Danae closed her eyes in thought at this point, looking over the terrain, and mulling over how best to deploy a bunch of overpowered, armed to the teeth insects to best effect, ideally fighting off the opposing force as best as possible, while exposing them to a minimal amount of risk.

The problem, of course, was that Danae didn't actually KNOW what they'd be fighting against--the enemy forces were of unknown strength and composition--though likely would contain a number of Immaculate Monks among their numbers as well...

Then, as if flipping on a switch, she had it.

"You might be able to increase your cover by using the Automatons to your advantage"  Danae explained.  "We've established that they get confused when it comes to relatively unusual situations--and they tend to freeze up during this period of time as well...  If you can exploit that, using their large size and strength as mobile obstacles--you should be able to close the distance between them very quickly...  If the other side tries attacking them as well, it might just be that they'll treat Those targets as 'Unfriendlies', and join the battle on your side...  It's a long shot, but it'll probably be better then charging them head on--right?"

[Private to Gatekeeper: 21:18, Today: Danae Adela rolled 2 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,6,5,4,3,10,4,3. Int + War.

Adding 4s from Second War Excellency, and hoping to get a stunt with this as well, total is 6 successes at this point]

"This is true," concedes Evamae, "however, it is not very likely the Immaculate Monks make use of automatons. Hive Irix's current knowledge of the Immaculate Order suggests that they find artificial life distasteful, and are more likely to rely on standard jade artifacts, light magitech and most of all, their supernatural martial arts. Of course... there are always exceptions," the Princess admits cautiously, perhaps feeling uncertain about correcting one of the Creators.

"We too are uncertain of exact numbers, as we have only seen what is outside. The Outpost may have a score of active monks initially, most of acolyte or junior level with one or two senior leaders. The North Garrison would have at least double that with perhaps four or five senior monks."

"I would expect the temple interior to have several hundreds of fighting monks stationed there. That is of course divided among five floors, and not all of them immediately in the Inner Temple itself but rather stationed to protect various Temple nodes. But we expect a relatively small percent of monks to be able to match the mighty Celestials in battle."

[Private to Danae Adela: I rolled you 1 die stunt, so 2 motes back... No sux though :( :( Now I can still give you some info concerning division of troops, 6 sux is still a good roll. First of all, you might want to send Dashu ahead to scout. That separates him from the group but on the other hand, that's what Nights do best!

Given the numbers you've just heard, you think the Ruby Warriors could easily overpower the Shrine Outpost. They'd have a harder time alone against the monks of the Garrison. The Blue Stripes could also go in alone against the Outpost and do quite well, but again, you have to think not only about what's seen from the outside, but what opposition would be encountered inside.

There is also the unfortunate possibility the Peace Force may bring in reinforcements from the outside, too. Though Peace Force tends toward magitech equipped mortals and fewer Essence users.

So I would not say your goal would be to kill EVERY last Immaculate. Rather, taking the bottom Temple floor, fortifying, and defending from there, will make it easier for you to push upward, particularly if the Hive Queen or rebels can send more numbers your way.]

"It's fairly likely" Danae said, acknowledging the new information, and recalculating her plans.  "Well...  The way I see it, out best tactical decision will be to secure the bottom floor of the temple--and then hold off any reinforcements as the rest of us climb up to the top floors...  Of course, the total numbers we'll be dealing with are probably going to be considerable either way--so if there's a way we can divert the Immaculate forces down here while the brunt of our strength is intact, it'll make climbing up the rest of the tower an easier prospect..."

She glanced over to Dashu and the others.  "Dashu, would you mind heading forward and getting us some preliminary intelligence as to what we'll be dealing with in the temple?  And if anyone else has any ideas to add, this'd be a good time to provide them..."

"Hmm, Evamae, are the Ruby Warriors able to easily climb walls?  It seems to me that the Immaculates will probably put a reinforced security point at the entrance on the first floor but less likely to put such on every window.  If we were to climb to the second floor, and I to fly up any who can't climb as well, we could take such checkpoint from behind and destroy it more easily."

