The High Priest made a vague beckoning gesture with his elbow before returning his focus on the battle, at which Hurlon said, speaking to Swift Fox in a warmer tone than he had to Sun Snake, although still far from friendly:

"I will take that thing, fell creature - I am better placed to take care of it, and perhaps that way you can contribute to the fight, something your kin seems to have decided against doing."

And he made a demanding gesture with his hand, apparently refusing to even lower a glance toward Lobster.

Meanwhile, near the lake, Sun Fox laughed loudly at the interplay between Water Hornet and Sabre Fox, moving some the hair that the rain had plastered onto her face away from her eyes before commenting, her tone quite amused:

"Yeah, it would be horrible to get wet at this time, wouldn't it?"

She shook her head again, then plunged into the lake after Frost Ferret, with Silver Raven following immediately after her.

You two coming Sabre and Hornet? :)

This message was last edited by the player at 20:23, Tue 04 Feb 2014.

I think I already had Sun Snake take the crystal when Swift Fox first came over.

Oh! I missed that. Doesn't change anything about the post, really, but thanks for making me notice - there was a lot of posts between my previous one and this one, and while I'm overjoyed about that, it does means I can occasionally miss some details. :)

Meanwhile I remain, your eyes in the sky, hiding at the back as usual and appearing to be doing very little ;).

"Well your a fine one to talk!" Fox retorted to Sun Fox "your the crankiest out if everyone when your wet!" He said before heading after her

Water Hornet watched his fellow Kai and despite the serious situation they were in, he couldn't help himself not to have a wide smile on his face. In his thoughts he drifted back to the last couple of months when he had stalked the Cener group - he had never felt any big discomfort at being alone, but presence of his battle brothers and sisters did feel refreshing.

He quickly glanced around and followed the others into the water.

Swift turned her head to peer at the bishop, cocking her head to one side and staring unblinkingly at him again.
The gesture appeared something like an extremely spooky version of a child's curious stare at something she found intriguing on an unknown level.
Her gaze travelled up and down his body then she looked back at the battlefield.

"You appear to be doing well without help" she finally said.  "That said though, I can think of one way we could aid you."

She narrowed her eyes, peering through the rain as if counting the numbers of troops there.
"The abomination had another agent assisting them.  One whose physical shell was less... tampered with, than this thing."
She peered down at Lobster, momentarily wrinkling her nose in an expression of contempt.
"That one arrived from the Port City of Argazad flying on a Zlanbeast which, from overheard chatter and rumour among your troops, I believe they abandoned in the cavern where your Kraan were housed, attacking one of the guards in the process."
She looked up at Madayl.
"That was the one who fired the arrow at you during the initial attack.  And it was due to my intervention that it didn't get to fire a second or third shot before fleeing the area.  Since my attention was on this one, another of our kin left in pursuit.  However..."

She examined the Cenerese troops again.
"I cannot help but wonder if the timing of this attack is coincidence.  Clearly this creature was meant to assist in some way from the inside.  Is it possible that the Nadziranim have manipulated these Cenerese fools into a suicidal attack that destroys or at least weakens your defences, thus serving their purpose?"

A humourless grin crossed her face, an expression that would look more at home on the face of some nightmarish predatory creature as she raised her gaze towards the tunnel entrances beyond the battlefield.
"They're likely to be out there now, watching and waiting for the right moment to strike" she said, lowering her voice to a cold whisper that spoke of one anticipating the coming carnage.
"We may be in a position to strike first however..."


OOC: I could have fun with this... :)
This message was last edited by the player at 10:47, Wed 05 Feb 2014.

Hurlon shook his head at Swift Fox's words and said, his tone annoyed:

"This is not a suicide attack. The Ceners are already trying to retreat, and it's easy to tell that the armoured soldiers are just working on defense - they're static and using their magic to cover the leaders from the attack, whereas, if they were to want and strike, they'd not shoot while standing still, they'd march forward as they do, making their charge almost unstoppable. And that holds true for the Ceners as well - Smokey is only attacking on the flanks rather than using his powers to break our ranks, the woman limited her offensive by only using small animals but now that she's forced in defence she's using giants, and the leader is holding back most of them all."

