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Other Projects => Other Games => Play With Your Buddies => Topic started by: A Thing on February 19, 2016, 02:33:40 am

Title: Let's Play The Age of Decadence Part Holiday Spirit: Christmas Special
Post by: A Thing on February 19, 2016, 02:33:40 am

(http://i.imgur.com/0KiwQWm.png)

(Yes, I know it's small but I'd rather it not be massive and blurry.)
This is a link to the soundtrack. Specifically this is the main menu theme. (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=49m56s)
Age of Decadence being a post-apocalyptic Roman inspired turn-based RPG made by Iron Tower Studio. http://www.irontowerstudio.com/ 
Game can also be bought in these places.
http://store.steampowered.com/app/230070/ https://www.gog.com/game/the_age_of_decadence
I think this bit from when the game was released a couple months ago does a pretty good job of getting the ideas of the game across "The Age of Decadence is not a game about killing monsters or exploring mystical lands, but rather, surviving amid the greed and brutality of your fellow humans and carving out a name for yourself. Good and bad are purely relative. It’s a world of scheming and backstabbing in which your words and actions have the potential to forge alliances and sow discord, and your path is never certain."

---

Here are the backgrounds available for those curious. I'll be using the character creation introductions for them. (spoilered because lots of text)

Spoiler: Backgrounds\Classes (click to show/hide)

 Character Creation Music (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=20m45s)
(http://i.imgur.com/inmk8Ft.png)
Assassin - When diplomacy fails, assassination is often the only recourse. Renowned and respected for thier ability to resolve disputes with the least amount of bloodshed, cloaked by the shadows of the night, assassins are in high demand amongst all strata of society. Whether drawn from a petty dispute or a matter of state, blood is blood.
Faction reputations for assassin are: House Aurelian 1, House Crassus 1 (that makes very little sense for reasons we will discover in the AG storyline,) House Daratan 1, Boatmen of Styx (the AG) 3, Commercium 2, Imperial Guards -7, The Forty Thieves 0.
(http://i.imgur.com/AukNqS8.png)
Thief (no not Thi4f) - Regardless of the social fabric, there will always be those that prefer to live in accordance with their own code of conduct - outside the law. To a thief, a world in ruins is a world of opportunity. While those that covet power are consumed by deceit, the Thieves are turning a tidy profit on their neglected wealth.
Faction reputations for thief are: HA 0, HC -3, HD -2, AG 0, MG -6, IG -3, TG 4.
(http://i.imgur.com/4OgkNc5.png)
Praetor - Always looking for promising individuals to serve their interests, Noble Houses elevate ambitious men with a diverse set of skills to the rank of Praetorian Guard. While most possess some martial training and patiently wait for the spoils and glory of bloodshed, others still favor the gentler arts of diplomacy and take a discrete, yet active role in the courts of nobles. (not you though because you work for House Diminutive)
Faction reputations for praetor are: HA -2, HC 0, HD 5, AG 2, MG 2, IG 0, TG 2.
(http://i.imgur.com/XpzJypx.png) (Loremaster, Grifter, Drifter, and Mercenary all use the same guildless dudemans art.)
Loremaster - Preserving and understanding pre-war knowledge and technology is a lucrative business. An increasing number of people see their salvation in the ashes of the past and thus the market is becoming saturated with icons and objects from the old empire, most without any real value. Always on the lookout for something of real worth, cataloging and appraising items, loremasters remain at the front line of this trade.
Faction reputations for loremaster are: HA 3, HC 3, HD 3, AG 1, MG 1, IG 1, TG 1.

Grifter - While most thieves prefer to form gangs and act under the cover of darkness, grifters see no reason to trade the laws of society for the laws of a guild. Preying upon the gullible with a combination of personal magnetism and persuasion, the grifter's art is rarely noticed.
Faction reputations for grifter are: all 0.

Drifter - While for most people the focus is on trying to belong and having a place to call their own, drifters display no such sentiments. Valuing freedom above all else and answering to no man, they prefer instead to move freely without the weight of any shackles, never staying in one place too long.
Faction reputations for drifter are: all 0.

Mercenary - In a world rife with conflict, those with martial skills are never idle for long. Most mercenaries take on personal contracts with individual clients, although they are occasionally embroiled in the greater machinations of the Noble Houses. Determined by gold, their allegiance lies with the highest bidder.
Faction reputations for mercenary are: HA 1, HC 1, HD 1, AG 0, MG 1, IG 2, TG 0.
(http://i.imgur.com/e2M0HNn.png)
Merchant - Behind every Noble's power and every struggle for territory lies the gold of a merchant, respected and feared. More then mere traders, merchants manipulate entire markets and those that depend on them. People, information, and favor all have a price, but only the merchants know their true worth.
Faction reputations for merchant are: HA 3, HC 3, HD 3, AG 2, MG 6, IG 0, TG 0.

Time for factions, kids!

Spoiler: Factions (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/YNgjsmg.png)
House Aurelian
House Aurelian's main forces maintained order in the colonies, far away from the fiercest and bloodiest battlefields during the War. With the world decimated and society in chaos, General Gaelius moved swiftly to take firm control of the most strategic forts and towns. Today House Aurelian controls 70% of what's left from (of?) Maadoran, a town built around an old fortress, making every effort to make sure that the power balance remains in their favour. Resentment remains amongst the other Houses towards Aurelian's current standing.
(http://i.imgur.com/RupOheY.png)
House Crassus
Withdrawing from war and politics, House Crassus dedicated itself to the sciences and arcane research, particularly in planes of existence. Consequently, they were instrumental in the Summoning, having constructed the portal and the many machines that powered it. Most Mages perished in the last days, depriving the House not only of generations of wisdom and research, but of clarity and focus. Today House Crassus calls for proper worship and the restoration of the gods.
(http://i.imgur.com/4OgkNc5.png)
House Daratan
Once the largest and most influential Noble House, controlling seven provinces and more then 20 legions, House Daratan was almost destroyed during the War. Today less than 100 people still loyal to the Daratan name control a small town named Teron, that has definitely seen better days. As House Daratan draws its last gasp, some within are preparing for one last fight, to shift the balance of power and restore the Noble (was noble, changed it.) House at any cost.
(http://i.imgur.com/inmk8Ft.png)
Boatmen of Styx
In the halcyon days of the Empire, the Emperor commanded his own guard. Apart from their regular duties of protection for the Emperor, they were trained as experts in infiltration and assassination. Many political and military opponents would meet with unexplainable misfortune or death in the rapture of night, ensuring the long-standing stability of the Empire. After the fall, without a master to serve, the guard disbanded into the chaos of the fallen empire. Once outside they found that even as the world lay in ruins, their peacekeeping [] services were in great demand. An Assassins' Order was established that later bore the proud name of the Regiment: the Boatmen of Styx.
(http://i.imgur.com/e2M0HNn.png)
Commercium
Trade and merchant guilds have always existed, but in the shadow of the apocalypse wrought by the power of the sword, (not really, but whatever.) the power of gold has become a far greater influence in the affairs of state. The head merchants have now centralized, controlling all trade. Caravans, tariffs, mines, and marketplaces operate by the grace of the Commercium alone. Independent traders in outposts and remote villages still exist, but trading in towns is not without its problems or dangers.
(http://i.imgur.com/L6DVSh8.png)
Imperial Guards
Formed from the remnants of the Imperial Army, the Imperial Guards are an independent, influential and powerful faction, maintaining order and preventing open war between the Noble Houses. While the Noble Houses squabble amongst themselves, cloaked in subterfuge, espionage and counter-espionage, the Guards are more idealistic. Their primary goal is the restoration of the Empire to its former glory, regardless of how unrealistic this seems at the present.
(http://i.imgur.com/AukNqS8.png)
The Forty Thieves
The Forty Thieves guild is a large and seemingly indefatigable network of thieves, smugglers, and other criminally inclined citizens, operating in every town and tracing its origin to the early days of the Empire. It's said that in the past, the forty kingpins of the (added that the) forty largest towns used to coordinate the network. Speculation is divided as to the relations and ties of the Forty Thieves of yore and its current incarnation, but the name persists.

Since the images are big I'm not going to post the maps every time, so here is where the maps for the different cities and the world map will be.

Spoiler: Maps (click to show/hide)

Teron

(http://i.imgur.com/PrPgFks.jpg)

Gloria Filiorum Patres=The Glory of Children

Maadoran

(http://i.imgur.com/06a8cew.jpg)

Ab Aeterno=From Eternity

Ganezzar

(http://i.imgur.com/MD24CwF.jpg)

ad maiorem Dei gloriam inque hominum salutem=to the greater glory of God and the salvation of men

World Map

(http://i.imgur.com/ZmlNmFR.jpg)

Thanks to Sunfire for providing this map, it even has the Ordu camp from earlier versions!

Because it can be a bit awkward to add these in, here are the various descriptions for items. Be a bit wary before going in as there are certainly spoilers in there.

Spoiler: Descriptions (click to show/hide)

Mundane Items

Gold: "Gold coins stamped with the visages of emperors of varying antiquity."

Commercium Ring: "A ring with the Commercium insignia."

Loremaster's Garments: "The traditional Ashkaanian kaftan, worn with a sash, is designed for the desert expeditions so popular with loremasters. It shields the wearer from the sun during the day and warms him during the bitter desert nights."

Net: "A round, wide-meshed cast net with lead weights around the edges."

Bola: "A weapon consisting of two heavy balls secured to the ends of a strong rope, hurled to entangle the legs of cattle and other animals. It works even better on two legged animals and can be thrown to entangle legs or choke."

Barbed Missile "Designed to shred flesh, the wicked barbs on these arrows and bolts can cause devastating critical damage but have very poor armor penetration."

Armor Piercing Missile: "With narrow, dagger-like heads, these bolts and arrows will punch through the heaviest armor, but won't cause significant critical damage to the target."

Regular Missile: "Standard ammunition for bows and crossbows. While it can't match the penetration power of armor-piercing bolts or brutality of barbed arrows, regular ammo is non-discriminating and will leave a mark everywhere."

Metal Bronze: "A mass of metal cast in a convenient form for shaping, remelting, or refining."

Metal Iron: ""A mass of metal cast in a convenient form for shaping, remelting, or refining."

Whetstone: "A small sharpening stone."

Leather: "Cured, soaked, scrabbed, and tanned animal hide."

Lumber: "Good quality wood, ready for use."

Topaz: "A well-cut topaz."

Sapphire: "A well-cut sapphire."

Ruby: "A well-cut ruby."

Wine Amphora: "An amphora full of wine."

Rope: "Several coils of rope."

Traveler's cape: "An affordable protection from the cold and wind that can double up as a fashion statement."

Noble's cape: "The finest garment for customers with the most discriminative taste."

Weapons

Khanjar: "A long, serpentine dagger from the Avagan Steppes. The wavy blade has a reputation for inflicting devastating wounds, but it is the length that makes the khanjar deadly."

Jambia: "A curved Scythian "honor" dagger. Once an oddity, the jambia became a common weapon of many street gangs, which had flourished after the fall of the Empire.

Yatagan: "A single-edged, recurved Turuk long blade. The recurved design has been ignored by the Empire's swordsmen, but was welcomed by knife fighters, who adopted the yatagan as a deadly and effective long dagger."

Pugio: "A traditional Imperial wide-bladed dagger. Originally a digging and back-up stabbing weapon of the legions, the pugio quickly became a popular choice among both respectable citizens and street thugs."

The Arbiter: "A family heirloom, this steel jambia is clearly the work of a master smith. The grinds are flawless and the edge is exceptionally keen. Once drawn, the dagger is said to be able to solve any dispute, hence the name."

Sefet: "A simple, straight Kemetian dagger favored by those who care less about style than the ease with which the sefet slips between an enemy's ribs."

Scimitar: "A two-handed, heavy Askkaanian sword with an oversized, curved, single-edged blade designed to mow through anything that stands in front of you. The weight adds impressive power to the strike, but makes the sword more difficult to control."

Handar: "A heavy, double-edged Bactrian broadsword with a wide, triangular blade. The handar is one of the most powerful one-handed weapons, built for slow, but devastating attacks

Shamshir: "A single-edged, deeply curved sword with a slim blade. While the shamshir is more suitable for cutting and slashing attacks, it's more than capable of delivering rising, descending, and hooking thrusts."

Gladius: "A double-edged short sword designed for thrusting and slashing in close quarters. Favored by the Imperial Guard, the gladius is a common sight throughout the remnants of the Empire."

Krokspar (the barbarian!) "Literally "barbed spear," the krokspar is a long-shafted weapon of Skanian design with a dagger-like head cross piece for blocking. The krokspar is too heavy to use single-handed."

Romach: "A long Thracian spear with a blade designed for use against lightly armored infantry and cavalry. The heavy shaft requires two hands to wield effectively."

Dori: "A spear favored by the hoplitai for its weight and versatility. The leaf-shaped head can be used for thrusting or slashing. The dori is too heavy to use single-handed."

Hasta: "A standard issue Imperial short spear with a broad triangular blade. The hasta can be carried in one hand and used with a shield."

Sledgehammer: "A heavy, two-handed hammer with a massive head. Not a weapon for those who prefer subtlety or finesse, the sledgehammer is brutally effective for its purpose. The chiseled ram's head design points to Kemetian origin."

War hammer: "A brutal Skanian two-handed hammer. The Skanians designed the war hammer in response to hard lessons at the hands of the Imperial Legions, who taught the raiders to respect and fear armored opponents."

Mallet: "Originally a multipurpose work hammer, this wooden hammer was adapted for warfare and reinforced with metal rings and striking surfaces. Due to its lighter weight, the mallet can be efficiently wielded in one hand."

Spiked club: "The club is thought by many loremasters to be the earliest weapon used by man. This evolution of the humble club features a long metal head bristling with two-inch spikes."

Marculus: "A small, one-handed smith's hammer. Typically used for shaping heated metal, it also does a fine job breaking skulls and other fragile objects."

Zaghnal: "An elaborately decorated Scythian fighting axe with a a crow's beak-shaped blade designed for greater armor penetration. Innumerable skirmishes between the legions and the desert tribes ensured a steady supply of Scythian weaponry."

Mineb: The unusual Kemetian one handed axe known as the mineb reflects a different school of weapon design. Over the centuries, many of these ornately decorated, gold-encrusted axes were brought from Kemet as gifts. Now they are to be found all over the Empire.

Labys: "A heavy two-handed Minoan axe. For the Minoans, the labrys was a religious and ceremonial symbol, but the Empire turned it to more practical applications as a devastating battlefield weapon."

Skeggox: "A deadly bearded axe, introduced to the protectorates of the former Empire by Skanian raiders. The skeggox's unusual blade provides an ample surface for slashing, while keeping the weight low."

Long Bow: "One of the most powerful bows, the longbow is fashioned from a length of yew wood. The longbow's power is limited only by the strength of the archer, and in the right hands can punch holes through even plate armor."

Recurved Ordu Bow: "A short, composite birch bow reinforced with deer horn. The Ordu bow is as much a part of the nomads' culture as the horse, and since it takes almost a year to craft a single one, it is never traded, only recovered from dead riders."

Recurved Scythian Bow: "This long and powerful Scythian bow, famous for its incurvation, is distinguished by the triangular center section and smoothly recurved tips."

Kemetian Bow: "A medium-draw bow used by Kemetian charioteers to deadly effect. Unlike most of its brethren, this bow is constructed entirely from horn, and bound to an acacia wood section in the center."

Short Bow: "A simple bow fashioned from a single piece of elm wood, this weapon lacks power and range, but is quick to shoot and has a low draw weight. It's suitable for small game, animal and otherwise."

Heavy Crossbow: "Used mainly as a siege weapon in the Great War, this weapon has a reinforced metal bow, granting extra power and penetration, but takes longer to arm. This crossbow is capable of penetrating any armor." So, very, very true.

Scoped Standard Crossbow: "A standard Imperial crossbow, combining basic single-shot design and reliability. These weapons were mass produced during the final years of the War, transforming untrained peasants into a deadly force. The scope increases the range by two tiles and adds a special Snipe attack."

Scoped Heavy Crossbow: "Used mainly as a siege weapon in the Great War, this weapon has a reinforced metal bow, granting extra power and penetration, but takes longer to arm. This crossbow is capable of penetrating any armor. The scope increases the range by two tiles and adds a special Snipe attack."

Standard Crossbow: "A standard Imperial crossbow, combining basic single-shot design and reliability. These weapons were mass produced during the final years of the War, transforming untrained peasants into a deadly force."

Hand Crossbow: "A small, handheld crossbow, invented by Medean loremasters renown for their clever gadgetry. Although its reduced size also diminishes its power and accuracy, many folks who make their livings in a dark alleys think it's a great conversation starter."

Pilum: "A tip-heavy javelin carried by legionnaires, the pilum has an iron head mounted on a wooden shaft. The pilum will penetrate enemy shields with ease, and can even be effective against heavy armor."

Handox: "A Skanian throwing axe designed for speed and penetration at close range. Skanian raiders are trained to throw these axes in volleys, wreaking havoc among enemy lines."

Chakram: "An exotic Sindhu throwing ring with a bladed outer edge, flat bottom, and asymmetric curved top, which ensures an accurate and stable flight with a high spin rate."

Plumbata: "A heavy dart with a lead (plumbum) ball on the wooden shaft to increase power and penetration. The plumbata was once a standard part of the legionnaire's arsenal, carried withing the hollow of the shield."

Karda: "A double-edged Scythian throwing knife forged from a single piece of metal. Carefully balanced, this knife is accurate enough for the thrower to target joints in armor and other weak spots in your enemy's defence."

Armor and Shields

Tower Shield: "A heavy rectangular shield with a slightly curved profile, the tower shield provides unparalleled protection for a stationary unit, but it is cumbersome and unwieldy, severely taxing its owner's mobility and response time."

Infantry Shield: "A larger, rectangular shield with a slightly curved profile, this piece was desinged for slowly advancing legionnaires who would utilize group defensive formation like the famous "turtle". It may be less useful to a lone fighter."

Calvary shield: "A medium-weight oval shield mostly used by cavalry and auxiliary troops. Oval shields could be found everywhere, from Kemet to Ashkaan. They offer good defence and reasonable mobility."

Buckler: "The smallest shield, favored by quick fighters. It has a convex shape designed to
ward off blows. Due to its small size, the buckler is useless in unskilled hands."

Silk Ordu Helmet: "A common leather hat of the Ordu, good for keeping the sun off and your hair in place."

Leather Ordu Helmet: "This distinctive conical leather helmet of the Ordu, with neckguard. Beware, lest you be mistaken for an Ordu at a distance."

Studded Ordu Helmet: "A heavier version of the leather Ordu hat."

Lamellar Ordu Helmet: "A metal Ordu helmet"

Heavy Numeri Helmet: "A heavy leather version of the Numeri helmet, topped with a fanciful metal spike."

Leather Numeri Helmet: "The Numeri were not known for the quality of their gear, but this leather helmet comes with a decorative spike on top."

Heavy Barbari Helmet: "Strike fear into primitive foes with this heavy leather helmet adorned with a bull's horns!"

Leather Barbari Helmet: "Basic leather headgear adorned with bull's horns. Among the barbarians this type of helmet is worn only by the bull killer himself."

Phrygian Helmet: "A very unusual piece of headgear, this helmet sports a high, conical peak resembling a common peasant hat, and a next-to-full facemask offering a combination of defense and relatively unimpaired vision."

Auxiliary Helmet: "A serious helmet for the fighter unconcerned with decorations and ceremonies, the Auxiliary helmet is reinforced with a metal ridge along the cranium for extra protection against overhead strikes."

Legionnaire Helmet: "The standard helmet of the Imperial Legions offers basic protection and cheek guards. The face is open, allowing for maximal field of view."

Studded Numeri Armor: "The leather armor of the Numeri augmented with metal studs by someone willing to part with a few silver coins."

Leather Numeri Armor: "Light leather armor once worn by the Numeri, irregular peasant troops recruited en masse during the War. The Numeri were drawn from ill-equipped provincial militia and impoverished immigrants hoping to buy citizenship with their blood."

Phyrgian Armor: "High quality leather armor crafted from overlapping upwards rows of lacquered pieces of hardened leather, laced together with silk threads."

Studded Barbari Armor: "A minor improvement on the plain leather armor of the southern nomadic tribes."

Leather Barbari Armor: "Light leather armor of the southern nomadic tribes, featuring near complete range of motion for the wearer. The term "Barbari" refers to any sort of primitive hailing from "Barbaricum", meaning anywhere outside the Empire."

Lamellar Ordu Armor: "Heavy Ordu armor made from parallel rows of metal lamellae laced together with silk threads. Ordu lamellar armor is significantly superior to chainmail, yet it's much lighter and less restrictive."

Leather Ordu Armor: "Leather armor of the Ordu warriors, worn with a silk undershirt. While the Empire emphasized brute force and heavy defence, the Ordu favored swiftness, and discovered new ways to reinforce leather without losing mobility."

Studded Ordu Armor: "Leather Ordu armor, reinforced with studs and worn with a silk undershirt. While the Empire emphasized brute force and heavy defence, the Ordu favored swiftness, and discovered new ways to reinforce leather without losing mobility."

Silk Ordu Armor: "A light tunic consisting of several layers of densely-woven Zhin silk. This armor offers some protection from glancing blows and arrows, and will plug wounds and protect flesh from tearing."

Lorica Segmentata: "Segmented armor comprised of overlapping metal strips fastened to leather straps. Simple and inexpensive, this standard armor of the Legions was an unofficial symbol of the Empire, recognized and feared everywhere."

Lorica Hamata: "A chain-mail armor made from interlocking rings of metal. Similar to Lorica Segmentata, Lorica Hamata offers better mobility but slightly less protection."

Auxiliary Armor: "Light leather armor with a metal shoulder guard. During the War, lightly armored auxiliary troops provided support to the Imperial Legions. When the Empire fell, surviving units formed mercenary companies whose only master was gold."

Praetorian Armor(Et tu, Brutus?): "Heavy, elaborately decorated metal armor of the Praetorian Guard. At the height of the Empire, the Praetorians were the hand-picked protectors of the Emperor and his generals. The Praetorians have since shifted their loyalty to the Noble Houses."

Imperial Armor: "Heavy armor of the elite Legio XIII Ferrata, meaning Ironclad. This armor provides superior protection, but greatly limited mobility, a potentially fatal drawback for solo fighters."

Lorica Musculata: "A stylized cuirass in the form of a muscled human torso, this was the preferred armor among officers and senators of the Empire."

 

Relics and Oddities

Gracius' Map: "It's an ancient map you acquired from Gracius, who probably doesn't need it anymore."

Module\Power Tube: "It's a small glass tube encased in elaborate metal framework. The tube is very warm to touch and contains what appears to be constantly shifting liquid fire."

Large Module\ Large Power Tube: "It's a large glass tube filled with glowing energy."

Grooved sphere: "A small, metal sphere with grooves running around it."

The "Jellyfish" Artefact: "A crystal semi-sphere, encased in a metal dome. Thin metal rods of varying lengths protrude from the bottom, reminding you of a jelly fish. The crystal, despite its centuries buried under brick and stagnant water, glows with a pure, blue light."

Prospector's Amulet: "Adorned with beads and engraved with runes, it appears to be a ceremonial bowl of some sort. Strangely warped, but that isn't unusual for artefacts of the Old Empire - who knows what arcane forces had been unleashed on it? Two small, metal drums are affixed to the underside, too awkwardly angled to be supports for the bowl. Reservoirs, perhaps, containers of sacred liquid for the bowl?"

Respirator: "A breathing apparatus of the Old Empire. When charged with magical energies, it will allow you to breath in toxic environments. A valuable artifact, it's been handed down the generations from father to son. The magic powering up the device eventually ran out and the purpose was lost. All that was remembered is that it was a powerful charm protecting its wearer from unseen danger."

Oil Injector: "As the name suggest(sic), this device is responsible for injecting the right amount of fuel at the right time. Whoever's (sic) invented it had way too much time on his hands."

Air Valve: "A device designed to control the flow of air. Ingenious!"

Surgical Kit: "The case contains a folded section of parchment and what looks like a set of surgical instruments. There are both smooth and serrated blades of various sizes, hooks to part flesh, a drill with different bits, a few unpleasantly large needles, and a strange metal syringe that incorporates a dead power tube. Every item is gleaming and sharp, as if begging to be used for the first time."

The Ghost Hand: "It was said that some machines could never function in this world for they required different laws of physics. Thus, the Magi had built them in realms that exist elsewhere. They called them the Ghosts Worlds and used devices such as this one to bridge the gap between these worlds and ours."

The Crimson Eye: "A heavy, glowing red sphere, encased in a bronze reliquary."

Tower Ring: "The ring is heavier than it looks and has three rotating bands with markings on them."

Jar: "A strange, softly glowing jar."

Alchemical Reagents

Rock Oil: "A thick, flammable liquid that seeps out of fissures in the ground. It is believed that when the underworld comes close to the surface, its fiery rivers make springs ooze rock oil and gas instead of clean water. There are many who would experiment with such dark materials, and thus there are many who would risk their lives to gather it and sell at a profit."

Dragon's Blood Extract: "Contrary to popular belief, Dragon's Blood is a tree that owes its name to the red resin it produces. The resin has near miraculous curative and alchemical properties or so the alchemists claim. Unfortunately, the tree only grows on a small archipelago of four islands somewhere in the southern seas, which makes the Dragon's Blood's extract as rare as if it actually came from dragons."

Salt Petrae: "The salt of rock - a salt-like substance that encrusts cave walls. Unlike other salts, sal petrae has incendiary properties and burns with a purple flame, which makes it a popular reagent among alchemists."

Fools' Gold: "A mineral called pyrite, better known as fool's gold due to its uncanny resemblance to everyone's favorite metal. It's used to make cheap jewelry, ferrous sulphate to treat iron deficiency and make inks, as well as an incredibly potent acid - oil of vitriol."

Black Powder: "An explosive mixture of sulphur, charcoal, and sal petrae, ground into a powder. Discovered accidentally during a search for an elixir of immortality, the black powder failed to grant eternal life, but did a pretty good job blowing one's enemies to bloody bits, which, come to think about it, contributes greatly to one's longevity."

Sulfur: "Abundantly available, sulphur, or the burning stone, was first used as a medicine. Later, when its military applications were discovered, it was used to produce a different kind of medicine - acid, black powder, and liquid fire."

Quicklime: "A white, corrosive substance produced by heating limestone. It's used to make lime mortar, purify steel during metalsmithing, and waterproof boats, but if you're looking for more practical uses, it makes liquid fire ignite faster and burn longer."

Iron Balls: "Small iron balls made for unknown purpose."

Cassava Root: "A large, thick root that can be cooked and eaten. Often the only source of food in the wasteland, the plant doesn't require much water and can grow anywhere. An oily root paste can be rubbed on wounds to prevent infection and accelerate healing."

Quicksilver Roots: "While chewing quicksilver's leaves produces a stimulating and refreshing effect, the real power of the plant is in its roots. A skilled alchemist can extract the precious oil from the roots and distill it into a potion that quickens movement and reaction time."

Emoryl Root: "This unremarkable plant is known only for its ability to keep other alchemical compounds in the bloodstream longer, thus extending the duration of most potions and poisons."

Avatera Sprouts: "These light-green sprouts are a natural anti-venom. Every healer can cook a simple draught that can reduce the effects of snake and scorpion poison, but only a skilled alchemist can brew an elixir that can instantly counter the deadliest poison and render it harmless."

Kadura Leaves: "Like many other plants, the kadura relies on toxins, rather than thorns, to ward off animals. Usually, the poison causes nausea and irregular heartbeat, yet when distilled properly, it can kill a man in mere minutes."

Fennah Berries: "A natural coagulant, these berries are used by healers to stop bleeding. A skilled alchemist can create a powerful extract that will greatly increase blood coagulation and reduce the blood loss in combat. Unfortunately, the effect is temporary and thus poses a potential danger - after a few minutes the wounds will open again, causing unexpected damage."

Goldenberry: "Small, yellow berries growing densely along the branches of Goldenberry shrubs. Highly nutritious, the berries have a reputation of a cure-all, at least when it comes to respiratory and digestive disorders. The oil extracted from the berries can fortify healing properties of other plants."

Blood Mushroom: "Deep red mushrooms covered with white wart-like protuberances have been known for their mystical properties for quite some time. They were boiled to make intoxicating drinks, dried and chewed to enter the dreamworld, but it was Skanian priests who discovered how to brew a special draught that gives a man neither dreams nor drunkenness, but rage and bloodlust."

Alchemical Products

Healing Salve: "A medical ointment that's used to heal wounds. The effect is instant." Not usable in combat.

Neurostimulant: "A potent elixir that will speed up your reflexes and reaction in combat for a short time."

Antidote: "An antidote for poison - don't leave home without one. The antidote strengthens your body's resistance to poison, reducing or even negating its effects."   

Black Powder Bomb: "A clay pot, filled with black powder and small stones. When thrown, it explodes on impact, flinging stones waywardly with tremendous lethality."

Table of Contents

In Antediluvian Times... 

General Combat Explanation (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg6824723#msg6824723)

Loremaster Options (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg6854462#msg6854462)

Marauders and Mercenaries (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg7048786#msg7048786)

Spoiler: Ruins Relics and Raiders - Finished! (click to show/hide)

Chapter 1

Part 1: Thorns and Trades (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg6884919#msg6884919)

Part 2: Lords Lore and Lamentation (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg6892643#msg6892643)

Part 3: Blood and Brigands (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg6903073#msg6903073)

Part 4: Wanderings and Waylays (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg6906215#msg6906215)

Part Bonus: Fools and Follies (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg6909981#msg6909981)

Part 5: Intrigues and Intelligence - End of Chapter 1

 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg6914097#msg6914097)

Chapter 2

Part 6: Libraries and Lies part 1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg6936978#msg6936978)
 Part 6: Libraries and Lies part 2 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg6936981#msg6936981)

Part 7: Thrones Treachery and Turmoil (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg6950502#msg6950502)

Part Bonus: Blood and Blasphemies (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg6951710#msg6951710)

Part 8: Gallantry and Gallivanting (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg6962829#msg6962829)

Part 9: Clarity Clockworks and Callous Communication (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg6968624#msg6968624)

Part 10: Passes and Plots part 1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg6971557#msg6971557)
Part 10: Passes and Plots part 2 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg6971563#msg6971563)

Part 11: Abyssal Arcane Ambling (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg6981086#msg6981086)

Part 12: Awakenings and Acclimation - End of Chapter 2 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg6988858#msg6988858)

Chapter 3

Part 13: Dark Days and Devilry part 1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg6997297#msg6997297)
Part 13: Dark Days and Devilry part 2 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg6997302#msg6997302)

Part 14: Rituals Rife with Riddles (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg7002524#msg7002524)

Part 15: Penultimate Prelude to Placidity chunk 1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg7012591#msg7012591)
Part 15: Penultimate Prelude to Placidity chunk 2 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg7012598#msg7012598)
Part 15: Penultimate Prelude to Placidity chunk 3 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg7012638#msg7012638)
Part 15: Penultimate Prelude to Placidity chunk final (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg7012641#msg7012641)

Part 16: Vibius Ventures Verily into a Valuable Vocation - The End of Ruins Relics and Raiders (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg7022355#msg7022355)

Part : Dreams of Deified Delights (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg7042932#msg7042932)

Part Holiday Spirit: Christmas Special (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg7305977#msg7305977)

Spoiler: Destiny, Duels, and Desperation - Finished! (click to show/hide)

Chapter 1

Part 1: Thugs and Tutorials (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg7057024#msg7057024)

Part 2: Honorable Horrors (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg7071956#msg7071956)

Part 3: Regicide and Rampant Roughness (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg7087208#msg7087208)

Chapter 2

Part 4: Hero of Harran Harries Heathens part 1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg7105634#msg7105634)
Part 4: Hero of Harran Harries Heathens part 2 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg7105641#msg7105641)

Chapter 3

Part 5/Final: Gnaea's Gambit part 1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg7262013#msg7262013)
Part 5/Final: Gnaea's Gambit part 2 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156376.msg7262015#msg7262015)

Edit: I finally hit the character limit so I deleted the old OP.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence LP poll
Post by: Zireael on February 19, 2016, 06:03:31 am

I've played the demo and I would enjoy the full game if it were cheaper. That said, 'fight them all' is usually a very BAD choice in this game.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence LP poll
Post by: Iituem on February 19, 2016, 07:07:20 am

I remember seeing this game in development, what, five years ago?  If you're going to play, it's well worth playing a grifter.  There are certain story aspects that get unlocked from a grifter's... "unique" perspective.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence LP poll
Post by: A Thing on February 19, 2016, 06:03:37 pm

Quote from: Iituem on February 19, 2016, 07:07:20 am

I remember seeing this game in development, what, five years ago?  If you're going to play, it's well worth playing a grifter.  There are certain story aspects that get unlocked from a grifter's... "unique" perspective.

You can also access those same things with high (8-10) streetwise. That being said if we do end up a non-combatant we might as well go with grifter or praetor. Loremasters require a lot of specific building, and I think we can do the lore "storyline" at a later time. And the thief background? They recently added more stealth\stealing options, but from my experience the Forty Thieves as an non-combatant is a exercise in save\load. Merchant background adds very little, so if people want to do the MG we might as well be a grifter. Praetor background is the only way to do House Diminutive's Daratan's Teron chapter storyline fully, so that is a good option too.

Think it's worth mentioning that I have done all of the storylines (including the lore "storyline" but not as a loremaster) at least once. But yeah, in Teron at least fighting is certainly something you should be wary of. Maadoran and Gannazar are a hilarious blood festival once it gets going though.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence LP poll
Post by: Nunzillor on February 21, 2016, 01:59:10 am

Looks interesting.  PTW.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence LP poll
Post by: A Thing on February 21, 2016, 12:46:33 pm

Gaius The Combat Man shows us the way

Combat Music 1 (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=1h4m35s)
Since I've got the time and having people vote on backgrounds without knowing what combat is like would be weird, let's start the inevitable combat explanation!
 Too big for this post  (http://i.imgur.com/2EIF1Qn.jpg) The different stats affect your starting combat and non-combat skill points, we will be mostly getting "generic" skill points from doing things.
 Also too big for this post  (http://i.imgur.com/L8huku4.jpg)

Meet Gaius. As you can see he has lots of dexterity and perception. Now you might think, "That 10 THC seems awful, why take that? Why take a extra point of dexterity over strength?" Well as you probably don't know (maybe you do, I don't know you) attack and defense are determined by a base stat. Both Sword and Dodge are dexterity thus Gaius has 9 dexterity. That and most of decent armors in this game for dodgers have a 11 AP limit and not a 12 or 10 (the armors that have the 10 AP limit have substantial dodge penalties usually, and the ones with 12 are usually literally made out of cloth).
(http://i.imgur.com/FB4sBTt.png) These can be accessed by hovering over "attack" and "defense" in the character menu. As a side note, you may notice "synergy" and wonder what exactly that means, well this is what it means: if you put points in a weapon skill, your skill in other weapons classes will be increased by a few points IE a high sword skill gives you some extra points in dagger. The amount you get depends on the weapons classes in question; you would get less synergy bonus juice for swords if you put your points in hammers then you would if you put you points in daggers, for instance. I've never needed to use this feature, but it is certainly there.
(http://i.imgur.com/5Ero6KQ.png))
As for perception? Well that 10 THC may seem bad but it adds 10% onto every strike, 40% goes to 50% 60 to 70 etc etc. That and it governs a decent amount of non-combat things as do pretty much every stat in the game.
Now you may notice critical strike, and as you can imagine it raises your chance for an attack to be a critical, it also gives every critical a passive chance to bleed. Now the full things criticals can do I will explain later, but for now just know that critical strike can be one of the most powerful skills in the game.

And you may notice that I put all my non-combat points into alchemy. Alchemy and craft are usually considered to be the combat-man non-combat skills. I prefer alchemy since you can just loot corpses for better armor and weapons, but craft has its uses if you wander deep into ancient ruins. Of course that doesn't explain what alchemy does, so let me do that. Alchemy as it says in the description is all about mixing herbs and minerals to make things all sorts of things ranging from bombs, to liquid fire, to healing salves, (only usable out of combat) to poisons that would make even Al Sahir and Lorenza shed a tear. Due to the very low HP in this game (that 45 is all Gaius is getting, the max you can have and NPCs can have is 60 I think) poison is one of my favorites.

As for my choice of swords? Well they don't do much damage, but they have a stackable bleeding effect. Which combined with poison can be devastating, especially in one on one battles like the Arena.

Spoiler: Full list of Weapon Passives (click to show/hide)

 

• Dagger higher chance of critical strikes for aimed attacks.
• Sword chance of bleed for every attack
• Axe chance to do 25% more damage (axes already do a lot)
• Hammer chance to dent opponent's armor by 1 DR (hammers also have a knockdown attack)
• Spear chance to interrupt enemy movement. (it says just entering melee range but I think it is just general movement)
• Bow chance to inflict slowdown, which makes movement cost EVEN MORE.
• Crossbow chance to knockdown your opponent\be the bane of every combat characters existence.
• Throwing chance to bypass armor.

Dodge I chose because not only is it based on dex, it also has a passive chance to counter-attack after a dodged attack. Dodge and block are different enough that I'll explain the differences. Block only absorbs damage, (besides the passive which deflects both armor\shield damage and normal damage) but it isn't affected by armor as much which means that most block characters (and enemies) are easy to hit but hard to kill. Dodge characters can't wear heavy armor, and thus are hard to hit but easy to kill. (not by a rule, if you get good enough or make your own armor\steal good armor the armor penalties don't really matter.) Dodge is considered better, but really unless we get into stupid fights we shouldn't have to worry about the choice too much.

But none of that really explains combat does it? So let's get to that finally.
(http://i.imgur.com/eMIkg6m.png)
Don't question the situation, just know that Gaius is getting things done and is going to show you the ropes by murdering this novice Boatman. This game uses a grid system, it also uses a fairly simple to understand way of telling you where you can move and can't. Light green means you can move there and attack, blue means you can move there, red means you can't or that a enemy is standing there. Simple right? But that isn't what I'm primarily doing this to explain.

No, I'm doing this to explain the main source of variety in combat in this game: the different attack types.

Spoiler: List of attack types (click to show/hide)

(The AP required for attacks change depending on which weapon your using, so I'm not listing them) So first we got the base three every weapon class has:Fast, Regular, Power. Fast does less damage, has a lower critical chance, and has a lower armor damage chance, but has a higher chance to hit. It also has a critical effect to bypass DR and of course do critical damage.
Regular does normal damage, (normal means the weapons base) Regular has the exact same critical effects as Fast. Power does more damage, (3-5 points) has a lowered percentage to hit, but has increased critical strike chance, and armor damage chance. Critical effects are the same.

Now we get into the aimed attacks, Aimed:Head, Aimed:Torso, Aimed:Arms, and Aimed: Legs. I'm pretty sure every weapon class has A:H, A:A, and A:L, but Aimed:Torso is unique to stabbing weapons: swords, spears, daggers, bows, crossbows, and maybe throwing. (I've never used it, I haven't used bows and crossbows either)

Let's start with A:H, A:H does increased damage, a lower THC, and is affected by helmets of course. Critical effects are: knockdown for two turns, and reduced perception. Not permanent, just until you pay a healer to heal you. This is the case with all the stat drains, all permanent stat damage was removed in one of the recent big updates if I remember right. Now for A:L. Has lowered damage, lowered THC, lowered armor damage chance, but gives your opponent a penalty to dodge for 3 turns. Critical effects are: double lowered dodge, a dexterity hit for 1 point, and cripple for two turns. (same effect as the bow passive) Now for A:A. Lowered damage, lowered THC, lowered armor damage chance, but gives your opponent a penalty to attack. Critical effects are: double lowered attack, strength reduction by 1, disarming of whatever weapon your opponent has. Now for A:T. Normal damage, lowered THC, but 25% bypass of DR. Critical effects are: bypass DR 75%, opponents DR reduced by 2, critical damage, reduction of constitution by 1.

Arterial Strike (also unique to stabbing weapon classes) does more damage, has a lowered THC, and a lowered armor damage chance. Critical effects are: bypass DR, critical damage, bleeding for two turns.

Whirlwind, does normal damage, has a lowered THC, has a lowered armor damage chance, but can hit every opponent on 8 squares surrounding your character. Critical effects are: critical damage, knockdown for one turn also thrown one tile.

Feint costs 2 AP, switchs places with opponent. (so exciting)
Throw opponent costs 9 AP, throws opponent to the ground. It seems to have a critical effect judging by the formula in the tooltip, but the tip doesn't list it so imagine whatever you want.

(http://i.imgur.com/Ee4LS0d.png)
That is about all I have to explain. I mean I could try to explain the different tactics to use, but really this is an LP, not a combat guide. I'm playing the game, I do the combat, that is how it is.

That being said all of you can get this bonus image, because while it doesn't have anything to do with combat, it amuses me.
(http://i.imgur.com/WK9k3CN.png)

Edit: I forgot to add in inventory stuff. I guess all that attack listing numbed my brain.
These are all just examples of inventory stuff. Think it worth mentioning that all of the different items have descriptions, I just didn't bother to screencap them too.

Spoiler: inventory stuff (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/LaW0tIZ.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/UdjMoPb.png)
Too big for this spoiler (http://i.imgur.com/XRvYcdl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/rGQgiqX.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/vYcfIKN.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/kUpdOEE.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/WdgdnBv.png)

Title: Re: Age of Decadence LP poll
Post by: A Thing on February 22, 2016, 06:00:52 am

Everything might be sore throats and headaches for me right now, but that can't stop the poll change! So when this post goes out I should have changed it to backgrounds. If you need more information on them, the descriptions of them are in the OP.

 (http://i.imgur.com/LXtpGR4.png)

Edit: It appears that the second big update for February has come out. General bugfixes and two new endings it appears, although looking at what they are I doubt we are going to see them.

Spoiler: New endings (click to show/hide)

• Added new ending: HA/HC destroyed, HD/IG alliance (kingmaker route).
• Added new ending: HA destroyed, HC ruled by Balzaar, no player interference.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence LP poll (now voting on background)
Post by: A Thing on March 06, 2016, 12:43:34 am

Since it seems like votes have stabilized and it has been roughly two weeks I'm going to change the vote to choosing what type of loremaster\probably picking which gender (doesn't really change too much) we are going to be on Monday like before. (there is no formal "lore" guild or questline besides the ruins we might get the opportunity to go to in other questlines, which is kinda why I hoped people didn't pick loremaster but I can adapt)

I'll probably edit in the new stuff into this post or the OP.

Edit: Here come the loremasters!
And we are greeted by this. (if we all die, I blame loremasters)
(http://i.imgur.com/0XiVmXG.png)

Spoiler: Intense Loremaster Action (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/GjtOFi8.png)
Musclelore is a pretty mediocre fighter and probably a mediocre loremaster too.
(http://i.imgur.com/70DfO1k.png)
Pretty average non-combat dude. Won't be able to do everything, but really, who can?

So there are your options. Gender is also another option, which I think affects pretty much nothing besides making one skill check easier as a woman. Also, everyone should probably decide on a name. So, choose! I'm going to leave the poll as it is so post whatever your decision is. I'll be handling cosmetic stuff later, so don't be too concerned with what the options look like now.
Bonus image (http://i.imgur.com/qC0tSYL.png)

Edit: Fixed "Welcome" image to be less massive. Also, everyone appears to be jumping onto the loremaster train to be cool or to make me suffer. (or something) You devious scoundrels! I will make you suffer with many paragraphs of LORE!

Title: Re: Age of Decadence LP poll (now voting on all sorts of things, read the new post)
Post by: A Thing on March 16, 2016, 11:53:22 am

Bump mostly because I forgot that the forum doesn't alert people for edits, that and once it hits the 20th I'm just going to pick these options myself if I don't get any new votes, (that second February update was the last one for a while). That is not to say I won't still make votes for major choices if that happens, but I'm tired of character creation and just wanna get on with it.

Edit: A vision of the coming Thingtocracy (http://i.imgur.com/zd0Uhhf.jpg) (original image was taken from a loading screen for Age of Wonders 3).

Edit-2: If you want to choose a name now is the time, once I wake up tomorrow this is starting. 

Title: Re: Age of Decadence LP poll (now voting on all sorts of things, read the new post)
Post by: A Thing on March 20, 2016, 03:00:00 pm

"That kind of thing is common here. Conspiracies and assassinations and naked power-grabs. All the fun of decadence." -Glen Cook, The Black Company

And so both this LP and the season of spring begin.

---

Spoiler: Part 1: Thorns and Trades (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/2Rb1rVt.png)
Not much has changed character-wise, I removed the points and craft and put them into trading since we will need it for some stuff early on. So prepare yourself for art and exposition!

(http://i.imgur.com/KBbpTM3.jpg)
"The world and an empire that once ruled it lie in ruins. Noble Houses that lorded over provinces and commanded vast armies have been reduced to broken city-states. The Imperial Guard, remnants (any guardsmen that were actually part of the army are long dead, it's more of a tradition thing) of the Imperial Army, act as an deterrent to open warfare."

"The knowledge of the old days has been all but forgotten. Hucksters peddle ancient wares of no value to the ignorant, and the Lords seek and hoard artefacts they barely understand. A fanatical mysticism is slowly gaining favor and long held resentments are rising to the surface. Some speculate another war approaches, others actively encourage it."

"Times like these bring nothing but suffering to the common man; however, they offer a once in a lifetime opportunity to those determined to seize the moment and follow it to riches, power, glory, (knowledge!) and, often, an untimely death."

(http://i.imgur.com/VdjRK9v.png)
"Your adventure starts in Teron - a small, crumbling town far away from the main tracks of travelers and caravans. Its been dying for the last hundred years or so, kept alive only by the combined efforts of its inhabitants. Broken stonework has been replaced by makeshift wooden construction, creating the impression that a new town is slowly emerging from the ruins of the old one."

"Much like Teron, the Noble House controlling the town has seen better days. Before the war that toppled the Empire and the devastation that ensued, House Daratan was one of the most powerful Houses, but that was then and times have changed. Today, it barely has enough strength to maintain its hold over the local guilds."

And now we enter the part that changes depending on your background.
(http://i.imgur.com/XpzJypx.png)
(also, yes this bit does use the forlorn roman dude art) "As a child, you loved listening to stories about the old days, filled with gods fighting alongside men, power-wielding magi - more demigods then human, and monsters conjured by the cowardly Qantari. So when an opportunity presented itself, you signed up as an apprentice to a local loremaster named Feng."

"Loremasters have always been in demand. While the future offers little, the past is rich and ripe for the taking. You just need to know where to dig and what to do with it, and that's where loremasters came in. To master their craft, they dug through ruins, copied ancient manuscripts, often without understanding them, traded bits and pieces of pre-war knowledge, and appraised anything that looked old. While the magi are long-gone, the machines they built still remain and loremasters are the only ones who may have the knowledge to bring them back."

(http://i.imgur.com/hbV4TMA.jpg)
And so we begin in Feng's shop (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=13m45s), and before we see what Feng wants, we stride up to read those documents.

"It's a large, carefully restored document tracing the history of House Daratan throughout the centuries. Turns out the House owes its name to the battle of Dar Attan (not the battle of Dimin Utive) where a certain Legatus managed to defeat an army of 20,000 men with less then a full legion. The scroll doesn't contain anything you don't already know, but you manage to gain a few bits and pieces of knowledge."

We then poke around in Feng's personal archive.
"Feng's personal archive - boxes with scrolls. There doesn't appear to be any filing system, so Feng is probably the only one who can manage to find anything in there. You browse through scrolls and manage to spot a very informative and illustrated treatise on locks. Pictures are definitely worth a thousand words." In gameplay terms we gained a point in lockpick and 5 civil skillpoints.

We look about the room a bit more and investigate Feng's desk.
"Feng's desk. Notes, candles, writing materials. It appears that Feng is interested in General Marcellus Galbo, a famous military tactician and strategist of the Old Empire."

We then investigate some priceless artifacts in-progress.
"A pile of assorted junk of various uselessness. Valuable artifacts in the making?" Who knows game, who knows? Maybe one day people will pay billions of denars for the chance to own a fragment of the glory of Vibius.

Then we investigate Feng's chest.
"The linen chest is old and broken in some places. It's unlocked and, predictably, contains nothing of interest. Not that you would expect Feng to keep anything of valuable out in the open."

Then, in a even more egregious case of ignoring Feng we attempt to climb up the ladder to the roof, however it seems Feng has prepared for this avenue of escape, so we go to see Feng.


"Feng came to Teron with a caravan two decades ago. Nobody knew where the came from or why, but he had the bitterness of a man soured by the memory of a life he lost. He was well versed in languages and the antiquities, but the town already had a loremaster. Fortunately for Feng, the loremaster fell sick and passed away, despite the best efforts of the local alchemist who was quite puzzled by the symptoms. Feng became the new loremaster and even earned the favor of Lord Antidas after discovering several Daratan relics."

Being cornered by this foreigner, Vibius has no choice but to talk.

(http://i.imgur.com/nZew4qk.png)"Did you finish translating that scroll? Never mind, I have a better job for you. Someone at the inn has a trinket they want me to look at. Why don't you handle it? Just remember what I taught you: take a good look, show some excitement, then tell them that it's a very valuable artifact that's worth a lot to the right collector, and that they were right to bring it to us to learn its true value. Wait for the words to sink in and then ask for 100 imperials to research it further.

"What if it actually is a valuable artifact?"

(http://i.imgur.com/nZew4qk.png)"Artefacts? I've been stuck in this shithole (that isn't even that untrue) you call a town for the last twenty years. Year after year, farmers and diggers bring me everything they can find, hoping for a lucky break. They bring me bracelets, cheap pottery, rusty old locks, pipes, chamber pots, even deformed skulls."

"The sad truth is that this town doesn't have anything of value, which is probably the only reason Antidas is still in charge."

"Why did you stay then?"

(http://i.imgur.com/nZew4qk.png)"Weren't you listening? Every year peasants bring me junk to appraise. Good business."

"You said he had a trinket?"

(http://i.imgur.com/nZew4qk.png)"I think the word "map" was mentioned. Go and take a look. If it's something good, bring it to me."

"I will go there right away, Master."

So we presumably walk over to the inn, I doubt anything exciting happened besides the usual 9 o'clock murders.

"The inn is full of guests. After spending weeks and sometimes months on the road, they have an unhealthy appetite for cheap wine, stove-cooked meals, and women willing to share their beds for a few coins."

(http://i.imgur.com/uCyGa0Q.png)

"You navigate through the busy crowd and go upstairs. The trader's room is easy to find. "Are you the loremaster I sent for?" asks Gracius, letting you in."

"I'm Vibius, Master Feng's apprentice. Should my master's attention be required, I'll send for him. Where is the artefact?"

"Right here." Gracius hands you the scroll."

"You open the seal carefully and study it for a few minutes. It looks like an ordinary map depicting a temple. There is an old seal at the bottom. The name on the seal is Thor-Agoth."

*You recieve the map from Gracius*

"It's a very valuable artefact that's worth a lot to the right collector. You were wise to bring it to us to learn its true value."

"And what might this true value be?" Gracius tries to sound indifferent, but it's obvious that Feng's simple formula worked it's magic."

"For someone who's interested in the High Lords' artefacts, it could be worth thousands. I'll have to study the map further, of course, to determine its history and value."

"Please forgive this uneducated trader, master Vibius, but who are the High Lords? I will be presenting this map to Lord Antidas tomorrow, and I'd like to impress His Lordship with some bits of knowledge."

"According to the legends, the High Lords were our allies in the war between our glorious Empire and the ruthless Qantari. While their nature was debatable, most loremasters agree that it was definitely supernatural. This map bears the seal of Thor-Agoth or Toragoth, as he was also known."

"And what is the significance of this seal?"

[lore success] [persuasion] "Thor-Agoth's title was the Artificer. He built machines, but most were destroyed during the war or lost after. There are many people who hope that some caches have survived and can be recovered. They collect and study Thor-Agoth's documents, looking for clues. That's why we want to be absolutely certain that the seal that makes this map so valuable isn't fake. It might be very embarrassing for you otherwise. Unless, of course, you insist that..."

[success] "Of course not, master. Please take the map and study it properly."

"And the money? I'm sure you know what the standard research fee is."

"Gracius gives you a small purse without any enthusiasm. You're about to leave when you notice Gracius' hesitation."

"There is something else I'd like you to look at. You seem very knowledgeable." He pauses and reaches inside his sash. "I found it where I found the map." He gives you a small object. It's a metal sphere with grooves on the surface."

*You got 100 imperials and a sphere from Gracius*

"I don't know what it is. (smooth) I'm not sure it's an artefact. I'll show it to master Feng and let you know what he thinks." Return to master Feng."

"You're about to leave, when the innkeeper stops you."

"Another, um, guest is in need of your services, master. He's a prospector. Would you be kind enough to look?"

"Sure"
(http://i.imgur.com/GbpzL0A.png)
"The innkeeper sends one of the slaves to get the prospector. It's a man with a sun-darkened skin, unkempt hair and a heavy beard. His faded, worn-out clothes are still covered with road dust. He opens his bag, takes out a dozen of carefully wrapped items of various sizes, and slowly removes the dirty rags protecting them."

"You browse through his treasures: gears, pottery, half-burned scrolls with faded, no longer decipherable letters, glass jars with strange liquids. "Anything you want to buy?" asks the prospector anxiously. "I'm embarrassed to admit, but I find myself without sufficient funds to pay for a comfortable stay, although I'm sure that some of these artefacts are bound to fetch a high price. I mean, just look at this beauty," he picks up a rusted cylinder with a spiral groove. "The very definition of a mysterious device. From a wondrous artefact, no doubt! What do you think, loremaster?"

[lore] "It's called a worm and it's missing a gear that goes with it. It was a common device."

"The prospector sighs and unwraps yet another "artefact", revealing a charred skull."

"The skull of the magi! The Power still burns through him, much like it did when he was alive, walking the earth and battling demons. When nights are dark, it glows softly, keeping the demons away."

[lore success] "It does have magic, but it's dangerous and will kill you if you keep it. Stay away from anything that glows in the dark."

"Why?"

"The old magic is like fire. Fire can keep you warm, cook your food, and help you forge weapons and tools, but it can also burn down your house or a forest, the moment you lose control, which we don't have to begin with. Not anymore."

"I have a special charm that keeps me safe." The prospector shows you a strange amulet, his face lit with eagerness and greed."

We take a look.

"You turn it over in your hands thoughtfully. Adorned with beads and engraved with runes, it appears to be a ceremonial bowl of some sort. Strangely warped, but that isn't unusual for artefacts of the Old Empire - who knows what arcane forces had been unleashed on it? Two small, metal drums are affixed to the underside, too awkwardly angled to be supports for the bowl. You rap one with a knuckle and listen. Hollow. Reservoirs, perhaps, containers of sacred liquid for the bowl? You are unsure, but you keep your expression carefully neutral, it wouldn't do for the punters to see your uncertainty. Unprofessional."

[streetwise] "Junk. Worthless Junk"

[success] "Are you sure?" asks the prospector. "Do you know what it is?"

[streetwise] "It's a ceremonial bowl for burning incense."

[success]"Well don't I feel foolish now... Still, the jewels alone have gotta be worth a few hundred. What do you think I can get for it?"

[trading] "I can get it off your hands for two hundred imperials."

[success] "Alright. Two hundred. Just for you."

Sadly we only have 196 imperials so we have to say "I'll think about it."

"You do have the money, don't you?" asks the innkeeper watching the exchange with interest. "The only reason I'm letting him stay on credit is because you promised to buy that junk. I better see some money soon or I'm kicking him out."

We return and get to see the 7 PM murders on the way back.

(http://i.imgur.com/nZew4qk.png)"How did it go?"

"It went well. I got a map, a sphere, and 100 imperials." We hand everything to Feng.

(http://i.imgur.com/nZew4qk.png)"A map and a sphere!" Oh, what a glorious day." Feng looks at the map. "The seal looks real. I'll take a better look tonight and let you know in the morning. As for the sphere, it's just a bead from some necklace." He counts 50 imperials and gives them to you along with the sphere."

*You receive the sphere and 50 imperials*

*You receive a new insight, which can be used to increase your skills - 13 skill points gained.*

"Thank you, master." We rest for the night.
There is a short fade to black and we are greeted with Feng's face.
(http://i.imgur.com/nZew4qk.png)"The map is ordinary. No "X marks the spot" there. The seal is interesting and well preserved, but it's worth no more than a hundred imperials. Maybe Antidas will buy it. Go see him when you have a chance." He gives you the map."

"Buy it? What about the trader, Gracius?"

(http://i.imgur.com/nZew4qk.png)"Almost forgot. He's dead, so you can keep the map. Apparently, he wasn't welcome in this town, and with the assassins' guild almost out of work... I'm surprised he made it as far as the inn." Feng chuckles."

"Is there anything else you want me to do, master?"

(http://i.imgur.com/nZew4qk.png)"Feng gives you an appraising look. "As a matter of fact... You see, Vibius, being a loremaster isn't just about dealing with rarities. Knowing how to deal with people is equally important. I believe I've neglected this part of your education, but fortunately it should be easy to fix."

Lord Antidas has invited another loremaster to Teron. Needless to say, I don't share his opinion that two heads are better then one, and I'll be grateful if you can find a way to get rid of the new loremaster. You'll secure your future and learn a valuable lesson at the same time."

"His name is Cassius. He's probably at the inn already, so don't waste any time."

"Are you asking me to kill him?"

(http://i.imgur.com/nZew4qk.png)"Do I detect some qualms? You have so much to learn, Vibius. (I think his all 4 combat stats say otherwise) When you have a thorn in your side, do you not remove it? Ah, perhaps you think that a man isn't a thorn, that a man's life, unlike that of an insect, has some value? It doesn't."

"Truly, I should be charging you for these lessons. Take this dagger, Vibius and go. Prove that my faith in you wasn't misplaced."

"What did you mean with secure my future?" Weird sentence structure, but okay.

(http://i.imgur.com/nZew4qk.png)"You don't think the new loremaster would need your services and look after you the way I do, do you? Don't be foolish."

So, after Feng's murder encouraging speech it looks like we are finally free from the introduction sequence.

We walk outside and give a wave to Gaius the Guard. Then investigate a nearby house.
(http://i.imgur.com/c0VlqCP.jpg)
"A front door eaten nearly through by dry rot can barely conceal the bare and musty interior. There's clearly nothing to gain from invading what little privacy the inhabitants have left."

Well that was certainly worth the effort, I'm sure we got 3 types of tetanus from that.

We walk towards the inn to find Cassius, and get a message.
"You see the local inn. It's a large, old building in the middle of the town. The sign in front of it welcomes weary travelers and offers an impressive variety of services at reasonable rates."

That and we see a merchant and a mercenary. I smell opportunity.
(http://i.imgur.com/4PjKpJW.png)
"You look like you're in the market for some fine clothing and armor! Am I right? Step right up and look."
He doesn't really have anything we want and we have no skill in impersonate so trying to scam him is a failure from the get-go, and we definitely can't steal.
(http://i.imgur.com/jmsUIO6.png)
So we just go into the inn. And upon entering we see Cassius right next to the entrance, however something else gets our attention.
(http://i.imgur.com/jdQrNP1.png)
"You see the inn's patrons begin to gather around a strangely garbed man, who paces in circles, muttering. A murmur of expectation runs through the room and sure enough, the man stops his pacing, turns, and with a dramatic flourish cries out "A tale!" All are quiet now, but the man's rich, deep voice rolls out to fill the silence. "A tale for tonight's entertainment! And what a tale! History itself will unfold before your very eyes, a tale of mystery and wonder! Come one, come all, and listen!"
We, of course, stay and listen.

"The smile drops from the storyteller's face, his brow gathers into a frown and he begins to speak in a low, sombre  tone."

"The Great War raged across the Empire, the frenzied Qantari burning and looting their way across the land, our brave Legions fighting to stem the tide. But, though they could hold the Qantari themselves, even they were no match for the terrible demons the Qantari had brought with them from their homeland. Our loyal soldiers were slaughtered by the thousands. The Emperor's Magi sought to counter the terrible might of the Demons with their magics, but even though they worked feverishly to devise new spells, it was of no use; the Demons shrugged off every incantation the Magi hurled at them.

"Desperate for a solution, the Emperor summoned Abu Hassan Ibn Hadad al-Sarabi, the First of the Magi, to his side in the Holiest of Chambers, deep under the palace.

"Oh Learned One, tell me," said the Emperor. "Tell me that you have found a solution, o wisest of my servants. Tell me that you have discovered some weakness in the accursed Qantari demons. Tell me how we can destroy these monsters, who feel no pain, no fear, who never tire or rest."

"And Abu Hassan Ibn Hadad did stroke his beard gravely..."

The storyteller stops to mime Ibn Hadad's gesture, folding his arms, looking thoughful and stroking an imaginary beard to the chuckles of the audience, before continuing.

"...and said to his Emperor, "We must seek allies!"

"The Emperor looked at Ibn Hadad in bewilderment. "Allies? What allies can we call upon? The Empire stretches from coast to coast, all men except the steppe nomads rally to fight under my banner. There are no more allies to call on!"

"Mortal allies, yes! But there are other worlds than this one, my Emperor. Higher than the eye can see and further then any man can travel, there are strange and bewildering realms, realms for which the rigid laws of our reality are merely...suggestions. If we could persuade the beings who reside in those realms to come to our aid..."

"The Emperor sat for a moment, considering. But always he returned to that inescapable truth, that the Empire was dying around him. "How many of these beings would answer our call? And would they be enough? The Demons are terrible in their power."

"I have stridden paths of the future in my dreams and I have seen three who would come to our aid. Together, their might is a match for the Demons," answered Ibn Hadad confidently."

"The Emperor cast his hands in the air, hope alight in his face for the first time. "Truly the world is wondrous! You have my blessing, Magus, go forth and call up these allies. All the resources of the Empire are at your disposal!"

"Ibn Hadad returned to his tower and once again traveled the paths of the future. For three days and three nights he quested. When at last he emerged, he summoned a great conclave of his brothers. There, he ordered them to build a great doorway, a path into the realm that can't be reached by land or sea. Working together, the Magi built the doorway that would have taken mortal men months in mere weeks, though many died of the exertion. When it was done, Ibn Hadad blessed the doorway himself and ordered one of the brothers through, as an emissary to the other realms. Patiently they waited for their emissary to return, and return he did a day later. But when they attempted to talk to him he seemed unable to recognize anyone, and had lost the power of speech itself!"

"Undeterred, Ibn Hadad sent forth another emissary, and then a third when the same fate befell that one, but it was no use, none could speak of what they had seen through the doorway."

"At last Ibn Hadad sent them away and returned to his tower, to travel the paths of the future one last time. When he returned to his brothers he appeared visibly aged, bent and leaning on his staff of office. But he had an answer. He had his brothers forge him a helmet of the finest crystal, weaving potent magic through and around it. Then Ibn Hadad did take the helmet and place it upon his head, and though his brothers begged him not to, did stride through the gate himself."

"The storyteller stops for a moment, surveying his audience. All eyes are on him, the audience is held rapt by his story. He smiles slightly, then continues."

"For seven days and seven nights hiss brethren held vigil before the doorway. But on the eighth day, as most had given him up for lost, Ibn Hadad returned. When his brothers questioned him as to why he had been gone so long, he seemed shocked that so much time had passed. But thoughts of the Demons weighed heavily on him, he brushed aside their questions and announced that he had made a deal with those who dwell in the darkness on the other side of the doorway."

"The Lords of that place had agreed to send three of their number to aid the Empire, in exchange seven times seven men would go through the doorway to honor the Lords in their realm. Seven time seven were chosen to follow Ibn Hadad back through the doorway to otherworldly realms, and true to their word, a week later he returned with three of the Lords accompanying him. Of the other men who accompanied him, there was no sign.

"The storyteller stops talking and bows, looking expectantly at the audience.

"The War!" yells one of the guests. "Tell us about the War! Tell us how the Lords of the Other Realms cast down the Qantari Demons!"

"The storyteller straightens again and raises an eyebrow at the man, smiling like a benevolent uncle teaching lessons to a favored nephew."

"A hundred tales I could tell you of the Great War and still we would have but scratched the surface! Some sages will tell you that the Old Empire was destined to fall from the day it was born, that the very moment of its ending was written in the stars themselves. That Empires and Kingdoms, like mortal men, grow tall and enjoy their time in the sun for but a brief moment before they too must pass, to make way for those that follow. Thus, sages will tell you that the Qantari kingdom was born for but a single purpose - to be the instrument of fate and bring about the destruction of the Old Empire when the time was right. That by growing stronger, so did we force the Qantari themselves to grow stronger."

"For it was their destiny to bring us down, you see, and fate ensured that they were strong enough to do so. That is why the Demons came. Our Legions could hold the savage Qantari at bay but even they couldn't fight fate, couldn't fight the Demons who shrugged of blade and arrow, who slaughtered all that were sent against them, countless lives."

"That is why, though Ibn Hadad and his allies came and defeated the demons, the Old Empire could not be saved. The Old Empire had already fallen, for that was always her fate, to die there that day, in blood and fire."   

"Do you really believe in demons? Do you believe they are the reasons the Empire fell?"

"The storyteller smiles at your question, turning to accept a drink the innkeeper brings him. Raising the flagon in salute of his host, he throws his head back and drinks deeply. After a long moment he stops, sighs contentedly, then turns his attention back to you, wiping the foam from his mouth."

"Ah, thirsty work, this. Now, what was it you were asking? Do I believe in the demons that they say the Qantari unleashed on the Old Empire? Well, look around you, my friend!" He waves his hand in a circle, but you sense he isn't simply talking about the inn, that his gesture encompasses the entirety of the fallen Empire."

"What do you see, friend? Ruins! Destruction! The rotting carcass of the greatest Empire ever to grace this world! What mere mortal force could have brought that down? No, the stories must be true, only Demons could have done such a thing!"

"But surely there is more to the story? What about the Qantari themselves? Were they really bloodthirsty savages as the stories say?"

"Well...all I can tell you is what those stories say, my friend. That they were savages from across the sea, jealous and obsessed with destroying our glorious civilization. What more could you expect from a race that worshiped Demons? Some say that they made pacts with demons to grant their warriors greater strength in battle, breeding them with beasts of the forest to create half-men, half-animals! I shudder to imagine it!"

"And shudder he does, shaking himself with an expression of horror on his face. It's convincing enough that you almost believe it wasn't rehearsed. Almost."

"So, these savages and animal-men, they defeated the might of the Old Empire?"

"Do not dismiss them, my friend! They numbered in the tens of thousands, for all their lack of sophistication, and they brought their Magi and their Demons with them!"

"As I said, it was their destiny to destroy the Empire, and our destiny to fall. You cannot fight your fate."

[intelligence success] "Fate usually works in subtler ways then sending a fleet of savages, magi, and demons to your shores, does it not?

"Well...I suppose, yes, you are right. But then again, how often does fate bring to a close the story of an Empire such as ours was, unmatched in all the world!"

"He raises his voice and flings out his arms at this, looking around to see if anyone appreciates the gesture. But the inn's patrons have gone back to their tables and pay him no more attention. He drops his arms, disappointed, then turns back to you."

"Look, I will give you that the story has some small flaws in it. I recall a most unusual drawing in Lord Gaelius' library, for example. It showed a town being built by slaves. The strange thing about it was, in one corner it showed our builders and architects directing them, holding plans and measuring instruments. But in the other corner...well, there appeared to be Qantari. Builders, like our own, if you can believe that!"

"Are you sure it was the Qantari?"

"I am no expert on what the Qantari looked like, certainly, I doubt anyone still living is. But, they certainly matched the stories. Feathers, pelts, the sort of thing you would expect on savages."

"What does it mean, this drawing?"

"How would I know? I'm but a storyteller, my friend. Perhaps it was just some artist's flight of fancy. You know how artists can be. Still, it does make on wonder, doesn't it?"

"What can you tell me about these Lords that came with Ibn Hadad?"

"Much has been written on the subject of the High Lords. Too much, I'd say. The accounts contradict each other, the High Lords were here, no they were there, no they did this and that. One even begins to suspect that many of the authors weren't actually present at the events they speak of with such authority! Hah!"

"So, how did they defeat the Qantari then, surely there must be some agreement on that? What did they do that our legions and magi couldn't?"

"On that, the stories are silent. They talk at length on the powers of the High Lords, that Gla'ath the Dreamer could shape reality as easily as you or I run our hands through water, that wherever Bar-Hathor the Flamewalker went, the ground itself burned in his wake and flowed like water. And that Thor-Agoth was know as the Artificer, and he constructed devices such as we can but dream of, terrible engines and alien machines beyond the understanding of mere men."

"The stories are unanimous on these details, yes. But of how the High Lords actually defeated the Qantari Demons, I am afraid they are silent. Perhaps only Ibn Hadad, First of the Magi, knew that."

We leave the inn and look at our map in contemplation.

(http://i.imgur.com/TD7fVWS.jpg)

And with that I'll leave where to go and what to do to you people. We can: kill Cassius, take him to Antidas, or just go and join the Merchants guild or see Antidas about the map.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 1: Thorns and Trades
Post by: EuchreJack on March 21, 2016, 02:54:16 pm

From the little that I've played the Demo, I would say "take him to Antidas".

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I recall that it is possible to discredit Cassius in front of Antidas, hence removing him without bloodshed.  It's not like Feng used a dagger to kill the previous loremaster.  Plus you've been rocking the intelligence & Lore roles, you got this!

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 1: Thorns and Trades
Post by: A Thing on March 21, 2016, 04:13:47 pm

Quote from: EuchreJack on March 21, 2016, 02:54:16 pm

From the little that I've played the Demo, I would say "take him to Antidas".

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I recall that it is possible to discredit Cassius in front of Antidas, hence removing him without bloodshed.  It's not like Feng used a dagger to kill the previous loremaster.  Plus you've been rocking the intelligence & Lore roles, you got this!

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

That sounds vaguely familiar, we might not have the skills for it though; worst comes to worst we get to talk to Cassius and get all his lore dialogue. I assume you want to discredit him and not just give him to Antidas, right?

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 1: Thorns and Trades
Post by: A Thing on March 24, 2016, 12:25:28 am

Probably going to be a shorter update, mostly because of the amount of choices coming up. Note from Future Thing: I was completely wrong, prepare for Loretrain 2.

Spoiler: Lords Lore and Lamentations (click to show/hide)

Having decided what to do, we walk up to Cassius.

"Forty two year old loremaster Cassius, contemptuously called "young Cassius" by his gray haired colleagues, has never understood the appeal of digging through dirt and ruins like a rat. Instead, he preferred to spend his time among neatly preserved scrolls, studying the work of many prominent loremasters of antiquity and hundreds of accompanying commentaries he considered indispensable. Master Cassius was working on his second tractate, analyzing manifestations of the divine will in the year 4052, (one of the rare times dates are mentioned) when Antidas' emissaries invited him to Teron."

"Cassius arrived early and was getting tired of waiting when you showed up and graced him with your attention."

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "Is there something you want?"

"Lord Antidas has sent me to escort you. Follow me."

---

(http://i.imgur.com/t9tBSrX.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "What do you want?"

"I'd like to introduce you to master Cassius, who is a personal guest of Lord Antidas. Master Feng asked me to kill him, (welp, guess that answers that question) but as soon as I learned that Lord Antidas was involved, I immediately thought..."

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "Your loyalty is an inspiration to us all, Vibius."

*You gain a new insight - 3 skill points*

Loyalty decreased

"Can I speak to Lord Antidas?"

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "Of course. After you prove your value."

"I thought I've already proven my value." Vibius nods at Cassius." I could've just asked what he wanted, but I don't think giving Cassius without a little something something is worth it.

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "You've proven that you have enough common sense to know what's good for you. Nothing more."

[persuasion] [charisma] "Common sense is a rare commodity these days. You're lucky Feng asked me and not some thug who would have slit Cassius' throat without thinking. All I'm asking for is two minutes of your Lord's time.

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) [success] "Two minutes."

We walk inside having out worded poor Dellar.

"You stand in the hall of Antidas, signs of wealth and power all around you. Wherever you look you see exotic tapestries and paintings, rare vases, gleaming statues. Ornate pillars run the length of the hall, all the way to the throne itself, where Lord Antidas is sitting in front of his audience, a group of petitioners seeking his aid and favor. Soldiers of the House stand guard, ready to shield Antidas and turn the hall into a slaughterhouse at the first sign of trouble."

"You wait for your turn and then approach the throne."

(http://i.imgur.com/WdznIeo.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "Dellar says that you've done me a service. He thinks that we can use a man of your abilities. Is that why you're here? To offer me your services?" So I'm not picking the option to join him because at least to my knowledge we won't be able to do the House Daratan storyline unless we start as Praetor, all this does is prevent us from joining the other Houses without pissing off Antidas, really.

"My Lord, I was told that you'd be want to see this." we show him the map."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "Do you believe in destiny, Vibius?" Before you have a chance to answer, Antidas continues. "I've spent more then a decade trying to find the temple and fulfill the prophecy. I've wasted a fortune and lost more men the I'd dare(attan) to admit, and just when I've decided to give up, you show up with another map. Coincidence? I don't believe in those."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "It is said that every man is given a chance to change his fate, to ascend to greatness and immortality, to rise above the ordinary and serve a cause greater than self-interest. You didn't come here by accident. Fate guided you here and it will guide you to the temple."

*You gain an insight - 13 skillpoints*

Yep that's Antidas, this destiny obsessed loser isn't even the worst of the Lords, trust me.

"The temple? The prophecy? Another map?" This LP is called Ruins, Relics, and Raiders for a reason, Vibius.

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "My apologies," says Antidas with a faint smile."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "You know, of course, that our Empire had lasted thousands of years. Through military and diplomatic victories we had conquered the known world. An era of peace and prosperity was about to begin when the accursed Qantari came. Taller than any human, with glowing eyes and sharp claws, they came from the depths of the underworld and attacked without warning, slaughtering men and women alike. We fought the devils tooth and nail, but when victory was at hand, they called forth their gods."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "Can you imagine a living horror towering over a battlefield and sweeping it with its arms, tearing flesh and armor with its talons? Our only chance was to reach into the higher planes and summon allies who could help us even the odds. Eventually the call was answered and the allies came. They burned the Qantari and their gods, leaving nothing but ashes. They saved us, but it was too late. The Empire had fallen, for too much had been destroyed. Saddened, our allies, the Lords of the higher planes, left us to rebuild and restore, but as you can see, we are still living in our crumbling towns, still fighting each other like savages."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "Three Lords of the higher planes, or the High Lords, as they are most commonly referred to, have answered our call. Gla'ath-Zor the Dreamer, Bar-Hathor the Flamewalker, and Thor-Agoth the Artificer.

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "The Artificer had taught our Magi much and built many wondrous machines and engines of war. According to the legends, the Magi had attended a temple built by Thor-Agoth and studied the Arcane Art there. The centuries-old accounts describe the engines of war and "divine" weapons in great details."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "I don't know if the weapons are still there. I don't know if the temple is still there, but I believe there is a reason why another copy of the map has found its way to me. It's fate, Vibius. It has to be."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "Over the years I've sent several expeditions to find the temple and bring me the weapons of the gods. They've all failed, one way or another. Looking at you, (you frail-boned clumsy Hercules of a man!) I'm beginning to think that sending large expeditions was a mistake. Large groups attract too much attention. They are slow and suffer from the all too familiar intrigues and inner squabbles. They are vulnerable to spies and saboteurs. They cost a fortune. But one man... One resourceful man with nothing to lose but everything to gain... Yes, I can see my mistake now."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "I want you to find the temple for me, Vibius. If you do, you will be rewarded and elevated beyond your wildest dreams. If you do, we'll reshape the world and plant a seed of a new Empire. We'll do away with petty squabbles over broken towns and domains, we will unite our people and give them goals worthy of the banners that once flew over this land."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "Go to Maadoran. Find Domitus Ulpius. He's led one of the expeditions. He was convinced that the Magi towers hold the key to the map, but there is only one tower left intact - the tower of Zamedi. The tower is sealed, as are most ancient places of wonder that House Aurelian deemed too dangerous. Gaelius would rather bury the past than face it."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "Find Domitus. If there is a way in, he'll help you find it. If not, seek elsewhere."

"I'll do my best, my Lord."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "I expect nothing less from you." Antidas expects too much from ambitious youths.

"I want to learn more about your House, my Lord."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) [charisma success] "Our House was born during the battle of Dar Attan, where Legatus Legionis Tiberius Catulus, our great ancestor, had shown the world the true meaning of courage."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "With less than a full legion, Catulus faced twenty thousand men and stood his ground. He could have retreated and waited for reinforcements, but cowards never accomplish anything. Catulus saw an opportunity and he took it. After the battle, the Emperor himself named Catulus the Dux per Dar Attan, calling him dux bellorum - the dux of battles - the highest honor for a warrior."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "Only a few hundred men survived the battle. Instead of disbanding them, the Emperor ordered them to rebuild the legion and gave it the name Darattan to commemorate the battle and my ancestor's bravery."

*You gain a new insight into the liberal arts and trades - 10 civil skill points*

"The story is most inspiring, my Lord." We could have criticized his ancestor's decision to let most of the legion die, but I don't want to piss him off considering we betrayed Feng for this.

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "It certainly is. Tiberius Catulus had set standards against which every Lord of this House has been measured. Within a century, a humble house had become the most powerful and influential House. We were at the forefront of every war, every battle. Daratan legions had always stood their ground, no matter the odds, but the war with those Qantari demons was unlike any other and had taken a large toll. It had sapped our strength and power. The first had become the last."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "My father had requested a reading when I was born. His star-gazer had foretold that I would be the one to bring glory to this House and make it rise again. I lived under the shadow of the prophecy all my life. I tried to follow the path set by my ancestors, but my time hadn't come yet and fate punished me for my arrogance."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "Now this," he gestures around him, "is all I have left, but with your help I -will- prevail. Feng told me that I needed powerful artefacts to secure a victory, but I believe that fate sent you to me for a reason. It is the temple's artefacts that will tip the scales and give me strength to unite this land under my rule, not rings and amulets. Find the temple, Vibius, and together we'll write history (https://youtu.be/plImbjyoHwU?t=22s)! Edit: had to change the link to a different recording because apparently the 1980s BBC version of the Lord of the Rings Soundtrack is just burning a hole through the public conscious right about now and Random House needs to capitalize on those sales!

So we leave; to Cassius and lore! Away! Before we do that I put two points into persuasion bumping it up to 6 and 1 into streetwise getting it to 4.

Also, this.

(http://i.imgur.com/njXBgWG.png)

"You're standing in front of the Daratan compound. A tall palisade of pointed stakes forms the perimeter of the compound, augmented by a regular armed patrol. There are two entrances that you can see: one leading to the main building, the other to the guard house. Unfortunately, both entrances lie in the shadow of the guard towers, manned by crossbowmen."

So this is the prompt that shows up if you come here, normally we would have options to sneak and disguise, but we have already have got in. So we just talk to Dellar.

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "What do you want?"

"I've heard you raided caravans back in the day."

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "I did. What of it?"

"What can you tell me about it?"

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) [charisma success] "There is nothing to tell. I was young and good with a sword. I took a job guarding caravans. You know...see the world, kill a few men, make a few coins. The romance of the wasteland."

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "Turned out it was just another shit job for shit pay. I worked it for three years and then decided that maybe it was time to switch sides."

"Just like that?"

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "Nothing happens just like that. You ever worked caravans? Good men are expensive, so the merchant guilds hire what comes cheap - kids, rejects, cutthroats. They start dropping like flies after an attack or two, which means less sleep and more shit to deal with for those who live. You are always up, always working. You and the slaves who pull those damn carts. After awhile you start wondering who has it easier - you or the slaves."

"So, what made you change sides?"

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "A sword to my throat - the most convincing argument there is."

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "We were doing a two-week run. A few days in, we hit a storm. The sand was everywhere. You couldn't see anything, couldn't even open your eyes. The boss man told us to press on and we did. To be fair, nobody thought we would be attacked in that storm."

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "The raiders picked our men off one by one. By the time we'd realized what was happening, it was too late. They gave me a chance to live and I took it. Didn't even have to think about it."

"What happened after that?"

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "We raided for a few years. Those were the good days... If I was smarter I would have quit when I was ahead, but I was young and thought that we were a force to be reckoned with. And we were, until the merchants paid the Imperial Guards to put us out of business."

 (http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "They sent me to the iron mines. I did ten years in a place called the Second Chance (fun fact, Iron Tower is making a party-based dungeon crawler set in the Second Chance). It was like a big empty pot - called the town - with passages going off in every direction. The main ore deposits were long gone, but you could find a bit here and there. That's what the tunnels were for. Every day you trade ore for food. No ore, no food. It's a simple system that brings the best out of people."

"How did you escape?"

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "I waited for an opportunity since the day they put me there. Only took ten years..."

"Have you thought of going back to raiding?"

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "I have. I've also thought about going back to the mines. I believe that one comes with the other, and it's the other that I'm not looking forward to."

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "There are three ways to make a living if you're good with a sword. You can do it for nothing - guarding caravans or fighting for the Imperial Guards. You can do it for yourself and sooner or later you'll piss off someone who will swat you like a fly and that would be the end of it. Or you can do it smart and work for someone like Antidas - he needs me as much as I need him. He goes up, I go up with him. He goes down - well, nobody lives forever."

"Is there anything you can teach me?"

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "I suppose I can spare a minute..."

*Sword training increased by 5.*

*Dodge training increased by 5.*

Critical strike training increased by 5.

"Anything I can do to help?"

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "Eager to help, are you? House Aurelian is digging into some old ruins not far from Teron. Apparently, it was an old mining facility and some machines are still intact. They've even sent for Sohrab, which is bad news. He's an expert on old machines. If it has gears, he can fix it. We can't have that. The last thing we need is the Aurelians setting up shop in our backyard."

