>>42922179
>being the weird robot demon god-blooded
>robot
What?

File: Maka Character Sheet 2.jpg (490 KB, 1469x1134)

490 KB JPG

"Have you seen Tia?" You wonder, suddenly noticing the lack of anyone trying to sneak in your bed and have her way with you during the night. Or morning, in this case.

He shakes his head. "Haven't seen her around since yesterday? Is she mad at you? Did the two of you have a fight?"

...So that's the game she wants to play?

>If that game is hide and seek, then let's play it. Look for Tia. (m+t)
>She's not going to stay hidden for long. For now, let's worry about Gem. Lynne had a good idea about a round-table discussion on the subject, I should make it happen.
>You could send Silk out on her gossamer-harvesting errand today.
>Even if there are no emergencies or events that require my immediate attention, I'm still the ruler of Pearl, and should see to my domain. (s+e)
>I need to go and meet someone. (who?)
>Things here seem taken care of. I could head back to Tianna City.
>I should send a message. (to whom?)
>(Other?)

>>42922197
>>She's not going to stay hidden for long. For now, let's worry about Gem. Lynne had a good idea about a round-table discussion on the subject, I should make it happen.

>>42922195
she was made by her daddy, not born. which is a thing that that nigga can do, what with being the guy who keeps hell running
>>42922197
>She's not going to stay hidden for long. For now, let's worry about Gem. Lynne had a good idea about a round-table discussion on the subject, I should make it happen.

File: Clothes.jpg (758 KB, 890x1500)

758 KB JPG

>Who are we?
Maka, an exiled noble Exalted as a Zenith-caste Solar. Queen of Gem, now ruling the western island of Tianna. You have gathered a vast amount of allies and friends, and defeated every threat to Tianna up to now.
You recently discovered that Tianna is actually an artificial island, built around a First Age Titan: an almighty flying fortress. Your forces have crushed the Bodhisattva Anointed by Dark Water, a Deathlord who tried to usurp its power for himself.
Now you have built a solid power base, and worked hard to draw the attention and earn the trust of the Unconquered Sun. What will your next step be?

>Solar? Zenith? I don't know Exalted...
This quest is as newbie-friendly as possible, and I want it to work as a newbie's intro to Exalted. If you have ANY question, ask in thread. For the setting, google "1d4chan exalted".

>Archive?
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Solar%20Quest

>System?
Dicepool-like system. When performing an action, everyone rolls 1d10 when posting. the first X rolls are considered, where X is equal to attribute + ability.

>XP?
Attributes cost [current score x5] xp. Abilities cost [current score x3] xp, except Zenith costing [(current score x3) -1]. Charms cost 10 xp, except for Zenith-based charms (related to charisma and physical/mental fortitude) which cost 8 xp. At the end of every "session" (thread) you will be presented with a list of possible acquisitions.

>Twitter?
@exaltedfag

>Any questions?
http://ask.fm/Exaltedfag

New System Info: http://pastebin.com/pvAZpsJ6
Characters info (player-made): http://pastebin.com/5WnD47jp
Quest in ebook format (player-made): https://www.dropbox.com/s/yxjjb8e50xs52fq/Exalted%20Quest%20-%20Threads%2001-86%20%5Bpdf%5D.rar?dl=0

>>42922197
>She's not going to stay hidden for long. For now, let's worry about Gem. Lynne had a good idea about a round-table discussion on the subject, I should make it happen.

>>42922195
Yeah she's a clockwork robot, cuz her dad is like a super craftsman demon from hell. He can do that

>>42922217
And we need to pick out some clothes I guess, something casual since we aren't really busy doing anything, how about #10 or #15?

>>42922197
>>She's not going to stay hidden for long. For now, let's worry about Gem. Lynne had a good idea about a round-table discussion on the subject, I should make it happen.

>>42922244
I like #01 or #10

>>42922244
>>42922265
seconding 10

>>42922197
>>If that game is hide and seek, then let's play it. Look for Tia. (m+t)

File: lroxDgq.jpg (93 KB, 682x950)

93 KB JPG

Well, Tia's going going to show up sooner or later.

...you hope. She's taking this bet REALLY seriously.

Still, nothing you can do about that right now. Instead, you should put together that Gem Expedition Brainstorming Committee Lynne proposed.

You change your outfit and go out to see Aexel, finding him in his room in Golden Reach. Much like your own, and, indeed, any room of the Manse, the furniture is rather scarce, but complemented by several small bookcases and a table filled with papers and scrolls bearing complex and abstruse drawings. The aroma of incense and tea wafts in the air.

"Hope I'm not disturbing." You say, walking in after a knock. And something catches your attention: caught a bit by surprise by your intrusion, Aexel rearranges the books and papers on the table, making some cover others, before standing up to come and greet you.

It wasn't a panicked scramble or anything that seemed... guilty, and it could just have been a natural reaction from someone used to keep his research subjects and reading materials discreet, but it still caught your eye.

"Not at all. Did you need anything?" He asks, pulling another chair to the table. "I have some tea, would you mind some?"

You sit down at the table opposite from him. Drinking tea (or anything, really) on top of those books and scrolls seems hazardous, but he apparently doesn't mind. He pours you a cup.

"I wanted to organize a research group, and really wanted you to be part of it." You explain to the dragon-blooded sorceror.

He sips the tea. "Do we have any trouble?"

"No, it's about... it's not about anything on Tianna, actually. I wanted to send a scouting party to my homeland, Gem."

"That's very far away." He states the obvious.

"I'm looking for ways to make it less far." You reply with a smile. "What do you think? You, Irene, Zaan, and Ririth."

(cont.)

File: Aexel Asteras.jpg (695 KB, 688x900)

695 KB JPG

He takes a longer sip. "Fast travel and communication, huh?" He seems intrigued. "Irene and Zaan are in Tianna City, but I can drop them an Infallible Messenger and have them here by evening."

>Please do. Let me know when you'll be starting, I'd like to assist.
>Please do. I'll be busy, so feel free to handle this on your own terms and let me know the results.
>Wouldn't it be better if you and Ririth went there instead?
>(other?)

>>42922197
>>She's not going to stay hidden for long. For now, let's worry about Gem. Lynne had a good idea about a round-table discussion on the subject, I should make it happen.

>>42922197
>>She's not going to stay hidden for long. For now, let's worry about Gem. Lynne had a good idea about a round-table discussion on the subject, I should make it happen.

After that I say we take care of Pearl, and then we go do naughty stuff to Amata

>>42922458
>Please do. Let me know when you'll be starting, I'd like to assist.
Aren't Lynne, Karas and Radiant going?

>>42922458
>>Please do. Let me know when you'll be starting, I'd like to assist.
At the very least we should be there to tell them the gist of the Court in Gem and more local knowledge. (assuming it won't have really changed much if at all even after our family was ousted).

We should also bring Karas in for the planning team so he doesn't feel out of the loop and go off playing METAL GEAR SOLAR again.

>>42922458
>Please do. I'll be busy, so feel free to handle this on your own terms and let me know the results.
I don't really see how Maka could help with this, and we've got a lot to do anyway.

>>42922494
Local knowledge anon, our job at this meeting would be telling them about Gem and what will and will not work based on the way Gem works.

>>42922487
This is to figure out how we're getting them there, not to decide who's going.

>>42922489
>At the very least we should be there to tell them the gist of the Court in Gem and more local knowledge.
How would that help?

>>42922458
>Please do. I'll be busy, so feel free to handle this on your own terms and let me know the results.
We really don't have anything that could help with this if it's just trying to figure out a way to shorten the trip.

>>42922504
This isn't about the actual trip, just making the travel time shorter

>>42922458
>>Please do. I'll be busy, so feel free to handle this on your own terms and let me know the results.
lets face it, this is SO not our forte

>>42922458
>Please do. Let me know when you'll be starting, I'd like to assist.

>>42922195
let me put it this way. If she was actually her father's daughter, she would be several million times less dangerous to us. Daddy is the foremost Demon of the Third Circle, the Green Sun of Malfeas, the nuclear, hateful inferno at the heart of Hell. He was also what the Uncontested Sun was based on. He is polite, respectful, noble, and would in all likelihood respect his daughter's wishes.

