Damnit, they have an archer, was the thought that occurs first to Xurizu as he noticed the arrow flying towards him after he'd taken the steps to pull well out of Shock Pike range.  His second thought was the rather more urgent.  Damnit, they have an archer and they're shooting at me!  Casting a spell didn't leave that much room for dodging either.  Thankfully, he didn't really have to have that much room for dodging, all he had to do was make sure it hit the thicker parts of the armour he was wearing and hopefully it would deflect right off...

With that thought in mind, Xurizu twisted like the snake that was his totem animal, presenting his best side to the arrow!
[Private to Gatekeeper: DDV is 3 after the sorcery penalty.  B soak is 12, B hardness (might be relevant if she has a normal bow) is 5.  If possible I'd like him to have some light cover, since there could be another matrix burst, but if he didn't have chance with the moving, that's fine.]

23 glances up occasionally at Kestrel as sie walks fowards, weaving around the groups of people until the front. There's a moment where Burning Feather, collectively, glances up at Kestrel...

...and 23 vanishes. (Not that they noticed hir in the first place, amongst the crowds.)


There's a soldier moving towards Burning Feather. Must have been caught in the blast, they were a bit too far forward. But he (or she)'s recovered and is staggering back into formation...(Or is it a beggar or slum-dweller, trying to escape but moving in a stupid direction? Either way, they're not important. We have better things to be concerned about, don't we? And who cares about those sorts?)

They're supposed to be stationed near the twister, aren't they? Obviously. Needs more people around, just in case. And it's better to keep her (or was it him?) behind it, in case...no point wasting troops. They've already been hit once by it, accidentally. Right? Right.

[Private to Gatekeeper: Underling Invisibility Practice. 23's moving towards the twister, at a fast but nonsuspicious rate.]

Unlike Immaculate Kestrel, Nanaret's progress across the rooftops continues in intense, concentrated silence. She runs, leaps, tumbles and runs again, her footsteps pounding with the beat of her blood.

Ranavalona is cackling with glee, reminiscing. The Queen's Hunt in the deep jungle had been her idea. A hunt not merely for prey, for food, but a contest in which predator hunted predator, purely for the prize of their fur and bones and the prestige of the kill. Her favorite pastime, though, was releasing humans to be hunted down. Those who managed to evade death joined her side as hunters and leaders of the savage men and half-beasts she spawned.

It takes all Nanaret's effort to keep up with Immy at first. She is inwardly impressed at how limber and daring the young Solar is, dancing across precarious footing with hardly a care, as if she'd been born to this role. Had she seen her perform before, cartwheeling high up on a tight rope, swinging across a great divide on a glittering trapeze? Their spheres of entertainment may well have overlapped; the circus performer and the gladiatrix, the Collared Anathema pleasing the gawking crowds.

But the only crowds in this venue are civilians who would die if they failed. Nanaret bares her teeth and pushes onward, bounding across the next several rooftops, propelling herself between them with running jumps as her legs and arms pump the air to maximize distance. She never clutches to another ledge or balcony, landing well past them onto stable footing, setting off toward the next roof before her rhythm and momentum are lost.

In time she pulls even with Kestrel, and calls out to the singing, mourning Solar as they run. "I am with you. I help you fight burning woman and army." They are close now, they must be. Ranavalona knows, smiling her own inward, jagged-toothed smile; she yearns to be released, and that Nanaret will not only concede, but embrace her.

[Private to GM: 10:31, Today: Saina Nanaret rolled 10 successes using 14d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,5,6,4,7,8,9,10,8,10,1,2,6,7. Dex+Ath(2).
10:30, Today: Saina Nanaret rolled 4 successes using 14d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,4,5,7,9,5,1,3,8,6,4,7,3,2. Dex+Ath(1)]
This message was last edited by the player at 14:50, Thu 17 Sept 2009.

Marble Street, 100 yards from Glass (Xurizu)

The fowling arrow finds its mark... very nearly. Xurizu twists at the last moment, and Kilani's arrow streaks just past him, underneath his armpit, impacting with the floor a scant yard away. A close call. The strands of Essence he weaves waver slightly, but strengthen as he returns his attention to the shaping, bringing it to an inevitable conclusion... [Private to Ledaal Xurizu: Oh oops. I rolled damage, but actually, you should have made it. +1 stunt, and +1 from 25% hard cover. I figured any more than that would be too much since you need to have an unobstructed view yourself to cast your spell. Anyway I already rolled Wits+Occult for you and you passed. I'll let you post and roll for the actual casting of the spell. :)]

Marble/side street intersection (Higura, Talia, Irjin+Freerunners, Rivanto+workers)

Arashi finishes pulling the chariot out of the warehouse, followed by two pairs of workers manning bipedal lifting machines. A design based on a warstrider, but adapted for mundane use, they carry no weapons but are considerably bulky and strong. They flank the chariot, joining the group amassing about 20 yards in front of Xurizu's position.

Irjin and the four Freerunner launcher wielders (Basso, Heldra, Lucky Break and Crank) board the chariot still carrying Talia and the wounded. The Freerunner leader immediately begins to chant, evoking the Howling Word as icy tendrils of wind wreathe his body. The launchers aim up at Jedevra, hoping for a clear shot in case Xurizu's spell and the combined efforts of Immy and Nanaret somehow fail to bring her down.

As for the remaining 'Runners, and the workers with Rivanto, they look to Higura for any last suggestions. He would have to lead the charge.

Moving across Marble Street (23)

Twenty Three crosses Marble Street swiftly, the soldiers unconcerned, perhaps even expecting hir coming. The workers see an unfortunate fool stumbling right toward the soldiers' intersection -- "should someone warn 'im?" -- but they can't stop their plans now for one man, or woman, the Shock Matrix is too time sensitive for that. [Private to Yaishin Higura, Kilani Sorune: The only two who realize Twenty Three is not just an unimportant subordinate are Higura and Kilani. They recognize the Fate effect on the cloaked figure. This one is a Celestial like them, a Chosen of the distant, unseen stars.][Private to Number Twenty Three: since you started at tick 0, I'll assume you used an entire action for a Simple Charm, speed 6, then started moving at tick 6. At 10 yards/tick and 80 yards to go you'll reach Glass and Marble by tick 14, you'll get a cue in my next post. Careful, you may get caught in any attacks thrown at the soldiers!]

Underground tunnel (Ghibari, Gulda+workers)

Underground, Ghibari, Gulda and the workers continue to progress toward the intersection at a relatively slower pace. It is not as easy as it seems; digging involves ensuring not to sever any power sources and possibly electrocute the group, or flood the tunnel by breaking a water main. Surrounded by earth, they have no way of knowing just how the intersection will be faring when they reach it. But reach it they will!

---

OOC: Pausing now for Higura to post and Xurizu to finish spell before tick count moves forward. [Private to Immaculate Kestrel; Saina Nanaret: BTW, Immy and Nana will be able to jump for Jedevra at tick 13. Oh and Immy got a +2 for the last post! You'll both get more description in my next post.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:29, Wed 19 Aug 2009.

