Rites
Arzuna has become too famous of late—so much so that even the Sultan knows you shelter an extraordinary dancer. Now, eunuchs from his court deliver a summons bearing Arzuna's name. It could raise her to unrivaled favor... or cast her into a bottomless abyss.
ID: 5008235
Type: None
Tips: None
Duration: 1 days
Waits For: 3 days
Marked as New Only on First Occurrence: 1
Starts Automatically: No
Triggers Result Automatically: No
Tag Tips: None
Tag Tips Up: Normal Result, Sociability, Charisma
Tag Tips Text:
Random Text: None
Random Text Up:Before the Sultan's patience runs dry, you make your attempt to sway him...
Type: Normal Result
Type Tips: [s2.name]'s Sociability and Charisma determine the pool of dice.
Low Target: 7
Low Target Tips: You need at least 7 Success to dissuade the Sultan.
Result:
Action:
You acquiesced—naturally. How could you defy the Sultan's command? Arzuna did not complain—she was always understanding—and quietly prepared to enter the palace.
Arzuna
Locks: Yes
Is Key: No
Is Empty: No
Is Enemy: No
Conditions:
Pops: None
Offer 30 Gold Coins, or try to persuade the Sultan.
Locks: No
Is Key: No
Is Empty: No
Is Enemy: No
Conditions:
Pops: None
This rite has no activation conditions.
You told Arzuna that the harem was a gilded cage—the Sultan cared not for skillful dance, only for the slave girls clustered at his side. As her brother... as her friend, you would never send her in for his pleasure.
"But... the Sultan is the ruler of us all. Could you truly defy him?" Arzuna tilted her head, curious. "I don't mind, brother, for I can outmatch those women... I've seen every nightmare they've survived. Neither bite nor betrayal can shake me."
She seemed almost indifferent to entering the Sultan's harem. But your mind was made up. You knew exactly what he wanted—not a fresh-faced woman, not a dancer of genius. He wanted what you treasured... a test of your loyalty. And you knew a reliable way to prove it. It cost gold, but it always worked.
Sure enough, once the eunuchs had taken the coins you offered, no explanations or declarations were needed. The matter was settled.
Conditions:
Result:
Action:
You told Arzuna that the harem was a gilded cage—the Sultan cared not for skillful dance, only for the slave girls clustered at his side. As her brother... as her friend, you would never send her in for his pleasure.
"But... the Sultan is the ruler of us all. Could you truly defy him?" Arzuna tilted her head, curious. "I don't mind, brother, for I can outmatch those women... I've seen every nightmare they've survived. Neither bite nor betrayal can shake me."
She seemed almost indifferent to entering the Sultan's harem. But your mind was made up. With the servants' help, you freshened up and donned your court jewels and robes, then set out for the palace.
When you arrived, the Sultan was dining in his favorite concubine's chamber, surrounded by a dozen servants. Golden plates and glass goblets were strewn about like pebbles and mud. He cast you a sidelong glance, chewing fruit lifted to his lips by the concubine. The favor of a private audience had been granted—but it was clear he did not appreciate being interrupted mid-meal.
You knelt respectfully, speaking before the Sultan's patience ran out: the dancer could not be admitted to the palace.
The Sultan's eyebrows rose just under his crown, and you continued—you wished you could present the dancer, but her background was still unclear and her approach toward the Sultan seemed too calculated...
Just then, Nabhani dropped to his knees nearby. "Yes, Your Majesty," he reported respectfully. "A few days ago, at Lord [player.name]'s request, I observed the dancer. Her movements were aggressive. I believe Lord [player.name] does not mean to deny her to you, but is concerned for your safety."
His eyes flicked to you, and you understood instantly. You bowed your head, explaining that you dared not speak earlier—afraid of the Sultan's reproach or of spoiling his mood. The matter also required caution; you still wished to investigate further, so you had delayed reporting...
The Sultan waved you off impatiently, dismissing you from the palace. Afterward, he never mentioned the dancer again. Nabhani, ever restless, soon appeared with a grin of triumph. "Well? Well? Did you feel my devotion to Arzuna?" Thrilled and puffed up with pride, Nabhani clearly saw the whole thing as an exhilarating hero-rescues-damsel story. "I lied to the Sultan just to keep my beloved free. Come on, call me your brother-in-law!"
You laughed inwardly—no chance—but thanked him cautiously. Nabhani, unconcerned, laughed and slapped your shoulder. But as he left, he leaned close, voice low. "Seriously... your sister's dance hides something fierce, something a fighter would have. As a swordsman, I can see it. Be careful."
Another tap on your shoulder, and he strode off with a jaunty, carefree air.
Conditions:
Result:
Action:
You knelt respectfully and got straight to the point: the dancer might not be fit to enter the palace.
The Sultan's eyebrows rose just under his crown, and you continued—you wished you could present the dancer, but her background was still unclear, and her approach toward the Sultan seemed too calculated. Besides... her recent practice seemed to hide a deadly edge. "Before everything is properly investigated..." You paused and stole a glance at the Sultan.
Just as you expected, the Sultan grew thoughtful. Of course he would be—his father had nearly been slain by an assassin posing as a concubine. The Honor Guards intervened in time; the wound was only a deep cut to the neck. Yet, the spray of blood and the indecent absurdity of a ruler poised to enjoy a new beauty, froze in that moment. It was all burned into the young prince's memory.
The Sultan clicked his tongue. A brief wave of his hand settled it—leave her out for now and look into it further. With that, he turned to a new slave girl, leaving Arzuna's matter aside for now.
You let out a quiet breath of relief, bowed low in gratitude, and returned home with your head still firmly in place.
Conditions:
Result:
Action:
You spun a dozen excuses to explain, but the Sultan remembered only one thing: [player.name] refused to offer him the flawless dancer.
"Is that so, you selfish, insolent, lowly, ungrateful subject? If you want your head to stay where it belongs and leave the palace standing, you know what to do, right?"
Conditions:
Result:
Action:
This rite is used in effects for the following entities.