Third checks the communicators and pronounces them safe for use by their group. The communicators are divided with Danae keeping the 'master' one. (So each of the Celestials has one as well as Evamae.)

15 minutes later the group is able to continue on, though still minus two Ruby Guardians. They are fortunate in that no other patrols have come by in that time; the Princess states this is good news, indicative that their larger force at the Western Shrine is succeeding at drawing the opposition.

Proceeding roughly northeastward, the group continues for roughly an hour. The two Rubies have not rejoined the group but Evamae still seems relatively unconcerned. She warns the Celestials when they pause to get their bearings that they are close to the Northern Garrison; it should be past the next bend, toward their right. At this point she crouches down and, as a refresher, draws out in the earth her memory of the immediate area coming (a task made easier by having four free hands).

                                            Northern Garrison: map by Evamae
           ~~~~~.-.      ._.~~~~~
          {#####|2|      |3|#####}           #    solid earth
     ~~~{#######=====HH=====######}~~        {}~  cavern walls (earthen)
    {#########//            \\#######}       ||=  man-made walls (granite)
   {#########//      4       \\######}       +    denotes slightly higher ground
 1  }#######||-----      -----||######}      H    fortress gates
   {########||++5+|      |+6++||######}~~~
~~{#########||++++|      |++++||##########}  note: birds-eye view (whitespace
############||=======HH=======||###########}       is empty space)
###########//                  \\###########}~~~
##########//         7          \\##############

She explains the numeral marked regions, speaking quietly. "1 is where we are. 2 and 3 are small lookout posts, I would not imagine more than a pair at each of these, though likely with good senses to justify being assigned there. 4 would be the Garrison's outer compound where there should have junior monks posted, perhaps a senior or two. 5 and 6 are balconies, they would be a good place for ranged attackers."

"7 is the inner compound, it extends further down than I have drawn, of course. From here we should be able to find a passage leading into the Inner Temple. It would of course be the most heavily guarded, I would expect an Immaculate Master to be here, as the Garrison's authority."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:08, Sun 21 June 2009.

"Rough design though..." Danae mused to herself, tapping her chin while assessing the map's design.  "Let's go out on a limb and assume they're ready for the slight possibility of a surprise attack--subterfuge isn't likely going to work out terribly well in that mind...  A lightning attack through the front gates is going to be difficult as well--the sentries'll provide word--but in a worst case scenario, the gates'll slow us just enough for the defenders to mobilize.  If they have any Wood Aspected Monks on the archer platforms, they'll be able to do heavy damage before we can pull them down..."

To be truthful--in this lifetime, it was Danae's first incident dealing with a fortified position--most of the battles so far were won through surprise, guile, or simply involving skirmishes where neither group could accurately employ fixed defenses.  It was bothersome in a number of ways--but she think she had something resembling an idea.

"Dena?  Don't you have a Charm that can render rock much the same as clay?" She asked, looking over at the map, and gesturing a line through the corner of the area they were present at, and pointing to the inside of the garrison.  "If you could burrow us a route through the wall here, we'll be able to bypass much of their fixed defenses, and possibly catch their Master by surprise--or at least off guard enough that we have a chance of defeating them before they can bring all their techniques to bear."

"It's too large.  A door, a statue, even a boulder I could soften by pumping the Wyld into it, but an entire building is more than I can manage.  We'll have to dig the old fashioned way.  It may still be faster."

OOC~ Er, is that map a side view or a bird's eye view?

"It doesn't need to be the whole building" Danae clarified.  "Just a sizable path through the wall leading to the inside...  Or is that about the same idea?"

"It's more an issue of how big the temple is.  I have a connection to the Wyld through my tattoos, I can pull a little of the Wyld in and use that to turn stone or metal or even wood different, essentially I use the chaos to make it change.  But if the stone is too large, either I won't have enough Wyld to soften it or I'll have to bring so much in it's effects may be. . . unpredictable.  Once I start, the Wyld spreads rapidly through the entire object so I can't work on just one part."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:15, Sun 21 June 2009.

"Guess that's no good then..." Danae frowned.  "Does anyone else have any ideas?  Or should we just see if we can find a way to sneak in, and hope we can deal with the sentries before they get a warning out?"

