Brian's Game: Shadows of the Past, Part 1
Feb. 20th, 2012 09:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
leticiaHad to get this log emailed to me.
Brian says, “Okay, so. The final trial was done some time ago. The younger Solars have returned to training. The Sidereals save Maduka Shin and Ashan have dispersed. Your Zenith has left with Warmaster Michael to begin talking about some of the threats in the area. Shin and Ashan have led the four of you through the labyrinthian passages of Kether Rock to one of the thaumaturgic workshops.”
Brian says, “The usual tools and implements are all carefully, cleanly put away. Due diligence and necessity of sterilization of the ritual space has been done as it ought to be; on the central table/altar lies the tropy of Bennu's hunt, the Hearthstone Compass with the Ignition Gem in it, glowing adamant pointing east and an almost imperceptible amount south, and the large Seven Seals Box that was retrieved from Shondala Monastery. Maduka Shin escorts you all in, and gestures. "Three relics, three omens, and the fourth an excellent start for your Dawn, which should be a good omen for the circle. The question is then what omens are each of these in turn?"”
Two Luminous Blades smiles faintly at the Dawn mention.
Ashan tilts his head, studying the Essence flows around the artifacts. It's a good question.
Brian [to Ashan]: Perception + Occult +1; roll once each for the Sacrifice of Stone and the Seven Seals box; do you want to check the compass, too, or...?
<<OOC>> Ashan says "Why not. XD"
<<DICE>> Ashan rolls 9 dice: <1 4 5 7 8 8 8 9 9> for 6 successes.
<<DICE>> Ashan rolls 9 dice: <1 2 5 6 6 6 6 7 7> for 2 successes.
<<DICE>> Ashan rolls 9 dice: <1 1 2 4 6 7 9 10 10> for 6 successes.
<<OOC>> Ashan says "...that's somehow oddly appropriate."
Reed shrugs. Omens and the weavings of fate aren't his specialty, really. If it came to a vote he'd drag Teyv to follow the compass' direction; but of course, he's biased.
Teyv for the first time gets a good look at the objects. Even the ones he (and Reed) returned where frustratingly hidden away from him soon after his return. He bounces up and down a bit try to view past the big Solars, and finally pushes his way to the table. "I wonder if the dragon blooded with that compass was a lone sorcerer, or the scout for a larger organization?"
Brian [to Ashan]: The Seven Seals Box is composed of six 'sides', each of which has five jade dragons, one of each type, wrapping around each other. The pieces are jumbled up like a puzzle, but each only moves in a specific way, and when you move one, the gears inside will move part of another dragon (or the original dragon), but the pieces always move in the same way. Pieces can respond to other pieces, but only certain ones do. Unless you know the initial trick of it, it takes intense puzzle mastery to figure out, because of the complicated interactions. Other than that, they're so hardy that even a strike from the main cannon of a Directional Titan or the Five-Metal Shrike wouldn't break them open.
Brian [to Ashan]: You can discover little about the Sacrifice of Stone. Its name is wrought into its essence, along with the pulsing, steady beat of Solar energy, but you have no more successes that Maduka Shin's Secrets advisors.
Brian [to Ashan]: Finally, the Compass APPEARS to be just an ordinary, well, Hearthstone Compass. It leads to the Manse that the Hearthstone belongs to, or to the nearest manse if there isn't a hearthstone attached to it. But to the eyes of one who is opened to Fate, you see why your fellows have been nervous about it. Wherever it is pointing is outside of Fate. That usually means the Wyld, Malfeas, or the Underworld.
Brian [to Teyv]: Are you intending to inspect them for the nature of their power or other clues, like Ashan?
Teyv [to Brian]: Yes
Two Luminous Blades steps to the side and watches. "Omens are not really my area."
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades brb, walking dog, etc.
Brian [to Teyv]: Ok, give me a stunt pose for your examination.
Teyv [to Brian]: The tooth, too, being a "biological" relic
Brian nods. Make sure that figures into your pose.
Mahir has been quietly watching from the shadows, he is no expert in Occult matters, beyond the minimum required to know where to strike arcane foes. "The dragons lost four of their sorcerers to a ritual related to the Seven Seals, shortly before my arrival. Eaten by the demon, although I was unable to learn whether the demon was there on her own, or summoned for some related purpose."
Teyv reaches towards the compass, and hesitates, and then with a nod from Shin, picks it up and examines it. Spinning it slowly, and then faster, and watching the directional point as it does. He puts it down, and examines the Bennu's prize, recalling from his dental rotation, "not too much plaque build up, good enamel, hmm," he puts it back down and picks up the box. Clearly the most absorbing of the artifacts. He begins manipulating the sides, "ahh, you push this, and that goes," he says, showing it to whoever cares to watch. He plays with the box for long enough to cause Shin to clear her throat.
Brian says, “Shin nods, and lets Teyv take his time to look over the stone. "Which brings us to the question at hand. You're going to begin your post-graduation 'Exercises'. Michael and Bennu are deciding which of far too many Fires need to be put out directly, but the question then becomes whether or not you want to try to start looking for any of these now. I would strongly advise _against_ hunting the Manse out yet. It's snarled outside of Fate. I have some allies that can check without the compass leaving the safety of the Rock. But do you wish to seek to open the Box, or see what the Sacrifice of Stone can do?”
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades sorries, back
Brian [to Teyv]: Well, the Sacrifice is a horn, not a tooth, but it was definitely used for goring things. Ok. 3-dot stunt; roll Perception + Occult + 3 for your stunt three times.
<<DICE>> Teyv rolls 9 dice: <1 1 4 5 5 6 6 9 10> for 3 successes.
<<DICE>> Teyv rolls 9 dice: <1 2 3 3 4 5 6 9 10> for 3 successes.
<<DICE>> Teyv rolls 9 dice: <2 3 4 5 6 7 9 9 10> for 5 successes.
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades says "My wife just got back from Hobby Lobby and she can't stop talking about it."
<<OOC>> Reed says "Good or bad?"
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades says "Amusing."
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades says "Oh, she loved it."
Brian [to Teyv]: The Sacrifice of Stone is attuned to battle in some strange, mysterious way. More, it's attuned to Leadership-- Bennu is a general already, and it absorbed some of her nature. More, you're not sure of at this time. The Hearthstone Compass is pretty normal; you can't sense this fate stuff at all. But... it's weird. The Gem seems VERY familiar to you. Like it's calling your name. You're not sure whether this is a good thing-- or a trick.
Mahir inclines his head towards the box that Teyv was manipulating a moment ago. "I would like to solve the mystery of the box, first. The dragons lost four sorcerers trying to unlock its mysteries, and were still willing to make a further attempt. I am most curious as to what could be so valuable that they would put so many resources into danger."
Teyv sulks, frustrated at his lack of understanding.
Ashan nods, still thoughtful. "It's a puzzle, and no mistake. Literal and figurative. I can't tell much about the Sacrifice other than its name, so if the rest of you can't either, maybe the time's not right yet for it to reveal what it can do."
Reed snorts. "If they lose four sorcerers for each attempt," he says dryly, "Perhaps we should give it back to them."
Brian [to Teyv]: The box, you get about the same idea as Ashan. You're fairly sure that with careful study and brainpower (Int + Lore), it could be cracked, but it might require assistance-- multiple people observing the box as it's manipulated. Alternatively, one -could- attempt to treat it as an inside-out lock, but doing so would be very difficult (Int + Larceny also works, but at a +2 difficulty). Also, you can't sense any death-essence on it; it's clean and pure, as Jade ought to be.
Teyv [to Brian]: I have high int and lore, I can pose to study it for a few hours, or something, or just let it be for now.
Brian [to Ashan, Teyv]: Both of you know that you probably don't want to be in here, clean ritual space or not. You can take the Perfect (+2 dice situational bonus) probes and thaumatician's tools, and Perfect (+2 again, this time for Larceny) thieves' kits outside, but you both know a Seven Seals Box is larger on the inside than on the outside. It could have anything up to the size of a Royal Warstrider in there.
Brian [to Teyv]: Eh. Each attempt only takes about a minute. And you can get help from up to four people at once in a fully cooperative action, which means that dice pools can be combined.
<<OOC>> Reed says "Perhaps the dueling circle would be better."
