Jedevra hardly gives Kilani another glance. She doesn't even bother to smile, any more. "The Essence Twisters are effective but will not suffice. The entire area is tainted by madness. We are receiving reports from throughout the zone about looters, vandals, altercations in the streets. Rapes and killings. Widespread panic. The workers who have triggered this farce have already seen it spiral well out of their control."

"Very well, you wish to know what the Shock Matrix does. I will allow you to witness a small slice of its power. Stay still and silent, and it will all be clear." The power of command flows from Kilani's collar with that statement, removing choice from the matter.

Kilani is forced to obey. She remains between Marble and Sunder with Jedevra, stricken mute and paralyzed.

In the meantime, Ghibari continues to chase Nanaret, while Nanaret follows the Freerunners and Higura around a detour leading them back toward Sunder Street.

Scale 1-1 herds the few remaining conscious rioters back into the intersection of Glass and Sunder, strengthening the blockade line. They do not even have to fire the Essence Twister twice; it has worked all too well, leaving the citizens at their mercy.

Scale 1-2 through 2-4 complete their preparations with the Shock Matrix Rods. The arcs of blue energy become more numerous and pronounced, streaking above in a solidifying grid. They wait for Jedevra's word.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:16, Sun 09 Aug 2009.

Further removed from the perimeter, Higura and Irjin cross a minor intersection and glimpse a large group of armed workers on the major street running parallel to their right. They quickly realize that this is the direction of Sunder Street, and the workers are moving back toward Scale 1-2a, accompanied by Arashi's chariot (with Talia and Xurizu inside)!

The workers are singing in unison. Not all of them can hold a tune, their voices gravelly from coal dust and qat, but they sing nonetheless. It is a song of freedom under the sky, of crisp air and clean water. It is a song of rolling plains lit up by glorious sunlight. It is achingly beautiful and heartfelt, carrying the hopes of an entire people, who now face their longtime enemy with determination and bravery. And who but a young woman with vividly pink hair (stained with blood) leads them in this song -- accompanied by the hooded seemingly genderless figure that is ever at her side?

Irjin pauses at the minor intersection, shouting to Higura, "There is no mistaking -- that is Kestrel and Twenty Three! Arashi has them, but they've turned right back around to the perimeter!"

Immy and Twenty Three may hear that shout, and see (a block away, at the next intersection to their right), the beastman Freerunner leader in a dark blue suit and duster. He is accompanied by a man with brown hair and glasses in a deep green coat.

Talia and Xurizu see the familiar Freerunner and Higura, and even Arashi calls out, "Leader Irjin!"

But there is no stopping the workers now, marching and singing toward Glass and Marble.

[Private to Yaishin Higura: You know the Shock Matrix Rods work in unison to set up a perimeter within which an area affect, Essence-powered energy attack can be made. The more rods involved, the larger the perimeter and/or the stronger the potential effect. At low charge, it will shock and stun, possibly disrupt all other power sources in the area. At high power it can do severe and LETHAL damage to everyone and everything in range. You believe the current charge is a low one. Finding cover is still crucial at this point. Though it is a minor charge it will still hurt and possibly disable if full exposed to it, especially those with lesser constitutions.]

[Private to Saina Nanaret: The Shock Matrix Rods are special blue/black jade devices placed onto a shock pike, replacing the standard shock pike head. They may draw from the battery of the weapon, or from the wielder's Essence if applicable. The rods work together to form that energy lattice above which may be used to cause physical harm to people below it.]

---

OOC: At the moment, tick count is stopped. ALL PCs from Riot Zone are now in this thread. You may make a post to react to what is unfolding (though if it has a tick speed, the results may be delayed until ticks restart). Below is a map which I hope will help with relative positions. Please note this is not exactly to scale!

     |    |     |    |     |    |     |    |     |    |
     |    |     |  G |     |    |     |    |     |    |
-----+    +-----+  l +-----+    +-----+    +-----+    +----
(small side st.)   a            Ghib.+Nana->      H+I
-----+    +-----+  s +-----+    +-----+    +-----+    +----
     |    |     |  s |     |    |     |    |     |    |
     |    |     |    |     |    |     |    |     |    |
-----+    +-----+    +-----+    +-----+    +-----+    +----
                 Scale                     <-Arashi+chariot
Marble St.       1-2a                      <-Immy,23,Workers
                                           <-Talia,Xurizu
-----+    +-----+    +-----+    +-----+    +-----+    +----
     |    |     |J+K |     |    |     |    |     |    |
     |    |     |    |     |    |     |    |     |    |
-----+    +-----+    +-----+    +-----+    +-----+    +----
                 Scale 1-1
Sunder St.       (Ess.Twister)
                 Citizens
-----+    +-----+    +-----+    +-----+    +-----+    +----
     |    |     |    |     |    |     |    |     |    |

H+I = Higura+Irjin
J+K = Jedevra+Kilani
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:56, Fri 14 Aug 2009.

Oh no.

As he runs, Higura's consciousness seems to register two different train of thought simultaneously. On one hand, his expression creases even further with worry as he finally understands the nature of the weapons placed against them, and the potentially deadly power it would represent against Exalts - not to mention angry mortal workers. On the second hand, his eyes are immediately attracted to the group of workers marching down Marble Street. For a moment, his mind takes on the quality of the All-Seeing Prochorus, and he can see the streams of possibility colliding down the dusty, rugged street. And the results of these colliding probabilities cause Higura's eyes to open wide at the potential horrors lying ahead.

"The Shock Matrix Rods..." Higura says, low enough that only Irjin could hear. But there is no time. With no warnings, the assembled group will march straight into oblivion - which is likely what the Peace Forces had hoped all along. Standing at the corner of the small street he had used for cover, Higura stares directly at the group down Marble Street, pure adrenaline keeping him from having to catch his breath even after the sprint.

"No, you mustn't!" Higura calls out to the heads of the column, once Irjin has identified his contacts, who are now accompanied by Arashi, Talia and Xurizu. "The Shock Matrix Rods ahead - they will hurt anyone walking into its perimeter, and we are all already within its range! The charge is not at its maximum yet, but it might be enough to seriously damage anyone staying in the open!"

So much to warn about. So little time. The clock is ticking, and the Rods will likely fire any second now. "You must stop your march and seek cover before it's too late! Use any sort of cover you can find, but get out of the open now!"

With that last shout, meant as much for the walking column of workers as to Irjin and Nanaret - to which Higura turns momentarily, to make certain she is close behind - the doctor sets the example by quickly moving towards a nearby building, seeking to break through so he can try to lead Irjin and Nanaret to cover...

On hearing Higura's shout, Xurizu breaks away from the side of the marching workers and pulls out ahead.  "You heard the man, take some cover.  When that thing goes off, it won't be pretty," he calls back.  "I'm going to see if I can disrupt that squad up ahead.  If that happens, we should be able to press forward into the gap.  Whatever happens though, don't get in front of me."

He's hoping that Kestrel and the mysterious 23 will at least be able to steer the workers enough to do that, or the shock matrix is going to make a rather large mess.

Once his warning is given and he has found some cover, Xurizu starts the chanting and the gestures of his sorcery, brilliant arcs of emerald light flashing around and through the shadows of his anima.

