>>1339669
You've been taking it easy so far, but it's about time you put yourself back in action.
>Follow up on a rumor? (Rumors found here: http://pastebin.com/2a3H84FR )

>Visit someone you know?

>Hit up contacts for leads?

>Visit the Goblin Market?

>Head to one of the Courts?

>Write-In

>>1339669
>>Hit up contacts for leads?

>>1339674
>Hit up contacts for leads?

>>1339674
>Hit up contacts for leads?

>>1339674
>Hit up contacts for leads?

>>1339674

After we're dont with checking in on Contacts I am torn between three of our rumors; checking out Boring would be cool being able to get out of the city, those doors popping up and disappearing people are still a concern, and Michael is still a bit of a thing that we need to deal with

>>1339674
>>Visit someone you know?

Gwen, see how she's doing


after I want to see that mummy thing, but I would like some downtime from adventuring, what do you guys think?

>>1339674
>>1339732
2nded, check to make sure she took up on our recommendation.
>>1339727
>Michael is still a bit of a thing that we need to deal with
What do we have to deal with him?

>>1339743

He's probably lying to us about the questions he has been putting out in to the community, I don't think he's let go of his hopes of becoming one of the Lost, and no telling what he'll go through to get there

>>1339682
>>1339720
>>1339722
>>1339726
You head out to look up some of your contacts:

"Thank God fer licker, huh Jerry? Can't live without it. So, yew wanna know what's goin' on on the streets? Well, those doors I talked to ye' about earlier? Still happinin. All the street folk, they've cleared out of that area. 'Snot safe. Too many missin' people. You turn down an alley and get vanished. Cops're chalking it up to gangs, pah! They don't give a shit 'bout us! We don't pay there tickets! Go to Hell, I say, all of 'em. They say it's spreadin', too. House to house. Cops won't help. Who knows who will.

What else? Oh, I guess... you ever hear 'bout the Glass-Eye Devil? Weird guy, lives in an old apartment down by the river. Got powers, so they say. Powers like you got, maybe. Say he can see the future, heal your wounds, an' make yer heart stop with a LOOK."


"You made sure to get the incense and disinfectant? I'll be able to tell if it's fake! Good, good, just shove it all through the slot. Now, I've been doing some research on that medium- the one those imps avoid. Had some more boys run books up here. Funny thing: no record of him buying the house. No record of anyone buying the house, even. Built way back in the old days, when Portland was just a stop on the Williamette river trade. Some... Italian guy, funny name, can't remember it right now... Anyways, he built the house, real nice place, three stories and everything. And then... nothing. I mean, he died, I guess, but I don't think there's a formal record of it. And I'll tell you what: there's one photo of the guy, and even though it looks like it got damaged or something, I'm seeing a suspicious resemblance between him and that fruit medium.

Oh, what's that? Boring? You mean the town just to the east, yeah? Weird place. Not just 'cause of the name: that's just a tribute to a Civil War soldier boy who settled the area. W.H. Boring, hah! Sad, sad name. Anyways, where was I? Oh yeah, weird town. Lots of disappearences, unexplained lights, etc. Kind of Weird Central, if you ask me. It's the name, I suppose: God, or whoever's up there, loves irony. Now get out of here: you've spent too much time outside! Gonna have to spend HOURS getting everything squared away in here."


Cont.

>>1339874
"Hey, it's the weird guy! I mean, not that you're weird: you're the guy who asks people about weird stuff. You a detective? And you got a dollar? Thanks, man! So, what've I seen...

Oh, yeah! You know, I play around a lot of areas, and there's this one nice diner across from some, like, consulting place that I get gigs at sometimes? Like, a place for nuts. Well, I was just banging on my drums while Nasty Chav rips out this SICK riff, and there's this guy, he's dressed like someone out of Shakespeare or something, heading inside. I guess that's weird.

What, you want something else? Well, I dunno if it counts, but... you know Skin and Bones? It's a kids story, real popular back in Arizona. They say if you say his name three times in a mirror at the dead of night, he'll appear in the back. Then, all you have to do is say the name of the person you hate most, and in a week, they'll die in an accident. Is it true? Who can say?

...Do you want your dollar back?"


>Follow up on a rumor? (Rumors found here: http://pastebin.com/2a3H84FR )

>Visit someone you know?

>Visit the Goblin Market?

>Head to one of the Courts?

>Write-In

>>1339881
>>Follow up on a rumor?
The Nook Man's been seeing "imps" running along the roofs

>>1339881
>Follow up on a rumor?
investigate the doors

>>1339881
>Follow up on a rumor?

The doors definitely, if it's driving out and affecting the homeless people in the area then not only is helping the right thing to do but will help solidify and increase our reputation in the community

>>1339881
>Follow up on a rumor?

>>1339881
>Follow up on a rumor?
doors bb

>>1339933
>>1339945
>>1340072
Pearl District, Portland, Oregon. 12:30 PM.

The Pearl District is what is euphemistically referred to as a "mixed-use" area: factories and warehouses looming between crowded tenements. Your fae senses, well-attuned to the environs, can sense the anxiety and hopelessness drifting through the air like the scent of rich, dark chocolate, tantalizing something inhuman in you. Underneath the anxiety and hopelessness you can taste something else, something richer: fear. Full and palpable, it hangs before you like a late-harvest apple. You are simultaneously tantalized and repulsed. You can't see any of the normal street people that would inhabit an area like this, nor any men hanging out on the corner: everyone out today seems to have somewhere to go.


>Go door-to-door, asking residents about the neighborhood

>Comb the streets for someone in a nearby area who might talk.

>Look around for a door where it shouldn't be

>Write-In

>>1339945

this and the fact that the disapearences may be people being taken by the Keepers

>>1340183
>>Look around for a door where it shouldn't be

>>1340183
>Comb the streets for someone in a nearby area who might talk.

>>1340183
>Comb the streets for someone in a nearby area who might talk.

>>1340183
>Comb the streets for someone in a nearby area who might talk.

>>1340200
>>1340218
>>1340283
Roll Wits + Streetwise (3 dice). Willpower may be spent as usual to grant +3 dice (5 points left).