<<OOC>> Brian says "Suggest that in character. It does have excellent clearance and it's inside the Rock."
Brian says, “Whoever has the highest pool of either Int + Lore or Int + Larceny should figure out who's going to take the lead. Everyone will roll, but if you use Larceny, you lose two successes, the equivalent of 4 dice. But if you've got a bigger than 4 dice difference...”
Teyv says, “I'm usually pretty good at puzzles like that. I'd hate to solve it and have an imperial war blimp inflate in the room. Let's get it outside and take a good look at it.”
<<OOC>> Teyv says "I'm 5 on int and lore"
<<OOC>> Mahir says "Can I throw LOT at it for the +Succ, if I'm tipping in on someone else's Lore-based attempt?"
Brian [to Mahir]: Yeah, you can.
<<OOC>> Ashan says "Better than me; 4 int, 2 lore, and no useful tricks at hand."
Reed ducks down and slips between folks' legs, coming up again on the other side of the table uncomfortably close to Maduka Shin. "Take it to the dueling circle," he says, leaning close to peer at the box "It's big, and if there's something ugly inside, the circle can contain it."
<<OOC>> Mahir says "I've got 6 for my pool, then, and a fancy charm."
<<OOC>> Reed says "I'm not very smart and completely illiterate. Not it!"
Brian says, “Maduka Shin nods. "Wise. And entirely up to you," she says, and claps her hand on Ashan's shoulders. "It's time for HIS graduation exercise, too," she says, grinning at the slender Joybringer. "He's your personal advisor for all of this. I have to go deal with the trainees. Good luck and Heaven smile upon you all," your Sifu says. "Talk to me if you need training," she adds, and heads for the door.”
<<OOC>> Ashan says "Teyv, all you. XD"
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades has a pool of 4...
Teyv says, “The Lunar makes a sound suggestions, with your leave Master Shin?”
Reed glances at Shin's retreating back, and whips a hand out to retrieve the Compass and embedded hearthstone. It's his, after all. Or Teyv's. They found it.
<<OOC>> Brian says "I suspect that Reed and Two are going to be just adding their base int dice. I would HIGHLY suggest that you both stunt and spend willpower for an extra succcess when the time comes. Teyv will lead, Mahir and Ashan primary back up, and whoever has the highest pool between Two and Reed helps there?"
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades has Lore 1, Larceny 1 :)
Brian says, “Shin grins. "You're Solars," she says, and gestures. "Lead. You were Chosen for it." And then she leaves.”
Teyv takes up the box, still poking and fascinated by the intricacies of the craftsmanship, but not really trying to solve it. He wanders in the direction of the dueling circle. Once there, he places it on the floor in the center of the circle, turns to the collected exalts, and says, "Let's begin!"
Brian [to Two Luminous Blades]: What's your Int?
Mahir reaches out a hand towards the box, long delicate fingers dancing over the surface of the locks, feeling the shape of the jade, with the warmth of essence just below the surface. "I've not yet met a lock that could stay closed when I wanted it opened, although I suspect this one might be my greatest challenge yet. Challenge accepted."
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades says "3"
<<OOC>> Reed says "There are six sides, and six of us. Two can hold it up and watch the bottom, and I'll hover overhead and watch the top."
Brian [to Reed]: ... That's really smart. I'll let you add your pool in-- if you have no Lore, just int-- if you use a flying form and stunt it.
Brian says, “Ok, everyone is moving to the dueling ring?”
<<OOC>> Mahir says "Yeah."
Two Luminous Blades takes a position on, say, the south side of the box.
<<OOC>> Reed says "My original thought was that I could lie on my back and hold it up. Then if something ugly came out I could otterhug it."
Teyv says, “Very well, I'll stand beneath it, as I am the shortest of you Solars." sotto vocce: "I also have the most appropriate head size to shoulder size ratio...”
Ashan just grins, a bit wry, as Shin names his 'graduation exercise', and slips into position beside the box. "Ready when you are," he says, reaching out to run his fingers over the box; it's almost as though he's getting to know it, ready for the delicate task of convincing it to open.
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades says "Do we each match a direction?"
<<OOC>> Brian says "Yes, actually."
<<OOC>> Brian says "Let me check the core."
<<OOC>> Brian says "It's stuff the Cult would have drilled into your head."
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades is wise in the ways of directionology.
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades is east, actually.
Reed slips the compass into a pocket and hops into the air, shifting to his falcon's form as he does so and winging off down the corridor after the Solars. Once in the dueling arena, he takes a circuit around the edges and then comes to a stop in the center, hovering over the box.
<<OOC>> Brian says "Dawn -> East, Zenith -> South (but she's missing, so someone else will have to fill in there), Twilight -> West, Night ->North."
<<OOC>> Reed says "Err. We're missing a person. I forgot LEti's not here."
<<OOC>> Brian says "I suspect Ashan should take the South, then."
Two Luminous Blades stands on the eastern side of the box.
<<OOC>> Ashan says "Yeah, it's close enough."
<<OOC>> Reed says "Can we rope in a trainee to be the underneath?"
Teyv reaches up to the bottom, and begins to manipulate the mechanisms, calling out to each direction for response. After a moment, it dawns on him, that he does not want to be under this thing, if it suddenly drops a war strider. With a slightly whitened face, he steps to the Western side, but still looks up at the bottom.
Brian [to Reed]: Not so much.
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades says "Trainees are not that dumb"
<<OOC>> Reed says "There are some DB trainees. Too bad there's no Abyssal."
Brian says, “Ok! Everyone give me their best Puzzle-Solving Pranas! Any Charm use other than Mahir's?”
Teyv pulls a small mirror from his pocket, and places it beneath the box. "Now we can see the bottom without getting squished. It will be ashame to lose that mirror, but it is just a regular mirror."
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades says "Trackless Region Navigation :)"
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades kids.
<<OOC>> Ashan says "None of mine are applicable, sadly."
<<OOC>> Reed says "None here, either. This room is a cavern, correct?"
<<OOC>> Brian says "Big cavern."
Mahir moves to stand to the north side of the box, and reaches out once more with his hands. His eyes are closed, and he doesn't move any of the jade pieces on his side of the box. Instead, he reaches out with delicate filaments of essence, infiltrating the box, touching the inner workings, feeling the move and countermove of the pieces as his circlemates manipulate them. His mind builds a complex model of the inner workings, and as he gains understanding he whispers directions to the others to move particular pieces, as he nudges the internals with his essence, blocking some moves and assisting others.
Teyv puts his best logical thinking towards this, recalling all that is relevant from his many courses and hands on study of ancient relics. He even thinks back to the puzzle games of his youth...
<<OOC>> Brian says "Remember that you also have sw33t tools, of whatever kind you like to put into your poses."
<<OOC>> Mahir doesn't use tools. Even masterwork tools are clumsy and awkward compared to direct manipulation.
Teyv puts pauses, and puts on some magnification glasses, to get a closer look. With this many eyes, seeing great detail may be more important than an overall picture.
<<OOC>> Brian chuckles.
<<OOC>> Brian notes the poses, and waits for everyone's before giving stunt dice... and other special benefits. >_>
Ashan examines the box, shifting the carved dragons this way and that with gentle fingers, occasionally murmuring encouragement or reproof under his breath. He's treating it as though it were a living thing seeking the completion of opening, and maybe in some ways it is; after all, anything with Essence flowing through it is at least a little bit alive, and its least god would surely like to be open, wouldn't it? Gently, carefully, he guides the pieces of the puzzle through their contortions, seeking the moment when the puzzle's intent is fulfilled and its design is harmonious.
Reed glides in a few slow circles overhead, then finally soars to the ceiling and takes a perch on a small outcropping of rock. Digging his talons into the stone, he leans over and watches the box intently, falcon's eyes alert to any small movement or change in Essence flow.
<<OOC>> Reed says "I'll activate my goggles, too. I keep forgetting about those."
Two Luminous Blades stares at the box. Thinks about ways weapons have been used to smash boxes open, locksmiths hired to unlock boxes. Stares more. "If this were a cattle, I think I could understand it better."
Brian says, “Okay, let's see.”
Reed lets loose a brief, crow-like cackle. It's clear what he thinks about cattle; about Solars, not so much.
