Previous Thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/4026975/

Hello! If you find this alarmingly familiar, that’s because this takes place in the setting of Court of Swords. I’m not Ouro, obviously. With his blessing, I’m running this short quest whose story is separate from his own. You don’t need to read CoS as I’ll explain things as we go along but I think you should anyways. In any case, I’ll be “redoing” exposition very quickly to help out and to refresh memories.

Court of Swords Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?searchall=court+of+swords

>>4057724
>”I don’t get it, but as long as you’re happy.”
>”as long as you have no regrets? Probably a wise decision.”

>“I don’t get it, but as long as you’re happy.”
>”As long as you have no regrets? Probably a wise decision.”

“As long as you have no regrets, it’s probably a wise decision,” you say.

“It’s not that I don’t have regrets. It’s that I won’t have more regrets.”

Is that... is that even a healthy frame of mind? You reply, “I don’t get it, but as long as you’re happy.”

Vittore gives you a genuine smile. “I should get back to work. I hope the snobs leave you alone.”

“Thanks.” You nod as he leaves. You doubt anyone would recognize you offhandedly. You leave the room to find someone you know, which isn’t something that takes too long.

Against the blank wall of one of the rooms is one of your tit-sculptures—it’s a woman with wings, laying on a rock. She looks as if she fell from the sky. There’s a rather large gathering of people, discussing it in hushed tones. You can see them politely nod in agreement to something, completely serious.

“Very tasteful,” someone whispers.

“Indeed. Just look at the detailing on the skin. Beautiful.”

You spot Stefano turning his head to see you. He’s in a colorful doublet, well-dressed for the occasion. He nods his head down as he steps away to talk to you, and you do the same.

He tells you, “Wonderful work! I have to say, this might be your best sculpture yet.”

“Thank you. The wings took me forever, especially since she kept moving. And thank you for helping me reserve the space. I don’t think I could’ve managed it myself.”

“Don’t worry about it; this aligns with my interests too.” He rubs his chin. “Say, how much for something like this in my foyer? Because remember that little ‘party trick’ you set up in the old one?”

“The one to deter people from throwing more wine in?” you say, “Yes.”

“It worked a little too well, and in retaliation, it’s been reduced to a large puddle. I could really use another sculpture, as soon as possible.”


>”Sorry, I don’t do that sort of thing anymore.”

>”I promised myself I won’t make any more... tastefully nude pieces anymore.”

>”Sure thing. I’ll be there the next time I’m free.”

>Other (Specify)

>>4057786
>I’m a professional duelist now.
>So my time will be tight.
>I’ll see what I can do though.

>Professional

“I’m a professional duelist now, so my time will be tight. I’ll see what I can do though.”

“Great!” he says, “Oh, Rossi? I can’t help but noticed a trend. Are you leaning toward the more serious, gritty, moody style now?”

You shrug. “Who knows?”

He takes your non-answer as it is, going back to admire the sculpture while you keep walking around.

You stop in a chamber with a sky roof and a circular colonnade surrounding your centerpiece. You spot Aria, Quintilio, and a stranger mildly arguing something. The former is wearing a larger cloak with a muted pattern, hiding a sword if she’d brought one. The latter has a ruffled shirt on. You would be lying if you didn’t say you were a little disappointed. You might just put on those lenses—

“Signore Rossi,” Quintilio greets as he sees you approaching. “Perfect timing. Maybe you can clear something up?”

“Well before anything, thank you for showing up,” you say to your sudden audience of three.

The stranger opens their mouth, and you recognize them as the d’Gemetto. Singular. They grew out their hair and braided it, circling it in a small knot. A sharp, red doublet hides their figure. “My pleasure. And we are dying to know what you meant by this.”

They point to the towering mounds of water lit by the sun. A barbarian in rags has a rock in each hand, and looming over is a large chair-centipede. They are engaging in combat. They never actually fight, though, instead shifting position as if they were sizing each other up.

“Personally,” Quintilio says, “I believe it is the struggle of creativity and criticism. A powerful statement.”

D’Gemetto scoffs and replies, “It must be about the inner conflict of human nature. The centipede represents the superego, about to crush the barbarian.”

Aria mumbles, “I thought it was just a dude fighting a centipede.”

>”Quintilio is right.”

>”D’Gemetto is right.”

>”Aria is right.”

>”Actually, I wasn’t thinking when I made it. Something just overcame me.”

>Other (Specify)

>>4057946
>Originally I was wanting to take the piece a different way, it was to be a man trying to create fire with rocks.
>But my muse took me and this is the result.
>Sometimes the best pieces of art are the ones that say what many things, too an attentive eye.

>Muse

“The original direction of this piece was different, and it was just to be the barbarian. But, my muse took me and this was the result.”

Nodding, d’Gemetto replies, “So I was correct after all. A fight against the superego.”

Quintilio says, “I wouldn’t say it like that...”

You add, “I think the best works of art are ones that leave themselves open for interpretation.”

To that, Quintilio replies, “Agreed.”

While d’Gemetto adds, “A fair statement.”

Aria’s standing a small distance away, looking a little confused and surprised. She takes another glance at the centipede, her eyes become blank, and then she makes a small hum in acknowledgment. You’re not sure what kind epiphany she had, but you’re not going to pry.

You leave the three as they discuss the intricacies of the sculpting of the rows of legs. You’d rather continue to see how the rest of your works are received.

In a hallway adjacent is a space at the center, as if a small room was merged with the corridor. There, at the center, is another one of your pieces. You see people stopping by to get a good look at it before leaving confused.

One of the few that stay is Benedetto. He is, unlike the others, not trying to figure out how you sculpted it. You approach him, and he smiles. “Signore Rossi.” He’s wearing just a waistcoat this time around, but he didn’t bring his sabre with him.

“Benedetto, what do you think of Il Libero?” You join him in taking a look at the depicted person hunched over. His back is pulsating with birds trying to break free, an ebbing, vibrating surrealistic sculpture.

He loves mysteries and solving things, right? This should be right up his alley.

“I have no idea what the fuck is going on,” he whispers, “And I’m loving it. If every gallery was filled with stuff like this, I should check them out more often.”

“Surrealist galleries aren’t looked well upon by some people,” you reply, “All style and no substance, they say.”

“Style is substance. If it tickles my mind, it’s good. Personally, and no offense, I think the people crowding around the nude winged woman are a little breezy up there,” he says, making a circle with his finger next to his temple.


>”There’s nothing wrong with tits.”

>”And personally, I agree.”

>”I actually have no opinion on this. None. Nothing at all.”

>Other (Specify)

>>4058033
>As an artist who has several pieces in this gallery, all I can say is Art takes all kinds and all styles. Some people want detail, some want the surreal, other only want to ogle a lady bits. I make what I want and hope others like it."

>All kinds.

“Speaking from experience, art takes on many forms. Some people want something fantastical, some people want to ogle water in the shape of the nude form. I make what I want, and I can only hope others enjoy it.”

“Do what you want, hm?” he muses, “That’s a good way of living.” Benedetto sighs. “I guess there’s no point in judging then.”

“Glad to see you’re enjoying yourself, though.”

He flashes you a smile. “Thanks for the invitation.”

You exchange a few more words of pleasantries before walking away. After these few short conversations, you feel... a little more actualized.

It’s then that you turn the corner and you see someone.

Wearing a black and green coat, he stands before one of your pieces, tearing it apart with his eyes. You freeze as someone might before lunging after a bird to pluck its feathers. It’s him. If your blood wasn’t cold already, it would be now.

You study him as he studies your sculpture. A large, untidy beard, barely combed for the occasion paired with long, messy hair. Dark rings underneath his eyes. His arms are crossed, and he’s stroking his beard with a hand. As for his face, it’s sharp. Tired. You can see the wrinkles on his face and you’re not sure if it’s from stress or age.

He looks nothing like you, and yet, you know.

He’s you.

Five whole minutes elapse before he notices you. You look into his eyes as he looks into yours. He turns on his heel, and he runs.

You follow, your boots barely making any noise against the carpet as you pass by the gallery curator. You briefly apologize before making your leave, following the man outside. The gallery is secondary. Everything is secondary to this.

Your red-gold coat flutters in the wind. Your sabre in the scabbard bangs against your leg as you run, your cloth belt holding on. No, it’s not your sabre. The one is dulled and was left for repair.

This sabre is the other one.

The surface of the canal bounces to your steps as you give chase. You don’t understand why you’re doing this. Only that you must.

The man tries to blend into the afternoon crowd, but you can pick him out from the others. He is more real than the others, more fragmented.

“Get out of the way!” you say, trying to get through the throng.


>Pull your scabbard free and raise it menacingly.

>Take to the rooftops.

>Push through. Tackle if you have to.

>Other (Specify)

>>4058057
>"Thief! That man in the green and black coat just stole my purse. Catch him!" This should slow him plenty.

>"Thief! That man in the green and black coat just stole my purse. Catch him!" This should slow him plenty.

“Thief!” you shout, “That man in the green and black coat just stole my purse. Catch him!”

There’s a split second of extreme confusion before a brave few decide to do exactly as you say. They try to break through thicket of bodies, the man slipping away into an alleyway just barely. One person at the edge of the moving crowd tries to trip him with a foot. It catches him and he stumbles, a little, but he’s still getting away.

The stranger who tried to help you runs after him, and you follow right after. The two of you see the man turn a corner. The stranger, being ahead of you, turns first, tripping on a small fountain’s edge and falling in. You hurry past him as he picks himself up, thanking him after leaping over what he didn’t see.

The man never heads back into a crowded spot again, likely in fear of being labeled a thief.

You don’t know how long you chase him. You just know in these puzzling, tangled network of alleyways, you can’t lose him. Not while he’s alone. He runs past a puddle, and your eyes catch his lack of reflection.