The former mercenary pointed at the tall, red robed man and expained, his tone disdainful:

"Look at how the insects keeps buzzing around him and only darting forward minimally; they're holding a defensive perimeter, as if unable to go further than him by more than five feet or so. Yet, when he unleashed them at the beginning, he struck in the heart of our faithful, more than thirty feet in front of him, and each one of those hit by even just one insect was dead in short order, whereas now he's only killing those who move closer to him, and only killing those who show the more determination to reach his person. It's not a suicide charge at all, they're merely biding their time, although what for, I couldn't say."

He then glared at both Swift Fox and Sun Snake as he added, sounding very annoyed now:

"That's why I want you to enter the fray - that kind of defensive fighting wouldn't stop you fell creatures, and if we can break through their defenses, overwhelming them will become a lot easier. I'd do it myself, but that would mean leaving the High Priest without my protection, which I'm not going to do."

Meanwhile, the raft of ice started to move across the lake, carried by the Magnakai's power to manipulate winds...

I need somebody with Nexus to beat a DC 4 check to keep the raft from losing balance due to the power of the Nexus push that is acting as your motor, unless you want to paddle your way to the island.

Checking something before posting.

Sorry Swift, I have some sneaky info from a reliable source!

Sun Snake suddenly laughed a rumbling laugh, devoid of any real mirth. "I've been looking for Nadziran interference without thinking of the Cener as having deceitful plans of their own. This form is truly limiting me." Sun Snake looked to Hurlon. "You need our eyes and minds, bishop, not our force of arms. There is a reason we were chosen to be the captains of the Darklands forces. But you are right, this is no suicidal charge followed by clarity and retreat. Yet what is the purpose? If they were looking to pull us to an unwise attack, they would provoke us more than the initial flashy assault. If they were awaiting a signal to attack, they would be looking for a signal and co-ordinating better. As you say, they are simply hunkered down. They are playing for time, but not for a purpose connected to this battle. Thus, they are just a distraction."

Sun Snake looked to Swift Fox. "If we were leading our own troops against a Ceenere fortress that held the Deathstaff, think what we would do. We would get our troops to attack as a distraction, whilst we shifted form to infiltrate some lowly outer area in the initial confusion. And we would make sure that small group was not attacked, for fear a stray shot give away our immortality or disband our cover."

Sun Snake pointed to an area that was not currently under assault with some dark glee. "Odd that such a shifting chaos of their initial attack did not manage to reach that area there. And strange they have now turtled themselves conspicuously out of range of it." Sun Snake shook his head and growled. "I was looking for that which stood out. I should have been watching for that which was to be overlooked."

Sun Snake looked to Madayl. "And so, with such chaos, and with so many dead, it is easy for a face that none around really know to be assumed to be one of the faithful. You see why I large numbers of lesser beings trouble me. It is too easy for a traitor to slip in."

Sun Snake against spoke generally. "It would not surprise me if they relented soon, and then made a second similar assault once their infiltrator had secured the Deathstaff."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:21, Wed 05 Feb 2014.

Hurlon raised an eyebrow at Sun Snake's words and commented, clearly surprised:

"You understand warfare? I thought you fell creatures to be murderers, not generals of armies."

After a moment, though, his eyes narrowed, as he looked at the battlefield following Sun Snake's suggestion, and then said, sounding hard:

"Perhaps you're right - I can see the area they're refusing to attack, now that you pointed it out... but we can't be sure which one of those is a traitor, and the rest are faithful who are bravely fighting the attackers, and I would not have them all killed just because one of them might be a traitor. I'd rather discover the traitor, take them alive, and question them properly."

He looked at the High Priest, as if expecting for a command, but the man seemed completely focused on intensifying the rain - and, all of a sudden, a real multitude of thunderbolts started to strike violently at the Cener's woman defense, forcing her to summon even more fire to keep herself alive, and completely closing the woman out of the battle. It was clear the High Priest was eventually going to wear down the woman - he was clearly winning now, at least - but just as clearly, the battle was taking enough of his focus that he was not able to comment on sun Snake's and Hurlon's discussion.

Hmm...

Swift let out a short, rather feral sounding hiss as she looked towards the area Sun Snake indicated.
"Of course.  My apologies" she remarked, sounding more irritated than apologetic.  "I have been too distracted chasing these puppets to get a full view of the situation."
She peered down at Lobster's unconscious form, muttering something at him in the Giak tongue that probably wasn't very complimentary.

Returning her attention to the battlefield, she eyed the Cener woman, watching as she was beaten back by the lightning.
Her gaze flickered briefly towards Sun Snake, as if waiting for a command or action from him...


