Rites

A Delicacy

The Sultan has prepared a courtly banquet... Share this weighty favor alongside Hassan.

ID: 5006686

Type: None

Tips: None

Duration: 1 days

Waits For: 3 days

Marked as New Only on First Occurrence: 0

Starts Automatically: No

Triggers Result Automatically: No

Tag Tips: None

Tag Tips Up: Normal Result, Physique, Wisdom, Survival

Tag Tips Text:

Random Text: None

Random Text Up:

Roll #1
Rack your brains—or risk having them racked for you!
Type: Normal Result
Type Tips: Your Wisdom and Survival determine your full dice count.
Low Target: 5
Low Target Tips: You need at least 5 Successes
Roll #2
Hassan, oh Hassan
Type: Normal Result
Type Tips: Your Physique and Survival determine your full dice count.
Low Target: 2
Low Target Tips: You need at least 2 Successes

Actions When Wait Expires

Action:

Slots

Slot #1
A Poet's Tribute

Locks: No

Is Key: No

Is Empty: No

Is Enemy: No

Conditions:

Pops: None

Slot #2
The Wretched Hassan

Locks: No

Is Key: No

Is Empty: No

Is Enemy: No

Conditions:

Pops: None

Slot #3
The Wretched Witness

Locks: No

Is Key: No

Is Empty: No

Is Enemy: No

Conditions:

Pops: None

Slot #4
Consumable

Locks: No

Is Key: No

Is Empty: Yes

Is Enemy: No

Conditions:

Pops: None

Activation Conditions

This rite has no activation conditions.

Outcome

Prior

This rite has no prior outcome.

Regular

This rite has no regular outcome.

Extra

You are led into the palace.
The servants bow as they guide you and Hassan through the halls.

Beside you, the old poet staggers under the weight of it all, nearly collapsing from fright. You urge him forward, keeping a firm grip as you guide him along.

At last, you arrive at the place where the Sultan will dine today: a charming little garden, exotic and meticulously trimmed. A gentle stream winds through the center, over which a marble table is laid, the waters flowing gracefully beneath it.
Hassan kneels at the Sultan's feet and begins his recitation.
He weaves the garden's splendor into verses on a consort who, reflected in the flowing waters, longs for her valiant sovereign... This fitting display of talent earns the Sultan's smile—a promising beginning.

Conditions:

Hassan kneels at the Sultan's feet and begins his recitation.
He weaves the garden's splendor into verses on the fleeting seasons, praising only the ruler's virtue as everlasting... This fitting display of talent earns the Sultan's smile—a promising beginning.

Conditions:

Hassan kneels at the Sultan's feet and begins his recitation.
He weaves the garden's splendor into verses on petty men coveting the king's reign, thereby highlighting the Sultan's wisdom and magnanimity... This fitting display of talent earns the Sultan's smile—a promising beginning.

Conditions:

Hassan kneels at the Sultan's feet and begins his recitation.
He weaves the garden's splendor and channels his own dreams into the poetry, describing them with such vivid mystery that the Sultan's forthcoming wealth and glory seem magnified... This fitting display of talent earns the Sultan's smile—a promising beginning.

Conditions:

The main course arrives.
Exquisite dishes are presented in succession, until at last a cart laden with fruits and decorations is pushed forward—the "royal delicacy"—Consort Zazie!

She lies supine, pomegranate seeds on her lips, caviar upon her chest, layers of savory meats arranged upon her abdomen... In the most intimate spots, pearls, diamonds, and golden beads glimmer. With each breath, the sumptuous feast and treasures quiver enticingly. Of course, beyond these adornments, she wears nothing.

"The poems just now were indeed moving," the Sultan remarks with pleasure, casually pointing at Zazie. "This is the banquet I have prepared for the two of you. Now, let the theme of those verses inspire another composition."

Beside you, Hassan kneels, trembling like a leaf. You must think quickly...
The Sultan's Understanding of Love
You pat Hassan on the shoulder, lending him a measure of courage, and subtly draw his attention to the radiant Zazie...

Hassan's eyes brighten. The old poet straightens slightly, still trembling, and recites in a shaky voice:

"Her eyes, like freshly plucked grapes,

Her lips, like newly ground rose paste;

Her body, sweet to taste,

Oh, the beating within her heart,

Is worthy of a king's finest wine!"

No sooner have his words fallen than the Sultan laughs aloud.

"Excellent. Wonderful! To savor a beauty is little different from savoring a feast... My beloved Zazie, you must taste divine indeed!"

Zazie smiles, yet her complexion has clearly paled... She understands all too well that the Sultan's reading of the poet's lines carries a far more dangerous, more terrible implication—and that her life may hang by a thread.

Her eyes flick briefly toward Hassan, filled with venomous resentment.

The Sultan, pleased, rewards you both with some coins. Carefully, you partake of the feast, warmed by Zazie's skin. Afterwards, you depart the palace with Hassan, the old poet forever grateful for your wit and guidance along the way.

Conditions:

Result:

Action:

The Jester Suits the Tyrant Best
You pat Hassan on the shoulder, lending him a measure of courage, and subtly draw his attention to the gold, silver, and jewels scattered beside the feast...

