4th Day of Ascending Water, RY 768
Early Morning

The Tya rise early, and under Niakuni's direction (Rothalga seems to have slept in, or is at least nowhere to be seen) have begun to set up the diving gear. The ropes and weights are used to mark the position of the ship underwater, as well as to aid the divers in plunging down to the bottom of the sea. The swim fins are not artifact grade, but made of dark, waterproofed wood, quite awkward for walking on land but aiding to propel the body more easily through the water.

As for the fabled maruera gum, it doesn't look very much different than ordinary gum. It is a pale green in color, though looking closer reveals the gum is actually mostly white, but with minute specks of green that give the impression of a pale green shade overall.

Niakuni seems to be eager to be started, and awaits those among the Cobalt who will participate in the excavation.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:21, Mon 24 Nov 2008.

Jadira spends at least part of the morning checking and redressing Lasuri's wounds. Tageru has his hands full with that prisoner anyway, she figures, and she much rather prefers to provide the Captain's medical care herself, if needed.

Part of it is alone time, as well. She does not hide the fact that she and the Sea Drake are romantically involved. But there's only so much a wounded man can take of a lady's affections, and she leaves him be to prepare for the excavation, insisting that he rest and eat heartily to speed his recovery.

"Time to go," she tells Lasuri once she's dressed, leaning in to kiss his scruffy cheek. "You behave now. Any special orders for me, Captain?"

The Cobalt armswoman wears her snug, waterproof leggings and boots, and a tunic beneath her jade breastplate. She's left her flame pieces and bows behind, as they'd be useless underwater, bringing only the Lioness Fang sheathed at her belt and her portable Essence cannon, which she lugs easily over one shoulder.

"I'll try." He grins towards the first mate, carefully putting the coat back on his shoulders. His wounded arm is not well enough to be out of the bandage yet, and so he is particularly careful not to worsen Jadira's skillful healing. "I need to go thank the Dryad for the help - with all the commotion, I didn't get time to have my evening chat with her." He arranges the coat carefully around his shoulder, using his good, sleeved arm to smooth away wrinkles. "I've got a few more things to address too - we'll see how that goes."

"As for special orders..." He smiles, turning back towards Jadira as he speaks. "Just make sure everyone who goes there comes back safe and sound. That includes you too, so no cutting corners." His smile widens, and he tilts his head slightly as he regards her, rubbing her arm softly. "Just be careful. Pull back and report if there's anything suspicious or irregular down there that could put any of you in danger. We'll think it through and make a plan of action if that's the case." A flash of worry passes in his eyes, and he is silent for a moment. Once the moment passes, however, the look is gone, and he smiles at her again.

"Other than that, you just do what you do best. I trust you implicitly."

"You got it. We'll check out what needs checking out, and leave if it gets too hot." Jadira smiles, patting Lasuri's cheek. "You're cute when you worry. I'll do my best to come back in one piece -- and make sure the others do too. Promise."

She gives him a last one-armed hug and wanders out onto the deck of the Dryad. Crossing over to the Sea's Bounty is simple enough with the ships all sitting calm in the water parallel to one another.

Hope it's not just going to be me down there... Jadira muses to herself, lifting a hand to greet Niakuni before setting her cannon down to make sure it's in working order (something she does rather obsessively; she does adore her 'baby'.) As she does so she glances curiously toward the Hammerhead and Marlena now and then, wondering how things are going over in the captured pirate ships.

Treon woke early in the morning, emerging from the Captains cabin, first checking on the prisoners, many of them still asleep.  Finding them fine, he then proceeds to thoroughly inspect the Hammerhead, from top to bottom and stern to prow.  He was looking for a number of things, trying to gauge the general state of supplies: food, repairs and munitions; The state of repair the ship was in after the battle; The presence of any hidden smuggling compartments; Any hidden stashes of alcohol or drugs or other such things amongst the men's things--although those he searches with respect, only--for now--concentrating on where one hides illicit things, rather than general belongings.

After that, it was time to arrange breakfast for the prisoners, those who had agreed to join Cobalt released to prepare such things.  After that, they are set to the tasks which the ship needs doing, repairs and cleaning the battle scarred and bloody decks and other such essential things.  Treon shows no shyness in helping where appropriate, and whilst they might not realise it, he does manage to talk with each of the men alone, finding their names, and something of what they did, what they are, and what they wish to be ...

Treon finds enough food in storage to last the current crew size about a month. For what used to be 40 plus, it was only enough for a week, maybe a week and a half if stretched, so it's no wonder the Hammerhead thought to take an opportunity with the well-stocked Tya ship.

Most of the basic supplies one would expect are present. The Hammerhead houses both woodcrafting and metalworking stations, though they're not exceptional (they provide no bonuses, but they do provide tools for all such related crafts). The sickbay is stocked with bandages, disinfectant, needle and thread for sutures and the like. There are also spare fine quality weapons (slashing and chopping swords, some longbows) and armor (chain shirts, a few reinforced buff jackets). The captain's room has some maps and charts of the Western Sea and a mundane compass.

As for ship's weapons, there is of course the essence cannon, and the two sailcutters. The 'cutters have enough ammo for 15 shots each (it costs Res 3 to buy new, though the ship also has the means to build them IF someone had the proper craft skill). There are enough arrows available for it not to be an issue.

Treon also finds a decent supply of hard liquor among the cargo, and some ferreted away with crewmembers' belongings. The only drug he finds in any quantity is qat, a mild opiate.

The Hammerhead itself is in great condition. Its cannon was just too much of a threat for opponents to want to barrage the ship at range for long. The only significant harm done is to the starboard sailcutter, which Jadira damaged with her arrows, though not enough that it is non-functional.

---

OOC: There'll be a second part to this, I just didn't want to dump it all at once. Also, names. ;.; *tries to come up with!*
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:35, Wed 19 Nov 2008.