Rolled 10, 5, 2 = 17 (3d10)

>>1340316

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>1340322

Boom

Rolled 2, 6, 5 = 13 (3d10)

>>1340316

Rolled 7, 10, 10 = 27 (3d10)

>>1340316

Rolled 6, 5 = 11 (2d10)

>>1340340
Boom, Pow

>>1340340
You find a wino passed out in an alleyway behind a Mars warehouse and nudge him awake with your foot.

"Do you know who I am?"

"*snrh* No. You supposed to be a big wheel or somethin'?"

"I'm the man who's going to give you five dollars if you tell me about the doors."

"An' whaddif I don't?"

"Then I'm the man who's going to break your nose."

"*zznrt* Fair enuff. I ain't ever seen these doors. I ain't stupid. But here's what I heard: they turn up, an' people don't notice them. Someone walks inta' them, an' they're never seen again. An then the door vanishes. They're in the tenement block back there, 'swhat's said." The drunk points a split thumbnail towards a small housing project with a run-down appearance, up on a small hill. "Buh it's spreadin, too."

"If they're all in one place, why are people ditching this area?"

"Don' ask me. I ain't ever seen 'em. Buh from what I've heard, it's because, like... the place draws people to it. Or something. Anyways: I think I've earned my fiver, yeah?"

You toss the Lincoln to him and walk back into the Pearl District. The wino scuttles away in the other direction.


>Go door-to-door, asking residents about the neighborhood

>Go for help from a changeling you know or one of the Courts

>Head to the housing project

>Write-In

>>1340389
>Head to the housing project

We need more information before we're able to take this to a contact

>1340389

>>1340389
>Head to the housing project

>>1340389
>>Head to the housing project

>>1340389
>Head to the housing project

>>1340389
>>1340396
2nded.

>>1340396
>>1340410
>>1340414
>>1340440
The housing project looks like a derelict wreck from the outside. Layers of graffiti are sprayed on the exterior walls, forming patterns as complex as any mythical seal or ward. The courtyard is overgrown, and weeds are pushing their way through cracks in the concrete. A sign by the courtyard entrance once proclaimed the name of this place, but the only things left are a handful of letters:

PO_____ _O___R_ U____ ___S___

You hear a clattering noise come from a back alley adjoined to the project, a cat, maybe. The gate of the tenement wall looms ahead of you like an eager maw.

>Head inside

>Investigate the noise

>Read the Paperback of Many Tales

>Write-In

>>1340497
>>Investigate the noise

>>1340497
>Investigate the noise

>>1340497
>Investigate the noise

>>1340497
>>Investigate the noise
Investigate disturbances.

>>1340500
>>1340501
>>1340596
>>1340606
You duck into the side alleyway and see a man dressed in some kind of flowery robe trying to scale the wall of the project. His hands end in short, thick claws, small horns jut out of his head, and what little you can see of his skin is a deep, primary blue.
The man's grip into the wall slips, and he lands in a pile of trash, making a loud crunching, clattering sound. He looks up and spots you, and his yellow eyes open wide.

"Oh shit!"

>Who the hell are you?

>Haven't seen you around: you Courtless?

>What're you doing here, goblin?

>Write-In

>>1340664
>>What're you doing here, goblin?

>>1340664
>Who the hell are you?

>>1340664
So he's a goblin? I'm not sure what distinguishing features goblins have.
>>Who the hell are you?
>What're you doing here, goblin?
>Haven't seen you around: you Courtless?
Let the interrogation commence!

>>1340696
>>1340878
The distinguishing feature of a goblin, usually, is that:
1. They're all insane by human standards, usually in an Alice-in-Wonderland type way (incredibly unhelpful, obsessive over trivial matters, prone to following bizarre and counter-intuitive personal codes and expecting others to do the same)
2. Their Masks are poor compared to Changelings.
3. Their emotions come off as hollow or second-hand.

It's usually easy to distinguish between a goblin and a changeling, but very cunning goblins can impersonate their changeling kin.

>>1340779
>>1340878
"Who the Hell are you?"

"Joseph Mitsuhide, Zagen, Black Court Fearless Pilgrimage Group! We seek nothing!" His voice has only faint hints of a Japanese accent.

>(Occult) Rack brain for mention of the Black Court

>(Persuasion) "Are you here alone? I'm investigating dangerous phenomena here: if you are here with others, they may be in danger."

>(Socialize) "Jerry Woodheart, Kingdom of Oregon, Autumn Court. Haven't heard of you guys before: where you from?"

>(Intimidate): "I've never heard of the Black Court. Talk, before I do something you regret."

>(Intimidate): (Punch him) "Don't lie to me, you piece of garbage! TALK!"

>(Subterfuge): "Good, just who I was looking for. Autumn Court sent me here to provide support, what with you guys being foreign to the Kingdom and all."

>(Empathy): Try and read this guy to see if he's a goblin and what his general intentions are.

>Write-In

>>1341133
>"Joseph Mitsuhide, Zagen, Black Court Fearless Pilgrimage Group! We seek nothing!" His voice has only faint hints of a Japanese accent.
Wut.

>>1341133
>(Occult) Rack brain for mention of the Black Court

>>1341133
>(Intimidate): "I've never heard of the Black Court. Talk, before I do something you regret."

>>1341133
>(Occult) Rack brain for mention of the Black Court
if we don't know one
>(Intimidate): "I've never heard of the Black Court. Talk, before I do something you regret."

>>1341133
>>1341146
2nded.
>>1341151
I'm hesitant on going straight to hostilities with him, but it might be necessary if we don't remember.

>>1341146
>>1341151
Roll Intelligence + Occult -2 (1 dice). Willpower may be spent to gain a +3 dice bonus (5 points left)

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>1341190

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>1341190
Well crap

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>1341190
Wrapping up the set.

>>1341345
You vaguely remember a snatch of a conversation you had with Conrad:

"-more than just four Courts."

"Really?"

