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Solars have five Castes: the Dawn are warriors and generals. The Zenith are priests and leaders. The Twilight are scholars and engineers. The Night are spies and assassins. The Eclipse are bureaucrats and diplomats.

You are a Zenith, Chosen as you stood your ground, alone, against a flying fortress forged from the souls of the damned as it was laying waste to the city you were residing in: Tianna City.

Maka is an exiled princess of the far-away desert city-state of Gem, where the throne has been usurped by a man named Rankar. She had to flee for her life, and reach Tianna, a tropical island kingdom, ruled by Amata, a dragon-blooded queen and an old friend of her family.

The ones attacking Tianna were Abyssals. Once powerful Solars, now corrupted by the powers of death, following the orders of one of the terrifying Deathlords of the Underworld.

It's been several months since then. Many things happened.

Your powers have grown vastly. You have learned that not all Abyssals or Deathlords are as evil as they seem, though many are. You have gathered around yourself many other powerful Exalted and skilled mortals, and are in the process of forging a new kingdom on the waves of the Western Ocean.

You have met Tia, the Lunar that was your spouse in the First Age, and, even though you have disowned the horrible actions of your previous life (whatever little you can remember, you are deeply ashamed of), the two of you have fallen in love once more, and are now happily married.

Amata was revealed as actually a Sidereal under cover, whose mission was to keep the terrible secret of the island of Tianna safe. You have grown fond of each other, and taken her as your second wife.

As for the terrible secret of Tianna: the island is actually a camouflaged Titan, a mighty First-Age flying fortress crash-landed in the ocean. It is in no condition to fly, but, if it could be repaired, it would be a power to be reckoned with.

The Titan was coveted by a Deathlord, the Silver Prince (or Bodhisattva Anointed by Dark Water), ruler of Skullstone, who moved war to Tianna with overwhelming power and terrifying necromancies. Your island suffered terribly in the battle, and even you were nearly killed multiple times in the chaos of battle, but, in the end, your allies managed to (hopefully) destroy him utterly by expending the only remaining shot left in the Directional Titan's main battle cannon.

Now, you have just returned from a diplomatic visit to the nearby archipelago of The Neck (or Okeanos, as the locals call it). A team of allies you have sent to Gem on a covert mission has informed you on the situation there: your father and sister are prisoners, your mother vanished, and the usurper, Rankar, sits on the throne. He does not, however, seem to wield any sort of extraordinary powers such as the ones you and your allies have.

(cont...)

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Soon, using your friend and circlemate Valeriana's sorceries, you will cross the many thousand of miles that are between Tianna and Gem and return to your home town to reclaim it for yourself.

If there are any questions on the story, characters, or anything else, ask freely. Even though I realize it's hard to get into a 100+ threads long quest, I still want Exalted Quest to be as approachable as possible to a new audience.

That being said, welcome to Exalted Quest! I hope you'll enjoy it.

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After meeting with Mikahil, Valeriana, Irene, Zaan, doing all the boring bureaucratic work that piled up while you were away during last week, rubberstamping all the papers Mikahil piled up in front of you, looking for little runaway Five Tails, and so on and so on... even though you're not feeling physically tired, you're definitely stressed.

It might be the idea of finally going back to Gem.

Honestly, if the scouting party's report is accurate, you have nothing to be nervous about. You are certainly powerful enough to stand up to Rankar's mortal army alone, and, if anything unexpected happens, you'll have a lot of support from your entire Solar Circle.

But it's not about physical danger, is it? It's how your dad and Eskarin will react. When they... see what you've become.

Well, dad's always had an open mind. He's never bought into the Immaculate Doctrine much. He's PROBABLY not going to think that you're a demon from hell wearing his dead firstborn daughter's skin.

You groan, staring wistfully out of one of the west-facing windows of Golden Reach. That didn't sound very promising, did it?

The sun has almost completely disappeared beyond the horizon, leaving just a tiny bit of incandescent twilight in the sky.

Valeriana said that her spell works best if cast at dawn. You'll be leaving tomorrow morning. Going back to Gem, crossing thousands of miles in mere days with the power of sorcery.

It feels so WEIRD. Your trip to Tianna took you three months, going by ship, cart, camel, horseback, dodging brigands, barbarians, and whatnot.

You try and force yourself to focus on the here and now. You'll worry about Gem when you'll be there. For now...

>I should go to sleep. Better be fully rested, in body and mind, tomorrow.
>It's been a while since I've last checked on Silk. I hope she's not getting bored. Or that she's not getting any funny ideas.
>Karas had some plans for Tianna's armed forces, didn't he? He wanted to plan things out with me, Rajaan and Samiel, he said.
>I should grab my Swift Rider and head over to Tianna City, to see Amata. I know she's probably busy, but I want to see her before leaving.
>I should grab my Swift Rider and head over to the volcano. I want to have a chat with Flame That Marched Against The Sea before leaving.
>Maybe I should just spend some quality time with Tia.
>(other?)

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>Who are we?
Maka, an exiled noble Exalted as a Zenith-caste Solar. Queen of Gem, now ruling the western island of Tianna. You have gathered a vast amount of allies and friends, and defeated every threat to Tianna up to now.
You recently discovered that Tianna is actually an artificial island, built around a First Age Titan: an almighty flying fortress. Your forces have crushed the Bodhisattva Anointed by Dark Water, a Deathlord who tried to usurp its power for himself.
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.

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

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

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

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

>Twitter?
@exaltedfag

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

New System Info: http://pastebin.com/pvAZpsJ6
Characters info (player-made): http://pastebin.com/5WnD47jp
Quest in ebook format (player-made): https://www.dropbox.com/s/0wl5obxcwuakgdj/Exalted%20Quest%20-%20Threads%2001-101%20%5Bpdf%5D.rar?dl=0
Meanwhiles: http://pastebin.com/u/Exaltedfag

>>57433
>Karas had some plans for Tianna's armed forces, didn't he? He wanted to plan things out with me, Rajaan and Samiel, he said.

>>57433
>>It's been a while since I've last checked on Silk. I hope she's not getting bored. Or that she's not getting any funny ideas.

>>57433
>It's been a while since I've last checked on Silk. I hope she's not getting bored. Or that she's not getting any funny ideas.

>>57433
>It's been a while since I've last checked on Silk. I hope she's not getting bored. Or that she's not getting any funny ideas.
Nice to see you EF, even if it is in a new board.

Let's see how this goes.

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You have to wonder if Silk's getting restless right now. It's been a while since you last checked up on her.

Well, Silk is your pet, and, like every pet, and in particular the more rebellious and headstrong ones, she needs some discipline from time to time.

You head for Silk's Realm, the sealed-off room of Golden Reach where you allowed Silk to move her Wyld, and inside which she created her own weird kingdom.

Slamming the doors open, you wade into the otherwordly realm, much bigger than the room - or even the building - should normally be able to contain, and brace yourself, expecting Silk to do her usual tackle-bodyslam-splat move on you.

Instead, nothing happens.

You see the realm's inhabitants, humanoid puppets artificially created by her powers and based, due to her weird misunderstanding of human customs, on the maids working in Golden Reach, walking around the streets and avenues of the Wyld city, apparently aimlessly trying to emulate the bustle and activity of a real city, and failing pretty badly. Some recognize you and wave at you with friendly smiles, or at least seem to.

They all look very human, very similar to each other, and perfectly beautiful in a way that a human planned, designed and constructed by a skillful artisan would be. They also look just as fake, of course, and you don't even have to focus on the fact that all these "maids" are not DOING anything nor GOING anywhere except merely looking busy. Of course, you know that, technically, these "maids" are goblins, that is, Wyld constructs.

Well, Silk controls this realm as, essentially, an extension of her being, so she must obviously know that you're here. Why isn't she showing up? Is she playing some sort of game? Is she sulking or something.

>Walk up to one of the maids and ask her.
>Wait and see.
>Start searching around.
>Pretend to leave the realm.
>Actually leave the realm.
>Start doing some damage.
>(Other?)

>>57546
>Start searching around.

>>57546
>>Walk up to one of the maids and ask her.
She wants us to seduce them doesn't she?

>>57546
>>Walk up to one of the maids and ask her.

>>57546
>Walk up to one of the maids and ask her.

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She's clearly playing some sort of game or something. Maybe she just wants some attention. You approach one of the "maids" waving at you, and attempt to strike up a conversation.

"Hello." Better to start slowly.

"Hello!" She replies, artificially chipper. "I have no idea where Silk is! Maybe she's angry because you weren't there for her when she was feeling lonely!"

