[a / b / c / d / e / f / g / gif / h / hr / k / m / o / p / r / s / t / u / v / vg / w / wg] [i / ic] [r9k] [cm / hm / y] [3 / adv / an / cgl / ck / co / diy / fa / fit / hc / int / jp / lit / mlp / mu / n / po / pol / sci / soc / sp / tg / toy / trv / tv / vp / x] [rs] [status / ? / @] [Settings] [Home]
Board:  
Settings   Home
4chan
/qst/ - Quests


File: Maka Character Sheet 1.jpg (378 KB, 1119x982)
378 KB
378 KB JPG
Your not-actually-so-small group of conspirators sneaks out of the safehouse that mercenary captain (and old family friend) Nerus Dell used for your meeting, in the darkest and lowest levels of the city of Gem.

The streets are dirty, badly lit, and clear. Fortunately.

I mean, you're a bunch of Exalted, it's not like a few guards could trouble you. But you still hope to go unnoticed for as long as possible.

House Arbani's villa is, of course, in the brightest, richest ward of Gem, the palace's neighborhood. You remember visiting there a few times as a kid, with your father. The residence of Arbani Halan and his immediate family and closest servants, and a headquarters from which to direct their House's operations across Gem.

You never really bothered noticing, when you lived here with your dad, of course... how secure the entire place is. And how hard it would be for someone to secure an audience with Arbani Halan himself without rousing suspicion.

You reach as close as you can without drawing attention, which means you don't actually set step in the palace neighborhood. It's swarming with guards.

The whole city is, of course, but those in the palace neighborhood are actually attentive. You spot them stopping passerbyes to question them, doing searches, patrolling in groups, armed and twitchy.

You try yo force yourself to not be paranoid. There's no way Rankar knows you're here. But what if something bigger is afoot right now?

You need to come up with a plan to speak with Arbani Halan. A group as large as yours, standing around and just watching, is bound to attract suspicion sooner or later.

Plus, even if not everyone in Gem can immediately recognize your and Karas' faces... within the palace neighborhood and among those guards, many of which were in your father's employ before, the probability skyrockets.

You consider your options.

>Aexel? Valeriana? If I give you a good enough description of Arbani Halan, you think you could cast an Infallible Messenger to him?
>Starfall, you think you could sneak into the villa and deliver a message to Halan?
>Lynne, you think you can sneak and bluff your way in there?
>Hey, Zareen. Could you tie a letter to an arrow and shoot it through that window there?
>Your turn, Mikahil. Think you can talk your way in there and get a meeting with Halan?
>You're up, Tia.
>I'll take care of this after all, you guys stand back.
>(Other?)
>>
File: Maka Character Sheet 2.jpg (677 KB, 1469x1250)
677 KB
677 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, though not without difficulty.
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.
And now, on the day of your wedding, the Unconquered Sun Himself appeared to you and crowned you Princess of Creation, asking you to be an example for others in these dark times.
After securing the alliance of the nearby realm of Neck (or Okeanos, as they prefer to be called), you received news from your remote homeland of Gem: Rankar, the man who usurped your throne, holds your father and sister prisoner, and is about to marry her to his own son in an attempt to solidify and legitimize his power over the city.

>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
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Solar%2C+Quest

>System?
Dicepool-like system. When performing an action, everyone rolls 2d10 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/0wl5obxcwuakgdj/Exalted%20Quest%20-%20Threads%2001-101%20%5Bpdf%5D.rar?dl=0
Meanwhiles: http://pastebin.com/u/Exaltedfag
>>
File: Clothes.jpg (758 KB, 890x1500)
758 KB
758 KB JPG
As you'll notice, I changed your Elder charm for the "social attack" tree of Zenith. The discussion for that was going on in the last thread.

This is what I came up with. it's in no way definitive if better ideas come up, or if that particular charm gets a lot of opposition.
>>
>>415696
>Starfall, you think you could sneak into the villa and deliver a message to Halan?
>>
>>415696
>Starfall, you think you could sneak into the villa and deliver a message to Halan?
We wouldn't happen to have a Florin on us would we, that would be decent proof of us should she need it, I mean our face with the words Queen Maka are pretty Long Live the Queen-ish

Nice to have you back EF.
>>
>>415702
By the way EF, I think you posted the wrong charm sheet, that has the same old ACG and is missing JET.
>>
>>415696
>>Starfall, you think you could sneak into the villa and deliver a message to Halan?

Nice ta see ya EF.
>>
>>415696
>Starfall, you think you could sneak into the villa and deliver a message to Halan?
>>
File: Maka Character Sheet 2.jpg (684 KB, 1469x1250)
684 KB
684 KB JPG
>>415718

Oh damn it, saved it to the wrong folder, sorry.

Here we go.
>>
>>415696
>Starfall, you think you could sneak into the villa and deliver a message to Halan?
>>
>>415696
>I'll take care of this after all, you guys stand back.
>>
>>415740
But we already did that joke last thread.
>>
File: Radiant Starfall.jpg (334 KB, 849x1200)
334 KB
334 KB JPG
After assessing the situation, you retreat slightly into a side-alley.

"Say, Starfall."

"Yes?" The Night-caste replies, chipper.

"You think you can sneak inside the villa and make contact with Arbani Halan?"

She keeps around the corner, giving another look at the villa in question, then returns. "No problem." She grins, looking pretty cocky. "Time for the magical girl of stealth and justice to make her debut?"

"I thought you already had your debut." You laugh.

"Every time is a new debut." She nods. "Any directions you can give me?"

"If I remember right... his personal rooms are on the third floor. They look directly over the entrance, so they're on this side of the building. There's a study, a workshop, and his bedroom, side by side."

"What does he look like?"

"Tough." You reply with the first word crossing your head. "Despite being on the older side... he should be in his 70s, if I remember right, but he sure didn't look like that. Grey hair, in any case, and he has a goatee, or at least, he had. A scar across his face, near the left eye." You explain. "...If he's in the workshop and at work, don't disturb him."

"...I'll be careful."

"No, I mean it." You point out.

Karas nods. "If we interrupt the old man in the middle of his work he might well decide to just side with Rankar."

Starfall shivers. "He's THAT touchy about being disturbed during his work?"

You and Karas glance at each other and nod.

"Yeah."

"Pretty much."

"So, once I see him, and assuming he isn't at work, what do I do?"

>I'll write you a letter. You'll give it to him.
>Explain the situation. We're in Gem, we're looking to free my dad and kick Rankar out, we need his support, and so on.
>I need to speak with him personally, so explain to him that I'm in town and want to see him.
>(Other?)
>>
>>415747
>I need to speak with him personally, so explain to him that I'm in town and want to see him.
>I'll write you a letter. You'll give it to him.

Set up a meet, write a letter to prove it.
>>
>>415747
>I need to speak with him personally, so explain to him that I'm in town and want to see him.
>>
>>415747
>>I need to speak with him personally, so explain to him that I'm in town and want to see him.

>I'll write you a letter. You'll give it to him.
>>
>>415747
>>I'll write you a letter. You'll give it to him.
The letter should say that we want to meet him, and briefly explain why without going into to much detail about specifics, incase he's already on Rankar's side.
>>
>>415747
>I need to speak with him personally, so explain to him that I'm in town and want to see him.
>I'll write you a letter. You'll give it to him.
>>
>>415747
>>I need to speak with him personally, so explain to him that I'm in town and want to see him.
A letter is fine for an introduction, but I would rather explain everything ourself in person.

How big is Gem, could we hit the whole thing with a single City Moving Song?
>>
>>415760
Generally, City-Moving Song's area is big enough to hit an entire city. In fact, I'm thinking about dropping the specifically-worded range and just says it hits everyone in a "city-sized area".
>>
>>415764
Well then you run into the problem of "what size city?"
For example, I imagine The Imperial City, Gem, and Tianna are all very different sizes, and while just making it hit anyone in whatever city we're in would be fine when we're in a city, what if we're in the wilderness, trying to hit a bunch of barbarian tribes? Just using "The city you're in" as the size no longer works.
>>
File: Karas.jpg (265 KB, 686x1000)
265 KB
265 KB JPG
"Hey, Mika, give me paper and a pencil."

Mikahil obliges, and you start writing down a quick note, in which you inform Arbani Halan of the fact that you're in Gem and you're going to put your family back on the throne.

...It's best if you don't mention anything about being Exalted right here. Just hint that you're very confident you can do it with little trouble. Include some personal details only you and he would know, like that incident where when you visited his house when you were 8 years old, Karas wandered off into the kitchen and the servants found him eating their apricot jam-

"Hey!" Karas keeps over your shoulder. "The heck you're writing?!"

You shush him and conclude the letter with a signature and the request that he destroy the letter after reading it.

You fold the sheet of paper in eight and hand it over to Starfall. "Give him this, then tell him I need to see him personally. Agree with him on a time and a place."

"Well, we kind of have a place."Nerus suggests. "We can use that house I met you in, it should still be safe."

"As for the time, I guess it's as soon as possible?" The Night-Caste asks.

"Of course." You nod. "Now go!"

She salutes you with a smug smile on her lips, and vanishes from your sight.

>Let's wait for her here.
>Let's return to the safehouse, we're too much in the open here.
>While she deals with this, there's something else we need to do...
>(Other?)
>>
>>415769
>While she deals with this, there's something else we need to do...
>>
>>415769
>While she deals with this, there's something else we need to do...
>>
>>415769
>>While she deals with this, there's something else we need to do...
>>
>>415769
>>While she deals with this, there's something else we need to do...
>>
>>415766
That is also a problem but Exalted isn't generally big in using actual distances. For example, there's no mention of how geographically large Nexus actually is, for reference.

I might actually just use something like break out the Mandate of Heaven dominion rules and use Magnitude equal to the Social score of Maka... but the problem is that Mandate of Heaven rules are both too complicated and retarded, and too vague (a "dominion" could be a city-state or a vast region of depopulated land and have the same Magnitude).
>>
File: NEXUSFinal.jpg (1.88 MB, 3500x2583)
1.88 MB
1.88 MB JPG
>>415782
Nexus is supposed to have more than a million people, isn't it? Maybe several?
>>
>>415769
>>While she deals with this, there's something else we need to do...
We decided that we needed to talk to a couple of Noble Houses. I forget which ones they were, but we could see if any of them are easier to get at.
>>
>>415769
>>While she deals with this, there's something else we need to do...
We have a lot to do before our sisters "wedding," no time for idleness.
>>
File: Tia (southern ver.).jpg (133 KB, 850x1275)
133 KB
133 KB JPG
You turn around and head back towards the inner part of the city.

"While she works out an appointment with old man Halan, we can take care of other things."

"Such as?" Tia grins, slamming her fists together. You don't have the heart to break it out to her that you're trying to NOT murder everyone.

>Let's see if we can get House Sahlak on our side.
>Let's see if we can get House Iblan on our side.
>Let's see if we can get House Circla on our side.
>Let's see if we can get House Trasti on our side.
>Let's see if we can get some mercenaries on our side.
>I need to at least get a message to my family, let them know I'm in town.
>I want to see my family in person.
>I want to get a message delivered to Rankar.
>I want to get my hands on Rankar.
>I want to get a message delivered to Rankar Jr.
>I want to get my hands on Rankar Jr.
>We gather as much intel as possible on the mercenaries working for Rankar.
>We learn what we can about the Dragon-Blooded working for Rankar.
>We find out if the Realm is doing anything right now here in Gem.
>We find out why Rekka, the Flying Blade, works for Rankar.
>(Other?)
>>
>>415794
>We gather as much intel as possible on the mercenaries working for Rankar.
>>
>>415794
>>Let's see if we can get House Iblan on our side.
I think our plan was to get Arbani and Iblan on our side, and use them to hire and arm mercenaries, and to avoid flaring anyone's anima.
Someone also suggested not using any Orichalcum or Moonsilver artifacts, but that might be a bit TOO paranoid.
>>
>>415794
>I need to at least get a message to my family, let them know I'm in town.
I'd rather wait until after Halan's on our side before we start going after the other families so we know who to aim for, plus I want to get to Papa and Imouto, make sure they're okay.
>>
>>415794
>>I need to at least get a message to my family, let them know I'm in town.
>>I want to see my family in person.
F A M
A
M
>>
>>415794
>>Let's see if we can get some mercenaries on our side.
>>
>>415794
>>We learn what we can about the Dragon-Blooded working for Rankar.
>>We find out if the Realm is doing anything right now here in Gem.
>>
>>415799
Giant gold and silver swords are pretty much the hallmark of Anathema, we absolutely want to avoid using those.

Whoops, wrong post.
>>
>>415764
Is that pretty much completely redundant, since WECM would already let us just target "the city."
>>
>>415808
WECM is a little different, slower and more selective in scope. I'm pretty sure they use different dice pools too.
>>
>>415807
I suppose.
It's something we should talk about once we get back to the safehouse, where no one will overhear.
>>
>>415808
Remember, WECM has two limitations:

The first one is that it only attacks ORGANIZATIONALLY COHERENT groups. You can hit a government, or a club or society, basically anything that has a group identity. So you COULD use it to target "the entire city", but then it wouldn't, for example, hit people who are inside the city but do not consider themselves citizens (like traders, or visitors, or low-ranking slaves, or ambassadors from foreign countries)

The second is that it acts like a "social contagion": it's an influence that jumps from person to person whenever they interact, so the larger the targeted entity is, the more time it takes for it to spread to all corners of it.

On the plus side, it's also very subtle (as befits Eclipse): you whisper an innocent question in the ears of the ministry of trade one night at a gala, and in one week the government crumbles from the inside.

City-Moving Song is a social nuclear attack. Anything inside the area of effect is struck. And it's about as subtle, having Phantom-Conjuring Performance as a prerequisite: you get a massive lightshow of glorious Solar essence, your voice is amplified millions of times and echoes through streets and roads and over rivers and valleys, giant glowing essence ghost-holograms of your visage appear in the sky, or shit like that.

Imagine it like the ability to instantly explode into a massive, high-budget concert with all the lightshow and fireworks and amplifiers, and you're not far from how i imagine it to work.
>>
>>415823
Couldn't we combine CMS and WCEM? CMS expands the social attack to anyone in a certain raidus of the attack beyond its normal area of effect. WCEM targets the individuals under an organisaiton/country/society. So each individual gets hit by that social attack and therefore CMS expands that attack to any nearby person in X radius.

How effective would keeping CMS active work with HTH?
>>
>>415830
The problem is that you can't combine them, they belong to different skill trees. Besides, you need to name the organization you're targeting when you use Wise-Eyed Courtier Method, you can't just say "pass on this influence to any organization you're a part of". The attack is precise and must be custom-tailored for the target, whereas CMS's attack is indiscriminate.

HTH is a charm you don't actively USE, but has a passive influence effect that is checked once a month, so it doesn't "stack" with anything, per se.
>>
>>415830
WCEM uses Eclipse as it's roll, CMS is Zenith.
>>
File: Zareen Inofu.jpg (563 KB, 900x1200)
563 KB
563 KB JPG
You smile at Tia. "I guess I just want to make sure my family knows I'm here. Both my dad and sister are locked up in the palace..."

"Not an easy place to sneak in if you're not Starfall." Zareen notes.

"Or me." Lynne points out.

"Well, Starfall had days to case, plan and map the place properly, build a fake identity, get to know the people there, the turns, the habits and so on." Zareen shrugs.

"...Alright, the little chick did her homework, I'll give her that."

"I don't think you're in the right to call anyone "little", pipsqueak."

"No fighting, boys and girls." You snap your fingers in front of the two of them. "Focus."

>Better to use an Infallible Messenger
>Lynne? get sneaking.
>Zareen? we'll use the letter-tied-to-an-arrow trick.
>I could use my Hearthstone, turn into a man, and try and talk my way inside, but it'd still be risky.
>(Other?)
>>
>>415846
>Better to use an Infallible Messenger
>>
>>415846
>Lynne? get sneaking.
Lynne, mouse mode go!
>>
>>415846
>>I could use my Hearthstone, turn into a man, and try and talk my way inside, but it'd still be risky.
>>Lynne? get sneaking.
Cooperation!
>>
>>415846
>Better to use an Infallible Messenger
>>
>>415855
>>>I could use my Hearthstone, turn into a man, and try and talk my way inside, but it'd still be risky.
I'd rather we look like ourselves for the family reunion.
>>
>>415861
Think of it as backup. She doesn't need to even be seen if everything goes right. Meanwhile if the man-maka plan doesn't work out she'd be able to try on her own.

There is zero reason to only do one thing at the same time.
>>
>>415846
>>Better to use an Infallible Messenger
>>
>>415867
Except if we send an Infallible Messenger we could move onto something else, and be doing three things instead of two.
>>
>>415869
Except that's the riskiest approach, because who the hell doesn't account for magic shenanigans in a high value prison? Someone intelligent needs to be there to make sure it happens.
>>
>>415869
The messenger has two drawbacks: one, you need to be in a safe place to cast it, as it produces noise and a magical lightshow. (but, well, you have Nerus Dell's house, so you'd just have to go back there.)

The second and more problematic drawback is if the recipient is not alone at that time. According to Starfall, guards are placed and move around the castle in unpredictable patterns, so there's a non-zero chance of that happening.

On the other hand, even if the messenger is spotted, it can't be traced back to you, so it IS safe, in a way.
>>
>>415872
Is there a way to stop an Infallible Messenger? If so, oh well, we're freeing them in a few days anyway and can have our reunion then. As a matter of fact I'd prefer that, as it's much more dramatic for them not to know we're here until we free them.

