Three more?  It was quickly apparent that one of the other three had already chosen a boon, leaving only three left.  Kiana had a sharp eye and a fair knowledge of the crafting arts...but in the end, she had no real passion for artifacts of exotic power or brilliance.  She looked at the horde on the boat, as well as gave a glance to other bits of magitech and whatever else was along the way as a polite gesture, but there was very little that would catch her eyes.  "Thank you very much." she told the jokun with a kind smile, "I am sure my other companions will make use of your liege's generosity."  And she very much hoped they would.  Kiana had little use for material things...her search for power and justice was more metaphysical than anything else. And the few artifacts she did want...well, they were long gone by now, no doubt either destroyed or sold by her mother.

Kiana gave a small wave to the others as she saw them, the motion sending wave of lights into the darker recess of the canyons above.  When she approached them, she gave the sour engineer a slightly amused smile.  "Glad to see you made it in one piece, Kareth.  We were worried."  It was certainly amusing that one of the fire-aspect, a dragon whose children were known for grace and agility, was the first among them to not only fall down the slope, but to almost drown in the process.  Many children of the dragons broke the mold they were supposed to fit inside...some in more interesting ways than others.

He bowed back to the servants of Rakatau, and then gave small bows to the Captain and Tageru.  <brown>"It is nice to see you two as well.  Both of you were very brave to give chase to Kareth so quickly."  Though it wasn't her place to give praise (that usually belonged to Lasuri) she felt obliged to do so just the same.  They had not been separated for very long, really, but it felt like something needed to be said.  They were together quickly, and mostly in due part to their simliar mindset, and the help of the (apparently) telepathic jokun.

Kiana turned her head, sending shortened locks a flutter against her neck, and noticed the group of jokun gathered near the heart, apparently discussing whatever it was they had between them.  She listened carefully, hoping to discern whatever it was they were saying before they approached--for all they knew, it could very well be the Chalice--after all, a chalice was usually a simple or elegant drinking cup.  How large could it be?

Kareth glared at the Earth Princess.  He would have looked more menacing had he looked less like a half-drowned rat.  Finally he managed to sputter out a simple and curt "Thank you."  On seeing the Jokun gathering, Kareth decided to make his way over to them and politely asked the elementals in Old Realm "Pardon, but is the chalise here in the heart chamber?"

The small throng of jokun parts slightly when Kareth and Kiana approach. They appear to be discussing a disturbance deeper within the island. An attack of some sort. "More have fallen further inside," they are saying, still speaking in their natural language. Others make even bleaker revelations: "The whole maze section is corrupted." "It is turning our brothers against us."

When the earth elementals step aside, they reveal the two jokun bodies curled at their feet. They have been ravaged as if by wicked fangs or claws, and their physical forms are not quite dead, rather twitching and shuddering convulsively on the crystalline floor. Sand mixed with what looks to be a dark green venomous substance leaks from their wounds.

Another jokun raises its head at Kareth's question. "The Chalice of the Sea that Marched Against the Flame is in the lower abdomen, lodged in the intestinal labyrinth," it rumbles in a troubled voice.

---

OOC: We can assume someone translates for Zeru, since he's the only one who seems not to know Old Realm.

Also, note, I've been skimming the Infernals book but as there are no set charms for Kimbery (besides the Yozi excellencies) there may be some fun improvisation going on on my part, I hope people can handle that!
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:58, Fri 15 May 2009.

Not long after the grisly revelation, a pulse of green Essence appears near Lasuri, forming into the shape of a green-skinned sprite with floral wings. Jadira's Infallible Messenger speaks with the first mate's voice, conveying her report: "We've reunited with Captains Hirdu and Fairwind. They're arguing right now over the prisoner Hirdu's kept under our noses. That Lintha lieutenant, Kizil. I'm telling you, it's a regular animal house over here."

