Jhenli shows the Freerunner Group to yet another freshly dug, empty chamber, one of many built and broken down and rebuilt for various functions in the outer Hive.

"You may use this room to open communications with 'Mockingbird.' Do not forget to affix your badge from Talia before you step outside the sensor-free zone. As soon as you leave our territory, you will be stepping into that of the B25 automaton sentries." He gives them directions to the nearest Hive exit, down the adjacent corridor and past the moss gardens the producers keep at the outskirts. "If you need me to leave, I will do so immediately, of course."

The room has been furnished, as a special consideration for the human guests, with a long resin-crafted table and six chairs. As it is a temporary room, light is provided not by re-routed essence power from the Hive's central manse, but by luminescent plants and fungi allowed to grow in glass orbs and rods, providing both light and decoration, and a pair of lamps that appears to retain light when Essence is fed to it. This source is much brighter than the natural ones, but must be fed every hour or so.

Hopefully, Dashu should not have to remain here that long to establish contact for the group.

[Private to Ledaal Xurizu; Saina Nanaret; Talia Zerith; Yaishin Higura: Here's where you guys should gather.]

[Private to Peleps Dashu: Well, you can start when you're ready, and when done (or if you pass on the scroll you got to the group, I suppose, up to you!) you can go to the Inner Temple Infiltration thread.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:58, Sun 24 May 2009.

Nanaret arrives with Higura. Now that she knows she'll be traveling with him at least for the time being, the notion of serving as his agent and bodyguard seems to come naturally for her. Quite the reversal from the feelings Ranavalona harbors -- her abject refusal to trust or respect the man once known as Dusan. How both those feelings could coexist in the same body is a mystery.

But Rana is dormant now, and thus Nanaret's devotion and protectiveness to the doctor takes immediate precedence. She seats herself close to him -- having to adjust quite a bit with all the weaponry she is carrying -- and waits, curious as to what they would be doing now.

Talia enters and looks around the room.  She takes a seat and waits for their contact to arrive.

Dashu thanks Jhenli for the reminder and promptly attaches the badge to his belt.  Once everyone is in the room, Dashu takes the small scroll and pushes his essence into it.  He then starts to seemingly mutter to himself and brush his hair out of his face.  As he's muttering he moves his weight off one leg and onto another like he's uncomfortable.

[Private to GM: Still not certain if the prayer is supposed to be the actual message or just used to initialize contact.  If it's the actual message, then I want it to say "Mockingbird.  This is Talon. Sky wishes to meet with Free and the Freerunners.  Hood will be present to vouch for them at the meeting.   As payment for these services, you should know that Sky is trying to coordinate an attack to free the Earth District from Dragon control.  If you do not wish to participate, then you should at least make preparations to secure yourself and organization."]

Dashu's 'prayer', if it can truly be called such, concludes without much fanfare or even a hint that it did indeed work. It is only accompanied by a moment of complete silence, rather anticlimactic even though Dashu's working of the artifact had not set expectations particularly high to begin with.

And then, a few moments later, a response comes to Dashu, in the form of a short message that whispers directly into his mind, murmuring the words to him without anyone else hearing them.[Private to Peleps Dashu: Greetings Sky. Mockingbird here. Have contacted the Freerunners after you left, as promised. Just reconfirmed with them to arrange a time and place. Representatives will be at the obsolete corridors west of the Conclave where we last met. They will wait for 3 hours maximum, starting now. Move quickly.

Head westwards outside of the Conclave itself until you come to a a fork. One of the tunnels is closed by a barrier. Make sure no one spots you, then pass over the barrier. Watch your steps, those caverns are not maintained anymore. Free's people will meet you there. Sky is on its own at this point. Don't have any power over what Free or his people do.

The info is appreciated. Will arrange for support on Conclave's liberation when possible. Agents already in place for such contingency. Communicate again later to give details or coordinate operations.

Best of Luck.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:25, Fri 22 May 2009.

Unknowing as to the details and intricacies of the established communication line with this 'Mockingbird', Higura remains mostly quiet through the whole procedure. He does raise an eyebrow at Dashu's behavior however, uncertain if this is supposed to be some sort of code or if it is simply the man's nervousness at the whole endeavor surfacing. The doctor knows better than to point out this fact however, in case Dashu does not want it addressed. Instead, he turns to the faces around him, a thoughtful expression on his features.

"We should probably try to organize some of our thoughts while we wait, and make the best use of the time we have." He says, regarding Nanaret before turning to Talia. "Earlier, you mentioned that anyone who would want to speak with Free would have to 'prove themselves'. Would you by any chance have any idea what this 'test' might entail, or how Free and his people might do such a thing? It might be useful for us to know at least a bit of what is to expect, so we can prepare ourselves in anticipation of what is coming."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:31, Fri 22 May 2009.

"What is scroll?" Nanaret asks Dashu, though with how concentrated he looks, she doesn't expect an answer immediately.

In the meantime she offers her opinions on Higura's question. "Hrmm... if I may add, I think he try testing us strength. From descriptions I hear, he is a Lunar such as myself, and physical powerful. Though not all our kind are strong, he may appreciate those with strength and endurance, because to survive so long as free Celestial, he must be great survivalist." Once again she frowns, as she inwardly finds Rana's philosophies conflicting with her own. Or are both of them hers, in some way? Force is not always necessary. Yet Nanaret cannot deny that it is at times required.

The Lunar offers no explanation for the strained expression on her face, though. Belatedly she takes her identification badge, pinning it onto the breast of her dark coat, which she has already buttoned up over her jade armor.

Since Dashu was occupied with using the scroll, Xurizu explained for him.  "It's called a Prayer Transceiver," he says, quite enough not to distract Dashu.  "You say the prayer on it and the information you want to send and when the prayer reaches the place prayers go to, the God in charge of it routes the message to where you actually want it sent.  It's supposedly untraceable.  At least until you can start to strong arm the Gods, I suppose."

"Does he have to be, Nanaret?" Xurizu questioned.  "You of all people should know that sometimes the best place to hide is in plain sight, not with brawn, but with guile.  I hope that he recognises there is more than one way to solve a problem."

"Oh. I not doubt that Free can use stealth, and use smarts as much as strength. But all descriptions I hear of him say he is giant of a man. Though some also say he is magical man as well. Spells of arctic ice, or something like..."

Nanaret pauses, thinking on all the rumors she heard in the Conclave, and even before that: word of the legendary freedom fighter, trickling down to the Pit level from above. After a moment, she reconsiders. Her experience as a gladiatrix has colored her view of the world; it is only recently that she has embraced the more subtle side of her Lunar nature. Perhaps because of Higura, as well...

"There many things people say of Free. Maybe not right to assume too much. I guess what I mean... is that I think he would want test if we really mean we want work with him. To survive such hardship... must be strong, mind body and soul," she amends.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:26, Sat 23 May 2009.

Dashu quickly sends another quick prayer through the scroll with more muttering and twitching.  [Private to GM: Thank you.  Hood will be present at the meeting and in possession of the scroll.  Thank you. ]

He then turns to the group and relates what Mockingbird has told him. "He already set up a meeting.  You have three hours to make it."  He then quoted the directions Mockingbird gave him word for word, "One of the tunnels is closed by a barrier. Make sure no one spots you, then pass over the barrier. Watch your steps, those caverns are not maintained anymore. Free's people will meet you there."

Afterwards he gave Xurizu the scroll saying "Good luck."

"Thanks," Xurizu says as he takes the scroll from Dashu, storing it in a pocket.  "Luck be with you too," he nods to the man who was probably his closest friend in the Five Coils.

He turns to the others then.  "Three hours.  We had best get moving."

"I am sure we meet again soon, Dashu. Take care." Nanaret gives Dashu a small smile before he departs. He was at least a trusted comrade at this point, if not a friend to her as well.

Then she picks up on something else Xurizu said before. "So this item... Transceiver? It requires a god to pick up message via prayer? I suppose that the god is one Mockingbird is trusting, then. Amazing and strange how such things work. But I be worried about the god himself be security breach... ah well. Nothing we can do but trust Mockingbird for now."

Seeing that Xurizu is intent on getting moving right away, Nanaret gets up too. "With identifying badges, hopefully no problem we not get caught. But if I understand, we still must be careful of human patrols, yes?" She peers at Talia, as she was the one involved with the creation of the virus.

"I certainly hope so,"  Dashu says to Nanaret.  Truth be told, even though he had witnessed one of her episodes, he was still fond of her as well and was happy to see her smile at him.

Dashu would have stayed longer but he was needed elsewhere and they had to be quick to make their appointment.  With that he leaves to go join the other group.

"Do take care of yourself, Mister Dashu. And the best of luck to you and the others on your mission... Watch your backs, and we shall meet later." The doctor smiles in Dashu's direction as he exits, then turns to the others now that he has left.

"Miss Nanaret is right, I believe. There is not much we can do at this point but trust the Mockingbird... Although let us still exercise caution. Let us stay on guard, and be ready to leave the area if it turns out the Freerunners are definitely hostile towards us."

"On the other hand... It would seem they have taken the chance to meet with us, so we should at least give them some benefit of the doubt and hear what it is they have to say. A cooperation between our two groups might very well turn the advantage in our favor and help out fighting comrades survive..."

He does stand up alongside Nanaret, then nods sharply to the others around him. "I agree with the statement - we should get moving. Better keep some time ahead of us in case we need to make any change in our plans."

"It appears you have a destination, and I should leave you to it, Celestial Chosen," Jhenli says formally, stepping aside for the Celestials to exit the Hive for what may be the last time. "If we meet again, let it be in fortuitous circumstances for us all."

Higura, Nanaret, Xurizu, and a rather mute Talia set out through the final safe corridor of the Hive, toward the wide open space of the caverns beyond. In this area, mining operations are all but obsolete, as the earth has long since been depleted of all its minerals, leaving large, empty spaces in their wake. From here, they will be on their own.

Though it's uncertain the insect people feel the same emotions as humans -- only Dusan would truly know -- the golden Communicator watches them go until he can no longer discern them in the surrounding darkness.

Fortunately for the Freerunner Group, the directions Mockingbird gave are quite precise and thorough, much like the man himself. But it would be dangerous to let the identification badges give them a false sense of security. They have yet to be tested, after all. The sight of the distinctive red-beam lights from two Hulking Armor Sentinels sweeping the area at a distance reminds the Exalts of that very point.

---

OOC: Roll a Perc+Aware to get your bearings before proceeding. Also Dex+Stealth if you will still attempt to move unnoticed.

OOC:  Sorry, just got back from Toronto.  First chance to get online.


Talia nods slightly, then checks that her badge is securely fastened to the front of her jacket.  "Yes, the badges will make the automated sentinals ignore us; basically they'll think that we belong where ever we are.  Sadly, we don't have any way to fool people in the same way.
"I don't think the Freerunners will be hostile unless come at them like a threat.  As far as the 'test'...who knows, really?  It depends what kind of mood Free is in.  But what he'll be trying to find out is if we're strong, clever, and serious about freedom."

[Private to GM: 22:51, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 2 successes using 5d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,5,2,10,2. Dex+stealth.
22:50, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 1 success using 5d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,4,3,6,7. perc+awa. ]

"Farewell, Communicator Jhenli," Nanaret says simply, before stepping out at Higura's side.

Her first move upon leaving the safety of the hive is to subtly shapeshift her features. Unlike the warforms typical of Lunars, her hybrid form is normal humanoid sized, but with unnaturally flexible muscles, lemur tail and ears, and yellow nocturnal eyes, their color shielded by her specially tinted glasses.

She'd also brought with her one of the essence lamps that had been on the table in their meeting room. For now, she does not expend any Essence to light it, as the glimmer would only stand out as a beacon to human patrols, should they be anywhere near. Instead the Changing Moon relies on her shifted eyes and ears to interpret her surroundings. Her ears twitch to and fro, listening for the tromp of footsteps or the whine of machinery, searching for signs of movement or activity in the immediate area. Her eyes alternate between focusing on immediate details and on the far reaches of her visual range, building a distinct impression of the dimensions and major landmarks in the area.

