Here it's more a case of no-one being willing to gainsay him when the Vatican and the Holy See has literally up and vanished, replaced by a hellscape of wandering titans and heathens from before the time of The Lord.
Also, I apologize that this is taking so much time to get the next update out.
Hades: "Whine, whine, whine. Listen buddy, do you have any idea how cramped the cage that Zeus put the boys in was? This is the first time they've gotten to stretch their legs in Gaia knows how long. Give em a century or two and they'll have worked the kinks out. By that point wife says she'll be able to re-grow everything along with the critters (something about a viable ecosystem or whatever). Though I wouldn't recomend you visit unless you want to meet me in a more offical capacity. Lions, Tigers, and Bears are the least of your problems in there. She's got ideas."
Hades: "From before his time? Aren't you that new-fangled splinter cult worshiping Yahweh's kid or something?....Oh right. Seriously, pick a name and story then stick with them. You're going to give the poor guy an identity crisis at this rate."
It's coming together but they haven't staked out the territories they have in the canon DVV yet. They have a number of members already though, The Man is quite the tracker, even of other hunters.
No worries. Better to do it right than try to rush it.
I'd assume it's figuring out all the world building stuff and figuring out what options we have and what they do?
It's setting up a fairly complex game with a lot of moving parts. I'd imagine it gets easier once it properly starts and it's just rolling dice to see how we do.
Here it's more a case of no-one being willing to gainsay him when the Vatican and the Holy See has literally up and vanished, replaced by a hellscape of wandering titans and heathens from before the time of The Lord.
Also, I apologize that this is taking so much time to get the next update out.
Or could I write up an omake where a second pope is brought into the quest? There have been multiple popes before in RL history. If we are using Disney canon, which we kinda are, Frollo (not a member of the priesthood) took the position of pope by declaring himself pope. That is way too corruptible, and asking to be exploited by other ambitious men. Nobody else among the surviving population is that ambitious, really?
I'm not sure the QM would want more work to go into the quest though, so I'm asking.
Or could I write up an omake where a second pope is brought into the quest? There have been multiple popes before in RL history. If we are using Disney canon, which we kinda are, Frollo (not a member of the priesthood) took the position of pope by declaring himself pope. That is way too corruptible, and asking to be exploited by other ambitious men. Nobody else among the surviving population is that ambitious, really?
I'm not sure the QM would want more work to go into the quest though, so I'm asking.
In the DVV "present" Frollo is an immortal lich, so his position is pretty secure. In the Prince Aladdin present, who knows? As a judge in Paris he is in a position of power and authority, even if he's not a priest, so it could be that he's just the most ambitious guy with the chops and the position to do it. Canon Frollo did rile up an angry mob easily enough so he's clearly good at working the crowds. A rival pope would certainly be an interesting twist for our early Frollo though.
Go for it, if I like the shape of it I'll see if I can slot it in. That's the beauty of being so early compared to "canon" lots of moving pieces and places to slot stuff in.
Or could I write up an omake where a second pope is brought into the quest? There have been multiple popes before in RL history. If we are using Disney canon, which we kinda are, Frollo (not a member of the priesthood) took the position of pope by declaring himself pope. That is way too corruptible, and asking to be exploited by other ambitious men. Nobody else among the surviving population is that ambitious, really?
I'm not sure the QM would want more work to go into the quest though, so I'm asking.
There's a ton of stuff from DVV that should give you more insight on the "canon" of sorts for the setting. Mind that anyone you read about is going to be in the early stages of things since very few, aside from maybe Hades, have the properly established support system for their factions... so far, at least from what I've come to assume. This is afterall only the first turn, not only for us but everyone else too.
It's why I've been going absolutely nuts with Omakes personally - no better time than now to try and throw a bunch of seeds into the ground to watch sprout.
Edit: Of course doing research on the setting might spoil you to certain elements ig, but that's not 100% anyways. Your choice of course.
[X] Plan Truth, Justice and stool parrots
-[X] Write In
--[X] Jafar may be gone (for now) but any of the sorcerer's caches, hidden trinkets and hideouts are likely still scattered about Agrabah. Suggest to Iago that the Sultan and Razoul might be more willing to let him keep his head if he is willing to offer up information on Jafar.
