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Chains Knight CHAINQUEST, 1.0

The same building as last time, with the same setup as last time. Pramanix and Silverash have a direct VIP invite this time, though - with a destination of the very top floor.

On the way to there, they'd pass through the lobby - which is full of people, all waiting (somewhat impatiently) to ride the elevators up. A few staff members are trying (with mixed success) to corral them into lines, or to hand out numbers for elevator boarding groups.

The server congestion - er, not server congestion, just the regular congestion - has gotten so bad that the staff and maintenance elevators are being used to move people around, too.The pair aren't made to wait, but they do have to briefly share an elevator with half a dozen people who are heading up to the Character Creation floors (which look to be just as packed as the lobby).

At the top floor, there's a party. Sort of. There's the trappings of a party - tables full of high-class buffet food, a bartending station, a stage with a microphone - but the party is missing *people*. Aside from one person, wearing armor, standing off to the side of the party room and gazing out of the window through the slits in his helmet.
Karlan Nobles Pramanix: "I still can't believe we got reinvited to this place."
SilverAsh: "Even after our contributions the last time?"
Pramanix: "They had to have realized we weren't actually consultants."

Once again, muttering to each other is the name of the game as the pair from Kjerag arrive with VIP invites in hand, putting on their best (actual) VIP faces as they stroll right on through and squeeze their way past all those gathered on the way up to the upper floors. The cramped elevator ride is a welcome respite compared to the main lobby, at least, and they're even open to taking some pictures (moreso Pramanix in general, SilverAsh only if he sees cosplayers).

Upon reaching the top, they take a few moments to get their bearings straight and also to get a few drinks in to handle any potential heat a little better. They only sample the buffet briefly, though, before realizing...

SilverAsh: "Rather sparse here, is it not?"
Pramanix: "The spread?"
SilverAsh: "No, the people. The lack thereof, in particular."
Pramanix: "Maybe everyone's just trying to get through that crush from before."
SilverAsh: "Unlikely. Then there would be none instead of one."

With SilverAsh directing her attention towards the one armored guy, Pramanix glances around once more before approaching said armored dude with a friendly wave and a light tone in her voice as she tries to engage in the dreaded AWKWARD PARTY SMALL TALK. "Arrived early, too? It's a good chance to try out everything before talking to so many people, at least."
Chains Knight The armor guy turns out to be the same person SilverAsh negotiated with earlier. It's a little hard to tell from the back.

"Oh, no, I am right on time, as are you. As are..."

He looks down at the floor, as if he can see all the way down to the lobby. "About... one hundred and fifteen percent more participants than we had projected."

"This is the launch party for Chainquest. The staff and VIP party, to be precise. Except all of the staff have been pulled away to deal with the congestion of new players. We are, if you do not mind the cliche, suffering from success. Hopefully my staff will be able to break away and come partake, perhaps in shifts, but for now it is just us three."

He gestures towards the tables. "Please, help yourselves. I apologize that I don't have more to give than a meal right now."
Karlan Nobles Pramanix: "That many? Oh, we'll definitely need to try things out sooner rather than later."
SilverAsh: "As long as we're discreet. We still have an image to maintain."
Pramanix: "Yes, yes... Oh, and congratulations on such a great turnout! If people are this excited just for the launch, then it's a good sign for whatever comes next."

As expected, the pair do in fact take advantage of their early timing to sample the food. Pramanix just sort of wanders about, taking a bit of everything that looks good and balancing things out with some bread or noodles or whatever carbs there are. SilverAsh, however, is almost methodical in taking tiny portions of literally every item while avoiding the heavier starches and greasier-looking items.

Inevitably, they wind up returning to the armor guy.

SilverAsh: "I thank you once again for your hospitality. There is one thing I am wondering about, though..."
Pramanix: "Will anyone still be awake for the launch by the time they're finished eating?"
SilverAsh: "... Two things I am wondering about. Why the armor even here? I cannot imagine anyone holding you to a standard of staying in character even while dining."
Chains Knight "..."