Brian says, “Teyv, 2 dot stunt. Mahir and Ashan, 3. Reed, 2, Two, 1. You may spend a willpower on the roll to add an automatic success; you will have the option to regenerate it, or to respire 2*stunt level motes of Essence. Teyv, you have a -1 TN; after rolling, add any dice that were sixes to your total. Mahir, same to you. Teyv, Reed, and Two, you get +2 dice situational; Mahir, you get +Essence successes, -2 for using Larceny, I'm suspecting.”
Brian says, “Roll 'em.”
Brian says, “Oh, tell me if you're spending willpower first.”
<<OOC>> Ashan says "WP/WP. :)"
<<DICE>> Ashan rolls 9 dice: <1 3 4 6 7 8 9 9 9> for 5 successes.
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades spends no additional. Two don't do puzzles.
<<OOC>> Mahir says "I'll spend one, yes."
<<OOC>> Teyv says "I'll add a willpower"
<<OOC>> Mahir says "And taking it right back for the stunt, I suspect I'll respire the essence naturally before I need it."
<<OOC>> Reed says "I'll spend one as well."
<<DICE>> Reed rolls 7 dice: <3 4 5 6 6 8 10> for 3 successes.
<<DICE>> Teyv rolls 14 dice: <2 6 6 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 9 10 10> for 11 successes.
<<DICE>> Two Luminous Blades rolls 6 dice: <2 7 7 8 9 10> for 6 successes.
<<OOC>> Brian says "O_o jesus, Teyv."
<<OOC>> Teyv says "15 by my count?"
<<OOC>> Brian says "Yeah."
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades says "And Teyv blows up."
<<DICE>> Mahir rolls 9 dice: <2 3 3 3 4 5 5 7 9> for 2 successes.
Brian [to Two Luminous Blades]: Also The Hell.
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades says "Dice Orphan making up for the other night."
<<OOC>> Reed says "The lady learned something from the cattle after all!"
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades | Dice Orphan: So, we cool, bro?
<<OOC>> Mahir says "Booo, dice. But +4, +1, -2, 5 net succ."
<<OOC>> Mahir says "Two glared hard enough at the box that he made it afraid of being bludgeoned?"
Brian says, “OKAY. So, normally, when a Seven Seals Box has all the dragons assembled correctly, those on the top for a natural ring, circling around a circular seal showing a world tree superimposed over an image of Mount Meru-- the seal of Gaia herself. When the seal is revealed, an adamant dome phases in out of Elsewhere, and beads of moonsilver suddenly flow out of the mountain and tree, leaving little holes behind. The entire box must be shifted back and forth, trying to get the beads to not only all fit into the holes, but also to stay there. That's what USUALLY happens. The inner seal resists all attempts to tamper with it magically with 20 dice. Usually, you must use only magic -external-, like Excellencies to unlock the final two seals...”
<<OOC>> Mahir says "It's kinda sad that his raw Int did more net succ than my essence fueled Larceny. :-P"
<<OOC>> Teyv says "Oh right, my willpower made it 16s."
<<OOC>> Brian says "I have to BRB right fast. I'll have the second half of the pose in just a second."
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades says "The secret to opening boxes is being angry enough at them that they want to open on their own."
Teyv eyes go wide, and his breath catches, as it's clear something is about to happen, the second seems to take hours as he waits.
Brian says, “However, fate seems to be guiding the lot of you. Reed's sharp eyes catch the glint of the adamant forming. Mahir's magic gives a brief moment, just very briefly, when the forming moonsilver beads are in _exact_ alignment with the holes, giving Reed the chance to shout out a warning. With the incredible speed and strength of a Dawn, Two wraps her arms around the box and holds it steady-- and Teyv, guided by the incredible intellect of the Copper Spiders of yore, manages to flick just one of the balls so that it rolls into the hole, just before the adamant fully materializes. That one moment of excellent, pure thaumatech mastery, buoyed by your fellowship, is enough. Even as the adamant forms, four lines, drawing from corner to corner of the seal, and there is a slight hiss as seams form-- one at every edge save the four on the bottom, and four more crossing the diagonals. The Seven Seals Box is ready to be opened.”
Teyv says, “Oh good, Bennu, you and Two Blades can open this thing, while I stand at a safe distance. I promise to reattach any limbs it knocks off.”
Brian [to Bennu]: So, you've been working out strategies with Michael. There's a lot of things going on in the South.
Brian [to Bennu]: To the southeast, the Dune People, as well as in the FAR southeast, war ghosts have begun to attack Southerly explorers and those who hunt the strange creatures near eternal Fire for their thaumaturgically useful organs have been going missing with regularity.
Brian [to Bennu]: To the further southeast, Cataphractoi of the Lapis Court have grown unusually bold, sending lightning strikes of slavers and reavers into Delzhani territory. While the Delzhani are Realm allies in title, they're not exactly pacified.
Brian [to Bennu]: Michael needs your aid in any one of these areas. Which do you select for your circle's command theater? Then we'll bring you in for the opening of The Box.
Bennu listens serenely, appraising the situations throughout the South. She listens not only to the reports Michael has received and shares, but also to the knowledge she already has about the various regions and their conditions, the forces that move in them both hostile to Creation and otherwise, and the likely challenges and threats beyond the obvious in each sub-direction.
<<OOC>> Bennu says "Trying to make a war stunt to get more info. =p If you don't want that I'll just make a decision."
Brian [to Bennu]: Int + War +2.
<<DICE>> Bennu rolls 11 dice: <1 3 4 6 6 7 8 8 9 10 10> for 8 successes.
Brian says, “... Ah, _Solars_.”
Brian [to Bennu]: The Dune People are tricky, as Reed will be able to tell you. They were rescued by two Lunars, who trained them to survive and commanded them never to be enslaved again. They would be the easiest to stop, but the one with some of the greatest cost. They would have to be utterly scattered, broken, and dispersed, and they have thrived over the centuries since the Usurpation. Doing so would also offend the Lunars-
Brian [to Reed]: Can I assume you've talked to her about the Dune People since she ran into them on the way south?
Reed [to Brian]: If she asks nicely, sure.
Brian [to Reed]: You'd know that two of the founders of the VASTLY influential Thousand Streams River helped the Dune People escape, and might take offense. Whoever goes in that direction would have to deal with the fallout, including the possibility of war-- you're not obliged to follow, and you'll have no shame for joining on them; there's no personal risk to your standing for doing your Job with your Solar, and you're probably on the path to joining either the Crossroads Society or in the Seneschal of the Sun Kings-- or having to temporarily beat them back, then go on the diplomatic and the indirect.
Brian will assume that Bennu knows the history, and can, with 8 successes, figure out the implications, then.
Reed [to Brian]: With a few judicious edits, of course. Solars don't need to know about the Thousand Streams.
Brian [to Reed]: Right. "Senior Lunars of a sociologically minded bent".
<<OOC>> Ashan says "Back."
Brian [to Bennu]: The Dune People are also one of the most direct threats to trade in the region, which is the lifeblood of desert communities. Next is the Lapis Court. They're bound to the Virtue of Compassion, but it's a Compassion of Fae. The Lapis Court keeps humans as treasured pets and servitors, but they drain their souls regardless, and while they'll fight duels over the treatment of slaves, they won't -free- those slaves, and, out of Compassion to each other, unit against those who would "steal" them from their "beloved masters." They've usually just bought slaves directly from the Guild.
Brian says, “The Fae are easy to fight in direct combat, but hard to pin down and control. The further into the Wyld and their territory you go, the more danger you will have from Shaping; even being personally protected from it, you can find yourselves caught in a story with little notice-- and they are fairly hostile tales.”
Reed [to Bennu]: I advise leaving the Dune People be. If they are bothersome, please let me know and I will pass the message on to the elder Moonchildren who consider them their purview. The very old Moonchildren. Some of whom have interesting stories to tell about the times before the Usurpation.
Reed [to Bennu]: Very Very Old Lunars.
Brian says, “Finally, War Ghosts-- and whatever else are out there-- are tougher than Dune People, and have fewer diplomatic consequences. But they're also the furthest south, the furthest away from your base support. They're also likely to be backed, in one way or another, by one of the cruel powers of the Underworld, the Deathlords, mighty ghosts of incredible power and dread, about whom little is known, save that they seem to have the twisted mockeries of Solars known only as "Abyssals" and "Deathknights" in their service. If the War Ghosts have direct aid, you may be facing peers born of Darkness rather than light, far from the majority of your support.”