"I still don't think digging is a terrible idea, Clockwork General." Evamae crosses one pair of arms, and with another free arm strokes the head of one of her Rubies, which surprisingly, nuzzles her in what looks very much like affection. "The Ruby Guardians can help as well. They can spit a corrosive saliva... again, the entire width of earth here might be too large to use the acid for the entirety, it eventually needs time and rest to replenish. But it could help a lot when you reach the granite wall."

"We of Hive Irix are used to digging earth. I could even transform myself if need be. Though it will still be slow. Perhaps you can have us dig, and send some form of distraction to the front gate at the same time, to draw some of the forces outside?"

Again she bows her head lightly, "Of course this is just my own personal suggestion."

Third studies the map. 'A good distraction would certainly aid to keep their minds off of the strange sounds. If we were to use such a tactic, the most agile and quick of us would be best off there, while the stronger fighters are tunneling in from the side. Dashu, you are extremely stealthy, and while Eye am not, I should be fast enough to make it past the defenders once you crash in from behind. We will move for it once you make it to the granite, so as to ensure that we do not have to keep them occupied for too long?' It considers for a moment. 'To keep from arousing further suspicion, we may see if we can disguise ourselves, somehow. Make it look like a botched attempt to sneak in while the main force attacks. That way, they won't suspect a third path of attack.' Third smiles enigmatically. 'Plans within plans. The only threat is if the Immaculate Master prepares themself... But if we are as unthreatening as we shall appear, then they may not waste the essence."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:40, Sun 21 June 2009.

Dashu was silent while the talk of digging was going on.  Okay really, he was silent most of the time anyway so no one really took notice until he spoke up.  "I could  be the distraction.  I can get there and slip away the more easily than most.  I could attack the watch post directly and get the troops mobilized towards the front gate.  Once the troops are heading one direction, they won't notice the digging because they'll be making too much noise themselves."  He then looked at Danae and said somewhat bashfully "Just a thought."

"It seems to be workable..." Danae agrees, mulling over the plan.  "The hard part is, of course, going to be handling the Master inside, and whatever troops get around otherwise..."

She pauses, and considers this.  "Okay, Dena, Evamae, and the Rubies would be best to work on the tunnel--they're the best with earthworks and whatnot...  The Blue Stripes, Third, and Dashu will head to make a frontal attack--hopefully after Dashu can deal with the sentries somehow...  I'm still not positive where I should personally go though...  My initial inclination is to help with the tunnel group in attacking the Master head on--but I won't be much assistance with the digging aspect...  On the other hand, if I join the frontal assault, it'll probably go cleanly--but we'll take some time to batter down the walls.

What do you think?"

"Alright then, I think we might as well bypass the gates and dig in here." Dena suggests, adding another line and obliterating part of the drawing to represent the tunnel.  "No point to having to fight through the gates if we can bypass them.  Once we get through, I should be able to use my charm to weld the gate shut and trap part of the garrison there, letting us fight whoever is in the inner sanctum without any reinforcements."

                                            Northern Garrison: map by Evamae
           ~~~~~.-.      ._.~~~~~
          {#####|2|      |3|#####}
     ~~~{#######=====HH=====######}~~
    {#########//            \\#######}
   {#########//      4       \\######}
 1  }#######||-----      -----||######}
   {########||++5+|      |+6++||######}~~~
~~{#########||++++|      |++++||##########}
############||=======HH=======||              <---  Dig Tunnel as Here
###########//                    ###########}~~~
##########//         7          \\##############

"I think attempting to lock the gates from the inside is a splendid idea," says Evamae, studying the line Dena made in her map. "Pardon me, but is that tunnel not on the opposite side of where we are standing now? We would have to cross the lookouts' line of sight then. We could make a similar tunnel, but begin it on this side." She points next to where the '1' on the map is.

"I would suggest a compromise, I think it would still be wise to distract the front gate, or force the garrison monks to open the gate and step out, to minimize the numbers we'll encounter inside before we can sabotage the inner gate. I am quite certain we will not be able to stealthily dig a tunnel of that size. But Tervila Dena is right in that we should not have to prioritize eliminating all of them if we can simply shut out or trap them."
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:05, Tue 23 June 2009.

