The Freerunner Shelter at the edge of Pasiap's Resolve, South Sector 5, is the sort of building one might expect crackhead beastmen to squat in: a large abandoned factory. Wide empty spaces, rotting old machinery, crumbling walls, leaky plumbing and dim lighting, dust that seems to never recede despite all efforts to be tidy. There are smaller rooms as well, mostly offices and storage, converted into temporary meeting rooms, bedrooms, armories. The factory owner even had a loft built into the place, with a kitchen that still largely functions, though the old transperfect domestic tools seem to rebel now and then against its new owners (as seen when the group passes by a Freerunner cook running around trying to catch an errant spatula.)

Despite the rather morose surroundings, though, the Freerunners themselves are not slouches. They have made as much of a home as they could in this location without drawing too much attention from the outside. Irjin, directing those carrying the wounded Freerunners, now and then pauses to quickly shout out a few words at a passerby. Jambiya, Rampuri, Vilstrad, Cheira, Mad Berry, Black-Eye, Kaiken Pyra... there are at least 20 here, a typical size for a Freerunner pack working 'on the inside', though many come and go, explains the Freerunner leader as he moves. Not all of them are wolfmen, either, though the majority are; the original Edgestrider claimed direct lineage from Free himself.

But no one minds the non-beastmen walking among them. The Freerunners take anyone who shares their philosophies, and is willing to pull his or her own weight. So there are many sorts. Kaiken Pyra, who assists in clearing out a space with some beds to lie the wounded on, is full human and apparently fairly high-born, yet does not complain folding away old, fur-matted sheets while the half-canine Black-Eye puts on the new ones.

"Ah, right," Irjin says belatedly, turning to Xurizu now as he recalls something he'd forgotten. "The Scorpion Strikers? They're typical Fire guardians, but that doesn't mean they've never been deployed below, by some 'order from above'. The ones that just attacked, though, that hadn't happened before. We're going to have to move on from this place real soon, but Talia Zerith, if you can help them... please do." He gestures to Wrack and Nelly, now settled in the beds.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:55, Fri 17 July 2009.

"I'll do what I can, but it might take some time,"  Talia says, beginning to examine the injured Freerunners.  "I can't instantly heal wounds.  Do you have any medical supplies?"  She looks back at Irjin.  "And how soon is 'soon'?"


[Private to GM: Okay, so: I'm not sure how long we have, but I went ahead and rolled for Wound-Mending Care Technique, which takes an hour.  If we don't have that long, I guess I'll just have to make sure they're bandaged as much as I can and recommend bedrest.

23:08, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 1 success using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,5,1,8,2,3,3. Int+Medicine Wound-Mending Care Tech.  Well, that kinda sucked.
23:05, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 4 successes using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,7,5,4,10,7,4. Int+Medicine.  Diagnosis.

And I just remembered that Mei Xing saw Irjin casting a spell, which would get her all feisty, so I rolled that, too: 23:12, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 4 successes using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,2,2,9,7,4,10. Willpower.  Throwback. ]

"That is faintly disturbing," Xurizu says.  "That they would be sent down here with shoot-on-sight orders.  It suggests both a knowledge of the route you'd be taking, and who you were," he continues.  "Or a complete lack of care for innocent citizens they found, at least."  A dark scowl accompanied that thought.  It was perhaps as likely as any knowledge of the Freerunners.

"What would a 'deterrence team' from the Peace Force involve, though?"

As he walks along, Higura watches his surroundings with admiration despite the destitute nature of the decor. For him, it is not as much the decay of the environment around them that is striking, but rather the microcosm that the Freerunners seem to represent. A small, close-knit society living within another, despite the strong pressures the representatives of the Five Coils make to have citizens live in conformity.

When Xurizu speak, Higura thinks, nodding his head to his companion in acknowledgment of the statement.

"That is indeed an observation that brings concern, mister Xurizu.". Higura says, tapping a finger to his left cheek as he considers the implications. "From my time in the upper floors, blurry as those memories are, I still remember that the Coils is built in such a way that the lower floors become can and will be sacrificed if something threatens the sanctity of the whole. The Water District's purge is proof of that mindset, after all."

The Doctor's brow creases then, and he turns towards the others. "Do you think the upper levels are suspecting that things occur here that would require that level of firepower? I certainly hope our comrades are allright..."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:54, Sun 05 July 2009.

Xurizu considers the question Higura asks.

"Yes, they may well be," he says, after that consideration.  It isn't a particularly pleasing conclusion to come to.  "Even if we ignore the possibility of observers in the Water District, reporting what occurred there, then we have to consider what they have seen of us."

"They know that Celestials have been freed from all lower floors, including the Forbidden Maze.  They know that at least half a dozen of those Celestials made it up to the top of the Water District--we had a big fight outside the lift that both sides withdrew from.  They had a sorceress with them, who I'm sure will report.  Then more recently, the Temple in the conclave.  Four celestials, one of them a sorceror," he indicates himself, "And one well skilled in combat, with artifact weaponry, Pale Gaze.  All acting together to free a fifth.  Zerabia teleported away from that, and I'm sure she will have reported too."  His voice colours slightly as he speaks Zerabia's name, bringing as it does his few memories of her, and what she was, along with Misa and Sienna.

"That was over a week ago, and that is all on top of the general tides of discontent that are beginning to swell."

"Soon is..." Irjin, attempting to answer Talia, draws out the syllable, then shakes his head. "I cannot say for sure. We may have an hour. Maybe. The lift we just took is more or less a security liability now. It depends on the Scorpions' programming... whether they will pursue us up. I wouldn't doubt that they could eventually break through if they have been directed to, even through adamant."

Talia sets to work with the patients meanwhile, using the best of the time she has. [Private to Talia Zerith: The two Freerunners have fortunately taken only bashing damage. Nelly has taken 6 Bashing. You think that he will heal all right with enough rest, though it's imperative he does not strain himself or he may have chronic pains for the rest of his life.

Wrack is worse off. He took 8 Bashing in one shot. His chest and abdominal region are painfully bruised. There is internal damage as well as cracked ribs, and the damage was a great shock to his system. If not for receiving quick medical care, he might be in a coma by now. You can concentrate the effects of your Charm on Wrack; he will heal to Incapacitated by the end of the day, and recover from the worst of the internal injury. Again like Nelly you are certain that if he can have a more or less uninterrupted rest until he is fully healed, it will the best for his future health.]Klaxon, Cynical, Black-Eye and Kaiken remain in the room, reclining against walls or fixtures, one of them taking a stool whose cushion looks like it'd been ripped up by a vicious animal. All of them are still lightly armored and armed with at least one ranged and one melee weapon, their casual stance belying a constant battle-readiness trained into them from years serving the rebel cause.

"I do not know how much the Scorpions relate to the current situation," continues the Freerunner Leader, wiping his spectacles on a corner of his gentleman's coat. "They could easily have been planted there much earlier, and I'd just been fortunate not to trigger their awakening until now. But given these recent events, it would not be surprising if the Districts above Water are increasing security around pretty much any form of transportation between floors -- and especially between districts."

"I assume you refer to Cynis Zerabia, Xurizu. One of the three Witches of Wood District, proponents of blood purity and Celestial experimentation... and, it seems, they have shown a vested interest in the affairs below. You know, they are particularly loathing of the Boss. It tickles them the wrong way that a Lunar sorcerer has eluded them for so long, and taught his skills to his progeny." He quirks his eyebrows, and replaces his glasses on his snout, adjusting them just so. [Private to Ledaal Xurizu: in case you remembered this, I had actually mistakenly labeled Zerabia a Ledaal earlier on.. she's actually Cynis, Misa is the Ledaal]

Nanaret has by now replaced her moonsilver serpent staff in its backtube, before she followed the Freerunners into the makeshift clinic. She remains close to Higura, her arms folded in front of her as she alternately listens to the conversation, watches Talia work, and eyes the Freerunners arrayed around the room. She has unbuttoned her dark coat for the moment, revealing the jade breastplate underneath, and the sheaths of her hook swords. Her shaded glasses are in the breast pocket, so that her yellow night-eyes are fully visible, taking in her surroundings with her usual mix of curiosity and scrutiny.

"And, the deterrence force?" she speaks up after a moment, once Irjin has paused in rambling about the Scorpions and Zerabia. "You not yet answered me, either. What we expected to accomplish in Sector 5? You mentioned the riot. So must be important. What stance the Freerunners hold in the conflict? I not meaning mistrust... this time. But I feel should be certain what place we must take. Our comrades, they fight now the Inner Temple Immaculates. So we are also in position ask something from you."

Higura stays on hand in case Talia needs assistance with the wounded. While this occurs, he continues to hear out the various statements made with rapt attention.

Listening to both Xurizu and Irjin's explanations and theories, Higura nods his head gravely. "There are many threads seemingly converging at once. This could be bad - it might make everything we have planned for unravel at once, if we are not careful. The plan we have drawn with our comrades has called for striking at multiple points at once, to both overwhelm the enemy and force him to prioritize... If we are hit with the same strategy ourselves, this could prove rather crippling."

With that, Higura nods his assent to Nanaret, adjusting his spectacles before turning back to Irjin. "And I do agree with Nanaret as well. Obviously ourselves and your organization share some goals and have similar aspirations, but a real alliance cannot be formed until we know we both hold the same stance on these matters. Knowing your stance on the riots and the position you would wish to take will be crucial."

"Naturally," replies Irjin calmly, facing the combined interrogation of Higura and Nanaret with hardly a blink of an eye. "I had no intention of leaving this matter unclear. You'll have to forgive me; this will be long-winded."