Dena pops her neck joints with twist of her head as she channels essence into her skin to harden it and through her flesh to make it more conducive and welcoming to the pain that will be flowing into her soon, giving herself an Insatiable Slave Stamina.

09:38, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 4 successes using 5d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,10,7,8,3. Int+Lore.

Evamae considers; "Yes, they can climb as well as most insects, however... my apologies, but you are mistaking the temple structure. The floors of the Inner Temple are analogous to the floors of the Coils itself. It is embedded into the District in such a way that to reach the next Temple floor you must climb from the inside. Think of the Inner Temple as a cylinder on the central axis of Coils, that spans five floors. Therefore the floor or ceiling, depending on your perspective, between each of those floors intersects the Temple and divides it into levels as well."

"And the Inner Temple itself lacks windows. It is completely surrounded by earth, camouflaged, if you will. As explained by Jhenli, only the Immaculates and a few individuals actually know there is an Inner Temple. That is why the Temple Nodes exist. The people only are aware of the outside facades, such as this Shrine Outpost."

The Hive Princess bows deeply. "I hope that this explains the situation better, Creators."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:31, Sun 31 May 2009.

"Hmm. . ." Dena muses.  "We may be able to dig through mere earth easily enough.  Is there any heavy reinforcement to the walls, adamant or the like?"

"I am sorry. The earth, as I said is only camouflage. The structure beyond the camouflage is all adamant. The Inner Temple comprises the central shaft and inner perimeter of what is now called Five Coils, so it and the surrounding tunnels leading into it among the most strongly armored structures you will find here."

"If it had been otherwise, we would have simply dug inside much earlier, rather than send a fighting force," Princess Evamae points out sadly.

It is clear to Dena that the plan will have to involve storming the Temple by force. The key, of course, is doing so with as few losses as possible. The main advantage the group has is that at the moment they are not necessarily expecting an attack, though they are definitely vigilant for one -- as it is not uncommon knowledge among the Immaculates that there are free Celestials in the area. They definitely would not expect a previously hidden Hive of builder bugs to instigate an attack, though.

One thing Dena does realize from Evamae's words and her own musings is that the Temple Nodes would likely NOT be adamant, as they were built more recently to cover up the adamant passages leading into the Inner Temple. So it could still be possible to burrow right underneath these facade structures, and emerge right where the armored tunnels begin, bypassing some (though likely not all) of the fighting forces stationed outside.

They might even think of collapsing the earthen walls or structures behind them as soon as they step into the adamant-plated areas, to delay outside pursuit.

While the others make plans for the battle, Dashu goes ahead to start his job as the forward scout.  He tries to be careful about his foot placement and sticks to the shadows as much as possible.  He kept his eyes peeled for any threats and any possible hiding places, partially because he might want to use them, partially to see where an enemy might use them.  He takes note of all the different paths in the area and tracks all potential threats.

[Private to GM: Using the rolls I made earlier.  Seemed like a good time to start scouting.

Just for reference they were:

Peleps Dashu rolled 3 successes using 13d10 ... with rolls of 3,1,1,8,5,3,4,2,5,1,8,8,4. Dex + Stealth Roll.

Anima is active so that's a total of 5.

Peleps Dashu rolled 7 successes using 9d10 ... with rolls of 8,5,6,3,10,8,1,10,9. Perc + Awareness.
]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:01, Fri 29 May 2009.

Third slowly considers as they walk along, studying the structures, letting more tactical minds consider the fight ahead as it tries to think of anything that can give them an advantage. It defers any suggestions of strategy to Danae and Tervila, at least for the moment.

OOC:19:42, Today: Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge rolled 6 successes using 13d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,9,1,9,1,6,7,2,9,10,6,5,2. Int+Lore+Specialty.

