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CONTACT

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ignoble_dark
Questions: http://ask.fm/Ignoble_dark
Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?searchall=laughing+dog


RULES


>Voting

Most posts will be narrative, with the player and QM working together to create a worthy story. Every post will provide at least one might-based, nobility-based, and artifice-based avenue if applicable to the situation, and write-ins are both permitted and encouraged. Players vote for their preferred option, with majority determining the final choice. However, in the case of especially critical events, called “trials,” fate will be given its due through the roll of dice.

>Trials

During trials, after the majority have chosen a course of action, the QM will then roll 1d10, add the player’s relevant Aspect (Might, Nobility, or Artifice), and add any relevant bonuses from items or context. If the resulting sum meets the trial’s threshold, the player succeeds. If the sum falls short of the threshold, the player fails. For each margin of 3 the player exceeds or fails the threshold by, the outcome will be more severe (either positive or negative). Poor rolls by players in combat trials are assigned as enemy hits.

The thresholds for each trial are known only by the QM, and are different for every option. Depending on the situation, one option or another will probably be easier than the others. Sneaking past the elite palace guard will be easier than fighting all of them. Killing the feral tribe of cannibals is probably easier than talking them down diplomatically. This could change, of course, if the player is particularly proficient with one Aspect and deficient in another. Perhaps your Artifice is so bad that Might is the better option for getting past those palace guard, after all. Players should consider which approach is most likely to succeed given both the context of the trial and the character’s own skillset.

>Criticals

A trial roll of 10 that passes the threshold is a critical success, and reaps additional benefits. Conversely, a 1 that fails the threshold is a critical failure, and has additional consequences. A 10 that fails to beat the threshold still fails, but the player receives some accommodation, insight, or unforeseen benefit in the attempt. Likewise, a 1 that passes the threshold succeeds, but with a minor hiccup or unforeseen complication.

>Damage

Damage dealt by an enemy is equal to half its Might score (rounding down), and is applied to a character’s weapons and armor first. Once all weapons and armor are damaged, excess damage is assigned to a random Aspect (M, N, or A) by rolling 1d3. That Aspect is permanently reduced by this damage until it is repurchased with XP. Should any Aspect reach 0, the character is crippled and incapacitated until 1 week of medical attention restores the first dot of each Aspect. If any Aspect falls below 0, the character suffers death.

Current XP: 12

>>301486
>Find Royt
maybe he knows a thing or two that could end up being useful

>>301486

>Find Kiyya
Check if she's doing alright

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>>301560

You realize you haven't seen the young merchant or Kiyya since yesterday, and decide to check on them - perhaps he knows something about these people or the city that would inform whatever plan you and the others can put together, and perhaps she can tell you what to make of Saffoi and his family. You pull back the hanging fabric that serves as your door and are greeted by the watchful eye of the sentry posted outside, leaning against the wall across the narrow hallway with his arms crossed.

He's shorter than you, as are most of these people, but he has a curved Imashet blade at his side and leather armor fastened around his chest and shoulders. Dark red warpaint is smeared across his exposed forearms and neck, declaring him a combat veteran. You pause, and give him a nod of greeting.

He pauses as well, then returns the gesture, never letting his eyes stray from yours. For your protection Saffoi had told you. The sentries will make sure no one does anything rash. You knew that was a lie; the sentries were to keep eyes on you, not the other Imashet. Regardless, you did not challenge the general in his own camp, in the company of his own soldiers. You make your way down the stairs, to the lower levels of the fortress. Above, the footfalls of the sentry following echo close behind you.

You find Royt in the lower level of the fort, resting in the infirmary. The translator, Weir, is sitting with him along with another soldier. An officer, in fact, by the look of his heavier armor. Whatever conversation they were having stops as you enter earshot.

"Good evening, my friend," Weir saying in his mangled Korathi.

"Good evening. I was hoping I could speak to this young man for a few moments."

"Of course," Weir replies. "By all means, join us." You had meant speak to him alone, but apparently that was not on the table. Very well.

