Family Circle Log 9/9/06

[leticia]

Leti says "Okay! I didn't get the log up, so brief summation: The four of you, down in Allen's past life tomb, have fought zombies. The zombies are shredded, but... GC is down one Health Level (at -0, so no actual effect on her rolls), Yasutora is down 4 health levels, Ten River Wind is down 3, and poor Floating Leaf is down 4. (Which is a lot bigger deal for her than Yasutora. :p)"

<<OOC>> Leti says "The room smells. Lots of dead bodies, not all of which have ambulated at you."

<<OOC>> Yoru is still no where to be seen.

<<OOC>> Leti says "Though you did kill a couple zombies. :p"

<<OOC>> Yoru nods. A few zombies did fall down without seeming to be hit.

<<OOC>> Leti says "No, no. They certainly seemed to be hit; Yoru just couldn't be seen doing it, but they were DEFINITELY hit by something. ;)"

Yasutora shakes his head sadly and begins to wipe some of the zombie-guts off of himself. "If you will excuse me, I must attend to their souls," he says softly.

Floating Leaf limps back over to GC and practically sits on her feet - half protective, and half-clinging. She begins to delicately groom herself, trying to get the zombie-ick off her paws.

Once it seems that no more bodies from the pile o' corpses are going to rise up and attack the party, Yoru slips back into sight and looks around. "Everyone okay?" he asks.

Green Cove drops down to examine the poor tiger's wounds, fretting. "No, Leaf's hurt," she says sharply, looking over her friend's paws. "We need to get back to the ship so that I can fix her properly."

Ten River Wind cleans his daiklaves and looks around. Though he's a bit scratched up, he doesn't seem particularly concerned by the injuries - a few more scars is nothing exciting in his accustomed lifestyle. He crosses his arms and leans against a patch of wall that seems to be free of splashes of decaying flesh.

<<OOC>> Leti says "Yasutora can certainly start burning bodies, but there are a lot. The twelve that attacked you were the most intact in the pile, and there are probably as many beneath it. Some of them are twitching slightly but don't seem to have the motive force to, you know, move."

Yasutora begins to go through the pile of corpses, solemnly lighting them aflame with the force of his anima to settle them on towards the next life. "Is there naught you can do for her here, Green Cove? There is some terrible darkness here that will grow worse if it is not stymied-- now."

Yoru wanders over towards the big cat and Green Cove, looking at them with concern. "Is Floating Leaf in immediate danger from her wounds?"

Green Cove wraps her arms around Floating Leaf's neck. "This is a nasty place," she declares, "and she needs help. If you want to go burn things, do so, as neither of us wants anything to do with them. They stink worse than old fish. I'm taking her back to the ship, to do this properly."

Floating Leaf is badly injured, this is true, but she's moving on her own, albeit with a limp, and licks Green Cove's face when she speaks. Green Cove is informed that Floating Leaf will be fine as long as no one wants her to claw any more zombies.

Yasutora shakes his head quietly. "It is not done yet; there is the force behind it to finish, deeper. This must be -finished--- or worse will come up, and after us, as well. To stop a thing before it is done leaves the wound open for more infection."

As the bodies burn into ash and dust, the bottom of the pit is revealed - it is, thankfully, reasonably shallow, only a couple of feet deep, and in the center is a small socket in which a black stone glows with a sickly light.

Leti ponders.

Green Cove frowns, but says, "I'll mind Leaf. She's had enough zombies for now, and if there are more, she may watch the rest of us take them."

Yoru reaches out to pat Green Cove's shoulder. "It might not be wise to leave this place alone. I am sure that our display has drawn ample attention to the tomb we are now in." Nodding towards Yasutora he adds, "And like he says it is best to take care of this while we are here."

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "Lore check or anything on the stone?"

<<OOC>> Leti says "Sure."

<<OOC>> Leti says "Int or Per."

<<DICE>> Yasutora rolls 4 dice: <3 4 5 8> for 1 success.

Floating Leaf appreciates all the attention, leaning on Green Cove's legs with all her weight - which is probably actually more than Green Cove's.

<<OOC>> Leti says "Okay... This is obviously a hearthstone, Yasutora - belonging to the tomb, probably - but it's got a foul, tainted feeling to it. You're not sure what it does, only that, like the tomb, its nature is not entirely of Creation."

Allen shakes his head wearily, and moves over to the exposed pit to examine the stone. "Thank you, brother," he says to Yasutora. "This place is foul, but less than before, thanks to you."

Yasutora frowns at the hearthstone. "This... is an /unclean thing/. An unclean PLACE. This has become a Manse to darkness.

Yoru chuckles softly at the big cat leaning on the small girl and smiles at them before wandering back to the pit of foul things. He'll bend closer to look at the hearthstone too.

<<DICE>> Allen rolls 5 dice: <1 6 6 7 9> for 2 successes.

