Sword Quest - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Kilgamayan]

> Shrug.
> "This one's exactly what it says on the tin."

[Hello Purvis]

> Shrug.
> "This one's exactly what it says on the tin."

>"Is that so?" says Meira. "Well, I'll still keep it around. It's useful."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Sure thing. Let's try the katanas now."
> Head back inside, trade the tanto for the katanas, and then give the dummies a few more quality whacks.

[Hello Purvis]

> "Sure thing. Let's try the katanas now."
> Head back inside, trade the tanto for the katanas, and then give the dummies a few more quality whacks.

>Heading back inside, you grab the two remaining swords. Starting with the more decorated of the two, you examine the blade. Much as the hilt is shaped like a tiger's head, the blade itself is etched with several prowling tigers, inlaid with gold. At first you are doubtful this is a weapon rather than a prop, but examine thing edge and the watering tells you that its tempering is more than just show. Taking a few strokes with it, you feel that it is a fun, if gaudy weapon, but it does not feel as though there is any soul in the weapon. Perhaps it is too decorative, or the smith simply didn't truly pour his heart into the work? Perhaps it has been a showpiece for too long? It is hard to tell, but it does not seem to have a hidden worth outside of its historical value, if any. However, it does seem to be a worthwhile weapon in its own right; one could use it for drawing speedily.
>The other sword is...interesting. Drawing it, you see that the blade is without pretension or decoration. What it does have is an older, chisel-head design, rather than a more modern curved head.  Numerous scuffs and tiny scratches mar the weapon, but they do not seem to indicate any weakness of design so much as having seen a great deal of use. You can find no embellishments or unnecessary work done to this weapon, it was clearly made to be as simple as possible, as if being given to a low-ranked warrior. However, the actual craftsmanship is superb, even without benefiting from some of the newer techniques that have come to light in the past several centuries. Taking a few strokes with it, it feels perfectly balanced and light as a feather. However, you do not feel this weapon has anything like a soul. Rather, it a history; you can tell it has seen a great many battles, and likely taken countless lives. That history lends it a power; it is unpretentious, yet quietly deadly. You have no doubt is is worth much and is a worthwhile weapon, despite lacking what truly distinguishes a sword of quality.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "That first one feels like someone was making something decorative and turned it into a functional blade. It'll do what you expect it to, but that's about it. This second one, though...it has quite a few miles on it. Have you used it much before?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "That first one feels like someone was making something decorative and turned it into a functional blade. It'll do what you expect it to, but that's about it. This second one, though...it has quite a few miles on it. Have you used it much before?"

>"A little," she says. "It's reliable, but I generally keep it sheathed and set aside so it won't rust. No idea how long we've had it."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Makes me wonder who had it before you did. There's a lot of history behind this blade, including a lot of bloodshed. This history is not quite a spiritual force like the wakazashi, but it's a power in its own right."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Makes me wonder who had it before you did. There's a lot of history behind this blade, including a lot of bloodshed. This history is not quite a spiritual force like the wakazashi, but it's a power in its own right."

>"Mmm. I knew it was old," she says, "But I thought it spent a lot of time in back rooms or such."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Shake head.
> "There's definitely much more to it than that."

[Hello Purvis]

> Shake head.
> "There's definitely much more to it than that."

>"I'll have to spend some time with it," she says. "Thanks for telling me that much, though."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "You're welcome. Anything else you'd like me to check?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "You're welcome. Anything else you'd like me to check?"

>"That's all I have at the moment," she says, as she takes back her swords.  "I appreciate this, though."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Nod.
> "You're quite welcome. Thank you for the opportunity."

[Hello Purvis]

> Nod.
> "You're quite welcome. Thank you for the opportunity."

>"Wait just a moment," she says, as she heads back around front.
>A minute or so later, she returns without the swords and carrying a small pouch, which she tosses to you. "That ought to do for an appraisal fee."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> How much do we care for Gensokyo currency?

[Hello Purvis]

> How much do we care for Gensokyo currency?

>It's useful to have around, at least. You do like to get food and such as much as anyone does.

>_

[Yaersulf]

>"Oh, thank you."
>"I should probably get going, I'd like to find as many people for this play as I can today."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Oh, thank you."
>"I should probably get going, I'd like to find as many people for this play as I can today."

>She nods. "Won't keep you, then."
>You obtain: 60☼

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Fare thee well. I hope to see you at the performance, whenever it may be."
> Head back on out and on to the Human Village again.

[Hello Purvis]

> "Fare thee well. I hope to see you at the performance, whenever it may be."
> Head back on out and on to the Human Village again.

>"Have a good one," says Meira.
>You depart, and resume your course. The going is a little slow, as you have to dodge around trees and such. But you generally know the way you're going, and this woods in general is well trod by both people and deer to keep the undergrowth light. As well, you note there are several raccoons running around; generally scattering the moment they hear you.
>Soon enough, though, you make your way toward the edge of the village. You can see a number of houses nearby, and a couple shops; you can just pick out a jewelry store, as well as some housing rows further westward. The streets are fairly busy with both morning traffic and people doing their general routine.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Do we know where the Buddhist Temple is? If so, head on that way. If not, head further into the town limits proper and have another look around.

[Hello Purvis]

> Do we know where the Buddhist Temple is? If so, head on that way. If not, head further into the town limits proper and have another look around.

>The Temple is to the west, and maybe a little bit north, if your have your bearing correct.
>You make your way there, travelling through narrow and somewhat busy streets. Wives gossip on their porch-steps and children run around wildly as they often do. Periodically, you note someone watching you, or rather your ghost half, curiously, but no one seems to be interested in bothering you or giving you a stink eye.
>Arriving at the temple, you can see a few people milling about in front, accompanied by a ghostly youkai in nautical clothing. The aura of death clings to strongly to her; you ponder just how long she has resisted passing on? Regardless, things here are less hectic then elsewhere in the city, as you would hope for such an establishment. If you look at it just right, you can still see the ship frame built into the temple.

>_

[Yaersulf]

>Earlier it was established that we see spirits differently than other people do, does this also apply to our ghost half?

[Hello Purvis]

>Earlier it was established that we see spirits differently than other people do, does this also apply to our ghost half?

>Not really. This is because your ghost half isn't really manifesting much of your consciousness. However, you can concentrate to make it look like yourself if you want, and this serves as the basis of your Companion skill.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Is the ghostly youkai attending to the crowd of people?

[Hello Purvis]

> Is the ghostly youkai attending to the crowd of people?

>Not directly. But it seems she is more onhand to deal with their questions and give suggestions.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> How tall is she?
> How well-built is she?
> Make our way to her.

[Hello Purvis]

> How tall is she?
> How well-built is she?
> Make our way to her.

>She is of about average height, perhaps a tad under.
>At a glance, she seems to be reasonably solidly built; not quite muscular, but certainly toned.
>You approach her, and she looks in your direction. "Hey there," she calls out, "Welcome to the Myouren Temple! Can I do anything for you?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Are we known here?
> "Hello. I was wondering if I could request an audience with your matriarch on behalf of my master, Lady Yuyuko Saigyouji."

[Hello Purvis]

> Are we known here?
> "Hello. I was wondering if I could request an audience with your matriarch on behalf of my master, Lady Yuyuko Saigyouji."

>You were briefly here in the past, so you are at least known of, you imagine. You suspect the yamabiko would recognize you instantly, but she doesn't seem to be around.
>"Sure," says the ship ghost. "She's around back, so just go and say hi."

>_