OOC: Hmmm, well I'm now assuming Sun Snake has a "cunning plan" (said in the style of Baldrick of "Blackadder" infamy!) :)

Hmm, wonder what will happen when that woman's defenses get battered to nothing. Maybe pointing her out wasn't a good idea. If she does die, there might be unexpected consequences. And if the High Priest is looking to get through her defenses for other reasons, he might be able to pick her brains and get some flashes on who we really are.

If he doesn't know already, of course!

And cunning plan? I'm sort of hoping for Dusk Rat to do something spectacular! Well, either that or us to seem so powerful and impressive that the High Priest completely forgets to scan us while we are low on WP and spot we are Kai.

If he does spot we are Kai, well, then the fun really kicks in.


"What is warfare if not the ultimate way to murder all your foes in one simple series of actions? Infiltration is only a tool for preparation. It is no substitute for battle. Single combat and assassination are pleasurable only, not efficient. "

However, Sun Snake's sneering face showed a spasm of disgust at the man's compassion for his men. "Faithful? If they have true faith they would gladly kill themselves to reveal the traitor and ensure our master's ascent. Is your faith really so faltering that you would put their lives above the High Priest's and Vashna's?"

Sun Snake gestured dismissively. "Go lead them if you wish them to have a chance. Order them to attack, and see which one falters, or is avoided by the Cener's counter attack. My kin and I can protect the High Priest from a physical attack, and Madayl can touch those beyond the reach of our hands. If they are truly faithful you will find the traitor easily."


Sun Snake seemed to deliberately avoid Swift Fox's gaze, but it did not seem to be anything to do with the Helghast guise.

Rolled a 3 for Nexus. If we can get that to 4 with assistance from Sun Fox? Then again if Fox helps direct it with his swimming seen as he is in top athletic shape with Huntmastery and all

If I understand it correctly, you need at least one of us (with Nexus) to beat that DC 4? Or once Sabre made the roll, that is the result that counts? Anyway, I will roll, too, we can drop my result if it can't be used.

Water Hornet used the newly acquired dagger to help him hold to the ice. The water looked still from the shore but it was not easy to make their makeshift vessel move straightly towards the temple. It bobbed and tended to turn around its axis; with his gaze fixed on their intended destination, Hornet willed it to move forward.

Rolled a 7.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:45, Thu 06 Feb 2014.

You understand it right, Hornet. You pass. :)

It wasn't a long process to cross the lake in their ice raft - the hardest part of it, in fact, was avoiding the many islets in the way, which required careful guidance, but Sun Fox took in charge that aspect of the navigation, while Hornet's efforts were enough to stabilyze their raft so it didn't send them all into the water.

Once the ice stopped near the central island, the group quickly took land in front of the majestic structure of the temple... and then, the very moment each of their feet touched the ground, their Sixth Sense howled in warning in their head, for the very ground they were walking was dripping with dark magic, enough of it that the whole island was like a cursed snctuary for the powers of Naar.
Meanwhile, Hurlon narrowed his eyes with suspicion at Sun Snake as he said, his tone harsh:

"I already told you I'm not going to leave the High Priest's side, fell creature. Why are you so eager to push me away from him?"

Before any response could be given, though, there was a sudden explosion of blue fire in the middle of the battle, and then the cener woman was flying through the air, although not under her own power - it was a result of the explosion she'd caused, and her spear was now held broken in her harms.

Even so, she gestured at the walls and long spikes erupted from them, some of them draining the High Priest's next lighting strike while others slowed down and then stopped her escape, allowing ther to run into one of the tunnels; the High Priest's next attack was headed for the opening, but she suddenly touched the ceiling and it collapsed behind her, covering the hole and saving the woman from the attack.

A moment later, the insects from the Cener Druid still on the field exploded outwards, suddenly ravaging all of the Acolytes but the fartest ones from him - among which, Sun Snake noticed, was the group that had attracted his attention - and then, with that cover and the only one surviving soldier of his group at his side, firing his disintegration rays to keep pursuit away, the man quickly reached the closest tunnel and disappeared through it.

If you have reactions, this is the moment to offer them. :)

Swift glanced towards Hurlon as he spoke but almost immediately her attention was drawn back to the battle by the explosion.
She watched as the Cener troops began to fall back, occasionally glancing at Sun Snake while flexing her fingers, as if eager to pursue and kill the retreating forces.

