*temp daysleft 3 *temp kostied false *temp rankvar "" *temp val 0 *temp counter 0 *temp gazcontact "" *temp conversion 0 *temp boogaloo false *temp bingo 0 *temp lostduel false *temp angler 0 *temp chummed false *temp beheaded false *temp pikt "" *temp sumyungai false *temp bloody true *if ({spareval_3#2} = 1) *set sumyungai true *temp fishtip false *if ({spareval_3#3} = 1) *set fishtip true *temp leonagone false *if ({spareval_3#4} = 1) *set leonagone true *temp bogone false *if ({spareval_3#5} = 1) *set bogone true *set spareval_3 100 *temp cheakskate false *temp soldcrates 0 *temp weaponscrafted 0 *temp commercegained false *temp leonawhipping false *temp fishscore 0 *temp nogoodlure true *temp killedgod false *temp matts "Steel" *temp desrepair 0 *temp sawguiren false *temp sawshrines false *temp val2 0 *temp savior false *temp weptext "" *temp cheapskate false *temp armguardname2 "" *temp material 100000000 *temp abduction "" *temp hullbonus false *set chapter 6.5 A haze of noise drowns out everything else as you awake and turn over in your Captain's bed with a yawn, realizing from the sound that it must be raining outside. That serene, comfortable thought disappears when the ship leans so hard that you roll off your bed and hit your forehead on a nightstand. Cursing, you get to your feet and realize what rain means when you're on the high seas: storms. Storms bring waves. You charge out of your Captain's Cabin and find crewmen running up the hatch, holding on for dear life as they skid across the wet deck on their way to the ropes that secure the mast. "The sea's angry, Captain!" One of the older retainers shouts out. "Dark clouds on the horizon!" You look out to the southwest where he's pointing and see it, a darkness covering the sky where the downpour of rain thickens into blankets of water falling from dark clouds. "A Heavenly Gate..." You whisper to yourself. "No, Captain, just a storm!" [i]Huh?[/i] Your face contorts as you look back to the storm and send your spiritual perceptions out into the air, forming a bubble-like pulse of energy as thin as you can and expanding it outward as far as it will go. You barely reach *set val (100 * insight) + (soul * 50) *if (style = "Kiihakai") *set val + 100 ${val} feet out but the feeling in the air proves the man's right, it's not a Gate. Merely a bad storm. After the last year you'd nearly forgotten that most of the time bad weather doesn't mean spiritual power; it just means bad weather. *page_break ...Darn. Bad weather is nothing to fear on land, but what you see before you shows the ocean is a different challenge: the rolling waves of the sea make enough room at odd intervals for you to see multiple ships in the distance struggling to flee to the east while others have already been tipped or destroyed, their driftwood and floating cargo adding to the hazards of the water. It seems this storm has already claimed multiple lives, and you don't want it to take yours. "Everyone batten the hatches!" You shout out, "Get that sail adjusted, secure the *if (flagshiptype = "combat") ballista, *else cargo, and for the love of the Heavens only let people with auras onto the oars! We're-" Your blood freezes, just like everyone else on board, when you hear the noise. A low wail echoes in clicks through the air. You've never heard a whale's song, but you've heard the hiss-clicking of large reptiles before. The combination echoes throughout the sky in deep, aggressive, almost [i]angry[/i] tones from miles away. A primordial fear shakes through you at the size a creature must have for it to sound so distant yet so loud. Reluctantly, on behalf of the retainers you're responsible for, your widening eyes follow the sound into the storm ahead. That's when you see you were wrong earlier. What you see is not rain as thick as blankets. The darkness under the storm clouds is the sea itself rising into the air as the dark outline of some impossibly large Beast crashes through the sea's suface, its size so large that its leaps and had seemed like storm-racked tidal waves at first glance. Though you cannot gauge properly in such dark lighting, it seems as if the sea itself is fleeing upward toward the clouds, climbing the rain to get away from the gargantuan Beast. What you mistook for the obfuscation of rain is a colossal battle of a Beast out of nightmares eating hundreds of water Spirits. "Ca-" Starts one crewman, trying to get your attention, but he can't muster the words. "I know." You say back to him. "I see it." Nearly every thought in your mind is screaming to sail to shore and wait out the storm, staying close to the coast on your way out to avoid whatever monster is casting the dark outline in the waves. And yet.... [i]Nearly[/i] every thought isn't every thought. A piece of you recognizes the opportunity that you could find in the destroyed ships' drifting cargo before the waves claim it. You don't have to get too close to the Beast to get them, and it's busy eating...You should be able to make it, *if (weightedclothing >= 1) you think. Your weighted clothing doesn't even seem to way you down anymore so you don't fear drowning in the storm, but your men will likely be furious if you try. [b][Your Weighted Clothing is no longer heavy enough to challenge you. Seek out heavier weights to regain its benefits.][/b] *else you think, though your men will be furious. *if ((element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water")) [b][Water Element Event][/b] *goto watertalk *if ((element1 = "None") or (element2 = "")) [b][Special Event: Unbound Element][/b] *label watertalk A third thought enters your mind after so many days at sea, getting acquainted with the massive world of water that's impressed you so deeply. An intrusive thought. It must be, because the small inkling in your mind is telling you to how grateful a water spirit would be if you saved it from the Beast. It's an insane plan, you know it is, but it almost [i]calls[/i] to you. Hells, your men would rather fight you to the death than purposefully enter that Beast's feeding ground, and you can't blame them. The ship wouldn't even survive in the deeper storm waters without an enormous predator coming after them. You'd have better luck sending them to shore for safety and swimming out the storm yourself; capsizing a Martial Artist is infinitely harder than capsizing a ship, but can you survive such a crazed endeavor? You honestly don't know. *choice *if (flagshiptype = "transport") #Sail into the storm to get the floating cargo. [Transport Ship Bonus: No Danger] *set val 777 *goto sailin *else #Sail into the storm to get the floating cargo. *label sailin *set gazcontact "Supplies" "Everyone prepare for rough seas!" You shout to the crew. "We sail south-west, into the storm!" *if (roc > 0) "CAWWW?!" ${rocname} calls down from her nest. "I'm with the bird!" Kosuke shouts from the inside of a barrel ${bffheshe} had already climbed into. *else *if (leonagone = false) "Yes! YES!!" Leona screams from the upper platform. "I can't wait to see who dies first!" "Are you insane?!" Screams Kosuke, more at you than Leona, as ${bffheshe} climbs inside a barrel secured to the ship's railing. "This isn't courting death, this is marrying it!" "An order is an order!" You reply. "Besides, we're not going into the Beast's feeding ground. We're salvaging the cargo from the sunken ships at its edge!" *if (persuasion >= 3) [b][Persuasion 3 Check Passed][/b] *set powexp + 1 "Can we keep any of it?" Asks one of the sailors. "You can keep what the Captain doesn't see." Kosuke replies before you can butt in. The retainer who asked looks to a couple others and they get to work expediently, securing the ship as best they can and preparing lines overboard for any lost crew men to grab onto. Despite the suicidal risks, your crew seems as eager to get rich as you do. *elseif (flagshiptype = "transport") [b][Persuasion 3 Check Failed][/b] *line_break [b][Transport Ship Event][/b] *set powexp + 1 If you have any other ship the men might mutiny on the spot, but your transport-style ships are specifically made for storms. Instead of talking back, your men get to work making sure those storm-specific sails and rope allotments are ready. *else [b][Persuasion 3 Check Failed][/b] *if (flagshiptype = "transport") *set retainer_morale - 5 *else *set retainer_morale - 10 The grave faces of the men tell you all you need to know. They do their work, and they fight to secure the ship as their very lives depend on it, but they refuse to meet your eyes all the while. Your attempts to cool their nerves have clearly failed and they seem keenly aware that you're risking their death for material gain. An hour later your ship has plowed through the dangerous waters and hit the storm's real waves. Your entire ship crests over one of the massive swells surging away from the storm and falls at a bad angle, facing downward as the next massive wave collides into your deck. "HOLD ON!!" You scream out, trusting in the fastening of your ropework around the ship as your vessel is temporarily submerged. *if (survival >= 3) [b][Survival 3 Check Passed][/b] *label survival3passed *set forexp + 1 *gosub wavytrain Thanks to your *if (flagshiptype = "transport") transport ship's protections, *else fine work, the crew can say the same. Fortunately you navigated the ship to properly cut through the wave and minimize the damage, and your preparations with ropes around each railing holds firm. You look around and see no one's missing, though everyone is soaked and holding on for dear life. *elseif (flagshiptype = "transport") [b][Survival 3 Check Failed][/b] *line_break [b][Transport Ship Event][/b] *goto survival3passed *else [b][Survival 3 Check Failed][/b] *gosub wavytrain The same cannot be said of your crew. When the water falls away and your ship rights itself you look frantically for the missing crew members but see nothing. You can't even turn the ship around to look for them; barely holding on in such a storm is a feat in and of itself, and diving in to save them would abandon everyone else on board. That wasn't the first wave and it won't be the last. Your overboard retainers are lost to the sea. [b][3 Retainers Lost][/b] *line_break [b][1 Martial Retainer Lost][/b] *set retainers - 3 *set martial_retainers - 1 *set retainer_morale - 2 Twenty more high stress minutes of cutting through the sea prove whether or not it was all worth it; you finally reach the floating debris at the storm's edge. Thunder and lightning crack overhead and an ominous horror shakes through your core, the fear deep inside telling you that the tidal Beast is right underneath you. You push that feeling deep down, for if it really is after your ship then you're already dead. Instead you tie a rope around your torso and dive overboard, collecting what you can whenever the waves permit and pulling it on board to be secured. It's tough work, with salt filling your nostrils, rain pelting your eyes, and cold chilling your bones. All the while you hear the air-shaking hiss-click and enraged whalesong as if it were right behind you. *set val 10 *if ((element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water")) [b][Water Event: Haul Increased][/b] *line_break *set val + 2 *if ((subrace = "Monkey") or (subrace = "Reptile")) *if (subrace = "Monkey") [b][Monkey Tail Event: Haul Increased][/b] *else [b][Lizard Tail Event: Haul Increased][/b] *line_break *set val + 2 [b][Item Gained: ${val} Loot Crates][/b] *set loot + val *line_break [b][Item Gained: Crest of Elemental Yang][/b] *set itemyangcrest + 1 Yet nothing comes. You collect everything in sight and pull yourself on board, not bothering to shake the water off thanks to the new rain soaking you all over again. "Turn the ship around!" You shout out to your retainers. "We ride the waves to shore!" By now everyone's nerves are scraped absolutely raw and they follow the instruction like automatons, doing whatever is needed to get out of the hammering storm. Your ship turns to go with the thirty-foot waves and flee to the east. *goto saileast #Sail to shore for the crew's safety. "Everyone to your stations!" You scream out over the sound of the storm. "We're getting the Hells out of here!" "Here here!" One of the men screams over the sound of a thundercrack. Despite the horrors of sailing in a bad storm, every retainer that you can see seems more focused and even relieved, as if given permission to do what they prayed they could do anyway. You wonder just how many thought you'd tell them to do something utterly stupid like sailing into the storm. [b][Retainer Morale +8][/b] *set retainer_morale + 8 *label saileast Throughout the night you row and adjust your sails, using the storm's strong repelling winds to blow your ships away and inland. With you as the lead rower you make good progress; by the time the morning breaks you hear *if (roc > 0) ${rocname} caw that you've reached land. *else someone above deck shout that you've reached land. You grab a waterskin on your way up to- "Who left saké by the rower's station?!" You scream out, spitting out the ricewine. *if (sumyungai) Sum Yungai *else One of your retainers flinches when you yell and gives you an apologetic glance backward, sweat running down his face. *if not (sumyungai) You want to yell at him but you vaguely recall his name is "Sum Yungai" if Kosuke's word is to be believed. Life has likely punished him enough. Still, by the Ancestors, one week on the seas and everyone around you has turned into alcoholics. *if (honor > 50) Dishonorable. You ascend the stairs through the hatch while shaking your head and climb up to the main deck in search of actual water and, you suppose, to see land too. As you lift the hatch the sun's rays cast down onto you and reinvigorate your tired eyes. You close the hatch behind you and join your gathered retainers on the top deck, all looking east to see a picture-perfect image of a bustling coastal town with the faded background of mountains in the far distance inland. It's not Nanhou, but after so much time in the storm it's a paradise in comparison. *goto landedgentry *if (((element1 = "None") or (element2 = "")) or ((element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water"))) #Send your ships to shore and leap overboard, swimming directly into the storm. [Acquire Water Element] *set gazcontact "Element" "None of you are going anywhere near that [i]thing[/i]!" You shout out to your crew over the distant thunder of the storm. "Head to shore and dock for safety until the storm subsides!" "Oh thank Heavens." Kosuke shouts from inside of a barrel that ${bffheshe}'s secured ${bffhimher}self into. "You heard ${himher} everyone, we're getting out of here!" For old time's sake you slide across the wetted deck over to Kosuke's barrel and knock on it, correcting ${bffhimher} with, "No, [i]you're[/i] getting out of here." "What do you mean by that?" You climb onto the railing above Kosuke's barrel and try not to laugh at the insanity, or the look Kosuke must have on ${bffhisher} face. "I'll meet you all back at shore. If I don't make it in two days, continue to Nanhou!" "WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?!" Kosuke's barrel shakes but it seems ${bffheshe}'s nailed it from the inside. After saluting the rest of the crew you leap overboard, the cold storm waters giving a refreshing and freeing sensation when they finish soaking your clothes. You plunge through a wave and swim up to the surface with an uncontrollable smile. Even the taste of salt doesn't ruin the invigorating rush. It's hard to suppress a laugh as you leave everyone safely behind and feel the thrill of an independent challenge. No one else is at risk for your decisions for the first time since escaping the prison in Ebikowa, it's just you and the storm...and the tidalwave-sized Beast. And the spirits. And anything else under the water's surface. You wouldn't have it any other way. The rest of your crew stares dumbfounded at their Captain swimming up storm-racked swells in a glow of ${auracolor}, heading right towards a monster inside the storm and laughing like a mad${manwoman}. *page_break Swimming through the waters is easier said than done. The rain pelts your open mouth and obscures your vision, the tidal waves block all sight of the storm and the monster unless you can swim to the crest of the largest waves, and the waters themselves constantly push you away. *set combatstat "power" *set combatskill "athletics" *set combatdiff 9 *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) *label waterpass1 *if ((element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water")) The water around you answers to your spiritual commands as you swim through the waves and the rain without issue. *else It takes every ounce of strength you have to swim on, but you make it. *else *if ((element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water")) [b][Water Element: Automatic Success][/b] *goto waterpass1 It takes every ounce of strength you have to swim on, and even that's not enough. The waters crash against you and force water down your lungs time and time again. *gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 false false *if (((chipool + (soul/2)) - chispent) >= 1) *line_break *set chispent - 1 [b][1 Chi Point Spent] Minutes turn to hours, every second testing you as you push through the dangerous waters until finally you make it. The thundercracks grow louder and louder and you can finally see outlines of dark blue chi darting through the rising waves. Shifting shapes of blue energy with glowing white eyes slide and skitter all around you, some like serpents and others in indistinct blobs, some massive and underwater while others are small like Kami motes, floating up the raindrops slightly faster than they can fall. One is even shaped vaguely like a Human woman running on the water. Running away from you. The hiss-clicking of the distorted whalesong echoes over the sound of thunder, its scream so loud that the water around you shakes. All the waves in your vicinity suck inward, down into the ocean, and your spiritual senses pierce through your mind in an adrenaline-inducing panic. That's when the water launches upward, taking you with it, when the Beast breaks the water beneath you like a mountain rising out of the sea. *page_break In your hurry to reach the storm and save the water Elementals, you've entered the Beast's territory. Thirty feet further and you think you would have been in its mouth, though its size is so colossal that you can't even see what its head looks like. The vague castle-sized outline of gum and teeth flash past you into the sky at impossible speeds when the Beast ascends from beneath the ocean, the momentum dragging its massive body towards the storm clouds and taking you along with it. The water sucks you against its black and green hide and bounces you off the steel-hard skin. You tumble upward along with all the water in your vicinity, an ocean spray so large that you can't tell the rising water apart from the rain and lose your sense of up and down. Seconds of disorienting panic later, lightning flashes above you to help correct your sense of direction. It does nothing to improve the horror running through your mind as you look up to see the sky swirling with blue energy like water going down a drain. Like a cycling. Your spirit trembles when the Beast uses some ingrained Technique to inhale all the ambient chi in the air, sucking in the spirits hiding in the upper rain by consuming chunks of the rainstorm itself. Things get worse when you start to fall. Despite the creature's fierce roar vibrating through your skull, you're simply too afraid to feel the fear in this moment. Your mind rationalizes that the monster is too large to target you, like a force of nature, but you snap yourself out of the thought when you remember your mission: You're here to steal its food. You turn in the air and reach your spiritual senses out in any direction but the Beast's, seeking a surviving Water Spirit in the falling sea. That's when you spot the white glow of an Elemental's eyes twenty feet up and ten feet away. Not the woman-shaped spirit, or the serpents, or even the Motes, but one of the indistinct blobs. Water falling all around you slowly drifts up to the spirit to gather back in one pool, like a sheet of rain falling slower alongside you. *if ({metangelo#2} >= 1) Thinking back to Angelo's teachings of Shugendō, you try to become of one mind with the way of the water *else Your eyes widen and you think quickly to your readings on the nature of spirits. You need to align your mindset to the alien thoughts of the elements, becoming one with their ways and...Oh who are you kidding?! It doesn't take a sage's wisdom to know what this thing wants! "You need to get out of here!" You shout out over the volume of the rain slamming into the ocean below. You reach a hand out to the spirit. "Let me help!" In any other circumstance, in any other Shugendō journey, becoming one with the spirits and accepting each other would be an epic journey of cooperation and understanding. In this moment, when the two of you want nothing more than to not get eaten and get the Hells out of here, becoming of one mind is more than just easy. It's inevitable. The creature reaches out to you not like a tendril of water, for water is never so textured, but as a spurting stream like a broken water tower. Its body breaks down into a spurt of water that exits the blob it had been forming, releasing its Water Chi essence as a high-pressure spill that splashes through the air toward your outstretched hand. When it touches you, your souls collide. *if (style = "Kiihakai") [b][Kiihakai Style Event: Spiritbinding][/b] Your Mystic Chi runs through the spirit's undefined body, having your will-infused Yang chi find its outline instead of relying on your eyes, and you pull as much of its essence into your Cores as you can. *else *set combatstat "fortitude" *set combatskill "lore" *set combatdiff 9 *if (element1 = "Water") [b][Water Element: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - element1rank *elseif (element2 = "Water") [b][Water Element: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - element2rank *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) *gosub spiritburst but you use all your knowledge of spirits, Cores, and cycling to push its energy in the correct areas and proper rotation, no matter how painful it is. *else *gosub spiritburst and your skin tears in spiraling lines up your arm as your body fails to properly integrate the spirit's power. *gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 false false Despite the pain there's nothing to do but grit your teeth and fight through it. The water spirit's energy floods your aura like a Gate but with too much willpower behind the power. Rather than absorb the chi flooding into your system, you feel an incompatible nature between its living energy and your physical form. The two natures conflict and it feels like gripping an enormous waterskin without being able to get to the water beneath. Then the Beast's leap ends, and it begins to fall. Only now do you both realize its shadow looms over you like a storm cloud in its own right. The spirit panics and pushes harder, like a flooded river spiraling into your Cores. You harden your will to crush its incompatible nature down into the chi your body needs. Neither side wins, but neither side loses. The spirit’s will absorbs into your aura and your chi submits to its nature. You feel every muscle in your body getting scrubbed clean at once by a raging current under your skin. *if (element1 = "Water") *set element1rank + 1 *if (element1rank = 2) *set rankvar "Adept" *elseif (element1rank = 3) *set rankvar "Elite" [b][Water Mastery Improved to "${rankvar}"][/b] *elseif (element2 = "Water") *set element2rank + 1 *if (element2rank = 2) *set rankvar "Adept" *elseif (element2rank = 3) *set rankvar "Elite" [b][Water Mastery Improved to "${rankvar}"][/b] *else [b][Water Element Acquired!][/b] *if (element1 = "None") *set element1 "Water" *set element1rank + 1 *else *set element2 "Water" *set element2rank + 1 *if (style = "Kiihakai") *line_break [b][Kiihakai Bonus: Increased Water Mastery!][/b] *if (element1 = "Water") *set element1rank + 1 *elseif (element2 = "Water") *set element2rank + 1 *if (race = "Oni") *line_break [b][Oni Event: Spiritual Body (Aura Pressure +10)][/b] *set aurapressure + 10 *line_break [b][Oni Event: All Wounds Healed][/b] *set wounds 0 *line_break [b][Oni Event: All Cores and Chi Restored][/b] *set powspent 0 *set forspent 0 *set agispent 0 *set solspent 0 *set chispent 0 The deep blue light of Water Chi pulses outward from your body in waves. With this *if (element1 = "Water") *if (element1rank = 1) new *else improved *elseif (element2 = "Water") *if (element2rank = 1) new *else improved power your spirit reaches out and with elemental control over the rain, holding it in place with your full Aura Pressure long enough for you to kick off a single rain drop. One step brings you forward by two feet, then next brings you five, and the next launches you ten. After five quick strides you catch up to your natural pace and begin kicking off the rain at such speeds that you're running horizontally through the rain as you fall. When you reach the last few feet of air you turn and slow your descent by stepping upward, landing calmly on the water and generating more Water chi around your feet to walk carefully on the water. Then the Beast lands. Tidal waves rock the ocean around you but you maintain an impeccable balance, standing on the surface of the ocean as it rises under your feet by eighty feet. The water rises you higher and higher as the ocean is turned into a bowl of waves from the Beast's crash and there, at the height of the water's ascent with you standing atop the waves, lightning flashes across the sky. You look down into the valley of water left in the Beast's wake and see its massive form illuminated from behind while it descends and you see a tail. A tail...and massive, powerful legs. It swims deeper into the depths and you lose sight of its form in the darkness of the sea. *page_break Hectic minutes pass as the waters 'settle'. Even without a monstrosity large enough to destroy Thunderfall Village, there's still a violent storm ravaging the waves all around you. The best you get down to is twenty foot swells before you accept that the sea is not going to get any calmer. It's time to go back to your ships. Ten steps into your water-walking journey you make it to the steep part of the wave you're on and leap across to a different wave. By the time you land, the wave you were aiming to land on has disappeared. Your stomach drops as you hit the water and see for hundreds of feet around. All the surrounding waves have disappeared too, sucked into the ocean. It's the same phenomena that happened just before the Beast surfaced last time, but now the waves seem even further away and the world loses a bit of its color when you realize why. You're standing in the center. It's coming for you. *choice #Predict its animalistic movements and leap in the opposite direction of its ascent angle. This thing may be of an unassailable size, but its supremacy is your advantage. Nothing that big relies on strategy. The last time it breached the water it charged into the sky at an angle. You just have to figure out which angle it's using this time. Your eyes dart to the waves all around and you memorize its falling pattern from before, planning out its actions like you would any other animal. There's no room to doubt yourself, so when you calculate the angle you stick to your first estimation and form a ramp of water beneath your feet, kicking off with all the strength in your legs to launch yourself in the opposite direction. *set combatstat "agility" *set combatskill "survival" *set combatdiff (10-perception) *if (style = "Midorikatai") [b][Midorikatai Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if ((element1 = "Wind") or (element2 = "Wind")) [b][Wind Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) The water beneath you explodes and some part of the Beast, either a snout, forehead, or eyelid, slams into you and knocks you airborne like the last time. Your momentum and the creature's counter each other, bouncing you off its face and behind its head. You're launched into the air as the creature screams its water-shaking roaring whalesong. *label saveselfwater You don't turn around, instead spinning out of control into the sky until you spiritually grasp the water around you and kick off the rain to flee behind the monster's head. Step after step doesn't see you flying into the sky, but it helps you break even. Your desperate attempt to kick off the rain using the Water Element of your aura proves just effective enough to keep your elevation. The Beast slowly reaches its zenith and falls back to the ocean, but you continue on. Hour after hour sees you tirelessly leaping through the rain to survive, each thunderclap threatening to strike you down with natural lightning, but the Heavens smile upon you as the lightning strike never comes. Eventually you run out of storm, losing momentum and descending to the ground from the thinning rain. The ocean splashes into your clothes and mouth and reintroduces you to the salt of the sea, a distasteful difference to the rain you've been running through. Despite the fear of its return, the Beast doesn't strike again; it seems you've lost its scent. You continue your swim to the shore without issue. *page_break *goto swimcont *else The water beneath you explodes and you realize too late that you were wrong. Something hard slams into you and you realize it's some sort of tooth or gang, too large to even see its shape as a wall of white-yellow slams into you with a bone-breaking crunch. *set val 3 *if (ironbody) [b][Ironbody Activated, Damage Reduced][/b] *set val - 1 *line_break *if (pblocktech != "") [b][${pblocktech} Activated, Damage Reduced][/b] *set val - 1 *line_break *if ((element1 = "Earth") or (element2 = "Earth")) [b][Earth Element: Damage Reduced][/b] *set val - 1 *line_break *if (val = 0) [b][All Damage Resisted!][/b] *line_break *else *gosub_scene quicks woundcheck val false false *if (((chipool + (soul/2)) - chispent) >= 1) *set chispent - 1 [b][1 Chi Point Lost] *if (val = 0) You can't believe how strong you've become as you're blasted into the sky by the Beast's enormous maw, its sea-shaking screaming whalesong rattling your bones. And yet you endure. *set apval 10 *gosub_scene quicks apboost *else The pain shakes through your body as the Beast's maw slams you into the sky like an arrow released heavensward. Holding on for dear life, you grip the tooth/fang and pull yourself up to avoid slipping into its mouth. The world around you glows blue as it pulls in all Water energy in the air, but you're no Water Elemental. By luck and miracle, its Technique has no effect on your physical body. With one mighty pull and a desperate scream you throw yourself over the top of its maw and bounce down its face as if you were falling down an uneven tower, flying over its face and spinning into the sky high above the waves. *goto saveselfwater #Mask my aura and become one with the water's movements, preparing to slide out of the way. You remember the last time it breached and recall all the water coming off its face, despite its open maw. This Beast wants to eat energy, not salt water, and so you reach out to the sea's surface around you and channel your aura's Water affinity to attune your body to its flow. If it works, you should slide right off the Beast's face and fall back to the sea. With that subtle effect in place you suppress your aura as much as possible so it loses track of your water energies. A single second later the sky comes down to greet you. The water explodes into the air in all visible directions from the Beast breaching the sea beneath you, its massive maw open, and your whole body trembles as the monster releases its water-shaking aggressive whalesong. You keep your eyes ahead, frozen in fear, and... *set combatstat "soul" *set combatskill "stealth" *set combatdiff 8 *if (element1 = "Water") *if (element1rank > 1) [b][Water Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *line_break *set combatdiff - element1rank *else *if (element2rank > 1) [b][Water Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *line_break *set combatdiff - element2rank *if (style = "Kurokonton") [b][Kurokonton Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) *gosub waterlaunched *goto saveselfwater *else *gosub waterlaunched Then your body shakes with pain and you feel the whole world drain around you. The creature's horrific hiss-clicking whalesong shakes the rain itself as screams at you from underneath, sucking out all the Water energies in the air, your included. *label checkfor *if ((fortitude - 1) > forspent) *line_break [b][1 Fortitude Chi Spent][/b] *set forspent + 1 *goto checkfor *label checkpow *if ((power - 1) > powspent) *line_break [b][1 Power Chi Spent][/b] *set powspent + 1 *goto checkpow *label checkagi *if ((agility - 1) > agispent) *line_break [b][1 Agility Chi Spent][/b] *set agispent + 1 *goto checkagi *label checksol *if ((soul - 1) > solspent) *line_break [b][1 Soul Chi Spent][/b] *set solspent + 1 *goto checksol The creature rises through the sky towards you as you're blasted upward and it drains your energies. *goto saveselfwater *if ((background = "Herbalist") and (handseals >= 1)) #Dump barrels of oil around me to taint the waters. [Requires Herbalist and Handseals 1] As an Herbalist you've collected plenty of easy-to-gather materials on your journey... [b][Commerce +1][/b] *set commerce + 1 *set solexp + 1 *set forexp + 2 ...but you wish you collected more. You pray to the Heavens that you brought enough foul-smelling greases when you withdraw three fuuinjutsu tags with both hands and rip them apart with your teeth to save time. Smoke clouds explode all around you as three barrels appear in the world, released from their fuuinjutsu seal. You strike into the smoke before the rain can even clear it away and your fist slams through the wood multiple times, breaking each barrel and spilling their contents out into the sea. Finally you raise both hands and charge ${auracolor} chi between your palms, rushing both hands down to blast the spiritual energy into the barrels and get the last of their contents into the water as fast as possible. You breathe hard from the surge of activity and prepare to die if your plan doesn't work. Your rapid inhaling cause you to wrinkle your nose at the smell of the alchemical grease you just released into the water, you believe it's called "tar pit oil". The next five seconds pass like an eternity as you wait for the water below you to darken and reveal the monster. Then a wave hits your leg and throws you off-balance. You stumble and look around to see the waves returning to the area and feel the tension in your body soothe, even in the uneven crack of thunder of the storm, when you realize your plan worked. You let yourself drop into the waters to cover your clothes in the substance, then start swimming to the East. When you explain this to the others you're definitely leaving out the part where you scared the Beast off with the alchemically scaled equivalent of shitting in a predator's mouth. *page_break *goto swimcont *label swimcont After a safe distance your skin tingles and your spirit feels a sense of relief after so much tension. The water around you coagulates into an amorphous blob of glowing blue energy and the Elemental releases itself from your painful and hasty fusion. It sinks below the waves and gives off an impression of gratefulness. To your relief, your aura does not revert; your new spiritual power over Water has become a permanent addition to your arsenal. Yet even with the power of the Water Element, the rest of the swim takes longer than you expected; hours longer to get out of the storm and hours more beyond that. By the Ancestors and even [i]their[/i] Ancestors, how much overly salted water is there in this 'ocean'?! Finally you get sight of a reprieve. At the top of a higher than usual wave you get a glimpse of the shore miles off, largely thanks to the faded image of mountains leagues in the distance beyond the coast. Four ships are between you and the coast, each lazily drifting and not wanting to dock for whatever reason. Pain and weariness threaten your body's progress but you push yourself past the first two ships, praying to the Heavens that each is your own. They are not. The Sect aboard one of them even threatens you to keep your distance, saying that you are courting death and asking if you wish to taste the sting of their secretive such-and-such Technique. You don't even respond and keep swimming past them. Exhaustion is a wonderful conversation ender. Yet the same exhaustion can't stop you when you see it: *if (roc > 0) ${rocname}'s expanded crow's nest on the top of a ship up ahead. *if ((leonaromance >= 3) and (heshe = "he")) Between that and Leona sunbathing naked on the back railing of your upper platform, you're certain you've reached your vessel. *elseif ((leonaromance >= 3) and (heshe = "he")) The one thing that truly marks your flagship and lets you tell it out from the rest: Leona sunbathing naked on the back of the upper platform. *else Two morons drinking from an entire barrel one of them carried up to the crow's nest. You'd recognize the poor character of your ship's crew anywhere. Your pace increases. When you finally reach them you form a geyser of seawater to rise onto the ship in what you think is a grand display. "Honored $!{patriarch}!" One of the retainers shouts, getting the attention of the other dozen on deck. Among them, Kosuke is the next to speak up. "We were worried sick, what were you thinking when you...Look awful. Holy shit, ${manwoman}, it's like a Plague Spirit had an ugly baby with a Lost." "Oh wow, it is!" Leona eagerly adds *if ((leonaromance >= 3) and (heshe = "he")) while hopping down the stairs wrapped in a linen towel. *elseif (flagshiptype = "combat") from the seat of the ballista. *else from the upper platform. "You look like a corpse that lost a fight! What did the Messenger of Death look like just before she saw your face and ran away? Was she hot? I'll bet she was [i]smoking[/i] hot." You march past them and collapse, soaked, into your Captain's Cabin bed. With the last fumes of your spiritual energy you channel the Water Element and remove all sea water from your clothes, bed, and skin to give yourself a clean, dry rest. Outside, you hear Leona ask, "Is ${heshe} dead?" "Dibs on ${hisher} *if ({itemkatana_1#1} > 0) sword." *else room." Kosuke responds. *page_break *goto landedmorning *label landedgentry *page_break Finally, civilization! Realizing what a bad idea it is to enter new terrain while exhausted, you have everyone that's going ashore get a good night's sleep a couple miles off the coast, and you're not the only one. A half dozen ships can be seen in the surrounding waters off in the distance, each likely with their anchor down since they're not moving. You trust in your spiritual senses to warn of any trouble and get to rest yourself. *label landedmorning *gosub_scene quicks timepass The next morning you awake to the caw of *if (roc > 0) seagulls and ${rocname} outside, who is likely continuing her trend of chasing and eating seagulls. You're not sure what they did to piss her off, but she's been on a vendetta since your last docking. You *else seagulls outside and rise out of bed, feeling slightly refreshed, and get dressed. *if (bffromance >= 1) "Are you going to do the same?" You ask to the naked and groggy Kosuke, half-covered by the sheets of your bed. "Inaminute." $!{bffheshe} lies. You roll your eyes and continue outside. *if (wounds > 0) *set wounds - 1 Opening the Captain's Cabin door reveals an unexpected sight: you're already docked at the nearby town's port. More importantly, someone you don't know is on your ship. A man in green and black combat gi bows at your arrival and one of your *if (spareval_1 = 4) retainers, Mars actually, *else retainers skittishly steps away from the man. "You must be the $!{patriarch} of this crew's Patron Clan." The stranger states with a bow. "I am a Lower Disciple of the Windrising Sect here in the pristine settlement of Harehama. Please, do not trouble yourself by my presence. I am merely collecting fees from your retainers for their docking rights." "We shouldn't be docked." You reply. "But you must." The Windrising disciple replies. "Gazhurra has seen fit to hunt the seas on this day, and she will not be appeased until her waters are clear." "Gazhurra is the monster in the storm." *if (spareval_1 = 4) Mars adds with an absentminded smile, as if it were smalltalk. *else Adds your retainer when he notes your expression. "It seems we are in the territory of a Wild God." "Indeed." Replies the Windrising disciple. "The mighty Gazhurra has been known to grace us with her presence since before Sectmaster Bassui's time, and his Sectmaster before him. She is a holy creature of such importance that the Exalted Council entrusts us as her emissaries, that she may protect our sea from invaders." Nothing about that sounds correct. "What invaders?" "Exactly." The Disciple replies, smiling. "She does not attack lone ships, but no major army has been safe crossing the sea from Shattered Cathay to Imperial Rasen for centuries, lest their large concentration of aura attract Gazhurra's attention. The Exalted Council treat her as a guardian of their western coast, though the deal has had...complications, with so many Martial Artists sailing for Nanhou at once." The Windrising Disciple looks out over the ocean longingly. "Like all Wild Gods she is, first and foremost, a Beast, so it is our duty to appease her instincts, not to issue requests. These are troubling times." You don't know much about Wild Gods but now that you've *if (gazcontact = "Supplies") felt the presence of one, *elseif (gazcontact = "Element") nearly been eaten by one, *else glimpsed the size of one, you've seen enough of them for a lifetime. "I see." You reply, looking around the busy docks and seeing two dozen other ships cramped into the town's port. "So if we have to dock, when can we expect to leave?" The Windrising Disciple frowns. "Unfortunately, soon. Three strangers dressed in unusual armor arrived last night, equipped for war and radiating power. Archons. Our Sectmaster informed them in no uncertain terms that Gazhurra is vital to our Sect, environment, and way of life, but they insisted on pushing the Majestic One back for the sake of their grandiose event. If they succeed, we should hear of it by tomorrow morning." "And if they fail?" The disciple smiles. "Gazhurra feeds." *page_break You pay the disciple your docking *if (retainer_morale > 50) fee and are surprised to see your crew cover the cost for you. [b][Retainer Morale Check Passed][/b] *elseif (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= (10 * shipcount)) fee for *if (shipcount = 1) your sole remaining ship. That's the one good thing about being fleeced by the Endless Beating Sect; at least you saved on docking fees. *else each of your ships and feel a sting of pain as each coin leaves your coffers. *set val (shipcount * 10) *gosub_scene quicks costcalc val *else fee and- Realize you cannot actually pay the fee. You don't have enough money. Red-faced and sheepish, you turn to your crew and give your most convincing yet pitiful smile. They each start emptying their pockets and grumbling. [b][Special Event: Broke Captain][/b] *line_break [b][Retainer Morale -6][/b] *set retainer_morale - 6 The Windrising disciple takes the payment with a modest bow. "Thank you for your patronage, Honored Guest. Might I suggest the sunset fishing contest while you're in town? Our Magistrate wishes to make everyone feel welcomed and has prepared bountiful prizes for the winner of such a contest." "That actually sounds nice." You think out loud. "There is, of course, an entry fee." The man continues. "Ah." You reply, mood soured. The disciple smiles and steps off your ship down the ramp that's already been setup. You look overboard to see some of your retainers have already departed. In fact, Bo Lo is already across the docks in a screaming match with one of the Windrising disciples over whatever it is he's chosen to yell about today. The rest of your crew follows you off the ship and you look out at the town. A line of warehouses and shops faces the docks, paved roads lead to busy streets further in, civilian beaches rest to the north and south, and two large towers rise over the line of buildings further in that should be the local Magistrate's Pagoda and the Windrising Sect Headquarters. There's even a set of banana farms visible at the distant town's end, right before the jungles beyond. A picture perfect image for a beachside vacation and retreat. *if (ruthless > 50) "Everyone listen up," *else "Okay everyone," You say to your retainers, "We have twenty-four hours on land before we continue to Nanhou." You pause, realizing this is the first safe settlement they've reached since Ebikowa. "Feel free to enjoy yourselves, and if you want to stay under the ${clan} Clan then meet back at the docks tomorrow morning." *if (retainer_morale >= 50) "Yes, Honored $!{patriarch}!" Several bark out, saluting before they leave. You get a good feeling that you've earned their loyalty, but time will tell. *else They mumble and seem to leave rather quickly the second they're given the chance. Your prospects for everyone coming back are not high. *if (ruthless > 50) Ungrateful bastards. *else You don't blame them; a beachfront paradise is hard to compete with. Once the retainers are gone Kosuke *if (bffromance >= 1) sneaks out of your bedroom, plants a kiss on your cheek as ${bffheshe} passes by, and then *else follows them close behind and [i]sprints[/i] off to *if (bffheshe = "he") a dice gambling game visible in a nearby alley. *else the shopping district. Behind you, up on the raised platform, Leona takes her armor off and leaps overboard to go for a swim in her linens. *if (heshe = "he") You're put off just a bit *else You take inspirational note that, without her armor on, you can see knife sheathes covering her lower legs all the way up to the knee. She keeps them on in the water, each filled with a different style of blade. Everyone has eagerly departed for their own activities. That leaves you all alone. *label Next_harehama With the whole town to explore, you decide to... *choice #Convert currencies. Surprisingly it's the various Martial Artists stranded in town that make better currency exchanges than the shops, as they're not charging a fee. You simply ask around for who's looking for what. You're not alone. Dozens of disciples are either seeking Shards for cycling or seeking to exchange their Shards for hard currencies in order to reach Nanhou without seeming like a bigger target to spiritual scans. *choice #Convert Silver to Shards. "Thank the Heavens you came along." Says one young man in a shabby white gi. "The gambling ring only takes Silver, I need to win my belt back!" Poor sap. You look through your funds and consider how much to exchange. [b][10 Silver equals 1 Shard, how many Silver would you like to exchange for Shards?][/b] [b][Current Silver: ${silver}][/b] *input_number conversion 0 silver *set bingo (conversion modulo 10) *set conversion - bingo *set silver - conversion *set shards + (conversion / 10) *selectable_if (gold >= 1) #Convert gold to Shards. "Gold, right?" A woman in twin-tails down to her knees approaches in a hurry. "I heard you tell someone you were offering gold, right? Good. I've got Shards and I'm setting sail even with that giant [i]thing[/i] in the water, so I need you to take it off my hands or we're going to smell like a meal. How much can you trade?" [b][1 Gold equals 10 Shards, how much Gold would you like to exchange for Shards?][/b] [b][Current Gold: ${gold}][/b] *input_number conversion 0 gold *set gold - conversion *set shards + (conversion * 10) *selectable_if (shards >= 1) #Convert Shards to Silver "Yeth!" Screams an over-eager and thick-necked Lunargoth when he catches up to you, panting. His front teeth are missing and it's given him a horrible accent. "Exacthy whah I wath ooking for!" He withdraws a satchel filled to the brim with shining Silver and points to the Shards you've been showing off for trade. "Hurry, hurry! I need to thycle for my reventh!" [b][1 Shard equals 10 Silver, how many Shards would you like to exchange for Silver?][/b] [b][Current Shards: ${shards}][/b] *input_number conversion 0 shards *set shards - conversion *set silver + (conversion * 10) #Go back. *goto Next_harehama *goto Next_harehama #Visit the Sage's Shop. Walking into the shop assails your vision with multi-colored plumes of smoke coming from different incense that seem to be designed for visual effect. The effect on your visuals being...blindness. You wave a hand around while moving through the shop. "Hold!" Booms the voice of what sounds like an unusually wide man. "Don't move another inch! You're about to knock over my jar or lyreflies!" "I can't see!" You shout out back. "Me neither!" Says another voice in the shop. "There were other people in here?!" Shouts another. "For how long? I've been lost for twenty minutes, I thought I was abandoned!" "Stop, each of you." *label sageshop The wide shopkeeper's footsteps echo to your left through the multicolored smoke clouds. "Just tell me what you want and I'll get it for you." A piece of paper slips into your hand through the currently-magenta mist in the store and you squint, pulling it close to your face to read off a list of potent fish scales, alchemical sands, Beast fur clippings, boneshards, incense, and charms. Standing out among the rest, you note a few Scrolls teaching ritual Seals for sale. •Scrolls that teach the Auspicious Northern Seal. [+1 Temporarily to Craft, Perception, or Survival] *line_break •Scrolls that teach the Auspicious Southern Seal. [+1 Temporarily to Deception, Stealth, or Thievery] *line_break •Scrolls that teach the Auspicious Western Seal. [+1 Temporarily to Athletics, Insight, or Persuasion] *line_break •Scrolls that teach the Auspicious Eastern Seal. [+1 Temporarily to Alchemy, Handseals, or Lore] *line_break •Scrolls that teach the Reinforcement Seal. [Protect mundane items from chi damage and excessive force.] *line_break •Scrolls that teach the Counterseal. [Undo certain existing Seals or Curses] *if (reinforceritual = 100) One ritual stands out among the rest, the Reinforcement Seal. It doesn't don on you until just now that the weapons your crew has been using, and your ship itself, are running on borrowed time using the Sunbringer's pre-existing Reinforcement Seals. If they didn't have them, your weapons would have broken the first time you fought a Martial Artist. Preserving them with chi enforcement is a good trick. One you consider learning yourself. *else You decide to... *choice *selectable_if (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 8) #Purchase Ritual Components. [8 Shards] How many would you like to purchase? *set bingo (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) modulo 9) *set bingo ((((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) - bingo) / 9) *input_number val 0 bingo *set ritualcomponents + val [b][Item Gained: ${val} Ritual Components][/b] *set val (val * 8) *gosub_scene quicks costcalc val *set val 0 *set bingo 0 *selectable_if (ritualcomponents > 0) #Sell Ritual Components. *set bingo (3 + persuasion) *if (bingo > 8) *set bingo 8 The young sage's apprentice takes a moment from binding scrolls to look through your collection of expensive inks, blessed seal tags, incense, and cursed animal bones. "Hmm." She says, adjusting her spectacles. "These seem fine quality. The owner says I can't offer more than ${bingo} Shards for each." How many would you like to sell? (Currently Owned: ${ritualcomponents} *input_number val 0 ritualcomponents *if (val > 0) *set ritualcomponents - val [b][Item Lost: ${val} Ritual Components][/b] *line_break *set bingo * val [b][Item Gained: ${bingo} Shards][/b] *set shards + bingo *set val 0 *set bingo 0 *disable_reuse *selectable_if (((hungryspiritritual = 1) and (handseals >= 1)) and (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 45)) #Purchase the Hungry Spirit Seal scroll. [45 Shards] *gosub_scene quicks costcalc 45 *set hungryspiritritual + 1 [b][Seal Learned!! (Hungry Spirit Seal)][/b] *if ((race = "Oni") or (race = "Kitsune")) *line_break *if (race = "Oni") [b][Racial Bonus: Oni connection to spirits][/b] *else [b][Racial Bonus: Kitsune connection to spirits][/b] *line_break [b][Cost to cycle Shards reduced even further.][/b] *set hungryspiritritual + 0.4 *disable_reuse *selectable_if (((northwindritual = 100) and (handseals >= 1)) and (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 110)) #Purchase the Auspicious Northern Seal scroll. [110 Shards, Requires Handseals 1] *gosub_scene quicks costcalc 110 *set northwindritual (6 - (sealdiscount + handseals)) *if (northwindritual <= 0) *set northwindritual 1 [b][Seal Learned!! (Auspicious Northern Seal)][/b] *disable_reuse *selectable_if (((southwindritual = 100) and (handseals >= 1)) and (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 110)) #Purchase the Auspicious Southern Seal scroll. [110 Shards, Requires Handseals 1] *gosub_scene quicks costcalc 110 *set southwindritual (6 - (sealdiscount + handseals)) *if (southwindritual <= 0) *set southwindritual 1 [b][Seal Learned!! (Auspicious Southern Seal)][/b] *disable_reuse *selectable_if (((westwindritual = 100) and (handseals >= 1)) and (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 120)) #Purchase the Auspicious Western Seal scroll. [120 Shards, Requires Handseals 1] *gosub_scene quicks costcalc 120 *set westwindritual (6 - (sealdiscount + handseals)) *if (westwindritual <= 0) *set westwindritual 1 [b][Seal Learned!! (Auspicious Western Seal)][/b] *disable_reuse *selectable_if (((eastwindritual = 100) and (handseals >= 1)) and (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 120)) #Purchase the Auspicious Eastern Seal scroll. [120 Shards, Requires Handseals 1] *gosub_scene quicks costcalc 120 *set eastwindritual (6 - (sealdiscount + handseals)) *if (eastwindritual <= 0) *set eastwindritual 1 [b][Seal Learned!! (Auspicious Eastern Seal)][/b] *disable_reuse *selectable_if (((reinforceritual = 100) and (handseals >= 1)) and (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 65)) #Purchase the Reinforcement scroll. [65 Shards, Requires Handseals 1] *gosub_scene quicks costcalc 65 *set reinforceritual (8 - (sealdiscount + handseals)) *if (reinforceritual <= 0) *set reinforceritual 1 [b][Seal Learned!! (Reinforcement)][/b] *disable_reuse *selectable_if (((countersealritual = 100) and (handseals >= 3)) and (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 220)) #Purchase the Counterseal scroll. [220 Shards, Requires Handseals 3] *gosub_scene quicks costcalc 220 *set countersealritual (5 - (sealdiscount + handseals)) *if (countersealritual <= 0) *set countersealritual 1 [b][Seal Learned!! (Counterseal)][/b] #Go back. *goto Next_harehama *goto sageshop #Visit the Alchemist's refinery. *label Next_apothecary The local alchemist's shop is richly stocked with all assortments of powders, vials, preserved organs, and dried plants. It's odd to see Humans working the shop as you've always purchased alchemical components from Oni merchants, but it's not the only oddity of this particular refinery. Unlike the mountainous or forested terrains of most alchemy refiners you visit, this one's setup is entirely sea-based and it smells *if (subrace = "Cat") [i]divine.[/i] Your tail stiffens on edge and your olfactory senses are overloaded with the smell of fish and prey everywhere you look. Ancestors, what a fragrance. You might buy some of these reagents just to keep the scent around. *else [i]awful.[/i] Do they not know they don't have to live like this?! *if (subrace = "Wolf") Your tail sags from the overload of your powerful sense of smell. You look through the wares with your fingers over your nose and hope to see something of use quickly so you can get out. *choice *selectable_if (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 9) #Purchase Alchemy Reagents. [9 Shards] How many would you like to purchase? *set bingo (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) modulo 9) *set bingo ((((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) - bingo) / 9) *input_number val 0 bingo *if (val > 0) *set alchemyreagents + val [b][Item Gained: ${val} Alchemy Reagents][/b] *set shards - (val * 9) *set val 0 *set bingo 0 *selectable_if (alchemyreagents > 0) #Sell Alchemy Reagents. *set bingo (4 + persuasion) *if (bingo > 9) *set bingo 9 "Hmmm." The older woman behind the counter ponders over your inventory. "It lacks a certain odorous component that any true refiner would desire, but I can still offer ${bingo} Shards per batch." How many would you like to sell? [b][Currently Owned: ${alchemyreagents}][/b] *input_number val 0 alchemyreagents *if (val > 0) *set alchemyreagents - val [b][Item Lost: ${val} Alchemy Reagents][/b] *line_break *set bingo * val [b][Item Gained: ${bingo} Shards][/b] *set shards + bingo *set val 0 *set bingo 0 *selectable_if ((((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 100) and (healingelixir <= 3)) #Purchase a Healing Elixir. [100 Shards] [b][Item Gained: Healing Elixir][/b] *set healingelixir + 1 *gosub_scene quicks costcalc 100 *selectable_if ((((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 40) and (lgagipill < 2)) #Purchase a Low Grade Agility Pill. [40 Shards] [b][Item Gained: Low Grade Agility Pill][/b] *set lgagipill + 1 *gosub_scene quicks costcalc 40 *selectable_if ((((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 50) and (lgpowpill < 2)) #Purchase a Low Grade Power Pill. [50 Shards] [b][Item Gained: Low Grade Power Pill][/b] *set lgpowpill + 1 *gosub_scene quicks costcalc 50 *selectable_if ((((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 50) and (lgforpill < 2)) #Purchase a Low Grade Fortitude Pill. [50 Shards] [b][Item Gained: Low Grade Fortitude Pill][/b] *set lgforpill + 1 *gosub_scene quicks costcalc 50 *selectable_if ((((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 50) and (lgsolpill < 2)) #Purchase a Low Grade Soul Pill. [50 Shards] [b][Item Gained: Low Grade Soul Pill][/b] *set lgsolpill + 1 *gosub_scene quicks costcalc 50 *selectable_if (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 45) #Purchase a Common Poison. [45 Shards] [b][Item Gained: Common Poison][/b] *set commonpoison + 1 *gosub_scene quicks costcalc 45 *selectable_if ((((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 55) and (lgpowpillrecipe = 100)) #Purchase a Recipe (Low Grade Power Pill) [55 Shards] [b][Alchemy Recipe Unlocked: Low Grade Power Pill][/b] *gosub_scene quicks costcalc 55 *set lgpowpillrecipe (6 - alchemy) *selectable_if ((((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 60) and (lgagipillrecipe = 100)) #Purchase a Recipe (Low Grade Agility Pill) [60 Shards] [b][Alchemy Recipe Unlocked: Low Grade Agility Pill][/b] *gosub_scene quicks costcalc 60 *set lgagipillrecipe (6 - alchemy) *selectable_if ((((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 99) and (replenisherpillrecipe = 100)) #Purchase a Recipe (Replenisher Pill) [99 Shards] [b][Alchemy Recipe Unlocked: Replenisher Pill][/b] *gosub_scene quicks costcalc 99 *set replenisherpillrecipe (10 - alchemy) #Go back. *goto Next_harehama *goto Next_apothecary *disable_reuse #Visit the tavern. You pass by several gossiping crowds on your way to the tavern. From what you can gather, many of the Martial Artists docked in Harehama are worried about a group called the "Callous Armada" that has been seen sailing from Outer South with over a hundred ships in its fleet. No one mentions anything about attacks, but all reports say they're heading to Nanhou. One woman even says their leader passed away immediately after the Heavenly Ascension Trials were declared, leaving everything to one of his sons. A son under twenty-five. *page_break As you slide open the door to the tavern you're surprised by the noise. They must be using Seals to keep it contained to not bother those outside. You also see the source of the noise: several long table around the large tavern hall with different Sects seated, as well as two with regular rabble. One of those rabble groups is actually your retainers, and they're waving for you to sit down. "$!{patriarch}!" One of them shouts. "Will you drink with us?" You smile and figure it couldn't hurt to have a seat in good company. A serving girl in an apron approaches the table and pours your tea the second you reach your chair. *if (honor < 45) You start wondering how many Agility Cores that took and chuckle to yourself. Man, you're hilarious. "Welcome to the Bin Weeper Tavern, Young *if (heshe = "he") Master," *else Mistress," The serving girl says, "Can I interest you in a platter for the whole table?" Ah. She sensed money. Even still, you're excited to finally get the chance for some real food. *if (style = "Midorikatai") Besides Fang's one meal and *else Besides Kosuke's unfortunate 'cooking' your crew has had nothing to eat throughout the whole journey but hard tack and salted fish. *choice *selectable_if (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 30) #"I would kill for some bean paste buns right now, bring enough for the table." [Cost: 30 Shards] "I would kill for some bean-paste buns right now," you reply to the serving girl, "bring enough for the table." "Of course, Young *if (heshe = "he") Master," *else Mistress," the serving girl replies. "I'll get on that right away, and you won't even have to kill anyone! Hah hah!" You give a pleasant shrug to acknowledge that she did in fact tell a joke, but can't force a laugh. It does not affect her external demeanor as she leaves to the kitchens and shortly returns with the best bean-paste buns you've ever had. Everyone at your table sinks their teeth into the doughy texture and the filling content. You can't speak for them, but you finally feel true satisfaction from a meal for the first time in years. It dawns on you that you can never tell Mother you just had that thought. She'd beat you so bad it would make all your battles up until now look like child's play. *set retainer_morale + 3 *selectable_if (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 15) #"We'll have as many fruits as you can provide." [Cost: 15 Shards] "We'll have an assortment of fruits." You reply to the serving girl. "As many as you can provide." "Looking out for scurvy, are we Honored $!{patriarch}?" One of the retainer girls asks. "I knew you'd look out for us!" You smile and give her an encouraging shake of the head. What the Hell is scurvy? Luckily the fruit arrives quickly and deflects for you as you all dig into the rich assortment of citrus and succulent fruits. Pineapple, yuzu, sliced lychee, melons, lotus fruit, diced dragonfruit, and various berries you've never seen before, each sweeter and more intriguing than the last. *set retainer_morale + 2 *selectable_if (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 40) #"Ramen with chili paste." [Cost: 40 Shards] *set retainer_morale + 4 "Ramen with chili paste." You reply. "Wonderful choice!" The serving girl says. "It's my personal favorite. We actually have a great assortment of recipes, I'll bring enough for the table!" Your retainers go back to gossiping about some sort of inside jokes that relate to their lives in Ebikowa and they seem to finally be at peace for the first time in a while. The bowls arrive and you all dig in, pleased with the flavor and aroma of the delicious soups. *selectable_if (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 10) #"Do you have any...hard tack and salted fish?" [Cost: 10 Shards] You skim through a menu scroll and see nothing to your liking, so you fall back to 'ole reliable' and look up to the serving girl. "Do you have any...hard tack and salted fish?" *set solexp - 2 *set forexp + 4 The retainers at your table groan and cringe, one woman actually breaks down and starts to cry. *if (sumyungai) Sum Yungai *else One of them even leans over and pleads. "Honored $!