A whimper escaped Kilani's lips, as Jedevra's orders gripped her. Straining against the collar was never successful, never worthwhile. Unable to do anything but set her jaw tightly and glare, she watched in horror.

------
Gibhari rushed after Nanaret. "She and I both know little of what happens below save what we are told, and she believes what she has been told. I've seen how they treat their servants, but Kilani was kept in better circumstances." He sighed. "But she isn't happy there." He moved quickly with Nanaret, aiming to help her into some cover and poking his head out, squinting to watch the Shock Rods. "I don't know what those do." He looked to Nanaret. "What is it you all want? To take out all the Dragonblooded? Kilani hates seeing anyone die. That includes them."

"The lightning-rods, they gather energy and focus into net above us. I not know what else! But will be painful!" Nanaret says hastily. She may or may not hear Higura's shout ahead, amidst the clamor of voices singing. However, her instinct tells her not to remain beneath that lattice of blue energy looming above.

So she does not protest Ghibari helping her toward cover, darting into whatever building or covered awning they can squeeze into. Even though he did stop their chariot, Nanaret's impression is that the large, talking mole is not a malicious being. Neither is she--not now, though Ranavalona curdles in the back of her mind, spitting epithets at her. Weakling. Gullible. Coward.

"We not killers simply for enjoyment." she continues as they huddle there, holding Sixth Coil folded and tucked behind her. Yes we are, whispers Rana venemously, not that the mole-god can hear. "Not answer genocide with genocide. But Terrestrials of Coils do many wrong things. They not spare your lives, even should we spare theirs. Fight is unavoidable. But we not exterminate. We fight to liberate those wronged!"

Tensely, biting her lip, she waits for the storm to fall -- and for the next opportunity to dash toward Higura.

I... huh? Because there were... two of them in the distance, and one of them was somebody-nobody-probably-another-Celestial-body, because they other one was "Irjin! Over here!" Hello Irjin! "We heard there was a giant mole after you!"

And then the... somebody with Irjin (Ooooh. There's a third one! Wonder if there're any more...) was shouting something over the roar of the crowd, something about... the... oh, he probably meant the lightning, right? Shock Matrix Rods. They should be called Lightning Webs, or something. And they would... um...

(She could trust him, right? He was running with Irjin. Irjin wasn't an idiot. Generally.)

"Everybody! Into the buildings!" The warehouse doors gaped openly around them, dark interiors framed only by the massive, yawning doors; for a moment, she wondered if they'd been blasted open by looters (probably, probably, she really should go talk to their little gods later), but then the lightning was probably coming down any moment soon and the song was loud (her song was loud) and people would start panicking--

Wait. This was her song.

The tempo leaps upward, whispering urgency and haste; there is a storm coming! A great and horrid storm; it promises only death and ruin to all before it. But worry not! The wise know well how to weather this thunder; and in this moment of respite, they will fox their enemies' wishes, and surge strong and triumphant when they were thought weak! Hurry! Hurry under those sheltering roofs! Let not their lightning take you now, before we can take the fight to them themselves! And her intent leaps from ear to ear and mouth to mouth, replicating it amongst the crowd like a tide--hurry! Hurry to safety! We will rise again!

[OOC: Apologies for lateness. Looooong, busy weekend + holiday. ;_;

10:28, Today: Immaculate Kestrel rolled 8 successes using 13d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,1,10,8,8,8,4,7,4,4,3,8,9. ...Cha Per Com, the other 13 die.
10:28, Today: Immaculate Kestrel rolled 2 successes using 1d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10. Cha Per Com.  So, 8 + 2 = 10 :)

Total spent: 11m, 3 wp. Personal 4/15 (7 committed, scenelongs), Peripheral 31/35 (4 committed, artifacts), WP 6/9. Compassion Channels: 2/5, Conviction Channels: 3/4]

As workers and Exalts alike scramble for cover, the Shock Matrix builds toward a crescendo. The air beneath it -- the entire area enclosed by the Peace Force perimeter, a space up to a half-mile squared -- is electrically charged, causing hairs to raise, damp skin to tingle uncomfortably.

Unperturbed by Kilani's plight, Winglord Jedevra shouts through her communicator, "Now!"

And the lightning field descends upon the blocks of Sector 5 Industrial.

The cloud of energy tendrils surges through the streets in an electrical flood. More gaseous than solid, it spills over into doorways and windows, creeps into cracks in the walls. Metals absorb the current, hot and shocking to the touch. It seeps into magitech panels, frying the sensitive circuitry within. Anything dry and flammable left carelessly in the open bursts into flames -- ammunition included.

The unfortunate people exposed in full are drowned in electricity. Lightning spark spiders upon their flesh, into their nostrils and mouths, a series of little shocks that build into painful jolts that rattle them inside and out. Those who manage to stay away from the open air fare better, but are not necessarily spared.

When the lightning recedes from the riot zone, fires have sprung up in multiple blocks, and more people are sprawled on the streets in agony. A few lie still... too still.

Even Jedevra's eyes are wide for a moment, beholding the results. She activates her pectoral of speeches, once again rising upward with the aid of her red jade pinions so she may be heard by all. "You have been warned to cease and desist, and cooperate with arrest. You have refused, and this is the result. This is your last chance. Next time, we will not use a minimal charge."

---

OOC: Shock Matrix produces a widespread environmental effect at this charge level. I will assume everyone found cover so the effect is reduced. Roll Stamina+Resistance. If you get 0 sux take 3L dice of damage. 3-5 sux, take 3B dice damage. 6+ sux, take no damage. You may soak with natural soak for a min. 1 damage. Kilani does not need to resist, she is outside the effect.

Then roll a new Join Battle (if you'll fight). Xurizu, you started your spell already, so you can release it right away, then roll JB. However if you took damage roll Wits+Occult at diff == levels of damage, to ensure your spell is not disrupted.

[Private to Immaculate Kestrel: BTW, I didn't temp. close the thread 'cause of you. I just didn't want more people to post while I was churning out mine, cause it'd complicate things. You posted yours before I even started (I just rearranged a bit cause Nanaret's player wanted her post to be right after Ghibari's.) So... no worries!]
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:56, Tue 11 Aug 2009.

Oh-oh.

There was a bite on her skin and a charge to her teeth, but she ignored it at first; no, she was singing, and Kestrels don't stop. Flee, little people! Flee! Get to the places between rock and hard stone, and let the enemy smash itself upon the cliffs! Even as the streets emptied (Arashi didn't want to be one of the emptied. She's kinda like that, but then one of the wounded 'runners moaned and she went eep (although she'd never say that she went eep) and then she drove the whole chariot into one massive barn-door. Um. Through the door?  How are you supposed to say people went into an open door, and not make it sound like they walked into it closed?) she kept singing, because at that point there was no reason to stop, not really, until she tried to close her mouth and saw a spark fly out.

Eep

(Quite unlike Arashi, Kestrel could say she went eep. It was an acquired ability of sorts, and may probably have to do with her relationship with shame; that is, they broke up awhile ago, and really weren't on speaking terms anymore.)

"Everybody in!"

