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Floor B23 - District of Earth, Freerunner Territory.

Posted by GatekeeperFor group archive 1
Gatekeeper
GM, 901 posts
Exalted Storyteller
Five Coils Artificer
Thu 28 May 2009
at 04:06
  • msg #1

Floor B23 - District of Earth, Freerunner Territory

The Freerunner Territory, in truth, is not a single place but several throughout the Earth District, the Freerunners rotating locations by whim or necessity. This time, Kares Perian meets his unlikely benefactor two miles roughly northeast of the Earth District's central community, the City of Pasiap's Resolve. In this position lies one of the Earth Manses claimed by the rebels, known as Ama-Inu's Cenotaph, in the heart of a labyrinth of trapped and concealed caverns serving as their current base.

The octagonal hearthroom is perfectly safe, of course, and Perian has already been shown the proper way in, allowed to attune to the Manse, though not to the Hearthstone itself. At the very center of the room is a trio of statues facing one another: a woman, a man and an androgyne. The Hearthstone plate rests where their hands meet in the middle, held up by their marble-carved fingertips. At the base of this statue, Perian waits as bidden for what could be hours, or mere minutes, if previous experience is any indication.

Fortunately -- if one could call Free's attention 'fortune' -- the wait is short.

Old Grinning Wolf strides into the hearthroom, unhindered by the iron ball he drags easily with a sinewy hind leg. He is a large, shaggy, silver-grey wolf with mis-matched eyes, surrounded by a pack of eight eagerly dutiful wolves. The elder snarls warningly at them, a command or a retort, and the eight disperse to the corners of the room, sitting quietly, standing watch. Only then does he shift shape, rising on his hind legs, the fur retracting while his body gains humanoid muscle and definition. Massive, broad-shouldered and baring sharp teeth, clad in his distinctive striped bodysuit, Free grins down at Perian and speaks in a booming voice.

"KARES PERIAN. The game has changed, and with it, our chances. YES! A chance at the conclusion of my magnum opus, a chance after decades of preamble! Are you not intrigued?" His eyes, one ice-blue, the other amber-gold, gleam with honest enthusiasm.
Kares Perian
player, 3 posts
Thu 28 May 2009
at 05:46
  • msg #2

Re: Floor B23 - District of Earth, Freerunner Territory

Perian strikes a less impressive figure than Free does, but his presence is potent nonetheless. Part of it comes from the stillness and control he shows while waiting, part is the utter certainty he radiates, that none of the wolves or guards can harm him. But mostly it is in his gaze, seeming to read those he meets, and to see more of them than they know themselves.

Faced with the Lunar's energy, he responds with his own, but controled and directed.

"I have heard tales of something new. And if you see a chance there, then it surely exists. So I am intrigued."

Thoughtfully, Perian studies the statues around him, glancing over Free's companions with equal parts familiarity and respect, then focuses on their master once more.

"Trouble in the depths, I was told. Something unlike anything that took place before. But where you see the full pattern, I can only see and hear those who are nearby - and none of them show whose hand is behind this."

He shrugs, then his posture relaxes, becoming less a warrior reporting to his chief and more a companion chatting about interesting topics.

"So tell me what you've seen and head, Free, and let's find out how to make something of it. Boon or bane, we'll turn it towards your work."
Gatekeeper
GM, 906 posts
Exalted Storyteller
Five Coils Artificer
Thu 28 May 2009
at 20:05
  • msg #3

Re: Floor B23 - District of Earth, Freerunner Territory

Free's fangish grin becomes a big smile, his eyes popping open so wide that Perian can see the whites of his eyes all around the pupil. Of course, with him it's hard to tell if he's actually smiling or grimacing. The stark tattoo on his left eyebrow, the bold letters NOFUTURE, give his expression an all the more foreboding cast.

Then Free breaks out into loud and hearty laughter, a sound that echoes uncomfortably in the vaulted hearthchamber. The wolves howl along to his misplaced mirth, like lackeys chuckling at a joke they don't quite get, yet refuse to be left out of. Suddenly, he barks, "Quiet, QUIET! Now I will tell all of you a story of the Water Republic. Listen carefully!" As the reverberation of howls, laughters, and sharp-tongued commands fades into an expectant silence, he crosses his meaty arms with great satisfaction, his expression settling into a surprisingly solemn cast.