--------------------

>Ask him about the city
>Ask him about the Imashet
>Ask him about Saffoi
>Don't ask him anything sensitive with soldiers present
>Talk to Weir instead
>Write-in

>>301597
>Ask him about the city

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>>301653

With Weir translating, you sit down across from the young man and carefully phrase your questions. "Have you ever been to this city before, Royt?"

The young man shakes his head. "The Imashet do not take outsiders into their city. Not ever." At this Weir steps in to explain.

"I know the general has already told you this, so I think it is ok to elaborate on what your friend is saying. This city - our last city - is very precious to us. Once, our tribe was spread all across the sand sea and beyond, to the southern grasses. All of this is our land.

"However, the beasts have driven us from much of our territory, and raped our women, and devoured our children for centuries. They enslave what they do not eat, so that they can grow fat on the suffering of our people. We no longer accept guests so easily in our home because we fear this scourge will find us here, and take this last solace we have left."

"Beasts?" you ask.

"Yes. We call them Greh-leit. You call them...Gno-lei?"

"Gnolls."

"Yes, that is the word. You are fortunate to have escaped from such monsters intact, my friend."

There is an undertone to Weir's words that you catch buried in the word "fortunate"...your contact with the creatures seems to have raised suspicions about you.

"I see," you say simply, looking to change the topic.

-------------------

>ask about the Imashet tribe
>ask about Saffoi
>ask something of Weir
>find Kiyya / Dorje / Kirari
>write-in

>>301733
>ask about the Imashet tribe
Specifically where the other factions are located since we're bound to deal with them eventually

>>301733
>ask more about the gnolls
when was their very first attack? how do they keep their territory (and how big it is)? average camp size and known localizations?
(or maybe have him direct us to reports/archives or someone who knows more)

>>301733
>ask about the Imashet tribe

Welcome back, OP.

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>>301822
>>301839

"Tell me more about these "beasts", Weir. How long have you been fighting them?"

The man strokes his beard, looking off to the side as he thinks over your question and tries to form an answer in your tongue. "The Imashei have been victims of the Greh-lei for many generations - our war with them is has been a constant one for hundreds of years, since they arrives from the west like a plague. I do not know the military details, since I am only a trader, but I know all of the wilderness to the west is crawling with them. There has been a rumor of late that they have recently entered into trade with the city of Najjat, though I do not know the details of this. Greh-lei are not very intelligent creatures, and know only violence...commerce is beyond them."

You think back on your encounter with the Gnolls at their keep last week...did Weir's description hold up with what you saw? They did seem...simple, in some ways. Alien. But they possessed metal weapons, and wore armor, and bartered with you. It was difficult to discern how much was true and how much was informed by the Imashet's long and bloody history. One's enemies will give a very different description of you than one's friends. Well - if you wanted more detailed information on them, you might have to ask the Bahadurei.

"Can either of you tell me about the Imashet? General Saffoi mentioned four houses?"

"Yes, the general is of Bahadurei stock, who have traditionally been the military arm of our people. They keep the Greh-lei patrols from probing too deeply into our desert. This keep is where Saffoi has established himself and the seat of power for the city now that the Amarsei and their palace are gone.

"My house, the Taphrei, are the traders and merchants of our people. We are the most populous house now, and own most of the farmland and businesses. Our patriarch is Jershe et Taphrei, and his home is on the other side of the city, adjacent the market district.

"The last house, the Solathei, are the smallest, but the few of them are quite wealthy. Their family disproportionately makes up our culture's poets, writers, lyricists, and sculptors. Their matriarch is Imala et Solathei, who has a...reputation, of sorts, in the city. Their house has languished of late as the army has demanded more of the city's attention and resources. Her villa is near the southwestern wall, by the garden plaza."

"...and the fourth house?" you ask, counting only three.

"Ah, yes...well, the last house is technically the Amarsei, though only two members of that family are left. Kiyya you know. Her elder brother, Rayyan, is still here somewhere, but he does not make public appearances any more."