Well, so much for starting slowly. "Where is Silk?" You ask anyway.

"Up there!" She incongruously replies, pointing at the very top spire of the tallest tower at the center of the valley. "But if you want to reach her, you'll have to defeat four terrible monsters she placed in the tower to guard the way!"

You follow her pointing finger, and sigh. "Really?" You ask.

"I don't know!" she replies, and, for a moment, you feel the urge to punch her. "So, are you going?"

>Punch her.
>Alright, let's play by her rules. Head for the tower. Let's see what happens.
>You're tired of this charade. Scream at Silk that she better show up right now or else. (s+z)
>[MONKEY-LEAP TECHNIQUE] Yeah, you don't have time for that. (p+n)
>Keep up the conversation, try and see if you can get something useful from this maid.
>...Maybe she DOES want you to seduce them? (s+z)

>>57546
>>Walk up to one of the maids and ask her.

>>57601
>Punch her.

>>57601
>Alright, let's play by her rules. Head for the tower. Let's see what happens.

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>57601
>[MONKEY-LEAP TECHNIQUE] Yeah, you don't have time for that. (p+n)

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>57601
>>Alright, let's play by her rules. Head for the tower. Let's see what happens.
I think there aren't enough people to roll yet. Or ever, considering it's /qst/ and all.

>>57601
>>Alright, let's play by her rules. Head for the tower. Let's see what happens.

>>57601
>>Alright, let's play by her rules. Head for the tower. Let's see what happens.
Well let's play then, but ask the Maid's if Silk can activate her Time Bottle

>>57620
>I think there aren't enough people to roll yet. Or ever, considering it's /qst/ and all.

I wonder.

But, really, even back on /tg/ some of your dice pools (especially s+z) were getting way too big for even the busiest of threads, I feel. I often found myself waiting to post until I could get enough dice to fill up the required amount.

Plus I think that new players from /qst/ might not be used to this dice business, so i propose a slight change to the rules: roll 2d10 instead of 1d10 from now on.

It's something I've wanted to do on /tg/ as well, but never got around to suggest because there hasn't been a LOT of rolling lately. Sounds like a good time to try.

>>57625
>>57546
I would second this plan

>>57625
>>57601
Time Bottle is a good idea.

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>57601
>>Alright, let's play by her rules. Head for the tower. Let's see what happens.
>>57634
>I often found myself waiting to post until I could get enough dice to fill up the required amount.
We could roll more than one dice at a time. You should probably set some sort of cap per post tough though.

>>57634
Our dicepools have gotten pretty big, well our social ones have at least.

>>57601
>>Punch her.
>>Alright, let's play by her rules. Head for the tower. Let's see what happens.

>>57601
>>57646
>>...Maybe she DOES want you to seduce them? (s+z)
Change my vote to this actually, I didn't see it down there at first

>>57601
>>57625
I second this plan

>>57641
This is me, linked to wrong post first time (this is a bit of a pain to do from my phone)

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>>57634
>Plus I think that new players from /qst/ might not be used to this dice business, so i propose a slight change to the rules: roll 2d10 instead of 1d10 from now on.
Sounds good.

Rolled 1, 4 = 5 (2d10)

>>57656
>>57634
And apparently I'm not reading anything today as you've already bumped us up to two

>>57656
I didn't vote for this, but it would totally work.

Rolled 1, 3 = 4 (2d10)

>>57601
>...Maybe she DOES want you to seduce them? (s+z)

Should we pop IPP just in case?

>>57601
>Alright, let's play by her rules. Head for the tower. Let's see what happens.
Ah, new board smell.
Don't worry, /qst/, we'll be gentle.

"...Alright. I'll play your game. But I'm in a bit of a hurry here, so tell Silk to turn the Time Bottle on."

"What's a Silk?" She replies, with a grin.

Shaking your head, you walk away from the maid, which resumes her walking in a pattern around the city block pretending she's doing something.

The central tower is enormous, vastly bigger than your own manse of Golden Reach. Of course, it's mostly fake, so it doesn't really count, you think to yourself. Everything in this place has a subtle feeling of wrongness, and on buildings and long distances it manifests itself as an inability to properly put all of them into focus. Whenever you fix your gaze on a specific point of it, the rest seems to fade a bit away.

The entrance to the tower is "guarded" but a disorganized bunch of maids, wielding brooms like spears You really have no idea how Silk's though processes interpret the real world, honestly.

As you're about to walk through the tower's massive gates, they immediately scramble and get in your way. "Stop right there!!" one of them bellows.

"We're Silk's first guardian monster!"
"You, who ignored Silk in our moment of need and loneliness, are not allowed through!"
"Because you've been really mean and we don't want you here anymore!"

You glance over to the mass of "guards" blocking your way, about three dozens of them. "You're not a "guardian monster", you know." You reply.

They all gasp in horror.

"Don't make fun of us!"
"We're TECHNICALLY a monster!"
"GET HER!"

Hefting their brooms, the small maid army launches itself at you.

>Sprint ahead. You don't want to waste time here, you just need to get to the top. (p+n)
>Oh, alright. Let's do this, then. I'll try not to break you too much. (p+d)
>These goblins aren't even real people, no reason to hold back. (p+d)
>Put up a show, and pretend to lose the fight.
>(other?)

(Reminder: if you want to use charms, say so)

Rolled 10, 4 = 14 (2d10)

>...Maybe she DOES want you to seduce them? (s+z)
>>57679
Sure

Rolled 10, 3 = 13 (2d10)

>>57688
>>Oh, alright. Let's do this, then. I'll try not to break you too much. (p+d)
Solar Hero Style and Fivefold Bulwark for now, we'll see if we need the soak later.
Are we wearing our gloves and boots?

Also switch to #19 or #12

Rolled 2, 9 = 11 (2d10)

>>57688
>>Sprint ahead. You don't want to waste time here, you just need to get to the top. (p+n)
Aegis of Divine Justice (3C)

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>57688
>Oh, alright. Let's do this, then. I'll try not to break you too much. (p+d)

Rolled 5, 8 = 13 (2d10)

>>57688
>Sprint ahead. You don't want to waste time here, you just need to get to the top. (p+n)

Rolled 1, 8 = 9 (2d10)

>>57688
>"We're TECHNICALLY a monster
You're technically MonsterS, and there are a lot more than 4 of you already.
>Sprint ahead. You don't want to waste time here, you just need to get to the top. (p+n)
If she isn't playing by her own rules, neither should we.

>>57702
>Are we wearing our gloves and boots?

No. You weren't expecting a fight here, after all.

Rolled 8, 2 = 10 (2d10)

>>57688
>>Oh, alright. Let's do this, then. I'll try not to break you too much. (p+d)

Rolled 3, 3 = 6 (2d10)

>>57688
>>Oh, alright. Let's do this, then. I'll try not to break you too much. (p+d)

>>57688
>>57702
Forgot about charms. Don't know about aegis though. They probably won't even touch us.

[AEGIS OF DIVINE JUSTICE]

You let Essence fill your body and harden your skin, and get in a guard stance. Your Castemark lights up in response, as the host of maids screams and launches itself at you.

"...Alright then. I'll try and not crush you TOO much." You reply, smugly.

[p+d= 10 4 10 3 2 9 8 5 = 6 successes]

You grab the first broom heading straight for your head, pull it - together with its user - straight towards you, and counter with a direct headbutt that knocks her out instantly.

Spinning her weapon around, you slam its butt in the stomach of your second incoming attacker just as you drop lower and sweep away the feel of the third with a low kick.

Three brooms slam into you, but the maids are unable to hurt you. It feels... well, like being hit by a broom. The soft side, I mean.

Honestly, you don't know. Are these, like, special Wyld brooms that are actually as sharp as actual swords somehow, or are they just normal brooms?

You bat the weapons aside, grab, and judo slam another of your attackers into the pavement, cracking it around her.

The rest of the maids flee and disperse, dropping their weapons.

...What was THAT all about?

>Pursue the maids.
>Wake up one of the maids you knocked out, try and get some answers from her.
>Walk up the stairs.
>(Other?)

>>57767
>>Walk up the stairs.

>>57767
>>Walk up the stairs.

>>57767
>>Walk up the stairs.
Kiss the maids on the cheeks so they get better faster though.

>>57767
>>Walk up the stairs.

>>57767
>Walk up the stairs

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You climb the massive white marble stairs spiraling up the tower, annoyed. Multicolored glass windows let the light through in dazzling patterns, even though this world has no sun or definite source of light (despite being brightly lit).

