From Floor B25 - District of Earth, Inner Temple Level 1
(Danae, Dena, Dashu, Eternal, Third, Veldygar)

Danae, Eternal, Third and Veldygar are the first to enter the central column of the Inner Temple, breaching it from Inner Temple Level 1. They are accompanied by the machine spirits Harmony of Enlightenment and Garnet Cog, guarded by Veldygar's loyal tomescu Dezephiel while his metody, Gugoona, lurks sullenly dematerialized.

The Celestials discover that the center of the Inner Temple is one giant cylindrical chamber, four floors high, surrounded by circular balconies on all sides. The barriers on every level above the first open up onto the balconies, while walkways and stairs connect each level along the wall of the large chamber.

Dead center is where one would expect the central elevator to be, but its doors have been completely sealed off. The elevator shaft is sealed off inside a pillar of pure white jade, carved all along its length with a twining Elemental Dragon clearly meant to resemble Pasiap. However, this does not in any way indicate the way to Floor B21 and the Gatekeeper of Earth's Central Core is completely cut off. There are still stairways that lead there, and controls may be found to open up the elevator, given enough time.

Danae's group quickly ascends to the second floor using the stairs. Third and the machine spirits work out how to open the eastern barrier for Dena and Dashu to enter, while Hive Princess Evamae and her army of warrior insects keep outside forces occupied. Unfortunately, the six Celestials are soon beset on by attackers from above stationed in the central chamber. However, no alarm is raised, due to Harmony's disrupting of security, thus ensuring their numbers stay relatively small.

The Celestials fight off the Immaculates in their way. None of them are experienced as Stern Firmament was, but the fighting is still fierce. Dena, alone in her flight advantage, is the first to make it to the fourth floor, but quickly finds that the level above is guarded by the Immaculate Order's most powerful monks in the Earth District.

From Floor B23 - City of Pasiap's Resolve, South Sector 5
(Higura, Immy, Kilani, Nanaret, Perian, Xurizu)

The group including Higura, Kilani, Nanaret, Perian, Xurizu and a belated Immy enters from the south side of Inner Temple Level 3. Accompanying them is a rebel force formed from laborers wielding weapons fashioned from factory scraps, former Peace Forcers equipped with standard issue magitech armor and shock pikes, even ex-Immaculates who mostly refuse to fight, but gladly aid the group in passing through traps and barriers keyed to let only Terrestrials through.

Free has accompanied them personally, assuming his lupine warform while wielding his iconic ball and chain, hurling arctic themed spells whenever an iron ball to the face does not suffice. No less than five packs of Freerunners join in the fray, bringing an array of weapons with them from knives, blades, chains and axes to essence cannons and plasma tongue repeaters. The rare few who have mastered Terrestrial Sorcery contribute area damaging spells, while Freerunner alchemists and engineers make copious use of fuel bolts, grenade launchers and other such gadgets.

The rebel fighters are more than numerous enough to preoccupy forces outside the central column. Gulda Marin, Kigal Alivia, Profound Arrow and the Freerunner pack leaders (Irjin, Volya, Sable, Witherpaw and Odessa) take command of their respective groups, while a gleefully blood-soaked Free insists with his usual bombast that the other Celestials join their peers in the center of the Inner Temple.

Hive Princess Evamae and her Ruby Warriors have since left Dena to join the combat stirred up by these forces, sending updates of their status now and then to the Celestials wearing earpiece communicators. The Immaculates that oppose the combined might of the long-oppressed Earth District find themselves more than evenly matched, as their best combatants are protecting the Gatekeeper on the top floor of the Inner Temple. It's a chaotic, climactic battle, but one the rebels stand a good chance of winning, so long as the battle does not last too long.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:14, Fri 20 Nov 2009.

Free Celestials Reunited (ALL Characters)

With twelve uncollared Celestials combining forces, the Inner Temple's central column is quickly cleared of all opposition, the Immaculates either killed or routed. As soon as it's cleared, the machine spirits and Third reset all barriers and traps blocking the way inside. This leaves only the stairway up to Floor B21 insecure, but the Immaculate Masters apparently waiting above make no move to descend.

This leaves the situation deceptively calm. Outside the barriers, the Earth District rebels and Evamae's Ruby Army are still fighting to keep the rest of the opposition at bay. Decisions must be made quickly about who will negotiate with the Gatekeeper of Earth, and who will join the assault on the Gatekeeper's sentinels to ensure the negotiators remain undisturbed. The former will ascend through the reactivated elevator, while the latter will take the stairs.

It might also be wise to leave a few to guard the temple center against enemy breaches, set up triage and healing for the wounded, or further examine the controls in the area.

---

OOC: Finally, fast forwarding done. Now that you've all reconvened IC, you have a moment to discuss plans and divide into new groups. Decide whether you will stay put, join the fighting or negotiating group, or any other ideas you may have.

For simplicity's sake, assume you've evened out to no motes and willpower spent, and no damage. We'll assume you stunted plenty, and healers had the time to patch you up.

Kilani had done little in the way of leading the charge. She did know details of the area, however, and had shared her tactical knowledge with those who would be leading the charge. She had organized those soldiers who had defected with her into a medical rescue squad. The soldiers were still inexperienced with the ways of medicine, but she was talented enough for most of them. And they learned quickly, under her guidance.

She hadn't shied away from the battlefield, either. She led her makeshift squad to provide support for the frontline, and lending her Anima to help protect them. And when the lull came and the forces reunited, Kilani had given only small greeting, instead making her priority the establishment of a sanitary field hospital. And since that point, she'd not been seen out of it, working tirelessly to heal every wounded person she could find, friend, foe, and civilian.

Thirds mind is at its most energetic, thoughts leaping as it prepares for the negotiating with the Gatekeeper of Earth, thinking through the processes of the Gatekeeper's mind. Its intelligence will need to be at a peak, but the Solar is confident in its ability to show the ancient device the error of its ways as it sits, legs crossed, its thoughts becoming sharp and hard, beating them into weapons to throw against the gatekeeper. It pauses for a moment in its thoughts, and walks among the other Exalted, seeking out those whom it's begun to grow attached to. To Danae, it offers congratulations on her successful military skills in leading them so far. To Dena, gratitude for her skillful deception of the Terrestrials. To Higura, a brief curt nod and a congratulations on meeting with the rebels and freedom fighters. And finally, the Solar approaches Broken Eternal, holding out a hand. 'You still have a spot of blood here.' the Solar says, waiting for permission to wipe the speck away from the strange Exalt's cheek, head slightly downcast.

Eternal lived for bloodshed.  Of course, 'living' being a very relative term when considering the Death Knight.  He had been a whirlwind of death and carnage in the previous engagements, living up very much to his proclaimed profession as an Assassin.  He had moved without sound, save for the telltale sounds of his screaming opponents, or the splatter of their blood as he liberated it from their body.  He fought as a man without fear of death, brazenly throwing himself against several opponents at once, only to drive them before him, and survive them with nary a wound to celebrate their struggle against such a malevolent force.

Once they had reached this haven (lull) in the battle, the dark warrior took the time to tend to his affairs.  His cloak was removed, as he evaluated his blood covered darkglaives.  The short blades were almost completely covered in the blood of his foes, the sign of a good battle.  And though he did enjoy bathing in the blood of his enemies, he was not without pride in his equipment.  With both blades in hand, he quickly twirled them forcefully in front of him in a forceful 'X' pattern.  The blades sang with a low hum as they sliced through the air, the sheer speed of the motion sheering the blood from the blades and painted the walls with the Immaculate vitae--adding a bit of color to the temple walls to be sure, and easily a reminder of why crossing blades with the Abyssal was paramount to suicide.

He then laid the now-clean blades onto his cloak, and then with careful movements, removed the black jade breastplate, still somewhat unfamiliar with the armor, having dealt with it for only a relatively short amount of time.  The blades had been new to him as well, but there was very little difference in weapons for him, as he was trained how to use any implement of war effectively--maul, chakram, pike...even things that were not meant for death could reach such results with minimal difficulty in his trained hands.  With the breastplate removed, however, it gave way to reveal his pale, almost alabaster upper body.  His physique, masked by his armor and dark cloak, was incredible, forged by a life time of perpetual training and dedication, all against his will.  More curious still, and easily as disturbing as the deathly pale color, was the complete lack of imperfections found.  There were no scars, moles, freckles, discolorations--not even hair.  In death, it seemed, there was perfection in the flesh.

