Noah slow turned his head to look at Prometheus. "There are more plans in play that can be counted. My presence has them looking not just for answers but satisfaction of curiosity.  It means all but the highest will be absolutely hungry for information. Given the Abyss has been shrinking, and the sudden atlantian wonders, they will be looking to benefit from it all."

"Their curiosity and greed will be to our benefit. And this is nothing. There was a worse scrape not too long ago. We will get out of this just fine but likely far more closely watched provided they dont act like fools."

He held out three scales that had been shed from when he was shot up. "We brought back the dead and made an immortal without inverting anyone's soul. Count that there are no archmages here who could do half as well as you. Stronger, yes, but you're no slouch man."

Argentus smiled to Prometheus.  "This is definitely Grand.  Great would include just one country or parts of neighboring countries and this would be the first in over a century.  This is the first Grand Council that I'm aware of in the last ever.  Some mystical Thearchs were looking forward to it being convened by the Oracles when the time was right to enter final battle with the Abyss before establishing the New unFallen World.  I guess we pre-empted them."

He did not smile to Noah but whispered, "Be careful.  You might already know all of this, but: unlike myself, most ranking members of the Silver Ladder - and by extension nearly all Magisters - evaluate factual data by... non-traditional standards.  A Guardian might say it's because of Hubris, though the Magisters would say it's because of 'struggling against the Lie.'  Implicit or explicit accusations of foolishness might backfire - hard."  He implied very carefully that while some were almost completely insane and many were only partially sane, they (and most of the rest of the Ladder) viewed it less as madness and more as battle scars.

Sal mused at the thought that in his entire unlife, he had next to no contact with mages before meeting the Cabal who counted him as of their own. Now he was seeing more mages in one place than there had, apparently, ever been before. He wondered how kindred younger than himself had managed to succumb to ennui, with all the surprises the world had to offer.

Mistral took the tube with a curious look, but then willed it to fold inward into a tiny polychoron before vanishing altogether, stowed safely away in a space-between-spaces.  She put her forehead against the dragon's and put a hand on his scaly neck and said quietly, "Time to make your entrance."

Mistral had trouble with authority, disliked being scrutinized and generally did not like social gatherings.  So, a Grand Concilium consisting of the most powerful and important mages in the world gathered to scrutinize her... that ranked pretty highly on her list of most uncomfortable situations imaginable.  She kept her face stonily neutral  and eyes forward, even as her awareness was cast in all directions.  She tried to keep a low profile even when that was entirely impossible.  She wished she at least still had her hood to hide beneath.

Trying to project nonchalant poise while feeling as if she were on her way to the gallows, Mistral made her way toward their place on the floor... which happened to be the focal point of the entire Concilium.  Unless stopped along the way she would take her seat here and sit knee-over-knee, looking comfortable while clenching and unclenching her fist beneath the table.

 As the group settled in to their seats, there was the unmistakable scent of coffee in the air... and not just any coffee, strong coffee, strong enough to give someone a caffeine buzz just by smelling it. Looking to the most obvious culprit, Grey, the group found that she did not have any coffee... but rather a massive 128oz cherry slushie that no one had seen her bring in. She slurped on it happily while swinging her legs in her chair.

 A little while too late, it occurred to Sal that the last time he had encountered a group of mages that they had pegged him as a vampire in under a minute... and that this gathering was during the day...

 A rough count of the name plates revealed Magisters from over 30 countries present, likely the largest gathering of Masters the world over in recorded history.

 One of the Magisters finally spoke up, one from Hungary. "What is this? These mages are called to answer for one of the greatest acts of Hubris in millennia and one of them dares show up polymorphed into a dragon?!?"

 The group noted that the man seemed to be speaking in his native language but the words they heard were in their own (everyone here seemed to be speaking French to Mistral, despite her knowing for a fact that her companions do not speak it).

 One of the men, an agent of the New York Free Council (and, it seems, the one elected by the Free Council to speak on their behalf) stood up and spoke. "Please, all things in due time. Before we get to that, the New York Silver Ladder received some last minute news regarding many of the events that have occurred over the last several days."

