Mare Internum: An Exalted Quest

[Crumplepunch]

[X] Go to the wreck of the Sulco's Spite.

Click to shrink...

The cliff face seems sheer at first, but you quickly locate a path by which to descend. It's narrow, rocky and requires a few small leaps and drops, but after a few minutes you make it down to the beach.

ATHLETICS: It sure is impressive that you can perform manoeuvres like that over a fall onto jagged rocks while you have a debilitating headache!

I'm not sure if that was sarcastic.

ATHLETICS: No, not at all, I'm just saying that this was incredibly dangerous and I admire your confidence in doing it without even thinking about it!

That was clearly sarcastic.

ATHLETICS: I just love our conversations.

Anyway. The rocks you saw from above are even more tooth-like up close, irregular, man-sized obelisks of glossy white quartz, tapering to jagged points. If there are more under the water, it's no wonder that the galley was badly damaged.

And damaged it is. The Sulco's Spite, clearly once a proud Realm naval galley, has deep cracks in its hull, and its mainmast sits ajar. Its battened red sails quiver in the breeze.

CRAFT: From a quick look, the damage seems irreparable. There's no way the boat's carpenter has enough wood to properly patch this hull, even if there was enough labour to do the job.

There's lots of wood around though, isn't there? You passed a load of trees not long ago.

CRAFT: Sure, if you're willing to wait six months. Wood for these kinds of repairs needs to be properly aged, or it won't seal properly.

WAR: Mei seemed to think the repairs could be done. She must get reports from her engineers, why would she think that?

CRAFT: Maybe she's operating off some bad information.

SAGACITY: Or maybe she knows something we don't.

The engineers you saw from above are huddled among the supplies a short distance from the wreck, conversing with one another. They probably haven't noticed your presence as unusual from this distance. You could probably climb on board or examine the exterior without bothering them, if you wanted.

[ ] Approach the engineers.
[ ] Take a closer look around the exterior.
[ ] Climb aboard the ship and explore.

 

[Crumplepunch]

[X] Take a closer look around the exterior.

Click to shrink...

The galley is beached at a shallow thirty degree angle, dug deep into the grey sand. You approach it from the starboard side, out of the field of view of the engineers.

CRAFT: NORMAL

CHECK PASSED

There is some kind of grey detritus in the cracks. Mud? You touch it tentatively. It's dry, glossy, very slightly pliant and fibrous.

CRAFT: I think it's wood vomit.

What?

CRAFT: Well, sort of. Some species of insect chew up bark and plant stems and spit it out with their saliva to make a solid surface for their nests. This is like that, but with wood chips.

Right, wood vomit. And what would do that?

SAGACITY: Something much bigger than a paper wasp.

AWARENESS: Do you hear that? It sounds like wire brushes against the hull interior, dozens of them.

Oh, I don't like that.

???: Hey, you, what are you doing poking around back there?

You turn, ready to defend your reputation against more sceptical engineers, but nobody is there.

"Hello?"

???: Hello, yes! Don't you want to introduce yourself first? Come around the prow!

Still seeing nobody, you cautiously approach. The front prow of the boat looms above you, jutting out of the sand. The figurehead, a coiled dragon with a woman's face, plated in heavily patinated bronze, gazes down at you.

FIGUREHEAD: Ahoy there, how do you do?

"Oh, not bad, how are you?"

FIGUREHEAD: Well, perfectly dreadful, obviously. But company is nice, you know! Everyone else seems to be ignoring me.

"Really? That's weird, you're a perfectly nice figurehead."

FIGUREHEAD: Oh stop, you're making me blush. We both know I've seen better days. But where are my manners? Welcome aboard the Sulco's Spite, you dashing stranger, you.

"I'm Tenebrous Silken Vesper."

FIGUREHEAD: So mysterious! So suave!

"I thought so."

[ ] What do you know about this island?
[ ] Do you know anything about those strange repairs on your hull?
[ ] Any idea who is aboard you right now?
[ ] How was the voyage, aside from the bad ending?
[ ] You were carrying Dragonlord Mei, do you know anything about her?
[ ] I should get back to exploring.

 

[Crumplepunch]

[X] What do you know about this island?

Click to shrink...

"What do you know about this island?"

FIGUREHEAD: The beach is very grey.

"Is that it?"

FIGUREHEAD: Well, what do you expect? I'm attached to the front of a beached galley, I haven't exactly had a chance to go exploring. I can't even turn my head.

"I was hoping you might have some mystical insight or something, because you're a dragon."

FIGUREHEAD: Not really. Sorry!

"I guess you've just been looking in that one direction for a while, huh?"

FIGUREHEAD: It's not so bad, as a land-based views go, but I could really do with getting out to sea. The only moving water I can see from here is that waterfall.

You turn and follow her bronze-eyed gaze.

