*comment REMOVE *save_checkpoint
*temp val 0
*temp temper 0
*temp fren ""
*temp fishhelp false
*temp oneleft false
*temp koshurt false
*temp duels 0
*temp fruitcrate false
*temp endless false
*temp nobo false
*temp lostship false
*temp gotmeat false
*temp betamount 100
*temp qingdiff 0
*temp technamer ""
*temp recruitedpirates false
*temp firedhalfswordsmen false
*temp leonagone 0
*temp bogone spareval_7
*set spareval_7 0
*temp fishfactor ""
*temp freepirates false
*if (((banditchoice = "Raiders") or (banditchoice = "Freedom")) and (spareval_2 >= 5))
	*set freepirates true
*temp fishtip false
*temp swordcasualties 0
*temp merchdmg 0
*comment "Damaged" "Fair" "Helped"
*temp merchopinion ""
*temp shipdiff 0
*temp winekos false
*temp gonghurt false
*temp merchwarn false
*temp merchorpirate ""
*temp cardhand ""
*temp sumyungai false
*temp dontmentionsum false
*set janken ""
*if (style = "Akakiru")
	*set fren "Leona"
*elseif (style = "Aoyusumu")
	*set fren "Angelo"
*elseif (style = "Kiihakai")
	*set fren "Desdemona"
*elseif (style = "Kurokonton")
	*set fren "Guiren"
*elseif (style = "Midorikatai")
	*set fren "Tian Fang"
*set chapter 6
*if ((bffromance >= 1) and (heshe = bffheshe))
	*set bffromance 0
*if ((desromance >= 1) and (heshe = "she"))
	*set desromance 0
*if ((angeloromance >= 1) and (heshe = "he"))
	*set angeloromance 0
*if ((guirenromance >= 1) and (heshe = "he"))
	*set guirenromance 0
*if ((leonaromance >= 1) and (heshe = "she"))
	*set leonaromance 0
*if ((fangromance >= 1) and (heshe = "she"))
	*set fangromance 0

*if (sonarmode)
	[b][Chapter 6][/b]
*else
	*image https://www.auraclash.com/assets/img/ap-chapter-six.png

[b][i]In which travelers are washed in a sea of troubles,[/i][/b]
*line_break
[b][i]A great Beast makes its presence known,[/i][/b]
*line_break
[b][i]And the journey of thousands reaches its end.[/i][/b]

As the Heavenly Ascension Trials approach, thousands of prodigies spread their legends on the journey through Outer West. Some come from wealth, others from special bloodlines, and others come from grand prophecies awaiting such a Warrior. One among them, a young ${manwoman} of Thunderfall, comes from nothing. No grand plan, no grand lineage, and no grand purpose beyond bettering ${himher}self and protecting ${hisher} family.

Yet the threat ${heshe} presents to the region's prodigies grows with every passing day.

The seas to the west hold uncountable dangers, and as you enter its aquatic domain that uncountable number increases by one.
*page_break
*gosub_scene quicks timepass
The soft featherbed cradles you as the room gently rocks back and forth like a hammock following the tune of the tide. You don't open your eyes just yet, and instead roll over into some sheets to savor a feeling you haven't felt in years. A familiar sensation from early childhood, a long-lost feeling that lazily drifts through your body.

The feeling that you've overslept.

*set chispent 0
*set powspent 0
*set forspent 0
*set agispent 0
*set solspent 0
*set wounds 0
[b][All Health, Cores, and Chi Replenished][/b]

Sweet Ancestors, you've missed this.

You roll over and get a big grip on the blankets around you before a spiritual scan sends a shiver between your shoulders. You ignore it and go back to the blankets.
	
Seconds later, another scan runs through your body. Then another.

Someone's found out you're awake, and that someone snitched.

A groan escapes your lips as you accept the reality that your rest is over. You sit up to see you're in the captain's cabin of one of the ships. A table, treasure chest, dresser, and bed fill the room, all secured to the floor and covered in metal clasps to prevent anything from opening in the waves. A couple of paper lanterns hang lit from the ceiling to show someone has been taking care of you.

*if (yokaitrait1 = "demon tail")
	A cold chill runs up your spine that, unless it was Kosuke, you might have to kill whoever it was if they saw your new demonic tail-
	
	No, you realize, your same clothes are still on and soiled from the fight.
	
	Thank Hells. Ew, but thank Hells.

*if ({itemkatana_1#1} >= 1)
	As you try to get up something weighs heavily on your hand, as if your dominant arm is dead.
	
	You pull the sheet off and look in shock at Muramasa, the cursed blade, still in your grip. It gives off a purple glow as if its spiritual binding were active.
	
	*set combatstat "soul"
	*set combatskill "craft"
	*set combatdiff 7
	*gosub_scene quicks combatcheck
	*if (passcheck)
		It's obvious by the raw sensation around your hand and wrist that the blade has been trying to suck the life force out of you ever since it somehow found its way into your bed.
		
		Yet your spirit stands firm. It failed.
		*if (honor > 50)
			You glare down at the blade in its folly. "Recognize your master quickly, or this will not be pleasant for you."
		*else
			You lean down until your face is right by the blade's hilt. "Know your place, trash."
			
		The blade remains absolutely silent.
	*else
		*set apval 5
		*gosub_scene quicks aploss
		*set taint + 3
		
		*set chispent + 1
		[b][1 Chi Point spent][/b]
		
		Through the pins and needles running through your lifedrained arm you can tell the damned vampiric blade has been sucking out your energy!
		
		"Oh you piece of shit." You cuss, drawing the rest of your chi into your other fist and slamming the blade in its side. The sucking sensation dissipates as if the blade knows it's been caught.
	
	"[i]That's what I[/i]
	*if (honor > 50)
		[i]thought.[/i]"
	*else
		[i]fucking[/i]
		*if (honor < 44)
			[i]thought, you little bitch.[/i]"
		*else
			[i]thought.[/i]" 
	You whisper into its subjugated steel.
	*page_break
	
You rise and find a locked box as big as your arm secured to the floor. When you open its top you realize it's a secured chamber pot.

[i]Thank Heavens[/i].

After doing what you must and freshening up you check the wardrobe, seeing
*if (equippedoutfit != "")
	some fresh outfits stitched up and cleaned, which you don before anyone can-
*else
	one of Kosuke's fresh and stolen Thunderfall gi which you don before anyone can-
	*if (equippedoutfit = "")
		*set equippedoutfit "Thunderfall Combat Gi"
		*set health + 1

[b]*knock knock*[/b]

Interrupt.

"Come in." You say half-heartedly.

The door opens.

"Honored $!{patriarch}!" An unfamiliar young man announces, barging in wearing a brown sleeveless tunic over white trousers. "It is such a relief to see you recovered. We were all beginning to worry."
*choice
	#"Why would you be worried?"
		*set ruthless - 1
		"Why would you be worried?" You ask.
		
		The man hesitantly scratches his nose. "Well, Honored $!{patriarch}, as merely a single of your retainers I cannot speak for everyone else. However, I would wager it is because you did not wake yesterday. Nor did you wake the day before."
		
		"Are you telling me I've been asleep for two days? That's..." By the Ancestors, overslept is an understatement. "It doesn't matter. I'm awake now. What's the situation with the crew, the ships, and the events of the past two days?"
		
		"Of course Honored $!{patriarch}." The man rises from his bow and looks down at his fingers as he counts.
		*label sumyungaicounting0
		You suspect he's from common stock, but then again, so are you.
		*label sumyungaicounting
		"The crew is in
		*if (retainer_morale >= 55)
			high spirits but 
		*elseif (retainer_morale >= 48)
			good spirits but 
		*else
			poor spirits. Many lost friends or suffered injuries back in Ebikowa and
		we are low on food and water. The ships
		*if (sparestr_10 = "fire")
			have suffered some damage in the mysterious fire before our prison break.
			*set sparestr_10 ""
		*else
			are doing well.
		As for events, I'm thankful to say there's nothing to report. We have been passed by a few ships but they kept to themselves. A school of fish went by earlier and the men looked everywhere for nets, but all we found was ${loot} crates of junk someone called 'trade goods'."
		
		"Is any of that junk useful?"
		
		"A bit, Honored $!{patriarch}, but mostly just the cloth. The rest is flint, tobacco, rubber, ceramics, stuff you'd pass by at a market."
		
		Perhaps you've spent too much time focused on the Martial World, because you didn't even consider that people might be trading regular things. You thought for sure there would be something for cultivation in there. "Is that all?"
		
		"Yes Honored $!{patriarch}, except...Well,
		*if (style = "Kiihakai")
			that ravenhaired cult leader
		*elseif (style = "Aoyusumu")
			that big monk
		*elseif (style = "Kurokonton")
			that snakeman and his thugs
		*elseif (style = "Midorikatai")
			that wolfgirl
		*elseif (style = "Akakiru")
			that blonde woman with the swords
		asked to see you when you awoke."
		
		Hm. So $!{fren}'s still on board.
		
		"I'd better not keep
		*if ((style = "Kurokonton") or (style = "Aoyusumu"))
			him
		*else
			her
		*if (style = "Kiihakai")
			waiting. Where is she now?"
			
			"At the helm, steering the flagship we're currently aboard."
			
			"She's WHAT?!" Your eyes crack open and you grab the man by the shirt. "Tell me, [i]please[/i] tell me, that Desdemona is not in charge of directions."
			
			*if (sumyungai)
				Sum Yungai
			*else
				The man in your clutches
			hesitates. "Er, Honored $!{patriarch}, I must point out that she assured us she knew how to get to Nanhou..."
			
			"Shit." You drop him and sprint out the Captain Cabin's door. "Shit shit shit shit!"
		*else
			waiting."
			
			*if (((style = "Kurokonton") and (heshe = "she")) and ({metguiren#4} = 2))
				Afterall, he owes you a proposal.
			Plus, you very much want to get a good look at the rest of your new ship...and find a washroom.
			*page_break
	#"Who are you and what are you doing in my room?"
		*set honor + 1
		*set val 1
		"Who are you and what are you doing in my room?"
		
		"I...work for you? Honored $!{patriarch}? You accepted us as Retainers to your Clan, did you not? Your general was quite clear about that."
		
		General...?
		
		...
		
		Damn it, Kosuke.
		
		"As to who I am, but a humble carpenter-turned-sailor. My name is Sum Yungai and-"
		*set sumyungai true
		
		*choice
			#Continue listening.
				*set dontmentionsum true
				"-and in
				*goto twodays
			#"No the fuck it is not."
				*set honor - 1
				*set ruthless + 1
				"No the fuck it is not."
			#"What is your [i]real[/i] name?"
				*set honor + 1
				"What is your [i]real[/i] name?"
		You reply on reflex.
		
		"Pardon, Honored $!{patriarch}?" The man remains bowed deeply but his head tilts up to you, worry showing in his eyes. "Have I said something wrong?"
		
		"You are not some young guy named Some Young Guy."
		
		"I-I apologize, Honored $!{patriarch}, but I cannot choose my Clan or given name. There are a half-dozen other Sums on board who will attest to my naming, my mother included."
		
		You stare at him with disappointment more than suspicion and nod for him to rise. "Alright, Sum Yungai, give me the report. What's the situation?"
		
		"Of course Honored $!{patriarch}." The man rises with a breath of relief, "In
		*label twodays
		the two days you've been asleep-"
		
		"Wait, two [i]days[/i]?!"
		
		"Yes, Honored $!{patriarch}? You did not wake yesterday or the day before. We knew not to trouble your rest after your battle."
		
		Sweet ancestors, you think to yourself, oversleeping is an understatement.
		*page_break What have I missed?
		It's hard to believe you've been out so long, but it's more worrying than surprising. "What have I missed? Were there any attacks? Is the crew okay? What's the status of the ships? Where are we?"
		
		Sum Yungai looks down at his fingers to count the questions. You suspect he's from common stock, but then again, so are you. "Er, let's see, Honored $!{patriarch}..."
		
		*goto sumyungaicounting
	#"Give yourself five lashes for doubting me, [i]after[/i] explaining the situation."
		*set ruthless + 2
		*set honor + 1
		"Give yourself five lashes for doubting me." You let the command hang in the air for a moment, "[i]After[/i] explaining the situation."
		
		The man's face pales but he nods. "Yes Honored $!{patriarch}. Of course, Honored $!{patriarch}. We-"
		
		"Speak to me, not the floor."
		
		The man rises from his bow sheepishly and begins counting on his fingers, sweating, to make sure he addresses all issues.
		*goto sumyungaicounting0
*page_break
You exit the captain's cabin to a salty gust of wind blowing against your clothes and behold your new surroundings. The sight of the ocean surrounds you on all sides and you become immediately familiar with how small your large ship feels when you're aboard.

Dear Ancestors, [i]where is the land?![/i]

How can a body of water be so large that you can't see any land?! You grab the railing for support as you suddenly feel dizzy and try to calm your breathing. You've mastered control of spiritual energies, you can handle...whatever this feeling is. This deep, instinctual dread of somehow losing the ground.

How in the world did you lose [i]the entire ground[/i]?! This 'ocean' is insanity!

One deep breath in, one deep breath out.

Focus, you tell yourself.

You analyze the rest of the ship to distract your mind.
*page_break What's onboard?
The first thing you notice is the incredible size of the sails. Your drawings as a kid were way off. Two masts take up much of the space, their enormous triangular sails unfurled to catch the wind at an angle and offer shade against the sun in the bright blue sky.
*if (flagshiptype = "combat")
	The ballista at the end of your ship takes up much of the rest of the space not occupied by the masts.
	
Several crewmen attend to the dozens of ropes securing the sails to the side of the ships for stability and the rest can be heard underneath, in the lower level where the rowers sit beside their hammocks used as their own lodgings.

As you step further away from the Captain's Cabin you realize it's the only actual room on board, unless you count a small brig that even you know most ships usually have at the end of the lower level, used to secure treasure or prisoners.
*if (flagshiptype = "Merchant")
	Your brig must be bigger and better secured than most, being a merchant vessel and all. Still, two rooms isn't much better than one.

To the left of your Captain's Cabin is a hatch leading to a staircase down. Across from it is a staircase up to a small platform on the back of the ship, atop your Captain's Cabin, where you can sense
*if (style = "Akakiru")
	Bladed Chi.
*elseif (style = "Aoyusumu")
	Sacred Chi.
*elseif (style = "Kiihakai")
	Mystic Chi.
*elseif (style = "Kurokonton")
	Cursed Chi.
*elseif (style = "Midorikatai")
	Wild Chi.

"$!{name}!" Kosuke shouts out from
*if (flagshiptype = "combat")
	near the ballista at the ship's bow.
*else
	the ship's bow.
Several crewmen turn and salute with relieved smiles, which is an odd thing to get from so many strangers.

You're not used to being a savior.

Kosuke jumps onto the railing and runs along it, jumping over several ropes to get to you.
*if ((bffheshe != heshe) and (bffromance >= 1))
	When 
	*if (bffheshe = "he")
		he does he grabs you by the hips and lifts you into the air which you are NOT used to him being able to do.
	*else
		she does she jumps into your waist and gives you a tight hug, her legs dropped on the ground and her face pressed against your abs.
"You had me
*if (bffheshe = "he")
	*if (heshe = "he")
		worried man!
	*else
		worried!
	Next time you decide to enjoy a nice coma give me a heads up alright?"
*else
	worried! Next time you want to sleep in let us know first, okay?"

*if (style = "Kiihakai")
	"Will do, but I'm really in a hurry to stop-"
*else
	"Sure Kosuke." You reply, your groggy body still waking. "You got it, but give me a minute I need to-"

"Whoa, whoa, hold on, what the Hells is that?" Kosuke asks, looking at you sideways and pointing.
	
"What is what?"
*if (yokaitrait1 = "demon tail")
	You pray ${bffheshe} didn't notice your demonic tail coiled under your clothes.

Kosuke sprints passed you into your own Captain's Cabin and pulls out a mirror, shoving it in your face. "THAT!"

You look in the mirror and notice...
*if (heshe = "he") and (style = "Midorikatai")
	
	[b][Midorikatai Male Event][/b]
	
	...that you're [i]ripped[/i]! You've been in shape most of your teenage life but now you've truly perfected each muscle. Not just that, but your bone structure expanded too. Your jaw, your neck, your skull, your ribs, hips, wrists, hands, even your height, all expanded to perfect impressive proportions. Rather than looking clumsily muscular you look [i]perfectly[/i] muscular, as if your body was sculpted for this.
	
	Damn, you look good.
	
	Yet you don't think that's what Kosuke's talking about. As you look closer, you notice...
*choice
	*selectable_if ((spiritbrandcolor != eyecolor) and (race != "Kitsune")) #My eyes have turned ${spiritbrandcolor}!
		*label eyemark
		*set spiritbrandloc "eyes"
		*gosub brandquote1
		
		*if ((yokaitrait2 = "cat eyes") or (yokaitrait2 = "reptilian eyes"))
			Your ${yokaitrait2}
		*else
			Your eyes
		blink back at you in a new color with a soft glow.
		
		It's not just a trick of the light either. No matter how you try to twist the angle in the mirror your reflection still shows your once-${eyecolor} eyes staring right back at you in a new ${spiritbrandcolor} hue.
		
		"What in the world happened to me?" You ask out loud, adjusting the mirror in disbelief.
		
		*label whatintheworldsb
		Kosuke pulls the mirror back so you see ${bffhisher} face behind it instead. "If I had to guess, all that natural energy you've cultivated is starting to show. Like
		*if (style = "Midorikatai")
			Tian Fang upstairs,
		*else
			that wolfgirl from Mountain Hazard,
		I think her hair turned white from all the Ice
		*if (spiritbrandloc = "skin")
			chi. The only difference is she's not an Oni, so it didn't affect her as much as you.
			*if ((heshe = "he") and (bffheshe = "he"))
				Seriously man, you look ridiculous. Uhhhh ridiculously cool, I mean. Also keep
			*else
				Keep
			in mind that I'm talking out of my ass and guessing, but I think it all makes sense."
		*else
			chi."
		*choice
			#"Cool."
				*set honor + 1
				"Cool." You say, marveling at your new ${spiritbrandcolor} ${spiritbrandloc}. "This could be my new signature, it'll make it easier to spread fame."
				
				"If that's what you're after." Kosuke responds casually. "Personally I wouldn't want that. Fame gets you in trouble more often than not; I'm infamous in Thunderfall now and I can't even go home anymore."
				
				"Fame and infamy aren't the same thing." You counter.
				
				"True, but they spread at the same rate. Speaking of spreading, I'm going to go spread some cheer by popping a bottle of rum open for the rowers downstairs."
				
				"We're rowing?" You ask, looking over the edge of the ship. "I thought the sails were working fine?"
				
				"They are, and we're not rowing right now, but I've refused to learn any of their names so I still call them 'the rowers'."
				
				*if ((sumyungai) and (dontmentionsum = false))
					"You should ask for their names more, one's named Sum Yungai."
					
					"No freaking way." Kosuke replies.
					*if (bffheshe = "he")
						"I've used that fake name a dozen times."
					
					"He swears his family will back him up on it and we have more Sums on board."
					
					"Ain't that Sum shit..." Kosuke says wistfully. "Well then I'll crack two bottles open."
					
					"Sounds fun, catch you around."
				*else
					"How incredibly Noble Caste of you."
				You say as
				*goto aboveccabin
			#"Crap!"
				*set honor - 1
				"Crap!" You shout, staring in a panic at your new ${spiritbrandcolor} ${spiritbrandloc}. "This will make it so easy to describe me to the guards!"
				
				"Oh nooo." Kosuke replies. "That's terrible. Darn. If only you had a skilled thief friend that could disappear in a crowd. Then you could hire ${bffhimher} for your crimes at a reasonable rate."
				
				"Point taken." You reply. "I'm not used to you having a decent aura."
				
				Kosuke gives you a sideways smile. "You mean you're not used to me being [i]useful[/i]."
				
				"Take some credit, you distracted a Taio clone that one time."
				
				"Yeah yeah, and I'm gonna go 'distract' some rum in the rowing cabins too, if you know what I mean."
				
				You didn't even know you had rum onboard. "Don't finish it off." You add as
				*label aboveccabin
				Kosuke goes down the hatch to the rower's level. You on the other hand ascend up the stairs leading to the platform above the Captain's Cabin in the back of the ship. 
				*goto marktalkdone
			#"That's all? Nevermind then. Cosmetics are for children, let's get back to work."
				*set honor + 3
				"That's all?" You ask, and Kosuke nods.
				
				"It makes sense, right? I don't think it's too unusual for it to happen, a lot of visitors at the gate had marks like yours when the Trials got announced."
				
				Thank the Ancestors. "Nevermind then. Cosmetics are only important to children, let's get back to work."
				
				"As the
				*if (heshe = "he")
					Young Master
				*else
					Young Mistress
				wishes." Kosuke replies, heading down the hatch to the rower's level a little too eagerly, probably to slack off, while you head up the stairs to the platform above the Captain's Cabin on the back of the ship.
				*goto marktalkdone
	*if (jadedragonfoundation)
		*selectable_if (race != "Kitsune") #My eyes have turned jade!
			*set spiritbrandcolor "jade"
			*goto eyemark
	*if (hairlength != "bald")
		*selectable_if ((spiritbrandcolor != haircolor) and (race != "Kitsune")) #My hair has turned ${spiritbrandcolor}!
			*label hairmark
			*set spiritbrandloc "hair"
			*label hairbrand1
			*gosub brandquote1
			
			*if (spiritbrandloc = "hair")
				Your ${haircolor} hair has changed from ${haircolor} to ${spiritbrandcolor}! Even your eyebrows and eyelashes are tinged ${spiritbrandcolor}.
			*else
				One
				*if ((((hairlength = "waist-length") or (hairlength = "chest-length")) or (hairlength = "long and tied")) or (hairlength = "tied-back"))
					long
				strip of ${spiritbrandcolor} runs down your ${hairlength} ${haircolor} hair!
			
			"What in the world?" You ask,
			*if (spiritbrandloc = "hair")
				running a hand through your new hair.
			*else
				running a hand down the new strip of ${spiritbrandcolor} in hair on your head.
			"Mother's not going to be happy, she'll think I dyed this and take it personally. Does it look healthy? Is it supposed to happen?"
			
			"How am I supposed to know?" Kosuke asks. "Except I probably do know."
			*goto whatintheworldsb
		*selectable_if ((spiritbrandcolor != haircolor) and (race != "Kitsune")) #A strip of my hair has turned ${spiritbrandcolor}!
			*set spiritbrandloc "hairstrip"
			*goto hairbrand1
		*if (jadedragonfoundation)
			*selectable_if (race != "Kitsune") #My hair has turned jade!
				*set spiritbrandcolor "jade"
				*goto hairmark
			*selectable_if (race != "Kitsune") #A strip of my hair has turned jade!
				*set spiritbrandcolor "jade"
				*set spiritbrandloc "hairstrip"
				*goto hairbrand1
	*else
		*selectable_if (val = 5439826598) #My hair has turned ${spiritbrandcolor}! [Impossible, you are bald.]
			*goto_scene death
	*if (race = "Oni")
		*selectable_if (spiritbrandcolor != "red") #My skin has turned ${spiritbrandcolor}?!
			*label skinmark
			*set spiritbrandloc "skin"
			*if ((spiritbrandcolor = "jade") and (heshe = "she"))
				*achieve jadeskinnedbeauty
			*gosub brandquote1
			
			Your skin has turned ${spiritbrandcolor}!
			
			"What in the Hells...?" You mumble, looking at yourself in the mirror. You want to doubt your very eyes yet no matter how you adjust the angle your Oni skin still looks ${spiritbrandcolor}.
			*if (spiritbrandcolor = "scarlet")
				Sure it's still a shade of red like other Oni, but it's the [i]wrong[/i] red!
			"Am I dying?"
			
			"I don't think so?" Kosuke replies. "We had one blue Oni pass through town once when you were training in the mountains a few weeks back."
			*goto whatintheworldsb
		*if (jadedragonfoundation)
			#My skin has turned jade?!
				*set spiritbrandcolor "jade"
				*goto skinmark
	*if ((yokaitrait1 = "wolf ears") or (yokaitrait1 = "cat ears"))
		*selectable_if ((spiritbrandcolor != haircolor) and (race != "Kitsune")) #The fur of my tail and ears has turned ${spiritbrandcolor}!
			*label tailearmark
			*set spiritbrandloc "tail and ears"
			*label eartimesb
			*gosub brandquote1
			
			*if (subrace = "Reptile")
				The majestic scales of your tail have
			*else
				Your (majestic and fluffy)
				*if (spiritbrandloc = "tail and ears")
					ears and tail have
				*else
					tail has turned
			turned ${spiritbrandcolor}!
			
			"What the Hells is this?!" You ask, swishing your tail
			*if (spiritbrandloc = "tail and ears")
				and twitching your ears
			in growing concern as your reflection copies your movement. That's actually you, and that's your
			*if (subrace = "Reptile")
				tail's
			*else
				fur's
			actual color.
			*if (((spiritbrandloc = "tail and ears") and (hairlength != "bald")) and (spiritbrandcolor != haircolor))
				The ${spiritbrandcolor} ears stick out of your ${haircolor} hair and you feel like you may need a hat for the rest of your life.
			"Did someone paint me in my sleep?"
			
			You give the mirror a pointed look, knowing Kosuke stands behind it. "Did [i]you[/i] paint me in my sleep?"
			
			*label kosukepainter
			*if ((bffromance >= 1) and (heshe != bffheshe))
				"If I ever paint you it's not going to be when your clothes are on," Kosuke says from behind the mirror, "and no, but I have a good guess."
			*else
				"Hey don't look at me, I left my paints at your parents' house. But no, I don't think that's it."
			*goto whatintheworldsb
		*if (jadedragonfoundation)
			*selectable_if (race != "Kitsune") #The fur of my tail and ears has turned jade!
				*set spiritbrandcolor "jade"
				*goto tailearmark
	*if ((race = "Yokai") and ((yokaitrait1 != "wolf ears") and (yokaitrait1 != "cat ears")))
		*selectable_if ((spiritbrandcolor != haircolor) and (race != "Kitsune")) #My tail has turned ${spiritbrandcolor}!
			*label tailmark
			*set spiritbrandloc "tail"
			*goto eartimesb
		*if (jadedragonfoundation)
			*selectable_if (race != "Kitsune") #My tail has turned jade!
				*set spiritbrandcolor "jade"
				*goto tailmark
	*if (yokaitrait1 = "horns")
		#My horns have turned ${spiritbrandcolor}!
			*label hornmark
			*set spiritbrandloc "horns"
			*gosub brandquote1
			
			Your horns have turned ${spiritbrandcolor}!
			
			"What the Hell?!" You say, grabbing them with both hands. They're solid and your copy in the mirror acts just as you do. No matter how you twist or turn your reflection still shows your horns in a ${spiritbrandcolor} hue.
			*if ((heshe = "she") and (bodytype = "Bodacious"))
				
				Your actions find unexpected consequences as well. With both your hands raised up to grab your horns, you've corrected your posture and lifted your chest while performing all sorts of twisting and posing in the mirror.
				
				Several crewmen's eyes nearly bulge out of their heads as they stare in awe. You don't even notice until one falls overboard and only one other man tries to save him, the others distracted until your put your arms back down.
				*set solexp + 1
				*set agiexp + 1
				
				Men.
				
				*if (bffheshe = "he")
					Speaking of...
				*else
					But more importantly...
				
			"Kosuke what did you do?!" You blurt out, accusing the usual suspect. "Did you paint me in my sleep?"
			
			*goto kosukepainter
		*if (jadedragonfoundation)
			#My horns have turned jade!
				*set spiritbrandcolor "jade"
				*goto hornmark
	*if (race = "Kitsune")
		#I have a second tail!
			*set spiritbrandcolor ""
			*set tails + 1
			"Oh." You say, looking at the second Kitsune tail sprouting from your back. "OH!" You exclaim as you realize you're in full view of Kosuke and several other retainers, people who thought you were a Wolf Yokai this whole time. Especially Kosuke, who your family has been lying to FOR LIFE. "Oh n...No..."
			
			*if ((yokaitrait1 != "fox ears") or (yokaitrait2 != "sharp fangs"))
				Worse, your illusion lost control from your spiritual development and your
				*if (yokaitrait1 != "fox ears")
					fox ears are showing.
					*if (yokaitrait2 != "sharp fangs")
						Hells be damned, even your sharp fangs are showing!
				*elseif (yokaitrait2 != "sharp fangs")
					sharp canine fangs are showing.
				
			"You uh, you want to tell me 
			*if (heshe = "he")
				something buddy?"
			*else
				something?"
			Kosuke asks. "Cause you're suddenly not looking very wolfy."
			
			"Kosuke, I can explain." You rush to say, both tails twitching in caution behind you.
			
			"Oh I'll bet!" Kosuke replies with cheeks held too high, squinting with a fake smile. "So, adopted? Infiltrated the family? Or is it the whole family that didn't trust me?"
			
			"It's the whole f-"
			
			"OH MY ANCESTORS!" Kosuke shouts, sending the mirror flying overboard. "You are telling me even your parents kept this from me? Even Jin? [i]Even Rin[/i], who couldn't lie to save her life?"
			
			"In her defense, she did lie to save her life."
			
			Kosuke tilts ${bffhisher} head up and groans into the sky. "I'm not even-" $!{bffheshe} pinches the bridge of ${bffhisher} nose. "I'm not mad, I'm disappointed. I get it, Kitsune aren't welcome in Thunderfall, but holy shit
			*if ((heshe = "he") and (bffheshe = "he"))
				man,
			*elseif ((heshe = "she") and (bffheshe = "she"))
				girl,
			*else
				$!{name},
			I robbed the entire Sect and got a death sentence and you still thought I might have snitched?"
			
			"Kosuke I swear, it just didn't come up, I was busy fighting for our lives!"
			
			"Shhh, hey, hey." Kosuke shushes and puts a hand on your shoulder, eyes empathetic. "I get it. I do. Big lies are hard to unwind, but you've got to understand...I want 9 Shards."
			
			"What?"
			
			"9 Shards, pay up." Kosuke's other hand holds out for your payment. "You lied to me for 9 years, I want 9 Shards."
			*choice
				*selectable_if (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 9) #"Deal."
					*set bffrep + 2
					"Deal." You say, handing over a small pouch of 9 Shards. You start to wonder how you keep doing that. How many pouches do you actually own? How are they always available for every transaction? At this point it feels like you're jinxing yourself if you check.
					
					*gosub_scene quicks costcalc 9
					
					Kosuke takes the pouch and actually counts the money, the
					*if (heshe = "he")
						turd,
					*else
						audacious villain,
					and pockets the pouch. "Alright, we're square."
					
					You're legitimately surprised. "Really, just like that?"
					
					"Hey, we all lie about
					*if ((bffromance >= 1) and (heshe != bffheshe))
						something, and the second tail looks good on you.
					*else
						something.
					*goto makethingsinteresting
				*if (background = "Merchant")
					*selectable_if (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 8) #"I was busy training for 1 of those years, make it 8 and you've got yourself a deal." [Merchant Background]
						*set bffrep - 1
						"I was busy training for 1 of those years," you counter, "make it 8 Shards and you've got yourself a deal."
						
						Kosuke's mouth hangs open at the audacity. "Are you haggling me?! I was extending an olive branch!"
						
						"What the hell is an olive?" You ask.
						
						Kosuke pauses. "I don't actually know. It's an expression though. Maybe they're a tree in a different land? It's a branch after all."
						
						"Super fascinating, here's 8 Shards."
						
						*gosub_scene quicks costcalc 8
						
						"Ohhhh you
						*if (heshe = "he")
							dick."
						*else
							bitch."
						Kosuke says, noticeably taking the Shard pouch and pocketing it. "Fine, all's forgiven.
						*label makethingsinteresting
						This'll make things interesting at the Trials for sure though, you foxy
						*if (heshe = "he")
							bastard."
						*else
							wench."
						
						"My whole life is interesting." You say with a shrug on your way up the stairs to the platform above the Captain's Cabin, at the back of the ship.
						
						"Bragging, but true." Kosuke concedes, taking the downward hatch to the rower's level instead.
						*goto marktalkdone
				#"Hell no, there's no money between friends!"
					"Hell no," you counter, gently pushing ${bffhimher} away, "there's no money between friends!"
					*set bffrep - 3
					
					*if ((bffromance >= 1) and (heshe != bffheshe))
						"We're a bit more than friends at this point." Kosuke says with a sideeye.
					*else
						"Platitudes don't buy lunch." Kosuke counters halfheartedly, clearly not invested in this argument.
					"But fine, a castle isn't money. I'll take a castle instead when you become an Archon.
					*goto makethingsinteresting
				#"I don't even have 9 Shards."
					*if (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) < 9)
						*set val 77
						"I don't even have 9 Shards." You confess.
						
						[b][Special Event: Being Broke][/b]
						*set agiexp + 2
						
						Against all odds, you're not lying. You actually don't have 9 Shards.
					*else
						"I don't even have 9 shards." You say, lying to your best friend over a tiny sum like the greedy miser you are.
						
						*if (deception >= 2)
							[b][Deception 2 Check Passed][/b]
							*set agiexp + 1
						*else
							[b][Deception 2 Check Passed?][/b]
							*set bffrep - 13
						
					"You're kidding." Kosuke gawks, staring at you with deep concern. "Please tell me this is a bluff."
					
					You empty your pockets right in front of
					*if (val = 77)
						${bffhimher}.
					*else
						${bffhimher}, ignoring your beltpouches where your money is actually stored.
					
					"By the
					*if ((heshe = "he") and (bffheshe = "he"))
						Ancestors...here man."
					*else
						Ancestors...here."
					$!{bffheshe} hands you a pouch of coinage. "You need this more than I do."
					
					"Oh come on, don't pity me."
					
					Kosuke shakes ${bffhisher} head. "No, no, you lied to me for years, now you've got to get pitied and accept a donation from a broke beggar. That's the rules."
					
					"This sucks." You
					*if (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) < 9)
						bluff.
					*else
						say.
					"I hate the rules."
					
					[b][Item Gained: 10 Shards][/b]
					*set shards + 10
					*line_break
					[b][Item Gained: 30 Silver][/b]
					*set silver + 30
					
					Kosuke gives an uncaring shake of the head. "Take it up with the Heavens and consider us square.
					*goto makethingsinteresting
	*if (jadedragonfoundation)
		*selectable_if (val = 123456) #Nothing. [Your power has grown too fast to show no signs]
			*goto_scene death
	*elseif ((style = "Midorikatai") and (heshe = "he"))
		*selectable_if (race != "Kitsune") #Nothing else.
			*set spiritbrandcolor ""
			"Damn, I look [i]good[/i]." You say in the mirror.
		
			*if ((bffromance >= 1) and (bffheshe = "she"))
				This is normally the part where Kosuke should say "Not that good." and punch you jokingly in the shoulder. You keep examining yourself in the mirror waiting for that line but Kosuke says nothing. Finally you move the mirror out of the way to see her face and she's staring straight down at your crotch. You follow her eyes and see that, huh, everything has grown. You'll need baggier pants.
				
				Awesome.
				
				"Kosuke?" You say, waving a hand in front of her face. She's drooling. "Kosuke, my eyes are up here."
				
				"I made my choice." She replies, eyes locked and face flush.
				
				As enticing as the bedroom behind you is, you just woke up from a two day coma and have no idea about the status of your situation. You grab her by the shoulders and pull her in for a kiss on the lips, cup her butt quickly with one large hand, and pull her away. "Later, okay?"
				
				Kosuke closes her eyes and relishes the moment. "Mhm. I'm going to go downstairs and get some wine. [i]For later[/i]."
				
				She stumbles woozily towards
				*goto kosheader
			*else
				"Almost as good as me." Kosuke replies. "Almost."
				
				"Smooth." You reply back. "Do you think this is because of Midorikatai?"
				
				*if (bffheshe = "he")
					"I'm hoping it's a side effect of that Demonic Gate in Ebikowa so I get beefy too."
				*else
					"I'm hoping it's a side effect of that Demonic Gate in Ebikowa so I can get something too. I mean, not being as ripped as you, it would ruin my perfect tight figure, but something else cool."
				
				"Or you can just learn a style like everyone else."
				
				*if (bffheshe = "he")
					"Ancestors, dude, I
				*else
					"Seriously?" She raises on eyebrow. "I amazingly
				go from being a homeless beggar to having hundreds of Aura Pressure by 20 and you still want more from me?"
					
				You give ${bffhimher} a smack in the arm. "[i]You[/i] should want more from you."
				
				*if (bffheshe = "he")
					"Shit man, don't put your obsession on me. Being important looks like a massive burden."
				*else
					"Nice try, [i]sensei[/i], but I'm still Laborer Caste. I get to enjoy things while all you Warrior suckers are the ones that have to go fight."
				Kosuke tosses you the mirror. "I'm heading downstairs to check our wine reserves, don't wait up alright?"
				
				"Heh, you got it." You reply to the slacker. "I have an entire ship to check on anyway."
				
				Kosuke heads down
				*goto kosheader
	*else
		*selectable_if (race != "Kitsune") #Nothing.
			*set spiritbrandcolor ""
			Nothing's changed at all. "Kosuke what are you talking about? There's nothing there. Are you okay?"
			
			Only now do you notice Kosuke's bloodshot and dilated eyes. "I may have had some mushrooms from the pantry." $!{bffheshe} admits. "Between drinks."
			
			Oh no, not this again. "Were they [i]stored[/i] in the pantry?"
			
			Kosuke looks down at the ground in somber confession. "They were growing out of the floor of the pantry."
			
			You take the mirror out of ${bffhisher} hands and put it back. "Go drink some
			*if (bffheshe = heshe)
				water, you bum."
			*else
				water and take a nap."
			
			"That sounds like a good idea." Kosuke says, heading down
			*label kosheader
			the hatch to the rower's level. At the same time, you head up the stairs on the opposite side, up to the platform atop the captain's cabin on the back of the ship.
			*goto marktalkdone
*label marktalkdone

${fren}'s been waiting.
*page_break
*if (style = "Akakiru")
	"Harder!" You hear Leona call out over the sound of metal against wood and metal against metal. "I said HARDER, ye scallywags! Ye be disappointing me much longer and yer signin' up to walk the plank!"
	
	You ascend the stairs to the odd commotion and find a platform on top of your Captain's Cabin. A square area with benches secured into the railings on all four sides, and it currently houses several bandaged crewmen swinging swords into wooden dummies that have been hastily nailed into the floor. Nailed into your cabin's roof, technically. Leona stands behind the combatants dressed in a tricorn hat and an eyepatch, grimacing at them.
	
	She sees you coming up the stairs and beams a
	*if (heshe = "she")
		bright smile instead.
	*else
		smile as bright as the sunrise.
	"$!{name}! I thought you were done for. You know, they say sleep claims more lives than anything."
	
	"That's not true."
	
	"Probably not," she admits, "but it sounds SO wise, right?"
	
	"So very wise." You reply, looking to the four men now bowing at the waist in your presence. Each has fresh bandages and the pale signs of bloodloss. "What's going on with the men?"
	
	"Training, Honored $!{patriarch}!" They shout in unison.
	
	"Not bad, huh?" Leona
	*if (heshe = "he")
		whispers, leaning in close.
	*else
		brags while stretching mid-yawn.
	"I've been teaching them to worship the ground you walk on. I guess they've been learning swordplay too, if you can call it that. The filthy landlubbers." She waggles her eyepatch. "Yarr."
	
	You raise an eyebrow at that. "You've been training them...With a pirate accent? Is that a swordsmanship thing?"
	
	"Nope!" She exclaims with joy.
	
	"...Do any real pirates even talk like that?"
	
	All joy leaves her face in an instant. "Look, I'm just trying to fill the boredom." She retorts, brushing a hand through her hair absent-mindedly. "And pirates talk like that in Outer West, everyone knows it."
	
	You're actually impressed. "You've been to the other end of the Empire?"
	
	"Mmmm no." She confesses quickly. "But! I've heard impressions in nighttime stories when I was a kid. It counts! The only difference between that and a library scroll is it wasn't written down. Writing is for losers anyway."
	
	You roll your eyes. "At ease, men. You can return to your training."
	
	After they each get back to attacking their wooden targets you take a seat on one of the secured benches and look out over the waters. It's hard not to wonder if teaching someone swordplay footing while the ship rocks is a fantastic idea or a terrible idea.
	
	Leona takes a seat
	*if (heshe = "he")
		right next to you.
	*else
		across from you.
	"So? What do you think?"
	
	"About what?"
	
	"Your retainers. Your crew. Your
	*if (heshe = "he")
		slaves.
	*else
		Man-slaves.
	Whatever you want to call them. All these now-homeless bums depending on you. Doesn't it make you just." She opens and closes her hands like two eagle claws. "Feel like a God?!"
	
	*choice
		#"...Sure."
			"...Sure." You reply noncommittally.
			
			"Oh fine, be that way." Her eyelids half-closed as if bored. "But what
		#"No."
			*set honor + 1
			"No." You reply.
			
			"Not even a little?" She pouts.
			
			"I'll feel like a God when I've gained the strength of a God."
			
			"Boring." Leona groans, leaning back. After a moment she waves a hand to your retainers training on the wooden targets. "But what
		#"Hell yeah."
			*set honor - 1
			"Hell yeah." You reply, sweeping your eyes across the sea and your ships.
			*set leonarep + 2
			
			Leona smiles and squints, savoring the shared feeling. "Oh, by the way, what
	do you think about these ones?" She asks, off-colored eyes darting to the swordsmen grunting as they strike the wooden dummies nearby. "I've been adding second-rate Advancement herbs to their diet from some things I had lying around; get their juices flowing." She waggles her eyebrows, you assume, as one is behind her ridiculous eyepatch. "I think we can make something of them if we push them hard enough, or we can enjoy the show watching them break."
	
	Hm...Increasing your Martial forces would be great, especially if Leona has already been footing the bill, but pushing too hard could get them injured or worse. You decide to...
	*set swordcasualties 0
	*choice
		#Tell them to take it easy.
			*set leonarep - 2
			*set leonaromance - 1
			*set retainer_morale + 3
			"Go easy on the training, you four." You say to the retainers.
			
			They stop mid-swing and look to you with fear and doubt. One speaks up. "Are we displeasing the ${patriarch}?"
			
			"Displeasing, no." You reply. "Concerning, yes. You're swinging swords you're not used to on a rocking ship in close proximity to each other. If you want to train do it on your own time when we dock, I don't want any of you accidentally killing each other. Why not go one at a time for now?"
			
			A couple inhale slowly to process their demotion and all four bow. "As you wish, Honored $!{patriarch}."
			
			*if (heshe = "she")
				Leona shakes her head in disapproval at the three sitting down. "Don't look at me, boys, because I told you guys to get shirtless for her and you didn't listen. Probably why you're fired."
				
				"Likely so, Sensei." One replies, head hung low.
			*else
				"Ewwww." Leona groans, leaning over the railing and crossing her legs to catch her before she falls. "How are they going to learn anything if they're not in danger of dying?"
				
				"By reading a book." You dismissively retort, then realize it's not a bad idea. You fish out one of your old Path Manuals and toss it to the group.
				
				"Er, Honored $!{patriarch}?" One asks hesitantly. "This is empty."
			*set val 1
			*set firedhalfswordsmen true
			
			Ah. Crap. The invisible ink.
			
			Twenty minutes later you've written over the instructions in normal ink and let the retainers get to studying. They seem stricken by the depth of instructions for forming a simple Combat Core. You can relate, you felt the same way years ago.
		#Let Leona continue their training.
			*set val 2
			*set swordcasualties + 1
			*gosub leonachat1
			
			Still, everything looks in order. "Good job Leona, I'm sure whatever you're doing will work out."
			
			Her head pulls back and she slowly looks over to you, a smile plastered on her face but panic growing in her eyes. "Come again?"
			
			"I said I trust you."
			
			"Thanks!" She slowly shakes her head, pirate hat included. "But that's, just, such a bad idea."
			
			You close your eyes and lean your head back on the bench, breathing in the fresh seabreeze. "Two days have passed and they're still alive. I don't see any reason to worry. You've got this."
			
			*if (heshe = "he")
				"Psshttttt." Leona replies with a sour expression. "I'll bet you say that to all the swordgirls."
				*set leonaromance + 1
			*else
				"Girl, we NEED to work on your judgment of character."
			*set leonarep + 3
			
			Leona gives a few more threats and pointers to the retainers over the next fifteen minutes as you take in the nice seabreeze.
		#Let Leona continue their training, but drop the stupid pirate routine.
			*set val 3
			*set leonarep - 3
			*set leonaromance - 1
			*set swordcasualties + 2
			*set honor + 2
			*gosub leonachat1
			
			That's got to go.
			*if (ruthless < 50)
				"I appreciate you training everyone,
			*else
				"You've done well to train them so far,
			but the pirate act has to go. We're not pirates."
			
			Leona's neck nearly snaps with how fast she looks at you, hair blowing in the wind and now her face. "We're not?!"
			
			"...No, of course we're not."
			
			"Yeah, heh, silly me!" She hurriedly takes off her eyepatch and pirate hat and throws them overboard. "Of course we're not going around taking everyone's money. That would be too-"
			
			You say "Dishonorable." at the same time that she says "Lucrative."
			
			"Yep! That!" She replies with a nervous laugh, kicking a second satchel under her bench so it stays out of your view. You begin to suspect that you missed something disreputable in your sleep.
			
			"HIAH!" Shouts on of the retainers, slicing slightly deeper into the wooden dummy. You're thankful that at least they're progressing.
		*selectable_if (alchemy >= 1) #Fix their herbal supplement plan. [Alchemy Check]
			*set val alchemy
			*if (background = "Herbalist")
				*set val + 1
				Growing up under Father's tutelage prepared you for this. It's good to know the years of herbalism didn't go to waste.
			*if (val = 1)
				*set swordcasualties + 1 
			
			"Give me their list of mystic herbs." You say to Leona, preparing a list in your head.
			
			"A list?" She asks. "Like, per day?"
			
			"Sure, inventory, whatever you're feeding them."
			
			Leona pulls a satchel out from under the bench and
			*if (heshe = "he")
				shoves it in your arms.
			*else
				throws it at you.
			"They eat a handful of this per meal."
			
			Alarms go off in your mind and you open the satchel to look through its contents, finding roots, flower petals, crushed berries, and various leaves and barks all covered in powder from what must have once been neat piles of powderized herbs. "What in the world is this? It's utter chaos!"
			
			"I added honey so it's sticky too." Leona tilts her head up and to the side as if taking a compliment. "No need to thank me."
			
			Your inner alchemist seethes, but you press it down and get to work. This collection needs so much identifying and sorting before it's even safe to give back to the retainers.
			
			Twenty minutes later you finally have each set separated into safe and optimized globlike doses, each individually wrapped in now-sticky cloth sacks. "Take these." You say to each, handing them a dose. They chew the herbal concoctions and return to their practice with renewed energy.
		*selectable_if (survival >= 1) #Correct the gaps in their defense. [Survival Check]
			*set val survival
			*if (val = 1)
				*set swordcasualties + 1 
			First thing's first, these retainers are swinging their swords with no regards to defense. Probably because these dummies don't hit back.
			
			"Stop." You command. All four cease their attacks in the dummies.
			
			"Yes, Honored $!{patriarch}?" Asks the one in front while wiping sweat from his brow.
			
			"Your leaving yourself open because you have nothing to fear. I'll show you five proper stances and how to defend. After every strike I want you to mimic a parry or return your blade to a guarding position. Only two of you will strike at a time, the other two will stand behind them with clubs wrapped in cloth and give them a whack if they leave an opening."
			
			Three of them look less enthusiastic to participate now that they might be getting struck, but one seems ecstatic and runs downstairs to get clubs. Leona claps for him.
			
			Within fifteen minutes of club attacks the first pair of practicing retainers have stopped leaving openings nearly as often, and its the next two retainers' turn.
		*selectable_if (stealth >= 1) #Teach them to stop telegraphing their attacks. [Stealth Check]
			*set val stealth
			*if (val = 1)
				*set swordcasualties + 1 
			"Stop, stop, stop." You command. "You're not just learning the basics, you're embedding bad form into your attacks. None of you will ever land a real hit if you keep winding back and telling your opponent exactly where you're attacking."
			
			They all stop and catch their breath from the constant training, then give a deep bow. "Yes, Honored $!{patriarch}!" They shout in unison. You can get used to this.
			
			The next few minutes are spent showing them exactly how to avoid warning their opponents of their swing trajectory. Leona even helps out with a few feint and bluff tricks of her own.
			*set agiexp + 3
			
			Within fifteen minutes they're back to practice and finally performing something that might be mistaken for a real attack.
		*selectable_if (craft >= 1)	#Teach them the true purpose of the blade! [Craft Check]
			*set val craft
			*if (background = "Blacksmith")
				*set val + 1
				Growing up under Father's tutelage prepared you for this. It's good to know the years of blacksmithing didn't go to waste.
			*if (val < 3)
				*set swordcasualties + 1
			*if (val = 1)
				*set swordcasualties + 1
			*set retainer_strength + 1
			
			"If you're all going to learn the Blade then you're going to learn to do it right. We're not training you to have a basic aura."
			
			Leona hops up and stands on her bench
			*if (heshe = "he")
				leaning onto your shoulders.
			*else
				leaning over to look at you.
			"We're not?"
			
			"No. If you're going to learn to use a Blade, you're going to learn to use Bladed Chi."
			
			The four of them look hopeful. Eager smiles grow on their faces and their eyes shine with awe. "How do we do that, Honored $!{patriarch}?"
			
			"The same way I did."
			
			Leona shakes her head, hair whipping in the sea's wind. "But you already had potential for Bladed Chi."
			
			"Then they'll have to try twice as hard." You take all four of their swords and stab them into the ground, positioning the first of them so he sits in the middle while the ship gently rocks. "The rest of you go get more swords from downstairs. Your real training begins now."
	
	*if (val < 3)
		*set swordcasualties + 1
	*if (val > 4)
		*set val 4
		*set retainer_strength + 1
		[b][Fleet Strength +1][/b]
		*line_break
	*set martial_retainers + val
	*set retainers - (val + swordcasualties)
	[b][${val} Retainers Converted to Martial Retainers][/b]
	*page_break
	After the initial work to correct their mistakes you and Leona relax while the retainers get to
	*if (firedhalfswordsmen)
		studying.
	*else
		work training.
	She claps her hands twice and another member of your crew runs up to the two of you with cups of tea.
	
	"Awesome, right?" She says while taking her own cup. It's steaming as if freshly brewed. "Sum Yungai has truly outdone himself."
	
	*if (sumyungai = false)
		"There's someone on the ship named Sum Yungai?" That can't be real.
		
		Leona opens her mouth in excited surprise as if catching you in a crime. "Why, $!{name}! You should know that already, he's the one I sent to wake you up."
		
		*if (ruthless > 50)
			"I'm not in the habit of asking the names of my Help."
		*else
			"I may have forgotten to ask his name."
		
		"Spoken like a true leader."
	*else
		"I still can't believe that's his real name." You reply.
		
		"He swears by it."
		
		"A lot of people swear all the time, doesn't make them honest."
	
		"Spoken like a wise sage!"
	She lets out a giddy laugh. "Cheers!"
			
	"Cheers."
	
	You both tap cups and take a sip. Hm. This tea is mediocre.
	
	Leona chugs the tea as if it were water or beer, throws the cup overboard, and sits cross-legged on the bench while leaning forward towards you. "Now, how about that elephant in the room?"
	
	"Elephant in the room?" This ship could hardly support an elephant, especially in any of its rooms.
	
	*if (spiritbrandloc = "eyes")
		"Your eyes!" She shouts, grabbing you by the head and staring directly into them. "They're all ${spiritbrandcolor} and kind of glowing.
		*label leonanothealthy
		You know spiritbrands are signs of bad luck, right?"
		*label leonatalkbranded
		
		"What's a spiritbrand?"
		
		She points to your ${spiritbrandloc}. "That. Your chi is leaking into your physical body. My father would've said you've been growing too fast and must find the time to stabilize your spirit. Personally [i][b]I[/i][/b] say it's proof you're doing better than everyone else. Stability is for mooks! Mooks!"
		
		That doesn't sound good, why have you never heard of these?
		
		...
		
		The reason hits you immediately. It's because no one in your life has ever grown their Aura Pressure too fast.
		
		"How do I stabilize my spirit, and what happens if I don't?"
		
		"Not to brag or anything but..." She turns around, then whips her head back to you so her hair flips dramatically. "I don't know. It's not an emergency though. I'm sure it can wait until Nanhou. Probably."
		
		You pray that's Leona's actual educated guess and not her attitude. Either way it leaves you with few options. "Is there anything we do in the meantime?"
		
		She shrugs.
		*if (heshe = "he")
			"Meditate and see if it works?"
		*else
			"Meditate and make the retainers take their shirts off?"
		*page_break Minutes pass
		Meditating to the sounds of the ocean is harder than you thought, especially with the sounds of your retainers continuing their
		*if (firedhalfswordsmen)
			group study
		*else
			training
		*if (heshe = "she")
			nearby, shirtless.
		*else
			nearby.
	
		Even with the distractions it takes only ten minutes to balance your spirit and cycle your chi. After that you've still been sitting still and gotten [i]so bored[/i]. You crack open an eye to see Leona also meditating and also cracking open an eye.
		*goto leonafinalintro
	*elseif ((spiritbrandloc = "hair") or (spiritbrandloc = "hairstrip"))
		"Your hair!" 
		*label shoutinhairhorns
		She shouts, waving her hands forward and gesturing all around your head. "It's all ${spiritbrandcolor} and glows if the sun hits it right.
		*goto leonanothealthy
	*elseif ((spiritbrandloc = "tail and ears") or (spiritbrandloc = "tail"))
		"Your tail!" She shouts, reaching for your limb but you
		*if (subrace = "Wolf")
			wag
		*else
			swish
		it away in time. "It's all ${spiritbrandcolor} instead of ${haircolor}.
		*goto leonanothealthy
	*elseif (spiritbrandloc = "horns")
		"Your set of horns!"
		*goto shoutinhairhorns
	*elseif (spiritbrandloc = "skin")
		"Your skin!" She shouts, waving her hands in the general direction of your whole body. "I can't believe your new lackeys kept their eyes in their sockets when they saw you, I barely did! Is it some sort of Oni-specific spiritbrand? You know those are signs of bad luck, right?"
		*goto leonatalkbranded
	*elseif (race = "Kitsune")
		She points behind you at your second tail. "THAT."
		
		"Oh. That? Those happen naturally, nothing to be worried about."
		
		"[i]Those happen naturally[/i]." She groans out in a rude interpretation of you. "You never told me you were a fox spirit!"
		
		"Well you never asked, and we're not just spirits. I'm as physical as anyone. My many bruises can attest to that." You push her on the defensive. "Why does it matter?"
		
		"Because it's so cool!" She bursts out, jumping to her feet on the seat and drawing both swords. "Do you know how many people are going to pick fights with us now? We've got wholesale slaughter rights in self defense, this is going to be the best vacation ever!"
		
		She clangs her swords together twice. "Waiter, more tea!"
		
		One of your retainers comes up and delivers the beverages, the same man as before, and you begin to suspect the poor sod has been pressganged into being the ship's butler.
		*page_break Minutes pass.
		You and Leona continue sipping tea as she goes over fantastical made-up scenarios of what kinds of people might try to kill you for being a Kitsune. After the eighth decapitation plan she starts to lose steam and finally leaves a gap for you to talk.
		*goto leonafinalintro
	*else
		"The fact that I just ordered the drinks on YOUR ship. Come on, ${patriarch}, pick up some authority and order people around! It's fun, I promise."
		
		"There's no orders needed." You counter in a relaxed tone. "Everything's been fine for two days."
		
		"Uh, yeah, that's because of me. Now repay the favor and at least slap a dissenter around so I can watch."
		
		You look down to the main deck below and see a few men hard at work. "No one's dissenting."
		
		"Ugh!" Leona slams her head into the railing. "Bad help is so hard to fine. At least pick the next drink we have."
		*choice
			#Water
				*set agiexp + 1
				"Water." You say after careful consideration.
				
				"We're surrounded by water." Leona replies flatly.
				
				"Water without salt in it."
				
				Leona spits out the last of her tea. "All this water around us has SALT in it?!"
				
				Your retainer brings you both cups of water and you remember Leona's years of sailing practice was in a lake. You wonder how she's still alive.
			#Tea
				*set solexp + 1
				"Tea." You say definitely.
				
				"We already have tea." Leona retorts.
				
				"Yes but this tea sucks. I'm ordering [i]better[/i] tea."
				
				"Yes!" Leona shouts. "Yesssss, that's it!"
			#Wine
				*set powexp + 1
				"Wine." You reply longingly. It's been so long since you've had a good drink.
				
				*if (heshe = "he")
					*if (leonaromance < 2)
						*set leonaromance + 1
					*else
						*set leonarep + 2
					"A man after my own heart." Leona replies, wiping a fake tear away.
				*else
					"Hells yes, you know how to party!" Leona cheers, rubbing her cheeks. "It's been so long since I've had a good drink."
					
					"Really?"
					
					"Nope! Got trashed last night."
				
				Your retainer brings you two cups of wine.
				
				Both you and Leona say "Leave the bottle." at the same time.
				*set temper 99
			#Baijiu
				*set forexp + 1
				"Baijiu." You reply with an anticipating smile.
				
				Leona spits out the last of her tea. "Are you nuts? That's hard liquor!"
				
				"I know." You reply.
				
				"Oh okay, so you [i]are[/i] nuts." She adds while rubbing her chin too vigorously. "Good."
				
				Your retainer brings you both cups of hard liquor and you prepare to get absolutely hammered.
				*set temper 99
		*page_break One drink later.
		You and Leona watch your retainers go at it with their training.
		*if (firedhalfswordsmen)
			Well, you watch one of them go at it with their training and the other three read your Path Manual and argue over its interpretations.
		
		Eventually you get hit with a realization you hadn't expected or experienced in quite some
		*if (temper = 99)
			time, especially not while drinking.
		*else
			time.
		
		You're bored.
		*goto leonafinalintro
	*label leonafinalintro
	
	"So..." You reply, trying to fill the time.
			
	"So." She
	*if (temper = 99)
		replies, eagerly pouring another cup.
	*else
		replies.
	
	*if (heshe = "he")
		"Do you want to..."
		
		*if (leonaromance >= 3)
			"YES." She blurts out, "FINALLY, YES!" She rips off her breastplate and jumps into you sideways so you're forced to catch her. With both hands she grips your collar and stares into your very soul with offcolored eyes. "Take me to the Captain's room and leave the door open."
		*else
			"Kill Bo Lo?! Yes!" She draws both her blades and rushes out a relieved sigh with such speed that it comes out as a quick smiling huff. "Finally, yes! I was worried you'd be mad if I did it without you. Being so patient and considerate [i]physically[/i] hurt me. I am in pain."
		*choice
			#"I meant 'Do you want to start helping the crew with the sails', you nutjob."
				You
				*if (leonaromance >= 3)
					cringe and drop her back onto the seat.
				*else
					cringe and grab her swords with your fingers, lowering them back down.
				"I meant 'Do you want to start helping the crew row', you nutjob."
				
				"OH COME ON!" Leona screams out in frustration, smacking her hands into
				*if (leonaromance < 3)
					a nearby bench, shattering it to splinters.
				*else
					the bench so it shatters out from under her.
				"I waited two whole days!"
				*if (leonaromance >= 3)
					She shouts while falling, hitting the ground butt-first and unperturbed.
				
				"You can wait an eternity." You reply. "We've got a lot to do to prepare for Nanhou, head down to the front deck and see if anyone needs high flying knots tied."
				
				Leona roars to the sky and shakes her head in barely contained rage. "GAHHHHH! BORING! I thought things would be fun when you're awake but it's still more chores!" She 
				*if (leonaromance >= 3)
					stands up and brushes herself off, looking
				*else
					walks to the platform's edge and looks down to the men working the deck.
				"Fine, fine! I'm going down there to see whose marriage I can ruin. Someone needs to get more drama going on this ship and I'm the [i]only[/i] one putting in work for it!"
				
				She stomps off to ruin a marriage and you consider it a win that no one's getting stabbed. Getting her to calm down has been an increasing problem.
				*if (leonaromance >= 3)
					*set leonaromance - 1
				*page_break
				With Leona off the platform you
				*set val 99
				*goto endcompaniongone2
			#"I meant 'Do you want to LEAVE'." [Throw her overboard]
				*set leonarep - 5
				"That's not what I was going to say." You reply darkly and turn over the railing with the blonde Lunargoth still laying in both your hands. "What I was going to say is 'Do you want to LEAVE'."
				
				Leona pulls back in surprise and looks to the waters now below her as you lift her body over the railing. "No no no no wait $!{name} I'm still in steel sabatons and greaves I can't swim in the-EEEEESE!!"
				
				Her shriek grows louder as she plummets to the waters below and glows scarlet, the bindings of her remaining armor cutting open all over her legs to show plain grey linens underneath. She splashes into the sea and resurfaces spitting up water, her hair a mess.
				
				Leona's makeup runs as she looks up at you deadpan. You wave. Her expressions cracks back to anger. "My gear is sinking to the bottom now you ass!"
				
				"You needed to cool off!" You shout down at
				*if (((leonaromance >= 3) and (bffromance >= 1)) and (bffheshe = "she"))
					her. "And for Heaven's sake, I have a girlfriend!"
					
					"So?!" Leona looks baffled as your ship continues to sail away. "She could have joined!"
					
					You'd spray her with water if she wasn't already drenched in the sea. Instead you point to your other ship following up in your wake. "Get
				*else
					her while pointing to
					*if (shipcount > 2)
						another of your ships.
					*else
						your other ship.
					"You'll thank me later, now get
				swimming! I'll see you in Nanhou!"
				*set leonagone 1
				*page_break
				With Leona taking a nice swim you
				*goto endcompaniongone2
			*if (leonaromance >= 2)
				#Carry her to the Captain's Cabin. [Seduction]
					*if (bffromance > 0)
						*set honor - 2
					"You're insane." You reply immediately. "We couldn't get away with that, the crew would hear everything."
			
					She leans forward and licks all the way up your cheek until her mouth gets to your ear. "I've been Sealing your room against sound for days. No one will hear me scream."
					*set leonarep + 10
					*set leonaromance + 5
					*set metleona + 1
					
					You don't even reply. Given the last incentive needed, you grab her around the waist and pull her in close. She goes for a kiss but you hoist her over your shoulder in a single heft instead.
					
					"Oof!" She shouts as her stomach hits your shoulder. "Don't be so rough!" Her knees press against your chest and her hands reach down to rub your hamstrings. "Mmmm actually, since it's you then be as rough as you liIIIIIII-!"
					
					[b][1 Agility Core Spent][/b]
					*set agispent + 1
					
					Her voice trails off as you burn an Agility Core to dash you both into the Captain's quarters and throw her to the bed. She spins in the air like a lioness in the air, landing on her feet. A predatory smile spreads across her face as she takes in the sight of your approaching form.
					
					"You've finally come to your senses." She purrs out, flexing her shoulders forward so her upper arms squeeze her chest together. "Now let's get you ready." Scarlet energy swirls into a condensed orb on the tip of her finger that she points at you like a crossbow.
					
					She releases it at you without another word.
					
					You don't hesitate and continue advancing on her as the small glowing attack splits into dozens of separate slices that tear your clothes at the seams.
					
					Your entire outfit falls to the floor and Leona giggles in delight. "It worked! My turn! My turn!" She claps excitedly and lays down on the bed, stretching out her long legs with one crossed over the other and her hands held behind her head on the pillow. "Show me what you've got, big boy."
					
					Fueled by her excitement you focus sickles of Bladed Chi into a single condensed orb on the tip of your index finger, arrange the spinning blades to the right trajectory, and pray for accuracy as you mimic her technique. The orb blasts off your fingertip and expands into two dozen slashes designed to dissipate on impact.
					
					Her clothes explode into the air in a slew of linen tatters that leaves shallow cuts all across her pristine golden-hued skin. She winces, and the magnificent view of her unbelievable nude form laid out before you is marred by red lines of thin cuts forming all over her body.
					
					Your first instinct is to apologize but she doesn't yelp, gasp, or hiss.
					
					She [i]moans[/i].
					
					Her eyes shut in concentration and her back arches on the bed. A quiver runs down her body and her legs shake in ecstasy. You get closer to make sure she's okay and her eyes open, looking drunk on pleasure. She reaches up and grips your strong arms, pulling you on top of her as she presses her lips into yours with wet kisses and passionate moans. You kiss her back, finally seizing the woman you've been teased by for so long.
					