-------------------

>"a /reputation/?"
>I should discuss the Gnolls with SAffoi
>Find Kiyya
>Find Dorje/Kirari
>write-in

>>301926
>Ask about religion, what gods do they follow? Have they adopted the old gods whose temple we were buried in, or do they stay true to our ways?
>"a /reputation/?"
Then
>Find Dorje/Kirari

this: >>301950

>>301950
Same same.

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>>301950

"We noticed a large structure as we were led through the gates to the city - a temple, we assumed...what manner of gods do the Imashet worship?"

"That is...a complex question, my friend. Unlike the Tyger-rei, we worship a wide host of the spirits of the desert - the two-headed eagle, the spirits of winds, the rainmaker - no one in particular. At least, not any more."

"Not any more? You did once?"

"There is some debate about that. The temple you mentioned is currently full of shrines to the spirits I mentioned, but a smaller family within my own that usually provides stewardship over that place - the Keshei - believe it was built to worship another, greater deity long ago which we have lost memory of."

"How could your people lose memory of your gods?"

"We are not sure, my friend. Our people did not write in those times, and left few answers for us. Today, the Burning Horse is probably the closest we have to what you might call a 'faith'."

"The Burning Horse? Can you tell me about it?"

"I can, though I must warn you I am not a man of faith," he warns you with some humility. "My sister was a woman of greater spirituality, though, and she explained it to me once. The tradition holds that in the first age, the animals of the wilderness were not simple creatures, but still possessed a connection to the time of creation. They could communicate with men, and sometimes fought with them.

"It was in this age that a man named Amarr befriended and tamed the first horse, agreeing to ride astride him and help the stallion fight the other beasts which preyed upon its herd. In return, the Imashet became the first people of the horse, and Amarr's tribe became its masters."

"The Amarsei."

"Yes. The Burning Horse is a kind of folk tale about the horse which is the mother of all horses, and their spiritual guardian, or totem."

"I do not think I fully understand, Weir," you admit.

He just laughs calmly. "I do not either. As I say, I am not a man of faith myself."

"You also mentioned something about the Solathei having a reputation?"

"Ah, yes...well, their matron. Imala is..." he stumbles, struggling to choose words carefully. "Eh...she is...a beautiful young woman, much like your companion. All of Imala's family are and have always been beautiful. And she...she is said to use this beauty of hers to establish many friendships."

Oh...that kind of reputation...

"This I think I follow easily enough."

"Thank you, Weir et Taphrei. I should find my kindred, and see that they are well."

"Of course, my friend. Please, do not hesitate to summon me if needed."

You clasp his forearm - a gesture foreign to him, but which he tries to mimic - and place a reassuring hand on Royt's shoulder before taking your leave. The sentry is waiting for you, of course, sitting in the stairwell.

"Shalai" you greet him in the Imashet language.

"Shalai," he repeats in the same low tone, rising to his feet. Not one for conversation, apparently.

1/2

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>>302076

You find Dorje and Kirari in the fort's lowest level. Here, there are few windows placed high on the walls, more as an afterthought than anything else. Rays of moonlight cut weakly through the gloom, and torches on the walls provide nearly all of the illumination.

You duck under a low arch and find two more uniformed soldiers there. One is the warden - an elder soldier with several scars you recognize as claw marks across his neck and face. The other is a woman in officer's armor, warpaint etched across her bare arms and face. You cannot discern the content of their conversation, but it is plain she is the one with the authority. As you enter the room, the conversation ceases immediately and both of them look to you suspiciously.

"I am here to see Kiyya et Amarsei, and my kindred."

They do not reply immediately. The warden looks to the woman, you gives him a nod and then takes her leave. As she passes by you, your eyes lock for an instant...and you can't help but feel she is sizing you up.

The warden then stands and opens the heavy prison gate, escorting you inside. There are few cells - maybe only a dozen, all quite small except for the one on the end which you find you companions at. Kirari apparently chose to spend the night here, as you recognize her bedding on the ground with Kiyya's.

"We decided to take watches, just to be sure the girl was not alone at any time. I still do not trust our hosts," Dorje says.

"We have no reason to, so I agree," you say, looking the cell over.