 He motioned for the leader of the Silver Ladder to stand. "Most esteemed Masters of the world, yesterday evening, it came to our attention that New York has become host to an Emperor class spirit named 'Apocalypse' and that it was responsible for both the recent storm and the solar flare."

 The Convocation burst into muttering amongst itself. The leader of the Silver Ladder waited for a few moments before he raised his hand for them to quiet down before he continued. "We were able confirm through the Spirit Courts that Apocalypse does indeed reside in the city. We were unable to confirm for certain that it caused the storm and solar flare, but we have no reason to doubt the information we received."

 The group's coven was temporarily forgotten in the panicked mumbling among the convocation members. Some of them began to speak up.

 "We must do something before the world is destroyed!"
 "We could banish it!"
 "Banish an Emperor? Are you insane?"
 "There must be something we can do!"

 The leader of the Silver Ladder banged a gavel to get everyone's attention. "That may be unwise. During our investigation, we have learned that the Emperor has been living among us peacefully for years. We have reason to believe that he was provoked. It then stands to reason that provoking him further would yield similar results."

 There was yet more muttering before the older man from the Free Council raised his hands to signal silence. He indicated the group. "This group has been working with the Emperor and, from what we can gather, were responsible for blunting the effects of the catastrophe that befell us. Is there anything else that any of you would like to say regarding the matter of the Emperor?"

 It seemed strange, but none of the New York mages had yet spoken Talion's name.


OOC: anyone with at least a single dot in Spirit knows that speaking a spirit's name is an invitation for them to listen in or manifest.

Argentus nodded and stood.  "Before this august company decides what to do on the matter of the Emperor, I would ask that they also judge him by his enemies.  In working with him both before and since our apparent demise, our primary opposition has been in the form of earthbound demons and Nephandi.  Apocalypse or not, if these are the Emperor's foes, attempting to reduce his power - even if successful and by dint of your great skill having no backlash - we might be inadvertently increasing theirs."

He let them consider that information for a moment before continuing.  "Furthermore, his main project has been in line with the Awakened Ideals - the shrinking of the Abyss and the return of the Supernal worlds.  In pursuit of that I have also personally witnessed him fostering the awakening of a fellow Obrimos."

He hoped that these would resonate with the Magisters in the room.  "In light of the work this cabal did to blunt the storm, as well as the existing positive relationship it has with the Emperor, and in light of the favors owed to this cabal by the Emperor, I request that the assembly consider making us the Consilium's official ambassadors to the Emperor.  Thus, we might have official communication, cooperation, and coordination in the goals of returning the Supernal Realms and opposing the agents of the Abyss.  Undoubtedly both sides of such an arrangement would see great gains, and the end of the Lie would be brought that much nearer."

He politely also refrained from mentioning the Emperor's name.  Even if the suggestion were rejected, he hoped that it conveyed a quiet warning: any action taken to discipline the Cabal for what they had done to save the city would have to be minor indeed, lest it incidentally bring them into tension - or heavens forbid, open conflict - with what might otherwise be the most powerful ally they had known in millennia.


01:44, Today: Argentus rolled 4 successes using 13d10 with the World of Darkness nWoD system with a target of 8, rerolling 10s with rolls of 1,1,8,8,2,7,7,4,7,3, 6,8,9.  Manipulation + Persuasion [deals] + Consilium Status + WP.

Sal let his eyes droop, and his head nod slightly before jerking back up, as he saw little reason to pretend he wasn't supposed to be asleep right now. Even if the ring made it easier to stay awake all day, he was still tired. He refrained from speaking, as he really had nothing to say about the "Emperor."

 There was a long pause as the Concilium considered what had been said. Finally, one of them spoke up. "And what proof do you have of this? What would the Apocalypse have to gain from restoring the Supernal Realms?"

 The leader of the Silver Ladder spoke up in response. "We sent someone to the Emperor's lair yesterday and found evidence supporting Master Argentus's claims. While we don't know why the Emperor of Apocalypse has suddenly taken an interest in restoring the Supernal Realms, we have found that his lair does indeed support a thinner but still stable Gauntlet with supernal energies flowing freely from it."

