Jade and Cattle Log, 9/3/06

[leticia]

Peleps Nardera sneers. "Oh, so I see the stature of the man matches the quality of the vessel. He snorts, and begins to look around. "What's your cargo, tribesman? And why are you out of your home port?"

<<OOC>> Brian says "He says 'Tribesman' with roughly about the same inflection that a guildmaster (or, to be fair, many Harborhead natives) would say 'slave'."

Liu tightens her grip on Midnight-With-Stars's mane, but this time, to still herself.

Diamond Borealis twitches slightly. His lips nearly forming the words to call forth the Obsidian Butterflies and release them. His hand tightens around the haft of his blade. The Dragon has no idea how close he is to his own death and Diamond has the urge to educate him.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "One lone minor DB; five grumpy experienced Solars itching for a fight. Okay, four itching for a fight and one who likes to charm people. That poor bastard; his best bet is to be gullible and stupid. :p"

<<OOC>> Kanfi says "Time for Motive Discerning Technique!"

Brian [to Kanfi]: There we go. Personal, I assume? :)

<<OOC>> Kanfi says "Yep!"

Brian [to Kanfi]: And what particular motive are you looking for here? Motive for what, that is?

<<OOC>> Kanfi says "Kanfi's looking for what he's doing out here, what he expects to find-- that sort of thing."

<<OOC>> Aidan says "Would this be a good time for me to activate FLB, just in case?"

Brian [to Aidan]: You can if you want, sure.

<<OOC>> Liu says "Yeah, Liu will turn on Graceful Crane Stance, too, 'cause it's just what she does when she's nervous. *marks off the motes*"

Brian [to Kanfi]: At the moment, his main motivations are boredom, greed, and ambition. He thinks he's been stuck with ugly, stupid work inspecting incoming ships, but if he can catch the god-blooded renegade and slave-rebellion leader Virtuous Willow, he might be able to get revenge on all the stupid so-called SUPERIORS who have put him here.

Brian [to Kanfi]: And their little dogs, too.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden cackles innocently.

<<OOC>> Kanfi says "Lovely. Just lovely. Wait-- I'm assuming the god-blood renegade and Virtuous Willow are two people?"

Aidan winces to himself at the belligerent attitude of the Peleps sailor. "Better safe than sorry, I suppose", he whispers to himself. Concentrating for a moment on the local flows of Essence, he brings his body and mind into harmony, and prepares himself for combat.

Brian [to Kanfi]: He isn't; he thinks Virtuous Willow is a god-blood.

<<OOC>> Kanfi says "Aha. Just making sure that I was getting the gist of that right."

<<OOC>> Aidan says "Well, your defensive scene charm is a reflexive. :-P"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "True, that. >_>"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Now, I also have two Simple scenelongs in my arsenal that add to defensive power, but."

<<OOC>> Aidan says "I can't wait until we get into a nice big brawl, and I can try out my latest scene charms."

Kanfi watches the man, expression not particularly changing. His smile turns a little wry and he half-laughs, endeavoring to look a little embarrassed. "I'm afraid we carry very little, sir, and what we do carry-- well, we must disembark here. You see, we were hired to retrieve an old man from a place quite a ways west of here, and return him to his daughter. This is the closest port to the young lady's home. I'm sure you can understand why I'd like return to her with all haste?" He arched an eyebrow, giving the Dynast a knowing look.

<<OOC>> Kanfi says "I'm using up the rest of my personal essence on The Cunning Word. 5 more dice, plz."

<<OOC>> Brian says "3 point stunt for Manip + Socialize, then. I take it you're taking the 6 motes back?"

<<OOC>> Kanfi says "YES."

<<OOC>> Brian says "Roll 'em."

<<DICE>> Kanfi rolls 18 dice: <1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 7 7 8 9 9 10 10> for 9 successes.

<<OOC>> Aidan says "Meh. *Only* 9 succs."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Lucky Dynast! ;p He's going to escape with his life! :p"

Brian says "Just for my amusement, everyone roll Willpower."