A pause, and the diminutive messenger lets out a very Jadira-ish sigh before continuing, "Something about using her blood as immunity, and ... Dragons, he's determined to go in after you right now. Las, if you could get Kareth to send back some word of your status, that'd be helpful. If you need me, I'll leave Donnegal at the helm. I may not have a choice, if I'll have to keep Captain Hirdu from doing something crazy." The sprite winks and blows a kiss at Lasuri, then disappears into thin air.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:26, Fri 15 May 2009.

"Well, I'm more than glad to see everyone back on the same track." The Captain says, saluting Kiana and Zeru in turn and stepping in the middle of the reunited group. "Thanks for your help, mates. That's really appreciated." He says to the Jokun, bowing for them slightly.

"Now that we're all back together like a happy familiy, we should try to get things underway and find that chalice - I'm of the mind that it won't be easy in the slightest, though. If Rakatau's helpers say it's actually corrupting them, then we'll have to be doubly careful - we don't know yet what it can do to us. Keep your heads together, people, I think we're going to need it."

Jadira's message brings a smile to Lasuri's lips, and he watches the little apparition vanish before rubbing his head slightly, turning back to Kareth. "Mister Kareth, can you send a message back to Jadira on the Dryad? Tell her to keep Hirdu form coming in here late. If you can fit it in, also tell her to pass long that message to the quarreling captains: 'Captain Lasuri will address the issue of the Lintha prisoner when he returns'." He shakes his head, then smiles a bit at the engineer.

"I swear, we have to be averting crises both on the inside and outside."

Kareth nods and then thinks momentarily, counting his words.  He then channels his essence and speaks out loud conveying the Captains message in as few words as possible and tacking on his own question at the end.  "Keep Hirdu from coming her late.  Lasuri will address prisoner issue upon return.  We're fine.  Explain blood 'immunity'.  Kareth."  After he's sent his message, Kareth looks at the Captain and says, "It won't hurt to know what they're talking about.  Regardless, you did say we need to find the chalice.  It's apparently in the intestines.  I'm ready to depart from here when the rest of you are."

[Private to GM: Spending 4 motes to get the message to Jadira.  That should be sufficient.]
This message was last edited by the player at 23:51, Fri 15 May 2009.

Jadira's response does not come immediately. Kareth would know that her messenger takes more Essence to power than his Wind-Carried Words, so it is most likely she is going to make another report when she has more information to give.

Hopefully soon enough for it to matter.

In the meantime the group may as well move forward. The jokun appear quite troubled; one of the two sprawled on the floor has already perished, dissolving into a pile of fine mica flecks. One can only hope that is how these elementals usually die because a human body dissolving into sand seems very, very unpleasant. So does the poison that still wracks the body of the other one.

Another wounded pair of the large, lizard-humanoid shaped elementals rushes from the tunnel leading stomach-ward carrying one of their mangled allies. This one has lost both an arm and a leg; more of the wretched dark green substance sizzles from the stumps. All three look completely drenched, as if they'd been soaked in deep water.

"We can still fight," one of the two that just arrived utters gravely. "Guests of the Great One, the way lies ahead. We will pass the abdomen treasuries into the intestine maze." Depositing the twitching body of their ally, the pair arm themselves with hammers, as do several others still gathered in the heart chamber. They are prepared to lead onward, and defend their brothers and host to the end.

"The chalice itself must be removed. But we have not the expertise to understand this vile creation."

Zeru sees the jokun arming themselves. "They're still good guys right?" He mutters quietly to those around him. One hand toys with the jade ball at one end of his chain, the other rests lightly in his jacket pocket. Inside his hand brush's the ruby, which he almost forgot he had. He pulls it out once more, then notices that it fits in the slot on his bracers. He carefully inserts the gem into the hearthstone slot.

The melting to sand thing was particularly disturbing. Zeru's eyes widen, although he has the constitution to keep his lunch where it lay. Somehow vomiting in someone else's intestines just seems rude, and recursive.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:47, Sat 16 May 2009.

Kiana found the dying Jokun unsettling, and frowned deeply at seeing it die so.  These creatures were just gentle guardians, they didn't deserve such an awful death.  Were there a corpse left, one easily got the impression that she would have said a few words, or perhaps have closed their still-open eyes, but as there was naught left but sand, there was very little to say.  It had simply returned to whence it came.