Eventually, he returns to a main canal in Imago. But, as soon as you exit after, you find him nowhere in sight. You look around, seeing residential buildings filling the city block. A vandalized mural of birds perched on a tree twitches around, limbs flailing. It’s a building on the right.

You just know. The City told you.

***

1/2

>>4058148
On the fifth floor of the pastel blue chunk of stone, you find a door left open. Stopping only a second, you grab the handle and step in.

It’s dark in here. Sunlight tries its best to pierce the curtains, but it’s good enough for you to make out the living space. His bed is lying on the floor without a frame, a pile of clothes, covers, and blankets swirling together. He has two shelves, and each are filled with varying pots of water. More pots decorate the top of his table, the floor, every flat space that a pot can fit on. Tools are lying on the floor, all around.

You see yourself sitting in front of the table, back against you. Your hands are working on a water sculpture in front of you, shaping something you can’t see.

Both of you are silent. There’s nowhere else for you to run.


>”This place is a fucking dump.”

>”You’re a fucking dump.”

>”How do you live like this?”

>”Do you /like/ living like this?”

>”Aren’t you embarrassed?”

>”You should’ve killed yourself.”

>”No one will miss you.”

>”Is this what you wanted to be?”

>Other (Specify)

>>4058150
>>”Is this what you wanted to be?”
>”How do you live like this?”
>”You could be so much more.”


Who wants to bet we’re a rogue reflection grown into its own person?

>”Is this what you wanted to be?”
>”How do you live like this?”
>”You could be so much more.”

Your hands run through the water. It’s a talent, one that isn’t yours. One that you stole from yourself.

“Is this what you wanted to be?” you ask.

You don’t respond.

“How do you live like this?”

This time, the words come out. They are quiet, reserved. “It’s a simple life.”

“You could be so much more.”

“Like you?”

You stand there, in the living room watching yourself sculpt. You can no longer move. Your body is numb. In comparison to yourself, you are pale.

You whisper as you sculpt, “Who would want to be you? Look at how you act. Look at how you live. Aren’t you embarrassed?”

A spark of anger ignites in the back of your mind. “Why would I be?!”

“I don’t need a mirror to see myself. I know what I am,” you mumble, “When was the last time you saw who you really were?”

You know who you are—you’re you. You can’t be anyone else. The things you do are you. The things you say are you. The things you reach for are you.

Are you right? Is this who you really want to be?

Nothing sticks. Two rocks smash together in your mind for a final spark. One last light.


>You’d rather be fearless. You’re always wanting. You want to be recognized, seen, witnessed. You do what you want, so you can live.

>You’d rather have dignity. You’re happy with what you have. You’ll never disappoint, never lose, never risk anything. You are your own anchor, so you can live.

>>4058188
>You’re YOU, you make the art you want, because you want too, and you hope others can appreciate it but you don’t really give a damn if they do as long as you like it. You duel because you like improving yourself as winning, but you understand on occasion someone will kick your ass. You’re neither an anchor nor empty grasping water, you are a blade moving with intent, to live as only you can.

>You’re you.

A man stumbled out of a bar a long time ago. No one knows when, because no one was watching. He wandered through the City, searching for something that can’t ever be found in himself. He would do this often, but on this particular night, he made his way into a moving alleyway few have seen and even fewer care about.

In it is a small fountain, sitting center in a circular clearing, at a perfectly low height to catch the man as he fell onto it. The coins in his pocket all fell downward, and he sputtered to get the water out of his mouth. Afraid, he turns around, reaching for what he dropped, grasping them at the bottom where they sat still.

He stared at his reflection, silent and in pain. His reflection had the same expression of regret. Of longing. Of wanting. He’ll never become his dream, not like this. As he pulled all of the coins out of the fountain, he stopped and decided to drop one back in.

He whispered, “I wish I could be a duelist.”

It was a stupid dream, but this was fine. He wouldn’t remember tonight, and everything will vanish. Life will return to him in the morning and his daily routine will repeat once more. The man picks himself up and wrings his clothes, staggering away, but the reflection doesn’t.

Finger by finger, limb by limb, the water from the fountain pulls itself together. The mask it wears wavers as the higher emanation has long since vanished. But when it steadies itself, it is indistinguishable.

You make art because you want to, you duel because you want to improve, why you live because—

*!

You’re you.

1/2

>>4058269
Behind you, you hear the sound of water spilling and clothes crumpling. A scabbard clatters as it strikes the floor, and you know it is over. The nightmare is all over. You remove your hands from your water as you get up.

A pile of wet clothes lies on the ground. You’ll have to clean this up, but before you do, you grab the belt. A wooden case for lenses is on it beside a sheathed sabre. Three feathers are tied to the scabbard.

Birdwatcher. Three victories. You thought you were a Jester, but apparently not. The City has granted your wish.

No, it’s in the process of it. You know.

A knock on the door surprises you, and you say, “Come in.”

The man obliges, wearing a doublet with red, yellow, and green stripes and dark red pantaloons. His face scrunches as he sees the mess you live in. He has short hair and a sharp face. As he brings his hand up rub the nape of his neck, you spot the signet ring, showing two theatrical masks. One laughing, one crying. He’s holding something in his other hand.

“Shit,” he says in a gruff voice, “You really let didn’t get over it, huh?”

You ask, “Who are you and what do you want?”

“You don’t remember? It’s me, Valentino.”

Oh. “You look different,” you say as an excuse.

“No, you look different. Like shit, actually. I almost feel guilty about doing this, but I’m here to challenge you to a duel.”

Your eyes narrow. “Again? What is it this time?”

He raises a finger. “Hey, look what’s in your hands!” Valentino grins, “Fucking knew it. Yeah, no, I don’t feel guilty. It’s pity, maybe.”

“Get on with it.”

“Representing the citizens of the City, I’m challenging you on the account of the following—hold on, it’s really long,” he says, unfolding the parchment he was holding. “For not revealing that the terms of the duel were already fulfilled before the duel took place, injuring a guest of Stefano d’Veccini with a dangerous water sculpture, drunkenly harassing Marinetta Lattanzi, ogling at passersby with transparent lenses, psychological and physical damage to a theatre and its staff, and,” he says, folding it back up, “Calling someone a thief while you chase them. Or were you the thief? It doesn’t matter, but that was quite the interesting bit I heard while coming here.”

You scratch your cheek, through your beard. “Representing the citizens of the City? So you’re full of shit, great.”

“You’re right. No one asked me to, but you see, I’m still challenging you. I don’t want you around Divitis or any of the neighboring districts anymore. Frankly, Rossi, you’re a fucking menace.”

He just gave his terms.

So, what are yours?


>The exact same, but for him.

>For him to repay the damages done to your reputation.

>For him to proclaim you were right and innocent all along. On every charge.

>Nothing. Nothing at all.

>Other (Specify)

>>4058207
I quite like this. If write-ins wasnt allowed though I'll go for:

>You’d rather be fearless. You’re always wanting. You want to be recognized, seen, witnessed. You do what you want, so you can live.

Rossi is two things. Content and without fear. If I had to choose one I'd say fearless is the trait he should keep with him in life, never backing down no matter the risks, or the chances of failure. Always grasping for another victory, another notch to his belt. A purpose, not just so he can live, but so he can truly be alive.

>>4058272
>>Nothing. Nothing at all.

Rossi doesn't really care. There is no case here anyways. Lets just dunk on this dude.

>>4058272
>For you to take all your words, and choke on them.

>Nothing. Nothing at all.

“My terms,” you say, “Are for you to take all of your words and choke on them.”

He snorts. “Sure.” It doesn’t matter if the charges are true or not. All that matters is who wins. So, you’re wrong. This nightmare isn’t over yet; you still have this mess to clean up. “So when and...” he trails off as he begins to understand something. It’s a thought that fills every square inch of his mind. You know it because yours is the same. He stops. “I didn’t realize this was that important.”

“It isn’t,” you reply, “I just dropped a coin in the right fountain.”

He pauses, and then he wets his lips. “Well, your impending defeat is about to become much more humiliating.”

Leaving it at that, he turns and leaves.

You turn around, dropping the belt and heading into your drawers. You reach for your razor, something you haven’t touched in a while.

****

It is dark when you arrive. People still crowd around the Court of Swords, dropping coins in and watching duels. You spot someone filling up a jar full of water to take home. You ignore them all.

A ring of swords make for the edge of the fountain, a remembrance of things much more important than you. You step on top of the water, making your way to the edge where the upper tier creates a mirror-like waterfall. For the first time in a long time, you see yourself again. You forgot how you looked shaven.

The water parts, allowing you to step in. No one even notices you enter. Only for this moment, the City will make way for you.

1/3

>>4058320
In the far distance, on the other side of the fountain, is Valentino. A soft glow emanating from the bottom of the fountain provides minimal light, but it is all you need.

He’s watched your duels, but you don’t need to watch his. You know. You’ve seen it because you tried to learn from him and he destroyed you. The flashy moves you love to do—you stole it from him. He was always the star of every duel he was in.

>Showing Off: [FLOURISH]Generate a d6 into your Technique Pool.

Your signature move was never yours. It was your desperate attempt at copying his. He moved faster than anyone. In a duel where whoever made the final strike won first, he would come out on top every time.

>Mirror Blade: [TRICK]Perform the text of your opponent’s chosen Technique. Can only be chosen once per queue.

His signet ring is still prominent as ever. You can’t ever keep your eyes off of it, probably because you could never get your hands on something that nice. You didn’t even know how he used it.

>Ring’s Chosen: [FLOURISH]Generate a d4 into your Technique Pool. If you are a member of a duelling Ring and there are no Obstacles present, generate an Obstacle that matches your Ring. At the end of the turn, if the Obstacle was created by this Technique, transform Ring’s Chosen into its Ring-specific form.