Zeru stoops for a moment, removing the kitten from his pocket. "Go ahead Coral, give Marlena a thorough checking and if nothing else keep an eye on the crew, you can report when I get back." Then he stands straight, albeit a leaning slightly backwards, and glides in his way over across the Dryad and then once more to the Sea's Bounty. "Good morning Miss Thornbloom, and you sirs" he says to Jadira and the Tya respectively, he called all the female officers sir on the Marianna's Ghost, but he felt uncomfortable calling them mister. He bows slightly. "I thought it best that I accompany you on this dive if you'd have me. I assure you that Tempest here works just as well underwater as she does on land." With this comment he fingers the chain, and the links seem to stop moving in response to his embrace.

He looks at Jadira. "If you don't mind you can move the implosion bow on the Marlena over to the Dryad. Marlena is a mite troubled over the artifacts the lieutenant had on board. She's also accepted me as captain, and offers her services to the Alliance provided all the orders go through me first." He leans in close to Jadira. "She doesn't seem to like other men much, or taking orders." His smile seems to cover half his face and he seems rather pleased by the circumstances. "She also said some rather unflattering things about the Hammerhead, you might want to keep an eye on that ship, it yearns for battle."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:51, Wed 19 Nov 2008.

On the Hammerhead:

The rest of Treon's morning is spent talking to his new crew, getting to know them. Other than Black Reed there is Sang, Hailstorm, Nine-Fingers, Balio, Ormi... hardened men, criminals or ex-convicts, men who escaped slavery or abusive families. Bloodeye culled them from the dregs of society, and gave them a banner to follow. When they speak of him, they say he was insane, but brilliant: a leader whose call they could not ignore. He made them feel nigh invincible. He made their anger at the terrible life they'd been stuck with feel righteous.

Most of them are not very inclined to be helpful toward others, having had no friendly handouts themselves. But, their desire for survival overwhelms their baser urges, at least, and they're all prepared to follow Treon's orders for the time being. Some, like Reed, Tonsar and Crowfoot, say they'd be happier with a less violent end. Another, Hobnail, talks extensively about the bloody nightmares he has... and claims he's not slept for years.

On the Sea's Bounty:

While Coral scampers off happily to hunt vermin on the Black Marlena, Zeru joins the others for the excavation. Niakuni nods in greeting to the Water Aspect and chuckles as he offers his aid for the dive. "Well, I certainly can't refuse your help, Zeru, I'm only here for support!" she points out -- also apparently remembering that Zeru didn't like going by titles.

"That said, though, are you two the only ones?" She nods her head toward Jadira, as well. "I figure that pretty winged lass isn't really built for a dive. Anyway, I think we'll do all right with a couple of you Dragon Chosen on our side. If you don't mind, I'll be coming along, as well as two of my best divers. This is Ciaran, and Astrid." Ciaran's hair is jet black, while Astrid is a taller sandy blonde. Both of course are also marked with the distinctive Tya whorl tattoos.

Niakuni withdraws the small soapstone box holding the maruera gum, starting to distribute it. According to her a portion the size of a marble should last 2-3 hours, toward the longer end for an Exalt.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:51, Fri 21 Nov 2008.

"I thank you for the offer but Da'naad has graced me with mobility underwater." Zeru says to Niakuni, "I trust in her implicitly."

"Good morning Zeru," Jadira says, now that she's straightened from her fiddling with the cannon. She slaps some hinged panel back into place, and lets it rest upright, leaning against her hip. "And congratulations! I'm sure you'll do just fine with the Marlena, though she sounds like a handful. You're one of the most attentive sailors I've ever met, when it comes to the vessel herself."

"I'll keep that in mind about the Hammerhead, probably better you relay that to Treon, though... Or I can. Either way." She smiles and shrugs, accepting one of the marbles of green-speckled gum. "So, I just chew this? And put on some flippers? Boy, I'm glad the Captain's not here to laugh at me for looking like a duck." A lopsided grin shows she's not really complaining, just making light of things. "At least they're made of wood."

"I'm ready when you are..." Zeru says choking back the desire to say ladies... "Do we have any idea what were looking for?"

Niakuni nods again to Zeru. "Excuse me for forgetting. It's truly an astounding power you have..." she says almost enviously.

"And yes, just chew it," she instructs Jadira, "though don't start to until you're already in the water, to maximize its use. The gum is made from the leaves of a tree that grows on a secret island the Tya know of. It actually produces air when chewed, so just keep chewing, and if you run out..." She hands Jadira a second 'dose' just in case. "Just pop in a fresh one. It's fine, they're waterproof."

She and Ciaran and Astrid start strapping their feet into their swimming gear. Like Jadira they wear close-fitting, water-proofed clothing, so as not to be hindered by it underwater.

---

OOC: I think I'll pause the actual excavation till tomorrow, see whether anyone (besides poor Lasuri :P) might change his mind about coming along. If not we'll go soon as I have some time to post tomorrow :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:02, Thu 20 Nov 2008.

"Well, I'm expecting it's an underwater manse. But... who knows, really? If it got those corsairs' attention, it could be more than that." Jadira shrugs. "I bet there'll at least be something guarding the way in though, but that's why I've got this." She pats her portable cannon proudly.

"Oh yeah, Zeru, where'd you put those explosives you said you found on the Marlena? Didn't you say we might be able to use 'em? Maybe we should take them along... carefully."

Zeru just smiles and watches the preparation. "I thank Dan'aad often for my gifts, but they often lead to problems as well. I'm sure you do just fine with your own gifts my friends." He stays in his coat and keeps the breastplate strapped to him. "If you all don't mind should we encounter something, I'd like to stay in it's face. I can wear my armor underwater, and I'd rather not see you get hurt, you all just fought a battle yesterday."

"You are right, and brave," Niakuni says in acknowledgment of Zeru's desire to take the lead in combat. "We're no fools. We will stay out of your way in combat, Dragons. However we'll lend our arms to help bring back whatever you find."

Answering Jadira's question Zeru looks at her. "I can fetch them if you'd like but I'd rather not have them around while we descend. There are plenty of things in the sea I'd rather not fight, underwater or even with the essence cannon on the Hammerhead, and I'd like to fight them less if I have to worry about blowing myself to the next life." He looks around at the distinct lack of people... "Are we the only two going down with our friends here?"

"Well, you do have a point." Jadira scratches her head sheepishly. "Are they really that unstable? I can take a look at one, just in case..."