<<DICE>> Yoru rolls 6 dice: <3 4 4 5 5 7> for 1 success.

<<OOC>> Leti says "The Hearthstone doesn't like any of you. ;p"

<<OOC>> Allen says "That's okay, we don't like it."

<<OOC>> Leti says "Allen will note that the stone is tainted of underworld and undeath, of course, but remain uncertain of its function, though it seems likely that the stone has some command over the dead."

Yasutora looks around with dark fury in his eyes. "When we are done with whatever sapient force is behind this place I will bring it DOWN," he growls, his deep voice resonating and shaking with anger.

<<OOC>> Leti says "Here I am offering you a perfectly valid resource and you want to destroy it! *innocent*"

Yoru gestures to the stone. "Should we... remove it?

<<OOC>> Leti idly wonders which would be worse: A minor shadowland with a manse, or a minor shadowland with an uncapped Abyssal demesne. :p

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "Can I use Perception + Craft to see if this is the focal point for the hearthstone?"

<<OOC>> Leti says "Yeah."

<<DICE>> Yasutora rolls 6 dice: <3 3 5 5 6 10> for 2 successes.

<<OOC>> Leti also wonders whether Allen might object to his tomb being DESTROYED.

<<OOC>> Yasutora will listen to objections! He's just a bit ... pissed... at the moment.

<<OOC>> Leti says "Okay; the geomantic arrangement for the room makes it possible for this to be where the hearthstone forms, but Yasutora can't be absolutely positive that the possibility is the fact."

"Yasutora, my friend - do you believe in coincidence?" Allen says, staring down into the shallow pit. "I rarely do, but I would like to, ever so much, right now." He glances aside at Yoru, at the Night's question. "A good question. On the one hand, I do not want to take such a foul thing - but on the other, we have removed the guardians of the tomb. Do we want anyone else to remove it, instead?"

<<OOC>> Green Cove is pretty much hugging her tiger for the moment.

Yoru says "And now that the guardians of the tomb are gone," Yoru quickly adds, "not the zombies, there will be many people coming in here to loot the place."

The tiger is perfectly happy to cuddle Green Cove. She hurts. ;_;

Yasutora stalks up to the hearthstone's focal point. "I think I can ensure that it dies, as it has destroyed this tomb," he growls, reaching high up into the air. "Two smashes-- in the right place, and the geomancy will die."

<<OOC>> Leti says "This is a low ceilinged room, which lowers towards the back; stairs of black stone lead up and down, further into the dark stillness of this desecrated tomb. Of course, the question of whether these stairs were part of the original tomb... remains unanswered."

Yasutora says "The question is, then-- whether we can catch the perpetrator of this monstrosity before sunset."

<<OOC>> Leti giggles quietly.

<<OOC>> Leti as GM would like to fnooooord over the perpetrator.

Yoru waits for the Zenith or Dawn to figure out what they are doing. Idly he wanders back towards the staircase they came down and listens for any signs of other intruders.

Yasutora turns to Allen. "Can we catch them, do you think?

There is heavy, dead silence from above and below; the air is still and not moving in the stairwell.

Yoru glances back at Yasutora. "Will destroying the geomancy of this place bring it down on our heads?"

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "How much Essence did I use up, btw?"

Yasutora considers this. "Probably not long thereafter; there will be some time."

<<OOC>> Leti says "Let's just say you're down to the 8 Personal Essence you were hanging on to, but all the bodies are gone, and call it even. >_>"

Yasutora looks determined. "I would STILL hunt further down if we can.

Yoru brings up his point, "I'd hate to not have a way out of here if we go searching for whatever is behind this."

Yasutora says "Oh, of course."

Yasutora is cheerful. "We do it -last-."

Yoru nods, glad that is cleared up.

<<OOC>> Leti notes that as far as closing goes: If you can destroy the geomantics of this place so it doesn't form a Hearthstone, it will be an uncapped Abyssal demesne. You don't know WHERE the staircase ends, or if it ever does. And there will by Nexus looters coming in with the guardians gone.

<<OOC>> Yoru says "Destroy the staircases too!"

<<OOC>> Yasutora meant bring it down, bring it DOWN. To end it. :P To "cap" it by cutting off all access to it and the underworld.

<<OOC>> Leti says "You're all Solars! I'm sure you can do something. ;) Optimal solution or not."

<<OOC>> Yoru says "But if we destroy access to it..."

Yasutora says "I, for one, do not believe in coincidence; not here and not now. I do not believe we should take it, but pursue as deep as we can, and then, whether finished in war or failure, crush the manse under its own weight."

"I thought as much," Allen sighs. "Will destroying the place truly solve the problem, do you think? If we do not find a source to this, then whatever is below could begin to rebuild, from the bottom up. And ruins have always been an alluring concept to would-be treasure seekers."

