Heroica RPG - Quest#120: Hand of Blue

[Flipz]

"Even more of a reason to hire them--your enemies would never expect such an unorthodox tactic." Arthur shrugs. "It's just a suggestion--I've had very positive experiences working with them in the past."

He looks to Sun Qui. "You say you're a Weather Mage--I've never heard of a mage specializing in such a field. What exactly is it you do? Does your tradition originate here in Xu?"

[Sandy]

"Even more of a reason to hire them--your enemies would never expect such an unorthodox tactic." Arthur shrugs. "It's just a suggestion--I've had very positive experiences working with them in the past."

"We like to keep westerners out of our politics, thank you very much", the spymaster retorted, looking less amused.

He looks to Sun Qui. "You say you're a Weather Mage--I've never heard of a mage specializing in such a field. What exactly is it you do? Does your tradition originate here in Xu?"

"Ah, my sp'hecialization in weather is indeed a rare one, but'h I believe it'h is not'h unheard of in the West'h, either. C'hont'hrolling the c'hlimate through magic'h was originally disc'hovered by the Sun Elves, ac'htually. They worship'h the sp'hirit'hs of nature, you see. Gradually the t'halent'h spread t'ho other nations. Not'h all Circ'hles of Magi t'heach the sk'hill, though."

[CMP]

"Don't get me wrong, all in all Xu has been a decent place to live to the subjects of the Aoi government - until recently, that is. This new Age of Machines that the current Council is promoting just does not fit well in the lifestyle of us commoners. We are fishers and farmers and crafters, we live off the same land that the government is desecrating."

"S'pose I can understand that. Last village I was at in Xu...didn't really look like the giant blue airship hangin' over it really fit in. They probably won't notice what they're doin' 'til the land dies out and the whole country starves."

[Flipz]

"We like to keep westerners out of our politics, thank you very much", the spymaster retorted, looking less amused.

"Ah, my sp'hecialization in weather is indeed a rare one, but'h I believe it'h is not'h unheard of in the West'h, either. C'hont'hrolling the c'hlimate through magic'h was originally disc'hovered by the Sun Elves, ac'htually. They worship'h the sp'hirit'hs of nature, you see. Gradually the t'halent'h spread t'ho other nations. Not'h all Circ'hles of Magi t'heach the sk'hill, though."

Arthur shrugs nonchalantly.

"It sounds like a fascinating branch of magic. I used to be a spellcaster myself, but an unfortunate accident led me to rethink my life and take a more martial approach to my problems. I wouldn't mind a chance to read up on the subject, though, if only for nostalgia's sake--are there any books on the subject you can recommend?"

Miirym's tail twitches as she listens to the male Aoi feed Lady Shanxian more drivel. The little dragon shivers a little and tucks her body underneath part of the Ji Pei matriarch's headdress. She glances up at the room, watching carefully to see if anyone was approaching to cause the lady harm, and listens to the two Aoi's tones of voice for aural signs of trouble or distress.

[Sandy]

"It sounds like a fascinating branch of magic. I used to be a spellcaster myself, but an unfortunate accident led me to rethink my life and take a more martial approach to my problems. I wouldn't mind a chance to read up on the subject, though, if only for nostalgia's sake--are there any books on the subject you can recommend?"

"Ah, if you are int'herested in my sp'hecialization, young man, then I must'h rec'hommend you read a t'home c'halled Begone with the Winds. It'h is very informat'hive. I have one c'hopy with me, but it'h is my only one, so I dare not part'h with it'h."

Miirym's tail twitches as she listens to the male Aoi feed Lady Shanxian more drivel. The little dragon shivers a little and tucks her body underneath part of the Ji Pei matriarch's headdress. She glances up at the room, watching carefully to see if anyone was approaching to cause the lady harm, and listens to the two Aoi's tones of voice for aural signs of trouble or distress.

The dragon observed that Lady Shanxian was left discussing with Lord Phang Ten in peace - it was forbidden to speak to an Aoi unless spoken to, after all. The discussion seemed to go back and forth, with the ambassador slowly growing fatigued by it.

QM Note: Just give me a nod when you've gathered enough information and are ready to move on.

[CMP]

Atramor dug his hands into his coat and looked around idly, ready to move on. Things were indeed as bad as Lee had said. But 108 angry mercenaries wouldn't've helped things. He wasn't looking forward to meeting the Council, silent or not. He glanced sideways at McCafferey, quite quiet on his shoulder, her head flicking from side to side from individual to individual as though piecing together a puzzle.