"To explain. First of all, the current unrest in Sector 5 was not instigated by the Freerunners. At least, let us say, not directly. In truth the people of Sectors 4 and 5 have been unhappy with their lot in life for quite some time before now. These are strong, hard-working people, who labor to mine and refine the raw materials plentiful in Earth District, and toil to create the masses of mundane equipment for miners, crafters as well as the average Peace Force soldier. They work hard for little reward, rarely benefiting from the fruits of their own labor. Like cogs in a great machine... but they've grown neglected."

"Then comes the recent events. Rumors of a mass breakout of Celestials. News of 'sightings' spreading like wildfire. We heard about that stunt you pulled in B25, too, stealing away the Celestial kept there... leaving only a single dazed man who couldn't even give a proper account, and their local Immaculate Master dead. And the Freerunners have also benefited. The idea of so many Celestials escaping their bonds, now that's enough to strike fear in the Philosophy believers that have chosen to use them as tools to fuel their war machine. We've made a several successful strikes against Immaculate-run facilities since then, but always with a tactical goal in mind. We knew we wouldn't stand much of a chance in a long, drawn out battle unless we could confirm the existence of the Free Celestials, and get into their good graces." He bares his wry toothy grin at the gathered Celestials, and shrugs a little helplessly, as if to suggest his lack of surety that he has succeeded at this... yet.

"Now, while we do not directly have a hand in the Sector 5 incidents, it seems the rioters have been inspired by our actions, which they believe heralds the reckoning of their unfeeling, uncaring masters. We do have some contacts in the area where the unrest has become rather heated. We are also concerned that the lack of organization of the workers' protesting will more likely than not work against them. As they are, any Peace Force riot-deterrence squad would make very short work of them."

"So--our intention is two fold." Irjin holds out one hand, palm up. "To enter the zone of conflict, reach our contacts there and extract them should they require it." Then he raises his second hand. "And the second, perhaps rather overly optimistic goal, would be to bring some order to the chaos so to speak. To cool the rioters' heads. Give them a clear, long term goal to fight for, and to approach it intelligently rather than in the height of emotion. How and IF this is possible is something we will assess when we get there."

"As for yourselves. Celestials, you are our guests. You can walk away at any time. You can seek the upper floors and leave us to our messes. That's your choice. Not mine." Having more than spoken his piece, he pauses to let the listeners ruminate while observing the progress Talia makes with Wrack and Nelly.

As Irjin makes his report, Higura listens, his brow creasing and his frown deepening as the news come in. Not because he does not wish for a revolution - he is, in fact, deeply on the side of the workers of the Coils, who wish to end their subservience and become more autonomous. There is nothing wrong with such a thought, or at least, the Doctor cannot find something wrong with it. What worries him, however, is the method that might be employed to get there... One that might bring forth higher costs than the workers first thought.

"I see." Higura begins, once Irjin finishes. "That is indeed a worrying thought, Mister Irjin - both for your contact, and the workers themselves." He pauses, looking back towards his comrades, first Xurizu, then Talia, and finally Nanaret. He turns back to Irjin, and shakes his head softly. "I do not believe I am completely qualified to speak for everyone here - we are all standing shoulder to shoulder on equal ground, so of course, my companions are perfectly allowed to disagree with what I am about to say."

"Even from the start, I never believed our freedom was enough. All of us could, potentially find a quieter area of the Coils, and live in hiding. Or we could simply try to quietly make our way to the surface, making a little waves as possible and escaping with our lives. But I, for one, does not wish simply to be freed." He takes a deep breath looking once more in the direction of the Freerunners.

"Perhaps it is because I have been allowed to see and feel the lives of the Coils - the whole of different strands and stories that make it what it is. But I cannot simply turn my back on this place and its people, corrupted in purpose as it might have become. That is why I cannot simply turn my back on your contact, or on the people of this district. Their anger and frustration has led to this point, this act of desperation. But I cannot simply sit and condone it. I think like you do, Mister Irjin - I think that there is a way to fight for their freedom, and wanton chaos will not grant them that. Hostility will continue to spark more hostility until one side is destroyed."

"Once again, I cannot speak for my comrades. Their actions are their own, and their paths are theirs to decide. But I will help you. I will help you get your contact out, and I will help you try to calm the populace. Perhaps my training and abilities will be of some use in that endeavor."

"It's even more startling when you consider the one confused man is one of the Celestials involved in the rescue," Xurizu adds as a rejoiner at the appropriate point of Irjin's speech.

"But I agree with Higura, who has expressed it better than I could.  Simply skipping on upwards will solve very little.  It is that thought which guided our strategy in the first place ... the attack on the Inner Temple whilst we attempted to contact you.  A life of hiding does not sound very attractive to me, and that is all we could really accomplish without stopping to help some of those we meet on the way."

I have no grand designs, but perhaps I can make amends somewhat.  For people like Halima.

"I go where Doctor Higura goes," Nanaret asserts, her yellow eyes regarding Irjin intently, "but even so, I aid you still. I am not much for inspiring words. But if things are dangerous, I help in my own way."

"But you must consider our need afterward. No more test or tricks. We too have allies in dangerous position. Will you bring us to Free, when this is done? Or alert him to our necessity? They too are Celestial Chosen, but only four of them against the entire of the Temple. Possibly few more if reports from Water Gatekeeper are correct."

"They counting on us, as well. We must bring them support from outside. Understand? We... help each other. And together, take on the Temple, and the Gatekeeper." The Changing Moon nods her head sharply. This is about as eloquent as Nanaret can get in terms of negotiation, addressing the circumstances boldly and plainly. "This how far we willing to go for Freedom. Not just for us but for all."

Irjin bows his head slightly, grateful for the sentiments stated. "I am pleased by the answer, if only because there really is no fully safe place to wait. I would have brought you straight to the Boss, but dealing with this situation is also part of my mission. Don't worry -- we were planning on doing what we could no matter if you could join us or not. You would not have been our crutch. Only a potential advantage."

Then he raises an appeasing hand to Nanaret, cool and collected against her usual scrutiny. "I suspect the District will very soon be embroiled in a conflict of grand proportions. Free has already begun tapping into all the support he can. By the time we're done here... I think there will be very few among us who will not want to ally with you. Let us hope it is all for the best."

While Talia finishes what little healing work she has time for, Irjin allows the Celestials the run of the place to rest and recharge, showing them to the kitchen for some drinks and leftover food (not the best cuisine ever, but edible: a surprisingly hearty rice gruel, a block of day old bread, some spicy roasted meat that seems to be a type of pork.) "Don't get too used to this dump, though," the Freerunner leader warns good-naturedly.

The Freerunners have already quickly begun packing up and arming themselves, taking only what is immediately necessary and what they can easily carry, in preparation to move out. The lift from which the group escaped the Scorpion Strikers has been blocked off, and the door mechanism sabotaged. Now a small team of Freerunner demolitionists are in the vicinity, currently debating between rigging explosives or making use of the two scavenged units of heavy artillery. Or both.

"It's a shame," Irjin explains, shrugging. "The lift was one of our secrets, but we'll have to bury it now. Well, eat and take a breather, and then we'll move out."

---

OOC: Assume you get the equivalent of 2 hours rest in terms of Essence regen. This also counts as a scene change, so you'll have to reactivate scene longs.

Talia brushes back a few stray strands of hair from her forehead.  "Well, I've done everything I could; now the only thing to do is rest."    She tilts her head, listening to the commotion outside. "Sounds like our party's about to start."

Since there is no way to know when the opportunity will arise again, Higura does not protest in any way when Irjin offers rest and food. As such, the doctor spends the allotted time to eat and have some rest, taking a short moment to have a breather before the group is ready to move out.

Of course, it now seems that this breather might even be shorter than first thought. Already, the outside sounds seem to reach through to the inside of the safehouse, announcing the coming of possibly difficult times...

"You are right." Higura answers to Talia's announcement, his features already taking on a much more serious expression. "I hear something about the Peace Force... I cannot make out the rest." He turns towards the others, his expression darkening even still. "I do not know what they seek here, but if rioters and Peace Forces meet, everything will turn into a bloodbath. We cannot allow this to occur."

Nanaret spends her two hours or so taking care of mundane needs: eating and resting. She doesn't quite sleep, but she does sit and attempt to work on her meditation exercises, which Higura had recommended to her. Breathe in; breathe out. Focus on the head, feel the tension draining out. Focus on the limbs, relax the muscles. Push the tension downward, until the body feels lightweight, and the heart beats slowly and steadily.

Her thoughts wander, with the lazy-drifting-feeling of her body.

Higura's theory was that Ranavalona should not be approached as a separate entity from Nanaret, but rather a part of her own psyche, fragmented and traumatized, and given its own life. Ranavalona had died unhappy, he said; broken, bereft of pride, of home, of all she loved and conquered. At the end she had only one thing left to cling to, and that was herself. Her identity. Locked in her shard until she could get another chance at destroying all those who opposed her.

"Ranavalona is you. And you are she. Thus, you can control her." So many times Higura has told her this. So many times she has failed.

In time, Nanaret does clear her mind, imagining his voice guiding her. Peels away the troubles in her mind until only a glowing, silver-blue core remains, and she contemplates the ever-shifting light of her Essence until it is time... for? Her eyes open, dark eyes this time, human eyes, and she unfolds herself from her cross-legged position, listening.

Stepping out from the bedroom she 'borrowed', she joins the others. "Doctor Higura, Talia. The streets, they filled with fear and anger. Where Irjin and Xurizu?" Shrugging into her coat, she buttons it up to the neck and puts on her weapon harness and belt.

