Session 3, Scene 2
Descending Fire 16, RY 768

The leader of the band continued to make his way in the street until he reached a three storey apartment building without even a hint he was followed.

Gou sneaked behind his target, who entered an apartment on the second floor. With a quick glance, the Lunar saw it was constituted of two room: the bedroom and a small salon with a large library and a desk. A balcony was accessible from both room.

The man left his cloak near the door before lightning an oil lamp and going to sat at the desk. With care he extracted several paper from a hidden compartment of one of drawer and began to work, often cheeking the several books on his desk.

OOC: No need to roll, he only have three dice. I let you decide if you want the documents he work or if you try to interrogate him or maybe the two, or if you try to profil him once more.

Gou studies the man as he works, trying to memorize what he's doing. He has the feeling that interrogating him would be counterproductive, and it would be throwing his advantage away for nothing anyway.

OOC: I'll try to profile him again. Per + Soc, right? I'll throw a WP for an autosuccess in too.

14:38, Today: Gou Jira rolled 1 success using 2d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7.  Per + Soc + autosux.

So 1+1 = 2 successes?

Session 3, Scene 2
Descending Fire 16, RY 768

After a bit of observation, Gou learned a bit about his unknowing host. He was named Adon and from a token he had, he worked at the Consul’s palace. Gou was sure the man was librarian here since several books were marked as the property of the palace’s library.

A brief glance at the room library was enough to tell the Lunar that Adon had a strong interest in history and the books open on his desk were all about the First Age and Sapphire, in addition of several maps of the palace.

OOC: NHe has Guile 4 but since he don't know he is being watched, he fall at 2, so you pass the test.

Very interesting, Gou muses. Once he's sure he's found all the information he can, he decides to scurry away. THe fact that he works for the Consul is also very interesting... And reminds Gou of what he came here to do.

I need to find Lyra... But how?

Searching for her would be hard, especially if she didn't want to be found. Maybe he could reveal himself, and catch her attention? Or he could snoop around the Consul's palace and see if the twins were there... That might be more effective. At the very least, he could get a feel for the place.

With that thought in mind, he decides on his next objective, to scout out the COnsul's palace.

Session 3, Scene 3
Descending Fire 16, RY 768

Finding the palace was not really difficult. It was one of the largest building in the city and occupied the totality of an island (and not one of the small one).

From what Lyra explained to him, the city was ruled by a council of merchant princes, with one of them being elected as Consul, a first among equal. Each princes had they own homes and the palace was a meeting ground for them, not the home of the Consul. A steward was officially in charge of the palace itself.

But the palace also housed the Satrap and the Realm embassy, which was a clear message for anyone about who was in power.

OOC: Scene change. Sneaking into the palace and fidding something interresting before dawn would be an extended action Wits+Stealth difficulty 3, goal number 8, interval 2h and terminus 4.

The places where the various people of power stay could be important, and Gou takes note of them as he scurries around in a humble mouse's shape. As he does so, he tries to get some local help; namely the palace rats and what they might know about the place...

OOC:
Using Pack Instinct Affirmation to talk to the palace rats about what's inside.

Gou will then roll Wits + Stealth 3 times, using personal essence to boost each roll. Wits 5 + Stealth 3 + Ex 5 + Stunt 2 = 15 dice.

08:48, Today: Gou Jira rolled 9 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,6,9,10,6,3,10,3,8,2,7,9,6,7,3.  W+S Roll 2 .

08:47, Today: Gou Jira rolled 9 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7.  W+S Roll 1.

12 successes in 2 rolls after accounting for diff 3.

Session 3, Scene 3
Descending Fire 16, RY 768

Talking to the rat who lived in or near the palace didn’t reveal much more than the best passages to sneak inside or where to find food. After all, that was what mattered for the small animal.

Using their knowledge, Gou easily entered the building and began to quietly search it. The palace was build around a large round hall from where wings who joined in another smaller round hall to form a square around a large garden. Most of the wings where occupied by rooms for distinguished guests and saloon for meeting in addition of offices space for clerks.

Gou didn’t find anything interesting until he began to search the part of the palace that was taken by the Satrap. It was more guarded than the rest of the building and the Lunar was forced to be more careful.

The game of hide lasted until Gou was forced to sneak into a room to evade a patrol. A quick glance showed a small bedroom with six beds isolated from each other by wooden panels. A door on the side opened on a balcony which occupied by a single person that was busy watching the garden below.

The hearth of Gou skipped a bit when he recognized the woman: one of the two Yamai sister.