However, the stuff he makes?
There is a Second Circle Demon that is his attitude towards his creations made manifest. Sondok, She Who Stands In Doorways, is a goddess-level murderer of any who dare take something from their rightful owner. Her attitude towards those who steal from Ligier is not recorded. She doesn't tend to leave witnesses in such cases. Or extended family members.

>>42922515
It's about knowing how things will work, what to expect and what they will cost us.
And opinate, and tell them where/how to land/enter Gem?

>>42922504
>Local knowledge
How would that help them in any way to figure out how to get there faster?
Remember, we are NOT planning the actual trip yet, just how we're getting there.

>>42922531
this is literally just a 'can we wizard a way to get there faster'. The actual expedition is completely seperate

>>42922531
Which we can tell to the people that will actually be going to Gem and not the people trying to figure out how to gofast there

>>42922458
>>Please do. I'll be busy, so feel free to handle this on your own terms and let me know the results.

>Keep it discreet, please. In fact, if you could find a way to pretend it's to solve another issue altogether, it would be perfect.


Reminders we need to keep it secrete

>>42922458
>Please do. I'll be busy, so feel free to handle this on your own terms and let me know the results.

>>42922556
>Reminders we need to keep it secret
Not really, I mean unless you think Big Boss from Gem has spies all the way over fucking here

>>42922426
>It wasn't a panicked scramble or anything that seemed... guilty, and it could just have been a natural reaction from someone used to keep his research subjects and reading materials discreet, but it still caught your eye.
Super curious, but on the trip I guess if it's just about wizarding it we don't need to be there, but if they need our help on something Gem related they can call us or Karas I suppose.

>>42922584
whats the likelihood of him planning some kind of empowering ritual to impress his demon waifu

>>42922584
>if they need our help on something Gem related they can call us or Karas I suppose.
Seconding this, we have nothing to contibute to the sorcery parts, but if they need knowledge of Gem they can call us. Or Karas, I think he left after us so his knowledge might be slightly more up to date.

>>42922565
Honestly? I wouldn't put it past the current tyrant to have sent spies to one of several places the previous rulers vacationed at when said ruler's eldest daughter and heir escaped the city.

Even if they were only sent as insurance in case Maka ever showed up.

>>42922458
Aexel just looks like he belongs in a FinalFantasy game

"Please do. Let me know when you'll be starting, I'd like to assist."

"Well, communication isn't going to be the hard part. In theory." He scratches the back of his head. "Infallible Messenger can take care of that. In theory."

"Infallible Messengers had been jammed during the battle with the Silver Prince, though." You point out. "They're not quite as infallible as advertised."

"Well, that kind of wide-area sorcerous jamming requires... frankly, I'm amazed that even someone as powerful as a Deathlord could pull it off. I doubt the current Tyrant of Gem is a Deathlord or has one working for him." He mumbles. "There are other, lesser problem to using sorcery, but..."

"Well, we can see what everyone has to say about that tonight." You smile.

"Right, I'll call everyone and organize the meeting, then." He nods.

"Keep me informed."

>Tell him about your idea of sending Silk around Demesnes
>Ask him what's hidden under those papers
>Try and peek under the papers without him noticing (m+n)
>Shift the papers and reveal whatever he was hiding.
>I should look for Tia
>I should go and meet someone (who?)
>[timeskip to the meeting]
>(Other?)

>>42922689
>Tell him about your idea of sending Silk around Demesnes

>>42922689
>Ask him what's hidden under those papers
What'cha doin' Axy?

>>42922689
>Tell him about your idea of sending Silk around Demesnes
followed by
>>Ask him what's hidden under those papers

>>42922689
>Tell him about your idea of sending Silk around Demesnes

>>42922487
>>42922489
Lynne mentioned leaving Karas behind since his version of Metal Gear Solid is sneaking into the enemy base and blowing everything up and Lynne wanted something more Ghost-y

>>42922713
Yeah the thing is though that Karas left to do all of that without telling anybody what he was doing.

We should bring Karas in for the actual team briefing so he doesn't feel completely frustrated and out of the loop and thus decide to go solo and "infiltrate" gem.

>>42922713
To be fair, Lynne did not see Karas being a supreme rusemaster prior to the two of them meeting.
Then again, how well that would work in a city where Karas's face is well know is unknown.

>>42922754
Now hold on, as fun as all that was, Karas wasn't that great of an infiltrator, he left behind a trail of bodies and his lies only lasted as long is it took to get into the Warstrider and prep it for wreckage

>>42922689
>>Tell him about your idea of sending Silk around Demesnes
>>Ask him what's hidden under those papers
But be casual about it, does it have to do with Ririth?

>>42922689
>Tell him about your idea of sending Silk around Demesnes

I so want Maka to get into Amata's office (or room) disguised as a sex demon and make love to her.

Speaking of which, Disguise is Twilight, right?

>>42922874
I'm sure they've so many a times already

>Speaking of which, Disguise is Twilight, right?
Like making/wearing one?
That would be Larceny so Night.

>>42922689
>Tell him about your idea of sending Silk around Demesnes

"Oh, also." You're suddenly reminded. "This is unrelated, but, you know Silk?"

You can FEEL a shiver crawl up Aexel's spine. "...Yes?" He asks, nervously.

"Well, I was thinking on sending her around Tianna to harvest Essence from the Demesnes we have but aren't using yet. I was thinking about asking you and mister Leah, Valeriana's assistant, with her."

He brushes his nose with the back of his hand and averts his eyes. "I'm, uh, not a very good Fair Folk babysitter. I don't think ANYONE is. Are you sure this is wise? Letting her loose like this..."

"I trust that she's not going to cause an undue amount of trouble." You explain diplomatically. "Besides, the advantages of having a powerful Fae with a large supply of Gossamer certainly outweight the risks. But I need people skilled in occult arts, geomancy, architecture, and, well, an Infallible Messenger if needed."

"So we'd be checking on the demesnes and their surroundings while she sucks them dry?"

You nod. "The general idea is that we don't have the time or the resources to cap them with Manses now. But in the future, when they'll have recovered... well, we might."

"It's not an entirely wrong plan." He nods. "Though... well, the process you're describing is rather poorly understood. Some believe that it's possible for a Fae to suck a demesne completely dry, or damage it beyond repair..."

"That's why I wanted you to go along. You know more about this stuff than any of us. Zaan is not the type to have a grounding in this sort of theoretical magic, and Valeriana is skilled at geometry and architecture but a novice at sorcery."

He sighs. "...I guess it's up to me. I'll draw up a route that will let us tour all demesnes and a few locations where I've long suspected there might be a few unexplored ones. Might as well make good on this errand while we're at it."

(cont.)

>>42922971

>write a research paper on Fae demesne-eating habits

>>42922971
Is he afraid of fae?

But he's alright with demons?

>>42923039
in exalted, demons are much, much better than Fae. Or at least, you usually know where you stand with demons. Fae, though, are major dicks

File: 1430506828946.png (43 KB, 403x403)

43 KB PNG

>>42923092
>in exalted, demons are much, much better than Fae.
That's just what the Ebon Dragon wants you to think!

"Oh, please leave out any Demesne that we've planned to develop shortly." You point out, though you're fairly sure there's no need to.

"Of course." He replies. "Did you need anything else?"

"Yes, actually, as a matter of fact yes." You grin inching closer to him. "What are you hiding under there?"

Caught red-handed, he stares down at the table nervously. After a few more seconds of silent pressure he caves in and pull a few papers out of the mess on the table, previously hidden underneath. "...It's not a big deal."

That doesn't look all like his handwriting. After a moment, you begin to recognize the complex structural drawing packed with notes and observations that has just been handed to you. "...This is one of Valeriana's blueprints, but I've never seen this before."

"What do you think it is?" He asks.

You're almost tempted to flip the drawing upside-down to underline how little you're understanding of it. Valeriana's notes, written in extreme shorthands and packed with acronyms, abbreviations and technical jargon, are technically readable but practically useless to you.

"Looks like some of her crazy projects, but I really can't tell."

"Try a guess." He seems to be taking a bit of revenge for your invasion of his privacy. "What do you think Valeriana is secretly planning?"

