>>4014254
>>Turn your head to the army behind you

>>4014254
>Turn your head to the army behind you

>>4014254
>Turn your head to the army behind you

>>4014254
>>Study the castle ahead of you

>>4014254
>Turn your head to the army behind you
>[s]realize you’re in your underwear

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>>4014260
>>4014271
>>4014286
>>4014352
>Turn your head to the army behind you
The warriors behind you stand ready for battle, withstanding the cold through the heat of their passion. The amount of clans gathered on your side of the civil war was always too many to remember all their names. You simply knew them as your fellow...

>Royalists
>Communists
>Theocrats
>Technocrats
>Magocrats
>Separatists
>Militants
>Libertarians
>Write-in

>centrists

>>4014459
>>4014477
Centrists

>>4014459
>Theocrats

>>4014459
>>Theocrats

>>4014477
>>4014481
>>4014503
>>4014525
>Centrists
>Theocrats
The Divine Morality. Work not towards worldly ideals, but towards hope for a better tomorrow where it is on the soil as it is among the stars. This is how your Sacred lead the country to live. Live as the Ascended, your actions coming from the morality inherent in your soul, and Ascended you shall become. If war is to bring utopia, then war will be waged.

(Perk Gained: Compass of the Soul)
- Whenever the long road forwards is obfuscated by greyness and confusion, you may meditate and look to your compass to guide you down your Moral path.

General Saru nods to you as he catches your gaze. He will soon give you the order to march on Tonbo Castle. Moralist soldiers stare holes into the castle from their ranks.
>Study the castle ahead of you
>Look towards the sky above
>Descend the short, rocky cliff and march towards the fortress
>Write-in

>>4014693
>Hold a speech for the soldiers
Gotta motivate them

>>4014701
+1

>>4014693
>Write-in

With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth?
HEAVEN signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons.
EARTH comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death.

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>>4014701
>>4014708
>Hold a speech for the soldiers
You turn to the Divine Moralist forces and speak of what is to come. Nothing so mundane as the siege of Tonbo Castle, no, but instead of the divine future, the Utopia, that awaits your people. Be it a day from now, a week from now, a month, a year, a decade, century, millennium. Whatever time it may take, it will come. All of this is merely a step in the path towards the perfect future.
You slide your tessen into your belt and take the salute of the Divine Morality, placing your left hand over your soul and reaching towards the stars above with your right. If you should fall in battle with the Tonbo champion, you know you will be remembered by the earth and the stars you are returned to. Fear not death, for every place one of you is struck down will forever be land claimed by the Divine Morality. If you are marked to die, then let you be returned. If to live, then the honor shared by this war will be a hue on your name, clan, and country.
The already impatient Moralists give a cheer, increasing their zeal tenfold

The general raises a signal fan, urging you to your duty
>Study the castle ahead of you
>Look towards the sky above
>Descend the short, rocky cliff and march towards the fortress
>Write-in

>>4014855
>Descend the short, rocky cliff and march towards the fortress
You better Naruto run, believe it!

>>4014855
>Descend the short, rocky cliff and march towards the fortress

>>4014855
>>4014855
>Descend the short, rocky cliff and march towards the fortress

>>4014855
>>Look towards the sky above

>>4014867
>>4015034
>>4015041
>Descend the short, rocky cliff and march towards the fortress
Using one of the large wooden ramps the Moralists have set up, you make your way down and enter the large, snowy field in front of the castle. You feel the eyes of every soldier from both sides put their eyes on you. It's a weighty pressure, but nothing you cannot match with a strong posture.

As you reach the middle of the field, the gates open and the Tonbo champion steps out to do the same.
>Size up your opponent
>Study the castle ahead of you
>Look towards the sky above
>Write-in

>>4015540
>Size up your opponent
then
>Taunt the motherfucker!

>>4015540
>Size up your opponent

>>4015540
>>Size up your opponent

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>>4015582
>>4015586
>>4015632
>Size up your opponent
This is their champion? He's barely older than yourself. The Voluntists, with their western ideals of will free of the stars and fate itself, sink deep it seems.
You laugh and ask the boy-champion if those Amorals have started sending children to fight you. He does not answer, merely taking up a stance with his naginata. "I pray you will find the utopia you look for in the afterlife. You will not find it here.", he says.

>Take hold of your tessen and prepare for battle
>Ask why the Voluntists refuse to accept the Divine Morality
>Ask why the champion fights.
>Draw your tessen and surprise him with an early attack
>Write-in

>>4015775
>Ask why the Voluntists refuse to accept the Divine Morality

>>4015775
>Draw your tessen and surprise him with an early attack

>>4015775
>>Take hold of your tessen and prepare for battle

>>4015775
>Draw your tessen and surprise him with an early attack

HESITATION IS DEFEAT

>>4015775
>Draw your tessen and surprise him with an early attack
SNEAK ATTACK! SHA!

>>4015775
>Take hold of your tessen and prepare for battle
No need for words. Us standing before one another is reason enough.

>>4015955
>>4015984
>>4016162
>Draw your tessen and surprise him with an early attack
You dash forwards and knock the blade of his weapon away before jabbing your war fan towards the warrior’s gut. The wooden body armor underneath his cloth gives a thunk as he staggers back. An underhanded tactic, but one that brings you closer to victory.
Something changes in the wind, the air of battle shifts.

The young champion puts a hand to his stomach and catches his breath
>No mercy for traitors against the stars! Relentless strikes with your tessen!
>Allow him to regain his posture before striking
>Trip and pin the champion and order him to submit
>Write-in

>>4016243
>Allow him to regain his posture before striking
This whole thing will be pointless unless definitively

>>4016243
>Allow him to regain his posture before striking
Let us see who's conviction is greater

>>4016243
>Trip and pin the champion and order him to submit

>>4016243
>Trip and pin the champion and order him to submit

>>4016243
>Allow him to regain his posture before striking

>>4016243
>Allow him to regain his posture before striking

>>4016263
>>4016290
>>4016325
>>4016329
>Allow him to regain his posture before striking
He glares at you from under his hat as he lets out a hard breath through gritted teeth. His hands regain their grip on the shaft of his weapon before he thrusts it forwards! His form in inexpert, clumsy, but his passion nearly exceeds your own

>Deflect with your fan and strike fatally
>Just keep deflecting his attacks
>Catch his naginata and disarm him
>Dodge past his weapon and and take him to the ground
>Write-in

>>4016580
>Deflect with your fan and strike fatally

His passion will be rewarded with an honorable death.

