Session 1, Scene 7
Resplendent Fire 20, RY 768

When Gou glanced a Lyra, he saw her observing the Fire Sage, completely immobile except for her tail who was playing pendulum.

The Full Moon Lunar continued to watch the meeting and his eyes suddenly caught the sight of a shadows moving in the garden. Another movement a second later and Gou was certain that two pools of shadow were jumping from tree shadow to tree shadow, approaching the meeting.


[OOC: I rolled initiative for Lyra and the two Az'gal: Lyra= 5s (8i), Az'gal 2= 2s (5i), Az'gal 1= 1s (4i). Lyra used 2m to boost her roll. I let you roll initiative. For now Lyra and you are in Medium range of the two demons and the meeting, and the demon are in medium range of the meeting.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:56, Tue 29 Nov 2022.

Gou lightly pecks Lyra on the shoulder, then turns his beak to indicate the direction of the Az'Gal before squawking in what he hopes sounds like "over there". Suddenly, the inability to speak while shapeshifted hits him like a gold brick over the head.

He then takes off, flapping over to the Az'Gal, not coming within range just yet but positioning himself to ambush them if he decides to engage in combat.

OOC: Gou got a 3, what amazing initiative.

Session 1, Scene 7
Resplendent Fire 20, RY 768

Round 1
When Gou turned toward Lyra, the other Lunar was also watching the two moving shadows. She turned toward Gou and made several quick pawn movements, that Gou instinctively understood.

-Take one and kill it, he translated. I stale the other.

The Changing move jumped from the tree and ran toward the meeting space. The mortals were continuing to talk not knowing the danger that approached with each passing second. Gou, still in his seagull shape followed behind Lyra.

Round 2
One of the problems they noted during their preparation was that the Az’gal were intangible in their shadows form. Fortunately, the demon couldn’t attack someone in that form, and would need to become tangible again to kill, which would be the perfect instant to strike.

And that was what Lyra was waiting. The two Az’gal sneaked behind two members of the Karag delegation and rose from the ground, their shadowy body becoming solid, and one arm already changed into a blade. Cries of alarm began to be heard.

OOC: Lyra used Glance-Oration Technique to talk.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:56, Tue 29 Nov 2022.

Session 1, Scene 7
Resplendent Fire 20, RY 768

The Changing Moon acted, her body shifting in one of a large panther and jumped one the first demon. Her claws dug in the demon as she drove it against the ground and her fangs tore into its flesh.

OOC: Lyra use Leaping Pounce (an special ability of her shape). This let her grapple a target after having inflicted 5+ damage with a Withering Attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:56, Tue 29 Nov 2022.

Gou watches briefly as Lyra changes into a panther while musing, Damn, that would be convenient as hell. Sadly, he has no such convenient shapes, being limited to a seagull or a tuna, and he has the feeling that a sea tyrant would be too much. Thus, he has no choice but to return to his human form, hoping that they won't see too much.

From the safety of his cover, he casts his arm out, his form blazing with Lunar Essence as he extends it with moonsilver Essence and expands his fist to seize the Az'Gal that Lyra is not attacking. His hand makes contact with the Az'Gal, whose shadowy form very nearly slips through his fingers until his fingers themselves sprout little hands that find purchase on its form.

Then he pulls it back into the trees, where the demon finds itself face to face with a grinning Lunar, who proceeds to greet it with a savage headbutt that displaces the air around them and sets the trees rustling.

OOC: Using the following Charms: Kraken-Arm Lash (5m, 2i), Finding the Needle's Eye (3m), Max Dex Excellency (5m).

Decisive grab, Dex 5 MA 3 Spec 1 Ex 5, vs a defense of 4 (-1 from K-AL).

10:52, Today: Gou Jira rolled 5 successes using 14d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7.  Kraken-Arm Lash Grab.
10:59, Today: Gou Jira rolled 1 success using 2d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7.  Stunt dice.

3 overflow sux.

GOu will now use Grizzly Bear Embrace (2m) to enhance his initiative roll.

6i + 3 overflow vs difficulty 2.

11:02, Today: Gou Jira rolled 1 success using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,4,3,6,4,1,6.  Grapple Establish Roll.

Forgot to roll 2 more dice...

11:04, Today: Gou Jira rolled 2 successes using 2d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,8.  Grapple Establish Roll - forgotten dice.