					She pulls her mouth from yours just as abruptly as she began and whispers into your ear, breathing heavily. "No more games. Punish your little Sunbringer slut the way she deserves and fucking [i]conquer[/i] me."
					
					Before you can even reply she wraps her legs around your waist and arcs her hips into yours, pressing your excitement into her.
					
					Leona trembles with delight until her shakes grow into a full-blown frenzy, her screams bouncing of the walls and vibrating everything that's not nailed down. You cover her mouth but that only seems to triple her excitement as she desperately grabs at your hand blocking her airway, pushing no Aura Pressure into her resistance and reveling in the failure to stop your strong grip. Her eyes roll into the back of her head as she bucks against you until finally she bites down on your fingers, causing you to rip your hand back and slap her on reflex.
					
					"YES!" She screams out unchained as your bodies collide, "Mmf! Yes! Right! There! MMF! [i]AH! YES! YYYES!!! OH [b]GODDDS YESSSSSS!! SHEATHE YOUR FUCKING SWORD IN MEEEE♥♥♥!!"[/i][/b]
					
					The bed, cabin, and ship itself barely survive the next hour as the two of you make love, your chi-fueled lusts elevated to such a frenzied intensity that one of the ship's rowers develops an aura from the life-and-death battle of trying to keep you all afloat.
					*set pwt_leona true
					*set retainers - 1
					*set martial_retainers + 1
					
					*set apval 4
					*gosub_scene quicks apboost
					*page_break
					It's unclear how much time has passed but you know you need a drink, a bath, maybe a Temple monk, and preferably a full night's rest. The latter is out of the question since Leona's pleased and unconscious form is taking up your whole bed and snoring, loudly.
					
					You slap her on the butt and reluctantly rise. Luckily your wardrobe holds a spare shabby robe; there's no need to soil anything good before your bath.
					
					Unfortunately, all it takes is one glance at the door to you know you've got trouble. Thanks to your spiritual senses you avoid a negative situation, but it really can't be avoided in full. A heavy, slow breath of acceptance sees you striding to your cabin's door and pulling it open. 
					
					You step aside as half your crew trips and stumbles in, their ears previously pressed against the wood.
					
					They heard everything.
					
					Of course Leona lied about the Seals. [i]Of course she did.[/i] Yet you are their ${patriarch} and need to act the part; there are no embarrassing situations for you, only embarrassing situations for them when they're caught observing you.
					
					"Show's over everyone," you announce as a matter of fact, "get back to work."
					
					Surprisingly, it works. They all rush to their feet and take off to their stations without a word.
					
					You spend the next five minutes bathing on the upper platform out of sight of the crew.
					*page_break
					With your body finally clean, Leona unconscious in your bed downstairs, and some fresh clothes on, you finally have some peace and quiet with which to relax. You
					*goto endcompaniongone2
	*else
		"What do sailors and Captains typically do to pass the time?" You finally ask. "I can't train without risking the ship, and there's no problems to fix. I feel like I haven't sat still in months. Years, even." You stare down at both your open palms in stark realization. "I've almost forgotten how to relax."
		
		Leona starts unclipping her breastplate and greaves, showing the plain linen clothes underneath. "Girl, I feel that. Me, I'd usually get it on with red shoes over there."
		
		One of the retainers gulps.
		
		"But let me tell you a little secret I've been using when bored that suits your station better."
		
		"I'm all ears."
		
		She smiles wide, face turned slightly to the side as if divulging a genius strategy. "I sunbathe."
		
		Your right eyebrow raises in thought, then your left. "How does the sun bathe us?"
		
		"It's a word for getting a
		*if (race = "Oni")
			tan."
			
			You hold out both arms, palms up, your red Oni skin on display. "Too late for that."
			
			Leona shrugs. "It's still fun to tease. Come
		*else
			tan. Come
		on, lay down on the bench across from me and let the ocean sun's warm rays wash over us as these poor men try [i]so desperately[/i] to focus on their training. You'll have to get naked though. Tan lines are an even bigger bitch than I am."
		
		You look over to the retainers trying their best to
		*if (firedhalfswordsmen)
			study and the one remaining retainer practicing his sword stances.
		*else
			train against the wooden dummies.
		They heard everything and from the looks of it they don't know if they're about to have the best view of their lives or if they're in trouble for even being nearby.
		*choice
			#"I'm a Clan Matriarch, not a common harlot." [Refuse]
				*set honor + 2
				You visibly cringe. "I'm a Clan Matriarch, not a common harlot."
				
				"Suit yourself." Leona says, taking her shirt off. "I on the other hand [i]am[/i] a common harlot, not a Clan Matriarch." She climbs onto the railing, not the bench, and lays down in the nude. You suspect someone on the other ship is running to get their spyglass.
				
				You roll your eyes and focus on your meditation.
				
				Your spirit has had plenty of time to recover so if you can cycle your Bladed Chi in close proximity to swordplay you may be able to squeeze out a small amount of growth, no matter how menial.
				
				[b][Aura Pressure +3][/b]
				*set agiexp + 1
				*set powexp + 1
				*set aurapressure + 3
				*set retainer_morale + 1
				
				Two hours pass and the scarlet glow around you fades from completion. You open your eyes when you feel no amount of further improvement. Leona and the retainers seem to have taken a break, seeing as they're down on the deck eating riceballs.
				
				*label endleonachat4grills
				*page_break
				With Leona down on the deck you
				*set val 99
				*goto endcompaniongone2
			#"That's stupid, let's play Mahjong instead." [Refuse]
				"That's stupid," you reply, "let's play Mahjong instead. I saw a set in the Captain's Cabin. Er, my cabin."
				
				"Mahjong?" Leona's face contorts like she's tasted something sour. "Like the old people game?"
				
				"Like the game for friends." You correct.
				
				Leona's lower lip quivers for a moment. "I've never had a friend before."
				
				*if (insight >= 2)
					[b][Insight 2 Check Passed][/b]
					*set solexp + 1
					
					"Yes you have, you liar."
					*set honor + 1
					
					Leona switches immediately to a big smile. "Aw you got me! But for real, old people mahjong? I'm so in. Nobody ever asks me to play actual games anymore."
					
					"Yes they do, you liar."
					*set leonarep + 2
					
					"Got me again, they do." Her smile shifts to a sinister predatory grin. "And that's why I'm about to destroy you in mahjong."
					
					"In your dreams." You reply, excited for the challenge.
				*else
					[b][Insight 2 Check Failed][/b]
					
					"Well you do now." You say encouragingly.
					
					"Awwwww!" Leona jumps in and gives you a hug. "My very own friend!"
					*if (shards >= 4)
						*set shards - 5
					*elseif (silver >= 40)
						*set silver - 50
					*elseif (gold >= 1)
						*set gold - 1
					*elseif (shards > 0)
						*set shards 0
					*elseif (silver > 0)
						*set silver 0
					
					Heh, you knew she was a softie. You pat her on the back and pull away to go get your mahjong kit. "Wait right here!" You shout back. "This is going to be fun!"
					
				You come back a minute later with the board and pieces and sit down across from Leona in a corner so the retainers have room to continue swinging their
				*if (firedhalfswordsmen)
					swords and studying.
				*else
					swords.
				*page_break Let's play!
				*if (((lore + perception) + insight) >= 6)
					[b][Lore + Perception + Insight 6 Check Passed][/b]
					*set solexp + 4
					*set forexp + 1
					
					"Victory!" You shout out after absolutely [i]crushing[/i] Leona in mahjong.
					
					"Fuuuuuck." She groans facedown into the floorboards, her hair a mess from pulling it so much during the match. "Okay fine, you win this round, but next round I-"
					
					"Can we leave, Honored $!{patriarch}?" One of the retainers asks. "Apologies for being so abrupt but we have limits. We are each exhausted and require food."
					
					"And rest." Adds another, panting as the blood of some fresh cut mixes with the sweat running down his arms.
					
					Huh, you suppose it has been quite a while. The game had taken your attention so well that you didn't even notice. With them asking permission so respectfully you nod
					*goto leonaleaveintro
				*else
					[b][Lore + Perception + Insight 6 Check Failed][/b]
					
					She beats you so badly that
					*if (lore <= 1)
						your dumb ass actually learns something.
						
						[b][Lore +1][/b]
					*elseif (perception <= 1)
						your blind ass actually learns to pay attention.
						
						[b][Perception +1][/b]
					*elseif (insight <= 1)
						your gullible ass actually learns to be cautious.
						
						[b][Insight +1][/b]
					*else
						even the retainers feel bad for you.
				
					"VICTORY!" Leona chants, jumping up and motioning to kick the board before she realizes how many stones she'd have to collect.
					
					"Oh shush." You reply while packing the board up. The men request permission to leave back down to the lower deck when you're done
					*goto leonaleaveintro
			#"Sounds like fun, I'm in." [Sunbathe on the raised platform]
				*set retainer_morale + 10
				*if ((bodytype = "Hourglass") or (bodytype = "Bodacious"))
					*set retainer_morale + 5
				*set honor - 3
				"Sounds like fun." You say. "I'm in."
				
				"Ugh!" Leona groans. "You're such a bad role model. I love it."
				
				You turn away from her and towards the astonished gazes of your retainers who can't believe their luck.
				*goto earnedreward
			#"Fine, if one of them shows a spark of Bladed Chi I'll do it."
				"Fine." You reply flatly. "If one of these four can show a spark of Bladed Chi then I'll do it."
				
				The four men near the training dummies stare dumbfounded at you.
				*if (honor > 50)
					You shoot them a sharp stare. "Well? Your time is running out."
				*else
					You flash them a brief flicker of a smile. "Better get to it."
				
				All four of them scramble for their swords and push themselves harder than Big Chu ever pushed you.
				
				[b][Retainer Strength + 1][/b]
				*set retainer_strength + 1
				*set retainer_morale + 2
				*set ruthless - 2
				
				In merely an hour Leona's already fallen asleep and your meditations have cycled your spirit well. She wakes up when you both sense the tiniest hint of Bladed Chi manifest inside the Cores of one of your retainers.
				
				"Yessss!" Leona shous out. "Which one of you did it? Nevermind, I don't care, a deal's a deal!"
				
				Damn it, you were almost hoping they'd fail. All four of the men stab their swords into the ground and drop to one knee, utterly exhausted. They look up with the lidded eyes of men on the verge of collapse to see if their promised reward becomes a reality.
				*choice
					#"Just kidding!"
						*set honor - 1
						*set ruthless + 1
						*set retainer_morale - 3
						"Calm down guys, we were kidding!" You shake your head with a friendly smile. "It was a challenge to push you harder, you had to know that right? Senseis do this kind of stuff all the time. Welcome to the Martial World."
						
						One of them appears to have his spirit leave his body as he drops to the ground in exhaustion and yearns for death. The other three nod in concession and withdraw waterskins, collapsing backward into a sitting position.
						
						"Yeah, bozos." Leona says, putting her shirt back on. You didn't even notice her take it off. "I can't believe you all fell for it. Psht. Idiots."
						
						The men politely request leave on shaky legs from all their training
						*label leonaleaveintro
						and you grant it, surprised when Leona stands to leave the platform too.
						
						"Where are you going?" You ask.
						
						"Wherever." Leona replies. "Probably going to see who I can threaten into making me some riceballs. Trust me girlfriend, the Trials will be a constant pain. Have a walk around your deck, see what Bo Lo's up to, try to relax a bit. There's plenty of time to hate life later."
						
						She follows the men down and starts barking orders at some retainers on the main deck, demanding to know which man wants to cook for her.
						*goto endleonachat4grills
					#[Strip down.]
						*set ruthless - 1
						*set retainer_morale + 2
						*label earnedreward
						"Alright men." You reach down and grip the lower ends of your ${clothes}. "You've earned a reward." Slowly, tantalizingly you undress yourself beside Leona as she does the same.
						
						All four men pass out from nosebleeds before you even finish.
						*if ((bodytype = "Hourglass") or (bodytype = "Bodacious"))
							Two of them have smiles plastered on their faces while they twitch on the floor. They might actually need medical attention.
							*set solexp + 2
							
						"Awww." Leona pouts. "I guess I'll have to get an audience from the other ship." She climbs onto the railing and lays down, curling one leg up and resting her head on one hand as she leans towards the ship trailing you by a couple thousand feet.
						
						"Can they even see us?" You ask.
						
						"The one with the spyglass in the crow's nest can. I've named him Looky."
						
						"More like 'Lucky'." You reply, climbing onto the railing and relaxing in the sun's comforting warmth.
						
						...
						
						An hour later you wake from an involuntary nap when you almost fall overboard.
						
						The rush startles you up and, remembering that you're naked, you get dressed quickly before taking in your surroundings on the platform. The training retainers seem to have left and Leona is down on the lower deck yelling at different crewmen to see who wants the honor of cooking for her.
						*goto endleonachat4grills
*elseif (style = "Aoyusumu")
	You squint from the bright sun and ascend the stairs on the side of your Captain's Cabin and come to the roof above to see several benches secured against the railings and a small crowd huddled in a circle on the floor.
	
	"Look who it is!" Shouts an Oni woman you don't recognize. "The ${patriarch} wakes!"
	
	You give a curt nod as everyone turns to see you. Seven crewmen you saved from Ebikowa and one out of place Devanic pilgrim, all holding clay cups of wine. Angelo is in a pair of burlap pants he didn't have in Ebikowa and is noticeably missing a shirt. Judging by his sunburn, he lost it a while ago.
	
	He turns with the rest and sees you ascend the stairs.
	*if (spiritbrandloc = "eyes")
		"Eye spiritbrands, very sporting! I've gained the same myself, though my originals were only a different shade of blue than the Sacred cerulean they are now."
	*elseif ((spiritbrandloc = "hair") or (spiritbrandloc = "hairstrip"))
		"A hair spiritbrand, quite the
		*if (heshe = "he")
			decoration!
		*else
			attraction!
		They say Lunargoths brought them to this world but considering the bright hair of many Yokai I find that hard to believe."
	*elseif ((spiritbrandloc = "tail and ears") or (spiritbrandloc = "tail"))
		"Ah, a
		*if (subrace = "Reptile")
			new tail,
		*else
			fur spiritbrand,
		not too shabby! I was wondering when
		*if (subrace = "Reptile")
			a spiritbrand
		*else
			one
		would start to show on you. For me it was the eyes, mine were originally a different shade of blue other than Sacred cerulean. Not much of a change, really."
	*elseif (spiritbrandloc = "horns")
		"A horn spiritbrand? Well that's a first, I have half a mind to think young Kosuke painted them, but I digress."
	*elseif (spiritbrandloc = "skin")
		"My goodness!" He shouts out. "A skin spiritbrand! That's rather rare, if the Martial Arts don't work out you could make a living posing for portraits. Mine wasn't nearly so fantastical, my blue eyes turned a different shade of blue."
	*elseif (race = "Kitsune")
		"Oh dear, that second tail will be hard to hide, but there's no problems with it among the crew, isn't that right everyone?" He looks to the others who stare, openmouthed, at you. The exposed Kitsune. Angelo's aura becomes so heavy that it grows hard to breathe as if his very presence replaces the air all around the platform. He repeats himself in a far graver tone. "[i]Isn't that right, everyone?[/i]"
		
		They all nod quickly and he smiles again, aura dissipating. "Grand!"
	*else
		"Ah, ${heshe} wakes! We were about to call for a medic, if the ocean has any, but I'm glad to see you awoke naturally."
	The large Lunargoth waves a hand at a pile of cards in the middle of the seated crowd. "So, mighty ${patriarch}, come to play with us commoners?"
	
	Up here on the high seas you feel the wind blow through your
	*if ((hairlength != "bald") and (hairlength != "buzzed"))
		*if (spiritbrandloc = "hair")
			newly ${spiritbrandcolor}
		*elseif (spiritbrandloc = "hairstrip")
			${spiritbrandcolor} and ${haircolor}
		*else
			${haircolor}
		hair
	*else
		scalp
	and look down at the cards.
	"Shouldn't those have flown away by now?"
	
	Angelo gently taps his nose. "Not all things touched by Sacred Chi are sacred themselves. I've been keeping these sinful gambling cards from flying off by draining the kinetic force of the wind around them."
	
	"Don't worry Captain, we had the same concern." Says one of the men in a bandana. "We were hesitant to play, figured he'd be looking at our cards somehow, but he keeps losing, so we keep playing!"
	*if ({metangelo#2} >= 1)
		
		Honestly you're just glad for confirmation that they can all see him. You're still not sure what happened back at the temple.
	
	[i]"I have absolutely been looking at their cards."[/i] Angelo's voice interrupts into your mind with a hint of worry. He chuckles and pats the man beside him on the back. "What can I say, friend? I simply cannot draw a good hand to save my life!" A few of them laugh back but Angelo's voice rings out in your mind once again. [i]"I really can't. Please help."[/i]
	
	"Make way for the Clan $!{patriarch}!" Says the Oni woman.
	
	Several crewmen scoot over to offer you a seat in the circle. One younger Human man starts shuffling the deck. "What'll it be, Captain? It's a high stakes 10 Shard buy-in."
	
	10 Shards each?!
	*if (honor < 50)
		Sheesh, you think to yourself, who is paying these people so much?
	*else
		You can't imagine who is paying these people so much.
	
	Actually, you're the Clan $!{patriarch}, and they're your Clan's new retainers...Ancestors, you hope it isn't you that has to pay them so much.
	*label choosewithangie
	*choice
		*if (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 10) #Play a Hand. [Costs 10 Shards]
			*set honor - 1
			*if (honor > 50)
				Hesitantly
			*else
				Excitedly
			you take a seat with the other gamblers and throw your ante into the center with everyone else's stack of money.
			
			*gosub_scene quicks costcalc 10
			
			One longhaired Human man shuffles the deck and delivers each player their hand. "Best of luck to you, Captain."
			
			"To Hells with that." Says an older gentleman enjoying his wine. "Best of luck to me!"
			
			Their words and laughter don't quite register in your ears, you're too busy turning over your cards and seeing...
			*rand temper 0 8
			
			[b][Cards Randomized][/b]
			
			*if (((ruthless < 50) and (temper >= 6)) or (temper >= 7))
				...Huh.
				
				You have a great hand.
				*label wincards
				
				"Captain wins." Says the Oni woman in defeat after a few fold and the rest show their hands.
				
				"Of course the [i]Honorable $!{patriarch}[/i] wins." Says one of the older retainers, eyeing you suspiciously.
				
				"My good man." Angelo butts in, "It almost sounds as if you're accusing the $!{clan} ${patriarch} of cheating. A bold claim to make against the ${manwoman} who saved your life from the Fiendish hordes of the Hells incarnate."
				
				They all look wearily around the circle, eyes meeting each other and back to you until the old man speaks up again. "Er...I have misspoken." He stands and bows at the hip. "This one humbly thanks you for the game, Young
				*if (heshe = "he")
					Master.
				*else
					Mistress.
				I believe I've had enough drink for the evening."
				
				With that he leaves, and the others slowly get up to join him while you collect your winnings.
				
				[b][Item Regained: 10 Shard Ante][/b]
				*set shards + 10
				*line_break
				[b][Item Gained: 450 Silver][/b]
				*set silver + 450
				[b][Item Gained: 1 Low Grade Grade Soul Pill][/b]
				*set lgsolpill + 1
				[b][Item Gained: 3 Ritual Components][/b]
				*set ritualcomponents + 3
				
				"Damn..." You say as you count your returns over the next couple minutes. "I have a rich crew."
				
				"Only those few." Angelo replies, collecting his shirt from your winnings.
				*if ((heshe = "she") and (angeloromance >= 1))
					You had planned on some big charade about offering it back to him...but he just up and took it. Damn it! That was your big chance! Maybe you can bring up the debt later? Oh, oh crap. He's still talking and you're just staring.
					
				"It shouldn't affect the local economy too strongly," Angelo looks up, pondering. "I think. Also, they [i]do[/i] possess just about every item I had on me. A crafty lot, your retainers. It's such a shame I can't see what antics they get up to on your voyage after I leave."
				*page_break Leave??
				*goto angelocontinue1
			*elseif (temper >= 4)
				*temp cardhand "mediocre"
				A mediocre hand of cards.
				
				*if ((perception + deception) >= 3)
					[b][Perception + Deception 3 Check Passed][/b]
					
					Luckily your solid gambler face helps you bluff your way to victory.
					*goto wincards
				*else
					[b][Perception + Deception 3 Check Failed][/b]
					
					A hand of cards you're certainly going to be stuck with, as you're not the best at keeping a good gambler's face. It never made sense to you really, how can you get people to fold when they have a better hand? It just doesn't add up. You suspect trickery at work, and you've never learned the trick.
					
					*goto cheatcards
			*else
				*temp cardhand "awful"
				An [i]awful[/i] hand of cards. One so bad that bluffing won't even work; if even one person stays in the game it's over for you.
				
				*label cheatcards
				*choice
					#[Swap your cards out when no one's looking]
						*set cardhand "cheated"
						*set honor - 2
						*if ((thievery + stealth) >= 4)
							[b][Thievery + Stealth 4 Check Passed][/b]
							
							Luckily you're a disdainful, horrendous, and [i]skilled[/i] cheater. You swap your cards when no one is looking for a much better set.
							
							*goto wincards
						*else
							[b][Thievery + Stealth 4 Check Failed][/b]
							*set honor - 2
							
							"Nice try Captain, but I saw you try to switch em out." Says one of the older, drunker retainers among your crew.
							
							"And how were you so keen as to notice?" Angelo asks.
							
							"Cause I was tryin to switch mine out." The old man replies.
							
							"Doesn't matter." Adds the Oni woman while revealing her cards. "Cause I won."
							
							*label lostcards
							"Well isn't that my luck." Angelo replies, leaning forward to look at her hand in scrutiny. He nods, accepting defeat. "There goes my last sandal."
							
							"And my 10 Shards." You add with a hung head.
							
							"And my last Silver." Adds a younger man.
							
							"What's say we end it here?" The drunk man asks, picking up his few winnings. The rest agree and gather up their things, giving their respects on their way out. Some call you ${patriarch}, some call you Captain, it's not too confusing for you but it seems to be for them.
							
							When they're gone it's just you and Angelo left on the platform above the Captain's Cabin at the back of the ship. You take a seat on the bench and breathe in the salty wind as your ship sails onward. "That could have gone better."
							
							"Indeed." Angelo replies. "It seems I've dragged you into my misfortunate. Perhaps the Heavens frown on us for cheating?"
							
							"I didn't cheat."
							*if (cardhand = "cheated")
								You lie.
								
								He sits across from you with a knowing shake of the head. "Of course you didn't."
								
								"What, are you reading my mind?"
								
								"No, but after seeing you defeat Taio I'm wondering if you've reached the level that you're reading mine."
								
								You...might have. You stare at Angelo and press your spiritual senses against him, focusing on the Sacred Chi built up around his aura and mind, the connection between your Style's power and mental thought. Angelo smiles back and waves at your scrutinizing gaze.
								
								*if (stylerank >= 2)
									[b][Aoyusumu Adept Check Passed][/b]
									
									The force of it jolts through you like three dozens hands flicking you in the face at once. It's not painful, but it's surprising, and with it comes a flood of thoughts that's hard to parse out, but one echoes over the rest.
									
									"...You're leaving?" You ask.
									
									Angelo claps three times with a smile that quickly grows solemn. "Very impressive! But...Yes. I am."
									*page_break
									*goto angelocontinue1
								*else
									[b][Aoyusumu Adept Check Failed][/b]
									
									"Nope." You concede. "Nothing."
									
									"That's quite alright, we can't expect every ability to manifest in such a short time." Angelo says, scratching his beard and staring off. "You've already learned so much. Though it's a shame I won't be able to teach you any further."
									
									You lean forward, attention locked. "Why not?"
									
									"I have to leave."
									*page_break
									*goto angelocontinue1
							*else
								You reply.
								
								"Oh. Well, that certainly makes me look worse." He chuckles dryly. "Some Devanic pilgrim I am, cheating at cards and leaving before the adventure's even over."
								*page_break Leaving??
								*goto angelocontinue1
					#Accept your fate.
						"Well Heavens bless this day!" Says the Oni woman revealing her cards. "Looks like I beat the priest [i]and[/i] the ${patriarch}!"
						*goto lostcards
				
		*disable_reuse #"How much money have you lost so far?"
			"How much money have you lost so far?" You ask Angelo.
			
			He beams up at you from his seated position. "Oh fear not, there's no longer any need worry about losing money. I've been broke for several hours. By now I've also lost my shirt, my infinite wineskin, dozens of mystery fuuinjutsu tags, my elixirs, the set of cards we're playing with, and I've had to work two miracles. I'm surprised it took them this long to gamble for those."
			
			"You can perform miracles?"
			
			Angelo smiles warmly while staring at his hand of awful cards. "We can all perform miracles."
			
			"He made wine out of our water barrel!" Boasts one of the older sailors, raising a cup to Angelo's misfortune.
			
			Angelo nods. "I made a sweetened lemon juice too, but no one seemed to care about the lemonade when the wine came out." He sighs wistfully. "They never do."
			*goto choosewithangie
		#"No gambling on board, everyone return your winnings to whoever lost them."
			"No gambling on board, everyone return your winnings to whoever lost them."
			*set retainer_morale - 2
			*set ruthless - 2
			*set honor + 3
			*set angelorep + 5
			
			"But-!" Starts the Oni woman across from Angelo.
			
			"No buts." You interrupt.
			
			"However," Angelo begins.
			
			"No howevers." You interrupt again. "This is my ship by right of conquest, I'll not have it become a den of poverty and animosity between crew members. If you want to gamble when we dock that's one thing, but while you're on my ship you follow my rules."
			
			"A fair rule for you to enforce," Angelo adds eyes closed and finger raised in lecture, "and yet-"
			
			"No yets."
			
			Angelo snaps his fingers, thwarted. "I do apologize everyone, it seems you'll have to return my many, many belongings you've won from me fair and square. Captain's orders."
			
			The crewmen grumble, some throw their cards down, and one older man in particular spits on Angelo as they all empty their pockets and throw a treasure trove down in front of Angelo. Tags, pouches, Shards, Silver, his own shirt, wineskins, talismans, small ornate statues, ritual components, scrolls, combs, and one of his sandals that you didn't even realize he was missing.
			
			They all storm off down the stairs, grumbling about wasted luck.
			
			"I think that went well." Angelo says as he rises. He wipes the spittle off his chest and walks to the railing to look over the rest of the crew as they descend into the cramped rower's chambers below deck. 
			
			You join him and look down at the gossiping crewmen.
			
			When they finish leaving down the hatch to the lower level, Angelo turns to you with a beaming smile. "I must confess, you're getting better at this."
			
			"Better at what?"
			
			"Letting people experience the lesson instead of preaching it to them. They were all enjoying gambling because it gained them something great, and even if they lost later, some would still chase that high of winning. A trap baited with riches, often ending in poverty. By turning their big victory into a failure outside their control, you soured their temptations for life."
			
			You turn to Angelo and analyze his face, wind blowing against his shining eyes. He looks thoughtful, but the reasoning for it doesn't add up.
			
			*if (heshe = "he")
				"That's a bit much, isn't it? All
			*else
				"Angelo, all
			I did was tell them give you back your stuff. It wasn't some lesson."
			
			"Or was it?" He asks, eyes squinting and cheekbones rising. He seems all too pleased. "You wield Sacred Chi now; your thoughts and mental power are directly connected to your spirit. You may not know it, but your 'gut feelings' have begun to stem from well-thought plans you didn't even have to analyze. I didn't gamble with them to teach you this lesson, I simply felt it would be a sound idea that could lead to the right end. I followed through on it and here we are."
			
			"Is that how you go through life? Just gut feelings that turn into grand plans halfway through?"
			
			He nods slowly. "How do you think the Heavens achieve total perfection so passively? Converting wisdom into reaction is a key part of Ascension."
			
			"Ascension?"
			
			"Hah! Did I say Ascension? I meant Advancement." He laughs quickly and claps your back. "Silly me. [i]Advancement[/i] is what this helps with, and we of the Aoyusumu Style are only fortunate in that we walk that path more easily than most."
			
			As his words register you feel something twist and turn in your Spirit, your Aura Pressure solidifying towards a specific function. It's the same feeling you get when learning a Technique.
			
			"...No." You say in disbelief, feeling the inner workings throughout your aura.
			
			"Oh yes." Angelo replies,
			*if (angeloromance >= 2)
				hand lowering to the railing and almost touching yours until he realizes what he's doing. "Ahem. I
			*else
				hand on your shoulder. "I
			was just as surprised when my first Revelation struck to me too."
			
			"No, this couldn't have been an Aoyusumu lesson. All you did was gamble and lose, you said so yourself!"
			
			"I did." He says confidently, turning around and picking his shirt off the pile of gambled goods. "And the results were fantastic, weren't they? Even in this example of showing instead of telling, I have shown instead of told. We're not the only ones who can learn this trick of course, but our Sacred Chi helps."
			
			The more you consider the whole situation, the more you feel a change in your spirit. The more you feel that change in your spirit, the more you believe his words. But... "But I didn't even use a Path Manual!"
			
			"Sometimes you don't have to," He replies, putting the shirt on. "Heavens knows there will be Path Manuals for sale in Nanhou teaching something similar, but this is one of the lessons we Sacred practitioners can unlock naturally. Though I understand your confusion. To learn a Technique just through experience and meditation, and to do it [i]right[/i], is nearly impossible. Why, you'd need some sort of...Seventh Sense."
			
			*gosub_scene quicks learntech 4610670000000000 "Seventh Sense" "Passively increases Insight by +1. Increases Power Surge by +1 when focused."
			*if (techslotcode[4] = 0000000000000000)
					[b][Soul Core focused on the "Seventh Sense" Technique][/b]
					*gosub_scene quicks focuscore "Seventh Sense" 4610670000000000
			
			The feeling is subtle at first, oh so subtle, but when you stop trying to focus on it and let it come to you it's almost as if you're holding the puppet strings to your own body, maneuvering your actions and thoughts to the right dance of a silent tune.
			
			A sad tune.
			
			You look at Angelo and feel a hunch that you can't shake. The gut feeling causes you to ask at the same time he answers.
			
			"You're leaving?" You ask, confused.
			
			"I'm leaving." Angelo confirms, saddened.
			*page_break
			*goto angelocontinue1
		#"Carry on, though tradition dictates a Captain's tax is in order."
			*set ruthless + 2
			*set angelorep - 2
			*set retainer_morale + 1
			"Carry on," you say to the crew of gambling sailors, "though tradition dictates a Captain's tax is in order."
			
			"Heh, of course Captain." Says one of your younger retainers but he only offers a smile and a nod.
			
			"I'm serious."
			
			They all exchange glances with Angelo, who shakes his head and says, "It is always a polite custom to obey the laws of the domain. If the Captain demands ${hisher} tribute, that is ${hisher} right."
			
			"Awwww!" Groans several at once. They begin emptying their pockets, offering you a few of their gathered knickknacks. You sit on a bench and enjoy the breeze as they continue for twenty more minutes, giving you their full tribute pile on the way out after outright fleecing Angelo of his hidden emergency stache of fuuinjutsu tags.
			
			[b][Item Gained: 3 Alchemy Reagents][/b]
			*set alchemyreagents + 2
			*line_break
			[b][Item Gained: 1 Gold][/b]
			*set gold + 1
			*line_break
			[b][Item Gained: 137 Silver][/b]
			*set silver + 137
			*line_break
			[b][Item Gained: 14 Shards][/b]
			*set shards + 14
			*line_break
			[b][Item Gained: 2 Ritual Components][/b]
			*set ritualcomponents + 2
			*line_break
			[b][Item Gained: 1 Low Grade Agility Pill][/b]
			*set lgagipill + 1
			
			As the crewmen leave Angelo rises and shakes his head, staring at the merry retainers leaving down the stairs. When they're finally gone, he turns to you. "I do believe the Heavens are punishing me for cheating at cards. Thirty-seven hands and not a single winner, I essentially owe them each a miracle and a house at this point."
			
			"Lucky crew." You reply as Angelo dons a brown pilgrim's robe. "Where'd you get the robe? I thought they took everything."
			
			Angelo barks out an honest laugh before sitting across from you. "Sorry, that hit a little too close to home." He rubs his eyes with one large hand and rubs his palm down his face in disbelief. "They did take everything. This robe is on loan."
			
			You almost laugh as hard as he did.
			
			"I know, I know." Angelo says with a wave of the hand, "Lesson learned. A shame I couldn't pay it back before leaving though."
			*page_break Leaving?
			*goto angelocontinue1
	*label angelocontinue1
	"What's this about leaving?" You ask in surprise. "Where? Why? Better yet..." You look to both sides of the ship and see nothing but water on either side. "[i]How[/i]?"
	
	"I'm afraid it's not optional. There is someone in need, can you feel it?

	*if (stylerank >= 2)
		[b][Aoyusumu (Adept) Check Passed][/b]
		
		If you close your eyes just right, a sensation of desperation finds you, as if an invisible tunnel connected you to a far away place and only thanks to the soundproof walls of that tunnel can you hear the echoes of a shout for mercy.
		
		*set apval 5
		*gosub_scene quicks apboost
		
		"I think I actually can." You reply softly.
		
		"Then I am sorry." Angelo replies. "I never meant for this burden to fall to your shoulders so quickly.
	*else
		"No, should I?"
		
		"Not yet," He says, looking to the east, "but in time you'll share the burden.
	They say that to hear the pleas of the masses is to touch upon the divine. It's true, in a way. Saints are the closest stand-in for the Heavens that many will meet. But at the early stages the only divine aspect you can touch upon is divine responsibility. Knowing that every second you waste elsewhere, someone is suffering. Knowing you should intervene. Knowing that every second wasted is a death on your conscience."

	You look at Angelo with judgment for the first time. "Then why were you playing cards?"

	"Oh! Oh, no." His chest shakes from two silent snorts. "The prayer just came in, honest. Heavens, could you imagine how callous that would have been? And I didn't even win a hand, too."

	That sounds more like the Angelo you know. "So that's why you're leaving."

	He holds up a finger and a smile to correct, "That's why I [i]have[/i] to leave. Helping the innocent is a Devanic tenet, one I wouldn't abandon for all the Shards in the world." He places a hand on the railing and
	*if (heshe = "she")
		looks back to you, hair blowing in the wind. "It's been quite a journey, $!{name}. Thank you for the adventure, and thank you for all the lives we saved."
	*else
		grins. "I'll miss our little adventures, ${name}. Honest. Few introduce me to a chance to combat the forces of Hell on a random weekend."
		
		You both laugh and he gives a short bow. "Really though, it's been an adventure. Thank you."
	*choice
		#"And thank you, sensei, for all your training." [Give a respectful bow]
			*set honor + 4
			*set angelorep + 3
			"And thank you, sensei," you reply, "for all your training." You give a respectful bow and look up to see his smile shift from warm to incredulous.
			
			"Sensei?!" He blurts out in mock horror. "Heavens, now I feel old! Yet if anyone asks then of course I will claim the title. Training a Clan ${patriarch} with ${hisher} own fleet of retainers is something I'll certainly brag about. Farewell, my friend."
			
			*label partyrockinginthehousetonight
			With that he leaps overboard and your
			*label partyrock
			ship [i][b]rocks[/i][/b] from the portside explosion of water when he lands. Crewmen scream in panic as your entire vessel tilts to the side, nearly knocking you off the platform. Only your well-trained reflexes let you catch the railing of your ship before going overboard.
			
			When the ship rights itself after several rocks back and forth you see what caused it: the top of the sea parts in a six-foot wake in the distance as Angelo sprints across the water faster than any ship, launching waves to both sides of his sprint.
			
			"Couldn't you have landed [b]away[/b] from my ship?!" You yell out with chi enforcing your lungs.
			
			"My deepest apologies!" He hollers back over the long distance.
			*goto endcompaniongone
		#"Will I see you at the Trials?"
			*set angelorep + 2
			*set ruthless - 1
			"Will I see you at the Trials?" You ask as he looks overboard.
			
			He turns back to you with another genuine smile. "I certainly hope so. I haven't traveled all this way just to miss the spectacle. Besides, I'm sure I can handle whatever emergency is plaguing the innocents in need."
			
			"I wasn't worried about that," You respond honestly, "I'm more worried about you making it in time to see my opening act."
			
			Angelo chews his cheek thoughtfully, looking east towards the source of the prayer and south in the direction of Nanhou, days from visibility. "Yeah. I've got time."
			
			*goto partyrockinginthehousetonight
		#"Do you have any last tips for me?"
			*set honor - 1
			"Do you have any last tips for me?" You ask, withdrawing an empty notebook and inked quill, somehow.
			
			Angelo squints sideways at the sky, rubbing his chin.
			*if ((honor < 45) and (ruthless > 55))
				"Be a nicer person?"
			*else
				"…Don't be a bad person?"
			
			"That's awful." You reply. "That's awful, basic, useless advice you could give to anyone for anything."
			
			He sighs in concession. "Too true, too true indeed. Very well then; when you pivot into your punches you're not using your Sacred Chi to siphon kinetic energy. You should. Just when you're about to strike, use your offhand to pull kinetic energy out of your movement in the last second and use your main hand to channel that energy into your fist. If done right, you'll stop moving the second you hit your opponent and your entire body's momentum will be added to your strike. The aesthetics of it don't hurt when you're posed perfectly still and they're sent reeling."
			
			You scribble that down quickly, surprised to get such good advice on such short notice.
			
			*if (honor < 45) and (ruthless > 55)
				[b][5 Power EXP Gained][/b]
				*set powexp + 5
			*else
				[b][10 Power EXP Gained][/b]
				*set powexp + 10
			
			"Anything else-" You ask, looking up to see him already leaping overboard. Your
			*goto partyrock
		*if (heshe = "she")
			#"Are you sure we can't stay toge-I mean go together?" [Seduction]
				*set metangelo + 1
				*set angeloromance + 3
				*set angelorep + 10
				You weren't ready for him to leave so soon. Anxiety grips your heart like a cold steel hand and you can't find the right words to say no matter how hard you try to think.
				
				"Are you sure we can't stay toge-I, I mean go together?"
				
				Damn it, damn it, damn it! You're going to lose him again.
				
				No, no you're a Martial Artist. Overcoming hardships is nothing new.
				
				You press the feelings of anxiety deep down and force your every movement. You can do this. You cross one leg in front of the other, puff out your chest as subtly as you can, and cast your gaze off to the side with the barest hint of a pout. "I just thought that, well, maybe we could have gotten to know each other more?"
				
				You glimpse up to see his reaction.
				
				The curve of a smile reaches the side of his mouth, a good sign, but it's quickly fought back. He looks to the Heavens and inhales deeply, taking your hands in his as he meets your gaze again. "$!{name}, you're an amazing, beautiful woman with more talents than any scribe can count. I have greatly enjoyed our time together, it's impossible not to; against all odds you bring a smile to people's faces when they're trapped in an invasion from the Hells."
				
				"But?" You ask, prepared for disappointment.
				
				He exhales slowly through his nose. "You're just beginning your journey, and I cannot be the one to stifle it." His eyes hold contact with yours like a dam holding back a flood, as if straining his neck not to look down at your body on display one last time. "I am sorry, $!{name}. My feelings aside, it's never a good idea to have relations between Student and Master."
				
				His feelings aside?
				
				So he [i]has feelings[/i]!
				
				Looking up to the handsome monk brings those befuddling sensations back in full force, as if you're 13 trying to talk to your first crush. Your every movement is sluggish, your breathing irregular, and your mind filled with a fog, but you will [i]not[/i] miss this chance.
				
				You need a line, damn it. Think. Think! THINK!
				
				"...Student and Master?" You begin. Going on instinct you look up to him and bat your eyelashes three times, tilt your head back to bring your lips closer to his, and whisper the first dirty words that come to your mind. "You haven't mastered me yet."
				
				He looks into your eyes and you look back up at him defiantly, with playful invitation at the corners of your smile.
				
				Angelo's voice grows serious as he leans closer to you. "You shouldn't court danger."
				
				You tilt your head back and slowly move your lips closer to his own. "You should court me."
				
				In a rush that knocks your hair into a mess you're spun around and slammed onto the railing of the ship. You don't even feel the impact of wood against your butt and realize it's because Angelo's hands are holding you up like a seat with a [i]firm[/i] grip. Before you can squeal you're pushed back by his lips crashing into yours like a tidal wave against a cliffside. Heat rises to your chest and your eyes close in delight. You kiss him back, wrapping your arms over his wide shoulders while you meticulously wrap your legs around his waist.
				
				[i]Victory.[/i]
				
				Your rising carnal needs are accompanied by such a sense of pride. As if a veil were forcibly ripped off the world, your confidence comes flooding back all at once. Your sharpness, your guile, your charm, your yearning, it all returns in full force as you're held in Angelo's embrace and his hands explore your body, one hand holstered under you like a seat and the other exploring up your side on its way to your chest. 
				
				You've never been offered a better idea, you think to yourself, and explore his firm and powerful body with your own hands. One brushes up his powerful arms to trace the wide forearms and incredible biceps he's been hiding under those robes and the other explores further south to see [i]what else[/i] he's been hiding under those robes.
				
				Then something else comes rushing into your mind.
				
				Screams.
				
				The screams, cries, and pleading of so many unfamiliar voices hits you all at once.
				
				Desperation, urgency, and sorrow breaks into your thoughts and jolts you like a rooster's call screaming into your ear. You pull away from Angelo but can't even open your eyes, mind wracking with pain, all focus kept on blocking out the mental noise.
				
				Your own thoughts begin to get lost in the sea of foreign calls for help.
				
				Uncountable sentences shout over each other begging for every type of aid and salvation, from the despaired to the dying. Try as you might, you can't focus on any one coherent thought, yet a single word shines through the cacophony like an invocation cried out in a hundred hopeless voices:
				
				"Angelo."
				*page_break
				The screams in your head are interrupted by a flutter of wind in the real world, like a large bird's wings taking flight.
				
				You can finally breathe again.
				
				When your eyes slowly open you find yourself leaning back on the railing of your ship, your hands holding nothing and a cerulean glow dissipating in the air. You check your left, your right, overboard, and even above you, but wherever you look one thing is for sure:
				
				Angelo is nowhere to be found.
				
				A few slow inhales and exhales manage to steady your breathing and you return to the platform's floor, meditating to gather your thoughts. You finally made out with the hot religious guy and it felt like the world was screaming into your head. It's not like him to push mind effects on you so whatever it was...
				
				...
				
				You stop and question that detail.
				
				[i]Is it[/i] not like him to push mind effects on you?
				
				You've been stumbling over yourself several times when trying to express interest, and the second he's on board with it all of that melts away.
				*if ({metangelo#4} = 2)
					In fact, your confidence really kicked in back on the docks, when you caught him off guard. Which would mean he didn't have a chance to use any effect that time...oh that jerk!
					
				Forget hearing the screams of the downtrodden, forget disappearing mysteriously [i]twice[/i]. There's a bigger issue to focus on now: you're almost positive that bastard was using Sacred Chi to suppress your feelings on purpose! You're gonna kick his butt next time you see him. His muscular, chiseled, athletic butt.
				
				This is an outrage. If he expects you to accept an apology he better bring flowers.
				*goto endcompaniongone
*elseif (style = "Kiihakai")
	You ascend to the small platform above the captain's quarters and see several disciples sitting on benches looking out over the sea while Li Moon and Li Sun crouch on the ground, scribing some plans or designs on scrolls. Desdemona stands beside them nodding in approval.
	
	"Good morning, Honored ${patriarch}." Says Li Moon while you run up. "Not to boast, but I am pleased to report that with our Seals we were no longer needed on the other ships, we-"
	
	You bolt passed her, shouting "Desdemona! Please tell me we're going south!"
	
	"That's [i]Lady[/i] Desdemona!" Shout five voices back as you rise.
	
	Desdemona herself looks back to you as the wind whips her hair into her displeased face. "A rude good morning to you as well, $!{name}. 
	*if (race = "Kitsune")
		Is that a second tail...? Oh, you're a Kitsune then. Impressive, you must be quite skilled in illusions to hide your nature even from me. That's good. Your spiritual nature should bring added benefits down the line for Kiihakai as well."
		
		"Don't change the subject!" You shout, tails lashing in anxious irritation behind you. "Are we going South?"
		
		"Of
	*elseif (spiritbrandloc = "")
		A rather impolite greeting to the allies who watched over your two days of rest, but I digress. And of
	*else
		Nice spiritbrand, and of
	course we're going South. That's where Nanhou is, I'd be a fool to go any other direction."
	
	Li Sun and Li Moon look up to you from behind her and shake their heads.
	
	As you reach the Dreamriver disciples the vantage point gives you a better view of the ocean and you see...ocean. Unimaginably vast ocean without a single landmark to find your location. "Okay..." You say, breathing slowly. "Okay, as long as the sun is to the west at dusk, we're on the right course. How far out have we gone?"
	
	"Don't worry about that." Desdemona replies confidently. "We just need to make sure we adjust properly, something it seems you've forgotten about." A fraction of a victorious grin shows on the corner of her dark lips.
	
	...
	
	"Give me the maps." You demand.
	
	"There's no need." She 
	*if (desromance >= 2)
		taunts melodiously. 
	*else
		boasts confidently.
	"I assure you I have performed the math and the directions are sound, we-"
	
	"Lost the coast." Li Sun pipes up.
	
	"And ourselves." Li Moon finishes.
	
	"Wh-?! Silence!" Desdemona shouts, more in a defensive
	*if (heshe = "he")
		pout
	*else
		protest
	than in anger, "Have faith in your Sectmistress!"
	
	Li Moon looks to the other woman through her glasses. "Lady Desdemona, please, we are begging you, give the Thunderfaller the maps."
	
	"Is that how you want it?" Desdemona crosses her arms, glaring down at the other woman. "I will remember this, [i]Disciple[/i] Moon." Reluctantly, Desdemona pulls a few scrolls out of her satchel and hands them to you with several markings in golden chi showing where she believes you've gone so far. You scan through the charts and pray you haven't gone too far off-course.
	
	Hells, you pray you haven't gone [i]North[/i].
	*page_break
	*if (survival >= 1)
		[b][Survival ${survival} Check Passed][/b]
		*set forexp + survival
		*if (background = "Trapper")
			*set solexp + survival
		
		To your surprise, these are star maps. It makes sense immediately in your mind that sailors would use star maps since they have nothing else to see as markers, but growing up in the mountains you'd never even heard about them having a unique use. To you, reading star maps is just a hobby you'd picked up as an interesting survival skill.
		
		Thank. Heavens.
		
		Judging by the time and location of the sun, you're confident her lines are wrong. You seize on the Mystic Chi and adjust the markings, showing your ships as being much further out to sea than previously believed. Luckily you've still been moving south, just south-southwest. For two days.
		
		"We're almost on course," you say with a sigh of relief, "we've only lost a day, maybe half."
	*else
		[b][Survival 1 Check Failed][/b]
		
		Oh wow, these are worthless. What's with all the dots?
		
		Hm...
		
		"Hey, you there!" You shout to one of your retainers/crewmen over on the deck. At least you assume he works for you; you just woke up so there's a lot of guessing involved in your every action. "Come up here and read these maps!"
		
		"I can't read, sir!" The man replies. "Neither maps nor otherwise!"
		
		"Then send someone who can!"
		
		Two minutes later your delegation works out when older retainer, slightly drunk, is reading the maps in front of you all. "Yep, these lines definitely don't 'line' up. Heh. I mean, we'd see the shore if they did, wouldn't we?"
		
		"Y...?" You say hesitantly, looking to a few of Desdemona's disciples for confirmation. Li Sun meets your gaze and nods so you finish with confidence. "Yes."
		
		"Well there you go, Honorable
		*if (heshe = "he")
			Master."
		*else
			Mistress."
		The man says before descending down the stairs, probably to get more rum from Kosuke. Are they throwing a party down there?
		*set val 3
	
	Desdemona looks over
	*if (val = 3)
		the sailor's
	*else
		your
	adjustments. "Tch, these are blatantly wrong. We've gone too far southwest from our homes yet these new lines don't take that into account. With the rotation to make up for our shift on the map, the sun should be setting in the northwest, not the west."
	
	"No." Everyone replies.

	"Wha-?!" Desdemona seems taken aback from the consensus and you're not sure if anyone's ever told her how far away the sun really is. "Why, the nerve!" She rifles through some unseen pocket in her robes, withdrawing a scroll and a pair of glasses. She dons the pair and points to a section of calculations on the scroll. "Look, right here, I've personally charted our journey and it's impossible for the sun's setting point to maintain position on a flat grid when we've moved so far-"
	
	"It's not a flat grid." You reply.
	
	"Hm?" She looks up, annoyed at the interruption.
	
	"It's not a flat grid when you map the world, because the world is round."
	
	"Pft." Desdemona cracks a small smile. "Thunderfaller, that's the...It would mean that...Hm..." She looks around to her other Disciples as they give the saddest, most pitying smiles you've ever witnessed. "Oh no." She groans slowly. "No! NOOOO!"
	
	She wails out and slumps down onto one of the benches, dropping her face into her hands, elbows propped up on her knees. "No damn it, I checked the charts!"
	
	After a short silence Li Moon kneels before her Sectmistress. "Fear not, Lady Desdemona. We will follow you to the ends of the world, even if that's not where you were trying to take us."
	
	Desdemona rubs her eyes, ruining her makeup, and breathes in slowly. "Thank you, Disciple Moon." She looks up to the rest. "Let us all recover what we can from this disaster, prepare the acceleration Seals."
	*page_break
	Her disciples begin ripping fuuinjutsu tags, drawing on your ship in paint, invoking handseal finger formations all over the deck, and chanting auspicious incantations. Desdemona does her best to help out, but after being embarrassed in front of everyone her version of 'helping out' is militantly barking orders and sneering at the work of her disciples as if they'd personally offended her ancestors.
	
	It motivates the Dreamriver disciplies better than you expected.
	
	You spend that time analyzing their work and trying to understand exactly what's going on.
	
	*if (handseals >= 2)
		[b][Handseal 2 Check Passed][/b]
		
		The summary of their work seems to align your ship to some great force in the north and south, repelling one and seeking the other, which should make your ship temporarily travel faster to make up for lost time.
		
		As their work continues you find yourself lost in thought.
		
		If you can use Seals to repel and seek at the same time, what happens if you invoke both Seals on the same target? You know the Seal formula for your body, and the compound Seal formula for the edge of your aura....what happens to an object if you enchant it to seek and repel your body in one direction, and seek and repel the edge of your aura in another?
		
		In theory it should be trapped hovering around you, and if anything from outside your aura tried to enter that hovering space the enchanted object's balance would be thrown off, violently jerked into that foreign object to regain its balance.
		
		The long and short of it is, you think you can make a shield of floating objects around you that will intercept attacks.
		
		To anyone else this would be useless. It's just Seals, and Seals break in combat. As you've learned, that rule doesn't exist for Kiihakai. Your Mystic Chi is more stable and can automatically perform Seals for you with nothing more than a thought.
		
		Before you know it, you've begun furiously scribbling notes about what Seals would be needed to apply enough force, balance, and accuracy. From the other Path Manuals you've read you have a good idea on what's needed to make this into something real. You never would have been able to do this years ago, but fortunately you were locked in a caravan wagon for days with nothing to do but read tomes on Kiihakai's Mystic theory.
		
		It sounds crazy, but with enough practice you could embed these principles into inventing your own Technique.
		
		All that's left is to give it a name.
		*choice
			#Name your Technique "Dancing Defense".
				*set technamer "Dancing Defense"
			#Name your Technique "Ioun Blades".
				*set technamer "Ioun Blades"
			#Name your Technique "Mystic Shield".
				*set technamer "Mystic Shield"
			#Name your Technique "Heavenly Guardian".
				*set technamer "Heavenly Guardian"
			#Name your Technique something else.
				*input_text technamer
		$!{technamer}, now that's a name! But your Cores can only handle so much, and you're already learning more than you expected, far faster than you ever anticipated.
		
		You don't want to bind this to the wrong Core and cut yourself off from using another vital Technique, so you...
		*choice
			#Design ${technamer} to be a Soul Technique
				*gosub_scene quicks learntech 4500109000000000 technamer "Intercepts a certain amount of damage using floating objects when focused. Increases Alchemy by +1 when focused."
			#Design ${technamer} to be a Fortitude Technique.
				*gosub_scene quicks learntech 2500109000000000 technamer "Intercepts a certain amount of damage using floating objects when focused. Increases Alchemy by +1 when focused."
			#Design ${technamer} to be a Power Technique.
				*gosub_scene quicks learntech 1500109000000000 technamer "Intercepts a certain amount of damage using floating objects when focused. Increases Alchemy by +1 when focused."
			#Design ${technamer} to be an Agility Technique.
				*gosub_scene quicks learntech 3500109000000000 technamer "Intercepts a certain amount of damage using floating objects when focused. Increases Alchemy by +1 when focused."
		
		You'll need some more time and some rest to settle it into your Cores, but by the Ancestors, the sense of academic achievement is euphoric.
		*set val 99
		
		...
		
		*goto continueafterdes
	*else
		[b][Handseal 2 Check Failed][/b]
		
		You get the basics of what they're doing, some sort of planetary connection so your ships 'repel' the north and 'attract' the south, pushing you faster for a time. The most important part, for you, is seeing so many Seals performed at once. You catch on quickly that your way of performing handseals has sloppy flaws that you can thankfully fix by example, without anyone seeing how bad you've been performing this whole time.
		
		[b][Handseals +1][/b]
		*set handseals + 1
	
	*label continueafterdes
	Two hours later
	*if (shipcount > 2)
		all ${shipcount} of your ships
	*else
		both your ships
	are glowing. Quite literally.
	
	"That should do it." Desdemona says, her chi reserves depleted along with the chi of her disciples.
	*if (val = 99)
		Your own aura is equally exhausted with all the different methods you've been testing to see if "${technamer}" could really work. You finally look up from your notes to see
	*else
		You and Desdemona look over
	the fine Seals drawn in Mystic Chi along every part of each vessel, and Desdemona's seemed to recover her confidence when ordering her disciples around to help out.
	
	"You're sure this will make up for our lost time?" You ask. "The Seal designs look sound but I've never tried anything like them."
	
	"You can doubt my directions, even though you [i]normally[/i] shouldn't, but never doubt my Seals." She looks over her disciples' work with pride. "This is a Dreamriver specialty."
	
	You quirk an eyebrow. "We're both from the mountains, how is a seaworthy ship enchantment your specialty?"
		
	She looks back, a sinister smile showing white teeth behind her dark lips as she places a hand on a railing. "[i]Every[/i] Seal is a Dreamriver specialty."
		
	Mystic Chi pulses from her hand and the entire ship lurches, launching out of the water for several seconds before landing in a heavy crash and taking off at nearly twice the speed it had before. Crews are sent reeling to the back of their ships below deck and you grab a railing just in time to stop yourself from being launched overboard.
	
	"WHOOOOOOOOOOOAAH!" Kosuke screams from below deck over the sound of a dozen cries.
	
	Eventually the ships stabilize in their new speed and the chaos subsides. You spend ten minutes running around to account for every retainer, cargo, and tool, making sure nothing and no one was launched overboard, then come back above deck to look on in appreciation at your new Seals.
	
	"I'll give credit where it's due." You say as Desdemona walks up beside you by the railings. "It works."
	
	"Of course it works." She responds, "But do not thank me, our additions will only last a day and were a mandatory recompense to make us even before my departure."
	
	That catches your attention. "Departure?"
	
	She looks to you with unusual excitement. "We received a message from one of my captured Disciples, he's escaped Guiren's clutches and is hiding out in a smuggler's den. Any information he has is invaluable."
	
	"Why now?" You ask. "Doesn't that sound suspicious?"
	
	She closes her eyes in acceptance and tilts her head for a second to acknowledge your point. "It would be, but it didn't just arrive. I received his message by bird yesterday. I had already told him I would be along when you awoke. We owed you that much."
	
	Her disciples gather behind her, holding fuuinjutsu tags together in a circular pattern over the side of your ship. "Lady Desdemona, the ritual is prepared!"
	
	"Good." She replies over her shoulder before looking back to you. "This is where we part ways. We'll be using valuable resources to get to Nanhou in time, but we don't have enough to transport everyone you have with you."
	
	"That's a shame." You reply in honesty.
	
	"It is." She agrees, a gust of ocean air smacking her own hair into her face again. She ignores it. "Our travels together have been a literal living Hell, but I can't say they weren't interesting."
	
	Her disciples rip their tags into smoke in unison and jump overboard through the sudden cloud bursting off the side of your ship. You peak overboard through the thinning artificial fog and see a single medium sized rowboat just big enough to fit them all hit the water, followed by her disciples gracefully landing inside.
	
	"Lady Desdemona!" Shouts one of her Disciples. "Preparations are complete!"
	
	She
	*if (desromance >= 2)
		nods and brushes a strand of hair behind her ear.
	*else
		nods.
	"That's my queue.
	*if (desromance >= 2)
		Look for us above the Southern Winds Teahouse. Keep in mind our victory is only assured by our combined forces, so try not to forget about our deal while you're adventuring out on the high seas."
	*else
		Fairwell for now, Thunderfaller. We'll meet again in Nanhou above the Southern Winds Teahouse. Victory is assured in our alliance."
	*choice
		#"I'll see you in Nanhou. We're going to win, whatever it takes."
			*set desrep + 3
			*if (bodytype = "Handsome")
				*set desromance + 1
			"See you there." You reply. "We're going to win, whatever it takes." You give shallow bow. "Until then, Sectmistress Desdemona."
			
			Her perpetual frown falters as she gives a closed-lip smile and bows back. "${patriarch} ${clan}" With that she leaps overboard, glowing golden to redirect her descent into the last open seat on the rowboat. "Dreamrivers, row like your lives depend on it! We're not going to leave one of our own waiting any longer!"
			
			"Yes, Lady Desdemona!" They chant back.
			
			*label noticeglow
			You notice a distinct golden glow on the bottom of the ship as Desdemona accelerates the vessel and wonder if she's only making them row to build character.
			
			Clever girl.
			*goto endcompaniongone
		#"Don't get lost, Dessy."
			*set bffrep + 3
			"Don't get lost," You grin devilishly. "Dessy."
			
			Desdemona squints her eyes and purses her lips. "I forgot a Seal, one moment." With one finger she traces a new design on the side of your ship's railing. When she's done she hops onto the side and her foot ignites the Mystic Chi in the Seal, causing the design to glow when she leaps off to her Sect's rowboat below.
			
			The glowing design on she just added animates into a middle finger facing you.
			
			"Farewell, Thunderfaller!" Desdemona shouts as she lands weightlessly in the last open seat on her Sect's rowboat. "You'd best present a spectacle at Nanhou, or I'll steal the show presenting my own!"
			
			Her disciples begin rowing towards where the shore probably is.
			*goto noticeglow
		#"If our Alliance is so important, I need some ritual components before you go."
			*set desrep - 4
			"If our Alliance is so important, I need some ritual components before you go."
			
			One of the Lunargothic witch's eyebrows twitches and her mouth drops to a pronounced frown as she analyzes your face. "Are you being serious? We are not a rich Sect."
			
			"I'm completely serious." You reply resolutely. You're getting a little too tired of the freeloader Dreamriver 'Sect' requiring all your strength to defend. Sure, they taught you the basics of Kiihakai, but only so you'd do a better job of babysitting them. "Seals are a big part of Kiihakai and I've wasted years relying on raw power instead. If you want me at my best I need to spend some resources to get used to these new abilities."
			
			*if (persuasion >= 1)
				[b][Persuasion 1 Check Passed][/b]
				
				Desdemona sighs. "True. Fair. Fine." She throws a pouch of incense, inks, and small bags of powder at you, hitting you in the chest.
				*set val (5 * persuasion)
				
				[b][Item Gained: ${val} Ritual Components][/b]
				*set ritualcomponents + val
				
				"Do not waste my good graces." She says, quickly stepping over the railing and leaping overboard. The chi sorceress
				*goto goldenglowdesfromch5
				
			*else
				[b][Persuasion 1 Check Failed][/b]
				*set desrep - 3
				
				"Absolutely not." Desdemona replies, nose held high as she jumps onto the railing with one foot. "I wouldn't let Guiren shake me down, and I won't let you either."
				
				With that she finishes the leap overboard and
				*label goldenglowdesfromch5
				descends slowly with a golden glow until she lands effortlessly in the remaining empty seat on the rowboat. "Farewell, Thunderfaller, meet us in Nanhou if you're serious about our alliance. If not then...I'd say it's been nice, but Ebikowa was awful."
				
			They row off in the direction of the shore while your ship continues southbound. You wave goodbye to the witch and her disciples, eager to continue your adventure.
			*goto endcompaniongone
		*if ((heshe = "he") and (desromance >= 2))
			#"As if I could forget you." [Seduction]
				"As if I could forget you." You say to the Lunargothic chi sorceresss.
				
				Desdemona gasps and steps back, shaking her head furiously. "You-You can't keep saying things like that!"
				
				"Why not?"
				
				She sizes you up with a cold, analyzing stare, then sneers as if lecturing a child. "Obviously because I could-no, I mean my disciples cou-" She stops, collects herself, and breathes deeply. "Look, Thunderfaller, [i]anyone[/i] could take it the wrong way. We're both leaders, it is of the utmost importance we keep a stoic and responsible image. The way you talk in front of others is not only crass and brazen it, it sounds like more than casual flirting. It sounds like you're asking me out."
				
				"And if I am?"
				
				"I-Well-I mean, obviously that would-" Her scowls drop, replaced with panicked new expressions changing each second as she looks around the ship in different directions. "That would be ridiculous. We can't just-I mean we could. I'm not saying no-er, no wait, I'm not saying yes either, what I'm saying, rather, um, it's NOT that we should or shouldn't," She huffs and shakes both fists at the floor. "It's too hasty! Sure, it's true that alliances are cemented by marriage all the time but you have to remember-wait, wait, NOT that I'm talking about MARRIAGE! O-Or that-"
				
				You cross your arms and stare down at her as she plays over a dozen thoughts in her head.
				
				Finally she turns to you, hands held up as if calculating something and eyes squinting hard. "...[i]Are you[/i] asking me out?"
				
				*choice
					#"Yes."
						*set metdesdemona + 1
						*set desrep + 10
						*set desromance + 3
						"Yes." You step closer and cup her chin with one hand. "Without hesitation." She freezes up and stares into your eyes. "Desdemona, I've been infatuated with you since the moment we met, my only regret is that you left so quickly back in Thunderfall. Fate saw us meet each other again and I can't ignore that, I want to be with you."
						
						Her eyes cast down and she quietly mumbles out, "We...We can't, not when the disciples are watching."
						
						You take two steps to the side, away from the railing, and lead her by the chin to follow you. "Now they're not watching."
						
						"You..." Desdemona whispers angrily, tightening her fists by her side. She takes one step closer, her body nearly against yours. "You..." A slight resistance presses against your hand that's cupping her chin.
						
						You realize she's leaning her face closer to yours...and you pull her the rest of the way.
						
						As your faces grow closer and closer she shuts her eyes to lean against you, giving up every resistance and hungrily pressing into your kiss with her pursed and plush purple lips.
						*if ({metdesdemona#3} >= 1)
							You were wrong to compare her to Dreamdemona, the real thing has your heart racing a thousand beats per second
						*else
							Your heart breaks into a sprint, racing a thousand beats per minute
						as she whines out a dozen quick, soft, greedy moans between awkward and desperate kisses. Your arm slides around her lower waist and pulls her body closer, yearning to feel more of the tight curves she's hidden under those robes as you both make out atop your ship.
						
						You're not the only one yearning.
						
						Desdemona's hand touches your stomach in the middle of your embrace. She hesitantly pulls back the second she makes contact, then lightly touches you again, firmer, but pulls back again. Fueled on by her advances, you run your other hand up her back and through her hair, tilting her head to the side to kiss the Lunargothic beauty from a new angle.
						
						As if a spark were lit underneath her she loudly moans into it and shoves her whole body against you, pressing both legs around one of yours and trapping her hand against your abs. She squeezes with each finger, navigating your body as if to memorize its shape.
						
						You try not to hyperventilate when her hand starts exploring downward past your pantline, but you're both interrupted by the sounds of the ocean coming back into your ears when a familiar voice snaps you back to reality.
						
						"LADY DESDEMONA?" Shouts Li Moon over the waves, from the rowboat just out of view over the railing. "Is something wrong? We're having difficulty keeping pace with the ship while we wait!"
						