Saffoi has kept his word thus far - the cell is furnished and well-lit, and it seems the girl has been fed well enough. She sits on a cushion up against one wall with Kirari beside her.

-------------------

>We need to decide what to do. How do we earn this tribe's trust?
>Perhaps we should never have come, we are not too welcome here
>Share what you have learned about the Imashet
>Write-in

>>302113
>Share what you have learned about the Imashet
this is important

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>>302129

You reiterate what you have learned about Kiyya's people to Dorje and Kirari, who in turn share what few insights they have gathered themselves.

"They fear sorcery. Intensely," Kirari adds. Kiyya's father was rumored to be a sorcerer, and they burned him alive."

"There are also schisms within the military. I may not speak their language, but I can feel it - Saffoi's loyalists and another element that isn't pleased with his handling of this situation," Dorje says. "I heard arguing in his chambers last night, through the floor of my room. They were not trying to be discrete."

"Our arrival has disturbed a tenuous, fragile peace, it seems..." you observe, starting to pace a little.

"At least they fed us before the knives come out," Dorje quips. He laughs at his own wit, even if no one else does.

--------------------

>We should meet with the Taphrei. They are numerous, and influential. Weir also seems to have a good opinion of us.

>We should meet with the Solathei. Imala seems like the friendly type.

>Perhaps we should find these dissenters. Saffoi strikes me as a dictator, not a leader.

>Perhaps we should make plans to leave.

>Write-in

>>302182
>Perhaps we should find these dissenters. Saffoi strikes me as a dictator, not a leader.

>>302182
>Perhaps we should find these dissenters. Saffoi strikes me as a dictator, not a leader.

>>302208
Supporting.

>>302182
Wait where's the option to ask Kiyya's opinion on all the tribes? She's the only local we can really trust.

>>302230
Changing my vote to this if it matters.

>>302230

That's an acceptable option, I permit all write-ins

>>302230
yeah, we should really do that first

>>302208
>>302218

>>302230
>>302239

Divided 2:2, so I will start with Kiyya and let the group decide if you still want to find the dissenters after that.

>>302251
nice

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>>302251

"There is one person here I trust completely, though - and she's sitting write there in that cell. Before we make any moves we can't take back, I want to know what she has to say about these characters."

"Even talking to her as we are is affectinng how people see us, Keje," Kirari warns. "But still, I agree she is the one person here I know wants the best for us."

"And she saved our lives. That is all that matters to me," Dorje says definitively.

"Alright then. I will try to convince the translator to meet with us...hopefully he can be trusted as well."

You find Weir outside the general's quarters, speaking with a couple of other civilians. They look you over wide-eyed as you approach...apparently word travels fast in this town. "Weir...I have need of your skills. Can I rely on you to translate?"

"Of course, Roericar. Who are you speaking with?"

"...A friend," you answer cryptically.

He does not seem comfortable standing here with the three of you and Kiyya, but he doesn't refuse to help you, either. "I want to help you any way I can, my friend - you strike me as a man of integrity. But there are many in the city who will make assumptions about me for meeting with the young Amarsei woman like this."

"Then you may leave. I will not place you in undue danger, but I have to ask...we need to speak with her, and have no other means of doing so."

Reluctantly, Weir nods. You thank him, and turn to Kiyya.

"Kiyya, you saved our lives and risked your own to get us here. Why? It seems we are not so very welcome."

...

"She says her father once told her that the day would come for the Imashei to reclaim their lands and prosper, and in that day even the Korathei would rise to fight with us. Everything would be returned to the old ways. She thinks...she thinks you can restore hope to her people, who are bound by blood to her own."

"No one here trusts us, and we do not know who our enemies are. This general Saffoi - is he a man we can trust?"

...

Kiyya looks to Weir, unsure she wants to share that opinion where his ears can hear it. She has no choice but to relent, though. "She says Saffoi loyally served both her father and the Imashet for decades. She does not believe he has political designs on leading the tribe, but only in preventing it from tearing itself apart without leadership. She...she says he let her flee the city, instead of be arrested when the people called for her to be imprisoned."