You reach a second floor. You find yourself in front of a vast room, with a checkered white-and-ochre stone pavement, thick columns holding up a vaulted roof from which crystal chandeliers hang from silver chains. Suits of armor and weapons on display line the walls.

A huge barred gate, on the other side of this wide room, stands strong, with a flight of stairs going further up just beyond it.

This enormously vast room, so big that your footsteps echo loudly throughout it, seems useless other than for being used as a place where to have a particularly dramatic battle.

In the middle of the room, you see Silk, looking rather embarrassed, She was busy trying to... make something? She was extracting something colored and goopy out of her own body, but quickly stuffed it right back inside her... stomach? When she saw you.

"...What." She grumbles, giving you a dirty look. "The second monster isn't ready yet."

"...Silk." You sigh.

"IT'S YOUR FAULT! YOU CAME HERE TOO SOON! I HAVEN'T HAD TIME TO PREPARE THINGS PROPERLY!" She screams. "It's all your fault!"

>Silk, I told you I'd be gone for a while. Stop overreacting. We've been over this.
>You've been a bad girl, Silk. It's time for some discipline.
>I'm sorry I left you alone for so long, Silk, But you have to learn how to cope with being left alone without becoming a supervillain.
>Hit her.
>Ignore her.
>(other?)

>>57767
>Walk up the stairs.

>>57767
>(Other?)
>Start hamming it up to play along.
>Strike a victory pose and call out that we're finally coming to save our beloved pet from boredom.

>>57815
>I'm sorry I left you alone for so long, Silk, But you have to learn how to cope with being left alone without becoming a supervillain.
>You've been a bad girl, Silk. It's time for some "discipline".

>>57815
>I'm sorry I left you alone for so long, Silk, But you have to learn how to cope with being left alone without becoming a supervillain.

>>57815
>I'm sorry I left you alone for so long, Silk, But you have to learn how to cope with being left alone without becoming a supervillain.
Will hugs and kisses make up for it?

>>57815
>>You've been a bad girl, Silk. It's time for some discipline.

>>57815
>>Silk, I told you I'd be gone for a while. Stop overreacting. We've been over this.
>I'm sorry I left you alone for so long, Silk, But you have to learn how to cope with being left alone without becoming a supervillain.

>>57815
Well I guess we didn't need our charms at all for this.

I guess we can take off our Soak

>>57815
>You've been a bad girl, Silk. It's time for some discipline.

>You've been a bad girl, Silk. It's time for some discipline.

>>57815
>I'm sorry I left you alone for so long, Silk, But you have to learn how to cope with being left alone without becoming a supervillain.

You approach her cautiously and put a hand on her head.

She feels stiffer than you remember. Still soft, but more like tough jelly than her usual creamlike consistency.

"I'm sorry I left you alone for so long, Silk, But you have to learn how to cope with being left alone without becoming a supervillain."

She pretends to cry. It's such an obvious scene that it wouldn't fool anyone, on the same level as a twelve years old girl trying to get her mom's attention.

"Come on, Silk."

"But being a supervillain is all I'm good for!"

"That's not true." You reassure her. "Besides, I thought we were clear. You're my pet now. If you want to play this sort of games, just let me know. I can't ALWAYS be there for you, but I'll make time. But..."

"But you're leaving again, aren't you?" She asks, upturned eyes.

You nod. "I have to go back to Gem. I might be gone for another week, maybe a bit more." You glance around. "I can't carry you with me."

"I know." She sniffs.

Well, technically, you can, but this realm might go a bit crazy without her, and she'd also lose a lot of power.

And, now that you can clearly feel her Essence flows, you can tell that she's quite powerful, really. Ever since she drained the Demesnes of the island, she has amassed a lot of Gossamer. You definitely don't want her to go berserk.

Fortunately, by now she's pretty much housebroken, even though she can still be a handful sometimes.

>I'll spend the night with you before I leave. Let's make it a wild night.
>Is there anything you need? I don't want to see you all sad.
>Say, I wanted to ask... can we put to use all that gossamer you stored? We could make something crazy together.
>Your maids are crappy soldiers, by the way. I thought I had given back to you your Sword? You can do better.
>I'll leave now, but you better behave yourself, you understand?
>(other?)

>>57918
>wild night
>Your maids are crappy soldiers

>>57918
>Is there anything you need? I don't want to see you all sad.
>I'll spend the night with you before I leave. Let's make it a wild night.

>>57918
>Is there anything you need? I don't want to see you all sad.
>I'll spend the night with you before I leave. Let's make it a wild night.

>>57918
>I'll spend the night with you before I leave. Let's make it a wild night.
>Say, I wanted to ask... can we put to use all that gossamer you stored? We could make something crazy together.

>>57918
>>I'll spend the night with you before I leave. Let's make it a wild night.

Activate the usual suite of charms for this kind of thing.

>>57918
>I'll spend the night with you before I leave. Let's make it a wild night.
>Is there anything you need? I don't want to see you all sad.
We still need to get her that slave Fae we promised her.

>>57938
I'll second that.

Other:
Walk up and hug her.

>>57938
>Activate the usual suite of charms for this kind of thing.
I forgot to mention that in my vote, it's the least she deserves for us leaving her all the time.

>>57938
Agreed

>>57918
Damn I sure fucked up the formatting on that one. Sorry. I'm still getting the hang of this.

As an aside: I'm making Silk's text blue because her voice has an appropriately inhuman, otherwordly tone. Colored text will generally be reserved only for creatures with a clearly very unnatural voice, like fae and demons.

Is the "using bold for speech" idea working? it takes a bit of extra time to write, but I don't mind it if it makes reading easier.

>>57988
I like the bold text. Having the things we say stand out from everything else is nice. The blue text is neat, too.

>>57988
>Is the "using bold for speech" idea working? it takes a bit of extra time to write, but I don't mind it if it makes reading easier.
I personally think it makes everyone look like they're yelling all the time, as that's what bold is typically used for.

>>57988
I don't think all characters need the bold text, like I could see it when we go see UCS again, but for normal sounding people I think we're good.

It might also help to mention her/their weird voices so we have some idea for why the blue text, but other than that I like it even if I didn't notice it at first because I was using Onee-chan

>>57988
Im on mobile so nothing stands out. Easy to read anyway.

>>57918
>(other?)
We could establish Silk's realm as a kind of playground for willing Exalts and mortals? In particular, I was thinking Karas' guard could ask Silk to set up shooting ranges and combat simulations. With clear rules set up, of course.

>>57988
I like the idea of using colored text for otherworldly creatures, but the bold should be saved for when people are yelling.
>>57999
Or UCS. He seems like the kind of guy who'd talk in bold even when whispering.
I also imagine Luna speaks in Italics.

>>58005
The Maidens are obviously all behind spoiler text

>>57988
Ohhh. I thought you meant that just the things that Maka says would be bold text.

>>58009
That's much better than my idea, which was that they use the colors.
But that wouldn't work, not only because it would overlap with fae/demons, but there isn't a Yellow or Purple for Mercury and Saturn.

>>58016
Actually can you spoiler colored text?

>>58018
I don't know, I haven't made any threads on /qst/, so I haven't had a chance to mess with the color tags

You DO feel a bit sad for her, even though you know she's a shapeless abomination from beyond reality that is just very good at PRETENDING to be a real creature with real feelings and emotions.

But, hey, she's YOUR shapeless abomination from beyond reality, and you'll take good care of her.

You stroke her bouncy head, enjoying the weird consistency, and feel her slowly become softer and melting under your touch as she cradles up in your lap.

"Come on. Here, here." You try to cheer her up. "Is there anything you need? I don't want to see you all sad here."

"Can I have real people?" She asks, innocently.

"No, Silk." You sigh. "We've been over this multiple times. You're not allowed to keep humans."

"That's not fair!" She protests. "You get to keep humans!"

"...I don't-" You roll your eyes. "I don't keep them in the way you're thinking. Besides, who exactly is the owner and who is the pet in our relationship, huh?"

She falls silent, defeated.

"Anything ELSE?" You ask, poking her side. Your finger sinks deep into her now.

"I just want people to play around with." She complains.

"Well, you've got me, and I've seen you had a lot of fun with my brother Karas." You smile. "Really, the Exalted are fine. I'm just worried that mortals will end up being weird if they come here."

"I wouldn't mutate them too much or anything." She replies, sounding offended.