As Xurizu finishes shaping the spell, he has a moment to wonder if any amongst the Freerunners will recognise the spell, having previously seen it cast on friends, comrades or contacts.  By that point though, it's hanging in front of him, slicing through the shadows of his anima as it strains to be unleashed on its target.  Half-wreathed in the shadows, the barbs on the Guillotine gleam oddly in the aftermath of the shaping, the blades murderously sharp.

Then it is away and flying, hurtling down the down the street for a moment before it looped up into a barrel roll to get level with Jedevra, skimming the rooftops as it overtakes Kestrel and Nararet.  It rises once again and spreads wide as it nears its target, two feet of terrible and cruel metal.

Then it strikes.
[Private to Gatekeeper:
19:32, Today: Ledaal Xurizu rolled 7 successes using 9d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,4,6,9,10,10,7,9,1. Per+Occult+3 sux (FG to hit).

18 levels of damage + 10 from extra successes.  The attack is unparriable without charms/stunt, and ignores cover/shields.]

It takes a moment for Higura to get back his composure from Nanaret's bold and sudden gesture prior to her departure. Looking back towards the direction she took, the doctor watches intently, gazing at the gladiatrix as she follows the pink-haired lady across the rooftops. After a moment, he averts his glance, turning away from the rooftops to look at the workers assembling around him.

Come back safe. He thinks, as he takes a step towards the group.

"Freerunners and workers of the Earth District... I am Yaishin Higura. I once was a collared Assessor, forced to support the Peace Forces through assessments of the populace and veiled control of the Coils' citizens. And yet now I stand before you as a man freed of these chains, ready to strike against those who once owned me."

"So can you be, citizens of the Coils. Free in body and spirit, capable to step up to defend the things you value and hold dear. But there is one thing you must understand, before you step into the turmoil. When you take arms, you have the potential to cause great harm the same as you have the potential to usher in great good. It becomes easy to become lost in one's feelings of righteousness and vindication, and equally easy to lose sight of what harm one might cause in the wake of those actions."

"Your cause is noble. Your heart is in the right place. But before you follow me though this, realize one thing: we are not butchers. We are not murderers, nor architects of chaos. Your origins might be humble, but the moment you take up arms to defend your ideals and your comrades... You become a soldier. And that is how you should act when we meet the enemy in battle. Not as beserkers seeking the blood of our adversaries, nor as slaves seeking revenge. We are soldiers seeking victory from our enemies. Nothing more, and nothing less. Only then shall you be able to fight for and earn your freedom and that of your compatriots."

Higura nods, then turns towards the other groups momentarily, watching them prepare before turning back to the workers and Freerunners around him. "Our objective is simple, but dangerous. We need to approach the perimeter and prepare to weather attacks from the Peace Force, all the while preparing to partake in a coordinated charge with those going underground. That means we shall take hits. That also means I cannot ensure that we shall come out of this unscathed. This means we have to weather the assault while our comrades prepare to join us. This means great danger. But if you believe in what brought you here on this day, if you can muster the courage to step forward and meet the enemy to defend those principles... Then there is nothing the enemy can strip from you."

"From here on, you and I are brothers and sisters... And our greatest weapon is not the poisoned knife of revenge, but the stout spear of liberty." Higura draws his weapons, and, somewhere through the ripples of time, the shadow of Dusan the Mindwalker awakens.

"With me, army of the disfranchised, disenchanted and forgotten. Let us show the mettle that burns within us, and our minders have forgotten!"

And with that, the doctor leads his courageous, but dangerous charge, an unlikely leader at the head of an unlikely army.

[Private to Gatekeeper: Moving in, careful to coordinate the movement rate with the estimated arrival time of the people in the tunnels to get into a pincer attack formation. Higura is in the lead, and prepared to weather the worst of the attacks if need be.]

Marble and Glass intersection (23, Kilani, Jedevra, Burning Feather Scales)

Jedevra sees the glimmer of silver hurtling toward her, unfurling to its full length into a barbed silver chain. She holds up her energy shield and lance, crossing them before her as her flaming wings flare with renewed Essence, pushing her backward and away in a swift burst of speed. But the flying guillotine is not deterred by mere mechanical toys. It whips right around the obstacles, missing the neck but latching onto Jedevra's shoulder, looping around the armpit!

The Winglord's altitude dips dramatically as she releases the energy shield and wrenches at the barbed chain with a gauntleted hand. The chain scrapes noisily on jade plates, dragging upward until it finds flesh between the grooves and tightens further. Where her armor does not protect her, the Five Elemental Dragons respond to her Essence, lending her a portion of their resilience, but the barbs dig in stubbornly and shred skin and sinew, dissipating just short of doing crippling harm. Beneath her helmet, she seethes as hot blood drips onto her armor, red on red, and spatters onto the floor far below. [Private to Ledaal Xurizu: Base Dodge DV is 8. Her soak is 16L. This would mean 4L damage, but she actually knows Five Dragon Fortitude, reducing to 3L levels of damage. I should note though that from your distance you can't actually tell how much damage you did, if any, only that she seems to now be reconsidering making herself an obvious target. So that objective, at least, is accomplished]

Breathlessly Jedevra rapid-fires several more commands. "Kilani, keep up your arrow fire! Don't let their sorcerers attack again!" 80 yards away, Kilani sees a smaller group of rebels are organizing themselves into a procession with a gliding chariot and two bipedal machines. One of the figures standing on the chariot glows with a telltale aura of pale blue, while another in dark green toward the front appears to be calling out to the group, perhaps rallying their morale. The one who had thrown the guillotine is further back, no longer glowing. "Scale 1-1, cover me! Scale 1-1, target the Anathema on the roof! All other units hold position and increase Shock Matrix Charge to Level 2! Aurin, fire Essence Twister now!"

Though Immy's dirge tugs at their heartstrings, the soldiers obey. Streaks of energy arc across the ceiling of B23 as the shock charge ramps up visibly, surging from one side to the other like angry storm serpents. Scale 1-2 bristles, jabbing their pikes up toward the rooftops in unison, while Scalelord Aurin steps away from building cover, aiming his reclaimed Twister toward the distant rebel group.

But Aurin seems completely oblivious to the presence of a certain androgynous figure rushing right towards him... [Private to Number Twenty Three: Ok, you should reach the Scalelord RIGHT when he's about to fire. You've surprised him but still need to make the disarm roll. Fortunately you do it with his DV = 0. So roll your Dex+Martial Arts. If you get more than 3 successes you can control the Twister. (The 3 is from Aurin's Wits+Melee which got 3 sux, that's the roll for keeping one's weapon).]

On the rooftops (Immy, Nanaret)

Watching Immy and Nanaret, one may think leaping across rooftops is as easy as skipping across solid ground. They move fluidly, effortlessly, saving time with daring leaps and solid, perfect landings. If not for their lack of wings, they may as well be flying.

As they approach the final landing at a run, they see Jedevra floating lower in the air, below their current height. Deterred by Xurizu's spell, she starts shifting toward the cover of intersection buildings, but remains susceptible from an attack from above. The Fire Aspect has seen them, though. She knows they are there for her. Her visor picks out Immy's anima easily as she gives her commands, and points one of the two gunzosha units bordering Glass and Marble toward them.