He rolled his shoulders easily, a motion repeated from years in captivity, though he felt none of the joy that it had brought him them, feeling the air kissing his cold flesh.  He then began to check the rest of his equipment, his knives, and so fourth.  He was an unstoppable killing machine when the battles began, but he was not without sense--a machine was made up of several parts, and he would make sure that each part was well oiled and maintained in order to be the most efficient killing machine that he could be.  He pulled a black rag from a pouch on his belt, and then with a practiced bend, picked up one of his blades and began to labor over the blade, polishing it.

He spoke very little to those he traveled with, and they spoke very little to him unless it was in regards to the fighting they were constantly surrounded by, and Eternal was fine with that.  Third, however, was the exception. Eternal had no idea why the Exalt showed such interest in him, and did not care one way or another.  As long as he/she did not get in the way of his vengeance, or any of them for that matter, he didn't care one way or another what they did or said to him.  He faced Third, his red eyes void of any discernible emotion, be it annoyance, endearment, or (the more likely) hate.  He brought the darkglaive up to his shoulder and let it rest there as he addressed Third.

"If it offends you, then remove it."  He said, his voice dark and brooding, as it always was.  Blood spattered other parts of him, but it was bits of his leather armor, or on his cloak--of his flesh, only the tear-shape drop on his face marred him.

Dena sits and appears to brood for a few minutes, nodding in recognition to Third when he speaks to her but otherwise paying little attention.  In reality she's simply thinking very hard and trying to develop an intelligent strategy.
"Alright then.  We know that the Gatekeeper of Earth is stubborn, and conservative.  We need to appeal to that somehow.  We know Danae is a reincarnation of one of the builders of this place and apparently some of the rest of us are, perhaps we can approach it on the basis of being the old guard, and try to frame the Terrestrials as a new-fangled leadership approach that obviously didn't work, and that we're here to return to the tried and true system." she suggests.  "In the meantime we need to decide who speaks and who keeps Immaculates away."

"Problem!"" Danae suddenly chimed in, raising a hand up.  "Our other evidence suggests that he's convinced himself that he's the Pasaip written of in the Immaculate Texts--with all the 'Die Anathema!' implications that might have."

She was looking rather better by now then she did coming into the Inner Temple, having had a little chance to rest, recover, and otherwise tidy herself up in light of everything.  Despite being first on the front lines, she had already begun showing some signs of acute exhaustion by the end of the battle in front of the central column, and it had only been getting worse as the fighting continued.  The last while of rest had done a whole lot of good.

"In short, we're dealing with a defensive powerhouse here--he'll be utterly set in his current beliefs--and it's fair odds that our opposite numbers will have gone through his records more throughly to cleanse any angles we might use to convince him of our cause, in the event we get up there.  I'd rather not risk getting in a fight with him that may destroy him...  But we also need to anticipate the possibility of those strong guys showing up again from here on out, we've certainly made enough noise, and they've certainly had time to recover..."

She paused then, and looked thoughtful.  "Then again...  Our prior incarnations were nothing if not paranoid--that Terian left behind firedust Just In Case I'd have to use a primitive firearm in this situation suggests there may be other failsafes too...  Such as a command code maybe?  One that would reboot the Gatekeeper to a state before he had been altered by the Terrestrials?  If there was one of those somewhere in here--probably in another secure part of the column--then we'd have a fair shot at fixing the Gatekeeper...  Assuming we can get to his sanctum and activate the code without getting evaporated anyway."

"Hmm, I hadn't picked up that bit of information.  In that case it seems to me we have two options to tailor our approach, either we play up to the Gatekeeper's delusion in order to get it off guard while you sneak-attack it, or we try to provide it with absolute proof it's not Pasiap and strike while it's dealing with the logic of that.  I'm not sure how we can prove our point so I think playing it's little game will be easier.  Perhaps we could pose as good anathema who've come to be collared again, after being set free by bad terrestrials plotting against 'Pasiap,' who are even now preparing their armies to assault it."

...sigh. It's always like this. Sure, Immy, we're done with the killing right now, go ahead and have a bath and get clean and not icky and, oh, hey, you finally got it out of your hair. Yep, sure did, ok, so go chat with your new hammer-spirit-to-be for awhile and then everybody goes off while you're planning and all of a sudden oh hey we're gathering an army over here would you mind if we tore through the Temple again? Honestly, why did she bother? Maybe she should dye her stuff red or something, except it wasn't really red, more like... kind of a... red-brown kind of thing, um. Which would hide the stains. But would be so ugly. And then everybody would think she went around bloodstained all the time, I mean, she already smelled like iron and stuff, what with all the armour and weaponry and, um, nail-homes and all, and then she'd never be able to sit down for a polite dinner again, which, admittedly, she hadn't had in a very long while, but some habits were meant for something, right? Some things you still had to do even if you really didn't need them.

Her sword flared for a second, and the blood quickly boiled away.

She should really find out how to do that for her armour, really. It'd making cleaning so much faster, and everyone knew that she barely had enough time as it was, running from here to there to every every where and taking care of people. Especially the taking care of people. People were very silly, and it took much, much longer to take care of them as opposed to taking care of her things, and, um, now that she thought about it, she should find some way of doing that to people, too, except people were always a lot more complicated than polish and stuff. Whetting. Well, in a way, it was kind-a like polishing and whetting, but then again not really, because she figured most people would protest if you actually rubbed rocks on them or something. Unless they really liked that kind of thing, um. Which she didn't actually mind, per se, but she would much prefer not to know, y'know? Unless you were also some rock spirit of sorts. Earth Dragons didn't count.

"...oh, but then we'll have to be careful about the hammer, right? Um. Actually, if you really really wanted, I think I could make a whole set of tools for you or something, hammer and tongs and, um, not anvil, I guess, I couldn't carry that around with me, but I could probably make an entire portable workshop for you if you want. It won't even be that hard; I'm thinking the hard part would be the inscriptions and stuff, because sooner or later I think we're going to be working with the orichalcum and that kind of stuff, right? And all those are horribly hard, so the stuff will need to be even harder, and then whatever stuff we use for it is going to be crazy hard to inscribe properly. Although I'm sure we can work something out!" Maybe whatever it was she used on her sword could work for tools as well? Or, if not, she could just use her sword. Probably. Um. Hmmm. Would it still melt?

But then somebody else is talking to her, and... (well, not her, all of them, kinda, so. But she still had to listen. Probably. Right.)

"Um. Either way, I think I'll probably be in the assault team, right? I mean, I think I'm a lot more useful there than I would be talking to some brain-locked creature."

"I intend to have words with the Gatekeeper, if at all possible," Perian interjects. "There are enough tales in the Earth District, I think, to sway its master - and I have learned many of them."

"And I am not certain that it is wise to only plan to strike it down. How much do the levels below us depend on it to enable life? What would the other guardian's responses be, on learning of their sibling's fate?"

He pauses, watching his fellow Exalts intently, eyes and posture probing. "I know little about these beings - except in fragmented memory, mayhap. Still, from what you have told me already, I have formulated a few approaches for discussion - ways to convince the Gatekeeper to side with us. Even if we were not who we are, simply through righteousness."

"So. Tell me more, teach me. I will help, but the more I know, the more I can do in turn."

After a moment, Perian discusses some possible venues of conversation.

"I know some of Pasiap's true tales, and might tell some within the Gatekeeper's hearing. When the true power responds, and its own does not, what then?"

"If the Gatekeeper's knowledge has been so thoroughly cleansed, then the signs will be easy to recognize, if it can simply be encouraged to inner reflection. Again, I believe I may encourage it in this direction, and do far better if I were to know about its kind. And once it knows that it has been betrayed, that the role it wears has duties other than it has followed... what then?"

"On a more basic level, I can communicate what has been done in this District, in its name. Show it what evils were wrought for greed - appeal to the virtues it aspires to, and so bring it about."

He stops, his gaze meeting that of any who would look at him. "Alone, I might be ignored, or stopped too soon. Together, we can reach it, we can be heard. Who will go with me?"