Now this was Free the Storyteller, Free the Noble Visionary, Free the Elder Passing On His Wisdom. He would be listened to, and remembered for ages to come. [Private to Kares Perian: He's using Instinct Memory Insertion, though I'm not necessarily going to make you roll Lore every single time to remember the details that follow (since you can just read the post!) The use of the charm justifies that you'd remember the 'tale' to the letter. Though if ever you do need to roll, you will get a +5 die bonus to remember everything he describes below.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:24, Thu 28 May 2009.
Gatekeeper
GM, 907 posts
Exalted Storyteller
Five Coils Artificer
Thu 28 May 2009
at 20:13
  • msg #4

Re: Floor B23 - District of Earth, Freerunner Territory

"It all began with the First Wave of Celestial Emancipation," the elder Lunar begins with a sweeping arm gesture, addressing the entire room, as if certain the wolves would understand as well. "On the 13th of Ascending Water, during the height of the Moon-That-Would-Be-Full, a reality once thought impossible was brought into being. Aided by a power beyond comprehension, a power transcending even the Great and Detestable Machines, the Celestial Exalted of Water District were freed from their bondage in a single stroke!"

"How I lament that I, ensconced in a District so far above, could not have been instrumental in such an act! But alas, it was not I. Nor any ally of mine. Their collars, or so my birds report to me, simply stopped working. Deactivated. Useless bits of metal they cast aside, and in place of that, took up arms and ran toward Freedom!" Free speaks the word from which his name was derived with a stirring depth of passion, raising his clenched fist toward the ceiling!

"But the jealous Terrestrials would not allow the Chosen their Freedom. So determined were they to ensure their Fate was binary -- slavery or extermination -- that they proclaimed a Purge, and commanded the Artificial Intelligence of the District, the Gatekeeper of Water, to enact it. In their name, the Gatekeeper would call a Great Flood upon the Water District, drowning all Unnecessary Life, and the 'hated Anathema' along with them. The treacherous Dragon-bloods and their favored servants had ample time to ensure their safety, while the Unfortunates -- the poor and the unclean, the mutants and the rejects, all such beings would perish in the deep drink."

"And the Celestials proclaimed, it would not be so. Not for them, not for the innocents that would die on their behalf. They would race against time, rise up the levels of Water District to seek an audience with the Gatekeeper itself. For the Gatekeeper, seeing its old Masters, would recall the time before the Usurpation, when she served not the will of the Terrestrials, but that of the Chosen of Sun, Moon and Stars."

"Fortune smiled on them that day, and how!" The mad Lunar pauses dramatically, his eyes rolling back into his head as if his fervor for the story would make him implode from the inside. When next he speaks it is in a low, trembling voice. "They persuaded the Gatekeeper to their side, and ever after the Water District has been under its jurisdiction, Free of the Terrestrial shackle. The new Overseer sent the Celestials directly to Earth District, then combined forces with the Unfortunates to rout or destroy the remaining Dragon-bloods in the new Independent Republic of Water!"

"Ten young Celestials now toil to liberate the Earth District! The trouble they've stirred has given us the chance to strike the Immaculates where it hurts! And, my friend Perian, WE may soon be able to meet them, and judge their worthiness to join the greater drama of Freedom that has begun before they were born. What say you to that?!"
Kares Perian
player, 4 posts
Fri 29 May 2009
at 04:24
  • msg #5

Re: Floor B23 - District of Earth, Freerunner Territory

Perian listens to Free attentively, intent on engraving the Lunar's words and gestures both in his memory. Where the master of the Freerunners is wild, dynamic, and bursting with insight, Perian's expression and attitude are controlled, focused, working on each aspect of the problem before him. Often, Free's mad ideas have opened new paths Perian could not imagine before - and just as often, Perian's attention to details has prevented distaster when following those paths.

"Miraculous power, granted to the chosen, for the cause of freedom. Turning their erstwhile masters so that they may serve the people. There is truth in this tale, Free. I can feel it. The echoes fit with the others I have heard, somehow."

Thoughtfully, Perian stares inwards, at his internal image of Five Coils. "That much disruption will force the higher levels to respond. Even as they deny the need, Water is essnetial to their workings... and they cannot afford to lose this much face, even as bait for you."

He snaps his attention to Free, looking fearlessly into the Lunar's eyes, smiling. "I say we meet them. They are an unexpected wave, maybe an old story trying to be reborn. The place they take in your drama has yet to be set. Are they to be kings, or pawns?"