Thirty shock pikes, purposefully disconnected from the Shock Matrix, aim upward and eject a salvo of crackling force blasts as soon as they come into range. Jedevra, floating behind the barrage, readies her Blaze Lance and awaits the Celestials' next move.

Immy and Nanaret may jump for her if they dare, or duck for cover! [Private to Immaculate Kestrel; Saina Nanaret: Ok, I'm doing some weird tick-fu, the timing may be a bit off. Nonetheless... 8 successes total. Damage is 14L, and you get a -1 DV if parrying. Now, if you decide to take cover you forfeit your next action but are instead at +3 DV. Otherwise you may post your next action and defense at the same time (use the DV penalty of that action). If you jump and attack though, you have to split action, same if you are singing at the same time too.]

Moving across Marble Street (Higura, Talia, Irjin+Freerunners, Rivanto+workers, Xurizu IF he joins them)

Higura's speech has both workers and Freerunners alike emboldened by his words. As he turns to lead the charge, alone in front of the few magitech vehicles they could scrounge as cover and transportation, the group of thirty-odd rebels answers him with a thunderous shout, surging toward Glass and Marble with their hearts suffused with purpose! Arashi's gliding chariot and the workers' refurbished 'striders keep level with the speed of those on foot, carrying Talia, Irjin (still shaping his spell!) and the Freerunner launchermen.

They are ready to fight. They are ready to die, if they must, to break the Shock Matrix and the Peace Force ranks while Ghibari and the larger body of workers approach from underground. "For our Freedom! For the liberation of Coils! For the rights of workers and of all citizens! For those who have died before us!!" Even at a fourth of their former numbers, they chant and sing, echoing the dirge but not the despair, for Higura's words remind them that they strive to stop the senseless murder, not to continue it!

---

OOC: actions
tick 13 - Immy, Nanaret
tick 14 - 23, Jedevra, Scale 1-2, Scale 2-2 (Shock Matrix charge)
tick 15 - Xurizu (re-enter battle after casting)
tick 16 - Higura+assault group (marching), Talia (on chariot), Irjin (cast spell)
tick 17 - Kilani (ordered to attack sorcerers!)

Scale 1-1 is holding action.
Higura, Talia, Irjin and assault group will reach Glass and Marble at tick 24.
Ghibari, Gulda+workers will reach Glass and Marble at tick 26.
Shock Matrix will be recharged at tick 24!
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:18, Sun 23 Aug 2009.

23 steps up to Aurin. Surely he should have an assistant, being a Scalelord. He doesn't have to do all this menial work himself, right?

So the assistant should very naturally be doing the work of firing it. Hm? The non-glorious, non-skilful, non-interesting, very glamourless part. Aurin, of course, gets to do the careful calibration of the device...thank you.

Poor man.

And then 23 simply turns the twister precisely a hundred and eighty degrees around. It doesn't matter that 23 doesn't know how to use this. Aurin's already done the calibration. Just point...no need to aim...and press the button.

The Twister fires.

[Private to Gatekeeper: Okay, eight successes.]

Almost there almost there almost there...

She sees the attack, of course; a blazing bridge of electric colours, falling towards her and what's her name what's her name the other girl, and in that moment a strong surge of anger awakens; how dare they stop me? There were people dying, more people dying, the Shock Matrix was growing and soon they'd fire it again, the world would boil and die and die and...

...her anima suddenly dissolves, the ethereal golds and whites of the bride and her sword fading into nothing but a twisting vortex of hungry shadows. One by one, the streaking fury of the lances dart into that consuming void... and vanish without a trace. What threat can they hold, these pitiful lights, against one who holds the Essence of the Sun? Her summoned night swallows them whole, and rolls on, slowly and deliberately, to the edge of the buildings, and splinters into a thousand pieces.

They rise up like an unnatural rain, guided by will and essence to fall into orbit about the soaring, burning figure; one after the other, they swarm around Jedevra, singing in a terrible, multi-toned voice... and coalescing into a single, dark cloud, boiling with shadows and anger. A maddened swarm of cracking power, Kestrel's anima reaches out to engulf the hapless Dragon-blooded in a cloud of erupting golds and solid gloom, and a loud ching shudders through the air as her blade reaches to find a foothold within any gap of Jedevra's armour.

"Hello, Lady Jedevra. You've killed... oh, over a hundred people today, at the least. Does that make you happy? Because, in all honesty, I'm but a simple girl; I only need one death to make me content." She giggled. It's a strange, crawling sound, and her fingernails clinks loudly against her visor. "Aw, but your eyes are covered. But that's ok. I could kill you, you know, but what I really need right now is for you to call your Peace Force off. Is that ok, Lady Jedevra? It'd be so helpful."

[OOC: Activating combo: 1wp, 3m for SSE, 9m for +2 Acc + 2 Dmg and Piercing. -2 penalty for jump flurry, right? If Jed manages to die from the attack... um. I guess Immy shrugs, says "oops", and tries to ride the body down like a surfboard with a sputtering essence engine.

You rolled 8 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((3,8,1,4,9,5,10,3,10,3,8,7,6,6,5)). Damage will be 12L Piercing, and I'm hoping it hits.

Total spent: 22m, 2 wp. Personal 0/15 (15 committed, scenelongs), Peripheral 24/35 (5 committed), WP 7/9. Compassion Channels: 0/5, Conviction Channels: 3/4  Damage: 1B

EDIT: Wrong sum for essence spent]
This message was last edited by the player at 11:49, Mon 24 Aug 2009.

Nanaret is right behind Immy, seeing her jump at Jedevra in a daring aerial attack, that dark surge of Essence surrounding and shielding her as she falls into the midst of the shock pike blasts. Survival instinct tugs at the Lunar in the split second she has to think. Duck, away from the searing energy! Away from the edge of the roof! Anything else is surely suicide.

But Nana is not a coward. Nor is she a hero, whose heart bleeds for the suffering of others. Yet here she is, risking her life for the sake of the worker class and a pink-haired girl she had just met. For the freedom of the Coils, whose masters she will never again obey.

Remember me, Higura. Protect me, hidden moon.
Now, Ranavalona, you will have blood you thirst for.

She would leave Jedevra to Immy, for now. The gladiatrix leaps toward the source of the barrage, her moonsilver staff flashing in her hands as gravity pulls her greedily downward. Falling toward the leader of the attacking scale, she deflects shot after shot on the sections of her Solar-forged weapon, spinning and whirling to protect her face, upper body and arms. They cannot touch her. No one can touch her, the hunter plunging straight as a silver arrow toward her prey!

Nanaret lifts Sixth Coil overhead, folded in half and snapped straight as a rod, and brings it down toward the head of Jedevra's subordinate officer with all the momentum of her fall. The last thing he sees before impact is a flash of her feral grin and dark, taunting eyes.

[Private to GM: Parry DV is 8-2(from jump+attack)-1(from parry)+4(from rolling valor and +3 excellency). Total 9 DV, so I parry! Spent 1 Valor channel!

And, my attack. Spent 5m Excellency. Total spent in this post is 8m, 1wp, 1 valor.