>>415874
>The second and more problematic drawback is if the recipient is not alone at that time. According to Starfall, guards are placed and move around the castle in unpredictable patterns, so there's a non-zero chance of that happening.
Well as long as we're careful
With how we word it we'll be fine.
I'm sure there is a way to let our family know it's us without alerting the guards, stories from our childhood maybe?
Also, how do we set a target for IM? Because if we just need a name or discription, then we may have found a method of locating mom.
>>
>>415874
So since we're apparently doing it in the dumbest way, we need to make sure that the message is ambiguous enough to only be understood by our family members. Which is going to be very hard, since it's not like messages like that are a casual thing, so even if we make sure anyone listening in doesn't figure out what the message says, they'll still know for sure that the family member in question is being contacted by a powerful faction. Which isn't going to make their life easy.
>>
>>415883
No, the problem is that the most spectacular failure possible in this situation is from the infallible messenger.

If Maka got found out? Whatever, she'd punch her way out of there. Our mortal family members can't do that, and it's not like the messenger knows how to be stealthy or circumspect.
>>
>>415885
Hey, if you hadn't voted to contact them in the first place like an idiot, and instead just waited three days till the rescue, we wouldn't be in this position.
>>
>>415887
If you're so worried about our mortal family, then the safest thing is for them to know know thing until after they're already safe.
>>
>>415874
Oh god are we going to do the absolute riskiest one?

How about we combine Lynne and and the Messenger, get him inside and set up a safe time to message them or maybe have him cause a distraction to lure away some guards and make sure Pops gets the message in peace.
>>
>>415885
>>415883
...Well, I didn't quite mean in the sense that someone might overhear the message. That's actually unlikely.

Just, you know. Someone might see a magical fairly-like being with multicolored crystal wings appear from thin air.

That's not an everyday thing, even in the Exalted setting.


>>415883
>Also, how do we set a target for IM?

Name and description.

>>415883
>then we may have found a method of locating mom
Well, you can't trace an IM, so you wouldn't know WHERE she is.
You'd get an answer if she's alive, willing to answer, and able to do so, that's all.

>>415883
>Is there a way to stop an Infallible Messenger?
Wide-area anti-magic, which sounds like something way above what Rankar should be able to do. The only one you've ever met who did anything like that was the Silver Prince.
>>
>>415891
We wouldn't be in this position if you didn't do your best to sabotage the first vote in the second vote either. This way we all lose I guess. Good job.

>>415894
I voted to let them know because there's like 15 ways to do it safely. For some reason you all decided to use the most self defeating way instead.
>>
>>415898
>Someone might see a magical fairly-like being with multicolored crystal wings appear from thin air.
That's incriminating enough for a prisoner. I mean, it's direct evidence that they're conspiring with a powerful faction exactly because such a spell isn't an every day thing.
>>
I have to briefly AFK, will be right back. In the meanwhile I guess you guys can come up with a plan of sorts on how to get the message to your dad and sister.
>>
>>415899
>I voted to let them know because there's like 15 ways to do it safely. For some reason you all decided to use the most self defeating way instead.
And if at any point we fuck up and get found out, guess who's getting interrogated?
The best thing for us and them is for them to know nothing.
>>
>>415902
Let's just skip all this and have Starfall do it when she gets back instead.
>>
>>415904
If we need to contact them I agree that's the best way.
I am however, still against contacting them at all.
>>
>>415903
>And if at any point we fuck up and get found out, guess who's getting interrogated?
Either manMaka or nobody. Some pretty boy nobody has seen before trying to talk his way in isn't going to incriminate the prisoners. At least not until we get all the way in, at which point if something happens we're there to defend them with overwhelming force.

I mean, that's the point see. We can always make sure things go right UNLESS we stay out of it and send a highly suspicious automated message.
>>
>>415907
I'd rather one of the Lunars if anyone at all go in, maybe no one would suspect manMaka, but no one would see Lynne go in at all. Or we wait for Starfall, but Lynne is fine for this thing too, I mean he did spend like a couple of years infiltrated inside Skullstone, I doubt this is much harder than that.
>>
>>415907
I meant in the three days before the wedding when we're walking around the city gathering allies. All it takes is one person blaming that Maka is back in town and dad and sis are getting questioned.
>>
>>415910
Nothing is saying we can only send one person at a time. This is why I said both Lynn and Maka should go. They can give each other backup and there's redundancy.

Of course an even better way to do it would be to just wait for Starfall. She's even better at stealth and knows the area better as well.
>>
>>415912
>one person blaming that
blabing, not blaming.
>>
>>415912
That's irrelevant to the current issue. We're going to get allies no matter what. Trying to get in right now doesn't change a thing about it.
>>
>>415916
You're missing my point, I didn't want to go in at all. It's a waste of time and effort. So naturally I picked the option that used the least time and effort.
>>
>>415920
The fact that we're going in was already voted on though.

And it's not a waste of time and effort. It's unthinkable to me that Maka is so psychopathically heartless about her family that she'd think this is just some waste of time. She'd do it for the sake of herself, for the sake of Karas, and most of all for the sake of the imprisoned family members who still think they have no future.
>>
>>415924
I know we already voted to needlessly endanger them by giving them information that could get them killed while simultaneously wasting our time, that's why I tried to mitigate the damage by choosing he least time consuming option.

And we're not abandoning them. We have a plan to rescue them in three days. Every second spent doing something else is a second not spent making preparations for that plan, and that would be failing them.
>>
>>415930
>that's why I tried to mitigate the damage by choosing he least time consuming option.
Except you chose the option which puts them in the most risk out of spite. You chose literally the only option where they can end up accused of conspiring with someone outside and also simultaneously having no option to defend themselves.

Like I said, good job. You made everyone lose.
>>
>>415933
>You chose literally the only option where they can end up accused of conspiring with someone outside
Okay, as a third party that's just wrong.
Any option had the chance of a guard coming in during the meeting and then we would have had to deal with him somehow. And no matter how we did that, Rankar would have most likely found out.
>>
>>415930
It's also more time consuming that just sending someone on ahead, to cast the spell we'd need to go back to the hideout so whoever could cast in private
>>
>>415935
>Okay, as a third party that's just wrong.
Of course it's just wrong, you only read the first half of the sentence. Durrrr.
>>
>>415935
All the other options have have the option to hide and stop talking if a guard approaches, with IM we won't even know if a guard is there at all
>>
>>415942
More to the point, if something like that goes wrong we or Lynn or whoever would be there to take care of it. An IM can't do shit on that front.
>>
>>415933
Basically what >>415935 said.
Hell it's less risky, because the messenger vanishes after it gets its reply, where as we would have to sneak back out, giving them another chance to spot us.

>>415938
Five minutes to head back to the safe house takes less time than if infiltrating a place? In what world?
>>
>>415946
>Five minutes to head back to the safe house takes less time than if infiltrating a place? In what world?
The world where we can split up and go talk to someone else while they do that. Multitasking is a thing that we can do.
>>
>>415941
So basically what you want is to rescue them right now, resulting in us having to kill a lot of people, instead of following the plan we made and doing it after we've prepared.
Gotcha.
>>
>>415946
Anon, what that guy said was just wrong. Of course you can make yourself think I don't have a point if you ignore half of what I said.

Read.

The IM approach is the riskiest because it's the hands-off approach. Something could go wrong no matter what we do, but we chose the only option where we aren't there to fix it if it does.
>>
>>415948
And we only have to send one person back to the safe house. And they can rejoin us a lot faster than us sending someone to infiltrate the palace.
>>
>>415954
We need a sorcerer and Maka there to do the message.

But this is a silly tangent. Twenty minutes up or down won't change much either way.
>>
>>415954
What's the point of sending an IM to our dad if we don't do it ourselves?
Might as well have Zareen do the arrow-and-letter trick.
>>
>>415952
>Something could go wrong no matter what we do
Not if we did nothing.
I've made my opinion clear, us contacting them is incredibly stupid. And since we've d coded to be so stupid, I want to get it over with quickly. You saying it's a stupidest method is just fine, because this whole course of action is stupid, so why not go all the way?

>>415954
No we don't, we just need the sorcerer.

>>415962
The point is we could be doing something that actually works towards getting our family free, instead of unsafe ring them.
>>
>>415964
>Not if we did nothing.
We already voted to not do nothing. That wasn't in question anymore, it was in the past.

We're discussing the current, or last, vote. You keep bringing up spite over the previous vote as a reason for why you voted badly. Do you expect me to clap or something?
>>
>>415964
>instead of unsafe ring them
What the hell did I write there
That should read "instead of endangering them."
>>
Alright, I'm back.
Let me read up on this mess.
>>
>>415966
I'm not doing it out of spite.
I'm doing it because I think it's a waste of time and Inffalible Mesenger would waste the least amount of it.
>>
>>415972
There's no point.
>>
>>415973
>I'm not doing it out of spite.
>a stupidest method is just fine, because this whole course of action is stupid, so why not go all the way?

Uh huh.
>>
>>415978
Yes, I'm upset over the result of the previous vote.
That doesn't change the reasoning behind this vote, which is I want to get it over with as quickly as possible, not that I want to endanger our family.
>>
File: sun-ex.png (18 KB, 150x144)
18 KB
18 KB PNG
So let me clear things up with a secondary vote.

>Just send an Infallible Messenger.
>Send a Messenger, but also send in Lynne.
>Send a Messenger, but also go in personally, as a man.
>Send a Messenger, but also go in personally, as a man, with Lynne.
>Change your mind: Let's not contact them for now.
>(Other?)
>>
>>415983
>Send a Messenger, but also send in Lynne.
Having Lynne be a distraction so we talk to dad isn't a bad idea, set up a time say like half an hour from now and give us that window to message dad and have him send one back..
>>
>>415983
>>Send a Messenger, but also send in Lynne.
>>
>>415983
>Change your mind: Let's not contact them for now.
>>
>>415983
>Change your mind: Let's not contact them for now.
>>
>>415983
>Change your mind: Let's not contact them for now.
>>
>>415992
>>415983
So I guess you can throw my vote in for
>Send a Messenger, but also send in Lynne.
and not the others.
>>
>>415983
>>Change your mind: Let's not contact them for now.
>>
>>415983
>Change your mind, let's not contact them for now.

The best deception is one that fools even your allies. Our Dad/Sister might not be as good at lying as us. And their isn't much they can do to prepare from in there.
>>
You mumble, ponder consider, scratch your head.

"...Maka?"

You're worried. Worried that a wrong step might land your family from the comparatively safe situation they're now straight into... considerably hotter waters.

"Maka!" Karas shakes you out of your brief trance.

"Whuh? Bwuh." You face him. "I... I was thinking... maybe it's best if we don't contact dad and sis?"

"Say what?" He shakes you a bit more.

"L-l-listen to me!" You try and talk him down. "If anything goes wrong, they'll be first in line! Worst case scenario, if Rankar feels threatened, he could use them as hostages!"

He slowly lets you go. "...that's right, I guess."

"We ARE rescuing them, but do we really NEED to keep them constantly updated on what we're doing? Considering how risky it could be, and how safe they are right now?"

"They're still prisoners!"

"Yeah, but they aren't exactly in a deathtrap! They're locked up in the most comfortable rooms of Gem's royal palace. Rankar isn't suspecting anything right now. Let's keep it that way."

He takes one long, deep sigh, and nods again. "Alright. So, what are we going to do, instead? If we're not messing with the palace yet?"

>Find allies with the Trade Houses.
>Recruit mercenaries.
>Investigate Rankar's forces.
>Keep our heads down until we hear from Starfall and House Arbani, at least.
>Hide and keep eyes and ears open.
>(Other?)
>>
>>416021
>>Keep our heads down until we hear from Starfall and House Arbani, at least.

Why did you decide on this, by the way?
>>
>>416021
>>Investigate Rankar's forces.
Let's scope out what Rankar's got while Starfall is doing her thing.
>>
>>416021
>That theoretically non-exalted swordsman of butt-kicking really has my interest. I wanna know how he/she does it. And if we get them on our side, it'll be a lot less likely that we'll need to reveal our exalted nature in the fighting.
>>
>>416021
>Find allies with the Trade Houses.

>>416024
It was 5 votes to 3?
>>
>>416033
He's been personally contracted as Rankar's bodyguard. I honestly don't think he'll be easily swayed if he's the kind of warrior he is reputed to be.

Would be nice to get a look at him though, so we can see what we're facing.
>>
>>416021
>>Investigate Rankar's forces.
Specifically any exalts and the swordsman >>416033 mentioned.
>>
>>416043
One never knows whether someone is just really powerful, and tends to prefer acting via sword and so is known for being a powerful swordsman, or if they're known as a powerful swordsman because they're cripplingly overspecialized in it.

There was a rather long period of time where we were super specialized in social, and ok at punching, and absolutely sucked at mental and stealth. Like, worse than a professional mortal bad.

So, depending on which one it is, this guy could be weak to social attacks.
>>
>>416021
>Investigate Rankar's forces.
>>
>>416037
>It was 5 votes to 3?
Ah, it was actually 4 to 3, my bad. When he started writing I mean.

I guess the next time I don't like a vote that already won I just have to complain long enough to get it retried. Good to know.
>>
>>416021
>Investigate Rankar's forces.
>>
>>416021
>Investigate Rankar's forces.
Oh so we aren't going to talk to dad then?

That's a shame, I was actually hoping to see if he had any info that might help us out, he and sis are probably the people that know Rankar best in the city after all.
>>
>>416052
We've run into a psycho melee specialist before who would be theoretically weak to social attacks when we fought the Prince's forces on the beach.

The king of uncloaked steel just straight up attacked us and never let us get a real social attack in.

Maybe you're right and things have changed with our new social scores and skills but I don't think that will be the case.
>>
>>416055
Hey, I never said he should redo the vote.
I'm happy he did, as it got me the result I wanted, but I never once suggested or even hinted that he should.
>>
>>416061
He was already in the middle of battle. The assumption here is that we start talking first.
>>
>>416063
You're right. I shouldn't complain, I should do like you did. Try to sabotage whatever action I didn't want to happen in subsequent votes.
>>
>>416061
We can just leave him to Karas in any case, if he can match him then he's obviously an Exalted of some kind, plus I think he would cry if we didn't let him fight him.
>>
>>416061
Yeah, I'm betting that will be the case if we engage him mid fight and try to social.

But if we get his ear when he doesn't know we're an enemy and we can work our Maka Magic, I think we'll be better off.

Also, King of Uncloaked Steel in my opinion is just super awesome all around. Because I am biased as fuck in favor of Keychain of Creation cameos. And his text filler was awesome.
>>
>>416064
The battle was going on but he hadn't joined in yet.

When we confronted that fake Prince that's when he got interested in fighting us.

This other palooka probably isn't a blood crazed loon but to be the caliber of swordsman he apparently is would take tremendous dedication and focus. He's unlikely to betray his contract or oath if that is the case.

But hey if we can actually get him to walk away or even join us I will gladly be wrong about this.
>>
>>416070
Yeah, but if he's better than Karas in pure skill, Karas will have to start busting out Exalted powers to beat him, and make our conquest that much less subtle.

I don't think the real challenge here is "Can we retake Gem". We have SOOO many Exalted.

The real challenge is "Can we retake Gem without revealing it was a bunch of Exalted, and having the Realm come down on us like a ton of bricks."
>>
>>416067
You realize I was joking when I agreed with you on how stupid it was, right? If I actually thought it was as bad an idea as you were trying to sell it as, I would have switched my vote. Just because I'm grumpy doesn't mean I'm deliberately sabotaging the quest, it just means I didn't think the consequences were as bad as you made them out to be.
Anyway, it's over with now, so I'm dropping the subject after this post. Feel free to give a final rebuttal if you must have the last word.
>>
>>416073
Using our powers is fine as long as no one triggers their anima, and keeps any Orichalcum and Moonsilver under wraps.
As long as we follow those two rules, noe should suspect we're Exalts.
>>
>>416076
What's there to say? You taught me a valuable lesson on how to get what I want despite losing a vote in this quest.
>>
>>416079
>noe
no one
somehow those words got run together.
>>
>>416079
We should see about getting a pair of Firewands for us and Karas if we want to keep our solar shenanigans to a minimum, nothing says Solar like punching a guy through a couple of walls after all.
>>
>>416079
Well, don't some powers still make it pretty obvious, even if they don't use enough to trigger anima flare?

Like, "Hmm, firewand shots are bouncing off that woman's bosom. This is completely normal."
>>
>>416089
Isn't house Arbani the one that makes the best firewands, and that's why we're going to them first?
>>
>>416092
Sure, but Karas is pretty free of those, he has mostly swording charms last we checked so if he keeps it to just his excellencies and damage adders he can get away with just looking like a really skilled swordsman.

Maka on the other hand is kinda boned if we try to do combat, we really want to try and leave that to Karas and the others and only come out ourselves if we need to.

>>416093
They are, it's not exactly why we went to them first, but it doesn't hurt.
>>
>>416092
>Hmm, firewand shots are bouncing off that woman's bosom. This is completely normal

>>416100
>Maka on the other hand is kinda boned if we try to do combat
Some of our outfits LOOK like armor, even if they don't act like it, if we wear one of those and do a little social "yes, it was totally the armor that protected me, not my nigh-invincible, flawless, solar skin" afterwards, we should be fine.
Or we could even get a shitty suit of actual armor and wear it and use our charms to make it seem more effective.
>>
>>416100
Ah, cool, I wasn't sure.

Though don't we have a solar hero style or something excellency for hand to hand, so that we've got at least something?

This discussion has got me thinking though. Should we maybe place our Dad or Sister on the throne, and head back to Tianna after this? I know it's cool to get to call ourselves Queen of Gem, but managing two cities this far apart could be hard, and it seems like that would help keep the realm away from attacking this city, and we've got SOO many promises back in Tianna to keep.
>>
File: Talon.jpg (229 KB, 850x906)
229 KB
229 KB JPG
"Well, the only thing that can really wreck our plans is if Rankar has actually more firepower than we expect him to." You consider in reply.