>>4016580
>Deflect with your fan and strike fatally

>>4016580
>Deflect with your fan and strike fatally
Time to finish this

>>4016580
>>Catch his naginata and disarm him

>>4016580
>Deflect with your fan and strike fatally

>>4016580
>>Catch his naginata and disarm him

>>4016580
>>Catch his naginata and disarm him

>>4016580
>>Catch his naginata and disarm him

>>4016584
>>4016589
>>4016606
>>4016620
>Deflect with your fan and strike fatally
The weapon is knocked away once again with a flourish of your tessen. Using the full face of the fan, you create an opening for yourself in his defenses.
As quick as it was opened, the fan closes and the handle is stabbed into the young man’s eye. The fountain stains your armor, feeding the hungry mouth guard you wear with a cry of agony. He dies for his people. In vain, through Moralist eyes.

A young patriot lies at your feet, holding his eye as the lights in his mind blink off one by one
>Return him to the earth and stars
>Led him suffer in his godless pain
>Offer words of comfort for one so passionate
>Return to your people and prepare for the siege
>Write-in

>>4017083
>Offer words of comfort for one so passionate

>>4017083
>Taunt him
Did he really think he could defy Divine Will?

>>4017083
>>Offer words of comfort for one so passionate

>>4017083
>Offer words of comfort for one so passionate

>>4017083
>Offer words of comfort for one so passionate
The life you have not yet lived will be returned to you, one of boundless passion.

>>4017083
>>Offer words of comfort for one so passionate

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>>4017102
>>4017144
>>4017145
>>4017148
>>4017154
>Offer words of comfort for one so passionate
You kneel by his side rest his weapon on his arms, letting him die as a warrior should. His hand clutches the wood while hugging the polearm against himself.
You tell him that the life stolen from him by this conflict will be returned. His passion will see to that. The nameless Voluntist's mouth quivers in effort to shape the proper words.
"m...ay you co... me to se... e the trut...h of the wor..ld."
He weakly shakes his head from side to side in the snow.
Light parts the clouds and streams onto your face. The bumping of wagon wheels like that of the thunderous footfalls of the Moralists as they charged.

"fate is never sealed. as long as your volition persists, for not even gods can match the power of the will."
>More Amoralist ramblings, the Ascended are the ultimate power of this world. Dismiss them again as you have every night.
>Quietly accept his words, keeping your thoughts on free will to yourself once more.
>Do not accept his ideals, but question your own in your sleep. If one can hold such fire against the gods, they may not be wholly just.
>Stir awake and digest his words another time
>Write-in

>>4017516
>More Amoralist ramblings, the Ascended are the ultimate power of this world. Dismiss them again as you have every night.

>>4017516
>>More Amoralist ramblings, the Ascended are the ultimate power of this world. Dismiss them again as you have every night.

>>4017516
>>More Amoralist ramblings, the Ascended are the ultimate power of this world. Dismiss them again as you have every night.

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>>4017539
>>4017613
>>4017614
>More Amoralist ramblings, the Ascended are the ultimate power of this world. Dismiss them again as you have every night.
You won't be shaken. Your faith is firm-set as a mountain. Taking one hard bump forces you to open your eyes at last.

You are an Eastern Ronin, currently on a ride to participate in the Tournoi de Ophelie. The road has been several days long, but you should soon arrive some time today. You blink as the sun assaults your peepers, sneaking through the tiny slits in your hat, forcing you to rub the sleep out of them for a little respite.
Around you are fighters of equal repute as yourself, that being quite little. The more famous among you have already gotten in or rented out private carriages for added luxury.

You yawn and take in your surroundings
>Look to the others sharing your wagon ride
>Check yourself over, making sure every limb is in its proper place
>Scan the convoy to see what you might be up against in Ophelie
>Write-in

>>4017784
>Look to the others sharing your wagon ride
If there's a blond bearded guy, a horse thief and the Jarl of Windhelm commit seppuku.

>>4017784
>Look to the others sharing your wagon ride

>>4017784
>Look to the others sharing your wagon ride

>>4017784
>>Scan the convoy to see what you might be up against in Ophelie

>>4017793
>>4018281
>>4019041
>Look to the others sharing your wagon ride
"Hey, you. You're finally awake."
The speaker, a man in well-worn armor, and thick raggedy cloth where he couldn't afford metal, sits opposite you. He looks to be an off-brand version of some of the knights that occasionally pass you on horseback.
Beside him is a tan mountain of a woman with a rough ginger waterfall of hair flowing down from her head. Her look reminds you of the lower-class citizens of the Phyrus worshippers; farmer-like. The over-sized shovel resting upwards between her legs further helps your assumption.
And to the side of yourself is some one with pointy ears, not unlike knives, and a big bulging bag set under their legs on the floor of the cart. The pointy-eared one seems quite happy to continue napping, thick goggles with blackened lenses over their eyes, no matter how many bumps the wagon takes.

The off-brand knight pats the battered helmet in his lap. "You're coming to the city, right? Well... dumb question. Everyone here is, sorry."
>Address the bargain bin tin and cloth can man
>Get the mountainous farmwoman's attention
>Wake the knife-eared one
>Write-in

>>4019797
>Pretend you don't speak their disgusting tongue so the monkey stops trying to talk to you.

