- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
[X] You will return to the tournament and put on a good show for the people. Nothing bad happened, see? You're smiling and everything! All is well.
Dragon Ball: After the End
fictionfan
Please sir, may I have some Meows?
- Location
- Tempe, AZ
Do you really want to do a deception check?
- Location
- Russia
[X] You will closely follow the investigation of what happened here, paying close attention and making special effort to contribute to the investigators' eventual findings.
KnightDisciple
Brotherhood. Unity. Peace.
- Location
- Midwest, USA
[X] You will abscond from the Hall and just...not. Can you not? You'd really like to just not for a little bit. No more saiyans, no more nobility, no more intrigue, just...not.
fictionfan
Please sir, may I have some Meows?
- Location
- Tempe, AZ
Well at least we are not lacking votes.
- Location
- Rockford, USA
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Indeed!
Vote Tally : Sci-Fi - Dragon Ball: After the End | Page 803 | Sufficient Velocity [Posts: 20076-20107]
##### NetTally 1.9.8
[X] You will closely follow the investigation of what happened here, paying close attention and making special effort to contribute to the investigators' eventual findings.
No. of Votes: 14
[X] You will return to the tournament and put on a good show for the people. Nothing bad happened, see? You're smiling and everything! All is well.
No. of Votes: 4
[X] You will abscond from the Hall and just...not. Can you not? You'd really like to just not for a little bit. No more saiyans, no more nobility, no more intrigue, just...not.
No. of Votes: 2
Total No. of Voters: 20
##### NetTally 1.9.8
[X] You will closely follow the investigation of what happened here, paying close attention and making special effort to contribute to the investigators' eventual findings.
No. of Votes: 14
[X] You will return to the tournament and put on a good show for the people. Nothing bad happened, see? You're smiling and everything! All is well.
No. of Votes: 4
[X] You will abscond from the Hall and just...not. Can you not? You'd really like to just not for a little bit. No more saiyans, no more nobility, no more intrigue, just...not.
No. of Votes: 2
Total No. of Voters: 20
And it's so close! Really down to the wire on this one, folks!
- Location
- Rockford, USA
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Anyway, speaking of: unless I see a lot more votes very soon, I'll close in an hour or two.
fictionfan
Please sir, may I have some Meows?
- Location
- Tempe, AZ
How did we use that?
- Location
- Rockford, USA
- Pronouns
- They/Them
During your interview. Like I said, it had been quite some time since I updated that list.
Bakkasama
There is always a greater fool
- Location
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Pronouns
- He/his
I am still eagerly awaiting a peak onto what is happening in the human side. As in, how are Karen's classmates and teachers treating her, Maya and Jaron? What is the general opinion of ki users so far? Any comments about us not helping out against the trasteian invasion? How did the interview dad was supposed to have with the world leaders one week after the start of the year go?
- Location
- Rockford, USA
- Pronouns
- They/Them
As promised, Vote Closed.
[X] You will closely follow the investigation of what happened here, paying close attention and making special effort to contribute to the investigators' eventual findings.
And also, as mentioned, all those other things, but primarily this.
Vote Tally : Sci-Fi - Dragon Ball: After the End | Page 803 | Sufficient Velocity [Posts: 20076-20111]
##### NetTally 1.9.8
[X] You will closely follow the investigation of what happened here, paying close attention and making special effort to contribute to the investigators' eventual findings.
No. of Votes: 14
[X] You will return to the tournament and put on a good show for the people. Nothing bad happened, see? You're smiling and everything! All is well.
No. of Votes: 5
[X] You will abscond from the Hall and just...not. Can you not? You'd really like to just not for a little bit. No more saiyans, no more nobility, no more intrigue, just...not.
No. of Votes: 2
Total No. of Voters: 21
##### NetTally 1.9.8
[X] You will closely follow the investigation of what happened here, paying close attention and making special effort to contribute to the investigators' eventual findings.
No. of Votes: 14
[X] You will return to the tournament and put on a good show for the people. Nothing bad happened, see? You're smiling and everything! All is well.