As the others came into the chamber, however, there was more of a commotion.  This green liquid that was practically eating away at them was probably the primary problem for their warriors.  And given that Kiana was practically of the same element, the thought disturbed her.  She bent down, laying a soft hand against the forehead of the guardian while observing the nasty acid-like substance that was eating away at it.  Was was this horrible stuff?  And why was it hurting them so?

[Private to Storyteller: I dunno what to Roll for her to know what this junk is...Percpetion and Meds, maybe?  Or Occult?  =P]

Kareth studies the green liquid and quickly comes to a conclusion.  "Captain, it would appear I was wrong.  The liquid appears to be vitriol.  It's essentially the only element in demon realm and used as a catalyst in all of the crafting.  It is highly corrosive much like an acid.  What ever is in there has a strong connection to the demon realm and most probably either Kimberly or Malfeas.  We should use extreme cation from here on in."


[Private to GM:
13:05, Today: Isole Kareth rolled 7 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,2,10,9,10,1,9,7. Recognizing demon snot.

Not sure what else 7 sux gets me.]

"Good job, Mister Kareth. I'd like to say that's good news as well but well... We work with what we're given, I suppose." The Captain frowns deeply at the dying Jokun, uttering a few words beneath his breath as the creature dissolves before their very eyes. "Poor fellow." He says, quieter than usual.

"If that's really what you think it is, Mister Kareth, then that might answer a few questions for us. Namely, why the Lintha are supposed to be able to do something with it - if it's of demonic descent, then that'd be right up their alley. Which also confirms that we shouldn't let them have this thing. No telling what kind of sick powers they will get out of it."

He scans the faces around him then, and there is clear concern showing on his features. "The one question I have now is... What will that stuff do to us? No matter what, we've got to be extra cautious with that thing. Everyone stay in sight of one another, and don't do anything reckless... It's not a regular expedition we're facing here."

Kareth is certain of his conjecture, that the vile green substance is a form of vitriol, or Theien To, the element of the demon realm. It was originally meant to be a transcendent acid. Denied this by Gaia, it has instead been infused with the Yozis' hate, and eats away at any substance of Creation it encounters. It is not itself a substance so much as a catalyst, distilled from its raw form into formulas highly sought by alchemists, used to dissolve strong substances, even to corrupt the Five Magical Materials.

[Private to Isole Kareth: ok... having read various samples of Infernal artifacts, descriptions of metody and vitriol, here's what you know the acid can do from an OOC perspective.

Against non-magical materials, it ignores an object's soak or hardness. So non-magical items can pretty much be utterly destroyed by it. With every hit a mundane weapon takes from an attack treated with vitriol, it loses 2 damage. Mundane armor loses -2L/2B per hit.

Weapons/attacks treated with vitriol add +2L damage and ignore half hardness. Certain attacks may even increase damage further due to vapors or seepage, making the +2L completely unsoakable and ignoring hardness. (Basically, the difference between a caustic or an acid rime weapon.) Getting fully drenched in the stuff is like an acid bath (Dam 5L/action, Trauma 5). Depending on circumstances, it may even do Aggravated damage; I've written that the elementals take Aggravated due to vitriol being something of an 'element that shouldn't be' in Creation.]

Kiana examines the second still-suffering jokun. She can at least confirm for herself that the substance is likely demon-related, though she knows nothing more than that of its origins. What she does know is that the substance is more corrosive than acidic, eating away at the substance of the elemental with alarming ease. It would do the same to any organic substance, for certain, if it could melt stone -- though she is loath to see that tested.

Fortunately, a single application of vitriol can only do a finite amount of damage, as once it has fused with and dissolved as much substance as its volume, it is no longer active or dangerous. Nonetheless, the damage already done to the jokun is clearly agonizing (for them, it is Aggravated damage).

---

OOC: Ok... tomorrow night you'll all head to the next area!