"I think better to test badges only if truly necessary. Maybe is just overcautious of me. But not wanting to take any chances."

Nanaret gives into her usual stealthy habits when the group starts to move. She falls silent, taking advantage of her flexibility, precise footwork and positioning (remaining close to the nearest wall if possible, slipping in front of natural earth columns or discarded machinery) to proceed with the least likelihood of being noticed.

[Private to GM: stunted both for awareness and stealth. Sorry for the too many rolls, messed up :P Anyway it seems I got 6 sux Awareness for sight, 4 for hearing. And only 2 (wah!) for Stealth. Spent 3m on Perception and Dex excellencies respectively. Hoping to get some of that back with stunt.

04:57, Today: Saina Nanaret rolled 2 successes using 14d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,3,4,5,6,1,9,2,4,6,5,5,7,3. dex+stealth+eq. and mutation bonus+excel.
04:54, Today: Saina Nanaret failed (no successes) using 2d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,6. er... +2 not +1 , duh.
04:54, Today: Saina Nanaret failed (no successes) using 1d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6. another +2 for hearing.
04:54, Today: Saina Nanaret rolled 2 successes using 1d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10. oops, forgot a die.
04:53, Today: Saina Nanaret rolled 4 successes using 9d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,3,3,3,6,9,7,1,4. per+aware+ex.]

"Thank you kindly, Mister Jhenli. May chance smile upon you, and keep you sage from harm." After one last bow, the doctor resolutely sets out for the group's destination, Nanaret walking by his side.

Similarly to Nanaret, the normally quietly affable Higura falls silent when the group leaves the protection of the Hive. The Doctor's pace takes on a much more cautious rhythm as they move out, paying attention to his motions so that he will not attract attention to their advance, and possibly ruin his comrades' attempts at being silent.

Similarly to the Lunar, Higura seems to remain attentive of the possible dangers and hazards that might crop out around them. Unlike her, however, it almost seems like his type of attention is much less involved and more instinctive - as if he is not necessarily watching and listening for threats and dangers, but rather seeking to feel them. It is in that fashion that he follows her example, trying to complement Nanaret's scouting attempts with his own brand of danger sensing in order to be prepared for any possible dangerous situation they might face.

It is his hope that if they fall into some sort of trap or other harmful situation, their combined scouting will allow at least their comrades to be forewarned.

[Private to Gatekeeper: Okay, activating Sid Awareness charms for anti-surprise first and foremost. Then...

14:10, Today: Yaishin Higura rolled 6 successes using 9d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,8,7,7,7,4,8,3,7. Per + Awareness.
14:10, Today: Yaishin Higura rolled 2 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,5,6,5,3,2,9,3. Dex + Stealth. ]

"Farewell, Jhenli," Xurizu nods to the translator as he sets out after Nanaret and Higura.  As he left the safety of the Hive, Xurizu stared to move quieter, picking his way up along the sides of the caverns they were within.  Whilst he wore lamellar armour reinforced with black jade, he was careful to move been the shadows, avoiding situations during which the armour might gleam, moving softly enough to make it rustle.  As he moves, he simply opens up his senses--sight, hearing, even the faintest feeling of the air movements within the caverns on his face--to whatever impressions might fall upon them.
[Private to GM:
Awareness win: 23:13, Yesterday: Ledaal Xurizu rolled 12 successes using 13d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,9,8,3,10,2,7,8,8,8,10,1,5. Per+Aware+Ex dice.
Stealth Fail: 22:31, Today: Ledaal Xurizu botched using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,6,6,5,2,1,1. Dex+Stealth+Ex-Mob. ]

Mockingbird's directions require the group to move inward, toward the site of the B25 Conclave. This most certainly brings them into the vicinity of automaton sensors. The group, though making an effort to be silent and stealthy, collectively does rather poorly at this. At the most, Nanaret and Higura at least manage to walk without drawing more noise or notice than usual, but Xurizu and Talia step noisily across the earth, scattering rock and striding through open space while misjudging the sources of cover around them.

With Xurizu's sharp senses to guide them, the group has little to fear from unexpected attacks. He is so attuned to what is occurring around him that he can feel minute tremors in the earth that warn him of the presence of machines, burrowing mammals, even small insects long before they arrive, hear the sound of breathing and even distant speech from patrols much too far off to have a chance of seeing them.

Both Xurizu and Nanaret notice the Spider Eyes coming before they skitter close to the group. A pair of them flank the group without triggering an alarm, scanning the four Celestials, then following for some distance before moving away. It's uncertain what sort of calculations they made while scanning, but it does appear the badges are working, as the sentinels remain dormant. At one point, as the large, empty outer cavern starts to narrow, they pass right in front of one of the Hulking Sentinels. The activated sentinel eye focuses its red beam on Talia first, scrutinizing her carefully, then gives its beam a cursory pass over the others without pausing.

Two hours have passed by the time they enter a mid-radial complex of tunnels, filling in space between the outer District and the distant glow of the greater cavern containing the Conclave. Again following Mockingbird's directions, they proceed inward, north-northeastward, until the first major fork going west. At this point, it is getting quite dark, as they are moving into a very rarely traveled, off-limits area. The last sign they see (written in bolded Low Realm) before they move out of range of light sources warns of sudden drops, rock-fall, water-eroded corridors, even rogue elementals. It's uncertain whether the rather forbidding message is completely true or whether it's to discourage squatters and other troublemakers from entering.

The winding corridor they were following stops abruptly in a barricade. Then, deep darkness.

---

OOC: Since environment has changed noticeably, I'll call for another Perc+Awareness. You can again attempt to move stealthily of you wish, or activate any charms you think you may need. However, unless you have a way to see in darkness, you will have a -2 external penalty (subtract successes, not dice) from rolls I deem require vision. -1 if someone uses a light source, including anima.

[Private to Ledaal Xurizu: +1 stunt for your awareness. Didn't roll it mostly because your roll was just THAT GOOD. ^^]
[Private to Saina Nanaret: +2 stunt for stealth, +1 for awareness.]
[Private to Yaishin Higura: +1 stunt for awareness.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:31, Wed 27 May 2009.

"Ok, so where do we go from here?"  Talia asks quietly, eyeing the barricade as best she can in the darkness.

[Private to GM: 01:12, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 2 successes using 5d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,1,8,8,1. perc+awar. ]

Nanaret gazes into the darkness ahead, frowning slightly in that way that shows she's thinking carefully about something. She cannot see anything of note at least initially, but that could be a good thing or a bad thing. Someone, or something dangerous could be hiding there, using the darkness to their advantage. Or perhaps the Freerunners just don't want to be seen.

Her spoon-like lemur ears swivel slowly, listening for the sound of breathing, footsteps, shifting rock, anything to betray a living presence behind them or beyond the barricade. Then she speaks quietly, answering Talia.

"Well, we need go over this barrier. Meeting place is beyond that. Still, not good to just go in blind. We have no surety this is not a trap, still."

"But we do know is correct meeting place ahead. Maybe should light the lamp?" She pats her bag, where she'd placed the essence lamp she took from the Hive. "Or if you like, I go through first and check what is ahead. Can see without the light." The Lunar looks to Higura, then Xurizu for further direction or suggestions.

[Private to GM: 13:31, Today: Saina Nanaret rolled 1 success using 2d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,9. awareness (hearing).
13:30, Today: Saina Nanaret rolled 2 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,2,6,1,1,3,5,8,6,6. awareness again (in the dark).]

"I think scouting first would be wise," Xurizu says, his voice soft in the darkness.  "We need to know what is ahead and we need to find a route over the barricade we can all climb quickly.  We don't want to get caught half way up there," he points out.

"I could come with you, I went hunting during our brief downtime in the hive.  I have a cave-spider form, which is well adapted for movement in the darkness."

After his words, Xurizu falls silent, listening for any sounds of a reaction to their soft conversation from the darkness beyond the barrier, sounds that might echo down the long, black corridors.

Higura nods to the suggestions, peering back towards the other three as Xurizu finishes his sentence. When he speaks again, his tone is hushed, barely above a whisper. "In that case, I will form the rear guard. We cannot discard the probability that our... hosts will expect us to scout ahead, and thus might decide to sneak up on us from the rear."

"This also does not mention the fact that such a secluded, abandoned area might attract unsavory types other than the Freerunners themselves... We should be on our guard." With these words and a final nod, Higura turns his back to the other two, focusing his senses and awareness to the back of their group - and hopefully allowing them to be covered from both sides.

[Private to Gatekeeper: 16:17, Today: Yaishin Higura rolled 5 successes using 9d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,5,8,4,1,1,5,1,10. Perception + Awareness. ]

The Exalts begin to get an impression of what lies before them... and behind. The barrier is fortunately chest-high, so not a great problem to climb over with a good jump, or a boost from a friend.

[Private to Talia Zerith: You're pretty much blind to what's ahead, and don't hear anything unusual either.]

[Private to Saina Nanaret: +1 stunt, but no successes. You can get back motes though!

Looking over the barrier, you notice that the space beyond it is not just a continuation of the tunnel. Rather, it opens up into a shaft leading into a larger chamber. The floor is not too far away, though, and you think you could make a jump pretty safely. You also hear faint footsteps now and then, coming from the direction you just walked from, but they could just be passing by a distant intersection -- you aren't sure it's coming your way.]

[Private to Yaishin Higura: Looking over the barrier, you notice that the space beyond it is not just a continuation of the tunnel. Rather, it opens up into a shaft leading into a larger chamber. The floor is not too far away, though, and you think the height is about 10 yards.

Your Sidereal senses also confirm two potential sources of danger, which you believe the group has about six minutes to react to or avoid. You catch the sound of sparse footsteps approaching from a long ways down the tunnel you just walked through, and think it could be two or three individuals, no more. But the larger potential for danger appears to be in the darkness beyond the barrier. From that direction you can just barely hear some minute source of movement. Fragments of earth shaking loose, a faint splashing sound. It could just be water erosion, but you feel certain that someone is there. You just don't know who, or how many.]

[Private to Ledaal Xurizu: You can roll Awareness without the penalty since you're focusing on listening, not hearing. I don't think you'll get a stunt though, but that at least puts you at 0 instead of -2 sux.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:08, Thu 28 May 2009.

"So, if you two are scouting ahead, I guess I'll wait here...until I can actually be of some use..."  Talia keeps as close as she can to the wall, trying to stay out of the way and also prevent herself from being stabbed in the back.

Nanaret nods at Talia encouragingly. "I heard footsteps from back where we came... so try remain quiet. I not think is anything important, just people passing by, but better safe than not. Help Doctor Higura watch our back."

She glances toward the barrier, then to her fellow Lunar, feeling uneasy about the current situation. There ought to be Freerunners waiting ahead, yet she'd noticed no sign of the darkness being occupied. Either they aren't there, or they are hiding on purpose.

"All right Xurizu, you ready? I stay in this shape, in case we find opposition. My spirit shape, well, not very combat-useful, and small. Looks like short jump down, but can easily crawl down as spider." Unless anyone else has any comments, Nanaret leaps up to grasp the top of the barrier and haul herself over to the other side, hanging carefully on the edge before letting herself drop... quietly.

[Private to GM: Dex+Athletics, I think? Whoa, 10 successes!! Figures!

01:04, Today: Saina Nanaret rolled 9 successes using 11d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,7,5,10,7,1,4,7,3,10,10. Dex+Athletics+1 wp(sigh low rolls).]