Reed [to Brian]: May I also note that aid to the Delzhani has the possibility of making another Very Old Individual favorably inclined towards the persons giving aid?
<<OOC>> Bennu says "Tamuz is a whiny old bastard. :p"
<<OOC>> Reed says "But a powerful old bastard!"
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades says "I'm cool with anything that needs to be introduced to a chainklaive."
Brian [to Reed]: You may indeed.
Reed [to Bennu]: What I just said. Both.
Bennu contemplates the situations, and finally, though clearly not easily, taps the report detailing the Fae raids. "The ghosts are too distant a threat to be worth our full attention right now," she says, regretfully. "And the Dune People... more appropriate to harden communities then to ride out as if to full war against mortals. The Fae are both an immediate threat and something more than mortal."
Brian says, “Michael has quietly left. He trusts you all to send him news of where you are going, and what you will need when you go there. Just a note-- in addition to serving as a source of funds to maintain any Followers, Tiger Warriors, etc., the Cult will provide any other background they reasonably have access to up to your Illuminated background, but you can only exchange them when you're at your base. Also, Artifact does NOT count double when you get it here. That's how Teyv got his stealth cloak, which has since been returned. Before you leave, when you're done choosing and opening the box, you may want to think about what to withdraw from the Special Stores, or from other resources, like an escort of warriors. You can get Spies, little gods to act as ally 1s, be given control of small Connections, etc. The only thing they CAN'T really give are those out of their reach, like Backing, Salary, Arsenal, Manse, or that rely on inherent conditions like Heart's Blood or Savant.”
Brian ers.
Brian switches something in his pose.
Brian says, “Michael nods his approval, and places a companionly hand on Bennu's shoulder. "Excellent. I'll make sure that your Tiger Warriors and other factionaries have access to Cold Iron weapons. As for all of you-- you can draw upon Cold Iron to supplement your normal weapons if you wish. You have full access to our networks and the quartermaster.
Just a note-- in addition to serving as a source of funds to maintain any Followers, Tiger Warriors, etc., the Cult will provide any other background they reasonably have access to up to your Illuminated background, but you can only exchange them when you're at your base. Also, Artifact does NOT count double when you get it here. That's how Teyv got his stealth cloak, which has since been returned. Before you leave, when you're done choosing and opening the box, you may want to think about what to withdraw from the Special Stores, or from other resources, like an escort of warriors. You can get Spies, little gods to act as ally 1s, be given control of small Connections, etc. The only thing they CAN'T really give are those out of their reach, like Backing, Salary, Arsenal, Manse, or that rely on inherent conditions like Heart's Blood or Savant.”
Brian says, “There we go. REAL TIME resumes, and you have... THE BOX ready to be opened. Dun dun duuuuuun.”
<<OOC>> Brian says "Y'all may pose freely. The box is sitting there. Inviting. pretty. It probably has shinies inside!"
Reed trills in approval of his Solar's efforts as the beads roll into place and the lock clicks open, but remains clinging to the ceiling and watching the box warily.
<<OOC>> Mahir peers are charms. Orderborn Shot, anyone?
Teyv says, “Bennu should be about done with her meeting, we should wait for her to open this thing.”
Ashan pats the box familiarly. "I can agree to that."
Mahir nods, "We'll want to have all our strength assembled, in case the contents are hostile, as well."
Bennu reenters, her bearing as usual regal and composed. She eyes the box, still shut, and quirks an eyebrow up, looking around at the Circle. "Well," she says, "It seems we will be going after the Fae to the southeast."
Two Luminous Blades loosens her weapons in their sabbards, looks up at Bennu. "How far southeast?"
Teyv says, “We are always fighting things, when we will provide comfort to the downtrodden mortals?”
<<OOC>> Mahir says "So I could use my Illuminated 1 to borrow a Fivefold Harmonic? I can't really think of much else I might need, aside from Contacts."
Teyv says, “Though I suppose it is the Fae who are often the source of the mortals' problems...”
"Edge of Delzahn territory," Bennu says. "They've been making slave raids against the tribes."
Mahir says, “I would think that a reduction in the chance of being soul-devoured would be a great comfort.”
Reed chirrs softly and clacks his beak. Beating down raksha is rarely ever a bad thing.
<<OOC>> Brian says "You could, indeed, Mahir."
Bennu gives Teyv a slightly sardonic grin. "Well, our other options were to go slaughter mortals, or head way off to very, very distant threats."
Teyv says, “The mortals spend enough time slaughtering each other, I'm glad we're not helping add that. Nothing wrong with proper household slaves, but raiding free men to make more, that is wrong.”
Ashan nods slowly. "I'll advise as I can, of course," he says, "but I'll warn you now that my talents aren't much suited for dealing with the Wyld itself. Raksha themselves, possibly, but if we pursue them into their strongholds..."
Teyv nods at the box, "anyway Bennu, we're about to open this thing. My suggestion is you and Two Blades do the honors, with full battle gear. Of course it's probably an inactive undersea habitat or something else completely anticlimactic."
<<OOC>> Brian says "You could get one of the Solars to take you as a personal possession. I think I wrote a Charm that extended the protections of anti-Wyld charms to one of those."
<<OOC>> Brian ducks.
Reed ruffles his feathers at the idea of "proper slaves," and lets out a loud screech before dropping off the ceiling to divebomb the yet-unopened box. At the last minute, he pulls himself up and wings back up to the ceiling to resume his perch.
<<OOC>> Mahir says "Are we thinking we should be popping defensives, or just crack it and see what happens?"
<<OOC>> Reed says "Even if I could protect all of you from Wyld influences, I'm not sure it's in character to do so."
Brian [to Reed]: You could learn Charms to do so, actually.
Brian [to Reed]: Whether you would or not...
Reed [to Brian]: Well, I don't have any at the moment.
Brian says, “Besides, out of character, I promise, you'll have a few sessions to build up XP before you have to go directly into the courts of the Wyld.”
Bennu arches an eyebrow in Teyv's direction. "The Fay devour their slaves and leave them empty, hollow shells." She shrugs and turns towards the box. "Nonetheless, they're disrupting trade in the region, which is hardly good for us, Kether Rock, or the general good of the South. So, the box? Did you sovle the puzzle?"
Reed bobs his head vigorously and shuffles from side to side. Yes. It's solved.
Two Luminous Blades draws her weapons and motions at the box. "We're taking precautions, since it could have anything inside of it."
<<OOC>> Reed says "I'm just waiting to drop on whatever comes out."
Mahir chuckles. "Yes, it's ready to be opened. The dragons lost four sorcerors in their attempts, and we popped it in only a handful of minutes. We were awaiting your return before loosing the final seal."
<<OOC>> Mahir says "Should I pose a little combat readiness? Are we about ready to see what's there?"
<<OOC>> Teyv says "I'm too used to playing with adolescent DMs who get off on blowing up the characters in the first act."
<<OOC>> Brian says "It's up to you guys what you want to do here."
With that said, Mahir takes a step back from the box, and with a curious twist of his wrist, Finality in Unity is in his hands and readied, and with a flickering snap, a subtle field of essence surrounds his armor.
<<OOC>> Brian says "I promise you, I'm not that bad. Teace would murder m."
<<OOC>> Reed says "That's because the last games you played were with 11-year-olds."
<<OOC>> Mahir says "I'm still going to draw weapon and pop my +DV, it's only a few motes if we're wrong."
Teyv thinks back to the "rolls" of everybody, walks forward, puts a hand on the box and says, "r?"
Reed whistles impatiently at the Twilight.
Two Luminous Blades takes a battle stance, nods.
<<OOC>> Mahir says "Yeah."
Bennu chuckles. "You really can't hold yourselves to the low standards of the Realm," she says, dryly. She nods and steps slightly forward, taking no obvious combat preparations. "Do not delay on my behalf."
Ashan nods; he doesn't seem to take any action, but one hand, encircled by a band of starmetal, seems tense and ready. "Go ahead."
Teyv , with conscious determination and no hesitation once he begins moving, places both hands on the box, and opens it.
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades bets this is a long pose.
<<OOC>> Reed won't take that bet.