Talon nods. "As far as we could tell, the extent of his forces are obvious: A lot of mercenaries under various contracts, many of those very well armed, two mercenary Dragon-Blooded officers, two more acting as advisors inside his castle, and this Rekka person."

Aexel continues: "Yeah. No interaction with gods or spirits or churches, either. If his Exalted are sorcerors, I guess he could have been summoning Elementals or Demons, but we don't have much evidence for that."

"And he's been pretty neutral with the Realm. Business as usual, nothing new." Zareen concludes. "He certainly didn't piss them off, but he didn't win them over as trusted allies either. I suspect the Realm officers and ambassadors in town are just keeping their eyes open on the whole deal."

You bite your lips. "Do you know what forces they have, just to be sure?"

"Some Realm troops guard the satrap's villa. Good troops, but we don't know their exact numbers. The Satrap is a Dragon-Blooded, as are at least two of his assistants." She continues. "One of them gave me the vibe of being a bodyguard sort of person."

"What do we know on the reasons Rekka might be working for Rankar?" Karas wonders.

There's a general shrug. No one seems to have a theory.

It doesn't surprise you. The Flying Blade is basically a folk hero. Like most folk heroes, little is known of his actual life, and people usually don't care. He's a wandering swordsman of the South, fighting villains and righting wrongs. And generally uninterested in... politics.

"...if Rankar has him on his side, it means that he's worried about something. Having Rekka in your payroll doesn't sound like business as usual." The idea strikes you. "He's scared."

"Of what?" Karas whispers. A feeling of dread creeps on your little gathering.

"No idea." You reply. "Alright, listen, this is what we must do..."

>Investigate Rekka's circumstances.
>Try and meet Rekka personally.
>Get an idea of the exact mercenary forces Rankar has.
>Investigate Rankar's Exalted.
>Get an idea of the exact military forces the Realm has.
>Investigate the Realm's Exalted.
>Try and find hints on what exactly could Rankar be afraid of.
>Investigate the religious and spiritual landscape of Gem.
>(Other?)
>>
>>416111
>Should we maybe place our Dad or Sister on the throne
I think dad would be a good choice, he already has experience in the "running gem" area. The real question is if we're giving them the Kiss of the Sun. We've done 3 (Millian, Regis, Pyre), which means we still have enough to do all our non-exalted family (Dad, Mom, Sis), but it would take up all our slots.
>>
>>416112
>>Try and find hints on what exactly could Rankar be afraid of.

Ok EF, i'll bite.
>>
>>416112
>Investigate Rekka's circumstances.
>Try and find hints on what exactly could Rankar be afraid of.
THE FIRST AND FORSAKEN LION
Look for other Exalted that might be using hime or have something over his head.
>>
>>416112
>Try and find hints on what exactly could Rankar be afraid of.
>Investigate Rekka's circumstances.
>>
>>416116
I've said this before, but I'd rather not Kiss Dad and Imouto, implying Mom needs it, if we want to extend their life or awaken their essence there are other ways to do that that don't involved losing Mini Boss spots.
>>
>>416124
They could use Mini Boss status if they're across the world governing a city away from exalted support though.
>>
>>416112
>Investigate Rekka's circumstances.
>Try and find hints on what exactly could Rankar be afraid of.
>>
>>416112
>Investigate Rekka's circumstances
>Try and find hints on what exactly could Rankar be afraid of.
Let's investigate first. We can still lose in social contests if we're playing blind and go against strong beliefs, as lesbian Immaculate's showed. But if we know how to hit them? :D
>>
>>416112
>Try and find hints on what exactly could Rankar be afraid of.
>Investigate Rekka's circumstances.
Authochthonia needs you! Well, just your resources. NOW.
>>
>>416057
Eh, we can have Starfall take care of it when she gets back. She's part of the staff, after all. No big.
>>
>>416112
>Investigate Rekka's circumstances.
>Try and find hints on what exactly could Rankar be afraid of.
>>
>>416124
>that don't involved losing Mini Boss spots.
Well right now they're sitting there doing nothing. I'd rather have them on our family than burning a hole in our pocket

>implying Mom needs it
The fuck does that even mean? I've been hearing people throw around crazy theories about our mom with no evidence at all for a couple threads now, where are you getting this stuff other than your ass?
>>
>>416116
I'm all for setting them back up on the throne with imouto being groomed to take over rulership of Gem (since we'll have an empire to take care of). I also liked the idea one anon had of creating a Wyld highway for quick travel between Tianna and Gem.

>>416124
>>416126
Whatever we do, if we set them on the throne, we're going to need to be damn sure they've got backup and protection before we leave again.
>>
>>416136
The main point in support for the Boss Mom theories is that she's not captured or announced dead by Rankar, when he's got everyone else. It is mighty fishy.
>>
>>416137
A wyld highway would be super boss, but also unreliable.
>>
>>416137
>since we'll have an empire to take care of
Speaking off which, when we're Queen of all Creation, is our capital going to be Pearl, Gem, or somewhere on the Blessed Isle
>>
>>416143
We'll have Tianna/Pearl flying in the sky by then so it'll be our flying capital.
>>
File: sun.png (114 KB, 1600x1622)
114 KB
114 KB PNG
Unfortunately I have to AFK again, and I'm not sure when I'll be able to return. So, for today I'll pause the thread here, and continue tomorrow like last time.
>>
>>416143
Obviously Pearl hovering over the Blessed Isle with the restored Titan flight function
>>
>>416150
We'll be here, do what you gotta do EF.
>>
>>416143
Pearl is good enough for being queen of the west, but if we ever play the 300+ threads necessary to conquer everything then I think only the blessed isle would suffice.
>>
>>416150
We'll keep it fresh, boss.
>>
>>416149
>>416151
Good answer.

>>416150
See you when you get back EF, whenever that may be.

>>416156
Well at the very least we're going for the West and South, and once you're in that far, you might as well go all the way.
>>
>>416167
I think the scope of the problem is a bit bigger than you think. Creation is quite a bit bigger than Earth. Not only that, its ratio of land to sea is a lot higher.

Basically, we'd be conquering about enough land to fit into three or four Earths or so. What's worse, all of it is populated by supernatural beings, so we're up against many exalted who are equal or grater than we are, fey, gods, and so on.

I'm not saying that it can't be done, it's just that it would probably take over a hundred years to do it. And I don't think we'll ever have a sufficient time-skip regime in this quest to make it that far.

Even becoming queen of the west is a vast undertaking, and most of the west is ocean.
>>
>>416149
>>416167
I wonder if there are any Gateways of Auspicious Passage that Val and Irene could reverse engineer? Then we build pairs of them, linking our various federated holdings to access points on Tianna's edge.

A mini, flying Yu-Shan
>>
>>416175
None in Gem probably, they would have to make a brand new set just for it. That and I'm not sure how they would work if one door is constantly moving around.
>>
>>415787
Goddamn do I love the location names in Exalted. They feel so arbitrary and weird, both like an actual map would read and how a fantasy world should sound.

Also, looking at that legend makes me wonder if the rest of our Circle has some unplundered tombs lying around Creation. I'd love to dig into Val's.
>>
>>416557
I love the little faux chinatowns.
>>
File: Aexel Asteras.jpg (695 KB, 688x900)
695 KB
695 KB JPG
"This is what troubles me the most." You consider, doing a small team huddle in the dark alley with the rest of your expanded Circle. "When did Rankar get Rekka's help, exactly?"

"Not sure, we didn't have the time to look into it." Aexel mentions. "But when we got here, he was already here."

"...Did you think that maybe he knew that we were here and plotting agains him?" Talon grumbles.

You frown. "...The thought crossed my mind. I didn't want to imply that you made a mistake and got found out, of course, just... you never know. He could've found you with sorcery, or something."

"Well, he didn't." The Lunar replies. "That Rekka boy was already here when we first arrived."

"So he's not afraid of us, but of something else." You ponder. "The two things are probably connected: when, and why, he managed to secure Rekka's help, and what he's so scared about that he needs a legendary swordsman to cover him."

"Is this Rekka really a mortal?" Aexel wonders. "The way I keep hearing about him, he sounds like some sort of god of swordsmanship."

"No one really knows any detail on him." Karas informs him. "It's part of why he's so famous, I guess."

Aexel hmmms softly in acknowledgement. "How should we proceed?"

>Let's split up, gang. Try and discreetly find out what sort of terrible thing could be threatening Rankar... other than us. Meet at the safehouse tomorrow.
>Let's move all together, for now, and case the town for clues.
>(other?)
>>
>>419629
>>Let's split up, gang. Try and discreetly find out what sort of terrible thing could be threatening Rankar... other than us. Meet at the safehouse tomorrow.
Since we're doing sneeky breeky shit, there's no point in doing it as a large and conspicuous group. Everyone can handle themselves well enough for at least this much.
>>
>>419629
>>Let's split up, gang. Try and discreetly find out what sort of terrible thing could be threatening Rankar... other than us. Meet at the safehouse tomorrow.
>>
>>419629
>Let's split up, gang. Try and discreetly find out what sort of terrible thing could be threatening Rankar... other than us. Meet at the safehouse tomorrow.
>>
>>419629
>Let's split up, gang. Try and discreetly find out what sort of terrible thing could be threatening Rankar... other than us. Meet at the safehouse tomorrow.
>>
"Alright, gang. No sense moving around in a huge group. Let's split up, meet you all at the safehouse tomorrow. Don't do anything stupid, don't start fights, don't get caught. Try and find out something about this weird situation. I feel uneasy, not because couping Rankar would mean having to deal with Rekka - we can probably deal with him easily."

"No, I understand." Karas nods. "There's something we don't know, and it might be very important. I think... I think I'll go hit the dojos and martial arts circles, see if they know something."

"Sure, you go and waste your time." Lynne makes fun of him. "I'm going to infiltrate the palace guards, instead."

"There might be something in the library." Aexel adds, moving out.

"Oooh, I'm coming too." Valeriana follows him.

"I guess I'll stick to what I know best and hit the market and traders' quarter." Milahil excuses himself. "Best of luck, you all."

"I'll just wait for you all at the safehouse. We need someone keeping watch anyway, and investigation is not my forte." Talon grumbles.

"You do that, I'll see you later." Zareen says. "I'm going to see what I can get from the mercenaries patrolling the streets. They look like the kind of people who get talkative after a couple drinks."

"I'm coming with you, right?" Tia asks, looking at you like a lost puppy.

"Of course!" You reassure her. "We're going to..."

>Investigate the Realm satrap and if he has anything to do with any of this.
>Check with the cults and churches in town and see if they know anything.
>Hit another Trading House and see if we can manage to meet with the chief.
>Visit a teahouse, brothel or dream parlor, and see if we can overhear something interesting.
>Just stay on the streets and keep our eyes and ears peeled.
>Try and draw Rekka out and see if we can manage to meet him.
>(Other?)
>>
>>419658
>Visit a teahouse, brothel or dream parlor, and see if we can overhear something interesting.
These kind of places can get a lot of info from happy customers or with staff with good ears.
>>
>>419658
>>Visit a teahouse, brothel or dream parlor, and see if we can overhear something interesting.

Specifically a Dream Parlor but maybe hit a teahouse beforehand and make a date of this as well.
>>
>>419658
>>Visit a teahouse, brothel or dream parlor, and see if we can overhear something interesting.
Sure, I guess
>>
>>419658
>>Try and draw Rekka out and see if we can manage to meet him.
in ManMaka mode.
>>
>>419665
I'll second the ManMaka swap just to ensure nobody can recognize us.
>>
>>419658
>Visit a teahouse, brothel or dream parlor, and see if we can overhear something interesting.

>>419665
I'm against going ManMaka, but that's more because I'm not a big fan of the form than being against hiding our identity.
>>
>>419658
>Visit a teahouse, brothel or dream parlor, and see if we can overhear something interesting.

Against going ManMaka
>>
"I guess we should hit the Red Stone district." You inform Tia. "It's where Gem really comes alive at night, I guess."

"What sort of place is it?" The Lunar asks.

You think about how to put it. "Sort of rich and high-class. Fancy. Exotic. It's all teahouses, bars and pubs, brothels and dream parlors. It's sort of the entertainment district for the rich. House Sahlak runs it, pretty much."

"Oh, you said something about the dream things." Tia smiles. "What was it? You can buy dreams? Sounds weird." She's clearly curious about it.

"One of the most precious stones extracted from the mines of Gem are the Dream Opals. The Despot has a monopoly on them, but he sells them back, especially to house Sahlak." You talk while heading towards the Red Stone district, as the streets begin to get crowded. "They can "record" dreams, and if you sleep holding a Dream Opal with a dream inside, you re-live that dream. It's expensive, of course."

"Did you ever do that?" She wonders.

Meanwhile, you arrived in Red Stone district.

>Yes.
>Yes, but only once.
>No.

Combined with:

>Visit the Emerald Sword, a middle-of-the-road pub catering mostly to well-off mercenaries and wanderers
>Visit the Dragon's Enigma, a high-class establishment favored by rich traders and noble scions
>Visit the Apple of Delights, a popular, busy, crowded teahouse/whorehouse in the outskirts.
>Visit the Azure Heaven, a sophisticated, upper-class brothel famous for its exotic appeal.
>Visit the Phantasmagoria, an enormous, mid-rank teahouse/pub/brothel/casino/dream parlor with a varied clientele.
>Visit the Shining Ariston, An esclusive, top-class dream parlor offering only the very best.
>(other?)
>>
>>419676
>Yes
>Visit the Emerald Sword, a middle-of-the-road pub catering mostly to well-off mercenaries and wanderers
>Visit the Azure Heaven, a sophisticated, upper-class brothel famous for its exotic appeal.
>>
>>419676
>Yes.
We were royalty, of course we indulged in all the pleasures available to us. We still do, it's just our vice of choice has mostly narrowed to sex.
>Visit the Emerald Sword, a middle-of-the-road pub catering mostly to well-off mercenaries and wanderers
That seems like the most obvious place to start.
>>
>>419676
>>Yes.
>Visit the Emerald Sword, a middle-of-the-road pub catering mostly to well-off mercenaries and wanderers

Seems like the place to go where we can at least grab some food while we get started.
>>
>>419676
>Yes
>>Visit the Emerald Sword, a middle-of-the-road pub catering mostly to well-off mercenaries and wanderers
This seems like the best place to find information about Rekka
>Visit the Apple of Delights, a popular, busy, crowded teahouse/whorehouse in the outskirts
This seems like a a place we should visit for... personal reasons.
>>
>>419676
>Yes, but only once
>Visit the Phantasmagoria, an enormous, mid-rank teahouse/pub/brothel/casino/dream parlor with a varied clientele.
>>
>>419676
>Yes.

>Visit the Phantasmagoria, an enormous, mid-rank teahouse/pub/brothel/casino/dream parlor with a varied clientele.

>Visit the Emerald Sword, a middle-of-the-road pub catering mostly to well-off mercenaries and wanderers

Go for the mid range ones
>>
>>419680
>>419681
>>419682
>>419683
>Yes
Maka: Temperance: 1
>>
>>419687
Hey, I saw the Yes, seeing her seeking out common people.
>>
>>419689
It's just a joke.
It's been awhile, but jokes about Maka's Temperance have been here almost since the beginning. It's just usually they were made after we had an egregious amount of sex. We're finally branching out!
>>
>>419689
>Maka hit up dream parlors during amateur hour looking for dreams where you went to school naked or something, just to see what public school was like
>>
>>419676
>>Yes, but only once.
>Visit the Dragon's Enigma, a high-class establishment favored by rich traders and noble scions
>>
"Well, yes, quite a bit in fact. Some of those Opals are amazing. House Sahlak has some really skilled professional dreamers. They've got nearly everything, romance, glory, war, intrigue... and some REALLY bizarre stuff." You allude with a smile.

"I'll have to try them sometime." She notes.

"Maybe later." You say, accompanying her into the Emerald Sword. "I think it's best if we start from here."

"What's this place?"

The place is a fairly large pub, not of the sort that looks TOO fancy or expensive. The sort of establishment that made a very conscious choice to not look TOO fancy in an attempt to not scare off customers who are not literally rolling around in gold.

As an attempt, it's been a resounding success: the thirty or so tables are nearly all full, and several other patrons are standing by the counter, as import alcohol and other assorted beverages flow in abundance, and cash changes hands rather quickly. Song and merriment echo from wall to wall.

Most of the patrons look like mercenary types, off-duty, some still wearing part of their armor, insignia or uniforms. This, combined with the fact that nearly everyone here is armed, gives the place an appropriately rough-and-tumble atmosphere. There's plenty of people coming and going, and your entrance doesn't draw a lot of attention, fortunately. The fact that you're still wearing the long white (now more greyish, due to dirt and dust and volcanic ash) cloaks that Valeriana fashioned for everyone on arrival helps a lot.

You manage to score a free corner of the counter.

"So, this place gives you drinks." Tia mumbles.

You suddenly realize that this might be the first time Tia walks into a pub. "Yes."

"Like Millian?"

"Well, sort of, but you have to pay for it. Well, I have the money with me, so I'll pay for you. What do you want to drink?"

She shrugs. "Anything. What's the best?"

"Well, they have a big variety here. We can't grow anything in Gem, so all drinks must be imported, so pubs show off by having the biggest variety possible." You smile. "We can try a few drinks. Hey, mister! Two licors, please."

After a few minutes, the bartender slides two metal cups (a bit dented and worn out) at you, filled nearly to the brim with an ink-black liquid.