She was halfway through a window when her hair began to rise, blue sparks dancing between each levitating hair; and then they weren't just on her hair anymore, but dancing little spiders crawling down her neck and up her feet, elbows hands knees thighs oh Sol oh Sol get them off get them off and they skittered off her hands where she touched the window frame but the smell they left behind was burnt flesh like the way she did back when back when get them off

(Her arm was twitching. It was twitching, and she was looking at it, and she stared and she stared and she (screamed a bit, in her head) stared until it stopped. And she did the same for her legs, and her toes, and her other hand; but she couldn't look at her hair, so all she could do was smell the hiss, and think, well, at least my hair's clean now.)

(The blackened bits of clotted blood could, later, be easily brushed off her hair.)

No. No! Not lying down, not taking this, get off me! There was a bit of her screaming in her mind, and she pushed both hands against the windowframe, watching the spiders skitter off her down the drainpipe into the ground go away go away her hands were burning but she didn't care. And. And then.

And when they were all gone she sank down to the ground and breathed. Oh Sol. Oh Sol. Her lungs hurt, a little. Why did her lungs hurt? But there were people on the ground, and they weren't moving, and.

And.

(She should have told them to move earlier when the lightning started she should have seen this)

Where were. Where were. Where were they? 23. 23. Two Celestials. Three Celestials. And Irjin, right? Irjin would help. Irjin would help. They... they had to stop them before it happened again. (There were some people in the warehouse that weren't moving. She was a Solar. How did everyone else feel?)

"2...23? Talia? Xurizu? We... we have to stop this. Before they do this again. And they will do this again, and people... and... we. We have to go. We have to stop them." Something caught itself in her mind. (Cooked meat.) "Where..." Oh, but she knew. He'd ducked into that doorway, right? "I'm... I'm going to see that man. Maybe he knows something about this. He shouted the warning, right? He. Knows what they do. He'll know how to stop. All this."

And she ducks out of the window, running like the four winds, hunting down the man who'd shouted them out of the storm. Hurry. Hurry hurry hurry. Before it happens again.

[OOC: 15:26, Today: Immaculate Kestrel rolled 1 success using 1d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8. Soaked-to-1-die-bashing!.
15:25, Today: Immaculate Kestrel rolled 3 successes using 3d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,10,3. StaRes.

The Join Battle: You rolled 4 successes using 6d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((6,8,10,9,3,5)).

She dashes at 11 yards per second. No idea if you want the running to be in combat time or not, though.

Total spent: 7m, 1 wp. Personal 8/15 (7 committed, scenelongs), Peripheral 31/35 (4 committed, artifacts), WP 8/9. Compassion Channels: 2/5, Conviction Channels: 3/4  Damage: 1B]

[Private to Gatekeeper: Oh, ok. :) Also, random stunt rewards for everything would be fun. >_> Even if they didn't do anything, heh. *peers at the Perf roll. Big fight may be coming, whoo!]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:47, Wed 12 Aug 2009.

Xurizu's eyes widened as he saw the Shock Matrix fire from the assembled troops, saw the rolling cloud of electricity roll out towards him down the street, saw the brilliant arcs dancing as they raced toward him.

The wave hits him, earthing itself through his armour, setting all his nerves ablaze with currents of agony.  He doesn't scream though.  Screaming would disrupt the essence he was channelling.  He grits his teeth instead, forcing twitching limbs to keep on tracing out the gestures to channel the essence.  For a moment, his view of the street vanishes in a haze of red.  When the view returns, it isn't the street he sees.

The garden is so peaceful, the great tree standing before him, watching his progress.  "That's no good, my little cobra," comes the voice from behind him.  Feminine.  Elegant.  Cultured.  Utterly unsympathetic.  "You must learn to hold the spell.  Again."

Reeling from the twin pains generated by the tree and his own sorcerous backfire, it was all Xurizu could do to nod and say "Yes, Mistress Sienna."

He started to channel again and once more the agony coursed through him generated by the teaching intelligence in the tree.

His vision went red.

The agony passes, as it had that time.  The spell is still under control, still his.  A moments pause, to check his targets had not moved.  Then he unleashed the spell.

Before him, on the street, there appeared the translucent head of a giant made of ice.  It was fully seven feet from the base of his chin to the top of his head.  There was the sound of breath being drawn in, and then the whistling as if of a gale as a column of ice raced down the street towards the peace force soldiers.  All those in its path were wrapped in a thin shell of ice, instantly encased in freezing cold.  Then the giant shouted, a triumphant bellow which echoed off the ceiling above and the buildings to the side, reverberating its way towards the ice shrouded figures and shattering the ice.

Then, as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished.

And Xurizu allowing himself to say what he'd been wanting to say since the Shock Matrix had fired.

"OWW!"
[Private to GM:
I hope the memory is okay to add in. :)

Just passed the Wits+Occult roll to keep control, so the spell goes off.
I rolled 3 sux, so it has a total of 6 sux to hit people (+ any extra stunt dice) (edit:  The diceroll in question is erroneously labelled "TIB Damage")
It's unblockable, but can be dodged.
It does a base damage (as dice) of 6L + extra sux.
Anyone damaged has half movement, and all actions take 1 tick longer.
The spell hits an area 100 yards long and 10 yards wide (and 10 tall, if that is relevant), directed wherever Xurizu could hit the most people.
]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:29, Tue 11 Aug 2009.

Kilani would have screamed if she'd been able. As it were, she couldn't move her lips, and even her vocal chords wouldn't answer her. Her vision started to well up with tears as an anguished whimper escaped her, tears streaking her face. This was her fault - all her fault.

OOC: JB 3 Successes Kilani

----------------------

Gibhari's tough skin crawled as the waves of lightning spiders marched, but he quickly buried a toed claw in the dirt, and shook, scattering the energy off his spined body. "Ugh! Are you okay, woman?" he prompted, looking to the others. "I have an idea. If you will help me rescue Kilani, I will help you. I will tunnel us underneath the Peace Force position... We could take them by surprise. Or.... I will tunnel you to safety. That power shouldn't reach that far..."

OOC: 1 Willpower Used, 4/5 Remaining
JB 2 Successes Gibhari

The mysterious 23 has left this operation in Kestrel's hands and seems willing to just follow along and observe. For now.

The crowd's following her, that's good. She might not have the best...tactical sense (let's not even talk strategic) but in this sort of chaos, there's really no point in that. 'Charge!' is the only reasonable thing to say at this point.

If you're leading the charge, of course. Which she's...inclined to do.

23 is not.

Therefore, 23's kept within vocal reach of Immy but positioned hirself on the right edge of the workers. (To beat them in the right direction if necessary.) It's always hard to handle artillery used on ill-disciplined mobs...but she's done all she can for that one. (23 can't do much better.)

But that's also one reason why sie's positioned herself at the flank. So diving for cover is easy. (Behind objects. Buildings. People. Something. I'm not a combatant, why do people send me on things like this? Oh, because they want someone who can handle Kestrel...)

23 takes a few burns from it, but not that many. Could be worse. Being grounded helped to mitigate some of that. [Private to GM: Actually, soaked 1 die, so that should have been two dice...the last die was a success, so no damage after killing that! Unless you rule damage, then it's just 1L.] Sie manages to scramble up and recover very quickly, and help people around beat out the flames and continue in the right direction.


Immy has...run off.