"Irjin is here," says the Freerunner leader, raising his eyebrows as he steps into the shelter's common room to join everyone else. "I think it's time to blow this place, rather literally. I trust you've taken everything you need?" He asks this not only to the Celestials, but to the 20-odd Freerunners surrounding him. They are all shouldering their gear, or traveling light with weapons at the belt or thrust into their coats. A series of grunts of assent and other positive syllables chorus at Irjin's question.

"All right. Vilstrad, Gust, Datona, you know what to do." The three so named scurry off in the direction of the lift. Then he glances again at the Celestials, to explain further what would be happening next. "We've got a few gliding chariots stored here. A rare treasure, you must know. Fire District this surely is not, but the 'Runners have been fortunate." He leaves it to the imagination how they acquired the vehicles. Probably 'borrowed' from shipping lanes or the rare Peace Force glider patrol. "Wrack and Nelly are already loaded up in it. Black-Eye and Cynical are going to take 'em out of here. That leaves the other two for us... and they'll be packed."

"The demolitions team has this place rigged to blow. The Scorps below ruined the point of a safehouse, which, after all, ought to be safe. So we'd best be clear of this place before the place goes down. Afterward, it's over to the intersection of Glass and Sunder. We'll have to cross right into the riot zone to get to Twenty Three and Kestrel -- our people. Any of you Celestials happen to be skilled with ranged weapons?" Irjin pulls on a duster and gestures for them to follow him to the garage.

---

OOC: what I usually call a 'gliding chariot' or other similar names is inspired from Dreams of the First Age, Lords of Creation p.25. So they generally hold more passengers than a Chariot of Infinite Heavens and float lower to the ground. The ones found in Earth District are generally older and slower machines in some form of disrepair, so that and being in urban locale means it won't be incredibly fast. Still faster than on foot though :)

[Private to Number Twenty Three; Immaculate Kestrel: I'm setting up to intro you guys, but it may take a couple more posts still, just sit tight. :)]

Xurizu doesn't really have any belongings to pick up, so he soon looks alert.  Especially when Irjin starts to talk about demolishing the place.  As he makes his way through the building to the gliders, he starts to listen more intently to the sounds of the disturbance rising around the sector.

"I can use them," Xurizu says, indicating the cloth wrapped bow on his back.  It is a little large to be a normal bow.  "Why do you ask?" he enquires.

"And before we go into the fray, and communication becomes harder ... how do we identify the people we're going to check up on?  I would prefer not to start my acquaintance with them by attempting to kill them."

The garage Irjin brings Higura, Nanaret, Talia and Xurizu to is musty with disuse, though all the same, the dust has recently been stirred up. The Freerunners have gone through the contents of the garage like a host of scavengers, packing up whatever is useful into backpacks and compartments, leaving heaps of junk behind. A flickering lamp bulb lights up the entirety, showing that even the walls have been stripped, baring the wood beams underneath the plaster.

The three gliding chariots are parked there in a line. The one closest to the garage door has already been started up, powered by the rare and precious essence capacitors owned by the Freerunners. Only Irjin himself owns a true Hearthstone to power the machines; the others have been rigged up as best as the rebels could achieve, which is still a great deal considering what they had to work with. Resourcefulness goes hand in hand with survival.

Irjin answers Xurizu as he leaps into the driver's seat of the second chariot, inserting a faceted gem into the ignition socket. "Oh -- I ask because when we're riding, it's a hell of a lot more convenient to use a ranged weapon than a close ranged one. We've got some heavier weapons, too, if you prefer..." Though many of the Freerunners have crossbows, or even standard bows, a muscular pair carry what look to be fuel bolt launchers, or some variant thereof.

"As for the contacts, believe me, you won't be able to miss them. Kestrel is a young lady with brown eyes and pink hair. She looks delicate, but don't let that fool you. She's playing bodyguard for one of our rarities, an ex-bureaucrat. Former auditor. The verdict's still out on what gender he is. Always goes around in a hood, black hair and ...well. Let's just say you won't forget hir voice."

"We need to get 'em out of there," the Freerunner leader emphasizes, and gestures to the empty chariot seats. "All right, ten to a vehicle, other than the four headed back to Territory. If you can't find room to sit, then stand with the harnesses. No complaining! We're moving out."

The doctor listens intently when Irjin gives his instructions as well as his description of the new contacts, in answer to Xurizu's question. He makes a mental note of what the people they are looking for look like, and ponders carefully when Irjin mentions the need for ranged weapon specialists. At that, the doctor ponders for a while before speaking out.

"I... cannot say I am proficient with such weapons, no." He says, frowning slightly. "Though I suppose the enemy might try to sabotage us by getting to close range, when they assess our defenses... When this happens, I will make it my duty to keep potential boarders away from our long range specialists."

With that, Higura gives a resolute nod to his comrades, lingering slightly when he regards Nanaret, and immediately prepares to sit on one of the vehicles as Irjin ordered.

Nanaret leaps up onto the chariot Higura sits in, and takes a standing position instead, insisting of course on staying close to him. "Am not trained with long range," she answers belatedly. "However can still pick up and use a bow. Just not aim it well. So better is left to those with true skill."

As she braces herself for the vehicle to start moving, Nanaret channels a touch of Essence into her skin, strengthening it against whatever dangers may come. [Private to GM: 3m into Hide Toughening Essence for +6L/6B soak.]

"Afraid I'm not much good with ranged weapons.  I suppose I'll have to follow the doctor's lead, and knock off anybody who gets too close."  Talia climbs into another of the chariots, glancing over the jury-rigged power system.  "Hmm, pretty nice work."

"Right, and speaking of the enemy... We're not going to be firing on anyone or anything unless we're attacked with hostile intent. And if you can manage it, try not to kill anyone? Especially not the citizens. But I shouldn't have to say that." Irjin gives the driver's seat up to a subordinate as the chariot's thruster vents activate. Another pilot takes up the position in the third chariot, and the garage is filled with the irregular thrum of Essence engines that have likely seen better days.

The Freerunner Leader glances over his spectacles at Talia. "If you are interested in the machines, we could always use more mechanics, especially a Celestial."

Another pair of strong-arms push open the shed doors before leaping up onto their respective vessels. The rear two chariots are definitely on the heavy side in terms of load, with all the bodies and gear crammed on them, and hover fairly low in the air. Motes of dust are stirred up by the thrusters, heralding a chorus of sneezes from more sensitive noses.

"I sure hope Vil's got his timing right this time," Cynical grumbles from the first chariot, then punches in a few controls on the dashboard. "At least this time we're goin' first. Good luck, Lead!" Cynical and Black-Eye turn with a thumbs-up, nod reassuringly at Irjin that yes, we know what we're doing, and the chariot carrying the wounded Freerunners putters along several yards out before making an awkward left turn and speeding away.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:09, Mon 13 July 2009.

As Irjin gives his instructions, Higura nods heartily, obviously agreeing with the Freerunner's views. "Understood, Mister Irjin. Hopefully the crowds will be willing to listen to reason, and we will not have to save them from themselves as well..." The doctor shakes his head one last time, then quickly salutes the other Freerunners before quickly stepping into one of the chariots, keeping his body low to minimize the driver's need to compensate for extra weight.

This is it. There is a chance that the area we will be stepping in will be a warzone...

As the vehicles prepare to speed away from the Freerunners' hideout and towards their destination, Higura finds himself watching the figures around him, wondering for a moment in what state the city - and its citizens - would be in once they arrived at their destination. "Things could get messy right upon arrival." Higura begins, pushing his voice so it carries over the roaring sound of engines. He glances at the faces around him, Celestials and Freerunners alike - right now, there is no distinction. All they are here are comrades.

"We will have to focus our efforts in keeping the crowds under control if necessary, I believe. I will try to speak to them, and appeal to their reason... But this might not work, or work only partially. No matter what happens, we have to try to minimize damage first - this should be our immediate priority." With that, Higura nods one more time, lowering his head to get ready for the ride...

"I think may be very difficult, try to convince or stop anything, if your voice not easily heard," Nanaret says with a small frown.

Higura can tell her expression, and even posture are apprehensive, as the 'chariots' begin to make their way down the alley. She has never been terribly fond of magitech, one of the few things which both she and Ranavalona agreed with. Though her heart is troubled by more than just machinery with patch-job repairs.

"Humanity, controlled by base instinct... you remember, Doctor, in the Pit. People become crazy. They forget what it mean to have empathy. Lost in the haze of the fight, the struggle for survival. Even the audience, they sense this desperate rhythm. It makes their hearts beat with thunder. It makes their eyes see red. And they enjoy it -- they cheer to see a man die. When came time for Purge, they too wanted first to survive. I remember. They trample one another to live. They push up the steps even if Peace Forces hold cannons in their faces. They slaughter or be slaughtered, cling to faith to 'save' them."

Nanaret shakes her head, breaking out of the strange trance-like state that briefly possessed her. " We could not save them all... only stopping the Purge, had any chance. Root of the cause is much deeper now..."

Talia lifts an eyebrow at Irjin's offer.  "Well, maybe we'll just see how things go."  At the back of her mind dark, unformed thoughts dance, speaking of the benefits of alliance and of power waiting to be seized.

She gazes forward, eyes flickering back and forth, on watch for trouble.  "If we can't stop the current, maybe we can direct the flow."

"I didn't plan to start shooting," Xurizu reassures Irjin.  "I just felt such questions are best asked while the conversation can be held at a ... more or less ... civilised volume.  Before things become hectic."

"If the mob does turn out, redirection might be our best course of action, although that would likely lead to a high cost on both sides.  My forte is definitely not crowd control, however."