>>4019828
This

>>4019797
>Address the bargain bin tin and cloth can man

>>4019797
>Address the bargain bin tin and cloth can man

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>>4019828
>>4019910
>Pretend you don't speak their disgusting tongue so the monkey stops trying to talk to you.
You scrunch your mouth up at the fumbling of the can's tongue. You say some eastern-sounding gibberish and turn your head away.
The can tilts his head and lets out a long droning sound
"Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..."
He makes a few gestures to try and get his meaning across as he speaks
"No speak Common?"

Ugh
>Sigh
>Shake your head
>Sigh and shake your head
>Relent and speak his language
>Write-in

>>4020133
>Sigh and shake your head

>>4020133
>Relent and speak his language

>>4020133
>>Sigh and shake your head

>>4020133
>>Sigh and shake your head

>>4020133
>Relent and speak his language

>>4020133
>Relent and speak his language

>>4020133
>>Sigh and shake your head

>>4020133
>Sigh and shake your head

>>4020184
>>4020264
>>4020306
>>4020510
>>4020516
>Sigh and shake your head
Such dismissiveness is just what this doofus deserves. He could at least try to look decent, honestly
"Sooo... no? Dang. Hmm..."
With a snap, he fishes around in the sack by his side, and after a moment more he retrieves a rugged notebook! He scribbles something in it, then shows it to you

"Dost thou knowest howe too reade?"
>Nod. If he's so adamant about communicating, at least you won't have to listen to him
>Shake your head again with an even bigger sigh
>Snatch the journal from him
>Write-in

>>4020539
>Nod. If he's so adamant about communicating, at least you won't have to listen to him

>>4020539
>Nod. If he's so adamant about communicating, at least you won't have to listen to him

>>4020539
>Nod. If he's so adamant about communicating, at least you won't have to listen to him

>>4020539
>Nod. If he's so adamant about communicating, at least you won't have to listen to him

>>4020539
>>Shake your head again with an even bigger sigh

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>>4020581
>>4020591
>>4020630
>>4020635
>Nod. If he's so adamant about communicating, at least you won't have to listen to him
"Great!"
He quickly makes another scribble and holds the pages out again
"Beest thou entering the tournamente?"

>Nod again, keeping your silence
>Nod again, and write your answer in his notebook
>Break your hastily-made vow of silence and answer
>Take his notebook
>Write-in

>>4020963
>Nod again, and write your answer in his notebook

>>4020963
>>Nod again, keeping your silence

>>4020963
>Nod again, keeping your silence

>>4020963
>>Nod again, keeping your silence

>>4020972
>>4020982
>>4020993
>Nod again, keeping your silence
"So am I! Oh, um, wait..."
He scribbles once more
"As am I, my ladey. Whate beest thy name?"

>Give him your name in writing
>Tell him your name
>Write a fake name
>Say a fake name
>Refuse him your name
>Write-in

>>4021081
>Give him your name in writing

>>4021081
>>Give him your name in writing
But in moon runes.

>>4021081
>>Tell him your name

>>4021909
Tell him your name

>>4021081
>Give him your name in writing

>Give him your name in writing

>>4021085
>>4021115
>>4021925
>>4021928
>Give him your name in writing
You gesture for and take the can man’s pencil, writing down your name

>Robin
>Tomoe
>Yoshitsune
>Uzume
>Oda
>Izanami
>Goemon
>Inari
>Gyobou
>Write-in

>>4022065
>Tomoe

>>4022065
>Tomoe

>>4022065
>Tomoe

>>4022065
>Tomoe

>>4022065
>>Izanami

>>4022187
+1

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>>4022069
>>4022100
>>4022120
>>4022157
>Tomoe
You scratch down the lines of your name and pass the journal back to him
“...uhhhh. What’s this?”
He scratches his cheek, turns the notebook on its side, then upside down, and all the way around.
“What’s this say? I can read, um, the scritch-scratches. Oh!”
He writes down his words, once again and shows them to you.

>Write in common
>Say it out loud. Technically not speaking his dirty mongrel language
>Shrug. Short and simple
>Write-in

>>4022418
>Write in common

>>4022418
>>Write in common

>>4022418
>>Shrug. Short and simple

>>4022418
>Say it out loud. Technically not speaking his dirty mongrel language

>>4022418
>Write in common

>>4022422
>>4022427
>>4022739
>Write in common
At last the stupid idiot westerner understands. Is it so hard for them to be at least bilingual?
“Toomo?”
...or literate in general?
“Nice name! I’ll look for it on the tournament bracket, eh?”
He grins brightly and draws a check mark next to your name before scribbling again
“Wooldst thou liketh too teame up fore the tournamente? Otheres wille beest doing suche.”
The mountain woman looks over at you two and sighs
MW: “What th’hell’re you tryin’ t’get the slit girl t’do, Llew?”
He puts his hands up innocently towards her
TC: “Just seeing if she wants some friendly faces when we get to Ophelie!”

Seems he’d like to form a band of fighters for the tournament
>Decline his offer
>Accept the company. For now.
>Give your decision later and communicate more
>Write-in

>>4022782
>Decline his offer

>>4022782
>Accept the company. For now.

>>4022782
>>Decline his offer

>>4022782
>Accept the company. For now.

>>4022782
>Accept the company. For now.

Only out of desire to show up the filthy foreigner and prove the superiority of our culture.

>>4022782
>>Decline his offer

>>4022792
>>4022800
>>4022805
>>4022807
>>4022843
>>4022852
>Tied!
You weigh the choices back and forth in you head as the man looks at you with hopeful eyes. The woman meanwhile places a hand on the man’s head. “Look, ya overwhelm’d the poor thin’.”, she says.
MW: “He don't mean no harm. Just a bit dense ‘sall.”
The can waves his hand at the woman’s, trying to bat it away. The effects are negligible.

>Thank the woman for her interjection and go back to being a loner
>Just look away from the two without further words
>Engage the duo in conversation
>Write in

>>4023558
>Just look away from the two without further words

>>4023558
>Engage the duo in conversation

>>4023558
>Stare mysteriously at the pair until they either look away or say something useful.

>>4023616
+1

>>4023616
Changing to this.