Your finishing blows are a shadow of his. You’re a cheap imitation.

>Fool’s Drunken Sway: [STRIKE]Siphon all dice from your Technique Pool into your Strike Pool. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage. If this Technique was selected randomly, your opponent is automatically Rattled.

Even your footwork. It’s sloppy trash. He was your ideal.

>Dizzying Speed: [STANCE]After submitting your queue, one of the chosen Techniques is selected at random and replaced with a random Technique from your moveset. If the random Technique’s type matches the type of your opponent’s Technique, the opponent’s Technique is negated. You cannot be Rattled. Can only be active while you have d8s in your Composure Pool.

But here you are now. You are ready.

>Open Guard: [FLOURISH]Generate a d4 into your Technique Pool. If you have a Stance active, deactivate it and generate a d8 instead. This does not count as breaking your Stance for the purposes of effects.

You approach him as he approaches you, wordlessly unsheathing sabres. Your scabbard is gold, red, and white with detailed flourishes, but your sword is hideous. Fountain blue and white, with red hatching and a rescinded silver inlay. A grey matte ties it all together.

His is shining white, and in the glow of the Court, it becomes vivid blue with red inlays in the shape of flowers.

He says, “I should probably thank you for the chance to duel here. Really, my honor.”

You simply reply, “You’re welcome.”

2/3

>>4058322
Your step ripples the water, with techniques that wasn’t yours, holding a sword that wasn’t yours, standing here with a right that wasn’t yours. It’s impossible to fully become someone else, but all you did was become yourself.

You are more than ready.

***

Choose your loadout; pick six Techniques and one Ability. You can choose to not bring an Ability by not voting for one.

ABILITIES

>Muddled Reflection: [ABILITY]When your opponent uses a move with the same text as your move in a round, generate a d4 into your Technique Pool.

>Grasping Straws: [ABILITY]Each time you destroy an opponent’s Composure dice, generate a single dice of the lowest destroyed dice into your Composure Pool and Technique Pool.


>Locked-Room Theoretician: [ABILITY]Before the start of each queue, you may declare three Techniques. If your own next queue matches your declaration in the same order, generate a d6 into your Technique Pool and Strike Pool at the end of the queue.

TECHNIQUES

>Focussed Blow: [STRIKE]Siphon all dice from your Technique Pool to your Strike Pool. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage.

>Showing Off: [FLOURISH]Generate a d6 into your Technique Pool.

>Lead The Blade: [TRICK]Declare a size of dice. Your opponent cannot generate, siphon or roll dice of that size this round. If they attempt to, the single lowest dice in your Technique Pool is increased in size by 2 sides.

>Mirror Image: [TRICK]Perform the text of your opponent’s chosen Technique. For this duel, replace this Technique with a copy of the Technique your opponent performed this round and prefix it with Mirrored. All of your Mirrored Techniques transform back into Mirror Image when any of your Composure dice is destroyed by an opponent’s Strike.

>Invincible Rookie: [STANCE]Every time you generate a dice that has 2 sides or more into any pool, generate a d1 into the same pool. Can only be active while you have d4s in your Composure Pool.

>Reforge: [FLOURISH]Destroy one of your Composure dice of your choosing. At the end of this round, generate two dice of the same size back into your Composure. Any effects from the old dice carry onto the new ones.

>Hammer Blow: [STRIKE]Siphon no dice. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage. If no Composure dice are destroyed by this attack, your opponent is Rattled.

>Ring’s Chosen: [FLOURISH]Generate a d4 into your Technique Pool. If you bear the insignia of a duelling Ring and there are no Obstacles present, generate an Obstacle that matches your Ring. At the end of the turn, if the Obstacle was created by this Technique, transform Ring’s Chosen into its Ring-specific form.

I just want to remind you all that Locked-Room Theoretician only goes off when your queue matches your declaration. If it's scrambled randomly in any way, it will fail.

>>4058326
That would only happen if we copied his stance though, right?

>>4058323
>>Grasping Straws: [ABILITY]Each time you destroy an opponent’s Composure dice, generate a single dice of the lowest destroyed dice into your Composure Pool and Technique Pool.
>Focussed Blow: [STRIKE]Siphon all dice from your Technique Pool to your Strike Pool. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage.

>Showing Off: [FLOURISH]Generate a d6 into your Technique Pool.

>Lead The Blade: [TRICK]Declare a size of dice. Your opponent cannot generate, siphon or roll dice of that size this round. If they attempt to, the single lowest dice in your Technique Pool is increased in size by 2 sides.

>Mirror Image: [TRICK]Perform the text of your opponent’s chosen Technique. For this duel, replace this Technique with a copy of the Technique your opponent performed this round and prefix it with Mirrored. All of your Mirrored Techniques transform back into Mirror Image when any of your Composure dice is destroyed by an opponent’s Strike.
>Hammer Blow: [STRIKE]Siphon no dice. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage. If no Composure dice are destroyed by this attack, your opponent is Rattled.

>Ring’s Chosen: [FLOURISH]Generate a d4 into your Technique Pool. If you bear the insignia of a duelling Ring and there are no Obstacles present, generate an Obstacle that matches your Ring. At the end of the turn, if the Obstacle was created by this Technique, transform Ring’s Chosen into its Ring-specific form.

>>4058323
>Locked-Room Theoretician: [ABILITY]Before the start of each queue, you may declare three Techniques. If your own next queue matches your declaration in the same order, generate a d6 into your Technique Pool and Strike Pool at the end of the queue.

>Focussed Blow: [STRIKE]Siphon all dice from your Technique Pool to your Strike Pool. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage.

>Showing Off: [FLOURISH]Generate a d6 into your Technique Pool.

>Lead The Blade: [TRICK]Declare a size of dice. Your opponent cannot generate, siphon or roll dice of that size this round. If they attempt to, the single lowest dice in your Technique Pool is increased in size by 2 sides.

>Invincible Rookie: [STANCE]Every time you generate a dice that has 2 sides or more into any pool, generate a d1 into the same pool. Can only be active while you have d4s in your Composure Pool.

>Hammer Blow: [STRIKE]Siphon no dice. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage. If no Composure dice are destroyed by this attack, your opponent is Rattled.

>Ring’s Chosen: [FLOURISH]Generate a d4 into your Technique Pool. If you bear the insignia of a duelling Ring and there are no Obstacles present, generate an Obstacle that matches your Ring. At the end of the turn, if the Obstacle was created by this Technique, transform Ring’s Chosen into its Ring-specific form.

>>4058323
what is his ability fyi?

>>4058348
You don't remember.

>>4058323
>>4058344
Changing to this

>Locked-Room Theoretician
>Focussed Blow
>Showing Off
>Lead The Blade
>Invincible Rookie
>Hammer Blow
>Ring’s Chosen

Your swords kiss.

You look into him as he does to you.

>Rossi’s Composure: 4d4, 2d6, 1d8, 1d12

>Valentino’s Composure: Composure: 2d6, ?????

You have to be careful. Last time, you believed his determination to be weaker than it actually was.

He says, “Oh, toughened up a little, hm?”

The two of you spin around.

Ten paces forward, and you stop. Behind you, Valentino stops and says, “As the challenger, I claim right to offense! Should I triumph, the challenged must never step foot in Divitis or its surrounding districts ever again!”

You turn around. “As the challenged, I claim right to redress! If I win, nothing will happen!”

You can hear murmurs from outside. People are overhearing.

You and Valentino raise your sabres. In unison, both of you say, “See and be unseen!”

You See.

Water. A flat plain of water, endlessly stretching out into the distance. There is no end. There is only the court. The shadows below ripple underneath as they all look up, watching the show with the backdrop of the night sky.

You are Unseen.

On the left is a literal kaleidoscope. His colors are iridescent and his features are ever-changing. He can be whatever he wants to be. He can even be you. On the right is a man shimmering in the starlight. His sword and body move as one, the water underneath growing turbulent with each passing second. All shadows bend around him.

*!

For the first time in forever, you are confident in who you are. Sabre at the ready, you run forward, first to attack.

>>4058372
>Duel Rules: https://pastebin.com/6eTp737y

>Choose one of the following:

>Focussed Blow: [STRIKE]Siphon all dice from your Technique Pool to your Strike Pool. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage.

>Showing Off: [FLOURISH]Generate a d6 into your Technique Pool.

>Lead The Blade: [TRICK]Declare a size of dice. Your opponent cannot generate, siphon or roll dice of that size this round. If they attempt to, the single lowest dice in your Technique Pool is increased in size by 2 sides.

>Invincible Rookie: [STANCE]Every time you generate a dice that has 2 sides or more into any pool, generate a d1 into the same pool. Can only be active while you have d4s in your Composure Pool.

>Hammer Blow: [STRIKE]Siphon no dice. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage. If no Composure dice are destroyed by this attack, your opponent is Rattled.

>Ring’s Chosen: [FLOURISH]Generate a d4 into your Technique Pool. If you bear the insignia of a duelling Ring and there are no Obstacles present, generate an Obstacle that matches your Ring. At the end of the turn, if the Obstacle was created by this Technique, transform Ring’s Chosen into its Ring-specific form.

>>4058375
>Invincible Rookie

Let's do this.

>>4058381
>>4058382
Oops, I can't read. Ignore that.

Not theoretically a bad idea tho. QM, what IS the obstacle we would create again? Can't remember.

>>4058396

TEMPEST TECHNIQUES
>Swept Around: [FLOURISH]Generate a d2 into this Obstacle’s Technique Pool. Activation Clause: When a duelist generates a dice into their Composure Pool.
>Settle: [TRICK]Distribute this obstacle’s Technique dice between other duelists. If it would be uneven, let the single dice remain in this obstacle’s Technique Pool. Activation Clause: When a duelist loses Composure dice of a size neither duelist has lost before.