AWARENESS: LEGENDARY

CHECK FAILED

Grey coast stretches out before you, lightly obscured by wintry mist. The cliffs rise into larger mountain ranges further out. You scan the horizon for any signs of movement.

AWARENESS: I don't see a waterfall.

"I don't think there is a waterfall."

FIGUREHEAD: Oh, I promise there is! I've been looking at this patch of coast a while, like you said. It's about a half league out, in a little alcove surrounded by cliff face, emptying into a tidal pool. Tide should be low enough by now.

SAGACITY: Half a nautical league is just over a mile and a half. If she's right, you could make the round trip in an hour, easy.

"I might check that out. I've been looking for somewhere private to bathe."

FIGUREHEAD: Oh, you non-metal people and your funny habits. I promise I won't peek.

"Thanks, I guess."

[ ] Do you know anything about those strange repairs on your hull?
[ ] Any idea who is aboard you right now?
[ ] How was the voyage, aside from the bad ending?
[ ] You were carrying Dragonlord Mei, do you know anything about her?
[ ] I should get back to exploring.

 

[Crumplepunch]

[X] You were carrying Dragonlord Mei, do you know anything about her?

Click to shrink...

"You were carrying Dragonlord Mei, do you know anything about her?"

FIGUREHEAD: I don't know who that is.

"What? Why not? She has been on board for months."

FIGUREHEAD: Well, she never came around the front so I don't have anything to tell you. Sorry!

"She was a Dragon-Blood. Probably shouted quite a lot. On fire, sometimes? She likes weird insults."

FIGUREHEAD: No, doesn't ring a bell. Maybe if you tell me something else?

"Well, I did something to her and I don't know what, and now she hates me. Or wants to hate me, I think. And she wants to hurt me. But she's... I don't know, really sad. Also terrifying. I think I've known her for a long time, but I can't remember."

FIGUREHEAD: Wow. How do you feel about that?

"I don't know. Everything feels muted, like it's not real."

FIGUREHEAD: Yes, I think there's a lot of that going around.

"I think we were friends. Whatever happened, it must have been bad. If I was responsible for that... I don't know."

FIGUREHEAD: And what do you want now?

"I just want things to be okay. I want her to be happy. For everyone to be happy."

FIGUREHEAD: And you? Do you want to be happy?

"I hadn't really thought about that. I don't know if I can."

FIGUREHEAD: Maybe you should try.

THOUGHT GAINED: The Rivers Feed the Land

"Thanks. I think that's good advice."

[ ] (Kiss the figurehead)
[ ] I'm going to go and think about that now. I'll talk to you later.
[ ] Anyway, back to my other questions.

 

[Crumplepunch]

[x] Anyway, back to my other questions.

Click to shrink...

"Anyway, back to my other questions."

FIGUREHEAD: If you like! I don't know how much help I can be, but you're welcome to ask.

"I don't know, you seem pretty helpful."

FIGUREHEAD: Aw, thanks. Okay, one more question, then I need to get back to counting the sand.

[ ] Do you know anything about those strange repairs on your hull?
[ ] Any idea who is aboard you right now?
[ ] How was the voyage, aside from the bad ending?
[ ] I should get back to exploring.

 

[Crumplepunch]

[X] Examine Thought Cabinet

Click to shrink...

Spoiler: Thought Cabinet

Diamond and Thunderbolt
The highest calling of any Dragon-Blood is to fight the Anathema. They are some of the few adversaries in the world who can outmatch you in single combat, and a material and spiritual threat to the order of the world. Those who have slain one of these terrible creatures have a unique place of respect anywhere the Realm or the relicts of the Dragon-Blooded Shogunate hold sway. Could you be one of these heroes? Is your secret mission to slay the human demons that haunt this island?
War -1 (Personal Deeds Only)
24 hours.

The Dweller in Chaos
You had a daiklave. How did you obtain this precious treasure? What is its history? Where did it go? Is there any chance you might be able to get it back? Probably not, honestly, but surely an outside chance of having a cool sword is better than nothing.
Craft +1 (Contemplate the Material)
Integrity -1 (Memory Hole)
12 hours.

Mysterious Stranger
Someone has changed the numbers. What does it mean? You have to know. Someone is here today who wasn't yesterday. Do you remember their face from before they were here? Will you remember them tomorrow? Why are they here, what are they planning? You have to know.
Integrity +1 (Someone Has Changed The Numbers)
Presence -2 (Wild-Eyed Paranoia)
10 hours.

The Prisoner's Dilemma
You asked for the gag back. Why? Did you derive some value from it? Was it the joy of violence? The warm satisfaction of eating well? The exhilaration of surviving danger? Was it perhaps that it was just funny? Is it possible that it might be some other, mysterious, fifth thing, heretofore unknown to you? Take some time to ponder the gag thing. Then talk to Fincher about it.
Integrity +1 (Do You Know What You Want?)
Sagacity -1 (Obviously Irrelevant)
8 hours.