						You both freeze, eyes opening. Desdemona's vision darts from you to the direction of her waiting disciples. She pulls back quickly. "Nothing is wrong!" She shrieks out in a panic, quickly smoothing out her robes and clearing her throat. "Ahem, I mean that all is well, Disciple Moon. I will be down in a moment. The ${clan} ${patriarch} and I are negotiating terms to...to..." She looks back to you and holds both palms out. You raise an eyebrow. "To..." She starts waving her hands around with increasing urgency, angrily and desperately gesturing for help. "To....?!"
						
						"Devise our strategy!" You add, just coming out of the mutual daze yourself and leaning over the railing. "We're devising our strategy for the Heavenly Ascension Trials."
						
						They all stare at you open-mouthed until one of the younger disciples speaks up. "Then why is Lady Desdemona's makeup all over your face?"
						
						"NO REASON!" Desdemona squeals, pulling you back by the shoulders and using the leverage to throw herself overboard in one motion. "We depart immediately!!" She screams while falling headfirst into the sea, legs flailing while both hands cover her blushing face.
						
						*gosub desgone
						others, looking back up to give you a short salute before he starts to row. You watch them depart at an impressive pace for a rowboat, your elbow on the railing and hand on your cheek as a long and hard sigh exits your purple-smeared mouth.
						
						You might be in love.
					#"No." [Toss her overboard]
						"No." You say with a sinister glint on your eye. "I just wanted to see the look on your face."
						
						She gasps, her dark purple lips frozen open as she's lost for words. It's convenient for you then, as you get to enjoy the silence when you slide your backfoot behind her and grab the woman by the shoulders, flipping her over both your body and the railing as you toss her overboard.
						
						Your eyes make contact, yours with victorious glee and hers with confusion and, quite quickly, fury.
						*set desromance 0
						*set desrep - 5
						*set sect_dreamriver - 5
						*set ruthless + 3
						
						"CURSE YOU THUNDERF-"
						*gosub desgone
						others, looking back up to make sure you're not going to blow up his ship.
						
						You return a friendly wave
						*if (ruthless >= 60)
							goodbye, though your hand glows with ${auracolor} chi while you do so.
							*set powexp + 1
						*else
							goodbye.
						
						The Dreamriver Sect slowly departs across the waves and you get back to business on your own ship. Nanhou awaits.
				*goto endcompaniongone
*elseif (style = "Kurokonton")
	You ascend the stairs leading above the Captain's quarters where you see rows of benches secured into the railings of a square platform. Guiren and his men sit in the back, facing the rear of the ship and holding fishing rods over the railing.
	
	"Got any fours?" Asks one of Guiren's facewrapped minions.
	
	"Go fish." Replies a Yoji, also while fishing.
	
	"I swear on your Ancestor’s graves," Guiren replies, fishing and grinding his teeth, "it wasn't funny the first time and it's not funny the eighth."
	
	"True," The underling responds, "but this time I get to say it in front of $!{name}."
	
	*if (heshe = "she")
		"Oh-SHIT." Guiren replies, fumbling to turn around so quickly that he nearly drops his fishing rod, catches it at a bad angle, snaps it in half against the railing, and finally sits on the bench with his elbows up on the railing casually, each arm holding half a fishing rod as if he meant to do that. "Hey gorgeous." He says, attempting to be suave.
		
		*if (desromance >= 2)
			"That was kind of cute."
		*else
			"Smooth."
		You say. "Like a kitten getting caught stalking its prey and fumbling over onto its belly."
		
		One of Guiren's other masked underlings leans back and looks to his leader. "I think she just called you a pussy."
		
		Before Guiren can stab him in the eye with his fishing rod, the underling's line gets hooked by something heavy and the others all leap to their feet, shouting different and conflicting advice on how to reel it in.
		
		Guiren shakes his head and spits, dropping the rod pieces and standing to his feet, walking over to you. "Bad tenth impressions aside, I'm glad you're up. We got worried yesterday and stayed that way ever since. I did, I mean. The others didn't give a shit." He gives you a thorough look up and down.
		*if (race = "Kitsune")
			"Nice spiritbrand. The second tail looks goo-"
			
			He freezes.
			
			"S...Second t...tail!" He drops to one knee and grabs your tail with both hands in awe. "Second tail!!"
			
			"Hey!" You shout out, swatting at his hand. "That hurts!"
			
			"It's real!" He hollers in triumph, standing up and looking you up and down as if seeing you for the first time. "Oh thank you and thank the Heavens, I'm finally free!"
			
			You quirk an eyebrow and your face turns sour in confusion. "Free from what?"
			
			"My feelings!" He shouts out, throwing both hands into the air. "I thought I was infatuated like never before and it bothered me worse than a plague! Thank the Hells, woman, you nearly had me going mad. Why didn't you just tell me it was a Kitsune charm? We know each other well enough by now, I wouldn't be mad."
			*choice
				#"...I didn't charm you."
					You squint at Guiren to see if he's running a fever "...I didn't charm you."
					
					Guiren snorts, still seeming to have a massive weight off his shoulders, "Sure you didn't, and Yoji pays taxes." He rolls his eyes and walks over to the others. "Good news men, it was just a Kitsune charm!"
					
					*label noonecaresguiren
					"No one cares but you!" Yoji shouts back, grabbing the middle of the other underling's rod alongside the other 3 underlings and trying to pull the heavy catch.
					
					Guiren glowers. "Whatever."
					
					He leaves the underlings and climbs up onto a corner bench on the other side of the platform, raises both hands into the sky, and breathes in the salty air with the relieved joy of a man who finally got out of jail. "I'm free..."
					*page_break
				#"I'm not even interested in you, why would I charm you?"
					"I'm not even interested in you," you say in honesty, "why would I charm you?"
					*set guirenromance 0
					
					"Beats me, but now I don't have to worry about it. I'm a FREE MAN!" He shouts to the sky before walking away from you, rudely, in your opinion, and clapping some of his underlings on the back as they all struggle against their large catch. "Good news, men! It was just a Kitsune charm!"
					
					*goto noonecaresguiren
		*else
			*if (spiritbrandloc = "")
				"You look good."
				
				"I know." You reply
				*if (honor >= 50)
					as a matter of fact.
				*else
					without an ounce of modesty.
				
				"No, I mean you look healthy, I-you know what? Sure. You look good too."
			*else
				"Nice spiritbrand.
				*if (spiritbrandloc = "eyes")
					*if (spiritbrandcolor = "purple") or (spiritbrandcolor = "violet")
						I liked your old eyes more, but these ones have a kunoichi appeal."
					*elseif (spiritbrandcolor = eyecolor)
						The same color as your natural eyes, very subtle if I wasn't looking for the soft glow. Useful to avoid standing out."
					*else
						I liked your old eyes more, but the change gives me an excuse to stare."
					*goto continueguiren
				*elseif ((spiritbrandloc = "hair") or (spiritbrandloc = "hairstrip"))
					Hair's easy enough to dye for anonymity."
				*elseif ((spiritbrandloc = "tail and ears") or (spiritbrandloc = "tail"))
					The tail doesn't match your old look though, you'll need some new clothes. I can hook you up with a tailor in Nanhou."
					
					"Did you just invite me shopping? Like a girl's night out but with a guy?"
					
					"Wha-? No, as in...I mean, you were supposed to think about how I have good connections, and then, I don't know, get the idea to invite me to watch you changing-"
					
					"Stop, stop, it definitely came off like you wanted to go shopping with me."
					
					Yoji, midway through grasping the other underling's fishing rod to help pull in the heavy catch, takes one hand off to point and laugh at Guiren. Guiren throws a handful of fishing hooks at him.
					*page_break
				*elseif (spiritbrandloc = "horns")
					*label hornbrandguiren
					I've never seen someone's horns change before but it looks gnarly. Awful for keeping a low profile but, hey, if you do well in the Trials they'll be perfect to stand above the rest." He pauses and considers something. "Except me, of course."
					*goto continueguiren
				*elseif (spiritbrandloc = "skin")
					I've never seen an Oni have their entire skin color change, this brings 'exotic beauty' to a new level."
	*else
		You give them all a wave and Guiren turns around to see you. "Well well, ${hisher} royal highness decides to show ${hisher} face! We got pretty worried yesterday when you didn't get up."
		
		"I needed all that rest after such a workout." You reply, trying to fit into the gang. "It was heavy lifting when I carried you all to victory."
		
		"Oh shit!" One of Guiren's underlings says from under his shinobi face-wrap.
		
		"Ahhh shut up," Guiren says to the underling. "It wasn't that good of a barb."
		
		"No, I mean I caught something!"
		
		The others all leap to their feet at the sight of the underling's rod bending. They each grab it to prevent the thing from breaking and start shouting conflicting advice on what he should do. Guiren ignores them with an eyeroll and walks closer to examine you.
		
		*if (race = "Kitsune")
			"A second tail, well I'll be damned."
			
			You snort. "You being damned has nothing to do with me."
			
			Guiren pulls back as if insulted, one hand bracing the other as he rubs his chin and inspects the second tail swishing behind you. "Just the kind of quick-witted retort I'd expect from a Kitsune. You clever bastard, you even had [i]me[/i] fooled. The Boss will like this. He complained about me killing a Kitsune once instead of recruiting them."
			
			"Is that a threat?"
			
			Guiren looks surprised. "What? No, man, give me some credit. My threats are cool, smooth, and well thought-out. That was just me talking out loud. You saved me a fortune by beating that bald guy, I plan to milk that protection plan all the way to Nanhou."
		*else
			*if (spiritbrandloc = "")
				"You look healthy enough for someone who ate a Gate in seconds."
				
				"It's part of a Fuel Foundation's benefits." You reply.
				
				"Like Hell it is, I don't know what a Fuel Foundation is but I've seen you cycle, it's never been that quick before. You're lucky you didn't crack something trying to force that much into your Cores in such a short time." He holds up both hands for peace. "Not that I'm complaining or anything. If you didn't kill Taio I was going to have to spend resources I can't afford to lose."
			*else
				"Nice spiritbrand.
				*if (spiritbrandloc = "eyes")
					Everyone loves glowing eyes."
				*elseif ((spiritbrandloc = "hair") or (spiritbrandloc = "hairstrip"))
					Hair's easy enough to dye for anonymity."
				*elseif ((spiritbrandloc = "tail and ears") or (spiritbrandloc = "tail"))
					The tail doesn't match your old look though, you'll need some new clothes. I can hook you up with a Hidden Coil Sect combat gi when we get to Nanhou, it's a sharp look anyone can pull off."
				*elseif (spiritbrandloc = "horns")
					*goto hornbrandguiren
				*elseif (spiritbrandloc = "skin")
					I've never seen an Oni have their entire skin color change, you're either going to have an amazing time with the ladies or an absolutely awful one."
					
					"I'm not worried about it." You reply with a heavy yawn.
	*label continueguiren
	
	Voices interrupt you behind Guiren.
	
	"Three, two, one, PULL!" Shouts one of the shinobi as another finishes a basic reinforcement Seal on the rod. Together they surge the fishing line with chi and yank a massive fish out of the water, one bigger than your entire body. The combined strength of all of Guiren's underlings pulling the rod up rips the fish out of the ocean and over a dozen feet into the air. It's sent flying towards your platform in one quick jerk.
	
	*set combatstat "agility"
	*set combatstat2 "power"
	*set combatdiff 12
	*if ((element1 = "Wind") or (element2 = "Wind"))
		[b][Wind Element Event: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
		*set combatdiff - 1
	*gosub_scene quicks combatcheck
	*if (passcheck)
		You manage to catch the enormous flying fish before it crashes into you at high speeds, holding it still and pinning it to the ground.
	*else
		The massive creature slams into your face, knocking you against a railing with its bulky weight.
		
		*gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 true false
		
		It takes several panicked seconds to get a grip on the large aquatic animal before you're able to overcome its flopping and pin it to the ground.
		
	"Oh Hells yes, a tuna!" Yoji shouts. "And a big one too!"
	
	*if (survival >= 2)
		[b][Survival 2 Check passed][/b]
		*set forexp + 1
		
		"No." You reply, holding the large fish down and getting a good look at its coloring. "It's a bonito."
		
		Guiren jumps to help you pin the fish down but still gives you an accusatory stare. "How the Hell can you know that,
		*if (heshe = "he")
			mountainman?"
		*else
			mountainwoman?"
		
		"Scale patterns," You reply, pointing to the fading stripes, "but my first hunch is that it should be much smaller."
		
		Guiren's aura flares purple in defense as he realizes what you're saying. "You can't be serious."
		
		"I am." You start to grin. "It's a weak Aura Pressure, but we caught a Beast."
	*else
		[b][Survival 2 Check Failed][/b]
		
		You have no idea what a tuna likes like, but it shouldn't look like this. You don't even need your spiritual senses to know that this fish is unnaturally large, you can [i]see[/i] the white chi leaking out of its skin as you smack the gigantic fish down onto the ground to stop it from flopping.
		
		"If tuna are this big then I don't think it's a tuna." You reply while wrestling the thing down. "Because this thing's bigger than it's supposed to be!"
		
		Guiren's eyes widen and his purple aura flares as he drops to the ground to help. "You can't be serious!" He shouts while grabbing the things tail.
		
		"I am!" You shout back. "It's a weak Aura Pressure, but we caught a Beast!"
	
	"Oh shit." Yoji says, pacing the deck and looking out into the sea. "Oh shit, how many are around us? Are we in danger? Are [i]they[/i] in danger? Guiren, what do we do?"
	
	"It's not my ship!" Guiren shous back as the fish slams its head into the floorboards and lifts its body up, sending Guiren off the ground as he tries to wrestle its tail down with you. "Ask the Captain!"
	*choice
		#Put the fish Beast back.
			*set ruthless - 3
			*set fishhelp true
			"Throw it back!" You shout out in the middle of your wrestling match with a horse-sized fish. You secure your knees and grab it by the tail, lifting the heavy animal off the ground, and in one quick turn you spin the creature over the railing and off your ship.
			
			It splashes heavily into the water and disappears quickly under the surface.
			
			"What the Hells?" Guiren asks, shoving you in the shoulder. "That was a bounty, one we could have used for Nanhou!"
			
			"That was a death sentence." You reply back, ready to hit him. "Fish like that swim in a school. How many do you think surround us right now? How many would it take to sink us?"
			
			Guiren's angered face doesn't change expression. Actually, his body doesn't move either. He's damn near frozen, the only change being his skin slowly growing paler. "Oh." He finally says. "Shit."
			
			You nod along. "Oh shit is right."
			
			"My uh..." Guiren scratches the back of his head and forces a smile. It looks like he's trying out humility for the first time and doesn't like the taste of it. "My bad."
			*goto guirencalled
		#Keep the fish Beast for rations.
			*set honor + 1
			"What do you think we do?" You ask back. "We've caught a bounty, we enjoy it!" You reel back your fist, cover it in ${auracolor} chi, and slam your attack into the Fish's head to quickly put it out of its misery. It works, but is a far messier ordeal than you expected when your fist penetrates its skull.
			*if ((equippedweapon != "") and (equippedweapon != "Handwraps"))
				You need to find your ${equippedweapon} on board later.
			
			You stand and shake the blood off your hand, wrist, and forearm. "Someone bring me a bucket of water and start stripping this thing. Our crew feasts tonight!"
			
			Hooting and hollering comes from below your platform, on the main deck of your ship where several crewmen were tying rope and apparently eavesdropping.
			
			"What about the Soul Treasure?" Guiren asks. "It'll be a weak one, but Nanhou's coming. Wanna janken for it?"
			*choice
				#"Sure, it's only fair."
					*set guirenrep + 2
					*set honor + 2
					*rand val 0 1
					"Sure," you reply, "it's only fair."
					
					You both prepare, staring each other down to guess at what your opponent will play.
					
					"You got this Guiren!" Yoji shouts.
					
					"Do we get a piece?" Asks another shinobi underling.
					
					"Shut up, all of you!" Guiren shouts back. "I'm concentrating on....my opponent." His green reptilian eyes narrow at you. Your
					*if (spiritbrandloc = "eyes")
						newly ${spiritbrandcolor}
						*if (yokaitrait2 = "cat eyes")
							feline eyes
						*elseif (yokaitrait2 = "reptilian eyes")
							reptilian eyes
					narrow back.
					
					*gosub_scene quicks janken "Guiren"
					
					*if (janken = "Victory")
						"Aw crap!" Guiren shouts out.
						
						"Boo! Boooo!" Chant his underlings. You ignore them and get your refiner's kit from the Captain's Cabin, spending a decent amount of time back on the platform grinding
						*label grindlife
						the massive fishbone down into a powder before mixing it into an Advancement Elixir. Meanwhile Guiren and his men cut meat out of the fish, arguing and mocking each other's performance over the next twenty minutes.
						
						*if (janken = "Loss")
							When finished, Guiren walks over to look over your work. His gloves and gi are covered in blood and he smells like repugnant fish.
							
							"You can back up." You offer him, covering your nose. "By a mile."
							
							Guiren opens his mouth with a smile, ready for some sort of comeback.
							*page_break "GUIREN!!!"
							*goto guirencalled
						*if (alchemy = 0)
							[b][Alchemy 1 Check Failed][/b]
							
							You're not the best alchemist, and one of Guiren's masked minions has to help you through the process. It stings your pride but it's not your fault that you're not good at [i]everything[/i].
							
							Yet.
							*set apval 5
						*elseif ((alchemy <= 2) and (background != "Herbalist"))
							[b][Alchemy 1 Check Passed][/b]
							
							You finish and give the blue elixir a wiff. It smells...fishy.
							*if (fishfactor = "")
								Oh well. Bottoms up.
							*set apval (5 * (3 * alchemy))
							*set solexp + 1
						*else
							[b][Alchemy 3/Herbalist Check Passed][/b]
							
							As a proper alchemist most of your time goes into countering the smell of the elixir, and hopefully the taste. Maximizing its potency was already easy enough.
							*set apval (6 * (4 * alchemy))
							*set solexp + alchemy
						
						*if (fishfactor = "")
							[b][Aura Pressure + ${apval}][/b]
							*set aurapressure + apval
						*elseif (fishfactor = "Guiren")
							"One Advancement Elixir, as ordered." You hold the blue glowing vial out to Guiren who is covered in fish blood and guts after stacking up a sizable pile of high quality meat for your crew.
							
							"Oh Hells yes." He says, reaching over and taking it out of your hands.
							*if ((heshe = "she") and (guirenromance >= 2))
								Your fingers lightly touch as he does so and you flash him a smile.
								
								He doesn't look overly confident or suave when his dragon eyes meet yours back. He just looks happy.
								
								Ugh, damn it. You're blushing.
								
							With one quick gulp he consumes the elixir and his purple aura flares all around him, fully rejuvenated and a little stronger than it was before. "Thanks. I mean it."
							*set guirenrep + 2
							*if (heshe = "she")
								*set guirenrep + 4
						*else
							You wipe the sweat from your brow and look down at the blue glowing concoction in a vial. "Finally. It's done."
								
							A couple of guiren's underlings look up from the fish they're butchering and shake their heads, their own task not nearly done.
								
							You look over the railing to your ship's main deck below where a Human is loosening some knots to adjust a sail. "You there, retainer, come up
							*if (ruthless < 49)
								here please!"
							*else
								here!"
							
							He looks surprised and checks to see if you're talking to anyone else instead, then runs up the stairs to your platform and wipes sweat off his face. "Yes, Clan ${patriarch}?"
							
							*if (((fishfactor = "Kosuke") or (fishfactor = "Leona")) or (fishfactor = "Bo Lo"))
								"Bring this to ${fishfactor}, wherever they are."
								
								*if (fishfactor = "Bo Lo")
									"The overseer?"
								*elseif (fishfactor = "Kosuke")
									"The booze supplier?"
								*elseif (fishfactor = "Leona")
									"The masochist?"
								He asks before remembering himself. "Er, of course, Clan ${patriarch}. It shall be done."
									
								The man's words run through your mind as the retainer leaves down the stairs with your Advancement elixir and you wonder what exactly is going on below deck.
							*else
								"Drink this."
								
								His head pulls back involuntarily but his hand slowly extends to take the mystery elixir. "Y-Yes, Clan ${patriarch}."
								
								With one sip he buckles over and falls to his side, feeling a spike in Aura Pressure for perhaps the first time in his life.
								
								[i]Ohhhh that's right.[/i] You realize internally; your first Shard cycling knocked you to the ground too.
								
								"Damn, that was harsh!" Yoji says, covered in fish guts. "No warning or anything."
								
								"Er...He'll be fine." You look over the railing again. "You there! Come take this man below deck to rest!"
								
								A female retainer looks over in concern but eventually does as you ask, dragging the groaning man below deck. He'll thank you eventually when he realizes how much strength he's gained. Probably. Maybe.
						*goto guirencalled
					*else
						*if (honor > 50)
							"Hm." You say is dissastifaction.
							*set honor + 1
							
							"Hell yes!"
						*else
							"Oh crap!" You blurt out, losing the bounty.
							
							"Oh yes!"
						Guiren says with pride. "That'll be one Advancement Elixir. You can do the honors and brew it up for me."
						
						"Why would I refine your elixir? You're the one who won."
						
						Guiren pulls out a Kunai and nods his head over to the giant dead fish taking up a quarter of your platform. "Because I'll be busy gutting and stripping the giant fish. Unless you want to be the one covered in blood and guts."
						
						You take out your refiner kit before he even finishes his sentence.
						
						*goto searchinthatbonito
				#"Hells no, it's mine."
					"Hells no," you count, "it's mine."
					
					"You didn't even pull it up!" One of Guiren's minions complains.
					
					"Nah shut up." Guiren retorts. "We're on 'the Captain's' ship, ${heshe} gets dibs on the Soul Treasure bounty."
					
					"Then why the hell did we even fish it?!" Yoji demands.
					
					Guiren looks back to him with a smile. "To eat. Get your knives out boys, it's time to harvest a feast!"
					
					*label searchinthatbonito
					Searching the Beast's corpse for the Soul Treasure takes a few minutes before you narrow it down to a tailbone. You spend a good amount of time grinding
					*goto grindlife
				#"Hells no, I'm giving it to Kosuke."
					*set kosukecombat + 1
					*set bffrep + 5
					*set guirenrep - 3
					*set fishfactor "Kosuke"
					"Hells no," you say, "I'm giving it to Kosuke, someone that could actually make a difference out of it."
					
					"Playing favorites I see." Guiren says with a shake of the head.
					
					"Yes." You reply, and that's that.
					
					*goto searchinthatbonito
				#"Hells no, I'm giving it to Leona."
					*set leonacombat + 1
					*set leonarep + 3
					*set guirenrep - 4
					*set fishfactor "Leona"
					"Hells no," you reply, "I'm giving it to Leona. She helped us out of Ebikowa when she could have left at any point."
					*if (heshe = "he")
						
						"Sure, [i]that's[/i] the reason." Yoji says. "Nothing to do with her tits the size of your head."
						
						"Yoji I swear to the Heavens," you point a threatening finger at him, "I will make you swim."
						
						The Oni man raises both hands in surrender.
					*else
						"Damn." Yoji replies in the back. "Helping out a Sect rival before us? That's cold. Guiren-levels of cold."
						
						*if (ruthless < 53)
							*set sect_hiddencoil + 1
							"Sorry Yoji." You offer in condolence. "Maybe next time."
						*else
							"Get used to it." You reply.
					
					*goto searchinthatbonito
				#"Hells no, I'm giving it to Bo Lo."
					*set bocombat + 1
					*set borep + 11
					*set guirenrep - 2
					"Hells no," you counter, "I'm giving it to Bo Lo."
					
					"The scrawny whiner?" Guiren's face sours as if he's smelled hot garbage. "Why?"
					
					You reply with a shake of your own head. "I don't even know."
					
					*goto searchinthatbonito
				#"No, it's going to a retainer."
					*set retainers - 1
					*set martial_retainers + 1
					*set retainer_morale + 2
					*set guirenrep - 1
					*set fishfactor "retainer"
					"No," you counter, "it's going to a retainer. We need more auras on board."
					
					"Not a bad idea." Guiren admits. "Just don't expect anyone to fish much more since you're stealing the bounty."
					
					"Claiming." You correct. "Legally claiming."
					
					"Spoken like a debt collector." Guiren replies, impressed.
					*goto searchinthatbonito
				#"No need, you can have it."
					*set guirencombat + 1
					*set guirenrep + 4
					*set fishfactor "Guiren"
					"No need," you counter, "you can have it."
					
					Guiren's head tilts back with an eyebrow raised in suspicion. "Why?"
					
					"Why what?"
					
					"Why are you being nice to me?"
					
					You're not even sure how to take that. "I can be nice."
					
					"Not that I've seen."
					
					*if (ruthless < 50)
						"I don't know what to tell you besides 'get glasses'."
					*else
						"Well everyone else thinks I'm nice, now shut up and take the gift."
					*goto searchinthatbonito
	*label guirencalled
	*page_break
	[b][i]"GUIREN!!"[/b][/i]
	
	The voice booms just overhead. Crewmen scream below deck as the voice shakes your boat and the waters around you.
	
	[b][i]"ANOTHER HAS FAILED TO PAY THEIR DEBTS!"[/b][/i]
	
	"Shit." Guiren says, wiping blood off his hands while carving up the giant fish. "Yes Boss! Just give us a name and location and we're on it!"
	
	[b][i]"XIANG CAO, MASTER OF THE HAUNTED FIST SECT IN THE CITY OF GRAVECHASM."[/b][/i]
	
	Guiren winces. "You got it Boss. We'll prepare to embark immediately."
	
	The overwhelming presence of Guiren's Boss dissipates and all five shinobi debt collectors finally exhale.
	
	"A Sect Master?" You ask when the tension leaves. "Are you guys going to be okay?"
	
	"Yeah." Guiren huffs toward the floor and picks himself up. "It's not as bad as you think. Most people just pay up, and Sect Masters have their honor on the line so we don't have to fight them directly. If he refuses to pay we'll probably kidnap a disciple or two and take them out to eat in Nanhou until the deadbeat shows his face with Inner Kingdom guards around. The problem is going to be getting to Gravechasm." He snaps his fingers. "Yoji, map."
	
	Yoji wipes his own hands off on another underling's satchel then opens his own, unrolling a wide scroll that appears to be a map. "Assuming we've sailed south at the correct speed, we should be directly west of Gravechasm. Problem is, it's inland. Far inland. Two day's march."
	
	"How are you even getting off the boat?" You ask, standing up and looking at the vast ocean in all directions. "We're so far out that it looks like there's more water in the world than land."
	
	"There is." One of Guiren's masked underlings adds.
	
	"Ancestors..."
	
	Guiren
	*if ((heshe = "she") and (guirenromance >= 2))
		catches your waist before you teeter from the mind-boggling idea.
	*else
		pats you on the shoulder to steady you.
	"Don't think about it too hard. And don't worry about us leaving, everything worked out in the end so far.
	*if (heshe = "she")
		Meet up with us in Nanhou and remember, this isn’t ‘goodbye’, it’s ‘see you later’."
	*else
		Don't forget our offer though, there's lots of work for you in Nanhou. As for now, it's time we go our separate ways. Boss's orders."
	*choice
		#"Thanks for the training, I'll make it up to you guys."
			"Thanks for the training," you say to Guiren and his men, "I'll make it up to you guys."
			
			"Don't worry about it." Guirenreplies.
			*if ({metguiren#3} = 1)
				"Except for Kennui, since you can't make it up to him, because you killed him."
				
				"Wow." You reply, taken back a bit. "Are you going to keep holding that against me?"
				
				"For at least five years." Guiren replies, aiming two finger guns at you with a wink. "I'm not seeking vengeance, but he'd want me to give you shit for it."
				
				"A lot of shit." Yoji says, cutting the fish beast's organs open and leaking fish crap onto your deck. They all start snickering just as the entire crew pops out of existence; Guiren and his men all disappear from your ship in an instant.
				
				You're left on the top platform of your ship with a stripped fish carcass, a pile of crap and guts, and an enormous pile of now-tainted meat.
				*goto severalsecondes
			*else
				"You're one of us now, and we take care of our own."
				
				"Except for Wencheng." Yoji adds.
				
				"Oh yeah, fuck Wencheng." Guiren says, turning around. "Hey, Kennui! You're promoted to the new Wencheng."
				
				One of his minions, a Human man, takes off his shinobi face-wrap. "What does a promotion get me?"
				
				"Nothing good." Guiren replies with a snicker. "Enough distractions though." He turns back to you with a hand stretched out. "Congratulations on unlocking your Cursed power, and good job on killing that bald guy. You're a natural, seriously, meet up with us in Nanhou when you get there. We could use your talents for a few jobs."
				
				He offers his hand out.
				
				*choice
					#[Shake his hand.]
						You give him a firm handshake and nod. "You can count on
						*if (ruthless >= 54)
							me. Go show that filthy debtor what happens when he messes with us."
							
							Guiren grins. "Always do."
						*else
							me."
						
							Guiren grins. "I knew we could."
						He looks over his shoulder to his underlings collecting their satchels and trying to wipe fish blood off their hands. "Come on men! Who knows how much time we have left before The Boss-"
						
						*goto shinobipoppin
					#"Do your own dirty work." [Bat his hand aside.]
						You bat his hand aside. "Do your own dirty work."
						
						Guiren looks more impressed than insulted, though his mouth still opens in a shock. "Well I'll be damned, I've trained a monster."
						
						"You've trained a natural." You reply.
						
						"Look I'm not disagreeing, I just didn't think you've be such a dick about it."
						
						"It finally happened." Yoji says in the back, wiping his bloodied hands on your railing. "You've finally met someone as rude as you."
						
						Guiren turns back to Yoji, looking far more offended than when you rebuffed him. "You too, brute?"
						
						*goto shinobipoppin
					*if ((heshe = "she") and (guirenromance >= 2))
						#[Kiss him instead.]
							*set metguiren + 1
							*set guirenrep + 10
							*set guirenromance + 3
							With one quick stride you close the distance betwen you and Guiren, slipping passed his hand and reaching both arms over his shoulders. Your eyes meet his up close and you whisper, "I can do better than a handshake." As your eyes slowly close and you press your lips against his. His men stand around in shock and Guiren hardly does better, completely stunned for a moment before his hand lowers to your waist and he returns the embrace. 
							
							Up this close, you can physically feel his body's reaction.
							
							You press harder against his lips and just as you're about to slip him some tongue a [b]*POP*[/b] emanates through the air.
							
							Guiren and his men disappear, taken by The Boss to their next job, and you can't help but feel like the near-divine bastard did it on purpose. Worse, without his body supporting your leaning posture you're falling face-first towards the remains of the gutted fish on the floor behind where Guiren stood.
							
							"Shiiit-!" You scream out while falling.
							
							*set combatstat "soul"
							*set combatdiff (8 - stylerank)
							*gosub_scene quicks combatcheck
							*if (passcheck)
								Leashing an unrefined and wasteful line of Cursed Chi to the nearby railing saves you just in time. The Cursed Chi connects with the dead wood and you [i]pull[/i] yourself away from the gooey, bloodied carcass before your fall finishes.
								
								You let out a breath of relief and, after a few seconds calming down your pent-up frustrations, you call up some retainers to come clean the dead fish off your deck.
							*else
								Leashing Cursed Chi to the nearby deck and pulling you out of the way is the perfect solution to get out of this.
								
								That's the thought you have a second after slapping onto the ground and getting covered in fish guts. Damn. It would have been great if you thought of that earlier.
								
								You cough out bits of fish blood that get in your mouth and try not to gag. It takes five minutes of stealthily pulling water up using a nearby bucket to wash your head and chest without anyone noticing, and you suspect that you still smell no matter how hard you scrub.
								*set retainer_morale - 1
								
								Eventually you put your washed clothes back on and give up on the effort, snapping your fingers to call some retainers up so they can clean the remaining fish carcass for you.
								
							*gosub cleaners
							*page_break
							*goto endcompaniongone
		#"Is anyone going to tell Wencheng you're leaving?"
			*set guirenrep + 3
			*set honor + 2
			*set ruthless - 2
			"Is anyone going to tell Wencheng you're leaving?" You ask.
			
			Every one of them breaks out into laughter, some suddenly leaning over gripping their stomachs. Yoji recovers first and tries to speak while cracking up. "Ho-Holy shit. Holy shit I forgot he was on the other ship. Don't tell him we're leaving, Guiren."
			
			"I am absolutely not telling him." Guiren confirms. "His panicking face when he realizes we're gone is going to be priceless."
			
			"Do you think the Boss will notice he's gone?" Asks one of the masked underlings.
			
			"I doubt it!" Guiren says with a wide smile. "I mean, Hells, we didn't."
			
			*label shinobipoppin
			With that, Guiren and his entire crew pops out of existence and disappears from your ship.
			
			You're left on the top platform with a dead fish and an enormous pile of meat, taking
			*label severalsecondes
			several seconds to take in the scene before you call someone else to come clean it up. It's good to be the Captain.
			*goto endcompaniongone
		#"Do your men have any fishing tips before you go?"
			"Do your men have any fishing tips before you go?"
			
			Guiren shakes his head slowly at you in disappointment. "If there's one thing you should have learned by now, it's that the secret is [i]always[/i] to cheat."
			
			"I figured that." You reply, a bit annoyed, "but what are the specifics?"
			
			"Chum the waters, then use a small cloud of Cursed Chi on your hook to keep the chum around it. No bait needed, we used the newbie's blood instead."
			
			Now that you look at them closer, one of his underlings in black face-wrap [i]is[/i] wobbling a bit. "Huh. It's not like I can just use anyone's blood though."
			
			Guiren motions his hands around the ship. "Are you kidding? You've got a whole crew of yes-men now. Or you can use your own if you want to look like a benevolent Master. Either way, it's easy pickings. Should help keep you fed while we-"
			*set fishtip true
			
			*goto shinobipoppin
		*if (heshe = "she")
			#"Aren't you forgetting something? Some sort of, say, proposal?" [Seduction]
				*set metguiren + 1
				*set guirenromance + 1
				*set guirenrep + 3
				You look off in the distance and absentmindedly tap one finger against your cheek. "Hmm...There's something we're forgetting. It's on the tip of my tongue."
				
				"It'll have to wait then." Guiren says, gathering a satchel from under a bench and checking its contents.
				
				You snap your fingers in revelation. "Oh that's right! Aren't you forgetting something? Some sort of, say, proposal?"
				
				Guiren's face pales. "$!{name}, come on, not here."
				
				"You're right, the atmosphere is too dull." You clap your hands. "$!{clan} Clan Retainers! Up on deck!"
				
				Guiren starts waving his arms. "No no no no-shit!"
				
				More and more men come up on the platform to see what the fuss is about. "Yes, Honored $!{patriarch}?"
				
				You look over your shoulder with peak smugness. "Our guest Guiren has something to say. Don't you, Guiren?"
				
				Guiren clenches his teeth. "This is cold."
				
				*if ((element1 = "Ice") or (element2 = "Ice"))
					A dry smile crosses your lips and your icy aura manifests through the air. "I'm as cold as they come."
					*set solexp + 2
				*else
					"I think the word you're looking for is 'romantic'."
				
				With a look of resignation and the barest hint of a smile Guiren gives your body a glance up and down and accepts his fate, getting on one knee and taking your hand in his. "Miss ${clan}, when we reach Nanhou would you do me the honor of accompanying me on a romantic evening out on the town together?"
				
				You place a hand on your heart and look around to your crew, laughing lightly in fake surprise. "Why, Guiren, it sounds like you're asking me out on a-" 
				
				"On a hot date, yeah." Guiren confesses with a forced smile after your taunting.
				*choice
					#Grab him by the collar and kiss him.
						*set guirenrep + 7
						*set guirenromance + 2
						You smile down on him with
						*if (ruthless > 55)
							sadistic smugness,
						*else
							a pleased smile,
						looking at the faces of his men's surprised reactions. That'll do nicely.
						
						Then you kneel down to his level and turn your head ever so slightly to better meet your lips together. You press your kiss into him with a passionate moan and close your eyes just as his shoot open in surprise. Before he even knows what hits him your tongue intertwines with his, yet against your will you're the one that finds your cheeks blushing. Maybe you weren't ready to do this in front of the entire crew.
						
						You pull away first.
						
						"Whoa," he says with a rapid blink and a stupid smile, "not that I'm complaining but, weren't you the one who was making us wait?"
						
						Well, you can't look weak in front of the crew. You lean back in, brush your lips against his ear, and whisper. "I'm not a patient girl."
						
						Both your and his men murmur and gasp. This close together you can [i]feel[/i] Guiren's reaction.
						
						And then nothing.
						
						Guiren and his entire crew vanishes,
						*gosub guirenripped
						
						"OH COME ON!" You shout at the sky, falling over onto the deck when his body disappears. You slam the ground in pent up frustration and close your eyes for a moment to compose yourself before the smell of messily cut dead fish enters your nostrils.
						
						You sigh and snap your fingers for your retainers to clean up the mess.
						*gosub cleaners
						*goto endcompaniongone
					#Nod in satisfaction. "I'd love to."
						You nod in satisfaction at Guiren's proposal, he's pretty good at this. Maybe the man isn't just a sleazebag after all?
						
						"I'd love to." You reply, and you mean it. Things are looking up.
						
						Guiren rises and takes your other hand in his with a smile. "I'm glad to hear it." He says. "Afterwards we can-"
						
						With a sudden pop him and his men vanish from existence,
						*gosub guirenripped
						
						You stare around the open air blankly as your internal questions are left unanswered. What was he going to say? Was it a sleazy pickup line after all? Was it something sweet? Was it something important?
						
						"We can what?" You ask to the empty air around you, "WE CAN WHAT?!"
						
						Several more silent seconds pass and you let out a huff and look over to the giant dead fish they left on your deck. Reluctantly you lean over the railing to the lower deck and call out, "Can someone come clean this up please?"
						
						*gosub cleaners
						*goto endcompaniongone
*elseif (style = "Midorikatai")
	Loud barking fills your ears as you ascend the stairs leading above the Captain's quarters. When you get to the top you see rows of benches secured into the railings of a square platform and a half dozen wolves hiding under them.
	
	In the center of the platform is Tian Fang stirring a massive pot of what smells like mouthwatering stew, though it's atop a concerning clay fireplace built on your [b]wooden[/b] ship. She looks over to you with a pleased 
	*if (race = "Kitsune")
		smile until her gaze lowers to your
		*if (heshe = "he")
			crotch and warps into a disgusted snarl. Your male instincts feel quickly insulted.
			
		*else
			waist with a disgusted snarl.
		Wait, no, phew, you realize instead she's snarling at something behind you.
		
		You turn quickly and feel [i]two[/i] soft impacts against the wood of the ship's railing. The unnatural sensation alerts your danger senses until you realize it's just your new tail brushing against the ship at the same time as your original tail.
		
		Oh.
		
		Wait, oh shit!
		
		"IMPOSTER!" Tian Fang screams, dropping the large ladle and charging at you on all fours. "FOX DEMON!!"
		
		She dives in a flying horizontal leap, crashing into you with her shoulder hard enough to knock the two of you straight over the railing. You both plummet overboard and she reaches her hands for your neck in midair. You bat her away and prepare a counterattack, interrupted when you both break the ocean's surface and plunge into the surprisingly cold waters.
		*page_break
		"I am so, so, so, so, so sorry!" Tian Fang pleads for the third time.
		
		You're both back on the upper platform, sitting on benches and covered in blankets.
		*if ((element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water"))
			You don't need them, since you can remove the water with a thought, but it was a nice gesture from the crew.
		*elseif ((element1 = "Ice") or (element2 = "Ice"))
			Neither of you need them, as you're attuned to Ice and cold environments, but they're comfortable and you still miss the bed.
		*elseif ((element1 = "Fire") or (element2 = "Fire"))
			She doesn't need them, attuned to Ice as she is, and you don't need them, attuned to Fire as you are, but they're comfortable and you still miss the bed.
		*else
			She doesn't need them, attuned to Ice as she is, but you're both certainly still uncomfortable from wetness. You're not going to get sick and you're not freezing, but you expected the water further down the mountains to be so much warmer.
		
		Tian Fang wraps the blankets around her tighter. "Could you forgive this one? It was an instinct! You surprised me!"
		
		"Are you saying sorry for the bodycheck, or sorry for calling me a fox demon?"
		
		"Hmph!" She lifts her nose up and looks halfway away from you. "Only the first part! Why did you not tell me about the second part? I had thought I had found a kindred wolf spirit in an otherwise hostile community, only to find you are a not a Wolf Yokai at all but instead a lying fox! One who had lied to me, as all foxes do."
		
		"Really rubbing it on there, aren't you."
		
		*if (heshe = "he")
			She places a palm against your cheek and rubs it in circles.
		*else
			She raises a hand into the air, palm facing you, and rubs it in circles as if spreading paint on a wall.
		"Yes. Is the guilt accumulating most densely?"
		
		*if (honor < 45)
			Not really, if you felt guilt for lying you wouldn't have made it this far.
		*elseif (ruthless >= 58)
			Not really. You've done a lot worse things than lying.
		"A bit."
		*if ((honor < 45) or (ruthless >= 58))
			You lie.
		
		"Good!" She announces, leaping out of her heavy blankets and returning to the stew pot in the center of the platform. "I will consider us even and return to my task of cooking for the crew."
	*else
		smile on her face and an apron over her usual furs. "Grandest of mornings, heavy
		*if (spiritbrandloc = "")
			sleeper! Come to assist in the crew's stew?"
		*else
			sleeper!" She sniffs twice and waddles around the cooking station to get closer to you while still keeping both hands on a large ladle in the stew pot. The wolf yokai squints, examining you closer. "Is that...A spiritbrand!
			*if (spiritbrandloc = "eyes")
				Glowing eyes at that!
				*label doesitaffect
				Does it affect your vision? I have always wanted to know."
				
				"It doesn't seem to." You reply.
				
				"Aww, I was hoping it bathed the world in ${spiritbrandcolor}."
				
				"It doesn't."
				
				She pouts but you're more preoccupied with the scent filling the air up on this platform.
			*elseif ((spiritbrandloc = "hair") or (spiritbrandloc = "hairstrip"))
				A hair change, just like mine!" She runs one hand through her stark white hair and lifts a heavy handful. "Welcome to the club!"
				
				"Thanks, it was a surprise but it's grown on me. Literally. What
				*goto areyacookinson
			*elseif ((spiritbrandloc = "tail and ears") or (spiritbrandloc = "tail"))
				Your precious tail has been tainted!" She gasps. "Are you unwell?"
				
				You look back to your ${spiritbrandcolor} tail. "I thought it looked nice."
				
				"Nonsense, the chi infusion has ruined your
				*if ((fangromance >= 1) and (subrace != "Reptile"))
					perfect appearance!"
					*set fangromance + 1
					
					"Perfect?"
					
					"Ummmmmmm-" Fang avoids eye contact and turns slowly, withdrawing a pouch of spiced greens from her robe and tossing it into the orange gravy-stew in the pot. She looks back to the soup and stirs it a few times, looking back to you nervously and then back to the stew.
				*else
					pedigree! You must demand recompense from the Heavens!"
					
					"I don't think the Heavens will listen much."
					
					"That is what I said to the Devanic Temple." Fang says, snickering with success. "Hmhmmm, despite her Ice powers Tian Fang is still capable of delivering burns!"
					
					...Okay.
			*elseif (spiritbrandloc = "horns")
				Your mighty horns have become a spiritbrand! Your chi has leaked into them like a ${spiritbrandcolor} dye!"
				
				You nod in agreement. "So it seems.”
				
				"Oh." She replies timidly. "I had thought you would be worried."
				
				"Nope. I got the surprise out of the way with Kosuke's mirror downstairs. What
				*goto areyacookinson
			*elseif (spiritbrandloc = "skin")
				Your very skin has become a spiritbrand?! How is this possible?"
				
				You shrug. "I'm part spirit, it makes sense I could have a big change. The real question is why did you have to squint harder to recognize my entire skin color changed?"
				
				"I was being polite and pretending it was not odd!" She boasts as if it was an impressive feat. She then retrieves a spice pouch of greens from inside her robes and pours it into the orange gravy making up the stew.
	
	"What
	*label areyacookinson
	are you cooking?" You ask, still breathing in the savory aroma at this close of a distance.
	
	"A chicken dish with a thick tomato paste and milk of the coconut, mixed into a gravy sauce! I had to use many of my own sealed rations to make it work, but the crew has had nothing but tack, rice, and fish for the last five meals while you slept. I felt it necessary to lift everyone's spirits!"
	
	You look over the railing to see two crewmen pantomiming the chugging of booze in between some joke. "Knowing sailors, they need spirits to raise their spirits."
	
	She tilts her head and one ear twitches. "Most curious. I was going to correct you that these men and women are not true sailors, but I suppose they are now, are they not? Their homes in Ebikowa are destroyed or contaminated, and now they live in your stolen ships."
	
	"Legally salvaged." You correct.
	
	"Legally [i]conquered![/i]" She
	*if (heshe = "he")
		purrs back.
	*else
		counters.
	"Now would you like to try a sip of the soup? I require a tasteful tester of taste, post haste!"
	
	She lifts the ladle of steaming stew and you try a sip, your body more resilient to burns thanks to your Fortitude Cores. You really can't count the number of benefits you've received from increasing in power. Now you don't have to wait for soup to cool? Simply incredible.
	
	Speaking of incredible, the savory stew lingers on your tongue with an incredible mix. You don't know what a coconut
	*if (race = "Human")
		or a tomato
	is but you need to mix
	*if (race = "Human")
		them
	*else
		its milk
	into more meals. More than anything though, you can sense the buzzing through your body as you consume the soup and realize just how many chi-rich ingredients she used.
	*if (((((craft + alchemy) >= 4) or ((craft + survival) >= 4)) or ((craft + lore) >= 4)) or ((craft + stealth) >= 4))
		You're almost tempted to add some of your own. It might mess with the taste a little, but you can sense this stew is so close to giving you a boost.
	
	"How is it?" Tian Fang asks, tail gently swaying and eyes attentively locked on your reaction.
	*choice
		#"It's perfect the way it is."
			*set val 28
			"It's perfect the way it is." You admit.
			
			"Yay!" Tian Fang cheers, kicking one leg up behind her and raising both hands into the air. "Another successful victory!"
			*set fangrep + 5
			*if (heshe = "he")
				*set fangromance + 1
				
				She doesn't close her eyes to match her beaming smile this time. Instead her gaze stays on you and lingers a little longer than you'd expect.
		#"It's [i]awful[/i]."
			"It's [i]awful[/i]." You reply.
			
			*if (deception >= 3)
				[b][Deception 3 Check Passed][/b]
				
				"R-Really?" Fang says with a trembling lip. She pulls the ladel up to her mouth and takes a sip. "But it tastes delightful to Tian Fang! What could be wrong?"
				
				"Maybe your tastebuds?" You say, "Have you had any weird tastes, like the water tasting salty?"
				
				She gasps. "I have!"
				
				You place a hand on her shoulder. "I'm afraid it may already be too late. If it's already this bad then your sense of taste might never recover."
				
				"Nooooooo!" She howls, dropping the ladle and plummeting onto a bench to cry.
				
				You breathe in the refreshing sea air and the nice aroma of the stew. Perhaps you'll knock it overboard before anyone can have any.
				
				*goto wolfwhiner
			*else
				[b][Deception 3 Check Failed][/b]
					
				"Liar." Fang says, taking a sip and doing a little dance at how tasty it is. "Such a blatant liar you are! Trying to hog it all to yourself in secret! Hm, we will see what your crew thinks of this, and you cannot have a bowl, for not appreciating Tian Fang's gifts!"
				*if (subrace = "Cat")
					*set fangrep - 6
				*else
					*set fangrep - 4
				
				Shit. Shit shit shit shit shit.
				
				Why did you try to bully her at the cost of a bowl of delicious soup?!
				
				Think fast. You've gotten out of worse situations.
				
				"Uhhhhhhhhhhhhh."
				
				"Hm?" Fang pulls away from you defensively and glares like an angered cat more than a wolf. "What are you scheming at, soup-not-haver?"
				
				"Captain's rights!" You blurt out in a hurry. "Yeah, Captain's rights! Captain gets a share of everyone's food. It's nautical law. I have to get a bowl."
				
				"Hmph!" Tian Fang harumphs, crossing her arms and handing you a ladel without making eye contact. "You will have to pour it yourself,
				*if (race = "Kitsune")
					fox demon."
					*set fangrep - 2
				*else
					lying liar who tells lies."
		*selectable_if ((craft + alchemy) >= 4) #"It needs witch hazel." [Increases Soul EXP]
			"It needs witch hazel."
			*label fangreplyingstew
			You say, seeing as that's the best spiritually infused ingredient you have on you.
			
			"Truly?" Tian Fang replies, nose wrinkling at the thought. "From where would we even retrieve such an ingredient?"
			
			"My pocket." You say, withdrawing some and dropping it into the large pot. Tian Fang shrugs and stirs it in.
			*goto inthepocketofbigsip
		*if ((craft + survival) >= 4) #"It needs ligonberry." [Increases Fortitude EXP]
			"It needs ligonberry."
			*goto fangreplyingstew
		*if ((craft + lore) >= 4) #"It needs salted water buffalo." [Increases Power EXP]
			Drying and salting your own meats is something you learned from the local library more than your time outside, as it's a common practice with your mountain village's long winters.
			
			"It needs salted water buffalo." You say after a short pause.
			
			Fang looks around the ocean surrounding you. "Er...Thunderfaller, from where would we obtain salted bovine meat out here? Unless you count the cow yokai working the oards."
			
			"We can just check my pocket." You reply, pulling out your salted jerky and dropping it into the pot to soften.
			
			Tian Fang snaps her fingers. "I knew I should have checked there!"
		*comment no one needs caffeine more than thieves staying up for night jobs. Get my back on this, codereaders.
		*if ((craft + stealth) >= 4) #"It needs tea leaves." [Increase Agility EXP]
			"It needs tea leaves."
			*goto fangreplyingstew
	*label inthepocketofbigsip
	
	...
	
	The meal itself turns out to be incredibly delicious and filling. Several crewmen come up to your platform and bring buckets of stew below deck for the rowers and the overseer (damn it, Bo, what are you up to down there). Kosuke also comes by for fifths and sixths which you suspect ${bffheshe}'s selling. You don't complain about them all taking their stew and leaving, because for some reason your [i]entire[/i] crew slurps.
	
	They're not even legitimate sailors, they're regular people-turned-sailors, they have no excuse and you all know it.
	
	As for you, you couldn't eat another bite. Just two bowls was enough to satiate your growing appetite.
	
	"Sooo delicious!" Fang announces in glee, slouching on a bench across from you and rubbing her tummy in satisfaction.
	*choice
		#"You can say that again."
			*set fangrep + 4
			"You can say that again." You say between content sighs as your ship gently rocks to the waves. "What's the menu for tomorrow?"
			
			Tian Fang sits up straight and opens her mouth with excitement, dinner plans already running through her mind, when she's interrupted by a desperate whine from underneath her seat.
			*goto wolfwhiner2
		#"As expected of the great Tian Fang."
			*set fangrep + 2
			*set honor + 1
			*set ruthless - 1
			"As expected of the great Tian Fang." You boast for her, lathering on some compliments.
			
			It seems to work, she closes her eyes and basks in the glory. "Yesss it is true, Tian Fang is the greatest of cooks. There is not a soul that could turn down my cooking."
		*if (ruthless <= 45)
			#"It was so good, but I think I can make a dish that gives it a run for its money."
				"It was so good," you agree, "but I think I can make a dish that gives it a run for its money."
				*goto noyoucannot
		*else
			*selectable_if (val != 28) #"I could do better."
				"I could do better." You boast, laying back on a bench with a fully belly. One of Tian Fang's wolves underneath your seat shifts nervously.
				*set fangrep - 2
				*set ruthless + 2
				*set val 67
				*label noyoucannot
				
				"No you cannot!" Fang protests. "Fang is the best!"
				
				"Oh yes I can."
				*if (ruthless <= 45)
					You respond
					*if (heshe = "he")
						confidently.
					*else
						in friendly competition.
				*if (((craft <= 1) or (survival <= 1)) or (alchemy <= 1))
					
					At first there was no way you could compete with her cooking but after seeing the whole process and everything involved, you think you've learned enough tricks that you can give her a run for her money.
					
					*if (craft <= 1)
						[b][Craft +1][/b]
						*set craft + 1
					*elseif (survival <= 1)
						[b][Survival +1][/b]
						*set survival + 1
					*elseif (alchemy <= 1)
						[b][Alchemy +1][/b]
						*set alchemy + 1
					
				"Hmph!" Fang crosses her arms. "Then you will cook next time and we will see what is what!"
				
				*goto wolfwhiner
		*if (heshe = "he")
			#"This is the kind of cooking that people get married over."
				"This is the kind of cooking that people get married over." You say, leaning back and completely fulfilled.
				
				"It is the truth!" Fang replies, eyes closed and happily tilting her head side to side with each word. "Tian Fang has been proposed to many times."
				
				You sit up and give her a second look. "Wait, really?"
				
				"Seven!" She announces, thrusting both arms into the air and holding seven fingers up. "Two merchants, three villagers I saved on missions, and two Mountain Hazard disciples. I have turned down each one."
				
				...[i]Damn.[/i] That's an impressive record. No one's ever proposed to you, but with seven rejections you wonder just how high are her standards? "What are you looking for then, waiting until your cultivation is complete?"
				
				"Hah! Noooo." Fang dismisses slowly in a lower voice than usual. "Spiritual Cultivation is never complete, that is not why. At first I was simply hesitant, but since the Trials were announced so suddenly my mother told me to hold off such things until after the initial contests. That is when I will use my secretive trump card, dual cultivation!"
				
				You've never heard of the phrase and suspect she may be making it up. Still, you bite. "What's dual cultivation?"
				
				*set fangromance + 1
				Tian Fang holds up one finger with an absentminded smile. "I do not know! I had intended to look it up in Nanhou's library. Perhaps we can research it together?"
				*set val 67
	
	*label wolfwhiner
	A high pitch whine suddenly interrupts you from underneath one of the benches.
	*label wolfwhiner2
	Several more follow and you realize it's the wolves, all still huddled under the benches of your ship's upper platform.
	
	"Oh shoot," Fang says, "I had nearly forgotten!" She leans over, laying down on her bench and reaching underneath with one arm to gently scratch a wolf behind the ears. "My poor pack cannot stay aboard this ship much longer." She grunts as she twists while leaned over, awkwardly trying to make eye contact with you again. "Which means I must leave."
	
	*if (val != 67)
		Her words catch you off-guard on your way to a sneak a third bowl. You turn to the Yokai and
	*else
		She's leaving so soon after you woke up? With great restraint you
	express your surprise as subtly and elegantly as possible.
	*page_break Huh?
	"You're leaving?" You ask, surprised and let down. "Why?"
	
	"I have already been most rude in waiting so long." Tian Fang admits as she slides another reluctant wolf out from under the bench by its front paws. It whines but otherwise hardly reacts. "My wolves have not been doing well at sea, you see?"
	
	You do. She's been pulling them out from under the benches and plopping them into a pile in the middle of the platform. You walk up to one and inspect the beast, its eyes betraying a hazed boredom and unhappiness. "What's causing it? Can it spread?"
	
	"Spread? No, no. The problem is they refuse to eat. I believe it is the rocking of the ship combined with the Fiend blood they consumed when fighting in Ebikowa. My poor pack is simply not meant for the ocean, and they were forced onto it after their worst meal."
	
	"So where are you going to go?"
	
	"To the land, of course!" Fang says, hopping to upright posture with her hands on her hips. "Tian Fang will lead her pack to the promised land! Which is, to say, any land!"
	
	You look around the waters on both sides of your vessel and see nothing but your other
	*if (shipcount > 2)
		ships
	*else
		ship
	sailing behind you by a few hundred feet. "...How?"
	
	"I worry not about the 'hows'." Fang replies looking off to the side, a smug smile on her lips. "Did you forget that water is just Ice you have not befriended yet?"
	
	"That's not an expression."
	
	Fang's smile stays but her eyebrows take on the sharp arc of a predator. "It will be!"
	
	"Okay, okay." You say, motioning for her to calm down. You can't believe she's going to try some sort of ice bridge all the way back to the land. You can't even [i]see[/i] the land. Maybe you have something that can help her?
	
	"All done!" Fang announces, finishing her pile of melancholy wolves. "Now I must depart. Please wish farewells to Kosuke and Bo Lo for me!"
	
	"What about Leona?"
	
	Fang places a hand on your shoulder and speaks slower, nodding with each word. "Wish her a very bad day."
	
	With that she turns away from you in a flourish and surrounds her body in green, lifting her arms into the air and releasing her Wild Chi into the pile of wolves to give them the strength to leave. They rise up in a hurry and start howling, letting their displeasure be known. By the Ancestors, she's going to run all the way to the land with the wolves sapping her energy too?
	
	You've seen her fight, this is [i]far[/i] too much. She's going to get herself drowned.
	
	Maybe you have some supplies in your Cabin that can save her from this terrible idea?
	
	*if ((heshe = "he") and (fangromance >= 2))
		"Hold on!" You try to shout over the howls. "HOLD ON!" You shout harder, filling your shout with Wild Chi.
		
		The wolves settle down and Fang turns around to inspect what you're up to. "Hm? What is it?"
		
		"Come back with me to my Captain's Cabin first." You tell her. "Empowering the wolves is too much work when you're going to need that energy for yourself."
		
		"Ehhh?" She tilts her head to the side in confusion and takes a battle pill out of her bra, chewing it while making eye contact. Her face and nose are scrunched in confusion. "Why would this one need energy when we are simply going to your bedroom...?"
		
		You freeze and realize your accidental pickup-line the same moment she does.
		
		"Oh...Oh!" She smooths out her clothes and corrects her posture as she leans up on her tiptoes with a smile growing on her innocent face. "And what would this star pupil need such energy for, oh mighty Captain?"
			
		A loud thumping comes from her tail repeatedly striking the ship's taffrail as it wags.
	*else
		"Are you going to be okay?" You ask, drowned out by the wolves.

		"HUH?!" Fang asks, turning around with her usual aloof smile.
		
		"ARE YOU GOING TO BE OKAY?!" You shout, filling your voice and lungs with Wild Chi. The wolves finally calm down and Fang's ears twitch twice.
		
		"This one will be fine, of course!" She blinks several times. "Why does the Thunderfaller ask?"
		
		"Sorry, I just can't imagine having enough energy to make it all the way to shore. I can't even see any land from here."
		
		"Enough energy...?" Fang looks from you to the ocean and back, though she doesn't check the horizon. She looks directly overboard. "Thunderfaller, what did you think this one would be doing?"
	*choice
		#"Making your ice bridge to shore. I've got some herbs or elixirs you can use to make it further."
			*if (fangromance >= 2)
				*set fangromance - 1
			*else
				*set fangrep +3
			*set ruthless - 2
			*set fangrep + 2
			"Making your ice bridge to shore." You answer. "I've got some herbs or elixirs you can use to make it further."
			
			*if ((heshe = "he") and (fangromance >= 2))
				"Oh." Fang says, disappointed. "Wait, what good would that do? These waves would break any such bridge!
			*else
				"A bridge?" Fang wrinkles her nose. "Hah! That would be quite bold!
			No no, good Thunderfaller, Tian Fang intends not to make a bridge, but a boat!"
			
			"A boat?"
			
			"Yes." She says with a rapid nod that rustles her hair. "Ice floats."
			
			Huh. You suppose it does.
			
			"In fact..." She backs up for a running start and sprints to the edge of your ship, leaping overboard right over the railings. "BEHOLD!"
			
			"Wait!" You run to the side in time to see her landing on the water's surface. The moment her bare foot touches the top of a wave it freezes around her. More and more water crashes into that wave and freezes as well, forming into a floating glacier. Fang performs several handseals and reshapes the ice into a small boat over time. One with a size you'd expect from lake fishing rather than sea travel, but a sturdy one nonetheless.
			
			She looks up with pride only to see your sailing ship is already hundreds of feet away by the time she's finished.
			
			"Ahh!!" She hollers out to you over the sounds of the high seas. "My wolves! I forgot my wolves! Most quickly, throw them overboard!"
			
			Oh shit.
			
			You run over and grab the green glowing wolves, picking them up two at a time. Thankfully they're still imbued with a bit of Fang's energy.
			
			They're going to need it.
			
			With a grunt you chuck the entire pack overboard, receiving several barks and gnawings as you do so. They all splash into the ocean and frantically kick their legs, making disgusted faces at the salty taste of the water while they swim for Tian Fang's iceboat.
			
			As you watch the panicked wolfgirl navigate alone and the panicked wolves dogpaddle to safety, you think you may have been right to be worried for them in the first place.
			
			Ah well. She keeps saying she's a star pupil, she'll be fine.
		#"Swimming." [Hip-throw her over the railing]
			*set fangrep - 8
			*if (bodytype = "Handsome")
				*set fangromance + 1
			*elseif (fangromance >= 1)
				*set fangromance - 1
			*set ruthless + 3
			"Swimming." You reply, grabbing her by the collar, stepping passed her in one wide stride, then lurching her body over your hip so she twists over you and the railing at the same time.
			
			"Bwaaaaaahhhh!!!" She croaks out, flailing overboard and plunging into the water below. She resurfaces and coughs out a mouthful of sea water. "My wolves!" She shouts back up at you in distress. "I can't abandon my wolves! Awooooo!!" She wails out in anguish, shaking the water out of her hair. When she's done, without the force moving it back and forth, her hair falls back in the water and gets wet again.
			
			"Good point!" You shout back. "Take your mutts with you too!" With a snap of your fingers your nearby retainers jump to attention, quickly running up the stairs and placing her seasick wolves onto your lone escape rowboat before lowering it overboard.
			
			You meant for them to drop the wolves into the water. Idiots. Sure, you didn't spell it out for them, but you shouldn't have to.
			
			Good help is so hard to find.
			
			By the time all the wolves are in the boat and it's lowered, your sailing ship has already made it two hundred feet away from Fang's quick swimming. You look down and acknowledge that, actually, the image of a bunch of wolves on a tiny boat while Tian Fang has to swim is pretty funny. You should tip your retainers for the idea.
			
			You won't though.
			
			"Come on men!" You shout to your crew. "We sail for Nanhou!"
			*goto endcompaniongone
		*if (heshe = "he")
			*selectable_if (fangromance >= 2) #Take her by the hand. "Why don't I show you." [Seduction]
				*set metfang + 1
				*set fangromance + 2
				*set fangrep + 5
				"Why don't I show you?" You say, gently pulling her against you.
				
				Tian Fang's pale cheeks blush as you take her hand in yours. Her smile grows giddy with excitement and she looks at you like you're the most important thing in her world.
				
				Then the damned wolf woman [i]bites[/i] your hand!
				
				"OW!" You yelp, pulling away quickly. You prepare to punch her face into Outer East but hesitate when you see her eyes are brown, not amber.
				
				She plants a quick kiss against your injured fist and laughs while running around you in a fast circle, her tail trailing behind her while she darts to the wolf pile. "Hahah!" She chants triumphantly, putting her hands on her hips and spinning. "It is you who thought you would kiss Tian Fang, but no! It was Tian Fang instead who has kissed you!"
				
				"Yeah and you bit me!" You shout back, rubbing your hand. "You have an awful way of showing affection."
				
				Her nose scrunches at that. "Tian Fang has a wonderful way of showing affection! Tian Fang is most playful!"
				
				"You bit me!"
				
				"A bite of AFFECTION!" She shouts in defiance, stomping one foot forward and leaning in.
				
				"Bites aren't affectionate!" You counter.
				
				"Keep up such lies and I will show you just how affectionate I can be!"
				
				"Keep biting me and the only affection you'll be getting is my fist!"
				
				"Grahh!" You both shout, charging at each other and colliding in the air. The boat rocks when your green Wild auras clash, your bodies hitting the floor quickly and grappling on the floor, rolling to the back of the platform as you wrestle for control. As soon as the two of you crash into the taffrail posts she goes to bite you on the neck and you counter by grabbing her ears in both hands.
				
				"Kh-h-h-huhhhhhhh." She moans out, eyes rolling into the back of her head. Her legs shake against yours and her mouth slowly sinks into your neck after all, albeit with only her soft lips and wandering tongue, utterly subdued.
				
				Several fulfilling but unfortunately clothed minutes later you're both interrupted by a slew of whining and growling.
				
				"Bwuh?" Tian Fang lifts her head from your chest in a daze. By this point your firm hands have traveled south and her mouth has left its mark all over your neck. "My pack!" She shouts out, jumping out of your grip and onto her feet. "I-I forgot! I must get my pack to land!"
				
				Like any fighting-aged man in this situation, you try to think of any reason why she should not interrupt what you're doing. You find no words, all blood having long since abandoned your brain. Instead you squint to appear wiser and more mature, slowly nodding.
				