"We'll just go in and assess the situation up close," Irjin says grimly. "If we can at least get to our people, that's something. Though I've heard the rioters have invoked the Boss and the 'Runners, even you Celestials. People think we endorse this. If we can't do anything to quiet things now... we'll have to think about after."

The Freerunner leader makes a quick headcount, then gives the signal to move. The remaining two chariot drivers accelerate slowly until the garage is cleared, then pick up speed down the alleyway, headed for the next side street, then toward Glass and Sunder. "All right, heads down, we can't be sure when --"

Before Irjin can finish his sentence, the first in a series of explosions rock the building they just exited. A controlled demolition, but nonetheless a spectacular one, as the entire safehouse crumbles apart wall by wall and caves in on itself to block the compromised lift inside it. The gliding chariots hurtle away from the blast radius, and the clouds of brick-dust and smoke that rise in its wake. "Argh, close enough?!" grouses the rear chariot pilot, a woman with streaks of blue in her blonde hair, between coughing, waving off smoke and struggling to maintain control.

---

OOC: ok... Wits+Athletics rolls to see how well you hang on for the ride, which may be er, turbulent. thread will be ending shortly so I may roll 'em myself if you don't get the chance.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:36, Wed 15 July 2009.

"I will be difficult, Nanaret. But still, we must try."

"People's feelings get tangled when such conflicting occasions arise. Sometimes, it causes them to become incredibly selfish - that is one of the many responses people have when they are faced with the ugliness of their own situation. Sometimes it makes people do heroic things, and sometimes it makes them do terrible ones. The people of this district are uncertain how to channel their rage and their sense of injustice and betrayal, and thus situations like this arise."

"Ill advised as it might be, however, these people are still human. They were born under an oppressive boot, and thus oppression is one of the only response they actually have learned, when it comes to coping with things they dislike. Perhaps it will do nothing, but someone ought to still give people a chance to see different options. We have to at least try to show them that the path to freedom is not necessarily the blood-soaked one they see."

As Higura finishes his sentence, the first of the explosions goes off, shaking the riders and enveloping everything into a cloud of thick smoke. Reflexively, the doctor keeps his body low and hangs out for dear life, clinging to the chariot with both hands and feet...

[Private to Gatekeeper:   19:33, Today: Yaishin Higura rolled 4 successes using 5d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,9,9,4,5. Wits + Athletics (+1 wp). ]

"I agree, Doctor, very much. But I think want to do something, is not same as actual getting it done. What I mean is... how to say..."

Nanaret's attempt at communicating her thought is interrupted quite rudely by the explosion that rocks the now former safehouse. The Lunar winces and crouches down when the explosion starts making the chariot ride rocky, latching one hand on the side of the chariot, and the other to the arm rest of Higura's seat. She at least manages to keep from falling backward, or off the chariot altogether.

"I mean," she continues... then dissolves into wheezing and coughing for a moment when she inhales a cloud of stone dust as soon as she opens her eyes. It takes several more seconds for her to recover from that, until finally she wipes her eyes and mouth of grit and says, "Need some way to get many, many people to hear you. I mean, can talk to few people on the street, but what about rioters on further streets? I am making sense?"

[Private to GM: 2 sux on Wits+Athletics. I... was assuming that 2 would be enough not to fall over (per knockdown rules)]
This message was last edited by the player at 11:29, Thu 16 July 2009.

Talia ducks as the safehouse explodes behind them, clinging as well as she can.

[Private to GM: 15:50, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 1 success using 4d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,3,6,6. wits+ath.]

Keeping his balance on the speeding vehicle, Higura instinctively pats Nanaret on the back when she chokes due to dust. Once the coughing and wheezing subsides and she can speak again, Higura listens intently, nodding his head at her words.

"... Yes, I do understand what you mean, Nanaret, and that is a very good point. This will be a major concern, I believe." He frowns slightly at that thought, his brow furrowing in thought as he considers this problem. "It will help to see how people are organized first, how cluttered or scattered they are, and how we can strive to reach as many of them as we can... Perhaps the workers have access to a device that would allow amplification. If not, then perhaps we will have to try to jury rig something..."

He turns towards Talia then, and tilts his head to one side. "Do you think that would be possible, Miss Talia? To build a makeshift device meant to amplify voice?" He asks, then shakes his head. "Well, I would suppose the possibility would also rely heavily on what we can get our hands on once we are there. So there will be no certainties until we reach our destination."

"Still... That is definitely something to ponder and consider." He finally says, gazing ahead while the vehicles speed for their destination...

As the chariots rock in the wake of the demolition blasts, Higura manages to keep his seat with little effort. Nanaret's body whips back and forth, but her grip remains firm. Talia and Xurizu barely manage to hold on, imbalanced by the bumpy ride. Brazen, Cheira, Mad Berry and Kaiken Pyra manage their own narrow saves, grasping onto harness lines, chariot edges or other arms to keep from tumbling over or out.

"Everyone all right?" shouts Klaxon gruffly, serving as pilot for Irjin's chariot. Blue-Streak Arashi yells from behind, "All clear and accounted for!"

"Very good," Irjin says loudly, half gripping, half clinging onto the gliding chariot dashboard, his glasses lopsided on his muzzle. "Pick up the speed, we've got a rendezvous to meet!" The pilots punch in commands on the crystal interface, and the hum of the thrusters intensifies, propelling them through several tight turns as they clear the alleyway, maneuver through winding side streets (during which the Celestials gain a healthy appreciation for the navigation skill of the Freerunner pilots) and emerge out onto the more generously proportioned Sunder Street.

At least half a mile ahead, they witness the shapes of elite Peace Force officers assembling at a distant intersection. They wear distinctive, crimson-painted armor, and carry what look to be rod or pike weapons. Among them floats a figure surrounded by a pillar of flame, from which burning wings unfurl outward, buoying her higher and higher in the air. At the peak of her ascent, the female Peace Force Officer speaks, and the Freerunners hear her ominous warning echoing throughout the Sector from afar...

---

OOC: Scene continues in 'Floor B23 - City of Pasiap's Resolve, Operation Earthcalm'.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:53, Sat 18 July 2009.

Operation Earthcalm, Aftermath (Higura, Immy, Kilani, Nanaret, Xurizu, Freerunners and workers)

The safehouse Irjin has set up for the wounded and weary combatants is even larger than the previous one, and in better shape. It is more accurately a complex of buildings, comprising a worker's dormitory, a mundane weapons factory and a series of warehouses for storing captured equipment and machines. Now that the Peace Force has largely abandoned the district - both the Burning Feather, and the local Forces who quickly realized that they, too, are outclassed - claiming such a large area for the Resistance's purposes is simpler than ever.

The 80-odd workers that survived, along with 20 or so of Irjin's Freerunners (a number bolstered by the arrival of the Edgestriders that stayed behind on other tasks), are not left to themselves for long. Other civilian groups or representatives come by, looking for news or guidance now that the balance of power in the Sector has shifted toward the civilians. Some even bring food, utensils, first aid kits, sheets, sewing needles, whatever supplies they could spare.

Irjin manages to secure an entire block of dorms just for the Celestials, where they can rest away from the ordinary citizens gaping in awe at their powers, or needling them incessantly with questions. The building also contains a common room that serves well as both a dining and meeting area, and several adjacent offices, one of which the Freerunner leader claims for himself.

Once things have settled somewhat, Irjin requests to meet with the Celestials again, along with several Freerunners: Arashi and Klaxon, Jambiya and Rampuri, Basso and Heldra (the both of them bandaged, but otherwise strong as oxen). Gulda Marin arrives as well, though only two accompany her: Rivanto and another man, a thaumaturge named Tukunen. Exhausted and looking for a chance to unwind, Klaxon joins Gulda in rooting around the common room for something hard to drink.

---

OOC: Well, Free's arrival will be timed with Perian's, so we've got a little bit of a wait. PCs can post what they've done in the interim (hours, not days), whether just resting, or helping out around the complex (healing, examining equipment, organizing people, whatever), before coming back to the common room.

Some of you requested a private thread instead, this will also be posted.

You've gained all Essence back, I'll also let you roll Conviction for WP. But no Virtue channels back.

At the new safehouse, Nanaret's first act is to choose a room for herself. She removes her jade breastplate, and fits into her new armor, attuning herself to it to test some of its functions. She spends some time scratching off the old insignia on the armor as well, and considers asking some of the laborers to give it a new paint job in dark blue. Later.

For now, the Lunar makes herself useful. This mostly amounts to carrying things and delivering messages, as Nanaret doesn't know a thing about medicine or machinery. She keeps Higura company when not running off on some odd errand, listening to him speak and work with people. To her credit, she does try to speak as well, if only to introduce herself, get to know some of the laborers and Freerunners by name. Though she does not consider herself a leader, she has some talent for making an impression.

Sometimes, that impression's not a good one. Some of the workers may have seen her fight, and wonder at the transformation of her subdued personality when Ranavalona's rage ascends. These are things she cannot quite explain, as her memories as Rana are always fuzzy and full of gaps. She can only hope that she hasn't already inadvertently hurt or frightened any of her would-be allies.

Later, Nanaret does attempt to rest properly, unburdened by responsibility or fragmented memory. Her therapy with Doctor Higura is progressing... but where it leads... the emotions stirred within her are passionate and complex.

When she emerges back into the common room, it's without the armor, but with her dark jumpsuit and coat. Her dark hair is slightly tousled. "Hello Irjin, Arashi..." Nanaret greets the ones she remembers by name. "You have news of Free yet? Our allies below, cannot wait long."