>>4023616
+1

>>4023558
>>Just look away from the two without further words

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>>4023616
>>4023647
>>4023672
>>4023846
>Stare mysteriously at the pair until they either look away or say something useful
You conjure up your most mysteriously mysterious gaze of mystery, looking like you could summon a miracle down from the stars at any moment, and hit them with it! Bam!

The two stare at you for a few seconds, paused by confusion. Eventually, the smaller of the two gestures towards you
TC: “See? She’s clearly just lost and confused and needs a few friends in this new country!”
MW: “Oh yeah? An’ what’s she turns outta be some psycho killer?”
TC: “C’mon, look at her! She wouldn’t murder us in our sleep!”
The large woman grumbles as the man gives her a look not unlike a child asking their mother to keep a stray dog that followed them home. She lets out a bull-like sigh through her nose before burying her eyes into her palm
MW: “...fine. Go ‘head an’ ask’er. But’f she says ‘no,’ then no complainin’.”
He pumps his fist be his side and writes you another note

“We woold standeth a greater chance in the tournamente as a teame! What sayeth thee? Prithee answereth in agreemente?”
Then quickly adds a final incentive
“We haveth golde.”
>Gold good. Gold mean food. Mmmm. Accept!
>Hah, they think you will be convinced so easily, with mere gold and companionship? Decline!
>Hmm... having allies is more often than not a good thing. Just hope you won’t have to carry them. Accept.
>Consult your scarf?
>Write-in

>>4024193
>Hmm... having allies is more often than not a good thing. Just hope you won’t have to carry them. Accept.

>>4024193
>>Gold good. Gold mean food. Mmmm. Accept!
Haggling successful.

>>4024193
>>Hah, they think you will be convinced so easily, with mere gold and companionship? Decline!

>>4024193
>Hmm... having allies is more often than not a good thing. Just hope you won’t have to carry them. Accept.

>>4024193
>Consult scarf

>>4024193
>Consult your scarf?

>>4024197
>>4024226
>>4024740
>>4024744
>Hmm... having allies is more often than not a good thing. Just hope you won’t have to carry them. Accept.
>Consult your scarf?
More people usually does make better odds... hmm. Well, in any case, they can pay for your food and bed. Sounds like a solid deal. As you give a check mark next to the duo’s offer, you bring your scarf up to your face and it silently chimes in!
“Oh, I’m so glad to see you’re making friends! Just make sure you’re part of a good crowd, okay? No bad influences, and make good decisions.”
A feeling of tenderness envelops your neck.

TC: “Hey, look! She said she’d do it!”
MW: “That’s great.”
The man looks to you with a grin that gleams excitement and seems to say, “you won’t regret this!”

You very well might.
>Converse with your new teammates.
>Look to the last sleepy occupant of the wagon
>Get rest from this doofness and sleep until you arrive at the city
>Write-in

>>4025198
>Get rest from this doofness and sleep until you arrive at the city

>>4025198
>Get rest from this doofness and sleep until you arrive at the city

>>4025198
>>Get rest from this doofness and sleep until you arrive at the city

>>4025198
>>Get rest from this doofness and sleep until you arrive at the city

>>4025207
>>4025219
>>4025232
>>4025300
>Get rest from this doofness and sleep until you arrive at the city
The sounds of the two westerners babbling in their inelegant tongue about something or other lulls you to sleep once more, spending the rest of the ride in z’s. You’re set to arrive a day earlier than expected, giving you time to spend however you see fit.
When you’re awoken, the tall stone walls and buildings of a city surround you. The other riders in your cart are stepping off and looking around at the new opportunities all around. Goods, services, educations, guilds, and more galore. If you can name it, chances are you’ll find it here. You gather your things and join the can and mountain who beckon you towards them
The air smells of civilization and coastwater, the canopy of a stone jungle hangs overhead, and somewhere your future lies before you.

Welcome to Ophelie, Tomoe
>Explore the city without the two
>Explore the city with your companions
>Ask your new team about Ophelie
>Write-in

>>4025437
>>Explore the city with your companions
>>Ask your new team about Ophelie

>>4025437
>>Explore the city without the two

>>4025437
>>Explore the city without the two

>>4025462
+1

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>>4025462
>>4025625
>>4025629
>>4026418
>Tied
>Ask your new team about Ophelie
Before you decide whether or not to leave them to their own devices, you prompt the can man for his journal and write down your question
TC: “She wants to know about the city.”
MW: “Don't lookit me. Urban livin’s yer thin’.”
He puts his pencil to his lip before speaking aloud as he writes
TC: “It’s a pretty big city with lots of things to do... The square always has something happening in it- oh! The docks are pretty um... low class? Dangerous. Lower Ophelie is dangerous in general. That’s important. Upper Ophelie is like the opposite of that, but the watch is pretty harsh up there though. Inner Ophelie is where all the good shops, I think, and tourist stuff is. Hmm, there’s a big Mages’ building near the castle. Royal academy, I think? Uhhh, what else...”

>Keep listening
>You’ve heard enough, leave the duo behind
>You’ve heard enough, gesture for them to follow you
>Write-in

>Keep listening

>>4026971
>Keep listening

>>4026971
>Keep listening

>>4026971
>>You’ve heard enough, leave the duo behind

>>4026971
>Keep listening

>>4026974
>>4026989
>>4026998
>>4027411
>Keep listening
Scribble, scribble, and scribble some more. Speak, speak, we do implore.
TC: “We’re here at the west gate. Oh yeah! There’s the grand theatre! Supposed to be the nicest one in the country.”
MW: “Ya think she cares ‘bout people in funny outfits ‘n shit?”
TC: “I don’t know what they have over in their side of the world, maybe she is!”
The woman shrugs with a “whatever.”
TC: “There’s the fountain by the square that’s supposed to grant luck... there’s the statue over here on the west side that’s also supposed to grant luck too. Guess people really want to feel lucky, huh?”
MW: “Don’chu?”
TC: “Fair enough. There’s the castle, Chateau Ophelie, but uh people aren’t really allowed there. “Royals only” and “by appointment” type business. There’s farms outside the city walls, kinda boring...”
MW: “Wasn’t there somethin’ out in th’water?”
TC: “The old fort? Eh, that’s abandoned. People aren’t allowed there either.”
He scratches his head and grasps for more things to add

>Keep listening
>Okay, now that’s enough. Time to explore by yourself!
>Good enough for a start. Grab them and head deeper into town!
>Write-in

>>4027461
>>Okay, now that’s enough. Time to explore by yourself!