OOC: I will let you name the two sisters. In case you ask two of the beds are occupied by sleeping women. Guards patrol the gardens so you would be see if you stay too long on the balcony. Talking without attracting waking up anyone would be a Wits + Stealth roll difficulty 3.

Gou makes full use of the information given by the rat and makes a note to leave it something nice afterwards. He does his best to commit the layout of the palace to memory, but the sight of one of the twins - Lana - makes his tiny heart skip a beat.

After looking around to make sure there's nobody else around, he drops to the ground and shapeshifts into a cute kitten who meows as it rubs up against her leg.

OOC: Their names will be Lana and Lara. Sorry again for the delay.

Session 3, Scene 3
Descending Fire 16, RY 768

Lana stargazing was brutally and cutely interrupted by a kitten. The look of sadness on her face was replaced by a small smile as she petted Gou.

-Never saw you here, she quietly mused. Who had brought you inside?

She took him in her arms and got back inside the sleeping quarter. As they cleared the balcony, Lana frowned in direction of the door then turned her gaze toward the kitten.

-Wait… How did you enter?

OOC: You can either try to play the innocent kitten (Wits+Performance difficulty 2), if you wish to make something else go ahead, but if you risk to be heard you need a Wits+Stealth roll difficulty 2.

Gou decides to play the adorable little animal and rubs up against Lana's hand. He's still not sure how he's going to reveal himself, or if he even wants to; right now he just wants to enjoy the feeling of meeting an old friend (or more) again.


OOC:

GOu has no Performance sadly.
08:50, Today: Gou Jira rolled 3 successes using 6d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,4,2,1,8,1.  Wits 5 Stunt 2 (rest of dice).

08:50, Today: Gou Jira rolled 1 success using 1d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8.  Wits 5 Stunt 2 .
This message was last edited by the player at 00:51, Mon 11 Sept 2023.

Session 3, Scene 3
Descending Fire 16, RY 768

Lana observed Kitten!Gou for a moment, but his cuddly actions convinced her nothing was afoot.

-Well, cats will be cats, she said.

She sat on her bed and dropped Gou beside her.

-I could use a little company, Lana whispered. Things have been pretty lonely since Lara vanished.

OOC: Like before if you dosomething that risk to be heard you need a Wits+Stealth roll difficulty 2.

Kitten-Gou hops into Lana's lap and tries to give her the most inquisitive eyes he can possibly manage. Hopefully she will fill the gap with whatever she's dying to say...

OOC: Using Glance-Oration Technique to say "keep going" in cat cuddle language.

Session 3, Scene 3
Descending Fire 16, RY 768

-What a curious kitten, said Lana with an amused tone. A year ago, Lara began told me she had found a way to escape. She began to be secretive, telling me she would tell me in due time, but she vanished after a month without a single explanation.

She rubbed her back and Gou caught a glimpse of lash wound under her dress.

-Master was not happy.

Gou remembered that Lara was hot-headed and confrontational, while Lana was level-headed and diplomat. It was not a surprise that she tried to escape, but that she didn’t take her sister was strange. Lara was the eldest of the twin and had always be protective of Lana.

OOC: I took a bit of a liberty to flesh out the sisters.

Like before if you dosomething that risk to be heard you need a Wits+Stealth roll difficulty 2.

Gou is busy nosing around Lana's body when he notices the lash mark, right as he hears about Lara going missing. He hops off the bed, lets the moonlight shine on him, and then his eyes glow silver as he swells up until he is back to his human form. Before Lana can speak, he covers her mouth, holding her tightly but not enough to hurt, until she calms down and he can speak quietly to her.

"A lot of things happened," he says. "But I want to get you and Lara to safety. Can you tell me what happened since the raid on our home?"

OOC: No problem.

Wits 5 + Stealth 3 + Stunt 2 = 10d.

21:22, Today: Gou Jira rolled 5 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,8,4,2,10,4,3,10,5,4.  Wits + Stealth.

Session 3, Scene 3
Descending Fire 16, RY 768

Lana had a surprised scream when Gou transformed but he was quick enough to silence it. For a moment she blinked in disbelief before finally calming down. She reached his hand and put it down gently.

-Gou? She asked with a tremor in the voice.

At his nod, she hugged him. After a long minute, Lana, still embracing her childhood friend, began to whisper.

-We were taken in a different ship than you. When we arrived here, we were sorted in several groups. Lara and I were taken in a building near the palace. We were given baths and clothes before being presented into a slave auction. Lara and I were bough off by Cynis Lorik, the husband of the Satrap.