[Private to GM: 08:34, Today: Saina Nanaret rolled 2 successes using 3d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,4,9. Conviction: WP back.]

When they reach the safehouse, now things have calmed down somewhat, Xurizu claims a room for himself.  He strips out of his Lamellar and sets down his powerbow.  He doesn't yet pay much attention to the Gunzosha suit that had also been deposited in the room, instead focusing his attention on the Shield Bracers, familiarizing himself with the gestures needed to activate them.  Once he's assured himself that those work as they should, he next turns his attention to the Gunzosha suit.  After checking it briefly for damage, he dons the suit and spends the time to attune to it.  After familiarizing himself with the controls, he sets the armour to adopt the deep blue of his anima and the silver of his castemark, banishing the previous colours and insignia of the Burning Feather.  After that, he doffs the armour, thinking it inappropriate to wander around the safehouse in a combat suit.

He would much rather avoid people, especially after the disturbing edges of a memory the sight of the worker's uniforms had given him.  But he can't spend all of his time shut up in his room over that fear.  So instead he ventures out, trying to find the leader of the local sect of freerunners--Irjin.  He wants to converse with him on matters of Sorcery and Essence as the first Sorcerer he has met, excluding the enigmatic Third.  When he learns of the Thaumaturge's presence, Xurizu also tries to arrange a time to talk with him.  Thaumaturgy is a new interest of his, seeking something more flexible than sorcery, if far less powerful ...

Similarly to his companions, Higura also picks where he will elect his quarters, dropping his equipment in his room before moving on to try to organize the post-riot situation alongside Irjin and Gulda. There is a lot of work spent smoothing the relations between the defected Peace Forces and the workers, and Higura spends a lot of time helping the newly freed residents of the Earth understand the full weight and breadth of their new situation.

Higura spends time with Gulda as well, approaching her slowly and cautiously so as not to clear out the antagonistic, perhaps misunderstood impression he might have given to her at the start. The worker representative might not always understand the doctor's point of view, but at least he hopes that she will see that he is not simply being the devil's advocate in this situation. To those around him, he strives to be attentive, insightful and patient, helping them cope with the grand change their lives is now undertaking.

When time permits it, he continues to work with Nanaret and, even to a certain extent, Queen Ranavalona. He strives to mend the rift between the two sides residing in the Gladiatrix' body, sometimes to mixed result - although as of late, the Queen has not been completely rejecting his approach, and his talks with her about her times and the reason for the strong feelings that she carried past her own existence are a great source of progress for the doctor. Of course, he is nowhere near a conclusion with helping the two personalities come to terms with one another, but at the very least, he can sense that progress is underway.

Higura emerges soon after Nanaret does, smiling politely and saluting the Freerunners and their new allies, putting on his gloves before stepping into the conversation. "Timing will be quite crucial yes, as Nanaret suggest. If this recent victory is to hold, we will need to organize our efforts with our allies below. Without a decisive victory that will weaken the Earth district as a whole, there is a strong likely hood that we will face a counterattack... And that is not something the people who worked so hard at earning their freedom should have to face."

Before meeting

Irjin is glad enough to spend some time with Xurizu and speak about sorcery for a time. Though he is not one to pry, the Freerunner leader has no qualms about explaining how he was initiated into the mystery of sorcery. [Private to Ledaal Xurizu: Apparently the Edgestrider bloodline has a significant strain of Air Dragon-blood breeding. Free is also a sorcerer, as well, with a proclivity toward arctic themed magic. One of the children of Edgestrider (Kril) fell in love with a Dragon-blooded (Ansari), and Irjin descends from their family. In fact he believes Ansari to still be alive, but has not seen her for two decades.

Irjin himself is actually a beastman Dragon-blood, an extreme rarity. Once he Exalted, Free himself took him under his wing and taught him everything he knows about sorcery. Most other sorcerers of Free's brood are actually half-Lunar, which itself has become rarer as generations passed, thus a possibly explanation for why the Edgestriders might have tried to woo a Dragon-blood into their family. Though Irjin claims that Kril and Ansari were truly in love...] He also says that Free may well be persuaded to train Xurizu and Nanaret as well, both in sorcery and the shapeshifting of the Lunars. The old wolf has not had a Lunar apprentice for longer than Irjin himself has been alive, though.

As for thaumaturgy, Tukunen does not have any qualms about teaching Xurizu some of the trade, though it depends on what type of thaumaturgy he wishes to master. Irjin also points out there are many thaumaturges among the Freerunners, as well; the Mori and Blackrend septs have some of the more notable ones.

Higura's attempt to bridge gaps with Gulda Marin is not easily or immediately accepted. Gulda, while a strong leader with a mind for organization, is not as deeply compassionate as Higura is. She can at least accept that Higura was not trying to make trouble just for the sake of it, and that there is a benefit to leaving the soldiers alive, but many long years of resentment make it difficult for her to swallow that the soldiers do not deserve some punishment for their part in subjugating the workers - and firing the Shock Matrix, for that matter. In her opinion, they should have had the sense not to join the Burning Feather in the first place, if they truly were not the type to do harm to innocents if it were to their advantage.

Clearly Higura will need to work with Gulda more. [Private to Yaishin Higura: You suspect a deeper story to Gulda's hatred of the Peace Force. ]Fortunately her 'second', Rivanto, though lacking in her ability to rally and inspire the workers, is generally a more level-headed man, and advises her against extremes. For now that would have to be enough.

Current time

As everyone settles down in the common room of what is now being called the 'command center building', Gulda and Klaxon haul out a couple bottles of some dubious moonshine and a keg of ale. Irjin looks askance at the former, and at the wolfish grins from some of the other Freerunners (apparently, neither Rivanto nor Tukunen are much for the hard stuff.)

"We ARE meeting the Boss soon, so don't get yourself completely wasted," the Freerunner leader remarks mildly, then addresses Nanaret's concerns directly. "What we are mostly waiting for is not Free himself but his agent, Kares Perian. The man has been working non-stop to bring together two more significant allies in Pasiap's Resolve. We have the workers, here, and Boss says Perian's making headway with a group of Peace Force defectors, and a hidden group of ex-Immaculates."

"So all we've got are turncoats that can turn right back on us?" Gulda scoffs and gulps down some moonshine, immediately grimacing afterward. "Clears the sinuses don't it?" chuckles Heldra as she, Basso and Klaxon brave the brew.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:50, Tue 20 Oct 2009.

Xurizu is more recalcitrant about his own sorcerous initiation, though this is more due to his own incomplete memories of the event than specifically being evasive.  He does listen with interest to Irjin's own stories however, the contrast between his experiences (at least those he remembered) and those of the beastman coming as something of a revelation.  He expresses an interest in the possibility of learning things from Free, both related to sorcery and to his own nature.  While he doesn't speak for Nanaret, he's reasonably sure the other lunar would be similarly interested.

When it comes to discussion of Thaumaturgy, Xurizu would be most interested in learning the Arts of Geomancy and Enchantment, although Alchemy also has the potential to be interesting.  He's especially interested in the potential to track down manses and other enchanted sites and in creating minor talismans.

Current Time

"That is welcome news," he replied to Irjin.  Both about the arrival of Free and of other help.   "I hope that with his help we can aid our other allies in securing and liberating the floor, before there is a full counterattack."

"Gulda," he said to the woman.  "It seems that you are very demanding of change, but not that accepting when people do," the slight lunar speaks bluntly.  "And further than that, you imply that the judgement of those accepting them onto our side cannot be trusted.  I would ask that you trust them, as we trust you."

[Private to Ledaal Xurizu: Gulda's female! I forgot to be specific.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:13, Tue 13 Oct 2009.

Immy's... slightly off to one corner, iron and steel swirling in a dense dance about her, eyes closed and staring blindly through the storm. Possibly she's speaking to something, and something to her, becuase her lips are moving slightly; but there's no real sound from either girl or god, save the shuddering whirrrr of steel in dust and air, and the faint screeches of iron against hard stone.

"...so I don't know, I think here would be a nice place if you want it, right? It's been a safehouse for a while, so the safeness of it probably goes up quite high and all, but then if anything ever happens its going to be a very-not-safe-house and the Dragons will probably blow it into dust. And everyone inside, probably, or at least they'll try, because that's how the Dragons do things. Um. But I won't mind if you wnated to carry on with me a bit longer too, though; it's kinda nice having you around, especially now that 23's off in one of his I'm-goiing-to-be-missing-because-I'm-mysterious trips and tht means I won't have anyone to chatter to for a bit and that kinda makes me lonely sometimes, and it's always nice to have a partner with you to, you know, keep a look out and things, and I figure you'll probably get along pretty well with my sword or something, or maybe I can try to join you with it, but I won't do that unless you really want to, right? Because that really wouldn't be nice." Although, of course, it'd be really, really cool, because then she'd have a warehouse for a sword, and that probably counted for all kinds of really weird things. Maybe she could declare herself a city, and start producing her own shampoo.

...although those listening really hard could probably hear a constant bubbling of noise, as a whispered counterpart to the sounds of iron and air.

Gulda swivels around to stare at Xurizu from her seat at the common room bar, half grimacing at his words and half at her stiff drink. "Come again? I'd be thrilled if they've a genuine bone in their body, but how in the Coils are we supposed to be sure they mean it? How am I supposed to be convinced they understand what damage they've done, unknowingly or not, and aren't just giving into us out of a need for self-preservation?"

"That kind of trust takes time, and that's not somethin' we even have right now," the red-haired rebel worker grouses. She takes another gulp of the moonshine. "Whew. Goes down better now that my tongue's blasted numb. Anyway, I'm just sayin' that if I had a CHOICE I wouldn't be depending on recent defectors for squat. Certainly not to watch my back in a fight."