{patriarch}, we are begging you for anything else!" "You can beg me for some hard tack and salted fish, because that's what we're getting." The serving girl delivers the platter and your crew picks at it over a few minutes, faces downcast. You dig in with a smile. Ancestors be praised, this is some good salted fish. *selectable_if (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 50) #"MEAT." [Cost: 50 Shards] "MEAT." You reply, not even looking at the menu scroll. The serving girl furrows her brow. "Of course, Young *if (heshe = "he") Master, *else Mistress, but we have many dishes with-" [b]"MEAT!"[/b] You shout out. Your retainers shout it back and together you all start banging the table and chanting. "MEAT! MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!" The serving girl stumbles back in surprise but catches herself on a nearby table "O-Okay! Of course! Right away!" She returns later with racks of what you assume are cow ribs covered in a thick sweet black sauce. *if (subrace = "Bovine") You pause, then stare at the removed ribs of a cow and look back to the serving girl expectantly. "Is something wrong?" She asks. You continue to stare. She begins to sweat. "Is some...thing..." She spots *if (yokaitrait1 = "horns") your horns. The horns of a *if (heshe = "he") Bull *else Cow Yokai. You look back to *else your *if (heshe = "he") bull's *else cow's tail swishing off your chair and you continue to stare between her and the cow's desiccated carcass. "Oh Heavens. Oh no." She takes the platter away in a hurry. "I am so sorry, Young *if (heshe = "he") Master *else Mistress, I'll fetch the pig ribs instead, right away." She does, and you *else You all dig in greedily. *set retainer_morale + 5 *if (subrace = "Bovine") *page_break #"No thank you, I brought my own bread." [Cost: 0 Shards, Your Dignity] "No thank you." You say. "I brought my own bread." *set retainer_morale - 3 *set honor - 2 *set cheapskate true The table grows ice cold as your retainers stare dead-eyed at your response. The serving girl furrows her brow and you feel a weak tingle between your shoulders. Sensing your Aura Pressure, she gives a short bow and leaves. You pull some hard tack out of your pocket and dig in as your retainers look through the menu to see what they have to buy for themselves. "Well well!" Shouts an unfamiliar voice, interrupting your meal. "What's this here, a party of food and drink?" You look up with your mouth full and see a red-eyed reptile yokai with scale patches on his neck. He's not in any combat gi but his posture suggests a Martial Artist. "Can I help you?" You ask almost accusingly. "The future will tell, my friend! The future...will tell. You see, my friends and I here," he motions with a thumb to several men and women behind him with red pinions in their hair. "We're looking for something that this tavern is sorely lacking. A little gambling, friend, but the other tables are too timid." He places a boot on your table and leans onto his knee. "That's why we're hoping your table is more courageous. A little more willing to take risks. A little more...fun. So tell me, friend, are you?" *choice *selectable_if (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 80) #"Illicite gambling rings? Count me in!" [Requires 800 Silver] "Count me in." You say, bringing up a few chairs for the strangers. "I'm feeling lucky." They have a seat and you all order a few drinks then proceed to gamble away all your ill-gotten gains. You play for a few hands and many of your retainers lose their bids early on, calling it quits for safer pastures. At certain points you get close to the same point, lower on funds than you'd like, but eventually you win your way back to a steady pile and knock several of the other Sect's players out of the game. Finally it's down to just you and the red-eyed reptile yokai with scale patches on his neck. And he's all-in. "Eight hundred silver." The yokai man says, pushing his large pile of coins across the table and placing his cards face-down. "Let's see what you've got." *choice #Gamble honestly. *rand val 0 5 *if (val = 4) [b][Chance Event! Great cards!][/b] *if (honor < 50) Surprisingly, you win! It feels bizarre to win without cheating, like life decided you actually did deserve something nice for once. *else As you expected, the path of honor yields victory in the end. *label lucky1 You lower your cards onto the table. "Three Cranes. *if (honor < 50) Read em and weep, *else It seems the pot is mine." *label luckylucky "Tch." The reptile yokai sneers, looking to his friends who have long since grown bored. "You're lucky we've got better things to do." He throws his cards at the table and storms off. [b][Item Gained: 800 Silver][/b] *set silver + 800 "You forgot to leave a tip!" One of your retainers shouts as the yokai exits the tavern. *else [b][Chance Event! Bad Cards!][/b] The cards are handed out and you check your odds. Hm. Nothing to do but to show your hand and hope for the best. You lower your cards onto the table. "Two Cranes." The red reptile yokai flips his cards over. "Three Rats." *if (honor < 50) Unsurprisingly, playing an honest hand loses you the game. "Shit." You reply. *else As a punishment from the Heavens for taking part in such degeneracy, you have lost the game. "Ah." You reply. "Darn." *label losemoney *if (silver >= 800) *set silver - 800 [b][Item Lost: 800 Silver][/b] *else *gosub_scene quicks costcalc 80 The red yokai smiles as he collects your pile of silver into a pouch. "Come on everyone, there's no money to be had around here." He looks back to you and gives the most shit-eating grin you've seen since Crusher Jack. "Not anymore." #Cheat [Thievery Check] That's a lot of coin on the line, but luckily you've been slipping a few cards under the table between hands. You wait for the waitress to approach with tea refills, dart your eyes over to her so others will do the same, then swap out the cards in your hand for the cards under the table in a sleight of hand. *if (thievery >= 3) [b][Thievery 3 Check Passed][/b] *set agiexp + 1 The tea refills come through and no one reacts to your stunt. You keep a grin off your face as you place your false cards down on the table face-up. *goto lucky1 *else [b][Thievery 3 Check Failed] "What was that?" One of the yokai man's underlings says. You then see her pupils are dilated in some sort of Technique. "$!{heshe} swapped ${hisher} cards." Shit. "Oh those?" You say, tossing the false cards. "They were just under the table, it was bugging me so I scratched them out." You toss the cards away and hope your real hand is good enough to win. "Two Steeds." You say, placing your remaining cards face down. The yokai places his down next. "Three rats. Looks like I win." [i]Shiiit.[/i] *goto losemoney *if ((element1 = "Light") or (element2 = "Light")) #Cheat [Light Element, Costs 1 Chi] With a subtle control over Light Chi to avoid spiritual detection you place a glamour over your cards and change the image on their front. [b][1 Chi Point Spent][/b] *set chispent + 1 *goto lucky1 *if ((element1 = "Wind") or (element2 = "Wind")) #Cheat [Wind Element, Costs 1 Chi] With one hand under the table you channel the emerald energy of Wind Chi as softly as you can to avoid spiritual detection and roughly grip a few spare cards in your shoe up into your hand. [b][1 Chi Point Spent][/b] *set chispent + 1 *goto lucky1 *if (style = "Aoyusumu") *selectable_if (stylerank >= 2) #Cheat [Aoyusumu Style (Adept)] You place your hand on the table and, truly, it's a terrible hand. You don't even know how you'd describe it. If you had a pair of anything, you'd say that. But you don't even have a pair. The best you have is...Maybe one Rat? Maybe one Crane? One of nothing never matters. Luckily, you don't intend to take the credit for your bad hand. "Three Cranes." You say, placing your awful cards face up. With your other hand you give a waving gesture and wash Sacred Chi over the minds of the other Sect. The yokai's eyes gloss cerulean for just a second and he looks closer. *goto luckylucky #"We will pass." [Sip tea] *set honor + 1 *set ruthless - 1 *if (ruthless < 50) *set solexp + 2 "We will pass." You say between sips of a heated ice-mint tea. It's both hot and cool at the same time, delightful. "Tch." The yokai sneers, then licks his teeth with his reptilian tongue as if contemplating something. "Another set of losers then." You maintain eye contact and take another sip until he leaves. #"Fuck off." *set ruthless + 1 *set honor -1 "Fuck off." You reply, digging back into your meal. "Excuse me?" The Yokai asks. "Do you have any idea who you're tal-" "I said fuck off!" You shout louder and closer, spitting food all over his face. He quickly turns and steals a washcloth to clean the globs out of his nose and storms out of the tavern. Your retainers laugh. *page_break Everyone at your table continues another hour of merriment afterwards with what you're beginning to suspect is spiked *if (style = "Kurokonton") tea, though none of the crew complains. *set retainer_morale + 1 Everyone pays their tab and leaves without any violent incidents breaking out, even among the neighboring tables. You consider marking such a rare event on your calendar. *page_break *goto Next_harehama *else *if ({metguiren#2} = 1) tea, though no one complains. Eventually nature calls and you depart the table to head to the tavern's other wing with all the rooms, both for beds and washrooms. The hall is empty as you walk along the wooden floorboards alone, entering the washroom and doing your business. ... *if ((subrace = "Cat") and (perception >= 2)) [b][Cat Yokai Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *line_break *goto passassass *elseif (((element1 = "Darkness") or (element2 = "Darkness")) and (perception >= 2)) [b][Darkness Element: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *line_break *goto passassass *elseif (perception >= 3) *label passassass [b][Perception 3 Check Passed][/b] Your eyes adapt to the light of the room and your surroundings seems unsettling, a shiver running down your spine, and your vision locks on a single part of the wall. There's something wrong with it. Without thinking, running purely on hurried instinct, you punch that part of the wall as hard as you can. *set val 747 As soon as your ${auracolor} glowing fist slams into the wooden wall you feel the crunch of bones on the other side. At the same time, four *else [b][Perception 3 Check Failed][/b] You feel a vague ominous feeling but try to let it go; you've been having ominous feelings for years and so far you've solved the problems each of them brings. It's about time you master your emotions and simply let the feeling pass. *if ({metguiren#3} = 1) "This is for Kennui, you piece of shit." Whispers the darkness. *else "You shouldn't have crossed me." Whispers the darkness. Five hands explode from the walls around you at different points and burn with the purple-black of Cursed Chi. [i][b]"Fivefold Death-Curse!"[/i][/b] *if (val = 747) Chants four voices in unison. "Ah fuck! My hand!" Screams the fifth. *else Chants five voices in unison. *set combatstat "agility" *set combatstat2 "fortitude" *set combatdiff 14 *if ({metguiren#2} = 3) *set combatdiff + 1 *if (val = 747) [b][Eliminated Attacker: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *line_break *set combatdiff - 2 *if (style = "Kiihakai") [b][Mystic Yang Chi: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) You grip two of the hands bursting through the walls and stomp on one more, breaking its wrist. With a quick spin you rip two attackers through the wood, cracking their faces together, then knee one back out before the splinter storm even settles. *set metguiren + 400000 When you turn to strike the last one you see a knife in his hand and recognize who your attacker is: *else *set metguiren + 500000 *set guirencombat + 2 The *if (val = 747) four *else five concentrations of Cursed Chi seem to rip your aura away in different directions, shattering your supernatural defense. Even your muscles feel drained and empty, as if they'd shrunken or the core of your bones were made brittle. *if (fortitude > forspent) *set forspent + 1 *if (power > powspent) *set powspent + 1 *if (soul > solspent) *set solspent + 1 *if (agility > agispent) *set agispent + 1 *if (((chipool + (soul/2)) - chispent) >= 1) *set chispent + 1 [b][You have been Poisoned!][/b] *line_break [b][Aura Pressure -10][/b] *set aurapressure - 10 That's when another object bursts from the wall directly behind you. Not another hand, but a knife. It pierces into your back, deeply, and blood erupts from the cursed wound. *gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 2 false false *set val 898 *page_break Is this the end? Wrenching yourself forward, away from the blade, elicits screams of pain up and down your body as its extracted from your organs. You lean all the forward until its out and then twist to turn around, gripping the wrist holding the weapon before its owner can get away. With one mighty pull you wrench the man through the wall to see Guiren, the lizard yokai from the tavern incident with Desdemona. "You're a dead-!" He screams in anger until you punch him right between his green dragon eyes, knocking him back through the wall. Another presence triggers in your senses and you turn to find a sixth shinobi with knife held overhead in the washroom doorway. You see him before he can move. He sees you seeing him. In an instant you reach forward for his neck and squeeze. Something slips in your hand. You look down to see not the facecloth of a shinobi but a pair of black pants. In confusion, you look back up to see the man's hairy legs while he runs for his life. "Guiren you asshole!" The shinobi screams as he flees into the main dining hall, naked below the waist. "You said ${hisher} guard would be down in the washroom!" "[i]Obviously[/i] I was wrong, idiot!" A pained voice shouts back from somewhere outside, the nasal tone implying you broke his nose. "Retreat to the hideout!" *page_break *if (val = 898) Injured, poisoned, *else Covered in splinters, annoyed, and [i]not even done using the washroom yet[/i], you put your own pants back on and stomp angrily to your retainers' table. "We're leaving, everyone keep your guard up." You *if (val = 898) announce, stoically bleeding onto the table. *else announce. "We're under attack by assassins." The retainers freeze mid-meal and mid-story, then look at you as if to determine if you're serious. "Very well, Honored $!{patriarch}." One finally says. "Shall we stick around Bo Lo so he becomes the primary target?" "I'd like that." You reply. These guys are alright. You venture out to town to see what else needs doing. Guiren may be an opportunist, but you've shown he's not going to have an opportunity at you even at your worst. He'll have to wait for the Trials if he wants another chance. *if (val != 898) Not that it will do him any good. *set powexp + 2 *set val 0 *page_break *goto Next_harehama *elseif (({metguiren#2} = 0) or ({metguiren#2} = 2)) *set sawguiren true *gosub throwninja "The washroom?!" You shout at the man in *if (heshe = "she") violated anger. "You tried to kill me [i]in the washroom?![/i]" Your rage is interrupted by the sound of multiple men breaking out in laughter behind a door to your left. The door opens and four men pile out wearing either shinobi garb or golden combat gi. They take off their face-wraps to reveal a batch of Humans, Oni, and one reptile yokai. *if ({metguiren#2} = 2) You recognize them. It's the group that was shaking down Desdemona's people at the first tavern you reached after leaving Thunderfall. The yokai steps forward. *else You scan their auras, ready to fight multiple ninjas, and find one of them easily above the others: The yokai. *image https://www.auraclash.com/assets/img/guiren.jpg "Wencheng," says the leader, trying to keep his composure and failing. *gosub guirenexcerpt1 Replies the yokai, unable to keep an unbelieving smile at bay. He turns to you and offers a hand. "I am so sorry for my detestable underlings. Good help isn't just hard to find, it's impossible." You eye his hand suspiciously and he clears his throat. "Ah." He adds. "You haven't washed your hands." He closes his extended hand into a fist and gives a short bow instead. "I go by Dai Guiren, Trialgoer and debt collector, and these are the cheapest buffoons in my employ." "We're the only buffoons in your employ." Replies the Oni in the back. Guiren clears his *if (heshe = "she") throat and keeps his eyes on you. *else throat. "Be that as it may, I've been trying to speak to you in private for the last half hour. Wencheng may have botched introductions, but I still want to give you an offer on behalf of our employer. It's about a job." *label joboffer *choice #"I'm listening." A job? A [i]criminal[/i] job? They've certainly got your attention. *set honor - 3 "I'm listening." You reply. "That's a first." The oni in the back says. *goto yojiswearin #"Your men need better manners, I could have killed that one." *set honor + 1 "Your men need better manners," you say, pointing a thumb back at Wencheng, "I could have killed that one." "We'd be better off if you did." Says an Oni in the back. *label yojiswearin Guiren closes his eyes in irritation. "Yoji, I swear to the Hells, one more line and I'm putting you on inventory duty for a month." The Oni closes his mouth. "As I was saying," Guiren continues, "we apologize for Wencheng's stupidity. The truth is, we have an important debt collection to perform and it's not going to be pretty. Someone didn't pay, so now they're the payment. We've been following our target for days and finally had this tavern squared off without any Upper Disciples or dangerous Trialgoers inside. It was all going according to plan, then you walked in. A witness with a high Aura Pressure." Guiren scratches the back of his head. "I'll be honest, if you decide to play hero we can't fend you off without drawing attention, so we want to hire you instead." "What's the mission entail?" You ask, *if (ruthless < 47) skeptical right from the start. *elseif (honor < 43) always available for crime. *else trying to gauge just how bad these people really are. *label jobexplain Guiren clears his throat and bites his lip in thought. "A stealth mission. We need someone to slip the mother of all sleep elixirs into the tavern's tea." He gives a concerned squint. "Everyone's tea. Our target can change his appearance and knows we're onto him so he's being paranoid. We have to cast a wide net." "I'm not drugging [i]everyone's[/i] tea!" You shout back. "My crew is drinking it, and I'd make enemies of Sects and Martial Artists for no reason." "Don't worry about it." Guiren says with a wave of the hand. He walks to the door and wraps his dragontail around the doorknob, then pulls it open so he has a door to lean against. You think it's for dramatic effect. "The Boss gave us a special talisman we used on the sleeping drug, chi sorcery stuff. Now it only works on targets that owe him money and haven't paid, some sort of Justice-based enchantment." "What happens when the tea does its work?" Guiren points his thumbs to the side, at two of the shinobi. "Two of my men put on their stolen Windrising uniforms and remove him from the tavern." "And then?" He sighs through his nose. "We sell him to a silver mine so he can work off his debt. The target's a full grown adult who took out a huge debt to buy resources for the Heavenly Ascension Trials. He plans to win and never pay us back once he's untouchable. Dishonorable scheme, dishonorable *if (abduction = "") fate. Your cut is 80 Shards and a vial of poison." *else fate." *choice #A job's a job. "Give me the sleeping drug." *set honor + 2 The details don't sound too outlandish. A criminal is being apprehended, a standard procedure. Whether the Imperial Government puts him to work in a prison or a debtor puts him to work in a mine, it's all the same fate for breaking a deal. "I'm in." You say. "Give me the sleeping drug." Guiren claps his hands together once in excitement. "Alright! I knew we picked the right ${manwoman}. Someone give him the drug." *label guirenaccept One of the Human shonobi hands you an opium pipe. Guiren takes it back out of your hands, shoves it against the Human's chest, and draws a vial from the man's belt that he hands to you. "Hold on." You pause. "If I'm doing all this work, what are you guys doing?" "The entire rest of the job." Yoji replies. "Do you think this person gets to the silver mine by magic? And that the Binder's Bands came from nowhere? And that tracking the target across Outer West worked out instantaneously? And the sleeping drug refined itself?" Guiren gives you a sympathetic look. "He's right for once, that was a question I'd expect from one of these idiots." *page_break You exit the boarding wing of the tavern and return to the dining hall with the vial of sleeping drug in your hand. Your retainers spot you and wave; you wave back but motion for them to return to their business. There's work to be done before you can relax. Most tavern kitchens boil a single massive cauldron of water for their continuous tea servings, so it's the obvious choice, but how to get the drug in that cauldron is a different matter entirely. You ponder your options and decide to... *choice #Sneak it into the kitchen's boiling waterpot. Nothing to it but to do it. If you need this vial placed into the tea cauldron then you're simply going to put it there. When no one is looking you jump over the dining hall's bar and slip into the kitchen in the *if (stealth >= 3) back and stay low to the floor, witnessing two chefs in the cramped kitchen. One is cutting meat, the other is guzzling water from his own pitcher. A skilled ${manwoman} may be able to sneak into the middle of the room without the two of them noticing, but an [i]adept[/i] ${manwoman} knows not to even try. [b][Stealth 3 Check Passed][/b] You withdraw a piece of paper from your pocket and fold it into a temporary cup, pour the vial's contents inside, then folder over the top. Then you throw the paper-vial into the cauldron before it can turn soggy and fall apart. It lands in the cauldron, the paper sinks to the bottom, and the contents release into the water. Mission complete. One minute later you're back at the longtable with your retainers, casually listening to their stories and declining on any tea. Any minute now one of the Martial Artists in the dining hall should be falling unconscious after their next refill, it's only a matter of time. *goto guirenwhathell *else back- [b][Stealth 3 Check Failed][/b] *set metguiren + 300000 "Hey, what are you doing?" Asks one of the Martial Artists behind you. A dozen spiritual scans slam into your aura as a few men rise out of their seats, glaring. One of them, an enormously tall man with a shabby beard, speaks up before you can answer. "$!{heshe}'s trying to steal the pork buns before they can get to us!" "GET $!!{himher}!" Screams another. Before you can even explain that they're charging after you for the wrong reason, you're stuck running for your life from half the traveling Martial Artists in town. You dash to the side to dodge a flying chair and run along the wall to get over a man drawing his sword. A grappler leaps at you and you're forced to duck his arms while sliding underneath, right towards a low-crouching monk aiming a staff at your face. You tumble to the side and leap for the door, kicking an oni in mid-air to keep his glowing hands at bay. Immediately after landing you open the door, which barely blocks five throwing stars that were coming for your head, and sprint out into town. They follow you. [b][Agility EXP Increased][/b] *set agiexp + 5 Ten minutes later you're panting in the shadows of an alleyway between two shops, finally losing the maddened diners, when you hear a "pst" from above. Looking up reveals Guiren on the rooftop of the cobbler's. "We missed our chance and the target got away." He hisses from the rooftop. "What the Hells happened?!" You look up and slowly shake your head at him. "Those guys [i]really[/i] like pork buns." *page_break *goto Next_harehama #Convince a serving girl to do it for you. "Excuse me." You say, flagging the serving girl down from the tavern room hallway leading to the dining hall. "Excuse me, over here please." The serving girl's face twists up as she squints at you, but she comes running over after a weak spiritual scan detects your Aura Pressure. "Yes, Young *if (heshe = "he") Master? *else Mistress? How can this humble servant aid you today?" "I have a complaint about the tea, actually." You reply, withdrawing the sleeping elixir. "It needs more herbal additions, or I simply cannot enjoy my meal." "That is most unfortunate, Young *if (heshe = "he") Master, *else Mistress, but could you not add this herbal concoction to your tea cup?" "That won't do." You reply, staring her down so she gets the message. "This must be added to the tea's cauldron or not at all." *set val persuasion *if (style = "Midorikatai") and (heshe = "he") [b][Midorikatai Bonus: Massive Bodytype][/b] *set val + 1 *line_break *if (bodytype = "Handsome") [b][Handsome Bodytype Check Passed][/b] *set val + 1 *line_break *if (honor <= 50) [b][Honor Check Passed][/b] *set val + 1 *line_break *if (val >= 3) [b][Persuasion 3 Check Passed][/b] "Well..." The serving girl says, taking the vial in her hands. "I suppose there aren't any rules against it. I'll be back at your table with a fresh cup shortly." You return to the longtable where your retainers are seated and wait for the results while glancing at all the patrons and Martial Artists in the tavern. If all goes well, one of them will fall unconscious after their tea's next refill. *goto guirenwhathell *else [b][Persuasion 3 Check Failed][/b] *set metguiren + 300000 "I see." The serving girl says, nodding in thought. "So you want me to PUT THIS IN EVERYONE'S TEA, IS THAT RIGHT?" Several scans immediately slam into your aura as Martial Artists in the dining hall rise to see what's going on. "Mission abort!" Wencheng screams from behind a nearby door. "Everyone out the window!" Guiren shouts. You hear the sound of glass breaking and sigh. Time to get out of here before she gives your description to the guards. You sprint away from the serving girl and turn into Guiren's old room, leaping through the same window and disappearing into the town's crowd. *page_break *goto Next_harehama *if (style = "Aoyusumu") #Mind-control a serving girl to do it for you. This is certainly not why Angelo taught you the Style of the Saints, and it [i]certainly[/i] defies the ways of the Devanic Temple, but Angelo did ditch you. The way you see it, you're showing him why that's a bad idea by turning to a life of crime and manipulating the unassuming minds of the peasantry. *if (angeloromance >= 1) Next time he'll stick around more. Heavens, what a difference three years can make. *label mindcontrol You approach the friendly serving girl with a wave of your hand. "Excuse me!" You say, calling her over to you. In truth, your hand holds a sliver of *if (style = "Aoyusumu") cerulean Sacred Chi *else pink Kitsune Chi that you wash over her eyes, soaking your mental will into her mind. As she approaches, you verbalize the command to drive it home. "I need you to [i]put this herbal remedy in the tea[/i], for my friends of course." *set taint + 2 "Of course!" The serving girl exclaims happily, taking your reasoning as an excuse to wash away any inhibitions. "Just one moment please!" *label servinggirl She takes the sleeping drug out of your hands and heads to the back room at a casual pace. After a minute you sit down with the rest of your crew to act casual and wait for the results. "Honored $!{patriarch}, can I offer you more tea?" Asks one of your retainers. "No thank you." You say with a straight face, casually listening in on the conversation and waiting out your moment to see if the plan works. If everything went well, one of these patrons should be falling unconscious after their next refill. *label guirenwhathell *page_break Thirty minutes later... *set metguiren + 200000 "GUIREN WHAT THE HELLS?!" You scream in the middle of the tavern floor. It doesn't matter that you're yelling, no one in the crowded tavern can hear you. They're all unconscious. "Boss promised it only worked on people that owed him money!" Guiren shouts back, locking the door while his men drag the unconscious patrons to the far ends of the room. "Yoji what happened when you used his talisman on the drug?" "Don't say my name you dumbass!" The Oni replies, pinning down the only witness who declined on the tea while another shinobi chokes him unconscious. It's not an elegant struggle. "And you never asked me!" "I swear I-" Guiren pauses. "Oh Hells, I asked Kennui." One of the shinobi pauses. "Kennui." Guiren says dryly. "Tell me you used the talisman." "I uh..." The black-clad and masked shinobi's face is completely covered, yet you can perfectly see the worry going over him by the body language alone. "I thought you were talking to Wencheng behind me." "WHY WOULD I ASK WENCHENG?!" Guiren screams back, stomping forward and lashing his tail against the wall. "I was obviously asking you! Wencheng fucks everything up!" "Not this time." Another shinobi says, Wencheng you presume, as he rifles through a merchant's pockets. "This one's on Kennui. Oh!" Wencheng pulls a piece of paper from the Merchant's robes and holds it up. It's a poorly drawn picture of Guiren. "I found the target." "By accident." Yoji adds. "I hate you all so, so much." Guiren seethes. He covers his face with a palm and shakes himself into focus. "Bind the target and get the cart ready. We're getting out of here before the Windrising Sectmaster finds out what happened and dismembers us over a piranha pool." "What about my payment?" You ask. Guiren throws a pouch at you as if he were hucking a rock at his least favorite neighbor. You catch it. *if (abduction = "pills") *set lgsolpill + 2 *set lgpowpill + 2 *set lgforpill + 2 *set lgagipill + 2 [b][Item Gained: Low Grade Power Pill x2][/b] *line_break [b][Item Gained: Low Grade Soul Pill x2][/b] *line_break [b][Item Gained: Low Grade Agility Pill x2][/b] *line_break [b][Item Gained: Low Grade Fortitude Pill x2][/b] *elseif (abduction = "150") [b][Item Gained: 150 Shards][/b] *set shards + 150 *elseif (abduction = "225") [b][Item Gained: 225 Shards][/b] *set shards + 225 *elseif (abduction = "300") [b][Item Gained: 300 Shards][/b] *set shards + 300 *elseif (abduction = "poison") [b][Item Gained: Common Poison][/b] *set commonpoison + 1 *line_break [b][Item Gained: 100 Shards][/b] *set shards + 100 *else [b][Item Gained: Common Poison][/b] *set commonpoison + 1 *line_break [b][Item Gained: 80 Shards][/b] *set shards + 80 "Shit, sorry." Guiren apologizes, exhaling slowly and hoisting the unconscious 'merchant' man over his shoulder. "You're the only one who did their job right." *set guirencombat + 2 *if (heshe = "she") "Hey, I did my part better than any of you!" Yoji retorts, "You're only flattering the Young Mistress because you want to suffocate between her *if (bodytype = "Bodacious") massive cowtits." *set forexp + 1 *else thighs." *else "Awwww." Yoji says. "Now kiss and make up." You drag your own retainers to a safe and comfortable tavern room to sleep off the drug while Yoji complains about the throwing star suddenly lodged into his leg. It's time to get out of here. *page_break *goto Next_harehama *elseif (race = "Kitsune") #Mind-control a serving girl to do it for you. Mother and Father would certainly not want you risking the exposure of your true nature by using your internal Kitsune chi to control the minds of the peasants. They also just wouldn't want you controlling the minds of the peasants. That being said, they're not here and you already have two tails. *goto mindcontrol *selectable_if (((element1 = "Light") or (element2 = "Light")) and (((chipool + (soul/2)) - chispent) >= 1)) #Sneak into the kitchen by manipulating Light Chi. [Requires Light, Costs 1 Chi] There's no better way to get into the kitchen than to belong there. [b][1 Chi Point Spent][/b] *set chispent + 1 That's why you cover yourself with an image of the serving girl while she's busy taking orders from a large table of newcomers. You sneak behind the bar and head to the kitchen in the back to find two chefs working overtime. Obstacles. With your disguise bringing no questions, you walk to the boiling cauldron used for the tea water. Getting to it is easy, but it's in the very middle of the kitchen and you'll need to slip the drug inside without being noticed. Here goes nothing. *if (thievery >= 2) [b][Thievery 2 Check Passed][/b] *set agiexp + 1 You pour the sleeping elixir in when the younger chef is chopping meat and the older wolf yokai chef is drinking tea. Neither sees your action, so you grab a platter of steamed buns and drop it off at your retainers. *else [b][Thievery 2 Check Failed(?)][/b] "What was that?" Asks the younger chef, looking over to you in suspicion. "What did you just put in the tea water?" Shit. Shit shit shit. "Shut your mouth, that's what it was." Hushes the older wolf yokai chef. "It was the sound of you shutting your mouth and cutting more pork." You quirk an eyebrow in surprise but the younger chef protests back. "But she-" "No she didn't" "She put-" The older chef stabs his knife into the cutting board near his chopped chives. "Are you being paid enough to ask why the serving girl suddenly smells like a different person, or are you being paid enough to cook food and make it home alive?" "I...see." The younger chef bows to you. "Apologies, my eyes are troubled from the cooking fires. I must have been imagining things." You look between the two of them and the older chef doesn't give you a second glance, instead turning back to his cutting board. It's an unusual feeling, being feared as the mysterious danger in the world. You decide to reward the two of them for not giving you trouble by leaving, grabbing a platter of pork buns on the way out and dropping it off with your retainers. "On the house." You say when you hand the pork buns to your surprised and excited crew, then head to the tavern rooms and shake off the Light Chi to return to your real appearance. Now it's just a matter of waiting. You decide to head back to your retainers and abstain from the tea. Returning back to your retainers as quickly as you can, you find that those motherless bastards ate all the pork buns before you could get back. Ah well. At least if everything else went to plan, one of these patrons should be falling unconscious after drinking from their next refill. *goto guirenwhathell #"Let me get this straight, you're [i]paying[/i] me to knock out a tough part of the Trials competition? Damn Guiren, that's all you had to say!" *set ruthless + 2 *set honor - 1 "Let me get this straight," You say, "You're all [i]paying[/i] me to knock out a tough part of the Trials competition? I'm not paying you for that?" Guiren nods slowly. "That's correct." "Damn, Guiren, that's all you had to say! Let's get this guy into a silver mine and out of my way." Guiren smiles. "I knew you were a kindred spirit." *if (race = "Oni") and (heshe = "she") "Spirit?" You ask, suddenly looking upset, "Is that supposed to be some jab at Oni?" "Yes." "Relax," you say with a smirk. "I'm messing with-WHAT?!" "Relax." Guiren says with a smirk. "I'm messing with you." He snaps his fingers twice. "Now someone give ${himher} the drug." *goto guirenaccept #"I appreciate you guys giving me a heads up, but I can't get involved in this." *set ruthless - 3 *set metguiren + 100000 "I appreciate you guys giving me a heads up," You reply, "but I can't get involved in this." Guiren sulks for a moment, then looks back to you. "Understood. You go your ways and we'll go ours." You nod and leave the room slowly, exposing your back to five ninjas as you leave down the hall. Fortunately none of them try to make a move and you make it back to your retainers without issue, telling them not to try the tea anymore and that it's best if you all leave. *page_break *goto Next_harehama #"Forget it, I don't work with slavers. Leave. Now." *set honor + 1 *set ruthless - 1 *set guirenrep - 5 *set sect_hiddencoil - 5 *set metguiren + 100000 "Forget it," you say with scorn, "I don't work with slavers." Your ${auracolor} aura releases around your body, unsettling the furniture around the room. "Leave. Now." Guiren holds his hands up. "Message received. Come on men." Wencheng shakes his head. "I don't see why, I think we can take ${himher}." The five of them leave out the window immediately after while Wencheng complains about the black eye Guiren just gave him. You return to your retainers and suggest they don't try the tea anymore. After a few minutes of sharing stories, you leave to see what the rest of the town has to offer. *page_break *goto Next_harehama #"Not interested." *set honor + 3 *set sect_hiddencoil - 5 *set metguiren + 100000 "Not interested." You reply, turning away from five potentially murderous assassins and walking down the hallway to the dining room of the tavern. You reach your seat without issue and finish your tea, then take off back to town before any more interruptions try to find you with your pants down. The nerve of some people. *page_break *goto Next_harehama *if (heshe = "she") #Hmm...Cute, yes, but too forward. Better play coy. "I charge high rates you know, it's clear as day that you can't afford me" *set guirenrep + 4 *set guirenromance + 1 You look up to the corner in thought and give a long 'hmmm' then turn back to the yokai with a smile. "Nope." His face snaps back a half inch as if you'd flicked him. "Nope? That's it, just nope?" You give a short shrug. "I charge high rates you know, it's clear as day that you can't afford me." "Guiren probably wishes he could," says one of the Human shinobi, "if you know what I-" he drops to the ground and starts groaning about the kunai that just entered his shoulder. "AHEM." Guiren says. "Our Boss has some inventory we can let loose. Name your price." *choice #Common Poison and 100 Shards. *set abduction "poison" "You're ninjas so I'll want poisons of course." You start. "Naturally." Guiren replies with a confident smirk. "[i]And[/i] Shards, one hundred of them." You add. Guiren is no longer smirking. He looks to his men and back to you. "Deal, but I'd better see results for that kind of money or Boss will have all our heads." You smile back. "I'm always worth it. So what's the job actually entail?" *goto jobexplain #One of each Core Replenishment Pill. "I want one of each Core Replenishment Pill." You say. "The Trials are coming up and I need resources more than money." *if (persuasion >= 2) *set abduction "pills" "Four combat pills?!" Guiren replies, stunned. "That's worth over 200 Shards!" His mouth begins to *goto mouthopen *else [b][Persuasion 2 Check Failed][/b] *label brokeboy *set guirenrep - 2 Guiren gasps at the price and starts putting his black cloth face-wrap back on. "Damn woman you were right, I [i]can't[/i] afford you." "Ancestors," hisses the kunai'd ninja on the floor, "this is economy is in shambles." The Oni shakes his head while wrapping his face as well. "A damned shame." The five of them back up into the tavern room from which they came and shut the door behind them, leaving you looking around in confusion. Can people just do that? Leave in the middle of a conversation? You go to open the door to scold them for such bad manners. "I can still sense you, you kno-" It suddenly hits you that you [i]can't[/i] sense their auras. You open the door and look into the room but they're nowhere to be seen. A breeze brushes against your face from the open window on the other side of the room. *if (flashstep) The damned Flash Step Technique. You'll never catch them without using your own, but...you don't exactly have a reason to follow someone who can't afford to pay. *else How they left so fast is beyond you. You return to your retainers and finish your tea, exchanging stories and relaxing before heading back out into town. *page_break *goto Next_harehama #150 Shards. "I only need a small payment of 150 Shards." *gosub suremen *if (persuasion >= 1) *set abduction "150" *goto percguirwon *else [b][Persuasion 1 Check Failed][/b] *goto brokeboy #225 Shards. "I only need a small payment of 225 Shards." *gosub suremen *if (persuasion >= 3) *set abduction "225" "Thee-hundred *goto percguirwon *else [b][Persuasion 3 Check Failed][/b] *goto brokeboy #300 Shards. "I only need a small payment of 300 Shards." *gosub suremen *if (persuasion >= 4) [b][Persuasion 4 Check Passed][/b] *set abduction "300" *label percguirwon "${abduction} Shards for one job?!" Guiren says, mouth *label mouthopen open as if he's gagging. He actually keeps gagging and it starts getting worse. You're confident he's about to throw up. You grab him by the collar and keep him from leaning over, staring directly into his eyes. "Guiren, listen to me and listen very carefully. I am worth it, and I will stay worth it, and I will make it [i]worth[/i] your while." Guiren swallows and comes out of his finance-induced stupor. He nods slowly. "Yeah...Yeah. We could use the help..." "Guiren." Says one of the Humans in annoyance. "Guiren, don't do this." Yoji the Oni says, putting a hand on Guiren's shoulder. "You're obviously being fleeced." "No no, guys, it's okay." Guiren replies, looking from them and back to you with your intense eye contact. He stares into your eyes and nods, entranced. "She's worth it, I'm sure." "I hate this job," Yoji groans, "I get 100 Shards and the new girl gets *if (abduction = "pills") pills worth over 200." *else ${abduction}." "100?!" Asks one of the Human shinobi. "I'm getting 70!" "You guys are getting paid?" Wencheng asks from the floor. *page_break Wencheng closes the door to the tavern room as you all sit around a table. It's an odd sight, with so many black-clad ninjas hunched over casually. Most of them clean weapons and prepare vials of who-knows-what in their hidden pockets. You decide to break the silence. "So what's this job actually entail?" *goto jobexplain *else [b][Persuasion 4 Check Failed][/b] *goto brokeboy *elseif ({metguiren#2} = 3) *set sawguiren true *gosub throwninja You pause as you realize that you recognize this voice. When the assassin skids to a halt and groans on the floor, you squint to analyze him harder. That does nothing, seeing as he's covered head-to-toe in black cloth-wraps, so you simply ask instead. "Aren't you one of Guiren's men, from that fight back in the other tavern? Why in the Hells were you hiding in my washroom?" Your question is interrupted by the sound of multiple men breaking out in laughter behind a door to your left. The door opens and four men in shinobi outfits pile out, taking off their face-wraps and revealing the batch of Humans, Oni, and Guiren himself. *image https://www.auraclash.com/assets/img/guiren.jpg "Wencheng," Guiren says while trying to keep his composure and failing. *gosub guirenexcerpt1 Guiren replies, unable to keep an unbelieving smile at bay. He turns to you and *if (heshe = "she") gets to one knee, offering his hand out to take yours. "It's always good to see [i]you[/i] again, though I had planned on a better reunion. My apologies for Wencheng, *else offers a handshake. "It's good to see you again, my friend. Sorry about Wencheng, his mother tripped a lot when she was pregnant." You eye his hand suspiciously and he clears his throat. "Ah." He adds. "You haven't washed your hands." That's not what you were trying to point out. "Guiren, I'm glad you're still kicking and closing in on the Trials and all, but what are you doing here? Why was one of your men in the washroom?" "First off," Guiren adds, "that is my fault for giving them any leeway, knowing full-well that they're the cheapest buffoons in my employ." "We're the only buffoons in your employ." Replies Yoji the Oni from the back. "Hush." Guiren hisses, then turns back to you. "I've been trying to speak to you in private for the last half hour. We were supposed to seem like we walked out of the shadows, it gives a good reputation, but that plan's shit the bed so let's just talk. It's about a job." *goto joboffer *else [b][BUG! 'METGUIREN#2' VARIABLE NOT BETWEEN 0 AND 3!][/b] *disable_reuse #Visit the crafter's bazaar. You pass by several gossiping crowds on your way to the crafter's bazaar. From what you can gather, the Mystic Lands has bound hundreds of ice and wind spirits to patrol the main trade roads leading into Nanhou. Supposedly each spirit comes from the Inner Kingdoms with at least 2,000 Aura Pressure. Your mouth almost salivates at the idea of such an army, though it makes you wonder why the Exalts who rule Imperial Rasen even needs Outerlands disciples in the Trials when their vassals can control such forces. Just how strong do they expect you to get if you become an Archon? *page_break Entering the crafter's bazaar is like walking into Thunderfall's market square on the busiest time of the year, if the square was crammed into a long open-air hallway. Vendor tents line the long strip of the bazaar, boxed in by shops of all kinds creating all variations of goods in real-time for the customers to see. Weavers, carpenters, sculptors, potters, cobblers, fletchers, and glassblowers fill the long street leading down to the dock where even the shipwrights are at work. Yet one problem arises when you attempt to buy anything: They're all booked. Every craftsman you speak to is filling orders for the Heavenly Ascension Trials that they've been paid for upfront, and although the bazaar seems bustling and filled to the brim with goods, you quickly learn all the displays are just for show and have already been claimed by incoming ships. You're surrounded by shopping centers and there's nothing to buy. It feels like being thirsty on the ocean. *if (style = "Kiihakai") *goto eventuallycont When you reach the end of the market bazaar you find yourself walking through the beach. Sunbathers rest on the sands to your right and left, and the road continues on through the sands all the way to the shipwrights south of town. There's nothing here for you, yet as you turn around to return to the bazaar you feel a cold presence. Slowly you turn toward the sensation and see a dark mist seeping out of one of the sunbathers. One woman lay face-down, dark bandages covering the more private areas on her pale skin. Darkness Chi leaks out of her under the rays of the sun like water leaking from a soaked towel. There isn't much exposing her identity; she lies facedown on the sands and her pale arms are folded under her face like a pillow while her dark hair covers her face. Yet even without sight of her signature nails and makeup, you can easily recognize the aura signature of Lady Desdemona. *if ({metdesdemona#2} = 1) You freeze in place; the last time you saw the woman, you were helping Guiren shake her down to impoverish her further. The Dark aura emanating off of her body even at rest does not give the impression of a forgiving soul. At least her lackeys aren't around, and it seems she hasn't noticed you yet. *choice #Apologize for earlier. *set ruthless - 1 "Lady Desdemona." You call from three feet away. *if (heshe = "he") "A pleasure to see you again." *else "Glad to see you're doing well." The sunbathing goth turns over, her pale skin leaking Dark energies into the sands around her as her darker eyes lock onto your form in the bright sun. She squints harder and scans your spirit. When recognition flashes across her face she increases the dark mist around her into a full-blown aura, scowling as she replies with only one word: "[i]You.[i]" *if (persuasion >= 3) "Me." You confess, both hands up for peace. "I want to apologize for what happened back at the tavern. I know it hurt people close to you and I want to make up for it by helping you in the Trials, I think we could make a better team than enemies." Her upper lip curls in disgust. "The [i]audacity[/i] to think I'd fall for something so stupid! You think I'd even want your help? Why in the world would you offer it except to trap me?" "Because it's the right thing to do?" She glares at you for a few moments, staring *if (heshe = "he") into your eyes *else at your face in scrutiny. "Do you take me for a fool? No debt collector cares about the right thing to do." "I'm not the same kind of ${manwoman} I was back then." You reply wistfully. "I have seen [i]a lot[/i] of people die. It's put things into perspective." Desdemona scoffs with a smile meant only to mock. "You've seen enough to change how much of *if (heshe = "he") an asshole *else a bitch you are in the last two weeks?" Rather than responding, you chuckle silently to yourself and drop to your butt in the sand, looking out over the ocean. You think of all the screams in Ebikowa when the Demonic Gate was unleashed and how many hidden survivors must have died during and after your escape. "Yes." [b][Persuasion 3 Check Passed][/b] "Well..." Desdemona says behind you, "that doesn't mean I...look, we're still enemies, okay? Martial Artists live and die by their codes of battle, I don't care what sort of horrible duels or raids you-" "Not Martial Artists." You interrupt. "Regular people living their lives. And it was Fiends that killed them." "Hells." Desdemona says with a sigh. "You make it depressing to hate you." A few seconds pass before you even register her words. You didn't think all of those deaths hit you so hard, but you haven't had much time to consider it until now. *set ruthless - 3 You look back to the gothic woman and see she's sitting next to you by now, inspecting your face closely. She almost looks concerned. "Let's get your friends back." You say. "When we get to Nanhou, I mean. Let's save people." Desdemona scrunches her brow and purses her lips, but nods all the same. "I'd like that." *if ((heshe = "he") and (((bodytype = "Handsome") or (bodytype = "Muscular")) or (style = "Midorikatai"))) *set desromance + 1 *set desrepair 2 *set metdesdemona + 5000000000 *page_break Walking back to the bazaar takes a weight off your shoulders. *if (ruthless > 55) [b][Compassion Check Failed][/b] You [i]cannot[/i] believed that worked. You should pretend to have feelings more often. *set solexp - 2 When you reach the many shops of the main bazaar street you seek out what originally brought you here: material possessions. *goto eventuallycont *else You hold both hands up for a truce. "I know what I did was awful, which is why I came here to make peace." [b][Persuasion 4 Check Failed][/b] "Tch." Desdemona looks on you with disgust. "Will peace bring back my lost Orb of Red Sun's Ascent? Will it wipe my ridiculously faulty debts to Guiren's master? Will it return my abducted Disciples you sold off to that debtslaving snake?" "...No." Her head moves forward with each shake. "Then why would I want it? I don't want peace." For the first time she smiles, bright and sinister. "I want [i]revenge[/i]." You sigh. "I was hoping to resolve this peacefully." ${auracolor} chi surges around your body. "But fine, let's settle this the normal way." Desdemona's expression cracks as she [i]laughs[/i]. A taunting, unsettling, earpiercing laughter. Lightning crackles in her eyes as her mouth opens wide with each *if (heshe = "he") pronounciation, her perfect white teeth contrasting the dark purple makeup of her lips. *else pronounciation. "You think I'll make this so easy for you? Oh no, Thunderfaller, we are far beyond such rules of old. I'm not going to fight you, and the Heavenly Ascension Trials will see you killed for attacking me. What I have in store for you and Guiren is more than a mere beating. I've decided to get far more..." The shadow energy in the sands under her feet thickens. She melts into them as if falling, disappearing feet-first into the ground while her wicked smile grows. "...[i]creative.[/i]" *set metdesdemona + 4000000000 With that last word, the lunargoth finishes disappearing into the darkness with a mocking laughter. The shadow she's melded into zips off like a dark disk on the sands. First it heads towards the ocean, then stops when it hits the water and moves east. After a short while her villainous laughter stops and she starts going south before changing course again. It seems she's lost. *set desrepair 1 *goto walkback #Sneak past her back to the workshops. With careful control in every step you return the way you came without changing your pace in any way, making sure not to interrupt your stride or the vibrations you leave in the sand. *if (stealth >= 3) [b][Stealth 3 Check Passed][/b] You keep your aura well-contained and your breathing steady, drawing no attention as you slowly slink back to the bazaar. There are enough problems on your plate without drawing the attention of a vengeful with. *set desrepair 2 *label walkback *page_break The walk back to the bazaar is a calm one once you're in the clear. You cease worrying about vengeful *if (heshe = "he") women *else rivals and start focusing on something more important: material possessions. *goto eventuallycont *else *set desrepair 1 "Running away, are we?" Desdemona calls from behind. "Next time you should hide your aura as well, debt collector." You curse, turning around. "Honored Desdemona!" You fake-laugh. "So good to see you again." "That's [i]Lady[/i] Desdemona." The gothic woman replies, rising off the sands and forming two quick handseals with a golden spark to manifest a black robe around herself. "And did you think I wouldn't follow you? I know you and Guiren still have my Orb of Red Sun's Ascent. I [i]will[/i] have it returned." Could she be talking about that item Guiren took as collateral? "Guiren has it, and we went our separate ways." You reply honestly. *if (sawguiren) "Last I saw he was botching a different collection." *elseif (style = "Kurokonton") "He had another job." *else "We split up after the tavern." "Liar!" Desdemona hisses. She withdraws a bird skull and places it on her outstretched palm. "This relic always points north in the presence of a deception, and it's pointing north now, so you can't fool me." You look at the bird skull in her palm quizzically. It's pointing West. "Are you sure about that? Because it's not pointing North." "Yes it is." She replies. "It didn't move when either of us spoke; either it doesn't work or one of us is wrong." Desdemona opens her mouth to retort, pauses, squints at you with a dark lip curled, then looks down at the bird skull in her hand. "My hair is the color red." The bird skull rotates in her palm, pointing North. "DAMN IT!" Desdemona screams, throwing it into the sand. "Hells, Hells, Hells! I-Dear Ancestors, I based so much off of that! I even-grrrahh!" She charges a golden energy blast in both palms and explodes it into the bone trinket, launching sand everywhere that covers the sunbathers all around you. In the smokescreen of the sand cloud, you make your escape back to the bazaar. *goto walkback *elseif ({metdesdemona#2} = 3) A familar feminine voice calls from underneath the pile of raven hair. "Long time no see, Thunderfaller." You never felt a spiritual scan while walking over. "How did you know it was me?" She slowly turns over and sits up halfway, supported by one elbow on the sand. "I'm a chi sorceress, remember? I have my ways." *goto attention3 *elseif (({metdesdemona#2} = 2) or ({metdesdemona#2} = 0)) *if (heshe = "he") "It's rude to stare." Desdemona says, rolling over and brushing her hair out of her face. "Rude, and dangerous. I ought to...wait..." *else "If you're here to complain about the Darkness Chi you can take it up with the guards." Desdemona says, rolling over and brushing her hair out of her face. "I already paid a disturbance fee, so take your complaints and shove them...wait..." She squints from the brightness of the sun, gazing at you closer. "I know you. You were at the barn in the Sunbringer territory-" "Thunderfall territory." You correct her. She frowns. "In the Thunderfall territories, yes. *if ({metdesdemona#2} = 2) If memory serves, we met briefly in a tavern before you fled the scene too." Her dark lips frown. *if (heshe = "he") "How brave." *else "I was hoping us girls would look out for each other, but it was a proper lesson in reality." *set desrep - 2 *else [i]Thank you for that reminder.[/i]" *label attention3 The Dark mist ceases to leak out of her and she rises to her feet. Her hands glow golden while she enacts two quick handseals that manifest a black robe around her body. "Odd that we would meet again in such a faraway place, I trust you've been training..." You feel a spiritual scan run between your shoulders and the woman's eyes widen substantially. "My word, what happened to you? When last we met you were *if (jadedragonfoundation) strong, yes, but not [i]this[/i] strong." *else weaker than I am. You didn't even have Styled Chi, yet now your aura is complete and its strength is magnified?" She steps closer, scrutinizing. "How?" You scratch the back of your head. "It's been a wild few weeks." She scowls at the obfuscation but shakes her head reluctantly. "Fine. Keep your secrets. Envy aside, it seems you didn't come out unscathed. *if (tails = 2) I've never heard of a Yokai manifesting a second tail as a spiritbrand before. It makes you look like a...a...