				Genius.
				
				Fang quickly gathers her things and begins throwing wolves overboard as well as her satchels and a small crate.
				
				Still on the floor and watching the graceful woman chuck her belongings and companions over the railing, an inkling of an idea reaches your mind. "Can the wolves swim?" You ask as she grabs the last one under its front legs, its paws dangling helplessly.
				
				"I know not!" She asserts. "But it matters not, Tian Fang can make a raft out of ice. Ice floats, you know."
				
				"Yes but, have you already made the raft? They're in the water already."
				
				"..." She blinks several times. One of her ears twitches.
				
				"..."
				
				"OH NO!" Fang shouts, running to the side of your ship in alarm. Her aura glows arctic blue as she extends one hand and spends half her inner energy to manifest a raft for the wolves to climb atop. "Swim, my pack! Swim! Ahhhh!"
				
				It's too late to help by the time you rise to your feet; she's already leapt overboard with her last wolf. You glance over the edge to see if she's okay.
				
				Her wolves seem to be swimming above the waves, which is good news, and they all are well on their way to the ice raft. Fang on the other hand misses the vessel and hits the water with a bellyflop.
				
				You try not to laugh.
				*if (honor < 48)
					
					[b][Honor Check Failed][/b]
					
					You fail.
					*set fangrep - 2
				*else
					*set forexp + 1
*label endcompaniongone
*page_break
With ${fren} gone
*if (((({metdesdemona#11} >= 1) or ({metangelo#11} >= 1)) or ({metguiren#11} >= 1)) or ({metfang#11} >= 1))
	in the most dramatic exit possible you take a moment to
	*if ({metdesdemona#11} >= 1)
		recover, wash her purple kiss marks off your face,
	*elseif ({metfang#11} >= 1)
		grab a scarf and hide your new hickeys. When you're done you
		*goto endcompaniongone2
	*else
		recover
	and
*else
	you
*label endcompaniongone2
find yourself alone on the raised platform at the back of your ship with nothing to do.

You're so used to having to squeeze every opportunity out of every second, but training would risk capsizing your ship so it seems that you're forced into taking a break. For once you can afford to just...exist. Peacefully.

After a few minutes of thinking about nothing, a rare luxury you revel in, you stretch your arms and look up to the
*if (roc >= 1)
	sky. Halfway through one big yawn you realize you're making eye contact with something up there.
	
	Your bird.
	
	The crow's nest of your ship has been expanded into a Roc's Nest, with makeshift wooden platforms stretching outward and a mess of torn wool secured somehow into a nest. $!{rocname} looks down from the nest with the odd sort of expression birds exhibit by opening their mouths in varying degrees. Right now it's
	*if ((((({metdesdemona#11} >= 1) or ({metangelo#11} >= 1)) or ({metguiren#11} >= 1)) or ({metfang#11} >= 1)) or ({metleona#11} >= 1))
		closed, and she's judging you.
		
		"Hey there girl, I guess you
		*if ({metleona#11} >= 1)
			heard all that too, huh?"
		*else
			saw that earlier, huh?"
	
		"CAWWW!" Replies ${rocname}.
		
		"It's not my fault, I'm only Human."
		
		"CAWWWWWW!"
		
		*if (race != "Human")
			"$!{race}, whatever. It's an expression."
			*if (race = "Kitsune")
				It feels strange to finally say your family's secret out loud, but it's out in the open now anyway. You'll need a new illusion to hide your second tail and you don't even know how you managed the first.
			
			Your giant and still-growing Roc narrows its eyes at you. "CAW! CAWW!!"
			
		"What? Not if I can help it little missy! I'm allowed to because I'm ${age} years old. You're, what, a little over a year?"
		
		"CAWW!"
		
		"That's because you cheated using a Storm Gate. You can't fool me, you can have a boyfriend when you're...three? Five? Whenever Rocs are adults."
		
		"caw." $!{rocname} responds softly in defeat.
		
		You make a mental note to look up more Roc-specific facts, you can't keep raising her like she's an oversized eagle forever.
	*else
		open ever so slightly, she's happy to see you.
		
		"Good to see you two, girl." You say up to the giant eagle. "Thanks for watching over me while I slept."
	
		"CAWWWW!" Replies ${rocname}.
		
		"I can't believe you found me in Ebikowa, were you trailing me the whole time?"
		
		"CAW!"
		
		Ancestors, what a good bird. You order a nearby retainer to get a fish or three up there for her to eat.
	*page_break
*else
	sky, feeling its rays on your face, and breathe in the fresh air with a hint of salt.
	
	You're never going to get used to that. Salt in the water? Salt in [i]this much[/i] water? Nature is crazy.

You
*if ((((style = "Akakiru") and (val = 99)) and (leonagone = 0)) and ({metleona#11} = 0))
	maneuver around Leona having humorously bad luck getting anyone to talk to her and
spend the next few minutes patrolling the main deck. It takes a while to thoroughly
*if (flagshiptype = "combat")
	inspect the awesome ballista on your front, large enough to fire bolts wider than your head. You and Kosuke always pretended to have siege engines when you were little kids, and now you [i]actually have one[/i].
	
	Sure, your fists are almost siege engines at this point, but this is the real deal. It counts more.
*else
	inspect the many, many ropes securing the sails to the several steel fastenings all around the vessel. There's far more rope involved in sailing than you would have ever expected. None of it looks out of place.

Afterwards you look back behind your flagship's trail and ensure your other
*if (shipcount >= 3)
	ships are
*else
	ship is
still following within sight, which 
*if (shipcount >= 3)
	they are.
*else
	it is.

Hm...

It's such an odd feeling to not have any emergencies or urgent tasks demanding your attention. When was the last time you remember everything going right? There's still days to go before reaching Nanhou but somehow two have passed without needing any intervention or fighting for your life.

It's a good feeling, but not a familiar one.

You decide to finish inspecting your own ship and open the hatch leading downstairs to the rower's level and the brig. The moment the hatch rises you hear the heavy grunting of a dozen men down below.

*if ((honor <= 46) and (heshe = "she"))
	Nice.
*else
	Not a good sign.

You descend the lower stairs and turn the corner to see four men in hammocks on both sides of the walkway. Each is sound asleep despite the loud noises and you can immediately see why: other men are still on shift as rowers and their work looks exhausting. Six to each side are seated on benches doing their best to maneuver their oars plunged through the rowlocks, working in unison to push your ship through the sea while their overseer cracks his whip.

That overseer being Bo Lo.
*if (bogone > 0)
	It seems he swam back from your other ship while you were sleeping. You might have to fix that later.

Six paces in front of you stands the short man with his whip snapping through the air between threats. You recognize it as the weapon of the patrolwoman you beat up on your way to fight Crow Li. Next to Bo is Kosuke kneeling on the ground, looking through a crate of wine on the floor and trying not to drop a bottle as the ship rocks.

"Row faster, damn it!" Bo Lo shouts, "Wine breaks are for winners! Do you think the Trials care about your limits?!" He cracks his whip against the wall. "We're on Bo Time now and that means every one of you is my bitch! If this ship drops below 9 knots for even a moment, I swear under the Heavens I will feed you the beggar's cooking!"

"Heave! Ho!" Shout the rowers in unison. "HEAVE! HO!" They each find renewed strength under duress and the floor underneath your feet slightly lurches to adjust to the new speed.

"Bo, what the fuck was that?" Kosuke whispers. "I can cook just fine."

"Do not fool yourself." Bo hisses back. "We all had yesterday's gruel, the threat worked for a reason."

"AHEM." You clear your throat right behind the two to get their attention. They both spin around in surprise, Bo with his whip behind his back and Kosuke's eyes wide at being caught
*if ((bffheshe = "she") and (bffromance >= 1))
	as an awful cook.
*else
	with your wine supply in ${bffhisher} hands.

"Labor-errr, $!{name}!" Bo spits out as if trying to eat shit with a smile. "What brings you down to the rower's level?"

You
*if ((race = "Kitsune") or (spiritbrandloc = "skin"))
	catch his concerned gaze focusing on your
	*if (race = "Kitsune")
		twin tails
	*else
		new skin color
	and
*elseif ((bodytype = "Bodacious") or (bodytype = "hourglass"))
	catch his off-guard eyes trying to see through your clothes and
	*set borep + 3
reprimand him with a stern look. "Down to the lower level of my own ship?"

*if ({metleona#11} = 1)
	Bo clears his throat and raises his chin, as if to deliver a prepared line. "I simply wondered when you had time to escape the bedroom with your Sunbringer whore."
	
	"Ohhhhhhh!" Kosuke howls, waving one hand around in surprising support of Bo's retort.
	
	You eye them both to drop it. Kosuke tsks and Bo casts his eyes aside.
*else
	Bo hesitates but seems to have thought of nothing smarter to say. "...Yes."
*choice
	#"Bo, go easy on my men."
		*set borep - 3
		*set bffrep + 3
		*set retainer_morale + 2
		*set ruthless - 2
		"Bo, go easy on my men."
		
		Bo's mouth twitches with the remnants of a frown. "They need this more than I do, they lack discipline!"
		
		*if (honor >= 50)
			[b][Honor Check Passed][/b]
			
			"They lack whipping too, because you're on my ship and I gave you an order."
			*set borep + 2
			
			His jaw tightens at your retort but he responds only with a short bow and places the whip down, for now. He looks back over his shoulder to the rowers. "Reduce to cruising speeds for one hour, then it's back to work."
		*elseif (ruthless <= 51)
			[b][Honor Check Failed][/b]
			*line_break
			[b][Compassion Check Passed][/b]
			
			"Discipline? Bo these are rescued normal folk, not our slaves. Yell at them if they're not doing their fair share for us all to get out of here but if you whip them again I we're going to have a problem, understood?"
			*set bffrep + 1
			*set retainer_morale + 3
			
			Bo grimaces and drops the whip. "You're throwing everything away with these Laborer ideals."
		*else
			[b][Honor Check Failed][/b]
			*line_break
			[b][Compassion Check Failed][/b]
			
			"Very cool, don't care. Break one of my men and I break you, got it?"
			
			Bo grits his teeth but nods reluctantly and slams the whip down on a nearby crate. He looks over his shoulder to the rowers. "Two hours at cruising speeds, drink break, then it's back to work."
		
		With that he walks passed you and leave-nope, wait, he's getting in a hammock.
		
		You were hoping he'd go above deck. Now he's still right next to you even though your conversation is over.
		
		Damn it Bo, stop making things weird.
	#"Bo, give me the whip." [Ban whipping]
		*set borep - 5
		*set bffrep + 1
		*set retainer_strength - 1
		*set retainer_morale + 12
		*set ruthless - 4
		"Bo, give me the whip." You say, holding out a hand with a disapproving shake of your head.
		
		Bo Lo immediately goes on the defensive. "Why should I? They need this or they'll be slacking off all day!"
		
		"They're not slaves for Heaven's sake, they're my retainers. If you want to go around whipping people then get your own."
		
		"Get his own?" Kosuke pipes up from the ground where ${bffheshe}'s kneeling over a wine crate. "Like get his own people? That makes it sound like they [i]are[/i] slaves."
		
		"Kosuke, not
		*if ((honor <= 45) and (ruthless > 54))
			in front of the slaves."
		*else
			now."
		You hiss.
		
		Bo gives you a disapproving frown and his best attempt at a glare. "You'll regret this. They need discipline or they're never going to be useful."
		
		"Whipping people for fun doesn't give them discipline, give them a break."
		
		"I wasn-"
		
		*if (ruthless > 55)
			Your ${auracolor} rages to full strength and everyone but Kosuke flinches. 
			*if (honor >= 50)
				
				[b][Ruthless + Honor Check Passed][/b]
				
				"You heard my order. Do not make me repeat myself."
				*set borep + 2
			*else
				"Either you give them a break, or I give you a break."
			
			Without a word Bo puts the whip on a nearby crate and
		*else
			You give him a firm stare. "Bo, you were practically giddy. No more whipping, I mean it."
			
			"Fine." He says, crossing his arms. "Two days of my time wasted."
			
			With that he
		storms passed you to the upper deck, probably because everyone down here hates him.
	#"Bo, give me the whip." [Show him proper whipping form]
		*set flagshipboost + 1
		*set retainer_morale - 5
		*set borep + 7
		*set ruthless + 3
		"Bo, give me the whip." You command. "Your technique is horrible."
		
		Bo's eyebrows lower as he considers refusing your order but curiosity seems to grip him harder. Cautiously, he hands you his whip.
		
		You reel it back like you're about to knock it through a fortress wall, then follow through with the loudest whipcrack anyone on board has ever and, hopefully to each of them, will ever hear. The whip impacts an inch and a half away from the waist of one of your slower rowers and the air burst alone cuts against his skin. The damage is almost superficial but the tremendous sound gives power to the fear instilled by the whiplash.
		
		Such fear that the rower leaps out of his seat and screams. You suspect he's shat himself.
		
		A second whipcrack hits over his head and he sits back down, hunched over in fear but rowing harder than ever. The others pick up pace too and the ship lurches again as you break your old records.
		
		You hand the whip back to Bo. "Easy as that."
		
		Bo stares down at the whip in his hands and looks back to you in awe. "I never knew you cared so much for your crew. If we keep this up we might just make something respectable out of them."
		
		*if ((ruthless < 53) or (honor >= 55))
			Finally, someone who understands.
		*else
			You don't know what he's talking about, you just wanted to whip some people.
	#[Nod in approval] "Carry on."
		*set borep + 3
		*set honor + 1
		You look from Bo to your rowers, civilians that you saved from Ebikowa and apparently pressganged into rowing duty while a Martial Artist threatens to whip them.
		
		Seems like everything's in order. "Carry on, Bo."
		
		Bo gives a short respectful bow and turns back to the rowers. "What are you all looking at? Do you think you'll survive the next storm with that pitiful rowing performance? Get back to work!"
		
		It's nice having people around to yell at others for you. Saves a lot of time.
*page_break
You explore the lower levels and find everything in order. The hammocks are setup securely in the back, the ship's speed is steady, and the brig up ahead is protected by
*if (flagshiptype = "merchant")
	an incredibly well secured iron wall like a vault. You decide to give it a more thorough inspection to see if it's as waterproof as it looks.
*else
	an iron wall. It reminds you of the jailcell you were in mere days ago, but this one holds chests for storage rather than people.
	
	In fact, the same people that were locked in the jail's old cells now serve on your ship.

You walk through the rows of rowers...and wonder if that's where the word 'row' came from. How old is the practice of rowing a ship? It wasn't covered in your mountainous education. Maybe-

"Wine?" Kosuke interrupts your thoughts, holding up a bottle to your right.
*if ({metleona#11} >= 1)
	"I figured you'd need it after that marathon upstairs."
	
	*if ((bffromance >= 1) and (bffheshe = "she"))
		You wince in preparation for a very painful conversation. "I was hoping no one heard it."
		
		"Short odds there dumbass, I'm on the same ship. It's not [i]that[/i] big."
		
		*if ((heshe = "he") and (honor < 46))
			Through the sheer will of a Martial Artist you hold back saying 'that's not what Leona said'. Instead you
		*else
			You
		summon all of your resolve and try to think of how to justify cheating on your childhood girlfriend with a likely-murderous huge-chested
		*if (race != "Lunargoth")
			blonde Lunargoth.
		*else
			outsider.
		
		She interrupts you first. "I want a sword."
		
		"You want a...sword?"
		
		She grabs your shoulders and forces you to face her. You're actually surprised, you didn't resist but she's still got more strength than you're used to. "I. Want. A. Sword."
		
		"Is this some kind of innuendo or...?"
		
		"Maybe later." She adds, pulling you to the brig's door away from the rowers. "Look, I get it, I'm a beggar girl who needed Advancement just to grow back some lost teeth. You're a Clan $!{patriarch} that's moving up in the world. I expected you to eventually go all 'concubines' on me but..." She breathes out a reluctant sigh. "The heart wants what the heart wants, and I still want my future brats to have the ${clan} name instead of no Clan at all. Besides, I mentally prepared for this [i]soulless betrayal[/i] four years ago."
		
		You tilt your head at that. "I haven't even been a Martial Artist for four years."
		
		She rolls her eyes with a thoughtful smile. "We haven't been together for four years either, idiot. Like I said, I prepared for it. And I know these other strumpets are all going to demand to be your wife or number one concubine or some petty crap, and I'm [i]not[/i] starting a rivalry with Martial Artists. So here's the deal: leave me out of that drama, give them whatever lip service you want - stop laughing, that wasn't innuendo - and instead of titles I just want cool stuff."
		
		"Y...Yeah." You concede, caught offguard. "That's disturbingly calm of you."
		
		"Don't get me wrong, my feelings are still completely crushed and I cried while you were up there, I'm just not going to give you shit for it."
		
		"Except for-"
		
		"Shit." She says, snapping her fingers. "Except for rubbing it in that I was down here sobbing while you cheated on me, yes. This will take some work to [i]actually[/i] not give you shit for it. For now, let's call that the last time and leave that drama for the others. I know the Martial World is filled with unfaithful immortals, that comes with the territory of dating someone great, but if that's how it's got to be then I want the cool stuff that comes with it too."
		
		"What kind of cool stuff were you thinking?"
		
		The sadness leaves her eyes, quickly replaced with a mischievous hunger. "Welllll let's see. Protection. Utility. Scrolls that can blast people into next week. I need combat benefits more than I need romantics seeing as Mao's got a hit on my head. That's why any time you add to your collection of girls, I want to add to my collection of tools. So...seeing as you slept with Leona which, by the way, not as insecure about that as you'd think because I've seen her butt and mine's nicer, but I want a sword when we get to Nanhou. A good one, Soul Treasure and
		*if (background = "Blacksmith")
			all. Bonus points if you make it yourself, mister blacksmith." She punches you in the arm playfully. "Deal?"
		*else
			all. Deal?"
		
		Being forgiven so easily somehow hurts worse than being yelled at, but your heartbeat calms as you're awash in relief.
		
		You hold a hand out to shake Kosuke's and she rushes in for a hug instead. You shove the guilt deep down to focus on enjoying her presence as she rubs her head against your chest and you run your hand through her hair. "Deal." You reply softly.
		*set owekosuke_f + 100000000000
		
		"Awwww!" You hear from all the rowers a mere five feet away.
		
		"GET BACK TO WORK!" Kosuke screams at the crew.
		*page_break
		"Now come on!" Kosuke urges, hanging on your arm. "I want to see what's in the brig. I've had to wait two days already and the anticipation is killing me."
		
		*goto nowcomeonkosf2
	*elseif (bffheshe = "she")
		*label brigsegway
		You wince. "I was hoping no one heard that."
		
		Kosuke shakes her head, takes a heavy swig from the bottle, and tosses it to you. "[i]Everyone[/i] heard it. Congratulations on your blonde Sunbringer psycho girlfriend.
		*label nowcomeonkosf
		Now come on, I've been waiting two days to see what's in the brig."
		
		*label nowcomeonkosf2
		"Two days?" You ask, confused. "You could've checked inventory while I was asleep. Even that
		*if (sumyungai)
			Sum Yungai guy
		*else
			retainer waking me up
		already knew the inventory."
		
		"Most could check it, yes." Kosuke corrects, thinking back. "But [i]apparently[/i] I have a bad reputation already. Not among the crew, they love me, but
		*goto kosnotallowedin
	*else
		You wince. "I was hoping no one heard that."
		
		"[i]Everyone[/i] heard it." Kosuke retorts, nods in approval, and takes a heavy swig from his wine bottle...He keeps swigging for a while actually, then tosses it to you. "Can't say I'm not jealous. Congrats on your forbidden Sunbringer girlfriend by the way, I couldn't imagine a better way to piss Mao off.
		*goto nowcomeonkosf
*else
	"I've been saving it for the grand opening."
	
	"Grand opening?" You ask.
	
	Kosuke takes a heavy swig from the bottle and tosses it to you. "For the brig! 
	*label kosnotallowedin
	Leona and Bo said I wasn't allowed near the treasure until you were up, they said I'd try to rob it."
	
	"Truly we live in a world of oppression and negative stereotypes." You hang your head in solace, then lift it to look Kosuke in the face. "Would you have?"
	
	"Would I have...?"
	
	"Robbed the treasury when I was asleep."
	
	"Would I rob my best
	*if ((heshe != bffheshe) and (bffromance >= 1))
		friend and
		*if (heshe = "he")
			boyfriend?!"
		*else
			girlfriend?!"
	*else
		friend?!"
	Kosuke pulls back in insult, a hand on ${bffhisher} chest like ${bffheshe}'s dying. "Never! Hardly! Barely! Only a little, you know? Have some faith in me,
	*if (heshe = "he") and (bffheshe = "he")
		dick."
	*else
		ass."
	
	Typical Kosuke. "Alright, give me the key and let's see what's
	*if (flagshiptype = "merchant")
		in the vault."
	*else
		in the crates."
	
	Unsurprisingly, Kosuke produces the
	*if (flagshiptype = "merchant")
		vault's
	*else
		steel gate's
	key from ${bffhisher} pocket. The one ${bffheshe}'s not supposed to have. You take it from ${bffhimher} and insert it into the door.
	*goto continuestory_1
*label continuestory_1
*page_break Treasure time!
You and Kosuke open the door to the 
*if (flagshiptype = "Merchant")
	vault
*else
	brig
and step inside to behold its contents:

*if (style != "Akakiru")
	Leona.
	
	The Lunargothic woman is unconscious on the ground in her plain linens behind an assortment of
	*if ((flagshiptype = "Merchant") or (loot >= 10))
		[i]many[/i] crates filled to the brim with goods.
	*else
		crates.
	Her face is blush with the glow of alcohol and plastered with a drooling smile as she hugs a pricey looking bottle, snoring in her sleep.
	
	"And they say I'm the thief." Kosuke mutters. $!{bffheshe} checks an opened crate to find it filled with mostly empty bottles. "Ancestors be damned. That was the good stuff too.
	*if (style = "Aoyusumu")
		She must have snuck in after Angelo came down for a bottle."
		
		"And not when you did?" You're merely guessing that Kosuke swiped one too, but ${bffheshe} freezes up when asked. "Ah don't worry about it." You assure. "She'd have finished it off anyway."
		
		"Which is a damned shame." Kosuke groans. "These were high quality,
	*else
		No wonder she didn't let me in here, it's where she's been hiding!" Kosuke rubs the bridge of ${bffhisher} nose. "Sorry about this one
		*if (bffromance >= 1)
			$!{name},
		*else
			chief,
	we were supposed to sell the whole crate off for a bucket of Shards."
	
	You look down at the drunken Lunargoth scratching her
	*if (heshe = "he")
		oversized chest
	*else
		butt
	in her sleep and decide...
	*choice
		#"Maybe we did sell it afterall." [Check Leona's pockets for Shards]
			*set ruthless + 1
			*set honor - 1
			*set bffrep + 1
			*set leonarep - 2
			That wine was pricey, and Leona's raided the other Sunbringers in Ebikowa just as much as you did. You decide to
			*if (heshe = "he")
				descend on the unsuspecting woman
			*else
				sneak down
			and give her Shardpouch a look to see if she'll be paying for those bottles afterall.
				
			*if (thievery >= 2)
				[b][Thievery 2 Check Passed][/b]
				*set agiexp + 2
				
				Quietly you crouch down and lean in close, using four fingers to grab the rope around her Shardpouch and make it taught without pulling on her pants. Then you gently lift the pouch away from her and withdraw Shards one at a time.
				
				*set shards + 60
				[b][Item Gained: 60 shards][/b]
			*else
				[b][Thievery 2 Check Failed][/b]
				
				"Let me." Kosuke says, grabbing your shoulder. You slowly exhale out your nose in annoyance but allow it.
				
				The Expert, as Kosuke calls ${bffhimher}self in regards to petty crime, leans in close and uses four fingers to grip the rope around Leona's Shardpouch to make it taught without pulling on her pants. Then ${bffheshe} gently lifts the pouch and withdraws Shards one at a time, passing them back to you over ${bffhisher} shoulder and pretending ${bffheshe}'s not pocketing a quarter of them.
				
				*set shards + 40
				[b][Item Gained: 40 shards][/b]
			
			Leona rolls over, causing
			*if (thievery >= 2)
				you
			*else
				Kosuke
			to freeze, but the blonde hugs the bottle closer and softly complains in her sleep. "[i]But papa, I don't [b]wanna[/b] spare the women and children![/i]"
			
			*if (thievery >= 2)
				You look back to Kosuke who mouths, "What the fuck?"
				
				It's a mutual feeling. You pull back and Kosuke
				*if (bffromance >= 1)
					whispers into your ear,
				*else
					whispers,
				*if ((bffheshe = "he") and (heshe = "he"))
					"Dude, if
				*else
					"If
			*else
				Kosuke looks back to you and mouths the words, "What the fuck?" before slowly slipping back and whispering, "If
			anyone asks, you did this alone. I can’t have this maniac coming after me."
			
			"Agreed."
			
			*label checkinventory
			Over the next few minutes the two of you tip toe around Leona's unconscious form to check the contents of ${loot} crates, finding craftsman's materials in bulk
			*label checkinventory2
			*if (loot >= 17)
				and something you can hardly believe. Among the massive cache of treasure your ship is stocked with you find a Trade Sect's Path Manual!
				
				"By the Ancestors." Kosuke whispers, which shows you just how impressed ${bffheshe} is when $!{bffheshe} didn't even swear. A rare occasion.
				
				You both spend several hours taking notes on its contents and trying to memorize the instructions and effects. From what you can tell it's a subtle form of doujutsu used to hypnotize targets in subtle ways. Perfect for a Merchant.
				*if (subrace = "Reptile")
					
					For reasons that become obvious the more you study it, you find a greater connection to the Technique inside than Kosuke ever could.
					
					*set apval 8
					*gosub_scene quicks apboost
				*set kosukecombat + 1
				
				*gosub_scene quicks learntech 5000470000010000 "Serpent's Gaze" "Passively increases Deception by +1. Passively decreases the cost of most items by 10%."
				*if (style = "Kurokonton")
					
					Your eyes flare purple when mastering the Technique and you're not exactly sure why, but something about utilizing eye-based Techniques feels [i]right[/i].
					
					*set apval 8
					*gosub_scene quicks apboost
				
				When you're both done you pack up to leave, minds expended on so much study while trying to 
				*if (style != "Akakiru")
					be quiet and ignore Leona's snoring.
				*else
					memorize the new breathing methods and spiritual cultivation needed to embed the Technique into your spirit permanently.
				Between the Path Manual and the amazing haul of treasure you feel blessed and, more importantly, rich.
				
				Now you just need to find a buyer.
				
				[b][Total Crates of Cargo: ${loot}][/b]
				*page_break The Heavens smile upon me.
			*else
				and [i]only[/i] craftsman's materials in bulk. Tools, cloth, leathers, clay, cleaning liquids, nails, lumber, tar. Not a single thing you'd want to carry on your
				*if (background = "Blacksmith")
					person, even if Father would chastise you for turning down the nails.
				*else
					person.
				
				Deep down you were hoping for some secret weapon the Sunbringers may have stored away for their plans but instead all you have is normal merchant wares.
				
				"I don't get it." You say, crouching down and opening one of the crates with your bare hands. Being a Martial Artist has its perks. "If the Sunbringers were working so hard to cause this much mayhem then why were they storing regular Laborer supplies? Did they think anyone would buy from them?"
				
				"Maybe they weren't looking to sell." Kosuke says, rubbing ${bffhisher} chin. "Maybe they were looking to use."
				
				Your brow furrows as you consider the implications. A mountain Sect loading all these building supplies onto ships..."They were building a new base, somewhere out in the ocean."
				
				"Not anymore." Kosuke dismisses, cracking a crate open and swearing, then sucking a splinter out of ${bffhisher} thumb. $!{bffheshe} mumbles out the next word with ${bffhisher} thumb in ${bffhisher} mouth. "Corpses ain't building a damn thing."
				
				You cede the point and get back to checking your inventory.
				*if (loot < 5)
					After checking empty crate after empty crate you have to accept that
				*else
					Despite lacking any cultivation goods, ritual components, alchemical ingredients, armor, weapons, or talismans,
				*if (loot >= 12)
					it's still a great haul, if you can find a buyer for so much loot.
					
					[b][Total Crates of Cargo: ${loot}][/b]
					*page_break A [i]rich[/i] buyer.
				*elseif (loot >= 10)
					it's still a good haul, if you can sell it all.
					
					[b][Total Crates of Cargo: ${loot}][/b]
					*page_break The Shards must flow.
				*elseif (loot >= 5)
					it's not a bad haul, if you can find a buyer the funds for this might even pay off your retainers to get them to stay.
					
					[b][Total Crates of Cargo: ${loot}][/b]
					*page_break And thank goodness for that.
				*else
					it's an abysmal haul considering you took an entire ship. They must have just unloaded.
					
					[b][Total Crates of Cargo: ${loot}][/b]
					*page_break Such is life.
			*if (((flagshiptype = "Merchant") and (bffheshe = "he")) and (style != "Akakiru"))
				The two of you turn and leave, but Kosuke runs back to the doorway and farts into the room just before closing the tightly sealed vault behind you.
				
				"..."
				
				"What?" He asks, feigning innocence. "I wasn't going to subject the rowers to it, they're doing actual work."
				*set retainer_morale + 2
				
				A few of your rowing retainers burst out with hearty laughter, probably the ones with auras. The rest are too busy gritting their teeth to keep up.
				*if (ruthless < 50)
					Poor guys, but it's good for their development, you keep telling yourself.
				*else
					They'll thank you later; it's good for their development. Probably.
				*page_break
			*goto pathmerge
		#"Consider it her payment for keeping you all safe in the Demonic Gate."
			"It's fine." You
			*if (((heshe = "she") and ((heshe != bffheshe) and (bffromance >= 1))) and ((honor < 60) or (ruthless >= 50)))
				say, and actually mean it unlike the other many times you've said 'it's fine' to your boyfriend in the past. Heh. Sucker always falls for it.
			*else
				say.
			"Consider it her payment for keeping you all safe in the Demonic Gate."
			
			"Psht." Kosuke shakes ${bffhisher} head like you're being a fool. "I was doing fine on my own, I can take on a few Fiends by now."
			
			"A Demonic Gate's worth?"
			
			"Hell no." $!{bffheshe} concedes immediately.
			*if (bffromance >=1)
				"It's not exactly romantic
			*else
				"It's not exactly heroic
			but I damn near shit my pants that night. Thank the Ancestors you had us steal all those healing elixirs, I had Leona and ${fren} getting my back and still got impaled [i]twice[/i]."
			
			*if ((((heshe = "he") and (bffheshe = "she")) and (bffromance >= 1)) and (honor < 50))
				[b][Dishonor Check Passed][/b]
				
				"Find me another expensive wine bottle and we can make it three times tonight."
				
				*set bffromance + 1
				*set bffrep + 2
				*set winekos true
				"Yesss." Kosuke softly hisses, trying not to wake the blonde woman as she steps over her to inspect more crates.
			*else
				You softly tsk at ${bffhimher}. "That's what you get for robbing a Sect and aiding their heir's disreputable rival."
				
				"Ain't that the truth." Kosuke whispers back. "Crime doesn't pay. Except all these crates we stole." Kosuke pats one of the wooden crates. "These pay."
				
			*goto checkinventory
*else
	Craftsman's goods in bulk,
	*goto checkinventory2
	
*label pathmerge
With everything taken care of you
*if ({metleona#11} = 0)
	take a short bath, meditate to detect and balance any impurities in your growing aura, and 
*else
	meditate to detect and balance any impurities in your growing aura and
*if ((equippedweapon != "") and (equippedweapon != "Handwraps"))
	practice a few maneuvers with your
	*if (equippedweapon != "Tanto")
		new ${equippedweapon}
	*else
		trusty ${equippedweapon}
	to pass the time.
*else
	practice a few martial arts maneuvers on the top deck.

Hours pass by and 
*if (((((style = "Midorikatai") and (heshe = "he")) and (bffromance >= 1)) and (bffheshe = "she")) and (spiritbrandloc = ""))
	you finally finish everything you need to do. Yet instead of escaping to a relaxing night of rest, you open the door to your Captain's Cabin only to see Kosuke on your bed, comfortably snugged under the blankets.
	
	"Remember back with the mirror, when you said later?" She asks, removing the covers to reveal she's wearing nothing but a smile. "It's later."
	
	You don't get much sleep during the
	*if ({metleona#11} >= 1)
		night and, seeing as Leona's soundproofing seals were fraudulent, neither does anyone else.
	*else
		night and you wouldn't have it any other way.
	
	*set bffromance + 1
	*set bffrep + 5
	*set pwt_kosuke true
	
	*set apval 5
	*gosub_scene quicks apboost
*else
	you return to your Captain's Cabin and rest in preparation of the next day. Sleep comes without incident.
*page_break 
[i]You wake in the middle of the night with a terrible thirst. At first you drink from the terracotta pot of water in your chambers, its contents cool, clear, and refreshing, but the thirst remains. Naturally you search for more.[/i]

[i]As soon as you venture out of your Captain's cabin in search of drinking water you're met with a heavy fog obscuring the ship's deck. Stepping through the blanketing mist reveals there are no crewmen on deck and, even stranger, no waves in the waters below. The ocean around you lies as flat as a mirror. Confused, you turn and leave to search the quarters below deck for your retainers and still find none. your ship abandoned, and your supplies emptied.[/i]

[i]The thirst grows.[/i]

[i]Quickly you run back above deck and search for your other
*if (shipcount > 2)
	[i]ships[/i]
*else
	[i]ships[/i]
[i]yet the endless expanse of the ocean shows nothing but flat surface as far as the eye can see. Without other options, you look overboard to the obvious supply of water. The sea tempts you, calls to you, pleads to help you and slate your thirst.[/i]

[i]So much to drink in such close proximity...but no. Deep down you know this water lies; drinking from the tempting endless waters of salt will only lead to your death. While you contemplate this you find yourself gazing down into the abyss of the flattened ocean and, for the first time, you notice that a full moon reflects off its surface right behind your reflections.[/i]

[i]All three of your reflections.[/i]

[i]Three ${fullname}s stare back at you from the mirrored waters, with only the middle looking as confused as you.[/i]

[i]The two on the sides begin to laugh when you notice them. It is a friendly laughter at first, a playful jest as if they'd been caught in some prank, yet their laughter continues on, louder and more forceful, until they build up to the mocking, scornful, raving laughter of madmen. As you look down at the third reflection and wonder why ${heshe}'s not laughing too, ${heshe} points behind you.[/i]

[i]You turn and look to the sky, seeing not a full moon but [b]two[/b] full moons, massive white eyes assessing you from the Heavens like a hunter analyzing its prey. A face forms around the eyes, a face of stars, and in its shape you see the outline of an enormous white tiger.[/i]

[i]Behind you, the third reflection begins to laugh.[/i]

Then you awake.
*if (style = "Kiihakai")
	
	[b][Dream Event][/b]
	
	"No." Interjects a familiar voice. "You don't."
*page_break
*if (style = "Kiihakai")
	Still in the dream, you look up to see a woman sitting
	*if (flagshiptype = "combat")
		atop the end of your ballista,
	*else
		the railing of your ship's upper platform.
	
	"So this is what's been haunting you." Says Dreamdemona as she stares up to the celestial white tiger and down to the reflections. They stop laughing. "A trick of the mind can be as dangerous as an injury to the body. Do you know who's been plaguing your dreams?"
	
	*choice
		#"They're just nightmares."
			"They're just nightmares." You reply.
			
			"No." She corrects you as if scolding a child.
		#"I have a lot of enemies, it could be anyone. In fact, if I throw a stone I'll bet I could hit one."
			"I have a lot of enemies," you reply, "it could be anyone. In fact, if I throw a stone I'll bet I could hit one."
			
			You pick up a rock that for some reason is on your dreamship and throw it into the foggy distance.
			
			"Ow!" Cries Jack and Bo Lo's fat friend. Heh. You forgot about him.
			
			Dreamdemona's eyes go half-lidden and her upper lip curls in disgust. "I'd take this more seriously if I were you. These visions, they're not dreams." With one hand she motions to the fake dreamworld around you.
		*if ({mettaio#3} = 1)
			#"I'd guess it's the clone of a bald monk haunting my soul."
				Dreamdemona has no connection to the real Desdemona, so you figure honesty won’t give away any of your secrets. "I'd guess it's the clone of a bald monk haunting my soul."
				
				She blinks several times, her mouth opening slightly. "Well...that's not good."
				
				"Thank you for your sage wisdom."
				
				Her scowl returns. "If it's wisdom you're looking for then thank me for fixing your curse, because these aren't just dreams." She motions to the foggy world around you.
		*if ({metdesdemona#11} = 1)
			#"The real you and me just made out earlier."
				"The real you and me just made out earlier." You reply.
				
				A drink manifests in her hand as if she was already drinking it, and she spits it out in shock. "Uh I, er, that's...Focus on your dream."
				
				You look her up and down. "I think my focus is in the right place. Do you have any insight for what Desdemona likes in bed?"
				
				"THE DREAMS!" She screams, throwing her drink at you and covering her face in one hand.
				*set desrep + 2
				
				You catch it and roll your eyes. "Fine, fine." You take a quick sip. Hm. Coconut flavored. "Yes, I have nightmares a lot. What about them?"
				
				She seems to calm down and shake her head, fixing her hair before continuing.
	"They're omens, past or present, else there wouldn't be enough Yang Chi for me to be here. Yang is the embodiment of activity, life, and creation. There's no purer or more unstable essence of Yang than prophetic dreams, for they branch into the infinite possibilities."
	
	"So this is some sort of vision of what's to come?" You look down at the three reflections and see them slowly sink into the sea, glaring at you as they leave. "Am I going to turn into three people and drown?"
	
	"I doubt it." She replies, checking her black fingernails and looking up into star-alignment shaped like an angry tiger. "But that doesn't bode well. Nanhou should be built into a city by now. Were I you, I'd check their archives for any Wild Gods or calamities involving white tigers." Her hand begins to crackle, golden and violet energies manifesting around her thumb and middle finger. "As for whoever is trying to manipulate your dreams, their Technique didn't take into account that they're not the only one. Sloppy work."
	
	She snaps her fingers and a single thundercrack echoes over the horizon, forming cracks all around the dreamworld as if reality had shattered. Her voice drifts in one last time before the image ends. "I'll keep your dreams safe until I dissipate, but it's time to wake up."
	
	[b][Soul EXP Increased][/b]
	*set solexp + 10
	*page_break
*if (chispent >= 1)
		*set chispent - 1
"INCOMING OBJECT!" Comes the boisterous shout of a man in the dead of night. "INCOMING GLOWING OBJECT!!"
*if (roc >= 1)
	
	"CAWW!" Adds $!{rocname}. It sounds like they're both in the same place.

You jolt up in your bed and brush off the feeling of a bad dream, its contents quickly leaving your mind. After getting dressed as quickly as possible you sprint out the door into the dark and clouded night, the sea's winds striking
*if (((((hairlength = "long and tied") or (hairlength = "tied-back")) or (hairlength = "short and tied-back")) or (hairlength = "waist-length")) or (hairlength = "chest-length"))
	your long hair
*else
	your face
with a mist of salt water while you take stock of the situation.

"There you are, Honored $!{patriarch}!" Comes a call from atop your ship's
*if (roc >= 1)
	expanded crow's nest where $!{rocname} is perched next to and an [i]exceedingly brave[/i] retainer.
*else
	crow's nest, his spyglass in one hand.
"It's over there! Look!" He points and you follow his finger at the same time that several crewmen rise from the lower deck and gather around you.

Off in the distance, and approaching fast, is an orange glowing object on the high seas.

An object larger than your ship.

*if (perception >= 2)
	[b][Perception 2 Check Passed][/b]
	*set powexp + 1
	*set forexp + 1
	
	Looking closer
*else
	When it gets closer
you realize the glow is too concentrated for such a large source. What you at first mistake for a burning lighthouse or a gargantuan aura is, in fact, a large ship. One covered in thousands of paper lanterns lining every inch of the many ropes holding up its oversized sails.

The dazzling array of glowing lights obscures your vision of the ship beyond the lanterns and all you can make out is the bottom of the larger vessel, the rest blurred as if you were staring through a campfire.

"Honored ${patriarch}, it's approaching fast." Warns one retainer, backing away from the railing.

"Too fast!" Shouts another in panic. Several others begin backing away as well.

"HAIL!" You shout over the waves as the other ship gets within two hundred feet of your vessel. "YOU ARE ON A COLLISION COURSE! CHANGE COURSE NOW!"

"WHAT?" A voice comes out of the larger vessel in surprise. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN OUR PATH?! MOVE, FOOL, OR YOU ARE COURTING DEATH!"

*if (ruthless < 54)
	"What the Hells did he just say?" Kosuke
	*if (bffheshe = "she")
		hisses,
	*else
		blurts out,
	"What an asshole, tell him it's him that's courting death."

	You shake your head quickly. "We need to take this seriously, I-"

	"We don't have any time!" Kosuke counters.

	"Fine, fine." You place both hands around your mouth and shout back up. "IT IS YOU WHO IS COURTING DEATH!"
	
	"Now call him a fool." Kosuke whispers.
	
	"Shut up." You whisper back.
	
	*if ((bffheshe = "he") and (heshe = "he"))
		"Come on man, they love it!"
	*else
		"I'm telling you, it works every time!"
	
	"...FOOL!" You add on, shouting to the lanternship.
*else
	"YOU DARE?!" You scream back. Screw this guy, you didn't get woken up to act like the bigger ${manwoman} and de-escalate. "IT IS YOU WHO IS COURTING DEATH, [b]FOOL![/b]"

The larger vessel does not answer.

Its wide bow continues its approach toward your ship as the glow of thousands of lanterns illuminates the fearful, paling faces on your men. You look to Kosuke who's frantically shaking ${bffhisher} head. The ship grows closer and a decision has to be made before it's too late.

"Damn it all." You mutter under your breath.
*choice
	#Charge an energy blast into the ship's bow.
		If the ship refuses to move then you'll be the one to move it.
		
		"Everyone get behind me!" You shout out to your panicking crew, planting both feet firmly on the deck and bringing your outstretched hands together in front of your chest. For once you don't need a powerful blast of scorching energy, you need a [b]dense[/b] blast of thick energy that can push the ship off course.
		*if (handseals >= 1)
			
			A quick set of handseals and a prayer is all you can do in preparation.
		
		*if ((element1 = "Earth") or (element2 = "Earth"))
			Amber earth chi resonates out from your body in tremors that strain the floor beneath you.
		*elseif ((element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water"))
			Blue water chi swirls around you like a whirlpool.
		*elseif ((element1 = "Wind") or (element2 = "Wind"))
			Emerald wind chi rushes around you like a tornado.
		*else
			${auracolor} power charges up all around your body as your aura elevates in pressure.
		Cycling all that energy between both outstretched hands causes your arms to vibrate and your back to tense, but you hold it steady as its power builds.
		
		Then you unleash it.
		
		*set combatstat "soul"
		*set combatstat2 "fortitude"
		*set combatdiff 12
		*if (handseals = 0)
			[b][No Handseals Known, Difficulty Increased][/b]
			*line_break
			*set combatdiff + 1
		*if ((style = "Aoyusumu") or (style = "Kiihakai"))
			[b][${style} Event: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
			*set combatdiff - 1
			*line_break
		*if ((element1 = "Earth") or (element2 = "Earth"))
			[b][Earth Event: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
			*set combatdiff - 1
			*line_break
		*elseif ((element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water"))
			[b][Water Event: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
			*set combatdiff - 1
			*line_break
		*elseif ((element1 = "Wind") or (element2 = "Wind"))
			[b][Wind Event: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
			*set combatdiff - 1
			*line_break
		*if (handseals >= 3)
			[b][Handseals 3 Check Passed, Reduced Difficulty][/b]
			*set combatdiff - 1
			*line_break
		*gosub_scene quicks combatcheck
		*if (passcheck)
			Your blast slams into the lantern ship's hull with the density of a charging elephant.
			
			The energy rams the ship off-course, crashing into its front at just the right angle and sliding down its side in a continued push. Water splashes over your entire crew as the lantern ship is pushed off-course and narrowly avoids crashing into you. Several alarms and shouts come from its deck, but not from your own.
			
			Your own people are safe.
			*set merchopinion "Fair1"
			
			*set apval 3
			*gosub_scene quicks apboost
		*else
			Your blast collides into the oncoming ship and blows right through the wood, piercing instead of slamming. Something inside the ship might have exploded, but it's not enough to stop what's coming.
			
			"BRACE FOR IMPACT!!" You scream to you your crew.
			
			The larger ship gets so close that it blocks out your view of the sea. For one short moment you think something else is going to stop it but your hopes are dashed when a soulwrenching crunch deafens your ears and the flooring beneath your feet rocks at a forty five degree angle from the ships crashing together.
			
			*set merchopinion "Damaged2"
			*set sect_thousandlantern - 5
			*set retainer_morale - 5
			*set loot - 2
			[b][2 Crates of Loot lost][/b]
		*goto lantermerge
	#Try to maneuver your ship out of the way.
		Sailing is the logical way out of a naval collision course, and that's just what you intend to do.
		
		"TURN THE
		*if ((survival >= 2) or (craft >= 2))
			SAILS STARBOARD
		*else
			SAILS
		AND MAN THE OARS!" You shout to the meandering crewmen.
		*if ((survival >= 2) or (craft >= 2))
			"TWICE AS MANY ROWERS ON PORT AS STARBOARD! MOVE! NOW!"
		*else
			"WE'VE GOT TO MOVE, NOW!"
		*if ((element1 = "Wind") or (element2 = "Wind"))
			You surround your body in Wind chi
			*set agiexp + 2
			*set powexp + 1
		*elseif ((element1 = "Light") or (element2 = "Light"))
			You infuse your body with the neverending movement of Light chi
			*set solexp + 2
			*set agiexp + 1
		*else
			
			[b][1 Agility Core Spent][/b]
			*set agispent + 1
			
			You surge an Agility Core
		and grab two men over your shoulders, sprinting down the hatch at supernatural speeds. Kosuke does the same with one man and thankfully Bo has a crew of 6 still down here. "Row, now! Row like your life depends on it!"
		
		"YEAH!" Bo shouts back, raising his whip to strike the rowers, only to drop it and take a hurried seat amongst them when he realizes you were talking to him.
		
		The twelve of you push the oars through the water as fast as you possibly can, knowing the other vessel could be mere yards away. You would survive the crash, but
		*if (ruthless > 50)
			your hard-to-replace minions may not.
		*else
			it's not about you. Unpowered men and women are on board and you refuse to let them come to harm.
			
			[b][Compassion Check Passed][/b]
			*line_break
			*set apval 4
			*gosub_scene quicks apboost
		
		*if (flagshiptype = "Transport")
			[b][Special Event: Transport Ship][/b]
			*line_break
			[b][Automatic Success][/b]
			
			*goto succeedlanternshipdodge
		*else
			*set shipdiff 5
			*if ((element1 = "Wind") or (element2 = "Wind"))
				[b][Wind Event: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
				*set shipdiff - 1
			*elseif ((element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water"))
				[b][Water Event: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
				*set shipdiff - 1
			*if (((style = "Kiihakai") and (flagshiptype != "transport")) and (flagshipspeed >= 6))
				*if (((element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water")) or ((element1 = "Wind") or (element2 = "Wind")))
					*line_break
				[b][Ship's Speed Seals Activated! Reduced Difficulty][/b]
				*set shipdiff - 1
			
			*if ((craft + survival) >= shipdiff)
				[b][Craft + Survival ${shipdiff} Check Passed][/b]
				*label succeedlanternshipdodge
				
				"HEAVE!"
				*line_break
				"HO!"
				*line_break
				"HEAVE!"
				*line_break
				"HO!"
				*line_break
				"HEAVE!"
				*line_break
				"HO!"
				
				Trying to move the ship on your own would only lead to a snapped oar. Yet through proper sailing knowledge and crew management you're able to get everyone's musclepower positioned exactly where it needs to be just in time to avoid a catastrophic crash.
				
				The lantern ship passes yours by, missing by mere feet at the closest point.
				
				*set merchopinion "Helped1"
				*set sect_thousandlantern + 2
			*else
				[b][Craft + Survival ${shipdiff} Check Failed][/b]
				
				Despite all your efforts the lower deck of your ship is launched into disarray when one of your walls cracks. Everyone else in the lower levels is launched off their seat like beans in a shaken cup. Gripping the bolted rower's seat is all you can do to stop from lethally crashing your iron-hard body into any of your retainers as your ship nearly capsizes and water fills the chamber.
				
				You didn't make it in time.
				*set merchopinion "Damaged1"
				*set sect_thousandlantern - 5
				*set retainer_morale - 5
				
				*set loot - 2
				[b][2 Crates of Loot lost][/b]
			
			*goto lantermerge
	*if (((element1 = "Wind") and (element1rank >= 2)) or ((element2 = "Wind") and (element2rank >= 2)))
		*selectable_if (((chipool + (soul/2)) - chispent) >= 1) #Blast a wind tunnel into their sails to the other ship out of the way. [Requires Wind (Adept), Costs 1 Chi]
			*if (ruthless > 50)
				Your eyebrows form a near perfect V when this glowing eyesore refuses to yield.
			*else
				There are more lives than your own to worry about, so you can't help but feel angered when this glowing invader refuses to yield.
			
			As if it had a choice.
			
			Emerald Wind chi surges around your fist in a cyclone so intense that its energy loses all transparency and looks like a swirling mass of emerald painted onto the world. With a battle-cry you launch your fist forward and blast an expanding cyclone of wind across the water and into the other ship's enormous sail. When your beam of emerald gusts impacts and inverts their sail the glowing ship lurches, knocked off course at an angle and harshly cutting through the waters.
			
			It narrowly avoids your dhow, all thanks to your dominance of the Wind.
			
			[b][1 Chi Point Spent][/b]
			*set chispent + 1
			*line_break
			*set apval 5
			*gosub_scene quicks apboost
			
			*set merchopinion "Helped2"
			*set sect_thousandlantern + 2
	*if ((((element1 = "Water") and (element1rank >= 2)) or ((element2 = "Water") and (element2rank >= 2))) or ((style = "Kiihakai") and (stylerank >= 2)))
		*selectable_if (((chipool + (soul/2)) - chispent) >= 1) #Manipulate the waves to move your ship out of the way. [Requires Water (Adept) or Kiihakai (Adept), Costs 1 Chi]
			With no time to think you vault overboard.
			
			The entire crew stares into the sky in bewilderment as their $!{patriarch} abandons ship. They follow close behind and nearly leap over the railings themselves until both your arms raise overhead and
			*if (((element1 = "Water") and (element1rank >= 2)) or ((element2 = "Water") and (element2rank >= 2)))
				glow with intense reverberations of blue Water chi
			*else
				shine with power that warps and rotates into circular Seals of golden chi
			that you launch into the water with all your might, reinforcing the attack with more power even as you release it.
			
			*if (((element1 = "Water") and (element1rank >= 2)) or ((element2 = "Water") and (element2rank >= 2)))
				When your waves of Water chi slam into the natural sea the attack's result is amplified to shocking levels, crushing and redirecting the waves faster than a flame burns through dried paper. A bowl forms in the tide wider than either of your ships and a whirlpool begins to stir, dragging the lantern ship in one direction and safely pushing your own ship in the other.
				
				You land on the water and kick off, leaping back to your own ship and skidding across its deck, stopping at the helm.
				
				[b][1 Chi Point Spent][/b]
				*set chispent + 1
				*line_break
				*set apval 8
				*gosub_scene quicks apboost
				
				Everyone around you stares in awe.
			*else
				When your Mystic chi slams into the sea it activates your command. The circular Seals shape into two glowing walls of golden chi forty feet long submerged just in front of the other ship. You clap both hands together as a somatic component, latching your Will to the energy, and then rip your left hand away. The left glowing wall of energy pulls away to form a tavern-sized gap in the water. The lantern ship dips into that gap at an angle and is forced into a sharp turn away from your vessel.
				
				[b][1 Chi Point Spent][/b]
				*set chispent + 1
				*line_break
				*set apval 6
				*gosub_scene quicks apboost
				
				You don't even realize that you were holding your breath from such exertion until you hit the water's surface, the cold plunge shocking you back to alertness after such an exhausting ability, but you're able to climb back aboard your own ship without issue.
			*set merchopinion "Helped2"
			*set sect_thousandlantern + 2
	*if (((element1 = "Ice") and (element1rank >= 2)) or ((element2 = "Ice") and (element2rank >= 2)))
		*selectable_if (((chipool + (soul/2)) - chispent) >= 1) #Form a glacier between your ships. [Requires Ice (Adept), Costs 1 Chi]
			There's no time to think and there's no Technique in your arsenal that can stop this collission, but that's never stopped you before.
			
			Icy blue mist flows off your body with increasing intensity and you jump over your ship's railing just as your aura bursts into a freezing blue flame. The moment you hit the water between both ships you unleash it all in every direction, raw and unbridled. Out here, in the vast water domain of the ocean, the power of ice within your grasp magnifies tenfold and your control over it branches out like a new limb.
			
			You flashfreeze a glacier around yourself the size of a ship.
			
			[b][1 Chi Point Spent][/b]
			*set chispent + 1
			*line_break
			*set apval 6
			*gosub_scene quicks apboost
			
			The lantern ship crashes into your glacier and cracks it in two, ending its momentum and giving you the chance you need to spiritually grip one half of the glacier and turn it, pushing the ship like a giant hand guiding it by the front. The damaged larger vessel passes yours by and missing a bigger collision by mere feet.
			
			*set merchopinion "Fair2"
*label lantermerge
*page_break
*if ((merchopinion = "Damaged1") or (merchopinion = "Damaged2"))
	"This is a terrible way to wake up!" Leona shouts out to you 
	*if (style = "Akakiru")
		from out of nowhere, "I'll fix the holes, but if my hair gets wet people [i]will[/i] die!" You notice the Lunargoth woman holding two retainers by their collars
		*if (merchopinion = "Damaged2")
			and running downstairs
		*else
			and running between the rower seats
		to the
		*if (flagshiptype = "Merchant")
			vault
		*else
			brig
		where your spare lumber is stored. The retainers look scared.
	*else
		from
		*if (merchopinion = "Damaged2")
			inside the
			*if (flagshiptype = "Merchant")
				vault.
			*else
				brig.
			She wrenches the door open and pulls two retainers inside by their collars, tossing them at a crate of lumber. 
		*else
			downstairs.
		"I'll fix the holes, but if my hair gets wet people [i]will[/i] die!"
	*set leonarep - 3
	
	Bo
	*if (merchopinion = "Damaged1")
		rips a bench off a rower's section and holds it against the breach, minimizing the water coming in. "Get upstairs!" He yells at you. "They could be boarding as we speak!"
	*else
		is nowhere to be found, hopefully still downstairs and dealing with the breach as well.
	*set borep - 2
	
	Kosuke meanwhile 
	*if (merchopinion = "Damaged1")
		leaves to the top level with you and dives off the railing to save any retainers who fell overboard.
	*else
		is already in the water from the collision, swimming to retainers who fell overboard and bringing them back to the ship.
	
	The rest of your men fill the rower's level with their bucket line trying to get the water out as fast as possible. Despite the damages and the current emergency you feel a sense of pride in your new retainers. They must have worked on these drills in the two days you were unconscious. If they've got your ship in good hands, then it's up to you to make sure they themselves are in good hands.
	
	You
	*if (merchopinion = "Damaged1")
		ascend to the upper deck and
	look upon the lantern ship.
	*gosub blackjunk
	Whoever it belongs to, they don't fear being recognized. After what they've done to your flag ship, they should.
	
	You cycle chi to your legs and leap up across the gap, over the water and through the barrier of lights, landing on the bow of the lantern ship.
	*goto lanternmerge
*elseif ((merchopinion = "Fair1") or (merchopinion = "Fair2"))
	Your
	*if (merchopinion = "Fair1")
		dense energy blast
	*else
		glacier
	does its work in redirecting the ship with minimal damage, ensuring that your own vessel suffers none.
	*if (merchopinion = "Fair1")
		You wipe sweat from your brow and smile in satisfaction,
	*else
		You climb atop the other half of the glacier and use its solidity to leap back onto your ship, smiling in satisfaction,
	until you see the lantern ship drop anchor and turn to face your ship.
	
	*gosub blackjunk
	Whoever it belongs to, they don't fear being recognized. After what they've done to your flag ship, they should.
	
	You cycle chi to your legs and leap the watery chasm between your ships, passing through the barrier of light and landing aboard the bow of the lantern ship.
	*goto lanternmerge
*elseif ((merchopinion = "Helped1") or (merchopinion = "Helped2"))
	With the collision course prevented thanks to your
	*if (merchopinion = "Helped2")
		tremendous power, you wipe sweat from your brow to the applause of your retainers.
		
		"As expected of the Honored $!{patriarch}!" Chants the one in fr-oh it's Kosuke. The rest buy the bit and chant in kind. Yet their cheer for your success in saving them barely registers in your ears. You're too busy looking up at the lantern ship slowing to a tread and turning back towards you.
		
		*goto thisclose
	*else
		fine leadership, you wipe the sweat from your brow and release the oar. "Good work everyone. Stay down here and take a water break, I'm going up on deck to find out what's going on."
		
		"Should we prepare for battle?" One asks.
		
		"If this lantern ship is here for battle you won't have to lift a finger." You respond. "Because I'm going to sink it."
		
		You ascend the ladder up to the upper deck to look upon the larger lantern ship.
		*label thisclose
		*gosub blackjunk
		Whatever their intentions, it's clear you're not getting out of this without a confrontation.
		
		You cycle chi to your legs and leap off your ship with enough force to rock your boat, clearing the distance between both ships in a single bound and landing on the bow of the lantern ship.
		*goto lanternmerge
*label lanternmerge
*page_break
When you land at the bow of the lantern ship you see a three-story small tower of black wood built around the mast, hidden from view at a distance behind the bright lights of so many lanterns. You expect some sort of resistance from invading the ship but there's no one to be seen except a baby-faced fat man running around the side of the tower toward you, frantically waving his hands.

You take on a combat stance and glare the man down. "You have a lot of nerve to try and sink my ship before the Trials."

The man skids to a halt. "Sink your...?" His voice comes out in an awfully high pitch for his height and weight. It takes a second to recognize the man as a eunuch. "You are the ones trying to sink [i]our[/i] ship! If I'm to be murdered I expect my killer to at least have the decency to own up to their actions."

"Murdered...?" It's clear this man isn't the one you yelled at earlier, judging by his voice, so you correct your stature from a battle stance to a straightened back and lean your head to the side. "There’s no murderer here. I awoke to find your ship on a collision course with mine. If you're not attacking me then why didn't you change course?"

The portly man looks up to his ship's crow's nest and slaps his forehead. "Oh Heaven's sake. I heard our scout screaming but didn't have the time to address it, truth be told
*if ((merchopinion = "Helped1") or (merchopinion = "Helped2"))
	I did not even notice another ship at our front. Is your crew well?"
	
	"I averted the collision, yes."
	
	"Heavens be praised, not only are lives spared but Shards as well."

*else
	when I felt the crash I had thought we were under attack! Is your crew well?"
	
	*if ((merchopinion = "Fair1") or (merchopinion = "Fair2"))
		"My crew and ship are fine." You say, having prevented the collision from hitting your vessel. "Your bow took a beating though."
		
		"Damned Hells." The eunoch curses in his unnaturally soft voice. "Our budget won't like that."
	*else
		"Not all of them."
	
		"Damned. A tragedy of misunderstandings, and not a cheap one at that."
He gives a quick bow. "I am Foreman Gong, temporary warden of this merchant vessel on behalf of the Thousand Lantern Sect, and I offer the highest of apologies for this untimely event, but I must requisition your assistance against the very threat I mistook you for originally. That is, a larger issue of piracy."

"What piracy?"

His cheeks tremble as he rises and points a shaking hand to the back of the ship where you can spiritually sense an assortment of weak auras that must be the rest of the crew, as well as stronger auras a hundred feet behind them, closing in fast. "That piracy."
*page_break
*if (perception >= 2)
	[b][Perception 2 Check Passed][/b]
	
	The two of you bolt to the back of the ship and the clang of metal lets you know the eunuch has dropped something behind you. When you give it a quick glance you see he's dropped a hidden assortment of long needles that are traditionally used with poisons. You don't sense any danger from the man, his hands are moving up and down with his jog rather than poised to strike you, but you now know to keep your guard up even around the weak people on board.
	*set merchwarn true
	
*else
	The two of you bolt to the back of the ship, the eunuch trailing behind you and fumbling as he drops some of his belongings.
As you round the black wooden tower around the mast you see a crowd with torches and swords gathered at against the back railing, looking out to sea. Some hear your
*if ((bodytype != "Petite") and (bodytype != "Manlet"))
	heavy
footsteps and give you a quick glance. You notice they're dressed in brown tunics similar to your retainers and assume it must be some sort of sailing outfit ships carry in bulk.

You figured an intruder like you would get more attention, but as you look passed them you see why most don't even turn to acknowledge your entrance: cutting through the darkness comes a second ship with a dozen poorly dressed Martial Artists at the bow, their white or blue auras flared to full power.

The one at the front, the tallest of them all by a head and possessing a wide mustache, takes the lead. "Ahhh a fat piggy of a ship falls into the jaws of Captain Qing! Security stretched thin to save Shards, is it? Come out and reveal your leader, fat piggy!"

The eunuch Foreman Gong steps forward, steadying his shaking hands. "Y-You intrude upon the fair mercantile agreements of the Heavenly Ascension Trial staging ground! These goods are meant for Nanhou and its surrounding lands and we have already paid the fees to the Nanhou Magistrate and Callous Armada so I...I order you! Yes, I [i]order[/i] you to turn around at once!"

The tall thin man, Captain Qing, barks out a laugh. "The sea is for free men, fool! The orders and laws of your lands mean nothing!"

"Then you will face my champion!" Gong replies, turning to you. You're caught off-guard. This is the first you're hearing of being anyone's champion.

Spiritual scans flood your body but only one is strong enough to cause real discomfort. Captain Qing frowns. "Hmph. You've brought a
*if (aurapressure >= 1100)
	fearsome bodyguard, yes...but
	*set powexp + 2
	*set solexp + 1
*else
	nice bodyguard, yes, almost as strong as Qing...but
have you paid ${himher} enough?"

"Silence your poisonous tongue!" In an aggressive display for a eunuch, the floor around Gong carves up from several invisible slashes as his body glows with scarlet Bladed Chi. You're surprised more than anything, you didn't sense any power from him before. He looks to you pleadingly. "I cannot promise payment, we do not carry valuable cargo to spare, but I can submit a Writ of Favor request to my Magistrate when I return from Nanhou with our profits. I am sure he will reward you handsomely in good time!"

Captain Qing's men snicker and he looks to them, clapping oddly and rolling his eyes. "Good, right everyone? Good! GOOD! What a hard offer to pass up, a promise to be paid later! Hah!" He turns back to you. "Do not be fooled by this fat piggy's lies,
*if (race = "Human")
	mercenary.
*else
	${race}.
Here is Captain Qing's offer instead:"

He stomps a foot on the deck of his dhow, crackling lightning around his leg. "This fine ship! Unlike the gelded, lying fat-man, Qing's offer will be paid to you immediately, not in some false promise. Fight by Qing's side and he will seize the fat piggy vessel with all its plunder. In return you will leave with Qing's dhow and its rowers. A valuable offer of respect between
*if (heshe = "he")
	men of
*else
	those with
power!" He thumps his chest twice. "So what say you to Qing's deal?"

The eunuch's cheeks jiggle as his head snaps from you to Captain Qing and back. "Do not listen to him, Honored Guest, piracy is punishable by death as you must surely know. You-"

"-would have no witnesses!" Captain Qing interrupts in a booming voice when violet lightning covers his body. "Captain Qing will take these new slaves to Shattered Cathay across the western sea, where the Merchant Princes will pay a high price to adorn their plantations with Rasen workers. There will be no one left to link this to you...and perhaps something these merchants are hiding will whet your appetite?"

His men smile viciously at that, eyeing the increasingly worried merchant-workers like wolves circling lambs. They each draw sabers. Several make cutting motions around their throats, others stick their tongues far too far out.

"Please, Honored Guest," whispers Foreman Gong beside you, "you cannot truly be entertaining this criminal's lies, yes?"

*if ((honor < 48) or (ruthless > 55))
	You look from the fearful faces of the Merchants to the vicious smiles of the pirates. Siding with the pirates could lead to a great haul of treasures if you can plunder a Merchant vessel, but siding with the Merchants is, well, legal, and would surely come with some sort of reward...later. Maybe. Hopefully.
	