<<OOC>> Mahir has too many points in Larceny to fall for that one.
Brian says, “Okay, so. The final trial was done some time ago. The younger Solars have returned to training. The Sidereals save Maduka Shin and Ashan have dispersed. Your Zenith has left with Warmaster Michael to begin talking about some of the threats in the area. Shin and Ashan have led the four of you through the labyrinthian passages of Kether Rock to one of the thaumaturgic workshops.”
Brian says, “The usual tools and implements are all carefully, cleanly put away. Due diligence and necessity of sterilization of the ritual space has been done as it ought to be; on the central table/altar lies the tropy of Bennu's hunt, the Hearthstone Compass with the Ignition Gem in it, glowing adamant pointing east and an almost imperceptible amount south, and the large Seven Seals Box that was retrieved from Shondala Monastery. Maduka Shin escorts you all in, and gestures. "Three relics, three omens, and the fourth an excellent start for your Dawn, which should be a good omen for the circle. The question is then what omens are each of these in turn?"”
Two Luminous Blades smiles faintly at the Dawn mention.
Ashan tilts his head, studying the Essence flows around the artifacts. It's a good question.
Brian [to Ashan]: Perception + Occult +1; roll once each for the Sacrifice of Stone and the Seven Seals box; do you want to check the compass, too, or...?
<<OOC>> Ashan says "Why not. XD"
<<DICE>> Ashan rolls 9 dice: <1 4 5 7 8 8 8 9 9> for 6 successes.
<<DICE>> Ashan rolls 9 dice: <1 2 5 6 6 6 6 7 7> for 2 successes.
<<DICE>> Ashan rolls 9 dice: <1 1 2 4 6 7 9 10 10> for 6 successes.
<<OOC>> Ashan says "...that's somehow oddly appropriate."
Reed shrugs. Omens and the weavings of fate aren't his specialty, really. If it came to a vote he'd drag Teyv to follow the compass' direction; but of course, he's biased.
Teyv for the first time gets a good look at the objects. Even the ones he (and Reed) returned where frustratingly hidden away from him soon after his return. He bounces up and down a bit try to view past the big Solars, and finally pushes his way to the table. "I wonder if the dragon blooded with that compass was a lone sorcerer, or the scout for a larger organization?"
Brian [to Ashan]: The Seven Seals Box is composed of six 'sides', each of which has five jade dragons, one of each type, wrapping around each other. The pieces are jumbled up like a puzzle, but each only moves in a specific way, and when you move one, the gears inside will move part of another dragon (or the original dragon), but the pieces always move in the same way. Pieces can respond to other pieces, but only certain ones do. Unless you know the initial trick of it, it takes intense puzzle mastery to figure out, because of the complicated interactions. Other than that, they're so hardy that even a strike from the main cannon of a Directional Titan or the Five-Metal Shrike wouldn't break them open.
Brian [to Ashan]: You can discover little about the Sacrifice of Stone. Its name is wrought into its essence, along with the pulsing, steady beat of Solar energy, but you have no more successes that Maduka Shin's Secrets advisors.
Brian [to Ashan]: Finally, the Compass APPEARS to be just an ordinary, well, Hearthstone Compass. It leads to the Manse that the Hearthstone belongs to, or to the nearest manse if there isn't a hearthstone attached to it. But to the eyes of one who is opened to Fate, you see why your fellows have been nervous about it. Wherever it is pointing is outside of Fate. That usually means the Wyld, Malfeas, or the Underworld.
Brian [to Teyv]: Are you intending to inspect them for the nature of their power or other clues, like Ashan?
Teyv [to Brian]: Yes
Two Luminous Blades steps to the side and watches. "Omens are not really my area."
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades brb, walking dog, etc.
Brian [to Teyv]: Ok, give me a stunt pose for your examination.
Teyv [to Brian]: The tooth, too, being a "biological" relic
Brian nods. Make sure that figures into your pose.
Mahir has been quietly watching from the shadows, he is no expert in Occult matters, beyond the minimum required to know where to strike arcane foes. "The dragons lost four of their sorcerers to a ritual related to the Seven Seals, shortly before my arrival. Eaten by the demon, although I was unable to learn whether the demon was there on her own, or summoned for some related purpose."
Teyv reaches towards the compass, and hesitates, and then with a nod from Shin, picks it up and examines it. Spinning it slowly, and then faster, and watching the directional point as it does. He puts it down, and examines the Bennu's prize, recalling from his dental rotation, "not too much plaque build up, good enamel, hmm," he puts it back down and picks up the box. Clearly the most absorbing of the artifacts. He begins manipulating the sides, "ahh, you push this, and that goes," he says, showing it to whoever cares to watch. He plays with the box for long enough to cause Shin to clear her throat.
Brian says, “Shin nods, and lets Teyv take his time to look over the stone. "Which brings us to the question at hand. You're going to begin your post-graduation 'Exercises'. Michael and Bennu are deciding which of far too many Fires need to be put out directly, but the question then becomes whether or not you want to try to start looking for any of these now. I would strongly advise _against_ hunting the Manse out yet. It's snarled outside of Fate. I have some allies that can check without the compass leaving the safety of the Rock. But do you wish to seek to open the Box, or see what the Sacrifice of Stone can do?”
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades sorries, back
Brian [to Teyv]: Well, the Sacrifice is a horn, not a tooth, but it was definitely used for goring things. Ok. 3-dot stunt; roll Perception + Occult + 3 for your stunt three times.
<<DICE>> Teyv rolls 9 dice: <1 1 4 5 5 6 6 9 10> for 3 successes.
<<DICE>> Teyv rolls 9 dice: <1 2 3 3 4 5 6 9 10> for 3 successes.
<<DICE>> Teyv rolls 9 dice: <2 3 4 5 6 7 9 9 10> for 5 successes.
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades says "My wife just got back from Hobby Lobby and she can't stop talking about it."
<<OOC>> Reed says "Good or bad?"
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades says "Amusing."
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades says "Oh, she loved it."
Brian [to Teyv]: The Sacrifice of Stone is attuned to battle in some strange, mysterious way. More, it's attuned to Leadership-- Bennu is a general already, and it absorbed some of her nature. More, you're not sure of at this time. The Hearthstone Compass is pretty normal; you can't sense this fate stuff at all. But... it's weird. The Gem seems VERY familiar to you. Like it's calling your name. You're not sure whether this is a good thing-- or a trick.
Mahir inclines his head towards the box that Teyv was manipulating a moment ago. "I would like to solve the mystery of the box, first. The dragons lost four sorcerers trying to unlock its mysteries, and were still willing to make a further attempt. I am most curious as to what could be so valuable that they would put so many resources into danger."
Teyv sulks, frustrated at his lack of understanding.
Ashan nods, still thoughtful. "It's a puzzle, and no mistake. Literal and figurative. I can't tell much about the Sacrifice other than its name, so if the rest of you can't either, maybe the time's not right yet for it to reveal what it can do."
Reed snorts. "If they lose four sorcerers for each attempt," he says dryly, "Perhaps we should give it back to them."
Brian [to Teyv]: The box, you get about the same idea as Ashan. You're fairly sure that with careful study and brainpower (Int + Lore), it could be cracked, but it might require assistance-- multiple people observing the box as it's manipulated. Alternatively, one -could- attempt to treat it as an inside-out lock, but doing so would be very difficult (Int + Larceny also works, but at a +2 difficulty). Also, you can't sense any death-essence on it; it's clean and pure, as Jade ought to be.
Teyv [to Brian]: I have high int and lore, I can pose to study it for a few hours, or something, or just let it be for now.
Brian [to Ashan, Teyv]: Both of you know that you probably don't want to be in here, clean ritual space or not. You can take the Perfect (+2 dice situational bonus) probes and thaumatician's tools, and Perfect (+2 again, this time for Larceny) thieves' kits outside, but you both know a Seven Seals Box is larger on the inside than on the outside. It could have anything up to the size of a Royal Warstrider in there.
Brian [to Teyv]: Eh. Each attempt only takes about a minute. And you can get help from up to four people at once in a fully cooperative action, which means that dice pools can be combined.
<<OOC>> Reed says "Perhaps the dueling circle would be better."
<<OOC>> Brian says "Suggest that in character. It does have excellent clearance and it's inside the Rock."