Irjin raises a hand to appease the increasingly irate worker's leader. "Gulda, these defectors aren't Burning Feather. They weren't involved in Earthcalm at all. In fact they've been indirectly supportive of the Freerunners in the City of Pasiap's Resolve for some time now. Kigal Alivia is a Talonlord and has promised us a group of up to a few hundred."

"As for the ex-monks, I don't have as much information - but the word is that they abandoned their former cause because they oppose slavery. And specifically the slavery of Celestials. We don't know yet whether they'll give any physical support against their Immaculate peers but they could offer us some vital intel on the best routes up to the Gatekeeper." The Freerunner leader rubs his chin thoughtfully, and glances to Higura and the other Celestials, now. "That's your true goal, isn't it? Given your temperaments... well... most of yours," he coughs conspicuously, "it's been assumed you're not going for total annihilation of the Temple, but to take over the Earth District Central Core. Am I right?"

Gulda splutters, nearly spitting out her drink at Klaxon, who doesn't quite duck it all. Grumbling, he wipes a bit of spit off his fur as she continues. "The central what? You mean the Gatekeeper? Can you even do that?" she gawks. "It's just a machine, right? Another one built by the Council and their engineers of death?"

"So we've been told," says her second, Rivanto, crossing his dark, scarred arms while leaning back against a wall. "But there's plenty of stuff I'm not as willing to believe as I used to be."

The gathered Freerunners don't seem to mind Immaculate Kestrel's muttering - the Edgestriders have worked with her before, after all - though not every one of the workers are accustomed to her habits. Of all of Gulda's group, Tukunen seems the least avoidant of her. The thaumaturge with blond hair watches her commune with the warehouse-spirit closely, spinning some form of talisman or coin between the fingers of his gloved hand.

As for 137 herself (female seems as good a gender as any) the being of innumerable bits of metal listens patiently to the sound of Immy's voice, emitting noises that vary between the click of metallic knitting needles and the soft yet unnerving sound of nails gently scraping a chalkboard. That's all anyone outside hears, as the words 137 speaks are broadcasted straight into the pink-haired girl's head.

This building has a good feeling. Many feet have passed through here, much work has been done and certainly metalwork is part of it. But I am not unhappy with you, Immaculate Kestrel. I would see more of the world before I settle again. I would like a house that is stable, peaceful and full of those who would shape metal to their needs.

The whirring of the nails and shards dancing about her takes on an inquisitive tone. But how might I join with your sword? My purview is meant for creation, not destruction. Though your sword is beautifully crafted, and it would not be an uncomfortable place. [Private to Immaculate Kestrel: I've no idea how this will work either! :D except that you could potentially get some benedictions and such from the small god's spirit charms. Something similar to what I gave Perian for his prayer-stunt, except lower powered, and narrower purview. I suppose somewhere up in Heaven there's people going "argh! what is she DOING! darn Celestials changing the filing..." ;)]

Nanaret nods when Irjin answers her, and listens carefully to the discussion, her lemur ears flicking toward each speaker like a cat's. She doesn't listen AND stand still, passing the time with a few stretching exercises that look too painful to be comfortable (not that she notices).

"Is good cause for wait. We have many workers here, but fewer fighters. Maybe defectors not be long term ally. But is not my concern. I am fighter, and so I fight. Whomever fight with me is friend, even if only for a time."

A mysterious smile crosses her face, then, as she turns her dark gaze toward Gulda. "You maybe not believe us either, Gulda Marin. But Doctor Higura and I and Third Beneficiary spoke with Water Gatekeeper. She look like woman, with many tentacle for legs. Many, many thousand year old, like Builder Bug Queen. We met her in sanctum that we open with our Essence. She tell us she was convinced Celestials went mad, that we dangerous, not worthy masters of her."

"And we show her the truth of what Council wanted. They try drown all who lived in Water District to make sure free Celestials stay dead. And with that, they get rid what they don't want. Poor and sick people, mutants and criminals, the Pit." Nanaret grits her teeth and clenches her hands. She still feels shame at her years as a collared gladiatrix, killing for the entertainment of the masses.

"Water Gatekeeper sided with us. That how we survive the Council's killers -- the Equalizers. That how we got here to Earth District at all. Xurizu was there too, he remembers."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:53, Tue 20 Oct 2009.

"Nanaret speaks the truth, yes." Higura speaks, nodding his head softly as the woman says her part. He puts a hand on her shoulder as she reminisces her life in the Pit, catching the clenching of her fists at the mention of it. Others might not quite catch the gesture, but the Doctor has been there when she was nothing but a fighting machine - and knows of the guilt and shame she feels at the thought of those days, helpless thought she was.

"We spoke to the Gatekeeper of Water back when the Purge was put into effect. We managed to secure its help, and it will likely still prove to be an invaluable boon." Looking back towards Gulda and Irjin, the doctor smiles softly, removing his spectacles from his nose to clean them carefully. "The one thing that the Council and their followers do not want the populace to know is that they did not build the Gatekeepers. In fact, the AIs are much more ancient than people imagine. They predate the Council's reign, and thus they are secured allies, not slaves of the Council. The one thing that plays in our favor, however, is that this fact means the Gatekeepers have not forgotten their primary directives, either. They have collaborated with the current Coils administration in their takeover, but only because they were convinced that this was the best course of action for the Districts at the time."

Peering at the lenses of his spectacles, Higura places them on his nose again, nodding sharply. "That fact gives us an advantage, because this time, the balance of power has shifted once more. Though perhaps originally driven by concern, the current council is now showing worrying signs itself. Its approach is getting closer and closer to the cruelty that once led the Gatekeepers to accept that the rulers of the Coils needed to be stopped. And this is our chance to step in and regain the loyalty of the venerable AIs."

"Convincing one Gatekeeper was the most difficult part of this task. If we can manage to reach the Central Core of the Earth District, we can try to have the communications opened once more, and have the Gatekeeper of Water speak to its Earth brethren... Thus giving us extra credibility in our bid to secure its help."

"Oh! Thank you. I built her myself, you know; I think she's actually a part of me, a little, just secretly; she, she came to me in dreams, a little, a bit at a time, and I try and I try but I know she's not yet done. This is only a shadow of her right now," and she lifts the sword from its scabbard, freshly oiled and gleaming, "but she's still not there, not yet, not halfway almost; something tells me I haven't even got the form right, the shape and steel, and I think I'll need to take her there, to get her perfect, before I can find the, the other things, the jade and silver and orichalcum to bring her to life again; and when she's alive and perfect I'll know she's done right." For a moment, the blade glimmers gold in the firelight, perfection dancing across it like a gossamer dream, but then she sheathes the sword again, steel into leather and oils, and the spell of that gleaming thing fades away into empty light.

"But that won't be for awhile, I know; I'm not strong enough for that yet, not yet, and there aren't any fires strong enough to make her down here. One day, maybe, and then she'll really be my sword again; but right now the map of her only lives inside me, and I can only hope I can learn to bring her out right." She grins, almost shy; she's been waiting, after all, for ages and ages and ages, and something has told her tells her is telling her that it is what she needs; a sword, a weapon, a harbringer, and it'd.... it'd.... well, it'd be wonderful, and it'd help her, and it'd work to bring her home. That was enough, right? "But--oh! You could help, right? You could help me build things; steel and gold, jade and silver; I could, I could, I could make a hammer for you, a good one, a strong one, with, with red jade to strike the fires and true gold to make it fine; and you could help me make that, too, right? You could help me design your house, and then after that we could help each other, and I'd carry you around with me forever and ever for as far as we go. Say yes?"

While Higura and Nanaret brief those unfamiliar with the events in Water District, the metalworks spirit listens to Immy's rambling with a vibrating metallic hum that she has decided means 137 is thinking.

You would bring me where I can inhabit a new home, build works of metal great and small? The nails and bolts rasp together, an excited but not entirely pleasant sound to sensitive ears. Again, only Immy hears the words implied. Then of course I will help you, Immaculate Kestrel, I will accompany you until the ends of the Coils. Deliver me home and forge and I can help you build what you wish.

A bold claim for the littlest of gods, but with her fortunes now tied to a Celestial, who knows what else is possible?

Gulda Marin is caught up in her own shock and surprise, shaking her head incredulously as Higura concludes his explanations. "So... that's the real reason the Water District's supposedly under 'quarantine'? Because the Gatekeeper of Water essentially betrayed the Council, and the Gatekeepers are older than the oldest Terrestrial living on the fruits of our labor?" She gulps down more of the moonshine, the strong stuff clearing her sinuses as much as medicating her mind. "I'm still having a hard time even absorbing all this. Wow. The AIs might have their own agenda too. I wouldn't want to go from one tyrant to another, or have my job replaced by a machine..."

"But right now we'd best stick with what we can get," Irjin interjects, his gloved hand tapping the bar counter emphatically. "This is the first time, certainly the first recorded by the Freerunners, that we have a chance at overtly striking a blow against the Council's oppression -- and possibly make a lasting difference. There's plenty that'll come after once we make our move, given that we'll be kicking the legs right under the current framework of our society. It won't be easy. But it's progress, and not stagnation."

The discussion continues for some time. Higura, Nanaret and Xurizu find themselves answering plenty of questions from workers and Freerunners to clarify details about their escape from Water District, and all it entailed. Gulda continues to be amazed but skeptical, and Irjin attempts to provide a reasonable point of view, given that he openly admits the Freerunners were first conceived as a catalyst of social upheaval. What comes after, he says, depends on the winners.