Grapple established with 1 success for 1 turn of control.

Gou immediately performs a withering savage on the Az'Gal.

5 Dex Ma 3 Spec 1 Acc 5 Stunt 2: 16d.


11:08, Today: Gou Jira rolled 8 successes using 16d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,6,8,8,9,6,6,9,3,2,9,9,3,2,9,7.  Withering savage damage (for extra successes).

Should be 7 sux because mortal weapon accuracy is +4 instead of +5.

7 overflow successes, + Strength 5 + Withering damage 7 -4 soak = 15 initiative. Gou crashes the Az'Gal. Crash bonus is 5 more init, so he should gain 20 init now.

This message was last edited by the player at 03:14, Mon 28 Nov 2022.

Session 1, Scene 7
Resplendent Fire 20, RY 768

Round 3
For the mortal dignitaries who were talking, the battle begun brutally and without a warning. Two shadowy beings appeared ready to strike when one was seized by tentacles and dragged to a nearby bush while the other was ambushed by a panther coming from nowhere.

But the intervention of the two lunars gave enough of time for the dignitaries to begin to flee.

OOC: You are the first to act this round. Each turn you act you need a Dex+Stealth roll (difficulty 2) to don't be correctly see by anyone out of close range. You can add 3 dices because of your Belt of Shadow Walking. I rolled for you for round 2 and rolled 7 success.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:57, Tue 29 Nov 2022.

Before the demon can react, Gou closes a massive palm around its face and twists with all his might, seeking to pull it off the creature's shoulders like a cork from a bottle of wine.

OOC: So, Gou had 1 turn of control last round. I believe he is still in control of the clinch this round. Assuming that is the case, he will perform a decisive savage to attempt to kill the Az'Gal.

Since savage attacks autohit, Gou rolls 15i against the Az'Gal.

00:55, Today: Gou Jira rolled 11 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,5,5,8,7,8,10,3,10,6,10,4,5,8,7.  Savage!

That's 11=-2 = 9 successes. I think that's enough to kill the Az'Gal?

Session 1, Scene 7
Resplendent Fire 20, RY 768

Round 3
With a sickly crack, the demon in Gou hands stopped moving. Its body began to slowly lose its solidity becoming a dark liquid flowing to the group.

Near the meeting table, Lyra continued to wrestle with the other Az’gal and seeing her grip on it begin to fail, she threw it toward Gou. The Azg’al tried to escape but the Changing Moon was already on it, trying to push it toward her ally. Lyra’s gaze crossed Gou’s, and the Full Moon understood what she wanted, restrain the shadow.

The mortal dignitaries were now all running toward the mansion, while several guards were putting themselves between the fight and their charge. Erar was the closer, his blue jade daiklave draw, but he kept his position.

OOC: Yep you kill it (you have three 10 not two, so 8 success, not that it matter).
You are at short range from the Az'gal, if you advance you will be seen. But you can do like the previous round. For round 4, Lyra is first but she wait, next is you with 3i.

Gou decides not to play around this time. Instead, as Lyra throws the Az'Gal toward him, he steps forward and swings a rock-hard elbow right into its face. To the untrained eye it would appear like a shadow disappearing into the leaves before a muffled thump came out of the shrubbery.

OOC:
Stealth: Dex 5 + Stealth + Belt 3

Withering attack: Dex 5 MA 3 Spec 1 Acc 4 Stunt 2d, total 16d.
10:59, Today: Gou Jira rolled 6 successes using 16d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,4,6,2,10,6,3,10,3,5,3,8,1,3,7,3.  Gou Punch!

6 - 2 Evasion = 4 overflow. Damage is Str 5 + Unarmed 7 + Overflow 4 - 4 soak = 12d.

11:02, Today: Gou Jira rolled 7 successes using 12d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,2,7,2,9,9,4,3,10,10,4,4.  Withering Damage.

(+7 init)

So the Az'Gal goes even deeper into the red and Gou is ready to grab him next round.

Personal Essence 16/16
Round 1: +5m (irrelevant, pools maxed)
Kraken-Arm Lash (5m, 2i), Finding the Needle's Eye (3m), Max Dex Excellency (5m)
Grizzly Bear Embrace (2m) (-15m)
(1/16)
Round 2: +5m
(6/16)

Round 3: +5m
(11/16)

Peripheral Essence 33/33 (5m committed to Belt of Shadow Walking)

Session 1, Scene 7
Resplendent Fire 20, RY 768

Round 4
The demon has just the time to turn toward Gou when the Lunar attacked him, his blows unbalancing the creature. The Az’gal tried to strike back but Gou deflected the blow with ease.