[i]!!![/i]" She stops and puts a hand over her mouth, then rushes one stride past you and grabs your tails in each hand. "They're real!" Her hair whips around as she looks into your eyes, seeking some pink glint of Kitsune chi. "You're a fox spirit!" "Yes!" You hiss back through gritted teeth. "And my tails feel pain, so stop gripping them!" "Hm? Oh, right, ahem." She clears her throat, releases your tails, and smooths out her robes. "Apologies, I've never seen you in your fox form before so this is...surprising. Your tail hairs are vital components, you know. We may have need of them in the future." *if (heshe = "he") "Well ask before shearing me. Ancestors bedamned, woman." You rub your tail and grimace. *else "If you shear my tail I am shearing your hair." You reply in instant deterrence, rubbing your tail and grimacing. You haven't been in your fox form since you were, what, four? Being that small is not a comfortable experience. "A fair point." Desdemona replies, looking back to the bazaar thoughtfully. "Your unique nature aside, it's still *elseif (((spiritbrandloc = "") and (style = "Midorikatai")) and (heshe = "he")) *set desromance + 1 Your physique and muscular growth has exploded to incredible proportions in a short time. Even with Wild Chi, such a hurried transition is never good for the body." Looking down at the tight fit of your clothes you can't help but defend yourself. "Most women are impressed with this physique." Desdemona looks off to the side in a restrained eyeroll. "I'm not like other girls." *if (perception >= 2) [b][Perception 2 Check Passed][/b] The liar is looking at your abs in her peripheral vision, which is why she *else She pauses for a second before continuing. "It's *elseif (spiritbrandloc = "") I doubt you've made such Advancements in such a short time without a spiritbrand." "What's a spiritbrand" You ask. "Truly?" She says, attention suddenly caught. "It's a discoloration on a Martial Artist's skin, eyes, or hair. Fur or horns even, anything really. A blemish where chi leaks into the body..." She walks around you as if examining an alchemical specimen and looks you up and down. "My word, no spiritbrand at such a growth rate..." "Is that unusual? Most Martial Artists don't have one." "Most Martial Artists don't have Aura Pressures as high as ours in their second decade." Something about her wording catches your attention. "Desdemona, do you have a spiritbrand?" "No, because I'm a chi sorceress who understands how to balance my cultivation, but I'm surprised to see a brute like you manage to pull it off." "Oh, we're insulting each other." You reach for a nonexistent scroll in your pocket. "One moment, I have a few written down." "Wait, apologies. That came out wrong." She holds hand out for peace. "But if your spiritual cultivation has made it this far without embedded errors, despite everything you must have done to rush so much power in such a short time...How would you like to risk going a little further?" *goto attention1 *else Are you aware spiritbrands are signs of unhealthy cultivation? *if ((style = "Midorikatai") and (heshe = "he")) *set desromance + 1 You may have become an impressive specimen, but-" "You think I look impressive?" "BUT, in truth such a quick reformation of the body represents *elseif (spiritbrandloc = "eyes") Your chi-enriched pupils may be pleasing *if (heshe = "she") to the eyes of men *else on the *if (desromance >= 1) eyes-" "Aw, thanks." "Silence. They may be pleasing on the eyes to SOME, *else eyes but they express *elseif ((spiritbrandloc = "hair") or (spiritbrandloc = "hairstrip")) Your chi-enriched hair *label usefulrrc may be useful as a ritual component in weave-based enchantments, but it expresses *elseif (((spiritbrandloc = "tail and ears") or (spiritbrandloc = "tail")) and (subrace = "Reptile")) Your chi-enriched scales *elseif ((spiritbrandloc = "tail and ears") or (spiritbrandloc = "tail")) Your chi-enriched fur *goto usefulrrc *elseif (spiritbrandloc = "skin") Your unique skin color may be useful to stand out in a crowd and garner the Judge's attention at the Trials but it betrays *else Your chi-enriched horns may be a useful component in rituals if ground down to a fine powder-" "Don't even think about it." "-but they express an imbalance of the soul. It's clear as day that you've been too risky with your rushed Advancement..." She taps a finger on her cheek and looks off in the distance as she continues. "...is what any sage would say. With the Heavenly Ascension Trials right around the corner I honestly don't believe you've been risky enough. My disciples and I could use a hand with something [i]exceedingly[/i] risky, if you have the time." *label attention1 *choice #"You have my attention." *set desrep + 2 "You have my attention." You reply. "What do you have in mind, some sort of forbidden ritual?" *goto attention2 #"I've had my fill of risks this week." "I've had my fill of risks this week." You reply with a short bow. *if ({metdesdemona#2} = 3) "We'll meet again in Nanhou." "If you're fortunate." She *if (heshe = "he") says wistfully, *else replies in disappointment, returning to her sunbathing as the Darkness seeps out of her. *else Desdemona blinks twice, confused by the rejections. "I can't say I'm not disappointed. Then I suppose all that's left is to say 'Heaven's blessings in the Trials' and go our separate ways." She returns to her sunbathing as the Darkness seeps out of her like a thick mist and settles into the sands. After a minute she turns over and looks to you. "That was my polite way of telling you to leave." *set desrep - 3 *page_break Return to the bazaar *goto eventuallycont *if (heshe = "he") #"For you, anything." "For you, anything." You say to the gothic beauty. Desdemona's cheeks blush but she looks away, scowling. "I am half naked on a beach, I've had enough compliments and lies in the last hour to fill a lifetime." "Who said I'm lying?" "Fine." She snaps back quickly, glaring back at you. "If you want to play such games, then why don't you go attack the Windrising Sect? That counts as 'anything', right?" You give her a smile and look to the large tower north of town that the Windrising Sect uses as its headquarters. Your aura flares around you as you grip one fist in the other and power up an attack. "Hold on." Desdemona says, guarding her eyes from the fluttering sands. "No need to make a scene." More spiritual energy cycles out of your Cores and through your body until it thrums around your right arm, from the hand all the way up to the elbow, with your left hand holding it steady as your fist vibrates from the power contained within. "Stop, Thunderfaller!" Desdemona shouts next to you. "I said to wait!" Two emerald auras flare in front of the Sect headquarters; the guards detect your attack. Beside you Desdemona's body takes on a golden glow and she smacks the bottom of both fists against your arm. "Stop, damn it, it was a joke!" You unleash the blast, ripping up sand in all directions. "NO! YOU STUPID BRUTE OF A FOOL, YOU'VE KILLED US BOTH!" *page_break Your attack explodes outwards in a brilliant display of ${auracolor} chi. When the dust settles Desdemona's hair is covered in sand, several sunbathers have tumbled away, and the Windrising Sect is... Completely unscathed. The purple-lipped lunargoth looks around quizzically until she finally glances up. Shining in the sky, and quickly flying away, is the energy blast you launched straight into the air. "So...So you didn't attack them after all?" Desdemona asks, staring open-mouthed at the fading attack. You respond with a casual shrug. "They didn't deserve it." "Oh. Well, um, that's good." She smooths her hair, controls her breathing, and lifts her nose at you as if she didn't just have a panic attack. "Though I had thought you said you'd do 'anything', why the sudden change of mind?" *if (bodytype != "Manlet") You lean over until your eyes are at the same level. *else You walk closer to her and look into her eyes. "[i]You[/i] said to stop. That's 'anything' too." *set desromance + 1 *Set desrep + 4 *if ((bodytype = "Handsome") or ((style = "Midorikatai") and (heshe = "he"))) *set desromance + 1 *set desrep + 3 "Tch." Desdemona replies, looking away so quickly that her dark hair smacks you in the face. "If you're done, I have preparations of actual importance to attend to. Are you still interested in attending, or was that all a bluff too?" "I'm all ears." You reply. "What did you have in mind? Some sort of forbidden ritual?" *goto attention2 *label attention2 Desdemona slowly smiles, a wicked smile of white teeth behind dark lips, the sharp corners of her mouth rising a bit too high. "Have you ever heard of the alchemical term 'thermobaric explosion'?" *page_break "When most people think of forbidden rituals," Desdemona says while guiding you through a maze of crates in a dark warehouse, "they think of dark and ancient secrets. Truthfully, forbidden rituals are simply whatever one's masters disallow. Considering the rules of the Heavenly Ascension Trials, we [i]are[/i] performing a forbidden ritual. In the sense that we are breaking the rules." The warehouse Desdemona leads you through smells heavily of sulfur. The stench assails your nostrils as you walk through makeshift halls made of crates stacked higher than your head. The lunargothic woman's dark robes transmute into a purple and black combat gi with the snap of her fingers as she leads you around a corner and the sulfuric smell intensifies. Suspicions run through your mind as she leads you deeper into the building. Could they have summoned and bound a true Demon? Could they be bartering with a Demonic Sect? Could the Dreamriver Sect have somehow fallen to Demonic Cultivation just like the Sunbringers? When you're lead down a final corridor you realize the smell of sulfur wasn't a clue to anything other than that: an abundance of actual sulfur. Desdemona's turned one third of the warehouse into a makeshift alchemical workshop. Seven men and women in dark gi work mortars, pestles, and a poorly ventilated cauldron fire while motes of Mystic Chi hover in the air to illuminate the area. Around them are vials full of liquids, terracotta pots full of powders, and a series of canvas laid out with formulae drawings all over "Hail, Lady Desdemona!" One of the Disciples says as the two of you enter, with the others joining in immediately after. "At ease, Dreamriver Disciples." She turns to you with a bored expression. "This is where we've been handling preparations." *if ((lore + alchemy) >= 5) [b][Alchemy + Lore 5 Check Passed][/b] *set solexp + 3 *set forexp + 3 "For the thermobaric explosion, right?" You reply. "I've read the theory when I was learning alchemy. It's a triple threat explosion. One concussive blast to disperse any combustible powder, a second more incendiary blast to ignite it, and then the reaction causes some unexplainable effect, as if the air is sucked out of the area, which damages the lungs...but how does it work? How do you plan to do it?" "I'm not sure on the specifics myself. It *goto destalk1 *else [b][Alchemy + Lore 5 Check Failed][/b] "For your Furnace Bear Explosion." You confirm, nodding with understanding. "No." Desdemona responds, her eyes burrowing into you. "The thermobaric explosion. It's what occurs when you evenly disperse a great deal of combustible powder into a cloud with one explosion, then ignite it with a second blast. I'm not sure on the specifics, but the widespread explosion scalds the target's body. At the same time, the combination sucks the air out of the blastzone and destroys the lungs of its victims. It's an attack that strikes in three separate ways." One thing doesn't sit right with you. "If you're not sure on the specifics, how do you know what it does?" "It *label destalk1 was an experiment Disciple Shuichi found in an old scroll from a destroyed Mystic Lands settlement." Desdemona waltzes to the canvases while she talks. "And you trust that his plans will work?" "They're not plans." Desdemona counters, leaning over to lift one canvas out of the pile and examine its alchemical calculations. "He succeeded in making it work. It was truly an incredible demonstration, far exceeding even his expectations. Unfortunately that includes the explosion's radius." All her Disciples give a short prayer to the recently departed. "I miss him every day." Says the girl in glasses who first introduced Desdemona at the barn when you met. "We all do, Disciple Moon, but he died doing what he loved. Now let us honor him well." Desdemona scribbles something on the canvas with a brush, adjusting a formula. "The steps are simple. We will seal alchemical powders and explosive vials into a fuuinjutsu seal. Releasing that will make the first explosion that disperses the powder, with our Mystic Chi ensuring it disperses perfectly." She walks to the front of her Sect, showing her canvas work and small, terrible illustrations. "After that, we will store the seal into a fire spirit who we will force into a pact." Her drawing of a fire spirit is the most adorable blob you have ever seen, she even made its cheeks blush. "Throwing bombs at your opponents is prohibited in the Heavenly Ascension Trials, but using pact abilities like Shugendō elements is fair game. If our work is sound, the attack will look and feel like an impressive fiery explosion gifted to us by a powerful spirit. In reality, the damage will come from the supplies we store inside of it." You look to the others nodding along excitedly. One closer look to Desdemona's illustrations show that the spirit's pact will leave a seal on your right palm from which you can activate the detonation. "Are you telling me you're all going to strap explosions to your hands?" "Yes." Says the girl in glasses among Desdemona's disciples. "The same explosion that killed your friend?" "Yes." Says the man in glasses from the barn. "And, to clarify, you're going to strap this [i]lethal explosion[/i] to your [i]hands[/i]?" "[i]YES![/i]" Several Disciples reiterate in annoyance, as if you're the one that's being unreasonable. *choice #"Awe inspiring, let's do it." *goto bombmaking #[Leave [b]immediately[/b]] If the Dreamriver Sect wants to blow itself up that's there business. You have far more important things to do than a colorful suicide. Desdemona scowls at you from behind as you leave but that's nothing new from the woman, you continue out and back to the bazaar. *set desrep - 3 *set sect_dreamriver - 5 *goto eventuallycont *label bombmaking "Awe inspiring," You reply to the darkly dressed sorcerous Sect planning to rig dangerous explosives to their bodies. "Let's do it. You know how crazy this plan sounds though, right?" "If you think we're crazy now," Desdemona replies, "wait until you see our shopping list. What we have is proving too unstable for our needs; we need finer grade powders and higher purity essences for the rituals." She looks to a man in glasses. "Li Sun, assist ${name} in acquisitions while I prepare a link to the Fire Spirit." "Yes, Lady Desdemona!" Replies the male Disicple from the barn back in Thunderfall. He approaches you with an overly respectful bow and you notice a sword at his side. "Greetings, Honored Thunderfaller. I am Li Sun of the Dreamriver Sect." "${fullname}." You reply in front of the other Disciples for their benefit. "$!{patriarch} of the $!{clan} Clan. What do you need from me to get us better materials?" "A plan." He replies, rising and wiping his bangs from his face. "We have expensive needs and Guiren's men seized our funds before we even got on the road to Nanhou." "You've been broke that long?" You look over the large collection of not only ritual components and alchemy reagents, but the tools as well. "Then how did you buy all this?" Li Moon withdraws a jewelry box and opens it to reveal two dozen Debt Notes. "...Ah." With no Sect funds and no connections, you decide to... *set val (60 - (persuasion * 10)) *choice #Steal higher quality ritual components from the market. "Are you certain this is legal?" Li Sun asks as the two of you sneak through an alleyway leading to the sage shop's basement. "I'm certain it [i]isn't[/i]." You whisper back. "Now follow me." The two of you break into the cellar door *if (thievery >= 2) after you pick the lock. *set agiexp + 1 *else after he opens the lock with some sort of Mystic Chi effect. The lock simply glows golden one moment and it's unlocked the next. Entering the dark cellar presents shelf after shelf of preserves Beast parts, spiritual crystal cores, powdered herbs, incense, paper seals, and various other ritual components. The two of you get to work shoving everything you need into satchels and preparing to leave. *set honor - 4 [b][Thievery Rank Added to Ritual Efficiency][/b] *set desnuke + thievery *line_break *if ((thievery >= 3) or (stealth >= 2)) [b][Stealth 2 Check Passed][/b] But not before taking something extra for your own supplies. *set val (2 + (stealth * 2)) [b][Ritual Components + ${val}][/b] *set ritualcomponents + val *else [b][Stealth 2 Check Failed][/b] *set desnuke - 1 "Who's there?" Calls a voice coming down the stairs. "Don't try to run, I know I heard you! Move an inch and I'm calling the guards!" Li Sun freezes by the door and looks to you for guidance, but the door suddenly opens in front of him and a young Lunargothic woman walks out. "Who-" She doesn't get another word out; Li Sun smacks her in the forehead with the pommel of his sword. She collapses to the cellar door without resistance. The two of you are frozen and silent until you relax and let out a low whistle. "Aren't you all [i]chi sorcerers[/i]?! I thought you were going to give her some sort of sleep spell." "I should have." He replies, not looking away from the unconscious victim. "I know one." "Then why didn't you?" He looks away from the woman and his fearful eyes meet yours with an apologetic grimace. "I panicked." You shake your head at the amateur. "Come on, let's get back to the base before you 'panic' someone else in the skull." *page_break *selectable_if (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= val) #Haggle the current supplies for higher quality ritual components at the market. [Requires ${val} Shards] You walk Li Sun down to the crafting bazaar and the sage's shop to haggle what you do have for the materials you need. "But why would anyone give us better things for worse things?" He asks, trailing behind you. "Complexity!" You reply, shoving a scroll and quill into his hands. "That's where you come in." "What am I to do with this?" He asks. "Accounting. We're not trading one item for one item. We're cross-trading dozens of times. Hundreds if that's what it takes. There's dozens of stranded and desparate Martial Artists in town and we're going to up-trade as many times as it takes until we get what the sages want to trade for their higher quality components." "I...don't see how that can be done." You smile at the poor fool. "That's why you're the one stuck on accounting. Leave the talking to me." *gosub_scene quicks costcalc val [b][Persuasion Rank Added to Ritual Efficiency][/b] *set desnuke + persuasion Hours go by as you trade your rough ritual components for all sort of weaponry, crafting materials, currencies, livestock, ship parts, and even a small shack in town at one point. You finally sell off or trade your final products for the best ritual components from the sage's shop and the mystics at the bazaar. *page_break #Lie to the local Sect that Thunderfall will trade for better quality materials. *set honor - 2 *set ruthless + 1 If there's one thing you love, it's getting things for free. If there's a second thing you love, it's bothering the Crusher family. You lead Li Sun to the Windrising Sect headquarters and express interest in speaking to their Sectmaster or Magistrate on behalf of Crusher Mao of the Thunderfall Sect, willing to purchase their highest quality ritual components at double market rate with promise of debt notes. They deny your request at first but you try your better luck at the Magistrate's pagoda. At the administrative pagoda, your strength works as a better bargaining chip for the clerks who manage to actually believe you. [b][Deception Rank Added to Ritual Efficiency][/b] *set desnuke + deception *set sect_thunderfall - 5 As you head back to Desdemona's base in the warehouse, Li Sun quietly asks if you have a death wish. *page_break *selectable_if (ritualcomponents >= 10) #Use the components I already own. [Requires 10 Ritual Components] *set desnuke + 4 *set ritualcomponents - 10 "I have fine grade powders and ritual components." You reply, removing them from your satchel and placing them on a nearby table. [b][Item Lost: 10 Ritual Components][/b] "Oh." Li sun says. "[i]Oh.[/i]" Desdemona says, slightly more impressed. "That's certainly one issue resolved. Since you're so efficient, how would you like to solve another problem?" *set desrep + 3 *if (heshe = "he") *set desromance + 2 *set sect_dreamriver + 6 "Only if I'm getting my own handbomb out of this." You reply. Desdemona lifts her nose at that. "Help me with this and you'll have more explosives than you could ever ask for." Clearly this woman doesn't know your appetite for power. *page_break "So what's the next problem?" You ask, as Desdemona's disciples gather around a table looking downcast at their collection of vials. "Our explosives." Desdemona says with a return to her resting frown. "They have Aura Pressure." *goto thatsgood When you arrive back at the Dreamriver Sect's temporary base you find the Desdemona's disciples huddled around a table looking downcast at a collection of vials. Li Sun takes the components you've procured to a side area and you stride forward. "Is something wrong?" You ask. Desdemona looks over to you with a resting frown. "Always. Our explosive vials have Aura Pressure." *label thatsgood "That's good, isn't it?" You ask. "That will help it hurt Martial Artists." She shakes her head. "These explosives aren't about damage. These ones are meant to scatter the powder for the thermobaric blast, and we're using our Mystic Chi to guarantee that it's spread correctly. If the vials have Aura Pressure, then their initial blast could disrupt our Mystic Chi effect. Whoever sold us the ingredients for our concoctions lied and included some spirit essences to amplify the effect." She scowls off to the side. "Idiots probably thought they were helping us." Looking at the problem from that angle, you get the bright idea to... *choice #Craft shattering-vials that will scatter the powder for you. "There's more than one way to scatter powder." You say. "Follow me, I have a plan." You lead Desdemona and several of her Disciples to a glassblowing shop in the bazaar and begin working as you explain the use of vials designed to shatter into thousands of pieces upon breaking. "Hm..." Desdemona lightly chews on her index finger's dark nail in thought. "Normally this would be a foolish idea, the vial would explode long before we need it, but with it being stored in a fuuinjutsu seal until the point of the explosion...I must confess, this can work." "Of course it can." You reply. Desdemona rolls her eyes. "Disciples dismissed, I'll oversee the process and ensure the end product actually works." *if (heshe = "he") *choice #Blow the glass vials. *goto glassinit *selectable_if (((bodytype = "Muscular") or (style = "Midorikatai")) or (Power >= 7)) #Blow the glass vials shirtless. "Are you serious?" Desdemona asks as you take your shirt off and wipe the sweat from your forehead with it. *set desromance + 1 *set desrep + 4 "You're welcome to help or leave." You reply, muscles straining under the heat as you work the molten glass. She doesn't reply, but she doesn't leave. She simply remains kneeling by the wall while analyzing your work, frowning while squinting. Minutes later there are three other women sitting beside her watching you, chatting with each other in giggling tones. Two of the strangers are even wearing combat gi. Desdemona doesn't seem happy about it. By the time you finish forging the vials the crowd size has doubled and Desdemona's displeased gaze shifts between you and her own Disciple, Li Moon, who has joined in on the ogling. "What?" Li Moon asks. "I simply wanted to see the...quality...for myself." "Of the vials." Desdemona adds. "Of course, Lady Desdemona!" Li Moon replies defensively, eyes on you as you work. "[i]The vials.[/i]" *else *label glassinit You get to work forging the molten glass with a hollowed two-handed bronze pipe and at certain points even use your hands to fix flaws in the design. To your surprise, you are [i]not[/i] immune to pain from molten glass. You don't let the pain show, but you don't repeat the mistake again either. When finished with all the glassblowing, you've designed the vials to be universally brittle on all sides, from every angle, so when they explode the thousands of shards of glass should disperse the powder for you. It should also fill your opponent with glass. *set desnuke + craft [b][Craft Rank Added to Ritual Efficiency][/b] #Spiritually scan the explosive vials for the source of the aura. The Dreamriver Sect has several crystals held out to measure the Aura Pressure of the explosive vials or predict its potential explosive force by reading the weaves of fate. Their sorcerous tools are beyond your understanding, but there's one thing they're clearly not trying: a good old-fashioned spiritual scan. You sit in meditative trance in front of the table with the vials on it and send your spirit out, enveloping the vials to sense their contents. A tinge of Aura Pressure is the first sign, yes, but you probe deeper. Longer. You sense a presence deeper within and push further on, melding your senses with the impressions it leaves behind. Then your eyes shoot open. It's not the impression of the elements or the forces of nature you sense within the vials. Rather, the impression you receive is that of an old man who misses his wife. Flashes and feelings run through your mind of the man collapsing upon the table, and the resonance of the aura is that of worry for his wife's good health without him to watch over her. *set desnuke + insight [b][Insight Rank Added to Ritual Efficiency][/b] "The vials don't have elemental essence in them." You finally say, crouching down to look into the vials. "The table they're on is haunted." "Oh thank Heavens." Desdemona says, sighing with relief. "Li Moon, have this table tossed into a fire." *choice #"Bring him to his wife instead." "Bring him to his wife instead." You interrupt. Desdemona's gaze shoots daggers at you as you overrule her in front of her Disciples. "Bring who?" "The ghost." You reply. "There's an old man haunting it, he seems like he'd be at peace if he sees that his wife is okay. He's not after some dark revenge or path that could lead him to be a Fiend, he's just worried for his family. I couldn't dream of keeping them from each other if that's all he needs to pass on. Who are we to get in the way of such eternal love?" *set desrep + 5 *if (heshe = "he") *set desromance + 1 Desdemona blinks, staring wide-eyed at you. "I, er...I'll take it to her personally then." She says. "For my...Shugendō." Li Moon looks skeptical. "But Lady Desdemona, this wouldn't affect-" "For my Shugendō!" Desdemona asserts, sliding the explosive vials off the table and sprinting out the door with it just as her face begins to blush. You're the only one to notice; everyone else is too busy leaping to catch the vials before they hit the ground, explode, and kill you all. *else "I must confess." Desdemona says. "I hadn't considered ghosts could be so easily pleased." "The newly departed ones are just people." You reply. "And if this blows up and this spirit remains, growing in power and twisting into something monstrous?" You shrug. "There's a whole Sect in town. That's their problem." Desdemona offers a hint of a smile. "I knew there was a reason we got along." *set desrep + 5 *set sect_dreamriver + 3 #[Say Nothing] You all get the explosive vials ready for the ritual as Li Moon drags the haunted table over to the cauldron fire and breaks it into pieces, tossing the kindling into the fireplace with a short prayer for the departed. *if ((race = "Oni") or (taint >= 20)) *selectable_if (handseals >= 2) #"I'll do it." [Steal the ghost's power, Requires Handseals 2] "I'll do it!" You shout a little too eagerly. "Very well." Desdemona says without enthusiasm, distracted as she slowly lifts one of the explosive vials off the table with both hands. Her Disciples do the same, removing the vials so you can take the table away. You grab the wooden board and sprint off back into the labyrinth of crates for privacy because the sensation of this ghost fills you with a [i]hunger[/i]. You're not sure why or how, but you know, deep within your spirit, that there's power to be had within such a simple creature. When out of sight, as if on instinct, you slap your right hand onto the center of the table and use your left hand to enact six seals in quick succession six times. Power flows through your hands and your mouth simultaneously. A pressure builds up under your teeth, a resistance like a fine steak. You bite down and feel the ghost's agony as you consume its trapped essence into your spirit. The bare fabirc of its soul rips under your teeth like a waterfall rushing upside down, filling your spirit with power. [b][Corruption Increased][/b] *set taint + 20 *line_break [b][Aura Pressure +20][/b] *set aurapressure + 20 The table disintegrates to ash and a crimson hue flickers over your vision three times when your eyes flash with power. The entire process went by so quickly as if on instinct. Now that it's over everything is so unclear. How did you do it? How did you [i]know[/i] you could do it? The questions circle through your mind next to the ecstasy of the kill. The rush of destroying something that thought it was safe, the fulfilling sensation of feeling its soul shred to pieces and made into a meal...it was exhilarating. You wonder what else you can do. #Alchemically refine anti-clumping powders so Mystic Chi isn't needed. "Arrowroot extract." You reply. "Hm?" Desdemona says, looking dead ahead while her mind is elsewhere. "Arrowroot extract, that's what we need to stop the powder from clumping together. If we add that to our combustion powder, we shouldn't need Mystic Chi to evenly disperse it anymore. It will disperse well on its own." She eyes you suspiciously and walks to a corner of the room, pulling a large tome from one of the bags left there. She browses through a few pages and looks back up. "Incredible, you're actually right." She closes the tome quickly, knocking dust into her face. She blinks it out of her eyes. "Is it expensive?" "Hardly," you reply, "they use it in breads. I'll fetch some from the bakers." [b][Alchemy Rank Added to Ritual Efficiency][/b] *set desnuke + alchemy *if (alchemy >= 2) *set desnuke + 1 "I'll prepare tea for your return!" Announces Li Moon. Twenty minutes later you return without issue, having acquired some arrowroot extract and bread from the baker's shop. Desdemona has her Disciples powderize the extract more cleanly and add it to her combustible powders in varying proportions to test the perfect ratio. All the while, as you analyze their work, Desdemona analyzes you. "Is something wrong?" You ask. *if ((heshe = "he") and ((alchemy >= 3) or (lore >= 3))) "Yes." She confesses. "I'm not used to seeing others in a new light. At fist I assumed you were a brute, incapable of Mystic Chi, and that meant you were...academically..." "A moron." You say, finishing her sentence as Li Moon hands you some tea. "Yes, thank you." She replies with a quick nod. "Yet you've proven quite the academic. I must say, I am impressed." "Thanks." You reply, taking a sip. She steps beside you, closer until your shoulders are almost touching, and sips her own tea. You look over to see her making eye contact, but her vision quickly darts back to the Disciples when she sees you noticing her. She sips her tea harder and her face begins to blush. *set desromance + 1 *else "I'm simply not used to being surrounded by academics, outside of my Sect obviously." Desdemona sighs slowly. "A majority of the Martial Artists we've encountered have been..." "Morons." You say, finishing her sentence as Li Moon hands you both your tea. "Yes, thank you." Desdemona says with a relieved sigh. She takes a sip before continuing. "I am trying to be more polite, it is much easier with someone else being rude for me." "You can count on me." You reply, sipping. *set desrep + 5 *page_break The Dreamriver Sect stands in a circle with Desdemona at its center. You stand aside, holding eight fuuinjutsu seals containing the prepared explosives from before. All of you have a black-ink drawing of a specific flamelike seal on your palm down to your wrist. As you listen to the Dreamrivers chant in unison and invoke handseals of the monkey, boar, and phoenix, there's one thing that doesn't make sense. It must be a Kiihakai secret, because you can't figure out how they plan to bind a Fire Spirit without any Seals or binding circles. The sage's shop back in Thunderfall had bound spirits and it was covered in seals. Their chants grow heavier and their sealing hands take on the golden glow of Mystic Chi. You're forced to squint your eyes to protect from the intense red light that grows throughout the warehouse as the ritual begins in earnest. It clicks suddenly that the illumination is not coming from Desdemona's Sect. It's the wrong color. Red flames overtake the entire left side of your vision as the maze of crates erupts into fires both physical and spiritual, for your senses warn you of Fire Chi. Oppressive smoke and heat press down on you until the fires swirl inward, coalescing in the air at the center of the warehouse's ceiling into a giant disc of flames. The burning disk takes up the whole ceiling and though it continues to spin rapidly, the two white orbs on either side of its center do not move. You realize that you're looking into the eyes of a spirit, a flat red sun glaring angrily at the burning crates beneath it. In the reflection of its pure white eyes of energy you see the complex shape of the walls of crates and realize their purpose: It's a binding circle. "The Shugendō offering has been taken, the Fire Elemental has been summoned!" Desdemona shouts. "Continue the chant! We only get one chance!" Li Sun and Li Moon seize paper fuuinjutsu seals from your hands and chant a different incantation from the others, their Mystic Chi forming a golden line between themselves and the spirit. The living fire resists, and it becomes quickly apparent that it's going to break out. *choice *selectable_if (((element1 = "Ice") or (element2 = "Ice")) or ((element1 = "Fire") or (element2 = "Fire"))) #Wrestle the spirit into place. [Requires Fire or Ice Element] As the Fire Elemental fights a battle on the spiritual level, you give it a fight on the physical level. "What are you [i]doing?![/i]" Desdemona screams as you cover your body in *if ((element1 = "Fire") or (element2 = "Fire")) burning flames *elseif ((element1 = "Ice") or (element2 = "Ice")) a freezing mist and leap up to the ceiling, grabbing onto the elementals moving flames and spinning in place as it rotates its disk-like body. Once it's thrown you to the edge of its form you pull yourself upside down and slam your legs into the ceiling, grinding yourself to a halt. The Elemental's flames fail to rotate with you grabbing onto its living fire. That gets its attention. The fire spirit thrashes against you, wavering like a flat dough shaking in all directions. It blasts flame after flame at you and attempts to whip you with its other half, but you hold steady and resist as it loses the battle it had forgotten about. [b][Athletics Rank Added to Ritual Efficiency][/b] *set desnuke + athletics *if (element1 = "Fire") *line_break [b][Fire Mastery Added to Ritual Efficiency][/b] *set desnuke + element1rank *elseif (element2 = "Fire") *line_break [b][Fire Mastery Added to Ritual Efficiency][/b] *set desnuke + element2rank *if (soul > 6) *set desnuke + (soul - 6) Beneath you both, *label finishflame the Dreamriver Sect completes their ritual and the Flame Elemental shivers as their casting takes effect. An *label finishflame2 orange brand appears on its center that looks identical to the drawing on your palms, and the drawing on your palm takes on a red coloring as Fire Chi from the spirit flows inside. *page_break The Pact has been sealed. *goto firecont #Recall the Shugendō rules of all elemental spirits to aid in its binding. Recalling the rules of Shugendō, you invoke the spirit's purpose and fill your lungs with chi, praying that it makes any difference. "I bind you, spirit of the flames, to your purpose! I call to order the laws of the Celestial Bureaucracy, and through their commands I invoke your nature! It is not the place of fire to fight back against its attackers, for such reaction lies in the realm of Man and Beast! I call upon you to the realm of the Elements, the reactions of primordial fire! I command thee, aspect of the flame, only to [i]burn[/i]. Under the judgmental eyes of Heaven, I command you, [b][i]burn![/i][/b]" [b][Lore Rank Added to Ritual Efficiency][/b] *set desnuke + lore *if ((element1 = "Fire") or (element2 = "fire")) *set desnuke + 1 *set val 8888 The spirit remains in place, shaking with increased intensity and growing power. You prepare for an attack, but instead witness the entity's acceptance of its purpose. The Elemental consumes the wood of the warehouse ceiling, spinning in place and burning through the roof with the rapid speed of an intense heat. In seconds the roof is burnt away and the spinning disk of a flame Elemental hovers in the air, the clear sky visible overhead. Yet thanks to the distraction, beneath the fire spirit's grand display, *goto finishflame #Add your own Seals to their control. With no time to waste you add your own Seals into the ritual. *if (handseals = 0) You may not know any, but they've been repeating the same finger handseal formations for minutes. You copy their pattern and pray to the Heavens. *else Applying your knowledge of spirit-related Handseals, you incorporate a few that should pull the spirit's focus in different directions as well as several that should strengthen the Seals of collaborative efforts. [b][Handseals Rank Added to Ritual Efficiency][/b] *set desnuke + handseals *if (handseals >= 2) *set desnuke + 1 *if ((element1 = "Fire") or (element2 = "fire")) *set desnuke + 1 Your hands glow ${auracolor} as everyone else's glows golden with Mystic Chi, and the effect shows. The two golden links connecting Li Sun and Li Moon to the fire elemental become wrapped into spiraling lines of ${auracolor} as your higher Aura Pressure strengthens their effect, overtaking the Fire Elemental and locking it into place for the rest of the Dreamriver Sect to complete their binding ritual. The spirit submits, losing to your combined superior power, and a spiritual snap fills the air as the ritual completes. The Fire Elemental shivers as the casting takes effect and an *goto finishflame2 *label firecont "Release!" Desdemona shouts, and the Fire Spirit breaks free from the Mystic bindings. The entity roars with a deafening crackle of an inferno, *if (val = 8888) spinning faster in place until it flies off through the air *else destroying the roof as it bursts out of the building and takes off into the sky over Harehama. Smoke envelopes the building and everyone runs outside, cheering and laughing at their victory. When you get outside, *if (heshe = "he") a sweat-soaked Desdemona removes her dark robe to reveal *if (heshe = "he") and (desromance >= 3) nothing but the dark bandage wrappings over her more private areas. Her Sect grows quiet, staring. Desdemona, chest heaving as she catches her breath, looks around in confusion. "What's everyone-Oh Hells." She snaps her fingers and conjures another dark robe around her body. "Don't sully this moment with such thoughts. We should be rejoicing; we *else a combat gi underneath. "I don't envy the blacksmiths who are indoors with such flames regularly." She says frankly, then looks down to the red brand on her palm. "And it seems to have worked. We now, each of us, have one use of an extreme weapon at our disposal. [i]The Last Dream[/i]." *set descombat + (round(desnuke/3)) Her Sect lets out a series of 'Ooohs' and 'Aaahs' as Desdemona names the not-so-Technique. "The Last Dream, huh?" You look down at your own palm's swirling red brand in satisfaction. "Another trump card for the Trials..." "It does not have to be for the Trials, Honored Thunderfaller." Li Sun counters. "I do not intend to win, so I will be saving mine for everyone's safety on the roads after." A few Disciples agree, sharing their plans to use them as an ultimate defense or revenge. Desdemona smiles, shaking her head slowly. "I am absolutely using mine in the Trials, on Guiren. What about you, Thunderfaller?" "I-" "That way, Sectmaster Bassui!" Shouts a voice nearby. "I saw a gigantic fire in the sky!" Desdemona's entire Sect ungracefully scatters in five directions. It suddenly occurs to you that there's no way they owned the thousands of Shards worth of cargo you all just burned in the warehouse. *page_break Time to go! In your pocket is the last fuuinjutsu scroll from the ritual that the Dreamriver's had given to you, but never needed at any point. After fleeing the scene of the crime, you open it to find spare fuel for the circle. *if (desnuke >= 7) *set val 3 *else *set val 2 [b][Item Gained: ${val} Crates of Loot][/b] *set loot + val Pleased, you make your way back to the bazaar. *page_break *goto eventuallycont *label eventuallycont Most areas designed for equipment customizations are taken, but eventually you find a foundry with a few open forges. After spotting one man barking orders to others, you approach the supposed-owner and inquire about renting a space to get some work done. "Money?!" The forgemaster screams over the sound of hammering metal behind him. "You think I care about money?! Kid, people are paying me quadruple rates as a [i]starting bid[/i], I've got money up to my eyeballs. I need materials! Piss off unless you have Jade." He violently flings a hand away from the bazaar, dismissing you, then turns back. "Wait. Do you have Jade? I'm not picky, I'd take Beastbone, Snowsteel, or Truegold too." "Err, no." You reply sheepishly. *if (background = "Blacksmith") The materials he's citing off are such high quality that Father hasn't ever even worked with them, they're reserved only for the best weapons in the lands. *else "What are those?" The forgemaster's cheek twitches in irritation. "They're what I need! They're what everyone needs, you ignorant welp! How am I supposed to make best-of-the-best's weapons and armor without the best-of-the-best materials?!" "Well I don't have anything like that." You admit. "But I do have more common materials in bulk." *if (loot = 0) You lie. The forgemaster rubs his temple and looks from you to his busy and crowded foundry, twice. "Fine. You bring me those goods for my foundry, and I'll let you use a forging station. Hells, you bring me enough steel and I'll give you my grandmother." *label returntobazaar Laborers and skilled Warrior-artisans alike work throughout the forge leaving just enough room for you to squeeze into the scorchingly hot building. You *label returntobazaar2 send a few retainers out to check your supplies of crafting goods on your ship, hoping you have enough left to buy some time on the forge and, more importantly, enough left to supply your own materials. *if (desrepair = 1) ... Ten minutes later your retainers return. "Er, Honored $!{patriarch}, we have news." "Is it that my crates are on a rowboat coming around?" You ask. "Because you don't appear to have any of my crates." *if (sumyungai) Sum Yungai *else The retainer in the back cringes. "We actually have [i]all[/i] of your crates, Honored $!{patriarch}." You scratch your head. "Are you holding them hostage? Is this some sort of coup?" "No, Honored $!{patriarch}, what we're saying is that when we went to the *if (flagshiptype = "merchant") vault *else brig there was nothing; there were no crates at all. Merely this this scroll hovering three feet off the ground. Most of the men fear it is cursed." You accept the scroll from them and recognize the aura. It might actually be cursed, but you open it anyway. *image https://www.auraclash.com/assets/img/ac-linebreak-top.png [i]${fullname} of Thunderfall,[/i] [i]You betrayed my trust in robbing my Sect over frivolous debts. I will never truly understand what made you choose such a foolish path, but in doing so you have cost me dearly. A cost you have yet to pay. I believe an unpaid cost is called a debt, is it not?[/i] [i]To tell the truth I almost don't blame you anymore, for I see the appeal. Collecting this debt from you was [b]most[/b] satisfying.[/i] [i]Eternally your end, [/i] *line_break [i]Lady Desdemona of the Dreamriver Sect[/i] *image https://www.auraclash.com/assets/img/ac-linebreak-bottom.png You stare at the scroll in silence for uncomfortably long. It seems you have been robbed. [b][Item Lost: ${loot} Crates of Cargo][/b] *set loot 0 *page_break With no materials to trade the bazaar has gone from a crafting wonder to an embarrassing desert of opportunity. You let out a heavy sigh and dismiss your retainers. *label craftworks *set counter (300 + (persuasion * 10)) [b][Current Trade Goods in Inventory: ${loot} Crates][/b] *choice *selectable_if (((craft >= 2) and (loot >= 2)) or ((background = "Blacksmith") and (loot >= 1))) #Craft a weapon. [Requires Craft 2, Costs 2 Crates] *if (background = "Blacksmith") [b][Blacksmith Background Event: 1 Crate Discount][/b] *set loot - 1 *else *set loot - 2 Having one weapon is good, yes, but with all the different adjustments and sorcerous enhancements you hear about, you'll want spares. Luckily you're a skilled *if (background = "Blacksmith") blacksmith, and years apprenticing under Father has hammered the basics into your very soul. *else crafts${manwoman} and no stranger to a forge. To start the process, you look through your available materials. The foundry's forgemaster may not have any exotic materials to spare, but you're not the only outsider working the forges. Plenty of fellow Martial Artists around the foundry offer ample opportunity to purchase their superior materials that make Warrior Caste so famous. After bothering the forgemaster for a quick guide, you read the purpose behind them. [i]Jade - Fuels the Soul and Power Cores.[/i] [i]Beastbone - Fuels the Fortitude and Agility Cores.[/i] [i]Snowsteel - Fuels the Fortitude and Soul Cores.[/i] [i]Truegold - Fuels the Power and Agility Cores.[/i] [b][Weapons of the four special materials prevent their wielder from ever falling to 0 Core Chi of two certain Cores.][/b] [b][For example, a wielder with 7 Soul who spends all 7 Soul Chi in combat would normally have 0 out of 7 Soul Chi remaining. With a Jade or Snowsteel weapon equipped, they will never fall below 1 out of 7 Soul Chi and can spend that last Soul Chi an infinite number of times without rest.][/b] Armed with this knowledge and your available funds, you decide to... *choice #Craft a standard steel and wood weapon. [Costs 0 Shards] *set material 100000000 *selectable_if ((shards >= 100) and (craft >= 2)) #Craft a Jade weapon. [Requires Craft 2, Costs 100 Shards] *set material 101000000 *set matts "Jade" *set shards - 100 *selectable_if ((shards >= 80) and (craft >= 3)) #Craft a Beastbone weapon. [Requires Craft 3, Costs 80 Shards] *set material 102000000 *set matts "Beastbone" *set shards - 80 *selectable_if ((shards >= 120) and (craft >= 2)) #Craft a Snowsteel weapon. [Requires Craft 2, Costs 120 Shards] *set material 103000000 *set matts "Snowsteel" *set shards - 120 *selectable_if ((shards >= 140) and (craft >= 3)) #Craft a Truegold weapon. [Requires Craft 3, Costs 140 Shards] *set material 104000000 *set matts "Truegold" *set shards - 140 *if ({material#3} = 0) With your lumber and steel ingots prepared, you *elseif ({material#3} = 1) The Jade in your hands is junk-quality for jewelry but large enough to be perfect for weaponry. You prepare several files and a sturdy chisel by the kiln and polishing wheel then *elseif ({material#3} = 2) Beastbone is far sturdier than you expected. When you purchased the excess from a busy Martial Artist he was [i]welding[/i] chi-hardened bones together to form a billet before grinding it down. You decide to copy his technique then *elseif ({material#3} = 3) At first you were worried that Snowsteel would freeze your hands, but thankfully the metal is only named for its appearance. The layers of gray, black, white, and silver in the metal ingots remind you of thick, layered black ice atop a dark lake. You *elseif ({material#3} = 4) Truegold looks like gold. You don't know what else you expected. At first you think the tradesman has swindled you, but quickly shake off the thought. If he actually had traded this much gold for 140 Shards then you're the swindler, not him, and he's made you rich. Trusting that you didn't just make the deal of the century, and focusing on weaponry instead, you consider the best weapon for your fighting style and seek out the molds needed to craft a... *choice *if ({itembostaff#1} = 0) #Bo Staff, a Zenshin-style combat staff *set itembostaff material *label forge_bostaff [b][Item Gained: Bo Staff][/b] After sanding and polishing the strongest piece of wood you can find, you get to work on everything that makes a Bo Staff better than a stick. When you're done you spin the weapon in place and feel satisfied at how smoothly it flows. The tips are secured and weighted with metal caps and the grip and its center is impeccably well done to ensure your hands stay in the comfort zone but can slide past it without issue if needed. *elseif (({itembostaff#3} = 0) and ({material#3} >= 1)) #Replace your Bo Staff with a new one made from ${matts}. *if (equippedweapon = "Bo Staff") *gosub_scene quicks unequipweapon1 *set itembostaff material *set weaponbonus material *gosub_scene quicks weaponbonuses *goto forge_bostaff *if ({itemgreataxe#1}= 0) #Greataxe, a Gothic-style two-handed double-bladed axe *set itemgreataxe material *label forge_greataxe [b][Item Gained: Greataxe][/b] *gosub woodandmetal A truly massive two-handed Lunargothic greataxe. With one overhead swing you test the axe's weight and need to call on your Power Cores to stop from slicing through the stone floor. It's perfect. *elseif (({itemgreataxe#3} = 0) and ({material#3} >= 1)) #Replace your Greataxe with a new one made from ${matts}. *if (equippedweapon = "Greataxe") *gosub_scene quicks unequipweapon1 *set itemgreataxe material *set weaponbonus material *gosub_scene quicks weaponbonuses *goto forge_greataxe *if ({itemjian#1}= 0) #Jian, a Cathayan-style straight sword *set itemjian material *label forge_jian [b][Item Gained: Jian][/b] After hours of work you finish perfecting the edges of the straight *label bladeworks blade and get to work on its guard, handle, pommel, sheath, and handle-wrap. Only by the grace of Agility Cores are you able to finish before the day's over. When you're done the shining new blade resembles an imperial decorative piece with the sharpness to match an imperial executioner's piece. *elseif (({itemjian#3} = 0) and ({material#3} >= 1)) #Replace your Jian with a new one made from ${matts}. *if (equippedweapon = "Jian") *gosub_scene quicks unequipweapon1 *set itemjian material *set weaponbonus material *gosub_scene quicks weaponbonuses *goto forge_jian *if ({itemkunai#1}= 0) #Kunai, a Zenshin-style throwing knife *set itemkunai material [b][Item Gained: Kunai][/b] Finishing the steelwork of the properly weighted double-edged knife *if (style = "Kurokonton") *set agiexp + 2 feels right in your hands, the Cursed Chi surging through your spirit running smoothly over its aerodynamic design. You can envision a hundred ways to control it with your Cursed Chi as if it were a part of your own body, using your chi leash like a rope or pulley to change the trajectory mid-air and surprise your opponents. In doing so, you envision several ways you can use your Cursed Chi towards acrobatic maneuvers as well. *if (athletics <= 1) [b][Athletics Increased by + 1][/b] *set athletics + 1 *elseif (stealth <= 1) [b][Stealth Increased by + 1][/b] *set stealth + 1 *else *set apval 5 *gosub_scene quicks apboost *else *label forge_kunai proves the right decision when it cuts through a throwing target outside (someone's crate). The secret to keeping it so sharp is in the curved arc of the steel before reaching the blade, and it worked perfectly. You fetch the blade, test its weight, hold it outward and inward for a few mock-slashes and stabs, and nod in satisfaction. *elseif (({itemkunai#3} = 0) and ({material#3} >= 1)) #Replace your Kunai with a new one made from ${matts}. *if (equippedweapon = "Kunai") *gosub_scene quicks unequipweapon1 *set itemkunai material *set weaponbonus material *gosub_scene quicks weaponbonuses [b][Item Gained: Kunai][/b] Finishing the steelwork of the properly weighted double-edged knife *goto forge_kunai *if ({itemkatana#1}= 0) #Katana, a Zenshin-style curved sword *set itemkatana material *label forge_katana [b][Item Gained: Katana][/b] After hours of folding steel you finish perfecting the edges of the curved *goto bladeworks *elseif (({itemkatana#3} = 0) and ({material#3} >= 1)) #Replace your Katana with a new one made from ${matts}. *if (equippedweapon = "Katana") *gosub_scene quicks unequipweapon1 *set itemkatana material *set weaponbonus material *gosub_scene quicks weaponbonuses *goto forge_katana *if ({itemmeteorhammer#1}= 0) #Meteor Hammer, a Cathayan-style chained throwing-mace *set itemmeteorhammer material *label forge_meteorhammer [b][Item Gained: Meteor Hammer][/b] One set of molds describes an odd weapon: the meteor hammer. Two bluntly spiked steel balls bigger than your fists attached to a long and dexterous chain. It's...it's beautiful. You get to work forging the hundreds of chain links and maceheads, only finishing before nightfall thanks to your Agility and Power Cores and, to be honest, your Fortitude Cores once the exhaustion of such high speed, high intensity work sets in. When you're done and you grab the chain in one hand and give the weapon a good swing, feeling the heavy weight of the metal maceheads on both ends for leverage. With a soft release you let the spinning ball of steel fly off into an abandoned crate before pulling it back in one quick jerk, catching the steel macehead in your hand. *if (honor < 49) Hell yes. Helllllllll yes. *else In an odd way, its inefficient design makes it superior. You doubt many opponents have been trained on how to defend against your creation. *elseif (({itemmeteorhammer#3} = 0) and ({material#3} >= 1)) #Replace your Meteor Hammer with a new one made from ${matts}. *if (equippedweapon = "Meteor Hammer") *gosub_scene quicks unequipweapon1 *set itemmeteorhammer material *set weaponbonus material *gosub_scene quicks weaponbonuses *goto forge_meteorhammer *if ({itemqiang#1}= 0) #Qiang, a Cathayan-style halberd *set itemqiang material *label forge_qiang [b][Item Gained: Qiang][/b] *gosub woodandmetal An impressive spear housing a multi-pronged and sturdy blade at its end as well as an awe-inspiring thick red and gold tassels for decoration. You give the spear several spins and thrust forward to test its weight and reach, finding both to be superb. *elseif (({itemqiang#3} = 0) and ({material#3} >= 1)) #Replace your Qiang with a new one made from ${matts}. *if (equippedweapon = "Qiang") *gosub_scene quicks unequipweapon1 *set itemqiang material *set weaponbonus material *gosub_scene quicks weaponbonuses *goto forge_qiang *if ({itemyumi#1}= 0) #Yumi, a Zenshin-style bow *set itemyumi material *label forge_yumi [b][Item Gained: Yumi][/b] Most of your work is done in the fletcher's and the woodworker's, with only your arrowheads, bowtips, and grip using any actual metal. When you're done you manage to procure plenty of tossed wood that your crew can whittle down into arrows later. You make a few yourself quickly to test the draw strength of your bow. You used the strongest wood and toughest Beast hair you could find for the string, so when you can barely pull the thing back you smile. Putting your full force into this should blow a hole through a castle. *elseif (({itemyumi#3} = 0) and ({material#3} >= 1)) #Replace your Yumi with a new one made from ${matts}. *if (equippedweapon = "Yumi") *gosub_scene quicks unequipweapon1 *set itemyumi material *set weaponbonus material *gosub_scene quicks weaponbonuses *goto forge_yumi *if ({itemhandwraps#1}= 0) #Weighted Handwraps, a universal fist weapon *set itemhandwraps material *label forge_handwraps [b][Item Gained: Handwraps][/b] You're a Martial Artist damn it, and that means fighting with your fists. The only issue in preparing a weighted set of handwraps is measuring out where to fit the weights. It's essentially a pair of brass knuckles with sewn pockets of weights around the outside of the hand as well, in case you need to hammer your fist down on someone's head. After an hour of planning, procuring the proper materials, forging the weights at the right sizes, and sewing the materials together with Beast hair, you wrap the new weapon around your hands and slam a fist into an emptied crate to test. You spit out the splinters from the exploded crate and admire your work. That'll do. *elseif (({itemhandwraps#3} = 0) and ({material#3} >= 1)) #Replace your Handwraps with a new one made from ${matts}. *if (equippedweapon = "Handwraps") *gosub_scene quicks unequipweapon1 *set itemhandwraps material *set weaponbonus material *gosub_scene quicks weaponbonuses *goto forge_handwraps #Nevermind *if (background = "Blacksmith") *set loot + 1 *else *set loot + 2 You decide against making a weapon after all and *goto returntobazaar2 *page_break *goto returntobazaar *if (background = "Blacksmith") *disable_reuse *selectable_if (loot >= 3) #Improve the Armguards that Father made for you. [Costs 3 Crates] "Forgemaster!" You shout over the sound of hammering steel. "Forgemaster, I need some of your high quality materials, what do you have that could fit a pair of armguards and work with an Earth Soul Treasure?" The forgemaster removes an odd wooden mask off his face and you sense Aura Pressure coming off the item. He stares at you between heavy breaths from his work, a gigantic chain link on his anvil. "I told you, ${boygirl}, there's no Beastbone or Snowsteel for you here. I have none to spare!" "I know what you said." You reply haughtily. "That's why I'm overpaying." You place your foot against one of your cargo crates and shove it forward, sliding the hefty container across the foundry's stone floor towards the forgemaster. When he looks down on it he opens his mouth to protest but you snap your fingers and six retainers bring three other crates forward, each requiring two carriers lest their back give out. The forgemasters takes one big inhale through the nose, puffing his chest out as he silently looks down at the shipment. "Fine, but only because it's for a small item. I'll see if our higher quality Beastbone orders have any scraps that fit the shape you need." Perfect. "You know where to find me." In honesty, when you prepared this display you were just thinking how you didn't want to kick three crates and risk of breaking them. The end result instead is a fairly good presentation. Having other people obey you at the snap of a finger is more imposing than you realized. *page_break Working with Beastbone of such high quality is harder than you thought. It doesn't answer to hammers or heat, and regular sanding paper is far too weak. You manage to procure a specialized sanding paper made from centuries-old trees and fine quartz-sand, spending over an hour scrubbing the Beastbone plates down When you put your full might into it and flare your ${auracolor} aura, you're shocked to find the results barely improve. One thing you hadn't counted on is that high grade Beastbone means a high Aura Pressure Beast. Whatever creature this bone comes from, it was stronger than you in life. After hours of work you manage to finally get the plates prepared and properly implemented into the armguards. You pack your empowered armguards away knowing they've not only improved in power, they've also become an intergenerational masterpiece. [b][Item Lost: ${armguardname}][/b] *line_break *if (armguardname = "Empowered Armguards (Spiked)") *set armguardname2 "$!{clan} Armguards (Spiked)" *else *Set armguardname2 "$!{clan} Armguards" [b][Item Gained: ${armguardname2}][/b] *if (equippedaccessory1 = armguardname) or (equippedaccessory2 = armguardname) *set power - armguardpow *set fortitude - armguardfort *if (armguardpow > 0) *set armguardpow + 1 *elseif (armguardfort > 0) *set armguardfort + 1 *else [b][BUG! Both armguardfort and armguardpow both 0 or below, but armguards are equipped!][/b] *set power + armguardpow *set fortitude + armguardfort *if (equippedaccessory1 = armguardname) *set equippedaccessory1 armguardname2 *else *set equippedaccessory2 armguardname2 *set armguardname armguardname2 *set loot - 3 If only Father could see you now. He would be [i]enraged.[/i] Did you just walk away from the sanding station without sweeping it off first?! You shake your impression of Father's voice out of your head and clean up the crafting station. With that done, you *goto returntobazaar2 *disable_reuse *selectable_if (((craft >= 1) and (loot >= 2)) and (weightedclothing > 0)) #Forge heavier training weights. [Requires Craft 1, Costs 2 Crates] *set loot - 2 Improving your Weighted Clothing is a top priority, considering your current set feels as light as a winter's robe. You get to work at the smelter using any Beastbone dust you can find to extract the carbon for your iron ingots to make steel that's heavier than usual. It's tough and tiring work, and more than once you almost come to blows with other Martial Artists who think you're trying to steal their real materials, not just the dust on the floor, but eventually you've got what you need. Thirty two sets of small, condensed, rectangular weights that you can line into your weighted clothing. [b][Weight Improved! Your Weighted Clothing increases Aura Pressure once again.][/b] *line_break [b][Your Weighted Clothing now subtracts 1 Agility and 1 Power][/b] *if (equippedoutfit = "Weighted Clothing") *set power - 1 Unfortunately a genius's work is never done. Now that you have heavier weights, it's time to stitch stronger seams to handle that burden without tearing your clothes. *set weight + 4 *page_break One pin-pricking hour later... You throw a few mock punches and kicks into the air, testing the force of your new weighted clothing on your muscles. The strain with every movement is almost unbearable. You hate it. It's perfect. With a mastercrafted set of burdening weights at your disposal, you fill your time with weighted pushups and pullups while your retainers check your ship's cargo to see if you have enough inventory to craft something else. *goto craftworks *disable_reuse *selectable_if ((craft >= 1) and (loot >= 5)) #Craft hull reinforcements. [Requires Craft 1, Costs 5 Crates] *set hullbonus true Hull reinforcements should cost an arm and a leg, you had thought, but apparently the materials are as common as dirt down at the dockyard due to all the recovered wreckage from Gazhurra's warpath through the storm. By trading over 5 crates of crafter's goods to different people you're able to get a local crew to do a vast majority of the work for you. All you end up doing is securing a few riggings and pointing out exactly what areas you want improved. The rest is done by a crew that promises by the next morning *if (shipcount = 2) both of your ships *elseif (shipcount = 1) your last remaining ship *else all of your ships will be more defensible. More importantly, you're also getting the *if (shipcount = 1) ship *else ships outfitted with dual slats for the rowing holes. You already had slats to the left of each rowing hole to cover them during choppy waters, but now on the right there will be secondary slats with archery slits. The next opponent to cause problems around your ship will find themselves barraged with arrows from your entire crew while they're comfortably shielded behind your ship's improved hull. *set retainer_strength + 2 [b][Retainer Strength Increased][/b] *line_break [b][Prestige Increased][/b] *set prestige + 1 *set loot - 5 Seeing as there's nothing else for you to do while the workers weaponize your *if (shipcount = 1) ship, *else fleet, you *goto returntobazaar2 *if ({itemkatana_1#1} = 1) *selectable_if (({itemkatana_1#2} < (craft - 1)) and (loot >= 1)) #Improve Muramasa [Costs 1 Crate] *set loot - 1 You spend the next hour in the crafter's bazaar sharpening Muramasa's blade, which proves more difficult than expected. The fucking thing keeps cutting the sharpening stones. *set itemkatana_1 + (((craft - 1) - {itemkatana_1#2}) * 10000000) *if (equippedweapon = "Muramasa") *gosub_scene quicks unequipweapon1 *set equippedweapon "Muramasa" *set weaponbonus itemkatana_1 *gosub_scene quicks weaponbonuses [b][Muramasa Improved!][/b] Once completed, you *goto returntobazaar2 *if ({itemqiang#1} >= 1) *selectable_if (({itemqiang#2} < (craft - 1)) and (loot >= 1)) #Improve your Qiang. [Costs 1 Crate] *set loot - 1 You spend the next hour treating your Qiang with all sorts of enhancement resins and sharpening the blade. *set itemqiang + (((craft - 1) - {itemqiang#2}) * 10000000) *if (equippedweapon = "Qiang") *gosub_scene quicks unequipweapon1 *set equippedweapon "Qiang" *set weaponbonus itemqiang *gosub_scene quicks weaponbonuses [b][Qiang Improved!][/b] Once completed, you *goto returntobazaar2 *if ({itemgreataxe#1} >= 1) *selectable_if (({itemgreataxe#2} < (craft - 1)) and (loot >= 1)) #Improve your Greataxe. [Costs 1 Crate] You spend the next hour treating your Greataxe with all sorts of enhancement resins and sharpening the blade. *set itemgreataxe + (((craft - 1) - {itemgreataxe#2}) * 10000000) *if (equippedweapon = "Greataxe") *gosub_scene quicks unequipweapon1 *set equippedweapon "Greataxe" *set weaponbonus itemgreataxe *gosub_scene quicks weaponbonuses [b][Greataxe Improved!][/b] *set loot - 1 Once completed, you *goto returntobazaar2 *if ({itemkunai#1} >= 1) *selectable_if (({itemkunai#2} < (craft - 1)) and (loot >= 1)) #Improve your Kunai. [Costs 1 Crate] You spend the next hour sharpening your Kunai's blade to the point that you don't even know if a sheath will hold it anymore. *set itemkunai + (((craft - 1) - {itemkunai#2}) * 10000000) *if (equippedweapon = "Kunai") *gosub_scene quicks unequipweapon1 *set equippedweapon "Kunai" *set weaponbonus itemkunai *gosub_scene quicks weaponbonuses [b][Kunai Improved!][/b] *set loot - 1 Once completed, you *goto returntobazaar2 *if ({itemmeteorhammer#1} >= 1) *selectable_if (({itemmeteorhammer#2} < (craft - 1)) and (loot >= 1)) #Improve your Meteor Hammer. [Costs 1 Crate] You spend the next hour sharpening the tips of your meteor hammer's maceheads and knocking out any kinks in the chain until it feels like you're swinging a rope more than a chain. *set itemmeteorhammer + (((craft - 1) - {itemmeteorhammer#2}) * 10000000) *if (equippedweapon = "Meteor Hammer") *gosub_scene quicks unequipweapon1 *set equippedweapon "Meteor Hammer" *set weaponbonus itemmeteorhammer *gosub_scene quicks weaponbonuses [b][Meteor Hammer Improved!][/b] *set loot - 1 Once completed, you *goto returntobazaar2 *if ({itemkatana#1} >= 1) *selectable_if (({itemkatana#2} < (craft - 1)) and (loot >= 1)) #Improve your Katana. [Costs 1 Crate] You spend the next hour sharpening your katana and receive dozens, no, [i]hundreds[/i] of nods in satisfaction. It seems literally everyone appreciates watching someone sharpen a katana in Imperial Rasen. *set itemkatana + (((craft - 1) - {itemkatana#2}) * 10000000) *if (equippedweapon = "Katana") *gosub_scene quicks unequipweapon1 *set equippedweapon "Katana" *set weaponbonus itemkatana *gosub_scene quicks weaponbonuses [b][Katana Improved!][/b] *set loot - 1 Once completed, you *goto returntobazaar2 *if ({itemjian#1} >= 1) *selectable_if (({itemjian#2} < (craft - 1)) and (loot >= 1)) #Improve your Jian. [Costs 1 Crate] You spend the next hour sharpening your Jian and reinforcing the sheath from both sides so you can draw it quickly without issue. *set itemjian + (((craft - 1) - {itemjian#2}) * 10000000) *if (equippedweapon = "Jian") *gosub_scene quicks unequipweapon1 *set equippedweapon "Jian" *set weaponbonus itemjian *gosub_scene quicks weaponbonuses [b][Jian Improved!][/b] *set loot - 1 Once completed, you *goto returntobazaar2 *if ({itemtanto#1} >= 1) *selectable_if (({itemtanto#2} < (craft - 1)) and (loot >= 1)) #Improve your Tanto. [Costs 1 Crate] You spend the next hour sharpening the tanto you and Father made so long ago. It's only now that you realize just how thick Father had made the original design, far thicker than a tanto needs to be. Not comically so, but a 30% increase in width and thickness is far more noticeable to a Blacksmith's eye than a layman's. As you treat the weapon at the grinding stone you realize Father knew you'd be sharpening it one day and wanted the blade to have plenty of potential for improvement, just like his *if (heshe = "he") son. *else daughter. You're not crying. You're [i]not[/i] crying. *set solexp + 2 *set forexp + 1 *set itemtanto + (((craft - 1) - {itemtanto#2}) * 10000000) *if (equippedweapon = "Tanto") *gosub_scene quicks unequipweapon1 *set equippedweapon "Tanto" *set weaponbonus itemtanto *gosub_scene quicks weaponbonuses [b][Tanto Improved!][/b] *set loot - 1 Once the Tanto is sharpened sufficiently and the tears are hidden away, you *goto returntobazaar2 *if ({itembostaff#1} >= 1) *selectable_if (({itembostaff#2} < (craft - 1)) and (loot >= 1)) #Improve your Bo Staff. [Costs 1 Crate] Enhancement resins for the wood and superior grade steel for the ends lead to a sturdier and stronger weapon that can cave in a higher quality of skull. *set itembostaff + (((craft - 1) - {itembostaff#2}) * 10000000) *if (equippedweapon = "Bo Staff") *gosub_scene quicks unequipweapon1 *set equippedweapon "Bo Staff" *set weaponbonus itembostaff *gosub_scene quicks weaponbonuses [b][Bo Staff Improved!][/b] *set loot - 1 Once completed, you *goto returntobazaar2 *if ({itemyumi#1} >= 1) *selectable_if (({itemyumi#2} < (craft - 1)) and (loot >= 1)) #Improve your Yumi. [Costs 1 Crate] Enhancement resins and oils go into the wood and string of your bow. You're not the only one improving a Yumi in the bazaar, but you [i]are[/i] the only one that's enhancing four entire spools of string. Everyone else is only enhancing the string currently set on their bow. Morons. You are surrounded by morons. *set itemyumi + (((craft - 1) - {itemyumi#2}) * 10000000) *if (equippedweapon = "Yumi") *gosub_scene quicks unequipweapon1 *set equippedweapon "Yumi" *set weaponbonus itemyumi *gosub_scene quicks weaponbonuses [b][Yumi Improved!][/b] *set loot - 1 Once completed, you *goto returntobazaar2 *if ({itemhandwraps#1} >= 1) *selectable_if (({itemhandwraps#2} < (craft - 1)) and (loot >= 1)) #Improve your Handwraps. [Costs 1 Crate] Enhancing your weighted Handwraps is all