"You are... actually, the first person to ask about the armor, in the nearly four months I have been outside of my home world," comments Chains.

He reaches up and touches it. "I started wearing it as sort of... a way to reinvent myself. Get a fresh start. Get... 'in-character', as you might say. And then it just became a habit, along with the new name."

"My old name and old identity tend to leave the wrong first impression on people. 'Chains Knight' is a nice, neutral sounding name, with an immediately graspable gimmick which translates well to various thematic speeches as needed. Chains that connect us, chains that bind us as allies, etcetera. A lot of narrative room to work with. I'm quite fond of it, as choices of names and themes go."

"As for the launch, maybe. This is supposed to be a 24/7 game, but we may have to close for a 'maintenance period' just so that we can get sleep and bring in some backup."
Karlan Nobles Pramanix: "That long? That's... Not that surprising, I suppose."
SilverAsh: "No, not at all. Sane people often are averse to confrontation, however slight or imaginary it may be."

The two listen to Chains' explanation about wearing his armor, his comments about getting in character seeming to draw SilverAsh's attention in particular.  First impressions, though, have them both nodding almost in unison.

Pramanix: "First impressions can stick a lot longer than anyone would like."
SilverAsh: "Indeed. Chains Knight certainly hits several points on its own: The chivalry of the knight, the sturdiness of chains, and curiosity is aroused when considering the uncommon combination of concepts."
Pramanix: "... Also, swinging around chains just sounds exciting."

When he mentions the maintenance period, Pramanix is the one to get a confused look on her face. "To remain active, sure, but... Does there really need to be staff on hand at all hours? There's systems in place to handle routine stuff without needing oversight all the time, right?"
Chains Knight Chains stares at them for a long moment.

Behind them, a staff member comes up through the elevator, quickly loads several take out boxes worth of food, and then exits, all in the time it takes him to respond.

"Sorry, systems? I'm not sure I understand. Who else would give out quests and restock treasure chests and run boss fights and such, if we didn't have people there?"
Karlan Nobles That stare has the siblings just awkwardly staring right back at Chains. Every time it looks like one of them is about to ask 'what', they stop themselves as though they expect him to say something any minute now.

Finally, their patience is rewarded with... More confusion! They exchange glances, then come up with their own similar, yet different-enough solutions.

Pramanix: "Robots?"
SilverAsh: "The AI?"
Pramanix: "There's robots that can give all sorts of routine instructions and do mundane work."
SilverAsh: "If it is a game, then I imagine there would be some sort of built-in reset or... NPCs, perhaps, to minimize hiring costs."

Chains mentions boss fights, and they exchange glances again before continuing.

Pramanix: "Just how are these boss fights supposed to work, anyway?"
SilverAsh: "Are they not computer-generated opponents?"
Chains Knight "... Robots, and AI, huh..." wonders Chains. "I... may need to look into this."

"Oh... you wouldn't know... because you haven't played the game yet."

He nods.

"Here, let's see - I'll set up... let's see. We were just fine tuning the pirate boss, so I'll use that boss deck," says Chains, pulling a deck of cards out of his belt pouch. "So let's get started..."

He tosses a card off towards the stage - and a mean looking pirate appears on it. "Yarr, mateys! You ain't be getting my gold, not in a million nautical light years!"

"Right, go kill him," says Chains to the pair, as he goes to refill his drink. "Won't drop loot, though, since you're not registered to play yet."
Karlan Nobles SilverAsh: "Please do. If you're in need of materials or expertise, I can most certainly get you in touch with some associates of ours."
Pramanix: "Some of them can be a little strange, but I'm sure you'd get along fine."

Chains opts to demonstrate the boss battle instead of explaining it, and it actually brings a look of visible relief to Pramanix's face. SilverAsh, meanwhile, looks almost vaguely interested compared to his usual calm and collected nothing face.