>A giant essence-powered rocketship? I'm just guessing.
>Is this a weapon? It looks like a staff or a mace. Maybe a maul?
>Is this the second part of Golden Reach, the tower part?
>This is clearly some sort of doomsday device. Is she planning to conquer the world? BEFORE me?
>...A bridge? It looks like it could link Tianna with another body of land, but that's quite absurd.
>Not to feed into the stereotype here, but you'll have to admit, it DOES look quite like an oversized sex toy.
>It looks like she started drawing another manse... and never really stopped drawing it.
>Is this one of those Reality Engines I read about?
>Does this have anything to do with the Titan?
>(Other?)

>>42923119
ok, excepting the ebon dragon. What a dick

>>42923124
All of them. With maximum deadpan

>>42923124
>A giant essence-powered rocketship? I'm just guessing.

>>42923124
Jokingly
>Not to feed into the stereotype here, but you'll have to admit, it DOES look quite like an oversized sex toy.
then
>Is this the second part of Golden Reach, the tower part?

>>42923124
>>This is clearly some sort of doomsday device. Is she planning to conquer the world? BEFORE me?

>>42923124
What >>42923155 said

>>42923124
>Not to feed into the stereotype here, but you'll have to admit, it DOES look quite like an oversized sex toy.

>>42923124
>>This is clearly some sort of doomsday device. Is she planning to conquer the world? BEFORE me?
Unless she's building it for me, what a great girl, she can have the North

Why are there no feminists in this thread whining about sexualization of imaginary game characters who threaten their real life self-confidence?

>>42923124
>>Is this the second part of Golden Reach, the tower part?
Oh no, is he jealous of her super manse tower idea?

>>42923200
What are you talking about Exalted Quest is the MOST feminist quest on /tg/. We got a strong colored minority woman taking a prominent position in the world and is about to marry two other women. The most feminist.

>>42923200
They have in the past. We ignore them and, after realizing they're aren't going to change anything, they go away.

>>42923200
because those are an incredibly small minority with an incredibly loud voice in a few small corners of the internet. and they wouldnt hate on a strong independent black woman who dont need no man, man need her

>>42923124 #
>>Is this the second part of Golden Reach, the tower part?

Rather clearly this

>>42923243
really? what were their arguments?

>>42923124
Oh my god it's all of those isn't it?

Valeriana is going all out with our manse.

>>42922217
I'll take #06 and #07 with fries, #12 with extra dip, a #23 large, and #24 without the salad dressing.

"...Is this the second part of Golden Reach, the tower part?"

It was just a guess, but by the expression dawning on Aexel's face you can tell it was the right one.

"Well spotted." He congratulates you.

You put the drawing down on the table and give a longer, harder look at it. "...Either Valeriana suddenly forgot how to draw, or the proportions..."

"The proportions are correct." He sighs. "Valeriana drew a draft for a lighthouse tower."

"No, that's not how it's supposed to work. Either that or there's a mistake." You reply, pointing to a spot on the drawing. "Here it says that it should be..."

"9865 meters tall. It's not a mistake."

You sit down, and down your cup of tea.

Breathe deeply.

"...I'm sorry, what?"

He shrugs. "Valeriana is utterly insane?"

You pause and focus your thoughts better. "I mean, why-"

"The Penitent of the Lap is the tallest artificial structure in Creation. ten year ago it was measured by a Realm survey team as being 8046 meters tall, to within one meter of accuracy. Its base lies on top of a hill 1846 meters above sea level, also measured down to within one meter of accuracy. Pearl is 30 meters above sea level. Her old plans for Golden Reach were for a tower that would beat the Penitent."

"That's- wait, old?"

"Well, this was before the Titan. Now that Tianna Island can theoretically fly, this project is meaningless." He concedes himself a little smile. "She's a Solar, like you. And maybe, spending time with you has inspired her to pursue her true dream."

"Her... true dream?" You ask.

Aexel relaxes in his chair. "She wants to build something that will shock and amaze Creation. Maybe she always had it in her, even when she was a mortal. But now she's realizing that she can try and pull off the impossible." He shoves the drawings back under the pile. "I think she's still looking for the right way."

(cont.)

>>42923124
>Not to feed into the stereotype here, but you'll have to admit, it DOES look quite like an oversized sex toy.
Oh, it's Pearl's tower!

>Why does the Titan invalidate her design?
>Why didn't she talk to me about this?
>Do you think this project is... doable?
>Do you have any idea what she's working on right now?
>Do you know what her current design for the tower part of Golden Reach is, then, if this was discarded?
>(Other?)
>Say goodbye.

>>42923615
>>Why does the Titan invalidate her design?
Damn Val, that's super cool.

>>42923615
>Why does the Titan invalidate her design?

>>42923615
>Do you know what her current design for the tower part of Golden Reach is, then, if this was discarded?

>>42923615
>>Do you know what her current design for the tower part of Golden Reach is, then, if this was discarded?

>>42923615
>Why didn't she talk to me about this?

I don't get it. If Maka was not supposed to know what it was, why was there an option for the correct answer?

>>42923615
>Why does the Titan invalidate her design?
>>42923655
Because even wild guesses can be correct sometimes.

>>42923615
>>Why does the Titan invalidate her design?
>>Why didn't she talk to me about this
Did she think we would say no or something?

>>42923670
Wouldn't that be better left as a write-in?

My guess is that the Titan invalidates her design since it's a) a far greater craft than anything a Solar can make, at this point b) a flying ship, making a lighthouse useless.

We should give her a place to build the most awesome thing she wants, at some point

>>42923615
>>Say goodbye.

I think it's better to talk to her directly

>>42923119
The Ebon Dragon is everything the Unconquered Sun isn't, including being a massive, self-defeating failure. Not too worried what he thinks

>>42923855
So he's completely not addicted to anything and gets shit done? Sounds dangerous

>>42923855
Don't go underestimating Ebby, regardless of his eventual failure he can still wreck everyone's day doing it and bring down everyone with him as he fails

>>42923868
Well there is at least one potential timeline where that happens.
You know, depending on what you think of RotSE.

File: Spoiler Image (260 KB, 774x1200)

260 KB PNG

>>42923886
So he's like Kumagawa?

>>42923868
Tries, at any rate. And yes, he's more active.

Though think about it, he made the Unconquered Sun, his supposed antithesis and the Unconquered Sun is an absolute tightly wound bundle of different impulses that are diametrically opposed to one another and thus caused him to be wracked with indecision.

In a way, the Ebon Dragon failed at making his own antithesis and chief enemy.

File: How to Infernal.jpg (445 KB, 1020x960)

445 KB JPG

>>42923962
From what I understand, Kumagawa is how Infernal's are supposed to work.
At least that's what somebody told me in the Exalted General one time when I asked.

>>42923997
nah, Infernals are just Solars that got less lucky

"Why does the Titan invalidate her design?" You ask Aexel.

"The structural challenge of building a tower this tall and not have it crumble at the first stiff wind, much less have it survive earthquakes and natural disasters, is already hard enough on a stable foundation. Can you imagine what would happen if that tower was on the Titan and the Titan tilted to the side by even a fraction of a degree?"

You can, and it's not pretty.

"But... why didn't she tell me anything?"

"Well, people don't usually share things like these. Sketches, drafts, early proof-of-concepts. You have to admit, it's pretty technical." He explains. "I don't think she wanted to keep it hidden from you. She shared those with me because she knows I have an interest in architecture as well... though it's not my main interest."

"Really." You mumble. "Wonder what her current design for the tower is."

Aexel stretches a bit and starts with a "well, see...", like it's going to be a long story. You get comfortable. "...When the whole thing about the Titan came out, everyone was shocked, but... if you look out of a window now, for the common man, the realization that he lives on an island build atop a floating fortress... didn't change much, in practice."

You nod.

"Can you imagine the only category of people for whom the realization that this island holds a technomagical fortress that might, one day, take flight, REALLY changed their outlook on everything?"

That's an easy guess. "...Architects."

He nods. "Think about it. It changes EVERYTHING. First of all: how's the island's geomancy going to change when it will take flight? How do we build structures that can survive the stress of flight? How do we interface the surface buildings with the machinery underneath?"

"So, she doesn't know."

(cont.)

>>42923997
Nah they were never that cool

>>42924021
Isn't that what a Minus is compared to a regular Abnormal?

>>42923985
>an absolute tightly wound bundle of different impulses that are diametrically opposed to one another and thus caused him to be wracked with indecision.