"So, what do you want me to do?"

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "Whatever it takes to stop them. Killing always works, but if it's too plebeian for your sophisticated taste, try something else."

"What else can you tell me?"

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "Not much. Ruins are everywhere, but we don't have enough money and people to look under every stone. A few weeks ago House Aurelian set up a camp there and started digging.  They may have something there, something we don't know about, or they have nothing and are just waiting for us to give them an excuse to attack Teron."

"Where do they get supplies?"

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "Good question. They are too far away from Maadoran to be supplied regularly and they aren't used to living off the land. Ask around, see what you can find."

"Can you give me any men?"

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "Dellar shakes his head. "First, we don't know for sure what we're dealing with. I need all the men in case this situation isn't what it seems. Second, I'd like to see what you're capable of. You don't have a problem with that, do you?"

"Is there anything else I can help you with?"

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "Well, if you didn't like the first problem, you are definitely not going to like the second one. A gang of raiders captured one of our nobles. Someone should go there and find out what the raiders want."

"Didn't they tell you what they want?"

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "It's a funny story, actually. A few days ago a raider walked in and started making demands, claiming that his gang had captured a lord. We didn't take the bastard seriously and used him for target pratice. Then it turned out that some distant relative of Lord Antidas is really missing, but it was too late. Now my men aren't very eager to go there and pay the blood debt."

"And you're sending me there?"   

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make."

"Very generous of you. Alright, I'll give it a shot." If we didn't charisma Dellar into submission we would have had to do these quests before meeting Antidas, they are still an option though. Give good skillpoints and such.

Now to really talk to Cassius.

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "What do you want?"

"Take me to Cassius!

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "Guard! Escort Vibius to Master Cassius."

---

(http://i.imgur.com/vCqLSeD.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png)"Master Vibius," says Cassius bowing his head slightly. "How may I be of assistance?"

"I want to ask you some questions."

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "What do you want to know, Vibius?"

"I want to learn more about the war with the Qantari and the summoned "allies"." Note from me, the transcriber, this bit from Cassius is so long it has a scrolling feature. Scholars above and below, from current days, from the old and the yet-to-be, protect me!

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "Actually, I wrote a tractate on the Qantari;s allies twelve years ago, when Lord Meru (remember the name) was looking for a new loremaster. The allies, as you call them, had a number of different names, which reflects how little we know about them. Most texts we have now have have been written long after the events in question. They reflect the beliefs of those who wrote them."

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "Some wanted to believe in higher powers and thought our allies to be long forgotten gods, finally returning to aid their children in the hour of need. Others believed - quite arrogantly, I might add - that the allies were kings of the otherworldly realms, peers of the Emperor."

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "Even the names are spelled in so many different ways that it's almost impossible to tell what the original names were. The one we call Thor-Agoth, for example, was originally referred to as Tor-Athagoth and Thoragoth. Even the very nature of the High Lords is debatable."

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "Many accounts describe the four Qantari Gods as terrifying beast-like creatures. For example, there are several different accounts of the battle of Estios all claiming the same thing: Ull-Xerath rose from the deep and attacked the legions of General Kesion, slaughtering over a thousand soldiers before the magi forced him to retreat."

"A single being killed over a thousand soldiers?" Yes Vibius, it's almost as if the demon was more then human!

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "Have you ever read Ammanas?" Cassius smiles and starts reciting:

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "In the battle of Zaghoss, Lord Hezbenus sent forth his five beasts in advance of the phalanx. Neither the Galatians themselves nor their horses had previously seen such beasts, and they were so confused by the unexpected sight, that they turned and fled in a disorderly route before they were within bowshot. The beasts ploughed through the remaining Galatians legionaries with a devastating effect.

The slowly marching beasts, frightful with their wrinkled bodies, were a hideous spectacle, dreadful beyond every form of horror, as I have often declared."

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) Do you know what these hideous beasts were? Elephants. So, take what you read with a grain of salt.

"What happened to the gods?"

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "It's a good question. It is said the Qantari's gods were "cast into the abyss" and that our gods departed shortly after. Myths and legends rarely give you the answers you seek, Vibius."

"Have you heard of Ibn Hadad al-Sarabi?"

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "The First of the Magi," nods Cassius, "and sadly, the last of the Magi as the Order fell when the Empire did. Truly, a tragic loss. Empires come and go, but it pains me to think of the lost knowledge.

"Do you believe the stories then?"

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "If not through stories, how are we to look into the past? Each story has that proverbial grain of truth that makes searching worthwile. A true loremaster will peel a story like onion, until he find that seed of truth."

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "Do you have time for a story, Vibius?" If I say no, I am a shame filled coward of which cannot transcribe like he was meant to!

"Yes!"

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "It is said that Ibn Hadad gained much of his wisdom meditating, his mind traveled where his body was unable to. One day, Ibn Hadad meditated with a certain purpose in mind - he was seeking a way to gain power over demons, a way to have them delivered into his hands so that he might question them."

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "Eventually the sacred geometry he sought was revealed to him. Ibn Hadad ordered his brothers to prepare the ground and draw a large seal and inscribe the words of power within it. When they completed their work, a man appeared in the circle of the seal."

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "Who are you?" aksed Ibn Hadad, but the man shot him a glance of anger and rage, and said: "But how shall I answer thee, for thou art a son of man, whereas I was born of the stars, so that no word of our heavenly kind addressed to the earth-born can be overweening."

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "So ask me not many things, for thy kingdom after a little time is to be disrupted, and thy glory is but for a season. And short will be thy tyranny over us, and then we shall have free range over mankind, so as that they shall revere us as if we were gods, not knowing, men that they are, the words of power over us."

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "Ibn Hadad dismissed his brothers and addressed the demon as follows: "By the seal that binds your power, which is infinitely above mine, because you know what is going on in the higher as well as in the lower spheres, I order you to reveal all that you know to me."

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "The demon smiled and said: "It is perhaps not to be wondered at that a magus as wise and mighty on earth as thou art, who hast acquired almost all the knowledge that it is possible for a mortal man to possess, should long for knowledge of the supernatural from the region of the unseen; but I must advise thee to desist from this ambition: it will not be of any use or pleasure to thee."

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "No," insisted Ibn Hadad, "nothing will induce me to abstain from increasing my knowledge, for it is that, and not silver or gold, that I have set my heart upon."

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "If my advice is to no purpose," said the demon, "I will proceed to open for thee the hidden secrets, but it will be necessary to release me from the chain thou hast put round me when I was made captive." Don't do it Ibn!

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "Ibn Hadad did as suggested and removed the invisible chains (noooo) binding the demon. Scarcely had he done so, when a thunder clap passed through the air, which made the whole place vibrate. At the same moment the demon seemed to have grown into a terrible giant, his eyes looked like two great, gleaming fires and his arms extended to enormous proportions - looking as though they would catch hold of the extreme ends of the earth."

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "Ibn Hadad trembled at the sight, his heart seemed to stand still from terror, and he was about to call for help; but his whole body was paralyzed, his tongue refused its duty, and in the midst of this he was seized by the demon by arm and neck and thrown into the air, and he became senseless."

"What happened next?"

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "This  is all I know. Very few of the older tales have been well preserved. Many are nothing but fragments, bits and pieces without beginning and end. That's where the storytellers step in and fill in the blanks with what their audiences want to hear."

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "I've heard several retellings of this story. In one, Ibn Hadad had a magic ring with which he defeated the demon. In another, the demon took all his powers and Ibn Hadad went on a quest to gain them back and learned the demon's name, which was Baalzurath, to gain power over him. In truth, I'm not even sure there was a demon, but those are old tales for you. They dance around the truth, like a moth around a flame, never losing sight of it, but never approaching too close."

"So, what do you think this tale is about?"

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "Without more stories to cross-examine it with, it's almost impossible to tell. Maybe it's a cautionary tale where the demon represents the danger of power that a mere man wasn't meant to understand. Maybe it's a distorted account of a rather mundane event. If you noticed, the conversation started between two men, so maybe it was an argument between two Magi where some magic was used."

"Why did Ibn Hadad call him a demon then?"

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "Why indeed. Perhaps the man was his rival and those who had written the original account weren't kind to him. I've certainly seen worse epithets applied to men."

"Could there be any connection to the Qantari "demons"?"

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "I don't see how. This story seems to take place before the war, before the demons even showed up. Besides, as far as I know, the Magi fought the demons; they didn't converse with them."

"A storyteller told me that he saw an interesting drawing in Lord Gaelius' library. It showed the Magi and the Qantari overseeing the construction of some kind of town."

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "Now that's interesting. Perhaps, you should take a look a this drawing yourself if you get an opportunity. I've never heard of such a thing, but I admit that we don't know much about the war or what led to it."

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "What we know today is little more than a fairy tale. The enemy came and brought horrible monsters with them. We fought so bravely that divine allies came to our aid to help us in our hour of need. The enemy was vanquished and the divine allies left."

"There is obviously more to it. Why did the Qantari attack us? What did they want? Our land? I find it hard to believe. Unfortunately, we have more questions than answers in this matter, but if you find anything else, I'd like to see it."

"Is there anything you can teach me?"

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "Why, certainly. I'm not sure where to start as you aren't what I would call a scholar. Well, let's try the basics..."

"Cassius subjects you to a remarkably painful lesson on metallurgy, history and good manners. Fortunately, you manage to pick up a thing or two before your mind goes into self-preservation mode."

*Your Crafting has increased*

*Your Etiquette has increased*

*You gain a insight into the liberal arts and trades - 5 civil skill points*

And so it ends for now.

So the remaining options from last time are still there, and we can do the Daratan stuff too. I'll leave that up to all of you.



       

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 2: Lords Lore and Lamentation
Post by: EuchreJack on March 24, 2016, 11:12:17 am

Wow,

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Betraying Feng was probably for the best, you've got a real loremaster as friend rather than a charlatan as a taskmaster.

Good job!  I would like to see the Machine quest

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Provided you can get it working.  I wasn't able to do so in the demo, so I'd like to see what happens if that was done successfully.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 2: Lords Lore and Lamentation
Post by: A Thing on March 24, 2016, 12:53:24 pm

Quote from: EuchreJack on March 24, 2016, 11:12:17 am

Wow,

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Betraying Feng was probably for the best, you've got a real loremaster as friend rather than a charlatan as a taskmaster.

Good job!  I would like to see the Machine quest

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Provided you can get it working.  I wasn't able to do so in the demo, so I'd like to see what happens if that was done successfully.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Cassius is in general a better option since as you probably noticed we got a quest from him which you can't get otherwise, that and he isn't going on rants about people-thorns. I believe we might be able to get him to interpret various notes and stories we find, not %100 on that since I've never tried it; the game doesn't really tell you when characters from previous chapters have stuff to say.  I can certainly do the machine quest, but we will be doing it in a more... indirect way due to how Vibius' skills are spread.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 2: Lords Lore and Lamentation
Post by: A Thing on March 26, 2016, 12:39:38 pm

Doublepost but for a good cause: Age of Decadence is %40 off on Steam right now and will be for 47 hours. So if you want to buy it, now is the time.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/230070/

Edit: Also, a new update is coming out! Tricksy Vince!

Quote from: Vince

The next update will be released in a week or so and will contain:

Huge performance boost in Ganezzar, minor boosts in other locations
Animation speed now goes up to 4x.
Separate animation speed for combat and exploration
If a crossbow is loaded, a new icon shows the number of loaded bolts in the inventory screen.
Pressing "R" reloads the last used bolts in crossbows.
Option to hide skill tags in dialogues.
New camera option: follow the player’s character.
Separate camera modes for combat and exploration. For example, the camera can follow the player while moving in real time and switch to free camera in combat.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 2: Lords Lore and Lamentation
Post by: A Thing on March 29, 2016, 01:18:23 pm

To lore then sire!

---

Spoiler: Blood and Brigands (click to show/hide)

Before we do anything, let's talk to this fancy man.
(http://i.imgur.com/WXG1jOW.png)
"What do you... Wait, you're Feng's apprentice, are you not? Come in, I want to show you something. (Chloroform! Ahhhhh, to the Second Chance you go!)

"I'm Thessalos, a humble servant of Lord Antidas," he adds rather arrogantly. I'm sure you've heard of me."

We apparently only have the option to follow chloroform man.
(http://i.imgur.com/uToGpYp.png)
"What do you think?" asks Thessalos gesturing toward the artefacts sitting atop the three pedestals in the middle of the hall. "I had them shipped from Maadoran. Once they decorated a home of a powerful Magi, now they decorate mine," he says haughtily. (Enjoy your dying House and pathetic lord! Decadence indeed.) "I can already feel the connection."

We examine the artefacts.

[lore success] "You see a strange, bronze helmet, covered with a layer of thick green corrosion. It looks like the helmets favored by the murmillo, but lacks any decorations. Strangely, there are some old glass fragments in the visor behind the eye gratings. Whatever it was used for, it wasn't combat."

"Another artefact is a glove with strange protrusions. Like the helmet, the protrusions have rusted through and crumbled off in places, but it appears that they used to hold something. You recall a drawing of a magus in one of the manuscripts. The gloved hand of the magus was outstretched into a swirling mist. The glove was glowing and had what looked like power tubes filled with the divine breath of the gods loaded in the metal protrusions."

"The last item is an antique orrery - an intricate device that shows the positions and orbits of the celestial bodies. You aren't trained in the art of stargazing, but you know enough to understand the markings on the orrery. You move the planets according to the markings until they align in a straight line."

"If you'd like us (What us?) to evaluate your artefacts properly -"

"There is no need for that, my good man,"  Thessalos interrupts. (written in-game as "interrupts you Thessalos") "Their exact nature isn't as important as their... other values. After all, they are our only connection to the past and that, my friend, is what makes them so desirable for cultured men like myself. Why, if not for our passion, these artefacts would have remained buried in the bowels of the earth, lost for mankind."

We leave, gaining absolutely nothing other then me never having to talk to this fool again.

And we see this.
(http://i.imgur.com/3pomBxT.png)
"You see a man attempting to preach to a crowd of curious onlookers. He's climbed onto a pile of rocks, the better to make himself heard. Despite that, it doesn't seem to be going well, he is having to shout over the jeering."

I'll leave this for later, we can either just listen to him, throw rocks at him, or convince him we are the Chosen One (you need a charisma of 9-10, which we have).
(http://i.imgur.com/jotHEb0.jpg)
Gaze upon the world map and you better enjoy it, I'm not taking more screenshots of it, this is the only one.

To the bandit camp! What? You wanted the machine quest? I'll show you machine quest.

"You enter a small camp in a forest clearing. Rough boards nailed to the nearby trees form a crude perimeter fence. Inside the fence there are several patched up tents, a campfire, and a metal cage hanging from a makeshift gallows. The cage is occupied by a roughed up man in a dirty tunic."

"Talk to Ebenus. He's back there."
(http://i.imgur.com/zC0zFBY.png)
"Several raiders in battered armor acknowledge your presence by getting up and loading their crossbows. A gray-haired man with a military posture emerges from one of the tents and assesses the situation. He barks some orders, swearing at his men and sending them to take positions around the camp. Within moments, some semblance of military order is created. Satisfied, the leader turns his attention to you."

"I'm here to negotiate."

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "We found this fine young man walking alone in these very dangerous woods. When he told us that he's a nephew of a local Lord, we decided to keep him company and do our best to ensure his safety. I'm sure that his uncle would appreciate our help and reward us generously. A thousand coins should be enough, I think."

"I'll pass on the message."

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png)"Try to convince them, says the raider. "For his sake," he adds, nodding at the prisoner."

[perception success] "How does an Imperial Guard become a raider?"

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) [charisma success] "Still easy to tell, eh? "Once a Guard always a Guard," my father used to say. I thought he meant something else, like some higher calling or something. Turns out he meant that once the habits are drilled into you, they stay with you until you die."

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "As for how I joined the other side, well, such things happen more often  than you think. When a village kid signs up, he wants to be a hero. He wants to stroll into his village in shiny armor and bed every girl. Instead, he gets to do twenty-five hard years and watch his friends die over nothing. (The Imperial Guards questline is probably one of the better ones by the way.)  When he realizes what he's gotten himself into, he's in the wasteland. A long way from home."

"Is that what happened to you?"

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "Nah. I did twelve years and when you do something for that long, well, it's the only life you know. I was wounded and left for dead. Raiders found me and took me in. No, not out of kindness. They need men badly, especially men with proper fighting experience. While I was recovering, I lived like a lord - food, wine, women, and a soft bed. Then they let me choose and I chose to stay."

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "The way I see it, you do the same shit, but the perks are much better."

"So, how did you end up here?"

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "They say that raiders fuck up once. One mistake and you're dead."

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "The group that took me in made a mistake falling for a "fake retreat" trick. I saw it coming and tried to warn them, but in the heat of battle, nobody listened to me. I didn't stick around and left while I still could."

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "My next group fared better, until a desert storm forced us to seek shelter. We saw a mountain up ahead and pressed on, despite being blinded by the storm. When we had reached the mountain, we could see that it wasn't what we had expected. There was a temple carved into its facade with a small entrance to what appeared to be a cave. It was a strange place and now, I doubt it was a cave at all. My men tried to warn me - no, the irony isn't lost on me, but I dismissed their warnings as tribal superstitions and paid dearly for it. Only a handful of us got out alive."

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "And so I went from one group to another, until I had had enough of the wasteland and decided to move south in search of greener pastures."

"What happened in that cave?"

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "It reeked of death. Skulls and bones everywhere... My men begged me to leave, told me that they'd heard stories about this place. Bad stories. Still, the storm outside was real, the stories... well, stories. People tell them for different reasons - to amuse, to scare, or to keep other people away. (Literature genre descriptions from Esbenus.)

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "It got me thinking. The "cave" was small. The walls were rough, but seemingly man-made. You didn't have to be smart to know that there was more to it than that one small chamber. I told my men that these walls must hold great treasure - that was enough for them to abandon their caution and start looking."

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "After hours of searching, we had stumbled upon a switch. It opened a hidden passage leading to another two chambers. The first one contained two strange objects - each one as tall as a man. They were indistinguishable - carbon copies of each other, just sitting there untouched. You could mistake them for some idols, if not for the metal pipes that disappeared into the floor. There were no clues as to their purpose or the reason why someone needed two of them."

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "The second chamber had metal pipes running along the walls and was empty, save for a single platform. It was like a metal cart with railings. I remember wondering who would possibly waste so much metal to build such a contraption. Then, Nicanor stepped onto it and the platform went down - all the way through the floor and into the very depths of the underworld, judging by the noise and red glow."

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "Soon, the platform returned. Without him."

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "I told this story many times and each time I wonder why I didn't immediately take my men and flee. It seems so obvious now, but back then, in that chamber, we felt like we had stepped into a fairy tale. It was a tale rife with disappearing walls, strange idols, and magic carts taking only the worthy to hidden treasures beyond their wildest dreams. I sent my best men to see what was down there and bring back Nicanor. None of them returned."

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "When the platform came back, it was as if it had come back for us. We ran outside to clear our minds and to escape from the hidden evils of that place."

[lore success] "I've heard of such platforms. It's said that there is similar in the Commercium's building in Maadoran."

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "I wish we had a loremaster with us... Does the place I described sound familiar to you?"

[lore success] "A temple carved into a mountain? It's got to be Hellgate. The stories I've heard match your own - it's a gateway to the underworld. No man has returned for only the dead can dwell there, or so the legend goes."

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "The raider makes a quick sign to ward off evil spirits."

"Do you remember where this cave was?"

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "Somewhere north-east. That's all I can tell you. It happened years ago and in the storm, all I could see were the looming moutains. It's not a place I'd ever return to."

Back to Dellar.

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "What do you want?"

"About the bandit camp..."

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "Report."

"They want money. One thousand imperials."

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "Out of the question. Paying ransom is a sign of weakness and an invitation for more troubles. We can't afford it at the moment."

[intelligence success] "Then pay the raiders to attack the Aurelian outpost. You'll kill two birds with one stone."

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "Risky."

[persuasion] "Where is the downside? The outpost will be wiped out or weakened enough for you to finish the job, and you'll have bodies of dead raiders to prove that Daratan had nothing to do with it."

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) [success] "I haven't thought of that. Good plan, Vibius. If it works, Lord Antidas will be very impressed."

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "Got the money?" asks the raiders leader."

"I have a better offer for you. There is a mining outpost in need of raiding and pillaging. Do what you do best and Lord Antidas will gladly pay you one thousand imperials. Everything you find at the outpost is yours as well. What do you say?"

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "The raider shakes his head. "I work for no man. Get me my money or the hostage dies."

[persuasion] [trading] "It's a good offer. Antidas won't pay the ransom. If you kill the hostage, you'll give Antidas no choice but to send his men after you. They will hunt you down to the last man as a lesson to the others. Or you can do Antidas a favor and actually earn your pay."

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) [success] "Alright, we'll do it. It's better than sitting here and doing nothing, and my men do need some exercise. Take the hostage, to show that we're dealing in good faith. I suppose we don't need him anymore."

We tell him where the outpost is and return the hostage.

"You escort Tiberius back to Teron, all the way to the Daratan compound."

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "So, you did talk them into it? I'm impressed. I've heard about making friends with enemies of your enemies, but using one enemy to get rid of another? Now, that's something you don't see every day."

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "In fact, I'd like to see it with my own eyes."

*You gain a new insight, 13 skill points.*

*You receive 100 imperials for your service*

*House Daratan reputation increased*

*You receive 100 imperials for your services*

To the Aurelian outpost!
(http://i.imgur.com/WD1WJCR.png)
"Sitting in the shadow of the moutain, the Aurelian outpost is protected from prying eyes by a tall, wooden palisade that circles it. Judging by a dead guard slumped over the watchtower's balcony, prying eyes weren't the outpost garrison's biggest problem. When you get closer, you see half a dozen dead bodies strewn around the entrance. Esbenus, the raiders' leader, is sitting on the ground in front of a small barricade. He's covered in blood, but it's hard to say how much of it is his own."

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "Some diggers are still alive," he says tiredly. "Holed up inside the tunnel."

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "We'll handle it. You deal with him." Dellar throws you a heavy leather bag and goes inside. Judging by the weight, it's the thousand imperials he has agreed to pay the raiders."

We can't fight Ebenus, even with him in this state, we give him the imperials.

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "You're a man of your word," says Esbenus. "I'll remember it, should our paths cross again. Catch," he throws you a small object. It's a small glass tube encased in a elaborate metal framework. The tube is very warm to touch and contains what looks like constantly shifting liquid fire."

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "One of them," he nods toward the dead bodies, "had it on him. Since you've done right by me..." Slowly he gets up and walks away without finishing the sentence."

Mine time
(http://i.imgur.com/p9Peg7Y.png)
"You go inside the ancient tunnel carved into the mountain. The tunnel leads into a small chamber filled with strange machines towering above you."

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "It went better than I expected," says Dellar. "The diggers saw the attack. They are on their way to Lord Gaelius, to inform him that an army of raiders has descended upon the ill-defended outpost, slaughtered the Aurelian legionaries, and would have killed the poor diggers too, if not for the Daratan forces who, unfortunately, have arrived too late to save their noble brethren."

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "You did well, Vibius. Without lifting a sword you've solved quite a few of our problems. Tiberius is free. The Aurelian forces are dead. The raiders are dead. The mine is ours. Not that it's doing us any good at the moment, but still..."

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "Take a look around, I'll head back to Teron."

We examine the machinery. [lore success] "You recognize some machines from drawings in old manuscripts. It looks like an ore melting facility, but judging by House Aurelian's interest, it could be more than that." 
(http://i.imgur.com/h3cDRaH.png)
"The panel is a chaotic mess of pipes, levers, valves, and dials. You move a few levers, but nothing happens. You see an opening for a small object."

"You carefully insert the power tube into the opening. For a long time, nothing happens, but then the console lights up and a low humming sound spreads through the cave."

[lore] We attempt to recite the appropriate mantra.

[success] "You put your hands on the controls and recite the 'commanding fire elementals to bless ore' mantra, performing the rite as you speak the ancient words.

"The mantra doesn't require you to understand what your doing, but it does a good job leading you through a series of steps grouped into chapters. Some chapters require you to watch the dials and adjust the valves to achieve divine harmony; other chapters warn about dangers of overheating and tell you how to keep the fire elementals under control."

We complete the ritual.

(The console has glowing bits now, it wouldn't be easy to see in a screenshot.)
"It takes you almost an hour to complete the ritual. When you push the last lever, the cave is filled with a low, grumbling noise and reddish light. Powered by the ancient magic somehow preserved within the tube, the machines come to life. They move slowly at first, the rusted metal resisting and screeching, but the magic releases oil from some hidden reservoirs. Soon, the machines are running almost as smoothly as they did in the olden days."
(http://i.imgur.com/p79LQWC.jpg)
[crafting] We examine the smelter again.

[failure] It's a wondrous machine and a true testament to the Arts of the olden days. If not for the mantra, you'd have never been able to make it work again. (We can succeed this, but I don't know if we'll ever bother to come back here.)

There are a couple chests around the mine, we'll definitely need the rock oil and such.
(http://i.imgur.com/vhqcQwe.jpg)
So, the options are still there with the preacher thing also, we do NEED to join a faction at some point. We can go neutral, but we would only be doing sidequests, which there are not too many of. That and we would miss out on the best lore places

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 3: Blood and Bandits
Post by: EuchreJack on March 29, 2016, 09:51:28 pm

Nice job!

House Daratan already likes us and thus I'm tempted to side with them, but perhaps we can meet some of the other faction heads and then decide?  House Crassus in particular is interesting for a loremaster.

I was under the impression that being the Chosen One was a faction of sorts?  But better to ignore the speaker.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 3: Blood and Bandits
Post by: A Thing on March 29, 2016, 10:33:11 pm

Quote from: EuchreJack on March 29, 2016, 09:51:28 pm

Nice job!

House Daratan already likes us and thus I'm tempted to side with them, but perhaps we can meet some of the other faction heads and then decide?  House Crassus in particular is interesting for a loremaster.

I was under the impression that being the Chosen One was a faction of sorts?  But better to ignore the speaker.

House Crassus and the Chosen One are linked together.

The best bet for loremasters is actually House Aurelian as there are two lore (one of which I've never explored) areas which require you to be on the Aurelian questline, I believe we can get both if we just wander off to Maadoran and try to join them. But from my experience to actually join them we have to defect to them from another faction. If we pledge after meeting Gaelius we will just get the trait "Liegeman: Aurelian." Believe this is the same case for House Daratan. We can't even defect to them though, have to start as a praetor. Helping a faction find the temple and being part of their questline are two different things which I think should probably be explained better.

That being said, due to how the chapters\towns work in this game we would be at the end of the game by the time we met them all, so I'll just give a description of them.

Spoiler: Lords (click to show/hide)

Lord Gaelius is the leader of House Aurelian, he is I believe named after General Gaelius who was mentioned in the faction bit in character creation. He is best described as stoic and pragmatic, he is probably the most "Lordly" of the lords. Certainly the most competent at least.

Lord Meru or "Brother Meru" as he likes to be called, is very pious (or wants people to believe he is) and kinda a nut, but hey! Religion is the opiate of the masses, right? He is also a pretty poor judge of character, he hires Feng! Feng! I feel as if that says enough.

Also, worth mentioning that even if we join a faction and hate the leader there are usually a good bit of ways to betray them, or give someone else power.

Edit: Yeah, we can't join House Daratan.

Quote from: Elohim

Being a Liegeman doesn't open any different storylines, it's more of "promise" of defending his interests (like bringing the temple to him). The Praetor background deals with the House Daratan side of the story. The guards continued with their plans when you left town.

We might add a way to join HD as any other background, but probably after release.

This is a bit old so it might not be the case, but I'm pretty sure it is the same.     

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 3: Blood and Bandits
Post by: A Thing on March 30, 2016, 10:49:30 pm

Another day, another part.

Spoiler: Wanderings and Waylays (click to show/hide)

This is the inevitable Teron exploration part, which is kinda necessary since after this we are probably going to finish the Teron chapter of whatever questline we get on. Also, something I forgot to mention, Vibius got the "Manipulator" trait from the bandit\outpost business, its description reads as follows: "You've talked the raiders into attacking the Aurelian outpost for you, killing two birds with one stone."

There is no course of action besides returning to Dellar, so we do that.

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "How did it go?"

"I've fixed the smelter. Better send some men to secure the mine."

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "What would we do without you, Vibius? You're practically indispensable." At least Dellar loves us, this isn't a dating sim though so we have to find another way to victory.

*You gain a new insight - 13 skill points gained*

*You receive 150 imperials for your service*

We just walk away, no love for Dellar. The priest dude doesn't get love either, there are better things to do.
(http://i.imgur.com/XrbzW0B.png)
"You enter the ruined tower. It was destroyed during the war, twice rebuilt and twice fallen. Instead of blaming hasty craftmanship and inferior building materials, the spirits of those who died during the war were held accountable. The tower was said to be cursed and left to squatters and beggars."

"Several squatters, accustomed to people coming and going, look at you without any interest. The place is practically empty, save for piles of rubble and trash. An unusually large rat is roasted whole over an open fire, filling the tower with a revolting aroma. The squatters don't seem to mind it."

"There is a hatch leading into the tower's cellar."

We take a look.
(http://i.imgur.com/lSVP893.png)
"As you descend, a half a dozen rats abandon their dinner - rotting human remains - and disappear inside numerous holes in the walls. Looks like the squatters are breeding the rats and feeding them corpses. The stench is nauseating."

"One of the squatters follows you into the cellar. "If you want a rat, you have to pay. No free shit here," he says firmly."

We just look around.

"There isn't much to see here. Rats, decaying bodies, gnawed bones, filth and rubble from crumbling walls, and a large drain filled with oily, black sludge in the middle of the cellar."

Time to explore.

Time to investigate this gooey drain.

"You probe it with a femur bone, but fail to reach the bottom." Call Nietzsche, we've got an abyss here.

Time to investigate those walls.
(http://i.imgur.com/RDVSdwS.png)
[perception success] "Trying to spot anything out of the ordinary in the crumbling brickwork is difficult; after all, what is one loose brick amongst many? But in the end you find it, a brick that shifts under pressure, but in a way that suggests that the movement was by design, not by accident or decay. A switch."

"You hesitate before pressing it, but fortunately nothing untoward occurs. Unfortunately, nothing happens at all."

Tear down the wall, Vibius!

"There is no way to figure out the switch's function with this wall in the way. So, unlimbering your tools, you set to work. Soon, a pile of rubble is at your feet and sweat runs down your face. But there, exposed to the open for probably the first time in centuries, is a large, rusted cylindrical device. The design is strange, but it looks like some type of pump."

"You glance back at the drain. If the pump was to keep the cellar from being flooded, why was it hidden?"

We take a look, again.

I put an extra point in crafting since it failed the first time I tried to repair it.
(http://i.imgur.com/KALvXYr.png)
[success] "It's a test of your ingenuity, but after an hour you manage to rig the pump to operate manually via a makeshift hand crank. You give it a few test pumps and are rewarded by the faint rumbling of ancient plumbing stirring to life."

"You grab the crank with both hands and set to work. Progress is painfully slow, but eventually the sludge retreats into a hidden reservoir, revealing a manhole with steps carved into the inner side of the wall."

We go down.
(http://i.imgur.com/n8nYbZW.png)
"The space is cramped, barely 6 feet deep. At first you can't see anything that justifies the effort, but then you notice that a section of the wall is uneven. Though you don't have much room to maneuver in the manhole, with some effort you manage to pry loose the bricks and reveal a small niche."

"Inside you find a strange device wrapped in several layers of once-oiled cloth. A crystal semi-sphere, encased in a metal dome. Thin metal rods of varying lengths protrude from the bottom, reminding you of a jellyfish. The crystal, despite its centuries buried under brick and stagnant water, glows with a soft, blue light."

"You don't remember anything like it in any of the scrolls you've read or stories you've heard. The blue glow is obviously magical, but its purpose is unknown to you. You check the relic for potential magic leaking - more than one loremaster has been poisoned to death by the magic of a broken artefact - but it is still intact."

We put it in the bag, and leave.
(http://i.imgur.com/X3dMoAR.png)
"Wait, where are you going with it? How do you know it's not mine?" demands the squatter. "If you want it, you have to pay. Say, twenty coins. I'll even throw in a couple of rats for free. What do you say?"

"The conversation attracts the rest of the squatters. It suddenly occurs to you that you can easily become another meal for the rats."

[streetwise] "Don't you see?! It's the curse! The curse of the tower! To touch it is to die."

[success] "Stop waving this thing in my face then and go."

We could scam him, but that doesn't seem like Vibius' deal, so we just leave.

Time to go to the merchants sqau-

"You are near the market square when a man in rich robes approaches you."

(http://i.imgur.com/yNoR6af.png) "A moment of your time, kind master. I'm Miltiades, a merchant by trade. I'm terribly sorry to impose on you, but I'm in a bit of a predicament... You see, I deal in the finest weapons and armor. Each item is a work of art, forged from the rarest metals and crafted to perfection. Unfortunately, I can't open up a shop until I settle a dispute with the Commercium, and I can't settle it until I start selling my merchandise."

(http://i.imgur.com/yNoR6af.png) "Thus, I have no choice but to beg people to show kindness and buy what they can at greatly reduced prices. I'm asking only for what I paid for these items, so it is quite a bargain. Would you like to take a look? My wares are in a house nearby."

[streetwise success] "Sounds like a good deal. Maybe even a little bit too good to be true?"

(http://i.imgur.com/yNoR6af.png) "One man's misfortune is another man's fortune, is it not so? The Commercium's ways of doing business are hardly unheard of. However, if you're having doubts and more comfortable paying double at the market, who am I to argue with you?"

We leave, if it wasn't obvious, Miltiades is going to kill us. He is kinda the games mascot, I mean, look at that face. Mascot material.

"This is the trading plaza, dominated by the merchants' guild building. The criers earn their money by yelling "Best goods! Best deals! No offer refused!"

We go to this merchant to buy some rope.

"Welcome to my store, my friend! I have the finest selection of goods at unbelievable prices. So, please, make yourself at home and browse the merchandise. And remember, when in doubt, buy it. It's better to regret buying something than regret not having it when you need it the most. Am I right? Why am I telling this to you? You look like a smart kid, so you know this already. Am I right?"

We buy the rope then leave.

We go to the inn to get the prospectors thing.

"Ah, decided to buy it after all? I knew I should have asked for more."

"Here is the money." we pay him 200 imperials.

"Just like we agreed," nods the prospector after counting the money. He gives you the amulet and walks away.

We for some reason decide to walk behind the tavern.

"As you walk down the street, you see a young woman running from a drunken mercenary."

(http://i.imgur.com/OkZf6Kw.png) "Please, you must help me!" cries the girl, grabbing your arm pleadingly. The mercenary takes another step toward her and the girl darts behind you, as if to shield herself from him."

"That bitch owes me money!" yells the mercenary. "Eight imperials! Who's gonna pay me? You?"

[streetwise success] We apparently have a feeling that something is wrong.

"Suddenly, you become aware that the situation isn't what it seems. The mercenary's anger seems fake, and the girl is sobbing and clinging to you in an almost theatrical manner. You also become aware that her hands are too close to your money."

We can't grab her due to our horrible dexterity. So, we just get away.

"You push the girl away before she can get to you money and walk away."

*You gain a new insight - 2 skill points*

And so this update ends.

Options are still the same, I think it worth mentioning that I'm sorta looking for a portrait for Vibius so it is more clear who is talking. Probably not a big deal, but if anyone has suggestions I wouldn't mind.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 4: Wanderings and Waylays
Post by: A Thing on April 01, 2016, 06:01:55 pm

(http://i.imgur.com/LZ6GqxQ.jpg)
Rarrrgghhhh
(http://i.imgur.com/uJKyOMh.png)
Hurrgghh
(http://i.imgur.com/kZFjStm.jpg)
victorrryyy
(http://i.imgur.com/MsBVvOQ.png)

Have a good weekend, you filthy dogs!

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 4: Wanderings and Waylays
Post by: A Thing on April 03, 2016, 06:41:06 pm

Since our only choices are either Merchants or Thieves, I've decided to go with the MG. We'll see where this path takes us.

Spoiler: Intrigue and Intelligence (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/dHU50sR.png)
Walking into the MG we get this message: "You are standing in the richly decorated halls of the Commercium. Everywhere you look you see signs of wealth, from the silk and gold woven tapestries lining the walls to the gilded vases and intricately carved stonework. If money is power, then the interiors are designed to convey that the Commercium is a very powerful guild."

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "Yes?"

"I need a job. (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=18m39s)"

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) [reputation success] "Prove yourself and I'll consider your request."

"What should I do?"

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "Smuggling remains a problem. It encourages theft. The moment we close one hole, Cado makes another one. Like a fucking (Rare species of rat, not to be confused with the Shagging Rat) rat." Linos spits."

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "I have a feeling they will try the guards at the gate next. I've petitioned Lord Antidas to post more men there and even suggested to reinforce it with my own mercenaries, but he remains deaf to my requests. Will you be kind enough to bring me proof that the guards aren't trustworthy?"

"I'll do my best." Time for gate guards, everyone's favorite.

---

Also, I forgot to visit the gate last time so we get an event here.
(http://i.imgur.com/qNMTCEb.png)
"You see a group of road-weary travelers trying to enter Teron. Their clothes are ragged and they have a look of desperation about them."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "You have to pay a levy to enter," explains the guard patiently, looking at one of the women with interest." Like I said, everyone's favorite.

"We don't have any money," pleads one of the refugees. "Our village was attacked. The raiders took everything."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "These are hard times," agrees the guard lazily, "but we aren't running a charity (Did Romans even have charities? Well apparently fantasy Rome did.) here. If you want the protection of House Daratan, you have to pay. If you can't pay...," he looks at the woman again."

"Please show mercy," begs the man. "We have nowhere else to go."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Mercy?" explodes the guard. (No really, he exploded, old landmines you see.) "Do you have any idea how much it costs to maintain these walls? How many men-at-arms it takes to keep the town safe? Everything costs money, and if you don't have any, you are nothing but a dead fucking weight." With these words, he pushes the man back and turns around, indicating that the conversation is over."

"What's going on?" Apparently even with 8 perception, Vibius just can't understand this perplexing predicament.

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Refugees... Fucking freeloaders. (The fucks per update meter is rising drastically.) They think they are entitled to what we've built here. Like we need more beggars and thieves!" The guard spits." The spitting meter is also going up drastically.

We could try and guilt him into letting them in, but come on, this dude clearly doesn't care.

"How much do they need to pay?"

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Thirty imperials per head. There are five of them, so that's a hundred and fifty imperials."

[trading] "I'll pay you a hundred imperials. It's less than what you want but we both know that nobody's going to pay you one fifty for them."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) [success] "Alright, I'll take a hundred," says the guard like he's doing you a favor."

We give him some hard jack.

"The guard shrugs, takes your money, and lets the refugees in."

"The older man leading the group stops in front of you. "I'm in your debt, stranger, but I swear that it will be repaid."

"My name is Aemolas. Look for me at the market square."

We'll do that later, for now let's get this done.
(http://i.imgur.com/R9u2teY.png)
"You strike up a conversation with the Daratan guards watching the gate. There isn't a lot of traffic these days, so the guards are bored and take a full advantage of the opportunity to talk your ear off. You fake a genuine interest and skilfully encourage the guards to impress you with their vast knowledge of current affairs, learning that the guards pay has been cut again, that Flavius, the watch commander, has lost more than he can afford in a game of chance, and that the Imperial Guards are pretentious bastards who think that they are above the law just because they have some kind of fancy mandate."

"They cut your pay?!"

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Necessary measures, they say. Necessary measures, my ass. They take because they can."

"I can't believe that the guards who risk their lives to protect us all are underpaid! This is the real crime!"

"The guards enthusiastically agree."

"I bet the Imperial Guards wouldn't risk their lives for nothing. What do they do anyway?"

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "They are supposed to keep the peace and mind their own business, but the problem is, they make everything their business. My family is from Cippur. When I was a kid, the Imperial Guards took over, kicked out everyone, except for those who wanted to enlist, and turned the town into a fort. Great way to keep peace, eh?"

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "The bastards are up to something again. Lately they shipped in a lot of stuff - and get this - we are not even allowed to stop them."

"Not allowed?"

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "That's what the paper says. You can't argue with official documents, can you? Not if you want to keep your arse from being nailed to the wall."

"So, did Flavius pay his debt?"

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "He can't pay, that's the problem. He doesn't have that kind of money."

"Where can I find him?"

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "In his tower, where else?"

We can't get to Flavius, so we just do this the persuasion way.

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) Slow day, eh? What do you want, Vibius?"

[persuasion] "You know what, I have a shipment leaving Teron in a few days. Instead of paying tax to the Commercium, I'll pay it directly to you. I think it's only fair. Ten imperials each?"

[success] "The guards look at each other. The older man shrugs, letting the younger man to interpret it in any way he wants."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Fifty coins each," the younger man finally says, "and you can ship anything you want."

[trading] "Twenty five each is all I can afford."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) [success] "Alright. Twenty five it is then."

"Here you go. Twenty five coins each."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "The older guard slowly counts the coins, occasionally inspecting a few worn out pieces. When he's satisfied with the transaction, he pockets the money and looks up at you. "We have a deal. If we aint around, when you need us, just aks for either of us. I'm Bracchus. This here is Iolus."

*You pay 50 imperials*

"Likewise." Time for merchants.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "Yes?"

"About the task you asked me to do..."

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "So, what have you learned?"

"You were right, master Linos. The guards eagerly took a bribe. Also, Flavius, commander of the watch, has a large gambling debt. He's a man waiting to be bought. Last, but not the least, the Imperial Guards have been doing a lot of shipping lately. The watch guards aren't even allowed to stop them."

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "I knew it. Something is definitely going on. Carrinas, that fucking snake. (Natural predator of the Fucking Rat.) I knew that I would regre the day they sent him here. Excellent work, Vibius. I gave you a simple taks and you gave me 200%. I praise this quality above all in those who serve me."

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "Here is your first task. As you can see, the Imperial Guards are up to something again. Shipments, drills, recruiting... It's not good. Find out what it is."

*Commercium reputation increased*

*You recieve 75 imperials for your service

"Any suggestions?"

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "Mercato Breni - a man with a grudge. He was next in line for the top job when Carrinas was sent here so unexpectedly. I've heard that Mercato favors Cado's tavern these days, drinking and gambling. Have a chat with him. See what you can do."

"Cado's tavern? Isn't that the thieves guild?"

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "When it comes to business, we aren't prejudiced. Neither is Cado, it seems. Sometimes I think he has picked the wrong guild."

"Why do you care about the Imperial Guards?"

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "What a foolish thing to ask, Vibius! (It really is, but I forgot what he says if we pick this.) I care because information is the most valuable and profitable commodity. I care because the Imperial Guards want nothing but power. The Noble Houses kept them in check for a long time, but they have been too preoccupied with fighting each other lately, which is why we have only three weakened Houses now - if you pretend that House Daratan is still a House - instead of the seven that survived the war. So, whatever the it is that the Guards are up to, I want to know. Surprises are bad for our business."

"I'll talk to Mercato." We'll actually talk to Aemolas first.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/QYspjAN.png) "I've been waiting for you, my friend. Thanks to your generosity, my family is safe. It seems that there is a good demand for bronze armor. I've already got several orders, but repaying my debt to you comes first. Please accept this humble gift - the armor of my people. May it keep you safe."

"So, what happened to your village?"

"Raiders, says Aemolas. "It's getting really bad out there. The wasteland breeds this scum faster than ever before. Ten years ago we were able to fend for ourselves. Last year we spent more time fighting off raiders than farming. You just can't survive on your own anymore."

"So, there is nothing left?"

"There are a few places here and there. If they are well defended, they have a chance, but for how long? Once raiders come, you start losing men and then it's only a matter of time. You need something that keeps raiders away."

"What would keep them away?"

"I've heard of a place called Inferiae. Aptly named. In the old days the word meant sacrifice offered to the souls of dead heroes."

"They say the village is built around a pit which connects this world with the one below. Some say it leads into Tartarus itself. I don't know if it's true or not, but I was told that raiders avoid Inferiae as if it were a plague."

"The locals have a habit of throwing lone travelers down into the pit, to thank the souls below for their protection and blessings. Maybe it's their madness that keeps them safe, maybe it's the souls of those long gone. I tell you, Vibius, the wasteland can be a very strange place sometimes."

Welp, time to leave.

But wait, there's more!

[word of honor success] Word of honor and loyalty are different. Loyalty is only checked by factions, word of honor by individuals. "Wait, Vibius... I need to talk to you about something."

"When our settlement was attacked, the writing was already on the wall. We had less than twenty men left, most of them wounded from the previous attacks. It was a bad year for us. So, we grabbed what we could and rand. I'm not proud of it, but dying with the rest of them wouldn't have made any difference... My family comes first, principles second."

"I had money. A lot of money. If you can get it for me, a third is yours."

"Do you think it's still there?"

"The stash is well hidden, which is why I couldn't get to it in time. You need to know where to look. Give me your word and I'll tell you."

"You'd trust a stranger?"

"I don't have a choice. I'm not going back there, so if I trust no one, my money is as good as gone. If I make a deal with you, I get a chance to get some money back. I asked around about you, Vibius. They say you keep your word, so that's good enough for me. So, do I have your word?"

"How much is there?"

"1,200 imperials. Keep 400, bring the rest to me. Do we have a deal?" As you can guess, we can convince him to give us more, but it's not exactly like Aemolas is keeping artifacts away from us, so I don't.

"Sure, you have my word."

"Let me mark the settlement on your map. (It's to the northwest of the bandit camp) The money is buried near the old well. Take two steps south and start digging."
(http://i.imgur.com/lYQD2WB.png)
This is how Vibius looks in the armor by the way, maybe I'll wear it once we get a decent cloak.

---

"The Forty Thieves guild is a large and seemingly indefatigable network of thieves, smugglers, and other criminally inclined citizens. The guild operates in every town and traces its origin to the early days of the Empire. It is said that in the past, the forty kingpins of the forty largest towns used to coordinate the network. Opinion is divided as to the relations and ties of the Forty Thieves of yore and its current incarnation, but the name persists."
(http://i.imgur.com/kc7lk7g.png)
"In Teron the guild operates out of a local tavern - a popular destination for people who feel at home in shady parts of town and dark alleys. You nod to the men posted outside and go in. The tavern is full of people laughing, arguing and drinking. At the back of the tavern piles of loot sit atop tables, waiting to be counted and divvied."

(http://i.imgur.com/uzfUBSB.png) "Cado, the guildmaster, notices you the moment you walk in. He gestures to one of his men near the entrance, who politely but firmly escorts you to his master."

We greet the guildmaster.

(http://i.imgur.com/uzfUBSB.png) "To what do I owe this dubious pleasure?" inquires Cado without much interest."

"Just paying respects." We go to Mercato.

(http://i.imgur.com/xTOXXIQ.png) "I'm not here to talk. If you want to play a game, have a seat. Otherwise, get lost."

[intelligence] Play a game of chance with Mercato.

[success] "The difference in intelligence has practically eliminated the "chance" aspect of the game. You take every coin Mercato has and keep playing until he owes you 1,200 imperials."

*You gain 454 imperials*

(http://i.imgur.com/xTOXXIQ.png) "If Mercato is concerned about the debt, he hides it well by focusing all his attention on a cup of wine."

"You've lost a lot of money, Mercato."

(http://i.imgur.com/xTOXXIQ.png) Mercato shrugs and pours more wine into his cup. "Wouldn't be the first time."

"I represent the Commercium, the merchants' guild. We can pay off your debt and make sure you don't have to worry about money again."

(http://i.imgur.com/xTOXXIQ.png) "Out of the goodness of your shriveled heart? I'm touched by your concern."

"We need to know what Carrinas is planning."

(http://i.imgur.com/xTOXXIQ.png) "Then go and ask him."

[trading] [persuasion] "You're not thinking it through, Mercato. If Carrinas is out, you're in. You get the job you wanted plus plenty of gold in your pockets. Do you really see a downside?"

(http://i.imgur.com/xTOXXIQ.png) [success] "There is always a downside when one deals with your guild, merchant."

[persuasion] [charisma] "Not when we want what you want. We want to have a Commander who isn't a fanatic like Carrinas, but a reasonable man who appreciates the finer things in life, a man with an open mind, a man we can deal with. Think of it as a partnership. Think of how far you'd be able to go with the full backing of the Commercium."

(http://i.imgur.com/xTOXXIQ.png) [success] "Partnership, eh? I must admit that the idea does have a certain appeal. So, what do you want to know, "partner"?"

"Tell me what Carrinas is up to."

(http://i.imgur.com/xTOXXIQ.png) "Carrinas wants Teron. The crafty bastard has staged a fake attack on one of your caravans to show that the old man Antidas can't protect the town. Now he's gathering support of concerned citizens; once he has it, he will send his troops to take over the gate and the towers, which would effectively seal the town. I don't think that Antidas will last long after that. I hate to admit it but it's a very good plan."

*You gain a new insight - 1 civil skill point.*

"So, what happened between you and Carrinas?"

(http://i.imgur.com/xTOXXIQ.png) [charisma success] "Nothing dramatic, I'm afraid. Carrinas must have fucked up bad to be sent to this little spot of sunshine. So, he comes here and the first thing he does is bring his own people. Suddenly, I am a second class citizen. Now, I know that this is how the game is played, but looking after yourself is part of the game too. So, here we are..."

"What do you mean "he fucked up bad"?"

(http://i.imgur.com/xTOXXIQ.png) "It doesn't take a genius to figure this one out. When you climb high enough, you end up either in Caer-Tor with the rest of the brass or in a shithole like Teron."

"What's Caer-Tor?"

(http://i.imgur.com/xTOXXIQ.png) "Our headquarters. Caer-Tor was a small settlement around a hundred years ago. The locals asked the Imperial Guards to protect them against the raiders. The Guards liked the location, so they decided to stay. The locals weren't too happy about it, but it's not like they had a choice."

(http://i.imgur.com/xTOXXIQ.png) "Today it's a fort, big enough to house several legions."

"Thanks for the chat."

"Have yourself a good day, Vibius. I'm sure I'll see you again."

We are then teleported to Linos.

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "Report. One of our caravans has been attacked  outside of the town gates. Bandits are getting bolder and bolder. If not for the Imperial Guards..."

"...who staged the attack to get a pretext to take the town by force, it wouldn't have happened."

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "Clever," says Linos without any enthusiasm. "I assume we don't have much time, so let's not waste it. Commander Carrinas must die tonight."

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "Think of it as your final test. Talk to Neleos and don't take no for an answer. Don't disappoint me, Vibius."

*You gain a new insight - 19 skill points gained.*

*You receive 150 imperials for your service*

*Commercium reputation increased*

We could ask more, but going to the assassins guild seems more reasonable.

---

"The assassins guild is a plain and unremarkable building. You would have missed it if not for the sign promising "affordable solutions to your problems" and guaranteeing satisfaction."

(http://i.imgur.com/H9Qbzfv.png) "Ah, a new face of the Commercium... Linos has already sent me a word that you're working for him. Whom can we kill for you today?"

"Commander Marcus Carrinas."

(http://i.imgur.com/H9Qbzfv.png) Neleos' smile disappears. "You can't be serious. Do you understand what you're asking? Do you understand the consequences of such a hit?"

"I do. Name your price."

(http://i.imgur.com/H9Qbzfv.png) "It's not about the money. Whatever your problem with Carrinas is, find another way to solve it."

"Since when do you care about the marks?"

(http://i.imgur.com/H9Qbzfv.png) "I care about the guild. How long do you think we'd stay in business if we start taking orders indiscriminately? Do you truly believe that we can kill anyone if the price is right? Trust me, Carrinas is off limits."

"What if the order comes from Lord Antidas?"

(http://i.imgur.com/H9Qbzfv.png) "That's a big if."

"Not for us, Neleos. Start putting a team together." To the fate-child.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png)"What do you want?"

"My guild has uncovered a treacherous plot..."

 (http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png)"I thought the Commercium had a monopoly on those. Master Linos must have been outraged."

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png)"Go in, Vibius."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "What news do you bring me, master Vibius?"

"There is a plot against you, my Lord." We tell Lord Antidas what we've learned from Mercato.

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "What proof do you have? I can't start a war with the Guards based on the words of a drunken soldier."

[etiquette success] [charisma] "My Lord, I don't presume to advise you, but perhaps, my perspective on the situation, no matter how flawed, could be of value to you?"

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) [success] "Make it quick."

[streetwise] [persuasion] "A war you speak of will not be necessary, my Lord. Cutting the head off the snake will be enough."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "If only it was that simple. It's true that our relationship with the Guards was better and simpler in the past, but I'm not sure that killing their Commander will earn me their gratitude and bring back the era of peace. The Guards will be bound to respond."

[intelligence success]-[persuasion] [streetwise]
"If the fight with the Guards is unavoidable, would you rather fight a well organized army led by a battle-hardened veteran or would you rather fight a mob led by the aforementioned "drunken soldier" who wishes to replace Commander Carrinas?"

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) [success] "You make good points, merchant. However..." Antidas looks straight at you, "if the merchants' guild is so interested in seeing the Imperial Guards decimated, I'd expect them to contribute to such a cause very, very generously."

*You gain a new insight into the liberal arts - 5 civil skill points.*

"How generously, my Lord?"

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "Waging wars is a very costly business. We can start with fifty thousand in gold. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more pressing matters to attend to."

"I'll let Master Linos know." Back to the guild.

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "How did it go?"

"I have convinced Antidas but he wants fifty thousand imperials."

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "He wants our money?" Linos' lips twist into a smile. "Splendid."

*You gain an insight - 20 skill points gained.*

*You receive 150 imperials for your service*

*Commercium reputation increased*

*House Daratan reputation increased*

[intelligence success] "Indeed. Once we start paying his bills, it's only a matter of time until we start telling him what to do."

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "You've learned your lessons well, Vibius. You have a bright future ahead of you."

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "Now, it's been a long day for you. Go rest and see me in the morning."

"Why do you need control of Antidas?" This seems like a glitch, I think we are normally supposed to get a rest option.

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "For the same reason we employ mercenary companies. Money is hard to make, but easy to lose; one must always be aware of potential threats. The biggest threat is always the Lords, for they can take everything in the blink of an eye. They could drown us in levies. Pay for this right, pay for that privilege, and before you know it, our profits are diverted into Antidas' treasury. They can seize our assets, claiming that we've conspired with an enemy. Considering that we do business with House Aurelian, it won't be a hard sell."

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "House Daratan is broke. While I'm sure Antidas will think twice before taking from us, if we leave him no choice, he'll do what he has to - as any man would. Only unlike any other man, he can do quite a lot and get away with it, simply because his blood is blue and ours peasant-red."

"You think it might come to it?"

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "It might, it might not. However, if we do nothing, we leave our fate to Antidas. That's something I just can't be comfortable with."

"I'm sure that Antidas will be equally uncomfortable with your hand on his shoulder."

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown," cites Linos. "I merely want to share that burden. If managed properly, both Teron and House Daratan could be so much more. Antidas dreams of battlefields and glory. He -needs- a capable administrator. We have the money, the reach, the experience. The time has finally come, Vibius."

"Alright. I'll see you in the morning." We could ask him about his opinion of Antidas, but do you care reader? I don't.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "Have you heard the news yet? It was a very busy night. Commander Carrinas was assassinated. The Guards didn't take it well. They stormed the assassins' guild and burned it down, but didn't finish the job. Neleos and a few survivors infiltrated he barracks in the middle of the night and killed everyone in their path. None of them has made it out alive, unfortunately. As for the Imperial Guards, while I would have settled for less, Neleos' final gesture has presented us with an opportunity to deal with the Guards once and for all."

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "We can't let them rebuild - this much is clear. We can force the remaining Guards to join House Daratan, but I'm afraid to make Antidas too strong and thus too hard to control. Alternatively, we can convince Antidas to finish them off, but it's a waste of resources. Let's make  it your call, Vibius."

---

(http://i.imgur.com/S2rjYSX.png)
Before we go there, here is the AG building, not in the best of shape, is it? Now to the barracks
(http://i.imgur.com/8XFceNl.png)
"You see a dozen of the survivors of the night raid. Mercato, wearing a commander insignia, appears to be in charge. He's giving a passionate speech to the soldiers, promising to rebuild the fort and emerge more powerful than ever. Mercato even manages to shed a few tears for Carrinas, proclaiming him a martyr and assuring the crowd that he would work day and night to fulfill Carrinas' dreams. Quite a performance."

We wait until the speech is over and approach Mercato.

(http://i.imgur.com/xTOXXIQ.png) "Mercato watches you approaching with an "always happy to see a friend but let's not make it a habit" expression."

"An excellent speech, *commander*. I couldn't help but notice that you've adjusted to the new situation with an alarming speed."

(http://i.imgur.com/xTOXXIQ.png) "Mercato shrugs. "Soldiers die. It's unfortunate that they died sooner rather then later, but why fuss over such insignificant details?" He brushes invisible dirt off his new insignia. "Well, I'd like to stay and chat, but as you've probably heard I have to rebuild and emerge..."

"About that... I'm afraid my guild might have a problem with all that rebuilding and emerging."

 (http://i.imgur.com/xTOXXIQ.png) "Tell them to file a petition."

"The same kind of petition they sent to Carrinas?"

(http://i.imgur.com/xTOXXIQ.png) "And who'd send it? The assassins guild has quite literally gone up in flames, so as much as I'd like to take your threats seriously, I can't. Now, if you'll excuse me..."

"You don't think they would actually let you stay in charge, do you?"

(http://i.imgur.com/xTOXXIQ.png) "Why wouldn't they? I'm the only and thus the best choice at the moment. Hard to lose with these odds, eh?" He laughs."

[persuasion] [streetwise] "I expect you to be able to add two and two together. Teron is too important, especially after this fiasco. Is it so hard for you to believe that Caer-Tor would want their best men to oversee the rebuilding and to demonstrate the Guards' strength?"

(http://i.imgur.com/xTOXXIQ.png) [success] "Maybe. Maybe not. I think that "let's wait and see" is a very sensible attitude to adopt under the circumstances."

[streetwise] [charisma] "Suit yourself, but keep in mind that when your replacement arrives, you will no longer be in a position to offer us anything. Not to mention that Caer-Tor will need someone to blame - you know how these things work - so you'll probably end up being nailed to a tree, and when I walk past your rotten corpse I'll think, "Here hangs Mercato, an indecisive man who could have had everything."

(http://i.imgur.com/xTOXXIQ.png) [success] "You won, Vibius. What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to join House Daratan. That's where all the opportunities are. Your kind of odds."

(http://i.imgur.com/xTOXXIQ.png) "Why the hell not?" Mercato shrugs and reaches for the wine."

To the fate-child, again.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "I owe you my gratitude, Vibius. You've helped me to get rid of a snake in my own backyard. I won't forget it."

"I have convinced the remaining Guards to join your House."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "Excellent news, Vibius. I owe you a lot more than my thanks then." He removes a dagger from his belt and gives it to you. "It's tempered steel, the work of famous Al-Dashir. The edge is exceptional."

"Thank you, my Lord." Back to the guild, again.

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "Report."

"I've convinced Mercato to take his men to Antidas."

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "Good call. That's what I would have done." Linos seems very pleased with your performance. "I have a small gift for you." He hands you a heavy scroll."

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "The first two chapters of The Art of Deceptive Arguments. You've heard about the Sophists, I assume? I think you'd find it very, very useful."

*You gain a new insight - 19 skill points gained*

*Your Etiquette has increased*

*You gain a new insight into the liberal arts - 5 civil skill points gained*

*You recieve 250 imperials for your service*

*Commercium reputation increased*

*House Daratan reputation increased*

*House Aurelian reputation increased*

*Peacemake reputation increased*

"My gratitude, Linos."

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "Don't thank me just yet. Strabos has requested you by name. You're going to Maadoran."

"Strabos?" Yes, Strabos, a very nice man.

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "He runs our operations in Maadoran. A word of advice, Vibius. Strabos wants power and no price is too high, especially if someone else ends up paying it."

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "Don't get me wrong, we've always manipulated the playing field to create favorable conditions for our guild and eliminate the competition, but Strabos wants to wrestle power from Lord Gaelius himself. It's a very dangerous game."

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "Go to Maadoran, talk to Strabos, and then decide."

To Maadoran we go!

Slides (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=1h1m16s)
(http://i.imgur.com/S1yBnAC.png)
"Taking the demise of the Imperial Guards at the hands of the Boatmen as a good omen, Lord Antidas steps up the recruitment efforts of House Daratan. Pardons are granted to bandits and raiders willing to server the house and mercenaries are hired en masse with the Commercium's gold."

"Without the Imperial Guards to keep the newly-arrived fighting men in check, the town quickly descends into near-lawlessness, becoming little more than a camped mercenary army, waiting for the order to march."

"Though Antidas seems to hold the reigns of the Sellsword Legion, it is the Commercium who pays their wages, and the only loyalty a mercenary truly recognizes is to the one that pays him. By becoming the paymaster for the entire Legion, the Commercium effectively becomes Antidas' shadow partner, greatly expanding their influence and control over local trade."

"Backed by that Legion, the Commercium's influence grows rapidly alongside their control over local trade. Bored and seeking entertainment, the camped mercenaries spend their coins at the Commercium's establishments almost as quickly as they earn them, making it a very profitable enterprise  indeed."

(http://i.imgur.com/e2M0HNn.png)
"Emboldened by their success in Teron, the "lords" of Commercium set their sights on Maadoran. Lord Gaelius can't be controlled; ergo he must be replaced by someone more suitable. What the city needs is someone who will show proper respect to the guildmasters and perhaps even listen to an occasional piece of advice, or two."

"Serenas, Lord Gaelius' nephew, is a perfect candidate. He has the blood claim, he's young, weak, and already owes a fortune to the Commercium. Still, replacing the most powerful man in the realm isn't an easy task and must be handled very delicately."

"Temporary alliances, disavowed the moment the goal is achieved, must be made. Assurances must be given. Most importantly, Lord Gaelius and the Imperial Guards must be distracted and look the other way while the magic happens."

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "You double-crossed Feng and helped Cassius to replace him as Lord Antidas' personal loremaster. Unfortunately, there is little for him to do in Teron, thus House Daratan does not benefit from Cassius' vast knowledge of the lore of the olden days."

(http://i.imgur.com/nZew4qk.png) "Master Feng has managed to escape, and according to the rumors, has resurfaced in Ganezzar, quickly gaining Lord Meru's trust and favor."

"When the news of the attack reached Maadoran, House Daratan expresses their regret at the senseless bloodshed and reminds House Aurelian about the dangers of operating that far from Maadoran. Lord Antidas assures the citizens of Maadoran that the raiders have been dealt with and the mine has been taken under Daratan's control to safeguard the machines."

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "You let Esbenus go when he was at your mercy. (Not really) He put the money you gave him to good use - gathering a large group of raiders and proceeding to make a name for himself, raiding and pillaging, but staying away from Teron. No matter how you look at it, he owes you."

(http://i.imgur.com/J5ExNOm.png)
"After a few weeks of travel, Maadoran's (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=7m59s) marble minarets and sandstone domes finally appear out of the shimmering desert. Once the jewel of the Empire, it is now a city of crumbling ruins and forgotten glory; the rivers that fed it dry, its once fertile fields now barren rock and endless, drifting sand."

"The Great War devastated Maadoran, almost a quarter of its citizens died in the arcane blast that created the infamous Abyss. The sickness that followed it nearly succeeded in wiping out the rest. But cities rarely die with dignity. Man returned to Maadoran, scavengers seeking to loot the treasures of the past, oblivious to the weight of the history around them as they squabbled over food and gold."

And so this update and Chapter 1 end.

Edit: It's update time! (http://steamcommunity.com/app/230070/discussions/0/371918937276612677/) Mostly quality of life stuff and bugfixes.

Since I've mentioned it several times and I forgot that they released an image, here is a bit from the dungeon crawler Iron Tower has been working on.

(http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb358/vdweller1/001_zps0xdgdhnq.jpg)

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 5: Intrigues and Intelligence - CHAPTER 1 DONE!
Post by: A Thing on April 10, 2016, 12:55:56 pm

So, does anyone have any objections to me delaying this another week? I would like to give people time to catch up before I start the second section of the game.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 6: Libraries and Lies (new poll is up)
Post by: A Thing on April 15, 2016, 02:22:55 am

Welp, I've got time and Maadoran's got the lore. Prepare you ocular projectors for: Part 6: Libraries and Lies!

Spoiler: Part 6: Libraries and Lies (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/06a8cew.jpg)
Maadoran was the jewel of the Old Empire and is the site of the Abyss, which makes it pretty unsurprising that it has a lot to explore. So much in fact that I've decided to make a whole update out of exploring Maadoran and its surrounds.
(http://i.imgur.com/RTA4mqV.jpg)
Starting off its pretty obvious that we want to go to that inn first, however I noticed something about the wall guards here that I've never noticed.

(http://i.imgur.com/aHZ9y6y.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/wUrkQ2L.png)
They have different faces! Compare that to these two Imperial Guardsmen at the local IG fort.
(http://i.imgur.com/X97Li7m.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/NFNtpMq.png)
Suspicious. Very, very suspicious. We've got to go to the inn to find out more about this sorcery.

(http://i.imgur.com/NhWACC7.png)
Goddammit.

"You see a grizzled old fellow haggling with the innkeeper over a dish of scraps and a cup of watered wine. When they reach an agreement the old man pulls the cup towards him for a long sip, savoring his drink, and reluctantly pours the rest into a bowl of yesterday's rice (8 perception gives us the ability to smell the date of food from across the room.) He works the wine into the rice which, along with half an onion, comprises his meal. After finishing, he lets his gaze linger a moment on the empty bowl before turning with a dispirited sigh to address the common room."

"A tale," he says in a hoarse voice, before pausing to cough explosively. "Harken everyone to a most wonderful tale, a tale I offer exclusively  to the most distinguished patrons of this most illustrious establishment!"

I might want to walk away and the game gives me the choice, but walking away from a storyteller is like walking away from this LP.

"Look around you, my friends" (I'm not your friend, buddy,) demands the old man. The patrons comply, obviously suspecting  it is part of some feeble jest. "No, not at these four walls, you dolts. Look in wonder on the glorious city of Maadoran! Countless cities and towns, villages, hamlets have crumbled into dust, or been submerged beneath the waves, or swallowed by the desert sands, but Maadoran survives. For ten thousand years (You got a citation for that buddy?) the mighty capitol has stood and for ten thousand years she will continue to stand, watching over-"

"I heard the city was a thousand years old," interrupts a surly looking metalworker in the crowd. See? This guy knows the deal, I bet he also has an intelligence of 10.

"And where did you hear that, pray tell?" The storyteller seems to grow in stature, looking down at the man with disdain. "I was born here, as was my father and my father's father, (Only peasants use grandfather!) and his father before him. So which of us knows best, my gritty friend? Now set aside for a while the cackling of geese in the market which is often mistaken for wisdom and you will learn something of this City of All Cities we are all so fortunate to call home." Truer words have never been typed uttered upon this blue marble named Earth.

"Maadoran was old and wise, already a place of philosophers and statesmen, when the Empire was nothing but an upstart kingdom. (Maadoran=Rome, if you couldn't tell, I guess the Old Empire's name was Maadoran then.) Yes, they were brawlers, full of strength and bluster, let us give violence its due. But what would have been their end without our art, our knowledge, our wisdom? (It wouldn't have been in craters is where.) The Empire had their legions, my esteemed comrades, but there is a limit to what can be accomplished through brutality. Add culture and knowledge to your strength, and you have a potent force."

"The Old Empire has fallen to dust, (Totally not due to magic or anything, nope.) a heap of cracked stones where once stood mighty walls. Of ancient Aellium (Or maybe that's the name of the Empire, I doubt it though.) nothing remains but faded diagrams on a handful of mildewed scrolls. Maadoran alone stands, her glory scornful of the passing of mere men, of time and decay, her nobles and lords unfazed by..." [insert any number of terrible joke here]

"I come inside to get away from the wind, not to bathe in it," a dusty scribe declares. "Yes, get to the tale, before ye crumble away yeself," another patron helpfully adds." "I get payed by the hour dammit! How am I supposed to afford half an onion under these conditions?!"

"I'm getting to the tale," says the old timer. He smiles still, but his eyes are tight with anger. "I know that such learned folks as yourselves must all have heard of that dismal and storied ruin, that place of terror and woe, commonly named the Abyss? Well, there are rumors, there are tales, and there is truth. I will wager a meal that no one here has heard the truth."

"And you know this truth?" asks the scribe with a smirk." That isn't even a snarky quip scribeman. I would know, I make bad LPs with bad jokes.

"I certainly do," the storyteller snaps, for an instant unable to conceal the weary and bitter man he has become. (Behold, Vibius of Loremaster future!) "I happened in my travels upon a loremaster walking alone at the edge of the desert. His apprentice had died on the road the week before, and -worse luck!- his mule soon after. The loremaster himself was clinging to lif by the barest thread! I shared my water with him, the only wealth I had to offer for I am as you see a humble man, and in his gratitude he gifted me his finest scroll, a first-hand account of that poisoned zone which history has named the Abyss. This was ten years ago, and the scroll itself is now lost (My dog ate it.) but luckily for you, my friends, I have committed it entire (sic) to the vault of my mind." He taps a finger meaningfully on one temple. "Still, ten years is ten years, and a few of the details may be mixed up, but I promise it is worth your time, and a coin or two besides."

"It was during the final days of the Great War," he begins with a drama running close to ridiculous, "when earth and sky both were riven by terrible weapons, when catastrophe chased disaster. Entire cities vanished overnight, tens of thousands extinguished like candle flames swamped by the sea." Much like candles and seas, thermomagical warfare doesn't mix with cities of people. Maybe if the magi  had 10 intelligence hey could've stopped them from mixing.


"Yet Maadoran was impregnable, for no army could breach her mantle of magic. Any who approached were destroyed without mercy, like ants treading a bed of hot coals. But her enemies were clever as they were relentless. One night the city's Magi tracked several new stars in the night sky, stars which moved but did not burn out and disappear as their more common brothers. They declared this a dark omen and commanded the minarets and spires to cast their nets just as these cursed beacons began to fall into the city. They were too late however. One star escaped those nets to land in the venerable District of Wisdom. That was the time when sun dawned in darkest night, and the thunder that arose made the gods themselves tremble. With the real sun rose in the east, all could see that the District of Wisdom was no more. What is left we now call the Abyss."

"But that is not the end of my story. (That would be too convenient for Thingman.) With that cruel dawn, a strange, misshapen man appeared at the gates. He was haggard and wan and stumbled as though wounded, yet raw power crackled the air around him. When he gestured, the steel gates, twelve feet high, crumpled as if no more than paper in his closed fist. The guards who rushed to meet him bent like reeds in a gale, but from the wind that bowed them they would never spring back. In that instant the city was doomed, for this creature wasn't a man at all but a demon conjured in the unspeakable rituals of our enemies."

"There was, however, one who dared oppose him: Abu Hassan Ibn Hadad Al-Sarabi, First of the Magi. Though the lords of the city all knew him to be doing their good work a thousand miles from Maadoran, he had somehow appeared in her direst need to stand calmly waiting in the path." Deus ex Ibn Hadada

"The twisted creature sneered at the world's greatest Magus, (citation needed) using the familiar form of greeting, an insult to such a powerful man, and asked if he still thirsted for knowledge man wasn't meant to know."

"Calmly, the Magus replied that his thirst had been quenched a long time ago and that his power -and that of his seals- had grown since their last meeting, as the state of the demon's forlorn and raggedy host did attest."

"The demon had no witty reply to this, but reared up as if to strike him down. To the astonishment of everyone present, including the demon himself, his own limbs refused to obey him. His ribs cracked inwards with a sound like twigs breaking, his legs buckled beneath him, and his eyes turned white, leaving him blind. Sealed within his human form, he was unable to do anything but growl and curse." "And then Ibn Hadad's rippling muscles burst open his shirt from the sheer holy majesty of his magic as the entire Qantari army despaired."


"What did they do with the demon?" (Gave the stupid thing a college education and raised it up right, dammit!) inquired the scribe softly. Sometime during the story, the patrons' taunts and grumbling had faded away, and everyone sat at on the edge of his chair, fists clenched, wine forgotten."


"That detail the scroll did not reveal," says the old man, "but I would venture the demon was locked way for eternity in the most impregnable sort of prison or vault. I mean, what else would you do with such a being?"

"Did the scroll mention the name of that demon?"

"It did," says the storyteller. He is befuddled for a moment, since you're clearly the first person to ask him that. "Balzurath? Baalzurab? It was an evil sound, like vinegar on the tongue."

"What do you know about Saren the Gods?"

"Old wives' tales," says the old man dismissively. "Men of wisdom (and rippling abs) won the War, not Gods. Let these Gods strike me down if I lie."

"What were the Magi working on before the attack on the city?"

"The scroll didn't say. All I can tell you is that the grandest and tallest building in the city was the House of Magi, a dozen golden towers and silver arches hovering over the city. It is written that the highest pinnacle pierced the clouds, and the lowest catacomb struck dug (sic) deep under the earth, anchoring the tower in place. Can you see now what was lost?" He is practically pleading for understanding. "When will we ever rebuild such splendor? How?"

"The Abyss used to be called the District of Wisdom?"

"That is correct," he nods "It was the heart of Maadoran, a place of temples, libraries and schools... Granted, all I saw was an old drawing but the image left me speechless and filled my heart with sorrow. Loremasters say that the answer to any question could be found in the District of Wisdom, if one knew where to look and whom to ask. Men would come from all over to seek out our wisdom. Now the only thing they seek here are whores." Who's to say that the Magi didn't do a little business on the side? They might have came to Maadoran for both.

"So, it was like a vast library?"

"Not wholly inaccurate," he replies pompously, "but it was also much more than that. The ancients mined knowledge the way slaves mine ore. (Poorly and under threat of violence?) This city boasted the best magi, algebraists, topologists, alchemists, engineers, and astronomers. Maadoran had them all in one place. They walked these streets, breathed the same air, gazed upon the same stars. It was a time of wonder." Not an Age of Wonder though.

It's over! Praise the scholars! However this update isn't over yet so my fingers get no rest.

We stumble outside and meet this dude.

(http://i.imgur.com/ZmdjRl5.png)
"You're too late," says a man standing next to an empty stall when you approach him. "The caravan just left. It will take weeks before the next one is ready to depart." Unlike Fallout 2 this game doesn't have an extremely time inefficient escort-the-caravan quest.

"Where do you send caravans to?"

"These days? Mostly Ganezzar and Caer-Tor. Asmara and Cippur are gone, Teron's about to join them. We need markets for our goods and the local goods to take back to cover the costs and turn some profit. There are a couple of mining villages that can make a trip there worthwhile but they're an exception rather than the norm."

"Asmara and Cippur?"

"The Imperial Guards took over Cippur two decades back and ran it into the ground. Asmara fell a few years ago. Two lordlings tore it apart after their father's death. The way the story is told, the younger son gathered enough support and deposed his older brother, who somehow managed to escape, hired every mercenary company willing to fight for a cut of the action and returned to claim the throne."

"The siege went on for years and by the time the town fell and the mercenary companies took what they considered a fair share, there wasn't much left of it."

"Why didn't the Imperial Guards step in?" IG loves helping people for little gain, yep.

"The Guards said that the Chapter doesn't allow them to interfere in the internal affair  of the Houses, but the way I see it, the weaker the Houses, the stronger the Guards. At any rate, I don't seem them putting their asses on the line just to prop up some lordling."

"You mentioned villages?"

"They pop up here and there like mushrooms after a rain, but most don't last. It's hard to make it out on your own out there. They think they can grow some crops because they did it so well behind their shacks in the city, but a few acres field in the middle of nowhere is a different game."

"First, it takes more water, for once, and water is fickle these days. One year you have enough to cover three fields, the next - barely enough for one. Second, there are a lot more birds and animals to watch for and guard your harvest against. Third, the rot. Once it starts spreading, you're as good as done. My uncle was a farmer; always talking about the rot." Nurgle, why you gotta do this?

"What can you tell me about Ganezzar?"

"It's a lovely town. It's built in cascading levels around the castle that gave the town its name, so the view alone is worth the trip. The archways of the Lowtown become the walkways of the Skyport - it's quite the sight, my friend. There is nothing like that left anymore. The locals are getting too obsessed with gods and worship, but maybe it's better than being obsessed with money and power, eh? I find it rather charming, to be honest." Their fervor is just as charming in person, don't worry.

"The Skyport?

"It's one of the districts. The stories say that flying ships used to dock there and it does have these strange platforms but they could have been used for just about anything, if you ask me. Of course, flying ships and chariots make better story, so who am I to argue?"

"What can you tell me about Caer-Tor?"

"You've seen one military fort, you've seen them all. This one's just much bigger than all the others combined, but they keep it simple - rows of barracks, granary, cookhouse, hospital, and the praetorium. This entire splendor is surrounded by walls to keep the Guards from running away in the middle of the night, no doubt."

"I best be going now." Onto the next wall of dialogue!

This dude with a nipple showing seems trustworthy.
 (http://i.imgur.com/4YqQ2di.png)
"Ten imperials!" yells a man, standing in the middle of the street. "For only ten imperials you'll get a tour of our glorious city and have all your questions answered. I'm not going to stand here all day, so it is a limited time opportunity only!"

We vigorously apply hard jack onto his hand.

"Excellent choice," says the man in a patronizing manner, as if being pleasantly surprised by an out-of-towner's acumen."

"Rule number one - stay away from the Slums. If the city were a hill, then the Slums would be at the very bottom of it, the final destination of all the shit that slowly flows downhill, from one district to another. (Hope none of you are eating while reading this.) The guards stay away from the Slum and so should you, if you have any common sense."

"The only 'law' there is the thieves' guild and it's a very simple law. If you're one of them, nobody fucks with you. If you aren't, you are on your own, which usually means good as dead."

"How many districts are there in the city?" By the way, do people want me to do these? I personally don't care and transcribing this much text when it is stuff we'll find out anyway is kinda annoying.

"We have five districts, but you should limit your stay to the Trade and Arena districts. Trust me, you have no business in the othe three, but since you paid me, I'm going to cover them in my tour to give you a proper perspective."

"At the top of the pyramid is the Palace district, named after - you guessed it - the palace. That's where the noble-born live, if you have the money to afford it. It's nice, clean, and crawling with guards."

"You steal a purse in the Arena district and all you're going to get for your trouble is a beating. You even look at a purse in the Palace district and the guards will chop off your arm before you can blink, just to be safe. Don't say I didn't warn you. Life isn't a picnic even when you have two hands, but if you're down to one, it becomes downright unbearable." Even worse when you can show only one nipple.

"Then you have the Trade district, home to the merchants' guild, which pays a fortune in levies and keeps the district on the upper end of the scale. You see that golden dome in the distance? That's the Commercium, which is kind of fitting. Maadoran used to be known as the City of Three Temples a long, long time ago. The Commercium bought one, the thieves took another, and the Abyss claimed the third. So, now we're the city of two temples: one houses the merchants' guild, the other - the thieves' guild. What can I tell you? It's the sign of times."

"The Trade district is for tradesmen, moneylenders, and impoverished nobles. If you're doing well, that's where you settle and consider yourself lucky."

"The Arena district," the man gestures around him, "is all about entertainment. We have the arena, of course, taverns, whorehouses - nothing fancy, mind you. (Damn, I wanted a magi.) If you want a real courtesan, you go to the Trade district. If you aren't picky and don't want to spend more than a few coins, you'll find a plenty of local talent right here."

"The Imperial Guards' barracks are here as well. They don't get involved in local affairs, of course, but they do try to keep their house clean and the Slums from growing any bigger than it is."

"What's the last district?"

"The Abyss - an old wound that still won't heal. The bastards hit us pretty hard during that big old war, so now we have a miles long crater filled with fog and ruins, where two districts used to be. Keep in mind that the fog is still as deadly as the day it appeared, so if you're thinking of going in, don't count on coming out."

"Who rules the city?"

"Lord Gaelius of House Aurelian - the best lord you could possibly wish for, bar none. He leaves us alone, keeps the levies reasonable-like, and doesn't get any bright ideas like Meru. What's not to like?" He's even on the cover of the game (http://i.imgur.com/vgLKNS5.png)!

"Besides, he has too many of his own problems to worry about anything else. The palace district is a nest of vipers. You see, when the Empire fell, most nobles fled to Maadoran. Nobody wanted to go to two-bit towns like Teron or Cippur. Ganezzar? It was not for everyone even before Meru went mad."

"So, as I was saying, most nobles fled to Maadoran, and by most, I mean several Houses with their guards and retainers. Oh, it was bloody! House Aurelian - one of the late arrivals - managed to come out on top, which means that many families ended up at the bottom. Still living comfortably, mind you, but what's comfort for you or me is utter humiliation for the likes of them."

"Why do the guards avoid the Slums? Surely, they can restore the order?"

"Sure they can," agrees the man, "but if they do that, where would all the dregs go? (To get a damn college education is where.) It's a harsh world, my friend. Some people don't have what it takes to make it. I'd rather they keep to one place than wander around aimlessly, bringing the quality of life down for the rest of us."

"It's a good arrangement, trust me."

"I'm looking for some people."

"Do you know a good loremaster?"

"They say that master Erebus is as good as they come, but he lives in the palace, so I doubt you'll get a chance to see him. If you're desperate, try Abukar the Mad. You can find him in his observatory in the Trade district."

"The Mad?" The Mildly Disturbed? 

"He's not... altogether there, but some people swear by him."

"I have more questions."

"Where can I find some work?" "If the magi had some side-jobs so will I!