Tia sniffs it. "...What's this?"

"Try it." You say, downing the licorice liquor in a long gulp, the alcohol stinging slightly on the way down.

She drinks it slowly at first, but clearly starts liking it halfway through. "What's this! it's so sweet and has a weird taste!"

You try not to laugh, seeing that the inside of Tia's mouth is now completely colored black.

"What?"

"Nothing." You shake your head, smiling.

You needed this. A moment of quiet relax with your husband, in the middle of all the chaos and all the things going on. In your hometown.

...Well, you should probably get to business.

(cont.)
>>
>>419701
Tia a cute.
Sometimes that gets lost in her being best husbando, but it's important to remember.
>>
>Start chatting up other patrons, offering a few drinks here and there. Listen to some stories, see if you can learn something.
>Stay quiet and focus on listening. Hear what the topics of conversations are, what's the news in town, without drawing attention.
>You have a bit of cash with you. Offer a few rounds of drink to everyone in the house and see where the conversations go.
>Try and chat up the bartender on any news he might have. Bartenders are usually the ones who know the most in these situations.
>Examine the patrons one by one. Try and figure out who is in here, and who might be an useful person to approach.
>...Actually, investigation isn't really your forte, and it's best if you leave it to the others. How about you just focus on enjoying yourself for tonight?
>(Other?)
>>
(incidentally, under the cloak, what's your current dress?)
>>
>>419704
>>Start chatting up other patrons, offering a few drinks here and there. Listen to some stories, see if you can learn something.
Get a bit flirty and see if anyone knows anything, commit JET too. It won't be able to tell if something's just a rumor, but it should help us sift through the worst of it.

How about #19 or #12 to try and fit the bar theme
>>
>>419704
>Start chatting up other patrons, offering a few drinks here and there. Listen to some stories, see if you can learn something.

>>419706
I think we were wearing 21, because it fits in so much best here and we so rarely wear it in Tianna.
>>
>>419704
>>Start chatting up other patrons, offering a few drinks here and there. Listen to some stories, see if you can learn something.
>>
>>419714
>much best here
better here I mean.
>>419712
I don't see hot 12 or 19 are particularly Barish. If you want to change to fit in here better, I'd go with 20 or 24
>>
>>419704
>>Start chatting up other patrons, offering a few drinks here and there. Listen to some stories, see if you can learn something.
>>419719
I'll vote for 24, it's skimpy even by our standards, which makes it perfect for bar hopping, and for making sure people are too distracted to pay complete attention to what there saying.
We should switch back to 21 when we're done though. I really like that as our "Gem Dress"
>>
>>419719
It's a mercenary bar, looking like we fight for a living is how we fit in here.

I do like 21 as our standard Gem wear though.
>>
>>419725
But the thing is, Maka doesn't really look like a fighter. Without her Exalted reputation, dressing up as a fighter is just as likely to get us called out as it is to help us blend in.
>>
>>419704
>...Actually, investigation isn't really your forte, and it's best if you leave it to the others. How about you just focus on enjoying yourself for tonight?
>>
>>419701
>and some REALLY bizarre stuff
>>
>>419706
#23 to fit in the place we're in or #24
>>
>>419736
We should at least TRY first.
Besides, if we just want to enjoy ourselves, the Azure Heaven or Phantasmagoria seems much more our kind our of hangout than this place.
>>
>>419738
Whoa dude, /qst/ is a blue board.
>>
>>419744
Don't tempt me.
>>
>>419746
Degenerate, next you're gonna post people holding hands or something aren't you?
People like you make me sick.
>>
>>419739
Oh wait, I read things wrong, ignore the vote for #23.
>>
Leaving Tia as "backup" in case something ugly happens, you start approaching other patrons. With the right combination of your astonishing looks, your fairly full purse, and your willingness to listen to their rants, the hard part is more in getting them to finally shut up than in getting them to start talking.

You spend about three hours like this, filtering through a lot of small talk, a lot of sob stories, a lot of weird stories, a lot of boring stories, and a lot of people desperately trying to hit on you (with various degrees of skill, and in various degrees of drunk).

At the end of the show, it's very late night, and, as the patrons begin to leave the pub bit by bit, you sit down at a table with Tia and put together what you've learned.

"So according to this officer from the Twin Knives, Rekka started working for Rankar about a week after the coup." You point out.

"What happened one week after the coup?" Tia wonders.

"Nothing much, from what I heard, but in the week after the coup, Rankar hired a lot of mercenaries... and not just that."

"Oh." Tia's clearly trying to follow you.

"Astrologers, haruspexes, priests, exorcists, god-blooded and other specialists in the supernatural. it's also when he recruited the two non-officer dragon-blooded, which makes me think they might be sorcerors."

"He's scared of some curse or something." Tia notes.

"Yes. Which makes me think he's not scared of, like... an Exalted or some other kind of physical threat. Not something you can ONLY beat up."

"Did he anger a god or a spirit?"

"The gods and spirits in Gem belong to, generally, three categories. Out-of-town gods whose worshipers moved here, younger lesser spirits with a cult but not much power, and great, powerful local gods who are mostly uninvolved with human affairs, like the gods of the volcano and of the desert. So... I don't think so. Besides, he didn't ONLY focus on exorcists and the likes, he also hired mercenaries and Rekka."

"...So?"

You sigh. "...So I think even Rankar is not exactly sure what he's paranoid about. He seems to be covering all his bases. No one knows what's the deal with Rekka, but I talked with a few mercs here and got a vague idea of how much money he's spending on all this security. It's a lot of cash. Whatever happened must've REALLY spooked him."

"I don't know." Tia looks around the pub. The waiters are starting to clean the place. It was a field day. "It doesn't look like the people of the city are as troubled as Rankar is, you know?"

"Exactly, which means it's either something only he knows about, and he doesn't want to cause a panic..." You grumble. "Or maybe he's just crazy and paranoid and there's NOTHING going on."

You glance at your own table, as a waiter passes by and starts clearing it of all the glasses, cups and bottles. You sure drank a lot, and don't even feel a light buzz.

Exaltation has some downsides, after all.

(cont.)
>>
"But if something really happened to spook him this hard, it must've happened right after the coup. Right after I left town." You conclude. "And I think even Rankar isn't entirely sure what it is."

"Huh." Tia takes the last sip from her glass and hands it to the waiter. Then she plants both elbows on the table and leans across. "What next?"

>Return to the safehouse.
>I'd say we can stay here and keep drinking until dawn.
>Try chatting up the bartender? But he seems fairly busy and he's probably waiting for us to leave.
>Try the Dragon's Enigma.
>Try the Apple of Delights.
>Try the Azure Heaven.
>Try the Shining Ariston.
>Just wander the streets for a bit.
>Leave the Red Stone, head somewhere else.
>(other?)
>>
>>419756
>Try the Azure Heaven.
>>
>>419756
>Try the Phantasmagoria

The 'varied clientele' thing might be useful.
>>
>>419756
>>Try the Dragon's Enigma.

Maybe we can get some better info from peeps higher up the totem pole.
>>
>>419756
>Try the Azure Heaven.
>>
>>419756
>Try the Azure Heaven.
>>
>>419756
>Try the Azure Heaven.
Exotic might be what we're looking for.

Actually now that I think about it, we really did hear rumors about ghosts being spooky in the South back during the timeskip we did. Any word on that EF?
>>
>>419756
>Try the Azure Heaven
>Try the Phantasmagoria
Places someone good looking like Maka wouldn't be suspicious.
>>
>>419768
>Actually now that I think about it, we really did hear rumors about ghosts being spooky in the South back during the timeskip we did. Any word on that EF?

You did, but they were just vague rumors.

The mercs hanging around the Emerald Sword didn't really talk about it, which makes you think that they either don't really believe that shit, or that they're superstitious and don't want to be talking about it.

The latter is more likely. In any case, it means that they never had to physically deal with anything of the sort.
>>
EF I don't want to fight alchemicals
>>
>>419790
>Implying I care what you want or don't want to do
git gud
>>
>>419792
Jokes on you, we'll just seduce all of them.
>>
>>419793
A good chance to take Thousandfold Courtesan Calculations out for a spin i say!
>>
EF I want to fight alchemicals
>>
>>419797
Nothing is sexier than calculations t b h
>>
>>419790
>"Fine! We'll decide the victor right now!"
>"Acceptable."
>"...in the bedroom!"
>>
You pay what's left of your bill and weigh your money pouch.

You're carrying around guild-minted silver dinars. Accepted everywhere, and common enough to not rouse suspicion. You started with 300 dinars, and are about down to 280. More than enough for reasonable expenses, and for unreasonable expenses you've got a lot of jewelry and other spare coins tucked away in your Kaliedoscopic Garment Dance, so you shouldn't have problems.

"Want to hit another place?" You ask Tia, standing up.

"A dream parlor?" She wonders, standing up.

"Well, I was thinking of the Azure Heaven. It's a high-class brothel around the corner, and it's about the best hour of the day to visit it. They have some really classy, really unique and exotic performers there."

She whistles. "You're an expert."

You beam with pride. "I am."

"I want to watch." She states with determination.

What does she expect you to do, you wonder?

You walk down to the place in question, its bluish crystal-blacklit insignia luring customers of appropriate wealth and taste in. But, of course, most of the patrons of the Azure Heaven don't wander in just drawn by the sign, but know it by fame. Carved in the dark volcanic rock of the South and subsequently plated by slabs of bluish marble, it does do its best to look like a heavenly palace bathed in bright, light colors against the dark atmosphere of Gem.

The ground floor is a rather wide, airy pub with many decorated wooden tables, surrounded by relatively few yet comfy-looking sofas. Several of the tables are slotted in niches on the wall, or surrounded by drawable curtains of heavy cloth, or both, for the right amount of privacy anyone would want.

Exotic foods and drinks top the tables, and beautiful, delicate music, accompanied by southern dancers in scant clothing, entertain guests in the background, on a stage that forms the backdrop to the floor. A large stairway climbs up to the first floor, where the private rooms (and the finest entertainers) are.

Along the right-side wall, a massive aquarium houses colorful fish, swimming around as an extra sign of extreme opulence.

"Welcome to the Azure Heaven!" A beautiful young man in airy white clothes baring his chest approaches you and bows politely. He's definitely a southerner, but his deep green eyes betray a hint of unique ancestry perhaps. "What is your wish?"

>We'll take a private table and some food and drink.
>We'll take a private table and some food and drink... and some company.
>We're here to watch the dancers, can we have a table near the stage?
>We just want someone who's a good conversationalist to keep us entertained for the night.
>We'd like a room upstairs, thank you.
>What does the house have to offer?
>I'll leave it up to you. Surprise me.
>(Other?)
>>
>>419823
>We'll take a table near the stage and some food and drink... and some company.
>>
>>419823
>I'll leave it up to you. Surprise me.
Will Maka end up dancing too?
>>
>>419823
>We'll take a private table and some food and drink... and some company.
>>
File: Dancer.jpg (2.01 MB, 1447x2047)
2.01 MB
2.01 MB JPG
>>419823
>We're here to watch the dancers, can we have a table near the stage?

Step one, throw money at dancers and collect rumors.

Step two, get on stage.

Step three, ?????

Step four, profit!
>>
>>419823
>>We'll take a private table and some food and drink... and some company.

>>419833
I hope so, we switched to 24 I think, it would be a shame if we didn't do at least one dance.

Also, given the type of place this is, I feel we should commit HSDD with our personal essence. And use RLSS if we end up danceing.
>>
>>419823
>We're here to watch the dancers, can we have a table near the stage?

>>419837
>I hope so, we switched to 24 I think, it would be a shame if we didn't do at least one dance.
>Also, given the type of place this is, I feel we should commit HSDD with our personal essence. And use RLSS if we end up danceing
I'll agree with all this.
>>
>>419823
I'm gonna vote against dancing, whatever we otherwise chose to do. We WILL draw attention to ourselves. We won't be able to resist doing so.
>>
>>419835
Man, Skuld filled out in all the best ways.
>>
>>419837
Yeah, you're on 24, i forgot to mention.

As for dancing... well, you're a customer, you're not quite allowed to disturb the performers. It's not a ballroom.

I mean, you can still DO it, just saying that the owner would probably take it badly.
>>
>>419841
Maybe we will. But do you really think anyone will remember our face when we're dancing while wearing outfit 24?

>>419846
I'm sure we could talk him into it. Especially since we're doing it for free.
And if not it's not big deal, just something I think Maka would find fun, she loves dancing after all.
>>
>>419846
Yeah let's not, maybe if it were a lower class place.
>>
>>419823
>We'll take a private table and some food and drink... and some company.
>>
dancing or not, we're definitely going to be getting intimate here, so I'm gonna restate my vote for HSDD.
>>
>>419854
Let's not, no real need for it, plus we want to keep a low profile and just be another customer. So that means no blowing peoples minds.
>>
>>419855
>no real need for it
There is always a need for increased sexual prowess.
And if you disagree, I'm not sure we can be friends anymore.
>>
I mean, I'd be totally fine for dancing for Tia in the private room ala "this is what they'd be doing, only not as good as me", but let's turn the entire place into raving fans with our absurd seduction stats.
>>
>>419865
*let's not turn
>>
>>419866
Man you all are no fun today.
>>419862
Except for you, you seem cool.
>>
>>419846
I doubt the manager will find it displeasing
>>
>>419865
>but let's not turn the entire place into raving fans with our absurd seduction stats
Can you give a reason why not? There are a lot of upper-class people here, having them on our side when we overthrow Ranker would be a good thing.
>>
We should have Tia turn into a cat and brew another uprising
>>
>>419865
One-step victory plan:
>Get on stage in the middle of the city.
>Activate the seduction suite.
>City-Moving Song
>"I'm Maka, former queen of Gem, and wouldn't you like to see THIS on the throne?"
>>
"Oh, my husband and I are here to have a bit of fun together." You nonchalantly explain.

The waiter keeps a straight poker face, shifting his eyes to Tia, then back at you. "I see."

"We'd like a table with a bit of privacy. Some good food and drink - cook's choice, don't disturb yourself with a menu." You smile pleasantly. "We like to be surprised."

"I see." He nods. "We have a free table over here." He accompanies you to a corner table, sporting a large, wide, comfortable half-circle sofa around it, with a tent that can be pulled for privacy. "Would this be satisfactory."

"Perfect." You nod. "We'd also like some company, of course."


(how much are you willing to spend?)

>Hand him 50 dinars.
>Hand him 100 dinars.
>Hand him 200 dinars.
>Hand him your entire money pouch.
>Hand him a 500 dinar gemstone ring you're carrying.
>Hand him the 1600 dinar forehead jewel of outfit #21.

Combined with:

>Ask for a group service. Quantity over quality.
>Ask for the most skilled courtesan you can afford with how much you paid.
>Ask for the most exotic courtesan you can afford with how much you paid.
>Ask for the most beautiful courtesan you can afford with how much you paid.
>(Other?)

Combined with:

>I prefer girls.
>I prefer boys.
>I like both.
>(Other?)
>>
>>419888
>Hand him 100 dinars.

>Ask for a group service. Quantity over quality.
>I prefer boys.
>>
>>419888
>Hand him 100 dinars.
>Ask for a group service. Quantity over quality.
>I like both.
How much money do we have total, like counting what everyone else brought?

I mean if we run low we'll need Iblan sooner rather than later or we can have Mika make us some money somehow.
>>
>>419879
Plus they'd probably be more willing to talk afterward.

>Hand him 200 dinars.
>Ask for the 2 most skilled courtesan you can afford with how much you paid.
>I like both.
>>
>>419888
>Ask for a group service. Quantity over quality.
>I prefer boys.
>Hand him a 500 dinar gemstone ring you're carrying.
>>
>>419893
The second half of that was meant to go to >>419888
>>
>>419888
>>Hand him 200 dinars.

>>Ask for the most skilled courtesan you can afford with how much you paid.

>>I like both.
>>
>>419888
>Ask for a group service. Quantity over quality.
>Ask for the most exotic courtesan you can afford with how much you paid.
>I prefer boys.
>Hand him a 500 dinar gemstone ring you're carrying.
>>
>>419888
>Hand him 200 dinars.
>Ask for the most skilled courtesan you can afford with how much you paid.
>I like both.
>>
>>419888
Oh, and
>ask how much to be let dance too
>>
>>419905
I like the way you think.
>>
200 dinars is not enough for real fun
>>419888
>ask how much to be let dance too
Add this to >>419897
>>
>>419905
No anon, no
>>
>>419893
>>419899
>>419902
So...a single courtesan that's both?

How would that be a match for Tia?

>Hand him the 1600 dinar forehead jewel of outfit #21.
>Ask for a group service. Quantity over quality.
>I like both.
>>
>>419888
>Hand him a 500 dinar gemstone ring you're carrying.
Easiest thing to replace in a city called Gem

>Ask for the most popular courtesan you can afford with how much you paid.
We need info, so whoever has overhead the most

>I prefer girls.
More prone to sharing gossip with us ladies? I dunno.
>>
>>419905
It probably won't work, but we might as well ask.
>>
>>419905
Still against this.
>>
>>419910
I voted for quality over quantity, not necessarily just one courtesan.

>>419912
>>419908
>>419905
Why would we PAY to dance when they should be begging us to do it? This is just completely fucking wrong.
>>
>>419915
To make him open to the idea, then we persuade him to let us do it for free.
>>
>>419892
>How much money do we have total, like counting what everyone else brought?

Counting EVERYTHING EVERYONE has, including the jewelry and such in your other outfits and so on, you probably have about 10.000 dinars or more.
>>
>>419921
m8 if you want to persuade someone we already have about several orders of magnitude more than everything we need
>>
>>419910
>So...a single courtesan that's both?
When the vote is split EF usually combines them.
So by voting for a single skilled courtesan, and other people voting for quantity of quality, we'd end up with with a lower amount of more skilled courtesans.
Sort of like what >>419893 was going for.