Pramanix: "I was almost worried that be a person or something."
SilverAsh: "Worry not, Saintess. I'm sure this is only a simulacrum of one, to give the players a most thrilling and authentic experience without true risk to life. Now..."

SilverAsh is the first to advance on the pirate while Pramanix joins Chains in refilling her own drink. He draws his sword from his cane, twirling it with a fancy flourish before beginning to engage in the time-tested tradition of FANCY SWORDFIGHT SHITTALKING.

SilverAsh: "Art thou mine worthy enemy, or art thou naught but a jester?"
Pramanix: "When did pirates...? Aren't light years some kind of distance measurement?"
Chains Knight "Yarr, mateys! I'll swab the poop deck with your bones!"

The pirate draws his cutlass and brings it down in an overhead chop towards SilverAsh. It's a move that any trained swordsman wouldn't have even the slightest bit of trouble blocking, but...

... it does have some force behind it, and the blade looks like it's plenty sharp, and if SilverAsh hadn't blocked (or dodged, or whatever he does in response) it was aimed to cut right into him.

"Hmm? No risk to life?" asks Chains, looking startled despite the helmet. "What sort of adventure would that be, if it was all perfectly safe?"
Karlan Nobles SilverAsh, hidden chuuni as he is, enjoys the battle with the pirate way too much. Even if his face isn't showing it, he keeps up with the barely understandable insults while deflecting and weaving around the pirate's blows while returning his own measured thrusts and slashes. Even the more shallow cuts don't throw him off too much, as he's mostly taking them on the arms and hand where the sleeves can be (relatively) easily mended and the wounds healed through his own regeneration.

Pramanix, meanwhile, just looks more and more worried by the moment. "Sure , adventure is great and all, but... Mister Chains, I'm not a corporate warlord like SilverAsh is, but..." She narrows her eyes slightly as she observes the battle, not quite ready or willing to jump in yet as she is with drinking and speaking to Chains.

"Aren't you worried about the potential lawsuits? I mean, if someone's injured or worse, and they're rich enough to afford attorneys... This game might not last past the first week, you know? Unless..." She furrows her brows, then shakes her head. "No... Nobody would be crazy enough to just sign waivers for something like that."

Pramanix watches her brother some more, then sighs.
Chains Knight "Oh, they sign waivers," says Chains. He tilts his head forward a bit, in precisely the way that, if the light was a bit different in the room, he'd look properly villainous in the classical Kubrickian style.

"I hold no illusions that we won't get sued *anyway*, no matter what I get the players to sign, but I have the Concord's backing. Maybe they have good lawyers, but we have *better* ones."

"And wouldn't you sign, too... for *real* power?" asks Chains. "Real magic. Real weapons. Real adventure. And..."

He pulls his chain out, and snaps it towards the stage - slamming through the pirate, cutting SilverAsh's boss fight short as the pirate dissolves into sparkles.

Sparkles, and a small pile of golden coins. "Real rewards."

A 'small' pile of gold coins - but a small pile of *real* ones, real gold, that could easily pay for this entire buffet.
Karlan Nobles "That's bet...ter? Ehm. It makes sense, I suppose." Pramanix doesn't sound all that thrilled about the waivers already being a thing, and she definitely doesn't sound enthused about the confidence Chains has in lawyering up for the potential storm of future litigation. When he mentions signing up for POWER and MAGIC and WEAPONS, though, she actually goes as far as shaking her head.

"No...  I mean, maybe for adventure, but the rest? I already have those." She states without an actual demonstration of any of those things, but she sounds confident enough that she's probably not lying* about having them. There's a noticeable awkwardness from Pramanix even after Chains reveals the gold coins that comes out of the defeated pirate, and SilverAsh doesn't seem to notice** that awkwardness as he finally returns from that match.