Two hours later

Finally, a messenger steps through the door, a wiry girl with bright red hair cut in a short, cute style, her quarter-beast heritage showing through her wolf ears (the left-one notched) and tail. She wears a slender sword and a plasma tongue repeater on her hip.

"'Ey, Leader Irjin. And all you folks," she adds with a wave of her hand at the others. "The Boss's coming in with an army. Or somethin' like. Guess with a few hundred people you kin call it an army once there's weapons inn'er hands. Think he can set up in that big ol' clearing you've got in the middle of the buildings out 'ere?" Just as nonchalantly, the wolf-girl waves toward the door.

"Pixie," says Irjin, obviously recognizing the girl. "I assume Volya and Perian had a measure of success then." He looks around the common room, including Celestials and laborers alike as he says, "Come. We'll assemble outside and you'll see what we have to offer your cause."

[Private to Kares Perian: My next post, which I will write asap, is where Perian can step in.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:41, Sun 15 Nov 2009.

Free Coils Army, Outside Base
18 Resplendent Water, RY 1085

Already, a sizable amount of people are gathering in the clearing Pixie indicated. Many of them are Freerunners. Along with numbers from the Edgestriders, there are others waving the banners of their pack: the Children of Libera Mori, the Aveska Oathkeepers, the Shadow Claws of Blackrend, and the Vigilant of the White Flame. (Irjin points each of these out to any of the Celestials accompanying him that don't know their names. But Immy would, as would Perian.)

At another section of the clearing, several rows of soldiers wearing Peace Force-issue gear are starting to gather. Led in by a brown-haired woman in a dark blue cloak and blue jade dragon armor, the defectors wear mainly ashigaru armor, with some scattered gunzosha and yoroi. They carry the typical shock pikes of the Forces; the Exalted or Essence-Enlightened among them also wear daiklaves or even sidearm cannons. Rather than Peace Force insignia, their banners display the winged cloud of the Sky-Seekers.

Not one to be upstaged, Gulda (accompanied by Rivanto) breaks away from the group of Celestials with Irjin to gather her own people. More crudely armed workers from the Industrial section have already come into the fold, bumping up their numbers toward the hundreds. They lack the discipline of trained soldiers, or the almost supernatural camaraderie of Free's packs, but they are all full of fight and full of enthusiasm to make a difference!

A large, hastily constructed stage of spare metal sheets and cinder blocks has been constructed at one end of the courtyard. Leaders among the disparate but united groups step up onto the platform, including Irjin Edgestrider, Volya Mori, Sable Blackrend, Talonlord Kigal Alivia and her assistant Najalin Verad. Joining them is a trio of what appear to be Immaculates, if one judges by their obvious Terrestrial bearing and their bald-shaven heads, though they do not wear the robes.

The final arrivals are heralded by the howl of a pack of wolves. Wolves, inside Coils, are such a rarity as to be an impossibility except in the artificial habitats of Wood District. Yet the noble silver-grey animals are here, twelve of them total, surrounding two figures that stand out prominently in their midst. One, a handsome pale haired man in a hooded cloak, keeps stride with a massive, powerfully built man with mismatched blue and golden eyes. The latter wears a black and white striped bodysuit and drags a heavy ball and chain attached to his ankle, as easily as if it were feather-light.

[Private to Kares Perian: Due to time constraints I've had to cut out the scene with Perian meeting Free. More or less, it was a short meeting to report what you've done, then gather the troops that will soon be joining the others in the Inner Temple. Free is committing a sizable amount of his 'Runners, and Alivia has brought a talon of the best troops she could bring to her side. The ex-Immaculates have decided to bring a smaller group, represented by the Wood Master Profound Arrow. Though not as numerous, their presence means that various traps and locked doors within the Inner Temple will be MUCH easier to surmount.

So I'm now squeezing together the uniting of the army to free Coils, along with the chance for other Celestials to meet Free, into what may well be a very short scene. Again, cause I want to move forward and not stagnate.

Assume you have all motes back, you can also roll Conviction to get back Willpower if you lost any.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:49, Mon 16 Nov 2009.

The powerful, oddly dressed figure strides up to the raised platform while the wolves arrange themselves at the foot of it. His ball-and-chain smacks against the cinder-block steps, leaving sizable dents and cracks, but he does not stop until he has reached center stage, facing the group of 'Runners, soldiers, workers, Celestials and ex-Immaculates.

"Today, we are gathered under the uniting banner of FREEDOM for the Coils," he pronounces without further introduction. The odd-eyed man speaks in a booming, exaggerated voice, kicking up his iron ball only to seize it tightly in a large, meaty hand. "Today, the Inner Temple will be breached, the Earth Gate will be opened, and it will be because commoner, Terrestrial and Celestial cooperate for the first time in Coils history! Free Celestials, step forward and present yourselves, for this epic moment in history cannot be complete without YOU!"

His golden eye remains fixed solidly on the audience, but his blue one shifts toward Perian, indicating the more eloquent man can speak freely if he wishes.

[Private to Yaishin Higura; Immaculate Kestrel; Kilani Sorune; Saina Nanaret; Ledaal Xurizu: Introduce yourself to the army, or to Free, or both. Or if you're really that shy you can stay where you are, post a non-verbal reaction while Perian speaks first. I'd just like someone to post other than myself since I've already done 4 in a row. :D]

Following Free's cue, Perian steps forth and adresses the crowd. His voice carries easily, and his words remain clear and intelligible despite distance.

"I am Kares Perian, of the Freerunners. You may know me, or of me, by rumor or fact. Here, now, I will speak what truth I know, of what all of us here have done, and of what yet remains. And of myself, of course."

"I am one of the Chosen of the Sun. Yet I am neither monster nor tyrant. In that, as in much else, we have been ill taught by those who held the Coils.

"Yes, I mean held, for your, our effort, blood, and sacrifices have done what would not be otherwise possible. The people of the Coils are growing awake, discovering the taste of freedom once more, finding that hope is still possible. And where I and those like me could have abandoned you to die, to seek the surface while the corrupt assuaged their fears with your blood - we have chosen to stay, to help and protect."

"Eh. I hope you'll forgive me, I'm being overly talkative. Still, these facts remain, and matter. Together, we have pushed back Fire's first effort to cleanse Earth and destroy all within. Together, we stand a chance at freedom, to live, travel, work, as we will. But we have not won yet."

"Once before, when it seemed Water would fall, the powerful decided it was better to erase a District rather than lose their power. They failed, as other Celestials appealed to the Gatekeeper of Water, and convinced it to serve the people rather than the few. Now, the same threat is present - if they cannot drown freedom, then they will seek to have it collapse."

"Alone, none of us can prevent them. The have unbreakable walls, armies of dedicated monks, new and ancient devices of death. But together? That is what they fear the most. Not uncollared Celestials, no - people unified by a righteous cause."

"And that is why we must, we will prevail."

Perian pauses a moment, allowing his words ot sink in.

"I will not lie to you. Our foes will fight, and good people will die on both sides. But this is the only way I can see that will let you, us, be free. And that prize is worth the cost."

When prompted to by the man he assumes to be Free, Higura casts a side glance to his other companions, then takes a step forward once Perian finishes his address. Among such powerful figures, the bespectacled man seems a bit out of place, looking more like a dignitary or functionary rather than the glorious figures spoken about by the leaders.

"My Lord Free, Mister Perian, assembled forces of Five Coils... I am Doctor Yaishin Higura. It is a pleasure to meet you all, especially under the current circumstances."

"Some time ago, I was a member of the Resplendent Assessors. My duties, as they were, was to use the connections I built with my patients to discourage dissidence, to remove thoughts of rebellion, or to signal to my superiors the cases where I did not succeed at either of these. Because of the collar I wore then, I was forced to spy on the people of Coils, and to report their behavior to the Coils Administration."

"This is a testament to the distrust the administration places in its own citizens, and it clearly puts one of the Leaders' weaknesses straight into view. Namely... As much as the Administration tries, through propaganda and intimidation, to make the people believe that they do not hold any power or strength, they are lying. What need would there be to spy on or try to discourage powerless people? What need would there be to use someone like me to assess the population's obedience if such thoughts would ultimately lead nowhere? The answer is simple, people of Coils. That is because for all their might and power, the Administration fears you. They understand better than anyone that cooperation and teamwork can move mountains - and they do not wish for you all to understand this fact."

Higura stops then, to let the crowd catch on. After a moment, he adjusts his spectacles on the bridge of his nose before continuing. "I was part of the group that spoke to the Gatekeeper of Water, as Mister Perian mentioned. I was also here with you during Operation Earthcalm, marching within your ranks against our common opposition. And yet, it is not I that has earned you this recent victory. Nor is it any individual Celestial who helped your cause. Unity brought you this victory, and that is something you should never forget."

"I would urge the lot of you to listen to Mister Perian's words, or at least consider them carefully. They are wise ones, and ones that will help channel your anger and your discontent. Desire for revenge and retribution only leads to a bloody path where one repeats the sins of the past. If tempered with righteousness and thirst for justice, however, these feelings of yours might just break the cycle, and usher in a new age, for you and your children."

Without waiting for the crowds' reactions, Higura bows quickly and takes a step back, leaving the place for anyone wishing to say something more, be it Perian, Free, or another one of his companions.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:50, Mon 16 Nov 2009.

Nanaret steps out onto the stage with Higura, clad in a dark blue form fitting catsuit that reveals her acrobatic musculature, sturdy black boots that give her a silent stride and snug black gloves. Over that, she is wearing her dark coat open, the one she had been wearing to hide her breastplate; now that she has the gunzosha armor, it's unnecessary except when she needs to be seen publicly without armor.

