"Then let this oath be sanctified by the Unconquered Sun!" Veldygar stated. His caste mark blazed, strands of power radiating around him to coalesce into swirling Old Realm symbols. In a final blaze of light, the symbols vanished, leaving only the Gatekeeper and the Crowned Sun standing, the latter still aglow with power.

"Now that these matters are settled," Veldygar said, "may we begin to prepare our mission?" He left unspoken the assumption that the fewer people knew the details of their expedition, the safer he would feel.

[OOC:11:56, Today: Veldygar Arhandor rolled 1 success using 6d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,3,6,1,1,2. Per+Socialize.

The dice roller is hating me these days.]

Once the oath is completed, the Gatekeeper of Water raises its incorporeal hand, a signal for the Celestials to wait.

"DO YOU AGREE NOW?" it asks the gathered mortals. There is another silent hush, as the varying factions glance at each other, and finally -- some grudgingly -- nod. "Send them," says Itzala tersely but emphatically, while Quill clears his throat and concludes eagerly, "Yes, and while they are deployed above, we shall discuss on the future of a Water Republic Council."

"Together," reminds Novenion, glaring from where he stands among the mutants. Others, like Peleps Damija, the Technicians' guildleader and Risen Thunder of the Laborers, just look relieved that their business of training soldiers and repairing the District can continue.

"THE B27 ADMINISTRATION BUILDING SHOULD BE SUITABLE FOR YOUR DISCUSSION," directs the Gatekeeper. "GO THERE NOW. I MUST SPEAK ALONE WITH THE CELESTIALS." Democratic or not, the central core chamber IS still the Gatekeeper's property, and the mortals have some idea of its power. They clear the cavernous chamber, headed downward through the district elevators or stairways that have been opened to them in the wake of the Purge.

Finally the Gatekeeper of Water is alone with Eternal and Veldgyar, and it begins to speak in detail about thir mission. "YOU WILL BE TRANSPORTED UPWARD BY MY OWN POWER. AS YOU LACK UNIVERSAL CLEARANCE, I AM THE ONLY INDIVIDUAL AUTHORIZED TO MOVE YOU TO THE FLOOR ABOVE."

"YOU WILL APPEAR NEAR THE EARTH DISTRICT'S INNER TEMPLE. YOUR ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE IS TO INFILTRATE IT. THE TEMPLE INTERSECTS THE EARTH DISTRICT ALL THE WAY UP TO FLOOR B21 CENTRAL CORE, WHERE YOU WILL NEGOTIATE WITH THE GATEKEEPER OF EARTH ON MY BEHALF. HOWEVER, I MUST WARN YOU: THIS WILL BE A DIFFICULT TASK FOR ONLY TWO OF YOU. ASSESS THE TEMPLE'S DEFENSES AND MANPOWER BEFORE PROCEEDING. IF YOU FIND THE INTERIOR TOO DANGEROUS, SEEK THE OTHER UNCOLLARED CELESTIALS, OR ATTEMPT TO ASCEND THE FLOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE FIRST. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SAY THAT YOUR SURVIVAL IS A PRIORITY." (OOC: edited slightly for clarity)

"ANY LAST QUESTIONS OR REQUESTS?" The holographic cecaelia shifts its energy-orb gaze from the Eclipse to the Day Caste, though its visage remains as expressionless as a mask. "I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOU DIRECTLY ONCE YOU ARE IN THE FLOOR ABOVE. BUT IF YOU HAVE NO FURTHER INQUIRIES YOU HAVE MY LEAVE TO MAKE YOUR PREPARATIONS."
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:26, Sun 26 Apr 2009.

"Questions I have," Veldygar said. "Do you know anything about the other free Celestials? Do they also aim to take on the Earth District? How should we approach the Gatekeeper of Earth? What do you know of its inclination or personality?"

[OOC: If possible, I'd like to summon at least one demon helper before going (if Eternal wants to help me, I'll welcome the help - just slay the demon if it gets out of control ;). There are probably more questions I should ask, but the trouble is I don't know exactly what my character does or doesn't know...]
This message was last edited by the player at 21:45, Sun 26 Apr 2009.