"I'm not sure I can offer much advice beyond what has been said here," Xurizu says from wear he leans against the wall.  The gunzosha armour he is wearing is without a helmet, the camouflage subsystem currently reset to show a neutral dark blue.  From the looks of him, he has definitely seen some close up fighting, although he has also done his best to clean himself.  "I wasn't there whilst those who negotiated with the Gatekeeper of Water made their bid, though there was talk earlier of getting that Gatekeeper to vouch on our behalf too.  It might help give your various statements more weight."

"While I can admit to a little curiosity to meeting the Gatekeeper, negotiation is not my forte.  I'm also unsure of how useful my spells might be fighting in close quarters against its sentinels.  I think I might contribute most by remaining here.  I am not completely ignorant of the medical arts, and I would like to study some of the remains of the battle and the temple itself.

It was about that time that a weary Kilani made her entry into the command area where people were discussing. "I think... That's everyone..." She gave a weary sign. "Everyone we can save is stable, now..." She slumped in the first open seat, or just to her knees next to the table if there wasn't one open for the work-weary Battles.

As she'd arrived in time to pick up the tail end of discussion, she brightened considerably when Xurizu spoke up, and nodded. "I would be glad for the aid. The Dragons gave me a very rare medical artifact, and teaching someone else to use it would be a tremendous boon I think. My energies burn out rather quickly..."
Her familiar popped out of her robes, a tiny mole that perched on her shoulder, then hopped down and rushed over to look up at Xurizu, before speaking, and bowing it's little head.

"Nice to meet you, Moon-Chosen!" - it spoke in a squeaky-high Old Realm voice.

Kilani managed to grin and laugh lightly. "I think Ghibari likes you." ^^;

To the others, Kilani spoke up gently. "I know we haven't had much time to talk, but I would like to go. And help out. I don't know anything about the Gatekeeper or whatever guards it... so I don't know how much help I'll be... But I can't keep hiding! Everyone is risking their lives and all I can do is try to save them." She frowned slightly, then and crossed her arms in a closed manner. "Still...  I don't want to complicate things. If it would be easier without having to worry about me, I'm alright with that."

"I will go with you, Mister Perian." Higura says, when Perian asks.

Until now, the doctor had been quiet, listening to his allies' words and the pros and cons of an approach to the Gatekeeper of Earth. Taking a step forward, the Chosen nods slowly in Perian's direction, before casting his glance around the rest of the group. Dressed in Gunzosha armor (without the helmet) and carrying one of the Peace Force's Blaze Lances strapped across his back, Higura looks much different now that when he first made contact with the group of escaped Celestials. The doctor does not seem to pay much heed to the change, however, acting exactly as he has been all along, mild-mannered and soft-spoken.

"I have met with the Gatekeeper of Water alongside Nanaret and Third, when we made our escape from the Water District. This should help us prepare for this new encounter, I would believe. As Miss Danae said, however, this particular Gatekeeper has ended up caught in either delusions, or alteration of its core program, leading to its present state. In either case, it will need to be assessed, and I believe I can assist Third with this endeavor. As Third delves into its program and machine functions, I can delve into its living mind, to help get a better understanding of what caused its current condition. We have one note of hope in the form of the Gatekeepers' age - because they are an ancient, esoteric combination of spirit and machine, I doubt the Terrestrials have the necessary knowledge to completely change the AI's programming. If they did, they would likely have done so with all the Gatekeepers, and we would have faced the same thing down in the Water District."

Higura pauses then, lowering his head slightly. "There is also one other reason why I think I might be able to help. My... previous self, Dusan the Mindwalker, used to deal with the Gatekeepers before the takeover. I can recall some of those experiences. It is not quite as reliable as I would be, as my experience in the upper levels left me with a very scrambled mind and memory... But it is better than nothing, I believe."

Veldygar stretched his painful limbs. While he was not totally out of his element in a fight, such protracted warfare did not suit him. He was far more at ease in a sorcerer's workroom or a courtly dinner.

Looking for Garnet Cog, he drew her apart from the crowd of Celestials and insectoid warriors.

"You... know a lot about Five Coils, don't you?" he asked her. "And about me. Is there a chance I could be of use when dealing with the Gatekeeper of Earth? I... the Dragon Blooded have used me to influence the mortal masses, but I doubt this kind of power would work on the Gatekeeper..."

Nanaret has been fighting almost non-stop since her group stepped into the Inner Temple. She is not nearly so unapologetically visceral as Eternal, as she continually struggles to keep Ranavalona disciplined and under control. She recognizes the advantage of her counterpart's power, but has no intention of allowing it to supersede her nature... or absolve her from the guilt of atrocities she has committed under the Bitch Queen's influence.

Yet the former gladiatrix never shies from embracing Ranavalona's fury, when need be. It has gradually developed from a last-ditch survival instinct into a focused ferocity, blotting out all outside distractions from the fight and allowing her to transcend her supernatural limits as a Lunar. The focus is so extreme, though, that Nanaret still loses large gaps in her memory after the fury fades -- but more and more, she finds herself losing the fear involved with that bewildering shift. She learns to trust in herself, and the result of that tempers Ranavalona's attitude, while increasing her speed and surety as a combatant.

When the central column is secure, the dark-skinned, short-haired Lunar doesn't remove her armor (a suit of former Burning Feather gunzosha, much like Xurizu and Higura's, but shifted into black and indigo hues with silvered edges). She only lifts the visor of her helmet to dispel the illusion of an inhuman, almost robotic appearance that magitech armor is often known for. Underneath the armor she still wears her dark blue catsuit, barely glimpsed beneath the metal-alloy plates that hug and protect her body securely. Her hook swords remain sheathed at her belt, in this operation used secondary to Sixth Coil, the steel and moonsilver serpent staff Danae made for her.

Once Nanaret has cleaned her staff (on the robe of a deceased Immaculate, no less) and listened to some of the words and opinions of her peers, she says, "I prefer go with Doctor Higura. However, you need more for assault on Gatekeeper guards, I offer my weapon to you." Her hands caress Sixth Coil's sections, still held loosely in her gloved hands. "Otherwise, I can help turn belief of Gatekeeper against programming done to him. What he believe, can be reflected back to him in new light. This I can do."

She looks at the pale-haired man she now knows is Perian. "Kares Perian, you maybe better speaker. But we speak together, makes words stronger. I remember little of Coils before, but Doctor Higura knows."

Then she addresses the others. "Some of you can stay, search for... command code, or something like, yes? Stay here as backup, or help with healing." Nanaret tilts her head thoughtfully, then fetches the gear she'd taken from one of the Immaculates held by Hive Queen Chilomena, Jade Willow. It is a green jade powerbow, and she presents it to Kilani. "Here. You wish fight, this weapon maybe help more." [Private to Kilani Sorune: dunno if you want it or not, but if you do go ahead!]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:52, Fri 20 Nov 2009.

Dashu had sat back listening to the others musings.  He leaned his back against the wall with his head back, trying to figure out to deal with this latest set back.  He was drenched in blood from from the fighting, not a state he relished.  It meant that there had been entirely too much fighting, by his standards.  In his own opinion, the whole liberation movement had not really been advisable.  Let the coils suffer under the burden of the dragons if it wished.  He had no more use for these people.  He only wished to get out of the biggest slave camp in history and see the rest of the world.  But the liberation movement helped get him to the top so he would go along with it for now.  Besides, it wasn't as though he disliked the other celestials.  They had, after all, been fellow slaves.

Finally he spoke up.  "I'm an investigator.  It's what I do.  If it's evidence we need, then I should be able to get it.  The question is, what sort of evidence are we looking for?  Some sort of physical evidence?  Perhaps find some trace of how the dragons reprogrammed it?"

Garnet Cog, in her mobile, materialized form, resembles a feminine figure made of mechanical parts and clockwork gears. She seems stronger, more real here, as if being so close to one of the powerful AIs of the Coils gives her a more certain form than the indirect presence she'd been channeling through the mechanical puppet Veldygar has.

"Veldygar, I believe the Gatekeeper of Earth will recognize you. You have much to learn, yet, but I can tell you this: you once had an important place in the Five Coils. Though now I am your mentor, I once served as your aide. You lived a life in the Coils as Sharia of the Peak of Promises. She sealed the original Gatekeeper's Oaths, so that they would serve the Circle that ruled the Pillar of Creation."