But that's normal. And this time, correct.

Let's see what happens.


[Private to GM: JB 9 successes]

Nanaret does not speak for a time, ducking down and curling her body and wrapping her impossibly jointed arms 'round her head, until she seems to fold into herself, like a buried seed, like an unborn child. Only the foolish tree spread its limbs to be embraced by the storm. She would be the simple rock laid flat on the ground, the serpent/monkey hiding in her cave, waiting. Waiting to become the predator again.

Of course she is not afraid. She wants to laugh. No soulless contraption would defeat her, even should it generate lightning where there are no clouds. Lightning spiders its way over her dark flesh, over her armor and gear, but the shocks are no more painful than a tingling caress.

It must be so much worse on the outside, she thinks. Her next thought is for Higura, Xurizu and Talia, the Freerunners. In her mind, in her world, everything is tenuous and fleeting, everything but her own will to survive. Everything else... freedom and safety included... must be earned by sweat, effort, tenacity. "No! No escape," Nanaret says gruffly as she uncurls back to a crouched position. "My... my allies, they all ahead. If we burrow under earth, Higura and others must come! But digging take time, yes? Time that others can be hurt??"

Nanaret sniffs the air, tastes electric sparks on her tongue. When the last of the lightning cloud fizzles and absorbs into the ground, she urges Ghibari to rise and follow. "We meet them. Now! Friends will want Kilani free too. If she collared like we were, she not control what she do. May do something she regret!"

With those ominous words she sprints out of the hiding place with serpent staff in hand, hoping the mole-spirit would come. "Doctor Higura!" she shouts, her voice reaching him from the opposite side the pink-haired girl now approaches. As she turns the corner, in sight of Higura, and Irjin, and likely Kestrel too, she gets a glimpse of Xurizu's titan of ice. Her mind is not well-versed in sorcery; she only assumes it is an ally, for he faces the perimeter, bellowing before it disappears!

(OOC: dashing till I reach Higura! and then, well hopefully we'll figure that out. JB is 5!)

[Private to GM: 13:10, Today: Saina Nanaret rolled 5 successes using 6d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,10,7,7,1,5. Join Battle.
12:23, Today: Saina Nanaret failed (no successes) using 1d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3. dam.after soak.
12:22, Today: Saina Nanaret rolled 2 successes using 4d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,4,3,10. resist!.]
This message was last edited by the player at 17:15, Tue 11 Aug 2009.

Quickly diving within a nearby building, Higura immediately puts his back against an inside wall and holds his breath in anticipation of the onslaught.

The detonation comes, shattering parts of the doctor's cover and sending splinters all round him. Turning his face away to protect it, he uses a gloved hand to keep debris from hurting him, waiting with shallow breaths for the blast to end. When it does, Higura quickly assesses his condition... And, incredulously, realizes he managed to come away unscathed.

How had he known about the Shock Matrix Rods? He is fairly certain that he has never seen them before. Not in this form, anyways. And yet, the information he had about them is more precise than he thought he could hope for. As he quickly gets back to his feet, dusts himself and looks around, the doctor's brain gives him the flash of insight necessary to comprehend his sudden knowledge.

It was not information, but rather data. Details as the All-Seeing Prochorus sees all details. The very blueprints of existence.

The realization goes as quickly as it came, however, since Higura has much more pressing matters on his hands. "Miss Nanaret!" He calls out, once the Lunar utters his name. Pushing away more debris to get out of his hiding place as swiftly as possible, Higura scans the area carefully. "I am in here!" He bellows, to let Nanaret know of his position. Inwardly, a great wave of relief washes over him as he hears her voice, meaning she is allright. He has no time to expound upon this for now, but the sound of her calling is a very reassuring thing for him.

"Mister Irjin! Are you here? Did you come out all right? We need to regroup with the others as quickly as possible and do something about this weapon!" The doctor calls, as he steps out into the street, just in time to catch sight of people converging towards his position. Apparently, the new effort to thwart Jedevra's weapon would assemble around him.

Prochorus had not foreseen this.

But then again, his time in the world had taught him that Fate is not so hardbound as people would think.

[Private to Gatekeeper:

22:11, Today: Yaishin Higura rolled 4 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,8,3,4,2,8,5,7. Join Battle.

21:54, Today: Yaishin Higura rolled 5 successes using 6d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,10,2,10,8,3. Stamina + Resistance +1 wp. 6 Successes, so I suppose Higura takes no damage! Somehow :o]

Arashi's chariot/Talia:

Crash goes Arashi's already partially damaged chariot into the nearest warehouse door, as workers and Freerunners scramble in before the shock field can reach them. Of the Freerunners, few manage to survive unscathed, having already weathered shock pike barrages and incendiary smoke. They are made of hardy stuff, though, and hardly complain, not even Misteena who gets caught by the lightning while halfway wedged through a window, taking greater damage.

The chariot itself appears to still be in working order despite the current that just jolted it, though for how long it is unsure. The worse problem is one of the wounded Freerunners still inside it, whose unconscious condition has worsened in the wake of the Shock Matrix attack. Arashi looks at Talia, indicating Stone Jaw, slumped back and breathing shallowly. "Can you help him at all? He looks bad." [Private to Talia Zerith: I'll assume you do if you don't post yourself, you should just need a 1 sux on Medicine roll to ensure he won't immediately die, but he'll need more medical attention later.]

Crane just huddles in the chariot, whimpering. "Why me? Why here??"

Gulda/Workers/23:

Not every worker makes it to complete safety, but a good amount do, thanks to the warning. The laborer folk are still tougher than ordinary citizens, most certainly, but they still take enough of a shock for it to rattle them. Most sustain at least minor burns. Many are stunned by the experience, whether physically or mentally, their morale briefly flagging. Then there are the still bodies, the few that couldn't make it inside. The ones Immy doesn't want to look at.

Silence reigns... then someone starts singing again. And another, and another, staggering to their feet, raising their voices. Gulda is with them, as well. They remember the song of the Kestrel, the young, brave Pink-Hair, the song of the sky and the sun and the plains and the open air. Someone peeks through a window and shouts, "There she is!" Seeing she is safe, a stream of workers hurries out to join her outside as she runs to Higura and Irjin. Some workers remain to put out fires, but their priority is to fight, and they're clearly more fond of Immy than 23 at the moment. (For better or for worse.) [Private to Number Twenty Three; Immaculate Kestrel: Since I didn't mention a benefit before, let's say Immy's singing before this point swelled the worker ranks to Magnitude 3 or about ~100. Some passed out / possibly died, reducing the number (but not Magnitude) slightly, but a larger part is stunned and unable to move till tick 11(5 tick delay). If you move toward engagement without letting them recover you'll only be at Magnitude 2. Otherwise you can rouse the full Magnitude 3 group.]

Xurizu's spell:

Almost as soon as the lightning recedes, Xurizu (whom we will assume had leapt off the chariot) directs his titan's freezing breath toward the half-scale at the intersection of Glass and Sunder. Not expecting a sorcerer among the workers, they fail to scramble out of the way. Only their gunzosha armor keeps them from freezing entirely as the ice crystallizes over their bodies, and the titan's shout shoves them backward forcefully. But even so, the cold seeps through the protective plates, into their skin, into their bones. The chill slows their speed and movements. (Half Scale 1-2a has collectively taken 1L damage, has movement halved and speed of actions increased by 1.)