Ten River Wind continues to lean against the wall. He looks - if anyone cares - as if he's considering adding to the conversation, but doesn't actually say anything.

Yasutora perks up and turns to Ten River Wind. "What would you do, Ten River Wind?" he inquires.

Yoru hrms softly and keeps his reservations to himself for the moment.

Ten River Wind eyes Yasutora warily. "Take it," he says, sullenly, knowing very well that Yasutora isn't going to like the answer. "Power can be used."

Yasutora nods. "It can be," he rumbles quietly. "But mark me; power can also use -you-. The power that is within this tomb was formed with the dying of the Primordials. It hates all that lives.

Yoru says "And if we destroy this place, it will be useless anyway."

Ten River Wind shrugs. "Most of what lives hates other things that live. Does it matter much?"

Yoru holds up a hand. "Time is wasting. If we are going to investigate further down the stairs we best do it quickly. Night approaches, and I'm not talking about me."

Yasutora casts a hand around the room, pointing at the frescoes and the ashes. "Much of what lives, at least enjoys living. That which is here, concentrated in that stone-- it craves only oblivion and the end."

The Dragon-blooded shrugs. "I still think it could be useful. Power is." He crosses his arms again and looks away from Yasutora.

Green Cove looks at the stairs back up, and frowns. "If there's likely to be people waiting outside, do we want to spend all our energy dealing with matters down here?"

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "Can I count any of this as a stunt to Presence him? ^^"

Yasutora softly says, "Management of power is even greater; hark that Allen is a mightier warrior than I, for all we are equal in power."

<<OOC>> Leti says "Okay, guys. What are you going to do from here? You have several options. You can stop here, and try to bring down this room at least to prevent the reforming of the stone, uncap the demesne, and close the staircase; you can try to bring down other points on the way up to keep people out of the demesne section of the tomb, afterwards. You can head further down the staircase and try to finish what you've started completely, or you can, of course, just leave. Leti doubts that option'll be taken, but. :p (Or try to leave. of course.)"

<<OOC>> Yasutora is going to start marching down-- but is wondering if he can Presence TRW here. :P

<<OOC>> Yoru is going to start down in a moment, with or without the others.

<<OOC>> Leti says "What are you trying to presence him to DO?"

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "See the dangers of the taint and the way it destroys the usefulness of the power."

<<OOC>> Leti says "Go ahead and roll Cha+Presence, then, +2. And yes, you can have your 4 Essence back. :p"

<<DICE>> Yasutora rolls 8 dice: <2 3 4 4 7 7 7 8> for 4 successes.

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "... See, now they love me."

<<DICE>> Leti rolls 7 dice: <2 3 4 4 4 9 10> for 3 successes.

Ten River Wind looks uneasy and looks at the stone again, shrugging. "I don't see that it makes that much difference," he grouses quietly, but he doesn't push the point anymore.

Yoru says "Can we argue on the stairs. I would like to get this over with quickly and return to our world." More softly he mutters to himself something along the lines of "...could use a drink...""

"I would rather leave," Green Cove declares. "Floating Leaf might step on something nasty if we go any further, and I don't want to spend the night here."

<<OOC>> Leti says "If GC remains behind with Floating Leaf, TRW will stay as well, unless he's ordered to come along."

Yasutora nods quietly to Ten River Wind. "Thank you," he says softly, and begins to trudge towards the stairs, into the darkness and all that waits within.

Yoru reaches into his coat to bring out a flask of liquid courage to sip from.

<<OOC>> Leti says "GC is doing which? Staying up here?"

<<OOC>> Green Cove says "Yeah, I think so, unless someone tries to convince her otherwise."

Allen shakes his head again, and glances to Green Cove. "Will you and Floating Leaf be all right here, alone?"

<<OOC>> Green Cove says "She doesn't want Leaf to get icky infected paws, and walking through ick with torn paws seems a good way to get those."

<<OOC>> Leti nods. Ten River Wind, then, shows no sign of moving from his wall-propping position.

<<OOC>> Leti says "You can make Yasutora carry her out. :p"

"Oh, yes," Green Cove says, and scratches her tiger behind the ears. "I'll keep her safe."

The big tiger rumbles something that would be a purr in a smaller cat and leans into GC's hands.

Yoru pauses at the foot of the stairs to look back at Green Cove with worry. The look he gives Ten River Wind is full of promise of retribution should anything happen to his circle-mate while they are gone.

<<OOC>> Leti says "Oh yeah, TRW is such a threat to GC. :p"

<<OOC>> Green Cove cackles.

Ten River Wind blands at Yoru.

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "Let's see, GC is, technically, his ancestral mistress, has Ideas about land-pirates, and is already Not Happy."

<<OOC>> Yoru says "No, but he could not help her if someone else shows up. That's just as bad."