"That was certainly an entertaining bout. I can see where the appeal would be in playing this game of yours." He comments with a pleased, yet still subdued tone in his voice while taking his drnk and polishing it off. "It could certainly be useful for drawing in more impressionable minds. Malleable minds, that may even become dedicated buyers over time."

Pramanix gives SilverAsh a Look, and he relents however slightly. "I do hope your project finds great success, Mister Knight. Do keep in touch, as a potential alliance between our companies may be fruitful if you desire it so."
Chains Knight "You aren't still interested in becoming a distributor?" asks Chains, as the deck and the magic chain are both put away. The pile of gold coins remains where it is on the stage.

"We are a bit overburdened with the response we have, but once things settle down, we are still interested in extending the reach and the breadth of Chainquest," he says. "Bringing it to new markets."
Karlan Nobles PREVIOUSLY
*She's not lying.
**He totally noticed.

NOW
SilverAsh: "Oh, I most certainly am. You have an intriguing product, and Karlan Trade has a massive distribution network, contacts in many fields, as well as access to raw materials. It'd be foolish not to."
Pramanix: "It'd be foolish to sell it in Kjerag. Would you really want to start more fires there after the last time?"
SilverAsh: "... Except in Kjerag, but that's only one market. There are plenty others in Terra to exploit."

There's a clear difference in their perception of Chains' game and a clear difference in whatever power each one of them holds, but at least it's easier to tell what that even is now.  
Chains Knight Chains Knight nods.

"... Forgive me for stating the obvious, but I can tell that the two of you aren't quite both on board.."

"... Perhaps there is something that could sweeten the deal, if you'll excuse the cliche?"

He pulls out another deck of cards - one that he holds flat on his palm, and extends it towards Pramanix. "Something a bit more potent than the watered down version we're giving to our players - in return for nothing more than your support of Mr. Silverash's deal, and your personal endorsement..."
Karlan Nobles The cards are offered to Pramanix, and she narrows her eyes as she stares at them without so much as reaching for them. "Mister Knight. I have no... Some problems with people joining this game, but not so many that I'd try to change all of their minds. I have a responsibility guide to my own people, though, and ensure their own safety and happiness. I won't betray that just for some promises of power."

She's actually sounding rather annoyed, and she takes a moment to calm herself before smiling pleasantly (but with a distinct undertone of anger). "Thank you for inviting us tonight. The food was lovely." She turns to SilverAsh next. "I'll be waiting outside."

SilverAsh, once again, keeps his expression neutral as he nods towards Pramanix while she turns to leave. He doesn't actually wait until she's no longer within earshot to resume speaking to Chains. "As you've undoubtedly witnessed, Mister Knight, there are many reasons she has the trust of her people as the Karlan Saint. Even my company hasn't managed to secure such an endorsement, only permission to operate."

He watches her for a moment longer, then sighs. "In any case... What /are/ those cards of yours, anyway? I must admit, I am curious what you were offering her."
Chains Knight Chains watches her go, expressionlessly (even relative to the full-head helmet).

"Power. A sliver of mine. That's what I was offering."

He flips over one of the cards in the deck. There's a picture of a swordsman on it, along with a block of text.

"An army at her command, with nothing but a draw of a card away."

"What it *is*, is... complicated. Magic, obviously. The drawing and the playing are part of a ritual, one with rules that must be observed or the magic won't work."

"But - powerful and potent, once you learn the rules, or how to work around them." The deck goes back into his belt holster.
Karlan Nobles "I see... No, that wouldn't be enough to sway her. She all but has the clout to move our people towards war if she ever decreed it so. It just isn't in her nature." SilverAsh replies after getting himself another drink. He eyes the revealed card with a slow eyebrow raise after a moment, stroking his chin after a few moments.

"If it was, the three of us would be working together in the Concord already." He continues, taking a small sip of his drink and listening to the strange nature of Chains' cards. "In any case... I'll forward your information to my contacts at Rhodes Island. If nothing else..."

"You won't need to have any personally overseeing everything once you have proper robots set up."