"It seems workable" Danae agrees.  "The problem is that the ones on the outside are going to be in a rough position though after the fact...  They're going to need to get by the outer gates at least--though the Blue Stripes should be able to bash them down in a hurry...  I'll accompany the group heading inside, while the members of the distraction team cause as much disruption as they can on the outside, to draw some of their numbers out.  When the Infiltration Team gets through, I'll move to engage the Master and any remaining defenders, while Dena opens the gates for the Distraction Team--and seals them once they've gotten in...  That's going to mean you guys are going to need to move quickly, as we can't afford to leave those gates open for too long.  At any rate though, even if I can't outright defeat an Immaculate Master, I should at least be able to hold one off long enough for everyone else to arrive."

Dena and Evamae estimate that their combined efforts would allow them to burrow through the earth at a rate of about 10 yards per minute, perhaps half that when encountering the granite wall. The projected time is 10-12 minutes. Danae goes with them, while the Blue Stripes act on orders to accompany Dashu and Third as part of the distraction team.

Dashu and Third on the other hand can start to move toward the front gate with the Blue Stripes (who have been instructed by Danae to follow their orders, of course). While the massive machines cannot easily be hidden, Dashu and Third may use their size and their association with the security of the district to their advantage, should they wish to use stealth to approach the gate.

---

OOC: Since there isn't really a roll involved with the digging, this will be mostly abstracted. This may cause a bit of a weird time discrepancy but any opposition encountered in the inner compound should probably even that out. :)

Mechanically, Dashu and Third have a +2 circumstance bonus for stealth if they use the Blue Stripes as cover.

"Dashu, if I may suggest a cover story... We may be able to suggest that we are merely members of some Dragon-Blooded family, until we are among them and may attack. It would give us the advantage of surprise, and with the Blue Stripe escort, it will be less likely for us to be discovered that way." The Solar knows that it is not the stealthiest of beings, and as such, making less of the plan rely on their physical stealth, and more on the ability to play a role.

Third could certainly play a role.

"As to the question of how we will join you... If you are able to leave a breaking point in the tunnel, somehow, then it may be possible for us to disengage after a certain point, leading the forces away, and make our way back to the tunnel, collapsing it behind us. If that is not feasible, then we will have to batter our way through the door."

Evamae nods. "It would not be impossible, Creator," the Hive Princess says deferentially. "The success depends on how well your role is accepted, how well you are concealed... or how fast you can run. However, the large machines should provide a good shield, and aid for collapsing the tunnel."

"We have the communicators so I would humbly ask that once you have assessed the situation at the front you can inform us whether you will go through the gates or our tunnel."

"Good luck." Evamae steps back, her shape shifting in a rather grotesque expansion of chitin and ligaments until what stands there is no longer the humanoid princess, but her natural insect shape, a builder bug with glittering silver-blue chitin.

She and the larger Rubies begin the dig in earnest while Third and Dashu finalize their plans.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:18, Thu 25 June 2009.

Dashu thought momentarily about Thirds suggestion and then stated plainly, "I'm not good with acting.  However there are two guard posts and it will be difficult to take them out one at a time without the alarm being raised.  You can take the blue stripes and dispose of checkpoint 1.  Once the assault begins I can take out the guys in checkpoint 2.  Your ruse will provide me with the cover I'll need to infiltrate properly.  We can use the communicators to coordinate the attack."

Tunnel:

The digging goes smoothly if slowly. The tunnel is made wide enough for a Blue Stripe to be able to fit through. The builder bugs (three of them, and Evamae) work in pairs, two of them supporting Dena in cutting through the stone, another pair cleaning the passageway, piling stone and earth outside so that the tunnel is clear.

Front Gate:

Third and the Blue Stripes move ahead to approach the front gate. It must assume Dashu is following along in hiding. The two Exalts note the guard stations at either side of the gate. They are a pair of slender towers, not much more than scaffolding with a roofed hut. The hut could fit one, maybe two individuals; a single powerbow wielding monk stands atop each, likely Wood Aspects, and not bothering to hide themselves. On ground level are a pair of muscular Earth Aspect monks in jade lamellar, wielding grand goremauls.

