Sword Quest - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Kilgamayan]

> Nod.
> "I look forward to it."
> Have another sip.
> "So it is my understanding that my presence here was particularly desired, as my name was on your gatekeeper's 'list'. Is there something with which I can help you?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Nod.
> "I look forward to it."
> Have another sip.
> "So it is my understanding that my presence here was particularly desired, as my name was on your gatekeeper's 'list'. Is there something with which I can help you?"

>"We felt it was inevitable that one of your position would come to us," says Remilia, sampling her own tea. "We had anticipated your arrival sooner, to be honest, but things do not always go as cleanly as one would like, we understand."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Such is the way of hermitry, unfortunately. Solitude is optimal for the practice of the Tao."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Such is the way of hermitry, unfortunately. Solitude is optimal for the practice of the Tao."

>"Of course," says Remilia. "We think nothing of it."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Have another sip, then waggle a finger a bit at the cup.
> "Mmm, this is quite good. There is a certain flavor I cannot quite identify, though..."

[Hello Purvis]

> Have another sip, then waggle a finger a bit at the cup.
> "Mmm, this is quite good. There is a certain flavor I cannot quite identify, though..."

>"Hibiscus," says Remilia. "We favor it quite a bit."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I see. I must keep this in mind."
> "Anyway, if I may ask, please tell a little bit about yourself, and the role you and your household perform in this land."

[Hello Purvis]

> "I see. I must keep this in mind."
> "Anyway, if I may ask, please tell a little bit about yourself, and the role you and your household perform in this land."

>"To put it simply," she says, "Gensokyo is our land. Others may choose to contest this fact if they wish, but a fact it shall remain. But as it stands, none have done so, and we feel no need to remind them at this time. As for our role, we provide security, in terms of making it known we shall not brook any large scale interference in the affairs at the human village, and provide a small but steady supply of funding to the Hakurei Shrine. Our Sakuya has had a pivotal role in dealing with several of the incidents that have upset Gensokyo, though these days we prefer to take a more hands off approach. In more material terms, you may well notice our artworks gracing some of the finer homes in Gensokyo. As well, our librarian regularly hosts a gathering of notable magicians, to help them advance their craft. This is an official business, of course, but she has our blessing. And, of course, we give shelter and succor many of the faeries in Gensokyo who choose to accept it, teaching them useful skills, giving them a modest wage, and allowing them a place to stay when the weather turns inclement."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Raise eyebrows.
> "So this land does have a single leader, then."

[Hello Purvis]

> Raise eyebrows.
> "So this land does have a single leader, then."

>"In a sense," she says. "We find it more convenient to exercise soft power than exert direct control, most of the time. There have been exceptions."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Sip.
> "Such as when? Have there been Insurrection attempts before?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Sip.
> "Such as when? Have there been Insurrection attempts before?"

>"Once or twice," she says. "We've had trouble with the Hakurei Shrine in the past, but it has been sorted."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "The Hakurei Shrine maiden certainly seems like arambunctious peacekeeping-force type. Or was her greeting for myself and my attendants a unique case?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "The Hakurei Shrine maiden certainly seems like arambunctious peacekeeping-force type. Or was her greeting for myself and my attendants a unique case?"

>"Oh, hardly unique. Just about everyone has met her in such a fashion."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Interesting...ah, that does remind me. Is yours the only major house here? Or are there other...factions, I suppose, or clans? This place seems to be lacking in things like rival warlords, though perhaps one could argue for the Hakurei maiden."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Interesting...ah, that does remind me. Is yours the only major house here? Or are there other...factions, I suppose, or clans? This place seems to be lacking in things like rival warlords, though perhaps one could argue for the Hakurei maiden."