 There was more mumbling among the members of the Grand Convocation before the leader (the New York Free Council head) raised both hands to call for silence. "We will postpone your request to become the official ambassador with the Emperor until the end of this Convocation, Master Argentus. There are still other things that must be discussed."

 There was a long pause, nearly four seconds before them man took a deep breath and looked directly at the 300lb Dragon in the room. "Noah, what have you done?"

 The rest of the Convocation was dead silent, awaiting his answer...

And now it was time for the free council libertine to open his big fat maw. Noah, being Noah, had set up a full on presentation with slides. He opened his little roll case and let the projector drones over about to their appointed locations. "I had a blow by blow presentation set up detailing how this all happened but if you wish to go that far back I am happy to oblige." the projectors lit up and showed the rosary on his wrist with its blue fire. "Holy fire from the host Throne who guards the throne room of the one above all. He who created the seen and unseen. Submitted as evidence for the following claim."

"With the help of a mentor I altered the part of my true name that states 'born of x father and x mother's to 'born of dragon,  raised by.'"

"A minor change, but one so profound as to ensure that if I stood in front of the entire population of the world I would not invoke even a wisp of paradox." Noah had a really good mentor.

He looked at the Merlin of NY. "Sorry, you know I normally share what insights I have. But given there was a earthbound demon I had to lay low. I ask your forgiveness if I seem brash showing up like this but my proxy human body was used to reverse the efforts of a pack of Nephandi."

"I mean no disrespect."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:11, Tue 14 Jan 2020.

Argentus nodded respectfully to his superior and took his seat.  He made way for Noah's presentation and hoped that it would be sufficient to pique the interest of the Magisters present.

Oooh.  He thought, That might be another French word I know.  He decided to google it when they were released to find out before using it near Mistral, though.

When Argent gave his speech about Talion, Prometheus had to admire the Ladder's clever use of connections. While he still doubted that the Emperor level spirit was entirely on their side...

...And it was likely that at least half of the people he likewise doubted such a thing...

...Revealing it as he did and getting those investigations done through the storm was a well though out play. No one would have time to counter the words of Argent or the Ladder, and so it would be set policy until Talion did something to mess it up. Talion was almost certainly coming out of this secure in his position, even if the rest of the Cabal died.

However when Noah started his presentation, Prometheus froze in his seat. Instead of offering a reasonable and sane explanation, or  better yet, requesting to have a Mind Mage at least confirm his words and sanity before he spoke....

...Noah jumped right into the explanation that would sound crazy. Both the trip before a Supernal Throne and altering his very existence and the no Paradox bit. And in turn confessed that his existence would now and forever be a gratuitous breach of the Veil.

The question was...how quickly would it be before the Guardians and Arrow called for their head.

"Noah," Prometheus muttered under his breath, "Now would be the time to remember you need to appease more then just the Free Council here. Please."

 There were angry murmurs among the Grand Convocation. The words most commonly picked out of the noise were "hubris" and "breach".

 The old man leading the Free Council banged his gavel and pinched the bridge of his nose, taking a deep breath. "You altered your True Name... into a dragon."

 He took a deep breath. "Even if you don't invoke Paradox with your presence, which itself is up for debate, your very form is a grave breach of the veil. Why? Why would you do such a thing?"

 Before Noah could answer, someone came rushing in from one of the side rooms to speak with the Merlin. When he spoke, he sounded visibly shaken. "I apologise to all those gathered here for the interruption, but I must call a brief recess. Someone here has been killed."

 The gathered members began muttering in confusion as the Merlin left into a side room. Guards barred any physical entrances and any areas that were lightly warded.

Noah looked up, down, left, and around. "You know, this is one giant target." Noah planted his hand on the side of his ear and called the Merlin or his Synth counterpart.

"Planning for way down the road. Doing this was a side effect of what is being planned. Sorry I couldnt contact you man. You may want to redouble the escape route to ensure it is clear. The Earthbound likely cant pass up a target like this. The storm was supposed to kill you all, when that was averted he may have a back up plan. Please stay safe Merlin."

