[Burichan] [Futaba] [Nice] [Pony]  -  [WT]  [Home] [Manage]
In memory of Flyin' Black Jackson
[Catalog View] :: [Quest Archive] :: [Rules] :: [Quests] :: [Discussions] :: [Wiki]

[Return] [Entire Thread] [Last 50 posts] [Last 100 posts]
Posting mode: Reply
Name (optional)
Email (optional, will be displayed)
Subject    (optional, usually best left blank)
Message
File []
Password  (for deleting posts, automatically generated)
  • How to format text
  • Supported file types are: GIF, JPG, PNG
  • Maximum file size allowed is 10000 KB.
  • Images greater than 250x250 pixels will be thumbnailed.

File 155266688926.jpg - (469.12KB , 1920x1045 , alejandro-burdisio-landscape-dirigibles-y-ranchos-.jpg )
925850 No. 925850 ID: 2007b6

It's not easy to tell time when the sun's always directly overhead.

That red moon is no good either. Maybe she's afraid to linger too often in the same part of the sky, like courtiers rotate through dresses.

A few stars are visible, dancing as if in pain.

Near as anyone can tell, that distant screaming - well, the coordinated kind - comes every twelve and a half hours, at what should be dawn and dusk. If that's right, tomorrow will be the first day of Resplendent Fire, and the first full month since the cataclysm which dropped a fifty-mile-wide chunk of Creation into the Demon Realm.

What have you done?
Expand all images
>>
No. 925851 ID: 2007b6

https://tgchan.org/wiki/RNG_XALT.qst

Earn XP by posting in this thread, preferably with complex actions and additions to the game's continuity. For faster resolution of tactical combat and anything else that's more about a series of individually simple yet consecutively contingent responses, use the Discord server.

Any action you want me to take seriously and provide mechanical resolution for should include rolling a bucket full of ten-sided dice. That's dice 30d10 in the "Email" field. Or more than thirty, if you'd like.
>>
No. 925855 ID: 54735b

Alright, the simple mechanical stuff out of the way first. After the Resolution with Morse's Resonance Eruption, she needs 3 weeks to train up the following things.

Shapeshifting Knack: 2 weeks in Lute's Chancel and talking with the Sandpoint Devil for Deadly Beastman Transformation 11 exp

Bruise Relief Method: 2-4 days of training. 10 exp

Halting the Scarlet Flow: 4-8 days training. 10 exp.

And spending a week practicing Craft (Water) with anyone that will teach her

Total EXP spent 33/32 (33 with this post)and all the time she's not training is spent bothering Morse, attempting to socialize with Malice, Lute, Bridgette, The Immaculates (mostly learning what their specific views on Anathema are and any stories they might have to steal from, as well as thanking them for giving her a sense of direction.), and the rest of the town people in roughly that order.

In truth, she's trying to socialize with Morse too, but that's mostly a bother.
>>
No. 925860 ID: 54735b

Also, since I needed to mark down the changes, I forgot to apply this.

Prehensile Tail: 2 points
Thick Skin (Flavored as really thick fur): 2 points
Night Vision: 1 point
Talons: 2 points

So River's rough stat block while fully loaded in DBM Form

Str: 4 Per: 4 Cha: 3
Dex: 5 Int: 1 Man: 1
Sta: 5 Wit: 4 App: 3

Weapons:
Claws of the Silver Moon:
Speed: 5 Accuracy: +2 (base 12 dice) Damage: +7L/OVW 2 (base 11 dice) Defense: +2 Rate: 3

Defense:
Parry DV: 6 (5 dex+5 MA+2 Punch)/2
Dodge DV: 4 (5 dex+3 essence)/2

Soak 7 bashing 4 lethal
>>
No. 925865 ID: 2007b6

In particular, who's spent time patrolling the surrounding area, or gathering, compiling, and updating available maps, or anything like that?
>>
No. 925949 ID: 2007b6

>>919912
The blood ape lumberjack's directions are out of date, since the landscape has been distorted by the addition of that chunk of Creation. As a direct result, Bridget misjudges the distance and lands in what could usefully be described as a miles-wide oxbow lake severed from it's source - formerly part of the Avarice River.

She splashes down more than a mile from shore in water over a hundred feet deep. It's moderately cold below the mist-shrouded surface, but that's nothing Hardship-Surviving Mendicant Spirit and Stamina 5, Athletics 5, Resistance 3 can't cope with - just a few hours of frustration without solid enough footing. After swimming to shore, and one or two more mountain-crossing leaps, she's close enough to feel Cecelynian essence radiating from that manse which controls one of the more stable passages between the Hrotsvitha, the Spawning Forest and the city of Malfeas.

The lumberjack's information on who owns that manse is also behind the times. Within the past few days, some castoff exalt from House Sesus killed the previous landlord, plundered a vault in the basement, crowned herself Queen of the Bathhouse, started minting coins with her own face on one side, a weird lumpy scorch mark on the other. Her sword burns with green fire, her shield is illegally blue, her armor searing red, her hair dazzling gold - seems nobody can agree on anything about her appearance except that it's intensely colorful. She walks unseen, but where she has been a trail of sweet-smelling smoke often lingers.

There's a long queue of demons waiting in line to get through the gate. Many of them wear armor made from eyes and tentacles, which are not only sapient, but can speak Rivertongue well enough for Bridget to understand. At least one of those living armors is happy enough to share the previous paragraph's gossip and rumors about the political situation. Procedures at the gate have changed, and nobody seems to agree on all the details of what the new costs and contraband rules are, so there's been a lot of delay.

An eight foot tall two-headed centipede wearing elaborate robes, possibly some mid-ranking bureaucrat, gets in an argument with one of the human guards. The angry demon spits a glob of tarry stuff which starts visibly corroding the guard's armor, then a tree-trunk-sized energy cannon on the roof of the manse fires a bolt of green sunlight, reducing the demon to a cloud of ash and flying chitin fragments. Remainder of the crowd barely reacts, apart from a momentary pause in the music to assess what just happened.
>>

rolled 3, 7, 1, 4, 10, 2, 8, 5, 4, 10, 1, 6, 5, 10, 3, 2, 10, 1, 5, 10 = 107

>XP expenditures during the month of downtime:
27 xp, First Kimbery Excellency (1 day)
3 xp, Linguistics 2 to 3 (instant)
9 xp, Blue Vervain Binding (3 days)
11 xp, Stone Skipping Spirit (6 days)
50 xp, 10 days total.

BVB provides translation between a group, but it can also be used to teach linguistic dots as a training effect, if any other PCs want em.

>Other Stuff Lute's been up to besides training:
Lute showed Rivers how to spot chancel doors, and introduced Rivers to the Sandpoint Devil, so she might train her lunar arts within the wyld pocket. A formal introduction in order to qualify for the freehold's hospitality involves being left tied and bound as "bait" for an "ambush", dressed in simple linens, with a letter pinned in the subject's hair. (Allowances may be made for those without limbs to bind, or hair to pin) An image of a bird should be worn- in the carved head of the hairpin, in a locket or other jewellery, or painted or tattooed somewhere on the body.

It was considerably harder to convince Rivers that the dress was a necessary part of the ritual than being tied up.

The Infernal Vizier also met with Morse to share secrets and lore, as the deathknight had been ever so interested in discovering what in the world sidereals are. As a result, the dread bard is now aware of the Five-Score Fellowship, and a more accurate retelling of history than the blatant propaganda she was first taught (that is not without it's own biases and manipulation, of course). Lute's presumably learned some interesting things about the land of the dead, as well. Much of this conversation took place under the aegis of Screaming in Silence, of course.

Lute also spent time with Bridges the Sun and Moon, working to wear down her intimacy of fear towards Morse, and trying to broker a peace between the two. In general, trying to foster intimacies that would allow the group of celestial exalts that have come together to cooperate seems a good idea.

Reinforcing the budding mortal cult indirectly worshiping Sandpoint Devil in ritual attempts to ward off arson. Some artwork with embedded social attacks encouraging the behavior couldn't hurt!

Organizing Adorjan defenses among the mortals also seems pretty important. There's people lost and bereft and in need of new purpose in life, and there can be no silence without death.

Probably some time spent working with Red and Gold, though I'm not sure what the next step in his grand plans are.

(That's probably plenty to fill a month with? If anyone wants to get more detailed with any PC-PC stuff, we can).

>In particular, who's spent time patrolling the surrounding area, or gathering, compiling, and updating available maps, or anything like that?
Hmm, with Efficient Secretary Technique and/or scouting trips about the airship, Lute seems like the best positioned for updating maps / gathering intelligence on the area. Defensive patrols seem like they would be best suited to bound demons through Red and Gold.
>>
No. 926060 ID: 54735b

Because BVB is a thing now, spending 3 exp into training debt to buy Old Realm and finally know what people are saying. And also ease of communication with Malice.
>>
No. 926063 ID: afdebc

Umbrageous Waxwing Dell
Wood Aspect Dragon-Blooded (Lookshy)

Iconic Anima: Whorls of lily of the valley, blossoms swaying in an unfelt breeze
Motivation: Learn the dances of lost Saigoth

Strength 2 Dexterity 5 Stamina 3
Charisma 2 Manipulation 2 Appearance 3
Perception 3 Intelligence 2 Wits 4

Compassion 1, Conviction 3, Temperance 2, Valor 3

Essence 2, Willpower 10
Personal 14, Peripheral 37 (27 Base + 10 from Skinmounts)
2/14 Personal committed (Silken Armor)
18/37 Peripheral committed (10m Wicked Stepmother Boots, 4m Jade Short Powerbow, 4m Builder Bugs)

Aspect: Archery, Medicine, Performance, Ride and Survival
Favored: Integrity, Awareness, Martial Arts

Abilities / Skills:
*Archery 2
*Awareness 1
Bureaucracy 1
Dodge 3
*Integrity 1
Linguistics 3 (Native: Rivertongue, Others: High Realm, Low Realm, Old Realm)
Lore 2
*Martial Arts 3
*Medicine 5
Melee 2
*Performance 5 (While Under Fire +2)
Resistance 3 (Wicked Stepmother Boots +2)
*Ride 0
Sail 2
Stealth 1
*Survival 5
War 2

Charms:
Wind-Carried Words Technique
Elemental Bolt Attack
Infection-Banishing Prana
First Survival Excellency
Hostile Environment Preparation Method
First Performance Excellency
Invisible Street Performer Technique
Third Resistance Excellency

Mutations, Merits and Flaws:
None

Backgrounds:
Arsenal 3 (2 allies, 11/11 dots: ••• Builder Bugs, •• Jade Short Powerbow (Spring’s Lesson), •• Horn of the Ways, •• Purifying Mercy Stone, • Stone of Breath, • Swaying Grass Dance Style manual)
Artifact 3 (••• Wicked Stepmother Boots, •• Silken Armor, • Fivefold Harmonic Adaptor (Moonsilver-Jade) )
Artifact 2 (•• Skinmount Amulet x2)
Breeding 3
Connections 1 (Guild)
Destiny 3 (Twins Raised Apart)
Manse 3 (The Respite of Alpine Amenities: Air Aspected, Gem of Elemental Travel, Maintenance, Comfort Zone, Magical Conveniences x2, Central Control, Essence Vents, Mela's Sweet Whisper, Minor Traps and Tricks)
Resources 3 (The Respite of Alpine Amenities)

Mundane Equipment / Resource Purchases:
Medical Supplies
Chiaroscuran Glass Knife

Intimacies:
Dance (Unrealized Passion)
Wicked Stepmother Boots (Stubborn Pride)
Cathak Othok Dythyk (Friendship)
Fanged Flair Effulgence (Exasperated Loyalty)
Karal Tin Otter (TBD)
[Calamari God’s DB] (TBD)
Her Ordained Role (Duty) [A negative intimacy]

BP Spent:
+18 Free with Chargen
-5 raising WP to 10
-6 Medicine, Performance, Survival 5
-4 Breeding 3
-3 Three Background dots

Revised character sheet for my DB, replacing the previous draft >>919901. This also includes slight tweaks to the manse, so >>920201 is out of date.

Arsenal Budget is 5 + 3 * (Pooling Lookshian allies), which works out to 11 with FFE and KTO assisting. With Calamari God's character it would be 14, in which case I would have three more dots to spend. (Maybe another hearthstone, or Wound Healing Needles?)
>>
No. 926065 ID: 094652

rolled 5, 1, 4, 9, 5, 10, 9, 5, 2, 1, 9, 8, 6, 7, 5, 9, 1, 4, 1, 6, 8, 5, 10, 4, 4, 4, 2, 3, 7, 7 = 161

Exp spent (not finalized):
4 <- 1 Stamina (18XP, 3 Weeks)

Embri's superiors are somewhere between "utterly frustrated at the level of incompetence and mental degradation in their covert ops field unit" and "incapacitated from laughter at the tales of the antics of their unit and the weirdos they encountered". If she hadn't caused many of them to bust a gut with their hyena imitations, they would have treated her as a potential rogue agent and put her down immediately, but the morale boost to their day gave them the patience to comb her report and found it... eh, passable.

Decisions have been processed through the enormous, mountain-spanning webway of religious resistors, mortal memory banks, Anti-Gremlin security protocols, and overheating CPUs - Centralized Pantheon Understudies. Oh and the second-largest bureaucracy on the underside of Creation, but definitely not the densest. Or safest. And certainly neither the epitome of sanity or doorway to Wyld horror.

Eventually, votes are tallied and the upper heads agree: despite her obvious malfunctioning, Embers in the Softly-Lighted Halls of the Good and Graceful is still the best candidate for Operation Controlled Burn's Field Relations Officer. She has made successful contact with surprisingly many of the minor players on the scene, while relatively uncompromised by the major players. She will need 'serious repairs' but is otherwise capable of further deployment... for now.

The operation is designed to poke and prod at the skirts of the recent cataclysm, looking for 'cavities' of corruption and insanity to fix, and ultimately opportunities to exploit for the explicit purpose of productive asset gathering. Best case scenario, they annex a province and pretend to look dumb while desperately mining the necessary materials. Worst case, someone manages to throw a god-cat at a Seal and all hell breaks loose. Embri will be their distraction and if necessary their diplomat, while other Alchemical Exalted agents make contact with the entities Embri has reported, and slowly build up an information network.

In other words, just another day at work.

Embri is sent for 'invasive re-education' to keep her new 'cover story' from devolving into a complete delusion that overrides her core protocols, but it is otherwise kept on a subconscious trigger so at necessary moments she may play dumb to a ridiculously deceptive degree; while someone is grilling her on her origins she'll hold that trigger down as if her life depends on it, and after a short period without origin story requests her grip on her delusion will loosen until she remembers herself truly. While her mind is reworked, a thorough analysis of her body has revealed a disturbing level of physical and neural degradation, and not just in terms of that giant hole in her abdomen or her current delusions. The engineers decide they need to concentrate their efforts on reinforcing the physical weakness as it appears closest to total cascade failure. What little they are allowed to glean from her adventure reveals a disturbing unwillingness to use tools despite her obfuscation powers for fear of running out of ammunition during a long campaign, and given the open specifications of her next mission they are inclined to agree with her motives for conservation but not the actual act. They petition requests to other departments for a solution to this issue, though they are forced to pretend their Adamant is someone else. Alternatively, they might get experimental and request an extra week for Embri in the pools, with the intention of installing an Alloyed Reinforcement of Flesh. You don't really care as much about ammo conservation if you can tank hits long enough to line up shots, after all.
>>
No. 926072 ID: afdebc

>>919615
>>919623
For bookkeeping purposes, I'm gonna transcribe some stuff from Discord for Fanged Flair Effulgence. Open to revision by strgy or JL as needed.

>Arsenal 2
With 2 allies (KTO and UWD), the budget is (3+2*2) = 7 dots.

2-dot Gemstone of Deep Drink
2-dot Toolkit for lawship repair.
1-dot Air compressor, magitech equivalent of an omen engine (for air hokey table)
1-dot Jade hearthstone amulet
1-dot freshwater pearl

With Calimari God's DB, this budget would increase to 9, giving two more points to spend. (Maybe on a 2-dot windslave disk?)

>Retainers 2
Incomplete character sheets for the npc mortals, to be expanded as needed.

At least some of these mortals are romantically and/or sexually involved with Cathak Othok Dythyk.

5 non-heroic mortals

6/4/3 to spend on Attributes
18 ability dots, 1 favored ability
5 background dots
21 BP

Common Abilities:
Archery 1
Bureaucracy 2
Craft (air) 2
Craft (other) 1
Linguistics 1 (Native: Rivertongue, Others: Old Realm)
Lore 2
Occult 1
Resistance 2
Sail 3
(15/18 spent, 3 more points vary by character, before BP)

Everyone’s mundane equipment comes out of FEE’s Resource 4. They’re armed with firewands (or possibly the infernal equivalent so it’s easier to resupply in hell?)

Bodyguard:
Wits 4, Perception 4, Awareness 3

Cook:
Craft (water)

Weather Shaman:
Occult favored, Transcendent Desert Creature, Creature of Darkness, Enlightened Essence

Initiate level Art of Geomancy
Adept level Art of Elemental Air / Art of Weather Working (merged by house rules)

Fire Summoner:
Occult favored, Master level Art of Elemental Fire
>>
No. 926085 ID: 2007b6

>>926058
Attracting Madelrada's full attention through prayer would require a festival involving at least a hundred dedicated celebrants and, ideally, many additional casual participants. Ten days minimum, since she's E10, and she probably won't use maximum haste in the course of her approach without an actual emergency.

For mapping purposes I'm going to break the region up into hexes twelve miles wide and a hundred feet thick. Minimal exploration is a day's work for a party of competent mortal scouts in open terrain, two days in difficult terrain (such as forests), three or more days in extreme terrain - assuming they can traverse it at all. Even with rapid movement or senses able to observe the entire hex much more quickly than that, accurately committing the information to paper takes time and skill.

The transplanted section of Creation is 21 hexes, three of which are mostly water. At minimum, you'll want to update local maps with the new border. Scouting out the 20 adjacent hexes of Hrotsvitha might be a good start on defense-in-depth. That's just for ground level; long as we're on the subject of depth, there are layers of catacombs under the ground, which will take much longer to explore, and beyond there's the opposite face of the shell. In a mature forest, canopy level is high enough to count as a separate hex. Ancient primordial forests might have more than one such layer. Then, there's the possibility of Jacint's basalt causeways arcing through the sky up above - it's possible to map large airborne features from the ground, given either a 1-dot artifact range-finding scope, or two widely-separated vantage points and knowledge of trigonometry (four dots in Lore to derive the formulae as you go, or a specialty in surveying, or any intro-level First Age math textbook) but you might miss details, and definitely can't establish a real territorial claim that way.

Establishing metaphysical ownership over a hex (after chasing off rival claimants, of course) and maintaining basic government services takes a lot of work - conveniently, the pathfinder kingdom-management Build Points map roughly to the Guild's dirham, a 16-pound ingot worth about 1/25th of a talent of jade. Claiming a hex costs a dirham, and maintaining that claim costs another per month, but decent farmland produces two dirham worth of surplus food per month (averaged out over the course of the year - more in the season of fire, less in the season of water) and almost any other economic activity is at least enough to break even. Setting up the infrastructure for those activities costs a few more dirham worth of work, though, as does building fortifications, or maintaining a military, or the administrative and logistical overhead of denser urban areas.

Fortunately, you don't necessarily need to pay in cash. A single first circle demon bound by sorcery can do the work of five or ten mortal laborers (different species vary in suitability for particular tasks) with no need for food or wages. A Magnitude 2 army of demons produces a dirham's worth of labor per month, or roughly one dirham per demon per ten years.

How many more does Seven Broken Wings Of Red And Gold intend to summon, and to what purposes will they be set?
>>
No. 926111 ID: 2007b6

>>926072
The cook has three dots in Craft (Water) and one dot in Melee. Mastery of a thaumaturgical art requires four dots in Occult, and for nonheroic mortals that fourth dot must be bought with BP.
>firewands (or possibly the infernal equivalent so it’s easier to resupply in hell?)
If you're using algarel, demonic acid equivalent of firedust, whoever's in charge of the armory needs a dot in Craft (Vitriol) and Wits 2 to understand safe handling procedures - more is better. Initiate-level alchemy would let you brew it in-house from common Malfean materials.
>>
No. 926184 ID: c7496c

rolled 4, 6, 8, 6, 4, 4, 1, 1, 10, 5, 7, 4, 5, 9, 6, 1, 10, 9, 1, 8, 4, 6, 10, 8, 5, 4, 7, 3, 5, 10 = 171

>>925949
>She splashes down more than a mile from shore in water over a hundred feet deep.

She seems to be in the habit of jumping into puddles she doesn't want to leave her companions in. She really ought to start looking before she leaps.
This might have presented a more serious problem for the Disciple of Mela had the blood ape not been a strong swimmer- seeing the trajectory had them headed towards the middle of a lake, Bridget was able to cast them mid-flight to land a little closer to shore.

>a few hours of frustration without solid enough footing
Assuming a mote recovery of 6m per hour, that's 18 motes...
>two more mountain-crossing leaps
That of course is 20m 2w, leaving Bridget with:
19/26/4 Personal Peripheral and WP.

>At least one of those living armors is happy enough to share the previous paragraph's gossip and rumors about the political situation. Procedures at the gate have changed, and nobody seems to agree on all the details of what the new costs and contraband rules are, so there's been a lot of delay.
How nice of it to share! And it shares a language with her too! Deciding to press her luck, Bridget dons the sun's armor and asks what the fastest way to secure some medical grade bone wine would be.

Activating IKB for 6m, leaving her anima flaring and her mote pools at 13/26/4.
>>
No. 926191 ID: 2007b6

>>926184
>cast them mid-flight to land a little closer to shore
That wouldn't normally be possible - or rather, taking other actions mid-leap would result in terminal-velocity fall damage - but the one-die benefit of the stunt off that previous water landing means it can be done just this once. The two-die benefit, meanwhile, means you can edit in some convenient but plausible feature, such as a vendor selling bonewine on the near side of the gate. You also recover either 4m or 1wp from the stunt award.
>How nice of it to share! And it shares a language with her too! Deciding to press her luck, Bridget dons the sun's armor and asks what the fastest way to secure some medical grade bone wine would be.
Another 4m or 1 wp stunt award, though that's very close to the minimum needed to qualify.

>anima flaring
The crowd that barely flinched at disintegration quickly flies into screaming panic at the sight of that golden brand on Bridget's forehead. "Medical? Well, you can buy pretty good bonewine by... holy shit, it's a gigantic copper spider!"

Glancing behind herself, the only spider Bridget notices is barely the size of a pony, and mostly matte black with occasional reddish-brown tufts, a color scheme more associated with iron than any sort of copper alloy. Where Bridget is from, even babies know that kind of thing. This particular spider-demon was simply waiting in line between a pair of heavily pregnant hairless lavender humanoids; all three are now cringing and groveling (yet carefully maintaining their relative positions in line) rather than posing any sort of obvious threat to anyone.

The human guards are shouting at each other in Low Realm, but Bridget picks up the occasional Rivertongue loan-word. Seems they're fetching weapons and moving to a defensive formation, and something about "unclean." Except for that guy who got the caustic tar spit on him - he needs medical attention, which has now became a lower priority for whoever would normally provide it.
>>
No. 926194 ID: 54735b

Xanin wanted for this all to go smoothly. After her swift but brutal taking over of the area around the hot springs, she had been smoothing things out.

And now all of a sudden there was an Anathema, lit up like a Calibration tree, not even 200 yards away, and her soldiers had already noticed, so it wasn't like she could get out of dealing with this. So, she strode out of her watch station, the demons averting their eyes to avoid gazing at her azure shield, and standing aloft like a crimson statue, pointing a silver handle at Bridget, with a crown as radiant and golden as the Solar's own anima with a cigar hanging out of her mouth.

"So, Anathema, you're causing a stir in my new outpost. Normally, I'd let you pass as a human and representative of creation on account of not looking for your particular brand of demon in Malfeas, but you've gone and advertised yourself like you were looking for a fight and riled up my men.

"So even though I'm working more closely with the locals than the immaculates might prefer, unfortunately for you, there are still some duties expected of a prince of the earth, and driving you back at least so far as whatever pit you crawled out of is one of them.

"I'll at least be merciful and fight you in single combat as opposed to risking the fine mortals under my command and trying to encircle you."

And like a flash of light, she leapt from the elevated platform and landed in front of Bridget, a wave of heat flying past her like a shock wave.
>>
No. 926196 ID: 54735b

rolled 8, 7, 9, 3, 7, 6, 9, 1, 10, 4, 1, 8, 3, 4, 1, 6, 9, 10, 4, 8, 10, 6, 2, 8, 8, 8, 2, 3, 8, 7 = 180

>>
No. 926207 ID: 2007b6

>>926194
Strength 6 + Athletics 4, minus two for the mobility penalty on artifact superheavy plate, plus a two-die stunt, would mean you can jump twenty yards horizontally. One or two motes on the First Athletics Excellency could provide another four yards each. Since you're starting from a high place, spending two motes through that shield could provide a little bit more horizontal distance by gliding, and possibly enough time to take some action in mid-air - descending at least fifty yards would be enough for a full Aim bonus (including the Sand Serpent Jewel) to be applied to an attack which also enjoys a "high ground" DV modifier by virtue of taking place while you're still in mid-air.

How tall is the manse? Who (if anyone) is manning the infernal essence cannon while you descent to confront the anathema?

>>926196
Five successes on Join Battle.
>>
No. 926218 ID: e4aa95

rolled 1, 7, 8, 10, 10, 4, 6, 7, 8, 4, 2, 5, 6, 9, 9, 9, 6, 4, 3, 1, 2, 8, 7, 9, 2, 8, 5, 7, 2, 9 = 178

>>926194
Alright, time to do something incredibly stupid. I'm going to try to stand between the dragonblood and the anathema.

DoM pushes her way through a crowd of demons and rushes in front of Bridget, mayfly mask still constricting her speech, begging bowl in one hand, the other hand waving wildly.
>>
No. 926219 ID: c8a0f5

>How tall is the manse?

The Manse is an irregular 7 sided pagoda with 5 tiers, each 40 feet tall internally. This is surrounded by a wall that's 50 feet tall at the boundary of the manse's area with 12 gates that divide the manse's path into 11 sections. The gates operating on a timer so that two are open at any given time opposite each other and they change every 10 minute.

In this regard, it always takes 50 minutes from start to finish to get from the outside to the inside or the other way around, regardless of what entrance you start from.

Xanin is starting on the 50 foot wall, so ~17 yards, but as stated in the discord, the distance was already about 20 yards horizontally, so mechanically it's all good either way.

>Who (if anyone) is manning the infernal essence cannon while you descent to confront the anathema?

The same person that normally mans it, a Tomescu (replacing a Blood Ape after one disastrous half hour of having one at the helm)
>>
No. 926220 ID: 8d924c

>>926085
Red and Gold doesn't really intend to stop any time soon. Two demons in any given day is about the rate I'd expect to try and maintain, mostly tomescu and marottes, with perhaps a heranhal and neomah to round things out.

The tomescu are set to the task of patrolling the area, serving as security mostly in the surroundings of the town unless something urgent requires them further away. The marottes are set to building defenses on the outskirts of this bit of Creation, with one or two perpetually working on the temple complex once a functional forge is prepared for the heranhal to do more detail oriented work. Given a month to work at it, even simple things like trenches and basic earthworks should make the prospect of defending this place much more reasonable. Unfortunately, we don't have the infrastructure or manpower to do so, but at least this should be a start.

Red and Gold himself will spend much of the time instructing the locals on their new home, and the many dangers. Mostly honestly. He'll leave out any information about the Reclamation itself, of course, but information about their surroundings has to be conveyed truthfully if they're going to survive here for long. That'll be difficult even with him spending every evening at the local hospitality establishment explaining these things.

Hopefully by providing enough volume of information, some of it will eventually soak in.
>>
No. 926224 ID: 5f3f48

>>926085
>Attracting Madelrada's full attention through prayer would require a festival involving at least a hundred dedicated celebrants and, ideally, many additional casual participants. Ten days minimum, since she's E10, and she probably won't use maximum haste in the course of her approach without an actual emergency.
On the one hand, getting that started as soon as possible might be wise, but with the population reeling from recent disasters, Lute is not sure they can sustain a ten day festival, yet. There's some necessary putting together of broken pieces, logistical and social groundwork that will need doing first.

Lute’s certainly willing to help with the mapping efforts (craft(air) is certainly applicable), but we'll need people with survival scores doing the actual scouting. Which will mean collaboration with Morse, Rivers, and/or Bridget, or compiling maps from the reports of Red and Gold's summoned demons.

Lute’s pleased to be finally working alongside Green Sun Princess who aren't hellbent on getting themselves killed as quickly as possible.
>>
No. 926226 ID: c8a0f5

Okay, to summarize the fight.

Disciple of Mela tried to step in and stop the fight, but ultimately was ignored.

Xanin tried to intimidate Bridget into leaving on threat of "I will kill you for real" to which Bridget ignored.

Bridget responded with "I need to get some medicine for a fallen Immaculate and come in peace." Xanin retorted with the fact that walking up to an area controlled by Realm Soldiers with a Solar Anima banner is stupid, just get someone else to buy the medicine since now people know your face and that you're a Solar. Bridget didn't leave.

So, Xanin started the fight proper by carving several verses about Anathema onto her hands face and every square inch of exposed skin. Bridget proceeded to try and grapple only to get burned by the Beamklave.

Then Xanin failed to cut off Bridget's hand and leave a lightsaber wound through her eyes, but still left enough deep wounds to force her to flee from her -4 health box filled with lethal damage, leaving the DoM to wait in the line to get into the 50 minute path to the temple to buy the Bone Wine.
>>
No. 926236 ID: 62a60c

>>926226
After bounding into the brass forest, Bridget slowly made her way just out of view from the Manse. There, she meditated for a few moments, the flame of the Unconquered Sun flowing through her being. Somewhat steadied by it warmth, existence forgetting the most recent exploits of Sesus Xanin and her blade, Bridget ascended into the treetops to watch and wait for her companions to secure the needed supplies.
Mechanically invoking Soul Fire Resurgence 4 times over the course of several actions, healing her -4 health level and the first -2 health level.
Currently at 10/26/4
Injury box filled to the first -2 level.
>>
No. 926284 ID: b7e6b7

rolled 10, 4, 4, 9, 5, 7, 1, 10, 8, 9, 4, 6, 7, 4, 4, 7, 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 3, 7, 8, 1, 10, 5, 3, 4, 3 = 164

>>926236
DoM considers chasing after Bridget to help, but stops herself. She has a job to do. She'll turn and respectfully approach Xanin. Not sure what I can convey with sign, but the message will be something like, "I have come from the nameless village, which is beset with violence and suffering. One of my fellow monks is dying, please help us!"
>>
No. 926303 ID: 094652

rolled 7, 4, 3, 10, 10, 5, 8, 10, 8, 6, 4, 4, 4, 10, 5, 3, 4, 5, 4, 8, 9, 6, 6, 2, 7, 3, 3, 8, 5, 8 = 179

Embri has undergone changes before. But this one was long overdue.
Her body's endurance is upgraded to phenomenal levels. The engineers are simply dumbfounded at the physical degradation she suffered from supposedly top-notch maintenance within an Autochthonian nation. They are certain this was an intentional and malicious act.
For a ninja, she didn't have many stealth techniques installed. Again, the engineers are convinced this 'Adamant' thing is merely a joke, and this unfortunate Exalted was built to fail by a Tripartite who reeeally hated one of her past incarnations. They are quick to grow her an Optical Shroud and put her assassination skills to good use.
Some general overhaul to her general systems to take the strain off her systems - HEY WHO PUT AN IMAGE OF A RUBBER CHICKEN IN HER BACKSIDE?! Okay this is definitely sabotage now. (2 general charm slots)
And now that Embri has enough structural stability to install another augmentation, they decide she can wait another week if it means getting an upgrade to her sniping abilities. That bow, strong as it is, will not hit if the timewarped arrow is not aimed properly in the first place.