The UCS isn't wracked with indecision because of competing virtues, and its rare for virtues to conflict.

For example, Compassion says to fight to defend the weak and helpless.
Conviction says to follow your motive (defend Creation)
Valor says to not take shit.

Of course if he was micromanaging, say, a city, he may have issues there.

>>42923985

The only pettiness that can surpass the Ebon Dragon's own is the one of the universe each time the Dragon tries to do something.

And he wouldn't have it any other ways. Or maybe he would. But he'll probably lie in any case, so...

"No one does." He points out. "I think right now Valeriana is taking a break from those heavy questions by simply focusing on helping fix the damage in Tianna, because she has absolutely no idea on what to do next. Because... when she does, she'll have to re-evaluate everything."

"Everything?"

"I think she's mostly scared of you." He admits.

"Oh, come on. I'm not scary." You laugh him away. "Even if she tells me that something isn't practical or can't be done, it's not like I'll get mad at her."

He stays serious. "That's not what I meant." He points out. "I mean that she might have to break you some bad news."

"...Bad news like what?"

He breathes in deeply. "...I don't know. She's the expert. And, I shouldn't even be saying this to you. So pretend I never told you anything. But..."

"...but...?"

"But she confided to me that, considering the Titan, and your decision to make it fly again, she isn't sure that Pearl and Golden Reach are compatible with it. She said that, unless she finds a way, you might be forced to choose between one or the other."

You let that sink in. Aexel stands up and carries the teapot away.

>...I still have something to ask you, Aexel. (what?)
>Thank him, say goodbye, leave (for where?)
>[timeskip to tonight]

>>42924244
>Thank him, say goodbye, leave (for where?)
Let's go and get the training for our mercenaries out of the way.

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>42924244
>>Thank him, say goodbye, leave (for where?)
I guess we can do some admin work while we wait for the meeting, might as be an actual queen every once in a while.

>She said that, unless she finds a way, you might be forced to choose between one or the other."
Oh god no.

>>42924244
>Thank him, say goodbye, leave (for where?)
>Look for Tia
That's a disappointment. I know what I will support, though.

>>42924244
>[timeskip to tonight]

I'd probably choose the Titan over Golden Reach, if I'm being honest. I kinda knew this might be the case anyway, given the demenses come from the Titan

>>42924244
>>Thank him, say goodbye, leave (training yard, let's get down to business and train the merc company.)

>>42924298
Back to the airship idea?

Titan's grounded.

>>42924244

>Thank him, say goodbye, leave (for where?)
Meet Millian or Pyre or whoever to continue Tiger Training.

>>42924244
>Thank him, say goodbye, leave (for where?)
Find the mercs for training.

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>42924244
>>Thank him, say goodbye, leave (for where?)
Oh no, I feel terrible for this, but Val you gotta find a way so we can have both.

>>42924290
>>42924293
Either of these are fine, either work or training

>>42924310
We promised to spend our tiger warrior training time on the mercenaries.

>>42924309
Functional DIrectional Titan versus Manse

Yeah, no, I think I'm okay with giving up Golden Reach for flying island.

>>42924329
We've committed to their training during the honeymoon / state visit to the Neck.

>>42924342
No we said we would finish it during the honeymoon

>>42924342
As well as everyday beforehand.

>>42924335
>>42924309
Manse all the way. I never wanted the titan anyway. I defended it to the last, but I can't sacrifice the Manse; it's much more meaningful.

>>42924244
I'd probably pick the manse if it comes down to it, I probably won't win but I can't give up my super temple manse to sempai

>>42924349
>>42924371

>"Actually, my honeymoon is also an official visit of sorts, and I'll need an impressive escort. Wouldn't you mind coming along? That way we can get your men's training done along the way."

That was what we voted to say to the guy.

Not before the honeymoon, during it.

>>42924398
But the Titan would be more useful, especially if we can get it's weapon working again.

>>42924409
Then again you make an excellent point. I will have to think on the matter.

>>42924416
>>42833709
>"I hear you." You reply, unconvinced. "We're starting tomorrow. Get your men ready. We're doing two weeks in Tianna, the last week in the Neck. Clear things with your subordinates and officers."
Literally the same post

>>42924416
>"We're starting tomorrow. Get your men ready. We're doing two weeks in Tianna, the last week in the Neck. Clear things with your subordinates and officers."

>>42924244
>[timeskip to tonight]

>>42924244
>>Thank him, say goodbye, leave (for where?
Go do the training if we did promise it then, well I guess we can techincally timeskip that

>>42924432
>>42924438

Fair enough, I clearly need to sleep.

>>42924398
I'm sorry what? Repairing and making the Titan functional seems much more meaningful to me then a Manse ever could be. It's a sign that old things can be reclaimed, that the wonders of the First Age don't have to remain in the First Age, and that the Titan could be used for a better end then another ornament to adorn on to a First Age Solar's list of achievements.

>>42924409
I mean I assume the architecture would still be there, it just wouldn't be essence powered. So we could still have a our temple to the Unconquered Sun

>>42924579
Being essence powered is kinda important, or else there would be no reason to have to need it be built on a demesne, if it doesn't have Solar essence running through it it's just a collection of blocks

>>42924579
That's assuming that there isn't some way to fix the titan and keep the manse as well.

Val has her concerns but this is still way before any decision needs to be made.

>>42924527
Because the manse was more than just a manse, it was a symbol that Solars could and would be better than their predecessors, we didn't build giant redundant weapons that weren't needed, we built a city to house and protect people.

I say this, but it's not like I don't understand the need for a Titan in our age, especially personally for Maka to defend against the Realm, Deathlords, and anyone else so having both is of course the optimal decision and I won't be a bitch if it comes down to it and the Titan wins, I'll just be sad at having Golden Reach have to go, even if we can just rebuild it elsewhere in that moment we'll be choosing one over the other.

After digesting the news (and Aexel's reassurances that it's all unofficial and nothing's set in stone yet, when Val will have made her mind she'll come to talk to you, and so on), you thank the Air-Aspect for his time and head to the Steelshard's compound for their scheduled training.

And you have to admit, they are excellent soldiers. Disciplined, tough, well-conditioned, well-drilled, used to hardships, and with some experience in fighting with, and against, the Exalted.

You'll have to see how far you can push them, but you might end up spending only two weeks for them. For now, you lay out your training regimen for this week: marching, sparring, field drills, weapon drills, small unit tactics, various conditioning exercises, and, at the end of the week, two large-scale mock battles: one half of the company against the other half, and after that you against the entire company.

When you're done, it's about time for dinner, and, after that, the meeting. You get ready and show up just in time.

Aexel has cleaned up his room, brought in more chairs (although they're not a set), and made tea for everyone: Yourself, Irene, Ririth, and Zaan (who, you suspect, is to blame for the fact that there's tea but no cookies, though a suspiciously empty plate rests on the table nonetheless).

"Lady Maka." Aexel greets you on arrival. "We were just about to start. Please, sit down."

You do. "I'm quite curious to see what you'll come up with." You admit.

Irene giggles. "Well, I'll try and surprise you first, then. I've been checking the stuff the Abyssals handed over to us from the wreck of their airship, and there's quite a lot of stuff that we can use."

"You're telling me we can make an airship?" You ask back, impressed.

(cont.)

>>42924618
I feel like this is EF's way of letting us know ahead of time in-game that we'll have to decide between the two.

>>42924609
>Because the manse was more than just a manse, it was a symbol that Solars could and would be better than their predecessors, we didn't build giant redundant weapons that weren't needed, we built a city to house and protect people.

>>42924676
I feel like the Titan could carry the same meaning though. Weren't we planning on most of the Titan being used for civilian purposes like a city? It can still accomplish what the Manse would've accomplished, in my opinion anyway.

>>42924693
>one half of the company against the other half, and after that you against the entire company.
The second week is going to be them versus Karas

>>42924721
not sure why I quoted you >>42924609
sorry

>>42924721
Possibly, but there's still no sense clenching up in consternation before a final choice has been offered. This is second hand information from aexel about Val's private worries, not an ironclad statement from Val saying we can only have one.

>>42924768
alright, fair enough. I hope EF doesn't make us choose. I don't want to have to choose. :(

>>42924721
We were undecided on what to do with it in the end, EF left it vague since votes were close.