While the two fought each other, Lyra changed back into human shape concealed by her hooded cloak. A crystal was already in her hand, and she began as she began to recite spell.

OOC: Lyra use Quicksilver Second Face to shapeshift reflexively and begin to cast a spell.
Round 5 begin, you are first with 11i.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:34, Sun 04 Dec 2022.

Gou seizes the shadow by the neck and wraps it in an arm-bar lock, ensuring the creature is powerless to escape... or at least, that's his intention, because his foot slips on a loose pebble and he completely flubs the attempt at the alst moment.

OOC:

Spend 3 initiative (11i > 8i)
Making decisive attack vs Az'Gal's Defense of 2, enhancing it with Grizzly Bear's Embrace (2m). Dex 5 + MA 3 + Stunt 2 = 10d.

16:16, Today: Gou Jira rolled 5 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,4,5,5,8,6,8,9,5,9.  grapple establish.

Decisive attack beats Az'Gal's defense with 3 threshold successes.

Rolling 8 initiative +3 spillover sux from GBE = 11 dice vs threshold of 2 for the initiative gambit roll.

16:20, Today: Gou Jira rolled 3 successes using 11d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,2,1,4,9,2,2,10,3,2,6.  grapple initiative roll.

Grapple established. Now for grapple control roll (Str 5 + MA 3 + 3 spillover dice from GBE = 11 dice)

What's the Az'Gal's grapple pool?

Session 1, Scene 7
Resplendent Fire 20, RY 768

Round 5
Gou managed to grapple the demon and lock it on the ground. The Az’gal tried to fight back but the Lunar deflected the blows with ease.

As the two fought, Lyra continued to recite an incantation, giving a brief glance to the guards who were now in formation before the mansion but kept their distance.

Round 6
Ignoring them for now, Lyra focused her attention to finish her incantation.

OOC: I rolled for the grapple control: you have 4 success and the demon 2, so you control it for two rounds. Since he managed to survive 3 turn while crashed is initiative is back to three. For round 6 the order: is Lyra (11i), Gou (8i), Az'gal (3i). Lyra continue to shape her spell (she is at 8 motes on 10. Your turn.

Gou slaps the Az'Gal as it's trying to get away, hoping to  incapacitate it while Lyra casts her spell. Hopefully it'll help; he's running out of ways to subdue it without killing it.

Attack roll:
Dex 5 MA 3 Spec 1 Stunt 2 Acc +4 = 15d

09:33, Today: Gou Jira rolled 5 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,10,3,5,6,6,6,3,2,6,5,7,3,4,10.  Withering Smakk.

Damage is Str 5 + weapon 7 + etra successes (5-2 eva = 3), -4 soak = 11.

Gou gains 11 init + 5 Initiative break, while the Az'Gal is crashed. Sooo... 27i? I think the fight is pretty much over too.

Session 1, Scene 7
Resplendent Fire 20, RY 768

Round 6
Gou and the demon were continuing to fight, but it was evident that the Lunar had the upper hand when he smashed the Az’gal’s head against the ground and deftly diverted another blow.

Round 7
Lyra finished her incantation and the stone in her hands glowed before several immaterial chain appeared and wrapped themselves around the demon. The chains vanished a second after.

-Stop to fight, she ordered in Old Realm.

And the demon, now bound to her, stopped struggling against Gou.

OOC:Normaly Gou would be the first to act at round 7 but since it the end of the combat I made Lyra go first to finish her spell. This end the combat as the demon is now bound to here.

Gou wonders if he has to keep pounding the demon, but it seems apparently not. He warily releases the creature, ready to punch it if it tries anything funny.

Session 1, Scene 7
Resplendent Fire 20, RY 768

The whole garden was completely silent for several second as Gou released the demon who turned his head toward Lyra.

The Lunar looked toward Gou and nodded which the large man translated as everything is under control. She took a breath and said quickly several words in Old Realm, the demon nodded before dematerializing.

-I suppose I can have an explanation now, said suddenly Erar as he approached Lyra with several guard in tow.