"Oh, yeah, sure. There's all sorts of Courts out there. Now, some of them, like the Big Rains Court and the Tornado Season Court, they're just, like... SUBSIDIARIES of the Seasonal courts. But there's other ones, too. They're always grouped up in four, it's a powerful number. Lots of things come in fours, after all. Like the weirdos out in Las Vegas: they've got a Court based on the suites in poker: Clubs, Hearts, Diamonds, and Spades, yeah? But they're weird. Mostly, in America, you've got four Seasons. Same for Europe. But if you head across the Iron Curtain, you've got different Courts. They go by times of day instead of seasons, I guess because they don't really have any seasons besides "snowy" and "less snowy". And in the Far East, China and shit, they go with the Four Directions. Black North, Azure East, Vermilion South, and White West. Weird guys. Have a big presence in California. Even have a small embassy in Chinatown here. Official Court policy's to shut them out whenever possible, but hey, selling to them's good for business."


>(Persuasion): "Listen, I might be able to help you, but I need to know how many of you there are and why you're here."

>(Socialize): "New in America, huh? You speak good English, for a foreigner."

>(Intimidate): "You're a long way from Chinatown, outsider. Talk now and talk quick: you aren't welcome on these lands."

>(Subterfuge): "The Summer Court already knows you're here, and they're sending their warriors out. I can help, but I need fair play from you guys."

>Write-In

>>1341410
>Official Court policy's to shut them out whenever possible, but hey, selling to them's good for business."
Why's that?

>>1341434
Politics, the eternal enemy of all functional societies. Part of it has to do with beliefs about having multiple Courts "Overlapping" in an area making it less powerful, part of it has to do with racist tendencies on behalf of both sides, some of it is fallout from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam splashing into the Occult Underground, and part of it is due to an apparent "war" between San Francisco and the combined forces of Oregon and Washington that erupted due to reasons that aren't discussed in polite society.

>>1341447
Now I'm highly interested in just what that "war" was about. It's not going to spill over to here, is it?

>>1341410
>>(Subterfuge): "The Summer Court already knows you're here, and they're sending their warriors out. I can help, but I need fair play from you guys."
2nded most amount of die after Intimidate, but let's not drive this guy out just yet. He doesn't seem hostile.
Does the Summer Court actually know about them, or is that a bluff?

>>1341451
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

>>1341470
Bluff.

>>1341473
>Bluff.
Oh boy. Now I'm seriously tempted to switch to Intimidate now if that's the case, because I'm not sure how good this guy is at detecting bluffs.

>>1341410
>(socialize) now in america...

Why didn't you use the door by the way

>>1341410
>(Persuasion): "Listen, I might be able to help you, but I need to know how many of you there are and why you're here."

>>1341410
>(Intimidate): "You're a long way from Chinatown, outsider. Talk now and talk quick: you aren't welcome on these lands."

Do you have any archives? I just read the Prologue, and suptg for this quest is an utter mess.

>>1342379
Unfortunately, the first three chapters are lost to oblivion :( . Mea maxima culpa.

Everything else is recorded, and should be labeled Changeling the Lost consistently.

>>1342399
What happened in the first three chapters, then?

>>1342406
1. Correction, chapters 1 and 2 are missing.
2. Jerry escaped Arcadia, ended up in Portland, and was eventually found by the Winter Court and taken to a safehouse. He met Terry, Mary, Gwen, John, and Abbadon there. He was given instruction in the basics of Changeling life by the Winter Court, then given the Lost equivalent of a debutante ball. There, he met John Brown, the Al Capone of the Lost, and eventually joined the Autumn Court. John pissed off perpetual child Young Sam and got in a fight with him. Eventually, you got hooked up with Conrad and agreed to be the street contact of the Autumn Court until the first leaf of fall fell from the trees. That should be everything.

>>1342413
>Eventually, you got hooked up with Conrad and agreed to be the street contact of the Autumn Court until the first leaf of fall fell from the trees.
We also did it to permanently give the former informant his self-confidence, since he apparently doesn't naturally come with it for whatever reason. What happened to that guy again? I forgot what his name was.

>>1342453
To be honest, I forget too. He probably won't appear again in a noteworthy capacity.

>>1342460
>To be honest, I forget too. He probably won't appear again in a noteworthy capacity.
So forgettable, even the QM forgets about him.
>>1342453
>>1342460
We should check up on him sometime, see how he's doing since we made a rather expensive oath for his sake.

I'm going to recommend OP puts up a Chapter 1, 2 story thread, so that newcomers like myself can be confused as why 1 and 2 happened months after 3.

Seriously though, that's a lot of exposition and character introduction to have missed, it's going to be like skipping into the middle of a book, or arriving halfway through a movie.

Also, if you rewrite 1 and 2, you get to insert juicy foreshadowing you didn't know you wanted back then.

>>1342490
I'll do it, but in the meanwhile: we're currently deadlocked on a decision: you have any opinions?

>>1342499
>>1341410
Switching >>1341470 to
>>1341410
>>(Socialize): "New in America, huh? You speak good English, for a foreigner."
Don't need our introductions to the faction to be hostile.

>>1341646
>>1342513
Roll Presence + Socialize (3 dice). Willpower may be spent as normal to gain 3 more dice to roll (5 points remaining).

Rolled 3, 7, 4 = 14 (3d10)

>>1342534

Rolled 1, 2, 5 = 8 (3d10)

>>1342534
>3 dice
So just wondering, how does the roll system work now, QM? Besides how the dices are added, that is. It wasn't mentioned at the start of the thread.

Rolled 6, 9, 4 = 19 (3d10)

>>1342534

Rolled 2, 9, 9 = 20 (3d10)

>>1342534

>>1342540
Ah, yeah. Should add that to my opening post:

8's, 9's, and 10's are successes. 10's "explode", allowing you to roll additional dice equal to the number of 10's and add them to your successes. Certain modifications may apply based on supernatural effects (for example, 8's, 9's, and 10's all explode on your Survival rolls, as you are a Woodwalker.)

>>1342542
"Ah, so you're new in town. You speak good English, for a foreigner."