Tageru looks in disgust at the vile substance, and his heart and eyes fill with sadness for the poor, wounded Jokun. "The corruption of Kimbery must be destroyed here!" he says angrily, and clenches his fists. "Let us go, friends, there's not a moment to lose! I feel filthy just by being near this source of corruption, I dare not imagine what our host feels like."
There is a lot of anger and outrage in the monk's voice, and his eyes glow with a furious green light.

Once the Alliance members feel ready to move on, a group of six jokun form up to accompany them into the stomach treasuries.

The 'stomach' itself is not a true stomach, unlike the heart which is most definitely the power center of Rakatau. Nothing gets digested here, nor expelled from the body as waste. Rather, the vast, multi-tiered chamber the Exalts step into is the largest collection chamber of all in the island behemoth's body.

This room, like the very first where Kareth had his unfortunate fall, is also partially submerged. However, rather than being a single, unbroken body of water, protrusions of earth breaking the surface of the water form miniature islands within the greater island's stomach. (Recursion strikes again!) Upon these smaller land masses, artifacts of all varieties have been placed in haphazard piles, along with heaps of gems and precious metals formed into bars or jewelry, perfect and enchanted mundane items, even raw magic materials -- mostly jade, and particularly black jade.

One gets the idea the piles are temporary, as the jokun toiling in the main collection chamber move from island to island in their rowboats, choosing particular artifacts out of the pile by some protocol of organization known only to them. They bring this bounty and place it ashore, divide it up further and move them up via earthen ramps to the higher tier chambers, moving through innumerable tunnels above the water level. It looks like tough work -- work that, likely, the island goes through internally every time it rises above sea level -- but the elementals certainly do not complain.

There are not only jokun here, either. Working in tandem from the underwater reaches of the pool are at least a dozen gorgeous female figures with blue-green tinged skin, like the surface of the ocean. They dive to fetch items from far below, and bring them up to the islands. A few of them notice the Dragon-bloods come in, and turn to wave, winking and blowing kisses at the men. Nonetheless, it seems the beautiful water women are willingly helping with labor and do not let themselves get distracted for long.

The demeanor in the stomach cavern is unceasingly industrious, but with a sorrowful undertone, as the jokun hum dirges for their fallen in rhythm to their work. Now and then, rather gruesomely, a boat floats in with the body of a jokun, some twitching and injured, others still. The women shudder and cry, and dive all the faster, staying underwater more often than not.

---

OOC: A single success on Int+Lore or Occult would let you know the water women are nymphs, as it would be common knowledge to a seafaring group. 2+ successes would make you realize it's very unusual they are helping so willingly[Private to GM: ; they must have a very attractive deal to remain in Rakatau's stomach and submit willingly to labor rather than seek their usual sensual pleasures].
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:04, Tue 19 May 2009.

While waiting for the jokun to set up boats for them to cross to the intestinal maze, Kiana sees a very familiar and attractive white jade breastplate jutting from a pile of lesser treasures. Her heart all but skips a beat as the very sight of it recalls strong and powerful memories of her beloved father, Kiando. Unfortunately, the chest armor is currently sitting on an island toward the center of the body of water.

Tageru, keeping his eye out for items that could aid the party, sees a rectangular green jade case on a nearby bank similar to one he has seen in the hands of a Wood Immaculate superior in the Realm. Very much unlike that case, though, it is marked on the cover with an orichalcum symbol he knows signifies an Anathema of the Twilight Caste. Kareth, coming from Lookshy, recognizes this wonder as a Resplendent Satchel of Healing, but the few his home country possessed had a glyph of Sextes Jylis on it instead.

Stepping cautiously forward, the Captain's attention is first caught by the nymphs, and he sends a skeptical glance to the others as he sees them actually working and helping with physical tasks. Of course, Lasuri is not an encyclopedic knowledge base of magical and mythic creatures. However, through the muddy, opaque depths that are the sum of his Occult learnings, he does clearly recall nymphs to be rather indolent and hedonistic in nature - certainly not the type of being one would expect to be working industriously within the stomach of an Earth Elemental.