Their weapons were draw but not pointed toward the two Lunars. The message was clear, they didn’t want to fight but didn’t trust the two strangers.

Lyra made a quick gesture toward Gou to tell him, I handle that, go to the reply point, a clearing the two Lunars had designated before the whole operation.

OOC:Lyra use Glance-Oration Technique two time to talk to Gou with body language. She is now the master of the demon and can question it. You can go to the reply point or stay here.

Gou nods, obviously enough that they can see it, before withdrawing into the undergrowth. He waits until he's sufficiently deep inside before transforming into his cormorant form and flying over to the point in question.

Session 1, Scene 7
Resplendent Fire 20, RY 768

Gou waited several minutes in the clearing before a bird arrived and changed to Lyra.

-I managed to make them understand we are allies against this killer, she said to Gou. Captain Erar is a little suspicious but its is job to be. For now, we have other things to do.

She said a word in Old Realm and the Az’gal materialized next to her. Lyra began to question the demon and Gou could only watch the scene without understanding what was being said. Finally, Lyra nodded and dismissed the demon once more before turning toward her fellow Lunar.

-I have our killer, she said with a grin. He is hiding in an abandoned mansion just outside the city. And he is guarded by a group of Blood Apes. We can go and finish this now. Are you ready?


OOC: We are nearly at the end of this part.

"Yes, let's. One less dark sorcerer will be good for everyone."

As they move off, however, a voice speaks inside Gou's head. But what will you do after that?

Gou doesn't really have an answer. When it was just saving the rest of the crew, it was easy, he had a goal. But finding your own goal... that was hard.

Becoming stronger might help. That would increase the things he could do...

Session 1, Scene 8
Resplendent Fire 20, RY 768

The two Lunar were swift to find the abandoned manor that served of lair to the sorcerer behind the murders. It was on a patch of land surrounded by canals where a plantation of fruits tree grew. It was pretty similar to Gou’s own manor.

The two Exalts landed on the nearby patch of land and Lyra took her human form once again.

-The Az’gal told me the sorcerer has ten Blood Apes as guards, she said. We can try to make a recon, or you can attract the attention of guard while I sneak behind and kill the sorcerer. What do you think?

OOC: The start of a new scene. The Blood Apes will be a Battlegroup of Size 1.

"Let's scout things out, it's better that we not assume anything. Maybe he's got backup, or something similar."

Session 1, Scene 8
Resplendent Fire 20, RY 768

-Good idea, said Lyra. You take the second floor and I take the first, then we meet in the bath just outside. Nobody can see inside from the house. Good luck.

The Lunar switched into a bird of paradise and flew in the direction of the mansion as the storm clouds in the sky finally began to shed drop of rain.

OOC: Surveying the mansion is a Extended action Perception+Stealth, difficulty 3, Goal 6, Interval 5 minutes and no Terminus. Botching a roll mean you are discovered. Don't forget that you can use your Belt of shadow Walking, but you can't see dematerialized beings.

Gou decides to go sneaky this time. HE might not be able to spot any hidden demons, but that doesn't mean he should make it easy for mundane attackers to spot him.

He takes the form of a bird from before and flies toward the nearest window, but doesn't enter yet...

OOC:
Per 2 Stealth 3 Spec 1 + Excellency 2 + Stunt 2 + Belt 2 = 12 dice.

11:10, Today: Gou Jira rolled 8 successes using 12d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,10,6,10,3,6,10,4,9,3,1,9.  Stealth dice.


11:11, Today: Gou Jira rolled 6 successes using 12d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,8,5,4,6,6,8,8,9,6,7,8.  Stealth dice 2.

I take it he does it in 10 minutes?

Session 1, Scene 8
Resplendent Fire 20, RY 768

Flying toward the manor, Gou saw no one outside. But as he circled around its windows, he caught glimpse of materialized four or five Blood Apes patrolling the ground floor.

And they were not alone. Watching from another window, the Lunar saw a large shadow hidden by a cloud coming down from the first floor. He only got a glimpse of a pair red eyes and an insectoid limb flashing outside the cloud for a second.

OOC: Yep, 10 minutes. The Extended action was to recon both the inside and outside. You can proceed to the meeting spot.

So there's at least five or six of them, Gou muses. He wonders if he will be strong enough to deal with them. Maybe he needs to use his full might...

He heads to the meeting point, keeping an eye open for Lyra or anyone else...