>>419915
>Why would we PAY to dance when they should be begging us to do it?
Well we need to get the manager out here to ask him for permission, and saying we'll pay for the chance will get his attention.
Once he's actually out here, we can talk to him and convince him to let us do it for free.
>>
>>419927
>Well we need to get the manager out here to ask him for permission, and saying we'll pay for the chance will get his attention.
Once he's actually out here, we can talk to him and convince him to let us do it for free.
What, he's going to smell the money, that's how we get him out? m8 pls
>>
>>419927
>Sort of like what >>419893 (You) # was going for.
I am a visionary, ahead of my time.
>>
>>419932
We tell this guy we're willing to pay to dance, he goes and tells the manager, the manager comes out to talk to us.
It's not that hard to understand, though whether it would actually turn out that way remains to be seen.
>>
>>419935
Or we just tell the guy to get the manager. How exactly is that going to fail? Do you expect the bartender to drop willpower on a reasonable request?

No, your plan isn't hard to understand, it's hard to understand why it's a good idea.
>>
>>419942
Because sometimes people overlook the obvious answer. It's part of human nature.
Now that you've said it, yes, just asking for the manager is a better idea.
>>
>>419946
Well of course it's a bad idea, it's just wasting time. Tell the dude we're gonna dance outright, after he goes too stiff-pantsed to think he'll just say yes to whatever anyway.
>>
File: Ayzir.jpg (223 KB, 850x1189)
223 KB
223 KB JPG
"What sort of company?" He wonders.

You pull off one of your gloves, revealing the rings on your hand, and select one that, in your mind, should be worth about 300 dinars. Removing it, you drop it in the waiter's hands as payment.

He doesn't bat an eye. After all, paying in jewelry rather than cash isn't uncommon in Gem. 300 dinars should secure you some good company, although it's nothing so extravagant that will draw unnecessary attention. (you know of noble scions who have dropped thousands of dinars per visit in this sort of places...)

"Well, since it's two of us, bring some people in. Not too many, mind you. Someone skilled. As for preference... either is fine. Male, female, anything in between."

"Certainly." The waiter bows again and-

You stop him before he leaves you. "Oh, one last question."

"Yes?" He patiently turns around.

"I would love to have a chance of dancing on your stage." You suggest. "Would it be possible?"

Tia quietly yays in the background.

"I'll ask the management." He offers, politely, before leaving.

You and Tia take place at the table. Drinks arrive immediately, quickly followed by food: pork ribs and cutlets in sweet apple sauce with spiced soft bread.

"Now, Tia." You lower your voice while nibbling on a bit of bread, while she wastes the ribs with extreme prejudice. "Once the courtesans come in, I don't want you to shapeshift too much. We're not here to draw attention."

"But I like drawing attention~" Tia complains playfully, pulling out her tongue, which grows way longer than it has any right to.

"Just not this time, okay? Try to control yourself a bit."

"Can I at least have a couple of-"

You shush her as your two "entertainers" walk in on you. They couldn't be any more different.

One of them is a young man, you recognize him as one of the dancers that were on the stage earlier, with slender, athletic, muscular body, and wearing an outfit with long decorated sleeves and large trousers that still leaves most of that body quite visible. He is covered, here and there, in light scars. Accidents, art, or a dark past of some kind. His hair is dirty blonde, almost whitish, short, and his elongated ears at the top of the head clearly mark him as some sort of god-blooded, perhaps the son of an animal spirit. He's still covered in sweat and panting from the dance.

(cont.)
>>
>>419974
>One of them is a young man, you recognize him as one of the dancers that were on the stage earlier, with slender, athletic, muscular body, and wearing an outfit with long decorated sleeves and large trousers that still leaves most of that body quite visible. He is covered, here and there, in light scars. Accidents, art, or a dark past of some kind. His hair is dirty blonde, almost whitish, short, and his elongated ears at the top of the head clearly mark him as some sort of god-blooded, perhaps the son of an animal spirit. He's still covered in sweat and panting from the dance.
EF, stop making me gay.
>>
>>419974
>don't draw attention
>offered to dance on stage
Maka pls
>>
>>419981
Lack of self-awareness is one of Maka's charm points.
>>
File: Hotau.jpg (478 KB, 715x1000)
478 KB
478 KB JPG
The girl is the sweetest little thing. She's well-dressed, with an oversized decorated turban, piercing green eyes and a kind smile, giving the look of a quiet, gentle intellectual. You're not sure how much this is a carefully cultivated appearance and how much is her personality honestly shining through. She's wearing a top and long pants, showing a nice, shapely body without any explicit attempt at being seductive.

They both bow to you.

"Pleased to meet you. My name is Ayzir." The dancer introduces himself. His voice is low and sensual.

"I'm Hotau." With a flourish, the girl immediately sits next to Tia, pouring her a drink. Tia seems confused by this gesture, as if it was implying that she didn't know how to pour it herself "We'll be your hosts for tonight~"

You relax a bit in your chair. "Thank you for coming." You smile.

>Well, it's best to just finish dinner peacefully, with some light conversation. Maybe they'll let slip something interesting.
>Try and carefully question them, hear if they know anything about the mystery of Rankar's fears. (s+z)
>Just spend a pleasurable night with Tia and them, and unwind.
>Use this chance to make sure that Tia knows how to handle mortals, because you're not sure that she knows out.
>The two of you will be fine for a first course, but i don't plan on holding back tonight. Or ever. (s+z)
>(Other?)
>>
Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>419989
>The two of you will be fine for a first course, but i don't plan on holding back tonight. Or ever. (s+z)
>>
>>419989
>Try and carefully question them, hear if they know anything about the mystery of Rankar's fears. (s+z)

Stay on target.
>>
Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>419989
>The two of you will be fine for a first course, but i don't plan on holding back tonight. Or ever. (s+z)
>>
Rolled 9, 6 = 15 (2d10)

>>419989
>Use this chance to make sure that Tia knows how to handle mortals, because you're not sure that she knows out.
Once that's done
>The two of you will be fine for a first course, but i don't plan on holding back tonight. Or ever. (s+z)
Commit HSDD, make sure it's with personal essence.
>>
Rolled 2, 9 = 11 (2d10)

>>419989
>>Try and carefully question them, hear if they know anything about the mystery of Rankar's fears. (s+z)
>>Use this chance to make sure that Tia knows how to handle mortals, because you're not sure that she knows out.
>>The two of you will be fine for a first course, but i don't plan on holding back tonight. Or ever. (s+z)

2d10, guys, wasn't it?
>>
Rolled 4, 4 = 8 (2d10)

>>419989
>Use this chance to make sure that Tia knows how to handle mortals, because you're not sure that she knows out.
>The two of you will be fine for a first course, but i don't plan on holding back tonight. Or ever. (s+z)
Commit HSDD

>>419994
Dice
>>
Rolled 10, 7 = 17 (2d10)

>>420006
Ah, dice.
>>
Rolled 2, 7 = 9 (2d10)

>>420004
>2d10, guys, wasn't it?
Yep
>>
Rolled 1, 3 = 4 (2d10)

>>419989
>>Try and carefully question them, hear if they know anything about the mystery of Rankar's fears. (s+z)

Then

>Use this chance to make sure that Tia knows how to handle mortals, because you're not sure that she knows out.
>The two of you will be fine for a first course, but i don't plan on holding back tonight. Or ever. (s+z)
>>
>>419989
>Well, it's best to just finish dinner peacefully, with some light conversation. Maybe they'll let slip something interesting.
>>Use this chance to make sure that Tia knows how to handle mortals, because you're not sure that she knows out.
>>
Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>419993
dice
>>
Rolled 1, 4 = 5 (2d10)

I know in the past we've combined options, but I don't think in 115 threads we've ever combined options that required dice rolls.
How does that work? Do we roll S+Z twice, or do we use the same roll for both parts?
>>
>>The two of you will be fine for a first course, but i don't plan on holding back tonight. Or ever. (s+z)
>>
>>419987
>you're as subtle as a brick to the face thrown by an angry, glitter-covered stripper

Five Tails' words. May as well live up to them right?
>>
Rolled 5, 4 = 9 (2d10)

>>419989
>Try and carefully question them, hear if they know anything about the mystery of Rankar's fears. (s+z)
>Use this chance to make sure that Tia knows how to handle mortals, because you're not sure that she knows out.
Oh, Tia.
>>
>>420023
It would be the same roll. Two rolls in one update is just too unwieldy.
>>
>>420006
>>420023
Dice gods hate me today.
>>
>>420025
Subtlety and self-awareness aren't the same thing, though they are both things Maka lacks.
The first can be fixed to a degree by increasing our Night skill. The second we will just have to live without.
>>
>>419989
>Maka what did you do last night?
>we went to a bar and then a whorehouse
>I mean we did some very intense interrogating of two very skilled individuals
Oh Maka
>>
Rolled 5, 2 = 7 (2d10)

>>420053
We really shouldn't be left alone, or with just Tia, when doing things like this. We just can't be trusted to stay on task.
>>
[HUSBAND-SEDUCING DEMON DANCE]

[S+Z= 9 4 9 6 2 9 4 4 10 7 2 7 = 7 successes]

You have a merry dinner together. The food is excellent, and Ayzir and Hotau are excellent company. They know when to speak, when to be silent, and how to follow and prod a conversation. You let them entertain you, while giving away nothing about yourself beyond vague allusions.

Ayzir's approach is obviously physical. He has an amazing body, and he knows it and knows how to use it. He's got exotic charm, he knows how to move, to speak and to act, and he probably can use a bit of Essence on top of that to make himself more alluring. You can't imagine how many young girls and boys coming here must've had their heart stolen by this athletic dancer with a hint of savage charm... and became returning customers.

Hotau is a lot more sophisticated. She's gentle, kind, and well-read and learned. She has an amazing singing voice, skill in poetry and in telling stories. A quiet, intellectual charm. And, as soon as she realized that Tia wasn't really interested in that aspect of her, she and Ayzir exchanged a subtle clue that you just barely detected and swapped around, Hotau spending more time with you, and Ayzir focusing on Tia.

Of course, you're so much better than them both at playing this game that you actually feel a bit guilty.

Both because there's no contest, and because they weren't really being mean or manipulative about it, just doing their job.

It's not long before the tables have turned entirely, and both of them are all over you. Tia has been almost abandoned, but she doesn't seem to mind. In fact, she seems to really enjoy seeing you like this.

The conversations, however, were interesting. A lot of people pass by here, and the staff here, and especially Hotau, are very, very good at getting people to talk.

"A lot of really strange things have been happening recently, after Rankar seized power. But, some things were happening even before, so I don't think they're connected." She said at one time.

"What do you mean?" You prodded her, nibbling on the last of a pork rib.

"Well, for once, Rankar has a lot of friends." She continues, gently nuzzling up to your side, playfully poking her finger in your side. "Some mercenaries who used to work for him before the coup told me that one of these friends was some obscure benefactor... someone who seeded him the money to start the coup. Maybe who talked him into it."

"Who was it?" You wonder. Meanwhile, you enjoy the spectacle that Tia and Ayzir are offering you, on the other side of the table.

"No one knows for sure. No one's seen his face. But his skin was pale. He was not a southerner, for sure." She mentions. "Then, there's the deep ghosts."

"Since when Gem has a ghost problem?" You wonder, alarmed.

(cont.)
>>
"Since never. People just call them that, but the exorcists put down salt lines in the tunnels, and they're not doing anything. It's probably not real ghosts. But some people disappear, and some people say that they've seen strange beings in the lower tunnels, moving around..."

"This since Rankar did the coup?"

"They started before he even first met the benefactor. I don't think they're related." She smiles, gently running a finger down your body. "Wow. Your husband is a beast."

"Part of the reason I married her." You grin as Tia casually drops a passed-out Ayzir on top of the table after their seventh consecutive round. "Leave some for me."

"Mpfh." She grunts, sitting back down. "You're not really missing much. Though I guess he's not too bad, for a mort-" *cough* "err, for a m... for a man? For a man."

"I thought you'd be a lot rougher. You know. I was kind of worried that you'd end up hurting people."

"Really?" Hotau sounds a bit scared. "Is she that violent?"

"Well... she's very strong, and she's bad at controlling her strength."

"Must be rough." She nods. "Why is that? She looks like such a sweet girl?"

"She grew up among barbarians."

"But she looks so civilized!"

"It wasn't easy."

"I'm not a monster, you know." She straightens her back, stretching. "Well, unless you want me to~."

You blow her a kiss.

"But, well, before I met you, when I was really, REALLY frustrated, I had some... incidents." She mumbles. "I'm not... proud of them. I was careless."

"Um." Hotau scoots closer to you.

"Don't worry." You put your arm around her shoulders. "I'm not going to feed you to Tia."

"Whew."

"Instead I think I'm going to eat you myself."

"Eep."

"To start with." You grin.

Like Tia said, or rather, was about to say, they're just mortals. Very good mortals, professionals at what they do, but they don't last long, between you and Tia.

>Well, I guess it's just me and you then, Tia
>Let's ask for the next course. (50/100/200/500/1600 dinars)
>Let's get a private room and continue there, just the two of us. (20 dinars)
>Let's get a private room and continue there, with someone that'll be fun. (100/200/500/1600 dinars)
>Let's see if I can get that dance done.
>I think we're done here.
>>
>Let's see if I can get that dance done.
>>
>>420086
>I think we're done here.
>>
>>420086
>Let's ask for the next course 200
>Let's see if I can get that dance done.
>>
>>420086
>>Let's see if I can get that dance done.
After that, we'll get a private room, and we'll probably have as many "volunteers" as we want.
>>
>>420086
Let's see if I can get that dance done.
>>
>>420067
>I think we're done here.
I smell Alchemicals coming
>>
>>420067
>But his skin was pale.
greeeeeeat

Also, can we keep Hotau for ourselves after we get Gem back?
>>
>>420086
>Let's see if I can get that dance done.
Maybe we can get a discount if we provide some free entertainment.
>>420095
Or volunteers, it's always nice to help the community.
>>
(brief afk)
>>
>>420100
We should see about the god-blooded boy too, Tia wore him out before we could have any fun with him.
>>
>>420086
>I think we're done here.
Because nothing spells crown princess like dancing in a mid-class brothel.
>>
>>420086
>I think we're done here.
Wanna see if Starfall was successful.
>>
>>420103
Thank you for respecting my wishes about alchemicals, EF

No, this is totally not reverse psychology
>>
>>420105
>mid-class brothel.
Hey, this is a HIGH-class brothel, thank you very much.
>>419676
> the Azure Heaven, a sophisticated, upper-class brothel famous for its exotic appeal.
>>
>>420108
If it's not the best, then it's middle class from a royal point of view.
>>
>>420109
It can only be the best when a zenith dances in it
>>
>>420086
>>I think we're done here.
>>
>>416557
>Also, looking at that legend makes me wonder if the rest of our Circle has some unplundered tombs lying around Creation.
Nexus has a hilariously, disproportionately huge number of Exalted tombs. It's in the Scavenger Lands, the most ruin-heavy region on the setting, and is itself build on top of the ruins of literally dozens of older cities, going back thousands of years.

It was designed to be the 'adventurer' city. A city literally built on top of a seemingly-endless series of roguelike dungeon floors (each with their own distinct architecture and hazards) where people make an actual profession out of dungeon-delving and then selling their hauls, and it has pro-adventurer laws, such as it being illegal to have a meal alone in public, forcing people at taverns and such to share tables with strangers, thus starting adventuring parties.

But yes, they probably have some tombs throughout Creation, in varying states of plunderment. Maka's predecessor's tomb, though, was likely part of the Titan under Tianna.
>>
>Let's see if I can get that dance done.
>>
>>420086
>Let's see if I can get that dance done.
>>
>>420116
>Maka's predecessor's tomb, though, was likely part of the Titan under Tianna.
I imagine she probably had actual territory on land elsewhere though. Any tomb we find there probably isn't going to have as much cool stuff as what we found in the titan, but it might have some utility artifacts that one wouldn't need while on military deployment.
>>
>>420122
Utility artifacts aren't the sorts of things that would find their way into an exalt's tomb. The tomb is where the glitzy weapons and other impressive wonders are buried.
>>
>>420107
Joke's on you.

By now you should know that i don't run this quest off the cuff, or having a story already in mind and railroading you through it.

Whether there are or there aren't alchemicals in Gem was already planned and written down in my notes long before this plot branch started, and I'll stick to that.

Also woo i'm back, writing next post.
>>
>>420116
>>420122
Whether or not it exists, I chuckle at the dramatic irony of a tomb designed to appease a ghost that became a Deathlord.
>>
>>420125
Well, with Integrated Artifact Transmogrifier and Essence Baffles we might have already met one and not known it.
>>
>>420127
>Whether or not it exists, I chuckle at the dramatic irony of a tomb designed to appease a ghost that became a Deathlord.
Interestingly, appeasement is one of the main reason why Solars, even after they were Usurped, were entombed, and their tombs left undisturbed. The Dragon-blooded buried their former masters, sealed their tombs, and left them shut because they knew that if they didn't, they stood a higher risk of the Solars' restless, vengeful ghosts coming back to wreck some havoc.

Unfortunately, as with all funerary rites save the perfect immolation that only a Zenith can grant, there's no 100% guarantee that the dead will be satisfied and move on.
>>
>>420133
Considering the last two people to see Tyrant alive were her Lunar Mate and a Gold Faction Siddy then she absolutely got a nice tomb with all her stuff, maybe even one with Tia if he went suicidal afterwards too.