No. of Votes: 5
[X] You will abscond from the Hall and just...not. Can you not? You'd really like to just not for a little bit. No more saiyans, no more nobility, no more intrigue, just...not.
No. of Votes: 2
Total No. of Voters: 21
[X] You will closely follow the investigation of what happened here, paying close attention and making special effort to contribute to the investigators' eventual findings.
And also, as mentioned, all those other things, but primarily this.
Bakkasama
There is always a greater fool
- Location
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Pronouns
- He/his
So, while the best result is obviously being Kakara who kills the dragon (for more political capital and a dragon slaying reputation to add to our legend) what are the likely results of others giving the killing blow? Both Yammar and Apra doing so could mean good things for the conspiracy though I am somewhat reluctant of having the Vegetan give the killing blow when there are 3 Gokun in the field. Dad getting the kill could be good for his centralization efforts but more popularity for him could go either way depending on the fallout from freeing Jaffur and our relationship with him after the fact.
fictionfan
Please sir, may I have some Meows?
- Location
- Tempe, AZ
If we manage to figure out the spirit bomb then the obvious strategy for beating the dragon is that the others hold the Dragon off well we charge the spirit bomb then hold it in place when we shot.
And really the whole Saiyan race should get the credit for charging the spirit bomb. At least that is what Kakara should say.
And really the whole Saiyan race should get the credit for charging the spirit bomb. At least that is what Kakara should say.
fictionfan
Please sir, may I have some Meows?
- Location
- Tempe, AZ
Not just the cult. Spirit bomb is a great metaphor for power of the people.
But also it would be two big discoveries before she hits her teens. That gets a rep.
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Carrnage
Human
- Location
- New Zealand
Just wait until they get into their head that Kakara is blessed by their gods. then we try to convince them otherwise except we have to roll deceit due to learning part of the spirit bomb from Gohan.
Bakkasama
There is always a greater fool
- Location
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Pronouns
- He/his
That points in the opposite direction of the hint Gohan gave us about how to make the spirit bomb AND doesn't change the fact everyone would credit us the kill because we rediscovered it.
I aprove.
fictionfan
Please sir, may I have some Meows?
- Location
- Tempe, AZ
See though modestly often has a good reaction.
Pulp Saiyan
- Location
- Rockford, USA
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X] You will closely follow the investigation of what happened here, paying close attention and making special effort to contribute to the investigators' eventual findings.
Pulp Saiyan
You crouch next to the spent grenade, listening as the sorcerer behind you talks.
"Fortunately for your assailants, Scion, this was no mundane sedative. Knock-out gas doesn't work in real life the way films portray it. A dose suitable for putting down a twelve-year-old Super Saiyan would have killed just about anything else on this planet," says the man, scribbling some notes on a clipboard.
You conceal how uneasy that knowledge makes you feel. You weren't trying to kill those people. You didn't even know it was possible. But you keep it you yourself through the simple expedient of keeping your back turned, and nod. "So why are they still alive?"
"Oh, it was a sedative, at least originally. Their sorcerer tampered with it. From our examinations of the unused grenades, we've found that she amplified the sedation effects while sealing any side effects away. The perfect sedative. Powerful -- irresistible, even -- and totally non-lethal. Fit for the next Greenhills Studios blockbuster." He chuckles. "Which, of course, is why that first group of attackers won't be waking up for a few more years unless your father decides that one of us should cancel the amplifying effect. Very impressive work, that, if I'm honest. I wouldn't have thought that Sala had it in her."
You nod, standing. "Okay...so they brought grenades that could knock me out. Why? I wasn't planning to come here, I just did. Why would they be ready for it?"
The sorcerer shrugs. "Simple paranoia, perhaps. After all, if you or your father -- or Patriarch Yammar, Saint forbid -- showed up, the attackers would have little other recourse."
You huff in thought. "Right. You said that this was hard to pull off? The grenades, I mean?"
He tucks away the clipboard and starts gesturing. "It's easier to suppress things -- seal them, if I'm being exact -- than to amplify them -- enhance, to be specific. Sala's never been particularly exceptional, though. At least, I hadn't thought she was. Not the first time a sorcerer has trained up their abilities in private. We're, ah...not exactly encouraged to speak publicly about our discipline."