>Turbulent Winds: [TRICK]Transform the single lowest dice and your and your opponent’s Composure, Strike, and Technique Pools into d1’s. If a Pool is empty, generate a d1 into them. Can only be chosen once per queue. This Technique can only be obtained by using Ring's Chosen with a Birdwatcher’s crest.

>>4058381
Switching to:
>Ring’s Chosen: [FLOURISH]Generate a d4 into your Technique Pool. If you bear the insignia of a duelling Ring and there are no Obstacles present, generate an Obstacle that matches your Ring. At the end of the turn, if the Obstacle was created by this Technique, transform Ring’s Chosen into its Ring-specific form.

>>4058375

>>4058405
I actually finished writing the update, but I can wait.

>>4058405
Meant to tag >>4058377

>>4058416
Oh, well. If it's finished just drop it, since I only tied it again.

>>4058418
>>4058424
Did the vote swing from 2 Invincible Rookie to 1 Ring's Chosen? I'm going to assume that it did, since >>4058385 is deleted.

>>4058430
Hmm, seems like it has.

>>4058375
>>Ring’s Chosen: [FLOURISH]Generate a d4 into your Technique Pool. If you bear the insignia of a duelling Ring and there are no Obstacles present, generate an Obstacle that matches your Ring. At the end of the turn, if the Obstacle was created by this Technique, transform Ring’s Chosen into its Ring-specific form.


Since I am confused as shit now, just going with my gut

>Ring’s Chosen

Your sabre stabs into the air. You can do it. Just like Aria.

>RING’S CHOSEN

>Rossi’s Technique Pool: 1d4

Your personal crest sways as the Wake deforms. The water is perfectly still even as everything around you starts to spiral. The shadows underneath blend and circle, and your coat blows in the unnatural wind.

TEMPEST TECHNIQUES
>Swept Around: [FLOURISH]Generate a d2 into this Obstacle’s Technique Pool. Activation Clause: When a duelist generates a dice into their Composure Pool.
>Settle: [TRICK]Distribute this obstacle’s Technique dice between other duelists. If it would be uneven, let the single dice remain in this obstacle’s Technique Pool. Activation Clause: When a duelist loses Composure dice of a size neither duelist has lost before.

You feel yourself getting pushed around a little.

>At the end of the turn, Ring’s Chosen transforms into Turbulent Winds!

>Turbulent Winds: [TRICK]Transform the single lowest dice and your and your opponent’s Composure, Strike, and Technique Pools into d1’s. If a Pool is empty, generate a d1 into them. Can only be chosen once per queue. This Technique can only be obtained by using Ring's Chosen with a Birdwatcher’s crest.

And as for him? He picks up pace, rapidly closing in. Your sabres clash cleanly before separating. The following exchanges pick up speed, growing faster and faster. Soon, they’ll be too fast to register.

>Valentino uses Dizzying Speed!

“Birdwatcher, hm?” he says, “No matter.”

Your other self lost back then because despite you knowing what he was going to do, you couldn’t do anything about it. You started the same way back then and you feel as if time is repeating itself!

His... his talent. You couldn’t grasp it then, but maybe you can now. With clear eyes, maybe you can figure out what it is. No, you will. Because it will come and run you over without warning.

And all you can do is bear it and overcome it.

1/2

>>4058444
Valentino Vota
Composure Pool: 2d6, ?????
Technique Pool: Empty
Strike Pool: Empty

Abilities: Unknown

Techniques:

>Dizzying Speed: [STANCE]After submitting your queue, one of the chosen Techniques is selected at random and replaced with a random Technique from your moveset. If the random Technique’s type matches the type of your opponent’s Technique, the opponent’s Technique is negated. You cannot be Rattled. Can only be active while you have d8s in your Composure Pool.

>Ring’s Chosen: [FLOURISH]Generate a d4 into your Technique Pool. If you are a member of a duelling Ring and there are no Obstacles present, generate an Obstacle that matches your Ring. At the end of the turn, if the Obstacle was created by this Technique, transform Ring’s Chosen into its Ring-specific form.

>Showing Off: [FLOURISH]Generate a d6 into your Technique Pool.

>Mirror Blade: [TRICK]Perform the text of your opponent’s chosen Technique. Can only be chosen once per queue.

>Open Guard: [FLOURISH]Generate a d4 into your Technique Pool. If you have a Stance active, deactivate it and generate a d8 instead. This does not count as breaking your Stance for the purposes of effects.

>Fool’s Drunken Sway: [STRIKE]Siphon all dice from your Technique Pool into your Strike Pool. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage. If this Technique was selected randomly, your opponent is automatically Rattled.


Rosario Rossi
Composure Pool: 4d4, 2d6, 1d8, 1d12
Technique Pool: 1d4
Strike Pool: Empty

Abilities:

>Locked-Room Theoretician: [ABILITY]Before the start of each queue, you may declare three Techniques. If your own next queue matches your declaration in the same order, generate a d6 into your Technique Pool and Strike Pool at the end of the queue.


TECHNIQUES (Choose Three)

>Focussed Blow: [STRIKE]Siphon all dice from your Technique Pool to your Strike Pool. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage.

>Showing Off: [FLOURISH]Generate a d6 into your Technique Pool.

>Lead The Blade: [TRICK]Declare a size of dice. Your opponent cannot generate, siphon or roll dice of that size this round. If they attempt to, the single lowest dice in your Technique Pool is increased in size by 2 sides.

>Invincible Rookie: [STANCE]Every time you generate a dice that has 2 sides or more into any pool, generate a d1 into the same pool. Can only be active while you have d4s in your Composure Pool.

>Hammer Blow: [STRIKE]Siphon no dice. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage. If no Composure dice are destroyed by this attack, your opponent is Rattled.

>Turbulent Winds: [TRICK]Transform the single lowest dice and your and your opponent’s Composure, Strike, and Technique Pools into d1’s. If a Pool is empty, generate a d1 into them. Can only be chosen once per queue. This Technique can only be obtained by using Ring's Chosen with a Birdwatcher’s crest.

>>4058450
>Locked-Room Theoretician

>Invincible Rookie
>Showing Off
>Showing Off

Voting for using our ability first, right?

>>4058457
Put them both in the same post, but clarify which one is which.

>>4058453
>>Locked-Room Theoretician
>IR
>SO
>SO


>Invincible Rookie
>Showing Off
>Showing Off

>>4058458
>>4058457
Ah, well, both are the same this time.

>>4058457
>>4058458

Hm, seems my reply got lost. I'm voting the same as him.

>>4058462

Blah, 4chan being weird.

>Invincible Rookie
>Showing Off
>Showing Off

You shout over the rush of wind, “Yeah, well, I’m going to get into my old rhythm and then stab you in the chest with my scabbard. And you know what? There’s nothing you can do about it!”

>INVINCIBLE ROOKIE

Valentino raises an eyebrow. “What? Doing that is what I excel at. Did you already forget?” He swings his sabre around reorienting himself. You already disrupted the wake; if he wants to mold it however he likes, it won’t be happening!

>Valentino uses Ring’s Chosen!

>Valentino’s Technique Pool: 1d4

>At the end of the turn, Ring’s Chosen transforms into Wildcard!

>Wildcard: [TRICK]Perform the text of a random Technique from your moveset. If Wildcard is selected by Wildcard, generate a d4 into your Composure Pool and inflict the Fool status upon your opponent. If your opponent is already a Fool, randomize the order of their next submitted queue. This Technique can only be obtained by using Ring's Chosen with a Jester's crest.

That’s fine! You pull free your scabbard, and before you can use it, he smashes into your chest with his own.

>SHOWING OFF

>Dizzying Speed activates: Valentino uses Mirror Blade!

>Valentino’s Technique Pool: 1d4, 1d6

You pick yourself up in an instant, almost slicing through his scabbard with your sabre.

>Rossi’s Technique Pool: 1d1, 1d4, 1d6

And then his next attack almost slices open your neck.

>SHOWING OFF

Wait, wait, wait. What’s going on? This isn’t right.

The gap between you and him have shrunken considerably. You’re feeling choked, strangled from his attack. Was he building momentum all along? This... what... huh...?

>Valentino uses Mirror Blade!

Your brain is metaphorically knocked around in your skull, bouncing around. You struggle to understand what is happening. You don’t get it. You don’t get it. You don’t get it.

1/3

>>4058500
You snap back right before he can cut through your eye, deflecting the attack at the last moment. Your heart is racing faster than it ever was. Your hands are trembling.

>Valentino’s Ability, Crashing Crescendo, has been revealed!

>Crashing Crescendo: [ABILITY]At the start of each full queue, randomly pick a round. Exchange the selected Techniques and replace each other’s moves with the for the remainder of the duel. If the Techniques performed has the same text, give you and your opponent the Fool and Rattle status effects at the start of the round. If they are different, generate a d4 into your Technique Pool at the start of the round.

>Crashing Crescendo activates!

>Rossi is Rattled! He cannot perform any Tricks until after the first round of the next queue!

>Rossi and Valentino are inflicted with the Fool status effect!

>Valentino’s Technique Pool: 1d4, 2d6

You stumble back, stammering, “I... I was still...!”

>Locked-Room Theoretician does not activate!
>Invincible Rookie
>Showing Off
>Mirror Blade

You catch yourself. You can still do it. You’re dizzy, and you don’t know up from down, but you...

You...?

Uh...?

>Rossi has forgotten Showing Off and learned Mirror Blade!

>Valentino has forgotten Mirror Blade and learned Showing Off! Again!

“Fuck!”

All you can do is cuss.