The regulator then frowned, and pulled an unfamiliar letter out of his coat.

[Flipz]

"Ah, if you are int'herested in my sp'hecialization, young man, then I must'h rec'hommend you read a t'home c'halled Begone with the Winds. It'h is very informat'hive. I have one c'hopy with me, but it'h is my only one, so I dare not part'h with it'h."

"I see. Well, it has been a pleasure speaking with both of you." Arthur nods respectfully to both Sun and the Spymaster before walking past the two individuals in fancy dress, listening to try and overhear the subject of their conversation.

OOC: The two people on the right side of the photo, in case I'm being unclear.

[Waterbrick Down]

Skrall nodded to the two animalistic characters and rejoined his companions, ready to move on.

[Sandy]

"I see. Well, it has been a pleasure speaking with both of you." Arthur nods respectfully to both Sun and the Spymaster before walking past the two individuals in fancy dress, listening to try and overhear the subject of their conversation.

Before he returned to Shanxian, Arthur decided to eavesdrop on the noble couple standing on the side.

"...There must be a reason for her to be back. I'm betting the Ringfinger wants to coerce her to his side."

"Ah, milady, but would Lady Ji Pei really make a worthwhile ally in this matter? Besides, both the Thumb and the Forefinger have mutual history with her. Why would she choose Ringfinger?"

"He's the most open to accept foreign ideas, that's why. And after spending years abroad, I bet Lady Ji Pei is brimming with those."

"We should steer well away from her, in that case. I don't want to risk our good relations with the Middlefinger, after all."

"You are right, milord. Not getting invited to his tea ceremonies anymore would be a social catastrophe!"

If the gossiping pair was to be believed, there was a lot of dissent among the counsellors. Maybe it would be beneficial for Shanxian to know?

[Flipz]

Arthur moves to Lady Shanxian, but does not interrupt, instead waiting patiently for her. So the Council is not as unified as it would like to seem...I should make sure I have this straight. The Ringfinger likely wants an alliance with Lady Shanxian, even though Thumb and Forefinger have mutual history with her, and the Middlefinger would be the strongest opposed.

<Hmm?>

Oh, I'm sorry Miirym. I just overheard some...interesting information from two of the people chatting over there. We should make sure to tell the Lady before she is called in to the Council.

Miirym nods and ever so gently squeezes Lady Shanxian's shoulder.

[Sandy]

Miirym nods and ever so gently squeezes Lady Shanxian's shoulder.

Shanxian saw that her bodyguards had returned, so she interrupted Lord Phang Ten.

"My apologies, dear lord, but we have to continue our conversation another time. Let me just say your offer is... interesting, and I will consider it long and hard. Now I must prepare to meet the Council."

"I fully understand, my lady, and I will be waiting to hear from you." The lord kissed Shanxian's fingers before backing away with a bow.

"That man thinks he can take my late husband Yeong's place in my heart", Shanxian said to the heroes, not letting her face show the clear irritation in her voice. "Now, what did you find out from the vultures around here?"

[Waterbrick Down]

"The Guru's here raising funds for the monastery, seems friendly enough. I believe he knows Lee as well. The Kappa's an excitable fellow, seems to have a bone to pick with the counsel concerning the corruption of his homeland. Neither are a current threat, thought the Kappa seems to have quite a temper."

[CMP]

"The Guru's here raising funds for the monastery, seems friendly enough. I believe he knows Lee as well. The Kappa's an excitable fellow, seems to have a bone to pick with the counsel concerning the corruption of his homeland. Neither are a current threat, thought the Kappa seems to have quite a temper."

"Aye. Apparently this 'Age of Machines' the Council is pushin' is what's pissin' most of the commoners off, not the Council itself."

[Flipz]

"Interesting Atramor should mention that...Sun Qui the Weather Mage told me that some of Xu's Ethereal Windmills have been sabotaged recently. The Spymaster seems to suspect the Nagas...I wonder if the problem might be even more internal than he realizes. More importantly, though--I overheard those two nobles over there gossiping about you. They seem to think the Ringfinger has called you here to form some sort of an alliance, even if it means going behind the Thumb and the Forefinger. They also seem to think that the Middlefinger will have a particularly negative idea of you, especially if the Ringfinger does indeed seek said alliance. Either way, though, it sounds like the Council is harboring a lot of internal dissent...I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing for you." The Dragoon looks to Lady Shanxian with some concern.