>>4027461
>>Okay, now that’s enough. Time to explore by yourself!
>Although we should probably ask where we're supposed to meet up, first.

>>4027509
Supporting

>>4027509
Support

>>4027509
>>4027527
>>4027535
>Okay, now that’s enough. Time to explore by yourself! Although, you should probably ask where you're supposed to meet up first.
Before he can add anything more, you motion you take the journal and jot down your question
TC: “Right! Between matches, we’ll sleeping here.”
He unfolds a well-used map and hands it over to you, indicating a square building on the other side of the river by the inner walls.
TC: “It’s a really nice place, soft beds and stuff, tons of rooms. We can pay for yours!”
MW: “We can?”
TC: “F-For a while. At least till the end of the tournament...?”
She stares the man down for a second before giving a shrug of begrudging approval
MW: “Alright, fine.”
TC: “Yeah! So that’s where we’ll all meet!”
With the address in hand, you start to head into the city!
TC: “Oh, um... guess we’ll see you there?”

Now with a map in hand, Ophelie is your oyster. It is currently midday. Where do you go?
>Wander the shady Lower Ophelie
>Promenade around fancy Upper Ophelie
>Take in the sights of the Inner Ophelie market
>Investigate this royal academy for western magicks
>Visit the grand theatre
>Check out the inner city fountain
>See the west side statue
>Gaze upon the Chateau Ophelie
>Tromp through the outer city farms
>Look out over the water towards the old fort
>Write-in

>>4027671
>Gaze upon the Chateau Ophelie

>>4027671
>>Check out the inner city fountain

>>4027691
Support.

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>>4027691
>>4028491
>Gaze upon the Chateau Ophelie
You travel inwards on the west road, crossing the river, entering Inner Ophelie, and now standing before the gates of the castle. It’s nothing like the fortresses you’ve stood before in your home country, and most definitely different circumstances. The architecture is much more rectangular, and the ratios are strange but not entirely displeasing. Floral iron gates are flanked by men in shinier cans than that of your companion. Steel cans with labels of fine fabric and a garnish of a feather sticking out the top.
One of the cans holds their hand up and asks that, if you have no business with the lord of the castle, you kindly leave the premises.

>Claim you have an appointment, a most important one at that
>Ask about the castle and the leader of this city
>Turn away and head elsewhere (See post >4027671)
>Write-in

>>4028824
>>Turn away and head elsewhere (See post >4027671)
>>Check out the inner city fountain

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>>4028835
>Turn away and head elsewhere: Inner City Fountain
You head back away from the castle gate and take a side road up to the circular fountain... circle. People wander by on their ways, in and out of nearby buildings and down connecting paths.
The fountain itself seems part water fixture, part statue with some type of small figure at the top. It holds a sword with a, frankly unappealing-looking, waves blade. Stone imitations of leather armor shield the winged thing’s forearms and shins from impending harm.
A plaque on the outer rim reads, “May You Live In Eternal Summer” with a date and the name of the artist on it. “Leiv Lellienne” must be very proud of their work.

So this is the fountain said to grant luck?
>Search your bag for loose coins
>Examine the fountain
>Take a drink of the water
>Look around the market circle
>Write-in

>>4029504
>Examine the fountain

>>4029504
>>Examine the fountain

>>4029504
>Examine the fountain

>>4029504
Examine fountain

>>4029513
>>4029523
>>4029530
>>4029543
>Examine the fountain
Looking closer, the fountain seems to be made up of stone and polished marble, and the figure even has gold inlaid into the wings, hair, and dress. Water trickles out of the pommel and tip of the sword, dripping down into the shimmering clear water below.
The figure themself look like some kind of western version of a kindly mononoke. Some kind of spirit? A sword-wielding spirit? Must be a warrior, no knight though. Not canned enough.
“May You Live in Eternal Summer”? Some figure of speech? Eugh, the “common” tongue is a disgusting one.

Nonsense most likely. Westerners seem to like nonsense
>Search you bag for loose coins
>Take a drink of the water
>Look around the market circle
>Move elsewhere.
>Write-in

>>4029705
>Look around the market circle

>>4029705
>>Look around the market circle

>>4029705
>Look around the market circle

>>4029705
>Look around the market circle

>>4029714
>>4029774
>>4029893
>>4030393
>Look around the market circle
Plenty of buildings surround you, so you take a seat on the fountain’s edge and look!
A building with a doorless doorway, opting for the open-air look, is called “ArmsDeco.” Looking inside you can see shelves and cases of overly ornate, gleaming, and bedazzled weapons. Upon a second glance, most of them seem quite unwieldy to use. Who in their thought putting rubies on the handle of an axe was a good idea?
A large building deemed “Smit-Quick’s Deals” towers high, at least two or three stories tall. Taking a peek inside you see an over abundance of randomly assorted junk. A few people walk in with beat up old goods, and walk out with jingling pouches.
“Puttin’ On Airs” looks just like a store version of the stalls back home where shady merchants would try to peddle off stolen jewelry. Most of it looks straight up fake. Who would allow such a clear breach in the law to continue?!
The “Bottomless Mug”, from the outside, looks almost exactly like the tavern from that small village you passed through on your way here. Clinking and shouting can be heard from within.
The image of a hand wearing a gaudy looking glove will forever be etched into your brain. The sheer audacity of the logo draws attention to “Handy Finery”’s front door. Where are the aesthetomancers when you need them?
“Little Friends”? You’re not quite sure what kind of store this is. The window curtains are drawn, and little metal gears litter the ground in front of the door. The hand-drawn does little to give a hint, showing only a Pied Piper’s march of small... things. Things describes them well.
With subtitle of “the number one pocket store in town!” You can guess what kind of things “Thieves’ Bane” is. You wonder where the thieves’ and the bane parts come in though.
You do a double take at the next name. “Foot’s Fetish.” Are... Are degenerate stores like this common in the west? Small, disposable-looking charms And rings hang from a rack by the front door. A feeling in your stomach suddenly makes you wish you weren’t alive in a world where this specific store exists.
The smallest building, more of a shack really, sports an entrance draped in flowing purple fabrics. A small sign hangs off of the covered entrance stating that this building is named, “Madame Maux’s Mysteries and More.” Am even smaller sign right by it states, in exceedingly small font, “100g per fortune or other service. No refunds.”

