"Wow, you're stupider than you look." Dena comments mildly.  "I guess you're not really worthy to fight me.  I can fly, in case you didn't notice.  And I've carried trunks filled with bricks more than once on build sites.  I can probably carry that Warstrider if I have to. How hard do you think it will be for me to fly the other Anathema up the elevator shaft?  Heck, I'd be willing to bet we could dig right through the floor if we had to.  Your people are the only ones who will die here." Dena smiles.  It's rather horrible looking given the array of spikes and mandibles growing out of her face at this point.

"H..heh..." Misa props herself up weakly by one arm, her beautiful face twisted in pain. "The commoners are a small sacrifice... to ensure your destruction. You may call it an ulterior motive. But it is simply... two birds with one stone..."

She half laughs, half coughs, a crimson trickle issuing from her lips, but for a last prideful moment her voice gains strength. "Will you kill me now, knowing that we would not save the mutants, the cripples and unworthy rabble that live in this block? They are impure and wretched, the mere leftovers of our striving for perfection!!" Her blue eyes blaze as she utters this, the force of her anima blasting anyone back who might come near. [Private to Peleps Dashu: Dashu is certain she is telling the truth, that the 'purge' has a dual purpose.]

The Water Aspect glares balefully at Dena. "Laugh if you want... the shaft does not lead to your salvation." One hand still grips her serpent staff while the other strains stubbornly to widen the gap between her neck and the chain around it. She pushes Essence into the attempt, her anima manifesting in azure ropes of water slithering across her body. "And these floors have stood the wear of centuries; they will not fail even for you, Anathema!" [Private to Tervila Dena: She's at -4 wounds but still pushed motes into her opposed clinch roll. Got 7 sux. So to keep the clinch you'll have to roll to beat that. Or you could just lose the clinch on purpose and strike normally, if Dena's just that determined to finish her prey.]

Danae, meanwhile, rushes to the panel now vacated as the Water Aspect continues to hang in the air. Deftly she examines the array of symbols on the touch pad. The sequence entered so far is only a partial one, and the elevator AI apparently requires an additional input. Fortunately for Danae, it means Water Aspect has done the job of authorization, but she must still proceed carefully, so as not to lock herself out of the system before the elevator lockdown can be reversed... [Private to Danae Adela: You figured out what to do, now you need to actually *do* it. Roll Wits+Lore.]

The Wood Aspect does not merely stand and wait. Backed into a corner and drained of Essence, he curses and readies an arrow, if only to defend Misa.

While the others confront the three remaining Dragon-blooded, Reva simply ignores them, moving toward Slivari. It seems the sisters only care for each other's fate now, which is understandable -- the others can only guess at how long it has been since they've seen each other. (They are now separating from the group.)

---

OOC: We're basically exiting combat time now. Though combat can still occur, I'll just arbitrarily decide turn order and duration rather than keep track of ticks at this point, since Danae needs more extended time to finish what she's doing.

Others can 1) finish off DBs (they don't have much strength at all to keep opposing you), 2) finish conversations, 3) collect loot: a red jade daiklave, a white jade goremaul, two suits of Armor of Water Inurement, and potentially a jade noble warstrider with twin hookswords, which could be used to carry the magical materials Danae gathered previously (and you'll want those, they're your best bet to get superior equipment that's not jade.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:55, Fri 05 Dec 2008.

Xurizu moves up to Dashu and the sorceress, letting the others deal with the other dragonblooded for the moment.  He wants to ask the sorceress some questions.  "You're a sorceress," he says softly.  "How much do you know about about anathema sorcerers?  How much do you know about the woman with red hair?" he drops his voice lower.  He doesn't expect her to answer him truthfully, but he hopes he can hear something in what she does say and perhaps in what she hesitates over.

Dena tries to bash the water aspect against the wall, but she slips through the chain before impact and slithers to the ground while the chain pulls divots from the walls.
"Yes." she answers dryly, "Surely this elevator shaft, which you abandoned a fight to flee to, that you've tried to disable so we can't use it, will lead to our deaths."

"And.... Got it"  Danae muttered, punching in the last few commands, and bringing the elevator up to the present level.  "Alright ladies and gentlemen..."  She begins, before staggering for a moment and shaking her head.  "Pleasure to meet with all of you...  But I'd rather stop this purge if at all possible--the people of these levels shouldn't be held responsible for our escape here--and the controls for it would be at the top of the Water Districts...  I've secured some equipment and such--but..."  She trails off then, and glances to the others.