"And it looks like it really is just us. We might as well just get on with it."

Zeru goes to fetch one... handling it very carefully

"Thank you," Jadira says to Zeru, smiling, and takes the device boldly. She does not have extensive experience with magitech, but she may be able to at least figure out how the device is activated -- and how to keep from activating it by accident.

Turning it over carefully in her hands, she runs her fingers over the surface, careful not to trigger any buttons or switches or other mechanisms she finds. Every artifact she has recovered from pre-Shogunate era usually had some basic similarities in design, and she draws from her memory of similar mechanisms she has operated or at least observed in the past.

[Private to GM: Jadira discovers that the bomb's trigger mechanism has been installed with a safety cap. She does see that enough force in the vicinity of that mechanism would definitely blow the thing up, though.]

Meanwhile, Niakuni, Ciaran and Astrid get to work with the large coils of rope that will serve as their "elevator".

The ropes are each wound onto a spool of polished wood and steel, bolted securely to the deck: three on starboard side, three on port. The loose ends of four ropes are wrapped securely around a large weight used to pull the diver down to the sea floor. Zeru, of course, would have no problem swimming the way down without the aid of such apparatus, but weighted rope is offered to Jadira once she has fastened her swim fins and appears ready to go.

Then Niakuni and her two assistants then take a brief moment to bow their heads in prayer. "High Prince of the Deep Trenches," she utters, invoking Zhuzhiao, "be merciful as we descend into your domain. We respect your dominion, and pledge to adhere to your customs, should you or your host appear."

Jadira looks up from her analysis, furrowing her eyebrows, and finally says... "All right. You're probably right, Zeru. Let's just leave it on the Dryad." After returning it to the deck of the warship, she returns, and accepts the rope offered. Quietly, so as not to interrupt the Tya's prayer, she adds, "We'll make sure the area is safe first, and if we need that kind of firepower, bring it after."

"Besides... my cannon might be enough force for whatever's in our way. I've seen this thing take on solid stone." Grinning fiercely, she falls silent until Niakuni and the others raise their heads. "Okay, I'm ready."

"Good here too..." Zeru says also grinning, he enjoyed mysteries, and swimming. This was right up his alley.

"Good." Niakuni's tone shifts seamlessly from reverent to businesslike, as she looks over the final preparations with a nod of satisfaction. "From now on, we communicate by sign. First, the gum..."

The Tya place the maruera gum balls in their mouths and start to chew. Then the green-haired officer picks up the weight fastened to her rope, steps up to the gangplank, and jumps feet down into the water.

Her assistants repeat the motions, and three spools of rope begin to unravel yard after yard at great speed, following them down.

"And down we go." Jadira pops the gum into her mouth, chewing it gingerly. She really didn't know what to expect, or how it would taste. Nodding confidently to Zeru, though, she leaps off the plank with her weight and rope, plunging into the sea.

I can't believe I'm doing something this crazy! I don't even know if this stuff works! If she could even make any sounds, she might have laughed at her impetuousness. But she decides to take the Tya's word for it, continuing to chew and try to relax her body as she descends down, and down, and down...

Zeru smiles at Jadira stepping up onto the side of the ship and steps off into the water.

Edit: NM I got it.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:58, Fri 21 Nov 2008.

The water is surprisingly temperate as Jadira and the Tya sink toward the ocean floor, with Zeru swimming unhindered among them. The maruera gum makes the entire dive feel as pleasant as taking a swim at the beach. So long as it is chewed, the nostrils, ear openings and mouth are kept warm and aerated, and the eyes adjust easily to the water contact. Of course, it may take some time for Jadira's mind to adjust to the idea that she can, in fact, survive underwater.

The Tya, it turns out, have brought an unusual but effective light source: a cylindrical glass and reinforced iron cage with a handle, containing a special strain of seaweed that sheds a luminous blue-green light in the deep water. Without superior artifacts or animas, the mortal divers have had to use whatever they can from nature to make up for it.

Seconds stretch into minutes as the hue of the water darkens from sun-struck aquamarine toward an inky cobalt. At first, curious schools of striped fish dart quicksilver-like around them, some delta-shaped, others long and slender. Deeper down, there are stranger things: manta rays floating gracefully by on winglike fins, anglerfish with their massive toothy mouths and fishing-lure protrusions, lanternfish with glowing phosphorescent knobs for eyes, iridescent, paper-thin jellyfish.

They are over 300 yards down when the group hanging on to the ropes touches bottom. Niakuni signals for the others to let the weights go, so the ropes stay in place. The sight awaiting them, at first glance, gruesome: the stark white remains of 46 dead corsairs and their captain lie strewn there with bits and scraps of their clothing -- the remnants of the feast by Siakal's dread sharks. Among the bones are sea sponges shaped like brachiated chimneys and urns, clinging to the rocky sea floor along with other flat-faced, slow-crawling bottom-feeders.

There are no sharks in the water now, though. At least not any that the Exalts can see. Even their animas cannot penetrate much further than a few yards around them in the gloom, leaving it to more refined senses to detect unusual denizens or structures beyond. [Private to Peleps Zeru: You can roll Perception+Awareness (or I'll roll it if you prefer)... You might also want to make use of the functions of that artifact Dove fixed for you.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:09, Fri 21 Nov 2008.

Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,3,10,8. Per + Awareness. Zeru's looking at the compass and using the elemental pole of earth and his memory of the map

23:56, Today: Peleps Zeru rolled 3 successes using 4d10 with the White Wolfto determine the location of the X...

Niakuni glances up at the shape of the Sea's Bounty far above them, using the ship's bottom as a relative compass to point out the direction she remembers the corsairs excavating from.

Zeru's senses, paired with the compass, more than confirms Niakuni's memory... he can actually see a vague outline of something large and ovoid in the water ahead. The compass indicates the direction is north-northwest, and both his eyes and his approximations tell him it's probably still a few hundred yards away.

Jadira unfortunately doesn't see much at all, and has to depend on the others to find the way.