Both sides hold their breath, all eyes on you, until you...
*choice
	#Side with the Merchants. I trust a Merchant to honor a debt more than a Pirate.
		*if (commerce < 4)
			*set commerce + 1
			[b][Common Business Sense: Commerce Increased by +1 (to a maximum of 4)][/b]
		*else
			*set honor + 2
		
		You place a hand on Foreman Gong's shoulder. "We'll discuss my payment later. For now, leave the fighting to me."
		
		The tension noticeably leaves his body in a deep and relieved sigh.
		
		*goto piratefight
	*if (ruthless > 50)
		#Side with the Merchants. Piracy is a crime punishable by death and by the Ancestors, you're in the mood to punish.
			*goto punishcriminal
	*else
		#Side with the Merchants. Piracy is a crime against the laws of Imperial Rasen.
			*set ruthless - 1
			*label punishcriminal
			*set honor + 3
			
			You look down on Qing and his grinning crew of vagrants. "The answer is obvious, fool. Piracy is a crime punishable by death. Prepare for your punishment."
			
			"Hmph." Captain Qing huffs, eyes narrowing. "How brave of you, to choose [b]death![/b]"
			
			In a flash his crew leaps upon the merchant ship.
			
			*goto piratefight
	#Side with the Pirates. There's riches to be had!
		*set honor - 5
		*set ruthless + 1
		"You make a hard bargain, Qing." You call out across the waters. Given the choice between risking your life for a stranger or taking the easier option for better pay you don't really feel like there's a dilemma on your hands. Besides, the "law" isn't even a real thing. You never signed a contract to agree to it.
		
		You look to Foreman Gong and smile.
		
		He smiles back.
		
		When his fearful eyes meet your own he realizes you're not smiling to reassure him.
		
		*goto strikethegong
	#Side with the Pirates. The eunuch dragged me into his problems without my permission, I am nobody's pawn.
		*set honor - 1
		*set ruthless + 3
		You turn to Foreman Gong, frowning. "Foreman Gong, care to explain why you've introduced me as if I work for you?"
		
		Gong's face pales. "I had thought it was obvious, Honored Guest, that I was trying to scare off the threat. I-"
		
		"-assumed I was some underling, to be shuffled around?"
		
		"No!" Gong takes two quick steps back. "That's not what I am implying, Honored Guest, not at all!"
		
		"Good."
		
		*label strikethegong
		*set val 0
		*set combatstat "agility"
		*set combatskill "stealth"
		*set combatdiff 9
		*if (style = "Kurokonton")
			[b][Kurokonton Event: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
			*set val + 1
			*line_break
		*if ((element1 = "Darkness") or (element2 = "Darkness"))
			[b][Darkness Element Event: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
			*set val + 1
			*line_break
		*if (merchwarn)
			[b][Noticed Gong's Needles: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
			*line_break
			*set combatdiff - 1
		*set combatdiff - val
		*gosub_scene quicks combatcheck
		*if (passcheck)
			Your fist slams into the eunuch's pudgy face.
			
			With a sickening crunch of skin and bone his jaw collapses and his body is lifted off its feet by the force applied to his nose. Foreman Gong flies across the deck and slams into the tower of the ship where a large indent forms against the wall. When he slumps to the ground, unmoving, several long needles fall out of his sleeves and several teeth fall out of his mouth.
			
			*if (weight >= chapter)
				*set apval + 1
			*set apval + (3 + fightbonus)
			*gosub_scene quicks apboost
		*else
			Both of you act at the same time, Foreman Gong ramming a Bladed Chi needle up while you throw a punch forward. You catch him in the lower jaw and crunch your fist into his pudgy face, wincing as he shoves his needle through your forearm. Its scarlet bladed chi vibrates through your muscle and bone, shredding the flesh.
			
			*gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 2 false false
			
			And no doubt leaving poison in your veins.
			
			[b][1 Chi Point Lost][/b]
			*line_break
			[b][2 Fortitude Cores Spent][/b]
			*set chispent + 1
			*set forspent + 2
			
			But you're no rookie. Despite the pain you're not cowed. No, you're enraged. As soon as the needle pierces your skin you adjust your footing and catch him with a second strike from your other arm that connects cleanly with his lower jaw, shattering it and launching his oversized body into the small tower at the center of the ship. You rip his needle out of your arm and toss it overboard as the chi around it dies out.
			
			Snarling, you tear a strip of cloth off the shirt of a shocked merchant laborer nearby.
			*if (((heshe = "he") and (ruthless < 55)) or (honor > 50))
				He
			*else
				She
			doesn't even react, too afraid to move as you dress your wound.
			*if (fightbonus >= 1)
				
				*set apval fightbonus
				*if (weight >= chapter)
					*set apval + 1
				*if (val <= 0)
					*set val 1
				*gosub_scene quicks apboost
		
		Next you walk over to the ship's rear railing and stare down at the pirates with smug victory. "I accept your offer, Captain Qing!" You shout out across the waters. "Let's see what these fools are hauling." You turn to the rest of the merchant ship's crew and see their stunned, panicking faces as they back away from their surprise assailant.
		
		"Well?" You ask. "Are you going to make me bring out your cargo myself? You're being robbed, have some professionalism and go fetch my merchandise."
		
		They frantically scatter throughout the ship to bring out your new loot.
		*page_break
		Captain Qing and his men board the lanternship with a series of applause. "Captain Qing did not expect you to be smart!" The pirate calls out as he approaches and offers a hand. You take his forearm in yours in a powerful handshake, a Lunargothic tradition, and wonder where he learned it.
		
		"A whip?" Qing offers, withdrawing two from a couple of pirates in his crew behind him. "Qing finds it helps the workers fetch our treasure faster."
		*choice
			#"Don't mind if I do!"
				*set ruthless + 4
				*set honor - 1
				"Don't mind if I do!" You say with elation, taking the whip and cracking the shit out of Laborers for fun. Ancestors, you really were born in the wrong Caste. Oppressing people is exhilarating. Qing joins in on the fun and, minus the entire local crew who is getting whipped, everyone has a great time.
				
				The captain
			#"No."
				*set ruthless - 1
				*set honor + 1
				"No." You reply resolutely, staring the pirate captain down as if daring him to object.
				
				"Your loss is my gain." Captain Qing responds, passing the spare whip to another pirate. He
		and his men spend the next ten minutes going about cracking open crates and barrels as the merchant crew fetches them. Most of the goods are alcohol or strange red rocks with no Aura Pressure, probably useful as jewelry or masonry. Still, there is some coinage from what must have been earlier stops by the ships.
		
		Qing kicks a few crates your way. "A pirate earns his share."
		
		[b][Item Obtained: 20 Gold][/b]
		*set gold + 20
		*line_break
		[b][Item Gained: 4 Crates of Loot][/b]
		*set loot + 4
		
		When all the goods are sorted through you and Qing both notice that one area was completely ignored.
		
		"Not so fast." You say, grabbing a passing merchant by the collar. "None of you have brought the tower's cargo out yet."
		
		The man's eyes grow fearful and his face pales. "We-We cannot, Young Master. Opening the cage could be death for us all."
		
		"Cage?" You and Qing ask, looking at each other in confusion. You look back to the merchant you're holding. "Show us."
		*page_break
		You, Qing, and the pirate crew with auras all stand in a circle at the top of the lanternship's central tower as four of its crew are forced to pry open the top. As it turns out, the tower is no tower at all but a temporary cell to hold something inside, something that must be truly massive. The top of the 'tower' holds hinges and locks that allows it to be opened as if it were two basement doors.
		
		At your and Qing's command, the crew pries open those doors and flees down a pair of ladders.
		
		Captain Qing's pirate crew falls silent and Qing himself inhales deeply. You're not sure how you reacted because you're lost in the moment as much as the others when you stare down into the enormous maw of teeth and plated armor coiling around the master of the ship, expanding and retracting as the creature breathes in its sleep.
		
		It takes five real seconds for your eyes to adjust to its awkward angle and enormous size to recognize this creature as a Wyrm, an ugly legless dragon-like Beast that tunnels through rock with ease using its mouth as wide as its tunneling body with thousands of teeth. Anyone living in a mountain range has heard of the Wyrms, for every legend of foolhardy mountainous settlements ends in a Wyrm devouring the whole town.
		
		To even Advance into a Wyrm a Beast would need an Aura Pressure
		*if (jadedragonfoundation)
			that could challenge even you.
		*else
			so high that you wouldn't even be able to sense it. You'd just feel pain.
		
		"Why..." Qing whispers to the crew as they freeze on the ladder, eager to flee the sleeping dragon. "Why do you have a Wyrm?"
		
		"It's meant for Nanhou, a special order for their Trials." Whispers one of the crewmen. "It's why our crew's Aura Pressure is so low, to not wake the Beast in its dreams. If it awakens in the sea it will attract aquatic Beasts and all will be lost."
		
		You look over to the merchant crewman speaking. "How did you contain it?"
		
		"It was found comatose in an ore vein of cinnabar," the fearful sailor says, looking down to the collection of red stone you had his fellow crewmen bring to the top deck, "by the grace of the Heavens, the creature appears to have an allergy to the mineral. We feed it small amounts to keep it dormant."
		
		Your face turns devious at the same time that Qing's does. You look to the crew below. "Bring me all the cinnabar you have."
		*page_break
		It takes five minutes of swift work but you all manage to cram all the cinnabar on board into different barrels and hand them off to Captain Qing's crew. You and Qing take a barrel of your own and all of you ascend to the top of the Wyrm's cage together.
		
		Without countdown or ceremony you all dump the cinnabar into abyssal maw of the enormous Beast. A low rumble comes from the massive Beast coiled around the mast by five stories, three above and two below, and its throat of teeth slowly closes down on the piles of red stone.
		
		Everyone around you begins to sweat. You wonder if your plan worked.
		
		The Beast doesn't bleed internally or have its throat close up like you hoped. Seconds more pass and no signs of weakness or reaction come at all, but soon enough you realize your mistake. It's not that the creature shows no reaction, it's that it shows no action at all.
		
		Its breathing had stopped and you were too lost in suspense to notice. The creature's heart must have seized up almost instantly.
		
		Minutes pass and you risk a spiritual scan, finding not one enormous dormant aura but three strong ones throughout the cage. Soul Treasure Cores inside the creature's body.
		
		If you can sense the Soul Treasure cores but not the Beast's aura, then that means the Wyrm really is dead.
		
		Qing bursts out into laughter. "A stolen victory, the best kind!" He hops down onto the Wyrm and grips one of its many fangs. "Yesss, a treasure worthy of Qing! This meat shall serve his crew well! And the Cores, by the Hells, the Cores!" He looks over to you, hungrily. "Qing's Cores..."
		
		"Don't even think about it." You say, flaring ${auracolor} energy around you.
		
		"Hmph." Qing responds as if you ruined his fun. He rubs his chin thoughtfully. "Such Soul Treasures are rare at this time, Qing is fortunate this Beast has enough to split or we would have to fight." He snaps his fingers four times and four of his crew drop their sabers on the ground. "Your share is one of the Beast's cores, yet Qing has use for each. If you leave your share, Qing offers you these blades. Each is a refined lesser treasure that can strengthen your allies, though the likes of you and Qing have grown above such weak Soul Treasures."
		
		One potent Soul Treasure, or four that can help your allies...
		
		"Or-" Qing adds in as he sees you lost in thought. "A true captain's hat."
		
		He removes his black leather tricorn hat with the top half of a red bandana sewn into the lining, so the bandana shows just underneath the rim to wrap around your head and hang down one shoulder.
		
		*if (honor > 50)
			It's rather aesthetic.
		*else
			Damn, you think to yourself, that's a nice hat.
		*choice
			#"The Soul Treasure is the only irreplaceable thing here."
				"I'll take the Soul Treasure." You reply resolutely.
				
				*gosub getwyrmtrophy
				
				"Hah! Good choice, strengthening your crew too much only leads to mutiny. The Captain must always come first."
			#"How in the world did you expect me to say no to a pile of glowing swords?"
				"How in the world did you expect me to say no to a pile of glowing swords?" You think of how many people are under your banner now and how much this can help them.
				*if (((heshe = "he") or (style = "Akakiru")) or (style = "Kurokonton"))
					More importantly, you think of how cool it is to have a pile of swords.
				
				[b][Item Gained: Weapon Crate - Weak Soul Treasure Blades (4)][/b]
				*set weaponcrate + 4
				
				Qing snickers and snaps his fingers, signaling a nearby lackey of his to slide the crate over to you. Sifting through reveals that sure, most of these Soul Treasure enhancements are junk that are weaker than your normal attacks, but Qing either forgot or didn't mention one absolute beauty: a green blade with all of its power put to use.
				
				Unlike the other swords, where their Soul Treasures are used to artificially inflate the damage of their attacks (and not even up to the level of your fists), this jade blade's Soul Treasure feels like it's more contained. As if its power is thrumming out in small doses, at all times.
				
				It reminds you of when you spiritually scan places.
				
				*if (itemjian = 000000000)
					*set itemjian 101030000
					[b][Item Gained: Insight-Enhancing Jade Jian][/b]
				*elseif (itemkatana = 000000000)
					*set itemkatana 101030000
					[b][Item Gained: Insight-Enhancing Jade Katana][/b]
				*else
					[b]BUG! A CODE BUG HAS COME TO KILL US ALL! (Error: Neither Jian nor Katana field empty)[/b]
				*line_break
				
				"A deal is struck!" Qing announces as you marvel at the jade weapon. "That leaves more power for Qing!"
			#"The hat. Give me the precious hat."
				*label hattinit
				"The hat." You say without hesitation. "Give me the precious hat."
				
				Qing smiles viciously, showing he's missing some molars, and tosses you the hat. "Qing knew you would choose looks over power. Yet you are in luck, the Captain's Hat of Qing's Pirates holds both."
				
				You catch the hat and run your hands over its fine leather. The subtle off-black coloring, the tasteful thickness of it. By the Ancestors, it even has a Water Seal.
				
				[b][Item Gained: Cathayan Pirate Hat][/b]
				*set cpiratehat + 1
				*line_break
				[b][Qing's Captain's Hat increases your Agility, Commerce, and Thievery when equipped as an Accessory.][/b]
				
				"And the rest belongs to Qing!" The pirate captain announces.
			*if ((element1 = "Light") or (element2 = "Light"))
				*selectable_if (((chipool + (soul/2)) - chispent) >= 1) #"I'll take the blades." And use an illusion to take a Soul Treasure. [Requires Light, Costs 1 Chi]
					"I'll take the blades." You reply, collecting the swords in a bundle.
					
					[b][1 Chi Point Spent][/b]
					*set chispent + 1
					*line_break
					[b][Item Gained: Weapon Crate (4)][/b]
					*set weaponcrate + 4
					
					"Good!" Qing replies. "That leaves more power for Qing!"
					*set val 737
				*selectable_if (((chipool + (soul/2)) - chispent) >= 1) #"I'll take the hat." And use an illusion to take a Soul Treasure. [Requires Light, Costs 1 Chi]
					*set val 737
					[b][1 Chi Point Spent][/b]
					*set chispent + 1
					
					*goto hattinit
		He stares at his pirates as if leaving a threat on the air, then turns back to you. "You are an ally of Captain Qing, and this has gone better than Qing ever expected, but two Captains cannot exist on the same ship. It is time for you to leave."
		
		"Agreed." You say, shaking the man's hand again. "My own crew is probably wondering where I
		*if ((race = "Yokai") or (race = "Kitsune"))
			am. By the way, I'll expect some of that meat."
			
			Qing looks down at the dead Wyrm. "There's plenty to go around."
			
			You roll your eyes, why did you expect a pirate to do any work? With a slash of
			*if ((((((((((equippedweapon = "Tanto")) or (equippedweapon = "Katana")) or (equippedweapon = "Muramasa")) or (equippedweapon = "Greataxe")) or (equippedweapon = "Qiang")) or (equippedweapon = "Kunai")) or (equippedweapon = "Jian")) or (equippedweapon = "Iceblade")) or (equippedweapon = "Chiblade"))
				*if (equippedweapon != "Muramasa")
					your ${equippedweapon}
				*else
					Muramasa
			*elseif (style = "Akakiru")
				Bladed Chi
			*else
				chi
			you swipe a few slabs of meat from the inside of the Beast's throat to get around its armor. It will be tough meat, but great for your ${race} constitution.
			
			*set apval 16
			*gosub_scene quicks apboost
			
			*set gotmeat true
			When you're done eating directly in front of everyone Qing grins in approval. "If you're done slobbering on Qing's deck then go,
		*elseif (roc >= 1)
			am. Also, I'm going to need some of the meat from the Wyrm." You add, taking a cut from the inside behind a tooth. Thick throat meat. Ew.
			*set gotmeat true
		*else
			am."
		
			Qing grins. "Go then, 
		and may this harsh bitch of a sea never notice you plunder her depths."
		
		Weird expression, but you let it go. "Thanks, you too."
		
		*if (val = 737)
			You make an appearance of leaving and walk by his crew as they slash their sabers into the Wyrm corpse. To onlookers you merely whistle in appreciation, but a Light illusion hides your real-self swiping the first Soul Treasure they pull out and replacing it with a scale that you fill full of temporary power. It'll wear off soon, but not until you've escaped.
			
			As you return to stand where your illusion stands you look down on the amber shining scale in your hand with nothing short of prideful avarice. It's almost too easy.
			
			*gosub getwyrmtrophy
		
		With that the two of you go your separate ways, Qing sailing off in the lantern junkship and you leaping off to your own flagship that's been waiting patiently to find out what the hell happened.
		*set qingstatus "Ally"
		*page_break
		[b][1 Dhow Ship Acquired!][/b]
		*set shipcount + 1
		*line_break
		[b][12 Retainers Acquired!][/b]
		*set retainers + 12
		
		"What the hell happened?" Asks Kosuke as you land.
		*if ((merchopinion = "Damaged1") or (merchopinion = "Damaged2"))
			"I've spent the last ten minutes swimming around in the dark,
		*else
			"I've spent this entire time standing out in the cold wind keeping my aura up,
		tell me we got something out of it!"
		
		Leona and Bo are on the top of the deck as well, Bo's hair is
		*if ((merchopinion = "Damaged1") or (merchopinion = "Damaged2"))
			soaked
		*else
			a mess
		but Leona looks refreshed, like she's spent the last five minutes applying makeup.
		
		"A lot." You reply, dragging a nearby crate over and 
		*if (weaponcrate > 0)
			shoving your new collection of swords into it.
		*else
			stashing your ill-gotten gains inside.
		
		"Oooh, 'a lot' looks profitable." Leona says, peaking into the crate with a hungry smile. "I should do 'a lot' sometime."
		
		The crew parts as Bo steps through and comes within an inch of you. He looks angry, as you can easily tell when he looks
		*if ((bodytype = "Petite") or (bodytype = "Manlet"))
			into your eyes, probably thankful that you're the only person short enough to be eye-level with him.
		*else
			glares up to your eyes.
		"Our ship nearly capsizes, you disappear for far too long, and we're supposed to sit here without an explanation?" He spits on the ground to the side. "We are owed a report."
		*choice
			#Sigh. "Fine, the ship that nearly hit us got attacked. I sided with the attackers."
				A prolonged sigh is your only response at first, staring up at the night sky to not be looking in Bo's stupid face. Fucking Bo, always testing you.
				
				"Fine." You finally let out. "The ship that nearly hit us got attacked. I sided with the attackers and this is my share of the spoils."
				
				"Oh." Bo replies, shoulders loosening and walking away.
				
				"That's it?" You ask as he opens the hatch to go back below deck.
				
				"Of course." Bo replies. "They inconvenienced us and you made them pay, I don't see a problem."
				*set borep + 2
				
				Leona pouts and lets out an exaggerated whimper. "I was hoping he'd commit a mutiny."
				
				Kosuke pats a hand on her shoulder. "Better luck next time."
				
				You clear your throat to attract the crew's attention.
				*goto piratesend
			#[i]Owed?[/i] I think not. "Overseer, give Bo five lashes."
				Bo Lo thinks he can question you on your own ship? It's time to remind him you're not in Thunderfall Village anymore.
				
				"Overseer, give Bo five lashes." You command.
				
				Everyone's quiet for a moment and you realize Bo has been your crew's overseer. Shit. Aw, shit. Damn it. You were this close to asserting your authority and now you look like an idiot.
				
				Thinking quickly, you...
				
				*if (persuasion >= 3)
					[b][Persuasion 3 Check Passed][/b]
					*set powexp + 1
					
					Lean closer and glare back into Bo's eyes. "Well, overseer? That was a command."
					
					Bo looks from you to the rest of the crew and back, then nods. He leaves down below deck and you hold a hand for silence among the crew, listening for the sounds of whipcracks.
					
					[b]*CRACK*[/b]
					*line_break
					[b][Prestige Increased][/b]
					*set prestige + 1
					
					Satisfying.
					
				*else
					[b][Persuasion 3 Check Failed][/b]
					*set powexp + 1
					
					Power up your ${auracolor} aura with enough intensity to push most back, but an aura flaring is still just an aura flaring, not a real attack. Bo Lo, being a mediochre Martial Artist and being prepared for confrontation, doesn't move an inch.
					*set retainer_morale - 2
					
					He does lower his gaze, winning you the argument, but it feels hollow as he leaves below deck.
					
					You clear your throat and address the crew around you.
				*label piratesend
				"Alright everyone, back to your stations if you're on shift and back to rest if you're not. I don't see Nanhou's docks yet and that's a problem I want solved."
					
				Your sails unfurl once again and the rowers return to work, heading south through the dark sea under the light of the moon. Your other
				*if (shipcount > 2)
					ships follow
				*else
					ship follows
				close behind and Qing's new lanternship disappears to the west, its Captain as eager to continue his journey as you are to continue your own. Though yours continues from the comfort of your bed for now, this whole fiasco ruined a great dream you were having.
				*goto continuech6
			*if (weaponcrate > 0)
				#Think of a distraction. "Who wants swords?" [Give a sword to Kosuke and Bo.]
					"More importantly than that stupid question is..." With all eyes on you asking what you've been up to, and what you've been up to is [i]crime[/i], you pull the crate of swords in front of you and crack it back open with a smile. "Who wants swords?!"
					
					"YES!" Kosuke and Leona shout, reaching in and grabbing a pair. You're absolutely taking Leona's back later, that girl has more swords than most villages have people, but Kosuke probably needs one more than you do.
					
					You also take one out and toss it to Bo, who is looking at you with even more suspicion than ever.
					
					[b][Lost 2 Soul Treasure Blades][/b]
					*line_break
					*set weaponcrate - 2
					[b][Kosuke's Combat Prowess Increased!][/b]
					*set kosukecombat + 1
					*set metkosuke + 10000000
					*set bocombat + 1
					
					Bo catches the blade by the handle and analyzes it. "So you acquired this on the ship, is that what you're saying?" Bo Lo asks, sensing out the Aura Pressure of the Soul Treasure inside. "This is too weak for me though, I might as well scrap it down."
					
					"TAKE THIS!" Kosuke hollers, swinging ${bffhisher} sword at Bo's blade. Bo leaps back and swats Kosuke's attack aside in shocked irritation.
					
					"You dare?!" The
					*if (bffheshe = "he")
						smaller man
					*else
						Thunderfall Martial Artist
					shouts. "If you wish to die, then-" he's forced to defend himself as Kosuke activates the white aura of ${bffhisher} Soul Treasure blade and swings again.
					
					"Come on Bo!" Kosuke shouts as the two leap away from the crew in melee. "Quit being a loser and have some fun with the new toys!"
					
					Bo catches Kosuke's swing and kicks ${bffhimher} in the stomach, sending your friend tumbling across the deck. "These are not toys!"
					
					"Yes they are!" Shouts Leona, who somehow snuck onto the railing of the upper deck's platform. "I've got plenty of healing elixirs so stop being a bitch and live a little! Show me some blood!"
					
					Bo looks from Leona to you, then to Kosuke who is rising off the floor and holding ${bffhisher} blade out again with a smirk. You give Bo the nod of approval, you did just give them swords after all.
					
					*set borep + 6
					A fraction of a smile forms on the chronically annoyed Bo Lo and he raises his own sword at Kosuke. "Fine. But don't blame me if you get hurt."
					
					The crew breaks out into hoots and hollers, quickly running up to join Leona at the upper platform. You stay on the main deck to oversee the fight.
					*if (kosukecombat >= 6)
						To Kosuke's credit, ${bffheshe} actually puts up a good show until Bo Lo starts using his Wild Chi. Eventually the swings grow too heavy and Kosuke gets flipped, tripped, and nearly stripped when two close calls cut ${bffhisher} shirt shoulders. When ${bffheshe} finally gets disarmed you call the battle to an end.
					*else 
						Sometimes you forget Bo Lo has actually trained in the Martial Arts from a young age and Kosuke has not, but this fight certainly outlines the difference. Poor Kosuke gets beaten with the flat of the blade so much that Leona even takes notes at one point.
					
					When it's all over Kosuke gives a thumbs up from the ground and everyone heads back to their duties, seeming to actually have a bit of fun.
					*set retainer_morale + 4
					*set bffrep + 2
					
					An unexpected but welcomed side effect, considering you were only handing out swords so they'd stop investigating all the crimes you just committed against the Thousand Lantern Sect.
					
					By this point Captain Qing's new lanternship has begun to disappear over the horizon to the west and you decide it's time to disappear yourself, getting everyone back to work sailing south.
					
					Nanhou awaits.
					*goto continuech6
	*if (freepirates)
		#Hold on, why do these pirates look so familiar?
			"Hold on a second..." You march past the fearful merchant crew and squint closer at Captain Qing's pirates. Something seems off, it's on the tip of your tongue...Oh Ancestors, now you remember.
			*if (banditchoice = "Raiders")
				"Don't you all work for me?"
				
				*gosub raidersreturned
				"By the Hells, it's our old boss!"
				
				"Taio?" Asks another.
				
				"No, idiot, the one who killed him!"
				
				You smirk, hardly believing the odds. "How'd the raid on the Sunbringers go?" One steps forward but you hold up a hand for silence. "That's rhetorical, you lazy louts. I had to take out most of the Sunbringers in Ebikowa myself."
				
				"You...took them out?" Asks a Human woman with glowing white sword drawn.
				
				You cross your arms and tap your foot impatiently. "Someone had to, seeing as my [i]raiders[/i] weren't [i]raiding[/i] them."
				
				The pirate crew around Captain Qing drops to their knees and kowtows to you. "Our sincere apologies for not reporting in sooner,
				*if (heshe = "he")
					Young Master!"
				*else
					Young Mistress!"
				One of the men shouts into the ship's deckboards. "We were honing our craft under this pretender's tutelage, t-to serve you better!"
			*else
				*if (ruthless >= 55)
					A hungry grin 
				*else
					A judgmental frown
				spreads across your mouth. "Didn't I kill your last boss?"
				
				*gosub raidersreturned
				"By the Hells, it's ${fullname}, from the Thunderfall job! ${fullname} has come to kill us all!"
				
				You sneer at the lot of them.
				*if ((ruthless >= 50) or (honor > 55))
					"You have a lot of guts challenging me again."
				*else
					"I go through all that effort to give your lives back and this is how you spend them? Disgraceful."
					*if (ruthless < 44)
						*set solexp + 2
				
				The pirate crew around Captain Qing drops to their knees and kowtows to you while shouting out a slew of pleas.
				
				"Please forgive us!"
				*line_break
				"One more chance!"
				*line_break
				"Never again, I swear it!"
				
			"What are you [i]doing?![/i]" Hisses Captain Qing, flabbergasted by the unlikely turn of events. He drags several of his crew back up by their collars but they each drop back to their knees immediately after. He looks back to you. "Qing knows not what trick is being played, but he will not stand for it!"
				
			Ignoring him, you speak to the crew on the ground.
			*choice
				*if (honor >= 52)
					#"Cease this piracy and get your ship in line [i]immediately[/i]. My fleet sails for Nanhou."
						"Cease this piracy immediately and get your ship in line [i]immediately[/i]. My fleet sails for Nanhou."
						*goto knockitoff
				*else
					#"Knock this piracy crap off and get your ship in line, my fleet sails for Nanhou."
						"Knock this piracy crap off and get your ship in line, my fleet sails for Nanhou."
						*label knockitoff
						*set recruitedpirates true
						
						"Yes, Captain!" Shouts one of the Lunargoths among the pirate crew.
						
						"MUTINY!" Shouts Captain Qing, striking the man by the jaw so hard that he spirals off the ship. "Did you think Captain Qing would allow such treason? There is only one Captain here!" He looks up to you and bares his teeth. "Qing does not know who you are, nor does he care, your life ends here and now!"
						
						His violet aura intensifies and he crouches low to leap at you, then freezes before he can take off when his crew surrounds his head with their weapons.
						
						The man's eyes dart between all the blades around him. He grimaces, staring daggers into the traitorous crew. "So this is how it ends? Pitiful." He looks up at you and glares. "Captain Qing swears on his soul, he will have his revenge for this."
						*choice
							#"We've got some spare binder's bands, beat him and bind him for the merchants."
								"We've got some spare binder's bands," You call down, "beat him and bind him for the merchants."
								
								You glance back to see Foreman Gong looking particularly pleased.
								
								Two minutes of nonstop beatings later Qing lies unconscious, betrayed by his own crew, and bound sufficiently with rope, chain, and Binder's Bands. When you bring him up to the lanternship their crew even rolls him in a spare carpet for added effect. It looks extremely uncomfortable.
								
								"I cannot thank you enough for resolving this issue without violence." Foreman Gong says as his crew rolls Qing's carpeted form down a hatched staircase to the lower deck. "Except for the violence of the pirates turning on their master, of course."
								
								You nod and glance over the railing at your new additional crew. "They never turned on their master, they just forgot who they serve."
								
								*gosub acquisitions
								
								"Astute." Foreman Gong agrees in his high pitched eunuch voice. "I am still coming to terms with your swift resolution, it is truly an impressive feat. You even managed to resolve a pirate raid without waking our cargo."
								*set qingstatus "Enemy"
								
								*goto worktalk
							#"There's only one punishment fit for a pirate captain: walk the plank!"
								"There's only one punishment fit for a false pirate captain," you announce from above, "Qing will walk the plank!"
								
								It takes only a couple minutes for a plank to be setup and a bound Captain Qing to be forced onto it by his crew. The entire time he shouts threats and insults at each and every one of his mutineers.
								
								You roll your eyes as the man continues his dramatic rant and your mind wonders what the big deal is. You're going easy on him just to live out a classic; swimming to shore is dangerous, sure, but no less dangerous than a fight between Martial Artists. The sooner he gets swimming the sooner he can get to shore.
								
								"You may have defeated Qing with your treachery here today," Qing announces at the end of the plank, finally bringing this to a close "but this is not the last you'll see of Qing! Great men cannot be chained to the flesh, and Qing [i]will[/i] have his revenge! Qing's spirit will rise from the Hells to curse you anew!"
								
								*if (honor >= 50)
									You give the man a respectful nod. Everyone deserves a good monologue now and then, but he needs to get on with it.
								*else
									You shoo him away towards the end of the plank.
								
								"Take me now, cruel sea." Qing whispers. "You backstabbing wench." With that he takes one final step forward and falls into the water.
								
								You get ready to laugh when he starts swimming away, but seconds pass and he doesn't resurface.
								
								No one's laughing.
								
								No one's even looking around for him.
								
								An entire minute passes and you look around at the somber faces of the pirate crew. A question begins to form in your mind. You walk over to the lower railings of your new ship and look over the edge, into the darkness of the ocean depths, then back to your new pirate crew. "Can he swim?"

								Several shake their heads, faces paling.
								
								Only the pirate captain's hat resurfaces, the rest of him nowhere to be seen.
								
								It seems you have drowned Captain Qing.
								*set qingstatus "Ghost"
								
								*gosub acquisitions
								*line_break
								[b][Item Gained: Cathayan Pirate's Hat][/b]
								*set cpiratehat + 1
								
								*if (ruthless < 45)
									[b][Compassion Check Passed][/b]
									*line_break
									[b][Aura Pressure +4][/b]
									*set aurapressure + 4
									
									"I...WHAT?!" You look around at the crew. "People, this is something to tell me BEFORE we plunge him into the water with his hands tied! By the Ancestors, why did no one bring this up?!"
									
									One reptile yokai woman speaks up. "Captain, we thought this is what you wanted."
									
									No one else replies. Reluctantly you sigh into your palm and shake your head.
								"We're so cursed." You mutter, somehow not surprised by another potential supernatural problem, then leap back up to Foreman Gong's ship.
								
								*page_break
								You land back on the larger lanternship to a heavy applause as the merchant crew practically worships the ground you walk on, astounded at your work. Foreman Gong shoves passed them and bows deeply at the waist. "This one humbly thanks you for resolving the situation so swiftly and permanently." He rises and shakes your hands. "The Thousand Lantern Sect and our very crew are assuredly in your debt, especially considering the fact that you managed to stop the attack without waking our cargo."
								
								*label worktalk
								"All part of a day's work." You reply. "Of course I'll be expecting to get paid but-wait, what did you say?"
								
								*goto cargotalk
				#[Attack them anyway.]
					Your unwavering gaze looks down on the ruffians that were once the bandits you wasted your time sparing.
					
					"Letting you all live was a mistake."
					
					"You see now, you groveling fools?!" Captain Qing shouts to his crew, kicking one and raising another by the shoulders. "These are the high seas, so cease your begging and [i]fight[/i] if you want to survive!"
					
					His crew rises, regaining some confidence, and grow serious as they look up at you with renewed resolve.
					
					You shake your head. Resolve means nothing when they don't have the power to stop you.
					*goto piratefight2
				#"Relax, Qing, they're useless to me." [Side with Qing]
					*set honor + 2
					"Relax, Qing, they're useless to me." You taunt down from the highground. "I've outgrown their kind."
					
					[b][Prestige Increased!][/b]
					*achieve toogoodforleftovers
					
					"Wh-Why should he relax?" Foreman Gong asks behind you in his high pitch voice. "You're going to stop him, right?"
					
					Your ${auracolor} chi-covered fist rushes at the fat eunuch's face.
					
					*goto strikethegong

*label piratefight
*set fighting true
"You are a fool then!" Captain Qing shouts, giving an exaggerated frown. "Expect no mercy, joyous fool, Captain Qing will not forgive this insult." He snaps his fingers twice without turning around. His men behind him grow serious. "You have chosen death!"
*label piratefight2
*page_break
*if (sonarmode)
	[b][Thunderfaller vs Qing's Pirates][/b]
*else
	*image https://www.auraclash.com/assets/img/ap-thunderfaller-vs-qingpirates.png

*gosub_scene quicks statcheck

Captain Qing's men light up the night around them with their mix of blue and white auras, their spiritual energy combining into a formidable force as a unit. Many let out high pitch battle-cries as they leap across the gap between ships, others hook onto the merchant ship with grappling ropes and pull themselves forward.

The merchant workers around you pull back immediately, only a scarce few igniting weak white auras. Captain Qing meanwhile taps his foot and watches patiently to see how his men handle the battle; his eyes staying on you like a hawk from the bow of his ship.

"Everyone get back!" Foreman Gong shouts out. Half his crew reacts in time, fleeing the back of the deck to the sides of the ship's central tower, but the white and blue aura-wielding pirates hit the deck and draws his blade in the midst of the other half before they can move. The pirates hoist their weapons overhead to attack, their eyes betraying a keen bloodlust.
*if (ruthless > 55)
	*set powexp + 1
	
	Yours return the same look.
*elseif (ruthless < 45)
	*set forexp + 2
	
	Violence. It always comes to violence, no matter where you go. You want to sigh to express disappointment but you can't manifest the melancholy of it. Instead you dash at the murderous robbers and prepare to give them the pain they crave so dearly.

*set combatstat "fortitude"
*set combatstat2 "agility"
*set combatdiff 12
*if (style = "Aoyusumu")
	[b][Aoyusumu Event: Difficulty Lowered][/b]
	*set combatdiff - 1
	*line_break
*elseif (((((((((((equippedweapon = "Tanto")) or (equippedweapon = "Katana")) or (equippedweapon = "Muramasa")) or (equippedweapon = "Qiang")) or (equippedweapon = "Kunai")) or (equippedweapon = "Jian")) or (equippedweapon = "Iceblade")) or (equippedweapon = "Greataxe")) or (equippedweapon = "Chiblade")) and (style = "Akakiru"))
	[b][Akakiru Weapon Event: Difficulty Lowered][/b]
	*set combatdiff - 1
	*line_break
*gosub_scene quicks combatcheck
*if (passcheck)
	*if (((equippedweapon != "Handwraps") and (equippedweapon != "")) and (equippedweapon != "Yumi"))
		With
		*if (equippedweapon != "Muramasa")
			your
		${equippedweapon} swinging in wide arcs you deflect attacks from two spear-wielding pirates and land three kicks in quick succession into the side of another that's glowing green.
	*elseif (equippedweapon = "Yumi")
		Two pirates lunge at you with their longspears and you slide underneath their thrusts, drawing your Yumi and firing arrows into their torsos as you do. When you finish your slide you jump to your feet and narrowly dodge a glowing low-kick from another pirate. He tries for a jab after but you grab his wrist and twist it out of place then strike him in the neck from both sides.
	*else
		You strike the spear-wielders first, punching through the qiang of one pirate and crunching your fist into his solar plexus. The pirate beside him leaps back in alarm and throws his spear at you but you kick it out of the way and blast him in the face with ${auracolor} chi, then rush in for three quick jabs to alternating sides of his face.
		
	You grab the man's shirt before he can fall overboard and use his body to block a chi-enforced punch from an Oni pirate behind you. The red-skinned Oni's fist impacts the spine of the pirate you use as a shield and shatters his aura. Dropping him to the ground frees your hands up to catch a counter-kick from the Oni and you headbutt him in the bridge of this nose.
	
	Two pirates rush you with daggers drawn from each side but both freeze in primal fear when their eyes come within inches of your outstretched hands humming with ${auracolor} energy. They leap back only for you to slam both palms into the head of the Oni pirate in a contained explosion of chi that forces all the merchant crew to drop to the ground and cover their ears.
	
	With nothing between you anymore, you leap at one of the dagger-wielders and slap his thrust out of the way then land a blow with your full bodyweight, twisting your torso and putting your Aura Pressure into a jaw-shattering punch that knocks the man overboard.
	*set oneleft true
*else
	You engage the pirate crew with
	*if (((equippedweapon != "Handwraps") and (equippedweapon != "")) and (equippedweapon != "Yumi"))
		*if (equippedweapon != "Muramasa")
			your
		${equippedweapon} swinging in wide arcs to deflect several of their attacks
	*elseif (equippedweapon = "Yumi")
		several shots from your Yumi bow
	*else
		an energy blast to a Bovine Yokai, dropping him off the ship,
	before dodging a heavy blue energy blast and closing into melee range to deliver a series of punches into one knife wielder while weaving to dodge another.
	
	That's when two spearmen catch you with their weapons, one glancing your side and the other glancing your calf. You ignore the blows and keep fighting but feel sluggish as poison from their attacks seeps into your system.
	
	[b][1 Chi Point Lost][/b]
	*set chispent - 1
	
	You noticeably slow down and the others take advantage, with the knife wielders stabbing at you with their daggers. One from the front and one from the back.
	
	*gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 true false
	
	At the same time two other pirates laugh maniacally and set their jians aside, choosing instead to cover their palms in scorching white chi that they slam them your body, one at the hip and one at the head.
	
	*gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 false true
	
	*if ((pblocktech != "") and (eblocktech != ""))
		Miraculously you put up a good defense, and
	*else
		The pain adds up, but
	they've made a fatal error. They're all within striking distance. The spearman that glanced your side grabs you by the neck and hafts his spear back to plunge it into your chest.
	
	"Wrong move." You curse into his face, blood spitting from your mouth.
	
	*if (((chipool + (soul/2)) - chispent) >= 1)
			[b][1 Chi Point Lost][/b]
			*set chispent - 1
			*set powexp + 1
	
	*if ((element1 = "Ice") or (element2 = "Ice"))
		Your entire body drops to subzero temperatures and takes your surroundings with it. Freezing blue ice energy forms around you, flash-freezing into a glacial ring that catches the chest and heads of each enemy. With their lungs, eyes, and mouths frozen they're unable to breathe or even truly see, but they're Martial Artists. They're not out of the fight yet.
		
		That's why you
		*if ((pblocktech != "") or (eblocktech != ""))
			rip their weapons out and
		duck under the ice ring with your fists drawn back and start unceremoniously beating each and every one of them in the solar plexus, kidneys, groin, knees, and ankles. They struggle to get away but can't coordinate while frozen together. Over the next several seconds the merchant crew winces, looking on as you pommel the living daylight out of the pirate crew, an eerie silence falling over the fight while their mouths are too frozen to scream.
	*elseif ((element1 = "Storm") or (element2 = "Storm"))
		Your entire body erupts into a sphere of lightning that blasts each of them back two steps, except the knife wielders. The fools have metal handles and thin cloth over their weapons' grip. When your inner Storm Chi is released they're frozen in place, metal connecting you to them as a conduit while you electrocute them until their hair begins to smoke.
		
		The others start to recover just as the knife wielders fall to their knees. One of them, an Oni, pulls his qiang back and tries to rally the others. "We-"
		
		You blast him off the ship with a lightning bolt scorching into his neck. Chaos breaks out as the remaining pirates try to flee and meet the same fate as you blast each and every one of the cowards in the back.
	*else
		Your body invigorates with a surge of ${auracolor} chi and you grab the two knife wielders by the head, slamming them together until you see blood. Put off by the violent display, the two energy wielders pull back and the spearmen to take their place, swinging at you with their poisoned blades again.
		
		You catch both blades with your hands and release chi blasts to blow the tips off.
		
		Then you catch both spearmen's necks with your hands and repeat the attack.
		
		White energy soars passed your ear as you narrowly dodge a beam of chi by tilting your head to the side. With an explosive kick off the deck you rush in against the two who struck you with melee blasts. One swings at you face as you close in on the other; you duck the blow and grab his elbow and wrist, breaking both, then spin 360 degrees and swing him into his ally, shattering the man's nose with the hip of his friend.
		
		When you look down at the whimpering bodies 
	
	It's not pretty,
	*if (ruthless > 50)
		and it's what they deserve.
	*else
		but that's the reality of this world. You did what you had to do to survive.
	You breathe in slowly to calm your rapidly beating heart.
	*goto return2piratecrewfight

*label return2piratecrewfight
That's when three more pirates finish climbing up the side and charge you with white glowing sabers.

Soul Treasure weapons.
*choice
	#Cover your hands with chi to catch their weapons.
		All three swordsmen charge you with their white glowing weapons and swing at your legs and torso in a flurry of slashes. One low swing at your knees, one swinging for your head, and the other maneuvering around him to stab at your torso.
		
		You charge more and more ${auracolor} chi to your fingers and palms as their blades draw closer to your body then, in a flash, you act.
		
		Like a high speed game of pat-a-cake you catch each bladed swing and press it back as it comes, gripping the edge of each Martial Artist's sword with your fingertips and twisting the edge away from you enough to palm strike the flat of the blade.
		
		Yet defense can only get you so far, and they know it.
		
		*set combatstat "soul"
		*set combatskill "athletics"
		*set combatdiff 8
		*if (style = "Kiihakai")
			[b][Kiihakai Style Event: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
			*set combatdiff - 1
			*line_break
		*elseif (style = "Akakiru")
			[b][Akakiru Style Event: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
			*set combatdiff - 1
			*line_break
		*gosub_scene quicks combatcheck
		*if (passcheck)
			Which is why you go on the offense,
			*if (style = "Kiihakai")
				your eyes glowing golden with hotter and hotter intensity. You deflect slash after strike in a flurry of movement, three against one as the glow of your eyes grows brighter and larger. By the time they catch on it's already too late.
				
				Beams of energy unleash from your eyes into the torso of one of the swordsmen and takes him by complete surprise, bursting through his aura and skin. He's launched back in a concussive explosion, but you're not done. The other two try to guard themselves in surprise but you're no amateur, this energy attack isn't meant to just hurt: you're targeting their spiritual energy.
				
				And their aura is all over their body.
				
				Your vision shifts to the legs of the two remaining pirates and overpowers their Aura Pressure as well, obliterating their aura temporarily and giving you time to 
			*else
				pushing the chi around your hands onto the tops of your knuckles and punching their blades instead. The change in pace puts you in the backfoot and they seem to think they have the advantage until you leap back to dodge two slashes at once.
				
				Then you punch forward into the air, releasing the chi built up on your hand and releasing it as a beam of power that blasts into one of the pirates. Your attack hits him directly in the face and knocks him overboard.
				
				The man next to him makes the mistake of looking back in shock at his fallen ally, which gives you the chance to kick him in the head right into the last attacker. Their skulls collide hard enough to disperse their auras and you
			seize the swords out of their hands, flip them over to hold them by the blades, and strike both unpowered combatants in the temple with the pommel of their own swords. They drop to the ground with nothing more than a grunt.
		*else
			A few knicks followed by an off-balance step and it becomes clear you're on the backfoot. You narrowly dodge getting impaled through the heart and take a scratch to the back of the neck when one of the pirates nearly decapitates you while you duck a different attack. When you leap back and rise you see only two armed pirates and realize the third is behind you.
			
			The realization hits your mind at the same time his blade hits your back.
			
			*gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 false true
			
			*if (eblocktech != "")
				There's no time to put up a proper defense against the physical blade, but you don't need to. Your ${eblocktech} prevents the weapon's chi from penetrating your body and that leaves the steel of the blade against your empowered body, which proves enough resistance to leave only a shallow cut before you can turn with a backhand strike that breaks man's jaw.
				
			*else
				The glowing, vibrating blade pierces into you from behind and you let out a gasp. Your eyes turn bloodshot from so much unexpected pain, this was supposed to be an easy fight! The other two pirates close in on you, smelling blood, and you grit your teeth quickly while blood works its way up your throat.
				
				You spin a backhand blow behind you with all your might, breaking the jaw of your attacker.
			With him down you turn back to the other two and slam your hands together, collecting ${auracolor} chi all over your hands and forearms.
			
			They don't make it to you.
			
			In their haste they've positioned themselves too close together. You unleash your chi blast into the pair and see their auras shatter in the explosion. When the chi disruption clears the two drop to the ground without so much as a grunt.
		*goto endpirateminionfight
	#Dodge around all three attackers at once.
		*if (spiritbrandloc = "eyes")
			Your eyes glow ${spiritbrandcolor} and you
		*else
			Your body glows ${auracolor} and you
		hold one hand out, beckoning the three to approach if they dare.
			
		They take the offer.
		
		*set combatstat "agility"
		*set combatskill "perception"
		*set combatdiff 8
		*if (style = "Kurokonton")
			[b][Kurokonton Style Event: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
			*set combatdiff - 1
			*line_break
		*elseif (style = "Akakiru")
			[b][Akakiru Style Event: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
			*set combatdiff - 1
			*line_break
		*gosub_scene quicks combatcheck
		*if (passcheck)
			You weave under the first slash and leap over the second. The third swordsman's grin magnifies when he sees you stuck airborne in the way of his swing. His blade closes in on your arm until you twist in the air and catch it, using the force of his swing to send you flying.
			
			Yet you don't release his blade, instead ripping it out of his grip and throwing it at him as you fly backwards. You land feet-first against the wall of the ship's tower and kick off to follow the fast trajectory of your thrown sword's wake. Two of the pirates still armed manage to deflect the sword you launched but that leaves them off-guard for your own arrival when you reel your fist back and collide into the trio like a ${auracolor} battering ram, punch into the face of the pirate in front with enough force to knock the pirate behind him off the deck.
			
			The third chops downward at the same time that you press your attack, planning to bisect you, and is surprised when you follow through on your punch to grab his leg.
			
			He doesn't trip, and instead is surprised when you pull yourself forward using his calf as leverage. You spin in the air and twist upside down around the man, grabbing his neck with both your legs and backflipping to throw him head-first into the side of the ship.
			
			His head crunches into the wood and his aura disperses.
		*else
			You weave under the first slash and narrowly leap over the second, taking a small cut to your foot. You land wrong on it and barely parry a third lunge by parrying the flat of the blade. The third attack spins when you parry his attack and strikes at you with a backswing.
			
			Deflecting it doesn't save you, as the other attackers slice down your back while you're distracted in the heat of the battle.
			
			*if (((health + (fortitude / 2)) - wounds) < 2)
				*gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 false false
			*else
				*if (pblocktech != "")
					*gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 true false
					
					Your ${pblocktech} blocks the first slash but the second slips passed your defenses and cuts open your lower back.
					
					*gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 false false
				*else
					The blades cleave into your back simultaneously, shredding your muscle that's only kept active by the sheer force of your enhanced spirit.
					
					*gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 2 false false
			
			You let out a snarl and charge forward at the third swordsman like a cornered animal, shattering his jaw with a single punch and catching his ankles when his body tries to fly off. You dig your heels into the deck and spin immediately, whirling the third swordsman behind you and slamming his skull into the head of the second swordsman.
			
			Both your target and your weapon drop to the ground. The last remaining attacker pulls his blade back and goes to lick it, as if to make some monologue, and you kick the sword into his mouth so hard that blood spurts all over his head. He drops to the ground and wraps his face in his shirt to staunch the bleeding.
		*goto endpirateminionfight
	*if (style = "Akakiru")
		*selectable_if (((chipool + (soul/2)) - chispent) >= 1) #Overpower their blades with Bladed Chi. [Requires Akakiru, Costs 1 Chi]
			You scan their blades and find the Aura Pressure in their Soul Treasures to be pitifully weak compared to what you've been fighting. Scarlet energy rises off your body like dozens of glowing sickles and you shake your head at the trio.
			
			They hesitate for a moment but look to each other, finding safety in numbers, and turn back to press the attack.
			
			You raise one hand up against them, palm down. "You should have brought maces."
			
			With a twist of the wrist your raise your palm to the sky and raise lines of scarlet energy from a distance up their Soul Treasure swords from hilt to end. The spiritual power within their weapons' bindings dies out as your Bladed Chi overpowers whatever Soul Treasure they were forged with. All three struggle to keep a grip on their shaking weapons until you siphon your own Bladed Chi back off their blades, a heavy stream of scarlet glowing power forming between the three blades and your aura.
			
			Yet Akakiru possesses no such streams. Only blades.
			
			*set chispent + 1
			[b][1 Chi Spent][/b]
			
			You charge at the trio and spiritually grip the stream of power with your dominant hand, closing that into a fist to condense the stream into a thin bar of scarlet power. In an instant it solidifies and sharpens into a nodachi of hardened-chi thirteen feet in length.
			
			Their eyes flash with alarm and stark realization as you slice at their weapons, cutting through all three depowered blades at once and slashing against the Martial Artists holding them, all in a single wide swing. You land behind the trio and swipe your massive temporary weapon to the ground, blood splattering off its edge as the weapon dissipates back into the ether.
			
			Behind you, all three previously-armed Martial Artists fall to the ground.
			*goto endpirateminionfight
	*if ((element1 = "Light") or (element2 = "Light"))
		*selectable_if (((chipool + (soul/2)) - chispent) >= 1) #Create an illusion to distract them. [Requires Light, Costs 1 Chi]
			Your hands clap together and 
			*if ((spiritbrandloc = "eyes") and (spiritbrandcolor = "yellow"))
				the yellow glow of your eyes intensifies
			*else
				your body glows bright yellow
			as you create the image of your own body charging at the three.
			
			*set chispent + 1
			[b][1 Chi Spent][/b]
			
			*label illusionstabbed
			As expected, they attack your false clone and stumble when their weapons go right through ${himher}. They don't even see you behind your false image until it's too late: just as one stumbles forward his nose meets your knee, dropping him to the ground with two black eyes. The second catches himself by stabbing his weapon into the wood of the deck and tries to use its leverage to leap at you in a spin, but you're too fast. You catch his head before he can finish his leap and slam his temple back down onto the pommel of his blade, dropping him as well.
			
			The third is behind you with sword drawn. He swings.
			
			You don't see the look on his face when his blade goes through another false image; you've already looped behind him and gripped the man under both arms, lifting him over your head and leaning back quickly with a twist to slam his skull into the ship's deck.
			
			He stays down.
			*goto endpirateminionfight
	*if (race = "Kitsune")
		*selectable_if (((chipool + (soul/2)) - chispent) >= 2) #Create an illusion to distract them. [Requires Kitsune, Costs 2 Chi]
			Something inside of you has changed with the development of your second tail, you can feel it, and you push that developing power into the world.
			
			Your eyes and tails glow pink with the spiritual power of fox spirits and you step behind your own body, disappearing behind the illusion you manifest: a second "copy" of yourself. The copy taunts the armed pirates by mocking their mothers in an impressive rhyme scheme before charging at them.
			
			*set chispent + 2
			[b][2 Chi Spent][/b]
			*goto illusionstabbed
	*if (equippedweapon = "Meteor Hammer")
		#Catch one with your Meteor Hammer and slam him into the other two.
			The three of them raise their blades in an acceptable battle stance, while you do not. You raise an enormous chain with a heavy macehead at the end.
			
			One turns and tries to run, apparently the smarter of the three as the other two charge at you. All your Aura Pressure goes behind your throw as you swing the meteor hammer at the fleeing pirate, catching him quickly. As the chain is wrapping around him you pull it taught and rip the man off his feet. He screams as you yank him towards you like a fish caught on a line.
			
			The second swordsman doesn't see what hits him. To his vision you must have thrown a chain at him and missed, he never checks behind him or hesitates for a moment in his charge, and that's how you barrel him over by slamming the first swordsman into him from behind. He stumbles into the deck and slices his own shoulder open on his Soul Treasure blade, its Aura Pressure clearly higher than his own.
			
			The third sees this and skids to a halt, putting up a guard, and you sidestep the first swordsman as his trajectory flies him towards you. He continues flying across the deck and over the railing, but you hold the chain tightly and force him to loop around, pulling more of the chain back to give his swinging a shorter radius.
			
			More importantly, you change where he's going to crash.
			
			Though the third swordsman-pirate has his guard up, there's not much guarding he can do against a high speed two-hundred pound body slamming into him with your own strength added into the mix. You swing the first pirate into the third with enough force to knock the unfortunate soul off the ship and into the water. Your tied-up victim skids to a halt after plowing through his ally, unconscious.
			
			*set apval 4
			*gosub_scene quicks apboost
			
			You've had buyer's remorse with certain items in the past. This Meteor Hammer is not one of them.
			*goto endpirateminionfight
	*if (equippedweapon = "Yumi")
		#Shoot them with your Yumi before they close the distance.
			Soul Treasure weapons can give the power of Martial Artists to mortals, temporarily. For more practical use, they can give a weak Martial Artist the ability to punch above their weight if the Soul Treasure in their weapon has a higher Aura Pressure than they do.
			
			Fighting three of them at once would be a real problem...if you were in a swordfight. Luckily you didn't bring a sword to this fight.
			
			You brought a bow.
			
			The line of your Yumi pulls taught as you draw arrows back in quick succession, covering their wood in
			*if (style = "Aoyusumu")
				Sacred
			*elseif (style = "Akakiru")
				Bladed
			*elseif (style = "Kurokonton")
				Cursed
			*elseif (style = "Kiihakai")
				Mystic
			*elseif (style = "Midorikatai")
				Wild
			Chi before releasing them into each of the swordsmen. The arrows shatter under the pressure of spiritual energy in seconds, but you don't need them to last more than one.
			
			The first two targets drop instantly without even closing the distance, their torsos pierced with glowing holes, but the third dodges your first shot and throws his sword at you just as your second shot takes him down. You try to knock a third arrow to interrupt the glowing blade coming in fast mere feet away from your face...
			
			*set combatstat "agility"
			*set combatskill "perception"
			*set combatdiff 7
			*gosub_scene quicks combatcheck
			*if (passcheck)
				And shoot it out of the air with ease, knocking the sword skyward.
				
				*set apval 4
				*gosub_scene quicks apboost
				
				It flies off harmlessly into the night sky, unless one of your ships is off in the darkness. It's hard to see passed all these damned lanterns.
			*else
				and get impaled instead, its glowing blade piercing through your shoulder. The chi vibrations it gives off damage your body and soul.
				
				*gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 false false
				
				You rip the sword out of your body and snarl,
				*if (ruthless < 48)
					dropping it to the ground with a great deal of restraint keeping you from finishing off the one who threw it.
					*set solexp + 2
				*elseif (ruthless < 52)
					throwing it pommel-first at the unconscious defeated pirate who hit you with it. It probably breaks a bone, but the bastard will live. For now.
				*else
					throwing it blade-first through the chest of the pirate who hit you with it. Blood pools underneath him and you're positive that's one enemy you won't have to deal with again in the future.
			*goto endpirateminionfight
*label endpirateminionfight

The battle on the stern deck comes to a close with Captain Qing's crew groaning, bruised, and bloodied on the ground.
*if (oneleft)
	Their last hope, the dagger wielding pirate you nearly blasted in the face, drops his weapon and takes the wise decision to leap overboard.
Several merchant workers raise their heads from the prone positions they took during the fight and shudder out a long-held breath as they realize they may actually be safe after all.

You know differently, as you look over the edge of the ship's railing and glare down at the pirate captain.
*page_break
"Are we done?" You shout down to Captain Qing.

Captain Qing looks up at you with heavy glare, violet lightning crackling around his narrowed eyes. "You've beaten my pressganged secondary crew. Do you expect congratulations?"

"I expect you to leave." You reply.

"Hmph." He uncrosses his arms and pulls them to his side, fists closing and muscles tensing. He crouches low and veins begin to show all over his body as he screams out a battle-cry and pushes his pull power out of his spirit. Lightning crackling all over his body and his Aura Pressure starts climbing.

You sense out to gauge his spiritual power and feel an estimation of his strength rising. And rising. And rising. The scope of his power grows in seconds from a middling amount of Aura Pressure to a formidable level closer to Big Chu's.

*if (hairlength = "bald")
	The hair on your arms
*else
	Your hair
stands on edge and you hear shouts coming from the crew. One glance back shows several merchant crewmen huddled against the ship's tower grabbing their heads and howling in pain, the high Aura Pressure proving too much for weak fighters when unrestrained. That's unusual, even for weaklings. You've never experienced such pain despite developing your early aura within vague sensing distance of the Sect's sparring fields where even Mao would let loose some days...Shit!

It's a Technique!
*page_break
*if (sonarmode)
	[b][Thunderfaller vs Captain Qing][/b]
*else
	*image https://www.auraclash.com/assets/img/ap-thunderfaller-vs-qing.png

*gosub_scene quicks statcheck

Electricity charges through the air all around you.

*if (style = "Kiihakai")
	[b][Kiihakai Event][/b]

	Your hands blur into an array of combat seals and golden Mystic Chi radiates around your body like a spherical barrier of swirling sigils. Your own spirit forms into wards protecting against Captain Qing's invasive aura.
	
	Whatever he intended for you, it won't work.
*else
	*set combatstat "soul"
	*set combatskill "insight"
	*set combatdiff 8
	*if ((element1 = "Storm") or (element2 = "Storm"))
		[b][Storm Element Event: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
		*set combatdiff - 1
		*line_break
	*gosub_scene quicks combatcheck
	*if (passcheck)
		You cut off your spiritual senses before any intrusive amounts of aura can leak into your spirit and cause damage. Whatever he intended to do to you, it won't work.
	*else
		You try to cut off your spiritual senses before the assault comes but you're too late. The crackling Storm energy Qing pulls around himself radiates through the air in a hundred feet,
		*if ((element1 = "Storm") or (element2 = "Storm"))
			undetected until it's too late.
		*else
			invisible to your senses.
		His Storm chi permeates through your mind and blood drips from your nose.
		
		[b][Combat Difficulty Increased!][/b]
		*set qingdiff + 1

Qing stops screaming and pants heavily, his expanded aura solidifying into a more intense display of lightning around him. He relaxes his body, looking down at his hands. "Hah. Haha! It's been quite some time since Captain Qing's full might has been called upon! You pitiful Rasenites may not be used to these levels in Outer West, but Captain Qing is cut from a different cloth!"

*if (aurapressure < 1200)
	You want to correct him that Upper Disciples reach 1200 Aura Pressure all the time, but there's no point in semantics when he's stronger than you. You don't have the time anyway; he presses his attack almost instantly.
*else
	Before you can boast about your own strength in-kind he presses the attack.

"Run!!" Pleads Foreman Gong in his too-soft voice, blood running from his nose. Despite the mental strain he charges forward with the surge of an Agility Core and pulls several merchant workers away from the rear deck while Captain Qing leaps high into the air, far higher than necessary.

From a standing position the pirate captain leaps over one hundred feet overhead with such force that his ship cracks and begins to sink. It's clear he has no plans to leave without this ship as he fills his fist with glowing Storm energy that grows denser and denser, forming into a violet star that reflects in the sea around you.

You doubt this ship could even survive the power Qing is charging up.

*choice
	#Leap up to meet the attack head-on in the air.
		*label piratefight1
		You crouch low and concentrate ${auracolor} chi over your legs. Qing notices and his grin grows wide with frenzy, his body glowing brighter and brighter as Storm Chi surges over his skin in thicker waves, yet it's the free lightning condensing around his fist that gives you more concern. The spiritual energy he's concentrating to his right hand.
		
		One exhale is all it takes to call on your power.
		
		Wind flutters against your face and you kick off the deck in a burst of speed that brings you higher and higher into the air. You wrap 
		*if (((((((((((equippedweapon = "Tanto")) or (equippedweapon = "Katana")) or (equippedweapon = "Muramasa")) or (equippedweapon = "Qiang")) or (equippedweapon = "Kunai")) or (equippedweapon = "Jian")) or (equippedweapon = "Iceblade")) or (equippedweapon = "Greataxe")) or (equippedweapon = "Chiblade")) and (style = "Akakiru"))
			*if (equippedweapon != "Muramasa")
				your
			${equippedweapon} in Bladed Chi
		*else
			your own fist in ${auracolor}
		that trails behind you.
		
		"YES, COME!" Captain Qing calls from above like booming thunder. [b]"COME AND SHOW QING YOUR WORTH!!"[/b]
		
		Your attacks clash in the air as you push all your chi into an upward swing and he rams his fist down to meet you, an explosion of crackling violet on
		*if (((((((((((equippedweapon = "Tanto")) or (equippedweapon = "Katana")) or (equippedweapon = "Muramasa")) or (equippedweapon = "Qiang")) or (equippedweapon = "Kunai")) or (equippedweapon = "Jian")) or (equippedweapon = "Iceblade")) or (equippedweapon = "Greataxe")) or (equippedweapon = "Chiblade")) and (style = "Akakiru"))
			a flurry of scarlet slashes in all directions
		*else
			${auracolor}
		erupting in the sky.
		
		*set combatstat "power"
		*if ((equippedweapon != "Yumi") and (equippedweapon != ""))
			*set weapontest true
		*set combatdiff (8 + qingdiff)
		*if ((bodytype = "Muscular") or (bodytype = "Dommymommy"))
			[b][Bodytype Event: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
			*set combatdiff - 1
			*line_break
		*elseif (((element1 = "Storm") and (element1rank >= 2)) or ((element2 = "Storm") and (element2rank >= 2)))
			[b][Storm (Adept) Element Event: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
			*set combatdiff - 1
			*line_break
		*elseif (athletics >= 3)
			[b][Athletics 3 Check Passed: Difficuly Reduced][/b]
			*set combatdiff - 1
			*line_break
		*elseif (style = "Midorikatai")
			[b][Midorikatai Event: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
			*set combatdiff - 1
			*line_break
		*if ((element1 = "Wind") or (element2 = "Wind"))
			[b][Wind Element Event: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
			*set combatdiff - 1
			*line_break
		*gosub_scene quicks combatcheck
		*if (passcheck)
			*gosub qingfistclash
			is close to breaking, like a breath held too long, when Qing's attack falters first and you push everything into your shoulder to slam your attack through his guard. Your attack slips through, twisting his fist aside and crunching your full-power strike into his lower ribs.
			
			You turn your wrist at the point of impact to
			*if (((((((((((equippedweapon = "Tanto")) or (equippedweapon = "Katana")) or (equippedweapon = "Muramasa")) or (equippedweapon = "Qiang")) or (equippedweapon = "Kunai")) or (equippedweapon = "Jian")) or (equippedweapon = "Iceblade")) or (equippedweapon = "Greataxe")) or (equippedweapon = "Chiblade")) and (style = "Akakiru"))
				slash
			*else
				crush
			a bigger surface area and the explosion of chi fades just as Qing spits blood into your eyes.
			