You concede the point with a grimace and a nod. "Right. Thanks for talking to me."
"Of course, Scion," he replies, nodding. "If you have any other questions for me, I'll be back in the staff quarters. My colleagues and I have some more evidence to process." He turns and steps away.
You cross your arms, turning over what you know in your head.
These attackers got the entire prison staff on their side. Every single guard joined them. All of the guards and several outsiders, just to try and kill the scouts.
And still no word on why.
You put your fingers to your forehead-
vip
-and reappear in the lowest levels of the prison. The warriors nearby flinch before recognizing you and relaxing.
With every single guard who was on shift compromised, your father has been forced to draft replacements from the ranks of the tournament fighters as a stopgap. He's furious about it -- they're not professionals -- but it's not like he had a choice. He can't trust the ones who weren't on shift. Not until you both find out what happened here.
You step up to one of the amateur guards and look up at him. "Has he said anything yet?" you ask.
The man shakes his head. "No, Scion. Just wisecracks." He scowls at that. You decide not to ask.
"Open the door," you say. "I'm going in to watch for a little bit."
"Yes, Scion."
He pulls open the door to the observation room, and you enter.
It's a scene right out of a police procedural -- one-way glass, room in white, a table, and two chairs. You stare through the window as one of your Clan's Lawkeepers interrogates one of the attackers. "Let's talk about something else. Why even stage this attack? Lord Goku and Scion Kakara chose to take these scouts prisoner for a good reason-"
"No reason is good enough for allowing invaders to live," interrupts the attacker, his expression going flat. You remember him from the group trying to kill Songs-Through-Murk and the others who had to be captured. He leans forward. "Do I look like a human to you, Lawkeeper? I'm a saiyan. My enemies don't get another chance."
"Son Goku was a saiyan," says the Lawkeeper, voice level.
"Son Goku wanted a challenge," says the attacker, leaning back in his chair. "And Son Goku was always convinced that he'd be good enough to beat the next threat. So he felt secure in releasing his opponents so they could try again." He looks away. "He was raised by a human. He was no saiyan. Now Prince Vegeta -- the ancestor Vegeta -- he was a saiyan. And he knew how to treat your enemies." He crosses his arms. "Lord Berra and his excuse of a Scion taking prisoners who tried to wipe us out only proves how soft they are."
Intrigue: 82.
You stare at him. "...crapbaskets. Lady Vegeta is just going to love that. Somebody talking like that is just what she needs to justify the Sealing." You keep your voice low, of course -- no need for anybody to hear that.
You turn and-
vip
-reappear at the gates of the prison. As the warriors on guard there open them, you muse to yourself.
You have a why. At least for one of them. It's weird, though; there's not usually a lot of overlap between the saiyan supremacy crowd and the people who are tolerant of seers and sorcerers.
Weirder still is that you know for a fact that your father doesn't let just anybody show up and become a guard at your people's only prison. Lord Vegeta didn't either; before he was Sealed, it was one of the things that kept them from just not interacting with each other. They decided jointly who could be trusted with guarding your race's prisoners. Between that and your father's uncontested tenure since, you know that anybody in a position to be guarding those prisoners wouldn't be in with the saiyan supremacy crowd.
And yet, not a single one of them tried to stop it. They didn't even just stand aside. They helped.
A sorcerer displaying capabilities well beyond what her companions claim should be the case. Several trusted guards suddenly making a complete ideological about-face.
Something deeper is happening -- deeper than you can see. Something or somebody was arranging this attack for a long time, and hid it well.
How many conspiracies can a few hundred thousand people have?
You step through the gates and into the main body of the Hall, and as the distant tournament grounds come onto your senses again-
vip
-walk to your seat in your family's box. Your dad glances at you, the rest of your family absent in the wake of the attack. "Anything new?"
You nod. "The sorcerers say that the grenades were magic, and that the attacker's sorcerer shouldn't have been good enough to make them. The guy they're interviewing says that he's one of the saiyans-first people. He said that not executing the scouts makes us weak."