about the quality of the weight. Using superior weavings to hold larger and heavier steel slats over each knuckle and around the edges, you're able to improve your handwraps into something capable of dishing out more damage. *set itemhandwraps + (((craft - 1) - {itemhandwraps#2}) * 10000000) *if (equippedweapon = "Handwraps") *gosub_scene quicks unequipweapon1 *set equippedweapon "Handwraps" *set weaponbonus itemhandwraps *gosub_scene quicks weaponbonuses [b][Handwraps Improved!][/b] *set loot - 1 Once completed, you *goto returntobazaar2 *selectable_if (loot > 0) #Sell crates of goods. [${counter} Silver Each] *set val 0 *input_number val 0 loot *set loot - val [b][Item Lost: ${val} Crates of Loot][/b] *set soldcrates + val *set val (counter * val) *set silver + val *line_break [b][Item Gained: ${val} Silver][/b] *if ((soldcrates >= 5) and (commercegained = false)) You don't sell the goods one crate at a time, but rather split it between several crafters looking to fill in missing materials for their orders. By the time all of your sales are completed you've made small talk with enough merchants that your network has expanded quite a bit. Several express interest in working with the ${clan} vendors once again. [b][Commerce Increased][/b] *set commerce + 2 *set commercegained true *else Managing to find a buyer is easy but rapid work. All you really have to do is hold up some silks or ingots and lumber and craftsmen come running, the problem is you can't sell entire crates at a time. Except the ingots. The forgemaster would buy a town of ingots if he could. *if (loot = 0) With the sales complete you are officially out of cargo. The forgemaster asks you to politely get out (he was not polite) and you return to Harehama's streets to see what else you can do to pass the day while waiting to hear if the sea is safe for travel once again. *page_break *goto Next_harehama *else With the sales complete you *goto returntobazaar2 #Leave the crafter's bazaar. *set counter 0 *goto Next_harehama *disable_reuse #Visit the local Sect. Considering the Trials are close by you decide to visit the local Windrising Sect and see if it holds any good opportunities. You pass by several gossiping crowds on your way. It's not surprising that so many are talking about the Heavenly Ascension Trials. You hadn't delved into the Trial rules before; your ears practically [i]burn[/i] when hearing the juicy details. From what you're hearing there are to be twelve Trials in total over the course of months. Your hopes rise when you find that the top hundred aspirants are expected to become Archons, but they drop further when you discover they're expecting [i]thousands[/i] of participants. You'll need to be better than ninety-five percent of the Outer Provinces, or more. It's surprising too to overhear strangers on the street discussing Crusher Jack. So many share what you hope are made-up tales of his grand victories against multiple Sect's top students and, on more than one occasion, even that student's insulted Sect Master. Thankfully he's not the only one on everyone's lips. As you pass by an outdoor gambling table you hear one man protest Jack's victory, claiming he would take second place at best against some Outer North war hero named Brass Tiger. A blind old woman laughs at that, claiming they both will have to fight over second place against the massive wealth put into some Merchant-turned-Warrior woman from her city in Outer East. *if (prestige >= 6) What's more surprising is hearing about the fourth option. One slightly drunk man swears on his life that he escaped from an enormous demonic eye in the sky and, as he was fleeing on his horse, he looked back to see the thing coalesce into a man at the town's docks. He then saw someone kill it. The drunkard swears its killer was *if (ruthless > 58) a monster *else an unmatched prodigy of a ${manwoman} guaranteed to claim victory. His description sounds a lot like you. *set prestige + 1 [b][Prestige Increased][/b] *else It seems Jack isn't the only legend on the road. *page_break *set counter 0 The Sect headquarters are at the northern end of the town beyond the walls. The building itself turns out to be a large three story cylindrical building topped with a gabled roof of dark green and black tiles. What's more important is it's not surrounded by a wall of its own, but rather a moat. According to your spiritual senses, whatever is swimming in it has a decent Aura Pressure. "Hold!" Calls a man on the other side of the moat. You stop staring absentmindedly into the waters and look up to see two Windrising Disciples in their green and black combat gi. One actually levels his spear at you as he speaks. "The Sect is off-limits to outsiders. Turn away. Now." *if ((background = "Merchant") and (({metnohal#2} = 5) or ({metnohal#2} = 1))) *choice #"That's a shame, the Choral Line Sect will have to do business elsewhere." [Requires Merchant Background] "That's a shame," you reply, recalling your 5% ownership of a certain Trade Sect's operations in Outer West. "The Choral Line Trade Sect will have to do business elsewhere." "Wait!" One of the guards shouts as you turn to leave. "Did you say Trade Sect?" "I did." "What are you doing?" Asks one guard to the other. "Be silent," hisses the first guard, "we need supplies that don't come from the sea. The Trials could have Gazhurra riled up for months." "Tch." The first guard sneers and looks the other way. The more amicable one lowers his spear. "The Magistrate is away, but my brother-in-law is a clerk at the town pagoda. Give me any offers on behalf of your Sect and I'll make sure they get to him through the right channels." "I am thankful that the honorable Windrising Sect has seen reason." You reply, then thank the Heavens when he has a servant from inside provide parchment and quill, because you weren't carrying any around. You take a quick seat at a table they place just outside the Windrising Sect headquarters and list out all the offers that include the Outer South rates and the central mountain rates of Outer West, plus transfer fees. The Choral Line Sect should be able to handle this kind of volume and thank you for the business. If not then you may be in trouble, but how much trouble can you even face from them if they can't handle a few extra trade deliveries? [b][Prestige Increased][/b] *set prestige + 1 *line_break [b][Commerce Increased][/b] *set commerce + persuasion *set sect_choralline + 5 *set metnohal + 100000000 *page_break "Are you done?" Asks the second, angrier guard when you walk up to hand them the conditional contract offers. "Yes." You reply. "That is why I am handing these to *if (ruthless >= 53) you, fool." *else you." Moron. "Good." He says, ripping them out of your hand and shoving them against the chest of the other guard. "Then leave. Immediately." You look to the other guard who, instead of backing you up, tilts his head to signal for you to leave as well. You should have charged them higher rates. #Turn and leave. *set ruthless - 1 You shrug, not bothering with the man, and leave. #Flip him off and leave. *set ruthless + 1 *set honor - 1 You let out the most exaggerated groan at every single asshole picking fights with you, flip him off with both hands while blowing a raspberry, and leave. *else *if (ruthless > 55) "Drop the spear." You command, eyes cold. "Take it from me, invader." He replies. Invader? You're just visiting and...wait. That's right, you're just visiting. Why are you letting this guy pick a fight on his terms? Hells, you feel almost silly that you nearly let a chance pass by to enjoy the freedom of finally telling a challenger to go pound sand. A snicker escapes your mouth and you shake your head at the man, not taking his bait. *else "A truly touching display of hospitality." You reply dryly. The Windrising guard simply glares back, but you do note his ally has his hands on his spear as well. You have no need for such hostilities and turn to leave. *if (style != "Midorikatai") Before you can even finish turning around you hear a familiar voice approaching from the town. "They are quite rude, are they not?" You turn and see the wolfgirl from the Mountain Hazard Sect. "Tian Fang?" You ask, perplexed. The white-haired yokai's wolf ears perk up at hearing her own name and her pace quickens as she runs up to you. "Yes! It is I, the great Tian Fang!" She skids to a stop in front of you and wags her tail. "It is so good to see a familiar face after such a journey! *if (race = "Kitsune") How-" She stops, staring just past you. You turn to see what she's looking at and see nothing but your tail. Well, your tails. Both of them. "Fox demon!!" She shouts, leaping on top of you with her mouth open, fangs barred. "Die, facestealer!" "Fang, stop!" You shout as the two of you drop to the ground and she tries to bite your *if (heshe = "he") nose *else face off. "It's me! It's me!" Your hands barely hold her back by the *if (heshe = "he") chest *else collarbone and she stops for a moment after several failed chomps, sniffing you closer. "Oh...You smell the same." "Because I [i]am[/i] the same!" You shout. "I'm not a Kitsune disguised as ${fullname}, I'm ${name} and I've always been a Kitsune." "Oh!" She rolls off you lazily and rises to her feet. "Most disappointing! Tian Fang had thought you were wolf Yokai." "Everyone did." You reply. "It's going to be a fun reveal at the Trials. Great reintroduction by the way, that's not how I expected to reunite for the first time since-" "Since *else How have you been, my most Thunderfallible ally? I have not seen you since *if ({metfang#2} = 4) our encounter *goto scottydoesntknow *elseif ({metfang#2} = 2) our fight *label scottydoesntknow atop the lightning mountain!" Ah, one of your more embarrassing moments. Tian Fang actually blushes at the thought. "I trust you didn't tell anyone of my..." She looks to the left and right then whispers, covering her mouth on both sides. "My secret?" "I don't even know what the secret is, what happened back there? You seemed like an entirely different person. And an awful one at *if ({metfang#2} = 2) that. You stabbed me." *else that." "Haha! Such jokes, such a fun joking friend!" She shouts nervously, grabbing your *if (heshe = "he") hand *else arm and dragging you out of earshot of the Windrising disciples. "The Gate, Thunderfaller! Tian Fang is talking about her allergy to the Gate!" "An...allergy?" You whisper back. "An allergy makes you go feral and attack people?" "Yes, quite right!" She says with a smile on her face and not much going on behind her eyes. "Thank you for your understanding." You blink at her and she merely smiles back. Awkward seconds pass and her tail starts to wag. It seems that's all there is to it; you change the subject. *goto fangreturn *elseif ({metfang#2} = 3) that exhausting but enjoyable night together!" *if (heshe = "he") The two guards over by the Sect entrance look Fang up and down from a distance and give you an appreciative whistle. "Nice." One says to you. "Lucky guy." Adds the other. *choice #[To the guards] "It's not like that, and mind your own business!" *label itsnotlikethatfang "It's not like that," you say defensively, "we cycled a Heavenly Gate together, and mind your own business!" They both look disappointed and motion outward with the butts of their spears. "Then move along, outsiders, you're taking up our view of the beach!" "Ah!" Fang exclaims, "That is right, the beach! Fang came here to bring you to the beach!" "Oh." You reply. "Thanks, but I didn't bring a beach outfit." "Do not be so silly, I speak of something far superior to paddling in the water!" She points to an eighty-foot ring of palm trees further north. You notice a crowd gathered around its edges. "Harehama's beachside sparring ring!" She bumps your *if (heshe = "he") hip *else shoulder from the side with her own. *label dareyou "Dare you accept Fang's challenge to some friendly combat?" *choice #"Gladly." *set ruthless + 1 "Gladly." You reply, accepting the challenge and walking towards the sparring ring. "Good!" Fang chirps, hopping up and raising a fist in the air then dragging it down in some sort of...dance? She whispers "Victory." to herself and starts walking too. "I should warn you the unassailable Path of Mountain Hazard is a most ferocious combat style! It would be most kind of you to forgive easily upon Fang's victory." "Nah." You say back with a grin. "I'd win." *set fangrep + 2 Fang smiles and stretches her hands out forward while you both walk, intertwining her fingers and cracking all ten at once. She looks back to you with smug confidence. "We. Shall. See." *goto sparringground #"Race you!" "Race you!" You shout out, sprinting through the sands in an instant to get to the palm tree ring off in the distance. "No fair!" Fang shouts, breaking into a mad dash on all fours. "No fair! The sand gets in Fang's mouth! Ptah!" "Then run on two feet!" You shout back to her, pushing yourself onward. "NEVER!" *set combatstat "agility" *set combatskill "athletics" *set combatdiff 9 *if (element1 = "Wind") or (element2 = "Wind") [b][Wind Element Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if (element1 = "Light") or (element2 = "Light") [b][Light Element Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if (style = "Kurokonton") [b][Kurokonton Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) *set fangrep + 3 You blast through the sand of the beach in a stream of ${auracolor} energy, each foot caving into the beach sands with your full weight before kicking off again. You arrive at the crowd around the palm trees seconds before Fang. "Most accursed sands!" Fang pants out as she reaches you, tumbling over and wiping her tongue. As she does so, the sand on her hands gets on her tongue too. "Nooooo!" She groans. *label thecrowd The crowd around you is giving both of you stares, as you just arrived with full auras blaring and Fang is...being Fang. *goto sparringground *else You blast through the sand as fast as you can and think you're doing great until Fang catches up, glowing green with Wild Chi and sprinting past you on all fours. She reaches the crowd first and skids to a halt, spraying sand all over them, then turns to you and raises her hind quarters in the air, her torso crouching low like a Beast prepared to strike. "The victory goes to Fang!" She shouts. "You owe me one pastry!" "What?" You ask through heavy breaths. "We never agreed on that." "Victors do not make agreements!" Fang barks back defiantly. "It is them to whomst the spoils go!" You sigh and wonder if your ships have any pastries on board. You're also positive 'whomst' isn't the right word, but that's unimportant. *goto thecrowd *goto sparringground #"I'll have to pass." *set fangrep - 2 *set metfang + 10000000 "I'll have to pass." You reply. "I'm saving all my tricks for the Trials, and you should too. Don't let anyone see you sparring if you can help it." "I cannot!" Fang barks back. "For I am feeling most antsy, and wish to fight!" Hm, if she's referring to her allergy... "Could there be a Gate nearby?" "No." Fang admits with a frown. "If there were, I would most likely be feral. Tian Fang's antsyness is from the juice your beggar friend was selling, ${bffheshe} said it would increase one's energy tenfold!" She closes both her fists close to her chest and smiles. "Ten, ${bffheshe} said! Ten entire folds!" "Was Kosuke selling this juice next to a juice stand? For more than the juice stand?" Fang nods eagerly. "Far more! That is how Fang knew it was of high quality!" Yep. There it is. "How fortunate." You give her a short bow. "Best of luck to you, Tian Fang. I will see you at the Trials." "That is most true!!" Fang shouts excitedly as you leave. "For everyone will see the Great Tian Fang(!) take first place!" *page_break *goto Next_harehama #[To Fang] "How could I forget? We should do it again sometime." *set fangrep + 2 *set fangromance + 1 *set val 777 "How could I forget?" You say, looking just past her to the guards as if to confirm what they think you're talking about. "We should do it again sometime." "I would love to!" She says, fists held in front of her chest and tail wagging excitedly as she recalls the Heavenly Storm Gate. "But when will we have the opportunity to do it so intensely again? That night was so electrifying that I could barely breathe, and it lasted until morning!" She holds her hands over her cheeks and closes her eyes. "Oh, to be so excited that I was scared, my body pushed to its limits. How I yearn for another such night." One of the Windrising guard's mouth is open and the other is strongly exhaling through his nose in jealousy. She *if (((bodytype != "Manlet") and (heshe = "he")) or ((bodytype = "Dommymommy") or (bodytype = "Bodacious"))) rises on her tiptoes to get *else gets her face close to yours. "But enough about the past, we must discuss our future!" You gulp. "In the sparring ring!" She finishes, pointing north up the beach where an eighty-foot ring of palm trees is surrounded by a small crowd. *label fistbump As you're busy looking, she steps forward and bumps the side of your hip with the side of hers, lifting her fists threateningly. *goto dareyou *else The Windrising guards look from you two ladies back to each other. "Nice." One says. "Very nice." Adds the other. *goto itsnotlikethatfang *if ({metfang#2} = 1) my most embarrassing defeat! *if ({metfang#3} = 1) The one where you-" "Where I spit on you after." "Yes! The fight where you very rudely spit on me. Yet there were no witnesses, so no harm has been done to Fang's reputation." She waves it off with an absent-minded smile. *if (roc > 0) "CAWW!" Comes a call from the sky. Tian Fang narrows her eyes at your roc circling overhead. "Fang said...no witnesses." $!{rocname} should be too far away to hear that, but she changes course and flies south anyway. You clear your throat. *else You look over to the two Windrising guards who just heard that. "Do they count as witnesses now?" Fang narrows her eyes at them. "They do..." One of the guards takes a slow, cautionary step back. For their sake you decide to change the subject. *label fangreturn "So what are you doing here and how did you find me? I didn't expect to see you until the Trials." "Likewise!" Fang replies, returning to her bubbly mood and spinning a full circle on one foot. "I most certainly did not expect to meet any allies in such a remote village, and so *label fangbeggar when your beggar friend asked for change outside the juice stalls it was a most joyous chance to converse! $!{bffheshe} told me you've been up to such fantastical adventures, did you truly kill a Fiend in the body of a twenty-foot tall bald and very, very ugly man?" *choice #"Absolutely." *set fangrep + 1 *set honor - 1 "Absolutely." You reply. "And that was just the [i]tallest[/i] thing I killed. If you wanted to see a real miracle you should have seen the [i]widest[/i]." "Wowww!" Tian Fang exclaims in earnest astonishment. *goto fangeyes #"Don't believe everything Kosuke tells you." *set fangrep + 1 "Don't believe everything Kosuke tells you." You respond. Fang opens her mouth and looks to the sky, recounting something. You can see her jaw gently wiggle as she silently half-speaks to herself. "Are you okay?" You ask. She snaps out of it and looks to you. "I am most well! I am simply recalling all the things ${bffheshe} has said to me, between my time in Thunderfall and our chat at the juice stand, so that I may decide which words to believe." "And?" "I have chosen to believe the compliments!" She sniffs the air quickly. "Speaking of compliments, you have grown most impressive in strength since we last met! There's something else to your aura now, Fang's nose knows." "I have." You had no idea that *if (style = "Akakiru") Bladed *elseif (style = "Aoyusumu") Sacred *elseif (style = "Kiihakai") Mystic *elseif (style = "Kurokonton") Cursed Chi had a smell, but there's no use in hiding it now. "It's been a hard couple months." "Hah! Indeed, Tian Fang had to defeat many challengers on the road to get this close to Nanhou. Some who would not let her pass, some who would not let her have shelter, some who would not even let her have food!" "...Fang, that's robbery. Were you robbing people?" She ignores you and cups one hand on her cheek and shakes her head to some other thought in her mind. "One would thing Imperial decree would reduce violence, but everyone acts as if it's the opposite!" *if (heshe = "he") Suddenly she looks you up and down *else You can feel the shiver in your upper back when she scans your spirit more thoroughly and her tail begins to wag. "Hrmm...Speaking of violence. Thunderfaller, how *goto atthesparringring #"...Something like that." *set honor + 1 "...Something like that." You say. "In truth it was a Clone Technique used by a demonic cultivator, but it gained independence and used corrupted chi to keep itself alive for years instead of hours. From what I gathered he had been collecting blood from victims for decades and storing them in some sort of custom Seal or Soul Treasure to release it all at once and create a Demonic Gate. When the Sunbringer Sectmaster activated it-" Fang's ears lower with each word and it seems like she has no idea what you're talking about. You sigh. "Yes, I killed an ugly bald Fiend-man." "Wowww!" *label fangeyes *if (heshe = "she") Her tail wags fiercely. *else Her eyes sparkle and her face gets closer to yours. "Does that mean you've grown even stronger? Tian Fang has grown stronger too! How *label atthesparringring would you like to test out your new strength against Tain Fang at Harehama's..." She extends both hands behind you as if presenting a prize, "sparring ring!" You squint to look further north and see a ring of palm trees eighty feet in diameter. There's a crowd gathered around the trees and two people fighting inside. Fang steps forward and bumps *if (heshe = "he") the side of your hip with the side of hers. *else your shoulder with hers from the side. *goto dareyou *if (heshe = "he") #"Easily. If you want to talk about it more we can go somewhere private and catch up over a couple drinks." *set fangromance + 1 *set fangrep + 2 "Easily." You boast. "If you want to talk about it more we can go somewhere more private and catch up over a couple drinks." Tian Fang tilts her head to the side and flops one ear down. "Thunderfaller, were you not listening? Tian Fang was [i]just at[/i] the juice stand, mere minutes ago! She needs no drinks! She's full of juice!" "Ah." *if ((yokaitrait1 = "cat ears") or (yokaitrait1 = "wolf ears")) Your own *if (yokaitrait1 = "cat ears") cat *else wolf ears flatten on your head. Flirting with this girl is like eating soup with a fork. "Though if you were to invite her to something a little more [b]physical[/b] instead, she would be far more likely to say yes." Holy shit nevermind. "You don't have to tell me twice, let's go find a-" "-sparring ring!" She cheers, finishing your sentence incorrectly for you. She leaps up excitedly and points north up the beach, and you turn to see a ring of palm trees eighty-feet in diameter. A crowd has gathered around it and sure enough you can sense two auras clashing inside. *goto fistbump *label sparringground *page_break *set counter 0 Fang wriggles in place with joy and you quirk an eyebrow at her behavior until you feel a tickle between your shoulder-blades and know several people are scanning your spirit. You turn to the crowd and beyond, looking into the ring where one Martial Artist stands with his hand held high and another is on the ground covered in hatchets made of Bladed Chi. The hatchets dissipate, and a wiry old man in Windrising colors enters the ring to announce, "Victory goes to Li Boqin!" "Me next!" Tian Fang screams. "Let Tian Fang and her friend fight next!" The old man looks to you and frowns. "There is a queue, contain your arrogance." "A queue as in waiting?" Fang whines. "Fang does not wish to wait, she wishes to spar most immediately! Can we not be let in for being so polite? Or pretty? Or pretty polite? Pretty please?" She sits up like a dog and gives her best impression of puppy eyes. *if (fangromance >= 2) It melts your heart. "No." Replies the old man. "Shoot." Fang replies, and the two of you wait for thirty minutes while watching low Aura Pressure duels before you finally get your own fight. *choice #Analyze each fighter's physical movements. *gosub dueltalk the variety of maneuvers being used that you had never considered, each countering a hold or strike that you'd had trouble facing in earlier fights and spars in your life. *if (perception = 0) [b][Perception Check Failed][/b] *else [b][Perception Check ${perception} Passed][/b] *line_break *set apval perception *gosub_scene quicks apboost #Analyze each fighter's combat chi. *gosub dueltalk how different fighters utilize the same Element or Style in entire different ways. You take a few notes on the ${style} *if (element1 != "None") fighters and a few inventive yet improvised uses of the ${element1} Element when fighters are pushed into a corner. *else fighters and note the way they utilize the basics of chi without relying on Techniques. *if (insight = 0) [b][Insight Check Failed][/b] *else [b][Insight Check ${insight} Passed][/b] *line_break *set apval insight *gosub_scene quicks apboost When the next fighter falls the old man from earlier stops the winner and checks the loser's pulse as usual. He declares the winner, checks his scroll nestled on his hip, and announces the next fight as usual. "Next to fight we have...${fullname} of Thunderfall and Tian Fang of Mountain Hazard!" "Yay!" Fang cheers, clapping her hands together. "Our most joyous time has come!" She seems happy, but you're not. You weren't the only one taking notes on every fight so far. "Fang." You whisper as you waltz into the ring beside her. "Don't use anything flashy, stick to basic enforcement." Her ear facing you droops down into her hair and she turns to you, whispering too loudly. "Why for, most cautious friend?" "Half the Martial Artists in this crowd aren't on the list. They're getting intel for the Trials." "Ooooh." Fang says, tapping her mouth with a finger. "That is bad. Okay then! Fang will beat you up with just her fists." She wiggles her fists at you in circular motions. "Prepare yourself!" You almost roll your eyes. Silly Fang, the spar hasn't even begun y- "BEGIN!" Shouts the old man. *page_break *set val 0 *image https://www.auraclash.com/assets/img/ap-thunderfaller-vs-tian-fang.png *gosub_scene quicks statcheck As soon as the fight starts Tian Fang lunges low at you with both her hands swiping like claws at your kidneys. *set combatstat "agility" *set combatdiff 7 *if (style = "Aoyusumu") [b][Aoyusumu Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) *gosub sparwin You deflect the first strike with both hands and try to knee her other arm's wrist. She shoves one foot into the ground to adjust her angle and avoid your knee, her clawlike nails cutting your clothing. *if (style = "Aoyusumu") Your Sacred Chi slows the kinetic force of her attack in time for you to grab her wrist and flip *else You respond before she lands her strike by grabbing her wrist and flipping her over your head, with a kick to her back before she lands. "Ow ow ow!" She chants out as it takes her an entire second to fall, your kick knocking her halfway across the ring. She finally lands and turns back. "You shall pay for that most high-interestly!" "That's not a word." You reply. "It will be!" She snarls, and charges. *else You knock one strike away and knee the other, but she switches her angle and claws at your side. It's a grazing wound that leaves marks like a line of bee stings. *gosub sparwound She leaps past you and shows off her claw-like nails. "Too slow, Thunderfaller! I have gotten a taste of victory and now I am hungry like the wolf!" The two of you continue to trade blows for minutes before you reel a fist back aimed at her mouth and see an icy blue glow under your feet. She squints knowingly as you notice, absurdly smug about the whole ordeal. Then ice expands up to engulf you in an instant. *page_break Shit! *if ((element1 = "Ice") or (element2 = "Ice")) [b][Ice Element Event!][/b] Using your own control of the ice you're able to reach out with a pale-blue glowing hand and stop the effect for just long enough to jump before the growing glacier covers your feet. On the way up, you kick Fang in the nose. She yelps. *goto nooofang *elseif ((element1 = "Fire") or (element2 = "Fire")) [b][Fire Element Event!][/b] A glacier of ice covers your body but the raging fires of your soul burn through it as quickly as it forms, turning the effect into a steaming pound of water around yourself and Tian Fang. *if ((element1 = "Storm") or (element2 = "Storm")) *set boogaloo true [b][Storm Element Event!][/b] She looks down at the deep water covering her feet and back up to you just as your aura changes to the crackling violet power of the Storm. "Aha, what fun this duel has been! Shall we, um, call a truce?" You electrocute the water and watch Tian Fang enjoy a nice long seizure, as thanks for her using an Element effect when you both agreed not to. "Enough." Says the old man in Windrising colors after a few seconds. He dashes into the circle and pulls Fang out by the hair, throwing her out of the ring and over the crowd. She lands on the soft sands two dozen feet further out. "This bout's winner is clear as a sunny day," he announces, "it is ${fullname}!" *goto fangapplause2 *else *label nooofang "Noooo!" Fang whines. "You may have gotten the best of me this time, but-hiyah!" She launches into a flying kick at you and you dodge to the side, counterstriking with an uppercut to the gut as she passes by. *goto contfightfang *else Damn it, you agreed on no flashy moves! You react as soon as you can and channel two energy blasts into both hands, throwing your hostile scorching chi down into the growing glacier to explode it before it can freeze over your entire body. The entire process takes less than a second. *set combatstat "soul" *set combatdiff fangcombat *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) Your blasts explode the glacier beneath your feet and end the effect. *gosub sparwin *label advantagefang Tian Fang tries to take advantage of your distraction with a flying kick, but you dodge to the side and deliver an uppercut towards her gut as a counterattack. *goto contfightfang *else *gosub sparwound Your blasts fail to take the glacier out and her ice grows over your entire legs before you're forced to leap out, ripping some skin against the shattering, jagged ice as you do so. *goto advantagefang *label contfightfang [b][i]"Ice Armor!"[/b][/i] She screams as you go for the punch. A headless set of lamellar armor appears around her body in a flash and your fist collides into the hostile Ice Chi. Your hand flashfreezes with frostburn. *set combatstat "fortitude" *set combatdiff 7 *if ((element1 = "Ice") or (element2 = "Ice")) [b][Ice Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) Your skin hardens from all the Fortitude Advancements you've undergone and resists the effects of her hostile Ice Chi. That's how you interpret events. To Tian Fang, what seems to happen is that your uppercut connects and cracks a fist-shaped hole into her armor. Your punch hits with supernatural might and you twist your hips into it to launch her across the sparring ring. She surprisingly gets up immediately, bouncing in place and energized. "You're strong!" She says. *if ((heshe = "he") and (counter >= 2)) *set fangromance + 1 "[i]So[/i] strong!" *else "Really strong!" *set fangrep + 1 "And you're ignoring our deal, we said no special moves!" *else Your hand hits the ice chi of her armor and you feel the very essence of Cold penetrate through your skin and spirit. Tian Fang seems to notice and twists out of the way so your swing grazes her and you don't suffer real damage. *gosub sparwound "Hmph! Hmph hmph!" Fang lands and boasts proudly *if (counter >= 1) with a bloodied lip. *else with her hands on her hips. "It is not so easy to break through my ingenious defense!" "Fang, I said no special moves!" "Impossible!" Fang barks back playfully. "All of Tian Fang's moves are special!" You start to get angry until you see her tail violently shaking back and forth. She wants you angry, and you get the unshakable feeling she simply wants to test her armor out against your full force. If that's the case, you're happy to oblige. *choice #Deliver three dozen strikes through her armor. *set fangrep + 1 The two of you charge in to attack and you score the first strike, a palm to the jaw. "Bwaauuuh!" She shouts out, spitting to the side as her cheek is pressed in. You follow the momentum for a jab to the side of her armor, a punch to the greaves, a deflecting strike to her wristguard, an upper cut to her central stomach plate, three punches to the chest, a blow to the ribs, a tripping chop to the legs, and dozens more strikes all in quick succession. *set combatstat "agility" *set combatstat2 "fortitude" *set combatdiff 13 *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) *gosub sparwin She vibrates as if you'd electrocuted her with how fast you're striking, unable to move an inch voluntarily as your strikes hit so fast that you slowly begin to juggle her in the air. Finally her aura shatters and you catch her before she lands, throwing her out of the ring with a battlecry. *label fangapplause "Nooooooo!" She wails as her body soars through the air over the crowd, landing in the sand that gets all over her fur. "This bout's winner has been decided," announces the old Windrising man, "it is ${fullname}!" *label fangapplause2 The crowd applauds and you feel the thrill of victory, then come out of your battlelust and see Tian Fang through the parted crowd, facedown in the sand. Right, you remember, this was a [i]spar[/i]. With a tinge of guilt you jog over to see if she's okay. *goto duelover *else *set fangrep + 1 All the while the draining, numbing pain of her armor chills your fists and arms to the bone. *if (val >= 2) Eventually your stamina drains completely from the freezing sensation running through your body. Your last clear vision is Tian Fang's fangs showing in her smile as she reels back an ice-gauntleted fist. Her eyes look a tad amber. Colors whirl through your vision when her armored fist impacts your face and launches you off your feet, sending you out of the sparring ring. *gosub sparwound You land on the sands and curse as you remember the rules of each sparring circle. Leaving the ring is a loss. *label fangwins "This bout's winner has been decided," announces the old Windrising man, "it is Tian Fang!" "Yay!" Fang cheers. *set lostduel true *goto duelover *else *gosub sparwound Alhough her aura eventually shatters from all the strikes, you're not sure if you can count it as a win from all the pain running through your skin-cracked hands. You can't even gracefully catch her and throw her out of the ring like you want to; your hands are too numb. You have to settle for a spinning kick to launch her out of the ring instead. *goto fangapplause #Grab her by the tail and spin-throw her out of the ring. *set fangrep - 3 You charge in for a punch and she drops back into a defensive stance to catch you, tail wagging profusely. Then you duck under her guard and slide across the warm sands, grabbing her wagging tail with both hands on the way out. *set combatstat "power" *set combatskill "athletics" *set combatdiff 9 *if (style = "Midorikatai") [b][Midorikatai Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) *gosub sparwin "EEP!" She screams as you slide to a standing position and drag her off her feet, using the momentum of your slide to spin in a 720 angle and build up force. "Not the tail!" She screams. "Not the taaaiiiiil!!" She howls as you throw her with all your might and spinning force, launching her as high and as far as you can. *goto fangapplause *else "Ah!" She screams as you slide to a standing position and drag her off her feet. "Not the tail! Not the taaaiiiiil!" You begin to spin, building up speed, but your spiritual senses send out a warning and you realize you haven't spun her fast enough to keep her delirious. The yokai woman's armor slides of her like an ice cube sliding across a wet surface. [i]Fast.[/i] The force of your own spin causes the jagged ice pieces to drag across your arms and hit your face and torso with the speed of a slashing dagger. *if (val >= 2) The pain causes you to wince, a distraction, and in that moment you hear "HUP!" from Tian Fang. You open one eye to see what just happened and see the color blue. A nice, pale, almost translucent blue. She threw an ice block at you. *gosub sparwound The block slams into your face and forces you to let go as you're slammed across the sands, flipping involuntarily until you come to a halt...outside of the tree line. You've been knocked out of the ring. *goto fangwins *else *gosub sparwound You grit your teeth through the pain and let go only when you've built up enough spin to launch her into the distance. *goto fangapplause *label duelover *page_break *if (lostduel) *set metfang + 20000000 "A great victory for Tian Fang!" She announces, throwing her fists skyward as she clears out of the ring and over the crowd in three long jumps, kicking up sand as she lands near you and blowing away even more sand with how fast her tail is wagging. "Thank you for the most beneficial of trainings, Thunderfaller!" She gives a short bow. "It is good to know Tian Fang has improved." "Congratulations." You say, trying to keep the bitterness out of your voice. "You are not burdened with glorious despair?" Fang asks, tilting her head to the side and flopping one ear down. *if (honor > 50) [b][Honor Check Passed][/b] "I'm fine." You say truthfully. Losing is an important part of improving, and your honorable upbringing makes it easy to acknowledge that. *set counter + 2 *else [b][Honor Check Failed][/b] "I'm perfectly fine." You lie through your teeth, internally seething. "Most grand!" Tian Fang says, clapping lightly until a nearby seashell distracts her. It's hard to see how someone so aloof could defeat you. *else *label bigwinduel *if (jadedragonfoundation = false) *achieve dogdays *set metfang + 30000000 *image https://www.auraclash.com/assets/img/ap-thunderfaller-vs-tian-fang.png *image https://www.auraclash.com/assets/img/ap-victory.png *gosub_scene quicks statcheck You approach Tian Fang's defeated, unmoving form on the sandy beach and check to see if she's okay. "Fang? Are you still conscious?" Waves roll in nearby. Tian Fang's body doesn't move. "Oh shit, Fang?" You drop to your knees and roll her over. *if (counter >= 4) *if (heshe = "he") *set fangromance + 1 *set fangrep + 3 "Earth Elemental Art!" She calls out as you roll her over. "Hand of Sand!" Then she throws a handful of sand in your face. As you spit the sand out she jumps into the air, energetic as ever, and laughs. "Take [i]that[/i]! Tian Fang has had her revenge and now we are most even!" "Ptleh." You spout, rubbing the sand off your tongue. "Damn it Fang, it was a sparring match, don't be such a sore loser." "It is your fault Tian Fang is sore!" She barks back. "Technically true." You concede. At least it was a good spar. You learned a few tricks and got to readjust your perspective to high speed combat. *if (counter >= 1) *set apval counter *gosub_scene quicks apboost Tian Fang stretches wide. "That was a most enlightening fight, but Tian Fang must be going most hastefully." "You're leaving already?" You ask. "Of course! I cannot leave my wolf pack waiting." "Wolf pack?" You ask. "Wolf Yokai or actual wolves?" "Wolf Yokai [i]are[/i] actual wolves!" She shouts, stomping on the sand and sticking her tail straight up. *if (subrace = "Wolf") You're glad Father didn't hear that, he always thought it was a slur for Yokai. *else You reflexively put both palms out in defense. "Okay, okay, Ancestors. I couldn't tell because you were alone when we met." "Hmph!" Fang harumphs, turns her head to the side and up, then closes her eyes with a smug smile. "Shows what you know, Thunderfaller. Tian Fang is never alone. Her wolves have been right there the whole time!" She points to an unoccupied section of the distant tree line away from the beach. "..." "..." "Are they-" "Aahhh!!" Tian Fang screams, "My wolves! My wolves are gone!! AWWOOOO!!!" She breaks into a mad sprint on all fours towards the tree line, her fluffy tail shaking with panic. You're confident she's not coming back. *page_break *goto Next_harehama *else Before you can make it five steps away you sense a clash of combat chi nearby. The guards of the Sect, however, don't react one bit. That means they were expecting it so you scan around for the sensation and...there! Your hunch was right, it's a sight you haven't seen since Thunderfall: A sparring ring! Curiosity drags you to the eighty-foot ring of palm trees where three dozen people stand around and watch others fight. You push through the crowd *if (ruthless < 50) as gently as you can and reach the front to see a man with two hatchets controlling them with his chi, causing his missed throws to spin around his opponent and chase their back. His opponent's only counter is to burn them and launch flames everywhere, but it's clear the Fire Artist is at a disadvantage when trying not to incinerate the crowd. Eventually he takes one too many axe swings to the limbs and his aura shatters. "Honor and victory go to Li Boqin!" Shouts a man in ceremonial robes sporting the Windrising colors. "Who is next?" *choice #[Watch the fights as a spectator] You watch the duels silently and take notes on each fight, considering what you would do in their place and how the loser of each fight could have done better. Throughout it all your main focus is on each fighter's... *choice #Physical movements. *gosub dueltalk the variety of maneuvers being used that you had never considered, each countering a hold or strike that you'd had trouble facing in earlier fights and spars in your life. *if (perception = 0) [b][Perception Check Failed][/b] Nothing looks noteworthy enough to incorporate into your fighting style. *else [b][Perception Check ${perception} Passed][/b] *line_break *set apval perception *gosub_scene quicks apboost #Applications of combat chi. *gosub dueltalk how different fighters utilize the same Element or Style in entire different ways. You take a few notes on the ${style} *if (element1 != "None") fighters and a few inventive yet improvised uses of the ${element1} Element when fighters are pushed into a corner. *else fighters and note the way they utilize the basics of chi without relying on Techniques. *if (insight = 0) [b][Insight Check Failed][/b] Unfortunately, they're bad notes. *else [b][Insight Check ${insight} Passed][/b] *line_break *set apval insight *gosub_scene quicks apboost A couple hours pass and everyone willing to fight has already fought. Anyone left is unpowered, like your 10th birthday's fights when you were a kid. You decide [i]not[/i] to stomp on powerless children and instead return to town. *page_break *goto Next_harehama #[Turn and Leave] After so many life and death battles you don't get any sense of excitement from spars anymore. Especially watching someone else's spars. There's nothing of value here. You return to town. *page_break *goto Next_harehama #"Me! I am next!" "Me!" You shout out, excited to fight. "I am next!" "Liar!" Calls a black-haired wolf yokai in purple and red gi. "Brother, tell him I'm fighting someone next!" A larger wolf yokai steps forward who looks strikingly like a taller, more muscular version of the first. "Your name’s not on the list, stranger. The next fight is my brother against his long-term rival." An Oni man steps forward across the crowd with a dagger. He glares at the younger wolf yokai, then to his brother, then to you. The older wolf yokai's fist ignites in emerald energy. "I suggest you back down immediately or face my wrath." It's unclear yet if this man realizes that facing someone's wrath is what you're actively trying to do. *choice #"Come then, show me all the wrath you have." [Fight 1 Opponent] *set ruthless + 1 "Come then," you say to the older Yokai. "Show me all the wrath you have." *gosub enterring He snarls, upper fangs showing, and blasts toward you in one wind-assisted leap that closes the distance. His claw swipes up at your chin. You manage to dodge, only to find it was a feint when he spins it into an overhead kick charged with emerald energy. *set combatstat "fortitude" *set combatdiff 6 *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) You catch his shin with your bare hands and punch him in the face, knocking him back and ending his momentum. *gosub sparwin *else It penetrates the skin worse than you thought it would. *gosub sparwound His elemental slashing kick slices across your chest. You grit your teeth and punch his waist to knock him back. "Not bad!" He says, spitting to the side. He hovers in mid-air, recollecting himself, and charges back at you. The two of you exchange blows in a test of power as you feel out each other's Aura Pressure and combat prowess. *set combatstat "power" *set combatdiff 6 *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) It becomes quickly apparent that he can't keep up with you. Rather than drag the fight on, you let him land a weak but fast hit to give yourself time to charge ${auracolor} chi all over your fist and slam him in the *label plexiglass solar plexus with a devastating blow. He throws up, clutches his stomach, and drops to his knees. His aura shatters around him and he finally collapses to the ground. *gosub sparwin *else Once you realize you're strong enough to end this fast you let him land a hit so you can charge ${auracolor} chi all over your fist and end it all. His fast, low-effort strike in the middle of your flurry of blows lands and actually cuts into you, charged last second with Wind Chi. *gosub sparwound "Gah!" You scream out, enraged, and slam your glowing fist into his *goto plexiglass *gosub sparringover The wolf yokai's little brother runs in to check on your defeated opponent and you don't see anyone stronger among the crowd; most of the Trialgoers here have already left and any Upper Disciples wouldn't be at the local sparring circle. There's nothing else for you here. "You may." You reply, walking out of the ring and returning to town. *if (counter >= 1) *set apval counter *gosub_scene quicks apboost *page_break *goto Next_harehama #"If your brother wants to fight so badly then I'll fight him [i]and[/i] his rival." [Fight 2 Opponents] *set ruthless + 2 "If your brother wants to fight so badly then I'll fight him [i]and[/i] his rival." You reply to the older yokai. He snarls, but his brother steps forward. "I'll do it." He says. Cool. "We'll do it." The oni with a knife replies. Cooler. *gosub enterring The other two enter from different sides and shove their hands forward, glowing yellow- No! Golden! Energy attacks launch from both of them and *gosub energy2 That's when the damned Oni appears behind you with his knife, aiming for your kidneys. *page_break Dodge! *if (race = "Oni") "Work with me here!" You shout, leaping away from the first stab. "Us Oni need to stick together!" "Eat shit!" The asshole with a death wish shouts back. *else The red-skinned demonic fighter's knife almost grazes you as you roll to the side. A closer call than it looks, seeing as you suspect his knife is enchanted or poisoned. As soon as you roll out of the way you feel a vibration through the sand and see the younger wolf yokai sprinting around the sparring circle's edge, coming directly for you with more and more chi building around him in some sort of momentum-based Technique. The Oni stabs for you again, two opponents attacking from different directions. *set combatstat "fortitude" *set combatdiff 6 *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) You catch the Oni's knife hand and shove it forward toward's the yokai, forcing him to leap to the side and lose the power of his Technique, then you bring the Oni's elbow down on your knee to make him drop the knife. *gosub sparwin *else You dodge the knife, assuming it to be the more deadly attack, and take a punch to the upper cheekbone that feels like something stung your facial bones in ten different places. You're knocked back across the sparring ring, kicking up sand as you get to your feet. *gosub sparwound "ENOUGH!" You shout out, charging ${auracolor} chi all over your body. "It's my turn!" Both of them surge agility cores to flee as you charge at them. *set combatstat "power" *set combatskill "athletics" *set combatdiff 8 *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) They don't make it in time. You catch them both by an arm and a leg and start slamming them into each other overhead with your superhuman strength. When you finally lose the rhythm you throw the Oni into the air and kick him out of the ring, then throw the yokai back into the ring and shoot him with an energy blast. He fails to dodge, and when the sand-cloud from the impact clears you can see his aura has shattered. *gosub sparwin *else You manage to catch the Oni before he can run and deliver three blows to his face before his aura shatters. You toss him out of the ring, not wishing to do permanent damage, and turn to the wolf yokai. The blurry wolf yokai. His damned momentum Technique was active while you dealt with his ally and now he's gained enough speed that it's hard to even track his- [b]*CRACK!*[/b] You catch his shirt as he slams his fist into your nose. *gosub sparwound His eyes show fear while yours show anger from the blood coming down into your *if (beardlength != "") facial hair. *else mouth. "I-" He says, then you headbutt him in the face and throw him into the air, blasting him with a two-handed energy explosion before he hits the ground unconscious with a shattered aura. *gosub sparringover The older yokai glares at you but doesn't make a move. "You may." You say to the old man. Cutting in line twice could provoke the local Sect and you have no intention of waiting for spars, so you head back to town. *if (counter >= 1) *set apval counter *gosub_scene quicks apboost *page_break *goto Next_harehama #"If you three want the rights to a fight, then by all means, come take them from me." [Fight 3 Opponents] *set ruthless + 3 "If you three want the rights to a fight," you reply to the three Martial Artists, "then by all means, come take them from me." *gosub enterring The older wolf yokai looks to his brother, who nods and then looks to the yokai, who nods too. All three enter the ring. "Good choice." You say, and immediately the older wolf yokai is upon you with a Wind-empowered burst of speed and a slashing wind-kick coming for your chest. [i]He's fast![/i] You think to yourself as you try to get your guard up in time. *set combatstat "agility" *set combatdiff 7 *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) You catch his shin with your bare hands and punch him in the face, knocking him back and ending his momentum. *gosub sparwin *else His kick lands before you can dodge, ripping slicing Wind Chi across your torso. *gosub sparwound You grit your teeth and punch his waist to knock him back. "Not bad!" He says, spitting to the side. From behind him two golden Mystic chi blasts appear as the younger wolf yokai and the oni both press their attacks against you. The blasts both loop around the older wolf yokai and *gosub energy2 That's when the older wolf yokai attacks again from the sky with a piercing beam of wind energy. *page_break Catch it! *set combatstat "fortitude" *if (style = "Kiihakai") [b][Kiihakai Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if (style = "Aoyusumu") [b][Aoyusumu Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if ((element1 = "Wind") or (element2 = "Wind")) [b][Wind Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *set combatdiff 8 *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) *if (style = "Aoyusumu") You drain the attack's kinetic momentum using Sacred Chi, *else You catch his blast with both *if (style = "Kiihakai") hands charged with Mystic Chi and deflect *if (style = "Aoyusumu") hands, then return its momentum to the attack's force before deflecting *else hands and deflect it into his younger brother. The deflection strikes true and the younger wolf yokai is knocked out of the ring before he can reach you with whatever glowing-leg Technique he had prepared. *gosub sparwin *else You try to catch the attack with both hands, running ${auracolor} chi over your palms, but the Wind is too aggressive and too much of it gets past your guard, cutting into your spirit. *gosub sparwound Finally you have enough and grint your teeth, accepting the pain and knocking wolf yokai's beam to the side and into his younger brother. His own emerald energy slams into his brother's gut and lifts him off his feet, knocking the literal wind out of him and sending him out of the ring. "No-!" The old wolf yokai shouts, interrupted by you kneeing the sneak-attacking Oni in the gut and throwing him at the flying wolfman like a javelin. *set combatstat "power" *set combatskill "athletics" *set combatdiff 8 *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) The attack strikes true and your living weapon slams head first into the wolf yokai's face in a head-on-head collision. Both of them tumble out of the sky with shattered auras and fall to the ground. *gosub sparwin *else You miss. The older wolf yokai moves to the side and even kicks the Oni in the gut as he passes by, shattering his aura. He then charges at you in a flurry of enraged blows with wind charging around his fingers like claws. *gosub sparwound His attacks dig into your skin and spirit but after the first four strikes it becomes apparent that he's simple not strong enough to defeat you. You give up on defense and focus all your ${auracolor} spiritual energy around one fist, then deliver a devastating blow to his solar plexus. His aura shatters, he throws up, and he collapses. You pant and look around at all three knocked out combatants lying facedown in the sand. *gosub sparringover There doesn't seem to be anyone left to challenge you; everyone strong has either left for the Trials or is simply busy elsewhere in town. "You may." You reply with a triumphant smile. It's good to test your limits and win. *if (counter >= 1) *set apval counter *gosub_scene quicks apboost *page_break *goto Next_harehama #[Turn and leave] *set honor + 1 *set ruthless - 3 *set solexp + 2 You look to the three of them and agree that this is none of your business. It's time to leave. "That's it?" The elder wolf yokai calls out at your back. "You're backing down from my challenge?" You turn to him with a shrug. "There's nothing to back down from. Nobody told me there was a list so I volunteered, but it turns out they weren't asking for volunteers." "Oh." The older wolf yokai says, dismissing the Wind chi from his fist. "Then I wish you safe travels." He gives a short bow. "You too!" You call back, jogging back to town. De-escalating is surprisingly easy out here. *page_break *goto Next_harehama *disable_reuse #Look for information about the Wild Gods. *set sawshrines true *if (style = "Aoyusumu") The Wild Gods are something you've barely heard anything about. The few teachings you've read on in your Aoyusumu studies, with the limited amount of information Angelo would give you during study breaks, was that they are nearly-Ascended creatures stuck on the planet. According to him, only Dragons and mankind can Ascend to the Heavens. Everything else either needs to Advance towards a person or dragon first. A Wild God is supposedly what happens when a Beast keeps advancing but stubbornly sticks to its usual form. You didn't ask for more details than that because it wasn't an issue of importance. *else The Wild Gods are something you know next to nothing about. You've heard of people worshiping them in secluded villages or cults, but it's lost on you what they could actually be. Thunderfall is not an overly religious community, for most of your childhood you thought the Devanic Temple [i]was[/i] religion, and there was no other option. However, if what the Windrising disciple said earlier was true, that Beast from last night the size of a tidal wave was a Wild God named Gazhurra, so it's suddenly an issue of [i]much[/i] importance. Asking around about the Wild Gods gets you directions leading out of town and into the jungle around its outskirts. You pass by several gossiping crowds on your way past the banana farms at the town's exit. From what you can gather, the Cursed Lands has sent strike teams of Shinobi to infiltrate the Heavenly Ascension Trials on behalf of the Exalts. Anyone you work with or compete against in the Trials could be an Inner Kingdom ninja in disguise monitoring your every action. It's a surreal thought. Legends of the Inner Kingdom shinobi have been an entertaining fantasy all your life, with fireside stories of ending on a twist that a Noble lord's servant or closest ally had been replaced with an enemy shinobi in disguise. Memories of those tales send a chill up your spine now. You'd never imagined they'd be spying on [i]you.[/i] *page_break A beaten path leads you up hills and over makeshift bridges for a half hour even at a Martial Artist's pace. You're quite confident you've left the town's territory when you come upon a stream leading to a small pond. Dragonflies dart around pink and white flowers that flank the twenty-foot wide brook. Frogs ribbit from the stones lining the water's edge and birds sing from the trees surrounding the water. The babble of the stream makes for a serene sight in the jungle's clearing, a small paradise of a calmer life. Marring such a sight is a stone wall risen out of one side of the pond with seven statues built into it. An ominous pair of reptilian eyes with no discernable face takes up the center of the statues. Six statues of various animals surround it to the left and right: a fish with too many large fangs, a wolf, a jaguar, a drake, an ape, and a bull. Considering the size of the central eyes compared to the size of the animal statues, the center statue can be nothing other than the gaze *if (style = "Aoyusumu") of Gazhurra. A strange sensation comes off the statues and you feel a buzzing sensation in your mind, similar to the feel of Sacred Chi or Wild Chi nearby, but when you send your spiritual senses out you find nothing. Curious. As if called to them, you *if ((element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water")) channel Water chi to your feet and step onto the water's surface, then *set solexp + 1 *else step into the pond, its water rising up to your waist, and approach the wall of statues. No, that's not right, you realize. What you approach is a wall of shrines. *choice #Pray to Gazhurra. [???] *set metangelo + 20000 You kneel *if ((element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water")) on *else in the water and pray Gazhurra, hoping for whatever the entity can grant you. Fame, power, and health come to mind. That's what normal religious folk always ask for, you think. It's all rather new to you. Hm, you could ask for Jin and Rin's safety. You've been away for so long, having someone else look after them would be a weight off your shoulders. *gosub gazhurratalk Then you snap out of it and breathe heavily, your body so much smaller and your mind so much more contained. More focused. More real. More...yours. Yet when you come to your senses you're no longer at the shrines, but in the middle of Harehama's busy crossroads. You're standing aimlessly and shake your head, focusing and walking over to a nearby rock and have a seat, confused. Maybe you simply had a bad dream and were sleepwalking? When checking your pockets for anything that might signify you had purchased a room at a tavern, you only find that your clothes are mildly damp, as if they'd been drying on your legs for the last hour. *page_break *goto Next_harehama #Pray to The Lightbringer. [Fish] *set animaltype "Fish" *set angler 1 *set pikt "The Lightbringer" The Lightbringer's depiction is an enormous eel with a maw forced open from its many sword-like curved teeth, too plentiful and large to fit in its mouth. A tendril grows from its back that connects to a large orb over its head. Upon the orb are Handseal sigils meant to represent Light Chi. *gosub prayboy [b][Lightbringer's Gaze: Aura Pressure +2][/b] *set aurapressure + 2 #Pray to The Hunter. [Wolf] *set animaltype "Wolf" *set pikt "The Hunter" The Hunter's depiction is a wolf with a flame-like mane in its fur. *gosub prayboy *if (subrace = "Wolf") [b][Yokai Synergy: Aura Pressure +5][/b] *set aurapressure + 5 *else [b][Hunter's Gaze: Aura Pressure +1][/b] *set aurapressure + 1 #Pray to The Deceiver. [Cat] *set animaltype "Cat" *set pikt "The Deceiver" The Deceiver's depiction is a sabretooth cat with an asymetrical third eye under its left eye. *gosub prayboy *if (subrace = "Cat") [b][Yokai Synergy: Aura Pressure +5][/b] *set aurapressure + 5 *else [b][Deceiver's Gaze: Aura Pressure +1][/b] *set aurapressure + 1 #Pray to The Heir. [Drake] *set animaltype "Drake" *set pikt "The Heir" The Heir's depiction is a sturdy and powerful drake, a wingless quadripedal proto-dragon the size of a horse that depends on its powerful legs rather than any supernatural powers. Mostly because they're just babies. Drakes are born from the rare eggs of true Dragons, and have the privilege of being one of the relatively uncommon animal types that are born as actual Beasts. *if (roc > 0) In that regard its not so different from ${rocname}, for Thunderbirds collect lightning bolts from storms and channel their power into the eggs to ensure their babies are born as greater animals. Most other Beasts simply have unpowered offspring and must hunt aura for them in hopes of making them into Beasts as well. *gosub prayboy *if (subrace = "Reptile") [b][Yokai Synergy: Aura Pressure +5][/b] *set aurapressure + 5 *elseif (race = "Lunargoth") [b][Lunar Synergy: Aura Pressure +5][/b] *set aurapressure + 5 *else [b][Heir's Gaze: Aura Pressure +1][/b] *set aurapressure + 1 #Pray to The Thief. [Monkey] *set animaltype "Monkey" *set pikt "The Thief" The Thief's depiction is a four-armed and two-tailed ape with a strong jaw and a different type of weapon in each hand. It looks more like a brutish warrior than a thief, but looks can be deceiving. *if (tails = 2) You like the second tail too, you rub both of your own and acknowledge that at least the thing has style. *gosub prayboy *if (subrace = "Monkey") [b][Yokai Synergy: Aura Pressure +5][/b] *set aurapressure + 5 *else [b][Thief's Gaze: Aura Pressure +1][/b] *set aurapressure + 1 #Pray to The Worker. [Bull] *set animaltype "Bull" *set pikt "The Worker" The Worker's depiction is a two-headed bull with rippling muscle all over its shoulders. Being near a prosperous town you've actually seen this before, a birth defect in cats and bovines that can cause them to grow two of each muscle, overlapping each other. It has an incredible look, but you can only assume it's equally incredibly painful. *gosub prayboy *if (subrace = "Bovine") [b][Yokai Synergy: Aura Pressure +5][/b] *set aurapressure + 5 *else [b][Worker's Gaze: Aura Pressure +1][/b] *set aurapressure + 1 #Turn away from the shrines. *set metangelo + 50000 *set honor + 2 As an Aoyusumu practitioner the Devanic Temple is your go-to religion, so you're not even sure why you're in such a heretical location. Ancestors, what a climb just to see a decent looking pond and some ugly statues. You didn't learn anything about Wild Gods at all either. You check around quickly for any tomes or writings... Nope. None of those. What a total waste of your day. Next time you want to learn about something you'll try the library. *page_break *goto Next_harehama #Destroy the shrines. *set metangelo + 10000 *set sect_windrising - 35 Something about this place feels unnatural. The presence of these 'shrines', the imposed authority of these Beasts over mankind, the essence of Sacred Chi co-opted by their physical tethers. The very [i]smell[/i] of it offends the senses. You charge Sacred chi around your hands and empower it further with ${auracolor} kinetic layers. Your hands shake with chi like bonfires and plates of force swirl around the spiritual power as if your energy blasts were explosive balls of chi and shrapnel. A faint increase in power manifests around the shrines. The essence of their accursed Wild God benefactors seem to feel your intention. "Too late." You pant, exerting yourself to draw out your full power. Then you unleash your ballistics on the statues in a rain of destruction. Chunks of rock explode into the air and water as you destroy the shrines in a cloud of dust and debris. [b][Aoyusumu Event: Aura Pressure +12][/b] *set aurapressure + 12 You wipe sweat from your forehead after such an intense conjuration of life energy and look through the dust clearing to see one stature remains. Gazhurra's. You feel a fraction of the creature's presence begin to manifest in the world around you, accompanied by an overwhelming sense of primordial anger flooding into your surroundings to subjugate its prey. And yet...the creature must be far away, for its Will does not accompany the fear Technique. A mistake against an Aoyusumu practitioner. With Sacred Chi you grasp on that unprotected but intense emotional power and channel it all through your mind chakra, funneling the waves of mental energy into your Cores and out again around your leg. The cerulean glow around your body increases to incredible brightness like a shining star. With a single flying kick, your cerulean glowing leg crashes through Gazhurra's eyes and destroys that statue too. [b][Aoyusumu Event: Aura Pressure +8][/b] *set aurapressure + 8 The creature's spiritual presence vanishes with its tether's destruction and you can't help but let out a laugh as you return to town triumphant. There is no need for Wild Gods when the world has you. *page_break *goto Next_harehama *if (pikt = "The Lightbringer") *set metangelo + 40000 *else *set metangelo + 30000 A few more minutes of prayer achieves nothing but feeding your blood to the local bugs, so you exit the pond and return to town with only the smallest understanding of Wild Gods. Next time you'll just use the library. *page_break *goto Next_harehama *else of- "Gazhurra, indeed." Says a voice from behind. "A Wild God to the locals, it seems." You turn around and see nothing, but when you turn back to the wall in the pond there's a pilgrim sitting atop the central statue. *if ({metangelo#2} = 0) A tall, redhaired, bearded Lunargothic man in traveler’s robes. *image https://www.auraclash.com/assets/img/Angelo.jpg Judging by his outfit, he's some sort of priest for the Sacred Lands temple that pushes for a religion of peaceful coexistence between the weak and the strong of humanity. You're not sure what this particular man is doing in their outfit; the loose clothing shows a tall and powerful physique underneath with broad shoulders and a strong jaw. You'd expect him to be running a Sect more than entertaining religious formalities. "Hail, traveler!" The monk says, "I don't suppose you've come to these nefarious Shrines to tear them down, have you? I find it bias if I do so, but the temptation remains. Unless, oh dear, I've been quite rude if you're a worshiper of the Wild God." "I don't even know what the Wild Gods are." You reply. "I've never been to a shrine before." "Never?" He asks, his face showing genuine and pleasant surprise. "Not a shrine to the natural spirits, the Dao, the Devas, the Wild Gods, the Temple, or certain yet missing historical figures? "...What's that supposed to mean?" "Nothing! Nothing important." The man says cheerily. He jumps off the wall and lands on the water, yet he does not get wet. Instead he stands on its surface and approaches to examine you closer. "Good Heavens, a true blank canvas, what a treat. I am Angelo, a traveling pilgrim of the Devanic Temple, and it truly is a pleasure to meet you." "${fullname}." You reply. "$!