Brian says, “Whoever has the highest pool of either Int + Lore or Int + Larceny should figure out who's going to take the lead. Everyone will roll, but if you use Larceny, you lose two successes, the equivalent of 4 dice. But if you've got a bigger than 4 dice difference...”
Teyv says, “I'm usually pretty good at puzzles like that. I'd hate to solve it and have an imperial war blimp inflate in the room. Let's get it outside and take a good look at it.”
<<OOC>> Teyv says "I'm 5 on int and lore"
<<OOC>> Mahir says "Can I throw LOT at it for the +Succ, if I'm tipping in on someone else's Lore-based attempt?"
Brian [to Mahir]: Yeah, you can.
<<OOC>> Ashan says "Better than me; 4 int, 2 lore, and no useful tricks at hand."
Reed ducks down and slips between folks' legs, coming up again on the other side of the table uncomfortably close to Maduka Shin. "Take it to the dueling circle," he says, leaning close to peer at the box "It's big, and if there's something ugly inside, the circle can contain it."
<<OOC>> Mahir says "I've got 6 for my pool, then, and a fancy charm."
<<OOC>> Reed says "I'm not very smart and completely illiterate. Not it!"
Brian says, “Maduka Shin nods. "Wise. And entirely up to you," she says, and claps her hand on Ashan's shoulders. "It's time for HIS graduation exercise, too," she says, grinning at the slender Joybringer. "He's your personal advisor for all of this. I have to go deal with the trainees. Good luck and Heaven smile upon you all," your Sifu says. "Talk to me if you need training," she adds, and heads for the door.”
<<OOC>> Ashan says "Teyv, all you. XD"
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades has a pool of 4...
Teyv says, “The Lunar makes a sound suggestions, with your leave Master Shin?”
Reed glances at Shin's retreating back, and whips a hand out to retrieve the Compass and embedded hearthstone. It's his, after all. Or Teyv's. They found it.
<<OOC>> Brian says "I suspect that Reed and Two are going to be just adding their base int dice. I would HIGHLY suggest that you both stunt and spend willpower for an extra succcess when the time comes. Teyv will lead, Mahir and Ashan primary back up, and whoever has the highest pool between Two and Reed helps there?"
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades has Lore 1, Larceny 1 :)
Brian says, “Shin grins. "You're Solars," she says, and gestures. "Lead. You were Chosen for it." And then she leaves.”
Teyv takes up the box, still poking and fascinated by the intricacies of the craftsmanship, but not really trying to solve it. He wanders in the direction of the dueling circle. Once there, he places it on the floor in the center of the circle, turns to the collected exalts, and says, "Let's begin!"
Brian [to Two Luminous Blades]: What's your Int?
Mahir reaches out a hand towards the box, long delicate fingers dancing over the surface of the locks, feeling the shape of the jade, with the warmth of essence just below the surface. "I've not yet met a lock that could stay closed when I wanted it opened, although I suspect this one might be my greatest challenge yet. Challenge accepted."
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades says "3"
<<OOC>> Reed says "There are six sides, and six of us. Two can hold it up and watch the bottom, and I'll hover overhead and watch the top."
Brian [to Reed]: ... That's really smart. I'll let you add your pool in-- if you have no Lore, just int-- if you use a flying form and stunt it.
Brian says, “Ok, everyone is moving to the dueling ring?”
<<OOC>> Mahir says "Yeah."
Two Luminous Blades takes a position on, say, the south side of the box.
<<OOC>> Reed says "My original thought was that I could lie on my back and hold it up. Then if something ugly came out I could otterhug it."
Teyv says, “Very well, I'll stand beneath it, as I am the shortest of you Solars." sotto vocce: "I also have the most appropriate head size to shoulder size ratio...”
Ashan just grins, a bit wry, as Shin names his 'graduation exercise', and slips into position beside the box. "Ready when you are," he says, reaching out to run his fingers over the box; it's almost as though he's getting to know it, ready for the delicate task of convincing it to open.
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades says "Do we each match a direction?"
<<OOC>> Brian says "Yes, actually."
<<OOC>> Brian says "Let me check the core."
<<OOC>> Brian says "It's stuff the Cult would have drilled into your head."
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades is wise in the ways of directionology.
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades is east, actually.
Reed slips the compass into a pocket and hops into the air, shifting to his falcon's form as he does so and winging off down the corridor after the Solars. Once in the dueling arena, he takes a circuit around the edges and then comes to a stop in the center, hovering over the box.
<<OOC>> Brian says "Dawn -> East, Zenith -> South (but she's missing, so someone else will have to fill in there), Twilight -> West, Night ->North."
<<OOC>> Reed says "Err. We're missing a person. I forgot LEti's not here."
<<OOC>> Brian says "I suspect Ashan should take the South, then."
Two Luminous Blades stands on the eastern side of the box.
<<OOC>> Ashan says "Yeah, it's close enough."
<<OOC>> Reed says "Can we rope in a trainee to be the underneath?"
Teyv reaches up to the bottom, and begins to manipulate the mechanisms, calling out to each direction for response. After a moment, it dawns on him, that he does not want to be under this thing, if it suddenly drops a war strider. With a slightly whitened face, he steps to the Western side, but still looks up at the bottom.
Brian [to Reed]: Not so much.
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades says "Trainees are not that dumb"
<<OOC>> Reed says "There are some DB trainees. Too bad there's no Abyssal."
Brian says, “Ok! Everyone give me their best Puzzle-Solving Pranas! Any Charm use other than Mahir's?”
Teyv pulls a small mirror from his pocket, and places it beneath the box. "Now we can see the bottom without getting squished. It will be ashame to lose that mirror, but it is just a regular mirror."
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades says "Trackless Region Navigation :)"
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades kids.
<<OOC>> Ashan says "None of mine are applicable, sadly."
<<OOC>> Reed says "None here, either. This room is a cavern, correct?"
<<OOC>> Brian says "Big cavern."
Mahir moves to stand to the north side of the box, and reaches out once more with his hands. His eyes are closed, and he doesn't move any of the jade pieces on his side of the box. Instead, he reaches out with delicate filaments of essence, infiltrating the box, touching the inner workings, feeling the move and countermove of the pieces as his circlemates manipulate them. His mind builds a complex model of the inner workings, and as he gains understanding he whispers directions to the others to move particular pieces, as he nudges the internals with his essence, blocking some moves and assisting others.
Teyv puts his best logical thinking towards this, recalling all that is relevant from his many courses and hands on study of ancient relics. He even thinks back to the puzzle games of his youth...
<<OOC>> Brian says "Remember that you also have sw33t tools, of whatever kind you like to put into your poses."
<<OOC>> Mahir doesn't use tools. Even masterwork tools are clumsy and awkward compared to direct manipulation.
Teyv puts pauses, and puts on some magnification glasses, to get a closer look. With this many eyes, seeing great detail may be more important than an overall picture.
<<OOC>> Brian chuckles.
<<OOC>> Brian notes the poses, and waits for everyone's before giving stunt dice... and other special benefits. >_>
Ashan examines the box, shifting the carved dragons this way and that with gentle fingers, occasionally murmuring encouragement or reproof under his breath. He's treating it as though it were a living thing seeking the completion of opening, and maybe in some ways it is; after all, anything with Essence flowing through it is at least a little bit alive, and its least god would surely like to be open, wouldn't it? Gently, carefully, he guides the pieces of the puzzle through their contortions, seeking the moment when the puzzle's intent is fulfilled and its design is harmonious.
Reed glides in a few slow circles overhead, then finally soars to the ceiling and takes a perch on a small outcropping of rock. Digging his talons into the stone, he leans over and watches the box intently, falcon's eyes alert to any small movement or change in Essence flow.
<<OOC>> Reed says "I'll activate my goggles, too. I keep forgetting about those."
Two Luminous Blades stares at the box. Thinks about ways weapons have been used to smash boxes open, locksmiths hired to unlock boxes. Stares more. "If this were a cattle, I think I could understand it better."
Brian says, “Okay, let's see.”
Reed lets loose a brief, crow-like cackle. It's clear what he thinks about cattle; about Solars, not so much.