Edited December 8, 2014 by Flipz

[Sandy]

"The Guru's here raising funds for the monastery, seems friendly enough. I believe he knows Lee as well. The Kappa's an excitable fellow, seems to have a bone to pick with the counsel concerning the corruption of his homeland. Neither are a current threat, thought the Kappa seems to have quite a temper."

"Yes, Guru Hei-Ha-Chi is one of the more agreeable people that frequent the House of the Blue Hand. I have never spoken with Ambassador Ootaru myself, but I am aware of the blight of his people. The wereturtles - or the Kappa, as they call themselves here - are gentle people, seeing them suffer because the government needs more ethereal energy is hearbreaking."

"Aye. Apparently this 'Age of Machines' the Council is pushin' is what's pissin' most of the commoners off, not the Council itself."

"Indeed, we Aoi were not as hated in the past as we are nowadays. The Council used to treat all the people of Xu fairly, for the most part." Shanxian sighs deeply. "Poor Vincent... He knows what he has started, but there is no turning back time - only mending that which can be mended."

"Interesting Atramor should mention that...Sun Qui the Weather Mage told me that some of Xu's Ethereal Windmills have been sabotaged recently. The Spymaster seems to suspect the Nagas...I wonder if the problem might be even more internal than he realizes. More importantly, though--I overheard those two nobles over there gossiping about you. They seem to think the Ringfinger has called you here to form some sort of an alliance, even if it means going behind the Thumb and the Forefinger. They also seem to think that the Middlefinger will have a particularly negative idea of you, especially if the Ringfinger does indeed seek said alliance. Either way, though, it sounds like the Council is harboring a lot of internal dissent...I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing for you."

"That is good to know. The Ringfinger, like I told you, runs the foreign matters for the Council, which puts him in direct odds with the Middlefinger, who is zealously nationalistic. I know the Thumb through my husband, for they served in the army at the same time. And the Forefinger has been in close cooperation with the Tritech Corporation, since her own ministry is the one building the Ethereal Windmills and Waterpumps. Vincent has had part in designing those, as well. It is only natural that she and the Thumb have formed an alliance. But will they side with the Ringfinger or the Middlefinger, that is the question. Also, it remains to be seen what part the Littlefinger plays in this. Internal dissent among the Council is good, yes..."

At that moment, Captain Raijin approached the party.

"The Council is ready to see you now, Ambassador Ji Pei. Your companions are allowed to enter the chambers with you, but they must leave all their weapons at the door."

The guards stripped Arthur, Atramor and Skrall of their arms, but both Miirym and McCafferey were deemed acceptable to take in - the first because dragons were deeply respected in Xu, the latter because what bad could a chicken do?

Lady Shanxian and the three heroes then entered the Council Chambers. It was a blue-lit hall with a wide, elevated desk at the other end, in front of a huge carving of a blue hand. Behind the desk sat five figures wearing strange mask-like helmets that covered their faces.

"Bow in front of the Council of the Blue Hand!" Captain Raijin shouted, then turned to the counsellors. "Presenting Lady Shanxian Ji Pei, Ambassador of Xu at the Free Islands of the Crystalline Sea."

"The Council greets you, Ambassador Ji Pei, and hopes your voyage back to the homeland was pleasant." The Middlefinger sounded old, even by Aoi standards.

"It was, counsellors. I wish to thank you for honoring me with an invitation to come see you. It feels good to be back home."

"Let's see how you feel in a moment...", the Littlefinger sneered, making the Ringfinger cough.

"Can we cut to the chase? As you might have guessed, we did not call you for a pleasure trip. The Council is concerned of your ability to perform your duties, Lady Ji Pei."

"May I inquire what exactly concerns you in my performance, Counsellors?"

"Have you looked in the mirror lately, Ambassador?" The Littlefinger snickered.

"There is no need to be cruel, Littlefinger", said the Forefinger in a soft, velvety voice. "But it is true that the terrible accident that befall you is disconcerting, Lady Ji Pei. We do not want you to strain yourself beyond your capabilities."

"Nonsense! She does not need her legs to represent the interests of Xu. What I'm more worried about is if she truly has the best of Xu in her mind."

"Yes, the Thumb informed the rest of us about your son's involvement with the revolutionary group calling themselves the 108 Stars of Destiny last year. It was a most unfortunate incident. The decimation of the Tao Warriors was a great loss to our national heritage."