And after all her new upgrades are finally installed does they realize
they forgot to plug the hole in her abdomen.
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hyOLydRFfU
Embri attempts to craft a stable housing and camoflage for her jar in her abdomen with the help of the engineers - one which will only open if she presses specific points on what looks like regular skin.
(If Embri somehow fails to construct a proper home for her jar, she'll secure the heart in the outpost and just bring frost-venom-tipped arrows between resource runs.)
>>
No. 926320 ID: 54735b

>"I have come from the nameless village, which is beset with violence and suffering. One of my fellow monks is dying, please help us!"

Xanin had to give a bit of a look. "The air is safe enough for conversation on this side of the boundary, and in the gates themselves it isn't harmful in the slightest, so you can take off the mask.

"But, since the situation seems to have grown bad enough for you to be knowingly working with an Anathema, I'd like a status report from your side of things."

Now that the fight was over, her green jade blade retracted into its adamant grip and was tied once more to her armor and she tried to adopt a more sympathetic tone, like a concerned mother or teacher trying to be more friendly than authoritarian.
>>
No. 926322 ID: 2007b6

>>926236
Compassion applies, since you took those wounds in the course of trying to help somebody. The way the dice turned out, those four willpower actually recovered everything but the -0.
>>
No. 926340 ID: 2007b6

>>926236
Creaks, cracks, a horrid metallic rending sound, then some crunches and thumps. Brazen bark peeled away from the trunk, someone using it as a handhold now fallen to the ground. Bug-headed humanoid with parchment-colored skin dusts itself off, straightening plain scholar's robes, stands back up, mutters to itself in Old Realm "alright, forget the subtle approach, never works out for me anyway," then cups long-nailed hands into a cone, leans back, and shouts up at Bridget in Rivertongue, "Honored Prince of the Earth, are you accepting students? I know how to produce that liquor which you seek, each step from seed to cup!"
>>
No. 926341 ID: 3788a0

rolled 1, 10, 9, 2, 6, 7, 1, 5, 5, 6, 2, 9, 1, 3, 5, 5, 7, 9, 7, 1, 1, 10, 1, 5, 6, 8, 3, 4, 6, 10 = 155

>>926340
Is this the same scene? If so, Bridget has Monkey Leap Technique and Iron Kettle Body active, otherwise... well, thenthen the not active I guess.

Bridget nimbly leaps from branch to branch to ground, a handful of brass foliage collected on the way down. Her caste mark sparkles across her third eye, making it clear the nature of her second breath.

"You mistake my nature. Knowledge is shared freely as duties allow. How quickly can you work?"

Bridget is not a Prince of the Earth, but otherwise she is "accepting students"- after all, is it not the duty of the solars to teach and lead? If this creature can create bonewine quickly enough, that might prove vital to the monks recovery.
>>
No. 926354 ID: 5f3f48

>>926220
When next they meet, the reflective vizier applauds the efforts of seven-winged fiend to enlighten and educate the mortals. Alas, if only her own skills in such matters were what they once were.

Lute’s lamenting the dots in socialize that got cached if for BP in her akuma conversation, and dropping a suitable opening for Red and Gold to activate Verdant Emptiness Endowment.
>>
No. 926362 ID: 2007b6

>>926341
>You mistake my nature. Knowledge is shared freely as duties allow.
The erudite mantis-beastman (or whatever it is - with no dots in Occult nor formal training in demonology, Bridget is limited to guesswork) apologizes, and humbly inquires as to what title would be appropriate.
>How quickly can you work?
Growing tree-grain with nothing but dirt and human fingerbones to start from would take months, but if you've got access to some sorcery that accelerates plant growth that won't be a problem. Brewing a batch of substandard bonewine might be just barely possible in less than a week, but if you need it immediately you're in luck: this particular naneke happens to have forty gallon barrel of "Masterful Scholar's Motionless Shipwright Vitrification Vintage," a bonewine-based brew which actually fits your peculiar medical requirements even better than the basic stuff. Left over from another project, having trouble finding a buyer.
>>
No. 926370 ID: 34a4a4

rolled 4, 9, 1, 4, 9, 6, 8, 3, 9, 2, 4, 6, 7, 6, 2, 2, 10, 4, 5, 9, 7, 10, 8, 10, 10, 9, 10, 8, 10, 5 = 197

>>926362
[...] apologizes, and humbly inquires as to what title would be appropriate.
"One indicateing you address me."

>if you've got access to some sorcery that accelerates plant growth
"Yes."

>if you need it immediately you're in luck: this particular naneke happens to have forty gallon barrel of "Masterful Scholar's Motionless Shipwright Vitrification Vintage," a bonewine-based brew which actually fits your peculiar medical requirements even better than the basic stuff. Left over from another project, having trouble finding a buyer.
"Suspicious."

Bridget, as eloquent as ever, finds it hard to believe she would be approached in the woods by a stranger who happens to have just what she needs. More curious still is that they even knows what she needs in the first place.
Her caste mark should make it apparent what type of exalt she is, so either the individual is unable to see, uneducated on the members of the exalted host, or purposefully acting ignorant for some reason. Of course, she doesn't mind being called a Prince of the Earth- she has the utmost respect for Gaias chosen crafters.
>>
No. 926374 ID: b7e6b7

rolled 9, 7, 2, 5, 5, 7, 10, 6, 2, 1, 5, 7, 2, 2, 5, 4, 4, 2, 10, 5, 4, 6, 2, 3, 2, 4, 6, 5, 7, 9 = 148

>>926320
DoM peels off the mayfly mask and takes a minute to wheeze and gag. It scurries up her arm and latches on just above her elbow.

DoM fills Sesus Xanin in on the situation up til Arberus' appearance. "The butcher shop had been demolished in the violence. Shortly after the sun turned green, a monster rose up from the rubble. It looked like nothing that has ever crept or slithered on all the lands of creation. We tried to confront it, but it commanded the townspeople to eat us, and they immediately obliged. They converged on us and began seizing, biting, striking us with whatever was on hand, possessed with mad vigor. That is how I received this knife wound. Horrid tendrils began growing from the ground, enveloping buildings. Another demon appeared to assist the first. I tried to restrain it, but I ended up separated from the village and my fellow monks in the attempt."

"I found my way back to the village, through that forest of metal trees. When I returned, I found that my fellow monks had been spared for some unknown reason or purpose. But one of the disciples is dying to wounds festering with otherworldly infection. The anathema who accompanied me... she said something called bone wine could save him, and offered to transport me here so that I could retrieve it. I took the offer for help warily, but I could see no other choice."

DoM fills Xanin in on all the other important details too, like how her Sifu claimed that the horrible tooth monster had died, and that she's not sure how he knows but she trusts his wisdom.
>>
No. 926376 ID: 54735b

"Well, this is extremely unfortunate news. I'll have to double check my personal men for the cult's influence." She was annoyed, but adept at hiding it.

"But, assuming the best case scenario and that the Anathema you came with was telling the truth, I do have a quantity of bone wine in the stores of this forward operating base. It will take some time to travel through the gates to get it, but if you had time to travel this far out, then a two hour delay shouldn't be the final nail in the coffin. And while I should charge you, I'm not heartless to the plight of humans in this literal hell, so I'll loan it to you on your honor."

"But, in return, I do have a question that I want you to answer honestly, no trick question and no obvious answers. You have a closer eye than I do on the situation as it develops, and since it seems like multiple Anathema have converged into a circle, in your opinion, should I risk my men's lives declaring a Wyld Hunt to try and kill them before they get too entrenched?"

For her part, she did seem to be genuinely asking, and avoiding making her preference for not doing that known. After all, Anathema were an unknown quantity, and she could hardly risk destroying the town because of the Immaculate Dogma, but she didn't want to come off as too weak to her men to hold fast in her duties as a prince of the earth, and a group of Anathema keeping the town in their control would bode poorly for her small kingdom carved out of hell.
>>
No. 926380 ID: b7e6b7

"Here is my opinion on the matter, and of course I will defer to your superior judgement. Many people will die if the anathema are confronted. I will go to the village and deliver your ultimatum, which will hopefully scare them off. If I do not return within a week, begin organizing the wyld hunt."
>>
No. 926381 ID: 094652

rolled 7, 5, 9, 6, 10, 5, 10, 3, 6, 1, 2, 4, 6, 1, 10, 4, 5, 8, 1, 9, 3, 2, 1, 7, 6, 3, 7, 9, 8, 3 = 161

When Embri found her way to the base, her report included witnessing a strange 'obsidian river', likely the result of a sorcery-induced volcano warping into existence. Though it took time to relay and process the information through the nation-states, they eventually replied with a curt "harvest it now". Around the same time, a small group of scouts returned confirming the river's existence, though they were near its end and could not harvest more than the shards they could safely store in pouches and containers, and have not confirmed the areas where the obsidian vein is still intact as sheets and tubes.

But they have been busy; they've reported that a specific airship, the Fanged Flair Effulgence, has been moving towards and away from the general area they estimate the river to coalesce from, a clear sign that they have discovered the vein and may be the patrol ship or the cargo freighter in this scenario. A quick summary of ship's description and Embri realizes where she has seen it before. With the knowledge of the ship's (former) captain and habits still in her mind, Embri sets out with a small group of professional engineers (glorified miners who are in the ninja village to reap creation a new one), intent on disguising them as crewmembers with the intent to harvest the obsidian themselves. And possibly steal the ship if they can manage it.

Embri spends some time stalking the crewmembers on shore leave, identifying which ones are shy and clothed enough to be replaced with decoys, and then uses her gown and wiles to lure these fools into dark alleyways where they can be seduced into consuming her fruit of the loam (literally), with the instructions to "stay here and act like a bum until your food runs out or someone orders you to leave. You never saw me". No sense murdering civilians just to steal their clothes and bounty, but if anyone pushes her disguise will still be intact.

Eventually, it's time to leave and Embri sneaks onboard the ship while the Autochthonian agents in crewmens' clothing walk their way through the boarding plank. They've all been given basic instructions on how to pilot this thing, so hopefully they won't screw this up. Hopefully.
>>
No. 926382 ID: 54735b

"Well, that's certainly brave of you. I don't imagine that this is anyone's first desire, and I know that the prospect of working with Anathema will require some amount of 'getting used to' but I think that it will be the best course of action going forwards.

"But, with that out of the way, it won't go any faster or slower if you stay out here, and for as heretical as the geomancy of this building is, it is actually quite remarkable. I don't imagine you would wish to go with me to acquire the Bone Wine for the fallen monk?"
>>
No. 926407 ID: b7e6b7

>>926382
>I don't imagine you would wish to go with me to acquire the Bone Wine for the fallen monk?
DoM looks down at her robe - still wet, grimy and tattered. She winces at the pain of her still-fresh stab wound. And as she looks around at all the trading, the music and merriment surrounding the dynast, she experiences a strange feeling of bitter resentment bubbling up inside of her. She doesn't let it reach her expression, though. Perhaps the anathema's influence is reaching me after all.

"I would like to come inside, yes. Is there a place that I may sit down?"
>>
No. 926595 ID: 54735b

"Inside the gates, there's the ground, but beyond that unfortunately not. This whole place was designed as a temple, and apparently that's significant, and most importantly built into the geomancy, so the options of changing things are slim. But, there is a medicinal spa if you'd like that wound checked over and cleaned up before you leave."

As Xanin walked with the Disciple, she explained some of the important facts of life in the near future. Like how they have found themselves cast into Hell with the demons, gesturing to the various walks of demons avoiding glancing at them for the azure on display, and that avoiding interacting with them may be quite difficult if not entirely impossible even for the town in the near future, and if they haven't done so already so get people in town to be performing around the clock in shifts or else everybody might wind up dead in short order.

She also explained how for the most part it may be her having to come alone on the Wyld Hunt, because without several dozens of those masks that the Immaculate had, trying to move them out of the Manse would kill them in one direction and turn them into wild animals intent on murdering and raping their brothers at arms.

Throughout the whole thing she put on the tone of a confident but concerned mother, trying to take an honest listen to DoM's thoughts on the matter (even if she was deciding what to do largely independent of her input) and being worried about the state of the town.
>>
No. 926649 ID: 8d924c

>>926354
"Oh, my new friend, I'm sure those skills will come back in no time at all. You only need to practice a bit. Try your hand at it. I promise you, it will come back to you."
Red and Gold doesn't hesitate to activate VEE for things like this, since every favor stocked up is one he can call on in an emergency. Real useful if things get desperate enough and normal persuasion is no good.
>>
No. 926657 ID: 8d924c

>>926224
To expand somewhat, since noone else appears to be really interfering with Red and Gold's handling of village matters, he will have dispatched his agata servant to relay some diplomatic messages to local groups, such as the lumberjacks, the Tin Orchid Academy, and other groups that might be nearby.

Establishing a trading relationship with this new bit of land is possible, and may be arranged by coordinating with the servants of the Seven Broken Wings of Red and Gold, Green Sun Prince, until such time as That Which Wears Down the Mountain chooses otherwise. Those demons seeking to SETTLE, however, must arrange this more directly, being willing to swear an oath of personal loyalty to the Green Sun Prince. The agata is welcome to describe the relative pleasantness of serving Red and Gold as compared to other masters one can choose in Malfeas. He has no real interest in torturing his servants, which can be unusual here. The oath will be a binding one, however.

Luminata seeking to settle because they wish to hunt mortals which are now established as being the property of a Green Sun Prince are to be informed that as of this time, none of the mortals may be approached for this purpose, under penalty of being rendered down into chalcanth and then bound into a form designed explicitly to cause them suffering for what will most likely be an eternity. Arrangements involving the possibility to hunt mortals CAN be reached, but not these mortals, because they're being used for something more important than the wishes of 1st circle serfs. If any luminata want to make an arrangement, they can seek out one of his servants to discuss possibilities.

The agata isn't to give much in the way of details on the bit of Creation that's been transported here that these groups don't already know themselves, other than that it's under the supervision of Red and Gold until such time as the Unquestionable are involved. That's as much as anyone should need to know, really.
>>
No. 926660 ID: 2007b6

>>926370
>More curious still is that they even knows what she needs in the first place.
You mentioned it out loud to the monk. Naneke are scholars specializing in forbidden knowledge; eavesdropping on a conversation in public is among the least of their sins.

As for 'too good to be true,' the liquor in question has... side effects. A deliberate part of the original design, but perhaps undesirable for the application to which you intend to put it. Specifically, a psychotropic simulacrum, or artificial daydream, of being paralyzed while your entire skeleton is surgically removed in segments and then replaced with similar-shaped pieces of red glass, in honor of a sailing vessel built by the Masterful Scholar, progenitor of the entire race of naneke.
>>
No. 926668 ID: e4aa95

>She also explained how for the most part it may be her having to come alone on the Wyld Hunt
"I will do what I can."

get people in town to be performing around the clock in shifts or else everybody might wind up dead in short order.
"I believe the townspeoples' hearts and minds may be too shattered to perform any task with reliability. But I'll try."

>Throughout the whole thing she put on the tone of a confident but concerned mother
DoM does seem to appreciate Xanin's sympathetic tone. During the wait, she sits on the ground, looking fairly exhausted.

>there is a medicinal spa if you'd like that wound checked over and cleaned up before you leave.
"I would, thank you."
>>
No. 926673 ID: 54735b

As the line progressed, it stayed fairly packed in the gate that they were in, but when they reached the middle section, it was a wide open courtyard with a number of vendors and moneychangers (at exorbitant rates since the old currency was largely useless now)leading the path to the Stone Pagoda. Considering time was of the essence, Xanin pulled the DoM along and into the building.

On the first floor, it was like stepping into infinity as the floor was made of silver sands and the walls didn't seem to exist. Xanin explained that this was the temple to a demon god that was integral to the Manse not exploding a horrific catastrophe and killing everyone here, and how to navigate it, coming to one of the mirrored walls to the stair case to where she left the DoM. The spa room, with a number of Sesejalia to treat open wounds and strange turtle shell baths filled with delightful water, other baths filled with what looked to be boiling oil that none-the-less some of the mortal humans seemed to be using, and several massage tables.

Clearly it was more of a gilded cage than a normal cage of Xanin's description of how her forces were ultimately trapped here rang true.

But, it would be about half an hour for the DoM to do as she pleased before Xanin would return with the bone wine, and a new set of 6 snow white silk robes for herself and all the other monks at the village.
>>
No. 926676 ID: 54735b

For three weeks, Rivers had endured miserable pain in that Chancel, but strictly speaking it wasn't as terrible as all that, since after the first week she had learned how to heal from basically any wound, so that pain was less of a 'This needs to stop' and more of a just painful thing that happens when you're being vivisected to help you transform into yourself.

But, when she voluntarily left, she needed to put a hold on shape shifting for a few weeks, give herself some cool down time. So, she did the first thing that she thought of (other than going to Lute and getting taught Old Realm through BVB).

So, shortly after that, it would presumably be brought to Red and Gold's attention that a naked silver haired woman that none of the townsfolk had seen before was cooking and waiting tables at his bar and apparently trying to seduce several of his demons.
>>
No. 926685 ID: 8d924c

>>926676
Red and Gold pulls one of the tomescu off of patrolling to accompany him as he heads towards the bar, preferring to have a bodyguard in case the stranger is determined to be hostile.

As he steps into the inn, squinting in the dimmer light, he stares for a moment at the vaguely familiar individual before he speaks.

"Good evening. I am the proprietor of this humble place of hospitality, Seven Broken Wings of Red and Gold. If you're hoping to be paid for your work, I may have to disappoint you, as currency is currently not so easy to come by, here. But if there's something else you need, perhaps I can help you?"

Red and Gold hovers in the entryway, trying to place where he might have seen the woman before, but drawing a blank. Lookshy was a long distance, and a whole different name and life away.
>>
No. 926686 ID: 54735b

>>926685

Rivers had been carrying about 10 plates of food to various customers, most of whom were demons, when Red and Gold came into the bar.

"Well, that's plenty fine, I was mostly looking to take some time to relax for a chunk of time, since I just got done being vivisected, and I was pretty good at this kind of stuff when I was a mortal."

As she was talking, she the fact that she had a tail, possum ears, and shining silver hair made it pretty obvious that she was a Lunar to anyone who knew about that kind of stuff.
>>
No. 926696 ID: afdebc

>>926649
Taking Red and Gold's advice, Lute Silhouette is pleased to find him correct, and her old skills are indeed returning to her. Isn't it wonderful to discover the greatness inside people all along?

[Socialize 0 => 1, 1 Favor owed Red and Gold per VEE]

A little while later, one of the hobgoblins of Sandpoint surreptitiously approaches the Joybringer, to inform her that weird bundle of flesh the boss has been playing with the last few weeks has finally stepped out.

>>926676
One cannot let a little thing let vivisection stand in the way of self improvement, after all!
>>
No. 926818 ID: 8d924c

>>926686
Red and Gold pauses again, taking in the statement that she'd 'got done being vivisected.' Etiquette learned in the First Age takes over, prioritizing friendly relationships with another Celestial Exalt over strange statements. One shouldn't alienate a potential ally for centuries over minor quibbles. And after all, was this not Malfeas? There were more eccentric hobbies than this, here.

"Of course! You're welcome to stay, Child of Luna, although I would ask you be gentle with the unenlightened mortals. They aren't prepared for things here in Malfeas yet, you see, although I've been working with them. The demons can handle it, though, and if you have any specific needs I can see about making arrangements. I'll ask that you be treated as a guest here, but I can't guarantee everyone's reactions, as they have undoubtedly had their heads filled with Immaculate dogma. Not all of it wrong, but enough misleading that they may have dim views that need correction. Are you here with associates?"
>>
No. 926826 ID: 54735b

"Wait, Child of Luna? I guess you don't remember me then, and here I would have thought being naked would make it more likely that bachelors and bacheloretes from Lookshy alike would recognize me. Well, that makes forgetting your name a lot less embarrassing."

Rivers walked up and offered a hand to shake.

"I'm Hundred Flowing Sweet Rivers, and as I recall we met at least a few times while you were an apprentice sorcerer engineer and I was still serving.

"But, to answer your question, I didn't come with anyone else. Actually I've been in the area for the two or three months dealing with bandits and cultists before the place was in hell, and in the last few days before that I met some nice enough people. Actually, why don't we head to the roof to get caught back up, since it's a long way from Lookshy, and I can't say I was expecting anyone I knew to show up."
>>
No. 926885 ID: 5f0ee2

rolled 5, 2, 1, 7, 4, 6, 2, 1, 7, 5, 6, 2, 10, 1, 9, 5, 6, 7, 9, 6, 4, 6, 2, 10, 9, 9, 9, 1, 9, 5 = 165

>>926660
"Offer appreciated. I await my companions. Will you accompany us to the village?
>>
No. 926887 ID: e4aa95

>>926673
After getting healed by the strange stomach bottle bug, the DoM takes a bath, sticking to remote tubs and corners where she's unlikely to be bothered.

When Xanin returns with the bonewine and the nice robes, DoM gets dressed (not what she's usually allowed to wear, but it would be insulting to refuse the gift) and thanks Xanin profusely. "Thank you for your help and hospitality. I should leave as soon as possible. My fellow missionaries are waiting for me."
>>
No. 926943 ID: e4aa95

rolled 3, 1, 1, 3, 6, 6, 8, 7, 2, 7, 2, 1, 5, 10, 5, 6, 1, 7, 9, 6, 4, 5, 3, 1, 10, 5, 2, 4, 6, 10 = 146

Rolling to try to meet up with Bridget.
>>
No. 927109 ID: 2007b6

Five days across the desert, then cruising around the Demon City finding a suitable spot to set up shop, and finally three full days for the Builder Bugs to seal up all the gaps and crevices in that forty-yard-wide iron dome atop the camshaft-like tower, then hours more to ceremonially purge the killing miasma... by the time it's safe for the mortal crew to step out and stretch their legs, they've been cooped up inside the Manta for two solid weeks.

Good news is, you've already got a client. Mauger, indulgent soul of the Spawning Forest, has a festival planned for Calibration (coming up in just a few months), but somebody's been interfering with traffic along the Way of Weights and Measures. It's a legal issue because Cecelyne has surprisingly complex rules for how long a territory can be left unattented before it's officially finders-keepers, losers-weepers. Get that real estate title dispute, or banditry or whatever it is, cleared up in time for the guests to arrive, and he'll pay you a talent of jade, or medical supplies worth at least half again that much - plus, perhaps more important, an invitation to the wild party in question, and the corresponding opportunity to meet many more potential customers with their social defenses already somewhat lowered. Sweeten-The-Tap Method, and variants thereof, might be worth studying if you can find the time before the Season of Fire is over.

So, who's going over to scout out the disputed area, and who's staying behind with the ship?
>>
No. 927119 ID: afdebc

>>927109
>So, who's going over to scout out the disputed area, and who's staying behind with the ship?
As she's employed as the firm's ranger, it's Dell's job to do this kind of scouting, thank you very much, so she'll be headed out. Also the builder bugs answer to her and they'll be useful in this kind of exercise.

Assuming someone she's poolng arsenal pools with remains (Fanged Flair Effulgence, Karal Tin Otter, or [Calamari God’s DB]) she'll leave her Purifying Mercy Stone behind with them.
>>
No. 927124 ID: 094652

rolled 6, 5, 9, 5, 5, 10, 5, 5, 3, 10, 6, 2, 1, 2, 9, 4, 9, 4, 4, 1, 10, 3, 9, 9, 9, 10, 1, 4, 9, 5 = 174

Over the course of said two weeks, Embri has cased the ship, furnished secret rooms for herself and the moles she put in the crew, and fabricated an identity for herself by cautiously editing the rosters and seducing three or so crewmembers into expendable patsies. She also spends her remaining free time maintaining the cover and aeronautical training of the alchemical spies on the ship.

Unfortunately for her, this obsessive maintenance has rattled her spies' nerves; since Embri has no official authority over them during this mission, the team's leader has the final say over where her subordinates and Embri should officially go - and she decided that Embri should spy on this insignificant 'side-quest' so they can get a day without her constantly breathing down their necks! Even for an Exalted, she's just too annoying (low charisma) for them to endure her constant performance reviews. It doesn't help that she won't tell them whether she's a Moonsilver or Starmetal caste, no matter how classified that information is. But a day and an admonishing is the maximum the team leader can get away with admonishing an Exalted, and hopefully that will be enough to slow the performance reviews to something actually constructive.

As far as Embri is concerned, the plow that creaks and whines but holds beyond its limits and intended purpose is worthy of becoming an heirloom, but the spear that stays perfectly durable and works exactly as it was advertised in the wrong direction entirely is a sign of insanity. So she won't bear a grudge... for now.

And so Embri sneaks off the ship, following the adventurers and assisting when she can, knowing they will overlook treasures here and there and Embri will be in the perfect position to confiscate them.
>>
No. 927150 ID: afdebc

rolled 6, 4, 7, 5, 10, 5, 1, 7, 6, 7, 5, 9, 10, 6, 6 = 94

>>927124
>OOC Stuff
I'm pretty sure there's not enough room for full on secret rooms, or to sneak in minions as extra crew. The lawship originally had a control room and a big cargo area, that has since been broken up by putting up extra interior walls.

>Front section, three 4-man bunkrooms including magitech life support. Rear section, two offices (one for the secretary out front, another for private stuff), a kitchen, and a five ton cargo bay

>It's possible she seduced and spiritually poisoned some of the Retainers, but there isn't enough room to be bringing in more new people.
Current crew is 4-5 Dragon Bloods, 5 mortal retainers, and 1 undercover alchemical presumably trying to pass herself off as mortal. Is Embri using a false name or anything for this mission?

>sneaks off the ship, following the adventurers and assisting when she can
Are you planning on doing that openly, in your cover ID? If we think you're not exalted, you need some other reason why the poison air isn't killing you. Or are you sneaking after us with stealth, and rolling to remain undetected?

>IC Stuff
>long term infiltrator onboard
While waiting for her companions to agree on the division of labor, Dell eyes the strange green-lit hellscape she will shorty be exploring. She shifts in place, and hears the reassuring chimes of bells in response. Her mind turns momentarily from the task ahead, to reflect on their journey so far... just under a dozen souls living and working closely together, flying above an endless expanse of sand.

Rolling to see if Dell fell for Embri's infiltration, or if she has noticed anything... off. Sense Motivation Perception 3 + (Investigation or Socialize) 0 + Stunt, and Awareness 1 + Perception 3 + Stunt for seeing through Embri's attempts to disguise that hole in her torso. (Probably won't roll again until something in-character prompts reexamining assumptions, but I figured I should set a baseline. Embri's got much better pools for deception than Dell has for catching on, but let's see).
>>
No. 927191 ID: 094652

>>927150
To get onboard, she kidnapped and stole the identity of one of the retainers. Since they didn't get onboard after all, the engineers and other alchemical exalted are somewhere else on another mission. Embri is maintaining plausible deniability but there are special 'marks' she's on the lookout for to identify autochthonians and deflect attention and suspicion from them.

Mostly stealth, because very excuse she has for continuing to live in a toxic wasteland is flimsy at best. She can also turn on her anima if they're on the verge of finding her. However, as a fallback plan she built a makeshift gas mask (not a realistic solution but it should work on a mortal for like five minutes) and she could claim to have followed them out of curiosity. Failing that, she'll admit she's a spy, but mainly to find out what the hell happened when that giant earthquake hit, and if it affects her people in any way, and she's willing to join as an ambassador if it means she can send a report of this devastation; her superiors would gladly rent out their emergency paramedics and environmentalists and whatnot.

The hole in her torso should be seamless; her mortal disguise covers her entire body including the hole, and the hole itself is plugged with a special apparatus that only opens with the right combination of finger presses and swipes and looks like her disguise. So if her disguise module somehow fails, that door to her hole would be the most mortal-looking patch instead.
>>
No. 927240 ID: e4aa95

rolled 8, 10, 1, 5, 2, 1, 6, 9, 1, 5, 2, 2, 10, 10, 4, 6, 8, 2, 4, 10, 4, 3, 10, 1, 3, 1, 6, 1, 1, 5 = 141

FFE comes strolling into the cargo bay, looking presentable for the first time in two weeks. (He cleans up pretty well for a grotesque mutant, in those fancy robes)

"Alright! This is our biggest client yet, so we should get a move on. Dell and I will go take a look at the situation. Anybody else who can breath the air out there is welcome to come along. I'm sure you're ready to get out of this ship and stretch your legs..."

The DB turns his attention to the mortals, and his eyes come to rest on Embri. "As for the rest of you, just try not to go too stir crazy. I hear the air in the forest is safe in short bursts but I want to check the place out before any of you step outside. That's all. Everybody clear out so I can open the airlock!"

>infiltration
I'm rolling sense motive too. Perception 4 Socialize 3...
>>
No. 927260 ID: 8d924c

>>926826
If Red and Gold were still mortal, he would have certainly paused here, but he's been Exalted for some time now, and to show the alarm screaming through his mind is no longer a flaw he will accept in himself. He extends his hand to shake hers, while deflecting.

"Oh, terribly sorry, you must have me mistaken for someone else. I'm Seven Broken Wings of Red and Gold, Green Sun Prince. Of Malfeas, not Lookshy. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, though, Hundred Flowing Sweet Rivers. Let us head to the roof, as you say?"

He follows after the Lunar, dismissing the tomescu back to its patrols.
>>
No. 927269 ID: c8a0f5

>>927260

Rivers was a lot of things, and a fool was absolutely one of them. But easy to trick, she wasn't. And while she wasn't an Abyssal, hear hearing was sharp enough to pick up on the subtle biological cues when someone is lying, and for her, it was practically like she could hear a pin drop. (Sense Motive: Perception 4/Socialize 3, 1 willpower for an automatic success)

"Well then, if you AREN'T who I'm thinking of, I'm interested in hearing your life story after I'm done spilling mine, maybe explain why someone who's clearly a sorcerer and looks almost identical to a good looking sorcerer from Lookshy."