18:43, Today: Gatekeeper, on behalf of Saina Nanaret, rolled 8 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,4,2,4,7,8,10,3,2,4,2,3,4,9,10. Nana's attack! +5 ex. -2 mult. pen.]

Xurizu looks towards Jadevra, trying to judge the effect of his attack.  He notices her dip, but not withdraw fully.  Then he turns his attention towards the line, and the rapidly charging matrix...

"Ladies, I think it's time we left," he said, turning to his two self-proclaimed protectors.  "I don't want to be caught out in the open if the matrix fires again and Irjin and his group seem like our best bett to get there."

With that, he started to sprint across the street, heading for the chariots.

Glass and Marble intersection (23, Immy, Nanaret, Kilani, Jedevra, Burning Feather scales)

Immy and Jedevra

Jedevra grunts as Immy's body impacts with her, swallowed up by gold and shadow, the unmistakable hues of a Night Caste anima. The young Solar's blade finds purchase between the plates of her dragon armor, slicing her side but shallowly as the Winglord manages to knock it aside with the haft of her Blaze Lance. (1L, total of 4L damage) [Private to Immaculate Kestrel: Well, here's what happened. You had a total 9 sux after a +2 stunt (yay motes?) I had Jedevra's DV start at 5 (after a -1 from issuing commands, and a -1 from Xurizu's spell). She rolled 1st Melee Ex. to improve DV and got 3 sux. So your attack went in with 1 sux. Her armor soak is 14L. Piercing reduces it to 7L+2L from Stamina 4. Your damage was therefore 13L-9L = 4L dice, which I rolled, and you got a paltry 1 level in. Aw, dice.]

Knowing her blood has been spilled by Anathema is enough to draw a cold rage from the fiery woman. Two times now, two wounds trickling blood toward the ground below. Two times too many. "If they have died," Jedevra replies to Immy, glaring through her visor, "it is because they foolishly refused to surrender. Their blood is on the hands of those who encouraged them to riot. YOUR hands!" Lip curled, she finds the catch on her Lance, releasing the blade end, separating it into short spear and daiklave. Both weapons stab viciously at the Anathema in tandem, if not to harm her bodily, then to force her to dodge and... perhaps, then, fall toward the ground without her. [Private to Immaculate Kestrel: She's high skilled, loaded up with arties and using Excellencies... anyway, her attack is a 10 sux and 9 sux flurry! If you dodge instead of parry you'll basically have to freefall, though at this point the fall distance is not nearly so bad (let's say... 12 yards, that's only 6B to soak, and you may roll reflexive Wits+Athletics to catch yourself, every sux on this reduces the fall damage to a minimum 1B.)]

Nanaret and Scale 1-2

Closer to the ground, Nanaret brings the full might of her moonsilver weapon upon the Dragon-blooded officer leading Scale 1-2. The Scalelord brings up his pike to parry, but the motion is sadly futile. Sixth Coil is both strong and malleable, the sections sliding across and shoving the pike haft aside, connecting hard with his helmeted temple. There is a sickening crack! and a groan of agony, the officer so dazed by the blow that he falls backward onto the ground, stunned into brief unconsciousness! (5B damage, ow, and a botch on a Sta+Res roll. He's out cold for a couple actions.)

Nanaret herself manages to land safely despite the 20+ yard fall, using the officer's armored body as an unlikely 'cushion'. As she straightens to her feet, the twenty-nine remaining soldiers of Scale 1-2 look at her, toward Jedevra's struggle with Immy, with visible hesitation. But they manage to swallow it down, moving to surround her and attack Immy should she fall... holding desperately to their duty, knowing their Winglord would berate them for faltering against the Anathema.

23 and Aurin, Kilani and Scale 1-1

Aurin, 1-1's Scalelord, doesn't realize Twenty Three's true intent until it's already too late. He tries to snatch the calibrated Twister away at the last minute, but by then the Sidereal has the weapon well under control, blasting the Dragon-blooded officer right in the face with a nauseating Essence-reversing blast. "Hurrrlllppp!!" (Ow!! 5B, and now he's distracted and hurling. -2 to dice pools.) 23 has to dance away to avoid getting splattered by the vomit, but on the other hand, s/he does now control the Essence Twister.

The blast hurtles past the vomiting lieutenant, and all but demolishes a good half of Scale 2-2. (11B damage) Several mortal soldiers tumble to the ground, knocked out cold, the Shock Rods jostled from their hands to deactivate harmlessly. Those covered by buildings struggle to maintain the Matrix's western perimeter, but it starts to waver and weaken noticeably! Shocked by this turn of events, over half of Scale 1-1 starts to hesitate, backing away with horrified looks on their faces. The rest start to push forward, to surround 23 before he can fire again.

Kilani, standing among Scale 1-1, notices their uncertainty and revulsion. She, however, is still bound by her order to fire at one of the sorcerers approaching down Marble Street... [Private to Kilani Sorune: Up to you, you can fire at Irjin or Xurizu. If you don't act soon, i.e. within a day or so, I'll just decide and post it myself. :)]

Moving across Marble Street (Higura, Talia, Xurizu, Irjin+Freerunners, Rivanto+workers)

The assault group marches onward, bolstered by the small but significant victories of their Celestial allies. They shout and clamor, cheering when the officer directly in front of them goes down! Noticing Xurizu running up toward them in her rear view mirror, Arashi slows the chariot just enough for him to hop on, then speeds up just enough to rejoin the main group.

The Freerunner heavy artillerists start aiming for the soldiers starting to surround Twenty Three. Irjin's spell meanwhile reaches its culmination, icy crystals glimmering in the howling winds surrounding his body! "Thunder Wolf, lend me your voice!" he calls sternly in Old Realm, and directs the spell toward its target! The icy gust sweeps down the street, to the side of 23 and Scale 1-1, through the buildings Scale 2-2 takes refuge behind. Windows explode into frozen, ice-rimed shards, whole chunks of wall turn brittle inside and out, as the Thunder Wolf's Howl surges toward the severely reduced scale! (2-2 takes enough damage to pretty much be whittled down to nothing. The very few remaining get -2 to rolls for 10 ticks.) [Private to Ledaal Xurizu: here's your chance to stunt learn Thunder Wolf's Howl too, now that you have an example of it right here.]

Scale 2-2 loses control of the Shock Rods altogether, and their contribution to the Matrix fizzles to nothing. But three other perimeter sides are still charging to full, and the corner scales start to make up for the slack...

---

OOC: actions
tick 16 - Irjin (cast spell)
tick 17 - Kilani, Immy, Xurizu (after catching up w/chariot)
tick 18 - Nanaret, Jedevra
tick 19 - 23, Scale 1-1, Scale 1-2

Freerunner launchers in range to fire at tick 21; Irjin reenters battle at tick 22.
Higura, Talia and assault group will reach melee range at tick 24.
Shock Matrix continues charging (at noticeably redued power) until tick 24.
Ghibari, Gulda+workers emerge from underground at tick 26.

Burning Feather as a whole is at -3 WP(out of 8). Scale 1-1 and 1-2 are at -4 WP after expending for a morale check.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:40, Tue 15 Sept 2009.