"That's not normal, is it?" He asks aloud, speaking to the assembled group but turning towards Kareth - after all, the artificer usually has answers for occult questions such as these.

The dirge does affect the captain, however, and he does take a moment to pause as he watches the Jokun, and puts a fist over his heart, as a silent salute to the stone creatures and their fallen. Lasuri shakes his head softly then, speaking merely above a murmur. "I feel bad for the poor guys." He says, the mood hanging in the room clearly affecting him. "Let's make sure to get rid of that wretched thing that kills them so they can live in peace again."

"No, Captain.  It's not normal at all," the articer responds to the captain.  He then turns to the Jokun and asks "These Nymphs, are they always so... helpful or is this a by product from the Chalise?"  It was obvious that Kareth was still not over his paranoia.

"Aye!", Tageru adds "But, let me just take something first, if you don't mind. I would like to take an Artifact, one of the five we're allowed to take. It will help me be of use in more than just battle. With it, I will be able to heal our wounded, and even repair the most grievous of wounds." He points to the small jade box, the one with the Orichalcum insignia. "I believe I can make this a most useful addition to our supplies, if it is what I think it is."
The monk walks over to the case, lifts it up, and inspects its' surface before opening the box. 'Could it be that the Anathema would make a thing of healing like this?', he asks himself. 'I know one who would, but...' He stares at the thing in confusion, and tries to make sure it is what he thinks it is.

"I believe you're right, Master Tageru.  It does appear to be a Resplendent Satchel of Healing.  As for whether or not the Anathema would make things of healing, they made a great many things.  Furthermore, it's my understanding that they wouldn't have particularly needed it for themselves except to expedite what they could do naturally.  Take that for what you will, but that's a question for another day.  I'm ready to be done with this task."

Three boats are prepared to cross the water, each with two jokun rowers. Speaking once more in Old Realm, one of them explains, "The intestine maze is partially submerged as well, though the part the chalice is lodged in is not in the water. The area immediately around the chalice is corrupted, though; none of us jokun can get near without going mad or becoming deeply injured by infernal energies."

"We are not certain, but we think we are too purely elemental to put up enough of a resistance. The demon-kind oppose our very nature. You may have a better chance than us -- and we will do our best to aid you indirectly. Please equip yourselves for battle. You may still choose an item for yourself, Princess of Earth," the earth elemental says respectfully to Kiana, bowing to her. The nearby jokun bow as well; they seem quite fond of the young woman.

As Kareth and Tageru examine the jade and orichalcum box [Private to Cynis Tageru: you can assume you confirm it is a Satchel of Healing as Kareth says], a trio of nymphs emerge to the surface. One of them is exceptionally beautiful, her dramatically long, wavy hair the color of seaweed, and her head crowned with a tiara of perfect water cradling a deep blue sapphire. Flanked by two nymph guardians wielding glaives of unmelting ice, she steps upon the surface of the water as easily as if it were stone, and walks daintily toward shore.

"Who among you is known as the Sea Drake, the Captain of the Cobalt Alliance?" speaks the crowned nymph (in Seatongue), smiling invitingly as she trails her fingers through her lustrous hair. "I am Sylpheel, Queen of the Nymphs of Nevermoor. You do not have much time, but I would speak briefly before you go."

---

OOC: The nymph leader rolled an incredible amount of successes to make a good impression, 11 total, and she's App 6. So, unless you're enough of a skeptic to resist (with DV or willpower) you're pretty much convinced she's trustworthy, and the most beautiful woman you've ever laid eyes on. Also note she did not use any deception. She just... looks very impressive and likable.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:08, Wed 20 May 2009.

The Captain nods at the exchange between Kareth and Tageru, smiling at the explanation the monk gives. "Well, you certainly won't hear any complaints from me. That does seem like a mighty useful thing to have around, having more mojo to patch the crew up when they're down is something I'll never refuse."

He nods encouragingly to the monk, as if to give him the consent he seemed to have been asking for. "Go right ahead, Mister Tageru. Take it, and keep that thing safe."