After the spell fades, Xurizu finds himself accosted by a pair of quarter-beast sisters he remembers as Jambiya and Rampuri. Puri is wounded more deeply than her sister, but both are still battle-ready. "You're a sorcerer too eh? We're gonna guard you. Only seems right. You can be our firepower," says Biya with a sharp nod. [Private to Ledaal Xurizu: Almost forgot! you got a +2 stunt. Actually no let's make it +3 (doesn't change the result unfortunately) I did really like that you included a bit of Sienna flashback. :)]

Everyone else:

Close to Higura, Irjin brushes himself off, having wisely followed Higura's advice as well. He coughs at the dust that flies off from his efforts, then says, "Do not worry for me. I am fine. Immy," he turns to the young pink-haired Night Caste, "meet Higura, and Nanaret." The former is the brown-haired man in glasses and the green coat, and the latter is the one that just caught up: a lithe, dusk-skinned woman with short dark hair, clad in dark colors and carrying a sectioned staff of steel and curiously silver chain links. "Good work gathering the workers. Whatever we're doing, let's do it fast. Where's Twenty Three?"

Behind Nanaret, several more Freerunners led by a harried but determined looking Klaxon run into the area. "That was... crazy! Just crazy! We're going to stop that shiz, a'ite?!" At that point the workers coming out of the warehouse start assembling behind Immy, singing despite their singed wounds and shocked nerves. Klaxon looks surprised, the obvious why are they-- clearly showing in the beastman's eyes. They quiet down only slightly when a red-head with a blue bandanna and a splash of orange paint across her grey coat, shoulders her way to the head of the group. "Gulda Marin. Free Workers, reporting and ready to go!"

[Private to Kilani Sorune: I didn't want to assume Ghibari would follow Nanaret, so you can post him showing up here if you like. As for Kilani, she's still frozen; I'll post more about her when I get to Jedevra's turn.]

---

OOC: We'll say you're all about 80 yards from the target intersection right now, give or take a few yards. It could still take up to 10 ticks to actually *reach* the intersection (less, if you have higher Dex). Most of you are at Higura's position just off Marble street. Xurizu is on the opposite side of Marble Street from him. Talia is still inside a warehouse in this area with Arashi and a few Freerunners on the chariot.

Remember you may post in whatever order is comfortable for you, but I'll resolve actual actions in the following tick order (summarizing 4-6 ticks, usually). Since we're in tick time though, too much conversation will make me advance ticks, so keep your talking short.

actions
tick 0 - 23
tick 1 - Scale 1-1
tick 4 - Jedevra, Nanaret
tick 5 - Higura, Immy, Freerunners(w/Arashi)
tick 6 - Xurizu, Kilani, Ghibari, Irjin, Freerunners(w/Klaxon), Scale 1-2, Workers(w/Gulda), all other citizens
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:13, Wed 12 Aug 2009.

Jedevra, floating atop the battlefield, is an easy target for those with ranged weapons. She does not seem concerned by this, protected by her suit of custom red jade armor with tailor fit, articulated parts, right down to the taloned boots and shield gauntlets. The flaming Essence wings emitted by her pinions, and the beak-like shape of her visored helm complete the look of a garda bird in human form.

She too clasps a pike weapon, but hers is not like the factory made shock pikes and their special rod assemblies. This is an exquisite weapon of gilded red jade, a wickedly barbed spear shaft with a head of pure flame, like a mix of dire spear and fire lance. The opposite end has a blade as well, more like a naginata than a spear, this one purely jade forged rather than flame-wrought.

"They have sorcerers," Jedevra states once she has switched off her pectoral. (This means only Kilani can hear the following.) "Perhaps we may even capture some of the Uncollared. Half Scale 1-2a, assume skirmish formation and pull back from sorcerers' line of sight. 1-2b, maneuver to join and reform Scale 1-2. Bring 2-5 in to replace 2-4 and execute clockwise replacement. 2-2, you will replace 1-2 in recharging the Shock Matrix on Glass Street perimeter. Go!"

What the Exalts and allies watching the intersection from afar will see is that the soldiers hit by Xurizu's ice-attack are starting to pull back from the intersection, shielded by the surrounding buildings. On one hand this will make it more difficult to target them with spells or ranged attacks--on the other hand, it does mean they are delayed from Shock Matrix deployment, if even for a short time. (OOC: it will still take 6 ticks for 1-2a, the unit hit by Xurizu, to pull out. Also certain spells / area effect weapons can work regardless of line of sight....)

Jedevra then directs a single powerful command to Kilani. "Ready your bow. I will not say it twice!" She is still standing on Glass Street between Marble and Sunder with Scale 1-1. The civilians 1-1 was dealing with at Glass and Sunder are all subdued -- or dead.

[Private to Kilani Sorune: Kilani can actually see a few of the soldiers briefly shocked, surprised, even doubtful after having fired that matrix weapon. None of the others are close enough to notice, but she has a feeling those few are actually hesitating on using such incredible power on civilians. The soldiers are still committed to following Jedevra's commands at this moment, though! As well as protecting themselves from the militant workers and Exalts!

Unfortunately Kilani's still stuck under Jedevra's compulsion. So she can't say anything... only obey and hope the workers, Exalts etc. will see that not all the soldiers are happy to slaughter.]

Relieved at being reunited with his companions, Higura seems visibly heartened at the sight of the newly assembled group, and nods his approval silently. Once introduced, the doctor inclines his head, taking a step forward to speak.

"It is a pleasure meeting you, although I wish it was under most auspicious circumstances. Well, we work with what we have, so let us try to make the best of this encounter, if you would." Once again, time is of the essence. There is not much leeway, with the short charging times of the Shock Matrix Rods - and this would be especially true now, with Jedevra knowing that a Sorcerer is among the rioters, and her no doubt wanting to fire again as soon as possible.

"We do not have much time, so I will summarize what I know as briefly as possible." Removing his spectacles to clean the dust and soot from them, the doctor begins to speak, his tone hurried but methodical. "The Shock Matrix Rods are a weapon that use a certain type of formation to create a shock attack over a wide area of effect, as you have seen. Since we do not have the time to fight and destroy all of them before they fire again, so I foresee two options ahead of us; Either we disrupt enough of the Matrix Rods to poke a hole in their formation and thus break the pattern, or we directly try to incapacitate the person who is coordinating the attack."

"Believe it or not, the last strike was not meant to be a lethal one necessarily - it was not at full power. Which means that most of the rioters... Will not survive a second attack. If we allow this nightmarish weapon to fire again, then many lives will be lost."

Higura pauses, then looks to the faces around him, his expression resolute. "I believe our best bet would be to try to attempt both at the same time. This would mean that one group would be responsible of disabling, incapacitating or even swaying enough of the Peace Force so that they will lay down their own rods and break the pattern, while another group would be responsible to strike at the head of the snake - Lady Jedevra."

"Are am I not certain what you all think of this, or what your strengths and weaknesses are... But that is my initial idea, for what it is worth."