The is a moment of stillness, as the power of the manse seems to gather about Perian, threads of essence on the verge of being shaped. Then normality resumes.

"It may be wiser if we do not both greet them, however. A Face, and a Power behind it. Besides, I will want to consult my own sources, and you make some of them nervous. Do we know what they plan, besides a mad charge upwards?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:25, Fri 29 May 2009.
Gatekeeper
GM, 913 posts
Exalted Storyteller
Five Coils Artificer
Sat 30 May 2009
at 01:07
  • msg #6

Re: Floor B23 - District of Earth, Freerunner Territory

"Miracles... ha ha ha." Free seems to disregard the role of the gods in the freedom of the Celestials with cavalier disinterest. Not surprising; the elder Lunar has never been one for religious debate or worship, leaving such matters to Perian to deal with. Perhaps that is why he turned to sorcery, rather than prayer, as a source of greater power.

"How strange and convenient that these ten or so have been Freed now after so long, hmm? I must admit it is the part of this tale I find most peculiarly UNsatisfying. The very POINT of what I strive to accomplish is true Independence! The power of the self to overcome all obstacles! So why...?" A tic starts up in Free's stolen eye, the golden iris swiveling this way and that, until he takes his meaty hand and slams it against the side of his head. The eye pops out with a nasty squelch, and he holds it carefully between two fingertips and pops it emphatically back into the socket. The eye rights itself, ceasing its strange seizure. "But mysterious as the circumstances may be, they will still play in the favor of my goals -- and by relation, the hopes of all those who would defy Terrestrial rule in the belly of the great machine! I have embodied that hope, become it in flesh, for one simple reason. To prove it could be done! So let us do."

Free paces back and forth in front of the trio of statues while his mismatched eyes remain focused on Perian. The ball-and-chain drags ponderously along behind him, producing a rough and grating sound that he seems to find oddly meditative. "We WILL meet them, there is no doubt about that. It does seem my reputation precedes me." He says this with great satisfaction. "My B25 contact, Mockingbird, has expressed that a small group of Free Celestials are interested in speaking with me in person. Of course -- I had no intention to reveal myself to them right from the start. I'm sending some of the cubs to greet them below... it should be... rather interesting."

"Of their plans, there is no doubt they would speak with the Gatekeeper of Earth. And to do so, they must surmount the five levels of the Inner Temple, guarded by the largest concentration of militant Monks in the Coils. They must take the fight to the Immaculates themselves, who have convinced that stubborn, incorrigible machine-spirit that he is an incarnation of Pasiap! But, you see, they are still young and recently Liberated. They need numbers, and the impact of Righteousness. They will want the People on their side, and that is what we will give them."

[Private to Kares Perian: I see us leading toward two things right now. Either Perian can request to join the Freerunners being sent downward (this means you'll end up inserted into the Freerunner Meeting thread once you're done talking to Free) or we can start you with some more NPC interaction / setting introduction, in which you'll meet more of the Freerunners, possibly start some work inciting rebellion among the people of the neighboring City of Pasiap's Resolve... and you'll be joined by the PCs when they're brought above. I'll leave it up to you. :)]
Kares Perian
player, 5 posts
Sun 31 May 2009
at 07:54
  • msg #7

Re: Floor B23 - District of Earth, Freerunner Territory

"Really? I certainly feel it would be useful to be present in any conversation between the Gatekeeper and these heroes. Water alone cannot stand in the long run - it lacks resources and what it gives the other Coils will take too long to be missed. But if Earth falls as well... the game will move faster, wider, at once."

Perian is still as he weighs the possibilities opened by Free's plans and recent events, then comes to a decision.

"If they are to have the People on their side, I'd best make sure that it happens. Pasiap's Resolve is more open to my face, my words, than yours - though I'll need your guidance on the tactical part of it."

"My guess is that open dissent in the city may force the monks out, to contain it. But it would have to be significant, enough to overwhelm the troops there. Which means I have to be there, to guide the people."

"And if they choose instead to bar the way and cut themselves off... that gives us an army, and I think there are stories that could open the gates. Still, you know the defenses better than I, and the timing will need to be close. So, Free. Where will you send me, your voice, in this matter? And who do I take with me?"


A faint glimmer of gold forms around Perian as he goes over his knowledge of Pasiap's Resolve, and weighs which contacts and routes to employ.

