Sword Quest - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Hello Purvis]

> Look down at the cat.
> "Sorry, little one, but I need to be off."

>The cat, being a cat, does not answer in any useful way.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Cease the cat melting process and finish our breakfast.

[Hello Purvis]

> Cease the cat melting process and finish our breakfast.

>You leave the cat alone, who seems to be content for the time being, and finish your breakfast. It is simple, but you've grown quite used to simple fare these days.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Since it is our ultimate goal, what do we know of celestial society, if anything?
> What other notable individuals or factions in this land are we aware of aside from the few we've dwelled on?
> Have we met Kasen Ibaraki?

> Stand up from the table.
> "This was most delicious. Thank you."

[Hello Purvis]

> Since it is our ultimate goal, what do we know of celestial society, if anything?
> What other notable individuals or factions in this land are we aware of aside from the few we've dwelled on?
> Have we met Kasen Ibaraki?

> Stand up from the table.
> "This was most delicious. Thank you."

>You have a general understanding that it is the ultimate bliss.
>Not many, to be honest. You know of vague descriptions and stuff.
>You do not know this name.
>There was no table, but you stand up regardless. "You're welcome," Aoi says. "I don't have much, but I'm happy to share."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Do we know of an Iku Nagae or a Tenshi Hinanawi?

> "It is very much appreciated. I wish you the best in recovering and reobtaining livestock."

[Hello Purvis]

> Do we know of an Iku Nagae or a Tenshi Hinanawi?

> "It is very much appreciated. I wish you the best in recovering and reobtaining livestock."

>You do not know those names. What you do know is that a Messenger of the Dragon Palace is seen from time to time, and that somewhere out there is apparently a delinquent celestial?
>"You too," says the Farmer, as she finishes off her own bowl, and prods at the cat with a toe.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I hope we meet again some time. Have a pleasant day!"
> Without stepping on the cat, leave the house and start hurrying along to the village in pursuit of our constituents.

[Mr. Sacchi]

> What do we know of Yukari Yakumo? Or The Dragon, for that matter.

[Hello Purvis]

> "I hope we meet again some time. Have a pleasant day!"
> Without stepping on the cat, leave the house and start hurrying along to the village in pursuit of our constituents.

>"Have a good one," says the farmer, as you make your way out.
>Following the path away, you walk along the edge of the rice field and soon join up with the main road. This road is framed on all sides by fields of rice, daikon, millet, sorghum, and other such staples, as well as the occasional simple peasant dwelling. More farmers are out now, milling among their fields and tending to this or that; a few have begun to harvest in one of the millet fields, which may explain breakfast. None of them seem to pay you much mind. The road stretches to the south, toward town, and toward the north, toward wilder lands.
>Making your way toward town, you can see a well alongside the road, with a number of small homes gathered around it, that seem to mark the outskirts of the village. Less appealingly, you can also see the Buddhists Temple off to the western side of the road. Obvious exits are north, south, and west.

> What do we know of Yukari Yakumo? Or The Dragon, for that matter.

>You've vaguely heard the former name; some high muckity muck among the youkai, supposedly very dangerous? You know of the latter quite well.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

herp i am idort

> Is there anyone with the horses?
> The Temple isn't on fire, is it?

[Hello Purvis]

> Is there anyone with the horses?
> The Temple isn't on fire, is it?

>There are a few farmers using horses for various things.
>The temple does not seem to have any untoward fires or chaos going on at this time.Taking a closer look, you do not one of them; the ship ghost, crawling around on the roof. On the ground, you can see a few humans milling about, engaged in their own business.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Head into the town limits properly, then.

[Hello Purvis]

> Head into the town limits properly, then.

>You head into the town. Soon you no longer have the road to yourself, as other people come and go. To the east, you can see tight housing rows, and some scattered homes and barns, among other shops. To the west, the town tapers into more  fields; smaller personal ones, and scattered houses. Stands of trees can be seen in the distance, some of them clearly the result of human hands rather than the whims of nature. As well, a store called Shou's Clothes stands to the west, apparently the source of a non-trivial amount of the Buddhists' funding, if Tojiko and Futo's observations are correct. Up ahead, you can see the main part of town. Obvious exists are north, south, east, and west.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Who is Shou, if anyone?
> This building is similarly not on fire, correct?
> Where is the matriarch or patriarch of this village?