With that out of the way, she tapped Red and Gold on the nose before picking him up and leaping 15 feet into the air onto the awning, and again onto the roof.

And she went into detail about her life, from being good at a lot of things necessary for a military woman but not quite good enough at any one position a mortal was good at and being too famous for 'promoting fraternization' so her service wasn't renewed, murdering a Dynast, getting murdered, and her more recent adventures. Specifically meeting a particularly beautiful person who played haunting music that she loved like nobody else and wished she was a bit more like, and maybe then she'd pay her a bit more attention (VEE opportunity for both Performance and Appearance).

But, with all that out of the way, it would be incredibly rude for him to try and squirm out of his story.
>>
No. 927273 ID: 156cdf

I think it is still messed up honestly
>>
No. 927274 ID: c8a0f5

rolled 7, 2, 3, 10, 2, 10, 2, 6, 6, 2, 7, 3, 3, 6, 9, 6, 8, 1, 6, 7, 7, 10, 4, 2, 2, 7, 6, 4, 5, 6 = 159

>>
No. 927298 ID: ffbc87

rolled 3, 2, 3, 10, 10, 1, 3, 5, 8, 8, 1, 7, 6, 1, 6, 7, 3, 9, 3, 10, 10, 3, 5, 5, 7, 5, 8, 4, 3, 9 = 165

>>927109
>who's staying behind with the ship?
Born aloft by eight brilliant strands of lightning, Dythyk moves from the summoning circle, a rolled parchment in hand. She of course finished her portion of the camp yesterday, but now that everything was properly arranged it would be time to perform some maintenance on the Fortress of Justice.
The Aalu, tied to her by an Abscissic binding under the Courtesan plate, is fed her writing, which describes the finer points of Legal Paternalism and what bebavior is sanctioned by it. Thus fed, she instructs it to help with the scouting mission.
"You are bound firstly to follow my orders, then those of Fanged Flair Effulgence, then the orders of any of our subordinates. Presently you are to accompany Fanged Flair Effulgence and Umbrageous Waxwing Dell, to assist them in scouting and mapping, and to do as they require of you. Your silken creations and acute senses shall be very useful to us."

>>927240
>Dell and I will go take a look at the situation.
"I'm sending the Aalu with you, just make sure to compliment it when it does something useful. I value your well-being and will be pleased when you return in good health. Appropriate display of affection, let me know if you need anything."

With that, CoD will go about performing routine maintenance on the manta, pleased to have a little more personal space and privacy even if some of her valued people will be departing to less than safe tasks.
>>
No. 927309 ID: 9f146f

>Appropriate display of affection
Fanged Flair Effulgence's face twists into a ghastly gap-fanged grin. "Love you too. Need us to stop by the market, pick anything up?"
>>
No. 927378 ID: 428f4f

>>927309
Goggles snapped over her eyes, she hardly turns to address him, raising her voice to compensate for distance and direction.

"Strictly speaking, no, but at some point more potent summoners tools would be useful to keep the demons bound. Of highest priority is your well-being. Locust would be appreciated if it's convenient."
>>
No. 927389 ID: 5f3f48

rolled 4, 10, 2, 3, 7, 1, 3, 6, 10, 4, 9, 9, 1, 9, 3, 1, 6, 1, 5, 4, 1, 2, 1, 9, 6, 3, 1, 2, 4, 9 = 136

Division of labor decided, Dell puts her fingers to her lips and lets loose a piercing whistle.

"All right, Bugs! Spread out, we're going scouting. One of you, with me, let me know if the others spot anything. Flair, Aalu, c'mon."

She passes her Purifying Mercy Stone off to Karal Tin Otter (who will be remaining with at the landing site it seems) and then sets off walking across (not through) the nearest patch of metallic grasses, as kitten-sized blue beetles spread out above her in all directions.

Since we're hiking through a potentially dangerous wilderness, I'm going to commit 5 peripheral to Hostile Environment Preparation Method, coving myself, FFE... and I'm not sure if the builder bugs need protection, or if they're already covered as my artifact? If the hive doesn't need it, then the Aalu.

Rolling a bunch of dice. I assume scouting is probably several Survival and/or Awareness checks.
>>
No. 927510 ID: d9acdc

rolled 2, 3, 5, 10, 2, 4, 2, 2, 6, 7, 9, 5, 4, 1, 6, 8, 9, 5, 1, 10, 1, 6, 2, 5, 7, 1, 10, 5, 5, 5 = 148

>>927389
>Aalu, c'mon

Angel meticulously cleans the pulp out of its mandibles, split between the offensive flavor and the incessant urge to finish off the last bits. The meal was quite informative though; how novel that one would control you for your own benefit. Perhaps that's why master made her indulge her disgusting obsession- she knew it would improve her already indispensable skills. A full courtesan is an effective courtesan. She hardly needs the edge though, her record keeping and senses surpass those of most everything. Yes yes, the poor creatures are positively dependent on her to ensure their surroundings are properly digested and cooked.

Angel is accompanying UBW and FFE on their scouting mission. Rolling awareness and purchasing one success with the second awareness excellency.
>>
No. 927593 ID: 2007b6

>>926220
By the end of Ascending Fire you'll have about a scale each of builders and soldiers. Still going for abscissic bindings? Fixed tasks tend to be easier to manage for large-scale projects.

In just the first two weeks, scouting patrols have mapped out the surface in a two-hex radius around the wood demesne, discovering (among other things) a solar-aspect manse at almost the exact center of the transplanted area, and farms supporting the city of Candleport on what used to be the Avarice River. Maybe eight thousand people in there? Hard to get a closer look since they've got holy symbols engraved on the walls.

All around the perimeter of the transplanted area, where "in Madelrada's name, keep out" signs were set up, there stand luminata, staring longingly inward. Whenever another arrives, or one of them splits into two, the others adjust position so as to remain spaced equally apart.

Other demons are showing up from time to time asking if they can work for you without a sorcerous binding, and if so, under what terms.
>>
No. 927619 ID: 2007b6

>>926943
That's a botch. You take a wrong turn, and find yourself walking across a trackless waste. The sky is pitch black, but dazzling glare reflects off the silvery ground as if from full daylight.

Cresting the ridge of a roughly circular crater, the horizon is nearly featureless. A sandstorm seems to be rapidly approaching, and considering how abrasive and irritating this grit feels just from light contact, getting caught in the open under high winds might literally strip the flesh off your bones.

You could dig a hole and tie the silken robes together as an improvised tent, or run for cover among those ruined stone buildings off in the distance, or somehow engage with that elephant-sized scorpion, crouched at the exact center of the crater as if it's waiting for something.
>>
No. 927657 ID: 2007b6

>>927150
>>927240
Looks like you both got three successes out of the four required to figure anything out about Embri herself on Read Motivation. She's got a weird accent, maybe from somewhere out beyond Greyfalls, but that could be consistent with a refugee or escaped slave who signed up with Lookshy's foreign legion to leave her old life behind. Some sort of corset or orthopedic brace covering her back at all times, but stranger things than that could be legitimate medical necessities - just look at Fanged Flair's spinal graft!

Three successes IS enough to notice that anyone who's been alone with her for more than five-ten minutes tends to walk away looking like they've had a religious experience - and not the 'pants stay on' kind of religion, either. Sometimes weird reddish-black stuff dripping down their chin. https://tgchan.org/kusaba/draw/res/37601.html#40793 Given the range of technical and culinary skills she's demonstrated, probably rigged some life-support plumbing to brew and distill alcohol, or something like that. Nobody has reported for duty late, or visibly drunk - yet - so it might be a net positive for morale.
>>
No. 927723 ID: 2007b6

Street of Weights and Measures runs perpendicular to the border - it's broad and clear, but unsuitable for cargo or close-order marching.
Huge semicircular plaza with the manse as it's focal point. Flat edge of that plaza is the border, a wall of brass thorns hundreds of yards high. A thin but persistent line of silver sand defines the edge between the Demon City and the Spawning Forest. When brass trees are added (or removed), the border shifts accordingly, and the manse moves with it.
Curved edge of the plaza is mostly a six story high wall studded with windows, balconies, and iron staircases, like an apartment building with fire escapes, but there's no actual interior. Flying buttresses on the far side link up with a maze of archways, footpaths, and twisting alleyways between buildings arranged like an awkward attempt to tesselate regular pentagons. Apart from the Street of Weights and Measures, any path more than six feet wide within four or five miles of Sesus Xanin's manse slopes at least 30 degrees. Various 'hilly' routes wide enough for wagons can be traced from the plaza down to docks for acid-resistant ships amid the flooded ruins almost a quarter mile below. One such route includes a cable-car which the Reverent Society of Reflective Foresters use to haul extracted lumber. Several others include minecart tracks which drummer-goblins seem to use more for violent, high-speed recreation than any practical purpose.
Taking the direction toward the thorny, brazen jungle as "east," there's an archipelago of iron domes atop irregular towers to the "north," like camshafts where each brass gear-tooth is a townhouse, tangled together by basalt fanbelt-bridges. Some of the domes might be big enough to park the Manta inside, but you wouldn't have much mortal-safe floor space to work with, and the good spots are probably already occupied. On the other hand, it also looks like a richer neighborhood, so easier access to customers. Could fly down through the chasms between those towers, find a spot to park among the acid-flooded ruins directly underneath the Street of Weights and Measures. There's a mile-high stone pillar about fifteen miles "south." Central shaft is between five hundred and a thousand feet wide, squarish, oddly twisted with barbs and ridges that might make it relatively easy to climb, if not for the fact that vast quantities of molten glass spurt out the top at unpredictable intervals. The demonic dick volcano is surrounded by a broad, shallow cone of ash and scree, encrusted with irregular cubes ala https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habitat_67 There are probably plenty of lava tubes to choose from underneath, both spacious and easy to seal airtight. The obvious potential problem is how to deal with a flood of molten glass. Spawning Forest is too dense and the Manta is too big to fly between the trees without some serious demolition work, which might not be the best way to make your first impression on Hrotsvitha. Might be possible to park on top of the canopy, then use the starfish tent for living space, but it'd be an engineering challenge to set up a sufficiently stable platform. You'd be very exposed that way, but on the other hand, if something did go wrong, there'd be no overhang to interfere with a quick takeoff.
>>
No. 927757 ID: 2007b6

>>926220
Three weeks of sitting around in the common room, eight hours a day, six days a week, trying to politely explain things to everyone, could count as training time for your first dot of Socialize.
>>
No. 927762 ID: 2007b6

>>927309
>>927389
>>927510
The Street of Weights and Measures was only a few minutes away as the Manta flies, but even with that Horn Of The Ways and Stepmother Boots that's still a full hour's hike, across tangled bridges overgrown with leaden moss, then through oddly-angled alleyways which pinch themselves shut as soon as you've passed. Turns out to be quicker for UWD to carry the Aalu on her back, since it's by far the slowest (three yards per tick across level ground, while everyone else can comfortably manage at least eight) and only weighs as much as a small child or large dog.

UWD's Horn of the Ways can only create a clear path for four builder bugs at once when she's also bringing FFE and the Aalu along. Majority of the bugs end up strung out in a long loose line, serving as redundant communication relays between the scouting party and two beetles back inside the base - one alternately adding further reinforcement to the dome or fetching parts and reagents for COD, the other hibernating in their actual resinous hive inside the Manta. Builder Bug telepathic network can cross airtight seals easily, unlike Wind-Carried Words Technique.

Similar to forests in the uttermost East, the demon city doesn't seem to have a well-defined "ground level;" buildings just get denser and darker, overlapping black stone causeways thicker and more tangled, parks and rooftop gardens smaller and further apart, until eventually, down far enough, the green sun isn't visible at all. Occasional chasms hundreds of yards deep reveal flooded ruins further below.

The Street of Weights and Measures is not, as one might hope, home to a government bureau in charge of keeping merchants from 'recalibrating' their scales in order to underpay for grain and overcharge for bread. In fact, there don't seem to be any government offices, checkpoints, or visible blockades at all, unless you count that huge pagoda-shaped manse at the nearer end. Rather, the Street of Weights and Measures is a forty yard wide, possibly thousands of miles long, elaborate interlocking series of pressure-plate-activated traps.
>>
No. 927870 ID: 54735b

Integrity 1st Dot: Training Time 3 weeks exp cost 3 exp

Integrity 2nd Dot: Training Time 1 Week, 2 exp cost

Socialize 3rd dot: Training Time Instant 3 exp

Bureaucracy 4th Dot: Instant, 5 exp

Total Cost 13 exp/17 (with this post included)

Primary method by which training is happening:

Engaging with trade directly, getting more of a feel about how the prices logically flow, and getting more used to standing her ground firmly against persuasive fellows.
>>
No. 927872 ID: 54735b

Things I forgot to train up:
Investigation 2nd dot: 1 xp
Investigation 3rd dot: 3 xp
>>
No. 927909 ID: e4aa95

rolled 4, 3, 3, 4, 2, 8, 7, 10, 4, 4, 4, 2, 5, 1, 8, 7, 2, 9, 3, 10, 6, 9, 10, 8, 9, 8, 8, 3, 6, 6 = 173

>>927762
>The Street of Weights and Measures was only a few minutes away as the Manta flies
That'll be the route which Fanged Flair Effulgence takes. "I'll keep an eye on you from the sky," he ties up the skirt of his robe, "If you need me to come down, you know the signal!" FFE approaches the edge. He does a few stretches, spreads his wings wide and then doubles over backwards and wraps his wings around his ankles, then dives down into the architecture soup below.

During UWD's trudge FFE is always in sight, diving and banking under arches and through various openings, sometimes sitting on a ledge to rest. He's clearly having the time of his life, though he never strays too far. Practically, he's on the lookout for any bandit hideouts or thugs or anything else that might be the cause for the holdup.

When the Street of Weights and Measures is reached, he flutters down and lands. Winded and showing a giddy excitement that only tends to come out when he's spent an extended amount of time frolicking through the sky, "Well...what do you think, Dell? How do they even travel on this road? Maybe we should go visit the manse up there, might be somebody who can tell us what's going on."

For the sake of my curiosity, FFE will also try dropping a chunk of stone on one of the pressure plates from a safe distance.
>>
No. 927914 ID: 2007b6

>>927909
>dropping a chunk of stone on one of the pressure plates from a safe distance
>Perception 4, Awareness 0, Craft (Earth) 0, Larceny 0
>rolled 4, 3, 3, 4, 2
There's a soft click, some mechanical squealing and grinding, then the entire building where you were standing abruptly flips over. Everything on the roof not somehow secured plummets a quarter mile into a vile, caustic greenish-black lake.
>Dexterity 11, Athletics 0, wings mutation
>rolled 8, 7, 10, 4, 4, 4, 2, 5, 1, 8, 7
Fortunately you regain your bearings long before the descent is complete. Fluttering back up and peeking in through a window on the recently inverted structure, you see a jumbled heap of fine furniture, an Angyalka, a Chrysogona, three human ghosts in frilly servants' uniforms, and a roughly humanoid (three left arms, no right arm or leg) demon you can't readily identify. The Chrysogona shrieks "Was that you? Thanks a lot, asshole, we were in the middle of a game of Gateway!" while the unidentified demon crawls out from under an overstuffed armchair and yawns like a cobra, revealing a tongue of violet fire.
>>
No. 927928 ID: 094652

rolled 6, 8, 10, 4, 5, 8, 8, 2, 3, 9, 5, 6, 10, 5, 6, 5, 7, 8, 4, 9, 3, 5, 5, 2, 5, 1, 1, 8, 10, 1 = 169

Embri was going to infiltrate the city and construct some secret rooms and escape routes for her comrades, but after witnessing Fang accidentally cow-tip an entire building, she decides someone needs to have a serious talk with him first. But he won't listen if he's busy healing from a shattered skeleton; time to defuse this rabble.

Embri walks up from the side to the Angyalka, whose song sounds like a clowder of catfolk orphans are recreating an orchestra from the imperial capital with garbage instruments and adorable meowing noises, introduces herself as her disguise, and asks about what happened. Why, Embri is quite amazed that a mere fool could tip an entire building by drawing stick figures or somesuch on the wall, how did he do it?
(Join Debate, planning to manipulate the crowd into believing it's not entirely this fool's fault that the building was explicitly designed to troll people)
>>
No. 927935 ID: afdebc

rolled 4, 10, 5, 10, 3, 10, 6, 9, 7, 2, 3, 8, 4, 3, 2, 3, 6, 8, 5, 10, 8, 10, 9, 7, 6 = 158

>>927657
Hmm, okay. So "Embri"'s main failings are too much booze and sex to be respectable, although given Flair's ability to drink like a fish, and Cathak's behavior, neither of those is really unusual for this group. Probably offends the chaplin and his sky-high temperance as a matter of course, though.

>>927762
>Turns out to be quicker for UWD to carry the Aalu on her back
Physical contact is probably necessary in any event if we're using the Horn of the Ways, since it explicitly doesn't work for anyone who loses sight of the user.

>Rather, the Street of Weights and Measures is a forty yard wide, possibly thousands of miles long, elaborate interlocking series of pressure-plate-activated traps.
>somebody's been interfering with traffic along the Way of Weights and Measures
>"Well...what do you think, Dell? How do they even travel on this road?
"Well, unless someone rebuilt the entire road, it's supposed to be this way."

>the entire building where you were standing abruptly flips over
Bells ringing out, Dell twirls to the side, rushing out along a horizontal clothesline between buildings (or the malfean equivalent. Whatever those are, drying clothes don't normally wiggle so frequently) carrying herself and the demon on her back onto sturdier terrain and away from the rather-less-graceful backflip the ground insisted on indulging.

Using the Wicked Stepmother Boots to substitute performance for athletics, stunting in an exit route usable with the Gem of Elemental Travel.

Rolling Performance 7 + Under Fire 2 + Dexterity 5 + Stunt.
>>
No. 927943 ID: e4aa95

rolled 2, 4, 10, 4, 3, 8, 2, 6, 10, 3, 8, 6, 5, 8, 7, 8, 2, 2, 2, 5, 1, 7, 10, 6, 2, 6, 2, 8, 4, 5 = 156

>>927935
>all those successes
I'm going to pre-emptively assume that UWD made it to safety. FFE will wave to her.

>"Was that you? Thanks a lot, asshole, we were in the middle of a game of Gateway!"
>>927928
FFE was about to throw out a perfectly-delivered lie that would absolve him of all responsibility, when one of the mortals showed up out of nowhere and started apologizing for him. "Wh...excuse me? Don't try to pin this on me, you're the one who pushed the plate." Join debate, trying to shift the blame to Embri.
>>
No. 927944 ID: e4aa95

>>927943
Wits + Awareness is...one dot total, haha. On the bright side, he's got Charisma 5 and Socialize 3.
>>
No. 927960 ID: 094652

rolled 5, 10, 10, 10, 2, 9, 8, 4, 3, 4, 3, 5, 5, 2, 3, 4, 9, 6, 1, 7, 3, 2, 8, 8, 7, 4, 8, 4, 1, 7 = 162

"... What plate?"

Embri may have slightly blundered but she won't take the heat. Deflect back: if he's innocent, how would he know exactly what triggered the building tip? And defuse: Why would poking ONE piece of tableware cause the entire building to do a stunt? Shouldn't there be more safeguards? Maybe the system was frayed from the start. Note: Embri was casing the city outside when the building tipped over, she saw Fang jump out a window and instead of a look of relief, he winced as if he were guilty. She could have sworn he was holding something in his hand but that's just conjecture to her.
>>
No. 927968 ID: e4aa95

rolled 7, 2, 2, 7, 9, 7, 1, 8, 8, 4, 7, 4, 9, 6, 1, 4, 7, 9, 5, 10, 7, 8, 3, 5, 7, 2, 1, 5, 2, 6 = 163

FFE is having trouble coming up with a good counter-argument, so he'll roll with it. "Well, I wasn't anywhere near the street when it happened. And if you say it wasn't your fault, maybe the building flipped of its own accord. I wouldn't be surprised. How often do those pressure plates get maintained? If I were you, I'd take it up with whoever is in charge around here. I can help with that, actually. My name's Fanged Flair Effulgence, I solve legal disputes."
>>
No. 927991 ID: afdebc

>>926058
It's been pointed out Lute has more XP than I thought she did, so adding on to downtime training.

First, while planning and coordinating demon scouting teams with Red and Gold, Lute will express a hope at avoiding trouble, giving him an opportunity to activate Verdant Emptiness Endowment for her first dot in dodge. Assuming he cooperates, I'll add the following:

3 XP, Dodge 0 to 1 (one scene)
4 XP, Dodge 1 to 3 (instant)
9 XP, Absence (2 days)
9 XP, Duck Fate (3 days)
>>
No. 928021 ID: 2007b6

>>927928
Only way Embri could be there that quickly is by putting an hour of wear on the Windblade while tailing FFE. Without further upgrades, the Optical Shroud is useless against superhuman hearing - which both FFE and the Aalu have - or when moving at high speeds, though fortunately the windblade's movement doesn't count for that.
>rolled 6, 8, 10, 4
Embri just barely manages to get the windblade under control and pull out of that dive after the building flips over, then sneakily cruise back up and land inside. Might be wise to schedule some training in the Ride skill before your aerobatic luck runs out.

>>927935
No clothesline, but there's a sinewy brass cable twisted around the pivot-point, connected to a triumphal arch over an otherwise insignificant alley, where elaborate bas-reliefs commemorate humiliating and/or lethal pranks in which this specific trap played a role. Special prominence is given to occasions where the victim was one of the Fair Folk, a god, or a celestial exalt - and in accompanying Old Realm text those last are very consistently referred to as "exalted," rather than "anathema" or any other term the Immaculate Philosophy would approve of.
>>
No. 928048 ID: 2007b6

>>926885
The naneke has no prior business more urgent than the opportunities your arrival presents, and as such gladly agrees to follow Bridget anywhere not involving a significant risk of death.
>>
No. 928059 ID: c08110

rolled 9, 6, 4, 9, 4, 5, 2, 1, 8, 2, 4, 7, 4, 6, 4, 3, 5, 8, 1, 10, 5, 5, 9, 8, 3, 4, 3, 5, 3, 5 = 152

>>926885
>>928048
>>927619

Bridget waits.
The first hour passes, then the second. The sun never sets, of course, hanging pridefully in the sky, as if to say to it's upstart creation "Look upon me and know your flaws." However, the demons do have ways to tell time, and at the screams of the Tomescu, the Scholar puts an end to it's first "lesson". Bridget, having fashioned a sign for anyone who wishes to find her, sets out in search to the Disciple of Mela, worried that she has not returned. Approaching the line, she sees that only a dozen or so patrons have moved forward in line, allowing her to return to the demons she had previously stood between, and question their talkative armor about the Monks whereabouts.

"Two immaculate monks spoke to each other nearby. I need to know where each went."

Mechanically, Bridget is training the Naneke in Craft (fire), and activating CNNT along with 9 dice using the first craft excellency to forge a sign in case the DoM, or others wishing to find Bridget, return to the pre-determined waiting point.

Then Bridget is using a social attack to get information about the whereabouts of Sesus Xanin and, more importantly (to her) the Disciple of Mela. I assume Charisma + presence (or socialize, not like it matters), with penalties from using her voice, if that's applicable for sentient armor.

Assuming 12 hours of waiting, and the base 4 per hour mote recovery for light activity, since she's training, that would be 48 motes recovered, + 24 from a 1 dot hearthstone, for a total of 72 motes recovered.

Activating CNNT for 7 motes 1WP, and first craft excellency for 9 motes, means Bridget is sitting pretty at 21/36/3 (If I earned a stunt, bump that to 21/36/4).
>>
No. 928100 ID: afdebc

rolled 9, 4, 3, 6, 5, 8, 10, 8, 4, 3 = 60

>in accompanying Old Realm text those last are very consistently referred to as "exalted," rather than "anathema" or any other term the Immaculate Philosophy would approve of.
The demon-writing is heretical. What a surprise.

>Embri
Dell is rather surprised to see that a mortal comp follower would disregard the poison air, successfully pursue their group across the demon city, much less that she did so flying. Perhaps... this is some kind of trick? A demon wearing her shape?

While maybe-Embri and Flair engage with the demons in the building across the cable, Dell will quickly check with the Builder Bugs to see if Embri is still back at base, or if they ever saw her leave. She's also ask the Aalu if it sees hears anything off about her, while she looks on suspiciously at the proceedings across the alley.

Rolling Awareness 1 + Perception 3 + Stunt
>>
No. 928105 ID: e4aa95

rolled 6, 4, 2, 5, 9, 3, 6, 6, 5, 4, 5, 7, 9, 9, 3, 9, 9, 10, 6, 1, 5, 10, 4, 5, 4, 3, 7, 2, 9, 8 = 175

>>927619
>elephant-sized scorpion
DoM will approach the scorpion, waving the silk robes around in one hand as a signal and holding out her begging bowl in the other.
>>
No. 928120 ID: c08110

>>928100
>Dell is rather surprised to see that a mortal
What would these poor creatures do without her? Angel happily obliges, using measure the wind to evaluate Embri and see if she really is the same, or if some other creature has stolen her voice and wears her smell.

"Mortal? No, she wields essence, same as any of you. Master is the only one who's soul has soared higher. This one though, Embri, her scent is the same, her heartbeats are all in time. Those of the Flute Kite and the Sigil's Dreamer are not terribly dangerous when properly prepared; avoid the Crying Womans bite and you all should have little to fear."
>>
No. 928123 ID: c08110

rolled 7, 10, 4, 8, 1, 6, 10, 9, 5, 7, 3, 6, 9, 9, 1, 5, 6, 2, 4, 2, 9, 10, 1, 7, 6, 9, 1, 8, 9, 6 = 180

>>928120
>>
No. 928132 ID: 2007b6

>>928059
>"Two immaculate monks spoke to each other nearby. I need to know where each went."
Nobody claims to have seen Sesus Xanin, even those who were clearly witnesses to the duel. The crowd agrees that your description of her is consistent with rumors of the new owner of the manse, but anyone wearing a golden crown would almost certainly not be an Immaculate monk - they're sworn to poverty, and usually dress in modest robes rather than heavy armor.

The actual monk was seen leaving the manse, and then striding off purposefully into the Endless Desert with a bundle of very fine silk clothing ("When you've crawled around under as many different outfits as I have," says one Living Armor, "you learn to recognize the good stuff.")

You've also successfully forged a fine brass signpost out of scrap lumber. The naneke is dutiful and attentive, as a student should be, but all their actions have a slight edge of repressed impatience.
>>
No. 928138 ID: 8d924c

>>927269
Red and Gold clambers up to the roof after Rivers, nodding as he hears mention of her wish to be more. His anima blazes into being, crackling green flame in an echo of the constant blazing of the sun that hung over their heads as he grants another favor.

"Well, you say you'd like to hear a life story? Here's one about a young man born in the First Age. There were any number of small villages like his dotted all over Creation, which in those days was larger. Of course, he had no idea what most of Creation was like. Like most mortals, he never travelled far from where he was born. He was taught to obey the Solar Exalted, as rulers of Creation, followed by the other Celestial Exalted, as their companions."

"He lived an ordinary life, for most of it, until one day there was a messenger sent to the village. You see, the village was on land that it had been decided was going to be used in a Deliberative war game. Now, there's really no chance the village would survive that. The people could flee, but it wasn't likely they'd last long, away from the only place they'd ever known. And so the young man pleaded for mercy. He begged, and wept, and when he was told nothing could be done, he went further, to the Exalted. And as each one he spoke before ignored his request, he went higher, and higher, to those who had no intent to even listen. He put his life in danger to speak before the Solar whose plans the war games were part of. And at that point, he was sought out by the shard of a Solar Exaltation."

"Perhaps you'd think there was a happy ending, but really, it was considered very embarrassing. They tried to brush the whole thing under the rug, as it were. The plans for the war games were altered ever so slightly to avoid the village, but they still went on. And the young man was pressed to speak little of it to anyone. And that was that. Until the Calibration feast."

Red and Gold looks at Rivers, curious to see how she responds to the story.
(Activating VEE twice, that's 20m, -2 WP. Takes me to the 11 mote anima level. Bright enough to read by. Stunts should be restoring willpower.)
>>
No. 928139 ID: 54735b

"Look, I don't care which one of you assholes hit the trap, I just want an apology, and for one of you to get some replacement parts, so that this cheating floozy can't get a loaded set." The Chrysogona clearly remained pissed, but was clearly left without a clear target to be pissed at.

The Angyalka and the unidentified demon were staying back from the main argument.
>>
No. 928140 ID: 54735b

Rivers, for her part, didn't interupt the story. After all, for as much as that wasn't what she was asking for (and her face showed that she knew exactly what he was trying to do)

But, as the story was wrapped up, she had some comments. "Well, that was a nice story Red. Or course, even if we do reincarnate, you're still a different person than whoever you were before the Shogunate, and what I had asked for was your life story.

"Of course, I was mostly setting you up to tell a big amusing lie about being raised in a tribe of humans scavenging off of whatever demons use for food deep in the bowels of hell or something, so props for honesty at least."

But, she leaned over and offered Red and Gold a side hug. "You do still need to work on your lying. I know that it's not something you learn as a sorcerer technician, but part of my job is filtering through all degrees of bullshit."
>>
No. 928175 ID: 094652

rolled 2, 7, 5, 4, 1, 5, 8, 8, 6, 2, 9, 9, 5, 4, 1, 10, 10, 5, 2, 1, 2, 1, 6, 7, 9, 8, 2, 6, 7, 10 = 162

Embri takes in another deep breath from the mask connected to the highly visible oxygen tank on her back. Then she is quick to respond, huffing in periods:

>>928139
"It is my purpose to serve. Unfortunately I- don't know which Gateway game you refer to, let alone the machinery used to play. Is it the game where you punch a ball through a bright spatial portal and try to hit the other player's side? (Trying to get the demons to order one of their number to accompany her to wherever she needs to go to get replacements... and when they're relatively alone she can grill them for info and wipe their minds)

>>928138
"And I'm sure the young man appreciated the effects of his personal efforts -or something whatever- followed by a wide range of... hm... career options to spend the rest of his young life with. Good story. Perhaps you can tell me more stories while you help me carry the replacement equipment for these delegates."

>>928120
"And you. Check your calibration, I maintain essence-related artifacts as best I can but I'm not an essence savant. I'm a mechanic at heart and... being here, it has been an unfortunate mistake on my part. I just wanted to see what we spent weeks journeying towards before we moved on. Let's just fix the gaming equipment so we can get back to exploring the town, and will you please stop listing off various 'facts' about us that you get from scanning our bodies without permission?! It's. Not. Polite.
>>
No. 928204 ID: f7addf

rolled 2, 3, 5, 9, 1, 8, 8, 7, 2, 10, 8, 7, 5, 2, 3, 2, 6, 3, 9, 8, 3, 4, 3, 1, 5, 7, 5, 3, 5, 2 = 146

>>928132
>You've also successfully forged a fine brass signpost out of scrap lumber. The naneke is dutiful and attentive, as a student should be, but all their actions have a slight edge of repressed impatience.