Zeru grabs the attention of the group and points out the large object and begins and easy pace towards it. Wary of the creatures around them, not wanting to disturb any. Particularly the ugly looking anglers...

http://animals.nationalgeograp...imary/anglerfish.jpg

Jadira follows Zeru's lead, emanating an emerald aura to light her way. The swim fins are a little awkward to get used to, especially with the weight of her cannon, but she manages not to get left behind, at least.

It's creepy as all Malfeas down here, she thinks. Too dark... and all that water above us! Ugh, don't think about getting stuck down here... just keep chewing, and breathing...

The armswoman hopes none of those damned toothy fish were going to think her a tasty snack to bite on. She'd make it nasty for them, if they did (activating anima for poison touch.)

Zeru notices that Jadira is quite nervous. He grins at her and gives her a look that says... I'll get you back to the surface. then he continues his easy pace. Most of the time it doesn't even look like he's swimming, he's just a knife that flies through the water.

Niakuni directs the dark-haired Ciaran to wait with the ropes. If there was trouble, she'd tug for her rope to be hauled up by the crewmen waiting in the Bounty, but otherwise she'd remain as a beacon to light the divers' return.

The two remaining Tya kick off the sea floor and swim nimbly to keep up with Zeru and Jadira. They're not even close to as fluid as his movements, but they are still experienced swimmers, and unburdened but for the lights they carry.

It takes about 6 minutes for the group to swim there, assuming Zeru slows down enough to let the others keep up. By the time they're halfway there, even those with less keen sight can start to make out what they're approaching.

It is a crystalline oblong object, standing straight up on the sea floor, buried in place by centuries of shifting earth and detritus. Shaped like a chrysalis, it towers at least a story above the divers' heads, large enough to house a scale of men in very close quarters. Upon its surface are glimmers of golden patterns inlaid into the crystal that could very well be orichalcum, and the translucent crystal (very much like that which covers the hull of the Dryad) sheaths a core of black jade. At first glance, there does not seem to be an opening or any sort of seam that might indicate how to open or manipulate the object.

The other thing the group notices, as they approach the vicinity of the object, is that none of the vibrant and alien sea life that surrounded them before is present. Even the sea sponges don't grow here, as if living creatures seem to deliberately avoid an area up to thirty yards radius around.

---

OOC: You can... try to do stuff to it! Touch it, observe it, damage its surface... You may or may not need to roll something, depending on what you do. Purely examining is probably Per+Awareness, looking and trying to analyze what you see is more like Int+Lore or Occult.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:48, Fri 21 Nov 2008.

Zeru uses his maneuverability to swing around it once or twice just looking for any protrusions or indents in the surface something that doesn't fit with the rest of the structure.

14:08, Today: Peleps Zeru rolled 4 successes using 4d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,3,8,10. Perception + Awareness.

Jadira doesn't move, but swims in place in front of the cocoon-like structure. The similarity to the Dryad in the crystal construction strikes her as important, and her eyes focus on the surface of the translucent material.

As a sorceress trained in the Realm's illustrious Heptagram, patterns in the flows of Essence are are a discipline she has both studied and learned to duplicate. Drawing from that body of knowledge, she lets her eyes trace the golden patterns, entering that trance-like prepatory state she assumes in the crucial seconds of smoothing, joining and organizing the flows to her will.

Of course, these patterns are static -- embedded in the crystal itself. But sorcery is sorcery, and though it may be untamed and unpredictable at times, the processes of harnessing and manipulating Essence to serve some purpose have largely remained unchanged over the centuries. Thus Jadira puts herself in the mindset of the sorcerer-artificers that built the wonder before her, trying to intuit their method and intention through the juxtaposition and repetition of the orichalcum lines.

Through this she might gain insight as to what the chrysalis is, how it works and what it might contain.

Zeru's eyes are particularly sharp and attentive, though the lighting this far down in the sea is dim at best. Circling the ancient structure, he finds several hairline cracks winding around it independently of the orichalcum patterns. Though the chrysalis is a construct, and many times larger than anything natural, it has still been built to emulate organic life. If it were to open along those cracks, it would very likely unfold into something much like a butterfly.

Zeru is able to pinpoint a couple spots on the crystalline surface where the orichalcum lines and the cracks coincide. The points are placed symmetrically on the structure, but too far to be touched simultaneously by a single human being.

Jadira meanwhile studies the structure in a more disciplined, academic fashion. She confirms quite readily that this structure was built in the pre-Shogunate era, a construct as ancient as the ship she and Lasuri now sail. What it is, however, takes more thought to understand. She can see that the cocoon is likely some sort of cache, the furled 'wings' of the chrysalis keeping the interior safe from elements and theft. She also has some reason to believe from the complexity of the patterns that the structure holds some sentience... and would react to the touch of Essence flowing into it.

Niakuni and Astrid remain a respectful distance away, carrying their deep-sea lanterns to give the Dragon-Blooded some light to work by.

Their expressions show them to be ill at ease. The lack of sea life in this region makes the Tya divers uncomfortable.

Zeru swims over to Jadira and motions for her to follow him...

Jadira takes a little while to respond, her concentrated too focused on the analysis. Once her focus changes, though, she panics a little bit at first, having nearly forgotten she is 300 yards underwater with how deeply she was focused on the patterns. Breathe, breathe... The gum is still working fine, or so she hopes.

Then she catches Zeru's gesture. What is it? She looks imploringly at the Water Aspect and swims closer. I'll have to channel some essence into this thing. Somewhere... She doesn't touch the chrysalis though, waiting to see what Zeru has found.

Zeru points out the connections between the cracks and the orichalcum... Then floats next to one... motioning for Jadira to do the same.

Jadira observes, then nods, and floats to the other intersection point... 'vertex' is the word that comes to mind.

This must be it. She looks at Zeru, nods, and presses her hand to the point he indicated. Verdant essence emanates from her palm as she channels a tentative tendril of essence through the crystalline surface.

Zeru watches the essence flow from her for but a moment...

ooc: do I need a check for this?

Jadira touches the surface of the chrysalis with her Wood Essence, and the once translucent crystal begins to pulse a warm green. There is a slight rumbling, as the warm glow spreads, swirling along the oblong structure until about half of it is glowing brightly, penetrating the gloom.

From his earlier observations, Zeru can see that the portion that Jadira has lit up is likely one of the two giant wings wrapped around to form the chrysalis cocoon.

