Gou blinks for a moment before Nala's kiss on his cheek reminds him that he does have guests and he's representing his people to them.

"I think we should get you to safety first, Lady Nala," Gou says. "Is there anywhere you would like to go, or would our manor be fine?"

Even as he says this, his mind is racing. Who ordered this attack? Who were they targeting? And that woman... why does she seem so familiar?

"Ray," he says to the young man. "Prepare the guest room and a pot of tea ready for Lady Nala."

The guest room here is not the guest bedroom, but rather a side hall used for receiving guests.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:28, Sun 27 Nov 2022.

Session 1, Scene 5
Resplendent Fire 14, RY 768

Ray nodded rapidly before running toward the manor while Gou, Nala, her bodyguard and several other armed Gou’s followers took the same direction.

-I appreciate your hospitality, said Nala. I will need to send someone to my own residence in town to send a group of guards to escort me back but in the meantime, I will take advantage of your tea.

She took a deep breath to stop her hands from shaking, a typical reaction to adrenaline withdrawal.

-It’s not the first time someone tried to kill me, but I never was targeted by a demon. I will need to talk with the other members of the council. If the killer is a demon, a summoner is probably nearby.

The group arrived at the manor quickly and Gou lead them to the guestroom were Ray and another were already setting a table with a pot of tea.

[OOC: I let you decide if you want to continue the discussion or skip it and go on with the story. I am ready for the next scene.]

This message was last edited by the GM at 08:53, Tue 29 Nov 2022.

Session 1, Scene 6
Resplendent Fire 14, RY 768

The rest of the day passed quickly and without incident and Nala departed after a new group of bodyguards arrived to escort her back to the city.

This night, when everyone was sleeping, Gou was walking around the manor. When he approached the exterior bathhouse, he saw a silhouette that was seated near the water.

The Lunar quickly recognized the silhouette as the mysterious cloaked figure he saw just after today attack and the day of his arrival. But this time, she didn’t try to hide, she was just sitting near the water and her hood was lowered, giving Gou his glance at her face. She seemed young, mid-twenty, and was the poster girl for Realm beauty with delicate feature, light skin, narrow eyes and long black hair.

The woman turned her violet eyes toward Gou and made a sign to invite to come closer.

-Greeting Gou Jira, she said as a crescent moon appeared on her forehead. I think we need to discuss of several important things.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:54, Tue 29 Nov 2022.

Gou tilts his head. THe mark of the moon? Like... himself?

The change is as reflexive as breathing, and Gou doesn't even realize it himself, but a silver disc appears on his forehead as his Caste Mark manifests.

"...I remember you. I saw you when I first arrived, but then you vanished..."

Realizing that she is most likely not a threat, for now, his words pick up confidence.

"Yes, I am Gou Jira. And what is your name?"

Session 1, Scene 6
Resplendent Fire 14, RY 768

The woman smiled.

-I am Lyra, she answered. I wish to ask for your help in locating and killing the person behind the murder spree affecting this city for sometimes. As you have seen today, the murderer uses demons, Az’gal in particular. That make me suspect the Realm to be the instigator in a bid to weaken the new regime in Nahalu.

Her gaze fixed the bow of Gou.

-But I see you have yet to choose your Role among the Chosen of Luna. I can help you with that.

[OOC: You can decide on a Caste now or wait a little longer if you want.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:54, Tue 29 Nov 2022.

"Lyra... And you're like me? And I'm a Chosen of Luna? I... A voice spoke to me when I first gained this power. Could you tell me about it? And about this Az'gal demon too... All this is a bit too much to take in at once."

Session 1, Scene 6
Resplendent Fire 14, RY 768

-Yes I should maybe start with the most obvious, Lyraanswered. Like you I am Chosen by Luna. We are similar to the Dragonblooded as we are Exalted, even if their religion want to denie it. The difference are the origin of our Exaltation, ours come from Luna, Lady of the Night and Second in Heavens.

She took a leaf and began to fold it as she continued to talk.

-I was once a mortal, but after enduring harship and never giving up, Lady Luna appared before me and gifted me with part of her strength. The story is the same for every other Luna's Chosens, including you. She granted us the ability to adapt to any situation by changing ourselves, in body and mind. But most of us cannot reinvent themselves like Her, so we choose a Role: the Warrior, the Trickster or the Sage. I am a Trickster myself, working in the shadows to sow confusion in my ennemie and weaken them.

The leaf was folded to form a boat that Lyra deposed on the water and pushed it, watching it float away.