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "... In fact, why am I not getting her promise not to make HIM bloodthirsty? :P"

<<OOC>> Green Cove says "She's too busy paying attention to her kitty to do anything to TRW, so he's probably safe..."

"That is well," Allen says with a faint smile, and follows Yoru and Yasutora down the staircase.

<<OOC>> Leti says "Because he'd be SO much safer letting whatever pick off the Solar first and THEN be able to focus on him. :p"

<<OOC>> Leti says "Then again, he has high stealth. :p"

<<OOC>> Yoru says "Well excuse me for wanting the App 5 girl protected. Hmph. ;)"

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "For yourself. ;)"

<<OOC>> Yoru says "...Maybe..."

As Allen, Yasutora, and Yoru descend the stairs, the carvings on the wall become, if anything, more morbid; they wrap around a couple more twists, descending deeper into the stone beneath Nexus ...if that's still where you are, anyhow. And then around one more bend, a wide, round room with a high arched ceiling which would be lost in any mortal light; Yasutora's burning anima, of course, illuminates everything, though the stone absorbs it hungrily where it hits. A narrow walkway runs around the edge of the room, and right to the very edge of it is a still, still, dead still pool of water, the edge between stone and pool almost completely level and quite probably invisible in low light.

Archways lead off the room at five different locations; all angle down sharply, with the sixth leading back up the stairs you just descended. Shadow shapes in the water indicate that there may be more passageways beneath the water. The stone here - particularly underfoot - has an unhealthy shine to it, and is no longer the granite that you have been encountering.

Yasutora [to Leti]: Are there any trails or tracks we can see, leading to or from the stairs we took?

<<OOC>> Leti says "No. The stone is cold and dry; the water is, apparently, undisturbed; there are no splashes up onto the stone."

<<OOC>> Leti says "Fortunately for everyone involved, 'low light' is not an applicable condition with Yasutora still burning a pillar"

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "^^"

<<OOC>> Leti says "There are just a multitude of ways and the still black water."

Yasutora frowns. "I do not think that splitting up would be wise," he mutters. "Not here."

Yoru looks around at all the passageways and grimaces. "This does not look like something we can take care of before nightfall."

<<OOC>> Leti says "And give me a... Hrm. Per+Lore roll, +Essence, everyone. :p"

<<OOC>> Green Cove says "Me too, or just the ones downstairs?"

<<OOC>> Leti says "Err, just them. ^^"

<<DICE>> Yoru rolls 11 dice: <1 2 3 3 4 4 7 9 9 9 10> for 6 successes.

<<DICE>> Yasutora rolls 8 dice: <2 3 3 4 6 8 10 10> for 5 successes.

<<DICE>> Allen rolls 8 dice: <2 4 4 4 7 8 9 10> for 5 successes.

Leti says "This place - all of you will realize - is ...somehow, though it shouldn't yet be night, merging into the true Labyrinth beneath the underworld; the Essence flows of Creation are almost entirely gone, and even the Shadowland above feels alive and healthy compared to this place."

Yasutora shakes his head dolefully and clenches the Shield of the Righteous into a huge fist. "This-- this is worse than I had thought," he whispers slowly. "We cannot face the foe on its own ground." He turns to Allen. "We have found little enough save further desecration in your tomb, my brother. I suspect that, for now, vengeance and purification must wait-- this must be sealed off, or the whole city is in danger."

<<OOC>> Leti says "It's also fairly unlikely that the tomb was originally directly connected to the Underworld, as the DBs weren't that crazy, so whatever happened here has happened sometime in the intervening ages."

<<OOC>> Leti says "Well."

<<OOC>> Leti says "Given that the ghosts appeared to have been slaughtered, or at least left to rot in the tomb - the ones that were outside - it might have become a shadowland at that point. But."

<<OOC>> Leti says "Or shortly thereafter."

Allen nods slowly. "This is not something the three of us can deal with, no. Not now. Let us go back up, and see what there is that we can do."

Yoru suggests something that has been haunting his thoughts. "This place may just be designed to keep us here until night does fall... a trap of sorts. It may not be wise to stay..." He nods to Yasutora and Allen. "Perhaps collapsing the staircase behind us in a few places will help."

Yasutora nods to Yoru and Allen. "I can begin doing so," he says with renewed determination.

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "Can I use Per or Int + craft to determine good locations along the way?"

<<OOC>> Leti says "Per. I'll let you use limited cooperation rules if the others want to help."

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "Alrighty! Who's in?"

<<OOC>> Yoru has perception, but no clue about craft. I'll help if I can.

<<OOC>> Allen says "I have some per, but no crafting, I'll help if I can. |D"

<<OOC>> Green Cove has craft! Is also upstairs.

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "How much can I get off them, boss? ^^"

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "And does Essence Sight help here?"