And I disagree on the Titan being able to carry the same meaning, regardless of what we end up doing with it, it's always going to be a huge stick that we can wave at anyone we don't like to submit into submission, it'll be an unspoken threat that will always exist so long as it flies.

We can say and do what we want, but people will know our capital is a giant flying nation killing death beam.

>>42924805
More than having the Titan up and running, I'd want it fixed to make Flame happy again.

>>42924805
How? I don't think Directional Titans are common knowledge to a lot of people, and I don't remember their being consensus on repairing the ray of judgement.

File: princess Irene high uniform.jpg (263 KB, 850x1205)

263 KB JPG

"We SORT OF can." She admits, flicking her hair. "I have some ideas that are structurally sound, but there's a billion things that could go wrong. We're talking about a machine with a lot of moving parts and a lot of essence routes and channels. That's a lot of points of failure. Normally I'd say that something like this would have... at least six months of developement cycle, then a prototype to stress-test, and only after that I'd build the actual thing."

"We threw "normally" out of the window a very long time ago." You point out playfully.

She smiles and slouches in her chair, steeping her fingers. "I can give you something that will fly very fast, will carry up to say ten people or so, and will probably not explode in mid-air or crash and burn, and i can give it to you in three months. Don't expect comfort, luxurious interiors, armor or weaponry: I'm talking about a thing that will reliably give you 160 kilometers per hour and that's it. It's also going to need a lot of essence, so either a good hearthstone or using the crew as batteries if they're Exalted, in which case it'll be really tiresome." She explains. "The good news is that you can then use this for a lot more than going to Gem, of course."

"Noted." You nod. "We're talking about some sort of prototype, right?"

"Pretty much. Of course, a lot of things depend on the design philosophy. I'm talking about something built uniquely for speed, and with what we have now and what we know how to do now. It'll be a kludge. Give me one year or three and you'll get an airship that'd impress the Scarlet Empress. But for getting to Gem fast, that's what you'll get."

"How fast is that?"

"I did the math. We can do Tianna-Gem in three to five days depending on winds and weather."

>hear Aexel's plan next
>hear Zaan's plan next
>hear Ririth's plan next
>(Other?)

>>42924865
>>hear Ririth's plan next

>>42924865
>>hear Ririth's plan next

>>42924865
>hear Ririth's plan next
Let me guess, demons?

>"I did the math. We can do Tianna-Gem in three to five days depending on winds and weather."
God damn.

>>42924865
>hear Ririth's plan next

>>42924865
>hear Zaan's plan next

File: Manta-Class airship.png (585 KB, 1486x803)

585 KB PNG

>>42924865
So something in line with the Manta class? Those are really nice.

>>42923124
No one mentioned this, but how does Maka know what a Reality Engine is?

>>42924865
>three months
So this one seems like it's going to take the longest to implement, but once it's up we'll get there in no time, plus we'll have a mega fast ship to go anywhere.

>>42924860
The people who matter know about it, the Deathlords through the Neverborn and the Realm through the Sidereals, the Lunars were around when it was built so they especially know what it is and can do, all the other mortal empires will be scared enough at having a giant ship flying above there heads, but I'm pretty sure it being a huge weapon is fairly obvious from it's construction, the Titans were built around the RoJ, it's hard to make that look like anything other than a weapon

>>42925046
Doubt it.

Nearly no one left knows about the things.

>>42925245
*Doubt it's serious.

Mistype.

If it was, i'd be confused about it too.

>>42925245
>>42925268
Well Maka has gained a dot in Twilight recently, maybe she's been studying up offscreen.

File: Ririth.jpg (96 KB, 850x1700)

96 KB JPG

"Well, it's a plan. Ririth?"

"What?" She half-demon girl looks a bit out of place.

"Uh, what's your plan for moving to and from Gem quickly?"

"I don't even know why I'm here." She replies, confused. "I'm not a scientist or a sorceress..."

"Well, no, but you know a lot about demons." You suggest.

She makes a vague gesture. "...Demons aren't really at home in Creation, you know. Plus, well, I can't think of any way that'd let people travel quickly to Gem... well, except for the Agatae."

"Agatae?" You arc an eyebrow. "You're talking about those giant crystal wasps, right? You can ride those?"

"You can ride them, they like being ridden, and they're really fast. Though it's like horseback, you can't just ride them for days on end. You need to stop, rest, and so on, which means that, as long as you're crossing the West where you can find islands, it's fine, and once you hit the coast, it's fine, but there's a wide stretch of ocean in the middle."

You nod. "That would be a problem. But, apart for this, how long would the trip be?"

She turns to Irene. "How far is Gem from here, exactly?"

"About eight thousand kilometers."

She whistles. "I guess... two weeks? Maybe three? Somewhere between two and three."

"Do you think Agatae with Exalted riders could cross the ocean?"

"If they know how to handle them, they might pull it off. But there's a problem. What happens after that?"

"...What do you mean?" Aexel asks.

(cont.)

You facepalm. You get it. "...Once the team gets to Gem, what happens to the Agatae?"

"I can ask them to fly back, but it's another ten days. And if the team in Gem needs to leave, they'd have to send me a message, I'd send the Agatae their way, and it's another ten days. If nothing goes wrong: like I said, Creation is pretty hostile to demons." She nods. "And besides, I'm not sure you can hide a bunch of giant horse-sized wasp demons inside Gem."

"You can't, so yeah, your scenario seems the least troublesome." You concede.

"Agatae get bored easily without a rider anyway. They wouldn't stay put for long." She nods.

>hear Aexel's plan next
>hear Zaan's plan next
>You heard enough, make your decision.

>>42925337
>hear Zaan's plan next
If nothing else it requires no extensive prep to go through, just summon demons and go.

>>42925337
>hear Aexel's plan next

>>42925337
>>hear Zaan's plan next

>>42925337
>>hear Zaan's plan next

>>42925337
>You heard enough, make your decision.
We will swim there.

>>42925337
>hear Zaan's plan next

>>42925337
>hear Zaan's plan next

>>42925337
>hear Aexel's plan next
Worse case scenario they can come back the hard way. We did it before we Exalted, and we were alone at the time.

>>42925391
You say that, but Maka might be able to, especially if we get the resistance dice adder and maybe anything else that shows up behind it.

>>42925421
It would probably take athletics too.

>>42925421
We just have to seduce the sea.

>>42925466
>Ocean Father
Done.

>>42925466
We already did that anon, we'd need to seduce the land in the South to speed things up once we hit the shore.

>>42925456
Just do it faster I think, like Radiant has her fast travel charm and Mik probably has a Ride/Sail version as well, but who knows how long they can keep going at a time.

>>42925337
>make your decision
We should play to our strengths

And dance our way into town, getting all the guards and most of the population tied up in a gigantic conga line.

>>42925337
>hear Aexel's plan next

>>42925337
Not as bad as I was expecting, I honestly though she might suggest traveling through Malfeas or maybe summoning some Second Circle Demon

>>42925471
>>42925475
Ocean Father isn't really seduced yet, we've talked a bit and made a promise, but we haven't slept with him.

(sorry, was dragged away, post coming shortly)

File: Zaan White-Teeth.jpg (241 KB, 553x829)

241 KB JPG

You turn to Zaan. "Your idea, on the other hand?"

The diminutive Lunar grins. "Personally, I think the most practical would be Talon carrying everyone in a flying shape. He probably can."

"Probably, but that's really asking him a bit too much, isn't it? Don't you have another idea?"

"Yes." He nods affirmatively. "The Azure Chariot."

"Is that a spell?"

"It is. It creates a mystical chariot pulled by stallions made of fog and thunderbolts across the sky at amazing speeds."

"How amazing?"

"Three hundred something kilometers per hour." He doesn't leave you time to be TOO amazed, though: "But it disappears the next time the sun sets, so even starting at dawn, that means twelve hours."

You quickly do the math in your head. "Still, at that speed... it'd get you halfway there in one day."

"In theory, yes. In practice... halfway between Tianna and Gem there's just a big ocean. No place where to stop and wait for sunrise. Instead, i'd split up the journey in three parts: from Tianna to Abalone, from Abalone to An-Teng, and from An-Teng to Gem. The same in reverse. three days to come, three to go."

"...Where's the catch?" You wonder with a smirk.