{patriarch} of the ${clan} Clan." "A ${patriarch} at such a young age, impressive!" He extends a purple-stained waterskin towards you. "I'd toast to such an achievement, can I interest you in undertaking the holy potation?" "The what?" You ask. His smile stays while he winces and pushes the waterskin out another inch. "The wine, my friend. Would you like some wine?" *label angelwine *choice #"Absolutely." *set angelorep + 1 You gladly accept the waterskin of not-water and *if (insight >= 3) feel Angelo's hand brush against yours when he surrenders his item. The second your skin touches, you feel- [b][Insight 3 Check Passed][/b] A scan?! You keep your eyes from betraying your shock as a subtle spiritual scan wraps over your body. You'd been performing and receiving spiritual scans for years now, but originating one's scan from anywhere other than the mind is completely alien to how it's been taught. Rather than expose that you've caught him, you keep the knowledge to yourself and consider how to incorporate this into melee combat for a better feel of your opponents' power. *set apval 5 *gosub_scene quicks apboost You maintain eye contact *if (heshe = "she") with his softly-glowing cerulean eyes while you take a swig of the staining liquid and, wow, it's actually quite good. *gosub winegood You hand the waterskin back after five more gulps. "It's fantastic, what's in it?" "Grapes." Angelo responds with an air of educational wisdom. "Now correct #"No thank you." "No thank you." You reply, abstaining from alcoholic drinks offered on the road. Basic wisdom and manners have gotten you this far. *set honor + 2 *set forexp + 1 Angelo withdraws the wineskin and ties it to a belt on his robes. "Very well then, I'm afraid all I have to offer beyond drink is to get out of your way. Correct *if (heshe = "she") #"Careful, if we drink too much we won't be able to call each other just 'friends' anymore." *set angeloromance + 1 *set angelorep + 3 *if ((bodytype = "Hourglass") or (bodytype = "Bodacious")) *set angelorep + 1 *set angeloromance + 1 "Careful," you respond playfully, "if we drink too much we won't be able to call each other just 'friends' anymore." "Because we'd be enemies?" Angelo asks, brow furrowing and head turning slightly to the side in confusion. "What? No, because-" "Relax." Angelo says, tossing you the wineskin. "I can read minds, I'm simply playing with you." "You can [i]what?[/i]" You reply, almost fumbling the container in the air. "Read minds?" Angelo responds curiously. "It's an advanced Aoyusumu Technique." "Oh." You reply calmly. Very calmly. As calm as you've ever been. [i]Don't think about him naked, don't think about him naked, [b]do not think about him naked.[/b][/i] "Do not think about him naked." You say. "What?" He asks. "Haha, what?" You ask back. Oh Ancestors. Oh no. You said that out loud. You smile wide, laugh nervously, and take a drink of the wine for a distraction. *page_break *glug* *glug* By the Ancestors, it's [i]good.[/i] *gosub winegood You casually look away from him to avoid eye contact as you *if (honor < 50) shamelessly guzzle more. [b][Aura Pressure +1][/b] *set aurapressure + 1 "I'd stop at a certain point were I you." Angelo interrupts. "That wineskin has no end." You take it away from your mouth and stare into his glowing all-too-blue eyes. *if ((((bodytype != "Hourglass") and (bodytype != "Bodacious")) and (angelorep > 1)) or (((bodytype = "Hourglass") or (bodytype = "Bodacious")) and (angelorep > 2))) "You brought me back the endless wineskin?" *else "As in, I can drink this forever?" He nods. You take another swig. It's so damn good. "Are you unwell, Young Mistress?" *if (angeloromance > 1) "I didn't think I'd ever see it again." *else "I'm fine, I'm fine." You say between drinks, wiping a tear away and looking at the stained, shabby, endless wineskin in your hand. "It's just...so beautiful." "It is also involved in a curse, but that's a long story." "What?!" You shove the wineskin back into his hands. "Why would you walk around with endlessly cursed wine?!" Angelo keeps a smile on as he raises his hands for peace. "On the contrary, some faraway vineyard just lost its best vintage because its [i]owner[/i] is cursed. The wineskin simply receives his loss. Speaking of curses, correct *goto winecont *else Angelo. "Damn it, Angelo!" You shout out, letting the combat chi seep back into your Cores. "Don't sneak up on people like that!" "I would never lie to you by saying that I plan to stop." He drops from the shrine and walks across the pond's surface towards you without sinking into the water. "What brings such a dedicated pilgrim like yourself to such an interesting shrine as this? *if (tails = 2) I don't believe there are vulpine Wild Gods, as any formidable fox simply transitions to Kitsune. *if ((heshe = "she") and (angeloromance >= 1)) Well done on manifesting a second tial by the way, it gives off a symmetrical air of grace." *else Congratulations on your second tail are in order, by the way. It will only make things harder for you if you fail in the Trials. So, do not." *elseif (spiritbrandloc = "eyes") I don't believe they can undo your spiritbrand. A wise choice on eyes, by the way, I had the same mutation. My natural eyes were already blue, but I prefer the cerulean shade a bit better." *elseif ((spiritbrandloc = "hair") or (spiritbrandloc = "hairstrip")) I don't believe they can undo your *if (heshe = "she") aesthetically pleasing change in hair color. *else new hair color. *goto realizeeyes *elseif ((spiritbrandloc = "tail and ears") or (spiritbrandloc = "tail")) I don't believe they can undo your new fur color. *goto realizeeyes *elseif (spiritbrandloc = "skin") I don't believe they can change your skin *if ((heshe = "she") and (angeloromance >= 1)) back, and it would be a crime if they did." *else back to the usual Oni hue. *label realizeeyes Spiritbrands tend to stick around on prodigies who rise too quickly." The tall lunargoth's eyes glow cerulean ever so softly and you realize he's had an eye-based spiritbrand since you first met. *elseif (spiritbrandloc = "horns") I don't believe they can undo your unique horn coloring. *goto realizeeyes *else The power of Beasts is not strictly forbidden, per se, so do not let my presence deter you." *if (tails = 2) "Noted." Your heart slows to a normal rhythm and you take another look at your surroundings. "Truth be told, I'm here to learn what Wild Gods are. There's too much about the wider world that I know nothing about...like your sudden *if (angeloromance >= 1) disappearance." You step closer. "And *else disappearance." You suddenly squint at the man in interrogation. "And how you weren't really the Shugendō *if (angeloromance >= 1) master." You step even closing, causing him to take a step back. "AND *else master. And the fact that the Shrinemaidens claim you were never *if (angeloromance >= 1) there." You shove an accusing finger towards his face. "[b]AND[/b] *else there. And the SAINT'S statue of you in the Temple. Care to explain?" "Oh Heavens no," Angelo replies as if turning down seconds at dinner, "I wouldn't care to explain [i]any[/i] of that. Frankly it sounds dreadful." "But are you a Saint?" "You are aware it is heresy to claim False Sainthood, correct?" Angelo asks. "I'd be in quite a bit of trouble if others overheard you." "But [i]are[/i] you a Saint?" Angelo sighs. "If I had the power of a Saint, these shrines would be pointless because their owners would be long dead." That takes you aback, it's actually the first violent thing you've ever heard from the monk. "You could kill Gazhurra?" "One day, perhaps, though the locals would certainly be upset. But alas, no monster slaying rests within my immediate future. Instead I find myself travelling the roads to the Heavenly Ascension Trials and assisting endangered youths to better prepare them for the struggles ahead. It's a much slower process, but it still helps people." He withdraws a purple-stained waterskin from his belt. "Can I offer you to partake in the holy potation?" "You're still calling it a potation?" You ask. "Does anyone ever know what that means?" "Not once." He replies with a pleased closed-mouth smile. *goto angelwine *label winecont me if I am wrong, but it seems as if you were preparing to interact with the Wild God shrines. Please, do not let my presence interrupt your first time with their ilk." You gaze at the shrines behind Angelo and feel an animosity radiate from them, as if the statues were displeased by his presence. "I'd planned to, but what [i]are[/i] the Wild Gods? I can feel strange energy around the shrine." Angelo's eyes glow brighter cerulean as he turns around to face the shrines. "It's Sacred Chi, unfortunately. Stolen power. Only Dragons and mankind can Ascend, you see, which is why everything else does its best to take on our forms. That's how you have *if (race = "Oni") Yokai and Oni." He motions to your *if (((spiritbrandcolor != "red") and (spiritbrandloc = "skin")) and ({metangelo#2} = 0)) ${spiritbrandcolor} skin. "Nice spiritbrand, by the way, a true rarity, but back to the point: Wild *else red skin. "Wild *elseif (race = "Kitsune") Oni and Yokai." He pauses and looks to your two swishing tails. "Wild *elseif (race = "Yokai") Oni and Yokai." He motions a hand to your *if ((yokaitrait1 != "") and (yokaitrait2 != "")) tail, ${yokaitrait1}, and ${yokaitrait2}. *elseif (yokaitrait2 != "") tail and ${yokaitrait2}. *elseif (yokaitrait1 != "") tail and ${yokaitrait1}. *else ${subrace} tail. "Wild *else Oni and Yokai. Wild Gods are what happens when the one-in-a-million Beast refuses to change its form and reaches a high enough threshold of Aura Pressure that the world caves to their will, allowing them to use different types of chi, including Sacred Chi. It's their favorite, seeing as it grants them intelligence and additional power from prayer. The Saints of Beasts, so to speak." Angelo steps up to the statue of Gazhurra and places a hand on one of its eyes. "Cursed by the Heavens and forbidden from Ascension due to their bestial nature and arrogance. Pitiful yet violent creatures. Most of them jealously take up a domain with followers on the mortal world to fill the emptiness in their souls...or so the doctrines teach." Angelo's words are a lot to take in, but the last line throws you off. "I don't mean to insult, but is all of that true or merely the writings of religious myth? I'm trying to learn about something I saw in a storm, not superstition." "There's no need to ask me." Angelo replies with a fatherly smile as he steps away and motions a hand to the shrines. "You can find out first-hand." "Really?" You ask. "Aren't you going to try to get me to worship the Temple's ways instead?" "Oh I am." He replies calmly. "I believe in showing, not telling. Letting someone make a terrible decision is the best way to teach them not to do it again." He flicks his hands outward, shooing you towards the shrines. "Who knows, I could even be wrong. Perhaps arrogant monsters with power over mankind are exactly what you need in your life." You approach the shrines *if ((element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water")) hesitantly- [b][Water Event: +4 Aura Pressure][/b] *set aurapressure +4 -walking on the water as Angelo did, and kneel on the water's surface before the Wild Gods' wall of shrines. *else hesitantly, sinking waist-deep into the waters and kneeling at the base of the Wild God wall of shrines. You look back to Angelo who is nodding calmly. If he swears it's okay... *choice #Pray to Gazhurra. [???] *set metangelo + 20000 You kneel *if ((element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water")) on *else in the water and pray to Gazhurra, hoping for whatever the entity can grant you. Fame, power, and health come to mind. That's what normal religious folk always ask for, you think. It's all rather new to you. In fact, the one thing you do know is that praying to the Wild Gods is probably sacrilege. Whoops. *gosub gazhurratalk [i]!!![/i] [b][i]"No."[/i][/b] Angelo calls, shaking the visions from your mind and snapping you back to reality. You grab your chest and breathe heavily, your body so much smaller and your mind so much more contained. More focused. More real. More...yours. *page_break *if (honor > 55) "What just happened?" You ask calmly, only keeping your composure through years of self-control. *set solexp + 1 *set forexp + 1 *else "What the Hells was that?!" You scream out. "I can't know." Angelo replies. "There was a great concentration of Sacred Chi around your mind and, seeing as you're no Aoyusumu practitioner, I dispersed it. Apologies if it cut off something important." "No." You reply. "It cut off a vision, but I wasn't me. I was Gazhurra. I had her thoughts." You turn around to the shrines. "These other six, I think they're Gazhurra's children. She's collecting them for something." "Ominous!" Angelo announces enthusiastically. "A good old fashioned godlike quest, congratulations on a rare find." *label blowshitup "You sound like you're enjoying this." "I certainly try to." He replies. "Have *label return2town you gotten everything you needed from this experience?" "I think so." You reply. "Good. Let us return to town." He helps you up and the two of you begin marching towards Harehama, but as soon as you hit the tree line an explosion shakes the ground beneath your feet. Water and pebbles rain down in a wave all around you and you brace yourself for a bigger strike, bringing out your full power with an aura of ${auracolor} chi. Yet when the falling debris clears there's no threat. There are no shrines, either. A single massive handprint the size of a tavern fills the ground where the shrines and the pond once were. Angelo is looking at the shrine-crater with his face contorted, as if trying to remember someone's name. "Was that you?" You ask quietly. "No." He whispers back, looking to the air all around without moving his head. "We should run now." For once you're the one who's more accustomed to everything going bad. The benefit of experience: you've already ran fifty feet ahead of him by the time he's finished talking. You look back to see the look on his face and- ... Where the Hells did Angelo go? *page_break *goto Next_harehama #Pray to The Lightbringer. [Fish] *set animaltype "Fish" *set angler 1 *set pikt "The Lightbringer" The Lightbringer's depiction is an enormous eel with a maw forced open from its many sword-like curved teeth, too plentiful and large to fit in its mouth. A tendril grows from its back that connects to a large orb over its head. Upon the orb are Handseal sigils meant to represent Light Chi. *gosub prayboy [b][Lightbringer's Gaze: Aura Pressure +2][/b] *set aurapressure + 2 *label childerprayer *if (style = "Midorikatai") *line_break [b][Wild Chi Gained: Aura Pressure +10][/b] *set aurapressure + 10 *if (pikt = "The Lightbringer") *set metangelo + 40000 *else *set metangelo + 30000 A few more minutes of prayer achieves nothing but feeding your blood to the local bugs. You rise *if ((element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water")) on the water's surface and walk, carefully, on the top of the pond's surface to Angelo on the other side of the water. *else and trudge through the pond until you get to Angelo on the other side of the pond. "I sensed a sliver of activity," Angelo says, "Did you learn anything useful?" *choice #"It gave me some small fraction of its power." "It gave me some small sliver of its power." You reply. "A gift? From a Beast? How delightfully ominous! I wonder what it expects of you in return." *goto blowshitup #"I think these six on the sides are Gazhurra's children." "I think these six on the sides are Gazhurra's children." You say. "Wild Gods in the same family? I've never heard of such Beasts working together" He rubs his beard in thought until his eyes sparkle with enthusiasm. "How delightfully ominous!" *goto blowshitup #"Nope." "Nope." "What a shame." Angelo sighs. "It seems there's no point in sticking around. Have *goto return2town #Pray to The Hunter. [Wolf] *set animaltype "Wolf" *set pikt "The Hunter" The Hunter's depiction is a wolf with a flame-like mane in its fur. *gosub prayboy *if (subrace = "Wolf") [b][Yokai Synergy: Aura Pressure +5][/b] *set aurapressure + 5 *else [b][Hunter's Gaze: Aura Pressure +1][/b] *set aurapressure + 1 *goto childerprayer #Pray to The Deceiver. [Cat] *set animaltype "Cat" *set pikt "The Deceiver" The Deceiver's depiction is a sabretooth cat with an asymmetrical third eye under its left eye. *gosub prayboy *if (subrace = "Cat") [b][Yokai Synergy: Aura Pressure +5][/b] *set aurapressure + 5 *else [b][Deceiver's Gaze: Aura Pressure +1][/b] *set aurapressure + 1 *goto childerprayer #Pray to The Heir. [Drake] *set animaltype "Drake" *set pikt "The Heir" The Heir's depiction is a sturdy and powerful drake, a wingless quadrupedal proto-dragon the size of a horse that depends on its powerful legs rather than any supernatural powers. Mostly because they're just babies. Drakes are born from the rare eggs of true Dragons, and have the privilege of being one of the relatively uncommon animal types that are born as actual Beasts. *if (roc > 0) In that regard its not so different from ${rocname}, for Thunderbirds collect lightning bolts from storms and channel their power into the eggs to ensure their babies are born as greater animals. Most other Beasts simply have unpowered offspring and must hunt aura for them in hopes of making them into Beasts as well. *gosub prayboy *if (subrace = "Reptile") [b][Yokai Synergy: Aura Pressure +5][/b] *set aurapressure + 5 *elseif (race = "Lunargoth") [b][Lunar Synergy: Aura Pressure +5][/b] *set aurapressure + 5 *else [b][Heir's Gaze: Aura Pressure +1][/b] *set aurapressure + 1 *goto childerprayer #Pray to The Thief. [Monkey] *set animaltype "Monkey" *set pikt "The Thief" The Thief's depiction is a four-armed and two-tailed ape with a strong jaw and a different type of weapon in each hand. It looks more like a brutish warrior than a thief, but looks can be deceiving. *if (tails = 2) You like the second tail too, you rub both of your own and acknowledge that at least the thing has style. *gosub prayboy *if (subrace = "Monkey") [b][Yokai Synergy: Aura Pressure +5][/b] *set aurapressure + 5 *else [b][Thief's Gaze: Aura Pressure +1][/b] *set aurapressure + 1 *goto childerprayer #Pray to The Worker. [Bull] *set animaltype "Bull" *set pikt "The Worker" The Worker's depiction is a two-headed bull with rippling muscle all over its shoulders. Being near a prosperous town you've actually seen this before, a birth defect in bovines that can cause them to grow two of each muscle, overlapping each other. It has an incredible look, but you can only assume it's equally incredibly painful. *gosub prayboy *if (subrace = "Bovine") [b][Yokai Synergy: Aura Pressure +5][/b] *set aurapressure + 5 *else [b][Worker's Gaze: Aura Pressure +1][/b] *set aurapressure + 1 *goto childerprayer #Turn away from the Shrines. *set metangelo + 50000 "You're not going to pray to any of them?" Angelo asks. "Why bother?" You reply. "I came here to learn what a Wild God is, and you told me. Why in the Hells would I mess around with their shrines now when I got what I needed?" Angelo opens his mouth to speak, holds up a finger, reconsiders his words, and says, "Most people don't see things so pragmatically." You shrug. "They should." He tilts his head in concession. "Wisdom beyond your years. Can I offer you a banana as a reward for good behavior?" *if (subrace = "Monkey") Your monkey's tail swings out from behind you. "Why would I like a banana, Angelo?" He's half-done withdrawing a pink banana from his satchel when he sees your tail. "Oh. Oh no. I've implied a stereotype, haven’t I?" You stare him down. "Very well, no banana." "Well hold on now," you say, "that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying you owe me two-" [b]*plap*[/b] *line_break [b]*plap*[/b] Two pink bananas slap against your face when your guard is down, one after the other. [b][Spirit Fruit x2: Aura Pressure +12][/b] *set aurapressure + 12 *else "Like some sort of trained animal?" You ask, mildly offended that he thinks so low of you. "Quite right!" Angelo replies, "I hadn't considered the insensitivity of offering a spirit fruit to a friend. My apologies, you don’t need these." "Whoa now, hold on. I-" He tosses you a pink banana when your guard is down. It plaps against your face. [b][Spirit Fruit: Aura Pressure +6][/b] *set aurapressure + 6 After you shake the food off your face you *goto fruitylicious #Destroy the shrines. "Just so you know," Angelo interrupts as your ${auracolor} aura rises around your body, disrupting the water around you, "the Windrising Sect are staunch traditionalists and worship Gazhurra as if it were the Heavenly Dao." He looks up to the clouds, taps his foot twice, and looks back down to you. "They will be furious when they inevitably discover our holy war against their God." You look upon the blasphemous shrines to ravenous Beasts and look back to Angelo. *choice #"Who gives a shit about the Windrising Sect?" *set honor - 1 *gosub conclusion "Who gives a shit about the Windrising Sect?" *goto basedandredpilled #"You're right, let's not gain more enemies if we can avoid it." *set sect_windrising + 5 "You're right," you say, "let's not gain more enemies if we can avoid it." Angelo nods solemnly. "Then we should depart in any case. There's nothing good to be gained here, and I heard rumor that there's spirit fruits four miles north. Pink bananas, if you'll believe it. Cultivated with Kitsune chi to confuse seekers of the fruit and ward them off, though I've no clue how." "Should we search for them?" "Heavens no," He replies in disgust, withdrawing two pink bananas from behind his back and tossing one to you. "It was annoying enough the first time." *if (race = "Kitsune") [b][Kitsune Event: Aura Pressure +10][/b] *set aurapressure + 10 *else [b][Aura Pressure +5][/b] *set aurapressure + 5 You *label fruitylicious pull back the banana's peel and dig into the succulent fruit underneath; it tastes like strawberries with banana's texture and gives you a sense of warm bliss. You walk back to town with- ... Where the Hells did Angelo go? *page_break *goto Next_harehama #"Good." *set honor + 2 *gosub conclusion "Good." *goto basedandredpilled *label basedandredpilled *set metangelo + 10000 *if (heshe = "she") *set angeloromance + 1 He smiles, and the two of you begin pummeling each statue to dust, starting with the faces. After a certain point it actually turns into a game. He forms a large club out of Sacred Chi and hands it to you then walks behind each sacrilegious shrine and starts kicking pieces off directly towards you. As soon as the pieces gets in range you smack them with the club at an upward angle to send the shrine pieces flying over the tree line and out into the jungle. As far as Holy Wars go, yours is probably the most fun. When you finish destroying the sixth statue only one remains, the eyes. The shrine of Gazhurra. Its eyes seem to glare into your soul and the world begins to shake. The waters of the pond grow violent like a storm and- "Nope! No, no. None of that." Angelo says, his hand glowing cerulean as he waves it into the air. The effect in the air around you dissipates and the water of the pool begins to calm. "What in the Ancestors' name was that?" You ask, staring around cautiously at your disturbed surroundings. "We've irked the creature. Luckily it's far, [i]far[/i] too distant to give us its full attention, I've dispersed its distant will." You think back to the impossibly large monster in the ocean then look to Angelo. "You can do that?" Angelo lets out a short laugh. "${name}, [i]you[/i] can do it. Do not let Wild Gods exert their will over humanity. They're monsters with delusions of grandeur, and monsters exist to be slain. If they didn't then we'd call them animals." Oddly enough you do feel calmer when he puts it that way. "Now," he says, stepping behind the shrine and charging Sacred Chi into his fist. "How good have you gotten with that bat? I'll bet you two spirit fruit you can't land both its eyes on top of each other." You flourish your cerulean-glowing club in a quick circle and grip it with both hands. "Too easy." Angelo punches the eyes out of the statue, one after another, and you feel Gazhurra's presence completely dissipate once its physical tether shatters. *set angelocombat + 1 *set combatstat "agility" *set combatskill "perception" *set combatdiff 9 *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) *set val 545 You slam your club into each as he knocks them at you, perfectly aiming your strikes. When you two finish up at the shrine and run down into the jungle to check, you find two piles of rock where the eye statues collided on the ground. "Perfect aim." Angelo says with a whistle. "That's another lost bet for me. I really must stop gambling." He withdraws two red bananas from out of nowhere. "The locals say these were cultivated with demonic chi, specially cultivated to consume the evils of the world and purify them through nature." "How'd you get them?" You ask, expecting some grand display of power. "Bought them at a shop. I assume they lied about the story." He tosses both bananas to you. "Your rightful reward, Young *if (heshe = "he") Master. *else Mistress. It's been a pleasure, truly, yet there are many others in need of my help and I must bid you farewell." You catch the fruit as soon as he tosses it and look back up when he says he has to leave. "Why-" You don't even get the chance to ask, for when you look back up he's nowhere to be seen. *if (race = "Oni") [b][Oni Spirit Fruit x2: Aura Pressure +15][/b] *set aurapressure + 15 *else [b][Spirit Fruit x2: Aura Pressure +10][/b] *set aurapressure + 10 You chew through the delicious bananas on your way back to Harehama with a suspicious and scrutinizing stare throughout the jungle, hoping to see where the Hells Angelo disappeared to. There's no signs of him. *else Unfortunately, you don't manage to land the eyes on top of each other. It turns out to be a far more difficult task then you assumed and one of the eyes soars to the left after you slam it with your club. When it lands, somewhere out in the jungle, you hear a man's blood-curdling scream. You and Angelo both cringe and he starts running into the jungle. "I'll go treat the poor man's wounds, you should take unassuming cover back in town." Damn it. You were having so much fun too, only to have it end so poorly. "And think up an alibi!" Angelo's voice shouts out as you start jogging back down the trail to Harehama. *page_break *goto Next_harehama #Finish up in town. [Ends Exploration] *goto fishing_tournament *label fishing_tournament "Going somewhere?" Calls a familiar voice. You turn around to see Leona in a dirty white long-sleeved shirt and brown full-body tunic with a straw hat on her head. Behind her is an entire crowd of slobbering fools following her like lovesick puppies. "Don't mind them, they saw me changing in the street." "Into that?" You ask with a hint of mockery. "What's the occasion?" "Fishin'!" She says through a piece of straw in her mouth. "I [i]love[/i] teasing a living being with hidden blades in its food, then violently ripping it into the air where it can't even breathe. Don't get me started on how satisfying it is to filet them alive by the water's edge. The look in their eyes as they can see their escape but realize they aren't going to make it is just..." She inhales with a shiver. "Intoxicating." A bright smile spreads across her face. "That's the pitch I've been giving to guilt people out of the contest. How'd I do?" *if (ruthless >= 56) "Needs work." You admit. "Makes me want to catch a Fish Beast for a good fight. It sounds like you mean it though, I'll give you that." *else "You've *if (ruthless > 44) nearly ruined it for me so I'd say it's very convincing." "Because I meant every word." She whispers too loud, then returns to her normal voice. "Probably why it's worked so well on our competition. You're welcome for thinning the herd, by the way. Nobody thanks me enough." "[i]Our[/i] competition?" You ask. "I never said I was signing up for a fishing tournament." You hadn't planned on participating in a moneymaking scheme with an entry fee when you could spend your evening training instead. "But you have to join!" She *if (heshe = "he") pleads with a heavy pout. *else pleads. "Is it because of the pitch? Pretend I never said it! Come on, even Devanic monks eat fish and they're all pansies!" She picks up a piece of chewable tallgrass from a section of roadside weeds and offers it to you. *if (heshe = "she") "If you don't show up I'll be the only jade beauty on the beach. We need to stick together! Plus your *else "Think of all the fun you'll be missing. Your whole crew wants in, you wouldn't disappoint them would you?" You suddenly recognize the slobbering fools watching her strut from behind. They're [i]your[/i] slobbering fools. You almost didn't recognize your retainers now that most have had a bath. "Are you not participating, Honored $!{patriarch}?" Asks one of the cat yokai among your crew. "The tavern is reserved for the winner's party tonight, we can't drink well unless one of us wins!" A smile involuntarily reaches your mouth. "Very well, you drunks. Let's catch a fish." *page_break Cramped shops and houses flank your party as you walk down the sandstone roads. The street becomes more crowded as you approach the beach, with dozens of strawhatted Laborers coming and going from each building to buy out the local fishing supplies. Martial Artists in combat gi of all colors intermingle with the crowd on their way as well, clearly stuck on land during their trip to the Trials just like your crew. With so much to do in town you had almost forgotten that you're all beached thanks to a Wild God running amok in the sea. As you exit the shopping rows and the beach comes into view, you see just how much competition you'll be up against. Nearly one-hundred men and women line the beach with their rods and buckets, with even more crowded onto the pier to cast further out. A few are even out in the water on row boats or rafts. "So that's why they have the straw hats." You say to Leona on your left while *if (clothes = "brown travel cloak and straw hat") tilting your own straw hat to block the light. "I [i]did[/i] wonder why you were dressed like a homeless vagrant." Replies a voice that is noticeably not Leona's. "But it's grown on me." *gosub koshat hat that ${bffheshe}'s tilting to block out the setting sun. "Homeless vagrant?" You ask in insult. "I think I look more intriguing and mysterious than that." Kosuke motions to ${bffhisher} own outfit. "I'm a homeless vagrant and we're wearing the same thing. Checkmate. I'll give you this: it's comfier than I expected; it masks [i]and[/i] breathes." "Glad you see the light." You say with a roll of the eyes. "Let's go sign up for the tournament." *else covering your eyes from the sun setting in the west. *if ((heshe = "he") and (bffheshe = "she")) "Relax big guy, *elseif (((heshe = "she") and (bffheshe = "he")) and (bffromance >= 1)) "Don't worry your pretty little head, *else "Relax boss, I brought a spare." Says a voice that is noticeably not Leona's. *gosub koshat hat. $!{bffheshe} holds a fishing rod in one hand and a spare strawhat in the other. "You look like a homeless vagrant." You say jokingly. "I [i]am[/i] a homeless vagrant, now take the hat." You do; the sun over the ocean's horizon is bothering your eyes. Together the two of you lead the rest of your crew to find a Windrising clerk to sign up for the tournament. It's easy to find them, you simply look for the annoyingly long lines of people waiting to talk to someone. Leona cuts you in line after revealing her seduction attempt on the first clerk was a colossal failure. Once you get to the front of the smallest line in sight you're face to face with a bald man seated at a makeshift table, a wooden chest dragged to the sands. "The entrance fee is 200 Silver." Says the aging clerk in bored monotone the second you approach him. "What a charmer." Whispers Leona. "I'll bet he's a hoot at the tavern." The clerk's half-lidded eyes don't even register the insult. "The entrance fee is 250 Silver." *choice *selectable_if (((shards + (silver / 10)) + (gold * 10)) >= 27) #Pay the fine. *gosub_scene quicks costcalc 25 #"Kosuke, can you cover my fee?" "Kosuke, can you cover my fee?" You ask. *line_break "$!{name}, can you cover my fee?" Kosuke asks simultaneously. "Whoa." $!{bffheshe} blinks and steps back in surprise. "I never thought the day would come." $!{bffheshe} looks down at ${bffhisher} hands as if seeing them in a new light. "The beggar has become the begged." "If it's too much-" "NO!" Kosuke shouts. $!{bffheshe} clears ${bffhisher} throat. "I mean, no. I've been living off your charity for so long, it's only fair." $!{bffheshe} withdraws a surplus of Silver and drops it into the clerks hands. "Thanks, I appreciate it." You say as the clerk's hands overflow with roughly 500 Silver that the poor sap now has to count. "Don't worry about it." Kosuke says warmly, *if (((bffheshe = "she") and (heshe = "he")) and (bffromance >= 1)) hugging onto your arm. *else patting you on the back. "I charge twenty percent interest." *if (background = "Merchant") [b][Debt Acquired: 30 Shards][/b] *line_break [b][Merchant Background Event][/b] "I'll subtract it from your tab. I'll need to run the math on that, now that I think about it. We'll start with everything you've taken from the shop when Father's back was turned." Kosuke's smile stays but ${bffhisher} eyes widen in alarm. "Oh, hah! Haha! Nevermind the debt, don't worry one bit. There are no debts between friends, right? Right?" *if ((bffromance >= 2) and (heshe != bffheshe)) You tilt your head and stare at ${bffhimher} expectantly. Kosuke begins to squirm under the pressure. "I don't suppose we can settle this debt with something more intimate? That's got to be worth at least, what, five hundred Shards? Five thousand even, really." You continue staring *else You tilt your head and stare ${bffhimher} down until ${bffheshe} slowly picks up ${bffhisher} fishing rod and runs away to the pier. [b][Debt Erased][/b] *else "You [i]suck[/i]." [b][Debt Acquired: 30 Shards][/b] *set debt + 30 *set debtnote +1000000 *page_break As soon as you've paid the fee you're assailed with splashes of sand from all directions when your entire crew, Leona, and Kosuke all sprint off in different directions towards the water. "Hey!" You shout out. "Every *if (bffheshe = "she") woman for herself!" *else man for himself!" Kosuke replies, running toward the pier. "Out of the way losers!" Leona shouts, surging an Agility Core to dash for the coast in a forward-leaning sprint. "That big fish is waiting for ME!" Calls the slowest retainer enthusiastically, running behind the rest of your crew as they all dash for the shore. It seems loyalty is as shallow as the coast's waters. Left alone, you analyze the area for the best place to catch a winning fish. The pier is the obvious choice, considering all the shade and ample food. It's not that there aren't bigger fish in the sea, it's that the bigger fish simply aren't within casting range of the sands. Unfortunately the pier is full of fellow fishers. You'd need to think of a way to trick them into leaving if you're to have even the smallest hope of winning. Though you notice avenues to grasp victory. It dawns on you that you [i]could[/i] simply swim out into the waters and cast from there. You are stronger than most low-grade Beasts, after all. Even catching a shark doesn't concern you as dangerous anymore. It does worry you that your scent may scare the fish away, you'd need some way to mask it... There's also your docked ship that you could use to cast off multiple lines and tie them to your riggings, but you'll need to be quick with your hands to handle such multitasking. If all else fails, a rocky outcropping up the coast near the edge of the town's territories can be used as a casting range. You wouldn't have nearly as much time to fish as everyone else after wasting so much time to get there, but you'd have privacy. If your fishing skills are up to the task, it could give the best returns. *label fishingtourny *choice *disable_reuse *selectable_if (((persuasion >= 1) and (nogoodlure)) and (shards >= 15)) #First, haggle with fellow fishermen for a better lure. [Persuasion Check] Finding someone willing to part of quality gear is a difficult task. Luckily there's more than one fisherman that's been threatened by a visiting Martial Artist to leave their favorite spot. You recognize the sour expression of a ruined evening on the face of an old man leaving the beach with an expensive looking rod in-hand. "Sir!" You call out, jogging up to the man. "Sir, I'd like to buy your lure if you have the time." The old man looks to you with a wrinkled and bitter expression. "First I lose my chance to come home with a fish, now you want me to go home without a lure? Kids these days have no respect, I tell you!" *set val (17 - (persuasion * 2)) "I can overpay." You offer, holding out ${val} Shards. *if (persuasion >= 1) [b][Persuasion 1 Check Passed][/b] He swallows, rubs his neck, and tightens his lips while eyeing the money. "My apologies, *if (heshe = "he") Sonny, *else young lady, you're one of the good ones." [b][Item Lost: ${val} Shards][/b] *set shards - val *set val 0 *line_break [b][Improved Lure Acquired][/b] *set nogoodlure false *set fishscore + 1 *else [b][Persuasion 1 Check Failed][/b] He spits on you and leaves. *page_break *gosub tournytalk *goto fishingtourny *disable_reuse *selectable_if (nogoodlure) #First, assemble a good lure from my satchel's supplies. The lure on your fishing hook is a flattened hook that might as well be a nail. It doesn't fill you with confidence. You sit down on the beach and empty out your satchel of supplies you've been carrying since leaving Thunderfall, complete with a few tools and spare materials you've kept around for emergencies. With a gull feather nearby and the supplies you've gathered, you manage to assemble... *if (craft >= 3) [b][Craft 3 Check Passed][/b] A fine lure that could easily be mistaken for a fleeing fish, *gosub solong *set fishscore + 2 *set nogoodlure false *elseif (craft >= 2) [b][Craft 2 Check passed][/b] A better lure that a fish might actually mistake for something it should eat, *gosub solong *set fishscore + 1 *set nogoodlure true *else [b][Craft 2 Check Failed][/b] A piece of junk. You correct the flattened hook of your first lure and hope it works well enough. *page_break *gosub tournytalk *goto fishingtourny *disable_reuse *selectable_if ((alchemy + survival) >= 4) #First, concoct an irresistible chum. Fishing for big fish means fishing for predators. With such a short time frame to fish, you're going to need a chum to bring them to you. You scale the coast looking for discarded small fish that people haven't put in buckets, collecting them in your arms as you run through to collect even more. It [i]stinks[/i]. Perfect. When the realization that you'll need a bucket strikes, you consider who to steal from until you remember that you have retainers. One of your men, the slow enthusiastic one from earlier, gives you his fourth spare bucket. He is [i]very[/i] confident he'll be catching plenty of fish. Once you have the fish ready you go through your alchemical ingredients to see which ones could help the chum more appetizing to chi-seeking predators without ruining the smell. You start dumping powders into the bucket while chopping and crushing the fish, assembling a disgusting bucket's worth of... *if ((alchemy + survival) >= 4) [b][Alchemy + Survival 4 Check Passed][/b] The best chum money can buy. You prepare the bloodied bucket and head off to your next preparation. *set fishscore + 1 *if (survival >= 3) *set fishscore + 1 *set chummed true *else [b][Alchemy + Survival 4 Check Failed][/b] Garbage. Absolute garbage. The stuff reeks of unnatural chemicals now and you can't even be bothered to toss it into the waters, lest you anger several Martial Artists fishing nearby by ruining their chances. You don't need more feuds when the Trials are so close. *page_break *gosub tournytalk *goto fishingtourny *if ((spiritbrandloc = "hair") or (spiritbrandloc = "hairstrip")) *disable_reuse *selectable_if ((((hairlength = "waist-length") or (hairlength = "long and tied")) or (hairlength = "chest-length")) or (hairlength = "tied-back")) #First, weave a top-quality fishing line using spiritbranded hair. [Requires Long Hair] It hadn't occurred to you that a spiritbrand could be useful, but the biggest fish are going to be the ones that have consumed chi in their lifetime. Keeping that appetite in mind, you pull out a few of your ${spiritbrandcolor} hairs from your spiritbranded hair and braid them into the tip of your fishing line to draw the fish in. [b][Fishing Line Improved][/b] *set fishscore + 2 *page_break *gosub tournytalk *goto fishingtourny #Swim out and cast in the waters. *if (stealth >= 2) [b][Stealth 2 Check Passed][/b] *set fishscore + 1 Before getting into the water you cover yourself in sand and rage your aura to full power, collecting and burning off any excess sweat to minimize the amount of a trail you leave in the waters. Several spiritual scans reach you from concerned Martial Artists but no one acts. With that done *else *set fishscore - 1 With no time to lose you take all your supplies in one hand and use the other to swim out in front of everyone, getting hooked several times and wincing from the sting of rival barbs. A few fishermen yell at you for ruining their lines but seem unwilling to swim in after you. Once you reach deeper waters you *gosub fishcast [b][Survival Rank Added to Fishing Score][/b] *line_break [b][Athletics Rank Added to Fishing Score][/b] *set fishscore + (athletics + survival) *if (survival >= 2) *line_break [b][Survival 2 Check Passed, Fishing Score Improved Further][/b] *set fishscore + 1 #Board your ship and cast multiple lines off the side. Nobody has told you any rules about casting multiple lines, so you head to your flagship docked on the pier and run under the deck to get the fishing rods your crew already owns. With multiple rods in hand, you run back up to the deck and start casting them one after another to different areas. Each rod is secured by a rope you tie around it and, in theory, you should see the rod shake when it gets a catch. With just one rod left, the one you'll hold the entire time, you *gosub fishcast [b][Survival Rank Added to Fishing Score][/b] *line_break [b][Thievery Rank Added to Fishing Score][/b] *set fishscore + (thievery + survival) *if (survival >= 3) *line_break [b][Survival 3 Check Passed, Fishing Score Improved Further][/b] *set fishscore + 1 #Cast off the pier with the others. If you can't beat them, join them. Seeing so many people on the pier tells you one thing: the pier is the best place to fish. You grab your supplies and run up to the pier with one goal in mind, which is how to get rid of all these people. *if (ruthless >= 60) An energy blast should do it, but the Windrising Sect is present all over the tournament Luckily Kosuke is up here, which gives you an idea. You weave through the crowd and drop whispers hinting at criminal acts. You mention specific home locations you've passed on your way through town and imply you're telling someone in the crowd that "the boss" said to "try" that house while the owner is fishing. Kosuke's ears perk up when you try this near ${bffhimher}. She turns around incredulously and sees you, suppresses a laugh, and joins you in the patrols. *page_break After minutes of ducking, weaving, and whispering about intended crimes, you lose the ability to hide yourself in the crowd anymore because there isn't much of a crowd. Too many fishers flee back home to stop potential burglars that they swear they heard, just out of sight. Kosuke bows to your cunning and runs to the other side of the emptied pier after politely informing you that ${bffhisher} fish is going to crush yours. Unlikely, you think to yourself, as you *gosub fishcast [b][Survival Rank Added to Fishing Score][/b] *line_break [b][Deception Rank Added to Fishing Score][/b] *set fishscore + (deception + survival) *if (lore >= 2) *line_break [b][Lore 2 Check Passed, Fishing Score Improved Further][/b] *set fishscore + 1 #Cast off the rocks up the coast. Not willing to waste any time you collect your supplies and run up the coast as fast as you can. Anything coming down the coast from the north will pass by the rocks jutting into the water before they get to the other fishermen; that's your key to victory. You're going to be the first lure they find. Minutes of exertion pass until you reach the rocks miles away. It's pleasing to find you're not even out of breath. Without hesitation you hop from one wet and slippery rock to the other, balancing yourself like the Martial Artist you have become. When you get to the end you *gosub fishcast [b][Survival Rank Added to Fishing Score][/b] *line_break [b][Perception Rank Added to Fishing Score][/b] *set fishscore + (perception + survival) *if (survival >= 3) *line_break [b][Survival 3 Check Passed, Fishing Score Improved Further][/b] *set fishscore + 2 *elseif (survival >= 2) *line_break [b][Survival 2 Check Passed, Fishing Score Improved Further][/b] *set fishscore + 1 *page_break You sprint back to the Windrising clerks judging the tournament with your sizeable fish in your hands. "I got one!" You shout. "I've got a fish!" Four Windrising clerks in their green and black robes stand around ten large pulley-scales. Contestants stand in front of the scales and place their fish on one hammock while a clerk places plated rocks on the other side until the weight evens out. You run up to an unattended scale and present your fish to the nearest clerk in both hands. "I submit this fish as my catch." The clerk looks at your fish *if (fishscore >= 10) with his eyes nearly bulging out of his head. "D-Don't just stand there, fool! Place it on the scale!" *elseif (fishscore >= 7) with an appreciative nod. "Not bad, come with me and place it on the scale." *else with a bored expression. "Place it on the scale, we shall test its weight." *page_break Drop your fish on the scale. *if (fishscore >= 10) *achieve plentyoffish Dropping your fish on the scale causes the opposite side's hammock, the one already filled with rocks, to shoot up into the air so fast that the rocks go airborne. "We have a winner!" The clerk announces. "This surpasses any weight we've yet to see. Congratulations, young ${manwoman}, your catch is now the number one rival to beat for every man, woman, and child here. And we end in mere minutes when the sun finishes setting." "That's great." You say with a huff. Carrying that enormous thing over here wasn't easy, even for you. "What do I get if I win?" "Five percent of the tournament's proceeds, and a sizeable portion of your catch's meat." "[i]Five percent?![/i] And a 'portion' of something that already belongs to me?" The clerk ignores you, leaning over instead to inspect your massive catch. "Although, now that I get a closer look, something about this seems off." Your palms begin to sweat and suddenly five percent doesn't sound so bad. "What's, uh, what's off about it?" *goto pointinscale *elseif (fishscore >= 7) Dropping your fish on the scale causes the hammock to drop substantially, lifting the rocks on the other side. "A fine catch!" The clerk announces. He places a few more rocks onto the other hammock until the scale evens out. "The meat on this catch qualifies you for a refund, it will feed our village well." "I don't get to keep it?" The clerk doesn't even turn around to answer you as he drops a pouch of 200 Silver in your hand. [b][Item Gained: 200 Silver][/b] *set silver + 200 You count through the pouch and look back up. "I paid 250." "Irrelevant." The clerk says, removing rocks from the scale's other side so he can lower your catch's hammock to the ground and drag it away. "The fee was 200, any extra is between you and whoever you paid. Although..." *else When you drop your fish on the scale, the other side doesn't lift one inch. Your stomach drops. Not only is your fish not the best in the tournament, it's not even better than the last fish to be weighed on this scale. *if (honor < 50) "Aw shit." You groan out. *else "What a waste." You say to yourself. "Indeed, a poor catch. We'll have it taken away for cleaning." You nod and look off at the other fishers, feeling your excitement die down. *if (honor < 50) "Alright, *else "Very well, at least you clean it for us." "For you?" The clerk asks. "This fish belongs to our village, the contestants don't get to keep them." This tournament sucks. "Although..." The clerk says, inspecting your catch closer. "Now that I get a better look, this is an odd catch." *if (fishscore >= 7) You begin to sweat. "What's, er...what's odd about it?" *else You truly don't care anymore, but you entertain the man anyway. "What's odd about it?" *label pointinscale He points to the scale pattern and head. "This is an amberjack, but not the yellowtailed ones that approach the coasts. It shouldn't be anywhere near the shore. What is such a fish doing so far away from deep waters...?" [i]!!![/i] An oppressive spiritual scan slams into your aura and, judging by the silence that washes over the rest of the tournament, it slams into everyone else too. *page_break A chill runs down your spine as you turn to face the source of the large spiritual pressure: the sea. Yet no threat makes itself known. Every member of the fishing crowd is hushed as you look closer for anything to rise from the waters, but as the sun continues to rise you... You... It's not sunrise, you realize. It's sunset. The red glow of the sunset expands outward and rises higher, turning brighter and brighter yellow as a blinding light reflects across the shore and illuminates the coast around you. You squint into the bright light, swearing you can see something at its center. An orb, no larger than a man. A single orb radiates the Light Chi from just above the water's surface, roughly a half-mile out, and as it gets closer you see something behind the sphere: Teeth. Row after row of hundreds of spear-sized teeth glowing with scarlet-colored Bladed Chi. The orb of light rises higher into the air to reveal the hideous serpentine monster with a mouth as wide as its body, covered in armor-like bronze scales and surrounded by a layer of blue chi as it swims through the air above the water's surface. Your eyes adjust to the blinding light to behold the fusion of eel and angler fish, one grown into a potent Beast larger than an elephant. *if (sawshrines) Unsettlingly, you recognize it from Gazhurra's shrines. The Lightbringer. Windrising Disciples drop to their knees at the sight of the sea *if (sawshrines) monster. *else monster, whispering of 'The Lightbringer'. The creature pays them no mind, instead swimming ominously on a pool of Water Chi eight feet off the sea's surface. It draws closer until it's a mere thirty feet from the fishermen frozen in fear at the shoreline. When it draws closer you see a fresh, bloody wound scraped deep down its side. The Lightbringer's jaw opens slowly, rows of seemingly infinite teeth widening, and just as its yellow glow magnifies you remember that eating Beasts to regain strength is not a one-way relationship. You recognize the design of combat gi from several of the fisherman frozen in fear before the sea monster. Weaker Martial Artists. The sea monster coils back in preparation to strike. *page_break Move! *image https://www.auraclash.com/assets/img/ap-thunderfaller-vs-lightbringer.png *gosub_scene quicks statcheck *set fighting true "MOVE!" You scream as the wounded Lightbringer surges an Agility Core of Light Chi and plows towards the crowd. Your own battle experience helps you calculate its Aura Pressure and trajectory, realizing you're in range of its deadly charge too. *if (angler = 1) [b][Special Event: Prayed to the Lightbringer][/b] *line_break [b][Your Faith has strengthened the Beast's power against you.][/b] *if (equippedweapon = "Muramasa") *set weptext "Muramasa" *else *set weptext "your ${equippedweapon}" *choice #Dodge!! The Lightbringer charges through the weaker Martial Artists at the shoreline and swallows several whole. Those that aren't eaten by the creature are instead sent flying to the side with heavy wounds and missing limbs. Then its charge continues, a single blurred line of yellow chi forming in an instant from the water to your location. *set combatstat "agility" *set combatskill "stealth" *set combatdiff (6+angler) *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) The Beast narrowly misses your foot as you dive to the side. The Windrising clerk measuring your fish doesn't even get a sound out as the Lightbringer snaps its jaws shut around him. *if (style = "Kurokonton") As you launch backward you draw six shuriken and throw them at the monster. Your Cursed Chi charges over the weapons as they stab into the raw wound scraping down the side of its body. With a snap of the fingers on both hands, you activate the Cursed Chi to [i]pull[/i] five shuriken towards the one in the center. [b][Kurokonton Event: Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 2 Your weapons carve a path through the Lightbringer's wound like moving saws as your curse manipulates their position. *else As you launch backward you charge a ${auracolor} blast in both hands and launch it into the wound scraping down the side of the Lightbringer's body. Your attack lands on the distracted monster and it lets out an unnatural screech. *set dmg + 1 *if ((element1 = "Storm") or (element2 = "Storm")) [b][Storm Event: Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 1 *page_break *label landself You turn in the air and land on your feet, surging an aura of ${auracolor} chi around your body. The Lightbringer wastes no time and whips its tail at you from afar, launching a series of four fangs of scarlet Bladed Chi at your torso. *label fourblades1 *set combatstat "fortitude" *set combatskill "insight" *set combatdiff (8+angler) *if (style = "Akakiru") [b][Akakiru Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if ((element1 = "Wind") or (element2 = "Wind")) [b][Wind Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if ((element1 = "Darkness") or (element2 = "Darkness")) [b][Darkness Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) $!{auracolor} chi charges over both forearms and you crash them down on the tips of the chiblades, shattering each in front of you before the hits can land. The Lightbringer charges you while you're distracted but you slam both empowered forearms into its teeth, breaking one in half even as its weight and speed launch you airborne. *set dmg + 1 *if (power >= 8) [b][Power 8 Event: Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 1 *else The blades stab against your body before you can get your guard up, stabbing into your body with enough force to blast you off your feet and send you reeling back. *if (eblocktech != "") [b][${eblocktech}: Damage Reduced][/b] *line_break *gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 false false *else *gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 2 false false *else Though you try to dive out of the way, the creature is too fast. The Lightbringer's jaws close shut around your shoulder in a blitz of *if (pblocktech != "") pain. *else pain and blood. *gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 true false In a panic you strike your free arm against the monster's hide, slamming your fist into the wound down its side. It reels back and jerks its head, sending you flying. *goto landself *selectable_if (agispent < agility) #Surge an Agility Core to stop it from killing the others. *gosub round1stopper you grab hold of its open fangs with both arms. *set combatstat "power" *set combatdiff (8+angler) *if (style = "Midorikatai") [b][Midorikatai Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if ((element1 = "Earth") or (element2 = "Earth")) [b][Earth Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if ((element1 = "Light") or (element2 = "Light")) *set combatdiff - 1 [b][Light Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *line_break *if ((bodytype = "Agile") or (bodytype = "Legs")) [b][Quick Bodytype: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if (equippedweapon = "Handwraps") [b][Handwrap Protection: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) *set dmg + 1 You hold two of its fangs still when the Beast crashes against you. Its serpentine body coils from the impact and sand explodes behind you, but your grip stays strong. The Lightbringer shakes twice in place, trying to dislodge you, and a *label hissroar1 hiss-roar escapes its mouth when its body takes on the scarlet glow of Bladed Chi. *label getback1 "Get out of here!" You scream to the stunned fishermen and weaker Martial Artists behind you. "Move, now!" The Lightbringer's mouth vibrates and a dozen fang-shapes blades of chi appear in the air around its mouth. All twelve swoop down to impale you at once. *label 12blades *page_break Twelve curved blades of scarlet chi charge down at you from all angles as you wrestle against the maw of the Lightbringer. *set combatstat "soul" *set combatskill "thievery" *set combatdiff (8+angler) *if (style = "Akakiru") [b][Akakiru Event: Difficulty Reduced x2][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *elseif (style = "Kiihakai") [b][Kiihakai Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if ((element1 = "Ice") or (element2 = "Ice")) [b][Ice Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) With ${auracolor} chi surging around your palms you reach out and seize one of the Beast's chi-blades, *if ((element1 = "Ice") or (element2 = "Ice")) flashfreezing the others with a pulse of Ice Chi. With one swing in a wide arc, you use the twelfth blade to shatter the other eleven. *else swinging it in a wide arc to deflect the other eleven. A sense of overwhelming malice comes from the wounded Lightbringer as you start resisting it with only one arm. It takes the opportunity to spin in place and whips you with its tail. You stab its own chi blade into the wound along its side to weaken the monster's blow, yet the force is still enough to send you flying. *set dmg + 1 *if (power >= 8) [b][Power 8 Event: Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 1 *if (style = "Akakiru") *if (power >= 8) *line_break [b][Akakiru Event: Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 1 *else The blades swerve as they stab into you, each colliding into you with from the front with piercing and concussive force. You deflect all that you can but the Bladed chi attacks overwhelm your body and aura, stabbing into you and launching you airborne. *if (eblocktech != "") [b][${eblocktech}: Damage Reduced][/b] *line_break *gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 false false *else *gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 2 false false *else *label stopitfail1 The Lightbringer's jagged maw prove too strong, crushing through your guard from its savage and relentless bites. Blood covers your vision as its fangs dig into your forearms in three different places. *if (pblocktech != "") [b][${pblocktech}: Damage Reduced] *line_break *gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 false false *else *gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 2 false false Clenching your teeth from the pain, you realize no one around you has even started running yet. *goto getback1 *if (((equippedweapon != "Handwraps") and (equippedweapon != "Yumi")) and (equippedweapon != "")) *selectable_if ((agility > agispent) and ((style = "Akakiru") or ({weaponbonus#2} >= 2))) #Surge an Agility Core and deflect its teeth with ${weptext}. [Requires Akakiru or Mastercrafted Weapon] *gosub round1stopper your *if (style = "Akakiru") ${auracolor} glowing weapon clashes against its teeth. *set combatstat "power" *set weapontest true *set combatdiff (8+angler) *if ((element1 = "Storm") or (element2 = "Storm")) [b][Storm Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if ((element1 = "Light") or (element2 = "Light")) *set combatdiff - 1 [b][Light Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *line_break *if ((bodytype = "Agile") or (bodytype = "Legs")) [b][Quick Bodytype: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) *set dmg + 2 A row of the Beast's fang begin to crack against the strength you push through *if (equippedweapon = "Muramasa") Muramasa. *else your ${equippedweapon}. In one swing, you shatter several teeth and knock the monster away from the *if (style = "Akakiru") shore with a ${auracolor} slash of spiritual energy. *else shore with a ${auracolor} aura manifesting around you. *if (power >= 8) [b][Power 8 Event: Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 1 The Lightbringer darts back from the strike but immediately returns for more. A *goto hissroar1 *else *goto stopitfail1 *if (element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water") *selectable_if (((chipool + (soul/2)) - chispent) >= 1) #Bludgeon it with an upward fist made of water. [Requires Water, Costs 1 Chi] *set savior true Before the monster can strike you stomp forward and flow all your Water Chi to your arm, lifting your fist in an uppercut of dark blue energy. Down at the shore, the water beneath the Lightbringer answers to your call and forms a massive fist, slamming upward at top speeds and cracking the creature's head six feet into the sky. [b][1 Chi Point Spent][/b] *set dmg + 2 *if (power >= 7) *line_break [b][Power 7 Event: Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 1 The monster lets out a hissing shriek, its eyes focusing on you immediately as it dashes over the rest of the crowd and swims through the air towards you. In the last twenty feet it spins, whipping four scarlet manifestations of Bladed Chi at you in the form of fangs. *goto fourblades1 *if (element1 = "Light") or (element2 = "Light") *selectable_if (((chipool + (soul/2)) - chispent) >= 1) #Spiritually grip the Light in its odd limb to ruin its charge. [Requires Light, Costs 1 Chi] *set savior true Before the monster can strike you reach out with a Yellow glowing hand and grasp on the Light Chi around its odd appendage, seizing the force of elemental Light and pulling it towards yourself with all the strength your Aura Pressure can muster. The Lightbringer shrieks as you wrench the light-orb attached to its back by a tendril, pulling on the limb from afar. It changes course last second and swims through the air over the crowd, charging at you with the speed enforcement of Light Chi. You do the same. All your acceleration turns to power as the two of you clash in the air, your foot slamming into the unprepared creature's side with the momentum of two Light enhancements colliding. *set dmg + 2 *if (power >= 7) [b][Power 7 Event: Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 1 Your kick slams into its side with a satisfying crunch and you feel a small crack form in its bone under your foot. The Lightbringer hisses and spins, sliding your attack off at the last second, then it continues its spin until its maw faces you. A maw of glowing, scarlet teeth filled with Bladed Chi. Yet it doesn't bite down, rather twelve blades manifest in the air all around you. Chi-blades in the shape of fangs, each made from Bladed Chi. They all plunge towards you at once. *goto 12blades You flip over in the air and skid to a *if (wounds > 2) halt, bleeding heavily. *elseif (wounds > 0) halt, holding your wounds. *else halt. Panic and screams erupt around the beach as everyone finally reacts. Over one hundred men and women run for their lives in every direction, but the Lightbringer pays them no attention. It turns to you, the impression of an unsettling smile showing on its maw of razor teeth. The air all around you fills with one word: [i]Prey.