<<OOC>> Leti says "When you get to GC, let her make the rolls. Her Per+Craft is much higher, especially since I'll let her use her sight bonus to spot subtle cracks in the stone or what have you. :p"

<<OOC>> Leti says "But your per+craft+1 per person helping, so +2 until you get to GC, and then she gets +3.:p"

<<OOC>> Leti says "Don't botch. ;)"

<<OOC>> Leti says "And feel free to stunt."

Yasutora begins the march upwards slowly with his two brothers, using their keen sight and his own, enhanced by the potency of the suit, to find both cracks and geomantically ausp- inausp- um. Helpful in sealing off. Spots. Yes. Places where the geomancy can be turned against itself by creating the right faults-- there! And there! And there again, just behind them as they go.

<<OOC>> Leti says "+2."

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "What's my total bonus, and do I get the stuff from the helm?"

<<OOC>> Leti says "Isn't that for Awareness?"

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "Well, yes, usually, but I have both it and the Essence Sight on, so-- just seeing what I can get. ^_^"

<<OOC>> Leti says "Total +4 bonus - 1 each Allen and Yoru, and 2 stunt. :p"

<<DICE>> Yasutora rolls 10 dice: <1 2 2 4 5 6 7 7 7 9> for 4 successes.

<<OOC>> Leti says "Nothing special from the armor. Don't botch. ;)"

<<OOC>> Yasutora is unloved. ;_;

<<OOC>> Leti says "Hrm. Okay, Str+Ath, +4. :p"

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "Spending a willpower point for an autosuccess."

<<DICE>> Yasutora rolls 18 dice: <1 1 2 2 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 7 7 8> for 3 successes.

<<OOC>> Leti says "Did you add the stunt dice? >_> I think you should roll again with the stunt dice if not."

<<OOC>> Green Cove says "I'm...impressed, really."

<<OOC>> Yoru says "What did you do to the dicebot that it hates you so?!"

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "No, I forgot the stunt dice. :P"

<<DICE>> Yasutora rolls 20 dice: <1 1 2 2 3 3 4 6 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 9 9 10 10> for 12 successes.

<<OOC>> Leti says "...Whew. :p"

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "13 successes is suspicious, but... :P"

Green Cove, TRW, and Leaf, here terrible cracking and stone tumbling noises from down the stairs. Down where Allen and Yoru stand above Yasutora on the stairs, they can watch him bringing down the roof practically on himself, arms braced across the stairwell, and sometimes on the ceiling.

Green Cove stands up, reaching for the ribbon-wrapped rod at her side. "Possibly that was what they meant to do," she says, but continues to eye the place where the others disappeared warily. If there are more zombies, she'll simply have to deal with them herself.

Yasutora nods and bows to Green Cove, Ten River Wind, and Floating Leaf. "May I have your Twilight's eyes, sister?" he asks softly. "I would know where best to bring -this- place in upon itself, and later to seal the tomb."

Yoru heads up the stairs back towards Green Cove once it can be seen Yasutora is safe. "No worries. It is what we are trying to do."

<<OOC>> Allen says ". . . Yasutora, you know Green Cove will take that phrasing literally. >:"

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "I doubt she'll actually give me her EYES. :P"

Ten River Wind grumbles quietly, casting a last look at the stone, but he doesn't seem at all loathe to start up the stairs and out of this well of death.

<<OOC>> Allen says "But she may think you were actually asking for them!"

<<OOC>> Yoru says "This is Green Cove we are talking about."

<<OOC>> Yasutora trusts her intelligence!

Green Cove blinks twice, then understands. "Of course," she says, though her tone implies that it's natural they would turn to her for matters involving sight, rather than it being natural that she'd agree to help them upon request. She bends over to speak to Floating Leaf for a moment. "If you'll move just ahead of me, we can best ensure you aren't too near their breaking of things," she adds. And then straightens up, glaring at the walls as if she's about to do serious damage to them. Which...perhaps she is, by proxy. "I will see what I see."

<<OOC>> Green Cove says "Let's see. Vision bonus + Craft + Perception?"

Leaf licks Green Cove's face and starts limping up the stairs behind TRW.

<<OOC>> Green Cove says "And, dammit, what is my vision bonus again, beyond being able to see in the dark?"

<<OOC>> Leti says "+3 for the other Solars helping."

<<OOC>> Green Cove nods. 5 + 2 +3 + the vision bonus is...+2? +4? Bother, can't remember.

<<OOC>> Leti says "4"

<<OOC>> Green Cove says "Ah, that'll do."

<<DICE>> Green Cove rolls 14 dice: <1 1 2 3 4 5 6 6 6 7 7 8 10 10> for 7 successes.

<<OOC>> Leti says "Yeaah. :p Yasutora, str+ath roll +7? I'll take a new stunt if you want those dice."

<<OOC>> Leti should have given GC some stunt dice too, but.