-[X] Full Disclosure of the wish and the circumstances: Aladdin tells Jasmine everything that he knows. Though it appears that he may have some serious gaps in his memory now...
-[X] An Obelisk: Simple but striking, a white marble obelisk engraved with the names of the fallen and a thank-you for their sacrifice. Emphasizes them as a group.
Aladdin stepped away for a moment while the Sultan spoke with his men about setting up a system to get people up and down the mountain until either a proper causeway could be carved, or some other means of entry and exit could be devised. Aladdin tried to keep focused on the fact that they'd won, more than anything else, but his thoughts continued to return to that hand, grasping fruitlessly at the air. A harsh voice from nearby though broke him out of his thoughts. "Why are you lookin so glum? You got everything you wanted." Aladdin glared down at Iago, a retort on his lips, but he stopped when he looked at the parrot's expression.
Beneath the anger and bluster was very real, very deep fear. Fear that he'd be used as a stand-in for Jafar since the newly-empowered Sorcerer had fled. Fear of death. A fear that Aladdin was intimately familiar with. "I lost a friend though. And as for getting everything I wanted..." his gaze shifted to Jasmine. "That's out of my hands. As is the fact that Jafar left you behind." Iago bristled at that, but paused as Aladdin continued. "So you can either just lash out and ensure that the worst happens, or you can try and make yourself useful enough that they'll consider letting you keep your beak. Telling them about any secrets Jafar left behind would probably be a good start." Iago's beak closes with a sharp clack. Right as the Sultan comes up, Razoul conspicuously absent until Aladdin spots him at the door speaking with servants and his men.
"Iago... I understand that Jafar has apparently always coveted power, and that you were his aide in all of... this. Do you have anything to say for yourself?" The Sultan's gotten dressed in a spare outfit that one of the servants had brought him; while Razoul coordinates the guards and starts getting messages down to the city to keep order.
Iago bristles for a moment, before deflating. "Right, fine. I know a bunch of the passages Jafar used. He's got some hidden places in the palace that your guys are gonna want to have a look at. I'll show the guards where they are." The Sultan smiled at that, nodding happily.
"I'm happy to hear that you're willing to cooperate. Here, have a..." The Sultan reaching into a small pouch has Iago's eyes shooting open, and as the Sultan produces a cracker, an unholy screech cuts through the air.
"NO! NO MORE CRACKERS!!!" Everyone stops and stares at Iago as the parrot seems to dry heave at the very thought of eating the cracker in the Sultan's hand. "Do you have any idea how nasty those actually taste?! I kept on trying to keep from eating them but you just kept shoving them in my beak!" Iago's actually molting slightly due to the stress as he rants. Razoul looks incensed as he comes over; but an upraised hand from the Sultan stops him.
"So, that's the way of it," The Sultan said solemnly as Iago's rant died into a whimper, shocked back to realizing his situation. "Then it seems that Jafar was crueler than I knew. And that I owe you an apology, Iago." That had everyone in the room staring at the Sultan. "Jafar had told me that you were shy, and that these crackers were your favorite food." Iago seemed to be completely lost for words as he stared up at the old man. The Sultan's remorseful expression firmed. "However, while what I did was unkind, you assisted Jafar in trying to take my kingdom and who knows what else. Depending on what the guards find in the places you show them, I will be deciding your final fate at a later time."
Iago was still staring at the Sultan like he'd been punched in the beak, before the parrot's cage was grabbed up by Razoul. "I'm very interested in these supposed 'secret passages', bird." He growled at the parrot. With that, he and his men stalked off, leaving four guards with the Sultan and Jasmine. Jasmine...
Aladdin turned to look at her. She was cuddling Rajah close, seeming to take comfort from the cub; before turning to look at Aladdin. Aladdin felt his stomach sink into his toes, but he remembered the words that Genie had given him, before that carpet ride. "Right. 'Be myself.' This time I'll follow through Genie..." He muttered to himself, before moving towards Jasmine.