"...It's that "too much" that worries me a bit, Silk."

"Hey, most mutations people would get from spending some time with me would be really really small." She reassures you. "I wouldn't hurt them."

Of course, she wouldn't because she knows that you care and she doesn't want to upset you, not because she sees any inherent worth in human life, you realize.

>You've got me. Am I not enough?
>I was thinking that I could try and find other Fae to bring here.
>I could trust you with some mortals, as long as you're very careful.
>No, Silk. Stop asking, we've been over this and the answer is still no.
>(Other?)

Alright, I'll keep the bold text for special cases, and use colored for otherwordly voices. Thanks for the feedback.

(the "wild night" vote isn't ignored, just delayed after you've discussed the current subject)

>>58037
>I was thinking that I could try and find other Fae to bring here.

>>58037
>I was thinking that I could try and find other Fae to bring here.
Maybe once we set up the army we can use Silk to run a bunch of training/battle simulations, she could even flesh out the conflicts with her kooky world building.

>>58037
>I was thinking that I could try and find other Fae to bring here.
>I could trust you with some mortals, as long as you're very careful.

>>58037
>I was thinking that I could try and find other Fae to bring here.
>I could trust you with some mortals, as long as you're very careful.
Is it possible for Fae to influence what mutations people in their realm get, because some ARE helpful, it can even awaken Essence, but I've never looked too far into it. She doesn't even have to be able to cause specific mutations, as long as she can guarantee good one's I'm sure there would be people who wouldn't mind visiting.

>>58037
Dammit, now I remember we discussed this at length but don't recall what our conclusions were. Time to search the archives, I guess. Meanwhile:

>I was thinking that I could try and find other Fae to bring here.
>I could trust you with some mortals, as long as you're very careful.

>We're talking safe words here.
>Also, they'd have to be volunteers made fully aware of what could happen.

>>58060
Barbarians at least are pretty well known for going into the Wyld to do spirit quests

New to Exalted. What are Fae?

>>58065

Also throw in a fae oath, like the whole "I swear by my heart, staff,sword etc " to not allow any harm of mutations come to human, or by her inaction allow her to. Oaths are taken VERY seriously by the fair folk

>>58037
>I was thinking that I could try and find other Fae to bring here.
>I could trust you with some mortals, as long as you're very careful.
>>58060
I don't know if they can either, but maybe Val could help? She built Silk's room in such a way it doesn't spread to the rest of the manse, maybe she could modify it to be predisposed to cause a specific type of mutation. At the very least I bet the two working together could.

>>58079
Or, since she CAN leave her room if allowed, we could set up another place in the Manse where she could play with mortals. We'd have her alert an Exalt whenever she wanted to leave her room and have her swear not to go anywhere else without Exalted supervision.

>>58072
The primary setting of Exalted is a world called Creation. Outside of creation is an infinite expanse of pure chaos called the Wyld.

The fae are denizens of the wyld and because they live in a world of pure chaos they don't actually understand how things in Creation work. Because of that when fae enter creation they tend to misunderstand things like what food is supposed to taste like.

Fae also cannot survive in creation as they are for long, they lose power the longer they are away from a source of wyld energy. They can, however, get power by eating the emotions and will of humans in Creation so they tend to prey on isolated villages, eating the minds of the inhabitants and doing wierd shit.

Plus when a fae enters creation their entire personality is completely fabricated as something that will interest them, like they're playing a bit character. They'll stick to their self imposed character for as long as it's interesting to them and change whenever they get bored.

>>58060
>Is it possible for Fae to influence what mutations people in their realm get, because some ARE helpful, it can even awaken Essence, but I've never looked too far into it. She doesn't even have to be able to cause specific mutations, as long as she can guarantee good one's I'm sure there would be people who wouldn't mind visiting.

She can SOMEWHAT direct the process but not 100%

>>58074
>Also throw in a fae oath, like the whole "I swear by my heart, staff,sword etc " to not allow any harm of mutations come to human, or by her inaction allow her to. Oaths are taken VERY seriously by the fair folk

Silk is obedient to you, and her "rebelliousness" is little more than a childish tantrum. She's already oathbound. The concern is less that she will maliciously harm people, and more that her understanding of human nature is rather poor, and she could cause dangerous mutations to happen while being in perfectly good faith.

>>58079
>I don't know if they can either, but maybe Val could help? She built Silk's room in such a way it doesn't spread to the rest of the manse, maybe she could modify it to be predisposed to cause a specific type of mutation. At the very least I bet the two working together could.

Maybe, but remember that Val is seriously overworked.

>>58072
>New to Exalted. What are Fae?
The Fae, or Fair Folk, are beings that exist beyond time and space, made out of the impossible potential of the Wyld, primordial chaos-matter that is and isn't all that can be and can't be, was, and will be.
They take physical shape and limit themselves (somewhat) to three-dimensional reality and linear time when they enter the world. They mostly do this to toy with humans and/or eat their dreams, emotions and/or souls.
Silk was a Fae subject to a Fae Lord that ruled over part of Tianna. In the early threads, Maka and the others destroyed this Wyld land and captured Silk as she was fleeing. Maka aced an enormous score on a Social roll and got Silk to accept her as her new owner.

>>58060
Something to take note of as well regarding Silk is that she's really inhuman, her definition of helpful is going to differ wildly from ours.

She might decide that not being able to feel pain or sadness is helpful or having sword arms is way more useful than having regular arms when you're fighting.

>>58087
Yeah, but think how cool it would be if we had a room that Awakened the Essence of any mortals who spent enough time in it.

>>58101
>Maybe, but remember that Val is seriously overworked.
Creation is falling apart, ALL Exalts are overworked. That doesn't mean it isn't something to talk to them about for when she's LESS overworked.

>>58101
Val is also going with us to Gem, so while she could probably help, it won't be until after we return.

>>58104
It'd be amazing if that was something we could guarantee without unwanted mutations (or at least easily removable ones). I think Val or Zaan's help is needed here.

>>58108
Ah, yes. The true and greatest enemy of any Exalt of even moderate power and influence:

TIME MANAGEMENT

>>58104
Granting people Awakened Essence is a really large mutation, and it's also a very specific one.

At best, you can set up things in a way that people can venture into Silk's Wyld to powerquest for it. This means that some people will manage to do it, but others will get shafted with random mutations.

At best, you could get it to have a higher rate of success than powerquesting in untamed Wyld, but no way to make it a 100% deal.

it's just how the Wyld works: even if you try and control it as much as you can, it still has a random element, and the more power you want to access, the worse it is.

On the other hand, you know that the "minor mutations" that can happen with a low-level exposure are almost purely aesthetic. weird ears, hair or eye colors, change of skin color, tails, stuff like that. They're very common in tribes living next to the Wyld.

>>58121
Catgirls GET!

>I could trust you with some mortals, as long as you're very careful.
>You know you could try going out and meeting some people, your not limited to your room all the time.

>>58121
>but others will get shafted with random mutations.
Like come out as accidentally cannibals

>>58121
>On the other hand, you know that the "minor mutations" that can happen with a low-level exposure are almost purely aesthetic. weird ears, hair or eye colors, change of skin color, tails, stuff like that.
As long as they know what what they're getting into, and she warns them when she thinks they've reached the point where staying longer will result in something non-aesthetic, then I don't mind her having mortals over to play with.

>>58072
Creation is basically a flat disc of reality in a sea of infinite chaos. Fae are entities from that realm that take on a humanoidish form in order to exist inside the ordered reality of Creation without being killed by it. So basically lovecraftian horrors in the shape of elves. Mostly.

>>58101
>>58100
Thank you.

>>58135
Yeah, and they're often called Fair Folk partially because they tend to make themselves look unnaturally beautiful but mainly because mortals don't want to offend them and be eaten.

"Well... it you behave properly, I might let people in your realm, but we'll have to plan it out well, be sure that no one will get hurt." You suggest.

She smiles and nods energetically.

"But I was also thinking that if I find another Fae out there... would you like me to bring her here?" You ask her with a wry smile.

She grows stars in her eyes. (Literally, she does. It looks weird.) "REALLY? It'd be great! I could have my very own Raksha court to bully and push around and get them to do things for me and amuse me when I feel bored."

"...Is that really all that Fae society amounts to?" You wonder.

But she seems way into it. "Oh, if you'll really do it, Maka, you'll be the best mistress ever."

"Well, I'll see what I can do." You nod.

There are some Fae, out there, who are forces to be reckoned with. Heck, Silk has grown into one of those too, under your careful management. If she were free and unbound, with her current level of power, you're not entirely sure you could bring her down.