The skinny ogre gets up and wipes himself off.
"That's because I'm not: my grandparents are the immigrants. Now: you aren't going to talk about us snooping around outside of Chinatown, are you?"

>I have to. Sorry.

>Nope.

>Not if you tell me why you're here.

>Tell me what you're doing first: then I'll decide.

>Write-In

>>1342575

>Not if you tell me why you're here.

>>1342575
>>Tell me what you're doing first: then I'll decide

>>1342575
>Not if you tell me why you're here.

>>1342575
>>Not if you tell me why you're here.

>>1342575
>Tell me what you're doing first: then I'll decide.

>>1342575
>>Tell me what you're doing first: then I'll decide.
Obviously we can't make the promise if he's going to endanger everyone. Guy could just be a scrub out of his depths.

>>1342575
>>1342659
Switching to this.

>>1342575
>Tell me what you're doing first: then I'll decide.

>>1342639
>>1342659
>>1342594
"Tell me what you're doing here first."

"Well... there's this thing called qi. It's like..." Joseph waves his hands vaguely. "I dunno, let's say it's to luck what water is to plants. Lots of things can influence its flow- there's a whole science to it, called Feung Shui. This building is a stagnant pool of qi, and that's bad. When qi doesn't move, it goes bad- just like water. And here: it's like a trap. No qi goes in. No qi comes out. That's REALLY bad. I mean, worse than just having a place where qi is sluggish, or where it isn't at all. The Akuma can poison places like this very easy: that's no good, got me? So I'm trying to figure out the problem with this place, feung shui-wise, so, you know, it can get fixed."

>Why aren't you using the front door?

>Alone?

>I'm here for the same kind of thing. I'll help.

>Why do you care?

>Write-In

>>1342706
>I'm here for the same kind of thing. I'll help.

>>1342706
>>I'm here for the same kind of thing. I'll help.
Well, not that we really know what he’s talking about, but that there's a problem nearby.

>>1342706
>Feung Shui.
So is this guy's business just to literally rearrange furniture until the "qi" becomes balanced?

>>1342706
>I'm here for the same kind of thing. I'll help.

>>1342706
>>Alone?
>Why do you care?

Let's not jump to offers of helpo so easelly

>>1342786

I mean, if it is as bad as he says his court woud have made a move or at least contacted ours

>>1342786
>>1342790
Hm, true. He might just be a scout who recently discovered of this though.

>>1342706
Switching >>1342734 to
>Alone?
>Why do you care?
>Why aren't you using the front door?

>>1342706
>Alone?
>I'm here for the same kind of thing. I'll help.

>>1342706
>Alone?
>I'm here for the same kind of thing. I'll help.

>>1342786
this

>>1342736
Feung Shui is more than that. The geography of the area, the architecture of buildings, the history of the area, and more can all influence the flow of qi. Correcting the bad flow of qi can involve knocking out walls, arranging objects in auspicious number combinations, performing sacrifices, constructing water features and hills, and more in Chinese geomantic beliefs.

>>1342786
>>1342797
>>1342968
"Why do you care?"

"The people around here, they are suffering from this, I can tell. They do not deserve it. None must be taken by the Akuma."

"I think I understand what you mean. Now: are you here alone?"

He looks at you. "No. There are three of us. The other two are already inside."

>Okay, I'll help.

>Tell them to get where I can see them.

>Get back to your embassy. You aren't welcome here.

>Write-In

>>1343007
>>Okay, I'll help.

>>1343007
>Okay, I'll help.

>>1343007
>>Tell them to get where I can see them.
What's this option? Asking to get the others to meet up or to interrogate?

>>1343058
It's telling this guy to tell his friends to come out where you can see them. To meet up or to interrogate, or just to verify his story, your choice.

>>1343007
>Okay, I'll help.

We can learn some about this area of the Occult

>>1343017
>>1343033
>>1343130
"Okay. I'll help."

"...Oh, okay! My fellows will meet us inside. You mind helping me up?"

>Why don't we just go in the front?

>Sure. Meet me in the courtyard.

>Write-In

>>1343262
>>Why don't we just go in the front?

>>1343262
>>Why don't we just go in the front?
Isn't that the most direct route?

>>1343262
>Sure. Meet me in the courtyard.
Don't want to risk going through one of the doors.

>>1343262
>Sure. Meet me in the courtyard.

>>1343262
>>1343344
Oh, yeah. I forgot these could be the spooky doors of the tenement.
Switching >>1343331 to
>>Why don't we just go in the front?
>>Sure. Meet me in the courtyard.

>>1343262
>Why don't we just go in the front?

>>1343344
>>1343347
>>1343510
"Sure. I'll meet you in the courtyard."

You head through the open gate into the courtyard proper. After a couple of minutes, Joseph drops out of a window, followed by two other Lost in plain black robes. One of them is wearing a large hat in what you think of as the "rice-farmer" style. One central eye bugs at you, and a long, floppy tongue briefly shoots out as the man lands. The other is a doddering old man with a large, tumorous head that puts you in mind of a turnip. Both of them appear to have a number of scars and bruises on their body. The long-tongued one turns to Joseph and begins speaking in what you think is Japanese:

"これはあなたが話す外国人ですか?"

"はい、先生。 彼は私たちを助けて喜んだという."

"彼を信用できますか? これは、私たちの兄弟に関する情報を私たちの外に出すための策略になるかもしれません。"

The turnip-headed one interjects: "为什么要担心这样的事情? 那恐惧是暂时世界的另一个方面。 释放它,让我们相信他."

The long-tongued one turns to him: "あなたが望むように、最高の師匠ですが、私たちは守るべきです。私たちはこの国では見知らぬ人であり、私たちを歓迎していません."

The three nod, and Joseph turns to you. "Master Toshiro and Master Hong have been informed of your situation, and accept you. If you wish to help us, please follow us."
The group heads towards a semi-open stairwell.

>What was that all about?

>I've seen costumes like that before, in kung-fu movies. You guys monks?

>So, tell me more about the Black Court.

>Write-In

>>1343727
>>What was that all about?
>>So, tell me more about the Black Court.
Joseph was saying the truth of what they said, just a discussion about admitting strangers.
They'll tell us if they're monks or not if they ask more, and the kung-fu reference might sound disrespectful to them.