"I wasn't even here when they started, you, you, you monster! They were chanting your name before I ever came to this place, because they were overworked and hungry and people's children weren't growing and it's you, and you, and you and your kind, sitting at the top of the Coils looking down at everyone and ignoring everything bad ever! All you care about is that stuff gets made on time, and when people protest you just fly down and shoot them!" With a scream of steel and jade, her sword wrenches out of the crack between her plates, scattering torn pieces of lesser metals to the air. "Nobody even had to do anything to start this riot; it made itself, and all because of you!"

The spear screamed as its sharpened head scraped across her buckler, and she let the force of the thrust carry her; up, up, away from the other blade; but there was a shrill clang as the Dragon suddenly shifted the angle of her attack, pushing aside her defense and sliding... closer... and no! No no no not again never again! She... she could run, she could fade back, she already did that, but she couldn't, because if she ran if she faded then she would just fly, and then they'd have to chase her up and down and all around and none of it would stop! Her blade was moving but it was too slow and the spear was coming and it will hit her enter her puncture her and then and then and then

clang!

"NO!"

Her blade was burning, bright and gold, and her anima was suddenly about her around her her blade guarding her own.  When she spoke she could feel it talking to saying the same things because this is why she this

"You will never own me again!"

(And a bit of her knew, full well, that they hadn't been talking about that at all; but that wasn't it, was it? That bit was washed away.)

She barely had to move to deny the daiklave her blood; her sword moved and hunted on its own, sliding down the spear like some crazed, golden vine and pitching the blade into the heart of her buckler. But she didn't notice. Not really. She was a fire aspect, and he was a fire aspect, and they killed people who were important to her and then they laughed about it and they would do it again and again and throw her into collars and arms

ti-

...but she wasn't the only one. They've done it to hundreds of people, in their time; and above, below, behind, beside; there she was, golden swords burning, her face twisted into several masks of rage. There were weaknesses in every armour, and she was waiting at every one; look. There; that one, her blade poised above the crook of neck and shoulder. Do you know? They had to make the neck mobile, after all; armour was armour, but a woman couldn't fight if she couldn't turn their heads. So they tried to solve that problem, by overlapping scales or mail or others about that place; but it was still the same, wasn't it? There was weakness; and beyond, the hollow between collarbone and armbone, a sweet spot of flesh that opened an entryway past the ribs.

(And she was below that, too; her sword was held in both hands, a thrusting blade, the point hovering below her raised arm. From the left here, you could easily get the heart; it was but inches away.)

And she was there, behind the Dragon; and there, waiting above; and there, and there, and there. Waiting.

Why were they waiting?

Oh.

Flipping down, around, she slammed into the frozen Peace Force commander, wrapping her legs about the woman's waist. "Never again."

They echoed her words, and sprang as she slammed her sword, two-handed, into the Dragon's face.

-ck.

[OOC: Then, of course, I forget to add the dice rolls and whatnot.

Since Kestrel has PDV 7 vs Melee, buying 4 sux each attack to block it. -16 motes.

Then opening the combo again. -1wp, -5m 1 wp for Iron Cuisinarts, - 1wp for Conviction to 1st attack.

13:07, Today: Immaculate Kestrel rolled 18 successes using 20d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,2,9,6,10,10,1,8,10,2,10,10,5,8,8,7,3,7,6,10. First + Con.
13:07, Today: Immaculate Kestrel rolled 2 successes using 1d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10. That 20 die limit.
13:08, Today: Immaculate Kestrel rolled 8 successes using 17d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,10,9,4,2,1,6,1,4,1,4,6,9,7,8,8,7. Second.
13:08, Today: Immaculate Kestrel rolled 4 successes using 17d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,1,9,6,2,4,3,8,4,5,9,2,2,1,6,1,9. Third.
13:08, Today: Immaculate Kestrel rolled 8 successes using 17d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,6,1,1,4,4,9,7,1,9,4,4,10,5,9,10,3. Fourth.
13:08, Today: Immaculate Kestrel rolled 9 successes using 17d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,9,3,7,3,1,2,2,4,10,7,10,9,8,6,4,4. Fifth.
13:08, Today: Immaculate Kestrel rolled 7 successes using 17d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,4,1,9,6,1,2,10,6,5,7,5,7,8,3,1,3. Sixth.

Successes of attacks: 20, 8, 4, 8, 9, 7
Damage is 12L Piercing, as per previous

Total spent: 41 m, 5 wp. Personal 0/15 (15 committed, scenelongs), Peripheral 5/35 (5 committed), WP 4/9. Compassion Channels: 0/5, Conviction Channels: 2/4  Damage: 1B]
This message was last edited by the player at 11:50, Mon 24 Aug 2009.

"Thanks," Xurizu said to Arathi as he clambers aboard, gripping as the chariot accelerated once more.  He watches with interest as the spell Irjin is catching unfolds down the street and into the unfortunate ranks of the Peace Force.  Another long buried memory makes itself known.  This one is too tattered though, too torn to make any sense.

...a large garden ...

The effects it triggers, though, are on a level below concious thought.

... a tree, in the center, with leaves of emerald ... real emerald.  They gleam ...

A spell, at its most fundamental level, is a pattern.

... one of them starts to glow ...

A lunar, at their core, is a creature who can mimic patterns.

... the glow intensifies ...

What if this fact and this ability could be made to intersect?

... a woman with red hair asked that question ...

What if the ability could be developed to mimic a spell in the same way an animal could be imitated?

... a wash of red pain ...

What if?

... a woman with red hair smiled.

Back in the present, Xurizu started to invoke the Thunder Wolf's Howl.
[edit: minor tweak of wording]
This message was last edited by the player at 17:51, Tue 25 Aug 2009.

Nanaret snaps her moonsilver staff between her hands, producing a sharp, menacing sound. While Immy vents her frustration on Jedevra with exceptional skill and precision, she bares her teeth at the soldiers starting to rally around her.

She plants a foot on their scale-leader's neck, stomping hard. Something cracks underfoot, and her grin broadens still, a crescent moon splitting her dusky features. It is time to kill. It is the Bitch Queen's moment now. The woman that is Nanaret is eclipsed as the phase of Ranavalona grows in power, summoned by righteous fury and an unquenchable thirst for blood and victory. "You are brittle bones already. Metal-clad walking corpses. Succumb to despair, foolish mortals, for I am your enemy now."

Higura, don't let me forget myself. It is the last gentle thought she has.

The Fury turns her blood to liquid fire. Her vision takes on a sheen of red. All around her, Rana sees the prey Nanaret so desires to subdue, and for once they are united in purpose -- if not sentiment. The wiry Lunar leaps into the midst of the remaining soldiers before they can manage to surround her, picking out the first few targets that dare to raise a weapon against her. The two ends of Sixth Coil blur in her hand, twin serpents propelled at the chin of the first, snapping his head upward; the ribs of another, threatening to pummel his armor plates deep into his chest. She reclaims both ends, forcing the staff together into a hard, compact rod, and rams the end of it snake-bite swift toward the throat of the third.