[/i] You shake the intrusion out of your head. Though this monster is larger than your house, it's already been wounded by someone or something. You focus on that thought to suppress your fear and cycle your aura more steadily. Your breathing is calm, your stance is true, and you allow no distractions. "Come closer." You threaten, offering your palm up and curling your fingers upward. "I'll show you which of us is the prey." *page_break *image https://www.auraclash.com/assets/img/ap-thunderfaller-vs-lightbringer.png *gosub_scene quicks statcheck While your focus is on the monster in front of you, a voice comes from the sky above. "[b][i]Hurricane Grip![/i][/b]" Emerald bands of Wind Chi form around your limbs, dropping you to your knees. When you look up to the source of the voice you see an old man with long graying hair and beard standing on the air one-hundred feet up. "Let me go!" You shout at the elder. "I'm in the middle of a fight!" "You dare speak back to a Sectmaster in his own domain?!" The elder calls down. "Such arrogance. Disciple Jiru! Seize this bandit!" "Yes, Sectmaster Bassui!" One of the Windrising Disiples responds, running up and placing your bound form in a headlock. The man's elbow locks around your neck and *if (ruthless >= 60) your head begins to shake with murderous rage. "Get your hands off me or you'll be the first I kill." *set powexp + 2 *else you grit your teeth. "You're making a mistake!" All around you more and more Windrising Disciples gather to the battlefield. The Beast halts forty feet away and surprisingly doesn't eat the black and green clad Martial Artists that sprint to its aid, but rather floats in the air with its eyes locked on you while they apply healing unguents to the large wound on its side. The elder, this 'Sectmaster Bassui', descends to the sand nearby with a look of indifference. "I allow entertainment for you outsiders and I am repaid with betrayal. Disgraceful. Attacking a child of the Majestic Gazhurra is a crime punishable by death in my lands." "Attacking...? Are you insane?!" You shout back. "It's killing indiscriminately! The Beast is feral!" "The Lightbringer is no mere animal!" Sectmaster Bassui insists, the pressure of his voice weighing you down with a Wind Technique. "It is a holy creature to this village, protecting us from meddlers! If it kills, it kills with purpose!" "It's a Beast, not a Magistrate! It's eating people to heal!" "Pah!" Sectmaster Bassui spits on your forehead. "Gazhurra's Get are not so crass. Whatever your crimes, the Lightbringer has come to punish you for them. We will find and present the evidence to Imperial clerks after your [i]removal[/i]." He looks back to the visiting Martial Artists and Sectmasters, present at the docks for the fishing tournament. "Anyone aiding this criminal will not be a savior but an outlaw, acting against the Wild God Gazhurra and the Windrising Sect's accord made directly with the Exalted Council!" Murmurs break out all along the beach. Several Martial Artists at the docks put away weapons you didn't even realize they'd drawn. Your backup disappears before it arrives, and many leave in flashes of chi with surged Agility Cores. "This will go easier if you do not resist." Sectmaster Bassui whispers as they depart. "We both know The Lightbringer has not yet manifested intelligence, but tending to the needs of a Wild God is not an easy task. Sacrifices must be made. I will ensure this is quick." Wind Chi wraps around Bassui's hand like a spinning razer. When he raises it to strike, aiming at your neck, a bright light shines behind him. He turns and you both see the Lightbringer surging with Light Chi from every scale, preparing another charge now that its wounded side is covered in healing pastes. "Of course, Honored One." Sectmaster Bassui says to the abomination. "I apologize for the intrusion. The kill is yours to take." "I can't allow that." Calls a voice from the Heavens. *page_break An eerie silence breaks out all along the beach. All eyes look upwards to a lone nimbus cloud where the voice speaks from again. "Release the ${manwoman}. Now." "Do not interfere in our offering, Council Dog!" Sectmaster Bassui shouts to the sky. "You are bound by Imperial law! Gazhurra prevents enemy armies from crossing your precious Councilors' western ocean, so long as we act within the accord you Archons cannot act against us!" The voice breaks into a soft laugh that echoes down. "Who said anything about Archons?" The Windrising Sectmaster looks down to his Disciples, to you, and back up to the clouds as those words settle in before the voice in the clouds speaks once more. "[b][i]Heavenly Execution: Floating Moon[/i][/b]" Sectmaster Bassui's body glows cerulean for an instant and he's launched into the sky as if by catapult. From the cloud above, *if ((style != "Aoyusumu") and (metangelo = 10000000000)) a stranger in Devanic robes *else Angelo descends to meet him faster than any object could fall. He crashes into the Sectmaster's midsection with both feet and the two drop to the earth like a meteor of twisting emerald and cerulean light. When they crash into the beach you're set free from the bands of Wind Chi around your body, but only just before the sand reaches you; the explosion of their landing sends sand-clouds as far as you can see. Screams erupt all around the beach as the remaining commoners flee into town. *page_break In the confusion you grip the wrist and elbow of the Windrising disciple holding you from behind and lurch forward, throwing him over your shoulder with all the force of your Power Cores. His body flies straight ahead and into the Lightbringer's open jaws with a sickening crunch, impaling him in two dozen places. *if (ruthless >= 60) "I TOLD YOU I'D KILL YOU FIRST!" You scream in vindication. The monster twitches violently and shakes its teeth, trying to dislodge its follower's corpse, when a voice calls out. "You handle the abomination!" *if ((style != "Aoyusumu") and (metangelo = 10000000000)) The stranger *else Angelo shouts from somewhere in the sand where a flash of cerulean light clashes against emerald energy. "I will handle the Sect!" "[i]The [b]whole Sect?![/b][/i]" You shout back in disbelief. *if ((style != "Aoyusumu") and (metangelo = 10000000000)) He *else Angelo doesn't respond, cut off as a Windrising disciple launches two spears of Wind Chi into the cloud. Sacred Chi explodes outward in a sphere of cerulean kinetic force that disperses the sand before he's struck. The wide-area attack knocks everyone present back with great force, including you. The concussive shove knocks you one-hundred feet out to sea. The Lightbringer follows. You bounce off the water twice and narrowly balance yourself when you land on an abandoned fishing raft. The force of your movement causes a large wave to launch from behind you as you come to a sudden stop on the vessel. Back on shore *if ((style != "Aoyusumu") and (metangelo = 10000000000)) the mysterious monk *else Angelo presses the attack on the Windrising Sectmaster, knocking the man back fifty feet through the sand with an empowered palm strike to the chest. "To me!" Sectmaster Bassui screams in frustration while using Wind Chi to stop his tumbling. He channels spearheads of energy around each fist and launches them at *if ((style != "Aoyusumu") and (metangelo = 10000000000)) the interloper *else Angelo with intense speed, cutting his cheek in a last-second dodge. "Kill the monk, that's an order!" The remaining disciples rise from their knees in alarm and run to fight *if ((style != "Aoyusumu") and (metangelo = 10000000000)) the monk *else Angelo after he closes in with a kick to Sectmaster Bassui's neck, knocking their fight further and further up the coast. With the crowd dispersed and the Sect gone, the immediate battlefield is reduced to just you and the enormous advanced Beast wielding two Elements and a Style. They're not good odds, but it's no Demonic Gate. You take on a horse stance and call on your full power, ${auracolor} energy rising all around you. At the same time the Lightbringer dives into the water to dislodge the corpse stuck in its fangs, quickly rising back out like a waterfall running upwards. In that opportunity, you press the attack. *label tryfight2again *choice #Throw a board from the raft like a javelin into the monster's wounded side. Grabbing a board on the raft's weakest point, you rip the wooden beam out with both hands in one clean jerking motion and pull it back, throwing the lengthy lumber at the Lightbringer's wound on the side of its body as it rises higher into the sky. *set combatstat "power" *set combatskill "craft" *set combatdiff (8+angler) *if ((element1 = "Wind") or (element2 = "Wind")) [b][Wind Event: Difficulty Reduced x2][/b] *set combatdiff - 2 *line_break *if (perception >= 3) [b][Perception 3 Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) Your projectile *if ((element1 = "Wind") or (element2 = "Wind")) becomes surrounded by the emerald glow of Wind Chi as you hold one hand out like a claw, guiding the attack and reinforcing its speed. *set dmg + 1 [b][Wind Event: Damage Increased][/b] *elseif ((element1 = "Fire") or (element2 = "Fire")) becomes wreathed in fire as you hold one hand out like a claw, charging the attack with Fire Chi to torch your opponent. *set dmg + 1 [b][Fire Event: Damage Increased][/b] *elseif (power >= 8) strikes true. [b][Power Event: Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 1 *else strikes true. *set dmg + 1 The log slams into the Lightbringer's raw red wound and causes blood to rain down. The Beast writhes in the sky, screeching out with a hideous call before continuing its ascent up in a glow of blue Water Chi, swimming ever higher into the sky. *else It speeds up as your project approaches and whips your log with its tail, sending it back to you covered in Bladed Chi. As it lands in front of you the log splits into four separate spears of wooden, perfectly shaved into points from the Bladed effect. *gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 false false You do your best to dodge but there's only so much you can do on a raft, taking deep scrapes from the quick projectiles that cause your blood to leak into the water. #Shoot it with a layered energy blast. *if (energytide) [b][i]"Energy Tide![/b][/i] You shout, summoning lines of blue Water Chi from the environment and willing the energy to coalesce between your hands, fueling the energy blast you're pushing between both palms in a rising buildup of spiritual power. *else With full concentration you press both pals together in front of your chest, cycling all your chi out between them to form the most powerful blast you can muster. The Lightbringer continues flying upward, swimming into the sky on a layer of Water Chi, but its unnerving eye twitches toward you as it detects the concentration of chi. You with an overhead throw you launch the blast at that same eye. *set combatstat "power" *set combatstat2 "soul" *set combatdiff (14+angler) *if ((element1 = "Storm") or (element2 = "Storm")) [b][Storm Element: Difficulty Reduced x2][/b] *set combatdiff - 2 *line_break *if ((element1 = "Ice") or (element2 = "Ice")) [b][Ice Element: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if (style = "Kiihakai") [b][Kiihakai Event: Difficulty Reduced x2][/b] *set combatdiff - 2 *line_break *if (energytide) [b][Energy Tide Technique: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) Your blast of ${auracolor} chi strikes true, piercing through the sky in an instant and exploding upon the Lightbringer's face with a concussive explosion that rocks the air behind it. *set dmg + 1 *if (energytide) [b][Energy Tide: Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 1 *if ((((element1 = "Storm") or (element2 = "Storm")) or ((element1 = "Ice") or (element2 = "Ice"))) or (power >= 8)) *line_break *if ((element1 = "Storm") or (element2 = "Storm")) [b][Storm Event: Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 1 *elseif ((element1 = "Ice") or (element2 = "Ice")) [b][Ice Event: Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 1 *elseif (power >= 8) [b][Power 8 Event: Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 1 The Lightbringer soars up through the cloud of yor explosion, its eye bleeding, as it forms *label moremore more and more Water Chi above itself to aid in its ascent into the sky. *goto lightbrought *else The Water Chi around the Lightbringer hardens beneath it and its tail slaps in your direction, using the Water Chi as a spiritual paddle to knock your own attack back into your face with blinding speed. *if (energytide) *gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 2 false true *else *gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 false true *if (eblocktech != "") The attack crashes against your ${eblocktech} Technique and your swipe a hand through the dispersed chi blocking your version to see the Lightbringer form *goto moremore *disable_reuse *selectable_if (commonpoison >= 1) #Throw a vial of poison into its mouth. [Requires Poison] If this creature wants to fly around with its mouth open and its fangs begging to break anything they touch with Bladed Chi, then you're not going to correct its mistake. Reaching into your bag quickly to grab the right vials, you manage to close your fist around your collection of poisons. You pull out... *input_number val 1 commonpoison *set commonpoison - val *set dmg + val *if (val = 0) No vials, choosing instead to... *goto tryfight2again *elseif (val = 1) 1 vial *else ${val} vials of potent green poison come out of your bag in one handful and you focus on the Lightbringer's path. It continues to swim upward, pushing Water Chi in front of its path while it swims higher and higher into the sky. Predicting its trajectory, you toss the poison into its way and hope your aim stays true. *if (val >= 2) [b][Excessive Poison Used, Damage Increased][/b] Just as expected, the scarlet glow of Bladed chi from its fangs makes the vials shatter easily and disperse not only the poison, but broken glass too. All straight down its gullet as it charges ever upward into the sky. The Lightbringer's path continues undeterred, but an eerie hissing scream emits from the monster that grows louder with each second as your poison and glass runs through its system. *set val 0 *selectable_if ((element1 = "Storm") or (element2 = "Storm")) #Electrocute the water-like air around it. [Requires Storm, Costs 1 Chi] With two fingers on your forehead you charge all the Storm Chi in your body into your hand, compounding it over and over in a growing cascade of ${auracolor} electricity surging around your hand. When it's ready, you shove your arm forward and launch a bolt of lightning at the air around the Lightbringer. The Water Chi around the Beast reacts, caving to the power of electricity and magnifying your attack as your Storm energy cooks the sea monster inside its own aura. [b][Storm Event: Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 2 *if (power >= 7) *line_break [b][Power 7 Event: Damage Icreased][/b] *set dmg + 1 In a hissing-scream, the Beast surges with Yellow light and disperses the attack, but it's already smoking from the damage. It begins to fall from the lack of Water Chi in the air around it but quickly spends even more of its power to replace the lost Water effect and continue flying upward. *selectable_if (equippedweapon = "Yumi") #Fill it full of chi-infused arrows with your yumi. [Requires Yumi] As the Beast rises into the sky, forcing more and more Water Chi in front of its path as it swims ever higher, you draw your Yumi and unload a volley of arrows into its underbelly. *set combatstat "agility" *set combatskill "perception" *set combatdiff (7+angler) *if ((element1 = "Wind") or (element2 = "Wind")) [b][Wind Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) Your arrows fly true. Lines of ${auracolor} fill the air as your arrows shoot into the Beast's underbelly and pierce its hide, eliciting a high pitch screech as it continues its ascent. *set dmg + 1 *if (power >= 6) [b][Power 6 Event: Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 1 *if ({itemyumi#3} >= 2) *line_break *if ({itemyumi#3} > 2) [b][Mastercrafted Weapon: Damage Increased *set dmg + 1 *elseif ({itemyumi#3} > 3) [b][Mythic Weapon: Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 2 *else At least, you [i]aimed[/i] for its underbelly. Your arrows either miss the mark, get caught by the pool of Water Chi around the Beast, or deflect off its scales on the side. The Lightbringer ignores your attacks, continuing to swim higher and higher into the sky by surging more Water Chi in front of itself. *selectable_if ((flagshiptype = "combat") and ((agility > agispent) or (flashstep))) #Shout "Fire the ballista!" to the crew at the docks. [Requires Combat Ship, Costs 1 Agility Core] "Fire the ballista!" You shout out to your ship back at the dock, praying the crew is in place and ready to fight. You're pleasantly surprised as a ballista bolt passes overhead, fired before you gave the command. You look to your flagship's siege engine and see Kosuke's terrified face as ${bffheshe} realizes ${bffheshe} just attacked the child of a God of Beasts. Behind you, in the air, the Lightbringer forms more and more Water Chi above itself to swim higher and higher into the sky. Kosuke's ballista bolt closes in on its face but the creature surrounds its left side with Bladed Chi that destroys the projectile in midair. *if (flashstep) [b][i]"FLASH STEP!"[/b][/i] *set agiexp + 2 Three *else [b][1 Agility Core Spent][/b] *set agispent + 1 Then, three feet from its right side, you appear in the air. The sea monster's face twists when it detects the danger. Your ${auracolor} energy-infused fist slams a multi-layered chi punch into the Beast's eye, penetrating the top layer and *if ((element1 = "Ice") or (element2 = "Ice")) freezing the jelly within with Ice Chi. *set dmg + 1 *elseif ((element1 = "Fire") or (element2 = "Fire")) burning the jelly within with Fire Chi. *set dmg + 1 *elseif ((element1 = "Storm") or (element2 = "Storm")) electrocuting the jelly within with Storm Chi. *set dmg + 1 *else exploding the jelly within. *set dmg + 2 [b][The Lightbringer has been injured!][/b] *line_break [b][It will suffer a penalty for the remainder of combat.][/b] *set angler - 1 Your arm shoves into the creature's eyeball up to your elbow. It screeches in horror, shaking the very air around you, and your feel power build up over its skin. Bladed Chi flows over its scales and you realize the creature's [i]entire body[/i] is covered in weapons charging to dismember your arm. You rip your limb out and kick off the sea monster's skin and crash into the water, swimming back to your raft as the Lightbringer flies even higher into the sky. *if (desnuke > 0) #"YOU COURT DEATH!" [Unleash [b][i]The Last Dream[/i][/b]] *set desnuke 1000 The Lightbringer, spawn of a Wild God, rises out of the water to consume you as if you were some sort of Advancement Pill. Its followers, the Windrising Sect, offered you up like a platter. The entire situation disgusts you. None of them realize their position in the hierarchy of power. Chi funnels out of your Cores and into your lungs as you shout across the beach. "Windrisers! Wild Gods! You dare challenge the $!{patriarch} of ${clan} Clan?!" You hold your arm outward, the orange brand glowing on it with incendiary intent. To your senses, it feels no different from the Fire Spirit you faced with Desdemona. "Know this, fools, that when you challenge my might:" Your ${auracolor} chi funnels into the brand and unravels the seals holding it back. [i]"YOU COURT DEATH!"[/i] A small mote of fire flies from your palm, lancing through the air like a burning arrow. When it collides with the Lightbringer's mouth, the Fire Spirit's sealed fuuinjutsu tag releases and ejects Desdemona's combustible powders, explosive vials, and the full might of the Fire Spirit's strongest attack. Seventy residents of Harehama go deaf from the sound of the explosion. What was once the location of the Lightbringer becomes the location of a sphere of orange and red plasma and flames. Your chi-enhanced chemical explosion sucks the very air out of the surroundings and compounds its detonation like an armory of explosives. One hundred feet out to sea, the thermobaric explosion forms a crater in the water that goes down to the ocean's floor. When the explosion clears, only pieces of the Lightbringer remain, scattered in a mile-wide radius throughout the area. [b][Prestige Increased!][/b] *set prestige + 4 *if (jadedragonfoundation = false) *achieve godslayer *set gazget 3000000 *set killedgod true *goto postfight *label lightbrought *page_break *image https://www.auraclash.com/assets/img/ap-thunderfaller-vs-lightbringer.png *gosub_scene quicks statcheck Blue light fills the sunset sky as the Lightbringer soars into the air ever higher, swimming on a cloud of Chi. Water falls from the creature like a river and you can hardly believe how much energy it's expending just to move, until it reaches a zenith five-hundred feet up and stops. Its energy output changes. Blue light shifts to yellow. The massive serpentine Beast faces you with its row of horrid teeth and pulls its tendril over its head to aim its orb of yellow Light Chi at you. Power builds in the odd limb faster and faster as the creature begins to fall, and a thin line of yellow Light forms between yourself and the sea monster. As the Lightbringer's aura pulses two times and the light connecting you thickens, your spirit shakes with warning. On the third pulse, a beam of Light Chi thicker than your body launches from the Lightbringer's orb. *if (subrace = "Reptile") You put your guard up but the attack comes in too quickly. Shining Light blinds your world in a cascade of overwhelming brilliance as the beam slams into your aura like a falling tree, pushing the elemental force into your spirit with enough Aura Pressure to shatter your Cores. You're blasted with Beast-augmented Light Chi and... [b][Reptile Yokai Event: Cold-Blooded Ancestry][/b] Feel fantastic. [b][All Wounds Healed][/b] *line_break *set apval 5 *gosub_scene quicks apboost *set dmg + 2 Huh. When the blinding luminance subsides you lower your arms and look around in confusion. The Lightbringer's face can't show emotions that you can register, but when you look up to see the falling Beast you notice its expression doesn't shift one bit as it falls. It simply looks at your uninjured body without reaction for the entire plummet as it falls another three-hundred feet and crashes into the water. *gosub icebreaker *page_break *elseif ((element1 = "Darkness") or (element2 = "Darkness")) [b][Darkness Element Event][/b] You concentrate on the Darkness within you and force that dark energy into both palms, clapping your hands together to form a *if (((element1 = "Darkness") and (element1rank >= 2)) or ((element2 = "Darkness") and (element2rank >= 2))) twenty-foot *else ten-foot sphere of black Chi that you spin into place around your body. The beam slams into your sphere and fails to penetrate its true Darkness, repelled by its rapid rotation. *if (element1 = "Darkness") *set val (element2rank * 5) *else *set val (element2rank * 5) [b][Darkness Event: Aura Pressure +${val}][/b] *set aurapressure + val *set val 0 The Darkness is so overwhelming to the eye that the Lightbringer doesn't even see your counterattack until the black chiblast you launch from the orb strikes the creature in its face, rending shards of its spirit away with the energy of the void. *set dmg + 1 *if (((element1 = "Darkness") and (element1rank >= 2)) or ((element2 = "Darkness") and (element2rank >= 2))) *set dmg + 1 [b][Darkness (Adept) Event: Damage Increased][/b] *elseif (power >= 7) *set dmg + 1 [b][Power 7 Event: Damage Increased][/b] The sea monster lets out a shriek as it plummets 300-feet into the water. *gosub icebreaker *page_break *else The shining beam of luminous power overwhelms your widening eyes. *if ((equippedweapon = "Bo Staff") or (equippedweapon = "Meteor Hammer")) Without time for a proper counterbeam, you push the force of your aura over both hands and draw your ${equippedweapon}. It spins in your hands at blurring speeds to form a deflective barrier of *if (equippedweapon = "Bo Staff") wood and steel *else steel chain in front of you like a rotating shield. *else Following the reflex of years of training, you push both hands forward and cycle all available chi out of your Cores into a counterbeam. You spin two orbs of ${auracolor} power together, weaving them simultaneously to prepare a beam faster, and just barely bring your counterbeam into existence when the incoming spirit-shattering quantity of Light Chi slams into it. *set combatstat "power" *set combatstat2 "soul" *set combatdiff (14+angler) *if (style = "Kiihakai") [b][Kiihakai Beam Control: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if ((element1 = "Light") or (element2 = "Light")) [b][Light Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if ((element1 = "Fire") or (element2 = "Fire")) [b][Fire Beam Intensity: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if ((element1 = "Storm") or (element2 = "Storm")) [b][Storm Beam Intensity: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if ((equippedweapon = "Bo Staff") or (equippedweapon = "Meteor Hammer")) *if (agility > soul) *set combatstat2 "agility" *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")) and ((style = "Akakiru") and ({weaponbonus#3} >= 2))) [b][Akakiru Bladed Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) *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")) and ((style = "Akakiru") and ({weaponbonus#3} >= 2))) *if (equippedweapon = "Muramasa") Muramasa's *else Your ${equippedweapon}'s bladed edge shines scarlet as your beam calls on all the chi in your body, [i]all[/i] off it, pulling the Bladed Chi reverberating off the sharpness of your blade and siphoning that energy between your palms in a beam of ${auracolor} power that splits the Lightbringer's beam in half. Your slicing beam launches between your palms and up the center of the Lightbringer's beam of energy, cutting through it in an instant and slicing a gash down the Lightbringer's face. *set dmg + 2 *if (power >= 8) [b][Power 8 Event: Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 1 Blood leaks from the writhing sea monster as it plummets three-hundred feet into the water. *gosub icebreaker *page_break *elseif ((equippedweapon = "Bo Staff") or (equippedweapon = "Meteor Hammer")) Your own spiritual energy leaks from your hands out to the weapon only to be slid off by the speed of its movements, creating a circular shield of ${auracolor} power that blocks the river of Light Chi from reaching you. By the time the Lightbringer's attack fades, your counterattack has already been launched. Your ${equippedweapon}, burning hot from the friction, soars through the air from your raft-rocking throw. The attack slams into the creature's skull hard enough to force a telling screech from inside its throat. *set dmg + ({weaponbonus#3} + 1) *if (power >= 7) [b][Power 7 Event, Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 1 *if (equippedweapon = "Bo Staff") You reach out to catch your Bo Staff when it bounces back to you, spinning through the air, and at the same time the *else The Lightbringer writhes like a wounded snake on its three-hundred-foot fall into the water. *gosub icebreaker *page_break *else "RRRRRRR-!" You scream out between clenched teeth, pushing every ounce of energy in your body into the attack. The Lightbringer's beam pushes against the small orb of energy in your hands as you use your own counterattack as a glorified melee shield. Then you push harder. $!{auracolor} light shines out all around you as your inner chi compounds into your attack, growing the sphere of power in your palms into a beam of energy pushing against the river Light Chi. Your two forces lock in a beam battle, each side pushing against the other, until your aura reduces in size. Not because you lose the energy, but because you stop wasting it. That last shred of power adds to your struggle and overpowers your opponent. Your beam of energy breaks through the Light Technique like an axe through a log. The Lightbringer's attack splits in two and shatters as your beam of ${auracolor} chi travels up its center and slams into the sea monster's head with a flesh-rending explosion that sends shards of its teeth into the air. *set dmg + 1 *if (power >= 8) [b][Power 8 Event: Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 1 The grand sea monster writhes in the air as it plummets three-hundred feet into the water. *gosub icebreaker *page_break *else The condensed river of Light Chi overcomes your counterbeam, breaking through your attack and burning its Light into your palms. The pain runs deeper than your skin, penetrating your spirit and searing your chi channels. *if (eblocktech != "") [b][${eblocktech} Activated, Damage Reduced][/b] *line_break *gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 false false *if (((chipool + (soul/2)) - chispent) >= 1) *line_break *set chispent + 1 [b][1 Chi Point Lost] *else *gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 2 false false *if (((chipool + (soul/2)) - chispent) >= 2) *line_break *set chispent + 2 [b][2 Chi Points Lost] *elseif (((chipool + (soul/2)) - chispent) >= 1) *line_break *set chispent + 1 [b][1 Chi Point Lost] The attack overwhelms your vision in a grossly incandescent barrage of the senses. When it finally fades you cough up smoke, your face feels hot to the touch like a devastating sunburn, and you see the Lightbringer's tail disappear beneath the water's surface as it finishes submerging after its grand Technique. *page_break The battlefield falls silent as you balance on your raft. To the north, *if ((metangelo = 10000000000) and (style != "Aoyusumu")) the monk *else Angelo continues his battle with the Windrising Sect and explosions of scarlet chi let you know Leona's joined in, hopefully on his side. You shake your head and focus on your own fight. Beneath the waves is your opponent, its Light Chi expended. You know its physical attacks will be slower without its Light enhancement; it has to charge you physically now. A way you can stop. Yet the water all around you looks calm, showing no signs of the powerful monster beneath the surface. You can't stop it if you can't find where it is. You close your eyes and reach out, visualizing a darkness beneath you with a rippling effect resonating all the way down. You spiritually scan the water. With a concentration on Bladed Chi, you send a bubble of chi out looking for any responses. You feel out for the sensation of its edge. The impression of casual danger, the sensation of a finger gently running down the edge of a knife. *if (style = "Kurokonton") [b][Kurokonton Event][/b] Wait, what are you doing? This creature wants to play at hiding against someone trained in the powers of a [i]shinobi[/i]? You leak Cursed Chi out of your aura and into seven different places. Next you focus on the void, imbuing the entropic aspect of Cursed Chi to suppress your aura down to nothing, just like you had to with the scorpions in Guiren's training. Seconds later the Lightbringer breaches the surface of the sea in a rushing spray of saltwater, its massive form crashing into the air and its man-eating jaws clamping down on... Nothing. It consumes the largest pool of Cursed Chi you leaked to your left. The sea monster's side-eye focuses on your shadowy form, standing on your raft beside it as it passes you by, and you notice a hint of alarm when it makes eye contact with your satisfied smile. The Beast is off-balance, thrown mid-air from its missed attack, and now it's your turn. [b][Difficulty in the next action reduced!][/b] *set angler - 1 Purple and black flames surround your body as your Cursed aura returns in an instant and you... *goto chooseviolence *elseif (insight >= 3) [b][Insight 3 Check Passed][/b] *set solexp + 2 *label passinsight A mere fifteen feet away, and closing fast! You slam your foot down with ${auracolor} chi surging all over your shin. The raft beneath you explodes to splinters in the same instant that the water's opaque surface clears to reveal two massive rows of teeth speeding into you on both sides of the raft. The Lightbringer's enormous jaw breach the surface and close down onto the explosion of wood. As the force of your stomp kicks you into the air, the Lightbringer's jaws shred the clothing of your leg and miss your limb by less than an inch. Grabbing onto one of its fangs for leverage, you're pulled up into the air with the Beast's rushing charge and... *goto chooseviolence *elseif ((insight >= 2) and (race = "Yokai")) [b][Yokai Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set forexp + 1 *label insightbounce *line_break [b][Insight 2 Check Passed][/b] *goto passinsight *elseif ((insight >= 2) and (background = "Trapper")) [b][Trapper Background Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set agiexp + 1 *goto insightbounce *elseif ((insight >= 2) and (energytide)) [b][Energy Tide Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *goto insightbounce *else [b][Insight 3 Check Failed][/b] The raft beneath you explodes when the Lightbringer crashes through the surface beneath you at incredible speeds and closes its jaws around you, breaking the raft in one bite. You roll out of the way as fast as possible to avoid being caught, but the Lightbringer's fangs are jagged and many. One slices right down the side of your leg, gouging a nasty wound that *if (wounds = 0) shreds an artery. *gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 false false *line_break *else gushes blood. [b][Your leg has been injured! The Lightbringer will be harder to fight.][/b] *set angler + 1 Grabbing onto its fangs for dear life to pull your leg out, you try to... *label chooseviolence *choice #Rip its jaws apart. You force a sideways grip on two separate fangs, one on the Lightbringer's upper jaw and one on its lower jaw. Through strength alone you keep the thrashing monster's jaw shut as it rises the two of you into the air from the force of its charge. When you rise twenty feet out of the water it gets control of its movement and jerks you sideways, ripping the two of you back towards the water's surface where it holds domain. At the same time, you stress the muscles of your shoulder and back to rip its rows of teeth in opposite directions. *set combatstat "power" *set combatstat2 "fortitude" *set combatdiff (14+angler) *if (style = "Midorikatai") [b][Midorikatai Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if ((bodytype = "Muscular") or (bodytype = "Dommymommy")) [b][Large Bodytype Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if ((element1 = "Earth") or (element2 = "Earth")) [b][Earth Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if (equippedweapon = "Handwraps") [b][Handwrap Protection: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) Your muscles scream as you force both sides of its mouth in opposite directions and the Lightbringer's jaw rips open under the strain of your might. With one final heave, your right arm pulls its head to the right and your left arm rends its lower jaw off, throwing it to the side in a spray of gore. *set dmg + 2 *if (style = "Midorikatai") [b][Midorikatai Style: Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 1 *line_break *elseif (power >= 9) [b][Power 9 Event: Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 1 *line_break [b][The Lightbringer has been injured!][/b] *line_break [b][It will suffer a penalty for the remainder of combat.][/b] *set angler - 1 *else Your muscles scream as you pull on the sea monster's jaws with all your might. It doesn't budge. The Lightbringer's jaw holds strong and it jerks its head, slamming you into the water, but before you strike the surface the sea around you deforms into the shape of fangs rising up in a scarlet glow. Your back is slammed into the Water-Bladed Technique and you scream out, feeling the sharpened chi edges pierce into your flesh. *if (pblocktech != "") [b][${pblocktech} Event: Damage Reduced][/b] *line_break *gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 false false *else *gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 2 false false Blood pools around you in the water and the Lightbringer disappears beneath the waves, swimming deeper into the sea. *goto nextseamonster1 *if (((((((((equippedweapon = "Tanto")) or (equippedweapon = "Katana"))or (equippedweapon = "Qiang")) or (equippedweapon = "Kunai")) or (equippedweapon = "Jian")) or (equippedweapon = "Iceblade")) or (equippedweapon = "Greataxe")) or (equippedweapon = "Chiblade")) #Draw my ${equippedweapon} to sever the tendril holding up its glowing orb. You draw your ${equippedweapon} *label andslice and *if (style = "Akakiru") flood it with the scarlet energy of Bladed Chi before lifting *else lift it high overhead. The Lightbringer screeches in mid-air, thrashing its head to shred you with its Bladed maw, but it's too slow. *if (honor >= 55) In one clean strike *set forexp + 1 *set ruthless - 1 *else With a savage battlecry *set ruthless + 1 you descend your blade down onto the tendril that connects the Beast to the glowing orb above its head, the focus of its Light Chi, and cleave your blade into the flesh until the tendril goes taught. *set combatstat "power" *set weapontest true *set combatdiff (8+angler) *if (style = "Akakiru") [b][Akakiru Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if ((element1 = "Wind") or (element2 = "Wind")) [b][Wind Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) A screech shakes the water all around you when your blade cuts through the tendril, severing the Lightbringer's source of Light Chi and splattering monster blood over your face. The sea monster writhes in agony and the Water Chi around it surges into a single wave that blasts you fifty feet back. *set dmg + 2 *if (power >= (9-{weaponbonus#2})) [b][Power + Weapon Quality Event: Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 1 *elseif (style = "Akakiru") [b][Akakiru Event: Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 1 When you splash into the water all that's visible back at the scene of your fight is a pool of blood and the Lightbringer's tail disappearing beneath the waves. *else The edge of *if (equippedweapon = "Muramasa") Muramasa *else your ${equippedweapon} runs against the toughened skin of the Lightbringer's tendrils, unable to penetrate the flesh. Its scales run over with Bladed Chi that deflects your weapon one moment and launch off its skin the next, sending a volley of chi needles in all directions. You kick off and flip backwards to avoid having your torso and head shredded to death, instead taking the volley of attacks to both your legs. *if (eblocktech != "") Your ${eblocktech} activates just in time to stop the flurry of chi needles from eviscerating you. *else The needles of Bladed Chi pierce through your skin and muscle with agonizing and unrelenting force. *gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 2 false true *if (eblocktech = "") By the time you fall back into the water a pool of blood surrounds you from your many wounds. You don't have time to worry about other predators sensing the weakened meal, for the Lightbringer's tail disappears beneath the waves as it swims deeper into the sea. *else You splash back into the water with a flurry of Bladed Chi crashing against your ${eblocktech} Technique, its scattered scarlet energy blocking your vision until the Lightbringer submerges beneath the waves. *goto nextseamonster1 *elseif (equippedweapon = "Muramasa") #Draw Muramasa to sever the tendril holding up its glowing orb. You draw Muramasa from its sheath *goto andslice *else *selectable_if (val = 54365435326) #Draw your blade to sever the tendril holding up its glowing orb. [No Bladed Weapon Equipped!] beGONE codereader! *goto_scene death #Deliver a glowing kick through its gill. As the Lightbringer thrashes its head you release its fangs and roll down its side, charging ${auracolor} chi around your leg for one mighty kick right into its gill as you tumble down its body. *set combatstat "agility" *set combatstat2 "soul" *set combatdiff (13+angler) *if (style = "Kurokonton") [b][Kurokonton Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if ((element1 = "Storm") or (element2 = "Storm")) [b][Storm Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if ((element1 = "Ice") or (element2 = "Ice")) [b][Ice Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) Blood explodes around you when your glowing leg pierces into the sea monster's vulnerable gill, *if ((element1 = "fire") or (element2 = "Fire")) burning its flesh in a searing blow of Fire Chi. *elseif ((element1 = "Storm") or (element2 = "Storm")) electrocuting its flesh from the inside in a flash of Storm Chi. *set dmg + 1 *elseif ((element1 = "Ice") or (element2 = "Ice")) freezing the surrounding flesh and shattering it in a rushing blow of Ice Chi. *set dmg + 1 *else crushing through layers of its flesh in a rushing blow of overwhelming chi. *set dmg + 2 The Lightbringer's eyes go wild and it flails in a frenzy, launching you fifty feet away with a dislodging thrash. *if ((element1 = "Storm") or (element2 = "Storm")) [b][Storm Event: Damage Increased][/b] *elseif ((element1 = "Ice") or (element2 = "Ice")) [b][Ice Event: Damage Increased][/b] *elseif (power >= 8) [b][Power 8 Event: Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 1 *label soren You soar through the air before plunging into the sea, its salty water rushing up your nose and soaking your body further. After quickly resurfacing you look back to your enemy, but see only a pool of blood with no sign of the Lightbringer. *else Before you can strike at the sea monster it twists its neck further than you expected and snaps its jaws shut on your arm, *if (pblocktech != "") tearing at the chi infused into your ${pblocktech} Technique that barely saves you from dismemberment. *else rending the limb when the fangs tear through the flesh and strike against the bone. *gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 2 true false A scream of agony escapes your lips. Panicked strikes are all you can muster, slamming your free fist against the Beast's eye with your one free arm. It flails its head in anger, trying to rip off the limb, but relents and throws you fifty feet away. *goto soren *goto nextseamonster1 *label nextseamonster1 *page_break *image https://www.auraclash.com/assets/img/ap-thunderfaller-vs-lightbringer.png *if (style = "Kurokonton") *set angler + 1 *gosub_scene quicks statcheck The waves are calm yet steady, the tide growing stronger as you tread water, but underneath the surface lies a more serious threat. With the Lightbringer swimming somewhere underneath you, and the raft gone, you *if ((element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water")) stand upon the water's surface using Water Chi and feel an imbalance in the same elemental force all around you. With great focus, you *elseif ((element1 = "Ice") or (element2 = "Ice")) form your own raft of ice under your feet to stay out of the sea. With great focus, you *else wade in the water and use your spiritual senses to search for the Beast once again. The moment you open your spiritual senses you scream. It's as if you're struck with a nauseating torrent of sensory information, an overload of unexpected results. The sea all around you is overflowing with natural energy, a veritable ocean of Water Chi. At first your hopes ignite, sensing the Heavenly Water Gate around you, but none of the energy enters your soul. It's not ambient chi. It's been claimed by something else. The tide quickens, pulling you further away from shore, and you realize that this sea of power is a Technique. As if detecting that you've noticed the trap, the *if ((element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water")) Water Chi under your feet rips you under, pulling you into the sea's current as it begins to rage like a river. *elseif ((element1 = "Ice") or (element2 = "Ice")) sea around you rages like a river rapid, pulling you with it at such speeds that you can't balance any layers of ice to walk on. *else sea around you rages like a river rapid. You're pulled in cartwheeling tumbles through the salty tide and feel the Water Chi all around you spiraling into a central location, forming a one-thousand-foot wide whirlpool leading to a shining scarlet object at the bottom of the sea. The Lightbringer. Its ultimate attack made manifest, the very sea itself is pulling everything in its depths into the creature's body while its scales sprout jagged shards of Bladed Chi all over its hide in a deathtrap of evisceration. *set counter 0 *choice #Try to swim away. With your life on the line, you swim away as fast as possible. Your arms and back are pushed into every stroke, your legs are focused for the correct form in every kick, and your remaining ${auracolor} aura flares as you call on more and more power to fight against the raging waters around you. *gosub finaleffect *if ({weaponbonus#3} >= 1) *set val {weaponbonus#3} *else *set val 1 *set combatstat "agility" *set combatskill "athletics" *if (element1 = "Light") or (element2 = "Light") [b][Light Event: Difficulty Reduced x2][/b] *set combatdiff - 2 *line_break *if (element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water") [b][Water Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if ((bodytype = "Agile") or (bodytype = "Legs")) [b][Swift Bodytype Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *set combatdiff (9+angler) *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) With crazed determination and incredible muscle control you outswim [i]the sea[/i]. *gosub oceanpull and you manage to swim to dry land before its effect reaches a crescendo. When your hands hit sand you stumble to your feet and *label lookback look back to the incredible sight of the water for hundreds of yards sucking into a scarlet crystal deep out in the ocean, the Lightbringer's form, as it converts the water itself into Water Chi, then outputs it as Bladed Chi. From this safe distance you're able to appreciate the fine control and natural connection it must have to the elements. In a final pulse of Bladed Chi, the monster's crystalline effect explodes in a massive array of chi-blade shrapnel that kills every aquatic animal sucked into its Technique in a rain of blood. *set dmg + 1 *else Try as you might, the water underneath you is pulled by layers of water even deeper that move faster than you imagined. The riptide of the whirlpool pulls you in as the Lightbringer's effect pulls the entire ocean around the bay towards itself, five-hundred feet from the shore. When you get closer you turn and see its final killing move, the water isn't just being moved. It's being [i]sucked[/i] into the Lightbringer and converted to Water Chi, then output as Bladed Chi in a scarlet crystal of Bladed shards forming all over the sea monster's body. You double your efforts, fruitlessly flailing through the waves to avoid the attack, when you're pulled even faster in the last second and the crystal around the Lightbringer's body explodes in a seemingly never-ending wall of Blades that shred into your body from behind. *gosub finaldamage *gosub deadfish and *if (counter = 0) looks to the shore. *else looks for your corpse. You're not there. $!{auracolor} light shines above the creature, and it looks to the air in time to see *if (equippedweapon = "Muramasa") Muramasa in your hands. *elseif ((equippedweapon != "") or (equippedweapon = "Handwraps")) your ${equippedweapon} in your hands. *else your two glowing fists held together in an overhead slam. *if (style = "Midorikatai") *set dmg + 1 *elseif (style = "Storm") *set dmg + 1 *if (power >= 8) *set dmg + 1 *set dmg + val *choice #Scare it off, sparing the sea monster. *set ruthless - 4 *set gazget 1000000 Now that the fight is finally yours to decide, you lower your attack and aura. "This is over." You say to the Beast. "Leave and never-" It lunges for you anyway. *goto failkill #Deliver the killing blow. *if (dmg >= 10) [b][Damage Check Passed!][/b] *goto killingmove *else [b][Damage Check Failed][/b] *set gazget 2000000 Despite your intention, the Lightbringer's strike does not offer the opportunity for a true finisher. *goto failkill *else *label failkill *if (equippedweapon = "Yumi") You fire your ${auracolor} glowing arrow down the Beast's head, gouging a wound through its face that looks like it will scar. *elseif ((equippedweapon = "Greataxe") or (equippedweapon = "Qiang")) *label bladeslap You slap the Beast with the flat of your ${equippedweapon}, slicing its face with a superficial wound from the blade's edge running against its uneven eel-fish skull. *elseif (((((equippedweapon = "Jian") or (equippedweapon = "Katana")) or (equippedweapon = "Muramasa")) or (equippedweapon = "Chiblade")) or (equippedweapon = "Iceblade")) *goto bladeslap *elseif ((equippedweapon = "Kunai") or (equippedweapon = "Tanto")) You catch its charge with the blade of your ${equippedweapon}, stabbing it in the top of its mouth before its jaws can open to swallow you. *elseif ((equippedweapon = "Meteor Hammer") or (equippedweapon = "Bo Staff")) You slam your ${equippedweapon} into the side of its head before it even opens its jaws. With its Aura Pressure so depleted, you feel teeth inside its jaw shatter against your attack. *else Your slam both glowing fists into its teeth as it rises up to swallow you whole, shattering its front row in a spray of tooth-shards that run down its throat and pierce into its mouth. The creature lets out a shriek and surges the last of its Agility Chi to pull away from you and slither west, away from shore. You feel its weakened aura continue fleeing after it reaches the returning water and swims back into the sea. *goto postfight *label killingmove *set ruthless + 2 *set honor + 1 *if (equippedweapon = "Yumi") Your yumi draws back at the full might of its enhanced draw strength and you overcharge ${aurapressure} Aura Pressure into the wood of your arrow, overpowering it and shattering the substance, yet you hold the energy into the shape of an arrow all the same. The string of your bow glows ${auracolor} and your arm shakes from holding so much spiritual power. The Lightbringer doesn't let up, lunging at you in a vertical strike. You release the arrow and watch in awe as it flies through the creature's mouth and down the entirety of its rising serpentine body, illuminating ${auracolor} light through its mouth, gills, and the cracks that form in its hide when your arrow explodes from multiple points within. The Lightbringer's body erupts to chunks, and monster gore rains down all around you as the sea trickles back in. *elseif ((equippedweapon = "Greataxe") or (equippedweapon = "Qiang")) You slam the flat of your ${equippedweapon} against the fangs of the Lightbringer's bottom jaw, knocking its head aside. It screeches as its skull is rattled and you surge your entire aura behind you like a shooting star. Before the Lightbringer can recover, you launch yourself down onto its neck with all your power behind an executioner's swing, cleaving your ${equippedweapon} through the hide of its neck with a flash of ${auracolor}. Your blade goes in one side and out the other, surging with chi that completes the Lightbringer's decapitation. The sea monster's body flails as its head is severed, spraying blood all over the battlefield until finally dropping to the ground just as the sea water floods back in. *set beheaded true *elseif ((((((equippedweapon = "Jian") or (equippedweapon = "Katana")) or (equippedweapon = "Muramasa")) or (equippedweapon = "Kunai")) or (equippedweapon = "Tanto")) or (equippedweapon = "Chiblade")) You slash *if (equippedweapon = "Muramasa") Muramasa *else your ${equippedweapon} in front of the Beast twice as its jaws open to swallow you whole. You feel no Aura Pressure in the Beast's aura, nor in its body when your blade cuts through its fangs effortlessly. $!{auracolor} light shines around you as the Lightbringer's shriek of pain shakes even your aura, yet you are not deterred. You plunge into the giant monster's throat and swing *if (equippedweapon = "Muramasa") Muramasa *else your ${equippedweapon} down in front of you, slicing the creature from the inside all the way down to the tail in one chi-infused slash of power. The Lightbringer makes no grand action as it dies, its wounds proving too great as you open it like a sashimi chef. The spawn of a Wild God falls behind you in a rain of blood and crumples to the sea floor just as the sea water begins to rush back in. *elseif ((equippedweapon = "Meteor Hammer") or (equippedweapon = "Bo Staff")) You swing your ${equippedweapon} in a wide arc and use the centrifugal force to crack its weighted end into the Lightbringer's skull before it can even open its jaws. With its Aura Pressure depleted, the sea monster makes no grand response. No Technique, no shrieking reaction, no persistent charge. Its eyes pop out of its head as your blunt weapon caves its skull in by three feet and the spawn of a Wild God dies on the spot. *gosub droppinbois *else As the Lightbringer's jaws rise up to consume you, you surge all the power of your two-handed attack into your right hand and punch into its fangs before it can finish opening its mouth. With its Aura Pressure so depleted, its sword-like teeth shatter against your attack. Teeth fly around you in the air like an armory of ivory and you grab the two biggest fangs while the sea monster shrieks and writhes beneath you, shocked at the damage. It's shocked further still when you take hold of its own fangs in midair and stab them through its skull, piercing into its brain and killing it instantly. *gosub droppinbois [b][Prestige Increased!][/b] *set prestige + 3 *if (jadedragonfoundation = false) *achieve godslayer *set gazget 3000000 *set killedgod true *page_break #Let it draw you closer so that you can blast it point-blank. *gosub finaleffect Feeling its pull too strong to escape, you decide against evasion. Instead you focus on [i]revenge[/i]. While the sea monster charges up its own final Technique, you do the same. Your feet kick to keep you above water but your hands close together in front of you, Cores cycling chi out between them in a condensing process of chi-layering to form the purest blast you can produce. Yet the water's raging torrent pulls strongly upon you, wrenching you through its whirlpool and into its center. As you close the distance to the Lightbringer you see what it's become: a serpentine crystal-statue of scarlet power covered in Bladed shards of hardened chi. The water all around you rushes into the monster and you can feel its physical self convert from seawater to Water Chi, a process you thought impossible, and the Lightbringer converts that Water Chi into Bladed Chi in an alien process your senses can't fathom. What you can fathom is the final pulse as you get within fifty feet of the Beast. Its shell of Blades explodes in a storm of mutilation. *set combatstat "fortitude" *set combatskill "survival" *if (style = "Midorikatai") [b][Midorikatai Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *elseif (style = "Akakiru") [b][Akakiru Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *if ((element1 = "Earth") or (element2 = "Earth")) [b][Earth Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *IF ((element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water")) [b][Water Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *set combatdiff (9+angler) *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) A blinding eruption of scarlet light is accompanied by the pain of a thousand chi blades crashing into you, yet you hold firm and release just enough of your prepared energy blast to weaken the attack before it can hack you to pieces. *if (ironbody) [b][Iron Body Event: Damage Negated!][/b] *else *gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 true true *if ((eblocktech != "") or (pblocktech != "")) *set bloody false *else Scarlet light fills your vision as a seemingly infinite barrage of blades flies at you, blinding your vision as they cut through your flesh. Your very soul suffers from the same strikes and it feels as if you’re under attack by an entire army. Something inside you cuts open, something important. Blades of chi stab into your arms, your legs, and even your torso as you suffer lacerations to your organs. *gosub finaldamage *gosub deadfish and looks for your corpse. Instead it sees you standing on the sea bed directly in front of it, *if (wounds = 0) uninjured. *elseif (bloody) bleeding but still standing. *else still standing despite your earlier wounds. *set dmg + 2 *if (soul >= 7) *set dmg + 1 *if (power >= 8) *set dmg + 1 *if ((element1 = "Storm") or (element2 = "Storm")) *set dmg + 1 *if (style = "Kiihakai") *set dmg + 1 Between your palms shines the energy attack you've been preparing, a surge of ${auracolor} energy densely formed around both hands, and the Lightbringer's depleted Aura Pressure gives you an opening. *choice #Scare it off, sparing the sea monster. *set ruthless - 4 *set gazget 1000000 You release the blast as a conventional attack, shooting the energy from your palm and grazing the Lightbringer's hide. Without its Aura Pressure to protect it, the attack singes its scales with a scar-worthy line down its side. The Beast shrieks and pulls away from you in a hurry, fleeing west into the returning sea water. Your spiritual scan shows the monster continuing in a straight line as it flees. It's not coming back. *goto postfight #Deliver the killing blow. *set ruthless + 2 *if (dmg >= 10) [b][Damage Check Passed!][/b] You open both palms and release the energy blast not as a shooting beam of energy, nor as a single swift blast, but as an aimed and one-sided detonation of power that engulfs the Lightbringer's slithering torso in an eight-foot wide explosion that rocks forward in compounding blasts, as if you'd lit a house of oil barrels on fire. There is no shriek from your target. When the smoke begins to clear you see the Lightbringer's open jaws poised to strike at you, yet it doesn't move. After the smoke finishes clearing you see why: the center of the Lightbringer's torso has been blown away, splitting the monster in two and killing it instantly. The water of the sea begins to rush back in as you process that you've just killed the spawn of a Wild God. [b][Prestige Increased!][/b] *set prestige + 3 *if (jadedragonfoundation = false) *achieve godslayer *set killedgod true *set gazget 3000000 *page_break *else [b][Damage Check Failed][/b] *set gazget 2000000 Your blast releases off-balance when the Lightbringer pulls back and your attack misses its mark, shooting down its wounded side but failing to deliver a telling blow. The sea monster shrieks and continues its retreat, slithering west to the returning sea water. You fire off a few more blasts but fail to land a killing blow as it surges Agility Chi to dodge and escape into the sea. Your spiritual senses detect the monster continuing its path in a straight line, fleeing the scene entirely. It's not coming back. *goto postfight *selectable_if ((((chipool + (soul/2)) - chispent) >= 1) and ((((element1 = "Wind") and (element1rank >= 2)) or ((element2 = "Wind") and (element2rank >= 2))) or ((style = "Aoyusumu") and (stylerank >= 2)))) #Fly out of the Technique. [Requires Wind Adept or Aoyusumu Adept, Costs 1 Chi] *gosub oceanpull and you don't wait to see what it does when it's done. *if (((element1 = "Wind") and (element1rank >= 2)) or ((element2 = "Wind") and (element2rank >= 2))) Your Cores cycle Wind Chi all over your body and expel it out of your skin like a layer of constant movement all around you. The barrier of Wind Chi *else Thinking back to your fight against Taio, you pull on the more complete Sacred Chi inside your Cores and draw out its psionic energy. Your body becomes covered in a kinetic barrier that keeps the Water Chi from touching you and removes its spiritual grasp on your body. By taking hold of your own layer of energy with your spiritual control, you pull yourself out of the water and soar into the sky. [b][1 Chi Point Spent][/b] *set chispent + 1 *set dmg + 2 Not taking any risks, you speed up and fly to the shore where the effects of Water Chi don't hold as much sway. When you land on the sand you *goto lookback *if (roc > 0) #"$!{rocname}!!" *gosub finaleffect *if (style = "Midorikatai") You refuse to see what it is. Wild Chi surges into your lungs and, as the sea monster's ultimate attack sucks in the ocean all around you, you call out into the world with a bone-shaking scream: *else With the sea monster's Technique pulling in the ocean all around you, there's no where to go but directly into its razor-fanged maw. If you were alone. Instead you let out a singular word, the summons to a Beast of your own: "$!!