Week 1

Nanaret brings Third and Xurizu to the area she came across before resting. Together, they discover the facilities available in the caves that once housed a small mining community.

They find it large enough to house about 100, though most of the bedding is barracks style. There are enough single rooms for the Exalts, though, once housing crafters, the thaumaturge or doctor, the foremen and other such individuals of importance. There is even a mess hall, where the miners went to eat, as well a kitchen stocked with cooking utensils. Unfortunately, there is no food to be found that hasn't rotted or disintegrated away in those mysterious white piles. It also appears they may have kept some sort of domesticated animal before, but the pens are empty but for broken ropes, once tied to creatures that seem to have gotten away rather than ashed.

A storage area holds a stockpile of mining tools, as well as some light sources, watertight storage barrels (unfortunately empty), and some other basic tools for survival. Another room served as the hospital, with a supply of bandages, disinfectants, thread and needles, even a few soporific drugs, but no other medicines. There is also a small blacksmith's forge, not nearly the quality necessary to build artifacts, but it serves well enough for mundane crafts. The other crafter in residence had apparently been a clothcrafter who worked with thread of an uncommon strength, traces of which are found on his or her abandoned loom.

The last room of interest is the master foreman's dwelling, which consists of a small private dining area, a bedroom and an office. He seems to have lived here with his wife. The office appears to have been hurriedly vacated, and there are no dust piles in these rooms at all.

There seems to have been a mining railway that moved through this area, back when Essence power and lighting were still working in the area. It is, of course, no longer functioning, but most likely was how the miners transported what they excavated here to elsewhere in Five Coils.

[Private to Ledaal Xurizu, Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge, Saina Nanaret: Roll Perc+Investigation or Awareness if you're wanting to investigate further or look deeper into a particular detail. Otherwise you can just post back in Lost Corridors to let others know what you've found, and possibly offer to help others on their tasks.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:46, Mon 09 Feb 2009.

Xurizu spends some time wandering about the complex, looking around and trying to determine when, exactly, people left the mines.  He also tries to estimate how many of the people left, vs those that had apparently been rendered unto ash.  In fact, if the truth be told, it was the ash that bothered him most of all.  If it were something inherent in the location, some form of control mechanism, then this place could be a deathtrap.  If, on the other hand, it was something that had happened, then perhaps people could stay here.

"Third, Nararet, do you have any idea what might have done this to people?" he picks up some of the ash, let it run through his fingers.  "There doesn't seem to be any obvious signs of scorching ..."

After some pontificating on just what might have happened to them, Xurizu returned to the foreman's office, starting a methodical search for anything of interest that might have been left behind the rush.
[Private to GM: A lot of investigation rolls, I think.  Xurizu has none, so hopefully they can be Int based rolls he can spend 4m with the Intelligence Excellency on.  Also, an Int+Occult roll to think of any occult means of causing the ash.  Again, spending on the excellency.  Int 5, Occult 5]

"Hrrmph..." Nanaret shrugs a little helplessly, pausing to consider Xurizu's question. Does she know of any sort of entity capable of such a thing? From what she can understand, most of these people had been asleep when it happened, whatever it was, and it had likely happened so quickly that they'd not had a chance to escape.

"Well, for certain this is no natural enemy. Must be some man-made weapon. One with wide range and difficult detection. Perhaps like weapons that Equalizer carried, an extermination weapon. A Purge on smaller scale." The blue-haired Lunar clucks her tongue and shakes her head, as her monkey-tail slopes downward in a disapproving gesture. "This fortress very frightening. Their technology create greater and greater means to destroy human life. One day they run out of people to try it on, then what? On each other?"

The two things that stand out to her are the hurried departure of the master foreman, as well as the frayed ropes holding whatever animals they might have kept. Seeing that Xurizu has concentrated his efforts on the former, she decides to inspect the latter, as animal life is something she would be more inclined towards understanding to begin with. Whatever she discovers -- if anything -- she shares with Third and Xurizu.

Then Nanaret inspects each of the rooms and facilities for anything that appears out of place or immediately dangerous. (Without any formal investigative training, she goes with senses and instinct instead.) She also attempts to quantify all the supplies and equipment available in the storage room, the crafters' workshops, the kitchen/mess hall and the hospitals. In the cases she doesn't know exactly what a tool or substance does, she sets it aside to ask about later. She will spend the entirety of four days in the first week doing the broad inspection and inventory listing, though definitely welcomes any help offered.

[Private to GM: I'll do... let's see. Int+Lore for Xurizu's question, I suppose. Then a series of Perc+Aware, maybe once per area? (first the animal pens, then... barracks, bedrooms, hospital, kitchen, mess hall, blacksmith's, clothcrafter's?) I'm not sure what the inventories would require, hopefully not bureaucracy because I'm BAD at that :D]
This message was last edited by the player at 08:25, Thu 05 Feb 2009.

Xurizu concentrates his efforts on the master foreman's office. He pieces together over time that the man (whose name was Granite Creed, apparently) had been shunting some of the materials found here to a location beside the B25 storage facilities. Creed had also been communicating with a man, or an entity, known only as "FREE". Much of the evidence has already been torn or disposed of; Xurizu has to dig deep into logbooks and tall stacks of paper to put together this truth, as Granite Creed had been in too much of a hurry to be thorough.

[Private to Ledaal Xurizu: Xurizu realizes with sudden, chilling certainty that Granite Creed had not gotten far in his escape.

Hunting him had been a matter of waiting for the right moment, skulking in caverns populated with laborers and heavy machinery, plenty of shadows between the workers' spotlights. The King Snake was patient when necessary, and could sleep without truly sleeping, remaining still for days.

Creed was a austere man with brown hair and a neatly trimmed beard, and when Xurizu ambushed him, he had been with a woman with dark purple hair. The pair was arguing, the man pushing a package or parsel or some sort into the woman's hands. "Bring it to him," he was saying sternly, "just go!"

Patience was her name. Creed shouted it when the barbed chains from Xurizu's spell wrapped inexplicably around his neck. "RUN!" was his last word, just before his neck cruelly snapped.

She ran. But Xurizu had not been directed to kill her, and the mind-control was, at times, maddeningly narrow in focus. He let her go... with whatever Creed had left to her... and had forgotten all about her existence, until now.]

It is all but certain Granite Creed had some prior notice of whatever struck the settlement. It is uncertain whether he fled to save himself and his wife, or to draw attention away from the townspeople, as they were largely oblivious of his rebel activity. Sadly, they had died anyway -- though the method is not something that would be discovered through Creed's office alone.

Examining the white dust itself proves more lucrative. Without signs of scorching, the effect that caused it must have been something that specifically affected living beings, or even certain organic matter in general (as some food had also ended up similarly disintegrated.) It must also have been something that acted very quickly, was virtually undetectable, or lulled them to sleep before killing them.

The effect also appears, for whatever reason, to have had no effect at all on insect-kind.

[Private to Ledaal Xurizu: To accomplish this sort of destruction with magic, it must have required a large amount of essence (as it's an effect that touched only specific targets, in a wide area, and all but annihilated them).

Some conclusions you suspect:
- A powerful supernatural entity, or group of entities. (Hard to have an exact name or identity without a library to refer to.)
- A high level custom spell (requiring a Celestial Exalt's 'cooperation')
- An artifact with Celestial spell-like effect (something like the chorus cannon, powered by some spirit feeding it Essence).

There's also the possibility of this weapon having some biological origin as well (you'd need someone with decent Medicine or Survival to confirm, or could try to do so yourself).]
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:53, Fri 06 Feb 2009.

Third carefully studies the ash piles, devoting its time to discovering just what, exactly, they are, mind focused on the task. Learning about what Xurizu has found, however, it notes 'Third has heard of this person. A Lunar, so they say, maybe one of the most powerful Celestials in Five Coils, maybe nothing more than a famous name.' It is scanning its mind, seeing if there are any records of weapons, diseases, natural animals, or anything else in the Five Coils databases that were capable of an effect like this.

'It may be worth our time to investigate the storage facilities. But if this were the intended effect, Third strongly doubts that there would have been a closing off of all information.Third suspects that something went wrong."

Nanaret's inspection of the animal pens yields stiff hairs, carapace fragments and even some black traces in the dirt that she realizes are insect droppings. The livestock kept here were not mammals but apparently domesticated insects. The carapace fragments are various shades of iridescent green, some blue and occasionally black.

Her time spent inspecting the rooms of the cave finds nothing of note that could have triggered whatever killed the people here. Whatever it was came and went, and left nothing behind but the piles of dust. There isn't even anything left here for insects to infest on; it's likely they already swept in, took what they could and left. Only the dry rations remain, the ones Nanaret had procured earlier.

Cataloging all the supplies is time-consuming menial work. By the end of a week Nanaret has quantified most of it and can make a report about what she has found. Very little found in the area is directly plant based, but for wooden components of buildings, tools and containers; the wood was very likely imported from the Wood floors above. Even the thread found with the loom and in the medikits is insectoid in origin.

It should also be noted that the abundance of mining tools found -- shovels, hammers, chisels, picks -- could also double as weapons or be forged into better weapons.

Third, meanwhile, examines the composition of the piles themselves. They are, to its senses, mostly salt and calcium based. One would also expect carbon, to go with the theory of human remains, but the dust is whitish rather than black.

[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: Your memory is surprisingly vague about such things. You know few specifics of what could have caused this effect, though you know what is not: no natural animal or chemical could have done such a thing. It could either have been a purely magical effect or a manufactured biological weapon, or some marriage of the two. It certainly appears to have functioned something like a 'virus', affecting only humans and mammals.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:49, Fri 06 Feb 2009.

Third, one day, after some time has passed, asks the other two to join him to discuss the situation. " From all Third is able to tell, these are not natural. That this is all is disturbing for Third. Have either of you found any further information that might help to explain? Third imagines that if this was the result of a biological weapon, it was designed to burn itself out so as to avoid wiping out the city, so at the very least, chances are low that it will afflict us unexpectedly. The lack of carbon..." Third stands for a moment, pondering. " There are many uses for carbon. It is a dark suggestion, and one that would not be easy to prove, but if this was the work of an engineered disease or a weapon, then it would not be impossible to imagine it had an ulterior purpose." For now, any such speculation is just that, but if it were true... It would make quite a stir among those who inhabit five coils. A prison in a riot is easier to escape one in harmony.

"Mmm..." Nanaret looks up from counting through boxes of hammers, trying to ignore Ranavalona's excessive grumbling during the idle time and menial tasks. Well, once she is done here she would have the freedom to help explore or even train the refugees. "I do not have book knowledge as you have. Can only observe and describe what I have seen, and what I guess from there."

"I have searched this area many a time, though, and do not think that whatever weapon destroyed people here has any trigger close by. I would think this weapon was brought here... then left again when job was done. And much like Water Purge, they cared not for who got caught in the blast."

"Either all these people who lived here guilty..." She gestures to encompass the settlement in entirety. "Or it was Granite Creed who is guilty, and others died in his stead. Now only insects can tell the true story, yes? If one could speak to them, maybe they would know."

"But what we do with the ashes, now? Should not leave them in beds. But not just dispose them either...?"

Hmmmmmmmm, Xurizu thought, as he reached his conclusions about the fate of the mining foreman and his wife.  And the lack of conclusion about anything else.  "Certainly it would be something that was brought in, yes," he joined in the discussion of the nature of the weapon.  "If it were sorcery, it is a sorcery beyond me at present, perhaps beyond many in Five Coils.  If it were a weapon then it would be a complex and rare one.  If it were something odder ... well, creatures such as that don't tend to stick around."

"Creed was definitely the guilty one here, though if the people of the settlement knew, Creed, or the records he left, were in ignorance of this."

Xurizu was helping Nanaret with the classification after the investigation, something he had seen in the office making driving him to deep thought.  He seemed quite capable of sorting despite this distraction, although occasionally he would record something wrong, notice, and correct it.

"I have another name and another face we should look for.  Patience.  She has dark purple hair.  She might be able to take us to this 'Free', or to someone who can."

Third crosses its arms. ' The ones at fault when a jailbreak is stopped by force and bystanders are caught is not the criminal. It is the warden. Even more so when the prisoners are innocent.' it says solemnly as it considers the information. ' It sounds as though, if we can find this Free, whatever shape it may take, then that would be the wisest choice for us. Of course, it may also be a trap, to snare the unready.Whatever the truth is, we cannot stay here forever, or it shall be merely another enslavement under the Dragon-Blooded.' Third's feet, it would seem, are burning on the ground already.

' Do we have any leads for how we can find this 'Patience'? That seems to be a painfully light description to try to search an entire population for. Does it mention where she stayed?'

"Patience..." Nanaret commits the name to memory, and tilts her head at Xurizu, then Third. "I wonder if she still would live on this floor. Maybe good idea to ask around in labor town that Dashu spoke of."

"I hope there been other groups that remain alive and defiant of Terrestrials. 'Free' is one such who keeps hope alive. If we could stir all citizens toward revolution... but better to start small. Better not to have Earth Purge instead," she quips, shaking her head at the thought. Her thoughts trail off a bit as her dark eyes roam the 'scenery', the dusty caves that have become, for the moment, their camp.

"Maybe we not find out the origins of the weapon used here, but at least I think it is safe here. I will tell others of it when things are clean and organized."

Still unsure of the fate of the human ashes, Nanaret decides she will take matters into her own hands. She takes as many empty jars from the medicine cabinets and storage as she can find... then, using folded bits of old documents made into makeshift funnels, she pours ashes into jars one by one. It's macabre work, but she can't bring herself to just throw the remains away.

After that, tidying up is easier. If Tycho, Higura and Saffron allow it, she even brings in refugees to help out: sweeping, dusting, cleaning the dusty sheets in the underground river, making the entirety more livable... until they had somewhere else to go.

Week 2

Once given the okay, the Exalts and the small population teleported upward with them settle into the rooms cleared by Nanaret, Xurizu and others. The refugees take up about half the beds in the barracks; the spacing allows for a certain amount of privacy, the rest approximated with bedsheets stretched out as delineations. They leave the Exalts among the group with their pick of the private rooms, including the master foreman's dwelling and office, if desired.

The blacksmith's shop is pretty much assumed to be Danae's 'territory'. She works there with five laborer refugees assigned to duty with her, and Dena when she can spare the time. They are not very much used to working with a young woman, but they recognize her immense skill, and soon they even forget she is smaller and younger than they once they are witness to it. Having completed two harmonic adapters already, Danae can continue with the staff that has taken up the most of her time lately. [Private to Danae Adela: You also got another 2 sux from your last craft post's stunt, so that's 8 sux total for the staff so far, I believe? If you didn't like your last roll for this week you can reroll it, since I only accounted for two rolls total so far.]

Similarly, the small hospital goes to Saffron and her new assistant, Tamra. Tools are available there for alchemical works as well as the basic medical supplies Nanaret found. [Private to Saffron: You can make a couple of Craft(Water) rolls to work with the samples of poisonous gland and mushroom brought to you. Rolling well may allow you to make a poison antidote and/or a mild, pleasant soporific respectively. Or you may prefer to roll to distill the negative effects to brew poison and hallucinogenic powder. Each type of pharmaceutical you attempt to make requires a roll, you may get extra successes from the workshop, assistants, etc.] Tamra also shows great interest in the loom available in the clothcrafter's shop, but right now there is no material available to weave with. She can do repairs of clothing and other fabric, though.

Other than the mess hall (suitable for group meals as well as large meetings) there is a large room adjacent to the foremans' and crafters' living spaces that once served as a council room. Here the Exalts may congregate to speak with one another on matters of importance.

This week there are several courses of action to discuss and consider.

Dena has contacted the builder bug hive, gaining an invitation to meet with their Queen. (Go to: Floor B25 - The Lost Corridors, Builder Bug Hive)

Dashu has found Floor B25's human settlement, where the group may find out information on the district, secure more supplies and so on. (Go to: Floor B25 - District of Earth, Laborers' Conclave)

Those who wish to continue scouting/explore other areas of the mining sector may do so. (Go to: Floor B25 - District of Earth, Further Explorations)

Training, organizing and interacting directly with the refugees continues in the meantime. (Go to: Floor B25 - Building a Revolution)

Any other tasks (or reporting on tasks completed) can be conducted within the mining settlement.

---

OOC: You might want to start by organizing groups here. Unless you're all going to tackle things alone. Oh right, and you should take training times into account, if you're going to use any days of this week for training please post about that as well.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:18, Mon 09 Feb 2009.

Dashu after his initial scouting venture, Dashu took the rest of the first week to train.  This often involved him going into a vacant cavern and practicing his kata's and meditating in darkness.  That being said, this week Dashu spent much more time around people than he had in several years.  This obviously effected his general attitude towards everyone.  Before, where he wanted to help the former slaves on principal and leave the humans to die, he actually was starting to consider the Celestials his friends.  He figured he might care enough about the mortals to actually help them every now and then since they seemed to be willing to work against the society which had enslaved him.  All in all, while he was still fairly cold, people found him much more approachable.

During the times he wasn't training, he had put in some effort into making a disguise which would work better than just smearing his face in mud.  He had found some old minor's clothing which he had set aside.  "I'm going back to the town, I consider my initial incursion a success, but we can still get more information.  We're not going to be able to many people by the sensors but if any of you think you're good enough to sneak by with me, then you're welcome to come with.  If we need supplies, maybe I can trade something for them.  Any ideas on what we need, what we can trade, and what information we should get?"

With everyone moved into the settlement, Nanaret has made a little 'nest' for herself in one of the private rooms. Part of her is still keen to keep to herself, rather asocial and brooding, like the aye-aye is traditionally considered to be. Ranavalona's present curdles in her, impatient and fuming, but Higura keeps her quiet more often than not.

In her dreams... Ranavalona dreams of flaying him alive.

Nanaret herself, however, continues to concentrate her efforts toward survival -- both for herself and for the group. Her belief is that as a group, they all have a better chance of surviving together. As much as Ranavalona insists on her superiority, even Nanaret knows that her body is still yet weak to reach the surface of this fortress alone.

Monkey-ears twitching, she uncurls from her current resting place, a nearby chair, when Dashu brings up his plans. "I would like join you, Dashu. I am good at sneaking... better at lying... to enemies, of course." Her head of blue hair ducks slightly. "I am working on perfecting moon-technique, allows me to assume looks and behavior of another, fools all physical senses... however, will take few days yet to train. If willing to wait, I may help very much." (OOC: it'll actually be 3 days training.)

"Needs... I believe cooks are wishing for basic things, flour, cooking oil. Salt be useful as well. Helps preserve food." The Changing Moon shrugs. "But even better we gain information. Learn about what happened below, find a dependable way up. There were also people Xurizu and Third mentioned..." She looks toward them, to include them in the conversation.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:57, Tue 10 Feb 2009.

Third approaches Dena. Third will accompany you to meet with the hive queen. Third is interested by what you tell of them- They could make useful allies, and if they have information about what caused this, all the better.' it states,  bowing to the Lunar politely, as it offers to join her travels.

In the time off that it has had during the week, when it is not working on the projects around the camp, it has slowly been working to train itself in more of the Even Blade style. It knows enough of the style from its experiences with the Dragon-Blooded to emulate it- It is now only a matter of bringing each ability out of itself, one by one. Long hours are spent in meditation, eyes closed, hands flat upon the ground, elegant fingers taking on a sharp quality as it forges its body anew, for the purposes of war.

This week, it will do much the same. It studies them, piece by piece, learning the katas. It occasionally comes to Danae, watching her progress with the forging, awaiting when it can use a true blade again with ambivalent patience.

Dena hesitates a bare moment, having planned to try to drag Danae away from the forge to the queen originally.  Then she realized that this plan was largely because she'd been around Danae more than any other "smart" person, not because of an inherent advantage.

"That sounds like a good idea.  If I may suggest, insects are generally quite sensitive to odors and the language involves pheremones as much as sounds and body language.  I'll be switching between my human and spirit forms in order to translate, although the insects may be able to understand low realm I don't think they can speak it.  Since they are so sensitive to smells, I'd recommend you bathe thoroughly before we leave and avoid using any sort of cologne or scented soap."

"I too would like to join you," Xurizu nodded to the police inspector he had escaped with.  "Whilst I probably don't have Nararet's skill at disguise I am not one for teaching, nor really for diplomacy," he says.

"But yes, Nanaret," he nods to the other lunar.  "Creed was apparently in contact with a being called 'Free', who Third said has some repute amongst the populace, though he is widely denounced as a myth by the Dragonblooded.  Patience ... I know very little about.  I cannot give you much more than her name."

"Waiting a few days is fine with me," Dashu replies to Nanaret.  "It gives me time to learn  another trick I'll find useful on this excursion."  The inspector then turns to Xurizu and said, "If you need help with a disguise then I might be able to give you a hand.  In fact as far as getting there goes, if you're not comfortable with the amount of stealth needed to get by the sentinals, you might be able to ride with me if you change into your totem form.  Again, don't want to take too many people, though, or else it would look very suspect.  I don't know if we can pick up enough food supplies for 60 mortals and 10 exalts without looking completely suspicious.  This is a small town which looked to be geared entirely around mining.  3 people who are brand new in town loading up that much supplies would be difficult to justify to anyone.  We might be able to pick up enough salt for food preservation though.  Anything else?  That being said, we'll need something with which to trade."

"Three people is good enough," Nanaret says, nodding, seeming unconcerned about not being able to grab the other supplies. They still had enough food, even without the variety some refugees hoped for. "I only pass on what I have heard. Mmm. Maybe we can find materials for Danae. But yes, we cannot carry anything heavy or large. Maybe if we only were shopping for ourselves. But so many people here... Think I that they will like the salt, though." Her bushy lemur-tail swishes emphatically.

"Trade? We do not have much that is unique. There is the insects' confection and the jar... but I not think good idea to trade what was a gift." The monkey-Lunar furrows her brow, scratching at her head with an oddly-elongated middle finger. "Unless Queen Bug would give us something to trade with."

"There are also strange mushrooms, that Turtle says make visions. Though that would make us drug peddlers, yes? Maybe best to go simple, bring some extra mining supplies. We say there were deserters."

   Saffron overhears the conversation about going into town and suggests to Nana, "Not drug peddlers, but if I can make an antidote to the poison or a sleep agent, perhaps we can trade the excess."

Saffron's plans for the week:
   Saffron works tirelessly putting the hospital together, tending the sick, injured, and tired in mind and body, and training Tamra. As she adds to Tamra's skills, she tests her abilities frequently. Saffron also spends part of her time in training her mind and body. She performs tasks blindfolded and sets up obstacle courses to walk through.
   After a couple days, when things around her clinic have calmed down, Saffron settles down to begin working with the poison glands. She starts by trying to make an antidote to the poison. Second priority will be the sleeping agent. And third, just for fun, she'll gather a few mushrooms and attempt to make a powdered hallucinagen.

OOC:
20:18, Today: Saffron rolled 5 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,9,9,10,8,3,2,6. Craft Medicine - soporific.
20:18, Today: Saffron rolled 6 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,3,2,9,10,6,9,7. Craft Medicine - antidote.

"I wouldn't go trading any possessions just yet," rasps Tycho's metallic voice as he enters into both room and conversation, a fresh gleam of sweat slick across his bone-white brow from the noisome training taking place in the other corridors. The Solar's thick fingers clutch around a trio of old mining tools - hammer, pick, and shovel. Tycho has began training the mortals to wield them as weapons this week, a more dangerous prospect than throwing rocks or facing padded spear points. Reddish stains mark all three tools, blood or rust it's hard to tell, though Saffron has had to deal with more than a few scraps already.

In training the mortal's, the metallic Solar has also been training himself. Learning slowly how better to teach, organize, and lead them. It is an unfamiliar place for him, the forefront. At least, as anything but another strong arm in the throng. His skills were all in paper and planning, as a strategist rather than a commander. The trust the mortals place in him as an instructor has slowly been bending Tycho's staunch refusal to see them as little more than burdens and even though he has trouble conveying it, he was proud of how dangerous they had become.

Even so, he already wants to make them more dangerous. If it came to facing off against the Peaceforce, the refugees would need every advantage they could muster. He looks around for Danae, once more to pester the poor craftswoman with a task. Not seeing her straight off, he goes on.

"There isn't much too trade that we can spare. If you're going to trade something, trade skills. You've all got them. If you're careful, keep from drawing too much attention, those will probably be more valuable in the communities than anything we could scavenge out of the caverns."

"Or, if you want, I could put the mortals to task seeing if this mine is as really tapped out as it looks," he says, holding up the old tools. They were old, but still in good condition. Easily ready still for work. "I'd rather have them learning to hit people instead of rocks, but it might be good for building their strength. Heavy labor usually is."

Saffron's alchemical crafts prove quite fruitful, with Tamra assisting. She initially produces with the mushrooms five doses of Draught of Blessed Respite, which when imbibed helps the user sleep. Half a dose puts an imbiber in something of a trance state, awake but distracted, that allows the user to get some benefits of true sleep while awake. However she is certain that using this draught regularly has some addictive qualities to it.

With the poison she creates one dose of a Venom Allaying Draught which is specifically an antidote to the cavefish poison. She also discovers through her work the possibility of a more potent, general antivenom, but finds that she will need at least 2 more samples of lethal poison from different sources to complete this recipe.

From here Saffron could produce 5x sleep potion or 1x cavefish antivenom per hour, assuming supplies last and she has the time. [Private to Saffron: I found, in researching Exalted alchemical crafting, that there's actually a thaumaturgical art for it. (Oadenol's Codex p.130-2) Since you didn't actually buy any Occult for thaumaturgy I decided I'd just have you use Craft(Water) as if you actually had the equivalent Art of Alchemy degrees. It matters less for you anyway, since you're a Solar and I think your crafts could more than approximate things, but if you actually wanted to learn Occult for the 'magical' side of thaumaturgy I would let you do so free of training time, since I think it's something you ought to have known anyways. You'd probably want about 3 dots in it.]

Dena and Third have already left on their excursion to the builder bug hive, though it may not be too late yet for someone to join them belatedly. In the next three days, Nanaret, Dashu and Xurizu take the time to train before heading for the Conclave. Anyone who might produce trade goods for them to bring should do so before they leave, as well. [Private to Alus Tycho: I am... not sure what sort of roll would be needed for mining! I've never had to do that before! more likely, you won't be able to get any fruitful results in the very first week you attempt it though, but you could definitely incorporate mining into the mortals' training in the Revolution thread.]

The rest stay put to continue training the refugees or continue to toil with crafting.

---

OOC: Laborers' Conclave group, make your last preparations before leaving. Training posts, also Int+Larceny if you're going to make disguises beforehand. (I may give some extra bonuses for the 'disguise as miner' way since there's plenty of gear around for that.) Once you feel ready to go then post in the Conclave thread.

"Mmm... Tycho, Healer Saffron, anything of value to spare for trade would be much appreciate." Nanaret nods. "Trading skills... we would need stay long enough to do so. I do not know how long we will stay, best we not attract too much attention. As Dashu describes, is a watched and well-guarded place."

She shakes her head sadly, a little agitatedly. "These laborers, they are still yet citizens of Coils. Maybe none yet have developed desire for freedom. But we will see..."

Nanaret's three days are spent largely in an unusual training regimen. It appears to involve a great deal of observation, at first: studying the behavior, actions, speech of people around her, even their mode of dress. By the second day she is starting to mimic -- not in any prominent location, but mostly in the privacy of her room, now and then venturing out in her new guise to test its effectiveness. She may have at one point attempted an impersonation of any one of her companions or even refugees, though she takes care not to abuse it. It's just a trick, she explains to those who catch her in disguise... and even those who don't.

By the end of the third day, when Nana has successfully impersonated a refugee working as a miner, the kitchen cook, one of Danae's assistants, and Saffron herself (chosen not for any reason except she has known Higura and Saffron longest, and Saffron is female like her), she decides she's more or less perfected the mockingbird's way.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:31, Fri 13 Feb 2009.

The moments Higura does not spend trying to help shape and define their now growing community, he spends it in quiet contemplation - or at least it might seem so from the outside. Inwardly, Higura works carefully on unlocking a complex puzzle... His mind and memory. Working with the delicate matter of memories and streams of consciousness is a difficult task in and of itself; for him, it takes on an all new challenge.

He used to be whole once. Human - at least, in form and psyche. Now, he is different. An organic interface, human yet machine, a distinct existence yet a part of the great engine called Prochorus. Somewhere at the intersection of all these ensembles, Doctor Higura exists.

Prochorus had sent him into the world with certain qualities, and certain abilities he was reshaped to be able to use. Unfortunately, not all of these abilities were available to him right away - in part due to the limitations of his newly shaped physical body, and partly so as to not arise suspicion from the Five Coils masters he would be sent to serve at the onset. With that in mind, the doctor has to sometimes sit and attempt to retrieve parts of his own self, piece by piece.

The time he spends in quiet solitude are such times. Delving into his own memory and being, he tries to recall some of his functions, bringing relevant aptitudes to the surface in a way he will be able to make use of them in the future...
This message was last edited by the player at 23:51, Thu 12 Feb 2009.

Dashu spent the next few days training the last boon he wished to know before they proceeded.  This was an inherently more social experience than his training the previous week.  This time, he talked repeatedly with mortals and got volunteers to try and lie to him.  By the end of the week, none of the mortals effectively could without a great deal of focus.

He also spent some of his spare time helping the others with their disguises.  And perfecting the one he had previously began working on.  When the time came to leave, he was ready.

   When Saffron completes the trials with the mushrooms and gills, she revises her previous opinion. The antivenom could be traded to the village if they needed it, but the work to create it was more intense. Her work with the mushroom reveals it to be very useful, but possessing of an addictive quality. She couldn't just sell the excess to a settlement and hope they were responsible, if they did not have a doctor of their own to dispense it.

   When Nana is not busy and before she leaves. Saffron seeks her out to offer her services to the settlement. "Could you find out if the miner's have a doctor. If they do not, we can trade my services to them for the time being."

When Nanaret and her group are ready to leave, she appears with her monkey-ears and tail hidden. Even the yellow night-eyes are gone. She looks an ordinary person; she's even unfastened her dreadlocks, which apparently had been extensions to begin with. With her miners' cap and worksuit, the tools at her belt, her purposefully grimy face and dirt-blackened nails, any cursory glance would see nothing more than a typical Five Coils laborer.

Nanaret listens keenly to Saffron's request, while considering whether to bring her weapons hidden on her person, or make do with the miners' tools. She replies, "I understand, I will try. Though we must be careful, Healer Saffron; would not wish you be recognized as escapee. But I wonder, would be possible to bring to the miners a sample of what you have made? So they know you are truly a medic?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:31, Fri 13 Feb 2009.

Xurizu spends his time waiting for Nanaret to perfect her disguise with training of his own.  Or, well, he spends a lot of time talking to people, especially to Dashu, getting them to try and tell him if they thought he had just misled them.  Soon, there weren't many who could.  He started then, to work on a more powerful technique, one that he thought might fool even his friend Dashu, but at the end of the three days, he had not quite mastered it.

"If it's possible, could we delay travelling into the settlement for another day?" he asked of Nanaret and Dashu, though if they weren't happy with that, he'd just have to pick up his studies later.

His own disguise had needed some work.  He was in no way bulky enough to pass easily as miner, his whole frame wrong and--without Nanaret's supernatural skill at disguise--no way of gaining those muscles.  This might have been easier if I'd followed my instincts after that fight... he thought back to the battle, before they'd even left the forbidden floor.  But I didn't.  He'd therefore settled on the disguise of a mining clerk, a similar role to that occupied by the late Granite Creed, one more concerned with digging into figures than seams below the earth.  It would give him an excuse to be asking different questions to Dashu and Nanaret, and he'd almost certainly not be seen as a threat.

Nanaret shrugs to Xurizu; "No problem with it, though Dashu seems to be more hurried, do you not think?"

She waits respectfully for a reply from Saffron, sitting patiently until she gets one, though if she has to wait too long she'll simply swipe a couple of the bottles and apologize later. As much respect as she holds for the healer, she does have the instincts of a filch, and her supernatural powers make her only better at it!

"Sure we can wait 'till tomorrow.  Not really any longer though."

   Saffron agrees to give Nana a vial of the mushroom soporific. As she hands it over, she jokes a little, "Don't use it all in one place."

"Thank you very much, Healer Saffron," Nanaret replies, her nimble hands securely in her jumpsuit pants, as if she'd never even considered stealing a bottle herself. To the medic the Lunar looks the picture of innocence. She stretches out one of her long-fingered hands to accept the bottle, and swiftly secrets it away into a toolbelt pouch.

With one more day to go, Nanaret devotes the time to training her senses. She starts with a more meditative approach, finding a different place every hour to sit, concentrate and attempt to pick out pertinent details from the environment around her. She makes note of individual sounds, of visual details, nuances of smell. She takes a turn helping the cooks, assaulting her palate by helping to taste-test the pungent fish and mushrooms. Then she attempts to navigate from one side of the mining settlement to the other, first blindfolded, then with her ears plugged shut. At the end of the day she takes her usual turn of the 'night' watch while the rest of the encampment sleeps.

The next day, Nanaret puts together her outfit again, deciding to go without the hooked blades after all. They would only complicate things. Thus prepared, she slips away to join Dashu and Xurizu at the settlement outskirts.

(OOC: ok, finally, that should be all from me till after the conclave stuff!)

Dena makes her way back to the mining settlement, having finally convinced a surprisingly individualistic and stubborn onyx worker it didn't need to follow her and see to her needs.  She turns to Third as they climb a wooden ladder up a wall into the settlement proper.
"It seems busy.  Perhaps some important event has happened while we were gone."

Third nods solemnly. " We should find someone to inform us of what's happened. " it says, and seeks out one of the other Exalted still there to learn what they may have missed, and to gather them together to be able to tell about what they've discovered. Third goes over the primary details- That there is a hive of specialized insects, who are still loyal to the Celestials, and are seeking to make contact with Free, and will be sending an envoy to the Celestials next week to discuss their plans. He finishes by stating " The only way for us to truly find freedom will be to liberate the entirety of Five Coils. If we simply flee this place, it will mean nothing. We will simply be fleeing forever from the Dragon-Blooded. True freedom can only come when none are left enslaved."

Danae seemed lost in thought during the start of the meeting--troubled by some detail or other.  Nonetheless though, as Third finished making the report on the situation of the Builder Bugs, Danae nodded.  "I agree--even 'Assuming' it was the right thing to avoid conflict--we'd never manage to get beyond the District of Fire without having sufficient forces behind us to punch through.  So long as the Dragon Blooded have ahold of Five Coils' systems--then these tragedies are just going to keep happening..."

Pausing as she collected her thoughts, Danae tapped her chin.  "Third--are you in a particular rush to have a new sword constructed?  If this 'Free' fellow has managed to stay at arm's reach--he's probably also holed up in the depths of the areas off the grid--as well as who knows what other horrors.  I'm done most of the heavy lifting by this point--but I've gotten an idea for another weapon while I was at it--if I can finish that up, I should be able to join with the group tracking him down...  Of course, if you plan on entering dangerous territory yourself, I don't mind holding off for a bit."