Before leaving, Bridget discusses her plan, so the student does not lose her.

"I will search for the Disciple of Mela, immaculate monk. If she has no bone wine, I will need yours. When the Tomescu next call, I shall leave. If present, you may join. If not, I shall be in the nameless village, ready to teach what and when I am able. Be cautions, you will be directed to stay away.

>The actual monk was seen leaving the manse, and then striding off purposefully into the Endless Desert
As Bridget leaps after her, the solar's blazing golden anima erupts in the crowd, despite the warning from the Prince of the Earth fresh upon her skin. Bridget wonders why she would do this- does she mean to cross the endless desert and abandon her fellows? It seems that sooner or later this strange realm drives everyone to madness.

Activating Mountain Crossing Leap and spending 6 motes on 3 successes from the Second Survival Excellency.

Totals:
21/20/4
(This assumes I got a 2 dice stunt last time and a 2 dice stunt this time, and used both to get WP back).
>>
No. 928294 ID: afdebc

rolled 2, 10, 10, 8, 7, 1, 6, 10, 8, 7, 5, 2, 10, 6, 7, 9, 4, 9, 9, 1 = 131

>>928175
Probably should disregard the second paragraph, there. Rivers and Red and Gold aren't even in the same 12-mile hex on the map, and may not even be having that conversation on the same day since it's happening in downtime.

>>928120
>"Mortal? No, she wields essence, same as any of you. Master is the only one who's soul has soared higher. This one though, Embri, her scent is the same, her heartbeats are all in time. Those of the Flute Kite and the Sigil's Dreamer are not terribly dangerous when properly prepared; avoid the Crying Womans bite and you all should have little to fear."

>will you please stop listing off various 'facts' about us that you get from scanning our bodies without permission?! It's. Not. Polite.
"Belay that," an indignant Dell growls. "You were ordered to act as a scout, and scouting does not politely honor privacy."

Turning sharply on Embri and advancing, "You are either dead, a liar who has not been true about who she is with us, or both!"

Waxwing Dell is visibly upset, sick at heart, and doing her best to ignore the ear splitting racket produced by the restless long-fingered demon.

The angyalkae music is getting to Unhappy Wood DB, and unfortunately for Embri, her seeing betray and deception have given UWD something to project on.

"Those who are discontented with themselves find the music painful, whether it confirms their secret fears, rekindles unsettled heartache or tears at the cracks in their carefully constructed emotional walls."


Not sure what I'm rolling for (UWD doesn't have great pools for social combat), but have some dice.
>>
No. 928318 ID: 2007b6

>>928204
The naneke grabs Bridget just as she's winding up for the jump. "Master, wait! Even a single step into the Endless Desert means committing to a journey that will almost always take at least five days to complete. Can the sick man who needed this bonewine afford to wait that long?"
>>
No. 928321 ID: 54735b

>>928175

"Alright, let me talk at a speed that you can understand, since you're dumb enough to walk out here as 'Just a mortal' without one of those garish masks that your kind wears, or that anyone would believe that if you aren't dead by the end of the week, I can buy you wouldn't know what gateway is."

"I!"

"Want!"

"YOU!"

"To!"

"Get!"

"One!"

"Of!"

"Those!"

"Games!"

"SMART!"

"People!"

"Play!"

The Chrysogona was focusing her attention on Embri, tossing every word like it was a sharpened dagger that was intended to kill its recipient.

"If you can't figure it out, then ask anybody, it's almost universal."
>>
No. 928353 ID: 11ac82

rolled 9, 5, 9, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 2, 5, 1, 6, 3, 1, 7, 3, 7, 3, 6, 8, 1, 1, 1, 5, 4, 1, 6, 2, 3, 1 = 125

>>928175
>Check your calibration,
>stop listing off various 'facts' about us that you get from scanning our bodies without permission?!

>>928294
>"Belay that,"
>"You are either dead, a liar who has not been true about who she is with us, or both!"

"Understood. Is Embri considered a subordinate to Fanged Flair Effulgence? If so, your orders still take precedence over hers, until we return to camp, Fanged Flair Effulgence says otherwise, or master changes my directive.
And, I know it must be difficult for you all, but she doesn't sound dead, and her soul shard should protect her from the miasma. Unless you mean that she is dead because you intend to kill her? Regardless, I would like to get down, so I may weave a recording of our journey thus far; I don't want to waste a meal when the harpist upsets you."
>>
No. 928354 ID: 96c545

rolled 9, 7, 8, 7, 9, 7, 8, 1, 4, 6, 10, 9, 8, 8, 9, 2, 7, 4, 10, 2, 6, 7, 8, 4, 8, 10, 3, 4, 10, 6 = 201

>Mortal? No, she wields essence,
>Those who are discontented with themselves find the music painful
>Waxwing Dell is visibly upset
Flair is beset with flashbacks of his terrifying fight with an anathema, the painful recovery, all the time he spent gazing forlornly into a mirror...
"Stop yelling, all of you! Stop!" He turns to the demon, "Not another word from you. Or I'll shove your Gateway pieces down your throat. And you!" He looks at the angyalkae, "You can stop whatever the hell you're doing." Charisma 5 Presence 3 + whatever bonus appearance 0 gives to scare everybody into shutting up.

FFE will take a deep breath and say to Embri, "Meet me down by Dell so we can talk this over, civilly."
>>
No. 928421 ID: c93dbf

rolled 7, 6, 7, 8, 5, 8, 3, 5, 4, 4, 3, 1, 8, 2, 9, 2, 3, 5, 1, 10, 8, 1, 8, 5, 2, 8, 5, 5, 9, 3 = 155

>>928318
Bridget sighs. Returning without the Disciple of Mela will not go well.

Luckily the sign is still standing- if the monk returns to the area, she may find it, and await Bridgets return.

"Appreciated. I shall purchase your stock, and attend to my patient. Payment will be rendered in town, in your preferred method."

Bridget of course has no way of knowing that the demon is telling the truth- luckily for her, she isn't currently being exploited into leaving behind the DoM. Unluckily for her, she won't be able to gain the Immaculate's trust now. It is unlikely they will allow her to treat their wounds until they cannot resist. Hopefully there is time enough still.
>>
No. 928422 ID: c93dbf

>>928421
This is Bridget, not Angel.
>>
No. 928508 ID: 20c674

rolled 7, 1, 9, 4, 2, 8, 1, 3, 10, 3, 6, 2, 9, 6, 4, 5, 9, 5, 7, 5, 2, 7, 2, 8, 10, 4, 5, 9, 9, 8 = 170

It's been an eventful week! Between drawing offensive pictures on any road she can find, Malice has been spending plenty of time with her cute sifu, picking up Torn Lotus Defense and raising her Martial Arts skill to 3. She's also put some effort into learning the local language. And since Lute Silhouette Speculation in Comet's Reflection seems to be such a fount of knowledge, Malice asked her for lessons, emerging from the shadows when Lute was alone.
(4xp for dot in linguistics assuming Lute is willing to help, 8 for the charm, 6 for the dot in MA, total 18)
>>
No. 928522 ID: 2007b6

>>928421
>[Bridget] won't be able to gain the Immaculate's trust now
Could try begging Sesus Xanin to come back with you. She can confirm that the Disciple of Mela's poor sense of direction isn't your fault. As un-exalted believers in the Immaculate Philosophy, they'd consider it a sin to disobey her, and she's got the social skills to make that stick.

You haven't currently got any obvious ability to make her do things she doesn't want to do, but not all conversation is social combat. You could try just stating the facts, pointing out that it may take less than an hour of her time (and little or no real effort) to save the Disciple of Hesiesh's life, see if that pings any virtue compulsions - or even enlightened self-interest.
>>
No. 928565 ID: 8d924c

>>928140
Red and Gold manages to stop himself flinching away from contact, and allows himself to be hugged, awkwardly.

"I would prefer we not discuss Lookshy. Is there anything else you'd like to know? Perhaps I can help you with some local problems? Or maybe you can help me, for that matter, if you'd be interested in working together. As long as you aren't too concerned about working with demons. I still need to handle the local gods and elementals. I haven't heard so much as a peep from them, which is suspicious."

>>927991
(Reasonable that this happened during downtime. I'm also gonna spend the 3 xp for that first dot in Socialize, since JL said the explanations every evening would have counted for training that.)
>>
No. 928575 ID: c8a0f5

"I mean, I don't know why I'd be uncomfortable working with demons in the first place, but anything to help out a friend. Just so long as I don't have to transform, since that's a lot of the reason I'm just kind of hanging out and waiting tables.

"That said, I don't even know how to talk to gods."
>>
No. 928585 ID: 8d924c

>>928575
"Oh, talking to gods is easy, once you get them to stop hiding. They're not so much more complicated than mortals. They're just more arrogant, what with being naturally immaterial. My only problem is that I can't currently hunt them all down if they're laying low. Elementals are easier. They're usually material."
>>
No. 928588 ID: c8a0f5

"Okay, but how do I help, that's the real issue here."
>>

rolled 9, 4, 10, 7, 4, 7, 8, 5, 8, 1 = 63

>>928508
Lute is more than willing to teach a language to the Green Sun Princess (I Malice is interested in Rivertongue, for talking to Rivers? Ohohoh. Lute also knows Skytongue or Pelagial (primordial mermaid tongue) if Malice was interested in something different).

"Why don't we practice then, and get to know each other better? Tell me about yourself, your past perhaps, or your hopes and dreams."
>>
No. 928609 ID: 73331d

>Malice is interested in Rivertongue, for talking to Rivers? Ohohoh.
Malice squints at Lute, and says Rivertongue is good. But mermaid speak is very tempting.

>Tell me about yourself
Malice produces a jar of preserve, probably picked up in the aftermath of the village's mad rush to gather food. "Wanna hear how I became a green sun princess? One day I was really hungry. Hungry enough to swipe a jar full of this weird pasty stuff you people eat. I flapped off into the mountains so I could eat in peace. But there was a problem! I couldn't get the stupid thing open! I tried and tried. Just when I had given up, a demon appeared and said 'come and take up the mantle of the princess of the green sun, and you shall never again lack the strength to open a jar!'" Malice sets the jar down on the ground and tries to twist the lid, unsuccessfully. "As you can see it was a big scam."

>hopes and dreams
"Back before I exalted it was just 'What am I going to eat today? Where will I sleep? How cold is it going to get?' Now that I don't need to worry about any of that anymore, I'm kinda at a loss. I don't want to have to worry about anything again. How's that for a dream?" Seems like there's more that she's not saying, especially considering that bullshit origin story, but Lute will have to do some social-fu if she really wants to draw it out.

"So what about you? Also, where can I get one of those nifty mirror things?"

Note - I've been corrected on the xp costs. Looks like it'll all be about 13 in total.
>>
No. 928685 ID: afdebc

>So what about you?
"My own past was more sheltered; my people were protected and loved, and we loved in return. Until one day I awoke to the power to make things better, and could not hide from a wider world in need of help."

>where can I get one of those nifty mirror things?
"Deep within the madness of the furthest wyld, one might find a scorpion, its body an ocean of teeth, larger than the whole of Creation itself. All around this maelstrom can be heard the ceaseless clicking of countless mandibles, and in the incessant din- whispers of any listener's deepest fears. This is Ishiika, the grass-cutter scythe, and the last reliable sightings (if any can be said to be reliable) date back to its use as a weapon in the last great crusade of the fae, before the founding of the Realm."

Caressing the notably-small-than-creation scorpion shaped mirror in her lap "The Shard Fallen from Ishiika's Eye. If the name is to be believed, this is but the smallest of teardrops left behind by a creature larger than the world. Or perhaps it is merely a masterwork shaped in tribute to the shaping-sword, I cannot say, the truth has been lost to history. In either event, I can only imagine the scope of the adventure it would be to obtain another."
>>
No. 928687 ID: 094652

rolled 8, 7, 6, 2, 5, 3, 2, 4, 8, 9, 10, 2, 7, 1, 7, 1, 5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 4, 10, 8, 10, 2, 3, 7, 6, 3 = 151

>>928294
"Why yes I am a liar. I make eight lies a day to keep my mind healthy in this world of intrigue and violence. For I am a loyal servant of a prospering lady, with a loving and gentle husband. That was a lie.

Now guess which part was the lie.

Unless you will fix all my burdens for free, I don't want to list every single one. The same would go for anyone here. Unless you wish to yell and accuse us all of whatever lies we may have causally spoken in our past lives. Hm, was there a lie in that paragraph?"

(Manipulate Dell into realizing she's blowing this out of proportion and needs to CALM the @#$% down before she can properly accuse Embri of anything)
>>
No. 928696 ID: 6d6f3f

rolled 10, 7, 4, 3, 4, 3, 5, 5, 9, 4, 7, 10, 7, 1, 8, 1, 1, 4, 8, 9, 6, 1, 4, 7, 4, 5, 5, 4, 4, 4 = 154

>>928687
"Embri, it's been nice traveling with you but we no longer have need of your services. I'm sure you won't have too much trouble finding a different ride out of here."

"Dell. Just drop it, okay? We have bigger fish to fry!"

Trying to convince these two to part ways without coming to blows.
>>
No. 928714 ID: afdebc

rolled 10, 2, 3, 10, 6, 9, 6, 4, 10, 9, 10, 4, 1, 2, 2 = 88

Dell takes a shuddering breath, bells chiming, and allows herself to be pulled back from slugging the mocking traitor by her boss. It helps that the aggravating music has let up- the harpist having fled at Flair's lambasting.

Emitting a soft tintinnabulation of restrained tension the wood aspect growls "Just say the word, and I'll kick her ass. She deserves it."

(Rolling for a performance based social attack maybe? Pushing the point that Embri deserves what's coming for her treachery and deceit).
>>
No. 928731 ID: 20092e

rolled 6, 4, 9, 2, 8, 2, 9, 1, 8, 7, 7, 6, 3, 10, 7, 9, 1, 4, 10, 3, 10, 3, 2, 6, 3, 9, 5, 6, 10, 8 = 178

>>928522
Hm. The prince of the Earth is liable to carve through Bridget like wire through clay. If she can make her case first it might go better, otherwise she just has to hope she can make her escape. Surely though a dragon blooded would secure the trust of the monks and let her tend to them, so she has to try.

Standing outside the temple walls, Bridget burbles, her towering hight producing a strange, river like voice, unnatural and unsettling to all who hear it. She calls out for her ally turned foe after an eon of internment.

"Chosen of Pasiap, if you care for your town, Immaculate teachings, or common folk, return to the Nameless village. Follow me and save them, unless you fear your sword would fail to a trap, and that I would best you. Come alone."

Bridget wants Xanin to follow her into the woods, so she can explain the situation and secure her help in regaining the immaculates trust. Mechanically it seems like a manipulate/charisma + presence roll, but I think regardless of mechanics it might be in character for Xanin to follow or respond somehow.
>>
No. 928753 ID: 54735b

rolled 8, 1, 5, 5, 8, 2, 5, 7, 2, 1, 10, 9, 8, 9, 2, 3, 9, 7, 1, 6, 6, 2, 8, 8, 4, 9, 9, 4, 5, 9 = 172

Sesus Xanin rarely felt moved to such anger as she was feeling now. Not only was the Anathema seemingly intent on throwing away her earlier mercy of just giving her a public asskicking and letting her run away, but she apparently thought so lowly of her that she was asking her to abandon her own men with no line of communication to go into a confirmed den of Anathema, doubtless to have several of them gang up on her in retaliation for the public humiliation, and she was trying to turn her soldiers against her by implying she doesn't care about the common people. Plus to top it all off, she had incorrectly deduced that the Dynast from a family that mostly produced fire aspected heirs wearing full Red Jade superheavy plate using a sword made out of fire was an earth aspected Prince of the Earth.

Clearly, she had been far too lenient. Although, the possibility that the Anathema might be the only person that can save them, she would have to send a Stomach Bottle Bug to help resolve that situation.

So, she let out her breath, her Green Jade Reaper Beamklave screaming into existence, as she launched herself off of her observation deck, kicking off of wall of the Manse to gain more speed.

This time there wouldn't be words, just one hero brutally slaying another, just as the Dragons had intended.
>>
No. 928828 ID: 20092e

rolled 2, 6, 6, 1, 8, 5, 1, 3, 1, 5, 10, 2, 6, 9, 10, 9, 5, 3, 8, 6, 2, 3, 9, 7, 7, 9, 6, 6, 4, 6 = 165

>>928753
With blinding speed Sesus Xanin laid low the errant solar. Although Bridget tried desparately to escape in the forest, Xanin made short work of her, leaving her body to be eaten by demons with a single flurry of blows.
Or so she thought.
The will of the Sun's chosen is hard to conquer, and bolstered by this, Bridget corrected the course of time. The worst of her wounds simply a mistake forgotten by the loom of fate, Bridget jumped into the treetops and fled. Even the mighty defenses of the manse could not find her through the trees, and so the Anathema escaped, beaten but not broken.

Mechanically, Bridget is activating MCL, and purchasing as many successes with the second survival excellency as she can. If the dice pool for navigation is (int+survival) then that's 5 successes.
>>
No. 928849 ID: 094652

rolled 6, 9, 10, 8, 1, 3, 2, 7, 9, 2, 4, 10, 1, 10, 2, 9, 2, 3, 5, 4, 3, 8, 3, 7, 8, 1, 6, 4, 4, 7 = 158

Embri activates her pheromones to project guilt, then quickly follows up with a social attack.

She pretends to act hurt, slightly heaving. Mostly because she is, in the same way a mosquito bite is to a knife stab; not truly damage, but the terror of plague and disease is psychologically worse. A few simple words for a simple servant:

"So that's it then? You bully anyone who comes to your friend's aid, and then YOU fire anyone she points fingers at? No wonder you two are so shortstaffed. I quit."

Hopefully there were some demons and crew left to witness that. Embri walks away into the buildings to continue her original plan: convincing the bugs to build secret passages with special markings, unknowingly helping any Autochthonians coming this way.
>>
No. 928931 ID: 2007b6

>>928849
>convincing the bugs to build secret passages
The builder bugs, controlled by the people who just fired you? How are you planning to retain access to them?
>>
No. 928970 ID: 094652

>>928931
Embri doesn't talk to them directly. She just makes some offhand comments about how any of these buildings could also be like giant dogs - eager to lie down and roll over with the fleas still inside. She also hides a seemingly official book on crafting emergency passageways in bookshelves within every building, a collection she crafted while on the ship. The bugs don't trust her, but the truth in her statement about the sheer danger of this place will give them enough pause to come up with plans of their own. Plans that will eventually involve finding the book that is clearly part of the standard code of construction. Plans that include writing a special symbol that only the bugs can see, and certainly not any Alchemicals or Autochthonians with scanner tech.

(Note that I cannot comprehend the level of manipulation that Embri is on so her execution of this plan is far more detailed)
>>
No. 928991 ID: afdebc

rolled 8, 5, 3, 4, 3, 10, 2, 10, 4, 1 = 50

Well, that just happened. Dell's entirely sure why that got to her as much as it did, but Embri has apparently been a spy and an exalt this entire time, not to mention insane. If anything, it's embarrassing the brotherhood allowed itself to fooled as long as it did.

Gonna count that whole mess as a scene towards building a negative intimacy towards Embri. (1/3)

The unhappy ranger is going going to order her builder bugs to pass word back to base "Embri was exalted, a spy, and she's fired" just in case she thinks to double back. Also, if they see the bad lady again, or she tries to talk to them, they're to tell her immediately.

In the meantime... we were supposed to be trying to figure out what was wrong with the street of deathtraps? Let's roll for perception + awareness, see if the argument and/or building flipping attracted any attention, or if anything impeding traffic stands out.
>>
No. 929000 ID: 8d924c

>>928588
"Depends. What are you good at? Can you fight? Can you LOOK like you can fight? Any good at tracking or scouting? I need a good idea of what the elementals in the area are doing, in response to their new surroundings, and then after that I'll probably have to push them around a little so that they don't cause trouble. That's just sort of expected, really. The gods are probably hiding, so until I've got a hold of a better way to drag them out I might not be able to do too much. Unless I summoned a few more teodozjia, possibly..."
>>
No. 929004 ID: 54735b

>>929000

"Well, I'm pretty good at fighting, but probably not really 'great' at it. But I'm really good at not dying. But I'm probably the best at tracking and scouting out there. But, I also don't want to spend too much time out of town, since I want to catch up with some people after the last few weeks."
>>
No. 929009 ID: 2007b6

>>928991
Argument doesn't seem to have attracted any significant attention. Almost all the locals - easy to recognize as they dance their way from one pressure plate to the next in some elaborate sequence without hesitation - who respond to questions in any useful way agree the choke point to worry about is that manse on the border with the Spawning Forest.

There's a semicircular plaza, hundreds of yards wide, with the manse as it's focal point. Plaza is studded with pits of near-frozen caustic sludge that are somehow safe to bathe in. Curved edge of the plaza is mostly a six story high wall studded with windows, balconies, and iron staircases, like an apartment building with fire escapes, but there's no actual interior. Flying buttresses on the far side link up with a maze of archways, footpaths, and twisting alleyways between buildings arranged like an awkward attempt to tesselate regular pentagons. Apart from the Street of Weights and Measures, any path more than six feet wide within four or five miles of the manse slopes at least 30 degrees. Various 'hilly' routes wide enough for wagons can be traced from the plaza down to docks for acid-resistant ships amid the flooded ruins almost a quarter mile below. One such route includes a cable-car which the Reverent Society of Reflective Foresters use to haul extracted lumber. Several others include minecart tracks which drummer-goblins seem to use more for violent, high-speed recreation than any practical purpose.

>order her builder bugs to pass word back to base "Embri was exalted, a spy, and she's fired"
After a few rounds of back-and-forth, the bugs have figured out that Embri was with you, out here, all along, so that wooden statue they found in her bunk probably isn't someone transformed by a curse. They have difficulty with the abstractions of business management and security clearance revocation, though. Do you want them to set fire to that statue, or not?
>>
No. 929015 ID: 094652

rolled 2, 5, 2, 6, 7, 10, 2, 2, 10, 3, 1, 9, 10, 6, 5, 5, 3, 5, 3, 10, 8, 6, 5, 5, 10, 5, 7, 10, 3, 5 = 170

>dance their way from one pressure plate to the next
Interesting.
Embri realizes this is a rudimentary form of modular workplaces; each group of workers knows the exact sequence of pressure plates to step on in order to manipulate the city itself into moving according to their respective job. In theory, since this process is prone to accidents if scheduling isn't done perfectly on time, each group's patterns should reset the layout and form according to their personal pattern. With enough observation, Embri should be able to invent her own patterns for manipulating the city to her will - and then she can transcribe these patterns as secret instructions on the walls with Autochthonian encryption.

And after that building caught her off guard, it's quite clear that she won't need to place her usual traps when she can make the entire city her [Whomp].

Rolling Perception+Awareness with Dragonfly Eye to secretly observe the patterns that the people use to manipulate the building hinges and derive the overall patterns behind them.

>Embri was a spy
Embri grumbles a little. You try helping someone in need and they immediately point fingers. Wiping their memories would have been relatively pointless with Dell's scanner constantly spewing biological trivia on her orders, so she'll trust that the angry screaming inquisitor is going to file a report and then the Scarlet Bureaucracy will file it under "emotional ravings" due to the level of emotion she will inevitably put into it.
BTW Embri gave a fake name when she went onboard in disguise, she's not that dumb.
>>
No. 929032 ID: afdebc

>>929009
"Well, we've found the problem. How do you want to handle this?" asked the ranger of the lawyer.

>Do you want them to set fire to that statue, or not?
"No. No arson, please. Leave the statue alone."

>>929015
>BTW Embri gave a fake name when she went onboard in disguise, she's not that dumb.
It would help if you provided said fake name, if you want us to refer to your character by it.
>>
No. 929055 ID: 8d924c

>>929004
"Oh, of course. No rush. They haven't shown any signs of being up to anything significant yet, and this village is where I've put the most effort. It's the most valuable bit, so far. I'll need more time to consolidate control over the rest. Unfortunately necessary, given the circumstances. Malfeas is the sort of place that doesn't really tolerate the absence of a strong claim."

Red and Gold begins making his way back to the ground, hopping from point to point until he's safely back on solid earth.
>>
No. 929068 ID: e4aa95

>guilt
>compassion 1
FFE shrugs. "I'm not sure what to make of all that. What was she after? We should keep a careful eye out."

>>929032
>the choke point to worry about is that manse
Did they say what was holding up traffic, exactly? FFE will mention that he's here to try to fix the holdup, so hopefully that'll get them talking. He'll also ask if anyone knows who's in charge of the place.

>"Well, we've found the problem. How do you want to handle this?"
"Go up there, ask around, gather more information. Then meet whoever's in control of that manse and present our cease and desist. Hey, are you okay?"
>>
No. 929069 ID: e4aa95

rolled 9, 3, 9, 6, 9, 4, 4, 7, 5, 3, 5, 2, 8, 5, 2, 6, 2, 10, 2, 9, 9, 7, 8, 10, 6, 10, 5, 2, 10, 10 = 187

>>
No. 929122 ID: afdebc

>Go up there, ask around, gather more information. Then meet whoever's in control of that manse and present our cease and desist.
"That's your area of expertise then, I'll follow your lead. Be careful, it looks like there's a small army in there."

>Hey, are you okay?
"Fine." Dell answers testily, and then continues in a milder grumble. "I'd be better if you let me kick her smug lying face."
>>
No. 929135 ID: fc2578

>>928685
>one day I awoke to the power to make things better
"Better? How so?"

>Deep within the madness of the furthest wyld...
Malice stares wide-eyed and riveted as she listens to the story. She lays across the floor with her face resting on her wings. There is so much more to existence than the fields and mountains she used to know, and she's soaking it all up as much as she can. "Wow... how did you get that one? Do you go on a lot of adventures like that?" If Lute is putting any effort into sensing motivation, Malice's fixation on the mirror is a pretty obvious indication that she plans on taking another swing at stealing it.
>>
No. 929152 ID: fc2578

rolled 1, 8, 7, 6, 4, 6, 1, 7, 2, 5, 1, 6, 1, 6, 5, 1, 9, 8, 8, 3, 2, 3, 8, 5, 9, 3, 1, 6, 4, 4 = 140

>Be careful
"Of course! You watch your step."

>I'd be better if you let me kick her smug lying face.
"Maybe you'll get your chance if she shows up again."

Alright, assuming we don't have too much difficulty actually making it to the manse, I'm going to go ahead and roll to socialize and get a bit more information from the folks around the manse.
>>
No. 929429 ID: d9acdc

rolled 9, 2, 10, 2, 2, 2, 6, 5, 3, 6, 7, 10, 10, 2, 2, 8, 10, 10, 1, 4, 5, 7, 6, 3, 10, 10, 7, 8, 5, 2 = 174

>>928828
>Bridget jumps back to town

>>Discord
>Don't have any particular complication in mind for Bridget on her way back to the town.

Bridget arrives, student and bonewine in hand. She then contemplates her next action. Wounded, the monk lost in the desert, she cannot show up upon the threshold of the immaculates to administer care. Neither though, can she let them die. They may be too far gone to refuse her, but in time they may regain their strength and choose to cast her out before their treatment is finished. She will need help it seems.

Appearing in what has now become the shared home of the Barber and the Raptor, Bridget introduces her new student, and then conspires with them to create a set of high quality medical tools.

In the heart of the wood demense, she hones the Malfean plant life springing from her words into the weapons against death and disease. Then she approaches the monks refuge once more, hoping for the worst.

Mechanically, doing light activity for an hour (finding Edgar and Aly, taking them to the wood demense) to recover 6 motes
Then activating CNNT and spending 9 motes on the first craft excellency to forge better quality medical tools. Totals at 11/15/5 if this post counts as a 2 dice stunt.

Looking for the condition of the immaculate monks and their response to her presence. It's probably been about a full day since Bridget left to get the bonewine, and both the sifu and Disciple of Hesiash were looking pretty bad, but two were still standing I think.
>>
No. 929497 ID: 2007b6

>>929429
Sharpening scalpels with your thumb as a grindstone, tweaking the design of a speculum so it's more comfortable for the patient, building a miniature kiln - it ends up taking more than an hour (repairs and tweaks don't benefit from 12x speed multiplier CNNT gives to new construction, you need Crack-Mending Technique for that), but the doctors are appropriately impressed and grateful.

As for fabricating new tools, there's been a bit of a zinc shortage the past few years - the Tepet legions cleaned out a lot of stockpiles on their way through, needed it for their lightning cannons or something, and rumor has it the Bull of the North has been taxing the hell out of any strategic metals passing through the Saltspire League. Your naneke apprentice is baffled by this news. "Are we not less than a mile from Hrotsvitha, whose wood is brass, from which zinc (and copper) can be extracted?" In particular, there's a swath of dead trees hundreds of yards wide leading off toward the area where that acid rainstorm hit. The Spawning Forest tends to respond with hostility to loggers, unless elaborately propitiated (that's the niche the Reverent Society of Reflective Foresters have carved out for themselves)... but surely he wouldn't mind necrotic tissue being cleared out from a wound. The metallic wood can also be ignited into something alchemically similar to, yet entirely distinct from, fire - which could be useful for smelting metal without introducing impurities through fumes, or making sealed envelopes (to keep bandages and other medical necessities sterile) without risk of the paper igniting while it's being baked clean.

Edgar's progress along the Shimmering Water Path, and acquaintance with the immaculate missionaries over the past few months, would make impersonating the Disciple of Mela at least somewhat plausible as an option. The dragon king claims to remember that "your people and mine" shared knowledge and power with each other quite often, a few thousand years ago, and claims to be willing to take personal risks (well, nothing too crazy, at least not right away) as part of rekindling such a compact. In return, she'd like permission to attune to the demesne.
>>
No. 929500 ID: d9acdc

rolled 2, 6, 3, 7, 10, 5, 1, 8, 10, 7, 1, 3, 8, 3, 5, 8, 10, 2, 5, 5, 4, 4, 7, 5, 6, 9, 5, 2, 2, 4 = 157

>>929497
>The dragon king claims to remember that "your people and mine" shared knowledge and power with each other quite often, a few thousand years ago, and claims to be willing to take personal risks (well, nothing too crazy, at least not right away) as part of rekindling such a compact. In return, she'd like permission to attune to the demesne.

So long as you take up arms against suffering and work as a Steward of creation and it's people you should have my support. You are welcome to attune, even if you cannot help me.

>impersonating the Disciple of Mela
No. The sun illuminates that which is hidden. If you are to lie to the monks, I cannot know of it.