"But those Oaths have since worn thin. The Gatekeepers, in the absence of the Clockwork General and his allies, serve the Terrestrials. They may have lost memories, they may have truly believe they have been cut free of the Oaths. But should you invoke them again, they may well recognize what they had sworn, Veldygar." She gestures toward the others, her arm shifting jerkily, as if her material form is not quite complete or perfect. "The rest will be up to your peers to convince." [Private to Veldygar Arhandor: When the time comes, you can feel free to make up exactly what wording Sharia used for the Oaths, as long as it involves that the Gatekeepers were to obey the Pillar of Creation Circle and issue no directive that would be of harm to them or the people they rule. Or something like that. :)]

Harmony, hovering in the vicinity of Third and Eternal, floats toward Dashu and Danae, who showed the most interest in searching the column. Her materialized form takes the shape of a petite feminine figure with six arms, floating in lotus position. "Should there be a sign of tampering, it may be recorded on archives or backups. If you wish to access data, I can aid you in bypassing security measures. However, much sensitive data has been essence-locked for Dragon-blooded use."

"May I remind you that at the Gatekeeper of Water Central Core, there were panels that reacted only to Celestial Essence. We can search for controls or circuitry incorporating Orichalcum, Moonsilver or Starmetal. But please be careful not to trigger alarms. I can only delay them for so long."

---

OOC: Once everyone has decided where to go, Assault and Negotiation groups will each move to different threads. You may be able to switch between groups as this goes on, so don't feel like you're 'stuck' in one if, for example, someone in the Negotiation group calls for help. (Earpiece communicators are owned by Danae, Dena, Dashu, Third and Evamae, + one extra no one's using yet.)

For those who want to access local databases: Int+Lore.
For those searching for Celestial access panels: Perc+Awareness, Investigation or Craft(Magitech) could work.
You can use Past Lives, Savant or First Age specialties if you have them.

[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge; Veldygar Arhandor: I got tired of writing Harmony with the awkward caps, cursive and dashes. What was I thinking! So, different fonts. And red for Garnet which is more appropriate given the gem color.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:23, Fri 20 Nov 2009.

"Well, as I'm still learning how to use the machinery, it seems likely that I'll be more of a problem than a help working with the Gatekeeper.  I'll join Immaculate Kestrel instead, and try to squash flat anybody who interferes with the job."  Dena decides, having thought it over.

Third smiles pleasantly, almost shyly as it reaches up, gently dabbing the trace of blood off the intimidating Abyssal. The strange being seems somehow familiar, and the pain, the hurt that radiates off of him like heat off of a raging inferno. And that aura moves around Third, leaving it as undisturbed as a glacier struck by a tidal wave, a moment of cool, icy calm surrounded by heat.

Its eyes move up again, meeting Eternal's without wavering, the Solar bowing once more. ' It does not offend me. It would take more than a spatter of blood to offend me' the Solar says softly, before turning, feeling a strange hot sensation in its cheeks... How curious. It turns once more, looking towards Eternal. ' Please... Be careful. I hope you will make it through these times... as intact as is possible.'

It approaches Higura and Perian. 'Eye remember something... Of Pasiap... of the truth behind who it is, and what he did to earn his place among the Immaculate Dragons... And it was not being a blind slave to his beliefs.' The Solar moves towards the walls to access the databases, but leaves a few parting words before beginning its searches. 'It will see the truth.'

OOC: You rolled 8 successes using 14d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((8,1,6,4,9,10,10,1,1,2,3,7,7,4)). Int+Lore+Specialty+PastLife.

"Thank you," Perian replies to Third's offer, "There's many the tale I know and feel to be true, but time, and many lives, have robbed many of their sense. I still recall them, and give them meaning, but their origin often escapes me - things I do not have the means to understand, here below."

"I believe I was once among the lords of this place, though - perhaps I shall recall more."

Nanaret and Higura's words also garner his attention, and he shows every sign of weighing them carefully. He nods thoughtfully, and responds in turn.

"You have experienced far more of the Gatekeeper's attentions than I, and the tales you have to tell would doubtless match mine. More voices and perspectives are essential, of course."

"As I said, my recollections of earlier times are fragmented at best. Still, the stories I recall concerning Pasiap do suggest that words are not impossible - and the Immaculates who have joined us show that the Texts need not be interpreted in ways that lead to destruction."

He examines Nanaret's weapon politely, but does not touch it. "My own martial skills are more defensive, and I was trained more to remove myself from conflict, possibly by removing the battleground, rather than face foes directly. So I may be able to hold a position for some time, but am not well suited to taking one."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:47, Sat 21 Nov 2009.

Broken Eternal did not respond immediately to Third, his blood red gaze merely staring at the strange Solar that had taken such an odd interest in him.  And perhaps not just in his dark energies, or his efficient slaughter, but interest in him.  In whoever Broken Eternal was supposed to be without the blades, without the malice and the hate.  It was a fools game, however--Eternal was nothing more than a weapon, an object sharpened and dulled again and again, beaten into a deadly edge and then finally thrown into the Monstrous Portion for the final touch of oblivion.

Still, Third's concern, though not understood or reciprocated, it did not go unnoticed.  "I am careful with my blades--none that face us shall remain living, of that you can be certain."  Eternal said to Third, before he bent down and began to polish his other sword.  As he did this, he spoke up--uncharacteristic of him, perhaps, but as the others were divining where their efforts would go, Eternal too was a piece on the board to be allocated.

"I belong with the bloodshed.  Whether attacking or defending, it makes no difference to me.  Point me to where you would have them fall, and I will reap them."

While the others finish deciding how to divide themselves to approach the Gatekeper, Third -- with Harmony's expert assistance -- manages to access a mid-level security account in the Gatekeeper of Earth's database. The access point is located on the third floor, embedded into the curved walls of the central column, upon which Earth Essence power lines glow in patterns inspired by mountains and cliff faces, crystal and gemstone facets, sinuous dragon scales. The light they emit is a pure blazing white, whiter even than the white jade and adamant alloy so predominant in the construction of the Inner Temple.

From here the terminal Third sits in front of prints out a database command prompt in Old Realm pictographs. It is possible to search via keyword or, if one is skilled and confident enough in machine programming, attempt more complex commands and specific searches.

Some of these may require higher security clearances, of course, but Third has the proverbial foot in the door now.

---

OOC: For each search word or command entered, roll a Wits+Lore or Linguistics. The same bonuses from before still apply. Keep in mind a very low roll or botch could lead to unforeseen consequences. :)

Other PCs can feel free to offer Third some suggestions on what to search, instead.

Also, anyone who's not decided on a group by Monday will be assumed to be staying with the backup group. (Edited for clarification.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:40, Sun 22 Nov 2009.

Xurizu occupies himself with a search for Celestial Access Panels.  He has something of an idea of what to search for after his guidance through the maze to the Gatekeeper of Water.  He therefore searches for deeply recessed control conduits, lines which look like they've had no maintenance done in a long time, the telltale gleams of gold and silver amidst the shades of jade.  Anything which might indicate a hidden panel or control.

[Private to GM: 14:41, Today: Ledaal Xurizu rolled 6 successes using 13d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,2,9,4,9,8,10,6,5,6,6,8,5. Per + Awe + Per Ex.

Also, I have Eyes Of The Cat up, so if there any truly invisible access panels, I will see them :)]

Third hmmms. "Third has access to the search files. Does anyone have suggestions for what we should search for? Third is considering searching for details on the Gatekeeper and its brainwashing." The Exalt waits for the others to mention things they'd like to search for, considering what may be important to learn, before diving into the search.

"Cross reference that with 'Pasiap, recent history of.'" Dena suggests without turning away from her planning of how to defend the column. "If the Gatekeeper thinks it's Pasiap, it may have stored information on itself under that heading."

Kilani gasped as Nanaret brought her the Jade Powerbow. She bit her lip delicately, as she accepted it, holding it nervously in both hands. "Oh! Umm..." She blinked, then gazed up to the Lunar gently. "T-Thank you very much." She bowed her head gently, accepting it. Looking across to the others, she spoke up. "I'll... take this, then. And I and Ghibari will join the backup team."

The little mole rushed back to her, and scurried up her robes to rest on her shoulder. "If you need help, call us. Ghibari is strong and can dig through the earth, and I can heal." She bowed gently to the others. "If you have some means you might use to contact me, I could reach you easier."