"I guess well defended is the name of the game then" Danae notes.  "Not unexpected I guess--we'll stick with the original plan then, unless someone comes up with something the rest of us missed...  It's still going to be tricky fighting our way through up to the top though, even if we can take the ground floor."

OOC: Nothing to add really, I'm just posting to keep things moving

Dashu begins to scout the immediate area, confident that the nearby guards are blind to his movements. He steps past the area his allies and the bug army are currently ensconced in, taking a previous tunnel as a detour around to the front of the shrine/outpost.

Like most shrines of the Earth District, it is a Temple to Pasiap, larger than the comparatively humble shrine in the B25 Laborer's Conclave. It is partially embedded into the surrounding earth, suggesting its size could be larger than one can see from the outside. Or, as Evamae has pointed out, the shrine could connect to tunnels from the rear, leading toward a greater structure at the center of the District. As this has only been spoken about but never seen personally by the Exalts, though, Dashu can only hope that the builder bugs' memory of the district is accurate.

A fenced in, open-air area surrounds the front of the shrine itself. Dashu crouches at a rocky outcropping, peering at the compound ahead while remaining out of sight. Two smaller, free-standing buildings -- more like single room guard posts, hardly large enough to live in -- are situated on either side of a low gate. Though the area is definitely watched (Dashu sees two junior monks outside each of the small buildings) it is constructed in a way as to not appear strictly like a militant compound. The front gate is in fact open, the fence low enough to easily climb over, the visible monks have purely non-lethal weapons (or are unarmed), and so forth.

Further in, beyond the guard posts, is the shrine itself. A short flight of stone stairs leads to the double doors of the larger building. Two more heavier armored monks stand on either side of that door, with jade lamellar and goremauls. Combined with the two pairs at the front gate, there appears to be only a half dozen monks keeping an eye on the place. But Dashu's keen eye sees other details that indicate the immediately available defenders ought to be at least three or four times greater: the pattern of footsteps on the ground, snatches of conversation drifting to him from behind the walls, small barred windows to allow building occupants to view the outside, and what appear to be about a half-dozen arrow slits above the level of the shrine doors.

Dashu can attempt to stay and watch this area for a while, enter the shrine outpost in secret, move ahead on his own toward the monks' northern garrison (2-3 hours away on foot), or return and report to the others.

---

OOC: figured I'd add a map here too...

  -----..............{

2	{     1 - shrine building
	}         (built into cavern wall)

  -----            {      2 - guard outposts
  . 3         --------    3 - pair of guards outside posts
  .           |           4 - pair of guards outside shrine
  (         4 I   1       5 - Dashu hidden out here!
  (           I
  .           |           .   fence around open air compound
  . 3         --------    { } cavern walls
  -----            {      - | building walls

	}     (   fence gates
2	{     I   closed doors

  -----..............{

         5

[Private to Peleps Dashu: it will require another stealth roll if you want to get closer. Difficulty depends on how you'll do it; climb the fence, cause a distraction, sneak in through the front gate while someone else enters, etc. If you climb fence you also need to make a Dex+Athletics roll diff 2. No rolls if you're just going to move back to the others or scout elsewhere.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:39, Sun 31 May 2009.

"Perhaps. . . using a single Ruby Warrior as bait we could draw out some of the defenders.  I could take a few wounds and run inside babbling about being attacked by an Anathema, then the rest of you could ambush whatever comes out after the Ruby while I backstab the guards that stay inside."

Third doesn't get much further information simply from pondering the structures. The builder bugs' three dimensional map already gave them all the information they needed concerning that, and Jhenli's plan chose two of the best and closest areas to infiltrate from with a force.

On the other hand Third can, unlike the others, recall with precision the layout of the Inner Temple. The Temple is a large adamant structure embedded into the earth that surrounds the district, comprising of a radius half-mile in diameter from the central shaft, intersecting five District levels. In addition, there are entrances leading into the surrounding adamant tunnels, also concealed by the earth. These tunnels may stretch up to another mile out, perhaps longer if one considers the winding turns and intersections.