"Well, there's still a dragon-blooded presence down here... And according to this thing, we've only got ten minutes left to stop this purge--I'm close to tapped out, but I should be good for one more fight--but I don't feel comfortable leaving all of this stuff down here--do we have anyone who might be willing to stand guard until we've stopped this event from happening?  I'll be able to repay you all quite generously for your assistance..."

The Water Aspect picks herself up warily, and resumes her posture with the staff, though it looks visibly painful for her to do so. "If it is death you meet or not depends on the Gatekeeper. That is all."

Misa looks plainly at Xurizu. "I've no reason to tell you anything," she replies laboriously. "But Lady Sienna... would be happy to see you again, Ledaal Xurizu. Her work with your kind... has saved us much effort, and improved our potential... even the sorcery of Sapphire will be no obstacle to us! That is what you represent to us. As you are now -- you are a terrible danger to all we live for. But collared... you are progress."

"T-minus ten minutes until purging commences," announces the Five Coils AI, nearly drowning out the last of Danae's statements. The Wood Aspect looks at Danae with a mix of surprise and scorn, clearly wondering why she is still speaking of her plans while the Dragon-blooded can hear them. "That's right, there is still a Dragon-blooded presence here. The Immaculate chanters and the Peace Force still roam every floor -- with us!"

He points behind the gathered Anathema. Reva and Slivari are nowhere to be seen now, but further down the street... "There they are!" shouts a chorus of voices. Another contingent of Peace Officers in sentinel defense force armor has just turned the corner, carrying shock pikes and power maces. While the remaining group of Solars and Lunars still dally on what they will do, the Water and Wood aspects move toward Misa and lift her up, dragging her toward the elevator!

---

OOC: Sorry to do it this way, but the DBs wouldn't have just sat there patiently in the minute or two it took Danae to finish, and everyone else was just talking. Except for Dashu (who hadn't posted since Misa first replied to him), you have one full action to do something before the new force opens fire. Dashu has two actions. [Private to Tervila Dena: Water DB is just not going to be baited back into her duel, her priorities are different than Dena's.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:15, Sat 06 Dec 2008.

After hearing everything Misa has to say, Dashu decided that it was time to end this, after all, she was too dangerous to leave be.  His anima flared once again as he forward towards her.  Just as her allies stepped into her flaring anima and grabbed her, Dashu dives forward stabbing them both at the same time.  With his claws leveraged in their armor, he flips upside down, disengages his claws and drives them both into the sorcerous.  As his feet come down, he springs forward, driving himself out of the elemental torrent.

OCC:  Sorry. I was waiting for Xurizu to get his answer and to see if it was a true one before I offed her.[Private to GM: Mechanical Breakdown:  activate combo so I can dodge new attackers.  Attack all 3 remaining guys who I haven't killed yet in this order:  Water, Wood, Air.  Add 4 sux to all 3 attacks.]

Dashu bears down on the Water and Wood aspects as they attempt to take their lady to safety. His claws gouge through their armor, and they fall almost simultaneously. "Lady...!" groans the Water Aspect, passing out, and the Wood Aspect barely manages a strangled "gghhhk!" sound before he joins her on the floor. (1L and 2L, they're both at Incap.)

Before the twin claws can pierce Misa's flesh, though, she shouts an incoherent syllable that sounds like a flock of birds singing! Her body instantly separates, morphing into a flock of snow petrels that dodge Dashu's attack so closely he sends pale feathers flying in all directions. But Dashu does not catch them, and they wing above and away from him, flying toward, then beyond the incoming Peace Officers at incredible speed. [Private to Ledaal Xurizu: Again, you could try to figure this one out, if you like. Wits+Occult diff 3. If you make it, you'll know it's Flight of Separation. Misa was saving its use for her final exit out.]

Everyone still has a few moments left to act. Along with the red daiklave and white goremaul, there are now a green jade short powerbow and a black jade serpent-sting staff up for grabs. Right in front of the Celestials, the elevator waits, their path to the upper levels unhindered.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:24, Sun 07 Dec 2008.

Dena sighs deeply and starts rethinking the situation now that she can't carry out her original plan to fight the Water-Aspect.
"I think we shouldn't try to fight anybody else." she finally decides.  "Let's go up the shaft and see this 'Gatekeeper.'  I can carry a lot of weight so I'll haul what I can up.  Can anybody work this jade into something mroe useful?"
Dena picks up the Serpent-Sting Staff and attempts to pick up the Powerbow as well, testing her limits.