(OOC: That other earpiece comm thing need committed motes?
Taking the Jade Powerbow, thank you :3
Also, Backup group for me.)

"Though it does not bear directly on the matter, there may be something of value in the health records for the District. Earth endures, surely, but the Imaculate Order has allowed much to fester and spoil. Enough to distress Pasiap, were the truth known. Enough to show the Gatekeeper that the tales it hears from its current masters are false - and lie about what matters to it."

Perian stretches, and after a moment's consideration removes the heavy leather gloves he was wearing. "No reason to begin the discussion from a hositle position," he murmurs.

"A pretty solid point" Danae agrees, settling back.  "I'll stay with the Assault team, my talents are best used there, hopefully we'll be able to keep things from getting particularly out of hand that way.  Of course, we should probably have a few stronger fighters escort the Negotiation group as well--I can try that, but I'll be frank, I'm not the best spokesperson in this group, and I'd rather not wind up clumsly ruining the debate for everyone."

Nanaret nods approvingly when Kilani takes the bow she offers. "You are welcome. Please use it well and be careful."

The business with the terminals and keyword searches are well beyond her, but she catches onto Danae's words. Turning her face slightly toward the shorter blond, she says, "I can go with negotiation, then. I can fight, but also, my words have some weight should we need to convince Gatekeeper of something hard to believe. I will help guard the others, and if we need aid one of us should have ear talking device, yes?"

At Nanaret's words, Higura nods silently in her direction, as if giving her an unspoken agreement. Something seems to pass between them, although only for a short period of time - merely a breath later, it is gone, and the doctor focuses his thoughts on the question Third asked, and the contributions the others have made to the topic.

"All of these are very good ideas and lines of inquiry - I believe this should give us a much-needed advantage during the talks and negotiations. The more we know about the Gatekeeper and its... current condition, the more of an edge we will get during our talk with it."

"Following Mister Perian's thought, I would advise to try to look into any transcripts of investigative reports on the Earth District and its Gatekeeper. The Terrestrials do not completely trust the Gatekeepers, mostly because they represent an age that the Dragon Blooded did not create and technology they do not possibly understand. As such, my guess is that it is very likely that at least semi-regular investigations are conducted, to assess whether or not the Gatekeeper remains completely under the control of its masters, and possible directives to ensure that it stays in such a condition."

"If such transcripts exist, then they would be stored in an area of the system the Gatekeeper cannot reach, on an area where it has been convinced not to concern itself with. If we can find traces of such an occurrence, this might go a long way in proving the duplicity of the Coils Administration."

After Dashu takes a moment to cool down from the fighting he decides he'll give Xurizu a hand.  Nodding a confirmation that he understood Harmony's message, he started looking for the circuitry described.

Searching the column

Xurizu's unnaturally keen senses, blessed by Luna unseen, allows him to catch a distinct glimmer of moonsilver along the fourth floor wall of the central column. Further exploration of the fourth floor reveals two more such panels, unsurprisingly showing traces of orichalcum and starmetal, respectively. Only Xurizu is able to point out their location clearly; those who cannot pierce the illusion would see only a blank wall panel. [Private to Ledaal Xurizu: +1 stunt, for +1 success!][Private to Peleps Dashu: Whoops, crossposted. I'll edit this to reflect what you end up finding.]

Group organization

The assault group may proceed up the stairs to the B21 Control Floor whenever they are ready to take on the guards above, providing a distraction so that the others may search or negotiate unhindered: link to a message in this game

Once the negotiation group is prepared to move (whether Third delays its entrance or not due to its database manipulation), they may ascend via elevator to the Gatekeeper of Earth Central Core: link to a message in this game [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: You can either ask Perian, Higura and Nanaret to wait for you, or tell them to go on ahead and you'll join 'em later. Either way, start posting your database queries when you're ready!]

Dashu, Kilani and Xurizu remain in the Central Column, keeping track of the situation above via communicators. [Private to Kilani Sorune: Both Dashu and Xurizu already have communicators, actually. So it might be better to give the spare to someone else, though if you really would rather keep it that's also fine. :) I believe it only has a 1m commitment.]

Veldygar's decision

Finally, Garnet Cog gazes expectantly at Veldygar, and says sharply, "Veldygar, I truly hope you have not lost your nerve now. This is too crucial a time to remain silent or indecisive. A shame, Sharia showed much more initiative than you have so far." The Eclipse Caste's mentor makes her disappointment clear, though she lacks the facial expressions to convey it. [Private to Veldygar Arhandor: You're the last to decide on a group. :) Don't mind Cog, she's just impatient.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:51, Thu 26 Nov 2009.

Third looks towards the others. " Third requests we delay for a moment, to be properly fortified with knowledge before attacking the Gatekeeper, but if you wish to move on, Third will join you after obtaining the requested knowledge."

It begins to type. Words flow from its fingers as it thinks out its responses, typing quickly, as it works along the concepts thrown out to it. First, the straightforward method of attack- Asking for records on the Gatekeeper of Earth, what they may contain. Moving on from there to the more unusual avenue, searching for recent history of Pasiap. Quickly, the Solar then scans through the medical records for the Earth District.

The final task is rather more complex, and the Solar breathes in, committing a portion of its personal essence to this task, as it searches through the database for any signs of dissatisfaction with the Gatekeeper- Cross-referencing Gatekeeper, Pasiap, Madness, and Concerns, hoping to find something.

OOC
[Private to GM: 05:25, Today: Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge rolled 8 successes using 17d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,1,9,8,5,7,2,6,3,10,6,5,4,2,8,9,6. Wits+Lore+Specialty+Past Lifes+Excel.
05:25, Today: Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge rolled 5 successes using 12d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,8,2,6,3,9,2,5,9,8,7,3. Wits+Lore+Specialty+Past Lifes.
05:25, Today: Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge rolled 5 successes using 12d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,5,3,8,6,9,6,10,1,5,7,4. Wits+Lore+Specialty+Past Lifes.
05:25, Today: Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge rolled 6 successes using 12d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,1,10,2,4,5,9,10,6,2,3,8. Wits+Lore+Specialty.

Accidentally rolled with the smaller pool one too many times, so disregarded it. ;^_^ Hopefully these successes are enough to avoid triggering any meltdowns... Currently at 10/19 Personal Essence, I believe.]

"I think I've found something," Xurizu says, pointing to the various wall panels he has noticed for Dashu's benefit.  "Hamony said they might be trapped, but they're already quite invisible, so that could be all the defences they have.  Let's just check though ..."  Xurizu carefully approaches the Moonsilver edged panel, looking about for obvious (and not so obvious) signs that it could be trapped or might otherwise make life unpleasant for a user.

If he can assure himself there are no problems, he reaches forward and touches the panel, offering it a silver toned mote to open it up.
[Private to GM: Today: Ledaal Xurizu rolled 9 successes using 13d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,1,6,10,10,7,5,8,6,2,8,2,9. Search for traps!

In addition to that, Eyes is still up, so any genuinely invisible traps, he spots without roll]

Veldygar was dragged down from his reverie. "Sorry, I was... trying to remember what it was like. Long before. But this is all too vague. I will go with the group that will attempt negociation, see if I can get closer to the Gatekeeper..."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:21, Mon 23 Nov 2009.

While Xurizu is preoccupied with the fourth floor panels, Dashu starts his own search from the bottom floor of the central column. He manages to find a fourth hidden panel, but this one on Level 1 and hidden manually rather than via illusion, requiring tools or strength to pry open. It is made of white jade, with no trace of Celestial material.

Xurizu, looking at the moonsilver-edged panel, sees nothing he would constitute as a trap. However, as his keen mind processes all his senses discover, he finds himself considering an uncomfortable possibility: what may lurk to trap him with this panel may well be part of its inherent design. Without knowing what it is for, attempting to manipulate any part of it would be folly. [Private to Ledaal Xurizu: In other words you may want not to channel anything into the panel until you've figured out exactly what it does. I could think of many rolls that may apply here, but I'd mostly be looking for Int+Lore. If you can stunt a different option you may.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:35, Tue 24 Nov 2009.

Meanwhile, Third becomes engrossed in the task of querying the Central Column's database. (It can be assumed Third shares this information with the others.)