"So... which is it? Ali... or Aladdin?" Jasmine came out of the gate swinging, and Aladdin felt his face heat in a flush. One of the Agrabah guards smothered a brief snicker; while the Ababwans merely busied themselves with... something. Anything to look like they weren't eavesdropping he supposed. He sighed, giving her a lopsided smile.
"It's Aladdin. And... I owe you an explanation." He gestured towards a pair of seats. "Well all of this started three days ago; when I helped you in the marketplace..." He laid everything out then, his being thrown in the dungeon and meeting the disguised Jafar. Escaping through the hidden passage, something that made the Sultan frown mightily as he listened as well. The Cave of Wonders, meeting Carpet and the terrifying fiery attempt at escape ending with Aladdin dangling over the precipice. Jafar's betrayal and Abu's quick thinking leading to meeting Genie; The Rules (which had Jasmine losing a bit of tension around her shoulders) and the way that Aladdin had tricked him into getting them out of the cave without using a wish. He had the good grace to look sheepish over it, but Genie hadn't held it against him, and Aladdin honestly thought that on some level he may have been impressed by the thief's quick thinking.
Aladdin decided not to skim over the conversation in the oasis; embarrassing as it was. Jasmine looked flattered, and the Sultan stroked his beard speculatively; but neither interrupted. From there it was easy to lay out the way things had gone from his perspective. The abduction by the guards after the ride on Carpet though had both royals frowning in consternation. For a moment Aladdin thinks about glossing over the fight with Genie and his moment of weakness. But he said he'd tell Jasmine the whole truth,so he screws up his courage and tells about how he'd told Genie that he couldn't wish him free; their argument and then hearing "Jasmine" calling him.
"And the next time I saw Genie, he was under Jafar's control..." Aladdin spreads his hands helplessly, before breathing out heavily. "I'm sorry that I lied to you about who I was Your Majesty, Princess." Jasmine looked conflicted, even as Raja batted at her ponytail with one oversized paw. The Sultan though, looked like he'd made some kind of decision.
"I see. In light of all this new information, I believe that, should Jasmine be inclined to do so, a more prolonged courting period is called for here. As Sultan, I can change the law to allow for such and given the current crisis I don't think anyone will gainsay me. Agrabah is in shambles and the few reports I've received from the city indicate that everyone in the city felt that... thing that tore open the portal appear. I also believe that you may need to return to Ababwa in order to see to things there," the Sultan gave Aladdin a very direct look.
Before Aladdin could reply, Razoul stormed in, looking absolutely thunderous. "Your Majesty, the bird spoke true. There are passages within the Palace that I was not aware of. I will be working to rectify this oversight as quickly as possible. The prisoner was also compliant in warning us off about hazardous items within Jafar's main laboratory." The guard took a deep breath. "While examining the place, we discovered... this." He goes to one knee and holds out a small cloth-wrapped bundle. The Sultan picked it up curiously, eyes widening as he unwrapped it, revealing a massive blue diamond mounted on a ring. "The traitor apparently stole it in order to use as part of some kind of scrying machine." Razoul's eyes cut to Aladdin, who was left with no doubt as to what Jafar had been scrying for. Or rather, who.
"I see. So that's what happened to it... You have my thanks Razoul. Now then, I need to begin coordinating recovery in the city." The Sultan gave Aladdin a nod, laying his hand on Jasmine's shoulder for a long moment before moving away. The princess took a deep breath before looking Aladdin in the eye.
"I appreciate you telling me the truth. I only wish it hadn't taken all of... this to force it to happen. I do like you... but I think that my father is right and that we need more time to figure out if this can be love." Aladdin felt his heart leap in his chest. "It'll be difficult, but letter correspondence and arranged visits can allow us to continue courting one another."
[][Courtship] Suggest that Aladdin use Carpet to arrive with a small honor guard to visit in person with Jasmine. (Will lock in one of Aladdin's personal actions for the foreseeable future).
[][Courtship] Go with the plan Jasmine has outlined. (Will not lock a personal action).
