Now the wood monks on the western balcony attempt to turn Dena into a pincushion before she can strike back, firing a volley of several arrows in very close range as the monk's anima flares brightly, bathing their balcony in the hues of a forest canopy. [Private to Tervila Dena:You get DV -2 (-1 from essence lash attack, since you've yet to refresh DV, and -1 from your current wound penalty, unless you activated Laughing Wounds) against each flurry. Defend and attack in the same post if you like.

wood monk 1 - 5 sux, 9 sux, 5 sux flurry
wood student 1 - 6 sux, 3 sux flurry
wood student 2 - 4 sux, 4 sux flurry]

Danae gets the very same treatment, no less than 7 arrows descending upon her in quick succession as she pulls back from her attack on the senior monk. "Are you sure this is the path you wished to take?" Stern Firmament asks of her, stepping forward as the volley of arrows falls where it will. Unlike his subordinates, he wields no goremaul, dons no armor. His body itself is his weapon, enhanced by the sutras glowing around his arms, lending incredible power to his blows as the might of Pasiap flows through him. "If you do not die, you will be recaptured. Yours is a fleeting burst of glory, well-meaning perhaps, but ultimately ill-thought."

Hardly allowing Danae another moment to breathe, Firmament launches into a combination of four rapid-fire punches, his knuckles striking at sensitive pressure points on Danae's body with all the accuracy of an acupuncture needle. The final two strikes impact simultaneously, aimed at her chest and throat, glowing with an ivory light that intensifies should they make contact. [Private to Danae Adela: Arrows on Danae. Most of these should be no problem with Bulwark and a stunt, but you also have a -1 wound penalty.

wood monk 2 - 12 sux, 7 sux, 4 sux flurry
wood student 3 - 3 sux, 6 sux flurry
wood student 4 - 5 sux, 3 sux flurry

And then Firmament's attacks: 8 sux, 10 sux, 6 sux, 5 sux flurry. After this, Dashu and Third should draw more attacks -- and you may get more unlikely allies -- so just concentrate on surviving!]

Third and (hidden) Dashu, when they enter the compound, see Danae just past the center of the room, threatened by three powerful Earth Aspects, and Dena at a closer balcony with three Wood monks. Another similar balcony lies on the opposite side of the compound with three more archer monks. Evamae and the Rubies fight a group of Earth students between Danae and the sealed gate, their battle compounded by the unforeseen presence of the Fire Monk stalking toward them. Another group of Water monks stand in front of doors at the far end of the compound, waiting--but not participating. Yet. [Private to Peleps Dashu; Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: As mentioned above, the Fire monk is forcing Third to come into range of the archers to attack him, while complicating Evamae's concerns by stepping closer to her fight with the students. Dashu, since he rolled Stealth so well, can execute a surprise attack *before* he enters tick count, if he wants.]

---

OOC: Third and Dashu need to roll Join Battle before I place them in the tick order. BTW... I had to retcon the Earth Monk's armor as I realized belatedly that Earth pinnacle is *incompatible* with armor. Lucky you, he gets PKBs instead.

actions
tick 26 - Dena
tick 28 - senior Earth monk (attacker!), Ruby Guardians(5), Earth students(6)
tick 29 - Danae, senior Earth monk (earthshaker!)
tick 30 - Wood monks(2)+students(4) (after aim)
Evamae and Water aspects holding action.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:17, Thu 23 July 2009.

Dashu sees the Seven Coals approaching the princess' fight with the students.  "Turned your back... big mistake," the Nightbringer thought to himself.  Moments later Dashu was bearing down on the fire aspect with the speed and ferocity of a Hawk.  Had anyone actually seen how he got from the tunnel to his target, they would have scene him backflip up to the wall just above the mouth of the cave and rocket himself forward in a series of flips and spins caused his claws to gain momentum until they collided with his targets back, once ... twice .. three times.  That's what they would have seen had anyone actually noticed him before Seven Coals suffered his wrath.

[Private to GM:

Adding 4 sux with excellency to each strike.

Peleps Dashu rolled 8 successes using 10d10 with ... rolls of 10,3,7,8,3,10,9,1,7,3. Attack 1.
Peleps Dashu rolled 4 successes using 9d10 with ... rolls of 1,9,1,10,7,3,3,2,1. Attack 2.
Peleps Dashu rolled 3 successes using 8d10 with ... rolls of 3,4,9,7,7,6,3,6. Attack 3.
Peleps Dashu rolled 2 successes using 7d10 with ... rolls of 3,6,9,5,6,1,9. Attack 3 (correct dice).  (Thought I screwed up the dice but I didn't.)

Peleps Dashu rolled 5 successes using 7d10 with ... rolls of 8,8,10,9,4,3,5. Join Battle.

final count:

Attack 1: 12 sux + 2 Str + 6L dmg = 20L raw dmg
Attack 2:  8 sux + 2 Str + 6L dmg = 16L raw dmg
Attack 3:  7 sux + 2 Str + 6L dmg = 15L raw dmg

Dodge DV: 8
Parry: 3 (7 with use of the excellency)
]

"Broken?" Dena asks, feigning incredulity in the discussion of Cathak Jilava.  She sneers at the Wood Monk, twisting her lips; and then an arrow going through her thigh ruins the effect.
Dena grumbles something unprintable as she yanks the barb out  "We didn't 'break' anything fools.  Aside from the Trauma of having to implant reflexive personality grafts so she'd sound like she hates Anathema all the time for the rest of you, that bugged her a lot, even pretending to dislike us."

Tiring of the constantly peppering of weak arrows, Dena eyes the balcony a moment and then sends out her lash towards the corner where it attaches to the wall, striking at a potential weak point.  The smell of something burning and powdered stone suddenly fill the air as Dena flies backwards, pulling hard to try to destabilize the archery platform.

[Private to GM:
10:39, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 1 success using 6d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,1,5,7,3,1. Dex Excellency. (Were applying this to the Monk's Arrow, the first shot.