[Private to GM: Going for the social part, i.e. inciting revolution. Perian's notion (note his lack of War skills and low mental stats) is to either draw out some of the monks while taking over the city (or threatening to), or talk his way into the temple (with some Freerunners) while the city is in chaos.

Perian would prefer to go for a full takeover of the city (includinng any troops inside) if possible, as it would cause less damage overall.

Are you considering mass social combat?
]
Gatekeeper
GM, 925 posts
Exalted Storyteller
Five Coils Artificer
Mon 1 Jun 2009
at 20:19
  • msg #8

Re: Floor B23 - District of Earth, Freerunner Territory

"If all goes well, yes, you absolutely MUST accompany the Heroes headed up to the Gatekeeper Core!" Free insists, shaking his head emphatically. "To think I could lack a representative in such a crucial motion!"

"But before that, as you have mentioned, we must ensure their path is clear! The Immaculate Monks of Earth District number in the hundreds and, as you know, are trained specifically to combat Celestials. However! The greater District beyond the Inner Temple is also watched by the secular Police, the so appropriately named Peace Force..." The corner of his mouth twitches in amusement.

Free takes the time to explain the current situation, in his typically bombastic mode of speech. The Inner Temple of Pasiap is the main stronghold of the Immaculate Order in the Earth District. It is a very large structure stretching five levels from Floor B21 to B25, surrounding the central elevator shaft for about a half mile radius, embedded into the earth so as to camouflage its existence. Rather than having direct entrances, the Inner Temple is surrounded by a complex of adamant tunnels which (according to current intelligence) contains four entrances leading from the tunnels to the outer District. These entrances are themselves camouflaged in buildings or facilities, so that only a very select few are even aware there IS an Inner Temple. Rather, they know the individual temples in the District.

On Floor B23, there is the City of Pasiap's Resolve, which itself is shaped like a ring or wheel, surrounding the entire Inner Temple on the outside. Its citizens have a reputation as being very strong believers of the Immaculate Philosophy, as the city contains no less than eight shrines to the Immaculate Dragons, spread roughly evenly throughout the sectors of the City. It is believed that these shrines are the locations of the Inner Temple entrances as well, but the Freerunners have only been able to confirm two of these (at Mela's Shrine and the Southeast Pasiap Shrine).

Free, of course, has known of the Inner Temple entrances for some time, but has not had enough rebels to take and hold one of these Outer Temples. The Freerunners have, however, recently made a strike on the B23 Shrine of Mela that caused a significant amount of damage to the defenders.
Gatekeeper
GM, 926 posts
Exalted Storyteller
Five Coils Artificer
Mon 1 Jun 2009
at 20:19
  • msg #9

Re: Floor B23 - District of Earth, Freerunner Territory

"So! At the moment there are three target groups we could easily reach from our current position." The elder Lunar continues on the subject of where to send Perian. He conjures a cold, arctic spray of crystals which hover in the air, forming a map which he draws out with a sharp-clawed fingertip.

"In North Sector 1, the location of the Shrine of Mela, we have a Peace Force informant, Kigal Alivia. She is a Peace Force Captain, one of their precious Jade Officers. She is also a Skyseeker, but until now she and her unit has hesitated to support us."

"In East Sector 3, the location of the Shrine of Sextes Jylis, is a known group of Celestial Sympathizers. They are individuals who dislike the enslavement and treatment of Celestials. It's believed there are even defectors from the Immaculate Order in this group!"

"Southeast Sector 4 is mostly a laborer's sector, containing the Southeast Pasiap Shrine. These workers sympathize with many of the outlying Conclaves, they tire of toiling for uncertain advantages, mining jade for weapons when they could be producing food! Unrest has already been reported in this area."

"The Free Celestials coming to 'visit' us will be brought up through Sector 5, due South. It may be more appropriate to send you close to their position. However, it is you who decides where your abilities will serve best! I can spare Volya Mori and about a scale of Freerunners to run with you, should you require it."

[Private to Kares Perian: Well, I hadn't specifically thought of using mass social combat, but it probably would apply in this case and make things easier on the rules front. You'll go in with Magnitude 2 and be limited by your Socialize if we do this. I'll give you some rough stats depending on the Sector you choose to go to. More or less though I've ordered the 3 choices here by difficult to easier. The more difficult option may also get you stronger allies earlier on. The easier one will more likely get you less powerful, but much more numerous allies.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:23, Mon 01 June 2009.
Kares Perian
player, 6 posts
Tue 2 Jun 2009
at 08:39
  • msg #10

Re: Floor B23 - District of Earth, Freerunner Territory

"This certainly opens up many promising opportunities," Perian murmurs, weighing his options carefully.