"I CAN TELL YOU OF THOSE THAT PASSED THROUGH HERE," replies the Gatekeeper.

Over a few minutes the Gatekeeper of Water gives Veldygar and Eternal a basic description and Exalt Caste type for the following individuals: Danae Adela, Ledaal Xurizu, Peleps Dashu, Saina Nanaret, Tervila Dena, Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge, and Yaishin Higura. (This basically means you will be able to recognize these PCs as soon as you see them clearly.)

"I HAVE SEEN OTHERS," the intelligence in cecaelia form continues, "BUT THEY WERE UNINTERESTED IN COOPERATION. THOSE I HAVE NAMED AND DESCRIBED ARE STILL AIDING ONE ANOTHER, ACCORDING TO MY REPORTS. THEY ARE IN CONTACT WITH MY ALLY IN EARTH DISTRICT, THE HIVE QUEEN OF AN ANCIENT BUILDER BUG COLONY KNOWN AS IRIX CHILOMENA. THEY INTEND TO LIBERATE THE EARTH DISTRICT, AND YOUR ACTIONS WILL AID THEM IN THIS. THE CELESTIAL CHOSEN WILL KNOW YOU ARE COMING. HOWEVER, GIVEN CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES I CANNOT PINPOINT THEIR EXACT LOCATION. THEREFORE A RENDEZVOUS AT THE INNER TEMPLE IS MOST LIKELY."

"OF ALL THE GATEKEEPERS, THE GATEKEEPER OF EARTH IS THE MOST INDOCTRINATED INTO THE IMMACULATE ORDER. IT HAS BEEN LED TO BELIEVE THAT THE CELESTIAL EXALTED ARE DESTROYERS THAT HAVE BETRAYED THE GATEKEEPERS, THE PEOPLE OF FIVE COILS AND CREATION. YOU WILL NEED TO REMIND IT OF ITS ANCIENT OATHS, AND BIND IT ANEW. IF YOU CANNOT ACCOMPLISH THIS, THE GATEKEEPER MUST BE DESTROYED AND REBUILT TO NEW SPECIFICATIONS. THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS AMONGST THE EXALTED THAT I MENTIONED THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THIS." Despite speaking of the potential eradication of one of its own kind, the Gatekeeper of Water is calm and resolute.

---

OOC: I basically wanted to send you up and have you meet the PCs in the middle of something active rather than have another lengthy meeting. Also to give you a chance to test your abilities while the others work out all the details of their plans.

As for what you know or not, I would just ask if you aren't certain. I have already written out as much Five Coils info as I could that would be common knowledge. Anything that wasn't already written out by me, or written into your backstory, would merit a question.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:51, Tue 28 Apr 2009.

"Very well," Veldygar said. "Do you have any questions, Eternal?" he asked the other Chosen. "When shall we depart? I would like to take the opportunity to summon a magical aide, which will take me one night... If my companion wishes to assist me in the summoning, I will gladly welcome his help. It merely entails the cutting into pieces of the summonee if the binding goes awry."

"None of the Answers I Seek can be answered within these Coils."   Broken Eternal said, looking at Veldygar with dull red eyes.  He turned to look at the gatekeeper, narrowing his eyes a moment at the elemental.  This thing almost sounded as if it were giving orders--and Eternal was done taking orders, from the Dragons, and from anything else.  There was no point in confronting the issue now, however--orders or no, commands or otherwise, they would both be gone soon enough, and after he was away from here, Eternal would have no inclinations to follow this things suggestions--sensible though they may be.  Even Eternal could see the merit in joining other Exalted if they were to over throw the Coils.  That plan involved hiding and killing, so it was plan he could get behind.

With what Veldygar said, Eternal gave a brisk nod.  "I will gladly kill your mistakes."

There is not much left for the Gatekeeper of Water to say. Even it knows that it cannot be certain the Exalts will follow its plans to the letter. Only that the plan had been crafted with both its agenda and the Celestials' survival in mind. If nothing else they will comply simply because their desires lead to the same conclusion -- or so its calculating mind considers.