"But the culprits behind it were executed in the end by my orders. My son Jun was merely their captive."

"Ha! By your orders, exactly!"

"At what point were you going to inform the Council of the threat that the Stars posed?"

"Surely you must have had a perfectly good reason to act behind our backs, Lady Shanxian." The Forefinger's sweet voice had a dangerous undertone.

"We would very much like to hear that reason, Ambassador."

"Please, you have to understand that I was concerned about the well-being of my son. He..."

"But wait! It seems we have an eye-witness present! That man with the wide-brimmed hat and a chicken, he was there at the Chaochao Falls last year with Jun Ji Pei." The Thumb pointed at Atramor, and all eyes suddenly turned on him.

"You have permission to step in front of the Council and speak", the Middlefinger said to Atramor. "Tell us about the events concerning the 108 Stars of Destiny, with special focus on Jun Ji Pei's involvement in it."

Captain Raijin motioned Atramor to step to Shanxian's side.

"Introduce yourself before the Council, foreigner."

"Be very careful what you answer", Shanxian whispered.

What would Atramor answer to the Middlefinger's inquiry?

[CMP]

Atramor blinked as he was motioned forward, failing to process he was being called to speak for a moment before stepping up to Shanxian's side. If there were ever a time to be diplomatic, it was now.

The regulator coughed a bit.

"I am Atramor Gibbin of Heroica - and I did have part in what happened at Chaochao Falls. Me and five other heroes were sent to eradicate the 108 Stars of Destiny, to avenge Jun Ji Pei, who was believed dead after a first failed attempt to destroy them. At the time, all we knew were that they were bandits who slaughtered the Tao Brotherhood. When we found their leaders, we also discovered Jun was still alive, although he was being held prisoner. By the time we found Kai Tsi and his fanatical Constellation, and he explained they were a significant threat with their sights set on revolution, we had already destroyed the other 99 Stars. They refused to release Jun, and we finished them off. We then left the Falls to discover the Thumb had arrived to contain the situation"

"And that was about the end of it. We were assigned only to avenge Jun Ji Pei's death, nobody knew the extent of what the 108 Stars of Destiny were until the Constellation posed an ultimatum to us; to join them or destroy them. And so we had to wipe them out."

[Sandy]

"And that was about the end of it. We were assigned only to avenge Jun Ji Pei's death, nobody knew the extent of what the 108 Stars of Destiny were until the Constellation posed an ultimatum to us; to join them or destroy them. And so we had to wipe them out."

There was a moment of silence in the room, and Atramor could hear Shanxian sigh in relief.

"Very admirable, speaking in front of us with such confidence, but you forgot to mention that the leaders of the Stars, Master Kai Tsi, was also from the Brotherhood of Tao, and Jun's old mentor, as well. That puts the whole imprisonment in a dubious light."

"My son was not part of that group, you have to believe me! If me and Mister Gibbin's words cannot persuade you, what will?"

"I apologize, Lady Ji Pei, my colleagues are dead-set to incriminate you, it seems."

"That is not true, Forefinger. We only want the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth."

"I am loyal to Xu, and so is my son", Shanxian said, with a hint of desperation in her voice. "If you want to accuse me of something, say it up front."

"Making demands to the Council, now?"

"Your cooperation with the Council has been lacking in recent years, that is why your capability to act as our voice in the Free Islands has been compromised. It is my job to ensure our ambassadors everywhere are up to their task."

"We were informed that your accident was due to an assassination attempt. The Council did not send you to Eubric Freeport to make new enemies of Xu - the sky above knows we have plenty of those as it is."

"Unfortunately the advanced technology of our kind has not been welcomed with open arms everywhere. Especially the Warden of the Crystalline Sea, Admiral Bonaparte, has been opposed to the idea of ships flying above his head and control. I do not know if the Bonapartes did this to me, but they are not alone with their sentiments."

"Diplomacy can only get you so far with the yellow-skins."

"Littlefinger, please", said the Forefinger, sounding exasperated. "I myself am not convinced that Lady Shanxian's performance has been compromised enough to depose her."

"I suspect her son more than her, but that's another matter. I am undecided as well."

"I don't think we can get anything more out of her. We just have to decide."

"Shall we flip a coin?"

"Very well, the Council will now withdraw to make a decision about your future as an ambassador of Xu, Lady Ji Pei. We will summon you once we are ready. You shall be escorted to the visitor's wing to wait for our decision, and you are not permitted to leave the House until then. You are excused."