"We want to strike and divert the forces available to the Immaculates, so the eastern shrine is too much of a gamble at first. On the other hand, the monk's knowledge of their lair could prove essential - so we will want to rouse their ardor. Let me see... yes, by first moving to the North, we can threaten or even reach the temple."

"And then, with the authority of the peace force behind us, bringing the Sympathisers and monks over to our side will be easy. Between the police force and their beloved priests, any ill will among the people will be wiped away. If we were to begin in the southest instead, trouble with the Peace Force would be inevitable, and make a future alliance more difficult."


Perian nods decisively, and states his position.

"I'll go to Mela, and see what can be done about that outpost. I think I have heard some promising tales about those who rest there, which may serve. Then, depending on the forces we have or need, we can either enter the temple or move eastward, gathering forces and legitimacy. Allies in the background would be most valuable, in case things become... difficult."

[Private to GM: OOC: The plan is to go 1, 2, 3 in that order. It seems more workable than any other order...

If possible, Perian hopes to pray for assistance, though he's not sure how it could be of use (as far as he is aware, the gods are elemental spirits, rather than anything else). At the very least, it could help for getting away if things go wrong.

In order to pray properly (with small dice pools), offerings are needed. Does Perian have any level of resources for offerings?
]
Gatekeeper
GM, 934 posts
Exalted Storyteller
Five Coils Artificer
Tue 2 Jun 2009
at 09:55
  • msg #11

Re: Floor B23 - District of Earth, Freerunner Territory

"Good!" Free seems pleased that Perian is decisive and sure. He has started up his pacing again, clearly impatient to be elsewhere. Even the wolves feel his restlessness, standing up and alert from their seated or supine positions. "Speak to Volya or Riven about supplies and people you'll need."

Though the Freerunners have a very loose structure, Volya is considered a VIP, claiming descent from Libera Mori, who herself was supposedly Free's daughter. Again, as with many things about Free, the truth of this has never been confirmed. But the deeds of Libera are celebrated at least among the Freerunner camp, and thus the name itself gives power to Volya's reputation.

Riven Shard is not himself a beastman, but rather a human recruited into the Freerunners from the population of Earth District. His primary function has been as a bookkeeper, keeping track of resources and finances. Free has been known to rotate this position now and then, to keep his record-keepers from becoming corrupt, but Riven Shard has held the position for over a decade, as far as Perian knows.

Both of them have followed Free to Ama-Inu's Burrow, the name for the caves surrounding the inner Cenotaph -- Perian would know where to find them. Volya at the local Barracks, and Riven at the Vault.

"And what of the Free Celestials?" the odd-eyed Lunar asks curiously, pausing his pacing by stepping atop the iron ball that has become his well-known icon. He bends down, stooping, so his shockingly pale, tattooed face is even with Perian's. "You must meet them, you will. You absolutely must bring them into the fold. But indeed they asked for ME, not you! A conundrum! Perhaps then the heroes will meet the big bad wolf, and then seek out the pretty alternative, when you've something to offer them? A basket of Peace Force and Immaculate Friends?"

[Private to Kares Perian: While I'm happy to run solo for you, I'd like not to prolong it too much... so, I think the most ideal compromise between our ideas is to end up having you meet the group of PCs halfway, possibly in the Southeast Sector 4 area after you've made deals with Peace Force and the Sympathizers. Of course if those things fail, I'll find some other way to bring you together, but my hope is that you'll get to unite in a couple of scenes. The ideal end result is that you end up going with the PCs and a sizable force into the Inner Temple at floor B23, and the forces down in B25 will be able to unite with you in the middle, facilitating the push upward.

There's a couple other individuals in each group that *must* be there when it's time for the Gatekeeper meeting, so Perian will end up going upward with at least those individuals, while the more combat-oriented do the fighting to give you that opportunity. The 'how' depends on how player actions end up affecting the game, and that's always hard to predict, but that's at least my intention. I don't want to take away other players' opportunity to act as their character would. :)

I'm sure you understand that, though. Anyway, once you answer Free you can go to meet Volya and/or Riven, I can describe more depending on the order you do this. Riven should be able to provide up to a Resource 3 for an offering I figure, since you have an implied Backing in the Freerunners and all.
]
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:57, Tue 02 June 2009.
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