A spark lights in Hassan's eyes. He straightens slightly, still trembling, and recites in a shaky voice:

"Mortals, fools, you ignorant folk,

Hear me now:

Upon the king's table,

Hazelnuts hard as diamonds,

Caviar tasteless as pearls,

The table never settles,

The cloth warm and slick, hardly fine linen.

The highest delight is no more than this—

Why, then,

Envy it, you all!"

No sooner do his words fall than the Sultan and Zazie erupt in laughter; as Zazie laughs, pomegranate seeds, grapes, and diamonds tumble to the ground, some even slipping into the stream below.

Pleased with Hassan's clever, playful pretense, the Sultan allows you to partake of the feast alongside him—though only the food itself. Zazie, meanwhile, occasionally reacts with strange sounds to the Sultan's fingers plucking at the dishes, making the meal long and arduous.

Afterwards, you and Hassan kneel to offer thanks and then depart the palace.

The old poet clings to your arm, endlessly grateful for your cunning guidance.

Conditions:

Result:

Action:

The Sultan's Delight
You pat Hassan on the shoulder, lending him a measure of courage, and hint that he must not forget the most important audience—the Sultan himself.

Hassan's eyes brighten. The old poet straightens slightly, still trembling, and recites in a shaky voice:

What earthly delicacy can please a sovereign? What feast can match Your Majesty's greatness? None but victory and conquest! His spoon is named fear, and his fork commands dominion. Earthly delights—has time ripened them enough? Are they worthy of our mighty Sultan?

The Sultan listens, his lips curling in approval. Stirred by the verse, he seems eager for new conquests... Perhaps many will meet grisly ends because of this poem, yet today, you and Hassan remain unscathed, your bellies warmed by the exquisite flavors of Zazie.

Conditions:

Result:

Action:

You subtly remind Hassan about the banquet.
You pat Hassan on the shoulder, lending him a measure of courage, and hint that he should praise the Sultan's clever design of the feast.

Hassan's eyes brighten. The old poet straightens slightly, still trembling, and recites in a shaky voice:

I once dreamed a goddess placed sweet cream between her breasts. Yet her slopes, so steep, I stumbled time and again, and the fragrance stayed ever just beyond my reach. I once dreamed a goddess set golden nectar between her legs. Yet her marble limbs, like endless mountain paths, I could never scale, and the scent remained ever just beyond my grasp... All of it belongs to the Sultan's feast, and only the supreme Sultan may savor the gifts of the gods.

The Sultan laughs heartily. Regardless of the poem's awkward turns, his appetite is thoroughly awakened—he lifts Zazie, letting fruits, jewels, and delicacies scatter, burying himself amidst her like a ravenous beast. Once their play grows truly fervent, you and Hassan quietly slip away from the garden...

Conditions:

Result:

Action:

Ah... Ah...
Under the Sultan's impatient gaze, the old poet steels himself and praises the Sultan's greatness, entirely ignoring the dishes before him. "Truly tedious, a waste of my time," the Sultan yawns, and, with a casual motion, plucks a perfectly cut diamond from Zazie's breast. "Ah, I've thought of a fitting punishment for you, incompetent poet," he declares. "Since you have bored me to yawns, you must surely be punished." He hands the gem to a nearby guard, whose expression remains impassive. The guard strides to Hassan, raising the diamond high. "Eat. All of it—gold, jewels, every last piece. Survive, and I shall overlook your failings. Fail, and..." The Sultan shrugs. "The world could do with one less mediocre poet." The guard drives you away. Hassan stares after you, a mixture of terror, despair, and confusion etched across his face. Then he turns back, resigned, and begins to consume the deadly feast before him.

Conditions:

Action:

Not Yet Enough
Zazie, expressionless, lays the jewels from her body onto a plate, strand after strand. The eunuchs take turns serving them before you. The old poet swallows every gem through tears, forcing himself not to linger, though his mouth is already filled with blood. Once the Sultan, finally sated, departs in indifference, you hasten to summon the finest physicians and urge Hassan with all your strength not to collapse within the palace walls. Such are the rules of this cruel game—and somehow, you seem to understand them.

The moment he is lifted into the litter prepared at the palace gate, Hassan swoons from pain, expelling a torrent of blood. Emetics, herbal pastes, resin... even a Priest of the Purist is called upon. At last, Hassan's life is spared. And thus comes the spoils of the game: throughout the following week, Hassan continues to tally the rewards of this ordeal—jewels recovered, whether from above or below. Thankfully, the Sultan proves not stingy enough to reclaim these treasures.

Conditions:

Result:

Not Yet Enough
Zazie, expressionless, lays the jewels from her body onto a plate, strand after strand. The eunuchs take turns serving them before you. The old poet swallows every gem through tears, forcing himself not to linger, though his mouth is already filled with blood.

You quietly signal a familiar palace guard to prepare the finest physicians and even summon a Priest of the Purist. If only Hassan can stagger beyond the palace gates, the Sultan will spare him. Such are the rules of this cruel game—and somehow, you seem to understand them.

When swallowing a lengthy bracelet set with garnets, Hassan chokes violently. The gems he has already swallowed scrape against his throat, and he vomits a torrent of blood before collapsing.

The Sultan, now bored, commands his guards to cut open Hassan's body and retrieve each jewel. You remain kneeling at their side, forced to witness the entire, grisly harvest.

Conditions:

Result: