By the time the Inner Temple group is prepared to depart, the onyx workers have already dug a large outer room for the small army of Ruby Warriors, Blue Stripes and Exalts to gather, opening up just at the perimeter of the sensor-free zone.

One hundred and fifty-five Rubies are quite a sight to see all together, arranged in neat rows while Princess Evamae walks among their ranks, ensuring they are battle-ready. The Hive Princess is now in her four-armed, bipedal human form, garbed in what appears to be a water-enchanted breastplate, chosen for its aspect of Fluidity in case she requires shifting to her insect form. Her chosen weapons, currently sheathed, are a pair of hook swords and a pair of straight swords. All of it is of perfect quality, and custom tailored for her, the best the Hive could possibly produce out of mundane materials, given enough time to work.

In addition, the Princess holds a bag of Talia's Celestial identification badges. She distributes these as well, affixing them via an emerald producer-brewed adhesive to their carapaces. Now they are Ruby Caste Warriors in the Service of the Creators, and they are restless, anticipating the conflict ahead of them.

It seems Evamae has been chosen for this particular mission both for martial prowess and for her prowess in the other languages of Coils. So she is able to speak quite fluently in Low Realm, unlike her mother. "We will move out when you are ready, Creators."

[Private to Danae Adela; Peleps Dashu; Tervila Dena; Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: We'll continue as soon as you're all gathered. Danae can also arrange / give orders / etc. her Blue Stripes as she sees fit.]

"Alright--we'll be beginning our first major operation momentarily" Danae begins, pacing around ever so slightly as she began establishing the Rules of Engagement.  "This will have a high probability of urban combat--and the Civilians are at present unaware of what is going on.  You are to fight alongside myself as neccessary, unless I provide orders to the contrary.  Priority targets are to be non-cleared individuals bearing jadesteel, with secondary targets being any armed individuals presently attacking ourselves or our own units.  Wounded, unarmed, and noncombatants are to be of low priority, noted, but not engaged unless they should enter the battle against us.  I don't 'Think' there will be exceptions at this stage of the game, but be ready to stand down if such a command comes across."

She sighed, and tugged slightly on the jade breastplate she had--it was a little bit big for her to be perfectly honest--though a bit of modification made it mostly wearable--and it was at least lighter then what she had beforehand, as well as slightly harder.

She also made a point of affixing a Celestial Identification badge on each of their chassis somewhere--no sense leaving any weak links in the whole affair.

Dena slips her lash into a pocket and wraps the chain she's been carrying from the beginning around her waist, just in case it's needed as a tool.  Flaring the yellow poncho she's taken the wearing to get it loose and unconstricting, she pulls out a very long leather long and stretches it with a bit of amusement.
"I'll have to make sure the badge is on a thread long enough that it won't be tight on my warform, otherwise it might meld with me when I shift." she explains as she threads it around her neck so that the badge is swinging somewhere near her navel over the poncho.
"I can take the lead if you wish, I am probably the best of us at surviving an ambush.  But I know I'm not as observant as some so I'm less likely to see it coming."

The Blue Stripes's red eyes swivel back and forth to follow the path of Danae's pacing as they pay careful attention to her every command.

"Affirmative," replies Blue Stripe 1, speaking for its four 'brothers' as well. "Priorities acknowledged. Will remain in passive scanning mode until hostiles detected." Their massive shield and goremaul weapons remain, for the moment, attached to brackets placed on their backs.

The Ruby Warriors, of course, cannot sheath their weapons anywhere; their forelimbs are themselves weapons, from sharp sword-like blades to sickle protrusions to scorpion like clamps. All three base types of Warriors are represented, though the majority are Ruby Attackers.

The badge distribution done, Evamae stands at the head of the Ruby column and waits, gazing out at the darkness beyond. For the Princess, this is the first time she will have ventured from the Hive in centuries. "If you would allow it, I would join you at the lead, Tervila Dena. Though our senses are not like humans, they are still accurate. I... am honored to accompany you, Creators."

Dashu and Third are still elsewhere dealing with the Mockingbird contact and the Immaculate prisoners, respectively.

"I would be glad for your presence." Dena answers after spending a few moments thinking it over.  "But please stay behind me, I can most likely take a hit more easily than you can."

"As you wish, Tervila Dena," answers the Princess Evamae, bowing politely. For all her alien, insectoid appearance, her mannerisms are more human than most of her peers, save perhaps Communicators like Jhenli. She may well have been trained similarly to them. The First Princess and Diplomat. "And I would tend to agree. Hive Mother sent me with you to ensure Hive Irix can continue on. At the very least I can create a new Hive cell in the Fire District or above. So if you would guard me, Dena, I would be much obliged."

Third, somewhat belated, enters, bowing its head towards the others pleasantly with a curt nod. "The virus has been implanted. We should be able to circumvent the Automaton forces. Eye am pleased to meet you, Princess. We will certainly be grateful to have you in the Fire District." It looks around towards the others. "Eye have properly transferred attunement of the collars over. We should be able to begin our infiltration shortly." The Solar waits in silence, mind focused on the task ahead, feeling the katas already begging to be used.

Dashu entered the shortly after Third and nods to... it.  "Sorry I wasn't able to help with the monks.  The other group should be on their way shortly, though."  He sported his new boots and gloves as well as his jade claws, equipped with the harmonic tuner.

After he talks to Third, Dashu acknowledges the Princess at the head of the column with a brief bow.  He then funnels his essence, etching his katas into his muscles.  Where they were going, there was likely to be a fight.


[Private to Gatekeeper: 16m to Infinite MA Mastery.]

The Hive Princess bows to Third and Dashu as they join the array of combatants gathering in the outer chamber. "As you must already know, I am First Princess Evamae. Despite my rank, I am, in the company of the illustrious Creators, your humble servant."

"If I may suggest, most noble Celestials, I and Tervila Dena will march in the front with a small honor guard of Warriors. Danae Adela and her Blue Stripes will follow us, and the remaining ranks of Warriors afterward. Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge, perhaps you may join with Danae for the time being, as you possess both strength of knowledge and speed of blade. And Peleps Dashu, I am aware you are one of the Night Caste Chosen... your senses may best serve our cause as a forward scout." She seems to be trying very hard to word the plans in an open-ended manner, to show that she will not usurp the authority of the Creators. Rather, her place is more of an advisor, supporting Danae as the de facto military leader.

"We should move out in short time. Our destination: the B25 Western Immaculate Shrine-Outpost, on the way to the B25 Northern Immaculate Warrior Monk Garrison." She falls silent, then, giving orders in insect-speak for the Rubies, in a series of movements, clicks and chemical signatures. The insect warriors check their badges, let out a chorus of chirps and gestures, then form up at attention.

---

OOC: all right, it doesn't seem right for the Princess to give the order to move to the Celestials, so I'll leave it to the PCs. Then we'll start doing some fast-forwards.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:49, Sat 30 May 2009.

"Sounds good to me, I'll go ahead and head out unless there's something else I need to know," Dashu responds to the Princess' suggestion.  With that shadows seamed to congeal around Dashu as he took the tell-tale stance of the Ebon Shadow Style and activated his anima.



[Private to GM: 07:42, Today:

10m to activate anima, 1m to keep anima from flaring, 5m to activate form charm.

Made the rolls for the awareness check and stealth roll already.  I'll post those actions when someone else chimes in.

Peleps Dashu rolled 3 successes using 13d10 ... with rolls of 3,1,1,8,5,3,4,2,5,1,8,8,4. Dex + Stealth Roll.

Peleps Dashu rolled 7 successes using 9d10 ... with rolls of 8,5,6,3,10,8,1,10,9. Perc + Awareness. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 12:53, Tue 26 May 2009.

"Alright, I'm ready as well."  Dena decides, consulting the map a moment more before stepping forward.  "Let's get this done."

"I'm ready too" Danae acknowledged, taking a careful breath, and recalling the memories she had activated during the visions given by Alazne...

The First Principal of Exalted Combat is Equilibrium--mortal soldiers flail with steel and spell, compensating for lack of strength with sheer numbers...  But one does not send a mortal to fight gods and demons.

The Terrestrial Exalted strike with grace and speed, cutting away at their foes through continual assaults, blazing brightly for a short time, and overwhelming their foes with sheer volume...  But you do not send a Terrestrial Exalt to face Behemoths and Primordials.

The strength of the Celestial Exalted fundamentally comes from their Balance.  To strike with all of their might when needs require it, and just as quickly to parry the fiercest blows known.  With the appropriate Stance, there is not a foe in Creation who will be your match!

Reaching a hand onto Impeccable Spark's hilt, as the scabbard snapped open with a puff of steam, Danae drew the Orichalcum blade, snapping it downwards, and allowing it to trail in an underhanded grip at her right side, out of the way, but capable of being instantly brought into play, covering each and every inch of space approaching her within the space of a heartbeat.

"I'm ready, let's get this show on the road!"


OOC: Activating Fivefold Bulwark Stance out of Personal Essence

Third closes its eyes as it begins its katas.

Once there was a maiden... Who held a blade. She smiled, and dreamt, and cut, and did not notice what she was cutting. She sliced and slashed, and her sisters cut too, until they woke from their reverie, to a forest of splinters.

It opens its eyes, focus intense, and begins on its next step, its body beginning to move strangely, flowing smoothly through even the slightest, idle movements, as it invokes Flow Like Blood.

It is focused. It is flexible. It is prepared for this.

"Forward!" Princess Evamae utters in Old Realm, stirred to action by Danae's statement, and the entire column begins to depart the Hive. She occupies the first rank with Dena, surrounded by a protective arc of Ruby Warriors. Behind the row of automatons accompanying the current Clockwork General, the one-hundred fifty remaining Warriors move in perfectly synchronized marching order, attuned to one another in a way that human soldiers would either envy or fear.

Unlike the group meeting with Free, the Inner Temple Group and their army have no hope of remaining stealthy in the company of massive insects and even more massive automatons. They almost immediately attract attention from the nearby machine sentries, though Evamae's directions move them along the outer perimeter of the District, where human patrols are the least likely. Accosted by a pair of non-striped Hulking Automaton Sentries, the column comes briefly to a halt, as the massive machines and accompanying Spider Eyes attempt to make sense of this large group moving through the hive.

Because the group is so large, it takes some time for them to scan and process the entirety, and compare it to currently known data. It seems, however, that the virus has worked so well that the enemy machines treat them as friendly and inconsequential, and give them the okay to proceed. Ever afterward, any machine sentries that cross their path give them only a quick scan and continue on their duties.

Moving quickly in formation, the army still takes about three hours to reach their first destination. At this point, Evamae requests a pause in their advance to assess the situation, at a distance and position the Blue Stripes deem safe and unseen. Speaking quietly in Low Realm for the sake of her allies, the Hive Princess says, "Just ahead is the Shrine Outpost. Should we follow Communicator Jhenli's original plan, we should deploy a contingent of Warriors from here, and proceed toward the North Quadrant entrance while they distract and infiltrate the Inner Temple from here. If you have additional instructions or wish to alter the plan, please state it now, noble Creators."

---

OOC: this relatively open-ended post is a chance for you to take a dramatic action (Int+Lore to draw from knowledge of the area, Int+War to determine an ideal tactic for employing the Rubies...) or a combination of actions (Dex+Stealth and Perception+Awareness to scout the area, etc.) Or you can just stick with the plan and I'll move you toward the next destination.

Note - the reason for sending the Exalts to the North Garrison entrance is because it's a more direct entrance into the Inner Temple than the Outpost. Plus you can attack on more than one front.

[Private to Danae Adela: Since no one else has really taken War yet, I don't think I will be incorporating true Mass Combat, as otherwise it'd really cripple everyone else. Coordinated attacks may be more useful at this time (and they're quite good!), though possibly I may be able to incorporate the skirmish rules I've been making for Outcastes as well. More details will come when combat is imminent.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:45, Sat 30 May 2009.

Danae closed her eyes in thought at this point, looking over the terrain, and mulling over how best to deploy a bunch of overpowered, armed to the teeth insects to best effect, ideally fighting off the opposing force as best as possible, while exposing them to a minimal amount of risk.

The problem, of course, was that Danae didn't actually KNOW what they'd be fighting against--the enemy forces were of unknown strength and composition--though likely would contain a number of Immaculate Monks among their numbers as well...

Then, as if flipping on a switch, she had it.

"You might be able to increase your cover by using the Automatons to your advantage"  Danae explained.  "We've established that they get confused when it comes to relatively unusual situations--and they tend to freeze up during this period of time as well...  If you can exploit that, using their large size and strength as mobile obstacles--you should be able to close the distance between them very quickly...  If the other side tries attacking them as well, it might just be that they'll treat Those targets as 'Unfriendlies', and join the battle on your side...  It's a long shot, but it'll probably be better then charging them head on--right?"

[Private to Gatekeeper: 21:18, Today: Danae Adela rolled 2 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,6,5,4,3,10,4,3. Int + War.

Adding 4s from Second War Excellency, and hoping to get a stunt with this as well, total is 6 successes at this point]

"This is true," concedes Evamae, "however, it is not very likely the Immaculate Monks make use of automatons. Hive Irix's current knowledge of the Immaculate Order suggests that they find artificial life distasteful, and are more likely to rely on standard jade artifacts, light magitech and most of all, their supernatural martial arts. Of course... there are always exceptions," the Princess admits cautiously, perhaps feeling uncertain about correcting one of the Creators.

"We too are uncertain of exact numbers, as we have only seen what is outside. The Outpost may have a score of active monks initially, most of acolyte or junior level with one or two senior leaders. The North Garrison would have at least double that with perhaps four or five senior monks."

"I would expect the temple interior to have several hundreds of fighting monks stationed there. That is of course divided among five floors, and not all of them immediately in the Inner Temple itself but rather stationed to protect various Temple nodes. But we expect a relatively small percent of monks to be able to match the mighty Celestials in battle."

[Private to Danae Adela: I rolled you 1 die stunt, so 2 motes back... No sux though :( :( Now I can still give you some info concerning division of troops, 6 sux is still a good roll. First of all, you might want to send Dashu ahead to scout. That separates him from the group but on the other hand, that's what Nights do best!

Given the numbers you've just heard, you think the Ruby Warriors could easily overpower the Shrine Outpost. They'd have a harder time alone against the monks of the Garrison. The Blue Stripes could also go in alone against the Outpost and do quite well, but again, you have to think not only about what's seen from the outside, but what opposition would be encountered inside.

There is also the unfortunate possibility the Peace Force may bring in reinforcements from the outside, too. Though Peace Force tends toward magitech equipped mortals and fewer Essence users.

So I would not say your goal would be to kill EVERY last Immaculate. Rather, taking the bottom Temple floor, fortifying, and defending from there, will make it easier for you to push upward, particularly if the Hive Queen or rebels can send more numbers your way.]

"It's fairly likely" Danae said, acknowledging the new information, and recalculating her plans.  "Well...  The way I see it, out best tactical decision will be to secure the bottom floor of the temple--and then hold off any reinforcements as the rest of us climb up to the top floors...  Of course, the total numbers we'll be dealing with are probably going to be considerable either way--so if there's a way we can divert the Immaculate forces down here while the brunt of our strength is intact, it'll make climbing up the rest of the tower an easier prospect..."

She glanced over to Dashu and the others.  "Dashu, would you mind heading forward and getting us some preliminary intelligence as to what we'll be dealing with in the temple?  And if anyone else has any ideas to add, this'd be a good time to provide them..."

"Hmm, Evamae, are the Ruby Warriors able to easily climb walls?  It seems to me that the Immaculates will probably put a reinforced security point at the entrance on the first floor but less likely to put such on every window.  If we were to climb to the second floor, and I to fly up any who can't climb as well, we could take such checkpoint from behind and destroy it more easily."

Dena pops her neck joints with twist of her head as she channels essence into her skin to harden it and through her flesh to make it more conducive and welcoming to the pain that will be flowing into her soon, giving herself an Insatiable Slave Stamina.

09:38, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 4 successes using 5d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,10,7,8,3. Int+Lore.

Evamae considers; "Yes, they can climb as well as most insects, however... my apologies, but you are mistaking the temple structure. The floors of the Inner Temple are analogous to the floors of the Coils itself. It is embedded into the District in such a way that to reach the next Temple floor you must climb from the inside. Think of the Inner Temple as a cylinder on the central axis of Coils, that spans five floors. Therefore the floor or ceiling, depending on your perspective, between each of those floors intersects the Temple and divides it into levels as well."

"And the Inner Temple itself lacks windows. It is completely surrounded by earth, camouflaged, if you will. As explained by Jhenli, only the Immaculates and a few individuals actually know there is an Inner Temple. That is why the Temple Nodes exist. The people only are aware of the outside facades, such as this Shrine Outpost."

The Hive Princess bows deeply. "I hope that this explains the situation better, Creators."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:31, Sun 31 May 2009.

"Hmm. . ." Dena muses.  "We may be able to dig through mere earth easily enough.  Is there any heavy reinforcement to the walls, adamant or the like?"

"I am sorry. The earth, as I said is only camouflage. The structure beyond the camouflage is all adamant. The Inner Temple comprises the central shaft and inner perimeter of what is now called Five Coils, so it and the surrounding tunnels leading into it among the most strongly armored structures you will find here."

"If it had been otherwise, we would have simply dug inside much earlier, rather than send a fighting force," Princess Evamae points out sadly.

It is clear to Dena that the plan will have to involve storming the Temple by force. The key, of course, is doing so with as few losses as possible. The main advantage the group has is that at the moment they are not necessarily expecting an attack, though they are definitely vigilant for one -- as it is not uncommon knowledge among the Immaculates that there are free Celestials in the area. They definitely would not expect a previously hidden Hive of builder bugs to instigate an attack, though.

One thing Dena does realize from Evamae's words and her own musings is that the Temple Nodes would likely NOT be adamant, as they were built more recently to cover up the adamant passages leading into the Inner Temple. So it could still be possible to burrow right underneath these facade structures, and emerge right where the armored tunnels begin, bypassing some (though likely not all) of the fighting forces stationed outside.

They might even think of collapsing the earthen walls or structures behind them as soon as they step into the adamant-plated areas, to delay outside pursuit.

While the others make plans for the battle, Dashu goes ahead to start his job as the forward scout.  He tries to be careful about his foot placement and sticks to the shadows as much as possible.  He kept his eyes peeled for any threats and any possible hiding places, partially because he might want to use them, partially to see where an enemy might use them.  He takes note of all the different paths in the area and tracks all potential threats.

[Private to GM: Using the rolls I made earlier.  Seemed like a good time to start scouting.

Just for reference they were:

Peleps Dashu rolled 3 successes using 13d10 ... with rolls of 3,1,1,8,5,3,4,2,5,1,8,8,4. Dex + Stealth Roll.

Anima is active so that's a total of 5.

Peleps Dashu rolled 7 successes using 9d10 ... with rolls of 8,5,6,3,10,8,1,10,9. Perc + Awareness.
]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:01, Fri 29 May 2009.

Third slowly considers as they walk along, studying the structures, letting more tactical minds consider the fight ahead as it tries to think of anything that can give them an advantage. It defers any suggestions of strategy to Danae and Tervila, at least for the moment.

OOC:19:42, Today: Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge rolled 6 successes using 13d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,9,1,9,1,6,7,2,9,10,6,5,2. Int+Lore+Specialty.

"I guess well defended is the name of the game then" Danae notes.  "Not unexpected I guess--we'll stick with the original plan then, unless someone comes up with something the rest of us missed...  It's still going to be tricky fighting our way through up to the top though, even if we can take the ground floor."

OOC: Nothing to add really, I'm just posting to keep things moving

Dashu begins to scout the immediate area, confident that the nearby guards are blind to his movements. He steps past the area his allies and the bug army are currently ensconced in, taking a previous tunnel as a detour around to the front of the shrine/outpost.

Like most shrines of the Earth District, it is a Temple to Pasiap, larger than the comparatively humble shrine in the B25 Laborer's Conclave. It is partially embedded into the surrounding earth, suggesting its size could be larger than one can see from the outside. Or, as Evamae has pointed out, the shrine could connect to tunnels from the rear, leading toward a greater structure at the center of the District. As this has only been spoken about but never seen personally by the Exalts, though, Dashu can only hope that the builder bugs' memory of the district is accurate.

A fenced in, open-air area surrounds the front of the shrine itself. Dashu crouches at a rocky outcropping, peering at the compound ahead while remaining out of sight. Two smaller, free-standing buildings -- more like single room guard posts, hardly large enough to live in -- are situated on either side of a low gate. Though the area is definitely watched (Dashu sees two junior monks outside each of the small buildings) it is constructed in a way as to not appear strictly like a militant compound. The front gate is in fact open, the fence low enough to easily climb over, the visible monks have purely non-lethal weapons (or are unarmed), and so forth.

Further in, beyond the guard posts, is the shrine itself. A short flight of stone stairs leads to the double doors of the larger building. Two more heavier armored monks stand on either side of that door, with jade lamellar and goremauls. Combined with the two pairs at the front gate, there appears to be only a half dozen monks keeping an eye on the place. But Dashu's keen eye sees other details that indicate the immediately available defenders ought to be at least three or four times greater: the pattern of footsteps on the ground, snatches of conversation drifting to him from behind the walls, small barred windows to allow building occupants to view the outside, and what appear to be about a half-dozen arrow slits above the level of the shrine doors.

Dashu can attempt to stay and watch this area for a while, enter the shrine outpost in secret, move ahead on his own toward the monks' northern garrison (2-3 hours away on foot), or return and report to the others.

---

OOC: figured I'd add a map here too...

  -----..............{

2	{     1 - shrine building
	}         (built into cavern wall)

  -----            {      2 - guard outposts
  . 3         --------    3 - pair of guards outside posts
  .           |           4 - pair of guards outside shrine
  (         4 I   1       5 - Dashu hidden out here!
  (           I
  .           |           .   fence around open air compound
  . 3         --------    { } cavern walls
  -----            {      - | building walls

	}     (   fence gates
2	{     I   closed doors

  -----..............{

         5

[Private to Peleps Dashu: it will require another stealth roll if you want to get closer. Difficulty depends on how you'll do it; climb the fence, cause a distraction, sneak in through the front gate while someone else enters, etc. If you climb fence you also need to make a Dex+Athletics roll diff 2. No rolls if you're just going to move back to the others or scout elsewhere.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:39, Sun 31 May 2009.

"Perhaps. . . using a single Ruby Warrior as bait we could draw out some of the defenders.  I could take a few wounds and run inside babbling about being attacked by an Anathema, then the rest of you could ambush whatever comes out after the Ruby while I backstab the guards that stay inside."

Third doesn't get much further information simply from pondering the structures. The builder bugs' three dimensional map already gave them all the information they needed concerning that, and Jhenli's plan chose two of the best and closest areas to infiltrate from with a force.

On the other hand Third can, unlike the others, recall with precision the layout of the Inner Temple. The Temple is a large adamant structure embedded into the earth that surrounds the district, comprising of a radius half-mile in diameter from the central shaft, intersecting five District levels. In addition, there are entrances leading into the surrounding adamant tunnels, also concealed by the earth. These tunnels may stretch up to another mile out, perhaps longer if one considers the winding turns and intersections.

The entrances are, as previously explained, built into the back of key locations in the surrounding District floor. On Floor B25 they include the Shrine Outpost nearby, the Northern Garrison, the Hospital towards the east, and the Temple of the Laborer's Conclave to the south.

There are two more entrances indicated both by Third's memory and the map. One of them is towards the northwest edge of the Temple, between their current location and the Northern Garrison, but was deemed too small for the builder bugs or Blue Stripes to move through. It is actually disguised as a bath facility for miners to clean up after work. The other is clear across to the other side of the Temple and would have required passing by civilized areas, not to mention even further isolation from the Hive base.

---

OOC: There really isn't much more info I can think of giving :/ What Dena figured about the outer facades not being made of adamant, and being able to dig under them/around to get to the adamant tunnels themselves, Third can also assume to know.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:13, Sun 31 May 2009.

Third shakes its head as it considers. "The mostEye can think of would involve sending a few of the Exalts in through a small, secondary entrance, between here and the northern garrison, to try to make their way through stealthily and make our attacks two-pronged. It is of questionable use, as if a patrol within discovers the infiltrators, it will make matters worse for us." it says, looking towards the others, seeing if they wish to comment. Dashu might be able to make his way through unseen, but for the moment, Third's mind is more focused on the battle ahead, thinking it through like a delicate dance, imagining opponents and how to avoid their blows, eyes half-lidded as it walks.

Dashu decides that there while the group could stand to know the general layout of what he's seen and decides to head back.  He takes a mental note that during their next bit of downtime, he should ask Denae and Third to make a set of communicators.  Once he gets back, he quickly makes his report to the Exalts and the Hive Princess.  "We're looking at somewhere between 18 and 24 defenders, at least 6 of which are monks.  I don't know how you feel about those odds," he says back to the Princess.

"Were you able to tell what sorts of weapons they carried?  If they all have ranged weapons that would call for a different strategy than if they carry swords or clubs."

"Our numbers should be enough to handle that," Evamae says to Dashu.

Dashu would have seen only defenders with goremauls and dragons' claws on the outside. But he also noticed arrow slits. Therefore the potential for ranged combat is there.

"As suggested by Communicator Jhenli I will leave the majority of Ruby forces at this location," Princess Evamae continues, and passes on the order in insect-speak. Five of the 155 Ruby Warriors break off to join her as her personal guard. "They have been instructed to take control of the Western Shrine and close off the path. They will draw the Usurper Monks out first with a smaller force, then surround and neutralize them, then dig toward the adamant tunnel passages."

"I must ask one last decision before we move forward, Creators. I have been instructed to accompany you, as my survival is imperative to establishing the new Hive in Fire District. But it may also be appropriate for me to stay with the Ruby Warriors as their commander. I will leave that decision up to you." The Princess bows her head in humble subservience and awaits the final consensus.

"Stay with us" Danae replied quickly.  "The Ruby Warriors are going to be taking the brunt of the initial conflict of this expedition--and if they've got any particularly skilled fighters either here or elsewhere, there's a good chance you might be killed by a stray attack, or singled out and overrun.  Besides, we could use your assistance on the main push, and would have an easier time guaranteeing your safety"

"Very well," Princess Evamae nods, acknowledging Danae's opinion as precedent. The inheritor of the title of Clockwork General holds quite some sway with Hive Irix, particularly in military matters.

The 150 Rubies march forward to take on their role in the Inner Temple offensive while the Celestials, Blue Stripes, Princess and guard continue northward around the outskirts of the Inner Temple. From here on, communication with the Western Shrine will be sparse if at all possible, until they can manage to meet again inside the Temple itself.

The group passes several machine sentries and a few human patrollers along the way. The humans are mostly too preoccupied to make a close examination of the Celestials' group. Seeing the Blue Stripes among them from a distance, most assume the group is another patrol responding to the assault now occurring in the Western Quadrant. If not for the Princess and Rubies among them, they would have a nearly flawless disguise, reinforced by the badges that label them as friendlies to the machines.

Less than an hour away from their goal, patrols seem scarcer, which is both a boon and a potential danger, as it's easier for the Celestials' group to stand out. This becomes apparent when the group encounters a Peace Force fang, moving toward their direction: the usual one Dragon-blood leader, five ashigaru configuration. The fang is not moving quickly, though -- it seems they've not yet caught sight of the group.

---

OOC: You can stealth (Wits+Stealth if hiding among the surrounding rock formations, Dex+Stealth if you continue to move), or try some other method of misdirection. Could try to pretend you're part of the Force, use this as an opportunity to get some info. Or just quickly take the small group out. You've got about an action to react in any case.

"That's trouble..." Danae muttered quietly, before assessing the present situation, bringing Impeccable Spark backwards, and gesturing for everyone to take cover behind several protruding pillars, getting at least get enough cover that the battle won't begin until they move past.  "Don't think we're going to be able to avoid this...  Anyone with ranged attacks, focus on the Dragon Blooded first, Blue Stripes should each target one of the Ashigaru troops, Lock On, then close and attack the moment combat begins.  I'll focus my efforts on the leader for now, I'll try to take him out in my first pass.  Everyone else, move in to help with the mop-up, we'll have to take them down fast, or they'll contact their allies and they'll be prewarned."

Taking a steadying breath as she visualized the unit's approach, anticipating the position of her own targetand took careful aim--the moment the relevant Peace Force units come into the line of sight, she would be ready to attack.

Fortunately, she wasn't the same, hopped-up-on-adrenalin mechanic that she was in the Water District.  On one hand, she carried a Proper Weapon, one well beyond what Mortal Steel could match...  On the other, she had the hardened battle experience that she lacked beforehand...

Four blows should do it she thinks, the simulation moving forward to the moment the guards gain Line of Sight, the Dragon Blooded leader already brandishing his weapons and bringing them to bear, as Danae leapt into the fray, lunging through the column of Ashigaru armed soldiers, and swinging the reverse-gripped Daiklave into the Commander's chest, an explosion of concussive essence rocking him backwards as Danae would grasp the curved portion of Impeccable Spark's grip, twisting it into a two-handed stance, and flowing with the momentum, spinning around fully, and delivering two further swings, diffusing the remainder of the initial lunge.

With most weapons, that would be the end of it--Impeccable Spark is not an ordinary weapon.

The blade snapping open with a hiss and a gout of steam, the Daiklave would immediately rock upwards into a fierce uppercut slash, using the exhaust of the activated weapon as propellant, sending the--ideally--beaten Dragon Blooded flying back into a nearby rock, shattering a good portion of it as the Blue Stripes moved in to mop up...

Danae nodded then, her plan set in motion, as she awaited the proper moment...


[Private to Gatekeeper: Okay, I'm going to say that this group lacks the stealthiness to hide from him, so instead, Danae's set things up to get an ambush in at close quarters.  I've also included the stunt for the Join Battle moment in there as well, flavored as a mental simulation of how she hopes to attack.

Would we at least get the initial shot setting things up this way?]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:44, Tue 02 June 2009.

The patrol is far enough away that the Celestials and their followers still have a good amount of time to react. Unfortunately, their movements may still have a chance of attracting the Peace Force fang's attention before they're ready.

(Assuming you are following Danae's plan, roll a Wits+Stealth+2 for circumstances, then a Join Battle.)

[Private to Danae Adela: Ambush in this case still requires a stealth roll, though you're getting definite bonuses. +2 for circumstances, and another +3 for your stunt. The Blue Stripes won't have to roll, as they're just seen as more sentinel machines.

You can also add that +3 to your Join Battle if you want. So you're at +5 stealth and +3 JB. Now it's up to the dice. :)]

OOC:
17:27, Today: Danae Adela rolled 5 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,3,1,5,10,4,8,9. Can I be sorta sneaky? (+ WP).

6 succs Stealth--Also, in case it wasn't clear, the Blue Stripes will take this action to Lock On to the Ashigaru troops, instead of stealth

Also, when the fight begins, Danae's flurry is going be be accompanied by spending 2 motes to make Impeccable Spark gain the Piercing Tag for the action

Also, 18:44, Today: Danae Adela rolled 2 successes using 9d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,4,5,2,3,6,6,8,2. JB--just in case.


This message was last edited by the player at 01:45, Tue 02 June 2009.

"Alright, I'll bypass the front line and hit the Dragonbloods from behind."
Dena, knowing that stealth isn't her greatest area of expertise anyway, switches over to her warform and grows a chitinous layer of armor plating before flying up and hugging the ceiling, counting on being away from where most humans will bother to look rather than sticking to shadows and cover.  Finding a decent point from above, she prepares to drop and ambush the enemy once Danae's attack begins in earnest.

[Private to GM: Needing to keep a running track of my essence again.

21 Peripheral, 17 personal, and 6 willpower remaining.
20:24, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 2 successes using 3d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,6,5. Initiative.
20:24, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 2 successes using 5d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,2,9,8,4. Wits + Stealth. ]

Third moves with absolute grace, its mind totally focused as it steps silently along the flanks of the patrol, keeping behind any cover it can find, its movement fluid enough to make noticing it difficult, walking through blind spots in the Ashigaru systems sensors, eyes watching as it moves to their flank, letting them be crushed, Dena from behind, Danae from the front, and Third cutting inwards to slice into the innards of the patrol before they squeeze shut, its eyes fixing on the Ashigaru closest to the center. Its blade slides out of its sheath, staying in the darkness still, as it waits for the attack to begin, eyes focused, imagining every step beforehand, muscles shifting ever so slightly as it moves through the steps while considering.
OOC: You rolled 4 successes using 5d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((7,7,5,1,10)), Stealth. You rolled 1 success using 3d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((6,6,8)), Join Battle.

The captain catches sight of the Blue Stripes and focuses on them. "HAS Units, we require your support," he says confidently, while blithely leading his soldiers right into the ambush Danae and the others have arranged for them. "Have you noticed any unusual activity in this area?"

The refurbished automatons do not reply immediately, their beam-eyes shifting to Lock On mode as directed by Danae.

Dena darts right by the Peace Force captain as he looks the other way. His subordinates see the blur passing by and quickly ready their weapons. Three of them whirl around to face the Lunar in warform.

"Look! There's a big one here already!"
"That's a builder bug? I thought they'd look less humanoid..."
"And less attractive..."
"This is our enemy! Be vigilant!"

Apparently the soldiers think Dena is one of the bugs attacking the Western Shrine, at least for now. It's doubtful they'll make that mistake for long, but hopefully by then it won't matter...

---

OOC: The Peace Forces are pretty blind (rolled low on Awareness). The only ones they have seen are the Blue Stripes and Dena; everyone else besides them can make an action before tick 0 and remain unseen. [Private to Peleps Dashu: the enemies rolled low enough that, with your pools + anima, I can assume you'll remain unseen. So assume you also have a surprise attack action as well, which you can take whenever you have time to enter the battle. :)]

[Private to Tervila Dena: I gave you +1 stunt. Got no sux, but can get motes back!]
[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: Gave you +2 stunt. No sux though :(]

actions (after surprise)
tick 0 - Peace Force captain
tick 2 - Ruby Guardians
tick 4 - Danae, Dena, Blue Stripes (Lock On - 3 ticks)
tick 5 - Third, Peace Force soldiers
tick 6 - Evamae
tick 7 - Blue Stripes (attack!)

Safely hidden in the shadows of the nearby rock formations, Princess Evamae readies two hooked blades, and a perfect quality self bow she has had one of the Ruby Guards hold in reserve. She gives the Rubies wordless direction, remaining crouched by one of the natural pillars as she loads and aims her bow with two of her four hands.

A moment later the five Rubies move boldly from the shadowed area, splitting into subgroups of two and three to join in flanking the Peace Force soldiers, their bulk further shielding Third from view without hindering its advance. It seems Evamae has caught the soldiers' mistake, and sent her Guardians to reinforce the idea that they are being attacked by bugs, not humans (and certainly not Celestials). She has also instructed them to maneuver in such a way as not to get in the way of the front line combatants.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:34, Tue 02 June 2009.

Sadly, despite his professionalism, 'Be Vigilant' were the last words that the Dragon Blooded commander could get out--in the fraction of an instant where he shifted his attention to the rest of his soldiers, a barely audible pattering of feet could be heard from the other direction, a shadowed figure diving between the lines of the Ashigaru troops, and a flash of cobalt light suddenly lit up the chamber as Impeccable Spark landed it's first blow, a detonation of Essence forcing the Leader back--stunned and disoriented and trying to come up with some kind of defense--only to realize that his attacker, a slip of a girl barely even coming up to his chest, was only winding up for the remainder of the attacks...

Two more strikes slammed into him, driving him backwards with two more cobalt bursts, teetering on his feet with deep enough wounds to kill a mortal...  But he was no mortal!  As one of the Chosen of the Dragons, he would endure this storm, and strike down the one with the arrogance to raise a blade against him!

But these thoughts were cut short as the girl reversed the grip of her blade again, a blast of steam emitting from her...  Was that... Gold beneath the blue veins?

Those were his last thoughts, as the blade shot upwards, one final explosion sending him flying back into the corridors behind, teetering on his feet for just a moment, before landing on his belly, the mangled essence circuits within his armor reacting violently with the detonations dealt upon it, the damages, and his own wildly surging Anima in the last instants of his life.

Him dropping to the floor was the last straw, as the whole thing went up in a small explosion, quickly eradicating the body in a neat and tidy fashion, if a little bit flashy.

"One down" Danae concluded, Impeccable Spark revolving a second stack of crystals into play to give the old ones a chance to recharge, the slider in the blade's 'Core' ejecting out the excess heat built up during that exchange.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:12, Tue 02 June 2009.

Dena dashes up to the ceiling and slashes out, charging up the glowing leashed lightning of her chosen weapon to multiply it's power and strike a wide area of the ceiling.  Keeping herself out of reach of melee attackers, Dena instead rains down huge blocks of stone ripped from the roof onto the dragonblooded lines as a cloud of dust and fragments billows from the impact.

[Private to GM:
4 Motes for essence lash, no charm use yet.  Dena will use Sensuous Torment to regain motes if she's attacked and damaged.
18 Peripheral, 17 personal, and 6 willpower remaining.

10:43, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 7 successes using 16d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,5,7,10,3,2,6,5,10,5,6,8,4,1,3,3. Triple Attack vs. Dragonbloods. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:47, Tue 02 June 2009.

Third moves out of the shadows smoothly, like an extension of the darkness as it runs towards the group. Its jade blade is back, sitting by the sheath as it runs quickly, feet pounding the ground beneath it until it slides between the different members of the unit, still unseen for a fatal moment before that blade flashes out, two scything blows sweeping up and down, leaving trails of red as the jade slices across the weak spots in the ashigaru armor- One coming down across an elbow, the other slicing upwards between the helmet and the breast plate of the armor, aiming to slice open the soldier's throat as the Solar moves. No essence is expended- It simply strikes with its own natural skill. The wide, scything blows move smoothly in their arcs, but wide gouges are left in the stone beneath their feet from their passage.

OOC Friggin' ow. You botched using 12d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((2,4,3,4,6,5,2,6,4,1,6,1)). on the first attack... Though that should be 11 dice, which ironically makes the failure less so. Eesh. >_> You rolled 3 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((8,8,9,6,1,6,3,3,2,3)). for attack 2. Aiming at the centermost DB. Man, glad I'm getting this out of the way now.

Dashu had been creeping along with the group in the shadows.  Given his martial arts style and his caste power, he was able to remain hidden as Danae called out her orders.  He just shrugged.  If he needed to play mop up, then he could do that easily.  As Dena drew the attention of the mortals, Dashu charged in on the blind spot of the one furthest away from the lunar and drove his black jade dragon's claws into his back with all his essence fulled might, trying to pierce the armor with the Immaculate weaponry.  He then snaked his arm around the mortals head and brought the blades to bear on his throat.

[Private to GM:  20:05,

Today: Peleps Dashu rolled 3 successes using 8d10 with ... rolls of 4,9,3,9,5,1,4,9. Attack 1.

Today: Peleps Dashu rolled 5 successes using 4d10 with ... rolls of 9,10,5,10. + Acc to Attack 1. 20:04,

Today: Peleps Dashu rolled 1 success using 7d10 with ... rolls of 3,5,4,1,3,3,7. Attack 2. 20:03,

Today: Peleps Dashu rolled 2 successes using 4d10 with ... rolls of 8,7,1,3. + Acc to Attack 2. 20:05,

Sorry I forgot to add the acc of my weapon into the dice rolls so I just rolled it separately.  Didn't think it would be a big deal.

Attack 1: 12 sux
Attack 2:  7 sux

And I managed to totally screw up the damage rolls cause I didn't factor in the sux I got from my excellency but it didn't make a difference anyway.

20:13, Today: Peleps Dashu rolled 9 successes using 15d10 with ... a target of 7 with rolls of 9,10,10,7,8,4,7,4,2,6,1,6,3,9,5. Dmg First Attack.

20:18, Today: Peleps Dashu botched using 4d10 with ... rolls of 6,5,2,1. Damage (didn't roll enough dice).

20:14, Today: Peleps Dashu rolled 2 successes using 10d10 with ... with rolls of 4,5,4,1,9,2,5,1,2,9. Dmg Second Attack.

20:18, Today: Peleps Dashu rolled 1 success using 4d10 with ... a target of 7 with rolls of 3,5,7,4. Damage (didn't roll enough dice).

Dmg 1st Attack: 9L - 7L = 2L

Dmg 2nd Attack: 3L - 7L = 0

Parry DV =  4  ]
This message was last edited by the player at 01:22, Wed 03 June 2009.

The Peace Force captain doesn't stand a chance against the sheer power of Danae's surprise attack. All eyes in the area are upon her and her strange new weapon, but by then it's already too late -- the captain is eradicated before the Spark's chamber cools.

The remaining force glances at the girl with the magitech sword, to the smoking, damaged armor husk that was their leader, and back. In that moment of shock, Dashu steps out of the shadows seemingly from nowhere, dragon claws gouging through the back of his target's armor before slashing at his throat. The man falls to the ground with a thud, mortally wounded and bleeding into death's arms. [Private to Peleps Dashu: just to explain, I rerolled your damage. You actually subtract pre-soak, not post-soak. i.e. subtract soak from dice, not successes. So you actually did a total of 7L which was enough to drop the guy. :) Oh yeah and I gave you a +1 stunt.]

And all hell breaks loose. Various exclamations erupt from the group: "Ambush!" "Captain Shun!" "Are they allied with the bugs?" "Rebels!!"

Third strikes next, but not without colliding into one of the surprised ashigaru, jostling its aim at a crucial moment. As a result, its target sees it coming, raising his arms to deflect the Twilight's jade daiklave on his armored gauntlets. [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: Basically your botch ruined your surprise so you had to contend with DVs still. I could've made it worse but I didn't. :) I did give you a +1 stunt but it gave you no more dice.]

Following Evamae's commands, the Ruby Guardians advance to flank the four subordinate Peace Forcers still standing. They're completely in shambles, and struggle to free their weapons in time to defend against the crimson flurry that bears down upon them. Two of the remaining ashigaru are hit by their scything forearms, the first gashed in the side, the second staggering from a grievous wound. Another is nicked across the neck as he thrusts up the hilt of his sword to defend.

Then Dena swoops in, striking with her lash to drop chunks of earth loosed from the ceiling. The Peace Force ashigaru leap away laboriously but none of them escape completely unscathed. Both of the men wounded by the Rubies are struck, one impacted on the shoulder, the other completely flattened by a particularly large rock. One more  manages to escape with a glancing blow. [Private to Tervila Dena: The others aren't DBs btw, just elite mortals in ashigaru armor. Also I gave a +1 stunt for you.]

Fragments of sharp debris also fall upon the Rubies, as it's difficult to be precise with such a move; two of the insect warriors take minimal damage, but neither wince nor hesitate, already preparing to renew their attack.

After the sudden burst of surprise and initial attacks, three Peace Forcers remain, one of them deeply wounded. (5L, 1L, 1L)

The Blue Stripes advance, and for a moment the three nearly wilt with relief. "Automaton reinforcements!" But that hope is quickly dashed as their red eye-beams narrow and focus upon the three remaining men. "W...what IS this...?! HAS, this is Peace Force Unit Earth-47 with Captain Shun Revil. Don't you recognize us??" one of the lesser-wounded men shouts out desperately.

"Screw this," says the man next to him, throwing down his weapons. "I surrender. You damned rebels can do what you want with me!"

The man with the gash on his side and heavily bruised shoulder says nothing, clearly attempting to face his death resolutely. His hand twitches toward his earpiece communicator...

---

OOC: in case you guys still keep fighting...
tick 4 - Danae, Blue Stripes (Lock On - 3 ticks)
tick 5 - Third, Peace Force soldiers
tick 6 - Dashu, Evamae
tick 7 - Blue Stripes (attack!)
tick 9 - Dena
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:12, Sun 14 June 2009.

"Yeah, alright" Danae began--only to snap to attention as she twisted Impeccable Spark, lunged to the right, and reversed the blade, throwing her weight into it, and cracking the one reaching for his communicator in the forehead using the pommel with enough force to immediately knock him out to la-la-land.  "Sorry about that" She apologized quickly, then turned to the other two.

"As I was saying--Alright, we'll accept your surrender--please disarm, and remove any communications devices you might be carrying--don't try to hide something, or I'll know--but if you cooperate, we'll see to it that you don't come to any further harm...  Nothing personal though, and I'd like to apologize for the abruptness of this encounter."

She sighed, and glanced over to the side at the smoking husk, wincing at the effect.  "Yeah...  Sorry, the situation's a bit too tense to afford holding back though."  She gestured to the Blue Stripes to stand down at that point, and began formulating a plan for where to keep them, while awaiting the response.

[Private to Gatekeeper: 20:42, Today: Danae Adela rolled 8 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,5,5,9,9,1,10,8,3,2,10,1,4,2,2. Restrained Attack (-1 Success)., also spending 4m Personal on Second Melee Excelency to make sure it sticks

Total of 9 successes, holding back so that I don't wind up killing the guy--he's just doing his job after all :(, the -1 Success to accomplish this has already been removed from the total.]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:44, Mon 15 June 2009.

Dashu looks at the three mortals and the ear piece communicator. "Hey Danea, are those things adjustable to where we can talk on a different frequency, cause I could use it to help with scouting ahead.  It'll save me time in having to double back to make a report."

[Private to GM: Since we're still in combat time assume I'm taking a guard action.]
This message was last edited by the player at 13:10, Mon 15 June 2009.

Dena lands but keeps her warform as she inspects the Dragonblooded warily.
"Princess, are the Ruby Warriors capable of acting independently?  Perhaps one or two could carry the magitek to a safer location so that we may be assured the captives cannot recover them."

Third looks towards the others. " We must consider the danger of leaving them alive. It may damage our chances of surprise, unless we can make sure that they will not talk." it says, studying the men, its blade straight, unmoving, the tip at the rebellious and relatively unharmed man's throat... But its eyes go to Dena, and it winks once, surreptitiously. It's unphased by the accident during the fight- Setbacks occur, and it didn't make a difference in the final result of the battle.

The man Danae struck falls to the ground with a bruised head. Fortunately it does seem she managed to knock him out without doing any severe damage.

"Yeah, yeah, you got it," says the man who surrendered frantically, dropping his earpiece and his other weapon, the shock pike on his back. (All of the ashigaru had shock pikes and exceptional earth enchanted straight swords.) After that he raises his hands. "Look, I just joined the Peace Force to make a living! I've got a family back home!"

The other man, who'd tried to plead at the Blue Stripes, hesitates at the call to disarm. "They're going to kill us anyway. Come on, Brevys, don't grovel at them!" His eyes stare boldly at Third. "Go ahead and do it. I'll pray that the Dragons will choose me in the next life!"

Princess Evamae signals her Ruby Guardians to assume a defensive position. She steps out, one pair of arms holding the hook swords, the other still holding her perfect self bow nocked with an arrow. Her expression remains unchanged at the gasps of shock and revulsion ("She's a BUG lady!" "I knew they were cooperating!") that follow as she reveals her position.

The Princess nods to Dena, "Yes, they can follow commands." Then she steps up to Danae and leans in to whisper. [Private to Danae Adela: "I apologize, Clockwork General, but Third Beneficiary is correct. These men chose their side, for whatever circumstances. Right now, they are our enemy and they are a threat while alive. If you cannot kill them, leave them with the Rubies. I will make sure what needs to be done is done."]

"Well?!" The uncooperative Peace Forcer has yet to drop any of his weapons.

---

OOC: We're at this point at tick 9. Everyone is assumed to be holding action with 0 DV penalty. [Private to Danae Adela; Peleps Dashu: As for the communicators, yes! someone with some magitech knowledge could roll to tinker with them and fix them toward a different frequency. Grab at least two of them to work with and if you succeed Dashu can scout independently from then on.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:54, Mon 15 June 2009.

Danae frowned, but whispered back.   [Private to Gatekeeper: "I'm well aware of that--nonetheless, if we're simply going to mercilessly kill everyone who disagrees with us, we're not exactly much different then both the Usurpers, or the picture they like to portray of us...  And besides, it's not as though there was any choice 'But' their choice up until now...  I've got an angle at any rate that should satisfy security and morality though.  Besides, a show of good faith in that regard should help us along when we prevail, at least in gaining allies amongst the people of the Earth District."]

She turned back, and nodded to herself.  "Okay--contrary to what you might like to think--we're 'Not' going to kill you just because we can--but we can't really let you run around freely either..."  She trailed off, as if contemplating how to word this.

"... Basically, I'm going to knock you both out, and drop you somewhere relatively out of the way and relatively safe--one way or another, this scheme'll probably be resolved before you regain conciousness--and if for some reason it isn't, you'll at least have something resembling an excuse.  Is that acceptable to you?  You'll be sore for a while, but at least you'll still be alive.  I mean, if you want to do the whole martyr thing, I guess you're welcome to it--but is throwing your life away in a gesture like that going to be appreciated by your friends and loved ones?"

She then turned to Dashu.  "Oh, yeah, I could tweak those a bit, shouldn't be too hard to work with"

Dena smiles as she moves over and stands very close to the armed soldier, possibly dangerously so.  Dena rarely worries too heavily about getting hurt a bit.  Under normal circumstances this would probably leave him staring straight into her chest, but in her warform Dena is so huge that he's more gazing into where her navel would be if her stomach wasn't currently covered in rings of armored spikes that look a bit like thousands of teeth.  Dena's smile mutates into an evil grin as he's forced to crane his head way back to look at her face.
"Look soldier, you've tried to do your job.  Good for you.  But now you're just carrying it to stupid levels.  Do you really think you can take me in a fight without an army behind you?  I've handled groups of immaculate monks and made prisoners of them.  And even if you could beat me, I've got over a hundred and friends right there." she waves a hand in a lazy arc over the ocean of gleaming red carapaces.  "In a minute or so I'm going to punch you in the head and knock you out until this is over.  There's nothing in your power that can possibly change that.  If you're still wearing armor I'll have a sore hand from hitting your helmet, and since I'll have to strike hard enough to be sure I get through I might accidentally pulverize your fragile skull too.  Why don't you do us all a favor and quit while you still have a head?"

[Private to Danae Adela: "I... see. So this is the wisdom of the Creators. Forgive my for assuming your course of action."] Evamae steps away from Danae, inclining her head slightly. She picks up one of the discarded shock pikes, adding it to her arsenal.

"R..right, whatever you say," the cooperative soldier says to Danae's suggestion, removing his helmet and bracing himself. He appears in his late 20s, with olive skin and dark close-cropped hair. "I, er, guess there's no way we can minimize the pain...?"

As for the rebellious one, by the time Dena is done with her speech he's a few hairs short of a meltdown, cowering in front of the other, much larger, spike-covered and frighteningly attractive bug woman. "Fine, fine!! Knock me out! Throw me in a ditch! I don't care any more!" The brown-haired man hurls down his weapons, helmet, communicator and looks like he's about to strip off his armor, too. "Just... just... get this scary insect woman away from me!!" If he does manage to wake again, he'll likely have nightmares about this moment afterward.

---

OOC: Well, not to get ahead of things, but I already rolled for Dena's intimidation, and she got 8 sux in 7 dice before even counting the App difference. :) You don't have to roll to knock 'em out, as they're now willing targets.

Also, you could claim anything from their equipment: 5 ashigaru armor, 4 shock pikes, one rather damaged armor Danae can identify as a Yoroi Rapid-Response Armor, and a power mace. Also a chopping sword and 5 straight swords, all exceptional and enchanted. And 6 earpiece communicators (pending a Int+Craft(Magitech) roll from Danae to figure how they work).
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:22, Wed 17 June 2009.

"Well... I'll do my best" Danae said after a moment's consideration--and a few seconds and thwacks later, both of the Peace Force Officers had been knocked flat, and trussed up out of the way.

"That could have gone worse" Danae began after wrapping that little bit of business up, catching a communicator when provided, and looking it over.  "At any rate though, I'll take a look at these while we go--it would be extremely useful in the future."

[Private to Gatekeeper: 00:12, Today: Danae Adela rolled 5 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,7,7,7,3,4,9,5. Int + Magitech

On a side note, is the Ashigaru Armor First Age or Second Age in quality?]
This message was last edited by the player at 04:07, Wed 17 June 2009.

Third watches as the two soldiers crumple, resheathing its blade, nodding quietly. 'That went well. We should endeavor to continue that way.' it says with a slight smile as it waits for the others to prepare to continue on before starting off again, letting Danae study the communicators.

After sitting with the communicators for a time, Danae discovers that they are currently set to relay messages to a central location, then toward the recipient. The proxy is very likely the Gatekeeper of Earth itself. As the communicators themselves can both send and receive, some tinkering on Danae's part can shift the central relay to be one of the six communicators, basically designating it the 'master', on a personal frequency the others can thereafter be tuned to. However, this will also reduce the effective range of the network, unless they can secure a relay point with more processing power.

[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: Assuming you are observing what Danae is doing, you'll realize that Harmony herself could serve as a more reliable relay. Though the orb which currently carries her consciousness does not feed her as much power as she might be able to gain should she be inserted into, say, one of the terminals inside the Temple...]

Danae does think the range should be enough to cover one floor of the Inner Temple, at least, but she isn't so sure whether it will penetrate between floors (the adamant between them may dampen the weaker signal). [Private to Danae Adela: I'll need another roll now, let's make it a Wits+Craft(Magitech) to reroute the network away from that of the Gatekeeper of Earth. Now that you know what to do it won't be hard, your roll will more determine how well you do at ensuring the Gatekeeper of Earth cannot overhear you ;)]

"Creators, how will you have us dispose of their gear and bodies?" says Princess Evamae, once she has replaced her weapons, handing the excess to her Guardians. After a moment of thought she picks up a second shock pike. Having two pairs of arms is a boon! "I can have two of my Rubies carry the living ones someplace far removed from the battle, but the dead should not simply be left to rot, unless we wish to leave a warning."

"We should move as soon as possible. Another patrol may come by soon now that communication with Earth-47 has been shut off."

---

OOC: Armor is all First Age standard. This is the Pillar of Creation, after all. Anything Arti 3 or below would more likely than not be First Age quality. For those who don't have Wonders of the Lost Age, that means the ashigaru armor stats are: 7L/6B, mobility -0, fatigue 1, no upkeep. Includes Sensory Augmentation Visor, +2 Awareness; Filtration Baffles, +2 Resistance vs poison/disease + 1 hour fresh air tank; Camouflage Subsystem +2 Stealth (+3 if stationary). All for 4m or 1wp attunement.

"Honestly, I'd suggest burning them to be completely honest" Danae replied, having assessed the new gear situation, and decided to claim one of the Ashigaru suits for her own, dragging it off to a nearby protruding rock to get changed.  "... Unfortunately, we don't have any Zenith's lurking around at the moment, making that a slightly more difficult proposal...  I guess we could use conventional flames if we have the chance--but that might attract attention in it's own way.  I'm not tempted to leave the bodies lying around if I can though--no sense hinting anything about our capabilities or weapons--does anyone here have any ideas we could use?"

Muttering a few choice words under her breath at this point, something along the lines of 'stupid one size doesn't properly fit all' as the rustling continued, eventually she did realize how to operate it, and a few seconds later, she walked back out, having buried her old outfit underneath a number of rocks and soil, now carrying the helmet in one hand, and affixing the Identification Badge with the other.

"On the other hand, I can probably tweak the communicators to help out a bit--it'll be relatively short ranged, but the only really hard part is going to be keeping the channel secure--I should be able to kitbash a little bit--especially if the old leader wound up having a superior model--or superior electronics in general...  At any rate, it shouldn't take terribly long, and we can work at this on the move.  Though if you wouldn't mind, would you be able to give me a hand Third?

[Private to Gatekeeper: Okay, I'm taking one of the Ashigaru Armors then, I'll be properly attuning as we move along.

At any rate, I'll see if Third has any suggestions to make regarding this, but otherwise, I'll spend 6m Personal on Second Craft, and add a willpower to this.

02:55, Today: Danae Adela rolled 2 successes using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,3,8,3,4,7,5. Wits + Magitech

6 Successes prior to potential stunt ]

Dashu looked relieved to know there could be some short ranged communication.  "If we get those communicators working I can resume my duties as scout and I agree, giving them any intell on our capacity could be dangerous.  I'm in favor of burning the bodies if they can't be buried quickly and discretely."

"We can probably dig a grave in a couple of minutes." Dena suggests.  She flicks out a length of still-glowing violent lightning and drags it in a broad loop through the ground, cutting into the rock deeply.
"Yeah, this should be easy.  And burning will leave a horrible smell that may give us away.  Let's find a spot out of the way and dig."

'Out of the way' in this case is a little difficult to pinpoint, as one cannot be certain how far the Peace Forces might look for their missing men. Evamae proceeds ahead with Dena and her Rubies toward another nearby jumble of natural rock pillars and formations, not daring to move too far with their rather conspicuous burdens that might attract the wrong kind of attention even with their ID badges. Using their formidable, crushing mandibles, the Ruby Guardians work with Dena to displace large quantities of earth behind the formations, digging out a fairly deep grave for the deceased and any unclaimed gear.

"I am no priest," says Evamae, uncertainly, "but their souls may well become unhappy. There's not much we can do except pray." She actually murmurs a short prayer, perhaps drawing from the hivemind's memories of old Zenith eulogies; it is short but fairly moving, and she wisely chooses to invoke the attention of a neutral goddess, Taru-Han, Lady of Souls, rather than the Incarna or the Elemental Dragons. "For all things must move on, regardless of the circumstances by which they were birthed and felled..." Lacking any suitable sacrifice it is unlikely to make a difference, but at least she tried.

Danae uses the time to quickly work with the earpiece communicators.[Private to Danae Adela: I didn't give a stunt... and unfortunately, I think you'll have to use Craftsman Needs No Tools, I realized. As you'd need very small tools to work with them. Just make sure to mark that and the WP for a combo. It's kinda pricey but you can stunt some of that back later.] Even without Third's aid, Danae is fairly confident she has properly rerouted and recalibrated the communicators to function as she desires them to. Though it would not be a bad idea to have her work checked by another. [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: Int+Lore (no specialty) if you wish to do this, whichever is higher for you.]

---

OOC: we'll skip forward after the communicators business is done, or Friday night/Saturday morning otherwise.

"If there's trouble from their ghosts I imagine we'll be able to deal with it later.  Ideally, we can come back and give them a proper funeral in a couple of days.  Perhaps it's not forward-thinking of me, but I find the danger of dozens of Dragonblooded now outweighs any worries about a couple of ghosts in the future."

"I would not fear the ghosts, but they may get in the way. And perhaps reveal secrets to their living comrades, as well. Do not worry, I would not stop to pray after every death you cause," Evamae says matter-of-factly, bowing slightly before directing two of her Rubies to carry the still-living but unconscious ones. One of them is carrying two rather than one, but the Princess prioritizes keeping as many of her Guardians close as possible.

She passes on the directions through insect communication, and the two move away from the others, further northwestward. "There, the others will be placed out of the way of our path. This should hopefully give a mystery for the Peace Force to be distracted by for a time. I am ready to continue when you are, Creators."

The Hive Princess looks rather more formidable-looking with two shock pikes crossed on her back, along with her sword-sheaths.

Third watches quietly. Burials, the scavenging of the communicators... The mercurial temperament of the group. It shakes its head, and helps Danae to check the communicators, adding its own not insignificant knowledge of the workings to the mix. "If we believe it will be necessary, Harmony may serve as a suitable relay for the communicators- If we plan to become separated enough for it to become an issue." Of course, it's always good to plan for contingencies, but as it is, the Solar hopes to preserve momentum. Every moment increases the chance of the Dragon-Blooded finding them.

[Private to GM: You rolled 6 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((10,10,4,1,4,6,7,1,3,9)).]
This message was last edited by the player at 07:27, Fri 19 June 2009.

Third checks the communicators and pronounces them safe for use by their group. The communicators are divided with Danae keeping the 'master' one. (So each of the Celestials has one as well as Evamae.)

15 minutes later the group is able to continue on, though still minus two Ruby Guardians. They are fortunate in that no other patrols have come by in that time; the Princess states this is good news, indicative that their larger force at the Western Shrine is succeeding at drawing the opposition.

Proceeding roughly northeastward, the group continues for roughly an hour. The two Rubies have not rejoined the group but Evamae still seems relatively unconcerned. She warns the Celestials when they pause to get their bearings that they are close to the Northern Garrison; it should be past the next bend, toward their right. At this point she crouches down and, as a refresher, draws out in the earth her memory of the immediate area coming (a task made easier by having four free hands).

                                            Northern Garrison: map by Evamae
           ~~~~~.-.      ._.~~~~~
          {#####|2|      |3|#####}           #    solid earth
     ~~~{#######=====HH=====######}~~        {}~  cavern walls (earthen)
    {#########//            \\#######}       ||=  man-made walls (granite)
   {#########//      4       \\######}       +    denotes slightly higher ground
 1  }#######||-----      -----||######}      H    fortress gates
   {########||++5+|      |+6++||######}~~~
~~{#########||++++|      |++++||##########}  note: birds-eye view (whitespace
############||=======HH=======||###########}       is empty space)
###########//                  \\###########}~~~
##########//         7          \\##############

She explains the numeral marked regions, speaking quietly. "1 is where we are. 2 and 3 are small lookout posts, I would not imagine more than a pair at each of these, though likely with good senses to justify being assigned there. 4 would be the Garrison's outer compound where there should have junior monks posted, perhaps a senior or two. 5 and 6 are balconies, they would be a good place for ranged attackers."

"7 is the inner compound, it extends further down than I have drawn, of course. From here we should be able to find a passage leading into the Inner Temple. It would of course be the most heavily guarded, I would expect an Immaculate Master to be here, as the Garrison's authority."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:08, Sun 21 June 2009.

"Rough design though..." Danae mused to herself, tapping her chin while assessing the map's design.  "Let's go out on a limb and assume they're ready for the slight possibility of a surprise attack--subterfuge isn't likely going to work out terribly well in that mind...  A lightning attack through the front gates is going to be difficult as well--the sentries'll provide word--but in a worst case scenario, the gates'll slow us just enough for the defenders to mobilize.  If they have any Wood Aspected Monks on the archer platforms, they'll be able to do heavy damage before we can pull them down..."

To be truthful--in this lifetime, it was Danae's first incident dealing with a fortified position--most of the battles so far were won through surprise, guile, or simply involving skirmishes where neither group could accurately employ fixed defenses.  It was bothersome in a number of ways--but she think she had something resembling an idea.

"Dena?  Don't you have a Charm that can render rock much the same as clay?" She asked, looking over at the map, and gesturing a line through the corner of the area they were present at, and pointing to the inside of the garrison.  "If you could burrow us a route through the wall here, we'll be able to bypass much of their fixed defenses, and possibly catch their Master by surprise--or at least off guard enough that we have a chance of defeating them before they can bring all their techniques to bear."

"It's too large.  A door, a statue, even a boulder I could soften by pumping the Wyld into it, but an entire building is more than I can manage.  We'll have to dig the old fashioned way.  It may still be faster."

OOC~ Er, is that map a side view or a bird's eye view?

"It doesn't need to be the whole building" Danae clarified.  "Just a sizable path through the wall leading to the inside...  Or is that about the same idea?"

"It's more an issue of how big the temple is.  I have a connection to the Wyld through my tattoos, I can pull a little of the Wyld in and use that to turn stone or metal or even wood different, essentially I use the chaos to make it change.  But if the stone is too large, either I won't have enough Wyld to soften it or I'll have to bring so much in it's effects may be. . . unpredictable.  Once I start, the Wyld spreads rapidly through the entire object so I can't work on just one part."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:15, Sun 21 June 2009.

"Guess that's no good then..." Danae frowned.  "Does anyone else have any ideas?  Or should we just see if we can find a way to sneak in, and hope we can deal with the sentries before they get a warning out?"

"I still don't think digging is a terrible idea, Clockwork General." Evamae crosses one pair of arms, and with another free arm strokes the head of one of her Rubies, which surprisingly, nuzzles her in what looks very much like affection. "The Ruby Guardians can help as well. They can spit a corrosive saliva... again, the entire width of earth here might be too large to use the acid for the entirety, it eventually needs time and rest to replenish. But it could help a lot when you reach the granite wall."

"We of Hive Irix are used to digging earth. I could even transform myself if need be. Though it will still be slow. Perhaps you can have us dig, and send some form of distraction to the front gate at the same time, to draw some of the forces outside?"

Again she bows her head lightly, "Of course this is just my own personal suggestion."

Third studies the map. 'A good distraction would certainly aid to keep their minds off of the strange sounds. If we were to use such a tactic, the most agile and quick of us would be best off there, while the stronger fighters are tunneling in from the side. Dashu, you are extremely stealthy, and while Eye am not, I should be fast enough to make it past the defenders once you crash in from behind. We will move for it once you make it to the granite, so as to ensure that we do not have to keep them occupied for too long?' It considers for a moment. 'To keep from arousing further suspicion, we may see if we can disguise ourselves, somehow. Make it look like a botched attempt to sneak in while the main force attacks. That way, they won't suspect a third path of attack.' Third smiles enigmatically. 'Plans within plans. The only threat is if the Immaculate Master prepares themself... But if we are as unthreatening as we shall appear, then they may not waste the essence."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:40, Sun 21 June 2009.

Dashu was silent while the talk of digging was going on.  Okay really, he was silent most of the time anyway so no one really took notice until he spoke up.  "I could  be the distraction.  I can get there and slip away the more easily than most.  I could attack the watch post directly and get the troops mobilized towards the front gate.  Once the troops are heading one direction, they won't notice the digging because they'll be making too much noise themselves."  He then looked at Danae and said somewhat bashfully "Just a thought."

"It seems to be workable..." Danae agrees, mulling over the plan.  "The hard part is, of course, going to be handling the Master inside, and whatever troops get around otherwise..."

She pauses, and considers this.  "Okay, Dena, Evamae, and the Rubies would be best to work on the tunnel--they're the best with earthworks and whatnot...  The Blue Stripes, Third, and Dashu will head to make a frontal attack--hopefully after Dashu can deal with the sentries somehow...  I'm still not positive where I should personally go though...  My initial inclination is to help with the tunnel group in attacking the Master head on--but I won't be much assistance with the digging aspect...  On the other hand, if I join the frontal assault, it'll probably go cleanly--but we'll take some time to batter down the walls.

What do you think?"

"Alright then, I think we might as well bypass the gates and dig in here." Dena suggests, adding another line and obliterating part of the drawing to represent the tunnel.  "No point to having to fight through the gates if we can bypass them.  Once we get through, I should be able to use my charm to weld the gate shut and trap part of the garrison there, letting us fight whoever is in the inner sanctum without any reinforcements."

                                            Northern Garrison: map by Evamae
           ~~~~~.-.      ._.~~~~~
          {#####|2|      |3|#####}
     ~~~{#######=====HH=====######}~~
    {#########//            \\#######}
   {#########//      4       \\######}
 1  }#######||-----      -----||######}
   {########||++5+|      |+6++||######}~~~
~~{#########||++++|      |++++||##########}
############||=======HH=======||              <---  Dig Tunnel as Here
###########//                    ###########}~~~
##########//         7          \\##############

"I think attempting to lock the gates from the inside is a splendid idea," says Evamae, studying the line Dena made in her map. "Pardon me, but is that tunnel not on the opposite side of where we are standing now? We would have to cross the lookouts' line of sight then. We could make a similar tunnel, but begin it on this side." She points next to where the '1' on the map is.

"I would suggest a compromise, I think it would still be wise to distract the front gate, or force the garrison monks to open the gate and step out, to minimize the numbers we'll encounter inside before we can sabotage the inner gate. I am quite certain we will not be able to stealthily dig a tunnel of that size. But Tervila Dena is right in that we should not have to prioritize eliminating all of them if we can simply shut out or trap them."
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:05, Tue 23 June 2009.

"It seems workable" Danae agrees.  "The problem is that the ones on the outside are going to be in a rough position though after the fact...  They're going to need to get by the outer gates at least--though the Blue Stripes should be able to bash them down in a hurry...  I'll accompany the group heading inside, while the members of the distraction team cause as much disruption as they can on the outside, to draw some of their numbers out.  When the Infiltration Team gets through, I'll move to engage the Master and any remaining defenders, while Dena opens the gates for the Distraction Team--and seals them once they've gotten in...  That's going to mean you guys are going to need to move quickly, as we can't afford to leave those gates open for too long.  At any rate though, even if I can't outright defeat an Immaculate Master, I should at least be able to hold one off long enough for everyone else to arrive."

Dena and Evamae estimate that their combined efforts would allow them to burrow through the earth at a rate of about 10 yards per minute, perhaps half that when encountering the granite wall. The projected time is 10-12 minutes. Danae goes with them, while the Blue Stripes act on orders to accompany Dashu and Third as part of the distraction team.

Dashu and Third on the other hand can start to move toward the front gate with the Blue Stripes (who have been instructed by Danae to follow their orders, of course). While the massive machines cannot easily be hidden, Dashu and Third may use their size and their association with the security of the district to their advantage, should they wish to use stealth to approach the gate.

---

OOC: Since there isn't really a roll involved with the digging, this will be mostly abstracted. This may cause a bit of a weird time discrepancy but any opposition encountered in the inner compound should probably even that out. :)

Mechanically, Dashu and Third have a +2 circumstance bonus for stealth if they use the Blue Stripes as cover.

"Dashu, if I may suggest a cover story... We may be able to suggest that we are merely members of some Dragon-Blooded family, until we are among them and may attack. It would give us the advantage of surprise, and with the Blue Stripe escort, it will be less likely for us to be discovered that way." The Solar knows that it is not the stealthiest of beings, and as such, making less of the plan rely on their physical stealth, and more on the ability to play a role.

Third could certainly play a role.

"As to the question of how we will join you... If you are able to leave a breaking point in the tunnel, somehow, then it may be possible for us to disengage after a certain point, leading the forces away, and make our way back to the tunnel, collapsing it behind us. If that is not feasible, then we will have to batter our way through the door."

Evamae nods. "It would not be impossible, Creator," the Hive Princess says deferentially. "The success depends on how well your role is accepted, how well you are concealed... or how fast you can run. However, the large machines should provide a good shield, and aid for collapsing the tunnel."

"We have the communicators so I would humbly ask that once you have assessed the situation at the front you can inform us whether you will go through the gates or our tunnel."

"Good luck." Evamae steps back, her shape shifting in a rather grotesque expansion of chitin and ligaments until what stands there is no longer the humanoid princess, but her natural insect shape, a builder bug with glittering silver-blue chitin.

She and the larger Rubies begin the dig in earnest while Third and Dashu finalize their plans.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:18, Thu 25 June 2009.

Dashu thought momentarily about Thirds suggestion and then stated plainly, "I'm not good with acting.  However there are two guard posts and it will be difficult to take them out one at a time without the alarm being raised.  You can take the blue stripes and dispose of checkpoint 1.  Once the assault begins I can take out the guys in checkpoint 2.  Your ruse will provide me with the cover I'll need to infiltrate properly.  We can use the communicators to coordinate the attack."

Tunnel:

The digging goes smoothly if slowly. The tunnel is made wide enough for a Blue Stripe to be able to fit through. The builder bugs (three of them, and Evamae) work in pairs, two of them supporting Dena in cutting through the stone, another pair cleaning the passageway, piling stone and earth outside so that the tunnel is clear.

Front Gate:

Third and the Blue Stripes move ahead to approach the front gate. It must assume Dashu is following along in hiding. The two Exalts note the guard stations at either side of the gate. They are a pair of slender towers, not much more than scaffolding with a roofed hut. The hut could fit one, maybe two individuals; a single powerbow wielding monk stands atop each, likely Wood Aspects, and not bothering to hide themselves. On ground level are a pair of muscular Earth Aspect monks in jade lamellar, wielding grand goremauls.

The gate itself, of course, is shut tight, an imposing stone and metal construct. The Blue Stripes would hopefully be able to batter through them, should it be required.

---

OOC: Dashu, roll your stealth, and Third can roll a social roll (I would first say Cha+Performance but I'll be nice and allow Presence) to see how well it can pull off acting as if it and the Blue Stripes are meant to be there.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:14, Fri 26 June 2009.

Third approaches. The androgynous Exalt is all movement and power, projecting Eye's presence through itself... Taking on the mien of the most arrogant, cruel Dragon-Blooded it can think of. It is Cathak Lizpa, Fire-Aspected Dragon-Blooded, and all-around unpleasant person. Its act is not so much a performance as a way of being, a reality rather than a role, as it strides confidently up towards the guard stations, hands on its hips. "I am here for the 'tour' my mentor has arranged." it says, looking bored, irritable, and extremely pointed as it speaks. Be they religious or government, everybody knows the wrath of a bored rich Dragon-Blooded who is not given their way. It considers, briefly, enhancing its performance with Essence, but it does not want to risk one of the Exalts being able to see essence flows, or something along those lines. The beauty of Third is, indeed, the sort that might be associated with a certain type of Fire-Aspect, full of grace, movement, flickering and burning very, very bright indeed. Its eyes pass over one of the Earth Aspect monks, a smile running across its lips, the phalanx of Blue Stripes behind it, framing the Exalt with a display of extremely ostentatious- Even tacky- power. Monks may not be the sort to respond to it, but it is definitely the behavior that might be expected from a Dynast brat.

OOC: You rolled 3 successes using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((3,7,9,4,3,9,3)).
This message was last edited by the player at 03:15, Sat 27 June 2009.

[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: Right..... so the dice are stingy, despite a +3 stunt and +2 circumstance bonus ;) But since you didn't fail outright with the original roll I'll give you more chance.

I'll also leave it to you if you want to command the Blue Stripes in any way. Or if you've given them a specific directive already let me know.]

The Earth aspect monks immediately narrow their eyes upon Third's arrival, gripping their massive weapons. They are... unsure what to make of the Blue Stripes, still, but that doesn't diminish the suspicion immediately cast upon Third.

"Try again. We have no 'tours' arranged that I know of," says the older of the two men stationed at the gate. Third's position is further endangered as the two monks in the elevated towers aim their powerbows in its direction. But the warrior monk does not immediately signal them to fire. He slowly, deliberately, hefts his goremaul over his shoulder and waits.

Third narrows its eyes. 'Oh really.' it says. It looks less worried by this setback, more... Well, irritated. 'Then there has been some level of miscommunication. And seeing as how the last scribe in our family to inconvenience me is now serving as an experimental subject in a truly exciting breakthrough in full-body-conversion in the District of Wood, I think it rather more likely that the mistake lies somewhere with your organization.' The Solar moves towards the Earth Monk with a smile on its face, letting a hand reach out to place it gently on the monk's arm. 'Now, most people, were they to act so threatening to me, would be facing a very, very bad day... But I happen to have a certain fondness for holy men. So, perhaps we can avoid any wrath being dispensed today, my lovely Blue Stripes won't have to get their hands dirty, I won't have to mar any of that quite impressive physique of yours for inconveniencing me, and we can laugh about this over something unpleasantly nonalcoholic tonight, hmmm?' The Exalt is all smiles and pleasantness now, though it's quite clear that only a Dragon-Blooded of a truly powerful- And exceedingly hedonistic- family would be willing to make such insinuated threats against a monk.

Thankfully, Third has a nearly limitless wellspring of arrogance dwelling in its soul.

OOC: You rolled 1 success using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((9,1,5,4,5,1,6)). Remember back during the last fight when I said my luck would run out eventually?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:28, Sat 27 June 2009.

While Third tries its hand at dissuading the guards, Dashu silently approaches his target.  Between his abilities as an Iron Wolf, his anima power, and his martial arts style, the task is very simple enough since Third is providing such a wonderful distraction.  He quickly scales the hut without making a sound and silently approaches the Archer on the roof.

[Private to GM:
13:14, Today: Peleps Dashu rolled 8 successes using 13d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,5,3,1,9,10,7,2,9,8,9,6,8. Dex + Stealth Roll.

Used Wall-Climbing Technique to get up the hut.]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:39, Thu 23 July 2009.

Dashu remains unseen, climbing up into a perfect striking position. The lookout with the powerbow hasn't seen him at all, and the monks have their attention on Third. A couple well placed strikes before he can turn around might do it, the Night Caste thinks. [Private to Peleps Dashu: The monk with the bow has DV 0 against you. Since you're surprise attacking anyway I'd recommend maximizing damage with a flurry. :)]

On the ground, the Earth guards are even less impressed than before. The older warrior monk says calmly (as calm as one can look with a weapon so menacing), "I am unsure what game you are playing at. But I know you are lying, and no further effort will shield you from that. I must ask you come with me. If you are a friend of some wild-roaming Anathema," his broad face frowns in instinctive disapproval as he steps forward to seize Third by the arm, "we will very soon know."

Looking to the Blue Stripes arrayed behind Third, the monk adds, "If those machines can indeed answer your commands, tell them to stand down. They will remain outside." [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: I'll still give you a +2 for effort, but it won't be enough to convince them. However, since you wisely used no Essence in the effort, the monk is bringing you in rather than attacking you! This... may or may not be a good thing.

Assuming you want to be taken, you'll have to tell the Blue Stripes to wait, because otherwise they'll think of the monk grabbing you as hostility toward one of the designated friends they must protect, and instantly attack.

And if you'll resist being taken I'll ask you to roll Join Battle immediately :)]
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:26, Sun 28 June 2009.

Dashu can see that Third is getting into trouble and decides to hurry. In dispatching of the Archer.  We walks along the stony roof without making a sound.  The air is still and the sounds of the Eathen Immaculates bellowing at Third are capturing everybody's attention. Once Dashu is standing directly behind the monk he quickly reaches around and draws his blades across the archers throat so that he can't scream out while at the same time, driving his other claw into the monks left kidney, knowing that would fill the monk's lungs with blood.  He then took his right hand pierced the monks exposed back, and finally finished him by reaching around once again and piercing the monks jaw from the bottom, and pushing the claw all the way back into his head.  As the monk's body went limp in his arms, Dashu controlled the fall so it would not make any noise against the hard roof.  He still had to take out the other archer.  And quickly, too.


[Private to GM:

I wrote the post as though the damage killed the guy.  If his soak/hardness keep this from happening I'll edit.

Peleps Dashu rolled 3 successes using 7d10 ... with rolls of 6,1,7,8,4,8,4. Join Battle.


Adding 4 sux to all my attack rolls using the 2nd Ex via Infinite MA Mastery:

Peleps Dashu rolled 4 successes using 9d10 ... with rolls of 2,6,7,2,8,3,7,5,9. Attack 1.

Peleps Dashu rolled 6 successes using 8d10 ... with rolls of 2,10,6,8,7,6,1,10. Attack 2.

Peleps Dashu rolled 8 successes using 7d10 ... with rolls of 10,7,1,7,10,6,10. Attack 3.

Peleps Dashu rolled 4 successes using 6d10 ... with rolls of 5,10,4,9,6,9. Attack 4.

Total sux =

1) 8 sux
2) 10 sux
3) 12 sux
4) 8 sux

Stunt?]
This message was last edited by the player at 21:59, Sun 28 June 2009.

Third narrows its eyes. "You've made a rather fatal mistake." it says, its blade unsheathing. "Perhaps in your next life, you will be born with the good sense to listen to your superiors." The Solar is ready to dispense with the ruse. Peleps is most likely in position, and the others will need a proper distraction to draw the guards out. The Solar smiles as it steps back, blade out. 'On your guard, sir.'

OOC: You rolled 3 successes using 5d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((10,9,5,5,3)). Thank god my luck's still showing up a little bit.

Tunnel:

The digging continues at a fair pace. The tunnel is close to halfway through now, and the diggers work less with sight and more by feel (something which the builder bugs are quite accustomed to, but could be near-claustrophobic for others). The earth trembles slightly as they progress -- it could simply be the rocks shifting with their passage, or indication of movement within the inner compound.

At the moment Dena, Evamae and Danae are effectively blind to what lies ahead of them. They can only hope the timing will be right.

Front Gate:

Dashu's swift flurry of blows take the archer out before he can even realize anyone is behind him. The Wood Aspect is well and truly dead, a testament to the Nightbringer's efficiency. Not that anyone sees him do it, of course... or, at least, that is the plan. [Private to Peleps Dashu: ok, attacking does give a slim chance you may be seen. But I'll give you a chance to reestablish surprise. Roll another Dex+Stealth. You can roll with a +2, with Third and the Blue Stripes distracting.

Unfortunately since Third triggered a Join Battle you'll now be moving with the tick count in mind. It will take 2 actions if you want to reach the other archer (approx 10 ticks. As fast as 6 if you will sacrifice some DV for speed. If you're sneaky enough it won't matter anyway since you have to be seen for anyone to make you use your DV!)]

The Immaculate Monks face off against Third's confrontational attitude. "This is no matter of superiority. I seek to ensure the continued survival of the Immaculate Philosophy and all who stand by it. To do so I must be able to tell truth from lies, and stamp out all those who would reject the foundations upon which our society stands." The older monk and and his companion brandish their two-handed goremauls in earnest, the both of them towering over Third at least a head and a half. The younger guard speaks, "If you draw our weapon before us, we cannot assure you that means you'll be subdued alive."

As hostilities rise, the Blue Stripes shift immediately shift their stance from a patient standby into a battle ready stance. "SUBJECT DESIGNATED ALLY CURRENTLY THREATENED BY HOSTILE PAIR AFFILIATED WITH THE IMMACULATE ORDER. OVERRIDING DRAGON-BLOODED PROTECTION PROTOCOL. PRIORITY: PROTECT DESIGNATED ALLY FROM HARM, USING ALL FORCE NECESSARY." In unison, they draw out their shields and goremauls, the size of which could easily contend with that of the Earth Aspects.

Suddenly, the battle does not look so favorable for the monks.

---

OOC: actions (Front Gate)
tick 0 - Third
tick 1 - Wood monk archer
tick 2 - Earth monk guardians
tick 6 - Blue Stripes (botching sucks!)

Dashu has a chance to sneak to the second tower before joining the battle in earnest, but it may take some time...
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:03, Sun 28 June 2009.

"Decent pace so far..." Danae observes quietly, keeping out of the way of the rubies and Dena as they carve their way through the rocks, fidgeting for a moment, and finally placing her helmet on, the seals snapping shut as the captured armor fully came online, and the internal visor began highlighting the area.  While it was still amazingly dark in here, as long as the slightest bit of light was emerging from the outside, she should still be able to make out what was going on.

"Hope everyone else can hang on out there until we're finished though..."

After Dashu polishes the first archer off, he looks around to see the most direct route to the second one.  With Third drawing attention towards the front of the gate, he felt the best course of action would be to stay out of the line of sight.  As such he turned his attention back to the gate and then smiled.  He suddenly took a running leap, putting everything he had behind his leap and extended his leg forward as though it was a flying sidekick.  However, when his foot touched the gate, he began sprinting along the wall towards the second tower without falling to the ground at all.  After all, his essence held him up.  He felt confident that with the others drawing the attention of the monks forward, no one would suspect an attack from the direction of the gate itself.

[Private to GM: Again activating the Wall-Climbing Technique.

18:18, Today: Peleps Dashu rolled 7 successes ... with rolls of 3,3,5,7,8,8,8,4,2,9,2,10,5,4,6. Dex + Stealth Roll (reestablish surpise).

]

"Found the wall it's. . . no it was a false alarm." Dena comments as she runs into a wall of stone buried in the matrix.  "Unbelievable, it's a piece of building material somebody dropped into the mix when they poured the berm, and they didn't bother recover it." she grouses quietly as she hands a slab weighing a quarter-ton to the ruby behind her to take out of the tunnel, along with their waste dirt.  "You'd think the Immaculates would have better quality control than that.  Also somebody remind me to learn how to grow some better claws before I do this again, I'm going to spend days regrowing the skin on my fingers."

Third is now no longer smiles and rage. It's simply quiet, as it drops into the stance, blade flicking out, etching a pattern towards the first monk, testing the earth monk's defenses. The blade leaves a line of color through the air as it flies out, scoring across the monk's chest. It saves itself in reserve, prepared to avoid any attacks they may make, to distract the monks from the true threat- The Blue Stripes, and the silent Dashu.

OOC: You rolled 4 successes using 13d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((1,5,3,4,5,4,2,1,8,10,2,4,7)). As a great man once said: BISOOOON! Additionally, ST: Are any Scene-Long charms still up, or will they need to be reentered?

Dashu dashes across the wall, right behind the backs of the Immaculates guarding the gate. They do not so much as notice his passage, and the Night Caste finds he can easily leap into the other hut without losing the advantage of stealth. [Private to Peleps Dashu: Woo! Doing it like a night caste should. ;) Again, you've got a chance to seriously screw this second archer as well. However, I'll rule that you won't act again before she can get an action in. If you want to reestablish surprise this time, you'll have to flurry the Dex+Stealth roll along with your attacks, unless you do so with your next action instead (this will possibly mean you'll be seen, but then again it might not matter by then!)]

The archer at the other makeshift tower is a woman, shaven bald just like her peers. She has a tense, bewildered look on her face. "Seziar? What happened?" Probably a name. She seems to have noticed her counterpart's sudden absence, but not the cause.

A verdant Essence display wreaths her body, resembling the boughs of an oak tree, strengthening her vitality as she fires off a pair of glittering green arrows at Third. [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: 3 sux, 8 sux flurry.]

Meanwhile, the monk Third attacks manages to deflect its sword with the haft of his goremaul, the splash of color halting abruptly. Rather than immediately retaliate, he and his companion settle into the low, stable stance of the Earth Dragon Style, emulating the strength and solidity of their patron Immaculate Dragon, Pasiap. Third has another chance to strike, should it wish it.

The Blue Stripes are taking their time moving into an ideal combat position, assessing the combat potential of both Third and the monks.

---

OOC: actions (edited to add Dashu to the tick count, oops)
tick 3 - Third
tick 5 - Dashu
tick 6 - Blue Stripes
tick 7 - Wood monk
tick 8 - Earth monks
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:14, Wed 01 July 2009.

Third moves with surprising swiftness. Its natural skill is enough to dodge one of the arrows, but the other is better aimed. It seems to be speeding straight for the Exalt's center of mass, but then, moving with unconcious grace, the Solar rolls backwards, hands catching the ground and pinwheeling it backwards, to stand among the automatons. It raises the blade, flicking it across the ground once, leaving a scar on Pasiap's frame, then charges forward among the two Earth Aspects, striking at one. Dust raises from where its feet hit the ground, and once, twice, three times, that blade flickers out wildly, each time cutting for the Earth Aspect's throat, a gleaming band of color that kicks up a brief splash of sparks when it strikes home against a weapon... Or flesh. The insults against the solidity of Pasiap are brutal, the jade showing its strength as it cuts open rock with the ease of a hot knife through butter. After each violent slice, the blade is returned to its position by the Exalt's side. The blows are intense, violent, not caring for the power expended with them, as they carry the Solar through its strikes to let it avoid what blows the ponderous Earth Monks may bring its way.

OOC: Using First Dodge Excellency to fill out the successes I need- 3-however many dice of stunt I got.

For attacks: You rolled 5 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((2,5,7,6,10,9,1,3,3,9)).
You rolled 6 successes using 9d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((4,1,10,3,7,6,6,10,9)).
You rolled 5 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((2,3,2,3,10,9,1,10)).

From an outsider's perspective, Third's evasion of the arrows looks like a startlingly narrow miss. Though the first arrow flies wide, missing by a long shot, the second still manages to inflict a small tear into its clothing, leaving its body unharmed as it sinks deeply into the earth. If not for Third's surge of determination to survive -- and to triumph -- the result may have been much, much worse. [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: I gave a +2 stunt for the whole post and decided to apply it to both DV and attack. The above text is just a small cosmetic change here to hint that you saved yourself with a WP. :)]

Undaunted, Third continues onward with its blistering sword barrage. The skill it shows with the sword is exceptional; most any man, unarmored and unprotected by Essence, would have been grievously injured or felled by that succession of strikes. The Earth monk, however, is not nearly so fragile. Though the red jade daiklave strikes all three times, the first and third simply glance off the monk's fortified body... but the second pierces through, tracing a thin line of blood across the throat. [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: With stunt, your attacks are now 7 sux, 7 sux, 5 sux. Against DV 5, this translates to 2 sux, 3 sux, 2 sux in. The monks have a current Hardness of 9 (5 from lamellar, 4 from Earth Dragon Form) and you do 7L with the daiklave. So... out of those 3 only the second one actually does damage.](1L damage)

By now, though, the Blue Stripes have completed their maneuvering, and the monks find themselves contending with a much larger concern. The red-beamed sentinel eyes focus on the monks currently harming their charges. One pair each takes on a single Earth monk, while the fifth moves toward the makeshift tower where the remaining Wood monk (now swiftly reloading her bow) still stands, raising its goremaul to strike at the comparatively flimsy scaffolding. Against that incredible force, the tower simply starts to fold inward, forcing the Wood Aspect to keep her footing... and complicating Dashu's chances of landing on it safely. [Private to Peleps Dashu: ok, I'll also want you to roll a reflexive Dex+Athletics diff 2--if you make it, you can make your attack on the archer right away, otherwise you'll fall instead.]

Two of the Blue Stripes attacking the Earth Immaculates miss, their goremauls whistling through the air, but the other pair beat down the monks with a demolishing blow each. The first monk struck goes down with a sickening crack, ill-prepared for the massive blunt weapon that crunches into his upper arm and shoulder. Letting out a strangled cry, he falls to the ground. (5B damage - total of 5B, 1L)

The other monk does not fare much better. Partially blocking with his (much smaller, though still large for human size) goremaul, the force of the Blue Stripe's swing actually pushes his parrying weapon right into his chest, the impact cracking one of his forearms and several ribs. (5B damage) He manages to stay standing, though, breathing heavily as he calls to the Wood immaculate, "Beril, the gate... inform them inside..." The older man coughs a plume of blood.

---

OOC: and here we discover why it's a good thing you never had to fight one of the HAS-units yourself. (I lessened the damage slightly from what was rolled because I realized the Earth immacs had a reflexive charm to aid soak further. Still, ouch!)

we'll pause to wait for Dashu since the Wood Aspect would normally go next.

Meanwhile, in the tunnel area, the digging continues laboriously.

Dena, Evamae and Danae feel the earth trembling they noticed before intensifying. Evamae, still in her insect form, speaks in a troubled voice. "I believe the inner compound has started to notice our efforts. They are preparing on the other side... anticipating our arrival. Should we attempt to contact the others and see how they are faring?"

---

OOC: a bit of a time discrepancy here, since digging is happening in long ticks, and the combat is normal ticks.

You may also try to roll Perc+Awareness, using hearing/feeling to see if you can make out anything about the numbers on the other side. Doing so will get easier and easier as you move forward so you can try multiple times.

"We should notify them that we're getting closer..." Danae began, touching the walls, eyes shut as she attempted to get a 'Feel' for the area surrounding the infiltration group.  While the earth wasn't exactly a place where her expertise particularly laid in--for the purposes of establishing earthworks and similar, she had recieved basic training in battlefield architecture...

She ran a gloved hand across the wall, expanding her awareness to encorporate the walls, following the geomancy encorporated within, and following it out into the room beyond everyone.  If they were truly preparing for trouble, it was likely that they would be spending Essence to prepare their martial arts Forms...  Even a small expenditure of such would be enough to show up in the area's geomancy, if only in the tiniest, most infinitesimal manner...

She frowned, an expression of doubt that thankfully was concealed by the expressionless mask of her helmet--this was 'Probably' crazy, her excellence laid in the department of the 'Ability', not in the elemental nature of Pasaip--surely this was probably a stupid bit of arrogance to try and copy, if only in the most rude fashion, the talents of her opponents...

But...  And here was the great 'But' in the matter...  Did the Dragons actually 'Agree' with the actions of their children here?  While the Immaculate Order surely 'Claimed' their sanction--how often had the Dragons actually answered the prayers for help they sent?  How often did they send representatives to confirm the righteousness of their 'Children?'

Perhaps, this would be a good place to test the matter...  Exhaling lightly, she snapped her eyes open, quickly drawing out her impression of the area's geomancy, and attempted to map out the positions of the monks on the opposite side of the remaining earth.  If her readings were correct...  They might have a chance of surprising them still!

[Private to Gatekeeper: 13:43, Today: Danae Adela rolled 6 successes using 9d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,9,6,10,9,1,9,6,3. Perc + Awareness

An Excellent roll deserves an excellent stunt :P  3 dots in Awareness, and 4 dots in Perception--my armor also provides a bonus of +2 dice (Though technically, it might only apply to sight), either way though, the roll still probably maintains the same number of successes.]

Dashu lands both effortlessly and quietly onto the platform.  He immediately spins into a whirlwind of jade claws that is silent, deadly, and effective.  He immediately plowed his right claw into the shaven temple of the young girl while bringing his left claw down to cut her leg so that she would have more difficulty standing and to drop her balance.  He finally slithered his left claw around right after cutting the left and once again slashed at the archer's throat to silence her.

[Private to GM:
13:25, Today: Peleps Dashu rolled 4 successes using 7d10 with ... rolls of 3,9,9,9,3,9,6. Dex + Athletics.

18:36, Today: Peleps Dashu rolled 4 successes using 9d10 with ... rolls of 5,1,6,1,4,7,10,7,4. Dex + Stealth Roll (forgot to flurry it).

Adding 4 sux to all the attacks with 2nd MA Ex:

18:46, Today: Peleps Dashu rolled 4 successes using 8d10 with ... rolls of 1,3,1,4,10,8,7,4. Attack 1.

18:46, Today: Peleps Dashu botched using 7d10 with ... rolls of 1,6,3,1,4,3,4. Attack 2.

18:47, Today: Peleps Dashu rolled 2 successes using 6d10 with ... rolls of 3,1,5,7,3,9. Attack 3.

Final sux:

Attack 1 = 8 sux
Attack 2 = 4 sux
Attack 3 = 6 sux

if I get the surprise attack then I went ahead and added the sux to the claw dmg bonus (+6L) and my str (2) so the raw damage should be as follows (I like to make things easy for ya):

Attack 1 raw damage = 16L
Attack 2 raw damage = 12L
Attack 3 raw damage = 14L

DV = 2 (+4 from excellency)
]

Dena pauses a moment, arms buried deep in soil to feel the vibrations a bit.
"Perhaps. . . something but it's faint to me." she decides.  Knowing that her senses are quite dull compared to many others, Dena doesn't let it bother.  "If the Monks are preparing a trap on the other side, we should plan a way to avoid or counter it.  What devices do you have available Danae?  Perhaps we could open only a small hole, and pour poison gas or an object which explodes through ahead of us to soften them up."

21:07, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 2 successes using 2d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,5. Perception + Awareness.

[Private to Danae Adela: Yeah, the Ashigaru helmet I don't think I'd have count for more than vision. However your stunt makes up for that, in any case.]

Danae opens her awareness to the conduits of Essence in the fortress, and the brighter pinpoints that would indicate life -- and power. She finds that she has a small measure of success, though achieving this without some sort of magical aid suited for the task is... more difficult than she would have thought.

She senses anywhere from 20-30 people in the room her companions are digging to. She can sense what is likely a very large compound beyond the earth and rock packed all around them. If she could rank the individuals within by 'brightness', the brightest source of Essence she can sense is near the rear of this large region. There are maybe a half dozen arrayed in the area of a mid-range brightness, and possibly a score more that are barely flickering candle-flames compared to the solid beacon of their elders.

So it 'feels' something like this to Danae. But she cannot be certain her 'feelings' are exact.

#####||                ~~#####   Approximate 'feel' of the room beyond. (Overhead!)
 1 ##||=======HH===~~~~~~#####
####//    4 4       ~~~~~~####   ~   uncertain areas (walls?)
###||    4 3         ~~~~~~###   ||  granite walls
###||--+  4           ~~~~~###   #   earth
###||44|              ~4~~~###   H   doors
###||+3|    4 4 4 4   ~4~~~###
###||--+    4  2  4  ~~~~~~###   1 - direction diggers are approaching from
###||  4        3  ~~~4~~~~###   2 - very bright essence source
###||  3 4  ~~~~~~~~4~3~~~~###   3 - mid-range essence source(s)
####~~     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~####   4 - dim essence source(s)
#####~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~#####
###~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~###

Dena's feelings of what lies ahead are more... murky. She knows there's warm bodies ahead, she can hear several muffled voices, but she can't really make out any details or words.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:22, Wed 01 July 2009.

"There!!" the Wood aspect, apparently named Beril, suddenly shouts. With so little time and space to maneuver -- the scaffolding is quickly falling apart -- she is forced to dodge with very little clearance. She bends back from the first strike, but Dashu's claw still gashes three parallel surface wounds into her forehead. The second claw strike misses her leg by a hasty side-step. The gash at her throat tears off a small chunk from her neck but does not finish her, instead lessened by the resilience that the Wood Essence still pulsing around her lithe body. (2L total)

The Immaculate woman is panting from the effort of just barely having saved her own life -- if that would even last. She leaps from the crumbling tower, and fires a pair of arrows at her mysterious assailant as she hovers briefly in midair, glowing oak-leaves sprouting from the twin arrows that streak toward where Dashu still stands. She shouts as she falls, not bothering to hide her message: "Honored Seven Coals! We're under assault outside! Five rogue machines and two rebels! Open the gate!!"

[Private to Peleps Dashu: I rolled her awareness, and I had her spend a willpower. So she does see you coming, if barely. (My motivation for this is that she was actually alert for the possibility of another assault as she noticed her partner in the other tower disappeared.)

As for your damage: Her DV was 5, so your first attack went in with 3, your second missed, and your third also in with 3. With the charm she activated before you attacked, she had a soak of 9L. Your damage for both that hit was a raw 11L. So, default to essence ping... I rolled 4 dice of damage for 2 strikes that hit. Got 1L each, for total of 2L.

Beril's attacks on you are 5 sux and 2 sux. Looking at your sheet, you have a dodge DV 7-4(4 actions)=3, so, first is in with 2, and second misses. You'll probably have to stunt for the first arrow. Or you could stunt parry instead, that would mean it's in with 3 instead of 2, but you can add to your DV with MA Excel.]

---

OOC: actions (front gate)
tick 6 - Third (forgot you were Speed 3! sorry!)
tick 8 - Earth monks
tick 9 - Dashu
tick 12 - Wood monk, Blue Stripes

"Alright... I think I've got an idea what's going on in there..." Danae began, snapping back into awareness of the material world again.  "We're definately badly outnumbered from sheer numbers...  A fair number of ordinary fighters--probably not issues on their own...  But I count at 'Least' five acolytes in there right now...  And there's definately one potential Immaculate Master in that pile as well, and he's got a fair escort, and an additional Acolyte to boot...  It's going to be fairly tough...  We've got at least one group of defenders waiting for us to come out though--an acolyte, and a few lesser fighters.

She nodded, and prepared Impeccable Spark for battle.  "We're more-or-less going to be fighting the moment we break through, be ready everyone"

"Perhaps. . ." Dena pauses a moment to move a huge slab of rock from overhead, in order to avoid swallowing a mouthful of dirt.  "Perhaps we could send one of the Rubies to another location, order it to dig as noisily as possible to draw attention and force them to split their forces."

"I am certain there must be at least twenty waiting inside," says Evamae, returning from another stint of depositing earth outside in time to hear Dena and Danae's words. "Maybe half that close to where we will break through."

"I do not have any tricks to suggest, however I do think it would be best to see if we can at least use the tunnel to our advantage for a short time. It can serve as a bottleneck, forcing the enemies to come at us in smaller numbers. Of course... it would also disadvantage us, as we would also be fighting in tight spaces. But it may be a good way to thin the enemy a bit from the start with less risk to ourselves."

While the digging has continued, it seems at least one of the Ruby Guardians that had left to deposit the unconscious Peace Force soldiers have returned. Allowing one of the Rubies to pick up the slack, Evamae reverts to her more compact humanoid form.

"I will send the message..." She touches her earpiece communicator, sending a message to Third and Dashu. "We are approaching our entry point into the inner compound. We would like to know how you are faring at the front gate. Numbers are heavy here so you must draw as many from the outer compound away as possible."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:52, Wed 01 July 2009.

"We are in the midst of doing just that." says Third, as it steps forward, the Solar striding between the two Earth Aspects, towards the wounded Wood Aspect, just a little too late- so it would seem- to silence her, but moving in nonetheless. Chaos reins around it as the HAS units slice and chop at the  Earth Aspects, leaving them dizzied, but a preternatural calm falls around Third as it approaches the Wood Aspect, ensnaring her within it, the movements too slow to miss, but life seems to congeal around the Immaculate, making movements too slow, too weak, to stop that oncoming movement from the seemingly unspectacular rebel. The blade goes from by its side to pointed straight forward, hand mirroring the stance of the blade, holding the sheath, before Third blurs forward, feet striking the ground, leaving cracks where it touches, suppressed violence flying forward. Three times the blade flickers out- First cutting across one side of the Wood Aspect's body, then flickering across the other, shining lights moving across the form of the monk. Then the blade leaps back, arm extended backwards, the blade pointed wickedly towards the monk's center of mass, and with a sound like the wind whistling through a rocky peak, kissing the mountaintops, the sound of sun shining too harshly for life to survive. The blade thrusts forward, aimed for the sternum of the Dragon-Blooded, to kill her- It would be faster to aim for the heart, but Third needs to use a death that will call to those inside. It does not think of this as good, or as bad. It simply is what needs to be done. "You should have stayed quiet. You've ruined everything. For yourself, and your friends inside." it says. Still enough of the act is in there, to make the truth of it seem just plausible enough.

OOC: You rolled 7 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((8,6,5,6,10,9,8,6,10,1)).
You rolled 3 successes using 9d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((3,7,9,6,4,3,7,2,1)).
You rolled 6 successes using 13d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((5,5,3,5,8,2,5,7,3,6,9,10,9)).

Beril completes her message in midair. With the ground swiftly rushing toward her (or her to it) she manages to tuck her body into a compact shape and impact the ground safely, bouncing back onto to her feet.

Third, of course, is already waiting for her. Without a proper weapon to block his attacks, she can only rely on her body's reflexes and her Essence to avoid the flurry of blows that attempts to cut through her body and end her life. The first blow leaves a gash on her side that makes her hiss with pain. (2L) She bends her body, *barely* managing to clear the second, but the swift and brutal stab toward her sternum catches her as she rights herself.

A gasp issues from Beril's throat -- she'd not expected such speed and skill from a mere rebel -- but the blow is partially absorbed by her jade breastplate. Rather than stabbing through her sternum it bounces upward to nick her chest up to the clavicle. (1L) "What... ruin, do you speak of? You are delusional. You... cannot... wipe us all out."

[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: Well, she managed to avoid the second blow, but you got a couple more damage dice due to her wound penalties and your stunt. Still, it wasn't QUITE enough to kill her (silly dice, again); she's at her last -2.]

The two Earth Immaculates, faced with the might of the Blue Stripes, are far from reckless. The one that was knocked over staggers to his feet, and despite the agony surely burning through his crushed shoulder, grips his grand goremaul with both arms. Rather than retaliate against the incredibly skewed odds, the both of them back away toward the gate, so that the massive machines cannot surround them. "Wicked machines... the Council does ill to trust them completely..." growls the younger of them.

"It is the heretics, the Anathema who cause such chaos to run rampant," replies the grim older man with blood trickling from his mouth.

Behind them, the gate mechanism begins to whir noisily...

---

OOC: actions
tick 9 - Dashu, Third
tick 12 - Wood monk, Blue Stripes
tick 13 - Gate opens!

Earth monks are guarding/holding action, waiting for gate to open.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:36, Thu 02 July 2009.

At the tunnel, the terse message from Third at least reassures the digging group that something is being done. Perhaps enough to draw some of the inner compound fighters away. But Evamae seems to believe that, according to Jhenli's approximations of the numbers within, the garrison monks are divided roughly evenly between the outer compound (the one the front gate opens into) and the inner (the one Dena and the others are digging toward).

"The weakest of them should not be difficult for you, Creators," she says, brandishing her double shock pikes now that they are coming closer. The Rubies continue the efficient rhythm of digging, always at least two digging at any time and two carrying earth out.

The ground continues to quake -- then suddenly jolts violently, as if from a massive impact beyond the tunnel. The earth above the Exalts and their builder bug allies starts to come apart, ruining some of their hard tunneling work as large fragments of earth and stone start to rain on the group.

---

OOC: Dex+Athletics diff 3. Or you will fall prone and take 6B levels of damage (you can soak this, though, to a minimum of 1B.) Unfortunately this also applies for flight capable PCs like Dena since you've got earth surrounding you from above, as well.

You should get to the wall soon, I just don't want to end up with weird time paradoxes. ;)

"Rather impatient of them, wouldn't you agree?" Danae observed, glancing about the tunnel and quickly taking in the rocks--before hopping back in a tight arc, and bringing Impeccable Spark's pommel up to shatter one of the larger falling rocks to bits, scattering it harmlessly on the ground below.

"At any rate, at least they're saving us the time of cutting through the granite...  I see they're reluctant to fight a battle on two fronts as well--this can probably be taken as a good sign... I think"


[Private to Gatekeeper: 23:15, Today: Danae Adela rolled 3 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,4,9,9,4,9,3,5. Dex + Ath]
This message was last edited by the player at 06:25, Thu 02 July 2009.

Dena grimaces as the tunnel begins to collapse around her, and moves to interpose an arm over Evamae and block any debris from falling on the insect princess.  A large slab bounces off her back and cracks in half when it encounters her spiked carapace.

10:39, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 2 successes using 4d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,8,9,4. Dex + Ath.

Not enough successes.  Hmm, will Dena's Central Directional Mastery charm protect her in this situation?

Danae remains unharmed, the falling rocks splitting as easily as flesh against the edge of Impeccable Spark. Dena, rather than dodging the preemptive cave-in, simply allows them the chunks of earth to fall on her without any concern. They break apart into harmless dirt as they strike her warform body, sloughing off her and settling harmlessly on the ground. [Private to Tervila Dena: Yes, the Central Direction charm does work! I'm assuming here that you use it, though if I'm wrong I'll edit this post.]

Evamae does not fare so well, falling on her knees but managing to roll away and avoid any harm, her armor and carapace taking care of the rest. One of the Rubies is knocked to its side as well, a particularly large rock fragment impacting with its chitinous shell, dazing it slightly but doing minimal damage. (1B on Ruby Guardian)

The Hive Princess struggles to rise, using the shock pike hafts to haul herself up while the poor Ruby Guardian lolls back and forth until it can roll upright. Two more Rubies in the tunnel at the time manage to keep their footing and doggedly continue the clearing of earth.

Another, lesser impact strikes from ahead. And another. The shaking is constant, now, though not nearly so devastating as that first blow. [Private to Danae Adela: at this point I will assume that if you have at least 2 Athletics you can keep upright, which you do, so we won't time-waste with more rolls.][Private to Tervila Dena: Your charm will pretty much keep you safe at this point.]While annoying, the impacts also shake loose the earth close to the granite wall, and speeds up the process of digging immensely.

---

OOC: ok, last minute charms, preparations, whatever... Join Battle for the tunnel folks is imminent.

"Get ready everyone" Danae warned, making sure her weapon was drawn, and that the Fivefold Bulwark Stance was once again assumed.  "I'll move in first--there's a high probabiltiy they're ready to focus their fire on the first one to poke their head out--and I've mastered a Perfect Defense...  Assuming I can react faster, I could also do a good job of scattering their defenders in the process..."

She adjusted her posture again, and delved once again into her memories...  She had a technique to allow her a high speed flurry of accurate blows...  But it would be taxing on her Essence, and wouldn't be significantly more advantage then just attacking ordinarily...  She knew there was a technique a step above this though--flaring Essence into her nervous system, and compressing it with utmost will--she would gain the ability to momentarily accelerate her reaction time, laying out with a whirlwind of blows in the space of an instant.  With the Essence charge augmenting her own reaction times and physical abilities, she would have the speed to perform this action as well...

At any rate, it would be important to at least clear out the initial attackers quickly, before the others in the room realized just what they were up against.

Her free hand went to the grip of her Firewand--if her senses were correct, then to her right, immediately after entering the room, there would be attackers above--she would need to be ready to open fire on them when the initial group was scattered...

[Private to Gatekeeper: Attempting to Stunt Learn Iron Whirlwind Technique for the upcoming battle]

Dashu easily bats both arrows flying his way out of the sky.  It was more of an essence fueled reflex than anything but it got the job done.  He then dives off the crumbling tower himself, so as to not get caught up in the debris.  He focuses his dive in the direction of one of the earth monks and extends both claws forward.  He prepars to tuck and roll with the impact from hitting either the monk or the floor.

[Private to GM:

Well my form charm does add my Essence into my dodge DV but I fogot to factor that into my calculations earlier (my bad)... plus its more fun to bat stuff out of the sky anyway so I'll use my claws and my excellency to raise the DV to 6.

Adding 4 sux on the attack with the 2nd Ex.

Peleps Dashu rolled 7 successes using 13d10 with ... rolls of 3,4,6,1,8,3,8,10,5,9,3,10,4. Attack on Earth Monk.

Total Sux = 11
Str + Dmg (claws)= +8L

Assuming no DV penalty from diving off a building (that's a bit much of an assumption though).

Dodge DV = 10
Parry DV = 5 (+4 from the excellency)
]
This message was last edited by the player at 22:13, Thu 02 July 2009.

Third presses its offensive. Each blow returns to the same spot, to pierce that point on her chest, through the sternum, between the lungs. Once- twice- three times, the Solar spins and delivers a painful stab directly to the center of the chest, each time driving a little harder into the woman's chest, a whirlwind of speed, focused on the woman's death.

OOC: You rolled 5 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((4,9,10,6,7,9,2,4,2,4)).
You rolled 6 successes using 9d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((10,1,3,9,5,10,5,6,9)).
You rolled 3 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((10,3,9,3,1,2,6,2)).

Dashu springs down from the crumbling makeshift tower, claws extended to pierce the Earth monk. The dragon claws dig into his shoulders on each side, drawing blood, but are mostly deflected by his armor and the aura of Earth Essence that protects him like a second skin. (2L damage)

Afterward, the Night Caste attempts to land safely, but there just isn't any clearance. Rather than rolling smoothly, he slips at the last moment and falls onto his side, though it`s only a small mishap. He's still able to scramble to his feet in the same turn, but has a slightly bruised shoulder. (1B fall damage)

Third's incredible speed gives the Wood monk no time whatsoever to rest or retaliate. This time its blade strikes true, the first blow driving cleanly through her breastplate, the other two driving the razor point deeper and deeper into her body until Third is sure it has wrested the last spark of life from her. The light fades from her eyes as she falls flat onto her back, blood pouring from the stab wounds to darken the earth.

Then the Blue Stripes move again. The gate has already begun to creak open, and the monks step backward toward it, but it's not fast enough to slip away from the automatons. Fortunately, with their backs covered by the gate, only one of the massive HAS units can manage to strike them at a time. Praying and steeling themselves, they lift their white jade weapons and put their lives in the hands of Pasiap...

The older monk manages with laborious difficulty to deflect his assailant's oversized goremaul, grunting as he pushes back with all the force left in his body. But his partner does not fare well at all. The automaton that swings at him connects and follows through, turning the monk's torso and abdomen into a bloody mess and flinging him against the gate door. His body slides lifelessly downward and crumples on the ground.

The gate slowly begins to reveal the interior of the outer courtyard (correction). A chorus of Immaculate hymnals greet the ears of the Celestials. Many voices, united in solidarity, at least thirty strong.

---

OOC: Fast Third is fast... it still gets one more attack before the surviving Earth monk can dart through the gates.

Don't be alarmed by numbers. I will simplify things by pitting the Blue Stripes against some of the larger concentration of foes so that you only have to fight the ones they are not fighting. Or you could just leave the Blue Stripes to handle it and join the others, once you think you've drawn out enough of 'em. Up to you!

actions
tick 12 - Third
tick 13 - Dashu, Earth monk (stops guarding to go through gate)
tick 14 - ??? (few), ??? (very few) (inside gate)
tick 16 - ??? (many) (inside gate)
tick 17 - Blue Stripes
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:11, Fri 03 July 2009.

Dena pops her neck a few times to loosen herself up and takes up her preferred stance for combat.
"Alright, then you take the initial surge and I'll follow you and try to take down the followers as quickly as I can.  Is the machine smart enough to pick it's targets without orders?"

[Private to GM: Activating Laughing Wounds Form.]

The tunnel-diggers reach the final barrier between them and the North Garrison inner compound. The wall is already starting to come apart, several fine cracks marring the surface. The pounding and trembling has stopped now, and there is an uncomfortable, expectant silence.

The monks are waiting beyond that crumbling wall.

Two Rubies step forward to start cutting through the granite in earnest. White light begins to seep through the cracks as fragments are shaken free, then larger chunks. The light is not continuous, suggesting their are bodies beyond it, partially blocking the light source...

... then WHAM! The light is briefly blotted out. Someone has surged forward, shoving or striking at the weakened wall. The granite surface bends, precariously concave, then bursts toward the Celestials and allies as a shockwave rocks the tunnel, spraying large stone fragments their way. When the smoke and dust clears, there is a bald shaven woman there clad in a white jade reinforced breastplate. She leaps back several yards, taking on a low, wary stance. Four young monks in earth-enchanted breastplates flank her on either side.

Given that the field of vision is currently limited by the tunnel, Danae, Dena and Evamae cannot see much beyond the group immediately waiting for them. They would need to step through to be certain of any others awaiting above or ahead.

---

OOC: This time it's (Dexterity+Resistance) diff 3. Otherwise, knockdown and 6B damage, soaked as normal. Also, it's not environmental but Essence based, so Dena's Charm won't work here. (It's a Charm effect causing the shockwave.)

After that, roll Join Battle please.

[Private to Danae Adela: Hmm hmm... all right, I'll allow the stunt learn. :)]

"Their doctrine for the moment should likely cover the biggest threats" Danae explained, bracing herself as the first bits of light began to be visible.  No doubt, there would be a spot of trouble momentarily...

And trouble it was, as an earthrending blast of Essence proceeded to explode the sections of the wall that still remained, sending a spray of granite shards flying, even if you disregard the whole 'Blast of Essence' bit that would probably be causing a fair amount of trouble in and of itself.

Of course, Danae wasn't one to fall down lightly--Impeccable Spark lashed outwards--impacting against the wave of power, and severing a gap in it's flow momentarily, stepping inside of it with a bit of a flourish, and passing through in time to avoid the worst of it, the remaining fragments scattering harmlessly across her captured armor, their hostile violation spent in the process.

"You know--In hindsight, trying to dig a tunnel to try and sneak into the fortress of Pasaip was probably a somewhat reckless idea." She observed, assuming her fighting stance, and covering the rest of the group.  "It can't be helped though, I suppose it'd be too much to ask you to surrender peacefully, so we don't need to bring out any bloodshed, would it?"

Futile as the gesture may have been, she still had to Offer...  And for that reason, she held off on immediately breaking into battle...  Whether this was a mistake or not probably remained to be seen.

[Private to Gatekeeper: My Resistance is fairly poor, so I'll spend a willpower on this action, and hope to recoup it with the stunt (Or, uh, not have to spend it in the first place--but here's hoping everything works out nicely :P)

21:39, Today: Danae Adela rolled 2 successes using 6d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,2,2,1,7,2. Dex + resistance.

3 Succs, so I barely make it...  Sadly, the JB fails unless a few stunt dice decide to work my way ]

"Well then, that should work well with me mowing down the smallest threats." Dena comments.  A moment later the wall explodes and Dena reacts quickly, stomping down on a fallen slab of wall to lift it up as a brief shield.  It crumbles under the pressure, showing her with fragments, but puny stone fragments are no threat to armor as dense as her carapace and Dena walks towards the entrance of the tunnel, pausing a moment to survey and plan the best route to wiping out the enemy.

09:35, Today: Tervila Dena failed (no successes) using 3d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,6,6. Join Battle.
09:34, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 4 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,3,8,3,1,7,3,3,4,3. Dex + Resistace.

Third steps sideways smoothly, feet dancing across the ground, leaving small cracks in the ground. It strikes the ground with it's feet once, sending itself a couple feet into the air, twice, it's own height in the air, and a third time, launching itself into the Earth aspect, bearing down upon the Earth Aspect, striking the monk with one bone-jarring, armor-splitting blow to the throat, focusing all its energy as dust flies away from the point where the solar strikes...

OOC: Essence: 13/19 and 39/45, if my math is correct- Need to remember to keep these in the post! Willpower: 5/7. Not an impressive attack, sadly! You rolled 5 successes using 13d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((2,4,2,1,4,5,8,8,3,2,10,3,9)).

Dashu groaned.  As he got up off the ground.  "Maybe that wasn't the best idea I've had."  As he stood next to Third and looked at the gate he then commented dryly, "But what's one more drop of water in the ocean?"  With that he decided to do something cast related and darted behind one of the Blue Stripes to get into it's shadow so that he could reestablish the element of surprise.

[Private to GM: Peleps Dashu rolled 5 successes using 13d10 ...  with rolls of 9,6,7,6,8,1,4,3,2,6,9,5,8. Dex + Stealth Roll]
This message was last edited by the player at 16:40, Sat 04 July 2009.

North Garrison, Outer Compound:

The surviving Earth Monk has just narrowly escaped death at the hands of the Blue Stripes. He is not immediately expecting Third to come back to finish him off. Nonetheless, he does not simply allow the dark-haired rebel to thrust the red jade daiklave it wields so effectively into his throat.

The older monk shoves the shaft of his goremaul against the sword. Blade and blunt surface collide, sparking against one another as the Solar's healthy determination defies the parry attempt. The daiklave might have certainly stabbed right through to the spine, but instead it cuts through the sinew around his throat. (2L damage, total of 5B, 3L damage)

While Dashu gets up and slips effortlessly into the shadows of the five large machines supporting himself and Third, the Earth monk falls back through the opened gate. A large group of monks awaits within to receive him, swallowing the wounded man into their formation, a sea of bald shaven heads and pristine white robes and earth-enchanted armor. The majority of them are wearing cotton: First Coils, likely. But among them stand their betters, including a pair in reinforced jade breastplates, these two wearing robes of silk. Behind them rises the second gate leading into the inner compound, between two raised balconies upon which crouch young monks in light jade armor wielding powerbows, three on each.

The monks continue to chant. A sutra from the Immaculate Texts, a sutra for Pasiap, calling upon him for strength and solidarity. One of the silk-clad pair, a lean, wiry monk with ruddy skin, clad in red jade and orange robes with a pair of jade daiklaves at his belt, stands at the rear of the group. "Will you still fight? Rebel, you are grossly outnumbered. Surrender your machines and yourself." The other monk appears so alike as to be the speaker's twin, but in black jade and blue robes, and dragon claws on his hands.

---

OOC: Pausing combat briefly. Dashu has hidden before the gates opened fully so he is completely unseen. Third, close to the gate, has been seen. If it will continue to pursue the Earth Monk it'll have to go through several lesser monks now.

Also the Blue Stripes should probably be directed as to who their next target(s) should be. If any.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:29, Sat 04 July 2009.

North Garrison, Inner Compound:

The female Earth Immaculate that kicked the last of the granite wall down gives the Solar a sharp, incredulous look. Her dark eyes fixate on the weapon Danae holds, then narrow, seeing the silhouettes of the giant bugs behind her. "The obvious answer, I believe, is no." [Private to Danae Adela: OK, gave you +2 stunt. I NEARLY forgot to do this! The result put you in the tick count just a little earlier, as I judged your post as a brief 'distraction' stunt to help your JB. So all that work I put into rolling for the Earth monk is kinda... pointless now. ;)]

Evamae, standing behind Danae, also managed to keep her footing when the shockwave passed down the newly dug tunnel, shaking down alarming amounts of earth from the rough ceiling. Now she brandishes her shock pikes, unwilling to wait for the exchange to play on. "Forgive me, Creators, but if we do not press on this is all for naught." She discharges two force blasts from her twin pikes at the woman in reinforced jade, the both of them passing Danae's shoulders so closely she can hear them rush past her ears, mussing her blonde hair.

The Earth Immaculate attempts futilely to ward off the invisible blows with her bare hands. One stabs her in the forearm, the other slipping beneath her blocking arms and toward her ribcage, stabbing through her armor. (3L total)

Signaled by their Princess, the Ruby Guardians cease moving earth and ready themselves for battle. Given the tight space at the opening of the tunnel, only one Guardian can fit through at a time. The first insect warrior pushes through, spewing a plume of hot acid from its mandibles at a trio of monks. Unable to leap away in time, the acid eats through their robes and sears sensitive skin. (Earth immac and 2 young monks take 1L damage each)

"Transcend the pain!" says the Earth immaculate sharply, though the sickeningly sweet smell of acid-burned human skin fills the air, and her stab wounds ache. "Attack!" She and the two monks to the right of her approach the tunnel to surround and attack Danae, but the Solar quickly finds an opening to strike at them first!

---

OOC: Ok, to make this part a little more sane, since the inner compound has a lot of groups broken up, I'm going to roll JB only for the groups that are closest to you, and add more as you proceed into the room. Also, eventually I will abstract some of the battle, as the Rubies target lesser opponents and the Celestials + Princess go for the big ones.

actions
tick 0 - ??? (holding action)
tick 1 - Evamae
tick 3 - Ruby Guardians
tick 4 - Danae
tick 5 - Earth monk + young monks
tick 6 - Dena
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:52, Tue 07 July 2009.

"Sorry then" Danae replied with a sigh.  "Contrary to what you might believe, I'm not terribly keen on killing and murdering everything in sight...  Unfortunately, I suppose we're at a slight theological impasse at the moment."

Impeccable Spark hums ominously, as Danae focuses her Essence towards the Attack.  "Forgive me, I'll try to make this quick"

With that, she was off.  Like a bolt from the blue, Danae leapt into the proverbial dragnet being spread by the Acolyte and her companions, diving into their lines headfirst, tapping her free hand on the ground below after getting past their front lines, and redirecting her momentum enough to get her feet against a nearby structure--and kicking off against it, throwing herself at the first three attackers from behind.

Snapping open, and gathering forth ambient Essence, Impeccable Spark enagaged the kinetic boosters inside--and by the time the first blow made contact with the Immaculate's breastplate--it had already reached full power, tearing through with the force expected from only the most massive of weapons, trailing a thin line of blood along with it--proof that even stone will bleed, given the right incentive.

But she wasn't yet finished--not just yet.

Pushing herself up into a brief handstand--actually Using The Immaculate as her platform, Danae shot off into the air above--briefly touching against a portion of the wall used for the tunnel, and before Gravity had a chance to legitimately kick in, she leapt downwards again, driving Impeccable Spark in a helm-splitter motion straight downward, hopefully putting a quick and merciful end to the Immaculate on the spot--though just in case, she concluded the series of blows upon rising to her full height, twisting Impeccable Spark into a reverse grip again, and lashing it across her target's chest, ideally sending her sprawling--and hopefully not continuing the fight any longer.

[Private to Gatekeeper: 3 Attack Flurry on the Immaculate, hopefully taking her out and demoralizing the oncoming coordinated attack

16:29, Today: Danae Adela rolled 3 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,7,9,8,3,1,4,5,1,1. Attack 3.
16:29, Today: Danae Adela rolled 3 successes using 11d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,2,1,7,4,5,3,2,10,2,3. Attack 2.
16:29, Today: Danae Adela rolled 9 successes using 12d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,7,8,5,4,7,7,8,4,6,7,9. Attack 1.

Impeccable Spark's ability has been activated for 2 motes Personal, aside from that, no stunt or charms have been applied yet.

PDV is presently 7, and can only be reduced by particularly complex actions (Anything that reduces DV by more then 1), Wound Penalties, or Coordinated Attacks]

"Really? I'm sure you will be as merciful to me as you were to the Water District." Third says. No recrimination in its voice, no emotion. It simply stands in the courtyard, flanked by its machines. Its purpose is not to charge in and kill- Its purpose is to make them come to it. "The mission has failed. If not sabotage... Then slaughter." it says, that impassionate tone in its voice as it looks down the blade at the Earth Immaculates. " Do not charge into their formations, they will cut us down easily that way. Attempt to position yourselves so as to best avoid arrows, out of the line of sight of the archers." As Third delivers these orders to the HAS units, it slides smoothly into its stance, facing down the garrison, waiting for them to make their move. The slaughtered bodies of the monks lying about will, with any luck, give them ample reason to attack.

North Garrison, Outer Compound:

Third goads, while the Blue Stripes reform up into a phalanx bending away from the front gate so as to obscure any direct aim from the archers. The group of young Immaculates bristle at the words Third states, the entire body of them moving in a ripple of shifting sleeves and legwork to form a low, martial stance, while the two senior Immaculates exchange a glance.

Unruffled, the monk with the twin short daiklaves replies, "Is this the best the Freerunners could send us? Or perhaps an offshoot. Sky-Seeker? Sun-Worshiper?" The lean monk shakes his head disapprovingly at the very thought, drawing his twin blades, which almost immediately ignite with heat so intense it forms a disconcerting mirage around them. A heat that may well be strong enough even to cut through the chassis of the Blue Stripes. "We would much prefer to show mercy to a lost citizen enticed by the empty call of 'Freedom'. But this has gone entirely too far."

"Seven Streams and I will proceed with the students. Last two rows, stay with Dolum. Travan and Drifting Leaf, with us." Two of the Wood Aspect archers on either side leap down to the ground and step forward with the twin Immaculates who appear to be Fire and Water Aspects, not Earth. "Against the Blue Stripes, circle behind and surround them. The closer to its legs, the less accuracy it will have. Disable the eye, if you can."

"May the Immaculate Dragons gaze favorably upon this battle!" The Immaculates shout together, a wall of sound, as they surge out of the open gates. Third finds itself about to be surrounded by a deluge of young, spirited and battle-ready Earth monks! [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge; Peleps Dashu: these are likely extras. Changed my mind about extras. They're still young/pretty inexperienced though. Third could move away or could try to take down some of the young monks before they surround it. Since Dashu is in hiding he can act at any tick as a surprise attack, or move away. The Fire and Water twins are not close enough to be trouble... yet.]

---

OOC: Jumped ahead a few ticks, to indicate time passed for moving about and repositioning. Only keeping count for those immediately entering battle.

actions
tick 18 - Third
tick 19 - Fire, Water, Wood Immaculates
tick 21 - Earth Immaculate students (many)
tick 23 - Blue Stripes
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:51, Tue 07 July 2009.

North Garrison, Inner Compound:

Danae's initial rush and attack catches the Earth Immaculate by surprise. After all, even a likely Anathema, especially of Danae's size and stature, ought to think twice throwing herself so wholly into the fray. The daring leap and wall jump is executed quickly and flawlessly, enough that the Earth Aspect, even expecting her to come, cannot quite whirl about fast enough to parry the back-attack with her bracer-clad forearms.

Only a quick burst of Essence and a prayer to Pasiap saves her from worse damage. The Spark does cut through, sundering past her breastplate, but the damage is relatively minimal. (2L, total of 6L) The blood dripping down from underneath her breastplate is still enough for the monks-in-training to realize that the young blond woman with the orichalcum sword is enough of a combatant to contend with their leader... and she has more allies behind her. [Private to Danae Adela: I ruled she had time to use Earth Dragon Form, so unfortunately her soak was on the high end even with the Piercing tag. In this case, 2L (from half Stamina) + 5L (from reinforced breastplate, halved) + 4L (Earth Dragon Form) = 11L vs a total of what turned out to be 15 dice of lethal damage for you (12 sux in after stunt - her 7 DV after using 1st MA Excellency. So 5 dice there, +2 from your strength, +8 from Impeccable Spark.) QUITE unfortunately, when I rolled your +2 stunt dice, you got 0 dice for the second and third attack, so they both missed outright!]

The Earth Immaculate leads the retaliating attack -- twin palm strikes at the young Solar's ribs, while her proteges approach from either side, one aiming a high kick towards her temple, the other aiming a kick to strike her knee and make it buckle.[Private to Danae Adela: Ok, coordination attack against you. I decided to reroll everything, though uh, the coordination roll is slightly wrong, forgot about wound penalty so it should just be 3 dice+wp. In this case then you get a -3 penalty for the coordination attack. Earth monk's flurry is 2 sux, then 5 sux. Then young monks' attacks. High kick is 3 sux, low kick is 2 sux. Generally they seem to have done badly this time around, great for you! ;)]

The other two young monks attempt to fend for themselves against the acid spewing insect that attacked them. Barely maintaining their calm, they punch and kick at the creature's soft underbelly, but it easily deflects the weak attempts with its hook sword limbs.

From a balcony above and to Danae's right, a team of three Immaculate archers aims down at her and the first Ruby Guardian, the only fully visible enemies.

---

OOC: actions
tick 6 - Dena, Evamae
tick 7 - Wood Immac + students(2) (complete aim)
tick 8 - Ruby Guardians
tick 9 - Danae
tick 10 - Earth Immaculate + students(4)

Dena climbs out of the hole, rather than leaping, and takes her time, grasping the ceiling as she watches carefully.  Spotting the archers preparing to pepper arrows into the Ruby, she launches herself in a long wing-assisted dive, leading with essence-lash strike towards the nearest student at a few yards away, and following it up with a kick and a sweep to try to drop the second wood-student and reduce the ranged attack threat.


Ouch.  The dice do not love me today.
00:22, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 2 successes using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,3,9,5,1,2,8. Kick Attack.
00:22, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 2 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,6,9,4,6,6,7,2. Kick Attack.
00:16, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 5 successes using 14d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,10,5,3,9,6,4,1,1,5,5,5,6,10. Essence Lash Strike.

[Private to GM: For my recordkeeping, Essence Levels:
Personal 17: Peripheral 21, Willpower 6, no charms this round.

Also it'd be convenient if somebody disarmed Dena in this battle, I'd like to steer her more towards Lunar Hero Style in the future and losing her weapon would be a good excuse to focus on natural attacks instead. ]

Danae was still rather surprised, all things considered.  Much of her talk about being able to handle multiple immaculates on her own was based mostly on vague outlines on what she was theoretically capable of, and her rough idea of what even a particularly trained and experienced Dragon Blooded should have been able to put out.

She said they wouldn't be a problem, even in considerable numbers--and as the Earth Immaculate reeled from the impact of the last blow, Danae's expression seemed to soften a bit, though the ashigaru helmet did a fair bit to mask her surprise at how the battle was unfolding.

"It's like they're barely even moving..." She thinks to herself, recalling the sheer strength and ferocity she had experienced shortly after her own Exaltation--confused, swelling with great power, and duelling with two of the Fire Monks that were sent to collar her--striking with incredible speed and agility, shearing through what weapons and devices she could secure quickly--and subduing her as though it was just another day on the job.

Even back in the Water District, is was like a desperate battle just to make any headway at all.

But here she was, fighting one of the Immaculate Order's strongpoints head on--and it was as though she was duelling against harmless children, barely able to defend themselves.

She almost lazily outstretched a hand as the Earth Immaculate's palm-strikes came near, twisting her body to the side, and delivering a quick shove to the wounded Acolyte, sending her two palm-strikes to each side of the Dawn's body, brushing against the hardened plates of her new armor--but otherwise failing to exert any force against her.

Impeccable Spark was up again then with the free hand, twisting to the flat side, and catching the strikes from the younger Monks in the same motion, both blows being impotent against the Orichalcum Blade.

The situation could have been comical if it wasn't in such a deadly context--an Earth Immaculate, arms still outstretched in a gesture that might appear as an embrace to someone from the right angle, with two similarly garbed monks, with limbs currently impacting against a golden sword, carried by a young woman who's head only came up to the chest of the average members of that group.

"I can't afford to play around under these circumstances" She warned then, snapping Impeccable Spark's blade closed, the final exertation of force and accompanying burst of steam forcing the debacle apart.  "And I'll be frank, the mortals aren't going to last for seconds at this level of battle--and they're honestly not going to be a great tactical advantage for you.  They're only presently alive because I haven't needed to actively use Essence in this battle--do you 'Really' want them all to die like dogs just to make a futile gesture?!?"

[Private to Gatekeeper: PDV against the coordinated attack is at 4 pre-stunt are added in, and does not degrade further as a result of Fivefold Bulwark Stance]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:41, Tue 07 July 2009.

Third lifts it sword, and steps forward, strikes out, three vicious lashes out running across throats as the Earth-aspects attack, a whirlwind of red jade as it strikes out. It doesn't speak, it simply acts. The blade licks out each time it strikes, a shine and a flick as it moves through the air with the grace of a swallow, flicking out to cross throats as they approach, to weaken the students with bloodloss and pain. Each flick accompanies a swift movement from Third, the blade moving to avoid parries, and strike horizontally. each blow that lands lifting a spray of blood through the air, the blade cutting through the air with a humming, motes of dust lifting off of it as the blade dips each time, striking the earth in a brutal way, leaving brutal gouges through it, marking the blows against the Immaculates with symbolic blows against their element.

OOC:You rolled 3 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((5,4,10,2,4,8,6,5,3,4)).
You botched using 9d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((2,4,5,1,1,2,1,3,6)).
You rolled 4 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((9,6,9,10,4,2,3,1)).
Bloody hell. Wish I'd spent a Willpower on that middle roll, only thing to do now is hope that I get a decent enough stunt dice to give me a success on the second roll, hah. :-p.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:55, Tue 07 July 2009.

Northern Garrison, Outer Compound:

Third's swift blade slashes at the tender flesh of the monks surging to surround it. The first two attacks strike Earth-hardened arms that absorb and deflect each brutal blow. Fragments of stone crackle and flake from their limbs, but they hold against the graceful yet deadly blade.

The Solar's final attack bites into flesh, a shallow cut close to the throat. The Earth monks prepare to retaliate -- five young, bald-shaven students surrounding Third on all sides, five pairs of hands ready to grasp Third tight or pummel it down. The Blue Stripes' Sentinel Eyes swivel back and forth, the red beam focusing on one enemy, then another, quickly absorbing data on the multitude of new targets about to swarm them. The monks will still reach them before they can complete the process.

The twin monks clad in reinforced breastplates proceed forward, one surrounded by flickering flames, the other by graceful tendrils of water. The Fire Monk called Seven Coals dashes swiftly through the body of monks, his steps leaving burning afterimages on the earth, while his brother flows patiently around them, the students subconsciously parting to allow for his sinuous advance.

Lingering with the rear guard, the Wood Monks named Travan and Leaf simultaneously ready their bows. Twin arrows whistle through the air, over the heads of the monks, through the open gates, headed straight for Third.

[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: +2 stunt for your attack, particularly cause you've got some balls sticking around long enough to get swarmed... ;) fortunately for you, the stunt dice were kinder. Final sux were 4, 3 and 6... which, unfortunately, only hit one monk. On the other hand, your next turn is still before the Earth monks can launch an attack.

Wood immaculate attacks on you, which rolled... dismally! on 14 dice. 1 sux, which definitely misses you, and 6 sux, which may require some stunting or a Charm (since you are at -3 DV, this attack is before you refresh).

My apologies, I'm sure it must be getting hard to stunt by now. Though, this may be a good point for a stunt learn.]

---

OOC: actions
tick 21 - Third, Earth immaculate students (many)
tick 22 - Fire Immaculate
tick 23 - Blue Stripes
tick 24 - Water, Wood Immaculates
(Dashu is still hidden/holding action)

Northern Garrison, Inner Compound:

"This is not about a futile gesture," intones the Earth Immaculate, leaping back and straightening stubbornly despite her multiple wounds. "We are defending against you, who have invaded us. Would you ask that we lay down our arms before you as well?"

"We are all here by choice. Just as you are." Her two students leap to join her, the three of them reconvening in a defensive unarmed formation.

Above them, Dena's whip lashes out at one of the student archers, the lurid purple lash striking a glancing blow on his breastplate, all potential for damage sadly absorbed. The second student is much worse off. Dena's initial kick is more a surprise than a harmful attack, but the sweep knocks him right off his feet and he falls hard onto his rump, losing his aim. (3B damage, prone) [Private to Tervila Dena: I gave you +1 stunt. I'll see about the disarm, for now the results here could be some positive reinforcement that the lash is not good to rely on, since you ended up rolling bad damage for it ;)]

Princess Evamae steps grimly through the opening in the granite wall. Her shock pikes eject another pair of force blasts, one hurtling past Danae to strike the Earth Immaculate, the other angled upward to stab at the Wood Immaculate leader on the balcony. This time, it seems the Immaculates are prepared for her; the first invisible blast deflects cleanly, if just barely, from the Earth Aspect's bracer, while the Wood bends nimbly aside, nicked ineffectually on the shoulder of her reinforced breastplate as a pulse of green Essence bolsters his frame.

The remaining archer monks rain arrows on the melee below. Two arrows mostly deflect off the Ruby's carapace, though one manages to jam between its hardened plates. (1L damage) Another trio of arrows descends upon Danae, the Wood Immaculate choosing not to waste her aim despite the fact a Lunar Anathema hovers so close by. [Private to Danae Adela: The dice gods are so on your side. Arrow flurry got 8 sux, 3 sux, 4 sux. With 5BS only the first one goes through for 4 sux. I'll wait on damage/additional effects since I've no idea if you want to do more to defend or not.]

The Ruby Guardians press forward through that limited space, bolstered by the fighting spirit of the Princess. Two of them are clear of the hole now, the first shoving past the line of Immaculate students to allow the second to move through. Their hook-sword limbs scythe at the acid-burned students, only one of them managing to score a hit, tearing a jagged wound down the young monk's arm in a slash that would otherwise have torn through the throat. (2L, total of 3L) Moving further into the inner compound would help a great deal with the Guardians' mobility.

---

OOC: actions
tick 9 - Danae [Private to Danae Adela: you can do your defense against the arrows + your own attack in the same post]
tick 10 - Earth immac + students(4)
tick 11 - Dena, Evamae
tick 12 - Wood immac + students(2, 1 is prone)
tick 13 - Ruby Guardians
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:57, Wed 08 July 2009.

Danae paused at that for a moment.  "Perhaps you're right.  There's a series of arguments that could be made in the contrary...  But I'll admit, we probably look like the aggressors in this situation..."

The series of arrows soared through the air, a barrage raining down on Danae--blows backed by the strength of Wood Aspected magic, a series of strikes no mortal could withstand while retaining their life, all raining in a neat hexagon around her--as Impeccable Spark flashed outwards, cutting each arrow in twain in a single motion, leaving Danae entirely unscathed.

"... But I won't burden you with the details--it would be arrogant of me to try, and you have indeed made your choices..."

The Golden Sword hummed for a minute, cracking open with harnessed Essence, as Danae slid a foot back, raising the Daiklave in a the same fighting posture she had when the opening had opened.

"I apologize though, I've been taking you lightly, hoping that your circumstances were the same as others in this world that has been created.  It seems you are content with the present circumstancs...  Whether you speak from ignorance of the realities, or simply don't care, assuming it is the lot of things is meaningless in this situation.  It seems that I can't do that any more though, or others who depend on my sword will fall to ruin."

As the remainder of the group stepped forward, Danae Focused

To her perspective, it was as though the color had drained out of Creation--each of the further blows halting in place, leaving Danae the only being capable of moving in this strange, space between seconds.

She didn't have a great deal of time, all things considered.  The Iron Whirlwind Technique allowed for a momentary burst of Godspeed, permitting consecutive attacks with the accuracy of a single ordinary one.  Two strokes landed against the Earth Aspected Monk, crashing against her armor in a cross shape.

But then, Danae turned her attention to the others, leaping between the two young monks fighting against her.

Two more strikes, a single lash against each of their breastplates, the force intended to scatter them like wheat to the harvester's scythe.

But she was not yet finished, there was still a little time remaining in the Iron Whirlwind--directing her attention to the students who were delaying the Ruby Guardians from fully escaping--and landing a single blow to the two of them as well.

Color returned to Creation, as Danae's momentary hyper-acceleration came to an end, Impeccable Spark still sparkling with force...  But as it slammed shut with a sense of finality--the fabric of the World finally realized what had been done.

It remained to be seen what kind of gravity the attack would have.

[Private to Gatekeeper:
Base PDV for Defense: 7
Iron Whirlwind Technique for 5 motes and 1 wp
Activating Impeccable Spark's Piercing for 2 motes

13:15, Today: Danae Adela rolled 8 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,9,2,8,2,8,10,9,6,2,8,1,5,6,6. Iron Whirlwind (Targetting Student 4).
13:15, Today: Danae Adela rolled 8 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,7,5,4,4,10,7,2,4,3,4,9,10,6,8. Iron Whirlwind (Targetting Student 3).
13:15, Today: Danae Adela rolled 11 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,7,2,2,7,5,3,10,1,10,10,8,4,8,2. Iron Whirlwind (Targetting Student 2).
13:15, Today: Danae Adela rolled 7 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,5,1,6,4,5,9,2,8,6,1,10,3,7,3. Iron Whirlwind (Targetting Student 1).
13:15, Today: Danae Adela rolled 13 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,1,1,4,10,10,10,3,3,7,9,4,9,9,10. Iron Whirlwind (Targetting Earth).
13:14, Today: Danae Adela rolled 4 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,3,5,1,1,2,6,5,4,6,5,8,3,4,10. Iron Whirlwind (Targetting Earth).
]

"Anathema..." because Danae, short statured she may be, cannot be anything but -- not with the skill she has shown, and the telltale golden shimmer of her magitech blade -- "your words avail nothing from us. You are the ruin of the world which we have strove to maintain. Should we fail in our duty to stop you, then I pray and fear for the Coils, and for those who would follow in your footsteps."

Those would be the last words she speaks. For in the next moment Danae blurs into an impossible burst of speed, striking simultaneously at the five monks surrounding her and the Rubies. The entire vicinity goes up in a flare of white Earth Essence, the ground trembling as the monks strive to hold back that deadly whirlwind of gold and blue from eviscerating them. [Private to Danae Adela: you got +1 stunt for defense, +2 stunt for attack.]

When the clash of Essence fades...

The Earth Immaculate falls first. Her body is all but split in twain by a devastating final blow, the entire gaping wound cauterized by the heat of the blade. She falls, her corpse smoking, dead beyond a shadow of a doubt. (She took 7L, after the 6L from before.)

Three of the students managed to survive -- one of them, amazingly unscathed, strengthened by a last minute prayer. The final student previously slashed by the Ruby Guardian took a slash from shoulder to armpit, and crumples from the shock and bloodloss. (Students total wounds taken: 1L, 4L, 1L, 7L(incapacitated))

The students, clutching at slashes or acid burns, start to back away toward the center of the compound, where the main body of Immaculates await: a large group of young, goremaul wielding monks in breastplates, led by an imposing figure wearing no armor at all, only his robes and bracers bearing glyphs of white fire coiling up his arms. His expression is calm and resolute. Toward the rear can be glimpsed supporting groups of armored monks with dragon claws. At the far side of the compound is another balcony with Wood Immaculate archers.

Evamae, pushing forward with her Rubies to meet the retreating students, says, "Allow us to handle the youths. Your abilities will be better served against their betters."

---

OOC: actions
tick 11 - Dena, Evamae
tick 12 - Wood immac + students(2, 1 is prone)
tick 13 - Ruby Guardians
tick 14 - Danae (upcoming enemies will start entering battle at this point)

#####||                ||#####   Updated map (no longer approximate)
    R||=======HH=======||#####
## R R R R e            \\####   ~   uncertain areas
###|| P A e              ||###   ||  granite walls
###||D-+ e            +--||###   #   earth
###||oo|    e e e e   |o+||###   H   doors
###||+O|    e E E e   |oO||###
###||--+    e  M  e   +--||###   A - Danae, D - Dena
###||  w W          W w  ||###   P - Princess Evamae, R - Rubies
###||  w w +------+ w w  ||###   M - Immaculate Master
####\\    /++++++++\    //####   E - Earth monks, e - Earth students
#####||=H============H=||#####   O - Wood monks, o - Wood students
###~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~###   W - Water monks, w - Water students
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:38, Tue 21 July 2009.

"As you say Princess." Dena answers, crouching and then jumping off the downed student in a long, lazy backflip while her wings rattle with a sound like bones knocking as she reaches the gate and stands horizontally on it, facing the ground and ducking against the massive structure.
"Might as well make sure there's no reinforcements for a few minutes so we can concentrate on these targets." Dena decides aloud as she rubs her hands and puts one on each side of the doorway.  Flexing her muscles like woven cords under armored skin, she slowly sinks her palms into the doorway and then molds each hand in a  broad circle, melting the doors together and creating a pattern rather like a ying-yang symbol in the surface.  Just to finish the effect she pokes in the eyes with her thumbs.

[Private to GM:  23:04, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 10 successes using 13d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,7,7,7,2,10,10,6,3,6,4,7,5. Punch vs. Gate (Convict.).

23:02, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 1 success using 10d10 with
the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,5,3,4,1,1,9,6,5,1. Punch Attack.

Using Clay-Wetting Practice to reduce the gate's hardness vs. my attack, should be double my dex for 12 points ignored.]

Third moves like a flash. Its movement resembles a leap, but even as the two arrows arc in, its legs lift into the air, touching the arrows with only the most delicate of movements, as it leaps up, feet kicking it into a backflip off of the arrows, to send both arrows down into the ground, sinking into the earth where it had been standing, as it lets itself move into a smooth backflip, taking itself out of the grasp of the Earth Immaculates, slipping through their fingers as they try to reach in, landing on its feet facing the Fire Immaculate, a smile running across its face. "HAS units, full retreat to our fallback position. Follow me." it says, hoping Dashu notices the message. "We have drawn the outer garrison out. Preparing to make a full retreat to join you. You're unlikely to have much more time to seal the gates." With these words, Third turns, and sprints, hard, making his way towards the tunnels. If nothing else, if the immaculates follow, it will be much easier to fight them off in the narrow killing field of the tunnels.

OOC: Going to burn another three motes on First Dodge Excellency, just to make sure I'll escape that attack. >_> You rolled 1 success using 3d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((7,5,3)).

Northern Garrison, Towards Tunnel:

Third avoids the second arrow hurtling toward it, though just barely; it flies within a hair's breadth of striking its ankle before the Solar lands on its feet again. [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: Your DV is 7, -3 from your last attacks, +2 stunt, +1 from Excellency. Arrow just barely misses!]

Then Third starts sprinting. Dashu quickly realizes he'll have to start moving to keep up as well, though he is pretty sure he can keep pace with the other Solar.

Unfortunately, while the Earth students are not swift enough to capture Third before it hurries away, the Fire Immaculate is. Seven Coals' footsteps make embers of the earth as he swiftly pursues. Third finds its escape route cut off by this fleet-footed opponent, who flicker suddenly appears in its path, slashing with both of his white-hot blades at Third's chest and throat before executing a low, sweeping kick to knock it down. [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: ok... so you're dashing, and start at -2 DV. Fire immaculate attacks are 10 sux, 4 sux, then 3 sux to trip you up. If the first or second hit, each one gives you a -1 internal penalty, cumulative. If the kick hits, roll Stam+Res diff 2 to avoid knockdown.]

The Blue Stripes are not swift enough to immediately follow Third's commands. The remaining larger group of students surrounds them, their fists pummeling mostly ineffectually on their armored plates. Acting on the need to extract themselves, they retaliate. Five giant goremauls swing at the swarming students, three whistling through thin air, two striking with a raw, meaty splatter, flinging the unfortunate targets several yards away. If they live, they'll most definitely be crippled.

They continue to withdraw, following Third. Several young monks pursue as well, but the long stride of the HAS units allows them to maintain a small lead against the much smaller pursuers.

---

OOC: Ok.. going to start abstracting some enemies, however you've still got some running to do and the Fire Monk can keep up (w/Athletics Charm, he's dashing at 20 yards/tick). Wood monks may also be able to attack at range, eventually.

actions (running!)
tick 24 - Third, Wood monks (2, attempting to catch up)
tick 26 - Fire Immaculate
(Dashu can attack at any time)
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:47, Fri 10 July 2009.

Northern Garrison, Inner Compound:

Dena's artful attempt to fuse the gates together works beautifully. The solid metal melts and molds like soft clay in her hands. Looking at her handiwork, she's not quite certain how well it will hold against a concentrated attack. Maybe another application of Essence would cement it better? [Private to Tervila Dena: ok... with Clay-Wetting Practice, you reduce the gate to 0 soak and do 14 damage on it. I'm using stats for 'Fortress Gate' in Exalted core p. 154. I'm going to assume you need to do 20L to seal it securely (just enough to 'damage', but not destroy), so you have 6 more to go. Don't hit too hard or you might break the gate instead.]

Evamae leads the Ruby Guardians, urging Danae to move on as well. Two shock pike blasts startle the remaining students attempting to retreat. The Rubies refuse to let them go, the first pair spraying acid from their mandibles, bathing them in a hot acid mist. The other three crawl from the tunnels to surround them, cutting into them with hook-sword forearms. Another student falls, leaving two more surrounded by the warrior insects. Coughing and spitting in the mist, they remain back to back, unwilling to cut and run.

From the closer balcony, the Wood Immaculate and students let loose another barrage, the knocked-over student rising to his knees beforehand. Three arrows from the students fall upon the Rubies and Evamae, only one managing to score a hit. (1L on Ruby 4) The Immaculate fires three shots at Dena while she hovers at the gate. [Private to Tervila Dena: flurry 4 sux, 7 sux, 3 sux]

Occupying the center of the compound is the large group of Earth Immaculates. Even the students seem to have at least a small grasp of Essence use, though nothing compared to the two senior monks and their Master, who immediately crouches down and touches his head to the ground. His skin ripples and immediately begins to petrify as he embraces the perfection of Earth. His subordinates immediately surround him, so that the only way to reach him easily would be from above. [Private to Danae Adela: Dena could make it with her wings, but you'd have to split action to jump.]

---

OOC: actions
tick 14 - Danae
tick 15 - Evamae, Earth students (2 near tunnel)
tick 16 - Dena
tick 17 - Wood monks(2)+students(4) (at both balconies), senior Earth monks(2 w/Master)
tick 18 - Ruby Guardians, Earth students (8 w/Master)
tick 20 - Earth Master (after pinnacle charm)
Water monks are holding action.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:07, Fri 10 July 2009.

Dashu follows the frey from a safe enough distance to not be discovered.  He heard the command Third gave over the intercom and whispered the word "Acknowledged" close enough to his communicator to be heard by the exalts but not loud enough over all to be heard over the frey of battle.  Because he was trying to be both quiet and unseen, he couldn't move as quickly as Third and the HAS, but then again, at this moment he didn't need to.

Third is not even phased as that blade comes in with a vicious swing at chest level. Most would find this attack irresistible, a lethal harbinger of death... But Third doesn't believe in the irresistibility of the Dragon-Blooded. It uses its own momentum, its body dropping down beneath the level of the two blades, and then using its arm to spring upwards, leaving a cloud of dust behind it as it lands on its feet. If one were paying extremely close attention, then they might realize that this movement should have been impossible, but the supposedly human rebel seems to have not realized this "This may be the time to remember the wisdom of Hesieh, and hold yourself back. If you keep running, you'll have to face me without a press of students and archery support." the rebel says, face deadpan as it continues moving smoothly, having recovered from the dive and roll with one smooth movement, feet pounding the ground as it runs, letting the Fire Aspect dig itself in deeper.
OOC: 14/19 Essence, pumping 10 motes into First Dodge Excellency... And I get a merry 'Screw You' from the dice roller, getting three successes! Filthy thing. Leaves me at 4/19 personal essence.

This...  Could be slightly more problematic then she had initially thought.  The Immaculate Master clearly knew what he was doing, and his forces were properly arraying themselves to deal with a powerful opponent.  The others present should be able to handle most of the lesser monks without too much trouble, and once Third, Dashu, and the Blue Stripes showed up, they could cave in the tunnel and lock the enemy reinforcements out.

"Gates are sealed" Danae whispered into her own communicator.  "Get in here ASAP so we can continue the plan"

She turned to Dena then, and called out.  "Take your time with that!  Focus on the archers once you're done though!"

Finally, she turned to the knot of Monks in the center, and seemed to contemplate the situation for a time.  She wasn't aware of the deeper abilities of the Earth Style, and she was loathe to bring down her defenses for it.  She'd probably best focus on beating the junior monks for a while, thin their numbers out gradually that way.

Plan set, Danae kicked off of the ground, forcing her body towards the front lines of the Immaculate's defense line, singling out one of the junior monks presently attempting to set up some semblance of a defense.  Skidding to an abrupt stop as she went, lashing out with Impeccable Spark to use it's detonation to drop the speed to nothing, while also sending her into a seemingly uncontrolled spinning motion.

The lie to this, however, was quickly unveiled, as she grasped the mighty daiklave in both hands, and utilized the force of the spin to deliver a powerful chop, driving the younger monk back even further.

But she wasn't quite finished just yet either--she quickly reversed the sword, allowed it to rebound off of the ground below, and strike a third blow in the opposite direction of the prior stroke--a third blow that rapidly changed to a fourth, as she suddenly threw her weight into the attack, trying for a final finishing thrust to mop things up with.

[Private to Gatekeeper: Iompeccable Spark's ability activated for 2m personal, flurry of four attacks on a junior monk.

12:18, Today: Danae Adela rolled 2 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,3,4,4,6,5,9,5. Attack 4.
12:18, Today: Danae Adela rolled 4 successes using 9d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,8,4,3,5,8,6,10,6. Attack 3.
12:18, Today: Danae Adela rolled 4 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,4,8,6,10,2,6,6,7,4. Attack 2.
12:18, Today: Danae Adela rolled 4 successes using 11d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,6,1,10,7,3,4,8,6,4,1. Attack 1.
]

Northern Garrison, Towards Tunnel:

Again Third attempts to maneuver away from danger, its hand briefly touching the earth before pushing off. Unfortunately, the monk's leading daiklave is faster, threatening to carve a burning wound into Third's back before it can get away. [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: Ok.. you're at 5 DV, +3 from excellency. I'm giving you +1 stunt. So... just 1 off from not being hit.]

"I am sure you will be no trouble," says Seven Coals calmly. A split second later he is once more running besides Third, catching up so swiftly it seems as if he flickers from one position to the next, defying time and space. "The Sentinels are a dangerous touch, but they are slow. Much slower than I can be."

"You are fast, but I can take you down. I can bleed you until you cannot run, and before your precious machines can reach you. Why continue? You are only one rebel." Surging toward Third again, he plunges the pommel of his daiklave toward its solar plexus, while simultaneously aiming a kick at the back of the shins, to buckle its legs. Whether the attacks hit or not, the mere proximity of the Fire Monk is uncomfortably hot, and any contact downright searing. [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: And.. unfortunately for you, I don't think Fire Dragon Form works very well with pulling blows, as 'great heat' is not something you can just make non-lethal... However I'll still roll as if pulling blows was done. So if damage goes overboard I'll just rule the damage does not kill you.

So, first attack 8 sux, second at 0, a horribly missed trip attempt! You're at -2 DV, if you're still going at dash speed.]

Other than the Blue Stripes, about 5 student monks and 2 Wood Immaculates are pursuing. The Wood Aspects load and aim their powerbows, though with the bulk of the HAS units serving as impromptu cover, and the fact they are firing while running, may make aiming difficult. Dashu is a shadow following the chase, unseen and unnoticed as he deliberately trails behind the monks.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:54, Sat 11 July 2009.

Northern Garrison, Inner Compound:

Danae attempts to take down the junior monk with a series of blows. Unfortunately, the monk is quite prepared for her, erecting a stalwart defense. Impeccable Spark is pushed back every time by the jade goremaul the young monk wields. The Dawn Caste realizes quickly that these particular students are at least somewhat further along in their studies. Essence users for certain, if weak ones, enough that they have been granted use of the signature Earth weapon. [Private to Danae Adela: You were just unlucky (the monk had base 6 DV after Charm use, and your stunt dice were stingy. +2 stunt though, hopefully will help you set up for some more iron whirlwind :) You do have another attack before the Master.]

Meanwhile Evamae and the Rubies are faring well. Another student goes down, lanced by invisible blasts from the Princess's shock pikes, and the last one in their vicinity staggers back, still attempting to retreat toward the far balcony where the arrows of the Wood Aspects will cover him. Deciding the single opponent is not worth their attention, the warrior insects maneuver themselves to support Danae and the monks at the center of the compound. They may not have the raw skill of a Solar Exalt, but their bulk should at least help disperse the knot of monks somewhat.

---

OOC: actions
tick 16 - Dena
tick 17 - Wood monks(2)+students(4) (at both balconies), senior Earth monks(2 w/Master)
tick 18 - Ruby Guardians, Earth students (8 w/Master)
tick 19 - Danae
tick 20 - Earth Master (after pinnacle charm), Evamae
Water monks are holding action. 1 Earth student (5L damage) retreating.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:33, Mon 13 July 2009.

Third sees that blade bearing down on it, and a pulse of Essence leaves its body, welling up around it as the flaming blade strikes down, licking bands of golden essence wrapping around the blade, and holding it back- Then pushing it aside, as Third's final desperation defense kicks in. "If you pursue this chase, it will end in your death. Eye have held back the strength that lies within me... I would suggest strongly that you do the same." it says, as it moves smoothly, the essence guttering out as Third continues moving, even as the Fire Aspect dives in for another attack, its eyes meet those of the Fire Aspects. "Your fire is merely a pale imitation of the Sun, Dragon-Blood." it speaks, and then, as that first blade angles in, the urge for freedom, from this Dragon-Blood, from this chase, surges through the Exalt, that perfect moment of absolute clarity, knowing that what it needs to do is clear- And so, the form of the Exalt splits, separating into seven indistinct shadows, the blade passing through one, perhaps two- But it is a shell game, for where Third truly is, nothing can strike. The shadows fade back together after a moment, as Third continues moving. "The fascinating thing, Dragon-Blood, is that a Solar is not obvious as a Solar, until the moment you push it too far." Third still speaks in that soft, cool voice, even as it avoids the attacks, a glittering caste mark coming to life on its forehead as it moves fast, feet striking the ground, hoping it will not have to let its Anima banner flare in full.

OOC: Spending 5 motes to use the Twilight Caste power, and then another 3- This time from Peripheral- to Seven Shadows Evade. Leaves me with 0/19 Personal, 36/45 Peripheral. 5/7 Willpower. 3 Peripheral Essence spent this scene.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:21, Sat 11 July 2009.

Absorbed in her remodelling of the door, Dena barely notices the attack until the first arrow rips a gouge of the door a few inches from her head, showering her with sparks as the heavy iron tears from the impact.  With the second heading right for her, and her hands occupied with molding metal, Dena bends in desperation more than a human body is technically able to and grasps her essence lash with her teeth, flicking out a blue-and-purple bolt of lightning that cleaves the second arrow in half in midair.  Against the third, with her lash in a bad position to flick back she grabs the top edge  of the door between her toes and wrenches it downward to enfold herself in a quick cocoon, then kicks it back upward after hearing the telltale 'thunk' of a powerbow shot hitting steel.

[Private to GM: Hmm, my parry DV is 7 and it should have been 5 with penalties so I think I only need +1 from stunting to block all the arrows.]

Immediately threat dealt with, Dena decides she's not satisfied with how well the gate is sealed and drops to the ground.  Digging a trench with her claws in a single, brutal swipe she grabs the lower edges of the doors and stretches them like taffy, sinking the lower edge of the door so that it will not open unless a significant portion of the floor is worn away first.  The hinges creak ominously from the abuse as the Lunar rises and surveys the battlefield a moment, then grins horribly and starts towards the Wood group again.

[Private to GM:  Grumble.  The dice must have known I need a bad roll this time.

22:42, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 9 successes using 12d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,2,9,9,4,8,3,10,8,4,10,8. Punch vs. Gate. ]

Northern Garrison, Towards Tunnel

Seven Coals' eyes narrow. He continues to keep pace with Third. "So you show your true colors. Solar, the sun does not shine down here. This is our world, and your prison. This is the Five Coils. And for how many of us you may defeat, there will be that many more to take our place. You will tire. You will not escape."

He raises his arm, a signal. The two Wood Aspects keeping pace from behind fire a pair of arrows each, while the Fire Immaculate reverse-grips his left-hand blade and slashes toward Third's side, moving past him with another blazing burst of speed. The four arrows descend upon the Solar's back simultaneously, forcing it to dodge five attacks at once.

After all that ought to be no trouble for a Solar Exalt.

At this point Third thinks it is close to halfway to its destination... assuming the continued interruptions of the Immaculate keeping pace with it and the monks trailing behind do not slow it down.

[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: You are at -3 DV (-3 from coordinated attack, -2 from running, +2 from Blue Stripes cover) against the arrows, and -5 DV against the Fire Monk's single attack (cover doesn't count here).

Successes:
Fire monk - 5 sux
Wood monk 1 - 3 sux, 7 sux flurry
Wood monk 2 - 5 sux, 8 sux flurry

btw, what's your Flaw for the perfect dodge? Oh, and another +2 stunt.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:45, Wed 15 July 2009.

Northern Garrison, Inner Compound:

Two arrows hit the gate ineffectually, but the second arrow slips past Dena's essence lash and bounces ineffectually off her war-body. As for her attentions on the gate, it is fused solidly with the ground, hardening as soon as Dena withdraws her hands. The monks would definitely have trouble prying that out, particularly since their best Earth monks are already past the gate. [Private to Tervila Dena: I'll give you +2 stunt if you had any motes/wp to regain. The second arrow still hit you with 1 sux (it's 7 sux vs 4 DV, you got a +2 stunt. So, 1 sux in, but it did no damage. I'll give you another +1 for your attack against the gate.]

The Wood monks at the balcony closest to the tunnel see Dena coming back for them and immediately fire off a trio of coordinated shots at her, trusting the Earth monks to be able to handle the insects on the ground. [Private to Tervila Dena: The monks shoot one arrow each. 5 sux, 8 sux, 6 sux. Since these are all single attacks from different targets, there's no onslaught penalty, just the coordination penalty (which is -2) + the DV penalty from your punch (-1).]On the opposite balcony, the archers concentrate on Danae, shooting another trio of arrows in a similar formation. [Private to Danae Adela: more fun with coordination, I guess. :P -3 from coordination, no onslaught penalties here. Single attack each from the wood monk (10 sux), student monk (7 sux), another student monk (7 sux).]

On Evamae's command, the Ruby Guardians begin to flank the group of Earth students, forcing them away from direct combat with Danae. This leaves Danae with the two senior Earth monks, and the Master, who is within moments of completing his commune with Pasiap. The pair of seniors step forward grimly. "Why have you come here, with your Lunar partner? We know what your kind are capable of, Forsaken," says the first senior. "But you will not surmount the entire Temple with such a pitiable force," continues the second.

The pair grasp their grand goremauls, burning with ivory essence, and attack simultaneously. The first monk brings down his massive weapon, striking the ground, while the other swings his weapon down to snap the rather petite Solar's shoulder--and possibly a whole lot more. The ground trembles and opens up beneath Danae's feet, complicating her attempts to avoid the second goremaul. [Private to Danae Adela: figured you had enough targets to worry about so for now the students are distracted by the bugs. Depending on how the battle goes, though, more students may get in your way, or the archers may switch targets, etc. Anyway, first monk's attack is 9 sux (vs Dodge DV only), second is 4 sux (can use either Parry or Dodge)]

The Rubies slash in tandem against the students, easily blocked except for one unfortunate who falls back with a bloody X slashed into her breastplate. (5L damage) The students retaliate, but don't fare much better, their goremauls striking the warrior bugs' hook sword arms rather than colliding with their bright red carapaces.

---

OOC: actions
tick 19 - Danae
tick 20 - Earth Master (after pinnacle), Evamae
tick 21 - Dena
tick 22 - Wood monks(2)+students(4) (at both balconies), senior Earth monk 2
tick 23 - Ruby Guardians, senior Earth monk 1, Earth students (7)
Water monks are holding action. 2 Earth students (5L damage ea.) falling back

"Wait, you think that Dena's my partner?" Danae said, baffled for a second at the insinuation--but quickly guess that it's probably a fair mistake...

Of course, this didn't stop her expression from darkening any.  "My 'Partner' has been strapped into a bed, and is presently being used by the people YOU are protecting as a breeder for their little experimental projects, to create the monsters that you have running around for their own purposes.  She shook her head, almost baffled at their behaviour.  "And yet you still stand before me, and insist you're all in the right...  I'm stunned actually, it's almost disgusting how much you're willing to overlook in your 'Own' kind, just as long as it's done to somebody you figure is evil..."

There's a brief pulsating from her, a golden field emitting from around her, fouling the trajectories of each and every one of the arrows in an almost contemptuous fashion--quickly resolving into a brightly glowing golden bonfire.

The fissure below opened up--only for Danae to look at each side of the setup, almost bored in her own way.

The sides crushed in--and the earth itself balked in the face of her invincible defenses, shattering itself rather then interfere with her own goals.  Her helmet was blown off, falling to the wayside, as her own brightly glowing Caste Mark fully resolved itself, crackling gears churning within it as she walked up the ridge, a pathway seeming resolving itself to allow her up.

"Forsaken...  Probably the most accurate of the words you've chosen to describe my kind"  She continued, watching the oncoming goremaul blow approach--she didn't even glorify this one with a Perfect defense--instead, Impeccable Spark simply lashed out, driving the senior monk back on his heels.

"You forsake anyone who doesn't fall into your little society in some way--Slaves, Masters, Overseers--anyone with the capacity to break your orderly little society is undesirable...  If they were just people with greater power, your own justification for rulership fades away...  So you brand us as terrible demons, and give yourselves the right to torture us, enslave us, treat us as sub-human, act in ways you would never dream of doing to people...  But we're just not 'People' to you, are we?"

The Senior Monk she had parried earlier began to recover--but not in time to stop Danae's retaliation--there's a flash of motion--and he is forced back with incredible strength, six seperate slashes becoming visible from cracks on his chestplate, emitting light as the energy gathered to attack.

"My name is Danae Adela--consider this my challenge to your corrupt order...  Come and face me!"

[Private to Gatekeeper: Okay, lots of motes flying around here, but better to spend motes and avoid damage, then to not spend motes, and risk being injured later!

16 motes peripheral on using Heavenly Guardian Defense 4 times, once on each of the arrows, and once on the monk who's using the earthquake attack.  As it's a perfect defense, it voids the whole applicability issue.

Using an ordinary parry on the monk with 4 successes, hopefully to get some of those motes back in the process.

I'm also counterattacking the monk subject to my ordinary parry, and using Iron Whirlwind Technique, directing all six attacks on him, with Impeccable Spark's ability activated.

21:04, Today: Danae Adela rolled 6 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,9,4,5,9,5,3,8,3,9,7,1,5,6,2. Iron Whirlwind 6.
21:04, Today: Danae Adela rolled 3 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,5,4,4,4,2,2,6,6,4,8,3,6,5,9. Iron Whirlwind 5.
21:03, Today: Danae Adela rolled 7 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,3,9,10,4,1,1,4,5,4,8,7,5,9,3. Iron Whirlwind 4.
21:03, Today: Danae Adela rolled 6 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,7,1,9,9,2,3,1,4,6,3,3,9,1,9. Iron Whirlwind 3.
21:03, Today: Danae Adela rolled 7 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,1,1,8,4,6,5,6,7,3,10,10,5,2,9. Iron Whirlwind 2.
21:03, Today: Danae Adela rolled 8 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,2,9,10,8,7,9,2,7,2,5,2,6,5,1. Iron Whirlwind 1.

Hoping to stunt back a lot of the flushed motes X_x Otherwise I may be in a bit of a pinch.

At any rate, my effective DV is increased by 2 against anyone here who does not have a Valor of 4 or higher, due to my anima power, additionally, all Mortals present need to succeed at a morale roll, or run away screaming]
This message was last edited by the player at 04:11, Tue 14 July 2009.

"You fool." The Solar says, eyes empty as it moves, even as the coordination of the attack surrounds it. "Five Coils is not your world. You simply squat here, peasants playing at being kings, and hiding within the darkness, in the hopes that the sun you've scorned will not be able to see you.<Aqua>" Its eyes move with that inhuman speed, calculating the movements. Three attacks are notable threats to it. It will need to move swiftly enough to be able to avoid them... Its eyes close as it reaches a moment of pure epiphany. "<Aqua>But the sun is wherever a Solar is. And Eye am one, and you Dragon-Blooded are many..." And then it begins moving, a flowing shadow of darkness and grace, as it moves between blows, that Anima expanding outwards, a golden bonfire of essence surrounding it, shining as it moves sinuously, its body seeming to flicker as the monk strikes out, a sheer force of will pushing the tiring muscles past their limits, the Solar leaping over the attack sinuously as it prepares for the two arrows flying at it- Even as it hangs in mid-air, its body twists around, feet delicately landing on the arrows to move itself around their paths, defying physics as it moves through the air, and then, as the last two arrows strike in with that deadly grace- The solar disappears in a burst of golden essence only to reappear, landing smoothly on the ground once again. "But even if you kill this body here, Eye will be back."

The Solar is once again moving, feet pounding the ground to greater effort. "But you seem to have forgotten that your strength lies in numbers, Dragon-Blood. And your numbers are fading." it says, one last sentence before it returns to its movement, eyes closed as it sprints, moving by a perfect  blend of memory and instinct.

OOC: Spending one Willpower to dodge the Fire Monk attack, hopefully it'll be enough with Stunt, and then using two Seven Shadows Evasions to dodge the secondary attacks by the Monks. Shame on me for not renewing Flow like Blood before starting this plan. :-p. Anyway, that puts me at, if my calculations are correct, 11/19 Personal Essence, 30/45 Peripheral and 4/7 Willpower.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:39, Wed 15 July 2009.

Northern Garrison, Towards Tunnel:

"It is arrogance such as yours that led to the first downfall of the Solars." The Fire Monk remains unshaken as Third draws upon natural ability coupled with the Sun's energy to evade the arrows cleanly. Even his own blade strikes thin air, a maddening hair's breadth short of biting through flesh. "And so it will lead again, in time. For we, the Princes of the Earth, have bided our time to make it so."

The Immaculate whose steps burn searing footprints on the earth opens with another slash to Third's ribs with his left-hand, reverse gripped daiklave. Then in the next motion he twists at the waist, arcing the right-hand blade low to nick Third's thigh, while the left reverses direction to stab deeply at the Solar's shoulder, glowing with the heat of a forge. Though executing the attacks at a run, he does not miss a single step, putting on bursts of speed even in the minute interval between attacks, so that his form flickers bewilderingly between solid and blurred. "I would be quite pleased to see you re-shackled, rather than slain. But it is difficult for a flame to burn half-way."

A short sprint ahead brings him out of the way of the Wood monks' arrows, another double pair hurtling from behind the bulk of the Blue Stripes toward the pursued Solar, their heads glowing a vibrant emerald. Ahead of Third and the Fire Monk, the mound of displaced earth from the freshly dug tunnel starts to be visible.

[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: Okay. +2 again! And you're at -2 DV. The Fire Monk rolled like... total crap. 2, 1, 4 sux flurry. That's what he gets for trying to save motes. ;)

And the arrows... for which you still have a +2 cover bonus. Hmm. I think only the 7 sux and the 10 sux hit you.

Wood monk 1 - 6, 7 sux flurry
Wood monk 2 - 10, 4 sux flurry]

[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge; Peleps Dashu: ETA: 2 more actions until the tunnel. Sorry this gives you so little to do Dashu, but if you want to remain unseen...]

Northern Garrison, Inner Compound:

Danae, burning with golden righteousness, shrugs off the monks' attacks as woefully inconsequential. Arrows break on the edge of her blade. Earth can neither penetrate her nor find purchase on her body. The crack in the ground closes up as if tamed that way by her radiance... and then she steps forward, blurring as she defies time and space, striking the first senior monk at six directions at once.

Impeccable Spark carves a flurry of cuts through the monk's breastplate, a perfect symmetry like the opening of a flower bud traced in blood. He stumbles backward in a spray of crimson, but does not fall, renewing his low, solid stance a few yards back, breathing heavily as he lifts his goremaul. (7L) "A demon indeed. Uncollared and vindictive. Your kind would paint our blood on the walls of this fortress, for the wrongs you perceive against you."

The unharmed senior monk gazes plainly at Danae through the bright golden anima banner that singles her out on the battlefield. "But the subjugation of Celestials is not about the right to rule. The Terrestrials have that right regardless of your power, for it is a right by blood."

The Master clad in robes and glowing sutras straightens calmly. The seniors flank him on either side, while the students ebb toward the background, keeping the insects occupied, and the Water Monks wait by the rear doors. His flesh is like dark marble. His body thrums with Earth Essence, an aura so powerful it takes on a faint gravitational pull. The earth bends for him when he moves, dragon-talon boots biting into the malleable dirt. A flurry of rock fragments rises up to surround him, fragments like sharpened knives, made diamond sharp by his control over the element.

He raises a hand, to silence his pupils.

"Danae Adela, I am Stern Firmament." The ground trembles when Firmament speaks, resonating with the deep, sonorous tone of his voice. "You are angry at the enslavement of the Anathema. You are not alone in this. Not all of us embraced the idea. It was heavily debated, and many within the Order preferred to kill rather than keep you. Do not make the mistake that we all derive enjoyment to use and harm you. Or that we all do it for greed or ambition. We are all individuals. Should you wish not to be judged uniformly, perhaps you should refrain from doing the same to others."

"All the same, I am not here to negotiate with you. You have chosen your side; I have chosen mine. I defend the traditions and beliefs of my home and people. I defend their collective decisions, for better or for worse. So let us fight, and see whose ideal is the victor."

---

OOC: welll, for dramatic effect I had master monk use his turn for talking. Also I am going to start rolling Evamae/Rubies/Earth students in the background for a bit, will update their status when I post for the senior monks (who go again before Danae)

It's Dena's turn now, once she takes care of her defense against the last batch of arrows.

[Private to Danae Adela: ok... you get a +2 for defense, a +3 for attack. So a total of 10m back. As for mortals running... the current monks around you are all at least very young Exalts. Thinking on it, they couldn't be initiated into CMA anyways unless they were. So.. yeah. However, that +2 DV applies to everyone except the seniors and the Master.

Soak: The senior monk is wearing jade reinforced breastplate(pierced, so 5L), +Earth Dragon Form(5L) +stamina(1L) +reflexive use of Stone Dragon Skin(+5L), so has a soak of 16L. Your attacks.. all ping! But, 6 pings.. ouch.

Anyway, I am hoping you won't have to survive more than a couple more turn cycles without reinforcements coming around. Edit--one more thing about Firmament, i'm telling you this purely OOC so you don't get surprised, but he actually also knows some Water Dragon charms. Including that first one, Flowing Water Defense, that can subtract dice from your attack pools. If I ever use this I will always subtract dice from the right side.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:39, Tue 21 July 2009.

"I'm afraid you don't entirely understand the facts." Dena corrects the monk politely.  An arrow flies at her face and the wasp-woman catches it in midair and snaps it between to fingers.
"We don't judge you all equally, many Dragonblooded are our allies.  Why, just a few weeks ago my servant Jilava helped us add another Solar and gain some more converts, what was that wood aspect's name?  Willow something I think."
Dena pauses in thought and then almost offhandedly holds out one hand and lets a second arrow pierce her palm before brushing the last of the barrage away without seeming to notice the pain of a broadhead right through her palm.
"At any rate that's not important, she's not our servant yet.  What matters is that We are not a pair of random Celestials.  We have regained access to our first-age memories. . . and we are the ones who built Five Coils to begin with.  We know what really happened in the takeover, not hte self-serving lies of the dragonbloods.  We know the secrets to this place you have never discovered, it's greatest weapons and treasures.  Many of the Dragonblooded recognize their true masters, and all the machines and artifacts we created remember their true lords." 

Her anima banner flares into a swarm of blue and purple surrounding her, and Dena splits her lash in three and blazes energy at the monks who dared fire on her.

"Five Coil's landlords have returned, and we're not happy with the way our tenants have been treating it."

[Private to GM: 13:00, Hmm, looks like my second dodge attempt failed hard.  Owie.

Personal 17: Peripheral 2, Willpower 6, no charms this round.

13:15, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 8 successes using 19d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,4,1,6,8,5,1,3,3,8,8,8,3,2,10,1,7,8,2. Lash attack + Excellency.

Today: Tervila Dena rolled 3 successes using 6d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,5,6,5,2,8. Dex Excellency.
13:00, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 1 success using 6d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,5,2,3,4,4. Dex Excellency.
12:57, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 4 successes using 6d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,8,7,5,8,3. Dex Excellency.
e]

The Solar flickers between blows, slipping between attacks as it taunts the Fire Aspect with its own serenity, each blow slipping past the Solar's agile body as it shakes its head. "That is not Right. That is nepotism, favoritism, a show of the inferiority of Dragon-Blooded that they could be trusted to breed. Nobody thought you had enough strength that it had to be kept self-contained. You are a foot-soldier." The Solars words move on even as it leaps into the air, footsteps dancing around the arrows as it steps around them easily. "But there was a very foolish mistake. We forgot that you were still Exalted." The Solar is almost teasingly close, those androgynous, beautiful lips quirked into a corpse's smile, empty eyes betraying it as it disappears in another burst of golden light around the sole arrow in the quick burst fired that could threaten it, even as it dances. "Can you afford to make the same mistake, Dragon-Blood?" the voice asks, directionless for a moment before the Solar appears again, running on, seeming almost delighted, now, as it runs on, a soft, joyful laugh filling the air as something inside the Exalt sings, the fulfillment of its deepest wish singing inside it as it runs for freedom, smiling.

OOC: Thankfully, I've got a DV of 5 against the Fire Exalt, and 7 against the Wood Exalts- Essentially meaning that only one attack can hit me. Which is always nice! Against that one attack, Seven Shadows Evasion once again, because it seems like a nice way to twist the knife. Puts me at 12/19 Personal, 30/45 Peripheral, and 4/7 Willpower.

Northern Garrison, Toward Tunnel:

The Fire Monk looks ready to spit in that smiling face, but does not, holding to his discipline and keeping even with the Solar. Seven Coals is no Jilava. He may have a depth of passion for his cause, but he burns that passion as energy toward his goal, not useless posturing or zealous rants.

"I know what you are -- now. But your energy is not boundless. Sooner or later, that radiance you so depend on will sputter out. And we will be waiting." Rather than lash out again with his burning hot twin blades, he maneuvers his run to herd Third into an ideal position for the Wood Monks to get as clear a shot as possible. At the last possible moment, he cuts in front of Third, smoke burning in his steps, and signals the monks still trailing behind to unleash a hail of arrows on the Solar!

Six arrows hurtle toward Third from between the bulk of the HAS Units, while it and Seven Coals, their distant followers and a virtually invisible Dashu keep up the relentless pace. The tunnel is close now, just one more burst of speed!

It seems Seven Coals has noticed where Third is running to, as well, and keeps Third well within his sight, suspecting trickery.

[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: +1 stunt for your last post :)

So, -2 DV from dash, -2 DV from coordination, +2 from cover. that's a -6 base DV for you, and the monks are flurrying 3 attacks each. For each, the last attack is a Soul Marking Strike.

wood monk 1 - 4 sux, 2 sux, 8 sux
wood monk 2 - 3 sux, 3 sux, 5 sux]
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:12, Fri 17 July 2009.

Northern Garrison, Inner Compound:

The arrow that strikes Dena is likely not enough to do her much harm. It nicks her palm, drawing a line of blood. (1L damage)

With her crackling essence lash she retaliates against the archers on the west balcony near the tunnel. The Wood Immaculate barely dodges the purple-hued whip, ducking as it passes with a pop! by his ear. His students attempt to leap or twist away, but the clearance at the balcony is poor for their relatively lesser skill, and both are struck with searing welts. (2L each; one student is at 3B+2L damage) [Private to Tervila Dena: oh, also +2 stunt for your last post! though I counted it toward the defense, not the attack, you can still get motes or wp from it]

"Impossible!" retorts the Wood monk Dena just missed, aiming point blank at the Lunar in warform. "No Anathema could break Cathak Jilava." His students follow suit, while the trio of archers on the opposite balcony concentrate their aim on Danae.

"What claim you may have had on this fortress has faded," says Firmament more calmly to Dena's claims. "The Anathema forfeited that right when they used its power to war against one another, then abandoned it. Was it not nearly two thousand years that it lay dormant before your return?"

Firmament directs the two senior monks flanking him to attack simultaneously. The wounded monk facing Danae keeps his distance, heaving his goremaul to strike the ground as if it were a massive anvil. The gash in the earth that failed to swallow Danae up unhinges once more, a dragon's maw with rows of stone teeth gnashing at her feet. The air grows heavier, as if the weight of gravity has doubled, as if she trudges through rapidly rising mud, drawing her down toward the hungry crevice. The unharmed senior monk takes a few running steps, then launches into a jump, descending upon Danae from above with the force of an avalanche, her goremaul (should it make contact) driving her deeper into the grasp of Earth. [Private to Danae Adela: Both channeled virtue+used excellencies for this (including reroll) so it was pricey. :P First attack is 6 sux, only defendable with Dodge DV. Second is 13 sux, normal attack, but if it hits you have to roll (Stamina+Athletics) vs. 3 sux.]

Meanwhile, the Ruby Guardians continue to combat the student monks. The more they are seen fighting together, the more one realizes that they are well suited to working in a unit with a Royal as their leader. They fight with a hive-mind that aids cooperation among one another, the Hive Princess serving as a 'node' around which they rally and organize themselves in fortuitous position to surround and overwhelm their foes.

Caught in the storm of blade-arm strikes, acid sprays and mandible bites, another student monk goes down, disemboweled by a pair of gashes across chest and abdomen. Two more suffer painful acid wounds before they can manage a concentrated retaliation. Two Ruby Guardians are struck by the students' massive blunt weapons, their carapaces caving slightly, but not breaking. (one takes 3B, the other 2B.)

---

OOC: actions
tick 24 - Danae
tick 25 - Earth Master, Wood monks(2)+students(4) (after aim), Evamae
tick 26 - Dena
tick 28 - senior Earth monk (attacker!), Ruby Guardians(5), Earth students(6)
tick 29 - senior Earth monk (earthshaker!)
Water monks are holding action, guarding inner doors.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:10, Sat 18 July 2009.

Dashu was content to slip into the shadows, but he wasn't content to let a comrade be hunted to extinction.  "You need a hand, Third?" he whispered over the intercom.  He was certain that no one overheard his words but that the device would carry them to the fleeing Twilight.

"They cannot touch me, Dashu. Join the others, Eye'll be with you shortly. Make sure you're in before the HAS units." Third responds, even as the arrows augur in for it's body, smiling as the Fire Aspect blocks its path. It pauses for just a moment. "Do not mistake this radiance for yours. Fire sputters out and dies. If the sun ever goes out, then all will suffer for it. Even down here." Then, it leaps, feet striking the first arrows- Knocking the arrows to the ground with each push of it's legs, carrying it over the Fire Aspect, first one, then the other, a third, a fourth, and then, as it rotates in mid-air, the last two arrows strike towards its heart, spinning in the air as it vanishes into sparkles of golden light, motes that drift to ground safely, where the Exalt lands, and dances away for the tunnel, light on its feet as it moves for the shelter of the tunnel. "You are going to be given a choice, Fire Aspect. You may leave, and Eye will not stop you. Or you may join me in that cave, Eye will kill you, and Eye will most likely be stronger for it." The Solar smiles as it runs for the cave. Either way, the Fire Aspect will not remain much danger for much longer.

OOC: Innate DV is enough for dodging the first two attacks of both flurries. I'm running on the assumption that I'll be getting no more than a +1 Stunt Bonus, so I'll be Seven Shadows Evasioning both of the latter blows. That puts me at 8/19 Personal, 30/45 Peripheral.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:34, Sat 18 July 2009.

Northern Garrison, Tunnel:

The Fire Immaculate laughs at Third's thought of him being defeated so handily. "That tunnel is headed right into the sanctum of Stern Firmament, and you think it will be so simple? Sun-blighted or not, Anathema, you cannot even catch me. I am only one of many you will have to worry yourself about when you cross to the other side!"

Seven Coals keeps an even pace with Third until the last moment, when he is certain Third is entering the newly dug tunnel. Then he shoves at Third with a blistering shoulder slam, his anima igniting to engulf Third and himself in a pillar of swirling flame. Whether Third finds himself knocked aside or not, the monk immediately puts on a burst of speed, blazing a trail of fire and smoke through the newly dug tunnel. At the speed he is capable of he will easily pass the tunnel before Third can catch him. [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: Yes, +1 stunt for your last post. :) Now, monk is just splitting for a single attack and a dash now. And once again the dice are subpar. Only 6 sux. Oh well! Worth a shot. A WP or another +1 stunt should help you escape the flame-tackle easily.

Seven Coals is running at full speed again which is 20 yards/tick, and you're at 11 yards/tick on a dash. so unless you have some way to speed yourself up further, you won't catch up. Obviously his plan seems to be to catch up with the combatants in the inner compound, possibly having too much faith that the monks handled whatever your allies might have done there.]

Two more glittering green arrows come arcing over the Blue Stripes' heads, but they fall well short now that Third is entering the relatively safety of the tunnel. Dashu, still following behind, has a slim window with which to attempt to slip into the tunnel before the Blue Stripes start to close it off, keeping the pursuing Wood monks and students from coming in. [Private to Peleps Dashu: ok, we'll make this a Dex+Athletics roll. If you don't make it you'll be stuck on the outside with the monks when the tunnel goes down. The difficulty is 3 successes, 5 if you also want to do it and remain unseen. Stunt, channel, wp, use whatever you want. Also willing to allow creative use of Charms if you have any ideas.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:08, Sat 18 July 2009.

"Those who have been here longer seem to disagree with that perspective" Danae replied, watching the two Immaculates draw near.  "...  But I won't insult you more by trying to tell you your way is wrong."

She bowed respectfully this time to the group.  "We'll see then who truly holds Heaven's Mandate..."

The first Immaculate's foot had begun to drop to the ground--but Danae was already familiar with that technique--diving to the side, and landing with a roll as the earth yawned open, she had easily bypassed that strike, only to witness the other, uninjured one rushing at her, goremaul raised.  It was a strike that she couldn't mitigate--it was one thing when fighting on even terrain to divert such attacks...  But head on?  Her arms would break before she could stop it...

But she had already prepared for this sort of eventuality as well.  She had already spent a prodigious amount of motes on the Heavenly Guardian Defense, and the essence patterns were still well within her muscle memory--it was just a matter of guiding them through her arms, and force it out through her blade.

A cyclone of Solar Essence emitted from the pommel of Impeccable Spark, rotating wildly, as though she had unleashed a minor tornado from the weapon--it battered and diffused the force of her opponent's smash, and by the time it reached her own blade--most of the force had been dispersed--and the remainder was shot into the ground around Danae, shattering stone and rock at every direction, and fouling the footing of the Immaculate, who had been expecting to hammer somebody into the ground, rather then be forced into a crater themselves.

Either way though, an attack like that would be taxing, even to the mightiest of warriors--and Impeccable Spark lashed out again, tracing a square on this attacker's chest in a flurry of slashes, forcing her back to the rest of the line.

[Private to Gatekeeper: I'm Really not keen on soaking a goremaul hit, especially as the Earth Style Signature Weapon is of the grand variety.  That said, I'd like to stunt add Iron Whirlwind to my Reflex Cut combo.  Hopefully between my three die stunts throughout the chapter, I should have 5 XP to do this with.  At any rate, it'll be used to perfect the goremaul hit.

I'm able to dodge the Hungry Earth Strike though.

Afterwards, 4 slash flurry on the one who attacked me with a goremaul.  Not going to bother with Spark's effect, as I'll be pinging either way.

16:46, Today: Danae Adela rolled 8 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,8,4,8,10,7,7,10. Attack 4.
16:46, Today: Danae Adela rolled 6 successes using 9d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,10,10,9,8,4,5,2,2. Attack 3.
16:46, Today: Danae Adela rolled 7 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,9,10,6,6,10,3,6,1,10. Attack 2.
16:45, Today: Danae Adela rolled 6 successes using 11d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,9,10,8,6,1,10,2,4,1,5. Attack 1]

Dashu notices that he has a slim window in which to stay with his friend and he is unlikely to remain unseen.  Thinking quick, he takes notice of several patches of rock along the wall which almost made a ramp in the shadows.  This ramp lead directly to where the HAS units were moving to.  These patches of rocks looked to be too far apart to safely use to get to the tunnel, however, but the alternative was for Dashu to stay outside the compound with a small battalion of monks.  There really is no choice but to use the ledges to get into the tunnel.

With his mind made up, Dashu takes off at a dead sprint and focuses his essence into his feet.  He pushes this essence down so that it would serve as a way to balance and carry his weight while in the air.  He would make it.  He had to make it.  There is no other way.  As he shapes his essence around himself in a new fashion, suddenly the image of a monkey leaping from one branch to another came to mind.  With this image, Dashu knows that the distance between the ledges is no problem for him and he would make it to the tunnel.  With his essence carrying his weight, he easily leaps from one ledge to the other while remaining in the shadows.  As he passed by the HAS units, he leaps onto one of their backs and runs down it while using it for cover from the eyes of the Wood Monks.  Finally, Dashu was in the cave with Third.

[Private to GM:

Good to know I'm not the worst Night Caste ever and I can still shine at times.  :)  Trying to stunt learned Monkey Leap Technique.

01:15, Today: Peleps Dashu rolled 5 successes using 7d10 with .. rolls of 7,2,2,10,5,10,5. Dex + Ath. ]

Even as the Fire-Aspect shoves past him, Third moves smoothly, a smile on the Solar's face as it flows like quicksilver- The heat seems to catch the Solar like a leaf caught in an updraft, lifting it away from the Fire Aspect's shoulder and burning aura, as golden motes of essence trail the Exalt's limbs, leaving a glittering trail of motes seemingly untouched by the wave of heat. It smiles as it lands carefully on it's feet, delicately touching down, standing before the mouth of the tunnel, the sunlight illuminating the tunnel a surprising distance, as it smiles ineffably towards the Fire-Aspect. "You're unwise, Fire Aspect. Your fire will be smothered so soon."

The Solar moves into the tunnel, nonchalantly moving out of the Wood Aspect's range, and activating its communicator momentarily. "Fire Aspect coming your way. He is a decent swordsman and is skilled enough at coordinating attacks to be of some threat. Advise secondary priority,Eye will follow after preparing necessary combat charm, and engage him... fully." and begins concentrating.

 Its body moving effusively, delicately, as it channels essence throughout itself, moments passing as its body begins to move evasively, Flowing Like Blood, shifting smoothly in the air as it begins to chase afterwards, limbs moving as they were composed out of fluid, multijointed as they shift in the air, the Exalt setting a blistering pace down the tunnel, feet occasionally leaving the ground, running along the walls where footing may be treacherous for brief moments, leaving marks on the wall as its sword leaves its sheath, leaving a trail in the air as the golden light fills it. Freedom lies beyond those walls- It merely has to reach out and take it.

OOC: Activation of Flow Like Blood. Personal: 5/19 Peripheral: 30/45 Willpower: 3/7. Here's hoping I can avoid any unpleasant Mental Influence.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:55, Sun 19 July 2009.

Feeling that his presence was still unknown, Dashu began making his way towards the blazing assailant.  Careful to keep in the darkness and to avoid stepping into the light cast by either of the other two exalts, Dashu planned to close the distance in secret.  The tunnel was plenty dark, so he felt right at home as his leaps began to close the distance.  The fire aspect thought he had the advantage, but Sun had power even when it wasn't shining, and Dashu would be damned if he'd let anything happen to any of the escapees.

[Private to GM:
00:40, Today: Peleps Dashu rolled 10 successes using 13d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,9,8,5,10,6,10,7,7,10,3,4,5. Dex + Stealth Roll. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:44, Tue 21 July 2009.

Dashu barely slips through into the tunnel before the Blue Stripes start filling in the space behind him with their bulk, preventing the monks from slipping through. Nothing hinders him from then on--he runs at his full speed, completely unseen. Not even Third knows exactly where he is. [Private to Peleps Dashu: I'll give you +2 stunt for your attempt to move into the tunnel, so you can get back some motes/WP as needed :) You are definitely doing well right now! The dice are relenting!]

The Fire Monk Third warned of emerges first from the tunnel. He comes to a stop near the gates Dena sealed, taking in the chaotic situation within the inner compound. "Master Firmament, I will order the students in the outer compound to break down the gate immediately," he says, not remaining still. Seven Coals moves into the range of the archers, toward the students fighting Evamae and the builder bugs, but remaining ever alert for Third's emergence. "We will flush these demons out--one way or another."

Danae attempts to willfully push away the earth that attempts to engulf her, but finds that she has overextended her power. The golden essence she attempts to channel through her daiklave just doesn't come. Fortunately, her footwork is still just swift enough to make up for it, even though the evasion is much more precarious that way, relying purely on her mortal body and instincts. The earth fails to hold her -- again -- but the second senior monk still bears down on Danae with a demolishing blow. The Solar feels the impact rattle her through her ashigaru armor, cracking ribs and nearly dislocating her shoulder, but not breaking her. (3L damage)

Then Danae retaliates, Impeccable Spark carving at her opponent's chest. The monk, having witnessed her partner carved up so handily by that golden, blue-veined blade, pours her every valiant effort into interposing her goremaul between herself and the orichalcum weapon. Three times does the Spark strike its massive white jade shaft, until the fourth strike slips through, penetrating her breastplate only shallowly. (1L damage) [Private to Danae Adela: and.. she used all but 1 valor channel now. But she managed to parry all bout 1 due to valor+excellency added to DV. Anyway, as I mentioned in other PMs you got a +2 stunt for the defense.]

Now the wood monks on the western balcony attempt to turn Dena into a pincushion before she can strike back, firing a volley of several arrows in very close range as the monk's anima flares brightly, bathing their balcony in the hues of a forest canopy. [Private to Tervila Dena:You get DV -2 (-1 from essence lash attack, since you've yet to refresh DV, and -1 from your current wound penalty, unless you activated Laughing Wounds) against each flurry. Defend and attack in the same post if you like.

wood monk 1 - 5 sux, 9 sux, 5 sux flurry
wood student 1 - 6 sux, 3 sux flurry
wood student 2 - 4 sux, 4 sux flurry]

Danae gets the very same treatment, no less than 7 arrows descending upon her in quick succession as she pulls back from her attack on the senior monk. "Are you sure this is the path you wished to take?" Stern Firmament asks of her, stepping forward as the volley of arrows falls where it will. Unlike his subordinates, he wields no goremaul, dons no armor. His body itself is his weapon, enhanced by the sutras glowing around his arms, lending incredible power to his blows as the might of Pasiap flows through him. "If you do not die, you will be recaptured. Yours is a fleeting burst of glory, well-meaning perhaps, but ultimately ill-thought."

Hardly allowing Danae another moment to breathe, Firmament launches into a combination of four rapid-fire punches, his knuckles striking at sensitive pressure points on Danae's body with all the accuracy of an acupuncture needle. The final two strikes impact simultaneously, aimed at her chest and throat, glowing with an ivory light that intensifies should they make contact. [Private to Danae Adela: Arrows on Danae. Most of these should be no problem with Bulwark and a stunt, but you also have a -1 wound penalty.

wood monk 2 - 12 sux, 7 sux, 4 sux flurry
wood student 3 - 3 sux, 6 sux flurry
wood student 4 - 5 sux, 3 sux flurry

And then Firmament's attacks: 8 sux, 10 sux, 6 sux, 5 sux flurry. After this, Dashu and Third should draw more attacks -- and you may get more unlikely allies -- so just concentrate on surviving!]

Third and (hidden) Dashu, when they enter the compound, see Danae just past the center of the room, threatened by three powerful Earth Aspects, and Dena at a closer balcony with three Wood monks. Another similar balcony lies on the opposite side of the compound with three more archer monks. Evamae and the Rubies fight a group of Earth students between Danae and the sealed gate, their battle compounded by the unforeseen presence of the Fire Monk stalking toward them. Another group of Water monks stand in front of doors at the far end of the compound, waiting--but not participating. Yet. [Private to Peleps Dashu; Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: As mentioned above, the Fire monk is forcing Third to come into range of the archers to attack him, while complicating Evamae's concerns by stepping closer to her fight with the students. Dashu, since he rolled Stealth so well, can execute a surprise attack *before* he enters tick count, if he wants.]

---

OOC: Third and Dashu need to roll Join Battle before I place them in the tick order. BTW... I had to retcon the Earth Monk's armor as I realized belatedly that Earth pinnacle is *incompatible* with armor. Lucky you, he gets PKBs instead.

actions
tick 26 - Dena
tick 28 - senior Earth monk (attacker!), Ruby Guardians(5), Earth students(6)
tick 29 - Danae, senior Earth monk (earthshaker!)
tick 30 - Wood monks(2)+students(4) (after aim)
Evamae and Water aspects holding action.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:17, Thu 23 July 2009.

Dashu sees the Seven Coals approaching the princess' fight with the students.  "Turned your back... big mistake," the Nightbringer thought to himself.  Moments later Dashu was bearing down on the fire aspect with the speed and ferocity of a Hawk.  Had anyone actually seen how he got from the tunnel to his target, they would have scene him backflip up to the wall just above the mouth of the cave and rocket himself forward in a series of flips and spins caused his claws to gain momentum until they collided with his targets back, once ... twice .. three times.  That's what they would have seen had anyone actually noticed him before Seven Coals suffered his wrath.

[Private to GM:

Adding 4 sux with excellency to each strike.

Peleps Dashu rolled 8 successes using 10d10 with ... rolls of 10,3,7,8,3,10,9,1,7,3. Attack 1.
Peleps Dashu rolled 4 successes using 9d10 with ... rolls of 1,9,1,10,7,3,3,2,1. Attack 2.
Peleps Dashu rolled 3 successes using 8d10 with ... rolls of 3,4,9,7,7,6,3,6. Attack 3.
Peleps Dashu rolled 2 successes using 7d10 with ... rolls of 3,6,9,5,6,1,9. Attack 3 (correct dice).  (Thought I screwed up the dice but I didn't.)

Peleps Dashu rolled 5 successes using 7d10 with ... rolls of 8,8,10,9,4,3,5. Join Battle.

final count:

Attack 1: 12 sux + 2 Str + 6L dmg = 20L raw dmg
Attack 2:  8 sux + 2 Str + 6L dmg = 16L raw dmg
Attack 3:  7 sux + 2 Str + 6L dmg = 15L raw dmg

Dodge DV: 8
Parry: 3 (7 with use of the excellency)
]

"Broken?" Dena asks, feigning incredulity in the discussion of Cathak Jilava.  She sneers at the Wood Monk, twisting her lips; and then an arrow going through her thigh ruins the effect.
Dena grumbles something unprintable as she yanks the barb out  "We didn't 'break' anything fools.  Aside from the Trauma of having to implant reflexive personality grafts so she'd sound like she hates Anathema all the time for the rest of you, that bugged her a lot, even pretending to dislike us."

Tiring of the constantly peppering of weak arrows, Dena eyes the balcony a moment and then sends out her lash towards the corner where it attaches to the wall, striking at a potential weak point.  The smell of something burning and powdered stone suddenly fill the air as Dena flies backwards, pulling hard to try to destabilize the archery platform.

[Private to GM:
10:39, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 1 success using 6d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,1,5,7,3,1. Dex Excellency. (Were applying this to the Monk's Arrow, the first shot.

No charm use yet this round.
11:29, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 5 successes using 14d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,9,6,9,2,2,2,7,6,3,1,2,1,10. Lash attack vs. Balcony.

Dena activated Laughing Wounds Form a few moments before entering the tunnel, in post 117 of this thread.]

"And?  Are you suggesting it would be better off to have been better to have just disappeared?" Danae shot back, lips tightening as she worked at closing the force of the goremaul's impact...  It could have been a lot worse then it was, admittedly, but it Would Have an impact on her performance, and she was hard pressed enough as it was to afford any degregation...  Well, that, and the whole 'I can't afford to take any injuries' thing just got thrown out...

"We left the Water district, having barely managed to stop everybody alive there from getting murdered--just because they happened to live on the same sector as an escape occured--how are we supposed to know the Council won't continue to murder everyone on the 'Suspicion' of 'Free Anathema?'  It seems to me that it defeats the purpose of being a good and proper ruler, if you actually have frequently used protocols to slaughter thousands at the slightest hint of something not going your way, without getting terribly worked up."

Fortunately, This time, her Essence had settled down enough to provide a proper defense.  Impeccable Spark lashed out, zeroing in on the first, highly accurate arrow, and split it into pieces, the fragments slowing down, and deflecting the remaining shots in the very same motion.

"Even if we can't win this, and either overthrow or reform the Council--we can't simply stand by and do "Nothing!" Tell me, would you even be standing against us in force like this if we were instead a group of Dragon Chosen in the same boat?

The first fist was easily deflected, the second blow--admittedly--requiring a bit more effort, as the pulse of Essence warded it off--but once she had her footing, the remaining two blows were each arrested with same motion of Impeccable Spark, parrying them just as well as anything else.

Her own response was a little more measured in several ways--there wasn't much she could do to counter his stone skin, but she Could make a careful effort to respond--hopefully, he would have left himself open with that barrage of attacks, enough at least for her to get a little scractch back.

To that end, when the fourth blow had been warded off, Danae suddenly jinked off to the side, her Orichalcum sword feinting at a blow to Firmament's hamstrings--convincing him that it was probably a serious strike--and holding back the blow just as he whirled to respond, shifting it in place to instead, direct it at the very arm he was using to guard with, aiming to deal a shallow cut to the limb, and hopefully begin wearing him down, bit by bit.

[Private to Gatekeeper: Using Heavenly Guardian Defense on the 12 success and 10 success attacks, the others are parried with a 2 die stunt, which I'm hoping that post was worthy of.

Afterwards, directing a single attack at Firmament

10:44, Today: Danae Adela rolled 8 successes using 14d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,10,4,1,9,1,7,9,6,9,2,7,3,9. Sworded!.]
This message was last edited by the player at 17:49, Tue 21 July 2009.

Third exits the tunnel like the burning exhalation of a Flame Piece, a brilliant golden anima spraying around it as it leaps from the tunnel, sword lifting into the air, crossing its chest, the red jade twinkling with motes of golden essence as it lands lightly on its feet, robes flowing around it wildly as though caught in a furious wind. "Dragon-Blooded. You face far more than you thought. You can surrender now, be left behind, and see a new age, perhaps to have some chance of making a difference when it matters, or you can oppose us, die futilely, and be remembered only as those who threw their lives away without use. You will not stop us, you will not inconvenience us. You will not stop us from bringing this place into Freedom...Kicking and screaming, if need be." Third says all this, as it approaches the Fire Aspect, that strange movement of the flowing blood style making it look unearthly graceful, as the shining beacon moves like a sun given form under the ground. Its words are painfully emotionless, not caring for these Dragon-Blooded's lives. It has its experiment- Additional subjects are not needed yet.

OOC: Join Battle, 2 successes. I'm suddenly wondering if you can stunt a Join Battle roll... It seems like it'd be wrong somehow, but I don't remember seeing much either way. A friend of mine suggested, 'helpfully', that the answer was 'probably'.

Dashu is the consummate silent killer, all but invisible while the combatants concentrate on one another. He somersaults and bounces off the wall, his leap pushing him forward in a diagonal right past where Dena faces off with the archers, and down onto the Fire Monk's back. The claws bite through his reinforced breastplate, tearing a series of bloody slashes into his flesh before he can whirl around and identify his assailant. (*9L* damage, ow!) He stumbles, letting out a strangled shout, but manages not to fall. [Private to Peleps Dashu: +1 stunt, which.. gave you 4 more successes. Crazy. Well, this guy is almost dead. o.O]

"So the other reveals himself. I assume neither of you are ordinary rebels," Seven Coals speaks between laborious breaths, facing not one Solar but two as blood pours from his ravaged back. "Here, there is no futile death. Though we may fall before you, every effort you make against us weakens you. One way or another... we will resist your will, for it offends the Immaculate Dragons, and it is but the siren song that heralds the doom of the world." His anima burns brightly, a pillar of phantasmal flame-blades whirling about him, but he moves too slowly to strike or run before Dashu and Third can press the offense!

Dena directs her lash at the western balcony, scoring a solid blow. Several chunks of stone crumble off, but it seems to be made of sterner stuff, hardly budging at all. [Private to Tervila Dena: +1 stunt. You're against Stone Wall stats. So 12L soak, 40 HLs to damage it enough for it to be dangerous. You only did 4L, so this may take a while. Also, you've taken another 2L damage for a total of 3L. My mistake, there was no wound penalty last time, though now you have -1 (or +1 in this case).]The Wood Monk whose arrow just struck Dena shakes his head, clearly disturbed by her claims about Jilava. "Your words are but feeble distractions! If we must we will wear you down!" Five more arrows fly toward Dena from the Wood monk and one student, but the wounded student is so nerve-wracked he drops his bow. The monk's anima flux is strong enough to generate little roots that burrow into the stone they stand on. [Private to Tervila Dena: The monks channeled virtue, so that's why slightly better rolls. Anyway you can ignore the student's crappy arrows, but the monk did a flurry of 11 sux, 6 sux, 7 sux. The arrows are all using Soul Marking Strike, and he's burning almost all of the rest of his essence.]

The three monks at the eastern balcony turn their attention toward Dashu, firing another half-dozen arrows his way as he launches his next attack. [Private to Peleps Dashu: this actually occurs after your next attack, I'm just posting this at the same time as the other archers to save time. The correct order in this case would be for you to post your next attack, *then* defend against these arrows with however much your DV is reduced by that attack. Each archer did a flurry on you. 7 sux and 3 sux (wood monk 2), 5 sux and 7 sux (wood student 3), 7 sux and 6 sux (wood student 4).]
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:55, Thu 23 July 2009.

Toward the center of the compound, the Ruby Warriors continue their assault, bathing the Earth students in acid sprays while slashing at them viciously. Yet another student goes down, another struck hard but still teetering on his feet. One of the Rubies makes a clumsy bite attempt and tips over on one side, legs wriggling as it rocks back and forth, attempting to right itself. Evamae, seeing Danae facing the Master alone, turns to aid her instead, aiming her dual shock pikes at the senior monk Danae wounded previously. Two well-placed, invisible thrusts pierce his ineffectual parries and gouge his torso through his armor. He staggers and collapses, clutching at his wounds. (Incapacitated!)

Danae manages to avoid all harm, burning through motes as arrows shatter and fist strikes bounce off her brilliant anima. Firmament replies calmly, "If you were Dragon Chosen, we would hope to come to a peacable conclusion, but a traitor is an enemy all the same. You would be brought to judgment, either way." Danae's single, accurate strike is parried by the Earth Master, who catches the Spark with his rock-hard palms and diverts it cleanly away.[Private to Danae Adela: pinnacle + PKB gives him 11 DV - 4 attacks = 7. Activated Flowing Water Defense, so attacks on him are now at -3.] "I believe that you think yourself righteous, and you may well be, but in the eyes of the Council we have been at war since before the Descent. For them, for many of us, there are necessary sacrifices needed to secure our victory, to protect what we have built, and win back what we have lost. Should you have been content to wear the Collar, there would be no need to harm anyone. Your freedom has caused unnecessary chaos in what was once stable and functional."

The remaining unharmed senior monk, circles behind Danae and swings her massive weapon toward her back, between her shoulder blades. At the same time the Earth Master's arms blur, propelling two powerful jabs toward Danae's torso, then a third, open palm upward thrust to seize her by the throat. His dark eyes widen intensely, mere inches from her face. "Now it has come to this." [Private to Danae Adela: Senior monk: 8 sux attack. Master monk: 8 sux, 7 sux, 11 sux flurry. btw... I had to recalculate Earth master's pools slightly due to realizing his Ess has to be 5 to have the pinnacle in the first place. *sigh* starting to get tired of number crunching!]

The shifting odds of the battle has caught the attention of the Water monks. At the same time, a cacophony of crashing rock erupts from the tunnel. The Blue Stripes are finishing their job.

---

OOC: actions (I posted some of these actions already, to save time)
tick 28 - Dashu
tick 29 - senior Earth monk
tick 30 - Earth Master, Wood monks(2)+students(4)
tick 31 - Dena, Third
tick 32 - Seven Coals
tick 33 - Ruby Guardians(5), Earth students(5)
tick 34 - Danae

edit--nearly forgot stunts for some of your previous posts. They are in PM below.
[Private to Danae Adela: Stunt +2 for defense, +1 for attack.]
[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: +2 stunt, it didn't add to your JB though. Stunting JB is... odd, but I've seen it done before.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:46, Fri 24 July 2009.

At this point Dashu becomes annoyed with the constant religious banter of his opponent and simply says one thing to him, "Here's food for thought:  The Dragons don't care."  With that, the Night brings shifts raises both his claws into the air and brings them raking down on the Fire Aspect in a brutal attempt to end his chattering.

Unfortunately, Dashu's attack had not quite killed off Seven Coals and he had raised the alarm to Dashu's presence.  Dashu found himself faced with a small cloud of arrows hurdling his way.  Fortunately, it was nothing that Dashu's martial prowness and the grace of and Ebon Shadowist could not handle.  As the first arrow sailed in, Dashu sidestepped it while batting the second arrow into the path of the third with his right claw.  This disrupted the third arrow for Dashu to bend over backwards and watch it sail over his face while at the same time flipping over the fourth arrow.  As the night cast completed his flip he found himself faced with two more arrows which he easily slapped to the either side of him as set his sights on the three archers who had just saw fit to annoy him with their darts.

[Private to GM:

Adding 4 sux to both attacks.

Peleps Dashu rolled 5 successes using 11d10 with ... rolls of 8,1,1,5,9,6,5,8,1,1,10. Attack 1.

Peleps Dashu rolled 5 successes using 10d10 with ... rolls of 8,6,8,5,7,8,4,6,7,5. Attack 2.

Attack 1:  9 sux
Attack 2:  9 sux

dmg = 6L
Str = 2.

Dodge DV = 9 (7 + Essence from form charm - 2)
Parry DV = 8 (6 -2 + 4 from 2nd Ex)

Since both DV's were higher than all the attacks, I just used them interchangably in my stunted defense.]
This message was last edited by the player at 20:49, Thu 23 July 2009.

"Stable and Functional--I'll grant you that" Danae acknowledged, sidestepping the first of Firmament's blows and deflecting the rest with Impeccable Spark, the fist breezing past her harmlessly while it got the other Monk in her line of sight. "But you're Stagnating as well...  They had me work in the Reclaimation Legions before I was released, they spend 'So' much of their energies towards making it look like they're accomplishing something, that they're gathering strength, that the time of the return to the surface is near...  But when nobody's looking, the Council purges districts, executes dissidents, and continues the whole zero-sum game to keep everyone's heads nice and low..."  The other senior student brought her Goremaul around--but Danae was prepared for it this time, ducking down low, and deflecting the weapon away from her line of sight, before jumping up on it, and delivering two lightning-quick slashes to the Monk, driving her off, and kicking off and landing back where she was beforehand, only to meet another of Firmament's deadly fist strokes with the flat of Impeccable Spark.

"You've gathered such astronomical strength here though!  If Five Coils had actually bothered to muster the incredible might it uses to surpress these rebellions, and actually used it to try to return to the Surface--I can't even 'Conceive' of it being a complete disaster...  So why are we even fighting?!?"

The stroke to her neck was simply knocked away with the pommel in a flash of gold, as Danae drew near.

"You're as much a prisoner as we are.  They bind us with chains of essence, they bind you with chains of dogma and righteousness, by giving you an enemy to focus against, a demon to destroy, to surpress at all costs, and then occasionally releasing us...  There was no malfuntion in our collars--they 'Knew' we would be unleashed, they brought several of us from higher levels to the Water District, just prior to the collars suddenly shutting Off...  Tell me... Have you ever Seen the Council, Stern Firmament?"

[Private to Gatekeeper: Attacking the remaining senior student twice, then parrying all of the oncoming attacks on a two die stunt, using HGD on Firmament's last blow.

17:05, Today: Danae Adela rolled 5 successes using 11d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,7,2,9,3,7,7,4,4,2,2. Attack 2.
17:05, Today: Danae Adela rolled 6 successes using 12d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,5,3,7,9,10,9,6,1,5,1,4. Attack 1

]

Dena grins as the cluster of arrows comes towards her and snaps the lash suddenly, yanking a spray of rocks and gravel from the wall in a broad fan of flying stone.  Ironically, had the Terrestrial exalts been less disciplined a few arrows might have gotten through, but the neat cluster of well-aimed shots allows Dena to position a large chunk of rubble right where she needs it to absorb the shots.

As the cloud of debris passes Dena flies down and lands on the balcony railing, squatting and balancing on the carved handrail while she smiles a slasher smile at the wood monk.  She makes a half-hearted snap the monk's face to distract him a bit while he's still off-balance from his rapid storm of arrows.
"I don't have any need to use words to distract you, little monk.  Fifteen of you wouldn't be able to wear me down with essence as feeble as yours."

[Private to GM:
Dena will expend a point of willpower through her Conviction to dodge that first shot.  I believe that with the bonus from Laughing Wounds form that puts my DV at 11.

Current Essence and Willpower:  Personal 17: Peripheral 2, Willpower 6, no charms this round (yet)

20:48, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 4 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,4,5,2,4,1,5,6,6,2,5,9,8,10,5. Attack for Great Painfulness!.

Or. . . great inaccuracy in this case.  Grumble.  ]

"Death in service to uncaring masters is always futile. The fire of your death will do nothing but forge resolve." Third moves, that swift pace of its steps taking it towards the suicidal Dragon-Blooded, and releasing three violent blows against the Dragon-Blooded, each blow scything in on him, coming from three directions seemingly at the same time. "You had your opportunity to run, Fire-Aspect. Pay the price now." The blade flashes through the air, singing, the golden aura surrounding Third licking along the blade as it leaves sparkling motes of light behind, like a cloud of smoke that shows where the blade has passed, tracing lines through the air as Third takes advantage of the man's weakness to finish him off. The first blow leaves a golden trail glittering across the man's throat, the second, somewhat slower to move, running diagonally down across the man's chest, a trail of light that arcs along, and the third arcs across his knees, aiming for a way to bring him down hard against the ground.

OOC: You rolled 7 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((4,6,3,8,7,6,7,10,10,6)). You rolled 3 successes using 9d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((5,10,3,2,3,7,1,1,1)). You rolled 3 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((1,7,6,1,5,8,1,7)). Personal Essence: 5/19 Peripheral: 30/45 Willpower: 4/7

Seven Coals glares at Dashu, then shakes his head dismissively. "You are by nature a heretic. Your opinion means nothing." The claws come for him, and he is no longer there. There is only smoke and flame, twisting underneath Dashu's hands, while the real monk stands several yards away, untouched except by those first, brutal strikes.

When Third's glittering blade slashes at his throat, chest and legs, the effect is much the same. Where there was flesh, there is only lingering flame, which disperses as the daiklave's path sends ripples through them. "I believe you misunderstand, I do not choose death. I choose to stand in your way and thwart you, while I still can." The flames swirling around Coals' body intensify with an audible roar, warding off hasty attacks while shielding him from harm. Still smiling starkly, he wills his body to staunch the blood pouring from his back, signaling to the archers on the east balcony as he steps backward, one pace after another. Not running, but withdrawing slowly.

[Private to Peleps Dashu; Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: OK... so, his Dodge DV is 6 + 3 (Fire Dragon Form, rounding up here since he's an exalt), + another 3 from (reflexive) Flame Flicker Stance) -2 wound penalty. So, starts at 10 DV, meaning all of your attacks missed.

On his turn he used Overwhelming Fire Majesty Stance which means your attacks on him are now at -5 dice, as well. However the charm also doesn't allow him to attack directly.] [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: +1 stunt :)]

One of the arrows aimed at Dena still skims the chunk of earth she parries with, plunging shallowly into her (2L), but she hardly cares. Her body is much too strong for this, and her resilience to pain all but legendary. The monks and students that have been raining arrows on them all this time start to take on a grim demeanor. They've just begun to do some damage, but their essence is flagging.

Fortunately the essence lash strike does little more than vaguely intimidate, as the lead monk on the west balcony bends easily away from it. "So it may be, Anathema," he says balefully, "but you'll not get through every one of our Masters." He strikes at Dena not with his bow, but with a well placed kick, attempting to jostle the base of the glowing whip out of her hand. The wounded student that dropped his bow picks it up, shakily, while the other fires a single, useless shot, starting to edge backward toward the door leading in from the balcony.

[Private to Tervila Dena: Unfortunately, you roll virtue and add successes to DV, you don't add it directly to DV the way stunts work. I rolled it and you got 3 sux, so the first attack did hit! You have a total of 5L damage, and a single soul marking strike means the monk has 1 sux on you from now on. As for the disarm attempt... it's 9 successes, -2 external, so 7. Dena's DV is just that hard to beat! But if you want to use this as an opportunity to lose your lash on purpose you can do that. Or I can try again.

At this point you've pretty much proven these particular monks are weak and ineffectual against you. They will likely withdraw very soon unless you'll try to pursue/kill them.]

Danae's pair of slashes slip past the senior monk's goremaul, but barely manage to nick her Essence infused flesh beneath her breastplate. (1L) Firmament directs her to step away and aid Seven Coals and the students, while he patiently continues to address the young Dawn Caste. "No. I have not had the privilege to meet the Council. Nor have you, I am sure. Your theories are as much speculation as you think my beliefs are."

"It took our people two hundred years to master the secrets of the Coils, to sufficiently control the captured Celestials. We were not idle this entire time. Nor will we underestimate those who await above ground. They are world-destroyers, who have had just as much time to prepare for us -- and they were the victors. Shall we now ally with the very ones that led us to ruin? I am sorry; it cannot be." Firmament launches at her, then, his fists pounding at her body with the fury of a tempest, building momentum with every strike. Master of Earth and Water, he embodies both the waves crashing relentlessly on the cliffs, and the incredible power and control of the mountain itself.

[Private to Danae Adela: A large part of your post is speech--and while it is good speech, it's not directly related to your defense. Seems more to me you're doing social combat simultaneously with 'real' combat, which ought to reduce your DV *more* -- but I won't do that. Instead I'll allow you the +2 this time, but don't assume more than a +1 stunt at any time, or I'll start to get un-generous. :) And try not to overdo the speeches during combat unless you want to start incurring multiple action penalties (after all, they would be great social attacks, were you to roll for them...)

This time, Firmament has used Crashing Wave Style. 13 sux, 9 sux, 8 sux, 7 sux, 4 sux. Though now that I think of it, I figure you'll HGD the first, so the entire Charm misses. Normally, this kind of charm knowledge is OOC, but since I'm anticipating the HGD I'm letting you know so you can describe properly.]

One Ruby Guardian cuts down another wounded student, but the others falter in their attacks, missing or fumbling altogether. The four remaining students use this opportunity to start backing toward the rear of the compound, presumably to let the Water monks take over for them. Evamae does not pursue them, but calls out, "Creators! How shall we aid you now?"

The sound of earth crumbling continues from the tunnel opening, as several more powerful strikes collapse it from within. The Wood monk closest to the tunnel (incidentally, the same one Dena has been fighting) shouts, "Master Firmament, they're sealing us inside!!"

---

tick 32 - Dashu
tick 34 - Third, senior Earth monk (joining Seven Coals)
tick 35 - Earth master, Wood monk+students(2)(west balcony)
tick 38 - Seven Coals, Wood monk+students(2)(east balcony), Water monks(2)+students(6), Evamae, Ruby Guardians
tick 39 - Danae

Earth students are retreating. Also ignore the rolls I made for Evamae, the target I chose for her made no sense with the tick count.

Dashu looks quisically at Seven Coals and then replies simply, "It's not an opinion.  There's alot more evidence to show that the Dragons don't care about you guys.  You say the world outside lies in ruins because of us, but if everything you believe is true, then you failed and the Dragons didn't lift a finger to stop it from happening.  You guys failed then, just like you're going to fail to stop us now.  For instance, you think you can get in my way, but simply standing there won't stop me."

With that, Dashu takes a couple of steps and leaps over the Monk, performing a perfect double front flip along the way.  He then began making his way towards the balcony on which the archers sat as fast as he possibly could.  Let him stand still while he lost his support troops.

Third lifts its sword and tilts its head. "You choose to make yourself a bonfire of essence. A sacrifical pyre to your own grandeur. Thank you for taking yourself out of the fight." Its eyes focus on the monk, smiling as it squeezes the hilt of the blade, turning towards the Earth Monk. The blade flashes, moving to reverse, right arm crossed over the Solar's chest as it moves into a low crouching position, and then it begins to move, serenely, but those steps tapping the ground with unmistakeable presence as its eyes lock with the Earth Monk, blade glowing with that golden light as it charges forward suddenly, moving with deadly grace. Even as it moves, that eruption of flame surrounding it cracks open a memory, hidden deep inside the Solar's mind... A memory of fire, of pain, of burning, and of rage.

The memory of how to use it flashes through Third's mind, a fragment that survived the process that made it what it is. An attack that was never used directly on the Solar- It had no point against someone like Third. It only saw the attack once, the flames spreading out as the man who had called himself 'Master' struck the blow to the chest of his opponent. The layers of armor, the carapace that had protected that person, splitting open like a chestnut stabbed with a hot blade. Third remembers that fire, seeing the person who might have preserved Third's memory, the only thing that might have made a life before worth remembering through the pain of processing, die under it, the last memories of someone who might have known who Third was... And all that was left of them now was that memory of all-devouring flames. Another thing stolen from Third. It hurts to think about it, but it's left Third's mind absolutely clear about what it needs to do. For it to have Freedom, this Dragon-Blooded must die screaming on the edge of a blade.

As Third stands just a few feet from the Dragon-Blooded, its left foot comes down, and the ground splinters beneath it as essence starts to flow, taking on a different hue from usual- A fiery, flickering Essence, like that of the monk behind it, as its eyes focus on the Dragon-Blooded before it. The sword flips in Third's grip, blade now pointed towards the Dragon-Blooded's throat, and begins to scream as it arcs inwards. "Let death free your soul from the chains of dogma." Third speaks in an alien voice, but one that evokes a moment of absolute truth, as that blade pushes forward.

The red, shimmering jade makes a humming noise, as it drills towards the base of the man's throat, Fire essence licking out of the blade, scorching through the layers of Earth Essence protecting the man, insinuating itself through the essence layers and separating them, leaving that much-vaunted armor like so much butter under a hot knife, even as the blade drives itself inwards, as Third's face contorts with a shocking rage, feeling that burning within itself, as the blade strikes violently inwards, a bellow of rage and loss, something that Third has not felt in a long time, echoing through the room as the Essence twirling around it builds into a mighty, flowing bonfire, glowing like the sun in Twilight- Not so bright as to be impossible to look at directly, but glowing wildly and colorfully, catching attacks and pushing them aside with wild enthusiasm- What could willfully mark such beauty?

OOC :You rolled 6 successes using 13d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((3,10,3,5,9,3,7,2,9,2,8,2,2)). Not quite as good as I might've hoped for with such a dramatic pose... But hey, y'can't have everything! Fiery Garda Force Attack to make it Piercing, hopefully, and channeling a Willpower through Conviction, for 4 extra dice. 8 Experience points paid up for the ability! Personal Essence: 9/19 Peripheral Essence: 26/45 Willpower: 3/7.

The Earth Monk's series of blows met up against Danae's own Daiklave, each strike splashing off of the field of golden essence she had created to ward the onslaught off--the residual force parting aside with each blow, giving her a chance to get off the relative back-foot.

"Get your breath, and prepare to engage the oncoming reinforcements!  Once the Blue Stripes get through, we should be able to go on the offensive!  Don't overextend yourselves too far though!" Danae shouts back to Evamae, while circling around Stern Firmament.  The time for talking and other such trivalities was more or less over, and all that remained was the fight.

But it wasn't one she could win by recklessly attacking.  She clasped Impeccable Spark in both hands, and watched Stern Firmament, waiting for an opportunity to attack.