>ArmsDeco
>Smit-Quick’s Deals
>Puttin’ On Airs
>Bottomless Mug
>Handy Finery
>Little Friends
>Thieves’ Bane
>Foot’s Fetish
>Madame Maux’s Mysteries and More
>Write-in

>>4030495
>>Little Friends

>>4030495
>>Thieves’ Bane

>>4030495
>Little Friends

>>4030495
>>Little Friends

>>4030495
>Little Friends

>>4030658
>>4030818
>>4031676
>>4032361
>Little Friends
Moving inside the shop, you step over a few loose bits of metal on the floor as a small bell ring-a-ding-dings above you.
It’s dark. Very dark. Not a single light is in sight, yet the noises of something tink-tinking on something else sounds from deeper inside.

Every now and again, you swear you can hear something scurry by your feet.
>Call out into the darkness
>Attempt to feel your way around the store
>Too scary! Leave while you can!
>Write-in

>>4032563
>>Call out into the darkness

>>4032563
>Call out into the darkness

>>4032719
>>4032818
>Call out into the darkness
You give a holler of hello out and are promptly met with the sounds of crashing and swearing from within. Skittering sounds trickle quickly by your feet and away into silence. A foreign tongue calls out a vaguely questioning exclamation in your direction, followed by another in common soon after
“What?!”

Well someone sounds angry
>Demand to know who goes there
>Demand harder that the lights be turned on
>Ask what this dark place is
>Stumble through the room towards the sound of the voice
>Write-in

>>4032938
>Ask what this dark place is

>>4032938
>>Ask what this dark place is

>>4032939
>>4033223
>Ask what this dark place is
More grumbling comes, approaching you in the dark
“My shop, roundie. What’s it to you? Looking to buy one of my little bastards?”
A match is struck in the dark, and with it a lantern is lit, illuminating a pale figure wearing huge goggles with blacked out lenses. Two pointy ears flank the sides of their head and a deep frown marks their mouth.
Shelves surround the two of you, filled and overfilled with little amalgams of metal. Some even seem to look at you with their... faces?

Must have a grudge against going outside or something.
>Ask who this pointy-eared individual is
>Ask what in the stars’ names these things around you two are
>Attack one of the metal things staring at you
>Demand all the lights be turned on at once
>Write-in

>>4033498
>>Ask what in the stars’ names these things around you two are

>>4033498
>Ask what in the stars’ names these things around you two are

>>4033498
>Ask what in the stars’ names these things around you two are

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>>4033546
>>4034461
>>4034469
>Ask what in the stars’ names these things around you two are
As you point to one of the things, it snib snabs a tiny claw at your finger! Damn metal menace is ferocious! The knife-ear baps the thing on the head
"Ah-ah, none of that."
"They're my little bastards, like I said. Tiny machines and such brought to life with a secret ingredient. No funny business with them, got it?"
The owner of this --well, I won't call it fine, but-- establishment looks you up and down, holding the lantern out to see you better
"...The hells kind of hole did you crawl out of? You some foreigner here for the fighting thing?"

She puts a hand on her chin and surveys you a bit more thoroughly, as if contemplating something about you.
>Yes, in fact, you are! And you're going to win it!
>Naaah, you're just here for the sights. Pretty city, this place.
>Don't answer her question and ask how much for a... machine thing. Don't mind your empty coinpurse
>Don't answer the question and ask about her instead
>Write-in

>>4034762
>>Don't answer her question and ask how much for a... machine thing. Don't mind your empty coinpurse

>>4034762
>ask her how much for her goggles

>>4034762
>>Yes, in fact, you are! And you're going to win it!

>>4034762
>Don't answer her question and ask how much for a... machine thing. Don't mind your empty coinpurse

>>4034832
>>4035067
>Don't answer her question and ask how much for a... machine thing. Don't mind your empty coinpurse
She stays silent for a minute, then raises her eyebrows in surprise
“...You actually want one? No pranks here, right? You’re gonna but something?”
After just a second more, she wipes her hands off on her pants and makes her way behind a counter. The lantern is set down and the knife-ear puts on an attempt at a business look
“Then please, take a look around!”

She claps twice and bulbs of light spark to life all across the ceiling, illuminating the store at last!
>Look at the skittering one
>Investigate the marching one
>Examine the flapping one
>Spy another one (Write-in a machine)
>Write-in

>>4035509
>>Look at the skittering one
Is that the crab one? I want the crab one..

>>4035509
>>Investigate the marching one

>>4035509
>Investigate the marching one

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>>4035523
>>4035772
>Investigate the marching one
“Ah, taken an interest in that little soldier, have you?”
The little metal man stands at attention and salutes you. A warrior of western etiquette, but it’s a start.
“Yeah, he’s a real hard worker. Tell him to do something and he’ll use his noodly little limbs to get it done. Or try to. Don’t expect him to slay a dragon or anything.”

>Ask how much the marcher is
>Look at the other options before making a choice (skitterer, flapper, write-in, etc.)
>Write-in

>Ask how much the marcher is

>>4036011
Whats the secret ingredient? Its not people is it?