"The catch is that no one here knows the spell well enough to cast it. We'll have to research it, or go out and find a book on it, or someone who'd teach it. And the only person I know who might know it is another Lunar who can be... a bit troublesome, maybe. I can try asking her."

"How troublesome? Annoying troublesome, or deadly troublesome?"

He sighs. "...No idea. She's an elder Lunar. Really very old, Exalted not long after the end of the First Age. And she can be... well. I don't think she'll try to kill us all, but other than that all bets are off. She might just help us, or ask for some kind of payment, or something like that. I don't know, really." Zaan shrugs. "Or we could research it on our own, or go out there and try and contact other sorcerors, but it could take a good month."

(cont.)

>>42926026
>"...No idea. She's an elder Lunar. Really very old, Exalted not long after the end of the First Age.
One person immediately comes to mind, but she's far away and we REALLY, REALLY, REALLY don't want to meet her.

You glance at Aexel.

"I don't have a valid alternative better than those three proposals." He shakes his head. "I was thinking of the Azure Chariot as well, being, well, a sorceror myself. So... I think we covered the best options at our disposal right now and in the short term. What are your thoughts?"

>We'll go with Irene's plan. It requires a long wait, but an airship would be amazingly useful.
>We'll go with Ririth's plan. It has some spotty parts, but it's the fastest and can be put in motion immediately.
>We'll go with Zaan's plan. This spell sounds extremely useful. Ty asking your troublesome acquaintance.
>We'll go with Zaan's plan. This spell sounds extremely useful. Ty to research the spell without bothering your friend, though.
>(Other?)

>>42926121
>>We'll go with Zaan's plan. This spell sounds extremely useful. Ty asking your troublesome acquaintance.


I'll bite EF, I'm curious about any Elder Lunar that isn't Raksi.

>>42926121
How does that spell compare to Val's chariot spell?

>>42926121
>We'll go with Zaan's plan. This spell sounds extremely useful. Ty asking your troublesome acquaintance.

>>42926121
>We'll go with Zaan's plan. This spell sounds extremely useful. Ty to research the spell without bothering your friend, though.
fuck old lunars, they're always trouble

>>42926121

>Thanks for your help. I will think about it, and decide what to do soon


We have to talk with Amata, at the very least, if we're going to do something that takes a lot of ressource/that could leave our nation endebted to someone

>>42926121
>>42926141
This, but also how many does the spell seat?

If we're sending in a veritable circle of Exalted then I'm more willing to change our original scouting gameplan to a rescue attempt, but we would need space for our family

>>42926141
Actually, you think that, based on the description, it might be the same spell. Apparently Zaan doesn't know that Valeriana knows it. You might want to bring that up to him.

>>42926121
>>42926211
Bring up that Bal might already know the spell.

File: 68mEg.gif (679 KB, 150x150)

679 KB GIF

>>42926211
>Actually, you think that, based on the description, it might be the same spell. Apparently Zaan doesn't know that Valeriana knows it. You might want to bring that up to him.
AYYYYYY

Problem solved. Was Zaan not around when she told us about that spell? Asleep maybe

>>42926211
Bring it up then I suppose.

>>42926121
>>We'll go with Zaan's plan. This spell sounds extremely useful. Ty to research the spell without bothering your friend, though.

>>42926121
>We'll go with Zaan's plan. This spell sounds extremely useful. Ty to research the spell without bothering your friend, though.
I like Zaan's plan, but I'm not fond of the idea of owing a Elder Lunar.

>>42926121
>>We'll go with Zaan's plan. This spell sounds extremely useful. Ty to research the spell without bothering your friend, though.
Cuz Val knows it, or at least it might be similiar enough that you could use it to make your own spell.

Actually will this mean we have to send a Sorcerer along to Gem too?

So either Aexel or Zaan, since Amata and Val definitely aren't leaving

>>42926121
So it probably wasn't Raksi right?

I mean she's on the other side of Creation hanging out in some forest.

Plus if Maka ever met her we would be forced to fight her to the death, baby eating is just one of those things

>>42926211

Let's bring it up, then

>>42926121

>This chariot spell... I've seen Val uses something that sounds a lot like what you're describing. Could it be it?

>>42926309
I don't think we would. The sorcerer needs to fly them there in the chariot but they can drop the Gem team off.

Amata has that spell storing rope, the team carries a prepared Infallible Messenger when they need pickup and we send a sorcerer out to pick them up when they call.

>>42926340
Might be one of the Lunars from the side story

>>42926386
Mah, if we gotta send a Sorcerer with them to Gem he might as well stick around to help, it's not like we'll be lacking in them on our end, plus they might need a quick getaway if things go crazy

You know, if the chariot can drag something big enough to float while the passengers wait for the Sun to rise, it could shorten the trip a lot

>>42926419

So most likely Zaan.

>>42926419
We kinda are lacking them on our end though. All of our magical craftsmen and sorceresses are overworked with the reconstruction and there's no shortage of work that needs doing right now.

I guess that's a decision we'd have to make though, we send a sorcerer with the team so they can make a fast getaway but we lose out on another valuable worker for rebuilding.

Or the sorcerer just drops them off and returns to help at Tianna and Pearl but puts the team in potential danger if they need a fast exit.

You think about it for a few seconds until it hits you.

"...Wait. Zaan, you know that Valeriana knows that spell, right?"

"She doesn't." He replies, dismissively.

"A coach of lacquered wood painted in the exact same color of the sky in that moment, emerging from mist?"

He nods, looking confused.

"Pulled by four horses, with thunders and lightning bolts in their hooves, reins made of silver?"

"...Alright, how the hell did that happen?" Zaan stands up and stomps his feet.

"...Beg your pardon."

"Valeriana's been a sorceress for less than a month. Her only teachers have been myself and Amata, and I know that Amata didn't teach her that spell. Did she pull that spell out of a top hat?"

You sigh. "...I don't know, Zaan. I just know i saw her cast that same spell. Conjuring the Azure Chariot."

He sits back down, arms crossed, grumbling angrily. "Damn Solars. Fucking... how the heck did she do that? Why the hell didn't anyone tell me?"

"Well, it solves some problems at least, right?" You try and cheer up Zaan, whose mood has somewhat soured.

"...Yeah, well. I GUESS." He rolls his eyes emphatically. "If I can get it from her, then it can't take more than a week to learn for me or Aexel."

Aexel nods in response. "But the problem is that it only carries the sorceror plus four."

"Well, the team that was agreed on is yourself, Zareen, Talon, Starfall and Lynne, right? Five people." Irene chimes in.

"That means no evacuation, though." You grind your teeth. "In case my sister or my parents are still there.

"They can drop them somewhere else safe for a few days or a week. In one day of travel, with that spell, we could be in An-Teng. Out of reach." Aexel points out.

>Good point. We'll go with this plan.
>I prefer Irene's plan after all.
>I prefer Ririth's plan after all.
>(Other?)

>>42926121
Oh hey if this is the end of the meeting any chance Zaan can stick around for a bit so he can do a check up on Pyre, I'm still curious about her golden eyes and a proper shaman might be able to figure out what's up with her

>>42926459
>>Good point. We'll go with this plan.
I think the best sorcerer for this job would be Zaan since he has medical expertise. That might be invaluable if the mission goes sour and people get wounded.

>>42926459
>>Good point. We'll go with this plan.

>>42926459
>I prefer Irene's plan after all.

>>42926459
>>Good point. We'll go with this plan.
Super cool

>He sits back down, arms crossed, grumbling angrily. "Damn Solars. Fucking... how the heck did she do that? Why the hell didn't anyone tell me?"
I'm sorry Zaan, but if this is all any chance we can borrow you for a bit, I was hoping a shaman could explain why Pyre's eyes went all Gold after we awakened our essence

>>42926459
>>42926461
>Zaan can stick around for a bit so he can do a check up on Pyre
I'll second this

>>42926459
>Good point. We'll go with this plan.

>>42926459
>Good point. We'll go with this plan
If we get them out then Radiant, Talon, and Lynne can stay behind in the city for a day or two, they can hide out for that long, hell Janet hid from a freaking Sidereal

>>42926459
>"...Alright, how the hell did that happen?" Zaan stands up and stomps his feet.
Cute

>>42926542
I wonder if we should get Radiant an Ashigaru suit for this, she doesn't NEED it per say, but bumping her Stealth dicepool to beyond max levels would be hilarious

You nod, satisfied. "Good point. We'll go with this plan, then. Which however means we need a sorceror to tag along."