{rocname}!!" In a flash of white your roc spears across the naval battlefield as if she were already waiting for your signal. With its Agility Cores surged it speeds past your location and you reach out for dear life, grasping a wrist around its leg. $!{rocname} pulls up at an angle and pulls you into the sky, wrenching you from the Technique's supernatural pull. "Good girl!" You shout out, flying ever higher into the sky. "CAW!" ${rocname} responds. As you look down you see the view from above, the surreal image of the entire bay being sucked into a swirling whirlpool as wide as a village. At its center is a shining scarlet crystal. The Lightbringer. After a second look you realize the water isn't rushing into the Beast, it's [i]disappearing[/i] into it. The Lightbringer is pulling all the ocean into its body to convert it to Water Chi, then converting it once again to output Bladed Chi in a crystalline shell of jagged shards resonating more power than you've ever imagined. Luckily you're not down there. The Lightbringer's attack reaches a final crescendo, exploding into a visceral storm of blades that kills every aquatic creature caught in its Technique in a rain of blood. When the blade storm dies down, you see no water for a thousand feet. At the center of the seabed crater is the Lightbringer, its utter exhaustion on clear display as it can't even keep an aura up after that attack. *choice #Scare it off, sparing the sea monster. *set ruthless - 4 *set gazget 1000000 "Hold, $!{rocname}!" You shout up to your Roc. You draw on your internal reserves of chi and form a damaging energy blast around your forearm, layering it with enough power to wound a rival. Then you launch it into the Lightbringer's side from above, grazing the sea monster. With its Aura Pressure so depleted, the attack singes through its scales and will certainly leave a scar. The Beast shrieks at you and flees north, slithering back into the sea as it rushes in. You sense its weakened aura continue its flight in a straight line. It's not coming back. *goto postfight #Deliver the killing blow. *goto killbringer *label killbringer *set ruthless + 2 You don't even have to give the order. $!{rocname} turns on her own, charging down to press the attack. "YES!" You scream out. "GO, $!!{rocname}, TAKE US DOWN TO FINISH THE FIGHT!" Your roc's talons charge forward as it prepares for a killing dive and you prepare the same, getting ready to let go with a falling kick. *if (style = "Midorikatai") You draw on Wild Chi all around your legs and it intensifies into the shape of ${rocname}'s talons. The two of you divebomb the creature together, green spiritual energy trailing off your descending forms like falling comets. *set dmg + 3 *else All ${auracolor} chi surges to your feet, blazing with power running off your descending form like a shooting star as you and ${rocname} divebomb the creature together. *set dmg + 2 *if (roccombat >= 6) *set dmg + 2 "CAAAWWWWWWWW!!!!" *line_break "RRRAAAAHHHHH!!!!" *if (dmg >= 10) [b][Damage Check Passed][/b] You crash through the Lightbringer like a ballista bolt, entering its body from one side and out the other in a spray of blood that disintegrates in the heat of your charged-up aura. *set roccombat + 2 Rock explodes all around you when you slam into the ground. The sound of your landing even overpowers the death knell of the Lightbringer as it writhes in pain, clinging onto life for no more than a second from the massive blood loss of two body-sized holes through its center. You rise and dust yourself off in a rain of monster blood while the spawn of a Wild God dies by your hand. [b][Prestige Increased!][/b] *set prestige + 4 *set gazget 3000000 *if (jadedragonfoundation = false) *achieve godslayer *set killedgod true *page_break *else [b][Damage Check Failed][/b] *set gazget 2000000 Your combined kicks break something under the skin in a sickening crunch as your weights crash into the Lightbringer's giant form, but its scales prove too hard and slippery, repelling your attack sideways before you can inflict lethal damage. Both you and your roc crash into the rock of the seabed in a spray of blood, your grazing strikes forming long lines down the Lightbringer's hide that will surely scar, but it surges the last of its Agility Chi and flees west towards the returning sea before you can land a killing blow. *goto postfight *label postfight *page_break *image https://www.auraclash.com/assets/img/ap-thunderfaller-vs-lightbringer.png *line_break *image https://www.auraclash.com/assets/img/ap-victory.png *gosub_scene quicks statcheck *gosub_scene quicks fightexp *set fighting false You return to the shore after your battle, covered in blood, *if (wounds > 0) some *else none of it yours. To the north a dust storm kicks up through flashes of blue and green hues with scarlet, amber, and green sparking around the obfuscated battlefield. You run across the sand to intervene when an empty sensation overtakes you, as if the world itself were a mere trinket being dropped into a well. It feels like the very terrain under your feet is falling away and you're falling alongside it. Lost, with nothing to hold onto. You drop to your knees and the sandstorm up ahead dissipates at the same time. Through the fading sands you see everyone up ahead frozen in fear, looking your way. Sectmaster Bassui, Leona, and several Martial Artists you don't recognize are all stare at you in shock. Even greater in number are the amount of Martial Artists on both sides that are on the ground unconscious. Even *if ((metangelo = 10000000000) and (style != "Aoyusumu")) the monk from the clouds *else Angelo is paused mid-combat, blinking in surprise in your direction. Shallow breaths force their way through your lungs and your forehead drips with sweat, yet you do your best to focus. As you look around you see nothing is truly falling away. The sun has nearly set in the same place, the ground isn't moving, the town is unharmed. That's when it hits you. This sinking feeling, this incomprehensible sense of falling away, is the passive sensation of nearby Aura Pressure. So much energy that even being near it untethered is nearly causing you to vomit. You look to the sky and see a cloaked and armored figure. Four feet above your head. *page_break "If I wanted that Wild God's spawn to die, I would have finished its execution when I wounded it." The armored figure says in a man's voice. His armor consists of shining Truegold gauntlets, pauldrons, boots, and plates layered over each other in a tight-fitting lamellar design that's been strapped over black undercloth, all visible beneath an opened black cloak. *if (killedgod) *if ({metangelo#7} = 4) *set metangelo + 20000 "Its damage was sufficient to remove it from my fight against its sire, yet you saw fit to complicate matters by killing it. Justify yourself." *else "You threatened the success of my mission when you engaged it in true combat. If that whelp had died it would reflect poorly on me. Justify yourself." You look up to meet his gaze but see only a black metal plate in the pointed shape of a face, surrounded by a Truegold general's helmet with the design of seven wings on each side. Two eyeholes in the otherwise smooth metal plate reveal only a shining white energy in each socket, as if the man's eyes were those of a spirit and not a mortal man. From what he is saying, the unusual helmet, and the power pressing down on you just from his presence, you realize you're speaking to an Archon. *choice #"It attacked me!" "It attacked me!" You respond, baffled that he would even ask. "And if I attack you right now?" The man asks from behind the black mask, his voice cold. "Will you fight back then, too?" #"Forgive me, Honored Archon." *set honor + 5 *set ruthless - 2 "Forgive me, Honored Archon." You say, shifting from being on all fours to uncomfortably kneeling on one leg so you may better bow in deference. The man is silent for a moment until his helmet-mask gently tips forward by a quarter-inch. "I do. Well fought." You can [i]feel[/i] the tension leave your shoulders, as well as those of the crowd gathering at the edge of town. Your crew. [b][Retainer Morale Increased][/b] *set retainer_morale + 5 #"It was out of control and had to be put down." *set honor + 2 "It was out of control." You say, looking into the man's blinding eyes. "I don't care what people say about its kind, they're wrong. It was a rampaging Beast that had to be put down." The Archon tilts his head a quarter-inch forward. "And you think you have the right to make that decision?" You stare at him and so deeply want to say 'I know I do.', but try as you might, you can't utter another word under his scrutiny. The Archon shakes his head. "You are either a martyr of justice, or a fool. The reward for your code of honor will be nothing more than death if you are willing to challenge even the Wild Gods to enforce it." He drops a graystone crest with red emblem by your feet. "For your actions, I grant you *if (killedgod) five *set score_misc + 5 *else two *set score_misc + 2 points in the Heavenly Ascension Trials. You chose well on this day, perhaps by chance, but remember this lesson well: no matter how powerful, Beasts do not decide what is right and wrong in the realm of Man. We do." *if (killedgod) #"I wanted its Soul Treasure for the Trials." "I wanted its Soul Treasure." You reply in honesty. "A strong but wounded Beast showed up and attacked people, it was the perfect opportunity to get something I'd need in the Trials. I didn't turn the opportunity down. There's nothing more to it." "What a waste." The Archon says, nudging his head toward the ocean. "Go fetch your precious trinket if that's what you think matters." [b][Prestige Decreased][/b] *set prestige - 2 *line_break [b][Item Gained: Lightbringer Soul Treasure][/b] *set lightbringertrophy 2800 #"The success of your mission is your objective, not mine. Don't judge me by your performance." *set honor - 5 *set ruthless + 2 You look up to the Archon that dares to come after you for stopping a mass murder. At first you consider justifying yourself, but you discard the idea entirely. The very [i]premise[/i] of his question is what's wrong. Your eyes narrow and you refuse to bow to this man’s reasoning. "The success of your mission is your objective, not mine. Don't judge me by your performance." [b][Audacity Event: Prestige Increased][/b] *set prestige + 2 The Archons shoulders bounce once in an amused huff. "Catty little shit, aren't you?" #[Say nothing.] You don't respond, instead staring at the Archon in silence. "Hm." His helmet tilts forward as he looks at you more closely. "I expected more. A shame." You don't quite know what to say, but the Archon turns away from you and looks upon the Windrising Sect. With the distracting sand cloud clearing from lack of motion you get a better look at the fight. Leona has her sword in a man's torso while he has two thumbs pressing into her eyes. Neither is daring to even move their heads. A few Martial Artists you don't recognize appear to have joined the fray against the Windrising Sect but they too are frozen stiff. *if ((style != "Aoyusumu") and (metangelo = 10000000000)) The monk *else Angelo lost his shirt at some point and has two daggers plunged into his left side. He holds a bloodied Sectmaster Bassui by the neck in one hand and the face of a Windrising Disciple held against a large rock in the other. Of the three, only Sectmaster Bassui dares to move. Through bloodied lips, he smiles. "This farce is at an end." The Archon announces. "Thank you for your swift arrival, Honored Archon!" Sectmaster Bassui calls on the wind. "I will hand these criminals over to you for execution. They have acted against my accord with the-" [b][i]"Silence."[/i][/b] The Archon takes a single step and disappears from view. You look in all directions until you see where he reappeared, four-hundred feet in the air. His voice rings out like a temple gong. "Gazhurra has been pushed back, and this matter is settled. There will be no arrests, no discussions, nor continued feuds from this shameful display. There will be no schemes. There will be no assassinations. There will not be so much as a word of ill intent in all of Harehama and its surrounding territory until the Trials conclude. That is my edict, and so it is your law. All shipbound Trialgoers are to leave for Nanhou at dawn. Until then you are to return to your festivities and healers." Sectmaster Bassui's mouth twists in an ugly frown. "But the Council-!" "[b][i]Now.[/i][/b]" *page_break Everyone scatters as quickly yet orderly as possible, no one willing to move at more than a steady jog for fear of the Archon still standing in the sky. You can't blame them; your own feet are frozen to the ground. Over the next few minutes the beach clears out quite quickly. *if (fishscore >= 10) With great hesitation you finally find the nerve to move and collect your prize for winning the fishing tournament. The Windrising clerk glares at you as he packs up his scrolls and table, but one glance at the floating armored figure in the sky prevents him from stopping you. [b][i][Item Gained: 650 Silver][/b] *set silver + 650 *line_break [b][i][Item Gained: 41 Shards][/b] *set shards + 41 *line_break [b][i][Item Gained: 5 Gold][/b] *set gold + 5 *page_break With his head visible above most of the crowd, *if ((style != "Aoyosumu") and (metangelo = 10000000000)) the mysterious monk *else Angelo marches toward you while waving. His torn robe has been knocked off his upper body and caught on his belt to look like the bottom of a thick hakama. "Ah, the ${manwoman} of the hour!" He wipes blood off his face with his thick forearm that's covered in burns. "Come to celebrate living to see another day? Always a grand occasion." *if ((style = "Aoyusumu") and ({metangelo#11} = 1)) "I actually came to see why [i]I heard the screams of hundreds when we kissed.[/i]" You say, tilting your head down while looking up at him angrily. "And why you've been suppressing my feelings without my permission." "That...is not what it looks like. Or not as ill-intent as it sounds." Angelo rubs his beard in thought. When his hand moves to do so, you notice heavy bruising around one of the daggers sticking into the V-shape of his muscular upper torso. "You are right. We've been together so often that it's safer if you do know what's been going on behind the scenes. Can we go somewhere private?" "Depends," you reply with arms crossed, "are you going to disappear again?" Angelo shakes his head. "Nothing would pain me more than being separated again." Leona comes within hearing distance while wiping blood off both her blades. She looks from you to Angelo, to you, to Angelo, to you. "Are you two [i]fucking[/i]?" "What?!" You blurt out, blushing suddenly. "No! We're, I mean. We haven't-" "Damn girl, relax, I'm just teasing!" Leona's smile widens too much. "And forget about that anyway!" She jumps in front of Angelo and grabs your hands. *goto didyousee *elseif (style = "Aoyusumu") You stare at the man with an incredulous smile. "I don't even know where to start. What happened to the people you had to go save? When did you get to Harehama? How'd you find me? How'd you fight a whole Sect?" Angelo raises four fingers and lowers them one by one. "One, they're safe. Two, their ship was docked here due to the Wild God, with me on board. Three, I sensed odd Aura Pressure and came to investigate." Down to one finger, and one question, he stares at his hand in contemplation and finally lowers the digit. "Four, I ate my vegetables when I was young." "You're an [i]awful[/i] liar." You reply. "I'll bet you didn't even eat many vegetables." "I grew up near a white peach orchard." He confesses, smiling in approval. "It was mostly fruits and pork." *label squelchblade "Forget about that!" Leona shouts, running through the crowd while sheathing two bloodied blades with a [i]squelching[/i] noise. *goto didyousee *elseif (metangelo = 10000000000) "Who [i]are[/i] you?" You ask. "Not that I'm complaining, but I wasn't expecting backup." He puts one fist against the other and bows. "Angelo, a traveling pilgrim of the Devanic Temple. When I sensed a disturbance of Sacred Chi I came to investigate and must say, I did not like what I found. *if (killedgod) You did well to slay that monster. It was unworthy of the worship it received." *elseif (savior) You did well to save the people on that beach." *else Many survived that would have perished, so it was a worthy intervention." *goto squelchblade *else "I actually came to thank you." You say. "I didn't know how I was going to fight an entire Sect [i]and[/i] a Wild God's spawn." He dismisses the thought with the wave of a hand. "I am sure you would have managed, but I had such a grand entrance prepared that it was hard to turn down. Do you know how hard it is to predict cloud movements hours in advance?" "Forget about that!" Leona shouts, skipping up behind him and *if ((heshe = "he") and (leonaromance >= 2)) running into you with a hug. She squeezes tight, pressing her chest against you. *else running up to grab your hands excitedly. *label didyousee "Did you see our fight? I was going to brag about this big guy here snapping two necks at once, or this spinning slash where I cut a man in three, but then I look over and see you *if (killedgod) give the killing blow to a Wild God's kid! *else exchanging blows with a Wild God's kid! That fish even had its own shrine, it *if (killedgod) had to have been *else has to be important! [i]Ancestors[/i], I wish we could trade places. I am SO jealous that you've got so many fights coming your way. Except the part where you'll probably die soon." "Now now." Angelo says. "No one is dying soon. And I didn't snap anyone's necks, they're..." He looks back to the beach where several Windrising Disciples lie unmoving. "Sleeping." "They're not sleeping." Leona whispers to you, loud enough for Angelo to hear. Your brow contorts and you look to the Lunargothic man. "I thought Devanic priests didn't kill people?" "I'm a mere pilgrim, but true, we don't." He says with a sudden sadness in his eyes. "Not mankind, at least. Yet did we truly fight mankind? You witnessed how they threw a ${manwoman}'s life away to appease a monster. Who could sit by idly and accept that disgusting display? Traitors against mankind like them are the reason the word 'smite' exists, and it falls to the Devanic Temple to crusade against such filth." Angelo looks back to Sectmaster Bassui limping away and lifts a hand, gripping the air as if squeezing something, then throws his arms up and lets out a single exhale that sounds like a friendly, almost [i]cheerful[/i] laugh. "Hah! What am I saying, holding a grudge would be disobeying the Archon's order! Silly me, I could never be so foolish." You can't help but hear a [i]'For now'[/i] echo through the air in Angelo's voice, though his mouth doesn't move to make the sound. Leona, noticeably shorter than Angelo, looks up to the man and back to you. "Are we going to keep talking or can we go celebrate already? Because if the choice is talking or drinking then I choose-" "Oh Heavens, drinking please." Angelo calls while marching forward and *if ((angeloromance >= 1) and (heshe = "she")) stretching his tattered robe to cover his muscular back. *else correcting his tattered robes. "Coming ${name}? I guarantee dozens will want to drink to your victory. Excuses for celebration are easy to find when a tavern is nearby." "[i]And[/i] it's ours for the night!" Leona adds cheerfully. *if (killedgod) "The Lightbringer was easily the biggest catch, so you and your crew get the tavern to yourselves." *elseif (fishscore >= 10) "You won the fishing tournament, so you and your crew get the tavern to yourselves." *else "Kosuke put rocks in ${bffhisher} fish to win the tournament, so your crew has the tavern all to yourselves!" *choice #Head to the tavern and celebrate with your crew. *goto wakeupmakeup #Gather your crew and depart early. *goto onemoreday *label wakeupmakeup You awake with a woozy headache in bed. Not the bed of your Captain's Cabin on your flagship, but a less comfortable and more worn-in bed. The sheets feel newer though, freshly washed. Your blurry memory vaguely recalls a tavern. Your crew. Celebrations. A drink. A toast to your *if (killedgod) victory. *elseif (fishscore >= 10) fishing tournament victory. *else health. Another drink... Another drink... Another drink... Another drink... At a certain point it all becomes a blur. You must have gotten a room at the tavern and gone to bed, so at least you didn't make a fool of yourself and pass out in the dining hall. Unless you did, and someone carried you back. Your thoughts are unfocused due to the uncomfortable feeling of your bed, as if it dips too low at the center. Annoyed, you grip the blankets and turn over to see... *choice *if (heshe = "he") *if ((bffheshe = "she") and (bffromance > 0)) #Kosuke [Seduction] *label kosduction Kosuke stares at you, wide awake, smiling in bed right beside you. "Good morning, sleepyhead." $!{bffheshe} says. "Enjoying the nice room, on the house?" *if (bffromance = 0) "K-Kosuke?!" You nearly shout. "When did I-when did we...[i]How?[/i]" Kosuke frowns. "You don't remember? I thought the night went so well." "Maybe." You reply, checking under the covers to see that, yes, you are both naked. And sore. Oh Ancestors, you fucked your best friend. "Well we were all drinking and celebrating and cheering and you sort of, you know, gave me [i]the eyes[/i]." "The eyes?" "You know, the 'come fuck me' eyes." *if (heshe = "she") "So you followed me up to bed and had sex with me when I was blackout drunk?" Kosuke snorts. "Oh you wish, you were the aggressor and it was so much worse. You drank a mouthful of baijiu and fed it to me with an open-mouth kiss." "No." "Everyone cheered." He tries not to laugh. "Ancestors, no! It was [i]in front of people?![/i]" "You did a lot more than that. By the time you carried me up the stairs you were down to your underwear, and only the bottom half." You gently lift a pillow and try to suffocate yourself. "So everyone saw my-" "Everything." Kosuke replies. [b][Retainer Morale +10][/b] *set retainer_morale + 10 "My reputation is destroyed." You mumble, clinging to the pillow. "All that work for nothing." "If anything, it improved really. I'm the one who got carried up to be used like a plaything for hours on end." "And I don't even remember it." You sigh. *else "The [i]what?[/i]" Kosuke rolls her eyes. "Of course you don't know them, I've been giving them to you since we were fourteen and you haven't noticed." You bang your head against the pillow. "Are you saying we could have been doing this the whole time? I thought it would've been taking advantage of you, I had no idea you were-" "Desperately trying to fuck the hottest guy in the village?" She gets closer and the sheet falls off her chest, revealing her naked and well developed body. "I've been dreaming about it for years, you idiot. It's why I gave you such a special treatment last night." You wince. "And now I don't even remember it." "That's what you get for overdrinking. If you've forgotten then that's your fault, I'm not going to remind you." *else You snort. "I probably did. I don't remember a thing." "Heh, somebody drank too much." Kosuke smirks. "A hazy memory is what you get for never knowing your limits." "Uuugggh." While trying to wet your dry mouth with just your tongue, you rub your temples and exhale slowly. "Care to tell me my limit then?" "Mmmm no, I like you when you're drunk. Our relationship gets a lot more public." You blink. "How public? Not that I mind people knowing, but did we make a scene?" Kosuke throws your sheets off, revealing *if (bffheshe = "he") his surprisingly well-toned body *else her surprisingly supple body after so much Advancement, your own naked form, and the mess *if (heshe = "she") he's left all over you. *else you've left all over her. "You had me feed you baijiu with my mouth on top of the bar, in front of [i]everyone[/i]. Half of our clothes are still downstairs." You burp. "Oh Ancestors. Is there anything after the bar I should know?" "A hell of a loud workout, yes. But if you've forgotten then that's your fault, I'm not going to remind you." *if (heshe = "he") She smiles teasingly and suddenly presses her lips to yours, her hand running down your pants just as quickly. She rubs her body against yours while her fingers lace around you and her tongue lathers against your own. With the breaking of suction she pulls away and exhales a warm breath. "So why don't you climb atop me and remind yourself?" *else He gives you a devilish side-eye then rolls on top of you in one swift motion, grabbing your wrists and pinning your arms to the bed. "How about I give you a demonstration instead?" *if (bffromance = 0) *choice #[Embrace ${bffhimher}] *goto bangkosuke #[Throw ${bffhimher} out the window] *set roomscene "Kosuke_Window" "If the Jin and Rin ask, this never happened." You whisper, grabbing Kosuke around the ribs and rising to a standing position. Then you throw. "ANCESTORS, WHY?!?!" Kosuke screams as you huck ${bffhimher} through the closed window of your room, three stories up. $!{bffheshe} falls, naked, through the air in a shattering of glass that attracts the attention of everyone on the street. Voice crack out in protest and alarm as soon as Kosuke tumbles to the ground. "By the Heavens, clothe yourself!" *line_break "Avert your eyes, children!" *line_break "You told me beautiful *if (bffheshe = "he") men *else women don't fall out of the sky!" *line_break "Selling cheap robes, just 30 Silver!" With that distraction taken care of, you take a bath of shame and get dressed. *page_break *goto departure *if (heshe = "she") *page_break Mmf♥! *else *page_break Mmm *label bangkosuke *set roomscene "Kosuke" *if ((bffheshe = "she") and (heshe = "he")) *set pwt_kosuke true *elseif ((bffheshe = "he") and (heshe = "she")) *set pwt_player true You roll off of ${bffhimher} and gasp for air, not used to being able to *if (heshe = "she") *if (bffromance = 0) treat Kosuke *else ride your boyfriend so forcefully without breaking him. *else *if (bffromance = 0) treat Kosuke *else enjoy her body so forcefully without breaking her. It's certainly something you can get used to. "That good?" $!{bffheshe} asks, hand on your thigh and tracing upward. "You should have robbed the Sect sooner." You reply, still feeling *if (heshe = "she") tremors quake through your legs. *else pulsing waves rock through your lower body. *if (bffromance = 0) "I'm not used to being able to go all-out on you." *else "We wasted years where we could have been doing this." "And?" "It's incredible." You pant, feeling fully relieved *if (({metleona#11} = 1) and (bffromance != 0)) (without cheating) for the first time since your *if (({metleona#11} = 1) and (bffromance = 0)) questionable romp with Leona. *elseif ((pwt_leona) and ({metleona#11} = 0)) questionable night on the siren's island. *else Aura Pressure began to climb. "Want to go again?" Kosuke *if (heshe = "she") growls out in satisfaction. *else smiles devilishly. "I have a better idea. Why don't you lay back and I'll show you a Technique I just made up." "A Martial Technique?" You ask. *if (heshe = "she") "A mouth technique." *else "A throat technique." $!{bffheshe} replies, slinking under the covers. "HEY!" Comes a banging from the door. "I hear you in there! This room's reserved for the Haunted Fist Sectmaster, who's in there?" Startled, you look back to Kosuke questioningly. "I thought you said this room was on the house?" Kosuke *if (heshe = "he") throws the sheets off and breathes in slowly, looking up as if to remember something. "I didn't say it was on the house [i]willingly[/i]." The door burts open just as the two of you slip out the window. *set bffrep + 10 *set bffromance + 3 *goto departure *elseif (bffheshe = "she") #Kosuke?! [Seduction] *goto kosduction #Leona?! [Seduction] *set leonaromance + 3 *set leonarep + 5 In the bed beside you is the lustful body of the blonde lunargothic Sunbringer woman you've been traveling with. When you try to lift the sheets to see if your clothes are still on you find the sheets are practically stuck to you and her both, confirming any lingering doubts. In a drunken stupor, you have fucked Leona. "Oh Ancestors." "Funny, that's exactly what you were moaning last night." Leona opens her previously closed off-colored eyes and smiles at you triumphantly. "Was it good for you? I know it was, but I want to hear you say it." "I...don't even remember it." You admit, trying to think back to what could have possibly happened. "Your loss." She says with a wide yawn, both arms stretching up and pulling her chest out from under the sheets. "I wish I could fill in all the spicy details of you ravishing my slutty little sheath with your weighted longsword, but I missed plenty of the action myself when you choked me unconscious." "I did what!?" "More than once, too." Leona sighs longingly. "It was amazing. I also may have begged for it, but still, I can't believe you actually listened! So rude! You're an awful person, you know, you even left bruises all over an innocent work of art like me." She raises a long leg into the air and you can see fingergrip marks all up the outer side of her undressed thigh. *set roomscene "Leona" You let out a low whistle. "Those look like they hurt." "I don't know, my memory's a bit fuzzy." Your sheet takes on a scarlet hue and explodes into hundreds of shreds of cloth just before Leona rolls on top of you, her thighs on each side of yours. She smiles hungrily and places both hands on your chest, her upper arms squeezing her large bare tits together as she leans forward. "Why don't you remind me how it feels?" With the way she has her hips sitting right on top of your lap, your body reacts to her request on its own. She gasps slowly and closes her blue and green eyes, savoring the feeling, then repositions to sit upon you more firmly with a better grip. Bladed chi flares across the fingernails she runs down your chest while biting her lip and moaning out in ecstasy. "Oh [i]fuck [b]yes.[/b][/i]" *set pwt_leona true *goto departure *if (style != "Kiihakai") *selectable_if (desromance >= 1) #Lady Desdemona?! [Seduction] *if (({metdesdemona#2} = 6) or ({metdesdemona#2} = 1)) Next to you in bed is the pale, curvaceous, naked form of Lady Desdemona. Her dark hair covers her eyes right down to her cute button nose. Her arms barely cover her ample chest as she sleeps on her side, facing you. Her purple lips gently twist as she begins to stir. It suddenly occurs to you that this chi sorceress considers you her enemy, yet in your drunken stupor you've somehow ended up in bed together. You have questions. Questions that must be answered at a later date, when you are outside of Cursing range. As slowly and quietly as possible, you slink away towards the door. As you cross the room you hear Desdemona's voice call out behind you. "Trying to escape?" You freeze at the door and turn to see her sitting up, covering her body with a sheet. Her hair cascades down one shoulder and her eyes cut daggers into you. "Figures. Did you even mean what you said downstairs last night?" *if (deception >= 3) *set roomscene "Desdemona_Turned" [b][Deception 3 Check Passed][/b] *set desromance + 3 *set desrep + 5 Having no idea what she's talking about, you *label meeteyes sit on the bed beside her meet her eyes with reassuring confidence. "I meant every word." "Tch." She sneers, looking off to the side, but her dark eyes glisten with a mix of sadness and hope. "Good. You better have." She exhales the weight of the world off her shoulders, and, just as quickly, shakes a thought out of her head before taking on her usual pursed lips and distrusting gaze. "As for last night, I was exceedingly celebrative with the drinks. If my Disciples ask then obviously nothing happened." "Of course, last night." You reply while squinting thoughtfully. "The night when we did...what? Everything's fuzzy by the time we got to the room." Desdemona *goto despause *elseif (ruthless < 45) [b][Deception 3 Check Failed][/b] *line_break [b][Compassion Check Passed][/b] It's not that you [i]want[/i] to lie to her, but you don't even remember what happened last night. The commonly angered girl must have let her guard down for once over whatever it was you said, and you can't bring yourself to let her down. You *goto meeteyes *else *set roomscene "Desdemona_Cursed" [b][Deception 3 Check Failed][/b] *set desromance + 1 *set desrep - 10 Your mind freezes and you stare forward, thinking what she could possibly be talking about. The desire to blurt out the correct answer overwhelms you so forcefully that you can't form a coherent thought, as if every attempt to think of a response is blocked by a stone wall. She notices your hesitation and her hopeful eyes shift to a signature glare, then her upper lip curls in a scowl. "You didn't." "That's not-" "You. Lying. Bastard!" She steps out of the bed, naked as the day she was born, and points a sharp fingernail at you while advancing. "You sleazy, deceptive, scoundrel!" Her finger crackles with violet electricity and she steps closer. "You oathbreaking, cheating, *if (subrace = "Wolf") [i]mangy dog![/i]" *elseif (race = "Oni") [i]vile demonspawn![/i]" *elseif (subrace = "Bovine") [i]farm equipment![/i]" *else slimy [i]coward![/i]" The lightning around her hands turns black as night and her eyes take on the same energy. "I should have known Guiren didn't trick you, you're even worse than he is!" "I-" "Save it, debt collector!" Her scowl turns to a wicked smile with malice in her eyes. "In fact, collect [i]this![/i]" She shoves her finger forward and blasts you with an instantaneous line of black lightning. The Technique crashes against your chest, knocking you through the door and into the adjacent hallway wall. You just barely make out a shadowy veil wrapping over Desdemona and she breaks through the room's window, disappearing out into town. When she's gone you realize that, in spite of being blasted ten feet backward with black lightning, you feel fine. You check the wound to see how hard you were hit and find a small scorch mark where she disintegrated a small patch of your clothing, but other than that you're uninjured. All four Cores are steady, *if (wounds > 0) your wounds haven't increased, *else no new wounds to see, and your money... *if (shards > 0) IS RUNNING AWAY?! *page_break Catch it! You leap off the floor and chase after your Shards as they run in different directions on two pairs of shadowy legs like drawn stick figures. Whenever you get close to closing your hands around the mobile seaglass-like coins they manage to jump or change directions. Worse, they slam their bodies into the wall as soon as they're able and manage to crack open, killing themselves. The sight of your money committing suicide *if (background = "Merchant") is a new Merchant's nightmare you'd never even imagined having. *else is not something you were ready for this morning. *if ((soul + solsurge) >= 9) *set val 10 *else *set val ((15 - soul) * 10) *if (val < shards) *set val shards [b][${val} Shards Lost][/b] *set shards - val Doors begin to open as people exit their tavern rooms to see what's causing the racket. You hurriedly collect as much of your self-destructive money as possible before reaching the final Shard trying to kill itself on the boot of a large older Martial Artist. You seize the coin from beside the man's foot, push chi through it to disperse Desdemona's effect, and look up to the bearded Warrior glaring. "It's-" You try to say to explain yourself, half naked in the hallay. "I-" "Slept with a witch?" The man asks. "I don't even remember." You confess, shoulders drooping as the tension of the situation disperses. The man claps a hand on your shoulder. "We never do, son. We never do. Go clean your face and keep your head up, a forgotten victory is still a victory." You nod and return to your room. *page_break Once the adrenaline of losing your money *set val 1 *label wearsoff wears off the exhaustion of the situation finally hits you, causing you to stagger on shaky legs into the washroom attached to your chambers. It feels as if all the energy has been sucked out of your center of gravity. You pull the washroom door open and feel relief to see a half-barrel tub already filled with steaming warm water. As you disrobe you catch sight of yourself in a mirror on the wall. Your face is [i]covered[/i] in purple kiss marks from Desdemona's makeup. *if (val = 1) No wonder the stranger told you to clean your face. Yet it's nothing compared to the surprise when you finish disrobing to step into the bath. Looking down, you see why your legs feel so shaky: *set val 0 *goto dessys_big_succ *else *set val 2 None of it is missing. Odd, though you didn't have any Shards to lose in the fist place. You rise from the floor and return to your room, closing the door behind you before anyone witnesses a ${race} in ${hisher} underwear. Once the adrenaline of the attack *goto wearsoff *else *set roomscene "Desdemona" *set desromance + 3 *set desrep + 5 Refusing to get out of bed before you have to, you turn over and ignore the uncomfortable dip of the bed. You even ignore the feeling of sleeping in only your underwear, an unusual habit. Stubbornly, and with both arms, you reach out with eyes closed and find two large soft pillows next to you. Likely the source of the poor bedding. You bury your face in them to return to sleep. "Nnn, five more minutes mom." A sleeping Lady Desdemona mumbles as you squeeze her closer. Your face reddens. These aren't pillows. Desdemona's eyes flutter open with a questioning scrunch to her brow, looking around to assess the situation. She looks down to you, your face buried in her chest, and you swear her hair rises away from her face with the force of her surprise. "$!{name#1}-$!{name#1}-$!{name}?! What are you doing?!" She blurts out, slapping your face as she blushes and pulls away off the bed. The lunargothic woman rises to her knees with your sheet pulled over her body and shakes her head frantically. "We can't be together like this! We're not even married! How'd you get in my room?!" "You're in [i]my[/i] room!" You shout back, rubbing your cheek and hoping you're right. "At least, I think it's my room. I can't remember much from last night..." "Oh Hells." Desdemona says, gawking at her naked form and back up to you, face reddening more each second. "Oh Hells, Oh [i]Hells![/i] I thought that was just a dreamwalk! Tell me we didn't actually-Oh no. Ancestors, what are my Disciples going to say?!" You don't reply, captivated as you are. In her panic, Desdemona's lowered the sheet and laid bare her pale, enormous, dreamworthy breasts. "Stop looking!" She screams, pulling the sheet back up. "Right, of course." You look to the ceiling and close your eyes to not make eye contact. "Even though we already did...something..." You peak one eye down to Desdemona as she frantically fixes her hair. "Do you remember what happened last night?" She *label despause pauses and her resting frown shifts to a neutral position. She blinks. "You...don't remember? Do you mean your memories are fuzzy, or have you truly forgotten the last ten hours?" "I remember mixing sake and baijiu, but after that, nothing." "Th-that's too bad!" She replies too quickly, getting up and dragging the sheet with her as she walks backwards towards the door. "If it falls to me to remind you, Thunderfaller, then you should know we got...foodsick. Yes, foodsick. From, um, taro. Taro...juice. And your crew bought us this room to recover and...then nothing happened." "Nothing?" You ask. "I usually sleep with my clothes on." "[b]NOTHING.[/b]" She insists, mouth tight and brow V-shaped in an angered hiss. "Now go clean up in the washroom, you have purple taro juice all over your face. It looks ridiculous." "Don't you want the washroom first? You're already up." "NoI'mquitefinethankyougoodbye." Desdemona slips out into the hallway wearing nothing more than your sheet and slams the door. *page_break What a strange woman. Irritated, confused, and frustratingly aroused, you get out of bed after Desdemona storms out of the room. Eight steps brings you into the private washroom, but they are the most difficult steps you've taken since the days after your first Advancement. You stagger the whole way, your legs sore and shaking. It's as if you've been drained of stamina, and you wonder if the gothic woman cursed you on her way out. When you enter the washroom you see some servants have already brought warm water into a half-barrel bath. There's also a razor, a shelf, a bucket, and a moron. At least, the expression of one when you look in the mirror on the wall. You have the stupidest smile on your face looking at the kiss-shaped smears of purple lip makeup covering your mouth and neck. No wonder Desdemona insisted you wash the purple 'taro juice' off your face, though it seems she didn't know you'd have a mirror to see what it really is. You breathe in a single fulfilling breath of victory and let out a content sigh as you prepare a bath. When you disrobe your garments you get a good look at your lower half and see why it feels as if your lifeforce had been sucked right out of you: *set val 0 *label dessys_big_succ *if (soul >= solspent) [b][1 Soul Core Spent][/b] *set solspent + 1 *line_break *set val + 1 *goto dessys_big_succ *if (val > 0) [b][Aura Pressure +${val}][/b] *set aurapressure + val *set val 0 Your face isn't the only place covered in purple kiss marks. *goto departure *if (style != "Midorikatai") *selectable_if (fangromance >= 1) #Tian Fang?! [Seduction] *set roomscene "Fang" *set fangrep + 5 *set fangromance + 3 Turning over with your eyes closed, you reach out for the disturbance ruining your sleep and find a pile of fur blankets. A servant must have left them while you slept. They probably left the door open too, because you were assailed with vividly erotic dreams for hours during the night. Probably from some loud couple across the hall influencing your dreams. Idiots. With both hands you grab the large pile of soft blankets in your bed and hug them closer to try and salvage whatever sleep you can get. You rub your hands against the fur and...wonder why a cheap tavern would use expensive furs. You open your eyes to see Tian Fang in your hands. "Mmmmmmm." Fang mumbles in her sleep, pulled into your grip. She rolls over to face you and seems to wake up from the effort. Her nose twitches twice as her eyes open and her gaze meets your own, realizing she's trapped in your embrace. Her ears lower as she smiles softly, batting her eyelashes. "W-What are you doing, Thunderfaller?" "Wondering what I did to end up so lucky." You reply with every ounce of charm your hungover mind can muster. "Overdrank!" Tian Fang declares cheerily with a wobble of her head. "You and your crew celebrated most merrily, even going so far as to mix rice wine and Cathayan baijiu!" "Oh [i]Ancestors[/i] no." You grown, stomach feeling queasy at the thought. "A most troublesome concoction, it is true! When the Thunderfaller fell unconscious, considering the hostilities in town, it was up to Tian Fang to carry him up to this room and ensure he was protected!" "Oh. And that's all?" You feel relieved and disappointed at the same time. "Hmph!" Tian Fang smirks, tipping her nose up confidently. "That is all. Tian Fang simply dropped the Thunderfaller off and returned to her room to sculpt large clay cylinder vases with her feet." That...doesn't sound right. "When did you get back to my room?" "Hm?" She inquires, "I did not." "Then how are you here now?" Tian Fang looks around in confusion. "How [i]is[/i] Tian Fang here now? She distinctly recalls heading to her room, removing her troublesome clothing, and sculpting clay vases." "With your feet." You confirm. "Yes! Most vigorously!" Tian Fang nods confidently. "Though I do not know why. It is as if I was following the nonsensical goals of a dream...Oh!" She smacks her forehead. "Tian Fang [i]was[/i] dreaming! That's why she never truly left. Hah! Although that would mean..." She removes the sheets to reveal she's completely naked. You get a full view of the enticing curve of her hips from the front, with her white wolf's tail framing the scene as it wags behind her. "Truly, it seems I have disrobed [i]here[/i] before bed. What a silly night. This is not Tian Fang's bed, it is ${name}'s!" You don't answer, staring at her unabashed nude display. "Thunderfaller?" She asks, tilting her head and lowering one wolf ear as she examines you, shuffling closer. "Are you unwell?" Her scent fills your nostrils. The heat of her body grows closer to yours, her upper and lower fangs accentuating her animalistic nature behind her alluring lips as she speaks slowly. "Do you require assistance?" "I'm good!" You shout, shifting the blankets to hide a raging erection. "I'm great." "Most wonderful!" Tian Fang announces. "Then there are no problems or mysteries remaining! Except for the vases..." "It was probably just a dream." You respond, heartbeat racing. "It was not!" Fang rolls up and on top of you, her naked legs framing each side of your lap as she cluelessly has her sex pressed against your lap. One thin layer of linen is all that stands between the two of you. Your left eye twitches uncontrollably. "The dream must have been related to real life, and it's up to Detective Fang and her Lieutenant ${name} to get to the bottom of this case!" "Nope!" You insist, eyes closing in frustrated restraint. "Just a dream!" She leans forward and shakes her head, her soft white hair rubbing against you like fine silk. "That cannot be so! If it were only a dream, then why are Tian Fang's feet so sticky?" It suddenly occurs to you why you had such erotic dreams, and why Tian Fang dreamt of sculpting a lengthy vase with her feet. *page_break [i]Oh no.[/i] "Ancestors, look at the time!" You shout. "I need to get back to my crew, we should get up." "But it makes no sense!" Tian Fang insists, placing her hands on your shoulders and pulling her face [i]comfortably[/i] close to yours. "We are sleeping in bed without food or drink, how would Tian Fang's feet get sticky? This is a mystery we must look into! What if an assassin tried to poison us with some sort of sticky, clear-white poison? What if some sort of slug Beast is in this very room?!" You begin to sweat nervously. "I-I-I think the bakery is open by now. We should get dressed and head down, they might run out of pastries soon if everyone else is leaving at dawn." "WHAT?!" Tian Fang screams, releasing you and jumping up, naked, to stand on the bed and look through the window of your room. "You speak true! There they are! My pastry competition, in line at the bakery!" You stare at her ass from behind, dumbfounded that your plan worked. Suddenly she pulls herself up and [i]through[/i] the closed window, disregarding the jagged glass shards as she leaps three stories down to the outside ground without a shred of clothing on. "Wait for me, pastries!" She calls from outside. "Wait for the great Tian Fang!!" A slew of voices shout out in surprise as she lands. "Cover yourself, animal!" *line_break "You dare reveal yourself to my husband? You court death!" *line_break "No cutting in line!" *line_break "Selling cheap robes, just 30 Silver!" It takes a few seconds for your heart to calm down after she's gone. Rising on shaky legs, you head to the washroom to take a cold, cold bath. *goto departure *if (heshe = "she") *if ((bffheshe = "he") and (bffromance > 0)) #Kosuke [Seduction] *goto kosduction *elseif (bffheshe = "he") #Kosuke?! [Seduction] *goto kosduction #Angelo?! [Seduction] With eyes closed, refusing to give up your sleep, you roll over and push on whatever is ruining your bed. From the feel, it's some large piece of furniture. You shove it with both feet but it barely moves. You try to roll over but the other side of the bed ends in a cold wooden wall. Irritated, you turn over and punch the furniture repeatedly, try to push it away twice, then slap it with your palm until something shatters. Finally you open your eyes in irritation and see Angelo's been sitting on the side of your bed, perfectly still as you beat him until the bowl of soup in his hands shattered its scolding hot contents onto his lap. "I'm glad to see you're awake." He says as steam rises from the hot meal burning into his pants. *choice #"...Can I still get some soup?" *set roomscene "Angelo_Innocent" "I am so, so sorry." You say. "I thought someone left a giant piece of furniture in my bed." Angelo beams. "How can I be upset with a compliment like that? I've always wanted to be compared to a nightstand." "Oh thank goodness." You reply with a hungover groan. "I was worried I'd keep feeling guilty, but you're being an ass so it's easier." Angelo gives you a court bow. "Pleased to be of assistance, and the honesty is always appreciated. That being said, are you feeling well? That soup was your hangover cure for last night and now it's...Well, I can't ask you to drink it off my lap." You pause and stare at his lap in contemplation. He pauses and stares at you staring. "...Can I still get some soup?" You ask. He rips a fuuinjutsu tag and produces a second bowl and third bowl. *page_break Four of your retainers burst into the room. "Hey Honored ${patriarch}! We found a cool looking frog and-" They freeze. The four of them can see Angelo seated in front of your bed, his back to the door, and you lay on your stomach upon the bed itself, playfully rocking your shins back and forth. Your upper body is obscured by Angelo and you're bobbing your head up and down in front of his lap while making a slurping noise. "Hm?" You ask, pulling back with an off-white subtance over your mouth. "I..." Begins the old man of the group. "We did not mean to interrupt!" Shouts *if (sumyungai) Sum Yungai, *else a younger man, trying to close the door until the cow yokai of your crew stops it with her foot and keeps watching. "I am so [i]insanely[/i] jealous." She says, twirling her hair and keeping her gaze locked on the two of you. "Alright, everyone out!" Says an Oni, joining the other in closing the door. "Apologies, $!{patriarch}! Won't happen again!" You look from the door to Angelo, and down to the off-white soup you're bobbing for dumplings in. "I wonder what that was about." "Beats me." Angelo says, drinking his own soup with a cupped hand. "Next time I'll bring spare spoons as well." *set ruthless - 3 *set angeloromance + 1 *set angelorep + 3 *goto departure #"Oh no! I, um, I can clean it up!" [Use your blanket] [Seduction] *set roomscene "Angelo_Kiss" "Oh no!" You shout, scrambling to gather some sheets. "I, um, I can clean it up!" You begin to dab the sheets onto the front of Angelo's pants, cleaning the soup you spilled onto them. "No that's quite alright, I can-" "It's fine, it's fine, it's my fault!" You dab more, higher up. "Truly, it's no harm done, I-" "No, no, I can fix this!" He motions to stand and you grab his pantleg with one hand and switch to a clean sheet with the other. He tries to pull away but you keep your grip strong, pressing against his thick quadricep muscle tha- That isn't a quadricep muscle. You freeze and look up into his cerulean glowing eyes, each of you staring deeper into the other, but you don't pull your hand away. Nearly frozen in the moment, you begin to sway your hand slowly, back and forth. Your mind flashes with images, impressions, feelings. Your lips, the warm heat of your breath, the blush of your neck. Your back pressed against the wall, your arms over his shoulders, the tense expression of your face pushed into the pillow right beside you. It dawns on you that these temptations of [i]yourself[/i] are Angelo's thoughts, leaking through his Sacred Chi. He wants them to be real. You both do. He leans forward, his large hand brushing against your neck until it passes by, gripping firmly on your hair. You curl your fingers around his wrist and stand to meet him. Your hand continues to rock back and forth against him and your lips meet his own, pulling yourself into the man and wrestling his tongue with your own. Your moans challenge his growls for dominance as you rock your bodies against each other, leaning toward the bed. Then the door bursts open with four of your retainers coming through. "Hey Honored ${patriarch}! We found a cool looking frog and-" They pause in the doorway, frozen, staring at your forbidden embrace with a monk of the Devanic Temple. "Are we interrupting something?" One asks, refusing to blink. "We are." Another answers slowly. "Incredible." The female cow yokai in your crew whistles low in appreciation. "Honored ${patriarch} seduced a priest." Angelo pays them no mind, his arm lowering to secure your lower back and travelling down even further, but you crack open one furious eye and pull yourself slowly from his kiss. The retainers stumble back when you step forward. "You ruined this...over a FROG?!" $!{auracolor} chi surges from your eyes and fists, growing in power with each next word. "You!" "Are!" "All!" [b]"Dead!"[/b] Scrambling and screaming, they slam the door shut and sprint for their very lives when you break through it to chase them. *set angeloromance + 3 *set angelorep + 5 *page_break You and Angelo part ways after you've hog-tied the four retainers and practiced something Big Chu called 'waterboarding', though the redhaired Lunargoth promises to meet in Nanhou. You offer him a spot on your ship, specifically in your cabin's bed, but he says a prayer has come in that he can't ignore. Typical. *goto departure2 *selectable_if (({metguiren#2} != 1) and (({metguiren#2} != 0) or ({metguiren#7} != 0))) #Guiren?! [Seduction] In your bed, slumbering soundly, is the infamous debt collector and shinobi gangleader, Dai Guiren. He awakes when you slam your pillow so hard into his face that it explodes. "WHAT?!" He screams through the goosefeather eruption. "Hells, you got some in my ear. What is wrong with you?" "You slept with me when I was drunk!" You scream, slapping him in the face. His head spins around in a near 180 arc before he looks back to you, green dragoneyes focusing through what might be a concussion. "What are you talking about, idiot? We didn't do anything. You got so drunk you could barely stand so I carried you to your room." You blink twice. "You *if (honor < 48) give a shit *else care about that?" "About what?" His eyebrow twitches. "I'm just surprised. I mean, I'm a gorgeous woman, you're a..." He tilts his head down waiting for the compliment. "Man." You finish. "Plus being a debt collector, poisoner, and I suspect assassin for hire judging by the shinobi clothes, I didn't expect you to be a...decent person. Wait, if you didn't do anything then why am I-" Oh, you're not naked. You in fact have the same clothes on as last night, including *if (wounds > 0) the bloodstains and some new wine stains. Ew. "Okay, fine, but why are you in bed with me then? Try explaining that one, pervert." Guiren rubs his cheek as it reddens from your earlier slap. "You put me in a chokehold when I carried you over my shoulders. When I laid you down to bed I couldn't get you off." *choice #"Oh. Wow. Thank you. You can leave now and, er, sorry." *set roomscene "Guiren_Innocent" "Oh. Wow. Thank you. You can leave now and, er, sorry." "Thank you for [i]permission[/i] to leave, your Highness." Guiren says, slipping out of bed fully-clothed. He walks to the door and opens it, looking back one last time. "I'm still going to tell the guys we did it." "Don't you dare!" You shout. "Try and stop me." His smile grows sinister as he closes the door, chest thrumming from a dark laughter building inside. When the door closes you sense the surge of an Agility Core and hear a muffled, "HEY YOJI GUESS WHO WON THE BET?" Oh that piece of shit. *goto departure #"...Well would you like to?" [Seduction] *set roomscene "Guiren_Bang" So Guiren didn't take advantage of you, but you already have him in your bed and there's no one around. Maybe [i]you[/i] could be taking the advantage here. "So I put you in a chokehold and you couldn't get me off..." You shuffle closer to him in bed, your eyes meeting as you tilt your head down to look up at him. "But would you like to?" Guiren stares down at you with his more familiar arrogant smile. He grabs you by the hips, his thumbs hooked into your pantstraps, and pulls you closer to him. "Don't tempt me, woman." "No more talk." You pull yourself up to meet his mouth, kissing him tenderly as his hands remain in place and catch on your clothing, removing your pants when you lift yourself. Just as quickly you reach down and begin to undo his gi. "I only want that tongue in one place." "Turn over." Guiren growls while sucking on your neck between warm, panting breaths. "It's time I taught you some manners." "Teach me, [i]please.[/i]" *page_break Mmf♥! You get dressed after and look back to an exhausted and drained Guiren 'resting' on your bed. You catch him, seeing his eyelids flutter as his vision beneath must be shifting in some sort of thought. You tiptoe closer to the man and whisper in his ear. "Planning how to brag to your men about this?" Guiren's eyes open and he gives a closed-mouth smile. "Busted, but no. I made a bet with Yoji that I could sleep with you and...I think I'll just lose the bet. He doesn't have to know." "What, are you ashamed or something?" Guiren looks at you like you've said the dumbest thing he's ever heard. "Okay, fine, if not ashamed then...Oh Heavens, you're infatuated aren't you!" Guiren's mouth shoots open in anguish and insult. "You must think highly of yourself." "Oh Ancestors." You continue in mock-surprise. "I'll bet you even want to date!" "Are you making this weird on purpose?" You drop to your knees beside the bed and rest your head on your palms. "Heavens above, could it be that you're thinking about [i]marriage?![/i]" "It was one time!" He shouts back, pulling away from you on the bed like a cornered animal. "I can't believe this." You say, rising to pace the room. "I can't believe you didn't say 'no'! Wow. One night and you already want to marry me. You must be in [i]love[/i]-love! What a scandal! I'm telling your men." "You wouldn't dare." You rush back to the bed and lean in, bringing your face close to his. "How are you going to stop me?" Soot explodes all over your room as a smokebomb goes off, blackening everything including your face. You cough and hack from inhaling the smoke and rub its contents out of your eyes, blearily looking around the room to see Guiren's disappeared. "Ran away." You grumble to yourself after a short sigh. "Typical. Oh well, I needed a bath anyway." *goto departure *if (qingstatus = "Ally") #...Captain Qing?! [Seduction] Next to you in bed is the Pirate Captain, Qing, of whom you thought you'd never see again. Rather than just [i]see[/i] him again, it appears you've slept with him. At least...In some regard. He lies in bed, snoring loudly, with his hands down your pants. At least you have your pants on. He, in fact, is completely naked. His own fart wakes him. "Uh-hm? Huh? What happened last night?" He shakes his face in the twitch of a wild animal and looks around the room. "Aha, the hot one! Good to see Qing still brings in prime meat!" He withdraws his hand from your pants, smells it, and stands with a wide stretch as his naked butt is pointed at your face. "Qing trusts it was amazing for you." You lay there, open-mouthed and horrified. "I don't...remember." "Hah! Neither does Qing. The will of strong drink is an ever-growing enemy. The stronger we get, the more of it we FIGHT!" He flexes both arms out to the side, ripping the sheet off of you with Cursed Chi and wrapping it around himself from behind. "Here." He chucks three silver backwards. It slaps you in the face and bounces off. "For your inevitable child." With that he walks through the doorway, grinning ear to ear and flexing both arms as he turns down the hallway shouting, "CREW, WHERE ARE YOU? QING MUST TELL YOU A TALE OF HIS CONQUEST!" ... You're never drinking again. Probably. By the blessing of the Heavens, your room has its own adjoined washroom for you to bathe in privacy and shame, only to find a mess in the mid-thigh region of your pants. You don't have to worry about pregnancy after all, the drunk moron missed. *set roomscene "Qing" *page_break *goto departure #BO-FUCKING-LO?! [Seduction] *set roomscene "Bo" You open your eyes to see a bit of hair at the bottom of the pillow across from you. Confused, you pull the covers back to see a short man in bed across from you and, to your absolute horror, it's Bo. "No." You whisper at first, growing into a howl. "No. No! NOOOOOOO!" Your scream wakes the man and he covers his ears, peering up at you. "It's pronounced 'Bo', and be silent! I am trying to sleep.” "Oh Ancestors Bo, shut it or I'll keelhaul you when we get back to sea." "You practically keelhauled me last night." He grumbles. "And now you dare to wake me with your womanly screams? I am a [b]Warrior![/b] I require proper rest to be at peak condition in defense of the Sect." You ignore every word he says and grab his face with both hands, straining his neck as you pull him closer by the skull. "Please, please, [i]please[/i] tell me we did not have sex." Bo glares at you but relents, casting his gaze off to the side. "Not sex-sex, no, when the retainers had fallen asleep you took me aside and demanded I perform 'lung training'. When I agreed, you took me back here and spent hours forcing my mouth between your le-" "OKAY." You blurt out, covering his mouth with two shaking hands. "That's enough details. 'No' would have been fine." "Then unhand me." Bo declares in muffled tones, your hand still over his lower jaw. "Or face the consequences!" "Bo, you can back your head away from my hand at any moment." He does so, leaning back into freedom. "Ah." "Ancestors, I hate you." Bo leers. "You did not hate me last night." You throw a pillow at him so hard that it explodes around his face. "It was a hatefucking, Bo! Now get out, I need to bathe the shame away." *page_break *goto departure #A platter filled with buckwheat yakisoba, marinated chicken, egg, and green onion! Resting in the bed with you is a wide platter filled to the brim with buckwheat yakisoba tossed in some local savory sauce, fried eggs, and green onion, complete with seared chicken cooked just right and cut to perfect bite-sized portions. You grab the chopsticks sticking out of the bowl and greedily dig into the meal that drunk-you must have ordered and never got around to eating. By the Ancestors, what a great morning! *set solexp + 1 *set retainer_morale + 1 *set roomscene "Food" *goto departure #Nothing, just a really bad bed. Huh. The middle of the bed just dips. What a piece of junk, you hope you didn't pay full price for this. Actually, you don't even remember paying anything at all. ...[i]Did[/i] you pay for it? *set shards + 10 [b][Funds Saved: 10 Shards][/b] *set shards + 10 You quickly don your clothes and sneak out the window in hopes of meeting the rest of your crew back at the ships. *set roomscene "Nothing" *goto departure *label onemoreday *gosub_scene quicks replenish *label departure *page_break *label departure2 An hour later you meet the rest of the crew by your ships in preparation for your departure. Most are scattered about the dock and the rest are atop the deck of the flagship to present themselves at your arrival. *if (reinforceritual != 100) As a string of good news, your Reinforcement ritual proves enough to keep the ship seaworthy without having to pay the dockmaster for their sage's addition. [b][1 Chi Spent][/b] *set chispent + 1 *line_break [b][Aura Pressure +3][/b] *set aurapressure + 3 *line_break [b][Ritual Check Passed: No Fee Needed][/b] *elseif (hullbonus) As a string of good news, the improvements to your hull included refreshing the Reinforcement Seals. The Sunbringers' original seals on your hull protected it from basic energy blasts and ambient chi disruptions, but they had begun to fade. Thankfully your work with the shipyard has restored them, for now. [b][Ritual Check Passed: No Fee Needed][/b] *else Unfortunately, you learn that the Reinforcement seal on your ship's hull has been depleted. Without it you’d be sinking from a single energy blast, so your crew took out a debt to get it fixed up by the dock's resident sage. [b][90 Shard Debt Acquired][/b] *set debt +90 *set debtnote +100000 "Do we have everyone?" You ask the closest retainer, *if (spareval_1 = 4) Mars, who looks *else an Oni looking embarrassed to be caught wearing two eyepatches. *if (spareval_1 != 4) You think his name is 'Mars' but if he keeps this up you're going to start calling him 'Patches'. "We sure do, Captain! I mean, Honored $!