"YOU MAY USE YOUR QUARTERS FOR YOUR SUMMONING NEEDS," the Gatekeeper concludes. "I WILL ENSURE THE CITIZENS STAY CLEAR OF IT. RETURN TO B26 CENTRAL CORE WHEN YOU ARE READY TO DEPART, THOUGH I WOULD SUGGEST NO MORE THAN A DAY OR TWO'S DELAY."

Reaching Veldygar and Eternal's temporary quarters requires descending from the central core chamber. They have been given their choice of the intact buildings in Floor B27 as their personal space, one of those owned and lived in by the former Dragon-blooded administration of the district. Stripped of most of its wealth and all but basic amenities, it is still spacious enough to have allowed them more than enough privacy -- even from each other. One of the central rooms, used as a banquet or meeting room of some sort, could easily be spacious enough for a demon summoning.

The Gatekeeper of Water has also allowed the two Exalts one last boon: access to some of the gathered equipment from fallen Terrestrials. Should either or both of them wish any of the jade items there they need but ask.

---

OOC: I realized belatedly that it wouldn't make sense for the Gatekeeper NOT to offer some of the jade stuff from the dead DBs. So, I'll allow you each up to two jade artifacts of Artifact 3 or below, but they can only be weapon or armor. Choose artifacts from the corebook or Wonders of the Lost Age (watch those Repair ratings though, don't think either of you are Magitech crafters).

Remember too that you can attune jade without the magical material bonuses, if you want the bonuses you need to attune double motes and succeed at a Wits+Lore roll of diff 3.

Veldygar entered his apartment. A Chosen of the gods seldom knows respite, he reflected.

He gathered the materials required for a summoning ritual. He would summon a tomescu, one of the Clamorous Cloud Arsenals. It would be useful in case they were discovered - capable of fighting numerous enemies, they could hold pursuers off a while.

He moved the furniture and traced the circle inside the common room, preparing censers and other ritual implements.

Determining, through his knowledge of the cycles of the Coils, the time at which dusk was supposed to begin in the outside world, he started incanting, his summon reaching five days back into time, ordering one of the tomescu to abide by the oath of surrender and slavery of its forebears, and cross Cecelyne to come to Creation.

[OOC: Channeling 40 motes into the summoning, reducing its dice pool to 5. Binding it as a Warden.

20:56, Today: Veldygar Arhandor botched using 5d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,4,5,1,1. Duel of wills (tomescu).
20:55, Today: Veldygar Arhandor rolled 5 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,10,6,2,9,1,4,8,1,5. Duel of wills (Veldygar).]

Four hours after the ritual, the tomescu appeared, a column of smoke in the middle of the circle. The sorcerer lost no time in parleying, and with a single twist of his razor-honed mind he applied an Abscissic binding on the demon's psyche.

Thoroughly bound, the creature could but comply.

With a smile to Broken Eternal, Veldygar returned to his compound. The following day, he went to the Gatekeeper, and chose from the looted weapons a white jade shock pike, as well as a black jade reinforced breastplate. He would wrap the shock pike into some cloth and wear it on his back. He hid as much of the armor under a cloak as he could.

[OOC: I take an artifact 3 version of the shock pike, and load it with 20 motes of supply, though I don't attune to it fully. I'll wait till I find some fivefold harmonic adapters ;)
Also, request permission to change my two items of equipment into one exceptional straight sword.

Can I also assume that I have Garnet Cog's puppet with me since the rebellion? It make for a convenient, foldable mentor ;)]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:32, Tue 28 Apr 2009.

The tomescu whispers its name, Dezephiel, for Veldygar's ears only, and remains dematerialized and obsessively close, insistent on protecting its new 'property'. For in its mind Veldygar belongs to it just as it belongs to him.

After the successful demon summoning, Veldygar and Eternal have the remainder of the day to prepare and rest.

Day and night have no meaning below ground, of course. Hours are kept purely by machine clocks. When the morning chime wakes them, they can only imagine that somewhere far above there is a sun, and it is dawning. Something they could only have seen in dreams -- though Eternal's dreams would be as much filled with untold darkness and cursed whispers, the twists and turns of a labyrinth in his mind, drained of all feeling and color.

Once Broken Eternal takes his choice of the Dragon-blooded spoils, he and Veldygar reconvene in the central core chamber. There, the Gatekeeper rematerializes to the two Exalts in its cecaelia-form, and gets straight to the point. "I WILL TRANSPORT YOU ABOVE. THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO DELAY. ARE YOU PREPARED?"