Third and Dena find fewer Exalts about to greet them -- besides Danae, of course, who has been holed up in the forge long enough to be considering a break.

Nanaret, Xurizu and Dashu have yet to return, though this is not unusual; they have to proceed with much more caution, having ventured beyond the area the builder bugs have pulled offline. The camp has little choice but to trust they will return safely, lacking a way to communicate with them from afar.

The others have spent a great deal of time training the refugees. Most of them are actually away from the main settlement at the moment, though the sounds of their toiling can still be heard from within. Right now it appears to be the rhythmic sound of mining picks and the rumbling of ore carts: apparently Tycho, or one of the others, had thought of incorporating mining labor into their regimen. It is certainly a physically exerting job, and may provide useful resources as well. [Private to Danae Adela: You'll have observed some of the materials being brought in: iron ore, limestone, coal, clay, ochre.] [Private to Grinning Turtle, Alus Tycho, Yaishin Higura: If you're not busy, you might want to drop in your own end of week reports here.]

---

OOC: Keep up the discussing, we can hopefully time-skip by the end of next week in RL time. Don't want to lag longer than that, just giving a chance for Conclave to do something before I have to skip forward.

Third shakes its head smoothly. 'Third can make do without the sword for longer. Third's skills can work without a sword, and Third is willing to wait for you to complete your device. ' It bows. ' Third is no great fighter. Third prefers evasion. Please do complete your own device, Third shall wait. It is far more likely that we shall encounter a Dragon-Blooded with a Daiklave available than anyone with a weapon like your own." it says politely, smiling faintly. It will need to spend some time in the coming week, training its abilities further, as it considers quietly to itself, what direction to take its skills in. 'But yes. If the surface is as hostile as seems to be believed... Approaching it with the whole of Five Coils behind us seems to be wisest.' it says, bowing its head.

"Perhaps you'd consider a friendly match Third?" Dena suggests.  "I am interested in learning of your art and comparing it to my own.  The experience would likely be good for us both."

OOC~ If we have time to kill I'm in favor of burning the time in training and spending a little experience.

"I would tend to agree. There are many whose lot has been affected by the Coil's administration." Stepping silently into the conversation, the doctor smiles politely at the other Exalts, looking at each of them in turn. "Our kind was not the only one who was denied rights when the Coils were taken over - many of the mortals and civilians, in fact, will corroborate this fact. This should be their fight as well."

He rubs his chin with a gloved hand, and shakes his head softly. "I am sorry to interrupt. I only thought the information could have some use in this conversation." He smiles and inclines his head before continuing. "The refugees are being shaped up into much different people than they were when you all first met them. No, I should not say reshaped, but rather restored. More and more, I believe they begin to understand the truths we speak to them. We are working to break the invisible shackles that held them - the propaganda that kept them docile and controllable is slowly wearing off. And when it does... It might cause a domino effect, and trigger the same feelings in other groups and people within the Coils."

"We must be prepared for that eventuality."

"Ah, that's right, the refugees.  I kept meaning to go see them but somehow meeting the insect hive has kept my attention." Dena admits.  "But. . . fight with them at our side?  I can't imagine that mortals can challenge dragonblooded without suffering horrible casualties.  Wouldn't we just be feeding them into the meatgrinder?"

Third pauses for a moment. "They cannot fight head to head with Dragon-Blooded. But if they can harry their flanks, leave them unprepared, then it will be that much easier for us to deliver the killing blows. And every mortal who has tasted freedom will be able to give others the taste for it. It will spread like a drop of dye through fabric, and suffuse the Five Coils. They shall not be meat for the meatgrinder. They shall be sand within the gears, their hardness tearing apart the machiner of the Dragon-Blooded oppression. If any among them must die, they shall die making a great difference in the world. If they didn't want that, they would never have followed us." It bows its head. " There is more about the Hive, however. Among other things, they were the ones who cut off surveillance to this place, and they made reference one again to the Black Smoke. It was the work of a Dragon-Blooded, wielding a strange weapon. They are attempting to reopen communications with the Gatekeeper of Water, as well- They were apparently cut after we were transported out, but the Queen, Chilomena, is attempting to reopen communication with them." It tilts its head towards Dena. "I would not refuse the match, though I cannot proclaim myself to be any great fighter."[Private to GM, Tervila Dena: If we want to play out the fight, we can probably do it in a private thread so we don't have to worry about synchronization, something like that?]
This message was last edited by the player at 04:07, Sun 01 Mar 2009.

"You forget," says Tycho as he comes into the room, having already caught snatches of the conversation in his approach. Covered still in a thick layer of dust from the days mining, today the mechanical Solar comes baring hunks of stone. Ore, actually. Iron ore, unexpectedly pulled from the earth. "That our dear overlords themselves will show no hesitation towards employing loyalists to assault us. Peaceforce dogs and others who buy into their self-proclaimed mandate to rule. If the refugees have a real role to play in battle, it will be to counter the threat of these. To keep them from doing to us what Third suggested we do to the Terrestrials."

He stops, rather abruptly, and seems to remember that he has a reason to actually be there. Holding up the lump of ore a little sheepishly, he looks around. "I've been distracted, haven't been keeping up. Has anyone returned from that settlement we found yet? It may be a little late, but our efforts could have produced something of value beyond readying the refugees."

"Very well, I'll bow to your understanding of tactics.  I wasn't aware that peaceforcers posed any real threat to us either.  At worst I suppose one of them might cause a little pain but that's nothing to worry about.  Perhaps I'm underestimating the Mortal forces of this world."

"By themselves or, more likely, with the Terrestrial's aid, they're a threat not to be taken lightly," Tycho answers emphatically. "They're very well equipped, very well trained, and optimistically they outnumber us a hundred to one. A mortal alone isn't much of a threat, but a hundred of them in artifact armor and armed with shock pikes is. If they actually threw all of their weight against us at once, I don't think I'd care for our odds."

"Not everyone's basically made of iron"  Danae winced.  "Ordinary people would probably die from the damage I've seen you soak up--even most of us would be in a lot of trouble under those circumstances...  In any case though--we 'Do' need something to counter the Peaceforce units we'll be running against on the way up--after all, it's our job to do the heavy lifting--but we also mostly had the element of surprise when it came to the Water District, as well as the fact they wouldn't have their serious forces in that area as well--what happens if we take on a unit of Gunzosha Troops who have been augmented by Terrestrial magics?  What happens when they dispatch powerful monstrosities towards us?  What happens if we have to deal with other collared Celestials?"

Danae crossed her arms, face clouding over.  "We can't do this alone--the Builder Bugs will be great allies--and if we can find and convince this "Free" and any allies of his to come to our cause--we'll be in better shape...  But ultimately, if we want to liberate this district--we'll need to reach the Earth Gatekeeper--and they won't be treating us lightly the second time.  We need strong soldiers to help distribute the load--so we can all hold up our own shares."

Dena folds her hands together and thinks this over a moment.
"Very well, if they can be equipped with this artifact armor I can see how they might survive and be useful to us.  But. . . it's difficult to see how they might win against, for instance, the young Solar in the warstrider we were forced to kill in the district of water.  But I have not worked with them or seen their skills.  Perhaps I an underestimating them based on their actions in the Gatekeeper's domain.  A pupa does eventually grow it's wings and emerge." she nods and thinks some more, planning out her next sentence beforehand.
"Perhaps, Third, we could have our practice match in front of them to see their reactions, and possibly give the mortals a look at what Exalted combat is like.  The observant among them might learn a few things about balance and movement, the basics of the Art.  I'd suggest a naked match, no armor, weapons, or shapeshifting so we will avoid any serious damage, and fight to three falls.  Would this be acceptable?"

OOC~ I'm thinking that, given how long working out the dice would take, we should just freeform it and call it training time, although we'd surely be using a few charms we can just roleplay out the effects.

"Indeed, the important fact to remember here is that while it is true that we can do many of the things the refugees cannot, truth is that by definition, our role will be different than theirs. It should be our responsibility to handle those threats they cannot handle, while they take care of those things they can."

"As much as the enemy tries to keep the refugees in a position where they feel powerless, they themselves do not hesitate to make use of them when necessary. That fact alone should prove that they are not nearly as powerless as they would like them to believe. And past this fact, I am certain many around the Coils also believe it is their fight as well as ours. As I mentioned before, they were imprisoned just as we were - our chains were only more apparent than theirs."

"I am glad to hear the news of the builder bugs' offer for aid. This is another asset that might prove invaluable with time. The fact that you all managed to uncover that they were responsible for taking this part of the Coils offline is something that might be infinitely useful to us. They might be able to move where we cannot, or establish connections we could not without them. I wonder if they could manage to put us back in contact with the Gatekeeper of Water, for example."

"They indicated that they would make the attempt." Dena answers.  "We shall know when their envoy visits if they succeeded or not."

Third slowly nods its head. 'The finest way that we can hope to train the mortals would involve the awakening of their Essence, and training them in a Martial Arts style. Even Blade is simple, effective, and is of the Root of the Lotus- Normal mortals will be able to practice and master it. It would not be easy to train them, but even a fang of martial artists would be a massive advantage for us.' Third looks towards Dena. 'Third accepts the idea, but cannot claim to be anything more than a novice in the Even Blade style, as of yet.' it says, bowing its head to her politely.

"Hmph, martial arts. Six years of sitting around with your legs bent until some bald man with a long mustache tells you that you're ready to break rocks with your pinky. There are better uses for their time," Tycho rasps dismissively, gesturing with the handful of ore.

The Peaceforces attitude towards martial arts was one of the things that had rubbed off on Tycho during his time with them. Magitech and alchemy are their preferred tools, not cabalistic disciplines. You don't win a battle doing backflips and making funny hand gestures.

"If we're really going to convince people that they're stronger than the Terrestrial want them to think, it's going to take something other than just teaching them how to hit things," Tycho turns his head towards Danae. "Do you think these bugs of yours might be able to get us up with something resembling paper?"

"Hmm, I agree"  Danae said.  "So long as we remain undetected, we have some time to finish developing--especially if the Dragon Blooded think we didn't get out of there intact--so it's probably best to make a rounded education.."

She then also paused, and added.  "Probably have everyone take a week or two off as well--they've been working amazingly hard the last while--and there's only so much you can push that before they'll rightfully begin thinking that they just traded off one set of masters for another.  Set a few boundaries for the sake of maintaining safety and secrecy, and just allow for some time for rest and relaxation for everyone?  That's my call in any case--I've still got some more work to do until I can finish up with our gear in any case...  Probably another two or three weeks at the pace I've been keeping up--probably double that since I hope to get involved in further exploration of the Lost Corridors in the future as well."

"Hmm, perhaps some sort of celebratory festival?  Celebrating that we're all still breathing?" Dena suggests.  She thinks over Tycho's question for a while.
"The Builder Bugs are not precisely wasps.  I believe I saw silk production but their own writing is on layered enamel-like laminates.  And silk may be too expensive and difficult to work with to replace paper.  However I'm sure you can get a better answer from them shortly."

"I agree wholeheartedly with this statement - the refugees need more than training alone, though their training is of utmost importance. I have been spending most of my time trying to work with this other side of their development - human minds and feelings are my specialty, and thus I am currently trying to help each individual to become a more discerning and mentally strong person. It is a slow and careful process, but I believe the refugees are already starting to gain a sense of confidence they previously lacked."

The doctor smiles at Dena, and inclines his head slightly. "That is most excellent news, miss Dena. I am glad that you and mister Third managed to gain such allies in the form of the builders... Getting contact with the Gatekeepers, for one, might help us greatly in the task ahead. I recall a time where they were some of our greatest allies. The Gatekeeper of Water remembered such a time as well. I dare hope that we can use what remains of this previous alliance to continue moving forward."

"I. . . see.  I did not realize you were so old.  In a chamber they kept to their makers I had flashbacks. . . it was as if my warform had feathers and many arms.  No tattoos, I think it must have been first age.  The bugs are very ancient creatures."

The Doctor smiles again, inclining his head properly. "Ah... well, that is a complicated matter, in all actuality." He says, his expression apologetic. "This form is as young as it looks. The time before its awakening makes it difficult for me to conciliate my memories at times, however. My sense of self has a tendency to come at odds with the raw information contained within. There is a time where I was one, then a collective, then a shard of a collective. When I was born again, I was made so that this would regulate with time."

"That was... a rather confused explanation. I apologize." Higura inclines his head again, looking slightly flustered. "Suffice to say that I have multiple sets of memories - mine and fragments of some other peoples - and it makes it slightly difficult to separate the individual sets at times."

He smiles a bit more widely at Dena's words, however, visibly interested in her observations. "That is a very interesting thing you experienced. Perhaps your previous life knew and interacted with the builders. Who knows, perhaps your old self participated in the inception of their society..."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:36, Thu 05 Mar 2009.

"I suppose it's possible, I'm not sure why I'd have feathers though.  Perhaps I became a chimera at some point.  At any rate it doesn't seem important enough to worry about now." Dena considers this.
"No, not important.  However we were planning a festival for the mortals.  Would it be appropriate to set it for the appearance of the builder bug visitors, and celebrate allying with them?"

Third nods. " It seems as though it would make an excellent way to both properly greet the Builder hive, and to offer the mortals some time for rest and relaxation. It has been a trying time for them." says Third, speaking after a long time of silence during the discussion of past lives.

Its own past life is becoming clearer and clearer... And there is precious little within Third but echos already. It doesn't like to admit it, but it can't remember it's parents names anymore. The whispers of another time fill it.

Week 3

Three more days pass peacefully, allowing the gathered Celestials to hone their skills, help with crafting or mundane tasks, or discuss further the preliminary plans to receive the Hive Queen. They learn from Tycho and Higura that they are planning a full meeting with the refugees at the beginning of the next week. There could be more discussion then, if the others wish to participate, and the refugees could hear something of the current situation, as well.

Tycho spends the time not devoted to the refugees' training to begin what appears to be a writing project. From Granite Creed's old office he finds some spare paper, pen and ink -- enough to start on his first significant foray into the literature of rebellion.

Unfortunately, the camp has still heard nothing from Nanaret, Dashu or Xurizu. The assumption continues for the time being that it would be wiser to wait for their return, as they are three of the most suited to move safely through the sentries between them and the Conclave. However, as the days stretch onward, the prospect that they may have been put in danger is one the Celestials cannot quite ignore.

It is not until the first day of the third week that the status quo is disturbed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:02, Sun 08 Mar 2009.

The time for evening meal is near when one of the sharper-eyed refugees reports to the gathered Exalts in a hurry. "Someone is approaching the camp. I don't know if he or she is alone. But whoever it is is coming right this way."

It is not the first time one of the B25 patrols have passed close enough to be a potential security risk. Almost immediately the refugees pass on the word in hushed tones: "Lights out, fires snuffed, keep it down. Could be an intruder." They know as well as the Celestials do what would happen to them should their settlement be discovered, and the recent weeks of training and rhetoric ensured they would not easily give up their newfound freedom. Hive Irix Chilomena may have isolated the Lost Corridors from AIs and sensors, but there is still the slim chance human patrollers could stumble upon them, should they have reason to wander from their usual circuit.

On the outskirts of the settlement, Talia Zerith has to stop and catch her breath, leaning on a nearby rock formation. She has been running for some time now and she could only hope that she'd lost any chance of Dragon-blooded pursuit. What she thought was the light of cookfires had drawn her this way, hoping to find another group of sympathetic vagrants like the beastman gang that shielded and helped feed her before. But the light she saw has faded and she's not quite as certain she saw what she saw any more...

---

OOC: PCs in the mining settlement - you have a chance to try to get a look at who's approaching (perc+aware) and/or try to remain unseen (wits+stealth if it's to set an ambush, dex+stealth if you are moving). You'll get a penalty or bonus respectively, due to darkness. [Private to Alus Tycho; Grinning Turtle: you're included in this as well, if you end up having the time to post.]

Talia, you can roll similarly to see whether you can spot the settlement, or just try to hide.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:00, Sun 08 Mar 2009.

Talia peers carefully around the rock to see if there is any sign of her pursuers, and then ahead, to where she thought she had seen lights.  "I categorically refuse to believe that I'm seeing things.  Maybe things have been a bit stressful recently, but not so much that I'd lose my grip on reality...and this does not count as talking to myself."  She remains there for a moment, silently debating the relative risks of approach and avoidance.  Finally, with a stifled sigh, she begins to move carfully forward.


[Private to GM: 21:24, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 3 successes using 5d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,9,9,7,2. Percep+awareness.
21:29, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 3 successes using 5d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,3,8,5,10. Dex+stealth. ]

Pursing his lips, Higura nonetheless remains calm as the refugees announce the possible arrival of an intruder - but he immediately springs into action, leaving nothing to chance.

Using darkness to conceal his own presence by stepping aside from the main path, the doctor melts into the shadows at a point where he knows he will be able to observe what is coming for them. And yet, it is not with his eyes that he watches as he remains cloaked in the dark - rather, he closes his eyes for a moment, and slows his breathing to the point where it almost seems like he will enter a trance. During that time, Higura dreams.

There, surrounded by darkness, his memory returns to the time where he was a part of the All Seeing Prochorus. A time where his sentience was limited, where the world was nothing but shining strands, a complex arrays of potential futures and possibilities. Where feelings were nothing but a distant echo of the past, their experience as far away as the horizon line; where all that remained to distinct the difference between human emotions was colors and luminescence of the otherwise invisible threads binding them to one another. He had been Prochorus, then. He had overseen the whole of the Coils, an infinitely complex web of strand and threads, and could reach through all the districts with but a thought. He could read the probabilities at will, but could make no use of them. That part was the dominion of the corrupt servant of the stars that operated him, and the Dragon Chosen that commanded them. Now, Yaishin Higura is once again a man, but he still remembers the way the Coils used to look to Prochorus.

It is those senses he casts forward, towards the possible source of the commotion. He does not as much gaze in that direction as much as feel it. He assesses it, reading whether therein lies opportunity or danger, and otherwise lies in wait.

When the response comes to him, he will know how to act.

[Private to Gatekeeper: Activating Prior Warning to see if what's ahead is danger - and using stealth to remain concealed during that time.]

Believing that the "stranger" is likely the hive delegation, possibly early due to a different definition of "day" in the sunless eternal underground, Dena doesn't bother to hide and instead goes out openly down the tunnel to spot the visitors and greet them.

Third, sharing Tervila's general assumption, agrees to accompany her out to greet whatever the stranger may be. If it is an enemy, two martial artists should be capable of finishing off any patrol in a relatively quiet manner, but ideally, it will be easier to state that they are simply squatters or something similar to that. It walks silently alongside the Lunar, having grown to feel some level of kinship with her after the shared experience of the journey into the hive. The solar keeps itself alert, footsteps fading into oblivion as it listens and looks for anything out of place.

[Private to GM: OOC: You rolled 3 successes using 5d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((9,10,4,4,2)). Perception+Awareness]

Higura feels a chill run down his spine. His limited sense of the strands of fate tells him something threatening is approaching, but it does not confirm whether it involves the person the refugee lookout announced, or something else. The creeping feeling that tickles the Sidereal's nerves makes him certain the source has to be more than one entity, though.

While he considers this, Dena and Third walk on through the darkened settlement toward the outskirts where the 'intruder' is supposedly coming.

Talia finds that whomever she thought she had seen ahead of her has saved her the trouble of finding them: they are coming straight toward her. There are two figures illuminated by very dim light. Both of them are rather short, though not weak, and she is pretty sure at least one of them is female. They are not carrying any weapons she can see in their hands -- in fact, they don't seem to be wary or suspicious at all.

Third can make out few details in the gloom of the caves. Talia is invisible to him and Dena due to the weak illumination (with the lights of the camp cut off) and her care to remain unseen. She can potentially surprise them, or observe them before coming out.

[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: Oops, forgot you rolled Perc+Aware already, so ignore the part in the dice log where I rolled for you. We both got the same result, anyway.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:03, Mon 09 Mar 2009.

Talia sees the two figures approaching, and slows.  "Ok, no weapons as far as I can tell, but--heh--I guess I know as well as anybody how much that means.  They don't appear to moving aggressively, but then, they might not know I'm here," she thinks.
Talia continues her approach--but cautiously.

From the darkness, Higura sees the two figures headed out, and almost in sync feels the unmistakable chill that accompanies a dark fate lying ahead. From the shadows, he immediately calls to them in a hushed tone, in the hopes that they will hear him and change their heading.

"Miss Dena, Mister Third!" He calls out, half stepping out of the shadows to show them who spoke. "Be wary - I cannot explain what, but I do feel danger up ahead. I am not able to pinpoint which form it takes, but danger is on its way - please be careful. Perhaps someone with ill intentions is approaching the encampment."

Dena pauses and takes a few moments to think this over.  Changing plans is rarely easy but she comes up with enough of a new one to draw out the foot-long shaft of an essence lash and extrude a glowing stream of energy from it, brightening up the tunnel to see more easily, and incidentally arming her as well.

The warning, when it comes, finds Tycho in his confiscated office setting pen to new pages of his rapidly diminishing supply of paper. Clumsy mechanical fingers twitch and scratch, leaving a stretch of characters behind them that are little better formed than a schoolchild's first efforts. It is legible, but only just.

He'll be thankful when the mortals start to learn to read and write on their own and he can recruit someone with a steadier hand than his own to copy everything down. As it stands, he doubts anyone will look past his penmanship to even see what he wrote...

As soon as word comes of a stranger approaching though, the mechanical Solar reluctantly puts the pen down. As soon as he emerges, he begins pressing for answers: Who saw them? How many are there? Do they appear armed? Which direction are they coming from? Has anyone gone out to meet them?

A map begins to build in his minds eye of the caverns around them. The lay of the land, the positions of the intruder, the mortals, and the other Exalts. The area is poor for a conventional ambush, but their foes has been decidedly unconventional so far. Not beyond sending a single sacrificial soul ahead to lure someone out of the encampment.

There is no telling if the stranger poses any danger or not, but there was no point in taking any chances either. Conferring with Drachma as Third and Dena move out to meet the intruder, Tycho orders the untrained refugees as far back into the encampment as they can be sent with the command to keep out of sight no matter what. He sends along only a few of those Higaru, Turtle, and himself have been training; less a force to guard the others than a token gesture to help keep them quiet and at ease. Silently as they can, the rest are slowly arrayed into a skirmish line. It stretches them thin, but also makes it look as though there are more of them than there really are. A little intimidation goes a long way, after all.

Tycho himself chooses to stay out in the open and watches intently, though does not follow Third and Dena.

Seeing the sudden light, Talia freezes in place and tries to move farther into the shadows.  She begins to suspect that she's found the exact place she doesn't want to be.  After all, who other than the Dragon-Blooded weild power like that?
"Well, ok, me, but what are the odds of finding any more of us down here?"

The situation is quickly escalating. Talia watches as the taller man with brown hair comes up to address the pair approaching her, and speaks a warning. As soon as Dena has her essence whip out, though, a shaft of pure green Essence arcs from behind where Talia waits, striking the ground close to Dena's feet.

"Stop," pronounces a voice from the darkness beyond. A darkness very soon lit up by three flaring animas.

The speaker, a Fire Aspect wreathed in a pillar of flame, is a short figure in an Immaculate robe of orange, red and charcoal black. She wields twin short daiklaves that from a distance appear to be crafted of solid flame.

On either side of her are her colleagues. An Earth Aspect male with robes of ivory, and heavy gauntlets that extend to his forearms. A Wood aspect wielding the massive powerbow from which the green shaft had come. These are the ones that chased Talia -- the three Immaculates, but there had been more with them before. She'd only barely glimpsed them before running for her life.

There is further movement in the near-darkness behind the woman with the essence whip. More people preparing for an attack, with Talia caught between them.

The Fire Immaculate pronounces: "Will you now be guilty of the crime of harboring one of the Anathema? Speak now or be declared allies of the Unclean."

Truth be told--while her sword would probably be of considerable use in the upcoming conflict...  Danae was busy taking care of an equally important job at the moment...

Curled up on a cot in her workroom--with a newly forged serpent sting staff hung up on a rung--and sleeping quite soundly--all things considered...

After all, when you're using that much of your power on a daily basis, even demigods get sleepy--please don't wake her, that would be impolite.

Third reacts silently, its hands sliding through air into position at its sides, grasping a sword that is not there, but holding that same position, its hands becoming its blades as it slowly lets its breathe move in and out, eyes locking on the Wood aspect. It does not speak. Either way, whether these monks leave or are finished here, their location will be known. But if they leave, their location will be much, much clearer- It does not trust the monks as far as it can throw them. Thankfully, so far, it has not shown any abilities past that of perhaps a mildly talented human.

Dena thinks this over, briefly considering trying to bluff the Dragonbloods.  Then she remembers that she currently has a ten-yard strand of glowing purple essence in one hand, which argues against it.  But she decides to try anyway after a bit more thought and, shortening up her strand to make it less menacing, she moves forward to the dragonbloods.
"Listen." she says quietly, while rubbing her temples.  "I've been secretly infiltrating this cult for the last.  three.  years." she leans against the wall tiredly.  "Their master isn't here, and if they hear that you're sniffing around he'll probably never show up, and all my time will be wasted.  I don't know what department you're from or if you outrank me but please, don't make all my work in here useless.  Just go, I'll figure out an explanation that'll satisfy these idiots that it was all a mistake and nothing they need to tell their master about."

In the meantime, having gotten close, Dena secretly begins to use bug-speak, the language of pheremones and smells, to reinforce her words on a subconscious level.

[Private to GM: 11:08,
I'm going to start keeping a running tally of my essence in PMs so I can keep it straight more easily.  Current: 14/17 28/42 (12 motes committed to essence lash, 2 motes to activate it)

Using New Friend Aroma (personal essence) and attempting a social attack on the Dragonbloods.  Here's hoping I get a decent appearance bonus on this. . .

11:16, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 4 successes using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,5,8,3,8,10,3. Cha + Presence.
Today: Tervila Dena rolled 1 success using 1d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8. Wits - Awareness (Join Battle). ]

Talia reflected momentarily on what the unknown woman had said.
Cult?  Infiltration?  Things were getting far more complicated than Talia had expected.  Standing between two armed groups, with no way to tell how either would respond to the other, her chances of escape seemed slim.  And her chances of surviving a fight seemed even slimmer.  "But just because I'm in way over my head is no reason to give up, is it?"  Her hand moves towards the sash around her waist, an apparently casual, meaningless change of position.

[Private to GM: Talia activates Sagacious Reading of Intent, spending 3 motes of personal essence to determine the motivation behind Dena's words.]

Dena's words actually make the monks pause with uncertainty. The Fire Immaculate lowers her weapons -- slightly -- and frowns toward Dena. "Who... are you? I am sorry. I had heard of no such operation in the area."

[Private to Talia Zerith: Your charm tells you immediately that Dena is bluffing - she's trying to convince the Immaculates to leave her settlement alone.]

"However, regardless of who you may be, Talia Zerith is an Anathema who has escaped her collar and must be returned." She nods at the Earth Immaculate, who points unerringly toward where Talia hides, drawing attention to her from everyone present. (The others who do not know her see a woman in practical clothes with long, red-tinged brown hair in a braid.) "We will reclaim her now."

At another signal the Earth Immaculate joins the Fire in moving forward wordlessly. The Wood Aspect keeps her bow trained on Dena and her companions. Another fang or so of lesser acolytes are behind her, readying bows as well.

Deeper in the settlement, beyond where Talia can see or hear clearly, the armed refugees arrange themselves as bravely as they are able with a two week crash course on warfare. Drachma glances to Tycho, murmuring quietly, "What will we do? If the Immaculates suspect this region of anything we will have to move. Will violence be the only way to silence them?"

---

OOC: Dena has, effectively, a total of 11 sux (wow!) She's basically managed to stop the Immaculates from attacking immediately. However they may still take Talia, and they are not completely convinced of this cover story yet. They need more details.

As long as none of the rest of you make obviously hostile moves, or show yourselves as obviously Anathema, we will remain in social combat. (Join debate if you wish to participate. I tend to be less rigid with soc. combat than canonically written, but we'll roll with this and see where it goes!)

"I shouldn't tell you that.  This operation is supposed to be as secret as we can keep it, and I hope you won't tell anybody now that I've spilled to you.  I'm sure you've noticed that a huge number of Anathema have mysteriously broken their collars, all at the same time?  My Sifu suspects there's rogue element among the Dragonblooded stupid, or insane, enough to think they can use the Free Anathema to gain an advantage, possibly even a coup to take over all of Five Coils.  It's a sad thing when you can't even trust your brothers and sisters, but that's how it's gotten.  Until we've rooted out the corruption, even fellow Dragonblooded are suspect as working to free Anathema.  Hence why my operation was kept, even from you.  I mean no disrespect to you personally, of course, we kept it secret from everybody we could." Dena lies through her teeth quietly to the fire-aspect.

At the Earth Aspect's gesture, Dena turns her head and spots Talia.  Shifting position slightly so that her face is completely aimed away from the Immaculates, she winks before turning back.
"Fine, I'll do what I can to help you collar her.  Just give me a minute to think of a way to make it right with all of them-" she gestures with a thumb at the rest of the group, "-so they don't start suspecting me.  I am this close-" at this she moves her forefinger and thumb an inch apart, holding them in front of her face, "-to figuring out where Free is holed up and none of us can afford to lose the chance to bring him down."

Talia does her best not to show surprise at the stranger's wink.  Her jaw is set, and she prepares herself to react in an instant, hoping that whatever this woman is planning, she'll be able to tell the best course of action.

Third, for the moment, stays still, playing the part of the unthinking mortal martial artist, not making any overt actions to attack as it waits for things to either go wrong or resolve itself... Though it distinctly does not wish too see the other Exalt become collared by these monks, as it waits for the proper moment to join the attack.

"Violence is usually the best arbitrator," Tycho whispers back Drachma, following the Immaculates pointing finger to the figure. Obviously they were here for the woman. The easiest thing for them to do was to just turn her over to them. So far as he can see, they've no personal stake in fighting to save her. Never the less, he doubts he could convince his companions to abandon the woman to them. Even Tycho himself finds the thought distasteful.

Still, the shade of her hair brings a momentary flash of insight. He begins to slowly back off the line, motioning for his mortal-second to follow a few paces. "Drachma, send someone out there and have them, subtly as they can, tell Dena to herd that woman towards the practice tunnels. Whatever it takes, just try to get her there without making it look intentional. Swarm the girl if you have to, but don't attack the Terrestrials unless there's no other choice. We want them to think we're good Immaculate-worshiping automation."

The message conveyed, Tycho pushes Drachma in one direction as he turns swiftly to head in the other, motioning in passing for two of the pick-armed refugees to follow him as he heads towards the practice tunnels. Tycho is not sure what Dena or Third have up their sleeves, what they were saying to even get the Terrestrials to pause, and there seems little time to confer upon a course of action. He only hopes it is a ploy that will make this easy.

"My partner speaks the truth, as reluctant as you might be to accept it." It almost seems like Higura had always been there, even though some could swear he was nowhere to be seen just a moment ago, so easily missed because of his silence and quiet presence. And yet, his demeanor is such that he seems perfectly comfortable where he is, as if he legitimately belongs there.

"Again, we are deeply sorry for the confusion that might have been caused by this whole affair... But quite frankly, because things are as they are, we cannot spread the word on our operations. I am certain you can understand why, given the situation - it would be like giving warning to an opponent one wishes to catch red-handed, and that will simply not do." He shakes his head softly, then peers at the pursuers.

"It is a risk, yes, but one cannot get good results without taking some risks. It would certainly be possible to put all of our efforts to catch any Anathema as soon as they arise, but then we gather no information about the others, or any organization they might possess. That is much more worrying than the single threat of disorganized Demons running about - after all, I am sure you can agree that none can challenge the might of the Coils in honorable battle. It is the dastardly efforts of the shadowy ones we have to fear, because then the strike might come where it should not. The enemy cares not about honor nor pride, and will likely use every trick in the book to blindside us should we give him the chance."

"All I am asking is that you trust my partner's words. She is very apt at what she does, and would not take any unnecessary risks if it were not for the well being of the whole and the prospect of bringing down the major threat rather than the minor opposition. I am certain that you, who know the value of sacrifice, will see the value in her words and approach. We have everything to win by all keeping our wits about us, and everything to lose by risking to blow out this whole operation with reckless actions."

The man nods with a faint smile, and looks over to the three in a calm and relaxed manner, illustrating his words with his very behavior.

[Private to Tervila Dena: I am trying to support your claim with my socialize, so they believe what you say and you can take the lead. I'll follow your cues from here and play it by ear to help support your actions.]
[Private to GM: Using 6 motes on second socialize excellency to get 3 successes on the lying roll.]
This message was last edited by the player at 23:57, Wed 11 Mar 2009.

The Fire Immaculate frowns, looking from Dena to the previously silent Higura. "We too have been seeking out 'Free'. He, or they, have become more militant lately. There was an attack very recently and they did some serious harm to several of ours." She shakes her head disapprovingly. "I have to admit your words are compelling. However if you are so worried about being 'discovered' you ought to be more terse. There are several of your own already amassing."

She points behind Dena. Indeed, one of the refugees has stepped up reluctantly from behind her, as directed by Tycho through Drachma. The man, not being particularly trained in subterfuge, manages to say quietly, "Bring them away. The Captain does not want the camp disturbed." He risks a glance at the Immaculates and immediately flinches back.

Beside her, the Earth Immaculate shakes his head, glancing at Dena before mouthing something voicelessly that his Fire colleague seems to understand immediately. "We have no wish to step into your camp," says the woman with the twin daiklaves. "You," she indicates Dena "and only you, may go to confer with your people. In the meantime we will reclaim the Anathema, and the two of you," this time gesturing with her blades to mean Higura and Third, "will remain where you are." Even though Third has not spoken, she has taken its silence as indicating awareness of the undercover activities of Dena and Higura.

The large, silent male Immaculate continues moving toward Talia, his stony face expressionless. The Wood Immaculate and her fang of acolytes still have their glowing Essence-arrows aimed at Talia, but could very well shift to fire on Dena, Higura or Third should they seem to do anything out of line.

---

OOC: Again if you do anything hostile, or outright refuse to follow what the Fire Immaculate asked, we'll move into combat time. (That includes if you try to resist the Earth Aspect reclaiming you, Talia. If you will, roll Join Battle!)
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:22, Thu 12 Mar 2009.

Talia pulls back from the Earth Aspect, pulling the sash from her waist in a fluid movement.

[Private to GM: 23:07, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 5 successes using 6d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,7,4,9,9,5. Join Battle. ]

"Forget that.  Just give me a quick diversion so we can spin a good story.  I'll pretend to attack you and punch your arm.  When I do, you hit me across the face and knock me down, then we'll tell the others we tried to resist you and my partners drove you away after you grabbed whoever that girl is.  Is this acceptable to you?"

While all of this is happening, Nanaret (having put aside her disguise for now) has been sneaking her way across Floor B25, having managed to slip away from the Conclave between work shifts. Under cover of darkness, using her night-sight to her advantage, the wiry Lunar is able to slip past the automaton sentries populating the area.

She has agreed with Dashu and Xurizu that one of their number ought to return to 'base' and let them know their plans, and the happenings that have occurred in the district. She has also managed to bring with her a portion the supplies they have bought there. Practical things she could carry, like canisters of salt and rolls of bandages, etc.

Nana slows down, though, when she notices the group of Immaculates and acolytes gathered near the entrance to the settlement. A cold feeling settles over her... she'd only been gone a couple days, and already they are discovered? Frowning, she creeps forward with languid patience, using her keen senses and preternatural flexibility to move silently and keep to the shadows. She hopes to maneuver herself to strike the archers from behind if need be, but not without gauging the situation first.

Ranavalona... I may need you now. It is always a calculated risk to invoke the Bitch Queen -- but if she must...

As soon as Talia steps back and moves for her sash, the Wood Immaculate fires off a blazing green energy-arrow aimed to strike her hand -- more to stop her from resisting, than outright kill her.

The Earth Aspect is still approaching, raising his gauntleted palm. Talia has a split second to react before him, or to acknowledge Dena's plan.

The Fire Immaculate remains back with the acolyte archers -- for now. "Talia Zerith, it is not to your advantage to resist," she says. Though the woman could easily have sped forward, spurred on by the relentless, righteous heat of Hesiesh, she holds her ground and waits. She waits for her colleagues to claim the prey... waits to see what Dena or her companions will do.

---

OOC: Others can roll JB if they wish to react in combat-time.

actions
tick 0 - Wood immac
tick 1 - Talia, Earth immac
tick 4 - Dena, Wood acolytes
Fire immaculate is holding action.

[Private to Talia Zerith: Just to get you to know my ST style for Exalted combat, I usually summarize several actions in a single post, because otherwise Exalted combat in PbP is excruciatingly slow. In this case, you can write a single post to defend against the Wood Immac's arrow, then respond to Dena and take your action at tick 1.

As for the attack on you: it's a single arrow shot with 7 successes. You have... according to my calculations... 5 Dodge DV, and 5 Parry DV whether you use your hands or your sash. So you can stunt to dodge or parry, and/or use a reflexive charm to supplement your defense.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:50, Thu 12 Mar 2009.

As the arrow flies toward Talia, she flicks her sash outwards to attempt to deflect it, but swings wide.  Just as the arrows strikes, a swirling, branching fractal pattern shines forth around her body.  What would have been a dangerous injury is reduced to only a minor wound.
Talia growls under her breath, "The hell it isn't."  As she falls into a defensive crouch, golden light coruscates over her clothing.

[Private to GM: Talia spends 6 motes of personal essence First Martial Arts Excellency, for three dice to try and improve parry DV.
20:31, Today: Talia Zerith botched using 3d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,3,1. First martial arts excellency
Well, crud.
So, I spent 5 motes to activate my anima effect, and reduce the damage by 3.
Ok, so tick 1.  3 motes for Pearlescent Filligree Defense, adding 3L/6B natural soak.]
This message was last edited by the player at 01:38, Fri 13 Mar 2009.

Though the essence-arrow does minimal damage, Talia feels a strange sharp pain in her head when it strikes her and dissipates.

"Foolish Anathema," says the Fire Aspect, then to her Earth colleague: "Get her."

Still several yards away, the (apparently mute) Earth Immaculate reaches out and clenches at the air with his gauntleted fist. An invisible force projects from the gauntlet, one that Talia distinctly feels brushing against her neck -- missing her.

He thrusts his other hand forward, repeating the motion. This time the projected force clench is more palpable on Talia's skin. She feels the Immaculate's fingers close around her neck as if he is actually standing next to her, trapping her in a chokehold.

---

OOC: Update - Talia actually failed defense so she's clinched. (Note: since this kinda screwed your initial plan, I will allow you to do a social action in combat time. As long as you're not spouting huge speeches or anything else requiring dramatic actions.)

actions
tick 4 - Dena/Higura/Third, acolytes
tick 5 - Wood immac, Earth immac
tick 7 - Talia
Fire immac still holding.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:00, Fri 13 Mar 2009.

Nanaret, despite finding the terrain to be rough and generally to her disadvantage, is still able to maneuver herself silently into position without the Immaculates or their acolytes seeing her. The darkness of the outer caverns aids in shrouding her approach, and the Dragon-blooded are too focused on Talia and the group near the settlement to notice her at all.

At any time she wishes it she can make a surprise attack at the acolyte group -- or merely surprise them as a diversion.

Only Higura and Third notice the figure of Nanaret creeping quietly toward the back of the bow-wielding acolytes. Amazingly, none of them so much as glance over their shoulders.

Third reacts instantly, dashing towards the wood-aspect with hands afire, crossing the terrain quickly, hands held behind, coming up in a swift, knife-like arc, slashing towards the wood aspect quickly. For now, it doesn't try to use its essence against the Exalt, swift hands moving fast, but probably not fast enough to kill, though the Exalt does not pull its punches.

It can spot Nanaret approaching from behind, and it hopes the distraction of one- for now seemingly mortal- martial artist, will distract them from the more dangerous Nanaret behind them, as it doubts it will be able to defeat a fully trained Immaculate in hand to hand combat, let alone one backed up by those acolytes. For now, it hopes to serve mainly as a distraction.
[Private to GM: Ooof, swing and a miss. You rolled 1 success using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((4,4,2,7,6,4,4,3)). I'm assuming I'm within range to not require splitting my action, but if I do, well, I'm not trying too hard to hit yet.]
This message was last edited by the player at 14:53, Sat 14 Mar 2009.

Dena sighs deeply as Third launches his attack.  She'd hoped to keep playing on the charade but she also recognized that it really wasn't helping right now.  Playing out the strands of glowing violet-and-blue essence from the lash, she suddenly swelled hugely and become a spiked horror even as she lashed out and coiled blazing, cold fiery strands around the three nearest archers and began to tear into them.  Her aura springs to life from the sudden, massive expenditure of power and swarms of glowing wasps weave and coil around her body.

[Private to GM: Current Essence: 14/17 15/42
Using 6 motes of Dexterity Excellency on the attack and 3 motes for Armor Forming as a Gift charm, and 4 motes on the lash's extra strands ability to hit 3 enemies at once.  Soak becomes 13B/11L/3A
1 Misc. ad 1 Attack Action, take on warform and use the Essence Lash's multiple strand ability.  Both are speed 5.


11:04, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 10 successes using 20d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,2,2,9,2,5,1,1,1,5,2,8,8,10,8,9,6,1,7,1. Essence Lash Strike vs. Acolytes.

]

The sudden change of plan had not been planned, of course - but not acting now would likely mean the situation could quickly get out of control. As his comrades make their strikes, Higura swiftly and thoroughly assesses the situation.

The three Immaculates are prepared to catch one escaped Anathema, but would likely not expect not be immediately prepared to deal with such a short notice attack from multiple Anathema. Training or not, they are very likely to have to change their strategy to accommodate for the added threats. And if the Exalts play their cards right... That moment of adjustment could turn into an irreplaceable asset.

From the observation of the situation, Higura quickly determines that the Fire Aspect Acolyte is actually the one in charge, and the one possibly not yet tangled by fighting. If their surprise assault is to work, the leader would also have to be kept busy, so as not to be able to get the others to regain their footing. In close proximity to said leader, Higura realizes it would fall upon his shoulders to do this task...

"Some things are better left undisturbed, alas." He says, his gentle and polite tone melting away to reveal a sharp and almost dangerous edge. He takes a step, then another... And in a sudden burst, he flicks his left wrist, causing his sheathed sword to spring up and fall in his outstretched hand. "Some secrets better left unspoken." There is hardly any change in his stance as the sword is freed from its scabbard, tracing an arc that paints a dark green crescent in the dimmed light. "Should a secret need to be confined, there is only one type of box that can hold it without fail." In mid air, the arc shifts, and the one strike suddenly becomes two. The dark green crescent splits into a curved 'X', and the sword comes down with such quickness and precision that it almost seems to be in two places at once.

"... That box would be a coffin."

[Private to Gatekeeper: Two strikes, using the max excellencies to power both to the max (three dice each) spending 11 motes total to cancel all splitting penalties as well.]
This message was last edited by the player at 01:58, Sun 15 Mar 2009.

The Wood Aspect dodges Third's attack handily, leaping backward to keep the advantage of range and distance.

"Lunar Anathema!" Shouts of shock and surprise ripple through the fang of acolytes as Dena transforms. The Immaculates take it more grimly, and in the Fire Immaculate's case, angrily: "You thought to fool us?"

Words are nothing to save them from the devastating attack Dena delivers, though. The wasp-Lunar's glowing blue-violet essence lash splits into three, tearing into the flesh of the Wood acolyte archers she charges toward. Two of them stagger but remain standing, still gravely wounded nonetheless. (4L and 5L damage) The third is nearly split open at the chest by the burning lash, and with a short scream falls onto his back, bleeding heavily. (6L)

Higura moves straight for the Fire Immaculate, who sidesteps the first attack. The second nicks her shoulder, and she grits her teeth, her eyes burning like red-orange embers. (1L) "What... are you?" she demands of Higura. "You cannot possibly exist!" And so she attempts to erase him, stepping boldly close to deliver three incandescent slashes with her paired daiklaves, pushing relentlessly at his defenses. [Private to Yaishin Higura: 7, 4 and 2 successes. I think only the first goes through, if I recall, though you can always use your excellency to help.]

The Wood Immaculate shouts to the three unharmed acolytes: "Focus on the Lunar! Now!" Coordinating their efforts, they send four essence-arrows streaking toward the oppressively large, spiked form of Dena. [Private to Tervila Dena: 4 attacks on you, with 6 sux, 5 sux, 1 sux, 3 sux. Coordinated attack gives you -2 DV to each, but no onslaught penalty.]

Talia finds herself lifted by the Earth Immaculate holding her with his force gauntlets. The pressure around her neck strengthens and she finds herself fighting to breathe. [Private to Talia Zerith: roll Dex or Strength + Martial Arts against 5 successes to try to break free of clinch.]

Back in the safety of the settlement Tycho and Drachma distinctly hear the sounds of combat breaking out.

---

OOC: post defenses first, if applicable.

actions
tick 5 - all Immaculates+acolytes act!
tick 7 - Talia, assuming she gets free of clinch
tick 8 - Higura
tick 9 - Dena, Third
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:48, Sun 15 Mar 2009.

Dena plucks the first two arrows out of the air and crushes them to glowing motes with her fist, before turning her head towards the fire aspect as the third passes her head, and grinning horribly at him.
"Thought to fool you?  Immaculate, I've seen household pets with sterner willpower than your group.  Perhaps you'd care to prove me wrong though.  A challenge?  I could take as many of you as the others don't kill alive and see how long it takes me to turn you into my worshippers.  What do you think?"
Casually, Dena moves her wrist and takes the last incoming shots through her arm instead of her torso, then grunts as she turns her wrist lightly to examine the damage.  "Then again if this is the best you can do you probably aren't worthy to be my worshippers.  Never mind then."

[Private to GM: Hmm, only two of the attacks can beat my dodge DV and only the highest one if I stunt to use parry instead.  I'll just try to soak whatever gets through. ]

Nanaret sees the situation break out into combat and smiles grimly to herself. Well then... is time for me to join in.

It's about time. Ranavalona's voice in her mind is ecstatic with triumph. Now, relinquish your spirit to me, my puppet. Let none stand in the way of our fury!

The Lunar's heart pumps a powerful cadence as the rage and bloodlust sets in. Her face breaks into a twisted grin as she crouches in her hiding place, her bare hands flexing and clawing at the dirt in anticipation.

Yes. Lend me your power, Queen.
Let us dance the beat of blood...
...until none remain to dance with us.

There is no warning, no transition. Nanaret/Ranavalona is suddenly there, positioned solidly between the rear pair of acolytes before they can so much as blink. Her fingers hooked like a snake's fangs, she strikes at the throat of the female acolyte at her left, then slams the right-side one with a sharp elbow to the midsection. With both her arms preoccupied she snaps her leg up into a hook kick to strike the third acolyte in front of her, striking the side of his head and following through to imbalance him.

They do not see Nanaret clearly until after she has already struck, her feet planted on the ground in a ready stance. The crescent moon caste-mark glows clearly on her dusky brow and her visage is lurid with hate.

[Private to GM: She activates Relentless Lunar Fury, channels Valor and attacks with Fierce Blows. 3 attacks, two with her hands and one with her feet.]

Talia struggles but is unable to free herself.
[Private to GM:18:25, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 2 successes using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,4,6,2,3,10,6.]

The single arrow that pierces through Dena's defenses sears a minor wound into her skin. (2L) Dena is probably right in that these are not the strongest Immaculates they have or will ever encounter. After all, they had only been chasing one woman.

Rage-filled Nanaret takes the other trio of acolytes completely by surprise: only their light armor and pure luck saves them from worse harm. Her first knuckle strike to the throat strikes only a glancing blow, startling rather than harming the acolyte. Her elbow and hook kick connect solidly, though, and the two other archers stagger with a cracked rib and a bruised head, respectively. (3B each)

Talia, helpless and immobilized by the Earth Aspect, chokes as the skin around her neck starts to bruise. (2B damage)

Nanaret's sudden appearance in the fray imbalances the odds further toward the Celestial Exalts. One might expect the Immaculates to start fighting more desperately at this point -- or to make a calculated retreat, now that they have their initial 'prey' well in hand.

---

OOC: well, all PCs in combat can act (except Nana who just used her action, and Talia who is clinched). Higura can post defense and next attack in the same post.

Third breathes in as it studies the Wood Aspect, hands held in a spread palm position, one arm extended forward, the other held back at its side, as though it were holding the hilt of a blade in one hand, and balancing the flat of the tip against the other. 'Third would suggest that you are paying rather too much attention to the more obvious threat, and not nearly enough to the one that stands before you. Third thought, in fact, that Immaculates were supposed to be able to strike down mere mortals with the ease of swatting an insect.' It says, voice almost mockingly calm as the essence-infused arrows fly, and it narrows its eyes.'Pay attention to the knife in front of you, Immaculate! You pay too much attention to the beast, and you risk leaving yourself open!' it says, as it dives in suddenly, and its hands arc in repeatedly, slashing across the Immaculate in dagger-falls, its withdrawn hand coming forward in an arcing slash across the Immaculate's throat, pulling it into a wild spin, both hands slashing at the Immaculate's belly, three swipes running across the Immaculate, the edge of its hands gleaming like the edge of a blade- And each of the blows comes in faster, more accurately, than they should have any right to from a mortal's hands. Third knows that it needs to keep the pressure on the Wood Exalt high, to make it impossible for it to coordinate the acolytes.

[Private to GM: 14 essence being spent, which leaves my personal essence spent, and leaves me a little vulnerable if they toss in any nasty attacks at me, but so far, still managing to avoid looking Anathema. Getting three attacks in, at 8, 8, and 10 dice- 3 spent on the first, 4 on the second, 7 on the last. Also going to burn a willpower on the third attack, to give it one extra success. 11:24, Today: Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge rolled 2 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,4,3,2,2,9,6,3,5,9. Third attack.
11:24, Today: Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge rolled 4 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,2,8,2,1,3,5,10. Second attack.
11:24, Today: Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge rolled 3 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,2,4,3,5,7,10,4. First attack.
So, 3, 4, 3- Not exactly what I was hoping for, but I'm hardly the combat monster of the party. ;)]
This message was last edited by the player at 16:25, Mon 16 Mar 2009.

"Yeah, pitiful as Artists." Dena agrees with Third as she spins into the air, then wraps a length of essence lash around the Earth-Aspects neck and heads upward, attempting to lift and hang him away from his favored element.  This lasts perhaps a full second before the essence strand snaps and lets him back to the ground.

Dena mutters something foul as she examines the lash.  "Cheap terrestrial junk. I should have had Danae build something of better quality."
She snaps it back to life and delivers several sharp blows fueled by frustration, aiming at the Immaculates eyes from a few yards above him. Dena hopes to distract the Earth-aspect enough to drop Talia, although she's not sure how useful the girl will actually be.

[Private to GM: Current Essence: 14/17 15/42

3 strike flurry to get some onslaught if possible, no charm use yet this round.  If hit Dena will use Sensuous Torment to gain more essence from the wounds

21:30, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 4 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,4,9,7,3,6,6,4,6,10. Essence Lesh strike 3.
21:30, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 7 successes using 11d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,6,10,10,4,3,7,2,6,8,4. Essence Lash strike 2.
21:30, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 6 successes using 12d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,4,10,7,7,9,8,6,2,1,4,3. Essence lash strike 1. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 16:04, Tue 17 Mar 2009.

Third engages the Wood Immaculate's attention as she dodges its barrage of knife-hand blows. The second swipe strikes her abdomen hard enough to bruise her lightly (1B), and she frowns, as if staring at Third for the first time. "Mortal, your talent is wasted in the service of Anathema. It would be a terrible waste to destroy you. Do not throw your life away for the Uncollared."

The woman does not aim her bow at Third but reaches a hand toward it -- without force or power -- simply to touch its brow. Third feels an enthralling power emanate from the mere threat of that touch. [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: this is a special attack -- it's actually mental based. I will rule your MDV is reduced by your actions as well, due to you being distracted by attacking, however you DO get a +2 MDV due to your attractiveness. You have 7-3=4 Dodge MDV, +2 from App, so 6 MDV. The enthralling attack is 8 successes, so you've got 2 sux to beat with stunt or MDV boosting charms should you have them, or stunt learn them.]

The Earth Immaculate, still holding Talia with invisible force, engages his free arm in beating back Dena's attacks, disturbing the weapon's path with force blows that make the glowing whip recoil erratically. His skin hardens visibly, as rough and solid as carved sandstone, absorbing on his arms and body what portion of the lash makes it past the force-wall. (6L total!) Though wounded, he does not yet relinquish Talia. Rather, he yanks her toward him so that she hovers before him like a shield, and starts to move away from the entrance to the settlment, back toward his comrades. [Private to Talia Zerith: roll to break clinch again, this time it's only against 3 sux.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:13, Tue 17 Mar 2009.

Left to their own devices for the moment, the trio of acolytes Dena attacked attempt to retaliate on their own. The one Dena's rending attack knocked down struggles to stand while staunching his wounds. The lesser wounded invoke courage against their beastly enemy, focusing their aim at the transformed Lunar before firing a pair of glowing arrows each in quick succession. [Private to Tervila Dena: since they're weaker, they're maximizing their pools with valor channel + aim, since they have time to aim before you refresh your DV. That puts them at a base pool of 14 (10-2 wounds+3 Valor+3 aim). So your DV starts at a -3 penalty... first acolyte's attacks are 7 sux, 8 sux (another -1 DV for onslaught); second acolyte's attacks are 5 sux, 11 sux (-1 DV onslaught).]

Nanaret's trio, forced into close combat, attempt to make the best of the situation. The first one she missed drops his bow and boldly seizes at her arms, attempting to lock them behind her. The other two maintain distance and fire at the furious Lunar before she can free herself to act. [Private to Saina Nanaret: 4 sux clinch, 4 sux and 10 sux attacks. If you'll parry you'll need to stunt to parry arrows.]

For the moment the Fire immaculate remains locked in combat with Higura...

---

OOC: here is the rest of the count minus Higura/Fire immac, as I still need input from Higura to continue that.

actions
tick 10 - Wood immac (on Third), acolytes (3 on Nanaret, 1 trying to stand)
tick 11 - Nanaret, Earth immac (clinch Talia/moving away)
tick 13 - Talia (again, assuming she gets free), acolytes (2 on Dena)
tick 14 - Dena, Third
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:13, Tue 17 Mar 2009.

Talia struggles; it seems she will be unable to free herself.  Then with a sudden surge of effort, she breaks away, dropping to the ground.  She falls into a crouch, then swings her leg around attempting to trip the Earth-aspect.
[Private to GM: 13:10, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 2 successes using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,8,4,6,3,1,7. Plus 1wp
14:20, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 10 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,8,9,2,10,9,8,2,10,6. Dex+MA+3m to 1stMA Ex. Shazzam!]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:21, Tue 17 Mar 2009.

"How could you know?" The spectacled man answers the woman, just as her blows are to hit him. "Your scope is too limited for you to know this with accuracy."

The strike comes, and yet the man does nothing to stop it. Eyes closed, he welcomes the fate handed to him, the blade waiting to bite into his flesh... But this future never comes. Recalling his past within the confines of Prochorus, Higura reaches out for the future where he is wounded by the Fire Immaculate's attack, and tugs on the Threads of fate surrounding it. The Threads do not sever or break, their shape and weave merely altered by the will of the man at their center...

Invisible to the eye of the attacker, she suddenly becomes tangled into the savagery of her own attack, unseen Threads wrapping about her as the wounds the doctor carry now lie within her future. In a flash, the doctor opens his eyes, gazing upon the newly shaped destiny as he sidesteps and parries the two remaining strikes neatly with his sheathed sword.

"What lies outside the confines of blind faith will swallow you when you turn your gaze away from it."

[Private to Gatekeeper: Using Shield of Destiny to return the damage of the first strike to the attacker, the other two miss due to DV.]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:19, Tue 17 Mar 2009.

The first blow from the Fire immaculate envelops them both in a burst of incandescent flame. "What trickery have you done??" Higura easily deflects the remainder of her attack as she is distracted.

When the flames clear the both of them have identical, cauterized gashes on their bodies, their clothing and skin dusted with ash. (2L on both Higura and Immaculate; his charm split the damage in half! Also both get -1 to physical dice pools for the scene.)

"We cannot risk capturing them now," the Fire Aspect pronounces, steeling herself against the pain as she raises her flame-touched blades defensively. "Kill them or hurt them badly. As long as one of us returns to the Inner Temple... it is enough."

Talia's attempt to sweep the Earth Aspect is cut short as he stops moving and locks his stance firmly to the ground. He is rooted, unable to be toppled against his will. Her foot does collide with his shin, but his stone-hardened skin absorbs it. [Private to Talia Zerith: arg! the dice gave you no damage at all. :( your damage was 10 dice (5 successes in + your attack which was 2B (strength) + 3B kick damage)) but his soak was 9B.]

---

OOC: Higura has an action before the Fire Aspect can even act again.

Dena rolls her eyes at Third and Higura as the Fire Aspect speaks, then bursts into grisly laughter, and keeps laughing as arrow after arrow flies into her body, bursting into motes of green essence after the impacts and leaving a few grisly wounds in her chitinous skin.
"Retreat to the temple?  Foolish daughter of Dragons, we OWN the temple.  What I told you about Dragonblooded working with us was true, I just didn't mention who was in charge in that arrangement.  That's how we've kept this part of Earth District off grid, how we disabled the Gatekeeper of Water and took over that district. . ."
Dena holds out her free hand and the cluster of green essence floats up into a swirling ball, and at a crackle of lightning in her palm, Dena shifts it's color from green to her own key blue and purple tones.
". . .And that's why your masters of combat keep not telling you key secrets that would be so helpful in fighting us.  Like what happens if you're dumb enough to throw raw essence at a skilled Lunar, like myself."
Pushing the ball into her own chest, Dena sighs as the light spreads over her and into her, and her anima banner brightens perceptibly.

[Private to GM: Yeah, I'll just stick to my original plan and soak+sensuous torment, upping my DV with whatever you'll give for this stunt.]

Even wounded, Higura still gazes at the woman with an intensity that belies his usually gentle features. "Now you know the pain you inflict." He says, calmly, as the woman shouts in indignation. "And yet the knowledge comes too late for redemption."

"Some things are better left undisturbed, alas." He repeats, his tone much sharper this time. He makes a sharp gesture in the air, which seems to tear at his touch, green essence bleeding out of the 'wound'. For a moment, the form of a spectral scythe seems to appear in his free hand, its outline made of smoke and shadows. "Those who do not understand the weight of secrets risk getting pulled under with them."

The tear in existence rips open, and the doctor is swallowed by it. The rip closes behind him, scarring into a thin line until it disappears... And when it does, Higura himself seems to have somehow bled halfway out of existence himself. His form is faint and blurred, his features almost non-existent, akin to broad oil strokes on canvas. His movements become harder and harder to see, as if he moved between the perceivable planes of reality.

And there are no more words. The strange shape moves, and the world itself seems to conspire to keep the eye away from it.

[Private to Gatekeeper: Activating Blinding the Boar.]
This message was last edited by the player at 07:04, Wed 18 Mar 2009.

Nanaret sidesteps before the acolyte behind her can even attempt to grab her. She bends backward, touching the ground with her palms to allow the first arrow to sail right past her bent torso.

Her feet deliberately kick up dirt as she continues the backflip, obscuring the path of the second arrow. Pushing off with her hands, the wiry Lunar lands solidly on her feet and dives behind the acolyte that was once behind her. With the dirt cloud filling the air, and the acolyte the only person standing in its midst, she introduces an element of uncertainty to the aim of the second archer firing at her.

[Private to GM: Channeling again, Valor! Trying for a daring dodge stunt of that nasty second arrow shot. (The other two attacks missed outright!)]

Dena takes three out of four arrows and only seems to grow stronger for it, much to the acolytes' dismay. (3L damage and +9 essence for Dena.) Nanaret, still fending for herself against another trio of acolytes, evades their attempt at using teamwork against her with a well-timed attempt at misdirection.

The Fire Immaculate narrows her eyes, lifting her chin imperiously at Dena's words. "You have nothing on our Temple. I am sure it is a fantasy you like to tell yourself while biding your time in the hopes of meeting someone gullible enough to believe you." Dena may still feel some comfort in the fact the woman still acknowledged her words... even if only to dismiss them.

Higura, on the other hand, is a mystery that the Fire Aspect finds unnerving. She decides her only chance is to put her trust in Hesiesh. The martial artist seeks her meditative center: not the consuming wildfire, but the single candle flame, glowing serenely to light the way from darkness and blasphemy. The Fire Aspect performs a short, swift kata, her movements tracing incandescent arcs as her twin daiklaves cut through the musty air. The kata finishes with her arms held high and together, and a burst of warm, orange flame erupts from her as she resumes the stance of the Fire Dragon Style.

She intones: "Hesiesh, reveal he who shrouds himself in riddle and trickery. Bathe him in the flames of just tradition, of proper enlightenment, so that in his next life his wickedness may be cleansed!" The Fire Immaculate's blades lash out in quick succession, striking with controlled fury at the blur that was Higura. [Private to Yaishin Higura: 5 sux and 5 sux. Poor Firey didn't roll well!]

---

OOC: Ok, everyone's resolved defense except Third against Wood's enthralling blow (tick 10). Since Fire Dragon Form is so quick (speed 4) and her actions were backlogged a bit, Fire immac could both activate her Form and attack before anyone else's action (except Nanaret's -- but I figured she's preoccupied with the acolytes. If I'm wrong let me know!)

Anyway... if you aren't waiting on any characters to act or attacks to resolve, go ahead and act again.

actions
tick 11 - Nanaret
tick 14 - Dena, Higura [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: you'll act on this tick assuming you avoid the enthrallment!]
tick 15 - acolytes (3 on Nanaret, 1 heavily wounded/unengaged)
tick 16 - Wood immac
tick 17 - Earth immac
tick 18 - Talia, acolytes (2 on Dena)
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:05, Wed 18 Mar 2009.

Attempting to control Third's mind is like trying to yoke fire. The Solar's mind slides away around the attempt to enter his mind as it looks into the Dragon-Blooded's eyes. The fires of self burn within it, small, only a spark, but so hot it could scorch like the spheres of She Who Lives In Her Name, and they know that Third can never find freedom if it is in the hands of the Dragon-Blooded. There lies nothing but a meaningless death to preserve what stands. Its eyes cast about for a moment to those around it, reminding itself of all that it depends on- It will not let itself be controlled again. Never again. Memories surge up, memories of the techniques that they used to strip away it's mind like an onion, peeling it away, leaving it fluttering on the wind, till all that was left was a hard, unbreakable little core. The beguiling touch of the Wood Aspect drives up against that hard, angry, enraged little core, that knows only one word, defiance. It's like trying to crack Meru with a silk handkerchief.

" Your offer is a falsehood. You would attempt to destroy me for your own petty beliefs, supress me within your Five Coils. Look at the mortals around you, those who did not Exalt. You think you are better than them because of a quirk of fate. You were given your power without earning it. How could you believe that you will ever be able to offer the mortals around you anything but slow, wasting death, trapped in this place." It looks the Dragon-Blooded solidly in the eye, those abyss-like eyes responding to that seductive touch.

"Do you not wish for freedom? Do you not ever think to yourself that you can be more than simply another cog in the wheels of this place? You were Exalted. It may be by dint of birth, but you are still a hero. Look around you. Your people do what is necessary, thinking that to do what is right is impossible. But with us... anything will be possible." it says. Its hands are still raised, but it is no longer attacking. Not physically. Its words are used like a martial artist's hands, a soft style, using the force of the Dragon-Blooded against itself. There is no magic in what it says, no special essence to control the Dragon-Blooded. It simply speaks what is the truth. What it knows is the truth.

And in its eyes, that fire begins to rage, to grow, a pinprick of color appearing deep within Third's eye, so distant that it barely is visible, a glowing golden speck. Its words are part its own, part that of Shining Eye, as the memories awaken to it. The memories of glorious speeches, of words that inspired people, not because of magic, or force, or fear, but because they were what was right. It speaks to the Dragon-Blooded Wood Immaculate softly. " You can be more."

[Private to GM: Well, this is definitely under the files of 'Awesome but Impractical', as I'm pretty sure that Third's Charisma ent nearly enough to be able to talk the Wood Immaculate into buying milk, let alone switching sides, but if you think it's plausible, it'll be trying to engage her in Social Combat, and I'm hoping to spend some experience on buying up my Presence a bit- As much as you think is reasonable, second dot'll cost 1 XP, third'll cost 3, fourth'll cost 5, fifth'll cost 7. I've got enough to cover all that, and the main reason it's experiencing this sudden burst is mostly justified by the memories from its time as Shining Eye. If you think it's appropriate, then, feel free to roll up a social attack, even as the chaos goes on around them. If nothing else, it might end up turning a mook into a meaningful character. ;-p. Also, let me know if my stunt defense wasn't quite enough. Also, a question on stunts- If a roll is used for multiple attacks, does it count as one stunt for purposes of essence regaining, or multiple? I'd imagine the first, for the sake of not making multiple attacks horribly overpowered. In any case, I stand at 6/7 Willpower, 2/19 Personal Essence, and 45/45 Peripheral Essence.]
This message was last edited by the player at 21:19, Wed 18 Mar 2009.

"Yes. . . you don't have to force us to destroy you, you know." Dena suggests.  She starts to tell another characteristic absurd lie, as she typically does in combat, but finds herself moved enough by the simple truth of Third's plea that she can't collect together the thoughts to do so.  Instead her whip expands into three lashes again, but as the acolytes flinch away from the expected agony she instead sends the coils of violet fire wrapping around their bows and grabs hold, then takes a dally around her own free arm for more leverage as she floats backwards and pulls hard to try to remove the offending weapons.

[Private to GM: Current Essence: 14/17 14/42 4 motes expended for two extra lashes on one attack, five motes to activate laughing wounds form.

Activating Laughing Wounds Form to get a wound penalty turned into a bonus.  I have 5 wound levels putting me at -2 which becomes +2 at this point.  Also doing another triple lash attack for 4 more motes.  Dena will focus on the two acolytes attacking Nanaret and send the third lash after the most injured of the other acolytes.

If attack Dena will channel willpower through her conviction to boost her DV and shatter any potential attack.

17:31, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 8 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,7,7,3,2,1,4,5,4,7,10,7,4,10,5. Disarming Lash Attack. ]

Nanaret, separated from the others near the mining settlement entrance, lets out a low growl of warning. Her consciousness and her body belong to the Queen now, and Ranavalona wants anything but to talk peace and cooperation with those who have just attempted to harm her.

An aura of shifting, prismatic light envelops the Lunar, shimmering a silvery-blue with hints of darker blue and purple. In that coruscating anima dances the image of an eerie looking lemur with large, luminous eyes, its elongated fingers exaggerated by the play of light and shadow. She is the aye-aye, ill omen of a forest where once the moon still shone brightly. She is the harbinger of misfortune, a significance obscured by the long hibernation underground.

But not this time. This time she is flesh and blood: hardened by emancipation, emboldened by freedom and consumed by a bitterness that has slept much, much too long. The Bitch Queen reborn.

Ranavalona's fingernails elongate into curved points as she lunges for the nearest acolyte. Her claws rake at his chest, almost more to make him flinch than to hurt him. Then she hooks those claws right into his skin -- should they find purchase -- aiming for the places it will hurt the most. One hand grabs for the throat, the other for the eyesockets, tearing outward as if opening a flesh-wrapped present.

[Private to GM: Activating combo, Survival Instinct. Giving myself +6L/+6B soak with my armor charm (3m). Using my hybrid knack to shift my claws (1m), which I nearly forgot I had, oops. Then flurrying 3 attacks. first one gets no excellency. The second and third get +3 each from excellency (6m). so I spent a total of 10m, 2wp, 2 valor channel so far, I'll assume I spent my last couple stunts to get back wp.]

The Wood Immaculate's enthrallment fizzles outright when confronted with Third's rebellious spirit. She is surprised, for a moment even transfixed by its words. The woman quickly regains her composure, though, and replies in a measured tone without lowering her guard, her deep green eyes fixed intently on Third. "For us, mortal, the Coils are home. I need not aspire to more. I am an Immaculate in service of Sextes Jylis. To desire more would be a sin."

"It is simple to accuse the Dragon-Blooded of villainy when we are the enforcers of order. Unlike you, we are guided by a philosophy that encapsulates all of society, not just individual desire. In a healthy society, everyone has his place, and fulfills that role happily and well. Too much social mobility erodes society. Allowing choice without rules and mores to regulate them leads to chaos.

"The Dragon-blooded have earned their power by way of birth. But we are leaders because we have a control and discipline over that power that history has shown the Anathema sorely lack. They are wildcards, unpredictable and dangerous." The female Immaculate shakes her head disapprovingly. "Do not let them fool you. They must be stopped."

While Third and the Wood Aspect face off with speech, Dena and Nanaret focus their attacks on the acolytes. Dena's essence lash wraps around the weapons of the two archers attacking Nanaret, yanking them away with such force that she damages the powerbows' Essence batteries. [Private to Tervila Dena: Both those fools botched their roll to resist disarm, heheh.] The final lash rips through one of the heavily wounded acolytes nearby, killing him instantly.

Nanaret claws viciously at her chosen target, the remaining unwounded acolyte. She digs deep gouges into his face and neck as he lets out a strangled cry of agony. (5L) Apparently his training hadn't prepared him for getting his face torn off.

[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: My co-GM and I agree that you should be allowed to pump your Presence all the way up to 5, which will cost you 16 xp on top of the 8 for the Excellency. We figure you've done more than enough in the past evoking Shining Eye so it's more than appropriate that it ought to finally manifest in a big way through your stats.

You only got 5 sux. Still, a very near miss. Wood aspect has 6 DV, -1 from her action, -2 from your App, +2 because she's basically being encouraged to betray her core values. So she defended only barely.

Her speech pretty much has no effect on you(rolled it already). I'll give you another chance at cracking her if you want to take it, since your initial stunt was so good. You have 1 Peripheral now, assuming you used the full 7 dice on the adder and got back 6m with your stunt.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:41, Thu 19 Mar 2009.

The two acolytes (one male, one female) who just lost their weapons glance at one another and start backing away in full retreat. They leave behind the acolyte facing Nanaret alone, streaming blood from his ravaged face and neck as he cries: "Filthy Anathema... die... diiiie!!" The last is almost gurgled as he unloads on the Changing Moon with a series of punches that, in his desperate state, have little more discipline than a drunkard's. He misses all three times, so spectacularly that the last swing pitches him forward too far, and he falls on his knees in the dirt.

The Earth Immaculate turns, facing Talia again. Rather than strike her with his force gauntlets, though, he reassumes his wide, stable stance, bending at the knees. His arms make a wide half-circle, meeting in the middle as he inhales deeply. Then he exhales, bending his elbows and pulling his arms down and back until his powerful fists are clenched level with his waist. The ground rumbles where he stands, trembling in reaction to his focused Essence as he exudes an aura of ivory white.

The final two acolytes, still holding their bows, decide Dena is too dangerous to focus their aim on when there are other targets to surmount. One archer fires a pair of glowing arrows at Nanaret, but only one of those threatens to nick her. The other, after searching quite unsuccessfully for Higura, fires awkwardly at Talia and manages to miss both times. Their wounds are clearly exhausting them. [Private to Saina Nanaret: 2 and 4 sux flurry.] [Private to Talia Zerith: 2 sux and 2 sux flurry. Both miss, actually... lousy rolls! You can act again.]

---

OOC: Wood immac and Third are out of combat for now, engaged with one another socially. Fire (wounded 2L) and Earth (wounded 6L, but tougher) have both activated Forms. Two acolytes (wounded 3B) started running at tick 15, at a rate of 8 yards/tick.

You can roll Perc+Awareness-4 if you want to figure out where Higura went to.

actions
tick 14 - Higura
tick 16 - Nanaret
tick 17 - Fire Immac (after previous attack resolves)
tick 18 - Talia
tick 19 - Dena
tick 20 - acolyte (1 on Nanaret, wounded 5L)
tick 23 - Earth immac (after activating form), acolytes (2 armed, wounded 4L and 5L)
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:51, Thu 19 Mar 2009.

Third's eyes flicker with a soft golden " To desire more is all the Exalted were made for. This place may be your home, but all of creation should be our domain. To wait here, satisfied with living in darkness, in shadow... Can your soul stand that? You are an Immaculate of Wood, you should know, as well as anyone, that to stand by in darkness will do nothing but give you a slow death. Leaving this place is not a desire. It is something that every single person trapped in this place needs!" says the Solar, its voice taking on a stronger purpose as it speaks.

" The very essence of Exaltation is to break free! Do you not remember why the Exalted were made in the first place, to overthrow a natural order that made all humans slaves? You, these people, our nature is not to accept what we have! We were chosen by the gods, all humans, to bear the gift of Exaltation, because we dream, because we were the one beings who could dream that mortals could destroy those who made everything that we know! And we WON!" Third's voice is intense now, and golden light starts flaring out of it, its anima banner rising around it, flickering, golden, beautiful,

" You called Third mortal. Will you now call Third anathema? Eye am not a demon! Eye am exalted, just as you are! We were both born mortals, and we shall someday die- It is in forgetting that that the old Anathema gave up their humanity, and brought disaster upon themselves. It is in their ignorance of their ability to be destroyed that the Primordials were defeated. And if the Dragon-Blooded believe they are not mortals, the same fate shall await you." The golden light surrounds it, a halo flaring around it, not a harbinger of death, but the golden light of the sun, flickering, deep colors cutting through it, the light of the golden hour, when the entire world looks as golden, a harbinger of hope.

" You can make a difference. You can be the hero that you were born to be, you can break free from this endless string of death and destruction. That is what being Exalted means! We are the ones who are free from fate, and if your religion tells you that you must hide your grandeur, that you must not shine too brightly or you will become evil... It is only when we forget that we were once nothing more than mortal that we shall fail." Third looks the Immaculate in the eye. " Will you stand by us, against the destinies that would have us all die for a meaningless hatred?" it asks, the caste mark on it's forehead looking, for a moment, like a golden eye, half-lidded, shining in the darkness.

[Private to GM: Pouring some Peripheral Essence into this one, wheeee. This'll leave my Essence levels at 0/19 Personal, 39/45 Peripheral.

Oh wow. This one's gonna hurt for her. You rolled 11 successes using 14d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((4,10,8,9,6,9,7,2,9,7,1,9,10,5)).]

While Third does its best to appeal to the common sense of his foe, Higura decides that the best way to help in this endeavor is to shut down all possible outside influences. Killing his foe outright would likely reflect negatively on what his comrade is attempting, but at least putting her out of commission is necessary in the immediate...

His form hazy and blurred out by a cloak of destiny, he continues to gaze intently upon the Fire Aspect. He sidesteps almost effortlessly as she makes her attack, and seizes this opportunity to completely fool her senses.

Destiny rebels against you; he whispers, but no one can comprehend the words spoken by the shape that used to be Higura. Words and meaning break before they can be understood, leaving a sound not unlike a low-pitched, strangely melodic breeze where the doctor's voice should be. You sought to control the Tides of Fate, built a tool to affect its ebbs and flows; But now the tool has managed to slip from your hands, and soon it will refuse to do your bidding; What will you do, when the weave you tried to keep together spins out of control?

His movements seek to make a faint impression upon her, their strange and unnatural condition building a sense of expectation in her psyche. It is so strong that when she strikes, it is almost with complete certainty that she evaluates where the ethereal shape will next be... Which is precisely where Higura is not. Changing the course of his motion and using the strangely alien movements to cover his actions, he moves to flank the woman, reality concealing his intent until he is ready to strike.

There is not a single moment of hesitation in his motion. From the quick sidestep that takes him to the woman's blind left side, Higura unleashes a fast two-hit strike - first striking the woman just below the throat with his still sheathed sword, then in a flash striking her left ribs with the hilt. The attacks are not meant to kill, but he nonetheless puts enough force and precision into the both of them to attempt to knock his target unconscious...

[Private to Gatekeeper: Okay, reestablishing surprise first, then two attacks. Using 9 motes to reduce the penalties on attacks and -2 (4 motes to cancel the -2 from wounds and the Fire Charm, and 5 more to remove -2 and -3 from the splitting penalties). Removing a success from each attack to make them non-lethal.

20:31, Today: Gatekeeper, on behalf of Yaishin Higura, rolled 1 success using 3d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7. dam. attack 2.
20:31, Today: Gatekeeper, on behalf of Yaishin Higura, rolled 2 successes using 7d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7. dam. attack 1.
20:30, Today: Yaishin Higura rolled 3 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,9,4,9,3,4,8,2,4,4. Attack 2.
20:30, Today: Yaishin Higura rolled 8 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,1,2,5,10,10,10,6,10,2. Attack 1. ]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:24, Fri 20 Mar 2009.

The most logical thing to do in a situation like this would be to run for her life, using the confusion to try to fall off the grid again.  But, at this point, Talia is getting mad.  Besides, whoever these people are, they didn't hand her over to the Immaculates, which has to count for something. As the arrows whoosh past her, she rises from her crouch, moving like a dancer.

She faces the Earth Immaculate as he takes his stance.  With a sweep of her arm, she flicks her sash at his face; almost simultaneously, she brings her booted foot inot sharp contact with his groin.  If a literal low blow didn't work, maybe she'll have more luck with a metaphorical one.

[Private to GM: I'm not sure what to roll for a feint, but I'm guessing Dex+Stealth?  And I assume it'll be a flurry...
22:53, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 2 successes using 3d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,5,2. DexStealth-2.
Spending 6m on 1MA Excellency
22:55, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 4 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,9,5,1,8,5,1,9,1,3. Dex+MA +6-3. ]

Ranavalona evades the arrows, her body weaving sinuously as they pass her shoulder and her hip, respectively. Such weak, uninspired attacks! Completely unworthy of the Queen of the Southeastern Forest!

As soon as no more glowing projectiles come her way, she sets off running -- leaving the maimed acolyte kneeling there without so much of a glance at his suffering. Some distant part of her hears the words Third is saying, and the sentiment filters through her haze of fury like a distant light through a deep body of water: murky, indistinct, but undoubtedly bright. But the part of her that rages and yearns for prey knows that she cannot let any one of these weaklings get away. Not one!

She is but a second behind them, and at least half again as fast. Eager to catch them and savor the victory, the Lunar leaps to tackle one of the pair, staggering him from behind as she slams into him bodily and shoves him towards the ground.

(OOC: ignore the second tackle I rolled. Probably makes more sense I only do one, since I only had one tick to conceivably react here.) [Private to GM: spent only 2m on the tackle, got 5 sux.]
This message was last edited by the player at 04:27, Fri 20 Mar 2009.

The Wood immaculate is mesmerized. This time she actually listens to Third's speech in its entirety, raising not a hand to help her peers. Something about this dark-haired figure is incredibly attractive and commands the entirety of her attention. Not just in a physical way -- but through its demeanor, through the passion with which it delivered its words.

She frowns, creasing her brow, but does not immediately reject Third's ideas. "Your interpretation of Exaltation is... highly idealistic. And I think you misunderstand our motivations. Of course we wish to all leave this place in time. But it is only when we are ready for it. Weren't you taught why we are trapped here in the first place? It is not simply because we like the underground. It's because the..." She actually pauses, because her next word would have been 'Anathema'. "The world above was devastated by a terrible calamity. We have lost our home and hid here for hundreds of years in order to build up an army and develop weapons enough to take back the Blessed Isle."

"Only a few elders are left who remember what happened above. But it was you, Solars and Lunars. We have no proof that it could not happen again--that you wouldn't cause harm in the Third Age as well, if allowed a chance to seize power. That's why we keep you under control. Not all of us do so for sadistic reasons, or for selfish ones." That is as much an admittance that she believes some Dragon-blooded are out of line. But the Wood immaculate is starting to look reluctant to keep speaking. "We are taught that you embody a threat to society. And you often do not understand the danger you pose, but we must be vigilant. I can't... I can't just let myself stop believing, after all the warnings, all the tests of my integrity, that you aren't trying to trick me with this talk of ending hatred."

She raises her bow, her expression suddenly hardening as she steps slowly away from Third. "I'm sorry."

Dena dives towards the two remaining armed acolytes, and does a sudden midair spin that puts her between them as she lands on her hands and kicks backwards suddenly, taking each acolyte in the spine and attempting to take them down for the remainder of the battle.  Dena hardly pauses, using the momentum of the kicks to launch back into the air she quietly heads down the tunnel to dispatch the other fleeing acolyte at a speed so high it leaves a jetwash of dust rising off the ground and flowing after her.

[Private to GM: Flurrying 2 kicks.  Laughing Wounds Form adds my MA skill to any bashing attack, so my base damage before sux is 12B on kicks.

As of now Dena's speed is 6 dex +2 wounds x4 wings x2 anima for a total of 64 yards a tick.  I'll just use a normal move, not dash.

10:41, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 4 successes using 12d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,2,5,5,4,8,10,6,5,1,9,6. Kick 2. ]

Higura's blows come seemingly from nowhere. It does not seem the Fire immaculate notices him at all, as she does not so much as raise her daiklaves to defend. He strikes the Fire immaculate with his sheathed weapon, the impacts largely absorbed by her breastplate, but obviously felt by her as she staggers with a hiss of breath. (3B)

Nanaret's brute-force tackle doesn't quite manage to knock him down, but it nonetheless stuns him enough to slow his retreat. He doesn't stop to fight her, but struggles to keep on moving, stumbling along erratically as he attempts to keep up with his female counterpart. (Tackle gives no damage, but he's stunned, -2 to non-reflexive rolls)

The Earth immaculate, expecting a second attack with the sash, actually makes a grunt of surprise when Talia kicks up into his crotch. Though he grimaces slightly, the Earth Dragon Form gives him balls of steel -- or stone, in this case. (1B) [Private to Talia Zerith: A feint, I tend to think is just represented by doing a flurry, really. Since you are splitting your action anyway, you just do two attacks but have the first one purposefully not hit, or do only subdual damage (subtract 1 sux from the roll). Anyway, I gave you a +3 stunt because I was quite amused at the 'low blow', but the kick still only did ping damage.]

Dena's double kick takes down one of the armed acolytes, knocking him solidly unconscious. (5B) The second armed acolyte takes the impact without harm, but still falls down onto his face. (0B, but knockdown) Aided by her wings, the wasp-Lunar's incredible burst of speed brings her easily within range to stop the last running acolyte.

---

OOC: next post will give the immaculates' next actions and the tick count.

"Show yourself!!" The Fire Aspect's orange-red eyes scan her surroundings, this time paying sharp attention to any disturbance in the air that may betray Higura's presence. She unleashes a single, blindingly swift slash at the first sign of motion, her right-hand blade flaring with blistering tendrils of flame. [Private to Yaishin Higura: I rolled 11 but forgot about her wound penalty, so 9 successes - 4 from your Blinding the Boar, so 5 successes, and your DV is at -3.]

The bright-eyed woman calls out to the Wood immaculate: "Jade Willow, you are the pride of Sextes Jylis. Remember who you are and what you represent! The words of the Anathema should not make you falter. They will lie, entice and mislead you for their own goals, for their freedom, for access to greater power. Do you understand? We cannot be distracted from our chance to expose their lair!"

Doubt flashes across the Wood Aspect's face only briefly before she steps away from Third and back into the battle. Her powerbow sprouts three shafts of warm green light, and with a prayer to Sextes Jylis, she fires them in quick succession to distract Dena her from her chase. Phantasmal emerald leaves swirl around her body and flourish with each shot, until the final arrow scatters the spiral of leaves in its wake, reducing them to fading pinpoints of verdant light. [Private to Tervila Dena: flurry of three arrows; 13 sux, 3 sux and 6 sux. You have -2 DV from actions, but +2 from your form. Still going to soak?]

The Earth Immaculate looks down wordlessly at Talia, then turns abruptly away from her. He thrusts out one hand as if to grab something directly in front of him, while the other cups the air with his palm. Both hands yank backward, together, and Third feels two sensations at once: a crushing force grasping at its neck, threatening to drag it off its feet, and an invisible pressure shoving against its nose and mouth. [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: A two part clinch attempt... 7 and 3 successes. (The first attempt is the grab to hold you still, the second is to shut your mouth.) You are at -2 DV. If either clinch connects you are forced back into battle on the Earth Aspect's tick; otherwise, if you want to enter combat again at this point you need to reroll Join Battle.]

The acolytes Nanaret ravaged and Dena kicked to the ground start painfully clambering up to their feet, only one of them still holding onto his bow.

---

OOC: Defenses if appropriate, then next actions! 2 acolytes are running, chased by Dena and Nanaret respectively. 1 is dead, 1 is unconscious, 2 are still in the fight (if barely). [Private to Alus Tycho: if you want you can enter at tick 20.]

Apologies on my dice rolls, I screwed them up a lot from forgetting penalties and etc.

tick 17 - Fire immac (wounded 2L+3B)
tick 18 - Higura
tick 19 - Wood immac (attack Dena)
tick 20 - acolyte (unarmed, wounded 5L)
tick 21 - Nanaret
tick 23 - Talia, Earth immac (wounded 6L+1B), acolyte (armed, wounded 5L)
tick 24 - Dena
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:39, Sat 21 Mar 2009.

Third's eyes flicker as the other immaculate speaks. " Why would Eye need to lie? The truth is far more effective." The Solar looks up as the Earth Immaculate motions in the air, and its eyes lock with the Earth Immaculate. " You would silence the truth." it says, and as the invisible force reaches out, the Solar moves in a blur. It knows that it's body is not able to survive the crushing fists of that Earth Immaculate, and it refuses to let itself be taken out of this fight. Golden motes rise from it's body, illuminating the grasping hands that reach out for the Solar, and like a shadow, it moves, its entire body dropping, knees bending as it lets itself sink back out of the crushing grip, it's throat sliding away smoothly, as it moves its body forward, almost bonelessly, its body moving more like a pool of water than a living thing, as it reverses the curve of it's body, bringing itself into a low crouch. It's hands move to catch itself, crouched down low, legs bent, a small cloud of dust rising around it from the burst of earth. Sparkling rays of golden light lift out of it's body, becoming trapped in the force that rises from the gauntlet, making the two fists look like they're being attacked by a thousand enraged fireflies. It looks towards the Wood Immaculate. " Eye hope we can take you alive. There is a heroic soul in you yet." Then it is silent once more, as it leaps into battle again, towards the Earth Immaculate, this time. It trusts in Dena to be capable of fighting the Wood Immaculate- And it hopes, not killing her. The woman, Jade Willow, has at least shown herself to be willing to listen.

[Private to GM: Well, going for stunting out here. Also going to spend a Willpower Point, to try to make sure that I can avoid- I THINK I can do that, if I'm wrong, well, at least it's two less hands he has, and also is it just me or have I actually managed to avoid any injury thus far? And if I avoid him, 18:26, Today: Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge rolled 4 successes using 5d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,9,4,5,9. Join Battle. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 22:27, Sat 21 Mar 2009.

Dena ducks down as the first arrow crosses over her back, alerting her to the attack.  Without slowing at all she spins in midair and catches the second, turning it's momentum around and throwing it like a giant dart to hit the the third incoming shot in a midair explosion of green sparkles that smashes her backwards, ironically speeding her after he quarry even more quickly.

[Private to GM: Yeah, I'll go ahead and soak + sensuous torment to recover essence again this time.]

As the Earth Aspect shrugs off her attack and turns away, Talia's eyebrow quirks slightly. "What are you, a eunuch?" she snaps.  As his attention is occupied with the particualrly-strange stranger, she attacks from behind, wtrapping her sash around his neck and hanging on for dear life.  A simple piece of cloth won't be able to do any real damage, but the pressure required to induce unconciousness is suprisingly small.

[Private to GM: Spending 1 wp for a success...
15:38, Today: Talia Zerith failed (no successes) using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,5,6,4,4,3,4. DEX+MA 1wp spent.
Well, crud again...]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:39, Sun 22 Mar 2009.

Seeing her 'prey' struggling to retain his balance, Ranavalona's heart pounds in anticipation for the kill. One hand thrusts out to latch her claws onto the shoulder of the ineffectually running acolyte, then makes a violent, wrenching motion to drag her claws through the shoulder and down the back. Another burst of silver and dark-blue Essence ripples from her, the iconic aye-aye manifesting as a ghostly afterimage of shifting blue-violet shadow, as her second hand lunges snake-like to grasp firmly at the man's neck.

If he does not die immediately, she keeps holding onto him until she does, exerting all her strength in crushing his throat. "Struggling makes it harder for you, but more exciting for me," Ranavalona purrs into his ear, ignoring the distant complaints of Nanaret. That's enough, the other personality is saying, and Rana grimaces at the nuisance. No more!

"Feh..." As soon as the man dies, the Bitch Queen tosses the acolyte's body aside without so much as a flicker of remorse on her face. She crouches, licking at the blood on her claws, ready to run down the other fleeing man if Dena cannot catch him. Otherwise she returns to pick out her next prey among the remaining figures.

Perhaps one of the bald noisy ones. She licks her lips, a streak of blood wiped boldly on her cheek. [Private to GM: Well... I'll go with another 5 motes spent on the clinch attempt, to bring my total expenditure to 17m, 2wp, 2 valor channel so far.]

The first arrow that strikes Dena doesn't pierce her flesh, but absorbs into her body, making her feel suddenly lethargic. She manages to deflect the second and third arrows, but after that her forward motion is purely momentum. The only thing Dena feels like doing is remaining utterly still. [Private to Tervila Dena: The first attack that you soak doesn't do damage but instead is an enthralling attack. (Enthralling Blow Attack, DB book p. 211) Rather than a physical attack it's now a mental attack, with the number of successes she got (13) + her perma ess. So 16 successes against your MDV of 6. You are inactive for 16-6=10 actions and have to roll over 10 successes on Willpower+Integrity to resist.

I gave you +2 stunt for your defenses, but since you were parrying physical attacks I didn't apply it to MDV. On the other hand I will let you stunt to reduce the # of actions you lose, if you want.]

Nanaret/Ranavalona's claw attack shreds the acolyte's shoulder and gouges his back. He is already gravely wounded by the time she grips his neck and snaps it cruelly, tossing the body away. Nanaret is the next closest to pursue the last fleeing acolyte (currently 27 yards away) but if she runs past the area the builder bugs brought offline, she will have to contend with automaton sentries patrolling the area. [Private to Saina Nanaret: +3 stunt! I'll rule you can use the rest of your normal move to catch up to her before starting to dash. In 6 ticks (the Speed of your slowest attack, your clinch) you will move 30 yards (5 yards/tick) and the acolyte will move 48 (8 yards/tick). At that point, you can start running at 11 yards/tick, catching up 3 yards per tick to her. So it will take you another 15 ticks (18+27/3) to catch up to her. I'll also allow you to use Dex excellency, WP or virtues to bump your speed every 6 ticks at normal speed, or 3 ticks at dashing speed.]

Third smoothly evades the Earth Immaculate's force attacks, illuminating them with pure golden light, and prepares itself to retaliate against its attacker. There is a certain irony in accusing the stoic martial artist of silencing truth, as he has already been silenced himself by whatever malady or accident stole away his voice. If it was an accident. [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: +3 stunt again, your defense was awesome! Also, a couple things I forgot to address. Yes, you can use WP to add to DV. Also, stunt dice affects your dice pool *before* splitting so effectively applies to all split actions.]

Rather than bothering to fend off Talia's attack, the Earth Aspect simply strides forward to meet Third, dragging her along with him unless she relinquishes her sash.

---

OOC: Dena is effectively out of the battle due to the Wood aspect's combo stopping her. On the flip side, Jade Willow spent all her essence + over half her WP for that.

Still need Higura and Fire Aspect to act!
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:55, Mon 23 Mar 2009.

There is no way for him to avoid notice on the attack - the Fire Aspect's rage and focus pierce through his subterfuge, at least momentarily. Unless he does something, the strike is going to pierce him through the heart, with or without the concealing cloak he now wears.

One could call it carelessness. Despite the extra shield his concealment provides, he still let himself be uncovered by his opponent, enough that she manages to pull in a strong, almost fatal strike. Higura, however, knows full well that those who wish to triumph need to never give up, even when the odds seem against them. He knows that those who triumph end up changing their weaknesses into strengths.

For a second, he lets the Fire Aspect woman think she has him. He lets her think she has caught him, and that her attack will surely wound him grievously. The moment lasts for not even a second - but he knows she will catch it. She is a warrior, after all, bred and raised to read the tides of combat and the condition of her opponent. And so, for less than a breath, Higura lets the woman believe her blow will connect.

Of course, in reality, things are much different. The doctor has already pivoted his body so as to make difficult for her to strike from any angle but from the one he most desires - a subtle change in posture that will force the physiognomy of the attack to change. This change is almost imperceptible, almost too minute to notice. But for someone possibly between life and death, these changes are as deep as a chasm.

The strike comes, and he lifts his sheathed sword to meet it. Hopefully, forcing the fiery woman to strike him from a particular angle would rob her of some force... The rest, he would have to do with a block. Using a sideways blocking technique, Higura puts forth a principle he learned a long time ago - to put down a strong force, let it know that you possess an even stronger force at your disposal. With this in mind, he forcefully strikes the Fire Aspect's weapon with his own, using much more power than one would normally for a simple block.

He may not have a voice, but the message the strong parrying motion tells is clear.
You do not have the strength to defeat me.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:32, Mon 23 Mar 2009.

The Fire immaculate's daiklave impacts hard with Higura's ordinary sword, spraying hot flame-sparks. The blades slide together, the friction heating up his sword almost intolerably, until the daiklave locks with the guard at the pommel. The woman's ember-hot eyes bore into the blurred space that cloaks Higura's form, as if she could reveal him simply by the heat of her gaze. But he eludes her, eludes the incredible heat she attempts to force upon him, and he slips again into the incomprehensible intervals in space and time that fate opens up to him.

---

OOC: just resolving the defense first for the sake of continuity :)

From the sidelines, Higura watches once more as the Fire Aspect tries to undo what Third is so carefully trying to build. Obviously, there will be no reasoning with the leader... At least, not now. With that in mind, he immediately decides to take advantage of the woman's momentary distraction. His last strike had not been as effective as he had hoped... He must now put all of his efforts into this one, to end this strife early.

Still seemingly caught between realities, Higura sidesteps and approaches the woman from the side, his sheathed sword in hand. Caught in a world of silence, outside of the boundaries of the usual plane of existence, he watches his target intently, paying particular attention to the weaves of fate that surround him. He watches the way the Fire Aspect's Fate strands spread outwards, and how some of them mingle with his own. He lowers his stance, every muscle tense with anticipation as his eyes scan the realm of possibilities...

And then, the moment comes. The precise second where the woman's threads touches none of his own. The moment where she is the most blind and unaware of him. In the infinite web of possible futures, this is the one he seizes. The one he puts everything into fulfilling. At this precise instant, he leaps forward, shifting his sword to his left side...

In a muted, almost invisible deep green crescent, he draws the elegant blade, angling the arc so that his victim will be hit by the flat side of the weapon rather than its cutting edge. The threads of fate seem to part as he executes his motion, as if allowing him to pick his chosen destiny from the myriad of options available. Still unseen, Higura strikes true...

In a way only one who has seen the Realm of Possibilities can.

[Private to Gatekeeper: Once again, reestablishing surprise, and then putting everything into a single blow (putting 7 motes to cancel the penalties/increasing the pool by 3.)]

Dena drifts down to the floor and settles into a cross-legged pose, watching, bemused, as the terrified acolyte runs around her and continues down the hallway.

[Private to GM: 10:35,
Ouch.  Serves me right for getting overconfident.
Today: Tervila Dena rolled 8 successes using 12d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,4,9,10,7,9,1,10,4,9,3,3. Integrity + Willpower. ]

The flat of Higura's blade strikes the Fire Aspect hard between the neck and shoulder, driving into and crushing her collarbone. The ember-eyed woman lets out an involuntary gasp, and sways on her feet, barely keeping from dropping into a crouch. (3B) She breathes laboriously, but does not give into the reflex to clutch at the wound, holding both of her daiklaves in a steady stance as flame tendrils cascade in a spiraling lattice around her acrobatic form.

"Though my body be broken, though my senses deceived, my heart is resolute," she speaks in a low voice trembling with pain and fervor. "Against the blasphemies of the Unclean, against the savagery of the Frenzied, I am ablaze in the fires of Hesiesh, granted the power to chastize those who defy their place in the Immaculate Philosophy. May your sins be cleansed in holy flame, and your body made a pyre for resisting just punishment! May you find peace in the next life, with the stain of Anathema stricken from your soul!"

As she utters what may well be her final prayer, her daiklaves ignite in a defiant surge of heat and sparks. Searing flames channel along their length with such intensity that they appear nearly half again as long, and as thick as a dire lance's head -- instruments of concentrated destruction. With a wordless cry she brings both blades down upon the blurred shape of Higura, to reveal his trickery once and for all! [Private to Yaishin Higura: Flurry attack, 6 and 10 successes! You're pretty sure she just burned a lot of Essence on this, too, so getting hit by that would be... regrettable.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:11, Mon 23 Mar 2009.

Compared to her Fire counterpart, Jade Willow looks visibly spent. Her bow is fed by Hearthstone, though; thus it takes no effort for her to generate another of her verdant arrows. She does not immediately act, but takes aim at Nanaret as she prepares to take off after her next chosen prey.

"I wish you would all just come quietly," Willow says -- a touch of sorrow in her voice, that was not there before. "I wish you understood the danger you represent. But no one likes to know that their fate is one they cannot avoid. I understand why you would fight it. But we must stop you. We must."

A few yards away, the acolyte Nanaret maimed attempts to retrieve a fallen bow, his breathing coming in sharp, hissing gasps as he uses his other hand to hold his torn cheek together. The only remaining armed acolyte, though significantly wounded from Dena's essence lash, draws back her bowstring and aims another Essence arrow at Talia.

The Earth immaculate, strong as he may be, moves too slowly to harm Third again before it has a chance to strike him.

---

OOC: figured it makes more sense to post wound levels...

tick 25 - Third, Higura (after defending)
tick 26 - Fire immac (-4 wound level... assuming she's still standing at this point)
tick 27 - Nanaret, Wood immac (after aim)
tick 28 - Talia
tick 29 - Earth immac (-2 wound level)
Acolytes won't get to attack until tick 30+.

Gone is the peacemaker from just a moment before. Third lunges down, down low, both hands sweeping back, one leg far back, the other bent against it's chest. There's a rushing sensation as its hands start to arc forward- The feeling one gets when one stands in the ocean, as the sea rushes out, dragging you with it, and a wave builds before you. The sensation of helplessness as the very motion of the attack sweeps in towards the Earth Immaculate. Golden motes of light start dancing outwards from Third's body, as it's suffused with the golden light, its anima coalescing out of the gold as it moves forwards, mirroring the movements of the Solar. Then, the moment vanishes, and like the wave, the attack stops gathering, and strikes forward with shocking speed. Both hands collide with the Earth Immaculate's chest, open-palmed slashes that stab forward, striking the Immaculate with brutal force.

But even as they strike, Third is travelling upwards, kicking itself up with the lunged forward leg, time slowing down again, earth travelling upwards with it, caught in the updraft of the solar Essence, ground showing a spiderweb of cracks as the Solar moves upwards, it's off leg lifting forward, moving at a terrifying speed, to slam, toes first, straight into the Earth Immaculate's chin. As the blow connects, time seems to speed up, dirt showering the two of them as Third uses the backspring from the kick to flip backwards, the seemingly peaceful golden anima following. Golden pages flutter around the places where Third struck, words yet to be written on the defeat of the Earth Immaculate, as thoguh caught against his body in a tempest.
[Private to GM: Willpower: 5/7, Essence: Personal 0/19, Peripheral 42/45
16:45, Today: Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge rolled 9 successes using 14d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,5,5,10,6,1,10,1,7,9,5,3,4,9. Punch.

16:45, Today: Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge rolled 7 successes using 13d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,1,5,8,1,1,6,4,10,8,8,6,10. Punch.

16:46, Today: Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge rolled 9 successes using 11d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,1,10,10,9,1,9,7,4,10,6. Kick, It's all in the rythym!.
8 Essence being spent on each attack, daring me, so I'm down to 18/45 Peripheral Essence. Here's hoping this lays him out flat.
]

It takes time. Time for his awkward body to move away from the encounter. Time too for it to move back. Tycho hears the clash of battle breaking out as he runs towards the tunnels and realizes that it is already too late for such complicated plans. Back, he orders the pair refugees accompanying him, and struggles to pull his own heavy frame back to the settlement.

By the time he returns, there has been blood. He can see the outlines of bodies in the sparking glow of discharging Charms and burning anima, glowing in splendid hues from the cavern walls. At least those made it easy to tell from a distance who was who and the number of elemental lights that flickered gave some pause to gauge the situation. If the time they had spent watching from the distance has done anything though, it has made the Immaculate forget their presence. Forced to focus on battling the other Exalts, the refugees who had never been anything more than figures in the dark fade to even less in the Immaculates minds.

"Drachma! Send five to to sweep in and check the bodies. If any of them are ours and still breathing, pull them out. Take command of the gladiators and swarm the archer. Pull that bastard down!" Tycho casts about a moment until his gaze falls upon an overturned ore cart. One of the heavy iron ones they had been using for practice, discarded when a wheel snapped off. The Solar stomps over to the heavy cart. It took two men just to push it. It takes Tycho magitech hand to heft it off the ground. He waves it over his head, the most ungainly and yet somehow fitting battle banner ever devised. "Raise your voices! Make noise enough to wake the bastards six floors above! Remember, these boot-licking imperialist lackeys would take everything you have left from you, even your lives! DEATH TO THE FASCIST DOGS!"

They charge. Spilling out like a swarm of angry ants from the once-quiet settlement, a wave of spear-points and pickaxes brandishing through the darkness. Tycho, white-eyed demon of alloy and electrical currents, ran in front, letting the ore cart drag behind him on it's two good wheels. His eyes set for largest of the standing targets, the Earth Immaculate...

And as the iridescent blades strike at the distortion, a sudden surge of Deep Green Essence suddenly surges through the air, like tendrils flailing into open space. For a moment, it showers like sparks, fizzling into the cavernous air with a dull glow, before taking on a more precise shape with a flash. For a second, the light is almost too bright to look at, but it leaves a strong imprint on the mind of those who who gazed directly at it - a ghostly picture, that of an ornate set of scales, perfectly even and still.

Among the disturbance, Higura reemerges, his form now clear and distance, almost triumphant among the surging light. With another shower of sparks, he unsheathes and strikes along with the desperate Fire Immaculate, almost a mirror image of herself. Her strikes are his strikes, and where she would seek to bite into flesh, she can only meet the cold steel of the doctor's sword matching her movements perfectly. Embers flare and fall to the ground as their weapons meet, but the cold green flame surrounding the doctor cannot be ignited by even the most powerful blaze the woman can conjure.

"Full circle." The doctor says, eyes firmly affixed into those of his opponent, the first words he spoke audibly since his disappearance. "The first thing I told you is that some things are better left undisturbed. You prod the darkness, but do not know what might lie in its depths." He raises his word slightly, and maintains the stalemate between them, a battle of strength as their weapons remain stuck together... Or perhaps it is more of a battle of wills.

"You heart is resolute, but it is resolute with the Conviction of others." He says, eyes planted into hers, refusing to waver, refusing to let go. "For all your certainty, you still are ignorant to the truth. All of the things you cling to are the things you have been told, convictions handed to you by others. You believe because you have been told, because you have been taught. You know the story of demons, the story of monsters, and you have spent a lifetime hunting them down. But now, in this very moment, you stare at one of the very things you have been trained to hunt down... And you realize, deep down, that for all you know of demons, you do now know me.

"Conviction is not learned through imitation, nor is it passed down by others. Through conviction is forged in the blazes of one's own vision and experience. It is tempered through one's own observation of the world, and of one's place in it. It comes through understanding of life's secrets and the balance between them, not from hatred. Strength can enslave the world, but it can never replace justice or freedom." The man's strength is a quiet one, not overwhelming her, but letting her know that she cannot overpower him. The true blaze come from his eyes, which refuse to leave her.

"We wore collars to show our status as prisoners, but the fate you share is the same as ours. It is not Essence nor chains that enslave you, but your very dogma. You are enslaved in fear and ignorance, but you are a prisoner nonetheless. But listen to my words, Chosen of the Earth. As much as you see me as a demon out to destroy this world, and as much as you would not hesitate to kill me... I will not kill you. I will offer you a chance you never had in your lifetime. A chance to see truth, and taste freedom yourself. Freedom to think as you wish, and see the world for what it truly is, with your own eyes."

He releases the lock between their weapons suddenly, letting he strength push forward, towards him. In one swift motion, almost as if it were part of a grand choreography, he holds his sword to one side before striking her full force in the ribs with the blade's flat, his body passing by her side as he does so. As the strike comes, and his face passes hers from the side, she can hear his words, whispered to her.

"In truth, you too shall be freed."

[Private to Gatekeeper: Activating combo, two Impeding the Flow for her attacks, and one more fully powered strike aimed to either knock her out or, in conjunction with the little speech, rob her of the will to fight any longer.]
This message was last edited by the player at 06:08, Tue 24 Mar 2009.

Higura's words transfix the Fire Immaculate as he holds her locked in a parry that bewilders her as he suddenly changes her tactics. She pulls back, her fiery anima flickering like a candle wavering in a strong wind, but her reflexes refuse to obey her will. The Immaculate all but stumbles into the flat of Higura's sword, hitting her body with enough force to collapse several of her ribs and knock her down hard onto her side.

Her burning eyes meet Higura's bright green ones, attempting in her last moments of consciousness to comprehend who he is, and the implications of what he is saying. "How... do you know... your truth is more real... than ours? That your freedom... is worth seeking...? You are... arrogant... every one of you..." Finally spent, the Fire Aspect's anima extinguishes, and she passes out cold.

Third's double palm strike slams into the Earth Immaculate's rock-hard torso, the damage manifesting not as bruises as much as visible cracks, as if the man were made of stone and not flesh. He lifts his fists, crossing at the forearms to protect himself from the high-velocity kick Third sends toward his chin. It connects with enough impact to push his arms upward and follow through, knocking his head back with an audible crack!

This time he does stagger, falling back... one step... another step... struggling with all of his Earth-given might against the tide of unconsciousness. His dark eyes focus boldly on the golden demon, the Anathema who with silent determination poured all of its power into toppling him. Golden motes fill his vision, and the apparition of the iconic, scholarly figure of Third's anima banner is branded into his mind.

The Earth Aspect collapses, crashing onto his back just as Tycho arrives on his 'chariot', bringing with him the main force of refugees. At Tycho's rousing call, the rebels charge, their chorus of yells contributing to the impression of an overpowering force. Drachma's group surrounds Jade Willow, who manages to fire a pair of glittering shots toward Nanaret before she finds herself forced to contend with five gleaming spearpoints at close range. Willow lets her weapon fall from her hands, either realizing the futility of her situation, or unwilling to fight the refugees.

The other armed laborers overwhelm the two closer acolytes, taking them down in a flurry of axe slashes and spear thrusts. Another group moves toward Dena to make sure she is all right, leaving Nanaret to pursue the last acolyte alone. [Private to Saina Nanaret: You also have a two arrow flurry coming for you, 6 sux and 2 sux.] [Private to Tervila Dena: I'll let you know when it wears off, but for now you're still blissed out.]

---

OOC: Wow, well, Third and Higura dealt with their targets handily, and with Tycho coming in I decided it'd make more sense to just plain end the combat here, as the Immaculates are now grossly outnumbered. Nanaret still has actions left to do, but since it's only her the rest of you can move out of combat time.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:56, Tue 24 Mar 2009.

By now Ranavalona has already taken off running, having decided the combat near the settlement is unworthy of her time. The others and their noisy peons could just take care of themselves. The thrill of the chase, on the other hand, holds an undeniable attraction for her. And her desire to tear that last vital, fearful and fleeing body to shreds overpowers any other consideration but her immediate survival.

Her anima pulses again, another burst of silver light interposed with dark blue shadows, increasing her speed and augmenting her flexibility. The shifting light and shadow only serves to further distract the Wood Immaculate as Nanaret's possessed body twists, leaps and tumbles instinctively, denying the offending arrows any opportunity to hinder the progress of her hunt. She rolls onto her feet and continues without losing momentum, her feet pounding on hard packed earth, pouring her remaining stores of internal Essence to keep up as relentless a pace as possible. [Private to GM: OK... on my next turn, tick 27, I start dashing. To defend the arrows coming for me I'll use that action to combo a reflexive defense with Survival Instinct, using Peripheral essence. I'll use Serpentine Evasion, then if necessary 3m of First Dex Excellency. Then I'll put 5m more Dex Excellency into speeding myself up until tick 30. After that I'll keep using Personal essence to speed myself up, 3m per dash action to add yards per tick to my advance. That should last me up to 5 turns, since I've been using my stunts to gain back Personal.]

As soon as Rana approaches within leaping distance to her prey, she springs off the ground into a long jump turned flying tackle, wrapping her limbs around the acolyte's body to bring her down upon collision. "Leaving so soon?" The laughter that follows is throaty and savage. [Private to GM: I'll put whatever Personal essence I have left at this point into that final tackle/clinch!]

Third stands straight, the essence wafting around it's body slowly dying down to a bonfire, rather than the raging tempest that it was before, as it approaches Jade Willow, and quietly looks towards the woman. The slight, androgynous figure, whose fists just sent the towering Earth Immaculate to the ground, looks down towards her, face blank once more. "In time, this will be seen as a turning point." it says, voice soft. It looks towards Tycho. "We need to search them for the Essence collars. We'll need to make sure they can stay restrained while Third talks to them." It looks towards Jade Willow. "Third did not lie. You will be a hero again." it says softly. The fire that raged so wildly within it has died down now, returned to a low spark. It looks up towards Tycho. " It appears that we will soon be forced to move on. After the Hive makes contact with us, and we are able to discuss, we will need to find a new place to move to." it says. The Solar looks... comprehensively different from the way it has before, to Tycho's eye. The fires of pulchritude burn within it. It looks towards Jade Willow. "It appears we will have a chance to continue our conversation, at least." it says softly, the barest hints of a smile quirking at the edge of its lips.

Talia jumps away as her "opponent" falls.  "Well, don't I feel inadaquate," she mumbles under her breath.  She unwinds her sash from his throat, ties it around her waist, and looks around her.  She is surrounded by strangers, fellow "Anathema" and their apparent followers.  Her position her is, as so may times before, uncertain.  A part of her considers simply leaving fading away in the confusion; she is tired and it is not clear what purpose she would serve by staying.  But no, the Immaculates came her because of her, people are injured because of her.  She sighs, and looks around again, this time to determine where she can best give aid.

Nanaret's flying leap knocks down the running acolyte hard on the ground, stunning her on impact, making it a simple matter to restrain her. Fortunately for the acolyte, perhaps, the effects of Ranavalona's fury have receded by the time Nanaret catches up with her. Unfortunately for Nanaret, the Lunar finds herself disoriented as to why she needed to capture the woman, though she remembers enough of the situation before her fury to realize that she ought not to let her go. Recognizing the acolyte's Immaculate outfit helps, too.

The Lunar will notice, though, that the woman she holds restrained is sweating and trembling in her grip. She needs no special ability to realize that the acolyte is dumbstruck with terror and clearly expects Nanaret to eviscerate her and eat her flesh. At least, Nanaret can pick up that much from the prayers to Sextes Jylis the young woman keeps whispering under her breath.

The more important problem at the moment is how far out Nana had to run just to capture the girl. She is about 170 yards from the entrance of the settlement, placing her beyond the sensor-blind area that Hive Irix Chilomena created. Now that she is there, she must ensure that she can either kill or bring back the acolyte without alerting any of the automaton sentries that may routinely sweep the area. [Private to Saina Nanaret: First decide what you'll do with the acolyte (you have control of the clinch so you could do damage or just hold her). Then manage to sneak your way out. If you try a social attack (to calm her) you will be at a -3 because you need to maintain clinch at the same time, and you only have one shot at it. After that, Dex+Stealth to get back to the others.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:53, Wed 25 Mar 2009.

Back at the site of the recently concluded battle, Jade Willow looks guardedly at Third. "It would be better if you killed all of us. Even if I were to be convinced to stay peacefully, I do not think Bastion and Jilava will give in. And I'd rather die than watch you and your people force them to." She shakes her head, and starts to draw her belt knife, inviting the spear-wielding refugees watching her to press in closer. "I won't hurt you. But my death is the best way. I will not be your tool... or an instrument to end the lives of my comrades. How could that possibly be heroic?"

While Third and Willow talk, the refugees continue to comb the battle area, picking up discarded weapons and pulling off armor from corpses. A pair of them watch Dena uncertainly, and glance at each other, as if silently daring one another to poke a Lunar in her warform. [Private to Tervila Dena: You're coming out of the induced calmness now.]

---

OOC: I'll post in a moment the equipment you can get from this battle, in case you decide to keep any of it.

Third looks Jade in the eye. " Is that how you wish to end your story? Suicide, instead of falling into the hands of Anathema? That is not a story for a hero to write." It approaches Jade. " Meditate on wood. It's intrinsic nature is to take that which is greater than it, harder than it, and to insinuate itself into that greater thing, all of Creation, to nourish itself, and so, to change the nature of the earth itself. The noble Immaculate sacrificing herself to prevent demons the use of her may be a good parable for an Immaculate dogma. But if you wish to be a hero, then work with us, and by that way, make sure that we do not make the mistakes that our ancestors did. And if you think you are not up to that... then Third does not believe you." It looks towards the two others. " Bastion. Silent as the earth he emulates. Jilava. Violent and reactive as the flames she emulates. But if Third's cause is just, Third will not have to force them. The truth of the sun burns through all lies, and if Thirds words hold the truth, then no amount of fanaticism will dissuade them." it says softly to her, looking over the battlefield. "Would you mind telling Third what you did to Dena? She seems quite peaceful." it says conversationally.

Talia, looking about for injured people, sees that Higura (to her, the brown-haired swordsman who did the blurring trick) has a burned gash from Jilava's daiklave. Dena, the wasp Lunar, has been more seriously injured than that, though appears undisturbed by the pain. In fact she doesn't look disturbed by much at all, calmed as she currently is. [Private to Talia Zerith: Higura's taken 2L damage, and Dena 5L, I believe.]

By far it is the Immaculates that have taken the worst damage. There is only one acolyte, maybe two, that is unconscious and not dead, and both the Earth and Fire immaculates have taken a serious beating... though they are still breathing.

Listening to Third's words, Willow takes a deep breath, then sighs. Her hand rests on her knife but doesn't draw it; she seems to lack the energy to argue for the right to suicide. So she answers its last question first. "Dena... you mean the Frenzied... the Lunar. The effect will wear off. It is a pressure point that encourages lethargy." The Wood Aspect falls silent a moment, then, mulling over the other sentiments the Solar has expressed. "I have doubts I could ensure anything while I, alone, am outnumbered by your comrades. If I do not die, it seems more to my benefit to escape this place and report to the Temple than press my luck with you."

"You believe there is a way we Terrestrials can co-exist with you Anathema peacefully. You say the methods we employ are not worth the greater calamity we could avert by preventative measure. Yet would it not be more appropriate to keep the foliage trimmed and shaped and under control, rather than raze the forest when it overwhelms its boundaries? Sextes Jylis was a man of deep compassion, but even He believed in the greater good. And so He trimmed the grasses, clipped the leaves, tamed the growth, so that when one tree among many grew too large and uncontrollably, it would be easily chopped down."

Third, for the moment, leaves the others to figure out how to deal with the spoils of war, the injuries of the fight, the taking of prisoners, and deals with the Terrestrial. "When one has a forest to deal with, one can afford to keep the life withdrawn. But you do not have a forest. This place is little more than a small oasis in the middle of a vast desert. Life could spring out from it, it's strong enough to, but the Immaculate Faith is leaving the populace stunted, unable to grow."

It looks into Willow's eyes. "Two hundred years, it has been? Give or take? You said the Anathema devastated the world. If they destroyed it, then why, pray tell, would you need an army to return to the surface?" Its eyes are locked with hers. "Have you ever been to the surface? Have you never been curious? Curious what, exactly, happened to the earth that frightens those in control of Five Coils so badly? We are meant to work together. Your religion has told you otherwise, that we are demons. Have you never questioned the truth? Have you never felt regret for what you do?" It waves a hand towards Dena. "Have you never asked yourself why someone like Dena is made a manual laborer, and Third, because it was not sufficiently skilled for their tastes in the other Twilight arts, had to be processed as a Record? Do you think that Third was so much more dangerous than Dena that it had to be turned into... this? " it asks, and it stands.

" And what you speak of goes against the very nature of wood. The nature of wood is to grow- And yes, to grow too large, and die- by it's own hand. Humans may guide it's growth, but you are not guiding humanity here, you are suppressing it. When mortals try to lay their hands too heavily on it... Do you keep Bonsai? A tree, clipped, stunted, to keep it beautiful and manageable. That is what humanity is, now. A bonsai tree. It needs to be more than that. Or else, we will never leave Five Coils. We will die here in darkness." it says, standing up. "We should return to the encampment. Did you bring more than one of the essence locking collars with you?"

The very idea of a Solar Anathema lecturing her about her own Aspect seems to rekindle a last argumentative spark in Jade Willow's heart. "Wood is growth, but Wood is only one of five elements, and it is all five that must be employed to keep Creation in harmonious balance. Growth not kept in check is growth that overruns the world, and ultimately prevents, or stunts, the growth of other beings, other societies, other possibilities that would otherwise flourish."

"Sometimes there is need for Fire to burn that which has overrun its course." Jade Willow glances toward the crumpled figure of Jilava. "Or for Earth to preserve tradition in the face of upheaval." Her gaze moves toward Bastion, knocked out on his back, then returns to Third. "It is the duty of all Princes of the Earth to protect and guide humanity. What you speak of is anarchy. No society can survive when allowed to grow wildly. Even my regret is irrelevant compared to allowing the unreasonably powerful to escalate out of control."

"We know why we need an army to return to the surface. It is because the Anathema still occupy our ancestral home, and continue to use Creation as the battleground for their petty, destructive wars. No... we have not seen it. But neither have you."

"I... I will not fight you. But I will not aid you, either. Search us, if you wish to find the collars. Treat me as a prisoner, or I will walk away."

Surveying the situation, Higura sheathes his sword and kneels down, making certain that the woman he just fought does not lie in an uncomfortable position. He quickly assesses her condition, then stands back up, dusting his clothing as he does so. "She will need time to rest and recover. I did not strike to kill, but her body is still shaken up - I will need to figure out a way to keep her in a safe and quiet environment. I have a promise to keep." He nods, risking one more glance towards the fallen woman before gazing back towards the others with a smile.

"Great work, all of you. It seems like we were able to contain damage and keep it to a minimum." He nods, momentarily turning towards the Wood Aspect that Third subdued, and takes a step towards her. "Third speaks the truth - you will not be harmed. We are not the bloodthirsty beings some people describe - I, for one, have no desire to fight those who will not fight in return." He simply states, before nodding to Third. "You are right, friend. We need to get back to the encampment and settle back in, lest other patrols manage to pick up the disturbance." With those words, he then catches the glance of the newly arrival, the woman that was pursued by this group of Immaculates. "Of course, the invitation spreads to you as well. If you are on the run, then you are the same as us - I am certain I speak for everyone here when I say you are welcome to stay with us."

The doctor nods, then moves to start to carry the fallen Immaculate woman he defeated, but a sudden thought makes him stop, worry creasing his brow.

"... Now that I think about it... Where is miss Nanaret?"
She seemed to be strongly in the grip of Ranavalona... I need to find her before...

Nanaret cannot quite hide her bewildered expression as she gazes at the frightened acolyte she now holds in her grip. What I have done? Ranavalona is sleeping now, yet Nanaret has uncomfortable flashes of memory. Shouts of terror, faces gashed and grotesque. The uncontrollable thirst for blood. It is not that Nanaret has never fought before -- far from it. But she has never hungered for violence, either. At most, it is a necessity.

And now she is caught alone in the darkness of the mining sector with a woman who poses a terrible security risk. "Quiet," she whispers. "Please do not scream." Thinking quickly, Nanaret comes to the conclusion that subtlety in this situation would take much too long, and dragging an unwilling acolyte with her would draw too much attention. "I am sorry." She clamps one hand around the woman's mouth, snakes the other around her torso, and crushes with what she can only hope is controlled power.

Her next priority, of course, is to do so as silently and unnoticeably as possible. She pulls the acolyte with her, conscious or not, backing away at a slow and careful pace away from the sensor sweeps and toward the nearest wall, hoping to place herself in a position covered by rock formation and shadow. If the worst happened, Nanaret would just let the acolyte go, as her panicked fleeing would cover the Lunar's escape.

[Private to GM: all righty, I think I only rolled 2 HLs and that probably wasn't enough. :( So I'll roll to maintain clinch and crush again. Then roll to sneak away. if I'm counting right, I should have 3 motes left of Personal Essence (3x3 used for the chase, then 5 more for initial clinch, so 14). I'll use the 3 to help my stealth roll.]
This message was last edited by the player at 13:26, Thu 26 Mar 2009.

Third sighs. 'Martyrs are a terrible waste of good heroes.' it says, and then begins to search, taking the knife from her smoothly, searching her over for any other concealed weapons, not a terribly concerted search, but enough to find anything casually hidden on her. 'Third will show you the truth. Even if you do not want to hear it.' it says, and looks towards Tycho. 'Do we have any facilities where we can keep a guard on these three?' it asks, standing up. For now, the Wood Aspect is not in the mood for talk, it seems. It will begin pressing again after they are in a somewhat stable position.

"None that would hold an Exalt and it's a waste of time to try to make any if we're going to be moving on," Tycho answers, discarding the unused ore cart. He keeps a step away from Third. The change in it is startling, somehow even more alien to Tycho's eyes than how it had looked before. Tycho's eyes had lost the ability to see beauty in the world a long time ago and never expected to see it here.

He looked past Third at Willow, his milky-white eyes seeming to stare blindly through her. "Pains me in no small way to say it, but I think the Immaculate is right. We're better off killing them now. Or if that's too extreme, burying them in one of the deeper tunnels. We're not going to sleep with those damn monsters at our backs."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:11, Wed 25 Mar 2009.

Third stands up, and it's eyes lock with Tycho's. 'Do you think we can win this if we do as they do?' it asks. 'The Dragon-Blooded are Exalted too. No matter what their church may say, these people are meant to be a part of what makes us strong. Third will not let them die for some foolish pride on their part, or some refusal to accept that they can be changed on yours." Being verbally assaulted by Third, in many ways, rather like being savaged by a small and particularly nervous rabbit.

It turns back towards Jade Willow. "They brought at least one collar with them to shackle the Exalt they chased, and unless they were very unwise indeed, they may have brought more. Deprived of their Essence, they are nothing more than particularly skilled humans." Third stands in front of Willow. "And Eye will see you acknowledge the truth, no matter how much you and your companions may not wish to hear it." Its eyes lock with hers again. "And you know that what Third said was true. You know that even in the heat of battle, the truth was strong enough, to give you pause. The truth may be harsh, it may be unpleasant, it may destroy everything that supported you. But to live in lies is to make all of those things, those comforts, those foundations, a lie as well. And if they refuse, absolutely, to accept this, then, and only then, will Third be willing to give up." it says. "We have a few days before we must move on. That will be long enough." It turns back towards Tycho. " If what she says is true, there may be greater challenges on the surface. Would you rather we faced them with Five Coils a charnel house, or a full military might, with the power of the Dragon Blooded behind us." it says, appealing to the military man in Tycho, before looking towards the weapons of the others, quietly approaching Jilava, studying her daiklave, slowly lifting it into the air. It's heavy, the heaviness of an unattuned sword, but for the time being, it will do.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:45, Sun 05 Apr 2009.

"That's provided you believe a damn word that comes out of their mouths to begin with," Tycho says, following after Third as he moves away. "What the hell have they done to earn that sort of trust? What the hell has she done, beyond surrendering in a battle she couldn't win? That doesn't change what she is or what she would have done if she'd won. You think we'd be standing here still having a talk? They'd have slapped chains on us, if we were lucky, and probably killed ever mortal in this place as a just-in-case."

"It's not about what they are, it's who they are. They might be Exalts, but they're fanatics. They've spent more life-times than ours in this hole, doing whatever they could to keep in power. You don't do that, don't make things like me, just because you like luxury and having people under your heel. They believe in what they're doing. You're not going to talk them out of that," Tycho says, turning a seething glare upon the Terrestrials. "Oh I'd love the power of the Dragon-Blooded at our back. Just not these ones. Not when there is no way of knowing just who they're going to unleash that power on."

Talia approaches the woman who appears to be the most injured.  "Excuse me, I'd just like to take a look at your wounds, if that's alright."  The Lunar's behaviour seems strange; Talia isn't sure if she can do anything about that, but battle damage she can handle.  She calls out over her shoulder, "Can anyone get me some bandages?"

"Captain." The doctor's tone is definitely sharper than usual, as if his voice could somehow slice through the current exchange before it had a chance to escalate. Part of him still worries about Nanaret, but he also knows that the woman is good at what she does. For the time being, he would trust in her. He picks up his sword, and walks up to where the talks are being held, a serious expression on his features.

"I understand your feelings perfectly. But this... This whole affair, is greater than our feelings, or that of the enemy. I can understand why you would think this way - and to a degree, I agree. But there is one important thing to understand here. This kind of thinking is placing us in exactly the same position as they are. Right now, we are rebels. We will not remain rebels however, if we manage to do what we wish to do. And then... what will become of us, and our own followers? Gaze into the faces of those we captured today, Captain. Those faces might be us, a few centuries down the road. When those thoughts make us crush the Dragonblooded beneath our heel, and they become the rebel and the persecuted. By then, we will be able to justify it by stating what they have done in the past. We will say they deserved it. Just like they say about us now."

"I do not simply say to forgive and forget, of course. But there is danger in vilifying all of them. The truth of the matter is that... These people," he gestures to the docile and knocked-out Immaculates - "are not the ones who did this to you. They are not the ones who did this to Third. They are not to ones who did this to Proch... To me. Someone up there is pulling the strings. Someone is using all of these things to their advantage. To build up their iron fist. They use teachings, fear and ignorance to keep their leash on this fragment of the world. They are the ones who need to pay."

"I was there at a time, you know. Up in the upper levels. Not in this form, of course. But I have impressions. My fragmented memories recall my time there, and the plans that were wrought for the whole of the Coils. Believe me, many of the Terrestrials are thought to be as much tools as we are to some of these people. The difference is, they leash us with collars while they leash them with fear and dogma."

He peers back at the 'hostages', and his expression darkens. "They do not hold the truth, of course. But the reality is, neither do we. We only hold fragments of it."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:29, Thu 26 Mar 2009.

Third slings the daiklave over its shoulder as Higura speaks. "And there is one very important difference between us. They would kill every mortal within the District of Earth and us for the crime of existing, because they are terrified, because they know that- As she said- they cannot hope to control us. They can only kill us. They do not think they have a choice. We. Know. Different." Its eyes meet Tychos. "We have the choice. Because we are heroes. We were made to do the things that were impossible, and we have done them. Again, and again, countless times. And if you say breaking the hold of a church built on lies is impossible, then what faith can you truly hold in our overcoming this place, and setting it free?"

It looks towards Willow. "If we cannot make them heroes again, then how can we hope to become heroes again?" Heroism. It comes back to that for it, again, and again. Perhaps because it's the only thing it has left to cling to. Desperation makes for great conviction. "We have met Terrestrials we could not save. We will meet more. But today, at least, we can ensure that these people do not have to die for the sins of their ancestors, for the sins of their church." it says, and crouches down, searching over the Fire Aspect for anything else she may be carrying.

Jade Willow's first reaction upon getting a first, clear glimpse of Tycho is bare shock, which fades into a grim silence. "You are one of them. A product of the Daedalus Directive. I see. We have heard rumors, in the Temple, but it is rare information travels easily between Districts. As much as you may think of Five Coils as a well oiled machine, we are not all omniscient."

She shakes her head at Third, and Higura as well. "It's all right. I don't think he will believe me, or that it matters if I say I did not personally vote upon or agree on this Directive or any of the other Wood District... experiments." The Wood Immaculate forces herself to look directly at Tycho, into the whites of his eyes, at the ravaged visage, the forced marriage of sinew and metal that is his body. "There are differences between groups in how we respond to the Histories, and how we use the Collared. But the metal one is right. We have been indoctrinated to withstand the most convincing and appealing of arguments the Solars may give us. Our elders and ancestors have experienced first hand what happens if we let down our guard. To prevent that future... that is why we do what we do."

Third's search of Jade Willow reveals no other weapons besides the bow she dropped, a green jade long powerbow with a socketed hearthstone, and the knife she carries, which is exceptionally crafted and wood-enchanted. She also wears a breastplate of green jade over her robes.

"So, kill me if you feel so strongly." Willow says, still addressing Tycho, when she has been divested of all her equipment. "I know you believe we deserve it, as much as the Monks believe you do. I cannot begrudge you that."

On Jilava's unconscious body, Third finds another breastplate (this time red jade), the twin short daiklaves, and a pair of jade bracers, also with a hearthstone set into it. She carries a pair of the slave collars, as well, one bearing noticeable traces of orichalcum in the design, the other traces of moonsilver.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:15, Thu 26 Mar 2009.

The refugees pile up what they find on the fallen acolytes. The powerbows they used are magitech-enhanced, lacking any dominant magical material, with essence batteries in place of hearthstones to fuel the essence arrows. Their armor is not jade, but exceptional enchanted breastplates crafted in the likeness of the true jade counterpart, and wood-enchanted so that it can mend itself. Such equipment is commonly provided by the Terrestrials of Five Coils to non-Essence wielders.

The Earth Aspect is the only other one left to search, but it seems the only equipment on his person are his force-projection gauntlets. A purist, perhaps. The Immaculates tended that way more than the Peace Force, who used magitech in nearly everything.

Drachma hears Talia's question, and sends one of the armed laborers to provide Talia with bandages. The older man shakes his head, crouching down to join her a moment. "At times like this it is easy for them to forget basic necessities. I am Drachma, subcaptain of the refugee army." Ranks and names like this may be purely cosmetic, but he has found that they bolster the men's confidence. Makes them seem larger than they really are, perhaps. "Fortunately we are well stocked. Are you a healer? That is fortunate... Our other healer will soon depart from us, so I am told."

[Private to Tervila Dena: In case you didn't catch it in the excitement of all these huge posts at once, you can actually come out of your induced calm now. :)]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:26, Thu 26 Mar 2009.

Nanaret redoubles her efforts to knock out the acolyte she holds... quietly. After a moment that feels entirely too long, with the armor-shell automaton about 30 yards away performing its routine scans, the young woman's body finally gives in, and she goes limp in the Lunar's arms. Limp, but still breathing.

She starts dragging the woman back to camp. At that very moment a beam of red light passes right over her bent-over body, emitted from the head of the hulking automaton. If she'd straightened just one second before, she would definitely have been caught.

The near miss likely leaves Nanaret shaken, but the sentry has passed on for the moment, giving her enough of an opportunity to pick up the acolyte and carry her back. With that dead weight in her arms, though, it takes her the entirety of the debate between Third, Tycho and Higura so far for her to return.

Talia turns to Drachma as bandages are brought.  "Thank you."  She begins to tend to the Lunar's injuries.  "My mother was a healer, and she taught me what she could before....  But I'm a crafter, primarily."

"My name is Talia Zerith.  I'm sorry for bringing this trouble to you.  I thought I'd lost them a while ago.  Not that I knew anyone was down here."

"And what about their own sins?" Tycho asks Third, lidless eyes meeting it's own intensely. "I don't have any illusions about the state of my soul. I am not a hero. Throw that word around all you want, Third, it doesn't mean anything. I know why I was Chosen. I wasn't given this power to save."

He looks around at the three people around him and slowly shakes his head.

"You all think this is personal. It isn't. I was fighting against them and their kind long before they put me in this metal shell. This," he taps a finger against his chest which clinks hollowly. The respirator tubes emerging from his face writhe in agitation. "Isn't the cause. This is the effect. This is an example of how far they've sunk and I'm probably not even the worst one."

Tycho turns to Willow as she utters those words: Daedalus Directive. It was a name that pierces deep into the fever-dream of his memories. Even his body seems to remember, sparks hissing out of his joints and spilling across the floor. "If you know what I am, then you know that it was Terrestrial's that made me this way. Terrestrial's supported by your church and your system. And you still would have fought for that system, knowing what it was capable of."

"I understand you better than either of these men. You're a lot like me. That's why I won't have you at our backs or in our midst. If you're going to be obliging about it," Tycho says taking a step closer, his metal fist closing in preparation.

"You may say you are not a hero, Tycho, but you are lying to yourself. The Solar shard doesn't choose a person to be a bloody tool of vengeance. It doesn't choose them to be tools of hatred. It is the thing that lets us break these chains." As Tycho approaches her, the Solar transposes itself, its sword back, lying across the woman's shoulder, blade uncomfortably close to its neck. "And if Third cannot succeed. If Willow will not be swayed. Then Third will be the one to kill her." Its eyes stare into Tycho's. The flare of its Anima banner still continues, roiling around it. "Learn from the mistakes of the past, Tycho. The Primordials tormented the gods. The First Age Celestials tormented the Dragon-Blooded. And now the Dragon-Blooded torment us. If we cannot rise above them, then all this will come about again."

"Perhaps Third doesn't know what you have gone through. You remember what you were before. Third does not. This may make it easier for Third to bear, to not know what it misses... but if you let yourself fall because of your anger towards them, then you will be no better than them, and the one thing that history has shown us is that will destroy all you fight to protect." It's voice is wavering now, the exhaustion of pushing itself, the mental strain of channeling the essence, of the foreign memories that animate it now, taking their toll.

It slowly steps aside, the daiklave dragging behind it, leaving a line in the ground. "Third must rest. If you cannot help yourself, kill them. But you are right, that you two are alike. You both try to mask your greater purpose with a mask of hopelessness." The sound in it's voice is... almost sickened by Tycho, as its anima banner slowly dies down, as it returns to the encampment to meditate, in preparation for the process of trying to break through the indoctrination of a church dedicated to its destruction.

Interposing himself between the fallen and the coming Tycho, Higura raises his chin, his voice surprisingly sharp and strong in contrast to his usual quiet tone.

"That will be quite enough, Captain."

The doctor is a much less impressive sight than the mechanical man, and yet he stands in front of him, gazing directly at him as he speaks. "Stating that one is not noble is a poor excuse for anything. Voicing one's realization of their own sins is not an alternative to fess up for them. When spoke that way, it only serves as a selfish tool of self-justification."

"Are those the values and concepts you wish to teach the people that depend on you?" He nods his chin towards the refugees, to whom Tycho has become something of a leader, a figure of importance that helps them find their place now that their freedom has been regained. "Do so, and you will only replace one kind of tyrant with another. The cycle will repeat itself, Captain. These people are not born indoctrinated - they are shaped that way, because it makes them better tools against us. In the end, your own actions only justify the success of this training method. They validate what the Immaculates teach their people, and that in turn validates your own thoughts and beliefs. This twisted cycle of co-dependence must be broken."

The doctor stares at the mechanical man, and his eyes seem to flare with intent as he speaks again.

"I was restored to this form as the un-locker of the secrets in the hearts of men, Captain. I am not so clueless as you believe, nor am I not able to understand the turmoil in you - whether you choose to accept it or not. Some part of you almost desires this cycle to continue, yes? When the enemy is toppled, and a new regime of hatred is born, you will fight the new one as well, because you believe this to be your place. You define your existence in endless battles, because you think you are worth nothing else. And yet, a part of you resents this, and hates that you believe you cannot be anything more." He pauses, then looks at the refugees once more.

"Teach these principles to these people, however, and you will create an army of people who are just like you. People who will feel what you feel, every day. And then, you will have no one to blame for the creation of these abominations, Captain. You will have created the horrors you despise with your very hands."

"I will not dictate what your final decision will be. But you cannot dictate mine either. If you wish to kill these prisoners, and work towards repeating this cycle of bloodshed - you will need to add one more notch to your tally of corpses."

With those words, the doctor straightens, sword in hand. He seems like nothing in the path of the mechanical man, but his eyes do not waver from Tycho's.

Dena finally manages to recover from the technique and stops doodling in the dust of the floor.  Looking up at the somewhat scared mortals checking her out, she gives them a slightly abashed smile and shrinks back down to her mortal form.
Dena grimaces in pain as her techniques wear off, beginning to feel the wounds for the first time.  On the upside she's no longer revelling in pain anymore.

Dena watches the discussion with interest for a moment.  Lacking a coherent plan, she takes a long time to figure out what she might say.
"Perhaps, we should see how many collars are available.  At the least we could make those who wear them safe for a time." she finally suggests, while dragging her own unconcious Acolyte along.

Tycho halts as first Third and then Higura interpose themselves between them. Third departs and Tycho offers no comment upon his declarations, only watches silently as the other Solar leaves.

Turning back to Higura, he listens a moment and the he corners of his eyes wrinkle. A harsh metallic buzzing echoes through his chest as his shoulders bob slightly. "No, doctor, you clearly don't understand what I want to build when I tear this place down."

He takes another step forward, towards Higura rather than Willow, and leans in until the tubes of his respirator bunch up against the doctor's chest. His voice drops low like a conspiratorial whisper. "I am a weapon. I don't want to teach these people to be like me or build a new empire for me to hate. I. Don't. Want. To. Be. When this is over, I want them to bury me forever. Bury the memory the Alus Tycho and what he did to get them their new world. To live in a world that doesn't need me or people like me. I was Chosen to do everything you and Third and the others won't, can't, and shouldn't."

Looking past Higura's shoulder, his eyes meet Willows once more. "Do what you want with them. But if you take them, they are your responsibility and they are not being held anywhere near whatever encampment we find. And if you won't just kill them, then hopefully you'll do something of sense and leave them behind."

He looks back at Higura again and stands there for several seconds more, meeting the doctor's gaze before suddenly turn away. "Drachma! Do we have stock of their equipment yet?"