{patriarch}! Probably. Hold on, let me count." *if (retainer_morale >= 55) [b][Retainer Morale Check Passed][/b] *achieve happypeople It seems your entire crew chose to stay, because you finish counting as Mars starts. "We have everyone, raise anchor." *else [b][Retainer Morale Check Failed][/b] *set val (50 - retainer_morale) *if (val < 2) *set val 2 "Yep, that's everyone!" Mars announces cheerfully. "We're missing ${val} people." You correct him. "Nope! ${val} people decided to stay behind. If you think about it, that's a win, because now we're missing no one!" [b][${val} Retainers Lost][/b] *set retainers - val You look up to Mars without an ounce of cheer. He smiles back happily. "Set sail." You command. "Wait!" Bo Lo calls from the crow's *if (roc > 0) nest beside a [i]very[/i] displeased $!{rocname}. *else nest. "I'm almost done with our messenger bird." "What for?" You shout up. "For our docking permit, fool!" Bo Lo calls down. "I want to make sure I don't look like an idiot because of your lack of confirmation, so I'm sending a messenger gull to ensure our request for ${shipcount} docking positions is approved." "..." Bo Lo continues scribbling on a piece of paper, rolling it up, tying it to the leg of a gull he secures in another hand, then looks down to you. His mouth opens as you make eye contact. "You never made the request." He accuses in his nasally voice. "I did not." "Oh wow!" *if (roomscene = "Leona") A pleased and flushed Leona says while walking up the boarding ramp with a treasure chest of clothes. "Looks like we're stuck at sea waiting. How much longer do we have until the Trials start anyway?" "How should I know?" Bo Lo asks, sneering at the Lunargoth. "Like this." *if (roomscene = "Kosuke_Window") A scratched up Kosuke in a cheap robe *elseif (roomscene = "Kosuke") A pleased looking Kosuke *else Kosuke says from behind you, shouting out to the docks. "WHEN DO THE TRIALS START?" You turn around and realize that, true, a third of the other ships are loading up for departure and a majority are going to the Heavenly Ascension Trials. Hell, some of them are even Martial Artists. *set val (daysleft + 1) Kosuke receives dozens of shouts back in varying answers, with the most common being ${val} days. "There you have it." $!{bffheshe} says. "We can sail around waiting for an answer for ${daysleft} days." "And we if we don't hear back by then?" Bo Lo asks. All eyes look to you. You shake your head with a smile. "We make one." "You heard the $!{patriarch}!" Kosuke shouts. "All aboard, we sail to the deep sea!" *page_break Despite Kosuke's declaration, you don't sail too far out. It turns out that ${bffhisher} understanding of the sea's depth and length is even worse than yours. After spending nearly a full day heading straight west you still don't reach what many of your crew calls "deep sea". Of that, you're thankful. The waters in sight of the coast are too crowded with ships right now, but the deeper regions of the ocean send a shiver up your spine. You've had enough of sea monsters. *if (flagshiptype = "transport") [b][Your ships are fast enough to complete an extra day's worth of activity.][/b] [b][Transport Ship Bonus: +1 Day][/b] *set daysleft + 1 *label themdays *gosub_scene quicks replenish With only ${daysleft} *if (daysleft > 1) days *else day left on your journey at sea you ponder how best to spend the time. *label choicinit *choice *disable_reuse #Run your men through combat drills. *set ruthless + 1 *set honor + 1 If there's one thing you're worried about in the coming Trials, it's your retainers. You can save Rin. You can save Jin. You can beat Jack. But you can't do it while protecting your entire crew at all times. They need to learn how to fight as a group, and they're going to need power to do it. Between you, Kosuke, *if (bogone) and Leona *else Bo, and Leona you all compile a good training regimen for the retainers. Several men get tied to ropes and hauled behind the ship, forcing them to swim while the rest of you watch for sharks. Others are drafted into rope-fishing to improve their archery skills. Others still are forced into 2v2 sparring sessions in what used to be their rest periods. It won't be easy, but *if (alchemy > 0) you *else Bo and Leona refine enough unguents to treat their pain during rest. They'll thank you in the long run. "Honored $!{patriarch}, please, we can't go on like this!" One of your retainers cries outside your cabin door at the end of the day, thankless in the long run. You open the door and look on the welt around his jaw. "I know it's hard, but it's basic Martial training. Everyone can do it." "No they can't!" He pleads, and several men hanging over the taffrails look up with bloodied noses or black eyes to agree with him. "Only the survivors live to say that! The dead aren't here to plead my case!" That's...true. You want to give the man advice, but saying 'training sucks, do it anyway' is the terrible adage you have followed with religious zeal all your life. It worked, but it's not exactly the kind of advice others seem keen to take. Looking around for some rebuttal, you see Kosuke up on the crow's nest *if (roc > 0) nest next to ${rocname}. *else nest. "Retainer Kosuke, do you have any advice for our aspiring crew members?" "Training sucks!" Kosuke shouts down. "But do it anyway or I'll steal your rations." *if (roc > 0) "CAWWW!" Adds your roc. Great help. Both of them. *else Thanks Kosuke. Knowing good results will come in time, you place a sympathetic hand on the retainer's shoulder, hand him an extra bowl of healing unguent, and close your door. They'll simply have to persist because that's all that success is: persistence and luck, and you can't control their luck. [b][Retainer Strength Increased][/b] *set retainer_strength + 1 *set retainer_morale -2 *line_break [b][Retainer Morale -2][/b] *if ((athletics + alchemy) >= 4) *line_break [b][Athletics + Alchemy 4 Check Passed][/b] *set retainer_strength + 1 *if (athletics > alchemy) *set val (athletics - 1) *else *set val (alchemy - 1) Following your strict exercise regimen and cultivation guide should be enough for them in the long run. With any luck, you'll see a few auras out of it in due time. *if (val > 1) [b][${val} Retainers Lost][/b] *line_break [b][${val} Martial Retainers Gained][/b] *else [b][${val} Retainer Lost][/b] *line_break [b][${val} Martial Retainer Gained][/b] *set retainers - val *set martial_retainers + val *goto daycounter *disable_reuse *selectable_if (bogone = false) #Beat up Bo to toughen him up. Bo needs to be stronger if he wants a chance in the Heavenly Ascension Trials. Not that you care about *if (heshe = "she") him or anything. Obviously. But, well, *else the short bastard, but he's been with you since Ebikowa and *if (heshe = "he") you feel almost responsible for *else you're starting to worry about him at this point. Unfortunately there's not much training you can do together that isn't a waste of your time...except one. There is one skill Bo Lo has been cultivating that could make him closer to your level of prowess. "Bo!" You shout down to the lower decks. "Come up on deck!" Footsteps march from below deck until Bo Lo reaches the hatch and looks up to you, his brow contorted. "What do you want?" "We're going to train together." You say. "Bring two whips." He opens his mouth to protest but shakes his head and turns around, marching back to the rower's area. A minute later he returns and ascends to the upper deck with a whip in each hand. "There, two whips. Now what kind of training are you talking about?" Your open palm extends outward. Bo's lip curls but he tosses you the whip nonetheless. You catch it and crack it out in a flourish; coincidentally your entire top-deck crew decides to head below deck at the same moment that the whip cracks. You smile. "We're going to block each other's whips with only our aura." Bo looks disgusted. "That only works for Mystic and Sacred Chi, *if ((style = "Kiihakai") or (style = "Aoyusumu")) you'd be cheating!" *elseif (style = "Kurokonton") not Wild and Cursed Chi!" *elseif (style = "Akakiru") not Wild and Bladed Chi!" *else not Wild Chi!" "Apologies, Bo, I didn't realize you couldn't do it." You sigh in disappointment, holding your whip overboard as if to drop it. "Hold, Laborer!" Bo protests defensively. "Of course I can do it, I am a true-born Warrior *if ((style = "Kiihakai") or (style = "Aoyusumu")) Caste." *else Caste. I'm saying [i]you[/i] can't do it." "Great!" You say as you crack the whip across the air and strike him in the kidney. He guffaws and reels over, his right eye twitching, and several of the crew below deck peak up to see their overseer getting whipped. Leona's head pops up from behind the rafters with an overjoyed smile and she shuffles closer to watch more. Bo Lo heaves for a moment until he recovers, standing back up with an overly straightened back to appear taller. "That was another sucker punch, but I have been training in the whip. You will regret challenging me!" "I sure hope so." You reply as he reels back his whip. "That's the point of the trai-" [b]*CRACK*[/b] *page_break AAAAAAHHHHH!! You two whip each other back and forth for nearly an hour, each frustrated at the other and putting that frustration into the whip. No Technique magically manifests in your cores to stop the attack or numb the pain, but you do find that your natural Fortitude Cores learn to respond to it better. After the first initial lashes you manage to mitigate most of the unpowered whip's damage to be skin-deep. *set apval (fortitude + (round((ruthless - 50)/5))) *if (apval < 5) *set apval 5 *gosub_scene quicks apboost *set bocombat + 2 *set borep + 4 *line_break [b][Bo's Combat Prowess Improved][/b] At a certain point you both catch on that Leona is biting her lip while watching the show from the upper platform. You try to raise your whip to strike Bo back after a particularly painful cut across your ankle, but your fighting mood is soured by the look on Leona's face as she starts to chew her shirt while watching you both bleed. "Don't stop!" The blonde Lunargoth barks out when you lower your whip. "Keep going!" "No, the Laborer is right." Bo says, his face covered in lash cuts. He looks down at his whip and back up to the woman in disgust. "You have dishonored the craft." "I didn't!" She protests. "I really didn't! Keep going! Please!" "You're only making it weirder." You add in agreement with Bo. "Grrrah!" She slams a fist onto the upper platform railing and pulls away from view. "You're both useless!" You stop there and return to your captain's cabin to treat your many, many whipping marks. *set leonawhipping true *goto daycounter *disable_reuse *selectable_if (kostied = false) #Help Kosuke correct ${bffhisher} flaws in the Martial Arts. Kosuke's Aura Pressure has improved tremendously, all things considered. If ${bffheshe} punched you it would actually be painful, which is a feat for the beggar considering your meteoric rise. If only ${bffheshe} hadn't ignored every aspect of Martial Arts combat. $!{bffhisher} sloppy form might work against predictable Fiends, but ${bffheshe}'ll need far more practice before being able to defend ${bffhimher}self while you're away. "Kosuke!" You shout up to your childhood friend in the crow's *if (roc > 0) nest while ${bffheshe} feeds your pet roc. "Can it wait?" Kosuke asks down. "I'm in the middle of a breakthrough teaching ${rocname} how to drop rocks on people." "It cannot, and stop dropping rocks on the crew." [b][Retainer Morale +1][/b] *set retainer_morale + 1 *else nest. "Wuzzuh?" Kosuke asks, lifting ${bffhisher} head up and over the railing. "I was...I was looking for land." "Sure you weren't sleeping?" Kosuke narrows ${bffhisher} eyes. "What brings you to my basket-sized domain?" "We're going to train together." You shout up to ${bffhimher}. "Come on down, and get dressed in one of your stolen Thunderfall Gi." The low thrum of grinding teeth comes from below deck where Bo Lo likely heard you'd be dressing a peasant beggar in his Sect's honorable outfit, which Kosuke stole. Ignoring that, you and Kosuke head for the upper platform. *page_break "So what's first on the lessons?" Kosuke asks, bouncing in place as ${bffheshe} puts ${bffhisher} fists up. "Low blows? Sand in the eyes? How-to-blackmail?" "No." You reply, punching ${bffhimher} in the solar plexus so hard that ${bffheshe} falls to the ground like a crumpled mess. "We're going to fix your terrible guard." "I'm so mad." Kosuke says in a breathless voice that sounds like a 90-year-old man. "You're gonna get it." "Good." You reply. "Give it to me." *if ((heshe = "she") and (bffromance >= 1)) Kosuke looks up and gives you The Eyes. "Not like that, you pervert." You take three steps back and take a low stance. "We need to fix all your terrible forms. Street fighting isn't going to cut it anymore." "Fine, fine." Kosuke says, rising shakily to ${bffhisher} feet. "But I'm telling your Mother that you hit me." "I'm telling her you ate all the daifuku at Rin's twelfth birthday party." "YOU PROMISED YOU WOULDN'T!" Kosuke screams, charging you with both fists glowing white. *page_break Four hours of you kicking the crap out of Kosuke go by without a single hit being made on you. Each time you explain how ${bffheshe} could improve or what flaw ${bffheshe} had. $!{bffheshe} hates every second of it. *set val 0 Afterwards you bring out a wooden target dummy and have Kosuke perform sparring attacks against it, demonstrating ${bffhisher} form for a few hours. *if ((athletics + lore) >= 4) [b][Athletics + Lore 4 Check Passed][/b] *set kosukecombat + 1 *line_break [b][Kosuke's Combat Prowess Increased][/b] *set val + 1 *set forexp + 1 After that, you take ${bffhimher} to your Captain's Cabin where the two of you go over your four original Path Manuals you got from Big Chu, the ones relating to the four basic Combat Cores. *if ((insight + lore) >= 5) [b][Insight + Lore 5 Check Passed][/b] *set kosukecombat + 1 *set val + 1 *line_break [b][Kosuke's Combat Prowess Increased][/b] *set solexp + 1 Kosuke browses the pages from the floor, unwilling or unable to get up after the relentless beating and exercise. "This sucks." $!{bffheshe} says. "Training sucks." "It sure does." You reply. "That's why we're better than everyone else at it, we're used to difficulty." "[i]You're[/i] used to difficulty." Kosuke corrects. "My whole life has revolved around trying to make things easier." $!{bffheshe} turns the page on the Fortitude Path Manual and looks to you. *if ((bffromance >= 1) and (bffheshe != heshe)) "Want to make out on the bed instead?" *else "Can't we do this later?" *choice #"No, focus!" "No, focus!" You shout down, throwing a sandal at ${bffhisher} forehead. *set bffrep - 5 "Gah!" $!{bffheshe} shouts, rubbing the quickly forming bruise. "Fine, fine, just no more shoes." The rest of the night goes well, for you, as you sleep quite soundly in a comfortable bed three feet away. Kosuke on the other hand is forced up all night reading the Path Manuals and struggling to realign ${bffhisher} cultivation methods. Heavens know the lout needs it. *if (val < 2) *set kosukecombat + 1 [b][Kosuke's Combat Prowess Increased][/b] *if ((bffromance >= 1) and (bffheshe != heshe)) *if (heshe = "he") #"Get your shirt off, that's an order from your $!{patriarch}." "Get your shirt off," you reply, "that's an order from your $!{patriarch}." Kosuke gets up on her knees effortlessly and excitedly disrobes. "Yes [i]sir[/i]." She moans, leaning forward with pleading eyes. "Please teach this dishonorable thief the true meaning of discipline." You take her up on the roleplaying and hope it doesn't awaken something dark within you. *if (val = 2) *set kosukecombat - 1 *else #"If you can wrestle me onto the bed, I'm all yours." You decide Kosuke needs motivation, and there's only one motivation men actually use. "Tell you what." You reply. "If you can wrestle me onto the bed, I'm all yours and we'll have you in a [i]differnet[/i] training tonight." Kosuke's eyes shoot open with a white glow. "Now we're talking." He rises to his feet and charges you, wrapping one hand up and around the back of your neck while his other arm grips your left thigh, hoisting you off the ground as he slams you into the ship's wall. You've never wanted him more. "Someone's been working out." You say with a giggle. "I have a good trainer." He replies, exploring his firm grip up your thigh while kissing your neck. *else #"Fine. Tend to your bruises and get some rest." "Fine." You concede. "Tend to your bruises and get some rest." *set bffrep + 7 *if (val = 2) *set kosukecombat - 1 "I'm shocked you caved so easily." Kosuke replis, getting up effortlessly and walking out of your room. "You need to toughen up your discipline or the Trials will eat you alive." "Oh you *if (bffheshe = "he") lying bastard!" *else lying wench!" You groan, throwing a shoe at Kosuke as ${bffheshe} escapes out the door with a laugh. *goto daycounter *disable_reuse #Man the harpoons and go whaling. "Good morning, Honored $!{patriarch}!" *if (sumyungai) Sum Yungai *else One of your more persistent retainers says from the doorway of your cabin. "What glorious plan does the Young *if (heshe = "he") Master *else Mistress have in store for us on this sunny day?" Your stomach growls and your lanterns have already run out of oil from the night before. You rub your eyes and stretch, yawning, then consider how to solve both problems. Hm... "Get the harpoons from below deck and have the men adjust course southwest." You order *if (sumyungai) Yungai, *else the young man, "We sail for the whale." The crew adjusts the sails and prepares to hunt. After hours of venturing further out to sea, you spot water being blown into the air off the bow and a large bowhead whale breaches the water off in the distance. "There they are, men!" You call out to your crew. "These murderous bastards have had it too good for too long! It's time we avenge all the fish they've slaughtered and show them how it feels!" While your men go to work hunting the whales, no one corrects you that these whales are filter feeders and do not hunt fish. It is not a well-educated crew. You harvest what you can from your catches in the form of food, baleen, and fats that can be rendered down for soap and oil. After distributing portions to your crew for them to sell, seeing as you've almost never paid them, you take a large portion for yourself. *set val 0 *set retainer_morale + 3 [b][Retainer Morale +3][/b] *line_break *if (background = "Trapper") [b][Trapper Background Event: Bounty Increased][/b] *set val + 3 *line_break *if ((element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water")) [b][Water Element Event: Bounty Increased][/b] *set val + 3 *line_break *if (survival > 0) *label survivalagain [b][Survival ${survival} Check Passed][/b] *set val + (survival * 2) *else [b][Survival 1 Check Failed][/b] *set val 1 *line_break [b][Item Gained: ${val} Crates of Loot][/b] *set loot + val You eat well, refuel the lanterns, tell your men to make some soap for their own good [b]and[/b] yours, then rest for the night while your journey continues. *goto daycounter *disable_reuse #Take up painting. *set ruthless - 3 So much of your life has been about physical endurance, violent encounters, Martial World politics, and cultivating foreign energies with just as much strain and pain as your first cycling. Now that you have a crew at your disposal and free time to spend how you choose, you decide to take up painting instead for a more calming afternoon. After assembling the paints and creating some makeshift brushes and canvas-holders (bolted to the ship's flooring), you mix your pallet's paints and look upon the crisp bright white canvas *if (craft < 2) with a hundred ideas flooding through your mind. [b][Craft 2 Check Failed][/b] Far too many ideas, really. You change what you're trying to paint on three separate occasions and by the end it looks like a muddied brown mess where you overlapped wet paints and ruined the mixes. "Can I see?" Leona asks over your shoulder. Leaping in surprise you throw a palm forward and release a wide energy blast, disintegrating the painting in an instant. No one must know of your lack of talent. *page_break *goto daycounter *else to decide what your first painting on the high seas will be. *choice #My first sight of the sea. The brushes get to work all on their own, with you simply following the flow of your drawing as your memory wills itself onto the canvas. The ship gently rocks to the ocean beneath your feet as you mix dozens of shades of blue to capture its depth of expanse. Your spirit feels calmed by the practice more than it ever has during meditation. *if ((element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water")) [b][Water Element: Shugendō Affinity][/b] *line_break [b][Ruthlessness Decreased][/b] *set ruthless - 3 *line_break *set apval 10 *else *set apval 4 *gosub_scene quicks apboost When stepping back you gaze upon your work and find it soothing, as if the paint gently expresses the essence of grand adventure and possibilities you felt when first viewing an impossible world so different than the one you knew. It's exciting, but calming and reassuring at the same time. You like it. This one's going in the Captain's Cabin, right above the desk. *page_break *goto daycounter #Taio's stupid face just before I killed him. *if (craft >= 3) [b][Craft 3 Check Passed][/b] As you *gosub taiopaint delivered, you can't help but feel inspired. So inspired, in fact, that you take out a second canvas and get to work painting a second set to harken back to the other range of emotion you drew out of his more brutish and baffled counterpart, the first Taio, leader of the bandits. *set itempainting +110000000 [b][Item Gained: Portrait of Taio the Bandit's Baffled Face][/b] [b][Item Gained: Portrait of Taio the Scholar's Defeated Face][/b] When you finish you look upon your dual-canvas setup and consider selling the pair as a set, for they seem to be simultaneously reacting to the onlooker and looking to each other in disbelief, depending on the angle you view the pictures at. *else You *gosub taiopaint delivered. At first you suspected the process would be difficult and racked with complications, but you don't even need a second canvas. Drawing out the look on his face when he realized you had beaten him is as easy as drawing breath. *set itempainting +100000000 [b][Item Gained: Portrait of Taio the Scholar's Defeated Face][/b] You step back from the painting and smile on your work. Damn, you are good at this. After profusely washing the paint off your hands you pack the canvases away and head to bed for the evening. *page_break *goto daycounter *disable_reuse *selectable_if (((athletics >= 2) or ((element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water"))) or (background = "Herbalist")) #Swim alongside the ships. "Got any plans for the day?" Kosuke lazily asks, chewing on a long piece of grass by the starboard railing. "Where did you get a long piece of grass?" You ask. "Ah, dodging the question!" Kosuke tsks at you. "Only criminals do that. Like right now, when I did it? It means I am intending to commit a crime." "Well, don't? You're on my ship." You shake your head and look down at the sea. It's a warm sunny day and the waters are clear, no Beast has shown itself all day, and the only Spirit within detection is a Wind elemental moving on its way among the high winds. It paints a pretty stream of emerald light into the sky for a while before disappearing into the clouds. It's the perfect day for your dumb idea. "For your answer, I've been craving a swim." You reply, leaping on top of the railing and gazing at the majestic view of the ocean. It's a shame about the salt. Kosuke shrugs and hollers out to the crew. "Drop anchor, the Honored $!{patriarch} wants to swim!" "No need!" You shout back. "I'll keep pace." [i]Now[/i] you have the crew's attention, as they all turn to you like you've sprouted a second hand. An older Human speaks up first. "Keep pace with the ship, Captain? In the water?" You answer him by diving overboard. *page_break Wave after wave crashes into your face yet you push your body to swim harder and faster for the rest of the day. Your ship threatens to get ahead every time you catch your breath from a splash of salt to the mouth, proving the challenge to be against your psyche just as much as it is against your body. Yet even throughout the physical workout of the marathon swim, you find ways to learn. No amount of Aura Pressure helps your hand grip more water, so surprisingly it's not your Power Core that you rely on, it's your Agility Core. *set apval round(agility+athletics) *gosub_scene quicks apboost *line_break *if (weight >= chapter) *set val (round(weight) + athletics) [b][Weighted Training Bonus: +${val} Aura Pressure][/b] *set aurapressure + val *line_break [b][Agility Core EXP Increased][/b] *set agiexp + round(power/2) *if (background = "Herbalist") [b][Background Event: Herbalist][/b] Just before dusk hits, your nostrils are assailed with the smell of sulfur. [i]Sulfur.[/i] In the [i]water.[/i] You don't see any ships in sight and there's no aura within sensory range, so it's not a spill or an enemy or even a Fiend. The water's just as cold as the rest of the sea so it's not a volcanic fissure. That leaves only one natural phenomena that can make localized water smell like sulfur, and you've read about it in Father's notes. You cycle power to your lungs and shout for the ships to stop. Another hundred feet and the flagship drops anchor. It slowly turns to pick you up and you see Leona sitting cross-legged on the ship's railing. "Giving up so soon?" She asks. "Not at all." You reply. "I need a satchel and a barrel. Throw them overboard." The blonde lunargoth blinks, then she leans forward. "Don't keep a *if (heshe = "she") sister *else girl in suspense, what did you find?" "Gravekelp." You say with a victorious grin. It's one of the few ocean herbs you know of, an ash-colored weed superstitiously rumored to sprout from the Hells up to the mortal world. They're a godsend for alchemy and handseals, finding it in the wild is a blessing from the Heavens that only an obscurely trained Herbalist could even recognize. "Never heard of it." Leona says, throwing the satchel overboard with a bored expression. "Trust me," you reply confidently, "the merchants have." You hold your breath and dive deep down, collecting as much into the container as you can. *if (spiritbrandloc = "eyes") [b][Spiritbrand Event][/b] Which is an impressive amount, thanks to the subtle glow of your eyes exposing more of the Gravekelp when you reach the dark sea floor. *set alchemyreagents + 15 [b][Alchemy Reagents + 15][/b] *line_break [b][Ritual Components + 10][/b] *set ritualcomponents + 10 *else *set alchemyreagents + 10 [b][Alchemy Reagents + 10][/b] *line_break [b][Ritual Components + 7][/b] *set ritualcomponents + 7 On your second trip down you lose your breath when something in the dark waters brushes you arm. The speed of its movement and hardness of its hide sends alarms shivering up your body. You kick away and swim to the surface as fast as possible, not willing to have an underwater fight in the crushing darkness. Then you feel a spiritual scan reach you from below. "Go!" You shout to your ships the second you resurface. "GO GO GO GO!" Adrenaline pumps through your veins and panic runs through your heart while you swim for your life back to your vessel, ${auracolor} aura blazing. When you finally make it and your ship's towers take off unbothered, it surprises you that nothing comes after you, but then again, you wouldn't leave a feeding ground of spiritual herbs if you were a Beast either. At least, you direly hope it was a Beast. *else When dusk comes you make one last dash for your ship and climb aboard, unwilling to fight any mysterious sea creatures in the dark. You may have gained plenty of power in the last few years, but that doesn't mean you've lost intelligence. *goto daycounter *disable_reuse #Find an unsuspecting ship to start your secret career in piracy. *set honor - 5 *set ruthless + 3 *comment trigger piracy options in Nanhou *set trialdeets + 2000000 Leona and Kosuke stand before you on ship's upper platform, each holding a pile of square cloths. You sit on one of its benches and look at their work with satisfaction. "This will work, they're good bandanas." "Really?" Leona asks. "I cut these with Bladed Chi in a second, they were supposed to suck." "It's true." Kosuke says. "I complained the whole time that she didn't help me with my pile. What are these for anyway?" "Wearing." You say to the two. "Over your hair or your face, it's your choice, because we're finally doing what you've both been begging for." *if (heshe = "he") "A threesome?!" *else "Killing Bo?!" Leona says with a delighted gasp. *line_break "Killing Bo?!" Kosuke says with a delighted gasp. "No, Ancestors, calm down." You shake your head at them in disapproval. "We're committing piracy on the high seas." "That's almost as good." Kosuke admits. "Shit!" Leona screams. "Shit! Shit! Shit! I threw my pirate outfit overboard already!" She surges an Agility Core and disappears below deck in a scarlet blur, probably to look for materials to an eyepatch or tricorn hat. *if (loot > 0) She'll figure out eventually that you've already gotten rid of all your crafting cargo. *else Insulting stereotypes, yes, but only to pirates. Which...you're about to be. You reserve the right to be insulted later. "I'll get the crew ready." Kosuke says after she's left. "This is going to be awesome. I'll *if (shipcount = 2) visit our other ship *elseif (shipcount > 2) visit one of our other ships *else check below deck first, one of the crew captured a parrot in the Harehama jungles that we can use." *if (roc > 0) "I have a better idea." You say, looking up to the crow's nest. ${rocname} looks down on you with the intense stare of a happy bird. You return the look with a maniacal smile. "No." Kosuke says in horror. "She can [i]not[/i] fit on your shoulder." "Oh, she can." You reply with villainous intent. "And she will." *else "Hells yes." *page_break Scouting the seas this close to Nanhou offers plenty of ships available for raiding, some with less Aura Pressure than others. The difficulty you find, aside from apologizing to one powerful Martial Artist who shook your ship with his voice when demanding that you stop scanning his men, is locating a low Aura Pressure ship with no one else around to help them. The last thing you need is to give a vigilante justification to intervene and seize your ships after. It's not until nearly dusk when you finally spot it: a single ship in the entire ocean view, sailing too close to the coast when there are no coastal towns in sight. A ship seeking an illusion of safety. It's show time. Your ship sails ahead of the target and slows down by dropping anchor. You, Leona, and Kosuke place bandanas over your faces and stand at the back of your ship, waiting for the enemy ship to catch up and enter hearing distance. "Hold, travelers!" You shout out over the waters when the other ship enters hearing distance. "You've crossed with the daringest of pirates on the high seas, surrender your cargo or we will seize it from your sunken salvage! We can handle this the hard way, or we can handle this the easy way!" After a small commotion a voice comes back from the other ship. "We'll give you nothing, robbers! Get in our way and see what happens!" The other ship turns its sail to change coarse around you. A spike in spiritual pressure coming from the vessel lets you know someone is preparing for battle. *if (flagshiptype = "combat") [b][Combat Ship Event][/b] "Do we use the ballista?" Kosuke asks. *choice #"What kind of question is that? Hells yes you use the ballista." "What kind of question is that?" You reply. "Hells yes you use the ballista." "Yes, *if (heshe = "he") and (bffheshe = "she") sir!" *else finally!" Kosuke sprints to the war engine at the front of your ship where he extracts a secured bolt from the side of the ship and loads it onto the war engine. You stand in front of the device and lift the locks on its swiveling platform then turn the shack-sized crossbow toward the fleeing ship. With one eye closed to aim, you line up the targeting irons and place both hands on the massive two-sided trigger, then... You fire. *set combatstat "agility" *set combatskill "perception" *set combatdiff 7 *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) Your *gosub boltfire "Direct hit!" Kosuke screams next to you. "The Heavens smile upon us!" Says a nearby crewman, and you're not sure if he even knows that you're the aggressor against an innocent civilian ship. Hopefully he does. "We've had one direct hit, yes." Leona says, tapping her foot and laying a finger against her chin. Her expression turns sinister as she leans over and *if (heshe = "he") stares into your eyes. *else caresses the ballista. "But who ever stops at one?" *else [b][Retainer Morale -1][/b] *set retainer_morale - 1 "You missed!" Kosuke shouts in your ear. "How could you miss?! He was three hundred feet in front of you!" "I don't use crossbows, especially giant ones!" You shout back in your defense. "The damned thing doesn't shoot straight!" "Of course it doesn't, it-move, move." Kosuke scoots you out of the seat as the crew loads a second crossbow. "I use crossbows all the time, you have to account for the wind and the weight and-" "They're getting away, Captain!" Shouts one of the crewmen. Kosuke pulls the firing trigger and the *gosub boltfire "Got her!" Kosuke shouts, wiping sweat off ${bffhisher} brow. "Direct hit!" "Thank the Ancestors." You say, the weight of failure falling off your shoulders. Commanding specialists is still a victory. "Now get her again." Over the next five minutes you barrage the ship with bolt after bolt from your siege engine, piercing holes through its hull over and over until finally the vessel has taken on too much water and tips, sinking into the ocean. Plenty of cargo crates and barrels float to the surface and your men are able to dive for more thanks to the shallow depths of the battlefield. *set val 14 *goto afterballista #"No, let Leona take care of it." "No," you say nonchalant, looking to your longtime freeloader. "Let Leona take care of it." "Yay!" Leona shouts. With two swift motions *goto leonadraws *else *label leonadraws Leona draws her blades and slashes downward three times. Four hundred yards away, their sail shreds to tatters. "You have chosen the easy way!" You yell. The three of you dive into the water and swim to the ship, with you and Leona closing the distance and climbing aboard while your crew follows with rowboats and weapons drawn. The crew shrieks and screams as you pull yourself over the taffrails with your full Aura Pressure blazing around you in ${auracolor} chi. Two men run up from lower deck, an Oni and a Human, and flare violet auras. "Surrender your ship!" You shout at the two while Leona draws two blades behind you. "Don't be foolish, your supplies aren't worth your lives!" "You'll get neither!" Screams the human, charging Leona in a blur of violet Storm Chi. The younger Oni charges you simultaneously with a surged Agility core and a flying kick. *set combatstat "power" *set combatskill "perception" *set combatdiff 8 *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) Both you and Leona catch their attacks and slam their heads together, knocking them out. You wouldn't have even attacked this ship if you scanned a threatening Aura Pressure. *else Leona kicks the charging man in the face with her plated boot as soon as he closes the distance, knocking her target out by using the man's momentum against him. Coincidentally, you also get kicked in the face. *gosub_scene quicks woundcheck 1 true false *if (pblocktech = "") With a bloody nose and a sudden spike in anger *else With a sudden spike of annoyance you grab the Oni's foot before he passes by and swing him in a full 360 circle, smacking his head into a metal stud meant for tying ropes. He drops as well. The crew around you stares on, frozen in fear. "Well?" You say to them. "You're being robbed, quit lazing around and fetch my new supplies!" Several drop to their knees and recite formal apologies while others run below deck to find anything worth their lives. *set val 10 *goto afterballista *label afterballista *if ({metleona#4} = 1) [b][Piracy Event][/b] Using the blueprints for your own smuggler's compartment that Leona added in Ebikowa, you check for similar designs on your target's ship and find their hidden caches. *set val + 5 [b][Item Gained: 2000 Silver][/b] *set silver + 2000 *line_break [b][Item Gained: ${val} Crates of Loot][/b] *set loot + val After seizing as much cargo as you can there's just one issue to address: *if (val = 14) the crew swimming away from the wreckage. Your Martial Retainers even managed to save a few that were stuck aboard the ship when it sunk. When all of them are rounded up you have twelve desperate men and women who clinging onto the rowboats you're using to store their own cargo that you very much intend to keep. *else the ship's crew. Both of the Martial Artists are off-limits; seizing potential Trialgoers is a deathwish so you have them loaded onto the ship's rowboat and sent to shore. They can walk the rest of the way. The rest of the crew, however, are not Martial Artists. That makes them available. Your Martial Retainers rounds them up at the front deck. Your captives look up with awe and fear, their gaze locked solely on you, the pirate captain with *if (roc > 0) a Roc painfully and awkwardly clutching onto both of ${hisher} shoulders. *else (someone else's) parrot glaring at them from atop ${hisher} shoulder. *choice #"You're all free to go, I'm only after your money." [Let them escape to shore] "You're all free to go." You announce to the frightened prisoners. "I'm a pirate, not a slaver." They stay where they are, frozen in fear. "That means leave." You reiterate. A sudden scramble breaks out as they take no time at all to accept the offer, rushing over each other to *if (val = 10) return to their sailing stations and get as far away from you as possible. *else swim to shore before you change your mind. Leaving witnesses is a foolish endeavor that will no doubt increase your infamy, but Kosuke often says you can't say 'infamous' without 'famous'. You're not sure if ${bffheshe} knows how prefixes work. *set prestige + 2 [b][Prestige Increased][/b] *set ruthless - 2 *set honor + 1 *set infamy + 5 *line_break [b][Infamy Increased][/b] *goto daycounter #"Congratulations on your new employment!" [Pressgang the crew into chained rowers] Pressganging is your typical go-to, but you can't take these people on as true retainers. You'll be in Nanhou soon, a land of laws where these people no doubt have contacts they were going to meet with. There's no way they'd stay on board, and there's no way they'd keep their mouths shut. Luckily, you are sailing on former Sunbringer ships, and blood cultists tend to have a surplus of chains. With a snap of your fingers you have the crew bound and rowed to your *if (shipcount > 1) ships. *else exceedingly crowded ship. Once there, you have them manacled and chained to the rower's benches where you congratulate them on their new employment. Several men in the lower levels seem disturbed by this new development, but others look on with relief at the chance to do anything but rowing. [b][Acquired 12 Retainers][/b] *set retainers + 12 *line_break [b][Retainer Morale -8][/b] *set retainer_morale - 8 *line_break [b][Retainer Strength +1][/b] *set retainer_strength + 1 *set ruthless + 8 *set honor - 4 *set infamy + 2 *line_break [b][Infamy Increased][/b] Leona, on the opposite end of reactions, bites her lip while watching the prisoners get put in chains. *goto daycounter *if (daysleft <= 0) #Sail for Nanhou. [Ends Exploration] *goto journeysend *label daycounter *page_break Another day at sea. *set daysleft - 1 *if (daysleft > 0) *goto themdays *label journeysend The morning begins like any other; you rise out of your bed in the Captain's Cabin, wash yourself, put on your *if (clothes != "") ${clothes}, *else combat gi, and exit onto the main deck to the smell of saltwater and the sound of your crew moving about. Yet there's something different this time. Noise. Much of your crew is standing at the bow of your ship and looking east. You step onto the deck of your ship and behold the sight of land miles in the distance. Not just any land, either, but a veritable city. Docks line the coast with more ships than there are people in all of Thunderfall. Thousands upon thousands of buildings fill the horizon in different shapes and sizes, with towers and arenas spread out throughout different districts comprised of different sets of architecture. Floating fortresses hover hundreds of feet above the city in a grand display of Sect power, and the hustle and bustle of one million visitors is audible even this far out to sea. Nanhou. Yet that is not the sight captivating your crew. In front of the city, blocking your entry, is a line of uniformal junkships, three stories tall and equipped with cannons. Their sails show the emblem of a golden sun shining behind a red fist. One of your crewmen, leaning over the railing in disbelief, whispers in equal parts awe and fear. "The Callous Armada." *page_break "It is quite a sight to behold, yes." Says an unfamiliar voice from your upper platform. You turn around and see a woman in black robe, tied at the waist and cut down the center at the bottom to reveal black pants underneath. A veiled black Bōgu mask hides her face, and in the warm sun of the early morning the outfit looks...uncomfortably warm. She leaps over the railing and lands before you in a kneel. "Excuse me, Young *if (heshe = "he") Master, *else Mistress, would you know the owner of this vessel?" "I am the owner." You reply *if (ruthless < 45) hesitantly. *else confidently. "Wonderful!" She exclaims. "I am an official scribe of the Heavenly Ascension Trials. Considering the unusual circumstances." She nods to the armada of ships between you and the city. "We have been dispatched to aid in any transportation troubles." "What troubles?" You ask. "Why is there a fleet of ships blocking my passage?" "It is the Callous Armada, a faction local to Outer South and participating in the Heavenly Ascension Trials. Their forces have formed a blockade against any Trialgoer ship passing through, but you may swim with me to Nanhou if you wish to surrender your vessel. If you wish to resist, the Judges of the Trials have demanded that the Callous Clan offer you a duel against one of their Trialgoers. Upon victory, your ships will have safe passage." "How can this possibly be allowed?" You ask. "Since when do the Exalts let someone else add rules to their Trials?" The Scribe gives an empathetic bow. "Apologies, Young *if (heshe = "he") Master, *else Mistress, I cannot speak on their reasoning, but in my personal opinion, the Exalts of the Council want those with power." She looks out to the line of over a hundred ships under one banner. "This is power." "More like [i]'This is bullshit'[/i]" Kosuke mumbles, climbing down from the upper platform as well. The scribe bows even deeper. "Again, we humbly apologize for the inconvenience." "We?" You ask. "There were three scribes when they first showed up." Kosuke says, "Leona dismissed hers, she's fighting over there." $!{bffheshe} points a half-mile south and you see *if (shipcount >= 2) one of your ships anchored. *else a dhow ship that looks like one of the many you left back in Ebikowa. Dangerously close to that ship, the blonde Lunargoth runs across waves, stepping on debris of a destroyed rowboat with each step as her two swords clash against the stone-covered arms of a Bull Yokai man trailing behind her. Kosuke suppresses a snicker behind you. "And Bo Lo left without a fight." "Without a fight?" You ask, eyes on Leona's battle as she sends scarlet sickles of energy flying into the Yokai's conjured chain-boulder. "Why'd the Armada let him through?" The scribe stands to attention. "Lower Disciplie Bo Lo of Thunderfall claimed he owned no vessels, and chose to swim through. The Callous Clan is only blocking ships, they are not blocking Trialgoers from traveling. Seeing as any Trialgoer has the option to swim or fight of their own free will, the Judges of the Heavenly Ascension Trials have considered this display of force to be within their rules. If you wish to go to Nanhou without a fight then you may come with me and we will swim to shore together, but the Callous Clan will not allow your dhows through unless you defeat one of their champions or surrender one of your ships to them as tribute." Kosuke pipes up from behind the scribe. "You can go then. Leona's got this covered and even if she doesn't, $!{name}'s not surrendering." The scribe shakes her head. "I am afraid I am here for more than concierge service, I must record your entrance into the Heavenly Ascension Trials, as well as the ownership history of your *if (shipcount > 1) vessels." *else vessel." The scribe pulls a scroll and inked quill from seemingly nowhere. "Now, for the sake of our dock records, who are you registering under for the Heavenly Acension Trials?" *choice #The Thunderfall Sect *set sect_thunderfall + shipcount *set trialdeets + 100000000 "I am ${fullname} of Thunderfall Village." You reply. "I fight on behalf of my Sect." #The $!{clan} Clan *set val 111 *set sect_thunderfall - 10 "I am ${fullname} of the ${clan} Warrior Clan." You reply. "I fight in the Trials on behalf of my Clan." "Wonderful." The scribe says, jotting some lines down. "Now I require your signature to register your 'seed' in the Trials. You'll be the second-to-last, participating in three days time. The signature will grant you ownership of these vessels in our records." "Grant me ownership?" You ask, taking the scroll from her. "I already own these." "Yes, we received word by bird that these ships were taken through legal conquest in an official Sect War between Sunbringer and Thunderfall, but our dockmaster's records need to be updated for the purpose of payments and debts. Please sign here and here, and we'll change the ownership from Sunbringer to Thunderfall." "Hmm..." You bite your tongue and think of the best way to handle this. You don't want Mao getting your ships. *if (val = 111) "Adjust ownership to the $!{clan} Clan. Thunderfall Disciple Bo Lo received these ships through legal Sect War and ceded them to me, with the entire crew as witness." You're actually shocked that that's technically true. Your Clan has no official War but, by technicality, you just might be able to claim these personally anyway. *else "Register them under the ${clan} Clan for now. I wouldn't want to burden my Sect with fees they didn't agree to pay." "Very well." The scribe replies. "I'll need to add the ${clan} Clan to our dock's listings, I don't see them from our Trial registry. Please look through these Writs and make sure everything is in order." The scribe dumps a collection of documents onto you relating to your ship's ownership records. According to the Sunbringer records, two Clans and a Trade Sect had docked your flagship at Nanhou before the Sunbringers seized it. You also have the Thunderfall records and a blank document for your own Clan. And these are just five of the documents this woman had on her immediate person. These scribes are [i]thorough[/i]. *page_break Half a mile to your right, an explosion of scarlet chi fades out to the screaming of the Callous Clan's champion. Leona leaps off the water's edge in a blur and lands on the other ship holding a large arm. In the water, blood pools around the Callous Armada's Bull Yokai champion. He holds the stump where his limb used to be. Cheers break out from the crew around Leona. The crew of the ship she landed on pulls their anchor up and drops their sail to take advantage of the good winds by accelerating immediately. "Pull anchor too, Kosuke." You say with a *if (ruthless > 52) approving nod at Leona's ruthlessness. *else disapproving shake of the head at Leona dismembering people. "It looks like she's won, so we're good to go." "Pardon me, Honored Guest," The Imperial Scribe interrupts, "but that is not the case. The Young Mistress has only gained passage for the nearby Sunbringer Disciples." "The Sunbringers are dead." You counter firmly. "I saw it myself in Ebikowa. She's with me." "We had heard by bird of their Sectmaster's demise in Ebikowa two weeks ago, yes, but their Lower Disciples under twenty-five have been in Nanhou for months. They were some of the first to register for the Trials. Let's see here..." She rifles through a series of scrolls in her pocket and withdraws one. "Aha, here we are. After hearing the news that their Upper Disciples and Sectmaster were lost, and the Sect's Founder, Master Bangle, is deceased, we registered the Trialgoing Lower Disciples to serve under the Sect Founder's heir. In fact, it was his heir that sent the message by bird in the first place to suggest the transfer of ownership. A coup, no doubt, but an internal issue not worth our time." You feel *if ((element1 = "Ice") or (element2 = "Ice")) your icy aura involuntarily activate as a numb sensation seeps *set solexp + 1 *elseif ((element1 = "Darkness") or (element2 = "Darkness")) your dark aura involuntarily activate as a numb sensation seeps *set solexp + 1 *elseif (style = "Kurokonton") your Cursed aura involuntarily activate as a numb sensation seeps *set solexp + 1 *set agiexp + 1 *else a numb sensation seep into your core. Your fight against Crow Li in Ebikowa, his activation of the Demonic Gate, and his demise at the hands of Fiends...it was all less than two weeks ago. The scribes received word of his death before it even happened. Like it had all been planned from the start. Suspicion and paranoia claw through the back of your mind as you look up, past the row of Callous Armada warships, and see Leona turning around aboard her vessel while it passes through the blockade. Just before the warships reposition and block your view, her blue and green eyes meet yours. With blood smeared on her face, she smiles. You look down to the parchment and see Master Bangle's name scratched out, and Crow Li's scratched out above his. In their place is the name of your enemy faction's new Sectmaster. Leona Bangle. *finish *label wavytrain Saltwater rushes over you like a hundred fists striking at every weak point, but your ropes hold well enough to keep you secured to your flagship. *return *label spiritburst A burning sensation fills your arm, as if every blood vessel is bursting from the spirit invading your body, *return *label waterlaunched Are launched upward with the rest of the water blown off the creature's maw, 'safely' away from its jaws as you're blown into the sky from the speed of its charge. *return *label sparwound *if (woundbonus > 0) [b][Technique Activated: Resisted AP-Loss From Wounds!][/b] *set counter + 1 *else *set val + 1 *if (val >= 2) [b][Aura Pressure -1][/b] *set aurapressure - 1 *return *label sparwin *set counter + 1 *if (fightbonus > 0) *set counter + 1 *if (weight > chapter) *set counter + 1 *return *label dueltalk A dozen quick spars occur between fighters of different Sects. You see blasts, empowerments, and more subtle Techniques of all elements and Styles. What catches your attention is *return *label enterring You slip through the circular line of palm trees and step into the sandy sparring ring. *return *label sparringover "This bout is over." Announces the old man in Windrising colors from the crowd. "The interloper is the victor. May we return to the list now?" You look around the crowd. While none were applauding before, they certainly do when they personally come under your visual scrutiny. *return *label energy2 follow you through the ring as you dodge them the first time, and the second, and the third. The Mystic Chi of Kiihakai, you realize. Of course they're rivals. They have the same damned style! When you get to the very edge of the ring you have both homing energy blasts coming from the same direction and throw your hands together, launching your own blast out to blow up their attack. *set combatstat "soul" *set combatdiff 7 *if ((element1 = "Storm") or (element2 = "Storm")) [b][Storm Event: Difficulty Reduced][/b] *set combatdiff - 1 *line_break *gosub_scene quicks combatcheck *if (passcheck) Your ${auracolor} chi surges around your arms and outstretched hands, your palms joined together like a cannon. When your spiritual energy explodes outward it slams into and through both Mystic blasts and overpowers them, detonating their attacks in mid-air. *gosub sparwin *else Just as you charge your ${auracolor} chi out of your cores and into your arms, the Mystic blasts pick up speed and slam into you sooner than expected as if the attacks themselves were alive and chose that moment to sprint. God damn chi sorcery. *gosub sparwound *return *label gazhurratalk Suddenly *if (element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water") you plunge into the water as if dragged down and your mind shifts. Flashes of distant visions fill your thoughts like intricate drawings forced over your eyes. First an enormous three-headed dog, bigger than the Magistrate's pagoda, snarling at you from the frozen coast as you look down on it, finding it miniscule. Then your vision shifts again. A lunar dragon circles the skies overhead, just above its volcanic island. Not the majestic celestial dragons or deep dwelling sea serpents, but the brutish and firebreathing animalistic savages that came down with the Lunargoths centuries ago. Oversized drakes, no better than the Wyrms. Its wide wings and four powerful legs demonstrate an affront to the divine serpentine shape of true dragons meant for the Heavens, yet in their arrogance these Beasts manage to Ascend all too often anyway. Lastly the visions flash to a monkey in bin-steel armor yelling down at you from its golden city on the clouds. It doesn't want you here, it knows what you're after, and it says it's far too wise to fall for your tricks. It also gets distracted by a single banana falling from a tree 153 miles east-northeast. In each undesirable encounter you consider what Beast form you will have to take to sire their children before your fugue returns. [i]Disgusting tasks, but vital for The Work.[/i] *return *label prayboy You kneel down and pray to ${pikt}, feeling a small connection to....something. You're not quite sure what, but there's a small snap through the air. It resonates with the impression of an agreement settling into place, similar to the feeling you felt when Magistrate Khan and Crusher Mao pledged their soulbinding oaths. The same sensation that loosely connects you to the shrine seems to fill the air and you reach your senses out, just barely feeling a similar connection between the smaller shrines and Gazhurra's. It's impossible to shake the impression that each of the six smaller statues are all Gazhurra's children. Though you shudder to imagine how that's possible. After several more minutes of prayer you feel a deeper connection to the shrine before the sensation cuts off. *return *label conclusion *set sect_windrising - 35 You look from Angelo back to the Wild God shrines and truly think it over as you consider his warning, then voice your final conclusion. *return *label throwninja tea. Eventually nature calls, and so you excuse yourself to the other wing of the tavern where the rooms are located. At the far end of the hall is your target, the washroom, and you hope it's some sort of deep well or Soul Treasure effect rather than just a dark room with a chamber pot. ... It's a dark room with a chamber pot. ... Once you've finished up your business you motion to open the door and feel a shiver down your spine. Looking up, you see the shadows of the ceiling move ever so slightly. Your vision focuses on the shifting patterns of the floorboards above to see what you're really looking at: An assassin. The black-clad shinobi presses against the walls with his hands and feet to stay elevated, his dusk-black cloth-wraps all over his body helping him blend into the shadows of the room. You grab him by the arms and throw him through the door. "Ow! Ah! Ugh!" Shouts the assassin as he bounces across the floor of the tavern. *return *label winegood Not 'smooth' good and probably not what wine enthusiasts or older adults would call good, but it's refreshing with a small punch that's subdued so long as you're still drinking. After your long hike it's positively perfect. Energizing, even. [b][Aura Pressure +2][/b] *set aurapressure + 2 *return *label suremen You reply. "I'm sure a big and strong group of men like you can afford it easily, right?" *return *label guirenexcerpt1 His chest shakes sporadically and his nose snorts from laughter. "Why the fuck were you *if (heshe = "she") hiding in the women's washroom, you pervert." *else watching another man poop, you lunatic." The ninja you bounced off the floor groans as he raises his head, taking off his own face-wrap to reveal he's quite Human and now has a busted lip. "You told me to get ${himher} alone! You set me up!" "You could have walked up and asked ${himher} to come meet us instead of being a filthy deviant." *return *label woodandmetal After several trips between the woodworkers and the foundry a large smile spreads across your face when you look upon your creation. *return *label taiopaint get to work painting the intricate lines of Taio's bruised cheekbones and the ruffled tears of his blood cultist robes from the relentless ass-kicking you *return *label boltfire bolt soars, and soars, and soars through the air...right into the rear side of the fleeing ship at water-level. Waves lap into the new hole and the ship begins to sink. *return *label koshat To your left is not the blonde lunargoth, who is off talking to some Windrising clerk, but rather Kosuke dressed in a brown travel cloak and straw *return *label tournytalk With the fishing tournament underway there are hundreds of Laborers, Merchants, and Warriors lining the coast and piers casting into the ocean to catch their quarry while Windrising clerks oversee from further up the sandy beach. The setting sun paints a yellow-orange light from over the horizon and you decide to... *return *label solong so long as your technique in drawing the line back is correct. *return *label fishcast cast your line out into the waters and *if (fishtip) *set fishscore + 2 use Guiren's tip from days ago. [b][Fishing Score Improved][/b] *if (chummed) Focusing your Cursed Chi into the end of your line, you leash your power to the hook and expand it outward into a web that collects the chum in a cloud around the hook. *else You cut your thumb with a spare hook to use your own blood as chum. Once it gets in the water you focus your Cursed Chi around the blood, leashing it to your hook so you only need a minimal amount to keep a chum cloud around your lure. If anything gets within the three feet, your Cursed Chi should pull it into your hook immediately. You suppose, from the fish's perspective, this is a death curse. *elseif (style = "Midorikatai") *set fishscore + 2 channel your Wild Chi just like Tian Fang showed you. The green energy channels through your rods, down your line, and out into the waters with a bestial command for the fish to start eating. You're not sure if you can actually talk to fish, seeing as they don't howl like wolves do, but the waters take on an expanding green glow as you try anyway. *elseif (style = "Kiihakai") send Mystic Chi down your line, animating the hook to dance and swim like a small wounded fish in a wider arc so you don't have to cast more than once. *set fishscore + 1 *else hope for the best. Ten minutes go by and you begin to lower your expectations. Dozens of shouts come from other areas where people catch noteworthy fish but nothing has taken your line. You begin to worry that you made the wrong choice when you see a shadow under the water. *if (yokaitrait2 = "cat eyes") [b][Cat Yokai (Cat Eye) Event][/b] Your eyes lock onto the movement immediately. *set fishscore + 1 *if ((element1 = "Water") or (element2 = "Water")) *set fishscore + 2 [b][Water Event][/b] Not willing to take any risks, you reach a palm out with five fingers extended and close them, forming a much larger hand of Water Chi inside the sea that you close over the fish. Before it can react you force your hook into it's mouth and pull it up, lifting a sizeable catch into the air. *elseif ((element1 = "Storm") or (element2 = "Storm")) *set fishscore + 1 [b][Storm Event][/b] Not willing to take any risks, you grip your rod in both hands and cycle Storm Chi out of your cores. It's difficult to suppress a scream as you rush the electricity down your rod and direct it to electrocute the fish. The creature doesn't know what hits it, dying instantly. You dive down and plant your hook into its mouth then cheer when you resurface, feigning a legitimate catch. *elseif ((element1 = "Ice") or (element2 = "Ice")) *set fishscore + 1 [b][Ice Event][/b] Not willing to take any risks, your eyes shine pale blue as you flash freeze the fish in the water. Everything but the creature's mouth freezes over instantly and you dive down to plant your hook in its mouth, cheering when you resurface to feign a legitimate catch. *else You dip your lure down and wiggle the jig to attract the fish's attention several times until your gambit finally pays off and it takes the hook. It tries to steal your hook and take off but you fight the creature, your line staying secure, as you pull against it until it tires and you can pull it out of the water. *return *label round1stopper *set savior true As yellow Light Chi surges around the *if (sawshrines) Lightbringer, *else creature, your own body resonates with ${auracolor} Chi and vibrates from the forces of speed you push through your spirit. The clerk at the scale looks wide-eyed at you and shakes his head, but before he can even finish one tilt to the side you disappear from sight, surging down the beach at the same time that the angler Beast moves. Its fangs crash into the crowd of Martial Artists with shocking resistance, as the first body it hits is you. [b][1 Agility Core Spent][/b] *set agispent + 1 Your momentums and auras clash as *return *label icebreaker *if ((element1 = "Ice") or (element2 = "Ice")) [b][Ice Event: Damage Increased][/b] *set dmg + 1 The water it enters [i]after[/i] slamming head-first into the layer of Ice you form underneath its bulky form. *return *label finaldamage *set val 3 *if (eblocktech != "") [b][${eblocktech} Activated, Damage Reduced][/b] *line_break *set val - 1 *if (pblocktech != "") [b][${pblocktech} Activated, Damage Reduced][/b] *line_break *set val - 1 *gosub_scene quicks woundcheck val false false *set counter 1 *set val 0 *return *label droppinbois You drop to the ground alongside its collapsing corpse just as the sea water rushes back in. *return *label oceanpull The Lightbringer's effect pulls the entire ocean around the bay towards itself, five-hundred feet from shore, *return *label finaleffect The rapid maelstrom that becomes of the sea pulls on you with supernatural force, sucking your body towards the Lightbringer, and you feel its energies building up toward a final effect. *return *label deadfish *page_break When the explosion of Blades subsides, the Lightbringer lies exhausted on the dry seabed surrounded by nothing but air. The very sea is absent for one thousand feet and the ocean takes precious time to fill the void. Such an incredible display of chi is reserved for legends and Wild Gods, and it's clear the calling of its ancestry took everything out of the Beast. The sea monster lifts its head, covered in the gore of dead fish, *return