-That reason of my presence here. I want Nahalu revolt to survice and thrive. To act as the beacon to show that the Realm is not the only path. This assassin is destabilizing the new gouvernement. I suspected for some times they used supernatural means for their crime. But today I know how they work. They use Az'gal, the Killing Shadow, a specie of demons from Hell. Not particulary powerful but well equiped for assassinat.

She turned toward the Moon.

-If you accept to help me track this summoner, I will teach you more about our shared nature.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:54, Tue 29 Nov 2022.

Gou nods as he listens to Lyra.

"Fortunately, I don't think our goals conflict. I've found myself responsible for a crew, and I want to give them a safe haven to live in. I think Nahalu is the right place for this, especially since we used to crew a Realm trireme in the first place. I am willing to help you find this assassin and stop him or her, but unfortunately I am not a very good thief-taker."

Session 1, Scene 6
Resplendent Fire 14, RY 768

-But you are a fighter, Lyra said. I have a plan to track the killer, but I can fight a demon and put it in place at the same time. But if you were to distract a Az'gal long enough, I could capture it and bind it to me to force it to reveal where is summoner is hiding.

She turned toward Gou.

-In one week, some of the rebel leader of Nalahu will meet with some people of Karag, the third city of the island, to discuss a potential alliance. It will be a lot of important people in the same place at the same time. I am sure that our killer will try to strike it. That would be our perfect opportunity, if your are willing to help.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:55, Tue 29 Nov 2022.

"I am, yes. And I'm fairly confident in my ability to pin down a creature like it. Although... do you have any suspicions on who this killer is? Would it be best to keep it a secret from Nala and her daughter?"

Session 1, Scene 6
Resplendent Fire 14, RY 768

-Unfortunately, answered Lyra. I don’t have that many clues. I suspect the killer work of the Realm and he or she arrived disguised has a refuge from another city. Nahalu has an influx of them, mostly escaped slaves, so it’s the easiest way to enter. I suppose the killer hide among the populace.

She paused before continuing.

-But all of that is only speculation. We will have answer soon enough. In the meantime, why I don’t tell you a story.

Lyra began sang the story of Luna and her Chosen. How the Moon Goddess choose the outcasts and the survivor to fight alongside the other Chosen against the enemies of the Gods. How they were victorious and created a Golden Age for Creation. How it crashed down in betrayal and blood. And how the Lunars survived ever since, fighting the Realm in the shadow.

[OOC: Lyra try to influence you to create a Minor Intimacy of Trust toward her. She roll 10d (8 normally + 2 excellency). This beat your Resolve unless you wish to boost it.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:55, Tue 29 Nov 2022.

Gou listens intently to Lyra's song, and as he does, he wonders about the other Chosen and what they might be like.

After she finishes, he asks, "Are there more people like you... I mean, like us out there? You sound like you have a better grasp on this than me."

OOC: Gou won't try to resist

Session 1, Scene 6
Resplendent Fire 14, RY 768

-We are not alone, answered Lyra. In this region, we have the Three Devils Princes, who mainly kept to the coast. North from here we have the Black Lion of the Caul and Leviathan of Sunken Luthe. I am young for a Lunar, I exalted only thirteen moons ago, but I crossed path with several of our brothers and sisters.

She took a breath.

-Most of the young Lunars have tendency to gravitate around one the elders, a shahan-yas. Some reamin at the service of a shahan-yas, other become independent and if they survive long enough become shahan-yas themselves, that how we work. If you wish, in exchange for your aid I can have you meet with one the Princes, they know far more than me.

[OOC: Unless you have other questions, I think we can end this scene. If you wish you can choose a cast now. In case you ask, Lyra don't talk to much about the Silver Pact or her plans because she don't know you. If you manage to gain her trust, she will open more.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:55, Tue 29 Nov 2022.

An elder Lunar, Gou muses. Considering how even he as a fledgling could rout an entire Lintha crew by himself, what wonders and terrors could an ancient Lunar do?

He then looks down at his hands.

Could I do that too?

He turns to Lyra. "Anyway, I'm in for this plan. What do you need me to do to find this killer?"

OOC: Yeah, Gou will probably go with Full Moon.

Session 1, Scene 6
Resplendent Fire 14, RY 768

-For now, nothing, answered Lyra. In one week, I will come to take you for the rebel meeting, if I am right, the killer will try to attack it. Distract one of the demons long enough for me to make a biding ritual. Easy?

She stood up.

-You have a form that can pass unnoticed right? If not, I suggest you find one quickly. In the mean time I think we can talk about the Role you want to play as a Lunar. We have three Roles: the Warrior of the Full Moon, the Trickster of the Changing Moon and the Sage of the No Moon.