[Private to GM: Jadira has lost 10 motes.]

---

OOC: Nope, no check needed!

Zeru follows Jadira's lead and pumps some of his warm blue green essence into the vertex that he found. He watches it spread throughout the wing, and hopes that by doing this they may have found a way to open it.

The chrysalis reacts to the second touch of Essence, one wing glowing a vibrant leaf green, the other an aquatic blue-green like the sea in the daytime. The sea floor continues to rumble -- more than a minor tremor now, enough to be felt in the water even without touching bottom. [Private to Peleps Zeru: Zeru loses 10 motes from activating the chrysalis.]

Slowly, as if waking from a long sleep, the wings spread open to reveal the space within, sea water pouring into the airtight space as it does so. The interior side of the wings are crafted of pure blue jade with streaks of orichalcum, and at the center of each wing is a shape much like a very large eye. But this is no mere mimicry: they are golden orbs that function as the senses of the manse, and they swivel to stare at the two that have opened the cache.

The interior is what appears to be a two-tiered workshop of wonders, the bottom platform connected to the top by a large central pillar of blue jade and crystal, with double sliding doors leading into it. The shelves and work surfaces are all smooth and crystalline, following the curve of the outer perimeter once protected by the folded wings. Tools of all shapes and sizes are kept in locked crystal cases, themselves of perfect construction and sturdy enough to work with the most difficult of materials.

The place where the two wings meet, the 'body' of the butterfly so to speak, is a proportionally large, oblong shape of white jade alloy, so smooth it could have been squeezed straight out of a tube. The butterfly's 'heart', located dead center between the wings, is a pulsing, faceted blue gem: a hearthstone.  From its head, mechanical tendrils unfurl themselves -- two antennae and a coiled tongue -- and extend like feelers to touch the two Exalts.

"Unknown trespassers of the deep," utters a sharp, crackling, androgynous voice straight into their minds. "You are not welcome here."

---

OOC: React if you wish, then roll a Join Battle.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:18, Mon 24 Nov 2008.

Zeru says nothing... but grabs his chain and sets it to spinning, its speed undiminished in the darkness of the water. In his mind however he thinks I have no quarrel with you, but I wish to examine this place.

20:42, Today: Peleps Zeru rolled 1 success using 3d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,2,9. Wits + Awareness.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:43, Mon 24 Nov 2008.

Uh oh, that's not good... Resolved to fight, Jadira shoulders her Essence Cannon and starts to circle around the workshop platforms, hoping to position herself for a clear shot of the giant butterfly construct when she gets a chance.

Now that the chrysalis is open, though, she focuses her powers of analysis on the manse guardian itself. Drawing again from her knowledge of First Age technology, from years of experience encountering, studying and handling such artifacts, she attempts to understand just what the construct is and any weaknesses it may possess.

Of particular interest to her is the hearthstone socketed into its body. Is that its power source? she wonders. Or is the butterfly's body where the Hearthstone actually generates?
This message was last edited by the player at 20:21, Mon 24 Nov 2008.

The simple answer to Jadira's question is both -- though, simply prying out the hearthstone would be a difficult action for someone not used to close quarters combat.

But what Jadira understands is that the butterfly guardian is both an integral part of the Manse's geomancy, and itself an artifact guardian with its own Artificial Intelligence. The Essence she and Zeru poured into it basically refilled its Essence battery and reactivated its 'heart'.

The construct moves swiftly through the water to meet the intruders, propelling through it in a manner similarly to a manta ray. It is at least 5 times as tall as a normal man, and nearly that broad, its wings and body armored in magical material -- a formidable opponent, even if it is old and in disrepair.

Skirting around the platforms, it approaches Zeru and lashes out with two tendrils that shoot out of its body where the butterfly's legs would be. The tendrils spark with electrical energy, one attempting to stun Zeru, the other to entangle him. Both miss as the Water Aspect dodges nimbly, giving both him and Jadira an opportunity to strike!

---

OOC: actions
tick 0 - Butterfly Guardian (missed!)
tick 1 - Zeru, Jadira

Zeru dodges the two tendrils and interposes his arm into the chain. It shortens the chain and when he removes it the chain flies straight up. He pulls the chain dragging the Jade ball down through the water sending forth a trail of bubbles as the water fills in the tunnel the speeding ball creates. Even underwater Zeru's fighting style is beautiful with the water aspect spinning and turning until his body was parallel with the sea floor. As the jade ball comes into range he kicks it forward with all his might sending it streaking towards the butterfly shaped adversary.

Jadira gets a fierce jolt of excitement as she realizes she'll be able to fire her 'baby' after a long time leaving it to rest. Of course, she is also conscious of the danger of her situation, and VERY aware of her current deep underwater state. But the armswoman can't help but be at least a little thrilled at the prospect of seeing what an Essence cannon might do to a pre-Shogunate automaton.

Well, here goes. The Wood Aspect gives a few strong kicks with her swim fins to propel her through the water, circling to one side of the melee. She didn't want to hit Zeru with the beam, after all. And I need to let him know to hit the Hearthstone, too...

Still drifting from the force of her kicks, Jadira levels the cannon at the butterfly guardian, aligning the barrel at an angle as she floats into position. All that remains is to wait for the perfect window, as Zeru's kick pushes him away from the front of the construct, and its glowing blue heart is revealed to her...

Now!

And a concussive blast of verdant Essence rushes from the barrel, surging unhindered through the sea toward its mark.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:50, Tue 25 Nov 2008.

The butterfly guardian makes a poor attempt at edging out of the way, but Zeru's combat prowess is peerless. The jade ball slams right into one of the wing joints, damaging the connecting fibers there. (2B) [Private to Peleps Zeru: You also got +2 stunt, so get back essence!]

The cannon, on the other hand, hits -- but at the last moment the guardian generates some sort of filmy force shield, like a hardened bubble, and the majority of the damage splashes away from the heart. (1B)

"Intruders," the AI transmits coolly into the Exalts' minds. "I will be required to exert greater force if you do not withdraw now."