>>4036011
>>Ask how much the marcher is

>>4036011
>>Ask how much the marcher is
And if she needs a tasks that need handling right now. Preferably ones that don't involve giving her money we don't have.

>>4036021
>>4036869
>>4036882
>Ask how much the marcher is
“Ehh, got a few of these ones. Different sizes and all. This small one is going to be around fifty pieces. Goes up by fifty for each size.”
Your coinpurse shakes in fear at the mention of gold you don’t quite have. Yet. Yet is the keyword.
You instead ask if there’s something that she needs, other than gold, to pay for this fine piece of craftsmanship, buttering her up for the bargain.
“Ah, no money, huh...?”
Her ears droop slightly at the news, but peel back up as an idea pops into her head.
“...Yeah. Yeah, there is something you can do. Why don’t you enter that tournament thing, bring a bastard or two if mine, and show them off to the people! They’ll be flocking by in droves after that, but make sure you tell them where you got them.”
You can’t see it, but you get the feeling she’s squinting at you from under her goggles

“If I find out you just used my boys and girls here for yourself, I’ll skin you alive. And please, don’t make them look bad out there. At least get a couple rounds in.”
>Accept and take a machine(marcher, snapper, flapper, etc.) the size of your palm
>Accept and take a machine the size of your forearm
>Accept and take a machine that comes up to your mid-thigh
>Decline, you don’t need a “Little Friend” that bad
>Write-in

>>4036952
>>Accept and take a machine that comes up to your mid-thigh

>>4036952
>>Accept and take a machine that comes up to your mid-thigh
Bigger is better.

>>4036952
>Accept and take a machine(marcher, snapper, flapper, etc.) the size of your palm

We can do more with a small one than a big one.

>>4036953
>>4037218
>Accept and take a machine the comes up to your mid-thigh
The two of you nod in solid agreement and you are gifted a small marcher the size of a child!
“Just grab the rascal by his chin and,”
With a swift grasp of the machine, its body and limbs retract into its head! So compact, it’s now about the size of a large coffee tin.
“Easy transport. Watch the noodles though, might sock you as they come in.”
The pointy-eared lady hesitantly hands the soldier over to you with a half-sure expression.
“Just... treat him right, alright? He isn’t just cannon fodder.”

With the thing in your hands, you’re all set as the new owner of a little friend! A real one this time. You can imagine how proud your scarf is of you.
>Toss the soldier into your bag and head for the door
>Carefully place the soldier into your bag and thank the woman as you leave
>Let the soldier walk beside you as you go
>Ask for another machine before leaving
>Write-in

>>4037591
>>Carefully place the soldier into your bag and thank the woman as you leave

>>4037591
>>Let the soldier walk beside you as you go
Let's start the advertisement.

>>4037591
>Let the soldier walk beside you as you go

>>4038183
>>4038726
>Let the soldier walk beside you as you go
You grab where the woman had, and with a press of a small button your fingers find, he springs back to full size! The marcher throws you a solid salute and stands at attention by your side. As you head towards the door, he tromps among side you in perfect marching form
“Make us proud, you tin bastard.”

Once again out in the open air, you see that it’s evening. The sun is just about to start setting, and the starts will soon be out
>Continue looking around the market circle
>Keep exploring the rest of the city
>Head for the meetup inn
>Write-in

>>4038817
>>Head for the meetup inn

>>4038817
>Head for the meetup inn

>>4038817
>>Head for the meetup inn

>>4038977
>>4040435
>>4040450
>Head for the meetup inn
Following the streets to your destination with your companion by your side, you make you way to the Inn.
Heading inside, you see a smorgasbord of rough and fighty types at different tables, your companions among them! The rumble of conversation and the scent of delicious food is nearly tangible in the air, every now and then cut through with a cheer of drink.

Lively place, isn’t it.
>Join your team at their booth. Loyalty is key
>Wander around the other groups. Scope out the competition or try and make allies...?
>Food first. Food before all. Mmmhungrhhh.
>Write-in

>>4040576
>>Join your team at their booth. Loyalty is key

>>4040576
>Join your team at their booth. Loyalty is key

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>>4040745
>>4040776
>Join your team at their booth. Loyalty is key
At last, as the sun begins dipping behind. The horizon, you regroup with your team. You and your friend take a seat across from the other two and ask for service before looking to them.
They look back, though mostly at the soldier you’ve taken into your service. The tiny tin can salutes the bigger, who hesitantly returns the gesture.
TC: “Hey Toomo, uh... what’s up with the little... guy?”
MW: “What is it?”
TC: “A little statue?”
MW: “What kinda statue moves, Llew?
He scratches his head in contemplation

>First of all, correct this stupid dumb idiot on your name. It is Tomoe! A valiant name for a valiant warrior!
>This? Just a can you found in the trash. You find all sorts in there, you know.
>It’s a machine you bartered for with some pointy-eared woman in a dark, dingy shop.
>He is your plucky warrior sidekick, ready to best the Tournoi de Ophelie single handedly! Well, almost. You’re going to do most of the work.
>Write-in

>>4042132
>>It’s a machine you bartered for with some pointy-eared woman in a dark, dingy shop.

>>4042132
>It’s a machine you bartered for with some pointy-eared woman in a dark, dingy shop.

>>4042132
We must maintain the vow of silence! I’ll go with this.
>It’s a machine you bartered for with some pointy-eared woman in a dark, dingy shop.

>>4042238
>>4042324
>>4042332
>It’s a machine you bartered for with some pointy-eared woman in a dark, dingy shop.
You beckon with a finger for his journal, which he hands over once more so you can write your thoughts.
MW: “...A what?”
TC: “A machine? Like, metal things with all the little movey bits in them?”
MW: “This some kinda fancy-shmancy magic shit? Leave the magic with the mages, that’s my advice. Nothin’ but trouble.”
The large woman crosses her arms at the soldier, who bows courteously to her on his seat.