But there are also weaker Fae, and Silk was one of those when you captured her. You could try and find a few others. Oathbind them like you did with Silk.

The idea of having your own pet Fae court isn't that bad, considering the sort of impressively useful tricks that you've seen Fair Folk do.

For now, however, you'd best tend to the needs of the one Fae pet you have. You've been away from her for a full week, so you'd best give her a reward.

You'll make this a wild night.

>Take it easy.
>Go all out. (s+z)

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>58151
>Go all out. (s+z)
Here we go!

Rolled 1, 10 = 11 (2d10)

>>58159
>Go all out. (s+z)

Activate the charm suite for this

Rolled 10, 6 = 16 (2d10)

>>58151
>>58159
>If she were free and unbound, with her current level of power, you're not entirely sure you could bring her down.
Awesome!
Best make sure we don't have to then.
>Go all out. (s+z)
That of course includes all our charms.

Rolled 8, 1 = 9 (2d10)

>>58159
>>Go all out. (s+z)
Pop Everything

Couldn't you just have edited your old post?
Not that I know how to do that though.

>>58037
>>I was thinking that I could try and find other Fae to bring here.
>>I could trust you with some mortals, as long as you're very careful.

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>58159
>>Go all out. (s+z)
Pop all our sex charms.

Rolled 6, 2 = 8 (2d10)

>>58159
>>Go all out. (s+z)

>>58159
>She grows stars in her eyes
Not as good as our PCP heart eyes

>>58159
>Go all out. (s+z)

Rolled 7, 2 = 9 (2d10)

All out ~

You need to keep your pet docile and happy, and for that, the best way is to satisfy its needs. And Fae crave emotions, after all.

It would be more accurate to say that Silk is addicted to you, and that, after some withdrawal that made her a bit crabby, you'll be giving her dose tonight, and maybe a little extra.

This will keep her obedient and remind her who's the one holding the leash.

[HEART-COMPELLING METHOD]
[HUSBAND-SEDUCING DEMON DANCE]
[ROSE-LIPPED SEDUCTION STYLE]

[s+z= 3 3 10 1 10 10 6 8 1 7 6 2 7 2 = 9+1=10 successes]

You spend six hours with Silk, giving her everything she needed and much more.

When you emerge from her Realm, you were expecting it to be about to dawn already, but, thanks to Silk's Time Bottle effect (which she apparently engaged while you were inside, dilating time), you still have three hours left before daybreak.

You're surprised she didn't tell you about this. But then again, when you left she wasn't exactly in any condition to talk, nor were any of her maids.

>Go back inside and pick back up form where you left. (s+z)
>Well, I've got time to chat with Karas.
>Tia should be waiting for me in my room right now.
>Go and see Valeriana and ask her about this new idea you had.
>(other?)

>>58221
>Well, I've got time to chat with Karas.
Might as well talk about the army while we're here.

I hope he's not sleeping or anything, I forget some people still need to do that.

>>58221
>Tia should be waiting for me in my room right now.
We'll have plenty of time to chat with Karas and Val during the trip. I feel like we've been neglecting our Mate.

>>58221
>Tia should be waiting for me in my room right now.

>>58221
>>Tia should be waiting for me in my room right now.
We can talk to Val on the way to Gem.
Not like there'll much else to do on the flight.

>>58221
>>Tia should be waiting for me in my room right now.
>>58224
>I forget some people still need to do that.
We do too technically, but only like once or twice a week.

>>58224
GLORIOUS ZENITH BULLSHIT

>>58221
>Well, I've got time to chat with Karas.

>>58221
>>Well, I've got time to chat with Karas.

>>58221
>Tia should be waiting for me in my room right now.

File: Tia.jpg (129 KB, 850x1275)

129 KB JPG

You make your way back to your room, where a rabid Tia pounces on you as soon as you open the door.

"Took you long enough." She says, sullen, looking down on you as she keeps you pinned to the floor.

"I had to meet people and stuff." You justify yourself, not even trying to stand back up.

"I know." Tia replies. She seems thoughtful for a moment. Normally, she would've already ripped your clothes off and be in the process of having her way with you, savagely. Instead, she dismounts off you and helps you back up, in a moment of silence. "Um..."

"What's up?" You wonder.

"...Our children. Do you think... Do you think that your family, well..." Her last words are an inaudible mutter.

"I don't want to freak you out, Tia, but, yes, when he hears about that, my dad will SURELY overreact at first." You grab her by the shoulders. "He'll be mad and say mean, hurtful things at you. He won't mean them. He's not a bad person."

Thinking about it, you realize that this is the first time you've seen Tia, a literal murder machine, whom you've seen cutting through armies and giant monsters like a hot knife through butter, scared of a mere mortal.

Well, that mere mortal is your father, Askar of Gem. Even you'd be afraid of him when he gets mad.

"He'll accept them." You reassure her. "Once he calms down, you'll see. He'll be delighted to be a grandpa."

She mumbles some more, but seems a bit more relaxed after hearing you.

Tia sits down on the edge of the bed. You sit down next to her.

She leans onto you.

"...Maka?"

"Yes?"

"After the babies are born..."

"...Yes?"

"Let's have others." She turns her eyes, looking up to you. "And then others and other more."

A brush of sadness passes over you. "You know, Tia." You whisper. "We might outlive them. Many and many times. It'll be sad."

"Maybe for us." She replies. "But I'd want them to live their lives to the fullest. To be happy. And as for us..." She grazes a kiss on your cheek. "There's no way I'd be sad, as long as I'm with you."

She lies down, head in your lap.

"And I want to stay with you until time ends."

...What can you say after that?

You let the last hours of the night pass. You spend them together.

Finally, you feel the sun about to rise. Tia has fallen asleep in bed, next to you.

>We need to go, Tia. Pack your things.
>Pick her up and carry her.
>Leave her behind, sneak out on your own. (p+n)
>(other?)

Rolled 6, 10 = 16 (2d10)

>>58221
>Go and see Valeriana and ask her about this new idea you had.

You know I have to wonder if the reduced votes that /qst/ is experiencing are genuine, or if people just aren't samefagging in the same numbers because of the ID system.

>>58342
>>Pick her up and carry her.
Cute, but sad

>>58342
>>Pick her up and carry her.
It's not often we get to be the husbando with Tia.

Rolled 5, 8 = 13 (2d10)

>>58342
>>Pick her up and carry her.

>>58342
>>Pick her up and carry her.

Sigh, I didn't want to vote because fuck giving /qst/ traffic. But that last scene was too fucking cute for me to handle.

>>58347
People are still adjusting and fighting over whether quests should be on /qst/ or /tg/. Once the battle ends things should pick back up.
Besides, it's not that hard to samefag even with IDs. Anyone whose phone has built-in internet can do it.

>>58365
Think of it this way: you're not giving /qst/ traffic. You're giving Exalted Quest traffic.

>>58368
That's still a lot harder. As in, it takes some effort when it didn't take any effort before.

>>58342
>>Pick her up and carry her.
Semm we will need a shitton of 5 dot earth manses

>>58342
>Leave her behind, sneak out on your own. (p+n)

>>58371
I would love to do that on /tg/ and not here. But here we are.

Rolled 9, 10 = 19 (2d10)

>>58342
>Pick her up and carry her.

File: millian lightcloud.jpg (130 KB, 850x1202)

130 KB JPG

You can't wake her up.

She's not even particularly tired. You know that Tia is actually even more sturdy and with more endurance than you. It seems she just... fell asleep.

You can tell that she wakes up the moment you leave the bed, but keeps pretending to sleep. You oblige, picking up Skullopener, her daiklave, from her stuff and...

...well, that's pretty much it. She doesn't carry anything with her, usually anyway. Her sword and that's it. Her white dress is amazingly sturdy and seems to repair itself when damaged. You're pretty sure it's a minor artifact of some kind, but you never really asked her. And, being a shapeshifter, and a pretty damn good one at that, there isn't much she actually NEEDS.

"Good morning." Millian, your maid, shows up on your doorstep, with impeccable timing.

You put a finger over your hips and hiss softly, and she gets the message. Well, Tia isn't really sleeping, but she doesn't know. She lowers her voice obligingly.

"I've made you some food for the trip." She helpfully offers, pushing a small cart in the room. Wooden boxes tightly wrapped and tied by cloth strips fill it.

"That's quite a bit of stuff, Milly."

"It's four days for five people, right?" She replies.