Razoul's wife interrupted at that point. "Your Highness, we should see about your chambers and if the palace being moved damaged anything. I believe there are at least a few things you'll want to collect personally?"
Jasmine nodded, rising with Rajah still held in the crook of her elbow. A situation the tiger cub was handling with ill grace, "Thank you Iesha. Aladdin, I look forward to getting to know you, the real you, better."
Aladdin nodded, unable to find any words to reply. Things had been shifting even faster than when he had first released Genie... and at least then they'd been under the control of a friend! He felt a hand on his shoulder then. The leader of his guards was there, smiling down at him with a patient expression. "Come my Prince, you need to rest. Jonas has told me what the sorcerer did to you. My name is Dastan, and I am your vizier. I had been coming to help finalize things between you and the Princess. But for now... it would be best to withdraw and regain your bearings. I have spoken with the Sultan, and there will be a monument to honor all of the fallen, Agrabah and Ababwa alike, as one. Hakeem and Elias would be proud to be remembered in such a way."
Aladdin pressed the heels of his hands over his eyes, giving a tired groan. "How are we going to explain what happened to everyone back... home?" Dastan patted him on the shoulder.
"Our people are familiar with the great and terrible power that magic can be wielded as; though we were touched by it in a benevolent fashion. My Prince, before we depart, is there anything you would wish us to recover?"
Aladdin's mind flashed back to the hidden compartment in his "home", and the dagger within. The last link he had to his vanished father...
[][Dagger] Have them recover the Dagger
[][Dagger] Leave it. It's a reminder of a life that he's no longer living.
"Very well my Prince. Then tomorrow we set off for Ababwa. Our journey should be a swift one."
Aladdin nodded, already half-asleep as the last dregs of adrenaline left him.
[Setup complete, 1st CK2 turn starts next update]
AN: I am so sorry that it took me so long to get this update out. But I'm happy that everyone was still discussing things and putting forward omakes and ideas. I should have the next update done before the end of the week.
"I see. In light of all this new information, I believe that, should Jasmine be inclined to do so, a more prolonged courting period is called for here. As Sultan, I can change the law to allow for such and given the current crisis I don't think anyone will gainsay me. Agrabah is in shambles and the few reports I've received from the city indicate that everyone in the city felt that... thing that tore open the portal appear I also believe that you may need to return to Ababwa in order to see to things there," the Sultan gave Aladdin a very direct look.
Before Aladdin could reply, Razoul stormed in, looking absolutely thunderous. "Your Majesty, the bird spoke true. There are passages within the Palace that I was not aware of. I will be working to rectify this oversight as quickly as possible. The prisoner was also compliant in warning us off about hazardous items within Jafar's main laboratory." The guard took a deep breath. "While examining the place, we discovered... this." He goes to one knee and holds out a small cloth-wrapped bundle. The Sultan picked it up curiously, eyes widening as he unwrapped it, revealing a massive blue diamond mounted on a ring. "The traitor apparently stole it in order to use as part of some kind of scrying machine." Razoul's eyes cut to Aladdin, who was left with no doubt as to what Jafar had been scrying for. Or rather, who.
"I see. So that's what happened to it... You have my thanks Razoul. Now then, I need to begin coordinating recovery in the city." The Sultan gave Aladdin a nod, laying his hand on Jasmine's shoulder for a long moment before moving away. The princess took a deep breath before looking Aladdin in the eye.
"I appreciate you telling me the truth. I only wish it hadn't taken all of... this to force it to happen. I do like you... but I think that my father is right and that we need more time to figure out if this can be love." Aladdin felt his heart leap in his chest. "It'll be difficult, but letter correspondence and arranged visits can allow us to continue courting one another."
[X][Courtship] Suggest that Aladdin use Carpet to arrive with a small honor guard to visit in person with Jasmine. (Will lock in one of Aladdin's personal actions for the foreseeable future).
[X][Dagger] Have them recover the Dagger
[X][Courtship] Suggest that Aladdin use Carpet to arrive with a small honor guard to visit in person with Jasmine. (Will lock in one of Aladdin's personal actions for the foreseeable future).