Xurizu nodded.  "I don't think I'll remain in this form if it comes down to that," he says softly.  "But time is wasting," he concludes and then concentrates, his form twisting and changing until there was no man there, but a spider.  The spider that Xurizu had hunted was a hunting spider, rather than a trapping one and its form reflected that, as did its colour of rock and shadow, perfect for hunting in the almost-night which reigned away from civilization.  In size, it was about that of a cat although its legs were much longer than any cats.

As the spider, whilst the barrier was higher it was far easier to climb, minute hooks on the ends of his legs easily carrying him up, over and down the barrier.  When he was safely down, he looked up at Nanaret, before scuttling over to the sides of the corridor and picking his way along silently...

"We should press on as quickly as possible. I heard the footsteps Miss Nanaret speaks of, and I have felt their owners as well - although it is faint, I can feel that they do represent potential danger for all of us. I estimate we have about six minutes to move out of the way."

"There is also danger ahead, and this one is definitely more pronounced. Whatever the case, we should be prepared for an ambush. There is a chamber just ahead, and the echoes are making me uncertain of exactly where it came from... But I believe I heard some movement, ahead of us - footsteps in the water, I believe. Which also tells us that there is a good chance that the bottom of the coming area has gathered some amount of water through one way or another. In any case, we should stay close to one another, as to not get picked off one by one in the darkness."

He approaches the barrier, watching the two Lunars getting over it before turning back to Talia. "This means we should get ready to cross this obstacle as well, Miss Talia. Would you need assistance in climbing it?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:05, Thu 28 May 2009.

Nanaret lets go of the barrier, and manages to execute a perfect jump. The nimble Lunar twists effortlessly in the air as she falls, righting herself and landing with hardly a splash, minimizing noise and avoiding injury. Were she in full light and in front of an audience, she would have impressed many an athlete with her show of dexterity.

As Higura alluded, the bottom is covered with about three feet of water. If Nanaret had simply fallen without forethought, she would most definitely have made a loud sound. Obviously that was part of the plan, for whomever waited for them ahead.

In any case, she and her spider-form companion can now proceed forward. [Private to Saina Nanaret: because you're wading through the water you'll have to roll Dex+Stealth at -1 external penalty.] [Private to Ledaal Xurizu: since you've taken a form that would not be unusual found in a cavern, you won't have to roll any stealth.]

The short shaft opens up at the bottom into what their senses can immediately see is a large, rough natural chamber, about twenty yards wide and thirty long. There is only a single exit they can see, on the opposite side of where they've entered. The cavern slopes upward gradually, so that the far end of the cavern is damp but not submerged.

Because of the water seeping in from the ceiling, stalactites and stalagmites have formed in the cavern, sometimes meeting in the middle as natural pillars, thinner in the middle than at the base. Water drips from the stalactite points, breaking the silence now and then. These rock formations, they realize, could serve very well as cover for someone that may wish to hide in the area. Alert for an ambush, the two Exalts scan the area carefully. [Private to Saina Nanaret; Ledaal Xurizu: Ok, just one more Awareness roll. Wits+Awareness+2.]

Above, near the barrier, about two minutes have passed. The mounting sense of danger makes Higura's pulse rise. He and Talia may well be caught between two sources of trouble if they do not hurry.

Thinking on the current plan, they can come up with two options:
- jump down right away, a good option if they are confident they can land quietly.
- stand their ground and try to quickly take out the lesser danger coming their way.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:44, Thu 28 May 2009.

"I could probably get over, but it might be quicker with some help.  The problem's going to be landing without too much commotion," Talia murmurs in response.  "I'm a blacksmith, not a ninja."

"Duly noted." The doctor responds with a smile. He peers back at the way they came from, and his brow furrows. "The problem is this - we can wait here, and hope we can silence the coming opposition quickly... But I believe there is even more of a risk of something going wrong and us not being silent if we are to enter a confrontation." He pauses, thinking for a moment. He cannot do this for long, however, as their time is running short.

"I believe we should take our chances with crossing. Perhaps we can try to soften your arrival on the other side of the barrier? One way or the other, we have to attempt something fast, and I believe this is the best chance we have at retaining a muted presence, if not a perfectly quiet one." With that, he moves towards the barrier itself, and signals towards Talia to follow.

"I will help you scale the barricade first. Once we are at the top, I will move down before you do, and try to help soften your drop so you don't make too much noise." He gives one more nod then kneels, waiting so that he can help boosting Talia upwards.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:24, Sat 30 May 2009.

"Alright.  Let's give this a shot."  Talia moves to the barrier, and with Higura's help attempts to climb to the top of the barricade without making an excessive amount of noise.

[Private to GM: 23:04, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 2 successes using 4d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,4,10,2. Dex+athletics.  (To climb over)
23:03, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 2 successes using 5d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,7,2,5,5. Dex+Stealth. (To make less noise)]

As soon as Talia has managed to get up the barricade, Higura follows suit, deftly climbing up besides her. Once they both reach the top and the blacksmith has crossed over the barrier, Higura signals for her to wait for a moment, then quietly makes his way down, trying his best to muffle any noise he might make as he reaches the ground.

Once there, the doctor raises a hand and signals for Talia to try to make her way back down, ready to help her minimize the noise she might make both while climbing down and touching the ground.

Talia lifts herself up the barrier with Higura's help, the wood creaking just slightly.

Higura manages to climb all the way over and touch down on the other side quietly enough, landing carefully in the water below. The liquid seeps through the cloth of his dark pants as he reaches up to help the young Twilight down.

Ahead, the situation does not seem to have changed. Higura and Talia cannot see well at all in the dark, but the Sidereal does catch a glimpse of a dark shape that could be Nanaret, advancing carefully.

[Private to Talia Zerith: Ok... you'll have to climb down the other side of the barrier now. You have Higura helping you, so the difficulty will be easier. Just roll Dex+Athletics.]

Nanaret wades through the chilly water, moving her limbs slowly and smoothly, sliding her feet across the bottom of the cavern so as not to make a splash. She crouches as she moves, lowering herself partially into the water while keeping her head above it, making herself as compact a target as possible. She breathes in and out with slow, enforced calm, so as not to stir more ripples on the water's surface, and to coax her heart to remain at a steady rate.

Though Nanaret herself is human, her totem is a nocturnal creature. Undaunted, she peers sharply into the unlit cavern ahead of her, focusing on the natural pillars and rock formations, the darkest corners and crevices where attackers might choose to hide. Her lemur ears swivel to pick up sounds throughout the entire area ahead of her, picking out those that seem out of place among the water drip and natural earth erosion.

At the same time, the silent Lunar slips one hand carefully behind her, gripping the shaft of Sixth Coil, still folded carefully in its tube-sheath. Her other hand goes to her hip, to draw one of her hook swords should she need to quickly attack -- or fend against a previously unseen enemy.

Nanaret pauses at the mouth of the greater cavern, refusing to step into open space until she is confident she has assessed the situation in its entirety.

[Private to GM: hmm, decent rolls this time!
03:35, Today: Saina Nanaret rolled 6 successes using 9d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,8,2,9,10,7,1,8,2. wits+aware+2.
03:35, Today: Saina Nanaret rolled 8 successes using 12d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,7,7,10,7,9,9,1,2,7,4,5. dex+stealth+2 excel.]

Talia climbs down the barrier, managing at the very least not to fall.

[Private to GM: 12:10, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 4 successes using 5d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,10,1,5,1. Dex+Stealth.
12:09, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 3 successes using 4d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,7,7,9.  Dex+Ath]

Xurizu didn't stop at the cave boundary, instead scuttling forward a little further.   For a spider to stop as a person standing next to it did, and look for the same things would alert anyone who might be watching or listening that he was not the innocent spider he seemed.  He has all the spider's senses tuned as sensitively as they can go--hairs which could feel the slightest of breezes, legs which were feeling for the vibrations of anyone shifting on the ground, four pairs of eyes looking for anything which seemed out of place...
[Private to GM: 20:18, Today: Ledaal Xurizu rolled 2 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,8,6,4,3,3,9,3. Wits+Aware+2.]

The doctor does his best to help Talia come down as smoothly as possible, in order to minimize her landing impact and keep her from making too much noise. Once that is done, Higura loses no time in shifting his stance, covering for the blacksmith and leading her to an easily concealable position for the moment.

Knowing Nanaret and Xurizu had gone on ahead to scout the situation, he chose to try to remain slightly behind with Talia so as not to attract any undue attention. He does advance behind them, however - slowly and meticulously, helping his companion along so she can also follow as silently as possible - and casts his senses outward, trying to keep himself fully aware and alert.

Casting his senses around them, he does his best to follow Nanaret and Xurizu at a distance...

[Private to Gatekeeper: 11:17, Today: Yaishin Higura rolled 6 successes using 9d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,10,10,5,5,4,2,8,2. Per + Awareness.
11:16, Today: Yaishin Higura rolled 8 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,10,9,8,2,8,7,9. Dex + Stealth (also assisting Talia). ]

Higura manages to catch Talia and settle her down into the cold water. With the Sidereal covering for her, they make next to no noise to interrupt Nanaret and Xurizu's attempts at remaining stealthy and silent.

Ahead, Nanaret can immediately see the room is occupied, as well as several distinct details about the occupants. They do not seem to notice her approach at all. [Private to Saina Nanaret: +2 stunts(stealth, awareness)! You see six individuals in total. Four are hidden in the rock formations at either side of the cavern, two per side. Two more (one much larger than the other) are flanking the exit on the opposite end of the room. The closest pair to Nanaret and Xurizu are about ten yards away, about the distance of a single dash. You'd be able to surprise him for certain if you take the chance and dash/attack.

The majority of the group appears to be beastmen, bred from wolves. They appear to be armed with swords and hand crossbows (the four flanking the cavern all have crossbows in hand and are crouching, ready to fire at whoever enters). One of the two at the far end of the room is rather different looking than the rest. It appears to be a large being made of earth and quartz crystal. Either a golem or an earth elemental, you aren't sure which.]

Xurizu, perhaps due to his position much closer to the ground, does not immediately notice all of the figures in the area. He is, however, still considered to be 'part of the scenery'. A few yards ahead and toward his right, he feels a minute tremble in the earth that could be something to check out. [Private to Ledaal Xurizu: +2 stunt(awareness). Let me add more to this so you actually have something to work with. About 7 yards ahead and to the right, you see a man with the head of a wolf -- a beastman with a sword at his belt and a crossbow in hand. It's a 'Haslanti only' weapon according to canon, but you wouldn't easily know that anyways, having lived entirely underground your whole life. But you could roll Int+Lore if you want, as the weapon could tell you more about these individuals.]

The darkness presses into Higura and Talia's eyes as they follow behind Nanaret. They cannot see, though Higura is not completely lacking awareness of his surroundings, rather relying on hearing and spatial awareness. [Private to Yaishin Higura: +1 stunt(stealth), I'll let you use it to regain Ess later if you want. You are able to sense roughly the dimensions of the cavern ahead, as described previously (20 yards wide, 30 yards to the far wall), and that there is a single exit on the opposite side of the cavern. You are also certain the cavern is occupied by about five individuals, but you cannot pinpoint their locations, only that they seem to be staying closer to the walls than the center.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:28, Mon 15 June 2009.

Nanaret's first thought is to signal to the others how many armed individuals she has seen inside the cavern. Then she realizes that none of the others besides Xurizu (who is already ahead of her) would be able to see the motion easily, and tapping it out for them to hear would give away her position.

No other way than to act now, she determines, drawing her hook sword and dashing toward the nearest figure aiming what looked to her eyes to be some sort of hand bow. Before he can so much as make a sound, much less a reaction, she is already behind him. She wraps one limber, impossibly jointed arm around him, hooking clawed fingers into his bow arm to prevent him from firing the weapon, and places the sharp edge of the hook sword against his throat. [Private to GM: I'm clinching him, basically. Since he didn't see me I assume I was able to clinch automatically.]