Xurizu nods in greeting to Jambiya and Rampuri.  "Very much appreciated," he said, as he tried to assess the result of the attack.  It didn't seem to have slowed their withdrawl much, beyond the chill it had inflicted.  They were heavily armoured troops.  His eyes were drawn up then to the Garda Bird in red, who was no doubt co-ordinating and directing the movements from her place on high.  He looks across to Higura, starting to talk with Immaculate Kestrel and 23 and the others.  Whatever they plan, it would go better if she wasn't up there to observe it all and direct a counter-response.

The answer was fairly obvious.  "We're going to pull back a little ourselves," he says to his two protectors, withdrawing up the street away from the soldiers.  Between the need to replace the squad he had targeted, and the extra distance they had just put on, it would be hard for the peace force to actually engage him with their Shock Pikes without a foolhardy charge.

Then he starts to focus again, flashes of emerald and silver appearing within the shadows that wreathed him as he begins to forge one of his wickedly barbed chains...

[Private to Gatekeeper: moving til I'm about 100 yards from the intersection (as I wait for my tick), which should mean any squad has to venture very far from the perimeter to actually attack Xurizu, then starting to cast Flying Guillotine]

Showing yourself to a generally panicking Kestrel may not, always, be a good idea. She has little enough control as it is; emerging, like some dusty, forgotten giant from rubble and stone makes you a) look like you just survived a horrible blow, reminding her that b) she thought you really, really, really might be dead, like (don't think it) (no) (don't think it) but you were c) really very alive and right in front of her! making you d) a good target. Irjin, therefore, is summarily pounced on half-crushed (she isn't that strong, really), and treated to the general, probably-rather-familiar feeling of having an Immy on your back.

"Irjinirjinirjinirjin I thought you were dead but you're not you're ok you're ok 23 is back in the warehouse over there he looked alright why are you so dusty it couldn't have been nice" little puffs of pulverized stone begin scattering off his fur in time to her open-palm slaps "and, and, and who is this is he another one of the Water Celestials there're another two who came over with Arashi just now oh and Arashi's alright too I saw her before I jumped out of the building and, and..." breath. This. This was the person who shouted, right? "if you know how to stop this tell me! It hurt everyone! Some people aren't getting up anymore!"

And she just barely manages to keep still long enough for Yaishin's words--or, to be specific, for particular bits of them. Will not survive a second attack. was key. Disabling the Peace Force was another. (She wanted to kill Jederva, to reach her and bring her down in sword and gold... but she couldn't could she? She couldn't fly, not yet. Her wings were clipped.)

(But then, who said you needed to fly to reach?)

crash

There was a staircase up, of course. There was one back then, too. Back when... oh, back when they rescued Crane, right? Back before the, the, the Shock Matrix started, before the streets were filled with

(dead)

people, smoking people, burning people, when she was carving a prayer to the little god

(Thirty-Seven)

And that was only one god out of... a hundred? A hundred hundred? B23 was huge, and now it was devastated; so much of it was torn, burnt, charred, smoking, spoilt and

(dead)

because of the Dragons, because of the Dragons. This happened to everything they touched! She wasn't stupid; she knew why the surface world got lost. They blamed her, they blamed her kind, but that wasn't it, was it? The Dragons were ruling the place, and they lost it, and now they were doing the same thing to the Coils, too, except this time they wouldn't just give up and go away. They had to make sure everyone died, too, chain everything, kill everything, because that's the only way they could be happy

(she reached the top of the stairs. The window up was but a jump away; the rooftop, another.)

and it wasn't fair. Why were they always in the position of power? Why did the Celestials always have to come from beneath? They were Celestials. She knew that name. Celestials were the names of the things in the  sky, that were above everything else. Why were they always below?

The shard-and-steel storm of Thirty-seven began to swirl around her, and she was running, running across the rooftops of B23. From up here, she could see everything, and everything wasn't what she wanted. Below her, behind her, the masses of workers gathered; but they weren't all that should be there, no. Countless others were (dead) dead, lying dead on the streets or in the houses or, or Sol knows where else, and, and.... oh, by the Gods. There were so many. There were so many. Over there, where the other party of workers had marched... there were so many.

(And all about her, a thousand thousand buildings burned.)

This.. this wasn't... no. No. For this, her song is of grief; of mourning, and loss, and a slow, puzzled wounded hurt. Look, soldiers, look upon the street of your city; why are they so littered with dead? Look upon the hearths and homes of your brethren; why are they burning?

(You were to keep the peace of this city. Must this how it be kept? With lightning, and fire, and death to one and all? These were children, and children's children, the same as you and yours. These were men and women who have suffered, long and hard, beneath the Dragon's yoke; all they wanted was just a little fairness in their lives. All they wanted were the same things as you do; a bit of happiness, and a bit of hope.)

(There is, perhaps, no voiced chorus to her song; she does not know if the workers, the. the still-living workers, will pick it up and sing along--but this time, perhaps, there is no need for such. Fires crackle. Things burn. The moans of the wounded, the stench of singed hair--they all hang heavy in the air, a beautiful testament to the Shock Matrix's frightening power. Once more, they say, and a hundred deaths upon you.)

And here is when her voice cracks a little, and her essence takes over; her anima flares, rising to wrap her in shadow and mist, and a broken, tattered bride climbs out of her fire to stand before the world. Her eyes are red and weeping, behind her failing veils; and in her hand, she holds a sword, which she lifts to point at the soaring Dragon.

Oh, yes. That was why. That was why.

Singing her dirge, Kestrel sprints across the rooftops, heading for the glowing speck in the sky.

[OOC: Buying 5. 00:32, Today: Immaculate Kestrel rolled 7 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,8,9,10,10,2,1,8,1,6. My gift is my song. 7 + 5 = 12 successes.

Total spent: 17m, 1 wp. Personal 8/15 (7 committed, scenelongs), Peripheral 21/35 (4 committed, artifacts), WP 8/9. Compassion Channels: 2/5, Conviction Channels: 3/4  Damage: 1B

Stop killing so many people! You know this isn't what keeping the peace should be! They are just like you.]
This message was last edited by the player at 17:17, Fri 14 Aug 2009.

Nanaret tenses up slightly when the pink-haired girl she now knows is named 'Immy' unexpectedly flies at and clings on Irjin with a deluge of panicked words. She'd never seen the girl before in her life, so is a bit taken aback.

Still, the dusky Lunar cannot help but sympathize with the urgency Immy feels, though perhaps her heart does not ache so acutely for the plight of the people. Not that Nanaret is lacking in compassion. Her body and her mind knows and remembers plenty about wrongful deaths and innocent lives exploited, and has burned for years for the chance to change such things! But she also knows that charging recklessly may help even less, and thus swallows back her fury, if only for a moment longer.

She listens to Higura, long fingers curling and uncurling from her steel-and-moonsilver weapon, then contributes: "I met giant talking mole that brought down our chariot. Said he could dig passage go underground. Safer from there maybe, for those going toward front line, if he get here fast enough. If not, take Free Workers" (were they really with Free? Irjin had said otherwise, but no time to question now) "down side street I came from, meet Peace Force at perimeter."