"Try the guilds. They are always hiring, especially the Boatmen. Business has been good for them lately. Alternatively, you can always go to the arena and try your luck there."

We've drained all this dude has to say, to some other hobo full of knowledge!

But wait, surprises!
(http://i.imgur.com/oLLLYRh.png)
"You hear the sounds of drums announcing the arrival of a caravan and almost immediately crates, barrels, and sacks start flowing through the gates, followed by chained, dust-covered slaves and tired guards."

Time to investigate this, maybe one of these slaves can tell me their whole lore-filled backstory.

"Once inside the gates, the new arrivals are dealt with a surprising speed and efficiency. Slaves are taken to the auction block, paid-for cargo delivered to consignees, guards paid and discharged to boost the local economy. All that's left are small-time traders hoping to sell their goods at a profit in a big city and the vultures that prey on them: levy collectors who'd take all they can and cutthroats who'd take everything, including their lives."
(http://i.imgur.com/dyrwUgj.png)
"One of the traders shakes his head and turns away from a levy collector to think it over. Almost immediately, he's approached by two rough looking men who whisper something in his ear. The trader, still in a state of shock, accepts their generous offer much like a drowning man grasps at straws and follows them to his doom."

Time to follow dudes into shady alleys.

"You follow them into a nearby alley, arriving just in time to witness the last act of the drama: the parting of the fool and his gold and possibly life. The thugs, now three of them, regard you as an extra bonus: two for the price of one."

"What do we have here?" inquires one of the thugs - a skinny man with deep seated eyes, surrounded by dark circles."

"Is that what you do for a living? Rob and kill the newcomers?"

"How's that any of your business?" asks the thug, looking a bit confused."

"Get out of here."

"Or what?" asks the thug, spreading his arm and pushing his chest forward."

[streetwise] "Or what? Do you have any idea who you're talking to, you stupid little fuck?" 

[success] "Easy there, friend. We're leaving," says the thug, raising his hands to show that he leaves in peace." Decided we needed more word magery this update.

We watch as they wander off in search of other opportunities to be murdered by RPG protagonists.

"I don't know how to thank you," says the trader, visibly shaken. "They would have killed me. The bastards would have killed me and taken everything..." He hesitates for a moment, then makes a decision and removes a well-adorned dagger from his belt."

"It's (sic) been in my family for generations. My father gave it to me before I left. He told me once unsheathed it can solve any dispute, but I just couldn't bring myself to draw it. May it serve you better than it server me, stranger."

*You gain a new insight - 3 skill points gained.*

 Time to walk away, we've lore to hear and read.

Also, apparently that house he was pushed up against is trapped: "The door is locked. You push it, testing the strength of the lock and hear the sound of a crossbow being cocked. You best leave it alone."

Let's investigate a shed while we are at it. "Nothing but junk inside. If it has any value, it's purely sentimental."

What about this humble abode next to the shed?

"You see six or seven dirty bodies lying next to each other on even dirtier straws covering the floor."

What about this flickering well? No really, the water is freaking out, call the mag... oh wait.

"It's a typical Maadoran courtyard - cul-de-sac formed by houses built next to each other and smaller dwellings and sheds added later. The courtyard has its own well and an old campfire surrounded by worn out tree trunks serving as make-shift benches and empty bottles."

Down the road we see another man with a nipple out, but before we survey his lore we check out this random house.

"It's one of the better buildings on the block, undoubtedly belonging to the prosperous citizens of the district. The prosperity is manifested by three wives, a dozen of dirty-looking children, and an oversized antique pot hanging over (sic) fire, smelling of lamb and spices."

Now, let us survey this man.
(http://i.imgur.com/IY22wfT.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Show kindness to a veteran, good master!" barks a scowling beggar when you come too close. "A coin or two is all I ask. Come on, we both know you can afford it."

We slam some sweet Gaelius into his toga.

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Much obliged," says the beggar, offering a practiced military salute." I didn't even know that this was coming up, which makes slamming some imperials into his toga even better.

"Are you really a veteran?"

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Antidas' finest," says the man with a bitter smile. "Yeah, wrong side, I know, but it's hard to tell them apart beforehand. Every lord makes it sound like his cause is righteous and his side is going to come out the winner, but in the end it always comes to a roll of the dice."

"How did you end up here?"

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "It's a long story. You sure you have time for it?" Do you A Thing? Do you? What are you doing with your life? Stop this LP, you asshole.

"I'd like to hear it."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Alright. So, yeah I served Antidas, but it was more than a job for me. I took the oath and meant every word, gods help me. I didn't believe any of the 'Antidas, the last emperor!' bullshit that the court poet always went on about. For me, what mattered was that Antidas actually gave a shit."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "I'd worked for the Commercium years before, so I knew how rich bastards can treat you, but Antidas was different. (He put imperials in my toga! Strabos never did that!) He'd actually spend time with his men. He said the prophecy wasn't just about him, that we were all part of it, and that the words themselves were just empty blather without good men to back them up and follow his lead. We were the foundation upon which the House was built, he said. Fine words, though I know it must sound like so much horseshit coming from me."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Things were really gearing up by the time I'd joined. His father had left him the throne less than a year prior, you see, so Antidas was chomping at the bit to get things rolling, considering how cautious and miserly his father had been. He spent a lot of gold on payroll so his recruiters could compete with the Imperial Guards, and began outfitting his men in armor of the grand old Imperial style."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Pretty soon the common folk took House Daratan for the real descendant of the Empire, while the so called 'Imperial' Guard took the role of a shameful pretender staffed by ill-armored lepers. The ranks began to swell, and in a little over half a year, Antidas was ready to stake his claim."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Luck favored Antidas. THe Ordu had begun a huge push to the south, and Gaelius had to bleed his own legions to beef up the Guards to the north. Gaelius knew it would risk legitimacy of the Charter if he did nothing but spend his time with some Bactrian belly dancers, while the Guards died defending his backyard from the greatest threat since the Qantari, so he didn't have much choice in the matter."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "That whole mess took Gaelius' carefully arranged game board and threw it into the Abyss, and Antidas was poised to exploit the situation. He sent his uncle to Ganezzar to sell Meru on a joint attack against Gaelius. He gave him a hundred soldiers and guess who was in charge of that entourage? Yours truly. Meru's mind was soft like clay, easy to mold, and the deal was struck within a week. Soon after, we were ready to march to war."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "With Gaelius fighting a war on three sides, the Daratan front had become his soft underbelly. This was still Aurelian though and Daratan was still the weakest House, so there was no certain outcome. Nonetheless, Antidas belted Gaelius with everything he had. I don't know whether tactics or numbers won that first battle, but we absolutely bled those bastards!"

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "House Daratan had accomplished a decisive victory, the first in decades, but all Antidas did was salute his men and walk the battlefield as calmly as if he were enjoying a stroll in the garden. He wanted it to seem as though this was all a matter of course. It must have taken a godly effort to hold in the pride he felt, and as for us, hell, we didn't even bother trying."

"What happened then?"

 (http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Well, it all went to shit, of course, but you already know that, don't you? Things went well enough during the first month after the initial attack. Aurelian withdrew, Daratan advanced. Then one day we got word from the northeast that Meru had suddenly withdrawn his troops from the field. They hadn't been routed; they'd just completely ditched the war! Antidas didn't know what to think. Had Meru been bribed by Gaelius? Had he lost his nerve?" Somehow I feel as if I know the answer to this question.

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "It turns out Meru hadn't lost his nerve, just his whole fucking mind. I brought Antidas' uncle to Ganezzar again and he didn't even greet us when we walked into his court, but instead began a crazed oration. It was like we were listening to a totally different man. He spoke of gods, he spoke of revelations, he spoke of the people, and he ultimately just spewed out a mess of the most impassioned insanity I'd ever heard."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "At first we hoped it was nothing but an act to cover Meru's real doubts about the war and so the uncle staying into the night to discuss it with him further. When he finally came out of the palace, his skin white as gypsum. I tried to fish out some of the details, but he (sic) the only thing he said was, "Gods help us, he actually believes every word. It's all over..." And so it was."

"Just like that?"

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "It was the turning point marking the end of Antidas' good fortune. The Imperial Guards ambushed and decimated the Ordu and suddenly Gaelius was free to give Antidas the attention he deserved. Of course, we didn't see it this way back then as Antidas had us convinced that the prophecy was coming true and nothing could stop him. Except, Gaelius' legions, of course," laughs the beggar, the laugh turning into a violent cough that stops him for a moment." This guy not only looks suspiciously like that storyteller dude, he coughs like him too.

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Wiraz," he says finally as if the name still invoked pain. "It was a disaster. Complete and utter fucking disaster. If Antidas didn't run, he would have lost everything there When we got back to Teron he practically barricaded himself in his compound and that was the last I saw of him. No more speeches, no more heart to hearts, no more talks about prophecies."

"So, how did you end up here?"

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Tell you the truth, I just couldn't stomach stating in Teron, pretending like nothing happened. Don't know how Antidas could handle it. Maybe he's a tougher bastard that I thought. For a while, we thought that he was just laying low, biding his time and waiting for the right opportunity. Turned out, there was no opportunity. He sent an expedition to look for some temple in the wasteland as if that was his main concern and nothing else mattered."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Of course, his luck being what it is, he lost most men he sent on that fool's errand and didn't find any temple. Between you and me, I wouldn't be surprised if it exists only in his addled mind."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "I left shortly after. Thought I'd come and see Maadoran, see the city that so many men died for. You know what, I don't think it was worth it. (Take that, Maadoran!) Anyway, my throat's getting dry, so it's time to go and water it. Take care of yourself, stranger."

We walk away, finding more reason for calling it House Diminutive.
(http://i.imgur.com/I4YoFOn.png)
"As you walk down the street, you hear shouts and see an angry crowd pursuing several men. They chase them into a nearby house and start discussing the best way to smoke them out."

"A lone guard shows up and tries to clam the tensions, but without visible success."

More dialogue? Let's go!

"Burn them!" yells a red-faced, burly man in a dirty tunic, pointing at the house. The crowd seems to share his animosity towards the house's inhabitants."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Nobody's burning anything in my district!" says the guard weakly. He tries to infuse his words with authority, but he isn't eager to risk his life to restore order, which only emboldens the crowd."

"What's going on?"

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "It's the nutters," sighs the guard. "Now that they've got some numbers behind them, things are starting to get out of control. Earlier, they went through the district, shouting, pushing over carts, and pissing people off. There was a fight - three dead, a dozen wounded."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "The preacher and his cronies holed in there," he nods at the house, "and now these idiots want to burn it down and half the district with it."

"The nutters?"

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "The mouth-breathers who follow these preachers around, eating up every word and asking for more."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "We didn't see it coming when it started. These preachers were talking crazy, but nobody listened. So, what's the harm, right? And then something changed. Suddenly, they were drawing crowds; people were repeating their shit like it meant something. And now we have bloody riots in the middle of the day!"

"What preachers?"

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Ever since Meru went nuts and started talking about gods, some people took it upon themselves to spread his *teaching* and bring the fucking light to our darkness. Now, as far as I know, the preachers never said a word about attacking the "unbelievers", but maybe they didn't have to. Make a man feel righteous and there is no telling how far he will go."

"What do they preach?"

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "The usual shit - the goldess will be punished, the righteous saved."

"Need any help?"

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Can you keep the crowd in check, while I got and get more men to handle it properly?"

"Sure" "Sure I'll risk my life, sounds cool brah."
(http://i.imgur.com/usQNeUH.png)
"The guard leaves you in charge and quickly walks away. The crowd gets its hopes up and moves a few steps closer."

"That preacher ain't going nowhere!" says the burly man. "We had enough of his shit."

[lore success][persuasion] "The preacher will be dealt with in accordance with the laws of House Aurelian. Any attempt to rob our Lord of his right to dispense punishment will be considered a grave insult, punishable by removal of the offender's right arm."

[success] "Alright," says the burly man, spitting and narrowly missing your feet. "Have it your way, but if we ever catch this fucker in our neighborhood, he's ours."

We wait for the smallfolk to leave, and go inside the house to hear some preaching.
(http://i.imgur.com/dSFE4oq.png)
"You see a man with a thin face, a narrow aquiline nose, and fire in his eyes. This must be the preacher. Behind him stand two men, roughed up and bloodied."

"Who are you?" asks the preacher."

*You gain a new insight - 3 skill points.*

"A friend. It's safe to come out now."

"The gods worked a miracle through you, my child, much like they always do. It is the righteous men like you that make this world worth saving."

"Thank you, brother (22 inch pythons, brother!) So, what happened here today?"

"My congregation wanted to share their love for the Gods with their neighbors, for it is a duty of every believer to bring the light of true faith into the hearts of others. Yet, apparently, such roads are filled with perils. The faithful were attacked, spat on, knocked to the ground and beaten."

"We had to defend ourselves, but our creed isn't a militant one and we fared poorly. All but these two lucky souls are dead now."

"I'm glad I could help then."

"We are in your debt and this debt will be repaid. I'll bring the word of your deeds to the holy city of Ganezzar."

*House Crassus reputation increased*

"Thank you." Off to slightly less preachy pastures.

Walking to the trade district to get some Abukar, we see a broken fountain. "There's no water to be had from this fountain. The frenzied shrieks coming from the arena make you think that blood is a more obtainable commodity in these parts."

We also walk by "Quintus' Palace of Pleasure, but there are no robed mage ladies so we just keep on going.

---

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 6: Libraries and Lies (new poll is up)
Post by: A Thing on April 15, 2016, 02:25:03 am

Yes, I had to split this update, enjoy you sick bastards, I know I won't. I've probably got arthritis now.

Spoiler: Update so long it had to be split (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/mJb9ygK.png)
"You enter the trade district, the glittering heart of Maadoran's economy. A stream of merchants and their goods flow through the arteries of this district, the tide ebbing and flowing, but never ceasing. Towering over the district is the golden dome of the Commercium headquarters. Once a temple to the old gods, now a place of worship for the only god of the Commercium truly believes in, money."

"Pay, pay, pay!" says one of the traders, heading out and cursing loudly. "Pay to reach the city, pay to enter the city, pay for the privilege to sell my own wares! Where does it stop?"

"Why do you come here then?"

"As much as I hate to admit it, but it is the only real market. Nothing else comes close, so you either starve yourself, selling your wares to the few villages and outposts that are still around, or you pay through the nose to take your wares to Maadoran. What other choice is there?"

"Aren't you with the Commercium?"

"I work for myself. That's why I went into trading to begin with. It's not easy and you have to stay out of smaller towns, but Maadoran is big enough to handle all the trading it does now and then some. Of course, we have to rent stalls from the Commercium and pay them a hefty cut at the end of the day, but like I said, what other choice is there?"

"Why do you stay out of small towns?"

"Small towns can only handle so much business. So, if you bring your wares there, you'll be taking business from the Commercium and they won't like it one bit. Of course, you can sell directly to them, but it won't even cover the trip."

"So, like I said, you either go to Maadoran or service villages and outposts, and they can't afford to pay much. If they pay you with produce and ore, you still need to sell it, which brings us back to Maadoran."

"What about Ganezzar?" What about Ganezzar indeed.

"I tend to stay away from it. The market is smaller, so you sell less and at lower prices, but you pay the same levies. Not to mention that ever since Meru started preaching, Ganezzar is ruled by mobs of zealots, while the guards do nothing to reign them in. If you want my advice, stay away from it too."

"Who's running the Commercium here?"

"Strabos. He's alright, if you pay on time and keep your word. Of course, if you miss the payment or try to skip town, it's another story, but that's the nature of the business."

Let's leave this merchant to tell lorebits to others.

(http://i.imgur.com/W3XYxwW.png)
No sane man can live in something like that.
(http://i.imgur.com/M66nOBa.png)
"You see a bald, bearded man fiddling with an old telescope, bearing signs of crude repair."

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "If you want me to do a chart, you're wasting your time," says the man, his accent thick and heavy."

"What chart?"

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "I'm a stargazer," says the man impatiently, as if it should have been obvious, "but I don't do charts anymore, so don't ask. Now, what do you want?"

"I need a loremaster." And a hero, but the hero can wait.

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "I am that as well. Surely, you've heard about Abukar? So, tell me what you need and go away."

"What is this thing?"

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "A telescopium - a wonder of wonders. Through it, I observe stars and their movements, although it's not the stars but the void between them that captures my attention now." I have no experience with Lovecraft, however I wouldn't be surprised if Abukar is some sort of reference to one of his works.

"Why?"

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "I've learned that the void is anything but empty. The darkness hides it well, but nothing can stay hidden forever. There are those who dwell in the void and I've taken it upon myself to watch them."

"Have you seen any yet?"

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "I have not, but the absences of evidence is not the evidence of absence. They are there, somewhere. I know that now." Someone get the ALIENS imagemacro guy for this.

"What makes you think that?"

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "What makes me think that? The wisdom of the ancients, contained in the scrolls I found in the ruins of the library of Saross. Oh, the truth they revealed... I burned the scrolls, but I can't burn the words imprinted in my mind. They are the reason I watch the void now."

"The library of Saross? Where is it?"

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "There is nothing there," says Abukar, "but if you want to gaze upon the ruins of the greatest library in the world, I won't stop you. Let me mark it on your map."

"What did you seek at the library?"

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "Knowledge, what else? I was trying to solve a problem and I hoped that the great library of Saross might shed some light on it. I was mistaken."

"What kind of problem?"

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "I was working on a device to detect energy fluctuations. It could detect random deviations with eighty percent accuracy, but couldn't handle larger and more frequent fluctuations. Obviously, I miscalculated somewhere, but the nature of the old world's magic is hardly a well-explored field these days. One has no choice but to make assumptions, which leads to setbacks and disappointments."

"I thought that magic was gone from the world."

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "Then you thought wrong. The Magi are gone, but the magic they unleashed is still here, lurking in our own backyard, waiting for the right moment to strike. How do you fight that which you can't see? (Foreshadowing! Dunn dun dun, maybe we'll see that foreshadowed thing, maybe!) How do you stop that which has been prophesized to come?"

"Prophesized?"

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "I've read the glowing words etched by the last of the Magi in a hidden chamber, deep below the great library. They spoke of terrifying things, things not of this world but of the void between the stars. They will return one day and claim this world as their own. It has been written. It will come to pass."

"Have you told that to anyone?"

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "Why do you think they call me mad? Knowledge is a heavy burden."

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "Abukar's brows furrow, as he looks at you again. "I can see that you are a seeker of knowledge, as I was back then. Curious and ignorant, and yet... how fortunate you are." his voice trails off and he stares at the distance, lost in his thoughts."

"This device, do you still have it?"

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "It's not for sale."

[trading success] "Everything is for sale if the price is right."

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "A man of the world, are you?" says Abukar with disdain. "You want my device? Then bring me one of equal value."

"So, you wanted to explore the Abyss?"

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "Yes, but not the way fools do it, with sheep, "mystical" charts, and divining rods. The dangerous spots have abnormal energy spikes, so all you need to do is construct a device that can read them. Easier said than done, of course, but the path worth travelling are never easy."

"I have another item I want you to look at."

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "Make it quick."

We let him peek at the sphere thing.

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "Clever," says Abukar thoughtfully, turning the sphere in his fingers. "The grooves, they must match something, no? Find what it is and you'll have your answer."

 We shove the prospector's amulet into his face.

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "I've seen such gadgets before, but I found their design somewhat limited in application. If you  keep it next to your face, you can breathe easily, even when the air is most foul, yet when you need air the most, the gadget does nothing."

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "I tested it on my last apprentice - tied the gadget to his face and a weight to his legs and lowered him into a well. I pulled him out ten minutes later and he was deader than a doornail. Trust me, these trinkets are worthless, so never put your faith in them."

We toss the Jellyfish artefact at him.

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "It's an object of great power. I can feel it, testing the walls of its prison. I can hear its whispers... Take it away, before it pollutes my study."

We unfold the map so he can look at it.

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "The temple of Thor-Agoth," says Abukar, after studying the seal. "It's a fool's errand. Antidas was searching for it for a long time, even sent an expedition but they didn't find anything. Talk to Domitius Ulpius, if you want to know more."

"What do you know of Thor-Agoth?" What do you know about our Lord and Savior Thor-Agoth?


(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "He wasn't of this world. None of them were. They were brought here and given life, which was the greatest folly of men. Be thankful that they are gone, but remain vigilant and stand ready to delay their return, for we are not what we once were and will be all but helpless against them."

So ends our talk with Abukar the Mildly Disturbed. Let's investigate that library, yeah?

---

(http://i.imgur.com/tkJtQ1m.png)
"The Imperial Library of Saross (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=20m45s) was actually built after the fall of the Empire, in a noble yet futile attempt to preserve the rapidly disappearing knowledge for future generations. The library operated for almost four decades, but came to an unexpected end when rumors that the library collected more than dusty scrolls started spreading. The volunteers protecting the library managed to repel two attacks before the complex was overrun by raiders who didn't leave many stones unturned looking for anything valuable."

EXPLORE, says the game and so we shall.

"By the looks of it, the ruins have been picked clean over the centuries and anything worth a few coppers has been stripped away or dug out a long time ago. Yet as you get closer, you see a prospector sitting in front of a campfire."

"Come here!"

(http://i.imgur.com/sjEuJ8y.png)
"Come join me," says the prospector, grinning. "I've been here for almost a week and nothing pleases me more now than the sight of another human being. The coffee tastes like dirt, but you're welcome to it. There's some bread too, if you're hungry."

[perception success][streetwise success] "His body language is wrong. Refuse his offer." "I see with my wizard eyes that you are bullshit!"

"If my food isn't good enough for you, I suggest you be on your way, stranger," says the prospector putting his hands on his axe."

[streetwise] "Wish I could, but I was told to scout the area and wait for the Legatus here. He will be pissed if I'm not here. Trust me, you'll have enough troubles dealing with him when he's in a good mood, but if he's pissed, he'll nail you to a cross first and ask questions second."

[success] "Why would he nail me to a cross?" asks the prospector in confusion."

"He thinks everyone is a spy. You have to admit though, running into you here is a hell of a coincidence, and the Legatus doesn't believe in those..."

"Swearing, the prospector starts packing his things quickly and retreats without saying another word to you."

We wait for him to leave I guess.

Time for library bits.

"Nothing but rat droppings." Useful.

"Something about the First of the Magi: he who built his ascent up to the sky, he who founded his vaulted dome above Maadoran, he who raised the mighty pillars..."

"There cam a great disturbance in the town of Lakia by the Nazvian sea, with confusion and flight [...] And all the people fled from the ships of the kingdom of Qantaar, which had crossed the sea, inflicting every kind of punishment upon the people of Lakia [...] The Imperial army, being blessed and varying in design, fell upon the enemy. Slain were the men, their ships set aflame, the women taken into bondage."

"You find nothing of interest." Amazing.

"You find nothing of interest." What bounty.

"Nothing but rat droppings." Fantastic.

"The city did lay in ruin, the rivers did no longer flow, the mountains had tumbled, and the dead did stew the whole land. The Wrath of Power brought down both the wicked kingdom of Qantaar and the glorious [...] Empire. The Gods returned to their kingless realm, for everyone must go to the place from which he comes."

We climb down into the basement (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=52m50s).

"War did come, and like the army who brought it, the magnitude humbled all that came before. Men and towns burned alike and even the seas stirred with the fury of war. The sun became as night, and the moon ceased to shine. The war continued with the passing of many years and although countless thousands had died, [...] The Qantari Servants of Power called upon the Gods of Chaos, who came forth like an eruption consuming the armies and fleets of men [...]"

"You find nothing of interest." Because, why would I find anything?

"The High Magi summoned [...] beings, which have no king and deign superiority to all that came before them. Moreover, immortality deifies them within the mortal domain, exalting them far beyond kings and champions. They did then condemn the Gods of Chaos and their forces, casting them into the abyss, and breaking their malefic hold upon the land."

"You find an old map, but it falls apart in your hands the moment you touch it. The fragments depict a strange arch in the middle of nowhere and a stylized tower surrounded by small dwellings. You add both locations to your map."

"A single year did come to pass, and again a great number of Qantari ships crossed the sea. The ships carried an army larger than had ever been witnessed, and never had the Words of Power afforded such benefit to a coming invasion."

[lore success]

"You find a crumbling scroll depicting a strange diagram and some comments written in a language you recognize. It seems that the scroll shows some kind of network connecting different places, although the purpose of such a network is unclear. You're able to copy two locations to your map before the scroll falls apart in your hands."

Maybe this generator can do something.
(http://i.imgur.com/2Q3ALUl.png)
"You see a strange machine, old and broken, stripped of any part that had any value."

[lore][crafting] "See if you can fix it."

[success] "As far as you can tell, it's a generator built after the fall of the Empire, which explains its design, less reliant on otherworldly energies and things man wasn't mean to know. It runs on oil, but the parts that inject the oil are missing. The rest you can do without, considering that you only need this fearsome engine of destruction to report for duty one last time."

"Come to think of it, you could *probably* do without the fuel injector and rig something very temporary and hope that the machine doesn't blow up in your face."

Time to return to a person that would know about this thing, like Abukar.
Also, on the way out we notice a draft coming from behind a wall, and find a switch, but you guessed it, we need power. I have no idea why this triggered after investigating the generator and not before, but whatever.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "What do you want?"

"I found an old machine beneath the library of Saross, but it's missing some parts."

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "There is nothing there. Didn't I tell you that?"

[intelligence][streetwise] "Is that why you've disabled the generator? So that nobody can find that 'nothing' you want to keep hidden?"

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) [success] "You want to see it? You think that you'll be better off knowing? You think that this warning left to us as if we can do anything but pray and hope that the worst won't come to pass is something you can easily forget? Then go. Go and see for yourself."

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "He opens one of the crates and fishes out a strange device. "I sold the other one to that imbecile who runs the Curio stall. If you're lucky, he still has it."

"Welcome to Marcus Cornelius Arvina's House of Curio! Looking for anything in particular? Protection against the evil eye is always in high demand. Copper bracelets to increase your energy and improve well-being? Good luck charms? You can never have too many of those, I assure you! In fact, if you buy two, I'll give you the third one for free!"

"I'm looking for some parts..."

"Parts, eh? A rare commodity these days, but I might have something for you. What do you need?

"An air valve."

"Why, it's your lucky day, friend. This amazing, multi-purpose, one of a kind air valve-looking piece of history can be yours for a token sum of one hundred imperials."

We smack some imperials into his face and get on with it, also I go and buy some more rock oil, we'll need it.

"Dabble in the alchemical arts or need a love potion? A curse on your enemies, perhaps? A custom hex, if you have the coin? Those ain't cheap. How about prosperity candles? Draw luck and success in business dealings. No? Well, look around and let me know if you find anything to your liking."

---

[crafting] "Reattach the air valve."

[success] "It takes a while, but eventually the air valve is restored to its rightful place."

[crafting] "Reattach the oil injector."

[success] "It takes you a few hours to make the injector work as advertised and pump oil into the main chamber as needed." Wow, succeeded on both of those with 4 crafting.

"Add oil and you're good to go. Five jars should be enough." The generator is like one of those monkey things, just instead of adding water you add oil and it'll grow.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/6Coi0yN.png)
"You pray to anyone who might be listening, fill up the lubrication and cooling pipes, and light up the ignition torch. The machine responds by emitting a terrible noise and leaking oil and black smoke. It backfires a few times, then finally comes to its senses and switches to a low humming sounds. A moment later lights flicker and come to life."

*You gain an insight into the liberal arts and trades - 2 civil skill points gained.*

Time to see this Magi message or whatever, we press the switch and the wall falls down like some sort of batcave.
(http://i.imgur.com/xzyQq3H.png)
"You're standing in a small chamber, illuminated by the glowing stone tablets floating in the air with no visible support. Each tablet is carved with rows upon rows of tiny, precise symbols."

Well, we can't not examine the tablets from a gameplay perspective, and why would we? This is the reward for all this effort.
(http://i.imgur.com/YGO8tIA.png)
"You take a few steps forward and touch the closest tablet. They are not made of stone but a much lighter material, and the letters seem to have been burned into the surface rather than inscribed."

[lore] "Decipher the text."

"The tablets are written in cuneiform - a writing system so old that its origins are lost in the mists of time. They say the Magi had gained much insight deciphering tablets that were old when the Empire was barely a kingdom and eventually adopted the script as their own."

"The tablets are addressed to "Those who will succed us" and bear a warning. Unfortunately, the message was intended for their immediate successors who presumably understood their mysterious jargon, and not those who'd come hundreds of years later."

"Read the parts you do understand."

"Take heed all those who tread the Path of Wisdom, for you are the heirs and witnesses to the great Truths inscribed herein. Pass this Knowledge on to those who come after for in it lays the Power of Life and Death."

"First, know ye that these Beings of which I speak dwell in the void between the stars. They are Seven in Number. They wield Power beyond any king or champion and cannot be slain for they are not bound by Flesh nor subject to the corrosion of Time."

"With great difficulty were they awakened and summoned to our plane. Yet whatever their Antiquity or Might, we bound them to our Will, which was the greatest Triumph of the Magi."

"It followed that the treacherous dogs of Qantaar, may the Light never find them, did unravel our bindings. In their foolishness they wished the dwellers of the void to reign over them. IT was this Mistake of our lowest enemy which led to our Ruin, and the world we knew was no more. So are the Workings of Great Men undone by curs."

"War did wash over the land in a Flood and men and cities did burn in Fire and even the seas roil with the fury of War. The sun became as a black circle and the moon hid her face. With long Effort and terrible Sacrifice, we wisest of men Banished the dwellers of the void from this world."

"Remember, those who come after, that Doors can be locked but Doorways remain and the Seven do not cease in their Vigilance, for they wish above all things for the seals to be broken and the doors open once more. Heed these words above all others, for they are the command of Abu Hassan Ibn Hadad al-Sarabi, First of the Magi: Guard the doors forevermore and keep the seals undisturbed."

"Know that if the dwellers of the void do enter this world again, there will be no Power great enough or Magi Wise enough to expel them. Know that the Seven watch and wait in the blackness between the Stars."

"Guard the doors forevermore and keep the seals undisturbed."

[perception] "Examine the tablets one more time."

[success] "You find nothing of interest, except for a small hole in one of the tablets. Holes in old stone tablets are hardly unusual, but the tablets are too flawless and the hole is too perfectly round to be accidental."

"Try the sphere."

"You set the sphere in the hole but it refuses to fit snugly in the socket. Eventually, you realize you need to push and rotate it simultaneously. When the grooves are engaged, the sphere moves smoothly, sinking into the tablet and disappearing entirely. A hidden mechanism gives a series of soft clicks and a compartment at the bottom of the tablet opens to reveal a small metal case."

"Examine the case."
(http://i.imgur.com/iJLxrgi.png)
"The case contains a folded section of parchment and what looks like a set of surgical instruments. There are both smooth and serrated blades of various sizes, hooks to part flesh, a drill with different bits, a few unpleasantly large needles, and a strange metal syringe that incorporates a dead power tube. Ever item is gleaming and sharp, as if begging to be used for the first time."

"You turn to the parchment. It is a detailed diagram of the human body, overlaid with an incredibly complex schematic of geometrical figures and glyphs. The instructions direct the magus to tattoo certain figures on the subject with a metallic ink. The more complicated procedures involve inscribing glyphs directly into the bone. These bone inscriptions are to be filled with Power-infused blue steel. The other side of the parcment is scrawled with a hand written message: "These wards will hold."

"This is a kind of working you have never encountered before, and it takes several moments for you to understand the implications. It is a guide to human experimentation. The magus following these instructions would begin with a human subject, but the result would be a something not seen in hundreds of years, a super-being, the incarnation of a god in living flesh."

*You gain a new insight - 6 skill points.*

So ends the update, we can either go to The Arch, Aemolas Village, Inferiae or Zamedi or go back on the MG train, the Abyss we'll do later since I need money to prepare for it.

Current stats: str 4, dex 4, con 4, per 8, int 10, cha 10.

Current skill levels: all combat skills 1, Lockpick 2, Etiquette 3, Persuasion 7,  Streetwise 6, Crafting 4, Lore 8, Trading 3.

Faction Reputation: HA 4, HC 7, HD 23, AG 2, MG 18, IG 2, TG 2.

General Reputation: Body Count 0, Combat 0, Loyalty 1, Peacemaker 1, Prestige 1, Word of Honor 1.

Traits: Manipulator, Agent, Extremely Persuasive.

Extremely Persuasive: "You've convinced Lord Antidas to have Commander Carrinas killed without producing any proof."

Agent: "You're a low-ranked member of the Commercium."

 

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 6: Libraries and Lies (new poll is up)
Post by: birdy51 on April 16, 2016, 07:47:53 am

...Well then. The plot thickens!

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 6: Libraries and Lies (new poll is up)
Post by: A Thing on April 16, 2016, 10:40:10 am

Quote from: birdy51 on April 16, 2016, 07:47:53 am

...Well then. The plot thickens!

And it's only going to get thicker from here.

Actual spoiler really, even if a visual one.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=607383904
(I'm not joking.)

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 7: Thrones, Treachery, and Turmoil
Post by: A Thing on April 21, 2016, 07:28:46 pm

The MG train commences.

Spoiler: Thrones, Treachery, and Turmoil (click to show/hide)

Having left off last time still at the Library of Saross we have to take the weeks long trip back to Maadoran (try not to think about the distances in this game, they are kinda weird.) It's pretty uneventful, as this game thankfully doesn't have random encounters.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/zidtjZA.png)
We arrive at the MG headquarters and go up this thing.

"I'm Vibius from Teron."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Alright, go up. Strabos is expecting you."  Try not to think about how much time the Saross trips took, although it'll certainly make Strabos' attitude at least somewhat justified.
(http://i.imgur.com/N7autZG.png)
"Master Strabos, known as "Lord" (I wonder why.) Strabos behind his back, started his career as a laborer for a small trading company. His chance came when the head merchant was assassinated in a particularly vicious (They took everything! Even the couch!) takeover attempt. While others hesitated to step forward in fear of making themselves the next target, Strabos, who had nothing to lose, seized the moment (Carpe Diem? Carpe Diem.) and stepped into the recently vacated position. He didn't know much about the day-to-day running of the business, but he knew how to use brute force better than any of his predecessors..."

"Strabos took this lesson to heart - he understood that quick, bold action was often enough to carry you to victory (or a early grave.) And it was this attitude that gave him an edge over his rivals, pushing him all the way up to the top."

We greet him the only way we can, that being shoving a coin down his shirt.

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "Ah, Vibius! (See? The coin-shirt is a good way to greet people; everyone loves it.) Come in, come in. I've heard quite a lot about you, but I've gotta warn you - Maadoran isn't some sleepy little village. It's a big city. (Apparently Strabos hasn't heard about our Magi eyes.) Everything's big here (I'll leave various size jokes to your imagination.) - money, games, stakes. Linos might be happy to play second fiddle to Antidas. He probably even considers himself very clever for getting rid of Carrinas, but let me assure you that that's not how we do things around here."

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "I asked Linos to give me one of his best (That implies Linos actually had other apprentices, which he didn't seem to.) for a reason. What I need is a fresh (http://i.imgur.com/2Rb1rVt.png) face. I need someone very loyal to us, (*cough* -1 loyalty *cough*) yet virtually unknown. I need you to talk to certain people - powerful people - and see where their loyalties lie. If an opportunity presents itself, persuade them to show certain... flexibility." One of them which we'll be meeting soon is very, very, flexible.

We could ask him why he needs a fresh face, but it seems pretty obvious and I don't think we a  paragraph of chiding to understand.

"What exactly will I be persuading them of?" ""Convince them to buy Girl Scout cookies, we need to know where their loyalties lie."

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "Gaelius isn't interested in sharing his power. He thinks he can rule alone. (Before you ask, no Gaelius doesn't have a wife.) I understand the sentiment, I really do. Yet the truth is, no man can rule alone today. (Ignore the fact that the IG Dux rules alone.) Since Gaelius is too stubborn to listen to the voice of reason, he must be replaced with a more suitable candidate."

"Who is the candidate?"

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "His nephew, Serenas. Gaelius should have known better than to let that wretch live."

"Let him live?" Metal Gear? Nanomachines? Shagohod?

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "The boy's worse than useless. No skills, no ambition, no desires. (Untrue, he really desires harlots apparently.) He spends most of his time bedding whores who gave him the title Victorious. He's an embarrassment to the family, yet he *is* family." Oh come on, kinslayer is only 2 diplomacy! There isn't even an organized religion to get mad at you!

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "Had Gaelius been a smarter man, he would have staged an accident  and plugged that hole, but his sister (off-screen sister, the most dangerous of them all) adores the boy and hopes to see him on the throne one day. I think we can make her a a very happy woman and help her realize that dream earlier than she could ever expect."

"Whom do you want me to talk to?"

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "Any man can be killed, even a man like Gaelius. I believe you were a first-hand witness to such events in Teron. You also experienced the chaos of the aftermath." Not really, but Strabos can think whatever he wants."

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "We don't want chaos, we don't want in-fighting, we don't want to give hope to people like Antidas or all the other two-bit Lords with a claim to the city. We want everything done properly and orderly. Are we on the same page, Vibius?"

"So far." Too far so far, dude.

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "So when Gaelius falls, another must take his place without delay. Influential nobles must immediately announce their support and accept him as the true and only heir to the throne. Imperial Guards must do the same and stand firm to prevent any attempts at throwing our city into chaos." Yeah, give the Guards military control, nothing can go wrong!

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "Talk to Lady Lorenza Calani of House Calani. Her House held Maadoran until Gaelius' forefathers showed up en force and took the city from them. Promise her whatever she wants - her support is crucial and she knows it." She really does, prepare for dialogue battle!

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "Next on the list is Legatus Pavola of the Imperial Guards. He has no reason to support Gaelius, but he won't be eager to be a pawn in our games either. Talk to Lord Senna too, see where he stands. He doesn't have as much influence as Lorenza, but his is an old name. In the right circles, it still carries a lot of weight."

"I have a few questions."

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "Ask,"  says Strabos, glancing at the sandglass."

"What can you tell me about Maadoran?"

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "It's the last great city, the only city that's left. The again, how many great cities do wee need, eh? It has everything one could ever wish for, so why would you live anywhere else?" Maybe some people don't like double consonants in the names of their cities, have you ever thought about that?

"What does master Linos think of your plan?"

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "Linos has enough on his plate, he doesn't have time to worry about mine. Not that his opinion matters in this case."

We have nothing left to say to him, so let's go to the cloning facility Imperial Guards barracks.

We go by the cape salesmen on the way out.

"Fancy a cape, my friend? Nothing says that you're a man of means and taste like a fine cape!"
(http://i.imgur.com/qXQ4DsU.png)
I pick up this one, it makes Vibius look sorta like a Sith-lord but whatever.

---

"An observant person could deduce much about Legatus Pavola by his rank and posting. Maadoran is the last place where troubles are expected, which means that the legatus' abilities weren't needed elsewhere, which means they weren't needed at all. At the same time, it was an important post, which could only be given to a reliable officer accustomed to carrying out orders quickly and efficiently, without ever questioning them. Finally, both the rank and the posting suggested that Pavola was a performance-orientated officer who knew how to keep his superiors happy - an often overlooked trait vital for one's advancement."
(http://i.imgur.com/ltrbcjL.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/UaC0z7l.png) "I already told that fat fuck no," says Pavola skipping the pleasantries. "We'll deal with Gaelius in our own way."

"Like Carrinas did? Trust me, you go at Gaelius alone, you'll fail. Take help when it's offered."

(http://i.imgur.com/UaC0z7l.png) "Nobody knows what happened in Teron," says Pavola grimly."

[persuasion] "I do. I was there. We offered our help to Carrinas, (not really) but his answer was the same as yours. And now he's dead and Antidas' position is stronger than ever. Don't even make the same mistake."

(http://i.imgur.com/UaC0z7l.png)   [success] "Say what you want, but we both know that if we get in bed with you, we get fucked."   

[streetwise] [charisma] "After what happened in Teron? You don't get in bed with us, you're fucked for sure. Take our hand, before it's too late." At least you'll get fucked by someone with 10 charisma.

(http://i.imgur.com/UaC0z7l.png) [success "Very well. We can try it your way first, but on one condition - the Imperial Guards will absorb and replace the Aurelian legionaries. (Again, nothing can go wrong.) We don't need two armed groups in the city - one's more than enough to keep the peace."

"It's only fair." The rest of the conspirators are in the Palace district, so we got there next.
(http://i.imgur.com/zidtjZA.png)
"You enter the palace district, your senses assaulted by the sights and sounds of the sea of humanity around you. (Everyone is wearing plaid and cargo-shorts!) Everywhere, people shout and jostle for position - haughty nobles and their routines and guards, guild masters giving orders to scurrying clerks, emissaries from distant lands seeking an audience, servants of the Great House on urgent errands, citizens seeking ruling on disputes and tattered petitioners come to beg for aid. A few guards look on in boredom, carefully avoided by the rest; their role seem to be to maintain order in the chaos more than to bar entry and to keep an eye on the slaves laboring to restore the walls surrounding the palace."

"In the distance you see the palace itself - a multi-dome structure surrounded by tall minarets. Legend has it that the minarets somehow protected the palace from attacks, during the war. But there is no defense against betrayal; (besides having a competent spymaster) one of the minarets was brought down from within by a traitor. You can see where it collapsed, caving in one of the domes as it fell. There is a slight shimmering in the air around the minarets, even the fallen one., which probably explains why it hasn't been cleared, even after all these years."
(http://i.imgur.com/lvPn5CE.png)
"You can't get in without a badge," says a man standing next to you. "I had to wait six weeks to get mine and the goddamn thing is only good for a day. Cost me 250 imperials. It's nothing but another levy."

This guy is lying, but for some arbitrary reason no matter your perception or streetwise you can't detect it. I just leave since we should know. We could talk to him, but who actually cares? He really has absolutely nothing valuable to say.

---

"Lady Lorenza Calani of House Calani was married five times. All five husbands died in unfortunate accidents, adding their wealth and power to House Calani. Lorenza blamed assassins and other Houses. House Aurelian blamed Lorenza's lust for power and claimed, as a warning to to others, that the "cold and calculating bitch" would never be satisfied with being a mere wife. (Turns out heads of Houses are not exactly happy to let their House be consumed.) Neither the warning nor the popular opinion, suggesting that one explanation doesn't necessarily exclude the other, had any effect on the prominent suitors who seemed to surround Lorenza at all times."

Considering that back story, we don't slam a coin down her shirt, and instead greet her with the etiquette success we have.
(http://i.imgur.com/gMh5KUt.png)
[etiquette success] "Thank you for receiving me on such a short notice, my lady."

"She smiles and nods, acknowledging your effort."

(http://i.imgur.com/3sfOU7s.png) "I couldn't keep the vanquisher of Commander Carrinas waiting. It's such a delightful and completely unexpected surprise."

"Does the word travel that fast?" Again, don't think about the travel times.

(http://i.imgur.com/3sfOU7s.png) "The word? No. People in my employ do. It used to be my family's city, did they tell you that?" Sounds like she is asking to see our absurd lore skill, well, we can't say no can we? Really, we can't, we only have the lore success option.

Think it worth mentioning that this dialogue is very, very different from others. We are going to have to pass a very high skill check and things like that lore check and picking dialogue options that Lorenza likes, will consequently make the check easier. I think this is one of the few dialogues like this, sadly, so enjoy it while you can.

[lore success] "I'm well versed in history, my lady. House Calani ruled Maadoran for centuries until House Aurelian took it by force shortly after the Great War. I hope that one day your city will be restored to you."

(http://i.imgur.com/3sfOU7s.png) "How kind of you to say that," says Lorenza without any emotions."

(http://i.imgur.com/3sfOU7s.png) "I knew that Strabos summoned someone before the ink on his letter had the chance to dry. I suppose I could have waited, but I do like to know who I'm working with. So... it's you against the most powerful man of the realm. Do you really think you have what it takes?" Are you a bad enough dude, Vibius?

"Only one way to find out." We could say we represent the guild, but Vibius' loyalty of -1 says otherwise.

(http://i.imgur.com/3sfOU7s.png) "How delightfully bold. Then again, what is it that you really stand to lose? You're a nobody - no name, (How dare you insult the Loreton name!) no reputation, no assets. If you weren't bold, you would have had nothing at all."

Again two options, the second is pretty much impatient, which Vibius doesn't seem to be.

"I stand to lose my life. It's much more important to me than your assets."

(http://i.imgur.com/3sfOU7s.png) "Well, at least you're honest. It's a refreshing quality in this city, although it does cast some doubt on your usefulness."

"Your support is very useful to us..."

(http://i.imgur.com/3sfOU7s.png) "I daresay it is, but what will I be getting out of this? Will I get my city? Are you going to return it to its rightful owners?"

"It's not in my power, but I'm sure we can work something out." The other option is "Do you really expect me to?" and sassing Lorenza like that seems like a bad idea.

(http://i.imgur.com/3sfOU7s.png) "I'm the Lady of House Calani, not some fishwife. I don't haggle with the lowborn."

Do you really expect Strabos to hand over the city?"

(http://i.imgur.com/3sfOU7s.png) "I expect nothing and everything at the same time, but enough about me. What do *you* expect, Vibius? What do *you* want to get out of it?"

"To make a name for myself and see where it takes me." The other two options were "The satisfaction of a job well done," and "Not ending up dead would be a good start." None of them are really close to Vibius' true goal of knowledge gathering, but the ambition one seems close enough.

(http://i.imgur.com/3sfOU7s.png) "An ambitious man? Welcome to Maadoran then. I know you will enjoy your stay."

"I'd love to stay and chat, but I have people to see..." Really, only one person at this point but we can't tell her that.

(http://i.imgur.com/3sfOU7s.png) "This must be the impatience of youth I've heard so much about," says Lorenza with a tolerant smile."

(http://i.imgur.com/3sfOU7s.png) "I'll be honest with you, Vibius. As much as I despise Gaelius,I despise the idea of "lord" Strabos pulling Serenas' strings even more. Am I alone in such concerns?"

"Serenas is nothing but a puppet. Without someone pulling his strings, he just might crumble into a heap."

(http://i.imgur.com/3sfOU7s.png) "I feel that I'm perfectly capable of pulling his strings all by myself. I hardly need Strabos there to assist me, do I?"

"You don't, but you do need Strabos to put Serenas on the throne."

(http://i.imgur.com/3sfOU7s.png) "And once he is on the throne?" inquires Lorenza looking past you."

"I won't stand in your way." So, I tried convincing her the other way, we simply cannot. I've spent too many points on lore, maybe if we went doing lore sites we could succeed, but maybe if people wanted that right now they would've voted, eh?

(http://i.imgur.com/3sfOU7s.png) "Then we have a deal. Tell Strabos he has my support."

Time to meet Lord Senna.

---

"Lord Senna has served three Lords of House Aurelian - a fact attesting to his ability to make himself indispensable and a character of unwavering loyalty. While he was indeed a very capable administrator, which explained the former, he was an extremely cautious man, who had a tendency to label all risks unnecessary, which explained the latter. Yet, after more than forty years of service he became less and less satisfied with the role of a servant and thus, more open to the idea of taking risks."
(http://i.imgur.com/PALsRYY.png)
He seems like a guy who would want a Gaelius in his shirt, so we stuff one down his.

(http://i.imgur.com/w8oXSHg.png) "How may I be of service?" asks Senna, his voice showing neither the desire to be of service nor any interest in your problems."

"I'm working for master Strabos. He seeks your wisdom and opinion on certain subjects."

(http://i.imgur.com/w8oXSHg.png) "Your master gives me too much credit. What does he wish to know?"

"Lord Gaelius' days are numbered. Will you support Serenas as his successor?"

"Lord Senna raises his eyebrow at the way you approached the subject and smiles slightly."

(http://i.imgur.com/w8oXSHg.png) "I'm Lord Gaelius' loyal subject," he says in the same casual tone, sounding neither offended nor particularly loyal. "Out of respect for your master, I shall assume that your question was mostly theoretical and won't mention it to my liege."

[intelligence success] [streetwise] "My apologies, I misspoke. I meant to say that Lord Gaelius is a mere mortal, unfortunately, and that sooner or later the question of succession will have to be raised. In my opinion, sooner is always better than later, when it comes to such things."

(http://i.imgur.com/w8oXSHg.png) (Pretty sure you can't succeed that, all it does is prevent him from kicking you out immediately.) "Your master's concerns for the fate of the city are touching. I hope he doesn't lose too much sleep over them. As for the matter of succession, there are many suitable candidates. Should the unthinkable happen, they will all be considered. Isn't that what's best for the city?"

"Which candidate would you support, my lord?"

(http://i.imgur.com/w8oXSHg.png) "It's hard to say right now. There are so many things to consider."

[charisma] Mmmm a pure charisma check, so good. "Very true. In these matters, mistakes could be very costly."

(http://i.imgur.com/w8oXSHg.png) [failure success] "Quite so. After all, the future Lord of House Aurelian will hold the fate of the entire city in his hands."

"Too much power for one man, perhaps?"

(http://i.imgur.com/w8oXSHg.png) "These are treacherous words, Vibius," observes Senna calmly."

[etiquette success] [persuasion] I'm only looking for what's best for the city, my lord. A man destined to rule this great city should possess a lot of qualities, but I believe that it is the willingness to listen to well-meant counsel that will set him apart from all others."

(http://i.imgur.com/w8oXSHg.png) [success] "It does appear to be an important quality, doesn't it?"

"And who's better to guide our new liege to greatness than you, my lord?"

[success] I think there is a hidden charisma check there, I don't actually know though. I wish there was an option to actually see some of these hidden things, it would definitely would overload new players though.                                                                                                                                                                        (http://i.imgur.com/w8oXSHg.png) "Well, if you put it this way, how can I refuse my sacred duty to this city? Tell master Strabos that he can count on my support - should the unthinkable happen, of course."

Time to go back to Strabos then, there is a sidequest here that we'll definitely want to check out later, but I think we got more than enough of those last update.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "What do you have for me, Vibius?"

"Legatus Pavola, Lady Lorenza Calani, and Lord Senna."

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "All three? Not bad for a farm boy! I'm impressed. Unfortunately, we have bigger problems now."

*You gain a new insight - 20 skill points.*

*You receive 250 imperials for your service*

*You gain a new insight into the liberal arts and trades - 2 civil skill points.*

*Commercium reputation increased*

"Bigger problems?" Bigger problems in the big city? Unthinkable!

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "The fucking Boatmen. After that stunt that Neleos pulled, Darista took the local chapter straight to Gaelius. They are working for him now, propping up his regime one corpse at a time."

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "Someone must have talked, so they paid me a visit while you were making the rounds. They wanted names. I gave them yours." Not saying we have reasoning to do some things, but we have some reasons.

"Who's Darista?"

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "Darista runs the local Boatmen chapter. She is something of a cunt, but what else can you expect from a woman who prefers killing to raising children? (If you needed more reason to dislike Strabos, here it is.) She did the mercenary work for years. Joining the Boatmen was her way of settling down."

"Does it mean that Gaelius knows?" We could ask why he gave them our name, but that should be pretty obvious even if you were barely paying attention to this update.

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "If he knew, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now. He doesn't know - yet, but with the Boatmen on it, it's only a matter of time."

"How did the Boatmen find out?"

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "It's their job now and apparently they are better at it than I thought. Well, you didn't think it was going to be easy, did you?"

"My name? What do I have to do with all this?" Wow, I forgot I had to choose this option. There should probably be a perception or intelligence skill check that bypasses this.

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "You're working for me, aren't you, you fucking shit? (Ratting us out and insulting us, what an admirable leader.) That's what you have to do with it. Gods help Linos if I find out that he fucked me and sent me an idiot..."

"Who was asking questions?"

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "Hamza, who else? Sorry, I keep forgetting that you've just arrived."

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "Darista, she's the brain. The Boatmen follow her because she knows how to use her head. Business has been good ever since she took over and that's what counts. So, she brings in contracts and ol' Hamza makes sure that they are carried out to the clients' satisfaction."

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "You can say that Darista runs the guild and Hamza manages the manpower."

"Can he be bought? Any useful vices?"

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "You're full of ideas, aren't you, boy? If I could buy him, why would I need you?"

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "Hamza is a straight edge. He'll never go against the guild."

[intelligence success] "Unless he thinks that he's saving it."

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "You really think you're that good, Vibius? If Hamza doesn't like what you have to say, it will be a very short conversation. You realize that, don't you?"

"I'll be fine. What's your plan?"

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "I told the boatmen that I'll let them know where they can find you and that's exactly what I will do - but only when you're good and ready."

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "I'm sure that someone with your skills would be able to run circles around the Boatmen, but if my confidence is misplaced, beg Pavola to give you some of his men. Don't the Guards have some kind of grudge against the Boatmen?"

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "You can use one of our houses for this purpose. You'll have all the privacy you need and should things turn bloodly, the servants are well trained and well paid to keep their mouths shut."

"So, we use the Boatmen to keep the Guards in check and the Guards to keep the Boatmen in check. Do we have any real allies?"

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "Real? You mean permanent? Nothing is permanent in this world, Vibius. Things change, goals change, people change. Yesterday's ally is today's bitter enemy."

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "Carrinas a fanatic. Pavola is a reasonable man without any illusions of grandeur. Why shouldn't we work with him?"

"That's not much of a plan."

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "Do you expect me to do your job for you? I'm giving you the Boatmen on a silver platter."

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "Strabos gives you a critical look and sighs. "If everything fails, at least buy us some time. Send them on some wild goose chase."

"I'll need a name."

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "Lord Massalus. I've never liked him and I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual. Might as well kill two birds with one stone."

"Alright." I guess we leave? We aren't going anywhere, just going to exit the dialogue and initiate it again so we can get to the Boatmen.

"About the assassins..."

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "Are you ready to deal with the Boatmen?"

"Yes."

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "I'll make arrangements. Wait for the Boatmen at the villa."

"Alright." Time to teleport to the villa.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/J90n1Jk.png)
"Are you ready, master Vibius?"

"Yes." 
(http://i.imgur.com/NLHOzyF.png)
"Old Hamza was a man of few words. He never had much use for them in his line of work. You get a job, you get it done, you get paid. If you do a good job, there will be more jobs. What's there to talk about?"

"Hamza joined the Boatmen when he was fourteen, (apparently the Boatmen recruit at the same age ranges anime mecha organizations recruit at) when things were simple. These days everything was changing too fast and it didn't sit well with him. The Boatmen never bowed down to nobody and that was a good thing. Made Hamza proud. These days... These days, the business was good, but the guild was practically eating out of Gaelius' had and Hamza wasn't sure he liked where things were going."

Time to saunter up to this former child soldier assassin.

(http://i.imgur.com/EKUiH0z.png) "Vibius," says Hamza, his voice hoarse and low. You hear nothing but regret in his voice - regret that things have gone far enough to require his involvement."

(http://i.imgur.com/EKUiH0z.png) "Tell me what I need to know and I'll give you a warrior's death, fast and clean," says Hamza, skipping the pleasantries. "It may not seem like a good deal right now, but trust me, it is."

So, here is the choice. The reason I chose the Commercium, House Aurelian or Commercium? I'll leave that for all of you to decide. You've got a week, vote or don't.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 7: Thrones, Treachery, and Turmoil
Post by: birdy51 on April 21, 2016, 10:21:48 pm

Hrmm. I vote ye follow yer gut. Do what Vibius would do. Do it for the Lore!

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 7: Thrones, Treachery, and Turmoil
Post by: A Thing on April 22, 2016, 12:14:28 am

Well, House Aurelian would probably the one then. They have a pretty good loremaster that we can talk to and also aren't run by Feng Strabos. I'm mostly putting this up to poll because it is a pretty major splitting point in the LP, if we leave the MG we aren't coming back. Not that we've actually benefited from being a part of it, we got a book and 250 imperials after giving them Teron. Sure Teron isn't a major city, but we gave them a Noble House puppet, and a land to stage a mercenary invasion!

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 7: Thrones, Treachery, and Turmoil
Post by: A Thing on April 22, 2016, 02:41:04 pm

Here's what happens if we attack Hamza, because I couldn't get him to kill me otherwise.

(http://i.imgur.com/mIeXmKQ.png)

"You dedicate your last moments to Strabos, whom you're holding solely responsible for your death. So you lie there, bleeding like a pig and looking at all the blood that used to course through your veins, and cursing Strabos. You've never really believed in curses before, but what do you have to lose now? If it doesn't work, you're dead anyway. If it does and Strabos' line will live under a horrible curse for the rest of eternity, well, that's something. You've heard something about blood magic before. Well, that's gotta be it, right? No shortage of blood in this room, that's for sure."

"You gather your strength and yell your curse - powerful, terrible, potent. The blood responds. You feel it! You know it! A dark shadow falls upon you. You turn your head to look at the horrible creature you've conjured and see one of Hamza's assassins. Something flashes and your world goes dark."

This isn't even the longest of these, I remember one that had a scrollbar. A scrollbar!

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 8: Gallantry and Gallivanting
Post by: A Thing on April 28, 2016, 12:12:11 am

Since the votes seem stabilized, and I'd rather not have to stay up until 3 AM on Thursday, I'm doing a shorter (you know what that means) update today which will hopefully get the Aurelian intro stuff out of the way.

Spoiler: Gallantry and Gallivanting (click to show/hide)

Nothing has changed since the last update, if you want a recap go reread that.

"I want a better deal."

(http://i.imgur.com/EKUiH0z.png) "Of course you do. You're a merchant." What wit, what cunning! Maybe now we see now why Hamza speaks little.

[persuasion] "Why take my life when all you want is a name? I'm sure I can be useful to you in the future."

(http://i.imgur.com/EKUiH0z.png) [success] "Alright," says Hamza suddenly, which makes you wonder if the threat was real. "Give me a name and get out of here."

We can give him a variety of names, but why would we do that when we can do this?

"I'll give them to Gaelius if you can take me to him."

(http://i.imgur.com/EKUiH0z.png) "Aways (Hamza also apparently has a speech impediment) looking for a deal, eh? Alright, come with me."

We aways with Hamza.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/Xe4Zxde.png)
"Hamza quickly explains the situation to the Legatus, while Lord Gaelius listens carefully, (He probably has 8 perception too!) glancing in your direction. He asks the Legatus something before gesturing for you to approach."

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "Speak," commands Gaelius, beckoning you to step forward."

"I've uncovered a plot against you, my lord."

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "A plot?" frowns Gaelius."

"Strabos is conspiring against you, my lord. I have the names of everyone involved."

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "I thank you for the warning. Stay here as my guest, while the Boatmen do what they do best."

*House Aurelian reputation increased*

*Commercium reputation decreased*

*Loyalty decreased*

I actually got an Steam achievement from doing this, apparently Vibius has a dangerous habit of betraying his masters. We also stay in the palace and enjoys Gaelius' hospitality, hopefully this place has room service.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "You've served me well, Vibius. Swear your allegiance to me and be welcomed into the ranks of those who have chosen to serve my House."

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "Any past oaths will be dissolved, any past transgressions against my House  will be forgiven (what outpost?) in consideration of services already rendered and faithful service expected from you from this day forward."

[etiquette success] By the way, 4 etiquette is about as high as checks for it go. I dunno why you can even level it to 10, maybe there is something I missed. "I swear to serve you, your cause, and House Aurelian faithfully, never cause you harm and will observe my homage to you completely against all persons in good faith and without deceit."

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "Well said, I have a task for you - one of great importance. A taks I could only entrust to a praetor."

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "Kneel, Vibius."

*You gain a new insight into the liberal arts and trades - 1 civil skill point*

*House Aurelian reputation increased*

We kneel and rise a praetor of House Aurelian, a sith-lord no longer!

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "I'm sure you've heard about what happened in Teron. The Imperial Guards have finally shown their true colors (Violet and blue?) They are a snake, coiled to strike. The question is, do I wait until the last moment, becoming a prisoner in my own city, depending on the good will of others, or do I take steps to defend myself and my city from those who'd take it away from me? I think you know the answer."

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "I need an army, Vibius, an army that will stand between me and the so-called Guards, an army that will stand firm between stability and chaos."

"Where would you find an army?"

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "You don't have to worry about it. I've already found my army - I made a deal with one of the Ordu tribes." Gaelius' plan is pretty much to make a Mongolian Varangian Guard.

"You'll open your gates to the Ordu?"

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "I've already opened them to the Imperial Guards. The true enemy is already within my walls. Now, it's time to even the scales.  At worst, the Ordu will keep the Imperial Guards in check, while the Guards will keep the Ordu from running amok in my city. At best... ah, we all can dream, can we not?"

"What do you want me to do?" We could question his ability to control them, but I believe he has answered that question already.

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "I want you to bring them here. The Ordu should have been here a week ago, but they are stalling. Go to their encampment, find out what the problem is and fix it. Do it for me and you'll be well rewarded."

"I will, my lord."

But wait, there's more!
(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "One more thing, Vibius. The only way to the Ordu's camp lies through the Harran's Pass. The pass is controlled by the Imperial Guards. If they suspect that you're working for me, they'll throw you off the mountain. Needless to say, it's your best interest that they don't."

"What are they going to do when they see an approaching army?" Invite them in for some family friendly fun, obviously!

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "They will send for help and will try to delay you until the reinforcements get there. If they do, it's over. The Ordu won't stand a chance against a legion of veteran soldiers, holding high ground. So, whatever you're going to do, do it fast."

Well, we're not going to do that right now, no we are going to talk to a loremaster.
(http://i.imgur.com/2lU4hJ9.png)
Before we do that, look at this weird thing Erebus has. What is in that box? Is it the key to the city? Is it the head of General Gaelius? Is it the arm of Ibn Hadad? Is it nothing? Who knows!
(http://i.imgur.com/Sa5P81N.png)
"Master Erebus is a dignified man in his sixties, with a grey, well groomed beard, appropriate for his position, and sharp, intelligent eyes."

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "Have you come seeking my wisdom?" he asks in a surprisingly strong, booming voice. It seems that master Erebus has accepted his own superiority a long time ago and his mannerism reflects the confidence this acceptance required."

"I have some questions..."

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "Ask what you want to know."

"What can you tell me about the War?"

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "It's an endless topic. We can talk for hours and barely scratch the surface there. Why don't you ask what you really want to know?"

"How did it start?" "Well, Vibius, let me tell you about the birds and the bees..."

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "Everyone knows it," says Erebus, raising his eyebrows in surprise. "We were attacked by the Qantari. If you want to know why they attacked us, we can do nothing but speculate. Unfortunately, only the Qantari know the answer and they are long dead."

"A storyteller told me about a drawing he saw in lord Gaelius' library. It depicted the Magi and the Qantari overseeing the construction of some kind of town. Any ideas on what it might mean?"

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "Nothing significant. Just because the Empire was at war with the Qantari doesn't mean that all Qantari were our enemies. I'm sure that there were some good people among them, people who rejected their evil and joined the Empire."

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "I did see this drawing and the only item of note there is the name of the town - Al-Akia. I don't recall it mentioned anywhere else, so if there is a mystery there to be solved, it's not in the fact that we worked with some Qantari, but in the town itself."

"Why?" 10 intelligence everybody! 10 intelligence.

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "The Empire had good record-keeping. While I'm sure that there is a perfectly good explanation of why this town isn't mentioned anywhere, I have to admit that it's a bit strange. I'm too old to be interested in ancient mysteries, when there is so much still needs to be done in the present, but it's almost as if all traces of it were destroyed. Except for the silly old drawing that nobody looked twice at."

"So how do I find an ancient town that isn't mentioned anywhere?"

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "Well, young master, if it was easy, anyone could do it. Do me a favor and keep me informed of your progress. I think that I'm developing a taste for these mysteries of yours."

*You gain a new insight - 6 skill points gained*

Unfortunately this sidequest I believe is unfinishable at this time. The developers planned to have you find Al-Akia but you simply can't do it through this. Maybe in a future update.

"Let me ask you something else."

"What do you know about the gods and demons who fought in the War?"

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "It's hardly a secret," says Erebus. "The Qantari couldn't defeat us, so they had summoned some horrible beasts (like elephants or squirrels) and unleashed them upon our cities. Our Magi had responded in kind and brought forth nobler allies, who helped us throw the Qantari and their hellish minions back into the sea."

[intelligence success] "So, the Empire stood for more than a thousand years, yet there is not a single record of otherworldly beings, gods or demons. Then the Qantari came and at the drop of a hat we summon "gods" to aid us in battle as if it's something one always does in crisis."

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "I wouldn't recommend taking legends at their face. It's clear that something extraordinary took place during the war, yet people's ability to describe the extraordinary is limited. So, they've described it in familiar, fairy-tale terms - gods and demons coming to aid and fight alongside men."

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "The key lies in what you've just said. Until the Qantari showed up, there was no talk of gods and demons, just like there was no sighting of either after the war was over. So, what happened had something to do with the Qantari and was clearly a one-time event."

"Did they come from the sea?"

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "From across the ocean, if you want to be specific. A couple of ships at first, their entire fleet a year later."

"If they wanted to invade, why did they wait a year?" Maybe the ocean is just that big? Maybe it was a scouting fleet?

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "Who knows what they wanted and what they knew of us? It could very well be that the first ships were scouts, looking for a land ripe for pillage."

[lore success] "And yet the war started beforet he fleet came. Why would a few ships attack us, knowing full well that they don't stand a chance?"

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the Empire attacked them first, if that's what you're getting at."

[intelligence success] "I'd be more interested to learn how "a few scout ships" managed to hold their own against the Empire for a year."

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "Hmm, interesting," says Erebus thoughtfully, stroking his beard. "I've never thought of it this way - due to the lack of interest in the military matters, (Erebus has no interest in military matters or the ancient mysteries, what does he have interest in?) but now that I did, I'm inclined to agree with you."

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "There is a number of records confirming that only three ships had arrived at first. Regardless of what these ships' purpose was and who attacked whom first, the Qantari couldn't have lasted a year, and yet it is an undeniable fact that the war was in full swing when the Qantari's fleet had arrived."

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "The only logical conclusion here is that the war didn't start when the Qantari arrived. It does look like they were here for a while, before things turned sour. I wonder what they were up to," says Erebus, lost in his thoughts."

"Why did the Empire fall?"

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "Why? Because it was time. All empires fall. Some last decades, some last centuries, but sooner or later death comes for them all. It's inevitable." *insert overused Dwarf Fortress meme here*

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "Everything has its seasons. Fall follows summer. Winter follows fall. Spring - the rebirth - follows winter. This is the way of life and kingdoms and empires are no exception. They have their springs, their summers, their falls, and finally winters, when they crumble and die, only to be reborn again."

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "The war with the Qantari wasn't the reason. It was the catalyst. Once a body weakens, a number of things can kill it. If not for the Qantari, it would have been something else."

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "I'm not sure I follow."

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "Have you never seen soft and spoiled children squandering away the domains built by their forefathers? Imagine it on a much grander scale and you'll have your answer."

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "All empires are born in blood and conquest, (This whole bit reminds me that I was also planning to do a Jade Empire LP, well, maybe that'll happen, maybe) so first come the conquerors. They aren't burdened by moral considerations. They take from others, those who were too weak to protect their gains. Many will die, but they won't die in vain - their lands, their wealth, even the slaves will nurture and strengthen the growing empire as if they were the mother's mile."

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "When the stage for the second act is set, come the administrators. They build, they manage, they grow and multiply. They create order out of post-conquest chaos. History has known many great conquerors, but not every conquest gave birth to an empire. Many newly created domains had collapsed the moment the warlord died. (Poor, poor Alexander.) Why? Poor administration."

"And then?"

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "And then come those who neither built nor conquered. They start the process of squandering it all away because they don't know its value and don't understand the price that was paid by the previous generations. They think that prosperity will last forever. They look at the vast size of the domain entrusted to them and mistake it for strength. It's so big, it can't possibly fall."

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "The fall is a gradual process and that's what makes it unstoppable. Bad decisions don't result in instant, disastrous consequences. They work slowly, spreading decay and corruption of the very foundation of an empire. By the time it becomes obvious to everyone, it's usually too late."

"I see."

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "If you do, then stop worrying about empires that are long gone, and serve an empire that's on the rise.'

"Gaelius' Empire?"

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "Whose else? The land needs a master. We need to start rebuilding. We need to unite the factions - forcefully, if needed - and bring everything under Maadoran's control. We need to bring order to the wasteland and make it a safe place once again. We need more towns, farms, mines!"

"Tell that to Gaelius."

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "Erebus straightens up and smiles. "I'm more than a loremaster or stargazer. I carry many a burden for lord Gaelius." What that exactly means, we'll never find out.

"Why is Gaelius so afraid of the artefacts?" May or may not have anything to do with massive craters and broken landscape.

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "Keeping the world safe has been House Aurelian's duty ever since they came to Maadoran in the aftermath of the War. The Magi's warnings left us little doubt that the magic is dangerous, not that we needed to be told this - the world around us speaks for itself. What sane person would want to unleash these horrors again?"

"The warnings?" That glowing blue Star Wars library? Never happened.

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "The Magi left us cryptic messages, warning us not to repeat their mistakes. They speak of doors that should never be opened again, of spells that must never be reversed, of dangers that were underestimated. I have a feeling that they were written as a warning to those who'd be able to follow in their footsteps, but as you know the Magi are gone from the this world."

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "Unfortunately, many of their artefacts remain. It took the brightest minds to construct them, but any fool can press a button and unleash something he doesn't understand, something we won't be able to stop this time." Do you get the idea yet? Doors and such? No? Maybe we should say it again to cause A Thing more pain.

"What happened to the Magi? Why are they gone?"

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "Most Magi were killed during the war. They may have helped us win it, but they were blamed for the destruction after. Those who survived the war were hunted, schools were burned... It was a dark time."

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "Without the schools, without anyone left to teach, the Art had died quickly. I get reports on children born with what the peasants call the gift, but so far I've seen nothing substantial. Either these "gifts" are weak or it takes a long time and help to develop them."

"I have some artefacts I'd like you to look at."

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "Nothing dangerous, I hope. Very well, show me."

We flash the "Jellyfish" artefact at him.

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "Now, this is a real gem. It's a unique key with its own signature. The magic in it must match the magic of the lock or it will never be opened. Where did you find such a relic?"

"In Teron, hidden in the ruins of a guard tower."

(http://i.imgur.com/1zkKlgM.png) "Strange. All I can think of is the mine, but a mine isn't something you need a special lock and key for. Well, if you do find the lock, I hope you will do your duty and let us handle it."

"Is there anything you can teach me?"

[Aurelian reputation success] "You've served this House well," nods Erebus, "so I'm inclined to let you drink deep from the fountain of wisdom." Is that innuendo for something? I dunno If I want "etiquette" training now.

*Your Etiquette has increased*

*You gain a new insight into the liberal arts and trades - 5 civil skill points*

With that, we have nothing left to say to him, so let me show you the palace district side-quest I was talking about.
(http://i.imgur.com/iBvA03b.png)
(This is directly in front of the palace.) "I demand the Lord's justice!" shouts the man again, but with less vigor."

"What happened?"

"I was wronged!" says the man quickly, grateful for the attention. "He took my house! His men threw me out of my house! I've always paid my levies. Always! No questions, no excuses. I have a right to demand justice, yet they won't even let me in to see Lord Gaelius!"

"Slow down. Who threw you out of your house and why? Start from the beginning." Why Vibius why? Why you gotta do this to me? Why can't you ask him for a summary?

"My name is Caius Amerius, a prospector by trade," says the man after taking a deep breath and gathering his thoughts. "I've seen my share of oddities and wonders over the years, but they don't come close to what I discovered several months ago."

"I was exploring the mountain range to the north, following the rumors of an ancient temple built into one of the mountains, when suddenly the mountains rumbled and shook, throwing me to the ground. When the quake passed, I saw that there was a long crack in the rock, shining with blue light."

"The crack was no more than a few inches wide, so I could only peer inside, but what I saw there made me weak in the knees. A terrifying figure, horned and huge, (totally not related to that horned dude on the cover) sat upon a throne, gazing at me with indifference. In front of the throne stood the biggest metal chest I've ever seen, flanked by glowing lamps."

"It took me a while to realize that the mysterious figure was a long dead guardian of the tome, still clad in the battle armor of legends. The armor alone, so well preserved, would fetch a fortune, for it is a gift fit for any lord. As for the chest he was guarding.... The mere thought of what might be inside made me dizzy."

"So there I was, a few steps away from the biggest find of my life, yet unable to reach it. I would never been able to go through that rock on my own, and so I returned to Maadoran and carefully approached a number of men who could fund such projects. All but one had turned me down."

"What happened next?"

"Against my better judgment, I made a deal with Marcus Valla, a man of means and reputation. He invested twelve thousand imperials in exchange for an equal share of the proceeds, and I purchased slaves, tools, and supplies. Knowing that large expeditions often attract unwanted attention, I hired fighting men to accompany us on the journey."

"I fully admit that my experience in such matters was limited, but I didn't want to bring in another partner to handle it. Even the greatest treasure can be reduced to a handful of coins if you have to split it too many ways."

"I sense a tragic twist coming up."

"Quite so," nods the man. "The slaves worked day and night, for we were in a hurry and soon cut a way in. We took the battle armor out of the chamber first. The magic animating it was long gone, but it was still quite a marvel. The chest was a marvel too, in its own right. There was no lock - the lid was sealed, fused closed!"

"Our tools couldn't open it, so we had to use the black powder. Twice we had tried and twice we had failed, but the third blast tore the chest apart, killing several slaves who could still fetch a good price at the market."

"What was in the chest?"

"Nothing," laughs the man, sounding half-mad. "Nothing but scrolls that were incinerated the moment we blasted that damn chest open. No sooner had I thought I still had the armor than the accursed mercenaries, these dogs without any honor, turned on me! They took the armor and the slaves and left me there, right where I started, alone with my broken dreams."

We could say "It's outrageous! What is the world coming to?" but I'm pretty sure we've seen and heard enough things that it wouldn't make much sense.

"You should have seen it coming. You hire fighting men you have no leverage over and hope they will be kind enough to let you keep the spoils. You're lucky they didn't kill you."

"Sadly, my misfortunes were far from over. When I returned home, Marcus Valla, this fiend in human form, demanded his money back. Obviously, I couldn't pay him, so this very morning his men came and threw me out of my own house! He told me that until I pay him what I borrowed, the house is his. The audacity!"

"So, where is the armor now?"

"Weren't you listening? It's gone! The mercenaries took it."

"What makes this armor so special?"

"It's the fabled armor of legends. I'd seen plenty of drawings, but this was the first time I've actually had one before my eyes. It was heavy - it took several men to carry it. I can't fathom the strength of someone who would be able to wear it into battle. Maybe the stories are right. Maybe it was an age of great heroes and we are nothing but children to them."

"Why did they leave someone to guard the chest?"

"How should I know? Maybe he didn't expect to wait that long or maybe he was guarding the chest until it was ready to be taken elsewhere. Who knows?"

"Well, better luck next time."

"Better luck? But... I thought you were going to help me."

"What do you want me to do?"

"I was thrown out of my own house. What do you think I want you to do?"

"Alright, take me to Marcus Valla."

"Come with me!"

We aways with him.

"Amerius take you to an unremarkable house in the Trade district. "Are you going to kill him?" he asks cautiously."

"We'll see"

"You're standing outside Amerius' house. If you aren't wondering why, you should." Game is being sassy, insulting our sidequesting adventures! We rap on the door by the way, if that is a necessary detail for you.

"A rough looking man opens the door and gives you a hard stare. He looks like a typical mercenary, scarred and broad-shouldered. If you have to guess, his job is to look menacing and scare visitors away."

"What do you want?"

"I want to talk to Marcus Valla."

"The mercenary eyes you for half a minute, hoping that you'd drop dead or run away screaming, then reluctantly offers you to come inside."
(http://i.imgur.com/YCygKpC.png)
"What can I do for you?" inquires a stern-looking man."

"I had a conversation with Caius Amerius. He claims that this house belongs to him."

"Belonged," corrects the man, smiling amicably. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Marcus Valla of the Valla family. My family is... Well, you are not here to talk about my family, are you?"

"A few months ago master Amerius approached me, claiming to have found rich deposits of silver ore, close to the surface and easy to extract. He needed money, you see, to buy slaves and equipment. Since his reputation was good, I gladly lent him twelve thousand imperials - in good faith, mind you - against my share of the proceeds, yet, as you already know, the venture was less than successful."

"Silver ore, you said?"

"That's what good master Amerius told me at first. Later, he confessed he wasn't entirely honest with me, but it was too late. Had I known what's at stake, I would have handled everything myself. Ironically, that was master Amerius' main concern at the time, and that's precisely why he lost everything in the end."

"I tried to reason with him and arrange a way for him to repay his debt, but he formed an opinion that he didn't owe me anything anymore and that we were equal partners - equal shares, equal risks, as he so eloquently put it. He feels that we've invested equally. I invested money, whereas he invested his expertise and life, which certainly was at risk during the ordeal. Yet, in the end, neither his life nor his 'expertise' were lost, only my money., and I was well within my rights to demand and insist on a repayment."

"You took his house."

"What was I supposed to take? His wife? She does have certain charms, but I assure you that she is hardly worth twelve thousand imperials. No woman is." I dunno, I'm pretty sure Lorenza is both figuratively and literally worth twelve thousand imperials.

We can either say "I've heard enough. Get out!" "Let's be reasonable here." or "I don't care about Amarius, but I'm interested in that armor." It all ends with either kicking them out or accepting a deal to find the power armor though. I'll let people decide on this one, I'll give it until about Saturday or so.

Current stats: all the same

Current skills: all combat skills 1, Lockpick 2, Etiquette 5, Persuasion 7, Streetwise 6, Crafting 4, Lore 8, Trading 3.

Faction Reputations: HA 13, HC 7, HD 23, AG 2, MG 10, IG 2, TG 2.

General Reputation: Bodycount 0, Combat 0, Loyalty -4, Peacemaker 1, Prestige 1, Word of Honor 1.

Traits: Manipulator, Extremely Persuasive, Praetor (Aurelian.)

Praetor (Aurelian) "You're entered into the service of Lord Gaelius as a Praetor - a knight-diplomat."

Edit: I decided to test out recording Age of Decadence, and it seems to work. Videos can be watched here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffBOT53FPhk) and here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxx8KSUanbs).

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 9: Clarity Clockworks and Conversations
Post by: A Thing on April 30, 2016, 04:56:51 pm

This'll probably be another two-parter, enjoy.

Spoiler: Clarity Clockworks and Callous Communication (click to show/hide)

Since there haven't been any votes yet, and the power armor is pretty much worthless for this character, I'm just going to walk away. We've got lore to do, more interesting lore than power armor. I'll be starting off with Aemolas' Village since I'll probably never do it otherwise.

---

There was a description here, it's gone now. Here's some music anyway (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=22m52s).

I tried to do the Aemolas' Village quest, but it requires a lot of impersonate which would be a total waste of skillpoints for this character. I'm throwing it into the bin for now, let's actually do lore stuff.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/H35FMga.png)
"As you get close to Inferiae (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=55m38s), you see more and more villagers going about their business. As they notice you, they drop what they are doing and follow you back to the village. (The music that's playing and the fact villagers are following us is totally not ominous.) By the time you reach it, there is a large crowd trailing you. At the moment, they don't seem to pose any danger to you." Large cultish crowds are never dangerous.

"Rather than a proper village or settlement, Inferiae turns out to be a small group of makeshift dwellings sitting on a hill overlooking the desert. When you get closer, you see that the dwellings circle a large area at the crest of the hill, decorated with stones. The stones form what appears to resemble a giant eye, with a gaping hole in the middle where the iris should be."

By the way, they aren't joking when they say small. There are about 15 houses\tents. Which is inconsistent with the art, but I imagine that bit was probably concept art so it's fine. Also: Land Ahoy! Discovering a new location boosts your spirit - 5 skill points gained.
Let's get a bit closer to that eye thing.

"One of the villagers assumes the role of a guide and points at one of the dwellings on the outskirts of the village. The dwelling is surrounded by patches of strange plants growing out of the sand." We have suddenly walked into Geneforge, time to investigate this Shaper shack.
(http://i.imgur.com/UTjoy5W.png)
"You're standing in a small room filled with various plants that leave just enough space for a bed, occupied by a dried up crone. (Not one of THOSE Crones, thankfully.) One of the villagers respectfully taps her on the shoulder and whispers something to her ear."

"The crone gestures, looking irritated, and the villagers fall back, leaving you alone with her. She slowly gets up, sighs, and comes closer to take a good look at you."

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "Well, well, well," she says in a low, raspy voice. "Look what the wind blew in." She fixes you with a hard stare and scoffs, her withered (If only we had chapstick...) lips twisting and moving, as if searching for the right words to express here displeasure. "So, what am I supposed to do with you?"

"Why should you do anything?" Vibius suddenly becomes a Nihilist.

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "What do you do when your garden sprouts weeds? You remove them without pity, even though a weed is a living thing and wants to live as much as everything else does. If you don't, they ruin the garden."

"You don't have to worry about me. I'm here to ask you a few questions and then I'll be on my way.

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "We shall see about that, won't we? Why did you come here? What is it that you seek?"

"I'm looking for the temple of Thor-Agoth."

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "Do you see any temple around here? (Actually, yes, I do.) she scoffs again. "Why are you looking for it?

"It holds answers to many questions."

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "It holds a lot more than that."

"How do you know that?"

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "I visited it when I was young and curious. I walked down the ancient halls, I held in my hands the relics the gods left behind, I sat where the Magi did when they came in droves to learn the knowledge that didn't belong in this world. I've even looked down at the sleeping god that lies there (He must be suffering from a galactic hangover (https://youtu.be/OJHmAGXsXDo?t=1m51s).) and wondered if the kiss of a fair maiden - don't look at me, I wasn't born old - would have the power to wake him."

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "But even then," the crone raises her voice suddenly, "I had the wisdom not to touch things I don't understand and leave them alone, wisdom your kind lacks."

"Tell me about the relics."