			While you're temporarily blinded he performs some blur of his hands and pulls himself towards the ship, dragging you with him. The two of you struggle in a grapple until you slam into the wood of the ship after a hundred-foot fall and tumble away from each other.
			*page_break
			"Not bad,
			*label qingpressed
			*if (heshe = "she")
				harlot,"
			*else
				whoreson,"
			Qing says, rising to his feet and holding his bleeding gut. "Qing
			*goto qingtinue
		*else
			*gosub qingfistclash
			proves too much.
			
			The force of his storm punch cracks through your attack and collides into your chest with a thunderous crack.
			
			*if (pblocktech != "")
				*gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 false false
				
				Your ${pblocktech} does what it can to stop the physical damage but his attack proves too strong, burning into your chest with aggressive Storm chi.
			*elsif (eblocktech != "")
				*gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 false false
				
				Your ${eblocktech} does what it can to stop the spiritual damage but his attack proves too strong, slamming into your chest with a steel-hardened fist moving at lightning speeds.
			*else
				*gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 2 false false
				
				The attack breaks through your guard and slams into your chest with boneshattering vibrations.
			The sky and sea spin through your vision and you realize you're flipping backwards, over and over, until you hit the deck of the Thousand Lantern ship face-first.
			
			The sound of a heavy landing lets you know Qing has landed on the deck too, up ahead of you. 
			
			*page_break
			You rise off the flooring of the ship's deck and wipe blood from your mouth. Despite the pain being dangerously close to your heart, your ${auracolor} aura is still flowing. That's always a good sign.
			
			What's not a good sign is Captain Qing standing to the side of the ship's main tower, behind the mass of merchant crewmen cowering at the tower's base.
			
			"Still alive?!" Qing asks in excitement when he sees you rise. "An excellent entertainment! Qing
			*goto qingtinue
		*label qingtinue
		is impressed, you handle melee well." He looks up to you with a darker burning violet chi surging around his eyes. "How do you handle more advanced Techniques?"
		
		No...The aura around him isn't violet, you realize too late.
		
		It's purple!
		
		[b][i]"PUPPETMASTER!"[/b][/i] Captain Qing screams out, changing his aura from Storm's violet to Kurokonton's purple. His fists raise horizontally, palms up, and he opens all ten fingers outward with lines of purple Cursed Chi that clings to the heads of the merchant crew between you and the Captain. Each one affected gasps as their heads shoot back, their bodies stiffen, and their eyes exude purple light.
		
		"Is this your first time facing such an advanced show of power?" Asks one of the afflicted merchant crewman while rising to his feet, his eyes glowing purple with Qing's chi. More unnerving, he speaks in Qing's voice.
		
		Another speaks up next, a woman, in the same voice. "Their wills have been drained to nothing."
		
		A gothic man finishes her point. "Their minds reduced to a husk mindlessly following Qing's orders."
		
		Qing smiles behind them, raising his nose at you when he speaks. "Yet Puppetmaster can siphon any orders but my own from their wills as well. You thought this was that fat eunuch's crew? Pah! They are Captain Qing's crew!" He raises his hands to both sides overhead. "[i]Everyone[/i] is Captain Qing's crew!"
		
		"Not everyone." You reply, leaking ${auracolor} chi into the air above you as you approach. "You would have used that on me if you could,
		*if ((ruthless > 55) and (persuasion >= 3))
			Qing."
			
			[b][Ruthless Check Passed][/b]
			*line_break
			[b][Persuasion 3 Check Passed][/b]
			
			"It doesn't matter how many idiots you throw at me, [i]Captain[/i], because I'm not here to save anyone. Your crew, Gong's crew, why do I care who I use for practice? I'm going to kill you, Qing, and I'm going to enjoy it. When I'm done I'll take that ship you offered me. Then, unless the pay is good enough, I'll take this one too. None of you are committing piracy or trade, you're all just my playthings waiting for me to show up."
			
			When you take one heavy step forward Qing reflexively takes a step back.
			
			You smile.
			
			[b][Combat Reduced Difficulty!][/b]
			*set qingdiff - 1
		*elseif (ruthless <= 45)
			Qing. Let them go and you'll be spared, but if you drag them into this fight further and a single one of them gets hurt you're going to wish I killed you."
			*set solexp + 2
		*elseif (honor >= 55)
			Qing. Let them go and your death will be swift."
			*set forexp + 2
		*else
			Qing, so let's get this over with."
		
		He growls unamused and jerks the wires back and the merchant's rise to their feet. "Kill this arrogant fool!" Captain Qing commands, pulling back with a high jump to the top of the merchant junkship's tower. "I want ${hisher} gi sewn into my sail!"
		
		The merchant crew draws weapons, eyes glossed purple, and some even pick up the pirate crew's Soul Treasure blades off the floor.
		
		*if ((style = "Aoyusumu") and (stylerank >= 2))
			[b][Aoyusumu (Adept) Event][/b]
			
			The possessed merchants charge you with their drawn weapons raised to your throat. Your eyes and arm glow cerulean and you wave a single hand at the one in front, cleansing his 7th chakra of the mind used to connect mental power to the spirit. A secret utilized by those of the Aoyusumu. He gently falls to the ground. Everyone behind him falls as well.
			
			You really need to balance out your power later, there's been too much growth to get used to.
			
			"What trick is this?" Qing asks, looking down as his hands where the lines of Cursed Chi begin to crumble.
			
			"You have only yourself to blame." You reply, "I don't know what you were thinking using mental Techniques against an Aoyusumu artist."
			
			"So that's it. Bah." Qing spits dismissively. "What are you boasting for? Seeking an applause?"
			
			"Why not?" You ask. A heavy applause fills the air all around as if the ship were surrounded. Qing glances to his left, his right, and behind him to see the source of the sound. Small sparks of cerulean chi pop into existence all around him as you create countering kinetic movements to simulate an audience's standing ovation.
			
			"More tricks?" Qing asks. "You won't hurt Qing with such a display, nor can he be distracted so easily!"
			
			"If you say so." You reply, swinging a punch from where you're standing twenty feet away. One of the clapping explosions blurs into the cerulean shape of your arm and fist, slamming into Qing's jaw so hard that his head rams into the side of the ship's mast-tower. You grin and swing four more times. Four more claps turn into distant fists of chi striking at the man, but Captain Qing catches onto the trick and leaps high into the air.
			
		*elseif ((style = "Kurokonton") and (stylerank >= 2))
			[b][Kurokonton (Adept) Event][/b]
			
			Damn, you can do that with Cursed Chi? It almost excites you to know your Style possesses such a crazy ability, but what excites you more is that your eyes have improved enough to see its weakness with just one look. You're getting better at this.
			*if (perception < 2)
				
				[b][Perception +1][/b]
				*set perception + 1
			
			"That's an incredible Technique, Qing," You shout out while drawing two handfuls of throwing stars from a beltpouch strapped to your leg. "but you're not the only Curse user in this fight."
			
			Your hands burn purple as you charge each of your throwing stars in Cursed Chi and release them at the lines Qing holds connecting him to the crew.
			
			"Wrong choice!" Qing shouts as he yanks his hands back to move the controlling lines out of the way. The floor behind him glows purple with your chi, not his, and your throwing stars change course in mid-air, gaining speed while they're [i]pulled[/i] away from you towards the deck behind Qing. Each one slices one of Qing's lines of Cursed Chi and the merchant crew drops to the ground in exhaustion as his Technique loses control of them.
			
			Qing, meanwhile, is knocked to the ground as well when his body intercepts the path of your throwing stars. Seven stab into his front.
			
			"How?!" He shouts out, ripping throwing stars out of his legs and hip. "You would have had to-"
			
			"I did." You cut him off. Guiren was right, every ninja trick is exactly that: a trick, and tricks require prep time. That's why you planted lines of Cursed Chi all over the ship's deck with each step when you followed Foreman Gong across it earlier.
			
			"BAH!" Capain Qing shouts out, exploding with violet Storm power that jettisons the metal stars out of his flesh. You guard your face to deflect one throwing star while he leaps high into the air.
		*else
			You shake your head angrily, taking two steps towards the charging crowd of mind-controlled sailors. It's not a fight you're worried about; a few of them have pale gray-white auras and the rest don't even have that. Your problem isn't surviving their attacks, it's knocking them out unscathed without killing them. There's no point in siding with Foreman Gong if you end up killing his crew.
			
			*set combatstat "fortitude"
			*set combatskill "survival"
			*set combatdiff 9
			*if ((element1 = "Earth") or (element2 = "Earth"))
				*set combatdiff - 1
			*gosub_scene quicks combatcheck
			*if (passcheck)
				Luckily you're surrounded by rope. With a single chop and a pull you free one of the mast's many ropes and whip it out overboard to fling the lanterns off safely into the sea. In that time you're charged by four weapon-wielding merchant crewmen that all lunge over you as you sweep a low kick at their feet, knocking them all off balance as you lasso the four in a flourish. You pull the rope taught and tie it off before they even hit the ground.
				
				Two more throw spears at you that you catch and break in half. You close in fast against one with a glowing saber and kick it at the hilt to disarm the man then slide under a punch he throws, grabbing his shirt from behind and ripping it off of him as you slide passed. Quickly you tie the sailor's shirt around the butt of one broken spear and use the softened club to start smacking heads in relatively nonlethal safety.
				
				Armed with a blackjack, the fight ends much faster as you deflect weapons with close-ranged energy blasts and smack each merchant in the face.
				
				*label beatings
				Those still uncontrolled, the remaining sailors huddled at the base of the tower watching the fight, wince every time you slam the cloth-wrapped club into their fellow crew's heads.

				"Pathetic." Qing says from further back on deck. He leaps into the air as he looks down on the crew. "You failed to kill a single one!"
				
				"Pathetic." You shoot back in irritation, looking instead at Qing's pirate crew scattered on the ground. "You failed to train a single one."
				
				Qing's face turns red.
				*goto qingcont
			*else
				You deflect two glowing sabers without much effort and motion to grab a piece of rope used for the sail's rigging, expecting to easily tie up the unwilling minions, when some asshole throws a knife into your calf. You reach down to pull it out only to find a glowing saber meet your eyes as some unpowered sailor activates the damn thing's Aura Pressure an inch from your face. He completely bypasses your spiritual senses because he has no spiritual power until he's already swung at your head.
				
				*gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 true false
				
				*if (pblocktech != "")
					Luckily your ${pblocktech} intercepts the power of such a weak Soul Treasure. The blade bounces off your face with a heavy impact that leaves nothing but a shallow cut.
					
					It stings like a [i]bitch[/i] and leaves a line of blood down your face, but it's superficial. Much like the black eye and blood splatter when you headbutt the unwilling swordsman in the face and knock him across the deck headfirst.
				*else
					Blood fills your vision as the sword slashes across your nose, cheek, and forehead in a slash that, while not life-threatening, is far too deep to not leave a scar without medical attention. The pain hurts almost as much as the embarrassment that one of these weaklings scored a hit on you. 
					
				Qing laughs.
				
				Unwilling to let this charade go on any longer you take off your shirt and wrap it around a nearby torch to make a nonlethal club. Without ceremony or flare you start angrily beating every controlled crewman in the face until they stop moving.
				
				*goto beatings
		*label qingcont
		"ENOUGH OF THIS TIRESOME NONSENSE!" He screams in anger, landing on the mast-tower and drawing a glowing white saber from his sheath. "We've both shown tricks and wasted time, but none of it will win this fight! Come up here and face Qing man to ${manwoman} so that he may end this by carving off your face and wearing it like a crown!" As if to accentuate the threat Captain Qing sticks his tongue far out and draws his scimitar across his throat while maintaining eye contact.
		*choice
			#Blast him from down here.
				*set qingstatus "Enemy"
				*if ((style = "Kiihakai") and (stylerank >= 2))
					This fight has been bothering you since it started with problem after problem. First the near-shipwreck, then fighting the entire pirate crew by yourself, then Qing trying to sink the ship you're all standing on, and now the bastard is dodging around like distance is his advantage.
					
					*if (spiritbrandloc = "eyes")
						The golden glow of your eyes triples in intensity as you 
					*else
						Your eyes take on a golden glow and you
					pull both hands back, charging your palms with Mystic Chi and forming individual handseals on each hand.
					
					"What's the matter?" Qing calls down at your display, "Afraid to approach Qing head-on?"
					
					More power thrums around you as both hands move in quick succession. "I'm simply done playing your games, Qing. You should have challenged me to
					*if (honor >= 50)
						an honorable
					*else
						a
					duel when you had the chance. It's too late now."
					
					Qing tilts his head back and grins wide. "A duel? One on one from the start? How desperate!" Bolts of lightning stream up from his glowing body. "Qing has no reason to entertain your 'honor'. Qing does as he pleases! Now that he has the high ground, what pleases him is seeing you try to approach him. Do you dare?"
					
					You scoff at him, your aura growing silent so you can be heard thanks to the absolute control of Mystic Chi. "Distance isn't your advantage, Qing. It is always, and will always, be my advantage."
					
					[b][Kiihakai (Adept) Event!][/b]
					
					He laughs as his body crackles with violet bolts of Storm power. "Then die down there like a do-AGH!"
					
					He recoils in pain as the first bolt around him singes his left arm. Qing pulls back but his own aura betrays him again, catching his right shoulder with a shock of scorching power that strikes through skin and muscle. He tries to dismiss the lightning around him but can't, instead swinging his arms wildly as each bolt splits into three and surrounds him in a coiling arc, refusing to dissipate.
					
					He starts to panic when the storm turns to gold.
					
					Your Mystic Chi surrounds the electricity coursing through the air and guides it like cattle, using the intense speed of lightning to add power to your Mystic Chi's strikes against his body. Golden-covered lightning surrounds the man in a hundred stolen bolts. He begins to scream, but the thunderous sound of the stolen storm drowns out his cries while growing in power until he's enveloped in a pulsing sphere of hostile golden energy.
					
					The chi-cage stretches and crackles as Qing fights back from inside, but his flails weaken with each passing second as you calmly look on while sensing the entire exchange going on inside. When the energy cracks and explodes it's not because he wins the struggle, but because the lightning from his aura dissipates at the same time that his aura shatters from all the damage.
					
					*set apval 10
					*gosub_scene quicks apboost
					
					Qing falls unconscious and the blinding glow of your attack fades to show his burnt-black body falling off the tower, landing on the deck beside you with a heavy [b]thud[/b].
					*goto energywin
				*else
					"You know what, Qing?" You pull both arms back and cup your hands together, cycling all your condensed chi into a ball between both hands. "I don't even care if this isn't a trap.
					*if (ruthless < 48)
						You've wasted enough of my time."
					*else
						Just die already."
					
					His face contorts in insult as you press both hands forward and release your beam of power at his center-mass.
					
					*set combatstat "soul"
					*set combatstat2 "power"
					*set combatdiff 13 + qingdiff
					*if ((element1 = "Light") or (element2 = "Light"))
						[b][Light Element Event: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
						*set combatdiff - 1
						*line_break
					*elseif ((element1 = "Storm") or (element2 = "Storm"))
						[b][Storm Element Event: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
						*set combatdiff - 1
						*line_break
					*elseif ((element1 = "Fire") or (element2 = "Fire"))
						[b][Fire Element Event: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
						*set combatdiff - 1
						*line_break
					*gosub_scene quicks combatcheck
					*if (passcheck)
						*if ((element1 = "Light") or (element2 = "Light"))
							By infusing Light into your beam you increase its speed threefold.
						*else
							You press your beam forward with all the power you can muster and even kick off the railing behind you to close the distance more.
						A thick line of ${auracolor} chi surges from your hands and overtakes the orange glow of the lanterns all around the ship. Qing's body is caught in the eruption of your full-power blast before he can even raise his defenses.
						
						"GGGRRRAAHHHH!!" Captain Qing screams, clashing his aura against your own in a last-ditch defense as your beam overpowers him and tears through the vigor of his body and soul. 
						
						You keep pushing more and more energy into the beam until his aura shatters in a satisfying burst of violet and purple sparks raining out away from his body. He loses his footing and flies back into the mast of the ship back-first with a heavy impact.
						
						Cautiously you end your energy assault, not wanting to damage the ship, and without the constant pressure of your attack Qing's body falls to the ground.
						*label energywin
						*page_break
						*gosub qingexp
						
						Everyone is eerily silent for several seconds after your attack until the remaining uninjured merchant crewmen break out in cheer, herding around you and hoisting you into the air.
						
						"No, no, no!" Foreman Gong commands in his oddly high pitched voice. "Put ${himher} down!"
						
						They crew obeys and makes way for their Foreman. Gong's pudgy form comes through the crowd and bows deeply at the waist.
						*goto thousandlanternthanks
					*else
						You condense the energy in your hands and launch it forward in the form of a beam, a pole-thick line of power that crashes into Qing. He blocks it with one arm and winces in pain as the force of your attack burns through his aura.
						
						Then you lose your footing.
						
						It's not until you've rapidly floated halfway up to the top of the tower that you realize you're being pulled by Qing's Cursed Chi, and worse, you're being pulled into his blade.
						
						By spinning in place, you're able to block the attack, but blocking the tip of a Soul Treasure sword with your arm is no different from being stabbed. The blade pierces through your arm and into your side.
						
						*goto gettingSTABBEDbaby
			#Charge him with a flurry of blows.
				*set qingstatus "Enemy"
				For once you agree. Too much of this fight has been displays of energy and Technique. It's time to show Qing that you're not a fighter, you're a Martial Artist.
				
				It's time to show him your fists.
				*if (ruthless > 50)
					
					"You're such a nasty coward, Qing, challenging me to a brawl while you have three stories of high ground." You mock to the pirate, squatting low and charging energy to your legs. "But do you really think you're outside my reach?"
					
					Before he can answer
				*else
					But first...
					
					"Tell me Qing!" You shout up to the man. "Have you ever killed an innocent?"
					
					Qing shakes his head as if speaking to a moron. "Of course! Fear is a warlord's most reliable tool!"
					
					You nod in reassurance. "Good. That makes this easier." Suddenly
				a circle of ${auracolor} energy blasts out from around you that shoots you up to the top of the tower.
				
				*set combatstat "agility"
				*set combatstat2 "soul"
				*set combatdiff 13 + qingdiff
				*if (athletics >= 3)
					[b][Athletics 3 Check Passed: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
					*set combatdiff - 1
					*line_break
				*if (style = "Midorikatai")
					[b][Midorikatai Event: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
					*set combatdiff - 1
					*line_break
				*gosub_scene quicks combatcheck
				*if (passcheck)
					One moment you're three stories below Qing, the very next your knee is two inches from his surprised face. His blade comes within inches of your gut and you can feel the Cursed Chi drawing you into his attack. By the time you realize you've fallen into his trap it's already too late...for him, because you've moved too fast and slid right passed his blade before he can activate whatever gravitational sword technique he had planned.
					
					Your knee crunches into his nose in a geyser of blood and his body launches backward into the mast of the ship head-first.
					
					The back of the pirate captain's skull penetrates a foot into the wood. Violet and purple chi scatters all around him as his aura shatters and he falls unconscious, hanging limply from the ship's mast like an oversized ornament.
					*page_break
					*gosub qingexp
					
					With Qing defeated, the remaining uninjured merchant crew below cheer at surviving another day. You grab the pirate captain by the shin and pull him out of the mast as if you were picking two-hundred pound vegetables from a garden, then you descend to the deck.
					
					Foreman Gong is the first to greet you in a deep bow.
					*label thousandlanternthanks
					"This one humbly thanks you, Honored Guest. On behalf of the Thousand Lantern Sect we are in your debt." He rises, snaps his fingers twice for the crew to take Qing's unconscious form away, and seems to lose the formalities.
					*goto beatqing
				*else
					As you close the gap you realize something's off. You're moving fast, faster than even you expected, but you're off target by a foot. That's when chi surges to your vision and you see wisps of purple energy connecting your torso to Qing's blade.
					
					A curse!
					
					You're being pulled in!
					
					Before you can maneuver out of the way your trajectory accelerates as you're pulled into his sword by some gravitational force at the same time that Qing thrusts his saber forward. Blood explodes out your back when Captain Qing runs his saber through your forearm and torso.
					
					*label gettingSTABBEDbaby
					*if (eblocktech != "")
						[b][${eblocktech} Activated, Damage Reduced][/b]
						*line_break
						*gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 false false
					*else
						*gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 2 false false
					
					You grimace from the pain and expect boasting from Qing but he's grimacing himself. Both of you look down at a scarlet glowing light illuminating you from below. Qing's feet, firmly planted on the top of the merchant ship's tower around its mast, are pierced through by two large needles glowing in Bladed Chi. Each is angled awkwardly to stop Qing from pulling his feet out, and you both look up to the sails to see
					*if (gonghurt)
						a heavily injured
					*else
						a fearfully shaking
					Foreman Gong looking as surprised as you are that his sneak attack worked.
					
					Before Qing recovers from the shock you grip his hand holding the blade and pull yourself further into his sword. He looks bewildered at your attempted suicide and you get a good look at that expression when you use the close quarters to headbutt his face with all your power, slamming the man's nose into his skull.
					
					As he falters you crash your fist into his retreating face one more time with a bonecrunching impact. Despite all his success in your fight so far, your blows catch him completely off guard and knock his jaw sideways hard enough to rattle his brain.
					
					As a wise combat sage once said, everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.
					
					Purple and violet chi scatters around his body from his aura shattering and he collapses at an odd angle, his back flat on the floor and his shins held up by supposedly Foreman Gong's blades. You can finally breathe easy.
					
					At least, as easy as possible with a glowing sword impaled through your gut.
					
					[b][Item Gained: Basic Soul Treasure Sword][/b]
					*set weaponcrate + 1
					*page_break
					*gosub qingexp
					
					The merchant crew cheers at the sight of your victory until you turn around and they see the blade cleanly stabbed through you.
					
					After that, their cheers turn into horrified screams.
					
					"It's okay!" You lie to the crowd below. "I'm okay!"
					
					Both you and Foreman Gong descend to the deck and he inspects your wound. "We'll have to have that bandaged." He says as the most obvious statement you've heard all day. The next few minutes go by as two merchant crewmen wrench the blade from your gut and another rubs you with ungents while a fourth covers your torso in bandages.
					
					[b][1 Health Restored][/b]
					*set wounds - 1
					
					All the while Foreman Gong takes stock of the ship and his other crewmen take Qing's unconscious form away.
					
					Finally when all is done he approaches you again with a deep bow. "It seems everything is in order." He wipes nervous sweat off his
					*if (gonghurt)
						brow and winces.
					*else
						brow.
					*goto beatqing
			*if ((flashstep) and (((chipool + (soul / 2)) - chispent) >= 1))
				#Flash Step behind him. [Costs 1 Chi]
					*set honor - 1
					"I should warn you Qing, whatever trick you're planning up there isn't as bad as the tricks I'm planning down here."
					
					Qing waggles his saber with a look of mock insult. "Planning? As in a deception?! Qing would never!" Purple wisps of energy float off his feet as if to taunt you. "Your lies and debasement reflect only your own bad character."
					
					"It's true." You agree. [i][b]"Flash Step."[/b][/i]
					
					[b][1 Chi Point Spent][/b]
					*set chispent + 1
					
					One moment Captain Qing is staring down at you preparing who knows what kind of trick with his easily-concealed Cursed Chi, secure in his high ground three stories above you. The next he's staring at an empty deck and feeling a cold sensation run down his spine.
					
					Your shadow looms behind him before he even turns around.
					
					"Nothing personal." You say as
					*if (equippedweapon = "Handwraps")
						your handwrapped arm
						*set powexp + 1
						*set agiexp + 1
					*elseif (equippedweapon = "Bo Staff")
						your bo staff
						*set powexp + 1
						*set solexp + 1
					*elseif (equippedweapon = "Greataxe")
						the butt of your greataxe
						*set powexp + 1
						*set forexp + 1
					*else
						your reinforced arm
					swings down on his neck, crunching his vertebrae and knocking him unconscious until his aura recovers enough to heal.
					*set qingstatus "Enemy"
					*page_break
					*gosub qingexp
					
					Cheers erupt from the merchant crew below as Qing's body falls to the deck.
					
					You jump down among them and are greeted by Foreman Gong dropping into a deep bow.
					*goto thousandlanternthanks
			*if ((element1 = "Wind") or (element2 = "Wind"))
				*selectable_if (((chipool + (soul / 2)) - chispent) >= 1) #Swipe a gust of wind into the scimitar he's dragging across his neck. [Costs 1 Chi]
					Emerald chi surges through your cores and cycles out into your arm in a single breath when you swing an open hand at Qing from down on the deck. As soon as the emerald power leaves your body it manifests as a controlled and condensed gust of wind, small but focused. It blasts thirty feet forward into Qing with the strength of a hurricane only the size of a small unfurled scroll, and yet all that condensed power slams into the back of his blade with a stubborn force.
					
					[b][1 Chi Point Spent][/b]
					*set chispent + 1
					
					It pushes his glowing sword two feet forward, right into his neck and out the other side.
					
					His head falls off the tower before he does. It hits the deck right beside you with a heavy [b]thud[/b].
					*set qingstatus "Ghost"
					
					*if (ruthless < 55)
						Oh shit. That worked a little too well.
					You turn over to look at the rest of the merchant crew,
					*if (ruthless >= 55)
						smiling with a cheer and an arm raised in victory while Qing's blood rains down on you and ruins your clothes. They immediately kowtow in a mixture of gratitude and fear.
						*set powexp + 3
					*else
						cringing with a hesitant thumbs-up while Qing's blood rains down on you and utterly ruins your clothes.
						
						They immediately kowtow in a mixture of gratitude and fear. You deeply, [i]deeply[/i] wish to get accustomed to your new levels of strength later. This lack of restraint is getting out of control.
						*set solexp + 1
						*set agiexp + 1
						*set forexp + 1
					*page_break
					*gosub qingexp
					
					Foreman Gong runs up to you from the crowd of merchant
					*if (gonghurt)
						crewmen, his face a bloodied mess, but he bows in thanks all the same when he reaches you.
					*else
						crewmen and drops to a heavy bow as he reaches you.
					"This one thanks the Honored Guest for such a noble and heroic victory." He says, grabbing Qing's head in both hands and passing it to one of his underlings. He then seems to relax out of the formalities.
					*goto beatqing
	#Call on Foreman Gong for help.
		"Gong, that attack is going to destroy the ship!" You shout out over the sound of Qing's laughter in the sky above you. His aura flashes like a lightning storm and illuminates the whole ship with violet power. "Intercept it or I can't stop him!"
		
		"WHAT?!" Gong gasps for air after shouting, his head still affected by Qing's Technique. He stands in the middle of his crewmen all huddled around the tower at the center of the ship, looking up at Qing's massive chi output. "I-I'll die!"
		
		At that moment Storm Chi explodes behind Qing and you realize you don't even have time for him to fall. He launches himself at the ship in a flash of lighting.
		
		You place both arms up in a spiritually enhanced ${auracolor} guard. "GONG! NOW!"
		
		"Ohhh no no no no!" Foreman Gong mutters as he surges an Agility Core and stabs two scarlet-glowing needles into his own deck, using the leverage to launch himself forward in front of you just as Qing rides the lightning down onto your ship. His attack strikes Foreman Gong square in the chest and the eunuch does nothing to stop the attack, instead swinging another oversized needle under Qing's attack and into his gut, wounding and poisoning the man.
		*set qingdiff - 1
		*set gonghurt true
		
		Teeth fly out of Gong's face as his scarlet aura shatters, his Aura Pressure not up to the job, and his body flies backwards into the ship's tower where he collides into the wall.
		
		As Gong flies back you duck under his form, rising in an uppercut towards Qing. Specks of blood fly between Qing's grinning teeth in his victorious grin until he sees your gambit play out. You adapt to Gong's partial success and aim your strike at the handle of Gong's needle embedded in Qing's abs, seeking to punch the weapon further into the man's torso.
		
		*set combatstat "agility"
		*set combatskill "stealth"
		*set combatdiff (7 + qingdiff)
		*gosub_scene quicks combatcheck
		*if (passcheck)
			You skid one foot forward for leverage and twist your wrist counterclockwise, turning your uppercut into a haymaker that connects perfectly with Gong's oversized needle in Qing's gut. $!{auracolor} energy explodes out the back of your shoulder as you launch your physical and spiritual might behind the attack, punching the needle's handle so hard that it shoots through Qing's body and launches out the other end like an arrow, piercing through his ship's sail.
			
			Captain Qing's mouth opens in a silent gasp and his reflexes barely save him in time as he rolls to the side, letting your punch spin him to the side behind you rather than crunch through his organs. He slides across the deck all the way passed the merchant crew, stopping at the side of the ship's central tower.
			
			"That was lowly,
			*goto qingpressed
		*else
			Your attack lands a hit.
			
			On his left forearm.
			
			He blocks your strike with his arm and slams his main attack into your shoulder with a sickening crunch that breaks something deep inside. Something important.
			*if (race = "Lunargoth")
				Your Indomitable Will manifests a layer of energy over you just in time to dull the chi of his attack but even that can't stop the reinforcement and momentum of his fist.
				
				*gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 false false
			*else
				
				*gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 2 false false
			
			You're sent tumbling back across the deck, right through the crowd of fearful merchant crewmen where you slam into the tower around the ship's mast. Qing lands on the deck and rips Gong's needle from his gut, throws it overboard, and sneers at you. "Not b-"
			
			Just as you kick off the tower to charge him in a surprise attack he disappears from sight. Your fist hits nothing and you turn around to see Qing standing halfway across the ship, to the side of the tower. The merchant crew is cowering halfway between you and the pirate captain and he knows his advantage.
			
			"Surviving Qing's Technique well enough to attempt a surprise attack, Qing
			*goto qingtinue
	*if ((element1 = "Earth") or (element2 = "Earth"))
		*selectable_if (((chipool + (soul / 2)) - chispent) >= 1) #Shoot him with blocks of granite before he lands. [Requires Earth, Costs 1 Chi]
			As Captain Qing leaps high into the night sky and his fist glows brighter and brighter violet you react in-kind, taking a wide stance and pulling on your affinity for Earth Chi.
			
			[b][1 Chi Point Spent][/b]
			*set chispent + 1
			
			Your fists glow brighter and brighter amber until you punch forward, launching the essence of spiritual Earth through the air and into Captain Qing's right leg before he finishes his ascent. Your dense energy slams into his shin and forms into temporarily real rock, weighing him down. You repeat the attack four times as his trajectory slows and slumps, covering the man with more stone bindings in each attack. Finally it proves too much and his leap fails to reach your ship with his newfound weight.
			
			Covered in a cage of stone, Captain Qing plummets into the water.
			
			You look over the ship's rear railing to scan for Qing's return and see one pirate still climbing up the side with a saber in his mouth. Your eyes meet.
			
			"Drop it." You command, ${auracolor} swirling in your palm as you aim it at him.
			
			The pirate slowly spits the saber out into the sea. Both of you look back to where Qing submerged. After a few seconds the pirate raises a glowing white hand out to illuminate the sea's waves better, checking back to see if he's earned your mercy.
			*if (honor > 55)
				
				You're not sure what level of loyalty you expected a pirate to have for his Captain but you're still disappointed that he didn't reach it.
				*set forexp + 1
			*elseif (ruthless > 55)
				
				You decide not to tell him that he hasn't.
			*else
				
				Finally, someone that understands how things work around here.
			
			"What's going on?" Asks one merchant as the crew hesitantly returns to the ship's rear and peer over as a group.
			
			"The Honored Guest knocked the storm pirate into the sea, I saw it myself!" Shouts another of the workers.
			
			"You should all get back." You say, distracted as you look over the water's surface. "This fight's not over yet."
			
			"Not to doubt the Honored Guest," adds one of the workers in a dirty tunic, "But can your opponent swim?"
			
			You look down to the pirate frozen on the side of the ship for answers. His fearful eyes stay locked with yours as he solemnly shakes his head.
			
			Seconds later a few bubbles rise to the surface along with the man's hat; the rest of him is nowhere to be seen.
			
			*label qingdrowner
			*set qingstatus "Ghost"
			*set fighting false
			It seems you have drowned Captain Qing.
			
			[b][Item Gained: Cathayan Pirate's Hat][/b]
			*set cpiratehat + 1
			*line_break
			[b][Prestige Increased!][/b]
			*line_break
			*set prestige + 1
			*gosub_scene quicks fightexp
			
			The sounds of the merchant crew cheering barely registers in your ears when the remaining conscious pirates on the ground raise their hands in surrender. You don't join in on the cheering; you're still caught off-guard staring down at the water in disbelief while rubbing your temples with both hands.
			*page_break What the Hells just happened?
			"We did it!" Cheers one of the merchant-crew, an elderly monkey yokai. "We beat the pirates!"
			
			You don't correct him that
			*if (val = 888)
				you and your siege weapons did all the work.
			*else
				[i]you[/i] did all the work.
			*set val 0
			Instead you sit over a railing and stare out at the sea while shaking your head.
			
			Foreman Gong approaches you from behind and claps a hand on your back. "We deeply appreciate the Honored Guest's work in saving our crew and cargo. You are a credit to the integrity of Imperial Rasen." He says reassuringly.
			
			"I just..." You stare out at the darkness of the night sea. "I didn't think he'd die so easily. What kind of pirate can't swim?"
			
			"A surprising number of them." The eunuch replies as he steps forward and looks down into the water. "Most people born in coastal areas have ample job opportunities and turn to commerce, such as myself. It's often the inlanders that find such an appeal to naval theft."
			
			"I grew up in the [i]mountains[/i] for two decades and even I know how to swim!"
			
			Foreman Gong shrugs. "Then perhaps he should have purchased swimming lessons from you. Do not shed a tear for the likes of him."
			
			*if (ruthless < 45)
				You really shouldn't, but killing someone on accident feels like it leaves a scar on your soul.
				
				[b][Compassion Check Passed][/b]
				*line_break
				[b][Humanity Intact: Aura Pressure +5][/b]
				*set aurapressure + 5
				
				Gong notes your silence and tries his best to be comforting. He's not good at it. "Er...if
			*else
				"I'm not shedding a tear for the bastard, I'm shedding a tear for [i]my fight![/i]" You shout. "That son of a bitch robbed me of my pirate fight on the high seas!"
				
				"Ah." Gong replies. "Well, if
			it's any consolation, the men in my employ appreciate the fight you handled with the lesser criminals. You very likely saved their lives." He looks back to the groaning pirates on deck as his men tie them up.
			*goto beatqing
	*selectable_if (flagshiptype = "combat") #"Fire the ballistas!"
		All around you the merchant workers panic and try to flee to the front of the ship as Qing's energy surges in the sky. You and Gong remain in defense, both knowing that attack cannot go uncontested.
		
		Yet unlike Gong, you brought a solution to this problem.
		
		"FIRE THE BALLISTAS!" You call out to your ships.
		*set val 888
		
		Captain Qing pulses with energy bolts all around his body like a violet bonfire. You put up your defense and prepare to hold him still for your siege engine to strike him directly. It's not a good strategy, but he's already sunk his own ship so it's not as if you have any other target to shoot. If you can just keep him in one place, your crew should be able to get a clear shot.
		
		Or so you planned.
		
		As if it were already prepared, a bolt the size of a small tree and thicker than your head launches through the lanterns of the junk ship in the blink of an eye and crashes into Qing mid-air without you needing to hold him still at all.
		
		You don't know who on your crew has the accuracy to hit a moving target with a ballista, that is until the bolt crashes into his aura and its tip ripples with the scarlet of Leona's Bladed Chi. The massive bolt explodes against Captain Qing and cracks into splinters, yet the impact is not lost. Qing's guard does nothing to stop the force of the blow and he's launched sixty feet off-course where he plunges into the ocean and bounces off the surface four times before sinking under.
		
		Not wanting to lose the advantage, you leap onto the ship's railing and prepare to blast him the second he rises. A Martial Artist of his caliber won't die to a single hit so easily.
		
		...
		
		...
		
		...
		
		Twenty seconds later and still no sign of Qing's counterattack.
		
		You send out spiritual scans and find his aura, but it doesn't feel like he's charging up any power for a counterattack. If anything, it's weakening.
		
		"Why isn't he coming back up?" You call out to some of the groaning pirates on the floor. They whimper in response. The merchant crew hesitantly returns to the rear of the ship and glance over in astonishment, surveying the water where Qing submerged.
		
		"What is he doing?" One asks.
		
		"Suffering the pain of our Honored Guest's power, no doubt!" Shouts
		*if (ruthless > 55)
			one of the smarter members of the crew.
		*else
			a suck up.
		
		Ten more seconds pass and bubbles come back up to the surface.
		
		Foreman Gong closes his eyes and sends out a quick spiritual scan of his own. "I cannot be certain, Honored Guest, but...it appears the pirate captain cannot swim." He looks back to the water, scans again, and breathes in through his teeth when only the pirate captain's hat resurfaces; the rest of him is nowhere to be found. Gong looks to you and shakes his head. "Let me correct, Honored Guest, that he [i]could not[/i] swim."
		
		You gawk in disbelief at the sea and send more spiritual scans out, feeling no aura beneath the waves.
		
		*goto qingdrowner
*label beatqing
*if (gonghurt)
	"I wish the fight didn't require the sacrifice of my health, but..." He rubs a hand over his deformed eye which seems to have popped. "Such is the way."
	
	*if (honor > 50)
		"That's the reality of battle." You reply on the defense. "It was needed,
	*else
		"Yeah that...looks like it hurts." You reply sheepishly. "But we had to do it,
	there's only so much I can do alone."
	
	He shakes his head. "No explanations needed.
	*if ((style = "Kurokonton") or (style = "Aoyusumu"))
		Everyone
	*else
		Most everyone
	is still alive thanks to you, and our cargo did not awaken. That's what matters."
*else
	"I must confess, I did not expect you to take on the entire crew single-handedly. More importantly, you managed not to awaken our cargo. For that you have my greatest thanks."

"You're welcome, though of course I'll expect payment-" You pause and raise a single eyebrow. "Come again?"

*label cargotalk
*set sect_thousandlantern + 15
"Our cargo." Foreman Gong repeats, waving a hand to the tower. "I did not have time to mention earlier, but stopping our cargo from waking is the very reason our crew has such a low Aura Pressure. This fiasco risked ruining our entire journey by waking our cargo, but it was, of course, a necessity. My report will show no blame falls to you."

You analyze the three-story tower built around the lantership's mast and realize you might have just helped a Sect of slavers.
*choice
	#"Gong, what's in the tower?"
		You close your eyes for a moment and inhale through your nose,
		*if (ruthless < 50)
			concerned that you might have to un-save this entire crew.
		*else
			preparing to be disappointed.
		"Gong, what's in the tower?"
		
		The pudgy eunuch bows. "I apologize that I have sworn to secrecy and, thusly, cannot give away such information. However, the stress of the night has left me with terrible shakes. Please allow me a moment to write down my inventory. For my peace of mind, you understand."
		
		Gong maintains eye contact the entire time as he withdraws a scroll and somehow already-inked quill and begins writing. After he's done his hand trembles and he drops the scroll. "Curses." Gong says in monotone. "I am so clumsy, could you please hand that to me?"
		
		You stare down at the scroll and back up to Gong. "You couldn't just tell me?"
		
		Foreman Gong holds his hand out. "I have sworn to secrecy, Young
		*if (heshe = "he")
			Master,
		*else
			Mistress,
		I take my position and responsibilities very seriously. Now kindly [i]do not[/i] read that inventory scroll while handing it back to me."
		
		You lean over and pick up the scroll, glancing at its contents. Your hand begins to tremble as you look from the tower to your side and back down to the one word written on the page:
		
		[b]"WYRM."[/b]
		*page_break
		"YOU HAVE A-" You catch yourself screaming and forcibly lower the volume of your voice, being a mere four feet from what Gong is claiming to be an earth-style tunneling Dragon stored in the large tower of the ship. "You have a [i]Wyrm[/i] on board?! Why? How?!"
		
		"It is for the Trials, a special order from the Bladed Lands." Foreman Gong replies, beckoning you with a pudgy hand to follow him to the other side of the tower. "The Beast was found comatose in a cinnabar deposit underneath an Outer settlement near the frozen north. After careful study, we learned it is allergic to the mineral. A birth defect, not the norm. My masters used that allergy to keep it in a dormant sleep-like state, but still feared high Aura Pressures would wake the monster." He reaches a ladder and begins to climb. "We had thought the trade routes to Nanhou would be safer than ever, but that mistake nearly cost us all our lives."
		
		You follow Gong up the ladder and see the top of the tower more clearly now, noticing a crease at its middle. Gong grips a handle and lifts as if the tower were a barrel with a split top.
		
		With half the roof removed you're peering down into the tower, easily illuminated by the lanterns around you, and gaze upon the endless rows of teeth from the gaping maw of the legless, scale-plated Wyrm coiled around the ship's mast.
		
		The Beast must be at least a hundred a fifty feet long with a circular mouth wider than your height, filled with row after row of teeth leading down its throat as far as you can see. Of all the types of dragons in the world, this one is the most alien and unsettling. It looks more like an armored leech than a mythical serpent.
		*if (jadedragonfoundation)
			Something deep within you, a part of your Jade Dragon Foundation, feels an animosity towards the Beast as if it were some mutant, an afront to the true form of a Dragon.
			
			Even still, with all your power, you take an involuntary step back
		*else
			Whatevers its Aura Pressure, it's not something you are supposed to have to deal with. Beasts like this are reserved for entire Sects with detailed battle plans.
			
			Primal fear runs down your spine
		when the creature breathes in.
		
		"Can it see us?" You whisper to Gong.
		
		"They have no eyes." He replies with a shake of his head. "It detects tremors and aura, though our cinnabar doses have it trapped in a dormant slumber." He withdraws a handful of red dust and tosses it into the abyssal maw of the Wyrm. "Or perhaps it is merely seasick and will awaken when it senses the ground while we dock. At such a point, we all die."
		
		A part of you wants to blast all your combat chi down this monster's throat while you have the chance. Another part wants to run.
		
		Foreman Gong closes the top of the roof and turns to you. "I told you our cargo was not sufficient to pay you for your services, now you know why." He places two pieces of paper into your hand. One a seal tag, the other a rolled scroll. "What I can give you are these."
		
		[b][Item Gained: Writ of Favor (Thousand Lanter Sect)][/b]
		*set boon_thousandlantern 1
		
		You open the scroll and browse through its contents. "What is this?"
		
		"Have you never received one?" The pudgy eunuch looks surprised. "They are rare, of course, but seeing as you're the type to fight pirates for others on a whim..."
		
		"I don't get out of my village much."

		"Apologies." Gong says with a short bow. He takes his quill and points to a few lines on the parchment. "A Writ of Favor is a promise for labor, resources, or support on behalf of a faction. My Thousand Lantern Sect, in this case, and thus also the Magistrate of Second Junsen."
		
		"Second Junsen?"
		
		Gong waves his hand trivially. "A minor coastal city on the northern border of Outer West, its Magistrate also owns our Trade Sect. What matters is, our Sect now owes you a boon of value equal to the saving of our ship and crew."
		
		"So you guys will, what, pay me back later? Couldn't we do this without the paperwork?"
		
		"This Writ is a serious matter, Young
		*if (heshe = "he")
			Master,
		*else
			Mistress,
		it is a formal debt owed by my entire Sect. We have other agents in Nanhou for the Trials. Two ships worth, including a few Warrior Caste competing in the Trials. Of course, Imperial decree overrides any command we may give to our Trial goers, but we would promote them handsomely for wiping this debt away for us. It would be worth a try to ask for their aid in the competition, but if not, our merchants can be of great help to you instead."
		
		The more he explains it the more you realize you need more Writs like this. How many other contestants have entire Sects owing them favors at the Trials? How many political plays will people make to pull ahead of you?
		
		A new type of resource enters your life, making you keenly aware of how far behind you used to be. Used to be, but not anymore. You close your hand around the Writ and feel everything in your life coming together.
		
		"And the seal tag?" You ask, looking at the piece of paper in your other hand.
		
		Gong gives you a genuine smile, which looks fitting on the baby-faced eunuch. "Fuuinjutsu. That seal contains a crate of cinnabar to deal with the Wyrm, simply break the paper when the time comes and it will aid you well in the Rat Trial."
		
		[b][Item Gained: Cinnabar][/b]
		*set wyrmtrophy 3
		
		The paper tag in your hand nearly flies off with the wind and you quickly shove it into a pocket. An ace up your sleeve against such a monstrous challenge...excitement flows through your blood. "Gong, I have to say, when your ship woke me up I didn't expect anything like this."
		
		"Likewise, Young
		*if (heshe = "he")
			Master,
		*else
			Mistress,
		when I asked a single Martial Artist to save my crew and shipment from piracy I did not expect such astonishing results. While I must now ask you to leave, first I would like to say..." He gives a deep bow and, surprisingly, drops to his knees midway to perform a kowtow. "You have restored the honor and lives that fate had seen fit to steal. Alongside these gifts, I give you my thanks."
		
		*goto flattery
	#Don't care, money now.
		"That's good to hear." You respond. "But more importantly, let's talk about how the Thousand Lantern Sect can repay me."
		
		Foreman Gong's forehead begins to sweat nervously. "I'm afraid we don't have...funds, per say. At the moment."
		
		*if (ruthless >= 58)
			[b][Ruthless Check Passed][/b]
			
			The eunuch sees your shoulders stiffen as you correct your posture to your full height and face him in earnest. "I'm sure you'll find something."
			
			He empties his pockets on the spot.
			
			[b][Item Gained: 122 Shards][/b]
			*set shards + 122
			*set sect_thousandlantern - 4
			
			"This isn't good, Gong." You say while rummaging through the coinage. "Not good at all. I expected more from a Merchant Sect."
			
			He drops to the floor. "My most sincere apologies, Young Master, we're not carrying much meant for personal use." His forehead raises from the floor and he withdraws a scroll from his pocket.
		*else
			[b][Ruthless Check Failed][/b]
			
			You roll your eyes involuntarily. "Nothing at all?"
			
			Foreman Gong gives a sheepish look. "I did explain our financial situation earlier."
			
			"Yes, Gong, but you're [i]Merchants[/i]. There's really nothing?"
			
			*if (persuasion >= 2)
				[b][Persuasion 2 Check Passed][/b]
				
				Foreman Gong sighs and withdraws a sack of his personal funds, dropping it in your hands. "There's this. Everything else would be missing from our logs which, I assure you, leads me to a fate worse than anything the pirates had planned."
				
				[b][Item Gained: 100 Shards][/b]
				*set shards + 100
				
				It's something, but for saving them from a life of slavery or a watery grave you expected more.
			*else
				[b][Persuasion 2 Check Failed][/b]
				
				Foreman Gong offers a sympathetic smile. It seems no good deed goes unpunished.
				
			The man at least seems to take shame in the situation and withdraws a scroll from his robes.
		"While lacking in proper coinage, what I can offer is a Writ of Favor on behalf of my Magistrate."
			
		[b][Item Gained: Writ of Favor (Thousand Lanter Sect)][/b]
		*set boon_thousandlantern 1
		
		After unfurling the scroll and skimming through you see it's a contract for some unspecified labor or resource owed to the assignee of the Writ. From the details you see the person owing it is the "Thousand Lantern Sect", described as a Trade Sect owned personally by the Magistrate of 'Second Junsen', some small city in the northern tip of Outer West.
		
		Foreman Gong
		*if (ruthless >= 58)
			rises and
		withdraws a quill that's somehow already inked. "If I may?" He asks, motioning to the scroll. "I'll need to know your name to assign the writ, embarrassing as it is to not have asked already, and then I'll need to write down the favor owed."
		
		"${fullname}." You say, handing the scroll back as he jots down your information and fills the Service Received clause as 'Rescue from piracy for 1 ship (stocked), 3 Merchant Caste, and 19 Labor Caste.'
		
		With that he hands it back to you. "Congratulations are in order, ${fullname}. It's not hard coinage but this reward is quite the rarity. When we reach Nanhou where my Sect has two other ships stationed, any one of us will be at your beck and call for one favor of value equal to the saving of our ship and crew. We also have a few Warrior Caste competing in the Trials who may be willing to accept the Writ. Of course, Imperial decree overrides our commands to the Trial goers, but we would promote them handsomely for wiping this debt for us. It would be worth a try."
		
		Not bad, you think to
		*if (ruthless >= 58)
			yourself, but you don't let it show.
			
			[b][Ruthless Check Passed][/b]
			*set powexp + 1
			
			"It will do." You say. "If there's nothing else, I need to get back to my ship and head for Nanhou myself. Oh, and flog the scout who shouted at me earlier. That ass is the reason this whole event almost lead to a shipwreck."
			
			"Of course." Foreman Gong replies with a courteous bow. "I will personally see to it that he receives the legal maximum number of lashes."
			
			Finally, some common decency.
		*else
			yourself. There's a good deal of opportunity in having someone else able to fulfill your will when you're tied up in the Trials.
			
			While pocketing the scroll you give Foreman Gong a short bow. "This will do, I'm glad I came by when I did."
			
			"As am I." Foreman Gong says with a deep bow at the waist. "You have honored us with your presence."
			
			*label flattery
			Psht. Flatterer.
		
		A small smile spreads on your lips against your will and you hop up to the railing of the lanternship, trying to see passed the orange glow that cuts off view of most of the surroundings. After a second you spot your ship anchored forty feet out with a few glowing auras of your allies preparing for anything.
		
		Chi flows in heavy concentration through your calves and ankles when you crouch low for a high jump. "Until next time, Foreman Gong!"
		
		"It will be an hon-" You don't hear his sentence finish as the winds of the sea rush against your face when you take off, soaring sixty feet up and eighty feet across to land on your own flagship.
		
		The rush of your descent is addicting; even this leisurely jump is so much more than you ever envisioned possible a mere four years ago.
		*goto continuekos
*label continuekos
*page_break
"What happened up there?" Kosuke asks, ${bffhisher} hair 
*if ((merchopinion = "Damaged1") or (merchopinion = "Damaged2"))
	as wet as the crewmen around ${bffhimher}. "I spent the first few minutes getting everyone back on board but then I
*else
	still ruined with noticeable bedhead. "I tried to concentrate but only
felt a bunch of violent outbursts in the air."

Bo scoffs. "If your spiritual perceptions are so crude and unrefined then why do you even bring them up?"

Kosuke looks to Leona, sitting with her legs crossed on a crate and trimming her nails. "I will give you ten silver if you poison his next meal."

"Deal!" Leona shouts back, perking up immediately.

"Everyone calm down." You say.
*if (ruthless > 53) and (borep < 45)
	"No one but me is poisoning anyone."
*else
	"No one is poisoning anyone."
Leona and Kosuke's shoulders sulk but Bo gives no reaction, still looking at the ready. The other crewmen around you, wrapped in spare clothes to keep the chill at bay, wait eagerly for your next words.

You give a slow inhale and try your best at an official's tone of voice. "There was a misunderstanding that lead to these events. The lantern ship was fleeing pirates and had most of their crew at the rear for defense, they didn't have enough workers even aware of us turn the sails in time. I boarded them, took care of the pirates, and we've been paid. Case closed."

"Took care of the pirates how?" Asks one of the crew.

*if (recruitedpirates)
	"Well, they...I...It's complicated." You look across the waters to where their ship is waiting to follow your lead. "Kosuke, remember those bandits we spared at the Thunderfall farms?"
	
	Kosuke nods cautiously, skeptical that ${bffheshe}'s walking into a trap.
	
	"They're the pirates."
	
	Kosuke smacks ${bffhisher} forehead.
	
	"Fools!" Bo Lo bursts out. "You let enemies of Thunderfall go and they nearly got us killed in a shipwreck? This is why you don't spare your enemies!"
	
	You hold a hand up for silence. "And now I've forced them to drown their Captain and work for us."
	
	"Hah!" Kosuke beams and
	*if (bffheshe = "she")
		sticks ${bffhisher} tongue out at Bo.
	*else
		flips off Bo with both hands.
	"This is why you [i]do[/i] spare your enemies, idiot!"
*else
	"How do you think?" Bo spits out. "It was obvious from the chi emanations that ${heshe} killed them."
	
	"Not all of them." You correct
	*if (ruthless > 50)
		with a fond smile thinking back to the damage you dealt.
	*else
		thinking back to the ones you spared.
	"But yes, that's the short description. They were thieves, I treated them as such. No offense, Kosuke."
	
	Kosuke waves it off.

"Pirates!!" Leona squeals. "Finally!" She raises her hand and eagerly shakes it as if this were a classroom.

"Yes?" You ask, a little confused.

"Did they have cool eyepatches and talk like pirates?"

"No."

She raises an eyebrow. "Did they have peg legs?"

"No." You respond again.

"...Did they at least have a parrot?"

"No."

Leona gets up, kicks the barrel she was sitting on so hard that it flies off into the night, and leaves. "I can't believe I woke up for this bullshit."

Everyone else scatters back to their places on the ship, either resting or back to their ropes and oars, and your ship begins its continued journey south to Nanhou. The Thousand Lanter's junkship takes off ahead of you with its superior sails and design and you look forward to seeing them at the Trials.

Securing an ally was the last thing you expected to do tonight.
*label continuech6
*page_break
*gosub_scene quicks timepass
*if (underlings > 0)
	In the dawn of the next day you decide to board
	*if (shipcount = 2)
		both
	*else
		all
	your ships and see who among your retainers has an aura. None of them are Warrior Caste so you unfortunately won't be getting any fellow contestants in the Trials, but it's for the best. You leave Leona, Bo, and Kosuke on your flagship and travel to the others via plank which proves much more difficult than you thought. Waves truly do not care about your
	*if ((element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water"))
		plans, though luckily your spirit rages with Elemental power able to calm them enough to get everyone organized.
		
		[b][Water Element Event: Aura Pressure +4][/b]
		*set aurapressure + 4
	*else
		plans.

	After a couple hours of shuffling crews you're on your secondary ship's deck with every retainer with an aura gathered,
	*if ((martial_retainers = 0) or (martial_retainers = 1))
		which is to say...one.
	*elseif (martial_retainers = 2)
		which is a meager two.
	*else
		${martial_retainers} in total.

	That is, until
	*if (underlings = 1)
		a familiar face joins
	*else
		*if (underlings = 2)
			a couple
		*else
			a few
		familiar faces join
	the fray.
	
	"Well I'll be damned." You say, looking at the
	*if (underlings = 1)
		man's embarrassed face as he marches
	*else
		embarrassed faces of your underlings marching
	on up deck with soft white-gray light misting off
	*if (underlings = 1)
		his
	*else
		their
	shoulders. "I'm not just surprised you
	*if (underlings != 1)
		guys
	pulled off an Advancement, I'm surprised you stayed."
	
	*if (underlings = 1)
		Your underling, once captured and forced into your servitude,
	*else
		The one in front, a Human with a scar on his mouth,
	grunts in response. "Not like there was anywhere else to go in Ebikowa, or on the ocean."
	*if (underlings != 1)
		The others nod along.
	
	That's a good point. Now that you have a legitimate group of retainers and ships, it does look like you pressganged
	*if (underlings = 1)
		this man
	*else
		these men
	like some sort of pirate. It was fine when you were an upstart throwing your weight around, but something about being so high above
	*if (underlings = 1)
		him
	*else
		them
	now gives the situation a different feeling.
	
	Then again, now that
	*if (underlings = 1)
		he has an aura, he's
	*else
		they have auras, they're
	even more valuable to your crew. You ponder your next words carefully...
	*set val (underlings * 20)
	*choice
		#"You're free to go when we reach port."
			*if (ruthless < 50)
				[b][Compassion Event][/b]
				
				"Nah."
				*if (underlings = 1)
					He
				*else
					The man in front
				replies.
				
				"Nah?" You say, lips twisted as if you'd tasted a lemon. "What do you mean [i]nah?[/i] I'm telling you to go."
				
				"I'm sticking around, figure there's more opportunity here. Plus you seem like a softie, there's worse bosses out there."
				*if (underlings != 1)
					The others murmur in agreement.
				
				It seems you have a reverse-mutiny on your hands, and they're forcing you to be your Captain.
				
				*gosub underlinggain
				
				Life is strange.
			*else
				You can see the tension leave the air when your
				*if (underlings = 1)
					underling finds out that he's got his freedom back.
				*else
					underlings find out they've got their freedom back.
				"Thank you, Young
				*if (heshe = "he")
					Master.
				*else
					Mistress.
				*if (underlings = 1)
					Truly. I was worried I'd
				*else
					Truly." Says the one stepping in front, shaking your hand. "We were all worried we'd
				never see another free day in
				*if (underlings = 1)
					my increasingly short life."
				*else
					our increasingly short lives."
				
				"Increasingly short?" You ask.
				
				A bead of sweat runs down
				*if (underlings = 1)
					his face.
				*else
					their faces. A different one speaks up this time.
				"No offense meant, Young
				*if (heshe = "he")
					Master.
				*else
					Mistress.
				It's just that, well...You seem to attract trouble."
				
				An involuntary snort escapes your nose. You can't even be offended by that, it's completely accurate.
			*set ruthless - 4
			*set honor + 2
		*selectable_if (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= val) #"We got off on a bad foot but there's food, lodging, and decent pay if you stay." [Costs ${val} Shards]
			You didn't expect to have to secure the loyalty of your
			*if (underlings = 1)
				underling but his aura has
			*else
				underlings but their auras have
			changed things. Luckily, you're not broke. "Let's make one thing clear," you say first, "we got off on a bad foot, yes, but this is a dangerous world and you've made it more dangerous for you with that weak aura. If you stay in a group it can be a blessing instead of a curse. There's food, lodging, and decent pay if you stay."
			
			"I've got more values than just money,
			*if (heshe = "he")
				sir."
			*else
				ma'am."
			*if (underlings = 1)
				He says, oddly respectfully.
			*else
				The one in front says.
			"I've been a prisoner to others too long, I want freedom."
			
			*gosub_scene quicks costcalc val
			
			You throw a satchel of money at the floor in front of 
			*if (underlings != 1)
				them. One of them kicks it open to see how much is inside and the one speaking
			*else
				him. He picks it up and opens the string to see how much is inside and
			clears his throat. "Forget I said anything."
			
			*gosub underlinggain
			*set honor + 3
		#"Aura or no, never forget that you serve me. I have plenty of men to hunt you down now, don't even think of escaping."
			*set ruthless + 3
			*set honor - 1
			You walk up to the 
			*if (underlings = 1)
				man pressed into your service and remind him exactly where he stands in the pecking order.
			*else
				line of men pressed into your service and remind them exactly where they stand in the pecking order.
			"Aura or no, never forget that you
			*if (underlings = 2)
				both
			*elseif (underlings != 1)
				all
			serve me. I have plenty of men to hunt you down now, so don't even think of escaping."
			*if (martial_retainers >= 2)
				You glance over to your other retainers who have unlocked auras, and they nod back in confirmation, ready to act against your underlings if need be.
		
			*set val 3
			*if (ruthless > 60)
				[b][Ruthless Check Passed: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
				*line_break
				*set val - 1
			*elseif (ruthless < 50)
				[b][Ruthless Check Failed: Difficulty Increased][/b]
				*line_break
				*set val + 1
			*if (persuasion > val)
				[b][Persuasion ${val} Check Passed][/b]
				*set powexp + 1
				
				Your
				*if (underlings = 1)
					underling nods, eyes cast low. It's clear he knows that no amount of power will let him escape your grasp.
				*else
					underlings nod, eyes cast low. It's clear they know that no amount of power will let them escape your grasp.
				
				*gosub underlinggain
				
				Pleased, you return to your ship.
			*else
				[b][Persuasion ${val} Check Failed][/b]
				
				"That's true..."
				*if (underlings = 1)
					Says your underling.
				*else
					Says one of your underlings, the one on the left.
				"But have you considered the fact
				*if (underlings = 1)
					that-" He surges an Agility Core and sprints off the ship.
				*else
					that-SCATTER!!" He screams, and your underlings all surge agility cores and run off the ship. You can't believe your luck. They all have [i]one[/i] immortal core and it's Agility for every one of them? Bastards.
				
				*if (martial_retainers >= 2)
					"HOLD!" You shout to your martial retainers before they give chase. "They'll only be trouble if we bring them back on board, let the bastards drown. We're on the high seas anyway."
				*else
					You don't even bother giving chase;
					*if (underlings = 1)
						he'll
					*else
						they'll
					only be a problem if you bring 
					*if (underlings = 1)
						him
					*else
						them
					back on board. Plus you're on the high seas, so you take solace in knowing
					*if (underlings = 1)
						he'll
					*else
						they'll
					probably drown.
				
				Still, the loss of
				*if (underlings = 1)
					a
				potentially useful
				*if (underlings = 1)
					aura wielder
				*else
					men
				irks you. You storm off back to your ship, unfulfilled.
	*page_break
	Later that afternoon,
*else
	In the afternoon of the next day,
after you 'enjoy' another meal of salted fish and hard tack which seems to be the norm on these vessels,
*if (roc >= 1)
	${rocname} in your crow's nest starts screeching incoherently. You drop what you're doing and run out the door of your Captain's Cabin, looking up to the mast. You don't normally do straight verticals without the force of chi that could injure your deck but...
	
	*set combatstat "power"
	*set combatskill "athletics"
	*set combatdiff 8
	*if ((element1 = "Wind") or (element2 = "Wind"))
		[b][Wind Element Event: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
		*set combatdiff - 1
		*line_break
	*gosub_scene quicks combatcheck
	*if (passcheck)
		*set retainer_morale + 1
		You make an exception, leaping all the way up to the expanded crow's nest that your pet Roc is using as a nest. Your leap lands you right near the edge of ${rocname}'s platform and you bend a knee to step forward, pulling yourself up.
	*else
		*set retainer_morale - 1
		Nothing. But nothing. You should [i]continue[/i] to not perform high vertical leaps, as you rise twenty feet without chi and fall back down. Annoyed, you grab a nearby rope and climb up to the crow's nest that's been expanded to hold your giant bird.
	
	"What is it girl?" You ask the enormous bird,
	*if (gotmeat)
		handing her a big chunk of the Wyrm meat from earlier to calm her down.
		
		[b][${rocname} Power Improved][/b]
		*set roccombat + 1
	*else
		firmly caressing her upper head feathers to calm her down.
	
	"Cawwww." She whines, head hanging low near the floor and not bobbing a bit. You follow her eyes to the distance and see exactly what has her worried.
*else	
	a retainer in your crow's nest starts shouting at the top of his lungs. "Danger! Danger ahead!!"
	
	You drop your bowl and run out of your Captain's Cabin. "Where?!" You shout, looking up to the retainer in the crow’s nest above. The man frantically points directly south, straight ahead, and your heart sinks when you see the problem.

What you at first mistake for a storm soon reveals itself to be an optical illusion: the swirling clouds covering the distance are completely white, not dark like those preparing for rainfall. They're not swirling due to a natural storm or even a Gate...they're swirling due to the pressure of two figures in the air.

In the distance, with not a ship in sight, two Martial Artists levitate in mid-air and clash with such intensity that winds swirl around their auras. With each clash of their fists the sea caves in with whirlpooling craters. You've never seen such a display of personal power and, right now, you wish you never had.
*if (perception >= 3)
	
	[b][Perception 3 Check Passed][/b]
	*line_break
	*set apval 2
	*gosub_scene quicks apboost
	
	Your eyes are just barely able to see their movements as they dash across the sky, flashing thousands of feet away at a time. Even that small level of visual success is only from wildly glancing in different directions to catch a hint of their location when they stop moving for the next clash of fists.
*else
	Your eyes can't manage to track their movements, as if they disappear and reappear thousands of feet apart with each strike.

"That looks fun!" Leona shouts up from the
*if (flagshiptype = "Combat")
	ballista up front.
*else
	front of the ship.
"Fun as in, a fun way to die. Those are Inner Kingdom fighters. Good ones, too. We [i]probably[/i] shouldn't go near them unless you hate having working eardrums."

"Why are they fighting?" Asks Kosuke, cards in hand as if some illicit gambling was just interrupted.

"Lover's quarrel?" Leona asks before biting her lip with a smile as if envisioning her own fight to the death with a future husband.

The wind from the distant duel finally hits your sails and lurches your ship. You're forced to leap off the crow's nest and catch two retainers who were scrubbing the decks before they fall overboard, and something's going to have to be done about your sail before it catches anymore of these gusts. It's going to be rowing for the next few hours, at least.

"We need to go around!" Shouts Bo, running up from the hatch to the lower deck. "There's an Inner Kingdom battle going on to the south!"

Despite being twisted in different directions from the ship lurching everyone off-guard, you all still manage to look at Bo with half-lidden eyes and disappointment.