When the Doctor steps back, the wiry Lunar gazes at Free and Perian, her head inclining slightly but in no way indicating she wishes to be subservient. Then she turns toward the crowd of gathered soldiers with dark, scrutinizing eyes, her arms folded in front of her. "My name, Saina Nanaret. With collar on my neck, I was exploited as Gladiator of the Pit. Some of you may have seen me fight. For entertainment," and she raises a gloved hand, clenching it tightly, "I was forced to kill many. My opponents were twisted things. Mutants. Sometimes criminals, diseased. People that higher districts wish get rid of. The crowds cheered. Transfixed by thrill of the fight, by death of those too unfortunate to be named."

"There many to blame for this. Myself, for I could not fight strong enough alone to avoid the collar. The Council and people who serve them, who allow atrocities to happen. Both the Pit AND the experiments that make mutants are abominations. The Pit was just trash heap for rejects to die, and I was made butcher." Did Nanaret's eyes just flare yellow when she spoke these words? Her jaw clenches, and she almost finds it difficult to continue. But she takes a deep breath, plunging further into her revealing speech.

"I do not like to speak of it. But is also the crowds who give into apathy, who are to blame. Those who stop believing there is chance to make things better. To put a stop to slavery, slaughter, human experiments. No, they think, better not to care. To medicate with pleasure, thrill and drug. Hundreds, thousands of people do this. And thus nothing changed."

"I not wish to stay in Coils, if ever we reach the sky. But if you truly believe in this cause," and her eyes gaze around her, sweeping over the workers, the soldiers, the Immaculates, even the other Celestials nearby, "then prove it. Make this prison a worthy home. However you fight, fight. And never tell yourself you will be happier not to try."

After that uncommon moment of inspiration and eloquence (for her, at least), Nanaret falls silent and stands by Higura. He can feel her trembling slightly, but she holds her chin high.

Surrounded by the numerous other powerful and brave celestial, the thin slip of a red-robed girl standing to the side, looking almost frail and weary, barely seems a part of the ceremony. But when the call goes forth for Celestial Exalted, she is among those to stand and step forward. Each before her receives a respectful focus from her tired brown eyes, and she stands at a relaxed stance.

As Nanaret spoke, the girl's eyes closed, and she lowered her head, visibly swallowing as she stepped forward, moved to speak, but out of her element. The girl had a false start or two before she began again, clearly enough for her voice to carry. She wore no armor, bore no weapon, and barely touched the height of her companion Celestials. Yet her honest words and work-weary demeanor commanded a certain respect nonetheless;

"I... ah... Everyone..."; She coughed once, cleared her throat, her cheeks flushing visibly to her fellow Celestials, her expression a little lost. Oration wasn't even among her weak points, it was something she barely knew, but words wanted to come now. The audience was captive to Celestial Exalted, and.... though she had never once wielded that nature to an end, now it would lend her words a weight they could never have held before.

As she managed to focus herself, lifting her eyes above the crowd, she spoke once more. "T-Thank you, Nanaret..." A sigh. A breath. She could do this, it was important! "My name is Kilani Sorune, and I am not like these other great Celestials." she began, her gut coiling into knots. "I'm not a great speaker, or a hero or a warrior. I'm... like most any person. I don't want to see people die..." She lowered her head gently.

"When I wore the Collar of the Dragon-Blooded, I only rarely needed its use to do what I was for. I was taken as a doctor, and even became a Chief Medical Officer for a Peace Force unit. I didn't truly understand who or what I was.... am..." She inhaled deeply. "I believed them when they cautioned me that my powers could hurt people. And I stayed with them so I could save their lives. I, too, am a healer... Hurting is not in my nature, even as a Chosen of Mars."

"Some of you were there when I was forced to fight you. But I am free now." She spoke with a surprising burst of strength. Her chin lifted, a shimmer of light from the flow of tears along her cheeks. At her sides, both of Kilani's hands had coiled into fists, soft skin on the end of willowy-frail limbs. "But I am sorry to any whom I hurt. I have been working nonstop to make right that mistake where I can."

Kilani glanced aside to her fellow Celestials, faltering. Seeing them standing so brave and tall gave her strength to go with the fire she had felt, and she stepped forward another step. "I can't promise that I can lead you to the surface of this world. I can't promise that everyone will reach the sky we long to see. I wish everyone could!"

She glanced aside to Nanaret, and  made a grateful smile, before she called out to the waiting masses; "But I can promise you this! We will reach the skies one day! One day you will feel the sunrise on your faces! Feel the true breath of Mela, not the artificial, corrupt air of this place! One night, we will all look up and see the stars! This isn't rhetoric or metaphor.... I have seen it in my dreams." She blushed deeply, head still held up. "I have seen the sky, not as it is now, not as I imagine it to be, but I have seen the very real sky, thousands of stars, the constellations. In my dreams!" She called out. "And one day, I will be there to see them for real! And I will bring everyone of you who I can with me!"

Kilani stepped back, to take a position beside Nanaret, but as she fell into step, she inched back slightly, half-standing behind the taller, more powerful woman. Her face was as red as her robes, teeth delicately resting on her lower lip. She was still a ball of nerves, any grace she held at this stemming solely from her passion.

[Private to GM: 2 Successes Charisma+Performance, no stunt counted]
This message was last edited by the player at 11:19, Tue 17 Nov 2009.

Xurizu doesn't present himself to the crowd.  It wasn't his way, wasn't something he was comfortable with.  Especially not admitting what he had done, not to so many people at once, collar which had been on his neck or no.  There was too high a chance someone there would remember a barbed guillotine flying through the air, someone acting oddly just before they killed themselves, someone found in a locked room with their throat slit.  To high a chance he'd be burdened with the guilt of something he didn't even remember.

Many of the crowd wouldn't even notice he was there, a nondescript figure in grey, approaching Free whilst Nanaret and Kilani spoke.   "Greetings, Free," he says, respectfully inclining his head.  "I am Ledaal Xurizu.  I am a sorcerer," an assassin, "I hope that we will get a chance to talk about such things, when the district is more secure," he says simply.  Then he withdraws, back to somewhere where he won't spoil all this talk of heroism.

The gathered army, patchwork as it may be, listens to the courageous and encouraging words of the Celestials that introduce themselves one by one. The reactions are varied but predominantly positive.

By the end of it, Gulda Marin's workers are cheering loudly and enthusiastically, clapping and stomping their feet, pumped to get started on their first united push toward justice and freedom.

The Freerunners glance at one another, nodding approvingly at all they have heard. Many of them applaud heartily, thrust their fists into the air and howl! The descendants of Free and his supporters have waited generations for a chance such as this.

The ex-Peace Force soldiers are not as easily moved, knowing that they are willingly walking into a dangerous, and traitorous prospect: betraying the Council, and their own people, for the sake of ideals and a distant sky. Still, there is a smattering of applause from them, and many solemn salutes. Even Kigal Alivia, their Talonlord leader, nods sharply with approval at the sentiments expressed, particularly concerning the growing corruption of the Council's actions. Next to her, Verad makes hasty notes on the speeches, his pen flying across his black bound journal.

Only the few ex-Immaculates Perian negotiated with, led by Wood Master Profound Arrow, offer neither cheers nor applause. The Terrestrial monks bow their shaven heads in prayer -- whether for strength or for forgiveness for what they will soon do, one may never know.

Free steps in abruptly before Immy can show up. (And where is she? Not a pink head of hair in the crowd. If she stayed where everyone left her, then she's still communing with that cloud of nails.) A big-toothed grin spreads across his tattooed face as he weighs his iron ball in one hand.

"Bravo, BRAVO!" he shouts, his golden eye swiveling erratically in its socket. "Now THOSE are the words I've been hoping to hear. This is your Freedom, ladies and gentlemen, this is your moment to seize! For I have always been Free. I entered this prison to leave it by my own power. But YOU, all of you were born into this reality, your eyes sewn shut. Now they are open. Now you have chosen uncertainty over stability. Rebellion over lawfulness. Painful truth over comfortable lies!"

With a grunt and a mighty flex of his muscles, Free tugs sharply at the chain attached to his ankle... and snaps it. "Now you are Free as I am. In mind, though not in body. In heart, though not in home. The rest is for you to make happen, though blood, sweat and tears you may spill. And I!" He pounds his sinewy chest with the loose iron ball and chain, not so much as flinching at the impact. "Will bleed, toil and weep beside you."

His head jerks abruptly to stare at the Celestials that have spoken, besides Perian. "If I had time, I would speak with every one of you. I will learn more about you. If fate is willing, yes, I WILL teach you what I know. But first!"

"Listen to me. Right now, six more brave Celestials are breaking through to the Sanctum of the Inner Temple. That bastion of Immaculate belief has stood for CENTURIES, denying your ascendants and you passage to the world above! We, the Free Coils Army and our allies, are in prime position to breach the Temple through this floor. Together, WE can help clear the way to the Gatekeeper of Earth! All you must do is answer one simple question."

Free gestures broadly, including the patchwork army sprawled before him. "Are. You. With. Us!?"

The response is a thunderous roar of assent that shakes the entire Sector, resounding through the streets as word of mouth passes like wildfire. It is time for the liberation of Earth District to begin.

---

OOC: As explained earlier, I assumed some decisions so that we could fast forward through tedious traps and battles. Therefore, this thread will now close. You will meet with all PCs in 'Floors B25-B22 - Inner Temple, Central Column' once I have finished narrating how everyone gets there.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:30, Wed 18 Nov 2009.