She took a silver needle from her clothes.

-I will fix your role by marking you moonsilver tattoos. As the ritual progress I will ask you question and the tattoos will depend of yours answers. At the end you will learn the Role best fitted for you. Are you ready?
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:55, Tue 29 Nov 2022.

Gou's answer is to transform into the seagull whose form he took during the journey to the island. He then transforms back and listens to her talk about the three roles. Warrior does seem to stand out as suiting him, but the Trickster seems to come along with being a Lunar. He's definitely not a sage, though...

"Yes, I am," Gou nods. He listens as attentively as he can manage.

Session 1, Scene 6
Resplendent Fire 14, RY 768

-Alright, Lyra said. Take you clothes off; the tattoos need to follow the energy meridian of the body. Then get down.

As Gou did so, Lyra took a bottle. The casteless lunar could sense his essence react to the silver liquid inside, like the smell of a favoured food bringing water to the mouth. Moonsilver, a part of his mind whispered.

Lyra got on her knees beside Gou and dripped her needle inside the bottle.

-At the core of every Lunar is protection, she said. Lady Luna made us to protect, and this instinct is in each of us. So, tell me what you wish to protect the most? The thing you will do anything, even fight the entire world, for?
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:55, Tue 29 Nov 2022.

Gou is a little embarrassed about stripping and lying down in front of Lyra. Well, one part of him is quite eager about it and he has to will it to stop.

As he looks at the bottle, however, he hears a voice inside him say "Moonsilver".

"Moonsilver?" he muses, and then Lyra continues.



Gou has to think a little about this.

"Once I wanted to protect my family and my friends. Then the Realm came and enslaved us. But now, by the grace of Luna, I have new family and friends. I want to protect thehm, my family and friends, new and old."

Session 1, Scene 6
Resplendent Fire 14, RY 768

-Perfect, she said. Fix these peoples in your mind and describe them.

The needle began to pierce Gou skin as Lyra worked on the tattoos. Drop on moonsilver were placed under the skin of the lunar and began to form arabesques. The Changing Moon began to follow the meridian of the body, forming a vast network on Gou body, then she created curved branches with symbols, each of them representing a person in Gou head. Moro, Ajima, Drifting Ray… the fifty members of his crew all appeared on his skin, plus a dozen of other from his life before slavery.

-Now describe your strengths and your weakness, continued Lyra. This help fixing the Caste best suited for you.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:55, Tue 29 Nov 2022.

Gou tries his best to focus on the people in his mind... one way or another, they have all shaped his life, and as he recalls how they shaped him, the moonsilver is shaped in turn. Of course he does not know this, but it comes naturally to him, just as Lyra speaks again.

"I am strong, and I am tough," he says. "I would not say I am smart, or that I am patient. I would rather not think, only act, and I act to protect the people who are close to me."

Session 1, Scene 6
Resplendent Fire 14, RY 768

As Gou talked, he could feel the needle pick is skin. Lyra had left the space between his shoulder free of tattoos until now where she began to drew symbols representing the strength and weakness of her fellow lunar.

The moonsilver under Gou skin was pleasantly cold and he could swore sensing it moving. But more importantly he could feel his essence resonate with it, in true he had a similar feeling when he was drawing on his essence to call on his magic. And the feeling only grows stronger with each tattoo.

-Can you turn, asked Lyra after finishing his back. The last part is your Role, how you act? As I said we choose to have three Roles.

She drews a symbol on his forehead.

-The Warrior of the Full Moon are mighty and prefer to face danger themselves. They can be subtle like an assassin, or command army of warrior, but in the end, they count on their physical prowess.

A second symbol was draw.

-The Trickster of the Changing Moon prefer to win their battle by wits alone. They turn their enemies against each other, mislead them to lead them into a trap or seduce them to change side. Overall, they like to spread chaos in the rank of their enemies.

Finally, Lyra drew a third symbol.

-The Witch of the No Moon use knowledge to destroy their enemies. They watch their prey from the shadow to know how to defeat them and craft tales to teach other to do the same. They can use spells, make pact with ancient spirits, forge artefacts or more mundane methods, but they always use knowledge. Knowledge of the world or knowledge of their enemies.

She began to draw a symbol to link each of the cast symbols.

-Now think of how you want to protect your charges.

Gou feel his essence build under his skin, the tattoos began to shine and silver mote of light began to appear around him. When Lyra finished the symbols, his essence exploded around him as his anima took form.

The tattoos moved like snake under is skin and became even colder but the lunar didn’t feel uncomfortable. In true it feels right, like fresh water running on his muscles after a day of labor under a harsh sun.