Jade Willow says nothing more. She just waits for her 'verdict', her expression and posture showing she is unafraid of either imprisonment or death.

Dena moves away while Talia is attempting to tend to her injuries, which could be seen as a rude gesture, depending on Talia's patience. Drachma continues to converse with the newly arrived Solar, though. "Trouble has a way of finding those who defy the hierarchy of the Coils. I do not think any of us mind your arrival as much as that we were expecting something like this to happen, sooner or later. When the others are not so distracted, I am sure they will welcome you, Talia Zerith."

The vice-captain straightens, considering the current debate between the Exalts. Having worked with the machine-man a couple weeks by now he is not surprised at Tycho's course of action, nor is he blind to the strategic advantage. "Doctor," he says to Higura, "The Immaculates do pose a security risk. If we cannot convert them, and keep them restrained and isolated in the meantime, they will have to die. But I am not saying this because I am heartless. I want us to be able to survive to the surface, and that means considering what is reasonably possible--"

He cuts off, when Tycho asks for the equipment stock. "Yes, sir," he answers swiftly. Drachma goes down the list, which turns out to be:

- 1 knife, 6 short swords, 6 breastplates, all exceptional quality and wood-enchanted
- 6 powerbows of neutral magical material, with essence batteries (2 broken)
- 2 breastplates, one green jade, one red jade
- 1 green jade powerbow, with unidentified hearthstone
- 1 pair red jade bracers, with unidentified hearthstone
- 1 red jade daiklave (the other has been taken by Third)
- 1 pair force-projection gauntlets, also of neutral magical material
- 4 slave collars (2 Solar, 2 Lunar)

The collars are found to be primarily of jade but contain at least a small amount of orichalcum, moonsilver and even starmetal. The Solar-specific collars have more orichalcum and the Lunar-specific ones have more moonsilver. Whether they can be attuned in a different way to their 'preference' remains to be seen.

---

OOC: if you claim any of the equipment, I'll give you the stats.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:27, Thu 26 Mar 2009.

As her patient rises to walk away, Talia simply sits back on her heels, sighing.  "I hav no idea what's going on here."  She listens to the arguement as each side grows moreand more heated.  "So it's an issue of risk versus reward.  Is whatever you hope to gain worth enough to offset the chance of them escaping?"  She doesn't seem to be speaking to anyone in particular, or even to expect anyone to listen.  "Maybe someone should take a look at these collars."  Having finally found a task suited to her skills, she rises to investigate the collars more closely.

[Private to GM: I rolled Int+Craft magitech to try and figure out more about the collars; I figured it was either that or lore, which is the same dice pool anyway.
15:01, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 5 successes using 6d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,10,5,7,1,4. Int+ Craft(magitech). ]

Nanaret returns with her unconscious acolyte, dumping her near the others.

"Why there is arguing?" she says crossly, frowning at Tycho and Higura in particular, since Third has already left. "Do not be so noisy. Was nearly caught by sentry on the way back. We bring these bodies into the camp, dispose of the corpses and restrain the others, yes?"

Nanaret strips the acolyte she brought, though finds herself vexed as to what to use to bind her. For now she uses some of the bandages she brought from the Conclave, but it is only a temporary solution.

That done, she takes the woman's acolyte outfit for herself (fortunately, not ripped, torn or bloodstained.) She also keeps her set of armor and weapons, thinking to herself that she may wish to masquerade as an acolyte one day, and it would be easier to fake than a full Immaculate. Not particularly greedy, she decides it is best for those interested to make a consensus on the equipment before she considers any other part of it.

"I have news of the Conclave to report as well. I cannot stay. So please hurry and finish discussion." Crossing over to where Talia is, the wiry Lunar nods tersely at her. "I am Nanaret. You are recently escaped? Maybe can help explain more, but best we carry everything deeper inside first." Then Nanaret joins the refugees in doing just that, not wanting to disturb Talia's examination.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:10, Thu 26 Mar 2009.

"No argument, anymore, Tycho answers Nanaret on the side, as he goes over the new stockpile with Drachma, his back to both Higura and the Immaculates. It would be best to pass out the short swords and breastplates to the mortals. The four functional powerbows too, though they would need someone to teach them how to use them. He was only passingly knowledgeable about archery. "Assign those to the troops as you see fit. If any of the other Exalt asks for them though, have them surrender them."

Tycho himself picks up the bracers and examines them a moment. They would not actually fit on his wrists, but if he stripped off the armored casing of his forearms, he might be able to get them grafted on. The same could be done with the force gauntlets. He claims both, for now. He'll have to discus it with Danae later, wherever she was.

Artifacts in hand, he looks back at Nanaret. "What has been happening on your end of things?

"Captain." Higura says, his tone lower now, after Tycho turns around. "Do no misunderstand me. I am not accusing you of creating these things on purpose. I know you are worth more than that, or I would spend no time arguing with you. The only thing I am asking you to consider is what you will leave behind, when your time is up. That is all." He glances back at the mechanical man, and shakes his head softly.

"You and I are not so different as you imagine, Captain Tycho." He says, before nodding once more. "At a later time, when we are not so caught up in things, I will explain to you why. If, of course, you are interested in a talk." He smiles faintly, before turning towards Drachma. "Mister Drachma... Worry not. I would never do anything to endanger your safety or that of the other refugees. I have accompanied you this far, and promised to see you through. I will not back out on my word. These prisoners are our responsibility alone, and none of you will be made to bear that burden."

He nods once more when Nanaret comes by, corroborating Tycho's words. "The Captain is right. No argument remains. We need to pull together and clean these grounds before more patrols get curious. I will handle the prisoners for now - let us move our people back to camp, and hear Nanaret's report." His gaze does linger on the Lunar, however - who now seems free of the influence of Ranavalona. He keeps his stare from lingering on her too long, however, instead busying himself with thinking of a way to carry on the prisoners' transport. He does pick up the remaining daiklave, however testing its balance before sheathing and tying it to his belt.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:51, Thu 26 Mar 2009.

"A great many things. But I will not mention now." Nanaret replies to Tycho, then shoots a glance at the one conscious Immaculate. "We gather elsewhere and I tell all."

Nanaret nods to Higura when he looks at her. "Doctor, everything is fine. But I hope everything fine for you. It is more difficult to heal feelings and relations between others. Very difficult, when much is at stake." Her words are not judgmental, though, and express a genuine concern. Mostly, she wonders how Higura will handle the Immaculate prisoners on his own without them becoming a danger.

She continues moving back and forth with equipment or, now and then, limp bodies. A thought comes to mind, which she brings to Higura, quietly. "Collars may work, but we need something stronger to keep them in control. Maybe can also use the potions Healer Saffron made..."

"That was my thought, as well. A combination of the two would be best, perhaps. We shall not be keeping them for long, in any case - just like with the refugees, we should not force anyone to join us. Once we are ready to move on, I will find a place to leave these people." He nods, then turns back to them. "I simply want them to have a chance to see the other side of the spectrum for once. Perhaps it will accomplish nothing in the end, but even though the moment might be fleeting, the memories of what happened here will remain."

He nods towards Nanaret, and shakes his head softly. "Please, you need not be concerning yourself with me. This is my duty and I fully accept all of its aspects."

"So I live?" Jade Willow looks at Higura plainly. "And here I thought the Solar would be the one to keep me. I hope you know what you're doing. I am drained, but if you wait too long, I can still attempt to take out these men." The Wood Immaculate nods toward the four gladiator spearmen still watching her. They look... disgruntled, though they sharpen up when it starts to look like she might struggle again.

Talia examines the collars for the first time without actually wearing one. The specifics of how they work involve a complex amalgam of circuitry and magical material interaction. More simply, using the collar requires the owner to place it on the neck of the target, then attune Essence to the item, which ought to take at least a couple minutes from what Talia can tell (which is why it cannot be done during combat).

She is pretty certain that a non-Terrestrial could use them on a Terrestrial, but they would have to expend a great deal of Essence to maintain control over it, and must work very carefully to ensure the inner circuitry does not reject the unexpected Essence.

Talia also suspects that unless a collar is deactivated (no Essence flowing through it), only the owner of the collar can safely remove it. Though she would have to test it to see, that could possibly be inhumane. If she cares about that.

---

OOC: More or less I'm going with the "attuning the wrong magic material" rules. Meaning to use the collar effectively, you'd have to attune double (16 motes in this case) and roll Wits+Lore difficulty 3.

Third has returned, at this point, to the settlement, settling into the small area it calls its own, and sinks down into meditation, to regroup its spirits, and to try to think about what has just happened to it. It's thoughts run quickly. If anyone asks it, it will be willing to commit its essence to sealing the Wood Aspect, and begin its work. It will be more difficult to convince them with its essence bound up in sealing them, but it will have the best chance of successfully binding them, at last. It meditates on the Daiklave, studying it quietly. It seems like it will be a difficult task to control it, but until an Orichalcum daiklave can be forged, it's a grand sight better than nothing. It slowly breathes in, as it begins the process of attuning, reshaping it's essence to interact with the foreign materials, to make the sword a part of it's body, and hopefully, to keep its body from rejecting the weapon.

"I think these collars should work on Dragon-blooded, although the energy requirement will be increased.  It's not ideal...And I'm talking to myself again, aren't I?"  Talia sighs, and follows the others to...wherever it is that they're going.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:48, Thu 26 Mar 2009.

While Nanaret informs her allies in the abandoned mining settlement about the goings-on at the Conclave, Third and Higura manage to fasten the collars onto the three captured Immaculates, restraining them along with the two acolytes that were spared. Fortunately, Willow is the only one of the prisoners in any shape to be a threat, and she remains in Third's close watch. Of course, this is but a temporary solution: sooner than later they will have to be either, converted, disposed of or abandoned when the Celestials and refugees finally break camp. [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge; Yaishin Higura: Though it's not all played out yet in your private thread, I'm just assuming that you'll succeed so I can start pushing ahead. Don't see any reason why you wouldn't since Willow is the only conscious person to collar.]

After resting for a couple hours, Nanaret departs for the Conclave in order to beat the laborers' curfew. Traveling in near darkness, she uses her night-vision, her memory of the route and Third's descriptions of the automatons to her advantage.

The rest of the encampment settles down to sleep, and wakes again to another day in the dirt and dimness of the lower Coils.

Three days still remain before the scheduled visit from Hive Irix Chilomena. The group explains to Talia that their neighbors in this part of Floor B25 are a race of large, sentient insects engineered thousands of years ago to help with the repair and maintenance of Five Coils. They are Celestial allies, and may well be able to aid the small group of free Celestials escape or even take over the Earth District. After all, it is the builder bugs of Irix Chilomena that pulled the area around the mining settlement offline -- meaning that the automatons and AIs of the district are blind to its existence. Thus the name "Lost Corridors."

Until Queen Chilomena and her entourage arrive, Dena has time to enact her plan to close the outer tunnel. Those who wish to continue exploring (to find the nearby stairway indicated in Third's recent map, for example) could make a short excursion, though leaving the safe area may mean encountering machine sentries or human patrols.

---

OOC: If you'll explore, make the attempt in "Floor B25 - District of Earth, Further Exploration". Otherwise, start posting what you'll do for the next three days in this thread, including any training or crafting. [Private to Talia Zerith: The settlement has a fully stocked blacksmith's workshop and access to all the necessary materials to make steel. So I figure you could either assist Danae with magitech (you will need to buy Craft Magitech up to 3 though) or you could start crafting better mundane weapons/armor for the refugees.]

[Private to Tervila Dena: To block the tunnel we'll make it an extended Int+Craft(Earth) roll. Keep rolling the same dice pool and add the successes until you have over 5 sux. Each roll represents a day of work, though if you botch you'll have to start over from 0 sux. You can have Turtle help out as a NPC if you want, he'll add +1 success.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:15, Mon 06 Apr 2009.

Dena's first order of business, once the meeting is over, is closing up the Immaculate's tunnel.  Heading for where it splices into other passageways, Dena spends several hours running her hands over the stone, feeling it out and discerning where the cracks are.

Having gained the knowledge she wants, Dena switches to her warform and flares her anima banner for greater strength, then flies up to one corner where her understanding of the earth tells her the weakest point is.  In a single punch, she drives her arm into the stone up to her shoulder, then flexes titanic muscles inside her carapace, leveraging against the stone until it shifts.  Moments later the avalanche begins, this key point releasing others in a cascade until thousands of tons of stone are falling, filling in the passage entirely with a natural-looking cave-in.

[Private to GM: 23:06, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 8 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,3,7,2,3,2,5,7,10,10. Int + Craft + Conviction. ]

The rumble and noise of the avalanche ought to have alerted at least a few sentries. The tunnel itself, though, is sealed tight, and the collapse appears quite natural. One would have to be an extremely skilled and attentive engineer or architect to notice otherwise.

It is of course uncertain whether the cave-in will even be connected with the Immaculates, but it certainly will be inspected in the near future. Hopefully that will at least buy the group enough time to figure out an escape plan or a new place to move to. In the meantime, Higura and Third have opted to keep the three monks and two acolytes in two of the empty storage rooms, and personally take responsibility in keeping watch over them.

The digging out of the new passage is designed and accomplished largely by Grinning Turtle, who is quite accustomed to this kind of labor. He also has the aid a small band of worker refugees culled from the group he familiarized himself with during Tycho's mining exercises the week before. The mild-mannered tortoise Lunar reassures Tycho that the men are only being 'borrowed' for the task, though all can agree it is an important one, as the collapse of the previous tunnel has cut off the Lost Corridors from the rest of Floor B25. Fine for those who wish to stay cooped up in safety, but the allies in the Conclave need an entrance to return through, and any would-be explorers need an exit from which to leave.

This new tunnel is much narrower and inconspicuous. It opens out from the cavern where the Celestials are lodging, containing the buildings that once housed Granite Creed, his wife, and various officials and professionals in the mining settlement. The general idea is that this way the Celestials will be closest to any trouble that may occur should they be discovered again. Turtle also stretches the tunnel a respectable distance away from the settlement proper before digging the exit out; this gives plenty of space for guards or traps, and time for people inside to escape deeper into the Lost Corridors or position themselves advantageously for battle.

As the tunnel is being closed, Tycho begins to get the refugees ready to pull out. With Drachma's help, he assigns work details to bury the dead acolytes, clean up the battlefield, and begin eliminating the more obvious signs that this settlement had been recently occupied at all. Dry dirt from the training area spilled over the floor, improvised nooks and rooms to be gradually broken down until they look as disused as when they first arrived.

For now, he just has them focus on the outer areas where someone hunting for the missing Immaculates might look just in passing. Provided they could get out of there soon enough, time and nature would do the job of covering up for them in the rest of the settlement.

Other refugees, particularly those planning on leaving their group as soon as they get the all-clear to try, he puts to work bundling up as many of their supplies and equipment as he can. Making improvised carriers out of old tarp and splintered support beams or even shoulder-sacks that could be hung off the head of a pick-axe. Nothing much is loaded yet, but he wants it all made ready in case they need to pull out swiftly.

During the work, he goes to the prisoners, to Jade Willow specifically, and brings her to where the graves are being made. Down in the training tunnels, they are virtually small tombs hacked into the rock face. Ones that could be covered up and never noticed without close examination. The mechanical Solar does not mask his hatred for the woman, yet he has not threatened any of them outright. "Your Third and Higura's responsibility, but this didn't seem something worth getting them for. Even your dead deserve to be buried properly. Do you have any words for them or should we just throw dirt over them and call it done?"

The work Tycho puts the refugees to keeps them busy for the next couple days, at least: scraping away footsteps, sprinkling 'dust' over unused rooms, disposing of garbage and wastes while planning how to 're-neglect' the rooms they are using. A great pile is made in the back of the settlement that will need to be buried, possibly torched.

For now, it's hard to say how believable the effort will be, and it won't be complete anyway until they really move. Other than making the area appear unlived in, the best the group can do is ensure that no one knows where they have gone to.

Jade Willow is unhappy with being pulled away by the machine-man, even more so without Third knowing. It isn't clear whether it's because of a budding familiarity with Third or because she just trusts Tycho that much less. She looks as if she wants to respond to the obvious, unveiled glares of hate he sends her way, but still she says nothing, and follows him until he presents her with the graves.

Another moment of silence passes. She clears her throat and begins to speak.

"Aspen, Elm, Linden and Yew. Acolytes of Sextes Jylis. They died as a casualty of a war whose lines have been drawn since before the Terrestrials entered the Coils. They died for what they believed in, and believed they were doing good for their people, and for Creation. Let it be said that they were led into this act not out of malice, but by the guidance of those who looked upon the broken world above and chose never to allow this to happen again."

"May you go safely into your next life, children of the Earth, and may you live in a time where such choices need not be made. A braver future than anything you may have seen in this one." Willow bows her head, and murmers a prayer in an archaic form of Realm, a prayer for each of the Immaculate Dragons, ending with Sextes Jylis and the cycle of life he represents. "I will say one last thing, sir... machine. We prefer our dead incinerated to ash. But if this cannot be arranged then I understand. I am, after all, a prisoner."

Dena spends some time thinking over ways to connect the prisoners to the cave in.  At one point she considers cutting bits of their clothes to add to the debris, but she ultimately decides that no evidence will be less suspicious than anything she might add.

So for the two days before the Build Bug arrival Dena sits near a fire and holds hot coals as part of a meditation on the nature of pain instead.  For some reason most of her allies leave her alone as the vile odor of burning flesh surrounds her.

"You should hate your enemy while they are alive," Tycho responds the inflection in his voice like a quotation. The machine-man has kept a respectful distance while the Immaculate spoke, though the two guards with them keep their spears pointed at her and his own hand never strays far from his baton. "But you can afford to respect them in death."

"We'll burn them when we burn the garbage. Separately from the garbage," he adds. "The bodies won't add any more smoke than we'll already be creating."

"... Thank you," Jade Willow replies to Tycho, almost at a loss of words at first.

"I would prefer to be there when it is done. But again that is up to you and your allies." She expects the spearmen guarding her, but seeing Tycho up close still seems difficult for her to behold. It is almost with a morbid curiosity that she lays her eyes on the results of the Daedalus Project, which she had only heard of in bits and pieces.

The young Immaculate seems lost in thought, something that brings a grim cast to her face, and a weary one. But she does not look for long, and soon her hand rises nervously to touch the collar whose tendrils reach into her brain. "I should be returned, unless you require more from me. You clearly despise me, and what I represent, so there is nothing more to say."

"It won't make any difference to us if you're there or not," Tycho answers, his voice cold with disinterest and spite. "We wouldn't even stop you if you chose to join your comrades in the flame. Not that I think Higura or Third would let you have it so easy."

What goes through your mind?

As she stares at him, Tycho stares back, his lidless eyes glistening as chemical wash pumps over them. He expects nothing but betrayal and hardship will result in keeping these things about. You could cage an animal, but that does not mean you can tame it. He has spent years now in bondage worse than the Immaculates were subject to without a moment he did not contemplate escape and destruction for those who held him. They would do the same.

And grudgingly, he respects them for it. As one animal to another.

"I'll have someone send for you when the bodies are burned," he says, his tone a dismissal that prompts the guards to come forward and take her away. "Tell your living comrades they can attend too, if they wish. It's the last kindness they can expect from me, until I do the same for their corpses."

"Fine," is Willow's only reply. She is, in fact, not considering destroying anyone. But she thinks Jilava would. Jilava always had the mettle that she didn't, and cares little for the weakness of compassion. In some ways she wonders whether the Fire Immaculate is the wiser of the two. Faced with the wrath of this tortured man robbed of his humanity Willow would definitely defend herself -- but a part of her would wonder how much of that hate was born from the mistrust that the Terrestrials have for the Anathema.

Jilava would never hesitiate. And neither would Tycho.

None of these thoughts are anything Jade Willow speaks aloud. The guards march her stiffly back to the storage area she is being kept in with the others. The prisoners very rarely emerge from the storage rooms, only to relieve themselves or to walk in the company of Higura or Tycho. The Fire Aspect in particular is deeply wounded enough that she does not completely wake for days, though. The day she does, muffled shouts and curse words are heard from the room she is held in. They continue on for a while.

Fortunately the storage rooms / prison cells are far enough away from the tunnel where the Queen of Hive Irix Chilomena is expected to appear. On that day, a couple hours after the settlement wakes for the day, there is a minute tremor in the ground that only highly sensitive (Perception or Awareness 4+) individuals can feel. Any insects found in the area behave oddly, interrupted from their usual habits to dance or buzz excitedly, form up into unusually neat formations, or hurry back to their own hidden hives.

---

OOC: Skipping ahead now. We'll say this is the fifth day of the third week. Write up any preparations you may have to receive the hive queen, the 'festival' for the refugees, etc.

Dena spends the last couple of hours washing off the stink of burning skin from herself and heading to make sure preparations for the festival are well underway.  A large put containing fish soup bubbles under the watchful eye of two refugees, who have already figured out enough to keep Dena away from "helping."  Skewers with more fish roast over coals.  Actually given the supplies available most of the dishes are a variant on fish but that's survivable.

Dena had briefly considered festive banners but decided against it.  First the cloth was too hard to come by, and could be better used as clothing for refugees.  Second it would just have to be torn down later and they were trying to make it easier to leave in a hurry, not harder.
Lastly Dena wasn't sure the builder bugs would actually be impressed.  There was no way she was going to come up with a banner better than their enamel/chitin decorations on their own hives.

So Dena contented herself with sweeping up dust in the last few minutes before arrival, using her warform's wings to blow dirt and debris from life (and her little cave-in) away into the rubbish area.

Between his newfound guard duty with the Immaculate prisoners, his private consulting with Nanaret (before her departure) and now Jilava, Higura has no trouble keeping busy. He still continues to maintain the written aspect of the encampment's functions, keeping track of people's functions, of newfound equipment and materials, and of tasks that need to be addressed in order of priority. Since writing lists and reports is a work he can easily carry around with him, Higura mostly finds himself writing while sitting at guard duty, using the quiet time to fill the bureaucratic aspect of the group.

He also spends some time trying to discuss with Third, as they both share responsibility over the Immaculates, and at least seem to share a certain affinity in their purpose in that regard. The Doctor is never invasive in his dealings, however - as a result, most of his time is spent in solitary, working on the little things that help the better functioning of their small group. Not necessarily because he wishes to, but because even though he is used to working with minds and emotions, making contacts for himself have proven rather difficult.

As the time approaches, he also starts to prepare for the coming of the Hive Queen. Being who he is, Higura actually looks forward to meeting one of the venerable creatures populating the Coils. He had vaguely been aware of them through Prochorus, although his information on them was old and sparse. Meeting the Queen in person would prove to be an enriching experience.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:03, Sun 12 Apr 2009.

The refugees help where they can with the preparations, but it's clear their hearts aren't all in it. Many know they will soon depart the settlement because the Immaculates attacked, and do not understand any benefit of meeting with this Hive Queen now.

In particular, most of them have become loyal to Tycho, for better or for worse. The training he has been subjecting them to most certainly does not lead them to be in a right mood to celebrate anything. The machine-man himself seems unhappy and restless, continuing to oversee the packing and preparations to move, but no one's ever seen him be excited or upbeat about anything.

A smaller group is more inclined toward the peaceful attitudes Saffron helped instill in them, mostly cooks and artisans and others skilled in non-combat arts. They are much more amenable to the upcoming visit, and contribute to the cooking and cleaning duties.

Finally, Queen Chilomena's procession comes into view, moving into the perimeter of the lamplight illuminating the settlement. She and her immediate entourage have all taken androgynous, humanoid form, though there is still a distinct insectoid appearance to them. Their 'skin' is made of chitinous plates in gemstone and metallic hues, and their long wings drape like opaline capes over their slender shoulders. They have four arms, and walk bipedally on human-shaped legs. Their eyes have no pupils, standing out on their smooth, hairless faces in dark colors, and their heads are topped with a pair of antennae. The only hair they do have are short, stiff strands dotting the chitin joints and extremities.

Standing out at the head of the procession, the Hive Queen's coloration is a pristine white. An artifact crown sits atop her head with a dazzling diamond gemstone. To her left, a couple steps behind, walks a golden humanoid builder bug, while arrayed around her are her six princesses, their exoskeletons a silvery-blue.

The other representatives of Hive Irix Chilomena march behind this group of eight, but unlike their superiors, only possess an insect form with head, thorax, abdomen and six legs. The second rank consists of a contingent of four oversized ruby fighters, larger even than Chilomena's human shape, their front limbs genetically modified to form wickedly jagged blades. The third rank consists of eight sapphire artisans, the only sub-species of the lower classes capable of flight, their delicate wings folded over their backs. The fourth rank is twenty-four emerald producers, smaller than all but the sapphires but still reaching up to the size of a large dog or pony.

If unhindered from their advance, the procession continues on its way until Queen Chilomena stops at the very center of the mining settlement clearing.

---

OOC: Since we are soon losing a player and I don't know how many of you in Further Explorations will also post here, this part of the game may mostly be narration from me. :/ We'll just work with what we've got.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:19, Mon 13 Apr 2009.

Dena steps forward first, standing a brief moment before the Queen before bowing.  Not a deep bow she'd been forced to give Dynasts when delivering messages, but the shallow one with one knee flexed to show respect to an equal she'd been forced to give to their servants.  For the first time in ages, Dena performs this act willingly.  She bows also to the princesses although she makes sure to make each of their bows two inches shallower.

"Welcome, Queen Chilomena, to our modest hive, such as it is." she glances over the others assembled and briefly tries to decide whether to introduce them or let them do it themselves.

Third joins Dena a moment later, the slender Exalt bowing at the waist, a perfectly measured 45 degree angle, showing respect without grovelling. " Third wishes to extend its greetings as well. We have looked forward to your presence with great anticipation." There is something different in the Solar from the last time it appeared before the queen. It waits to see which of the others will join in conversation, the same as Dena. It follows with a bow towards the princesses, and like Dena, tones the bow down slightly, bowing 36 degrees, with the sort of mathematical precision that an insect might approve of.

Taking the cue once Third and Dena approach the Hive Queen, Higura steps forward as well, bowing low to her procession and making certain he pays respect to each member - following Third and Dena's example to make certain he follows proper procedure and does not cause offense involuntarily. Once the other two have spoken, he also speaks up in a quiet and respectful tone, aiming to welcome the Queen and her retinue.

"It is a pleasure to finally get to meet you, Majesty. I have heard many great things about you and your subjects through your comrades, and I am glad to be able to greet you myself to our humble encampment. I am Doctor Yaishin Higura." He bows once more, and takes a step back, unwilling to take too much attention from the actual greeting.

Tycho does not care for formality, having dealt so much with it in the Peace Force, but understands the needs well enough here. His body polished and in as good a repair as he could make it within the last few days, the mechanical-solar follows the example of his comrades and steps forward to greet the queen with a salute. His eyes rest on her and stay there, staring directly for once rather than simply peering in their usual unblinking fashion. There is something actually familiar and comforting in the appearance of the insect-people, something almost beautiful in their alien grotesqueness. The chitin-plates across their bodies and strange eyes.

They reminded him of his own appearance and, for at least a moment, made him feel less an alien in their company than he did among everyone elses.

"I am Alus Tycho, formerly of the Peace Force and currently drill instructor to the fighters among us. It's good of you to have come."

The Queen looks on as the introductions are made. Her eyes, like Tycho's, are unblinking, and it is difficult to tell her emotions, as her face is not human flesh and -- even if it were -- she lacks the muscle memory to reproduce human expressions. Her throat and mouth do produce a voice capable of human pronunciation, though she only speaks in her native Old Realm.

"I hear and acknowledge you, Dena and Third, Doctor Yaishin Higura and Alus Tycho. I am Queen Chilomena of Hive Irix Chilomena and I thank you for receiving us in peace and goodwill."

The golden-hued figure next to her translates her initial words in a voice that sounds male to human ears. As both Third and Dena spoke and responded to Low Realm when they first visited, he uses Low Realm for the translation. They both recognize that the second speaker is the humanoid form of Communicator Jhenli.

"I have come to offer an alliance with the free Celestials of this settlement," Queen Chilomena continues formally, pausing every couple sentences for Jhenli to translate. "The three sister Hives of Irix Chilomena were birthed by the Golden and Silver Lords in order to provide labor for manufacturing, maintenance and repair in the factory-fortress once known as Pillar of Creation. We have lain dormant for millennia, awaiting the return of our masters and allies, only to awake to the reality of Terrestrial oppression. Our kin have been murdered or enslaved, and I am the only remaining Queen of our species."

"I believe it is in both of our best interests to liberate what is now called Five Coils from the Usurpers. Should you agree, we shall thereafter negotiate the terms of our contract. Is there a spokesperson among you, or may I assume that the opinions of the four standing before me represent that of this entire settlement?"

"We don't have an overwhelming consensus, but the four of us represent most of the major viewpoints and I think it's very unlikely that anybody will counter a position we all agree on." Dena answers after a few moments thought.  "Before we begin any serious discussion, I feel the need to warn you that we were attacked by several Immaculates with their Acolytes a few days ago.  I have made efforts to close off the tunnels they came through, and hide positions, but it would be wise to have your warriors secure your path back and be on the alert for further attacks."

"Ours will help, if helps needed," Tycho adds and turns to give a nod to Drachma and the refu- no, the soldiers. They weren't refugees anymore. It has already been discussed and the mortals assembled and armed to aid the Queen's soldiers in securing a route for their guests retreat and their own evacuation. Sharing the duty and danger shoulder to shoulder with the Hive was a good first step of unity. "You are doing us favor enough just being here. Making sure you've safe passage home is the least we can offer back."

"Miss Dena speaks the truth." The Doctor says, inclining his head politely now that the Queen has finished her initial speech. "We hold the various viewpoints of our collective, and I trust we can bring in the differing thoughts and ideas of our group efficiently."

"I admit to having been eager to meet you and your retinue, Queen Chilomena. I have... memories of the time when you and your kind were at the height of their glory. It is among those memories of before the Sundering of the Coils... But with the memory, the soft tinge of hope was left, almost as if the two had been companions for centuries."

"If we could coordinate our efforts with those of the mortals who also wish to liberate this District, we might yet be able to fulfill the great dream you have been having for so long."

"We have felt the tremors from this Immaculate attack, and the cave-in afterward," Queen Chilomena replies through Jhenli. "Our tunnels extend for longer than the Usurpers suspect, as their Surveillance Network does not extend to include our caverns. Our numbers are in the hundreds and continue to grow, now that we are reawakened. We are more than capable of breaking down and rebuilding tunnels as needed."

"So the level of danger has yet to be crucial for us. However your warning has been heeded." She speaks a few quiet words in Old Realm to Jhenli, who conveys a series of very inhuman sounds to the next rank of insects behind him: chirps and clicks that an ordinary human mouth ought not to be able to make, a buzzing hum that appears to be made by vibrating the membranes of his wings, given nuance by an invisible spray of pheromone. The message (for that is what it must be) filters neatly down the ranks, until four of the emeralds break off from the group to report to Hive Irix Chilomena.

"As part of our agreement, I would offer the hospitality of our Hive as a temporary base. However we would also ask a significant boon in return."

Then the pupilless gaze of the Queen settles on Higura, her head tilted at an odd, inquisitive angle. "We do not remember you personally, Doctor Yaishin Higura, but should you remember our Golden Age, your soul must be venerable. What name had you during the years of our grandest design?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:11, Wed 15 Apr 2009.

"Thank you, Queen Chilomena." The doctor answers, inclining his head once more. "My soul is not completely what it once was, unfortunately. It was damaged, in the years between the heights of your rule and this one. When it was whole, I was called Dusan The Mindwalker."

The name is always strange to pronounce. It echoes of a distant ownership, and yet several sets of memory seem to accompany it. The strongest impulses seem to recall the name as being his own, and yet some other faint echoes remind him of Dusan as a friend.

"Might I ask, Majesty, what Boon you would like to ask of us?"

Third nods quietly. " If we are capable, Third would be honored to fulfill whatever request you would make of us, but it is always good to know what is needed before agreeing to help." the Solar says peacefully, bowing its head once again. It's not much else to say at the moment, letting the queen speak without distraction.

"Whatever agreements you make with them, you can trust them to hold," Tycho says bluntly to the Queen, giving her a nod of his head. "This group can be a bit misguided in their earnestness, but they are at least honest."

"How far have these tunnels extended?" Dena asks, curious and thinking over the strategic implications.  "Have you seen the surface?"

"Dusan the Mindwalker. I see. We shall file this knowledge away." The princesses murmur among each other, reciting and retaining what the Hive Queen wishes remembered while she continues with the more pertinent business at hand.

"What we would ask is your commitment in liberating the Pillar of Creation from its oppressors, and that we have a place in whatever designs you will have for this factory-fortress once that deed is done. We of Hive Irix Chilomena wish restored our rightful place as caretakers of the Pillar, and to create wondrous and glorious crafts under the guidance of your best Exalted Crafters, for the pleasure of your Courtiers and the ambitions of your Warlords."

"What you can give us is purpose." When Jhenli translates this sentence he puts the emphasis with the exact same force as the Queen. "We can build for you, under your specifications. We can operate the factories of Earth and Fire District on your behalf. This is what we crave, what we were created for. Protect and nurture us, and we shall repay that favor a thousand-fold."

Focusing on Dena's inquiry, the Queen replies, "We have always remained underground. Our tunnels do not yet extend above this floor because we have refrained from testing the capabilities of the enemy further. Since reawakening, we have survived because the Usurpers do not know we still exist. We took a chance crippling the sensors during the Cataclysm of Dark Smoke when Granite Creed and his people died. To dig further, to avoid detection and further compromise the District of Earth Surveillance Network... we would require a similarly significant distraction."
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:48, Fri 17 Apr 2009.

"When I first escaped my collar I wanted only to escape Five Coils and leave my problems for somebody else to deal with.  But I've come to understand that this was selfish and foolish, none of us can escape this place alone.  When the Immaculates came they told us of a surface eternally at war, where Solars, Lunars, and Sidereals have turned the world into an endless battlefield against one another.  I don't know if they were lying, or if they even know the truth for themselves.  But I've spent time thinking it over and meditating on what it could mean.  Nobody's seen the surface, there's no information to go on, no way to make a plan.  I can't see my way clearly to the best path." Dena breathes deeply and sighs.  "So the only sane option is to prepare for the worst, and to do that Five Coils has to be at peace, ready to defend itself from them and protect the people in her.  And to do that, I see no option but to overthrow the Terrestrials."

The doctor listens intently when Dena speak, looking at her as she expresses her views and opinions about the Coils and their place in it. Once she is done, he nods, slowly and carefully, to signal his assent.

"I am with Miss Dena on this. I... sadly cannot confirm or deny the gravity of what occurred on the surface. But the truth of the matter is, our previous incarnations have done something that made the Immaculates believe it was for the good of all. And so it might be a terrible sin that we, as inheritors of the Powers that Were, have some responsibility of."