>Metals from the spawning forest
"That shall be in your training. You may do as you like while I administer care. Those who show no compassion are not my allies."

Bridget doesn't want to trick the monks because she knows she can't lie very well- if they try to pull a fast one, they'll see right through her. She doesn't have a problem with lying in a moral sense, she just knows if she's involved it won't work.

As for her graciously impatient student, shes giving out a vaugeish warning that people who harm others aren't people Bridget is going to teach.
>>
No. 929520 ID: fbeef7

rolled 3, 9, 1, 8, 3, 10, 4, 3, 10, 10, 9, 6, 6, 2, 4, 9, 7, 10, 9, 7, 9, 8, 4, 2, 2, 8, 6, 8, 8, 2 = 187

Somehow unhindered by the exposed cover, Embri continues her observations into the strange community of workers and their reorganization dance. It has gone too slowly for her, and the threat of being crushed by a building in motion is not to be taken lightly.

Embri's first course of action is to craft structural reinforcements in the seemingly safe position she has nested in, so that the weight of two falling buildings would not be enough to cause instant death. Embri expects she will need to move when the dance of buildings shifts in her direction, though.

Next, Embri waits for an opportunity. One worker out of place, and the rest of their supposed colleagues might ostracize them for incompetence. If such a thing happens Embri will find an opportunity to capture an employee out of place and seduce them with her gown.

Using Dragonfly's Ranged Eye to scan any internal effects of the plates and building mechanisms, as well.
>>
No. 929524 ID: 8d924c

(Assuming at some point during downtime, Lute used BVB to allow Red and Gold to pick up a Linguistics dot in Old Realm, so I could then raise Linguistics to 3. Old Realm, Rocktongue, and High Holy Speech, to round out languages. -7 XP)

Red and Gold decides that since there's still no indication of interest from the Unquestionable, or other regional powers, it's time to start consolidating this place into a semblance of order so he can finally start utilizing it.

He will be writing a set of laws for the 'fiefdom of Creation-bordering-Hrotsvitha' under his authority as one of the Green Sun Princes. The laws lay out the borders(delineated where Creation meets Hrotsvitha, and where the lower limit of Creation stuff meets whatever is below,) ban the presence of serfs AND citizens of the first circle unless they meet the exceptions put in place(bound by an empowered oath of personal loyalty to Seven Broken Wings of Red and Gold, or summoned by Seven Broken Wings of Red and Gold, or in a sudden inspiration from his coadjutor, simply if they ARE teodozjia, although they are not immune to the laws put forth either.) They establish that as this place is distinct from Malfeas itself, the laws of Cecelyne apply differently, mostly to enable Red and Gold to apply actual justice, though of course having learned from Cecelyne, the exceptions are built in so that he can make final decisions. Most violations, murder, theft, etc. involve imprisonment, but harm to the mortals without orders, for example, involves harsh penalties.

The laws will also establish that all demons residing here have to follow the training schedules and prayer schedules set out, which for the moment are simply more of assigning times for self directed learning or prayer, unless a teodozjia or Red and Gold chooses to supervise.

They establish official positions for enforcers of the law, and distributors of the law, as well as the need for all elementals and gods to be properly registered in the offices to be established at the temple district(still not actually built, but that's no reason not to submit their registrations to an officially recognized figure.)

And since they'll need heavy revision in the future, the procedures for doing so(mostly Red and Gold approving himself revising them,) are also detailed.

For the moment there's no tax collecting, or enforcing the laws of Cecelyne for mortals, or forbidding any worship, but there are clear statements regarding intent to get this place in line. It's too disorganized to hold itself together at this point, let alone hold its own in Malfeas.

Assuming I probably need to make some rolls to do this without running into any hidden snags? Bureaucracy, Linguistics? Finding paper to compose them? Willing to channel Conviction a couple times to get this done, so I can start summoning up a task-bound force to handle these things.
>>
No. 929602 ID: 2007b6

>>929524
The sun-obscuring clouds which teodozjia tend to gather aren't sufficient to entirely block Ligier's light, but they can greatly reduce it. Might be able to set up an effective day/night cycle that way, since mortals tend to have some trouble adapting to the lack thereof.

You'll also want to think about water supply. The sorcerously-inclined minions of Hundred Flowing Sweet Rivers can't produce quite as much of it as her name might imply, and plants across the region will be needing considerable quantities if they're to survive. Can't count on rain - in fact, you might need to be defending somehow against any "natural" precipitation that does occur, as evidenced by that recent acid-storm not ten miles way (and, mercifully, downhill).
>>
No. 930137 ID: 2007b6

>>928105
The scorpion's body remains motionless, but it's tail pivots, soft clicking of articulated plates barely audible over the rising wind. Stinger unfurls like a mechanical flower, revealing a ball of baleful actinic light - the business end of some Shogunate-era energy weapon. A hoarse but unmistakably human voice echoes from within:
>"Bídsteall! Sweotolae! Hwæt níedgengan?"
An indecipherably archaic dialect of Low Realm, on it's way out before the Empress was born. Specific words aside, the tone is that of a sentry's challenge, 'halt, who goes there,' or something along those lines. Eventually the Disciple of Mela manages to communicate something about being part of the Immaculate Order, at which point the stinger powers down and the gunner's tone quickly turns from dutiful wariness to cheerful relief. A hatch pops open up on it's back, and a ritual greeting is recited - occult knowledge recognizes it as related to the constellation of the Messenger, in the house of Mercury. Apparently you're being invited to climb in. Cargo netting hangs loosely under the belly of the beast; the gunner knows enough High Realm to be able to say that whatever baggage you have can be safely secured there.
>>

rolled 6, 6, 1, 1, 1, 1, 9, 10, 5, 5, 1, 9, 9, 6, 1, 6, 9, 1, 6, 10 = 103

>>929524
>Assuming at some point during downtime, Lute used BVB to allow Red and Gold to pick up a Linguistics dot in Old Realm
Lute will, naturally, assist her fiendish associate in becoming a better version of himself.

>>929135
>"Better? How so?"
Lute's eyes gleam with zeal, and for a moment a blue symbol seems to grace her brow, circle surmounting a cross. "How? Why, it is what I do. I help people become who they were always meant to be, to find their joy, and the world is better for it."

>Wow... how did you get that one? Do you go on a lot of adventures like that?"
Calming slightly, the joybringer smiles gently. "I hope to. I'm too young to have retrieved the Shard Fallen myself, it's well, something of a hand-me-down."

>If Lute is putting any effort into sensing motivation, Malice's fixation on the mirror is a pretty obvious indication that she plans on taking another swing at stealing it.
Attempting to play off the bat girl's apparent loneliness and wonder, rolling for a social attack. Trying to plant the idea in Malice's head that she wants Lute as a friend or ally, someone to help her or learn from, more than she wants to take the mirror for herself (at least for now).

Rolling manipulation + whatever skill applies and why not throw a full Kimbery Excellency at it too (trying to offer real patronage and kindness, while at the same time trying to retain possession of a treasure/secret).
>>
No. 930430 ID: f9b5d6

rolled 7, 8, 3, 6, 3, 8, 5, 3, 9, 2, 10, 9, 1, 4, 6, 9, 9, 8, 7, 10, 10, 5, 4, 6, 6, 3, 9, 2, 2, 4 = 178

After hours of observation, Embri has research notes and an idea of how to manipulate the city in a way that would temporarily halt all movement (followed by a cacophony of property damage, but let's not focus on the benefits). It's only a theory, but the engineers would rather stare at her findings than a newly born alchemical's growing breasts.

At the very least, she has a better understanding of how to move through the city without getting squished by whomping buildings. Embri explores the city at her leisure, looking for the trails of the other exalted players in the area, in hopes of finding a temporary ally who doesn't begin screaming their head off at the sight of a spy extended in friendship.
>>
No. 930491 ID: 2007b6

rolled 10, 3, 10, 4, 9, 1, 2 = 39

>>930420
Two-die stunt, upgraded to three by Urge resonance. Assuming you're using Performance for some grand retelling of the legend of Ishiika that might also influence bystanders, you could be looking at Manipulation 6 + Performance 6 + 12 dice from the Kimbery excellency + 3 autosux from your anima power. Total cost would be 17 motes, if you're willing to pay for the excellency entirely from peripheral and take on a stealth-defeating glow for the rest of the scene.
>>
No. 930543 ID: afdebc

>>930491
I'm gonna say 24 dice + stunt is enough without risking the anima glow causing other problems.

12m for the excellency our of personal, and I'll use the 3-die stunt award to restock a compassion channel, since Lute should be at full wp.
>>
No. 930567 ID: 0640da

>>926058
>XP Expenditures over this month
32 exp for the following:
Occult 3 -> 4
Iron and Labyrinth Circle Necromancy
Ivory Razor Forest
Whispers

---

For the last week, a pillar of bone stretched into the sky. A thicket of razors in every direction... the cause being none other than Morse, who had forced herself into seclusion since her injury. It was not as if those who knew her did not know she was there-- Lute and River had visited, although their conversations were brief and were little more than exchanges of information. Her lunar mate was more than willing to ply her charms and try to sleep with her, but Morse didn't really seem completely... there. Aside from feeding, she did little else with her mate... and resisted none of her advances, although the fun was certainly gone.

It was as if her soul was crushed... the music that played with such fervor before now was somber and low. The mood around town was depressing, thanks to her efforts, but at least it was bearable... better than before, and more suitable for the hopeless mood. It wasn't until the 14th day that a new verse was spoken, and the town was graced with a new lullaby.

Parasitic Dreams, by Morse Song
Open your eyes
Fluid gushing, stomach, churning
Slit your wrists
From your death there's no returning

Parasites
In our body at all times
Parasites
In our hearts and in our minds

We are cages containing the remnants of our final breath
Our souls are not ours to hold and they are stealing from our death
What has given is forsaking
creation has made a lie
When you pass on and you perish truth be told you truly die

Parasites
In our body at all times
Parasites
In our hearts and in our minds

Welcome oblivion soon because you have some in your chest
Bones are clacking muscles screaming do not lay your eyes to rest
Every moment you're not conscious you die once and open eyes
Find you're awake in new body you have found a nice surprise

Your life is not your own
Your life is not your own
Memories are fabricated
Memories are fabricated
Your life is not your own

Parasites
In your body at all times
and they feed
and they feed upon your time

You are filled with parasites

They're not curses ticks or mites
They are forced, into your skull
The true monster is your soul

Free... yourself. You can find a beautiful sparkling future in the dirt...
Inside of your body there is something forcing you to move.
Natural state of life is truly death and peeling you
From the earth and from the ashes from the outer realms

When you are born you are no longer controlling your self! ...


The performance, and others like it that would begin to play regularly shed a light for Morse's companions into what she sacrificed for her newest power... that razor sharp pillar of bone. She believed in an afterlife. She believed in the sanctity of souls, and respected them... but now she believes in neither, and only knows the chill of the void. And today, her bone forest retracted into the earth... and she stood up, ready to face the world once more and... lacking the confidence she did before.

Morse now knows the fear of death.
>>
No. 930571 ID: 0640da

rolled 8, 1, 9, 4, 7, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 5, 8, 8, 6, 5, 2, 10, 8, 3, 8, 7, 1, 10, 10, 5, 4, 2, 10, 5, 4 = 184

Forgot my dice for the performance roll. I keep going 'roll'.
>>
No. 930589 ID: 54735b

Well, one of the first things that Rivers was planning on doing after she got done with her own stuff was go find Morse. It wasn't particularly hard, she was constantly broadcasting her music over miles, and even if she wasn't Morse wasn't good at hiding her tracks from an 'apex predator' like her.

Unfortunately, there was a huge bone spike wall in the way, she tried to explain that she really needed to lay off of transforming for a bit since she felt like her souls were going to snap in half, but she spent as long as she could while still taking cooking lessons to visit her each day, even shredding her body up to get a bit closer to her, watering the ground with her blood as she told Morse about her day up to that point. Until the fateful day that the thorns crumbled to dust, and as if on cue, Rivers was there to pick Morse up and comfort her.

Possibly a bit longer than Morse actually wants to be comforted, but Rivers's had half way shredded herself into a corpse every day for the last week just to try and give her a hug, so she was going to make up for lost time.
>>
No. 930592 ID: 0640da

rolled 1, 9, 8, 9, 4, 6, 1, 7, 1, 5, 3, 7, 8, 3, 2, 2, 10, 3, 3, 10, 10, 1, 1, 4, 2, 1, 9, 8, 6, 2 = 146

>>930589
"I can't say I didn't expect you to be hovering around me like a fly hovers around their carrion desserts... but I appreciate your feeding me while I... voluntarily secluded myself." Morse was not very good at lying. It took her this long to figure out how to dispel her bone grove... at the very least, it didn't look like a cage. That's comforting, in her mind.

"I need a more... substantial meal. So, stay still for me." Morse's fingers drift from her shamisen, the endless droning of music giving way to silence... and she wraps her arms around River. She leans in for a kiss, holding it and inviting River's tongue in what seems, at first, to be a romantic gesture... before biting down, breaking the kiss and tearing her tongue-flesh away. She chews it with a contented look, and dabs at her bloodied lips with the edges of her robe before roping an arm around River's own and taking her with the abyssal. Her fingers return to her instrument, and she begins to play again. "Mmh. Thank you for the meal... let's take a stroll together, now."
>>
No. 930593 ID: 54735b

rolled 2, 8, 5, 4, 7, 10, 7, 7, 7, 10 = 67

That was... Not great. That was a start. She didn't try to stop Morse from ripping her tongue out of her mouth, even though she'd have to break her week long streak of not transforming, but growing another tongue would hardly be that difficult when she did.

But for now, she was just going to be quiet, wanting to see what Morse had in store for her with this walk. Maybe Morse had seen some cool cave that she had missed when scouting or something.

Granted, it would make seeing if she could get in contact with Morse's boss to try and work with her formally a bit harder for the time being.
>>
No. 930594 ID: 0640da

rolled 10, 9, 3, 4, 2, 10, 9, 9, 4, 6, 4, 10, 9, 1, 7, 7, 2, 10, 10, 6, 3, 4, 5, 1, 4, 8, 2, 6, 2, 2 = 169

>>930593
"So. You probably are wondering why I've been so quiet, lately." Morse walks side by side with River on their way through town. "Or what I've been doing. I don't particularly care what you were doing with your time, so there's no need to bore me with the details... although I will say that I like your new haircut. It really brings out the... natural beauty in you." Did Light do something with her hair? Morse isn't sure, so she's guessing.

"If I'm going to have a pet, they should at least look presentable when I bring company... nevermind that, though. There are more important things to worry about in this world... as for me, I think that my concerns, looking back on them now, were petty. I wasn't really... enjoying my life, was I? Tell me... no. Show me, why are we here? That is the question I've been pondering for more than two fortnights now. And I've come to the conclusion, I think, a conclusion which points conclusively at the truth. The question is answered-- we are here because our souls make us. And those souls come from creation... are you following me? I constantly worry your brain is the size of a possum as well. You have beauty and brawn, but neither bestow intelligence... nevermind. I think that, perhaps, Creation is false. We might even be false, but I'm not sure of that either. It's complicated, yes. Difficult. Just nod if you're following so far."

My, my. Morse is awfully chatty today. And a little rude-- no. She was rude before. She seems to be working something out verbally, trying to express a feeling she has...
>>
No. 930595 ID: 156cdf

Rivers didn’t particularly like being called a pet, but she didn’t let it show. After all, this WAS the nicest that she had gotten Morse to be to her in all the time that they had known each other, so she was more glad to be finally acknowledged by the love of her life than anything else as unimportant as ‘dignity.’

But, Morse also wasn’t wrong, she was as dumb as a sack of bricks still. She might change that eventually, after all she did have plans that required her to be smarter. But, without a tongue she lacked any method by which to demonstrate her almost complete lack of understanding of what Morse was talking about.
>>
No. 930596 ID: 0640da

rolled 2, 5, 3, 4, 8, 10, 2, 5, 4, 10, 3, 1, 5, 4, 4, 5, 5, 3, 4, 8, 8, 3, 1, 9, 4, 7, 4, 7, 10, 9 = 157

>>930595
"...right. You're staring at me with your mouth slackened open like a corpse. It's clear that went over your head. Hmm, where to start... well, you know, there is a hun and a po soul in our body. The hun is... the po... so, we have a body. And our body moves because of our... brain. And I'm not sure I understand how that works, but there's also a... soul. A specter. But that specter comes out of our bodies when we die, so... our souls sever. But that's not right, because you can remove your soul and be fine. And there are those who have had three souls, and one left, and they're the same... but when all three left, they're all different. The Deathlords. The deathlords are... they are, were, the parasites. And the Neverborn are also parasites. So parasites are natural, and good. Bad. Good. But they aren't us. And when we die we truly die, and there is a parasite which echoes us... and that parasite, it's a ghost. But the ghost is not us, so the ghost does differently than... us. But we imprint on the ghost. And then there's the higher soul, the exalted soul... but that soul, it's always different, body to body. And though you love me and I... have the strong potential to love you, and while I certainly like you more than would be a friendly relationship, it's more of a sexual like than that, it isn't us who are in love. This higher soul is. But if that's true, are we the parasites, or is the soul a parasite? Are we us? What is... us?"

Okay, uh. To an outside observer it looks like Morse just had a fit of Whispers right then. She's making almost 0 sense. But it makes sense to her.
>>
No. 930598 ID: 54735b

Well, Rivers understood that about as well as Morse explained it, which was to say not at all. But one thing that she knew with a clarity that no amount of confusing rhetoric or the words of the dragons themselves could even hope to muddy in her mind.

She, whatever it was that she actually was, did love Morse. It was a fact that was as fixed a part of her as the elemental poles were for creation (not that she really understood that personally) so as soon as Morse started bringing that up, she just knelt down so that she could look her in the eyes, and kissed her on the forehead as she tried to spell that fact out, quite poorly when she wasn't able to write, or have a tongue for nuanced conversation. Actually, that was getting quite annoying.
>>
No. 930599 ID: 0640da

rolled 10, 8, 7, 8, 2, 9, 7, 2, 3, 4, 4, 2, 6, 5, 3, 10, 2, 3, 7, 10, 7, 1, 6, 10, 1, 10, 2, 2, 9, 3 = 163

>>930598
"...very cute." Morse sighs, clearly not getting through to Light or even herself. "Alright. Let's go find the others... you can sniff them out, right? Mmm... too bad I can't ride you there. I dislike walking." Morse maintains her silence and just looks at Light now, blinking and playing her shamisen. "...yes. Quite terrible I cannot, what with your vow to not... transform."

...is she asking to be carried, or to ride her back to camp?
>>
No. 930601 ID: 54735b

Well, that was hardly fair, she had tried to explain to Morse that she just wanted to give it a break so that she wasn't going to snap in half. She was more than willing to transform for her, plus, she already needed to transform anyway, so she was going to go ahead and do that. Her body twisted and expanded, sprouting fur, her tail becoming like a tree trunk, and her teeth growing to a sharp point, but perhaps most importantly, the stump of her tongue started to bubble out as it was already regenerating, and in a few minutes she should be capable of talking again.

Mechanically, spending the motes to transform into Warform, committing 4 motes for the gift versions of Bruise Relief Method and Halting the Scarlet Flow for maximum regeneration.

And after a few moments of THAT debacle, she would put Morse on her back, and walk off on all 4s, letting Morse ride her like a beast of burden. And surprisingly, she was happy with this.
>>
No. 930603 ID: 54735b

rolled 7, 3, 8, 3, 9, 5 = 35

>>
No. 930604 ID: 0640da

rolled 9, 5, 2, 7, 2, 3, 8, 3, 3, 3, 4, 8, 4, 2, 8, 10, 2, 10, 8, 6, 2, 10, 8, 7, 6, 8, 10, 3, 3, 5 = 169

>>930601
Morse began to play a chipper song... which is also incredibly unusual. She's almost always playing this depressing garbage... let's go check in on Lute and company, or Bridget. Really, whomever was closer... Morse let her legs hang loosely to a side and tries not to fall off as she plays. She doesn't know how to ride horses, but hopefully her mate didn't, you know... LET her fall.

Mechanically, making a riding check. Nice to be back in the RP saddle, too.
>>
No. 930607 ID: 156cdf

Rivers wasn’t mean. Well, that was a lie, she was mean enough to kill people that she thought deserved it and she didn’t bat as much of an eye as someone else, but she wasn’t going to be mean when letting Morse ride her in any sense of the word. She was finally seeming happy, and she was giving her a piece of mind, even if she thought of her as a pet, that was better than non-entity. So, she went nice and even pace for Morse, and she put her tail out for her to hold onto if she needed it.

And off they went to find someone to spread the word to.
>>
No. 930630 ID: 54735b

Since I have the EXP now, I'm going to spend 9 exp to pay off the debt from buying Appearance 4 through Verdant Emptiness Endowment
>>
No. 930688 ID: d9acdc

>>929500
>If you are to lie to the monks, I cannot know of it.

>Per discord, Bridget is allowed to move forward with the scene.

As Bridget approaches the rented storefront, the monks take notice. The two standing nudge one of their fellows awake- seemingly one with fewer plants growing out of them than the other two.

The one with the staff speaks first:
"Seems you're back awful fast. Why'd you come alone?."

Aly, stepping out from behind Bridgets frame, corrects her:
"The story is a long one, and she can't talk right now. We need to move you guys outside before she can, you know, help you. Outside town, I mean. Not just outside, that'd be silly. Oh, uh, also, there's... going to be some side effects, and I feel like you're supposed to disclose those things before you start. I haven't been doing this long but uh, even though they're kind of nasty I think side effects are better than being dead, right? So yeah, pack whatever you need, we're going to be out for a few days. Oh, you don't need to worry about food though, she'll take care or that. Really we just need you to help carry the wounded guys. She'd do it, but she's gotta carry the medicine."

"... yeah, no, that's not happening. I don't know what crazy secrets that monster is hiding, but you're not getting us to dig the graves for you, so if you plan to torture us you'll have to do your dirty work out in the open."

The one in the white belt groggily joins the discussion:
"Whazzat all over it's skin? Looks like writing."

Before anyone can discuss this further though, the Disciple of Mela shows up, panting but in good health.
"Guys, it's fine, don't worry. I gotta go but I talked to Sesus Xanin, remember her? She feels for our plight, and she's sent help. She agreed to share medicine and everything. With the disaster she's holed up trying to sort things out, but we're gonna be okay! Just head to the immaculate training ground- you know, the little dip outside town we'd sneak off to as kids when we wanted to get out of studies? I won't be there, I've devoted myself to helping our Exalted patron, but trust me, it's gonna work out!"
Edgar, sweating nervously, runs off, still disguised as the disciple of Mela until safely outside town.

Bridget, confused, says nothing, fearing her words will worsen the wounds of her patients. In short order the anathema, five immaculate monks, and human surgeon

Shortly after, the Anathema, five Immaculate monks, and the mortal hair doctor walk into a bar join the Dragon King on the outskirts of town, outside the influence of the demense.

Bridget, no longer worried about the consequences of speech, she sets about her work, driving the disease and corruption from the wounded monks. When she is not treating the wounded, she searches for food, ensuring that all can rest and recover their strength in full.

Over the course of three days care is administered to the disciple of Hesiesh and his Sifu. As the screams of the Tomescu signify the dawn of a fourth, Bridget sets about aiding them to shake their ails for good.

Mechanically, Bridget is training Ailment-Rectifying Method over the course of three days by administering medical care to the wounded Immaculates. The, she channels compassion on both the roll to heal the DoH and the roll to heal his Sifu.
Thats 4 dice from medicine, 5 dice from intelligence, 2 dice from assistants (Edgar and Aly) 4 dice from compassion, and any bonuses provided by tools/stunts.
>>
No. 930689 ID: d9acdc

rolled 9, 9, 4, 7, 10, 3, 6, 1, 7, 10, 7, 2, 8, 3, 6, 10, 2, 6, 8, 3, 4, 2, 10, 3, 2, 8, 2, 9, 2, 6, 9, 2, 9, 6, 8, 10, 8, 4, 5, 8, 3, 2, 1, 4, 9, 7, 5, 8, 5, 1 = 283

>>929500
>If you are to lie to the monks, I cannot know of it.

>Per discord, Bridget is allowed to move forward with the scene.

As Bridget approaches the rented storefront, the monks take notice. The two standing nudge one of their fellows awake- seemingly one with fewer plants growing out of them than the other two.

The one with the staff speaks first:
"Seems you're back awful fast. Why'd you come alone?."

Aly, stepping out from behind Bridgets frame, corrects her:
"The story is a long one, and she can't talk right now. We need to move you guys outside before she can, you know, help you. Outside town, I mean. Not just outside, that'd be silly. Oh, uh, also, there's... going to be some side effects, and I feel like you're supposed to disclose those things before you start. I haven't been doing this long but uh, even though they're kind of nasty I think side effects are better than being dead, right? So yeah, pack whatever you need, we're going to be out for a few days. Oh, you don't need to worry about food though, she'll take care or that. Really we just need you to help carry the wounded guys. She'd do it, but she's gotta carry the medicine."

"... yeah, no, that's not happening. I don't know what crazy secrets that monster is hiding, but you're not getting us to dig the graves for you, so if you plan to torture us you'll have to do your dirty work out in the open."

The one in the white belt groggily joins the discussion:
"Whazzat all over it's skin? Looks like writing."

Before anyone can discuss this further though, the Disciple of Mela shows up, panting but in good health.
"Guys, it's fine, don't worry. I gotta go but I talked to Sesus Xanin, remember her? She feels for our plight, and she's sent help. She agreed to share medicine and everything. With the disaster she's holed up trying to sort things out, but we're gonna be okay! Just head to the immaculate training ground- you know, the little dip outside town we'd sneak off to as kids when we wanted to get out of studies? I won't be there, I've devoted myself to helping our Exalted patron, but trust me, it's gonna work out!"
Edgar, sweating nervously, runs off, still disguised as the disciple of Mela until safely outside town.

Bridget, confused, says nothing, fearing her words will worsen the wounds of her patients. In short order the anathema, five immaculate monks, and human surgeon

Shortly after, the Anathema, five Immaculate monks, and the mortal hair doctor walk into a bar join the Dragon King on the outskirts of town, outside the influence of the demense.

Bridget, no longer worried about the consequences of speech, she sets about her work, driving the disease and corruption from the wounded monks. When she is not treating the wounded, she searches for food, ensuring that all can rest and recover their strength in full.

Over the course of three days care is administered to the disciple of Hesiesh and his Sifu. As the screams of the Tomescu signify the dawn of a fourth, Bridget sets about aiding them to shake their ails for good.

Mechanically, Bridget is training Ailment-Rectifying Method over the course of three days by administering medical care to the wounded Immaculates. The, she channels compassion on both the roll to heal the DoH and the roll to heal his Sifu.
Thats 4 dice from medicine, 5 dice from intelligence, 2 dice from assistants (Edgar and Aly) 4 dice from compassion, and any bonuses provided by tools/stunts.
>>
No. 930781 ID: 1ed7af

rolled 1, 6, 5, 5, 8, 1, 1, 6, 2, 8, 1, 5, 2, 4, 5, 3, 3, 10, 3, 10, 6, 8, 10, 6, 3, 9, 2, 9, 2, 3 = 147

>>930420
This social attack goes up against Indomitable Hedonism Drive, so Malice will have to spend all her willpower to resist it.

Malice listens to Lute's story, clearly enamored, but her heart is set. Maybe she can be friends with Lute and have the mirror? She needs time to think. Until then, all this inner turmoil is distracting.

Malice will activate Nemesis Self Imagined Anew targeting Lute. Malice's entire mannerism changes suddenly as she feels the spiteful hate bubbling up inside of her. She speaks a little impatiently, "That's a cool story and all, but can we get to the language lessons? I have a date coming up!"
>>

rolled 2, 2, 5, 5, 4, 2, 7, 7, 6, 3, 10, 8, 8, 6, 5, 6, 5, 9, 8, 7 = 115

>>930781
>"That's a cool story and all, but can we get to the language lessons? I have a date coming up!"
Covering her reaction at the batgirl's sudden transition of disposition Lute with a coy smile, Lute replies "Did you happen to notice what language the story was in?"

At this point Malice realizes Lute is, and has been, speaking in Rivertongue.

Hmm, Indomitable Hedonism Drive isn't obvious and Lute doesn't have essence sight, so... rolling Lore or Occult to see if she recognizes what just happened? No excellency. I figure an akuma would have some awareness of common yozi charms other than her patrons, but that doesn't mean she'd necessarily make the connection either.
>>
No. 930795 ID: 094652

rolled 3, 9, 4, 8, 1, 3, 2, 4, 4, 4 = 42

Embri spots Lute and Malice talking and decides to stalk them in hopes of learning some insight.

Embri uses the high ground, keeping watch for pressure plates in case she needs a quick getaway distraction.
>>
No. 930804 ID: afdebc

>>930795
Lute and Malice's conversation is taking place in the month of downtime before the lawship landed in hell- Embri's would have been in the wrong realm of existence to see them, or stalk them.

By the time Embri reaches hell and parts way from UWD and FFE, she's only tens of miles away from Lute and Malice, rather than a whole world, but still too far to see them.
>>
No. 930901 ID: 2007b6

>>930794
Can't peg non-Obvious charms without essence sight, or at least a broader dataset than resistance to a single social attack. That's enough successes on Perception + Investigation for a slam-dunk Read Motivation, though. Lute learns that Malice wants the Shard Fallen the way a weeping poet wants love, the way a junkie wants opium, the way a princess slaughtering her way up the line of succession wants inheritance, but also, bizarrely, that it's somehow not the only thing this batgirl wants so badly.
>>
No. 930988 ID: c2ef39

>>930794
"What?" Malice tries to test a few phrases in Rivertongue to see if she can actually speak it. She wants to be flippant but that was pretty mindlbowing. "Nnnn-neat trick! That will save a lot of time. I owe you one, Lute Silhouette Speculation in Comet's Reflection. Is there anything I can do in return?"
>>
No. 931181 ID: 2007b6

>>930689
Local legend will remember Bridget's treatment of the monk's infected wound as three days of non-stop screaming. Like most rumors, this is significantly inaccurate. Any mortal human's voice would have given out in far less than 75 hours of truly continuous use, even at a conversational level. As part of his aspirations as an adherent of Hesiesh, Reciter of Loud Hymns and Efficacious Prayers, the monk in question had spent years training his voice for both volume and stamina, and even amid feverish agony maintained sufficient discipline to rest with appropriate frequency, or at least enough to avoid damaging his own larynx in any lasting way.