You can see your Dad processing that, and coming to the same conclusions as you. He scowls. "This is going to be the work of months to untangle," he growls.
You nod, slumping back in your chair and sighing.
He shakes his head sharply. "No use worrying about it now. The Lawkeepers know their work. They'll do their jobs, and we can decide what to do when we have more information."
You nod. "I guess." And in the spirit of not worrying, you ask, "So how did the melee and the jousting events yesterday work out?"
He snorts and reaches out to mess up your hair. "If you hadn't spent the whole rest of the day of the attack and most of yesterday cooped up in that prison, you'd know the answer already."
You shake your head. "I wanted to be there!"
"There wasn't much you could do," he says, eyeing you. "You don't have the skills."
"But I can listen to everybody and put everything they learn together," you say.
He sighs. "I know, I know. Still, it would have helped the mood to have you here." He looks out into the ring. "Cynthia Balor actually took the melee. Her variation on Krillin Style seems very suited to mass combat. We'll definitely have her on our force when the invasion comes. The joust, well...that was the joust. Not a lot for us to see. Beam struggles are beam struggles. Even the best competitors often only win due to luck more than skill. It's why it's more a side event at tournaments. This year it was Musro Pan who took it."
You nod. "Okay."
He nudges you. "Why even ask. I know you don't really like these events."
You roll your eyes. "This is the biggest tournament that's ever happened in my whole life. Probably in yours." You stick your tongue at him. "So yeah. A long time."
He laughs. "Hey!"
You grin and say, "If somebody asks, I'm going to at least pretend that I care."
He sighs. "Ah, there's that teenage sulkiness. I was wondering how long I had."
You smack his arm. He snickers.
A knock at the door attracts you attention. When you look back, you see one of your Clanmates stepping in. "Lord, Scion, the first rounds are about to begin."
Your father nods. "Thank you, Caulifla." He stands. "Time to smile for the crowd." He steps up to the rail and raises his voice. "My people, you've been here for close to a week, and it's all been building up to this moment! The best fighters of the saiyan race coming together to determine who's the best of us all! The largest tournament in living memory..." He gives you an amused glance. "...and now, the final round! Miss Fren, if you would."
You see your idol giving your father a gracious nod as she stands at the rail of her own box. "Ladies and gentlemen, are you ready for some of the best matches you're ever going to see?"
The crowd immediately begins to cheer, and she gives them all a brilliant grin. "Then put your hands together and show your appreciation! The first match of the day: the jousting event's winner, Musro Pan, against the three-time grand champ of the Cap Circuit, Damien Pare! Gentlemen, please take your places! The final of the tournament begin now!"
How much of the finals do you want to cover?
[ ] Highlights reel (Poptart writes some interesting fighting scenes, the final match, any other tournament events, and then proceeds on with the next event of the year.)
[ ] Final match (Poptart covers only the final match of the tournament, any other tournament events, and then does one or two scenes from our backlog of small scene requests moving through into the next event of the year).
[ ] Nothing (Poptart spends the next update completely clearing the players' backlog of small scene requests and finishes by moving into the next event. The tournament will only be referred to in retrospect).
[ ] Write-in ("Poptart exhaustively covers the tournament match-by-match," or similar, will be rejected).
THIS VOTE IS NOW CLOSED. NO MORATORIUM THIS TIME.
I know I said last time that I'd finish the tournament this time, but then it occurred to me...what I was planning to write was a lot of words, and I wanted to get this out today.
So you're voting on how much I show, because I also want to get a feel for how much tolerance you have for tournaments in general, for future reference.
The sorcerer running forensics is based on Doctor Tygen from XCOM 2, if you want a voice reference.
So, now that it's past, I'll go ahead and mention: had you not voted to go see Meerak, all of the scouts would now be dead. The tournament probably would have been canceled.
Hope you enjoyed the brief update, folks! For this one I won't bother with a moratorium; this is not exactly an exhaustive decision. You can expect for me to close this one quickly, and if I have time over the weekend, I'll try to get the next one out fast as well. See ya around!
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Aranfan
Team Plasma Grunt
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