No charm use yet this round.
11:29, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 5 successes using 14d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,9,6,9,2,2,2,7,6,3,1,2,1,10. Lash attack vs. Balcony.

Dena activated Laughing Wounds Form a few moments before entering the tunnel, in post 117 of this thread.]

"And?  Are you suggesting it would be better off to have been better to have just disappeared?" Danae shot back, lips tightening as she worked at closing the force of the goremaul's impact...  It could have been a lot worse then it was, admittedly, but it Would Have an impact on her performance, and she was hard pressed enough as it was to afford any degregation...  Well, that, and the whole 'I can't afford to take any injuries' thing just got thrown out...

"We left the Water district, having barely managed to stop everybody alive there from getting murdered--just because they happened to live on the same sector as an escape occured--how are we supposed to know the Council won't continue to murder everyone on the 'Suspicion' of 'Free Anathema?'  It seems to me that it defeats the purpose of being a good and proper ruler, if you actually have frequently used protocols to slaughter thousands at the slightest hint of something not going your way, without getting terribly worked up."

Fortunately, This time, her Essence had settled down enough to provide a proper defense.  Impeccable Spark lashed out, zeroing in on the first, highly accurate arrow, and split it into pieces, the fragments slowing down, and deflecting the remaining shots in the very same motion.

"Even if we can't win this, and either overthrow or reform the Council--we can't simply stand by and do "Nothing!" Tell me, would you even be standing against us in force like this if we were instead a group of Dragon Chosen in the same boat?

The first fist was easily deflected, the second blow--admittedly--requiring a bit more effort, as the pulse of Essence warded it off--but once she had her footing, the remaining two blows were each arrested with same motion of Impeccable Spark, parrying them just as well as anything else.

Her own response was a little more measured in several ways--there wasn't much she could do to counter his stone skin, but she Could make a careful effort to respond--hopefully, he would have left himself open with that barrage of attacks, enough at least for her to get a little scractch back.

To that end, when the fourth blow had been warded off, Danae suddenly jinked off to the side, her Orichalcum sword feinting at a blow to Firmament's hamstrings--convincing him that it was probably a serious strike--and holding back the blow just as he whirled to respond, shifting it in place to instead, direct it at the very arm he was using to guard with, aiming to deal a shallow cut to the limb, and hopefully begin wearing him down, bit by bit.

[Private to Gatekeeper: Using Heavenly Guardian Defense on the 12 success and 10 success attacks, the others are parried with a 2 die stunt, which I'm hoping that post was worthy of.

Afterwards, directing a single attack at Firmament

10:44, Today: Danae Adela rolled 8 successes using 14d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,10,4,1,9,1,7,9,6,9,2,7,3,9. Sworded!.]
This message was last edited by the player at 17:49, Tue 21 July 2009.

Third exits the tunnel like the burning exhalation of a Flame Piece, a brilliant golden anima spraying around it as it leaps from the tunnel, sword lifting into the air, crossing its chest, the red jade twinkling with motes of golden essence as it lands lightly on its feet, robes flowing around it wildly as though caught in a furious wind. "Dragon-Blooded. You face far more than you thought. You can surrender now, be left behind, and see a new age, perhaps to have some chance of making a difference when it matters, or you can oppose us, die futilely, and be remembered only as those who threw their lives away without use. You will not stop us, you will not inconvenience us. You will not stop us from bringing this place into Freedom...Kicking and screaming, if need be." Third says all this, as it approaches the Fire Aspect, that strange movement of the flowing blood style making it look unearthly graceful, as the shining beacon moves like a sun given form under the ground. Its words are painfully emotionless, not caring for these Dragon-Blooded's lives. It has its experiment- Additional subjects are not needed yet.

OOC: Join Battle, 2 successes. I'm suddenly wondering if you can stunt a Join Battle roll... It seems like it'd be wrong somehow, but I don't remember seeing much either way. A friend of mine suggested, 'helpfully', that the answer was 'probably'.

Dashu is the consummate silent killer, all but invisible while the combatants concentrate on one another. He somersaults and bounces off the wall, his leap pushing him forward in a diagonal right past where Dena faces off with the archers, and down onto the Fire Monk's back. The claws bite through his reinforced breastplate, tearing a series of bloody slashes into his flesh before he can whirl around and identify his assailant. (*9L* damage, ow!) He stumbles, letting out a strangled shout, but manages not to fall. [Private to Peleps Dashu: +1 stunt, which.. gave you 4 more successes. Crazy. Well, this guy is almost dead. o.O]

"So the other reveals himself. I assume neither of you are ordinary rebels," Seven Coals speaks between laborious breaths, facing not one Solar but two as blood pours from his ravaged back. "Here, there is no futile death. Though we may fall before you, every effort you make against us weakens you. One way or another... we will resist your will, for it offends the Immaculate Dragons, and it is but the siren song that heralds the doom of the world." His anima burns brightly, a pillar of phantasmal flame-blades whirling about him, but he moves too slowly to strike or run before Dashu and Third can press the offense!

Dena directs her lash at the western balcony, scoring a solid blow. Several chunks of stone crumble off, but it seems to be made of sterner stuff, hardly budging at all. [Private to Tervila Dena: +1 stunt. You're against Stone Wall stats. So 12L soak, 40 HLs to damage it enough for it to be dangerous. You only did 4L, so this may take a while. Also, you've taken another 2L damage for a total of 3L. My mistake, there was no wound penalty last time, though now you have -1 (or +1 in this case).]The Wood Monk whose arrow just struck Dena shakes his head, clearly disturbed by her claims about Jilava. "Your words are but feeble distractions! If we must we will wear you down!" Five more arrows fly toward Dena from the Wood monk and one student, but the wounded student is so nerve-wracked he drops his bow. The monk's anima flux is strong enough to generate little roots that burrow into the stone they stand on. [Private to Tervila Dena: The monks channeled virtue, so that's why slightly better rolls. Anyway you can ignore the student's crappy arrows, but the monk did a flurry of 11 sux, 6 sux, 7 sux. The arrows are all using Soul Marking Strike, and he's burning almost all of the rest of his essence.]