The entrances are, as previously explained, built into the back of key locations in the surrounding District floor. On Floor B25 they include the Shrine Outpost nearby, the Northern Garrison, the Hospital towards the east, and the Temple of the Laborer's Conclave to the south.

There are two more entrances indicated both by Third's memory and the map. One of them is towards the northwest edge of the Temple, between their current location and the Northern Garrison, but was deemed too small for the builder bugs or Blue Stripes to move through. It is actually disguised as a bath facility for miners to clean up after work. The other is clear across to the other side of the Temple and would have required passing by civilized areas, not to mention even further isolation from the Hive base.

---

OOC: There really isn't much more info I can think of giving :/ What Dena figured about the outer facades not being made of adamant, and being able to dig under them/around to get to the adamant tunnels themselves, Third can also assume to know.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:13, Sun 31 May 2009.

Third shakes its head as it considers. "The mostEye can think of would involve sending a few of the Exalts in through a small, secondary entrance, between here and the northern garrison, to try to make their way through stealthily and make our attacks two-pronged. It is of questionable use, as if a patrol within discovers the infiltrators, it will make matters worse for us." it says, looking towards the others, seeing if they wish to comment. Dashu might be able to make his way through unseen, but for the moment, Third's mind is more focused on the battle ahead, thinking it through like a delicate dance, imagining opponents and how to avoid their blows, eyes half-lidded as it walks.

Dashu decides that there while the group could stand to know the general layout of what he's seen and decides to head back.  He takes a mental note that during their next bit of downtime, he should ask Denae and Third to make a set of communicators.  Once he gets back, he quickly makes his report to the Exalts and the Hive Princess.  "We're looking at somewhere between 18 and 24 defenders, at least 6 of which are monks.  I don't know how you feel about those odds," he says back to the Princess.

"Were you able to tell what sorts of weapons they carried?  If they all have ranged weapons that would call for a different strategy than if they carry swords or clubs."

"Our numbers should be enough to handle that," Evamae says to Dashu.

Dashu would have seen only defenders with goremauls and dragons' claws on the outside. But he also noticed arrow slits. Therefore the potential for ranged combat is there.

"As suggested by Communicator Jhenli I will leave the majority of Ruby forces at this location," Princess Evamae continues, and passes on the order in insect-speak. Five of the 155 Ruby Warriors break off to join her as her personal guard. "They have been instructed to take control of the Western Shrine and close off the path. They will draw the Usurper Monks out first with a smaller force, then surround and neutralize them, then dig toward the adamant tunnel passages."

"I must ask one last decision before we move forward, Creators. I have been instructed to accompany you, as my survival is imperative to establishing the new Hive in Fire District. But it may also be appropriate for me to stay with the Ruby Warriors as their commander. I will leave that decision up to you." The Princess bows her head in humble subservience and awaits the final consensus.

"Stay with us" Danae replied quickly.  "The Ruby Warriors are going to be taking the brunt of the initial conflict of this expedition--and if they've got any particularly skilled fighters either here or elsewhere, there's a good chance you might be killed by a stray attack, or singled out and overrun.  Besides, we could use your assistance on the main push, and would have an easier time guaranteeing your safety"

"Very well," Princess Evamae nods, acknowledging Danae's opinion as precedent. The inheritor of the title of Clockwork General holds quite some sway with Hive Irix, particularly in military matters.

The 150 Rubies march forward to take on their role in the Inner Temple offensive while the Celestials, Blue Stripes, Princess and guard continue northward around the outskirts of the Inner Temple. From here on, communication with the Western Shrine will be sparse if at all possible, until they can manage to meet again inside the Temple itself.