Brian says, “Teyv, 2 dot stunt. Mahir and Ashan, 3. Reed, 2, Two, 1. You may spend a willpower on the roll to add an automatic success; you will have the option to regenerate it, or to respire 2*stunt level motes of Essence. Teyv, you have a -1 TN; after rolling, add any dice that were sixes to your total. Mahir, same to you. Teyv, Reed, and Two, you get +2 dice situational; Mahir, you get +Essence successes, -2 for using Larceny, I'm suspecting.”
Brian says, “Roll 'em.”
Brian says, “Oh, tell me if you're spending willpower first.”
<<OOC>> Ashan says "WP/WP. :)"
<<DICE>> Ashan rolls 9 dice: <1 3 4 6 7 8 9 9 9> for 5 successes.
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades spends no additional. Two don't do puzzles.
<<OOC>> Mahir says "I'll spend one, yes."
<<OOC>> Teyv says "I'll add a willpower"
<<OOC>> Mahir says "And taking it right back for the stunt, I suspect I'll respire the essence naturally before I need it."
<<OOC>> Reed says "I'll spend one as well."
<<DICE>> Reed rolls 7 dice: <3 4 5 6 6 8 10> for 3 successes.
<<DICE>> Teyv rolls 14 dice: <2 6 6 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 9 10 10> for 11 successes.
<<DICE>> Two Luminous Blades rolls 6 dice: <2 7 7 8 9 10> for 6 successes.
<<OOC>> Brian says "O_o jesus, Teyv."
<<OOC>> Teyv says "15 by my count?"
<<OOC>> Brian says "Yeah."
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades says "And Teyv blows up."
<<DICE>> Mahir rolls 9 dice: <2 3 3 3 4 5 5 7 9> for 2 successes.
Brian [to Two Luminous Blades]: Also The Hell.
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades says "Dice Orphan making up for the other night."
<<OOC>> Reed says "The lady learned something from the cattle after all!"
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades | Dice Orphan: So, we cool, bro?
<<OOC>> Mahir says "Booo, dice. But +4, +1, -2, 5 net succ."
<<OOC>> Mahir says "Two glared hard enough at the box that he made it afraid of being bludgeoned?"
Brian says, “OKAY. So, normally, when a Seven Seals Box has all the dragons assembled correctly, those on the top for a natural ring, circling around a circular seal showing a world tree superimposed over an image of Mount Meru-- the seal of Gaia herself. When the seal is revealed, an adamant dome phases in out of Elsewhere, and beads of moonsilver suddenly flow out of the mountain and tree, leaving little holes behind. The entire box must be shifted back and forth, trying to get the beads to not only all fit into the holes, but also to stay there. That's what USUALLY happens. The inner seal resists all attempts to tamper with it magically with 20 dice. Usually, you must use only magic -external-, like Excellencies to unlock the final two seals...”
<<OOC>> Mahir says "It's kinda sad that his raw Int did more net succ than my essence fueled Larceny. :-P"
<<OOC>> Teyv says "Oh right, my willpower made it 16s."
<<OOC>> Brian says "I have to BRB right fast. I'll have the second half of the pose in just a second."
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades says "The secret to opening boxes is being angry enough at them that they want to open on their own."
Teyv eyes go wide, and his breath catches, as it's clear something is about to happen, the second seems to take hours as he waits.
Brian says, “However, fate seems to be guiding the lot of you. Reed's sharp eyes catch the glint of the adamant forming. Mahir's magic gives a brief moment, just very briefly, when the forming moonsilver beads are in _exact_ alignment with the holes, giving Reed the chance to shout out a warning. With the incredible speed and strength of a Dawn, Two wraps her arms around the box and holds it steady-- and Teyv, guided by the incredible intellect of the Copper Spiders of yore, manages to flick just one of the balls so that it rolls into the hole, just before the adamant fully materializes. That one moment of excellent, pure thaumatech mastery, buoyed by your fellowship, is enough. Even as the adamant forms, four lines, drawing from corner to corner of the seal, and there is a slight hiss as seams form-- one at every edge save the four on the bottom, and four more crossing the diagonals. The Seven Seals Box is ready to be opened.”
Teyv says, “Oh good, Bennu, you and Two Blades can open this thing, while I stand at a safe distance. I promise to reattach any limbs it knocks off.”
Brian [to Bennu]: So, you've been working out strategies with Michael. There's a lot of things going on in the South.
Brian [to Bennu]: To the southeast, the Dune People, as well as in the FAR southeast, war ghosts have begun to attack Southerly explorers and those who hunt the strange creatures near eternal Fire for their thaumaturgically useful organs have been going missing with regularity.
Brian [to Bennu]: To the further southeast, Cataphractoi of the Lapis Court have grown unusually bold, sending lightning strikes of slavers and reavers into Delzhani territory. While the Delzhani are Realm allies in title, they're not exactly pacified.
Brian [to Bennu]: Michael needs your aid in any one of these areas. Which do you select for your circle's command theater? Then we'll bring you in for the opening of The Box.
Bennu listens serenely, appraising the situations throughout the South. She listens not only to the reports Michael has received and shares, but also to the knowledge she already has about the various regions and their conditions, the forces that move in them both hostile to Creation and otherwise, and the likely challenges and threats beyond the obvious in each sub-direction.
<<OOC>> Bennu says "Trying to make a war stunt to get more info. =p If you don't want that I'll just make a decision."
Brian [to Bennu]: Int + War +2.
<<DICE>> Bennu rolls 11 dice: <1 3 4 6 6 7 8 8 9 10 10> for 8 successes.
Brian says, “... Ah, _Solars_.”
Brian [to Bennu]: The Dune People are tricky, as Reed will be able to tell you. They were rescued by two Lunars, who trained them to survive and commanded them never to be enslaved again. They would be the easiest to stop, but the one with some of the greatest cost. They would have to be utterly scattered, broken, and dispersed, and they have thrived over the centuries since the Usurpation. Doing so would also offend the Lunars-
Brian [to Reed]: Can I assume you've talked to her about the Dune People since she ran into them on the way south?
Reed [to Brian]: If she asks nicely, sure.
Brian [to Reed]: You'd know that two of the founders of the VASTLY influential Thousand Streams River helped the Dune People escape, and might take offense. Whoever goes in that direction would have to deal with the fallout, including the possibility of war-- you're not obliged to follow, and you'll have no shame for joining on them; there's no personal risk to your standing for doing your Job with your Solar, and you're probably on the path to joining either the Crossroads Society or in the Seneschal of the Sun Kings-- or having to temporarily beat them back, then go on the diplomatic and the indirect.
Brian will assume that Bennu knows the history, and can, with 8 successes, figure out the implications, then.
Reed [to Brian]: With a few judicious edits, of course. Solars don't need to know about the Thousand Streams.
Brian [to Reed]: Right. "Senior Lunars of a sociologically minded bent".
<<OOC>> Ashan says "Back."
Brian [to Bennu]: The Dune People are also one of the most direct threats to trade in the region, which is the lifeblood of desert communities. Next is the Lapis Court. They're bound to the Virtue of Compassion, but it's a Compassion of Fae. The Lapis Court keeps humans as treasured pets and servitors, but they drain their souls regardless, and while they'll fight duels over the treatment of slaves, they won't -free- those slaves, and, out of Compassion to each other, unit against those who would "steal" them from their "beloved masters." They've usually just bought slaves directly from the Guild.
Brian says, “The Fae are easy to fight in direct combat, but hard to pin down and control. The further into the Wyld and their territory you go, the more danger you will have from Shaping; even being personally protected from it, you can find yourselves caught in a story with little notice-- and they are fairly hostile tales.”
Reed [to Bennu]: I advise leaving the Dune People be. If they are bothersome, please let me know and I will pass the message on to the elder Moonchildren who consider them their purview. The very old Moonchildren. Some of whom have interesting stories to tell about the times before the Usurpation.
Reed [to Bennu]: Very Very Old Lunars.
Brian says, “Finally, War Ghosts-- and whatever else are out there-- are tougher than Dune People, and have fewer diplomatic consequences. But they're also the furthest south, the furthest away from your base support. They're also likely to be backed, in one way or another, by one of the cruel powers of the Underworld, the Deathlords, mighty ghosts of incredible power and dread, about whom little is known, save that they seem to have the twisted mockeries of Solars known only as "Abyssals" and "Deathknights" in their service. If the War Ghosts have direct aid, you may be facing peers born of Darkness rather than light, far from the majority of your support.”