The three monks at the eastern balcony turn their attention toward Dashu, firing another half-dozen arrows his way as he launches his next attack. [Private to Peleps Dashu: this actually occurs after your next attack, I'm just posting this at the same time as the other archers to save time. The correct order in this case would be for you to post your next attack, *then* defend against these arrows with however much your DV is reduced by that attack. Each archer did a flurry on you. 7 sux and 3 sux (wood monk 2), 5 sux and 7 sux (wood student 3), 7 sux and 6 sux (wood student 4).]
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:55, Thu 23 July 2009.

Toward the center of the compound, the Ruby Warriors continue their assault, bathing the Earth students in acid sprays while slashing at them viciously. Yet another student goes down, another struck hard but still teetering on his feet. One of the Rubies makes a clumsy bite attempt and tips over on one side, legs wriggling as it rocks back and forth, attempting to right itself. Evamae, seeing Danae facing the Master alone, turns to aid her instead, aiming her dual shock pikes at the senior monk Danae wounded previously. Two well-placed, invisible thrusts pierce his ineffectual parries and gouge his torso through his armor. He staggers and collapses, clutching at his wounds. (Incapacitated!)

Danae manages to avoid all harm, burning through motes as arrows shatter and fist strikes bounce off her brilliant anima. Firmament replies calmly, "If you were Dragon Chosen, we would hope to come to a peacable conclusion, but a traitor is an enemy all the same. You would be brought to judgment, either way." Danae's single, accurate strike is parried by the Earth Master, who catches the Spark with his rock-hard palms and diverts it cleanly away.[Private to Danae Adela: pinnacle + PKB gives him 11 DV - 4 attacks = 7. Activated Flowing Water Defense, so attacks on him are now at -3.] "I believe that you think yourself righteous, and you may well be, but in the eyes of the Council we have been at war since before the Descent. For them, for many of us, there are necessary sacrifices needed to secure our victory, to protect what we have built, and win back what we have lost. Should you have been content to wear the Collar, there would be no need to harm anyone. Your freedom has caused unnecessary chaos in what was once stable and functional."

The remaining unharmed senior monk, circles behind Danae and swings her massive weapon toward her back, between her shoulder blades. At the same time the Earth Master's arms blur, propelling two powerful jabs toward Danae's torso, then a third, open palm upward thrust to seize her by the throat. His dark eyes widen intensely, mere inches from her face. "Now it has come to this." [Private to Danae Adela: Senior monk: 8 sux attack. Master monk: 8 sux, 7 sux, 11 sux flurry. btw... I had to recalculate Earth master's pools slightly due to realizing his Ess has to be 5 to have the pinnacle in the first place. *sigh* starting to get tired of number crunching!]

The shifting odds of the battle has caught the attention of the Water monks. At the same time, a cacophony of crashing rock erupts from the tunnel. The Blue Stripes are finishing their job.

---

OOC: actions (I posted some of these actions already, to save time)
tick 28 - Dashu
tick 29 - senior Earth monk
tick 30 - Earth Master, Wood monks(2)+students(4)
tick 31 - Dena, Third
tick 32 - Seven Coals
tick 33 - Ruby Guardians(5), Earth students(5)
tick 34 - Danae

edit--nearly forgot stunts for some of your previous posts. They are in PM below.
[Private to Danae Adela: Stunt +2 for defense, +1 for attack.]
[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: +2 stunt, it didn't add to your JB though. Stunting JB is... odd, but I've seen it done before.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:46, Fri 24 July 2009.

At this point Dashu becomes annoyed with the constant religious banter of his opponent and simply says one thing to him, "Here's food for thought:  The Dragons don't care."  With that, the Night brings shifts raises both his claws into the air and brings them raking down on the Fire Aspect in a brutal attempt to end his chattering.

Unfortunately, Dashu's attack had not quite killed off Seven Coals and he had raised the alarm to Dashu's presence.  Dashu found himself faced with a small cloud of arrows hurdling his way.  Fortunately, it was nothing that Dashu's martial prowness and the grace of and Ebon Shadowist could not handle.  As the first arrow sailed in, Dashu sidestepped it while batting the second arrow into the path of the third with his right claw.  This disrupted the third arrow for Dashu to bend over backwards and watch it sail over his face while at the same time flipping over the fourth arrow.  As the night cast completed his flip he found himself faced with two more arrows which he easily slapped to the either side of him as set his sights on the three archers who had just saw fit to annoy him with their darts.

[Private to GM:

Adding 4 sux to both attacks.

Peleps Dashu rolled 5 successes using 11d10 with ... rolls of 8,1,1,5,9,6,5,8,1,1,10. Attack 1.

Peleps Dashu rolled 5 successes using 10d10 with ... rolls of 8,6,8,5,7,8,4,6,7,5. Attack 2.

Attack 1:  9 sux
Attack 2:  9 sux

dmg = 6L
Str = 2.

Dodge DV = 9 (7 + Essence from form charm - 2)
Parry DV = 8 (6 -2 + 4 from 2nd Ex)

Since both DV's were higher than all the attacks, I just used them interchangably in my stunted defense.]
This message was last edited by the player at 20:49, Thu 23 July 2009.

"Stable and Functional--I'll grant you that" Danae acknowledged, sidestepping the first of Firmament's blows and deflecting the rest with Impeccable Spark, the fist breezing past her harmlessly while it got the other Monk in her line of sight. "But you're Stagnating as well...  They had me work in the Reclaimation Legions before I was released, they spend 'So' much of their energies towards making it look like they're accomplishing something, that they're gathering strength, that the time of the return to the surface is near...  But when nobody's looking, the Council purges districts, executes dissidents, and continues the whole zero-sum game to keep everyone's heads nice and low..."  The other senior student brought her Goremaul around--but Danae was prepared for it this time, ducking down low, and deflecting the weapon away from her line of sight, before jumping up on it, and delivering two lightning-quick slashes to the Monk, driving her off, and kicking off and landing back where she was beforehand, only to meet another of Firmament's deadly fist strokes with the flat of Impeccable Spark.