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "How do you describe fire to someone who's never seen it." Scorching incandescence, rising high into the air like a geyser  of heat? A glowing dangerous dynamic entity? Sounds like you've just never tried.

"So, the god is still there? Sleeping?"

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "Why wouldn't he be? It's not like he has anywhere else to go," cackles the crone."

"What if the god can make things better? Can fix all this?" I think the Magi made it clear that the gods were more trouble than their worth.

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "What if he makes things worse?" counters the crone. "That's the difference between the town dwellers and the desert folk."

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "You hope, always hope," she spits the word 'hope' as if it was an insult. "You hope that the lord will be merciful, hope that the guards won't harass you, hope the store owner will take pity on you, hope that levies won't be raised too much this year, hope that the prices won't go up, hope that there will be work tomorrow."

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "You're so used to hoping that someone will take care of you that you're ready to believe in just about anything as long as it promises you new hope." Apparently Azra really hates a New Hope.

[intelligence success] "You seem to know a lot about the town life for someone who lives in the middle of nowhere."

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) [charisma success] "I was born in Maadoran," says the crone suddenly. "Before the first exodus. The city was different back then, filled to the brim with people, like an overused latrine that hasn't been cleaned in a while. Smelled about the same too." Pretty sure the Slums of Maadoran are still the same, even if we haven't visited them yet.

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "That's what I remember the most - the smell. We lived like animals, sleeping together to keep warm, eating scraps, fighting for what little we had. Not much of a life that was, yet people fought and died for it. "As long as it won't get worse...," my mother used to say, like a prayer that went unanswered. Every year things got worse and every year she said the same thing. It took me years to understand what she meant."

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "Anything we could survive wasn't the worst. Anything we could survive, we could get used to and learn to live with. As long as things won't get worse," adds the crone smiling grimly." The crone can probably make things worse, Vibius does have the physical fortitude of a asthmatic smoker.

"The first exodus?"

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "That's what they called it. The guards rounded up everyone the city didn't need and sent them off to the desert. It was time for them to reclaim the land and take back what was rightfully theirs, they said. An opportunity for the right kind of people," smiles the crone."

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "My mother was devastated, but I remember it as my first real holiday. Fresh air, plenty of space, clean water that didn't smell like a latrine. The first time I ate fresh meat, I kept looking for maggots and wondering where they were. Before that, I had never had anything, save for some rotten scraps."

"Water? In the desert?" Metal Gear? etc, etc, I did this joke before.

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "The desert is harsh, but not lifeless. It has enough food and water to sustain you, if you know where to look. In the cities, food and water are plentiful, but only if you can afford it. If you don't, you better get used to scraps of rotten meat and dirty water."

"What happened to the people who left?"

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "Most of them died. They begged for scraps and hoped that tomorrow would be a better day somehow instead of doing something to ensure their survival. It doesn't surprise me anymore, seeing what I've seen," she says, shaking her head slowly, her eyes distant."

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "Believing in miracles, in someone coming to save you, is different than believing in your own ability to do whatever it takes to save yourself. Most people who left the city with us didn't have that belief. I think they were waiting for the first opportunity to give up and in the desert, you don't need to walk long."

"How did you end up here?"

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "We moved around a lot - the desert is in constant motion. To survive, you need to move too. You learn to feel the desert, the winds, the shifting sands, water in the oases, and follow them, (sic) Eventually, the desert led us here, to her holy place."

"I saw a strange place in the middle of the village. What is it?"

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "A remnant of another age. The desert claimed it, preserved it, led us to it. The predators avoid it - animals feel things that we don't. Shamans get stronger dreams here, so they come every now and then, bringing gifts and the sacrifice." Not a sacrifice, THE sacrifice.

"The sacrifice?"

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "The crone shrugs. "We stick to the old ways here. To receive, you must give." She doesn't elaborate." Ia Ia!

"Can I go down there?"

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "I won't stop you if you choose to do so, but you won't be coming back. Even if you survive, you will stay down there. These people believe that this is a holy place. I can't have them see you emerging from the underworld alive."

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "You go down there, you stay there. That's the deal I offer and there won't be any other."

"I'll take my chances."

(http://i.imgur.com/kCZkjEj.png) "The crone studies you face, then nods."

"When you leave, the villagers will take you there."
(http://i.imgur.com/SpLEOYJ.png)
"The villagers rush at you the moment you step outside." Despite being given a choice, I'm pretty sure this happens regardless. Can't argue with worshipers of the "Old Ways." Well, we could, but Vibius doesn't have the strength or combat skills to do so. Maybe I'll torch this place in a later playthrough.
(http://i.imgur.com/fcEvA0e.png)
"They overpower you and drag you to the top of the hill. The hole - the center of the eye - reeks of death. Before you can say anything, one of the villagers gives you a push..."

"...and down you go."
(http://i.imgur.com/uDZkG7F.png)
"You land on a pile of rotten corpses, the smell making you gag. Slowly, you get up and look around." Pretty heavy score.

"You're standing in a large chamber. The only source of light is the opening above your head, way out of reach. Two honor guards are posted there to discourage you from trying to escape. They look down with interest, exchanging comments."

Time to explore.
(http://i.imgur.com/rBLOCyw.png)
"Surprisingly, this evil dungeon is anything but dead and quiet. A deep humming sound fills your ears, seemingly coming from everywhere at once, and the floor under your feet is alive with vibrations. The air is thick and acrid, smelling of sulphur, rock oil, and other unidentifiable things."

"You see what looks like a stone demon, patrolling the dark hallway. It's damaged - the stone surface is broken in many places, but it looks like the head had suffered the most damage. Suddenly, as if it can smell your fear, the demon stops and turns towards you."

"Where are your manners? Go and introduce yourself to your host."
(http://i.imgur.com/fBLasQ3.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/loXl8zi.png) "Intruder?" the demon asks with uncertainty. Standing closer, you can see that a chunk of his (I guess its a he? I don't see a penis.) head had been sliced off cleanly, which must have affected his mental capacity."

"I come in peace." Take me to your leader, weird dog thing.

(http://i.imgur.com/loXl8zi.png) "Intruder," says the demon. "They always come. I kill them. More comes. Always come, always kill."

"Why do you kill intruders?" "Why do we fight, demon? Why can't we make love, not war?"

(http://i.imgur.com/loXl8zi.png) "Master's orders." The Master does not appreciate intruders.

"What did the master say, exactly?" That he doesn't appreciate intruders! 

(http://i.imgur.com/loXl8zi.png) "The demon freezes for almost a minute, then says "Defend the tower at all costs. Kill anyone who manages to come inside."

(http://i.imgur.com/loXl8zi.png) "You managed to come inside. Therefore, I must kill you." I think, therefore I kill.

[intelligence success] "Wait! What if your master comes back? You won't kill him, would you?"

(http://i.imgur.com/loXl8zi.png) "I can't kill the master," acknowledges the demon." The Master also has a bunch of women in togas (Robes? I haven't exactly watched Manos: The Hands of Fate recently.)  following him, so he would probably know it was him.

"And yet your instructions clearly say "anyone"."

(http://i.imgur.com/loXl8zi.png) "The master isn't anyone." The Master looks like a Dracula knockoff, so yes, he isn't *just* anyone.

[persuasion] [streetwise] "So, you decide who "anyone" is and isn't? I don't think your master would be pleased that you took the liberty to interpret his orders as you see fit. To be honest, I killed my own servants for less."

(http://i.imgur.com/loXl8zi.png) [success] "I don't decide, I know... I  ... knew?" The demon sounds confused, as if trying to remember something he once knew, but fails. "The orders were clear."

[persuasion] [streetwise] "Do they sound clear to you? Kill everyone, but not everyone. No wonder you're confused. I think you forgot a vital part of the order and can no longer tell who's an intruder and who's a guest."

(http://i.imgur.com/loXl8zi.png) [success] "Guests...," (This forum doesn't have guest accounts! Kill 'em all and let Thor-Agoth sort 'em out!) says the demon as if remembering the word. "Guests were allowed. The master had guests."

"Well, I'm a guest of your master. He asked me to make sure that everything is running smoothly. So, what happened here?"

"The demon looks at you suspiciously as if doubting that someone like you can be of any help to him, but he's already accepted the idea that you're a guest and isn't planning to revisit it."

(http://i.imgur.com/loXl8zi.png) "Shields failed. Sustained extensive damage. Lost structural integrity. Lost power. Insufficient resources for repair. Salvaged parts. Restored converter. Reconstructed portal. Revised power: twelve percent. System core: ready."

"So, what can we do here?"

(http://i.imgur.com/loXl8zi.png) "Follow me." The demon turns around and walks toward the stairs leading to the lower levels."
 
We chase after him.
(http://i.imgur.com/O5LWIEo.png)
"The demon moves to the console and puts his hands on the controls. The air in the chamber thickens, pressure building and the humming noise growing stronger. The demon's arms move with speed and precision as the charged air cracks and a small floating sphere of glowing matter appears above the pentagram. The pentagram's lines flash bright red as the sphere starts expanding charging the air around it. Lightning strikes the wall above your head. Another hits the floor." Devil magic!

"Unfazed, the demon pushes (No, he doesn't pull the lever.) a large lever forward and the sphere shrinks in size a little bit and loses some intensity. It floats in midair, shivering and contracting, a corona of strange energy flaring up around it and discharging."

(http://i.imgur.com/loXl8zi.png)  "32 percent," says the demon after tapping on some dials. "30. 34. 31. Stable. New orders?"

"Refresh my memory, what can we do with all this?"

(http://i.imgur.com/loXl8zi.png)  "Without the master? Without the data banks? Not much. I do have enough power to release a burst of energy. It will fry anything within a hundred meter radius. It's a good way to keep the enemy at bay." This is another way to wipe out Inferiae, but there is really no need to.

"Tell me about the data banks."

(http://i.imgur.com/loXl8zi.png)  "There is nothing there," says the demon, pointing at the crystal semi-sphere. "It's empty. A replacement of the one that was destroyed."

"What is this crystal?"

(http://i.imgur.com/loXl8zi.png)  "Not crystal. Glass. Fused silica. Cheaper than sapphire, better than crystalline glass. Better transmission, low expansion, easily replaceable."

"Can you show me how to use it?"

[lore success] [intelligence success] "The demon looks at you strangely, as if struggling with such an odd request, then goes to the semi-sphere and gives you a quick tour. He moves too fast and uses words and concepts, (Right-click? The mouse?) but you get the basic functions. Hopefully, you can figure out the rest as you go." We now can use computers, for some reason the game doesn't tell you this after this event.

"Tell me about the portal."

(http://i.imgur.com/loXl8zi.png)  "You got through it and come out somewhere else. Simple."

"Come out where?"

(http://i.imgur.com/loXl8zi.png)  "Where the other portal is,' says the demon, sounding more confident now that the conversation has shifted to subjects that don't require any interpretations. "If it's powered up and ready to receive."

"So, where does this portal lead to?"

(http://i.imgur.com/loXl8zi.png)  "Maadoran. The master went there when the shields failed. The next moment the tower collapsed. I don't know how long I was under the debris When I dug myself out, I rebuilt the portal and waited for the master to return."

"How long ago was that?"

(http://i.imgur.com/loXl8zi.png)  "I ... I don't know. A year ago? Two?" asks the demon, sounding confused again."

"Why did he go to Maadoran?"

(http://i.imgur.com/loXl8zi.png)  "To warn them. To warn the First of the Magi."

"Who attacked you?"

(http://i.imgur.com/loXl8zi.png)  "Balzaar. Nobody else had the power to breach the defenses my master employed."

"Who or what is this Balzaar?"

(http://i.imgur.com/loXl8zi.png)  "The first of the Yazatas. The first to be welcomed. The first to bite the hand that fed him." Dammit Melkor\Satan\other evil firstborn deities. Well, I guess Satan wasn't firstborn, but you get the idea.

[lore success] "Yazatas? Worthy of worship?"

(http://i.imgur.com/loXl8zi.png)  "That's what his kind was called." Dun dun dun. Maybe the gods and demons weren't so different after all?

"Can you change the destination of the portal?"

"If it's in the databanks," says the demon, pointing at the crystal semi-sphere. "This one is empty. A replacement of the one that was destroyed."
(http://i.imgur.com/D3ycAzD.png)
That's all we have to say to him, so let's go to that portal shall we? Also, here is a closer up view of his model if you were curious.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/SWNJLBH.png)
"The portal is glowing with blue light, inviting you to step through it."

Well, it's not like we have any other non-murder options, so let's get in!
(http://i.imgur.com/vdiUlJJ.png)
"You step into the glow. For a moment, it seems like you're falling, but then you step out on the other side, dizzy and disoriented."

"You're standing in a small chamber at the top of a minaret, far above the city. At your feet lie the skeletal remains of a man in tattered robes, a strange metal glove still on his right hand. There is an old, faded message on one of the walls."

"Turning around, you see a glowing portal, a hatch leading down, and what looks like a large, brightly glowing glass lamp: a glass tube enclosed in a metal cage designed to protect the glass from damage."

*You gain a new insight - 13 skill points gained.*

The game prompts us to explore, so let do so.

First of all, this lamp, it needs study.
"You remove the protective cover and discover a large, softly glowing tube. It looks similar to power tubes, but much bigger."
"You remove the tube from its socket and the portal stops glowing."

Now, about that corpse...

[lore success] "The message is hastily written; many words are smudged or faded. The magus was dying from wounds sustained during the attack on his tower, so clarity wasn't at the top of his priorities. "Balzaar attacked ... has fallen. He's too powerful. I couldn't stop him. All my defenses ... He's coming for you ... You must do it before it's too late. Don't hesitate for the price we have already paid is too great. ... wait any longer, there will be nothing left."

What about the glove? I'll show you the glove.

"It's a strange, metal glove of unknown purposes. It takes three 'tubes' to power it up, so whatever the glove does requires a lot of magical energy." Say hello to the most pointless artifact in the game! No, really. This thing takes three tubes, we've only seen one, and there aren't much more. And it only gives you some lore snippets before you instantly die from what I remember. We'll probably never use it.

With that, we've explored the minaret.

"The elevator takes you all the way down, but the moment you step off, it goes up and disappears from view. You leave the minaret and go into the street."

We still can't go to the Abyss, so I guess I'll go to the Arch even though it is an utterly pointless area.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/wvL80Ka.png)
"After a long and arduous journey through the desert, you finally arrive at the site marked on your map. It's an abandoned excavation about fifty feet deep and twice as wide. Whoever did it spared no expense to unearth what it is that lies beneath the sand, but they found nothing except for an old arch."

"You see people around the dig site, but you can't tell who they are from this distance."

Time to get closer to pointlessness.

"The men are armed. They aren't organized enough to be the Imperial Guards, so they must either be mercenaries or raiders. Probably raiders. Their leader looks familar though. Why, it's your old friend Esbenus."

We decrease our distance to this pointless area even further! At least we'll get exploration SPs from this.

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "Vibius? Didn't think I'd see you so soon? What brings you to my humble abode?

"I want to take a closer look at that building.

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "Magnificent, isn't it? Hard to believe it was completely abandoned when we found it. A piece of history, just buried and forgotten. A thousand years ago, the Imperial soldiers marched under the arch, thinking that it would stand there forever as a testament to their glory. Today, slaves relieve themselves on it. Spiteful fuckers..."

"What are you doing with the slaves?"

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "Selling them as cheap labor, since I don't have the heart to kill them. Why, you want them?"

"Afraid not. Now, about this arch."

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "About my arch? smiles Esbenus. "For a thousand imperials you can look all you like and even take a small piece home, as a souvenir."

"A thousand imperials? To look at an old building?"

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "Still taking me for a fool, Vibius? If all you want is to take a look, then take a look from here - it's free. We both know that you didn't come here for sight-seeing and my price is one thousand imperials. Pay me or be on your way."

If we pay him, we lose money and get nothing, if we leave we get nothing. Let's just go back to Maadoran. Before I end this update however, let us check in with Abukar and Erebus because we've got new artefacts.

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "What do you want?"

We let him witness the utterly useless glove.

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "The Ghost Hand? Where did you find it?" exclaims Abukar, examining the glove with childlike curiousity. "It was said that some machines could never function in this world for they required different laws of physics. Thus, the Magi had built them in realms that exist elsewhere. They called them the Ghost Worlds and used devices such as this one to bridge the gap between these worlds and ours. The Magi were all about efficiency and practicality."

"So, how does one use it?"

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "The same way you use your own hand - reach out and touch something. Of course, you need to be able to see into such realms first, which is a mystery you should solve first."

Let's see what Erebus has to say. Absolutely nothing is what. Well, with that the update ends I think, next time we'll go to Harran's Pass.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 10: Passes and Plots
Post by: A Thing on May 02, 2016, 12:25:35 am

Since there really isn't a reason to delay, we'll be doing Harran's Pass now.

Spoiler: Passes and Plots part 1 (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/DSrClhr.jpg)
We're still in Maadoran, but before we go to Harran's Pass there is something I want to do. That is, sell the ghost hand and some other junk, it'll make sense in time. It unsurprisingly doesn't take very long, let's get to Harran's Pass.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/V8iORd7.png)
"You've heard many stories about Harran's Pass (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=44m31s). In the stories it was a legendary place, high in the mountains. Great warriors, each worth a hundred of the wasteland scum, were tasked to ensure the safety of the southern cities. (Somehow I doubt that it is actually like that, may or may not have something to do with the picture I'm looking at right now.) Time and time again, they held the pass against those who would destroy us. Travelers bold enough to brave the dangers spoke of towers almost touching the clouds, picturesque views, and the horrors of the wasteland."

"As usual, the reality proved to be far less glamorous. The pass is nothing but a wide ledge on the side of the mountain. Two walls blocked the ledge, forming a makeshift fort, housing two small buildings - a place to sleep and a place to eat? - and two old, weather-beaten, wooden towers threatening to fall apart at any moment."

"The "great warriors" look more like the very cutthroats they are supposed to defend travelers against than military men. They are well armed. Perhaps, too well, you wouldn't be surprised to learn that they do a bit of raiding on the side." Just a little side dish of raiding. Like a little baguette of raiding.
(http://i.imgur.com/NOprRSn.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "We're closed for business until further notice," says one of the guards cheerfully. "Centurion Bass went a-hunting, so I'll be your host until he comes back. Let's have us a little conversation. What's on the other side that's so important to you?"

[lore] [streetwise] "I'm a loremaster. A trader told me that he saw some ruins a few days northeast of here. I want to get there before anyone else does."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) [success] "Nobody's allowed in or out until we get this situation under control," says the guard. "You can stay here for a few days - provided you have some money to pay for the hospitality - and hope that it will be sorted out quickly."

If we failed that we would've been imprisoned from what I remember, however we didn't fail so let's explore.
(http://i.imgur.com/nFIbjHQ.png)
"Are you looking for trinkets?" asks one of the guards - a stocky man with a round face and squinty, pig-like eyes."

"Why, you have any?"

[lore success] "Do I have any?" asks the man, smiling wide. "Only the best and the rarest. Few loremasters go beyond this wall. Fewer still manage to come back, but those who do bring back wonders unlike anything you've ever seen."

"He pulls a heavy bundle out of his bag (It's Carrinas' head, a rare collector's item now that he's dead.) and slowly unwraps it, revealing a strangle glove. (I hope that's a typo otherwise the Magi were into some really strange things.) It's heavy, yet clearly not made for combat, as the fingers are too thick and bulky (This is starting to get lewd.) The wrist of the glove is a wide blue steel band decorated with strange protrusions."

"You recall a drawing of a magus in one of the manuscripts. The gloved hand of the magus was outstretched into a swirling mist. The glove was glowing and had what looked like power tubes filled with the divine breath of the gods loaded in the metal protrusions."

"What is it?" A strangle glove apparently.

"It's an expensive and rare artefact," says the guard with certainty. "If you don't like it, go buy some arrow heads and old pottery to piss in. This here is the real fucking deal. (In multiple ways.) Maybe the Magi used it to shoot fireballs at each other, maybe the master of ceremonies used it to wipe the Emperor's majestic arse. Either way, the significance of this artefact can't be overstated."

"I know I can get three grand for it easy, but I like you, so I'll take a thousand. What do you say?"

"Where did you get it from?"

"From a dead loremaster who had the decency to leave all his earthly possessions to me. So, do you want it or not?"

"Did the loremaster say anything about it before he died?"

"He had an arrow in his chest and a fever high enough to fry eggs, so he wasn't in the mood for lengthy discussions. I'm surprised that he even managed to get back in that state."

"He mumbled something about ghost hands, other planes, and things that are within your reach. Clearly, the message was meant for you, so why don't you grab this glove and be on your way?"

We will, but we're not buying this for the glove.

"Much obliged," says the guard, putting your money away. "Do you need a couple tubes to go with it? I figure each tube is worth at least two hundred, but you can have two for three hundred. What do you say?"

That we will take the tubes. These two tubes will get us to the Abyss later.

"Much obliged," says the guard, putting your money away. "Drop by from time to time, if you're looking for something special. Ask for Ramirus."

"Do you get artefacts often?"

"We used to," nods the guard. "Of course, now that the Ordu are getting restless, less people will be willing to go in. Should have asked for more for that glove, eh?"

"What's out there?"

"Who knows? It's not exactly a hospitable or welcoming stretch of land.  You go in to take a look, odds are, you ain't coming back. The Ordu, the elements, the mutations - take your pick." So we've got the friggin' Chaos Wastes to the north apparently.

"Tell me about the Ordu."

"What's there to tell? People of the plains, they call themselves, only the plains aren't what they used to be. Instead of trying to adjust and move on, they want to stick to the old ways, even if it kills them."

"Tell me about the elements."

"I don't know what they did there during the War, but they fucked it up for good. Rains that burn, lightning storms the like of which you've never seen, packs of tornadoes that spin down in the blink of an eye. It ain't pretty."

"Tell me about the mutations."

"During the War, anything that was above the ground died, but the insects and the burrowers, they survived. They were always a pain, but all that magic made that pain ten times worse and quite lethal. If you're lucky, you die fast. If not, they will feed on you slowly or inject you full of eggs." Like I said, Chaos Wastes.

There isn't anything else to do here, so we just wait until night. I think it worth mentioning that instead of clicking on something or talking to someone to pass the day, we have to click the map screen to pass the night. I have no idea why it's like that, but it is.

"The camp is dark and quiet. The only obstacles between you and the Orud camp are two guards, slowly patrolling the wall." Slowly patrolling because they are actually playing hackysack up there, what a bunch of jerks.

We approach them slowly, our frail form would fall apart if it was accidentally hit by a hackysack.

"What do you want?" asks one of the guards, walking down the stairs. The other guard aims his hackysack crossbow at you, waiting to see what transpires."

[streetwise] "The Ordu are coming. (Much like the British, or Winter.) They will be here in two days. Gaelius doesn't know for sure, but at least three thousand. Maybe five-six."

[success] "Your words have the desired effect. "Why are you telling me this?" (Do they like hackysack too?") asks the guard, glancing around."

[persuasion] "You know why - because *you* don't have to die here. Get out, while you still can. If the Imperial Guards cared about this pass, they would have kept a thousand men here. If they don't care, why should you?"

[success] "Fucking bastards!" swears the guard. (From this day forward, I swear to only fuck bastards.) "Alright, we're getting out of here now. You do whatever it is you need to do. It's no longer my problem."

Time to take a stroll through the Chaos Wastes.
(http://i.imgur.com/KprAi4t.png)
This area uses the desert\Inferiae music by the way. "It takes you almost two weeks to reach the Ordu camp. It's a loose arrangement of large, round tents made of felt, worn out and patched. The camp reminds you of a busy bazaar and smells of cured meat and strange spices. All around you the Ordu tend to their business - fixing tents, butchering sheep, curing leather, working with metals, fletching arrows. The men seem indifferent to your presence; perhaps your reputation as a great warrior simply hasn't reached them yet." This area is like the Great Khans area in Fallout: New Vegas, just without the pistol snipers.

There is a guy with a name to the south of the chiefs hut, maybe he has something worthwhile to say? Let's see.

(http://i.imgur.com/ylwsALn.png) "You not welcome in my ger, southerner," says Belgutai, his face showing no emotions." Worthwhile indeed, let's go to the chief.

"The khan's tent is easy to find - it's the only tent with two guards posted outside. They scoff at you, but step aside, pointing at the entrance."
(http://i.imgur.com/aweiLoj.png)
"You enter the tent. Several armed men are sitting on the carpets thrown on the ground, laughing and talking. The decorations are simple. It doesn't seem that the khan has much use for gold or works of art. There is a throne that seems out of place in this tent - probably taken from some lord and kept as an inside joke."

"The men slowly get up. One of them looks at you and says formally, "I grant you guest rights in my camp and my ger. Now speak!"

"I bring greetings from Lord Gaelius."

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "I asked for steel yet Gaelius sends me more greetings. Is this the way of the southern khans?"

"Calm him down. It's waiting for you in Maadoran."

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "I told the man before you - my people are divided. Some would rather stay here than give up our ways and live in tents made of stone. To bridge the gap I need to give them something, to show them why this alliance is good for the people. You understand?"

"Perhaps, if I talk to them..."

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "Talk," scoffs the khan. "That's all you city dwellers do. You should let good steel do the talking for you... But you're here and steel isn't. Talk to Belgutai. He is one of my commanders. A lord of a thousand warriors. A year ago he would have drunk my piss to prove his loyalty, but today he thinks he can oppose me."

"Why does Belgutai oppose you?"

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "Why? Because he doesn't know better. Belgutai is young. The warrior's way is the only way he knows. He believes only in his sword and sees no further than its tip. He thinks that the sky-father is testing us, that if we stay on the plains and survive, we will grow stronger and will be able to defeat our enemies. He isn't alone in his thoughts."
 
(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "That's why we haven't moved yet. I don't want to risk an open confrontation. Many people will side with him, if he chooses to oppose me. They call him Bolad reborn." Belgutai is the fate-child of the north, great.

"Bolad?"

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "Bolad was a great warrior who lived a long time ago. He had the strength of a bear and the speed of a tiger and could cut down ten men in the blink of an eye. There are many storis of his deeds and battles. Such was his glory that the sky-father himself decided to honor him with a gift."

"Did he?"

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "The khan nods. A powerful shaman appeared before the khan one day and told him that he had come for Bolad. Our warriors attacked him, but neither swords nor arrows could touch him."

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "The shaman said that the sky-father had a gift for Bolad and that he had to travel with him to receive it. A gift from the sky-father is a great honor. Bolad could not refuse, so they left together, never to be seen again." Bolad clearly had an intelligence of 4.

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "Ever since it was every warrior's dream to be as good as Bolad and be honored by the sky-father."

"Who was that shaman?"

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "His name was Adad. He had many charms about him to ward off spirits and a helmet made of crystal. The legends say that this is how he was able to speak to the sky-father."

[success] "Hadad? Abu Hassan Ibn Hadad? The Magus?"

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "Adad, Hadad... What does it matter? The story isn't about the shaman. It's about Bolad, a mighty hero who was honored by the sky-father. The shaman was just a messenger." Bolad got kidnapped by the Magi, what a hero.

"How long ago was it?"

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "The legends say it was before the Great War that burned the land."

"What do your stories say about the Great War?"

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "They say the Great War was unlike any that came before. They say it was a testament to the spirit and ferocity of men who lived in those days. Small men fight small wars. Great men fight great wars (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/Royal_Irish_Rifles_ration_party_Somme_July_1916.jpg)."

"You make it sound like it's a good thing."

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "War is a measure of men. A wolf is born to kill. A rabbit is born to be eaten. Each man is given a choice, to be a wolf or a rabbit. If you choose to be a rabbit, don't complain when the wolves come."

"Do your stories say anything about the Qantari?"

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "The brown men from across the Great Sea? My people took their measure of them many times - they fought fiercely and fell on us like a tempest, yet fell like grass before our swords."

"The stories I've heard say that they were mighty warriors."

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "Then they speak of their shamans. They were numerous and used many tricks to drive our people back.

"How strong were your people in those days?"

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "The Great Khan commanded seventeen tumens; each tumen had ten thousand warriors. Nothing could stand in his way, not even a Tngri."

"Tngri?" Tengri with a letter dropped?

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "They are spirits who dwell in the spirit realm. They number ninety nine and often take interest in the affairs of men. The greatest among them are the Nine Great Tngri - the Lord-Spirits, in your language. It is said that seven of them were called upon by the shamans during the Great War. Drunk on blood that was flowing like water, the Tngri fought the armies of men and each other."

"Did the Ordu ever fight the Tngri?" He just said that they could stand in the Great Khan's way!

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "We did. Our paths crossed one day. The people's path continued. The Tngri's didn't."

"You killed a God?" Maybe the Tngri just decided to settle down, it didn't necessarily  need to die to stop traveling.

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "The victory was not without cost. Four tumens perished that day, but in the end the Tngri and the brown men who came with him were slain."

"You speak our language well."

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "You have to know your enemy."

"What about the alliance with lord Gaelius?"

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "We need each other. It doesn't make us friends. It makes us old enemies who have discovered common interests."

"Was anyone else ever honored?"

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) Nobody was as good as Bolad." He was like the Wayne Gretzky of Ordu, "The Great One."

"Why did you accept Gaelius' offer?"

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "I had no choice. The people won't survive another winter on the plains. The plains are dying and if we stay here, we will die with them. Gaelius' offer means life, but it also means death, for the future generations won't know the ways of the endless plains and open sky. They will become soft like the city dwellers and this will be our undoing."

Welp, time to talk to Belgutai.
(http://i.imgur.com/AcEaoA6.png)
"I hear you don't want to come to Maadoran."

(http://i.imgur.com/ylwsALn.png) "Belgutai scoffs. "Our place here, not in stone anthills. We free men, not slaves like you. Slaves to soft yellow metal, slaves to soft men dressed like women." (Belgutai really hates togas apparently.) He spits in disgust."

[streetwise] "Being free isn't much good to you if you're dead, and comes winter, you will be. As for slaves, every nation needs slaves. You use ropes and chains, we use more ... civilized mechanisms."

(http://i.imgur.com/ylwsALn.png) [success] "Some die, strong survive, grow stronger. The Ordu way. Maybe then we come to the stone anthill, eh, southerner?"

[lore success] "Bolad wasn't afraid to leave the plains and go to Maadoran alone. Yet you hesitate to go there with an army."

(http://i.imgur.com/ylwsALn.png) "Bolad went with shaman to meet sky-father."

"Bolad went to Maadoran with Abu Hassan Ibn Hadad al-Sarabi, the First of the Magi. I don't know why he came for Bolad and where they went next, but if you come to Maadoran, we will find out."

(http://i.imgur.com/ylwsALn.png) "If you lie...," says Belgutai, locking his eyes with yours. "Tell Thorgul my men ready to go."

Time to saunter back to Thorgul, the barbarian, however I finally found the Keeper of Tales, so let's talk to her first.
(http://i.imgur.com/rwEtUlm.png)
"The woman before you is not what you expected. (What did Vibius expect? A Magus?) Wide, curious eyes stare at you from a heart-shaped face, free from lines or wrinkles. She tilts her head, examining you as one might examine a curious insect found under a rock. She says something in her language, her tone querying." I've never seen this woman before nor have read this dialogue, this'll be a new lore-train for both you and me.

[lore] "Translate."

[success] "Your Ordu is a bit rusty, but you can understand her."

"Have you come to listen to my tales?" asks the woman again, this time more slowly."

*You gain a new insight into the liberal arts and trades - 2 civil skill points*

"Yes. I have many questions."

"What do you want to know?"

"Who are you?" The uhh... Keeper of Tales. No, no, no. Clearly she is Galath the Dreamer, no wait, she's Thor-Agoth! Yes, that must be it.

"I am the Keeper of Tales. A people without a past are a people without a future. It is my duty to ensure that my tribe has a future."

"Where do these tales come from?"

"Stories are living things. Every day, untold stories are born. And others pass on the lips of the dying, untold and ever unheard. It is the duty of a keeper to listen, to harvest these stories and safeguard them."

"What happens when a keeper dies?"

"Before their hair turns gray, each keeper takes two apprentices. They labor day and night to commit the tales to memory, practicing their retelling until one of them is chosen to become the next keeper."

"What happens to the apprentice who isn't chosen?"

"That one has their tongue ritually removed and burned, an offering of appeasement to the Tngri, for being unable to properly honor the stories entrusted to them."

"I have many questions." Let's just ignore the ritual tongue burning...

"Tell me of your people."

"We are the people of the plains. You root yourself to one place, we move freely, from one place to another. You are strangers to each other, we are a tribe bound by blood."

"I've seen some Ordu living in our towns."

"I saw many people living like us - moving across the plains, building nothing, burdened by nothing. They don't want to live in the stone dwellings and grow weak and soft. Your eagle warriors live in tents, close to the earth because the earth-mother gives them strength. Soft pillows make soft men." But there are pillows right behind you! Are they not soft? I mean, you could make the excuse that you aren't a man, but that is a poor excuse for your use of pillows.

"Eagle warriors?" Think for a second viewer, who would the Ordu know that has eagle motifs?

"When they go to battle, they display the eagle totem - a symbol of ferocity and vision. We call them the eagle warriors. They are the chosen enemy of the people."

"Thorgul mentioned a battle with a Tngri."

"A long time ago, when the Great War raged across the land, the tribes fought as one, united people. And so mighty were they that a Tngri himself decided to test their strength."

"The Tngri summoned his servants and commanded them to carry him in his golden palanquin to the camp of the great khan. There the Tngri challenged the great khan, claiming his strength to be the greater and demanding that the tribes of the people bow and offer tribute."

"Though the Tngri was mighty and terrible to behold, the great khan was unafraid. Pointing at the many tumens standing ready behind him, the great khan refused to offer tribute. To prove the strength of the people, the khan welcomed the Tngri to test their strength three times, should he so desire." Genghis bows to no gods apparently.

"Angered at the khan's insolence, the Tngri clapped his hands and darkness swallowed the sun, casting the land into shadow. Thunder and lightning came then, piercing the darkness and striking the camps of the people, wreaking terrible havoc." Just because you have one of those clap-controlled light systems doesn't mean your cool, unnamed Tngri.

"After a time, the Tngri clapped his hands again, dismissing the storm and uncovering the sun, so that the people could take stock of the damage and know the true measure of the Tngri's strength. But instead of disarray, the Tngri found the grim-faced people crouched, waiting for the great khan's signal."

"Now the great khan clapped his hands and a hundred thousand warriors stood and aimed their bows into the air, loosening as one. Black-shafted arrows rose in the tens of thousands, a dark swarm to block out the sun, raining death down on the Tngri and his servants."

"Angered, the Tngri clapped his hands again and fiery rivers sprang up from the earth, flowing into the camps of the people, devouring everything in their path like a wildfire that rages over summer grass."

"Men fell screaming by the thousands, yet the great khan stood firm, protected by armor that even fire could not scorch. He clapped again and fire dragons issued from the water and sped up toward the Tngri and his servants, leaving coils of smoke in their wake."

"The Tngri raised a mighty shield, but the fire dragons were relentless, pounding again and again at the Tngri's defenses. Soon, even the Tngri tired. His arms weakened and dropped for but a moment, yet that moment was enough for the fire dragons to penetrate his defenses and cause much carnage amongst his servants.

"Wounded and enraged, the Tngri stood alone, his palanquin turned, his servants slaughtered. It was then that he knew the power of the people, but it was too late to turn back. Mustering all of his remaining strength, the Tngri clapped one last time, falling to his knees from exertion."

"The ground itself began to shake violently, splitting apart with a great roaring howl, swallowing men and horses alike as the full wrath of the Tngri (How angry can this Tngri get?) fell upon the people. Yet when the sky cleared, instead of a broken people, the Tngri saw the tumens standing ready to attack. That's when the Tngri first knew fear, for he knew that neither the air, nor fire, nor earth magic could defeat the people."

"The khan clapped and the tumens descended on the Tngri like a pack of steppe wolves on a injured lamb. Three days and three nights did the battle last, for even a wounded Tngri is still a Tingri, but in the end he was slain, his body quartered and the pieces burned, the ashes cast to the four winds. The people were victorious, and celebrated that night in honor of the Tngri, for giving his life to add to the glory of the people."

"Do Tngri normally travel in golden palanquins in your stories?"

"The Tngri are spirits. They do not require things of the flesh when they are in the spirit form, but when they wear flesh, they suffer its burdens as we do."

"Tell me of these Tngri that wear flesh."

"A long time ago there lived a great shaman named Adad. Like many shamans, he sought power over the Tngri, but it's easier to catch drifting smoke than it is to catch a Tngri, for the Tngri are spirits and formless as spirits are."

"One day, frustrated with his failures, Adad decided to venture into the spirit realms and steal the secrets from the Tngri. Yet, no mortal can enter this realm and escape unscathed for the Tngri don't forgive the trespassers and guard their secrets."

"So the clever shaman fashioned a mask out of pure crystal to make him look like a Tngri. Donning his mask, the shaman gathered his courage and uttered the words that unlocked the Shadow Gate, (Your time has come to end!) the doorway between the realm of the living and the unliving. The Tngri, who are numbered ninety and nine, mistook him for one of their own for when they looked upon him for they saw nothing but the light playing off the mask's facets."

"So hidden, Adad journeyed deep into the spirit realm, to its heart, to the Well of Whispers. There he cast his heart's desire (He threw a small Canadian town into a well?) into the well, asking of it three questions. The well whispered its secrets to Adad, teaching Adad the secrets of binding a Tngri in flesh, and how to lay the wards - nine times nine - to keep it bound. Rejoicing, Adad hurried to return to the physical realm, in his excitement forgetting that one question remained unanswered."

"When Adad arrived home, he called upon all the shamans to lend their strengths to his, so that they might bind the Tngri to their will."

"When the shamans come, they told Adad to make a Trngri into a dog, but Adad shook his head and said: "A Tngri isn't a dog to follow you around." Then the shamans told Adad to make a Tngri into a bull, but Adad shook his head once again and said: "A Tngri isn't a bull to plough your land."

"What body would befit a Tngri then, o wise Adad?" asked the shamans. "A man's body, for a man rules supreme over all animals and Tngri will be insulted if we offer less. We must honor the Tngri and then the Tngri will honor us," said Adad and the shamans agreed."

"They fashioned seven bodies and invoked seven Tngri, offering the bodies to them. The Tngri accepted and filled the bodies with their essence, becoming flesh, taking their first steps, and learning the ways of the mortals."

"At first the Tngri were delighted by the vessels the shamans had prepared for them, revelling in the pleasures of the flesh. But that delight turned to anger when they discovered that the shamans had bound them with wards - nine times nine - so that they could not escape their new bodies. They raged and thrashed in their prisons of flesh, twisting those vessels into monstrous forms."

"Horrified, the shamans tried to stop them, but it was then that Adad remembered the third question he had asked the Well of Whispers, the one that, in his excitement, he had not waited for the answer for. For though Adad knew the secrets of calling spirits and binding it to flesh, he knew not how to prevent the Tngri from exerting their influence over the flesh."

"And this is how the Tngri came to wear flesh and live amongst men."

"This shaman Adad, who was he?"

"Adad was not of the people, but he knew our ways well."

"What happened to these seven Tngri?"

"Some were slain in the Great War. Some are roaming this world to this day, seeking vengeance on the shamans who imprisoned them inside their bodies."

"Are there any shamans left?"

"We haven't had a shaman since the Great War. Our traditions forbid us, for as long as we have no shamans, the Tngri won't be able to find us."

"Thank you." We leave. There actually was a bit of dialogue we didn't explore, so let me reload to see what that was.

"Did this Tngri ever have a name?"

"Ynghaanshungge, was he called, and Yuan-Shagga, and Shuun-ae the Shining-Serpent."

Well, that was sorta worth it, let's finally get back to Thorgul.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 10: Passes and Plots
Post by: A Thing on May 02, 2016, 12:27:14 am

It's always a short update, it's always short, right?

Spoiler: Passes and Plots part 2 (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "Speak," says Thorgul tiredly."

"Belgutai agreed to go with you to Maadoran."

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "I knew he would come around," nods Thorgul. "Where is he? It's time to bury our differences." He gestures and his bondsmen let Belgutai in. He approaches the khan and bows to him, saying something quietly. Something flashes in Thorgul's eyes, but he accepts what was said and turns to you."

"When do we leave?"

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "The pass blocks our way. My warriors will attack it, while you rest in my tent as befites the emissary of a great khan. Once the pass is taken, we'll continue our journey to your city."

We are given two choices, but from what I remember if we go back to the pass we are thrown straight into either a stealth check or combat, so let's just stay here.

"Good plan. Send for some wine and comely wenches!"

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "We drink airag - fermented milk of our mares."

"I've drunk plenty of beer that tasted like horse piss. Might as well try horse milk now. How bad can it be, eh?" Party while other men die." Game tries to guilt us, but completely fails because the other option is not viable at all.

---

"The pass lasted less than half a day (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=40m50s). The defenders fought well and used every advantage they had, but they lacked numbers and their time ran out sooner rather than later."
(http://i.imgur.com/AkLhg2y.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "Bad news," says Thorgul, greeting you when you arrive. "My scouts spotted a large force heading for the pass. We have two, maybe three hours."

"What will you do?"

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "We stay here," says Thorgul. "Even if we leave now, they will catch up with us before we reach Maadoran. We will draw some blood from the enemy, than fall back. If they still want to come after us, they will find nothing but death."

"Do you know who leads them?"

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "Carbo - a true Noyan. We fought him twice in the past and twich he bested us. I'd like to test his strength one last time, but that day isn't today."

"What's he like?" What're his hobbies? Does he like gardening? How about collecting commemorative spoons, does he like that?

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "He's a warrior. There are men who are born to plough land and there are men who are born to fight and lead men into battle. Carbo is such a man and we're honored to have such an enemy."

"Maybe I'll pay him a visit, see if I can talk him into sitting this one out."

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "He came to fight. There is nothing you can offer him."

"We'll see about that." Time to jog over to Carbo's camp.

"The Imperial Guards' scouts spot you before you can even see the camp. They take you to the sentries, the sentries summon the officers and escort, and before you know, you're standing in front of the Imperial Guards' most celebrated Legatus Legionis - Carbo."
(http://i.imgur.com/oBZUBfY.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/0nChozE.png) "I must admit that your visit took me by surprise," says Carbo, dragging his words. "I didn't figure the Ordu's for quitters. In fact, I was looking forward to this little siege and thinking of ways to prolong my enjoyment. (Yeah, Carbo is THAT type of commander.) So, if you're here to talk about surrender, you tell those goat fuckers that they'd better put up one hell of a fight because surrender isn't an option."

"Actually, I'm here to ask you to let the Ordu go."

(http://i.imgur.com/0nChozE.png) "Are you out of your mind, boy? Why would I let them go, when I have them right where I want them? The Ordu are our enemies; always have been. You don't make peace with your enemies, not when you can crush them once and for all."

"And then what?"

(http://i.imgur.com/0nChozE.png) "I'm not sure I get your meaning," says Carbo, frowning."

[streetwise] "I'm not offering you peace. I'm offering you a war you've always dreamt of. Unless you'd rather sit here and think of ways to make this little siege last a bit longer."

(http://i.imgur.com/0nChozE.png) [success] "What makes you think I'm dreaming of wars?"

[persuasion] "You're too good of a soldier, Carbo, to be satisfied with patrolling and occasional skirmishes. War is the ultimate test of men, yet it's been denied to you, because Paullus doesn't want to rock the boat."

(http://i.imgur.com/0nChozE.png) [success] "It's tempting," says Carbo, "and under different circumstances, I might have considered it, but now my hands are tied. We're here now and I can't turn back. What would I tell Paullus? What would I tell my soldiers? That I've just had a change of heart and decided to give my enemies another chance? I won't stay in command for long after that."

[intelligence] Well, I think we know the outcome of this check immediately now. [persuasion] "I understand. You need a reason nobody would question. We'll leave a hundred men behind. They will fight to the last breath. The main force will go to Maadoran. If questioned, you'll tell Paullus that the Ordu slipped before you arrived and by the time you discovered it, it was too late to pursue them."

(http://i.imgur.com/0nChozE.png) [success] "A hundred men," nods Carbo. "You have until dawn to leave this area. If any of my men spot you in the morning, we'll give chase."

(http://i.imgur.com/0nChozE.png) "Now that you've got what you wanted, you better pray that our paths don't cross again, because if they do, I will have you crucified for enabling and conspiring with the enemy. Are we clear?"

"I will be looking forward to it." Time to return back to the Ordu, and give them hope again, or something equally pretentious.

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "What news do you bring me?"

"Carbo agreed to let us go, but we need to leave a hundred men at the pass."

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "Why?"

"He can't just turn around and leave, now that he's here. His own men would question that, not to mention Paullus - the man he reports to. So, he needs a battle and a victory and it's going to cost us a hundred men."

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "It will cost *me* a hundred men. You, it will cost nothing."

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "I accepted your khan's offer because I wanted to save my people, yet now more and more of my people have to die for the rest to be saved. What am I going to tell them?"

"That their sacrifice will never be forgotten and live forever in the songs of your tribe. That they will be known as The Hundred and men will wish they stood with them."

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "I'll make the arrangements. Get ready to leave."

Time to return to Maadoran, this time with some new friends.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "Speak," commands Gaelius, beckoning you to step forward."

"About the Ordu..."

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "I've already heard. Pavola's going to be here shortly, to lodge a complaint. Stay - you've earned your place at my table."

*You gain a new insight - 26 skill points gained*

*You receive 150 imperials for your service*

*House Aurelian reputation increased*

*Imperial Guards reputation decreased*

Time to play hackysack with the IG deserters until Pavola gets here.
(http://i.imgur.com/oZ7SYqo.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/UaC0z7l.png) "You don't have to wait long. Accompanied by his senior officers, Pavola storms in, huffing and puffing. "What is the meaning of all this?" he demands angrily." Clearly, "Gaelius is not a fan of the IG" is the meaning.

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "Since when are the internal affairs of Noble Houses any of the Guards' business?" inquires Gaelius with a smirk, enjoying every minute of this spectacle."

(http://i.imgur.com/UaC0z7l.png) "You're harboring our enemies!" explodes Pavola. (Again? These landmines really need to be disarmed.) "They attacked Harran's Pass and slaughtered the garrison to a man! (One man apparently made it out.) This is war!"

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "It's an unfortunate accident," says Gaelius. "One of the Ordu tribes has expressed a strong desire to become more civilized. I've invited them to come to Maadoran - for what other city is more civilized and open to different cultures - yet your men at the pass had refused them entry, which is a grave insult to me."

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "I was going to demand restitution, but since they are all dead now, we shall consider the matter settled. You can remain in my city and continue enjoying its hospitality."

(http://i.imgur.com/UaC0z7l.png) "This isn't over," growls Pavola."

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "It is now," says Gaelius, changing tone. "I don't seek a war with the Guards, nor do I see the Guards as my enemies, but if you continue being a nuisance, I'll throw you out and let the Ordu sack your fort."

"Pavola gives Gaelius another glare and walks out, leaving you alone with you liege." Which is far less sexy than it sounds.

"What should I do now, my Lord?"

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "I'll do my best to domesticate the Ordu and give them something worth following my orders for, while you'll go to Zamedi and see if you can find anything about that temple's whereabouts there. I want it dealt with, once and for all." My god, a faction quest that requires us to explore lore areas! How can it get better than this?

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "He gives you a bronze reliquary, containing a glowing red sphere. "It should open the tower to you. Explore it and report back without delay."

"Zamedi?"

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "You haven't heard of Zamedi? Now, that is a cautionary tale, is there ever was one. It is said that during the war the town of Zamedi was under siege for almost a year. The walls were impregnable - granite infused with magic. And so it stood until our magi came up with a siege engine of immense power. They've assured the Emperor that it will have no problem blasting through the walls and they didn't lie. The siege engine obliterated the walls, the town with all the defenders, and our army that was ready to charge into a breach, leaving nothing but a tower." Goddamn Davy Crocketts ruining everything.

"The desert where Zamedi used to be was glowing at night for decades, killing anyone who'd come close."

"How did the tower survive the attack?"

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "I don't know. The mere fact that it did was enough for us to seal it and leave it alone."

"Is it safe now?"

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "After so many years? It's quite safe, I assure you.  The magic is long gone."

Time to victoriously wander out of here, we'll leave Zamedi for another time.
(http://i.imgur.com/OFyI7rG.jpg)

Stats: all the same.

Skills: all combat skills 1, lockpick 2, etiquette 5, persuasion 8, streetwise 7, crafting 4, lore 8, trading 3.

Faction Reputations: HA 27, HC 7, HD 23, AG 2, MG 10, IG -1, TG 2.

General Reputation: body count 0, combat 0, loyalty -4, peacemaker 1, prestige 1, word of honor 1.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 11: Abyssal Arcane Ambling
Post by: A Thing on May 06, 2016, 12:10:53 am

The Abyss calls, and we must answer.

Spoiler: Abyssal Arcane Ambling (click to show/hide)

But before we answer, let's talk to Thorgul.
(http://i.imgur.com/wW77YiP.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png)  "The messenger returns," (Vibius has become Mercury.) says Thorgul dryly. "What words do you bring us now?"

"What do you think of Maadoran?" "Will you participate in a Maadoran satisfaction survey? You'll get an amphora and some hard pillows!"

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "It's a prison. Yet your people are content to spend their lives in small cells, working all day long to earn enough soft metal to buy a scrap of meat. Yours is a twisted world, Vibius."

"It has its moments."

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "It has great power produced by thousands of willing slaves. The spirits of my ancestors urge me to raze it to the ground, (you should probably get that checked out) for the spirits do not care if we die with your city. I do. It is my duty to protect the tribe, which is why I will serve your khan, but I will serve no other. My people will never be slaves."

"Does everyone feel the same way?"

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "The young warriors don't see what I see. They see steel weapons, rich clothes, food and wine - as much as they can eat and drink They think that it's a sign of respect when it's just a different way to enslave." 

"Is that why you stay in your tents?" Pretty sure the more sensible reason why they would be in tents  is  simply that Gaelius doesn't trust them to not storm the palace. They kinda are barbarians.

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "Thorgul nods. "I know that we'll lose some men to your khan, but as long as I live, the tribe will live by our laws and traditions, not yours."

"What does Gaelius want you to do?"

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "He spoke of changing times, of paths we travel, of many enemies that lie in wait down these paths. More enemies than can fight alone. He will give us strength that was lost and we'll win these battles for him. Then, we'll see."

Good talk, time to amble into the Abyss.

Also, let's charge the respirator.
(http://i.imgur.com/v5dJstA.png)
"The apparatus needs a power tube to function properly." This screen also gives me this close-up of the respirator. Pretty glorious if you ask me.

"You insert a power tube into the slot. The apparatus absorbs the charge and the drums comes to life, expelling dust."

"You remove the beads, pocketing the gems of any value." We actually get some gems, these only exist to be sold from what I remember.
(http://i.imgur.com/IVL5Hyj.png)
As you can see, I've got a new cloak for Vibius since we had more than enough imperials after selling the gems. Respirator has been equipped, so pretty much all the plans have been set into motion. Time to go to the Slums, and then, the Abyss!

---

(http://i.imgur.com/oGsLL56.png)
"You arrive at the infamous Maadoran Slums, greeted only by an oppressive silence settling around you. Filth-clad figures pay you little notice as they paw through refuse piled against dilapidated buildings, yet you can feel hostile eye watching you from the shadows." Mandatory slum area incoming.

"You're keenly aware that even the Guards have long since chalked this place up as a loss. (That's just because the Guards are immensely incompetent.) Their patrol routes avoid the squalid maze of collapsed building and make-shift shelters. The only authority in here is the Thieves' Guild."

"You can just make out their headquarters in the distance - the shattered dome of the High Temple, an everlasting mockery that serves as a reminder of this district's fall from its former grandeur." Hey now, it isn't that bad. The second temple in the Trade district is some sort of orgy pit; if that isn't honoring the gods properly, then I don't know what is.

Time to EXPLORE the slums.
(http://i.imgur.com/Eu8C7cO.png)
"You must be lost," says a man in his fifties, looking at you with interest. "People who don't belong here don't come often, so they always stand out."

"I'm Leon. It's been more than twenty years since I've ended up in the Slums. I thought I wouldn't last a day, yet here I am."

"What do you want?"

"An honest pay for an honest day's work. No more, no less. You've heard about the Slums, yes? It's not for the faint-hearted. So, what you need is a local guide, to keep the riff-raff away from you and you away from the riff-raff. It's almost like two jobs in one, but I'll ask only for a hundred coins, if you can spare it.

"No, thanks." I can't remember if this guy tries to kill you or not, but I don't care about what he has to offer. We speak in wizard tongues, we'll be fine.

Some dude tells us to come over, we don't. The call of the Abyss is too great, that, and I really don't want to talk to bums for a whole update again.

"You see a large group of armed men ahead. Their attention is focused on the roasting meat, but their demeanor suggests that they are more than culinary enthusiasts."

Time to jaunt up to flavor-town.

"As you come closer, a man steps out to greet you."
(http://i.imgur.com/gfWNgem.png)
"Welcome to my humble abode," says the man with a smile. "I'm Mehrab, called the Blademaster, and these fierce warriors are Mehrab's Blades. You want to see the Abyss, yes? It's a place of wonder and beauty. (That is, beautiful in the same way Azra is beautiful.) You'll love it, I can already tell."

"Pay the fee and you'll be on your way." We can't leverage our praetor status here, sadly, so we have to pay or fight.

"How much?"

"A man of business who knows that everything has a value, eh? I like that. I'll give a special price, just for you. Two hundred imperials to see the wonder of wonders. Considering what you're getting, it's practically free, and you know why? Because Mehrab is not a greedy man. Live and let live, I say."

We slam two hundred imperials into his, uhh... strap thing.

"Bless your heart, friend. Your kindness to those less fortunate won't be forgotten."

Time to stare into the Abyss. Sounds like a good time to me!

---

(http://i.imgur.com/3HbHq37.png)
"You have arrived at the giant crater known as the Abyss. At least two miles across, it is flanked by the ruins of the ancient city, the walls standing like crumbling sentinels over the pit. A restless grey fog cloaks the bottom of the defile, effectively concealing the horrors which undoubtedly lie within." By the way, it isn't shown in the screenshot, but there are occasional ominous lighting strikes going on in the fog. I'm sure that detail will never matter.

"You aren't alone. As you approach, you see the usual crowd gathered. Places of destruction and mystery always attract tourists, and with them the soothsayers and hawkers who make a living selling whatever they desire, from old world trinkets got up like artefacts, to curses purporting to channel the dark energies of the Abyss, to that ever popular standby, kebabs. (Yhere is a kebab stand scene in Teron that I didn't do, we'll probably see it in a future playthrough.) The raucous cries you associate with bartering are however unusually subdued and flat, like those of a group of children playing at the edge of a graveyard, each attempting to convince his neighbor - and more so, himself - of his bravery."

Time to EXPLORE this area.

"Own a piece of history!" shouts an old man, perched on the stair of some forgotten temple. With agility surprising for his age, he jumps up to start shoving different bits and pieces of stone in you face, gesturing expansively while describing their amazing curative and protective qualities." Feng 2: Revengeance

"What is this junk?"

"The old man sighs and gives you a long, evaluating loo. Being an optimist, he decides you're good for at least twenty imperials. He picks up a small polished stone with a hole in its center and says firmly, "Twenty coins."

"Are you going to tell me what it is?"

"It's a stone from one of the buildings. I picked it myself, because I know what to look for." He holds the rock up to the light and it does indeed sparkle, in exactly the same manner as quartz. "The magic is still there, don't worry."

"So, you've personally ventured into the Abyss?"

"I have," he says proudly. "All my charms, artefacts, and souvenirs are one hundred percent authentic. I've been making the journey into the Abyss since I was old enough to walk, not without certain precautions, mind you, but a man as clever as I can make the trip mostly without risk. Mostly."

"What's it like?" Shangri-La.

"What's it like?" repeats the old man. "It's not for the faint-hearted or ill-prepared. From up above, the mist looks harmless, almost peaceful, but once you're inside you'll see there's something awful about it. You get the idea that wherever you ain't looking, it's watching you, following you, waiting for you to make a wrong step. I've found bodies in the rubble that were torn apart like they were made out of paper. Like I said, the magic is still there," he gestures at the fog, "and in these stones." Magic Magery in this Malicious Maw.

"And what is at the bottom?"

"At the very bottom? Nothing, I suppose, nothing but the dust of whatever was meant to be smashed when this hole was made."  He chuckles. "Nobody's been all the way to the bottom, it would be suicide." He pauses to consider. "Well, maybe Enarion made it there - they tell all kinds of tales about him - but no other man has. The farthest you can go is about three hundred meters, but that's far enough if you ask me."

"Who is this Enarion?"

"Enarion was one of the best. (The cream of the crop, ohhh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! Macho Madness!) It's not enough to be brave or tough to go down into the Abyss and come out again. You got to be lucky, because one wrong step is all it takes to get yourself mangled or dead, or worse. The farther you go, the higher the odds stack up against you, so wise folks will quit while they're ahead, grab what they can see and get back as fast as they can. Well, I don't reckon Enarion was all that wise, but he was lucky. He went deeper than anyone else and always came back, and brought things with him nobody saw before. Not rocks and pebbles, but the real deal, old world things."

"What happened to him?"

"Ended up dead. He knew how to read the Abyss, but not the second most dangerous thing around here: people. There were rumors that he had a map that plotted out a safe route all the way down. We found him dead one day, but no trace of the map. Whatever his secret was, Enarion took it to the grave."

"Did he ever speak about what he saw down there?"

"Everyone asked him, but he would just smile and say, "Things like you wouldn't believe." I don't know if he actually meant that or just wanted to put people off."

"What actually happened here?"

"During the war, you mean? What do you think? The bastards hit us hard, but we got them back. It ain't pretty, but it does have its charm. That hole is like a monument to our resilience, like us saying, "We've enduring this crazy shit and we're still here. Was that the worst you can do? Because if it ain't, you'd better think twice before trying again." The old man grins proudly."

We could ask him about the "charms," but I'd rather just get to the Abyss already.

"Venture into the Abyss?"

Well, what else are we going to do here? Let's venture forth, to great glory or something.
(http://i.imgur.com/0csOtd3.png)
"The fog envelopes you, so thick you can hardly see to place one foot in front of the other, and with it an absolute hush leaving only the sound of your own breath. After your first couple steps, you begin to wonder how anyone can find their way at all, and as if responding to your thoughts the fog begins to recede, allowing you to see at least some of your surroundings." Welcome to Silent Hill Quiet Protrusion.

"The ground is as clean swept as a moneylender's sidewalk. Nothing here, not so much as a pebble, has been left unclaimed by fortune hunters."

We stumble further into the Abyss.
(http://i.imgur.com/XUhSGhL.png)
"The path is easy enough to follow and you keep walking until you are able to discern the mounds alongside the bones, not skeletons as such, but piles of disconnected human bones in such number you cannot even hazard an estimate of the number of dead. A sudden gust of wind dislodges a skull from its resting place and it rolls free from the ground. When the skull reaches a spot a few feet to your left, it stops as if caught by an unseen hand, then shatters, sending fragments of bone flying in all directions." Ghosts! Foggy Ghost Mutants!

[perception] "Examine the area."

[success] "The only object of interest is a big, broken stone block protruding from the ground to your right. A barely visible letter 'M' is scratched on its surface. You examine the area carefully but fail to find any other letter."

"What could it possibly mean?" Meru wus hear.

"You have absolutely no idea."

Time to amble in the direction of the 'M'.
(http://i.imgur.com/hTMKRoB.png)
"You follow the path for a while and as you stumble on a broken column, half buried under rubble, lightning strikes a few feet away, the instant clap of thunder deafening you. Blinking furiously you stagger back as a white fireball appears, hovering in the air before you.  For a moment the entire area is flooded with eerie light, then it explodes." Dammit ball lightning (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_lightning), I thought we were friends!

"Deafened, blinded, burned,  you manage to get up."

[perception] "Examine the area." Let's do the examinate, again!

[intelligence success] "After a careful search, you're convinced that the only object of interest is the half-buried column."

Well, looks like we know where to go, onwards!
(http://i.imgur.com/JM62sIf.png)
"You continue to pick your way through the rubble until your ears prick up at an unpleasant groaning sound ahead. You come upon an erect cross of heavy timber. (Heavy and erect? Definitely no subtext there.) A man is hanging from the structure on four great black nails, and he is still alive, moaning loudly."

"Kill me," begs the man. Looking down at a sudden weight pulling on your hand, you realize you are holding a sword."

Well, let's not kill him. No, this isn't actually affected by weapon skills.

"You manage to wrestle the man down from the cross and pour him some water. Before your eyes his wounds vanish and his color returns. The man rises, stronger and taller than you had supposed. You could have sworn that he was your height and now he towers over you like a giant. Angrily, he lifts you by the throat and flings you away like a child discarding a doll. You roll in the dirt and dust and (and Anne, and Andy) bits of stone, clutching your smashed trachea. If you had known it to be your dying breath, you would at least have filled your lungs..."
(http://i.imgur.com/awmgpUe.png)
"When you open your eyes, you find yourself lying under the cross. Where the man had been, a skeleton now hangs. It is yellow with age and has hung undisturbed for a very long time."

Time to follow the direction of various objects, again!

"You walk on until a grim shadow resolves into a cairn of skulls among ruins. As you come closer, you find your fears fading away, to be replaced by a deep, encompassing calm." Almost as if the air had hallucinogens or something.

"I envy them," a voice whispers to you from behind."
(http://i.imgur.com/RCKCJkU.png)
"You spin. Although you can see a hundred meters behind you along the path, a man has somehow appeared only a few feet away. His manner is easygoing and relaxed, as if you were two travelers exchanging a few friendly words before continuing on your way."

"Why?"

"They have found peace, or peace has found them. Either way... What about you? What do *you* seek?" The sweet vitae of virgin souls! The penumbral essences that border the minds purest portions!

We've got 5 options by the way: power, riches, knowledge, fame and glory or "I'm not seeking anything. I'm just passing through." You should probably know the answer by now.

"Knowledge."

"The Magi were obsessed with knowledge. Where are they now?"

"Are you suggesting men should better live in ignorance?" The only good is knowledge and the only evil ignorance so the scholars say anyway.

"Men should know their limits, but the best scholars never do."

"..." ...? - .... .. ... .. ... -.-. .-.. . ...- . .-. .--- --- -.- .
(http://i.imgur.com/DELO2zX.png)
"Without warning the ground rumbles and begins to shake. The forbidding monument collapses, sending skulls skittering in every direction and throwing you to the ground. When you get up, the man is gone."

You know the deal, perception checks and such.

[success] "Eventually, you find the next mark. It looks like a crude drawing of a tree with two branches, both on one side. You have no idea what it means, but it's the only object of interest."

Direction amble time!
(http://i.imgur.com/2bm93ZA.png)
"Although the path is perfectly level, your breathing becomes strained and the air thick and heavy in your lungs. Weak and disorientated, head pounding, you're forced to stop. You vaguely recall that you're searching for some kind of mark, but you can't remember why. When you study your surroundings, you find that you can't focus on anything. The details of the landscape swirl around you, blending together in a confused blur."

"Use the breathing apparatus." This is why I got the power tubes, if you couldn't tell. The only other way pass is a high strength\constitution check.

"At first, you feel nothing at all, but within a few seconds, the pain goes down and it gets a bit easier to breathe. The dizziness and the swirling stop and you see the last mark."

Direction time, direction time!

"After several more halting steps, the pressure suddenly ceases and the fog melts away." This fog is so thin you can melt it with a microwave!
(http://i.imgur.com/mDBnV0n.png)
"You have arrived at the bottom of the crater. (Abyssbottom, MD.) You aren't really sure what you expected to find, but discovering a cracked slab of concrete - opus caementicium - does take you by surprise. From the juncture where the concrete disappears into the walls of the crater you can see it was part of a much larger structure, a structure that was hidden deep beneath the city, and must have been the target of the attack." It's almost as if something important was here... Ehh, probably nothing.

"The crack is large enough for you to squeeze through."

"A dark hole in the bottom of the crater? Sign me up!" Take me, mister Wizard! Take me!

"You find yourself in a dark and cramped chamber, a reinforced sub-basement of the building destroyed during the attack. The walls were blackened in the disaster, and the floor is half buried in sand and rubble." Not rubles, although they they are worth about as much as rubble.

"In the middle of the room stands a massive, dented metal cylinder, made from an unfamiliar alloy. When your eyes get used to the darkness, you notice cables snaking out from the tank to four machines, sitting in the four corners of the chamber. Three are still and silent. One appears to be still working."

*You gain a new insight - 20 skill points gained*

Time to examine the tank.
(http://i.imgur.com/iC9ziG9.png)
"Although heavily damaged, the tank is sealed. There is a console on one side and a small glass aperture on the top. Cleaning away as much as you can of the grime, you look inside."

"There is a body within, submerged in some murky liquid. Only the face is plainly visible and it isn't human. (Aliens!) The cranium is bulging and distorted, with a too low nasal bridge, deep, elongated eye sockets, a lipless mouth, and over all, dark, leathery skin. You can't be certain, but there may be gills behind the rudimentary ears." It's Kevin Costner! I always wondered where he went after Waterworld.

"The eyes themselves are black, opaque, and thankfully empty. If the creature is alive, it doesn't seem to be aware of your presence."

"Who are you?" We don't have another option, apparently Vibius is committed to waking Kevin up.

"The eyes remain vacant, the body as perfectly still as its tomb."
(http://i.imgur.com/KOdg9Tt.png)
"The sudden sound of footsteps make you spin around, and you flinch away from a painfully bright light. With an effort you maintain your balance, and opening your eyes find yourself standing in the middle of the desert, the sole feature of note being the tall man standing before you. He is dressed in rich robes, and has a black beard and dark, intelligent eyes that study you intently. You glance behind to find nothing but endless desert."  At least there aren't any tortoises here.

"Are you ready?" asks the man."

"Ready for what?"

"Excellent," nods the man ignoring your question. "The path you'll have to walk won't be easy, but I know that you will do well and endure the trials. We wouldn't have chosen you otherwise."

"Your chest swells with pride you didn't feel a moment ago, your body moves on its own accord, and you salute. The man nods again, pleased with your reaction."

"Who are you?" Totally not Ibn Hadad or anything, nah. Just an ordinary Magus.

"Soon," smiles the man. Like a marionette, you feel your strings being pulled by some other entity, making you follow a script you do not understand."

"Your body, strong as it is, will need to be made even stronger to be able to hold the Gift. The wards will have to be tattooed deep into your skin. I know that soldiers aren't strangers to tattoos, but this one will be different. It will be painful, more pain than you can comprehend." The man looks straight at you."

"But you *are* a soldier, Galath," he continues after a pause. "You know better than anyone that there is no gain without pain. And you will have to gain a lot."

"Galath?"

"In the next instant, you find yourself returned to the grim darkness of the cellar. The creature in the tank shows no more sign of life than before."

"Why did you show it to me?" Somehow Vibius hasn't pieced together the Gal'ath the Dreamer\Galath thing yet.
(http://i.imgur.com/86AuMvi.png)
"The light winks out for a moment, leaving complete darkness, and when it returns, you are walking down a hall towards a much larger chamber, the largest you have ever seen. The murmur of conversation stills at your approach and when you enter, the great crowd awaiting you stand in perfect, quiet ranks."

"Behind them the walls are covered in pipes and gauges and dials, an unfathomable labyrinth of copper and glass. The device, whatever it is, makes the only sound, a deep and menacing throb you can feel through the soles of your feet."

"You are overcome with a childlike awe that is somehow not your own. Alongside another person's disbelief at being chosen, you wonder 'Chosen for what?"

"Again without your will you walk toward the room's centerpiece - seven sarcophagi arranged in a circle, each standing at an angle of about forty degrees. Without turning, you know that six people walk behind you, six others who were chosen to receive the Gift." Seven enter, none return.

"The servants remove the simple robes you have been provided for the ceremony, beneath which you are naked, then help you into one of the sarcophagi. The interior is molded to your body, but unpleasantly cold. They secure your arms and legs, and lower a bizarrely shaped helmet over your head. The lid descends smoothly to enclose you and your mind races in preparation for what is to come."

"Once again you find yourself returned to the grim darkness of the cellar. The creature in the tank shows no more sign of life than before."

"What are you?"

"Your body floats in a void endless and absolute, a darkness beyond light or hope. Your mind dreams. You have dreamed for a very long time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o5gt1j6PWc&index=11&list=PLsZD0bXgDP2uBtQwGvHjXRgDKD_M62-HO), months, or perhaps years. The dreams are vivid, alien, often terrifying and very real. If not for their outlandish nature, you would not be certain they are dreams at all."

"At the end of this eternity, you are awakened. You scream in torment as a vital part of you is torn free and discarded, not from your body, but from your very soul. The agony is unbearable, the wound fatal. You feel the cold of deepest night. You are dying, at least a part of you is. But another part seems to be waking."

"You open your eyes and find yourself closely confined. You see the inside of a tank filled with water, a tiny window above. Unfamiliar faces look down at you through the glass. They are smiling to each other, pleased. You reach toward them, but not with your hand. You are reaching with your mind, with pure will, with an instinct that is not your own, that is not, in fact, human."

Well, looks like its time to leave. Not really though, just leaving the dialogue.

Bookshelves with a perception check? Well, we can't turn that down, can we?

[success] "The chamber is empty. Einar had seen to that, selling whatever priceless equipment could be moved for a handful of coins. If there is anything of value left, it must be well hidden. Where would one hide something in an empty room? Your keen gaze comes to rest on the numerous cracks in the walls."

"One by one, you inspect every crack and opening, uncovering centuries of dust and insects, and one interesting item: several scrolls rolled into a tube. Unfortunately, the scrolls were not carefully sealed and time has not been kind to them. They fall apart in your hands, leaving you with nothing but fragments." Turns out the entirety of their records were written in crayon on post-it notes!

[lore] "Try to decipher what you can."

[success] "...something went very wrong here. Athazor is gone, yet the host retains his abilities and continues to manifest them. The range appears to be vastly reduced - it is down to about a mile now - and the manifestations are weak and random, but the implications are interesting. All this time, we've been operating under the assumption that the abilities are not transferable."

Time to read another post-it note.

"We've disabled three transformers to induce a coma, yet the manifestations remain, leading to speculation that Galath - or what was once Galath - does not control, nor even understand, his new abilities. Like a newborn's mind in control of an adult body, he is unaware of what he can do, yet he is still able to haphazardly control it with his mental impulses. Given time..."

This next one is in rainbow colors, damn Magi.

"No decision has been made yet. I cannot blame them after what happened in Al-Akia, and yet... we have a tremendous opportunity here, one more and more likely to slip away the longer Galath remains in coma. Even now we cannot know for sure he will awaken again. The wards on his body require a lot of power. It is uncertain how long he can survive on the amount of energy we are supplying..."

"The rest of the contents are illegible, but what you have discovered is definitely interesting. According to legends, one of the three High Lords was able to shape reality to his will. Could this Galath-Athazor, this freakish hybrid of man and some unknown other, be the Dreamer Gla'ath-Zor to whom the histories referred?"

Time to leave dialogue again.

Let's investigate these generators.

"The machine is dark and silent, but shows no sign of damage."
(http://i.imgur.com/0yyHRCU.png)
"The machine emits a pulsing green light, strange liquid shifting and changing behind the thick glass."

We can attempt to destroy it, so let's try it!

"Shielding your face, you strike the machine as hard as you can. Ancient magic flares and you are thrown across the room, where you convulse on the floor several times before regaining control. The machine itself is undamaged."

Well, let's try the console at least.

[lore] "Examine the console."
(http://i.imgur.com/zqTjMmt.png)
"The console is beyond your understanding, so you place your faith in the mantras. Of course, the problem with mantras is that you have no way to know which one will apply. You try the Mantra of Suspending The Ordinary Functioning Of, which you thought was safe bet until you realize that it requires you to replace one function with another. Next, you try the Mantra of Divine Guidance (To attempt to slay a god! The Divines must be suicidal or something.) only to realize midway that you're missing the famed golden arrows to which it frequently refers. With desperation hanging over you like a dark cloud, you finally decide to attempt the Mantra of Actions and Reactions. This bloated text has been enlarged by generations of philosophers eager to add their mark to history, and for this reason is ignored by more reputable loremasters."

"Just as you are working through the last instructions of the Mantra of Actions and Reactions, the console begins to respond, confirming that you have chosen the correct text. This mantra focuses on things that act and things that react, suggesting that the right sequence can cause a chain reaction. By following the directives in the correct order, you believe you can either initiate these reactions within the three dead machines, or power down the last working machines."

Destroy what may be the last High Lord, or awaken it? I'll leave that to you, I'll probably give it until about... Tuesday.

Skills\reputation are all the same, so I won't list them again.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 11: Abyssal Arcane Ambling
Post by: birdy51 on May 06, 2016, 11:20:05 am

Well... Press all of the buttons!

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 11: Abyssal Arcane Ambling
Post by: A Thing on May 06, 2016, 11:48:33 am

Quote from: birdy51 on May 06, 2016, 11:20:05 am

Well... Press all of the buttons!

So, roll a random number? This choice has a definite good\bad outcome, I can't exactly decide fairly. We do also have the option to just leave, but that's a bit boring and this is likely to be one of the few times we can come here. High perception\intelligence with either decent strength\constitution or a respirator isn't exactly common. Much less a character with those things and a high lore skill.

Random.org says this
(http://i.imgur.com/vIAhk32.png)
So, I guess that's one vote towards ending it.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 11: Abyssal Arcane Ambling
Post by: Bacos666 on May 09, 2016, 06:21:31 pm

I say wake him up.

What's the worst that can happen?  No, seriously, I want to know what the worst that can happen is. :P

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 11: Abyssal Arcane Ambling
Post by: A Thing on May 09, 2016, 06:58:35 pm

(http://i.imgur.com/vaCUVIq.png)

This is what I rolled for a tie breaker, looks like we're waking him up unless someone swoops in to tip the scale back to killing.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 12: Awakenings and Acclimation
Post by: A Thing on May 10, 2016, 12:07:32 am

Spoiler: Awakenings and Acclimation (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/zqTjMmt.png)
We could kill it, but this could be the last High Lord! Imagine what knowledge we could get out of this thing if we could talk to it! Such a wondrous opportunity cannot be ignored.

"Reciting the words as you go along, you follow the steps until one of the machines rattles to life with a loud pitching noise, which eventually settles into a deep hum. As newly augmented power flows into the tank, something else starts pouring out: images, visions, memories are flooding your mind."

"At one moment, you are standing on a battlefield of long ago, men around you dying by the thousands, and *you* are the one exterminating them. Though you are not physically present, you are seeing them in your mind and striking them down from far away. Next, you're experiencing the agony of losing that vital part of you that was never yours."

A gift of knowledge it seems, an encouragement of sorts. Let us continue.

"More power flows into the tank and more visions pour out, but you are no longer sure they *are* visions. As the chamber shakes and debris showers down from the ceiling, the agony of the creature in the tank becomes more real than ever. (Too real, one might say.) You fall to your knees, you are bleeding from the nose and trying to crawl away. You are crawling over piles of corpses, recently killed and still bloody. You are crawling towards something... A sarcophagus? A tank? A pyramid and a beam of light against a black sky? You no longer know where you are or what is real."

"The pain is the one thing that is undoubtedly genuine. It rushes over you, each wave worse than the one before, until you are submerged. You feel like you're being born, or reborn, made anew by someone or something that cares little about what you are feeling, or even whether you live through it."

Maybe this is just a test of our willpower? Our worthiness? Maybe it is just confused? Whatever the reason being, we'll get no answers from running away.

[constitution failure] "As the last device powers up and adds its hum to the others, the waves of agony coming from the tank become too much for you. Blood rises in your throat, pours from your ears and nose. You experience unbearable, excruciating pain as your body hemorrhages in a dozen places at once, and then you feel nothing at all."

"The Abyss claims another victim."

According to the game anyway, but that is really disappointing. There is a much, much worse consequence but since the game only checks constitution here instead of con\int we die. I'm going to console command our con up just for this check because the consequence of this is much more interesting then simple death. I guess you could complain about this, but considering that I'm adding stat points just so we can get a worse outcome I don't really think the argument is all that valid.

---

[constitution success] "As the last device powers up and adds its hum to the others, the waves of agony coming from the tank becomes stronger still. Then abruptly, the pain is gone. The visions continue, but your mind has gone numb to the torment emanating from the thing in the tank." We have obtained the Mind Shield. We can use this to get a really good ending, but since I had to console command to get here we'll not be doing that simply out of principle.

"You are looking down upon Maadoran from high above, watching the city from an invisible peak somewhere above the Abyss, and you are full of an all-consuming, inexplicable rage. The only thing you had wished for was peace, yet always it was denied to you. The city is the source of your torment, the city and its ever-growing thousands, crawling like insects through your brain, poisoning your sleep with their endless questions and thoughts and worries." You can probably see where this is going, right?

"Your rage overwhelms you and you lash out. When your fury is unleashed, it is not in the form of fist or sword or spear, but something larger, something huge, immensely powerful and beautiful. Where buildings - where entire districts - once stood, now there is dust, where men and women and children lived, bloody stains. Their screams in your mind are like music, for they are not the actual cries of the dying thousands, but better: the final tortured thoughts of the city, which has troubled your peace for the last time. You lash out again and again, until the loose bricks and mountains of rubble are perfect in their silence, and then fog descends, slowly covering all."

*You gain a new insight - 19 skill points gained*

Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all, Vibius? Time to leave I suppose, best not to see what we've wrought, it would likely cripple us (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=1h1m16s).

(http://i.imgur.com/YNgjsmg.png)

"The swift and merciless destruction of Maadoran by an unknown force strikes terror into every heart. The millennia-old city, once a symbol of the resilience of mankind in the face of catastrophe, was extinguished like a candle, without warning or reason, leaving nothing but shallow ruins beneath a deadly mist."

"Vindicated at last, Lord Meru's rhetoric reaches fever pitch, and new followers flock to him, deperately seeking someone to save them from the impending divine judgement. Others, unconvinced by stories of wrathful deities, speak in hushed, fearful tones of the Magi and the Great War, of the dread powers they unleashed on the world, powers terrible enough to shatter even the greatest Empire the world had ever known."

"Unwittingly, you managed to wake up the 'god' that slept beneath the Abyss. Maddened by the centuries spent in the tank, the creature lashed out at the human hive around it, destroying the entire city. Well done."
(http://i.imgur.com/ywutbkR.png)
"Beyond the embers of your dying campfire, you first mistook the lights of the holy city for a new constellation, so high were they above the horizon. Over the next two days the craggy profile of Castle Ganezzar sets the caravan's course, as if it were a lighthouse guiding you across the plain."

"The city's magic and mystery fades, however, as you come closer. The famous citadel sqauts grim and unadorned atop its massive hill, with the city arranged in cascading levels on the slopes beneath, like rings of fungus choking the last vestiges of life from a ruined tree."
(http://i.imgur.com/p0rTA15.jpg)
We arrive, maybe we'll get a another chance? Maybe not another employer, but another chance nevertheless.

Spoiler: Stats and Stuff includes actual spoilers for the update (click to show/hide)

Every skill and stat is the same, but we have a new trait.

Mindshield: "You've awakened a demi-God and attained an ability to shield your mind from negativity and other unpleasantries, destroying an entire city (the only city left) in the process."

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 12: Awakenings and Acclimation - Chapter 2 done
Post by: birdy51 on May 11, 2016, 09:24:09 am

Well shit. I'm a bit curious about what would happen if you had killed the High Lord instead.

Buut... Seeing as this is more of a narrative Let's Play, I'm curious to see what might happen if you continue down the destruction of Maadoran line.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 13: Dark Days and Devilry
Post by: A Thing on May 14, 2016, 12:48:24 am

We would have become a godslayer if we killed the 'god'. Surprising, I know.

Spoiler: Dark Days and Devilry (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/FCpKwyP.jpg)
We return to yet another screenshot of Ganezzar's multi-leveled majesty and squalor. But before we enter the city itself, let's talk to the leader of this caravan camped by the entrance.
(http://i.imgur.com/nwSgxak.png)
"Unless you're one of the 'faithful', friend, you might as well turn around," says a gap-toothed man, giving you his best smile. "The good people of Ganezzar don't want the unbelievers polluting their fair city with their presence."

"Are the gates closed then?"

"The gates are wide open but without one of these," he displays a rough-looking pendant in the shape of a snake biting its own tail, "you won't make it past the first vacant cross, if you know what I mean."

"What is it?"

"What is it?" asks the man, truly surprised by your ignorance. (Lore 8 can't help us with zealot symbols according to the game) It's the mark of House Crassus. The great serpent Araborus whose awakening will herald the end of this world and the beginning of a new one."

"Ouroboros?" It's Araborus you plebeian!

"That's what I said, didn't I? So if you want to escape his fiery breath and enter the new world *and* this holy city, you can buy this amulet for one low price of 10 imperials. I should be charging more, but I refuse to make a profit on your personal salvation." Read: the zealots will kill me if I make a profit.

"I'll buy the amulet if you answer my questions." We slap the 10 imperials directly into his coin pouch.

"It will be my pleasure," the man says reassuringly, giving you the amulet."

"So what's all this nonsense about the locals turning the unbelievers away?"

"Can't blame them after what happened to Maadoran. (I guess the caravans and such outside of Maadoran weren't destroyed since we should probably be the first person back from there.) They say it was the wickedness of the unbelievers that brought the Gods' Wrath on their heads like a hammer. Nobody wants their city to be next, not because of some infidels hiding in their midst."