>>4058504
DUEL STATUS:
https://pastebin.com/umE0MCWW


Rosario Rossi
Composure Pool: 4d4, 2d6, 1d8, 1d12
Technique Pool: 1d1, 1d4, 1d6
Strike Pool: Empty

Abilities:

>Locked-Room Theoretician: [ABILITY]Before the start of each queue, you may declare three Techniques. If your own next queue matches your declaration in the same order, generate a d6 into your Technique Pool and Strike Pool at the end of the queue.


TECHNIQUES (Choose Three)

>Focussed Blow: [STRIKE]Siphon all dice from your Technique Pool to your Strike Pool. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage.

>Mirror Blade: [TRICK]Perform the text of your opponent’s chosen Technique. Can only be chosen once per queue.

>Lead The Blade: [TRICK]Declare a size of dice. Your opponent cannot generate, siphon or roll dice of that size this round. If they attempt to, the single lowest dice in your Technique Pool is increased in size by 2 sides.

>Invincible Rookie: [STANCE]Every time you generate a dice that has 2 sides or more into any pool, generate a d1 into the same pool. Can only be active while you have d4s in your Composure Pool.

>Hammer Blow: [STRIKE]Siphon no dice. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage. If no Composure dice are destroyed by this attack, your opponent is Rattled.

>Turbulent Winds: [TRICK]Transform the single lowest dice and your and your opponent’s Composure, Strike, and Technique Pools into d1’s. If a Pool is empty, generate a d1 into them. Can only be chosen once per queue. This Technique can only be obtained by using Ring's Chosen with a Birdwatcher’s crest.

>>4058508
>Focussed Blow
>Turbulent Winds
>Turbulent Winds

?

>>4058523
Eh, voting this instead. Might aswell hand off the love. Also just remembered I can't to TW twice

Err actually, it is probably literally impossible for our ability to go off this way. I suggest replacing one of the self prediction queue turns with Show Off. Say the middle one, so

LRT
FB
SO
MB

FB
TW
MB

Instead

My next update is the last one for the night. I'll leave this alone if the tie isn't resolved

>>4058508
>>4058540
this then

>Focussed Blow
>Turbulent Winds
>Mirror Blade

“Rossi,” he says, “You might have lost before you even entered the Wake.”

“Fuck off!” you reply right as he performs a pirouette to avoid your thrust. “I’m going to knock you off your rhythm and then make you carve up the air!”

He spins, and spins, and spins, stopping a few meters back and a little slow.

“Where did you pick up... whatever that is? It’s awful. Genuinely awful for so many reasons. And you do realize if you tell me what you think I’m going to jumble you up with, I won’t do it?”

>Valentino uses Wildcard!

>Wildcard selects Open Guard!

>Valentino’s Technique Pool: 1d4, 2d6, 1d8

And there, he’s wide open! You lunge forward, ready to bleed him!

>FOCUSSED BLOW

>Roll 1d4, 1d6 for damage. The 1d1 automatically adds 1 to the total.

Rolled 2 (1d4)

>>4058559
rollan

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>4058559

Big Dick Rossi's getting a 6, I can feel it.

>>4058573
Rip Rossi.

>5 damage has destroyed no dice!

He steps to the side, allowing you to run past him as he wobbles on one foot. You missed completely!

>The order of Rossi’s next queue is randomized!

>Dizzying Speed is deactivated!

He steps to the side, allowing you to run past him as he wobbles on one foot. Just as you halt your momentum after skidding on the water, you see Valentino gracefully propel himself forward reckless abandon. Your swords don’t even collide, but your bodies do. His shoulder slams into yours as he tries to avoid impaling himself on your sabre, spinning both of you around.

>Crashing Crescendo activates!

>TURBULENT WINDS

>Valentino uses Open Guard!

Still dazed, both of you scrabble upright, sabres connecting as you drop your footwork altogether. He wildly carves into the Wake, and you’re thrown back for a moment as the winds tear through everything.

>Invincible Rookie is deactivated!

>Rossi’s Composure Pool: 1d1, 3d4, 2d6, 1d8, 1d12
>Rossi’s Technique Pool: 1d1, 1d8
>Rossi’s Strike Pool: 1d1

>Valentino’s Composure Pool: 1d1, 1d6, 3d8, 1d10, 1d12
>Valentino’s Technique Pool: 1d1, 2d6, 1d8
>Valentino’s Strike Pool: 1d1

You land on your feet. The shadows below are all a blur now. You raise your sabre but everything’s a blur. You don’t even know what you’re doing!

>Rossi has forgotten Turbulent Winds and learned Open Guard!

>Valentino has forgotten Open Guard and learned Turbulent Winds!

Luckily, you don’t have to know what he’s doing. You can just copy him. Your sword flashes as you push his to the side, jamming your scabbard into stomach in a reversal. He puts his scabbard back, winded from the blow but still fine.

>MIRROR BLADE

>Valentino uses Showing Off!

>Rossi’s Technique Pool: 1d1, 1d6, 1d8

>Valentino’s Technique Pool: 1d1, 3d6, 1d8

Both of you stand far apart, breathing hard. Just a little break. That’s all.

>Locked-Room Technician does not activate!
>Focussed Blow
>Open Guard
>Mirror Blade

>>4058607
DUEL STATUS: https://pastebin.com/DWjWywzj


Rosario Rossi
Composure Pool: 1d1, 3d4, 2d6, 1d8, 1d12
Technique Pool: 1d1, 1d6, 1d8
Strike Pool: 1d1

Abilities:

>Locked-Room Theoretician: [ABILITY]Before the start of each queue, you may declare three Techniques. If your own next queue matches your declaration in the same order, generate a d6 into your Technique Pool and Strike Pool at the end of the queue.


TECHNIQUES (Choose Three)

>Focussed Blow: [STRIKE]Siphon all dice from your Technique Pool to your Strike Pool. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage.

>Mirror Blade: [TRICK]Perform the text of your opponent’s chosen Technique. Can only be chosen once per queue.

>Lead The Blade: [TRICK]Declare a size of dice. Your opponent cannot generate, siphon or roll dice of that size this round. If they attempt to, the single lowest dice in your Technique Pool is increased in size by 2 sides.

>Invincible Rookie: [STANCE]Every time you generate a dice that has 2 sides or more into any pool, generate a d1 into the same pool. Can only be active while you have d4s in your Composure Pool.

>Hammer Blow: [STRIKE]Siphon no dice. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage. If no Composure dice are destroyed by this attack, your opponent is Rattled.

>Open Guard: [FLOURISH]Generate a d4 into your Technique Pool. If you have a Stance active, deactivate it and generate a d8 instead. This does not count as breaking your Stance for the purposes of effects.

Last post for the day. I'll be back tomorrow.

Hey, I just wanted to post a "flavour hotfix" for his ability.

>Scrambled Heads: [ABILITY]At the start of each full queue, randomly pick a round. Exchange the selected Techniques and replace each other’s moves with the other for the remainder of the duel. If the Techniques performed have the same text, give you and your opponent the Rattle status effect at the start of the round. If they are different, generate a d4 into your Technique Pool at the start of the round.

You do not have the Fool effort nor is your next turn randomized.

Valentino's current techniques:

>Scrambled Heads: [ABILITY]At the start of each full queue, randomly pick a round. Exchange the selected Techniques and replace each other’s moves with the other for the remainder of the duel. If the Techniques performed have the same text, give you and your opponent the Rattle status effect at the start of the round. If they are different, generate a d4 into your Technique Pool at the start of the round.

>Showing Off: [FLOURISH]Generate a d6 into your Technique Pool.
>Fool’s Drunken Sway: [STRIKE]Siphon all dice from your Technique Pool into your Strike Pool. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage. If this Technique was selected randomly, your opponent is automatically Rattled.
>Dizzying Speed: [STANCE]After submitting your queue, one of the chosen Techniques is selected at random and replaced with a random Technique from your moveset. If the random Technique’s type matches the type of your opponent’s Technique, the opponent’s Technique is negated. You cannot be Rattled. Can only be active while you have d8s in your Composure Pool.
>Turbulent Winds: [TRICK]Transform the single lowest dice and your and your opponent’s Composure, Strike, and Technique Pools into d1’s. If a Pool is empty, generate a d1 into them. Can only be chosen once per queue. This Technique can only be obtained by using Ring's Chosen with a Birdwatcher’s crest.
>Wildcard: [TRICK]Perform the text of a random Technique from your moveset. If Wildcard is selected by Wildcard, generate a d4 into your Composure Pool and inflict the Fool status upon your opponent. If your opponent is already a Fool, randomize the order of their next submitted queue. This Technique can only be obtained by using Ring's Chosen with a Jester's crest.

>>4058804
If Scrambled Heads gives us FDS, will FDS rattle Valentino? It has been in essence picked randomly.

>>4058895
It looks like we are fucked, but in actuality he can't reliably kill us this queue. If he declares FDS and his ability happens to choose it, he's left flapping in the wind without a Strike. If he declades FDS more than once, the probability of this increases rapidly. Since he has to Strike twice to destroy us, he won't use more than one FDS per queue.
We can't regen Comp, but at least we won't be defeated in a single queue, unless he accepts a 2/3 probability to be completely fucked.

>>4058927
If Valentino wants to defeat us, he has only 3 real options:

1. Declare FDS this queue then another one next queue. This has a probability of 5/9 to fail and leave him without strikes (1/3 first one fails, 2/3*1/3 second one fails) and a 4/9 chance of victory.

2. Use Wildcard until it performs FDS, then use FDS. He can't spam Wildcard, or it will be taken from him, so let's assume he uses it once per queue. The probability to perform FDS before Wildcard is taken away is 2/3*1/5 + 2/3*4/5*2/3*1/5 + (2/3*4/5)^2*2/3*1/5 + ... ~= 0.24, but then he can just fall back on option 1. This gives us some time to try and do something to him though.