"You've gathered such astronomical strength here though!  If Five Coils had actually bothered to muster the incredible might it uses to surpress these rebellions, and actually used it to try to return to the Surface--I can't even 'Conceive' of it being a complete disaster...  So why are we even fighting?!?"

The stroke to her neck was simply knocked away with the pommel in a flash of gold, as Danae drew near.

"You're as much a prisoner as we are.  They bind us with chains of essence, they bind you with chains of dogma and righteousness, by giving you an enemy to focus against, a demon to destroy, to surpress at all costs, and then occasionally releasing us...  There was no malfuntion in our collars--they 'Knew' we would be unleashed, they brought several of us from higher levels to the Water District, just prior to the collars suddenly shutting Off...  Tell me... Have you ever Seen the Council, Stern Firmament?"

[Private to Gatekeeper: Attacking the remaining senior student twice, then parrying all of the oncoming attacks on a two die stunt, using HGD on Firmament's last blow.

17:05, Today: Danae Adela rolled 5 successes using 11d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,7,2,9,3,7,7,4,4,2,2. Attack 2.
17:05, Today: Danae Adela rolled 6 successes using 12d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,5,3,7,9,10,9,6,1,5,1,4. Attack 1

]

Dena grins as the cluster of arrows comes towards her and snaps the lash suddenly, yanking a spray of rocks and gravel from the wall in a broad fan of flying stone.  Ironically, had the Terrestrial exalts been less disciplined a few arrows might have gotten through, but the neat cluster of well-aimed shots allows Dena to position a large chunk of rubble right where she needs it to absorb the shots.

As the cloud of debris passes Dena flies down and lands on the balcony railing, squatting and balancing on the carved handrail while she smiles a slasher smile at the wood monk.  She makes a half-hearted snap the monk's face to distract him a bit while he's still off-balance from his rapid storm of arrows.
"I don't have any need to use words to distract you, little monk.  Fifteen of you wouldn't be able to wear me down with essence as feeble as yours."

[Private to GM:
Dena will expend a point of willpower through her Conviction to dodge that first shot.  I believe that with the bonus from Laughing Wounds form that puts my DV at 11.

Current Essence and Willpower:  Personal 17: Peripheral 2, Willpower 6, no charms this round (yet)

20:48, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 4 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,4,5,2,4,1,5,6,6,2,5,9,8,10,5. Attack for Great Painfulness!.

Or. . . great inaccuracy in this case.  Grumble.  ]

"Death in service to uncaring masters is always futile. The fire of your death will do nothing but forge resolve." Third moves, that swift pace of its steps taking it towards the suicidal Dragon-Blooded, and releasing three violent blows against the Dragon-Blooded, each blow scything in on him, coming from three directions seemingly at the same time. "You had your opportunity to run, Fire-Aspect. Pay the price now." The blade flashes through the air, singing, the golden aura surrounding Third licking along the blade as it leaves sparkling motes of light behind, like a cloud of smoke that shows where the blade has passed, tracing lines through the air as Third takes advantage of the man's weakness to finish him off. The first blow leaves a golden trail glittering across the man's throat, the second, somewhat slower to move, running diagonally down across the man's chest, a trail of light that arcs along, and the third arcs across his knees, aiming for a way to bring him down hard against the ground.

OOC: You rolled 7 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((4,6,3,8,7,6,7,10,10,6)). You rolled 3 successes using 9d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((5,10,3,2,3,7,1,1,1)). You rolled 3 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((1,7,6,1,5,8,1,7)). Personal Essence: 5/19 Peripheral: 30/45 Willpower: 4/7

Seven Coals glares at Dashu, then shakes his head dismissively. "You are by nature a heretic. Your opinion means nothing." The claws come for him, and he is no longer there. There is only smoke and flame, twisting underneath Dashu's hands, while the real monk stands several yards away, untouched except by those first, brutal strikes.

When Third's glittering blade slashes at his throat, chest and legs, the effect is much the same. Where there was flesh, there is only lingering flame, which disperses as the daiklave's path sends ripples through them. "I believe you misunderstand, I do not choose death. I choose to stand in your way and thwart you, while I still can." The flames swirling around Coals' body intensify with an audible roar, warding off hasty attacks while shielding him from harm. Still smiling starkly, he wills his body to staunch the blood pouring from his back, signaling to the archers on the east balcony as he steps backward, one pace after another. Not running, but withdrawing slowly.

[Private to Peleps Dashu; Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: OK... so, his Dodge DV is 6 + 3 (Fire Dragon Form, rounding up here since he's an exalt), + another 3 from (reflexive) Flame Flicker Stance) -2 wound penalty. So, starts at 10 DV, meaning all of your attacks missed.

On his turn he used Overwhelming Fire Majesty Stance which means your attacks on him are now at -5 dice, as well. However the charm also doesn't allow him to attack directly.] [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: +1 stunt :)]

One of the arrows aimed at Dena still skims the chunk of earth she parries with, plunging shallowly into her (2L), but she hardly cares. Her body is much too strong for this, and her resilience to pain all but legendary. The monks and students that have been raining arrows on them all this time start to take on a grim demeanor. They've just begun to do some damage, but their essence is flagging.

Fortunately the essence lash strike does little more than vaguely intimidate, as the lead monk on the west balcony bends easily away from it. "So it may be, Anathema," he says balefully, "but you'll not get through every one of our Masters." He strikes at Dena not with his bow, but with a well placed kick, attempting to jostle the base of the glowing whip out of her hand. The wounded student that dropped his bow picks it up, shakily, while the other fires a single, useless shot, starting to edge backward toward the door leading in from the balcony.