After it was over, fever broken, gut-mushrooms shriveled and cleaned away, appropriate penance for ingestion of intoxicants (mitigated by medical necesity) duly calculated, the Disciple of Hesiesh leans his head against the chest of the Disciple of Sextes Jylis. She holds him, gently; even monks sometimes weep, and the mindful compassion necessary to restore balance to the world after a devastating ordeal is keystone to the teachings of the Immaculate Dragon of Wood. During those few minutes of weakness, some few words were shared where only the two of them (and keen-eared Malice, lurking nearby) could hear: "Please don't cut out my bones. Don't even... it's not fun anymore." "It'll be okay. A sin just to want that. I swear to you I won't."
>>
No. 931203 ID: 0640da

rolled 1, 1, 4, 10, 8, 8, 2, 1, 1, 5, 2, 10, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 5, 8, 4, 2, 6, 2, 5, 8, 6, 1, 5, 9, 2 = 144

>>930607
Morse is having trouble keeping herself upright on her lunar mate... so she does what any sane person would do when they find themselves outside of their control rating on a mount. She decides to let the Whispers flow through her, devoting a willpower to the action.

...atop River, Morse convulses a little, and her mouth foams at a lip... but then her body smoothly adjusts to her grip as she now has Ride 2 against River's Control Rating of 1. Well, 'smooth' isn't appropriate for the erratic jerking and hair pulling she's performing to force River to move where she wants, but Morse is advancing them quickly towards Lute. Morse needs to talk with her... a bit longer, and meet Red and Gold again, formally. She has no idea what to do now that the world is open to her, and Lute actually seemed friendly and knowledgeable about their next steps.
>>

rolled 9, 5, 5, 8, 8, 8, 10, 8, 6, 8, 1, 1, 5, 4, 1, 7, 2, 2, 3, 4 = 105

Outside a town without a name, beneath the shade of a tree sickly from the light of the wrong sun, stands a woman idly juggling several of the strange fruit of the local demesne.

She watches, bemused, a strange sight rushing her way. An enormous monstrous opossum tearing across the ground, and a masked subterranean recluse desperately trying to maintain grip on her back.

A moment, a mischievous smirk, and a twist of the wrist later, and one of the juggled fruit flies off to paint the recluse's drab mask. "Catch!"

Rolling thrown 2 + dex 6 + stunt + excellency 4, if I can (Arguably art, a gift that's unappreciated / unwanted / unhelpful, and just messing with someone for the joy of it). Pulled punch, not trying to do any damage, just to wet her face and possibly make her lose her balance.

"You've been underground so long, I thought you might appreciate some color, and a taste of something fresh."
>>
No. 931227 ID: 0640da

rolled 10, 2, 7, 7, 2, 5, 7, 10, 9, 10, 5, 8, 4, 8, 3, 4, 2, 7, 8, 3, 10, 5, 2, 1, 3, 3, 1, 7, 1, 6 = 160

>>931226
Morse's neck snaps upon impact with the fruit, and it rolls harmlessly off her mask as her spine bends unnaturally and her neck lolls to one side. Her body collapses behind her, falling into a pile on the ground and additional snaps are heard as the rest of her bones dislocate... there's now a pile of Abyssal on the ground in an unnatural shape. Moments later, her body begins to rearrange itself and she begins to stand on her feet, her spine swinging back into place as she dusts herself off. Then, her hands reach for her head and twist her neck right back around... "...and now I am reminded of why I hate the world. Warn me when you're throwing things, child of Venus."

((Mechanically, she's spending a single mote on Walking Cadaver Grotesquerie. Everyone's MDV is greater than 1 so it shouldn't cause too much psychological damage.))
>>
No. 931229 ID: 54735b

And as soon as Morse was lodged from her back, Rivers grabbed her with her tail to keep her from fully collapsing into a pile on the ground, and stood up to her full height on her 'back legs' (really they were her normal legs, but she had been walking on all fours) to 10 feet tall, easily dwarfing everyone else.

"Oh you're just being grouchy because you didn't think that she'd see us coming. Where's all that pep you had in your step a minute ago? Also, she got plenty of sun in that bone forest."
>>
No. 931230 ID: 094652

rolled 10, 4, 3, 10, 8, 5, 4, 4, 1, 1, 6, 8, 7, 2, 6, 9, 4, 3, 7, 1, 6, 9, 3, 6, 7, 8, 2, 8, 9, 5 = 166

It has finally occurred to Embri that this is not a mere hell-infested town and she has literally stumbled into hell. Embri makes a note to yell at the engineers to fix her brain first next time.

After attempting to find her way back using a combination of the dragonfly eye and a calculated approach to her notes, Embri decides to find the weakest looking demon type she can, set up a few traps, and lure them into becoming her new servant followed by a request for directions to the edge of the 'city' back to Creation followed by a capture attempt.

Using Bow WP, and one peripheral mote for every stat this crazy attempt uses.
>>
No. 931234 ID: 0640da

rolled 7, 2, 3, 9, 2, 6, 4, 9, 9, 8, 6, 2, 2, 6, 2, 9, 9, 8, 3, 8, 1, 1, 3, 7, 7, 10, 7, 6, 5, 2 = 163

>>931229
"Why does everyone assume my intelligence is as low as your own? They all seem to regard me like I was you, an animal of some kind." Morse huffs, she's definitely grouchy. "I just want to feel respected, for once... not pelted with fruits when I'm here on a serious errand. Is that simply too much to ask from the world? A little politeness and respect?"

Morse rolls her eyes, and shakes her head as she's held limply by Light's tail. "I'm here about something else, too. Many other things, each more pressing than the last, but I should begin with the simplest tasks and work my way up from there... it's come to my attention that I might have no idea what I'm doing and I don't know who I am. I find my purpose muddled and my thoughts bogged, and yet I feel the inky blackness of the void calling me to do... something. Do you have any advice for resolving this problem so I can get back to work, child of Venus? I figure you have so many... identities by this point you might have a more solid grasp on it than I." Morse's necromancy has taken a toll on her identity... however much she had before now.
>>
No. 931260 ID: 54735b

rolled 7, 7, 4, 3, 2, 1, 5, 10, 8, 2, 5, 5, 1, 7, 10, 1, 1, 6, 10, 2, 1, 1, 9, 4, 9, 5, 5, 3, 9, 10 = 153

>>931234
"Now that's dumb, I think you're probably one of the smartest people I know. A bit blind to perspective and desperately clinging onto the past sure, but still smart.

"But what's more, I respect you. Enough that I'm going to give you a bit of tough love. I don't know what in your life scarred you enough to cause you to become an Anathema, but I know it was traumatizing enough to leave deep wounds." As she talked she rubbed her collar, still pressing uncomfortably around her neck. "I won't force you to talk about it, but you're stronger than whatever killed you. Sure, you can try to hold onto that weakness and mourn whatever you left behind as a mortal, or you can take your power and become the kind of person you always wanted to be but were too scared to try to be."
>>
No. 931266 ID: bf39b8

rolled 6, 6, 10, 1, 9, 9, 10, 5, 8, 4, 10, 7, 7, 6, 3, 6, 1, 3, 10, 10, 7, 10, 10, 9, 10, 5, 2, 5, 10, 2 = 201

This was always the best part because Malice didn't have to do anything. Just stay vigilant and take in the night air. Tucked between a few thick growths of the demesne, she waited for Rivers to show up alone.

She picked this area specifically. Fairly remote area behind the tavern, the wood essence growth was thick here, tangled up in an irregular lattice canopy. Malice is arranging the corpses of the rodents who had wandered too close while she was camping out, all dead and exsanguinated, when her date finally comes through.

Malice dives down to perform another brutal wing slap. Join battle roll!
>>
No. 931282 ID: 0640da

rolled 3, 6, 8, 1, 10, 10, 4, 10, 5, 6, 6, 1, 1, 6, 9, 4, 10, 5, 2, 7, 2, 10, 9, 3, 4, 5, 7, 3, 6, 10 = 173

>>931260
"...please ignore my mate's ramblings. I suspect the reason for her sweet attitude is she would like to bed me. Child of Venus, I implore you for advice. My Deathlord said you would come to my aid. Perhaps the time for that aid is now?" Morse pushes and squirms inside Light's grip, but doesn't have an effective means to struggle out.
>>

rolled 4, 9, 10, 7, 6, 6, 7, 1, 1, 6, 5, 4, 4, 6, 4, 7, 10, 4, 2, 1, 7, 10, 6, 8, 7, 6, 8, 9, 8, 6 = 179

>>931234
The juggling ceases and the twirling objects quickly vanish as the vizier's expression grows serious.

Blue eyes seeming to peer straight through the thespian's mask, possibly right down to the abyssal's battered, death-stained soul, cerulean caste mark suddenly ablaze on her brow, she intones "Morse Song, you would ask me who you are?"

Rolling sense motivation to give Lute in-character insight into Morse before trying to set her straight through this personal crisis. Perception 6 + Investigation 4 + Stunt + Excellency 10. Mirror flag imposes -2 successes, spending 10m peripheral for the excellency, using previous stunt award to refill personal.
>>
No. 931298 ID: 2007b6

>>931297
That's clearly an Urge-resonant stunt, so 23 dice for 11 successes. Morse's Manipulation 3 + Socialize 1 would give difficulty 2, raised to 4 by the mask, meaning Lute will certainly be able to assess Morse's current dominant emotion and put it in an appropriate context. Unless Morse spends XP to immediately buy Socialize up to 5 dots, Lute will also figure out one of her Intimacies, from among those that are relevant to the current scene.
>>
No. 931300 ID: 0640da

rolled 6, 10, 4, 9, 10, 8, 8, 8, 6, 7, 9, 4, 5, 6, 9, 7, 5, 3, 10, 6, 10, 10, 9, 5, 10, 10, 4, 3, 1, 9 = 211

>>931298
Morse's current dominant emotion is 'Troubled', I would think. She's very confused and weak, and all she knows how to do is rely on others at this point. For a brief reminder of her intimacies and relevant emotions:

Small Animals(Longing) (Hatred)
Rebellion (Sympathy)
Weak and Infirm(Concealed Compassion)
Romantic Love(Longing)
The Void(Obsession)
Hundred Flowing Sweet Rivers(Love) [Lunar Bond]

Minor emotions right now, if you get those for whatever reason, include 'Disloyal', 'Grumpy', 'Happy', 'Open-Minded', 'Stiff', 'Full', 'Spiteful'. Morse just ate, talked to her love and took a walk, so she's generally in a good mood right now. She's feeling particularly disloyal at the moment and it's an uncomfortable feeling, and she definitely isn't happy her Deathlord ruined her good mood before now. She's her normal levels of grumpy and spiteful.
>>
No. 931302 ID: 54735b

>>931266

Rivers doubted she could exactly sneak up on Malice. She was, after all, in effectively a sniper tower. She didn't like the prospect of trying to turn into a natural creature for easier range since Malice had a habit of attacking anything that came near. So, she would have to be careful.

Well, she wasn't particularly strong, and if Malice still wanted to attack her on this date, she'd just play a nasty joke on her. So, plan in mind, she runs out into the open, expecting to get attacked, and rather than start a battle, letting the Wing Attack hit, and she fell to the ground, fully appearing to be dead.

--------------------------

>>931282
"Well, I wouldn't have guessed that harshly criticizing you was what you would call a sweet attitude. I guess I should wait until we're alone and berate you."

As it was though, she held Morse firmly in place, letting Lute do her thing.
>>

rolled 6, 3, 3, 7, 7, 8, 1, 9, 9, 5, 6, 7, 8, 4, 6, 6, 10, 8, 2, 8, 1, 1, 6, 4, 10 = 145

>>931298
>>931300
Lute's now aware of the Morse's current emotional turmoil and its context, as well as her intimacy of love for Rivers.

"You have suffered recent setbacks and defeats, you have uprooted what were once pillars of your beliefs, and on top of all that..." Lute's gaze turns towards the Lunar supporting the target of her inquiry "...you have fallen in love."

"And now, you are no longer sure of the ground on which you stand, or how to proceed. That is the sum of it, is it not?"

Follow up read motivation roll. Perception 6 + Investigation 4 + Stunt + Excellency 4, 4m personal, this time. Previous stunt award goes towards peripheral.
>>
No. 931326 ID: 46a346

rolled 2, 7, 6, 1, 2, 2, 6, 6, 10, 8, 2, 8, 8, 7, 1, 5, 6, 5, 2, 7, 5, 6, 4, 10, 10, 2, 2, 10, 3, 6 = 159

"I must needs insist those two things are not related, Child of Venus. Your thirst for matchmaking should not cloud your judgement. I desire assistance in finding my place in the world, not pleasuring this beast with my fingers." Morse snarls, feeling uncomfortable as as she is... looked at by her shining friend.
>>
No. 931327 ID: 3732a8

“Well, I suppose if you haven’t fallen in love, then there’s little need for me to be here.” Rivers gingerly put Morse on the ground, and started walking off.

In truth, she was mostly testing Morse to call her bluff and seeing how staunchly she would hold her guns that Lute was off the mark when it came to loving her, but she was determined to give Morse as much space as she was acting like she needed and helping her from afar.
>>
No. 931328 ID: a600ee

rolled 6, 7, 4, 9, 1, 4, 3, 9, 8, 6, 4, 8, 6, 1, 5, 1, 8, 1, 3, 2, 1, 7, 6, 10, 9, 4, 2, 8, 7, 4 = 154

>>931302
Malice circles around and lands. She stares wide-eyed at Rivers' corpse, and looks around for any witnesses. Hmm, I hit her harder last time and she took it fine.

>Cannibalism
Malice leans down to bite Rivers' neck.
>>

rolled 5, 2, 5, 1, 2, 1, 1, 9, 7, 3, 6, 10, 1, 5, 4, 3, 9, 2, 2, 6, 6, 6, 4, 7, 4, 6, 9, 1, 2, 9 = 138

>>931322
Okay, by my count that's 9 success on 17 dice, which beats difficulty 4 again. Lute groks Morse's intimacy for Romantic Love this time.

>>931326
"It is not lust that disquiets you, child of Setesh's unnamed stars. It is love, something you fervently longed for, that found you suddenly and without warning. Unexpected realization of that dream has left you reeling as surely your setbacks.

"We are, after all, defined by our dreams."

"Buffeted by success and failure, pillars you once leaned on crumbling, you must understand what you have gained and lost, if you are to answer the question. What is it you want, Morse Song?"

Have some dice if needed, assuming this counts as some manner of social attack. Excellency 4, if needed, I'll keep sticking to what can be stunted back.
>>
No. 931340 ID: 54735b

As soon as Malice bit into her neck, Rivers let her drink 1 health level of blood before she sprang her trap, her arms striking like snakes and she even grabbed to a few of the low hanging meat vines to hold her closer.

"So, why exactly are you a fan of hitting someone on the first date?"
>>
No. 931342 ID: 54735b

rolled 7, 6, 8, 1, 2, 10, 9, 9, 8, 1, 5, 3, 4, 6, 6, 7, 4, 7, 8, 4, 10, 10, 10, 8, 7, 4, 8, 4, 9, 3 = 188

>>
No. 931343 ID: f17499

rolled 5, 1, 10, 8, 6, 1, 3, 10, 8, 10, 5, 6, 3, 1, 8, 5, 1, 3, 3, 6, 9, 7, 3, 4, 1, 9, 4, 7, 3, 6 = 156

"A question I'll get to a moment... hey! Get back here, you mangy rat! Are you trying to ditch me on our date?" Morse stomps off, gripping Light be the tail and tugging. "I'll have none of your playing with my feelings. Try this stunt again and I'll kill you myself." Morse sneers, her fangs more prominent... "...what were you mocking me about again, child of Venus? You think me confused? I am, but that's why I came to you. What confidence you show in asking questions of someone coming to YOU for advice." Morse grips Light possessively now.
>>
No. 931344 ID: 54735b

"Morse, I think you've made it perfectly clear that you don't act like you want love, you act like you want a servant."

Rivers almost had to laugh at how comical it looked, having someone who was (when factoring in the Square Cube Law) almost 1/10ths as big as she was who she knew for a fact couldn't even throw a half decent punch if her life depended on it threatening to kill her.

"I'll stay if you can open up, at least a bit, about how you really feel without getting defensive about the magical life coach trying to guide you to a better life."
>>
No. 931345 ID: f17499

rolled 23, 24, 30, 14, 9, 1, 13, 22, 24, 29 = 189

Morse opens her mouth to yell, closes it, opens it again, and settles on pointing and scowling with her teeth clenched, arm wobbling... before going limp and bending from the waist. She lifts her head and points her nail at Lute's neck. "Don't think you've won by teaming up with... her to manipulate me. I'll let you do your thing, but I do NOT like you or what you're trying to do or insinuate. Got it? You aren't winning. This isn't me admitting you're right." Morse puffs her cheeks out now and folds her arms over one another.
>>

rolled 9, 3, 9, 4, 6, 1, 3, 3, 7, 6, 2, 5, 7, 2, 5, 7, 4, 4, 8, 5 = 100

"This is my advice, Morse. If you would know yourself, you must first be honest with yourself. You will not discern your purpose so long as you cloud your vision."
>>
No. 931347 ID: f17499

rolled 3, 5, 10, 9, 2, 9, 3, 8, 3, 6, 8, 10, 2, 2, 5, 2, 10, 6, 4, 4, 8, 10, 1, 5, 1, 10, 1, 3, 8, 9 = 167

"...as much as I can be amused by you using your words against me, I thought you would give me something more... actionable. Read a book. Sit under a waterfall. Fill out a questionnaire." Morse frowns. "Change something about me, not ask myself... ques... tions." Morse squints and thinks about this. "Wait, are you telling me to sever my hun and po souls?"
>>
No. 931348 ID: 54735b

Rivers was satisfied with the answer that Morse gave, at least for the time being. It looked like she had a lot of work to do before she could break through to Morse and get her to examine her real feelings. So, she sat down, pried Morse from her body and sat her down on her lap, and lovingly ran her razor sharp talons harmlessly through her hair.

"It's about being honest with yourself. Like your feelings, you claim you don't like me and you act like you don't want anything to do with me, but the second I try to leave you're terrified of me leaving. Clearly somewhere you're lying, either on purpose, or some other reason you'd lie to yourself."
>>
No. 931359 ID: 2007b6

>>931322
>>931336
Nine successes, yes, but that's only enough to figure out another intimacy if Morse doesn't buy any more dots in Socialize at all. Base difficulty is enough to read the current mood or spot a lie, but you need twice as many successes to spot an underlying intimacy.
>>
No. 931393 ID: 2007b6

Near the end of the month, just as River's caste mark and anima power are shifting from changing moon to new moon, four riders approach on the road from Aketon: two apparent humans (one in light armor with a helmet styled like a three-horned deer, the other dressed as a Guildsman), a beautiful woman with the head of a frog, and someone holding an odd-colored lamp attached to a long staff, but otherwise mostly concealed under a grassy cloak.

They stop at an appropriately respectful distance outside whatever defensive perimeter has been established around the demesne, and signal a wish to parley.
>>
No. 931400 ID: 2007b6

>>929524
Economy, Loyalty and Stability from the Pathfinder kingdom-building rules correspond to the Bureaucracy, Socialize, and War skills, and in a more general sense, Mental, Social, and Physical attributes. In the (deprecated, but interesting from a theoretical standpoint) Mandate of Heaven rules from the Storyteller's Guide, these same categories are referred to as Government, Culture, and Military, or metaphorically as the tiger, the mouse, and the bear.

Meat moss demesne provides 5 dirham worth of food per month so long as there's someone attuned to the place on-site walking around and talking. However, raw food can't be spent to finance new construction, only to offset maintenance costs or temporarily boost morale, and if you want to save a surplus from one month to the next you'll need to build a granary. Spending food on charity for the poor or disabled, bribes to the resentful, and public celebrations boosts Loyalty; spending it on maintenance workers, militia, and police boosts Stability. Collecting more taxes boosts Economy at the expense of Loyalty.

You've got one claimed hex, and one square mile within it suitable for urban development, for a total maintenance cost of 2 dirham per month. That's well below the food budget. Unfortunately, so far you've only managed to scrape together about 4 dirham worth of demon labor, salvaged building materials, and other durable liquid assets, with two or three more expected next month. Repairing and adequately securing the granary would cost 6 dirham, and that's with a 50% discount for the foundation already in place. Building a decent stone wall all the way around the demesne would cost 8 dirham, 8 more for a moat and 12 for a watchtower. Digging an adequate sewer system would cost 24 dirham. A minimally functional shrine to Cecelyne has been set up, but finishing that elaborate temple you planned might cost 50.

In summary, this place is a wreck. If you want to get anything done, you'll need to think about how to pay for it.

Establishing an effective territorial claim over the exiled chunk of Creation may take about a year, if everything goes smoothly. You can claim one additional hex per month, at a cost of a dirham per hex, until you've got eleven hexes at which point some economies of scale kick in and it becomes possible to claim a second hex every month. Question is, which direction do you want to grow first? Clockwise along the perimeter, into lightly forested hills, toward the abandoned mine and the loose-skinned thing with violet eyes? Counterclockwise, through ox-dragon territory, unsuitable for farming but a good source of structural stone? Or toward the center, on the road to Aketon? In principle you could try to annex parts of Hrotsvitha, but doing so would first require clearing out any hostile military forces or monsters.
>>
No. 931438 ID: afdebc

>>931347
>I thought you would give me something more... actionable. Read a book. Sit under a waterfall. Fill out a questionnaire.
If you seek meditation and self reflection, I can teach you methods. But those are simply lens- if you cannot accept what you see through them, it will not matter which you look through."

Not gonna push much harder than this for now- I don't think Lute or anyone can get Morse to get over her own hangups in a single session.

>>931393
Cupping her hands and whispering the spider only she can see within them, Lute inquires about the riders four.

What are their names, and what kinds of beings are they? (God, spirit, mortal, etc).

(Using personal motes, and not interested in spending more than can be stunted back).
>>
No. 931483 ID: 2007b6

>>931438
Guildsman's a mortal. Deer helmet is half-human, half-earth elemental - specifically, the child of a kri who recently married Aketon's patron god. The lady is a type of water elemental known as heketa, associated with poison and vengeance. Cloaked figure's personal identity and nature are supernaturally obscured, but accompanies the group in an official capacity as representative of a nearby tribe of mosok dragon kings.

Haven't got specific names in mind for the four of them, so there's room for that to be defined as part of dramatic editing from 2-die stunts.
>>
No. 931540 ID: 54735b

>Discord Malfean disaster Table. 4 successes. "the Silent Wind wipes out anyone not wearing a hauberk of bells or equivalent, or hiding in an airtight box"

A fitting end to the person foolish enough to be spreading anti-yozi propaganda. Also as discussed over Discord, the bottom layer of the Manse (the actual shrine) can be made Air-Tight as a precaution against this exact thing. So, loading as many people as possible after SX herself, with the priority of 1 of the spa turtles, The Tomescu that mans the artillery cannon, the Smith demon that serves as an anti-counterfit check, as many soldiers as possible, and any demons that I know are useful to my cause. That should probably be more than can actually fit in one floor but that's the order of priority, and the people who were just waiting patiently or were on the other side of the gates are just doomed.


But, some weeks after the Silent Wind comes, all of the corpses would have been disposed of and signs portraying a human face with a golden crown and the words "Don't forget, she could always be watching you." written in Old Realm litter the trail as the Lawship's party enters into the territory that Sesus Xanin controlled.

>>931400
Could I get a write-up for the amount of supplies that I have access to so I can write up a character sheet for my territory, and possibly do a kingdom section to determine my options of building?
>>
No. 931541 ID: 54735b

Well, it looked like Lute was done with Morse's deep seated issues for the moment to focus on these 4 new comers. So, she figured she should too.

She stood up, and whether Morse followed her or not, she started walking in the direction of the horsemen to parlay.
>>
No. 931574 ID: 1510ad

rolled 1, 4, 1, 9, 7, 10, 3, 9, 3, 10, 6, 6, 4, 1, 8, 4, 7, 10, 2, 2, 1, 5, 1, 8, 1, 5, 3, 10, 7, 8 = 156

>>931340
Malice tried dodging that. Activating Torn Lotus Defense, so if Rivers misses it counts as a scene of building a positive intimacy toward Malice (unless Rivers spends 1 WP)

Malice lets out a shrill squeak and jumps back away from Rivers' arms. Her claw gets caught on a meat vine and she starts flapping her wings frantically, shaking the whole canopy. Then she falls flat on her back and a couple dead squirrels tumble out of the vine cluster to land on her chest.

Malice lets out an exasperated sigh. "Well...it got such good results last time!"
>>

rolled 5, 9, 5, 6, 7, 10, 8, 8, 3, 7, 8, 1, 8, 5, 1, 10, 7, 7, 9, 7 = 131

>>931483
The guild, an elemental and a half, and a dragon king? An interesting confluence of interests.

>Who's going out to greet them?
Lute will! Let's go see what Venomous Suwako and co have to say.

Lute, excuse me, I mean Dutiful Topaz, is gonna attach herself to Red and Gold and/or Bridget, and present herself as if she's a diplomat or adviser here, rather than one of the players. She will shift her magic clothes to be naturally dressed in something to appropriate to that role. Her arm will appear human, the Shard Fallen tucked away elsewhere, and her hearthstone amulet hidden under clothes.

Rolling disguise! Intelligence 6 + Larceny 0 + Lens Arm Specialty 1 + Infinite Resplendence Amulet bonus 2 + Arcane Fate 3 + Excellency 4 (cause why not). At difficulty 1, because sidereal.
>>
No. 931597 ID: 54735b

>>931574


>discord agreement to just resolve external to mechanics since we don't want to get the combat mechanics involved.

"I kissed you since I think you're absolutely beautiful, not because you tried to hit me. That said, did you have an idea where we were going on this date, or are you going to foist that onto me?"

Rivers offered a hand to help Malice back on her feet at the very least. After all, they were on a date, and she didn't want to be rude.
>>
No. 931612 ID: 2007b6

>>931540
No roll? Sesus Xanin's Conviction ("making decisions when all options are horrific") is actually fairly weak, so she ends up hesitating at a few key moments and losing about 40% of her initial 250 human troops despite best efforts to shield everyone with her anima, leaving her with a magnitude 3 army of 150. Recruiting more would require access to a supply of human civilians. Most of the specified demons survive, including enough of the hot-spring turtles that you've got an adequate supply of water, but much of the food stockpile was either disintegrated by the Silent Wind or plundered before you could re-emerge to secure it - and demon merchants seem to consider even the most basic types of food a luxury item. Back on the Blessed Isle, acquiring a literal ton of rice per obol was just a matter of haggling a bit with the right wholesaler, but here in the demon realm it's hard to find any type of edible grain at less than an obol per hundredweight - and, even more perversely, single servings of ready-to-eat porridge are actually cheaper than an equivalent amount of dry, shelf-stable grain! Int 3 + Bureaucracy 4 says that should be economically impossible, at least without a lot of other bizarre conditions that'd collapse within a few weeks, if not hours, but local demons consider it a completely unremarkable state of affairs.
>Could I get a write-up for the amount of supplies that I have access to so I can write up a character sheet for my territory, and possibly do a kingdom section to determine my options of building?
Your troops can't safely patrol more than a few hundred yards from the manse, so you don't really control anywhere near an entire 12-mile hex. They have whatever kit they were holding, including enough provisions for a week or two, but after that you've got problems. Could try to establish a secure supply line back through the Spawning Forest to territory where wholesome green things grow; could try to cut a deal with that slimy two-faced fellow who claims to be a representative of the Carnifex Guild (literally dripping with slime, second face right between his shoulderblades, and also projects a profound aura of used-car-salesman dishonesty, but does have some high-quality cuts of meat as samples); or follow the instructions from that book with the blue-edged pages and have all your troops pray to Cecelyne, four 7-minute sessions per day in exchange for delicious locusts; or maybe demand food as payment for passage and see what the crowd comes up with; or... something else?
>>
No. 931617 ID: 54735b

>>931612
I can't even begin to imagine what kind of dicepools would be relevant so that's why I didn't toss dice at it.

As for the food situation, that's the easiest of the problems to solve. The nearby 5 dot demesne is producing an overwhelming surplus of food, and I have an excess of capital from my personal non-perishable resources that I had, and the Resources 3 from my constructed economy. Since the nameless town is both fairly close, already looking to establish trade with external regions, and only has food as a resource to export, I can leave a lot of the logistic concerns of getting the caravan to within pickup distance to Red and Gold since he's so keen on playing ruler himself. It has also already been established in >>926657 that he's sending out diplomats to negotiate trade to local factions which would definitely include the Manse serving as a chokepoint on the easiest route to the Demon City. As a sign of good faith, I would even agree to both giving favorable rates compared to other traders traveling through and not coming into town to challenge his authority directly in exchange for a better deal than might initially be offered.

As for not being able to secure a full 12 mile hex and having lost 40% of my forces, those can both be remedied by starting to conscript locals to replace the fallen. What they lose in terms of innate cohesion as a unit and alien desires that can prove difficult to control (especially without sorcery) they make up for with being in vastly greater supply where we're at, ease of supply lines since they don't NEED to be fed or given drink in incredibly tight scenarios, and being individually stronger than single humans.

Plus, the unspoken benefit of being able to secure territory safely on the city side of the Manse and starting to expand to control 1 whole 12 mile hex.
>>
No. 931618 ID: 54735b

rolled 5, 4, 4, 10, 7, 6, 10, 1, 7, 2, 6, 4, 9, 4, 4, 8, 9, 9, 2, 2, 9, 10, 4, 10, 8, 10, 7, 3, 9, 5, 8, 4, 1, 8, 1, 6, 3, 2, 8, 7, 8, 2, 7, 5, 8, 8, 4, 2, 8, 3 = 291

>>
No. 931619 ID: 1510ad

Standing in front of one of Sesus Xanin's They Live signs, Fanged Flair Effulgence turns to Dell. "Not what I was expecting." Having done some digging(the human soldiers were the most cooperative) FFE is pretty sure he's caught up on the situation. "Let's go talk to her, shall we?"

FFE approaches a few soldiers in the middle of a game of cards. He demands to see Sesus Xanin immediately, concerning matters of Cecelyne law of which they are all in violation. After a short argument between the three, they get up to personally escort FFE and UWD through the long line to enter the manse.
>>
No. 931621 ID: 54735b

>>931619

Sesus Xanin was annoyed. She rarely wasn't annoyed, but this was a particularly annoying challenge to her ego for someone to drag some of HER men away from their post to interrupt her rigorous training exercises to whip some of the local menagerie into beasts fit for soldiers to tell her that she was violating the law.

But, it wasn't something that she could JUST ignore. So, she appointed one of the demons that already had an idea of how soldiers needed to work and appointed them the overseer for the day's training exercises in strategy as she uncovered her shield to go and greet the visitors. Her tune changed, though only mildly, when she realized that these people were Dragon Blooded themselves.