<<DICE>> Phoenix Maiden rolls 6 dice: <2 3 3 3 4 10> for 2 successes.

<<DICE>> Liu rolls 6 dice: <2 3 4 4 6 6> for 0 successes.

<<DICE>> Aidan rolls 7 dice: <1 1 6 7 8 10 10> for 6 successes.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Well, we know who's the ex-monk around here. :p"

<<OOC>> Aidan says "Yeah. Hi. Nature: Paragon."

Brian says "Okay. Not only is Nardera looking a little poleaxed under the sheer force of Kanfi's personality, but so is HIS crew, and so is part of YOURS. Thankfully, yours are made of stern enough stuff that the spell of Kanfi's voice will probably not -permanently- bespell them. But for the moment, any of your crew near enough to hear Kanfi's speech have utterly forgotten all of the weirdness that happened on the trip; you're just regular mercenaries and Really Cool People, yup. In fact, the backwash of Kanfi's voice almost overwhelms Phoenix Maiden as well, though it simply flows around the rock of Aidan's mind. Liu, momentarily, you return to girlhood dreams. You're just a circus performer, a simple woman with no heavy responsibilities or burdens, no incipient madness, and no ongoing crusade to fix Creation. Everything Kanfi says is true. Everything. But juts for a moment, and then your Exalted nature exerts itself, washing away his cunning wordspinning and reminding you of who you are."

Brian says "As for Nardera, he has been -utterly- convinced of your harmlessness. Hell, he even sympathizes-- in a crass, arrogant way and simply nods his head dumbly. "Ah, of course. Well, with a slightly increased harborage fee, I'm SURE you can be passed on to aid in filial duty! Family devotion is," he says, 'piously', "one of the hallmarks of advancement of your soul's enlightenment.""

Liu blinks her eyes and quietly turns to lean her face into Midnight With Stars' withers, inhaling the stabilizing smell of horseflesh.

<<OOC>> Aidan says "Silly Eclipse. Moderation is a virtue. Didn't need to give the poor man a lobotomy."

<<OOC>> Brian grins. "I wouldn't push him too far, Aidan. Remember, he dislikes fighting and can, technically, use the power of his words in intra-party arguments... ;)"

<<OOC>> Aidan points at his charsheet. Note the WP 7, Temp 4. Is hard to Eclipse a monk.

Kanfi's smile brightens, staying completely in character. "I'm so glad you understand. I was worried..." He sighed and spread his hands again. "Why don't we go back to my office and discuss yo-- that fee?"

Brian says "Nardera's grin widens. Although, even as pecunious as he is, he's still under Kanfi's spell, so it's probably not going to be -too- much of a bribe; he's just so happy about the fact that there IS a bribe-- and obviously, no need to CARE-- that he's forgotten to jack up the fee. "Of course, merchant," he says with a sniff, and strides off towards the cabin-- it's fairly obvious, after all."

Kanfi follows him, tossing a bright grin towards where his companions are hidden, and ushers Nardera into the office so he can pay the man without worrying that anything will break the spell. He'll even make small chat about the lovely young lady!

Phoenix Maiden relaxes as she watches Kanfi's personality do its usual effective work, and trusts that they'll make it to shore uneventfully.

Brian [to Kanfi]: Give me a Manipulation + Bureaucracy + 2 roll, please.

<<DICE>> Kanfi rolls 10 dice: <1 2 2 7 7 8 8 9 10 10> for 9 successes.

Brian [to Kanfi]: He flat-out forgets to take the bribe. He just THINKS he has.

<<OOC>> Kanfi says "Oops. Poor boy."

Brian [to Kanfi]: You manage to get him so bamboozled that he just walks off, whistling happy to himself about "how much" jade he's just made. Even though he can't remember how much.

Liu takes to stroking Midnight-With-Stars neck, withers, and nose, making horsey small-talk, to get his mind off the idea that the land isn't that far away and he could probably swim it, he's a god-blood after all, and why are we still here waiting?

Brian says "So! Inspection boy is gone, you have your papers, your assigned berth, etc. Where's next?"