[Private to Tervila Dena: Unfortunately, you roll virtue and add successes to DV, you don't add it directly to DV the way stunts work. I rolled it and you got 3 sux, so the first attack did hit! You have a total of 5L damage, and a single soul marking strike means the monk has 1 sux on you from now on. As for the disarm attempt... it's 9 successes, -2 external, so 7. Dena's DV is just that hard to beat! But if you want to use this as an opportunity to lose your lash on purpose you can do that. Or I can try again.

At this point you've pretty much proven these particular monks are weak and ineffectual against you. They will likely withdraw very soon unless you'll try to pursue/kill them.]

Danae's pair of slashes slip past the senior monk's goremaul, but barely manage to nick her Essence infused flesh beneath her breastplate. (1L) Firmament directs her to step away and aid Seven Coals and the students, while he patiently continues to address the young Dawn Caste. "No. I have not had the privilege to meet the Council. Nor have you, I am sure. Your theories are as much speculation as you think my beliefs are."

"It took our people two hundred years to master the secrets of the Coils, to sufficiently control the captured Celestials. We were not idle this entire time. Nor will we underestimate those who await above ground. They are world-destroyers, who have had just as much time to prepare for us -- and they were the victors. Shall we now ally with the very ones that led us to ruin? I am sorry; it cannot be." Firmament launches at her, then, his fists pounding at her body with the fury of a tempest, building momentum with every strike. Master of Earth and Water, he embodies both the waves crashing relentlessly on the cliffs, and the incredible power and control of the mountain itself.

[Private to Danae Adela: A large part of your post is speech--and while it is good speech, it's not directly related to your defense. Seems more to me you're doing social combat simultaneously with 'real' combat, which ought to reduce your DV *more* -- but I won't do that. Instead I'll allow you the +2 this time, but don't assume more than a +1 stunt at any time, or I'll start to get un-generous. :) And try not to overdo the speeches during combat unless you want to start incurring multiple action penalties (after all, they would be great social attacks, were you to roll for them...)

This time, Firmament has used Crashing Wave Style. 13 sux, 9 sux, 8 sux, 7 sux, 4 sux. Though now that I think of it, I figure you'll HGD the first, so the entire Charm misses. Normally, this kind of charm knowledge is OOC, but since I'm anticipating the HGD I'm letting you know so you can describe properly.]

One Ruby Guardian cuts down another wounded student, but the others falter in their attacks, missing or fumbling altogether. The four remaining students use this opportunity to start backing toward the rear of the compound, presumably to let the Water monks take over for them. Evamae does not pursue them, but calls out, "Creators! How shall we aid you now?"

The sound of earth crumbling continues from the tunnel opening, as several more powerful strikes collapse it from within. The Wood monk closest to the tunnel (incidentally, the same one Dena has been fighting) shouts, "Master Firmament, they're sealing us inside!!"

---

tick 32 - Dashu
tick 34 - Third, senior Earth monk (joining Seven Coals)
tick 35 - Earth master, Wood monk+students(2)(west balcony)
tick 38 - Seven Coals, Wood monk+students(2)(east balcony), Water monks(2)+students(6), Evamae, Ruby Guardians
tick 39 - Danae

Earth students are retreating. Also ignore the rolls I made for Evamae, the target I chose for her made no sense with the tick count.

Dashu looks quisically at Seven Coals and then replies simply, "It's not an opinion.  There's alot more evidence to show that the Dragons don't care about you guys.  You say the world outside lies in ruins because of us, but if everything you believe is true, then you failed and the Dragons didn't lift a finger to stop it from happening.  You guys failed then, just like you're going to fail to stop us now.  For instance, you think you can get in my way, but simply standing there won't stop me."

With that, Dashu takes a couple of steps and leaps over the Monk, performing a perfect double front flip along the way.  He then began making his way towards the balcony on which the archers sat as fast as he possibly could.  Let him stand still while he lost his support troops.

Third lifts its sword and tilts its head. "You choose to make yourself a bonfire of essence. A sacrifical pyre to your own grandeur. Thank you for taking yourself out of the fight." Its eyes focus on the monk, smiling as it squeezes the hilt of the blade, turning towards the Earth Monk. The blade flashes, moving to reverse, right arm crossed over the Solar's chest as it moves into a low crouching position, and then it begins to move, serenely, but those steps tapping the ground with unmistakeable presence as its eyes lock with the Earth Monk, blade glowing with that golden light as it charges forward suddenly, moving with deadly grace. Even as it moves, that eruption of flame surrounding it cracks open a memory, hidden deep inside the Solar's mind... A memory of fire, of pain, of burning, and of rage.

The memory of how to use it flashes through Third's mind, a fragment that survived the process that made it what it is. An attack that was never used directly on the Solar- It had no point against someone like Third. It only saw the attack once, the flames spreading out as the man who had called himself 'Master' struck the blow to the chest of his opponent. The layers of armor, the carapace that had protected that person, splitting open like a chestnut stabbed with a hot blade. Third remembers that fire, seeing the person who might have preserved Third's memory, the only thing that might have made a life before worth remembering through the pain of processing, die under it, the last memories of someone who might have known who Third was... And all that was left of them now was that memory of all-devouring flames. Another thing stolen from Third. It hurts to think about it, but it's left Third's mind absolutely clear about what it needs to do. For it to have Freedom, this Dragon-Blooded must die screaming on the edge of a blade.

As Third stands just a few feet from the Dragon-Blooded, its left foot comes down, and the ground splinters beneath it as essence starts to flow, taking on a different hue from usual- A fiery, flickering Essence, like that of the monk behind it, as its eyes focus on the Dragon-Blooded before it. The sword flips in Third's grip, blade now pointed towards the Dragon-Blooded's throat, and begins to scream as it arcs inwards. "Let death free your soul from the chains of dogma." Third speaks in an alien voice, but one that evokes a moment of absolute truth, as that blade pushes forward.