[Private to Veldygar Arhandor: btw, would you mind if I RPed Garnet Cog? I think in this case it may be more appropriate as it will potentially dispense game secrets as time goes on ;) though I have to admit to not wanting to do the thee and thou long term, I've never written Old Realm that way for any other character.]

"I have considered summoning another servant to assist me while I can do it quietly," Veldygar said. "It would delay us by another day, though. Would it be fine with you?" he asked the spirit and his companion.

[OOC: Since the Gatekeeper gave us a maximum of two days, I guess I could summon one more servant.[Private to GM: Regarding Garnet Cog: of course you can. You can adapt its speech as you wish.]]

Eternal spent much of his time training and meditating--resting as far as he was concerned, but a veritable regimen to others.  After the successful summoning (or, unsuccessful summoning, as Eternal no doubt saw it) he picked his own boons from the Gatekeeper--a pair of short Darkglaives and a rather formidable looking Breastplate...black jade, of course.  After spending a little time decorating the breastplate with the proper trappings to keep him comfortable in this world, he joined Veldy with the Gatekeeper, with his new blades crossed against his back, under his tattered cloak.

Though at the thought of staying here another day certainly garnered a frustrated sigh out of him.

"I grow tired of waiting, but if one more servant lets us destroy them faster, I see no reason we cannot delay another day."  He said, though certainly grudgingly.  His new blades had a thirst for blood, and he was eager to satiate them.

"IF YOU MUST," the Gatekeeper of Water replies coolly. "BUT THERE IS A DANGER WITH RELYING ON OUTER DIMENSIONAL BEINGS. NO MATTER WHICH YOU MAY SUMMON, IT IS NOT THE SAME AS HAVING TRUE ALLIES. THEY AWAIT YOU ABOVE. YOU NEED ONLY TRUST THEM."

This time, while Veldygar performs his summoning and Eternal very grudgingly stands watch, the Gatekeeper confers with another entity entirely. Known as Garnet Cog to Veldygar, it is a spirit that has -- by its own volition -- attached itself as mentor and guide to the Eclipse sorcerer. Veldygar was made aware of their conversation only by the absence of the spirit's quiet but dependable presence, and the terse explanation with which it departed. I would confer with the Gatekeeper of Water, young master; it is a matter of great importance to your development. With that cryptic message Veldygar is left to his own devices for the day.

What Broken Eternal gathers from Veldygar's interaction with spirits, demons and the like, so far, is that he apparently spends a great deal of time relying on and seeking counsel from invisible entities. For all Eternal knows, Garnet Cog is also some demonic being, or an imaginary friend. Of course, he'd seen the true form of the Clamorous Cloud Arsenal, that many-armed, screeching, vaguely crab-like thing. But now Dezephiel remains largely dematerialized as will whatever the Crowned Sun binds to his bidding next.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:15, Fri 01 May 2009.

"I have first hand experience of their alienness," Veldygar replied to the Gatekeeper with a shiver of disgust. "But I use every tool at my disposal to fight against the Dragon-Blooded."

Veldygar, once his suggestion was reluctantly accepted by Broken Eternal and the Gatekeeper, prepared the ritual circle and implements.

He then started to intone the ritual. "I call thee, offspring of the Grieving Lord!" He recited the incantations required to bring a metody into the world.

[OOC: As usual, Spending 40 motes to fuel the ritual. Binding it as a Courtesan.
23:23, Today: Veldygar Arhandor rolled 2 successes using 6d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,6,6,10,6,5. Duel of wills (metody).
23:23, Today: Veldygar Arhandor rolled 7 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,7,4,9,10,1,9,10,4,6. Duel of wills (Veldygar).
23:23, Today: Veldygar Arhandor rolled 3 successes using 6d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,8,5,1,8,9. Duel of wills (metody).
23:23, Today: Veldygar Arhandor rolled 4 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,1,7,8,7,6,1,7,2,3. Duel of wills (Veldygar).
23:22, Today: Veldygar Arhandor rolled 3 successes using 6d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,2,7,1,3,5. Duel of wills (metody).
23:22, Today: Veldygar Arhandor rolled 3 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,5,10,6,6,8,2,3,2,2. Duel of wills (Veldygar).]