Researching on the Gatekeeper of Earth, it finds the topic to be quite broad. Among other things, the database actually keeps track of the Gatekeeper's maintenance records, though they show little more than dates and basic descriptions. Of note are periodic 'evaluations' by a certain Ledaal Kes, who seems to have been deeply involved with the Gatekeeper since the Usurpers' occupation, though his visits eventually taper off into yearly checkups by RY 832. Third also finds that entries preceding RY 800 concerning the Gatekeeper are either classified or not to be found, while afterward there are a multitude of entries related to the Gatekeeper's activities overseeing the District, covering everything from life support to security systems to 'cultivating faith'.

Researching on Pasiap, Third finds the entirety of Immaculate Texts related to the Immaculate Dragon of Earth, articles about Temples to Pasiap in the Earth District, and finally a potentially damning piece of information. It is a history entered about RY 802, which gives an account of how Pasiap descended with them personally, guiding his people there in a time when strength, solidarity and faith were most needed. He settled into the District of Earth, and afterward are periodic entries of how Pasiap has 'benevolently' visited the District, ensuring they are working industriously and faithful to the Immaculate Philosophy.

Official medical records in the District of Earth show that the people of the Earth District are kept healthy with regular checkups and hospital care provided by Immaculate Monks with medical training. There are, now and then, records of patients moved down toward Water District, or up toward Wood District, where it is stated they will receive more focused medical care. Listed deaths are predominantly listed as a result of labor hazards (officially accidents), death by old age or death at or resulting from childbirth. Including in the recent deaths is the entire population of a mining facility led by Granite Creed, citing a 'gas leak.'

Third's final search is a difficult one, as there's no obvious way he can directly find a sign of dissatisfaction with the Gatekeeper. In fact, given how unsuccessful its queries are despite its best efforts, Third strongly suspects that such information is somehow being filtered and suppressed, which is quite unusual considering that the Gatekeepers are supposed to be omniscient in their domains. There is also the fact that commoners generally consider the Gatekeeper to be controlling autonomous function, but lacking any political power in name (something Gulda Marin made clear during the earlier Sector 5 meeting). So it's also popular the people of Earth never thought to be dissatisfied with the Gatekeeper, rather turning their wrath toward the Council.

There is, of course, records of rebellions being quelled, which have become noticeably more common as magitech production has increased in the past few decades. But the blame for these is always ultimately placed on the instigators -- even for the recent Operation Earthcalm, for which several names including labor leaders, Freerunners, Peace Force and Immaculate 'betrayers' and known Free Celestials are listed as dangerous criminals.

Xurizu is just about to push some essence into the console, when he suddenly reconsiders, deciding it might be better to study the device a little but more.  After all, even if he was completely unharmed by the activation, there were a lot of people who might be.  So he studies the console, applying what little knowledge he has of such devices as he does.  He could at least read any glyphs and warnings on the device...
[Private to GM: 23:31, Today: Ledaal Xurizu rolled 1 success using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,1,2,7,2,2,2,4. Int + Lore + 2 sux from excellency. 3 sux.  Failroll :(]

All this information is shared with the others as it comes- Most particularly, the interesting results on 'Pasiap'. It looks over towards the others, as it finishes. " Do we have further queries to direct to the computers, or shall we continue on and use the knowledge we have gained?" the Solar says politely, hands still resting at the computer.

"Hmmph..." Nanaret crosses her arms, considering the information Third has gleaned. As it's likely all spelled out in Old Realm (everything involving magitech is, to her experience) she has to ask for translations from the others who can read it.

Finally she says, "Seems to me Gatekeeper of Earth is also lied to. Or at least, truths hidden from him, for almost three hundred years. But Gatekeeper live much longer than that, yes? Somewhere... somehow, maybe he still remember."

"To convince was easier with Water Gatekeeper. She treat us well once she realize that Celestials have returned. This one, I do not know. Hardest part is to show Gatekeeper of Earth that he is deceived by Terrestrials, that we hold truth of things, despite what we are. Because what we are."

Nanaret folds her moonsilver serpent staff into a compact shape, returning it to the backsheath she had the builder bugs make for her. "Anyway, I have no more question. We should go sooner than later, this area not safe forever."

"I wonder, can these devices be convinced to allow the Gatekeepers to communicate? If Water were to vouch for the truth on matters where Earth has been lied to, then..." Perian trails off, not entirely comfortable with the layers of deception involved in the matter.

"Else, another matter worth raising might be the state of the mines. I know that my tales have served to refresh the hearts of many, and of the earth itself. But such facts are not comfortable, for the Order or for one who believes itself the incarnation of Earth." he seems satisfied to let the problem rest there, lacking the expertise to ascertain whether his suggestion has value, or if answers can be found in the system that Third has accessed.

Dashu gives the panel a quick once over for traps and then calls up to Xurizu and anyone else who can hear.  "I found a white jade panel.  Any idea what this is all about?"

Xurizu smiled at Dashu, looking up from the panel he was studying.  "The panels are overrides, failsafes, things like that," he explains to Dashu.  "They're keyed only to Celestial Essence, like this one is keyed to Lunar Essence, so they could give us advantages that only we could claim, depending on just how they functions were locked down.  I'd guess a White Jade one was keyed only to Dragonblooded but ..." Xurizu considered.  "I might be able to do something about that."
[Private to GM: I rolled up above, and got 3 lore sux!]

Group organization (All)

By now, the assault group consisting of Danae, Dena, Eternal and Immy have already left up the stairs. The group preparing to enter negotiations with the Gatekeeper are still waiting on Third, or more specifically, any other suggestions on subjects to query the database with. [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: You should be able to answer Perian's question about communication between Gatekeepers, though I'm not sure if he meant using the earpiece communicators, or using the terminal you're on. Anyway, the earpieces would be a 'no' since their range is too short. Using the terminals would likely be too much trouble to be worth it. Gatekeepers have been segregated from each other for centuries. It'd take some pretty invasive programming and hardware tweaking to bypass that, and you could trigger a ton of security alerts before you're done with it.]

Veldygar orders his demons, Dezephiel and Gugoona, to remain in the central column with Dashu, Xurizu and Kilani. Harmony and Cog offer to stay with the backup group as well, unless Third or Veldygar (respectively) wish their company.

Since it doesn't seem like anyone wants the spare earpiece communicator, no one contests Kilani claiming it for herself. This means Danae holds the only communicator for the assault group, and Third holds the only one available to the negotiation group at this time. [Private to Kilani Sorune: You may wish to join Dashu and Xurizu's search, below. Up to you!]

Searching the column (Dashu, Xurizu)

The moonsilver panel on the fourth floor, and its orichalcum and starmetal lookalikes, look very similar to the panels Third, Higura and Nanaret operated in the Gatekeeper of Water Core. Their predominant feature is a twist lever, each fashioned in the magical material associated with the Celestial that must operate it. Xurizu and Dashu would both recall that when they used them, they had to be activated simultaneously, and with a sizable use of Essence.

However, one important thing comes to Xurizu's mind while looking over the moonsilver panel: channeling Essence into it hastily may well alert the Gatekeeper or subordinate AIs of the presence of a Celestial. As Danae has warned, the Gatekeeper of Earth is actually well in the pocket of the Terrestrials and currently believes himself to be Pasiap. Therefore activating or testing these panels, MAY in fact compromise attempts to negotiate with the Gatekeeper, and turn him hostile.

Unfortunately, he can't be completely sure about how the Gatekeeper will react without trying it. They are likely a form of manual override. Perhaps it may bypass permissions that the Terrestrials installed after taking over. But it could just as well be a trap.

On the other hand, the white jade panel Dashu found on the first floor of the column is nothing like the panels above. It is not hidden by illusion, nor does it contain a single trace of any other material besides white jade, nor does it seem to be touched by any sort of obvious Essence power source. It's simply a blank panel, which could be manually pried open to reveal what lies behind it.

[Private to Ledaal Xurizu; Peleps Dashu: Check for traps on the white jade panel with Perception+Awareness or Larceny. Or you can just not care about that and attempt to open it up. You could be careful with it and use Dex+Craft (I can see Magitech, Earth or Fire working here) though without proper tools, you may incur a penalty. Or you can use a Feat of Strength of a Strength+Athletics total of 7. Remember you can use cooperation, stunts or willpower to increase this total.