---

OOC: Ew, Jadira rolled bad damage. You guys get the feeling that even though it's dented, it's probably got a good amount of endurance left to it.

Also, oops, I realized you both have great speed, and go before it can move again... So ignore guardian's attack rolls I just made. (Good for Zeru, too, 'cause it would've clinched him.)

actions
tick 5 - Zeru, Jadira
tick 6 - guardian
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:52, Tue 25 Nov 2008.

We will not let you impede us guardian of this manse. Under the Cobalt Alliance we will take control of this Manse. Zeru thinks towards the butterfly thing. His movements seem staggered, like he's drunk or gotten the bends. The only thing is, that no matter the movements of his body his chain spins perfectly over his head caught along the rim of a whirlpool that seems to surround Zeru. He kicks the chain forward in a manner that appears to miss the butterfly guardian before back-flipping in the water pulling hard on the chain looking to strike it on the back of the fragile wing connections.

OOC: Activating Doldrums induced tempo... and my anima's probably flaring, a swirling whirlpool. Butterfly's DV is minus 2, and if I deal damage Jadira hits it at a minus 1

[Private to GM: 19:55, Today: Peleps Zeru rolled 7 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,7,8,10,9,1,9,4,2,6. Doldrums induced tempo. ]

The end of Zeru's chain strikes true, but still does not more than fray a few of the butterfly's wing-connectors. (1B) However, it is still enough to cripple its movement slightly, giving Jadira an even better chance to strike. (DV 2)

[Private to Peleps Zeru: another +1 stunt :)]
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:52, Tue 25 Nov 2008.

Yes! Jadira finds herself cheering Zeru on as his fighting chain seems to slow the butterfly guardian's motions. Better not waste the opportunity...

Kicking upward this time, well above Zeru's head, she angles her cannon downward for a clear shot at the heart. Give it all you've got, baby! Steeling her arms and body for the backlash, she activates the trigger, pouring all the Essence she can muster into the blast.

The cannon discharges its green energy beam with enough concussive force to push her backwards through the water. Palpable shockwaves ripple through the seawater in its wake, Jadira's added essence actually smoothing and refining the trajectory, condensing the beam without hindering its power.

The energy blast strikes the heart, the filmy shield inefficient to hold back the sheer power that Jadira levels at the construct. (10B! ow!) The butterfly construct is heavily damaged, now, the glowing blue gem dimming and flaring erratically. As the Exalts watch, they actually see some of the interior fibers showing through the cracks in its outer shell weaving themselves back together, trying to regenerate the damage.

"....zzzt.... Heavy structural damage... destruction imminent... fffzzzt... Protect the Manse at All Costs..."

Three tendrils thrust out toward Zeru, sparking weakly now. Two of them flail ineffectually to touch the slippery Water Aspect, while the third threatens to seize him, wrapping tight around his arms.

---

OOC: If you're wondering, it has PoM but just used (almost?) all its actions... it's pretty weak now, though. -4 wound levels.

Edited 'cause Zeru wished to stunt defense. :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:51, Wed 26 Nov 2008.

Zeru's anima of a whirlpool surrounds his body, but Jadira and the Tya can see a blur of bubbles as he begins to spin, his hands sticking out from the sides of the anima. His spin gets exceedingly fast and his body flips upside down his hands cutting through the water like two knives. The constant refilling of the vacuumed space leads to an onslaught of bubbles, a curtain of oxygen that would displace his true location. When the butterfly attacks Zeru subtly slides upwards keeping his body tight in a ball to avoid being a target in the shroud he created.

The third tendril, try as it might, cannot find purchase on Zeru's whirling body, nor pinpoint his location in the spray of bubbles.

---

OOC: actions
tick 6 - Butterfly guardian (miss)
tick 9 - Zeru, Jadira

The distinctive head of the chain flies forth from the curtain of bubbles, creating a hole in the oxygenated shield, the hole expands as the bubbles disappear. Zeru floats calmly with his signature grin covering his face.

[Private to GM: 18:54, Today: Peleps Zeru rolled 2 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,1,7,3,6,2,5,7,4,1. Attack. ]

The jade ball impacts solidly with the throbbing blue heart. The crystalline protector atop it shatters and snaps apart into a multitude of crystal shards, the frazzled connectors sparking and then fading... the glow of the Hearthstone fading with it.

"Mission... failed." Zeru and Jadira hear its last transmission echo in their minds before it goes still, the faceted blue gem ejecting from it's hearth chamber. It floats towards Zeru.

Niakuni and Astrid, watching from a distance, start to approach the felled guardian tentatively -- but not too closely, waiting to see whether one of the Exalts will warn them off.

The workshop platforms still await to be examined, as well.

Zeru catches the hearthstone and pockets it. He gives Niakuni and Astrid a thumbs up and swims towards the workshop.

Jadira grins, and echoes the thumbs up, looking in much better spirits despite the whole underwater claustrophobia from before. Damn, that felt satisfying. She swims to look at the body of the butterfly guardian, giving it a look-over while Zeru continues to the workshop itself. I hope wrecking it like that won't do anything terrible to the function of the manse.

There isn't very much Zeru can tell about the workshop, not being much of a crafter himself. All the tools and shelves and controls he can see are labeled in an odd pictograph language, locked away in airtight boxes that appear to have no obvious handles or hinges. It is definitely a flawless quality workshop, though.

The central pillar has a control panel on it. There are a couple of important looking buttons on it, and a lever with red lettering next to it. Again, Zeru can't read the lettering, but the hue makes him think there's something dangerous about the lever. At least one of those controls probably opens up the double doors that are embedded into the pillar.

As for the hearthstone itself, Zeru will have to take some time (hours) to attune it if he wants to learn more, but it seems to be an Air aspected stone. Strange, since the entire structure is underwater.

Jadira, looking over the broken guardian, sees that the regeneration capabilities it exhibited before are still working, even though the AI has been shut off. So the automaton will heal fully, given time, but not wake without the stone to power it.

Zeru swims up to Jadira gives her a thumbs up and moves it upwards towards the surface a few times indicating the time was coming to go back. Then he slowly swims back towards the Niakuni and Astrid.

Jadira returns a confused glance... That's it?