>>1343727
>>>What was that all about?
>>>So, tell me more about the Black Court.

>>1343727
>What was that all about?
>So, tell me more about the Black Court.

>>1343759
>>1343765
>>1343766
"What was that all about?"

"As I said, simply a discussion about your situation, and whether you can be trusted. Master Toshiro and Master Hong are new to this country, and speak no English. With the Northern War only fifteen years in the past, you cannot blame us for caution."

"Northern War?"

"The conflict between San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland."

"Ah. Don't know much about that. So... tell me more about the Black Court."

Joseph falls silent for a little while. "...I think we are closest to the Winter Court. We understand that to avoid the Akuma is to be beneath their notice. But, where they hide, we act more wisely. We practice non-attachment. If we have nothing, there is nothing for the Akuma to take from us. They will not seek us, for we cannot amuse them with loss. So, we harden ourselves against suffering to be liberated from it. And we learn to take strength from it."

>Sounds harsh.

>You feed on suffering? That's awful!

>Sound's real Zen. But I guess that's what you are, right? Faerie Zen monks. Heh.

>Write-In

>>1343809
>Sounds harsh

>>1343809
>Sound's real Zen. But I guess that's what you are, right? Faerie Zen monks. Heh.

>>1343809
>>Sounds harsh.
>Sound's real Zen. But I guess that's what you are, right? Faerie Zen monks. Heh.

>>1343809
>Sound's real Zen. But I guess that's what you are, right? Faerie Zen monks. Heh.

>>1343849
>>1343867
>>1343868
"Sound's real Zen. But I guess that's what you are, right? Faerie Zen monks. Heh."

Joseph shoots you a sideways glance. "I don't understand how you can keep a straight face and call yourself a 'fairy'."

"Well, what's the word you use?"

"化け物."

"Huh?"

"化け物. Ba-ke-mo-no. It means 'something that changes'. Since we were changed from human to what we are, it makes sense."

"Then what do you call goblins?"

"You must mean the Akuma's servants. Those, we call 'yokai', calamitous spirits. And before you ask, 'Akuma' just means 'Evil Existence'. Unlike you, we do not fear calling them what they are. Ah, here we are."

You arrive in an empty room to find a couple of large rucksacks full of various wooden objects. Some of them look vaguely religious or magical.
Joseph smiles. "You want to help? Carry these for us."

>Hell no. I'm not your damn pack mule.

>Fine (pick them up)

>What's all this for?

>Write-In

>>1343957
>>What's all this for?

>>1343957
>Fine (pick them up)
>What's all this for?

>>1343957
>What's all this for?

>>1343957
>What's all this for?
>Write-in
I mean, the Gentry aren't all that scary. I tricked one last month.

>>1343982
>I mean, the Gentry aren't all that scary. I tricked one last month.
I think we shouldn't mention that because of the oath of not revealing what's in the box and all.

>>1343957
>>What's all this for?
>Fine (pick them up)

>>1343970
>>1343976
>>1343982
>>1343997
"What's all this for?"

"It's meant to correct the bad feung shui around here. Pick it up, please."

>>1343973
>>1343997
"Fine."

You pick up the sacks and shoulder them. They're surprisingly heavy, but you're sure you'll manage. You start following the group through the building.

Roll Strength + Stamina -2 (4 dice). Willpower may be spend to increase roll to 7 dice.

Rolled 10, 2, 4, 6 = 22 (4d10)

>>1344130

File: rraketa-tkines.jpg (65 KB, 550x367)

65 KB JPG

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>1344133
Oriental Explosion

Rolled 9, 3, 4, 7 = 23 (4d10)

>>1344130

Rolled 8, 8, 1, 9 = 26 (4d10)

>>1344130

>>1344156
You wander about the structure for about a half-hour, stopping occasionally as the two foreigners measure a wall or take a note of a chipped tile. You finally stop in an empty apartment with tearing wallpaper.

"この壁は私たちの仕事を始めるには良い場所です。 ジョセフ! この壁を赤く塗る助けるために部外者を教えて!"

"Master Toshiro humbly requests your help in painting this wall red. The paint and brushes should be in the bags."

You nod and fish out a bucket of red paint and brushes, and start helping Joseph paint, while Hong and Toshiro make more measurements and burn some incense.

Roll Wits + Composure (4 dice). Willpower may be spent as usual.

Rolled 10, 9, 6, 9 = 34 (4d10)

>>1344238
>4d10

Rolled 1, 8, 6, 6 = 21 (4d10)

>>1344238
It's blood isn't it?

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>1344244
>10
Explosion.

Rolled 1, 7, 2, 1 = 11 (4d10)

>>1344238

>>1344244
While painting, you notice movement through the wall your're facing. You look out and see a figure stumbling on the open-air walkway across the courtyard from your group. As you watch, part of the wall bubbles and bends, and a door emerges from it and swings inward slightly.

>Run out towards the guy

>Alert the group to this

>Ignore it

>Write-In

>>1344323
>Alert the group to this

>>1344323
>>Alert the group to this
Don't investigate it alone and without informing the others like those scrub guards that then get assassinated by someone.
>>Run out towards the guy
Proceed to take chase with backup.

>>1344323
>Run out towards the guy
"Oy! Don't touch that door!"

>>1344323
>Alert the group to this

>>1344327
>>1344329
>>1344333
"Shit. Guys, you need to look out this window! Something related to the bad ki or whatever! We need to stop that guy from going into that door!"

You turn towards the doorless archway of the apartment, but a gnarled hand with five sharp points grabs your wrist. You look down to see the bent form of Master Hong.

"不要當傻子! 恶魔是狡猾的。 如果那个男人住,他就住。 如果他死了,他死了。 现在,我们必须了解他们的毒药在这里做了什么。"

"Master Hong says that we should stay here and see what happens. He says that is the wise course of action."