Conversely you can try to get another look at the orichalcum, moonsilver and starmetal panels. I'll allow another Int+Lore or Investigation roll, though at a -1 external penalty from Xurizu since he already tried once. Stunting a creative or different approach may remove that penalty. I wouldn't recommend taking those panels apart like the jade one unless you trust your skills in that!]
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:00, Thu 26 Nov 2009.

Nanaret looks from Perian back to Third. "I not sure that database have any more use for us. It is somehow altered. Possibly Terrestrials that do this, they make sure keep Gatekeeper from truth somehow."

"I remember Granite Creed." She shakes her head disapprovingly. "He was leader of mining camp we stayed at after leaving Water District. He made contact with Hive Irix Chilomena, the builder bugs who help us plan takeover of Inner Temple. She tell us that only month or two ago, Creed and others in camp were eliminated. Was not an accident. A powerful artifact was used, turned living things to pile of ash. I saw these piles myself."

"So is possibly better that we speak in such way that Gatekeeper believes our honesty. Unless there some other way to show Gatekeeper what truths been kept from him." Here Nanaret shrugs, knowing such a plan is well beyond her capabilities, as well.

"Putting the Gatekeepers into communication would likely yield results, yes." Higura continues, as the group makes its hypotheses. "It was one of the suggested theories when we last spoke to the Gatekeeper of Water. One of the first things the Terrestrials did, when securing the support of the five Gatekeepers, was to sever their links to one another - keeping them isolated and unable to communicate with the other ones. Perhaps they feared that united, the spirits might have the ability to plot and organize themselves... Or perhaps even see past some of the lies they had to feed to some of them."

The doctor pauses for a moment, shaking his head softly. "Of course, the Gatekeeper will likely not want to hear any of this before his conviction in being Pasiap has been shaken. Until then, it is very likely not to want to put weight in our words... Or in the responsibilities is has outside of the image it has created for itself."

When Nanaret speaks, Higura nods somberly, lowering his head slightly. "This is the length to which our enemy is willing to go to to keep its affairs secret. Which means that it also still fears the truth. Those secure in their ability to enforce their might and power do not fear the truth - they enforce it, even. This means that we have a chance of turning the Gatekeeper then, since much effort is spent trying to keep it in the dark."

"We will need to work as a unit to achieve this, however. Alone, our respective strengths are likely to be brushed aside. Together, however, there is a much greater chance one of us will find the crack in the proverbial armor, at which point we need only push through the one opening until me manage to tear apart the whole mask."

Third shakes its head, cutting the idea short. "The dangers would be extreme, and our chances low. We cannot enlist the Gatekeeper of Water in this, sadly." It nods at Higura's words confidently. " But you are correct. We can convince this being. We are Lawbringers, Viziers of Fate, Wardens of Creation." The Solar looks up, eyes looking unusually focused as it clenches a hand, speaking in the voice of someone quite different. " We must go forwards into the light. The Gatekeeper will see the truth, whether it wants to or not." Shining Eye says, striding confidently, ready to face the Gatekeeper, sword left in its scabbard at the Solar's side.

"I am ready," says Nanaret simply, following Third (or is it Shining Eye?) along with Higura, Perian and Veldygar to the elevator going to the Core.

"As am I," Perian says, intent and focused. "I will speak of the present, then, when suitable. And we will speak of the future."

Before heading up, he pauses to look at where Dashu and Xurizu are working. "You know your work better than I do, but the stories I've heard have echoes that reach far and wide. Perhaps they will help," he says, sketching an odd symbol in the air.

[Private to GM: OOC: I still have 6 'prayer' points, which might be applicable here, as magitech is one of the domains covered.

Incidentally, are the ex-Immaculates around? They might know more about the local technology, or provide elemental essence.]

The symbol Perian traces seems to glitter in the air faintly, briefly capturing Garnet Cog's interest. For a moment she regards Perian curiously, but it doesn't last long. The machine-spirit is more concerned with Veldygar, conferring with him quietly before declaring, "Very well, I will accompany you."

[Private to Kares Perian; Saina Nanaret; Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge; Veldygar Arhandor; Yaishin Higura: I'd really like you all to wrap this up and show up in Central Core ASAP. Thanks!]

[Private to Kares Perian: The ex-Immaculates are outside with the rest of the rebel troops. That entire group of soldiers, workers, defectors etc. continues to fight and endanger themselves while the Celestials negotiate with Gatekeeper.

If you want to use some of your prayer points to help Xurizu or Dashu you can, as long as your next post also implies you heading upstairs withthe others.]

Dashu makes his way up to the hidden panels Xurizu discovered to see if he could figure anything out.  He went about his observations methodically.  With each panel, he focused his attention initially directly on the panel.  He then gradually took in the items and patterns surrounding each panel.  As his attention progessed outward, he tried to understand how each object related to the others.  Once he finished with one panel, he moved on to the next.

[Private to GM:
15:15, Today: Peleps Dashu rolled 4 successes using 6d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,6,4,7,8,4. Int + Investigation. ]

Xurizu frowned at the strange symbol Perian drew upon the air, committing it to memory.  "Thank you," he nodded to the man.  "Good luck in convincing the Gatekeeper," he says.  Then he resumes his study of the panels, visiting each one of them in turn with Dashu.  Each of them is opened up in the same way, studied for traps or clues as to the function.  "We're going to need three of us to open these, and it might not do anything," he says to Dashu.  "Lets go back to the one you found and have a look at that," he continues.  "It doesn't sound like these, but maybe it can give us some clues?"  Unless there is dissent, he goes with Dashu to the white jade panel.  That too, is checked for anything untoward.
[Private to GM: 01:36, Today: Ledaal Xurizu rolled 5 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,8,10,1,5,9,3,7. Int+Lore, again. +1 sux -1 penalty.  to understand the celestial panels, take 2
01:43, Today: Ledaal Xurizu rolled 3 successes using 12d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,4,3,4,3,3,1,8,1,3,7,3. Per+Awe+armour+2 excellency. checking the white jade panel for nastiness]

"It comes from an old tale of the Earth District, from when the Coils were still under Celestial supervision. I believe it will help, though I do not know these devices well enough to state how," Perian explains. Then, focusing himself on his coming duties, he releases a flicker of essence within himself, and follows the others into the elevator.

[Private to GM: Activating Temptation Resisting Stance. +4 to mental DV, motes committed from personal.]

After he concludes his study of the Celestially aligned panels, Dashu follows Xurizu over to the white jade panel.  "Good idea.  Maybe we can find a way to operate that one."  He then begins to study it as he studied the other three: starting with the panel itself and then moving outward, observing it's surroundings and taking careful notes.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:44, Mon 30 Nov 2009.

"It looks like we might be able to pry it open," Xurizu remarks of the White Jade panel in front of him.  "I don't really have much skill with the more correct ways of doing so, but it looks like it might lift away quite cleanly," he glanced at Dashu for his opinion.

"If not, we should go and find Kilani and let her know what we found, and get her to relay up to the negotiators that we can trigger the panels, but that we're not sure if we should just yet."

The negotiation group departs, along with Garnet Cog. Only Xurizu, Dashu and Kilani remain in the Central Column. For whatever reason Kilani seems quiet or perhaps overwhelmed by the surroundings, or situation about her, and has not yet responded to anything or anyone since accepting the powerbow from Nanaret.

Orichalcum, moonsilver and starmetal panels

Together Dashu and Xurizu continue to examine the three fourth floor panels more thoroughly, Xurizu utilizing his sharp senses while Dashu uses his attention to detail to determine more about them.

Besides the caveat they already know (that activating the levers MAY alert the Gatekeeper to Celestial presence), the first thing they notice is that the panels have been used very rarely. The last time it was accessed could have been at least 200 years ago. Yet their construction shows them to be millenia old. It's very likely that, in order to create whatever block there is on the Gatekeeper's memory, the Dragon-blooded still had to force Celestials via the collar to access these controls.

This further strengthens their theory that the panels are indeed a form of Celestial override bypassing permissions. Parameters may have been significantly altered through this 'superuser' mode, or a subordinate AI introduced as a 'filter' on data entered and processed. If the latter, attempting to activate the levers may force the subordinate to materialize.