Shanxian bowed her head, and turned to the heroes.

"I've never been more nervous in my life!" she gasped. The usually so composed ambassador suddenly looked feeble and weary. "What do you think they will decide?"

[Flipz]

Arthur slowly lets out the breath he hadn't even known he'd been holding.

"To tell you the truth, I am uncertain. I was rather surprised by the Littlefinger's vehement opposition to you, but only he seemed truly set on expelling you. The others seemed either neutral or else marginally on your side. It is my hope that the others allow you to retain your post, though--it is no secret that I distrust the Bonapartes, and to my mind your House and Monsignor Legonardo's technology are the only things standing between them and complete tyranny over Eubric."

Arthur replays the whole conversation in his head, hoping his diplomatic training would help him discern some of the subtext and motives behind the Councilors' earlier words.

[Waterbrick Down]

"And that is why I like to avoid politics. Could go either way, though I think Atramor here did a fine job of explaining things. Is there always this much infighting amongst them? Can't imagine how they ever get anything done."

[CMP]

"Not too sure myself. LIttlefinger and Forefinger definitely seem to have taken their sides. Thumb seems more concerned about Jun, I don't see why since the rebellion is long dead. Middlefinger seems reasonable enough as far as these people go. There are so few aoi that deposin' you would be pretty counterproductive if they want to expand their influence."

[Sandy]

Arthur replays the whole conversation in his head, hoping his diplomatic training would help him discern some of the subtext and motives behind the Councilors' earlier words.

Arthur reminisced the counsellor's interrogation, and realized that even though the Littlefinger had sounded hostile, he hadn't actually contributed anything meaningful to the conversation. It was as if he was trying to hide something behind the sneering remarks. Arthur also made the notion that the Ringfinger was an upfront and honest person, who appreciated straight talk. The Middlefinger was obviously concerned by the reputation of Xu and the Council, while the Forefinger's gentleness was so overbearing it had to be false. The Thumb was after someone to blame, and due to the lack of evidence against Shanxian, he was willing to go after her son. He had a strange urge to bring the name of the Ji Pei down.

"Thank you for your insight, gentlemen. We will see what happens soon, but now I would like to get refreshed at the visitor's wing."

One of the Azure Guards led the party to a hallway off the entrance hall that was lined with doors. They passed the Kappa ambassador and the Chi Guru who were walking into one of the rooms, still conversing. The guard let Shanxian into a room further down the corridor. After the heroes had made sure the room was safe, Shanxian asked them to step outside.

"If you could just wait out here while I take a quick nap. This has been a tiring morning, indeed. Please don't let anyone in."

The heroes had no choice but to obey, even though it meant leaving Shanxian alone for a while.

Half an hour passed uneventfully, until suddenly a series of explosions shook the building. The booming noise reminded the heroes of the Tritech's ether cannon that they had used in the battle against the Cloud Gigas. Not long after, several of the doors they had passed earlier opened, and, dozens of armed automata marched out, escorted by thick smoke. Screams echoed around the hallway. Lord Phang Ten ran out of his room, only to encounter the man-shaped machines.

"Guards! Help!" It was all the lord managed to say before was mercilessly split in half by the automata in the front. The automata then turned towards the entrance hall.

What would the party do?

[Flipz]

Arthur springs into action. "Atramor, go try and warn the guards, see if you can beat the machines to the lobby. Skrall, see what you can do for Lord Phang Ten, then help me carry Lady Shanxian to safety." Without waiting for anything else, Arthur opens the door to Shanxian's room, using force and his pickaxe if he needs to.

[Sandy]

Arthur springs into action. "Atramor, go try and warn the guards, see if you can beat the machines to the lobby. Skrall, see what you can do for Lord Phang Ten, then help me carry Lady Shanxian to safety." Without waiting for anything else, Arthur opens the door to Shanxian's room, using force and his pickaxe if he needs to.

The door to Shanxian's room was not locked, and when Arthur opened it, he was surprised to see Shanxian on her chair, ready to roll out - literally.

"Quickly, take me to the Council Chambers."

[Flipz]

Arthur nods and quickly wheels Lady Shanxian out of the room, pausing only to check Phang Ten for a pulse.

OOC: Quick question, are the bots between us and the entry hall, or are they about to chase us to the entry hall?

[Waterbrick Down]

Skrall follows behind Lady Shanxain keeping her protected.