>Tell Master Hong to shove it up his ass! (go after the man anyways)

>Stay and watch

>Write-In

>>1344358
>Stay and watch

>>1344358
>Write in
These mortals are ours, Black Court. I won't allow them to come to harm.

>>1344358
>Write-In
That's a goddamn gateway to the Hedge!

>>1344358
>>1344436
>>1344377
2nded. We won't just let them die like that!

>>1344377
>>1344436
>>1344463
"That's a goddamn gateway into the Hedge! These are my freehold's people, I'm not letting them die like this!"

Without waiting for a response, you sprint out of the apartment and down the hall, determined to save the poor homeless man.

Roll Wits + Composure -3 (1 dice). May spend Willpower to increase roll to 4 dice.

>>1344518
>Roll Wits + Composure -3 (1 dice). May spend Willpower to increase roll to 4 dice.
So just wondering, does the -3 indicate the difficulty level?

Rolled 10, 8, 6, 5 = 29 (4d10)

>>1344518
Oh boy

Rolled 2, 4, 4, 2 = 12 (4d10)

>>1344518
Spend the Will

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>1344518
>Roll Wits + Composure -3 (1 dice). May spend Willpower to increase roll to 4 dice.
Does the choice to spend will or not, and the rolls therein go by popular vote within the rolls?

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>1344524

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>1344538
>Rolled 10 (1d10)
Explode.

>>1344538
>>1344542
I feel like I've been gambling too much with the fate of a mortal, but it feels so good that it worked.

To answer your questions (maybe I should make an FAQ):
>>1344523
Yes. The -3 indicates there's a -3 dice penalty to the roll, due to circumstances, internal state, injuries, occult effects, etc. A "flat" roll indicates attempting an act in unbiased circumstances (as is normal). A +X (where X is an arbitrary number) would indicate that the balance of positive and negative modifiers are helping you (such as making an Occult check with plentiful, well-cataloged reference materials, Driving a car in ideal conditions, or engaging in a battle of wits with a moron who's foibles you've previously scouted.).

>>1344538
I take the roll with the most successes. If a roll people spent Willpower on has the most successes, then that's the case. If it's not, then that's the case. If it's a tie, it defaults to the Willpower expenditure.

>>1344559
>or engaging in a battle of wits with a moron who's foibles you've previously scouted.).
This sounds hilarious if someone loses with those odds in their favor, I'd like to see this sometime if it hasn't already happened.
>>1344559
>I take the roll with the most successes. If a roll people spent Willpower on has the most successes, then that's the case. If it's not, then that's the case. If it's a tie, it defaults to the Willpower expenditure.
Ah, I see. When it goes by success, does it only go by whether it succeeds or not, not by how much it succeeds within that success like a 9 over an 8 would still be considered the same type of success?

>>1344524
Something sticks out to you. As you came out, you turned the corner quickly, but you saw a few shafts of sunlight thrusting through the thin cloud cover to your RIGHT. You stop, and look. Yep, you're facing the courtyard here. You turn around. Yep, that's a window behind you. It's facing the courtyard. You look back in front of you, slowly.
The courtyard.
Behind.
The courtyard.

>Shit. Am I having an acid flashback?

>Hey, Joseph. I think you need to see this...

>Well, that's fun.

>(Search the courtyard for a corresponding window)

>Write-In

>>1344566
How much when it matters, and only the number of successes are important, not the number of 8's vs. 9's vs. 10's.

>>1344570
>>Hey, Joseph. I think you need to see this...
So are we in some spacial anomaly?

>>1344570
>(Search the courtyard for a corresponding window)
>Write-In
Joseph, I think I found one of the problems. First, STAY AWAY from me and near the courtyard.

>>1344613
This guy's got the right idea

>>1344570
>>1344613
Switching >>1344575 to this. This makes more sense.

>>1344613
>>1344619
>>1344622
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b_2Uq1EdVI&list=PL99czue-ivEsoa6PnTaiC2oOxAGfSWrau

"Joseph. I think I found one of the problems. First, STAY AWAY from me and near the courtyard."

"Okay, if you're sure!"

Roll Wits + Investigation + 2 (6 dice). May spend Willpower as normal.

Rolled 10, 8, 1, 9, 1, 5 = 34 (6d10)

>>1344640
>6 dice

Rolled 9, 6, 8, 2, 6, 1 = 32 (6d10)

>>1344640

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>1344644
>10
Explode.

>>1344644
It doesn't take you long to locate a window on the other side of the apartment complex, one floor down. You can see Joseph from your angle, painting the wall.

>Throw a rock at it

>Shout

>Try and get to it

>Write-In

>>1344706
>>Shout
Shout and see if he can hear us from here.

>>1344706
>>Shout

if he desn't hear we

>Throw a rock at it

>>1344706
>Shout

>>1344709
>>1344927
>>1344989
"Hey, Joseph!"

Joseph's head swivels toward the window. Looks like he heard you. You turn around and walk into the apartment.
"It looks like we have some kind of... I dunno. The window's in the wrong place."

"Wait, what?"

"The window's in the wrong-"

"WE NEED TO LEAVE, NOW."

"Why?"

"TRUST ME THIS IS JUST BA-"

You feel a sudden jerking motion on the back of your neck, and the walls begin to RIPPLE around you, doors and hallways bulging out and sucking in.

>Run for Joseph! (Dexterity + Athletics (3 dice))

>Stay still and try not to panic! (Resolve + Composure (4 dice))

>Look for a pattern in the chaos (Wits + Occult (3 dice))

>Write-In

>>1345566
>>Stay still and try not to panic! (Resolve + Composure (4 dice))
Most dice in this situation sounds better for our survival.

Rolled 2, 6, 1, 9 = 18 (4d10)

>>1345566
>Stay still and try not to panic! (Resolve + Composure (4 dice))

Rolled 6, 5, 6 = 17 (3d10)

>>1345566
Look for a pattern in the chaos (Wits + Occult (3 dice))
"There aren't gateways IN here. This IS the gateway!"