The red, shimmering jade makes a humming noise, as it drills towards the base of the man's throat, Fire essence licking out of the blade, scorching through the layers of Earth Essence protecting the man, insinuating itself through the essence layers and separating them, leaving that much-vaunted armor like so much butter under a hot knife, even as the blade drives itself inwards, as Third's face contorts with a shocking rage, feeling that burning within itself, as the blade strikes violently inwards, a bellow of rage and loss, something that Third has not felt in a long time, echoing through the room as the Essence twirling around it builds into a mighty, flowing bonfire, glowing like the sun in Twilight- Not so bright as to be impossible to look at directly, but glowing wildly and colorfully, catching attacks and pushing them aside with wild enthusiasm- What could willfully mark such beauty?

OOC :You rolled 6 successes using 13d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((3,10,3,5,9,3,7,2,9,2,8,2,2)). Not quite as good as I might've hoped for with such a dramatic pose... But hey, y'can't have everything! Fiery Garda Force Attack to make it Piercing, hopefully, and channeling a Willpower through Conviction, for 4 extra dice. 8 Experience points paid up for the ability! Personal Essence: 9/19 Peripheral Essence: 26/45 Willpower: 3/7.

The Earth Monk's series of blows met up against Danae's own Daiklave, each strike splashing off of the field of golden essence she had created to ward the onslaught off--the residual force parting aside with each blow, giving her a chance to get off the relative back-foot.

"Get your breath, and prepare to engage the oncoming reinforcements!  Once the Blue Stripes get through, we should be able to go on the offensive!  Don't overextend yourselves too far though!" Danae shouts back to Evamae, while circling around Stern Firmament.  The time for talking and other such trivalities was more or less over, and all that remained was the fight.

But it wasn't one she could win by recklessly attacking.  She clasped Impeccable Spark in both hands, and watched Stern Firmament, waiting for an opportunity to attack.

[Private to Gatekeeper: HGDed the 13 attack success--you didn't actually need to tell me the charm effect though :(

At any rate, taking an Aim action on Firmament, Speed 3]

Dashu leaps past the monk enwreathed in flames, and attempts to ascends the balcony as the Wood archers there ready their arrows. "We are not so fragile as you may think!" says the monk of Sextes Jylis, while his students attempt to resolve their conflict between waiting for Coals' direction and firing at the Nightbringer coming right for them. [Private to Peleps Dashu: You either need to make a Dex+Athletics roll, let's say difficulty 2, which will take your turn at tick 37, to climb the balcony. (There's no easy way up from the outside) Or you can use your wall climbing charm, which would let you move and attack in the same turn, but you won't be able to use your Excellency unless you have it in a combo with that charm.]

Coals says sternly, still retaining his burning aura as he moves slowly to join his Earth comrade, insisting stubbornly, "The Dragons very well raised a hand to aid us. Yet even with their blessings we were still overwhelmed.  Thus we are so cautious and careful to build our power!"

The female Earth monk, struck by Third's single, spectacular blow -- fueled by memory lost, by a fragment of past life willfully gained -- fails to deflect its burning blade. Engulfed in the glorious sunset anima, her own Essence balks against the single, stubborn point that bores her armor, strengthening her defenses with the natural solidity of her element. Yet she is not fully understanding of the change gripping the Twilight Caste, the personality emerging in the void that it became as an Akashic Record. She may have safely absorbed the attack of the one known as Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge. But Shining Eye refuses to be rendered ineffective by a mere Dragon-blood. The blade makes one last, righteous surge, penetrating through to her flesh and stubbornly drawing blood. (2L damage!)

"I do not need to be freed by your blasphemy," the Earth monk replies simply, and swings her goremaul with a single, crushing swing that may well collapse Third's ribcage, should it strike. Her answering Essence display is like phantasmal stone ramparts rising from the ground, the ground splitting into jagged chunks all around her, earthen fangs that bite at Third's shins. [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: The monk is already at the most lethal level of anima flux which is 1L per tick (rolled, unfortunately it succeeded!) I may be more lenient about it than that, but still, staying in close proximity to her too long may be a bad idea. Besides that, you also are struck with one 11 sux attack.](Third gets 1L anima flux damage.)

"We will do our best, Clockwork General." Evamae advances with the builder bugs to intercept the larger group of Water monks on the move. As Danae watches her opponent carefully for an ideal opening, Firmament patiently chooses to wait, analyzing the young solar in turn as he 'allows' her to take the offensive. If she would still dare.

Another colossal rumble rises from the tunnel. It's well on its way to collapsing now.

---

OOC: I forgot to put Dena in the action list! So sorry. The Earth monk attacking Third acted on the tick it interrupted her advance.

tick 36 - Dena
tick 37 - Dashu, Third
tick 38 - senior Earth monk, Seven Coals, Wood monk+students(2)(east balcony), Water monks(2)+students(6), Evamae, Ruby Guardians
tick 40 - Earth master, Wood monk+students(2)(west balcony)
tick 42 - Danae (after aim)
Blue stripes entrance is imminent.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:27, Sun 02 Aug 2009.

"You want this lash?" Dena taunts as the dragonblood fails to pull it from her hand.  "Come, we'll compete for it."
Dena suddenly darts forward and snags the lash around the wood monk's arm before yanking, hard as the stinging energy burns into the monk's skin.  "We'll see what gives out first, your shoulder socket or my grip.  Easy isn't it?"

22:19, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 6 successes using 16d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,1,6,9,9,8,9,7,7,4,5,4,6,2,5,1. Powerful attack?  Please?.

"Sure.  Keep telling yourself that if it helps you sleep at night," Dashu shouts back at the fire aspect as he nimbly bounces from ledge to ledge and lands on the balcony containing the wood monks.  He brandishes his claws menacingly and glares at them. "Now would be a great time for you to drop your weapons and run," he said evenly.