Weir seems shocked by this revelation. "Why is that significant?" you ask him.

"As I understood it, the Amarsei girl escaped custody...some say with the use of sorcery. I...did not think the general would have simply released her."

No doubt at risk to himself...that must not have sat well with the other houses, learning that she had "escaped" under his watch. You couldn't rule out a more sinister motive for Saffoi, but it was certainly a risk he took for her.

"What about the others? The dissenters?"

1/2

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>>302308

"What about the dissenters?"

...

"She says with her family gone, no one knows who is in charge any more. There are probably good and bad men of all stripes opposed to Saffoi's leadership, for both legitimate and selfish reasons."

"And the Taphrei, or the Solathei?"

"The Solathei have little interest in politics. Kiyya grew up with Imala, and knows she isn't the conniving type. As for the Taphrei...they are a large house, and some are honorable men, others...well, she says not as honorable as myself," Weir translates.

"Some elements in the army no doubt are displeased Saffoi has not killed her, and suspect Kiyya is in league with the Greh-lei, trying to con her way back to power at any cost. They have reopened the wound Saffoi inflicted upon himself when he let Kiyya go in the first place."

-------------------

>Perhaps the dissenters can be reasoned with
>We should meet with the Taphrei
>We should meet with the Solathei
>We should escape the city
>We should speak with Saffoi
>write-in

>>302331
>Perhaps the dissenters can be reasoned with

>>302331
>>We should meet with the Solathei
If they have no political goals and connections they might be the most helpful

>>302331
We should meet with the Solathei if we can manage to do it in secret, if she'd friends with Kiyya she might help us.
Wait, check to make sure they're actually friends.

>>302354
>>302403
Maybe we should meet with the dissenters during the day before they try anything unreasonable and tell them that she is absolutely not in league with the gnolls, and then after nightfall we can make our way over to Solathei's house when no one can judge us for visiting the town bike.

Ask Kiyya if they're actually friends first.

>>302403

They are, or at least were before this whole mess.

>>302411
Okay good, I vote this >>302410

We really need someone we can trust in this city who's not currently imprisoned. Rescuing her friend from gnolls at almost the cost of our lives should win us something.

>>302365
>>302403

Two votes for the Solathei, so I am going with this for now. Once again, if you want to reach out to the dissenters, you can do that afterwards if you opt to.

>>302432
Is it too late to suggest we leave Dorje here to watch Kiyya?

>>302439

no, but I'd ask for a second vote first. If it arrives before I finish writing, I will include that in the post.

>>302448
It's fine, nevermind.

>>302439
>>302448

sounds like a smart thing to do, sure

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>>302432

"If Kiyya knows this Imala et Solathei to be an apolitical person, she is probably the safest person to meet first. Would you be willing to accompany us, Weir?"

"I would, yes. I never refuse an occasion to visit House Solathei."

"I will stay, and watch over the girl. It is my turn to hold watch, and I have no head for politics or diplomacy any way," Dorje says.

"I envy you then, brother. The soldier's way is certainly the simpler one."

You clasp forearms with him and tell him to stay sharp, then head out with Kirari and Weir in tow. The warden opens the gate for you, his broken face frozen in a permanent snarl that makes him impossible to read. He looks you over twice, then steps aside and closes the gate behind you.

You see as you ascend back to the ground level of the fortress that evening has deepened outside. The Imashet seems to wake early, retire during the hot hours of the day, then resume their labors in the evening until the eighth hour. Now past midnight, the city is completely silent. Like a shadow, your sentry takes up post on the other side of the room, watching you and your kin closely.

You walk out into the courtyard, where patrols of soldiers are milling about performing their various duties. The watch captain sees you exit the main building and steps between you and the gate.

"He wants to know where you are going," Weir explains.

"Tell him the truth. We wish to meet with the Solathei family."

...

"He says the general has made it clear you are only to leave the gates with a modest force to protect you. You will have to wait for him to gather an escort."

The "escort" - once again, for your protection - was 12 men strong, plus the sentry behind you. They were never to leave you alone, for any stretch of time.