"Please, let's head to my office to discuss this."
>>
No. 931622 ID: 54735b

The division of demons is 1 Tomescu to 4 Bloodapes if possible. While the bulk of my army at present is ranged based, the Tomescu already by default have War and are good unit commanders (even if their specialty would need to be retrained) and since for the most part I can't expect to be able to fight along side them if they are supposed to be working on securing territory for my rule. I'm sure I'll find some other demons for helping the logistics of this demon army work, but at the moment, that's the present make up of the army.
>>
No. 931625 ID: d9acdc

>>931400
We produce 5 dirhams of food, and need 2 for routine upkeep, so that leaves us with 3 leftover. How many dirham do the demons Red and Gold is summoning produce in labor, and how much can Bridget contribute with Food Gathering Exercise and CNNTs?
>>
No. 931630 ID: 2007b6

>>931617
>can't even begin to imagine what kind of dicepools would be relevant
Charisma + [War or Performance] to rally for numbers, corebook p. 165. Not quite a standard use, but it seems reasonably similar: scattered, possibly panicked soldiers need to be hastily reassembled into a cohesive unit before you can direct them all into an orderly retreat.

>logistics
>wood demsene
>let Red And Gold take care of it
Stuff grown in that demesne doesn't seem to respect the usual distinctions between plant, animal, and fungus, and dining on it long-term might have side effects, exact details TBD but hideous mutations aren't out of the question.

More importantly, there's no road suitable for wagons leading to there through the Spawning Forest. The most direct route would need to pass through Aketon - going around it means either crossing a huge river with no bridge, or a muddy flood plain, or tripling the distance through Hrotsvitha a supply run would need to traverse.

Pathfinder rules say building a basic dirt road through a forest hex you've already explored and claimed costs two dirham under ideal conditions, which these are not. This route will probably need to cross two hexes of Hrotsvitha, which may count as a jungle, at least doubling the costs. Or, I could dust off the GURPS Low-Tech rules, work it all out down to inches and pennies.

If you could secure a prepaid favor from Jacint (in the form of an Unfurling Road Prayer Strip), or a hive of builder bugs, or a sorcerer with a landscape-shaping spell, or maybe even just a pair of Path-Carving Boots, that could greatly simplify and accelerate the whole road-building process - while possibly also allowing you to pave a path through the sky, thus circumventing any and all ground-based hazards.

Alternatively, you could avoid road construction entirely by digging a canal to the nearest part of what used to be the Avarice River. No fiddly stonework needed, just blast a series of holes in the ground with your infernal cannon or whatever other destructive tools are available, then haul goods in a barge from Aketon's docks. Still needs to cross about fifteen miles before you reach open water, and there might be things under the ground that would object to being exposed and/or drowned, or elevation or leakage issues you'd need to correct with dams and locks - ideally, a team of surveyors could spot such problems for you, but, shockingly, most demons aren't faithful adherents to the Immaculate Philosophy, and as such aren't quite leaping at the chance to preemptively supply everything you need to conquer and civilize the place.

The Traveler's Road, leading from the city of Whitewall to the sea, was supposedly hand-built entirely by a single Blasphemous anathema. Powerful enchantments protect anyone traveling upon it from wyld things and the dead, even though they can closely approach the road, and enforce terrible punishments on any mortals who attempt banditry, or even exalts who dare break the peace. Possibly Bridget and/or Morse Song could construct a similar wonder to safeguard your supplies through hostile territory. According to the old stories it took him three solid centuries, but the Traveler's Road is twenty yards wide and 700 miles long, so a quick bit of dimensional analysis suggests that two anathema working together might be able to get you what you need in just a few months.

Until some sort of major public works project is complete, though, seems like the only realistic options for that shipping would be a batch of demons task-bound to carry supplies, or hiring that airship. The Haslanti league definitely knows how to do airborne logistics - the cities of Crystal and Diamond Hearth would starve without it. Unfortunately, they also know how to negotiate. The airship's quartermaster has a suspiciously detailed assessment of how long Red And Gold needs to recuperate after summoning and binding a demon, what materials are needed to do so safely, what else those supernatural laborers might be useful for, etc. so their 'hazard pay' bid is just a hairsbreadth below intolerable gouging. If Seven Broken Wings Of Red And Gold wants to get a better deal there, he'll need to either find or build leverage on the Haslanti officers, or bring in a credible competitor that's not paid for out of his own mote pool.
>>
No. 931633 ID: 2007b6

>>931625
Food-Gathering Exercise would let you lead up to 300 people - more than are currently available - in foraging enough to feed themselves (or a similar-sized group) for a full day every 25 minutes. Between her demesne and hearthstone, Bridget's recovering 26 motes per hour while working or 30 per hour while resting, so two six-hour shifts per day is plausible, which would produce enough food for 8,640 people if you could bring in enough additional workers, or about half a dirham per day. Preserving that food for anything much beyond immediate use would be an entirely separate problem.

CNNT, E4, and Craft(Fire) 4 means Bridget can do the work of a dozen master smiths or potters, at least for new fabrication rather than repairs. Squeezing a dirham's worth of work into a single month that way would require averaging hundred-hour weeks, and using the excellency mostly to compensate for fatigue. Part of the problem is that there's only so much real master-level work to be done; training up more apprentices and journeymen with Harmonious Academic Methodology might let you delegate the low-skill tasks and thereby improve efficiency. Craft (Earth) and Craft (Wood) are also likely to be important.

A group of 25 first circle demons can do about a dirham's worth of work per month. Maybe twice that if it's the particular type of work they're specialized for, but there are also significant material expenses involved in the initial summoning, and collateral damage risks, so it's better to go with the conservative estimate. For those two or three dirham of expected income next month, one is local mortals following Red And Gold's suggestions for lack of anything better to do or donating goods out of a sense of gratitude, the second is revenue from already bound demons, and the possible third is if he can hire and/or bind two or more loyal demon workers per day through all of Resplendent Fire.

It's worth noting that so far you're protecting and providing for all these people - couple hundred in town, thousands more scattered across the rest of the hex in homesteads or small villages - without any clear attempt to extract taxes or compel service from them in return.
>>
No. 931635 ID: d9acdc

>>931633
By my estimates, if 300 people can spend 12 hours a day and produce half a dirham, then you'd need 7,200 hours of labor to gather up a dihram of food. In a month, two groups of 25, working 6 hours shifts, could then produce two and a half dihram of food. With nothing to use that food for, and no way to store it, that would be virtually useless, except to offset moral and loyalty costs for raising taxes. Haven't gone over the rules myself so I'm unsure how directly food can be converted into labor when people are not abundant.
If Bridget had 4 dots in craft water, it makes sense that the food could be turned into reasonable products for labor, but she can only do the work of 12 people. Even if provided otherwise abundant food and all the time she could want to work, that would still only be about 4,000 hours of skilled labor. So, do hours of skilled labor convert into dirham at a better rate than raw food? Furthermore, to address more pressing needs, how much labor could that one repair charm which I forget the name of supply? Would it allow us to circumvent spending Dirham on things like repairing the granary? Would those 4000 hours of skilled labor provide more benefit when used with Craft (Earth) or Craft (Wood) right now?
>>
No. 931646 ID: 0640da

rolled 3, 8, 9, 10, 6, 8, 6, 7, 6, 1, 5, 1, 2, 9, 2, 5, 10, 8, 4, 7, 5, 10, 5, 7, 9, 6, 10, 10, 4, 5 = 188

>>931589
Morse will attend as the ambiguous 'Ambassador'. If asked, she'd say the underworld, but otherwise remain quiet and let Lute talk. If I had XP I'd purchase the full extent of dots in Socialize here, seems rather important for a diplomatic meeting. She's going to stick with her Lunar, of course, and do her best to pose no threat. Her mask should make it pretty hard to determine she's an abyssal and not some other thing but it would be nice for more coverage.
>>
No. 931647 ID: 54735b

>Discord Conversation about the logistics of this and how I would need the DotFA command background to use demons.

>DotFA Command 3 has the following prerequisites: Allies 3, Connections 3, Retainers 3, and Resources 6

>Command 2 has Allies 2, Retainer 1, Contacts 1, and Resources 5 pre-requisites

>Currently has meets none of those prerequisites, but 2 backgrounds worth of exp free.

Okay, since it will be a long while before I can ever justify having Resources 6 for Command 3, I'm going to just politely request that I refund it for a 4th dot in Resources as SX takes a more personal role in leading the Manse and getting better at the job and smoothing out the issues from the transition over the month.

Spend 3 Exp to have negotiated with the local guild presence in Aketon since we're pretty well both screwed in this situation and they would definitely want to get their hands in a pie like that.

And spend 3 exp on locking in the Harenhal that I've had as anti-counterfeit stuff as an Ally.
>>
No. 931660 ID: 54735b

Stats for Heranhal (Still named just Heranhal)

Motivation: To forge great works of demonic craft.

Strength 4, Dexterity 3, Stamina 6;
Charisma 3, Manipulation 1, Appearance 1;
Perception 3, Intelligence 3, Wits 4

Compassion 2, Conviction 3, Temperance 1, Valor 4

Athletics 2
Awareness 1
Craft (Air) 3 (Secret Crafts +3)
Craft (Fire) 4 (Secret Crafts +3)
Craft (Lightning) 3
Craft (Water) 2
Craft (Vitriol) 3
Dodge 3
Investigation 3
Lore 3
Martial Arts 3
Medicine 3
Melee 3
Occult 3 (Art of Alchemy +1, Art of Enchantment +2)
Performance 1 (Forge Chanteys +2)
Presence 1 (Seduction +2)
Resistance 4 (Heat and Flames +3)
Socialize 1 (Carousing +2)

Backgrounds: Backing 1
Contacts 2 (Neomah Lover, Ore Trader)
Artifact 1 (Hellforged Emerald Flame Artifact)+Sapience 1
Provides 2nd Investigation Excellency
Urge: Bring Shame upon those who produce inferior craftsmanship.

Charms:
Affinity (Element) Control—Fire; The heranhal may use only the Elemental Corruption and Elemental Resistance functions of this Charm
Malediction—The heranhal utters curses against those who offend him
Materialize—Costs 45 motes
Ox-Body Technique
Sheathing the Material Form—The demon’s hide turns to enchanted brass
Stoke the Flame—Inspires others with the heranhal’s own gluttonous or lascivious passions
First (Ability) Excellency—Craft, Dodge, Socialize
Second (Ability) Excellency—Resistance
Third (Ability) Excellency—Craft, Socialize
Join Battle: 5
Attacks:
Punch: Speed 5, Accuracy 7, Damage 4B, Parry DV 4, Rate 3

Kick: Speed 5, Accuracy 6, Damage 7B, Parry DV 2, Rate 2

Clinch: Speed 6, Accuracy 6, Damage 4B, Parry DV —, Rate 1, Tags P

Black Iron Hammer: Speed 5, Accuracy 7, Damage 12B/2, Parry DV 4, Rate 2

Soak: 6L/9B (Toughened hide, 3L/3B)

Health Levels: -0/-1/-1/-1/-1/-1/-2/-2/-2/-2/-2/-4/Incap

Dodge DV: 4 Willpower: 7

Essence: 2 Essence Pool: 55
>>
No. 931694 ID: afdebc

rolled 3, 3, 6, 1, 5, 8, 1, 6, 3, 4, 8, 5, 2, 6, 8, 2, 8, 3, 1, 7 = 90

>>931619
>Standing in front of one of Sesus Xanin's They Live signs, Fanged Flair Effulgence turns to Dell. "Not what I was expecting."
"No." A Realm army occupying a manse in hell wasn't what Dell had been expecting, either.

>"Please, let's head to my office to discuss this."
Dell trails behind Fanged Flair Effulgence, ready to defend him if necessary, but allowing him to take the lead on the negotiations (he's the lawyer, after all). As they pass through the manse, she pays attention to the condition and distribution of the soldiery passed, ears straining to hear gossip and commentary that quickly cuts off at the passage of their exalted commander and guests.

I assume attempting to size up a military force as your pass through a location they hold would be a war roll of some kind? Possibly paired with a perception + awareness roll to see what details I pick up.
>>
No. 931698 ID: 54735b

rolled 4, 5, 6, 7, 4, 2, 8, 6, 4 = 46

I figure, I don't have any social charms, but it would be a really bad idea to visit diplomants while in my Warform, so after the affair with regenerating my own ripped out tongue and before visiting with them, I'll have transformed back into my human true form.
>>
No. 931733 ID: 2007b6

>>931635
>7,200 hours of labor to gather up a dihram of food
That's with the boost from Food-Gathering Exercise. Ordinary mortal harvesting and foraging is less efficient.
>I'm unsure how directly food can be converted into labor when people are not abundant
For most purposes, it can't. Food production has steep diminishing returns after the point where nobody's starving.
>how much labor could that one repair charm which I forget the name of supply?
Crack-Mending Technique has the same speed multiplier and requires 5 dots in the relevant craft skill. It might be somewhat more useful for directly reconstructing partially demolished buildings to original spec with minimal new material (for example, restoring the sacred architecture of Ondar Shambal aka Whitewall), but if you're just trying to pour craftsmanship into rebooting an already semi-functional economy, it's not really necessary. Newly made clay pots could serve a rebuilt granary just as well as piecing together the old broken ones.

What might be more effective is using Harmonious Academic Methodology to raise the skill levels available among mortal extras. A hundred master carpenters can build more ordinary houses in less time than a solar with CNNT could alone, and having that highly skilled core population also provides a better foundation for cultural stability as the community grows.
>Would it allow us to circumvent spending Dirham on things like repairing the granary?
Dirham value is used here as an abstraction. Nobody in town is passing around 16-pound silver ingots, or even similar sized kegs of coins. In fact, there's almost no hard currency available. Instead, it represents the equivalent value of productive economic activity. Those four dirham in the notional treasury could represent things like wooden beams, iron nails, hardtack, cheese, tanned leather, bolts of cloth, tools properly cleaned and sharpened, waste cleared, domestic spirits propitiated, well-rested muscles and brains... anything with broad potential, stable enough to be held on to until next month, and not already committed to a specific project. Doing useful work, by definition, requires expending some available potential to do useful work. Artifice or sorcery might be able to dramatically accelerate construction, contributing several dirham worth of work to a project in the span of a few minutes, but a significant part of the cost of setting up any 'building' on that kingdom scale is things like recruiting and training trustworthy workers, or organizing various supporting services.
>Would those 4000 hours of skilled labor provide more benefit when used with Craft (Earth) or Craft (Wood) right now?
That's exactly the sort of question Bridget would need dots in Bureaucracy to answer.
>>
No. 931743 ID: d9acdc

>>931733
>That's with the boost from Food-Gathering Exercise. Ordinary mortal harvesting and foraging is less efficient.
I was perhaps unclear, but my:
>two groups of 25, working 6 hours shifts, could then produce two and a half dirham of food.
suggestion was meant to imply that Bridget would be leading them with Food-Gathering Exercise.

>With nothing to use that food for, and no way to store it, that would be virtually useless, except to offset moral and loyalty costs for raising taxes. Haven't gone over the rules myself so I'm unsure how directly food can be converted into labor when people are not abundant.

>For most purposes, it can't. Food production has steep diminishing returns after the point where nobody's starving.
There was some implication that workers could be taxed more highly, and food could help to offset the penalties from this. Looking at the taxation edicts and the holiday edicts tables, found here:
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/other-rules/kingdom-building/edicts#TOC-Improvement-Edicts
That means with our three dirham surplus from food that can't be used for anything else, and isn't yet able to be stored, we could raises taxes to the "normal" level, (increasing our economy by two, and decreasing our loyalty by two) and offset the penalties by announcing six holidays per year, which increases our consumption by two, leaving us one surplus dirham of food, and a bonus to economy. This surplus food could even be put towards a token effort to convince the villagers that this isn't so bad, as per the promotion edict table, which would provide a bonus to stability, making any future checks easier.

As I understand it, were we playing pathfinder, when checking to see how much BP we have, we would make an economy check, DC22. (Base 20, plus one claimed tile, plus one district.) We would roll a d20, and add our economy score, plus relevant bonuses from whoever is guiding that act, to see if we beat the DC. If one of the exalted is guiding this action, Red and Gold perhaps for his dots in bureaucracy, then we'd probably get a significant boost. I remember it being said that one exalted dot is roughly worth +3 in pathfinder, but I don't remember if that would be +3 ability modifier or +3 ability score. That gives us a range of anywhere from +3 to +15 depending on what score is used and how much each dot is worth. Then, if you fail, you gain no BP (or dirham in this case) but if you pass you get your economy score divided by 3. The instructions aren't explicit, so if I've gotten anything wrong, corrections would be appreciated.

>A hundred master carpenters can build more ordinary houses in less time than a solar with CNNT could alone, and having that highly skilled core population also provides a better foundation for cultural stability as the community grows.
On the subject of housing, it seems to me that building more housing right now would increase unrest, making everything we do more difficult as we try to get things running again. The benefits provided, by comparison, are only that we gain access to certain buildings which provide boosts to economy, stability, and sometimes generate other things like crime unrest and magic items. When there are several buildings that boost economy and stability and such without needing houses, why build them first? mechanically, it seems like it would be a bad idea to provide shelter for everyone right now, even though logistically that seems like it should be one of the first priorities. Are there ramifications or downsides to having your entire population sleeping in burnt out husks and open fields? Bridget would want to make sure everyone is fed and housed, but there's no numbers provided for many people a given housing block can support, or what the penalties for having a large homeless population are/what the benefits of providing for everyone are.
Furthermore, is it possible to bypass the penalty for tenement housing by upgrading it straight to regular housing first? We have 4 BP, and can only build one building right now regardless due to our size, but since it says the first house you build a turn doesn't count towards that limit, we are capable of building a housing block right away, without leaving tenements around. If we can invest that 4 BP directly into good housing instead of crowding everyone into a temporary camp that seems more efficiently, and benefits us mechanically.

Any notes for how roles regarding kingdom checks are going to be handled? And, since all the labor is coming from Demons under Red and Gold's control, do I even need to worry about this stuff, or is it not my place to plan where our production could go since I don't have an reasonable IC excuse to take control of that system right now. Otter seems to be a tad busy with work and such, but I would be happy to provide summaries of what's possible for this/next month if they want to be in charge but don't want to do all the reading first.
>>
No. 931744 ID: d9acdc

rolled 2, 10, 5, 6, 10, 9, 5, 8, 7, 7, 6, 2, 8, 7, 8, 1, 3, 1, 7, 6, 7, 10, 1, 2, 9, 7, 2, 5, 2, 2 = 165

>>931181
Bridget has, in many ways, stumbled through the past two months, participating in a string of failure unbecoming for a chosen of the Unconquered Sun. She failed to fulfill her duty to her people at the castle in the sky, failed to alleviate the suffering of the tortured souls she pounded into fixings and tools, failed to save the villagers from the treachery her brother enacted upon them, failed to seal away his pawn of evil, failed to save her allies, those who helped her, from the lies and treachery of her new foes, failed to make peace with those who could ease the suffering of innocents, allowed those who would help her to become lost, and gave guidance to those who would inflict harm, all culminating in her most recent failure to care for her patients. Her force of will could not ease their suffering, and their torturous recovery would surely haunt them. At home, her flock would surely be lost without her, Karod no doubt submitting them to cruel slavery and terrible deeds. She needs to be faster, stronger, more eloquent, more skilled, just more. She needs to learn and understand. She needs to become a shepard worthy for the people counting on her.

These were Bridgets thoughts as she left the monks to cope with their newfound health, and leapt once more towards the manse, intent on rescuing the Disciple of Mela. Using personal motes, to avoid anima flare. She's learning that simply throwing your weight around won't always cut it.

>>931393
>>931483
>>931589
>>931646
>>931698
Fast forward to the present. Bridget arrives to greet the visitors, Dutiful Topaz somewhat obscured and overshadowed by her colorful company. The three eyed mountain troll, collared nudist, and her masked lover are all vested in each other, and the town, to varying degrees. Bridget speaks up first, as the others hang back. The might of the Unconquered Sun may not always be enough, but she would not hide who she was, castemark clearly visible in her third eye.

"We are representing these people as shepards and advisers. I teach and build"
A sweeping hand gestures to Morse and Rivers in turn.
"The musician wards evil. The warrior defends her love. What roles bring you here?"
>>
No. 931751 ID: 0640da

rolled 5, 6, 7, 9, 2, 9, 8, 2, 7, 5, 10, 7, 3, 2, 8, 6, 2, 9, 6, 2, 2, 4, 4, 7, 10, 8, 8, 6, 6, 4 = 174

"...you aren't going to embarrass me in front of these... interlopers with this nonsense about being in love, are you?" Morse adjusts a string as she plays her instrument, talking to Lute as they make their way to the diplomatic meet. "I promise not to kill them if you don't make a fool of me while we're figuring out what their intrusion is about. Unlike you, I am a polite and proper individual... when I so desire it. It just so happens I am a believer in peace, and I think a diplomatic meet is the best place for me to demonstrate that. So, I will be on my best behaviors, and so will everyone else. Or else." Morse leaves her request with a threat... she doesn't want this meeting to escalate into violence, it sounds like. While normally that would be a kind sentiment, coming from an Abyssal, it must have some ulterior motive to it.

Spending 16 XP to bring Socialize from 1 to 5! No more of that pesky having her identity seen through, and more diplomatic sway.
>>
No. 931752 ID: 54735b

'Well, that was rude' Rivers couldn't help to think, but not say since she wasn't interested in kicking up more of a fuss by trying to assert that Bridget isn't really the person to be taking the lead since she already had started.

But Morse's comment was a half step far enough to get her to react as she nudged her lover in the arm as she made threats and worse, denied their romance.

While, she also wasn't planning on taking the lead herself, since all she was really there to do was be intimidating and interesting. And to bring food, she was after all, up half the night preparing a small feast. It would have been less, but she kept having to toss it out and start again when she messed up, since she really wanted to make an impression. And now she was dragging carrying it in a scalding hot tray on top of the too big table from the bar that she had estimated was about the right size for 10 people just a few inches off the ground to keep it clean.

"I think it's a bit tedious to stretch these kinds of meetings out, so I'm going to go out on a limb and guess you're from the guild, and as such you're here on a business trip. After all, you came from the direction of that big town in the area, so you'd be looking for resources to keep everyone there safe and fed."

And with that, she placed down the table and unveiled the contents, containing a one course meal for 10 people mostly made out of local plant meats as palatable as she could make them with her wits, cooking skill, and a lot of seasoning.
>>
No. 931753 ID: 54735b

Int 1+Craft (Water) 2 for base 3 dice, spending a willpower to channel conviction for an extra 4 dice, and whatever stunt rating that is for as much as +3 dice to a maximum of 10.
>>
No. 931754 ID: 54735b

rolled 4, 1, 4, 3, 1, 4, 7, 4, 3, 4 = 35

I forgot I reloaded when I was typing that post, so I didn't keep the dice command
>>
No. 931755 ID: 0640da

rolled 9, 9, 10, 5, 6, 8, 9, 2, 8, 9, 5, 1, 4, 10, 8, 3, 1, 3, 3, 1, 2, 8, 10, 2, 1, 3, 5, 5, 10, 3 = 163

>>931752
"Yes. I'm just a musician that wards off demons." Morse deadpans. "You're safe from the silent winds with me... (River, stop nudging me, or so help me I will disembowel you in front of these nice people.)"

Morse doesn't touch her meal, although she does make a few quick adjustments to prevent her mate from putting the salad fork where the dinner fork is supposed to be on each of the place settings. Making a standard Socialize check with my improved dice, no specialties. She wants to make sure her mate doesn't do something egregious, and stands at the side of the table, playing a more traditional tune from her home town. She'll make a Performance check for that, too.
>>
No. 931756 ID: 54735b

Rivers was half tempted to check the bluff that Morse would manage to forcibly disembowel her. Both because she'd BEEN disemboweled before and could reasonably guess at how difficult it was while Morse physically wasn't agile, strong, or skilled enough to pull it off, and because she trusted in Morse's love enough even if the fact that she loved her needed to be drilled through her mask and into her skull.

But, that would be rude to do here, so she avoided goading her into trying, since she didn't want to make a bad impression by causing her lover to fly into a rage and impotently scratch at her abdomen.
>>
No. 931768 ID: afdebc

>>931751
>"...you aren't going to embarrass me in front of these... interlopers with this nonsense about being in love, are you?"
The disguised Sidereal gives a glibe shrug. "Doesn't seem likely that embarrassing you in front of people you don't care about would make you a better person, so I see pressing reason to do so."

Going to follow Morse's example, and spend 9XP to increase socialize from 1 to 4.

>It just so happens I am a believer in peace
"The peace of the grave, naturally."

>>931755
>She wants to make sure her mate doesn't do something egregiou
Like showing up to a diplomatic meeting naked, perhaps.

This suits Lute's purposes just fine, though. Between the mountain-troll solar, nudist, and mysterious masked musician, there's plenty to distract the other party and allow her to operate with less scrutiny.
>>
No. 931795 ID: 8d924c

>>931744
Red and Gold is later to arrive than the others, trailed by a pair of tomescu. He peers at the masked figure and what appears to be some sort of troll, but sees no reason to object to their presence. They don't seem to be demons, anyways.

"Hello, friends from afar. I am Seven Broken Wings of Red and Gold. I will be representing the interests of the Unquestionable and the Green Sun Princes. Might I ask who I have the pleasure to be meeting today?"
>>
No. 931839 ID: f57349

>>931795
"I'm Gerald Isslor, representing Aketon's military and the god of the walls, and these are Iridescent Bile representing the Avarice River's Undertow community, Carl Akbarson of the Guild, and, er..."
"Minister of Crocodile Tears," says the lizard-man, "though you may call me 'croc' if you wish to be less formal. Anyone claiming to have our city's best interests at heart need only touch their hand to the flame within my lantern, and that claim will thereafter be taken seriously."
>representing the interests of the Unquestionable
"Such as, say, Madelrada?" asks the Guildsman. "If you're able to end this bizarre blockade and reopen trade along the Avarice River, I'll find a way to make it worth your while."
>>
No. 931844 ID: 8d924c

>>931839
Red and Gold flashes teeth in a smile at the Guildsman's response.

"Indeed, such as Madelrada, though I'm uncertain what blockade you refer to. Perhaps you mean Hrotsvitha? But I'm afraid I can't remove one of the Unquestionable for you. Let's discuss the current circumstances, regardless. This portion of Creation has been rather unceremoniously dropped into the middle of Hrotsvitha, about a month past. I have found no evidence of remaining connections between here and whereever it once resided. There is no indication that whatever caused this is reversible. So, a claim has been made, in the name of Madelrada. As That Which Wears Down the Mountains has not seen fit to come here herself, as of yet, I have taken it upon myself to see to it that noone engages in any, well, poaching. Luminata are my largest concern, but thankfully I think they have been taking my statements seriously. The next concern is of course, food and water. The light of Ligier may not be precisely the same for the growth of plants here, and any cloud which drifts outside the borders is as good as lost to us. I have some thoughts for solving these issues, but I am only one man, after all, so I would like to hear your thoughts."

Red and Gold provides this horrifying knowledge and then simply pauses, smiling at the new arrivals, waiting for input.
>>

rolled 9, 5, 9, 7, 10, 8, 9, 10, 4, 8, 8, 9, 2, 10, 8, 4, 3, 1, 6, 9, 7, 1, 9, 8, 10, 4, 6, 10, 2, 4 = 200

>>931839
>"Minister of Crocodile Tears," says the lizard-man, "though you may call me 'croc' if you wish to be less formal. Anyone claiming to have our city's best interests at heart need only touch their hand to the flame within my lantern, and that claim will thereafter be taken seriously."
From her position besides the overlarge arm of Bridget, rather than Marching Against the Flame, Dutiful Topaz appraises it from the opposite side of banquet table (a sampling of which she had already tasted, so the envoys might be reassured it was neither drugged nor poisoned).

Rolling Lore or Occult, in an attempt to determine what kind of magic this is. Is this an artifact or magical effect she recognizes, or one she can divine the purpose of? (A truth-oracle of some manner would be a very different beast from a simple trial by fire, or holy flame for that matter). Not sure which dice pool I'm rolling here, but I'll add 4 Excellency dice for 4m personal.
>>
No. 931883 ID: 54735b

"What if we don't know enough about your city to really make a decision as to whether we have its best interests at heart. I mean, I don't want anything bad to happen to it, and so far as I know I have your best interest at heart, but I guess I don't really know what that entails."

As she was talking, Rivers reached out to touch the fire, curious on where she stood in the eyes of the flame.
>>
No. 931902 ID: 0640da

rolled 5, 2, 5, 4, 5, 3, 7, 1, 10, 2, 3, 6, 7, 3, 6, 5, 6, 7, 9, 2, 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 1, 7, 9, 4, 10 = 151

>>931839
Morse eyes Red and Gold with suspicion. She licks a finger, and presses it to her instrument before using Screaming in Silence to send Red and Gold a telepathic message. [Perhaps you should explain tho those of Creation what poaching means in this context. Understand we are not all as learned as you about the ways of Madelrada, and this is the first time I've heard of concerns about it. Right now, it seems to me like you're threatening the diplomatic party instead of trying to reach an agreement. Offer them something, anything besides information. You can't make demands without giving first, it's rude.] She turns her head to face River now, still playing her instrument. [Sit up straight and stop slouching. You might have fucked the food but I'm not going to let you make more mistakes. I'm here to support you, River, just ask questions when you need help.] Morse turns to Lute last, before checking with her. [You're not using any charms to investigate them, are you? The last thing I want to see is a fight starting because one of them realized you were trying to find loopholes around that lantern of theirs. Nothing obvious.]

Morse would like to have started this diplomatic meet 20 motes down, one dipped into peripheral, with communication through Screaming in Silence established with the four team members (all players have given permission) that she's working with. She's going to be working as the rules of Teamwork, providing an additional dice to actions like Socialize or Manipulate and helping the group communicate without making faux pas. She'll also be making regular Socialize checks to manage the group as a unit-- she could probably use Lute's help with this, too.
>>
No. 931908 ID: f57349

>>931883
What intimacies does Rivers have, particularly toward the city of Aketon, or in terms of philosophy or religion?
>>
No. 931920 ID: f57349

>>931869
More than enough successes to identify it as originating from one of the Paths of Draconic Enlightenment, specifically the capstone of the Blazing Fire Path, detailed in the Scroll of Fallen Races p. 137. Lantern itself is a 1-dot artifact that simply serves to keep the flame within from being extinguished by mundane means.
>>
No. 931938 ID: f57349

>>931844
"So, wait, are you saying the outside world is actually gone?" asks Carl, "Or does Sijan still exist, and I'm just gonna need to hand over a heap of jade or prisoners or joss sticks or whatever to send any heavy packages there?"

Alone among the four, Iridescent Bile appears neither confused nor frightened, but only smiles smugly, rolling her bulbous eyes. "The Lawgivers have returned, and we all have been Cast Out Beyond Regard. I will gladly lend my people's support to your cloud-herding project, kindly prince, if you in turn provide me with a drop of blood from whoever issued that condemnation."
>>
No. 931941 ID: 54735b

>>931908
In terms of Philosophy, an intimacy of love/respect for the Immaculate Tradition, since that's what she grew up with and has molded her current identity around, though from the sounds of Iridescent Bile calling the Solars Lawgivers that sounds like she's getting her burned even though she has the theory that Anathema are an important thing since clearly they reincarnate.