<<OOC>> Kanfi is sitting back and laughing at the Dynast, now that he's gone, thanks.

Phoenix Maiden moves out of the shadows when the pilot boat pulls away from the side of the ship. She glances around. "Everything went smoothly?" she asks Kanfi, though nothing went too obviously wrong, that's for sure.

Kanfi grins broadly at her and sweeps her into a hug. "Didn't even have to bribe him, I'm that good."

Liu drifts towards Phoenix Maiden and Kanfi, her hand still holding Midnight-With-Stars's reins.

<<OOC>> Liu says "We were just gonna have Diamond back in his workshop, yes?"

<<OOC>> Brian says "Yup, he's busy."

Aidan steps out of the concealing shadows, allowing his concentration to falter and his body to return to normal. "The first hurdle passed with ease, then?"

Phoenix Maiden ruffles her brother's hair. "That's you," she says, cheerfully. "All right." She looks around the Circle members on deck, indicating her address to the whole group. "Things are going to get lively when we hit shore," she says. "I suspect that they haven't, ah, forgotten us."

Kanfi shakes his head. "He was looking specifically for you, sister."

Phoenix Maiden laughs, and her eyes look a little evasive. "I wonder how my wanted posters look, compared to yours back in that Guild port," she says.

Liu reaches back and pulls her clattering beaded braids over her shoulder, tossing her head much like her horse does. "Should Phoenix Maiden stay on board, then? Or do you think we can hide her?" She looks dubiously over Phoenix Maiden's impressive warrior form. "Are we going first to deliver our--" Liu takes a stab at being cryptic, "package?"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden can be hidden, actually. Still has King of Masks, even if she's never used it. :p

Kanfi tips his head and regards his sister. "Somehow I'm thinking you're not going to agree to staying on the ship, are you?"

Phoenix Maiden's eyebrows twitch. "I have no intention to hide," she says. "All of this has had one purpose, as far as I'm concerned: to prepare the way to evict the Realm from Harborhead. As far as /I'm/ concerned, it's time to start."

Kanfi sighs and rubs his forehead. "Somehow I'm not surprised. You're going to have to disguise yourself, so they don't try to throw us in jail immediately, though."

Phoenix Maiden's lips curl up in a little grin. "I'd like to see them try. Brother, we're not going to remove the Realm by sneaking around in the shadows, waiting. Time's their ally, not ours."

Liu makes a glimmer of a grin, and stretches her shoulders unobtrusively. "Yes -- but wouldn't it be nice to get in touch with our people here before we start the war?" And what's wrong with sneaking around in shadows, she'd like to ask.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says nothing wrong with sneaking around in shadows! Just not waiting!

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Sneaking around in shadows to get surprise attack, sure. >_>"

Aidan says "Yes, but our allies all lie on the other side of town, first we must join them. Let the dragons build their strength if we must. It will be all the more satisfying when we bring them down."

Kanfi nods at Liu, his expression something like long-suffering. "Do you think we can start the revolution by brawling in the harbor, sister?"

Phoenix Maiden's lips curl up further, her eyes anticipatory. "Actually, I do, Kanfi." She gestures at the slave ships in the harbor. "And I have no intention of letting those scows leave with their cargoes because I'm off trying to find allies. This is Harborhead, brother. Our kin are oppressed, and they are angry, and they will rise up to join us with any provocation at all. When we have crushed the local Realm forces, I think you will find easier going convincing the rich and the powerful in Harborhead who might look to their own interests over the good of our people that they should throw in with us."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden does note that PM rather thinks she can call up an army on ...very short notice. Like, 'five minutes.

Liu, while moderately inspired by this speech, glances guardedly in the direction of her cabin, where Swan Dragon is probably right now setting up mid-morning tea with Shurtimu Ji. Then she looks at Kanfi and shrugs, fingering her knife-belt hidden under her tunic.

Kanfi eyes his sister warily. But he hunches his shoulders and turns his head away, admitting defeat. He's sure that he won't going to be able to convince her to tone it down. "We should summon our allies first," he repeated, but glances at Liu and gives her a resigned look.