Yasutora listens to Green Cove's commands, using his essence sight and training to follow her directions precisely. The thick fingers of the Shield of the Righteous and the Unyielding Bastion seek and find the pressure points, digging into stone as if into soft earth-- finding, and crushing the supports to bring them -down-.

<<OOC>> Leti says "Shiny. 3."

<<OOC>> Yoru sings, "Down down down down, do-be do-be down down down...

<<DICE>> Yasutora rolls 24 dice: <1 1 2 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 10 10 10> for 15 successes.

<<OOC>> Yasutora pets the dice. Good dice.

<<OOC>> Leti assumes Allen and ...holy crap. Assumes Allen and Yoru are BOLTING up the stairs ahead?

<<OOC>> Allen says ". . . yes. XD"

<<OOC>> Yoru thinks for a moment. YES!

<<OOC>> Allen says "Actually, I've always wanted to be buried alive."

<<OOC>> Allen says "In a Shadowland."

<<OOC>> Allen says "With night falling."

<<OOC>> Leti says "Sounds fun."

<<OOC>> Yasutora can arrange it! :P

<<OOC>> Green Cove is moving up after pointing out flaws, you'd better bet.

<<OOC>> Yasutora is a smashy bear giant.

<<OOC>> Leti says "As you all emerge into the true tomb (Allen's once-bones still scattered), Yasutora's last effort cracks a key arch in the staircase, which collapses into so much rubble, almost entirely; the deep rumbling following after indicates that the sealing continues below in chain reaction."

<<OOC>> Leti says "Any anima banners have dropped a level, BTW, which means Yasutora is now only bright, not Exodus-pillar-of-fire bright."

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "Darn. >_>"

<<OOC>> Leti says "And those of you at 1 mote are now ordinary and unsparkly again. :p"

Yasutora bows his thanks to Green Cove once again, and kneels before the tomb as it falls, waiting for the rumbling to cease as he prays to the Unconquered Sun. Prays for light, and healing; for the rays of the Pure Warrior, the Holy Guardian to fall upon this cursed spot and make it whole again. Prays with his heart and mind and soul and shard, dedicated to his master to open up the beneficence of Light-- so that one day, this shadowland may be erased.

<<OOC>> Leti says "I shall give you a three die stunt on a cha+perf roll, if that's what you're going for."

<<OOC>> Leti says "If it's just flavortext, ignore it. :p"

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "It is indeed. :)"

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "Willpower to channel Conviction?"

<<OOC>> Leti says "If you wish. :)"

<<DICE>> Yasutora rolls 12 dice: <2 4 4 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 8 9> for 6 successes.

<<OOC>> Leti ponders, and nods, adding that to her notes. Nothing more to see here! Anything you want to do in Allen's tomb before heading back out to the street? Yasutora, you get a point of temporary WP back after your prayer.

Allen tears a piece off the coverings on his breastplate to wipe the remains of the undead off his razors, and drops it once he's done. "Thank you, brother. While this place is still tainted . . . hopefully, that will keep that which lies below contained, for a time."

<<OOC>> Allen says "Not really anything else, no. XD"

Yoru waits silently while Yasutora prays. In reply to Allen he adds, "It should. Hopefully the rest of our tombs, or those tombs here in the city, are not all tainted in the same way."

Yasutora looks shaken as he rises. "Do you think we should inspect them all?" he asks of Green Cove, Allen, and Yoru. "Or hurry to the Workshop?"

"If there are moving dead things in my workshop," Green Cove says sternly, "I will be annoyed."

<<OOC>> Green Cove says "Now, killer robots, that she's okay with."

"If any of the other tombs are as bad as this," comments Yoru, "we will need to be better equipped to deal with them. I would suggest the workshop first."

<<OOC>> Leti says "All right. People heading up towards the outer tomb where the ghosts were anchored and then to the street if nothing exciting happens?"

<<OOC>> Green Cove hrms, and wonders who she could make big princessy eyes at to get someone to carry Floating Leaf. Kitty's paws are sore!

<<OOC>> Yoru says "Ayup. And I'll either go out first all invisible like, or let someone else go out first."

<<OOC>> Leti says "Who's first up the stairs?"

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "... Oh, dear. Um. Probably Yoru or Allen, since GC and FL are just before me? And I certainly am last-- though I did pray, or was there something else?"

<<OOC>> Yoru will stealth to the top of the stairs and peek out.

Leti says "The door at the top of the stairs is closed, Yoru."

<<OOC>> Leti says "All right. People heading up towards the outer tomb where the ghosts were anchored and then to the street if nothing exciting happens?"

<<OOC>> Leti says "Who's first up the stairs?" (Yoru, it sounds like.)'.