"We will of course abide by your rules, as your guests," you say neutrally, doing your best to conceal your irritation.

Weir leads the way, with the escort divided into two columns one either side of you. It is fortunate you chose the evening to make this trip, as the roads are practically deserted. The few civilians who do see you watch from the rooftops and open doorways, trying to make you out in the gloom. It isn't far to the Solathei villa - a sprawling, beautiful structure of arches and smooth pillars that sit astride a courtyard of worked stones.

A pair of servants stands by the doorway as you approach.

"We know it is late, but we urgently need to speak with the matron of House Solathei, if she can be made available," you say through your translator.

1/2

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>>302532

One of them runs inside, disappearing into the halls. The other bows politely and gestures for you to come inside. The soldiers disperse, taking up stations around the estate while you are shepherded into a large, dim room with some low tables and luxurious-looking cushions scattered across the floor it a kind of artistic chaos.

The air carries a scent of perfume or incense in it, and the walls are lined with small sculptures and even a few weapons of impressive metal workmanship. A shield inlaid in bronze and copper much like the general's catches your eye, and you recognize immediately the similar style.

"Shalai et Kora-thei~" a feminine voice calls from the far side of the room. You are honestly a bit surprised to see Imala et Solathei standing there as she is, barely covered in a thin garment of expensive-looking cloth. Your first thought is that she has met you in her nightclothes, but the cut and shape of them makes it clear that no, this is simply how she chooses to dress. Long, shapely legs slide out from high slits in the sides of her dress as she walks over to you, long brown hair flowing down her back in a foxtail.

You start to try to respond, looking to Weir for the proper words, but before you can ask she has taken your arm in her hands and is turning it gently, looking at the tattoos on your arms and shoulders.

"Hmmm...kalasei~"

"Weir?"

"Oh, she says you are welcome in her home, and that she thinks the marking are beautiful," he explains. The elder man is obviously distracted - you can tell what he meant by never turning down an opportunity to visit this woman.

"Shalai. Et talas~" she says, motioning for you to sit down, and guiding you by hand.

Kirari raises an eyebrow as she watches this interaction.

--------------------

>Try to put some distance between the two of you
>Let her flirt, it's harmless
>Flirt back (N)
>Explain who you are
>Ask her about Kiyya
>Ask her about her House
>Ask about Saffoi
>Write-in: how much to tell her, in what way, etc.

>>302603
>Explain who you are
ohoho, is that jealousy i see in the air?

>>302603
Let her flirt, but distract her by asking her about Kiyya.

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>>302636
>>302668

"Hala-set?" she asks Weir as she leads you to a cushion and invites you to sit.

"She wants you to give her your name."

"Kejeral," you say, pointing to yourself.

"Keh-jeh-rah-ul...hmm...darah, kalasei."

"She says your name...is less beautiful."

The woman steps over to Kirari next, taking both the woman's hands with her own.

"Kirari."

"Ki-ra-ri. Shalai, Imala et Solathei~" the woman notices Kirari's own tribal markings, which travel up one of her legs and down the opposite arm. Curious, she takes Kirari's hands and moves them to spin the woman in place in a graceful dancing motion, coaxing Kirari to show her profile. "Inselah kalasei, Kirari et Kora-thei~"

"She says you are a lovely woman," Weir translates.

"I gathered as much," Kirari says, looking a shade redder at being suddenly placed on display like this.

Imala invites Kirari to sit, as well, then takes her own seat, crossing her legs in an obviously-practiced fashion that reveals as much of her thighs as possible without violating social protocol.

"I heard the rumors you were here this morning," she explains through the translator. "And I am grateful to be alive at a time when our tribe's kin have returned right out of our epics and into our city. I am honored to receive you both as guests in my home."

You are surprised - it is as if she already believes you without even a shred of proof. Why? Was this a game she was playing? "We understand that circumstances surrounding our arrival here are disquieting, and that our tribe has been little more than legend for your people for some ages...I am surprised to find you so open and hospitable to us, in fact."