"Who are you people," she hisses into the ear of the half-canine man she holds. "Answer now. If you are Freerunners, then best stop playing games before I kill you and use you as shield."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:59, Tue 02 June 2009.

Having something of an internal map of the current events - but without exact points of reference for the possible hostiles he can feel, there is very little he can do, strategically speaking. His eyesight is no doubt not as good as either Xurizu's or Nanaret's, and thus his only remaining option is to try to get a better grasp on the situation through other means. Higura does not believe whoever is in this cave with them have noticed either him of Talia - and thus, if they play their cards right, they might be able to spring a surprise attack on their would-be assailants.

With that in mind, Higura mutes his movements even more, trying to figure out what is happening by relying only on his other senses. He moves to cover for Talia, instinctively trying to perceive what else might be occurring into the chamber; where are the possible hostiles? What of Nanaret and Xurizu? How can he move in order to surprise their opponents? It is with these questions in mind that the doctor calms his normal senses, and delves deeper into his own consciousness.

Once upon a time, he was the All-Seeing. He was part of Prochorus itself, and oversaw everything that went on within the Coils proper. Even though Higura himself is only a fragment of the powerful Engine, he still remembers some impressions of what it was like - of what it felt like, to see all at once. To be able to see a situation not merely through sights, sounds, smells or tastes, but rather through probabilities and possibilities - a world of infinite, invisible threads, all cast together to form a whole. Eyes closed, Higura slows his breathing, and concentrates on the current situation, forcing his memories to take over...

... Forcing himself, for one instant, to once again become the All-Seeing Prochorus.

[Private to Gatekeeper: 15:50, Today: Yaishin Higura rolled 7 successes using 9d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,5,10,10,2,10,5,4,3. Per + Awareness (+1wp). ]

The beastman that Nanaret restrained tenses in her grip, baring his teeth and letting out a low warning growl. He does not immediately struggle to get away, but Nanaret's night-eyes can see that the other armed men have turned their ranged weapons toward her and her 'shield'.

Another shape toward the far end of the room shifts and takes a step forward. The sound of that step is like a large rock dragging across the earth, and makes the ground tremble slightly. Even Talia notices this, though she cannot be sure what it is beyond that it sounds ominous.

"Interrresting," utters a gruff masculine voice, breaking the tense silence that followed Nanaret's words. The speaker seems to be at the far end of the room, as well, accompanying... the other thing. "Skilled enough to see through our ambush. But do you have the mettle to back up your statement? Can you afford to open hostilities, not knowing for sure we are who you seek or not, or whether we are strong enough to defeat you?"

Higura, focusing intently on his surroundings -- relying as much on his senses as on his impressions of the near future -- refines what he has noticed before. He cannot make out the sort of minute detail that Nanaret or Xurizu can see, but he is now quite certain of the positions of the people within. [Private to Yaishin Higura: There are two figures on either long side of the 20x30 yard chamber, not counting Nanaret. You sense that Nanaret has grabbed the man on the left hand side closest to the shaft you and Talia have just descended. You confirm for yourself that the speaker is with the other shape at the far end of the room. You aren't sure what the last being is except that it's larger than the others and definitely NOT human. Either automaton, or elemental, is your guess.]

[Private to Ledaal Xurizu: The crossbow is part of technology recovered from the First Age. You've once read an obscure passage about the Haslanti, a Northern nation on the surface that rediscovered both crossbows and the knowledge to create airships. These, of course, pale compared to the magitech creations that can be produced by Five Coils factories. But they were the sort of technology more easily reproducible by Second Age standards.

In any case, the fact the beastmen have such weapons would indicate to you they are foreigners from outside the Coils, where you've never seen crossbows commonly used. Nor has the Realm, the Dragon-blooded nation of origin, made any use of them. More likely they are either descended from Haslanti or an ally of -- perhaps a Northern beastman tribe? What you know of Free corroborates with this as he is known to be a Lunar from the Northern surface world.]

---

OOC: If you'll attack anyway, roll Join Battle. If you end up just talking it out, we'll assume it's Join Debate instead (the two are the same roll, so just roll Wits+Awareness once). Note: I tend NOT to like keeping track of speed/tick counts for social debates in PbP, as doing so is very awkward in this format. But I do still make use of MDVs and social charms.

"You still playing games," Nanaret growls in response, and starts prodding the man she's taken hostage for the moment, forcing him to drop his crossbow -- assuming he does not, at this point, decide to oppose her. The edge of her hook sword pressed close to his throat does a lot of the persuading, but the wording of the last reply makes her hesitate -- just long enough to fight the urge to spill his blood. I am not Ranavalona!!

Given the positions of the remaining armed figures, she finds it will be impossible to cover herself completely with the beastman's bulk. There would have to be at least one of them behind her. All she can think is to trust that her companions will cover her back.

Attempting to move herself and her hostage toward the speaker's position, Nanaret demands, "If you not trying to trick me, then why needing to sit in the dark? It not make a difference anyway. I can see all of you. I been raised in darkness so long that my eyes need not the light."

"I know that you are outnumbering me five to one, and all but one are wolf-man. Two on right side of room, spaced evenly. One on left side, closer to far exit. These three have bow like weapon pointed to me and carry sword. You, speaker, are next to far exit with golem of earth and crystal. For what reason you wait here to ambush?!"

[Private to GM: 00:13, Today: Saina Nanaret rolled 1 success using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,5,7,2,6,4,3. Join Battle/Debate?.
00:09, Today: Saina Nanaret rolled 5 successes using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,6,7,10,7,3,8. Willpower vs. Throwback.]

Interesting.  I've never seen weapons like that before, only red of them.  Perhaps Free really does come from outside.

Which suggests there is one.

Thinking this very un-spider-like thought, Xurizu continues to pick his way along the side of the cave, just one more animal in this disused area of the tunnels.  He's not rushing, just moving along on his spindly legs, moving to a position where he can support Nanaret, should fighting break out.  When the situation has resolved itself one way or the other, he'll reveal himself, of course.

Golem of Earth and Crystal?  Xurizu scuttled further forwards.  The leader would make the best person to attack from surprise, too.  And he was curious about the golem.

After a time, Higura opens his eyes, taken by a certain sense of calm and serene comprehension after his concentration. Despite the fact that he is now different - that he is alive again - there is still a certain sense of peace that emanates from the exploration of those sensations. Not in a sense of longing, for Higura would never wish to ever return to the All-Seeing Fate Engine, nor does he believe the contraption has a right to exist. But there is a certain feeling of completion in experiencing the connection his kind has to Fate - a connection that has been severed for all of the Starchosen of the Coils.

In the darkness, Higura finds himself smiling softly at Nanaret's words. His own exploration of the web of possibilities gave him some insight as to who exactly is present in the room, and Nanaret's words confirmed those impression. Not only confirmed, either - she basically allowed him to get a thorough, three dimensional feel for their situation, the perfect completion to the two dimensional map his mind traced for him. With that in mind, he starts to put his thoughts into what action he should next - there are multiple ways this situation could be handled, but which one are the Freerunners - if these ambushers really are the Freeruners - likely to recognize and appreciate?

The doctor has to decide quickly. In the darkness, he is fairly confident that he and Talia have not yet been discovered. Neither has Xurizu, likely. His animal shape should give him the best cover of all of them. And thus, trusting that his comrades can remain in hiding or reveal themselves as they see fit, Higura makes a bold move - abandoning his position, he walks to the middle of the area he has in his mind. Surrounded by friends and foes, he walks slowly and deliberately, until he is fairly certain he stands more or less at the center of them all.

"Secrets - and truth - lie in darkness." He says, as he comes to a stop, completely relying on his senses. Surrounded by a curtain of black, Higura speaks, remaining straight and dignified despite his environment. "I can feel you. But I cannot see you. And you can see me." As he says the words, he raises his right hand and touches his left shoulder, as if to illustrate his notion - no doubt they would catch the gesture. "Many possibilities lie in the space where senses are dulled. Some will come to fruition - some will not who can tell? But there are words I can speak to you with confidence."

"You can measure mettle by many standards, but I can say that your words are true. We do not know whether you are truly friend or foe, whether your strength would overtake us in the event of a battle. But here in the darkness, we are all alike." The doctor raises a gloved hand, touching one of his cheeks. His eyes are focused straight ahead, in the direction where he think the speaker lies, and yet he does not seem to try to 'see' him. "You know nothing of us either. Not our make nor strengths, not our wills or intents. Should you snuff us out like one of the myriad untold secrets in the starry void, then you too will remain unknowing. You will never know if we truly were those you were waiting for, nor will you ever know why this group sought you."

"The choice is now yours. You can remain in darkness... Or dare to peer at the light."

"Leader!" growls the wolf-man Nanaret is holding. "What now?!" His tone is both tense and inquisitive. For the moment he allows Nanaret to walk him forward, but moving him is like pushing a dead weight. He lets his feet drag and is clearly unhappy with being forced into a hostage position.

Xurizu crawls toward the far end of the room to confirm the report Nanaret gave of the individuals' positioning. [Private to Ledaal Xurizu: You see a large, hulking shape that indeed appears to be some sort of elemental or golem. It appears to be primarily made of earth and embedded with quartz crystals. You might want to roll an Int+Occult to try to figure out what exactly this being is. Whatever it may be, it's clearly serving as the personal guard of the 'Leader'. You can also if you like, position yourself behind the Leader but I would like a stealth roll this time, as you can't be certain what sort of special awareness that golem has up close.]

As Higura moves forward, wading through cool water until the ground slopes upward enough to reach dry earth, he leaves Talia at the shaft opening out into the cavern. There are more subtle movements in the darkness. [Private to Saina Nanaret: The right most wolf-man closest to Talia's position is now pointing his crossbow at Higura. The other two with crossbows are briefly indecisive about who to aim at and settle with continuing to aim at you. As you move forward you can also start to make out details of the original speaker, the 'Leader' addressed by your captive.]

[Private to Saina Nanaret; Ledaal Xurizu: 'Leader', like the others, is a half-wolf, half-man. But unlike his lackeys, who are dressed in simple work clothes and mundane armor, this muscular beastman is actually wearing a jade breastplate. His clothing is of fine quality, a tailored coat, shirt and slacks. He even wears spectacles. A very... un-beastlike beast, though he does have the wolf's head and ears, wolf tail and furry body of the others.]

"Be patient," replies the one designated as Leader, much to his subordinate's dismay. "Let them come."

"You, who walks alone in the darkness. Am I to assume you and the wild one hanging onto my packmate are together? There should be four of you. If you are what we are expecting, then you ought to be more than capable of making short work of us, should we have attacked outright. So you understand, the set up here is more for our protection. To level the playing field."

"We can test this theory. Or you can reveal your light to us. Illuminate for us your true nature and what purpose brings you before us. Otherwise... our future will be decided in battle." [Private to Saina Nanaret; Ledaal Xurizu: You see him draw out what looks to be a hand-cannon in his left hand.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:04, Sat 20 June 2009.

Xurizu continues to pick his way around the cavern, moving around and behind the leader.  He doesn't get too close, since he knows he's far better fighting at range than up close.  He does get close enough that when he does reveal himself, his point will have been made and should things go south, he's ready to assist.  When the leader makes his pronouncement about them revealing themselves, Xurizu waits.

At least for a few more moments.

Xurizu scuttles around the golem creature he knows is standing guard, attempting to position itself. It seems... unsettled, the closer he gets to it, twitching its large hands, swiveling its head. But it seems otherwise unaware of the spider's presence, or at least uninterested in announcing it.

[Private to Ledaal Xurizu: You are convinced this being is an Earth Elemental, not a manmade construct. It is a 'gem-child', a spawn of the cavernous gemlords, a lesser member of the Mineral Courts. Its size lends well to its use in labor as well as defensive tasks and its earth-sense makes it a good sentinel; it can also be used to sense veins of precious mineral. It is slow but powerful.