OOCE~ So long as the Anima keeps showing, str+athletics total 14.  On the other hand magical materials are heavy so not sure how much Dena can grab.

"I've got magical materials lashed to the warstrider I took in"  Danae explained.  "And I can work with them once things settle down--please get as much as you can before we head up, and I promise I'll make everyone who helps in this manner a weapon or other piece of equipment of their choice!"

Dashu walks over to Dena, gently takes the powerbow from him, and tosses it to Xurizu saying "Here, upgrade."  He then quickly grabs as much of the raw materials as he can and loads it into the elevator.  It isn't as much as Dena is able to move by a long shot but it is still a small help.  "Hey you two.  By the way, I'm Dashu and my friend over there is Xurizu.  Guess that was Reva's sister who she ran off with, so its just the 4 of us now."  He then looks at Danae once the group finds its way to the elevator and says "You mentioned stopping the purge?  The thought hadn't occurred to me because it was beyond my capability but if you can do then crank up the elevator and lets go."

"Oh yes, introductions.  I am Tervila Dena, Full-Moon caste and message-carrier."

This is FAR from the time for introductions.

The coming force is in two ranks of five. The Peace Officers in front march with shock pikes and the back with power maces. "FIRE!!" their commanders scream, opening fire in two distinct volleys as their targets come into range. The shock pikes up front discharge a blast of projected force, while the maces open up at the head to reveal an Essence cannon, belching a concussive blast toward the talking Exalts.

The four look behind them to see a rippling wall of white-hot energy coming at them, and can only hope the elevator doors can shield them in time. [Private to Danae Adela: 8 (power mace), 6 (shock pike) sux, 7 (shock pike) sux.] [Private to Ledaal Xurizu: 8 (power mace), 3 (shock pike) sux.] [Private to Peleps Dashu: 6 (power mace) and 12 (shock pike) sux.] [Private to Tervila Dena: 6 (power mace), 5 (power mace), 4 (shock pike) sux.]

---

OOC: For your defense you can only dodge, or parry with stunt. You also get +2 cover bonus to DV from diving into the elevator. The rest is up to stunt awards, charms and WP. I will also allow virtue channels (but you have to roll the virtue to add to your DV. Sorry Dena, I ruled it wrong last time.) [Private to Ledaal Xurizu: This is basically me punishing the others for standing around talking while this force is coming up behind them. You didn't, so you can get a +4 cover DV rather than a +2.]

Dashu easily ducks behind the wall to avoid the concussive blast of the power maces.  However the shock pikes were in position to be much more dangerous.  Dashu dove into the elevator hoping it would shield some of the blast.  As the wave of force reached him, Dashu pushed off the back wall with all his might and a burst of will with his claws extended forward, and the points coming together making himself as aerodynamic as possible.  With him pushing off the wall, and force blast pushing forward Dashu was able to fully support himself in mid air.  Suddenly Dashu found the resolve to push forward more, causing the wave to actually bend slightly and crash harmlessly behind him.  Since he no longer had the wave to help support him in mid air, Dashu shot forward and barrel rolled along the floor.  Once on his feet he screams to the others, "Time to go, NOW!"

[Private to GM: Breakdown:  dodge, parry w/ +4 to DV, stunt bonus, and use a willpower.   I'm guessing we're back in combat time.]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:45, Sun 07 Dec 2008.

Lady Sienna ... he thought as she spoke.  I know her name, now.

He watched as Dashu struck down the two Drgaonblooded trying to pull her away, and then stared in wonder as she became a flock of birds.  Birds ..., he smiled, catching the powerbow with a "Thanks", then almost dropping it with its unattuned weight catching him off-guard.  He did kept hold of it, though, and was still holding it when he saw the wave of concussive and electrical force hurtling down the corridor towards him, diving into the elevator for cover.  "Agreed!"

"Bad idea to stick around!!" Danae called out then, watching several annoyingly well-aimed bolts of shock pike coming her way--and this time without a giant robot to take most of the damage...

So, naturally, after reaching for her blade--and noticing rather quickly that it wasn't likely to survive the force of the impact--Danae dropped down low, collecting another piece of orichalcum that had fallen off her machine, balancing it on the flat of her sword--then using it's own magical nature to bash the oncoming bolts of shock essence away--even as she bodily hurled herself back into the relative safety of the elevator shaft--smashing aside the second bolt and using it's concussive force to steer her away from a looming pillar.