The group passes several machine sentries and a few human patrollers along the way. The humans are mostly too preoccupied to make a close examination of the Celestials' group. Seeing the Blue Stripes among them from a distance, most assume the group is another patrol responding to the assault now occurring in the Western Quadrant. If not for the Princess and Rubies among them, they would have a nearly flawless disguise, reinforced by the badges that label them as friendlies to the machines.

Less than an hour away from their goal, patrols seem scarcer, which is both a boon and a potential danger, as it's easier for the Celestials' group to stand out. This becomes apparent when the group encounters a Peace Force fang, moving toward their direction: the usual one Dragon-blood leader, five ashigaru configuration. The fang is not moving quickly, though -- it seems they've not yet caught sight of the group.

---

OOC: You can stealth (Wits+Stealth if hiding among the surrounding rock formations, Dex+Stealth if you continue to move), or try some other method of misdirection. Could try to pretend you're part of the Force, use this as an opportunity to get some info. Or just quickly take the small group out. You've got about an action to react in any case.

"That's trouble..." Danae muttered quietly, before assessing the present situation, bringing Impeccable Spark backwards, and gesturing for everyone to take cover behind several protruding pillars, getting at least get enough cover that the battle won't begin until they move past.  "Don't think we're going to be able to avoid this...  Anyone with ranged attacks, focus on the Dragon Blooded first, Blue Stripes should each target one of the Ashigaru troops, Lock On, then close and attack the moment combat begins.  I'll focus my efforts on the leader for now, I'll try to take him out in my first pass.  Everyone else, move in to help with the mop-up, we'll have to take them down fast, or they'll contact their allies and they'll be prewarned."

Taking a steadying breath as she visualized the unit's approach, anticipating the position of her own targetand took careful aim--the moment the relevant Peace Force units come into the line of sight, she would be ready to attack.

Fortunately, she wasn't the same, hopped-up-on-adrenalin mechanic that she was in the Water District.  On one hand, she carried a Proper Weapon, one well beyond what Mortal Steel could match...  On the other, she had the hardened battle experience that she lacked beforehand...

Four blows should do it she thinks, the simulation moving forward to the moment the guards gain Line of Sight, the Dragon Blooded leader already brandishing his weapons and bringing them to bear, as Danae leapt into the fray, lunging through the column of Ashigaru armed soldiers, and swinging the reverse-gripped Daiklave into the Commander's chest, an explosion of concussive essence rocking him backwards as Danae would grasp the curved portion of Impeccable Spark's grip, twisting it into a two-handed stance, and flowing with the momentum, spinning around fully, and delivering two further swings, diffusing the remainder of the initial lunge.

With most weapons, that would be the end of it--Impeccable Spark is not an ordinary weapon.

The blade snapping open with a hiss and a gout of steam, the Daiklave would immediately rock upwards into a fierce uppercut slash, using the exhaust of the activated weapon as propellant, sending the--ideally--beaten Dragon Blooded flying back into a nearby rock, shattering a good portion of it as the Blue Stripes moved in to mop up...

Danae nodded then, her plan set in motion, as she awaited the proper moment...


[Private to Gatekeeper: Okay, I'm going to say that this group lacks the stealthiness to hide from him, so instead, Danae's set things up to get an ambush in at close quarters.  I've also included the stunt for the Join Battle moment in there as well, flavored as a mental simulation of how she hopes to attack.

Would we at least get the initial shot setting things up this way?]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:44, Tue 02 June 2009.

The patrol is far enough away that the Celestials and their followers still have a good amount of time to react. Unfortunately, their movements may still have a chance of attracting the Peace Force fang's attention before they're ready.

(Assuming you are following Danae's plan, roll a Wits+Stealth+2 for circumstances, then a Join Battle.)

[Private to Danae Adela: Ambush in this case still requires a stealth roll, though you're getting definite bonuses. +2 for circumstances, and another +3 for your stunt. The Blue Stripes won't have to roll, as they're just seen as more sentinel machines.

