Prince," says Tojiko.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Gesture toward the hole with both of our left arms. (Good thing we practiced moving 26 of them at once!)
> "May I have a closer look, to help determine our best next step?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Gesture toward the hole with both of our left arms. (Good thing we practiced moving 26 of them at once!)
> "May I have a closer look, to help determine our best next step?"

>If nothing else, this feels a whole lot less confusing, if still a bit awkward.
>"Of course, Crown Prince," says Tojiko, doing her best to move aside.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Thank you."
> Rotate ourselves to get by Tojiko, and have a proper look-see out the hole she made.

[Hello Purvis]

> "Thank you."
> Rotate ourselves to get by Tojiko, and have a proper look-see out the hole she made.

>You turn to move past her, finding it a tight fit, even as she tries to keep her chopping implements out of your way. Looking down, you can see a fair amount of the Saigyou Ayakashi's trunk is on fire.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Mmm, it does not seem much has changed down here, save for further spreading of fire. Let us head back up this tunnel and see if another one could be created to help the flames end this tree."
> Gesture back up the tunnel, using both right arms this time.
> "As it makes no sense for us to unnecessarily squeeze together so tightly again, please lead the way."
> Once Tojiko moves, follow her our of the tunnel. Keep all four arms spread in an X formation, sticking flame talismans on the walls of the tunnel every yard or so.

[Hello Purvis]

> "Mmm, it does not seem much has changed down here, save for further spreading of fire. Let us head back up this tunnel and see if another one could be created to help the flames end this tree."
> Gesture back up the tunnel, using both right arms this time.
> "As it makes no sense for us to unnecessarily squeeze together so tightly again, please lead the way."
> Once Tojiko moves, follow her our of the tunnel. Keep all four arms spread in an X formation, sticking flame talismans on the walls of the tunnel every yard or so.

>Tojiko nods and ascends, letting you follow.
>You make your way up and out, adding a number more talismans to the branches. Tojiko glances at the ones you have already laid. "I don't want to be near this place when you set all of those off," she says, as she exits the tunnel.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Grin.
> "It is my hope that this will put a sizable dent in this insolent tree's will to resist."
> Conjure another square metal sheet two yards across, two yards above Tojiko's head, and will it to follow her around from above as she moves to protect her from the petal rain.
> "In the meantime, while I ignite these talismans, I would like you to scout around this place, looking for another section of branches suitable for a third tunnel, safe enough from the existing flames amongst the branches. The shield I have just made should keep you safe as you move."
> Assuming Tojiko obeys, let begin her investigation, then return our attention to the tunnel we just exited and ignite all of the talismans we left within it.

[Hello Purvis]

> Grin.
> "It is my hope that this will put a sizable dent in this insolent tree's will to resist."
> Conjure another square metal sheet two yards across, two yards above Tojiko's head, and will it to follow her around from above as she moves to protect her from the petal rain.
> "In the meantime, while I ignite these talismans, I would like you to scout around this place, looking for another section of branches suitable for a third tunnel, safe enough from the existing flames amongst the branches. The shield I have just made should keep you safe as you move."
> Assuming Tojiko obeys, let begin her investigation, then return our attention to the tunnel we just exited and ignite all of the talismans we left within it.

>"As you wish, Crown Prince," says Tojiko.
>You conjure her some protection, and turn your attention toward the hole you've made. You ignore the talismans, and the entire thing seems to roar into a column of flame, spreading fire everywhere!
>You say the last words of the ritual, the feelings of resistance gone. You stand in front of the tree, its life force returned, aware of the vague whispers of the desires of the four that have accompanied you. Your arms are as they should be, you feel no sting where you had wounds.  Meira rests before you, as she always has. At a glance, she seems much less troubled.
>You now possess control of both Youmu and Miko. Please preface all actions and sentences with the name of the relevant character. You may summarize interactions between them as briefly or thoroughly as you please. Keep in mind that they cannot read each others' minds (Youmu lacks a desire, which throws things), so coordination will have to be arranged verbally or through gestures or the like. Also please keep in mind that both have their own goals and motivations, and may not perfectly align with every action. You may freely split them up when you please, upon which things shall continue as before.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Miko: Good riddance, infernal tree. May you be stuck here forever.
> Miko: How's our headache doing?
> Miko: Wave the others over, then once they start moving, inspect Meira to make sure her life force was properly returned.
> Youmu: "Oh, is she done?"
> Youmu: Walk on over to Miko and Meira.

[Hello Purvis]

> Miko: Good riddance, infernal tree. May you be stuck here forever.
> Miko: How's our headache doing?
> Miko: Wave the others over, then once they start moving, inspect Meira to make sure her life force was properly returned.
> Youmu: "Oh, is she done?"
> Youmu: Walk on over to Miko and Meira.

>Miko: Your head is doing alright.
>Miko: You look Meira, and at a glance she seems to be reasonably alright, but she is going to require at least one purification ritual.
>Youmu: You approach the the two, and can see that the aura of death around Meira is gone. All that is left are some minor but potentially worrisome vestiges. Kotohime follows close behind, and peers over your shoulder at Meira. Reimu and Byakuren remain behind.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Miko: Is the purification ritual something we can do, or something better left to Reimu?