The gate itself, of course, is shut tight, an imposing stone and metal construct. The Blue Stripes would hopefully be able to batter through them, should it be required.

---

OOC: Dashu, roll your stealth, and Third can roll a social roll (I would first say Cha+Performance but I'll be nice and allow Presence) to see how well it can pull off acting as if it and the Blue Stripes are meant to be there.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:14, Fri 26 June 2009.

Third approaches. The androgynous Exalt is all movement and power, projecting Eye's presence through itself... Taking on the mien of the most arrogant, cruel Dragon-Blooded it can think of. It is Cathak Lizpa, Fire-Aspected Dragon-Blooded, and all-around unpleasant person. Its act is not so much a performance as a way of being, a reality rather than a role, as it strides confidently up towards the guard stations, hands on its hips. "I am here for the 'tour' my mentor has arranged." it says, looking bored, irritable, and extremely pointed as it speaks. Be they religious or government, everybody knows the wrath of a bored rich Dragon-Blooded who is not given their way. It considers, briefly, enhancing its performance with Essence, but it does not want to risk one of the Exalts being able to see essence flows, or something along those lines. The beauty of Third is, indeed, the sort that might be associated with a certain type of Fire-Aspect, full of grace, movement, flickering and burning very, very bright indeed. Its eyes pass over one of the Earth Aspect monks, a smile running across its lips, the phalanx of Blue Stripes behind it, framing the Exalt with a display of extremely ostentatious- Even tacky- power. Monks may not be the sort to respond to it, but it is definitely the behavior that might be expected from a Dynast brat.

OOC: You rolled 3 successes using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((3,7,9,4,3,9,3)).
This message was last edited by the player at 03:15, Sat 27 June 2009.

[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: Right..... so the dice are stingy, despite a +3 stunt and +2 circumstance bonus ;) But since you didn't fail outright with the original roll I'll give you more chance.

I'll also leave it to you if you want to command the Blue Stripes in any way. Or if you've given them a specific directive already let me know.]

The Earth aspect monks immediately narrow their eyes upon Third's arrival, gripping their massive weapons. They are... unsure what to make of the Blue Stripes, still, but that doesn't diminish the suspicion immediately cast upon Third.

"Try again. We have no 'tours' arranged that I know of," says the older of the two men stationed at the gate. Third's position is further endangered as the two monks in the elevated towers aim their powerbows in its direction. But the warrior monk does not immediately signal them to fire. He slowly, deliberately, hefts his goremaul over his shoulder and waits.

Third narrows its eyes. 'Oh really.' it says. It looks less worried by this setback, more... Well, irritated. 'Then there has been some level of miscommunication. And seeing as how the last scribe in our family to inconvenience me is now serving as an experimental subject in a truly exciting breakthrough in full-body-conversion in the District of Wood, I think it rather more likely that the mistake lies somewhere with your organization.' The Solar moves towards the Earth Monk with a smile on its face, letting a hand reach out to place it gently on the monk's arm. 'Now, most people, were they to act so threatening to me, would be facing a very, very bad day... But I happen to have a certain fondness for holy men. So, perhaps we can avoid any wrath being dispensed today, my lovely Blue Stripes won't have to get their hands dirty, I won't have to mar any of that quite impressive physique of yours for inconveniencing me, and we can laugh about this over something unpleasantly nonalcoholic tonight, hmmm?' The Exalt is all smiles and pleasantness now, though it's quite clear that only a Dragon-Blooded of a truly powerful- And exceedingly hedonistic- family would be willing to make such insinuated threats against a monk.

Thankfully, Third has a nearly limitless wellspring of arrogance dwelling in its soul.

OOC: You rolled 1 success using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((9,1,5,4,5,1,6)). Remember back during the last fight when I said my luck would run out eventually?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:28, Sat 27 June 2009.