That's all assuming Tyrant didn't go grave robbing herself.
>>
"They weren't too bad."

"Eh." Tia is nonplussed, though she clearly enjoyed it, probably more for the experience of being out with you than for the rest of the company offered.

"Well, it's kind of on the late side, but before going..." You pull the curtain and draw the attention of the waiter.

You see him bat his eyes in mild surprise, seeing Ayzir and Hotau passed out on the table, but he doesn't react. "Yes?"

"Did you talk with management about me dancing here? I'm still interested."

"Quite." He nods. "You'll have to take it up with our manager, but I've secured a meeting with her if you so desire."

You're surprised to notice that THIS is when the background noise in the establishment becomes a bit quieter as people try and listen to your ongoing conversation a bit better.

"Miss Arras Sahlak will receive you in her rooms."

Arras Sahlak. The youngest daughter of Janissa Sahlak, the head of the House, is the owner of the Azure Heaven? You weren't expecting this.

You don't know much about her, and never met her in person. You know that she's young, smart, shrewd, and the rising star of the house. And that there's an ongoing rumor that she Exalted, or maybe that she was already Exalted. Definitely that she threw an unruly customer through a marble wall.

>I'll see Miss Arras Sahlak, then.
>I think I'll pass, after all.
>(other?)
>>
>>420148
>I'll see Miss Arras Sahlak, then.
>>
>>420148
>I'll see Miss Arras Sahlak, then.
Ho ho, going to whorehouses is never a bad idea.
>>
>>420148
>>I'll see Miss Arras Sahlak, then.
Well, that's not what we came here for, but an in to a Noble house isn't something to turn down.
>>
>>420148
>I'll see Miss Arras Sahlak, then.
Oh, opportunity
>>
>>420148
>I'll see Miss Arras Sahlak, then.
Which one was house Sahlak again?
>>
>>420162
>where do you think we are.jpg
Not the normal use for it, but it fits.
The one that owns all the dream parlors.
>>
>>420146
>Considering the last two people to see Tyrant alive were her Lunar Mate and a Gold Faction Siddy then she absolutely got a nice tomb with all her stuff, maybe even one with Tia if he went suicidal afterwards too.
She died during the crash and then burial of the Titan, which was only just unburied. Even if she had a tomb prepared for her somewhere in Creation, she probably never ended up in it.
>>
>>420168
Her tomb doesn't have to be where she died, as long as she was placed in it after death it would still work. Normally I mean, obviously not with a Deathlord.

It wouldn't be hard for either of the two people to carry her body to it after killing her.
>>
>>420148
>or maybe that she was already Exalted
>runs a brothel
Second Chosen of Serenity GET
>>
File: Arras Sahlak.jpg (302 KB, 850x1063)
302 KB
302 KB JPG
"Oh, I'll see miss Arras Sahlak, then."

"I see." He glances at Tia. "I'm afraid the invitation is for one only."

Tia growls, baring overgrown, pointy teeth at him.

Impressively, the waiter doesn't blink. You almost suspect it's not the first time that something like this has happened to him. "Desolate, but I'm not the one making the rules."

You smile patiently. "Please wait me at the table."

Tia grumbles and heads back to the table with a final message. "Bring more pork ribs, then, at least."

You're escorted on the upper floor, and through a gilded white door with a brass plate clearly forbidding access.

Inside, you find yourfels in a large room, beautifully furnished, halfway between a study, a library, and a living room. Cushions and sofas are spread around a Chiaroscuran glass coffee table clearly intended to entertain guests, while in the background walls filled with bookshelves and a large, splendid desk still give the room a businesslike aura. A beautiful black iron chandelier holding several dozen light-shedding crystals and thousands of shards of colored glass hangs from the ceiling. It slowly rotates, through some unknown device, making you feel like you're inside a kaleidoscope.

The table holds a refined porcelain teapot and two cups in a set, and a tall bottle of ruby-red wine and two gold goblets studded with gems.

On the other side of the table, a young girl that's not even old enough, in your eyes, to be called a woman is sitting, cross-legged, welcoming you with a light nod. "Please leave us alone, Jevvar."

Obediently, the waiter bows and leaves, as you sit down on a cushion opposite the owner of the locale.

"It's a pleasure to be able to meet you, lady Arras."

"Oh, the pleasure is all mine, princess Maka." She hides her smirk by lifting a goblet full of wine to her lips.

>...wait, how did you recognize me?
>Please don't tell anyone.
>Will you let me dance in your establishment, then?
>So, are the rumors about you true?
>I need your help in taking this city back.
>Do you know what's going on in the deep tunnels?
>Do you know Rankar's secret?
>What do you know about Rekka, the Flying Blade?
>(Other?)
>>
>>420202
>So, are the rumors about you true?
>Do you know why I'm here?
>Will you let me dance in your establishment?
>>
>>420202
>So, are the rumors about you true?
JET to make sure. I wonder, the real question is whether she knows what we are.

>inb4 brushing off the question
>>
>>420202
>Please don't tell anyone.
>I need your help in taking this city back.
>Do you know Rankar's secret?
>Will you let me dance in your establishment, then?
I don't expect all these to happen at once, but these are the ones I'd like to hit before leaving.
Also, since we have HSDD on, we should be acting as seductive as possible without raising to much attention.
>>
>>420202
>Please don't tell anyone.
>So, are the rumors about you true?
Let's save the dancing question until we're done with all the other stuff we want to ask.
>>
>>420202
Not unexpected at all, I was just waiting for something like this to happen.

>>I need your help in taking this city back.
>>Do you know what's going on in the deep tunnels?
>>Do you know Rankar's secret?
>>
>>420206
I completely forgot about JET, add that to >>420214
>>
>>420206
That's a terrible question to ask with JET. No matter what she says it pings as a half-truth on it.
>>
>>420224
JET catches those too
>>
But yeah, activate the JET

>>420227
Yes, that's what I said, dummy. But when almost every conceivable answer is a half-truth, we aren't actually getting anything useful out of it, are we.
>>
>Please don't tell anyone.
>So, are the rumors about you true?

Active JET
>>
>>420202
>...wait, how did you recognize me?
Either she's just that smart or we've made a glaring oversight in our cover. I'd like to know which.

>I need your help in taking this city back.
>So, are the rumors about you true?
>>
>>420230
Then we just need to specify which rumors we were talking about.

>>420234
She's part of one of the noble houses, she's probably seen us before. And while we look rather... different than we did when we left, our face has remained mostly the same.
>>
>>420234
We said ourself that Maka went to these places a lot, it's not really surprising to be recognized like this.
>>
[JUDGE'S EAR TECHNIQUE]

You giggle. "Was it that obvious?"

"Quite." She relaxes in her cushion, calmly sipping wine. "If you walk around drawing attention like this, people are going to notice, after all. What brings you here?"

You lean a bit closer. "I was wondering if the rumors about you were true."

She shrugs lightly. "There are a lot of rumors. I assume you mean the most recent one?"

You nod.

"Well, then, it is true." She grins. "I really did throw that esteemed guest through the outer wall of this palace. Fortunately, as you might have noticed, the repair crews did a good job at fixing it."

You take a sip yourself. "The rumor also says that you're Exalted."

"That it does."

"Are you?"

She smiles. "Straight answers remove all the mystery of it, don't you think? Isn't it more interesting for the people of Gem to keep wondering?"

"I don't think you can consider me a mere citizen of Gem in this regard, lady Arras." You take another, longer sip.

"I don't, but I can't quite tell why you are here. I don't think you're unaware that the Despot would very much like to have you under lock and key."

"I suspect as much."

"And yet you're really willing to dance in front of everyone? And to what end?"

>I just like dancing.
>I like being at the center of attention.
>I actually want to be found out.
>Who knows?
>(Other?)

combined with:

>Please don't tell anyone.
>I need your help in taking this city back.
>Do you know what's going on in the deep tunnels?
>Do you know Rankar's secret?
>What do you know about Rekka, the Flying Blade?
>Throw her a cup, at a speed that only an Exalted could possibly dodge, to test her. (p+d)
>Begin seducing her (s+z)
>(Other?)
>>
File: SUN 01.jpg (15 KB, 300x300)
15 KB
15 KB JPG
>>420266
(I'll highlight when Judge's Ear Technique detects a lie)
>>
>>420266
>I just like dancing.

>What do you know about Rekka, the Flying Blade?
>>
Rolled 2, 9 = 11 (2d10)

>>420266
>I like being at the center of attention.
>What do you know about Rekka, the Flying Blade?
>I need your help in taking this city back.
>Begin seducing her (s+z)
>>
Rolled 8, 9 = 17 (2d10)

>>420266
>I just like dancing.
>I need your help in taking this city back.
>Begin seducing her (s+z)
>>
Rolled 6, 2 = 8 (2d10)

>>420266
>I just like dancing.
>I need your help in taking this city back.
>Begin seducing her (s+z)
Let's see if the dice gods have forgiven whatever sin I committed.
>>
Rolled 10, 1 = 11 (2d10)

>>420266
>I like being at the center of attention.
>What do you know about Rekka, the Flying Blade?
>I need your help in taking this city back.
>Throw her a cup, at a speed that only an Exalted could possibly dodge, to test her. (p+d)
She runs a brothel, she probably has tricks against seduction.
>>
>>420284
That's a no then, six rolls this thread and not a single success.
>>
Rolled 2, 7 = 9 (2d10)

>>420288
>She runs a brothel, she probably has tricks against seduction.
True, but throwing something at exalt-speed would reveal our own exaltation, and might hurt her if she isn't exalted and instead just an exceptionally talented mortal.
>>
Rolled 4, 2 = 6 (2d10)

>>420266
>(Other?)
>"Rankar has this city on pins and needles. I want to remind people what kind of place Gem should be."
Or something.

>I need your help in taking this city back.
>Begin seducing her (s+z)
>>
Rolled 8, 2 = 10 (2d10)

>>420266
>I just like dancing.
>Begin seducing her (s+z)
>I need your help in taking this city back.
Should we pop a dice adder too?

We might need it considering she's a DB
>>
Rolled 6, 10 = 16 (2d10)

>>420313
Depends. Do we have a constant 1C for the lowest level of our soak charm like was discussed a few threads back? HSDD and JET are already 2C.
>>
>>420313
Sure, TGP would use up the last of our Commit, but after this we're going to go rest for a bit so it should be fine.
Actually, we should leave JET and TGP on since we don't know when the guy from house Arbani is gonna show up, and our commit might not recover in time to reactivate them without dipping into peripheral.
>>
>>420332
I don't think we ever came to a consensus on that, but if we did, Ignore what I said here >>420334 and instead use the Burst version of TGP
>>
>>420334
I'll second leaving those two commited.

>>420332
We might want to risk eating a hit without any soak, if she doesn't know were a Solar yet then having any soak is a hint that we're Exalted, on the other side if we see a nuke coming our way we can still pop AST without flaring.
>>
>>420339
'Tis a good thought there if AoDJ is down.
>>
>>420338
I remember several people agreeing and no one objecting. However, the OP stay sheet shows us at full commit, so I think EF forgot about it and our last personal commit dot is still free.
>>
>>420334
One counterpoint would be how it might synergize with HtH. To point, would walking down the street with TGP active trigger automatic social attacks that make us really stand out to people when they see us?
>>
Rolled 5, 1 = 6 (2d10)

>I just like dancing.
>I need your help in taking this city back.
>Begin seducing her (s+z)
>>
>>420357
Horizon to Horizon doesn't stack with any charms, it's just a basic social attack.
>>
>>420365
Ah, right, right.
>>
Rolled 8, 9 = 17 (2d10)

>>420266
>>Begin seducing her (s+z)
Do we need something else?
>>
File: Status.jpg (103 KB, 414x416)
103 KB
103 KB JPG
About charm use:
with Judge's Ear Technique and Husband-Seducing Demon Dance both active at the same time, you're left with 1 Commit free.

If you want to keep that 1 Commit just in case, you could activate Terrifying Glorious presence with your Burn essence.
>>
>>420374
>http://pastebin.com/pvAZpsJ6
>Burn Essence is used to power quick, instantaneous effects, usually in combat or fast-paced action. Burn Essence is regained at a speed of 1 point per turn.
So if we used TGP as a Burn charm, our Burn essence would regenerate in time for us to use RLSS without flaring, should we decide to dance, right?
>>
>>420374
Right let's Burn it and hope we don't get kicked in the face anytime soon
>>
>>420374
Burn, baby, burn
>>
File: Status.jpg (103 KB, 414x416)
103 KB
103 KB JPG
You shrug her question off. "I just really like dancing, I guess."

"And you were going to rick being unmasked just to indulge in your passion like this?" She giggles.

"I am not a very smart woman." You admit.

She empties her cup, and pours herself some more wine. "If you love dancing so much, you can do it here. I won't stop you."

"Really?" You smile.

She giggles. "I greatly appreciate beauty, my dear Maka. And I must say, you're the most beautiful woman I've ever met. I would be delighted in seeing your dance."

You slowly stand up, dropping your cloak behind you. "Will you do me a favor, in exchange for my dance?"

"Perhaps." She nonchalantly replies.

"I have returned to reclaim my city from Rankar."

"I suspect you're not doing a very good job at it, but go on." She interjects, merciless.

"Will you side with me?"

"Let me put it this way." She grins. "Dance well enough for me, and perhaps I won't sell you out to Rankar. Is that still a good enough deal?"

Well, that didn't sound like a lie, at least.

Now you'll show her. clad in your black dancer outfit, in the privacy of Arras' rooms, you dance for her.

[TERRIFYING GLORIOUS PRESENCE]
[S+Z = 2 9 8 9 6 2 10 1 2 7 4 2 8 2 6 = 8 successes]

You dance slowly, and seductively, ever closer at her. Just for her. And making sure that she will WANT you.

You might have made the first impression of being just a dumb bimbo whose looks are the only good thing about her- but that actually works fine with you. She'll underestimate you.

You totally planned for this, of course.

You conclude your dance with a deep bow. You can tell that she's impressed, even a bit restless. She slowly claps at you.

"Well, good enough. I guess I won't notify Rankar of your presence in town, after all... if you'll spend the night with me, that is."

>Sure.
>Sure, but I want Tia with us, too.
>No way, sorry.
>(Other?)
>>
>>420403
>Sure.
In private? Booo...
>>
>>420403
>>Sure, but I want Tia with us, too.
If I knew we were doing the dance in private, I'd have voted for RLSS rather than TGP.
Either way, if we are staying with her, we should switch TGP to commit, and activate RLSS as soon as we have enough free Burn not to cause our anima to flare.
>>
>>420403
>Sure.

And yeah, pop RLSS when possible.
>>
>>420403
>Sure.
>>
>>420403
>Sure, but I want Tia with us, too.
>>
>>420403
>Sure
Also what >>420410 said about charm reshuffling.
>>
>>420403
>Sure, but I want Tia with us, too.
>>
>>420403
>Sure.
Oh she's all power drunk after letting her Exaltation get to her head. That's adorable.

To be fair, Exaltation is one of those things that deserves to go to your head,
>>
>>420403
>Sure, but I want Tia with us, too.

>>420410
Sounds good.
>>
Rolled 5, 3 = 8 (2d10)

>Sure, but I want Tia with us, too.

Poor dear, trying to out social a social focused Solar .
>>
File: social specced solar.jpg (115 KB, 750x509)
115 KB
115 KB JPG
>>420439
>>
>>420403
>>Sure, but I want Tia with us, too.
Also, no. She already got one thing. Now it's time for her to give something in return. We'll sleep with her if she gives us something of value to our present situation.
>>
>>420473
That's why we're going to hit her with our seduction suite of charms. The higher her intimacy to us is, the more we can ask her for.
>>
File: Status.jpg (110 KB, 414x416)
110 KB
110 KB JPG
"Sure, but I want Tia with us, too?"

She sneers. "That uncouth barbarian? I've heard from Jevvar. I must say she does not thrill me."

"I can guarantee that she's a tiger in the sack." You wink. "Literally."

She scoffs. "Mpfh. I don't doubt it, but we evidently have very different taste in companionship." And then glances at you with one open eye. "But still, if you insist so much, I'll allow it, if only because you are asking."

"Excellent." You clap your hands, and Jevvar appears on the doorstep. "Please, go and call Tia."

He bows and leaves.

"So, will you help me reclaim the throne?" You ask again.

"You aren't really in a position to ask me that, you know." Arras sighs. "You clearly have no chance of overthrowing Rankar, don't you? How do you expect me to throw my hat, and risk my house's station and prestige, when you have no chance?"

>You'll be suitably rewarded once I regain my throne. (s+z)
>You'll be suitably rewarded... tonight. (s+z)
>The odds are actually on my side. I can easily defeat Rankar. (s+z)
>The odds are actually on my side, and I can prove it. (reveal Castemark) (s+z)
>(Other?)

(Also, is this status ok with you, since you're asking about committing TGP?)
>>
>>420473
I'd say info on Rankar's secret and the tunnels would be worth it.
>>
Rolled 1, 8 = 9 (2d10)

>>420497
>You'll be suitably rewarded once I regain my throne. (s+z)
>And tonight
>>
Rolled 10, 6 = 16 (2d10)

>>420497
>>The odds are actually on my side, and I can prove it. (reveal Castemark) (s+z)
Reveal CROWN too. I mean, why the fuck not, we aren't even in public this time.
>>
Rolled 3, 1 = 4 (2d10)

>>420497
>You'll be suitably rewarded once I regain my throne. (s+z)
>You'll be suitably rewarded... tonight. (s+z)
That's fine.
And I want to save RLSS for the actual sex, but I'm mentioning it here in case this is the last vote before fading to black.
>>
>>420503
>>420508
She's not gonna do anything just for sex. She needs to know we actually can win, instead of thinking that we're powerless and friendless like she does right now.
>>
Rolled 6, 6 = 12 (2d10)

>>420497
>The odds are actually on my side. I can easily defeat Rankar. (s+z)
>>
>>420403
>Sure, but I want Tia with us, too.
I'm sure there's a way to make this work.