[Private to GM:

Peleps Dashu rolled 2 successes using 7d10 with ... rolls of 3,8,9,1,4,2,6. Dex + Ath. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 14:52, Tue 28 July 2009.

The monk at the west balcony, with a last ditch burst of speed, snatches his arm away from the essence lash. "Master Firmament, we must fall back! We will inform the Masters within!" He retreats with his students toward the balcony door, and through it, not without firing a trio of arrows to cover the retreat.[Private to Tervila Dena: They're not really trying any more; flurry of 6 sux and 6 sux, then 4 sux. They know they can't hit you so they're just distracting you to get away. Anyway, I'll leave it up to you if you pursue; if you don't, the door will be locked and barricaded. I'd advise helping the others, but it's up to you :)]

Dashu takes his time making his way up to the eastern balcony. The going is precarious, but he manages not to fall. Unfortunately... the monks stationed there aren't willing to stand there and wait for him. A series of seven arrows fly toward him in quick succession just as he makes that last step onto the balcony. "We still have strength left in us yet," counters the monk that leads the barrage, his lip curling in determination. "Do not take us lightly." [Private to Peleps Dashu: Here's their attacks, they're maxing their pools! I would actually rule you don't manage to reach the top until tick 42, but since you wrote it this way I'll just have them try to shoot you as you make it there.

Attacks are as follows (you are at -2 DV, dodging while climbing is not an easy task)
Wood monk 2: 8 sux, 5 sux, 11 sux flurry
Wood student 3: 9 sux, 8 sux flurry
Wood student 4: 10 sux, 3 sux flurry]

---

OOC: Dena acts next on tick 41, and Dashu on tick 42. They should be able to post their next actions after defending unless they'll attack Seven Coals, the senior Earth monk or the Water monks (these wouldn't make sense in the current order).

"While you're there, tell the Masters we'll be quite generous if they surrender." Dena taunts as the door starts to close and the arrows whiz past her harmlessly.  "Terrible, what passes for an immaculate these days.  When we took over the Water District they were willing to suicide to stop us, now those were real monks.  Jerks who needed killing for wanting to wipe out the whole district, to be sure, but at least you could respect that kind of courage.  They had better aim too, you guys have managed what, 3 hits out of about 30 arrows?  Pitiful."

Taking a moment to size up Stern Firmament, Dena pauses a long moment, examines the back of the stony brute, and then sends just the tip of her essence lash just so, next to the third vertebra while flying in a low, lazy circle around her new target.

[Private to Gatekeeper:
Hmm, dice rolls are looking up, that was only slightly below average.  Anyway if this attack gets past his DV Dena will supplement the attack with Kiss of the Whip to give him an additional +1 wound penalty on top of any he would normally have.

Current Essence: 17/4/6 willpower.
10:07, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 7 successes using 16d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,2,10,2,2,2,1,3,8,5,8,3,7,3,6,7. For great attackfulness. ]

Dashu sees the small cloud of arrows descending on him and he briefly wonders if he could get away from them all.  After all, his hands were still somewhat preoccupied with the climbing and keeping his balance on the ledges.

However, he did not let his doubts control him.  Instead he let placed in claw in a shallow crack in the stone and pushed off with his legs flipping backwards and allowing the first arrow to pass directly under him.  Knowing the second arrow was in its wake, Dashu pushed off the wall, spinning his body just in time to avoid the second arrow.  While such a flip would have project most people away from their original position, Dashu used his claw to provide an anchor so he would stay in place landing in the same place that he jumped from.  This, however had the consequence of landing Dashu directly in front of the final arrow in the volley.  He barely managed to turn his body in time to avoid the arrow as it flew by his eyes.

As the second volley of arrows whirled towards him, Dashu stepped off the ledge, using his hand to catch his weight to keep him from falling.  As the first arrow flew directly over where he had been standing, he pushed off the wall and flipped back up to where he was standing, hurdling the second arrow in the process.  However as soon as he had his feet set, he himself immediately faced with a third volley of arrows coming directly at his chest.  He barely turned his upper body in time to avoid the first as it whizzed while the second arrow was so delayed that Dashu had no trouble simply ducking.

[Private to GM:
activating Shadow Over Water.
]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:14, Tue 04 Aug 2009.

Even as the calls for retreat came out across the room, Danae closed in on Firmament again.  If she had come against him at full strength, and had the luxury to use her Essence at the fullest degree possible, she might have been a match for this fellow--but as the present circumstances were, she was at a disadvantage until the Blue Stripes had a chance to arrive.

This didn't mean she couldn't put up a decent fight though...

As Firmament began taking the opportunity to reassess her, Danae matched his action...  For a time at least--as the rest of the monks began their withdrawal though, and one called out to him, Danae took the opportunity to strike back, shifting slightly sideways as she kicked a fragment of armor up into his line of sight--hopefully concealing her own movements just long enough to land a blow in return.

[Private to Gatekeeper: Disengaging soonish, so I didn't put all my energy into a hugely elaborate stunt, but this should serve for now.  14 dice + 3  from my aim

20:08, Today: Danae Adela rolled 7 successes using 17d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,4,10,2,5,7,9,6,3,3,8,6,2,3,6,9,5. Slashums

Annnnd... A miss, 6 succs after Flowing Water Defense, against a PDV of 10 after the aim, unless I get 5 succs on the stunt roll, it's no dice]

Eye focuses. The golden essence licking along the body catches the stone spikes as they slash out of the ground towards the frail form, and devours them, grinding the stone away to dust, not a single spike marring that skin. The descending goremaul is rather more immediate as far as threats go. The Essence flows of this body are expended by that moment of rage- An unwise tactical maneuver, but that is in the past now. "You should accept this freedom. You make mockeries of your Dragon Blood by constraining yourself to a code of obedience, of keeping your dreams tied down." Shining Eye speaks smoothly, unconcerned as the goremaul arcs up through the air. "You're an Exalted. You should not have constrained yourself to something like Fate." This body doesn't have the strength, the agility, that she remembers so clearly, that suffused her before the darkness. So, she'll simply have to cheat.