"Well, yes, but I don't need to eat so much-"

"We've already established that you do need to eat, lady Maka." She replies, visibly annoyed. "Otherwise you'd end up losing all of your precious fatty tissues."

"Are you calling your mistress fat?" You joke, but she keeps a perfectly straight face.

"In any case, this is for everyone. Please don't neglect your health, and don't let anyone making the trip with you do it either.

The mixed smell of fruit, spices, salt and roasted fish wafts from the boxes, even though they're closed. It's definitely delicious.

You finish your preparations, wearing your Smashfists and God-Kicking Boots, and then you gently pick up Tia from the bed (she still pretends to be asleep), as Millian puts all those boxes in a large bag and ties it to your back (using a chair to reach up to it).

"Thank you, Millian."

"Have a safe journey."

>Head straight to the appointment with Valeriana and the others on the Manse's rooftop.
>There's something else I need to bring with me... (what?)

>>58425
>>There's something else I need to bring with me... (what?)
Should we take the Swift Rider just in case?

Also that's super rude Milly, those are important

>>58347
There aren't nearly as many unique IPs. It's a genuine reduction - a cooling effect that all of the anti-/qst/ crowd had always predicted.

>>58425
>There's something else I need to bring with me... (what?)
Yeah, the Swift Rider couldn't hurt.

>>58425
>>Head straight to the appointment with Valeriana and the others on the Manse's rooftop.
Millian is best maid.

>>58425
>>There's something else I need to bring with me... (what?)

Yeah grab the swift rider in suitcase form.

>>58425
>There's something else I need to bring with me... (what?)

Sure, let's grab the Swift Rider.
And change into stud!Maka so Tia can get a proper princess carry.

>>58425
>Head straight to the appointment with Valeriana and the others on the Manse's rooftop.
>Kiss their foreheads

>>58447
Gonna go with no on the gender swap.

>>58425
>>Head straight to the appointment with Valeriana and the others on the Manse's rooftop.

>>58425
>You put a finger over your hips and hiss softly
Super fucking lewd

>>58474
Right?

>>58450
Second this.

File: Mikahil.png (1.07 MB, 727x1028)

1.07 MB PNG

Right, the Swift Rider. You never know. And hey, you DO have a hearthstone to power it with now.

Even though you'd have to take the stone out of your Smashfists to do that. Hey, you could. Honestly you don't think you'll have the NEED to change your gender now or in the immediate future, so yeah.

However, you reach a brief impasse: with both of your arms busy carrying Tia and her daiklave, you can't ALSO pick up the suitcase right away.

After thinking about it for a bit, you instead hook it with a foot, kick it up and balance it on your head.

Heading up the stairs and out on the Manse's rooftop, you meet with the rest of your circle. Karas, Mikahil and Valeriana are there. They all act with hilarity seeing you. Even Tia, in your arms, starts giggling by association.

"Very funny." You reply, headbutting the metal suitcase at Mikahil, who deftly catches it in mid-air.

He's wearing his travel getup, with a dark cloak and a crimson scarf around his neck. Despite his pale and normally sickly complexion, he still manages to nail the dashing, adventurous look with so little. That's Eclipses for you. "Your backpack smells delicious."

"Courtesy of Millian." You reply, putting Tia down back on her feet. "That girl's an angel."

"Don't let her catch you saying that." He giggles.

"Alright, a particularly sarcastic angel." You conclude.

The first rays of light from the morning sun pierce through the ocean.

"It's time." Valeriana claps her hands. "Give me some space."

You all step back. Karas gives her, then you, then back at her, a rather suspicious glance.

(cont.)

File: Valeriana Kava.jpg (396 KB, 850x1420)

396 KB JPG

Valeriana raises both her hands, and a stiff wind gathers around her. For a moment, you feel like those winds, somehow, carry the scents and lights of all of Creation with them.

"Gentle flowing wind, you who have traversed countless valleys and mountains, cities and oceans. By the words and oaths of our ancient deal, come to me and gather cloud and lightning." She chants. Her words carry an echo of deep power, and a deep, thunderous roar underlines them. The clear sky is instantly covered in very low clouds, marvelously backlit by the rising sun.

The wind carries to her streams of cloud-stuff, white steam, vapor charged with sparks of electricity. In a few seconds, you find yourself embedded in a thick bank of mist, so thick you can barely see Tia, standing right next to you. All your hairs stand on end from the static.

"Listen to the song, the dance and heartbeat of the skies, the dreams of the sea, and from the words of the oath that echoes from Brigid across eternity, forge my will under the rays of the dawning Sun. Grant me what I desire, for I wear the cloak and the girdle, I carry the gem upon my brow, and the Sword of Ice resides in my hand, and the power of the phoenix in my words."

Immediately, a second gust of wind scatters and compresses the fog. You see its tendrils flowing around you, concentrating in a shape...

"Grant to me a ride which soars over Creation, and horses fit to pull it." The sorceress concludes the spell, and it takes shape.

From the fog emerges a chariot made from exquisite lacquered wood (or is it steel, perhaps?), painted in the colors of the sky: gold and silver accents inlaid over every single hue of blue that you've ever seen. It has no wheels, instead floating over a vague, foggy cloud a handful of centimeters off the ground

Four magnificent horses pull it. They are made from clouds and steam and thunder. Lightning burns in their lively eyes, steam flows out of their nostrils with every breath, and an air of ice hangs around them. Wherever their hooves touch the ground, perfect circles of frost slowly radiate.

The chariot is half-open, like a war chariot, but large enough to carry four. There's space for a little bit of baggage, and for the passengers to sit, but not much.

"Alright." Karas nods. "I'm impressed."

Valeriana smiles. "Get on." She says, jumping on the conductor's seat and holding the reins delicately, a slender strip of black silk that seems to have a life of its own.

You put your baggage on the chariot, and follow her. It's really quite cramped.

>Where are we making our first stop?
>Take it easy.
>Full speed ahead, driver.
>(other?)

>>58518
>Where are we making our first stop?
>Full speed ahead, driver.

>>58518
>>Full speed ahead, driver.
>Where are we making our first stop?

>>58518
>>Where are we making our first stop?
Was all that in Old Realm?

>>58534
>Was all that in Old Realm?

Yes.

>>58541
Spooky

>>58518
>Where are we making our first stop?
>Full speed ahead, driver.

>>58518
>>Where are we making our first stop?
>Full speed ahead, driver.

>>58518
>Full speed ahead, driver.
>Where are we making our first stop?

>>58518
>>Full speed ahead, driver.
>>Where are we making our first stop?

(brief AFK)

>>58613
We'll be here EF

File: worldmap.jpg (623 KB, 1920x1152)

623 KB JPG

"Alright. Full speed ahead, driver!" You fistpump in the air.

"You said it." Valeriana grins.

The next thing you know, Tianna has vanished under your feet and a gust of wind with roughly the force of a sledgehammer has hit you in the head so hard that you feel like it's going to peel your skin clean and expose your skull.

You struggle to regain your bearings. WHERE IS THE ISLAND?

You look all around: you're flying in mid-air, about a hundred meters above the ocean. A tiny atoll flashes by below you and past you at a speed that you have trouble processing.

You turn around, gently shoving Karas' head aside to see better.

"Hey!"

There's Tianna. Behind you already, and getting smaller.

"H...how fast are we going?" You wonder. Karas seems just as amazed. Tia seems only mildly impressed, and Mikahil is nonplussed.

He's the one answering your question: I and Val tested it out a couple days ago. The Azure Chariot travels at two hundred miles per hour."

"TWO HUNDRED." Karas shakes his head. "That can't be right."

"I said I checked." Mikahil won't tolerate anyone saying otherwise.

You quickly do some math in your head. "...Whoa." You realize.

"Yes." Val nods, smugly. "Pretty cool, huh?"

"Where are we stopping? Even at this speed, we won't be reaching the mainland before dusk, right?" You ask.

"No, we won't. Besides, even if we have technically twelve hours of sunlight, it's better to be a bit prudent." Mika explains. "Like I said, we did trials, and we found out a few things. First of all, that even for Val, it's hard to drive the chariot for twelve hours straight."

She cracks her neck. "I mean, I could probably do it, but it's really a good idea to take a few breaks throughout the day. It's a lot harder to drive than a regular chariot."

"Second." The Eclipse continues. "It's really hard to go in a straight line. At this speed, getting lost is really easy. So you don't go full speed all the time, and you correct your route whenever you spot an error." He produces a large folded map, which flaps almost uncontrollably in the savage winds. "Which is why, on long trips, a good sorceror will need a navigator."