"We know!" You, Leona, and Kosuke shout at the same time.

"Well...Good! Tch." Bo sneers. "If you all know so much, then you must have chosen the path around already."

You have not.
*choice
	#"Turn the ship south-east, we scale the coast!"
		*set spareval_1 1
		*goto choice1coast
	#"Turn the ship south-west, we head for deeper seas!"
		*set spareval_1 2
		*goto choice1sea

*label choice1coast
*gosub shiptalk

You roll out of your hammock, trip over a snoring Kosuke on the floor,
*if (agility > 6)
	and barely catch yourself from falling. Luckily no one saw.
	*set agiexp + 1
*else
	and get back up before anyone sees.

Which is weird, because there should be plenty of rowers down here to see...

You run up the ladder and push the hatch open, letting in the nearly-blinding light of the sun after so much time in the dark. When your vision finishes blurring you climb above deck and see your crew all gathered at the front.

"There's the ${patriarch}!" Shouts one of your crew. "$!{patriarch}, come quick, you'll want to see this!"

Your spiritual senses buzz and you recognize the sensation, knowing what you're about to see even before pushing through the crowd. You've felt the mentally vibrating sensation of sensing multiple auras before so it's no surprise when you get to the front of your murmuring retainers and look to the coast you've reached. Or rather, the bluffs, as it's a sheer cliffside eighty feet high.

At the top of that cliff is an entire Sect, just as you knew it would be. Twenty men and women in matching brown and blue gi. While staring at the cliff as a frame of reference you realize for the first time that your ship isn't moving. One look down shows you why: water has been lifted all around your flagship, as if you're caught in a giant bowl. You glance up at the cliff and see a middle-aged man with a dark goatee holding a palm up while in a battle stance, his aura pulsing with blue Water energy.

It seems the stranger has your ship held captive in a Technique. You sense danger in the air; if he's able to do that then he's able to do much more.

"What do you want?" You shout up to the man, hoping you don't have to fight an entire Sect.

"An audience!" The voice shouts from the clifftops. "As Master of the Endless Beating School, I demand to speak with your leader."

*if (((element1 = "Water") and (element1rank >= 2)) or ((element1 = "Water") and (element1rank >= 2)))
	*choice
		*selectable_if ((((soul / 2) + chipool) - chispent) >= 1) #Dismiss his control of the water around your ship and leave. [Requires Water (Adept), Costs 1 Chi.]
			"No." You shout back to the men on the cliff.
			*if (honor < 45)
				"I'm busy, fuck off."
				*set sect_endlessbeating - 5
			*set sect_endlessbeating - 3
			
			With a wave of your arm you launch a line of blue Water Chi into the ocean, crashing into the bowl of sea water risen around your ship and contesting your will against the Sectmaster's. The difference is, he's trying to control the water from eighty feet up a cliff and you're trying to set the water free of his control from ten feet away.
			
			The massive bowl of water dissolves back into the ocean and your ship lurches, continuing on its journey through the waves. Just to push the point home, you drop into a horse stance and shove both hands forward, spiritually gripping the waves behind you and pushing your ship forward with instant momentum.
			
			As your ship sets sail once again, you turn back to the Sectmaster of the Endless Beating School up on the cliff. His students look baffled that you broke free, but you and the Master simply glare at each other as you leave.
			
			*if (honor > 50)
				He's learned his place.
				*set forexp + 1
			*else
				You flip him off too. You've never been the bigger ${manwoman}.
			
			[b][Prestige Increased][/b]
			*set prestige + 2
			*line_break
			[b][Retainer Morale +3][/b]
			*set retainer_morale + 3
			*line_break
			*set apval 10
			*gosub_scene quicks apboost
			*goto secondhalf
		#Go see what he wants.
			*goto darn
*label darn
*if (ruthless > 51)
	[b][Ruthless Check Passed][/b]
	*set powexp + 1
	
	The Endless Beating School? That is the coolest name you have ever heard.
	
	*gosub schooltalk
	
	You get excited to go talk to the School's Master.
*else
	[b][Ruthless Check Failed][/b]
	
	Of all the people to run into, why did you have to get caught by someone with such a stupid School name?
	
	*gosub schooltalk
	
	Reluctantly, you head off to talk to this School's Master.

Maybe you can push him off the cliff when you're done.
*page_break
*if (((element1 = "Wind") and (element1rank >= 2)) or ((element1 = "Wind") and (element1rank >= 2)))
	[b][Wind (Adept) Check Passed][/b]
	
	You leap off your ship and press emerald Wind energy around you like a spiral, forcing you up to the top of the eighty foot cliff where you land directly in front of their Master. Several of his students step back when you do so, clearly caught off-guard.
	
	[b][Prestige Increased][/b]
	*set prestige + 1
	
	"Impressive." He says as you land on the edge of the cliff and disperse the swirling emerald energies around you.
	*goto impressivetalk
*elseif (roccombat >= 6)
	"$!{rocname}!" You call out, clicking your tongue twice. Your roc looks down from her expanded Crow's nest and sees your arm extended.
	
	"CAWWW!" She calls down as her counterpoint.
	
	You pull out some dried fish and hold it up.
	
	"CAWWWWW!!" She screeches, unfurling her wings and descending upon the deck. Your retainers leap out of the way instinctively and you throw the food up, leaping to grab $!{rocname}'s legs as she passes by. She snatches the food and continues on her way up to the highest point to enjoy her meal: the cliffs. As she finishes her ascension she sees the Sect, causing her to pull up just when she gets to the top. When she does so you let go and make it look as if you've perfectly trained your Hells-forsaken lazy-ass bird.
	
	The Endless Beating students pull back when they see you flying towards them on a Beast with a fifteen foot wing span. Only their Sect Master holds his ground.
	
	[b][Prestige Increased][/b]
	*set prestige + 1
	
	"Impressive." He says as you land on the edge of the cliff in front of him and ${rocname} takes off back to the crow's nest to eat in peace.
	*goto impressivetalk
*else
	"I wouldn't go." Bo Lo says in his nasally voice from your left, surrounded by other retainers.
	
	"He's got our ship hostage." You reply.
	
	"Oh. Then you should go."
	
	"Thanks Bo, good talk as always."
	
	He eyes you, unsure of your sincerity, but you don't give him much time to think it over as you dive off the front of your ship and start swimming towards the cliff. You expected the Endless Beating Schoolmaster to use some sort of water bubble to bring you up to the top of the cliff but when you start swimming and look up you meet his eyes and receive nothing but patient indifference.
	
	*if (honor > 50)
		"So that's how it is." You say to yourself calmly,
	*else
		"Fuck's sake." You grumble in annoyance,
	measuring your breathing as you swim the rest of the way to the cliff. Ancestors, how is there [i]still[/i] salt in this water? You've sailed for days! Is there salt in [i]all of it[/i]?! You try not to let the horrible taste show on your face.
	
	When you get to the cliff you look up and still get nothing from the Sect Master. Your eyes narrow and you begin to climb the eighty-foot cliffside while soaking wet.
	
	*if ((element1 = "Earth") or (element2 = "Earth"))
		[b][Earth Element Event][/b]
		
		*label wallwalkin
		And by climb, you mean walk up vertically. You wade in the water and place both feet against the cliffside then use your
		*if ((element1 = "Earth") or (element2 = "Earth"))
			amber Earth Chi
		*else
			purple Cursed Chi
		to ground yourself. The end effect is that you step out of the ocean straight up, as if the cliff were a floor. Water pours off your clothes and
		*if (hairlength = "Bald")
			if you had hair it would pour out of that too, but you don't, because you are bald.
		*else
			hair
		for the first ten feet and then you get the hang of it, breaking into a sprint up the cliffside leaving a trail of ${auracolor} chi behind you as your aura ignites.
		
		[b][Prestige Increased][/b]
		*set prestige + 1
		
		"Impressive." The Sect Master says as you finish the ascent with a final leap, landing in front of him. His men step back but he doesn't move an inch.
		*goto impressivetalk
	*elseif (style = "Kurokonton")
		[b][Kurokonton Style Event][/b]
		
		*goto wallwalkin
	*elseif (athletics >= 2)
		[b][Athletics 2 Check Passed][/b]
		*line_break
		*set apval 4
		*gosub_scene quicks apboost
		
		The climb proves no issue and you continue your ascent swiftly, reaching the top in a couple minutes.
	*else
		[b][Athletics 2 Check Failed][/b]
		
		It proves too much at multiple points, causing you to fall back into the ocean from varying heights. Even once you get the hang of it you're still forced to stop at multiple points and reroute your ascent or stop to breathe. Still, you eventually do reach the top.
	
	"Took you long enough." The Sectmaster says, his disciples surrounding you while you subtly catch your breath through your nose.
*label impressivetalk
"I am Master Suon."

"And I am pissed." You reply. "I don't appreciate my ship being seized. What do you want?"

"Straight to business then." The man says with an unusually appreciative tone. You notice he doesn't have the massive build you've come to expect from Sect Leaders, but his aura still resonates with a heavy weight. "Tell me stranger, are you the leader of this group?"

"I am ${fullname}, $!{patriarch} of the $!{clan} Clan, so yes." You reply, then wave a hand down to your ships. "These are my retainers and we're heading to Nanhou for the Trials. Are you going to be a problem?"

"It would be a dishonor if I wasn't a problem." Master Suon crosses his arms. "We want a fight."
*choice
	#"Sure. Which one of you wants to die first?"
		*set ruthless + 2
		*set honor + 1
		"Sure." You reply, stepping back in a battle stance and glancing between the young men and women behind him. "Which one of you wants to die first?"
		
		Murmurs break out among his students.
		
		"Hold, stranger." Master Suon says, uncrossing his arms. "I mean our Disciples will be fighting.
		*label bytheheavens
		By the Heavens, Masters don't spar on the road. Who would watch over our students while the loser is unconscious?"
		
		"Why would that matter to you?" You ask, unsure if that's an honorable tradition or something he just made up. Either way it shouldn't matter. "You took my ship hostage and now you care about safety?"
		
		"Hostage?" Master Suon asks, looking back down to your ship.
		*goto suoncont
	#"Killing Trialgoers is a crime punishable by death."
		*set honor + 2
		Your eyes grow half-lidden with impatience at the amount of people trying to kill you these days. "Killing Trialgoers is a crime punishable by death."
		
		Master Suon raises his nose a half-inch. "That is true."
		
		You tilt your head to the side by a half-inch. "So...It's your move. How is this going to go down?"
		
		Master Suon looks to the left, the right, and the left again.
	#[Punch him in the face]
		*set ruthless + 2
		*set honor - 1
		*set sect_endlessbeating - 3
		People talk too much. You charge ${auracolor} chi out from the center of your spiritual Cores and push it through your fist as you rush a punch at Master Suon's face.
		
		*set combatstat "power"
		*set combatdiff 8
		*gosub_scene quicks combatcheck
		*if (passcheck)
			[b][i]"ENDLESS BEATING!"[/b][/i] Suon calls out, though the chant in his own voice emanates from the energy around him and not his own mouth. His rear leg turns back and his hand reaches out, swirling with power as all the ambient chi around him rushes around his palm. He catches your fist and deflects it back, but shakes his hand from strain after.
			
			"I did not mean [i]US[/i]!" He shouts in your face. "This is no tavern brawl, fool, this is a fight for our Disciples!
		*else
			Suon's body blurs to the side, a dark blue after-image dispersing as your fist rushes through it. He grabs your wrist, lifts it into the air, and then strikes your ribs with a palm strike that knocks the wind out of you and sends you flying back ten feet.
			
			"Not [i]us[/i]!" He shouts as you roll to your feet. "This is no tavern brawl, I was clearly referring to our Disciples fighting.
		*goto bytheheavens
	#"Well I don't. Bye."
		*set honor - 2
		*set ruthless - 4
		Huh, so he did all this just because he wants a fight.
		
		"Well I don't." You reply. "Bye."
		
		*label begoneoffcliff
		Master Suon and his twenty students do nothing to stop you when you turn around and
		*if (((element1 = "Earth") or (element2 = "Earth")) or (style = "Kurokonton"))
			walk back down the cliffside.
			*goto simplystare
		*elseif ((element1 = "Wind") or (element2 = "Wind"))
			leap off the cliff, using gusts of wind to control your descent as you lower onto your flagship below.
		*else
			climb back down the cliffside.
			*label simplystare
			They don't even do anything to stop you when you reach the water and swim back to your ship. In fact, thanks to the elevated water from Master Suon's Technique, you're able to swim higher up the side of your ship than normal and pull yourself aboard.
		
		A crowd of retainers gathers around when you board your vessel. "What happened?" Asks the one in front.
		
		"Some
		*if (honor < 46)
			no-name
		*else
			School Master
		wanted a duel and I said no."
		
		"You can just say no to that kind of stuff?" Kosuke asks from the back, a position ${bffheshe} normally takes in crowds for the sake of pickpocketing.
		
		You look up to Master Suon on the bluffs. He shakes his head and turns from the cliff side, walking away while his students follow, then you look back to Kosuke. "It seems so."
		
		*set bffrep + 2
		"Huh. I wonder how many times we could have gotten away with that but never tried."
		
		"We'll never know." You reply as the water Technique around your ship dissipates and you continue on your journey.
		*goto secondhalf
*label suoncont
He pauses, opens his mouth, licks his lower teeth while furrowing his brow, and looks back to his students. "Students, where are your arrows for tomorrow's arrowcatching training?"
	
They look to each other in confusion. "What arrows? Master Suon, you never sai-"

"ARROWS!" He screams, pointing to a tree line a half mile away. "NOW."

All twenty students snap to attention and bow at the waist, shouting "YES, SENSEI!" before turning and running in unison to the poor tree that's about to be demolished to make arrows.

When they get out of earshot, Master Suon looks back to you. "We are alone now, so let me address our rift in understanding."
*page_break What's there to understand?
"What's there to understand?" You ask. "You're holding my people hostage and I'm not going to allow it."

"That is what I refer to." He replies, running a hand through his goatee and frowning. "What I did was a simple show of force, a common affair. Akin to a greeting. I show off, you show off, it is standard among Masters. How old are you?"

"I'm ${age}, so yes, I'm in the Trials too. Don't even think about whatever you're planning."

Master Suon holds up one hand, palm-forward in peace. "That is not why I asked. We Martial Artists often stay in our prime for decades, which is where my mistake lies. I assumed you were in your
*if (jadedragonfoundation)
	hundreds
*else
	fifties or sixties
based on your Aura Pressure, and had thought you were transporting your Disciples to the Trials. I apologize, I didn't realize how little time you've had to learn how things work. No offense."

Some taken. "If you assumed I'm so old, then how old are you?"

His frown deepens. "Rude of you to ask, but I am one-hundred and two." He doesn't look a day older than Father. "I brought my students here for Shugendō training of the Wind and Water. I changed plans when I sensed an approaching small Sect, yours, but let me be clear: I am [i]not[/i] abducting your people or demanding your blood be shed. These Sect competitions on the road, how often did you expect them to be to the death?"

You think back to Taio, Mao, the burnt village, and Ebikowa. "Often?"

Master Suon grips the bridge of his nose. "No, no, the answer is [i]not often[/i]. When meeting strangers we are to fight for glory and training, like all Sects, Schools, and Clans of old. We do not fight for blood unless battling an enemy. Honor dictates we only pit our students against each other in spars to prove whose Martial Arts teachings are superior. Are your disciples up for such a task?"

"Depends." You reply, slowly calming down. It has never occurred to you that you might run into someone civil. "What do I get if I win?"

Master Suon looks off into the ocean and considers his options. "Since you are in the Trials, I'll offer a Path Manual for my Palm of Endless Beating technique. That has the highest chance of increasing your prosperity in life. And considering my students are stuck walking to Nanhou, you can wager one of your ships. That has the highest chance of increasing theirs."

A ship for a Path Manual?! That's a [i]horrible[/i] deal...unless you win. If you win, you pay nothing.

"To fatten the deal." Sect Master Suon adds, "I'll offer up to 3 fights and 3 wagers. My Path Manual wagered for the ship, 150 Shards wagered for 150 Shards, or a box of four dozen weak spirit fruit wagered for 200 Shards. They're too weak for my students or you and I, but for your sailors down there that I can see but not sense, I suspect it could be a wonderful prize."

*temp wagergain "Endless Beating Path Manual"
*temp wagerloss "1 $!{flagshiptype} Ship"

*choice
	#"I accept the challenge, Master Suon. You're on."
		*goto suonsofanarchy
	#"I'll have to pass."
		"I'll have to pass." You reply. "My people have already dealt with enough."
		
		"Unfortunate." Master Suon says, glaring at you. "Yet we are no bandits, you are free to go." He snaps his fingers for his students to return and gives you a short, respectful bow. "May we meet in better circumstances at the Heavenly Ascension Trials."
		
		You bow back. "Time will tell."
		
		*goto begoneoffcliff
*label suonsofanarchy
First thing's first, you need to get your crew up here for the fights.

After an hour of shouting down from atop the bluffs, getting your martial retainers to climb rope up to the cliffside, and helping secure the ropes and footholds for your unpowered retainers, you're able to get most of your crew that's needed up onto the clifftop.

Enough retainers to look menacing as well as
*if (bogone > 0) and (leonagone > 0)
	Kosuke.
*elseif (bogone > 0)
	Kosuke and Leona.
*elseif (leonagone > 0)
	Kosuke and Bo Lo.
*else
	Kosuke, Bo Lo, and Leona.

"Is this everyone?" Master Suon asks.

"Everyone that matters." You reply, bolstering the morale of the many in front of you.
*set retainer_morale + 1

"Then let us begin. Our two respective forces will remain fifty feet apart on this clifftop and we'll use the fifty-foot divide as the duelist grounds. You get to pick the wagers, as I am the challenger. Do these terms sound acceptable?"

*set spareval_1 3
Surprisingly, they do. Despite having the advantage it seems the Endless Beating School isn't willing to play dirty.
*if (honor < 44)
	That could be your advantage.

*label pickfighter
You look over your crews and consider your options. Whoever you select might get their ass kicked and get injured, or they might make you a pretty penny.

[b][Current Wager Gain: ${wagergain}]
*line_break
[b][Current Wager Risk: ${wagerloss}]
*set temper 0
*set val 0
*choice
	*disable_reuse *selectable_if (temper = 0) #Send your best Martial Retainer for the duel.
		*set spareval_1 4
		Sometimes it's up to the nameless peasantry to step up and save the day. You did, once upon a time, but you can no longer call yourself nameless or a peasant.
		
		Now it's someone else's turn.
		
		After looking through your martial retainers, whose names you don't even know, you select the one who looks the most promising. A young Oni with white windswept hair named Mars that seems confident enough. After selecting him it becomes swiftly apparent that he's not confident based on ability; he's just an optimist.
		
		*if (koshurt)
			A wounded
		Kosuke has fitted the poor naive young Oni in a Thunderfall Combat Gi and White Belt, Bo Lo appears to be seething that Kosuke still has some stolen inventory, and Leona is licking her blades disturbingly while eyeing the Endless Beating students.
		
		You take the young Oni aside and look him in the eyes. "I'm proud of you for stepping up to the challenge, but we have a lot riding on this. Are you sure you can win?"
		
		"Not at all!" He replies with excitement, jogging in place. "It'll be fun though, right Honored $!{patriarch}? I'm sure we'll all do our best and everything will work out [i]just[/i] fine in the end!"
		
		You stare him down. "...If we play our cards wrong, we could lose everything."
		
		"Sure!" He replies. "But we'll also gain something more important than any material possession: friendship!"
		
		Oh boy. That's not a good answer. Thinking quickly,
		*label randofighter
		you consider the ways in which you could rig this fight...
		*choice
			*if (weaponcrate > 0)
				*disable_reuse #Lend him a Soul Treasure blade from your crate of swords.
					*set temper + 1
					*gosub marssword
					Mars says, looking down at the glowing-white sword with glee.
					*if (temper = 2)
						He swings both the Soul Treasure blade and Muramasa at once, then holds both swords up as they glow white and purple. "I gotta say, Honored $!{patriarch}, this is just terrific."
					*elseif (temper = 5)
						
						You thought he'd be hesitant to use another sword, considering Muramasa [i]just[/i] impaled him, but he swings it merrily and looks pleased as can be. You're not sure if he's stupid or simply impervious to sadness. You're almost jealous of whatever it is.
					*else
						He takes it from you after a deep bow and gives it a few swings.
						
						*gosub marslikesit
					
					[b][Mars's Chances Improved][/b]
					*set val + 1
					
					*label randofighter1
					With that done,
					*goto randofighter
			*if ({itemkatana_1#1} > 0)
				*disable_reuse #Lend him Muramasa.
					*gosub marssword
					Mars says.
					
					Reluctantly, you
					*if (equippedweapon = "Muramasa")
						draw your own sword and hand him Muramasa.
					*else
						hand the cursed blade over to the Oni.
					
					Mars takes Muramasa in his hand and marvels at the majesty of it as he unsheathes the cursed blade.
					*set temper + 2
					
					*if (taint >= 40)
						[b][Corruption Event][/b]
						
						The blade glows purple and crimson in Mars's grip, then it shakes. Even while fighting Mars's grip, Muramasa spins in place like a crescent moon and shoves itself into the redskinned man's stomach. Before you can even react the Oni is impaled as if committing sepukku.
						
						"Ahhhh! My guts!!" Mars screams. "Honored $!{patriarch}, it got me right in the guts!"
						*set temper + 3
						He drops to the floor and whimpers, wriggling from the blinding pain, and gives you a thumbs up the whole time while he nearly cries.
						
						[b][Mars's Chances Ruined][/b]
						
						"Is he okay?" Master Suon asks.
						
						"Yes." You lie. "This happens all the time."
						
						"An unusual ritual." Master Suon replies. "As Clan $!{patriarch} you're going to heal him, right?"
						
						*if (healingelixir = 0)
							You cringe. "I'm a little low on healing elixirs."
							
							*label suonsad
							Suon shakes his head. "Then his duel is concluded before it started, I won't have my students fight a injured man. Do you have any other fighters at the ready?"
							
							*goto pickfighter
						*else
							*choice
								#Give up on Mars.
									"No." You reply to Master Suon. "He has to learn to stop getting impaled."
									
									*goto suonsad
								#Give Mars a healing elixir.
									*if (ruthless > 57)
										You seethe, grinding your teeth, 
									*else
										You sigh, 
									looking down at Mars, thinking of how much this is going to cost you.
									*if (ruthless < 50)
										It's worth it, of course. You have to protect your people...but still.
										*set retainer_morale + 2
									
									You place one foot on his ribs and grip the handle of Muramasa then [i]pull[/i], yanking the blade out of his torso. The second he tries to scream you drop a healing elixir into his mouth. Aside from nearly choking on it, he ends up alright as the mystical properties work through his system.
									
									[b][Mars's Chances Recovered][/b]
									
									*goto randofighter1
					*else
						[b][Corruption Resisted][/b]
						
						The blade glows purple and crimson for a moment, shaking as if trying to escape Mars's grip. He responds by smacking the side of the blade as if it were a dog. "Bad sword!" Mars shouts.
						
						It works. It actually works. You shake your head at Muramasa in disappointment as the sword stops resisting him.
						
						[b][Mars's Chances Improved x2][/b]
						*set val + 2
						
						He gives Muramasa a few swings
						*if (temper = 1)
							alongside his Soul Treasure blade and smiles, holding up both glowing swords at once. "You know, Honored $!{patriarch}, this is pretty terrific."
						*else
							and smiles.
							
							*gosub marslikesit
					
						*goto randofighter1
			*if (flagshiptype = "combat")
				*disable_reuse #Ensure he's been using your training facilities. [Requires Combat Ship]
					You pull Mars aside. "Mars, the rowing mechanisms on the combat ships have a pulley system for your feet and your oar that make it harder to row but work as strength training. Please, [i]please[/i] tell me you've been using the strength training."
					
					"Yes
					*if (heshe = "he")
						sir!"
					*else
						ma’am!"
					He replies with gumption, flexing an arm.
					
					"...Wait, you have?"
					
					"Of course, Honored $!{patriarch}! Heavier oars means a less heavy ship! We all have to do our part!"
					
					His understanding of gravity is wrong to a concerning degree, but as long as he's been training...This was your shot in the dark, and it wasn't something you could fix immediately. You really didn't have high hopes that someone would have done their job correctly without your intervention.
					
					It's refreshing.
					
					[b][Mars's Chances Improved][/b]
					*set val + 1
					
					*goto randofighter1
			*if ((element1 = "Light") or (element2 = "Light"))
				*disable_reuse *selectable_if (((chipool + (soul/2)) - chispent) >= 1) #Hide a Technique in his eyes. [Requires Light Element, Costs 1 Chi]
					Most Techniques can't be hidden on a person, and under the scrutiny of the Trials judges you could never get away with this, but you have figured out a secret about Light that lets you help others, sometimes.
					
					It turns out, the eyes of every living being you've come across have some aspect of the Light Element in them. You don't know why, they don't send light out or reflect it. At least, you don't think they do. You haven't studied on the phenomena yet but you're confident you can place Light Chi into Mars's eyes as long as he doesn't resist it. When the time is right, you can release it in one direction so you surprise his opponent and don't blind the poor Oni.
					
					The result will be an intense flash of Light from his eyes and, as it goes through his own aura first, it will be hard to tell that it was foreign chi. It should give him a well-hidden distraction that, if used at the right time, can make his opponent flinch or be misdirected.
					
					[b][1 Chi Point Spent][/b]
					*line_break
					*set chispent + 1
					[b][Mars's Chances Improved][/b]
					*set val + 1
					
					*goto randofighter1
			*disable_reuse *selectable_if ((stylerank >= 2) or (athletics >= 3)) #Correct his combat style mistakes. [Requires Style Advancement or Athletics 3]
				You're fortunate that unlike most of your Martial Retainers, Mars has
				*if (style = "Aoyusumu")
					Sacred
				*elseif (style = "Akakiru")
					Bladed
				*elseif (style = "Kurokonton")
					Cursed
				*elseif (style = "Kiihakai")
					Mystic
				*elseif (style = "Midorikatai")
					Wild
				Chi. You walk him through the tips and tricks of combat now that you've gained enough experience to invent a few maneuvers of your own.
				
				[b][Mars's Chances Improved][/b]
				*set val + 1
				
				*goto randofighter1
			*disable_reuse *selectable_if (survival >= 3) #Give him pointers about the terrain. [Requires Survival 3]
				Fighting someone above your Aura Pressure is a specialty of yours, and the secret is to always have tricks up your sleeve.
				
				After observing the duelist clearing atop the cliff you're able to give Mars some decent advice on what he can use. Several spots have rocky outcroppings or roots just under the clifftop that he can use to drop down and immediately jump back up, lowering his opponent's guard when they think he's fallen.
				
				It's not much, but one quick misdirection can be the difference between victory and defeat.
				
				[b][Mars's Chances Improved][/b]
				*set val + 1
				
				*goto randofighter1
			*if (background = "Herbalist")
				*disable_reuse #Refine him a combat enhancement pill. [Requires Herbalist Background]
					*goto marsaintnattyanymore
			*else
				*disable_reuse *selectable_if ((alchemy >= 3) and (alchemyreagents >= 3)) #Refine him a combat enhancement pill. [Requires Alchemy 3 and 3 Reagents]
					*set alchemyreagents - 4
					[b][Item Lost: Alchemy Reagent x4][/b]
					
					*label marsaintnattyanymore
					"Mars, hold this." You say to the young Oni, emptying your pockets of the only small sacks of powder, wrapped herbs, and distilled vials that you didn't leave on the ship's storage.
					
					After dumping the pile in his hands, you push your Fortitude Cores to harden the skin of your left hand so it functions as a bowl as strong as steel, then harden your other hand to function as a pestle. You've never done this before, and it's a stupid idea, but stupid ideas are your specialty and they've done wonders so far.
					
					"Okay, now Mars, pour that, that, and that into my hand."
					
					"Yes,
					*if (heshe = "he")
						sir!"
					*else
						maam!"
					Mars replies excitedly as he pours it all in. "What exactly am I pouring?"
					
					"A steroid for low Aura Pressures." You whisper, then shift to keep your back to the Endless Beating School so they don't suspect anything, you hope, and start grinding the concoction together. "We're going to enhance your strength temporarily, to cheat. The exhausting side effects won't kick in for an hour."
					
					Mars gasps. "But Honored $!{patriarch}, cheating is [i]wrong[/i]!"
					
					"No it isn't." You reply as you push chi into the concoction to finish its refinement.
					
					"Oh, okay then!" Mars replies with a relieved smile. You then shove the concoction into his face before anyone sees.
					
					[b][Mars's Chances Improved][/b]
					*set val + 1
					*if (background = "Herbalist")
						*line_break
						[b][Herbalist Background Event: Mars's Chances Improved Further][/b]
						*set val + 1
					
					*goto randofighter1
			*disable_reuse *selectable_if ((thievery >= 3) and (healingelixir > 0)) #Slip him a healing elixir. [Requires Thievery 3 and 1 Healing Elixir]
				*set healingelixir - 1
				*set val + 1
				*set honor - 1
				"Here." You whisper, slipping a healing elixir pill into his mouth and shoving it up his gum lines. "Chew this if they land a hit."
				
				"But...But Honored $!{patriarch}, that's dishonorable!" He hiss-whispers back.
				
				"Yes." You reply. "It's also an order."
				
				"Oh, okay!" Mars says with a big thumbs up.
				
				[b][Item Lost: Healing Elixir][/b]
				*set healingelixir - 1
				*line_break
				[b][Mars's Chances Improved][/b]
				*set val + 1
				
				*goto randofighter1
			#Send Mars off to fight.
				The time has come and you bring Mars to the front of your huddled retainers, calling fifty feet across the clearing to Master Suon. "Endless Beating School! I present to you one of my star retainers....Mars."
				
				You try to get excited for him but it just don't come out.
				
				"Very well!" Master Suon calls back. "Retainer Mars, approach the center of the duelist field and face my student." One of Suon's Human students walks out, hands wrapped in black cloth. He strides confidently to the center of the field and holds his chin high.
				
				"No names?" You ask back, expecting Suon to brag about his student's achievements.
				
				Master Suon grins. "Just because you gave your student's name away doesn't mean my student has to give his."
				
				Mars walks to the center of the field and bows to the student after they do the same. You take the initiative and make the announcement first, "Fighters, prepare yourselves!"
				
				They both don battle stances, Suon's student growing serious and Mars keeping his overeager smile.
				
				*page_break "Begin!"
				*if (val >= 4)
					Every advantage you gave to Mars gets used up in the initial melee, wasted in seconds to deflect and reduce the initial beating.
					
					*if ((temper = 1) or (temper = 5))
						He gets one good swing in with his sword, cutting the student's pant leg and grazing their calf to block a kick,
						*goto stabby
					*elseif (temper = 2)
						He gets one good swing in with Muramasa, slicing right past the student's guard and grazing them on the ribs,
						*label stabby
						but the student retaliates by smacking Mars's hand with a glowing fist hard enough to force him to drop the blade.
					*elseif (temper = 3)
						He gets a surprisingly good cut in on the student's forearm using your basic sword to feint, then uses Muramasa for the true thrust as his opponent reaches to grab the first sword, but the student retaliates by knocking both blades out of Mars's hands.
					
					After that, the Endless Beating student continues the fight with a flurry of Endless Beating signature palm-strikes that beat Mars's face in, followed by a trip to the knees that drops him to the ground. Mars barely has time to get up before the student kicks him damn near off the cliff. You shout for him to get up as the Endless Beating student sprints at him to deliver a final kick, as if he were charging at a sportsman's ball to kick it over a gate.
					
					Mars mumbles, out of breath, about how he's fine. He doesn't see his opponent's mad charge in time as he tries in vain to barely get up.
					
					[b][Special Event!][/b]
					
					Mars doesn't just 'barely' get up, he fails to get up. He drops back to the ground in pain just as the Endless Beating student delivers the kick. The missed kick flies too high and causes the student to stumble at high speeds, tripping over Mars's ribs. Master Suon watches in perplexity as his student trips, lurches forward, and stumbles right off the 80-foot cliff.
					
					He yells for Suon to save him for the entire fall, right up to the point when he hits the rocks below. His aura shatters.
					
					Master Suon slowly walks to the cliff's edge and looks down with in disgust. "Most unfortunate. That was pathetic for both parties involved."
					
					You step up to Mars and pat him on the back. He gives you a thumbs up but can't seem to lift his head off the ground. You look back up to Master Suon after confirming your fighter is conscious. "While that's true, history remembers victories more than it remembers details."
					
					Suon rubs his beard thoughtfully. "Hm. Wise."
					
					"Thanks." You reply. "Pay up."
						
					"Ah." Master Suon says while maneuvering the water below with a blue glow around his arm, brow furrowed in concentration as he forms a bubble of air around his unconscious student. "I was hoping you would forget that part."
					*page_break
					*achieve marsialarts
					*goto victoryduel
				*else
					[b][Preparations Incomplete!][/b]
					
					The ancestor-shaming beatdown that Suon's student delivers to Mars isn't something you even feel comfortable remembering. The amount of low-powered jabs used to juggle his face like a hyper child's bouncing ball can be described as nothing but disrespectful.
					
					You're fairly certain he fell unconscious before the halfway point but he was getting slapped around so fast that you couldn't tell if he was knocked out, stunned, or dead.
					
					Master Suon finally calls the fight and declares victory. It's hard to disagree.
					*page_break
					*goto failduel
	*disable_reuse #Send Kosuke for the duel.
		"Retainer Kosuke!" You call out, summoning your childhood friend from the crowd of retainers.
		
		Kosuke walks out sporting a Thunderfall Combat Gi, throwing ${bffhisher} hands in the air like a star pupil accepting praise. "Yes, Honored $!{patriarch}!" Kosuke yells out in a fake deep voice. "Let's do this! Let's go! Kosuke is ready to [b]kill![/b]"
		
		*if (nobo = false)
			You almost spit out a laugh when you see Bo's reaction. His face turns bright red and even his green aura blazes involuntarily with rage. You've seen a vein of anger show on someone's forehead before but you've never seen [i]two[/i] veins of anger until now. You don't even think a vein should be there. He should see a healer.
			
			"That's great Kosuke." You say after controlling yourself. "But no killing allowed."
		*else
			"Er, no." You correct ${bffhimher}. "No killing allowed."
		
		"Right.
		*if (bffheshe = "he")
			Yeah, my bad."
		*else
			Shoot, sorry."
		Kosuke grumbles, jogging out of the crowd.
		
		"That's your champion then?" Master Suon asks from across the opening your groups are leaving for the sparring ground, a fifty-foot gap next to the cliff. "In that case, I've got just the student in mind."
		
		Kosuke jogs up to you so the two of you can
		*if (honor > 50)
			make preparations on how to chea-
		*else
			devise a strategy, though Kosuke's strategies usually involved cheating. You-
		
		"Hey!" You shout as ${bffheshe} jogs [i]passed[/i] you. Kosuke looks back and you mouth the words 'no cheating?!' as if accusing Kosuke of forgetting the most important part of ${bffhisher} Martial Arts.
		
		Kosuke shrugs and silently mouths back, "I want to try."
		
		Oh for the love of - NOW ${bffheshe} wants to try an honest fight?! When you're betting ${wagerloss} on the line?!
		
		Kosuke cracks ${bffhisher} knuckles, tilts ${bffhisher} neck to both sides, and approaches the center of the fighting area. Seconds later a redhaired wolf yokai man from the Endless Beating School does the same. Kosuke gives the student an exaggerated bow. "It is, an honor, young one." Kosuke says in a Magistrate Khan impression. "May our duel bring prosperity to the memory of our ancestors."
		
		"Indeed." The student replies with a returned bow, not getting the sarcasm.
		
		They both bend their back legs low in a battle stance.
		
		Master Suon motions his hand to you, giving you the honor to declare the beginning of the match. You hope you don't regret this.
		*page_break Fighters, BEGIN!!
		The fight begins with both of them slamming their fists together. You recognize it as a test of strength, Kosuke recognizes it as a good opening. As soon as the punches meet ${bffheshe} loosens ${bffhisher} striking arm and rolls ${bffhisher} attacking shoulder back, causing the yokai to lean in and take a stiff white-glowing knee to the stomach.
			
		That one loss of breath lets Kosuke smack the yokai in the face from both sides and throw him over ${bffhisher} shoulder onto the ground where ${bffheshe} charges up an energy blast to hit them.
		
		That's when the Endless Beating wolf yokai retaliates; Kosuke's energy attacks are too slow. The wolfman leaps over the attack and strikes Kosuke in the neck, knocking ${bffhimher} backward, and then engages in a brutal melee by grabbing your friend's shoulder and punching ${bffhisher} chin repeatedly. Unfortunately, instead of getting out of the hold, Kosuke grabs ${bffhisher} opponent’s shoulder right back and engages in a melee.
		
		The two of them beat on each other until finally Kosuke's endurance runs out and ${bffheshe} leaps back, nearly falling off the cliff. The wolf yokai responds with a charging headbutt, his skull glowing with force, and as he closes the gap Kosuke spins quickly with a highkick. $!{bffhisher} leg glows with all the chi ${bffhisher} spirit has left.
		
		You hold your breath in suspense, and Kosuke misses.
		*page_break
		Kosuke’s kick swipes right over the Endless Beating student's shoulder and the fight's over. It's clear as day the yokai's headbutting charge will hit before any counterattack, and it's going to knock Kosuke off the cliff when it does. Kosuke tried well but ${bffheshe} just doesn't have enough combat experience
		*if (kosukecombat >= 7)
			to-
			
			[b][Kosuke Combat Prowess Check Passed][/b]
			
			Your spiritual senses trigger a warning. Nothing so serious as the threats you've faced lately, but you sense the energy in Kosuke's kick dissipate in the [i]wrong direction[/i].
			
			*if (nobo = false)
				"DUCK!!" Screams Bo, of all people.
				
			Kosuke's leg, just over the student's shoulder in an awkwardly missed kick, bends its foot back and releases a basic energy blast from ${bffhisher} toes with immediate acceleration. The white chifire slams into the back of the student's head at an angle.
			
			An unconventional location to blast from, weakening the attack, but the effect proves worth it.

			The blast slams into the back of the student's skull and knocks them off balance. The student trips just as he reaches Kosuke. Worse, the attack accelerates the student's charge over Kosuke's one grounded leg. When the Endless Beating student is knocked off balance Kosuke uses that momentum to grip ${bffhisher} opponent's gi and push him over the cliff.

			At first it looks as though ${bffheshe} uses the cliff's drop to end the fight, typical Kosuke moment, but Kosuke surges a Power Core at the last second and grabs the Endless Beating student's foot just as he’s falling.

			Then ${bffheshe} spins ${bffhisher} opponent up in a circular arc and [i]slams[/i] the student's head into the rocky edge of the cliffside's corner.
			
			The spray of dirt isn't nearly as big as it should be, for there's only an inch of dirt padding the blow before the student's skull collides into the rock beneath. The dirt spray is also reduced because of the spray of the Endless Beating student's aura shattering in the same vicinity.
			
			Kosuke wins.
			
			"Holy shit." You say involuntarily.
			*if (nobo = false)
				
				"NOOO!!!" Bo screams.
			
			"Finish him off!" Leona cheers. "Take the head!"
			
			Kosuke whips ${bffhisher} hair back, stares into the sky, and breaks out into laughter. Then ${bffheshe} drops to ${bffhisher} knees and laughs some more, then even more.
			
			$!{bffheshe} continues laughing the entire time that you walk up to put a hand on ${bffhisher} shoulder. "Uhhh Kosuke, are you okay?"
			
			$!{bffheshe} turns back to you with a bruised lip, a wounded leg, and
			*if (((heshe = "she") and (bffromance >= 1)) and (bffheshe = "he"))
				an unsettling, wild look in ${bffhisher} eyes.
			*elseif (heshe = "he")
				a heavy content sigh.
			*else
				a manic look in ${bffhisher} eyes.
			"I've never been better."
			*set kosukecombat + 1
			*set metkosuke + 1000000
			*set bffrep + 5

			[b][Kosuke’s Combat Prowess Improved][/b]
			*page_break
			Kosuke limps back to your crew's side of the
			*if (nobo = false)
				cliff and points at Bo while dragging a finger across ${bffhisher} throat.
			*else
				cliff victoriously, holding arms out for the retainers to worship ${bffhimher}. A few clap.
			
			You, meanwhile, approach Master Suon.
			
			*goto victoryduel
		*else
			to keep up with real Martial Artists.
			
			[b][Kosuke Combat Prowess Check Failed][/b]
			
			You suppress a wince when the wolf yokai's skull slams into your friend's face because you need to keep your focus as you sprint across the battlefield, shoving the wolf yokai aside and catching Kosuke by the leg before they both fall off the cliff. White light falls around you like glowing paint sprayed onto the world as Kosuke's aura shatters.
			
			[b][Kosuke has been injured!][/b]
			*set kosukecombat - 1
			
			"This fight is over." You announce.
			
			"Agreed." Replies Master Suon, beckoning his student to return. "Well done."
			*page_break
			You hand Kosuke's unconscious form to one of your retainers. "Bandage him up." You reply, then look over your shoulder to see Master Suon looking all too pleased.
			*set koshurt true
			
			*goto failduel
	*disable_reuse *selectable_if (leonagone = 0) #Send Leona for the duel.
		You look to your retainers and try to decide who to send. Leona, of course, is provoking the Endless Beating students by straddling one of her swords in a mock-humping gesture while running a finger across her throat.
		
		"I choose my star retainer," you say, hoping you don't regret it. "Leona!"
		
		Leona smiles wide and clenches both fists around the two swords tied at her hip. "Yes! Finally, I haven't spilled blood in [i]hours![/i]" That concerns you a little, as she's been on your ship for days, not hours, and no one should have had their blood spilled.
		
		"Hold on, she's not your retainer!" Says one of Master Suon's students. "That's a Waverunner set of armor she's wearing. That woman works for Nanhou's Waverunner Sect!"
		
		Aw shit.
		
		*if ((element1 = "Light") or (element2 = "Light"))
			[b][Light Element Event][/b]
			
			"Waverunner?" You reply questioningly, looking back to Leona. "Ah, my mistake. That's just a disguise using my Light Chi." You wave a hand and yellow Light manifests around your whole arm. Leona yelps when a yellow light appears beneath her feet that runs up her body, changing the color of her armor from blue to green. You're hoping that it looks like you're dispelling a Light-based illusion because in reality, you're creating one. Her armor really is blue. "We wanted her to be able to fit in when we get to Nanhou for...entirely legitimate purposes."
			
			Master Suon actually smiles and holds up a hand as if to stop you. "No need to explain yourself, friend. We all have our plans for the Trials. She may approach the field."
			*goto fyesleo
		*elseif (deception >= 3)
			[b][Deception 3 Check Passed][/b]
			
			"Waverunner?" You ask, looking back to Leona's blue armor. "From Nanhou? No, we bought that on the road for a discount. There's not a chance in the Hells that the Sect hosting the Heavenly Ascension Trials would sell us their armor for two crates of food. Who knows what kind of bad reputation they'd risk letting some random person represent them."
			
			Master Suon inspects her closely but slowly nods. "No, I suppose they wouldn't. Very well, approach the duelist field."
			
			*label fyesleo
			"Fuck yes." Leona mutters under her breath, drawing one of her blades and skipping across the field like a ten year old girl. As she passes by you grab her by the arm and whisper, "[i]Where [b]did[/b] you get a Waverunner Sect uniform?[/i]"
			
			"[i]Dead body.[/i]" She whispers back, and as she skips out of your grip you internally hope the body was dead [b]before[/b] she found it.
			*goto leonafightcont
		*else
			[b][Deception 3 Check Failed][/b]
			
			"Waverunner? No. Heh. Nooo. She's not in the Waverunner Sect." You start to sweat. Why the Hells does Leona have a Waverunner outfit on?! "Leona, tell them why you're wearing that outfit."
			
			"Because I'm a Waverunner Disciple, Master $!{clan}!" She announces cheerily. You slowly look back to her, dumbfounded, and can only assume your face looks similar to Father's throughout your childhood, when he gave you the subtle hint in public that you've done something wrong and he’s going to beat you later.

			Leona lifts her chin and smiles wider.
			
			The tart.
			
			"That's unfortunate. We're only having our [i]own[/i] people fight." Master Suon replies. "Do you have any retainers or disciples available?"
			
			*goto pickfighter
		*label leonafightcont
		*page_break
		Leona stands across from her opponent, an Endless Beating man with a ponytail. She keeps one sword sheathed and holds the other over one shoulder, parallel with the ground, and the Endless Beating student she's facing responds by glowing blue and wrapping two spinning fonts of water around each leg. The water pressure is so intense that he starts hovering off the ground to disguise his footwork.
		
		"Fighters ready?" Master Suon announces. They both nod. "Then begin!"
		
		Leona surges through the student with Iaijutsu, the art of quickdrawing, and slices her sword into his leg as she dashes passed him with a surged Agility Core. She skids to a halt twenty feet behind him, moving in a flash, but the air echoes with the somatic Technique call of her opponent.
		
		[b][i]"Endless Beating!"[/b][/i] The man shouted as Leona cut into him. His aura hardens around his leg and Leona sees her slash failed to penetrate. She then sees a massive amount of water appear out of nowhere when her opponent kicks an ocean geyser at her out of thin air like an energy beam.
		
		She flashes to the left to dodge and charges in, but his attack redirects from behind her as if bouncing off nothing. The water beam streams at her from behind but she turns around and cuts it in half, backflipping so her swordslash continues into a circular saw-like attack that still hits the Endless Beating student. It cuts into his shoulder this time it digs in, but he strikes her in the back to push her away before it penetrates too deep.
		
		When she's knocked ten feet back she rolls to her feet and rises, smiling like a cat playing with a mouse.
		
		The fight continues in the same pattern after that. Despite interesting uses of Water Chi and a higher resilience than you
		*if ((element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water"))
			expected-
			
			[b][Water Element Event: Combat Secrets][/b]
			*line_break
			*set apval 6
			*gosub_scene quicks apboost
			
			-the
		*else
			expected, the
		Endless Beating student's impressive prowess is only enough to deter or deflect Leona, never enough to press the attack as she starts to giggle while cutting his body and spirit time after time.
		
		It ends when he performs a front-flipping kick of his own, adding a swirl of water to his attack meant to crush down onto the Lunargothic woman. She responds by taking the attack directly to the face, closing her different-colored eyes just as his heel slams into them. Simultaneously, she manifests a scarlet sickle of Bladed Chi the size of her body behind her back.
		
		In the same instant that Leona is crushed into the ground, the scythe-blade behind her back spins upward at the man's neck, and his aura is on its last legs. The man's eyes widen in fear and it's too late before you realize she means to decapitate him.
		
		Master Suon appears between the two in a flash and catches Leona's attack with both hands, breaking the attack into dispersed chi before it can sever his student's head.
		
		"NO FAIR!" Leona screams, slamming a fist into the shaking ground. Blood drips between her teeth when she looks up and glares daggers into the foreign School Master. "He's mine! I want more! [b]I wasn't done![/b]"
		
		"You were done." Suon replies darkly. His own blue aura surges into the air around him and your retainers struggle to stay on their feet from its spiritual weight.
		
		"Oh, okay!" Leona says with a smile, an immediate change of tone. She sheathes her blades and gently rolls away twice, then pleasantly skips back to your collection of retainers, sitting on a crate among them with her legs crossed and posture perfect as if attending children's school.
		
		"What a strange person..." Master Suon says as you approach.
		
		"You get used to it." You reply. "And I believe I won this wager."
		*goto victoryduel
	*disable_reuse #Send Bo-Lo for the duel.
		"Bo, get up here and show the Endless Beating School why it chose a good name."
		
		*if (borep >= 45)
			[b][Bo Lo Reputation Check Passed][/b]
			
			"Fine." Bo Lo says, muscling through your crowd of weaker but taller retainers. "But I want half."
			
			"Are you dense?" You reply in hushed tones, "You would look like a mercenary, they'd know you don't work for me."
			
			Kosuke pipes up from
			*if (bffheshe != heshe) and (bffromance >= 1)
				over your shoulder.
			*else
				behind you.
			*if (koshurt)
				$!{bffheshe} looks beatup but conscious already and you're wondering how many Healing Elixirs ${bffheshe} kept from the stash of stolen Thunderfall goods.
			"What if I mingle around their crowd and make my own wagers, then give Bo half of my cut? Everyone gets more, the enemy gets less."
			
			"That's pathetic trickery." Bo says.
			
			"The Trials are in a few days." You reply. "Do it."
			
			Bo lets out a disgusted tsk but brushes his hand outward all the same, signaling Kosuke to go make ${bffhisher} bets.
			*page_break
			Bo Lo walks to the center of the duelist field and bows to the Endless Beating School huddled together on the opposite side. "I, Bo Lo of Thunderfall, accept this honorable challenge."
			
			One woman rises from the Endless Beating crowd, a massive lunargoth woman with a thick brow and golden braids. "I will be his opponent." She declares, looking back and daring anyone else to challenge her word. Master Suon chuckles and grants his approval.
			
			The gothic woman approaches Bo Lo and frowns down at the diminutive man. "You look like you break easy."
			
			Bo Lo glares up, has nothing clever to say, and ignites his Wild Chi aura to grow four inches taller. He's still short.
			
			"Yeah." The woman says. "Break easy."
			
			"Fighters ready?" Master Suon asks. "Then begin!"
			
			[b][i]"Endless Beating!"[/b][/i] The large woman roars, sucking all ambient chi into her palm and slapping Bo in the face with her giant hand. A disrespectful opening strike in all traditions, showing he's unworthy of her fist. Bo Lo's head is whipped to the side and he grabs at his cheek in surprise.
			
			His opponent starts laughing.

			Bo lowers his hand and looks down at it to see blood from his nose. He grits his teeth while looking up at her mocking laughter, then he flares Wild Chi around his hand, reels it back, and slaps her in the face. She grins at his attempt the whole time until it gets close enough that she can sense his Aura Pressure off the blow. She flinches back but his strike catchers her, smacking so hard that her hair whips around her head twice; her laughing stops.
			
			She spits out a lower tooth.
			
			"You'll pay for that, little man!" She screams in his face. Her hand glows blue and swirls with a rushing spiral of water and she slaps him again with the force of a small whirlpool. His head is forced to jerk back and blood drips from one of his ears, down with the rest of the water around his head.
			
			"Be silent in my presence, you third rate cow!" Bo screams back. He combines his hands and the Wild Chi of his left hand flows into his right, doubling its spiritual weight, then he slaps her again with the force of a swung hammer. Her eye pops a blood vessel.
			
			Neither opponent backs down, both refusing to accept the other as a legitimate challenge and simply slapping the shit out of each other five, ten, twenty, thirty times.
			*if (leonagone > 0)
				Both sides watching the grudge match grow
			*else
				
				With the exception of Leona, who looks excited, everyone on both sides grows
			increasingly concerned as the two grunt in fury with each slap, their attacks so aggravated that their faces swell up until their eyes are almost bruised shut.
			
			Finally Bo Lo surges half his Wild aura into his hand in one devastating slap that curves up at the last minute, slapping her jaw and cheekbone at an angle like an open-hand uppercut. The sound echoes over the cliffside and out to sea; the Endless Beating muscular woman's head is twisted up and to the side. Her body follows. She spins as she's knocked back into her allies, her aura shattering as she lands among the crowd of Endless Beating students.
			
			Everyone is silent, even Kosuke. Well, not everyone. Leona cheers.
			
			[b][Bo Lo’s Combat Prowess Improved][/b]
			*set bocombat + 1
			*set borep + 3
			
			Bo spits blood and turns back to your group, marching past you and into your crowd of retainers without a single sign of victory or pride. They all make way as he glares daggers into the ground and mutters something about women.
			*page_break ...Ok.
			"We have chosen our champions poorly." Master Suon says. "I am grateful no one else saw that 'fight'".
			
			*goto victoryduel
		*else
			[b][Bo Lo Reputation Check Failed][/b]
			
			"I don't work for you, Laborer." Bo says with his typically condescending nasally voice. "[i]I[/i] work for the Thunderfall Sect!"
			
			You facepalm in reaction, dragging your hand down your face to see Master Suon shaking his head at you judgmentally. "These fights are between our retainers [i]only[/i], Master ${clan}. No outsiders."
			
			"Bo you fucking moron." You hiss back to him. You can't even bribe or reason with him since he shouted it out so absurdly, the cat's out of the bag.
			
			"I'm the moron?" Bo asks. "You're the idiot thinking you could order me around. You might be in charge of some homeless peasants until we get to a city, but you'll never be in charge of a [i]true[/i] Warrior like me."
			*choice
				#Ignore him.
					*set borep + 2
					Ah, Bo, always useless. At least you can count on him to be consistent.
					
					Oh well.
					*goto pickfighter
				#"Then get back under the flagship deck you freeloader! And that'll be 25 Shards for the trip!"
					*set borep + 2
					"Are you challenging my authority, Bo Lo?" You ask.
					
					"There's nothing to challenge." Bo shoots back. "I do not serve you and never have. Do not mistake your place in Thunderfall's hierarchy."
					
					"Then what the Hells are you doing up here? Get back under the flagship deck you freeloader!" You throw a rock at him as he flinches. "And that'll be 25 Shards for the trip!"
					
					Bo scowls and takes a handful of Shards out of his pocket, throwing them at you as he [i]leaps off the cliff.[/i] You blink a few times in surprise; you're sure you could survive the fall just as easily but your instincts still tell you that falling is bad.
					
					"Do you have a challenger that actually represents your Clan?" Master Suon asks while you pick the Shards up off the floor.
					
					*set shards + 25
					[b][Item Gained 25 Shards][/b]
					*set nobo true
					
					*goto pickfighter
				*selectable_if (leonagone > 0) #"Leona, throw Bo off the cliff."
					*set nobo true
					*set leonarep + 3
					*set borep - 2
					"Leona," you call out in annoyance, "throw Bo off the cliff."
					
					"Yes!" Leona shouts back. "Yes, yes, yesss!"
					
					"Shit!" Bo shouts. The two charge agility Cores and blast off away from your retainers. You can only look on as Leona eventually catches up to the short green-glowing man, lifts him overhead with both hands, and throws him forty feet out to sea. Bo splashes into the water and screams out...you don't actually know what he screams out. It's hard to hear from up here.
					
					Probably some profanities or swears of revenge, but he swims back to your flagship all the same.
	*if ((banditchoice = "Recruited") and (wagergain = "150 Shards"))
		*disable_reuse #I send one of my recruited pirates.
			Hmm...A Martial Arts duel of disciples. Don't you have some bandits-turned-pirates that you recruited? They should be a cut above the woodsmen and laborers from Ebikowa if Captain Qing put them through enough fights before you usurped him.

			You scan through your crowd of retainers until you find the one you're looking for, a monkey yokai with a bandana tied over his head and a saber still tied to his waist.
			
			"You." You say, not sure if you should scold him for being so obviously a pirate, or thank him for making it easier to pick him out of your crowd. "I need someone to go beat a real Martial Artist, can you do it?"
			
			The man chews tobacco leaves and looks past you at the Endless Beating students. He doesn't look pleased, but he nods. "Aye Captain, I can do it."
			
			"Then show me."
			
			Your pirate retainer walks to the center of the clearing and gives an exaggerated bow with no sincerity. Master Suon looks disappointed but taps one of his students on the shoulder and whispers something in his ear, sending the young man out to face your retainer. The student, a Human man with a heavy tan, adjusts his combat gi and belt then leaps to the center of the clearing from a standing position. He returns a short bow, glaring at your retainer.
			
			"Fighters ready?" Master Suon asks.
			
			His student slides his backfoot to the side to adjust his stance. Your retainer draws his saber and spits tobacco to the side.
			
			"Begin!" Suon shouts.
			*page_break
			Your yokai pirate swings his saber at the Endless Beating student and the Human opponent catches it in one hand, then breaks it with the other.

			Not to be interrupted, your retainer swings a fist at the man that misses as the student pulls his face back. Your retainer uses that missed strike to pull himself to the side and flip, sending a backwards kick to the Endless Beating student's new position and a tail at his midsection.
			
			[b][i]"ENDLESS BEATING!"[/i][/b] The student's aura reverberates the noise and all the ambient chi in the air surges to his palms as he strikes your retainer's leg back with one hand and crunches his center with the other palm.
			
			Your retainer doesn't take the strike well and gets knocked backward, falling to the ground. Master Suon's student leaps upon your pirate retainer with his hands still empowered and he pummels the pirate with strike after strike, battering his kidneys, chest, and face.
			
			"Enough!" Master Suon shouts. "The fight is over!"
			
			Damn it. You don't know what you expected from these idiots if you'd already beaten them before.
			
			"Is he alive?" You ask, and Suon's student looks to you with annoyance. He puts his head down to the pirate's chest and listens, but he doesn't get back up immediately.
			
			Panic slowly grows in the student's movements as he lifts his head and checks again, then knocks your retainer in the chest and shakes his head back and forth. "Master!" The student shouts. "Master Suon I think something's wrong!"
			
			You and Master Suon dash to the center of the clearing with a swear and inspect your retainer's poor condition. His face is bloodied, sure, but the blood leaking from his mouth is darker and you know enough about internal bleeding to know that's not a good thing.
			
			"His aura didn't shatter." Suon says. "I'm sure of it, he shouldn't be...Shit. Shit!" Suon charges power into his hand and runs it into your retainer's chest.
			
			"GGGHHHH!!" Your retainer gasps, eyes shooting open and mouth clenching as his chest heaves. He falls back down, his tail going flat, but his breathing picks up again.
			
			"Thank the ancestors." You reply, glad not to
			*if (ruthless < 52)
				accidentally get one of your crew killed.
			*else
				lose an empowered retainer, even if they're terrible in a fight.
			"I'll take him back to our crowd and make sure he's treated."
			
			"Aren't you forgetting something?" Master Suon says. He quickly pats his student and dismisses him then looks back to you with a hand open. "I believe we said 150 Shards."
			
			Damn it.
			
			*if (shards >= 150)
				[b][Item Lost: 150 Shards][/b]
				*set shards - 150
			*else
				*gosub_scene quicks costcalc 150
			*page_break
			You hand over the funds and drag the pirate back to your crew on your back, irritation growing that he cost you so much [i]and[/i] he's dripping blood on your shoulder. Even worse, the blood stinks like tar.
			
			"Captain." The man whispers in your ear, his head hanging loosely on your shoulder as if unconscious. "We won."
			
			"No, you lost." You whisper back. "You lost so badly that you're internally bleeding."
			
			"It's red tobacco, Captain. Good stuff." You feel his monkey's tail gently drop something in your pocket. "Can't fight you lot, but I know a rich guy when I see one. My real fight was getting their Master up close and distracted away from his own pockets."
			
			[b][Item Gained: 38 Gold][/b]
			*set gold + 38
			
			He threw the fight to pickpocket a [i]Sectmaster?![/i]
			
			...Maybe having a pirate in your employ isn't so bad after all.
			
			You drop the man off with your other retainers and many come to check on him, looking concerned as he continues to feign death.
			*if (koshurt)
				An injured
			Kosuke rifles through his
			*if (leonagone > 0)
				pockets.
			*else
				pockets and Leona eagerly offers to put him out of his misery while licking her lips.
			You leave him to his fate feeling a few gold richer, though it's a shame to lose publicly in front of your men who don't detect the rouse.
			
			*set val 949
			*goto dueltalk
	*selectable_if (duels < 2) #"I'd like to change the wager."
		"Master Suon!" You call over to the Endless Beating students and their master.
		
		The goateed man steps out from the crowd, something you're not used to since, in your mind, Sect Masters are normally tall enough to see over everyone. You suppose it's not fair to expect that, but you do.
		
		"Yes?" He asks.
		
		"I'd like to change the wager."
		
		"Very well." Suon says. "What wager do you want?"
		*choice
			*selectable_if (((shipcount > 1) and (endless = 0)) and (wagergain != "Endless Beating Path Manual")) #Wager one of my ships for the 'Endless Beating' Path Manual.
				*set wagergain "Endless Beating Path Manual"
				*set wagerloss "1 $!{flagshiptype} Ship"
			*selectable_if ((((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 150) and (wagergain != "150 Shards")) #Wager 150 Shards for 150 Shards.
				*set wagergain "150 Shards"
				*set wagerloss "150 Shards"
			*selectable_if (((((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 200) and (fruitcrate = false)) and (wagergain != "Spirit Fruit Crate")) #Wager 200 Shards for the crate of weak spirit fruit.
				*set wagergain "Spirit Fruit Crate"
				*set wagerloss "200 Shards"
			#Go back.
				*goto pickfighter
		*goto pickfighter
	*if ((duels > 0) and (ruthless > 50))
		#"No more duels, I have places to be."
			"No more duels." You call out to Master Suon. "I have places to be."
			*label suoncont2
			
			"As do we all." Replies Master Suon with a very short but respectful bow.
			
			*label shortiebow
			You return the gesture. "I assume my
			*if (shipcount > 1)
				ships are
			*else
				remaining ship is
			free to go?"
			
			"Of course." Master Suon replies.
			*if (endless = 2)
				"We'll set sail in our new ship later in the day, so we don't run into each other. I find that can cause issues should either of us discover a bounty at sea."
				
				"Very well." You reply. 
			*else
				"We have marching of our own to do, seeing as my students are still shipless, but I wish you well in your sailing all the same. May our luck be better in the Heavenly Ascension Trials." Suon reaches out a hand to shake. "We will see you there, my rival."
				
				You shake his hand but also shake your head. "I'm getting quite full on rivals."
				
				Suon exhales through his nose as if suppressing some inside joke. "Trust me, you can never have enough. I have a century's worth and here I am, still picking fights like a foolish youth."
				
				"I'll let you know if I'm doing the same a century from now." You turn back to your crew gathered behind you.
			"Come, retainers, we return to our journey!"
			
			A brave few actually try climbing the cliff down with you, but most merely walk south until the cliffside flattens a few miles off. You board your ship and set sail, picking the rest of your crew up on your way out.
			*goto secondhalf
	*elseif (duels > 0)
		#"No more duels, my retainers need rest."
			"No more duels." You call out to Master Suon. "My retainers need rest."
			*goto suoncont2

*label victoryduel
*set duels + 1
*if (wagergain = "Endless Beating Path Manual")
	*set endless 1
	Master Suon reaches into his gi and pulls out a Path Manual. You hesitate when you realize a book of that size hidden in a gi must have reached his armpit.
	
	Ew.
	
	You take it with hesitation and a sense of regret, but not as much regret as Master Suon shows when handing it over.
	
	It's easy to see why. Looking through its contents reveals the secrets of the Technique that gave his School its namesake, the "Endless Beating" Technique. A vital secret for his School. It seems to have has several variants, too. That surprises you. Each of the variants requires a different preparation of proper breathing methods, chakra alignments, dietary changes, muscle memory exercises, elemental feng shui for your sleeping area, and mental imagery needed to engrave it into your soul.
	
	When all is said and done, you choose to pursue the path of...
	*choice
		#Inflicting a beating. [Bound to the Power Core]
			*gosub_scene quicks learntech 1110002000000000 "Palm of Endless Beating" "Passively increases AP gained from defeating enemies by +2. Increases Power Surge by +1 when focused."
		#Inflicting a beating. [Bound to the Agility Core]
			*gosub_scene quicks learntech 3110002000000000 "Palm of Endless Beating" "Passively increases AP gained from defeating enemies by +2. Increases Power Surge by +1 when focused."
		#Surviving a beating. [Bound to the Fortitude Core]
			*gosub_scene quicks learntech 2800003002000000 "Palm of Endless Beating" "Passively increases AP by +1 when suffering a Wound and your Wounds no longer subtract from AP gained when defeating an enemy. Increases Health Pool by +1 when focused."
		#Surviving a beating. [Bound to the Soul Core]
			*gosub_scene quicks learntech 4800003002000000 "Palm of Endless Beating" "Passively increases AP by +1 when suffering a Wound and your Wounds no longer subtract from AP gained when defeating an enemy. Increases Health Pool by +1 when focused."
	*if (heshe = "she")
		After studying the Path Manual you can't help but frown at the name. "Wonderful." You mumble sarcastically under your breath. "I guess I'll just finish Jack off with my Palm of Endless Beating. Jin and Rin will be laughing to their graves."
		
		"What was that?" Master Suon asks.
		