Then she looked back towards the area Sun Snake had pointed out before and back to him.
"If they have something planned, it must happen soon.  What do you think?" she hissed in a low voice.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:26, Thu 06 Feb 2014.

At Hurlon's earlier words, a distracted Sun Snake then put his full focus on the bishop, his eyes locking on to Hurlon with equal suspicion. "I only pressed you on your own words. The High Priest's security and Vashna's rise are your only concerns." Sun Snake's eyes started roaming around Hurlon's face and quickly shot down to his body, as if reassessing the man as being anything other than he was. Sun Snake  seemed to stop the assessment with reluctance, and then was distracted from further comment by the sudden end of the combat.

"Indeed. We need to stop that section of acolytes - the ones coincidentally spared from the red robed mage's wrath - from reforming with others. Ride that Kraan over there and make sure they stay separated. Tell them the bishop wishes them back here immediately to form a line to defend the temple against tricks while the rest recover. Anything."


Can Sun Snake detect anything odd from anyone over there?

"Am I the only one feeling a sense of endless dread?" Fox asked casually "best foot forward I suppose.......... Hornet goes first"

Do I need to subtract any WP for Nexus use?

"We all sense it, I think..." said Water Hornet, sharing none of Sabre Fox's light mood. But there was also something else the Magnakai sensed. "The young Cener is still with the Acolytes," he glanced to the chaos taking place on the other side of the lake, "I just hope the Deathstaff is here in the temple."

Without further words he took point of the group as ordered by Sabre Fox (he was himself surprised how natural it felt taking orders from his fellow Magnakai). The warning his Sixth Sense was screaming to him wasn't that much disturbing - he had expected the place to be the concentration of evil. It was the fact that he would not be able to sense the incoming immediate threat that really made him nervous. With Drakkarim dagger he cautiously started walking towards the temple.

Is High Priest still by the boat (if we can see him)? I just think it might be a good idea to pull the boat towards the central island in case we will be leaving the temple in a haste. ;-)

Swift turned to peer up at Sun Snake, giving him a momentary frown hidden from the view of Hurlon and the High Priest.
Then nodded.
"I'll leave the abomination under your guard for now then.  Be wary, he is capable of undoing his bonds through psychic manipulation, and will take any chance he can get to flee the area."

With that, she turned and began to run back towards the Kraan...


OOC: Okies, will play along and fly out there unless the bishop or High Priest stops her...

The High Priest is still near the boat, yes.

It seems like Frost Ferret doesn't want to post anything, or hasn't had the time, so we'll move forward now.

As they reached the island, Sun Fox eyes the big temple in front of them with a critical gaze before saying, in a serious tone:

"Well, it seems like this is pretty straightforard - the temple has a door on each side, and I guess the one here is the best one to enter it from. Shall we go?"

Before she could, though, Silver Raven put an hand on her shoulder to stop her and said, his voice a terrified whisper:

"Be careful... this temple is drenched... maybe even built out of... the darkest of magic. Argazad was less noxious than this place is... we might be making a big mistake here."

On the opposite side of the lake, the High Priest had eventually lowered his hands, and turned now toward Sun Snake, apparently ignoring Swift Fox's deaprture completely, before finally speaking. Without the powers from before amplifyingn and making it echoe everywhere, the voice sounded old, but not weak - it carried a great deal of authority and, in fact, the end result was something that sounded grandfatherly and carrying great wisdom.

"I would take pleasure from knowing your name, newcomer, if you are willing to disclose it to me."

Sun Snake turned to the High Priest, internally caught off guard by the man's reasoned tone, and also knowing exactly how dangerous it was. While sending Swift Fox to intercept the Cener infiltrator and rival to their own plans had been tactical, perhaps a part of him had simply wanted her away form any consequences of his folly.

OUtwardly, he seemed reserved, and the occasional sneer and disrespect he had directed at the other bishops was gone. "My name is unimportant. There are only two I would bow to in this world. One does not yet walk it again, and the other is his right hand."

Sun Snake then took a knee before the High Priest in deference, though still looking up to the man inscrutably.

Swift reached the Kraan and clambered up onto its back.
Glancing back towards Sun Snake for a moment, she muttered something under her breath in a rather angry tone, then directed the creature into the air and began to fly towards the group of Acolytes that had been indicated...


OOC: Cener infiltrator?!  In that group I'm flying towards? (O.o)  I think I'm unaware of the part I'm playing in this "plan", lol.