Pulling back, Ranavalona licks her lips and crouches slightly, her position never stationary, but ever-shifting. Forbiddingly dark, half-lidded eyes gauge the motions of the fools who would dare retaliate against her.

[Private to GM: Activating Relentless Lunar Fury with Wasp-Sting Blur and Might-Bolstering Blow. +2 stunt already included in rolls. +1 sux per roll from Fury. Also using a Conviction channel. +3 to all rolls, -1 WP.

11:05, Today: Saina Nanaret rolled 5 successes using 12d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,1,7,2,5,3,3,6,1,9,10,2.
11:05, Today: Saina Nanaret rolled 7 successes using 13d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,8,7,1,2,4,2,8,4,2,1,8,9.
11:05, Today: Saina Nanaret rolled 8 successes using 14d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,3,8,5,7,5,4,5,9,10,7,1,8,9. ]

The strength of Jedevra's command remains, letting Kilani know that her mistress is not dead... yet. Too late to stop Irjin, the collared Sidereal's shaking hands raise her bow, stepping out from her cover to aim at Xurizu again. She looses two blunted shafts at the sorcerer, one diving straight for him while the other misses entirely, striking the ground next to the chariot.

[Private to Ledaal Xurizu: well, only one of the arrows count, a 5 sux arrow. However you have 25% cover from the chariot (or +1 DV) so you just need to spend a WP or stunt a +1. Since this is me (Gatekeeper) posting and not the actual player I will also take the time to say your last post was good! But I will give you the results of that in my next summary post (plus any stunt you get).]

[Private to Kilani Sorune: Have to post for you again, sorry. If I have to keep doing this I will end up retiring your character eventually. :( However you may be freed from the Collar fairly soon, Jedevra is taking a beating.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:22, Tue 25 Aug 2009.

Is she just waiting until I start to Shape? Xurizu wonders as he notices the woman with the bow step out from cover again.  Not bad tactics, he was forced to admit.  It left him with the problem of the incoming arrows and a spell he was concentrating far too much on to really dodge.  He could twist a little though, still.  It was just a case of twisting at the right time.  So he watched, and he waited, and he shaped.

And then, at the right instant, he twisted.

And the arrow sailed on by.

Glass and Marble intersection (23, Immy, Nanaret, Jedevra, Burning Feather scales)

Immy and Jedevra

"Your view of things is simplistic, child," says Jedevra, her face still seething beneath her visor. "Just because you suffered, and believe yourself persecuted, you think you are INNOCENT of the wanton destruction which made your kind so feared and reviled?!"

Then the first of Immy's blows slides past her spear to penetrate her shield, burning and golden and terrible, so terrible she can see the deaths of her ancestors in that single stroke. Gritting her teeth, she summons the peak of her power and courage to deny her own death. Not like this -- not to a mere slip of an Anathema girl who thought she had the right to defeat her!

Gold and shadow clash with the column of flame that erupts from Jedevra's body, screaming like a blast furnace. Rising above even her artificial wings is a phoenix with wings outstretched, shaped in pure flame with sharp ruby eyes. The surge of Essence hardens her flesh, but Immy's golden blade scores another painful gash, and another, thrusting with surgical precision past her crossed spear and shield. And she bleeds, by the Dragons she bleeds and curses the day the Anathema of Coils went free! (5L, total 9L damage!)

"Not yet!" Jedevra growls, and instead of another feeble parry attempt she desperately pushes away from the sword stabbing toward her ribcage. A gout of hot air hits Immy full-on, and in the bare few seconds that look like a blur to the observers below, the Solar continues to strike at the fiery afterimage that remains in the gravely wounded Winglord's place. The Dragon-blood herself is already gone--propelled backard by her phoenix pinions until she is far for Immy to recapture easily.[Private to Immaculate Kestrel: I always rule that virtue channels add to the base die pool before splitting. I also rule the same for stunts (you got a +3 stunt, by the way). This means your attacks had a total of 24 dice each *winces*.

So, somewhere in my confused mess of rolls (so many corrections I can't remember 'em all!) I rolled some extra dice for you, both for stunt and for virtue. I only counted the first three because Jedevra has a hopping dodge. She uses a virtue channel + excellency on each. She uses her shield bracers for added DV. She uses 10m on Fortitude on the first attack, and a hopping dodge on the third attack (the first one she is able to dodge fully), dashing back 25 yards while you hit thin air and likely fall.

She spent a horrible amount of motes, and a virtue channel. End result is, she's at 9L damage (note: 2 ox-bodies) and ~25 yards away in midair. Eee, don't hate me for my rulings--I'd built Jeddy to last longer, but apparently not enough for iron whirlwind craft-blade woman! If you dash and jump you might still be able to catch her...]

Nanaret and Scale 1-2

The two Dragon-blooded lieutenants send their mortal soldiers before them, perhaps thinking to save themselves, perhaps strategically testing Ranavalona's skill. It makes little difference to Nanaret's throwback personality, who gleefully and viciously slams her staff into skulls and bodies with hardly a care of who falls before her.

One soldier is struck hard by a brutal swing to the temple, falling down onto his side in a daze. (5B) The second takes a blow to the chest and flinches, continuing his advance (3B), while the soldier next to him barely manages to deflect the doubled-up staff blow headed toward her larynx. Every time Rana's serpent staff connects with one of the soldiers, she feels a surge of replenished Essence, further fueling her furious attack! [Private to Saina Nanaret: Just for the record... +2 stunt! and 6 motes returned to you from Might-Bolstering charm.]

The lieutenants advance with their gunzosha now, hearing their Winglord agonized but breathing through the comm. If she can survive -- so must they! Coordinated by their next-in-command, the soldiers ignore their shaking limbs and surround the Lunar aggressor as one, stabbing at her from four different directions. [Private to Saina Nanaret: And now, -3 from coordination, -3 from your last flurry. Your DV starts at 2, and you have a 5 sux and 6 sux attack that make it in. (The other two miss outright)]

23 and Scale 1-1

Twenty Three faces Scale 1-1 directly in the middle of the intersection. The figure holding the Essence Twister is surrounded by four crimson-armored soldiers and their lieutenant, covering for their Scalelord knocked down by the nauseating blast. Two pairs of gunzosha flank Twenty Three at either side, attempting to skewer hir between them while the junior officer makes a grab for the artifact. [Private to Number Twenty Three: 4 attacks (6 sux, 5 sux, 3 sux, 1 sux) and a disarm (4 sux). These are all separate attacks vs your DV -1 (for your disarm attempt). You are completely surrounded, so you get a -2 to Dodge DV, and you must choose one of the attackers to be at your back (your DV is 0 against them).]

Moving toward Glass and Marble (Higura, Talia, Xurizu, Irjin+Freerunners, Rivanto+workers)

Irjin's spell awakens another glimpse of the redhead whom Xurizu despises yet cannot help but obey. She and the voice of the Tree, granting him forbidden knowledge which he consumed for her pleasure. Or was it for his? Perhaps he would never know.