Phoenix Maiden raises an eyebrow. "Which allies?" she asks, reasonably.

Liu looks blankly uncomfortable at Phoenix Maiden's question, and looks to Kanfi for help.

Kanfi just raises his hands helplessly-- he'd been hoping for a chance to talk to some of the more influential people. But he knows his sister well enough to just give it up.

Phoenix Maiden smiles at Kanfi reassuringly. "Don't worry, brother. I won't start anything without first calling for allies." She glances at the approaching shore, changing the subject easily. "Can I recommend we throw your pet metal man overboard and have him work on anchoring those slave ships so they can't scuttle out of the harbor?"

Liu nods grimly at Kanfi and pushes Midnight-With-Stars back away from the group, before Phoenix Maiden presents her plan of awesomeness, and more towards where the gangplank will be laid out when they make landfall. She busies herself with getting her weapons settled so that they can be quick-to-hand when needed.

Brian [to Liu]: Disguise weapons, full-out orichalcum, or concealed orichalcum?

Kanfi covers his mouth with a hand to stifle a burst of laughter-- despite the seriousness of what Phoenix Maiden was discussing, the idea of tossing Seven overboard tickled him. "Sure. He can walk along the bottom until he gets to shore. I'm sure he won't mine. Much."

Phoenix Maiden's lips twist in amusement. "Of course he'll mind. We're still evil demon-spawn, after all. He'll bemoan our cruel torments and your beautiful eyes. Maybe he'll even do it in verse."

Aidan looks carefully from brother to sister, and back again. "I suppose it is decided, then", he whispers under his breath. He seats himself against a convenient mast, and begins to prepare himself for combat.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden notes that technically, I think we have two BLs with us - Seven and one Diamond brought along in Liu's wagon to experiment on.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden counts Essence and tries to decide what combat Charms to have PM put up just now.

Kanfi does laugh this time. "Maybe, if I'm really lucky, he'll compose horrible love poetry about me while he's doing our evil bidding."

Phoenix Maiden nods cheerfully. "Likely. But he'll do it, which is the important part."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Shall we assume Seven tossed overboard, then?"

<<OOC>> Brian chuckles. "Sure. Anything else?"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "I need to count Essence and decide which scenelongs to put up before we hit shore. >_>"

<<OOC>> Kanfi will maybe apologize to Seven a little beforehand. And try not to laugh too much.

<<OOC>> Brian says "Scene longs? Strategies? Preparations?"

<<OOC>> Aidan says "Can I assume either that I've regen'd my essence from the FLB earlier, or that I can just still have it up? >.<"

<<OOC>> Brian says "It's still up."

<<OOC>> Liu says "I'll put up Unsurpassed Celestial Grace just for the nice success bonuses."

<<OOC>> Kanfi considers. FLB will either take up peripheral and make me glowy or knock down almost all the rest of my personal...

Aidan pauses for a moment in his meditations, and looks up to where PM is standing. "It's safe to assume at this point that we're going to be spoiling for a fight, but I do wonder how much of a fight we're expecting. How much attention do we wish to draw?"

<<OOC>> Liu says "Hm, and FLB."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "I think I want VSS and 5FB up."

<<OOC>> Brian says "Okay, anything else? :)"

Phoenix Maiden's lips twitch as she looks at Aidan. "Harborhead knows the Unconquered Sun," she says. "Our allies will not be put off by our nature."

<<OOC>> Brian says "Ahhh. Check. ^^"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden .oO(Or if they are, I'll Presence 'em out of it.)

<<OOC>> Aidan says "That works. I'll bring up Hungry Raptor, and Between the Moment and the Strike. (U Can't Touch This). Pushes me completely out of personal, and -2 periph."

Brian says "Pose the beginnings of glint on your forehead."

<<OOC>> Kanfi says "I'll pull up FLB, Personal."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden is down... 11 Personal. 2 WP. But hey, she's Really Hard To Hit, now.