		"Nothing."
	*goto dueltalk
*elseif (wagergain = "Spirit Fruit Crate")
	*set fruitcrate true
	
	Master Suon tsks. "A shame to lose such a harvest." He withdraws and rips a fuuinjutsu tag, manifesting a crate of white peaches that glow faintly in your spiritual sense. "I personally picked these, did you know? Each a fruit failing to achieve what I desired for it, and each forced to leave my School." He looks to his defeated student. "An analogy someone may wish to pay attention to."
	
	*if (honor > 50)
		[b][Honor Check Passed][/b]
		*set sect_endlessbeating + 2
		
		You nod along pretending to be thoughtful and try to reply with something that a Sect Master might say. "Though each is a loss, it still serves to strengthen others." You then look to the Endless Beating students behind Suon. "An analogy many may wish to pay attention to."
		
		"Indeed." Suon says, stepping across the duelist divide and pushing the crate into your hands. "May they keep your retainers strong and healthy."
	*else
		[b][Honor Check Failed][/b]
		*set sect_endlessbeating - 2
		
		"Cool." You reply with a noncommittal shrug. "So are you handing those crates over or what?"
		
		Suon's eyelids grow heavy and he gives you a short shake of the head. "Please, accept these low-grade spirit fruits for your retainers." He closes the duelist divide and shoves the crate into your hands, a little rougher than expected.
	
	You take one out to eat and feel moderately refreshed when biting into the juicy peach, but its spiritual energies are too weak to improve your power. With a frown you hand the crate off to one of your retainers, tell him to share with the others, and subtly hint at what will happen if he doesn't.
	
	*if (chispent > 0)
		*set chispent - 1
		[b][Chi Point Resoted][/b]
		*line_break
	*elseif (powspent > 0)
		*set powspent - 1
		[b][Power Core Restored][/b]
		*line_break
	*elseif (solspent > 0)
		*set solspent - 1
		[b][Soul Core Restored][/b]
		*line_break
	*elseif (forspent > 0)
		*set forspent - 1
		[b][Fortitude Core Restored][/b]
		*line_break
	*elseif (agispent > 0)
		*set agispent - 1
		[b][Agility Core Restored][/b]
		*line_break
	[b][Retainer Strength Increased][/b]
	*set retainer_strength + 2
*elseif (wagergain = "150 Shards")
	
	Master Suon shakes his head. "I had hoped to spend this on a celebratory meal for my students, but it appears I overestimated how much effort they put into their training." Several of his students hang their heads, others glare at the student who lost the fight and, subsequently, lost them a good meal.
	
	Suon tosses you a shardpouch filled to the brim.
	
	[b][Item Gained: 150 Shards][/b]
	*set shards + 150
*else
	[b][BUG REPORT! Bad wager: ${wagergain}][/b]
*label dueltalk
*if (duels < 3)

	*if (val = 949)
		Before you can even process the loss further
	*else
		Before you can finish enjoying your victory
	*set val 0
	one of Suon's students steps forward and emits their aura. Master Suon pushes them back but nods all the same, agreeing that the fights are not over. He turns to you.
	
	"Are your fighters ready for the next duel?" He asks. "I have students yearning to deliver the Endless Beating."
	
	*if ((((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 200) and (fruitcrate = false))
		*set wagergain "Spirit Fruit Crate"
		*set wagerloss "200 Shards"
	*elseif (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 200)
		*set wagergain "150 Shards"
		*set wagerloss "150 Shards"
	*elseif (endless = 0)
		*set wagergain "Endless Beating Path Manual"
		*set wagerloss "1 $!{flagshiptype} Ship"
	*else
		Going over what you even have left to wager, you simply give Master Suon a thin-lip strained smile.
		
		"Ah." Master Suon says. "Broke, then."
		
		"Unfortunately."
		
		"Worry not." Master Suon replies, looking back to his students. "We are no highwaymen, if there's no wager to be had then there's no duel to be had." He gives you a short but respectful bow. "Until next time, Master ${clan}."
		
		*goto shortiebow
	*goto pickfighter
*else
	*set sect_endlessbeating + 5
	
	When you've situated yourself and checked back on your crew you see Master Suon's students sit down in meditation instead of stepping forward for the next challenge. Suon strides from their crowd and approaches you.
	
	"An impressive set of bouts so far." Master Suon says. "Bloodier and more disorganized than I'd like, but all battles turn to chaos eventually. This was a good lesson for my students, yet it is in our best interest to call an end to this game."
	
	You look back to your remaining retainers that you could send out to fight and see a few desperately nodding. "I suppose we should, my retainers need a rest."
	*goto suoncont2

*label failduel
*set duels + 1
*if (wagergain = "Endless Beating Path Manual")
	*set endless 2
	"A ship!" Master Suon announces victoriously. "Students, rejoice, for your training has brought prosperity!"
	
	The Endless Beating students cheer excitedly and you realize how much presentation must matter at the Trials; showing up in a ship looks far more prestigious than showing up on foot. Luckily you still have
	*if (shipcount) > 1
		${shipcount} ships
	*else
		1 ship
	left, so you'll be doing the same, yet the loss of an entire vessel sends aches to your pride and heart.
	
	*if (honor > 52)
		[b][Honor Check Passed][/b]
		*set solexp + 2
		*set sect_endlessbeating + 5
		
		"I'll send word to my retainers to prepare the ship for you." You say, maintaining an air of dignity.
	*else
		[b][Honor Check Failed][/b]
		
		"I'll send word down to my retainers that they've lost their living quarters." You say, trying to keep the sour displeasure out of your voice and failing.
*elseif (wagergain = "Spirit Fruit Crate")
	"That was 200 Shards in the line against my crate of weak spirit fruits, correct?" Master Suon asks. "If I am not mistaken, my student's victory means I keep the spirit fruits and you surrender your funds."
	
	"That is what it means, yes." You reply dryly, handing over a bag worth over thirteen years of your old allowance. It's difficult to let the bag go as Suon grips the shardpouch. He tugs at first and your fingers refuse to release the money, but on his second tug you reluctantly let go.
	
*else
	"That was 150 Shards on the line for that wager, correct?" Master Suon asks.
	
	"Holy shit." Whispers a few of your retainers as you hand over the money. It stings your soul to lose such cash but it feels even worse for them to see you lose such cash. The best way to save face is to play it off like you're rich, but if you pretend to be rich then your retainers will expect a high pay.
	
	It seems you've been outmaneuvered by life, facing a situation where the solution is worse than the problem.
*set val 949
*goto dueltalk

*label choice1sea
*gosub shiptalk

The heavier waves of the deep sea don't rock your ship and that's your first sign that trouble lies ahead. You roll out of your hammock, trip over Bo Lo asleep on the floor, and ascend the stairs to the hatch of the main deck. Pushing it open lets the warm light of the sun leak into the lower deck, glowing on your face.

It also temporarily blinds you after so much time in the dark lower deck.

"What's the situation?" You ask the nearest blurry figure while ascending the stairs, but he doesn't answer. Instead, he continues walking to the starboard railing and leans as far as he can without falling over.

Your vision corrects slowly and you realize he's not alone, your [i]entire crew[/i] is leaning over the starboard
*if (bffheshe = "he")
	railings, even Kosuke.
*else
	railings.

"Men? Retainers? I'm asking a question."

The crowd doesn't even turn your way. That's when the sound hits you. What you mistook for chatter while below deck blossoms instead into a majestic song drifting through your ears. When you look to its source you see that you've come within beaching distance of a small jungle island, your ship slowing to a halt with the anchor dropped.

*if (heshe = "he")
	You don't blame whoever dropped anchor, for you see a dreamy site on the shore of the island:
	
	Some of the most beautiful women you've ever seen, each of varying races,
*else
	You don't know which idiot dropped the anchor but they're getting disciplined first. The [i]others[/i] are getting disciplined for being entranced by the obvious bait you see down on the shore:
	
	Some collection of nine attractive women of various races that you'd never see in a civilized land,
their hair wild and their clothes a mix of either furs, feather-bras, or seashells held up by nothing but thin straps. They each call out or bat their lashes at the crew in alluring poses, their bodies glowing different shades of blue and their lips in a constant shift of genuine smile or devilish grin.

A thought hits you...their mouths aren't opening to say words, so who's singing the song?

*if (heshe = "he")
	*if (insight >= 3)
		[b][Insight 3 Check Passed][/b]
		*line_break
		[b][Resistance Reduced Difficulty][/b]
		
		A Technique!
		
		Your spirit blazes internally, protecting your mind just in time as the effects of the Song kick in, but the insidious effects still tempt you to give in to
	*else
		[b][Insight 3 Check Failed][/b]
		
		By the time you catch on that the Song must be a Technique it's already wrapped around your mind, coercing you to accept
	its peaceful bliss and push out all other thoughts.
	*choice
		#Must...resist!
			*set combatstat "soul"
			*set combatskill "lore"
			*set combatdiff 10
			*if (insight >= 3)
				*set combatdiff - 2
			*if (style = "Aoyusumu")
				[b][Aoyusumu Event: Reduced Difficulty][/b]
				*set combatdiff - stylerank
			*gosub_scene quicks combatcheck
			*if (passcheck)
				Your ${auracolor} aura explodes around you and the Technique shatters against the force of your spirit and mind.
				
				*label mensnapout
				The men around you snap out of it as you do so. Half look around in confusion and the other half keep ogling the women, not needing a Technique to do so.
				
				The women down at the beach, on the other hand, scream out in panic as they realize a real Martial Artist has arrived and they're about to face a battle of fists rather than musical notes.
				*choice
					#Chase them.
						"Not so fast!" You scream out, leaping overboard and chasing the girls down. While using your spiritual senses to scan their Aura Pressure you notice not a single one of them is as strong as you are and, judging by their disorganized panic at the sight of a single fight, they're not going to be working together to take you down either.
						
						You're not sure when things changed, but you've become the experienced Warrior and, in the face of the danger you present, your opponents have become the amateurs.
						*page_break
						After thirty minutes you have all nine of the women captured in the center of their makeshift jungle village, a set of huts and campfires built in a circle.
						
						Each of your opponents is bound with rope, a symbolic capture at best, but the weight of your Aura Pressure works well enough to stop them from trying to escape. You look through the mix of fearful gazes and hateful glares until you find the one that must be their leader.
						
						"What are you going to do with us?" Demands the woman in front, a natural auburn-haired wild beauty who keeps her hair in a mess like an owl's nest. She wears a seashell bra and a necklace and uncut jade rocks.
						
						"That depends," you reply while tightening her ropes, "what were you going to do to my men?"
						
						"Nothing." She insists.
						
						"Well not [i]nothing[/i]." Says a blonde cat-yokai. If looks could kill, the others would have just killed her. "Oh." She replies sheepishly. "Nevermind!"
						
						"Fine." Their leader admits. "We were going to take whatever you had and leave on your ship. We're not really tribal, this is just a rouse we play for money. We're the Lost Siren Sect."
						*set spareval_1 5
						
						"Never heard of you."
						
						Her eyebrows tighten with anger and she leans closer. "When the Trials are over, you will."
						
						So they're trialgoers too. That crosses off execution or else you'd risk being executed yourself, but there are still other options to get your revenge...
						*choice
							#Demand they return their goods in Nanhou.
								After a long thoughtful process with the tied up girls watching your every move in suspense, you snap your fingers and announce, "that's it!" They flinch at your snap. "I know exactly how you ladies can pay for trying to rob and shipwreck these poor Ebikowan citizens that just barely survived a Fiend invasion."
								
								Several of them exchange glances at that.
								
								You continue. "You're going to give back all of your stolen belongings."
								
								"All of...?" The leader says aghast, mouth open as she looks around. "We don't even know their names! How are we supposed to...No. No, I'm not going to do it."
								
								"Yes, you [i]are[/i] going to make up for your constant crimes." You reply. "Because I'm in the same Trials you are; the [i]violent[/i] Trials. If I find out you haven't done as I asked,
								*if (ruthless >= 54)
									I am going to find each and every one of you during the competition and, one by one, [i]legally[/i] break your knees to the left and right like a chicken bone in front of the entire world."
									
									[b][Ruthless Check Passed][/b]
									*line_break
									[b][Prestige Increased][/b]
									*set prestige + 2
									
									"We'll return them." Their leader says, breath quickening and head rapidly shaking. "We'll return everything, I promise, I'm sorry."
									
									"Good." You lance 
								*elseif (honor > 50)
									I am going to personally make sure every one of you loses in the most embarrassing way possible."
									
									[b][Ruthless Check Failed[/b]
									*line_break
									[b][Honor Check Passed][/b]
									*line_break
									[b][Prestige Increased][/b]
									*set prestige + 1
									
									"We'll see about that." Says their leader, eyes defiant.
									
									Interrogations aren't exactly a skill of yours so you knee her in the face until she falls unconscious. The others scream while you do so, then as she falls over you look to the next one in line. "Do I need to repeat the demand?"
									
									"Nope." Says the blonde catgirl. "Return everything. Will do."
									
									"Good." You reply, though the entire encounter leaves a sour taste in your mouth. You just wanted to make them do the right thing and instead ended up having to act like...Jack. You lance
								*else
									I will find each and every one of you during the competition and ensure you regret that your crimes ever fell under my notice. Do I make myself clear?"
									
									The leader's eye contact holds strong for several seconds until she sees that you're serious. She hangs her head and murmurs out, "...Yes. Crystal clear."
									
									"So you will return everything you've taken, and everything you've consumed you'll make up for."
									
									"Yes." She says, head hung low. Some of them scoff at that but she shoots them a darting glance that quiets them too. "We'll return everything."
									
									"Good." You reply, lancing
								several lines of
								*if ((element1 = "Fire") or (element2 = "Fire"))
									burning flames
								*elseif (element1 = "Storm") or (element2 = "Storm")
									electricity
								*else
									${auracolor} chi
								through the ropes holding the Lost Siren Sect members. "I'll make sure of it in Nanhou."
								
								With that said you turn and leave, walking through the jungle and over the long sands of the coast. You return to your ship empty-handed but righteous and tell the men to continue the journey. Some want to know what happened to the women before getting back to work; those men get latrine duty.
								*goto secondhalf
							#Rob them of their ill-gotten gains.
								*set sect_lostsiren - 8
								"Tell you what," you say to the tied up gang of all-female thieves, "I don't care about honor, or the victims of your other crimes, or what you tried to do to me."
								
								The girls start to relax, tension leaving the air.
								
								"I care about money." You finish.
								
								The tension snaps back. The leader speaks up first. "We can pay y-"
								
								"No no no, you misunderstand." You cut her off. "I'm not demanding a bribe or a cut. I'm informing you that [i]you[/i] have run across a robber, which is me. You're the victims now. That's why you're tied up and I'm pointing
								*if (aurapressure >= 1000)
									over a thousand
								*else
									a few hundred
								Aura Pressure worth of energy at your face." You charge up an energy blast and start aiming it at each of them, one by one. "Now, you're all going to start telling me where your treasure is, from left to right, and I'll send my retainers to collect it. Whoever gives me the answer worth the least is receiving this attack."
								
								You're bluffing, of couse, but they don't know that.
								
								An hour of interrogation and treasure hunts goes on through the island as your men track down and dig up the hidden caches these women had hidden from each other.

								Throughout the whole process they each act shocked that the others were stealing from the shared loot pile and hiding it from them, only to then reveal that they had done the same. A few times you have to walk your crew through a trap disarming or lockpicking, but for the most part you're able to keep watch over the Lost Siren Sect as your fleet robs them blind.
								
								*gosub sirenloot
								
								"Are you happy now?!" Their leader snaps at your retainers walking by as the other girls sulk, tied to trees for the last hour. "You've robbed a bunch of innocent girls, some big men you are."
								
								"Your Sect is made up [i]entirely[/i] of thieves." You reply, handing a crate to a retainer. "None of this was ever yours in the first place."
								
								"You don't know that!" She screams back.
								
								It's hard to believe you're getting this kind of attitude from your captives. Some people have no respect. "I don't care either way." You finally reply. "I'm taking this and I'm leaving, do [i]not[/i] break those ropes open until my ship is gone."
								
								"I-"
								
								Smoke comes up from the ground in front of her where your thin energy blast pierces through the ground like an arrow. She doesn't finish her sentence and takes the hint, slamming her head back against the tree a single time in frustration with a heavy grunt.
								
								It's not until you reach the coast and load up your ill-gotten gains on your flagship that you hear a final screech from the jungle. "You'll pay for this in Nanhou!!"
								
								"No I won't!" You shout back to the distance, boarding your ship and sailing south to continue your journey.
								*goto secondhalf
							#Let them go.
								"You're free to go." You say, lancing a line of
								*if ((element1 = "Fire") or (element2 = "Fire"))
									burning flames
								*elseif (element1 = "Storm") or (element2 = "Storm")
									electricity
								*else
									${auracolor} chi
								through the ropes holding their leader.
								
								"We're free to go?" She asks. "Just like that?"
								
								"Just like that." You motion a hand to the others and start walking off. "Untie your friends for me, I've got places to be."
								*set sect_lostsiren + 15
								*if ((bodytype = "Handsome") or (style = "Midorikatai"))
									*set sect_lostsiren + 5
								
								As you're halfway out of the jungle the women behind you are still stunned until you finally hear a voice shout out. "Don't you want to know our names?"
								
								*if (honor > 50)
									"No!"
								*else
									"Nope!"
								You shout back, not turning around.
								
								*if (athletics >= 2)
									[b][Athletics 2 Check Passed][/b]
									*set powexp + 1
									
									Boarding your ship is only easy thanks to your enhanced body as a Martial Artist; you're able to swim out to the shallower waters and pull yourself up the side even with a slim grip.
									
									The men crowd you and seem particularly interested in your activities on the island. "Did you find them, Captain?" Asks the one in front.
									
									"I did."
									
									"And? Are they coming with us?"
									
									"They are not."
									
									Their shoulders drop at once and several return to their duties, eyes hollow. You look around and realize you're losing the morale of your crew. "But they [i]are[/i] going to be at the Trials in Nanhou, where we're going. If you want to find them you should frequent the taverns and look for the Lost Siren Sect."
									
									At that several ears perk up and hopeful smiles return to their faces.
									
									[b][Retainer Morale +3][/b]
									*set retainer_morale + 3
								*else
									[b][Athletics 2 Check Failed][/b]
									
									Boarding your ship is harder than you thought. You walk to the coast and wade into the calm waters, swimming the rest of the way to your ship, but no matter how hard you try you can't get a grip on the vessel's boards. Worse, people see it when your crew looks overboard. They not only look down to see their Captain floundering, but they look behind you and see no beautiful women following. A bit of their spirit seems to diminish when they realize the adventure has passed them by.
									
									[b][Retainer Morale -2][/b]
									*set retainer_morale - 2
									
									*if (honor > 50)
										"Retainers, drop a rope!"
									*else
										"Somebody toss a damned rope!"
									You shout up. Someone thankfully does and you climb up, shaking the water off your clothing. You thought you'd have to give some speech or explanation with the crowd gathered around, but the men seem so disillusioned with the loss of a hot tribal encounter that they would rather work than talk.
								
								Without another word your ship returns on its journey south, to Nanhou.
								*goto secondhalf
							*if (background = "Merchant")
								#Demand a Writ of Favor. [Merchant Background]
									Growing up with Father and working with so many other Merchants means you're no stranger to contracts. 
									*label sirenwritm2
									One type in particular springs to mind when you find this weak Sect at your mercy:
									
									A Writ of Favor.
									
									According to Imperial decree, Writs of Favor can be exchanged on behalf of entire Sects, Schools, and Clans and turned in at a later time to receive aid without question. With the Trials coming up it's the perfect card to have up your sleeve.
									*goto sirenwritm
							*elseif (boon_thousandlantern > 0)
								#Demand a Writ of Favor.
									Ever since receiving your Writ of Favor from Foreman Gong you've gained a hunger for more, and as luck would have it you've got a weak Sect at your mercy.
									*label sirenwritm
									*set sect_lostsiren + 2
									*if ((bodytype = "Handsome") or (style = "Midorikatai"))
										*set sect_lostsiren + 2
									
									"I'll let you keep your lives." You say to calm them down. "And your money." At that, they actually calm down. "But you're going to pay for trying to rob me, and you're going to do it the old fashioned way."
									
									The leader sighs and looks off to the side. "I'll fetch some palm oil."
									
									"What? No, you're paying me with a Writ of Favor."
									
									"Oh." She says, somewhat taken aback as the reality of an actual debt hits her. "Shit."
									
									*gosub kosukecaptives
									*page_break
									Twenty minutes later you've untied the leader of this group and the two of you have filled out the Writ of Favor according to
									*if (boon_thousandlantern > 0)
										the template used by Foreman Gong.
									*else
										the legal customs you've seen in tomes.
									
									According to the document, this "Lost Siren Sect", which apparently is their real identity, will owe you a debt of labor or resources when you call upon them, with value equal to or less than sparing the lives of eight of their members after a defensive victory.
									
									"Are you sure there's not something...else, I can do for you instead?" Their leader asks, leaning forward. Her voice echoes slightly with the Sacred Chi that made her song so enticing earlier.
									
									*if ((bffromance >= 1) and ({metleona#11} = 0))
										You look over to Kosuke and find her face one inch from yours, eyes staring intently into your soul. "Yeah ${name}." She says in silent threat. "Answer the barely dressed woman."
										
									*else
										You eye the woman up and down. She's certainly attractive, like the rest of them, and in great shape...but this is a document putting her entire group in your debt.
										
										Concubines are temporary, glory is eternal.
									
									"Nope." You reply, pocketing the signed and sealed Writ of Favor. "This will do fine."
									*set boon_lostsiren 1
									
									[b][Item Received: Writ of Favor (Lost Siren Sect)][/b]
									
									"Damn it." The Lost Siren Sectmistress says, voice dropping all pretense of soothing Sacred Chi. She takes out a fuuinjutsu tag and rips it to reveal a pile of pink and white gi for her girls. "Gather up girls, let's get dressed and get out of here before someone else shakes us down."
									
									"Likewise." You say to
									*if (bffheshe = "he")
										Kosuke, who's spent the entire signing process shamelessly ogling the ladies.
										
										"You're no fun." Kosuke replies. "I can't believe you took the contract instead."
									*else
										Kosuke, who had spent the rest of the signing process checking the girl's pockets for silver.
									
									You and the Lost Siren Sect go your separate ways as you return to your ship and set sail, taking off to the south. When your crew asks what happened for the last half hour that you've been in the jungle out of sight with an entire Sect worth of tribal beauties, you tell them you were filling out paperwork.
									
									None of them believe you.
									*goto secondhalf
							*else
								*selectable_if (lore >= 3) #Demand a Writ of Favor. [Requires Lore 3]
									While reading through various tomes you've come across a few legal documents that have caught your attention.
									*goto sirenwritm2
					#Leave.
						"That's right, run!" You shout out to the women as they flee into the jungle.
						*if (ruthless > 50)
							"Run and hide, cowards! If
						*else
							"And if
						I see you interfering with the ${clan} Clan fleet again you're not getting off so easy!"
						*if ((bodytype = "Handsome") or (style = "Midorikatai"))
							*set sect_lostsiren + 5
						
						[b][Prestige Increased][/b]
						*set prestige + 1
						
						Your crew reluctantly gets back to work pulling your ship back out to sea. Several grumble about not being able to dock and interact with the women, but most of them get a slap to the back of the head by their fellow retainers.
						
						[b][Retainer Morale -2][/b]
						*Set retainer_morale - 2
						
						As you sail south towards Nanhou, the island of entrancing women disappears over the horizon and you're left with one less problem to worry about.
						*goto secondhalf
			*else
				*goto sopretty
		*selectable_if (countersealritual != 100) #Undo their effect on your men. [Requires Counterseal Ritual]
			Your hands jump to action in quick succession.
			
			With your finger formation handseals you call upon seven of the animalistic pacts between Heaven and Earth needed to counter noncombat effects like this one. As you do so, foreign cerulean blue chi wraps around your mind as if to distract you, tempt you, call you away from such silly tasks. Luckily Mother didn't raise a slouch. Years of being beaten for unfinished chores has toughened your focus; you finish the Seal simply because finishing tasks you started has already become second nature.
			
			Snapping sounds fizzle through the air as the cerulean chi loses its effect on your mind.
			
			*goto mensnapout
		#So pretty...
			*label sopretty
			Ancestors above, these women are hot. It's somehow even hotter when there's so many of them together in one place.
			
			If only you could...
			
			Could...
			*page_break Zzz...
			You wake up in an unfamiliar place. A makeshift hut, by the looks of the thatch ceiling.
			
			Tropical peeping frogs outside let you know that the sun must be setting. Try as you may, you cannot remember the last few hours. It's obvious that at some point you've left your ship and come onto the island yet you can't remember any of it. All you know is that you're soaked in sweat, your back stings, and every muscle in your body aches.
			
			*set powspent + 1
			*set chispent + 1
			*set forspent + 1
			*set solspent + 1
			*set agispent + 1
			[b][1 Chi Point Spent][/b]
			*line_break
			[b][1 Power Core Spent][/b]
			*line_break
			[b][1 Fortitude Core Spent][/b]
			*line_break
			[b][1 Agility Core Spent][/b]
			*line_break
			[b][1 Soul Core Spent][/b]
			*if ((bodytype = "Handsome") or (style = "Midorikatai"))
				*set sect_lostsiren + 15
			
			You rise and thank the Heavens that you left all your currency in your ship's brig otherwise you'd be robbed right now. Actually...You might have been robbed anyway.
			
			With a hint of shame for falling for whatever trap you've walked into, you rise out of the hut and, groaning, leave through its cloth door. As you exit you see several other huts and some of your men leaving through them. Each looks equally exhausted.
			
			*if (bffheshe = "he")
				"Hey." Kosuke mutters, walking out of a nearby hut looking disheveled. "They got you too, huh?"
				
				"Yep." You reply, eyelids growing heavy despite just waking. "Do you think they-"
				
				Kosuke takes three steps back and looks at your back, then awkwardly feels his around own back with his hands. He winces. "Yep, scratched to hell. Gentlemen, we have been taken advantage of."
				
				At the sound of that, even without any memories of the event, the disheveled faces of your crew grow wide smiles.
				
				[b][Retainer Morale +8][/b]
				*set retainer_morale + 8
				*choice
					#"We'll get our revenge at the Trials."
						"We'll get our revenge at the Trials." You declare. "These women may have taken advantage of us, but we'll be the ones getting the last laugh!"
						
						"Uhhh sure, Captain." Replies one of your retainers.
						
						"Of course, Captain." One says unconvincingly, clapping a hand on your shoulder as he walks by.
						
						Two others give wide, pleased yawns and stretches and pass by with noncommittal oaths of vengeance.
						
						"Right on it, Captain." Says another half-heartedly as he scratches his inner thigh and walks off into the jungle towards the ship.
						
						It seems none of them are as insulted by these events as you are. Kosuke stands next to you as you both watch most of your men return to their posts, trudging through the jungle and the sands of the coast. He looks to you with a shake of his head. "Come on man, learn to read a room."
						
						*if (honor > 50)
							"Learn to read at all." You reply, giving the poorly educated bastard a quick jab to the arm. He waves a hand in the air and concedes the insult with several swears and a joke about your mother that he cuts off because he likes your mother.
						*else
							"I thought they'd feel more violated by the whole event." You reply, mind ever caught on the affairs of Law.
							
							"By the Ancestors, ${name}, they're sailors."
							
							"...Ah."
							
						You both walk back through the jungle towards your ship and hope your next journey fairs better.
					#"Nice."
						"Nice." You reply, handing out highfives to the men as you all collect your clothes and wander out of the temporary village. The walk back to your ship is filled with the made up stories of your male retainers, each lying they definitely remember what happened and it was amazing.
						*set honor - 1
						*set retainer_morale + 1
						
						*goto leonabeach
			*else
				"Captain!" Announces a Lunargoth in his late 20s as he sees you leave a hut. You notice, actually, that all your crew coming out of the huts are the more handsome and rugged of your retainers. "They got you too?"
				
				"Unfortunately." You reply, eyelids growing heavy despite just waking. "Do you think they-"
				
				The lunargoth glances at your back and winces, then awkwardly feels his around own back with his hands and winces harder. "Afraid so, Captain. It seems we've been taken advantage of."
				
				At the sound of that, even without any memories of the event, the disheveled faces of your crew grow wide smiles.
				
				[b][Retainer Morale +8][/b]
				*set retainer_morale + 8
				
				"There you are!" Kosuke shouts, running through the jungle with a dead snake in her hand. She stops her sprint next to you and leans over to breathe as if she's out of shape. "I woke up to find everyone gone." She wheezes once. "It was awesome." She wheezes again. "Stole some wine." One more wheeze. "Lost track of time, came running. Still drunk." After a couple more breaths she looks up to meet your eyes. "What happened to you all?"
				
				*if (bffromance >= 1)
					The men begin to mumble and grumble in your defense, giving conflicting excuses of what occurred while you don a shirt so she doesn't see your scratch marks.
				*else
					The men begin to mumble and grumble noncommittally, giving conflicting excuses of what occurred.
				
				"Oh man." Kosuke replies, still leaned over and catching her breath. "I super don't care. I shouldn't have asked." She coughs up some stomach acid after sprinting while drunk and collapses. "Someone get me back on the boat."
				
				You heft Kosuke with both arms and begin the march out of the jungle while she
				*if (bffromance >= 1)
					*if (beardlength = "Mustache") or (beardlength = "Fu Manchu")
						plays with your mustache and
					*elseif (beardlength != "")
						plays with your beard and
				grumbles about auras not doing jack shit to stop alcohol sickness.
				
				You tell her she probably just needs more Fortitude Cores. She rolls her eyes a little too hard and has to stop moving for a moment so she doesn't throw up.
			*page_break
			You bump into your retainers at the tree line leading to the coast and muscle through the crowd, preparing for danger until you see exactly what's got them so frozen.
			
			*label leonabeach
			One of the women who trapped you lies up ahead, or so you think for the smallest moment. A closer look reveals it to be Leona, dressed in only a reed skirt and a seashell bra. She sits with her legs crossed on a large rock and appears to be filing her nails down with a buzzing three-inch line of scarlet chi flying out of her opposite index finger.
			
			She corrects her posture and turns, seeming to notice you all, and hands out a coconut cut open with a reed straw in it. "Hello boys, sleep well?"
			
			Kosuke
			*if (bffheshe = "he")
				sprints forward and takes it, tossing the straw and guzzling the hydrating coconut juice.
			*else
				holds out a quivering hand and Leona tosses it to her. Kosuke guzzles the hydrating juice.
			The rest of your crew lets out a mix of proud but tired groans to greet Leona while you give her new outfit a questioning glance. "What happened while we were out?"
			
			*set spareval_1 5
			She gives a short laugh and beams, the setting sun reflecting off her skin. "You mean while the Lost Siren Sect played you for fools? They tried to steal your ship, obviously hoping to strand you here. Clever bitches. They would have succeeded, too, if it wasn't for yours truly kindly asking them if it was worth their lives. Aren't I amazing? You should tell me I'm amazing."
			
			"What about our loot?" Kosuke groans
			*if (bffheshe = "he")
				between gulps.
			*else
				with a hand over her face to block out the light while she sips.
			"Tell me they didn't touch the loot."
			
			*if (flagshiptype = "Merchant")
				[b][Merchant Ship Event: Vault Locks][/b]
				*goto lockedship
			*elseif ((thievery + craft) >= 5)
				[b][Thievery+Craft 5 Check Passed][/b]
				*label lockedship
				
				"Well they certainly tried." Leona says with a reminiscent smile. "You really know how to lock up your things, ${name}. After losing my key even I couldn't get the damn brig open."
				
				You narrow your eyes. "Why would you be trying to get it open?"
				
				"To get rich, duh." Leona retorts, rising off the rock with a wide stretch. "Me and the island girls got along great while you were all busy nodding off."
				
				Kosuke spits out the coconut juice. "You worked with them?!
				*goto harpycont
			*elseif ({metleona#4} = 1)
				"They certainly tried!" Leona says, turning her cheek with a smug grin. She mocks sadness with the next sentence, pouting heavily. "They couldn't seem to find it though. Almost as if someone hid it all in a hidden compartment. Oh that's right, I did!"
				
				You let out a breath of relief. "Thanks Leona, you saved our butts."
				
				Her smile brightens and she bounces cheerfully in place. "Oh don't mention it you big softie. They were upset though, it took forever to cheer them up."
				
				Kosuke squints in suspicion. "Why would you want to cheer them up? You should have been stabbing them!"
				
				Leona gasps.
				
				*goto gaspstab
			*else
				[b][Thievery+Craft 5 Check Failed][/b]
				
				*set val round(loot/2)
				"Oh, yeah they did take a bunch of goods." Leona adds, rising off the rock with a wide stretch. "I think like...${loot} crates worth?"
				*set loot - val
				
				"That's half!" Kosuke blurts out, spitting out ${bffhisher} coconut juice. "You let them take half?!
			*label harpycont
			What good is a Sword Artist when she can't even stab someone that's
			*if ((flagshiptype = "Merchant") or ((thievery + craft) >= 5))
				trying to rob us?!"
			*else
				robbing us blind?!"
			
			*label gaspstab
			"Why would I stab them?" Leona retorts, insulted. "They were nice! We had a good chat and joked a bit. Shared drinks, stories, tips and tricks. They even gave me this!" She runs her hands under her breasts to show off the shell-bra with a dazzling smile, flipping her hair over her shoulder to pose for the crowd. "We're basically best friends now, can't wait to see them again in Nanhou. They even let me keep watch over ${name} to make sure nothing funny happened."
			
			You start staring in different directions of your vision, putting a few pieces together. If you're so drained, backscratched, and soaked in sweat like the other guys, but Leona was in there with you instead of the enemy...
			*set metleona + 100000000
			*if not (pwt_leona)
				*set pwt_leona true
			
			*if ((bffromance >= 1) and ({metleona#11} = 0))
				Kosuke eyes you suspiciously while Leona 
			*else
				She
			rubs her hands down her inner thighs once with a pleased expression and hops off the crate. "Come on, lazy bones! I'm not missing the Trials just because none of you know how to say 'no' to girls."
			
			She skips down the shore towards your ship with a noticeable pep in her step. After gathering the rest of your retainers and making sure no one died to a panther or any other mishap while you were unconscious, you board your flagship as well and continue your journey south.
			
			At least, the rowers continue your journey south. You have a bath and get some rest.
			*goto secondhalf
*else
	[b][Special Event: Female][/b]
	
	Ah, you notice the faint glow in the air and recognize the effects of a wide net of chi.
	
	Now that you look out around the island's coast there's actually more than a few signs of moored ships on the distant beaches and only makeshift huts further inland. Looking back at your crew, slobbering like idiots at the sight of these girls except for one female cow yokai shaking her head, it doesn't take a genius to realize these women are using some entrancement Technique that works on men. The island must be a temporary headquarters to rob them on their way to the Trials.
	
	Yet if they're resorting to trickery, they probably don't have the strength to back up such crimes the normal way.
	
	Hm...
	
	*if (honor > 50)
		"Hey harpies!"
	*else
		"Hey sluts!"
	You shout out, leaning over the railing. "Quit controlling my men or
	*if (ruthless > 54)
		I'm going to come down there and break your pretty little faces,
	*else
		I'll come down there and [i]make[/i] you stop,
	I've got places to be!"
	
	"We know not what you mean, traveler!" One of them calls out, an auburn-haired beauty with her wild hair pinned up like an owl's nest, wearing two clam shells for a bra and a necklace of jade gemstones. "These men have chosen us as their keepers, and we wish nothing more than to oblige them. I apologize if it's caused you feelings of jealousy, Young Mistress. Though worry not, we will ensure they forget [i]all about you.[/i]"
	
	Oh this bitch.
	
	You don't waste any time, jumping over your own railing and, unfortunately, splashing into the water. One spiritual scan through the dancing girls reveals the one with the biggest concentration of Sacred Chi, the leader. A wicked smile spreads across your lips when you find your target.
	
	It's the doxy that was talking trash.
	
	*set combatstat "power"
	*set combatskill "athletics"
	*set combatdiff 8
	*gosub_scene quicks combatcheck
	*if (passcheck)
		In one burst your ${auracolor} aura explodes around your body. You kick off your boat and charge through both water and sand of the coast with a single movement that closes the distance between the two of you.
	
		Her look of surprise is the last reaction she gets off before you punch her right in the mouth, pushing all your momentum into that single blow. Your body stops, water flings off of you and onto her, then the sand beneath your feedtbursts forward and covers her wet form.
		
		The result is a layer of sand covering her body right after you invert her nose.
		
		"UNNHH!" She screams out, grabbing her face with both hands as blood gushes out both nostrils.
	*else
		In one burst your ${auracolor} aura explodes around your body. You kick off your boat and charge through both water and sand of the coast, but all the while the soft cerulean glow of the song's Sacred chi accumulates on your body while you move.
		
		By the time your reach your target, with your fist reeled back to crack her smiling face open, the glow of gentle Sacred Chi that's collected around you gains the weight of ten anvils and the sand beneath your feet collapses, crushing you into the ground and exploding a cloud of golden chi and sand outward.
		
		*gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 false false
		
		"Hmph." She huffs as the smoke and sand clear. "Perhaps that will teach you some manner-"
		
		Your
		*if ((style = "Kiihakai") or (style = "Aoyusumu"))
			own weighted energy blast
		*else
			rising uppercut
		comes from below the sand and catches her jaw mid-sentence, causing her to bite off the tip of her tongue.
		
		"NNNNGGHHH!!!" She screams out, holding both hands over her mouth as blood gushes through her lips.
	With her undisciplined reaction leaving an opening you kick the back of her knees to sweep her onto her back, then lean down and punch her in the neck with your full bodyweight.
	
	*if (ruthless > 50)
		"Ahhh." You say, soothed by the sight of her aura dissipating into the air. "Much better." You rise, fix your hair, and look to the others. "So,
	*else
		"We could have done this the friendly way." You say to the others as your target's aura dissipates into the air. "But [i]somebody[/i] had to pick a fight! Now
	who's next?"
	
	You expect some sort of attack or surrender, instead what you get is eight women screaming out in panic, running in different directions. Their unorganized retreat is made that much worse because you passed them all on your way to their leader.
	
	You're between them and their huts.
	*page_break
	Thirty minutes later you've finished chasing down the undisciplined screaming ladies and tied them to palm trees deeper in the jungle, in a clearing where they have a set of makeshift huts as a camp. Your retainers have gathered around and brought several supplies you've asked for including a table and tea set. You're seated at one end of the table and across from you is the only tribal girl not tied up, their leader who must have snuck a healing elixir pill while you collected her underlings.
	
	"Tea?" You offer to the auburn-haired woman. One of your retainers holds multiple cups of tea on a platter as if he were a waiter. It's a good performance, you even consider tipping him.
	*if ((honor < 45) or (ruthless > 55))
		
		You won't, though.
	
	The tribal leader looks down at her cup as your retainer places it on the table. She looks to her captured people tied to the trees nearby and back to you. "How do I know you haven't poisoned this?"
	
	It's you that's taken aback this time. "Are you insane? Have you [i]seen[/i] the poison prices in this market? I can beat you up for free, I'd never waste money on it." You swear, some people think too highly of themselves.
	
	Several emotions flash across her face as she shows relief and insult in equal measure. Finally she takes the cup in both hands and chugs it as if intentionally accepting a poison.
	
	"Um...okay. That's not how you drink tea but that's fine."
	
	"I know how I'm supposed to drink tea." She snaps back. "We're not as tribal as we look, this is just our act. We're the Lost Siren Sect and if you kill us you'll face the consequences."
	
	Oh Ancestors, here we go. You take another sip. "Let me guess, you're under 25 and attending the Trials then. Fine. Why did you rob me then?"
	
	"Because we want to win, is that not obvious?"
	
	"Sure, but why the robbery?"
	
	"We can't beat anyone in a fight at our level, but Sacred Chi can coerce people to do what they already wanted to do more easily. That's how we're punching above our weight, but it wears off when the fighting starts so...we take what we need, take their ship, skip to a new island, and do it again."
	
	The plan adds up but one thing stands out. "Why do you abandon them on the island without a ship if you know about the Trials? Surely that breaks some sort of rule."
	
	The Lost Siren Sectmistress takes another sip from her second cup and looks to the side. "We don't mean to abandon them, that's a unique situation. We...Lost our ship. The seas were too dangerous because of two monsters fighting over the sea."
	
	"Oh, you mean the duelists? Did you ever find out what that was about?"
	
	"Who knows." The Sectmistress replies wistfully. "You know how men can get. It's always 'you dare' this or 'courting death' that." You're pretty sure you've used both lines before but decide to keep that to yourself as she continues, "I'd say it sounds exhausting but for some reason it only invigorates them. I think they'd wither away if they didn't have someone to hate."
	
	"Rivalries have their place." You say between sips of tea, thinking of Jack's
	*if (jackromance >= 1)
		stupid, hot
	*else
		stupid
	face. "Don't knock it 'til you try it."
	
	She cracks a smile but then looks back to her bound allies. "Not to ruin the mood but...what are we doing here? I tried to rob you, you bloodied my face, and then I thought you were going to kill us but instead we're chatting over tea." She holds up one hand. "Not that I'm complaining, it's good tea, I just don't understand what you want from me."
	
	You pause for a moment and consider her words. What [i]do[/i] you want? You were so busy getting the situation under control that you didn't consider your end goal, which now that you think of it, is to...
	*choice
		#Demand they return their ill-gotten gains in Nanhou.
			*set honor + 3
			*gosub sitfeel
			"but you don't have to worry about being killed. You tried to rob me, sure, but we can fix that." You take one more sip. "You're going to give back all of your stolen belongings."
			
			"All of...?" The leader says aghast, mouth open as she looks around. "Young Mistress, as far as most of our targets go, we don't even know their names! How are we supposed to...No. No, I'm not going to do it. That's crazy."
			
			"Yes, you [i]are[/i] going to make up for constantly robbing people." You reply. "You tried to rob my retainers, who are mostly scared civilians that barely escaped a Fiend invasion. Who knows what other tragedies you've made worse."
			
			"Yes but-"
			
			"No buts." You say, leaning forward to let her know you're serious. "You've ruined people's chances and maybe even their lives, so let me be clear. I'm in the same Trials you are; the [i]violent[/i] Trials. If I find out you haven't done as I asked,
			*if (ruthless >= 54)
				I am going to find each and every one of you during the competition and, one by one, [i]legally[/i] break your knees to the left and right like a chicken bone in front of the entire world."
				
				[b][Ruthless Check Passed][/b]
				
				"We'll return them." Their leader immediately, switching tone as her tea cup shakes in her hand. "We'll return everything, I promise, I-I'm sorry."
				
				"Good." You reply, taking
			*elseif (honor > 50)
				I am going to personally make sure every one of you loses in the most embarrassing way possible."
				*set ruthless - 2
				
				[b][Ruthless Check Failed, Honor Check Failed][/b]
				*set sect_lostsiren - 10
				
				"We'll see about that." Says their leader, eyes defiant.
				
				Interrogations aren't exactly a skill of yours so you reach over the table, grab her by the collar, and slam her face into the table until her aura shatters. The others scream while you do so, then as she falls over you look to the next one in line. "Do I need to repeat the demand?"
				
				"Nope." Says a blonde cat yokai. "Return everything. We understand. Will do."
				
				"Good." You reply, though the entire encounter leaves a sour taste in your mouth. You just wanted to make them do the right thing and instead ended up having to act like...Jack. Ugh. That leaves a sour taste in you mouth that almost ruins the moment. Almost. You won't let Jack even have this victory, damn it, good scenery is meant to be [i]enjoyed[/i] and by the Ancestors, you're going to enjoy it. You take 
			*else
				*set ruthless - 2
				I will find each and every one of you during the competition and ensure you regret that your crimes ever fell under my notice. Do I make myself clear?"
				
				The leader's eye contact holds strong for several seconds until she sees that you're serious. She hangs her head and murmurs out, "...Yes. Crystal clear."
				
				"So you will return everything you've taken, and everything you've consumed you'll make up for."
				
				"Yes." She repeats, head hung low. Some of her tied underlings scoff at that but she shoots them a darting glance that quiets them too. "We'll return everything."
				
				"Good." You reply, taking
			another sip and admiring the tropical view of the jungle and sky. "I'll make sure everything's returned in Nanhou, of course, but for now...more tea?"
			
			"No thank you, Young Mistress."
			
			You nod your head to the left, dismissing them back to their jungle huts for now. They untie each other as you finish your cup and leave back to your ship while your retainers pack up your impromptu furniture. It's good to be the Matriarch.
			
			Mere minutes after your encounter began, your journey south towards Nanhou continues.
			*goto secondhalf
		#Demand a cut of their stolen goods.
			*set sect_lostsiren + 5
			*set honor - 2
			*gosub sitfeel
			"and now that I do, I want a cut."
			
			"Hm?" The Sect Leader asks from behind her cup as she sips more of your tea. "A cut of our profits?"
			
			A twisted smile spreads across your lips. "Only a career thief would call them profits."
			
			The Sectmistress places the cup down and shrugs wide, with both hands in the air. "You've seen right through me. So what kind of a cut are we looking at?"
			
			"Thirty percent." You reply. "Especially in spiritual cultivation materials."
			
			"You drive a hard bargain, but that's less than what we could hide if you searched the island with your crew. I'll take the mercy and get you what we can. If you'd be so kind as to untie everyone?"
			
			You turn to the girls. "You can break the ropes now."
			
			Weak as they are, more than half the girls still manage to rip through the rope bindings when their auras activate. The other half manage it with help. The Lost Siren Sectmistress leads them out to collect your goods and, surprisingly, doesn't try to run or betray you. Twenty minutes of tea sipping later, with Mars congratulating you too enthusiastically the whole time, you see the girls return with a literal treasure chest filled with Shards and odd fruits.
			
			"These are dragonfruits." The Sectmistress says. "Don't let the name fool you, that's just the mundane word for the fruit itself. They're not special, except these three are Spirit Fruits too."
			
			You look at the red and yellow prickly fruits as if they were adorable kittens. "A deal's a deal. Best of luck on your next robbery."
			
			"It's more skill than luck." The Lost Siren responds, fixing her shell bra.
			
			You both give a short bow and you have Mars carry the Shard chest back to your ship while you enjoy the spirit fruits.
			
			[b][Item Gained: 101 Shards]
			*set shards + 101
			*line_break
			[b][Spirit Fruit x3: Aura Pressure +12][/b]
			*set aurapressure + 12
		*selectable_if (craft >= 3) #Fix a beached ship for them. [Requires Craft 3]
			*gosub sitfeel
			"and now that I do, I think we can help each other out."
			
			"How so?" Asks the Lost Siren Sectmistress.
			
			"The Trials are coming up soon and I really don't think you have time for anymore robberies, so how about we just get you a ship out of here instead?"
			
			The Sectmistress looks off to the side. "If it were that easy we'd already be gone. The beached ships around here weren't our doing, and the best one we already tried to fix. Sailed off and it sunk a mile out, we had to swim back."
			
			You smile wide. "You didn't have a proper builder with you."
			
			Much to the Lost Siren Sect's surprise, you spend the rest of the day extracting half your crews from your ships and putting them to work on the least deteriorated vessel on the island's beaches. With your blueprints and instructions combined with the weak auras of your martial retainers and the Lost Siren Sect, you're all able to get the ship seaworthy in a single day. It's amazing the kind of productivity you can have with mythical strength and a surplus of lumber.
			
			Throughout the entire process your crew even gets to know the Lost Sirens, though you suspect some of the horny bastards got to [i]know[/i] the Lost Sirens.
			
			[b][Retainer Morale +12][/b]
			*set retainer_morale + 12
			
			By midnight the 'tribal' women have ditched their outfits and donned pink and white combat gi while boarding their new seaworthy vessel. Their leader climbs aboard and looks back to you standing on the sands. "This is truly incredible but...why did you do this for me?"
			
			You shrug. "People usually pay me back of their own free will."
			
			"And if I don't?" She asks.
			
			"Then you got a free ship." You shrug. "See you at Nanhou."
			
			"Yes..." The Lost Siren Sectmistress says, pondering, "you will."
			*set sect_lostsiren + 20
			She reaches into her pocket and throws a scroll down to you before turning away from the railing. "Come on girls, we sail!"
			
			You open the scroll curiously and find it to be a Writ of
			*if (boon_thousandlantern > 0)
				Favor, the same kind of Sect-wide debt document that Foreman Gong gave you on behalf of his Magistrate.
			*else
				Favor, an honor-bound and legally-binding document that swears a debt on behalf of an entire Sect. Essentially, it's a one-time voucher to call in a favor from an entire group of Martial Artists. A powerful tool to have with the Trials coming.
			*set boon_lostsiren 1
			
			Their ship leaves south and you march your men to your own ships, following a similar coarse towards Nanhou where the Trials await.
			*goto secondhalf
		#Ask them to teach you their voice technique.
			*set sect_lostsiren +10
			*gosub sitfeel
			"and now that I do, I know what I'm going to do with all of you."
			
			The Sectmistress keeps her eyes on you as she sips her tea.
			"And what exactly have you decided?"
			*if (insight >= 2)
				You sense chi cycling in her core but not leaving, as if she's preparing for combat and trying to hide it.
				*set solexp + 1
			*else
				Probably preparing for a fight.
			
			"You're going to teach me that song of yours to repay me for attempting to rob my men." You reply. "After that we'll go our separate ways."
			
			"We can't." Replies the Sectmistress. "It's an Aoyusumu custom creation."
			
			*if (style = "Aoyusumu")
				"I'm an Aoyusumu Artist." You reply with a dismissive wave of the hand that telekinetically lifts your tea cup to your lips. You take a sip.
				
				"Oh." The Sectmistress says. "Then yes, let's get this over with so you can leave us alone already."
				
				*gosub sirensong
				Best of all, as an Aoyusumu trick, it rests within the chakras and doesn't take up a Core.
				
				*gosub_scene quicks learntech 5000470000010000 "Siren's Call" "Passively reduces the price of most purchases by 10%. Passively increases Deception by +1."
			*else
				"That's a lie and you know it." You reply, pointing a finger to one of her underlings, a blonde cat yokai tied up to a tree. "Two of your Lost Siren Disciples were using Water element and one was using Ice, that's why you had so many shades of blue in your dance. Anyone can learn your Technique, I'd wager."
				
				The Sectmistress holds her hands up halfheartedly in surrender. "You can learn something similar but weaker, yes, but...why am I arguing?" She suddenly asks herself. "Come on, let's get this over with so you can leave us alone."
				
				*gosub sirensong
				By the end you feel the correct Core to align it to and wrinkle your brow. You're not used to Aoyusumu and trying to adjust one of its Techniques to your style is tricky. It's not quite clear which Core the Technique wants to settle in and you're forced to push yourself, aligning it by force.
				*choice
					#Learn [i]Siren's Call[/i] as an Agility Technique.
						*gosub_scene quicks learntech 3500400000010000 "Siren's Call" "Passively reduces the price of most purchases by 10%. Increases Deception by +1 when focused."
					#Learn [i]Siren's Call[/i] as a Soul Technique.
						*gosub_scene quicks learntech 4500400000010000 "Siren's Call" "Passively reduces the price of most purchases by 10%. Increases Deception by +1 when focused."
				
			When the Technique finishes forming in your spirit you're left sweating back on your ship, not willing to perform the final steps in front of a potential enemy. You rise from your Captain's Cabin floor and leave out the front door, walking to the railing to see that the Lost Siren Sect hasn't fled after all; they're waiting on the coastal sands a couple hundred feet away.
			
			"It worked!" You shout out. "Consider us even!"
			
			"Thank the Heavens!" The Sectmistress replies. "Now go away!"
			
			You crack a smile at that and nod in agreement, snapping your fingers to signal your men to set sail to the south. "Come on crew, Nanhou isn't going to wait for us!"

			The Trials await.
			*goto secondhalf
		*if (background = "Merchant")
			#Demand a Writ of Favor. [Merchant Background]
				Growing up with Father and working with so many other Merchants means you're no stranger to contracts. 
				*label sirenwrit2
				One type in particular springs to mind when you find this weak Sect at your mercy:
				
				A Writ of Favor.
				
				According to Imperial decree, Writs of Favor can be exchanged on behalf of entire Sects, Schools, and Clans and turned in at a later time to receive aid without question. With the Trials coming up it's the perfect card to have up your sleeve.
				*goto sirenwrit
		*elseif (boon_thousandlantern > 0)
			#Demand a Writ of Favor.
				Ever since receiving your Writ of Favor from Foreman Gong you've gained a hunger for more, and as luck would have it you've got a weak Sect at your mercy.
				*goto sirenwrit
		*else
			*selectable_if (lore >= 3) #Demand a Writ of Favor. [Requires Lore 3]
				While reading through various tomes you've come across a few legal documents that have caught your attention.
				*goto sirenwrit2
				*label sirenwrit
				*set sect_lostsiren + 5
				
				*gosub sitfeel
				"and now that I do, I'm going to let you off easy with a Writ of Favor."
				
				The Sectmistress takes another sip of tea, maintaining eye contact the entire time. As she lowers her cup, she calmly says, "I was hoping you didn't know about those."
				
				"Well, I do."
				
				"Shit."
				
				You quirk an eyebrow. "Was that your whole strategy?"
				
				"You don't have to point it out and be rude." She snaps back. "Bring me a scroll and ink and let's get this over with."
				
				*gosub kosukecaptives
				
				Twenty minutes later you and the Lost Siren Sect go your separate ways. They get to leave with their lives, you get to leave with a document temporarily ensnaring them to your servitude when you need it most. Another unexpected victory as your ships set sail south towards Nanhou. The Trials await.
				*goto secondhalf
*label secondhalf
*if (sumyungai)
	*set spareval_3 + 10000
*if (fishtip)
	*set spareval_3 + 1000
*if (leonagone > 0)
	*set spareval_3 + 100
*if (bogone > 0)
	*set spareval_3 + 10
*page_break
*finish

*label brandquote1
The reflection in the mirror looks almost like it always has, well, like it always has since a few days after your first Advancement when you stopped looking like a teenager and started looking like a smokeshow in ${hisher} early 20s.

There's just one difference now.
*return

*label leonachat1
You look to the hardworking retainers striking the wooden dummies in repetitive motions and then back to Leona eyeing them with approval. At least, her blue eye is eyeing them in approval. Her green eye is behind an eyepatch.
*return

*label blackjunk
This close the illusion of lights fades and you can make out the ship more clearly. A triple decker black junk ship with three sails and an unfamiliar engraved insignia all along its hull.
*return

*label raidersreturned
Captain Qing's face contorts in ugly confusion but his crew's eyes grow fearful in recognition. As they should; these are the bandits you spared back when you defeated the first Taio clone south of Thunderfall. One of them, an Oni, speaks up first.
*return

*label qingfistclash
Two unstoppable forces clash in the air with no immovable object to contest them. As your attack impacts against Qing's fist you feel his Storm Chi surge through your arm in a numbing intense vibration. All of your focus and spirit go into artificially maintaining the power of your trajectory, leaking chi out behind you to launch yourself forward. Qing does the same, violet lightning expelling out his back as his fist grinds into your attack.
			
Neither of you can see the face of the other, blinded by the colliding forces of chi, and your snarls are drowned out over the roar of clashing powers.

The strain on your spirit
*return

*label guirenripped
ripped away from the world to be placed somewhere else by the sudden presence of The Boss's power that vanishes just as quickly.
*return

*label cleaners
You may have had your moment stolen by a mysterious entity beyond human comprehension, but at least you don't have to do your own chores anymore.
*return

*label acquisitions
[b][Pirate Crew Acquired!][/b]
*line_break
[b][+1 Ship][/b]
*set shipcount + 1
*line_break
*if (banditchoice = "Raiders")
	[b][Martial Retainers +5][/b]
	*set martial_retainers + 5
	*line_break
	*if ((spareval_2 - 5) > 0)
		*set val (spareval_2 - 5)
		[b][Retainers +${val}][/b]
		*set retainers + val
		*line_break
	[b][Commerce Increased!][/b]
	*set commerce + 2
*elseif (banditchoice = "Freedom")
	[b][Martial Retainers +2][/b]
	*set martial_retainers + 2
	*if (spareval_2 > 10)
		[b][Retainers +${spareval_2}][/b]
		*set retainers + spareval_2
	*else
		[b][Retainers +10][/b]
		*set retainers + 10
	[b][5 Weak Soul Treasure Blades Acquired][/b]
	*set weaponcrate + 5
	
	[b][Certain Soul Treasures are used only to increase the Aura Pressure of a weapon's attack. While they may be useless to you, as your Aura Pressure is higher than the weapon's, they can be useful to allies.][/b]
*else
	[b][Bug Report: The Heavens have betrayed you!][/b]
	*line_break
	[b][Variable "banditchoice" not set to Raiders or Freedom][/b]
*set spareval_2 0
*set banditchoice "Recruited"
*return

*label getwyrmtrophy
*rand wyrmtrophy 2200 2600
[b][Item Gained: Wyrm Soul Treasure (${wyrmtrophy} AP)][/b]
*line_break
*if (subrace = "Reptile")
	[b][Reptile Yokai Event: +10% to Wyrm Soul Treasure AP][/b]
	*set wyrmtrophy round(wyrmtrophy*1.1)
*return

*label underlinggain
[b][Martial Retainers +${underlings}]
*set martial_retainers + underlings
*set underlings 0
*return

*label shiptalk
Everyone with an aura is forced onto rowing duty, some even sent to the other
*if (shipcount = 2)
	ship behind yours
*else
	ships in your fleet
to make sure everyone escapes the unapproachable battle going on.

Even with your personal addition to the rear of the ship's rowers, it's exhausting work for all. You row for hours through the evening and night until finally the spiritual pressure of the hours-long duel disappears over the horizon. The fatigue rests so heavily upon your head that you don't even make it to the Captain's Cabin for the night, choosing instead to rest in one of the crew hammocks of the lower deck simply because it's closer.

It's not until mid-day the next day, when you awake in a hammock, that you hear the heavy chatter above deck and know something's up.
*return

*label desgone
She breaks the water's surface with an ungraceful splash next to the boat.
						
For several concerning seconds everything is silent on the Dreamriver escape boat. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief when a golden glow slowly appears under the water's surface and travels underneath their small vessel. Yet the glow remains underwater, trailing the boat's drift.

Li Sun adjusts his footing and looks overboard. "Lady Desdemona, would you like to come on board?"

Desdemona's echoing voice booms from the golden illumination under their vessel. "NO, I AM FINE WHERE I AM. YOU HAVE MY PERMISSION TO ROW FASTER."

Li Sun sucks in through his teeth, clearly in doubt, but simply shrugs and sits down. "You heard your Sectmistress." He says to the
*return

*label sirenloot
*if ((thievery+deception) >= 5)
	[b][Deception + Thievery 5 Check Passed][/b]
	*if not (jadedragonfoundation)
		*line_break
		*set apval 6
		*gosub_scene quicks apboost
	
	Amazingly you're able to find more caches than the women even knew about. Apparently they weren't the first to use this island as a base of operations.
	
	[b][Item Gained: 12 Crates of Loot][/b]
	*set loot + 12
	*line_break
	[b][Item Gained: 1040 Silver][/b]
	*set silver + 1040
	*line_break
	[b][Item Gained: 242 Shards][/b]
	*set shards + 242
	*line_break
	[b][Item Gained: 13 Gold][/b]
	*set gold + 13
	*line_break
	
	[b][3 Spirit Fruit Obtained: +12 Aura Pressure][/b]
	*set aurapressure + 12
*elseif ((thievery+deception) >= 4)
	[b][Deception + Thievery 4 Check Passed][/b]
	
	You manage to procure everything they claim to have on the island and you really do believe them. You even strip one of the better beached ships for the rare wood used in its rutter. It won't fit yours, but it's still a good piece of merchandise to sell when you get the chance.
	
	[b][Item Gained: 8 Crates of Loot][/b]
	*set loot + 8
	*line_break
	[b][Item Gained: 740 Silver][/b]
	*set silver + 740
	*line_break
	[b][Item Gained: 167 Shards][/b]
	*set shards + 167
	*line_break
	[b][Item Gained: 8 Gold][/b]
	*set gold + 8
	
	[b][2 Spirit Fruit Obtained: +8 Aura Pressure][/b]
	*set aurapressure + 12
*elseif ((thievery+deception) >= 3)
	[b][Deception + Thievery 3 Check Passed][/b]
	
	You manage to find plenty of their goods and even get a stache that has a preserved spirit fruit from the leader. You were excited at the prospect of a 'dragonfruit' at first until you find out that it's a normal type of fruit and this one coincidentally has a bit of power in it. They need to name these things better, dragonfruit should be the most powerful fruit.
	
	[b][Item Gained: 6 Crates of Loot][/b]
	*set loot + 6
	*line_break
	[b][Item Gained: 540 Silver][/b]
	*set silver + 540
	*line_break
	[b][Item Gained: 57 Shards][/b]
	*set shards + 57
	*line_break
	[b][Item Gained: 4 Gold][/b]
	*set gold + 4
	
	[b][Spirit Fruit Obtained: +4 Aura Pressure][/b]
	*set aurapressure + 4
*elseif ((thievery+deception) >= 2)
	[b][Deception + Thievery 2 Check Passed][/b]
	
	You manage to rob them of most of their goods but can't help but feel that they're hiding something.
	
	[b][Item Gained: 4 Crates of Loot][/b]
	*set loot + 4
	*line_break
	[b][Item Gained: 340 Silver][/b]
	*set silver + 340
	*line_break
	[b][Item Gained: 27 Shards][/b]
	*set shards + 27
	*line_break
	[b][Item Gained: 2 Gold][/b]
	*set gold + 2
*else
	[b][Thievery + Deception 2 Check Failed][/b]
	
	Your men fail to find much at all and even when they do, you're no help in getting it opened without breaking the contents inside. Energy blasts make for poor lockpicks.
	
	[b][Item Gained: 2 Crates of Loot][/b]
	*set loot + 2
	*line_break
	[b][Item Gained: 140 Silver][/b]
	*set silver + 140
	*line_break
	[b][Item Gained: 1 Gold][/b]
	*set gold + 1
	
*set agiexp + 1
*return

*label sitfeel
"I'm trying to get a feel for the situation," you say, 
*return

*label kosukecaptives
You hear rustling behind you and snap your fingers twice, calling Kosuke to your side. "Kosuke, I need a scroll, ink, and quill. These ladies are going to be in our debt for sparing them." You'd feel like a real idiot if it wasn't Kosuke but your spiritual senses have picked ${bffhimher} up fairly well by now.

"Sure." Kosuke says, turning back around and taking off towards the ship. You make sure not to show relief on your face that it was actually Kosuke. Ancestors, you would have looked like such an idiot. Instead you look collected and professional in front of your captives. Things really paid off.
*return

*label sirensong
You spend the next few hours going over the breathing methods, dietary changes, feng shui elemental adjustments in your sleeping area, meditations, and chakra alignments needed to perform something similar to their Siren's Song. It won't entice men without a large crowd, but it will sway the dispositions of others just enough to get what you want.
*return

*label schooltalk
You've known Martial Schools exist, but you've never seen one. Like Sects, they train Martial Artists in special Techniques and Styles. Unlike Sects, they're temporary. Students pay up front, master the Techniques, and leave for their next training elsewhere. They receive no support from the School afterwards, but also owe no obligations to it. You sometimes wished Thunderfall was a School, simply so that the other disciples would eventually finish learning and go away.
*return

*label marssword
*if (temper = 1)
	"And!" You shout out, glancing back over your shoulder at the Endless Beating students in hopes that they're still buying the ruse. "Seeing as you're our finest dual wielder, I could not send you out without your [i]other[/i] weapon."
	
	"Other weapon???" Mars asked.
	
	"I swear to the Heavens, Mars," you hiss, "quit blowing this and take the sword."
*else
	"Mars!" You shout out a little too loud so the Endless Beating School behind you can hear. "I must return your blade to you before your fight, as you are, of course, a swordsmanship specialist. And this is, of course, [i]your[/i] sword."
	
	"It is?" Mars asks out loud.
	
	"Holy shit Mars, shut up." You whisper back.

"Yes,
*if (heshe = "he")
	sir!"
*else
	ma’am!"
*return

*label marslikesit
"I like it!" He announces.
			
"You...should." Master Suon says from the group of Endless Beating students huddled around him. "It's yours."

"Right!" Mars says back. You smack your forehead.
*return

*label qingexp
*if (sonarmode)
	[b][Thunderfaller vs Captain Qing][/b]
*else
	*image https://www.auraclash.com/assets/img/ap-thunderfaller-vs-qing.png

*gosub_scene quicks statcheck

*image https://www.auraclash.com/assets/img/ap-victory.png

*gosub_scene quicks fightexp
*set fighting false
*return