"Come on!  Let's go!!!" She called back, after checking to make sure her stuff had been put into the ledge as well--before noticing a third shot coming by, forcing her to drop down low and bat the last shot back with a swing, disintegrating the abused orichalcum 'patch'--but letting her weapon survive just that much longer.

Dena watches the incoming fire mildly, actually managing to look as if she's thinking over whether or not to do anything about it.  At the last moment she tosses the serpent staff into the air, sinks her hands up to the elbow in the section of wall next to the elevator, and throws a huge block of stone into the path of oncoming fire.  She sighs as she buzzes into the elevator, relieved to be back on her plan and not dealing with unexpected changes.

[Private to GM: My dodge DV is 6, I don't think any of those attacks can actually hit Dena unless they're unexpected with so few successes, but I'm not sure which roll is which or whether you already subtracted the DV.]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:51, Mon 08 Dec 2008.

The Essence blasts strike the sides and door of the elevator as the four Exalts tumble into it, some blocking the waves of energy with sheer nerve or polished prowess, others simply flinging themselves bodily out of the way. Somewhere in that tangle of limbs working and adrenaline pumping, someone manages to remember to shut the elevator door behind them.

The door absorbs enough discharged Essence that it is scalding hot to the touch. Fortunately, the elevator seems to function perfectly, and Danae punches the button for Floor B26 while the others rest and recollect themselves, clutching whatever equipment they managed to snatch with them. The floor beneath them shudders, then lifts up at a steady pace, propelled not by any gears or pulleys they can see, but by some invisible force.

After over twenty minutes of running for their lives, and fighting off enemies eager for their blood, Dashu, Xurizu, Danae and Dena have earned just a moment of respite. Above them awaits the guardian of the Water District, and whatever obstacles it may manifest in the crucial minutes left before the purge commences.

---

OOC: OK, you all made it. Thanks for indulging me, I hope you didn't feel too endangered. :( At this point you regain Essence+Willpower in motes, plus you get stunt: Dena and Xurizu get +1, and Dashu and Danae get +2. Regain what you wish from that.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:33, Mon 08 Dec 2008.

Discovering that the elevator shaft is far too crowded and tangled with people, Dena drops her warform and shrinks from eight feet tall to just under five before pushing into a corner.
"As I said, although you might not have heard in the sudden attack, I am Tervila Dena, a Full Moon Lunar." she comments quietly.  "We probably need to make a plan for what to do when we reach the next level.  I believe you expressed a wish to prevent the purge, do you have any idea how to do that?  Is there a control system?"

"Greetings, Dena," Xurizu said with bow.  "I am Ledaal Xurizu, a No Moon lunar," he continued, in case she had likewise missed his introduction.

"There appears to be a control system, yes.  We interacted with it earlier," he adds, by way of explanation.  "It seems to be tied to Dragonblooded, however, so we would need some way or other to get around that."

I can think of one way

As the doors slammed shut, Dashu fell against the wall, truly exhausted from the fight and grateful for the opportunity to catch his  breath.  "I'll leave the magitech stuff to you guys.  You're better at it than me."

"Do we need an intact dragonblooded, their essence, or will a a piece of one of them work?" Dena asks with interest, inspecting the device although she doesn't understand it's workings well.

"Damn"  Danae cursed, taking the opportunity to rest while she could.  "I got this working because the target was trying to lock the elevator down, and had just put in their authorization code when I had just gotten this started... I'm pretty sure they've got hair-triggers on these programs...  I might be able to bypass it if I've got time to work and whatnot, but I'll pretty much need to focus entirely on the task at hand to do so"

"Intact, I think. Concious, even." Xurizu confirms.  "I'm ... less sure about the hair triggers, though.  When I tried to use one, it knew who I was, seemed apologetic it couldn't do as I asked.  I don't know if that is because I used them before." Because I have only the faintest memories of ever seeing one.

The floors count off one by one. A pleasant, perfectly enunciated but utterly artificial voice announces each as it passes by.

"B28 - District of Water, Lower Residential, Business."
"B27 - District of Water, Lower Residential, Administrative."
"B26 - District of Water, Control Floor. Offices of the Gatekeeper of Water."

The concave elevator doors yawn open almost as soon as the moving platform shudders to a halt, welcoming the brave (if battered) Exalts to the cold, dimly lit corridors of Floor B26.

---

OOC: End of thread. I'll open new soon. I know you guys are eager posters so I'll try not to make you wait long, but syncing threads is important, too. :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:01, Fri 12 Dec 2008.