The Captain's attention is then taken by the nymphs and in particular the one that seems to hold a role of importance within this group. For a moment, Lasuri looks at her, visibly impressed by the majesty of her presence. Not because she is necessarily an alluring, seductive siren to him, but because she is a creature of the sea, and because the very aura she displays cannot help but impress him. Even without a word, Lasuri can feel a certain kinship to her, and immediately has a favorable image of the nymph.

"That would be me." He says, taking a rather understated step as he looks to the crowned nymph. "I'm the Sea Drake. Pleased to meet you, Queen Sylpheel." He says, inclining gracefully before looking at her again. He believes he can trust the lady, but still, Lasuri does not simply abandon all of his caution. He maintains a safe distance from the majestic queen, and looks towards her again.

"What can I do for you, Queen? And why would you call for me personally?"

Kareth is stricken with the woman's beauty, but finds that this whole situation is just too weird for him to accept.  And so like a blacksmith hammering an unsatisfactory lump of metal into scrap, Kareth puts down any idea that this Nymph is being anything less than selfish or corrupted.  Something was wrong.

OCC:  Yeah, Kareth would be the skeptic.

[Private to GM: Spends the willpower to put down the social attack.]

Could it be?  Kiana had refused to let herself have the hope of reuniting her Father's armor, but it seemed that she might have well found a vital piece of the armor in the most unlikely of places.  How would the great Rakatau have found Kiando's armor?  Was all of it down here?  And, for that matter, was that really what she was seeing?  Or was she simply seeing things?

Rubbing her eyes just to make sure, the gesture was almost comical as she gently nodded to the Jokun who addressed her.  She was sure they were so fond of her due to her elemental nature, but that was almost to be expected.  She was innately fond of them too because of the same reason, especially since they had shown her and her companions nothing but kindness since their arrival.  Where Kareth might have seen that as an ill-omen, Kiana saw it as fate being kind--what were the odds of an Earth Elemental being on a pirate ship?

She returned the bow to the Jokun, and pointed a meek finger at the white-jade breastplate that had caught her eye before.  "I believe that breastplate belonged to my father, Noble Guardians.  I don't know how it found a home within the Seven-Day Isle, but I would greatly honored if you would allow me to reclaim it."  She said softly, looking at the breastplate like a thirsty man may well look at an oasis.

She returned the nymphs waves with a small one of her own, though she was pretty sure they were simply flirting with the three men of the crew.  Which, honestly, was fair enough, given the reputation of sailors, and of nymphs, for that matter.  Still, Kiana was just as taken aback as the others at the Queen's beauty, though thanks to her past she was no so quick to instantly trust the creature--though Kiana didn't think the woman meant any harm innately, her past experiences still gave her reason to be cautious, though not nearly as skeptical as Kareth.  To that end, she bowed when the woman addressed herself as a Queen, though remained quiet for the most part, as she had requested an audience with the Captain.

Tageru doesn't notice the Nymphs' arrival at first, looking at the box, going along its' edges with his fingers, as if trying to solve a puzzle. As the captain speaks to them, he starts to notice the newcomers, but doesn't say anything. It is not proper for humans and spirits to mingle...sexually, and that thought settles it for Tageru. Whatever else he is now, he is still a monk, at least in his own heart.
[Private to Storyteller: If you need my MDV, I hope this counts as both a stunt and it going against my Intimacy and high Temperance. :) If that's not enough, Tageru would spend WP not to drool at the nymphs or stare at them :D]

Zeru is Dumbfounded at the Beauty of the Nymph. He is taken by her charms, and convinced of her trustworthiness. On another level her beauty serves to remind him of the loves he has waiting on board the Marlena, the ship herself would no doubt scold him for being taken by the charms of the nymph, and Cinna whom he loved dearly.

These thoughts kept him from throwing himself at the Queen's feet, but that was about all that it did. Her beauty struck him mute, and the normally chatty Zeru found himself at a loss for words.

(OOC I have pretty good MDV, and I succumbed. How did everyone else manage to stave off 11 successes?)