He turned to the group. "anyone got anything? Highly likely it's either the earthbound forces or someone really screwed up."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:50, Tue 14 Jan 2020.

Mistral sat still and poised as the proceedings commenced, and though she paid close attention her expression were stoic and enigmatic as ever.  Argentus proved to be quite the adept politician in the way he'd primed the Silver Ladder to speak on their behalf, then explained and presented recent actions in a positive light.  When he'd finished his initial speech she glanced to him and inclined her head fractionally, which from her was akin to an applause.

Noah presented the incredible circumstances of his outrageous transformation in his matter-of-fact way, sans duplicity and asking forgiveness but not apologizing.  Mistral was sat with folded leg next to Noah's draconic hind-leg, and so she brushed her ankle against him in private support, though it would look like nothing but a slight shift in positioning to onlookers.  Mistral was glad for Noah and Argentus to take the spotlight and draw the Concilium's attention from her.  She'd resolved not to speak before the gathering unless by necessity, both to maintain a low profile and because it would be better for their case that she didn't.  By now the cabal was well-aware that she speaks plainly and has a general contempt for authority, neither of which would be favorable in the present circumstance.  She would guard her tongue to the best of her ability, but she'd never manage the level of diplomacy required for the situation.

Just as the heated responses to the dragon presentation came in the proceedings were stopped on account of a death on the premises.  Intriguing.  Unless prevented from doing so, Mistral quietly arose from her seat and blended into the hubbub of the recess.  She tried to unobtrusively make her way toward the focus of the disturbance, listening to whispers and trying to glimpse anything of interest.

---

The plan to get up assumes that people are up and milling about during the recess, but if there are guards on us and Mist couldn't move without causing trouble then she'll remain seated and try these rolls from there.

Stealth to mingle unobtrusively:

• 14:00, Today: Mistral rolled 1 success using 7d10 with the World of Darkness nWoD system with a target of 8, rerolling 10s with rolls of 6,2,9,5,2,6,3.  Stealth.

Wits + Composure to try to see or hear anything of interest:

• 14:00, Today: Mistral rolled 1 success using 6d10 with the World of Darkness nWoD system with a target of 8, rerolling 10s with rolls of 2,9,7,1,2,6.  Wits + Composure.

Wits + Investigation to try to deduce anything from what she hears/sees::

• 14:00, Today: Mistral rolled 1 success using 6d10 with the World of Darkness nWoD system with a target of 8, rerolling 10s with rolls of 5,7,8,3,3,1.  Int + Investigation.

 The guards had moved in to prevent people from milling about too much as Moros were gathered to survey the crime scene. As they entered, those who had lived in New York for some time noticed that there were newer members among them.

 Interestingly, the investigators were paying great attention to the break room.

Argentus wasted no time and before the Head Magister had left the troom, he had called his spirits to himself.  "Polt, I'm sorry I've got nothing to enhance you with yet, but please go and find out what you can about the death.  Highest priorities are: who died, who killed him or her, and how."  He gave Harry and Niri a field promotion, increasing their influences by three points each.  "Each of you see what you can find out too.  You should find your natural affinities strengthened.  Jitters, you can likely give and take physical energy from mortals now - there's probably a massive repository in Grey's cup.  Niri, you can likely feel the electricity running through the walls if you couldn't before - use it to defend yourself if you have to."

As a near-after thought, he also called Harry out and enhanced his Finesse.  "Harry, keep watch for anything suspicious entering this room."

Lastly, Argentus stood and called in a loud, clear voice, "August Magisters and other fellow Masters, it is possible that what happened was a simple accident.  However, it may be that our frustrating the demon and Nephandi plans to ruin the Emperor's work in bringing on the Supernal Realm has provoked them to action against this body.  Everyone please do what you can to strengthen the defenses of those here against what may be coming, and if a few could trawl the threads of Fate and Time to see if there is more threat coming, or whether this was just a feint to provoke rash reaction, it would be appreciated."