Its summoner must be very close, as you are certain it would not be in this area naturally (this is after all an abandoned mine, so the earth has been depleted). Very likely the sorcerer is the 'Leader' himself but one cannot rule out that more people could be lying in wait at the exit behind the Leader and his elemental guard.]

Talia steps out of the shadows, hands in pockets, and sighs.  "So, are we just going to stand here challenging each other for much longer?  Because to be honest, I'm getting a little bored.  If you're the Freerunners, we're here to talk to you.  If you aren't, then presumably you're waiting for someone else coincidentally close to where we're having our clandestine meeting.  So, if we're going to fight, let's just get on with it, but otherwise, can we just skip ahead a bit?"


OOC: Sorry for the delay, I was waiting to see if anyone else was going to say it first.

An amused chuckle emerges from the darkness. Something rustles and clicks. [Private to Saina Nanaret; Ledaal Xurizu: The three with crossbows again shift targets, so that one aims at each of the three Exalts they can see. They could fire at any moment, if they wished, and appear restless enough to do so, though their Leader appears calm.][Private to Talia Zerith; Ledaal Xurizu: You're... still uncertain of the wolfmen's motivations, only that so far they have hesitated to attack even though one of their own is threatened.]"For you this is boredom. For us this is survival. Saying you wish to meet the Freerunners does not necessarily mean you wish them well, yes?"

"Oh, well. If you wish to remain in darkness, let us get to know one another the old-fashioned way. May my soul fly to the arctic heavens, should my actions be folly!" [Private to Saina Nanaret; Ledaal Xurizu: And Leader readies his hand cannon, raising his free right hand...]

[Private to Yaishin Higura: Having listened to the Leader speak for a time, and sensed with your preternatural awareness the situation around you, you feel that he had not started out with any intention to hurt you. More accurately he seems to be goading you, testing the limits of the group. Your patience and your integrity, your actions under pressure.

Also you believe he is reluctant to directly address that you are Celestials, yet he seems to be expecting to meet them. He wants to see proof of your Exaltation. Note, you're the only one who realizes this at this point, due to your high Socialize :)]

---

OOC: I'll give Higura and Nanaret one more chance to post, also Xurizu is still hidden so has a chance to act for a surprise turn. Here's the tick count in the event of battle.

actions
tick 0 - Higura
tick 1 - wolfman subordinates
tick 2 - Xurizu
tick 3 - wolfman leader
tick 4 - large hulking shape
tick 5 - Nanaret, Talia
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:33, Thu 18 June 2009.

"Grrrr... Doctor! They preparing to fire!" Nanaret shouts, uncaring now about being socially cautious. Yet the situation has her bewildered. The man she is holding has not yet struggled, and in fact smells... frustrated and nervous to her. Though Ranavalona would be delighted that she consume her so willingly cooperative prey, she has already asserted her will over the Bitch Queen, at least for now. It is only because of this, her lingering compassion for humanity(or half-humanity in this case), that she stays her hand.

No... that is not the only reason. Because she would not disappoint Higura. Because he showed her mercy when she had known none, caged like a beast in the Pit.

Perhaps these men, too, are caged in some way.

Nanaret continues dragging her captive toward the Leader, ignoring the crossbow trained on her. She addresses him now. "Stranger, you speak of light. But like this, only have one light to give that comes from myself." And so she releases her anima, a scintillating silver and dark blue aura, moonlight juxtaposed with slivers of shadow... a light that the people of Coils know of only in old paintings and written accounts. The light of the legendary night sky. The light of an Anathema. "You challenge a Chosen of the Moon!!"

[Private to GM: I'll also activate Hide-Toughening Essence for 3m, +6L/6B.]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:38, Thu 18 June 2009.

Almost on cue with Nanaret's intervention, Higura takes another step forward, eyes affixed in the darkness before him. He does not flinch, nor does he changes his overall attitude - he simply looks into the curtain of black, towards the shape he cannot see but knows is there.

"Nothing is gained if both sides hold back." Higura finally says, raising a hand in a gesture of non-threat in an attempt to defuse the rapidly escalating situation. "If for sake of preservation or survival we both stay entrenched and cloaked in our own fears and prejudices, then no knowledge will be awarded on either side. Darkness is where we would fight in this case, and no amount of light would dissipate it - in darkness we all would remain."

"Secrets and truth are gained with risks and daring. In order to gain them, something has to be offered. Only then will the stalemate be broken. The darkness around me is still somewhat of a cloak - I surmise you can see me thought it, of course, but were I so inclined, I could potentially still try to use its cover to hinder you. This cloak will be my offering."

There is no motion in the doctor's body, and yet the surge of essence that permeates it is all too noticeable. It trails his arms and shoulders like a myriad fireflies, and converges at his forehead, where the sign of Jupiter now shines brightly, illuminating his full form.

"I am Doctor Yaishin Higura, Chosen of Jupiter and once of the Resplendent Assessors. You can now see me fully, bathed in my own light; I know where you are, but I cannot see you. Let this be the offering that breaks the stalemate and cast us both into the light of truth."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:28, Sat 20 June 2009.

The combination of Nanaret's sudden and rather intimidating flare of Essence and Higura's calmer, measured introduction seems enough to satisfy the Leader. In fact he almost seems taken aback... though not surprised. "So be it. We'll do this the proper way, sir and madams. Lights!"

More movements in the dark.[Private to Saina Nanaret; Ledaal Xurizu: As Leader lowers his hand cannon, you see the three with crossbows grumpily lower their weapons, and reach for an object in their belt pouches. It is short stick shaped item (like a short baton) that emits a bluish light.] Finally, three sources of light blossom out of the darkness, two on the right side of the room, one on the left. Unlike a flame, the light sources radiate a cool blue-green aura, more like the luminescent natural lamps the builder bugs make out of fungi and lichen.

The light does not completely chase away the darkness, but one can see clearly the figures holding each source, and a 10 yard radius around them. They are wolf-men, with a humanoid shape but the head, tail and fur of a wolf. They wield hand-held bows in one hand, holding a glowing stick in their other; the bows are now pointed to the ground, though not disarmed.

Leader steps forward, so he is illuminated by the juxtaposition of those lights, joining the silvery aura of Nanaret and the brilliant green of Higura. While his comrades are dressed in simple clothing and armor, the wolfman pack leader wears a combo of tailored slacks, shirt and longcoat, with a breastplate of blue jade strapped over the shirt. Spectacles fit over his blue eyes, a blue made more intense by the light sources. He holds a hand-cannon in his left hand, which he immediately places back in its holster.

Several steps behind him, the lights just barely illuminate a hulking shape near the far exit, a golem-like creature nearly 10 feet tall. The sentinel drags itself forward as well, its steps slow and laborious.

"I am Freyr Irjin Edgestrider, of the Edgestrider sept of the Freerunners, but you can just call me Irjin." When he stops walking, he bows with a flourish; he is now standing closest to Higura, though still a few steps away. "No one cares for the titles anyway. But to be specific, I am to be your liaison to our Boss, our Alpha Leader, the legend known as Free."

There he pauses, and chants a short string of Old Realm phrases that Xurizu immediately recognizes as sorcery. [Private to Ledaal Xurizu: you're still behind Irjin and his elemental, and have yet to be noticed. You may roll Perc+Occult to identify the spell if you wish; 3 or more sux will let you know it is the spell Dragon of Smoke and Flame. If you want to disrupt his casting you have the opportunity to but if you make the roll you'll know the spell is non-lethal.]The wolfman being held by Nanaret meanwhile growls crossly, "Can I be let go of NOW?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:50, Sat 20 June 2009.

Xurizu studies the emerging spell with interest, once he has worked out that its intent is non-hostile.  He's very interested in any magic he sees being woven, comparing the leader's style with other casters he has seen.  He remains in spider form until the spell is cast, though.

Once the spell is complete, he twists and changes himself back to human form, still behind the leader and the elemental, allowing his castemark to shine on his forehead.  "I am glad you decided not to fight," he says, as soon as he is able.  "I am Xurizu."

Nanaret's grip tightens briefly on the complaining wolfman, actually cutting tips of his fur off with her hook sword as she watches the man known as Irjin start muttering like she's seen other sorcerers do.

But when Xurizu steps forward without showing alarm, Nana suddenly lets go of her captor and lets him stagger, or fall, in the absence of her grip. At the same time she draws the wolfman's sword with her now-free hand, and tosses it several yards away. Pushing him none-too-gently forward, toward his Leader, she stalks forward until she stands beside and slightly behind Higura.

"So just ask our name and see our aura is enough for you? Hmph... I hope is worth trouble to risk my provocation." The hooksword goes back in its sheath, and the dark-clothed Changing Moon crosses her arms, her hard smile illuminated eerily in the strange mix of blue, green and silver light that now surrounds her. "Doctor Higura is under my protection. If I thought you mean harm to him..." She shrugs. It would have made her angry, and that meant inflicting pain. "I do not understand why you make things more complex than need be, Freyr Irjin."

As Nanaret steps closer to him, Higura actually turns, and at her words, gives her an encouraging smile and a nod. "I am fine, Miss Nanaret. You need not worry about it for now. But nonetheless, thank you for your diligence." His smile widens, and he turns back towards the man across him, returning his bow before speaking again.

"Then we can finally greet one another, Freyr Irjin Edgestrider. Though the circumstances were rather... Well, unfortunate, I do understand that your people need to remain cautious, especially in these troubled times." Higura makes a gesture for Talia as well, indicating to her that it is now safe to approach as well.

"I do admit it was a gamble for us as well. We did not know if your leader would consider lending an ear to us, or whether he would even consider meeting with someone not of his people. So many tales and legends go about Free himself and his group that it becomes difficult for one to make any sort of assumption." The doctor smiles, then peers curiously at the man across him.

"And so here we are. Are we to assume that you are the one we should speak with, or did your master grant us permission to speak to him?"

Irjin's spell completes in a burst of Essence, forming into a dragonet of bright white light trailing wisps of smoke, illuminating the room much more strongly than the hand-held lights of his subordinates. The spell-manifestation circles him lazily as he listens to the others with interest. [Private to Ledaal Xurizu: Pretty useful lil' spell with the 'destination finding' power, I'll mark it as a spell you can learn later on, if you have the experience to spare.]

"So, Xurizu, and Higura. And the two ladies are Nanaret and Talia, then. Let me guess... You, the fiesty one, are Nanaret, the last reigning Pit Princess." Irjin bares his teeth in the approximation of a smile, which on a wolf's visage looks more menacing than it ought to be. "And Talia, you spent some time with the Freerunner pack that was chased out of B25. My apologies, I thank you for enduring the 'hazing' if you will."

"Our Boss is a demanding individual. He wishes for me to make an assessment," he raises his eyebrows significantly at Higura, "of you, to test your integrity under duress. Only then shall I bring you before him in good faith. I will say you've done well so far, if you've not yet slain me with impatience." The impeccably dressed pack leader makes something of a throaty chuckle. "Now. If you will follow me, please."

That said, Irjin turns without waiting for assent, leading the way through the far exit. Two of his men flank him immediately, while the other two (including the one that Nanaret manhandled, still rubbing his neck and grumbling about the 'crazy one') take up the rear with the golem.

"If you've any questions, feel free to ask them while we walk," Irjin says calmly. "I owe you folks that much, since there IS more to come." A rather ominous proclamation. "Though, I admit I am immensely curious, Doctor Higura. You really are a Resplendent Assessor? Recently freed and all? That's not a title to throw around lightly. Why do you still associate yourself with the Assessors, if you're working toward Freedom?"

The next corridor ahead stretches on several tens of yards until the cavern walls abruptly shift from natural earth to cold metal plating. The angles between walls, ground and ceiling are 90 degrees perfect, like one would expect at one of the Gatekeeper control floors. The group's footsteps echo through the passageway on that hard metal plating, but their guide continues along unperturbed.