Rolled 8, 4, 1, 8 = 21 (4d10)

>>1345566
>Stay still and try not to panic! (Resolve + Composure (4 dice))

Hopefully a Keeper doesn't come flying out of nowhere but if it ends up sucking us in it might help us find the already disappeared people

>>1345566
>>1345591
>>1345592
Are we supposed to be rolling with these choices, or waiting for a vote consensus first before rolling?

>>1345599
Roll with it.

Rolled 4, 2, 5, 1 = 12 (4d10)

>>1345603
Alright.
>>1345586

>>1345596
After a few minutes, the world stops spinning around you, and you find yourself standing in the middle of a long hallway. Peeling paint falls off of the ceiling onto your head.

>Head to the left (Resolve + Survival (5 dice: remember, you get 8-again))

>Head to the right (Resolve + Survival (5 dice: remember, you get 8-again))

>Write-In

>>1345713
>>Head to the left (Resolve + Survival (5 dice: remember, you get 8-again))


left worked with the goblins

Rolled 4, 2, 6, 10, 3 = 25 (5d10)

>>1345713
>>Head to the right (Resolve + Survival (5 dice: remember, you get 8-again))
Stick to the right-hand rule.

Rolled 5, 9, 8, 8, 5 = 35 (5d10)

>>1345713
>Head to the left (Resolve + Survival (5 dice: remember, you get 8-again))

Rolled 1, 9, 5, 1, 7 = 23 (5d10)

>>1345719
forgot roll

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>1345720
>10
Explode.

File: EXPLOSIONS.jpg (40 KB, 637x358)

40 KB JPG

Rolled 8, 10, 8 = 26 (3d10)

>>1345721
YES

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>1345724
and boom

>>1345729

shit dude, that's a whole new set of explosions

File: Brutal.png (136 KB, 325x325)

136 KB PNG

Rolled 8, 10, 1 = 19 (3d10)

>>1345729
AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH YEEEEAAAAAHHHHH

>>1345738
Whoa. This explosion train just keeps on going!

File: Desire.jpg (41 KB, 260x327)

41 KB JPG

Rolled 8, 3 = 11 (2d10)

>>1345738

File: ONE MORE THING.png (149 KB, 400x300)

149 KB PNG

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>1345747
That's 9 successes by my lonesome.

File: 10-10.jpg (60 KB, 720x720)

60 KB JPG

>>1345751

File: Thumbs Up.jpg (44 KB, 301x267)

44 KB JPG

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>1345754
>>1345751
I guess the dice roller stopped for a second there.

>>1345759
I really want to know what we can get with 10 successes like this.

>>1345798
>10 successes
>we discover a magical treasure trove as we try to escape

>>1345759

Turoc coming in clutch

>>1345856
*Toruc

>>1345942

My bad

>>1345856
>>1345942

That was a fun game on the 64 tho, loved that brain extracting weapon...

also, we survived the shit out of that left path

>>1345721
>>1345729
>>1345738
>>1345747
>>1345751
You head to the left and down the hall. Then right. Right, left, right, left, left, left, up a flight of stairs, down another... the hallways are lined with doors, but something tells you not to open them. Ivy grows on the walls and ceiling, and you can hear people moving in the distance.

Eventually, you come out into a courtyard. Looking up, you can see trees towering above you. Ahead, on a platform, you see a strange structure. It's a sculpture, maybe a couple feet across. You can't quite describe its exact shape, but it has a lot of sides and angles, some of which seem to pass through each other.

>Study it more closely (Wits + Composure)

>Pick it up

>Smash it (Strength + Brawl)

>Write-In

>>1346071
>>Study it more closely (Wits + Composure)
Interesting.

>>1346071
>Study it more closely (Wits + Composure)

>>1346071
>Study it more closely (Wits + Composure)

Rolled 8, 2, 7, 2 = 19 (4d10)

>>1346071
>Study it more closely (Wits + Composure)

>>1346082
>>1346089
>>1346100

4d10 ladies and gentlemen

>>1346071
>Study it more closely (Wits + Composure)

Rolled 9, 8, 8, 5 = 30 (4d10)

>>1346118

Rolled 4, 9, 5, 5 = 23 (4d10)

>>1346116
>4d10
Alright.
>>1346082

Rolled 7, 2, 6, 5 = 20 (4d10)

>>1346071

>Study it more closely (Wits + Composure)

Rolled 7, 9, 10, 7 = 33 (4d10)

>>1346116

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>1346153
pop

Rolled 6, 8, 5, 4 = 23 (4d10)

>>1346116
Let's do this again!

>>1346127
The object seems to be subtly shifting as you watch it. It seems to be made out of some kind of glass-like substance: it might be possible to shatter it. There's no kind of identifying marking on it. It has quite a convoluted structure, resembling something folded in on itself many times.

>Rack brains for occult knowledge (Roll Intelligence + Occult (3 dice))

>Pick it up

>Smash it (Strength + Brawl (7 dice))

>Write-In

>>1346184
>Rack brains for occult knowledge (Roll Intelligence + Occult (3 dice))

Rolled 4, 2, 3 = 9 (3d10)

>>1346184
>>1346184
>resembling something folded in on itself many times.
Folded over 1,000 times, perhaps?
>>Rack brains for occult knowledge (Roll Intelligence + Occult (3 dice))
We will learn of its secrets!

Rolled 6, 5, 4 = 15 (3d10)

>>1346184
>Rack brains for occult knowledge (Roll Intelligence + Occult (3 dice))

Rolled 9, 7, 9, 9, 3, 3 = 40 (6d10)

>>1346184
>Rack brains for occult knowledge (Roll Intelligence + Occult (3 dice)
Alright, this thing seems important, but also potentially dangerous. I'm using will.

>>1346217

Definitely worth it

Rolled 9, 5, 9, 5, 4, 9 = 41 (6d10)

>>1346184
>Rack brains for occult knowledge (Roll Intelligence + Occult (3 dice))
Spending will

Rolled 8, 4, 4, 4, 5, 1 = 26 (6d10)

>>1346184
>>Rack brains for occult knowledge (Roll Intelligence + Occult (3 dice))

one more with will

>>1346217
This object... why is it located here? It looks entangled on itself in some convoluted way. It shifts and bends, much like the hallways... you think this might be connected to this place in some significant way.