"I'll pass." Zaan groans, still upset. "I'd prefer to stay here in Tianna."

"I'll go, then." Aexel stands up. "I've been wanting to visit the South for a long time now. Don't worry, I know how to handle myself in covert operations."

"Alright. I know Valeriana must be busy right now, but bug her to teach you this spell. This has priority over everything. How long to you think it'll be before you can leave?"

"Between the time to learn and practice the spell, organizing the expedition, and all that... What if we left right after the wedding?" He suggests. "It would be a good chance to inform your brother as well."

"Let's do it, then. Everyone, thank you for your help and contribution- wait, Zaan?"

As everyone begins to leave, you grab a hold of the small Lunar, who shoots you an annoyed glare. "What?"

"Well, it's about Pyre Spark."

Surprised in hearing such a sudden change of subject, he seems to forget his anger and reacts with curiosity. "Oh?"

"Have you noticed? Since I Awakened her Essence, her eyes have changed color. I was wondering if you knew anything about it."

"I don't know the specifics of your Charm, but I could look into it. She could be having some weird Essence buildup inside her body or something." He sighs. "Exaltation is an extremely complex affair, but it's fairly straightforward: every Exalted soul of the same type behaves in the same way on an essential level. Sure, there are exceptions, but they don't deviate too much. But Awakened mortals can get their Essence from a billion different sources and a billion different things can happen."

He walks out of the room, and shoots you another mean glance back. "Don't follow me. You know she gets all excited when you're around, and that could make it harder for me to tell what's wrong. I'll let you know."

And he goes.

(cont.)

File: 322270-otacon_1600.jpg (333 KB, 1600x1200)

333 KB JPG

>>42926780
>Don't worry, I know how to handle myself in covert operations."
For some reason I just imagine Otacon saying this while pushing up his glasses

You don't have much to do, so you move over to your room and wait. (Still no sign of Tia, by the way.)

After about two hours, Zaan returns and, without invitation, sits on your couch.

"Alright, that girl's a weird one."

"Isn't she?" You nod, sitting next to him.

"I don't mean like that." He replies, making weird gestures in mid-air like he's trying to grab something. "She's... well, you know how Orichalcum is the magical metal attuned to your particular Essence as a Solar, Moonsilver is our own, and then the Abyssals apparently have their crazy death metal and so on?"

You nod.

"I heard about this in theory, but I never thought I'd find one. Turns out that - I THINK - Pyre is, or rather, has always been, a soul - and body - attuned to Solar Essence."

"Mortals can be attuned that way, too?" That's news to you.

"No they can't." He shoots you down. "Not normally. She's some kind of freak one-in-a-million mutant or something. Basically, she was already optimized for exactly the type of Essence you filled her with. And I know that sounds like lewd innuendo, wipe that grin off your face you Solar slut." He growls annoyedly.

You straighten up. "...So, her dreams...?"

"There's a chance that they might be actually prophetic. She's attuned to Solar essence, so... she's like a tuning fork or a violin string that's exactly the right frequency. She might actually be receiving signals and emanations from the Sun... or maybe just from you and other Solars. No idea how she interprets them. Besides, this is just guesswork."

"In practical terms?" You ask.

"She doesn't have more Essence than Regis or Millian, but she will regain her spent essence a lot faster if she's near you. Or any Solar, but I think the Zenith caste works best for that. And every Solar charm used on her will have an increased effect."

"...So that's why she was so easy to train as a Tiger Warrior." you realize. "And why she's so clingy."

(cont.)

>>42926974
Holy shit, Pyre.

>>42926974
>And I know that sounds like lewd innuendo, wipe that grin off your face you Solar slut." He growls annoyedly.
I like Zaan, he's like an upgraded Milly in cheeky

>>42926974
That's... huh. I wonder how long Pyre will live if she sticks around us or other Solars... She could end up being a really powerful Awakened Mortal.

"She doesn't realize this herself on a conscious level, but her body reacts unconsciously to the Essence you radiate and she absorbs. At least, that's a working theory." He nods. "She might even be able to learn a few actual Solar charms from you, if you're careful. But don't overdo it, actual Celestial Exalted charms are way too powerful for a mortal. Going overboard might put too much stress on her body. And cause some permanent damage."

You nod, thoughtful.

"Speaking of which, now that those three have Awakened Essence, are you going to teach them any Terrestrial Martial Arts?"

"Well, I don't know any of my own." You explain. "I don't have much formal schooling in martial arts in the first place. My fighting style is mostly, well... something that seems to work, plus bits and pieces of old memories."

He smiles. "Why don't you bring them at the training camp?"

"You think Nysela knows Terrestrial Martial Arts?"

He shrugs. "I don't know. It can't hurt to ask. Maybe she knows people who know them. And even if it's just a week, maybe they can meet these people and then go back to them."

That's not a bad idea. You'll have to think about it.

Zaan says goodbye and leaves. The sun is setting. It was a busy day.

>I need to see someone else, and I'll go now (who?)
>I need to see someone else, but it can wait for tomorrow (who?)
>Well, it's business as usual from now on until the ceremony. [Timeskip]
>(Other?)

Zaan is pretty grumpy.

Call it cliché, but I think Val will want to make time on her shedule to show our shaman how fucking Solars teach things

>>42927133
>>Well, it's business as usual from now on until the ceremony. [Timeskip]

>>42927133
>>I need to see someone else, but it can wait for tomorrow (who?)
We should at least make a token effort at tempting Tia

>>42927133
>>I need to see someone else, but it can wait for tomorrow (who?)
Tia

>>42927133
>I need to see someone else, and I'll go now (who?)
Ooh ooh ooh, they gotta learn Golden Janissary.

>>42927166
I'll second this though, put on number #7 and go off looking for the Husband

>>42927133
>I need to see someone else, but it can wait for tomorrow (who?)
>Go find Tia

>>42927133
>I need to see someone else, but it can wait for tomorrow (who?)
Tia

>>42927133

>>I need to see someone else, and I'll go now (who?)

or, if there is no time

>>I need to see someone else, but it can wait for tomorrow (who?)

>Amata.

We need to discuss with our waifu before the ceremony

>>42927181
Well remembered, adding that to my vote
>>42927185
>put #07 on

You wake up from your long, though not very restful, sleep. You tossed and turned during the night. It's good that you don't need to sleep as much.

You're starting to miss Tia, and also to be a bit worried about her. It's been three days today and she hasn't come back.

After all, you got her throughoutly addicted to your own skill in bed, and, if you know her well enough, she must be suffering from the first symptoms of withdrawal already.

And besides, it's not like you're immune to her own charms (both speaking figuratively and literally considering the cheerful misuse of Lunar shapeshifting powers that goes on in your bedroom).

You spend time searching and asking around, but no one seems to have seen her in Pearl. Of course, she might be hiding very well, maybe concealed as a seemingly-innocuous animal, or she could just not be in Pearl at all.

What's your plan?

>Head just out of town, ask to the Black Fangs, Tia's tribe. Maybe they know where she is. Or maybe she's hiding there,
>She might be waiting it out in Tianna City. Head there and smoke her out.
>Time to get out your hat, pipe and magnifying glass. She's hiding here in Pearl, and you'll find her. (m+t)
>Let's assume she's actually hiding somewhere nearby and spying on you. Get in a provocative outfit and strike some poses in your room until she gives up and comes to ravish you. (s+z)
>Eh, it's not THAT important. It's a trial of endurance after all, and you have time on your side.
>(Other?)

>>42927133
>I need to see someone else, but it can wait for tomorrow (who?)
At least make Tia work for it a little

>>42927225
>>She might be waiting it out in Tianna City. Head there and smoke her out.
If nothing else it'll give us a chance to talk to Amata and to take our bike out again.

Should we do the training before we leave though?

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>42927225
>Let's assume she's actually hiding somewhere nearby and spying on you. Get in a provocative outfit and strike some poses in your room until she gives up and comes to ravish you. (s+z)
I want to see how resistant Tia can be when she has her eyes in the prize.

Rolled 6 (1d10)

4chan unkill already?