---

OOC: Double-posting to hurry along some so we can get to Kilani sooner. :) I'd like to in the next few days so I'll be speeding up the post rate here for a bit.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:05, Mon 22 June 2009.

Following the group when prompted, Higura is mostly politely silent through the Freerunners' procedures, so as not to interfere with their preparations and interactions.

"That is an interesting question." The doctor responds, once Irjin asks. >"Of course, like with many interesting questions, the answer is manifold. One part of why is because it is in my past - there is no escaping it, nor is there any point to lie about it. My name alone perhaps does not ring any bells, but the association more than likely narrows down any familiarity one might have with it." The doctor pauses in his exposition for a moment, taking the time to remove and clean his glasses as he continues.

"The second is rather more obscure, and would apply only to a few people - and will require some explanation of my duties as I was a part of the Assessors. Back then, I was sent to the Water District in order to act as a counselor to Gladiators and other residents - as sort of a 'combat therapist', if you will. To assess their mental health as other healers assessed their physical health. As you might expect, however, I did have other, concealed tasks as well. As my patients confided in me, I was to 'assess' their risk factor. That is, how likely were they to rebel, or cause trouble, or reject authority. Since I was placed in the position of a confident, I was to use this 'confidential' information and make periodic reports on my fellow denizens of the Water District. If one subject was considered too problematic to wait for a report, it would then be my duty to terminate them quietly on the spot, so as not to endanger the rest of the Coils."

"My superiors misjudged who they gave these responsibilities to, however. Given my origins, I was not inclined to follow these orders. In fact, these individuals I was tasked to act against had more in common with me than my 'employers'. For some time, I purposefully concealed information from my superiors, lying about dangerous cases and deliberately allowing these elements to roam free. It has been my hope that in the debacle of the Water District, some of my patients have managed to go free... I usually use my previous appellation since they would recognize it. I sometimes hope they have found other niches, and have joined organizations such as yours. Until now, however, my hopes have not proven true."

"I do not give up hope, however, and continue to use the title in certain situations, in case one of my previous patients will happen to notice it. This is a strange habit, perhaps, but it is the full truth."

Xurizu is mostly silent, observing the route they are taking and listening to the conversation between Higura and Irjin.  When that conversation is over, he is silent for a little while.

"Those weapons your men have," he gestures to the crossbow.  "I don't think I have ever seen them within Five Coils, nor heard of their use anywhere within its confines.  What are they and is there a chance I could see them in operation?" he enquired.  "Although not on us," he added with a grin.

"Perhaps at some other time, I would like to talk sorcery with you too."  He indicates the dragonet, and the golem.

"You guys have got some pretty nice gear," Talia interjects, following closely.  "If you don't mind I'd love to take a look at it.  Well, maybe not right now--if we end up working together, I'll hopefully get a chance to tinker with them a bit.  I don't think the guys I was holed up with had anything like that, but I wasn't there very long.  Maybe they didn't bring out the good stuff around me."

Nanaret "hmphs" and belatedly nods an assent when Irjin speaks her name. She still isn't happy about the trouble of 'testing' them, but the more rational part of her understands that the need for security in such an organization as the Freerunners must be quite high.

Perhaps then she can learn something from them. More and more she is taking her role as bodyguard quite seriously. The idea of using her skills to protect rather than for soulless entertainment is deeply appealing to her.

Letting the others do the talking for now, Nanaret follows along silently, focusing her senses to carefully keep track of every detail of the new environment they are walking into. She would have preferred to take up the rear rather than have the golem and wolfmen at her back; the setup makes her feel restless, particularly after Freyr Irjin mentioned there would be more to the assessment. She would not be caught off guard.

[Private to GM: 03:15, Today: Saina Nanaret rolled 4 successes using 9d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,7,8,5,4,1,3,2,9. perc+aware. used perception excel.]

Irjin is content to let Higura explain himself, verbose as he may be. Perhaps he is pleased that the Celestials are so amenable to giving away information. "Fascinating circumstances. And it seems we have similar jobs... just on a different scale, and with different bosses. I see. Assuming everything works out, if you've any names in particular you are seeking I can inquire about that on your behalf."

"Though... if you held such an important position to the Five Coils Council, you must consider the idea that they will prioritize sending individuals now to 'assess' you. And likely as not eliminate or bring you back into the fold." He taps his neck to indicate exactly what he means by that.

Irjin's attention shifts to Xurizu and Talia. "I do hope that we can grow to be friends. My duties come first, but I do not meet a great many sorcerers. You may know that the Boss himself is an accomplished sorcerer. I endured a great deal to learn even a small amount of that."

"As for our equipment. Those weapons are part of the compromises we have made, or in this case inherited, due to having less reliable access to higher technology. Many of our people carry them due to the conveniences they offer, including ease of production and use. Some of us are lucky enough to... erm, acquire even better arms." He pats the hand cannon he holds. It appears to be a compact form of an essence weapon. "Don't worry... you'll have plenty opportunity to watch them in action."

After a few abrupt turns through the metallic maze, it appears the group is now approaching a dead end. The door at the end reminds Xurizu of the metallic sliding doors he saw in the Gatekeeper of Water's B26 Control Floor. It is lit up with white essence power-lines in whorl and serpentine patterns. Irjin directs the rear guard to watch the corridor behind them as he swiftly begins to input glyphs on the panel adjacent to the door. Soon afterward a distinctive whirring sound occurs, coming from beyond the door and making the floor tremble slightly.

[Private to Saina Nanaret: You hear another more minute whirring sound starting up from some distance behind. Some sort of automaton or mechanism activated along with whatever Irjin did at the door?]

[Private to Yaishin Higura: You feel another cold surge as you realize that what Irjin did with the panel has definitely activated some sort of distant trap. You feel you have less than 10 minutes to prepare for it.]

"Do believe me when I say that I contemplate this possibility each day I am allowed to remain free." The doctor responds, continuing to gaze ahead. "But this was meant to be this way, even from the first day I was assigned to the Assessors themselves. I have a role to fulfill, and will accept the consequences that come from fulfilling this role." Higura pauses, then smiles. "But for what it is worth, I am glad you think of me as an equal, lord Irjin. Understanding, even if it is only a fragment of it, is a precious commodity in this world of ours. I welcome it."

The doctor then pauses, and although his expression does not falter, he lifts his chin slightly at the man's inputting of the glyphs. A tinge comes in his mind, and he nods almost imperceptibly. "Of course," he begins, turning toward the group's leader, "It is that same kinship that allows me to understand that our trials are not over - and that what you have just done will mean another bout of danger for us... And soon."

Higura pauses, lowering his gaze. If anything, this statement should at least serve to get his friends anticipating the danger ahead, just as he has felt it.

Nanaret tenses up as well, both at the warning from Higura and the sounds she can hear distantly. Whirring... mechanical sounds. She frowns, thinking of the machines Danae had awakened.

Her next motion is to switch from readying her hook sword to pulling Sixth Coil from its back-tube. The length of moonsilver chain-linked steel slithers smoothly into her hands, so exquisitely crafted that it exhibits a suppleness metal ought not to have. Then she gathers two sections in either hand, snapping the center three taut with a crack!

"Higura may be kind, but I do not appreciate this, Freyr Irjin. Maybe we not worth enough to you to trust us." She doesn't focus her wrath on Irjin, though, but turns, covering Higura as she faces opposite the glowing mechanical door.

[Private to GM: I assume my soak charm is still up. I want to activate Snake Form, but not sure how long it'll be until whatever's coming arrives.]
This message was last edited by the player at 10:29, Sat 27 June 2009.

Irjin, perhaps surprisingly to the others, does not acknowledge Higura's assertions, but frowns deeply. He looks troubled by the news. "No... this was not planned at all. I must have inputted just a touch too slow. One can never be too exact, dealing with machines."

The Freerunner pack leader instructs his men to form a perimeter, with the golem up front. "If it's what I think it is, our crossbow bolts won't be very effective," Irjin says. He pushes his glasses up his snout, a gesture of impatience, or nervousness. "Nor will most ordinary weapons."

"Let me explain. I have called the lift down to take us to B23. But I've not managed to bypass the security completely. Whatever is coming is likely an automaton guard to deal with my transgression."

"It is of utmost importance that I bring you to our Boss. Therefore, once the lift opens I recommend all of you, my Celestial guests, step into it and head upward. I and my people will remain behind to take care of the mess. Of course, we may be lucky and the lift comes before the guardian... we shall see." There is a gleam in Irjin's blue eyes as he readies his hand-sized essence cannon.

---

OOC: Perc+Invest or Socialize, if you want to make sure he's really not expecting what's coming.

Talia's attention is piqued by the mechanical noises; she listens closely, trying to evaluate a likely source of those particular sounds.

"Seems like an awful lot of trouble for a trap; even more for a test," she mutters quietly.
"I wonder if the virus got through yet..."
One hand falls to the fan at her waist.

[Private to GM: I'd like to try and identify the approaching automaton, if possible.  I wasn't sure what to roll so I guessed.
16:44, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 4 successes using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,9,10,8,5,4,2. Perc+Craft(magitech).

16:43, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 3 successes using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,8,2,10,5,3,4. Perc+Soc. ]

Talia doesn't believe that the coming automaton is one of the Sentries she has typically seen in Earth District before. Particularly because the sounds she hears indicates the machine (if indeed there is only one) is not walking, but rather hovering.

[Private to Talia Zerith: You can think of a couple makes of machine they could be. There are the Whistlers, which are primarily watch-sentries with little combat ability. Shaped like sea anemones, they have spikes to make them appear menacing, proximity alarms to alert the next AI authority in line, and if threatened may activate a self-destruct sequence that can do comparative damage as to an explosive mine. They are also able to survive in water.

Another floating machine type is the Scorpion Swift Striker. A primarily offensive unit that can fold itself into a compact shape and hover over the ground (with similar technology as a gliding chariot) to save travel-time. When unfurled they take the shape of the eponymous scorpion; the tail is usually some sort of ranged cannon, the pincers can be used to crush or immobilize enemies.]

The lift seems to be taking its sweet time, while Freyr Irjin inputs further inquiries. The Freerunners wait tensely, weapons readied, while the golem stolidly stands guard. Something, vaguely round in shape, is emerging around a bend in the corridor, maybe 70-80 yards opposite the glowing door. Irjin, bent over the panel, says in a rather strained voice, "It's coming down now. We'll only have several seconds' window so prepare yourselves."

---

OOC: it looks like the floating thing(s) will arrive about the *same* time the lift opens.

[Private to Talia Zerith: The magitech roll is fine. :) Also, you're certain that Irjin isn't faking. He really wasn't expecting the automatons to come.]

No use getting caught unprepared then, in the case this is not one of the Freerunenrs' tests. Higura thinks, as he readies his own sword and gazes sideways to his comrades. Still, he does not yet give up the idea that this is not part of the plan, and does observe Irjin's mannerisms in case he can pick up a flaw or fault in them.

"I would surmise this is the most secure and direct way up then, if it is so tightly guarded." Higura comments, as he puts his back to the lift and prepares himself for the coming attack. "Which also likely means that we will have to fight with it at our backs and make certain it does not get damaged - or that we do not lose our window of opportunity."

"If you or your men can offer any additional insight about what we are about to face, now would be the time..." Higura finally says, in Irjin's direction, before turning to his own companions. "And the same goes for you, my friends. If you spot anything that might help us, I would advise we put such thoughts together - this situation might prove rather difficult."

[Private to Gatekeeper: Since Higura doesn't know if Irjin is sincere or not (Talia didn't confirm her certainty), I'll have him roll as well. He'd try to be on the safe side, so that'd be part of 'protocol', in a way.

You rolled 1 success using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((4,6,4,4,3,1,8,1)).]