>Machinery isn’t magic, it’s artifice. You should see the Automata back home!
>Yes, it’s magic of a sort. Most likely a lesser spirit called from the stars that is inhabiting this metal shell
>Maybe it’s magic? Machinery and magic aren’t things you’re very good with. Maybe ask a mage next time.
>Who cares what it is, look at him go!
>Write-in

>>4042429
>Yes, it’s magic of a sort. Most likely a lesser spirit called from the stars that is inhabiting this metal shell

>>4042429
>Machinery isn’t magic, it’s artifice. You should see the Automata back home!

>>4042429
>>Machinery isn’t magic, it’s artifice. You should see the Automata back home!

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>>4043254
>>4043579
>Machinery isn’t magic, it’s artifice. You should see the Automata back home!
This tin can is a far cry from the masterworks of the Thousand Lotus Clans. It’s simple western construction is nothing compared to a proper Karakuri of war, but it has spirit. Possibly literally? You doubt it. It takes a master artificer and an occultist mage working together to make something like that work.
You explain the difference between machine and magic through writing, and the two read over it.
MW: “...Uh, alright. All metal then. Good to know.”
TC: “That’s... pretty cool! I guess this makes four of us!”
MW: “You’re counting the thing?”
TC: “Why not?”
The can man looks to both of you with a grin that tries its hardest to instill a sense of camaraderie.
TC: “Now that we’re all together, we should probably properly introduce ourselves, huh? That’s Cheriette, and I’m Llewelyn!”
Llewelyn gestures to the mountain of woman beside him, then leans his elbows on the table and looks to you
L: “You’re Toomo, and this little guy is...?”

You look down at the westomaton to find it looking right back at you. He seems expectant.
>Give your soldier a title of his own (Write-in a name)
>Roll your eyes at the stupid dumb idiot westerner and shrug. It doesn’t need a name, it’s your machine, and that’s it
>Inquire further about Llewelyn and Cheriette. Play along and get to know your team
>Just ask which room is yours so you can get some rest.
>Write-in

>>4045697
>>Roll your eyes at the stupid dumb idiot westerner and shrug. It doesn’t need a name, it’s your machine, and that’s it

>>4045713
>Roll your eyes at the stupid dumb idiot westerner and shrug. It doesn’t need a name, it’s your machine, and that’s it
L: “Oh. Well, if you’re sure...”
C: “Whatever, not like it matters. Are we done yet? I wanna get some rest ‘fore we gotta beat some ass tomorrow.”
L: “But we barely got to know each other at all!”
C: “No big loss, I’d say.”

Llewelyn sinks down in his lean on the tabletop with a sigh of sadness, meanwhile Cheriette crosses her arms and taps her foot impatiently.
>Pity the not-quite-knight and give in to his request to swap stories
>Agree with Cheriette and leave to rest before the tournament
>Write-in

>>4047355
>Pity the not-quite-knight and give in to his request to swap stories

>>4047355
>>Agree with Cheriette and leave to rest before the tournament

>>4047355
>Pity the not-quite-knight and give in to his request to swap stories
Let's tell him about our naturally superior country

>>4047355
>Pity the not-quite-knight and give in to his request to swap stories

>>4047516
>>4048904
>>4048915
>Pity the not-quite-knight and give in to his request to swap stories
Fine. Fiiiiiiiine. If he’s going to look that pathetically sad about it, might as well. Team bonding is sort of important after all.
L: “You want to? Nice!”
Cheriette groans and sinks back into her seat.
L: “Aw, don’t be like that. It’s a team-building exercise!”
C: “Are we even a team? She’s prob’ly just abusin’ yer kindness fer free room ‘n’ food.”
L: “Wha- No! How could you say that?! She’d never do that!”

Your scarf only half-warns you not to say anything too strange. You’re writing, and they did ask for it, but still.
>Let Llewelyn start the “exercise” off. He suggested it after all
>Try and get Cheriette to go first. A monolithic task to be sure, but who knows
>Go first yourself, talking about your own past
>Go first and begin going on about your home
>Write-in

>>4049226
>Go first and begin going on about your home
And how it's much better than their's

>>4049226
>Go first and begin going on about your home

New thread? This one's about to fall off.

>>4049226
>>Go first yourself, talking about your own past

>>4049581
Mhm, should wrap up soon. Biggest sorries for the long-ass delays between posts!
>>4049240
>Go first and begin going on about your home
Finally. You’ve finally found the perfect opportunity to spread word of the glorious land to the East, the home of the Thousand Lotus Clans. You tell tales of all you remember. The beautiful cities that towered high and reached for the heavens, the mischievous little spirits that flitted about, the technological marvels, the miracles, the people, the passion, the war.

It wasn’t to last. And it didn’t.
>Leave that part out, it isn’t what you fought for.
>Tell the whole truth
>Write-in

>>4049799
>Tell the whole truth

>>4049799
>>Leave that part out, it isn’t what you fought for.

>>4049799
>Tell the whole truth

>>4049885
>>4050300
>Tell the whole truth
You bow your head as a sense of shame washes across the innermost parts of yourself. You write of the end of the civil war and what came after. You write of your departure from the country and your journey here. Your writing has filled Llew’s journal for quite a few pages before you stop, and your little machine watches with expressionless attention. You slide it back to the man so he can look it over, and a sense of release comes forth from your chest, like a weight has been lifted. The scarf around your neck gently soothes you with its warmth as you pull it up over your nose. The scent still does its best to comfort, but now a hint of consolement goes with it.
L: ”Huh...”
C: “Just a wander’r now, eh?”
You nod as you bring your scarf down again. The tempting pull of rest causes your eyelids to flutter for a moment while Cheriette lets out a deep yawn.
L: “Huh, guess it’s time to rest? I um, we can continue tomorrow! In the morning, yeah. Oh! Right, and here’s your room key!”

Llew hands you a brass key with a number etched into the head. Room Nine.
>Ask to switch rooms before heading off
>Take the key and go to your room to rest for tomorrow
>Try to stave off rest with more conversation
>Write-in

>>4050842
>Take the key and go to your room to rest for tomorrow

>>4050842
>>Take the key and go to your room to rest for tomorrow