"Do not hurt Ghibari. Thought stopping us would stop Peace Force attack. He wants free his mistress Kilani. Burning woman owns her. She is Collared." Her teeth bare as she spits this out, angry that the Terrestrials would dare employ another slave Celestial in their midst! But she is not angry for long, for Kestrel soon flies off on her own, and Nanaret thinks quickly.

"Doctor Higura, I must go now. I not think good for brave girl go singing alone to her death." Suddenly Higura finds himself yanked toward the wiry-muscled Lunar by the lapel. She kisses him fiercely, possessively and proud, and in the next moment is gone, following the trail Immy blazes as her sorrowful anima shines upon the rooftops. "I try take speech making artifact from Force Leader!" she shouts as her last parting words. Perhaps it would reach the pink-haired girl as well.

No more talking. Nanaret focuses on the task of keeping up with Kestrel's frenetic pace, taking the same staircase in leaps and bounds, hurling herself from window to rooftop. Her limbs, wiry and lean and enviably flexible, pump powerfully to propel her across the flat rooftops of B23's warehouses and factories, her eyes ever focused on that bouncing head of pink hair while Immy focuses on the burning-winged figure in the sky. When her feet cannot reach the next landing, she catches it with her hands, her monkey-tail helping her tenuous balance as she climbs up tooth and nail, hauls herself back to her feet and springs forward again.

The frenzy builds in her, as Ranavalona rises to the occasion. The thrill of the hunt, the rhythmic drumbeat of the heart, blood heating in anticipation of the fight. Footsteps pounding relentlessly, sweat slicked from the skin by displaced air as the chase builds to its crescendo. Every jump is a leap of faith, a test of resolve. Whether for the challenge of Jedevra, or concern for Kestrel, Nanaret does not stop until she reaches her goal.

[Private to GM: Nana will activate Relentless Lunar Fury as soon as she is close enough to either jump for Jedevra or catch up with her after Immy, or Xurizu's spell or whatever knocks her down to the ground. :P

Also my last two paragraphs are an Athletics stunt if we're doing an extended roll!]
This message was last edited by the player at 22:50, Fri 14 Aug 2009.

Talia does her best to aid the injured man, but her own wounds make it difficult to concentrate, requiring her to expend more of her already depleted essence.  Through the noise and pain and chaos, one thought rises above all others.  "I will not give up.  I will not surrender.  I will not go back."
"I don't know what else I can do.  I'm afraid I won't be much use in the fighting.  I guess if I survive I can help put people back together."

And from somewhere in the back of her mind, rises a voice from the distant past, winding around her thoughts like a poisonous fog, like a serpent.
<You wouldn't be in this sad state if you had listened to me.  But you were always so stubborn, so afraid to reach out and take what you wanted.>
"Shut up, Mei."
<I suppose it wouldn't matter so much; even if you had been willing to learn, there's no reason to expect that you would have any talent.
You are very nearly out of options.  But then, I suppose dying here would count as escape, after a fashion.
On the other hand, perhaps you should hand control over to someone who has the will to do what must be done.  Give me the body.>
"Never."
Talia waits.  If a moment arises when she can act, she will act.  Until then she will wait.  One thing is certain, in her mind.  She will not be taken back.
[Private to GM: 22:16, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 2 successes using 3d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,7,4.  Damage
22:11, Today: Talia Zerith botched using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,1,6,1,6,3,3. medicine. +2m periph essence to 2nd medicine excellency. 1sux
22:11, Today: Talia Zerith rolled 1 success using 4d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,9,1,5. Sta+resist. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:01, Sat 15 Aug 2009.

"Do forgive me for that." Replied Gibhari, the huge mole creature bowing its head. "You will find I can dig quite  fast for digging, as fast as any of you might walk upon the earth. But we must act quickly." And immediately he dove into the dirt (or whenever his next action is, I can't tell), and rapidly began to burrow down, then toward the Peace Force.

Anyone who might jump down the tunnel with the mole would find the earth being compacted and kicked back at an astounding rate by his huge claws: the mole was carving a passage three men wide and one and a half tall at a rate of nearly four yards per second.

-----

For Kilani, the world was too blurry from welling tears for sight to give her any information now. She managed a faint squeak with effort at the order, visibly gritting her teeth, hands and arms trembling as she fought, but the bow came up, and drew back, an arrow readied. She couldn't see where to aim. Her head gave a horrified shake, and her only relieve was that she'd brought nothing but Fowling Arrows.

On the rooftops (Immy, Nanaret)

Immaculate Kestrel, followed relentlessly by Nanaret, advance across the rooftops in leaps and bounds. From that height they have a bird's eye view of the streets below: the fires, the fallen...

Kestrel, sensitive to the suffering of others, sings her dirge for the citizens that could not make it to safety. Fewer than her horrified mind thinks have actually died... already, some of the stronger citizens struggle to their knees. But few if any have any insane panic or desire to revolt left in them. They kneel, put away their weapons, docile and afraid. They crawl, limping and shuddering, into the safety of buildings. [Private to Immaculate Kestrel: You get a +3 on your Performance, total 14 sux. You'll have to keep singing every action to wear the soldiers' willpower down. At the same time you need to keep rolling Dex+Athletics (with multiple action penalties, I'll leave it up to you if Performance or Athletics gets the -2 or the -3) until you get a cumulative 10 successes. If you stunt Dex+Ath in your next post, it will count for the entire extended roll series. But if you ever botch, you fall!]

Nanaret, singlemindedly focused, does not look down for long enough to be distracted by the plight of the people below. Her only intent is to catch up to Kestrel, and join her in the close range assault. [Private to Saina Nanaret: +3 for your extended Dex+Athletics roll to run and jump across rooftops. Keep rolling repeatedly until you get a cumulative 10 successes. If you ever botch, you fall!]

Pulling back on Marble Street (Xurizu)

Jambiya and Rampuri follow Xurizu in pulling back. "Gah, the soldiers," Puri says, squinting toward the intersection, "they're clearing the intersection!" They don't know much at all about how sorcery works, though, so trust that Xurizu has some way to bypass their cover. They do their best not to disturb his preparations with distractions; Irjin has taught that lesson well.

Meanwhile, emerald Essence builds in the heart of Xurizu's penumbral anima, as tendrils of shining silver form between his fingers into a solidified chain like shape. He focuses on the floating, jade-clad form of Winglord Jedevra, framed by burning wings. [Private to Ledaal Xurizu: Since you're aiming upward at a diagonal, you probably couldn't have moved much further back. In any case, you should be able to release your spell in the next action!]

Marble/side street intersection (Higura, Ghibari, Irjin+Freerunners, Gulda+workers)

The majority of workers and Freerunners are still standing outside at the intersection of Marble and the minor cross street. Irjin (still staggering slightly from weathering Immy's concern for him) watches pink-hair run off with Nanaret in tow, shaking his head slightly. "We'll have to do our best to support them from below --"

Then the huge mole speaks up out of nowhere, looming above the gathered group. Many workers are startled, but Gulda Marin shouts, "Hold, you idiots!" They quiet down to listen to Ghibari say his piece, though remain speechless as the mole-god starts tearing right through the street and into the underground. "What're you waiting for?! We're headed underground with the big guy! Let's go!"