"You brought my friend Kiyya back home safely, you have the Korathi markings, you speak their language, and you most obviously are too confused too be con artists. I have seen enough already, and I take solace knowing that the old poems and stories were, in fact true - just as I knew they were~"

--------------------

>Kiyya is your friend, then? Can you tell us what happened to her?
>What is going on in the city right now?
>Tell us about your family
>Tell us about Saffoi
>What about the dissenters? They don't seem so eager to trust us.
>Write-in

>>302758
>What is going on in the city right now?
>ask her if she knows old legends or stories
who knows, maybe we can learn some new stuff

>>302758
>Kiyya is your friend, then? Can you tell us what happened to her?

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>>302787

There is an old song that tells it best, I think. Imala sits up straighter in her seat, and clears her voice. Almost immediately, you recognize the melody -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1wDk4WvU-0

It the same which Kirari sang that first night in the desert. The words are different, but there is no mistaking that Imala's and Kirari's are the same song. You exchange a look of surprise and astonishment with her - if it was true you had slept for so many years - 17 centuries - that this song had survived intact was a miracle.

((unfortunately the actual lyrics I wrote are on my external hard drive 4 hours away. Another time))

The lyrics are similar in content to those in Kirari's version:

//A woman holding a flickering candle, its light holding at bay a world of darkness that retreats from her slowly advancing feet.

As the light fades and dies, the dark overtakes the woman and she drops the candle.

In its final sparks, the earth catches aflame, and young men on horseback appear

They carry the fire's light with them to every corner of the world//

In Kirari's there were men, not horsemen, and also no names. In Imala's, though, two are given: Kora-thei and Ima-shei.

"You see, this is our longest night, Kora-thei. Whether you know it or not, you are here to help us push it back...though I admit, the lyrics do make it sound there would be an army of you, not two."

"Three," Kirari corrects.

"Three, then. The Imashei have been waiting for a reason to hope that maybe the bad times are over, and that their children will not have to watch their way of life disappear forever. You did not, however, arrive in the way they thought you would. This had left the city a confusing place full of hope, suspicion, doubt, and fear.

"As for Kiyya, well...it really is a tragedy what happened to her family. Her father was a good man once, though what he did can never be excused. In the space of one generation he destroyed his family forever, I fear. I know Kiyya was no accomplice to any of his witchcraft, but after what had happened, and after it became known that his son broke bread with the Greh-lei...I am afraid she became guilty by association. I have spent many night wondering if she was still alive out there. Even under these circumstances, I am pleased to know she is."

----------------

>Saffoi
>Dissenters
>How can we get people to trust us as you seem to?
>Write-in

>>302961
>How can we get people to trust us as you seem to?

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>>302995

"Well, I don't know about all the people, but I can tell you that if you win over just forty of their leaders most of them will eventually come around. In times of doubt, we Imashei always look to our tribe for leadership. Convince Saffoi that you can help him restore order, the Taphrei that commerce and plenty will return, and the common people that you are, in fact, here to protect their way of life from extinction. They want hope, so give it to them."

Imala has some wine brought with three glasses, which has served to both of you. "I can help you, at least somewhat. My house's pull in politics is minimal, since art is the first thing to wither in times of war and scarcity. I am in the curious position of having no enemies, though. I suppose that makes me unique~" she says with a hint of smugness.

"Let me introduce you to the other families publicly. If they all get to know you in a neutral place, they can make their own judgments about you without relying on rumor. In that environment, I think they will choose hope."

((Calling it here at hour 7. Thanks for playing, guys, see you next week))

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>>303062

+4 XP for the party, total of 16 to spend

>>303062
Night, man. Thanks for running as always.

>>303062
thanks for running

>>303077
hm, maybe we should spend a little to improve Kirai and Dorje's weaknesses?

>>303062
>Let me introduce you to the other families publicly.
This is exactly what we needed, excellent work.

>>303096
We should give our MC some nobility, since Kirari won't always be with us.

>>303104
we're already at 4 (on a balanced character) and that's just one point below her, so i'd say it's good enough for now

>>303104
We should bump our might up to what it was before we got wounded.

>>306373
Yeah actually, supporting that.