Though Xurizu has forgotten so, so very much, he retains the language of sorcery, the Silurian symbols and syllables which make up the magic she so loved him to learn. He will not forget the Howling Word. Summoned by its utterance, the arctic winds gather for him, as much audible as palpable, eager to be unleashed. [Private to Ledaal Xurizu: +2 for your spell memory, +1 for your last defense. Yay motes. I'm not sure I would literally say you can mimic spells, what you actually did was a stunt learn mechanics wise :) but IC it doesn't really make a difference!]

Meanwhile, the chariot (carrying Talia as well) and labor-machines continue to advance, the remaining rebels marching from behind. They know the end is coming, they shouted with all their might when Immy tore Jedevra apart, forcing her to retreat down Sunder Street licking her wounds! Two of the artillerists change target at the last moment, aiming at the burning woman: there is time yet. 40 yards. 30 yards. The two Freerunners still aiming at Twenty Three's assailants fire without hesitation at the two soldiers flanking hir from behind. [Private to Number Twenty Three: Unfortunately this won't occur till after your tick 19 action, unless you decide to hold.][Private to GM: 3 damage and 4 damage on two 1-1 soldiers, when tick 21 comes by.]

Five more soldiers from Scale 1-1 level their shock pikes as the assault group as they close into range. Two force blasts aim straight for Higura at the head of the line, singling him out as a rebel leader.[Private to Yaishin Higura: A 5 sux attack, then a 6 sux one. Not a flurry. You're at -2 DV since you're marching on foot.] Three more strike Arashi's battered chariot, ricocheting off within inches of the pilot and Xurizu. The heightened sense of danger once again threatens to distract Xurizu from his casting! [Private to Ledaal Xurizu: I rolled dice to see who they'd hit, and you came up twice :( I fudged things a bit mostly because it's awkward to make you post *another* defense. So instead I'll have you roll (Wits+Occult) diff 2. Basically just +1 diff per blast that ALMOST hit you. That way you can just immediately post your casting if you pass the 2 diff, otherwise spell fizzles.

Speaking of the Howl, valid targets would be Jedevra (who is isolated from the others, but killing her might be a good idea), Scale 1-1 (but 23 is among them), Scale 1-2 (but Nanaret is among them) and Scale 2-2 (who are charging Shock Rods).]

25 yards beyond Shock Matrix perimeter (Jedevra)

Over twenty yards outside the Shock Matrix perimeter on Marble Street, Jedevra glowers. She is drained of all but a modicum of power, dripping blood that immediately goes up in smoke as it touches her fading anima.

The Winglord shouts to her soldiers, "Do not... fail me... complete the charge... on my mark!!" With the last gasp of Essence she has, she garbs herself in a scalding aura that renews the resilience of her flesh, and summons from her bracer a large, visible energy barrier to shield her body. If her torch must sputter out--it would not be before the Shock Matrix releases!

Glass and Marble Intersection (Kilani)

Only Kilani, connected to her through the collar, has any idea just how hurt her mistress is. Jedevra, thinking first of her survival, was forced to free the Essence keeping Kilani bound in order to save herself. For the first time in years, Kilani is inexplicably free... and no one has noticed. What will she do with her newfound freedom?

Kilani is standing just outside the knot of Scale 1-1 soldiers attacking the stranger that stole the Essence Twister, while more soldiers flee the scene. 30 yards eastward is the rebel assault group led by a man with brown hair and a green coat. 25 yards to the west is Jedevra, bleeding and deeply wounded, yet making her last stand.

---

OOC: actions
tick 19 - 23 (after defense)
tick 21 - Immy, Freerunner launchers (fire at Scale 1-1)
tick 22 - Nanaret (after defense), Xurizu (cast spell), Irjin
tick 23 - Kilani, Freerunner launchers (fire at Jedevra)

Higura, Talia and assault group will reach melee range at tick 24.
Jedevra and all units act at tick 24; Shock Matrix fires at slightly reduced power?
Ghibari, Gulda+workers emerge from underground at tick 26.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:37, Tue 25 Aug 2009.

The shock pikes didn't even make Xurizu bat an eyelid, so wrapped up in the final moments of sorcery as he is.  And then the Howl is ready.  He gestures, and it's released.

Jedevra notices first the silence around her.  The silence before a storm.
Jedevra notices second the chill around her.  The chill of the northern wind.
Jedevra notices third the closeness in the air around her.  The closeness of Power.

And then the howl rips through the area around her, echoing off the buildings to either side, tearing through her as it goes back and forwards, ripping up a maelstrom around the small area of the street she has chosen to settle in.

Then there is silence once more.
[Private to GM:
 23:35, Today: Ledaal Xurizu rolled 7 successes using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,3,8,10,4,2,10. Wits+Occult.
23:38, Today: Ledaal Xurizu rolled 6 successes using 11d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,10,1,2,4,4,5,7,7,9,1. Thunder Wolf's HOOWWWWWWWL! (+2 stunt).
So, 9B levels less her soak.

And yeah, it's mimicking in the learning the spell (and spending the xp) sense.  Glad you liked it though :)
]

Kilani felt the flows of essence into her neck stop, and the distinct shift as the spines of starmetal pulled free. Wincing, she flinched, nearly dropping her bow as the collar clicked to announce it's looseness. Her eyees shot wide as she realized she was free, then wider still as she felt the sensation of her essence, unrestrained.

And then she saw the sorcerer. Her Essence flowed naturally, as she ran towards Jedevra, shouting out. "It's a spell, look out!" As she ran, the collar's clasp came loose,and as she turned to block, standing before Jedevra, arms spread out in front of her, she glowed with an aura of compassion. Even a determined sorcerer would falter trying to strike her, in that moment. "Stop this!"

As she screamed out for this all to end, a billowing bright red glow burst upward from her, washing the area brightly, the Sign of Mars seared onto her brow. As she stood before Jedevra, the collar fell off, landing on the ground at her feet, in front of the commander.

[Private to GM: Motes Tracker!
13/13//13
00/26//35 -5 motes: Anima Activation, -5m committed Optimistic Security Practice
04/05//05
13m toward Anima so far
06/07 Willpower

10m Committed: War, Melee, Presence -1 Difficulty for Unit Rolls
06m Committed: Prior Warning, caste mark
05m Committed: Optimistic Security Practice: +3B/+3L/+3A Soak, and anytime someone with Essence less than my Compassion (5) tries to take an action that would harm me, the Action fails unless they spend 1 WP: I'd ARGUE that this includes an area effect spell tat would ht me -- and thunder wolf howl has a big area of effect, I can get into it before it goes off with reflexive movement from 20 yards from the epicenter.

My Anima Effect is now up, also, and Kilani considers everyone an ally right now, since she's  trying to put a stop to the fighting: All people take one less level of damage from incoming attacks within 30 yards of her.

After Jedevra is safe, she'll move on to trying to take command and stop the soldiers.

Gibhari
45/50 Motes
4/5 Willpower]
This message was last edited by the player at 17:01, Wed 26 Aug 2009.

Xurizu's spell strikes the area around Jedevra, unabated even by Kilani's last moment of self-sacrifice.

Her flame anima is instantly extinguished by the icy maelstrom. The terrible sound batters her ears, freezes and cracks the pavement around her, gouges the surrounding buildings and blasts right through her armor. Her shield does not avail her against wind and sound. The dwindling aura of power guarding her flesh only delays the inevitable.