You can also add that +3 to your Join Battle if you want. So you're at +5 stealth and +3 JB. Now it's up to the dice. :)]

OOC:
17:27, Today: Danae Adela rolled 5 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,3,1,5,10,4,8,9. Can I be sorta sneaky? (+ WP).

6 succs Stealth--Also, in case it wasn't clear, the Blue Stripes will take this action to Lock On to the Ashigaru troops, instead of stealth

Also, when the fight begins, Danae's flurry is going be be accompanied by spending 2 motes to make Impeccable Spark gain the Piercing Tag for the action

Also, 18:44, Today: Danae Adela rolled 2 successes using 9d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,4,5,2,3,6,6,8,2. JB--just in case.


This message was last edited by the player at 01:45, Tue 02 June 2009.

"Alright, I'll bypass the front line and hit the Dragonbloods from behind."
Dena, knowing that stealth isn't her greatest area of expertise anyway, switches over to her warform and grows a chitinous layer of armor plating before flying up and hugging the ceiling, counting on being away from where most humans will bother to look rather than sticking to shadows and cover.  Finding a decent point from above, she prepares to drop and ambush the enemy once Danae's attack begins in earnest.

[Private to GM: Needing to keep a running track of my essence again.

21 Peripheral, 17 personal, and 6 willpower remaining.
20:24, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 2 successes using 3d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,6,5. Initiative.
20:24, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 2 successes using 5d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,2,9,8,4. Wits + Stealth. ]

Third moves with absolute grace, its mind totally focused as it steps silently along the flanks of the patrol, keeping behind any cover it can find, its movement fluid enough to make noticing it difficult, walking through blind spots in the Ashigaru systems sensors, eyes watching as it moves to their flank, letting them be crushed, Dena from behind, Danae from the front, and Third cutting inwards to slice into the innards of the patrol before they squeeze shut, its eyes fixing on the Ashigaru closest to the center. Its blade slides out of its sheath, staying in the darkness still, as it waits for the attack to begin, eyes focused, imagining every step beforehand, muscles shifting ever so slightly as it moves through the steps while considering.
OOC: You rolled 4 successes using 5d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((7,7,5,1,10)), Stealth. You rolled 1 success using 3d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((6,6,8)), Join Battle.

The captain catches sight of the Blue Stripes and focuses on them. "HAS Units, we require your support," he says confidently, while blithely leading his soldiers right into the ambush Danae and the others have arranged for them. "Have you noticed any unusual activity in this area?"

The refurbished automatons do not reply immediately, their beam-eyes shifting to Lock On mode as directed by Danae.

Dena darts right by the Peace Force captain as he looks the other way. His subordinates see the blur passing by and quickly ready their weapons. Three of them whirl around to face the Lunar in warform.

"Look! There's a big one here already!"
"That's a builder bug? I thought they'd look less humanoid..."
"And less attractive..."
"This is our enemy! Be vigilant!"

Apparently the soldiers think Dena is one of the bugs attacking the Western Shrine, at least for now. It's doubtful they'll make that mistake for long, but hopefully by then it won't matter...

---

OOC: The Peace Forces are pretty blind (rolled low on Awareness). The only ones they have seen are the Blue Stripes and Dena; everyone else besides them can make an action before tick 0 and remain unseen. [Private to Peleps Dashu: the enemies rolled low enough that, with your pools + anima, I can assume you'll remain unseen. So assume you also have a surprise attack action as well, which you can take whenever you have time to enter the battle. :)]

[Private to Tervila Dena: I gave you +1 stunt. Got no sux, but can get motes back!]
[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: Gave you +2 stunt. No sux though :(]

actions (after surprise)
tick 0 - Peace Force captain
tick 2 - Ruby Guardians
tick 4 - Danae, Dena, Blue Stripes (Lock On - 3 ticks)
tick 5 - Third, Peace Force soldiers
tick 6 - Evamae
tick 7 - Blue Stripes (attack!)