>Exalted Quest NPC List
>Arras Sahlak
>BANGED STATUS: About to be banged

>>420497
>You'll be suitably rewarded... tonight. (s+z)
>The odds are actually on my side, and I can prove it. (reveal Castemark) (s+z)

Either of these work.
>>
Rolled 10, 8 = 18 (2d10)

>>420505
Because we want the WHOLE coup to succeed while to hiding that we're Exalted.
>>
Rolled 6, 9 = 15 (2d10)

>>420497
>You'll be suitably rewarded once I regain my throne. (s+z)
>You'll be suitably rewarded... tonight. (s+z)
>>420505
Because we don't even have her loyalty yet, and until we do we shouldn't give off ANY hints of our Exalted status.
>>
Rolled 8, 7 = 15 (2d10)

>>420497
>>The odds are actually on my side. I can easily defeat Rankar. It's what hes afraid of thats still a mystery. (s+z)
>>
Rolled 10, 10 = 20 (2d10)

>>420497
>>You'll be suitably rewarded once I regain my throne. (s+z)
I don't trust her quite yet to reveal our secrets, but offer her what she wants. A chance to be more than just an owner of a single brothel, I figure her shot at being the next head of house went straight up after her exaltation.

But if she really doesn't believe we have a chance then hang back until after the wedding and don't mention us to Rankar, she can decide then if we really have a chance or not.
>>
>>420523
FINALLY, a succes, it only took 8 tries to get one.
>>
>>420521
>>420523
We aren't getting through the coup without giving away that we're exalted. We're hoping to not make it common knowledge among regular people, but here in a private bedroom there's no point in holding it back.

People already know that we're exalted. They already know that we have the crown. Pure sneeky breeky isn't within our grasp anymore.
>>
>>420528
>two tens
>only one counts
Lame
>>
>>420534
There should be some kinda law against things like that.
>>
>>420533
And we'll reveal it people we trust, Arbani, Dad, Imouto, Derus, not girls trying to blackmail us into sex after insulting our husband.
>>
>>420558
In that case there's no point in being here. There's nothing to accomplish. May as well go away or kill her or something.
>>
>>420563
Intimacies are built in steps, anon.
Unless you're a Fae. In that case, enjoy the social nuke.
>>
>>420577
>twelve successes
>HSDD and RLSS
>implying Maka isn't a nuke herself

>>420563
We need her to back us, there's lots of ways to do so without revealing our status right off the bat, like said Social Nuke.
>>
>>420582
>>420577
She's not going to back us, because she's not suicidal.
>>
Rolled 5, 2 = 7 (2d10)

>>You'll be suitably rewarded... tonight. (s+z)
>>The odds are actually on my side, and I can prove it. (reveal Castemark) (s+z)
>>
[S+Z=1 8 10 6 3 1 6 6 10 8 6 9 8 7 10 = 12 successes]

You shuffle closer to her, and lean on her side. "I'll see to it that you're appropriately rewarded once my family's back on the throne~."

She doesn't seem particularly impressed. "With an airhead like you in charge of a coup? Your family will never be back on the throne."

"I have my ways." You suggest alluringly, slowly undoing what little clothing your outfit offers to cover you. "I'm good at more than just dancing."

"I suspected as much." She grins, downing the rest of her wine. "In more than one way."

That wording surprises you. "What do you mean?"

"You're either very stupid, or very sure of yourself, to act like this." She puts her arm around your shoulders, and gently pulls you over to her. "And I don't think you're QUITE that dumb. So, yeah, when you say you have an ace up your metaphorical sleeve, I do believe you."

"Then-"

"That doesn't mean you'll succeed." She steals a kiss from your lips. "And it doesn't mean I'll want to help you, either. Rankar shuffled a lot of money my way. Can you offer more?"

"I can offer things you can't even imagine." You whisper at her.

And- that's when the door opens and Tia walks in. This kills Arras' mood. "Ugh."

"Sorry, I interrupted?" She grins.

"A bit." You admit. "Just stay there and watch us."

"I love watching." Her grin widens, as she sits cross-legged, expectantly, like a child in front of a puppet show.

"I hate being watched." Arras groan.

"I don't mind it." You reply. "So, where were we?"

She sighs. "I was trying to explain to you that, as pleasant as it would be to have you in my bed, it's not quite enough for me to risk my life and livelihood backing a coup against Rankar, not without some assurances."

"Such as?" Man, she's a hard nut to crack.

She leans closer to your ear. "I want to know what makes you so sure of yourself. I want to know why you're the winning horse in this race. Prove it to me, and I'll bet on you."

>I have a powerful army hidden in Gem.
>I have the help of powerful Exalted that will help me recapture the city.
>I know Rankar's secret.
>I'm just very sure of myself.
>You'll just have to trust me.
>[reveal castemark]
>>
>>420610
>I have the west
>>
>>420610
>[reveal castemark]
And add the fact that we have about... how many? Ten? Ten other exalts with us, or however many it was.
>>
>>420610
>>I have the help of powerful Exalted that will help me recapture the city.
>>[reveal castemark] Mind showing me yours?
>>
>>420610
>>I have the help of powerful Exalted that will help me recapture the city.
Do not mention that any of them are Celestials.
How many Dragon-Blooded are in Gem by the way? How many can we use to back up this claim.
>>
>>420610
>Man, she's a hard nut to crack.
Maka pls, you're not this dumb. This chick is straightforward as hell, at least up to now.
>>
>>420610
>I have a powerful army hidden in Gem.
Changing. I don't want someone to know we have other exalted. pointing to tia is enough.
>>
>>420610
>I have the help of powerful Exalted that will help me recapture the city.
Agreeing that we shouldn't specify what type they are.
>>
Rolled 1, 7 = 8 (2d10)

>I have the help of powerful Exalted that will help me recapture the city.

Ten Exalted is worth more then a mortal army by themselves. And that's just with dragon-bloods.
>>
This changes a bit depending on what sort of exalt she is.

However, she's probably celestial herself, or she wouldn't be hiding the fact.

So, being celestials too, we probably have more to win by revealing ourselves than to lose. Except if she's a surprise abyssal or somehow has drastically different plans, but I don't think so.
>>
>>420659
We literally have enough exalts to conquer a direction here. A city isn't going to mean much.
>>
>>420610
>[reveal castemark]
>>
>>420643
Not that many, besides, people come through all the time so that's not a problem in itself.
>>
>>420610
>I have the help of powerful Exalted that will help me recapture the city.
How long has it been since she exalted or at least what do the rumors say?
>>
>>420687
I think they're too vague for that.
>>
>>420683
>people come through all the time so that's not a problem in itself.
What does that have to do with what I said?
I was wondering how many DBs we had so I knew how many we had to present to her house if she or they wanted proof that there were exalted backing our cause. What does the number of people that come through have to do with that?
>>
>>420699
You asked how many of them are in Gem, not how many we have.
>>
>>420699
Of ours?

Aexel and Zareen are here, in a pinch we can reveal our Lunars if we can convince everyone afterwards that they were paid mercs or just beastmen.
>>
>>420713
Neither paid mercs or beastmen are that impressive. I mean, yeah, if we had thousands of them, but not like this.

You guys have to know that this problem is going to happen with everyone we talk to. Nobody is going to join a lost princess without an army. To them it'll just look like suicide.
>>
>>420706
>You asked how many of them are in Gem, not how many we have.
And you didn't answer that question in any way.
>>420713
Thank you.
>>
>>420722
>And you didn't answer that question in any way.
I said that it doesn't matter, because it doesn't. People go through Gem all the time, literally any traveler coming in could be a Terrestrial.
>>
>>420734
Except Aexel and Zareen are our Allies who we can use to back up the statement we have powerful Exalted allies that are helping us recapture the city
>>
>>420741
Yes, I understand that, but I was answering how many of them were in the city in general, not how many of our allied DBs are in the city.
>>
>>420754
Looking back I could have phrased my initial question more clearly, however I still think that the context provides enough clues for you to discern what I meant.
>>
"I have the help of several powerful Exalted, currently hiding in the town, that will help me recapture the city." You smile.

"...Oh." She replies, unimpressed. "And I should believe that, sure."

You roll your eyes. "Tia? A demonstration, please?"

She starts undoing her clothes.

"Not that kind of demonstration."

"Oh."

She turns to the nearby fireplace, grabs the iron poker. and casually bends it.

Arras lifts an eyebrow. "That's impressive, but-"

She's not done. She keeps bending it, and crumples it in a ball-shape. Then, she starts rolling that ball in her hands, casually deforming it like it's made of clay, without any apparent effort.

"...um-"

She squeezes it a bit, then walks over and places a perfect, smooth iron sphere on top of the table.

Arras keeps looking at Tia, then at the fireplace. She picks up the sphere, letting it go immediately, surprised by the heat, then more carefully collects it, as if to check if it's really iron and not some sort of sleight of hand trick.

She turns to look at you, saying nothing, but making a "...really?" sort of face.

"I can introduce you to the others tomorrow, if you prefer." You reply to her, trying not to look TOO smug. "As for me, i'll show you what my superpowers are... tonight. In your bed."

She tries to hold back laughter. "...I don't think that's a very useful superpower to have, to conquer a city."

"Well, it IS going to win you over to my side."

She quietly smiles. "...Alright, that was pretty smooth." She lifts a finger. "You'll have to promise me three things."

"Let's hear them."

"First: I'll support you right after your coup has succeeded, but not before. I can throw my House's weight behind yours, but we don't have large armed forces or anything that could be of much help in a fight."

You definitely feel like you're being lied to. Of course House Sahlak has its own mercenaries. She just doesn't want to get involved personally in a coup before she's sure it'll succeed.

"Second, you'll have to keep the benefits that Rankar granted to my House intact, without cutting back on any of them. I'm not going to support you if that would make me worse off, of course."

You nod. "What's the third?"

She grins. "Be honest with me. How many of these Exalted you're talking about are actually Anathema?"

>None, of course.
>Eeeh, maybe one or two.
>...About half.
>Actually, most of them.
>I think it's better if you don't know. I'm sure you can guess why.
>(other?)
>>
>>420767
Anon, I can't read your mind. I see even stupider ideas all the time. I just take posts as they come. Don't be insulted, because you're anonymous, and as I'm sure you know plenty of anons are drooling retards.
>>
>>420643
>How many Dragon-Blooded are in Gem by the way? How many can we use to back up this claim.

All in all, there are probably about ten to fifteen dragon-blooded.
Two are with you, Aexel and Zareen.
Rankar has four.
The Realm Satrap here has at least three, and you wouldn't be surprised if he had a few extra.
You know that, between houses and mercenaries, there are at least a few others hanging around.
>>
>>420769
>>I think it's better if you don't know. I'm sure you can guess why.
Don't think too hard about it
>>
>>420769
>I will be honest with you if you are honest with me. I'm a princess, not a naive miner.
>>
>>420769
See? She's one of us.

>>Actually, most of us.
>>Oh oops did I slip there, I mean, I'm totally not anathema just like you don't have any soldiers tee hee :^)
>>
>>420769
>I think it's better if you don't know. I'm sure you can guess why.
>>
>>420769
See >>420790
>>420791
OR she's a hardcore follower of the Imacculate Faith, and if we have even one she's going to turn us into the Realm. She did use the world "anathema" rather than "celestial."
Or maybe she has another reason.
I'm not saying you're definitely wrong, but you're not definitely right either.
>>
>>420790
I like this. We could even work in her holding back on sending in her troops. We don't even have to say we picked up on her lying, just reasoned it out.

>I will be honest with you if you are honest with me. I'm a princess, not a naive miner.
>>
>>420816
Would hurt to try and tease out a response from her to see if she is, playfully ask if she's gonna turn us in if they are.
>>
>>420816
She wouldn't be joking about it if she was.

Yeah, she can have some other motive, but it's not something we have to worry about in particular. All that happens is we're seen as stronger. Since we're trying to convince her that we're a threat to Rankar, there's no point in holding back, as if she has reasons to keep us from being strong in Gem she'll work against us whether we're exalted or not.
>>
>>420816
>She did use the world "anathema" rather than "celestial."
Drop the term "Celestial" when we answer her question, see how she reacts to it. It might help clarify how much information we can trust her with.
>>
>>420833
That could be a sneaky way to do it, but I assume she wouldn't really respond. It's a good idea on the whole.
>>
>>420849
At the very least it probably won't hurt, unless she is both a hardcore Immaculate AND more knowledgeable about First Age terminology than the typical person is.
>>
>>420857
It doesn't matter either way. Even if she's a hardcore immaculate, which makes no sense for a number of reasons like she'd be openly DB if she was that kind of exalt and she wouldn't have a joking attitude about anathema either; it's just that what exactly is she going to do about us? Nothing. She can't do a thing.
>>
>>420816
OR it is Alchemicals in the mines and she's worried we're in league with them. Actually a reason to declare our Solaroid status.
>>
>>420882
Alchemicals aren't technically Anathema
>>
>>420882
We have about six reasons to declare it and zero not to.

Alas, people always play sneeky breeky super careful as much as possible even when it doesn't make sense and when the character is supposed to be the opposite of that sort of thing.
>>
>>420890
No, but they have Celestial-level power and no one knows what the fuck they are yet. I can see it being a convenient catch-all term.
>>
>>420902
No, he's right. Anathema is a specific religious term for Solars and Lunars. Every caste of those is delineated in scripture and everything.

It wouldn't work as a catch-all term, because if it doesn't have a solar or lunar cast mark it just isn't Anathema according to the people who care about that designation.
>>
>>420913
Fair enough.

Also, are these all the voters we have? Man.
>>
>>420916
It's still healthy IMO
>>
File: Status.jpg (110 KB, 414x416)
110 KB
110 KB JPG
You grin. "I think it's better if you don't know if there are any Celestials on my team." You suggest.

She doesn't react to your statement.

"I understand that you don't want to take part in the coup." You continue. "Honestly, I don't really need your help to make the coup HAPPEN, I just need the Houses to support it. Like I said, I have more than enough power to make the coup succeed on my own."

She nods. "Fair enough."

"Besides, how honest do you expect me to be, when you're not being honest with me?" You add.

"I'm sorry?" She frowns.

"I'm a princess, not a naive miner, my dear Arras."

Her frown deepens, but she says nothing.

"Well." You smile softly to her. "It's enough if you throw your weight behind me as soon as I get the throne back. I don't want the coup to end in a civil war, you see."

"Oh, I don't want a civil war either." She explains. "TERRIBLY bad for my business. So, if your strength is so overwhelming as it seems, then sure, I'll back you."

"How do I know you won't sell me to Rankar the minute I walk out of this room?" You wonder.

She grins. "He's probably have you thrown in jail or executed, thereby seriously decreasing my likelihood of having you in my bed."

You have to hold back laughter. "You're actually serious."

She makes a serious face. "Beauty is a serious matter. And you said it yourself: your superpower is being so good in bed that I'll want to stay on your side." She rolls in the pillows piled on the floor next to the coffee table, playfully. "If that's true, this is your chance of proving it."

>You'll have to wait until after the coup, then. Just a bit of extra motivation for you to see it through.
>I hope you're prepared. (s+z)
>(Other?)
>>
Rolled 1, 2 = 3 (2d10)

>>420919
>>I hope you're prepared. (s+z)
Sure, why not.
>>
Rolled 3, 2 = 5 (2d10)

>>420919
>I hope you're prepared. (s+z)
Use everything that won't light up the anima
>>
Rolled 4, 6 = 10 (2d10)

>>420919
>>I hope you're prepared. (s+z)

I bet Tia will sneak in later.
>>
Rolled 10, 6 = 16 (2d10)

>>420919
And another roll, in case we really don't have enough voters.

How big is this dice pool anyway?
>>
Rolled 7, 8 = 15 (2d10)

>>420919
>>I hope you're prepared. (s+z)
get rekt
>>
Rolled 7, 8 = 15 (2d10)

>>420919
Oh, also, use RLSS
>>
Rolled 9, 6 = 15 (2d10)

>>420913
>Anathema is a specific religious term for Solars and Lunars
Abyssals were also added to that list when they started showing up.
But yes, Alchemicals, Sidereals, and Green Sun Princes fall outside the term.

>>420919
>I hope you're prepared. (s+z)
>>420923
>>420924
>>420928
Not a promising start.
I think TttH would work better here than RLSS unfortunately.
>>420931
12+3 bonus+1 auto success.
>>
Rolled 5, 8 = 13 (2d10)

>>420919
>I hope you're prepared. (s+z)
>>
>>420942
Yeah, but Abyssals have the same caste marks, so they still count under that umbrella
>>
>>420942
Abyssals we're more or less folded into the original Solar anathema stuff since they have the same castemark
>>
>>420942
>I think TttH would work better here than RLSS unfortunately.
We picked up the slack at the end, we could stick with RLSS
>>
>>420919
>>I hope you're prepared. (s+z)
I'm not sure whether RLSS or TttH would work better here, but we should defiantly use on of them.
>>
>>420957
>>420959
We already decided on RLSS at the start didn't we? We can't just change our mind after seeing the dice, can we? Makes no sense.
>>
Rolled 10, 5 = 15 (2d10)

>>420959
Forgot dice, not that it matter at this point.
>>
>>420963
Good job anon

Also, because this is also a pointless post,
>>420947
>we're
No we're not!
>>
>>420961
We can, it can't be helped with the quest format
>>
>>420961
We decide on the charms we want while we're making the dice rolls, so it's not technically 100% fair, but it is how it works.
>>
>>420968
Well, this quest, unlike most others, actually uses a genuine roll system where the chance of success isn't massively skewed towards the MC like the standard best of three type system.
>>
>>420959
Voting for RLSS, if it matters.
>>
[ROSE-LIPPED SEDUCTION STYLE]

"I hope you're prepared."