Death reaches it's cold, smothering fingers for her.

But Kilani stands before her, glowing crimson. Why? Jedevra, facing her final moments, is stunned even more by this than the spell or her frozen wounds. She sees Kilani's collar fall and something twists in her heart. "What have you done, Kilani?! You're free, you foolish girl... are you soft AND stupid...!?" [Private to Kilani Sorune: OK, you either take 6B damage (if you're wearing armor) or 3B damage (if you're not). Weird! But Thunder Wolf's Howl bypasses all armor, and Opportunistic Security only works if you have no armor.]

The winds recede. A loud BANG! fills the air as a Freerunner fires his fuel bolt launcher, striking what remains of Jedevra's energy shield. It shatters in a burst of red-orange light and dissipates into thin air.

The Winglord flinches from the impact and falls. Even her pinions fail her now. The second artillerist on the chariot takes aim...

---

OOC: pausing for dramatic effect here in case Kilani will defend for Jeddy, Immy will run in (would arrive at tick 23) and do something, etc. mostly cause I don't want a NPC to finish off a major opponent if at all possible.

Just to have the explanation here as well - Jedevra had only 2 health levels left. But she used Aura of Invulnerability which gave her 3 more HLs. Xurizu's spell was 9B damage base. She has Stamina 4. So the spell would do JUST enough to knock her out... except that Kilani stood in the way and reduced her damage by 1 with her Battles anima.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:13, Thu 27 Aug 2009.

Ranavalona cannot see the spell or sacrifice. Her world is the soldiers surrounding her, their pikes thirsting to pierce her flesh. She lets out a peal of laughter, reddened eyes darting from visor to visor as if her gaze can pierce right through them.

The fury-possessed Lunar spins, her serpent staff whirling to either side of her, shoving two pike hafts aside as if their wielders were both crippled and blind. She blocks the remaining two in quick succession, trapping the pair of offending weapons on the moonsilver chain links between the sections, yanking hard to jar them from their path toward her chest as her legs slide apart. Her joints bend as if made of liquid, bringing herself low to the ground and the pike points over her head.

Bouncing back to her feet, Rana steps over the soldier she felled last, using him as a springboard toward the lieutenant coordinating the attack. She swings Sixth Coil in a wide arc, smashing one end of the staff against his visored face, then twists her body, propelling the other end hard against his armored chest.

The fighting may soon be unnecessary, but Ranavalona could care less. For her, the fight is now. That is all that matters.

[Private to GM: Before stunt. +4 Dex excellency to each.
00:20, Today: Saina Nanaret rolled 10 successes using 13d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,7,10,8,5,7,3,7,5,2,7,9,9.
00:20, Today: Saina Nanaret rolled 6 successes using 14d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,4,1,10,4,1,3,1,10,4,8,1,7,3.]

Solars do not fall. Her last stroke is heavily over-balanced; after all, there was no more Jedevra under it, she was flying, flying away, "Come BACK here!" and so she lets the swing carry her on (she had to learn how to fly) swooping, swooping,

chink

And her sword caught the wall, cleaving brick and mortar like butter and milk. Immy shuddered to a vertical halt, but her feet were already moving before they ever touched the wall, the blade throwing sparks and pieces of crumbled warehouse behind her.

can't let you go can't let you

and she was sinking, sinking, arcing lower and lower but Jedevra was still above, rising, soaring, and now she was low enough to run her feet on the helmets of the soldiers below her, step bound step bound, a flood of twisting light worn by a girl without a face.

"What are you doing? The collar is off you. You don't have to defend her."

But she has no time for the idiot in red. Leaping easily past the blazing Sidereal, she makes her own, burning leap over the girl's head, blade coming down before her in an arc of golds and whites. "Hello, Lady Jedevra. It turns out I have the right after all, don't I?"

And the sword bursts into its own triumphant flame, twisting, alive in its attempt to burn into the Dragonblooded's throat. Above her, the corpse bride raises her own sword in undeniable triumph--this, my sorrow, I return.

snicker-snack.

[OOC: So, first action is to dashjump, and action on tick 23 is to attack. Buying 5 successes for 10 motes, whee.

You rolled 9 successes using 17d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7. 9 + 5 = 14.
Damage is 12L Piercing, as ever.

Total spent: 39 m, 5 wp. Personal 0/15 (15 committed, scenelongs), Peripheral 7/35 (5 committed), WP 4/9. Compassion Channels: 0/5, Conviction Channels: 2/4  Damage: 1B]
This message was last edited by the player at 08:05, Thu 27 Aug 2009.

25 yards beyond Shock Matrix perimeter (Kilani, Immy, Jedevra)

Jedevra's eyes still smolder with rage as Immaculate Kestrel comes to finish her off. But her body feels too heavy, the pain a terrible hindrance on her reflexes. She can hardly even raise her arms to parry. All she has left is her pride and her courage, screaming at her from within not to fold to this impertinent Anathema's will.

"Right...? You call this a RIGHT?" She spits blood and forces herself to move, jerking backward as Immy's glittering blade comes to finish her. The sudden movement avoids what would have been a neat beheading... but it isn't enough. The Winglord's eyes bulge as her neck is sliced open, and the Bride has her revenge.

The Essence of the Battle Maiden continues to emanate from Kilani. Everything red is made redder. Crimson blood on crimson jade, awash in crimson light. Jedevra stumbles to her knees, her vocal chords somehow spared enough for her to rasp, "Kilani... the Shock Matrix... don't... let them stop..."

She collapses at Kestrel's feet, dying slowly.

Glass and Marble intersection (everyone else!)

Jedevra's soldiers falter, caught between the reality of their leader's imminent demise, and the small but tenacious rebel force swiftly approaching the intersection. The group harrying Twenty Three fails to so much as touch the cloaked figure - it is as if he has simply disappeared into thin air, taking the Twister with him. The lieutenant facing Ranavalona manages to parry one staff blow, but the second slams brutally into his chest. He falls back, speechless with agony and a growing sense of dread.

Above, the Shock Matrix crackles, weakened but not dissipated. Scale 2-2 has already been demolished by Essence Twister and sorcery, Scale 1-1 partially routed, and 1-2 forced into close combat by Nanaret's alter-ego. Seven scales remain, but without a leader, much like a beast with its head chopped off. Lieutenants give clashing orders, and the entire body of soldiers is weighed down by indecision!

Higura, Xurizu, Talia and the Freerunners have the opportunity to break through, joined the scale of workers led by Rivanto and their refurbished warstriders. Only a few seconds behind, Ghibari and the larger body of workers with Gulda strive to break through the rock in time to meet them, and finish this once and for all.

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OOC: The entire body of soldiers is effectively stunned. Higura may take his action to lead the assault group. Ghibari can also break through to the surface. You may post your next actions regardless of tick as we're pretty much approaching the end...

As for Jedevra, she is 2 HLs below Incap and permanently out of the battle. She will bleed to death if left unattended, or die with a coup de grace. I'm saying this only in case Kilani might try to keep her from dying.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:22, Tue 15 Sept 2009.