"I am ready," Nanaret retorts, gripping her moonsilver serpent staff as... whatever it is emerges into plain view. Her stance is not rigid, but fluid and sinuous, emulating the dance of a snake reared to strike. Her footwork weaves a pattern on the floor, the soft soles of her boots never quite lying flat on the ground.

Thus she awaits any eventuality - whether to fight, protect or to grab Higura and flee into the lift.

[Private to GM: Ok, NOW I'll activate Snake Form. I should have spent, I think, 8 motes by now. Unless I got any stunts.]

Xurizu gives Irjin a midly suspicious look, though whether it's a test or not doesn't change too much at this juncture.  He can't think of anything to help himself or his companions at this point, other than being ready to fight whatever it is that is coming.  With this in mind, he draws his Earth enchanted tonfa from the loop on his belt and makes another check on the fastenings of his jade armour.  Satisfied that all is in order, he waits.

A total of three spherical shapes emerge into the corridor leading to the lift door. If indeed that is what it is. Hovering above the ground, they touch down simultaneously about fifty yards away and start to unfurl like a strange mechanical puzzle: six legs, two pincers, mandibles and a long tail curving upward like a scorpion's tail.

Irjin mutters something under his breath about unreliable machines, glances behind him and finally says with some breath to spare, "They're Scorpion Strikers. More often in use in Fire District and up, but they've been placed here as a guard, apparently. The first thing I'd recommend you do is duck. Then run... if you can."

The three Strikers continue their relentless approach, though less speedily on foot. The corridor is large enough for two of them to walk side by side, if with difficulty, so one of the trio trails behind. They lift their stinger-tails as they walk and the 'stinger' opens up like a mechanical blossom to reveal the barrel of what is very likely an essence cannon, and the three simultaneously open fire.

The combination barrage nearly fills the entire corridor with a blinding, red-orange aura that ripples and sears through the corridor without losing momentum. The golem staggers, taking the brunt of the blast, but the rest flares past the earthen construct and washes over the group immediately behind it. Two of the Freerunners are struck mercilessly, howling in pain and falling back as the concussive force pulps their insides. Only one of them manages to remain conscious -- barely -- crawling slowly, agonizingly, toward the lift door as it mercifully slides open, revealing a large cylindrical space inside.

Though the blast does not directly reach the Celestials, being in its proximity still threatens to knock them off their feet, further complicating the escape.

Irjin shouts, "GO! Klaxon, grab Nelly and get inside!! Cynical, help Wrack if you can but just try to get out alive!"

---

OOC: So a Stamina+Resistance, diffculty 2. Then roll Join Battle (you'll have a penalty of -1 sux to this if you fell, though I'll also let you stunt JB here if you want). This is more for me to determine whether you'll be able to escape into the lift in time.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:28, Sun 28 June 2009.

If nothing else would have convinced Higura of Irjin's sincerity, the sacrifice of the other Freerunners finishes to seal the deal. Despite the hectic situation, a deep frown creases the doctor's features, who inwardly laments the sacrifice of their hosts - strange as their meeting and the circumstances behind it might have been, at the core, all of them fight for the same thing.

There is no time to pause and rest, however, as the danger is ever-present. Quickly, the doctor shifts his center of gravity to the side opposite the coming force of the shockwave, hoping that this last-minute attempt will actually allow him to remain upright...

Fighting against the current of the tremors, Higura manages, with great effort, to stay on his feet despite the blast. Quickly, he turns his gaze to his comrades to insure none of them need assistance just yet, then calls out: "Quickly, towards the lift!" The display of the automatons' power does convince the doctor that staying and fighting is likely akin to a lost cause - they might be able to disrupt the mechanical abomination with enough force, but the cost would likely be much to high for this to be considered a suitable solution. Fleeing, it seems, would be their best option.

"And you, sir Irjin... You stay alive. We still have things to discuss."

Keeping an eye out for the trouble ahead, Higura does his best to scamper to the lift, his idea being that if he manages to reach it quickly, he can help the others climb aboard as well.

[Private to Gatekeeper: 18:50, Today: Yaishin Higura rolled 4 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,2,1,10,5,9,8,1. Join Battle. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 23:52, Sun 28 June 2009.

Nanaret easily keeps her balance, bouncing on the balls of her feet. She sees the Freerunners go down in that hot flare of Essence and winces. "This what is hiding here? You very foolish men. Perhaps your arrogance awakens the machine. You think they will not retaliate. But instead they wait for you to make mistake."

She hesitates briefly, caught between her desire to ensure Higura's safety first, to focus on her survival and to offer aid to those she saw as hopelessly overconfident. Nonetheless, she is among the first to react, darting swift as a striking serpent toward the lift door. A touch of Ranavalona's cruel pragmatism and instinctive mistrust of machines eclipses what spark of compassion she may have shown. "Hurry or you will die."

But she does give a hand to other where she can -- none too gently -- wrenching the unsteady to their feet and all but pushing them toward the lift. If only because doing so will hasten their escape upstairs.

[Private to GM: I rolled the compassion cause I was indecisive what attitude Nanaret woudl take toward helping the Freerunners. Though she failed Compassion she didn't botch so I took more of a middle ground.

Also, made the Resistance roll. I'll be using Striking Cobra Technique (add MA to sux for Join Battle) to help the Join Battle roll!

20:45, Today: Saina Nanaret failed (no successes) using 2d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,5. a compassion roll.
19:07, Today: Saina Nanaret rolled 3 successes using 4d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,7,9,1. Stamina+Resistance. AND a wp.]

Talia manages to keep her footing.  She pulls the fan from her belt, and flicking it open she runs...forward, to stand between the Scorpions and the fleeing group.
"Get everyone into the lift; I'll help cover the rear."  From the corner of her eye, she spares Irjin a brief glance.  "I ran with Freerunners before I met any of the others.  I'm as much one of you as one of them."

[Private to GM: 00:01, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 6 successes using 6d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,8,9,9,10,5.
23:54, Yesterday: Talia Zerith rolled 3 successes using 4d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,2,10,4. Sta+res.
Do the Scorpions have any particular weaknesses? 00:08, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 2 successes using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,8,3,4,1,4,9. Int+Magitech.]

In the wake of that ripple of force, Xurizu and another of the Freerunners (Cynical) fall to the ground. The latter falls hard enough to bruise himself, but that doesn't keep him from attempting to drag the unconscious, heavily injured Wrack toward the lift. "Come on, brother. I won't leave you here," he growls, managing to get only part of the way there.

Klaxon manages to stay upright, half-supporting, half-dragging Nelly along. Nanaret, who reaches the lift first, helps pull them in, dispassionate attitude or not. Higura seems in the best position to help Cynical carry his burden, or to pull Xurizu up.

Talia meanwhile stands fearlessly in the front line, with the golem. The being of earth is actually smoking from the blast, its surface actually having hardened into an igneous crystal from the heat of it. But it does not seem to feel pain as a normal human does. It stands its ground as the Scorpions advance, more laboriously now with the complication of mechanical legs and the narrowness of the corridor. [Private to Talia Zerith: The first thing you can think about in terms of weakness is likely their underside. Breaking one or more of their more fragile legs (or trying to sweep them) sounds like a good idea as well.]

Irjin nods sharply Higura's way, acknowledging his words of encouragement, but does not immediately enter the lift. Seeing the Scorpions delayed, he begins to shape another spell, relying on his golem to provide cover. "Once I cast, you'd better get out of the way," he calls out to Talia. "Though I appreciate your support. We could use more like you." The shaping begins in earnest, as a howling wind rises up around the well-dressed Freerunner.

The trio of Scorpion Strikers appear to be preparing for one more barrage, though the front pair raise their pincers  as well, as they scuttle down the corridor. They are currently about 25 yards away from where Talia and the golem stand.

---

OOC: I rolled all the JBs (except Xurizu's, didn't want to presume) and the scorpions botched, so they go last no matter what. So everyone has one more action! Please remember these machines are not meant to be something you should fight head on or even at all, if you can avoid it.

tick 0 - Nanaret
tick 1 - Talia
tick 2 - Irjin (shaping spell...)
tick 3 - Higura, Xurizu, Cynical (carrying Wrack)
tick 4 - Klaxon (supporting Nelly)
tick 6 - Scorpion Strikers, earth golem
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:29, Tue 30 June 2009.

"Just give me a warning, and I'll be right out of there."
With those words Talia springs forward, drops, and rolls toward the nearest Scorpion, slashing at a leg with her fan before tumbling away.

[Private to GM: Spending 1wp and 6 motes of peripheral essence for Lethal Paper Fan Attack
21:31, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 5 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,7,6,1,8,9,3,5,4,7. Dex+MA+3dice for 1st excellency.
21:36, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 1 success using 3d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,5,9. because I forgot Accuracy..]
This message was last edited by the player at 01:41, Tue 30 June 2009.

Nanaret does not dash forward with Talia, though she does continue to haul in the injured, pulling them to the sides of the elevator where they will have the most advantage of cover. "Now best you stay down," she says to them unnecessarily. After that first blast, they'd likely be covering themselves if they valued their lives! "Doctor Higura. You can examine them? Some look very hurt. Not sure if still alive."

She remains on her toes, watching the moves of the Scorpions, her moonsilver serpent staff coiled around one arm. If Talia goes down for whatever reason her next action will be to dash in and retrieve her before Irjin's spell goes off. Still a bleeding heart, Ranavalona hisses contemptuously in her mind. The Bitch Queen would much prefer she just operate the lift and move upstairs without the others, of course. IF she knew how to operate the lift. But Nanaret, while not the type to play hero in these circumstances, would still not leave an ally to die if there were a reasonable chance to save them.

(OOC: I guess I'm... basically holding action.)
This message was last edited by the player at 18:34, Tue 30 June 2009.

Xurizu had been bowled over by the shock of the blastwave, but he soon rolled and jumped to his feet, shaking his head to clear his thoughts.  Once he clears his thoughts, he starts to move towards the elevator, helping Cynical and Wrack to move towards the entrance of the elevator.

"I'm fine," he reassures Higura and the others, continuing to move towards the doors.

The four Freerunners all make it to the lift. The unconscious one, Wrack, is propped up against the elevator wall. Cynical works frantically over him, trying to revive, or somehow stabilize him, but is obviously unversed in medicine. "Come on, brother..."

Irjin's spell continues to shape. He repeats a phrase, that in Old Realm sounds very much like the word for 'storm' or 'thunder', and the winds whipping around him build into a howling whirlwind.[Private to Ledaal Xurizu: as usual you can try to roll to recognize the spell, so you can learn it later.] Though used to their Leader pulling off feats of sorcery, the other conscious Freerunners still crouch well out of his way within the confines of the lift.

Talia, ahead of the others, attempts to take out one of the Scorpions' legs, but her fan merely glances off it in an unlucky blow. The one she attempted to strike snaps at her with its pincers, attempting to grab hold of her and crush her bodily. [Private to Talia Zerith: 6 sux, 3 sux flurry. Your parry DV is at the moment 3 Dex + 4 MA + 2 weapon + 3 from charm. So that's 12/6=6 DV, -1 from your attack, so 5. So first attack is in with 1 success unless you will use your Martial Arts excellency, willpower, etc. to increase DV just a liiittle more. :)]The other two hang back, both raising their tail-weapons to fire. The barrels open, revealing an ominous red-orange glow in their depths, building quickly in heat and intensity...

As most of the group reaches and climbs into the lift, Higura turns his immediate attention to the wounded, and directs those carrying them to put them down side by side on the lift's floor. "Be careful when putting them down. I am not specialized in body medicine, but there are things I can do for them. Make certain you do not move them too much - they might have internal lesions and bleeding that might be exacerbated by it."

Once the wounded are on the floor, the doctor signals for those standing to make some space for him to work. The time is short, and he would not be able to do a heavy procedure on them, but he does make certain to check each one's pulse, their heart rate and their overall condition, before checking out their individual wounds. Carefully, Higura puts his full attention into seeing each wound as it is, its gravity and threat ratio, and works as quickly as able to patch things up.