The large mass of greenish acid materialized out of a puff of smoke as the fabric of Creation was rent asunder. The metody opened a fanged maw, as Veldygar focused his ritual tools into the weaker lines of the demon's psyche. At first, the metody stubbornly denied his efforts to reshape its mind, but soon, Veldygar pried its defenses open, before molding its being like putty.

He consigned his servant to an incorporeal state, before getting some sleep. The Gatekeeper would probably want to see them at what passed for 'dawn' in the Coils.

The metody known as Gugoona is calm once bound, eager to serve and be given duty. For now the amorphous fanged blob -- having yet to decide on a form its master would like -- rests and waits, invisibly.

Another day passes. Whatever it has discussed with Garnet Cog seems to have been resolved, and the unseen mentor-spirit returns to Veldygar, settling briefly into the mechanisms of his shock pike. A current sparks, unseen beneath the cloth covering the weapon. "I am ready, young master," Cog's voice, conveyed through the weapon, thrums and crackles. "Let us delay no longer."

The Gatekeeper does, indeed, value punctuality. When Veldygar, his dematerialized entourage, and Eternal return for the second time to its central core, though, the chamber appears empty. "THE EARTH DISTRICT AWAITS. I MUST EXPEND A SIZABLE AMOUNT OF POWER, SO YOU WILL EXCUSE THE LACK OF VISIBLE FORM. WHETHER FOR THE REPUBLIC OR FOR YOURSELVES, I HOPE YOU SUCCEED, EXALTED."

An energy-laced vortex of sapphire mist swirls about Veldygar and Eternal, as the Gatekeeper commences its primary responsibility--to transport those worthy of the privilege between this District and the next.

---

OOC: Pausing a bit here in case there's any last reactions, then we'll move on to where you teleport to.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:56, Fri 01 May 2009.

Veldygar wrapped himself in the folds of his cloak. "Let us hope our arrival goes unnoticed," he said, clutching his clothed shock pike.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:34, Fri 01 May 2009.

"Hope..."

Eternal spat the word, hating the way it felt on his tongue.  Hope was a dying creature, a tool of the living--a tool that he no longer found useful.  When one could hear the haunted whispers of the Neverborn, could feel the dark ichor of oblivion pouring through their veins, what need was there for hope?  There was no hope.  It was all going to end, one way or another--in his darkest of hearts, Broken Eternal knew this as truth.  It was his existence, nay, perhaps even his destiny to bring about the end of all things.  As a mortal he certainly didn't feel this craven bloodlust, this unending yearning for death and dismemberment.  True, he had felt that way about his captors, but this was on a much grander scale.  He wanted to slay armies.  Cities.  And he fully intended to start with Five-Coils.

"Don't waste your energy with empty wishes, Gatekeeper.  Either we succeed, or we fail.  The body count will be high regardless, I can promise your Republic that."

"THEN DO WHAT YOU MUST WITHOUT HESITATION." The Gatekeeper, speaking of hope, only itself echoes the emotions of those who had bound it, and built it into the systems of the District of Water. It has no way of knowing for sure that its carefully determined chances of success will lead to a positive result.

In fact, it is only about 49% sure.

It reconsiders. If anything, sending Broken Eternal above will be a sufficient distraction so that Veldygar may succeed at the task given to him. To recalibrate the Gatekeepers -- to unlock their true potential, in time -- when the Circle once again combines.

The Gatekeeper, if it had a face at the moment, would be smiling at its final reassessment. 57%. Better than half.

The majority of its mental faculties go toward the Exalts' imminent displacement. Processes split into multithreaded calculations, power lines intensify their already copious Essence output. The sapphire clouds surrounding Veldygar and Eternal intensify and fill the entirety of their senses. Reality, for a brief moment of time, dissolves into the endless blue. Yet they neither fall, nor move. Rather, it seems almost as if their surroundings rearrange while they stand inexplicably still, caught between one point in space-time and the next.