3. Use Wildcard x2 + FDS in the first queue. This improves upon option 1 with a chance to defeat us in one queue. The total chance of victory is 1/3*1/5*1/5 + 2/3*1/5 + (2/3*4/5*2/3) = 0.50(2). But this requires FDS to be the last move, otherwise it can be stolen before Wildcard chooses it.

I would think he 'll use option 1 or 3.

>>4058804
Another question: if we are broken and receive a strike via Mirror Blade or Wildcard, do we lose? Technically that was a Trick and not a Strike.

>>4059048
Yes. Strikes dont deal damage, text does.

Also, just chiming in that ive been REALLY busy the last two weeks and probably wont be here for the end itself, but the last fight was amazing and im starting to catch on to the sculpture meanings

>>4059075
To win you have to perform a Strike, not deal damage. That's why I'm asking.

>>4059145
To win, you need to deal damage on a broken duelist. Only Strikes deal damage, with the exception of mirror image/blade

>>4059212
>A Strike used against a duellist in this state will automatically bleed them, even if the Strike's damage is zero. If Step by Step priority is required to resolve the Strike, the Strike bleeds them at Step 1.

Not only isn't dealing damage mentioned, no Strike deals damage at Step 1.

>>4059227
....huh. you're right. I hadnt noticed when ouro first made the rules.

>>4058913
The round was picked randomly, not the Technique, so it won't Rattle.

>>4059048
>>4059227
The wording's clear and I'm not going to go against that. So no, Tricks can't bleed unless it explicitly says it bleeds in the text, like a certain one that isn't in this quest. Also, Exaggerated Fleche deals damage on Step 1.

I don't think there is much capability to be clever here. If we lead the blade (d6) and he throws out his strike we'd get lead ourselves and lose any non-d6 dice to a pointless attack, and this has a 1/3 chance to happen with any strike he tries to throw out. I think the best thing might be just to try and setup things as best as we can so that if and when we get a strike in we have the best chances that we can have.

Hmm.

We could go for rattle strike too just in case, he might not know we have it.

>>4059432

If we did our stance then did open guard, would we get the extra d1 or just a d8?

>>4059741
d1 and a d8. You generate a d4 before deactivating that turns into a d8.

>>4059751
Do you look at the Locked-room queue before making your own queue like we did during our fight?

>>4059758
I make the queue beforehand and if I need to, I'll change it to counter Locked Room. So yes, basically.

>>4058614
LRT
LtB
IR
OG

Invincible Rookie
Open Guard
Mirror Blade

Since mirror blade can't kill alone we might as well throw it out now. I think. Chance might fuck us if he decides to go for his stance again and gets a strike thrown out that last turn, but eh. I'm gonna trust the anon with the prediction. Let's see what chance has in store for us, gentlemen.

>>4059770
Change LRT from
LtB
IR
OG

To

LtB
SO
OG

To keep up appearances that this is a legit attempt from us.

>Invincible Rookie
>Open Guard
>Mirror Blade

“I know what you’re going to do,” you pant. “You’re going to try to end the duel, and then...!” You sputter out a few more words before shutting up to save your breath. He sighs before charging at you again.

It’s okay; you just have to go back to the basics. You widen your footing again while trying to calm your nerves.

>INVINCIBLE ROOKIE

>Valentino uses Wildcard!

>Wildcard selects Showing Off!

He swings his sabre in three consecutive arcs, each getting wildly sloppier until he spins around and accidentally detaches his scabbard from his belt. He grabs it instinctively and transitions into hitting your leg with it! You wince as you stumble back.

>Valentino’s Technique Pool: 1d1, 4d6, 1d8

You’d think this is where he’ll stop, but he doesn’t. Instead, he swings forward, his sabre missing entirely along with your parry, instead letting his wrist hit your forehead. You reflexively hit back with both your arms, your own sabre missing entirely and your free hand hitting his chin.

>Scrambled Heads activates!

>OPEN GUARD

>Valentino uses Wildcard!

Both of you spiral back as your vision swims. You need to do something! Quick! But... what? He’s just standing there! Go!

>Valentino’s Technique Pool: 1d1, 1d4, 4d6, 1d8

>Wildcard selects Focussed Blow!

You have to try and bleed him! Go, go, go! You carry yourself forward with pure unthought, trying to score a hit!

>Roll 1d6, 1d8 for damage. The 2d1 automatically adds 2 to the total.

Feel free to roll twice if no one else is here

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4059836
Bowling for dollars

>>4059836
Oh noes. Oh yes?

Rolled 1 (1d8)

>>4059836
Gamer moment incoming.

>>4059850
Wow I'm so good at rolling this shit. Atleast we got his d8s

>8 damage has destroyed 1d1, 1d6, 3d8 from Valentino’s Composure!

>Valentino’s Composure: 1d10, 1d12

>Valentino has forgotten Wildcard and learned Open Guard!

>Rossi has forgotten Open Guard and learned Wildcard!

>Valentino’s Technique Pool: 1d1, 2d4, 4d6, 1d8

He leans back at an almost 90-degree angle as you threaten to plainly lop off his head, bouncing back upright and returning the favor with a panicked strike.

Wobbling a little, he tries to get a bit of distance between the two of you.

“Lucky,” Valentino says, “Very lucky.”

“For you or for me?” you reply, chasing after. You move faster than him, trying to copy his movements!

>MIRROR BLADE

>Valentino uses Dizzying Speed but fails!

You... you’re doing it! In a cruel, ironic twist of fate, you start to move faster than you can think, your legs almost tripping up on themselves while he fails to snap out of his daze. He’s too worried to move without thinking!

“Fuck!” Valentino sputters. “You’re still not going to win!”

>>4059878
Valentino Vota
Composure Pool: 1d10, 1d12
Technique Pool: 1d1, 2d4, 4d6, 1d8
Strike Pool: 1d1

Abilities:

>Crashing Crescendo: [ABILITY]At the start of each full queue, randomly pick a round. Exchange the selected Techniques and replace each other’s moves with the for the remainder of the duel. If the Techniques performed has the same text, give you and your opponent the Fool and Rattle status effects at the start of the round. If they are different, generate a d4 into your Technique Pool at the start of the round.


Techniques:

>Dizzying Speed: [STANCE]After submitting your queue, one of the chosen Techniques is selected at random and replaced with a random Technique from your moveset. If the random Technique’s type matches the type of your opponent’s Technique, the opponent’s Technique is negated. You cannot be Rattled. Can only be active while you have d8s in your Composure Pool.

>Open Guard: [FLOURISH]Generate a d4 into your Technique Pool. If you have a Stance active, deactivate it and generate a d8 instead. This does not count as breaking your Stance for the purposes of effects.

>Showing Off: [FLOURISH]Generate a d6 into your Technique Pool.

>Showing Off: [FLOURISH]Generate a d6 into your Technique Pool.

>Turbulent Winds: [TRICK]Transform the single lowest dice and your and your opponent’s Composure, Strike, and Technique Pools into d1’s. If a Pool is empty, generate a d1 into them. Can only be chosen once per queue. This Technique can only be obtained by using Ring's Chosen with a Birdwatcher’s crest.

>Fool’s Drunken Sway: [STRIKE]Siphon all dice from your Technique Pool into your Strike Pool. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage. If this Technique was selected randomly, your opponent is automatically Rattled.

>>4059881
Rosario Rossi
Composure Pool: 1d1, 3d4, 2d6, 1d8, 1d12
Technique Pool: Empty
Strike Pool: Empty

Abilities:

>Locked-Room Theoretician: [ABILITY]Before the start of each queue, you may declare three Techniques. If your own next queue matches your declaration in the same order, generate a d6 into your Technique Pool and Strike Pool at the end of the queue.


TECHNIQUES (Choose Three)

>Focussed Blow: [STRIKE]Siphon all dice from your Technique Pool to your Strike Pool. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage.

>Mirror Blade: [TRICK]Perform the text of your opponent’s chosen Technique. Can only be chosen once per queue.

>Lead The Blade: [TRICK]Declare a size of dice. Your opponent cannot generate, siphon or roll dice of that size this round. If they attempt to, the single lowest dice in your Technique Pool is increased in size by 2 sides.

>Invincible Rookie: [STANCE]Every time you generate a dice that has 2 sides or more into any pool, generate a d1 into the same pool. Can only be active while you have d4s in your Composure Pool.

>Hammer Blow: [STRIKE]Siphon no dice. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage. If no Composure dice are destroyed by this attack, your opponent is Rattled.

>Wildcard: [TRICK]Perform the text of a random Technique from your moveset. If Wildcard is selected by Wildcard, generate a d4 into your Composure Pool and inflict the Fool status upon your opponent. If your opponent is already a Fool, randomize the order of their next submitted queue. This Technique can only be obtained by using Ring's Chosen with a Jester's crest.

Alright, I think this is now down to pure fucking chance if we are going to win or not. If we can get his strike by pure random chance we win. We can't be fooled since we have wildcard now and he has only the 1 strike. Since he has to throw 2 strikes to first break us, then bleed, we have either a 1/3 chance two times to have his ability hand his strike over to us, or a 2/3 chance if he decides to strike twice this queue for some reason. So, operation bog is a go.

DO NOT THROW ANY STRIKES OR MIRROR BLADE.

as long as we follow these rules we have a about fiftyish chance of winning.

>>4059912
Also, obviously wildcard is a big no-no. Lead the Blade it is then.

LRT
SO
LtB
LtB

IR
LtB
LtB

Is my suggested queue

>>4059920
Lead the Blade (d6), sorry

Btw you forgot to update his ability QM.

>Invincible Rookie
>Lead the Blade: d6
>Lead the Blade: d6

“Try it!” you say, “I’ll just stop you!”

You stay right as you were. It all comes down to chance now! There’s nothing much you can do, and considering your footwork is already tight, you’re content with standing still!

>INVINCIBLE ROOKIE

>Valentino uses Fool’s Drunken Sway!