>>42927225
>Let's assume she's actually hiding somewhere nearby and spying on you. Get in a provocative outfit and strike some poses in your room until she gives up and comes to ravish you. (s+z)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxamUy4azfw
Give her a little song

>>42927225
>Head to Tianna City incognito, and see what the people think of us and how we might help them.

>>42927225
>Head just out of town, ask to the Black Fangs, Tia's tribe. Maybe they know where she is. Or maybe she's hiding there.

>>42927225
>>42927292
I want to do this, but what would we disguise ourselves as?

>>42927292
That's not what we're doing right now, though. We're trying to find Tia.

>>42927225
>>Head just out of town, ask to the Black Fangs, Tia's tribe. Maybe they know where she is. Or maybe she's hiding there,

They've got the highest chance to know.

>tfw I was too slow to write another short story before the next thread was up

>>42927225
>>She might be waiting it out in Tianna City. Head there and smoke her out.
Nice timing 4chan

>Eh, it's not THAT important. It's a trial of endurance after all, and you have time on your side.

Give her at least a token chance

>>42927298
An old crone?

Super hump back, rags, big'ol warty nose.

We should actually get Radiant's help for that if we want to do it right, she'll have the dice and maybe even the charms for it if she's done it before.

>>42927225
>>Eh, it's not THAT important. It's a trial of endurance after all, and you have time on your side.

>>42927225
>Eh, it's not THAT important. It's a trial of endurance after all, and you have time on your side.
I don't particularly want to find Tia at the moment. I respect that she's trying to save herself or whatever

>>42927330
So we'd Snow White it? Not a bad idea, we should definitely bring it up with Radiant. It'd be good to get an idea of how people are coping after the battle with the Silver Prince

>>42927225
>>Eh, it's not THAT important. It's a trial of endurance after all, and you have time on your side

>>42927330
>>42927356
I'm up for it if people would rather do it than search for Tia, but if we do we might as well do it in Tianna since everyone that came to Pearl probably loves us.

Also if we do go to Tianna we should train the Mercs before we leave.

>>42927292
We could do both technically, go to Tianna in disguise and look for Tia/get the lowdown on what people think of us

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>42927225
>>Time to get out your hat, pipe and magnifying glass. She's hiding here in Pearl, and you'll find her. (m+t)

We need to find Husbando, she seemed bummed out last time we saw her

>>42927447
good point
>>42927225
>>42927292
>>42927257
let's do both

>>42927330


It's very Fairy Tale.

>tfw Maka ends up as the threshold guardian of other people's stories

>>42927330
>she'll have the dice and maybe even the charms for it if she's done it before.
She's done it before or at least she's pretended to be a part of other groups before we knew about her, I don't know how much of that is stealth charms and how much is larceny

>>42927225
>She might be waiting it out in Tianna City. Head there and smoke her out.
I specifically do not want to find out what people in Tianna think of us simultaneously with this action and would prefer to lose the vote entirely than have this count as support for it.

Phantom-Conjuring Performance will be useful to make us look differently.

...

Fuck, I have the worst sense of deja-vu ever. I have the impression I've already lived this moment, and it ended badly

>>42927380
seconding training mercs before going off to Tianna

>>42927605
>>42927330
With phantom conjuring performance, instead of an old hag let our disguise be a less attractive version of ourselves

Or we could stick with the old hag, but with surprisingly big titties.

>>42927605
We obviously we wouldn't use an obviously magical effect like PCP, we would use regular mundane super skill to disguise ourselves. As soon as we find Radiant at least.

>>42927605
>>42927637
Pretty sure PCP can't be used for a full on disguise like that, it's just pretty lights and sounds

>>42927649
Oh, well then never mind. I guess we can settle for Radiant's help.

"M-maka, I'm trying to bind your breasts so you'll find fit in this costume, and it's just.. ITS JUST NOT HOLDING, YOU BIG TITTIED MONSTER!"

You know, I think we should drop this bet stuff and enjoy the occasion to do not-sex stuff with Tia.

I mean, we love her absolutly, but we don't really spend much time doing stuff to know each others, aside from sex. Which is a good thing to do, but not one that build up a relationship.

>>42927670
A part of me is totally fine with not sexing her for two weeks, but then I think about what she'll make us do for that free week she won and I fear for the safety of everyone in the West

>>42927649

I think it can be used to make our eyes look different.

>>42927695
Just to give us heart eyes that one time and star eyes if we wanted I guess, but it helps that our eyes are already gold/amber in color

Eh, it's not THAT important. It's a trial of endurance after all, and you have time on your side.

IF she manages to resist you for all this time... well then that means that she's a lot stronger than you gave her credit for.

But still... You're Maka. You're a Zenith-Caste Chosen of the Unconquered Sun. One of the most powerful and most beautiful beings in Creation. You could have anyone you want. Heck, up to now, you've HAD anyone you wanted. Man, woman, god, demon, fae.

And yet... right now, the only one you'd want by your side, nuzzling next to you in your (currently) ironically underwhelming ramshackle bed... is her.

...Maybe you'll ask around in Tianna, just to stay on the safe side.

[SESSION END]

(sorry if i'm closing a bit early, but this is a good point AND it's been a slow thread and it got pretty late for me.)

BASE: +2 XP.

File: PCP wink.gif (384 KB, 480x270)

384 KB GIF

>>42927705
>star eyes

>>42927715
>You're Maka. You're a Zenith-Caste Chosen of the Unconquered Sun. One of the most powerful and most beautiful beings in Creation. You could have anyone you want. Heck, up to now, you've HAD anyone you wanted. Man, woman, god, demon, fae.

And yet... right now, the only one you'd want by your side, nuzzling next to you in your (currently) ironically underwhelming ramshackle bed... is her.
Aww...
Thanks for running!

>>42927715
>[SESSION END]
It's over!

Thanks for the thread as always EF, it really has been a slow day, wonder if it being a weekday has anything to do with it.

>>42927715

Thanks for the thread, EF!

>>42927715
>And yet... right now, the only one you'd want by your side, nuzzling next to you in your (currently) ironically underwhelming ramshackle bed... is her.
Husband where are you!?

Thanks for the thread!

Reminder: PCP is not a does-everything illusion effect. The lightshow created is always semitransparent shapes in hues of golden light, and always terribly obviously supernatural.

>>42927693

I want to have Tia win, but more importantly I think it's important Maka spends time with Tia.

I mean, as much as the love between those too is genuine and great, the courting went extremely fast, and if Tia had had her ways it would have gone even faster. And our husbando barely knows who she is, not to mention I don't think she really has any good memories before the moment she met us.

>>42927776

So we could use it to, say, project an illusion of a ghostly golden dancer to accompany us in a performance, but not to make our hair looks different?

>>42927133
>something that seems to work, plus bits and pieces of old memories.
Solar Hero Style don't need no fancy schools and sifus, we got pure soul deep ass kicking.

That said does Maka even know the name Solar Hero Style or will we get that name drop when we go to Summer Camp?

File: High Conviction Elder Zenith.jpg (74 KB, 900x454)

74 KB JPG

>>42927920
>but not to make our hair looks different?
I bet we could do this thing all time, we should get this dress back in our wardrobe

>>42927133
If this is the case for Pyre then Arms of the Unconquered Sun might actually be perfect for her, if a bit much since it's a Celestial Martial Art

>>42928052
Regis can learn Seafaring Hero Style for max piratey ness, not sure about Milly, Air Dragon?

>>42928411
>>42928052

Air dragon and Arms are celestal, not terrestrial. Mortals can't learn CMAs.

>>42928677
Not even Pyre?

>>42928677
Golden Janissary all around then

>>42928677
I am INCREDIBLY late to the party and know nothing about exalted lore, spare bits and pieces that show up in story but, if Ririth's father is (according to >>42922525 ) some devil god of craftsmanship, could we ask Ririth to ask him to make us a super boat? Maybe present it as a wedding gift?

Just a thought I had.

>>42929945
Minor problem, Ligier either requires a large number of extremely difficult to acquire and usually amoral reagents to make things, or they'll break apart at the worst conceivable moment.

>>42927776
Why would PCP be more limited in color than solar animas are by themselves?

>>42931351
Because they are made from solar animas.

>>42934077
Why are they (?) colored differently from what they are made out of?