He spreads out the map, takes out of his pockets a drawing compass with a red pencil for a tip, and, fixing the center on Tianna, draws a circle.

...You're not entirely sure how he managed to do that. The wind here is so strong that you're amazed your teeth are not flying around.

"So, 200 miles per hour times 12 hours of daylight is 2400 miles in a day, but let's account for breaks, careful navigation, and losing and finding your way, plus any problems that might happen along the way, and we have a safer estimate of 2000 miles in a day. Therefore..." He traces one finger along the border of the circle on the map. "...This is how far we can travel in one day."

"Wow." You mumble. "Up to the Realm."

"...Well, yeah, but we're not going there." Karas points out. "That'd be bad."

(cont.)

>>58698
>"...Well, yeah, but we're not going there." Karas points out. "That'd be bad."
Oh come on, we'd be fine.

>>58698
>That Tianna
Cute, EF.

>>58698
How big is the fucking Titan?

It's not the whole island or is it in fact bigger than I thought it was?

File: Karas.jpg (265 KB, 686x1000)

265 KB JPG

"Exactly." Mika points out. "We're heading for Wavecrest for our first stop. What do you think?"

>Head straight for Abalone the largest island of the West and capital of the Wavecrest Archipelago.
>Head for Halcyon, a secondary island near Abalone, famous for being rich, fertile, and beautiful.
>Look for an inhabited islet where to crash for the night. Something civilized but not crowded.
>It's best to find an uninhabited island and spend the night there, I think.
>(Other?)

(Keep in mind that i used that map because that's the one I have, but, of course, Miakhil wouldn't have a map where certain "secret" locations are recorded, like Luthe and such.)

>>58729
It's in scale.

>>58737
It's not that big, obviously. The island is much larger. Which is why there was such a discussion threads ago about how it would be really difficult to make sure that, if it takes off, the entire island follows it without coming apart.

>>58751
>>Head for Halcyon, a secondary island near Abalone, famous for being rich, fertile, and beautiful.

>>58751
If I remember right, isn't Wavecrest a Realm satrapy?

>(Keep in mind that i used that map because that's the one I have, but, of course, Miakhil wouldn't have a map where certain "secret" locations are recorded, like Luthe and such.)
I wouldn't be surprised honestly

>>58751
>Head for Halcyon, a secondary island near Abalone, famous for being rich, fertile, and beautiful.
It's Maka, Island edition.

>>58751
>Head for Halcyon, a secondary island near Abalone, famous for being rich, fertile, and beautiful.

>>58771
It really is Maka in island form. Those nice tracks of land

>>58758
>If I remember right, isn't Wavecrest a Realm satrapy?

It is, though it's ruled very lightly, much like the Neck.
However, it's worth far more in the eyes of the Realm than the Neck is, since it's the West's, and one of Creation's, breadbaskets. The Realm has a far stronger presence here.

Since the Empress has disappeared, they've been cutting down on the tribute, though.

I forgot to mention this, but feel free to ask Mikahil about details if you want.

>>58751
Which makes the idea of an intact Tianna flying on the back of a the Titan even more breathtaking.

>>58751
>>Head for Halcyon, a secondary island near Abalone, famous for being rich, fertile, and beautiful.

>>58800
Ask him which island is least likely to have a Wyld Hunt on us before we can fuck off

>>58800
Huh, you'd think whatever realm house nominally has the satrapy of Wavecrest would be angling to squeeze as much food out of it in tribute as possible to feed their forces for the upcoming civil war.

>>58698
For some reason I always assumed Tianna was a bit further South. More below the Neck than next to it.

>>58751
>Head straight for Abalone the largest island of the West and capital of the Wavecrest Archipelago.
What could possibly go wrong?

Oh, hey, I totally forgot to check /qst/.

>>58541
Did Maka learn Old Realm at some point? I still had that on my mental list of things to do.

>>58751
>Head for Halcyon, a secondary island near Abalone, famous for being rich, fertile, and beautiful.

All that aside, best to avoid the relatively urban area if we just intend to camp out for a night, then keep moving. No sense attracting attention.

>>58813
That's the issue, it's not in the hand of a specific house. They pay their tribute to the Throne directly, which is why they feel entitled to slack on that: because she's not there anymore.

Currently, House Mnemon is the one with the tightest control on Wavecrest. The current Satrap, Mnemon Dithrem, is known for being a skilled sailor but a bad diplomat.

>>58807
>Ask him which island is least likely to have a Wyld Hunt on us before we can fuck off
His reply is "The one where we're least likely to be noticed."

>>58833
>Did Maka learn Old Realm at some point? I still had that on my mental list of things to do.

She's not super fluent, but she gets most of it. In CEFR terms, she'd be a B2.

>>58833
>Did Maka learn Old Realm at some point? I still had that on my mental list of things to do.
She learned it when we upped our Twilight from 2 to 3, whenever that was.

>>58857
Our Eclipse you mean

>>58751
>Look for an inhabited islet where to crash for the night. Something civilized but not crowded.

>>58836
>His reply is "The one where we're least likely to be noticed."
I'm sure that'll go great with our big ass golden gloves and boots

Has a certain orca totem lunar been up to strange stuff recently ?

>>58875
You ask Tia and she just shrugs, with no idea who you're talking about.

>>58861
I always forget which one Linguistics is under for some reason.

For the rest of the day, you fly across the sky at terrifying speeds. It's exhilarating.

When the sun is slowly starting to approach the end of its journey, Valeriana brings the Chariot lower, almost skimming the surface of the calm ocean, and slows down. "We're approaching northern Wavecrest." She explains. "There's a lot of traffic here, and I'd rather be discreet."

"Good point." Karas nods."

Several islands lie ahead, and all around you. They are green and brown, rich, fertile volcanic islands, all sporting the distinct profile of a fat, flat volcano in their center.

One of them strikes you as particularly greener and larger than the others. Even from afar, you can see its bright colors shining in the sun.

Sandwiched between two other islands, Halcyon stand before you, a small gem of the seas. You can see a port town along the coast, the inland cleanly split in various fenced-out farmed patches, and numerous well-ordered orchards with trees arranged in ranks and files.

Valeriana glances at you. It's still a couple hours before sunset. What should you do?

>Terminate the spell early and swim to shore.
>Reach the island, try not to draw attention. Land somewhere inconspicuous.
>Reach the island, ask for hospitality in a farm or country house.
>Reach the island and land in the middle of town.
>Wait for the sun to be just about to set before moving in.
>(Other?)

>>58973
>>Reach the island, try not to draw attention. Land somewhere inconspicuous.

>>58973
>>Reach the island, try not to draw attention. Land somewhere inconspicuous.

>>58973
>>Reach the island, try not to draw attention. Land somewhere inconspicuous.
How the hell is Maka suppose to do inconspicuous

>>58989
"IGNORE ME!"

>>58973
>Reach the island, try not to draw attention. Land somewhere inconspicuous.

>>58973
Let's combine
>Reach the island, try not to draw attention. Land somewhere inconspicuous.
and
>Wait for the sun to be just about to set before moving in.

These seem compatible.

>>58973
>>Reach the island, try not to draw attention. Land somewhere inconspicuous.

>>58989
>How the hell is Maka suppose to do inconspicuous
I'm trying to figure out whether it would be easier for Maka to blend in with something like #9 that at least kinda looks normal, or something like #14, where there is no way anyone would be looking at our face to be able to recognize us.

>>59016
>"Wait a second, I recognise that giant ambulatory pair of breasts! HOLY SHIT ANATHEMA!"

You suggest to Val that she land somewhere that doesn't draw any attention.

"I'll just park the heavenly magical flying chariot pulled by horses made out of clouds and lightning next to that bush, no one will notice it." She jokes.

You fly into the island, wondering, even at the speed you're moving, how many people are going to spot you, and Valeriana cancels the spell just a second after stopping in mid-air right outside the fenced-in area of a small coca farm.

You all drop to your feet in the high grass, on the other side of the fence, surrounded by wild palm trees.

This is where the farmland stops and the mountainous area rising up towards the top of the volcano begins, where the terrain is too sloped for proper farm work. The mountaintop is south, and north of here it's all farmland, split in squares and rectangles, all borders marked by tall wooden fences.

Not too far from where you are, a dirt road connects the port town north of you to some other location further inland, up the volcano to the south. A nearby intersection sports a third road going east, where you can see, in the distance, a rich countryside mansion surrounded by a vast expanse of well-tended farmland.