The Rivers Feed the Land
You're not happy, and it seems like you haven't been for a while. Have you ever been happy? Could you ever be happy again? You hadn't thought about it, and maybe you should start. There has to be something good buried in your past, something that made you feel whole. Maybe you could find that thing again, or use that memory to make something new. You deserve that much.
Integrity -1 (There Is No Path)
16 hours.

Those Jagged Peaks
The Realm sucks pretty bad, just generally. The Dynasty in particular sucks dick. But why does it suck dick? What destructive incentive structures are at play? What about its systems of power perpetuate inequity and injustice? Is it possible that it actually sucks dick for everyone, including those that ostensibly benefit from it? Formulate a structural critique of imperialism and aristocratic power structures. Then talk to Logris about it.
Embassy +1 (Systems Are Important)
Presence -1 (Thought Over Action)
Physique -1 (Enervating Nerd Energies)
12 hours.

The Wolf and the Falcon
Why did you introduce yourself as the Wolf of Sibun? Did you have something to do with the disaster that destroyed the winter palace thirty years ago? Did you once know what happened there, and why? Is it at all possible that you secretly an Anathema? To the last one, no, you are absolutely not, but have a good think about that other stuff.
Embassy -1 (Revel in Infamy)
20 hours.

The New Black Jade (Complete)
You are definitely not Yonris, so I hope you didn't waste too much time thinking about that. Still, it was interesting to contemplate. The other stuff you learned might be important later. And maybe you have some connection to this island. Maybe.
Navigate: +2 (I Know This Place)
Craft: +1 (I Know Its Works)
Sagacity: -1 (Still Can't Believe You Thought About This)
Special: Gain additional dialogue options about your possible ancestry.

Unbroken Rushes (Complete)
The Realm has taken everything from you, and it has done it more than once. Then you were made to visit its horrors on others. What could you have been, if not for this? The memories remain hazy, but the lesson is clear. Never let go of the hate.
Stealth: +2 (We Act in the Shadows)
Navigate: +1 (Know the Better World)
Presence: +1 (Revolutionary Fervor)
Embassy: -1 to Dynasts and Realm patriots only. (Offputting Intensity)
Presence: -2 to Dynasts and Realm patriots only. (Misplaced Loyalties)
Special: Gain additional subversive dialogue options.

You are currently thinking about Unbroken Rushes (Complete), Maker, Builder, Breaker (16 hours), and The Opening Gate (22 hours). You can change your thoughts when you sleep.

[X] Do you know anything about those strange repairs on your hull?

Click to shrink...

"Do you know anything about those strange repairs on your hull?"

FIGUREHEAD: Oh, is that what they're doing back there? Ahaha, no, not really.

"But it's your hull."

FIGUREHEAD: I think you're under a misapprehension, I'm the figurehead, not the boat. I can only see stuff in front, I don't know most of what's going on back there.

"Oh, okay, that makes sense."

FIGUREHEAD: What's strange about them, anyway?

"It looks like the cracks are being sealed with reconstituted wood chips and saliva."

FIGUREHEAD: Oh, ew. Well, that's a bit unconventional, but I guess maybe a sorcerer is using Papermaker Anuhles to chew rough wood and turn it into a hull sealant.

"What's a Papermaker Anuhle?"

FIGUREHEAD: Anhules are demon spiders, one of the many kinds of demon that a sorcerer can summon and command. Papermakers specifically are useful for turning plants into a hard resin for construction.

"Are they... big?"

FIGUREHEAD: Oh yeah, they're twice as big as you, and they've got twelve legs ending in little bristly brushes.

Wire brushes. Right.

"How do you know all this?"

FIGUREHEAD: You know, I have no idea. I must have just picked it up somewhere.

"Huh. well... i'll let you get back to your beach-watching."

FIGUREHEAD: Thanks! Come back any time, it's nice to have someone to chat with.

[ ] I'm going to explore on board.
[ ] I'm going to head back to camp.
[ ] I'm going to head for that waterfall you mentioned.

 

[Crumplepunch]

[X] I'm going to head for that waterfall you mentioned.

Click to shrink...

"I'm going to head for that waterfall you mentioned."

FIGUREHEAD: Good, that's good. I hope you can get everything figured out.

"Bye for now."

You turn and walk up the beach, away from the galley filled with creepy demons and its talkative figurehead.

SAGACITY: You know, you only have the word of an obvious hallucination that there is even a waterfall in this direction. Awareness didn't see anything, which means you didn't see anything. The most logical explanation is that you are just imagining a waterfall.

Why would you imagine a waterfall? That doesn't make any sense.

NAVIGATE: Well, I for one am happy we are finally going exploring, even if there is nothing to find.