>"Well," says Remilia, "There is Eientei in the Bamboo Forest, but they are reclusive and we do not worry about them, we enjoy very cordial relations. On youkai mountain, one might consider the Moriya Shrine such a faction; certainly their chief goddess is ambitious. But they seem to have contented themselves with holding religious power over the mountain, and we are content to allow them that. Relations are rather good, our Patchouli did quite a bit for us there.  There are the oni underground, but they are less of a faction and more of a horde of bandits. However, underground is where they choose to stay, which makes our lives easier. I suppose one could consider the Buddhists to be such a faction, but they do not seem to have more than informal power, and we feel we can place trust in their leader to keep to spiritual matters. Which leaves you."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> What do we know of the name 'Yakumo', again?

[Hello Purvis]

> What do we know of the name 'Yakumo', again?

>You know that she is a powerful youkai, and many people seem to respect her.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Nod.
> "Indeed it does."

[Hello Purvis]

> Nod.
> "Indeed it does."

>"Perhaps you would care to enlighten us, then?" says Remilia.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> What exactly did Seiga do, anyway? Was it any particular act of betrayal, or just a slow descent into undesirability?

[Hello Purvis]

> What exactly did Seiga do, anyway? Was it any particular act of betrayal, or just a slow descent into undesirability?

>More the latter. She did try to arrange for a foreign power to provide you with military back-up upon your awakening, but you are not quite certain how well known that fact is; it seems that no one has really mentioned it, as far as you or your followers have heard.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Our 'faction', as it were, is already splintered. I have since dismissed one of my most-valued advisors after seeing the true wickedness in her heart; while her help in finding my place in the Tao was immense, she sorely needs to reflect on her ways. So I spend my days with Futo of the Mononobe Clan and Tojiko of the Soga clan."
> Smile.
> "They may formally function as attendants and advisors, but truly, two dearer friends I have never had. That being said, I do believe the three of us hardly pose a threat to any clan of considerable size."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Our 'faction', as it were, is already splintered. I have since dismissed one of my most-valued advisors after seeing the true wickedness in her heart; while her help in finding my place in the Tao was immense, she sorely needs to reflect on her ways. So I spend my days with Futo of the Mononobe Clan and Tojiko of the Soga clan."
> Smile.
> "They may formally function as attendants and advisors, but truly, two dearer friends I have never had. That being said, I do believe the three of us hardly pose a threat to any clan of considerable size."

>She nods. "And what are your intentions for the future?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "If you are asking politically, then I can tell you I do not desire to pursue a return to the prominence I once held. It will not happen if I am left to my own devices, which, frankly, I would prefer."
> "In more personal terms, I simply wish to continue the study and practice of the Tao in seclusion with my dear associates. Ideally, there will come a day where we ascend to the ranks of the celestials, and what a wonderful day that will be."

[Hello Purvis]

> "If you are asking politically, then I can tell you I do not desire to pursue a return to the prominence I once held. It will not happen if I am left to my own devices, which, frankly, I would prefer."
> "In more personal terms, I simply wish to continue the study and practice of the Tao in seclusion with my dear associates. Ideally, there will come a day where we ascend to the ranks of the celestials, and what a wonderful day that will be."

>"So you are renouncing the rights of your bloodline?" says Remilia. "How interesting."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Ruling would take far too much time and energy away from my duties to the Tao. I...suppose I would consider it if enough of the land wanted me that badly, but I suspect my ideals would never be popular enough for that to happen here, so it works out in the end."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Ruling would take far too much time and energy away from my duties to the Tao. I...suppose I would consider it if enough of the land wanted me that badly, but I suspect my ideals would never be popular enough for that to happen here, so it works out in the end."

>She nods. "Then if there there is anything we may have that would assist, you need only ask."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Are we feeling any desires from either of them?
> Smile again.
> "Your generosity is most appreciated."

[Hello Purvis]

> Are we feeling any desires from either of them?
> Smile again.
> "Your generosity is most appreciated."

>Yes. You feel them from just about everyone; however, your earmuffs are keeping it to a distance whisper you can't quite hear.
>"Think nothing of it," says Remilia.

>_