Just as you get your bearings, you turn and see a dark-skinned woman, a local islander looking to be around her 40s, wearing a simple bright green tunic and a sash. She's walking around with a guard dog on her leash, a tough-looking, nasty beast. And she's gaping at you and your group, shocked.

The dog looks just as shocked.

>Oh crap. Let's run inland and hide in the bush, guys. (i+n)
>It's alright, lady. There's nothing to be worried about. (s+z)
>Try to grab her before she can do something silly like run away screaming. (p+d)
>Try to scare her off. (s+z)
>Ask her for hospitality. (s+z)
>(other?)

(but yeah this would also be a good time to decide what you're wearing so i can think better how people react. I'll assume that all weapons and items made from obviously magical materials are not obviously worn because you're not idiots)

>>59074
>>(other?)
Hey howya doin?

Rolled 1, 7 = 8 (2d10)

>>59074
>>It's alright, lady. There's nothing to be worried about. (s+z)
And I'd say #01, It's distracting, but not abnormal.

Rolled 5, 7 = 12 (2d10)

>>59074
>>It's alright, lady. There's nothing to be worried about. (s+z)

Rolled 10, 6 = 16 (2d10)

>>59074
>>It's alright, lady. There's nothing to be worried about. (s+z)

I'd say one or two

Rolled 2, 9 = 11 (2d10)

>>59074
>It's alright, lady. There's nothing to be worried about. (s+z)
>>59088
Yeah, 01 sounds good. It is our "official" priestess outfit if we need a cover story

>>59088
>>59101
Only problem with one is I'm not sure we fit 100% after the last bust increase.

Rolled 2, 6 = 8 (2d10)

>>59074
>It's alright, lady. There's nothing to be worried about. (s+z)

I want to go for the hospitality angle, but it occurs to me that an island-based culture might not have the "hospitality to travelers" meme as much as a continental culture, so it might be best to leave that angle for after first impressions are made.

Rolled 6, 6 = 12 (2d10)

>>59074
>>It's alright, lady. There's nothing to be worried about. (s+z)
Just some Terrestrial heading into town, you saw the magic right?
Quick, pop TGP too

>>59101
Wandering Priestess sounds like a good cover story, I'll second #1

Rolled 4, 1 = 5 (2d10)

>>59074
>It's alright, lady. There's nothing to be worried about. (s+z)

Rolled 6, 8 = 14 (2d10)

>>59105
That's even better.

Thinking about it, we have enough XP to buy the Elsewhere charm right now if we want to hide our artifacts. I mean if EF lets us do that.

Rolled 7, 8 = 15 (2d10)

>>59074
>It's alright, lady. There's nothing to be worried about. (s+z)

>>59116
>Thinking about it, we have enough XP to buy the Elsewhere charm right now if we want to hide our artifacts. I mean if EF lets us do that.
Hey we do, neat. That's been on my list of "stuff I think we should buy" for awhile now, but I keep getting distracted by and voting for Zenith charms.

[s+z= 1 7 5 7 10 6 2 9 2 6 6 6 = 5 successes]

Reaction time.

Tia is nonplussed. Karas is worried, and his first instinct is to hide behind a palm tree. Mikahil seems fairly confident. Valeriana does a little girly cry in surprise that she's probably immediately ashamed of.

You lift your hands and try to reassure the woman. "It's alright, there's nothing to be worried about, miss." You start. You have the feeling that Mika was about to take charge if you didn't, but he's content to let you handle this. "We're just passing by. Is this your farm?"

He follows your pointing finger, then back at you, still deep into shock. Evidently it is.

"It's a nice farm." You nod.

She seems to regain her wits. Her knees tremble.

"...A-are you gods?" She asks, a note of fear in her voice.

>Deny, make up some outrageous lie.
>Deny, make up a believable story.
>Yes, we are gods.
>Be honest but vague.
>Let Mikahil handle it.
>(other?)

Combined with:

>ALRIGHT GOODBYE *run away*
>Ask for hospitality.
>Ask for secrecy.
>Ask for directions.
>Ask for the latest news.
>Make small chat, say goodbye, leave. (for where?)
>(other?)

>>59152
>Be honest but vague.
>Ask for hospitality.

File: 6UYIN3o.jpg (900 KB, 900x1273)

900 KB JPG

Forgot to mention: you're wearing dress #1.

>>59152
>>Be honest but vague.
>Ask for hospitality.

>>59152
>Be honest but vague.
>Ask for directions.

>>59152
>Deny, make up a believable story.
>>59161
Since we decided on #1 I say we go with "priestess and her entourage."
It's not even really a lie.

>>59152
>>Be honest but vague.
"No, we are the servants of gods."

>Ask for secrecy.

>>59152
>>Be honest but vague.
Like >>59168 said, "priestess and her enterouge" isn't really a lie so much as it is an understatement.

>>59152
>>Be honest but vague.
>>Ask for secrecy.
>>Ask for directions.
>>Ask for the latest news.

>>59152
Be honest but vague.
Ask for the latest new.

"Pssshhh." You giggle with a dismissive gesture. "No, no, of course not! We are but a wandering priestess and her entourage."

"B-but... I saw..." The poor woman mumbles. The god starts barking.

"Our friend Val here is a skilled sorceress who provides us with transportation." You reassure her. "We had to stop, because her spell was running out. If we shocked you, we're sorry, we didn't intend to cause problems to anyone." You look around. "Are we in Halcyon?"

The question shakes the woman out of her trance. "Ah- AH! no- I mean, yes, you're in Halcyon, just south of Crescent!" And she points at the road leading south. "Is it there you're directed?"

"Ah, unfortunately our trip is not over yet, we still have a long way to go. We were looking for a place where to stop until tomorrow morning. Possibly without, uh, news of our passage spreading... We're trying to not cause a fuss."

The woman lowers her head. "If you wish, you can stop by my house."

"...Really?" You wonder, surprised. "Won't it be a bother?"

"No bother at all, hospitality is a sacred duty." She bows deeply. You have the feeling that she's still treating you as gods, even after your denial. "Please, my humble house is not much, but make yourselves at home!"

>Accept
>Refuse
>We need to discuss it among ourselves, one moment
>(other?)

>>59242
>>We need to discuss it among ourselves, one moment

>>59242
>Accept
Cool.

>>59242
>Accept

Accept

>>59242
>>Accept

>>59242
>Accept

>>59242
>The god starts barking.
So, she has a god on a leash, kinky.

>>59242
>>Accept

>>59274
Can't wait to see what she has for us in her house.

>>59274
Impressive too

>>59274
She was also a man at one point
>>59152
>He follows your pointing finger, then back at you, still deep into shock.
Really, we've found quite a farmer here.

>>59274
>>59291

*headdesk*

This is what I get for not rereading that post.

>>59302
Uh-huh.

We're already on to your plan of having us stay with a Lunar who keeps a god on a leash and accidentally switched forms for a moment.

>>59242
>>Accept

>>59242
>Accept

Still laughing.. XD

You glance at your circlemates, then turn back to the woman.

"We'll accept your hospitality. Thank you." You bow politely.

"Come on, come on in." He leads you around the fence and in her house.

Well, it's not much, you'll agree with her, but it's not terrible either. The pavement is just dirt, and the walls wood, but it seems sturdy. It's built round, around a central firepit, with a small low table and some furniture, like a cupboard and a rack for farming and gardening tools. Half of the circle is walled out and with a door, leading to the bedrooms you'd imagine. A small child, no older than four, peeks at you suspiciously from behind that door.

The curtains are amazingly colorful, and catch your eye. The table cloth and anything else made from fabric, in fact, including the little girl's dress and various small charms and decorations hanging from the roof, are amazingly bright, with poppy hues and either pure or printed in catchy abstracted patterns.

"My husband and son are out fishing for the rest of the day." She explains, probably interpreting your glance around the house for an unspoken question. "I hope they make it back home safely." She gestures for the child to come out of her hiding place, but she doesn't. "This is Kivall. Oh, my name is Ashale. Are you hungry or thirsty?"

>Accept the offer, thank her
>Offer her some of your own food instead
>Accept the offer and offer her some of your own food in exchange
>We're fine, thank you.
>Ask her some questions, strike up a conversation.
>Just ask for a place where to sleep
>(Other?)

>>59371
>>Accept the offer and offer her some of your own food in exchange

>Ask her some questions, strike up a conversation.

>>59371
>Accept the offer, thank her