"The Boatmen, the Guards, the Merchants - they've been hunted down and killed like dogs. The zealots don't want to take any chances, so take my advice and embrace the True Faith, if you haven't already."
(http://i.imgur.com/vmUb3sl.jpg)
Turns out that Ganezzar is actually a theocratical zealotry infused nightmare, who knew? But that is all he has to say, so let's go inside the towering holy city of Ganezzar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Otg8xVMNT4U).
(http://i.imgur.com/v691oh6.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Stop right there!" (I had to do it) demands a pox-marked man. He looks dirty and unkempt, yet speaks with a strange aura of authority, clearly enjoying his power to stop and question anyone he pleases."

"Several armed men are looking behind him, making the unspoken threat credible. The Crassus guards manning the gate show no reaction, either accustomed to it or being on the side of the zealots."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Which Lord do you owe fealty to?" asks the man."

"Lord Meru" If you needed confirmation that Gaelius is dead, here it is. We normally would be able to answer "Lord Gaelius" to the zealot, but in the darkest timeline Gaelius is completely obliterated.

"The man looks at the amulet and nods, letting you pass."

Now that that is done, we've got some people to talk to.
(http://i.imgur.com/FEh4g9b.png)
"You see a vigorous old man surrounded by a score of enthralled zealots. He has an overpowering presence and a booming voice that carries like that of a strict but fair parent explained the ways of the world to his obtuse children."

"He stops when he sees you and beckons you to approach, as if encouraging a shy child."

(http://i.imgur.com/mqTemjE.png) "Come join us, brother. I can see you're haunted by questions nobody can answer. (Well, at least that sentence is sorta accurate in this timeline instead of just presumptuous.) That's why the Gods led you here. They went you to find what you seek and they want me to guide along the way. Should I fail, I'll fail the Gods and will have to answer for it," says the old man smoothly."

(http://i.imgur.com/mqTemjE.png) "So tell me, what ails your soul?"

We could ask a number of things, but after recent events only one is really appropriate "What is the Gods' nature?"

(http://i.imgur.com/mqTemjE.png) "You might as well ask about the nature of the Sun," laughs the preacher, his laugh is comforting as he's clearly laughing with you, finding life's mysteries amusing, not at you."

(http://i.imgur.com/mqTemjE.png) "It turns night into day, which is far more important than what it is. Imagine the world without the Sun - the world cast into eternal darkness. Horrifying, isn't it? Yet that's the world we live in, only the darkness covers not our eyes, but hearts and minds." Compared to other fantasy worlds, yes Pancratius, we might as well be eternal darkness.

(http://i.imgur.com/mqTemjE.png) "The Gods will shine their everlasting Light upon us but only if we let them."

"I'm not sure what to believe."

(http://i.imgur.com/mqTemjE.png) "Ah," says the old man as if it were the easiest thing in the world to explain."

(http://i.imgur.com/mqTemjE.png) "Do you believe that the world around you is fair and just?"

Considering that we just witnessed a bunch of friendly neighborhood watchmen doing what they do, I don't think we can say yes. "No."

(http://i.imgur.com/mqTemjE.png) "Then you believe in a better world," says the preacher, smiling like a proud father at his child's first steps." Vibius is definitely a child, his graying hair and wrinkled face is a testament to his youthful charm.

(http://i.imgur.com/mqTemjE.png) "Now tell me, who's going to give you this world?" He continues, denying you an opportunity to say something and embarrass yourself."

(http://i.imgur.com/mqTemjE.png) "Is it you? No, for you're just a man, lost and alone. Is it your lord? (No, for he died a death full of indignity and pain! One fitting for a heathen such as he.) No, for he's a false lord who claimed a title that wasn't his to claim." He looks at you expectantly."

"The Gods?"

(http://i.imgur.com/mqTemjE.png) "The Gods," says the  preacher, bowing his head and reciting a prayer. "You see, brother, while your mind didn't know what to believe, deep in your heart you knew it all along - a better world, a just world without false lords! The Kingdom of the Gods!" Ignore the fact that it has been made clear that they are High Lords and a kingdom would require a King of the Gods, which doesn't exist.

"The false lords?"

(http://i.imgur.com/mqTemjE.png) "No man should raise himself above other men, for only the Gods have dominion over men. A man who proclaims himself a lord is a deceiver who wants to subjugate you and keep you in darkness. You owe him neither obedience nor fealty for he is the enemy of the Gods!" Also, he is dead. Very, very dead.

Pancratius has nothing left to say, so we jaunt back into the slums of Ganezzar.
(http://i.imgur.com/AanRSMu.png)
Before we wander into the nearest tavern, witness the fury of the Gods.

In the tavern, we find a loremaster, because of course we do.
(http://i.imgur.com/lE23NUu.png)
"You see a young man having a heated argument with an old loremaster."

"A story I've heard says these gods of yours were created," a young man says stubbornly. "The Magi made them!" Imagine a world where we didn't get all those flashbacks and evidence from several stories that this was true, and imagine this line of dialogue being informative far beyond the wordsmithing capabilities of mortal men.

"One of the patrons curses and reaches for his dagger, but the loremaster stops him with an authoritative gesture."

"Created?" asks the loremaster with disdain. "Do you create an oak when you plant an acorn? Or do you merely pray for it to find the soil fertile enough and sprout?"

"The Magi found a way to plant seeds containing the divine essence into mortal men, who were humbled by the honor. The Magi, wise as they were, created neither the Gods nor the divine essence that was used in the ritual. Banish such thoughts for they are nothing but blasphemy that will get you killed."

"He nods at the patron still clutching his dagger."

"What makes you think the essence was divine, brother?" His 22-inch pythons obviously.

"Your words take the loremaster aback. He eyes you with a contemptuous look, then says, "What other essence could it have been?"

"It's a good starting tactic - let your opponent do the talking and bury himself while you poke holes in his arguments."

"We don't know. We don't know what exactly the Magi brought to our plane. You said the essence was divine yet what proof do you offer?" We could also say "Well, there was a lot of talk about the Qantari demons..." but that sounds like a trap to me.

"Thread carefully unbeliever," the loremaster warns you, his thich eyebrows moving closer, reflecting his growing concern."

"The Gods came to our aid, fought for us, *bled* for us, yet they couldn't be killed by mortal weapons. Immortality is the highest proof of the divine nature of our Allies, for no mortal creature, no matter how big and ferocious, can cheat death." Ignore the fact that the Demons were seemingly immortal too, that doesn't matter.

"Many times our noble Allies were grievously wounded and had to be carried away from the battlefield only to return days later, their vigor renewed, their strength restored. What have you to say to that?"

"Why did they come to our aid and leave so abruptly, leaving nothing but ruins behind? We're told it's because we turned our backs on them which tells us nothing."

"What makes you think that your mind - limited and finite - can understand the Gods who are incomprehensible and infinite? Your arrogance must be bottomless if you presume to be capable of such a feat."

"You don't need to understand the Sun to accept its light and warmth. You don't need to understand the Gods to accept their love and guidance." We have witnessed nothing but love and guidance from the Gods recently.

"Are you sure that love and guidance are what they have in store for us?"

"What are you saying, unbeliever?" asks the loremaster, his thick eyebrows moving closer, reflecting his growing concern." This guy must have a massive head to be able to move his eyebrows this much. We only have one response to this by the way, let's see if it kills us.

"What if these god-like beings aren't benevolent and righteous but malevolent and evil?"

"The loremaster stares at you for a while, his distaste written on his face."

"A thief thinks every man steals. A cunning and deceitful man wonders if the Gods are cunning and deceitful. A liar thinks that the Gods can't be trusted. Your questions reflect your nature, unbeliever. Be on your way." "You're dumb and your face is stupid, unbeliever!"

Time to walk around and see things such as "A sobbing man with bulging, bloodshot eyes. Every now and then he gathers enough strength and starts shouting - recanting his words and pleading for mercy. The onlookers laugh and encourage him to shout louder." and "The dirty floor is crowded with straw mattresses, children sleeping alongside drunken men and whores."

Also, it appears the developers fixed it, but this (http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=600431363) was something that used the occur in a certain spot. I kinda miss it. There is one more person in Lowtown that we can talk to, so let's do that.
(http://i.imgur.com/1V3Mkly.png)
"Don't suffer an unbeliever to live," exclaims a man standing in front of the tow of crosses, "for he is the enemy of the Gods! His very existence is an affront! A breath he draws is an insult for it pollutes the air in this Holy City! His wickedness-"

"He notices you and stops mid-sentence."

"I haven't seen you before," he says slowly, as if that alone were a chargeable offense. "Where do you stand on the matters of faith," he asks casually, trying to sound indifferent and edging forward like a predator getting ready to pounce."

"I follow the teachings of Brother Meru. I came to Ganezzar to hear him speak." The other option is a threat, which would be a poor decision for Mr. One in All Combat Skills

"May the Gods watch over you, brother," says the man, instantly warming up toward you."

*House Crassus reputation increased*

"What's that? A pillar of skulls?" What's that Lassy? A pillar of skulls? Oh that crazy Duke of Rudling, such a card.

"Heads of the unbelievers," says the man proudly. "This here," he picks up the top skull," is Aicken. He called the words of Brother Meru ill-invented nonsense. Nonsense! Can you believe that? Then he went on and on, saying that it was stuffed with madness, nonsense, and contradictions." The man shakes his head sadly."

"Of course he changed his mind when we nailed him to a cross. He said his circumstances were deplorable. As if it's some kinda excuse." The man lovingly pats the skull before putting it back."

"How long have you been crucifying the unbelievers?"

"For quire a while," says the man with pride. "And it all started here in Lowtown. We've been petitioning Brother Meru to do something about the unbelievers for a long time but to no avail. He probably thought it was too harsh a punishment or hoped that his sermons would do the trick."

"Well, one day we had enough. Some poor bastard had too much wine and started telling us that it was all horseshit. He dared the Gods to strike him down where he stood if he was making it up. Guess what, the Gods don't need to  reach out all the way down here to swat him like a fly, not when they have the righteous men like us."

"So you put him on a cross?" Now, now, that's assuming a lot. Why can't they have thrown him off the walls, or drowned him in the local well? Why's it gotta be a cross?

"Damn right we did and guess what? Not a word from the city watch. None! So the next night we got three more of the bastards. Nailed them right to give them plenty of time to think about what they said and shout how sorry they were for the entire city to hear."

"After a couple of months you couldn't find an unbeliever even if you look all day, but like I said, I know some rot is still there. We'll get them, don't you worry."

"The guards are staying out of your way then?"

"You could say that, so maybe Brother Meru did hear our prayers after all."

"What's he like, Brother Meru?"

"He's like a father to us all. Gave up his lordship because he knows we're all equal in the Gods' eyes and no man should lord over another. It's not right," the man shakes his head vigorously."

"When the Gods return, they're gonna hold a court and ask everyone who broke their laws and raised themselves above their fellow men. Oh yes, there will be a reckoning, you'll see."

Time to jog away into the upper quarters.
(http://i.imgur.com/MtAC3El.png)
"Did you see a man leaving?" demands one of the zealots. "Goes by the name of Elias."

"I didn't see anyone." What a worthwhile conversation, let's actually go to the upper quarters.
(http://i.imgur.com/Sw7eBZM.png)
Except we don't because we can talk to a random guard. "Keep moving," says the guard, giving you a quick glance.

"Expecting trouble?"

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "I'm here to make sure the new arrivals understand the boundaries. Just because our gates are open to all faithful doesn't mean they can go anywhere they please," explains the guard."

"Of course, men of standing and reputation are welcome anywhere but those who belong at the bottom should stay at the bottom."

"I thought we were all brothers and sisters."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "In Gods' eyes we are," nods the guard, ignoring your sarcasm, "which doesn't mean we shouldn't have order. If you were dirt poor before, you won't be sleeping on a feather bed when you come here, but you'll pray freely and without fear."

"What about the crosses?" Well, the crosses pay taxes so we can't throw them out.

"It's the Holy City," says the guard, giving you a long, hard look as if finally finding you worthy of his full attention. "If you aren't a man of faith, why are you here?"

"I have business here."

"Don't overstay your weclome."

*House Crassus reputation decreased*

What a bountiful conversation. Let's talk to another dude is this veritable barricade of dialogue.
(http://i.imgur.com/INJo396.png)
"Look at them," says an old noblemand, pointing at the district below. "Like a rising tide that threatens to swallow us all."

"I remember when Lowtown was different. Cleaner..."

"When did it change?"

"When *Brother* Meru started to preaching to the rabble," says the old man, almost spitting when he says thee word brother."

"Keep your voice down lest the 'rabble' hears you."

"My family settled here when Ganezzar was nothing but a castle surrounded by a handful of houses. I'm not afraid of *them*."

"What was the city like in those days?" Because this guy would know how things were thousands of years ago.

"It wasn't much of a city back then, just a castle on this damn hill in the middle of nowhere. Many had wondered if House Crassus was banished from the Imperial court. My family was always loyal to the Crassus lords, so my ancestors left Aellium and settled on this hill."

"Of course, had they known that a lord of the greatest of the Great Houses would end up wearing robes and courting the rabble, they would have stayed in Aellium until the bitter end."

"Aellium?"

"The capital of the Old Empire. (I have no idea if the contradiction of both Maadoran and Aellium being said to be the capital of the Old Empire is on purpose or not.) The loremasters say the fighting was so fierce, the land itself was split asunder and the city sunk beneath the waves. That was the turning point. We stopped the bastards dead and won the war but the cost was too great to bear."

"Why did the Old Empire collapse?" Do we really have to ask this question again? I guess we do.

"Why? Imagine the Old Empire as a mighty chariot with seven horses. The horses are yoked to the chariot and follow the command of the charioteer. The War killed the charioteers and broke the chariot. The horses - the Noble Houses - started pulling what's left of the chariot into different direction, thus tearing it apart."

"So when did Ganezzar become a city?"

"My take on it is that at first the Crassus lords didn't want a city. They wanted a remote castle reachable only by air but at some point supplying the castle and the growing number of retainers had become too expensive."

"That's when they built the cascading levels and the first stairways, and opened the land around the hill for farming. When the farmers came, they settled at the foot of the hill. So the noble families were near the castle, at the top where they belong, the plebs at the bottom, and the equestrians in the middle. A perfect natural order."

"And now?"

"And now?" asks the old nobleman with a scoff. "Now that the first amongst the nobleborn has renounced his lordship and calls himself a *brother* to this rabble?"

"I understand that we're weak and our enemies are many, but Lord Meru's going way too far. What he's doing, what he has already done can't be easily undone. They won't go back into the cages once they serve their purpose. Mark my words."

"Why is Meru doing it?" Because he wants support from the common people? Maybe he really believes in the gods?

"Strength has always been in numbers. Ganezzar's population doubled in less than a year and these people will die for Lord Meru, but are these the kind of people House Crassus needs? What kind of future can we build with them running amok and crucifying those who don't share their zeal? They are turning on each other like animals!"

"Madness, pure madness," says the old nobleman, turning away."

Time to finally go to the temple district. Before we go to the temple itself, let's see what this "philosopher" is doing.
(http://i.imgur.com/D7mHffB.png)
"You see a street philosopher-turned-preacher attempting to educate his flock on the subject of gods and demons. Fortunately, you missed most of the sermon."

"If the Gods were all-powerful, why did they battle the Demons for years, laying waste to cities and countryside alike?" asks the preacher, raising his voice dramatically. "Why couldn't they destroy them outright?" Because the demons were all-powerful too? Is that not an option?

"Because the Gods and the Demons are two sides of the same divine coin," says the preacher, proudly presenting his theory and triumphantly glancing around." It is an option!

"The accursed Qantari had reached into the void and brought forth those who dwell in eternal darkness and their number was four. Four  is a symbol of chaos, of seperation, of dispersal into four directions. It's a symbol of banishment!" Can't argue with facts like that! Symbolism! Philosophy! Blasphemy! What an age we live in, one might even say an Age of Decadence.

"What chance did mankind stand against these Lords of Chaos? None! We would have been killed or enslaved, cast into eternal darkness, but the Gods would have none of it. (The Demons liked tuna on their pizza, such heresy could not stand in the eyes of the Gods.) They came to our aid and their number was three."

"Three is the holiest of numbers for it symbolizes life. Birth, life, and death. Body, mind, and spirit. Creation, destruction, and preservation. It symbolizes unity for the three gods united were infinitely more powerful than the four Demons whose number symbolizes separation. Thus in the end each Demon stood alone and that was their downfall."

"You said that the Gods and Demons were two sides of the same coin. What did you mean by that?"

"Their origin was the same and their number was seven - the number of the universe and a symbol of completeness. There are seven days in a week, seven rays of the sun, seven pillars of wisdom, and seven musical notes."

"Seven divine beings representing the trinity of all things and the four elements."

"Clearly, you know your numbers. What do you know about the Gods and Demons that isn't common knowledge?" Well you see, in the old times the Gods had a special game: hackeysack, the most holy of games.

"I know a-plenty," says the philosopher defensively, "but my knowledge isn't for the likes of you."

"What do you know about the one called Balzaar?" Probably nothing since this guy is clearly a hack.

"Baal-Zurath? According to the stories, he is the Chief of the Demons."

"What makes him the Chief if the Demons were divided and represented different directions?"

"Well, the numbers say one thing, the stories another, but the numerology is the exact science whereas stories are nothing but hearsay. So believe what you will."

"What about the Artificer?" He symbolizes the unity of jukeboxes with the universe of purity and opposes the evil fusebox demon who symbolizes the futility of life.

"He was the cleverest amongst the Gods. Some stories say that Baal-Zurath was the first to enter our realm and the first to rebel against the Magi, challenging the First of the Magi himself. (Well, that explains that story from much earlier in the game.) Other stories say that it was the Artificer who rebelled against Baal-Zurath and brought his downfall."

"And then you wonder why I don't put much stock in stories."

"Alright, so what do the numbers tell you?"

"The numbers don't lie," says the philosopher, excited by the prospect of educating you. "Three and four don't make six or eight, no matter how many times the equation is repeated. They always make seven. The very fact that seven was split into three and four tells us that there was a division amongst the Gods."

"Seven can't be split into two and five because two can't resist five, but three and four? These are strong numbers, plenty of power in them. It was the three that split from the seven, not the other way around."

"Why did they split?"

"The numbers are silent on the motives. The stories don't say much on this topic either. (So what you're saying is that the numbers can only reveal the same things the stories reveal? Sounds reasonable and credible to me!) All we know is that the Three who did split served the Old Empire and were strong enough to defeat the Four."

"Only to disappear after."

"Can you imagine a coin with only one side, brother? Two sides, same coin."

With that, we are finally done with complete idiot. On wards to the temple!

In the temple courtyard there are a bunch of people, including this guy with a nametag saying "Blind Man."
(http://i.imgur.com/YPQUlcV.png)
"You see a blind man sitting on a bench. He appears to be oblivious to everything, simply enjoying the warm day."

"Beautiful day, isn't it?" says the blind, turning his head in your direction when you approach. (Warlock! To the cross with him!) "First time in Ganezzar?"

"How can you tell?" Well, Ganezzar does have a pretty bad lingering smell...

"Who else would approach a blind man to ask for directions?" This guy must be some sort of comedian, sadly his stand-up lacks... vision.

"The locals leave you alone?" His stand-up is really bad, we just went over this.

"I'm an annalist. *Was* an annalist," sighs the man, "before I lost my sight. Fortunately, I don't have to earn my meals telling stories in taverns, so I just sit outside and enjoy the warm breeze. I didn't have time for such things before, but now I have all the time in the world."

"What did you work on before you lost your sight?"

"I tried to trace the history of House Crassus, which proved to be a daunting task. They say the Old Empire had three pillars an House Crassus was one of them. None of the other Houses can claim this honor."

"Do you know the House's origins?"

"I know what the stories say, which is as good as it gets these days. Of course, most of these stories come from House Crassus' archives, so make what you will of them."

"So what do these stories say?"

"They say that House Crassus was founded by Gaius Valerius Crassus - a military tribune with consular powers and unparalleled vision. It was him who turned the Magi into a powerful Order and it was that Order that turned an upstart kingdom into a mighty empire."

"So this Crassus character created the Magi *and* the Old Empire?"

"I told you the source of the stories," says the blind annalist, looking annoyed. "I wouldn't be surprised if the stories claimed that Crassus created the Sun and the Moon too. Still, the story isn't as outrageous as you might think, but if you have better things to do..." We definitely don't.

"Alright, go on."
"Of course, the Magi were there long before Lord Crassus set his gaze upon them, but akin to today's loremasters, they worked alone, serving kings and city-states as viziers and protectors. They wielded power, of course, but it was limited, for each man hoarded his secrets and took them to his grave. With me so far?"

"The Magi, what were they?" Strangle glove enthusiasts, Vibius. This should be obvious.

"The stories say that the Magi were all things: (that is a really helpful statement, dude) engineers, astronomers, thaumaturgists, mathematicians, and practitioners of the esoteric arts. (What does that even mean? Did they practice tyromancy or something?) They were men of science.

"One day Crassus was summoned before the King. Seeing the man in front of him was destined for great things, as the story claims, the King gave him three legions (15000 soldiers for a petty noble, what a wise king) and charged him with taking a "city of evildoers and temple-robbers", which had resisted all attempts to take it for many a decade."

"Crassus marched there without delay, laid siege to the city and eventually prevailed, but not before losing an entire legion to Hellfyre conjured by the magus of the city. Unfortunately, the city was never named, because it was razed to the ground, the land salted, (that just seems unnecessary considering you already razed the city)  and its name stricken from the records."

"Hellfyre?

"The word's fairly common in the stories, but it often describes completely different things. It's possible that the hellfyre Crassus had witnessed was what we call liquid fire. Hellfyre mentioned in the Great War's accounts appears to be something far more potent and devastating." Liquid fire is also pretty potent and devastating, as we'll learn when I do an alchemy focused combat character, it'll be glorious.

"So what happened next?"

"Crassus was so impressed with the Hellfyre demonstration that he had the magus captured at a great cost and made a deal with him. The magus would work for him and in exchange Crassus would hand him all magi he would capture in his campaign, as well their notes and devices."

"And that's how it all started?"

"Simple enough for me to believe it," nods the annalist. "When it comes to things that seem simple today, it's easy to look back and wonder why Crassus was the first who did it. Maybe he was the first and maybe he wasn't. Maybe he prevailed where others have failed. Maybe the magus he captured first was the key to the whole thing." Hindsight is 20/20 or some such.

"What we do know is that Crassus' campaign lasted for seven years. He captured many cities and many magi. No every magus was taken alive and not every magus was of value or was willing to submit to the self-proclaimed High Magus, (I guess that it was changed to the First of the Magi later) but many magi had embraced the new Order."

"As the Order's power grew, Crassus began to rely more on the Magi than on his own soldiers. Soon he started going after cities that offered neither valuable resources nor riches but arcane secrets." Occult mysteries, Sorcerous relics, ambiguous magery!

"He could have been king." But, could he wait to be king or not? That is the question.

"Maybe," says the annalist. "But Crassus was after a different kind of power. He served the King loyally and in exchange he was given domain over all things arcane. The Order he created was never seen as a threat but as one of the most potent weapons of the Old Empire."

"So what was the relationship between House Crassus and the Order of the Magi?" The Order gave House Crassus knowledge and House Crassus provided the magus ladies, what is so complicated about that? That endless cycle is what the Ouroboros symbolizes.

"The Order was Crassus' responsibility. Since it was too much for one man to oversee, a new House bearing his name was established and entrusted with continuing the work Crassus started. In a sense, House Crassus was built around the Order of Magi, both to protect the Order from its enemies and the Empire from the Order."

"Someone had to hold the other end of the leash?" More like the other hand of the strangle glove in this situation.

"Quite so," says the annalist. "And now if you'll excuse me, I have other matters to contemplate on."

Time to saunter into the temple pavilion thing then.
(http://i.imgur.com/rP8NqRE.png)
"You step into an old, crumbling temple, open to the elements and passerby, joining a crowd waiting for today's sermon. The preacher - a bearded man with the fiery eyes of a true believer and the mannerisms of a whoremaster - appears shortly after." Master, of the whores!

"He parts the crowd like water with a practiced ease, making his way to the podium."

This would be the time we would play hackysack until sufficient time passes, but we both lost the hackysack and the deserters to the Gods.

"It's humbling to see so many people," says the preacher, his voice smooth and sincere, "so let's speak of humility today."

"I'm often asked why Brother Meru has renounced his Lordship. What is the significance of this act? Why was it even necessary when we all wholeheartedly accept Brother Meru as our shepherd?" 

"It is said," says the preacher, his voice flowing like water, "humble yourself in the sight of the Gods and they shall lift you up." Lift you up and do what? Chokeslam you?

"They. Shall. (Create. Many. Fragment. Sentences. Improper. Grammar. Matters. Not. To. The. Gods.) Lift. You. Up," says the preacher as if stating something profoundly obvious. "Any man who lifts himself up, any man who puts a crown on his head, any man who raises himself above others is putting himself above the Gods, for he says that he doesn't need the Gods. He says that he knows better."

"That's why the Gods left us to our fate. Ignorant in their pride... in their arrogance, our forefathers told the Gods that they knew better. The Gods could have chosen to smite them all, but they didn't Had they done it, we'd all be living in the Kingdom of the Gods now but we HAD to learn this lesson, no matter how painful it's proven to be."

"The path to the Gods' Kindom lies in submission. (S&M is sacred to Meru's religion apparently.) We must submit to the will of the Gods for this humble act is the very foundation of it."

"Brother Meru proved it when he renounced his earthly title and removed the crown made of gold, for neither was given to him by the Gods. He kneeled in front of the divine and submitted himself to the Gods' will, begging to be judged, for no man is above the Gods. No man can rule others because the kingship can only come from the Gods." Or the Pope, but he's an exception.

"When the Gods return, it will be too late to beg for forgiveness and make amends. When the Gods return, we'll be judged. The wheat will be separated from the chaff." His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.

"The false lords and false prophets will be held accountable, but so will those who followed them, out of fear or ignorance. Discard your pride, brothers and sisters. Have faith in the Gods. Submit to their will and show them that you're worthy of being admitted into the Gods' Kingdom."

"Time is running out. Don't waste even an hour that can be dedicated to earning your salvation." Buy your salvation now for only 10 easy payments of 99.99!

"The preacher drops the mic and walks away before you can ask him any questions."

*House Crassus reputation increased*

Time to walk away slowly, very slowly. Don't want to upset the zealots after all.

Before we leave to the highest district before Castle Ganezzar, let's visit our good friends the wall guards again.

(http://i.imgur.com/ywPpK69.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/gjqWQEg.png)

As you can see, Ganezzar is suffering from a replicant\inbred guard invasion. Did the Gods plan for this? Did they? Regardless of what the Gods planned for and didn't, we should go to the Noble District.

---

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 13: Dark Days and Devilry
Post by: A Thing on May 14, 2016, 12:53:25 am

This was planned to be the Ganezzar exploration update, are you really that surprised that it went over the limit?

Spoiler: Dark Days and Devilry part 2 (click to show/hide)

We see a fancy man in the distance, we must talk to him.
(http://i.imgur.com/pL8RjqJ.png)
"My door is always open to the faithful," says a nobleman, wearing a robe and a turban. The robe is lavishly decorated with golden embroidery and probably worth a small fortune." What humility.

"I'm Marcus Sidonius Fabianus, the Second Acolyte, but you can call me (Cabot) Brother Marcus."

"The Second Acolyte?" I feel as if the name should be self-explanatory since Meru is the First Acolyte, but apparently it isn't to Vibius.

"Brother Meru is the First Acolyte," says the nobleman, his facial expression inviting you to connect the dots. "My family is the second in Ganezzar. Thus, the title of the *Second* Acolyte is mine without contestation."

"So you share Brother Meru's beliefs?" Considering that the title is hereditary instead of appointed, he probably doesn't.

"My family has sworn an oath to serve House Crassus hundreds of years ago. Lord Meru's Creed is my Creed," says the nobleman proudly. "When he fights, I fight! When he kneels, I kneel! Where he goes, I follow!" Well, at least we can mark Marcus off as a massive idiot.

"What do the responsibilities of the Second Acolyte entail?" Besides completely and utterly submitting your soul to Lord Brother Meru, of course.

"When the Gods return to establish their Kingdom, Brother Meru will be elevated above all men and granted a Kingship. As the Second Acolyte, I will stand a step behind him and assist him in carrying out his duties. It is the highest honor," adds the nobleman, as if unsure that you can grasp such an important detail."

"What makes you think the Gods will make Meru a king?" His nametag saying "TRUE BELIEVER" should explain that.

"The true Kingship comes from heaven," says the nobleman, raising his finger. "Much like a lord can't attend to every detail and needs trusted servants to do his will and look after his domain, the Gods will need men pure of heart *and* blood, of course, to do their will and administer their Kingdom."

"There is no other way," adds the nobleman with certainty."

"And blood, eh? What happened to 'we're all brothers and sisters?" Feudalism happened.

"We are," the nobleman gives you a fake smile, "but even amongst brothers and sisters, there are those who are born first, whose destiny is to lead and inherit, and those who are born last whose destiny is to serve the firstborn and follow their lead."

"So your birth determines your station?" If you couldn't tell, Meru is still a lord despite his "humility" and his self-appointed title of "Brother."

"The Gods determine your station," says the nobleman, saddened by your ignorance. "If one's meant to plough soil, one is born to a farmer. Brother Meru has been chosen to herald the Gods' return. Do you think he could have done it, had he been born a farmer?"

"So all these people in Lowtown are -" Murderous?

"Misguided," the nobleman says quickly. "Their hearts are in the right place, (Interesting view of the 'right place' this man has) of course, but due to their low birth they aren't equipped to understand matters of philosophical nature. They speak of freedom but spread chaos." He shakes his head."

That is all he has to say, time to meet the man himself: Brother Meru, the First Acolyte, Herald and Prophet of the Gods.
(http://i.imgur.com/wVKaWPV.png)
"State your purpose," says one of the guards, barely concealing a yawn."

"I bring urgent news! Maadoran is gone!" Also, all is quiet on the Western Front, and there is war in the East!

"We've heard rumors but nobody knows what anything. (These guards are extremely English; on their off-time they are part-time nanny-chimneysweeps to maximize Englishness.)Come inside, Brother Meru will want to question you," says guard, gesturing to his men to open the gate for you."

We shall penetrate this castle like a bear penetrates a bee hive for honey, except we hunger for knowledge.
(http://i.imgur.com/fJQwK6j.png)
"You're standing in front of Lord Meru. He is dressed in the eastern manner and has an aura of humility and piousness about him, although you can't say whether he is a humble and pious man or merely wants to come across as one."

"There are no guards in the room, nothing that would highlight his status and station. Lord Meru is accompanied only by a plainly dressed man with thinning hair and dark eyes that seem to penetrate to your very soul." That creepy soul penetrator dude is kinda important if you couldn't tell from the fact we're meeting him the same time as Meru.

"My Lord." We have to say this even though we certainly know by this point that Meru is everyone's Brother.

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "There are no lords here, brother. Are we not all equal in the Gods' eyes? We're measured only by our devotion and faith. Serve faithfully, give yourself to the Gods and you too will stand one day where I stand now." That's a bit optimistic, Meru, but whatever you say is the Truth, isn't it?

"You have no guards?"

[Mind Shield] That's not a good sign, is it? (http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "Who'd raise a hand against a servant of the Gods? Of course, evil knows no bounds, but I have faith in Faelan," he points at the man standing next to him. "He is more than capable of shielding me from harm." Except he can't shield from the mind shield.

"The man smiles unpleasantly, still fixing you with his eyes. Suddenly, his expression changes, going from cocky to confused. He fixes you with his eyes one more time, face straining with effort, then gives up on whatever he was trying to do." Faelan here is a wizard, a magus, a sorcerer, a warlock, whatever you want to call him he definitely does supernatural things. As you might expect, he confirms in this game that magic is definitely real to some degree and if we didn't have our mind shield he would've read our mind. The fact Meru of all people has one of the last Magi is pretty terrifying.

"Gods have blessed Faelan with great powers, far above those of mere mortals," says Meru, unaware of what just transpired. "He was lost for a long time, but he serves a great cause now, as do we all."

"I bring urgent news! Maadoran has been destroyed!" We regale him with the horrors of the Sack of Maadoran, with a few omissions, of course.

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "Praise the Gods," whispers Meru, closing his eyes for a moment, "for they have sent us a sign. No longer will they tolerate sin and blasphemy. No longer will they tolerate the false shepherds leading the flock astray. The hour of their rebirth draws near." Yes, spin the destruction of the last beacon of civilization as a good thing.

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "If the Gods truly sent you here, you will pass their judgement and I will abide by it. Come with me." We're about to see some ancient, writhing elder things, I'm just saying so you can prepare your mind.

We grab hold of his hand and follow, let us delve deep into Castle Ganezzar (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=52m50s)!

"Meru takes you deeper and deeper into the castle. Two stone-faced guards appear out of nowhere the moment you leave the audience chamber and follow you, staying a few steps behind."

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "Eventually, Meru stops in front of an old metal platform. "We're almost there," he says anxiously, inviting you to join him. One of the guards throws the switch and the platform starts a slow descend into the bowels of the castle."

"The platform comes to a stop near an ancient gate - two heavy slabs of dark metal bearing the golden symbol of House Crassus."
(http://i.imgur.com/krlPCER.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "Your destiny awaits you," says Meru, pointing at the gate. Be warned, many went through this door over the years, yet few came out. If you have doubts, turn away for faith is your only shield when you present yourself to the Gods to be judged."

"What happened to those that failed?"

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "Some were struck dead. Others lost their minds."

"Did anyone pass the test?" Meru probably did, but I guess Vibius cannot recognize that.

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "I did," (See?) says Meru with pride - truly, the First Acolyte. "The prophet passed the test too, although he was barely alive when the guards came for him."

"Not Faelan?"

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "Faelan is besieged by doubts, but what he lacks in faith he makes up for in loyalty."

Time to enter this testchamber, and encounter whatever awaits us.
(http://i.imgur.com/aizYouK.png)
"You enter a massive, strangely decorated chamber, but at once step back, dizzied, from an abyss. Above, the rock ceiling is hewn with arcane symbols, while at your feet is a vast open space, a bottomless night sky of alien stars, forming no constellations you recognize. This is uncanny, unnatural, sorcery beyond your imagination. You shrink from it instinctively, as if pushed by an invisible hand against the reassuring firmness of the stone wall."

I guess we better investigate this thing, whatever it is.

[lore success] "Machinery hums on all sides, giving the impression that this chamber is but one part of a humongous complex. Pipes of all sizes snake in and out of the walls beneath the lip of the parapet, glowing deeper down where the stone walls end and black sky begins. Finally, you are able to drag your eyes up to the walkway leading out over the abyss. The throne there seems to wait for one worthy enough, powerful enough to claim it. It beckons to you." Knowledge, knowledge, knowledge...

"You pause to consider, for the greater the technology, the greater the need for caution. (We'll not let this Abyss explode a city, probably.) You search your memory for any reference which might apply to this place, and recall a tractate dedicated to an ancient artefact similar to what you've discovered here. This device was created to detect tears in the fabric of the world. These "tears" were said to be incredibly rare, and the description of their exact cause is more or less gibberish to you: an unspecified event where, in defiance of the natural order, some cosmic waves failed to collapse. This failure creates a physical anomaly which occupies the same space in two different dimensions at the same time." We've found a wormhole, at least we'll never have to invent the Elven-Dwarven FTL of The Singing Fortress Heart.

"The hill on which castle Ganezzar was built was supposedly erected from the plain for defensive purposes, though it would seem much easier and cheaper to simply choose an existing hill. Could it be that House Crassus raised the hill (Well, that is certainly something that wasn't mentioned before, that makes things a bit more interesting.) specifically to enclose and study one of these "tears", which happened to manifest itself hundreds of feet above the ground?"

Time to examine this room even further, more specifically the extremely conspicuous throne in the middle of the abyss.

"The throne seems to wait for one worthy enough, powerful enough to claim it. It beckons to you."

Vibius, take your throne.
(http://i.imgur.com/WaamH6S.png)
[Mind Shield] Don't worry, the skill check is normally a moderate int\con so we would've succeeded anyway. "Ever so slowly, you ease yourself onto the seat, expecting - dreading - what might happen. the chair is hard and uncomfortable but, except for your palms tingling on the armrests, seems ordinary. A moment later there comes a sound like approaching voices, but it quickly fades away as if breaking against an invisible barrier." I like the int\con success description much much more than this Mind Shield one, but what can we do? We'll probably see it eventually anyway.

"Try to relax and let the voices come through."

"Athazor's will is strong." The words ring in your mind, the vibrations seeming to bounce from the inside of your skull. After a moment of silence, a terrifying vision rears before you, a humongous being resembling an octopus or jellyfish - a dome-like head with a multitude of constantly shifting, probing appendages. (We are getting longer description at least, so there is a benefit to having the mind shield.)  Where these tentacles trail, reality alters in their wake. Is this the entity the Magi called Athazor?"

"I can sense Athazor's gift in you, protecting your feeble brain. Without it, my attempt to connect our minds would drive you mad." The strident voice is in fact your own, your aching jaw opening and closing as your mouth channels the thoughts of the outside entity." He's performing mind ventriloquism and we're his flesh puppet, this encounter is kinda serious if you couldn't tell.

"Mercifully, the creature fades from view and the perspective changes. You are looking down at a brighter square in the darkness of the void - the room you're in now. As if riffling through the pages of a thick tome, you see a series of people sitting in that selfsame chair, all reaching out to the entity, each of them killed outright or driven to gibbering insanity. When the last of these have been destroyed you see yourself, and understand that you are as an insect, too small, usually, even to be noticed, too low to be contemptible."

"You are weak," the voice says, "feebleminded, alone. Yet here you are."

"Who are you?"

"My kind doesn not definite itself in the bleating sounds of lesser beings. Your kind called us the Yazatas - worthy of worship." A huge square of people kneeling, heads touching the ground. "From a long dead language they named me Balzaar. Bal meant to cross over. Zaar meant vessel. Thus, the one who crossed over and was poured into a vessel, a crude attempt to describe a god." I feel as if this cephalopod creature doth think a bit too highly of itself.

"A vessel?"

"It is the only way." A flood of confused images follows, an anchor, a naked man laid out for surgery, a human brain exposed to a glaring blue light, his freshly scarred body convulsing, and finally, at the apex of a pyramid, an unnatural light pouring into the heavens."

"Yet you call yourself a god."

"It is your word, human. The concept is imprecise, but it describes my kind far better than you can imagine."

"What is your kind?"

"We know neither beginning nor end. We exist because we wish to exist. We do not struggle for every breath for we draw none."

"If you are so mighty, what do you want with us?"

"Your kind has awakened us. Enticed us with false promises. Tried to enslave us." In other words, we brought hibernating things that both do not exist and exist at the same time into full existence and consciousness, maybe not the greatest of ideas.

"What can you tell me about the one we named Thor-Agoth?"

"Thor-Agoth," the voice says slowly, as if remembering something long forgotten. "He was almost human in his foolishness, and found himself imprisoned in a moral body for centuries, buried in his acolytes built." Yeah, Thor-Agoth might still be around too, this realm is full of sleeping gods.

"Tomb?"
(http://i.imgur.com/EmiALxp.png)
"You see a sprawling temple complex with a ziggurat rising in the center."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Serve me. Bring Meru to Al-Akia. Complete the ritual."

"How would I do it?"
(http://i.imgur.com/tRkbr1w.png)
"You see a large pyramid, an unnatural light pouring upwards into the heavens, as the voice recites a complex mantra, burning each step into your mind." Yes, after it being mentioned several times we finally get to see the pyramid.

"And if I complete the ritual?"

"You are standing atop a high structure, and everywhere you turn your gaze impossible distances are revealed. The empire is laid out at your feet, and it crawls with pale, puny things, bowing and scraping, creatures which fear and serve you. The creatures are men. They are what you used to be."

Time to get off Balzaar's wild ride finally.

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "You're alive!" exclaims Meru in disbelief. "The Gods found you worthy of Their blessing."

"Was there ever any doubt?"

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "What did they tell you?"

"Rejoice, Brother, for I was chosen. The Gods finally have a champion!"

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "The Gods move in mysterious ways," Meru says dryly. "An expedition is leaving for Al-Akia tomorrow. I want you to join it, unless you have more important things to do."

"What can be more important than bringing glory to the Gods? I will see you tomorrow, Brother."
(http://i.imgur.com/5V9xCnQ.jpg)
We walk out, changed, for better or for worse. So here comes the question, do we actually go with Meru, and do we help him do the ritual or sabotage it? I'll give you until about Monday or possibly Sunday to decide.

Skills, everything is the same besides streetwise which is now 8, and lore which is now 10. Since 10 is the highest skill level I'm actually going to transcribe the skill level description: [Master] "You're wiser than men who think that they know everything, for you realize that you know nothing."

Reputations are: HA 27, HC 10, HD 23, AG 2, MG 10, IG -1, TG 2.

Everything else is the same.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 13: Dark Days and Devilry
Post by: birdy51 on May 14, 2016, 09:56:00 am

We could help out with this, but I'm more interested in the idea of sabotaging this little plot. I don't think this one has good intentions like the one in Maadoran.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 13: Dark Days and Devilry
Post by: A Thing on May 14, 2016, 01:23:09 pm

Balzaar does act a bit like a slavemaster, but we do have a lot more knowledge about the gods (more specifically quite a bit of information that confirms that Balzaar is a bad cephalopod) and such than we normally would on a first, second, or even third playthrough. I didn't even get into the Saross secret library thing until my 4th playthrough or so, same with Zamedi and Inferiae. Then again, no matter how many times you play through Meru is still terrible so that definitely doesn't help Balzaar's case.

For the sake of the LP I'm just asking the question as I'm sure some are curious as to what happens if Balzaar is given a mortal vessel. I still haven't seen what happens if he does succeed, but I highly doubt his 'Kingdom of the Gods' would be a good one in any case. 

Edit: Also since it is sorta Age of Decadence related, concept art for colony ship game by Iron Tower because space cargo saloons (https://cdn1.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/002/398/501/large/piotr-dura-freemans-camp2k.jpg?1461262263). I can already smell the multi-leveled wild-west shootouts coming.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 14: Rituals Rife with Riddles
Post by: A Thing on May 17, 2016, 12:47:36 am

Parliamentary gridlock, time for the Random.org!
(http://i.imgur.com/dDzgIpf.png)

Spoiler: Rituals Rife with Riddles (click to show/hide)

The Gods say to sabotage the Gods, but before we do that, we've got some people to talk to in Meru's court.

"Faelan fixes his unblinking eyes on you for a moment, stopping you in your tracks, (Didn't we just go over how he couldn't do that to us? I guess he got better.) then quickly looks away. You take a moment to recollect your thoughts."

"How do you do it?" With arcane plot-holes.

I forgot how creepy Faelan looked, enjoy. (http://i.imgur.com/MJixVVP.png) "I just do," says Faelan, his voice grating and harsh. "Brother Meru says that I'm touched by the Gods. I used to think I was cursed. Now I'm not sure." Technically being cursed by the Gods is the same thing as being touched by the Gods, so you're probably both.

"Why?"

(http://i.imgur.com/MJixVVP.png) "It brought me nothing but pain. I was beaten half to death more times than I can remember. I drifted between the worlds for days at a time and that's when my gift grew stronger."

"You drifted between the worlds?"

(http://i.imgur.com/MJixVVP.png) "That's what my brother told me. He was looking after me until a sickness took him. I slept for days, neither dead nor alive. No healer could wake me up, yet my brother never gave up. He dripped sugary water into my mouth and waited until I woke up." Why his brother had this sugary water and the healers didn't we will never know. 

(http://i.imgur.com/MJixVVP.png) "He begged me to keep my eyes down but I just couldn't. (Faelan is sorta like Cyclops, but significantly better.) The thrill, the excitement, the power ... it was all too much for me. How was I supposed to know that I was being tested by the Gods?"

"So now you serve Brother Meru?"

(http://i.imgur.com/MJixVVP.png) "He saved me from the gallows and gave me purpose. When I took my first life, the pain was excruciating. I was within those men when they died. (You just said first life, not first group. I guess if they were plebs they could be considered sub-human? Sure, we'll go with that.) Or maybe I was all these men and died one body at a time until only my own was left breathing? There are many living things that kill yet what killer gets to experience his victims' suffering and live through it?"

"Did you kill again?" "The thrill of dying sounds like something I wouldn't want to just experience twice!"

(http://i.imgur.com/MJixVVP.png) "I did," says Faelan, showing no emotions. "Brother Meru convinced me that the gift was given to me for a reason. It would be an affront to the Gods to reject their gift." Meru is such a nice man.

(http://i.imgur.com/MJixVVP.png) "Sharing the agonies and dying over and over again are my penance and absolution. (Faelan is experiencing a life that almost certainly has been covered in a metal song.) I think he's right. The pain is indiscernible yet I find that I miss it when I go too long without punishing the human wickedness."

"Pain or Pleasure?" Pleasure or pleasure?

(http://i.imgur.com/MJixVVP.png) "Extreme pain is indistinguishable from extreme pleasure. (Somehow I knew that it was going here.) They are two different paths to the same destination, I think."

"Does your power grow still?"

(http://i.imgur.com/MJixVVP.png) [streetwise success] "It took all my strength to kill a man for the first time. I was exhausted and drained of energy for days. Now I can stop your heart from beating as easily as swatting a fly."

"The telltale signs suggest that Faelan is lying. Whatever his power is, he can't stop your heart or do anything of that sort, which doesn't mean that he isn't dangerous."

"Do you share Brother Meru's beliefs?"

(http://i.imgur.com/MJixVVP.png) "I want to feel what Brother Meru does," says Faelan, "but I can't. It too is denied to me." For a moment there he sounds angry but then he closes his eyes, his lips move, either praying or counting. (Why not both? Maybe he worships the god of arithmetic.) When he opens his eyes, you can read nothing in them."

"I must have faith. The Gods have a plan for me."

The Gods also have a plan for us, and it has nothing to do with talking to Faelan any longer.
(http://i.imgur.com/HzAJaKn.png)
Guess who is back, guess who! It's everyone's favorite gardener, Feng! (http://i.imgur.com/nZew4qk.png) "My own apprentice," says Feng, shaking his head. "After everything I've done for you..."

We could say sorry, but Feng dug his own grave.
(http://i.imgur.com/Nr8q2py.png)
"Over the course of his life, Varro has developed a pragmatic observation that life is all about survival and making it to the next day. (As long as it doesn't get worse.) Principles and other questionable qualities were dead weight that would get you killed and were no use to you once you're dead."

"Thus, loyalties and honor were nothing but summer flowers - pretty when it's warm but quickly forgotten when the harsher seasons come. (Have you noticed a theme with seasons and all things coming to an end yet?) Such a season did come recently, putting an untimely end to a score of the Boatmen and Varro's career as the guildmaster and presenting him with new opportunities."

Time to intrude upon this fairest of man.

(http://i.imgur.com/ZK5qcBr.png) Welcome to Ganezzar, master Vibius," smiles Varro. "What can I do for you?" Nothing, absolutely nothing, but before we leave can I mention how Varro looks like Garret's long lost brother? Because he does, good thing we don't have anything worth stealing.

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "What news do you bring us?" asks Meru."

Look upon my map, ye mighty and despair!

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "So *you* are the blasphemer!" (Notice the wording there, we are *the* Blasphemer, destroyer of morality.) shouts Meru, his face growing red with anger."

"Blasphemer?"

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "I've heard rumors that someone was looking for the lost temple of the Gods to deliver it to the unbelievers. They will loot and destroy it, denying us salvation! Everything we've done will be undone in an instant. You will doom us all and for what? For a handful of coins? For an empty title? For the glory of Amn? For your pride? Answer me!"

"I... uh... beg forgiveness?"

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "You will have to earn it! Repent and become a symbol of mankind. A sinner who wanted to desecrate the holy shall see the light and kneel before the divine, shall be the first to be blessed and guided. Serve the Gods and rise above the many. Refuse me - refuse the Gods - and you won't live long enough to spend your ill-gotten money. This I promise you!" Promising someone death always works out, maybe not now, maybe not later, but eventually it will work out.

"Guide me, brother!"

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "If it is your destiny to find the temple, find it and guard it with your life. The Gods will give you strength. Make sure that nothing is taken or disturbed. This task is more important than the struggle of petty lords and their illusions."

Let's moonwalk backwards then walk right back up to Meru again.

"I'm ready to join the expedition."

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "May the Gods lead you to it."

Time to walk like Roman, all the way to the Birthplace of the Gods.

"On the morning of your departure you discover you'll be traveling in the company of four grizzled loremasters and a small detachment of Crassus Guards." Why we need four loremasters when we have a lore of 10, I don't know.

"During the journey you learn these loremasters aren't your typical weekend market hucksters. They learned their trade the old fashioned way, robbing tombs and fighting off brigands. They are also in charge of the expedition, dictating where and when the party will stop in order to accomadate the constant referencing of the stars and landmarks against their maps. These consultations regularly lead to heated arguments, almost to the point of blows, all in a language only they understand. (If we don't know the language they speak, then they must be speaking whargarble speak.) The Guards simply keep to themselves."
(http://i.imgur.com/oGllXz4.png)
"Six long days under the naked sun bring your group to the ruins of Al-Akia, which at first seem to consist of nothing but a miniature pyramid, barely taller than a grown man. A closer examination of the area reveals four other derelict structures peeking out from the sand, equidistant from the central edifice."

"Meru's men cluster around the pyramid as if they wish to throw themselves upon it, but instead to whisk the sand from its marking with little horsehair brushes. In contrast to their vocal exchanges over the last week, they now speak in excited whispers. Eventually they shift their attention to the other structures, two men dusting them off and the third making notations on one of their charts. While they go about their examinations (You haven't seen it, but the word examine and examination are used quite a bit when we do lore stuff. I guess the writers prefer it to its synonyms?) you deduce that the three piles of masonry stones are the tops of three towers. What you are seeing is the highest level of a sprawling complex, long buried beneath the sand."
(http://i.imgur.com/dKmQkmK.png)
"At last, the loremasters fall silent, nodding to themselves in satisfaction. Whatever their reasons, they have settled on the last tower as the one they like best." It is the only one lacking ancient graffiti, the guards don't need encouragement.
(http://i.imgur.com/BRmqlR8.png)
"One of the loremasters takes the legatus aside and says something to him. Rosebud! The Legatus nods, Rosebud? Ah, Rosebud. walks to the tower top and disappears inside."

"We wait," says the loremaster, his eyes shining with religious fervor."

Time to wait and think about our role as The Blasphemer. This gives us an opportunity to move around and look at things, so that's kinda neat I guess? Something I noticed is that we don't have slaves or laborers to carry equipment or heavy labor. I would imagine Meru doesn't like slaves, but who is doing the heavy labor, the guards? If that is the case then we would be completely dead in a fight because all of our guards are exhausted! 
(http://i.imgur.com/mC9e2i4.png)
"Can you feel it, coming in the air tonight? brother?" asks the man, breathing in deep as if the very air in this place has mystical properties."

"What is this complex?"

"You're looking at Al-Akia," the man says dramatically, "the birthplace of the Gods."

"The birthplace?" Define 'birth' and describe how a god is 'birthed'.

"The Gods dwell on a higher plane than we do. To walk the earth they need human bodies. If the machines are intact, we can do it again. We can bring back the Gods!" Plot twist, but not really plot twist since we already knew that this was how the Yazatas got here.

"Where would you get the bodies?"

"What faithful wouldn't welcome a chance to be blessed by the Gods and serve as a holy vessel? It is the highest honor." Any old jerk can become a vessel to contain the putrid essence of abyssal cephalopods, according to this very knowledgeable loremaster anyway.

"What are we waiting for?"

"According to the construction plans, this entire complex was built to minimize exposure to the outside elements. If the way down is clear, we should be able to gain access to the main building," the man nods at the pyramid."

"And then what?" We get home before Christmas hopefully.

"If the machines are intact we can bring back the Gods."

"What do machines have to do with it?"

"How else would the Gods come to our plane?" scoffs the loremaster. "The stories say that the Gods descended from heaven but only a fool would take them literally. It took decades of work and thaumaturgical engines the likes of which this world will never see again."

"Pray that the engines are intact!"

"So how does one bring back the Gods?"

 "You need to open a connection between the divine plane and ours," says the loremaster, bending a thick and calloused finger as he counts the steps. (It requires a lot of dancing, very hard to remember.) You need a vessel. You need the thaumaturgical engines to transfer the divine essence into the vessel..."
(http://i.imgur.com/G5NPGcK.png)
"His speech is interrupted by shouts. Turning around, you see the Aurelian soldiers fast approaching." Despite what the screenshot might show these guys are very much ghosts. The House Aurelian bloodline is dried to the point that referring to it as dust would be an understatement.

We marvel at their mysterious resurrection until they get into speaking range.
(http://i.imgur.com/CvJMZmR.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/xTFuSdp.png) "What have we here?" asks the centurion, grinning." If you want to know who's portrait that is, you should've picked another option.

"It doesn't matter. Maadoran is destroyed and House Aurelian is no more." I have no idea why this surprises me the whole game is based off of branching choices to a fault.

(http://i.imgur.com/xTFuSdp.png) "You're trespassing," says the Centurion, eyeing the Imperial Guards. (That's uhh... interesting. Not only did he brush off our mention of Maadoran, but he is eyeing nonexistent Imperial Guards.) "Leave your shit and get the fuck out."

"I don't understand." I don't either Vibius.

(http://i.imgur.com/xTFuSdp.png) "What's to understand? Maadoran's gone but we're still here and there aren't many ways to make a living in the wasteland, are there?"

(http://i.imgur.com/xTFuSdp.png) "We were told to keep an eye out on these ruins, so as far as my boys and I are concerned, they belong to us now. So one last time, you're trespassing. Leave all your valuables and supplies and get the fuck out." I guess it was just a delayed reaction.

"But do you know what this place is? Do you know what House Aurelian was hiding from you?"

(http://i.imgur.com/xTFuSdp.png) "Whatever it is," says the centurion dismissively, "it was closed off for a reason and it will stay closed off to keep people like you from fucking with it."

[streetwise] [charisma] "Is that what you're going to tell the Gods when they return? That their Holy Place was closed off for a *reason*? That you kept the faithful in darkness for a *reason*?"

(http://i.imgur.com/xTFuSdp.png) [success] "This? A holy place?" asks the centurion. You sense contempt in his voice but you also sense uncertainty and fear."

"Now is your chance." Your time is now, Vibius.

[persuasion] [lore] "It doesn't look much now because your Lords did their best to bury it, but in the olden days it was a place of marvel and splendor, of tall spires and beacons of light penetrating the darkness of night and ignorance. Sadly, the beacons are no more and ignorance reigns supreme once again."

(http://i.imgur.com/xTFuSdp.png) [success] "So why is it forbidden then?" asks one of the legionaries - a round-faced man with wide-set eyes. The eyes tell you he wants to believe."

[streetwise] [charisma] "Think about it, brother. If you bow to the Gods, you aren't bowing to the lords. So, the quesion you should be asking yourself is whom you'd rather bow, because at the moment the choice is yours and nobody can take it from you." From this day forward you are the ~Guardians of Al-Akia~ go forth and multiply!

[success] "The soldiers glance at each other, seeing uncertainty and fear, then lower their weapons. One man takes a handful of sand and carefully pours it into a small leather bag - a newly made relic." That reminds me, we should probably get those relics of ours out of Feng's place.

(http://i.imgur.com/xTFuSdp.png) "We'll be on our way then," says the centurion after a pause."

*You gain a new insight into the liberal arts and trades - 4 civil skill points gained*

I hate to see them go, but I love to watch them leave. If you could watch them leave that is, I imagine they are more than a little bit shiny in this searing desert.
(http://i.imgur.com/oFTRTp4.png)
"The Legatus chooses this very moment to emerge from the ruins. "What happened here?"

"One of his men steps forward. (One of the Imperial Crassus Guards) "The Aurelians paid us a visit but he talked them out of doing anything stupid."

"Good job," says the Legatus, patting you on the back. "I have to return to Caer-Tor. (I guess the Legatus was from Caer-Tor but the rest weren't? That was not made clear at all.) I trust you will find your way back to Ganezzar."

*Imperial Guards reputation increased*

*House Crassus reputation increased*

He then takes off his helmet, unleashing his mane of hair, then majestically strides into the sunset. We witness this heroic act and then are thrust back into exploration mode for some reason.
(http://i.imgur.com/7deEV4z.png)
I thought we might be able to go into the tower of Pisa over here, but as you can see he denies us any sort of sensibility to this senseless event. Our only move is to tread back to Ganezzar.

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "What news do you bring us?" asks Meru."

"We found Al-Akia!"

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "You did?! Does it still stand? Has anyone been inside?"

"It's undamaged." That is very clearly untrue.

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "Praise the Gods!" exclaims Meru. "Our salvation is at hand. We must travel there without delay."

*You gain a new insight - 20 skill points gained*

"We?" I doubt he is using the Royal We, but considering this is Meru I wouldn't be surprised.

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "The Gods have chosen you to guide me to my destiny, this much is clear to me. You've earned your place by my side, my friend." " You too, have earned the ability to majestically stride into the sunset!"

With that, we join Meru on the long (short?) trip to Al-Akia.

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "The ruins are secured by House Crassus' troops."

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "My men will stay here," says Meru. "Only the blessed ones will accompany me to the sacred chamber." Read: Some of you need to stand guard for raiders.

We journey deep down into the heart of the pyramid.
(http://i.imgur.com/4lV6SWq.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "Are you ready, brother?" asks Meru, turning to you."

"My Lord!" cries the loremaster, alarmed. "Brother," he corrects himself as Meru frowns. "The ritual is very complex! I've studied it for years and even then I'm not fully certain...". The dance routine is the real killer.

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "You said it yourself, brother," Meru says sternly. "You aren't fully certain because you don't have the Gods' blessing. He does." He points at you." There is an option to get the loremaster to do it, but that's only there in case you have low lore which we don't have. Which means we should find the chamber.
(http://i.imgur.com/FBsN5H9.jpg)
We immediately see this, looks like it is time to investigate!

"It's a tank similar to the one you saw under the Abyss. It's empty - the 'god' that once inhabited it is long gone."

As for the odd giant tape recorder in the middle of the room...

"A strange device or a base to mount a far larger device that seems to be missing."

What about that suspicious sand blocking that door?

"The passage beyond the door is filled with sand and debris." Very interesting.

Going east to the oversized volcano lamps gives us this: "A wondrous column made of thick green glass and filled with liquid. An aquarium to calm one's senses?" Sounds about right. Let's go even farther east.

(http://i.imgur.com/86AuMvi.png)

"Meru staggers when he steps into the chamber and his face goes white. At first you think he's afraid, of the unnerving mix of technology and magic, the weird faces staring from the hieroglyphs."

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "This is where it happened," the self-proclaimed First Acolyte whispers in wonder. "Do you feel it? Can you *hear* it? (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=30m12s)"
(http://i.imgur.com/bq9Bzqq.png)
"He kneels before the largest sarcophagus, (Much like we once did) and slowly, as if the huge metal cylinder were fragile as an eggshell, leans forward to touch his forehead against the rusted surface. He looks upward, tears streaming from his face."

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "I offer myself to Thee - do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will." You realize the words are a formal supplication, a mantra Meru has learned from gods know where. "I give myself up to Thee. My body, my mind, my soul are thine. Do with me as Thou wilt, relieve me of the bondage of self, replace my will with thine."

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "I am ready," says Meru, eyes hot with fervor."

The game now gives me a prompt saying simply "Perform the ritual" I sincerely hope that I haven't been arbitrarily duped out of sabotaging this. I know for a fact we can do this.

"You help Meru into the sarcophagus where heavy metal clamps await to secure his arms and legs. You lower a bizarrely shapped helmet, fixed to a mobile armature, until it cradles his head. When you step back the two halves of the lib close of their own accord on the sounds of his mumbled prayers."

Thankfully, that is not the case. Whatever horrors come from killing Meru and leaving Ganezzar for the zealots, the Magi will forgive.

"You made a few subtle adjustments until a previously unnoticed hum burgeons to an oppressive drone. The noise emanates from the pyramid, continuing to grow as the chamber lights up, awakening from its centuries-long slumber. Meru's voice within the metal shell grows in volume alongside the humming racket, turning ragged and halting. He's practically screaming his supplications now."
(http://i.imgur.com/XOU5w2e.png)
"Without warning thunder claps deafeningly close and the humming noise stops. Slowly, the lights fade away, the doors of the sarcophagus open and Meru stumbles out. He looks around as if wondering how he got here and collapses."

"Faelan kneels next to him, checking the vitals, then gets up."

(http://i.imgur.com/MJixVVP.png) "He was a man of faith to the end," says Faelan. For the first time he isn't smiling. "I'll stay with him for a while."

Before we leave Al-Akia however, let us investigate this chamber we've seen so much but are only seeing now. Starting with the control system.

"It's the most complex control system you've seen in your travels. Judging by the low humming sound, it still has the power to change the world."

And now the central platform itself.

"You've seen this chamber in one of the visions you've experienced while exploring the Abyss. That's where the ritual took place."

As there is nothing else left here, we march out of this miserable place and back into a changed Ganezzar (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=1h1m16s).
(http://i.imgur.com/RupOheY.png)
"Lord Meru's mysterious disappearance weakens the faith he championed. The suddenly masterless nobles put the self-proclaimed Second Acolyte on the throne and institute the Council of Lords to advise the current and all future 'spiritual' leaders on the matters of the city."
(http://i.imgur.com/QDp2mRk.jpg)
Somewhat changed anyway.

All the stats and skills are the same.

General reputation: Body count 1, (game actually says zero but I consider it to be one after what transpired) combat 0, loyalty -4, peacemaker 1, prestige 1, word of honor 1.

Faction reputation: HA 27, HC 13, HD 23, AG 2, MG 10, IG 1, TG 2.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 15: Penultimate Prelude to Placidity
Post by: A Thing on May 22, 2016, 10:40:41 pm

This is going to be the penultimate update, so enjoy reading this three parter or whatever it ends up as in the end. Note from the future, I can't even fit the Zamedi section into one update. This goes on until we reach the final choice. Forgive me forum, for you shall be broken time and time again. This whole mega-update thing was almost certainly a mistake.

Spoiler: Penultimate Prelude to Placidity (click to show/hide)

 

The inn is still there, and so are we. Turns out I had a reason for ending the last update in front of it, who would've known?  This salaciously teasing tension is too much, I'm sure. Thankfully for you dear reader, it isn't a long walk stuffed with verbose action.
(http://i.imgur.com/PCwJh5Y.png)
"The man is gazing blearily at nothing, lost in his thoughts." He looks suspiciously like Faelan, and acts like him too!

"I'm looking for a cartographer. I was told you can help me." He can, but only if you help him help you. It's a co-operative process.

"He blinks as he returns to reality, then turns to look at you, expressionless."

"I don't know you," he says after a moment."

We show yet another person the map.

"I told Domitius (he game assuming you talked to Domitius and some other reasons are why I think the map questline is one of the weakest parts of this game) to leave me alone," says the man angrily, "and I'll tell his lackeys to do the same. I've got nothing to say to you."

"I was asked to find the temple. Any help-"

"I don't see a crossbow pointed at your head," he says, interrupting. "Tell them you didn't find it. Everyone will be better off. You can thank me later for living a long life, or a longer one at any rate."

"You have some strong opinions considering you've never even seen the temple. Domitius said you never found it." Domitius is also dead, so maybe we shouldn't value his words that we never heard that much.

"That's right, ("That's right, I'm a fraud!") we didn't find the damned temple," says the man, staring at his cup for a while. "We didn't have to." He takes a deep breath and, as if against his will, continues."

"We've all heard the tales, of the all-powerful Magi, pacts with demons, betrayals and destruction, the stories from before history. (All that lore we've gone through? All fake, no history, no lore.) The Loremasters spelled it all out for us, but we didn't really listen. And why would we? It happened centuries ago. The tales were outrageous, legends. The War, the Gods and the Qantari - they're all gone, like all the great works of the past, no more than dust and rubble right?" He smiles nervously."

"That's what we all thought until one day we stopped under that merciless desert sun to wipe the sweat from our eyes, looked about ourselves and found we had walked straight into those tales and discovered just how real they are." The Gods are real? Shame thy eyes fool, for they lie! No such thing, never such a thing.

"So now you drink all day?"

"I drink because nothing makes sense anymore. We and our fathers and our grandfathers have lived our lives in the shadow of a volcano. For years it is silent, so you think that it's dead. One day it rumbles, but you tell yourself you were mistaken, it must have been a cart of bricks tipping over in the road. But then it rumbles again, and you realize that it is not dead, that it has slept for centuries and is about to awaken." Just throw the slumbering volcano god some virgins and it'll all work out in the end.

"Did you tell anyone?"

"I did. They called me mad, the natural reaction to the inconceivable. That's why I came to Ganezzar, where insanity is the norm and to speak sense will get you stoned. Now I keep my mouth shut. Besides, what can I do? What can anyone do?" He shrugs and looks away before answering his own question: "Nothing." We're all doomed!

"Do you know where the temple is?"   

"The young are so eager to throw their lives away, and the world so eager to take them from you." He drains the cup and lets it clatter to the ground." That was very unnecessary.
 
"The temple is in the valley beyond the dead river. It has to be. The location fits, and it's the only place we couldn't get to ourselves. Why is that, you ask? Because we lost every man trying to get there. Every Single Man. (Slaves don't count, dude.) But you!" He claps you on the shoulder, (Whoa now, hands off Romeo.) but the friendly gesture is belied by his bitter voice. "I have every confidence you will prevail where better men have failed."

"Is crossing the river the only way into the valley?" No, you can also come back to the valley but we don't talk about that.

"I still think it's the easiest route. (Spumblers: it is not) Stay away from Hellgate. These screams... I can still hear them."

"What do you know about Hellgate?"

"Not much. We weren't the first to stumble upon it and pay the blood price. (I didn't sign up for wergilds.) As far as I know nobody who explored it returned to tell any tales."

"If Hellgate is still unexplored, what makes you think it leads into the valley?"

"I found an old manuscript written by someone returning from a pilgrimage to the temple. This is from the end of the War, so the account is sketchy at best. Apparently, the scribe went to seek refuge at the temple, a place he had visited many times before. The soldiers turned him back, but when he retraced his steps to the river crossing, it was struck by a terrifying weapon. His account read, 'Day turned to night, men rained from the sky and ships burned, and water and sky switched places..."" The man pauses."

"I've read such stories before but this one I believed, every word of it. He made no embellishments, (water and sky switching places sounds like embellishments to me) used no fancy words. It was nothing but an honest record of sheer horror." He looks away again."

"The scribe went back, not to the temple but to what he described as the command center under the mountains. He begged and pleaded and the guards eventually allowed him to pass." There are quite a few things under those mountains, sleeping gods, temples, and military complexes!

"So you think Hellgate is this command center?"

"It has to be," nods the man. "The temple, the river crossing, the mountains. It fits." In this fantasy world of unspecified mass, there are no other river crossings that are near mountain temples.

*You gain a new insight - 13 skill points gained*

"Do you know of any other old places?"

"The ruins are everywhere but all the low-hanging fruit has been picked a long time ago," says the man, rubbing his forehead."

"One of the zealots did mention that a hole in the ground opened up and swallowed his friend whole. If you want to take a look, I can add it to your map." Despite what he just said he actually adds several locations to our map.

"Thank you." we say, as we wander off in the direction of Zamedi, finally.

(http://i.imgur.com/ZmlNmFR.jpg)

I lied about the world map, but I didn't make this, Sunfire from the Steam forums did. I take no blame from my actions.
(http://i.imgur.com/2HTROk1.jpg)
"You're standing among the ruins of the town of Zamedi. Not much is left of it - a few broken columns and wall fragments (a slight understatement) sticking out from the sand like graveyard stones, and, of course, the tower - a relic from another age. Once a beacon of arcane knowledge, now a desert lighthouse warning caravan masters to stay clear of this area."

"Just as you begin to dismiss such caution as foolish superstition, nausea wells up within you, and your skin starts to prickle. The magic that was unleashed on Zamedi may have weakened over the centuries, but it's far from gone." Maybe we shouldn't be here? Nah, it'll be fine. Before we enter, however, let's talk to these true believers.
(http://i.imgur.com/mx95UYV.png)
"Have you come to pray, brother?" asks the man, chanting the words. "Have you come to marvel at That Which Has Been Spared Their Wrath? (That Which Uses Too Many Capitalized Words?) Have you come to Ask Why?"

"You mean the tower?"

"Is that all you see, brother?" scoffs the man, looking at you with pity. "A dusty old tower? And how, pray tell, (Hey now, I didn't Ask for you to Ask Why.) did it survive the destruction of this land. By what *miracle*? By *whose* miracle?"

"You know what I see?" (The really bad sequel to Do You Hear What I Hear?) says the man, changing his tone and going back to chanting. "I see a shining beacon of faith! A message in Gods' own writing to those who have eyes to see!" Ask Why, vote Thor-Agoth? Ask Not, vote Balzaar? Who knows, the Gods are mystic and terrible.

"Why else was it spared when everything else was destroyed? Why else was it spared when the Gods could have flicked it away as one would an insect? Oh, it was no accident, believe me. There is a Grand Design at work here, my friend." Stare, wonder, pray. - Galath The Dreamer 4353

"So why did they spare it?"

"It's Their way of telling us that *this* is the House of Gods. (The Eternal Toga Carnivals at the God Dorms! Flamewalker is making fiery margaritas!) By Their mercy, it was saved! It will be by Their mercy that we will be saved when these doors will be opened and only those of pure heart and mind will be permitted to enter."

"Only they and nobody else will be saved when the Gods return to end the Reign of Men! Only they and nobody else will receive Their grace and be allowed to drink from the Divine springs!" Considering how Roman gods were, I wouldn't drink that if I were you. It's probably spiked with something.

"How did you find this tower?" Meru gave this place good reviews for godliness.

"The Gods led me to it. My caravan was attacked by raiders and I had to flee. After days of wandering in the desert, I prayed to the Gods to save me. The very moment I uttered those words, the sky started to clear and I saw it standing there in all its glory, heavenly light shining down upon it." Join the kegger Gaius Merchantman!

"The Gods showed me the way. They tested me and my faith, to see if I would falter and fail, to see if I would start having doubts, to see if I would turn away from Them like many have done time and time again, but I did not. I passed the test. I placed myself into Their hands and by Their grace I did survive."

While that is interesting and all, the tower is beckoning towards us with a golden smile, how could we refuse?
(http://i.imgur.com/9YwDw5k.png)
"As you get closer you see why the tower hasn't been ransacked yet. A shimmering wall of red light, too bright to look at directly, blocks the entrance. Warily, you take a step forward and the red light surrounds you. Instantly, it feels like you are walking underwater, fighting for every step. You glance back to measure your progress and realize that you haven't moved an inch."

That's a bit disconcerting, but not disconcerting enough; we raise the Crimson Eye and prepare to walk through the arcane barricade.

"The red light fades slightly, inviting you in. You take a step forward and the red light surrounds you again, but while you still struggle to make progress, there is less resistance this time."

"Suddenly the pressure changes - instead of pushing you back, it starts pulling you in, deeper and deeper." Somehow, I expected this.

"Surprisingly, the tower is anything but dead and quiet. (Shouldn't the working arcane door tip off that this place is still working?) A deep humming sound fills your ears, seeming to come from everywhere at once, and the floor under your feet is alive with vibrations. The air is thick and acrid, smelling of sulphur, rock oil, and other things you can't identify." 

"Strange machines (even though we have lore 10 and can identify them) lurk in every corner, barely leaving enough room for the massive staircase twisted around a giant cluster of metal pipes running from floor to ceiling in the center of the room. In front of the pipes there is a stone statue of a demon reading a book."

Much like being trapped and having to talk to Feng, we have to talk to one of these things again.
(http://i.imgur.com/SjccW3V.png)
"The demon is carved with exquisite craftsmanship; its pose conveying both deep contemplation and perfect tranquility. Your admiration quickly becomes alarm (how we managed to be tricked by this, even the Gods don't know) as, at your approach, the statue closes the book and turns to look at you in a single fluid motion, stone features alive with curiosity."

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "I do believe we have a visitor," says the demon in amusement, its voice rough but surprisingly expressive. "Unfortunately, it appears that we are closed at the moment and I've been instructed to dispose of all visitors. This presents us with somewhat of a dilemma.." Only two dots? For shame Zamedi Demon, for shame.

"The demon's voice shifts tone rapidly, from authoritative "we are closed" to regret, when he says "all visitors."

"Dispose?" I don't even need to sass, Zamedi Demon here is going to do it for me.

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Destroy. Kill. Render inanimate. Do you have any preferences? I am an expert in such matters, so if there is some sort of demise you would enjoy more, I am happy to oblige. (I want a number 7 with cheese, salt, and degloving please.) I am familiar with more than a thousand ways to end a human life, and I am sure that I am capable of accommodating even the most exotic requests."

"Wait, what are you?" "...some sort of knock-off HK-47?" Ignoring that, Zamedi Demon here has simple goals, simple desires, and simple skills. Admirable in all aspects.

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Since it's unlikely that you can understand the concept of a silicon-based life form (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothetical_types_of_biochemistry#Silicon_biochemistry), consider me a "stone guardian". I was created by the master of this tower, though he appears to be long gone. Such is the nature of flesh - it doesn't last. Stone, on the other hand, lasts forever. A gift and a curse at the same time, really."

"You mentioned a dilemma..."

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Ah, yes, very observant of you," says the demon approvingly. (Dispose, Destroy, Kill, Render Inanimate, give a demon a home, today.) "Yes indeed, a dilemma. Though my master's instructions compel me to deprive all interlopers of their existence, I find myself in need of an agent at this time."

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Should you be willing to become such an agent, I'd be willing to disregard my master's instructions. And even reward you handsomely! You have come seeking treasure, have you not? Well, as the guardian of this tower, I am aware of all caches of treasure within, hidden or not. Help me and a great treasure will be yours, something that was given to me for personal safekeeping."

[streetwise success] "That part about the treasure was a bit overdone, don't you think?" I like my lies to be medium-rare.

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Was it?" (Yes, and you should feel ashamed you bovine dunce!) The demon seems disappointed. "I was quite certain that your kind responds well to material stimulus. Are you not driven by greed and personal gain?"

"Riches lose their appeal fast when you're dead." Lore however, is appealing forever.

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Since you are so concerned about your existence, let's go back to my original proposition: your assistance in a minor matter in exchange for your life. It may lack a certain flare, but like you said - riches lose their appeal fast when you're dead."

"What do you need?" How about a Hickory Farms giftbox?

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "At the top of the tower is my master's study. There you'll find a dual fog condenser thrumpkin flux rotary...," the demon pauses on seeing the confusion on your face. "A steel ring with multiple bands. Bring it to me and our business shall be concluded." I can go to Ohio, you to Arizona, it'll all be fantastic.

"Alright, I'll help you." There is no fighting the Bovine Blaster of Belgrade, only fools would try.

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Come with me then," says the demon. "Don't touch anything and stay away from the pentagram, unless your existence bores you." Don't do any unofficial Satanic rituals until you leave the premises, this is a pure-Satan zone.

We could just follow the demon, but who knows how long of a walk it is? We decide the better path is to climb onto his back like some kind of decayed chimp. For a time anyway, until we inevitably get thrown off.

"The demon enters one of the compartments, stopping near a machine with four glowing cylinders on top of it. It listens for a moment, then adjusts a dial (Occult Cream->Whipped) and listens again. Satisfied, it approaches a hatch in the floor leading to a spiral staircase, and descends to a lower level."

Since it is unlikely that running from a hulking machine made to kill will lead anywhere good, we follow.
(http://i.imgur.com/Wzwu4aa.png)
"You're standing inside a large hall; the noise, vibrations, and smell are magnified tenfold. Metal pipes run along the walls and ceiling, connecting various machines with the central chamber. Reluctantly, you move closer. But then you stop, you mouth opening in amazement as you lay eyes on the alien object at the heart of the chamber." We've seen it before, but this one has a mark of Ibn Hadad authenticity. It has spring-loaded muscles and everything!

"If you could somehow collect molten lava into a sphere, and set it to floating in midair, this is what it would look like. As you watch the sphere shivers and contracts, a corona of strange energy flaring up around it and discharging into the arcane symbols etched into the floor. Cables connect those symbols to strange machines in the corner of the room, and looking closely you can see that the symbols aren't merely etchings, they are more like translucent pipes made from tempered glass. Though you can't imagine how any glass could withstand the terrible heat you can feel radiating from the sphere, even across the room." Standing in front of the nuclear eldritch energy might not be the best of ideas, but we do it anyway.

"Whatever this mechanism produces, it is clearly being siphoned off by these machines and fed to the upper levels."

"What is it?" What even are you showing us Bovine Blaster?

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Star matter. That's the best explanation I can give you, since talking about atoms stripped of particles with a negative charge would be a waste of time."

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Now, wait here and don't touch anything." The demon moves to a console and starts manipulating the controls." Supreme Salamander count=Satisfactory -BEGIN STARTUP SEQUENCE-

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "I will overload the system for a brief moment. Not enough to result in catastrophic failure, but enough to disable the field blocking the entrance to the study. The system is autonomous, it will compensate for the disruption and the flow will resume in less than 30 seconds, so when I give you the signal, run upstairs as fast as you can. (Of course the Magi have self-sustaining smart homes, of course.) Trust me, you do not want to be caught in the field when it reactivates."

"Wait, I'm not sure about this."

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Too late to back out of our deal, mortal, the process has already started. (We are already dead!) Be ready to run in five ... four ... three... two... one... Cheese! Now!"

Jaunt like you've never jaunted before, Vibius, all of the loretrains depend on this jaunt!

"You run upstairs to the elevator. The forcefield is gone. You step inside and push the lever up."
(http://i.imgur.com/O2e2nuU.png)
This elevator makes you wonder if the Fantasy Romans had health and safety laws, good thing Vibius can just stiffen inhumanly on command.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/M6G1mF1.png)
It appears at the very least that the framerate fell off the elevator, either that or marble really pisses off my computer. Thankfully for this game its engine is over a decade old so it can get away with some slight unoptimization.

Let's begin the library investigation regardless of frame explosions, starting with these cabinets.

"Star convex... the five circles theorem... regular and non-regular hexagrams... pentagrammic pyramid and great icosahedron... vortex energy... gateways and their properties... interplanar energy..." Star Trek episode plot devices...

"Mass distribution... gravitational wells... voids, charted and uncharted... low-density space... physical evidence... (you weren't even trying with that one) cognitive dissonance... universal mechanism..."

"Ferrous and non-ferrous extractive metallurgy... pyrometallurgy... thermal treatment... energy output variations... sustainable temperatures and proposed solutions..."

"Forms of energy... laws of conservation... conversion of electromagnetic radiation to thermal energy... a treatise on dispersion, dissipation, and absorption... solar-thermal collectors..." Applied wordsmithing and electronics...

How about the bookshelves, do they have anything?

"The shelves along the walls are filled with hundreds of scrolls, careless arranged in heaps and piles." Sounds like the Magi needed a maid service.

Well, at least this alchemist table probably has something, maybe.

"You take a careful whiff of the content of one of the bottles, half expecting to be turned into a frog by unstable magics, only to discover one of the finest spirits you've ever tasted. Aged to perfection." At least if the demon kills us we'll be too drunk to care. There is also a chest in the room with the alchemy table, but it only has generic alchemy stuff.

We enter the bedroom of the magi living here, and begin to riffle through his papers. He has to have something good, right?

"You see a delicate golden device with a small dial and a couple of buttons. There is a symbol on the other side - a circle with a diagonal line through it. A null? You push the small button and a strange silence settles over you. Hardly the most useful device, but it bounds (sic) to fetch a good price and doesn't take much space." I guess that counts as "good." It could probably also be used as a caltrop if we actually had the strength to break it.
(http://i.imgur.com/i5BimQe.png)
"In contrast to the rest of the tower, the control room is bright and well-lit. There are four large windows facing different directions and giving you a full view of the surrounding area. (You can see all the violent crime for miles around!) While in the old days it must have been quite a sight, now all you can see are sand and ruins."

"The center of the room is occupied by a complex control panel built around a large crystal semi-sphere. The panel projects shimmering images of the tower, but their purpose is unclear. There is a strange doorway connected to two machines sitting in the corners of the room. As far as you can tell, (with your memory loss) it leads nowhere."

"The ring the demon described is lying on one of the tables."

This ring needs a good check-up, make sure it doesn't have any cavities and such.

[lore success] "It doesn't seem magical at all. It's heavier than it looks and has three rotating bands with marking on them, but other than that, it's a fairly mundane ring that won't raise anyone's eyebrows." If rings commonly have rotating bands then the decadence of a society has reached a peak.

"Yet the three bands are somehow familiar. You turn the ring in your fingers until it comes to you - a crude drawing of three long stripes with similar markings. Something about remote control, but control of what?"

The ability to control our body and explore the area according to the prompt. Let's start with these control panels surrounding the big computer.

"The more you look at the control panel, the more you realize that you can't even fathom its purpose. What could one possibly do here that would require something so complex? (This thing is so complex it could be an air control tower, or it was just used to coordinate chariot races. Either way it was serious business.) If such towers were ever described in the old manuscripts, none has reached the copying room of libraries."

Maybe the dimensional doorway will give us guidance?

"Like everyone else, you've heard stories of magical doorways taking people to other realms or far away places, but you've never expected to actually find one."

Somehow I doubt the semi-sphere will help either, but it's worth a shot.
(http://i.imgur.com/zP5Mhy8.png)
"As far as you can tell, the semi-sphere is carved from a single crystal and polished to perfection. It's framed in a large metal band covered with dimly glowing symbols. You touch one of the symbols and the crystal's surface changes almost instantly, tiny fracture lines appear, rearrange themselves, and disappear as quickly as they come." I want to know who decided that blue was a good color to read text in as I'm sure all of the Magi had eyestrain because of it.