Brian says "How much time are you planning to give Seven to start?"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden will hold on TAoG, though, because, pricey.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "How far are we from shore right now?"

<<OOC>> Brian says "About 30 minutes at regular, safe pacing"

Aidan stands up from his meditations at the words of Phoenix Maiden. "Very well then, we shall let them witness the glory of the sun." He focuses for a moment, as his entire being seems to flicker in and out of existence, and the caste-mark tattoo on his forehead glimmers to life. "We shall not, however, give our enemies warning." He reaches up to pull his cowl closer down over his forehead, although he continues to shimmer and fade.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "We can probably easily take forty minutes without being TOO obvious about it, and another five or so before we leave the ship...? PM wants to be sure the slaveships aren't flitting away. >_>"

<<OOC>> Aidan is now *completely impossible* to hit, unless you have miraculous timing.

Brian says "That sounds better."

<<OOC>> Aidan says "But I'm down 3 WP, and one health level."

Brian says "Okay! So we are slowing down a bit, and beginning to sail into the harbor?"

<<OOC>> Kanfi says "I need, at some point, to go retrieve my skycutter. XD"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Sure."

Liu wriggles her bare toes on the wood of the deck and stands still next to her horse, gazing out at the busy harbor before them and the several martial ships guarding it. With her right hand firmly entangled in the horse's mane, she draws in a full breath, holds it for a moment, and breathes it out slowly through her nose, drawing Essence into her center and suffusing it outwards through her limbs. She knows that the benediction of the Sun placed on her will lend her muscles strength and purpose. She fades into slight translucence for a moment and then raises her eyes to face the oncoming storm.

<<OOC>> Brian says "Are you going to carry it with you, Kanfi?"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden has her spear, currently wrapped. It's probably the sort of thing that would get eyebrows raised with the Realm on full alert if she was walking through town. But she figures she can at least get to shore without too much attention. :p

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "You know, not that her face wouldn't. :p"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "WANTED 5 KTHX."

<<OOC>> Aidan says "Alas, I only have 3 in Known Anathema. You win at being hated."

<<OOC>> Brian says "Everyone has their weapons, but they are "cleverly" concealed?"

<<OOC>> Liu says "yup!"

<<OOC>> Kanfi says "If by "cleverly" you mean wrapped in fabric, yes."

<<OOC>> Brian says "That's pretty much it, yes. ^_^"

<<OOC>> Aidan says "My weapons are tucked up in very large sleeves, as usual."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "No one can see glittery orichalcum, anyhow. >_>"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden has no KA. >_> Thus why they think she's a God-Blooded. ^^ Wanted 5, Enemy 3... >_> But no KA! ^__^

Brian says "Seven, grumbling, but making his usual florid protestations of love and disgust at Kanfi, goes over the side with lots and lots of anchor chains. You begin the slow, majestic sail into the harbor, seeing the place in all of its still -mighty splendor. This is a military port as much as a merchant, and it was built big, and tough. Huge bulwarks, giant ballistae, firedust cannons-- the works."

Brian says "Something is missing, though; Liu and Aidan can make a perception + lore roll to realize what it is, but Kanfi and PM can spot it straight off."

<<DICE>> Liu rolls 4 dice: <4 5 9 10> for 3 successes.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden tries to imagine concealing a Dire Lance under one's clothing.

Brian says "The icons, the friezes, the glorious pictures of Ahlat and his servants at war-- all gone. Defaced, Ruined. Cast down. In their place-- other than ruin-- are giant 5-whorled symbols of the immaculate faith."

<<DICE>> Aidan rolls 5 dice: <1 2 2 3 9> for 1 success.

Kanfi jerks back, eyes going wide at the defaced idols. He turns his back on the port for a moment-- he's not particularly religious despite everything, but that's more than even he can stand.

Liu nods, as if she expected that (though she didn't, exactly), and mounts her horse for a better view and because it's very comforting to ride into a battle on the back of a huge god-blood.