Lana was shacking a little as she continued her tell.

-It was not hard to guess what type of slaves we would be, she said with disgust. We were taken to the palace and were informed of our duties...

She fell silent for a moment, obviously trying to think off the memories.

-The following years were similar. Lara tried to find a way to escape, but without knowing anyone, it was doomed. Until a year ago, she came to me telling me she may have a found a solution, but refused to tell me more. She said the less I knew, the less I was in danger. Lara became secretive and distant, before vanishing one night without warnings.

Lana shivered.

-Lorik was displeased and since I was the sister of the escaped, I took the punishment.

OOC: Like before if you dosomething that risk to be heard you need a Wits+Stealth roll difficulty 2.

Gou pats Lana with a big paw, smiling faintly as he does. He's still a young man, after all, and havin a cute girl, especially one whom he fancied, throw herself into his arms is never unwelcome.

"I have a friend who does not like Lorik either. I believe together, we will be enough to deal with him. That being the case, my biggest concern is you and Lara."

He looks around, not knowing if anyone is listening, before continuing in a whisper.

"I can take you away with me now, and then we can look for Lara. What do you think?"

Session 3, Scene 3
Descending Fire 16, RY 768

Lana gaze flickered an instant toward the girls asleep in the others beds.

-Yes, she said slowly. I want out and them I will help the others slaves.

OOC: We will play this in three steps: first you need to go out of the Realm wing of the palace. You can try to sneak out (Cunning + Stealth), Difficulty 4. You can try to lower the difficulty with a Perception + Awarness roll difficulty 2. Or you can try other tactics (find a guard and steal his uniform...)

Gou stops to think. If it were just a matter of getting Lana out of here, he would just sling her over his shoulders and run off. But if he has to get the other girls out too...

"Maybe a carriage?" he muses. "Get everyone inside and then ride off into the night? But then where would I put you all, hm... I have an estate on a nearby island, run by my crew. Perhaps they could go there."

Session 3, Scene 3
Descending Fire 16, RY 768

Lana frowned.

-We rarely go outside the palace unless we are part of Lorik’s entourage. The guards will never buy that someone they don’t know come to take us out even if we manage to forge an order.

She though for a second.

-But maybe we can smuggled outside under false identity or hidden in a carriage of goods?

"If it's just a matter of getting everyone out, I might be able to do it by force, but I'll need a way to keep everyone safe and move them. That means securing a ship at least. I think pretending to be a bunch of cargo would help for that. Is there anything big coming up soon?"

Session 3, Scene 3
Descending Fire 16, RY 768

-I don’t know when the schedule for the carriages who in and out the palace, answered Lyra. The seneschal, the one in charge of the palace stock, and the people under him may knew more. But with the festival coming, there is more transit than usual.

"A festival? What kind of festival is it?"

It's only now that Gou realizes he doesn't know much about the region and their way of life... In this case, it might be useful to learn. More traffic, like Lana said, means a better chance of sneaking her and the other girls out.

Session 3, Scene 3
Descending Fire 16, RY 768

-It’s a festival to honour the founding of the city by the three first merchants princes, answered Lana. It happens every years since the days of the Shogunate.

She thought over it for a moment.

-The festival last three days. Merchants princes organise both parades in the street and reception as a mean to display their wealth. For the festival duration, masks are mandatory in public, under pain of imprisonment.

Lana closed her eyes to remember better.

-On the first day at sunset, the city organize a ritual in honour of the City God, who bless the Consul. On the second day, the Consul need to visit each of the twenty five pillars around the city. And on the third day, the Sapphire Council meet at the Old Shrine at the centre of the city to swear fealty to the Consul, it’s the only moment when the Shrine is open to anyone except the ones who guard it.

"And will any of you be required to be present during this time? Maybe your captor wants to exhibit you or something. That might mean more guards present. I can kill them all, I think, but if we're going to get all of you out, the less fighting, the better."

Session 3, Scene 3
Descending Fire 16, RY 768

-Lorik will at least organize one reception, so we will be here, as entertainment, answered Lana. Beyond that, he like to bring at one or two of us when going to the reception organized by others

She bit her lip as she thoughts.

-Until now he never brought to official public business. But I think it was more his wife’s orders and since she is now on Kawaha to deal with the civil war here, I don’t know what he will do. He will at least need to appear for the city god celebration on the first day and the swearing of the Consul in the third day. I don’t know if he will bring one of us there.