While Third tries its hand at dissuading the guards, Dashu silently approaches his target.  Between his abilities as an Iron Wolf, his anima power, and his martial arts style, the task is very simple enough since Third is providing such a wonderful distraction.  He quickly scales the hut without making a sound and silently approaches the Archer on the roof.

[Private to GM:
13:14, Today: Peleps Dashu rolled 8 successes using 13d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,5,3,1,9,10,7,2,9,8,9,6,8. Dex + Stealth Roll.

Used Wall-Climbing Technique to get up the hut.]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:39, Thu 23 July 2009.

Dashu remains unseen, climbing up into a perfect striking position. The lookout with the powerbow hasn't seen him at all, and the monks have their attention on Third. A couple well placed strikes before he can turn around might do it, the Night Caste thinks. [Private to Peleps Dashu: The monk with the bow has DV 0 against you. Since you're surprise attacking anyway I'd recommend maximizing damage with a flurry. :)]

On the ground, the Earth guards are even less impressed than before. The older warrior monk says calmly (as calm as one can look with a weapon so menacing), "I am unsure what game you are playing at. But I know you are lying, and no further effort will shield you from that. I must ask you come with me. If you are a friend of some wild-roaming Anathema," his broad face frowns in instinctive disapproval as he steps forward to seize Third by the arm, "we will very soon know."

Looking to the Blue Stripes arrayed behind Third, the monk adds, "If those machines can indeed answer your commands, tell them to stand down. They will remain outside." [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: I'll still give you a +2 for effort, but it won't be enough to convince them. However, since you wisely used no Essence in the effort, the monk is bringing you in rather than attacking you! This... may or may not be a good thing.

Assuming you want to be taken, you'll have to tell the Blue Stripes to wait, because otherwise they'll think of the monk grabbing you as hostility toward one of the designated friends they must protect, and instantly attack.

And if you'll resist being taken I'll ask you to roll Join Battle immediately :)]
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:26, Sun 28 June 2009.

Dashu can see that Third is getting into trouble and decides to hurry. In dispatching of the Archer.  We walks along the stony roof without making a sound.  The air is still and the sounds of the Eathen Immaculates bellowing at Third are capturing everybody's attention. Once Dashu is standing directly behind the monk he quickly reaches around and draws his blades across the archers throat so that he can't scream out while at the same time, driving his other claw into the monks left kidney, knowing that would fill the monk's lungs with blood.  He then took his right hand pierced the monks exposed back, and finally finished him by reaching around once again and piercing the monks jaw from the bottom, and pushing the claw all the way back into his head.  As the monk's body went limp in his arms, Dashu controlled the fall so it would not make any noise against the hard roof.  He still had to take out the other archer.  And quickly, too.


[Private to GM:

I wrote the post as though the damage killed the guy.  If his soak/hardness keep this from happening I'll edit.

Peleps Dashu rolled 3 successes using 7d10 ... with rolls of 6,1,7,8,4,8,4. Join Battle.


Adding 4 sux to all my attack rolls using the 2nd Ex via Infinite MA Mastery:

Peleps Dashu rolled 4 successes using 9d10 ... with rolls of 2,6,7,2,8,3,7,5,9. Attack 1.

Peleps Dashu rolled 6 successes using 8d10 ... with rolls of 2,10,6,8,7,6,1,10. Attack 2.

Peleps Dashu rolled 8 successes using 7d10 ... with rolls of 10,7,1,7,10,6,10. Attack 3.

Peleps Dashu rolled 4 successes using 6d10 ... with rolls of 5,10,4,9,6,9. Attack 4.

Total sux =

1) 8 sux
2) 10 sux
3) 12 sux
4) 8 sux

Stunt?]
This message was last edited by the player at 21:59, Sun 28 June 2009.

Third narrows its eyes. "You've made a rather fatal mistake." it says, its blade unsheathing. "Perhaps in your next life, you will be born with the good sense to listen to your superiors." The Solar is ready to dispense with the ruse. Peleps is most likely in position, and the others will need a proper distraction to draw the guards out. The Solar smiles as it steps back, blade out. 'On your guard, sir.'

OOC: You rolled 3 successes using 5d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((10,9,5,5,3)). Thank god my luck's still showing up a little bit.