> Youmu: "Is the Saiygou Ayakashi restored? Is Meira safe again?"
> Miko: "Your swordswoman friend will require at least one purification ritual. But otherwise, all has been restored to its proper place."
> Youmu: Give Miko a bow. "Then I thank you, for your services to my home, to Meira, and to quite possibly all of Gensokyo."
> Miko: Look over to Reimu and Byakuren, to see what they're up to. "Your sentiments are appreciated, but you should perhaps shelve your gratitude until after Seiga has been properly punished for her deeds."

[Hello Purvis]

> Miko: Is the purification ritual something we can do, or something better left to Reimu?

> Youmu: "Is the Saiygou Ayakashi restored? Is Meira safe again?"
> Miko: "Your swordswoman friend will require at least one purification ritual. But otherwise, all has been restored to its proper place."
> Youmu: Give Miko a bow. "Then I thank you, for your services to my home, to Meira, and to quite possibly all of Gensokyo."
> Miko: Look over to Reimu and Byakuren, to see what they're up to. "Your sentiments are appreciated, but you should perhaps shelve your gratitude until after Seiga has been properly punished for her deeds."

>Miko: You could do it, but frankly Reimu has been through a lot less than you have today.
>Reimu nods. "Well, you two handled it, so I'm inclined to let you two make the decisions there."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Youmu: Frown. "If you say so."
> Miko: Look back to Meira, then back to Reimu.
> Miko: "In that case, may I request you perform the purification ritual, once time allows for it? My day of investigation is, unfortunately, not yet over."

[Hello Purvis]

> Youmu: Frown. "If you say so."
> Miko: Look back to Meira, then back to Reimu.
> Miko: "In that case, may I request you perform the purification ritual, once time allows for it? My day of investigation is, unfortunately, not yet over."

>"Sure, I figured I was going to have to anyways," says Reimu.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Miko: Nod. "Thank you."
> Youmu: "If I may ask, what other investigating do you have to do? I am not sure how to find Seiga without you, to be honest."
> Miko: "Seiga is on my mental list of tasks, yes. And we all still need to meet your mistress, as I recall."
> Miko: Pull the key out.
> Miko: "But my largest concern is still this, as I know have a lead as to its possible origin."

[Hello Purvis]

> Miko: Nod. "Thank you."
> Youmu: "If I may ask, what other investigating do you have to do? I am not sure how to find Seiga without you, to be honest."
> Miko: "Seiga is on my mental list of tasks, yes. And we all still need to meet your mistress, as I recall."
> Miko: Pull the key out.
> Miko: "But my largest concern is still this, as I know have a lead as to its possible origin."

>"Well before you go," Reimu says, looking toward Youmu, "Tell some ghosts to bring me some stuff. I'm going to need some salt and some pure water at least. And some ink and a brush, maybe."
>"Perhaps we should move her from the tree," says Byakuren. "I suspect it is quite dangerous to sleep there."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Youmu: We presumably have all of these things, yes?
> Youmu: Look to Reimu and nod. "I can do this. Where would you like to to set up?"
> Miko: Look to Byakuren. "A sound suggestion. Do you wish to carry her, or shall I?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Youmu: We presumably have all of these things, yes?
> Youmu: Look to Reimu and nod. "I can do this. Where would you like to to set up?"
> Miko: Look to Byakuren. "A sound suggestion. Do you wish to carry her, or shall I?"

>Youmu: Definitely.
>Reimu looks to Byakuren and nods in agreement. "Let's set her up over near the garden entrance. That shouldn't be too far to drag her."
>"I'll handle her," says Byakuren, moving forward to collect the swordswoman.  "It would be unkind to ask you to move her after you have just done so much."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Youmu: Are there any ghosts in the vicinity?
> Miko: "Ah, thank you."
> Miko: How are we feeling on the whole, given we just finished mindscape-battling a tree that was cursing us to feel exhausted?

[Hello Purvis]

> Youmu: Are there any ghosts in the vicinity?
> Miko: "Ah, thank you."
> Miko: How are we feeling on the whole, given we just finished mindscape-battling a tree that was cursing us to feel exhausted?

>Youmu: There are a few in the distance.
>Miko: You wouldn't mind sitting down and unwinding for a few minutes, but overall you aren't too bad. Perhaps not at the top of your mental agility, at worst.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Youmu: Is 'over near the garden entrance' part of Hakugyoukurou, or some place outdoors?

[Hello Purvis]

> Youmu: Is 'over near the garden entrance' part of Hakugyoukurou, or some place outdoors?

`

>It is closer to an entrance to the manor.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Youmu: Wait for Byakuren to secure her hold on Meira, then speak up.
> Youmu: "Very well. Please follow me, everyone."
> Youmu: Lead the group to a suitable location near the garden entrance.
> Miko: Follow!

[Hello Purvis]

> Youmu: Wait for Byakuren to secure her hold on Meira, then speak up.
> Youmu: "Very well. Please follow me, everyone."
> Youmu: Lead the group to a suitable location near the garden entrance.
> Miko: Follow!

>Byakuren gently lifts Meira. "Ah, she is resting much ore soundly now," she says, as the group moves from the Saigyou Ayakashi to the front of the garden.
>"Have fuuuuuun, Prince!" Yoshika says as you leave.
>It doesn't take long to relocate near the front of the garden, not far from the doors.
>Youmu: You note a few ghosts are watching curiously.

>_