He might not be able to fully heal them, but at the very least, he can stabilize their conditions and make certain they do not get any worse. With a methodical and precise approach that belies the tense situation he is currently in, Higura gets to work, making rudimentary bandages and splints where necessary and working his hardest to keep the Freerunners alive.

[Private to Gatekeeper: 12:27, Today: Yaishin Higura rolled 2 successes using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,2,7,3,8,3,5. Int + Med (+1wp). ]

OOC: Yeah, I'll burn a wp.

Talia dodges back as the pincers brush across the front of her jacket.  "Are we about ready to get out of here?"

Higura is at least able to get a basic idea of the state of the wounded Freerunners. He can at least ensure that neither are going to immediately die -- unless they're hit by another one of those beams.

[Private to Yaishin Higura: One has taken 8 Bashing, the other 6 Bashing. The one with 8 Bashing is unconscious and shows signs of internal bleeding. The other is just severely bruised and in pain, his body in a cold sweat from the effort to keep from crying out.

Higura does not think he can immediately stabilize the man in the few seconds he had to examine him, but he does not think that he will immediately die, either. Rather, there is a chance Wrack may be crippled upon reawakening unless he is healed by someone with supernatural ability.]

At this point the only people still in the corridor are Talia, Irjin and his guardian elemental. Everyone else is partially covered by the lift. (+2 DV from cover, though having the others in front of them makes this more or less irrelevant)

The Scorpion Strikers, lacking any sort of sympathy or understanding of the situation beyond that there are unauthorized individuals using the lift, open fire with their tail weapons. The two pinpoints of light build to their peak of intensity, and twin beams of concussive force surge toward the two figures in front: the golem currently covering Irjin and the much more fragile Talia. The earthen construct raises its arms in front of its chest, to absorb or deflect the beam as best it can. Several alarmingly large chunks of stone flake off from its chest, forearms and shoulders from the impact, black as carbon.

[Private to Talia Zerith: All right and now you've got a 7 success beam coming at you. I'll say now that you do not want to block this with your fan -- since it's a mundane fan, the beam will simply burn it up. So you can only dodge.

Your Dodge DV is at the moment 4: (Dex 4 + Dodge 2 + Ess 3)/2 rounded up is 5, then a -1 from your previous attack because your DV has yet to refresh. So. That said you do have some options to make up the +3 DV you need. You could spend another WP and stunt the rest, a +2 stunt will do. You could also block with the fan *anyway*, and use First MA excellency, but then you'll definitely have to give it up, and so soon after you crafted it! ;.;

Ah, and if you decide to just take the damage, don't forget the Twilight Anima can help you soak.]

As the smoke and haze clears from the barrage, Irjin finally shouts, "Talia! If you're all right over there, get to the lift now! Erythros, carry her if she can't move!" Erythros being the golem, most likely...

"This is gonna sting,"  Talia mutters as the beams charge.  "Sorry big guy."  With those words she spins quickly to the side, stopping behind the golem.  Her anima flares, the deep scarlet and violet fractal pattern branching and winding around her body.
"Stercus, stercus, stercus; moritatus sum."

[Private to GM: 1wp, 5m peripheral essence, and a desperate hope not to die... ;)]

Talia steps behind the golem, glowing with sunset Essence. Prayer, swiftness and Erythros' bulk are all that can save her from the red-hot essence blast. At the last moment she reflexively shuts her eyes as her anima brightens, enfolding her protectively.

The heat of the blast washes over her, pushing her backward and nearly knocking her over. Her skin is surely scalded, the hairs on her body seared, her insides pulped and broken...

But when she opens her eyes, she feels no pain at all. She is whole and unharmed.

[Private to Talia Zerith: Well, I decided I'd give you a stunt die just for being bold enough to go up against these odds at all. And you got a 10! So your WP + that 1 die saved you from all damage. ;)

Also, I'm assuming you run, to save time. I ... don't think you'd have a reason not to.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:47, Thu 02 July 2009.

Again Irjin urges Talia to move back. Erythros dematerializes, dissolving into a fine crystallized sand which itself disappears into nothingness. Without the golem in position, only empty space lies between the three Scorpions, Irjin and Talia.

The Freerunner leader's spell reaches its culmination, and he unleashes it, calling forth a chilling, deafening howl at a point between the three hostile machines. The sonic attack smashes forcefully into their armored plates -- not breaking them, but penetrating right through them to disrupt the sensitive machinery within. In the small window of seconds the stunning effect earns them, Irjin pulls Talia with him and joins the others in the loaded lift.

"I have to say this wasn't QUITE the way I envisioned this to go," Irjin says breathlessly, manipulating the lift controls. The glowing doors slide smoothly closed, and the lift platform begins to rise, carrying the Exalts and Freerunners to the levels above.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:26, Sat 04 July 2009.

Now that the immediate threat seems to be averted, Nanaret lets her wary, serpentine stance relax slightly... for now. She folds her serpent-sting staff in one hand and looks askance at Irjin.

"Then what you did expect? I hope there no more unpleasant surprises upstairs."

Her critical gaze fixes on Talia, though her words are not quite so harsh. "And you are crazy. But good you are safe. These wounded ones here... could have been you." Her dark eyes flick towards the two heavily wounded Freerunners laid as comfortably as they can be in the cylindrical chamber, now that it is rising.

"Crazy?  Probably.  But I gave careful consideration to the odds."  A grin flashes across her face.  "And then I did it anyway."

She shrugs, then continues, more quietly.  "Besides, I feel like I haven't really been a lot of help.  I knew I could probably buy a few seconds and come out of it alive-- unscathed was honestly more then I had hoped for.  But as long as I could keep the heat off of the wounded long enough to get everyone clear, I figured it was worth it.  Speaking of which--" She turns now to the doctor.  "Can I offer you a hand?"

"Hmmmm." Nanaret tilts her head as she continues to gaze at Talia, as if seeing the woman in a new light. Fortunately, it seems to be a good light. Even a respectful one. "Maybe is reason you fit so well with Freerunners."

Nodding at Talia's desire to help the group, she adds helpfully, "Higura is more of mind healer than body healer. Perhaps you help better."

With the danger passing for now, Higura manages to breathe a sigh of relief. It has been a close call, but they seem to have made it... The Freerunners having apparently taken the brunt of the strike. Kneeling besides one of the wounded, Higura continues to watch over them and monitoring their conditions.

At Nanaret's interrogation of Irjin, Higura stands up to place a hand on the Lunar's shoulder, squeezing gently in a gesture of comfort. "Miss Nanaret - I understand your rage and your mistrust of these people. But I ask that for now, we hold out hostility for our hosts, until given reasons otherwise... We are soldiers on the same side, for the moment at least."

"I know you also wish to keep me safe. And I am deeply touched by the gesture, I assure you - I treasure it deeply. But I believe that for us to pull through, we will need more allies, and the Freerunners might just be the comrades we have been looking for. I know trust is something difficult for you, and thus I will not ask you to trust them. But if you cannot have faith in them... Please have faith in me, Nanaret." The doctor smiles to the Lunar, and perhaps there are things this smile can say that words otherwise cannot.

Similarly to Nanaret, Higura does see a new facet of Talia he had not seen beforehand  - not that he had no faith in the woman's abilities, of course. But the way she handled the situation, although it was rather dangerous, did bear its fruits. Perhaps she has not yet been given the chance she deserves, the doctor thinks.

"Yes, I would gladly accept assistance. I am not a physician by trade, as Nanaret said - minds are my specialty. Therefore, I might require your talents in healing these poor fellows. Especially Mister Wrack, here." Higura points to the critically injured Freerunner, kneeling besides him once more. "My diagnostic shows he likely suffers from internal bleeding - but I can assume that without supernatural healing, he might suffer dire consequences. I believe I stabilized him enough that he will not die, but he might be crippled upon awakening, unless you or someone with supernatural healing talents can assist him."

Higura turns back to Talia, and nods confidently at her. "Please, let me know if I can help in any fashion. I can still serve as an assistant, if you need it."
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:43, Sat 04 July 2009.

Xurizu stands around feeling not that much use right now.  He's no healer, unfortunately.  If anything, his talents lie in completely the opposite direction.  And now is not the time to apply those.

"Higura is right, Nanaret," Xurizu says.  "You were the one who warned they might not accept us immediately.  Though, nothing quite goes to plan, it seems..." he gestures to the scorch marks left over.

He turns his attention on Irjin. "Like Nanaret, I'm curious as to what you did have planned though.  And ... you said those scorpion guardians typically operate in the Fire district?  Have you ever seen them this low down below.  That is ... slightly concerning."

Irjin does not speak again for a time, content to listen to the sound of the lift humming, and to the voices of his allies-to-be. The bespectacled beastman inclines his head appreciatively to the Celestials: Talia for her concern over the safety of his comrades, and Higura and Xurizu for speaking on behalf of giving them the benefit of the doubt. "Do not worry. I take no offense to Nanaret's caution. In fact the Boss fairly warned us that our methods may well provoke a fight. I do not doubt what the results would have been..." He grins wryly, his muzzle once again baring those sharp rows of teeth.

At one point the lift shudders and nearly stops. A sharp THUD is heard from below and the platform trembles. Keeping his face neutral, Irjin turns to address Xurizu's inquiry.

"To explain the situation, we will be entering on the outskirts of the major city on Floor B23, the City of Pasiap's Resolve. Specifically the South Sector, which is primarily industrial in purpose."

The Freerunner leader taps the lift control, until finally the lift ceases its stuttering and continues its way upward.

"The situation there is... well let us say, tense is an understatement. Now, to allay any potential protests, this was not originally my idea. This lift is simply in the vicinity and well, the Boss thought that if you're worth your mettle, the situation will not be any trouble for you. That said -- the workers of South Sector 5 have been showing signs of unrest for some time. And we have heard reports the Peace Force will, or may already be sending a deterrence team down to, ah, deal with them."

"And you might guess, we will have to move through Sector 5 one way or another, to rendezvous with the Boss. For now we'll be entering one of our guarded shelters -- there should be space to give Wrack and Nelly a proper look."
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:16, Sat 04 July 2009.

Nanaret, faced with the well-meaning opinions of Higura and Xurizu, tightens her jaw and looks away briefly. Her shoulder in Higura's grip is taut from her mixed concern and agitation, though the tightly wound muscles relax noticeably at his touch. "Very well. I mean no harm, but understand, as one who work with trickery, I too must suspect those who may do the same."

"I do trust you, Doctor Higura," she adds gruffly, and leans against his hand briefly before straightening, lowering her weapon. "No question for that."

"So another dangerous situation... Mmmm. Are Freerunners involved in inciting this unrest, then? We are... expected to help on the workers' side?"

Once again the lift shudders and slows... this time coming to a complete stop. The panel, glowing with white Essence, flickers for a moment. The overhead lights flicker as well. A dull thumping sound continues from further below.

"Hold that thought," Irjin says quickly, holding his hand up to Nanaret, and once again fiddles with the panel. "Open up," he mutters, as if talking to it might help.

Or perhaps it does, because a couple seconds later, the concave doors slide open, revealing an entirely different passage beyond. This one is neither the packed earth and stone of a mine tunnel, nor the cold, hard adamant expected in a Technician's Guild or a the halls of a Control Floor. These walls are primarily crumbling brick, revealed behind peeling, cracking paint that may have once been white before neglect and the ravages of time did their damage. The floor is stone tile. Some sort of building?

"If you can help carry the wounded... I'll show you where they can be taken. We'll talk some more there." Irjin steps through the open lift door.

---

OOC: Speeding along a bit again, mostly because the lift only goes 2 floors. :P So, continue posting in the new thread once I have created it (Floor B23 - City of Pasiap's Resolve, South Sector 5)