"No matter the gravity of the situation, however, the truth is, the scales have tipped. The Terrestrials, in their zeal and conviction, and perhaps their fear, have dabbled in things that bring them closer and closer to the beings they so despise. Experimentation with living beings, control, fear, lack of respect of life itself... All these things run rampant. But it is not our place to simply exterminate the Terrestrials, either. Many of them are being used, just like we are. The true ugliness, the true darkness of the Coils lies at its head - to the person or group pulling the strings, manipulating people's fears and emotions to accomplish what it is they set to accomplish. This is what I would seek to overturn."

"I will admit I have other reasons to want to oblige your request, your Majesty. Until that is done, there is no escape for me. I need to reach one of the top floors of the Coils. There, I need to destroy one of the Terrestrials' greatest assets... And lay to rest some souls who have been broken and bound for centuries. That is my mission."" There is a pause in the man's words, something unlikely for the doctor. But after a moment, he nods again.

"You and those I seek to free were victims in the usurpation of the Coils. I wish to help you, like I wish to help them."

Third shakes its head. "Third is unsure of whether to believe what the Dragon-Blooded said about the surface. If there were still such things, Third believes that at least one of us would remember, remember some snippet of the surface, from a previous life... But the question is, as the others have said, academic. All Third seeks is freedom from this place, and the only way that there will be freedom is if we control the Five Coils, absolutely. If you ask for purpose, that is the absolute least that we can offer, in thanks for all that you have done for us, and all that you can do. You have kept some hope alive, even as we have been trapped in the cycle of reincarnation, hounded by Dragon-Blooded... If we can bring you some purpose, then it will be the least we could do for you." Third bows once more to the Queen.

"What they're saying is what I have been struggling towards all my life," Tycho says, looking over at the other Exalts a moment. Analyzing, before returning his gaze to the Queen with a shake of his head. "But I don't think they really understand the struggle they're getting into. And from what I have seen, I don't think they're really prepared to do what needs to be done either."

"They'll try," he concedes before the Queen gains the impression he is saying they are not trustworthy. "In their own way, they'll do their best to live up to what you ask of them, but they might destroy themselves trying to save everyone. They humanize and sympathize with the same people who want them dead. The Terrestrials are not children. They are not victims. Upbringing and society can only be blamed so far for what they are..."

"I'd thought about waiting to air this issue when company wasn't around, but now is as good a time as any to say it," he says and turns, speaking towards Higura, Third, and Dena. "I don't think I'm surprising anyone to say that I intended to leave. I've already spoken of it with Drachma and the others I've trained. Most I've told to stay with you. You'll need their help. The best of them will come with me. We'll be heading out to another part of the District. Maybe even try to find a way back to the Water District, where there are bound to be far more disgruntled souls after the attempted Purging."

"I owe the lot of you. I'll never fight against you. I will even give you the time you need to prepare by drawing the attention of the Immaculates and the Peace Force elsewhere. But don't make the mistake of thinking we're fighting the same war from here on in."

Facing the Queen once more, he bows to her. "Whatever agreements you make with them, your Highness, are not binding to me. I will do what you desire in my own fashion, but it's by coincidence rather than design. I don't ask your aid, only that you give it to them. They'll need it."

Queen Chilomena's response to Tycho, as soon as she understands he is splitting from the rest of the group, is cool and dismissive. Jhenli translates: "If you will act on your own then you are no longer a part of this discussion. Should you aid us it will be on your time and in your way and we cannot make solid plans on something so unreliable. However, should you at least give an approximate time or signal for your initial diversion tactic then perhaps your efforts can still be relevant."

Now the Hive Queen speaks specifically to the remaining three, her interest in Tycho diminished so long as he insists on acting entirely independently. Community loyalty and cooperative effort is important to the hive mentality of the builder bugs, so the disdain for cooperation he shows to his Celestial peers is at least vaguely threatening to her sensibilities.

"I have lived millenia and I have witnessed the madness that can come with power. It was in the events leading to the Cascading Years that we watched the Circle that made us start to break down. In the Thousand Struggles, Creation was in a state of war for several centuries. The war the Usurpers claim to have occurred echoes to us of those times. Against the threat of cataclysmic chaos, they have rallied together with a sense of order so extreme it is corrupted. I speak no excuses for them. Nor is Hive Irix Chilomena concerned with whether you convert or kill all of them. However, you will have to kill some of the Usurpers, for they will oppose you."

Chilomena continues briskly onto the next business at hand, uninterested in inviting comment. "One day ago, my workers succeeded in reestablishing contact with the Gatekeeper of Water. We have exchanged all the information we are aware of, and we have come to the conclusion that to control this District, we must first either gain control or undermine the power of the Immaculate Order's Inner Temple. The Gatekeeper will send two agents to participate in this course of action, and I can contribute my best workers and warriors to the cause. Should this be satisfactory to you, we will commence planning now."

"I do understand your concern Tycho.  And I appreciate it.  I do not kill readily and I have not performed as well in battles recently as I wish I had.  But. . ."
Dena bends down and picks up a stone from the floor, tossing it idly from one hand to the other.  "Life is not like this stone.  I can break it. . ." she squeezes, and the stone turns to gravel.  ". . . and I can restore it." a second squeeze and she forces the bits to become one again, albeit a strangely lumpy stone.  "Once I break a person, I can never restore them.  If I'm a little too careful about them, I get hurt.  But. . . well I can live with being hurt a lot better than an innocent can live with be dead.  Well, good luck to you Tycho.  I hope you'll stay long enough for your followers to enjoy the feast and the martial arts show we planned to celebrate our alliance with Hive Irex."

"It is a pity we never could reach either an understanding or a compromise. But I suppose it cannot be helped." Higura says, turning back towards Tycho one more time. "Perhaps part of it comes from the fact that you have goals that are very finite in nature while some of us do not - I fear that my own mission might stretch much longer past the defeat of the Immaculates, for example. Whatever the reason, it would seem you have made your mind, and I, like the others, will not try to dissuade you. I wish you and your own luck, Captain - and may you find what you are looking for."

He then turns away from the mechanical man, instead turning his attention to the Queen. "Many will die, as unfortunate as this sounds. This is the price of any armed uprising, and it is not realistic to believe that one can simply turn all of their enemies to their own cause. The truth of the matter, however, is that any armed conflict is also equal parts bloodshed and propaganda. If we can break some of the propaganda - on either side - then the amount of bloodshed will also lessen. It will never truly vanish, of course, and the fight will be difficult, but if we can lower its severity then it is already something in and of itself."

The Doctor ponders, then tilts his head to one side as the Queen speaks of her plan and the possibilities offered by an assault on the Inner Temple. "Truly? I would ask what news you have of the Water District, if any - I hope it turned out well, as chaotic as it situation might be."

"As for taking down the taking down of the Inner Temple, taking away such a major source of the enemy's faith and strength of purpose would be worthwhile in and of itself, without even considering the logistic advantages of holding such a position within the District. I will not speak for everyone here, Majesty, but I can say that I see the wisdom and yours and the Gatekeeper's thought."

"Do you hold information on the temple's structure, position and defenses, that we might study it and come up with a worthwhile plan? Provided we all agree on such a course of action, of course." He scans his gaze to the others, awaiting their thoughts on this particular endeavor.

"The Gatekeeper of Water has its District well under control," Queen Chilomena explains, when prompted about news of the Water District. "Communicator Jhenli will explain further."

Briefly relinquished from translating, the Communicator speaks more naturally in fluent Low Realm. "Upon transporting your group upward, and closing the District to the upper Levels, the Gatekeeper commanded its automatons to turn on the Usurpers remaining in Floors B31 to B26. A great many of the Terrestrials were terminated along with the mortals that allied with them, as few consented to surrender. Those that did were imprisoned in Forbidden B31, and the likelihood that they will die there is high." Jhenli shows neither joy or remorse at this statement, speaking the facts without personal inflection.

"One might call it a Counter-Purge. The Gatekeeper of Water showed little mercy for the Usurpers, for its intent was to convert the District into an independent nation, and it could afford to spare no elements that would undermine the solidarity of that nation. As of yesterday, the 4th Day of the month of Resplendent Water, 1085, the secession of the Independent Republic of the Water District has been confirmed."

"I believe the Gatekeeper of Water's actions were sound given the circumstances," Queen Chilomena continues when Jhenli's report is done. "Freedom is won by such a price. And this conflict will continue. It is my belief that the Water Republic wishes to declare war upon the Terrestrials of Five Coils. It also believes strongly that the other Gatekeepers will inevitably see its way, should the Celestials come to enlighten them. As you may know, the Inner Temple leads directly up to the Gatekeeper of Earth's Central Core."

Here the Hive Queen stops to communicate a series of clicks and vibratos and pheromones to the lesser builder bugs in attendance. A good half of them split off toward the inner caverns leading to their Hive.

In the meantime, Jhenli says apologetically, "I believe Dena has said you have prepared a festival on our behalf? I apologize that we have not been more amenable; there is much to discuss, now and in the near future. However we do not expect to immediately go to war or infiltrate the Temple, for this is an endeavor that requires planning and cooperation on all our parts."

"Our Highness has a gift to present to you, and then we may enjoy your hospitality, if you wish."

A slight bit of rustling is heard, and Danae steps in--a bit late, all things considered, but with a rather large grin on her face at this time.  "Sorry I was a bit late..."  She began, taking a quick note to the various individuals throughout the room--nodding politely to the Hive Queen and her entourage.  "I wanted to put the finishing touches on my big project though in the meantime...  Fortunately..."

She grinned, and pulled down the bundle she had been carrying around for a good while, resting it on a nearby table, bench, anything reasonably tactful to be perfectly honest--she wasn't 'Quite' excited enough to risk annoying or looking threatening to their guests.

Pulling a few strings, she unveiled the weapon.

It was, in a word, based off of the traditional broadsword style she was fond of--a straight, double-edged blade with a heavy sort of guard to it.  Optimal for using with both hands--but still light enough to be handled with a single if neccessary.  The craftsmanship of this alone would have been impressive to begin with--even with mundane steel.

But this was clearly not a mundane blade

One of the fundamental problems with orichalcum is that while gold has a certain impressive resonance to it, it's actual ability to focus and direct Essence was pretty poor as far as Magical Materials went--usually more suited to just 'Making a normal thing better at what it does' then the more esoteric approaches.  And indeed, the blade seemed very fine--even by the standards of the marginally oversized artifact weapons...

But strangely enough, the gold was interlaced with symmeterical, blueish 'Veins', forming an elaborate design from grip to tip--the 'Edge' itself retained the same bright blue shade as well, often connecting with the veins in a number of particular manners.

"Ladies and Gentlemen--this here is my first...  Well, relatively original construction.  Using most of the materials I had left, I put this beauty together.  This is Impeccable Spark...  It might seem like an ordinary Daiklave to you all...  But I've taken some of the remaining components we had from our trip up here, and added a useful little 'Surprise' to the whole thing...  I'll probably be able to do some demonstrations a bit later if anyone's interested though."

She then realized that she seemed to have butted in on a more 'Important' part of the meeting--then cleared her throat.  "Oh--speaking of the Temple--Third and the rest of us tech-sorts have managed to get something useful together...  It won't be ready for another week or so, but when it's complete, we should be able to effectively neutralize the Earth District's automated defenses."

"That is a most impressive weapon." Dena says admiringly.  "I was under the impression you preferred firewands and similar ranged weaponry."

She turns back to the queen a moment.  "Would it be possible to get a list of the surviving Terrestrial prisoners from the Gatekeeper of Water?  I ask because when our collars failed, several of us where in unusually fortuitous positions.  I myself was left unguarded, held only by a pair of flimsy manacles I could have broken in my sleep.  As I recall, Danae was actually left in the middle of a Warstrider arsenal.  Deeply suspicious, and I would like to know who set us free and why.  If they were, in fact, loyal to the Celestials I imagine they would have surrendered early in the fighting."

"There was really no compromise to have, doctor, Tycho answers Higura quietly a moment later, his voice removing himself from the conversation as much as the Queens dismissal. "If the nail won't be hammered down, you pull it out. People have been hammering on me my whole life and I still haven't gone down."

"Thank you for your offer to let us stay and see the show, but no. I'm sure the mortals would enjoy it, but the sooner we get started then further away we can be from the rest of you when we start making trouble. Besides, as the Queen said, I am not part of this discussion any more."

He half turns, makes a gesture, and summons up a small portion of the assembled fighting force to his side. Those who would go with him travel light, both for speed and to put as little a drain on the communities resources as they could. Enough food for two meals, four if they stretch them, weapons, and whatever small personal effects they could carry in pockets or napsacks. One of them hands the mechanical Solar a bag as well, one that rustles with paper. "Take good care of Drachma. He's a good man. Don't think that just because he might share my outlook on some things means you should ignore everything he has to say, either. He's got a mind of his own and a shape one too."

There was nothing more to say. Tycho simply nods one last time to those assembled and quietly departs nearly the same time as Danae arrives. Off to fight his own little war.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:31, Tue 21 Apr 2009.

The doctor wanted to say something as Tycho went away - but at this point, he has now come to accept that many things would have to remain unsaid. Rather than speaking them, he would instead show his meaning through action. Drachma and the others had been brought by Higura and Saffron from the beginning onwards, and thus he has nothing but respect and appreciation for the lot of them... And so the reason behind the words last left by Tycho would have to remain without explanation.

A chapter ends, and another one seems poised to begin soon.

Pondering for a moment, Higura finally nods, his attention fully back into the subject at hand. "Those are great news, your Majesty." Higura responds, before nodding amiably to the Communicator as well. "And as harsh as it might seem, I would have to agree with your assessment - the situation called for greater sacrifices. The Gatekeeper likely made the right decision. Now, we can press onwards, without having too much fear of retaliation also coming from behind us."

"The point miss Dena brings is a very good one." He says, taking a moment to nod in the woman's direction. "Having as much information as we can will be vital if we are to fight such a war." Smiling at Danae, he also acknowledges her arrival, nodding appreciatively at the weapon she displays before tilting his head sideways at the new information she brings. "That is great news, miss Danae. Without their automated defenses, the Terrestrials will have to rely solely on human and Exalted factor to ensure the security of this District - something we can use to our advantage. Whatever you have discovered, I believe that the timing could not have been more impeccable. If we play our cards right, I believe we can pull the whole district offline in one effective campaign."

"What I suggest is this. If we use the flaw miss Danae has discovered, we can potentially remove the automated defenses of the enemy. According to miss Nanaret's report, there is a lot of unrest in the Conclaves as a whole - which means that if we play on this unrest, try to get the disgruntled people to take a stand and fight for what they believe in... The Terrestrials will have to rely solely on themselves to tackle this threat. If we study the Inner Temple's structure and storm it at the same time, we can do wonders for the workers' cause, and fight a war on multiple fronts that might very well cripple the opposition."

"In any case..." The Doctor says, looking slightly apologetic for having spoken so much. "That is merely an idea." Turning back to the Queen, he bows to her once more, not wanting to make her wait too long.

"I am certain everyone is honored at the gift you bear for us, your Majesty. It would be with the utmost gratitude that we would receive it."

"That seems a sound strategy.  I must caution against making it too complicated, however.  Danae, this flaw in the defenses, will it destroy them or merely disable them?  It may be worthwhile to go to extra effort to keep them intact for our own use, I strongly suspect there will be an immediate counter-attack.  The Dragonblooded must know what happened to the district of water and will likely be twice as careful to keep the same from happening to the district of earth."

"It's an exploit, more or less" Danae explained. "Basically, we're capitalizing on their tendency to 'Ignore' specific individuals, and we're working on a virus that will cause them to 'Ignore' anyone or anything bearing a certain symbol--Talia's working on getting some of those together.  For all intents and purposes though, it'll mean that the automated defenses won't be an issue for us anymore."

Third listens quietly as the discussion goes on. The Solar bows its head once to Tycho, eyes closing with respect, before it turns to the discussion as a whole. "Third is well aware of what the prices of freedom shall be. Many will die. But worlds can be made or destroyed on the balance of a single life. If we do not always strive towards the most we can achieve, even when it seems impossible, then ultimately, our victory may be as hollow as that of the Usurpers. If there is one thing that we should have learned from the Usurpation, it is that we cannot afford to simply succeed. We must succeed and wipe away all doubts that we will become mad god-kings like our past forms did. If we cannot do what is impossible, then all this will happen once again." It looks towards the others. " But for the time being, Third will be satisfied if we can save three lives from bloodshed, for now." It bows its head to Danae. " Third has been preparing the virus. The Dragon-Blooded have become deeply arrogant... They forget who created these automaton designs. Third feels reasonably confident that attempting to remove the virus from their systems will be a difficult task for them." A smile almost flickers across the Solar's lips. " We may even be able to adapt it for you to use on some of your hive, your highness." Third mentions to the Queen, bowing its head to her.

A hush, then a ripple of insectoid excitement erupts from the gathered builder bugs (humanoid form or otherwise) when Danae reveals her newly completed artifact. Even the Hive Queen, once she has given her directions to her subordinates, fixes her night-black eyes upon the Dawn Caste and her creation.

"That weapon... you must be! You are the Clockwork General!" utters Queen Chilomena. Even Jhenli is so astonished that he nearly forgets to translate the words for the benefit of the others, belatedly catching up so that the excited Queen can continue. [Private to Danae Adela: Pretty sure we established you know Old Realm, since that's what most magitech programming is written in. So you can actually understand Chilomena without Jhenli translating.] "It has been thousands of years. We must, no we will show you to the workshops within our Hive. The blacksmith's station here is vastly inferior compared to our inner-hive establishments! But despite your limitations, you still created such a work of beauty and function. We are amazed and excited. It is my hope that you will include us in any future projects you create, Clockwork General."

The Exalts continue their discussion while the insect congregation gradually calms their chittering and wing-fluttering. Finally, the Hive Queen picks up on the conversation about the virus (with some helpful translations from her Communicator). "It seems you have also been considering the prospect of taking a more active role in freeing the District of Earth. This virus, should it work as Jhenli is explaining to me, will open a window of opportunity for the Celestials to gain entry into the Inner Temple. However, be cautious. The automatons may be easy to deal with, given the superior skill inherited from Shining Eye and the General, but there are still few of you compared to the Immaculate Monks."

"I have been breeding Ruby Guardians at an accelerated rate to aid your numbers. but how many will be available depends on how long we will wait to begin. At the moment the number I can spare is exactly one-hundred and twenty eight. I can also provide you with more information about the Temple itself. Behold."

At a wordless signal from the Hive Queen, the emerald bugs that retreated from deeper in the caverns return with a host of onyx worker bugs, arranged in groups of six. Each group carries a large, oddly shaped piece of white resin with rounded edges, like pieces cut out from a flattened torus (doughnut). Other details that look like miniature pillars or jagged blocks are stuck on the bottom of each piece, as well as thinner 'walls' delineating further divisions of space.

It's impossible to tell what these are supposed to represent until the worker bugs start to assemble them. One by one, the pieces are laid beside one another, fitted together and stacked in a specific order until the three-dimensional puzzle takes on a solid, if unusual shape. The final shape is a rough cylinder several feet in diameter and as tall as a standard doorway, held together by joints at strategic points that can flex outward to open up cross-sections of the cylinder, showing details of the interior design.

The Queen nods to Jhenli to explain exactly what she is presenting the Celestials. "This is our gift to you, Celestial Chosen," the Communicator explains. "A reduced-scale replica of the inner column of the District of Earth, what is now known as the Immaculate Order's Inner Temple. It has been reproduced with our memory of its construction. The difference from then and now is in how its rooms are being utilized, and of course the behavior and distribution of the Immaculates themselves. We would have no way of knowing their movements, as outsiders of the Temple, but this model should aid planning."

"The full extent of the Inner Temple is actually very little known to the citizens of Earth District. What they see of their place of worship are nodes on the outer perimeter, embedded into their conclaves and communities. But every node is connected by tunnel or corridor to the Inner Temple complex surrounding the central elevator shaft. These hidden entrances exist on every level of this District."

"The question then is the best place to infiltrate." The golden communicator nods its antennaed head towards Higura. "Doctor Yaishin Higura spoke of rallying support among other potential rebel elements of this District. Having an allied community in Earth District would gain you a base much closer to the Inner Temple. This is, of course, but a suggestion."
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:27, Wed 22 Apr 2009.

As the Queen and her helpers present the gift, Higura takes a moment to inspect it with a great deal of fascination. Pushing his spectacles up the bridge of his nose, he stares at the precious sculpture from different angles, almost as if to commit its overall shape and layout to memory.

"That is a most precious gift, Majesty. I am certain it will be instrumental in the coming panning sessions - and the battles that will no doubt follow."

The doctor then nods to the Communicator, pondering the new facts brought up with a thoughtful look on his features. "That is exactly how I envision our issues as well. As I picture it, we would have to go for a position which will allow us to either delay or avoid heavy opposition for the longest time possible. Despite its strategic location, we also have to think that there must be other practical reasons for the Immaculates to make this location their base of operation in this district. We have to expect that they will have fortified it a good deal, and that it would be made to be difficult to overtake."

"That is why studying this model might prove truly groundbreaking in our planning. With it, we might just be able to find the blindspot we are looking for. There is, after all, no such thing as an impregnable fortress."

Talia, taking a break from the making of badges, arrives about the same time the others beign explaining the virus.  She stands back, quietly.  This is her first exposure to the bugs; she feels more comfortable simply observing.  But when the workers assemble the Hive Queen's gift, her curiosity overcomes her reticence, and she moves forward to examine it more closely.  She circles the model, studying not only the layout of the temple it represents, but the construction of the piece itself, folding and unfolding the jointed sections, studying the material it's made out of, examining the places where the pieces fit together.  "This is brilliant.  These joints, here and here...And this material, how is it made?"

"Your offers of forces are deeply appreciated. The best method would seem to be a diversionary attack to draw off the main forces, possibly led by some of our more skilled makers of war. We must make the attack threatening enough to warrant drawing off forces from the fortress to protect. From there, the members of our group who are more skilled with personal combat and stealth can infiltrate the Column... If we can secure the allegiance of the Gatekeeper of Earth, then the battle will be that much easier to win." It looks towards the others. Third is hardly a military mind, after all- Its idea is only a very basic step. "Your majesty, can you give us more information about the capabilities of your forces?" the Solar asks politely.

"Hmm, we'd need to have a clear line of retreat for the distraction group.  If only a few of us are going to distract a majority of the immaculates we're going to be severely outnumbered, and will have to flee quickly.  I'd suggest finding a set of tunnels and crafting a series of deadfalls so that we can leave walls of rock behind.  It won't stop them forever but it will probably buy long enough to vanish into the shadows while the other group does their work.
But I think that's enough of making serious plans right now, we all need time to digest this information and work up ideas.  I suggest we get on with our celebration and then get back to planning in a day or so when we've all had time to think it over privately."

"I dunno" Danae said with a thought, looking over the plans.  "I'd be able to lead that force...  But we're going to be 'Awfully' exposed, you're going to need to work 'Very' fast to subvert the Gatekeeper before we get overrun from Fire District reinforcements.  While I'm reasonably sure we could handle the Earth District's defenses off--at least for a while, if they call down the Peace Forces full might, there isn't going to be a whole lot we'll be able to do..."

She sits back and considers this more.  "At any rate though--I appreciate your offer of work facilities, at the least, it'll help with any last minute preparations--but we're probably going to have to move shortly after the virus is done.  That's not going to leave us a whole lot of time to gather forces..."

She tapped the table a few times then, and took a good look at the situation.

"Alright, as I said, I'll lead the diversionary group--I'm familiar with wide scale combat, and I'm one of the better fighters in this group.  But we're going to need support from the populace too--you're going to have to get your hands on some communications to spread the word--and ideally, we'll want to get our smuggler contacts to distribute arms and such to the populace as well...  There 'Is' apparently an undercurrent of discontent we can make use of, I just hope it gives us enough of an edge to take this place before the Fire District falls on us like the hammer of the gods."

"Danae, we should stick to our own personal strengths, don't you think?  You are brilliant with machines.  I am a warrior fast enough to outrun an arrow in flight if I put my mind to it.  It seems to me it would be wiser for me to be the distraction that has to run away, and you to manipulate the Gatekeeper."

"Securing the help of the Gatekeeper is likely to be a decisive step in our battle plan, yes - I fully agree with Third on this point." The Doctor utters, furrowing his brow slightly as he nods to the other Exalt. He takes a moment then to acknowledge the newly arrived Talia, smiling and nodding at her before returning to the conversation at hand.

"I would believe that the key in this kind of operation will be to make our distraction effort seem genuine and real to the Terrestrials. What we choose to appear like we attack must also be something of value to them - something they will believe us to be after more easily than our seeking the Gatekeeper of Earth." The doctor pauses, raising his chin slightly as he tilts his head to one side.

"The one thing that plays in our favor is our enemy's fervor and sense of purpose: to them, we are dangerous and destructive elements that need to be stopped at all costs. They also believe they know us, our goals and our desires. In the years where we and our kinds were imprisoned, our jailers had plenty of time to form an image of us that is little more than a caricature. This belief in a flawed image can be used against them - if we play on it momentarily, they will believe in our subterfuge all the more, because they will believe that our attack is as they would have predicted it. They will believe in it because that is what they would expect us to do. And because they believe they know us, our motives and our natures implicitly, they might not even consider for a moment that they might be wrong."

The doctor is silent for a moment, and then he nods again. "I can speak to the Gatekeeper as well. Figuring out minds, thoughts and emotions is part of the reason why I was awakened, after all."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:02, Sat 25 Apr 2009.

"You are also a crafter?" says Chilomena in reply to Talia's rapt interest in the gift, looking pleased at the prospect of not two, but potentially three Celestial crafters to collaborate with. "This is good news, very good news." The desire to craft wonderous things is inherent to the builder bugs' design, after all, so not even the Queen herself can hide her enthusiasm.

At Chilomena's urging, Jhenli continues with the more practical explanation, as it is easier for him to explain directly in Low Realm: "The resin is an organic material, produced from our own bodies with varying color and consistency depending on what food we consume. The Emerald Producers are the primary source of this resin. The most complex aspects of creating this model are handled by the Sapphire Artisans, who are better suited for crafting small details. Perhaps we may show you a demonstration some day."

Next is Third's question, which prompts the Hive Queen to nod and signal one of the ruby warriors to step forward from its protective stance to display its physiology. Again, Jhenli does the bulk of the answering, explaining the functions of yet another builder bug caste. "The Ruby caste is built for intimidation, battle prowess and survivability. Their limbs are as sturdy as a basic artifact blade, and their carapace serves as a sturdy natural armor. There are currently three types, in order of increasing rarity: first, the Ruby Attackers, like this specimen; their front limbs are razor sharp swords or sickles. Second, the Ruby Defenders, whose forelimbs are pincers not unlike that of a crab; these are used for capturing or subduing foes. Finally the Ruby Poisoners, genetically crafted with a specific toxin in mind which they can deliver by stinger injection. All Rubies are also able to spit a corrosive acid, though the acidic gland requires time and sustenance to replenish."

"In comparison, I would say our current strain of Rubies is physically weaker than the largest of this District's automatons, but would do well against organic opponents of human or lesser size. In groups of five they can at least hold back a Hulking Armor for a time. I should also stress the advantage: we can always produce more. We are not so attached to the concept of identity. We can rebuild in time as long as our Queen and a single fertilizer survives."

Chilomena listens to the plans of the Celestials for a time, asking Jhenli to translate this or that phrase, or summarize concisely. Their natural form of communication is able to convey nuances with greater alacrity, so most of these exchanges are wordless and inscrutable to the humans.

Finally, the Queen claps her currently humanoid hands, commanding the attention of all present. "Creators, you will have time to finalize and enact your plans. We should be able to shield your presence in our Hive for as long as it takes for the virus to take effect, to scout the region or induce citizen rebellion before the final advance upward. Even if you cannot make use of our workshops long term, I can spare artisans and producers to accompany and aid you once you secure the factories above."

"We know you still have allies in the B25 Laborer's Conclave, and the Gatekeeper of Water's agents may also soon intercept you. Waiting for one or both may benefit us greatly. For now, I would like to enjoy the hospitality of your Hive, if even for a moment."

---

OOC: just a cue so Dena and Third can do what they planned to in this scene :) Though of course you can also continue discussing among yourselves. I'll fast forward things once Conclave group is back.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:22, Sun 26 Apr 2009.

Third bows to the queen once again, that perfectly angled bow. "We thank you for your hospitality, and your advice is sound. Third is sure that our group would be happy to have you partake in what meager hospitality our hive can offer you." it says, head bowed. "As well- Dena, if you are still interested, Third would be willing to offer you a sparring match. What conditions would you find agreeable for such? I imagine that such a match would also allow our distinguished guest some level of diversion." it says, turning towards Tervila. It's doubtful that it will be able to put on a truly fantastic essence-fueled spread of mayhem, but at the least, it can offer an exhibition of the basic principles behind the Even Blade Style.

"If it's possible in your style, shall we spar with bare hands to cut down on the odds of an accidental injury, and to draw things out?  I'd suggest we just fight to first blood or three falls."

[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: Do you want to bother with dice-rolls or just freeform it?]

" Even Blade Style works as an unarmed style. Third would suggest first blood, without use of Essence beyond the form. It's important to show the basics of the style, and of course, Third would suffer a substantial handicap in such a case. Truly Exalted combat usually has first blood serving as last blood, for that matter" the Exalt gives a mild smile at this, bowing to Tervila. " What shall our arena be? We may be able to use one of the smaller caverns, or the barracks area if we are able to clear an area for sparring." it asks of her politely.

OOC: Freeform sounds fine to me.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:41, Sun 26 Apr 2009.

The Hive Queen tilts her head curiously, as she begins to comprehend what Dena and Third are suggesting. "You will give us a demonstration of Celestial combat? It has been long since I have had the opportunity. I may also offer one of my Ruby Guardians if you wish to see for yourself their capabilities. I would of course forbid any use of acids or poisons."

Now that the need for formal ceremony is mostly over with, Chilomena allows the emerald and sapphire castes that gathered with her to disperse, remaining with her entourage of silver princesses, the golden communicator and her ruby guards. The 40-odd refugees that have remained after Tycho's departure have already begun to enjoy some of the feast laid out by Dena. A few of them have even brought out makeshift instruments and have formed an impromptu band in the area. The music is of course not Exalted standard, but definitely listenable and even danceable.

Some of the bugs start to approach the refugees, who do their best not to appear surprised at the horse-sized insects examining their surroundings, and sometimes the refugees themselves. Drachma and four guards stand nearby, watching carefully, but baring no weapons. The older man, formerly Vice and now Captain of the Refugee Army -- really just a fancy name for their small, though increasingly disciplined and skilled, group of fighters -- looks thoughtful and a little bit sad.

---

OOC: I'd probably suggest an open area. There are some caverns deeper in that Tycho used to train the refugees.

"I cleaned up an area earlier so we wouldn't have anything to trip on, and placed seats of a sort that I was able to find, in one of the training caverns." Dena answers happily, rather charged herself at a chance to practice at the Arts with another.  Leading the way, she pauses briefly to load up on food before heading for the cavern in question.  Past the slightly jagged tunnel opens a broad cavity with the floor ground smooth.  Four broad, shallow metal pans filled with fire provide shadowy, though adequate illumination and also mark the corners of the makeshift arena.  Surrounding it are such seats as Dena was able to gather together, mainly older wooden chairs scavenged from the abandoned rooms with a few stones bashed and ground to a more reasonable shape to fill out the ranks.

'If you wish, though Tervila Dena may be more suited to showcasing her abilities in full combat at the moment. Third is, at the moment, channeling most of its Essence into the binding of our Dragon-Blooded prisoners." it says, before Third follows Dena, removing the Jade short Daiklave it has been carrying now for some time, setting it on the floor, before moving to enter the 'ring' that has been set up, stretching it's arms. It begins running its mind through the katas, body staying still even as it visualizes the movements of its body, its essence beginning to flow. It will still require the katas to channel the form, but this at least will limber it up for the fight. It studies Dena- It knows that she has something of a disadvantage against the style and it's dedication to the first and decisive strike, but at the same time, she is a Lunar, and one with a great deal of physical prowess, at that. It is hopefully as agile as she is, but if the fight is prolonged past the first minute or so, it will greatly increase Third's chances of failure.

"I'll leave out any charms but my form." Dena promises quietly.  "Although if you get a good hit or two in I'll probably turn the pain into essence anyway, just to be sure I've got a full supply in an emergency."

Eyeing the small but gathering crowd of onlookers Dena decides to showboat a bit and bows shallowly.
"Friends and Allies, we're here to celebrate the union of our little rebellion with the Irix hive under Queen Chilomena.  To show some of the power that we're bringing in we've decided to demonstrate Celestial Combat at it's finest.  As is already clear, Third uses a sword-art of great refinement and grace.  Myself, I rely on a style of brute force."
Pausing, Dena grabs up an unoccupied rock and easily lifts it above her head.  "I rely on tremendous strength. . ."  And then, unexpectedly, Dena headbutts the rock and turns it into gravel, leaving an ugly purple bruise spreading across her forehead but no apparent real damage at all. ". . . and a complete immunity to pain!  So, let's begin!"
Turning to face Third, Dena bows again, the lunges forward in what looks like a shallow jump, which ends with her hitting the ground, foot outstretched.  The rock ripples and groans from the blow as she digs her feet under the stone by virtue of tremendous pressure (and knowing just where a rock might be weak) before kicking up sharply and flipping backwards to send a small tsunami of sharp stone shards towards him.

Queen Chilomena takes the seat of honor with her princesses surrounding her, and her ruby guards watching from behind. Jhenli takes a lower seat, but remains close enough to translate any words from the combatants.

It seems that by now the Hive Queen is at least able to understand a few choice words of Low Realm, and is intelligent and attentive enough to infer more, especially in a combat where expression and body language also speak volumes. So her questions to Jhenli are at a minimum, and she watches the unfolding battle raptly.

Now and then she has one of her emerald producers bring her food from the table Dena set up, which she consumes if not with gusto, then with a clinical curiosity. Those observing Chilomena may notice that she eats the wooden sticks as well, when consuming the fish. She doesn't eat soup bowls though, just peers at the construction of the bowl, analyzing it thoroughly, commenting to her princesses in inscrutable insect-speak.

The refugees gather and sit at the sidelines, bringing their musical instruments with them (mostly percussion and a rare woodwind, as material for strings is hard to come by in the Earth District). Soon a group of five with hand drums has an intricate tribal rhythm going, lending energy and urgency to the mood of the combat.