“It’s over!” he says, launching himself in a perfect fleche.

>Scrambled Heads activates!

One that misses completely because he slips past your sword and crashes into you. The collision sends both of you spinning, and in the middle of it, you try to cut him!

>0 damage has destroyed no Composure dice!

He doesn’t even see it! He stumbles forward, and then tries to figure out what he’s trying to do.

>Valentino has forgotten Fool’s Drunken Sway and learned Invincible Rookie!

>Rossi has forgotten Invincible Rookie and learned Fool’s Drunken Sway!

>Valentino’s Technique Pool: 1d1, 3d4, 4d6, 1d8

Valentino finally settles on his scabbard, and you don’t mind at all. He lashes out with it, and you swat it to the side!

>LEAD THE BLADE: d6

>Valentino uses Showing Off!

He sucks his teeth and tries again, and this time, you do one even better. You catch it in your palm and twist, almost ripping it free of his hands!

>LEAD THE BLADE: d6

>Valentino uses Showing Off!

“Alright, alright!” he says, backing up for a moment. He raises a hand. “I don’t think this is going to go anywhere at all. What do you say we take a little break?”

>Locked-Room Theoretician does not activate!

You’re fucking soaked in sweat and so is he. You’re just taking the opportunity to catch your breath too.


>The duel waits for no one! There will be no break!

>Let your heads unscramble.

>Take a longer break so both of you can rest. You can change your loadout in the meantime.

>>4060023

>The duel waits for no one! There will be no break!

Sod off you tosser. This is your fault. We ain't giving you your strike back.

>>4060023
>>The duel waits for no one! There will be no break!

>>4060033
I'd be happy to suggest a draw afterwards, but don't let him fucking unscramble his shit. He literally can't do anything now other then generate tech die. We've got this on lockdown as long as we don't give him a break.

>The duel waits for no one! There will be no break!

“As if I’d let you!”

You immediately leap forward, your sabre slicing through the air. He is forced to catch it, and seeing this, he tries to disengage again!

“Wait, neither of us is going to win at this rate! We’ll just be standing here like fools!”

“Then so be it!”

Your give chase, never letting him any time to collect his thoughts. He can’t go on the offensive; you know what you have to do!

Underneath you, the audience grows. Despite it being so late, there is always time to watch something like this.

A Jester making an absolute mockery of dueling right in the Court of Swords. Front and center, each comical collision worsening with every passing minute.

You can do this. You see into his eyes; if you keep this up and stop him from winning, he’ll crack all by himself!

Your sabre carves through the air, and Valentino lands, finally choosing to not run.

“Fine then, have it your way.”

>>4060023
Fuck off, Valentino. You call me a public menace, you challenge me into a duel and now you ask for quarter?

Spit in his face.

>>4060137
Valentino Vota
Composure Pool: 1d10, 1d12
Technique Pool: 1d1, 2d4, 4d6, 1d8
Strike Pool: 1d1

Abilities:

>Scrambled Heads: [ABILITY]At the start of each full queue, randomly pick a round. Exchange the selected Techniques and replace each other’s moves with the other for the remainder of the duel. If the Techniques performed have the same text, give you and your opponent the Rattle status effect at the start of the round. If they are different, generate a d4 into your Technique Pool at the start of the round.


Techniques:

>Dizzying Speed: [STANCE]After submitting your queue, one of the chosen Techniques is selected at random and replaced with a random Technique from your moveset. If the random Technique’s type matches the type of your opponent’s Technique, the opponent’s Technique is negated. You cannot be Rattled. Can only be active while you have d8s in your Composure Pool.

>Open Guard: [FLOURISH]Generate a d4 into your Technique Pool. If you have a Stance active, deactivate it and generate a d8 instead. This does not count as breaking your Stance for the purposes of effects.

>Showing Off: [FLOURISH]Generate a d6 into your Technique Pool.

>Showing Off: [FLOURISH]Generate a d6 into your Technique Pool.

>Turbulent Winds: [TRICK]Transform the single lowest dice and your and your opponent’s Composure, Strike, and Technique Pools into d1’s. If a Pool is empty, generate a d1 into them. Can only be chosen once per queue. This Technique can only be obtained by using Ring's Chosen with a Birdwatcher’s crest.

>Invincible Rookie: [STANCE]Every time you generate a dice that has 2 sides or more into any pool, generate a d1 into the same pool. Can only be active while you have d4s in your Composure Pool.

Rosario Rossi
Composure Pool: 1d1, 3d4, 2d6, 1d8, 1d12
Technique Pool: Empty
Strike Pool: Empty

Abilities:

>Locked-Room Theoretician: [ABILITY]Before the start of each queue, you may declare three Techniques. If your own next queue matches your declaration in the same order, generate a d6 into your Technique Pool and Strike Pool at the end of the queue.


TECHNIQUES (Choose Three)

See above.

>>4060149
Wait, you can't see above. These are your techs:


>Focussed Blow: [STRIKE]Siphon all dice from your Technique Pool to your Strike Pool. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage.

>Mirror Blade: [TRICK]Perform the text of your opponent’s chosen Technique. Can only be chosen once per queue.

>Lead The Blade: [TRICK]Declare a size of dice. Your opponent cannot generate, siphon or roll dice of that size this round. If they attempt to, the single lowest dice in your Technique Pool is increased in size by 2 sides.

>Fool’s Drunken Sway: [STRIKE]Siphon all dice from your Technique Pool into your Strike Pool. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage. If this Technique was selected randomly, your opponent is automatically Rattled.

>Hammer Blow: [STRIKE]Siphon no dice. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage. If no Composure dice are destroyed by this attack, your opponent is Rattled.

>Wildcard: [TRICK]Perform the text of a random Technique from your moveset. If Wildcard is selected by Wildcard, generate a d4 into your Composure Pool and inflict the Fool status upon your opponent. If your opponent is already a Fool, randomize the order of their next submitted queue. This Technique can only be obtained by using Ring's Chosen with a Jester's crest.

Reminder that your Dizzying Speed is still active

>>4060149
LRT
SO
LtB
LtB

LtB d6
Mirror Blade
LtB d6

Can we make our own offer to him, QM?

>>4060168
Sure

>"This is a bad joke Valentino. If you want to end it with some dignity left we could still declare a draw."

I'd take the draw, desu. Otherwise I still think we got the odds on him, but it is going to be a slog one way or the other.

>>4060168
A draw, perhaps? I mean, we could even offer to not use signatory moves of the Jester Guild (Mirror Blade), as Showing Off is too well spreaded to be considered that.

>>4060183
>>4060186
How about this? If you choose to not give an offer and survive 2 rounds, I'll give you the win. I tried to hint this in the narrative but I guess that didn't get across well.

>>4060192
Survive meaning not being bled?

>>4060195
Yes.

>>4060192
Also rounds or queues.

>>4060197
>>4060195
No wait, I mean not giving him back a Strike so he doesn't have a chance of winning.

File: cigs.jpg (104 KB, 960x956)

104 KB JPG

>>4060200
Queues*
I'm too tired for this

>>4060202
Hmm, hammer blow doesn't count as a valid strike for this, yes?

>>4060200
So, my guess it comes up to not choosing a Strike and hoping for the best? Or perhaps Mirror Blading a lot and hoping we get to imitate a Flourish?

>>4060209
It doesn't, no.

>>4060209
I don´t know if this is too basic, bu what about:

>Mirror Bladex3

Like, he already has it, so it wouldn´t really matter if he has another one. If we, by some chance, get to imitate a Flourish, we might even get to win this.

>>4060212
I'd be willing to take that deal, then.

Hey ho more dice-rolling awaits.

>>4060216
Mirror blade can only be done once in a queue.

>>4060223
I should read more. So:

>Miror Blade
>Lead the Blade (d6)
>Lead the blade (d6)

>>4060162
>>4060245
I'll wait a bit before rolling to break the tie

>>4060245
Going this queue aswell so it isn't a tie.

>Mirror Blade
>Lead the Blade (d6)
>Dizzying Speed: Dizzying Speed (Nothing Happens)

Beat by beat, you match his attacks and move even faster. With each attack, you force him to play by your rhythm, the sound of metal clashing against metal cutting through the swirling winds.

>MIRROR BLADE

>Valentino uses Dizzying Speed!

But you see his legs trip up, and you know what’s about to happen. For the first time ever in this duel, as your sabres clash, you’re locked into place before being the one to throw him to the side.

>Scrambled Heads activates!

>Valentino is Rattled!

He stumbles back, head swirling. But yours? Yours is clear. You see everything happening as if you were a spectator.

>LEAD THE BLADE: d6

>Valentino uses Mirror Blade!

Effortlessly, you clash. Aimlessly, actually. And then your sabre slips.

>DIZZYING SPEED: DIZZYING SPEED

>Valentino uses Mirror Blade!

Your opponent stumbles back, a hand holding his head. At this rate, you’re more likely to declare a proper queue than he is going to reorient his brain. He knows it. He knows it well, and you can see it all over his face!

You’re tempted to offer him a draw, but you know he’ll break by himself!

>>4060275
Valentino Vota
Composure Pool: 1d10, 1d12
Technique Pool: 1d1, 2d4, 4d6, 1d8
Strike Pool: 1d1

Abilities:

>Scrambled Heads: [ABILITY]At the start of each full queue, randomly pick a round. Exchange the selected Techniques and replace each other’s moves with the other for the remainder of the duel. If the Techniques performed have the same text, give you and your opponent the Rattle status effect at the start of the round. If they are different, generate a d4 into your Technique Pool at the start of the round.


Techniques:

>Mirror Blade: [TRICK]Perform the text of your opponent’s chosen Technique. Can only be chosen once per queue.