Argentus himself then activated his Prime and Spirit sights to scan for signs of demonic taint or the work of Nephandi.


23:40, Today: Argentus rolled 1 success using 9d10 with the World of Darkness nWoD system with a target of 8, rerolling 10s with rolls of 8,2,3,1,2,5,5,5,1.  Enhance Spirit, High Speech, 2 targets, rd 2.  enhance Jitters and Niri

23:40, Today: Argentus rolled 2 successes using 9d10 with the World of Darkness nWoD system with a target of 8, rerolling 10s with rolls of 4,8,3,7,3,10(+7),6,7,7.  Enhance Spirit, High Speech, 2 targets, rd 1.

23:45, Today: Argentus rolled 3 successes using 10d10 with the World of Darkness nWoD system with a target of 8, rerolling 10s ((8,1,6,9,4,9,3,5,2,1)).  Enhancing Harry.

 As the spirits got to work and the mages began weaving their spells, an explosion rocked the building. It was close by but the building itself didn't seem to be damaged.

 As the security team rushed out the doors, they were met by a group of armed thugs who immediately raised their weapons, but the guns didn't fire and the security team quickly subdued the enemy team.


 The mages began to usher everyone into the portal room before the police arrived.

Mistral didn’t get far because of the guards keeping order, but she heard the whispers rippling out from what was apparently a break room.  She heard someone say, “It was the coffee, they think...” and she recalled the powerful smell off coffee in the air.  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then calmly returned to the central table, where Argentus was declaiming to the gathering.

Mistral sat next to Grey the business fairy sipping happily on her giant cherry slushie, and just looked at her for a long moment before asking very quietly, “Grey?  Have you done anything to the coffee?  Enhanced it, perhaps...?”  If Jitters were near she would call him over and direct the question to them both.  She awaited the answer, then said gently, “I require you to change all of the coffee back to its usual formulation, at once, s’il vous plaît.  The human body cannot process such concentration de caféine as you, ma fille.  I will also ask that you make no other... improvements here, even if you believe that people will like them.  D'accord?”

(before the chaos)

 Grey looked up at Mistral innocently. "I didn't do it! I promise!"

also before chaos:

Mistral gave Grey a nod, then turned to Jitters and asked evenly, “Chevalier Jitters?  Did you enhance the coffee?”

(before chaos continued)

 Jitters, who was now rotund and the size of a small dog, likewise shook his head. "'Nay, Milady. 'Twas not of my doing either, though I detect the ambrosia of black water nearby, I cannot locate its source."

Sal continued to sit quietly, looking sleepy, and watched with some concern as the chaos unfolded.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:36, Wed 15 Jan 2020.

PM

Using his cyberware Prometheus sent a text to everyone in the Cabal, Be careful we don't see a Demon where their ain't one . Largest gathering in Mage history was set up in 3 days...no way that was kept quiet. Seers, Banishers, Hunters, rivals...this is a goldmine of distrust.

And with that in mind, for now he does nothing. He could try and review any security footage....but they are the accused, and it would be very easy for this crowd to blame them. No need to make themselves look more guilty unless asked.

And the newish members of the guard got Prom even more nervous. Not enough to doubt their intentions...but he wasn't going to trust them to say the least.

And then the attacked started...and was over before it began.

Probably the demons forces then. Bad equipment, idiotic tactics, and probably doesn't even have the basics of tech on them. Thank God for small Blessings.

OOC: Holding my herding to the Portal until everyone else has resolve pre-chaos stuff.

When the chaos started to erupt, Argentus shook his head.  He stood up and yelled aloud: "HOLD, PLEASE!"

He stood in his chair and raised his voice, though not quite so loud as the first shout.  "The forces opposed to the end of the Abyss and the return of the Supernal conspired to end the Emperor's project, and when that incidentally caused the largest grouping of mages in history - a true threat to their plans - they seek to disrupt it with one explosion somewhere else and a few thugs?  Let's relocate with the evidence, rather than concluding this.  Or will we let them think that something so small could deter the entire representation of mages on this planet?"