Xurizu might recall a bit more, examining the mechanisms of the panel and comparing it to similar constructions he has seen during his years working for Sienna. [Private to Ledaal Xurizu: Xurizu was under the influence of his mistress, so he only remembers it in fragments. Himself, and two others, a Solar and a Sidereal controlled by Sienna's colleagues Zerabia and Misa (respectively) were brought to a Wood District control room. The walls were curved, organic, formed from roots of green jade, glowing with power lines resembling streaks of sap, or capillaries. As he and the other two Celestials poured their essence into the machine, the lines flared from green to a scintillating iridescent, flashing in all colors of the rainbow, hypnotizing and beautiful. Xurizu realized in that moment he were looking into a vision of pure chaos, beautiful yet utterly disordered: true knowledge lay there in the midst of that madness, and he would learn from it, no matter the cost.

OOC: BTW, the chaos effect you see there is actually because the Wood District's Gatekeeper is Wyld-mad, this is not actually common to all Gatekeepers. Though Xurizu might not know that for sure. :P]

White jade panel

This panel is much more straightforward than the Celestial-access ones. As stated, it is simply a cover for whatever is underneath.

Once again, Xurizu's keen eyes manage to find a trap rigged to trigger should someone attempt to tamper with its seal. If triggered it will deliver a significantly painful shock of lightning to whomever is unfortunate enough to touch it, but more importantly it is hooked up to a security system, which may alert sentinels to the area. [Private to Ledaal Xurizu; Peleps Dashu: This needs an Dex+Larceny roll to get past. Difficulty is 4. Just prying it open anyway needs a feat of strength, as above (don't forget you can teamwork on this) or Dex+appropriate Craft diff 2. Actually, since neither of you have Craft, you could also use Larceny now that I think about it. So, two rolls Dex+Larceny, one Diff 4 (disarm), the other Diff 2 (open). -1 external penalty to each of you lack proper tools.

BTW: Dashu should already have a communicator, though it possibly makes sense to let Kilani speak while you're busy with the panels. *if* she posts... :P]
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:19, Fri 04 Dec 2009.

Xurizu is about to lean in, to lever at the white jade panel, when something catches his eye and he pulls back, quickly.  "Okay, blindly pulling might get us killed," he says, pointing out the lightning trap.  "Do you think you can safely disable that?" he asks of Dashu.  "And is there anything I could do to help, if you're not sure?"

He decides to leave the Celestial panels for the moment, at least until they get some feedback on how the negotiations are going.  After all, inappropriate activation could doom the negotiations, as well as using motes which might be needed for a counter-attack.  Perhaps they could check the database though, if those details were recorded ... "Do you think the database might have more of an idea about these panels?"
[Private to Gatekeeper; Peleps Dashu: The comment about helping was also to Gatekeeper.  Is is possible?  Or is there only enough room for one person to work?]

Dashu frowns when the trap is pointed out to him.  "I don't know.  This isn't my forte." Maybe with some help, I could do it, but it look like it will still be difficult, especially if we don't have the proper tools.  I think checking the database might be a good idea.

"Hmmm, I might have an idea to get around that," Xurizu says after thinking a little while.  "Well, at least make it a little safer to disable," he says, wandering off and returning with a shockpike.  This he makes sure is partially discharged, before he sets it to its charging mode and leans it against the wall to be touching very near to the lightning trap.  "Now if it does go off, it should earth itself in there, not in us," he says.  "So we can just worry about the relay to the Gatekeeper.  Hopefully," he finishes with a grin.

Then he leans in with a collection of improvised and not-entirely-appropriate tools:  Some scalpels and some tweezers borrowed from a medical kit, a few slivers of the magical materials, pried from one of the armoured suits trashed in the fighting, a couple of items from the kit Dashu had improvised.  With this kit he attacked the alarm, carefully prying back the covering, then, its working laid bare he began to trace out essence channels.  Both the channels which would cause the lightning to discharge and the ones which vanished behind the panel, to bear warning to the Gatekeeper.  It was the latter wires he concentrated on at first, spearing some and shorting others until the alarm couldn't talk home.  After that, disabling the lightning trap was almost anti-climatic...

"There," he says to Dashu.  "That seems to have done it."

[Private to GM: Ledaal Xurizu rolled 5 successes using 11d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,9,10,8,3,8,3,2,5,3,6. Dex + Larceny + 1st Dex + wp.
00:55, Today: Ledaal Xurizu rolled 3 successes using 6d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,8,2,8,7,4. Dex + Larceny (Lever open door gently).]
[Private to Ledaal Xurizu: Just fixed a tag!]
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:11, Thu 03 Dec 2009.

Dashu looks at what Xurizu is doing and lends him his aid.  His years in the security force had taught him many unique ways of dealing with locks and traps.  He had little hope of dealing with something this complicated on his own, but he was able to offer useful tips on reaching some wires without triggering others.

At Xurizu's declaration of being finished, he simply nodded.  He then reached down and started trying to move the panel.  "This thing's heavy," he grumbled out loud.

Xurizu's creative use of the shock pike, medical tools and other available scraps allows him to disarm the trap quite smoothly. In fact Dashu almost finds himself learning more from the Lunar about trap disarmament than vice versa, though Xurizu's skill seems more tied to his ingenuity, and the swift, precise control with which he wields his makeshift tools, rather than any streetwise ability at bypassing security. A typically Lunar solution, improvising with what one has!

Applying the tools to loosen the panel around the edge is elementary once the traps are safely removed. Dashu and Xurizu struggle and pant a bit to lower the panel without it clattering loudly all over the floor, but they do manage it.

Beneath it is open space. An even more anticlimactic revelation than the disarmament, perhaps. Closer examination shows the crawl space to be more than just a storage area: it is an opening into a chute, big enough for one person to fit at a time, with the base of a ladder showing at the far wall. A light source would be needed to climb that ladder, but an anima could do (again, if one is not paranoid about being caught shedding Anathema Essence in the midst of the Gatekeeper's controls).

If Dashu or Xurizu pokes his head in to discern the top of the chute, he will see that it stretches up into darkness. This ladder may well lead up and out of the District -- a Guild of Technicians chute, likely. With the other Celestials distracting the Gatekeeper and his guards, and the Freerunners, Rubies and rebels neutralizing forces outside the column, the Celestials in the backup group have a good shot of climbing their way up undetected.

That is, if they're willing to abandon their 'comrades' (if indeed they thought them as such in the first place).

"I need to get some proper tools for tha-oof.  It is heavy," he agrees, as he takes up the strain of the other half the door.  He'd had to take his gauntlets off to manipulate the trap, limiting the help his armour could give him to the lift.

"Goes up, a long long way," he says to Dashu as he ducks into the hole and then back out again.  "Maybe even all the way up, to the Fire District."  He eyes the hole speculatively.  "We should tell the negotiators about the three Celestial Panels, find Kilani," the he suddenly looks thoughtful.  "And something else we can check the database for, too."  Yes, that would be a helpful thing to look up.

Dashu pulls out the communicator and sends a message to Kilani.  "Hey, come here and meet us we have something interesting to show you."  Here he stops and looks at the lunar.  "So are you saying we should tell them about the celestial panels but not the chute?"

"It's something we can show them after.  It doesn't seem like it's that relevant to their attempts to convert the Gatekeeper to their cause, unlike the Celestial panels.  After all, all we could do is potentially increase the suspicion the Gatekeeper has, if anyone goes up there now," Xurizu explains.

Dashu shrugs and relays the message about the celestial panels across the communicators.  "We found three panels similar to the ones in the Water District.  We're not going to activate them because it might make the Gatekeeper suspicious."

"Hopefully they'll let us know if they have a different opinion," Xurizu says as he walks with Dashu to the database terminal Third had found.

He kneels down in front of it.  "First, lets see if there's any record of those panels being used.  Old records, I would guess," he says, as he starts to key commands into the database.  Searches which directly concerned them, but also side queries, relating to mention of subsidiary systems added, 'maintenance' reports, anything he can think of that might conceal information on the panels.

Once he's run that through, Xurizu tries to get access to the personnel records for the temple.  He'd like to look through the pictographic records until he finds a particular one...
[Private to GM: Looking for the DB he nom'd on.  Wants a name, and perhaps some history.]

Dashu sees Xurizu go over to the terminal but doesn't follow him over there.  Instead he keeps his eyes open for ambush.  They had been sitting still for awhile and that was starting to worry him.  He also waited patiently for a response to his message.  "You find what you're looking for?"  he called over to the man who he had come to think of as his friend.