"Wait," Irjin belays that action hastily. "I need about twenty, twenty-five of your strongest. Can you spare them? They'll join our above-ground assault group. Higura, we could use some of your level-headed leadership, I will be distracted with offensive sorcery. Long range wielders should take position to aim at the Peace Force leader. Once we've softened the opposition a bit we'll start to advance, using the buildings as cover."

"Ha--I'm enough for five people, but I'm leading the underground charge. How about your people, Rivanto. You heavy lifters are beefy enough for the task. Go with the Freerunners, the rest of us are headed down!" Gulda starts arranging the remaining workers into teams as the remaining 70+ armed workers start streaming into the hole that Ghibari makes for them.

Rivanto, a sturdy, dark-skinned man with his dark hair in dreadlocks, says, "I think this warehouse has a couple bipedal lifting machines to spare. We'll grab what we can and come along!" Several workers move toward the building Arashi crashed into, while the rest join Irjin, Klaxon and Freerunners in organizing the assault team.

Inside Marble/side street warehouse (Talia, Arashi+Freerunners)

Talia manages to stabilize Stone Jaw, though it takes more effort than she would have liked. Arashi looks deeply relieved. "I'm not sure it's going to be safe in here... but Jaw is definitely not going to be able to move on his own. Damn!"

Arashi glances out the warehouse window. "We have to join them. But it'll be easier for us to take cover on foot than on the chariot..." She is still hesitating when Rivanto's people enter, but finally says, "Backing out!" She restarts the chariot with Talia, Jaw and four other Freerunners still on it, pulling out into the side street where Higura, Irjin and the workers are dispersing. "If you've got any better ideas say em! Just don't feel right leaving Jaw here alone!"

Glass and Marble intersection (Kilani, Jedevra, Scales 1-1, 1-2, 2-2)

There is hesitation in the ranks of Burning Feather, particularly among the un-Exalted. They hear Immaculate Kestrel's dirge song, some of them shivering with guilt and uncertainty. Still, they collectively push aside those nagging feelings, and execute Jedevra's orders: 1-1 and 1-2 on either side of Glass and Marble, 2-2 preparing the Shock Matrix Rods along with several other units throughout the perimeter. (They are 2 WP down from Immy's song and Kilani's influence.)

The Winglord activates her shield bracers, seeing the Anathema expending Essence to oppose her: Kestrel on the rooftops, glowing with her tattered bride anima, and the distant telltale glow of Xurizu's sorcery. "Kilani, you see there?" Floating above her, Jedevra draws the collared Chosen's attention to Xurizu. "Fire your arrows on that Anathema there. Men like him, who do not submit to the collar, are the reason why this riot needs to be put down!"

"Scalelord Aurin, the Essence Twister should be able to reach the Anathema and his little gathering band. Disable them while the Shock Matrix recharges!"

---

OOC: actions
tick 9 - Jedevra, Scales 1-1 and 2-2
tick 10 - Higura
tick 11 - Xurizu (cast spell), Kilani (ordered to attack Xurizu), Talia, all other groups

23 is holding action (s/he hasn't posted so I don't know if 23 is with Higura, Irjin or Arashi).
Immy and Nanaret are running since tick 5; their extended roll will determine their next tick.
Ghibari, Gulda and workers won't reach Glass and Marble till tick 26.
Shock Matrix will be recharged at tick 24!
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:13, Wed 19 Aug 2009.

step step step step

Can you dance? Here's the music: there's a cacophony of steps on the roof, trailing shuddering jingles along its trail. The steps are simple: one foot forward, one foot back. Lift one, put it in front of the other, and let it fall; repeat. Three steps only. Try not to slip; its a really long fall.

(She used to work on the balance beams as a child; one hand up, one hand parallel, running, always running, never looking at the ground. "There is, my dear, no other ground. The beam is a floor, isn't it? It comes between you and something else." And this was true, for all the floors in the Coils.)

Of course, there are barriers in her way, but she ignores them; jumps, tucks, leaps, rolls. She's done all this before. There is no other ground. There is a floor below this one; but then, there always is, isn't it? Why should that make her afraid?

step step step step

Her anima doesn't mirror her moments; her mind is on something else. She is dancing the danse macabre, and her eyes are sharp and accusing: This is my wedding, and there was no groom. So will a thousand, thousand other women now; prospective brides and mothers, besides fathers and sons, lying dead and cooked on the cold cold floor. Hundreds more will never marry, because they were born on the wrong floor, perhaps, and never had the chance to see the other; but that was normal, wasn't it? Dragons have to marry Dragons, and chattel must marry chattel, and if they never actually met, well, that was alright. All they had to do was breed.

(Immy doesn't look at her anima. She doesn't like it. It's too real, and it says things she doesn't want to see.)

But she does sing, and the ghostly woman follows. Step. Step. Step by step. Her dance is different, but it's also very simple; you could do it, if you wished. It comes natural to everyone who's drowning; it tastes of opium and the poppy-dream, and a slow gentle falling into pale faces and black water.

(There is a gap between the roofs, and she soars forth, legs stretching, one hand forward and braced to take the impact of the fall. She catches the ground between hand and elbow, letting it roll along the curve of her arm, and throws it off her with a gentle flick of her hand. Feet were better for running.)

(Her lungs hurt, but she had to sing; it was that or die, and the words came, readily enough, to her whispering voice. This is enough. This is enough.)



[OOC: Channeling Compassion for both, then. -2 to the Ath roll, -3 to the Perform roll.

10:19, Today: Immaculate Kestrel rolled 7 successes using 12d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,8,3,7,8,3,7,10,8,6,2,5. And this one's for you.

10:18, Today: Immaculate Kestrel rolled 9 successes using 12d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,4,9,10,6,10,1,7,9,6,4,10. Crap forgot the penalty.
You rolled 3 successes using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 2,8,9,1,6,8,2. Um. Another DexAth roll, in case.

Total spent: 11m, 3 wp. Personal 8/15 (7 committed, scenelongs), Peripheral 27/35 (4 committed, artifacts), WP 6/9. Compassion Channels: 0/5, Conviction Channels: 3/4  Damage: 1B]
This message was last edited by the player at 16:36, Mon 17 Aug 2009.

Kilani, still horrified by the results of the mass shock attack and her inability to stop it, feels herself raising her arms and aiming at the mass of shifting, multicolored Essence that obscures Xurizu's presence. Her arms shake, her fingers slippery, and yet she cannot disobey. Mechanically she picks one of her fowling arrows, aims and fires, the arrow arcing toward Xurizu's center of mass, where she may have the most chance of at least striking some part of him and disrupting his spell.

After all it is Winglord Jedevra's will, and the Collar compels her. [Private to Ledaal Xurizu: After counting your anima effect the fowling arrow coming for you is only a 5 sux attack. Of course you're at -2 DV for casting.]

[Private to Kilani Sorune: sorry for usurping your character, but that's the collar speaking. Also Xurizu may have been waiting for you to post and roll an attack. Anyway I just rolled 1 vanilla archery attack of 11 dice. You got 6 sux -1 for Xurizu's anima effect so 5 sux. Probably missed, fortunately for Kilani's conscience.

As for Ghibari... he's stuck digging, and will keep digging for several more actions (till tick 26 as mentioned above). There may be some fast forwarding of ticks though to make the wait lesser.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:56, Tue 18 Aug 2009.