<<OOC>> Yasutora is definitely fine with kitty-carrying! Among other things, his armor can't be clawed into like flesh. :P ^^

Green Cove pokes Yasutora on the way up the stairs. "Floating Leaf's paws are hurt," she says, assuming the response to this statement is obvious.

Yasutora nods gravely and kneels down to Floating Leaf. "May I carry you? I would offer to pet you as well but my armor is hard and not good for stroking."

<<OOC>> Leti says "Okay, Yoru, closed door."

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "KITTY."

<<OOC>> Yasutora is, remember, probably actually younger than GC.

Leaf tells Green Cove that it's very undignified, but sniffs Yasutora's hand without protest. :p

<<OOC>> Leti says "Yes."

<<OOC>> Leti says "She's fifteen, he's fourteen. :p"

Yasutora gently and carefully scoops Floating Leaf up, carrying her with as much dignity and Properness as he can.

Yoru will wait til everyone is upstairs and ready to leave. "We may have a welcoming committee outside. Shall I scout it out first?"

<<OOC>> Leti .oO(That assumes you can get the door open... MWAHAHAHA.)

<<OOC>> Yoru .oO(As if we don't have a human battering ram with us...)

<<OOC>> Leti eyes Yasutora's str+ath. Well. You can get the door open....

<<OOC>> Green Cove snickers.

Yasutora nods to Yoru calmly, trying VERY hard not to coo at Floating Leaf. >_>

Yoru pages: How many motes did it take last time to open the door?

You paged Yoru with 'This door? This is the one at the top of the stairs, the white jade door. None; in fact, you got motes back when you opened it and released the seals.'.

From afar, Yoru ohs and thought we were at the door to outside. I didn't know we closed this one.

You paged Yoru with 'You didn't. ^^'.

"That would be wise, Yoru." Allen rolls his shoulders. "The Dragon-blooded we saw earlier, at the least, may be there."

Yoru tries to push the door open slightly so he can peer out into the main room.

<<OOC>> Yoru says "We are at the White Jade door apparently, which closed on us. In case anyone is confused like I was."

<<OOC>> Leti says "Yes. The white Jade door that had the symbols and all that you opened. And did not close. Is now closed. At the top of the stairs."

The door swings easily. Yoru, Wits+Awa, please. +1 for stunt. (2 Essence back, if you want it.)

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

<<OOC>> Leti says "You don't immediately see anything dangerous or wrong in the room beyond, but there is something very different - the body you all stepped over is no longer slumped beneath the door in its (still present) stain of dried blood."

<<OOC>> Yoru says "Can I see the door to the outside? Is it still closed?"

<<OOC>> Leti says "No; the white jade door is on the back side of the area. It's a little rectangular room in a large rectangular room, and the door on the inner rectangle opens towards the far side of the room from the door out of the tomb."

"The body is gone from in front of the door," whispers Yoru over his shoulder to the others. "Be ready." With that he does a roll into the room and whips out his lightning chains. The end he doesn't grasp lays on the ground, coiled up before him as he crouches and quickly scans the room for threats.

<<OOC>> Leti says "Nice pose. :)"

<<OOC>> Yoru bows.

Nothing attacks Yoru. He can, however, hear quiet conversation on the other side of the stair enclosure - which stops as his chains rattle over the stone floor.

<<OOC>> Yoru says "Anything I can stealth in, w/o using charms?"

<<OOC>> Leti says "Well, the room is still pretty shadowy with Yasutora not currently in it; you can always stealth in the shadows."

<<OOC>> Leti says "There's not a lot to hide behind, but you're a Night. You might be able to pull it off. ;)"

Yoru will make a gesture to the others pointing to the back of the stairway. With that he holds his chains still and slips back into the shadows near the walls. He will find the best place he can among the spikes and other oddities on the walls in hopes of remaining hidden once the party torch enters into the room.

<<OOC>> Yoru says "Stealth + ?"

<<DICE>> Yoru rolls 9 dice: <1 2 2 4 6 7 7 8 10> for 5 successes.

Yoru is a Night - true Night, and even with little to hide behind, he sneaks into the shadows and moves like one; as he comes around the side of the enclosure, he sees Shai, standing near the hallway that leads out of the room, and waiting - near a man who is dressed in bloodstained clothes and... looks terribly familiar. Like a corpse you've seen recently.

Yasutora is within, waiting for words from Yoru.

Yoru steps forward out of the shadows towards the pair. "Shai, what in the hells is going on..." A brief pause and he adds, "Come on out guys."

Yasutora nods and begins to lumber forward, carefully carrying that -greatest- of honors, the Big Kitty.

Allen follows Yasutora out of the stairs also, but goes around the other side of the room from the others, still watching warily - it is still a Shadowland, after all.

<<OOC>> Yoru says "This is where we find out Shai is now an Abyssal, right?"

<<OOC>> Yasutora cries. ;_;

<<OOC>> Green Cove says "That would be awkward."