She finds herself a bit frustrated at the inability to talk while underwater. So she just holds a hand up to Zeru, a wait a moment signal, and goes to examine the workshop herself before they go.

I mean, what use can a workshop 300 yards underwater be to us, anyway???

But Jadira figures that if the structure is pre-Shogunate, any inscriptions on it would be in Old Realm. Maybe she can find something useful out before they head up.

Zeru pauses at Jadira's motion and follows her back to the chrysalis.

Jadira can read the inscriptions, as she was taught Old Realm at the Heptagram. Most of them are labels for tools she doesn't really know how to use, or in some cases even heard of! She also reads that the anyone attuned to the Manse (and the attunement can be shared) would be able to access the locked equipment as well as control various functions with more precision.

The panel is also of interest. She can understand pretty readily that the two buttons control the central elevator between the platforms. Of course, why would one need that if the platforms stayed underwater? One could simply swim up to the top one, assuming one could even survive this far below sea level in the first place.

A possible answer lies in the inscription next to the switch. "Pull upward for emergency surface." And next to it a caveat. "CAUTION: Hold on to provided railings for your safety." And indeed there railings all around the first floor pillar, at about waist length.

Well, this could be a shortcut upward. Or something really dangerous. How do I convey this to the others, now? Jadira beckons to Zeru and the waiting Tya, pointing at the lever, then the platform at her feet, then several times upward. Then she indicates the railings, and holds onto one, grimacing as if holding on for dear life.

Damn, what is this, charades? I feel like an idiot!

Finally she just shrugs, and puts a hand on the lever, but doesn't pull it. The question in the armswoman's eyes is: Should I?

(OOC: I'm not really sure if there ought to be some sort of roll to understand her crappy sign language. :D Maybe a Wits+Linguistics.)

Zeru and the Tya get the basic idea of what Jadira's saying at least. She seems to think the lever will lead upward (you're not sure if she means the elevator or the platforms themselves), but if she pulls it she wants everyone to be hanging on tight to something sturdy.

So... pull or not pull?

Zeru's face shows a hint of surprise that Jadira can read the letters. But almost instantly his smile grows back. His eyes are sparkling with adventure as he grips the railing and gives Jadira a thumbs up.

Jadira's face is grinning, too. She always knew she'd end up a troublemaker somehow, even in the Realm. Well... hopefully this little adventure would be more exciting than deadly.

She nods to Niakuni and Astrid to take their place at the railing, ensuring everyone is holding on before she yanks the lever upward.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:45, Fri 28 Nov 2008.

Niakuni and Astrid look dubiously at the control panel, then at Jadira, but do not hesitate to grab on tightly.

Jadira throws all her strength onto the lever, and the platform beneath starts to shake with rising intensity, enough that the tremors travel right up the arms from their grips on the railing. Somewhere deeper below, gears and mechanisms that have likely not moved for centuries begin the laborious task of warming up, unlatching and building up whatever source of power trembles below.

Warning! Emergency sea floor detachment. All personnel, hold on to the provided railings. Sea Elevator will be primed in 15 seconds. Another voice transmits into the minds of the Exalts and the Tya, but it has the sound of a recording, rather than a true intelligence. Niakuni looks upward nervously, while Astrid appears to have her eyes shut, praying for dear life. 10... 9... 8... 7...

The shaking is strong enough to chatter their teeth together, vibrating right through to their bones. The four clinging to the railings feel like their arms are about to go numb, but they dare not let go!

3... 2... 1... Surfacing!

There is a brief moment, as the last of the latches holding the platforms to the bottom of the sea let go, and they simply... float there. Then WHOOOSHHHH!!! the entirety is traveling up, and up, and up at an impressive speed! It's enough to concentrate on breathing -- particularly for those still relying on the maruera gum -- much less attempting to see anything as the upward push of the platforms displaces the water above and leaves bubbles in its wake.

It takes 15-20 seconds to climb what took their group minutes to descend. They break the surface in a spectacular spray of water, bringing with them not only the central workshop area but a wider platform at least thirty yards in diameter, with equidistant notches scooped into it to allow for segregated spaces for ships to dock. Even more mystifying to the witnesses from the Dryad and other vessels is the deactivated automaton draped there, its jade-orichalcum-crystal wings large enough to take up nearly half of the docking platform.

"Whoo-hooooo!" Jadira actually shouts as the Chrysalis surfaces, taking a big long gulp of real air. Soaked as she is, she's elated at her and Zeru's success, and throws her arms up as soon as the platform is more or less stable. "I'm the Queen of the Western Sea!"

Then she shields her eyes from the sun (likely moving towards mid-day now?) to get a glimpse of the ships awaiting them. "Hello, the Dryad...!" she hollers, waving her arm ostentatiously, before turning to Zeru.

"Thanks for bearing with my bad attempts to communicate underwater. If you're wondering, I was schooled in the old language during my education in the Realm. I'm a Dynast... former Dynast, anyway..." A small sad smile touches Jadira's lips.

"Anyway, you have the Hearthstone don't you? Well, at least one of us will have to sit and meditate with the stone for a while and attune it to access the higher functions of the manse. Which would include controlling that... butterfly thing, I think."

Leaning against the railing of the Dryad, Lasuri shake his head softly, shouting in the direction of Jadira and the raising construction.

"Great job there, majesty! And you too, Mister Zeru!" He salutes the both of them, then motions towards Jadira.

"Her Highness should come back to dry and change, unless she wants to catch a cold of royal proportion!" he calls out, gesturing towards her. "Danaa'd might favor the bold, but she won't cover for Woodwitches who think they've got webbed feet like she does her children..." He quips playfully, before sending a shout to Mister Donnegal about bringing the ship closer.

Zeru steps out of the chrysalis top of the Manse waving back towards the crew for a moment before hopping down and walking across the surface of the water towards the ships. "If you would captain, I'd like to dock the Marlena for repairs," he produces the hearthstones. "Oh and lookie what we found..."

Jadira sticks her tongue out toward Lasuri, as soon as she thinks the Dryad is close enough for him to see it. "You would talk, Mr. Wounded and Resting. No one else would even come along. So I did my part to fill in."