>Open Guard: [FLOURISH]Generate a d4 into your Technique Pool. If you have a Stance active, deactivate it and generate a d8 instead. This does not count as breaking your Stance for the purposes of effects.

>Showing Off: [FLOURISH]Generate a d6 into your Technique Pool.

>Showing Off: [FLOURISH]Generate a d6 into your Technique Pool.

>Turbulent Winds: [TRICK]Transform the single lowest dice and your and your opponent’s Composure, Strike, and Technique Pools into d1’s. If a Pool is empty, generate a d1 into them. Can only be chosen once per queue. This Technique can only be obtained by using Ring's Chosen with a Birdwatcher’s crest.

>Invincible Rookie: [STANCE]Every time you generate a dice that has 2 sides or more into any pool, generate a d1 into the same pool. Can only be active while you have d4s in your Composure Pool.

>>4060279
Rosario Rossi
Composure Pool: 1d1, 3d4, 2d6, 1d8, 1d12
Technique Pool: Empty
Strike Pool: Empty

Abilities:

>Locked-Room Theoretician: [ABILITY]Before the start of each queue, you may declare three Techniques. If your own next queue matches your declaration in the same order, generate a d6 into your Technique Pool and Strike Pool at the end of the queue.


TECHNIQUES (Choose Three)

>Focussed Blow: [STRIKE]Siphon all dice from your Technique Pool to your Strike Pool. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage.

>Dizzying Speed: [STANCE]After submitting your queue, one of the chosen Techniques is selected at random and replaced with a random Technique from your moveset. If the random Technique’s type matches the type of your opponent’s Technique, the opponent’s Technique is negated. You cannot be Rattled. Can only be active while you have d8s in your Composure Pool.

>Lead The Blade: [TRICK]Declare a size of dice. Your opponent cannot generate, siphon or roll dice of that size this round. If they attempt to, the single lowest dice in your Technique Pool is increased in size by 2 sides.

>Fool’s Drunken Sway: [STRIKE]Siphon all dice from your Technique Pool into your Strike Pool. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage. If this Technique was selected randomly, your opponent is automatically Rattled.

>Hammer Blow: [STRIKE]Siphon no dice. Roll all dice in your Strike Pool to inflict damage. If no Composure dice are destroyed by this attack, your opponent is Rattled.

>Wildcard: [TRICK]Perform the text of a random Technique from your moveset. If Wildcard is selected by Wildcard, generate a d4 into your Composure Pool and inflict the Fool status upon your opponent. If your opponent is already a Fool, randomize the order of their next submitted queue. This Technique can only be obtained by using Ring's Chosen with a Jester's crest.

>>4060281
LRT
Lead
Mirror
Lead

Lead (d6)
Lead (d6)
Hammer Blow

Just so we can punch him in his dumb clown face just this once.

Hype.

>>4060304
I like this

>Lead The Blade: d6
>Lead The Blade: d6
>Hammer Blow

You place the back of your blade onto your shoulder as you saunter over.

None of this will be true, you say it as if force of will can make it true. “This is how it’s going to go down: you’re going to stand there and do nothing.”

Valentino grips his hilt tightly.

>LEAD THE BLADE: d6

>Valentino uses Mirror Blade!

Your swords try to trap each other, the motions ineffectual as the steel slides off.

“Don’t you get it?” you say. Over and over again, until he believes it.

A flash of despair mars his face of determination and tiredness. He wishes he could do it again, but he can’t. He’s too drained.

He runs at you, about to do what he always does.

>LEAD THE BLADE: d6

>Valentino uses Showing Off!

He madly swings. You easily parry it and grab his doublet, pushing him off balance. Turning quickly, Valentino barely catches your thrust.

>Scrambled Head activates!

Your blades glide to opposite sides, and you move. Faster than ever before. You know he’s done before countless times, and you’ve never done it for yourself. By chance, you’ve arrived at the place you once sought after so long, the distant goal of your past dreams.

>Valentino uses Showing Off!

>DIZZYING SPEED: FOOL’S DRUNKEN SWAY

The soft glow of the waters below turns your fountain blue blade brilliant, a flash of shimmering light as your sabre arcs down. It splits his scabbard into two. He stumbles back from the surprise as you raise your sabre. He can block it, again and again as he always does.

“Give it up!” you shout, lunging at him.

There’s a moment of weakness as he thinks that he doesn’t even want to continue. There, in that split second, your sword hits, your forte against his debole. His sword flies into the air as you’re behind him.

>Valentino’s Composure: BROKEN

At this angle, maneuvering your body is too awkward, except you manage to lift your foot as he braces for an incoming cut. He lowers his arms, brow furrowed as he wonders what you were doing, still balancing on a single foot.

That’s when you bring the other up, slamming your heel into his face. He falls down and touches his lip, discovering red.

You sheathe your sabre as the Wake begins crumble around you. The dream-like glow that once surrounded you fades, leaving you standing on the fountain, staring down at the spectators below. The starry night of the sky is your backdrop of victory.

There are sounds of cheering from below.

The cold night air blows against you. It’s the greatest thing you’ve ever felt.
You wipe the sweat trickling down your forehead.

Below, Valentino is grumbling as he picks himself up. Picking up his sword, he says something you can barely make out over the din.

You grin.

“Fuck you too.”

Please wait warmly while I bake the ending

Amazing. Just... wow. How can Rossi be this fucking kino. It shouldn't be possible.

One year later...

In an arch-filled mansion near the edge of Divitis, a sculpting tool clatters as it falls onto marble floor. At the bottom of a ladder, a man sees his reflection looking back at him where the piece of metal fell. He still can’t get used to seeing himself, but it is a process after all. Step by step, he descends to the bottom.

Stefano peers from over the second-floor railing. “Everything okay down there?”

“Yeah, just dropped something. I’m fine.”

He chuckles. “Don’t go dying on me now. I won’t know who else to go to otherwise.”

“Uh huh,” the man says, bringing the tool back onto the laminar flow. A soft touch, and the thigh of the half-nude woman shapes itself perfectly. He stands back, judging it from a distance. “Have I ever told you that you have impeccable timing?”

“Oh? You’re done already?” Stefano asks, descending down the stairs. He makes his way next to the man, examining the finished sculpture of a woman holding her long, one-sided dress up in her arms. “It looks fantastic! I feel like I’m getting away with a crime here, paying you so little.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he replies, “I’m not doing this for coin anyway—”

The sound of fluttering draws the man’s attention behind him. When he turns around, he instinctively raises a hand for the white pigeon to perch on. The bird hobbles around, spinning so the backpack it wears can be seen. With care, the man removes the little parchment, prompting the bird to immediately take off. He unrolls it and brings it closer to his face.

“Sorry, Stefano. I’d still around, but...”

“I get it,” he replies, handing over a small bag of coin. “Good luck.”

With a wave and a goodbye, the man leaves, heading back onto the perfumed canals. It smells like shit and always will, but in a way, it’s charming. The man certainly won’t miss it if it’s ever gone. The streets are filled with the same type of people, and the fountains are filled with the same type of coin.

An hour later, at a little dice parlor, two men and a woman turn to see the man arriving.

“That was very short notice,” the man says.

His client coughs. “Sorry. I had to gather the coin as quickly as I can.”

The woman scoffs, “A Birdwatcher? Maybe you should’ve scraped a little more together.”

The man just smiles. He places a hand on his belt, near his scabbard. Twelve feathers of varying colors and sizes are tied with twine, hanging down. If they haven’t noticed then, they would now. “Belle sabreuse,” the man points out, “Don’t see too many of you around. Are you a Rose Blossom reject?”

She laughs. “Asshole.”

1/2

>>4060497
In a little gallery somewhere, a man helps hang a painting on the walls. The subject material is grotesque, but he doesn’t care. It isn’t his job to be a critic. He doesn’t remember the client he had a long time ago, but he’s sure he’s doing well.

On a lotus-laced rooftop garden, a woman duels a nervous man. She shouts something about seashell white over the roar of the windy Wake, and the man doesn’t know how to respond. This one is a bust.

Three hundred meters away in a massage parlor is a man. He is shirtless, muscles glimmering in the soft candlelight as his hands run over his client’s body. His fingers reach down, pulling skin and sinew alike, separating them from bone. His client weakly smiles as he compliments their complexion and lithe form.

In a library in Somn, a man sits with his legs crossed. He’s reading the newest addition to Procedimenti di Polizia, eagerly flipping through the pages before his friend taps him on the shoulder. He is informed it is time, and sighing, he gets up and leaves.

And back in Divitis, a man stares at his opponent as his sabre slides along his opponent’s.

“Is that all?” the woman asks, peering into him. The man simply smiles he turns around.

You know he’s smiling because, well...

The man is you.


THE END

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722 KB JPG

Thank you for playing! I hope it was enjoyable for you as it was for me.

>>4060536
Dear god. Ok, trying again.

>>4060504
Thank you for QMing. It has been a fun journey, and watching Rossi succeed against all odds and reason was amazing. The ending was really feel good aswell.

>>4060504
Hell of a run QM, Thanks. Rossi earned his good ending. From nobody to nightmare.

>>4060504
Thanks for running!
If only I didn't miss most of it...

>>4060411
Wait, did Rossi just troll him into breaking after he screwed himself over with his own ability?

>>4061285
Yes

For anyone who's curious, here's a list of all my invented Techniques along with some that I never got to use: https://pastebin.com/qrJQxp8t

>>4061285
Yup

>>4061911
Isotta sounds stronk.

But then so was into the Fold, and rossi just DUNKED on that one.

>>4061911
Oh right. Now that the quest is over, what kind of crap did vittore get into anyway?. What was the real mess that rossi caused?

>>4062016
Rossi didn't do anything. Vittore just lost his next few duels hard and felt bad for letting his clients down.

>>4062022
Poor lad. Hopefully he gets back in his rhythm.