There is something to find though, there's a waterfall. Why would the figurehead make up something like that?

SAGACITY: You know what, never mind, carry on.

The walk up the beach is bracing. Chilly winds gust in from over the sea, and there is nothing to be see but endless ranks of jagged quartz rocks and grey sand. The cold air does you good, though. Your head feels clearer than it has all day, with only the occasional tingle and pop inside your skull to remind you that not all is right up there.

AWARENESS: Wait, there it is.

Sure enough, after some minutes of walking, you can make out the waterfall, a steady drizzle from some mountain stream high up in the dappled, quartz-faced cliffs, cascading down and puffing into water vapour in the breeze.

SAGACITY: What? That doesn't make any sense.

That's life, isn't it?

SAGACITY: No! Life makes sense, actually. That's the whole point of knowing things.

Well, whatever, there's a waterfall and we're going there.

SAGACITY: It has to be a coincidence.

NAVIGATE: I don't know, it's exactly where she said it would be.

SAGACITY: Where we said it would be. We're all the same person! This is ridiculous.

We probably shouldn't think about this too hard.

HAWK SWORD: A wise decision, my lady.

The waterfall seem like a tiny trickling of water barely worthy of the name, but as you grow closer you get a better idea of the volume of water cascading the cliff. It must be a decent sized stream up there.

It is as the figurehead described, a waterfall about half a league out, emptying into a tidal pool, surrounded by a semicircular alcove of white cliff face. The pool looks to be about waist deep on you, seperated from the sea by a shallow grey sandbank and the lowering tide of late afternoon. The waterfall itself empties to a raised dome of stone, sending up a fine white spray of mist.

Well, here we are, what now?

[ ] Enter the pool end get scrubbing.
[ ] Sit on the stone under the waterfall and meditate.
[ ] Reconsider and head back to camp, there has to be a more comfortable place to do this.

 

[Crumplepunch]

[X] Sit on the stone under the waterfall and meditate.

Click to shrink...

Making your decision, you strip down, removing your cloak, tunic, chestwrap and boots. You plant the sheathed sword in the sand.

"Stay put."

HAWK SWORD: Very well! I shall keep watch over your belongings.

The ocean breeze is bitterly cold against your bare skin, but though your senses register this, you feel no particular reaction to it. You pull off your ruined boots and pause when you feel something solid in the pocket of your britches. You remove it. It's the waxpaper wrapped package of lye soap that you picked up in the supply shed.

EMBASSY: How fortuitous. Apparently your larcenous escapade wasn't completely pointless after all.

STEALTH: Listen, larcenous escapades are their own reward. Not counting the stuff you steal during them.

After some consideration you take the soap and your water flask with you. Might as well fill it up with fresh mountain spring water.

You walk over to the edge of the pool.

[X] Interact with your reflection

Click to shrink...

You see a scarred woman staring back from the surface of the gently rippling water. She's holding a water flask and soap much like yours.

"Oh, it's you. You're the one who keeps fucking everything up. Well, what do you want?"

Write a short response. The first response to be quote posted by another quester will be adapted as the reflection's response.

 

[Crumplepunch]

"To kill the Scarlet Empress."

Click to shrink...

REFLECTION: "To kill the Scarlet Empress."

"What? Is she here?"

REFLECTION: "I don't know. Do you know?"

"No. What are you doing here if you're trying to kill her?"

REFLECTION: "I don't know. It seemed as good a place to look as any."

"Why do you want to kill her anyway?"

REFLECTION: "Because she's directly or indirectly responsible for everything that has gone wrong in my life."

"Huh, okay. Well, good luck with that. I'm going to go meditate under the waterfall."

REFLECTION: "Wait, aren't you going to ask me anything else?"

"Like what?"

[ ] Who are you?
[ ] How did you get here?
[ ] What happened to you?
[ ] No, I'd rather not know.

 

[Crumplepunch]

[x] What happened to you?

Click to shrink...

REFLECTION: "Like 'What happened to you?'."

"Alright. What happened to you?"

REFLECTION: "You'll have to be more specific."

"Well, okay. Why are you in the water?"

REFLECTION: "That's how reflections work."

"Got it. And the scars?"

REFLECTION: "Lots of places."

"Helpful. And how did you lose your memory?"

REFLECTION: "I didn't lose my memory, you did."

"Oh, that's right. Sorry, I got confused for a moment there."

REFLECTION: "That's okay, this is a pretty weird way to hold a conversation."

"Did the Scarlet Empress do any of that to you?"

REFLECTION: "Which? The reflection, the scars, or the memories?"

"Yes."

REFLECTION: "Yeah, some of it."

"Okay, this isn't going anywhere. How about you ask me something?"

Write a short response. The first response to be quote posted by another quester will be adapted as the reflection's response.