She focuses her eyes on the goremaul. A brilliant mind suffused by an inhuman genius, it won't hold for long, and this little stunt will burn it out even faster.  The speed of the goremaul compared to her own agility, off balance from the attack... Yes, the goremaul's just a bit too slow. So she speaks out, those numbers- Not Charms, not really, not Essence, simply a code that lies hidden in the programming of the Pattern Spiders. The invisible strands of fate, that lie so thickly around everything, begin to tighten, gathering around the goremaul as it moves. But still not enough.

Eye begins to move. This body doesn't have that unlimited grace that it's used to, but it's not completely useless. The Solar moves, surging, its body surging, freedom screaming through every nerve as it moves to avoid that hammerblow. Another trick- One that everyone can tap into, when it truly matters to them- the pushing of the body beyond the limits fate puts on it, through sheer force of will, amplified by that desire for freedom. She is Shining Eye, Autochthon's Confidant, the Builder of Great Things, and she would not let any petty being who's let themselves be bound by Fate to destroy her.

Ligaments tear, muscles fray, nerves burn out, as that body of hers moves in a smooth flip backwards, leaping out of the blow's path, a trail of golden essence surrounding the body as she moves in a backflip, a golden spiral moving through the air, body rotating out of the path of that blow. It's simply a holding form for her Essence... It will repair itself.

OOC: Channeling Conviction again, Willpower 3/7, I'm assuming I got at least a 2 dot stunt for the last attack. >_> If I get 5-<Stunt rating> successes on the Conviction roll, I can avoid this attack and hopefully survive. Let this be a hard lesson to you all on the importance of Combos.

Dashu, after dealing with the arrow-swarm, has his chance to strike back at the archers on the east balcony, should he wish.

On the ground below, the receptacle of Third's mind is filled, if momentarily, by the personality of Shining Eye, who thought to defy Fate itself. Whether the Twilight Caste's ability to avoid harm is more attributed to that defiance, or from pure determination to survive free of harm, is uncertain. But the end result is the same: the slender, slight body of Third, burning with sunset Essence, twists and backflips away from the massive goremaul blow. So intense and incredible was that flash of rebellion against the constraints forged upon the world, that Third soon feels the influence of Shining Eye receding, unable to retain that singularly determined identity for much longer. [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: After some equivocation I decided on a +2 stunt. Mostly because you're assuming a lot of Fate effects, which you don't actually at the moment have real power over. However, you got 3 sux on that Conviction, so we can say simply *believing* one has that power succeeded this time. :) Also I hope you don't mind the bit of creative license, I interpreted your last post as suggesting Shining Eye exerted itself so much through Third that the connection is burning out... at least for now. If you don't like tell me and I will change!]

Seven Coals continues to back away, approaching the senior Earth monk. Unable to command the archers now contending with Dashu, he maintains his defensive stance and slow, measured steps. But Third, quicker than both monks, finds an opening to strike again before the overpoweringly majestic glow of Coals' anima works its influence around the Earth monk, as well. [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: Your next action is tick 37. Subtract 5 dice if striking Coals, but you won't have to subtract 3 to attack the senior Earth monk until after tick 38.]

Evamae and the Rubies take on the group of Water Monks. Unlike the Earth students they are quicker, slipping into the insects' defenses and tearing at the joints between carapaces with precise, paired dragon claws. One of the Rubies is particularly unlucky, and is harmed severely in the attack. Still adjusting to their opponents' tactics, they retaliate somewhat awkwardly, inflicting shallow damage on the younger monks. [Private to GM: Starting mass combat type rules. Assuming Evamae and Water Monks both have War 4 so they're roughly even. Evamae+Rubies, 1L on Wood Monks, Wood Monks, 2L on Evamae+Rubies.]

Firmament, cool under pressure, hardly even glances at Dena, easily repelling the lash with his bare forearm. "Your words are misinformed. As I know it, the Immaculates of Water District never intended to kill themselves in the Purge," he replies without rising to the taunt. "Nor will we, as protectors of the Inner Temple, simply hand our lives for you to slaughter. A reckless Order cannot Endure." [Private to Tervila Dena: 10 base PDV, so a miss.]

He raises his other hand and catches Danae's weapon against his palm, calmly undistracted by the fragment in his way. Then his hand suddenly twists and clamps hard upon the golden blade, attempting to disable and disarm the weapon. Impeccable Spark proves resistant to the damage, but whether Danae can hold onto her weapon is up to her skill and her wits... [Private to Danae Adela: well, used Weapon Breaking, the successes were only 5, so you need to roll Wits+Melee at diff 5 to keep your weapon.]

---

OOC: actions
tick 37 - Third
tick 38 - Seven Coals (defending), senior Earth monk, Wood monks (east balcony)
tick 41 - Dena
tick 42 - Danae, Dashu
tick 43 - Earth master, Blue Stripes
Water Monks and Evamae+Rubies are focused on fighting one another.
Wood monks (west balcony) retreated.

We're out of sync here a bit so forgive the delay, need Third/Dashu to post so I can get toward bringing in Blue Stripes and winding down.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:45, Sun 02 Aug 2009.

Third's body shakes as it lands heavily, body shaking as it focuses, breathing in once, and out once, and then taking one swift strike outwards, lashing that sword across the chest of the Earth Monk, taking one swift strike against the Earth Monk, not taking chances on being caught without ability to perfectly avoid those strikes again- After Seven Coals makes its way next to the senior Earth Monk, it'll break and join Danae, to draw some of the attack off of her.

OOC: You rolled 3 successes using 13d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((1,5,7,2,3,8,6,2,2,4,3,4,8)). Ah, man, heck with you, dice-roller.