Then the ground reforms at the Celestials' feet. Earthen ground now, not cold steel-alloy and adamant panels, like the central core. They are in a narrow cul-de-sac, with dim light filtering from the crevice ahead of them, opening out into a larger cavern. Whatever is ahead is not likely to be safe territory.

---

OOC: ok, Perception+Awareness to get your bearings, unless you want to just head right out into the open. ;) -1 external penalty (subtracts successes) for the relative darkness.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:44, Sat 02 May 2009.

Squinting his eyes in the darkness, Veldygar tried to get his bearings, trying to recall as much of the Earth District's layout as he could.

[OOC:11:16, Today: Veldygar Arhandor rolled 4 successes using 6d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,2,7,10,1,2. Per+Awareness.

Total 3 successes.]

Veldygar (and Eternal, belatedly) peer though the opening looking out into the dimly lit space beyond.

They see about 30 yards of open space between the crevice they are crouched in and another natural wall on the other side. It is an earthen corridor that tapers toward the left, and opens out toward the right into a much larger, cavernous space. What little lighting there is comes from the left-hand side, where the cavern stretches down a hundred yards only to end in a high granite wall.

Another tunnel runs parallel to this left-hand wall, which they can only partially see from the angle they are looking from. It stretches in both directions, perpendicular to the larger tunnel their cul-de-sac opens out into, following the granite wall to form a T intersection.

The larger cavern toward the right is difficult to discern. The Exalts can notice, now and then, distant red beacons of light streaming across that dark, wide open space, or now and then orbs of white light emanating from old hover transports sputtering across the way. But mostly it's just a big, dark area.

More immediate are the ratchety sounds of conveyor belts and old machinery. The ground they stand on is constantly, minutely vibrating, though neither Veldygar nor Eternal can see whatever ancient mechanisms are causing it from here. Given that the Earth District is largely devoted to mining, though, they are likely in the vicinity of an ore refinery, or a compound where the ores are prepared for transport upward. The sound and vibration seem stronger toward the left and behind the crevice they are hiding in.

Finally Veldygar and Eternal notice some movement. What appears to be three common warstriders refurbished for labor lumber into the left-hand T-intersection carrying loads of ore. Their operators continue onward in the opposite direction the Celestials face, taking the tunnel following the granite wall.

So far, though, no Immaculates. But the Gatekeeper is not known for being imprecise. The entrance into the Inner Temple must be close.

Veldygar turned towards Broken Eternal: "I assume you can remain unseen if you wish. I can make myself scarcely noticeable in plain sight. Let us explore a bit. It seems logical at first that the temple would not be located immediately from an mine or refinery. I say we try getting away from the noisiest part in order to get our bearings."

Broken Eternal considered this course of action.  Every fiber of his being wanted to follow those War Striders and apply blade to throat, but he locked the urges away...for now.

"I can." He said in response to Veldy in concerning his ability to stay hidden.  When it came right down to it, he could use his own talents to practically meld with the shadows, or barring that, his dark gifts allowed him to almost stand in plain view and not be recognizable.  The Gatekeeper was no doubt good to its world--for some reason, Eternal did not see them being much in the way of malicious, especially when that particular was bound to do what was best interest for the Republic--but he hardly believed that meant they were not at rick of betrayal.  After all, they were not part of the republic.  They were free agents, no doubt to be used and discarded as the situation called for it.

He pointed at where the War Striders were vanishing into the darkness.  "They are carrying Ore.  Would they be taking it to a temple, or away from the temple?"    It was a good question, and one that demanded attention.  Going away from the noise was all well and good--but where there were three workers, there would be more workers.

Honestly, Eternal didn't care.  He was free once more, and there was blood to be spilled.  Still, there was goals to be had, and he had a much better chance of bringing down Coals with the help of other Exalts...he had to face that inevitability.

"What about your spirits?  Could they not scout out ahead quickly, while they remain ignorant of our presence?"

"I don't know what an Immaculate temple would make of ores," Veldygar replied. "Getting away from the activity isn't a guarantee to find the temple, but at least we don't risk getting close to dangerous machinery -" he eyed the refitted warstriders "- or wandering into an unstable tunnel."