"You notice that the shimmering image changed as well. The tower's gone, replaced by a pyramid with a flat top. The image is incredibly detailed, (you can see the pores of the metal) showing the inner workings and various machines within the pyramid. You touch another symbol and the image changes again, transforming into a large ziggurat. Is it the temple you've been asked to find? (Spumblers: it is) You touch another symbol and the temple (even the game expects you to know by now)   is replaced by an image of the demon you met earlier." Turns out he didn't lie, he really does have utensils to give us a thousand unique deaths!

[intelligence][lore] We must linger upon this image of the demon longer. Secrets are almost certainly hidden inside!

[success] "If you're reading it correctly, the demon isn't made of stone but of some sort of metallic crystal grown around the power core that sustains and animates it. (So, demons are sentient crystals? I guess that is what is being implied, if so, why did the Magi even bother with the Gods?) Like any material, it has so-called cleavage planes - planes of structural weakness along which a mineral is likely to split smoothly. You note the locations of these planes, just in case."

[intelligence success] "Could the ring be actually connected to the power core? Examine it again." You might be able to deduce this thing's function already, and why the Demon wants it.

"The power core is the last piece of the puzzle. As you study the ring again, everything clicks and comes together. The markings on the bands indicate distance and power level. The ring doesn't control the demon directly, but it controls the core. (It's a shock collar for demons.) Thus, if the demon gets the ring, he will become his own master." The demonic plot thickens, or shallows, depends on how you look at it. Either way, it is time to access the databanks.

"You rest your hands on the cool surface (You would think it would be hot from all the machinery running through it, but it's not.) of the semi-sphere and try to clear your thoughts. Slowly, images from the databanks rise to the surface of the display like colorful fish rising from black depths. As you grow accustomed to the experience, the disconnected scenes begin to rush forth all at once, until you gradually figure out how to sort and slow them." Psionic crystal computers that glow blue and have floating text, seems practical.

"Seek out information on:"

"The portal network."

"A glowing honeycomb of portals surfaces on the crystal semi-sphere. There is a flash at the very center, and tiny starts radiate outwards on the network. When the stars reach a junction, they split into two or three new stars and continue to the end nodes." The Magi sure like Twine.

"Upon reaching their destinations, the lights blink three times, then disappear as the portals fail to respond. One by one the stars and the portals vanish. With the sequence ended, only two remain. One is represented by a ziggurat, the other a facility high in the mountains." We'll go to the mountain facility soon, but for now let's just read the databank entries about the Gods.

"Nothing happens. Either the databanks contain no information on the subject or your request wasn't understood."

"Seek out information on:"

"The War."

"Your request conjures an avalanche of reports and recordings. You can spend years going through them and still remain blissfully ignorant of the horrors unleashed during the war." I guess we've found the Fantasy Roman version of the internet, and just like the early internet it is only accessible by nerds Magi.

"Seek out information on:"

"The Qantari."

"A shimmering, slightly distorted image of a man appears above the console. His garb is so outmoded you have only seen its like in illustrations. (He is wearing moon boots of all things!) He is standing near the window in this very chamber, gazing down at the sprawling city below."

"You think we can trust them?" asks someone, presumably the master of the tower."

"They need us," says the man near the window, turning to face the other. You recognize him from old drawings, Abu Hassan Ibn Hadad al-Sarabi, First of the Magi. (Even his holo-abs glisten in the sunset.) "They can do nothing without our machines and by the time the ritual is completed, these things will be under our absolute control." Never underestimate the Fantasy Mayans\Aztecs Ibn Hadad, they will kill you with calendars.

"I worry still," says the master of the tower. "It all seems to have come to easy." -Master of Tower right before he was instantly killed by a hemorrhage.

"It's easy because we're holding all the cards," says Abu Hassan with a wave of dismissal. "Don't forget that the Qantari came to us. I will admit that the depth of their knowledge took me by surprise, but without our technology that knowledge was useless. They had no choice but to cooperate with us."

"They worship these things as gods. Did you know that?" the magus asks quietly."   

"They are savages, brother. What they do not understand, they ascribe to magic and gods." The First of the Magi turns back to the window." The ironic thing being that the Qantari are probably in a better state back in their homelands then we are.

"But do you not find their offer curious, their appeal to us to enslave their gods? I still feel we're missing something," says the magus."

"You worry about the wards and I'll worry about the Qantari. As long as the wards hold, nothing else matters."

"They will hold," promises the magus. The recording ends." That is so terribly ironic that it probably deserves a rimshot.

Let's see if there are any more recordings on the topic, probably are if the game is giving us the option.

"You shift your left hand, conjuring another flickering scene. Abu Hassan paces back and forth. He looks harried and gaunt, his easy arrogance long fled." Even his abs are wrinkled into frowns.

"I told you," says the unseen other, the master of the tower."

"You also told me that the wards would hold," snaps the First of the Magi. "What happened?" The ward-artist sneezed while making them.

"I do not know," comes the tired reply. "I have gone back to the problem a dozen times... They should have worked."

"Should that by my answer to the Emperor when his army is incinerated, when cities are turned to craters? That the wards should have worked?" That he should've bought pure silver when the market was good at 1-800-555-555

"I made some improvements," says the magus. A trembling hand proffers a scroll to Abu Hassan. "These have been reconfigured. These wards will hold." This has to be the 6th time or so that "The wards will hold" or some variation has been said in this game. The Magi are really bad at making new catchphrases.

"Are we going to shut it down?" asks the magus after a pause."

"Not yet," says the First of the Magi. "It is our greatest triumph, and I will not let fear of the unknown force my hand. We are still in control, brother."

"Are we?" asks the magus pointedly."

"You speak of Balzaar? He has spirit, true, but what did you expect? Must a man not break a horse before he rides? When Balzaar has submitted to my will, the rest will follow." For being the First of the Magi, he really has a terrible streetwise to not notice Balzaar's complete hatred of humanity and desire to enslave it. Maybe there is yet another recording in which he finds this out, maybe.

"The First of the Magi steps into the portal. He looks tired, but not yet defeated. "I need you, brother," he says after a pause. "I need everyone." He needs a hero, a streetwise Hercules in-fact.

"Is the situation as bad as that?" asks the magus."

"Worse," says the First of the Magi. "We lost two more. Now we are three against four."

"I have more news," says the magus. "The Qantari fleet has been spotted off the coast." And all is quiet on the western front.

"We can deal with the Qantari," comes the reply, and you can hear a trace of Abu Hassan's old arrogance. "It's Balzaar and his ilk that I worry about. The more powerful he grows, the more the savages worship him. At this point, they are eager to die at his command."

"In the pause that follows you imagine the magus biting down the urge to say "I told you so" once more. "What are we going to do?" Well, taking out one of Balzaar's three hearts might be a start.

"With Agathoth's help, we will win this war. He will give us the knowledge we need and he is ready to build engines of war unlike anything this world has seen," says the First of the Magi."

"Do you trust him?" asks the magus." Agathoth doesn't trust Agathoth, that's why he asks you to Ask Why.

"Abu Hassan shakes his head. "You questioned the wisdom of what we were doing all along and you were right. I should have listened to you. Once the war is won, we will let it die. We have tempted Fate enough." Another hint that maybe the Gods should stay dead, if you didn't get the message. Time to finally get back to the demon.

---

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 15: Penultimate Prelude to Placidity
Post by: A Thing on May 22, 2016, 10:43:49 pm

Spoiler: Penultimate Prelude to Placidity Chunk 2 (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/qaIZkAN.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Where is my wife? the ring?" demands the demon.

"I know what the ring does." Reduce the power to minimum." We have lowered his sass meter to 15%, let's see how well he functions at that level.

"At first, you don't see any noticeable effect on the demon, but when he takes a step toward you, you notive that his movements are sluggish, lacking the quickness and fluidity you saw earlier." Not well, not well at all.

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "I can still kill you," (Hackysacks can kill us, your point is invalid.) growls the demon, but his arrogance is gone. Well, sluggish or not, he is still made of stone, whereas you're made of much softer materials." It's true, we are made of Lincoln Logs, pretty unfortunate really. 

"I'll trade you the ring for some answers." If a legionary falls in the wood and no one is around, does it make a sound?

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Very well," says the demon reluctantly. "What is it you wish to know?" Oh boy, a scrollbar in the dialogue menu! This LP is going to make me the James Michener of LPs.

"Are you a living thing? A mechanism? A magical construct?"

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "If by 'living thing' you mean that I'm able to think independently, then yes, I am indeed a "living thing". If only my former master could express himself so eloquently."

"Your appearance is ... unusual." Amber eyes are pretty unusual, this demon must have quite the uncommon parentage.

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "This form was given to me by my master. It's a tribute to the Apis legion, though the additional arms were added so that I might better serve my function."

"Why were you created?" Wait for it, wait for it...

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Why were *you* created, human? (Yep, that was a pretty expected response.) No, don't bother trying to answer, I'm sure it was something boringly mundane. Physical lust or some such biological concern. I, however, was created for a higher purpose. to (sic) assist my master in his magical experiments, to plumb the mysteries of the universe. (That sounds like a form of physical lust to me.) Stone can withstand so much more than flesh, which needs only the slightest excuse to split and part from bone."

"What happened to your master?"

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "I don't know. He left after the attack, but never returned. He wasn't the type to let a servant into his confidence. I can only assume that he was killed - knowing him, only death could have kept him from returning to his work." And somehow child services hasn't showed up for Zamedi Demon yet, for shame.

"When did he leave?" I have a guess: he doesn't remember.

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "382 years ago." Well, we now know the date of the apocalypse and that will probably be helpful.

"What happened to Zamedi? "

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "The war, of course. It tends to be hard on architecture."

"But how did the tower survive?" One word: Magi.

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "The tower was built to withstand such attacks, designed by the finest minds in the Empire and using the latest techniques devised by the Magi to deflect or absorb any power a foe might bring to bear against it. Within these halls you'll find energy shield generators, shock dampeners, heat sinks, reactive armor panels, all powered by the generator at its core... a true marvel of engineering. As you can see, nearly 400 years later and it's still almost fully operational. I'm proud to have assisted in crafting such a wonder." Looks like we've found a new home then. Demon probably has to go though, since he isn't exactly a friendly or cuddly pet.

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "The city, I'm afraid, wasn't so well built."

"I'm looking for the temple of Thor-Agoth. Can you help me find it?"

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "You will have to be more specific, human. I have no idea who you're referring to."

"A god. He was the god known as the Artificer." He also made really good bagels, but the tales don't mention that.

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Ah, I understand. Another degeneration of your language. Agathoth, my master called him. Tor-Agathoth. Tor was some kind of honorific, though the Magi rarely used it. They built a ziggurat for him, I was told - an entire complex, though I don't know where. As I said, I've never left this tower."

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Look for my master's records. Perhaps, they could be of help."

"Who was your master?" It was The Master, yeah, the other The Master. The gooey one.

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Marcus Domitius Crassus. Ambitious and loyal. Perhaps, too loyal."

"Of House Crassus?"

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Yes, House Crassus. Have you heard of it? Does it stand still?" asks the demon with sudden hope." Looks like he is going to have his hopes and dreams about the Magi crushed like we did.

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "It does, but I have a feeling it's not as you remember it. Lord Meru is too busy being dead calling for a return to the worship of the gods and the restoration of their temples to be concerned with, well, whatever you are."

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "The worship of what?" asks the demon, looking very puzzled."

"The gods? They're...well, they're the gods. The beings who created the universe and everything in it? Who guide all our fates? They came to our world from their otherworldly realm in the hour of the Empire's greatest need, to rescue it from the barbarians who sought to destroy it. At least, that's what we've been told." For whatever reason Vibius doesn't try to impress the demon with the knowledge he has, even if it would increase his chance of survival.

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Otherworldly is about the only thing you got right," chuckles the demon. "What happened to your kind, human? How did you fall so far?" Burning libraries does that to a society.

"I don't know. No one does. If they weren't gods, what were they then? Why did they come, if not to aid the Empire?"

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "They didn't come. You brought them here. Your Empire's greatest triumph and most terrible mistake. You created your own gods and in doing so, fashioned your own downfall. It's rather poetic, don't you think?"

"What do you mean by 'created your own gods'?"

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Does the word 'created' confuse you? Am I not a living proof of how far your Art reached, at its height??" No, your definitely not cute enough to be the height.

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "I do not know all the details - my master wasn't the type to indulge curiosity, but he did discuss this project with other Magi while I was present. The greatest hurdle was to bring these gods, as you call them, here, to this plane. They labored for over a year to locate a suitable conduit, but eventually the problem solved itself, the gods were given bodies, and the project moved forward again. And then the war started and, well, here we are."

"Given bodies? Human bodies? I don't understand, don't the gods have their own bodies?"

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Yes, given bodies. They were not of this realm, human, they did not have physical existence as you understand it. They required vessels to anchor their essence to this realm."

"Were the Magi really trying to create gods?"

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Gods? Omnipotent beings controlling all aspects of mortal life? No. I'm merely using your rich vocabulary here."

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "I do not know exactly what the Magi hoped to achieve, but I can assure you that men like my master wouldn't create anything they didn't believe they could control." If it can't be controlled with a strangle glove, it isn't worth having.

"Whose bodies were they given?"

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Are expendable people in such short supply now? People no one cares about, no one would miss? Have things really changed that much?"

"How many gods did they bring?"

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Seven. There were seven."

"Seven? I've heard differently." The fake ignorance is starting to become obnoxious.

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Then you heard wrong," says the demon, emphasizing the word "wrong"."

"So, the gods were here before the war?"

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Of course they were here before the war! Cause comes before effect, does it not?"

"Wait, you mean that the gods started the war?" What do you mean the Empire fell? That's heresy.

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "No, why would they? They were quite happy with the arrangement, they'd gotten what they wanted. No, the war was fought because of the gods, not at their behest. You've heard of the Qantari, I assume?"

"I've heard of them, yes, but few records remain of them, besides they were our enemy. How do they fit in?"

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "How do they fit in?" the demon looks at you in surprise. "Why, they started the whole mess. They were the ones who made contact with the gods in the first place. But they couldn't quite figure out how to bring them here, to this world, from their own. So they came to your Empire for help. It was your Magi who found a solution." The solution of triangles? (Note from the future: what in the name of Zlargon the Absolute does that even mean, past-Thingman? I have baffled myself.) Guess it works.

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "For a while this academic alliance was proceeding perfectly, scholars from both powers working in harmony. My master even began spending most of his time at Al-Akia. But such things do not last with you humans, do they? One day, the Magi were all up in arms over something, they never told me what. But they blamed the Qantari for it. Blame turned to anger, then violence. They attacked the Qantari. So of course the Qantari didn't take that lying down. (Because like horses, they cannot lie down.) When their fleet arrived, that's when the war began in earnest."

"Al-Akia?" We were just there! Just there!

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "That's where they brought forth the gods and gave them flesh. An entire town built for this sole purpose - if you can imagine such a wonder."

"Who built it?" The minotaurs. No really though, who else but the Magi would've built it?

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "The Magi and the Qantari's Servants, of course. Working together."

"Servants?"

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Their magi. Their full title was 'The Servants of the Power of Creation'. An awkward phrase in your language. In native Qantari it is a single word, much more elegant, I assure you."

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "For a caste who referred to themselves as 'Servants', they were rather arrogant and conceited. Not that your own Magi lacked arrogance, but the Qantari turned it into an art form." Hung their postmodern arrogance in museums and everything.

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Perhaps it was the fact the Magi were sworn to serve the Emperor that kept them somewhat grounded. The Servants served nothing but their own interests, ironically."

"And what happened to the gods?"

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "I wouldn't know. After the town of Zamedi was destroyed and my master left, my only link with the outside world was severed. Judging by your questions, I assume that the Empire has fallen and the Art of the Magi is gone from this world."

"What makes you think that?" Besides no one but some normal guy visiting you in close to 400 years.

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "It's really not that hard to deduce. You're the first visitor to this tower in 382 years. The towers were never intended to run this long without maintenance. Yet no one has come, and though the tower and its power source remains, no magus has come to claim it as his own, either. This tells me two things: that there are no magi left and that access to the tower is restricted. The only reason that access would be restricted would be fear. Men fear what they don't understand, what they no longer have the knowledge to understand."

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "And it is clear from your questions that you haven't the slightest idea of what is around you, not the workings of this tower nor the nature of constructs such as myself, not even of your own people's history. This suggests that few records survived the war, and that your civilization has undergone serious regression. A sad turn of events, but not an unexpected one."

"Thank you for the answers."

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "The ring?," reminds you the demon. (And thus, Vibius was the demon.) "You have no use for it."

If we say no he tries to kill us, and while we can run away it requires a high dexterity which we don't have. So, the only option is to give him the ring. It could be in worse hands, honestly.

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Good luck to you, human."

*You gain a new insight - 13 skill points gained*

*Word of Honor increased*

Farewell, you crystalline monstrosity! I'll hold you in my heart always.

Before we step through that portal and go to the mountain monastery of mysticism and magery, let's investigate the wizard's basement.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/N8qI1MF.png)
"The box is filled with discarded devices - various gadgets, containers, and gauges. You pick up a heavy container and find a thick metallic liquid inside. Suddenly, something moves inside and you quickly close the lid. Next you examine a metal sphere. You flip a switch; the sphere buzzes and starts rising from your palm. When it hits the ceiling, it stops working and falls back into the box." Looks like we've found The Master's science fair leftovers.

The first two paragraphs of this are repeats of the last thing we just read, however the third is something new.

"The last item of interest is a large bronze cylinder with a hole on one end and a plexus of pipes with a small gauge on the other. Looking closely, you notice a socket for a power tube." Sadly, this thing is a weapon so we won't be using a power tube on it. We have other things to use power tubes for in this update.

"The box is filled with strange tools and contraptions. One item in particular catches your attention. It's some kind of cutter attached to a flat base. The thick, grey blade is clearly made for heavy work, probably for cutting through metal. You can remove it and turn it into a sword, although you won't be able to wield it with one hand."

[crafting] We pull out our tools and begin a new creation.

[success] "It takes you a while, but you manage to remove the blade from the board, cut off the mounting hole, and sharpen the point. You wrap the metal handle with leather strips and add the sword to your arsenal."

Well, I need better lighting than the blue mood lighting to show this off, so let's go outsi-
(http://i.imgur.com/yyl34F4.png)
Oh my, I think the Zamedi Demon may have some problems with zealots. Good thing we don't classify as one, according to him anyway. Let's go to the monastery and hopefully forget all of this ever occurred.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/8IwNn0m.png)
"Beyond the portal lies a strange dim chamber, crowded with long dead devices. The centerpiece of the dusty apparatuses is a humongous glass tank, like a giant spider in a web of cables linking it to the other machines. An enormous door, about big enough for a charioteer and a team of two, gives access to the tank." Chariots need checkups too, friggin' insensitive humans! The semi-sphere also need a checkup, so we're going to give it one.

Something something semi-sphere description, doesn't matter, let's open the databanks. More specifically the recordings.

"The doors slide with a whisper into the wall and two assistant in thick leather aprons and blacksmith's gloves wheel in a cart with a grotesque body laid upon it. For some reason, it's also strapped down."

"Get him into the tank," the magus says in an unemotional, even bored, voice. The creature clearly makes little impression on him." Giants and other strange things become unimpressive when you've pulled them apart and back together dozens of times.

"It's his second time this month," says a man next to him, wearing an impossibly white robe. (It's impossibly white for a robe because it isn't a robe! By the gods, what madness!) "I think he likes it here."

"What's not to like?" (Besides the smell of imminent death surrounding the terminal and hopeless.) replies the magus, shaking his head as the assistants move warily around the sides of the cart. "I'll need a full report this time, including the rad count, just in case."

"He steps forward and raises his voice as if addressing a group of gladiators on the arena floor. "Our patient must be able to walk out of here under his own strength in two weeks, no more, so let's get to work. Bron, hook up the life support first or he'll be brain dead in half an hour. The patient needs a full organ bypass, but we have the machines for that now. As soon as blood prep is done, we can figure out what to keep and what to throw away. Anything running at 80% or less we swap out. We don't want him back in a week for kidney failure, do we?"

"A rumbling growl comes from the giant's chest (I love organ failure you damn doctors!) and he arches his back, clawing with one meaty hand at the restraints. A red stain seeps into his bandages and the air above him wavers from the heat of his skin."

"Drain his hydrogen sac, now," yells the man in white, his calm control wavering. "If his inhibitor levels fall too low, we'll lose the entire mountain." Who thought it a good idea to implant a giant with a self-destruction system?

"The assistants scramble to fix several tubes, some carrying enriched blood, others an unknown blue compound, into a series of small artificial apertures on the giant's torso. Soon the patient is stable and they begin to work on shifting him into the tank."

"Well done," says the magus."   

"We do what we can," says the man in white, "but it only gets harder. Hellfyre? If *he* is barely conscious..." He doesn't finish."

"We lost four legions," says the magus, "if that's what you're asking. We took one of them down as well, so it's two against two now, not four against three. But Agathoth isn't a fighter, so do whatever it takes to keep Hassatur alive. If we lose him, our casualties will go up tenfold."

That was enlightening, but not enlightening enough to sate us. Onto the healing vats.

"The vats are filled with strange canisters, long past their expiration date."

There might be a giant glowing tank of mystic majesty, but shelves take priority as far as I'm concerned.

[lore] Thorne? That's not a real letter, damn ancients. Gotta use our lore for this.

[lore success] "You have stumbled upon a sort of lab, a medical facility set up to treat the 'gods' injured during the war. Poring over the extensive records, you find details on types of wounds, new procedures, and reactions to various treatments. It seems the gods were quite busy during the war." That's a bit of a gross understatement.

"The ancient healers used a certain compound to keep their subjects sedated during complex operations, such as when replacing ruptured organs."

Complex operations and specific compounds such as the ones involved in making this titanic tank.
(http://i.imgur.com/1lmQDRs.png)
"The water is an unhealthy green and fungus rimes the glass. Something white, about the size of an apple, is pressed against the glass. You step back when you realize the object is an eyeball, and the bloated mass around it was once a face, of sorts, the face of something not human. It must have floated here for centuries, yet persists, undecayed." Eyeballs the size of apples, apples. Just letting that sink in.

Let that sink in and put you in a safecracking mood because that's what Vibius is about to do. With only 4 lockpick skill mind you. The Magi were really bad at security. We get a green jar out of it, as you might guess it might have something to do with this arcane sarcophagus over here.
(http://i.imgur.com/MFbKgYm.png)
"You see a large sarcophagus - a misshapen rectangular container, made of grey metal, with strange cylindrical extensions sticking out at odd angles."

[lore] We poke it with our sword, might be a god in there.

[success] "It appears to be an automated medical machine designed to heal extensive wounds and repair cellular damage."

So we find a jar next to a medical machine... ehh... probably nothing. We'll just run a scan.

"According to the readings, you're suffering from muscular atrophy and a host of other problems caused by poor diet, tainted water supplies, and radioactive contamination." Friggin' Beri Beri and Scurvy all over the place.

"It appears you need a special single-use canister to run the machine." We can either raise strength, dexterity, or constitution. We're far beyond the point any of these would be helpful, so I'll just go with constitution because radiation resistance or something.
(http://i.imgur.com/ThkVs7P.png)
"You press a button and the machine's hatch slowly opens. You take off your armor, (loremaster's garb of armor penalties) get inside and try to get as comfortable as possible. As the hatch goes down, something inside the machine whirs and you wince in pain as several needles are forcefully plunged into your spine."

"Suddenly, you feel relaxed and peaceful. You close your eyes and let the drugs whisk you away." Time to go on a carpet ride to far away Aellium...

"You wake up lying on the floor, barely aware of where you are and why you're here. You try to get up, but find that you don't have any strength."

While we might not strength we do have willpower to fight off the drugs, probably any way.

"Slowly, you get up. Somehow you feel better and more resilient."

Before we go back to the semi-sphere and see what portal options we have here, there is a big Vault-tec Emperor brand door sealing this place that we haven't looked at.

"You're standing in front of a huge, rust-covered door that's been welded shut from the inside. It must weigh at least a thousand pounds and it can probably withstand anything you can throw at it." We won't be seeing more of this thing in this playthrough, but if I do a combat playthrough this thing will be coming back in force.

Answer to the portal network question? Absolutely nothing. I'm not surprised but it was worth a shot. To the aptly named "Old Facility!"

---

(http://i.imgur.com/fcfA7fO.png)
"You see several Aurelian soldiers sitting around a campfire. When you approach, (As you approach something clings onto your arm. You hesitate, then swerve uncontrollably and the last thing you see is... a disembodied hook!) the soldiers give the bubbling stew pot one last look and slowly get up."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "The area is claimed by House Aurelian," the Decanus says mechanically. "Turn around and leave."

[streetwise] "Relax, we're on the same side." That isn't even a lie, we didn't betray Gaelius.

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) [success] "Really? And who the fuck are you?" (27 reputation? Doesn't matter, never happened.) the Decanus asks cautiously, his hand on his sword."

[streetwise] [impersonate] "I was sent to assess the situation."

[success] (I'm really surprised that we manged to succeed at that.) "You've seen plenty of bureaucrats to get the mannerism right. In a few simple words you manage to show both the disdain and power of the pencil pushers over soldiers."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "The Decanus almost chokes with rage. (Then the Decanus choked on his own broth, and all was good in the world of skill-checks) "We need fucking engineers to seal the shit, not fucking assessors!" I dunno, being an editor for pornography probably pays decently.

"Engineers? Son, House Aurelian can't dispatch troops and engineers every time some decanus starts panicking. That's why I'm here - to verify your find. *If* it's real, you'll get engineers. If not, you'll be guarding latrines tomorrow."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "If it's real? It's the biggest fucking door you've ever seen. At least a thousand pounds of real steel(TM). That's some serious shit, I tell you. The sooner the engineers seal it, the better."

"I'll be the judge of that." We clamber down into the hole.
(http://i.imgur.com/tDHpjjF.png)
This is the first thing we see, it is "A strange machine sitting in the middle of an half-empty chamber. It's been stripped of everything valuable and left to rust - a symbol of an age long gone and the one that followed."

Everything else in this room is just old supplies and junk, not even worth transcribing.

Going down the elevator(by foot?) we enter another room full of objects of intrigue. This one actually has things that aren't old supplies however, so the examination of miscellany shall begin once again.

"Strange tools, broken gauges, discarded parts, and one petrified scorpion." If only we had some Broc Flower...

"Old pipes that haven't seen any action in centuries. (Why you gotta word it like that? I don't want those images in my mind.) They are covered with rust and black residue." I really didn't need that mental image, but I have it now, I'll despise it forever.

"Two barrels containing foul-smelling, dark, viscous liquid."

"Something about this valve catches your eye
Removing the valve cap, you find a secret stash, containing several power tubes.
Unfortunately, only one tube has any charge left." That was a terrible haiku. Yes, most of these environmental text bits are formatted like this, I'm certain it is the intended behavior

All of that is however is completely unrelated to the main thing we are supposed to notice, such as that previously mentioned 1000 pound real steel door.
(http://i.imgur.com/MwuxuiH.png)
"You're standing in front of massive bronze doors decorated with awe-inspiring winged lions that have seen better days. The only items of interest are an unusually large keyhole and a barely visible symbol."

We pull out a coin and scratch the rust off the symbol with it.

[lore success] [crafting success] "It's a mark of Al-Jazari, a legendary engineer whose work was one of the most carefully guarded secrets during his life. Fortunately, his wife sold copies of his notes to everyone willing to pay her, and eventually Al-Jazari's designs and schematics appeared in the Compendium from the Theory and Practice of the Mechanical Arts manuscript." The Magi didn't use his designs for their safes that contained priceless artifacts though.

[crafting] "You're well familiar with Al-Jazari's designs and can forge a key for this lock."

[crafting success] "The (dead) Gods themselves must be guiding your hands. You shape a bronze ingot into a crank, carefully insert it into the keyhole, and push it forward. Suddenly, you hear the whirring sound and the gear move as if on their accord, withdrawing the bolts one by one." That was completely unnecessary and wasted a lot of skill points, but it was fun (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P20kww_J0Zg)! We are a renaissance man, a master of all, why not do it? Besides that, we simply have little left to lose or gain; the unifying religion has been scattered and weakened, the nascent empire has been strangled by alien hands, what else is there to do but drown in the past?

What wretched thoughts to be thinking while such wonder and arcane knowledge awaits us! We shove the doors open, the melancholy regret can wait for autumn years.

"Coming on this cavern, you thought you had stumbled on an exit and the cold stars of the night sky beyond. But the lights were truly a scattering of bright lamps, triggered on your approach by some ancient magic to illuminate the bizarre structure within. In outline what you see appears to be a fortress made entirely of metal. The structure is scorched and dented everywhere, and even torn open in several places, revealing a warped wooden architecture within. Why build such a thing deep underground, to protect against some threat from below?" I could hint and foreshadow, but the game will do that for me.

"At first you think the depression in which it sits must be a moat, but it is in fact resting, without a foundation, in a deep pit. The metal building is ringed with the cobwebbed and broken remains of scaffolding and walkways, reminding you of a dry dock for a repairing a sailing vessel, but it cannot be a ship. Can it?" If that didn't just tip you off then I don't know what will.

"Instinctively you look upward and discover a humongous metal door sealing off a passage in the ceiling. Ship it is, then. Though everyone has heard legends about flying chariots, this is something in an entirely different class."

Indeed, and as its class befits there is much to see and do.

Such as the control console just beyond the door.

"You see a complex control panel built into the wall. Broken power-tubes are filled with the dust of centuries."

We rip the old power tube out of its socket and replace it quickly, lest the loose magic spread.

"The panel lights up, awaiting your command."

Using my amazing deductive skills I would hazard that this opens the hatch, so let's fulfill its reason for existence.

"The floor trembles as if hit by an earthquake. The tremors increase, the ceiling cracks open and streams of sand pour from above. Slowly, the enormous double doors retreat into the rock, flooding the chamber with light."

With both the consoles purpose being fulfilled and our deductive skills put to the test there isn't much else to do but enter the ship and look about. Maybe we can even grab a souvenir or two.

"The inner workings of the ship: strange machines and pipes running under wooden walkways. Everything laid bare to provide fast and easy access to repair and replace parts." At least the airships are conveniently designed.
(http://i.imgur.com/kmg6pp1.png)
The only thing left on this floor is this mysterious thing that sorta looks like a cheap controller for a RC cart.

Advancing to the second floor we are greeted with empty walkways and these things.
(http://i.imgur.com/DzWs9iG.png)
"It looks like a ballista armed with a bronze bolt as thick as your arm. The bolt is perfectly machined, as smooth as the surface of still water, except for a single row of magical characters engraved along the length of the shaft." Somehow I doubt that whatever it shoots is similar to ballista bolts at all.

Having looked at all the second floor has to offer, we move onto the third floor which is more of the same except for...
(http://i.imgur.com/f3SrCXy.png)
"The box contains what used to be personal effects, the only object of interest is a tightly-rolled old scroll. The ink has faded a long time ago but you can still read it."

"I promised myself I would this down one day and today, with the aid of a bottle of fortified wine, is that day. I called myself a strong man before, even a brave man and not because I'm a braggart, but-"

"It was the first time I had seen one in person. When the Trierarch first told us that we were going to bag one of the Qantari devils, we cheered. The tides of war were about to turn and we would all live to see it. The first of them had been ambushed and killed less than a month before, and after all if a squad of fusiliers could do it, how hard could it be? What living thing can survive Hellfyre? Even the Legatus visited the hanger before the assault. He didn't address the rank and file in person of course. Lowly gunners don't merit such an honor. Anyway." Just submitting to the man without question, for shame nameless soldier, for shame.

"We had all heard stories, but the stories don't do these - what should I call them, creatures, things? (I resent that.) - justice. I didn't even recognize it as our target until it moved, uncoiling itself too many times, and in the end looking straight at me. Supposedly it was human once. Human? The fucking thing was the size of an elephant." So, when these things are allowed to fully take over their human hosts they turn into giant octopuses. Aren't you glad we broke Balzaar's ritual? 

"The first volley we launched at full power, an assault usually reserved for an enemy carrier, or if we were bored and wished to rearrange the horizon. Day turned into night and the ship gave a gentle roll in our own blast wave. We all waited, hushed no matter how rattled our nerves, for the smoke to clear. Were its insides guts and bones, or gears, machinery, gods know what? When we realized it had shifted position it was too late to evade. Something smashed into us, and I heard a new sound, new to me because it had never happened on a ship of our class, or at least not to one where any crew survived: metal tearing, screeching, giving way. (At least you're making history simply through existing.) The starboard bulkhead several yards away decided it was a floor and everything went dark."

"I woke to the Optio's boot in my ribs, not gently reminding me I was still on duty. "Get up, boy! Get up!" he yelled, an unusual squeak leaking into his usually fierce voice. The entire section had been torn open like an envelope, and my crewmates replaced with smears of blood and clusters of indiscriminate gristle. Beyond the fire and smoke, the wind through a hole in the hull moaned out an invitation to Hell. The Optio gave me another kick, and pointed at the steel rack which housed the Hellfyre missiles."

"It was normally a job for two men, but sensing it was the wrong time to complain I hoisted a missile on my shoulder and carried it to the launcher. The ship rocked with another blow, then shivered as if she was coming apart. The remaining missiles rolled across the steadily canting deck, but I somehow kept my feet. The Optio was yelling again, but I heard no sound. My mind was adrift, detached and dreaming, as if this was simply one of our many regular drills. I locked the missile in place and the blue telltale confirmed it was armed. I walked toward the firing mechanism, but the Optio pushed me away -with his left arm for his right had been severed below the elbow, ragged strips of flesh woven with tassels of blood-soaked cloth- and pointed at the porthole. I looked out and instantly wished I hadn't. What I saw nearly undid me on the spot. For some reason I thought of the brown ants that mistakenly attack the insect-eating plants of the low plains. However great their number, the ants march not to battle but to offer themselves up to die." That pretty much summarizes the Qantari as far as we know.

"The Optio was gesturing wildly, frustrated at my stupor. Afterwards, when I had the luxury to do so, I would marvel at his focus, his stubborn narrow mindedness. The bastard was bleeding to death, yet acted as if one more shot would win the battle. I forced myself to the launch console, gave him the sign, and he fired."

"He was pointing to the remaining missiles, but I was tracking our first shot, watching its multicolored explosion, the tiny figures taking flight as if fleeing the battle by the only open route. The thing squatted there still, unmoving, unfazed. But when it began to uncoil again, the head slumped and swayed like a drunken python, and blood, thick and black as rock oil, poured in gouts from its maw."

"Hope blossomed inside me like the beautiful burst of a Hellfyre explosion. (For a soldier this guy sure is full of flavorful prose.) Full of renewed purpose, I dashed for another missile, loaded it with shaking hands, checked the gauges again, and gave the Optio the signal to fire at will. He was deathly pale now, and after putting his weight against the lever this time he tumbled to the deck. I knew he wouldn't rise again. The missile roared toward the target, another direct hit, and the monster was engulfed in the fires of the underworld."

"I would not see the result of the finishing blow, for that playful bulkhead called to me again and I returned to black unconsciousness."

"My account is done, and my wine, a coincidence I will take as a good omen, and finally my hands have stopped shaking." I believe we have just experienced the last lore story this game has to offer, savor it if you wish. Whatever you end up doing, there are plenty of things of interest still left in this hanger. So how about we actually get going and participate in those mysteries?

---

I'm going to take a break in posting these, I'd rather not kill the forums through sheer content.

Edit: Holy shit, the typo "I'd rather kill the forums through sheer content." is a pretty bad one.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 15: Penultimate Prelude to Placidity
Post by: A Thing on May 22, 2016, 11:40:02 pm

Spoiler: Penultimate Prelude to Placidity Chunk 3 (click to show/hide)

Mysteries like this conspicuous captain's log.
(http://i.imgur.com/XN3uA02.png)
"... we commenced to launch Heavy Fyre at the Enemy from all our Ballistae, with both regular Speare and Hellfyre, the latter of which proved greatly Effective, so that in less than fifteen minutes from the Time we engaged Our Enemy, (Our Enemy of Cleveland?) their Ship was very much Injured, heaving and yawing in Plain Distress. At this time damage taken by the Pax Imperium was minor ..."

"... and gave us an opportunity of pouring in upon their Vessel several Hellfyres, which made Great Havoc amongst the Enemy Crewe and wreaked Grievous Injury to her Hull and Engines ..." According to this the Qantari had airships too, which is pretty disturbing.

"It seems that these crumbling pages are what's left of the captain's log." I would've never guessed!

"Enclosed I have the Honor to forward you a list of Killed and Wounded of the Pax Imperium and also the list of casualties aboard the Enemy Vessel, as well as the List of surviving Crewe and a copy of her Quarter Bill, and Finally a report of our own Damage Received during the Action..."

"... and found aboard her the most unquestionable Evidence (That she isn't the mother! Looks like you should take this to Maurius.) ... obliged therefore to Investigate the matter, I have set Engines to Full Speed ... Upon sighting our Quarry, I made a decision to land Pax Imperium in the midst of the Enemy's forces and Project Shields, allowing our Troops to disembark and Engage th Enemy Infantry..."

"I wish to convey to you the bravery of the Officers and the Crewe under my command during the Recent Action. I assure you that (No Crewe were harmed in the making of this report.) so well directed and so Relentless was the Fyre of Pax Imperium, that in less than three hours the Accursed One sustained Grave Injuries, compelling the remainder of the Qantari Force to Disengage and Flee. You will no doubt hear from many Quarters of the Bravery and Exemplary Conduct of those engaged in this Conflict, and I must again state that these Accounts are in no way Exaggerated ..."

"... to hawl off and Repair our Damages and return again to the Action, not knowing whether the Enemy had survived or not..."

"The rest is indecipherable."

We are now about to use an artifact we've had for a very long time, you should probably know which one by now.
(http://i.imgur.com/AC0ldB5.png)
"You're standing in front of the ship's control system - levers, tumblers, gauges, crystal semi-spheres, and half a dozen of small holes in a circular pattern. You don't need a loremaster to figure out that you need to insert something there. A missing part?"

We finally after months of having it, pull out the Jellyfish artefact again. The excitement is palpable.

[lore success] "You carefully insert the jellyfish artefact into the slot. (The smell of the homeless is intense.) A low humming sound begins nearby, and a row of dim lights appears on the consoles. You give a start as several flickering, ghost-like images leap up from the consoles. One by one the bluish light of the figures turns red. The ship's hull and systems are badly damaged." Not sure we needed floating warlock text to tell us that.

"The weapons array is unsalvageable, but with a little luck and hard work you might get her up in the air one last time."

We prepare the Prayer of Air Elementals mantra to take the ship up into the air.

"Hmm... you don't seem to have this particular mantra in your collection of oddities."

[lore] "Search your memory. After all, are you not the wisest of men?"

[success] "We beheld in the sky what appeared to us to be a mass of scarlet clouds resembling the fierce flames of a blazing fire. (Fierce Flaming Fiery Furious  Flames) From that mass many blazing missiles flashed, and tremendous roars, like the noise of a thousand drums beaten at once. And from it fell many weapons winged with gold and thousands of thunderbolts, with loud explosions, and many hundreds of fiery wheels. Loud became the uproar of falling horses, slain by these missiles, and of mighty elephants struck by the explosions..."

"It's a rare mantra, dedicated to ancient flying chariots (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vimana#/media/File:The_Celestial_Chariot_(6124515635).jpg)  that were made of blessed iron and gifted with the power of the gods. The mantra contains detailed praying instructions that might persuade the air elementals to pull such a chariot as if they were horses."

"The chariot awaits. Do your thing." I'm glad I have your permission game.

"You put your hands on the controls and conjure the air elementals, commanding them to possess the ship and do your bidding. The air elementals are fickle and might play along only to abandon you in mid-flight, watching your ship plummeting down in delight. To avoid it, you follow the ritual to the letter, warding off the ship against mischief and securing the tethers binding the elementals." Do the elementals even get payed minimum wage? Maybe that's why they're dropping you mid-flight. Union protests and all that.

"Slowly, the ship rises up in the air. You order the elementals to turn it around and pull it forward."

To Ganezzar, aways!

---

(http://i.imgur.com/uVfHsbe.jpg)
That certainly wasn't rewarding, but it was fun goddammit! There actually are rewards for doing the airship thing, but since both Meru and Gaelius are dead we don't get anything.

At least, we don't get anything until...
(http://i.imgur.com/n1aE01f.png)
"You're standing in front of Marcus Sidonius Fabianus, the Second Acolyte. His guards stand behind him, clearly alarmed by the sight of the ship looming over them."

"What is the meaning of this?" inquires Marcus."

"The ship is my gift to the good people of Ganezzar." Better not scratch it or burn cigarette marks onto the seats! Friggin' zeal hooligans.

"We thank you for your generosity, brother. Maybe the blessing of the Gods be upon you." The blessing of... DEATH! Hahahahah.

*You gain a new insight - 13 skill points gained*

*House Crassus reputation increased*

Now that we've been blessed with death, why not go to Hell?

---

(http://i.imgur.com/L7kN8eh.png)
"Long ago, a hunting party from a desert tribe (Chosen One! The land of Arroyo Inferiae is dying, you must hurry!) pursued a strange, triple-horned beast into the mountains and discovered a towering metal door, (Was there a sale on towering metal doors? They seem to be everywhere.) set into a stone cliffside. They later revisited the site with wise men and tools for breaking rock. With no idea how to open the door itself, the desert folk chiseled through the stone jamb and inside."

"A great treasure of ancient weapons, magic charms, and precious metals awaited them. While looting the complex another hidden door, this one in the floor, was revealed quite by accident. (It might not be towering, but it is hidden. So it was still on sale like all the other [adjective] doors.) It accessed the lower levels. The shaman decreed that the great treasure was a ruse, a distraction to placate fools. As their tribe was clearly not comprised of fools, it only made sense to send a scouting party to explore further."

"The scouts descended into the blackness and the blackness descended back. and the others waited."

"Waking from dark dreams of weirdly angled corridors and chambers, of indistinct shapes always at the edge of his vision, the shaman heard a low moaning from the doorway, like a wind from the bowels of the earth." This is why you don't make deals with the Yith.

"The scouting party did not return."

"The shaman was angered and held the hidden folk beneath the mountain responsible for this turn of events. He gathered the strongest among the tribe to form a war party. They prayed and fasted through a long night, making shallow cuts in their flesh, as was the custom, and smearing red clay on their faces. (The hunters took their spears, the cooks took spits, and the rest clubs of  fire-wood.) At dawn the war party descended with the shaman's strongest blessings."

"The war party did not return." I'm starting to see a pattern here.

"Giving up on whatever secrets lay buried below the mountain, the tribe set its artisans to carve the ornate facade of a temple into the mountain, a shrine to the brave warriors whose spirits were trapped forever in the underworld." Isn't the whole point of the underworld to trap spirits? I wouldn't want them running around *my* mortal realm.

"For the first and only sacrifice to the temple, they performed a ritual called the Impalement of the Three Suns, passed down from their ancestors at the dawn of the world. The name designated both the three bright red wounds of three stakes in flesh, and the number of sunrises he who was offered could expect to see before enjoying the merciful embrace of death. The shaman protested at length that this ancient tradition did him too much honor, but his modesty was roundly ignored."

We start outside of Hellgate, but there isn't anything to do besides look at the the titular Hellgate more or go inside. The latter sounds more appealing to me.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/k5OZDFX.png)
For the entrance to hell, this room isn't that bad. However, there are horrors unimaginable lurking just beyond it.
(http://i.imgur.com/IdHGUNb.png)
"The scrolls are dying in your hands falling apart in your hands, leaving nothing but fragments. (Unlike an actual corpse, Magi books are not edible.) A list of visitors. Supply requisitions. Reports. Orders."

[perception] [lore] Much like Doctor Frankenstein, we are going to be stitching books back together haphazardly. Hope you enjoy your Fadia of Green Trusses chapter in your Triarii Island.

[success] "It seems the last few months were spent in preparation of an unspecified but important event. The access to the ziggurat was restricted and the facility received a shipment of mechanical units. On the last day all personnel was ordered to abandon the facility and render the port "inoperable"." I'm sure that will never come up again.

(http://i.imgur.com/cr8WPlU.png)
Moving on and continuing deeper, we come upon what appears to have been the campsite of some likely dead fool.
Either that or this was the campsite of Esbenus' raiders, somehow I doubt it would've stood untouched for years however.
(http://i.imgur.com/4l2EOmF.png)
If that is the camp then this is the elevator of doom and gloom we heard about. The tales of its majesty were more than a little bit exaggerated. At the very least we get to see those ancient House Crassus banners\Order of the Magi banners for our trouble. Hopefully the destination of the elevator is a bit more intriguing.
(http://i.imgur.com/d3F8QRg.png)
The first thing we see is "a dead man slumped against the wall. It looks like he crawled here and bled to death from many cuts covering his body. He's clutching a strange metal ball the size of an apple, covered with strange protuberances." that definitely counts as "more intriguing." Intriguing enough that we examine it thoroughly with our lore.

[success] "It's a magical weapon of the olden days, said to be more powerful than ten flaming pigs black bombs combined."

"It's covered with rust and one of the protuberances is loose."

Looks like that bit needs to be forcibly extracted.

"Slowly, you pull it out, revealing a long cylinder. The striker spring inside the cylinder is rusty and stuck. You doubt you can fix it on the spot, but you can probably fashion another spring and calibrate it to the best of your abilities."

[crafting] Why not do it? Let's do it.

[success] "An hour later you're holding in your hands the new and vastly improved detonator, if vastly improved means that it can go off at any moment. Holding your breath, you insert it back and twist to lock it in place. (Do we also bop it and pull it is the real question.) The rest is simple - push on the detonator to arm the bomb. If it doesn't explode instantly, throw it at the enemy." You would think this would require throwing skill, but like nets and bolas it doesn't, making throwing even less useful.

How about actually seeing what killed him, eh?
(http://i.imgur.com/clQ2YHb.png)
"At first glance it appears to be a kind of hideous shrine or statue, a metal spider rearing (This thing is nowhere near as soulless and fetid as a spider, such a statement is silly.) up on its back legs. But taking a few steps forward you see it's a machine, a mechanical construct straight out of some sorcerer's nightmare. (Or loveliest of dreams, but who knows what sorcerers want?) The top half is humanoid, with arms ending in blades, and not the kind used for chopping vegetables. This upper part is perched on four spike-tipped legs, any one of them long enough to run a man through." An efficient design if I've ever seen one.

"Its once polish surface is scarred and dented, (Those abs look pretty shiny to me.) the armor rent is several places, (sic) and it sits somewhat askew. The construct is a veteran of many battles." Being violently polished can give you the same experience as a war veteran I would imagine.

"The head pivots ever so slightly in your direction. It sees you, but makes no move toward the doorway."

Automaton, meet null. Null, meet automaton.

[success] "You pull out the nullifier and look at the dial. Suddenly, a distant  memory (A memory of distant shores?) surfaces in your mind - a drawing from an old tractate written by a demented monk. The monk claimed to be an authority on old world's charms and wards, but his tractate was filled with bizarre images that defied all attempts to understand or decipher them." Was that monk's name Alhazred?

"The drawing in question depicted nightmarish creatures gathering around a magus who was protected by the sun shining down upon him. Instead of the traditional face, the sun had the exact same markings as the dial on the nullifier." Sounds like it could be an album cover.

Rediscovery, rituals, nullification!

"You set the dial to the settings from the drawing and press the buttons, trying to figure out the right sequence. (If this was a lesser game, this would be a point where we do a tedious puzzle.) On the third try, all three buttons sink in, the device vibrates softly and the air around the device shimmers like a heat haze."

"You look at the construct - no reaction. Reluctant to march toward it hoping for the best, you put the device on the marble floor and slide it toward the construct. It stops less than a foot away from it and remains there, doing nothing."

"You curse the monk and his drawing and at that very moment it all goes black the construct folds it limbs and collapses on top of the nullifier."

You offer yet another sacrifice to Death, who smiles upon you and rewards your dedication by whispering insights into your ear - 1 combat skill point gained*

Doing that counted as a kill, but sabotaging Meru's ritual didn't. What mystery!
(http://i.imgur.com/rUrXGPL.png)
"The moment the construct goes down a small man emerges out of hiding. (Qantari! Kill it, kill it for the Gods!) He walks around the dead machine, examining it with childlike curiosity, then looks at you."

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "It's dead," the 'man' informs you, like a physician offering his expert medical opinion."

"Who are you?" Someone who has seen some things if his portrait is anything to go on.

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "Bentanagbal," says the man, bowing his head. "A loremaster extraordinaire." Almost certainly not as much of a extraordinaire as us, how could he be?

"What are you doing here, Bennie?" Thankfully even the writers of this game don't want to type that out all the time, so meet Bennie.

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "I was exploring," says the man, nodding twice. "Our mechanical friend didn't like it and chased me into a maintenance hole. A fascinating mechanism, don't you think?" Maybe, but not as fascinating as the Demons.

"How long have you been here?" Several days at most. Unless Bennie is immune to dehydration.

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "Thirty seven days," says the man instantly. "Eight hundred and ninety two hours." He smiles awkwardly and nods again." Seems like I was wrong, oh well, can't win it all.

"How did you survive?" Water and food supplies I would assume.

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "Rats. (Only rats? What kind of high hydration content rats are these? Are you a vampire?) It's not ideal," the man grimaces as if not sure he can recommend it to you, "but more than sustainable." He nods again."

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "They don't taste as bad as you'd think. Very pungent, like a rabbit. Definitely sustainable." Another nod." Bennie is a eco-friendly vampire. Very sustainable.

"What do you know about this place?"

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "This place? I didn't get very far." He shakes his head for emphasis." Good, at least Bennie doesn't have a head shaking twitch.

"Why did you come here in the first place? What do you seek here?" Your life, Vibius!

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "A spear," the man says reluctantly. "To reclaim my father's throne." He straightens up, trying to look the son of a man who once sat on a throne."

"What happened to your father?" "reclaim my father's throne." Vibius, how do things like this confuse you?

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "They killed him," says the man, looking down as if ashamed. "My brothers too. They killed everyone but me. (That might explain his portrait's constant 1000 yard stare.) And now I have to find the spear."

"Tell me about your mother this spear."

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "It's called the Divine Spear. It is said that whoever wields it will not be denied. (Vague artefact powers are the strongest.) I need it," he says as if it simply explains everything."

"Where are you from?"

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "East," says the man, suddenly tight-lipped. "Months of travel." Feng was also from the East if you've forgotten, although we never learned more than that since we betrayed him.

"So you're going to grab that spear, march back home and demand what's rightfully yours?"

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "The man looks down again, then nods. "I have to."

"You don't strike me as a fighting man."

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "That's why I need the spear. Nothing can stand against it." A spear which nothing can stand against. Think about that one for a second, you might understand, or you might not.

"He hesitates, then says, "If you promise to help me find the spear, I'll help you get past these constructs."

"There is more than one?" Why only make one of these bronze weaklings when the Demons take up about the same space and are far more useful?

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "A *lot* more," says the man, nodding several times. It's hard to say if he's exaggerating or not." This *is* a command center after all.

"If you know a way to get past them, why did you spend a month eating rats in a maintenance hole?" It was tranquil, full of insights.

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "Ah!" says the man, looking smug for a change. "These constructs don't attack each other. Why? Because they know that another construct isn't a threat. How do they know it, you aks? I'll tell you if you agree to find the spear for me."

[word of honor] "Alright. I'll find that magic spear for you."

"The man smiles like a child promised a toy, (That isn't even a metaphor, that just happened.) then looks at you with suspicion."

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "How do I know I can trust you?" Can you not read? Word of honor 2 is on our ID card, you can't miss it.

[persuasion] "I didn't come here for the spear, so I'll gladly trade it for your help. This place is dangerous and I need an ally I can trust more than I need another weapon."

 [success] "The man stares at you for a moment, looking for any signs of dishonorable intentions, then gives up and nods. He kneels next to the vanquished constructs (There are multiple dead now? Reproduction that speedy is uneasing to say the least.) and goes through his innards in a surprisingly efficient way."

 "He pulls out different parts, commenting on their design and praising the ingenuity of the ancients, until he finds what he's looking for. It's a strange-looking, oil-dripping thingamajig (A word that should be used more often in this game.) with loose wires. The man wipes out the grease and oil, ties the wires together, turning it into a handy protection amulet."

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "Put it around your neck where they can see it," he says, looking very pleased with himself."

We have just nullified all threat that Hellgate could have posed to us; seems like a good time to explore to me.
(http://i.imgur.com/nte5tL5.jpg)
There are quite  a few rooms here, almost all of them contain nothing however so we just ignore them.
(http://i.imgur.com/kDtDItu.png)
Thankfully, not everything is empty and worthless here. Let the recording viewing commence!

"A tall, eagle-faced man stands very still; only his eyes mover over the broad crystal screen before him. "Are the Sentinels (Better names for guarding automatons exist, worse names exist.) ready to be activated?"

"Almost, Commander," says a younger man, his hands moving feverishly over the controls. In response, a blur of confused images appear and disappear over the console."

"We received new orders this morning," (Heathens do not appreciate cold salami, mutual destruction necessary. Commander Gaius Gaientius out.) "We have twenty-four hours to evacuate the base."

"What about the lake?" asks the man at the console."

"The base commander makes an unfamiliar gesture. (Why is he holding his two fingers up like that? The ancients were truly a strange people.) "We'll blame it on the Qantari." Sounds like a good Public Relations policy to me, just blame it all on the Qantari.

"The other man gives a low whistle. "And the ziggurat, do we give that up too?"

"The ziggurat they want intact," says the commander with a shrug."

"Then why are we pulling the plug?" asks the Centurion."

"That kind of intelligence is above my station," the Commander says bitterly, "or so I've been told. Someone at the top decided the base has to go dead, so that's what we're doing. The ziggurat is a different sort of animal. (If the plot-twist was that the temple is actually Agathoth's body, this game would be terrible. All things of quality wouldn't matter, just throw it in the trash.) That we preserve for the worst case scenario."

"The subordinate thinks about this for a moment, then asks, "Have you ever met Him?" What does His Imperial Majesty have to do with this? I think he has enough trouble going around without gossip.

"I did, once," nods the commander, his jaw working silently while he chooses his words. "He's supposed to be on our side, but what does something inhuman care for what we want? (That's why you have to Ask Why, it is the whole point!) We just happen to be on his side. For now."

"What do you mean?" The man's hands are in his lap now, the console forgotten."

"He's fighting his own war and we're helping him to win it, not the other way around," says the commander."

"And when the war's over?"

"My guess is that's why they're pulling the plug now, so we don't have to find out the hard way," says the commander."

Seems like the Gods outstayed their welcome if even the Centurion's were having doubts. By the way, if you noticed that small box earlier, all that's in there is a key. I took it since it is required to progress, but it isn't anything interesting.
(http://i.imgur.com/H4NDnpT.jpg)
Something that is interesting is this room, in particular its entrance. Notice those beams? We took damage from them and now have temporary con damage. It used to give permanent HP damage, thankfully the developers realized how asinine that was and now the only real punishment is the minor cost of a trip to the healer. Maybe too forgiving, but we've pretty much won at this point so I'm not too bothered. The (optional) final battle this game gives is more than enough in terms of end-game difficulty.

Of course, that's nice and all, but I'm sure you'd rather actually see the Divine Spear and assorted goodies.

(http://i.imgur.com/mIeXmKQ.png)

"You trigger a trap and take a bolt to the gut. It's a bad wound and you're already in a bad shape. Time to check out." Seems like they added some traps to this area. It is almost as if there might now be a reason to level up the trap skill! What wonder and amazement.

As for what is in the non-trapped chests, well, it is mostly high-quality ore and whetstones. The main thing of interest is a power tube, which while pointless at this point, is still nice. And as for the Divine Spear...
(http://i.imgur.com/KJjnpnX.png)
"If the Divine Spear is really a spear, it is the strangest weapon you've seen. Too thick and heavy, it wasn't made for human hands. Only a giant would be able to hurl this thing at his enemies." You should be able to realize this thing's purpose by now, if not, we'll probably see what it does one day. For now it belongs to Bennie, and to him it goes.

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "Did you find it?" asks the man with hope." Hope that bursts out like Hellfyre.

We placate him with the "spear."

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "It's ... beautiful," whispers the man, caressing the weapon. (Maybe we should leave these two alone?) "None shall stand before it. None..."

"Before you go, I want to show you something." We whip out the surgical kit.

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "Fascinating, absolutely fascinating," mutters the man, examining the instruments with the same childlike curiosity. "I had a dream when I was a child. The great Abu Hassan Ibn Hadad al-Sarabi said that he had a gift for me. He gave me something in my dream but I couldn't remember what it was. Until now." Phantom endowment, absolutely terrifying.

"Can you do it?"

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "I had the finest tutors," says the man, nodding excitedly, "and my hands are as steady as ever." He produces dirty, oil-covered hands with bitten fingernails for inspection."

"What about the ritual itself? Are you familiar with it?"

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "I've studied the mantras extensively," nods Bennie. "Did you find the machines used in the ritual?"

"I found the ruins of Al-Akia. (Glad that it counts as us going there even though it isn't on our map.) The machines are intact. When can you ward me?"

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "Here?" Bennie looks at you with surprise. "I will have to part your flesh, cut these wards into your bones, and then fill them with blue steel. We *need* a proper facility or you'll never survive the procedure." Spumblers: we  probably don't have the strength and constitution to survive it anyway.

"I know just the place!" We grab him and march onwards to the Mountain Facility.
(http://i.imgur.com/Qb2A5i5.png)
"You step through the portal (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=30m12s) and wait for Bennie. He arrives a moment later, his eyes wide with wonder."

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "My Gods," whispers Bennie when he looks at the giant in the tank. "We must study it!"

"Let's not get sidetracked, Bennie. Remember what we're here for."

"Bennie goes through the lab, scavenging extra tools and medical supplies. The pile of things that might be useful during the surgery grows by the minute, filling you with unease." Especially that grapefruit, nothing good can come of that.

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "I'm ready," says Bennie, testing a cranial drill." You poor bastard, Vibius.

"No gain without pain!" At least your enthusiastic for your death.

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "Drink this," says Bennie, giving you a small bottle. (Antifreeze? I've heard of that miracle substance, give it to me!) "It's a mandrake extract. It will numb the pain and make you sleepy."

We down it instantly.

"Your awareness returns gradually, bringing in Pain. (You know it is godly because it is capitalized!) It comes in all shapes and colors. (I'm glad that Pain can be equal opportunity too.) Hot-red searing pain, dull, throbbing pain that feels gray, white vision-distorting pain, and your personal favorite, the blinding black pain that makes you feel that the blood vessels in your head are about to explode."

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "Master Vibius? Can you hear me?" asks Bennie, looking concerned."

"How long was I out?"

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "Three millenia days," says Bennie. "I thought I lost you. You were burning with fever for the first two days. I kept changing the bandages and praying. Can you stand?"

"Slowly, you get up. The pain becomes unbearable and you almost fall."

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "I hate to alarm you, but if we don't perform the ritual soon, you might not make it."

"No breaks in this life, eh?" We slowly stumble all the way to Al-Akia, to finish this, somewhat anyway.
(http://i.imgur.com/86AuMvi.png)
"You walk slowly toward the seven sarcophagi, one of which waits with the lid raised on a metal hinge, like an open maw. Bennie is trembling with excitement as he assists you into the container, reminding you of an overeager priest, ushering an elderly man into his coffin." Oh boy, what great memories we have of this place.

"The interior looks uncomfortable, like the inside of a drain pipe, but as you recline the surface yields and reforms itself (Like a [insert memory foam bed here]) in the shape of your body. One might assume this feature is for the subject's comfort, but after Bennie has secured a bizarrely shaped helmet over your head and strapped your arms and legs into place, you realize that you are unable to shift your position in the slightest. The lid descends without a whisper to enclose you completely and your mind races in preparation of what is to come." Whatever it is, it'll probably kill us.

"The chamber begins to vibrate as the machines beneath hum to life. For a long time there is no other sound or sensation. You begin to suspect that nothing will happen, the equipment has failed. But then you become aware of a presence. You feel like a fisherman seeing an enormous shadow passing beneath your boat. It is probably harmless, a whale perhaps, but perhaps not."

"The narrow tube is gone and you are floating weightless in a warm, rolling sea, the place between worlds. Your only feeling is expectation. Change is imminent, a change as inexplicable as that of a writhing larva to a flying jeweled creature." If only it was as easy and natural as metamorphosis.

"The shadow grows. The ritual of the sarcophagus has distorted the fabric between the worlds, allowing whatever casts the shadow to move closer. The gossamer surface parts as it reaches out for you. The touch is gentle. You are cradled like a colorful bug in the hands of a child. Then the pain comes." Not Pain, just pain.

"You return to darkness of the sarcophagus, the immobility of the restraints. You hear drops of blood, your blood, spatter on the floor. (Is it our blood still?) Time is lost to you in the blackness. Hours or days might have passed, or merely minutes."

"But the shadow is with you still, and no longer without. Slowly, the understanding dawns that something else, some alien entity, shares your mind." Balzaar is back, and he is still lusting for a vessel

"A parallel series of thoughts moves alongside your own. You sense an instruction to your hands, motivated by that other will, but the wards resist the imposter. Next your mouth begins speaking in weird syllables, meaningless to you. You press your lips together and it stops."

[intelligence] After all we've done to protect this world, why submit now? We retake control over what is rightfully ours.

[success] "Your primal instinct, the will to survive at all costs, is something the immortal entity cannot understand. With the assistance of the wards and the focus of your intelligence, you are able to push the invader back, leaving it confused and frustrated. You realize that simply defying the Other is not enough. Instead you isolate one of its other directives -it is trying to find a way to communicate with Bennie, to command him to open the container- and dismiss it."

"Your attack takes the entity by surprise. Vying for control of your corporeal form, it continues to hammer against the wards, but does not understand the threat coming from the primitive mind it shares." Hubris will be your downfall you three-hearted fiend!

"Slowly, painfully, you gain ground, forcing it to submit to your will. All at once, the left side of your face goes numb."

[constitution] "A stroke would be an unfortunate setback." We force our body even further.

[failure] "Too late! The stress of the struggle within you is too much. Your organs rupture one by one, your brain starts hemorrhaging, (Again? Vibius seems to be a magnet for internal hemorrhaging.) and you who would be a god die shivering, locked already in your tomb, your goal a hairsbreadth out of reach."

"Betrayed by your own body..."

Well, I'm glad we could all experience that. Strange that the mindshield didn't come into play there, but I guess high intelligence takes precedence? I'll probably go through at a later point with a slightly different character build so we can see the god ending. I'd rather not have it be the first ending we get though, that would kinda spoil the other endings. We should get back to reality anyhow, goodbye for now.

---

And hello for now, welcome back to reality. We give Bennie the spear, but don't get on the Gods magic ride again. With that, Hellgate is finished, so forward and away we go. After getting some treatment for our laserbased injuries, of course.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/J9852zt.jpg)
"The temple (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=59m16s). (The Temple, The Temple, The Temple?) At last, the temple. You stand in awe of what was once a magnificent complex, a sprawling group of structures the size of Teron, dominated at its heart by the Great Ziggurat. Though time has reduced the walls and similar buildings to little more than rubble and dust, the ziggurat has resisted the elements."

"The shifting sands have drifted high on its steps and hungry vines have climbed its surface here and there, but the cracks on its outer shell are superficial. Its presence is like that of a solitary mountain, conveying agelessness and endless patience, seeming content to wait, though for what you do not know." In reality, we do, but imagine a world where we don't know what this place is or its purpose.

We gain 20 friggin' skill points for getting here which I guess makes sense since we can't leave now. We are trapped in the ending's grasp, and it won't let go!
(http://i.imgur.com/bnnHyar.jpg)
The place is pretty enthralling nevertheless, why would we want to leave? At the very least leave without exploring which is what we're about to do.

---

Starting with this.
(http://i.imgur.com/k6AX8jH.png)
"You see an old man lying upon a bed, awake but ineffably weary. (This semi-sphere is looking into our soul, how uncouth.) His robes are both bloody and singed. A younger man, heavily armored, strides into the chamber, his eyes aflame."

"We beat them back," the younger man declares. "The ziggurat is intact, but the rest of the complex is gone." Pyrrhus will be sympathetic to you if you somehow manage to get the very minimum of support from your victory.

"To turn on our own brothers," croaks the old man. "Has it truly come to this?"

"They know what we did," the younger man replies, ignoring (or perhaps oblivious to) the larger implications of the question. "I don't know how, bu they know. They will never rest until the ritual is reversed. We've cast our lot and there's no going back."

"The old man nods, his lips moving silently as he thinks things through. "How many dead?" he asks finally."

"Thousands," says the younger man. He turns away, his confidence waning for the first time."

"The old man nods again. "Is He safe?" Define safe. I doubt that sleeping beauty appreciates being in the coffin.

"For now. The ziggurat is protected by heavy shields, as heavy as we know to make, but if they bring the machines closer..."

"Reroute all power to the tomb," commands the old man, "for it must not fail. Then take what men we still have and bathe Ganezzar in hellfyre."

"Hellfyre?" The blood drains from the younger man's face. He had been prepared to go far, but not that far."

"I will remind you of the price of failure," the old man says, pausing to spit blood, "the world will be cast in eternal darkness. Remember that!" He closes his eyes again, lying back for what perhaps is the last time." Seems like they failed then. Both Ganezzar is standing, and we are in  a eternal darkness of sorts. Maybe it's for the best.

All of the shelves surrounding the semi-sphere are empty, presumably all the valuables were taken to Saross. All the surrounding rooms are just there for flavor, so vertically is the only way to go now.

---

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 15: Penultimate Prelude to Placidity
Post by: A Thing on May 22, 2016, 11:45:33 pm

Spoiler: Penultimate Prelude to Placidity Chunk Final (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/Pw3GnQS.png)
This entrance room is a bit grandiose for a temple, but who am I to judge? Well, without investigating the statues a bit more anyway.

"Animal-headed statues. Warriors in power armor? Something else?"

Yeah, a bit grandiose for a temple. As you could also see from that screenshot we need to find the console that controls the elevator as it is currently barricaded.

"As you stand in the doorway of the chamber there is a loud hiss, (Why does it always have to be snake-people?) like air leaking from a pipe. You blink as rows of lights along the ceiling come to life. Along one wall stand four tall tanks, which have just now opened. Beneath each spreads a puddle of some viscous fluid. Three of the tanks house withered corpses in blue robes. The fourth corpse is standing before you. (Necromancy had to get involved at some point, you knew it, I knew it, we all knew it.) You've seen men in bad shape before, and plenty of them. But this one is as white as he'd been draining at the butcher's for a week. As he takes a few steps you find yourself checking to see if invisible wires are holding him up. He opens his mouth to address you and a liter of the same fluid all over the floor pours from his mouth. (The mental image you deserve despite never desiring.) On his second attempt, he says:
(http://i.imgur.com/ommYcoq.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/O2Tk65R.png) "Awaked. Awaken. A wake," says awkwardly, as if testing the sounds of the words. "Is it time?" he asks in a childlike manner."

"Who are you?" The First of the Magi, don't you see his majestic mane?

(http://i.imgur.com/O2Tk65R.png) "I am ...," the 'man' stops in mid-sentence, staring. After a while you decide that he doesn't remember."

"What happened to them?" We gesticulate in the direction of the other tanks.

(http://i.imgur.com/O2Tk65R.png) "He turns to look but his blank gaze tells you he's not *seeing* anything, then rattles off a list of arcane terms: "Protocol Zeta observed. All vitals within acceptable parameters for up to eighty years. No cognitive damage."

"He looks back at you, slack-jawed and empty eyed."

"So now what?"

"The man doesn't move. Let's try the simple approach."

"Duty." Always popular among the subservient types."

(http://i.imgur.com/O2Tk65R.png) "Duty, yes," he says, something almost life like in his eyes. "Our duty, waking awake wake... We must wake Him up." (No, you really don't. His Imperial Majesty is resting at the bottom of the sea.) He stops dead. "Safety protocol observed?" He waits for a response."

[persuasion] [charisma] "It is safe, brother. Our enemies are no more. The Magi have done their part, now you must do yours."
(http://i.imgur.com/nFXGjeq.png)
[success] "The man nods and turns around. Awkwardly, he puts his hand on the console, tracing it with his fingers the way the blind do until he finds what he is looking for."

"You hear a grinding sound coming from the chamber behind you." That was a speedbump of an encounter if I ever saw one. Oh well, let's finish this.
(http://i.imgur.com/8Gcbbnm.png)
There it is. Before we possibly awaken the end of all things, how about we investigate and review our options. One of which is to read more of these floating cuneiform things.
(http://i.imgur.com/8HpcSuU.png)
"You're standing in front of the glowing stone tablets floating in the air with no visible support. Each tablet is carved with rows upon rows of tiny, precise symbols."

Let's peruse these mystic shapes.

"You take a few steps forward and touch the closest tablet. They are not made of stone but a much lighter material, and the letters seem to have been burned into the surface rather than inscribed."

[lore] Whoever inscribed this must have slept through calligraphy class as we need to decipher this text.

"The tablets are written in cuneiform - a writing system so old that its origins are lost in the mists of time. They say that the Magi had gained much insight deciphering tablets that were old when the Empire was barely a kingdom and eventually adopted the script as their own."

We try to read the parts that are legible.

"Take heed and bear witness to the truths written herein, for they are the last legacy of the Magi. (You said the exact same thing about the text in Saross, and it certainly wasn't the last legacy of the Magi was it?) Know ye that we who were the masters became the acolytes. Know ye that we turned against our own order and in so doing have destroyed it. Though we undertook this task with heavy hearts, no price is too great in the service of God." Oh boy, let's look on the bright side, at least Meru has a legacy of zealotry to look back to.

"When the great demon Balzaar broke free, the one we named Agathoth opposed him. As a reward for this act of loyalty, (Agathoth has no interests of his own. Loyalty is his purpose and existence, betrayal is just a word to him.) a great ziggurat was built, a mighty structure which served both as his temple and his prison. Within this temple he built wondrous engines of destruction and power, and taught us the knowledge of the stars. In that same temple, the most learned of the Magi monitored Agathoth day and night, distrustful of his motivations, watchful should he betray us."

"This was our mistake, that in our boundless arrogance we believed we had created Gods, when we merely made flesh that was divine. The Qantari worshiped them as Gods long before we created the bridge between our planes. They kneeled before Balzaar and his lesser brethren and followed them to battle without hesitation."

"When Balzaar's fury tore the land asunder and left smoldering ruin in its wake, it was Agathoth's knowledge and weapons that turned the tide. Without Agathoth's divine mercy we would have been destroyed, our own armies no better than straw figures in a firestorm." This whole thing sounds like an advertisement to awaken Agathoth.

"Imagine our horror when we were told that our watch was at an end, and instructed to reverse the ritual, to discard the divine essence like refuse. In response to this outrage we sent envoys to protest to the First of the Magi. These men were put in chains, and he in turn sent soldiers, coarse men who called us enthralled, who compared us to slaves. We took the only path left to us, to lay Agathoth in a tomb carefully warded against the machines employed against his kind, a place he might rest in safely."

"This is the truth of this great ere and the difficult decisions we faced. When the time is right, (When the stars align and R'yleh rises again...) when some future generation receives our wisdom, they will awaken the God once more and welcome him into the world that is rightfully His to rule." I would make another His Imperial Majesty joke, but that joke is a bit DEAD and tired by now.

We have one other thing to review before we investigate the coffin that being...
(http://i.imgur.com/T5v8unP.png)
...this.

"You're standing in front of a strange machine. At some point the device was badly damaged. Someone made an attempt to repair it, in a slipshod sort of way, and it's still functioning now. A humming noise rises and falls at regular intervals."

[lore] We must reexamine this thing, it is just too complex for just a single examination.

[success] "The machine is an unusual species of generator. Judging by its size and the variety of outputs, you determine that it was originally the power source for the entire ziggurat. Whoever patched it up re-routed all the power flow to the inner chamber. Even if the ziggurat itself crumbles to dust, the inner chamber and its life support systems will continue to be powered indefinitely."

"During the next cycle, the humming noise rises higher than before and the machine produces an unnerving blue glow. You step back, but a compensating protocol averts the crisis. The glow subsides and the humming falls sharply... only to start rising again a moment later." We can set this thing to erupt, killing Agathoth in the process. Let's finally scrutinize the sarcophagi.

The first bit of this is the same generic semi-sphere description, but the second bit reads "You notice that the shimmering image changed as well. The ziggurat's gone, replaced by a strange tomb. The image is incredibly detailed, showing pipes and streams of numbers."

[intelligence] [lore] Well, if we're scrutinizing the tomb, why don't we scrutinize the image too?

[success] "It seems that the tomb has a built-in life support system. All vital signs appear to be normal. You touch another symbol and the shimmering image changes again. It seems to be requesting something." Just give the console your social security and credit card number!

"You hear a whirring sound and suddenly a panel at the base of the console slides open, revealing several round slots."

I have no idea what this does or what we need to do it, so we just touch the crystal instead.
(http://i.imgur.com/5p6cTiS.png)
"You touch the crystal and as if by magic the strange tomb starts rising from the bottom of the shaft. It stops when it reaches the floor level, waiting for the metal walkways to be lowered." Such technology wasted on a creature who does not deserve it. Let's get a closer look at this sarcophagus before we possibly scorch the land then salt it at the very least.
(http://i.imgur.com/6kuOeF5.png)
"The god must be inside the sarcophagus. Could it still be alive after all these years? And if he is, then what? Kneel before him? Kill him? (Hahaha! Hahaahahah! Hahaahaha! Good one Vibius, that was real funny, very good joke.) Can you even kill a god? Well, there's only one way to find out."

The choice here should be obvious, we can open the jellyfish can, leave it to another poor soul, or just scorch it all. Which one? You've got until Sunday or so.

Alright, sorry to anyone who is looking in this thread to see why the hell it just got bumped 4 times, and sorry to Toady for not just releasing these when I made them. Not only did doing this over Thursday-Sunday decrease the quality of the LP, (if it seemed like I was running out of all creativity it was because I was) but it just generally inconvenienced everyone. Regardless, what's done is done and scrapping it would just make things worse.

Skills and stats have changed a lot, so I'll list them even though at this point all that is left is to select the ending.

Stats: strength 4, dexterity 4, constitution 5, perception 8, intelligence 10, charisma 10.

Skills: all combat skills still 1, lockpick 4, etiquette 5, persuasion 8, streetwise 8, crafting 9, lore 10, trading 3.

Faction Reputation: HA 27, HC 23, HD 23, AG 2, MG 10, IG 1, TG 2.

General Reputation: body count 1, combat 0, loyalty -4, peacemaker 1, prestige 1, word of honor 2.

   

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 15
Post by: birdy51 on May 23, 2016, 08:55:21 am

Scorch it all.

Vibius morality shall continue to flounder and cause death wherever he goes!

Title: Re: Age of Decadence Let's Play Part 15 PPP or a Time in Kevin Costner's Magi Temple
Post by: A Thing on May 26, 2016, 08:15:03 pm

I tested it out and we won't get the endings for all the different locations\surviving characters if we choose to open the sarcophagi, so I'll be using the "leave" ending to show those off. Is everyone fine with this? There is still time for another ending to be voted for, but I'd rather ask now rather than have to delay if it does get voted.

Title: Age of Decadence LP Part 16\The End: Vibius Ventures into a Valueable Vocation
Post by: A Thing on May 28, 2016, 03:06:46 pm

Et tu, Agathoth?

Spoiler: Vibius Ventures Verily into a Valuable Vocation (click to show/hide)

After hours of thought it has been decided that the slumbering god must wake. Who else is there to unify this broken land? Meru dreams of lands ancient and ruined now, Gaelius lies rotted in an unmarked grave, Antidas has the simple mind of a dead man, and Paullus would make every last village into cross-ridden necropolises with militarized keepers. Truly only a benevolent god could fix this, and we have exactly that. How about we get to awakening him?

Having tossed the sword, as no true god would fear such a thing, we press onto the top of the god-tomb and then...

(http://i.imgur.com/E4Jdhf5.png)

"The top hatch opens soundlessly. You know that what lies within was once a man, but like a wooden scaffold used to raise a stone temple, that humanity, other than in the vaguest outlines, has been discarded."

"The limbs have grown weighty and powerful, and a flat, alien face descends from an elongated skull. The back, now warped into a forward-curving hunch, is armored with chitinous layers; thick tentacles grow from the base on the head instead of hair, reaching almost to the legs. The skin is the deep blue of twilight sky or icy ocean, suggesting copper-cased blood. Who knows what other surprises this strange form might hold?" He is sorta like a humanoid wannamingo, but not as adorably stupid looking, sadly.

"The god's eyes open and blink dully."

(http://i.imgur.com/SepBLKE.png) "It worked," he says, exhaling with relief in an unmistakably human way. He turns his gaze to you, puzzled for a moment, then alarmed. "where are my acolytes?" But he already knows the answer."

(http://i.imgur.com/rzl6TmJ.png)

"Slowly, he rises from the sarcophagus and straightens to his full height, towering over you. The tentacles arc up into the air, pointing toward you over his shoulders. Two of them end in bulbous growths which part to reveal a pair of eyes. (Hope you didn't need to sleep tonight.) After a quick scan of the surroundings, the eyes wink shut and the tentacles relax again to rest along his spine."

(http://i.imgur.com/SepBLKE.png) "How long?" he asks.

"Centuries." 300 years more specifically, but I doubt that fact matters to him.

(http://i.imgur.com/SepBLKE.png) "Centuries? The Magi...?" he leaves the question unfinished."

"The Magi are long gone."

(http://i.imgur.com/SepBLKE.png) "A worried rumble sounds deep in his chest as he takes this in. (We might want to run, the gods seem to have a habit of spontaneous vaporization in times of stress.) "Who rules in the Magi's stead?"

This is our opportunity to tell him that the gods are terrible and he belongs on a kebab, but that's a bad idea. This guy cheats. He has 150 HP or something silly, and he can psychic blast us into oblivion. Even with power armor and a horde of liquid fire this jellyfish predator wannabe will consume all of your hopes and dreams.

I think it safe to say we don't want that so instead we say "Petty men lording over pitiful city-states."

(http://i.imgur.com/SepBLKE.png) "Bring me one of these lords and I'll raise him above all. Provided he kneels before me."

"Why should I help you?" Besides possibly fixing the many problems that this now tiny realm has.

(http://i.imgur.com/SepBLKE.png) "Do not play the fool, human. Why else would you be here? Serve me and be rewarded. Unless you're here to kill me."

"He tosses his head back and emits a sort of barking noise (https://youtu.be/-5FTJxfV3pc?t=17s). Eventually you recognize the sound as laughter."

"What do you mean?"

(http://i.imgur.com/SepBLKE.png) "I know this world for what it is. Humans will bow to any fool wearing a golden crown, but they hate and fear that which is different. A tribal mentality."

(http://i.imgur.com/SepBLKE.png) "I could reveal myself once my powers return, but then I'd have to slay a few thousand men who'd rise against me, and then a few thousand more until I grow bored and destroy your kind, leaving but a few 'seeds' to start over." Better reform Zoroastrianism in that case.

(http://i.imgur.com/SepBLKE.png) "I grow tired merely explaining it. Simply put, I need one of you to be the face that rules the tribes."

"Convincing one of the lords to come here won't be easy."

(http://i.imgur.com/SepBLKE.png) "I will strengthen your body and mind. The rest you'll do on your own."

We kneel, and receive our first gift.

"The god raises his hands and the palms open up like a starfish's mouth, bloodless and jagged. (Really hope you didn't need to sleep tonight.) He places the palms on your head and you feel a strange rush of blood and then nothing at all."

"You wake up on the floor, feeling ... different. Something within you has changed."

"Give it time," says the god, pleased with his First Acolyte."

We then rush back to the elevator, but before we leave...

"You stop before the elevator and consider your options. While Agathoth will pull the strings no matter whom you choose, he won't be able to make every decision himself. Thus, the *chosen one* will have quite a bit of influence, so you should choose wisely."

There is little choice here as Paullus might be a good general, but he is no lord. The fate-child is our only other option, so to him we go.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/oojJNPS.jpg)

"You leave the temple and return to Teron (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=18m39s) without delay. Upon arrival you request a private audience with Lord Antidas." That image your seeing up there is the "New Teron" we don't get the description here, but the gist is that the mercenaries have pretty much driven out everyone that isn't a merchant, a guard, or a noble. Such a fate is kind compared to the fate of Cippur and Atmara isn't it?

(http://i.imgur.com/Npil3Qr.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "Are you any closer to finding the temple?" Antidas asks impatiently." Glad that Antidas appreciates our efforts fully.

"I found it, my lord."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "You did?! This is great news! What did you find there? Are the engines of war still intact."

"I found a God."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "A God?" frowns Antidas. "Didn't the Gods disappear after the War?"

"It's a long story." Such a long story that it needed multiple scrollbars to satisfy its needs.

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "Are you sure he's a ... god and not one of Meru's freaks? Faenal or Faelan or whatever his name is."

"I'm sure. The Magi brought him and his kind here centuries ago. They thought they could control them but they failed. That's what brought down the Empire."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "Well, what does he want?" asks Antidas, visibly disturbed by the news."

"He wants you to serve him. In return he will make you powerful."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "And what makes you think I'd accept?"

"What choice do we have? Gaelius and Meru are dead. Yours is the last of the Great Houses and your domain is a crumbling town. Do you really think you can oppose a God?"

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "I don't know," says Antidas. "I need to think about it."

"Think about what? You wanted to restore the Empire? Here is your chance."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "Not as a puppet," snaps Antidas." Antidas would only accept being a marionette, there are too many puppets in this world.

"It's the only way you're ever going to get what you want. So the question is, how badly do you want it?"