Phoenix Maiden has no particular attachment to Ahlat, and never has - she paid more heed to the priests of the Unconquered Sun even as a child - but nonetheless, his worship is a cornerstone of what defines Harborhead. As her eyes survey the defacement, her voice is taut. "We'll have more allies than I thought," she says.

Kanfi turns back, composed again, and tossed his sister a wry look. "I think... you've got a point."

Aidan surveys the ruins of the local religious icons. His face and body remain impassive, a product of more control than most individuals can even contemplate. His eyes, however, are beyond his control. They *glow*; burning from within with righteous anger. "I will personally tear down every single one of those carvings, with my bare hands."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Very Solar."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Very Dawn. :)"

<<OOC>> Aidan says "You know, bare hands, *stone*, that kind of thing."

"The Realm," Phoenix Maiden says quietly, "will learn that some lines should not be crossed." She grips her spear tightly, and watches the shore approach with quiet intensity. "Soon."

Brian says "As you sail in, there appears to be some disturbance further out in the harbor, drawing attention away from your birth. Several of the low-slung, stinking slave ships appear to be tangled in SOMETHING, and two of the warships have gone out to investigate, just leaving their berths as you touch into yours."

Liu holds Midnight-With-Stars firmly in check to prevent him from vaulting off the side of the ship, and looks to Phoenix Maiden to determine how they're going to proceed. Though she'd be pretty happy, at this point, with letting the horse leap onto a few of the Realm-employed harbor guards and kick some teeth out. Waiting is always the hardest part.

Kanfi smiles a little to himself at the way the slave ships are behaving. Obviously Seven is doing his job well. What a good little legionnaire!

<<OOC>> Aidan says "Are we going to be able to resolve combat in an hour? Or should we just begin the next session with the head-smashing?"

<<OOC>> Brian says "We can start the combat now; or at least, the preliminaries."

<<OOC>> Aidan nods.

<<OOC>> Liu says "While I know we can't really work it with Mark not here and all, it does seem sort of odd that Diamond wouldn't be coming in battle with us. Unless he's working his summoning spell /right now/. :)"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden thinks it would make sense to get through the preliminaries, but hold on the combat until next week when we have Diamond?

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "I mean, after all, no one's done anything to start a fight yet! *innocents*"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Though hey, if we wait, I can maybe buy PM that combo first... ;p"

<<OOC>> Brian says "No, you just touched the docks right now; you're in the berth and the plank is up."

Phoenix Maiden glances between her friends, Circlemates -- even family, where Kanfi's concerned. She swings the long white-shrouded dire lance back over her shoulder and says, "Everyone ready? Let's go find some allies." She practically leaps to the dock, barely touching the gangplank.

Aidan doesn't even pretend to use the gangplank, he just leaps the distance, landing lightly on the dock as though he'd only taken a short step.

Liu doesn't have to spur Midnight-With-Stars; she nickers softly in his ear and he leaps onto the dock near Phoenix Maiden, stamping his hooves cheerfully on the solid ground. He dances sideways and forward as Liu makes an excited monkey-face at Phoenix Maiden.

Brian says "The docks are subdued. Oh, commerce is going on, sure, but it's under the watchful eye of legionnaires, and there are Immaculate Monks-- mortal, but Immaculate-- on every corner, preaching the Word-- and the blasphemy of any following of the "way of the Hare" or any such nonsense, let alone other Hundred God Heresies. Too long has Harborhead been steeped in sin, they say-- and so it must suffer to become Great once more, under the Five Elemental Dragons."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "/Way of the Hare/? Just what did PM do with her stories? ;p"

Kanfi actually use the gangplank, stepping down it quickly, but with dignity, that pleased smile at Seven's actions still dancing at the edge of his lips. He looks around at the Realm soldiers and monks, and reaches back to touch his Skycutter comfortingly.