He whispered a few words[Private to GM:  in Old Realm, to Gugoona, his metody: "Scout the surroundings, and tell us if there are guards, or workers, their number, their state of vigilance... Don't make yourself known." [OOC: the metody is actually quite intelligent (4), if a bit lacking in culture. I think it'll be able to make an accurate report and provide good advice - which is cool, considering its template.]].

"I have sent one of my servants."

Veldygar calls quietly upon Gugoona, who all but resonates with delight at the prospect of proving its usefulness to its master.

As the amorphous demon slithers away in dematerialized state, the pair of Exalts consign themselves to wait. Eventually the trio of refurbished warstriders trudge off out of sight. Another vehicle rumbles in from the vast, dark cavern toward the right of their hiding place, an old gliding chariot now used as a cargo transport laden with boxes, and passes by without so much as noticing their position.

Mostly, though, they remain in the near-darkness with naught but Veldygar's spiritual companions and the constant tremble of magitech machinery as company. The tomescu, Dezephiel, crouches invisibly at the opening of the crevice, ready to manifest at the first sign of trouble.

Finally, after about twenty minutes, the metody returns to its master and hisses its extensive report to Veldygar, its voice bubbling like the hissing of acid. Unfortunately, it's only language is Old Realm, which Eternal cannot understand. [Private to Veldygar Arhandor: "Most Eminent Master, one right turn from where you stand is a vast cavern. Perhaps a mile wide, or larger, hollowed out over time. There are vehicles and people that cross now and then. I stayed back from the machine patrols as I do not know if they can sense my presence or not."

"One left and one right turn from here is a corridor opening up into a dead end cavern with a guarded door. A pair of armed humans with shaved heads and heavy robes stand at that door. I do not know what is behind the door. The writing is in a language I do not understand. But the door would be easily consumed," Gugoona points out eagerly. "The guards, not so easy."

"Two left turns from here is a most interesting place with ancient machines, breaking down rocks for the tasty ore nougat inside. It looks most delicious, except for the raw jade, oh, muchmuch too solid for me to enjoy. The workers I have seen measure three groups of twenty five. They each have a leader yelling and shaking fist at them to work harder. One more important one in jade armor stands on a platform overseeing all. Armed guards are in two groups of five, one for each opening into the compound, each led by a captain. One sentient machine armor stands with the overseer, and a half-dozen figures in armor suits carry more rock."]

---

OOC: just to give a basic impression of what I'm getting at here, here is a very crude ascii map! woo! ;) Also note I am not going to do maps like this often. Just thought it'd be good to explain things this time around. (edit-forgot the granite wall)

| /==\
||  5 \
||    }
||   /                                     /

	}           ______         _____
	\__~~~----_/      ~~~~---./     ~~~-_/
	___~~~_~~--.  .___~~~~----.____---.      2
	/            \ \                    \
	4 }            {1}                     {
		\	\
	\____
	\_~~--.     1 - Veldygar and Eternal hiding here
	\    2 - Very large, open cavern (dark)
\      3             3 - ??? (machine noise/vibrations coming from this way)
	4 - warstriders moved toward this direction
\__.---~~.__       5 - ??? (metody is explaining to Veldygar)

This message was last edited by the GM at 20:59, Wed 06 May 2009.

[OOC: Since I don't actually have anything to gain from witholding information, I've just copied the report to Eternal in PM.]

Veldygar recounted the metody's report. His first guess was that the door was the exit of the compound. The large cavern was in fact the the mine, and the smaller cavern with the machinery the refinery. So ideally, they would neutralize the two guards quickly, and let the metody burn through the door, thus exiting the compound. "Or we could just wait the end of the shift," Veldygar said. With his cloak and his power of unconspicuousness, he could probably disappear in the group and reach the Earth district, though he was wary of testing the guards' vigilance at the chokepoint. Broken Eternal would have little trouble sneaking out of the place once the doors were opened, with his inhuman stealth skills...

[OOC: Checking my deductions:
23:56, Today: Veldygar Arhandor rolled 5 successes using 5d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,9,9,4,10. Int+Lore.
23:58, Today: Veldygar Arhandor rolled 1 success using 4d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,9,3,5. Int+Investigation.]
This message was last edited by the player at 22:02, Wed 06 May 2009.