[X][Dagger] Have them recover the Dagger
[X][Courtship] Go with the plan Jasmine has outlined. (Will not lock a personal action).
[X][Dagger] Leave it. It's a reminder of a life that he's no longer living.
Going with Jasmine's outline for the courting since it's reasonable and ditching the dagger to signal a new start for us unless we should keep it of course.
[X][Courtship] Suggest that Aladdin use Carpet to arrive with a small honor guard to visit in person with Jasmine. (Will lock in one of Aladdin's personal actions for the foreseeable future).
[X][Dagger] Have them recover the Dagger
[X][Courtship] Go with the plan Jasmine has outlined. (Will not lock a personal action).
[X][Dagger] Leave it. It's a reminder of a life that he's no longer living.
[X][Courtship] Go with the plan Jasmine has outlined. (Will not lock a personal action).
[X][Dagger] Have them recover the Dagger
Take things slow with Jasmine, everythings already kinda twisted up so why go and push hard? As for the dagger, it is a nice reminder of his humble roots.
[X][Courtship] Go with the plan Jasmine has outlined. (Will not lock a personal action).
I think going as Jasmine suggested is the right choice here. It's fine and romantic in Disney Films, but in this setting? Always going to see Jasmine is just irresponsible and obsessive. She has her duties for her people, our guards has their duties protecting Ababwa, WE had our duties as a ruler. Let's be responsible for our people and become a man she can be proud of.
[X][Dagger] Have them recover the Dagger
This is a bit harder, but considering this is Alladin we should take the dagger. It is his origin, the symbol of the place where he grows and learns from, who Alladin is. He comes from lesser people and he shouldn't forget that.
Also that dagger is how Kasim his father recognize him.
[X][Courtship] Suggest that Aladdin use Carpet to arrive with a small honor guard to visit in person with Jasmine. (Will lock in one of Aladdin's personal actions for the foreseeable future).
[X][Dagger] Have them recover the Dagger
I'm not remembering the dagger. I think he should get it but was it significant for some reason?
And I'm voting for visits so there's a reason to regularly visit Agrabah and see how everyone's doing.
...mmmaybe even potentially recruit Iago if he earns his freedom but doesn't want to be in Agrabah anymore.
[X][Courtship] Go with the plan Jasmine has outlined. (Will not lock a personal action).
[X][Dagger] Leave it. It's a reminder of a life that he's no longer living.
[X][Courtship] Suggest that Aladdin use Carpet to arrive with a small honor guard to visit in person with Jasmine. (Will lock in one of Aladdin's personal actions for the foreseeable future).
[X][Dagger] Have them recover the Dagger
I don't believe the dagger itself was at all significant. But that hardly matters - we were born Aladdin, a street rat. Never forget your roots; we've been thrust into the role of Prince, and are as much Prince Ali as we are Aladdin. So for that reason, hold on to what is also a core part of who we are, rather than abandon it because it's a mark on our past.
Edit: Changed my courtship vote, but only so we'd have an excuse to visit Agrabah more often. Eats into our Personal Actions but that's probably worth the risk - Agrabah had a lot of magical activity in regards to things like the Cave of Wonders and Jafar; I really want a chance to examine Jafar's stuff.
I mean, to be fair, if something significant was happening in Agrabah we would probably get a message for help or seeing if we were interested in going with them or something.
Visiting in person would help us see more of the smaller character stuff and regular events instead of just really big events.
[X][Courtship] Suggest that Aladdin use Carpet to arrive with a small honor guard to visit in person with Jasmine. (Will lock in one of Aladdin's personal actions for the foreseeable future).
[X][Dagger] Have them recover the Dagger
[X][Courtship] Suggest that Aladdin use Carpet to arrive with a small honor guard to visit in person with Jasmine. (Will lock in one of Aladdin's personal actions for the foreseeable future).
[X][Dagger] Have them recover the Dagger
[X][Courtship] Suggest that Aladdin use Carpet to arrive with a small honor guard to visit in person with Jasmine. (Will lock in one of Aladdin's personal actions for the foreseeable future).