On his forehead the symbol of the three castes merged into one before becoming a silver disc and at this moment, Gou knew he was destined to be a Warrior.

-Rise Gou Jira, Chosen of the Full Moon, said Lyra.

[OOC: That the end, I hope you liked it. You need to choose two Caste Attributes among: Strength, Dexterity and Stamina.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:56, Tue 29 Nov 2022.

Session 1, Scene 7
Resplendent Fire 20, RY 768

One week after meeting Lyra and gaining his tattoo, Gou was shapeshifted as a seagull in the branches of a tree inside the garden of a mansion just outside Nahalu.

From where he was, he could see the terrace where the meeting was beginning. He recognized Nala Ry and Erar Swift-Blade, the mercenary captain. Other present were Kamy Ja, the leader of Nahalu, and Tal, a notorious resistance fighter. A small delegation from the resistance in Kao-Ur was present and more interestingly, several nobles of Karag had come.

Lyra had briefed him on the situation and the stake. Of the three cities of the Kawaha Island, Kao-Ur was firmly in the hands of the Realm, and Nahalu in the hands of the rebels. Karag, the third city was the least rich but could play kingmaker. The ruling caste was currently supporting the Realm but didn’t want to commit seriously against the rebellion.

Since they supported the Realm at first, and now fear than a shift in power would result in their eviction or worse, which push them to support the Realm even more. But on the other, the Realm heavily handled approach of the situation had gained the rebellion some sympathy from the inhabitant of Karag, and the rulers fear than too much intervention will end up backfiring on them. They were trapped in a really uncomfortable situation.

The two sides were now in a cold war and wanted to gain the support of Karag.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:56, Tue 29 Nov 2022.

Gou briefly laments not having a smarter form he can take, because he might be able to make more sense of the situation that way. At the very least he knows why everyone is here and now he has to figure out what they want.

Session 1, Scene 7
Resplendent Fire 20, RY 768

As the guests arrived at the meeting places, they began to form small group to talk and pass time before the meeting proper. Gou caught bride of conversation here and here, but from what he could tell, nothing interesting.

At least until the arrival of a red-robbed member of the Kao-Ur delegation. Many guests were surprised of his presence and by listening to the conversations, Gou learned that he was a priest of Suri, the god of Mount Kao and the major deity of Kawaha. He remembered that the thief of his most sacred jewel during the sack of his main temple had caused much anger from the volcano god and causing the Jade mines of Mount Kao to become extremely dangerous. The Satrap tried to keep the mining quota, nonetheless, sending people to their death and sparking the rebellion by drafting entire villages to replace the dead. Until now his priest had kept themselves neutral in the conflict and the guests were curious about the presence of one.

As the Lunar waited on his branch, he sensed a weight on it and turned to see a white cat sitting on it. For a moment the cat gave him a fanged smile and a moon crescent flashed on her head before she turned toward the meeting. At least Gou knew where Lyra was now.

Finally, the meeting began, and everyone took place at the table and discussion started. Nothing attracted the attention of Gou until the priest of Suri rose up from his seat.

-Greeting to all of you, he said. I am Fire Sage Arao, servant of our Fire Lord Suri. I was sent here by my order to relay a message from Honoured Jarys, the head of our order. Our Lord sends him a vision of the sacred Vermilion Ruby who was stolen moons ago, it’s sailed North, in the hand of abominable demon worshipping pirates and rest now in their hands in the Whaea Archipelago. Honoured Jarys wish to make it know that the one who will bring our Lord sacred treasure back will be granted a boon from Migthy Suri himself. We are spreading this message to as many people possible.

The announce caused a great deal of shooting and question, especially when the priest confirmed that the Satrap had been informed. Soon enough the meeting was talking of how to recuperate the jewel and gain the favour of Suri for the war.

[OOC: Can you make a Perception + Awarness roll, difficulty 3]
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:56, Tue 29 Nov 2022.

Gou tries to listen in on the conversation. THe ruby itself seems to have a lot of significance to Lord Kao. Returning it might ingratiate himself with the deity, possibly enough to make him a power in his own right...

He shakes his head. He is not ready for this power yet. Better that he allies himself to somebody else until he can truly support himself.

Gou glances aside at Lyra, wondering how she's taking this.

OOC:
19:55, Today: Gou Jira rolled 3 successes using 6d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7.  Perception + Awareness + Stunt 1.

Is that a pass? Also I accidentally rolled the dice twice, sorry about that.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:59, Wed 23 Nov 2022.