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "You're right," says Antidas, resigning or perhaps warming up to his fate. "After all, it is my duty to leave, even in the darkest of time."

He better have something better than those sandals he is wearing because we're taking him to the other side of the world! To the end of all things, for now anyway (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=1h1m16s).

---

(http://i.imgur.com/1dz8E4f.png)

"Antidas' transformation from a waffling and ineffective megalomaniac into a brilliant tactician takes everyone by surprise. His detractors put his string of victories down to extraordinary luck or witchcraft, but his allies are quick to remark that what matters is who wins, not how it is done. (The same philosophy the ancients ruled by, simply wisdom incarnate.) Besides, they smugly add, it was always prophesied that Antidas would restore his House to its rightful place."

"Despite Antidas' uncanny luck, the war is long and three bloody years will pass before he is able to proclaim the birth of a new Empire over the corpses of his foes."

"The new king proves as adept at statecraft as slaughter, but his ambition is not satisfied with rule according to the Empire's ancient borders. Next he looks to pacifying the wasteland and conquering far away kingdoms. Rumors speak of a power behind the throne, an adviser trusted above all others, for Antidas takes no decision without consulting this mysterious figure. Loose tongues (or perhaps merely jealous ones) claim that Antidas himself is nothing but a puppet and this shadowy Other the true ruler, but only a fool would credit such stories."

(http://i.imgur.com/J5ExNOm.png)

"The deadly fog over the ruins of Maadoran shows no signs of dispersing, threatening to remain there for good. Covering an area over a hundred miles, it kills anyone who dares enter it. Those who come close speak of disturbing visions sent by the Gods to warn them to stay clear of the fog." Even Agathoth can't return Maadoran to what it was, maybe it is for the best.

And that was our ending pretty disappointing, eh? Well, thankfully the developers added in ending slides for the various locations, just not for the god ending for some reason. Let's look at those shall we?

---

(http://i.imgur.com/2HTROk1.jpg)

"Released from the tower that became his prison, the stone guardian disappeared without a trace. A few years later disturbing rumors of demons impervious to blade or fire began to spread. According to these tales, the demon slept under a mountain for a long time but were (sic) recently awakened. Now they labor day and night fortifying the mountain and building something deep within it." That removes our opportunity to take over Zamedi, doesn't it?

(http://i.imgur.com/H35FMga.png)

"One of the few safe harbors in the harsh desert, the village of Inferiae grows with every exodus from the overcrowded cities. The old ways of "pruning the garden to get rid of the weed" (Did Feng live in Inferiae at some point?) can't work when the endless field of huts starts resembling the very cities the villagers left behind. Reluctantly, Azra appoints several elders to look after her flock and deal with the troublemakers. After her death, the Elders rule Inferiae with an iron fist, expecting to be obeyed without question." That removes Inferiae as an option as well.

(http://i.imgur.com/KprAi4t.png)

When Gaelius agreed to cut Paullus and the Imperial Guards out of the deal, he bet on the Ordu being able to do what the Guard could have done but at a fraction of the cost. Turning them into his most feared enforcers who knew neither pity nor compassion - certainly not toward the soft southerners, Gaelius unleashes them against his enemies without a second thought.

"When Thorgul descended into the soft southern lands he was certain that most of his brethren would be tempted and become like the southerners, but neither he nor the other Ordu (besides Belgutai possibly) ever expected the Sky-Father himself would reach from the sky and crush all of the disgraceful in a fit of rage."   

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "Thorgul himself was given very little time to think about the permutations of such an event or his opinion of it before being mercifully crushed by a force wrathful and impartial in equal measure."

(http://i.imgur.com/ylwsALn.png) "While the other Ordu died in confusion, Belgutai fell with a smile on his face - justified and perhaps even fulfilled."

"Even with the khan dead and the largest branch of the Ordu broken, the surviving tribes manage to continue a meager existence on their dying plains. Surviving, perhaps, but it is clear that there will never again be seventeen tumens or a Great Khan."

Yes, I had to write a vaguely accurate seeming epilogue to the Ordu. A group we don't get a vast amount of information on, having been a tertiary group at best. At least it wasn't the Qantari or something.

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "Tired of raiding, (and perhaps not wanting to take risks with the new Empire) Esbenus settles down and becomes a respectful slave trader. He offers the finest selection at very reasonable prices, promising to fulfil any order within two weeks or it's free."

With Vibius having become the First Acolyte, he sets himself to the task of creating a new order that safeguards places of learning like the Magi once did. Whether he can succeed at such an grandiose ambition is yet to be seen. If the worst happens, he still has the capabilities to create memoirs that detail such things that loremasters of old could only dream of.

I believe with that I'm the first person to complete a Age of Decadence screenshot playthrough. Not sure, but from a brief search I couldn't find anyone else that did the whole thing.

The LP is not done however, but I am taking a break until about the beginning of summer. We'll be playing a combat character next as I want to do something else besides transcribing for once, look at the current poll for the options.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence LP Part ???: Dreams of Deified Delights
Post by: A Thing on June 11, 2016, 07:01:59 pm

Vibius might be a god puppet, but Vibius GOD ARRANGE will never kneel!

Spoiler: Where are your gods now? (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/OXzBpZG.jpg)
Bask in his min-maxed glory now for it will be blinding to witness soon!

(http://i.imgur.com/nZew4qk.png) "Man-thorns, cut them!"

(http://i.imgur.com/oMJqYiZ.png) "I'm going to punish your existence with scrollbars."

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "What do you want?"

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "I'm going to be the emperor, can't you tell?"

(http://i.imgur.com/XtOYdTW.png) "Gimme the money!"

(http://i.imgur.com/xTOXXIQ.png) "Usury is no sin to me!"

(http://i.imgur.com/H9Qbzfv.png) "My smile is fueled by bloodshed."

(http://i.imgur.com/gnZy8QB.png) "Excuse the gloom..."

(http://i.imgur.com/yNoR6af.png) "Wait, wait, don't leave! I have a Barony in Nigeria to sell you..."

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "Fuck your shitty existence, pleb!"

(http://i.imgur.com/EKUiH0z.png) "You better aways with me, or else."

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "Really wish you didn't kill me, would've been great if I was emperor."

(http://i.imgur.com/Vk6qD0y.png) "I've stared a bit too long in the void but I'll find peace in the end."

(http://i.imgur.com/loXl8zi.png) "The Master does not like gray-haired youths..."

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "Turns out dead plains aren't that bad after all."

(http://i.imgur.com/ylwsALn.png) "I spit in face of all that refuses to be cool!"

(http://i.imgur.com/0nChozE.png) "One hundred men will only slake my bloodthirst."

(http://i.imgur.com/mqTemjE.png) "My boy, have you heard the Word of the Gods?"

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "The stars are wise and alluring things, aren't they?"

(http://i.imgur.com/GeTRfXM.png) "Pi-pi-pitiful creature of meat and _bone."

---

(http://i.imgur.com/lGxEbe0.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/VggCYZV.png) "Master Vibius GOD ARRANGE? Can you hear me?" asks Bennie, looking concerned."

"How long was I out?"

"Three days," says Bennie. "I thought I lost you. You were burning with fever for the first two days. I kept changing the bandages and praying. Can you stand?"

Etc, etc, we've all seen this before. Let's become a REAL god, eh?

---

(http://i.imgur.com/86AuMvi.png)
"Slowly, painfully, you gain ground, forcing it to submit to your will. All at once, the left side of your face goes numb."

[constitution] Would be a shame to die during the last of our mortal struggles, wouldn't it? Let's not do that.

[success] "Your rage carries the fight as you punish the weakened entity with everything you've got, extinguishing its directives faster than they arise. Your body has begun to break down under the stress of the struggle but, (sic) racked with pain and bleeding from your nose and ears, you consume the enemy consciousness, absorb it, make (sic) your own." Now, ignoring that typo, reread that sentence.

Just think about that for a moment... think about it more... and again...

...we just ate a god. That just happened, and I'm glad it did. Godspeed, you brittle-boned bastard, godspeed.

"Your awareness changes and expands. You become aware of your own form as if it were laid out before an omniscient master surgeon. You note with annoyance that the heart is about to give up, and in the next instant it has been repaired, and strengthened besides. As an afterthought, you create some improvements as well." I didn't really need to know that, but I guess it is something that Roman man would worry about.

"The inefficiency of your body becomes obvious in a way you had never considered before. Why burn a torch to defeat the darkness when you can simply expand your visual range into different spectrums? And the whole system of extracting oxygen from air and carrying it to cells is laughable."

"You spend some time adding redundant systems and extending an internal carapace to shield your lower organs. After so much hard work to accomplish your goals it wouldn't do to be slain by a stray missile or energy weapon."

(http://i.imgur.com/V2bkrUH.png)

"When you are satisfied, you reach out with your mind to manipulate a switch in the base of the sarcophagus and the lid is smoothly raised. You step out into the chamber. Bennie drops to his knees and prostrates himself before you. He will be rewarded. He is the first man to recognize your divinity, the first human to submit to your will."

"But not the last."

"The World is Yours." Indeed, we are limited neither by the Madness of the Gods or the Weakness of Man, what's to stop our ascension?

(http://i.imgur.com/ghHa0Kx.png)

"From the Holy Scriptures of Year 241 of the Eternal Reign of the One God, may His Light Banish every Shadow." Wonder if this changes if you're female, maybe the process makes gender unrecognizable?

"In the dawn of the world there lived a mighty Kingdom of Men. This Kingdom grew and prospered, and these Men knew not war or suffering for they were humble and obedient to the laws of the Gods."

"But Those Who Dwell in the Void were envious. Of Whispers and Lies did they build a great army, and brought War upon the Kingdom of Men. It was a war like no other, where Gods fought amongst Men." Until the devs put that "Men Ending" into the game (look for Ending: Men in the soundtrack) and we actually have another battle with the 'Gods'.

"Terrible weapons reduced the great cities to cinders and fetile lands to desert, and the Gods were slain. In the Dark Ages which followed, Brother turned against Brother and without the guidance of Gods, Men were cast low, becoming no better than beasts."

"Hope was lost until a wise few at last turned aside from Whispers and Lies. Through their prayer and sacrifice (Emphasis on the sacrifice.) the One God was reborn in a mortal vessel. Birthed into our plane, He shed the chrysalis of His mortal form in place of a more fitting body, for all things serve the One God, even flesh itself."

"Behold," He said, "for I am Thy God. Kneel before me and I will rule over you." But the Shadow of the Void yet lay upon the much of the world, and those who were more beasts than men rose against Him." This version of Vibius is pretty uncharismatic you've got to admit. Also, somewhat tempted to take that One God image and make his head Vibius' portrait, but that would take a lot of time.

"The beast-men did bring battle upon the One God, and after one hundred days they learned the full lesson of His Strength and Will, for both are inexhaustible. He slew the beast-men by the thousands and rained fire upon their cities and crops, and all that they held dear was destroyed (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGpgr-vtB4g)."

"On the hundredth day three wise men emerged from the still-burning ruins and knelt before God. They brought news that the beast-men had been extinguished and only the humble and obedient remained, and it pleased God to hear this."

"God ordered them to raise up a Temple in praise to Him and a new city around it. He ordered the ruins both old and recent destroyed, for they were infected with the Whispers and Lies of Those Who Dwell in the Void, and so eradicated the ancient poison that turns Men into beasts."

"As in the first days, the city grew and prospered. When the servants of the One God grew too numerous for His city, God chose the three wisest of his High Priests and ordered them each to build a new city, where they would rule in His name and all would follow His Laws..."

I don't know about you, but that was a worthwhile expenditure of my time. Doubt the next character can live up to that, but they can certainly try.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence LP Part ???: Dreams of Deified Delights
Post by: QuakeIV on June 13, 2016, 12:50:35 am

Well that was fairly amusing.

Title: Re: Age of Decadence LP Part ???: Dreams of Deified Delights (new poll)
Post by: A Thing on June 15, 2016, 07:30:39 pm

Finally bothered to get around to writing a backstory (only a paragraph so don't expect too much) so we'll definitely be going with the mercenary background. Since that has been decided I'll put character builds up to vote. Guess gender can be voted for too, but I'd rather not add too many options to the poll and gender is pretty much a cosmetic option in this game.

Spoiler: Marauders and Mercenaries (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/HMkZTbQ.jpg)

Not much to say, just a bowmen. The 5 strength is so we can join the Imperial Guards if we want.

(http://i.imgur.com/0GZst8m.jpg)

Decent chance I'll drop crafting on this one as alchemy would be much more useful.

(http://i.imgur.com/tXvRfuA.jpg)

Alchemy is good for this one since you can stack poison onto the sword bleeding passive. Crafting would be useful for making good 11 AP armor and maybe better swords (there are a lot of decent unique swords.)

Title: Re: Let's Play The Age of Decadence: Summer Edition
Post by: A Thing on June 21, 2016, 03:11:01 am

It's Fire Season which means: ill-fitting swimwear, skin damage, constant cattle Ordu raids, and a new Age of Decadence playthrough. Might as well kill me now.

Spoiler: Thugs and Tutorials (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/CJViuos.png)

Gnaea wanted to be a Pict but ran out of paint. I suppose that's what happens when your physical features are determined by random numbers. At least I was kind enough to change her hair so she can have a circlet (for some reason the hair style she had before didn't allow it.)

(http://i.imgur.com/yJl9dyZ.jpg)

Freud would quite a few things to say about Gnaea's choice of weapon. Good thing he doesn't exist.

(http://i.imgur.com/KBbpTM3.jpg)

I think this image should tell you enough about the state of affairs, if not, go read the first playthrough.

(http://i.imgur.com/VdjRK9v.png)

Again, you should be able to decipher Teron (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=13m45s)'s condition from this image.

(http://i.imgur.com/XpzJypx.png)

"Some are loyal to Lords, some are truly loyal to Lords, some loyal to prophets, some only to the rattle of coin, but the Old Emperor's loyalty was given solely to godly omens. If the flight of eagles and the bleeding of lambs was good enough for the first Emperor of the greatest Empire ever to grace this land, is it not good enough for you? Clearly it is as you are still alive and gainfully employed! Sure, guarding a slum-town inn isn't exactly glamorous work, but no man is born an Emperor and the Gods must have something glorious planned for you, right?"

The past of a character doesn't really matter in a computer game (as the game can change your past whenever it feels like it), so this is what you get.

(http://i.imgur.com/5vAHhkJ.png)

"The inn is full of guests. After spending weeks and sometimes months on the road, they have an unhealthy appetite for cheap wine, stove-cooked means, and women willing to share their beds for a few coins."

Despite the crowd we can still hear the Inkeeper's call.

"Gnaea, come here!"

He can wait, alchemists are about!

(http://i.imgur.com/w5XqyPu.png)

"You see a man in his forties. (Might as well prepare the grave now.) At first glance, it seems as though he stares at you unfalteringly, but then you realize that he has a glass eye. His face and hands are covered with burn-scars and unless you're mistaken, he's missing a couple of fingers on his left hand."

"Never seen a real alchemist before?" asks the man, his voice raspy and rough. "What do you want?" Your coin or your life!

"I'd like to learn about alchemy." How about that Philosophers Stone, eh?

"I can show you the basics, the rest is up to you. To create an alchemical compound you need a base item, be it a plant or another compound. If you know what to do with it, you can turn it into something useful. With me so far?"

"If I know what do do with it?"

"I'm talking about techniques. (I'm talking about you.) Brewing a potion that will make you lose your senses and go berserk is different from distilling poison. It's the know-how, so to speak."

"Keep in mind that even if you know what to do, it will take you a while to master the process, so don't get discouraged if your potions, draughts, or what have you, don't do much at first. Practice makes perfect, you know," he winks at you with his glass eye, which causes it to pop out. (Free food!) The alchemist catches it deftly, rubs it on his dusty clothes and puts in back in."

"Go on."

"You can throw in another reagents to modify or change the original recipe completely. You can add only on reagent to a formula, so choose wisely and all that."

"Now, let me go over eight basic techniques. We'll start with healing, so listen carefully... ." (...,?) The alchemist goes on and on, as if he really expects you to remember all that."

"Can I heal myself during a fight?" Tutorial? Tutorial.

"How exactly do you picture that? (With my mind.) You think you can simply take a break in the middle of a fight and ask your new friends who're hell-bent on hacking you to pieces to wait while you put some balm on your wounds?" If you provide enough sunscreen for the entire class, I don't see why they wouldn't allow it.

"So, uh, what can I make?" Eater Water, Sunburst, Strongarm, you know, the usual.

"The alchemist frowns. "Didn't I just explain it to you? Healing salve, poison, berserk draught, acid, liquid fire, neurostimulators, and black powder bombs. Write it down if you can't hold it in your head."

"Good idea! You scribble some notes into your journal."

"Where can I get more reagents?" Well, when a daddy reagent and a mommy reagent love each other very much...

"You can buy them from any alchemist or find them on your own if you keep your eyes open. I can see you a good starter kit, if you're interested. Fifty coins ought to cover it."

"Sure, I'll take it." Maybe he can buy an emergency glass eye with that money, maybe not.

"Good luck," says the alchemist, giving you a bag with reagents."

Now is the Inkeeper's time.

(http://i.imgur.com/31JMsRM.png)

"Easy on the wine, Gnaea. You're working tonight, remember?"

"Don't worry about it." Was only a glass, I can still ride my cart!

(http://i.imgur.com/uVACcGb.png)

"As you talk, a tired man in dusty, weathered clothes enters the inn and looks around. Several caravan crewmen carry his chests and bags inside. The man carefully inspects his belongings and after a brief conversation, pays the crewmen."

"Hail to you, child of Summer! master Gracius! It's (sic) been a while. How may we serve you?" The innkeeper's attention is on Gracius, which doesn't prevent him from gesturing to his servants to pour Gracius some wine - three fingers indicate the quality of the wine, roast a fresh bird over the coals, and move the chests to the storage."

"A room for me and storage for my goods. Find me a good loremaster and send one of your guards to make sure that I'm not disturbed," says Gracius, tossing the innkeeper a coin."

"Did you hear that, Gnaea? Our guest requires the pleasure of your company, so go clean yourself (Baths can never clean away the shame of low charisma!) and do something useful for a change."

"I need better gear."

"Now you're telling me? Go to the trading plaza, but don't waste any time. The client is waiting."

---

(http://i.imgur.com/entamnt.png)

"Welcome to my store, my friend! I have the finest selections of goods at unbelievable prices. So, please, make yourself at home and browse the merchandise. And remember, when in doubt, buy it. It's better to regret buying something than regret not having it when you need it the most. Am I right? Why am I telling this to you? You look like a smart kid, so you know this already. Am I right?" Probably.

(http://i.imgur.com/gPyvAi1.png)

Turns out the intro merchant doesn't really have anything worth buying, nevertheless we managed to get a decent legionary helmet out of this.

"It's going to be dark soon. You should head to the inn."

And so we will.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/RRV2vEc.png)
"The trader looks at you critically, frowning at the dents in your (leather) armor. "Keep unwanted visitors out of my room," he says before turning away."

"You will not be disturbed, master." Back to the wine it is.

(http://i.imgur.com/HpdVY8n.png)

[perception success] "You're awakened in the middle of the night by a soft click coming from the lock. The door opens and a shadowy figure slips inside the room. Determined to earn your pay, you put on a show, lunging at the intruder and making enough noise to wake up the trader. When you're satisfied with your efforts, you throw the unfortunate thief out of the room and turn to the trader."

"Who was that?" asks the trader, looking visibly shaken." It was... your mother!

"Alright, let's not panic." Looks like the trader is speaking to himself."

Well, if there is no need to panic then we might as well le-

(http://i.imgur.com/rKRjadl.png)

"A shadowy figure slips into the room through the open window and, without wasting any time, raises a loaded crossbow, pointing it at the trader."

(http://i.imgur.com/5bLrD2l.png)

"Gracius," says the assassin calmly, "the Commercium wishes to remind you that you're -still- not welcome in this town." He pulls the trigger before he finishes talking, and Gracius falls down with a bolt in his chest."

We could wait for him to speak, but that seems a bit unwise given what just happened. Much safer to just gut him.

He was dead from the first stab and he must've found peace in this since he smiled when he died. He did cut us up a bit, so maybe he thought he fatally wounded us? Whatever the case maybe, his belongings and Gracius' belongings are now ours. Not that either of them actually have anything particularly noteworthy besides...

(http://i.imgur.com/xIfnXhU.png)

[perception success] "You notice that the trader is clutching some parchment in his hand, as if he had hoped that it would shield him from harm. It looks like an old map. Might fetch you a couple of imperials. When you take it, you notice a small grey sphere lying on the floor nearby. You pick it up and carefully examine it. It's an unusual metal sphere with several grooves running around it. Perhaps a loremaster might be of service."

(http://i.imgur.com/7r5ncdA.png)

"Fuck," says the innkeeper, looking at the dead trader thoughtfully. (Of all the things to say over a recently deceased man, you choose that?) "Well, I suppose we all knew it was coming, although it would have been nice if he was killed elsewhere. How do you expect me to run a business?" He sighs."

"His goods are still in the storage," continues the innkeeper in a different tone. "We can sell them to the Commercium for nothing or we can actually make a few coins. What do you think, Gnaea?"

"Wouldn't say no to a few coins."

"Alright, then take the goods to Cado. Vardanis will handle the negotiations, so all you gotta do is watch his back and show that we mean business. The easiest money you'll ever make." This'll go well, I'm sure.

"Alright, let's go."

Since we barely spent any time here in the previous playthrough, I'll paste in the description for this place

"The Forty Thieves guild is a large and seemingly indefatigable network of thieves, smugglers, and other criminally inclined citizens. The guild operates in every town and traces its origin to the early days of the Empire. It is said that in the past, the forty kingpins of the forty largest towns used to coordinate the network. Opinion is divided as to the relations and ties of the Forty Thieves of yore and its current incarnation, but the name persists."

(http://i.imgur.com/woaL4F7.png)

"In Teron the guild operates out of a local tavern - a popular destination for people who feel at home in shady parts of town and dark alleys.  The tavern is full of people laughing, arguing and drinking. At the back of the tavern piles of loot sit atop tables, waiting to be counted and divided. At the far end of the room, Cado conducts business while keeping an eye on the guests."

(http://i.imgur.com/uzfUBSB.png) "Ah, Vardanis, my friend, how are you?" Cado is all smiles. "Who's your friend? Don't tell me you have to bring some muscle with you. I'm hurt." Cado checks the goods, pays without haggling, and just like that, the deal is done." Like I said, nothing can go wrong here.

"Let's head back," says Vardanis, looking relieved."

(http://i.imgur.com/EBnFQEV.png)

"The thugs come out of nowhere. You follow Vardanis, who grows more confident with each step, talking business and making big plans, when two men step out of the shadows. They look at Vardanis and smile as if he were their long lost kin."

"Spare a coin?" one thug asks, pulling out a knife and smirking at his joke."

We take out our spear somehow, I guess we have a sheath for it? Seems a bit silly, but I'll roll with it.

"Don't be so eager to die for nothing, friend," says the thug. "You see, Vard an' me go way back. We ave a lot of catching up to do, don't we? So, here," he throws you a gold coin, "take the rest of the night off."

The leading thug grazes us a bit before taking a spear to the throat. Vardanis attempts to hold his ground and it goes just as well as you would expect; he doesn't have to worry about haunting his murderer, thankfully, as the killer also fails to hold his ground. I suppose Cado opted for quantity and not quality when selecting his assassins.

Having taken our reward off of the late Vardanis, we set off back to the inn.

"Where is Vardanis? Where is the money?"

"Dead. As is often the case when one's chasing "easy money."

"Fuck," says the innkeeper, mirroring his earlier sentiment. "Oh well, at least we tried, eh?"

*You gain a new insight - 11 skill points gained.*

"Yeah. We tried. Got any jobs for me?"

"Seeing that the last two men you were supposed to protect ended up dead, no, not really, Gnaea. The Imperial Guards are recruiting though. Might be just the place for you."

"Might be. Do you know any good loremaster?"

"Talk to Feng."

We can just rest for the night and access all of the normal stuff like the Boatmen and the Daratan quests. Imperial Guards are probably one of the more unique faction questlines in terms of plot. Boatmen are the most generic of the fighting factions which kinda makes sense given that they are assassins.

Title: Re: Let's Play The Age of Decadence: Summer Edition
Post by: A Thing on June 30, 2016, 03:26:10 pm

Here be Eagle-men.

Spoiler: Honorable Horrors (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/mfB73kz.jpg)

This image summarizes the Imperial Guards fairly accurately I would say. We can still investigate the crucified men for more information though, so I will.

"The Imperial Guards are fond of men crucifying those they deem criminals and displaying them for all to see, as a reminder of services rendered and a warning to those who might consider getting on their bad side."

(http://i.imgur.com/V6vveVt.png)

There is also this surprisingly well-made recruitment poster which is accompanied by this paragraph: "You see the Imperial Guards' barracks that look like a small fort. A recruitment post says "Join the army, see the world, meet interesting people, and kill them." Hard to say no when they put it like that." It really is, how can you say no to Uncle Paullus?

With nothing else left to see in front of the Imperial Guards fort we might as well attempt to enter.

(http://i.imgur.com/hHO1Im5.png)

"You are standing in front of the Imperial Guards' barracks. The building is well fortified. By the looks of it, the fort is designed to hold of enemy hobgoblins! forces attacking from inside of the town." Carrinas is just a well-prepared man, there's nothing wrong with that!

(http://i.imgur.com/k8n94jD.png) "State your business," demands one of the guards." Prepare to see lots of variations on that portrait.

"I want to be a hero m'lord join the Imperial Guards."

(http://i.imgur.com/k8n94jD.png) "It's your lucky day then. We're hiring." The guard of Guards moves to the side and lets you in."

"You go inside and join two other recruits, patiently waiting in the training yard."

(http://i.imgur.com/VAH7jR5.png)

I feel as if we're overdressed for this job interview. Not much we can do about it now though as our only option is to wait things out.

(http://i.imgur.com/4QzKwZT.png)

"When two more recruits show up, the guards close the gate and take their positions. The door leading into the main building opens and a Centurion steps out into the training yard."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "He inspects the recruts (sic) in silence, shaking his head every now and then. "I suppose we can't expect batter quality from a shithole like Teron, can we?" asks the Centurion addressing nobody in particular."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Listen up, you apes. Lucky for you, you have finally made the right choice. It is the only choice a fighting man can make - to join the Imperial Guards. We are the backbone of the Empire. (citation needed) For more than a thousand years, we've been making real fighters out of local scum whose idea of a good fight is to backstab someone. Of course, you boys set a new low standard for "local scum", but our Commander needs some new faces for a mission you are about to get."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "A trading caravan from Maadoran will arrive today. When the caravan reaches the gate, it will stay there for a few hours talking to gate guards until the bean counters estimate the cargo and negotiate the levies. At this point, you will attack from the outside. Dressed as raiders. Do you understand the orders?" Well, uhh...

"Why do we have to act like raiders attacking our own people?"

(http://i.imgur.com/4fZVzhq.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "I do not think that you are grasping the nature of our relationship just yet. We are the army. We tell you what to do and you do it in a fast and efficient manner without - I repeat, without - asking idiotic questions to satisfy your thirst for knowledge. If you like to question everything, do it elsewhere."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "So, one more time. Dress as raiders - you'll be given the gear shortly. Then, move into position, wait for the caravan to arrive, attack, and once sufficient casualties are inflicted, fall back. Are you clear?" No, I'm partly cloudy.

"Yes." Might as well, not like the Boatmen are going to be much better.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/1jTTDGz.png)

"It takes you a while to circle around the town. By the time you get to the gate, the caravan is already there. Slaves are unloading the crates, while the merchants are negotiating the levies with the guards sent to inspect the merchandise."

"One of the slaves notices you and yells "Raiders!", pointing in your direction. The merchants drop everything and run for the gate, followed by the slaves. The guards and the mercenaries move forward, ready to meet you. (I'm pretty sure that the gate guards end up dead no matter what path you choose.) Two men in your group split and go after the merchants, leaving you the 'easy' targets to deal with."

(http://i.imgur.com/HyPxpHA.png)

Here are our foes. Keep an eye on that axeman, he's kinda a big deal.  Merchant dude is a mediocre crossbowman if your curious. The other dudes are unambitious meatshields, so don't worry about them too much.

(http://i.imgur.com/6Z9tXqA.png)

Here are our dudes, their roles should be self-explanatory or explained later. Expect to see a lot of battles like this by the way, battles with temporary NPC companions are how Age of Decadence varies its combat without going too far into magic land. There is another reason why group combat is so common, but I'll let you find that out on your own.

Walking forward...

"Fresh meat!"

(http://i.imgur.com/jZNss5L.jpg)

Generic losers step up, and the axeman looms in the distance. Instead of getting cut to pieces, how about we move back a bit?

(http://i.imgur.com/hVLyqqv.png)

You might be annoyingly strong, axeman, but you make a lot of terrible decisions.

I stab the axeman a bit and manage to hit his legs with a %37 attack. Would be a lot better if our axeman wasn't at 1 HP.

(http://i.imgur.com/gMxW2DV.png)

At least you got a special death animation, axe dude. Also, everyone seems to be wounded or badly wounded besides me and the generic swordsmen. Hammerman is pulling his weight it seems.

(http://i.imgur.com/SF3AaK0.png)

Axeman hits me for 11 damage (fucking axemen) and spearman wastes his turn getting his movement interrupted by me. 

I move away from the axeman after poking him and he immediately goes after and kills the hammerman, I told you to keep an eye on him!

I manage to kill both of the axemen in one turn but the swordsmen are still around and have decent health which means...

(http://i.imgur.com/mIeXmKQ.png)

"You catch a sword thrust and time slows down to a crawl. You fall down, staring into nothingness. You absent-mindedly reflect on the fact that for reasons you barely understand, all the promise that your life once held results in you dying, dressed as a raider." Oddly accurate, we were even killed by a swordsmen!

"In death, your body suffers as many indignities as it did in life. It's displayed proudly as a proof that the threat of the raiders has been dealt with and that the likes of you will never again terrorize this peaceful town. Those who knew you know better than to question the official story openly. So, as a lesson to all, your body is left to rot on a cross."

Farewell, Gnaea.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/lGxEbe0.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/fEH0BS7.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/8lmP4C9.png)

Hello, Gnaea. Poison is a wonderful thing, isn't it?

"I'm out," says the other recruit. "If I wanted to rob caravans, I would have joined the raiders." He throws down a blood-covered weapon and walks away." Another rampaging axeman enters the wasteland.

The game boots us out to exploration mode so we can loot corpses, so I do exactly that.

(http://i.imgur.com/Jt9rF4N.png)

"Hey Gnaea! Wait for us!" You glance back and see the recruits who went after the merchants. They're seemingly enjoying the life of an Imperial Guard - thus far. Just another day of protecting the good people of Teron."

"As you get closer, you hear shouts coming from the town. Very soon, this place will be swarming with Daratan guards. You best not be here when they come here looking for blood and vengeance."

To the barracks we go, hopefully we'll get real armor this time.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/bXL7js1.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Good job. The merchants just left. They begged us to do everything in our power to protect Teron. Helping citizens in need is what the Imperial Guards are all about, so we -will- do everything in our power, and power is something we don't lack." You might want to consider a career in stand-up comedy, Centurion. You have so many good jokes.

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "There is one little problem though. The merchants said that two raiders got away, so we need to produce two bodies they will recognize. In other words, we can only take one of you in. Whoever kills the other two first, gets the job. Feel free to start anytime." Feel free to visit the buffet and lounge before the bloodsports begin.

"Alright." Alright, I guess we're killing our comrades.

(http://i.imgur.com/FDEbSr1.png)

Yeah, we can just stand in the back and they'll kill each other for us. We didn't get our wounds healed though so there is still a small chance we'll die.

(http://i.imgur.com/17ATg1V.png)

Things go exactly as planned, farewell blondeman. (He even got impaled (http://media4002.dropshots.com/photos/1181160/20151015/084659.gif), poor bastard.)

(http://i.imgur.com/u8wrXZM.png)

"You look at the dead bodies sprawled around you and the blood slowly spreading on the ground. An unfortunate turn of events, but better them than you." Something about this line makes me think it is a reference to Fallout or something, but it probably isn't.

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Well, well, well..." The Centurion signals and the other guards start stripping the bodies of their armor and weapons. "To be honest, I thought it was going to be the other guy, but I like surprises. Welcome to the Imperial Guards, the only home you'll ever need. (You can check in, but you can never leave.) Go inside and see Shorty about some armor. He's our quartermaster. Rest and report back to me."

*You gain a new insight, 17 skill points gained*

*Imperial Guards reputation increased*

*Commercium reputation decreased*

*House Daratan reputation decreased*

"No spoils of war for the victor?" Probably needs some explanation since it applies to most of the IG battles.

"You're a soldier now, not a looter. We give you what you need, as for the spoils, don't worry, we'll put them to good use."

With that explained, to the Dwarven quartermaster!

---

(http://i.imgur.com/EakjyfV.png)

"Ah, the new recruit. Welcome to the family." Shorty gives you new armor and you pay."

Oh, I wonder what amount of-

(http://i.imgur.com/UmdMBSv.png)

We're chosen alright, but not chosen by the Emperor it seems.

(http://i.imgur.com/hJ1S99q.png)

The iron version of the Lorica Segmentata has a DR 8 and the iron Lorica Musculata has DR 7, but the armor penalty is lower so we might as well go with it so we can get a better shield without fucking our To-hit-chance. That, and I think we can all appreciate how dumb the Musculata looks (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/Greek_bronze_panoply_in_RMO_AvL.JPG). 

Not exactly satisfied with how these updates are turning out. Maybe I'll hit my groove at part 6 like I did with the previous Let's Play, maybe not.

Stats=all the same.

Skills: Spear 5, Block 3, Critical Strike 4, Alchemy 4.

Faction Reputations: HA 1, HC 1, HD 0, AG 0, MG 0, IG 2, TG 0.

General Reputations: Body Count 7, everything else 0.

Traits: Legionary, "You've joined the Imperial Guards to be All You Can Be."

Title: Re: Let's Play The Age of Decadence Part 3: Regicide and Rampant Roughness
Post by: A Thing on July 12, 2016, 01:11:45 am

The king is dead, long live the Dux (https://youtu.be/12HXnYNA6Cg?t=18m20s)!

Spoiler: The inevitable occurs (click to show/hide)

While I'm probably going to finish the IG questline in Teron today, I want to show off some combat sidequest stuff first. First we need to visit our old friend Aemolas.

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Something something I'm probably going to rape your daughter."

"I'd rather you not rape my daughter, goodbye."

"What's going on here?"

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Give me money for this quest or get out."

"Alright."

"Thanks for the debt. Come to my store if you want shitty armor, it's my specialty."

We'll talk to him when we're skilled enough to take out the 5+ raiders infesting his old village. Off to Miltiades.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/yNoR6af.png) "Would you like to take a look? My wares are in a house nearby."

"Sure, I'd like to take a look." Can I mention how busted Miltiades scheme here is? He is robbing people who are armed. How does he make a profit from this when his mercs are probably dead after a couple of robberies? Whatever, let's get to the action already.

"You follow Miltiades to his house. His servants greet you at the door and let you in. They are well armed and armored, but these are dangerous times. You never know whom you can trust these days." Besides Miltiades, of course.

(http://i.imgur.com/2VQVySK.png)

"The room is empty. You turn around to ask Miltiades where his merchandise is, when his servants draw weapons and attack without saying a word."

(http://i.imgur.com/ZLM0Ezm.png)

You've gone too far, Gnaea. According to Redbeard anyway. I can't remember this battle exactly but I'm pretty sure dagger dude does more damage than the axe dude so I go after him. It could be that he's just shit and the axe-dude is the real threat. We'll find out soon.

(http://i.imgur.com/8DQvK8l.png)

The armor+shield was worth it. The highest damage they are doing to us is that six. Just wait until we're good enough for spear cheese.

Sadly our arms got aimed attacked into oblivion which means (https://youtu.be/12HXnYNA6Cg?t=22m52s)...

(http://i.imgur.com/mIeXmKQ.png)

"Deals that are too good to be true usually aren't. Nevertheless, deep down inside you wanted to believe. People get lucky all the time and get something for nothing. Why couldn't you be one of them."

"The way you saw it, the universe owed you and it was about time it paid you - with interest. So, instead of doing the smart thing, you followed the trader like a lamb to its slaughter and got yourself killed over what little you had. The universe remained indifferent." Good thing we have save-load destiny then.

(http://i.imgur.com/8imOWP3.png)

Poison is a beautiful thing, it really is. Now that we've gotten the spoils of war, let's go to the merchants.

"So much for "the finest armor at great prices"... You look at the dead bodies and the blood slowly spreading on the floor. Well, they don't look too happy with the outcome either. Then again, life is full of disappointments." Like the subway five dollar foot long not actually being a foot long.

(http://i.imgur.com/2qpvH4E.png)

We mill about waiting for Miltiades, I suppose we're really that hungry for revenge.

(http://i.imgur.com/yNoR6af.png) "Is it done?" The door opens, letting Miltiades in. He looks at the dead men on the floor and swallows."

Seems like a terrible idea to let someone who tried to kill us leave unscathed.

(http://i.imgur.com/jEMBGhI.png)

"You grab Miltiades by the hair (Not the beard, anything but the beard!) and drag the blade across his throat, severing the arteries. The blood shoots up and you release the body, letting it slide down to the floor."

Now we go to the merchants, probably.

I sell all of the junk we got off of Miltiades and pals and get some (extremely valuable) bolas and nets. That ends the side-quest stuff I wanted to show off, but there is a bit of dialogue from the jellyhobos that I didn't show in the previous playthrough. There is also a ton of alchemical plants I can harvest around town, however I don't think that'll make interesting Let's Play material.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/H10lWoJ.png)

While looking for mushrooms and the like I found this near the IG fort. Don't think this is ever mentioned. Teron is the oldest area in the game so it might be part of a cut side-quest or something. Could also be something about fucking mothers knowing the Romans.

(http://i.imgur.com/bREfaaX.png)

Also, I forgot about this guy. Probably should talk to him.

"Business or pleasure?" inquires an old man sitting on one of the graves." At least I'm not the only one making necrophilia jokes anymore. Inadvertently or not, it still counts!

"Business."

"Business it is. Well then, let's get to it, shall we? It's five coins for a group grave. For those who were accustomed to the finer things in life and undoubtedly expect the same quality in their afterlife, they can have an individual spot for the low price of just ten coins - quite a deal, isn't it, my friend?"

"Got it. What was the other option?"

"The pleasure of my company, (Sure, sure.) which isn't free, mind you. I'm what some might call the town's historian, so if you're looking to educate your dumb self, look no further. Five dead emperors, please."

"Maybe later." Maybe if you buy the game yourself you can see what he has to say, I'm done with lore dialogue.

One last thing, one last thing.

"While making your daily walk past the cemetery - the company of the recently deceased has a calming effect on you - you notice a half-buried body. A closer examination reveals broken legs and ribs sticking out of his chest. Someone really did a number on him. Not squeamish, you poke around and find the victim's tools of the trade - a grappling hook with a length of rope and a climbing hook." This is supposed to be the player character from the thief background from what I remember.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/5q6oCtf.png)

"As you descend, a half a dozen rats abandon their dinner - rotting human remains - and disappear inside numerous holes in the walls. Looks like the squatters are breeding the rats and feeding them corpses. The stench is nauseating."

"One of the squatters follows you into the cellar. "If you want a rat, you have to pay. No free shit here," he says firmly."

"Can I fight them?" Yeah, but how does it taste?

"Fight them? Why would you want to fight them?"

"Where I come from, fighting rats in cellars is a time-honored tradition. It's how boys become men." Not how girls become women though.

"Look keep your hands off our rats, ok?"

That's all for that, back to the Fort.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/KuljMns.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Are you ready for your next assignment?"

"Yes."

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Good. Get in line and wait for Commander Carrinas."

"Commander Marcus Carrinas learned his trade in numerous battles with barbarians (https://youtu.be/12HXnYNA6Cg?t=10m1s) and renegade Houses. His tactics lacked finesse, but showed strength and willingness to fight no matter the odds, giving Carrinas the nickname 'the Bull'. The reward for his most recent battle had been a promotion to the rank of Legatus Legionis - and a deep shoulder wound that had never healed properly. Despite his protests, Carrinas was sent to Teron to "prevent Antidas from doing anything stupid". Since the Bull had always preferred permanent solutions to problems, he started training new recruits without delay." New recruits for guarding the noble citizenry, yep.

(http://i.imgur.com/RuxM6Cm.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/ibDjIjt.png) "We have a formal complaint from the merchants' guild. It appears that the local militia is no longer able to protect the town, watching helplessly as raiders, thieves, and other scum attack in broad daylight. Although the rules prevent us from getting involved into the affairs of Noble houses, I believe that this situation gives us no choices but to get involved. Teron will NOT fall! I can promise you that much!" Back to the command room he goes; here come the generic centurions.

(http://i.imgur.com/u6yMkLo.png)

"The centurion assigns you to a five-man unit, led by a Decanus - a legionary in a charge of a small unit. From what you've heard Decanii usually commanded ten-man units, but things are different today." It might have something to do with the casualty rate of recruits.

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Alright, boys. You heard the Commander. We're taking over, one tower at a time." He grins. "Once we control the perimeter - the gate and the towers - Teron is ours. House Daratan will be under siege and cut off. I'll be surprised if they last a week." If the Daratan palace doesn't have a secret escape route, it isn't a palace.

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Now, your task is to capture this tower." He marks it on his map. "Inform the local guards that their services are no longer required. If they resist, kill them. Dismissed."

A marching we go.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/V3QfJt1.png)

"Your unit marches through town. Sensing your purpose, the townsfolk clear the streets. Your target is an old two-storey stone tower built into the town wall. There are two guards near the ground floor entrance and two guards patrolling the wall's battlements which go through the tower."

(http://i.imgur.com/5Wu3lUb.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "The Decanus stops, pushes out his chest, and says in a loud, theatrical voice: "We hereby order you to put down your weapons and ..." A well-aimed crossbow bolt hits him in the neck just above the armor, interrupting the speech and throwing him backwards." It's the Battle of Agincourt all over again!

"The Captain of the Daratan guards lowers his crossbow and steps back inside the tower, arrogantly considering the matter settled. His men on the ground raise their shields, waiting for your next move; the archers on the battlements are stringing their long bows. It doesn't look good."

(http://i.imgur.com/mGz0Xyz.png)

"For a moment, your unit is frozen with shock. It happened too fast and without any warning. Then the arguments starts. Some men urge to attack, being more terrified of reporting the failure than of the local guards. Some insist on going back to get some reinforcements. It's clear that there isn't a single veteran in the group. While you're considering the situation, a decision is made to attack the tower, no matter the odds."

[intelligence success] "I have a better idea." This may or may not be the reason behind the high intelligence stat.

"You start your speech with "We'll lose most men - if not all - in the frontal assault." It gets everyone's attention. "The men on the ground will keep us from getting into the tower while the archers on the battlements will rain arrows from above. We won't stand a chance."

"We need to get to the battlements and attack from above. It will put the archers at a disadvantage and it would take the swordsmen a while to reach us."

"However," you finally get to the most important point. "Someone needs to distract the guards and keep them busy while the rest of us scale the walls." Talking to Daratan guards is a very grim fate.

The Guards respond to our speech with...

(http://i.imgur.com/k8n94jD.png) "Ha! Whoever will stay to distract the guards is as good as dead. I'd rather fight with my brothers.," says one of the men. Everyone nods in agreement. "We've decided to attack, so either fall in line or run away."

"You want to fight with your brothers? Fine. I'll distract the guards and you will scale the walls and fight together."

"Nobody seems to have any objections this time. The men fall back as you start walking toward the Daratan guards."

(http://i.imgur.com/XG0TZSc.png)

"Shouting battle cries (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=40m50s), you run toward the tower. the archers let loose a barrage of arrows and the fun begins."

[block] "Shield up!"

[failure] "An arrow hits you in the thigh, narrowly missing the bone. A few more feet and you're under the shadow of the tower, safe from most arrows."

(http://i.imgur.com/1YLTbN6.png)

Feeling a bit of deja vu here. Also, these guys get a turn to poke us before we can act which is a bit weird. Did we just stop charging or something?

We hold long enough for the archers to be killed, but not long enough to get reinforcements.

(http://i.imgur.com/mIeXmKQ.png)

"When they sent your unit to take that tower, you knew that some of your men wouldn't be coming back. You just never believed that you would be one of them. To be fair, nobody ever does. It's part of the game and nobody plays to lose. You roll the dice and hope for the best. Day after day, you're granted a free pass and then - out of the blue - your number's up and the game is over. It's your turn to be the one that doesn't come back."

"You don't believe it at first. Plenty of people have taken a blade through the guts and survived. (Not in Age of Decadence though. Everyone dies from their wounds in this universe.) Determined to stay alive until a doc is sent in to patch up the wounded, you crawl away from the fight. It's only when you glance back and see a trail of blood and intestines that you realize you're beyond help, that today's your turn. You die before the fight is over."

Also, before I skip to the end of the battle I want to mention how annoying the infantrymen rushing into the tower is. Apparently going up a flight of stairs takes up less AP than walking on a level surface does, so our opponents will charge into the tower if we walk back a tile or two.

(http://i.imgur.com/3pJCv9b.png)

What an ally. I feel victory already. Hopefully spear cheese will save us.

(http://i.imgur.com/eR4IXNq.png)

Did you really expect anything different? Anyway, we died so this Gnaea wasn't the right one and I disinherit her of all things.

(http://i.imgur.com/e0403br.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/gHpOvyq.png)

The Imperial Guards finally applied themselves and now we probably won't die!

(http://i.imgur.com/C7jgVWN.png)

They killed both of those soldiers in three turns. I'm proud of you IG, I really am. Tower-shield axeman was the real danger in that fight, by the way. Turns out that passive axes have is really powerful in a game with low HP counts.

The next turn the last archer dies and we are teleported back to the fort for, hopefully, commendations.

(http://i.imgur.com/KuljMns.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Well done, Gnaea. You faced the Daratan guards alone and lasted long enough to buy your men time to scale the walls and attack from the side. We would have lost more men if not for you." Keep in mind that we're not even playing a "good" spear user since two-handed spears are significantly better. Spears are my favorite weapon in this game for a reason.

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Since you like to fight alone, let me show you a few tricks. You see, you can always tell when your opponent is about to attack. It's much easier to dodge or block an attack if you see it coming..." If you see someone preparing to attack then it is probably too late to block or dodge. Just saying. 

*You gain a new insight - 16 skill points gained.*

*Imperial Guards reputation increased.*

*House Daratan reputation decreased.*

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "Rest for a few hours, tend to your gear, and report back to me."

*You receive much needed combat training, increasing your chance to block and dodge enemy's attacks by 5.*

*Your Dodge and Block training has increased by 5 points.*

*You gain an Iron Legionary armor and helmet.*

If it wasn't obvious, we wouldn't have gotten any of that if we just charged in. Being semi-intelligent does have some perks in this world.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/aCEqMpf.png)

The Imperial Guards theme has started playing and the merchant plaza is empty; I think something important might be happening soon.

(http://i.imgur.com/ukwmBa4.png)

Before we leave for the FINAL PUSH, look at these weird IG banners. I don't think they are used anywhere else besides Teron. One might question why they are in the game at all.

(http://i.imgur.com/8c10LNm.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png)"I was looking for you. One last push, Gnaea, and we're there. Are you ready to go?"

"Yes."

(http://i.imgur.com/Cbh2hYV.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/VLq9DyZ.png) "The Commander wants to have a word with you. Wait here."

And so we wait for an unspecified amount of time.

(http://i.imgur.com/RFfPxpe.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/ibDjIjt.png) "At ease soldier." Commander Carrinas walks in and gives you a quick nod."

(http://i.imgur.com/ibDjIjt.png) "I've heard good things about you. You know how to use your head and you can hold your own in a fight."

(http://i.imgur.com/ibDjIjt.png) "Here is the situation. House Daratan is a dying House, yet Antidas is clinging to Teron and dragging it down with him. Now, the Charter allows us to step in - temporarily - and defend any and all Imperial property, if they are in direct danger of being attacked, but that's as far as we can go. If we dared to attack a House, we'd have to deal with the combined power of all the Houses, which would only further strengthen House Aurelian."

(http://i.imgur.com/ibDjIjt.png) "However, if House Daratan were to strike at us, violating the Charter and demonstrating Antidas' inability to reason and govern, then it would be an entirely different story. The Charter grants us both the right to defend ourselves and the duty to deal with warmongers to protect other Houses." If you haven't figured out Carrinas' plan by now, I can't help you.

(http://i.imgur.com/ibDjIjt.png) "Thus, our plan is simple - we'll provoke Antidas into attacking our delegation, which you will lead. Don't worry, I'll give you enough chems to ensure your survival. When Antidas falls, it's over." Over for whom?

(http://i.imgur.com/ibDjIjt.png) "However, if there was a way to avoid the bloodshed... it would strengthen our claim and position. Do what you can, Gnaea. I know you won't let me down."

"The Charter?" We gotta make sure Carrinas doesn't actually think we're intelligent.

(http://i.imgur.com/ibDjIjt.png) "The Noble Houses' scheming and greed has brought down the Empire. Carving the land into lordships was easy. Figuring out what to do with the Imperial army, before it would become a real problem, wasn't. In the end, the Houses agreed that maintaining a strong army protecting the land and keeping the barbarian hordes at bay was in everyone's best interest. Obviously, such a weapon couldn't be wielded by a single hand, and so the Charter outlining what the army can and cannot do was drafted and signed. The goal was to keep the soldiers well fed, ready, and away from the Houses' domains."

(http://i.imgur.com/ibDjIjt.png) "Over the centuries the Houses' numbers and powers dwindled, our grew. It's time to take the next step."

We could ask him about his motives but they should be pretty obvious at this point. Now let one of the biggest playable battles in the game begin.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/JA32Q4f.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "The Tower guards take aim, but Dellar gestures and they lower their crossbows. "Lord Antidas has been expecting you."

Worth mentioning that our guard buddies here are better equipped and trained because of how we handled the tower.

---

"You enter the hall of Antidas, a half dozen Imperial Guards trailing behind you."

(http://i.imgur.com/1qc2UqJ.png)

"Wherever you look, you see exotic tapestries and paintings, rare vases, gleaming statues. Ornate pillars run the length of the hall, all the way to the throne itself, where Lord Antidas is sitting in front of his audience, a group of petitioners seeking his aid and favor. Soldiers of the House stand guard, ready to shield Antidas and turn the hall into a slaughterhouse at the first sign of trouble."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "The petitioners look at you and your men with a mixture of fear and curiosity, waiting for Antidas to give the order. Dellar steps forward and puts his hand on the pommel of his sword. "Let her speak", says Antidas."

"My Lord, I'm sure you're aware of the situation..."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "I'm aware that I'm under siege in my own town. If Carrinas wants war, he'll get it."
 
[persuasion] [trading] "Is Teron worth fighting for, my Lord? Your ambitions go no further these days?" This can't end well.

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) [failure] "Is that why Carrinas wants it? Because his ambitions are limited? I don't think this conversation is going anywhere. Kill them all."

[dexterity] [critical strike] "Go after Antidas. Be a hero."

[dexterity failure] "You slowly move toward Antidas, but one of his spearmen drives you back with a quick and painful jab." The irony is searing.

(http://i.imgur.com/UDjqSi3.png)

Main problem in this battle is Dellar. The "elite" guards all do mediocre damage and the spearmen are prone to getting cornered. Antidas can also be annoying but isn't a major problem for block characters. The same is true of most of the Guardsmen excluding the axe-dude, and because of that my plan is to help axe-dude so he can get close enough to kill or at least wound Dellar.

(http://i.imgur.com/NzV3J3n.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/Lusx5zQ.png)

The plan is going almost perfectly. Dellar might've taken out a Tower-shield Guard and the spearman might've almost taken out another, but there isn't much that can be done about that. I suppose we could've jumped into Dellar's face at the beginning of the combat, but you saw what he did to the well-armored guy with a tower-shield. Hopefully he won't do that to the axeman, hopefully.

(http://i.imgur.com/TjYBkzY.png)

Of course, of course. Farewell axeman. You had a good run.

(http://i.imgur.com/9Y9CRBZ.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/v8Pgpjt.png)

Somehow Dellar ignored the opportunity to rip our throat out. Either way the axeman is fucked. Now you know why I fear and hate Dellar.

(http://i.imgur.com/yhSttj4.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/Cqw6NzP.png)

He ate the axeman and now he's going to eat me!

We try to push him away and instead he pushes his sword into our esophagus.

(http://i.imgur.com/mIeXmKQ.png)

"It happened all too quickly. You said your words and Antidas shouted his orders. His men rushed at your group from every direction and for a brief moment, it looked like you had a chance. It seemed as if only a second had passed before you were on the floor, bleeding like a pig, while your brethren fought - and died, one by one."

"Your head was chopped off and sent to Carrinas as a gift. He didn't spend any time grieving, immediately ordering an attack in retaliation for the merciless slaughter of his peace delegation. Amidst the chaos, your head never had an opportunity to receive the honors it undoubtedly deserved and was thrown out with the rest of the garbage."

(http://i.imgur.com/wL3xb5d.png)

This is the result of me trying to shieldbash Dellar on the first turn. Dellar's abilities have just become comical at this point.

(http://i.imgur.com/7XSnV88.png)

Dellar is in a bad state in this reality, however he did just brutally murder (http://media4001.dropshots.com/photos/1181160/20151015/084619.gif) axe-Guard so things can still go sour.

And things did go sour. Also, just remembered the nets and bolas that I was saving for this fight. I'm sure I'll remember to use them next time.

(http://i.imgur.com/uvHD8pi.png)

This portends only good things, I'm sure.

(http://i.imgur.com/L7BZr3c.png)

If only we had more than 7 HP.

Dellar was impaled through the skull and Antidas was impaled through the skull. The spear-Guard is definitely more effective than I remember him being. Anyway, the battle is over and we've finished the most difficult section of the game. It's all blood festivals from here on out!

---

(http://i.imgur.com/lxlKX1q.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/ibDjIjt.png) "I'm glad to see that you're still with us. We lost a lot of good men today, but now the town belongs to us now. Antidas is dead and House Daratan is no more. We're one step closer to our goal, tanks to you." Our reputations were changed earlier but the game put them in the combat log for some reason. Suffice it to say that the Noble Houses don't like us anymore and the IG is a bit fond of us. Also, we're known for our combat prowess now even though we didn't actually kill Antidas.

(http://i.imgur.com/ibDjIjt.png) "You're good in a fight, Gnaea, but where we're going, you'd have to be better than most."

(http://i.imgur.com/ibDjIjt.png) "Centurion! We have three days. I want this legionary to do nothing but fight until she can no longer stand. There will be plenty of time to rest when we're all dead. Dismissed!"

*You gain a new insight - 17 skill points gained

*You receive much needed combat training, increasing your accuracy with melee weapons by 10.*

*You receive much needed combat training, increasing your chance to block and dodge enemy's attacks by 10.*

"Three days later..."

---

(http://i.imgur.com/rzmVMA7.png)

We see Shorty for the last time. This is just a point to save if you couldn't tell, I don't think Shorty has anything new to say or sell.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/u6N03ne.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/ibDjIjt.png) "Ah, Gnaea! I was just telling master Erastus here", he points at a richly dressed, angry looking man wearing House Aurelian's insignia, "that Lord Antidas had attacked our delegation without warning and, sadly, perished in the battle that ensued."

"It's regicide, Carrinas!", interrupts Erastus. "Regicide! You were always mad but now you've gone too far! Lord Gaelius demands that you send the members of this so-called delegation to him in chains. I don't have to explain what will happen if you refuse, do I?"

Gaelius will join House Crassus? Or Erastus will just leave.

(http://i.imgur.com/ibDjIjt.png) "Gnaea", says Carrinas with a faint smile, "you're going to Maadoran."

(http://i.imgur.com/ibDjIjt.png) "We have no choice, but to send you to Gaelius. Of course, if you were to escape during the trip, being afraid for your life - rightfully so, I might add - then I don't see how anyone can blame us. Don't worry, we'll make sure that your chains will be easy to break and find a way to get you a short dagger. Once you're far from Teron, kill Gaelius' men, make your way to Maadoran, and report to General Pavola. Any questions?"

"Why not go with the questioning?"

(http://i.imgur.com/ibDjIjt.png) "Gaelius is a clever man. Don't underestimate him. If he even suspects that something isn't what it seems, you will die in his torture chambers. There is too much of a risk."

"I can handle it. Trust me." The only thing we can't handle is using a dagger.

(http://i.imgur.com/ibDjIjt.png) "Alright, Gnaea. If you can pull it off, it would work much better than the escape plan, but if you can't..."

"I won't betray you." I'll only defect from you.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/6Dgibv3.png)

"Stripped to a tunic, you are chained and put in a cage sitting atop a cart. Several slaves slowly pull the cart through the streets of Teron, with Erastus and his two men walking behind it."

"You inspect the chains - they look solid, but when you pull them you feel the metal giving in and bending easily. It looks like the cage's hinges have received a similar treatment. A small clay amphora with drinking water seems a few pounds heavier than it should be."

Fighting three men with a dagger while wearing a tunic doesn't sound all that appealing, so let's not do that.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/9siHaWd.png)

"The dream of restoring the Empire dies with Lord Antidas (https://youtu.be/12HXnYNA6Cg?t=25m8s), (Well if no man is born an Emperor, was the dream ever alive through him? He definitely wasn't able to give the title to himself in life at the very least.) as does any hope of saving House Daratan from fading into the history scrolls."

"With Antidas finally out of way, the Imperial Guards seize control of Teron, establishing martial law and press-ganging the remnants of Antidas' men into service. Thieves, beggars, and other 'undesirable' elements are rounded up and crucified outside the gates as a warning to others."

"Proving that success is never punished, Caer-Tor chooses to back Commander Carrinas, shifting the balance of power away from House Aurelian and weakening their grip on the region."

"The new regime imposes heavy taxes and restrictions on the Commercium's operations in Teron. Unable to secure the favor it once enjoyed, the guild's power and influence start to wane." The Guards are the most idealistic of the factions, don't you remember?

(http://i.imgur.com/L6DVSh8.png)

"When the Empire fell, the combined might of seven Noble Houses that survived the war was enough to keep what was left of the Imperial Army in check. Since then, the Imperial Guards have grown in power, while the strength of the Noble Houses has diminished."

"The events in Teron tell Lord Gaelius that the scales have once again been tipped. (Maybe he should renew his gym membership.) House Crassus is too pre-occupied with the occult and shows no interest in reality, leaving the task of reining in the Imperial Guards to House Aurelian. Alone, he doesn't stand a chance, and good allies are in short supply these days. Neither sellswords nor Meru's fanatics can be relied on. With no other alternative, Gaelius sends messengers to the Ordu." The plot thickens, if you didn't read the old Let's Play that is. If not, why not?

"Confident that the Ordu will accept his proposal, Gaelius is planning to use them as his private army able to easily keep the Imperial Guards - and everyone else - at bay. All that stands between him and his dreams is the mountain range that acts as a natural border between the southern cities and the wasteland. The only pass, high in the mountains, is held by a small detachment of the Guards."

"The Ordu tribes are the old foe, (I thought our ancestral foe was trolls?) responsible for much bloodshed in the past. Until the Ordu army is through the past, ready to do his bidding, Gaelius can't afford to aid them. With nothing to be done, but wait, Gaelius' only hope is that the Ordu won't be spotted until it's too late. He is aware of the risks associated with bringing a foreign and volatile army to Maadoran, but the growing threat of the Imperial Guards leaves him no choice."

(http://i.imgur.com/J5ExNOm.png)

"After a few weeks of travel, Maadoran's marble minarets and sandstone domes finally appear out of the shimmering desert. Once the jewel of the Empire, it is now a city of crumbling ruins and forgotten glory; the rivers that fed it dry, its once fertile fields now barren rock and endless, drifting sand."

"The Great War devastated Maadoran, almost a quarter of its citizens died in the arcane blast that created the infamous Abyss. The sickness that followed it nearly succeeded in wiping out the rest. But cities rarely die with dignity. Man returned to Maadoran, scavengers seeking to loot the treasures of the past, oblivious to the weight of the history around them as they squabbled over food and gold."

(http://i.imgur.com/90MEicM.png)

"You enter the main hall of Maadoran's palace. At the far end of it, Lord Gaelius hold court, receiving daily visitors in the order of their importance. A row of guards form a barrier between the Lord of the House and the petitioners, with blank stares on their faces. Another row forms a semi-circle around Gaelius, their eyes constantly scanning the crowd."

"Erastus quickly explains the situation to a legatus, while Lord Gaelius listens carefully, glancing in your direction. He asks the legatus something before gesturing for you to approach."

(http://i.imgur.com/Pddd3MM.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "As I'm sure you know," says Gaelius addressing his court, "Lord Antidas has been slain in his own palace. Slain not by the outside forces seeking to bring chaos to our cities, but by the enemies within, those who were supposed to defend us from very chaos they've unleashed." Very clever.

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "The Imperial Guards," Gaelius makes a meaningful pause, letting the crowd grasp the gravity of the situation. "One of the murderers is here today, to plead her innocence and try to convince us that the attack on a sovereign lord was somehow justified." The crowd isn't impressed with you so far. Gaelius smiles and turns his attention to you."

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "Speak, villain!"

"A lord who can't protect his domain isn't much of a lord. Teron was constantly attacked, while Antidas sat there and did nothing. We were forced to act, since nobody else did." Other option is to say that Antidas attacked us. I assume he wouldn't believe that since Carrinas plans aren't exactly subtle.

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "Who are you to take it upon yourself to judge a lord and offer opinions on what he should and shouldn't do? We all have our own lots. Yours is to serve and obey!" Yeah, this is a dialogue sequence where we can say things without having to use skill-checks which is why I chose it. Sadly a rare thing in this game, but non-combat characters have to have some challenge to them I suppose.

"Have you confused the Imperial Guards with peasants toiling in your fields *my Lord*? We serve only the Empire and you'd do well to remember that." The other option says that "The Charter judged Antidas" which is false. You can't say to Gaelius that the Guards had to take action then shift to "Nah, we totally did it in self-defense."

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "And you'd do well to remember whom you're talking to," snaps Gaelius. "Take her away!"

"Wait! I demand a trial by combat!"

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "Trial by combat? You must have heard too many stories about the olden days growing up," says Gaelius with a smirk. The legatus whispers something in his ear and Gaelius smiles, nodding slightly."

(http://i.imgur.com/4Bmp4AF.png) "It's your lucky day, soldier. It seems we'll be able to accommodate your request after all."

---

(http://i.imgur.com/HvmLGjp.png)

"The legatus takes you to a small square planted with crosses, some empty, some occupied. Four shackled prisoners are sitting on the ground, waiting to be executed. Several guards are standing nearby."

(http://i.imgur.com/k8n94jD.png) "Change of plans, boys," says the legatus. "We're going to have a trial by combat here, like in the stories. Since the charges against the defendant are grave, she will have to fight this whole lot. Kill them and you're a free woman."

(http://i.imgur.com/k8n94jD.png) "You kill her," he says, addressing the prisoners, "you will be freed and expelled from the city." He gestures and the guards start distributing bronze gladii to the combatants."

"Are you going to give me a weapon?" Spumblers: yes. Fists are demilitarized in this world.

(http://i.imgur.com/k8n94jD.png) "Tell me what you need, soldier. I owe you a fair fight - within reasons, of course - and that's what you're going to get."

He really does have what we need, we can get a weapon from all the different classes. "A spear." 

"A spear against four men?" He gives you a bronze hasta." Obviously this man has never used a spear.

"How about a shield?"

"What's next? Armor and some servants? Take this buckler and get on with it."

(http://i.imgur.com/sA2yFCw.png)

This battle is so hilariously easy that I think only a video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaqTkndMhxI) could do it justice.

"Well, what do you know?" says the legatus. "Looks like you are innocent of all charges."

"Welcome to Maadoran, girl."

(http://i.imgur.com/RKLRZtO.png)

I just realized I'm uploading to imgur and Youtube at the same time, probably shouldn't have done that, probably why this is taking forever.

Stats: all the same.

Skills: Spear 6, Block 4, Critical strike 5, Alchemy 5.

Faction Reputations: HA -1, HC-1, HD -29, AG 0, MG -7, IG 6, TG 0.

General Reputations: Body Count 14, Combat 1, Loyalty 0, Peacemaker 0, Prestige 0, Word of Honor 0.

Spoiler: new trait (click to show/hide)

Kingslayer: You've provoked Lord Antidas to attack the Imperial Guards' delegation and killed him without hesitation, committing regicide.

Title: Re: Let's Play The Age of Decadence Part 4: Hero of Harran Harries Heathens
Post by: A Thing on July 23, 2016, 11:29:15 pm

Spoiler: Oh boy, a multi-parter! (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/RKLRZtO.png)

We're still here and we're still half-naked. Going to the IG fort isn't really optional.

(http://i.imgur.com/oLLLYRh.png)

There's a caravan. There is also a merchant being robbed by thugs. What can we do? Nothing since we're a low-level block character and we need heavy armor.

(http://i.imgur.com/BAvE3ya.png)

I feel as if the game is telling us something. Only plebs like arenas though so we just continue onward to Pavola.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/A6737kH.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/WLi8uVi.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/UaC0z7l.png) "An observant person could deduce much about Legatus Pavola by his rank and posting. Maadoran is the last place where troubles are expected, which means that the legatus' abilities weren't needed elsewhere, which means they weren't needed at all. At the same time, it was an important post, which could only be given to a reliable officer accustomed to carrying out orders quickly and efficiently, without ever questioning them. Finally, both the rank and the posting suggested that Pavola was a performance-oriented officer who knew how to keep his superiors happy - an often overlooked trait but vital for one's advancement." To summarize: he's a competent but average officer who needed to go somewhere so he ended up here.

(http://i.imgur.com/UaC0z7l.png) "Carrinas!" (Antidas!) says Legatus Pavola instead of greeting you. "That son of a bitch could never get along with anyone. (He seemed to like us, I suppose we aren't a queen though.) They thought they got rid of him when they sent him to Teron. He sure showed them! And now what? Now Gaelius looks at me as if I'm his enemy. Now I have to be. Now it's him or me. Fucking Carrinas! They should have just spared us the headache and sent that son of a bitch back to the wasteland."

Options are either "Well, he did succeed..." or the extremely dense "What headache?" I think I know what I'm going to pick.

"Well, he did succeed..."

(http://i.imgur.com/UaC0z7l.png) "He did," agrees Pavola. "Carrinas is the new lord of Teron. We all dreamt to rule Teron one day, but he went to conquered it. And then he wept (for the end of innocence?) because there were no more shitholes to conquer. A tragic fucking tale."

"You mentioned a problem?" I guess we have to be dense.

(http://i.imgur.com/UaC0z7l.png) "How do you think Gaelius reacted to the news? (15000 imperials worth of concubines and wine?) We are guests in his city. I did twenty five hard years in the wasteland to earn this post. I wanted peace and quiet and what better place to enjoy it than Maadoran - the city of all cities. Lucky for me, Carrinas had other plans, so now I have to look over my shoulder and wonder what Gaelius is up to, especially after I let that fat fuck Strabos talk me into getting involved in his plot."

"Peace and quiet? That's all you dream of?"

(http://i.imgur.com/UaC0z7l.png) "What else is there? Oh, I was young once too and thought that we fight for something, that we have the power to make the world a better place, that our sacrifice has a purpose. It doesn't."

(http://i.imgur.com/UaC0z7l.png) "Me, I can live with it. Carrinas can't. His life must have a meaning. His sacrifice a purpose, even if he has to start a war to forge it in fire. Still, I'm a soldier and if I have to fight, I will. I would have preferred peace and quiet though." At least Pavola is a mediocre leader with no ambition, he could've been Antidas, he could've been Antidas.

"You mentioned a plot?" You mentioned possible plot advancement?

(http://i.imgur.com/UaC0z7l.png) "Pavola sighs. "Strabos, the head of the merchants, came to me and asked me to back him up. The way he presented it to me, it was a done deal. (That argument was, if you can't remember, something around the lines of "You're fucked no matter what happens, so get in our bed and it'll be a bit softer.") Gaelius would be gone, Serenas - his nephew - would take his place and the rest of us would be back to peace and quiet." 

(http://i.imgur.com/UaC0z7l.png) "Guess what? The Boatmen got involved and a lot of people, including Serenas and other conspirators, ended up dead. Except for Strabos. Which is where you come in."

"What do I have to do with that?"

(http://i.imgur.com/UaC0z7l.png) "Strabos is shitting his pants. Rightfully so, I might add. He's begging me to protect him. I wouldn't even speak of it, but he's offering a trade - his life for what he claims to be vital information."

(http://i.imgur.com/UaC0z7l.png) "I don't want my men to be seen around a traitor who conspired to kill Lord Gaelius, but you are new to the city. Nobody knows you." Especially Gaelius, he blacks out when he's sassed.

"What do I have to do, Legatus?"

(http://i.imgur.com/UaC0z7l.png) "Spend an evening with him, listen to his bullshit, kill anyone who might look threatening, and get the info. One evening. That's the deal I made with Strabos. They kill him tomorrow - not my problem. (That sounds like a massive oversight in his plan.) Tonight, he's safe because one of my finest will be looking after him," he says, slapping you on the shoulder."

"I was told that my things will be sent here. Where can I find them?" Deep within your heart.

"Do I look like a quartermaster to you? Talk to Vitus, he should have it."

(http://i.imgur.com/63TUTml.png)

"What do you need?" inquires the quartermaster, his tone indicating that the only acceptable answer to his question is "nothing"." I don't know why Vitus has a name, but he does.

"Do you have my things?"

"They're in the chest over there. Here's the key."

"Thanks." Say farewell to the LP, Vitus. You'll probably never be featured again.

Now that we've gotten our equipment, there is a special someone that we're going to give a stern talking to.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/NhWACC7.png)

No, not that guy.

(http://i.imgur.com/U3AtovY.png)

This guy.

"You see a drunken man yelling at the patrons and waving around his spear. Accustomed to his outbursts, the patrons seem to be ignoring him. You couldn't help but notice that it's a damn good spear, steel, custom-made."

"Nice spear." This guy was added in an update by the way. He's got a one-handed spear with two-handed range, it's kinda something we want.

(http://i.imgur.com/m8TPxJL.png)

"Nice spear?! Ha! This spear had made me the champion of the fucking arena (That's an unfortunate bit of wording there.) back when the title meant something!" He shoves the spear in your face, presumably for closer look (sic)."

"Just ignore him," says one of the patrons. "Kadmos is always like that when he starts drinking."

"Was he really a champion?" Is that really blue-steel armor? _{It is.}

"Hard to believe, eh?" says the patron. "You should have seen him ten years ago when he was in his prime. Now he's a pale shadow of what he once was."

"Provoke Kadmos." What else are we going to do? Tickle him?

"Pretending to leave, you bump into Kadmos and shove him out of your way."

"Watch it!" yells Kadmos, looking pissed. "You spilled my drink. You're lucky I'm -"

"Lucky you don't remember how to hold that spear anymore?"

"Kadmos stares at you drunkenly as the words sink in. Slowly, a smile spreads across his face and for a moment there you see that lethal spearman who ruled the arena ten years ago. Then the moment's gone and all you see is a drunkard, swaying on unsteady legs."

"You an me," says Kadmos. "My final performance." At least the man we're killing for material reasons wants to be killed. We've got that going for us.

Guess we're going to fight in the arena after all.

(http://i.imgur.com/xXVBIEy.jpg)

Although I question the legitimacy of this crowd.

(http://i.imgur.com/dylWv8w.png)

(Had to reload because I forgot to heal\repair equipment.)

Kadmos has the range of a two-handed spearmen and can still attack in close-quarters. This is going to be rough, might even have to do this later.

(http://i.imgur.com/NpjzT0R.png)

He doesn't do much damage to us and we don't do much damage to him. Probably should've made poison for this fight.

Despite being decidedly mediocre, Kadmos' armor deflects most of what we do. Meaning...

(http://i.imgur.com/mIeXmKQ.png)

"You try to get up, but you can't. The puddle of blood around you is getting bigger. You know what it means, but you refuse to believe it. It can't end like this. You try to say something, but almost choke on the blood and pass out."

"Later on the slaves pick up your body and drag it to the dump. You're still alive when they throw your body into a large pile of rotting corpses and waste - your final resting place. The smell is nauseating. You start praying for a merciful death, but the gods are busy and you have to wait for hours until your wish is granted." This is the generic death message, I might write new ones to replace this now that we've seen it, but I wouldn't count on it.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/kbKHqQS.png)

"Kadmos spasms violently again and falls down, convulsing uncontrollably. Finally, Kadmos' heart stops and he lies still." Did it on the second try. Blue-steel can't protect your blood.

(http://i.imgur.com/byyrcUU.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/ZXrurEt.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/oK4tYkm.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/T4UEXSO.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/qK4BxpE.png)

Kadmos has some nice stuff to say the least. We haven't even really lost anything from killing this dude! The most we'll have to pay is the healing expenses.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/VLUefhN.png)

Speaking of healing expenses. 

[stat damage] "Let me see," says the healer. "Do you know that one of your eyeballs is hanging out of its socket? It's not a pretty picture. Hmm... the skull is caved in. Lucky for you, I've just got a new Dent Repair kit. You won't even notice the damage after I'm done. What else is there? Smashed ribs, ruptured organs, the works. Had some fun, did you?'

"150 imperials. consider it an investment into your well-being."

Goddammit lady, why can't you play ball? I suppose we'll have to go to Strabos then.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/0lGxAwK.png)

Well, maybe we don't have to go to Strabos yet.

"A deeply tanned fellow works at loosening some netting on a cart laden with sacks and baskets of produce. His thinning hair jerks about as he vigorously yanks a corner knot free and tosses the net to the front of the cart. Pausing just long enough to wipe his forehead with the back of his forearm, he grabs a basket of potatoes and turns to carry it over to the nearby stall. He moves with the strength and efficiency of one well accustomed to physical labor."

"Got a moment?"

"Yeah. Several." He grunts as he sets the basket down by the stall and begins walking back over to the cart. "Planning to spend them all on these baskets though." He grabs another basket and pauses to give you a grin, "But if you can work and talk, I can talk and work." He slides the basket off the cart and turns for the stall."

"Roll up your sleeves and grab a basket of onions, "Fair enough."

"Name's Eugenius," he says as the two of you walk over and stoop to sit the baskets down. You head back to the cart and grab a sack of what is probably dried beans as Eugenius lifts a basket of dust radishes."I can't help but wonder what I've got to say that would be important enough for you to lend a hand to hear it." Isn't stalling a conversation with Strabos a reason enough?

"Looks to be a good load here. Is it not difficult raising a harvest out there?"

"Eugenius squints his eyes inquisitively and grins, "What do you think?"

"He pauses and looks up into the sky, his face turning grim. "Some years are brutal, trying to scratch a living out of the dirt. You feel like a damn fool trying to coax stubborn seeds up out of the ground in this," he waves his hands around, "hellish world. Who can blame them, right?"

"But then, some years, a few showers here and there... it almost feels like the gods might just still give a shit. They probably don't," he quickly and matter-of-factly adds, "but when you go from a year where you're spitting on prickle fruits seeds every day just to get them to sprout... to a year like this one." he points to the baskets of produce, "its almost enough to give a man religion again."

"Why do you keep doing it?"

"Well, we gotta eat, don't we?!" He laughs heartily before trailing off and wiping his eyes. He lets out a mirthful sigh then turns serious again. "It's a noble profession, you know? Farming. I mean, I'm no house noble by a long shot but it's an honest living. Keeps my conscience clean and my neighbors fed. These are troubled times, no doubt, but at the end of the day I know I took care of myself and didn't hurt anyone while doing it. (What about the plants, you monster?) The harder I work, the more I grow. The more I grow the more money I earn *and*... the more food there is for you to buy. Sometimes what's good for one is good for another. A novel notion these days."

This is one of those mammoth dialogues. I'm not going to go through all of the options but I'll at least go through the important ones.

[alchemy success] "Potatoes, onions, dust radishes, and some very healthy tomatoes. No luck with yellow gourds I'm guessing?"

"Eugenius stops and eyes you quizzically, "None. They won't take. How'd you know?"

"They're conspicuously absent from your otherwise impressive harvest. They don't tend to do well in areas where tomatoes grow that large. Your soil is probably acid bent. Prior to turning soil for the new season, has the winter sedge grown in thick?" Poison-crafting has practical uses too. Why not be an alchemist?

"He smiles, "It does."

"It's possible to shift your soil's nature. If you can, acquire limestone... enough to fill two of those sacks. Your best bet would likely be the salt mines to the west. Cook the limestone fiercely and then grind it fine. Spread it evenly over your gardens and you'll likely see a measurable harvest increase, including yellow gourds if you wanted. You're the farmer, but I'd leave a spot untreated for the tomatoes. I'd hate to see those beauties suffer."

"If it works, I'm indebted to you for this advice. Thank you." Alright, that was a lot of text. So much text in fact that I'm going to end this dialogue here. Enjoy random farming advice, dude.

---

Strabos, o Strabos, where art thou?

(http://i.imgur.com/DQUL3gN.png)

Right in front of us. If you thought you were safe from pop-scares in this LP, you were wrong!

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "What do you want?" asks Strabos with disdain. "Who are you?"

"The last woman you'll ever see. Pavola sent me."

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "What?" explodes Strabos in rage. "I asked for twenty good men! I thought they would surround the building and wouldn't let-"

"I can assure you that I'm as happy about it as you are."

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "That's very reassuring. Are you one of those individuals worth at least twenty men? The kind whose sword is a natural extension of their arm, that sort of thing?"

"That's me."

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "Gods be praised," sighs Strabos with relief. "I wonder how many men the Boatmen will send. A man of my status and influence? I wouldn't be surprised if they send two teams, so stay alert."

Guarding a merchant from vague threats? I feel as if we've been here before. Suppose the familiarity will help.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/TcOBSbr.png)

The Maadoran MG has turned into a haunted house; it'll even have real skeletons soon!

(http://i.imgur.com/1RUiMkv.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png)

"I can't believe Pavola gave me one woman. Well, if I die, the joke's on him. Trust me."

Once again, we wait.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/D534P5O.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/EKUiH0z.png) The day is almost over when a man in his fifties walks into the guild, glancing around casually. "Master Strabos," he says politely."

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "Fuck!" yells Strabos, moving away. "It's Hamza! The assassin! Do something, Gnaea! Kill him!"

(http://i.imgur.com/EKUiH0z.png) "The man looks at you without any emotions. "Shall we get to it?"

(http://i.imgur.com/1RftiIq.png)

Hamza can fuck you up if he can hit you. He's a master of poison and critical hits, but he's not a master of constitution thankfully so we can just out-poison him.

(http://i.imgur.com/heaRrLY.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "You're lucky he came alone, Gnaea," says Strabos, breathing heavily. "I'm tempted to tell Pavola to fuck himself for what he did to me, but I'm a man of my word. And if Gaelius brings the Ordu here, we're all fucked."

*Boatmen reputation decreased*

"That Ordu?" No really though, The Ordu? Why would Strabos tell a random Guard about the Ordu?

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "Gaelius doesn't trust the Imperial Guards and the recent... events didn't improve his faith in people around him. He made a deal with the Ordu. They will be coming through the mountain pass. It's Pavola's only chance to stop them."

"I'm new here. Can you explain what you're talking about?" I think we might need an exorcist to get rid of the exposition-wraith possessing Strabos.

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "We're protected from the north by a mountain range, which is the only reason why we haven't been overrun by the Ordu yet. They are fucking savages, bred to fight and kill. These hellspawn live in tents made of animal skins and drink the blood of their horses. Bringing them here is like inviting the fox into the henhouse. If they get through the pass, it's over. We won't be able to stop them."

"And Gaelius hopes to control them?"

(http://i.imgur.com/sUGXG9x.png) "He thinks he can. He thinks that he can elevate their khan and his generals and they will serve him faithfully, out of fear to lose it all, like civilized men do. But the Ordu aren't civilized. The (sic) care about these things and by the time Gaelius realizes it, it will be too late."

We could say more, but I'd rather not talk to Strabos more than is necessary.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/Ao52Se2.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/UaC0z7l.png) "Report!"

Hamza is dead! The Ordu are coming!

(http://i.imgur.com/UaC0z7l.png) "So much for peace and quiet," groans Pavola. "Take one squad and go to the pass. I'll send several pigeons with the orders to lock the pass tight and wait for your arrival."

(http://i.imgur.com/UaC0z7l.png) "I'm putting you in charge, Gnaea. Your orders are to hold the pass against the Ordu no matter the cost, even if you're the last woman standing."

(http://i.imgur.com/UaC0z7l.png) "See the quartermaster before you go. I'll instruct him accordingly. Dismissed!"

*You gain a new insight - 16 skill point gained.*

*You receive 150 imperials for your service*

*Imperial Guards reputation increased*

Somehow I doubt this quartermaster will have better stuff than we already have, but we might as well check him out.

"My orders are to hold the pass against the Ordu. I'll require your best weapons and armor."

"Right," says the quartermaster, looking at you skeptically. "Well, as it happens, all our gear is fairly standard, but I can probably spare a couple of steel ingots if you know what to do with them."

"But the legatus said -" Sadly there wasn't an option to leave this dialogue immediately so this is what you get.

"The legatus believes that issuing orders is enough to restock our supplies and conjure quality steel out of thin air, but you and I, we know better, don't we?"

"Are you saying that the Imperial Guards are under-equipped?"

"Don't be daft, Gnaea. The priority is to keep our legions in the wasteland well fed and looked after. The garrisons that are just for show get the leftovers. Get it?"

"Alright, what *can* you spare?"