Phoenix Maiden's progress down the dock is steady but eager, pressing forward towards the shore. As soon as she is over the beach, she leaps from the raised planks, flexing her knees as she lands on the sands. Before straightening, she bends forward, laying a hand flat on the sand - on the soil of Harborhead, the land of her birth. She remembers the reaction of the little gods of the land when Kanfi spoke her birthname, and declares, "I am the Phoenix Maiden of the Unfettered Sky, and I have returned. I will not leave this land until I have done what I mean to do. I am Virtuous Willow, and I have returned." Her voice is not loud, but it is intense; she is not telling people this, but the land itself. For good measure, she repeats herself in Old Realm; it is a promise, after all, to the little gods, the elemental spirits - to the roads and the hills, the trees and the meadows, the cities and the waves, to even the spirits of the Peoples. It is a challenge to the Dynasts who rule. When she straightens, her face is resolved, and she continues up the beach.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Annnnnd, I want to use a Charm...."

<<OOC>> Brian says "Really? Do tell."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Commanding the Ideal Celestial Army!"

<<OOC>> Brian says "And what up-to-12 words will you say?"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says ""Virtuous Willow calls Hare's kin; vengeance begins at the docks.""

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden said she was going to look for allies, didn't see? *innocent*

<<OOC>> Liu says "Hey! You had two words to spare! Nice!"

<<OOC>> Brian laughs. "Roll Charisma + Presence or Performance, with a 3 dot stunt. You may take 6 motes or 1 wp back

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "I'll take the WP, since I'm only down 3 non-committed motes. :p"

<<DICE>> Phoenix Maiden rolls 12 dice: <2 4 4 5 5 5 6 8 8 8 10 10> for 7 successes.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden figures either this'll work really well, or at least she'll go out like a Zenith ought to. ;)

<<OOC>> Brian says "You will gain a Magnitude 8 "unit" on your back within the next 15 minutes-- or, effectively, one of the three "actions" worth of long ticks for the upcoming battle. But for now..."

<<OOC>> Aidan says "Dead ghod, she just called up a riot..."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "No. I just called up an army."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "I have a different charm for riots. ;)"

Brian says "You can all hear the call of your Zenith in your head-- and the reverberation throughout the entire docks area. It is not just the power of her essence that reverberates; it is the might of her call -- and the roaring, angry, FORCEFUL response of an oppressed warrior people rising up. All of them that are free carry weapons. Even slaves answer her call, grabbing tools or stealing weapons or otherwise arming themselves."

Brian says "The echoes of her call are felt, if not heard, by all of the Realm loyalists on the docks-- and indeed, anywhere nearby-- too. And the closest Immaculates can hear it as well. They turn upon you in shock for a moment, horror immediately thereafter, and in rage in a brief second after that. The Harborhead Rebellion has begun, and as it does, the Maiden of Endings glows briefly in the late afternoon sky. It is her light, as much as the Unconquered Sun's, which shines on Harborhead now-- whether its end complete or a new beginning; it will be decided from this moment forth."

<<OOC>> Brian says "One pose from everyone except PM, whose made hers, then pause 'till next week."

Kanfi lets his eyes fall shut, his sister's call rumbling through the area and making it hard to even breathe for a moment. He still wasn't sure about the course of action, but they were committed, and he would be at his sisters back-- he would NOT lose her again. And if that meant throwing himself into the midst of battle, well, it will only be the soldiers' fault if they don't listen when he asks them nicely to stop fighting.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Awwww."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "If PM wasn't about to be busy killing things, she'd give Kanfi big hugs!"

<<OOC>> Kanfi says "He intends to warn the soldiers, though! It's their own damn fault if they don't take him seriously."

Aidan's warrior spirit *sings* in reply to the Maiden's call. He turns back his hood to reveal the glint of his caste-mark, as the sun shines on Orichalcum. "And so it begins. Fair warning is given, dragons beware. Vengeance comes for you." He goes and stands next to the Maiden, and to await the rise tide of fury.

Liu uses her knees to steady Midnight-With-Stars, feeling the thrum of Phoenix Maiden's call reverberate through her core. She watches those loyal to the Realm with passive interest as their faces contort with shock and rage, and she smiles a tiny smile, fingering the hilt of one of her beautiful swords hidden next to her saddle with a caress that's a promise. There are some today who will be silenced by those blades before they even know she is there.