Third returns the bow gracefully, movement deep this time, and then stands, hands moving in the delicate kata of the Even Blade style, hands moving through the air to take a position, looking almost like the Solar holds a blade in the air, one hand on the hilt, one hand guiding the edge. As Dena strikes underneath the ground, and sends that spray of shrapnel towards the Solar, it moves easily, body twisting out of the way, before moving forward quickly, footsteps taking it closer to Dena, and the Solar brings one hand out, slicing out across Dena's side, hands moving in quick arcs, the Solar's careful movements leaving few gaps in its defense open as it concentrates itself entirely on the fight, entering a perfect silence of concentration. Its movements bring it perhaps uncomfortably close to Dena's vast strength, leaving it to trust its own speed and reflexes to protect it.

While the others prepare for their demonstration, Higura elects to remain with Queen Chilomena, standing at her and the princesses' left side. He finds this situation most comfortable, and also wishes to remain close at hand in case the Queen or her entourage have immediate questions or needs that need attending.

The doctor does take the occasion to speak with Chilomena and her delegation, speaking both in Old Realm and through the translators at times when barriers of understanding become too steep. He speaks of the memories he has of the days of old, of his change to his self and the impressions he can remember of his time on the higher floors of Coils. Mostly, however, Higura listens and asks questions of the Hive inhabitants themselves, wishing to get to know them better as well as continuing to establish goodwill between their groups.

Once the combat starts, he also falls respectfully silent, watching the proceedings carefully and smiling softly at the display of martial prowess his companions display.

Dena takes a half-step to one side as she feels the numbing blow of Third's hand compress her ribs and force the air from one lung, a strike that would have broken bones on a human but was just bruising to a Lunar.  Dena finds no easy hole in Third's defenses and decides to simply smash through them, delivering a brutal punch intended to simply smash through any block, but it's like trying to hit a handful of mist as Third simply fades away from the punch. Deciding to capitalize on her strength, Dena finally steps forward, an obscene grisly smile on her face as she drinks in the pain he's given her and presses towards him so hard even punches can't be thrown, reducing the fight to one of headbutts and knee-strikes and attempting to turn it into a grapple he won't easily escape.

Even as Dena becomes more aggressive, Third becomes more diffusive. The Solar slips suddenly out of her range, refusing to let her take command of the range of the battle, surging upwards along the Lunar's body, the small solar climbing her with surprising grace before vaulting over her head, landing on all fours a few feet behind the Lunar, quickly making some distance. The Solar is breathing rather hard now, taking the brief moment to regain it's breath, eyes focused on Dena. There's little choice in it's motions, the hand strikes Third uses are like striking water, as opposed to the strikes against mist Dena uses, making her yield yet letting her retake whatever is lost the moment it ceases to applies pressure. Third focuses its eyes on Dena, and leaps in, a quick battery of strikes moving towards the most sensitive areas, nails scything towards the throat, the forehead, the solar plexus- Third can only hope that those quick blows might draw some blood, for it leaves itself quite open to rebuttal.

The Hive Queen is pleased enough to exchange words with Higura both before and during the combat. Particularly when she realizes he is perfectly fluent in her native language, which allows her to convey some nuances that were more difficult with the translator interpreting everything.

By the time Third and Dena's sparring match is well underway, Higura has been given a crash course on the Hive's history. She speaks in wistful detail of the distant past, from their origin as a builder race intended to aid the Celestials of the Pillar of Creation, to their role in developing mass-produced armor, weaponry as well as rare and gorgeous wonders for the Clockwork General, Shining Eye, Maia Wise-Eye and others among their Circle. Then came the Cascading Years, where for a time Autochthonians occupied the halls and caverns of the Pillar, followed by a long hibernation after the Usurpation. Finally, the Hive's rude reawakening, heralded as the Terrestrial Usurpers commandeered the Pillar for themselves, renaming it the Five Coils.

One thing Chilomena seems quite distraught about, which she confesses quite frankly to the Sidereal, is that neither of the crafters seem at all interested in speaking with her. "You have introduced yourself as an expert on Humankind, correct?" she asks Higura in Old Realm. "Then perhaps you may explain why the crafters among you choose to ignore us, when we offer them all our knowledge, resources and skill at artifice, built up over thousands of years of waiting for their return? It is our purpose to serve the Creators and build to their lofty designs!"

She wrings her two pairs of hands in an oddly human gesture, and adds sorrowfully, "In fact, we provided the labor in crafting a grand artifact for your predecessor, Dusan the Mindwalker. One of the three armored suits of the Moirae -- yes, I recall clearly. His was the Lachesis, and we built the Erinyes' as well, as your foils. It is a shame, such a shame how much you have forgotten!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:41, Tue 28 Apr 2009.

"That is what I was remade as, yes." The doctor answers as the Queen speaks of his specialty. "Not only would it allow to shield Dusan's self and powers from our captors, but it also served as a purpose for me to integrate the Coils under the guise of helping the Terrestrial cause. My own memories were even cloaked from me at first, to make certain that the Immaculates and Assessors would not find out what Prochorus had unleashed." He pauses for a moment, pursing his lips slightly as he hears the Queen's words.

"It is more difficult to make a precise assessment with so little time to speak with the people you refer to, majesty." He says, his tone apologetic as he lowers his head slightly, obviously trying to lessen the sadness and incomprehension she feels. For her, the lack of interaction is surely perceived as a lack of validation of her purpose, something that must make her quite distraught.

"Please do not take offense at my comrades behavior, however - it in no way denies you of the purpose for which you and your people were first birthed. You see, Majesty, the roles of today are now reversed from the glorious times you remember. Most of our kind are now young and inexperienced, while you remain the old and wise ones. The constantly changing situation through which we have found ourselves in the recent times - passing from prisoners to fugitives to revolutionaries and perhaps beyond - has been taxing on all of us, not to mention difficult to comprehend for many of us. I am certain many of our numbers are still struggling to come to grips with the sudden shift in scope we now find ourselves in, leaving them pondering many things at once."

"But fear not, Majesty - your talents and waiting will not be in vain. In time, our people will come to trust you once more, and learn of the value of what you bring. Give them time to realize what you offer them. I believe that at the moment, the scope of it all is quite overwhelming for all of them. But I, for one, am truly happy to see our old alliance rekindled, and your presence at our side warms my heart."

The Queen's next words seem to reach the doctor on an almost visceral level. As she speaks, he suddenly falls silent, flooded by thoughts and memories that force him to pause for a moment and reflect on all of their meaning, his mind suddenly overwhelmed. And at the center of the tempest lies a single word...

Lachesis.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:04, Tue 28 Apr 2009.

"Ehehehe...  I think it's just that I don't quite know how to react to the offer" Danae supplied helpfully in Old Realm--she had missed the initial parts of the conversation while resecuring the new creation. "I do appreciate your offer, and hope to take you up on it in the future--at the least, it'll mean I can cut down on my construction tempo without negatively reducing output...  It's just that I'm still fully adjusting to actually 'Having' the ability to accept these kinds of offers...  It's been rather rough work up until now."

She sighs slightly, and gives a helpless sort of grin.  "At any rate, Impeccable Spark at the moment has a lot of sensitive components, I had to kitbash the Mass Magnifier with crystal arrays taken out of Shock Pikes, but it means I've got to keep it properly secured when not in usage--and I was silly enough to do so without mentioning it to anyone before..."

She trailed off then, and looked thoughtful for a moment.  "The Moirae? though?  And the Erinyes?   She paused for a moment, then shrugged.  "We did run into a pair of powerfully equipped fellows at the Water District Gatekeeper core--they were armed with a lot of equipment I've not seen before though.

"At the least, I know we managed to rough them up quite a bit...  I'm not sure if the Gatekeeper of Water was able to do anything...  Oh!  But we did capture one of their weapons!  It was a...  A..."  She grasped for a good term.  "I'd actually call it a Sorcery Cannon--at any rate, we got our hands on one of those--I wasn't able to give it a good look with the tools I had, so I just deactivated it--but maybe you and yours can help me make heads or tails of it?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:18, Tue 28 Apr 2009.

"Ha!  Your balance and grace is excellent." Dena taunts as she pulls up her arms to form a quick shield against his nails, and backs up two carefully planned steps.  "And you're light on your feet.  But do you know what to do when those things betray you?"
Dena delivers a high sweeping kick that misses horribly, but was never meant to strike in the first place.  Instead from that high level she brings her foot crashing down to where she'd already weakened the floor earlier, creating a crazed spiderweb of cracks fifty feet wide and instantly reducing the footing to a horrible mass of rolling splinters.  Capitalizing on her own advantage, Dena discards her warform as being unsportsmanlike and switches to her spirit form instead, a large aggressive wasp the size of a small dog that buzzes around third's head, delivering a series of stings to try to hit the nerves in his arms.

Most people, when confronted with a combination of their footing being taken away from them, and an unnaturally gigantic wasp buzzing around their head, would find their concentration shattered much like the ground around Third's feet. Third is able to keep it's footing, but only barely, as it moves down, moving more by instinct than by any conscious thought, as it dodges those vicious stings... But, at the last moment, one of those stings strikes, a glancing blow, not brekaing skin, but enough to leave it wary. "Third couldn't tell you. They've yet to betray it." it says, even as it pulls its arm into its robe, keeping it out of its way, not wanting to risk its arms against that stinger. Third suddenly inverts itself, crouching down, its working hand digging into the earth as it lifts itself bodily, both legs lashing out upwards as it goes into a handstand, those feet slicing at the wasp, trying to cripple the wings. The Solar is visibly tiring, though, as a light sheen of sweat covers its skin, shining in what wan light there is.

Dena kicks the first incoming blow aside with all three legs on one side, but this leaves her exposed to the second, which rockets the lightweight wasp body upwards.  Going with the flow rather than fighting the impact, Dena shifts back to her human form in midair and hits the ceiling with her legs, flexing deeply to absorb the kinetic energy.  Before she starts to fall she breaks off a stalactite and sends it Third's way as a long-range artillery barrage before kicking off in a powerful dive, and taking on her insect form along the way.

Alas this proves her undoing, as Dena aims a strike at Third's knee, but at such low level isn't able to slow quickly enough, and Third simply stomps her down into the sharp shards of the ruined floor.  Skidding about ten yards through the fragments, Dena takes her human shape again and rises, then pulls up her poncho to reveal a line of red scores in her forearm.  She slumps slightly as she drops her pain-absorbing form charm and the effects of Third's blows begin to tell, and nods pleasantly to him.
"Well played Third.  That is an impressive art."

OOC~ Figured with the next thread ending tomorrow we should wrap this up and I wanted to leave room for whatever discussion people wanted.

Talia has been standing in the crowd, observing the builder bugs, enjoying some refreshments, and watching Third and Dena spar when she overhears the Queen speaking.  She approaches, giving a polite bow, and spends a puzzled moment trying to decide what to do with the now-empty fish-skewer in her hand.  "I'm sorry, your Majesty; I fear that I've inadvertantly hurt your feelings.  This is all very new to me, even more so than the others.  I'm still trying to find my place here.
"If I've been quiet, It's not from lack of interest, but more because I hardly know where to begin." 

Despite her apparent moodiness, the Hive Queen seems quite capable of keeping close watch of the combat until its conclusion. She comments on Third's tenacity and Dena's inventiveness, considering them to be near evenly matched, despite employing wildly different styles and methods. In the meantime, Higura's words reassure her somewhat, and she decides to defer to his analysis of the situation for the moment, though it is dubious. The fact he appears to at least recognize the Lachesis by name, even if without any associated details, impresses her all the more.

Then Danae interjects. Chilomena immediately straightens, listening eagerly as the Dawn Caste speaks further about her recent crafting exploits. Continuing in her native language, she says, "Clockwork General! We would be honored to aid any further projects you may have. Perhaps the 'Impeccable Spark' may be further customized, or armor made to compliment it, or similar weapons crafted for your companions!" It is quite unusual seeing the stately Queen so excited, not unlike a child receiving her favorite toy. "Whatever plans you have, I can produce the labor you will need. We may aid in design as well, for lesser crafts, but you Creators, of course, will exceed our talent at this, given time."

"And the cannon? If you still have it, please bring it to us! We will put all our effort into the analysis. If it was in the hands of the Usurpers it is likely artifacts they have recently created with the facilities of the Pillar. However it is also very likely they may have based it on designs Hive Irix once worked with." Already she signals for a pair of her sapphire artisans to receive the artifact Danae spoke of, her good cheer finally restored!
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:29, Tue 28 Apr 2009.

When the duel ends, Chilomena rises enthusiastically to applaud them, showing her appreciation in the human way. The princesses and the communicator follow suit, all but giddy in the presence of the Queen's positive pheromones. The lesser royalty (in Old Realm) continue to speculate as to how well one or both would fight against the Rubies, or with superior equipment appropriate to their style. They also seem fascinated by Dena, saying some words the Lunar unfortunately cannot understand. "An insect Chosen of the Moon, with such speed and stamina! Would she consider breeding? It would be our first new genetic material in thousands of years!" Their scandalized amusement is quite apparent, though. "But then, that would make her a Queen as well!"

Queen Chilomena herself shows more elegance in her comments, this time allowing Jhenli the opportunity to translate for those who cannot understand her. "I must thank you all. Third and Dena for the entertainment and the food. Yaishin Higura, for your kind and wise words. And the young Clockwork General for helping to rekindling our purpose, now, and for the future!"

Turning to Talia, the Queen continues more gently: "I should apologize as well, for my impatience. Higura is right; you are all still young. Before, it was the Creators who were our elders. So let us work together instead."

She raises her pair of arms in a wide, emphatic gesture, proclaiming to all gathered: "May our alliance be fruitful and victorious, and the Pillar of Creation restored to its true glory and purpose!"

"Thank you for your generous offer!" Danae replied with a polite smile, and a bow to the Queen.  "Sorry I couldn't be more effusive before though...  Hehehe...  At any rate, the labor is greatly appreciated...  The biggest problem at the moment though in terms of further production is twofold though...  The first and biggest problem being that I'm low on components--mostly what I could scavenge from various places on the way up... I've got enough Orichalcum left for one more minor weapon, and a little bit to get started on some armor...  But realistically speaking, I likely won't be able to get much done until we've got access to the Fire District's smelting facilities...  Beyond that, I wanted to try getting some armor together...  I won't be able to reproduce my high end battle armor, but I should be able to at least design the endoskeleton and base and put them to use...  Of course, there's the materials issue again--I'd need a strong, flexible, and conductive polymer to serve as the materials for the base, and that's not really the kind of thing I can just scavenge off other armor without comprimising the integrity."

She trailed off slightly, as if realizing she was running on a bit.  "Plus, there's the time issue--it'll probably take me a few weeks even with proper facilities and labor to build it--and our affairs in the Earth District are starting to come to a head...  But no doubt once this District is liberated, that we'll have plenty of time to work!"

Third bows as the fight finishes. " The Even Blade style is an unusual one. Third still has much distance to take with the style... And a final decision to make as to how to complete the style." Third smiles slightly. " At the same time... You had a distinct advantage in your hybrid form. Third thinks it likely that, were this a life-or-death fight, it would not have fared nearly so well." It takes her hand pleasantly, the wan Solar offering some help as it returns to the others, bowing once again to Queen Chilomena. " Your alliance will be met with the greatest of gratitude, Queen Chilomena. With your aid, we may have a fighting chance at reclaiming the Pillar, and the world." The Solar takes a seat, letting out a soft breath, skin showing the sheen of sweat from hard work. Of course, focused as it was on the battle, Third heard nothing of the comments about crafting.

"Perhaps." Dena agrees mildy, inclining her head to Third.  "Practice and drill can never truly replace deadly combat, but they are a good indicator.  When this is over, I hope you'll honor me with a rematch.  My own style. . . I have taken nearly as far as I am willing.  So far I only use my own pain for power, I sense that to go further I would have to begin to use the pain of others and I'm not ready to take that step yet.  I will probably search for a new style to learn before I continue this path."

Dena turns away and towards the musicians and gives them a shallow bow as well.  "I thank you all for your rousing performance, our battle would not have been nearly as entertaining without your counter-point."

The refugees add to the applause once the Queen has made her pronouncement. Some of them even cheer! For the first time they are starting to understand that they will one day be able to live without fearing discovery. Better yet, they won't be stuck hiding in a cave with only fish, mushrooms and tubers to eat.

The group playing on the drums (made mostly from pots and bits of leather scavenged from the area) bows back to Dena, grateful for the praise. "It was our pleasure. Thank you." Thinking the Exalts may want to discuss further with the Queen, they start moving their little party toward the main settlement cavern, continuing to beat their makeshift drums while a couple flautists start a duet of melody and counterpoint with flutes made out of reeds.

Even the refugee guards look in better spirit, though Drachma remains pensive as he directs a small group of guards to accompany the revelers and make sure the narrow, recently dug cave leading outside remains secure. Two others he asks to remain with him and the Celestials.

Shaking off of his dazed contemplation for a moment, Higura manages to reconcile enough of his thoughts to get back into the conversation, looking apologetically at the Queen.

"I apologize for this, your Majesty. My soul, my mind and my self were damaged greatly in centuries I have spent in captivity. Indeed, it even seemed at one point that it would never be reborn, broken and shattered beyond repair. My memory is in fragments, as I have mentioned before, and sometimes certain people and events act as 'keys' to unlock parts of it, it seems. But I... have recollections of it, majesty. Of this Lachesis you speak of. And of the other Moirae as well, although I recall only vague silhouettes when I try to think of them. Perhaps in time, and with your help, I will recall more." He smiles gratefully, bowing his head deeply at her praise. He does ponder, however, at the sudden realization the Queen forced in him. "Lachesis... I wonder if it survived the usurpation, and if so, I wonder what has been done with it."

When the combat finishes, the Doctor applauds with the others, visibly glad to have been allowed to witness his comrades' prowess. "This was a great display, Mister Third, Miss Dena. I am certain it is heartening for everyone to see such ability, as it shows that we may still triumph - our power is still alive, despite years spent in captivity. It is a rousing display, and I thank you for it."

The doctor joins in the cheer when the Queen makes her announcement, and even sends a look towards the refugees, who seem to have been in somewhat of a delicate and confusing position after Tycho's departure. He does send a comforting look their way, however, to Drachma and the others. He does not speak, but his gaze says what words do not: Worry not. I have seen you through these difficult times, from the Water District onwards. I will not let you down.

The Hive Queen reseats herself, and listens to Danae's battle armor plans with obvious enthusiasm, rubbing her hands together. She continues in Old Realm, with Jhenli continuing translation duties now that Third and Dena's fight is over. "Earth District may provide a great deal of resources once we have overtaken it. There is very much iron ore in the vicinity, even significant veins of gold and silver. The Pillar of Creation is able to produce a regular supply of harvestable jade -- but orichalcum, moonsilver and starmetal are rarer, without access to the sky. The raw material was mostly imported from outside before the Long Sleep, and manufactured in the District above."

"There is also adamant, which is used in the construction of the Pillar itself. In this Age, only the greater Artificial Intelligences of the Pillar would be sure about how to work with it. Though it is something a Solar Exalted would surely be able to learn." Chilomena seems quite confident in the abilities of Celestial Exalts, but then again, it was they who created the three Hives of Irix. She cannot help but hold some unabashed awe for the power potential of her makers.

"I believe that we could at least begin to work on a frame or prototype to your specifications. Our work may not be as swift, Creator, but it would give you a framework to start with." [Private to Danae Adela: basically I'd say you could do a craft roll to work up the basic design, then the builder bugs could proceed on that design and start on some labor without you. Just to give you a head start. Up to you though, you may prefer to use the bit of remaining downtime to start on Third's sword.]

The sapphire artisans the Queen summoned before continue to wait patiently for the so called 'sorcery cannon' to be delivered. She addresses Higura in the meantime. "According to Legend, Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos were crafted for the three guardians of Fate who guided the Pillar of Creation's purpose. It is said that the wearers of the Fate Armor often shifted, but Dusan wore his the longest of them all. I would be surprised should they have been destroyed, and saddened if they were stolen. They were among the best works Hive Irix ever assisted with."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:29, Wed 29 Apr 2009.

"I thought as much--about the material availability anyway" Danae agreed.  "We might be able to refine Orichalcum and Moonsilver if someone's willing to try using their Anima as the purifier--it's mostly theoretical, and probably won't be terribly comfortable, but Solar and Lunar animas are still technically sun and moonlight...  It's an experiment I want to try at some point.  Starmetal's probably going to be more difficult, but I've still got a mostly untouched cache that should serve in an emergency."

As she was talking, two of Danae's assistants approached, carrying the 'Sorcery Cannon' between them to provide a good look.

"At any rate, I still have enough materials lying around to get started--except for fabric for the base--I'll keep my eyes open while the operation's started though, might be able to stumble across something usable...  At any rate..." She gestured to the 'Sorcery Cannon' at that point.  "As far as I can tell, that thing uses sonic energy to provide a highly powerful, surpressive attack--at least on the same calibur as Sapphire Circle Sorcery...  Possibly Adamant even, but I'm not really capable of Sorcery, so I couldn't be an authority there.  I deactivated it as a security measure, but it'd be nice to know what's inside, just so we'll have an idea of what they can bring to bear."

"If we want to create like we used to, we need to get back under the sky."  Talia murmurs under her breath.  When the "Sorcery Cannon" is brought out, she chews her lip for a moment, hesitant.  She looks it over quietly.


[Private to GM: Is this cannon close enough to sorcery to attract Mei's attention?  Should I roll for throwback?]

Third's ears prick for a moment, as it hears that word- Adamant. " You say that there are supplies of Adamant on this level?" It pauses for a moment, thinking deeply. Memories flash through Third's mind, light refracting in strange, shifting patterns through the edge of a blade. Like a rime of frost on a golden blad,e it sliced probability, destroyed universal laws around it, split motes at the tip of that perfect edge. A mathematical harbinger of doom...

Third shakes its head free of the memories, looking towards the others, and crouching next to the cannon. This is the first time it's had the opportunity to study the strange device, and it's more than eager to look into it, inspecting the form...

"Adamant is all around us, Third. The core of the Pillar of Creation and the majority of panels and mechanisms important to its function are made of it. So yes. There is adamant on this floor. But accessing most of it would mean defacing the Pillar itself," Queen Chilomena explains.

"Most of the Magical Materials I spoke of would be stored in Fire District, however. As Danae has rightly pointed out, the smelting facilities of Fire are the ones most suited to working with such potent metals. Of course, there may be caches of orichalcum, moonsilver or even starmetal on any given floor. Forgotten relics or storage areas. But I would expect most of these to be cleared out by now."

The sapphire artisans chitter animatedly as they receive the chorus cannon from Danae's assistants. Those who come closer to examine the artifact see what looks to be a heavily modified Essence cannon, roughly fitting the 'small' size bracket ('small' still being quite large for a human to hold). Its barrel is wider and shorter than normal and the weapon sports an oversized cylinder between the foregrip and stock bearing Essence respiring tanks, currently deactivated. The barrel and cylinder are, at closer glance, encircled with bands of metal -- largely white jade alloy with etchings in orichalcum -- bearing mystical sigils. Various knobs and other controls, including a series of switches on the grip, serve some unknown purpose.

One marking on the cannon is not in Old Realm, but in High Realm: LETO-001 'ARCHICHOROS'. Likely the name of the weapon itself.

The Queen looks it over herself, discussing in insect-speak with the artisans accompanying her, before addressing the Celestials again with Jhenli. Normally excited with artifacts and magitech, her attitude seems almost... subdued. "We will need to take the Archichoros to our laboratories for testing and analysis. I believe we will need to disassemble it at least partially to understand its function completely. For certain it is a powerful weapon capable of widespread destruction. It will be handled with care."

---

OOC: Danae, you already examined it (as far as you could without dissecting it, anyway). Others can roll Int+Lore or Int+Occult to examine. Depending on which you roll you'll get different info. [Private to Talia Zerith: Yes! You should roll your throwback. Though you'll also need to roll Int+Lore or Occult to figure more details on what your throwback is reacting to, besides just sorcerous looking etchings on the artifact.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:07, Thu 30 Apr 2009.

Dena strolls over near the examination, working the numbness out of her bruises as she goes and briefly examines the weapon as well.
"It doesn't seem like something I'd want to use." she decides.  "I'm not sure, too stiff and fixed in it's purpose maybe.  Weapons for me have to be fluid and flexible."




10:31, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 1 success using 4d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,4,1,9. Int + Lore.

As Talia looks at the device, her eyes narrow and her jaw tighens.  She pulls back abruptly, folding her arms across her chest.
"They call it the Leto Project.  The Terrestrials built devices to allow them to use higher sorcery; they stored a spell in something like this, with an Essence battery to power it.  That way any Dragon-Blooded could use the spell."
"Beyond that, I really don't know anything.  And I don't particularly want to."

In the back of Talia's mind a familiar voice whispers, craving the power the cannon contains, wanting to look closer, wanting to find the spell inside, wanting to claim the power.  Talia steels her resolve and forces the impulses down into her subconcious.  She eyes the cannon with mistrust.

OOC: 12:25, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 2 successes using 6d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,1,2,6,9,9. Int+Lore.
12:25, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 7 successes using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,10,3,4,2,10,10. Throwback. Wow.  So...I'm assuming I can beat back Mei's greedy little hands.  Not sure how much I know about the weapon, though.  I'll expand Talia's reaction based on what I learn.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:21, Thu 30 Apr 2009.

"Then it is unlikely the Terrestrials would have destroyed such powerful creations, Majesty. Their mode of operation has been more leaning towards making use of the devices they could use for their own ends. Despite their hatred for our kind, they still obviously respected our ability at creating wondrous devices - doubly so when they realized they could not create everything they envisioned by themselves." The doctor pauses then, and a wave of sadness seems to pass over his features.

"With certain help, however, they were capable of creating truly powerful - and truly frightening - devices. I... Even I stands here in this form as the result of their tampering." The last words are much quieter, almost hushed, as Higura lowers his gaze.

"With your help, however, things might take a different turn, Majesty. Our opponents have gained the knowledge necessary to operate and maintain the technology you have developed with our predecessors, but they did not create these wonders. Therefore, you and your kin have an understanding of these creations that they will never truly possess - an understanding that we can turn against them, if used sensibly."

"Perhaps it is not a respect so much as a covetousness," replies the Queen somberly to Higura. "Or hubris, believing they are more fit to wield and utilize such technologies. The Usurpers are more dangerous because they believe they are right."

"Understand this, though; we are builders, but the true Creators are those who designed the great artifacts. They are the true masters of the art. To have created something on the level of Archichoros there must be a Celestial above who has written the plans. Given the Usurpers' penchant for taking slaves, he or she was quite likely coerced to do so."

Dena gives the Archichoros a cursory glance but cannot figure out much more about it except that it is an essence weapon with considerable power output. The cannon would make a pretty good bludgeoning tool, she figures, given how heavy and bulky it is.

Talia, on the other hand, figures out a little bit more. [Private to Talia Zerith: As one of the enslaved crafters employed in the Fire District at various points, Talia would have seen some of the parts and pieces manufactured in the factories above for the Leto Project. What she understands of the project is that it was designed to allow Dragon-blooded to wield Celestial and greater sorceries by binding sorcery spells into magitech. Basically making a portable spell powered by Essence battery, which any Dragon-blooded could use. You can't really figure out much at all about the sorcery side of this (including what spell or spells are bound in the Archichoros) without actually having more Occult skill though. And since you never actually saw the weapon in action... it's all the harder to guesstimate.]

"It's not impossible" Danae acknowledged.  "But that still leaves a lot of troubling questions--I'm fairly decent, but even I can only wrap my head around relatively basic concepts right now--it's been enough mind you, but something of this degree is way above and beyond what I can manage right now--I might be able to get my head around it given a solid ateiler and time to tinker, but I really doubt I'd be able to reproduce the design...  With that said--the Terrestrials tend to try killing us off if we get too powerful...  So we've got a paradox--a design only a powerful Celestial Exalt could design and build--yet an environment that makes those Celestials virtually impossible to exist--they're obviously getting their high tech from somewhere...  I think we've got to consider the possibility of willing collaborators to their side who have been hidden out of the public eye to support the present rule."

It's a slight bombshell, but Danae quickly continues.  "I'm not saying it's a hundred percent likely...  But it is an answer that 'Works' given what we know of Five Coils...  Virtually 100% indoctrination rate of nearly every Dragon Blooded who ever exalts here--at least, I've never SEEN a Dragon Blooded who didn't absolutely believe that their cause was absolutely right, despite the evils they pull on a regular basis.  Devices handed out on the sly that easily match wonders from the First Age, and a growing ability to mechanize Sorcery-like effects, when the Dragon Blooded are incapable of even brushing against the High Sorceries?  If we allow for the possibility that some Celestials have shown enough loyalty to the Council of Five Coils, and allow for the possibility they may have ways of guaranteeing that loyalty, in exchange for relative freedom of action?  I think at the least, the possibility bears consideration..."

Third lets its eyes run over the machine. " Ultimately, all the power that the Terrestrials hold is concentrated in the works of their slaves. They build their empire on the back of greater miracles than they can make..." It stands as it examines the cannon. There's a cold spark of anger flaring there. This cannon represents that slavery, the slavery that it and its kind have been forced through... The Solar breathes in, and out, cleansing itself of that spark of rage, focusing on studying the mechanisms, to discover what it can about the function of the machine... And the structure. " It would be a bitter irony. But it doesn't matter, ultimately, whether Terrestrial, Celestial, or Solar hands run the Five Coils. They oppress us, and they most be overthrown. The only question this will raise is how great the obstacles before us will be." Third gives a slight smile. "An important question, of course... But for now..." Third returns to its studies.

OOC: You rolled 5 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((1,10,3,6,4,3,9,10,4,5)).

The idea that Celestial Exalted would actually betray their own kind by allying with the Usurpers is a shocking thought to Queen Chilomena. "Surely that could not be so. I pray it is not!" She actually shudders in horror at the very concept. After all, it is in her genetic code to consider the Celestials her betters, especially Solars. She has seen cruelty between the Exalts before, but it was always quarrels between Deliberative members or their Stewards -- it is an entirely different thought that a Celestial might consent to enslave another, even indirectly.

While the Queen considers this disturbing revelation, Third takes the opportunity to glean what knowledge it can from the Archichoros before the sapphire artisans take it away.

[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: The Leto project is designed to allow Dragon-blooded to wield Celestial and greater sorceries by binding sorcery spells into magitech. Archichoros is one such magitech weapon powered by Essence battery, which any Dragon-blooded could use (attunement is still required, there's no way the DBs would allow mortals to go running around with weapons like these).

Depending on the spell there is a certain amount of 'charge time' involved, which the switches on the grip allows control of, basically feeding in energy gradually into the spell formation, as opposed to a traditional cannon trigger. The controls may also be used to alter the spell patterns in various ways for area of effect, intensity, etc. It would take a certain amount of Lore/Occult/Essence to operate them at all, equivalent to the requirements for the spell circle.

It is very likely a Celestial had to be involved at the very least in the higher-end theoretical design, and the use of greater Magical Materials, but an elder Dragon-blood (Essence 6+) could have had enough skill to do the majority of the work. Particularly if aided by other supernatural beings -- Exalted aren't the only ones that can build and design, after all.

If you want to know more about the magic stored in the Archichoros you'll need an Int+Occult roll.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:02, Fri 01 May 2009.

"I agree" Danae said, nodding.  "But it's never actually a 'Bad' idea to consider a worst case scenario.  As far as I know, it might just be that they have access to particularly formidable indoctrination devices, and they've put most of their own elder craftsmen on maintaining them, it's another explaination that makes sense given what we know--though it doesn't leave them with a lot of room for error...  Fortunately, as things stand, it'll take a rather absurd number of Dragon Blooded to bring one of our better fighters down--I myself could give a good fight to a sizable number--but even in a best case scenario, we'll have to go into this expecting Celestial level opposition through the enslavement collars, there was one young one..."  She trailed off, and shook her head.

"At any rate, it does seem that high ranking Dragon Blooded can exert particularly powerful controls on young Celestials...  Frankly, we need to find a counter for the collars too--and we need to find 'Some' way of getting at least SOME of the Dragon Blooded in our camp as well.  I don't deny the assistance of your Ruby Warriors, but we'll need further allies, both from the people of Five Coils, and from our remaining allies within--otherwise, it doesn't matter how well we've performed up to that point, Midway'll stop us dead in the water, it's not the sort of place that can be captured by subterfuge alone like we've done so far... Hopefully though, when materials allow for it, I should be able to begin producing some golems to help fill out the ranks, especially with the aid of your people."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:11, Fri 01 May 2009.

From the front of the mining settlement, where the refugees' celebration continues, one of the guards Drachma sent to watch them comes running in. "Excuse my interruption, Exalted, Hive Queen. Lookouts report four individuals approaching the site of the old tunnel. We think they may be your allies from the Conclave. They're not trying to hide themselves... seems they've found some way to distract the sentries for a time."

The drumbeats and reed flutes have stopped for the moment. The refugees have learned to be cautious and do not take for granted their freedom, so they quiet it down until they can be certain of the situation.

"Ahh... in any case... I think that it would be appropriate for at least one of the Celestial Exalted to greet them." The guard scratches his head, a little uncertain in a situation like this. Getting acclimated to Celestials was one thing but now there's insect royalty, too.

"I do not think you should underestimate the Usurpers," says the Queen to Danae, "numbers or not, I would expect them to be instructed on how to combat Celestials, and superiorly equipped."

"Securing more allies would be imperative, though. I believe you may have success with the mortals of the district; as for the Dragon-blooded I would recommend against starting with Immaculate Order members." Chilomena is, of course, oblivious to the fact Harmony of Enlightenment is currently guarding a group of Immaculate monks and acolytes Third and Higura have recently captured. "We would be pleased to aid with the construction of these 'golems'. Our memory has retained the designs for several automatons created in this District and others, to give you a basis to work with."

"Also, as I have explained, the Gatekeeper of Water is sending two more free Celestials above. I would like to describe them in more detail; however I do think we should greet these new arrivals first. I wish to meet them as well."

---

OOC: People from Conclave can start stepping in when ready. I've heard from both Dreams and Dashu that they are RL busy though, so it's likely we'll move through this quickly, time skip, and get everyone in the builder bug hive to finalize plans.

"I'll go double-check on our visitors just in case there's trouble." Dena suggests, heading over to recover her essence-lash.  "Even if they're friendly, with the tunnel closed off they'll probably need directions to find the new entrance.  Anybody care to come with me?"

Third nods. "We have already captured three Dragon-Blooded. They are Immaculates, but at least one of them has begun to question. In fact, if you are able to offer some place for us to keep them imprisoned, once we are moved into the hive, Third would be most appreciative. We have used the collars to prevent them from using essence or attempting to escape, but having some form of extra insurance would ease our minds." Third nods its head respectfully towards Chilomena. "It will be more difficult than it would be with any peace officers, Third has no doubt of that. But if we do succeed... It will show us the way towards greater numbers." It looks towards Dena. "Third will be glad to join you." the Solar says, standing, hefting the short daiklave again, moving to walk with the Lunar to greet their returning comrades.