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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

OOC: post defenses first, if applicable.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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