Reed [to Brian]: May I also note that aid to the Delzhani has the possibility of making another Very Old Individual favorably inclined towards the persons giving aid?
<<OOC>> Bennu says "Tamuz is a whiny old bastard. :p"
<<OOC>> Reed says "But a powerful old bastard!"
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades says "I'm cool with anything that needs to be introduced to a chainklaive."
Brian [to Reed]: You may indeed.
Reed [to Bennu]: What I just said. Both.
Bennu contemplates the situations, and finally, though clearly not easily, taps the report detailing the Fae raids. "The ghosts are too distant a threat to be worth our full attention right now," she says, regretfully. "And the Dune People... more appropriate to harden communities then to ride out as if to full war against mortals. The Fae are both an immediate threat and something more than mortal."
Brian says, “Michael has quietly left. He trusts you all to send him news of where you are going, and what you will need when you go there. Just a note-- in addition to serving as a source of funds to maintain any Followers, Tiger Warriors, etc., the Cult will provide any other background they reasonably have access to up to your Illuminated background, but you can only exchange them when you're at your base. Also, Artifact does NOT count double when you get it here. That's how Teyv got his stealth cloak, which has since been returned. Before you leave, when you're done choosing and opening the box, you may want to think about what to withdraw from the Special Stores, or from other resources, like an escort of warriors. You can get Spies, little gods to act as ally 1s, be given control of small Connections, etc. The only thing they CAN'T really give are those out of their reach, like Backing, Salary, Arsenal, Manse, or that rely on inherent conditions like Heart's Blood or Savant.”
Brian ers.
Brian switches something in his pose.
Brian says, “Michael nods his approval, and places a companionly hand on Bennu's shoulder. "Excellent. I'll make sure that your Tiger Warriors and other factionaries have access to Cold Iron weapons. As for all of you-- you can draw upon Cold Iron to supplement your normal weapons if you wish. You have full access to our networks and the quartermaster.
Just a note-- in addition to serving as a source of funds to maintain any Followers, Tiger Warriors, etc., the Cult will provide any other background they reasonably have access to up to your Illuminated background, but you can only exchange them when you're at your base. Also, Artifact does NOT count double when you get it here. That's how Teyv got his stealth cloak, which has since been returned. Before you leave, when you're done choosing and opening the box, you may want to think about what to withdraw from the Special Stores, or from other resources, like an escort of warriors. You can get Spies, little gods to act as ally 1s, be given control of small Connections, etc. The only thing they CAN'T really give are those out of their reach, like Backing, Salary, Arsenal, Manse, or that rely on inherent conditions like Heart's Blood or Savant.”
Brian says, “There we go. REAL TIME resumes, and you have... THE BOX ready to be opened. Dun dun duuuuuun.”
<<OOC>> Brian says "Y'all may pose freely. The box is sitting there. Inviting. pretty. It probably has shinies inside!"
Reed trills in approval of his Solar's efforts as the beads roll into place and the lock clicks open, but remains clinging to the ceiling and watching the box warily.
<<OOC>> Mahir peers are charms. Orderborn Shot, anyone?
Teyv says, “Bennu should be about done with her meeting, we should wait for her to open this thing.”
Ashan pats the box familiarly. "I can agree to that."
Mahir nods, "We'll want to have all our strength assembled, in case the contents are hostile, as well."
Bennu reenters, her bearing as usual regal and composed. She eyes the box, still shut, and quirks an eyebrow up, looking around at the Circle. "Well," she says, "It seems we will be going after the Fae to the southeast."
Two Luminous Blades loosens her weapons in their sabbards, looks up at Bennu. "How far southeast?"
Teyv says, “We are always fighting things, when we will provide comfort to the downtrodden mortals?”
<<OOC>> Mahir says "So I could use my Illuminated 1 to borrow a Fivefold Harmonic? I can't really think of much else I might need, aside from Contacts."
Teyv says, “Though I suppose it is the Fae who are often the source of the mortals' problems...”
"Edge of Delzahn territory," Bennu says. "They've been making slave raids against the tribes."
Mahir says, “I would think that a reduction in the chance of being soul-devoured would be a great comfort.”
Reed chirrs softly and clacks his beak. Beating down raksha is rarely ever a bad thing.
<<OOC>> Brian says "You could, indeed, Mahir."
Bennu gives Teyv a slightly sardonic grin. "Well, our other options were to go slaughter mortals, or head way off to very, very distant threats."
Teyv says, “The mortals spend enough time slaughtering each other, I'm glad we're not helping add that. Nothing wrong with proper household slaves, but raiding free men to make more, that is wrong.”
Ashan nods slowly. "I'll advise as I can, of course," he says, "but I'll warn you now that my talents aren't much suited for dealing with the Wyld itself. Raksha themselves, possibly, but if we pursue them into their strongholds..."
Teyv nods at the box, "anyway Bennu, we're about to open this thing. My suggestion is you and Two Blades do the honors, with full battle gear. Of course it's probably an inactive undersea habitat or something else completely anticlimactic."
<<OOC>> Brian says "You could get one of the Solars to take you as a personal possession. I think I wrote a Charm that extended the protections of anti-Wyld charms to one of those."
<<OOC>> Brian ducks.
Reed ruffles his feathers at the idea of "proper slaves," and lets out a loud screech before dropping off the ceiling to divebomb the yet-unopened box. At the last minute, he pulls himself up and wings back up to the ceiling to resume his perch.
<<OOC>> Mahir says "Are we thinking we should be popping defensives, or just crack it and see what happens?"
<<OOC>> Reed says "Even if I could protect all of you from Wyld influences, I'm not sure it's in character to do so."
Brian [to Reed]: You could learn Charms to do so, actually.
Brian [to Reed]: Whether you would or not...
Reed [to Brian]: Well, I don't have any at the moment.
Brian says, “Besides, out of character, I promise, you'll have a few sessions to build up XP before you have to go directly into the courts of the Wyld.”
Bennu arches an eyebrow in Teyv's direction. "The Fay devour their slaves and leave them empty, hollow shells." She shrugs and turns towards the box. "Nonetheless, they're disrupting trade in the region, which is hardly good for us, Kether Rock, or the general good of the South. So, the box? Did you sovle the puzzle?"
Reed bobs his head vigorously and shuffles from side to side. Yes. It's solved.
Two Luminous Blades draws her weapons and motions at the box. "We're taking precautions, since it could have anything inside of it."
<<OOC>> Reed says "I'm just waiting to drop on whatever comes out."
Mahir chuckles. "Yes, it's ready to be opened. The dragons lost four sorcerors in their attempts, and we popped it in only a handful of minutes. We were awaiting your return before loosing the final seal."
<<OOC>> Mahir says "Should I pose a little combat readiness? Are we about ready to see what's there?"
<<OOC>> Teyv says "I'm too used to playing with adolescent DMs who get off on blowing up the characters in the first act."
<<OOC>> Brian says "It's up to you guys what you want to do here."
With that said, Mahir takes a step back from the box, and with a curious twist of his wrist, Finality in Unity is in his hands and readied, and with a flickering snap, a subtle field of essence surrounds his armor.
<<OOC>> Brian says "I promise you, I'm not that bad. Teace would murder m."
<<OOC>> Reed says "That's because the last games you played were with 11-year-olds."
<<OOC>> Mahir says "I'm still going to draw weapon and pop my +DV, it's only a few motes if we're wrong."
Teyv thinks back to the "rolls" of everybody, walks forward, puts a hand on the box and says, "r?"
Reed whistles impatiently at the Twilight.
Two Luminous Blades takes a battle stance, nods.
<<OOC>> Mahir says "Yeah."
Bennu chuckles. "You really can't hold yourselves to the low standards of the Realm," she says, dryly. She nods and steps slightly forward, taking no obvious combat preparations. "Do not delay on my behalf."
Ashan nods; he doesn't seem to take any action, but one hand, encircled by a band of starmetal, seems tense and ready. "Go ahead."
Teyv , with conscious determination and no hesitation once he begins moving, places both hands on the box, and opens it.
<<OOC>> Two Luminous Blades bets this is a long pose.
<<OOC>> Reed won't take that bet.
<<OOC>> Mahir has too many points in Larceny to fall for that one.