She can't walk across water, so she just waits in her soaking wet clothes, shivering a bit, with her essence cannon propped up between her legs. "I'm going to smell like seawater for days," the armswoman mutters. Almost as an afterthought she fishes out the maruera gum, leaving her with a wad in her hand she isn't quite sure how to dispose.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:37, Sun 30 Nov 2008.

"Bah, that's what I get for worrying." He says, shaking his head at Jadira before turning back to Zeru. "That's great work, Mister Zeru! We should look this thing over and actually try to examine it thoroughly..."

He nods once more, and smiles. "And as for your request - sure thing. The Marlena's probably gotten hit the hardest in that last tussle, so she should take priority getting patched up... You can arrange the docking yourself, right? Let me know about anything else you'll need, and I'll arrange for you to get it."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:48, Sat 29 Nov 2008.

"Aye sir." Zeru, not even wet, walks over to the Marlena and clambers up the anchor. "Well gents, lets get our new home over to the manse then shall we." He directs everyone calmly and smoothly and once the Marlena's docked he helps the crew finish cleaning the ship. When and only when that is finished does he attempt to attune to the hearthstone to find out more about it.

The Dryad arrives first, with Donnegal manning the helm. The slower merchantman pulls up soon afterward, as Rothalga surfaces from the lower deck and gazes at the open chrysalis in awe. "This is... it's a treasure that many men would kill for. I do hope you've a way to submerge it again, Dragons? Or it would be swiftly taken away as soon as you depart from here."

The Tya captain has towels passed along for Niakuni, Astrid and Jadira. Ciaran is already on board the Sea's Bounty, wrapped in a towel of her own.

Meanwhile, Platinum Dove makes herself available as mastercrafter at least for the time being. The winged woman has decided to depart from the Cobalt Alliance after all, but will remain long enough to complete at least the repairs for the couriers and other ships. Unfortunately, though, either retrofitting the Hammerhead or repairing the Dryad's paddlewheel will take time and materials. The former could be spared, but the latter not.

It's more or less agreed upon by all that the group will need to attract another crafter to join Cobalt, as well as stop at a major port for the needed supplies. Tya Rothalga suggests the port of Seahaven on Abalone, the Wavecrest Navy is situated there and many shipbuilders make their home in the city. As the group is headed to Wavecrest as escort anyway, it's not a bad idea. Rothalga does, however, warn that the ex-corsairs would be better off staying on board the Hammerhead, as Wavecrest would not look kindly upon them. Neither do the Tya, though she puts a strong effort toward maintaining at least a hesitant tolerance between her crew and Treon's.

Also, any or all of the Cobalt members can meditate with the stone Zeru found (there's only one, actually). Only one person can actually socket the stone in an artifact, but anyone who attunes themselves to the chrysalis workshop-manse will gain access and control over its tools and functions -- this does include submerging, as well as waking the butterfly guardian to shield the manse again. It's AI will not awake completely unless the hearthstone is placed in it, though.

---

OOC: If you'd like to continue conversations etc., go ahead. Once people are done here we can do dinner with Tethia, and Chapter 2 start. Assume that all ships, including the second courier (Vengeful Riza) that the uncooperative corsairs will be given, will be completely repaired.

Oh, and the HS itself is a level 3 stone, "Stone of Easy Breath". If you want it, can either mention it IC, or PM me.

Once everything is set up Zeru seeks out Jadira. "Pardon miss Thornbloom, I believe that you are the most deserving of this hearthstone. It was you who smashed the guardian into tiny bits after all." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the clear stone. "I figured you'd be the one who should decide whether or not you want it."

By now Jadira is on the deck of the Dryad and in drier clothes now, a towel still hanging from her shoulders. She looks at Zeru in surprise. "Well... if you won't take it, I can at least keep it, for now. If we do meet a suitable crafter it might be better to give him or her primary access to the manse."

The brunette thanks Zeru accepts the stone, weighing it in her palm, then scrutinizing it carefully as she begins to meditate quietly upon its facets. Better that more than one of them assert control over the manse, she figures.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:36, Sun 30 Nov 2008.

In the wake of the Crysallis rising, Treon returns to the Hammerhead, the better to prepare her for docking and repairs.  He explains briefly to the crew about the change of weaponry that will be involved, what this means for them.  He then addresses all of the corsairs, captured and not, explaining what has happened to Tethia, keeping his reservations to himself for the moment, and then going on to say that the Vengeful Riza would soon be repaired for them travelling on.

Repairing the Vengeful Riza and patching up damage on the other vessels takes a couple days, using the expertise of Platinum Dove, the flawless workshop and crewmen working as laborers. Soon afterward, she makes her terse goodbyes and soars away, perhaps having had more than enough of the pirates' life after Cobalt's last major battle.

The Riza's repair is made a priority, so Treon is able to send the ten or so unhappy corsairs off on their remaining courier after a single day. This particular parting is a rather unhappy one, as the corsairs jeer and spit at their 'traitorous' ex-colleagues, though in the end they go swiftly -- preferring their freedom over a longer period bound and imprisoned, or better yet being put to the gallows in Wavecrest. The Riza's sail disappears quickly toward the northeast, and that's one less problem the Cobalt Alliance needs to deal with... for now.

Dove also leaves the group with plans for retrofitting both the Hammerhead and even the Marlena, if desired. (OOC: The former would take Resources 3 worth of material, the latter Resources 2, +1 or more if using artifact grade materials. The actual work requires a crafter of appropriate skill, a repair team of at least Followers = Resources, and succeeds with Resources x 2 successes on an extended action of 1 week interval.) As it's a time consuming task and the group currently lacks the materials, though, the plans are left for a later date. This process can potentially increase the hull strength and durability of the fleet's mundane ships.

By the 7th day of Ascending Water, the Dryad is ready to escort the Sea's Bounty home. Jadira, still claiming the Chrysalis hearthstone for the moment, orders the workshop-manse both sealed by the guardian's wings and submerged, and the location is carefully marked on Cobalt's master map before departure. Finally, Wavecrest awaits!

---

OOC: Thread end... Chapter 2 thread will be posted tomorrow-ish.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:01, Tue 02 Dec 2008.