[Private to Gatekeeper: HGDed the 13 attack success--you didn't actually need to tell me the charm effect though :(

At any rate, taking an Aim action on Firmament, Speed 3]

Dashu leaps past the monk enwreathed in flames, and attempts to ascends the balcony as the Wood archers there ready their arrows. "We are not so fragile as you may think!" says the monk of Sextes Jylis, while his students attempt to resolve their conflict between waiting for Coals' direction and firing at the Nightbringer coming right for them. [Private to Peleps Dashu: You either need to make a Dex+Athletics roll, let's say difficulty 2, which will take your turn at tick 37, to climb the balcony. (There's no easy way up from the outside) Or you can use your wall climbing charm, which would let you move and attack in the same turn, but you won't be able to use your Excellency unless you have it in a combo with that charm.]

Coals says sternly, still retaining his burning aura as he moves slowly to join his Earth comrade, insisting stubbornly, "The Dragons very well raised a hand to aid us. Yet even with their blessings we were still overwhelmed.  Thus we are so cautious and careful to build our power!"

The female Earth monk, struck by Third's single, spectacular blow -- fueled by memory lost, by a fragment of past life willfully gained -- fails to deflect its burning blade. Engulfed in the glorious sunset anima, her own Essence balks against the single, stubborn point that bores her armor, strengthening her defenses with the natural solidity of her element. Yet she is not fully understanding of the change gripping the Twilight Caste, the personality emerging in the void that it became as an Akashic Record. She may have safely absorbed the attack of the one known as Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge. But Shining Eye refuses to be rendered ineffective by a mere Dragon-blood. The blade makes one last, righteous surge, penetrating through to her flesh and stubbornly drawing blood. (2L damage!)

"I do not need to be freed by your blasphemy," the Earth monk replies simply, and swings her goremaul with a single, crushing swing that may well collapse Third's ribcage, should it strike. Her answering Essence display is like phantasmal stone ramparts rising from the ground, the ground splitting into jagged chunks all around her, earthen fangs that bite at Third's shins. [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: The monk is already at the most lethal level of anima flux which is 1L per tick (rolled, unfortunately it succeeded!) I may be more lenient about it than that, but still, staying in close proximity to her too long may be a bad idea. Besides that, you also are struck with one 11 sux attack.](Third gets 1L anima flux damage.)

"We will do our best, Clockwork General." Evamae advances with the builder bugs to intercept the larger group of Water monks on the move. As Danae watches her opponent carefully for an ideal opening, Firmament patiently chooses to wait, analyzing the young solar in turn as he 'allows' her to take the offensive. If she would still dare.

Another colossal rumble rises from the tunnel. It's well on its way to collapsing now.

---

OOC: I forgot to put Dena in the action list! So sorry. The Earth monk attacking Third acted on the tick it interrupted her advance.

tick 36 - Dena
tick 37 - Dashu, Third
tick 38 - senior Earth monk, Seven Coals, Wood monk+students(2)(east balcony), Water monks(2)+students(6), Evamae, Ruby Guardians
tick 40 - Earth master, Wood monk+students(2)(west balcony)
tick 42 - Danae (after aim)
Blue stripes entrance is imminent.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:27, Sun 02 Aug 2009.

"You want this lash?" Dena taunts as the dragonblood fails to pull it from her hand.  "Come, we'll compete for it."
Dena suddenly darts forward and snags the lash around the wood monk's arm before yanking, hard as the stinging energy burns into the monk's skin.  "We'll see what gives out first, your shoulder socket or my grip.  Easy isn't it?"

22:19, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 6 successes using 16d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,1,6,9,9,8,9,7,7,4,5,4,6,2,5,1. Powerful attack?  Please?.

"Sure.  Keep telling yourself that if it helps you sleep at night," Dashu shouts back at the fire aspect as he nimbly bounces from ledge to ledge and lands on the balcony containing the wood monks.  He brandishes his claws menacingly and glares at them. "Now would be a great time for you to drop your weapons and run," he said evenly.

[Private to GM:

Peleps Dashu rolled 2 successes using 7d10 with ... rolls of 3,8,9,1,4,2,6. Dex + Ath. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 14:52, Tue 28 July 2009.

The monk at the west balcony, with a last ditch burst of speed, snatches his arm away from the essence lash. "Master Firmament, we must fall back! We will inform the Masters within!" He retreats with his students toward the balcony door, and through it, not without firing a trio of arrows to cover the retreat.[Private to Tervila Dena: They're not really trying any more; flurry of 6 sux and 6 sux, then 4 sux. They know they can't hit you so they're just distracting you to get away. Anyway, I'll leave it up to you if you pursue; if you don't, the door will be locked and barricaded. I'd advise helping the others, but it's up to you :)]

Dashu takes his time making his way up to the eastern balcony. The going is precarious, but he manages not to fall. Unfortunately... the monks stationed there aren't willing to stand there and wait for him. A series of seven arrows fly toward him in quick succession just as he makes that last step onto the balcony. "We still have strength left in us yet," counters the monk that leads the barrage, his lip curling in determination. "Do not take us lightly." [Private to Peleps Dashu: Here's their attacks, they're maxing their pools! I would actually rule you don't manage to reach the top until tick 42, but since you wrote it this way I'll just have them try to shoot you as you make it there.

Attacks are as follows (you are at -2 DV, dodging while climbing is not an easy task)
Wood monk 2: 8 sux, 5 sux, 11 sux flurry
Wood student 3: 9 sux, 8 sux flurry
Wood student 4: 10 sux, 3 sux flurry]

---

OOC: Dena acts next on tick 41, and Dashu on tick 42. They should be able to post their next actions after defending unless they'll attack Seven Coals, the senior Earth monk or the Water monks (these wouldn't make sense in the current order).

"While you're there, tell the Masters we'll be quite generous if they surrender." Dena taunts as the door starts to close and the arrows whiz past her harmlessly.  "Terrible, what passes for an immaculate these days.  When we took over the Water District they were willing to suicide to stop us, now those were real monks.  Jerks who needed killing for wanting to wipe out the whole district, to be sure, but at least you could respect that kind of courage.  They had better aim too, you guys have managed what, 3 hits out of about 30 arrows?  Pitiful."

Taking a moment to size up Stern Firmament, Dena pauses a long moment, examines the back of the stony brute, and then sends just the tip of her essence lash just so, next to the third vertebra while flying in a low, lazy circle around her new target.

[Private to Gatekeeper:
Hmm, dice rolls are looking up, that was only slightly below average.  Anyway if this attack gets past his DV Dena will supplement the attack with Kiss of the Whip to give him an additional +1 wound penalty on top of any he would normally have.

Current Essence: 17/4/6 willpower.
10:07, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 7 successes using 16d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,2,10,2,2,2,1,3,8,5,8,3,7,3,6,7. For great attackfulness. ]

Dashu sees the small cloud of arrows descending on him and he briefly wonders if he could get away from them all.  After all, his hands were still somewhat preoccupied with the climbing and keeping his balance on the ledges.

However, he did not let his doubts control him.  Instead he let placed in claw in a shallow crack in the stone and pushed off with his legs flipping backwards and allowing the first arrow to pass directly under him.  Knowing the second arrow was in its wake, Dashu pushed off the wall, spinning his body just in time to avoid the second arrow.  While such a flip would have project most people away from their original position, Dashu used his claw to provide an anchor so he would stay in place landing in the same place that he jumped from.  This, however had the consequence of landing Dashu directly in front of the final arrow in the volley.  He barely managed to turn his body in time to avoid the arrow as it flew by his eyes.

As the second volley of arrows whirled towards him, Dashu stepped off the ledge, using his hand to catch his weight to keep him from falling.  As the first arrow flew directly over where he had been standing, he pushed off the wall and flipped back up to where he was standing, hurdling the second arrow in the process.  However as soon as he had his feet set, he himself immediately faced with a third volley of arrows coming directly at his chest.  He barely turned his upper body in time to avoid the first as it whizzed while the second arrow was so delayed that Dashu had no trouble simply ducking.

[Private to GM:
activating Shadow Over Water.
]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:14, Tue 04 Aug 2009.

Even as the calls for retreat came out across the room, Danae closed in on Firmament again.  If she had come against him at full strength, and had the luxury to use her Essence at the fullest degree possible, she might have been a match for this fellow--but as the present circumstances were, she was at a disadvantage until the Blue Stripes had a chance to arrive.

This didn't mean she couldn't put up a decent fight though...

As Firmament began taking the opportunity to reassess her, Danae matched his action...  For a time at least--as the rest of the monks began their withdrawal though, and one called out to him, Danae took the opportunity to strike back, shifting slightly sideways as she kicked a fragment of armor up into his line of sight--hopefully concealing her own movements just long enough to land a blow in return.

[Private to Gatekeeper: Disengaging soonish, so I didn't put all my energy into a hugely elaborate stunt, but this should serve for now.  14 dice + 3  from my aim

20:08, Today: Danae Adela rolled 7 successes using 17d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,4,10,2,5,7,9,6,3,3,8,6,2,3,6,9,5. Slashums

Annnnd... A miss, 6 succs after Flowing Water Defense, against a PDV of 10 after the aim, unless I get 5 succs on the stunt roll, it's no dice]

Eye focuses. The golden essence licking along the body catches the stone spikes as they slash out of the ground towards the frail form, and devours them, grinding the stone away to dust, not a single spike marring that skin. The descending goremaul is rather more immediate as far as threats go. The Essence flows of this body are expended by that moment of rage- An unwise tactical maneuver, but that is in the past now. "You should accept this freedom. You make mockeries of your Dragon Blood by constraining yourself to a code of obedience, of keeping your dreams tied down." Shining Eye speaks smoothly, unconcerned as the goremaul arcs up through the air. "You're an Exalted. You should not have constrained yourself to something like Fate." This body doesn't have the strength, the agility, that she remembers so clearly, that suffused her before the darkness. So, she'll simply have to cheat.

She focuses her eyes on the goremaul. A brilliant mind suffused by an inhuman genius, it won't hold for long, and this little stunt will burn it out even faster.  The speed of the goremaul compared to her own agility, off balance from the attack... Yes, the goremaul's just a bit too slow. So she speaks out, those numbers- Not Charms, not really, not Essence, simply a code that lies hidden in the programming of the Pattern Spiders. The invisible strands of fate, that lie so thickly around everything, begin to tighten, gathering around the goremaul as it moves. But still not enough.

Eye begins to move. This body doesn't have that unlimited grace that it's used to, but it's not completely useless. The Solar moves, surging, its body surging, freedom screaming through every nerve as it moves to avoid that hammerblow. Another trick- One that everyone can tap into, when it truly matters to them- the pushing of the body beyond the limits fate puts on it, through sheer force of will, amplified by that desire for freedom. She is Shining Eye, Autochthon's Confidant, the Builder of Great Things, and she would not let any petty being who's let themselves be bound by Fate to destroy her.

Ligaments tear, muscles fray, nerves burn out, as that body of hers moves in a smooth flip backwards, leaping out of the blow's path, a trail of golden essence surrounding the body as she moves in a backflip, a golden spiral moving through the air, body rotating out of the path of that blow. It's simply a holding form for her Essence... It will repair itself.

OOC: Channeling Conviction again, Willpower 3/7, I'm assuming I got at least a 2 dot stunt for the last attack. >_> If I get 5-<Stunt rating> successes on the Conviction roll, I can avoid this attack and hopefully survive. Let this be a hard lesson to you all on the importance of Combos.

Dashu, after dealing with the arrow-swarm, has his chance to strike back at the archers on the east balcony, should he wish.

On the ground below, the receptacle of Third's mind is filled, if momentarily, by the personality of Shining Eye, who thought to defy Fate itself. Whether the Twilight Caste's ability to avoid harm is more attributed to that defiance, or from pure determination to survive free of harm, is uncertain. But the end result is the same: the slender, slight body of Third, burning with sunset Essence, twists and backflips away from the massive goremaul blow. So intense and incredible was that flash of rebellion against the constraints forged upon the world, that Third soon feels the influence of Shining Eye receding, unable to retain that singularly determined identity for much longer. [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: After some equivocation I decided on a +2 stunt. Mostly because you're assuming a lot of Fate effects, which you don't actually at the moment have real power over. However, you got 3 sux on that Conviction, so we can say simply *believing* one has that power succeeded this time. :) Also I hope you don't mind the bit of creative license, I interpreted your last post as suggesting Shining Eye exerted itself so much through Third that the connection is burning out... at least for now. If you don't like tell me and I will change!]

Seven Coals continues to back away, approaching the senior Earth monk. Unable to command the archers now contending with Dashu, he maintains his defensive stance and slow, measured steps. But Third, quicker than both monks, finds an opening to strike again before the overpoweringly majestic glow of Coals' anima works its influence around the Earth monk, as well. [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: Your next action is tick 37. Subtract 5 dice if striking Coals, but you won't have to subtract 3 to attack the senior Earth monk until after tick 38.]

Evamae and the Rubies take on the group of Water Monks. Unlike the Earth students they are quicker, slipping into the insects' defenses and tearing at the joints between carapaces with precise, paired dragon claws. One of the Rubies is particularly unlucky, and is harmed severely in the attack. Still adjusting to their opponents' tactics, they retaliate somewhat awkwardly, inflicting shallow damage on the younger monks. [Private to GM: Starting mass combat type rules. Assuming Evamae and Water Monks both have War 4 so they're roughly even. Evamae+Rubies, 1L on Wood Monks, Wood Monks, 2L on Evamae+Rubies.]

Firmament, cool under pressure, hardly even glances at Dena, easily repelling the lash with his bare forearm. "Your words are misinformed. As I know it, the Immaculates of Water District never intended to kill themselves in the Purge," he replies without rising to the taunt. "Nor will we, as protectors of the Inner Temple, simply hand our lives for you to slaughter. A reckless Order cannot Endure." [Private to Tervila Dena: 10 base PDV, so a miss.]

He raises his other hand and catches Danae's weapon against his palm, calmly undistracted by the fragment in his way. Then his hand suddenly twists and clamps hard upon the golden blade, attempting to disable and disarm the weapon. Impeccable Spark proves resistant to the damage, but whether Danae can hold onto her weapon is up to her skill and her wits... [Private to Danae Adela: well, used Weapon Breaking, the successes were only 5, so you need to roll Wits+Melee at diff 5 to keep your weapon.]

---

OOC: actions
tick 37 - Third
tick 38 - Seven Coals (defending), senior Earth monk, Wood monks (east balcony)
tick 41 - Dena
tick 42 - Danae, Dashu
tick 43 - Earth master, Blue Stripes
Water Monks and Evamae+Rubies are focused on fighting one another.
Wood monks (west balcony) retreated.

We're out of sync here a bit so forgive the delay, need Third/Dashu to post so I can get toward bringing in Blue Stripes and winding down.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:45, Sun 02 Aug 2009.

Third's body shakes as it lands heavily, body shaking as it focuses, breathing in once, and out once, and then taking one swift strike outwards, lashing that sword across the chest of the Earth Monk, taking one swift strike against the Earth Monk, not taking chances on being caught without ability to perfectly avoid those strikes again- After Seven Coals makes its way next to the senior Earth Monk, it'll break and join Danae, to draw some of the attack off of her.

OOC: You rolled 3 successes using 13d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((1,5,7,2,3,8,6,2,2,4,3,4,8)). Ah, man, heck with you, dice-roller.

After brandishing his claws, Dashu's anima flares into the now familiar hawk diving at it's prey.  Then Dashu begins cutting.  In a blur of black jade, Dashu's claws lash out at the nearest student, swiping at his face, trying to coral him to the edge of the balcony.  A second time, Dashu swings his nimble claws at the young student.  Finally, Dashu brings his claws to bear in a mighty upper cut trying to force the student off the balcony and make him fall unceremoniously onto the ground below.

[Private to GM:

Activating combo and adding 4 sux to each attack

Peleps Dashu rolled 4 successes using 10d10 with ... rolls of 6,9,7,3,1,4,5,7,5,7. Attack 1.
Peleps Dashu rolled 4 successes using 9d10 with ... rolls of 3,10,6,9,8,2,3,2,3. Attack 2.
Peleps Dashu rolled 1 success using 8d10 with ... rolls of 6,2,2,6,2,2,9,3. Attack 3.

Attack 1: 8 sux
Attack 2: 8 sux
Attack 3: 5 sux
Claw Dmg: 6L
Str: 2

Dodge DV: 8
Parry DV: 3 (7 w/ excellency)

 ]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:32, Mon 03 Aug 2009.

The senior monk easily pushes Third's sword strike aside, the goremaul shoving back with such force that any ordinary weapon might have snapped. Fortunately, Third wields jade, and it does little more than force its arm back uncomfortably. [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: A friendly +1 here though it doesn't really help. However, with Speed 3 you can act again at tick 40. Since I'm intending to end this battle, though, you can instead use that as an extra opportunity to hit the monks as they retreat.]

Standing together now, Seven Coals -- severely wounded as he is -- and the unnamed Earth Immaculate are nigh untouchable. Together, the two of them continue to retreat toward their Master. (OOC: -5 dice to hit the Fire Monk. -3 dice to hit the Earth monk.)

Dashu makes quick work of the student he targets. The young monk-in-training attempts to leap aside, but not even the power of his bracers are enough to keep the Night Caste from pressing the attack. His dragon claws rake across the student's face, cutting open the cheek into three wide ribbons, then slash across the chest, digging through the shoulder and collarbone before partially deflected by his armor. Amidst a spray of blood the uppercut drives through the chest and up toward the chin, and the unfortunate target falls from the balcony with a meaty thud on the ground. [Private to Peleps Dashu: gave you a +1.]

The remaining student gulps, glancing at his instructor, who glares and stands his ground in front of Dashu. Rather than retreat, his body ignites with an anima display like vines spiraling up from his feet, as his limbs and body begins to sway in a sinuous, hypnotic kata. Dashu finds himself oddly transfixed by these motions... [Private to Peleps Dashu: The monk is using a charm to distract you (presumably as part of their imminent retreat; after all, you did just shrug off one of their best concentrated attacks like it was nothing). 8 successes versus your Dodge MDV. You need to stunt to overcome the Charm and act, otherwise you will be inactive and hypnotized.]

Another powerful crash heralds the arrival of the Blue Stripes, as the tunnel is completely demolished behind them. The five giant blue-painted sentinel units assess the situation and move immediately to assist Danae, whom they consider the most at risk, unless otherwise ordered. They cross the compound in wide strides, their footprints leaving visible depressions on the ground, the earth shuddering minutely with their passing.

At the rear end of the compound, Stern Firmament wrenches Danae's weapon from her hand as Dena, still maneuvering around him, looks on. Impeccable Spark falls four yards away, to the side and slightly behind the master monk. "You cannot hope to defeat the Masters of the Inner Temple in at your level of skill," he says gravely. It is not a taunt, for Firmament is not so petty. Simply an assessment.

"Even with your insect allies, your great machines. They may earn you a respite, but not a victory. We will be ready for you, should you choose to pursue this to its logical end. For we fight not for simple pride, but for the preservation of our future and all we have built." Joined by Seven Coals and the other senior monk, Firmament leaves Danae in her weaponless state and starts to withdraw toward the rear doors, where Evamae, the Rubies and Water Monks continue to fight. Seeing their master pulling back, the Water Monks begin to fight defensively, occupying the Rubies with their scythe-like forearms and acid spittle so that the the other monks can move safely toward the doors. One can only guess the interior of the Temple lies beyond them.

---

OOC: As previously mentioned this battle is coming to an end. All of you (except Dashu who has to contend with the hypnosis) can take one action before they retreat completely, if you want. This can be a physical action or a social action. I'll only continue the tick count if I see the majority of you are wanting to stop their retreat.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:48, Tue 04 Aug 2009.

Third stands. As it stands, it will be meaningless to strike- Third knows where its strengths lie. "You know, it doesn't have to be this way. You are Exalted, same as us. You may have forgotten why you are who you are, but we don't have to be killing each other. We could work together, trust each other, without those slave collars that you use to turn us into machines." It moves smoothly, sheathing its sword. "But we'll rise to the occasions you throw against us. If you keep pressing down on us, you'll lose everything you hold dear." An ethereal smile plays across its face. "But then, we each have the freedom to choose what we wish do do. We're Exalted. We make our own fate. But you're not going to be able to win if you constrain yourselves so." It smiles, and waits for them to leave, get out of sight, before it falls backwards smoothly, lying flat on its back, hitting the ground with a rather sad, soft sound. The Solar has not been injured, but the damage done by Eye's energy surging through it leave it drained, to say the least. "That could have gone better. But it could have gone much, much worse." it says softly.

Dashu was momentarily mesmerized by the intertwining vines.  As he felt himself slowly being distracted, a voice in the back of his head told him to focus.  The Nightbringer slowly raised his arms and looked at the black jade that encased his hands.  He focused on the almost endlessly deep blackness it portrayed.  Yet even in that sea of blackness he saw the harmonic adapter Danae forged for him.  In many ways, he wore the symbol of who he was on his hands.   In the endless blackness, there was still light, still hope, still a way to find freedom.  These thoughts calmed his mind and with surge forward he tried to push the images of the hypnotic vines from his mind and focus on the dragon behind them.

[Private to GM:

Trying to stunt and channeling temperance to aid the stunt.

Peleps Dashu rolled 2 successes using 3d10 with ... rolls of 3,7,9. channel Temperance. ]

Seeing Danae lose her weapon, Dena moves to hover nearby, providing cover from ranged attacks so that Danae can safely retrieve the weapon.

Dashu does manage to fight off the hypnotic effect, focusing on his identity and purpose, refusing to be distsracted. What happens from there depends on whether he will pursue the monk and student now retreating from the balcony, or allows them to go.

"If it were possible we could work together, if the Anathema were not truly destroyers, we would never have had to flee in the first place. There would never have been a need for our Dynasty to be." Firmament does not take the opportunity to strike at Danae or Dena, protecting her. Neither does the Fire and Earth monk accompanying him, Seven Coals' burning aura leaping with renewed intensity as the master monk comes within range of its protection.

Evamae and the Rubies hesitate to pursue the Water Monks that (after trading several more blows, neither side showing a significant advantage) fall back to the rear compound doors, following their superiors. "Creators, I assume we are standing down?" The Blue Stripes continue on though, until they join Dena in flanking Danae, awaiting their next commands now that the monks are not immediately threatening their master.

All in all, before routing the Garrison monks, the Celestials managed to take out 2 Earth monks, 7 Earth students, 1 Wood student. Their equipment is available for the taking, and a rest period may be used to regain motes and secure the area before moving on.

Weapons:
1 perfect longbow
4 white jade goremauls
1 white jade grand goremaul

Armor:
7 exceptional earth-enchanted breastplates
1 green jade breastplate
2 white jade reinforced breastplates

Misc:
1 white jade hearthstone amulet w/unknown hearthstone
4 stone-hand gloves (minor artifact, enhances unarmed MA)
2 jade hearthstone bracers (white w/unknown hearthstone, green w/empty socket)

Danae paused for a moment, then nodded, collecting Impeccable Spark, and sheathing the blade once more.  "Stand down, we've won our way in, there's no sense pushing the battle to exhaustion if they're going to retreat..."  She put up a moderately strong front as the Terrestrials continued to back out, but once they had fully withdrawn, she fell back a bit to slump against one of the columns.

"Okay, I guess that ultimately worked out well, we've bypassed most of their garrison, and bloodied their better fighters...  Of course, I'm almost out of essence, and I'm feeling 'Very' lightheaded right now.  I won't be good for another pitched fight like that without at least a little bit of time to rest...  And they did get one decent hit in--I should be fine for weaker foes..."  She winced as one of teh cracked ribs decided to protest that statement.  "---But yeah...  Unless someone here has high speed medical magics, I'm going to have to take it a bit easier from here on out."

Dashu decides to stand down, letting the monks retreat.  He didn't like them or anything they stood for, but he wasn't a particularly bloodthirsty person.  He killed out of necessity.  Picking off a few monks when they were running away held no appeal for him.  He nimbly lept down from the balcony with a double front flip and then made his way over to Danae and Dena.  "We could all use a little rest."

"Yes, please wait a moment, Princess." Dena answers Evamae.  "If you could, please communicate with the Ruby Army and see what's happening in the out temple."

While Evamae is doing that, Dena turns to the others.  "I have a few reserves still, but not enough for another lengthy battle." she admits, sinking to the floor and resting her wings a moment.  "However I'm not sure a lengthy rest is called for, I know I also depleted the reserves of the monks I fought, if we wait they will also have time to recharge, rearm, and prepare themselves.  They may even call up reinforcements from the Fire District."

Third ponders a moment. "Dena is right to worry about the potential for them to recharge. However, we have inflicted rather more significant damage to them, than they have to us. If we merely take the time to rest until we have fully respired, then it should not affect our ultimate goal too badly. Perhaps we may want to find a more hidden place to do it, but nonetheless." Third's mind wanders across the lessons of this battle smoothly, thinking to itself of what has been learned...

"I can remove the gate from it's hinges, or simply jam that one at the other end if anybody feels it's needed." Dena suggests.  "How did you fare outside Third?  Are there any monks or students there left?"

"Third is afraid there are likely a number of monks still there. Third did not inflict heavy casualties." Third speaks softly, as it slowly sits up, pushing itself through that strong desire to lay down and sleep, and let its body repair itself. Its speech patterns have become somewhat broken again- A side-effect of the momentary exhaustion forced by Shining Eye's channeling. "Third apologizes. Third and you may need to move on to find a safe place to hide before continuing the push up the center." It looks towards the two. "Are you... in need of some comfort? Third is not specialized, but Third can still offer some level of relief through medical ability." the Solar isn't terribly experienced with Compassion, but it's doing its best to show it to the two who seem to have had a rough fight.

Evamae, after calming the Ruby Guardians in her direct command, bows her head to Dena's suggestion. "Of course. I can attempt to discover their progress."

She is quiet for a time, communing in her own way through the insect hive-mind, and what the sensations of the earth beneath may tell of the passing of her brethren. When the Hive Princess moves again, she awaits the next opportunity to speak, not inclined to interrupt the discussions of the Creators.

When the chance arises, Evamae says, "They are successful, though they have incurred some casualties. They are still over one-hundred strong. They are moving into the temple itself... however... it is difficult for me to sense more than that, through the ancient metal." Another pause, her antennae shifting listlessly. "It seems a good amount of the monks have retreated, even from the Western Shrine. if they are not waiting inside the bottom floor, then I would assume they are fleeing upward."

"I also agree we should rest for a time. They may well gather stronger warriors like the one called Stern Firmament in the meantime. But all the same we will also be more prepared. Shall I have the Army attempt to breach the Temple from the West?"

[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: Just to refresh your memory about the outer compound... You remember something like 20-25 students (they were fighting completely unarmed, so they may not even be Exalted, just mortal students), a senior Water monk (Seven Coals' twin), 6-8 Wood monks (you aren't sure which are students or not, but you are reasonably sure the two that shot at you while you were running probably depleted themselves a great deal), and a heavily wounded Earth monk (one of the two guarding the gate that managed to survive getting WHACKED by a Blue Stripe.)]

"I'll be using the pain for power once combat starts again." Dena objects as Third suggests healing.  "If anything I was contemplating asking one of you to beat me so I could get power back faster.  But I think it might be too creepy as well.  I'm. . . uncertain where to take this martial art I learned from the Stone of Pain.  It's served me well but it feels foreign to my essence as well.  Perhaps I could have done better in this battle if I instead used a more Lunar method of combat, and used claws and teeth instead of this weapon." she suggests, examining the carved jade handle of the essence lash.

Dena listens to Evamae and considers the tactical situation a moment.  "I think continuing to put pressure on them with the Rubies is a good idea.  If they keep up the assault the Terrestrials won't have time to rest as we are."

"To echo Third, we merely drew out the other monks on the outside to make your job easier in here.  Rest would be good.  I think my bruises will heal well enough to where you don't need to worry about them though, Third.  Do me a favor though.  Next time I want to swan dive off a building, remind me not to."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:38, Fri 07 Aug 2009.

Evamae nods, and again goes silent briefly as the command is sent. Ideally, the insects' advance should clear the way for them to enter the Inner Temple safely.

So far it does not seem any of the outside forces are attempting to break in. On the other hand, they must know very well where they are.

In any case the only real choices are to rest where they are (the Blue Stripes need no rest yet, so can easily stand guard, block the gates, etc), or try to find a place inside the temple to rest. Should any of the Exalts wish to explore the temple, though, they will need to deal with the doors leading further in, which the monks have locked and barricaded. Again the sentinels, or perhaps the insects can help with this.

Third nods, looking around. "If we move in, we are no longer a known quantity. We can also reduce the avenues of attack on us. Third suggests we move in." For the moment, it remains terse, and moves to one of the doors, studying them, breathing in. Trying to search its memories for any rooms they can go to nearby that will offer them some level of sanctuary.

OOC: I'm all in favor of us seeing if we can end up meeting the other group before we rest, it'll lower everyone's odds of wanting to fight IC. ;)

"We should probably gather up this jade before we go, and send it back as we did the Power Armor." Dena suggests, picking up a pair of hearthstone bracers.  She unlatches one so that the severed arm inside falls to the ground with a meaty splat.  She eyes the hearthstone inside a moment.  "And when this is over let's make a note to find all the manses on this level and attune them to ourselves, that should get enough essence flowing that we won't have to worry about running out so easily."

The group decides to move in sooner than later, and rest fully once inside. Nonetheless, it does still take some time for the Blue Stripes and Rubies to coordinate some method to bypass the doors. They are fortunately not as difficult to surmount, mostly due to the fact the Garrison was erected specifically to guard them. Other entrances have other means, Evamae explains; the eastern side is protected by labyrinthine passages and an Essence locked door.

Mentioning this aids Third's meditative reminiscence. Remembering the three-dimensional map the Hive Queen had made, and corroborating with its Akashic memories, it decides that the best place to go within the Inner Temple would be the areas where the monks live and sleep within Floor B25. (After all, at this point, most monks have either withdrawn/retreated, or would be at the moment fighting the Rubies toward the West.) It recalls that there would be barracks within the temple, and quite likely within the eastern Temple, due to the fact that an Immaculate run hospital is the front for the eastern entrance.

There is a chance that the retreating monks may have fled toward the hospital, but on the other hand... fewer fighting monks would be stationed there. Besides the fact the hospital actually lies outside the Inner Temple itself. So, eastern barracks inside the Temple is a viable choice. (We will assume Third conveys all this to save time.)

Some time is spent gathering the Jade equipment left lying around while a mix of HAS brute force and insect ingenuity brings down one of the two rear doors. Later on it can be sent away with some of the Rubies inside.

---

OOC: Ok, I just want to know now, will you have a scout (i.e. Dashu) go first inside via Third's directions, or will all of you go (+rubies and HAS), or just some of you? Just need to know how you'll arrange yourselves for entry, and any last requests. You'll get to rest 2 hours minimum, you can mark off the regained Essence for 2 hours right away as I'm not going to jump you with another encounter without at least that minimum. :)

"I believe it would be wisest to stick to the same order we began this journey on." Dena suggests.  "Dashu ahead at some distance to scout, myself in the lead of the second group as I am best suited to survive an ambush, Danae rearmost to protect from followers."

"That'll work" Danae agrees, getting up and stretching out a bit.  "At any rate though, at the very least, we'll need to see about finding some way to get an edge once we're inside.  I'd 'Really' dislike the idea of having to fight a large number of guys on Firmament's level."

Hopefully, there would be enough time for her to recover some of her strength before another pitched battle wound up occuring as well--another pitched fight like the last one could quickly exhaust what reserves she had left.

After he was done resting Dashu got on his feet and made ready to set out when he received the word.  "Guess I'll get prepped and begin scouting unless there's something else we need to talk about before I go."

"Distasteful though the idea is, we will have to abandon our pride and adopt group tactics, as the Dragonblooded do against us." Dena answers Danae.  "A swarm can usually succeed where a single wasp cannot."
Noting that she's stopped bleeding, Dena gets up and heads through the doorway.

The Celestials depart the inner compound with Dashu as lookout, Dena with Evamae and the Rubies after some distance. Third and Danae walk in the middle, with the Blue Stripes taking the rear. The door is replaced, though loosely, standing upright to cover the hole and wedged there.

One could only hope that with the fallen monks' bodies as a warning, any potential followers would think twice.

(Continue in Floor B25 - District of Earth, Inner Temple Level 1)