<<OOC>> Green Cove says "I mean, do any of us know how to sail?"

<<OOC>> Green Cove says "...wait, I do. No problem, then!"

Shai looks blandly at Yoru. "Hello," she says. The man (corpse?) smiles brightly - brighter when Allen appears around the other side. "Hello, brother," he says, cheerfully.

<<OOC>> Yasutora Is t3h suspecting GM evilness. now.

<<OOC>> Allen says "Does he make my eye feel funny?"

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "Man, I'm hungry. *nibbles on the GM*"

<<OOC>> Leti says "Allen, he's a corpse. :p He's a walking, talking corpse. This is blatantly obvious to your eye, though I suppose if you hadn't already seen the body, he could just be a person all covered in dried blood otherwise."

Yoru continues to stare at Shai, expecting her to perhaps explain what is going on like he asked.

"I don't recall being brothers with a dead man," Allen says flatly.

Yasutora gives Floating Leaf a gentle pat, and starts looking for somewhere to put the Poor, Hurt Kitty down.

Green Cove hovers around Floating Leaf. There's a dead man talking, but as he isn't shambling or dropping body parts or trying to eat anyone she much likes, this is of minor importance.

<<OOC>> Yasutora is about to assault this guy; he really, really is in a bad mood concerning undead at the moment. :P Just not with Arms Full Of Kitty.

The man smiles more at Allen. "That's all right," he says. "You'll get to know me better."

<<OOC>> Leti says "Well, there's lots of floor to set down the kitty. :p"

<<OOC>> Yoru says "Toss kitty at the undead abomination?"

<<OOC>> Yasutora says "NO HURTING KITTY. Is there anywhere soft to set the kitty down?"

<<OOC>> Yoru, having kitties, would think that would be more likely to hurt the undead thing.

<<OOC>> Green Cove says "Yes, but if you start throwing Floating Leaf, GC might take it personally, and that would get...awkward."

<<OOC>> Yoru says "True"

<<OOC>> Green Cove ponders a teeny-tiny GC trying to scale Yasutora to whack at his helmet with a stick and demand he get out of there and fight her fair.

"Why would we want to do that?" Yoru asks bluntly.

<<OOC>> Leti says "No? It's a stone floor. There's some dust around the edges. :p"

"I'd rather not." Allen's claws skitter out again, as he watches the corpse warily. "The only dealing I do with the undead is to destroy them."

The corpse peers at Allen. "What, no family feeling? But we have so much in common."

Yasutora gently sets Floating Leaf down somewhere safe before Turning On The Sun Again-- specifically, the huge lightshow of the imperial mountain as the Eight Steel Soul Harmony begins to prepare for interlock. He's MADE UP his mind. :P

"You're no relative of mine," Allen says bluntly. "The only one I called family died years ago, and then I killed him once again. And you are not him, regardless."

Shai, meanwhile, is watching the scene quietly - with a near complete lack of reaction, in fact.

Yoru backs away from Shai and Mr. Undead thing. His weapon rattles as he lets it out. The links clink gently as he takes another step back.

Yasutora says "Shai?"

Yasutora asks warily-- seeing if this -thing- has done something to her.

Shai looks at Yasutora. "Yes?"

Yasutora says "Will you join us now, please?"

Yasutora asks softly, keeping his eyes on the thing.

The corpse-puppet jerks a smile at Allen. "Ah, yes. Such an unfilial son. Don't worry; we're brothers in spirit, and your family still loves you.

Shai peers at Yasutora. "I'm here," she says.

Yasutora politely asks the older Eclipse, "Over here? Away from the undead monstrosity?"

<<OOC>> Yasutora slightly prejudiced. :P

Yoru asks Shai, "Why were you talking with this undead thing?"

Allen shakes his head angrily. "What you think, what you have to say, is not important," he says, voice low and angry, falling into a fighting crouch.

Shai looks confused at both Yasutora and Yoru and doesn't answer, or move.

The undead man shakes his head sadly. "I've been waiting for you, brother, and this is all the welcome I get?"

<<OOC>> Leti says "BTW, Allen: The corpse did NOT trigger your 'something undead' sense when you first walked past it."

<<OOC>> Leti says "Mind, you did have Undead Ickiness from down below, but."

Allen ignores the corpse, and glances at Shai. "Shai, come here."

<<OOC>> Allen says ". . . does Shai make my eye feel funny? >:"

<<OOC>> Yoru would step in to mediate stuff, but I don't have time to really start anything.

<<OOC>> Leti says "No, Allen. Admittedly, there's plenty of other stuff to look funny for your eye, but she looks no odder than anyone else viewed through the haze of the shadowland."

<<OOC>> Leti says "I think we'll just pause here. I don't really want to, but we're about to lose Yoru and can't get done if Allen won't stay connected. =/"