[Hello Purvis]

> Who is Shou, if anyone?
> This building is similarly not on fire, correct?
> Where is the matriarch or patriarch of this village?

>One of the buddhists, and regarded as an icon of their temple.
>You see no damage to it, just a bit of weathering.
>There isn't one. Rather, there is a group of elders, and meetings every three weeks or so. You've not been able to attend one, but Tojiko was able to eavesdrop in the past. From what she says, the organization here is very minimal.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> What other notable locations are there in town, other than the Buddhist buildings?

[Hello Purvis]

> What other notable locations are there in town, other than the Buddhist buildings?

>There is a marketplace, a public house, a school, several scattered shops, a few food stands, and likely some other things you don't know about.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Is there a blacksmith? Maybe Futojiko went to have something done with our sword.

> Is there anyone outside the Buddhist clothing shop?
> Is the ship ghost still in view?

[Hello Purvis]

> Is there a blacksmith? Maybe Futojiko went to have something done with our sword.

> Is there anyone outside the Buddhist clothing shop?
> Is the ship ghost still in view?

>You believe there is one in the market, now that you think on it.
>There doesn't appear to be anyone outside of it.
>Glancing back, you can't quite see her from here.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Let's head to where we think the blacksmith is located, then. If our route takes us by Shou's Clothes, glance in and see who, if anyone, is operating it.

[Hello Purvis]

> Let's head to where we think the blacksmith is located, then. If our route takes us by Shou's Clothes, glance in and see who, if anyone, is operating it.

>You continue in toward the main part of town. Passing by the clothing shop, you peek through the windows discretely and notice that the nun with the nyuudo is inside, fussing with the racks.
>Heading further south, you come to the main intersection. On the Northeast corner is a school building with a small playground, where several children are gathered. To the west is a building whose sign shows a simple sake cup, you can see some activity inside through the windows. To the southeast are more houses. A wide road runs eastward, with a fair number of people making their way around. The crowd is large enough that you can almost just hear their desires whispering, like the sound of a distant breeze. In a more mundane sense, there is laughter and crowd babble and the occasional sound of a barking dog.  Goods clatter, doors open and shut, and you can hear a hammer ringing against metal; it seems you did correctly remember a blacksmith being around!

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Find said blacksmith!

[Hello Purvis]

> Find said blacksmith!

>You wander eastward, into the market. It does not take you long to find the smithy; for much of it is outdoors under a simple roof. The blacksmith, a small dark-skinned woman with black hair drawn into a a bun and wearing a thick leather apron, works at the anvil, banging a red-hot piece of metal into shape. She glances up as you approach. "Welcome," she says. "What are you looking for today?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "A good morning to you. I am actually looking for two of my constituents. They came to this village while in possession of my sword a little more than an hour ago, I believe. Did they stop by here?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "A good morning to you. I am actually looking for two of my constituents. They came to this village while in possession of my sword a little more than an hour ago, I believe. Did they stop by here?"

>"Uh, no one stopped here with a sword, if that's what's you're asking," says the blacksmith, looking up from her work.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Frown.
> "Curious. I cannot imagine what they would have come here with that sword for, if not to meet with a weaponsmith. Ah, not to accuse you of lying, of course."

[Hello Purvis]

> Frown.
> "Curious. I cannot imagine what they would have come here with that sword for, if not to meet with a weaponsmith. Ah, not to accuse you of lying, of course."

>The blacksmith shrugs. "All I can tell you is I haven't seen anyone here with any swords. Did sell a knife a little while ago."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Nod.
> "Very well. In that case, could you possibly indicate to me whom I would be best served speaking to concerning my missing friends, be it a leader figure or simply someone that keeps tracks of the comings and goings of the village?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Nod.
> "Very well. In that case, could you possibly indicate to me whom I would be best served speaking to concerning my missing friends, be it a leader figure or simply someone that keeps tracks of the comings and goings of the village?"

>"Well, if you're not looking to just ask people at random," says the blacksmith, "I would suggest sniffing around the pub. A lot of people go there. Otherwise, I don't know who I'd ask if I were you."

>_