"Three... Ok, fine, four steel ingots and a couple sharpening stones. If you want to know how to take good care of your gear, I can teach you a thing or two."

"I'm all ears." Please no. I just wanted some shitty armor I could sell!

He then says a bunch of stuff about smithing and increases our crafting. If we were a smith I would transcribe this, but we aren't. See you at the healer.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/VLUefhN.png)

A fortune of imperials later and healer lady finally plays ball.

"You look like the adventurous type," says the healer instead of her usual greeting, "judging by your present condition and the number of times I had to patch you up."

"It occurred to me that we can help each other. There are rumors of a certain pre-War elixir called Rapid Cellular Regeneration and I'd love to get my hands on it. The job's dangerous, but danger is your middle name, ain't it?" 

"What's in it for me?"

"You'll be the guinea pig and the lucky recipient of the first batch of the elixir. If it goes well, as I'm sure it would, you'll never need my services ever again. Why, your wounds would close instantly the moment you get them and you'll be unstoppable in battle, but first, you need to get me the key reagent called the Extract of Amaranthus, of course. So, do we have a deal?" Yeah, the whole using a healer thing repeatedly thing is so only combat characters will get this quest. Pretty clever bit of game design really.

"Sign me up!"

"I've heard an interesting story of a hidden village up in the mountains. THe man who told it to me swore up and down that there are chambers filled with ancients (sic) vats going deep into the mountain."

"He claims that he was given a few drops of the very extract I seek. It's an elixir so rare that it was thought to be a myth. You see, there are more than seventy species fo Amarathus and most are common as dirt. Yet, there were always rumor (sic) of a rare species of this plant with almost mystical properties and now we finally have proof that it exists." "Proof."

"So, whom do you expect me to fight? The villagers?"

"The man who sold me the exact location of the village ended up dead a few days ago. I admit that I was skeptical when I first heard his story, but it looks like someone took him seriously and shut him up for good. So, expect some competition."

We won't be doing that for a while since it's a tough quest from what I remember. Anyway, I started up the power armor quest too just in case anyone wants to do that. Isn't required, but it definitely has its rewards.

With side-questing out of the way we can finally go to Harran's Pass.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/V8iORd7.png)

"You've heard many stories about Harran's Pass (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=44m31s). (The IG theme is pretty much made for this scene, listen to it.) In the stories it was a legendary place, high in the mountains. Great warriors, each worth a hundred of the wasteland scum, were tasked to ensure the safety of the southern cities. Time and time again, they held the pass against those who would destroy us. Travelers bold enough to brave the dangers spoke of towers almost touching the clouds, picturesque views, and the horrors of the wasteland."

"As usual, the reality proved to be far less glamorous. The pass is nothing but a wide ledge on the side of the mountain. Two walls blocked the ledge, forming a makeshift fort, housing two small buildings - a place to sleep and a place to eat? - and two old, weather-beaten, wooden towers threatening to fall apart at any moment."

"The "great warriors" look more like the very cutthroats they are supposed to defend travelers against than military men. They are well armed. Perhaps, too well, you wouldn't be surprised to learn that they do a bit of raiding on the side."

---

(http://i.imgur.com/zoGRTFb.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "You must be Gnaea," says the Centurion - a young man with quick eyes. "My name is Bass. Welcome to my humble kingdom!"

"I expected a bit more."

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "Everyone does," nods Bass. "But this place isn't so bad once you get used to it. Good air, plenty of goats."

"What about the Ordu?"

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "They know better than to mess with us, so we don't see them often. We do a bit of trading with them, but that's about it."

"When was the last time they attacked?"

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "Probably, forty years ago or so. The Ordu burned down the outpost and charged into the valley below, straight into the waiting arms of the Aurelian legions. The Aurelians chopped them to pieces and rolled their heads down the mountain."

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "The sight of thousands (sic) heads raining down on the Ordu camp below left such a strong impression on them that they've stayed away ever since. Of course, now things are about to change. Nothing lasts, eh?"

"Did you get Pavola's missive?"

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "We did," nods Bass. "Closed the pass right away and caught the sneaky bastard in time. He masqueraded as one of the traders." RIP Vibius, you had to die eventually.

"How did you know it was him?"

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "We didn't. He was my second guess."

"What happened to the first guess?"

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "He died," says Bass in a straight forward manner. "We had to be sure, and by the time we were, he was on his way to better pastures. It was my understanding that there was certain urgency, so we erred on the side of caution."

"Where is the messenger?" Probably on a cross.

"Dead. We had to make sure he kept nothing from us and there is only one way to do it," Bass shrugs. "Don't worry, he told us all he knew and then some."

"What did the messenger tell you?" That the end is nigh!

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "Turns out he wasn't the first messenger and probably not even the second. The negotiations with the Ordu have been going for a while. They are getting ready to move and will be here soon. So, you and I have a lot of work to do."

"You and I?"

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "The last, best hope of the southern cities. Ready to lay down their own lives to protect their loved ones. Do you have any loved ones, Gnaea?"

"Yes." It's hard not to fall in love with a spear like ours.

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "You're a lucky woman. Me, not so much. Hard to get loved ones when you're stuck in the middle of fucking nowhere, unless you count this lovable bunch," he gestures to his men."

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "I already sent a message to Caer-Tor, but it will take them a while to get here, assuming they would want to get here in the first place, instead of letting the Ordu cross the pass and watch what transpires from a safe distance."

"And in the mean time?"

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "In the mean time, you will pay the Ordu a visit and try to talk some sense into them, while I stay and see to the defences. The walls won't stop a child."

"And why would I do that?" So you can learn the customs of your enemy and use them against them!

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "Because I need all the help I can get, and so far you're the only help I've got. So, if you think that I will let you go back to Maadoran, waving good-bye and waiting for the Ordu to kill us all, you are very much mistaken. I can't force you to help me, but I can order my men to throw you off this god-forsaken mountain. If anyone comes looking for you, my men will swear that you tripped and fell. So, feeling patriotic yet?"

"Very. What do you want me to do?"

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "Anything you can do to slow them down. According to the messenger, the Ordu weren't as eager to come to Maadoran as you'd think. Apparently, the idea of serving Gaelius and living in a city doesn't sit well with them. Lucky for Gaelius, things are getting harder and the plains aren't what they used to be, so Thorgul - their lord - is willing to come. Some of his men see it as a betrayal of everything they hold holy - like shitting where they like, hence the conflict." All they have to do is go to the Slums if they want to do that, just saying.

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "The Ordu camp is easy to find. Head north until you clear the mountains, then turn left and head west. It's a ten-day journey, but as long as you stick to the mountains, you should be safe."

And so we return to the road.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/KprAi4t.png)

"It takes you almost two weeks to reach the Ordu camp. It's a loose arrangement of large, round tents made of felt, worn out and patched. The camp reminds you of a busy bazaar and smells of cured meat and strange spices. All around you the Ordu tend to their business - fixing tents, butchering sheep, curing leather, working with metals, fletching arrows. The men seem indifferent to your presence; perhaps your reputation as a great warrior simply hasn't reached them yet." Now that final sentence actually makes sense!

---

(http://i.imgur.com/uGGeCfA.png)

There's a number of things we can do here, such as poisoning this well. Sadly, it requires sneak and steal and we have no skill in either.

At least we can talk to Thorgul without sneaky skills.

"Description, description, description."

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "Description then dialogue."

"I bring greetings from Lord Gaelius."

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "Annoyed dialogue."

"Who are you to question Lord Gaelius? Now that you've agreed to serve him, you will do wise to remember your place."

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "And what is my place?" asks the khan calmly, stopping his bondsmen with a gesture." Pretty sure this is new dialogue anyway.

"That of any vassal, of course. You and your men will be given food and lodging in exchange for faithful service and obedience. You will lead your mean as their khan, for as long as my lord is pleased with your service. If not, another will take your place."

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "I'm puzzled," says the khan, managing to control himself. "The other emissaries carried a very different message. They spoke honeyed words of friendship and new beginnings. You speak as one would to a dog."

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) "I would please me (sic) to watch you killed, but business must always come before pleasure. Explain khan Gaelius' change of heart to me and I'll grant you a clean death." A death screen approaches...

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) [persuasion "Did you really think that you'd come to Maadoran as Gaelius' equal? On these plains you are a khan, but in Maadoran you'll be Gaelius' dog kept on a short leash, lest it bites its owner. I thought you knew that."

(http://i.imgur.com/95JGVqZ.png) [failure] "No," says the khan shaking his head. "Something is amiss here. Take her away!"

Looks like we're about to be booted back to the mai- oh hey. The game is still going!

(http://i.imgur.com/gIpDnrI.png)

"The khan's bondsmen take you to a small tent, serving as prison. "Your weapons!" demands one of them."

These guys are like two mini-Hamzas and we don't even get a special death screen when they kill us. I'll try to win this battle just in case something special does happen. This is probably just an extended death screen though.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/KwJhfRX.png)

Poison really is our bread and butter when it comes to combat. Good thing the game never nullifies its power.

"It looks like the noise of the fight was drowned in the noise of the camp. You put on the Ordu armor and slip away quietly."

At this point we could try and poison the well again, but it still requires stealth. Back to Bass it is.

---

Title: Re: Let's Play The Age of Decadence Part 3: Regicide and Rampant Roughness
Post by: A Thing on July 23, 2016, 11:33:39 pm

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

"The pass changed in your absence (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=40m50s). (Once again, this is the scene the track is made for.) The towers are gone, replaced by a crude catapult and wooden barricades in front of the stone walls. The barricades don't block the approach, but create a narrow corridor. The men look less like brigands and more like soldiers."

(http://i.imgur.com/r6u1QmJ.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "Drilled them every day," says Bass as if reading your thoughts. "I told them that the Ordu will bugger them first and only then kill them, so are they are sufficiently motivated to fight till the last breath. How was your trip?"

"I did the best I could. (Look, I didn't expect us to survive provoking Thorgul.) So, what's the plan?"

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "The walls won't hold for long and the Ordu are better marksmen. If I put my men on the wall or the towers, they will be dead the moment they raise their heads. We can't hold them all at the wall, but we can fight them here, a few at a time. That's what the barricades are for - to narrow the way in. We light them up to keep them from climbing over them and use this baby," he points at the catapult, "to keep them from rushing in all at once."

*You gain a new insight - 17 skill points gained.*

"What are you going to throw at them? Boulders?" Well, we ARE in the mountains.

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "Clay pots, filled with the black powder. I have enough for eight shots." If that doesn't conjure images of glorious things, then you're probably an Ordu.

"How much time do we have?"

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "They seem to be taking their sweet times getting here, so we have more than a few hours to kill."

*Imperial Guards reputation increased*

"Let me see what I can do to help." If you have ever played an RPG where there's a siege\mass battle then you know what's about to occur.

[alchemy] "Check the clay pots."

"Bass did a pretty good job with the bombs. There isn't much you can do there."

Well, if we invest our skillpoints...

[success] "Bass did a good job, but there is definitely room for improvement. You carefully remove the black powder and crude fuses and start from scratch. An hour later you have eight neatly packed bombs that will shred anything to pieces."

(http://i.imgur.com/MlmaQiW.jpg)

With that, I think we can start the battle.

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "Good timing. The Ordu are already here. I'll handle the catapult and keep them from rushing in all at once. You and my men will meet them face-to-face when they come. Get ready to entertain our visitors, Gnaea."

"Ready or not, here they come." This is a extremely high-stakes version of Tag.

(http://i.imgur.com/zVLxfG2.png)

"You see a hundred or so warriors charging toward the gate. A bomb hits the ground behind them, the force of the explosion sending them flying. Only a few of them get back up, looking around in confusion."

"They are rushed by nearby Guards, eager to take advantage of the opportunity, but the Ordu recover fast and push forward. Belgutai joins them, leading the first wave himself to inspire his warriors and give them more courage."

(http://i.imgur.com/ndQhaak.jpg)

Sorta like the Antidas fight, Belgutai is the real threat here and the rest are there to grind you down. As such, we attack Belgutai first. Wouldn't want to waste our poison on someone worthless, would we?

Two strikes and he's already wounded. He's pretty much Hamza with a sword instead of a dagger. 

(http://i.imgur.com/SxRovR6.png)

Like I said, Hamza with a sword. Good thing we have high critical strike too.

(http://i.imgur.com/vyLJkKL.png)

Belgutai falls and the Ordu despair. Hopefully their morale is wavering because we're running out of Guards. The two shieldmen are already dead and we're getting to the point where we'll be killed by one or two attacks.

(http://i.imgur.com/B3OTjbq.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/0pRldh8.jpg)

A horde of bondsmen and Thorgul. Suppose this is where the whole destiny thing should kick in; or not, depends on the destiny we've given ourselves.

Whatever other destinies we could've had we'll never know, because we gave ourselves the destined end of taking a shoddy ax to the skull.

(http://i.imgur.com/mIeXmKQ.png)

"In hindsight, you knew that it could only end this way. Of course, you did the best you could and all that, but when you're dying, things seem very black and white. You either die here, wondering if all the better places to die were taken, or you go on living, at least until the next call for battle. Sadly, your name's on the first list."

"The battle still rages on around you. Men kill and die. Well, the Ordu seem to be doing most of the killing. The pass belongs to them now. Not that you give a fuck at this stage. You take your last breath and leave this world behind."

---

"You see the Ordu getting ready to attack. The catapult is silent. "Gotta give them one thing - they are persistent," says Bass appearing next to you. "I hoped they would have run by now. Come, Gnaea, don't tell me you wanted to live forever."

(http://i.imgur.com/LRg0Ect.png)

"Suddenly, the Ordu stop dead in their tracks. They stand there for a moment, then turn around and run. You turn your head and see rows of the Imperial Guards standing still at the other entrance to the pass."

(http://i.imgur.com/0nChozE.png) "Good show," says their Commander."

(http://i.imgur.com/cL9fJSb.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "Commander Carbo," says Bass, saluting. "I wasn't sure you were going to come."

(http://i.imgur.com/0nChozE.png) "And miss all this excitement?" laughs Carbo. "We are the Imperial Guards, Bass. We don't leave our own. I've gotta give it to you, Bass. You held your end well. And this must be Gnaea. Hell of a fight, girl. Get ready to travel. Dux Gaius Aetius Paullus wants to meet you."

*You gain a new insight - 16 skill points gained.*

*Imperial Guards reputation increased*

"Who is he?" Damn lore of one!

(http://i.imgur.com/0nChozE.png) "Didn't I say Dux? Commander-in-Chief, if you're rusty on the ranks."

We can leave for Caer-Tor immediately but why would we do that when we can talk to Bass?

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "That was fun," says Bass. "We should do it again sometime."

"What can you tell me about Paullus?"

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "Paullus rules the Imperial Guards with an iron fist. He isn't big on second opinions and such. He knows what's best for the Guards and everyone else, so you either fall in line and stand behind him hundred and ten per cent, or you end up guarding a pass in the middle of fucking nowhere. If you're lucky."

"And if you're not?" Wasteland?

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "Then you are given a shitty squad of people nobody likes and sent patrolling the wasteland. (Wasteland.) It's a death sentence. You either take it and die in some skirmish or refuse and get crucified for insubordination."

"Is that why Carrinas ended up in Teron?"

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "They didn't see eye to eye. Paullus hoped that Carrinas would come around, but he never did. They had a heated argument and the next day Carrinas was sent to Teron."

"What was the argument about?" Something about Noble Houses and the Charter I'm sure.

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "Carrinas was tired of waiting, tired of sitting around. He thought that Paullus was doing nothing but surrounding himself with sycophants and building his own little dominion."

"What do *you* think?"

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "If you ask me, one lord is as bad as the next one, and the Imperial Guards' top brass is no exception. When I first got this post, I was depressed for a week. Then I thought about it and realized that I got the best post there is. It's nice and quiet and far away from all that shit. It's my own little paradise on earth, even if it doesn't look like much."

"What about Carbo?" He's a bit blood-touched is what Carbo is.

(http://i.imgur.com/74zLjbE.png) "Carbo is Paullus' lapdog. No man is more loyal to him and no man is better. He's earned his stripes. Legionaries love him because despite his rank, he is one of them - he sleeps in the same tents, eats the same shit, and fights shoulder to shoulder with them. Some say that he's a soldier at heart, but I suspect he's a killer at heart. He loves the thrill of a fight. Try to stay on his good side."

And that's all there is to say to Bass. Caer-Tor summons us (https://youtu.be/Otg8xVMNT4U?t=1h1m16s).

---

(http://i.imgur.com/YNgjsmg.png)

"Lord Gaelius' attempt to bolster his forces with Ordu tribesmen ends in failure. Word of his failed gambit spreads, his political opponents painting him as a warmonger and madman whose ambitions would have doomed the city if not for the ever-vigilant Imperial Guards. House Aurelian's support wanes amongst the nobility, as does its influence in the region."

"Sensing vulnerability, House Aurelian's enemies work tirelessly to stir discontent and rebellion throughout the city, forcing Gaelius to turn his attention to dealing with the internal threat. Under the pretence of rooting out rebellion, the Boatmen sweep through the city, purging nobles and influential commoners in the hundreds."

"Reluctantly, Lord Gaelius dons the mantle of tyrant, determined to keep Maadoran at any cost." When a metropolis exploding is an average ending to a city's problems, you know things are fucked.

(http://i.imgur.com/L6DVSh8.png)

"The routing of the Ordu at the Harran's pass (sic) prevents a major escalation in the struggle to control Maadoran, and secures the Imperial Guards as the best fighting force in the region. Stories of the heroic last stand, of a handful of warriors defeating an overwhelming force of fierce desert (Geography wasn't one of the Old Empire's strong suits.) savages, quickly escalate to the status of modern legend."

"The next month brings hundreds of new recruits, eager to join the best fighting outfit, as well as an offer from Lord Meru - the Guards are to provide operational security while Meru's men poke about in the ruins, a detail which is bound to get Gaelius' attention."

"You partnered up with Marcus Valla, a man of questionable methods and reputation, to recover a Power Armor- a fabled artefact of the olden days."

I would insert a screenshot of Caer-Tor here, but we're just getting thrust straight into a new chapter. See you in the next update I suppose.

I think this update is the nail in the coffin for the whole "write the update as I play thing." Not only does it cause me generic misery it also slows things down a lot. For example: most of (Meaning after the update says "Anno Domini 1400," I spent a lot of time trying and failing to write on Sunday.) the Darklands Part Prelude took 2 hours with flavorful writing; this fairly mundane update took 10.


Stats: all the same.

Skills: spear 6, block 6, critical strike 6, alchemy 6, crafting 3.

Faction Reputation: HA -1, HC-1, HD -29, AG -4, MG -7, IG 11, TG 0.

General Reputation: Body count 21, Combat 3, Loyalty 0, Peacemaker 0, Prestige 0, Word of Honor 0.

Title: Re: Let's Play The Age of Decadence Part 5\Final: Gnaea's Gambit - LP Done
Post by: A Thing on November 13, 2016, 04:30:21 pm

Spoiler: It's been a long road... (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/wD90dLj.png)

Strangely enough Caer-Tor doesn't get an intro bit so the game takes us straight into Paullus' dialogue.

"Rumors floating around painted Gaius Aetius Paullus as a paranoid tyrant or a benevolent despot, but the man standing in front of you appears to be neither paranoid nor benevolent."

"He has an unmistakable aura of power and authority as do all men who are accustomed to being obeyed without question. In his world, his word is the law." Damn, why can't we put points in presence? Friggin' NPC privilege.

I'm pretty sure this is the part where we approach and salute. If it isn't, well, at least crucifixion only takes a couple days.

(http://i.imgur.com/3Wlhxwy.png) "At ease, soldier," says Paullus, studying you. "You've made quite a name for yourself. Killed Antidas and his guards in his own palace. Must have been one hell of a fight." There are worse combat hells to be experienced in this game. Just wait, just wait.

"It was."

(http://i.imgur.com/3Wlhxwy.png) "And the fight at the pass... I wouldn't have believed it, had Carbo not been there to witness it. You have a gift, Gnaea. Some people are born to plow soil. Some people are born to kill. It's a rare trait." I think it more likely that most are unable to make poison. Really isn't that hard once you've got that.

"What do you think about Carrinas' actions?"

(http://i.imgur.com/3Wlhxwy.png) "I don't approve of my officers disregarding their orders and the chain of command and doing what they think is right. I don't approve of emotional decisions either."

"Emotional?" Sensational?

(http://i.imgur.com/3Wlhxwy.png) "Teron's strategic value is zero. We gained nothing there, but forced Gaelius to make a deal with the Ordu. Had we not stopped them, we'd have been in a very difficult situation right now." Just encircle Maadoran, he can't survive on rats forever.

"What are you going to do with Carrinas?"

(http://i.imgur.com/3Wlhxwy.png) "I haven't decided yet. The damage is already done and moving against Carrinas now will only weaken us further. He can't do much on his own, other than hold the town. So, at the moment I'm inclined to let him sit there and keep the pressure on Gaelius." Gaelius really hates acupuncture.

"Why did you bring me here?" To kill you. Prepare for battle!

(http://i.imgur.com/3Wlhxwy.png) "Lord Meru asked for our help. His men want to poke around in some ruins. You will provide operational security while they do it, before escorting them back to Ganezzar." Yeah, this is why there was a phantom Guard in the last playthrough. Continuity problems are bound to occur in a game like this eventually.

"What does Meru want in the ruins?" Elven knick-knacks.

(http://i.imgur.com/3Wlhxwy.png) "Why should we care?"

"You don't share Gaelius' concerns about magic?" No, he only shared concern with Gaelius is that of the inevitable Mongolian Ordu invasion!

(http://i.imgur.com/3Wlhxwy.png) "I'm a soldier. I'm not afraid of the tools of war. If it comes to it, we can burn Maadoran to the ground using nothing but torches. It will take us longer, but we'll get the job done. It's men like us that Gaelius should be afraid of, not some dusty old gadgets." Or you could encircle Maadoran or something. Just a thought.

"What outcome do you seek?"

(http://i.imgur.com/3Wlhxwy.png) "After the Empire fell, we were kept outside, like a dog that guards the master's house but is never allowed in. At first, when there were seven strong Houses, we didn't have a choice. Now we do. Now it's Gaelius who doesn't have a choice. He simply doesn't know it yet." In other words: Paullus wants to sleep in Gaelius' bed.

(http://i.imgur.com/3Wlhxwy.png) "I think a proper power-sharing deal is possible. Gaelius will rule and we'll make sure that he rules unopposed, safe against all threats, internal or external. He would be a fool not to take it, but let's get him to the table first."

"Why me?" If this isn't a required bit of dialogue I'm going to be disappointed in my past self.

(http://i.imgur.com/3Wlhxwy.png) "You're Carrinas' woman. (You're even on the new recruitment posters!) If the mission goes sideways, we can pin it on him. Mind you, I have full confidence in you, but it does pay to be prepared for the worst."

"How many men are you going to give me?" Enough to fill the Tiber and row you down it! (Actually wrote this bit while transcribing this. Dunno why, but I'm sure I had a good reason.)

(http://i.imgur.com/3Wlhxwy.png) "Talk to Legatus Raenas about it. See if he can spare any men for this mission."

"And if he can't?" Apply a gratuitous amount of kadura leaves.

(http://i.imgur.com/3Wlhxwy.png) "If he can't?" frowns Paullus as if failing to understand the question. "Centurion, we're having this conversation because you seem to be a very capable woman."

(http://i.imgur.com/3Wlhxwy.png) "I told the legatus that I want him to take a look at you and see if you can be of any value to us. I'm confident that you can find a way to prove your worth to him. Think of it as a test."

"Another test? After everything I've done?" Yeah, but this one is multiple choice so it doesn't really count.

(http://i.imgur.com/3Wlhxwy.png) "Had you done nothing, you would have been crucified for joining a rogue commander and attacking a peaceful town. Fortunately for you, you've proven to be rather capable - or so people say. I'd like to see a demonstration of your abilities."

So ends Paullus' introduction speech. So begins the sass of Raenas

---

(http://i.imgur.com/lk1Mjs7.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/W2P7xai.png) "What do you want, *Centurion*?" (I desire your men!) asks Raenas with contempt, his square jaw tightening."

"I'm reporting for duty."

(http://i.imgur.com/W2P7xai.png) "I have no use for you." You do, it's just that you're not applying yourself.

"Even though Dux Paullus does?"

(http://i.imgur.com/W2P7xai.png) "If he wanted me to take you under my command, he would have given me an order. He didn't, which tells me all I need to know - he doesn't  trust a traitor any more than I do." Pretty sure if he wanted us to die he would've executed us as soon as we arrived.

[persuasion] [streetwise "He didn't give you an order because he's testing you. Paullus wants to see if you're a man who can see the big picture and make the right decisions without being told what they are first." It doesn't matter which option we choose here, we're fucked no matter what.

(http://i.imgur.com/W2P7xai.png) [failure] "I don't think you're hearing me girl. Neither Carrinas nor those who serve him are welcome here. Tell you what, if even two my own centurions accept a newly minted *centurion* like you as their peer, I'll take your sorry ass and do my best to make a real soldier out of you."

(http://i.imgur.com/Iwssi6E.jpg)

I would've just gone straight to the centurions, but the loremaster here actually has things of value to say and we've never talked to him.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/UPLOfq5.png)

"You see a short man wearing a simple tunic. In contrast to the legionnaires stomping around everywhere, he looks soft and mild. (Soft and mild like a JRPG protagonist.) "May I help you?" he asks, smiling awkwardly. He is plainly not used to social visits."

"Who are you?"

"I'm Maximus Septimus Helva. I have charge of the annals, records and accounts of the Imperial Guard," says the man with pride."

"The annals?" The loretrain?

"Our history. Where we come from, how much we've endured and overcome - it's all there." He gestures at the tomes and scrolls around you. "To let the past lapse into dust is to lose everything, for without past there is no future." Without the Constitution what can we argue over?

"So how did it all start?" You don't want to know.

"As the sun rises from deepest night, the brightest hope may be spawned from darkness. (This ain't poetry night.) Our earliest accounts say that the bulk of the Imperial army perished in the battle for the capital. Our history begins when the survivors made their way to Maadoran but were denied entry."

"Having seized the city by force and fearing that the army would side with House Calani, (Lorenza's House if you've forgotten.) House Aurelian sealed the soldiers outside the walls. The Lord of the House cited an old law barring the army from entering the capital city and claimed Maadoran as the new capital of the Empire. He claimed that the old ways must be upheld, no matter the cost, hiding behind dusty laws and traditions."

"What happened next?"

"When House Aurelian closed the gates, fewer than two thousand men were camped outside the walls. A few weeks later, there were more than seven thousand, and while many were wounded or dying, their numbers burgeoned every day. Although one would naturally expect two legions of armed men to sit quietly and starve to death, in this case the situation deteriorated rapidly."

"The regiment known as the Boatmen of Styx left first, all in a group. (Later, they made an unsuccessful nuRock band.) Other cohorts formed improvised companies and took to raiding. What started with threat and harassment, hitting merchants for food and supplies, quickly grew into attacks on every settlement and caravan within three days' march."

"That's when the Noble Houses made a deal with Legatus Caius Damianus some say that Damianus himself orchestrated the crisis to force House Aurelian's hand. In the absence of documents supporting these allegations, I choose to believe this was a rare example of the Noble Houses making a wise decision. Treating with the army was the best course for everyone." And so the entirety of the Imperial Guard went through chemo.

"Acting on behalf of the Imperial army, Legatus Damianus signed a charter with the seven Noble Houses officially granting the army a special status in exchange for the army recognizing the Houses' rights and privileges, and swearing to uphold peace and security. When the dust settled, Damianus was Dux."

"The Houses also agreed to supply the newly reformed army with provisions and stores and to absorb the costs of military campaigns against threats near and far. In essence, the Houses paid us off in order to keep us away from their domains."

"And lived happily every after?" Bit of a weird transition, but I guess it sorta works.

"In a manner of speaking. Of course, some conflicts are unavoidable, but it is wise to remember that the alternative world would have been an all-out war."

"So what happened to the other four Houses?" This is the reason why I went through all that other junk. Don't think the dead Houses are mentioned by name anywhere else.

"Let's see," says the annalist going through the scrolls. "In the year 4271, House Tal Beholder Gazar seized the domain of House Maracas by force and put its lord to the sword. Twelve years later, Tal Gazar's army was caught by surprise and routed by the Sydonius and Daratan forces, leaving Tal Gazar's domains defenseless."

"House Tal Gazar appealed to the Imperial Guard for protection, starting a lengthy debate on the Charter's provisions and amendments, during which House Sydonius razed the city to the ground and brought the last Lord of Tal Gazar to Maadoran in chains to participate in the debate. He was blinded and castrated but allowed to live the rest of his life in captivity and was well cared for, by all accounts."

"And the other two?"

"House Sydonius was decimated by the Great Plague of 4358 and lost its last remaining holdings to House Almansor, which held the biggest territory until the year of 4417 when Lord Barhalzi was assassinated and his House torn apart during the succession wars. It officially ceased to exist after the fall of Asmara a few years ago when the last living lord of that once noble House was drawn and quartered at the age of twelve."

"So what happened in Cippur?"

"If you excuse me," says the annalist," I have much to do, but very little time."

---

(http://i.imgur.com/lGxEbe0.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/BchG5sI.png)

It's been a good four or so months since I transcribed all of this, but from what I can tell we're talking to Carbo now. Expect a lot of occurrences like this from here on out.

(http://i.imgur.com/0nChozE.png) "How is Carrinas holding up?" Not sure how well he's holding up on the inside, but I've never seen him slouch since they put him on the cross!

"I wouldn't know. He sent me to Maadoran shortly after he took over." "Sent," is a very polite term for what he did to us.

(http://i.imgur.com/0nChozE.png) "Let's hope he knows what he's doing. I've always liked the man, but if Paullus tells me to put an end to it, I'll have no choice but to do that."

"So you don't disapprove of what Carrinas has done?"

(http://i.imgur.com/0nChozE.png) "Why should I? HE did what we should have done a long time ago instead of sitting and waiting for something. As a fighting man, I understand Carrinas better than most. Sitting and waiting doesn't win wars. Fighting does." I can't remember if this has already been revealed to us so I'll just say it: Carbo loves the concept of a glorious war. He's bloodthirsty and his main goal in life is to fight in a war he believes is worth fighting in. Keep this in mind while we talk to him.

(http://i.imgur.com/0nChozE.png) "But Paullus says that now is not the time, so I guess we sit and wait some more, hoping that when the times does come, we aren't too old to fight."

"You trust Paullus completely?"

(http://i.imgur.com/0nChozE.png) "I do," nods Carbo. "Paullus and I go way back. He was a Centurion when I first saw him. He gave me a chance and he's looked after me ever since then. He was more of a father to me than my old man, so let's just say I owe him."

(http://i.imgur.com/0nChozE.png) "I didn't question his decisions back then and I won't question them now. I just wish he'd do something, that's all." While Gaelius has more influence, Paullus is by far the most effective leader in Age of Decadence; there aren't that many endings where Paullus gets killed for a reason.

"What would you do?"

(http://i.imgur.com/0nChozE.png) "That's an easy one. I'd attack House Aurelian, hit them hard with everything we've got. When they crumble and fall, the rest is easy picking." Raiders and barbarians are no fun anymore, let's just go ahead and jam our fingers into the open wounds of our fallen Empire! All that said, having recently started playing Tyranny the "evil" characters in this game are starting to seem like philosophical geniuses in comparison.

"When they crumble? Not if?" Mr. Meru, tear down that wall!

(http://i.imgur.com/0nChozE.png) '"It's just a matter of time. On paper, it's a strong House with a strong army, but how many of their men are veterans who know what to do when the real fighting starts?" Considering how heavily the Houses rely on mercenaries I think it a better question to ask: how many are willing to stick around when the real fighting starts?

(http://i.imgur.com/0nChozE.png) "We rotate our legions. Two months in Caer-Tor to rest and heal the wounds and back to the wasteland they go. I daresay that one of our legions is worth three of theirs."

"And then what?"

(http://i.imgur.com/0nChozE.png) "And then we take the rest and set things right. No more lords - no more in-fighting. United for the first time since the Empire fell... We can start again and do it right this time." With intricate plans like that, Carbo, you'll probably Dux one day.

"And yet Paullus hesitates."

(http://i.imgur.com/0nChozE.png) "He's a cautious man, which isn't a bad quality, but he doesn't plan on sitting in Caer-Tor for the rest of his life. Trust me on that."

---

(http://i.imgur.com/5qMxO02.png)

Now we truly begin our quest to become one of the guys, one of the dudes.

"Gnaea? The hero of Harran's pass? I thought you'd be taller," smiles the centurion. "What brings you to our sleepy village?" Tax rates. You don't even want to know how much wine costs in Maadoran!

"Raenas is giving me a hard time on account of Carrinas. He can't make up his mind so he sent me to gather support amongst his officers."

"Raenas takes things too seriously sometimes, but he's a good legatus and that's what counts. Still, you don't have to worry about my vote. You've proven yourself at the pass and then some."

"Thank you." Isn't it nice to not have to go and find someone's lost kitten to get their support in a RPG for once?

---

(http://i.imgur.com/JcOhN7K.jpg)

"You must be Gnaea, one of Carrinas' own. I assume it's not a social call and you need something from me. What is it?"

"Raenas is giving me a hard time on account of Carrinas. He can't make up his mind so he sent me to gather support amongst his officers."

"I'll be more than happy to back you up... that is, if you do me a small favor first."

"What do you need?" This is pretty much a madlibs prompt. I'll leave it to you, the reader, to make best use of it.

"Five pounds of blue steel. Our quarter master, a man of legendary stinginess, refuses to sell it to me or anyone else. But you - you're a different story, my friend. Dux Paullus himself in his infinite wisdom has blessed you with his attention. If I were you, I'd impart that point on the quartermaster." Have you ever wondered why you never hear about generous quartermasters? I can't quite figure it out right now as this bit of hardtack is simply too entrancing.

"I'll go get you your steel then."

---

(http://i.imgur.com/VXmLuAl.png)

Quartermaster, your time is now.

"The local quartermaster is an angry-looking man with a crippled leg. Probably one of the reassigned soldiers. His face twitches when he sees you and he hobbles toward you, cursing you and your whore of a mother."

"I've got nothing for you," he says when he's done cursing. "Will there be anything fucking else?" No, don't think it's Guardsmen mating season yet.

"Not very friendly, are you?" We have to prod this bastard or ask pointless questions, there are no alternatives.

"Friendly?" asks the quartermaster as if struggling to understand what you could possibly mean by that. "I swear, if this is a fucking joke..."

"I need some blue steel."

"And you expect me to give a fuck?" Well, no, but I think my bodycount can make you give a fuck.

"I can pay."

"Well, it ain't a fucking store, girl."

[trading] "Everything is for sale. People who claim otherwise are simply waiting for a better offer." Hmm, that sounds pretty presumptuous, but our reputation as Hero of Harran's Pass should let it pass...

[failure] "Piss off." ...well I guess that's that for blue steel. Still plenty of other opportunities left though.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/aRTtnZV.png)

You might be able to tell what we're going to be doing here already.

"It took me five years to prove that I was worthy enough to be a centurion," says Centurion Barnus to the man next to him when you approach. "Five fucking years. I must be a slow-learner or something."

"This article," he says nodding at you, "is so good that she made the rank in less than a month. I guess it's all about who you know, eh?" Yeah, it's a bit unjust that mediocre officers stagnate in their ranks and exceptional ones rise to the top.

"Maybe I am that good." Maybe I am the greatest goddamn thing since sliced bread! Have you ever thought about that, old man!?

"Are you?" asks the centurion with a grin that spells trouble. "How about a small demonstration then? You against a couple of raiders. We were going to crucify them, but this will be more interesting."

"We can call that a reenactment of the Harran's Pass' battle. An outnumbered Guard facing the scum of the wastes. So, how about it, Centurion? Are you game?" Yep, we're going to be doing another trial by combat type thing. I suppose when your job is to kill people it's a fairly reasonable way to judge one's competence.

"Absolutely."

"The centurion barks an order and grins again. His men return shortly with four chained raiders and sacks with weapons and armor. They open on of the sacks and you see a glimmer of steel."

"Didn't you say a couple of raiders?" No, he said ravers. They had to go somewhere after I finished the Wasteland 1 LP after all!

"What are four raiders for a mighty hero like you, Gnaea? Unless, of course, you aren't a mighty hero? We ain't forcing you to fight, you know." Technically true but since we didn't get the blue steel for the other centurion we do have to do this fight to progress in the story. At least I think that's how it works, maybe you can betray the IG if you fail to get support from the centurions.

"I'm ready."

(http://i.imgur.com/5EVIg5k.jpg)

Been too long since I did this fight for me to say anything about it in detail but from what I remember it wasn't too bad. The raiders are just as unskilled as the trial of combat guys it's just that they have much better equipment.

"Well done, *Centurion*," says Barnus with approval. "Welcome to Caer-Tor. I'll tell Raenas to go easy on you." Can you feel the love?

---

(http://i.imgur.com/aJEOfZS.png)

We could be done, but we can't go through a new area without at least two bricks of dialogue.

"You see an old, grey-haired man with watery and nearly colorless eyes."

"Need some stitching or bone-setting? Come closer, I can barely see you from here." Let's hope he's just near-sighted.

"How much do you charge?" [insert arm and leg joke here]

"Charge?" says the old man looking surprised. "We don't charge for anything around here. That's the beauty of this life, ain't it?" Yeah man, I wish I could be Canadian too.

"What do you mean?" Free healthcare? What is this blasphemous sorcery?

"Stop your jesting," snaps the old man. "You know damn well what I mean. When you sign up, you trade in your worry and your uncertain future for a sword and shiny armor and everything else that comes with it. (Including an actual questline to follow.) From that point on you never go hungry again, nor will you need for anything - including direction. You'll be well fed, looked after, and told what to do."

"I joined when I was a young lad, working on my father's farm along with my brothers. Now that's a hard life, full of uncertainties. I signed up with the Guards the first chance I got and never looked back. My brothers are long dead, the farm's gone, but I'm still around."

"How did you become a healer?" By living long enough to not die a soldier?

"A natural aptitude, you might say. Every soldier knows how to clean and stitch a wound after a battle but me, I've always had a special knack for it. Before you know it, everyone was coming to see me to stitch their sorry hides. I always did it nice and clean. Knew which herbs to use too. Soon, the legatus, may he rest in peace now, came to see me work and told me that from that point on my job was to stitch and mend. Traded the sword for a needle, you might say."

"I have to admit, this camp isn't what I expected." Considering that we lived in the Teron IG fort for a while I'm not exactly sure where this dialogue is coming from. Do you really expect the headquarters of the IG to be a party-field or something?

"Too dull and quiet for you? The men come here to rest after months of fighting. Of course, many would prefer a proper drinking house... Come to think about it, a whorehouse wouldn't hurt either. My best days might be behind me now, but it would please the eyes, that's for damn sure."

"Paullus won't hear none of it though, so the point is moot. He's all about discipline, so no drinking, no whoring, no gambling." Wouldn't the best way to train discipline would be to allow those things but expect one to resist them? I'm sure Paullus could find a way to express his disapproval in such a way to make such things unappealing.

"And everyone listens to him?"

"Of course they do," grins the old man. "Paullus ain't  a man to ask twice. It took a decimation to get this point across but nobody's drinking now. Not here at least."

"Decimation?"

"Decimation," nods the old man. "You know, draw lots, kill every tenth man. Do they have a different name for it where you come from?" Where I come from we call that event, "Black Friday."

"Tell me more about it." Since this is one of the few times it is mentioned we might as well go through it.

"The old man looks at you again to make sure you're serious, then shrugs." Look man, we only have a lore of one. Get rid of your unrealistic expectations!

"Suppose you give an order and your men refuse to do it. What are you gonna do? Give them a talking to? Chain them? Kill them all? No. You split them in groups of ten and let them draw lots. The poor bastard who draws the lucky one is killed and his brethren are the ones who have to do the killing."

"If an entire cohort fucks up, it might take a while as that's what, fifty people to kill? Well, this way you lose only ten percent of your soldiers, but the rest will do whatever it takes to avoid drawing lots again and butchering their own." Nothing too special about the Age of Decadence version of decimation, but that's okay, not everything in this game needs to involve magi and Qantari demons.

"Did you know Carrinas?" "Wow, that sure is an interesting method of discipline. How about that Carrinas?"

"I did, back when he was a centurion. He always had a problem doing what he was told, but he was a good soldier, so they always let it slide and look at the results. To tell you the truth, I knew there was going to be trouble when Paullus sent him to Teron, but it wasn't my place to say anything."

"What makes you think that?"

"Well, if you want your orders followed, why would you send someone who has a problem following orders?" _{to get rid of them sorry spoilers not really sorry}

"Interesting. Alright, you can fix me up now." "Alright, let's start by replacing your rear-view mirror..."

"When it comes to healing, the old man sticks with three basic techniques: cutting, burning, and stitching. Clearly, what was good for the cavemen is good enough for him. Occasionally, he spits out something what looks like chewing tobacco and shoves it in the wound, saying that a bit of herb will do the body good." Little bit of bleeding and leeches the day keeps the doctor away!

"In the end he manages to stop the bleeding without causing any permanent damage or disfigurement and patch up your wounds. If you didn't know any better, you'd think you're as good as new." Let's finally get back the main story then.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/W2P7xai.png) "I should have asked for three votes, but what's done is done. Alright, I'll give you five men. Neither the best nor the brightest but good enough to get the job done." Somehow I doubt they are going to be good enough to get the job done.

(http://i.imgur.com/W2P7xai.png) "Dismissed."

*Imperial Guards reputation increased*

"So what's you problem with Carrinas?"

(http://i.imgur.com/W2P7xai.png) "He betrayed us. Betrayed what we stand for. We've defended this land since the fall of the Empire, sacrificed and bled for it, and he's undone it all when he attacked Teron like a common brigand," says Raenas, spitting on the ground for emphasis."

"He had his reasons." If Vibius didn't say tepid statements like this too I would criticize Gnaea's low persuasion right about now.

(http://i.imgur.com/W2P7xai.png) "Every raider we've ever nailed to a cross had *reasons*," says Raenas, his face growing redder by the moment. "They all get weepy and teary-eyed when they tell you their story, but strip away the bullshit and it's always the same one: take what you want by force and kill whoever gets in your way. How's that different from what Carrinas has done?"

"It's different. Carrinas is not a raider. As for Teron, something had to be done." The main character's dialogue is really the low-point in this game's writing. Would probably require a lot of work to actively change depending on stats\skills though.

(http://i.imgur.com/W2P7xai.png) "Carrinas didn't have the authority," says Raenas, folding his arms. It's plain that to him the distinction of authority is absolute. "It was not his place to make that decision."

(http://i.imgur.com/W2P7xai.png) "The Imperial Guard survived the fall of the Empire and the chaos that followed thanks to structure and order. Every man knows his place and every man follows his orders. Unto death."

"You put much faith in orders." Well, yeah, he is a general.

(http://i.imgur.com/W2P7xai.png) "When you give a man an order, you relieve him of doubt. You are giving him a clear path to follow. That is as important as meat and wine to a soldier. Give a man with a sword the freedom to make decisions and you invite chaos, bloodshed, slaughter."

(http://i.imgur.com/W2P7xai.png) "In the Imperial Guard, rank is based on wisdom, and wisdom comes from experience. I can command a legion and achieve my objectives, but unlike Carrinas, I know the limits of my wisdom. I *know* that I am not experienced enough to make decisions for the Imperial Guard."

"And Paullus is?"

(http://i.imgur.com/W2P7xai.png) "Paullus is. Lords are born to their titles, but here not only does every officer earn his command, he must prove his worth every day. Paullus is the Dux because he's the best man for a job, not because he was born to the right family or bought his title. You would do well to keep that in mind and show Paullus the respect he deserves." We're finally bringing back the romantic side of the IG! Best if we tell Paullus about this great occurrence immediately.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/3Wlhxwy.png) "Report."

"Legatus Raenas has agreed to give me five legionaries. I'm ready to depart."

(http://i.imgur.com/3Wlhxwy.png) "We have a small garrison stationed in Ganezzar. Their legatus has been recalled - I need him elsewhere. You'll assume control - temporarily for now, but if you prove yourself, the promotion will be yours. You can use the rank when dealing with Meru. He'll expect no less." This is the reason we're given as to why we don't have control of anyone during this next section and it also conveniently explains why Meru will talk to us. The great pains this game goes through to make everything work logically makes transcribing take forever but it's still pretty nice.

"Raenas' men will secure the site while you introduce yourself to Meru. Make sure that he's happy with our end of the bargain. Dismissed!"

---

Hmm, not sure what I intended to put in here. Probably just a trip to the shops or some such.

---

Title: Re: Let's Play The Age of Decadence Part 5\Final: Gnaea's Gambit - LP Done
Post by: A Thing on November 13, 2016, 04:31:17 pm

Spoiler: Where do we go now, sweet child o' mine? (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/ywutbkR.png)

"Beyond the embers of your dying campfire, you first mistook the lights of the holy city for a new constellation, so high were they above the horizon. Over the next two days the craggy profile of Castle Ganezzar sets the caravan's course, as if it were a lighthouse guiding you across the plain."

"The city's magic and mystery fades, however, as you come closer. The famous citadel sqauts grim and unadorned atop its massive hill, with the city arranged in cascading levels on the slopes beneath, like rings of fungus choking the last vestiges of life from a ruined tree."

---

(http://i.imgur.com/Nc6dq1g.png)

"Stop right there!" demands a pox-marked man. He looks dirty and unkempt, yet speaks with a strange aura of authority, clearly enjoying his power to stop and question anyone he pleases." He is also clearly enjoying the bliss of ignorance. Spears are just sticks with metal attached, what's so scary about them?

"Several armed men are looming behind him, making the unspoken threat credible. The Crassus guards manning the gate show no reaction, either accustomed to it or being on the side of the zealots."

"Which Lord do you owe fealty to?" asks the man." Given our opinion of lords I think the only suitable reaction to this question is...

"Fuck off."

"Come to make trouble here, did ya?" says one of the guards, giving the zealots a nod. "You've wasted a trip then."

(http://i.imgur.com/xAmTzA0.png)

Remember the trial by combat? Imagine that but instead of criminals we're fighting peasants.

"We'll be watching you," the guard says reluctantly, as if not sure how to handle what just happened. "No more trouble, you hear me?" I'm quivering with terror at the mere insinuation of Meru's wrath.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/P8tZvnv.png)

"A bored guard is leaning against the wall. The door next to him seems to be barred."

"Plague," explains the guard, nodding at the door, when you come closer."

"How do you know it's a plague?" Does he have any debts? Is he a noble? Than he probably isn't poisoned so it's probably the plague.

"A prospector who recently returned from a trip to some ruins fell ill. Started vomiting blood and then his hair fell off. If that ain't a plague, I don't know what is."

"A prospector, you said? I'd like to speak to him." This doesn't make much sense for us to do right now but it'll make more sense in a second.

"And spread the plague? Don't be daft," says the guard."

"So what's the plan?"

"Same as always," shrugs the guard. "He makes it, we let him out. He dies, we burn the body and possessions. What else is there to do?"

"I dabble in alchemy. Maybe I can help." Here's why we're doing this.

"An alchemist, are you?" asks the guard with sudden interest. "You know, a friend of mine went to a whorehouse and now he has this rash..." The guard spends the next ten minutes describing his condition in vivid details."

[alchemy] "Suggest him an ointment." I think you mean, "Suggest his friend an ointment," game.

[success] "Thanks, I'll definitely ... uh, I mean, I'll let my friend know. Alright, you can go in, but do it quickly."

"You see a sickly-looking man lying on a dirty bed. His breathing is shallow, his eyes closed."

"Can you hear me?" Can you hear me Major Tom?

"The man mumbles something, then coughs, spitting blood on his tunic."

[alchemy] "Fix him a healing concoction if you want to question him."

[success] "You mix a medical concoction and make him drink it. The man coughs a few more times, then slowly opens his eyes."

*You gain a new insight into the liberal arts and trades - 1 civil skill point gained.*

"Can you talk?" I have no vocal chords but I must scream.

"The man nods weakly."

"What happened to you?"

"Followed the dead river," croaks the man. "Found the village. Nothing but death there. Death and machines."

"Where?"

"The dying prospector looks at your map and points with a shaking finger. He closes his eyes, too weak to say anything else." There's really no reason to go through the Dead River since we can just muscle our way through Hellgate but I wanted to show this off anyway.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/bPEfrO7.png)

"House Crassus banners are flying above the Imperial Guard's fort, leaving no doubt as to who the current owner is."

"Approach." I think House Crassus has some explaining to do.

"State your business (To investigate your business!)," says the legionary posted outside."

"What happened to the Guards that were stationed here?"

"Missing in action," says the legionary with a shrug." This legionary is clearly lacking in the mythical skills known as "Common Sense" and "Tact."

"What action?"

"You think they stopped to see me on their way out and left a message for you?"

"So House Crassus wasted no time moving in?"

"Looks this way, doesn't it?" says the legionary. "Anything else I can help you with?" You can help me by getting out of my way and letting me get to Meru already. Bye!

---

(http://i.imgur.com/AZImAT6.png)

"State your purpose," says one of the guards, barely concealing a yawn." You would think guards would be enthusiastic about doing the Gods' work, but apparently not.

"My name is Gnaea. I seek an audience with Lord Meru."

[reputation failure] "You aren't welcome here," says the guard, spitting at your feet. You count at least a dozen guards in the vicinity." Seems like Raenas isn't the only one who isn't a fan of our kingslaying ways. Let's try a different path.

"I'm a Legatus of the Imperial Guards. Lord Meru is expecting me."

"Right this way, Legatus," says the guard, gesturing to his men to open the gate for you."

---

(http://i.imgur.com/sdA8DIR.png)

"You're standing in front of Lord Meru. He is dressed in the eastern manner and has an aura of humility and piousness about him, although you can't say whether he is a humble and pious man or merely wants to come across as one." Likely the latter. He is a lord after all.

"There are no guards in the room, nothing that would highlight his status and station. Lord Meru is accompanied only by a plainly dressed man with thinning hair and dark eyes that seem to penetrate your very soul."

"My Lord."

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "There are no lords here, sister. Are we not all equal in the Gods' eyes? We're measured only by our devotion and faith. Serve faithfully, give yourself to the Gods and you too will stand one day where I stand now." And you thought Antidas was full of malarkey!

"Dux Gaius Aetius Paullus sent me."

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "I'm grateful for his support," Meru says humbly, bowing his head, "although when I requested a legatus, I hoped she would be accompanied by a legion not a handful of soldiers. Paullus does like playing it safe but sooner or later he would have to make a decision. Let us both pray that it won't be too late." Passive-aggressiveness is not holy, Meru.

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "As for you, Legatus, my men will be ready within a day. I'm sure you'll need some time to prepare as well." We really don't.

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) 'The Gods have revealed the location of Al-Akia to me. It's been lost for centuries, shrouded in darkness of our ignorance. The time has come to restore this holy site to its former glory, returning it to the faithful. Imagine, standing where the gods stood when they descended from their heavenly abode and took on mortal forms to walk with us, kissing the ground made holy by their presence." If Meru's zealots kiss ground which rats have lived upon no wonder disease is so rampant in Ganezzar.

"What do you want me to do?" Well, can you do the fandango?

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "I want you to secure the site while my men explore it. I know you will do your best. Unlike Paullus, I have full confidence in you."

"What makes you think Paullus doesn't?" Does the number five mean anything to you, Gnaea?

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "I'm no fool, *Legatus*. (That's debatable.) We both know that you and your men are expendable. Had it been otherwise, Paullus would have sent a full legion and a real legatus."

"I'm ready to join the expedition." I'm ready to pack all my troubles in my old kit bag.

(http://i.imgur.com/FY1DKrg.png) "May the Gods lead you to it."

---

(http://i.imgur.com/oGllXz4.png)

"On the morning of your departure you discover you'll be traveling in the company of four grizzled loremasters and a small detachment of Crassus Guards."

"During the journey you learn these loremasters aren't your typical weekend market hucksters. They learned their trade the old fashioned way, robbing tombs and fighting off brigands. They are also in charge of the expedition, dictating where and when the party will stop in order to accommodate the constant referencing of the stars and landmarks against their maps. These consultations regularly lead to heated arguments, almost to the point of blows, all in a language only they understand. The Guards simply keep to themselves." At least that last bit makes sense now.

"Six long days under the naked sun bring your group to the ruins of Al-Akia, which at first seem to consist of nothing but a miniature pyramid, barely taller than a grown man. A closer examination of the area reveals four other derelict structures peeking out from the sand, equidistant from the central edifice."

---

"Meru's men cluster around the pyramid as if they wish to throw themselves upon it, but instead to whisk the sand from its marking with little horsehair brushes. In contrast to their vocal exchanges over the last week, they now speak in excited whispers. Eventually they shift their attention to the other structures, two men dusting them off and the third making notations on one of their charts. While they go about their examinations you deduce that the three piles of masonry stones are the tops of three towers. What you are seeing is the highest level of a sprawling complex, long buried beneath the sand." That is one hell of an assumption for Gnaea to jump towards, but I think we can just excuse it by saying she's seen diagrams of old fortresses before.

"At last, the loremasters fall silent, nodding to themselves in satisfaction. Whatever their reasons, they have settled on the last tower as the one they like best."

---

(http://i.imgur.com/zP4D796.png)

"Legatus?" calls one of them - a bearded man acting as their leader."

"What do you need?"

"This is an ancient site of great significance. As you can see, the sands claimed it a long time ago. It would take decades to dig it out and we don't have that long." Are you sure? I think we could both do with an early retirement project.

"So what's the plan then?"

"According to the construction plans, the entire complex was built to minimize exposure to outside elements. We believe that if you can make it all the way down, you should be able to gain access to the main building," the man nods at the pyramid."

"Me?" Who else is going to recklessly risk their life? A NPC? Good joke.

"We need you to go first and make sure that the way is clear. It is my understanding that the Imperial Guards were well compensated for the risk," says the man impatiently."

"Alright." Approach the tower."

(http://i.imgur.com/5Nb2ztj.png)

"You see a crumbling stairway disappearing into the darkness. The barely visible steps are covered with sand." Hope you don't fear some sand in your lungs, Gnaea.

"It should take you twenty minutes or so to reach the bottom," says the loremaster. "Another twenty minutes to reach the pyramid. We'll expect you back in two hours. Bearing good news, I hope."

---

"It takes you a lot longer than twenty minutes to reach the bottom. Twice you have to stop and clear the passage, removing debris blocking your way and letting the sand flow down."

(http://i.imgur.com/lM0KyRh.png)

"After what seems like hours, you reach your destination - the hallowed halls of Al-Akia. The birthplace of the Gods." As intriguing as this area is, we've already explored it thoroughly as Vibius. We didn't explore it fully though, be back in a bit.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/0kcuICC.png)

"You take another step and then you see *it* (I thought we were done with clowns?) as it starts uncoiling. It's a desert scolopendra - a very aggressive and poisonous centipede, preying on anything that walks or crawls. Its powerful legs are fast enough to outrun a man and its back plates are as hard as any armor. Its mouth, described by a notable loremaster with a flair for poetry as a "terrible instrument of destruction" has not only horn-covered jaws but also a pair of sharp and curved fangs injecting poison into the wounds as they tear into flesh. The scolopendra hisses and raises itself up, getting ready to strike."

(http://i.imgur.com/sHwhrMP.png)

[critical strike] "Aim for the weak spot! Surely it has one." I put a bet on the glowing orange bit being the weak spot, anyone want to bet against me? Also, yes, this game does have a couple non-human enemies. Scolopendra and automatons are one, and Agathoth is another. I think there are also scorpions in Dead River, but I honestly can't remember and it might just be more Scolopendra.

[success] "You feint an attack and when the centipede goes for it, you sidestep and strike it under the jaws, hoping to cut the damn thing open. It doesn't quite work this way but your dagger sinks in deep enough and that's gotta count for something."

(http://i.imgur.com/RJJzhWi.png)

Advanced tactics are one of the Scolopendra's strong suits so this battle is mostly just us thwacking it with poison and it doing much the same. Died a couple times, but what's new?

---

(http://i.imgur.com/0at1PmK.png)

This area is! I wonder what's in the box.

"This once intricate, rusty metal box contains a well-preserved scroll." Hmm, it seems I've got a doctor's appointment see all of you later!

(http://i.imgur.com/lGxEbe0.png)

"My name is Quintus Valerius Corvus. I am honored to report that it is my destiny to bring glory to the Empire. I know this for the (Bible told me so?) Senate memorandum assigning me to this project used these very words. The smell of my crucified predecessors lingers in my memory, reminding me that failure isn't an option. Common sense tells me that success is equally not an option." If you win you lose, if you lose you lose, so you might as well try to have fun.

"The insane goal of my masters will not - cannot - be achieved, and when the powers that be finally realize this, they will ascribe their own failure to incompetence on my part. Though I may not preserve my life, I will keep these notes both to reinforce my sanity and protect my good name." I'm sure the inquisitors will feel great remorse for a brief moment before they burn your journal along with the rest of your belongings.

"I was told that the construction at Al-Akia was completed only two years ago, but the pyramid is plainly older than the other buildings. The Qantari are everywhere, like an infestation of desert worm. I do not like them and I do not trust them. I have made my opinions known to the High Magus, but he is buried in his research and oblivious to everything else."

"Apparently, he cannot generate sufficient Power to enact his mad scheme, which lends me the slight hope that whoever anointed this insufferable ass High Magus will one day find himself removed from his head by a very sharp blade. In any case the High Magus now spends his days scribbling "theoretical"  (or "nonsensical", to the layman) geometries and consulting with the Qantari. Imagine an Imperial High Magus sitting down with half-naked (Have you seen a toga, dude?) savages who paint themselves with blood! Disgrace upon disgrace."

"The High Magus and his imbeciles built have managed to assemble some contraption on top of the pyramid. And without a single one falling to his death, mores the pity. When I asked him what it was, he said the answer would be too much for my fragile mind. I considered that any mind would seem fragile under the blow of a war hammer, but I will save my wit for the report to the Senate." 
"..."

"Predictably, the first two attempts were utter failures, generating not so much as a colored spark. The High Magus walks more quietly now, and speaks softly. He even appears to be avoiding me. I have begun a first draft of my findings for the Senate, but I must be careful not to show how gratified I am by this catastrophe. One more week I will give him, one week to tighten the noose yet further."

"It worked! The blasted, thrice-accursed, misbegotten whore of a machine worked. And it would have been my greatest triumph if not for the meddling of those knuckle-dragging primitives! The High Magus told me - me, a Legatus! - to oversee the installing of a "fail-safe" device as if I were some lowly mechanus."

"I delegated the task to the Qantari chief. Our translator, the only man other than the High Magus fluent in their abrasive tongue, had expired from the sting of a desert insect the week before, so there some few details may have been miscommunicated. In any event, the barbarian grinned at me with his filed teeth and assured me that my will would be done." If this isn't a setup for a sitcom episode, then I'll eat my, uhh, gladius.

"Obviously, the device malfunctioned - truth be told I suspect they all knew it would not work. This drivel about a fail-safe was like as not a ploy to shift the blame to me - and the Power surge turned the three "champions" to charcoal. I thank whatever Gods the Magus is praying to that he wasn't there to see it."

"I had a few of my personal slaves clean everything up and replaced the erstwhile champions with three soldiers under my command. Take note, dear reader, of the difference between a leader and a talker. I made this project work and when we ran into a problem, I found a solution. And unlike the great and mighty Magi it didn't take me years to do so." You might have already put it together, but this centurion's little temper tantrum is a major reason why the "Gods" were able to take over their mortal vessels so easily. Makes his death at the hands of the Qantari a lot less sad, doesn't it?

---

(http://i.imgur.com/6rFALi8.png)

"You see a strange metal casket standing upright. You recall a tale a caravan master once told you. The demons summoned by the Qantari could not be killed: neither cold steel nor fire could harm them. So one by one they were captured and locked away for good. Could it be?"

I think we could all do with a good bit of demonslaying right about now.

"You open the door and recoil in horror as the light reflects off a dozen eyes staring at you. It takes you a moment to realize that you're looking not at a demon but at a strange, almost grotesque set of armor you've ever (sic) seen."

"The helmet reminds you of the murmillo helmet, but it's perfectly round and much bigger and heavier. There are sixteen eyeholes covered with thick glass, suggesting that the helmet is immovable. Such armor would be worse than useless in combat, yet it was crafted with great care and precision."

"There is a single word engraved on it - Aegis."

You remember that thing about a helmet of mirrors that Ibn Hadad used to travel the void safely? This is it. We won't be able to use it for a variety of reasons, but kidnapping valuable objects always makes me feel better.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/DK5YnnE.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/FslRzdG.png)

This is what Feng's office would look like if he wasn't utterly incompetent at being a loremaster.

"The desk is covered with scrolls: notes, diagrams, endless calculation and obscure formulae. One fragment catches your eye:

"We have modified the engines again. The readings show the output to be stable within the parameters we specified- as safe as one can reasonably expect, given the circumstances. The last obstacle has finally been removed. There's no reason to delay any longer."

"Iulianus will go first. He shows no fear of what's to come. Like his brethren, he thinks he will be filled with divine essence, become a great warrior. His ambitions, subject to the same limit as his feeble imagination, go no further. We have chosen well."

"Another fragment:"

"We attempted to power up the wards today. I feared the worst after the inital failure, but they are holding. Tissue swelling and bone loss were expected factors. Not a single ward has collapsed. Yet."

"The bindings give us absolute control over the subjects. Their marvelous abilities, which to the commoner will make them seem as gods, are completely in our control, and their physical forms subject to our will. If the worst comes to pass we may destroy them entirely. Without this tightest of reins I would never have agreed to bring these beings to our plane, no matter the alternative."

"The scroll falls apart in your hands, making it difficult to continue:"

"Now that the ritual is complete, I must confess that the deepest part of me had not believed it possible until this moment. Only a few years ago we were as blind as mole rats, ignorant of the different planes, of the higher life forms, of so many possibilities. Today, we bound the very gods to our plane and our will, acting not as their servants but as their masters. Without a doubt, this is the hour of our greatest triumph!"  Abu Hassan Ibn Hadad al-Sarabi might as well be saying "Nothing could possibly go wrong!" or "The archers are out of range!" at this point.

"Another fragment:"

"The knowledge is overwhelming, the power unspeakable. Every day I - First of the Magi, wisest amongst my brothers - learn more from our gods than what I had gleaned from decades of study. I am forced to reconsider my opinion of the Qantari. So far, every word they've told us has been the truth."

"The barbarians have been foolish in their generosity. They have shared their knowledge without restraint, showed us the key to communicating with their gods. They needed our cooperation to bring them here, but to gain it they bartered away everything." Well, now we know for sure that the First of the Magi had a streetwise of one.

"Pick up another scroll."

"I noticed the first change, subtle yet alarming, today. The one we call Xenorath (think this is the one in Maadoran) - a fitting name, resembling the coughing sound it made to name itself - has developed a fondness for swimming. The ocean reminds him of the endless void of his native plane."

"Today he spent hours underwater in the darkness. He described a hideous creature he discovered on the sea bottom, though if he had gone that deep the pressure should have crushed its human form like a bug. The bastard did something to his fleshy vessel, altered it somehow, without anyone noticing. If he is able to make changes to his own form, what else can he do? What else can *they* do? Have we been too arrogant in our belief that we can control them? We shall find out tomorrow." Wards can't do too terribly much if the willpower of the person you stuffed the god into is almost nonexistent.

"Much of the scroll is damaged so you can only make out the ending:"

"I am not ashamed to say that I have wept this last hour, wept with despair. How could I have been so blind? The Qantari lied. Their scraping and servile manner, the painted faces, filed teeth and savage rituals were all a ruse, and the worst humiliation of all is that we still don't understand everything that happened. No matter... There are three gods yet on our side. The humanity has bled from them day by day like water through a sieve, until soon I think we will not recognize them as men at all. No matter. I will not quibble over their looks now that everything we have is at stake. The die is cast. If this humble manuscript survives the holocaust that is to come, and any on two legs chance to read it, I can only assume that we have won." Just jam the knife deeper, why don't you game? Ah, whatever, there is still more to explore.

---

(http://i.imgur.com/hTqnBYm.png)

[alchemy] "Nothing a proper charge won't fix." You took the words right out of my mouth.

(http://i.imgur.com/gQfUsZA.png)

[success] "A shaped charge goes off and the door swings open. Behold the power of science!" Forward, to glory!

---

(http://i.imgur.com/eO7yZF3.png)

"You see human remains - nothing but gnawed bones - and a strange tool lying beside them. It looks like a flat wooden club with evenly spaced blue steel inserts running on both sides." Blue-steel in a toothpick? We truly are living in a Age of Decadence.

"Examine it."

"It's neither a sword nor a club, yet it's clearly a weapon of some kind. It will take some getting used to but you can probably use it as:"

"A saw? Just leave it alone." Can't remember if this requires a crafting or a lore check, either way we can't use it. All that's left to do here is investigate the casket room and return to the loremasters.

---

"Climbing up proves to be much more challenging than going down. The steps threaten to break off and trigger a sand avalanche that would bury you in seconds. You move slowly and by the time you reach the surface, the sun is long gone and the sky is dark."

"The very first thing you see is the bearded loremaster's dead eyes. His body is lying next to the tower, his unblinking eyes locked on the pyramid. The hacked up bodies of his colleagues, your men, and Aurelian legionaries are strewn around. By the looks of it, your men accounted well for themselves, but the odds weren't in their favor."

(http://i.imgur.com/Ldascex.png)

"In the distance, five Aurelian legionaries are tending to their wounds near a campfire." We could try to sneak or run away, but it's a lot more sporting to our men to...

"Attack!"

(http://i.imgur.com/dHB5pFD.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ypbLsyl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Z1O6qUU.jpg)

This battle features you singlehandedly fighting a bunch of relatively well-trained melee fighters and a couple decent ranged fighters, suffice it to say it is a pain in the ass. Regardless, way we must be... off to Gannezar! Meru must know what happened here!

---

(http://i.imgur.com/DVf5IsV.png)

"You realize that things went horribly wrong when you return to Ganezzar and see a multitude of campfires and tents, Aurelian standards flying above them. An attack on your expedition was one thing - the Aurelians were always touch when it came to ruins and magic, but laying a siege to Ganezzar is an entirely different story, signaling a major escalation and willingness to prevent House Crassus from poking in ruins ever again." Or Gaelius could just be using that as an excuse to make his House more powerful by conquering Gannezar, but he would never do something as heartless as declaring war on his kinsmen for the sake of power, clearly.

(http://i.imgur.com/JbhU8fg.png)

"A shroud of smoke about the base of the hill marks the ordered chaos of a military camp. The purple banners snapping in the unforgiving plains wind proclaim this sea of tents the domain of House Aurelian."

"The siege of Ganezzar has begun." And sadly we'll never get to see it end.

"Watch the camp." We could use skills like sneak or impersonate here but we don't have any skill in such skills so we must take the dumb path through this situation.

"The local Forty Thieves' chapter is notorious for its smuggling operations so you get comfortable and watch the camp and approaches to the city. On the third night you spot several barely visible shadows, carrying what looks like crates. One by one they disappear into the ground to the left of the Aurelian encampment."

"Smugglers. Just the men you want to see." No, we really don't want to see them. I really wish I invested points in sneak.

"Follow them."

(http://i.imgur.com/RpclY0y.png)

"You reach a spot where the smugglers disappeared and look around. Since you know what to look for, it doesn't take you long to find a hidden hatch. You open it and see a dark passage, smelling of dampness and moss."

(http://i.imgur.com/wdPt1XU.png)

"You follow the tunnel for twenty minutes, (Why is it always twenty minutes?) feeling your way along the wall, when suddenly the wall ends. You take a few steps forward and suddenly several torches light up the room. You find yourself standing in a fairly large underground chamber cut out of the rock, surrounded by grim looking men who probably misunderstood the purpose of your visit."

"They attack before you get a chance to say anything."

In the words of myself from five months ago or so...

"I am completely unable to get past this battle and I no longer have enough interest in this LP to go back to an earlier point and make Gnaea more capable, so this is what you get:

The smugglers lift their weapons and shout, beginning the routine of battle you have become so accustomed to. Yet when you try to do the same your arms, numb from injury and exhaustion simply give out. Your body is riddled with arrows before you can even recognize the gravity of your situation.

Perhaps this was not the destined end you wished for yet you still feel glee thinking of how those ingrates in Teron must feel knowing that the bodyguard they always underpaid and overworked died the Hero of Harran Pass.

You die completely numb to the pain of dying and with a smile on your face. Perhaps destiny served your well after all. At the very least, it served the smugglers well. No longer will they have to worry about selling refuse from the fallen Empire to peasant; they now have priceless relics of THE Hero of Harran Pass!"

So ends Gnaea, so ends this update, so ends this LP. It's a surreal experience to be done with this thing for me. Not sure if I should be glad or sad as this whole LP has had a rather constructive effect on my life and it'll be little bit emptier with it gone. It was much easier with the Wasteland 1 LP as I really just wanted that to be done, but this? I'm not so sure.

What I am sure about is that none of you want to hear me ramble about the nature of this LP. So, I will instead say to all of you that participated in this LP in short manner, thank you! I'll see all of you again in when Colony Ship RPG releases in the year 20xx.   


PS: I'm still planning on showing off the ending where all the factions fight to death over Agathoth, but Iron Tower hasn't added it yet. Maybe it'll be added in that December update they've been talking about, if not, farewell!

Title: Re: Let's Play The Age of Decadence Part 5\Final: Gnaea's Gambit - LP Done
Post by: Hanzoku on November 14, 2016, 07:50:09 am

Thanks for running the LP. It's a shame that it ends in such a fashion, but I guess it's a good monument to designers not providing enough options to deal with situations unless you know exactly how they intended you to build/play classes in their game.

Title: Re: Let's Play The Age of Decadence Part 5\Final: Gnaea's Gambit - LP Done
Post by: somemildmanneredidiot on November 14, 2016, 08:56:33 am

applause

Thank you for the LP! It's been quite fun to read along.

Title: Re: Let's Play The Age of Decadence Part 5\Final: Gnaea's Gambit - LP Done
Post by: A Thing on November 14, 2016, 04:09:55 pm

Quote from: Hanzoku on November 14, 2016, 07:50:09 am

Thanks for running the LP. It's a shame that it ends in such a fashion, but I guess it's a good monument to designers not providing enough options to deal with situations unless you know exactly how they intended you to build/play classes in their game.

It's more so that the combat difficulty requires a lot more patience than I have to play a combat character. It definitely achieves it's goal of making combat a thing your wary of but it also kinda makes half of the game really obnoxious to play through. I'm hoping that Iron Tower will tone it down a bit for Colony Ship RPG otherwise my inevitable LP of that will probably end like this one ended.

Title: Re: Let's Play The Age of Decadence Part 5\Final: Gnaea's Gambit - LP Done
Post by: A Thing on December 25, 2016, 01:00:06 am

Every series that goes on for any appreciable length of time needs a Christmas special, including The Age of Decadence. Put on some slippers and get some eggnog folks!

Spoiler: Better watch out, Agathoth is coming to town! (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/Npil3Qr.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "You're right," says Antidas, resigning or perhaps warming up to his fate. "After all, it is my duty to lead, even in the darkest of time."

If you remember right last time this was the point where we teleported to the temple with Antidas, however with the new update that has changed and we actually have to get Antidas there safely! Our new recreation of Vibius recognizes this: "It's a long trip. We'll need an escort."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "We won't get far," says Antidas. "Remember what happened to the first expedition? My House doesn't have many friends that far north. We'll take Dellar with us - he's worth five men in a fight." Antidas, the Christmas special is really not the time to be throwing shade at other timelines. You're going into virtual purgatory for a bit for that while we talk to Dellar.

(http://i.imgur.com/ylgDmk4.png)

Dellar has always been such a good guy to us. I mean, look, he's already packed and ready to go!

(http://i.imgur.com/IUY30nD.png) "I've already heard," says Dellar. "We're going sightseeing. Remind me to break your neck when this is over." Under that veil of hostility he really adores us, trust me. He just doesn't know how the react to the uplifting spirit of the holidays.

"We'll need some supplies." "We'll need some heroes..."

"One step ahead of you," says Dellar. "I've already sent for your things and extra supplies." See? Would a man who doesn't care for his job us do something like that? Antidas surely wouldn't. We should probably go see him now by the way.

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "What are we waiting for?" Nothing, get the bells out and start playing: Agathoth is coming to town!

(http://i.imgur.com/GtgpAnB.png)

"Your journey is surprisingly uneventful. The storm cloud hanging above the ruins of Maadoran provides a perfect cover and keeps the raiders as far away as possible." I wonder if we have some liquid fire to rub on Dellar's nose...

"You reach Hellgate without much trouble. Numerous Aurelian patrols have driven out raiders and other undesirables, making the roads relatively safe to travel." And because of the previously mentioned ruined Maadoran we don't have to worry about those same Aurelian patrols. It's a very convenient world we've created here. 

(http://i.imgur.com/p89eezO.png)

"Unfortunately, upon arrival you discover that the Hellgate's entrance is collapsed. A half of dozen of the Imperial Guards paint an incomplete picture of what transpired here." A German public safety commercial gone horribly wrong?

"You'd have to take a different route to the temple." That different route is Dead River. I hope you like scorpions or at least can tolerate them!

(http://i.imgur.com/3NT4MM7.png)

"It takes you two days to reach the Dead River. The settlement has been fenced off, the Imperial Guards' standard flying above it. A large group of zealots has gathered near the fence, angrily demanding entrance. The Guards seem to be set on denying it." Well that's hardly festive! Let's stop this display of rudeness at once!

(http://i.imgur.com/PU3xKtl.png)

First, let's talk to a random zealot: "Have you heard the Call too, brother?" asks a bearded man, stoically carrying the burden of leadership."

[streetwise] "Why else would we be here, brother?"

[success] "Satisfied with the mix of piety and eagerness in your voice, the zealot nods."

"Then join us in the fight against the unbelievers," he points at the fence. "They think this fence will shield them from Gods' wrath!" Well, this is a 3d video game so a fence might be enough to stop God.

"Suddenly, the zealot's jaw goes slack and his eyes become glassy. A similar affliction befalls his brethren, stopping them dead in their tracks." Santa's Agathoth's elves have many talents beyond simply crafting artifacts for good little Magi.

(http://i.imgur.com/SepBLKE.png) "A strange sense of calm and detachment comes over you as Agathoth reaches out to you. "My children are yours to command," he says somewhere far away, his words resonating in your mind like a struck bell. Your knees buckle and you taste blood in your mouth." Despite suffering from severe internal turmoil we can still order Agathoth's children forth to slay evildoers!

"Weakly, you point at the fence and the zealots obey, hacking at it with silent, terrifying furry, (sic) their eyes glassy and unfocused. The Guards fight them with everything they go, but Agathoth's thralls seem impervious to pain."

(http://i.imgur.com/TV2lFhH.png)

"In the end the Imperial Guards prevail but it's an (sic) hollow victory: the fence is all but destroyed and most of the defenders dead or dying. Fortunately or unfortunately, Agathoth has withdrawn from your mind, so it's up to you to negotiate the passage to the temple with the remaining four Guards." Forward, to wordsmithing!

(http://i.imgur.com/h5PdO6j.png)

"What the fuck do you want?" demands the Guard with claw marks on his face."

"Just passing through." We say, immediately after witnessing a massacre.

"Nobody passes through here until we sort it out," the man says stubbornly." It's the season of giving, and Vibius has ways to make anyone give, Guardsmen. You're fighting a losing battle here.

[persuasion] "It would take an army to secure this crossing. If you stay here, you will die for nothing."

[success] "We'll die with honor," says the man but his voice lacks conviction. After what he's just witnessed, it's hard to blame him."

[persuasion] "There's no honor in being torn apart by a pack of rabid dogs. Take your wounded and go, before the zealots return." Haven't you heard? Agathoth is coming to town and you don't want to see him angry!

[success] "You think they'll be back?" he glances at his men. "Fuck it, I aint' (sic) dying for these ruins. If the zealots want them so badly, they can have them." Guardsmen giving into the giving spirit? It's a Christmas miracle!

(http://i.imgur.com/Ztfr3iI.jpg)

The temple is looking a bit different now-a-days. Not sure if I like it if I'm being honest, but tha-

(http://i.imgur.com/a3ga7eM.jpg)

-all good now! You know, I'm a lot more happy with this ending now. Kinda makes me wonder what crazy outfit Vibius got for himself in the One True God ending though. Oh well, that's not this Vibius, so let's talk to Antidas and get on with this.

(http://i.imgur.com/0Mg8Uiy.png)

Or we can talk to Pharaoh-Agathoth. I'm completely fine with this turn of events.

"The chamber at the apex of the ziggurat  has been restored to the glory of ancient days. Opulent tapestries from distant lands, gilded columns thicker than two men could encircle wit their arms, braziers burning incense night and day, all is arranged to please the senses and convey wealth and power. Though your eyes water to gaze upon such riches, they are nothing compared to the glory of the God, for that is what Agathoth has become."

"The God's form is encased in a suit of strange armor - glowing sigils line the arms and legs, flowing and changing as you watch - and a weighty golden mask. As a practical matter, the ornate mask conceals the tentacles cascading from his head, reducing the shock of his appearance so that the unprepared may simply grovel in terror rather than lose consciousness outright." Come on game, why can't you let us forget about the reality of our situation for a second and bask in the glory of friggin' Ra over here for a second?

"Agathoth beckons with a bejeweld hand and your body traipses towards him like a puppet manipulated by a lazy child.In God's presence, your purpose is manifest, your desires fulfilled. Among all his thousands of slaves, you are most beloved and favored. For now." Dellar might struggle to express his feelings, but Agathoth definitely doesn't!

(http://i.imgur.com/gwF3DKz.png) "Kneel," the God says, a gentle reminder to a child who must learn protocol if he wishes to visit court. Strings cut, your knees buckle and your body folds until your forehead rests on the cool marble floor. You cannot rise even if you wished to, but since you do not - and will not ever - wish to, your mind remains serene and untroubled in this most perfect of all worlds." Well, at least that explains why this ending is so much shorter than the other ones in terms of slides.

(http://i.imgur.com/gwF3DKz.png) "Rise," the God commands benevolently, switching his attention to your companion. "Is this the chieftain to whom the local tribes (ouch) swear allegiance?" The God's tone drops in what might be disappointment, but with the mask concealing his expression you can't be sure. Agathoth continues with his instructions."

(http://i.imgur.com/gwF3DKz.png) "From this moment forward you speak with my voice and in so doing so will (so) grow your domain far beyond your petty ambitions. Your enemies will be swept away as leaves before a wailing wind. All who dare rise against you will fall swiftly fall (sic) for such is my will. Many others will serve me but you and you alone shall be the tip of my spear, the scourge of my foes."

(http://i.imgur.com/qscRsSs.png) "The prophecy is true," whispers Antidas, repeating the words. "House Daratan will be restored to its former glory and rise higher than ever before." Antidas is not a man of varied statements, it seems.

(http://i.imgur.com/gwF3DKz.png) "Your House served me well in the past and now that I've returned it shall serve me again," the God says smoothly."

"I shall make you the absolute lord of Men. You will serve me faithfully in all things, just your men serve you. You man rule as you see in matters that are beneath my notice but you will obey my word in every detail and without hesitation. When my other servants reveal themselves to you, you shall obey their orders just as you obey mine."

"Lord," Antidas breaths out, unable to believe his luck. You aren't sure he's heard anything past "the absolute lord of Men." It's not too much concern, he'll have plenty of time to learn about his other duties. Plenty of time.

(http://i.imgur.com/NtUJcjT.png)

"Moving with unnatural grace, two men step forward and flank Antidas. Under normal circumstances you'd find their unblinking, vacant gaze disturbing but there's nothing normal about these circumstances."

(http://i.imgur.com/gwF3DKz.png) "My servants will take you back and see to your safety. Keep them close for they will give their lives to protect you," commands Agathoth. "Your first task is to raise a great army..."

As the game succinctly says: "It's the dawn of a new age [and the end of your adventure]." There might be some new ending slides added in or changed ending slides, but if not, this is so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodnight for this LP. This is the final update for this game according to the developers at least.

(http://i.imgur.com/1dz8E4f.png)

"Antidas' transformation from a waffling and ineffective megalomaniac into a brilliant tactician takes everyone by surprise. His detractors put his string of victories down to extraordinary luck or witchcraft, but his allies are quick to remark that what matters is who wins, not how it is done. Besides, they smugly add, it was always prophesied that Antidas would restore his House to its rightful place."

"Despite Antidas' uncanny luck, the war is long and three bloody years will pass before he is able to proclaim the birth of a new Empire over the corpses of his foes."

"The new king proves as adept at statecraft as slaughter, but his ambition is not satisfied with rule according to the Empire's ancient borders. Next he looks to pacifying the wasteland and conquering far away kingdoms. Rumors speak of a power behind the throne, an adviser trusted above all others, for Antidas takes no decision without consulting this mysterious figure. Loose tongues (or perhaps merely jealous ones) claim that Antidas himself is nothing but a puppet and this shadowy Other the true ruler, but only a fool would credit such stories."

(http://i.imgur.com/J5ExNOm.png)

"The deadly fog over the ruins of Maadoran shows no signs of dispersing, threatening to remain there for good. Covering an area over a hundred miles, it kills anyone who dares enter it. Those who come close speak of disturbing visions sent by the Gods to warn them to stay clear of the fog."

By the way, this was written in advance so if some typos are present which have now been patched out, that's why.

Title: Re: Let's Play The Age of Decadence Part Holiday Spirit: Christmas Special
Post by: inteuniso on December 26, 2016, 07:53:01 pm

Spoopy. So long, thanks for all the posts!