[S+Z = 1 2 3 2 4 6 10 6 7 8 7 8 9 6 5 = 8 successes]

You do your best, of course, and your best is certainly enough to turn any mortal's brain to mush. But... Arras Sahlak is certainly an Exalted, you're fairly sure of that after tonight. An Exalted who is likely less powerful than you are, but with the same... field of specialization.

There is no way a mortal can have this level of skill, or that her body can bend in those delicious ways, or her skin be so smooth and inviting...

She's good. Maybe not quite as good as you are, but still very, very good.

She said she doesn't want to get involved, because she's afraid that, if things turn bad for her, she'd be in trouble.

That's why she lied about not having soldiers to support you. You understand that, honestly.

And after tonight... You're convinced that it'd be quite bad if she got in trouble because of you, after all. You'd lose any chance of spending a night in her bed again.

And that would be terrible.

You guess you'll have to protect her.

You spend a lively night together. Her endurance doesn't waver, much like yours doesn't. But, as morning comes, you begin to wonder if the others from your group aren't already gathering at the safehouse.

If no one is sending you a Messenger, it must mean that there's no emergency, but still, you probably shouldn't keep them waiting too much?

"Don't you have work in the morning?" You whisper at her, in a moment of respite.

"This is a brothel. We mostly work at night." She grins, showing her teeth. "Are you already tired, Princess Maka? It's been only six hours."

You check with your internal clock. It's eight in the morning, yes.

>I'm not quite tired, but unlike you, I do have actual work to do, unfortunately.
>I have things to do, but I'll give you a final round before I leave. (s+z)
>Well, I guess we've got six hours more, then. (s+z)
>(other?)
>>
>>421052
>Maka failed a sex social attack
Uh-oh.
>>
>>421052
>I'm not quite tired, but unlike you, I do have actual work to do, unfortunately.
Gotta go get another ally
>>
Rolled 9, 1 = 10 (2d10)

>>421052
>I have things to do, but I'll give you a final round before I leave. (s+z)
It's only polite.

>>421054
I wouldn't say failed so much as it was one of our less impressive successes.
>>
>>421054
Well, you didn't FAIL it. It's just that you're attacking each other, and both attacks got through.
>>
Rolled 4, 6 = 10 (2d10)

>>421052
>>I have things to do, but I'll give you a final round before I leave. (s+z)
>>
Rolled 2, 7 = 9 (2d10)

>>421052
>I have things to do, but I'll give you a final round before I leave. (s+z)

>>421054
That seems like an overstatement. She didn't seem unsatisfied with our performance, we just didn't literally blow her mind like we usually do.
>>
Rolled 2, 5 = 7 (2d10)

>>
Rolled 1, 7 = 8 (2d10)

>>
Rolled 6, 3 = 9 (2d10)

Uh. Are we using a charm again?
>>
Rolled 5, 10 = 15 (2d10)

>>421089
We still have TGP active, but I don't think we have the personal essence for another RSLL
>>
Rolled 5, 5 = 10 (2d10)

>>421052
>I'm not quite tired, but unlike you, I do have actual work to do, unfortunately.
Leave her wanting more and our allies waiting less.
>>
Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>421101
Alright I guess
>>
>>421089
I don't think we have any more Personal essence. If we used on now it would cut into our peripheral and we would start to glow.
Given that she kept up with us she's almost certainly a celestial, so I'm not completely opposed to that, but we'd have to wait for our essence to go back down after we finish, and if we do that it's likely things will escalate to us being here all day.
>>
>>421110
She's certainly not a DB. She'd be open about it if that were the case.

So she's celestial, one of the solar corruptions which are celestial too anyway, or shes an alchy.

Honestly now that I think about it I suspect her of maybe being infernal. Though I'm not sure why. Just sort of feels like it, the way she was asking about anathema while obviously not DB herself.
>>
>>421119
Nope. EF ruled out Infernals from the start of the quest.
>>
Oh, also, she knows we're exalted now, guys.

>>421123
When was that? I was only around for the first five or so threads in the really early quest.
>>
>>421123
>Nope. EF ruled out Infernals from the start of the quest.

I ruled out infernals as they're written in the published books because i hate those books, but I never said that, in my game, Malfeas doesn't have its own Exalted.

Of course, this doesn't mean that it has them, either.
>>
>>421110
You know what, fuck it. Literally.
RLSS and TttH, use em both.
>>
>>421141
>>421135
I agree. Use the charms. We need em.
>>
>>421133
>Oh, also, she knows we're exalted now, guys.

Well, Mortals can't throw around 8 successes on a roll. And she can tell. She's an expert, after all.

>>421141
>>421147
You'd have to tap briefly in your Peripheral Essence for that.
>>
>>421161
I'd rather not if that's the case.
>>
>>421161
Yes, I'm all for tapping it.
>>
>>421161
It's fine As long as it's not a big enough flare that someone outside the room would notice.
>>
>>421161
As long as we keep it at the glowing castemark level and don't how full body everyone for a mile can see bright, then I'm fine with us dipping into the peripheral.
>>
>>421186
It's a cave city, anon.
>>
>>421188
So? The point I'm trying to make is I don't want the whole city to know we're a Solar. If that means we have to have a sub-par social roll, so be it.
>>
>>421161

Eh. Fuck it. Fuck her. And Fuck the horse she road in on (possibly literally by the end of this). Can't let MC's whore street cred get tarnished, so go for broke.
>>
>>421191
And I'm saying that that's not going to happen. It wouldn't happen even if we did use that much essence, which we're not doing in the first place.
>>
>>421174
It's still a huge issue, because we have to walk through the streets to get back to the safe house, and we don't want to have to wear a lead bucket over our head while we do so.
>>
>>421197

Palanquin, courtesy of the host if she actually does decent on the final round, I'll bet.
>>
>>421197
We don't HAVE to go, there's no emergency. And even if we do, we'd just be at a low anima level anyway, which would still be possible to hide IIRC
>>
>>421197
We're trying to hide our face anyway, and there's no reason we can't spend a minute waiting for it to die down.
>>
>>421201
Because a Palanquin travelling through the dingy dirt poor parts of town that our safehouse is in would be subtle.

>>421202
Unless I remember correctly, shining castemark is not a "put on a hat" level problem, it shines through any normal clothing.
>>
>>421226
>Unless I remember correctly, shining castemark is not a "put on a hat" level problem, it shines through any normal clothing.
At higher levels, not at the lowest levels.
>>
>>421226

Maka has been challenged to a whore-off. It's her entire thing, and we all know that the loser can't be decided until someone has a goofy, overly satisfied look on their face.
>>
>>421202
We have two days left to plan a coup, that's a little bit of a deadline
>>
>>421242
Well look at it this way. If everything goes right, then we aren't wasting time here and we aren't spending a lot of time in the first place either. If everything doesn't go right then we can finally start doing something productive instead of pretending we're a Night caste.
>>
>>421242
Oh, also, the deadline can be advanced by breaking in and rescuing our family with our actually impressive stealth specialist exalts that we brought.
>>
>>421258
No that shortens our deadline, Rankar isn't just going to go Oh they disappeared oh fucking well.

He's gonna go on high alert, have soldiers roaming the streets, and people looking for them
>>
"Well..." You turn yo face Arras, gently shoving some of the pillows out of the way. "I have things to do, but I'll give you a final round before I leave."

"Oh, sure, you must be SO busy, planning a coup d'etat and all that." She rolls her eyes.

"...Why are you saying that in that ironic tone? Of course planning a coup is a lot of work! What were you expecting? You probably never worked a day in your life, anyway."

"Excuse me? I'm actually the director of this establishment! That IS a day job."

"More like a night job."

"Besides, I don't want to hear this coming from a literal, actual princess!"

"...Oh, you're ON."

"No, YOU're on."

[ROSE-LIPPED SEDUCTION STYLE]
[TALKING TO THE HEART]

As a soft, light golden glow fills the darkened room, a strange grin spreads on Arras' face. "Oho." She mumbles

"Scared yet?" You threaten her.

"Oh, no. The big bad Anathema is going to eat me."

"You bet I am."

[S+Z= 9 1 4 6 2 7 2 5 1 7 6 3 5 10 5 = 6 successes]

You end up spending another hour in bed with Arras Sahlak. And it's some of the best time you ever had, outside of Tia or Amata's beds.

By now, she learned most of your tricks. She knows how to make you feel what she wants. And she doesn't hold back one bit. She doesn't have the overpowering violence of Tia, nor the... unique techniques of Amata, but she's good and she knows it.

"Once all this is over, I think I'll have you dancing on my stage after all. Of course, under false name, and with a face veil or something. Can't have the princess dancing in a brothel, even if apparently it's her fetish." She concedes to you.

"Y-yes." You struggle out of the pile of pillows, trying to catch your breath.

Arras stretches, and pours herself another cup of wine. "Eh, I think I made you run late for your appointment." She notes. "I hope it was worth it."

"It was amazing." while getting dressed, you put one last kiss on her cheek. "I'll be back."

"Go get 'em, princess." She waves at you as you leave, followed by a... somewhat frowning Tia.

"...What?" You ask her, a bit confused.

"You're grinning." She points out, deadpan.

"...I thought you weren't jealous?"

"I'm not." She growls. "I'm just disappointed."

"...Why?" You tilt your head, confused.

"...Maybe I spoiled you a bit too much." She mumbles. "Maybe it's my fault."

"...?"

"Or maybe..." And she turns to face you, staring straight in your eyes. "Maybe you need a different sort of training camp, too..."

"T-Tia..." You gulp. "Y-you're scary..."

[SESSION END]
>>
>>421238
We've also been challenged to a, paraphrasing, 'You're kind of dumb, why should I think you can actually take this city?'

And we haven't answered much on that front, other than "We have power and sex". Haven't displayed much wisdom or caution.

Honestly, I think we should have made an argument along the lines of.

"You know, you're right. I totally couldn't run Tianna by myself. But I don't. I'm a people person, who acts as a figurehead, while putting intelligent and able people in positions they'll do good. Do you want to be one of those people?"
>>
>>421267
>[SESSION END]
It's over!

Thanks for the thread always EF. Time for sleep.
>>
>>421265
He goes on alert but he doesn't have an ability to hurt us anymore. At that point we can procrastinate as long as we want and it doesn't really matter that he knows we're there.
>>
XP:

Base: 2 XP
Maka's Investigation: +1 XP

Putting you at 11 XP.

Charm list incoming.

(or, you know, you could spend it for raising a skill)
>>
>>421280
Another point in Phys wouldn't be awful.
>>
>>421280
We may as well raise Night, with the amount of sneaking around we're doing it's perfectly IC and bound to be useful.
>>
>>421267

So, wait, did blowing her metaphysical load do even worse this time?
>>
>>421280
I'm up for raising Eclipse or a charm I guess.
>>
File: showmethebooty.jpg (137 KB, 910x1024)
137 KB
137 KB JPG
DAWN:

DEATH FROM AFAR: (1C) +3d to ranged attacks for the scene. (2B) +3d to one ranged attack.
SHOCKWAVE FIST TECHNIQUE: (1B) An unarmed attack can be carried out at a range of [Phys+Dawn]x10 meters.
ONE WEAPON, TWO BLOWS: (1B) Your attack is applied separately against two different targets within reach.
REGIMENT-SLAYING STRIKE: (3B) Allows you to attack an entire crowd, mob or military unit with one attack.

ZENITH:

TRANSCENDENT HERO'S MEDITATION: (1C) +3d to your Social Defense pool for the scene.
ETERNAL SURVIVOR ATTITUDE: (1C) +3d to survival rolls for the scene (2B): +3d to one survival roll.
MOUNTAIN'S ENDURANCE: (1C) +3d to endurance rolls for the scene (2B): +3d to one endurance roll.
ESSENCE-GATHERING TEMPER: (Perm.) Every time you lose a health level, you regain two Burn Essence.
FRIEND OF CREATION: (Perm.) All natural animals in Creation are friendly to you. (2B) You can give them simple orders.
OX-BODY TECHNIQUE: (Perm.) +2 Health Levels. Can be bought multiple times.

TWILIGHT:

WISE ARTISAN'S SKILL: (1C) +3d to crafting rolls for the scene (2B): +3d to one crafting roll.
STANCE OF THE MAGISTRATE: (1C) +3d to investigation rolls for the scene (2B): +3d to one investigation roll.
PEERLESS PHYSICIAN FOCUS: (1C) +3d to medicine rolls for the scene (2B): +3d to one medicine roll.

NIGHT:

SHADOW ARTS: (1C) +3d to stealth rolls for the scene (2B): +3d to one stealth roll.
CLEAR SENSE LIGHT: (1C) +3d to awareness rolls for the scene (2B): +3d to one awareness roll.
CELESTIAL MIGHT: (1C) +3d to athletics rolls for the scene (2B): +3d to one athletics roll.

ECLIPSE:

MASTER OF LETTERS: (1C) +3d to linguistics rolls for the scene (2B): +3d to one linguistics roll.
MASTERY OF SMALL MANNERS: (3B) You learn the short-term objectives of people in the scene. Gives straightforward ideas, but does not reveal complex plans.
SAGACIOUS READING OF INTENT: (2B) You select a statement you either heard or read, and can discern the true reason that caused its author to utter or write it, and what he intends to gain from it.
>>
>>421288
Yes, 6 successes is less than 8.
>>
>>421288
She blew ours, anon, we lost even with the charms.
>>
>>421296
Transcendent Hero's Meditation. Tia's angry with us. We need it. :/
>>
>>421285
You'd need 20 XP to raise Physical. Of course, you can vote for saving it.
>>
>>421297
She could have rolled lower too :^)
>>
>>421296
>TRANSCENDENT HERO'S MEDITATION: (1C) +3d to your Social Defense pool for the scene.
With this our Social Defense would be 7, pretty good all things considered.
>>
>>421307
I vote for getting Night/Eclipse/Twilight. Any of those three really, thought Night is the highest preference.
>>
>>421296
>ESSENCE-GATHERING TEMPER: (Perm.) Every time you lose a health level, you regain two Burn Essence.

I forgot, we said we were going to get this last time.
>>
>>421296
>ESSENCE-GATHERING TEMPER: (Perm.) Every time you lose a health level, you regain two Burn Essence.
I promised someone last time I'd vote for this.

>>421297
Yes, but HSDD and RLSS mean we do 6 damage as long as we get by their defense, and TttH means we always get by their defense with 0 successes. I'm also kinda underwhelmed at her response to that.
>>
>>421296
>TRANSCENDENT HERO'S MEDITATION
Agreeing with other anons
>>
>>421319
>>421296
Actually I change my vote to Essence Gathering Temper.

I also said I'd vote for it last time.
>>
>>421327
>I'm also kinda underwhelmed at her response to that.
My bets are on her being a sidereal of serenity
>>
>>421339
Naw, she wouldn't be crashing people through walls randomly if she were a siddy.
>>
>>421296

OX-BODY TECHNIQUE: (Perm.) +2 Health Levels. Can be bought multiple times.
>>
>ESSENCE-GATHERING TEMPER: (Perm.) Every time you lose a health level, you regain two Burn Essence.

Very good charm to have.
>>
>>421341
Some people are in to that.
>>
>>421356
But a siddy doesn't have any reason to actually reveal she's a siddy under her assumed persona. Which she basically did here, she showed Maka that she's a celestial level exalt.
>>
>>421296
>SHOCKWAVE FIST TECHNIQUE: (1B) An unarmed attack can be carried out at a range of [Phys+Dawn]x10 meters.
>>
>>421327

Yeah, agreed. Was kinda meh on the whole thing since that was kind of the shrimp's reaction.
>>
>>421296

Essence-Gathering Temper
>>
>>421296
>TRANSCENDENT HERO'S MEDITATION
>>
>>421296
>TRANSCENDENT HERO'S MEDITATION: (1C) +3d to your Social Defense pool for the scene.
I don't so much care about THM itself. Rather, I want to see what new social defense charms it unlocks. Maka's super limited on that front - a massive social glass cannon - and I'd like to see what kind of space we can grow into.
>>
Guh, is it just me or have the quality of the posters gone down since we moved to QST?
>>
>>433667
That's probably more a result of the higher bump limit making it so people aren't afraid to spend a dozen or more posts arguing. The quality of nonargument posts has remained mostly the same, but since the only quests on this board to reach autosage are Larro's, people don't mind wasting a bunch on arguing over stuff.
>>
>>421052
I was rereading the thread, and this post made me realize something.
Sex in this quest is a social attack. The higher the roll the better you perform, and the more successes you get, the more they enjoy it. To the point where you can convince them to do things they wouldn't normally do if you show them a good enough time.
Which would mean upping our Social Defense would make sex LESS enjoyable, because they would have a higher number to beat.
>>
>>435214
I don't know about less enjoyable, but it'd certainly make us less likely to be overwhelmed by it.
>>
>>438382
It's basically the same thing.
>>
I hate /qst/, threads here take ages to die and I keep them open the entire time.
>>
>Page: 11
wat



[Advertise on 4chan]

Delete Post: [File Only] Style:
[Disable Mobile View / Use Desktop Site]

[Enable Mobile View / Use Mobile Site]

All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective parties. Images uploaded are the responsibility of the Poster. Comments are owned by the Poster.