>Pick it up

>Smash it (Strength + Brawl (7 dice))

>Write-In

Rolled 2, 1, 2, 9, 10, 9, 10 = 43 (7d10)

>>1346301
welp!

>Smash it (Strength + Brawl (7 dice))

Rolled 10, 10 = 20 (2d10)

>>1346306
boom

Rolled 1, 4, 7, 4, 3, 1, 6 = 26 (7d10)

>>1346301
>Smash it (Strength + Brawl (7 dice))

Well fuck this thing then

Rolled 10, 1, 8, 6, 10, 9, 2 = 46 (7d10)

>>1346301
>Smash it (Strength + Brawl (7 dice))

Rolled 7, 2 = 9 (2d10)

>>1346311
We are on fire tonight, ladies and gentlemen.

Rolled 4, 9 = 13 (2d10)

>>1346308
more booms

I think it's safe to say we fucked up something, either the thing or ourselves

>>1346184
>glass-like substance
>like a mirror
>smashing it
>as a changeling
uhm...
(running away)

>>1346333

welp, stupid shit is part of the quest tradition anon, don't you honor your ancestors?

>>1346306
>>1346308
>>1346320
You pick up the glass structure and hurl it hard at a free-standing pillar. It impacts, hard. and EVERYTHING trembles. You're sent flying by a seismic wave. Roll Stamina + Athletics (3 dice)

>>1346301
>>Pick it up

Rolled 4, 1, 9 = 14 (3d10)

>>1346347

Rolled 2, 6, 3 = 11 (3d10)

>>1346347

Rolled 8, 3, 7 = 18 (3d10)

>>1346347
>3 dice

Rolled 8, 9, 9 = 26 (3d10)

>>1346347

>>1346352
You land hard on a nearby pillar, and can hear your ribs strain and scream with the impact. (4 bashing damage taken).

You pick yourself up and look around. The environment has changed around you. You're now standing on a long, extended stone slab, surrounded on three sides by tenement overlooks. The fourth side opens up on a view of towering skyscrapers overgrown with faded green looming over choking apartments, houses, and shopping blocks, and a stone ceiling adorned with abstract carvings. The glass structure lies by a pillar. It looks like there's a slight dent in it.

>SMASH! (Strength + Brawl)

>Pick it up

>Write-In

>>1347211
>>Pick it up
What happens if we interact with it, it controls the spatial anomaly?

>>1347220
Yeah maybe if we focus hard on the nature of qi while holding it we can control the anomaly or some shit

>>1347211
>Pick it up

>>1347220
>>1347557
You pick up the sculpture. It feels notably different in your hands now. Most notably, you see that a face appears to be at more of an angle to the structure than previously. You gently touch it and rotate it back into place. You hear a grinding somewhere far off. It looks like manipulating certain facets of this thing manipulates facets of this space.

>Try and search for the Black Court in this space (Roll Intelligence + Survival (5 dice, with 8-again))

>Try and find a way out (Intelligence + Investigation + Wyrd (5 dice))

>Try and manipulate the maze into a more navigable form. (Spend one glamour, roll Wyrd (2 dice))

Rolled 2, 5, 1, 3, 7 = 18 (5d10)

>>1347606
>>Try and search for the Black Court in this space (Roll Intelligence + Survival (5 dice, with 8-again))

Rolled 7, 3, 6, 6, 7 = 29 (5d10)

>>1347606
>Try and search for the Black Court in this space (Roll Intelligence + Survival (5 dice, with 8-again))

Rolled 9, 5, 4, 4, 1 = 23 (5d10)

>>1347606
>Try and search for the Black Court in this space (Roll Intelligence + Survival (5 dice, with 8-again))

>>1347735
You aren't sure how long you walked along the skewed corridors and up winding flights of stairs, but you eventually locate Joseph, Hong, and Toshiro. The former two are keeping watch, and great you when you approach. The third is lying on the ground, his head propped up slightly. You see a dark red stain on the edge of his hairline.

>Hey guys, found this thing. Think it can get us out of here.

>What happened to him?

>He alright?

>Write-In

>>1347797
>>He alright?
>What happened to him?
>Hey guys, found this thing. Think it can get us out of here.

>>1347735
Were you going to explode your dice earlier, Toruc?

>>1347804
this

>>1347797
>>What happened to him?

>>1347804
I made the post and then went to bed before seeing the results.

>>1347804
>>1347942
"He alright?"

Joseph shakes his head. "No. Looks like he's got a concussion, at least. We need to find a way out of here, now."

"不要害怕门徒。 大師郎並不擔心他的死亡。 死亡是从邪恶的诞生的最后解放。"

Joseph turns around and yells at Hong.
"私は動揺していない! あなたの人生に一度の思いやりを見せてください! あなたの学生は死にかけています!"

"Easy, Joseph. Listen: what happened?"

"We were walking along this passage, alright, when all of a sudden there was this earthquake, and then we were falling. Master Hong managed to slow our descent, but Toshiro hit his head on an outcropping. His hat was ruined, too: he'll be real upset by that; he loved that hat."

>I think that might be my fault (relate what happened)

>Listen, I found this device, I think it controls the structure of this place.

>Write-In

>>1348465
>I think that might be my fault (relate what happened)

>>1348465
>I think that might be my fault (relate what happened)

>>1348465
>I think that might be my fault (relate what happened)

>>1348529
>>1348539
>>1348560
"I think that might be my fault..."
You explain your discovery and subsequent attempt to destroy the device to Joseph.

"So... it's your fault."

"I mean, I guess."

"You're why Toshiro is like this."

"If you want to put it like tha-"

Joseph's fist comes flying at you.

>Dodge

>Dodge and activate Preternatural Spryness

>Evade using normal faculties (will allow you to take an action afterwards)

>Take the hit.

>Write-In

>>1348584
>Take the hit.
we messed up no point making a scene

>>1348584
>Dodge and activate Preternatural Spryness
We've got plenty of Glamour, and we don't need anymore bashing damage. We already took a nasty hit earlier from this.