No particular intimacy towards Aketon, since as she pointed out she never really even heard of them.

An up to date list of Intimacies for the official record.

Immaculate Tradition (Love/Trust)
Nature/Wilderness (Love/Like a home)
Lookshy (Patriotic Pride)
Morse (Love) Secured by Solar Bond
Lute (Love)
Malice (Love)
Red and Gold (Ally/Old Friend)
Bridget (Ally)
My 'murderers' (Murderous intent)
The Realm (Hatred)
>>
No. 931943 ID: 54735b

Also
Mother Bog (Unfocused but mostly helpful patron)
>>

rolled 5, 9, 8, 4, 4, 1, 1, 9, 6, 3, 2, 3, 5, 2, 9, 3, 1, 5, 3, 10 = 93

>>931902
>>931920
>You're not using any charms to investigate them, are you?
Lute appraises her allies of her insight via Morse's telepathic charm. [The flame is the creation of a master of one of the Draconic Paths of Enlightenment. It will burn any creature of darkness, and anyone who does not love one of the same things its creator does. These flames can burn for centuries- the dragon who birthed it may not stand before us, or may be long dead].

>>931938
>"So, wait, are you saying the outside world is actually gone?" asks Carl, "Or does Sijan still exist, and I'm just gonna need to hand over a heap of jade or prisoners or joss sticks or whatever to send any heavy packages there?"
"As has been explained to me, we have been moved from one world to another. The world we knew still exists, it is just far away and difficult to reach. Your package would have to cross the alien terrain outside, and spend 5 days in the Endless Desert that connects the two, before it could travel to Sijan under familiar skies."

>Cast Out Beyond Regard. I will gladly lend my people's support to your cloud-herding project, kindly prince, if you in turn provide me with a drop of blood from whoever issued that condemnation.
OOC: she recognizes the solar charm that would normally be used to exile a chunk of creation. Problem is we can't give her what she wants, since a solar didn't do this, it was a fate glitch after the cult of syrinx prophet executioner got too successful with the omen weather.
>>
No. 931966 ID: 8d924c

>>931938
Red and Gold blinks as he receives the message from Morse, before responding to the Guildsman.

"Oh, no, Creation is still where it was. Only this piece is here in Malfeas, now. Still, Sijan will be hard to reach. I could make it there myself, but I am currently prioritizing keeping the people here alive and safe. That is, er, part of what I mean by poaching. The dirt, the water, the stone, everything here is valuable in Malfeas, and the people perhaps most valuable of all. Luckily, I do have influence here. Not enough, yet, but I do intend to see to it that no harm comes to the people here, as best as I am able. And indeed, the Lawgivers have returned. I wonder where you came across that information?"
>>
No. 931967 ID: 0640da

rolled 8, 2, 3, 1, 2, 9, 5, 1, 5, 1, 1, 4, 8, 2, 5, 5, 10, 5, 3, 4, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 5, 9, 5, 2, 3 = 134

>>931945
[Eugh. No wonder I feel disgusted by it. I'll share the findings with the rest...] Morse makes this information known to the other members of the party, adding that [The vile artifact you see before you is birthed of the misguided leanings of a dragon. It will burn any creature who touches it that carries an unholy aura about them or does not share an emotional bond with the attuned. Red and Gold, don't touch it... Lute says you're fine, dear. Don't worry. They won't try to hurt you if you toy with it.]

I... might have to roll Resonance for warning Red and Gold.
>>
No. 931976 ID: d61718

rolled 7, 6, 4, 8, 10, 5, 4, 7, 7, 9, 3, 7, 9, 5, 6, 6, 1, 9, 9, 4, 7, 2, 10, 1, 4, 7, 3, 6, 10, 5 = 181

>>931938
>I will gladly lend my people's support to your cloud-herding project, kindly prince, if you in turn provide me with a drop of blood from whoever issued that condemnation.

"You hunt my brother Karod. We share blood; if that suffices, I shall bleed. I fear he is outside this realm. I can leave, but cannot hunt alone. I must shepard the lost and secure their freedom. Help will be rewarded as I am able. If I can banish pockets of Wyld that greatly aids us."

Bridget genuinely believes her imaginary twin brother is responsible, and is happy to offer any aid to hunt him down. She would go after him herself, but the people here need her more right now, and she cannot abandon them. Wyld Shaping would let her reward people more generously and with greater options, and could also help support efforts to protect and rebuild, if she had access to any Wyld pockets.

>Anyone claiming to have our city's best interests at heart need only touch their hand to the flame within my lantern.

"I know nothing of Aketon, yet love all Creation. I am mandated to shepard the weak, expand creation, to treat its ailments. These people suffer greatly, as we all have. Any who travel here will be cared for. If you can provide for this flock I shall aid you."

Bridget watches Rivers reaction to the lamp carefully, to judge whether she need exercise caution herself. She is not as invincible as she once believed. She is unsure what is best, to bring survivors here, or to send them to Aketon, but whatever will provide for the most people she'll throw her weight behind.

>>931938
>I'm just gonna need to hand over a heap of jade or prisoners or joss sticks or whatever to send any heavy packages there?

Bridget had remained quiet after the introductions, wanting to support her allies and allow their more gentle touch to take the place of the sun's unbridled might. Their gentle touch is no longer appropriate. As the guild representive speaks, golden light erupts from Bridget. She clears the space between them with less than a step, forgetting her goal of overshadowing Diligent Topaz, caring only about the grave injustice that is flagrantly, callously, being thrown in her face. The offender has their clothing not so much gripped, as enveloped, by a hand nearly as large as their torso. The forge trolls unblinking golden eye blocking Ligers light as it burns the twilights crest in Carls retina. They are barely able to touch the ground when Bridgets voice begins to burble and snap, an icy lake threatening to swallow them whole.

"Rare that I hesitate to strike slavers down. Wherever the denizens of creation are imprisoned, they shall be free, no payment or exchange given. Head hung in remorse and slaver no longer, your needs are met as all others, no better or worse.
Further, trade that aid us can be conducted outside this realm, once I can safely return, or all are saved from this disaster."

Bridget is aiming for three ticks and making a social attack to intimidate the Guild member into freeing any slaves they have access to, and giving up the practice. She spends a peripheral mote to flare her anima to the highest level allowed.
>>
No. 931994 ID: afdebc

>>931967
>Eugh. No wonder I feel disgusted by it.
[Am I allowed to tease you about love where the diplomats are unable to hear it?~], a coy voice teases, with a playfulness not reflected in the face presented to the table at large.

>>931976
>She clears the space between them with less than a step, forgetting her goal of overshadowing Diligent Topaz, caring only about the grave injustice that is flagrantly, callously, being thrown in her face
The lawgiver's servant pales, a nervous expression flitting across her features, at the sight of her master's righteous ire being stoked, and her hands twitch an aborted gesture to hold the giant back.

Since Lute's playing Bridget's advisor, adding an extra die to her pool for cooperation with her intimidation-based social attack. All acting and body language, no dialog.
>>
No. 932057 ID: f57349

>>931966
>I am currently prioritizing keeping the people here alive and safe. That is, er, part of what I mean by poaching.
"So you're saying we're as dear to your heart as the deer in your game preserve."
>>
No. 932083 ID: 0640da

rolled 8, 6, 6, 2, 7, 8, 6, 10, 6, 8, 4, 4, 4, 9, 8, 2, 1, 6, 4, 9, 10, 9, 1, 1, 5, 7, 6, 2, 9, 5, 6, 1, 8, 10, 7, 4, 2, 8, 9, 1, 2, 2, 9, 4, 6, 8, 8, 9, 6, 1 = 284

Bridget, Morse, Red and Gold and Lute, roll Join Debate for me. If you have any social units with you or in the building, roll Join Debate for them as well.

@Rivers, you rolled 4,6,6,8 for a total of 1 successes

Join Debate order of dice: Gerald Isslor, Iridescent Bile, Carl Akbarson, Minister of Crocodile Tears, Assorted Mortals. I'll tell you the turn order once all players have rolled. If we end up doing this in the combat thread on the discord, I'll also post regular summaries for XP, but we'll know more later. Hopefully this isn't too awkward.
>>
No. 932105 ID: 304f7c

Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men
Full Moon Barbarian Warrior King

Motivation: Protect the Herd

Strength 5 Dexterity 3 Stamina 4
Charisma 5 Manipulation 1 Appearance 1
Perception 4 Intelligence 3 Wits 2
Essence 2, Willpower 6

Compassion 1, Conviction 3, Temperance 2, Valor 3
Flaw: Curse of the Raging Bull

Abilities / Skills:
Athletics 3
Awareness 1
Dodge 1
Integrity 1
Martial Arts 1
Melee 4
Resistance 1
*War 5
Craft Earth 2
Presence 2
Socialize 2
*Survival 5
Occult 2

Charms:[GOLDEN TIGER STANCE][ESSENCE OVERWHELMING STR][ESSENCE RESURGENT DEX][WARY SWALLOW METHOD][IMPRESSIONS OF STRENGTH][RELENTLESS LUNAR FURY]

Mutations: Enhanced Sight and Smell, Fur, Large, Tail, Ugly

Backgrounds:
Artifact #1 DEATH AT THE ROOT
Artifact #2 Victorious General's Galea
Artifact #3 Moon-Faced Plat Mail
Followers 3 Cult
Resource 3

Intimacies:
Master of combat with an axe
Leading a army
Hot headed
Prone to grudges


BP Spent: 15 Free with Chargen
-9 Artifacts
-6 Abilities
>>
No. 932106 ID: f57349

>>932105
With the errata, you get 18 BP to start with, and raising WP to 6 costs one of those. Mutations also cost BP, or provide extra BP back in the case of negative mutations, and if you're taking Ugly with all your social attribute dots in Charisma that would actually mean Appearance 0.

Should list the actual dot ratings for Backgrounds, and provide more detail, particularly for Followers and Resources. Is your Moon-Faced Mail regular articulated plate, or superheavy?

Goats don't usually have tails long and heavy enough to directly aid in balance. How about basing the racial template on gazelle beastfolk from Compass: Wyld p. 160? One point each for enhanced smell, enhanced hearing, and fur, two points for fast movement (meaning +4 yards per tick, +4 strength for jumping, two dice to checks for competitive running, and overland travel as fast as a horse) and two points for horns.

For ease of readability, don't put charm names in all caps, and split them up into separate headings by attribute.

What's your spirit shape? What does your iconic anima look like? If you're taking Deadly Beastman Transformation as one of your starting knacks, what are the additional mutations you gain while in that form? Could say, since you were a beastman pre-exaltation, some of your racial-template mutations got shuffled over into DBT, meaning you've got a goat spirit shape and a non-beastman form (maybe with just Horns and Ugly) you could use for blending in to human settlements. Victorious General's Galea could be designed to subtly make your horns look like they're decorative extensions of the armor, rather than growing out from your actual scalp.
>>
No. 932137 ID: 0640da

>>931976
The room is silent for a moment, before Carl speaks up in his defense. "Listen, you Solar Troll. It was a slip of the tongue. I was merely referring to the forms of currency your... companions of choice use. Am I not mistaken? You will find no slaves among my cargo, I can assure you of that." Carl looks around for approval, and gains only icy stares as his parry fails. The question still lingers in the air as to his guilt in the matter.

Before anyone else can speak, Minister of Crocodile Tears speaks up, his teeth gnashing and turning into a crooked smile. "More importantly, my dear Solar, is that we are on the same side if you truly love Creation... but we have seen claims from many who thought themselves saints before. Paragons of virtue. You blame your brother, but how are we to be sure you are not yourself to blame for this tragedy? Rather than blather, perhaps you wish to put your jade where your mouth is and prove to us you tell no lies. My flame can discern your truth-- you only need touch its fire."

He's made a Manipulation attack of 1 success against Bridget, trying to trip her up. You are welcome to respond to the attack however you like, but it is also Dutiful Topaz' move.
>>
No. 932148 ID: f57349

>>931883
There's a brief tickle of unpleasant nostalgia, the mnemonic equivalent of being patted down for concealed weapons and incidentally groped, as somebody else's conscience runs through all her depredations as an Anathema and any dubious deals she's made. Apart from a mild smell of burnt hair, Hundred Flowing Sweet Rivers' hand is entirely uninjured, which visibly comes as a surprise to the lizardman holding the lantern.
>>
No. 932172 ID: 304f7c

>>932106
I tried to explain things better this time!
Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men
Full Moon Barbarian Warrior King
A small beastman with goat’s eyes. His spirit shape is a goat. His warform is a towering twelve foot beastman with the head of a goat, twisted ram’s horns and hooves.
Tell: Silver goat’s eyes
Motivation: Protect the Herd
Anima: Ram

Strength 5 Dexterity 3 Stamina 4
Charisma 5 Manipulation 1 Appearance 1
Perception 4 Intelligence 3 Wits 2
Essence 2, Willpower 6

Compassion 1, Conviction 3, Temperance 2, Valor 3
Flaw: Curse of the Raging Bull

Abilities / Skills:
Athletics 3
Awareness 1
Dodge 1
Integrity 1
Martial Arts 1
Melee 4
Resistance 1
*War 5
Craft Earth 2
Presence 2
Socialize 2
*Survival 5
Occult 2

Charms:Relentless Fury
STR Charms:Essence of Overwhelming Strength, Impression of Strength
DEX Charms:Essence of Resurgent Dexterity, Golden Tiger Stance, Wary Swallow Method
Knacks: Towering Beast Form, DEADLY BEASTMAN TRANSFORMATION

Mutations for DBT: Enhanced Sight and Smell, Large, Horns, Huge, Ugly
Mutation: Gazelle’s Pace

Backgrounds:
Artifact #1 DEATH AT THE ROOT 5 dot
Artifact #2 Victorious General's Galea 2 dot
Artifact #3 Moon-Faced Mail Superheavy 1 dot
Followers 3 A tribe of herd animal beastmen
Resource 3 Tools, Weapons and Armor

Intimacies:
Master of combat with an axe
Leading a army

BP Spent: 18 Free with Chargen
-9 Artifacts
-6 Abilities
-2 Mutation
-1 Willpower
>>
No. 932190 ID: f57349

>>932172
Looks like you're all set apart from four free specialties and tweaking mutation loadout. Can't take negative mutations as part of your Deadly Beastman package, nor size increases. If you want your battle form to be twelve feet tall instead of just nine, that's what Devastating Ogre Enhancement is for. Gazelle's Pace explicitly can't be concealed, so if you want a human form for blending in around folks who don't like beastmen and mutants it's a bad one to pick for always-on.

How about dropping Ugly (Appearance 1 already means you're not exactly conventionally attractive), taking Wolf's Pace and Enhanced Vision as permanent mutations, then making the DBT package Elemental Adaptation (Wood) [1], Enhanced Smell [1], Fur [1], upgrade Wolf's Pace to Gazelle's Pace [1], and Horns [2]? Wood adaptation provides a benefit to climbing (among other things), to support the image of mountain goat cliffside agility.

Resources represents some sort of ongoing income, not just equipment on hand. Whatever food supply or mineral resources you've secured in the caves, the economic productivity of the tribe's noncombatant women, children, and elders, that sort of thing. Working out the full details of that, the tribe's specific assets and culture, is what I meant by more information.

So, do you want to be just bursting up out of the ground right in the middle of the diplomatic meeting, or exploring some caves solo first to get a feel for the system?
>>
No. 932191 ID: f57349

>>932172
Oh, almost forgot - you need to specify a Favored Attribute, apart form physical attributes which are already in-caste.

Incidentally, how about having the helmet as a tattoo artifact? Main advantage is it can't be stolen, disadvantage is can't be voluntarily removed in order to benefit someone else, or free up those four committed motes.
>>
No. 932279 ID: 9646f1

Shortly after the visitors had arrived, violence threatened to sour a potential alliance. Seemingly just as quickly, the conflict was diffused.

>>932137
As Bridget held aloft the suspected slaver, his hollow words garnered no support from the other diplomats. Minister of Crocodile Tears, surprised by the lanterns decision to spare Hundred Flowing Sweet Rivers, turned instead on Bridget. Wanting to capitalize on the Lunars success, and salvage the the meet, Dutiful Topaz interjected:

(copy pasted from discord chat)
"As the flames of Aketon have illuminated, through many of us are strange to each other, we can still share common values. We have all of us come together on this day to try and find a path forwards through recent crises and our change in circumstances. In this spirit, can we not set aside minor disagreements, and try to find the ways in which we can help one another?"

The delegation, mesmerized by the supernatural performance, were put at ease. Her words have... clearly impressed the audience before her. They regard her statement for a few moments, and then accept her apologies... even Iridescent Bile shakes her head. She was so caught up in the moment and frustrated by all the little things she nearly lost to herself. The mood has eased considerably and the tension drops a small amount.

Bridget takes this moment to shift subjects and start fresh, allowing the command that she test herself in the flame be forgotten in the wake of Dutiful Topaz's reminder that they are here to help each other, not fight. Carl is gently released, ignored for now, not yet ready to publicly repent. Instead, she turns to Iridescent Bile.

"My companions are more diplomatic; I use deeds. What can I give to secure help for these people and aid against Karod?"

Mechanically, Bridget is using dodge MDV 7 against Minister of Crocodile Tears' attack, stunting off of the opportunity to start fresh provided by Lute.

Currently it is Tick 1. Turn order:

Tick 1:
Iridescent Bile
Carl Akbarson
Red and Gold

Tick 2:
Morse Song

Tick 3:
Gerald Isslor
Rivers

Tick 4:
Bridges the Moon and Sun
Minister of Crocodile Tears

Tick 6:
"Dutiful Topaz"

If anyone can confirm/correct the record of any mistakes, that wouldn't go amiss.
>>
No. 932286 ID: 8d924c

rolled 7, 7, 6, 8, 2, 7 = 37

>>932279
Red and Gold looks prepared to possibly step in as things get heated, but they are resolved amicably. He instead takes the opportunity to respond to an earlier jab, clearing his throat.

"Far dearer than deer, but I was only intending to illuminate how others of Malfeas would approach this matter. As far as they're concerned, the reason they will hold off from the borders is to avoid displeasing the Unquestionable. Which is good for all of us, so long as we can then keep her satisfied with what we've done here. And while I've been working to improve the local area, that simply won't be good enough. I am willing to make concessions to reach a good working relationship with your city, but some things will have to change. It is not built for shelter from the Silent Wind, or to cultivate foodstuffs grown on the light of Ligier. There is likely far too much said against the Yozi in whose bodies we now reside. I can grant gifts of prowess to those willing to help me resolve these problems. And with a chance to direct the actions of those willing, we could build something greater than any here have seen before. I have seen the great armories of Lookshy, and the treasures of the Realm. I could bring us all to heights even they would tremble at. I ask only your cooperation. Is that so much?"

Red and Gold flourishes the sleeves of his robes as he delivers his speech, looking plaintively at each of the diplomats and others.

(Making Charisma+Performance(3) attack, channeling Conviction for automatic 5 successes, +3 from anima effect, spending 3 motes for First Excellency, attempting to convince everyone to work together for survival and GLORY)
>>
No. 932318 ID: afdebc

For posterity, here's Lute's tick zero action, which would have come in-between >>932148 and >>932279

https://pastebin.com/44E9FWHB

Important part is that the Serenity anima power is active, and Lute's social attack had 10 total successes.

>>932286
12 successes without even counting the stunt! Performance hits everyone, that beats Lute's Dutiful Topaz's MDVs (6 parry, +3 Serenity, +3 relative appearance, -2 from attack), but she has no reason to spend wp resisting, since that's largely in line with her own augment.
>>
No. 932348 ID: 0640da

rolled 1, 5, 5, 6, 6, 2, 7, 10, 5, 9, 7, 1, 5, 5, 10 = 84

>>932190
"You say your blood can bind them... I would like that very much." Iridescent Bile temples her fingers together and smiles, while Crocodile Tears scowls silently. "In fact... as my condition for my participating in your alliance, how about we make things simple? You provide us with the way to bind and defeat the solar who did this, and we can consider lending our assistance for a time. But, only... no. We would have to make do with those of us who still have it in us to fight... so many lost in the transition to Malfeas. Elementals perished for no good reason... really, an alliance would be in our benefit, not your own."

Iridescent Bile spills a pitiful story that seems to put a damper on the mood... she's rolling Performance to tug at everyone's heartstrings. She's rolling Manipulation + Performance, plus two dice for a stunt-- 7 dice total, against everyone in the room. She's attempting to develop an intimacy of Pity with natural influence.

The whole party of diplomats would be moved... if they did not spend time focusing on the one who was talking. It was hard to listen to a demon talk about peace and the congregation of power, and more than one diplomat at the table spends 1 WP to resist the temptation to go with his plan without caveats. Only one person seems to think this is a promising move from Red and Gold... Carl Akbarsson, who just smiles.

"So... you want to give us lots of stuff for cooperating. Personally, I'd like to hear more about these... gifts you're offering. I assume they've got some kind of string attached? Something more... tangible than a promise. No, even something like... power? What kind of authority are you backing that promise on-- unless I am to understand you speak for the Yozi, and are making a deal in their stead?"

"Carl!" Gerald hisses, quietly, trying to interrupt but not be rude about it.

"Calm down, calm, Gerald-- I'm just asking questions. I want to know the nature of this gift. I wasn't going to accept it! Haha! Heavens, no. I've got too much riding on deals with the Realm and Lookshy to jump on the train of the first anathema I meet." Carl waves dismissively... but he's still rolling Investigation.

Carl, on the other hand, gets three dice from Charisma, three dice from Investigation and two from his stunt, so he's got a dice pool of 8-- the second half of the pool. He wants to know the nature of the gift, and is attacking Red and Gold-- you may respond.

Your performance attacks both hit everyone at the table with alarmingly high rolls, so when it's your turn around I'd like players to at least marginally respond to Lute and Red and Gold. You are all feeling an intense urge to cooperate with Red and Gold and your next scene should reflect or resist that... I don't think it's going to be a real problem, but I'm putting that out there.
>>
No. 932352 ID: 8d924c

>>932348
Red and Gold rolls his eyes at Carl's probing questions.

"I can be considered as much a representative of the Yozi as anyone besides the Yozi can. As for the nature of the gift, it is as the gifts of Cecelyne. Yes, there are strings attached. Strings of power. For the gift, I can ask something in return. Those who refuse suffer terribly as a result. Did you expect me to say otherwise? This is Malfeas. You will not find more favorable offers than those I am making. I doubt you could find such in Creation. As for my authority, I can indeed call on the authority of those who built Creation to sanctify oaths. It would be meaningless to lie to you about these things which are fairly common knowledge. Are there any other capabilities of mine you feel the need to ask about? I must point out, simply because a string exists does not mean I must pull it. If that were ever to become necessary, things must be truly dire."

(Red and Gold isn't defending against Carl's attack. He's telling the truth. Kinda just ignoring the Heketa's attack with Dodge MDV.)
>>
No. 932372 ID: 304f7c

rolled 5, 2, 5, 3, 4, 9, 8, 10, 7, 3, 2, 1, 10, 4, 8, 10, 9, 8, 1, 6, 4, 1, 5, 5, 5, 10, 2, 8, 6, 4 = 165

>>932352
A great wave of force resounds the area as part of the ground gives way and crashes down. A great amount of debris is knock into the air as the result of the sudden cave in. A horn sounds. Immediately the sound of many hooves pounding against dirt and stone can be heard. A large group of beastmen has interrupted the meeting. Wearing crude armor and wielding savage weapons. One stands out from them all standing 9 feet tall, a lunar exalted in war form. He takes a look around and snorts and stamps a hoof in place as if he was annoyed by something. He lowers his moonsilver great axe and the rest of his follows begin to fill in behind him. His eyes dart around the room trying to size up the strange collection of beings gathered but find no easy resting place. "Relax," he says looking still very much on edge. "There is no need to escalate things."

Rolling for Join War
>>
No. 932377 ID: f57349

>>932372
>rolled 5, 2, 5, 3, 4
Joined during tick 1, reaction count is four, and that's zero successes, so you're not going to be acting until tick 5.
> "Relax," he says looking still very much on edge. "There is no need to escalate things."
>Rolling for Join War
These statements seem to conflict. Are you talking, or fighting?
>>
No. 932379 ID: 5f3f48

>>932348
With a dice pool of 7, that's one success from Iridescent Bile. That's... probably not overcoming anyone's MDV unless they're subject to a penalty from their last action, and under a penalty for being less than her Appearance 4. It definitely doesn't beat any of the PCs, with Lute’s anima adding +3 to parry MDV.

>You provide us with the way to bind and defeat the solar who did this, and we can consider lending our assistance for a time.
"You offer limited cooperation towards our common survival, if we only we defeat one who moves mountains between worlds?"

Dutiful Topaz is using parry MDV 10 (6 + Anima 3 + Appearance Advantage 2) against IB's attack, pointing out her offer is essentially asking us to track down and beat the endboss before securing basic cooperation- not very reasonable. (Especially since she thinks an Essence 8 solar did this).
>>
No. 932388 ID: 54735b

"Well, it looks like it was a good thing I showed up to this little party. I got to meet a sweet little beauty like yourself," Rivers took a moment to give the Hekta a wink, "And it looks like there's something for me to guard people against.

"Now I'm going to talk to our intruder Anathema to Anathema. Maybe he'll listen to reason." With that, she turned into her own War Form activating the following gifts.

Claws of the Silver Moon,
Staunch the Scarlet Flow,
And Bruise Relief Method.

She's spending 10 motes from personal pool.

Current pool: 22/32 Personal, 45/48 Peripheral.

And with that, the 10 foot tall possum with claws that could rend steel started walking towards the army.
>>
No. 932389 ID: 54735b

rolled 9, 7, 3, 2, 8, 4, 3, 8, 5, 5 = 54

>>
No. 932396 ID: 304f7c

>>932377
I'm sorry first time and all that. I guess I'm talking since I'm not coming out of the gate swinging. So join debate? Also everyone you can't understand me so please ignore what I said. Just pretend I said things in a weird language.
>>
No. 932429 ID: 54735b

Even if Creep doesn't come out the gates swinging, he's still coming out in War Form, which is basically a statement that you're coming LOOKING for a fight. So Rivers is still going to transform in response to that message since she's sure as fuck not going to let a fight break out between the people she cares about and this new comer, but it turns out that politely excusing myself for a break is an action that I have to take on my tick.
>>
No. 932431 ID: a042b3

>>932286
>attempting to convince everyone to work together for survival and GLORY

Bridget lets the attack hit her successfully. She's already trying to work together with people for survival, so paying WP just to ignore the push for GLORY isn't worth it.

>>932348
>You say your blood can bind them

Bridget looks confused, and as she slowly churns of this idea in her head she misses most of the offer.

"No, I did not."

Bridget is using her dodge MDV of four+stunt (seven minus three for appearance MDV modifier) to ignore iridescent bile and the call for pity, too confused by falsehoods to focus on sob story. With one success, pretty sure that's a miss.

>>932372
That of course is soon overshadowed as the fearsome Goat Man and his army emerge from the foundations of a nearby ruined hut, spilling out into the field of debate.

>>932388
As Rivers declares her intention to sort this out, Bridget balks. This will not end well she thinks. Dutiful Topaz hears the oft-unused trickling tones the solar makes when whispering.

"I can carry two, maybe three of us from her. If Rivers takes flight perhaps she can flee, but the mortals would perish. What do we do?"
>>
No. 932462 ID: 0640da

rolled 6, 6, 8, 3, 4, 1, 9, 8, 6, 2, 10, 6, 3, 3, 3, 4, 7, 8, 3, 4, 5, 2, 1, 9, 2, 10, 4, 5, 9, 6, 10, 8, 1, 8, 1, 5, 2, 10, 5, 1 = 208

The music has long stopped, as the chatter has intensified. Morse has been holding her head, groaning... before lashing out at everyone here, unable to take it much longer.

"SILENCE!" She screams, and the dark whispers of the neverborn echo in her words. A strong strum of her shamisen brushes away the noise, and the lights begin to dim and flicker... flames turning shades of blue, and shadows creeping in from all sides. An eye of black opens up on the mask of the musician, darker than anything anyone at this table has personally seen... and the liquid it drips reminds those who have seen something close to it of the void. As she speaks, three languages layer atop one another, modulating in and out... they repeat, one after another, each delivering the same words in three tongues-- the language of the tribe, Rivertongue proper, and a dark, unknown language nobody at this table can quite identify-- perhaps the language of the dead? She's letting her Whispers run Linguistics, now.

"I prepared this meet, that we might acquire resources. That we might gather strength against our real enemies-- time, war, blight and famine. But it seems like every last one of you has forgotten why we are here. An accusation upon all of you-- a pox, a malady of the sins you have created and brought with you like terrible boulders that weigh upon all our backs!" She points her finger crooked at everyone at the table. "You bring a vile gift, crocodile. It wreaks of light, but not the kind you serve-- what sort of twisted designs have you on the creator who made it? And you... vile and treacherous, would sell your own soul if it meant to improve your meaningless wealth. As for you... a coward who does not fight her own battles, despite having personal strength. Your conviction is lacking, and your beauty hollow and wracked with the guilt of those you have not saved. And as for you..." She points at Gerald, for a few moments. "You're alright. As for the rest of you..."

Morse, it seems, is not done... but her fingers retract and return to her instrument, giving a strum. A ghostly figure emerges from behind her... phantasmal, but still capable of pointing fingers.

"Where in the Underworld do you think you're getting off, ruining my perfect meet with your twisted fuckery and games. Bridget. They are our guests, and you shall treat them as such! Do you beat the shit out of every person you disagree with? I still bear the scars of your burial in the earth!" Morse points at her neck, and lifts her chin high... blackened blood pulses through a vein, throbbing as she traces it down to her heart... a bizarre black pattern following her finger, watching it pulse... slowly, erratically. "My taint is on you. Are you aiming to blacken his soul, too?"

"And speaking of black souls... Red and Gold! Since when did you think a diplomatic meet with mortals of note was a place to pick up akuma and threaten chicks? Am I a joke to you? Did you not hear my words when you decided to go above my head?" She whisks her pick across the strings, strumming up new images. Bowing worshipers, surrounding Red and Gold... before Morse plucks a string. Each phantasmal worshiper sits up, but when their head rises it falls off... like they had no neck, rolling to the side. "When heads rise above their position, they fall... keep that in mind as I protect your flock."

She turns to Dutiful Topaz, now, and grows quiet... all present can hear her playing an instrument, but she doesn't speak. She doesn't speak aloud, that is... "You hide behind a mask. I know, because I too wear a mask... I think I'm starting to understand why. Do you have a personality of your own? A spine? Do you even know who you are, anymore? Child of Venus. You know why I call you thus. Because I sometimes doubt Lute is your real name, either." She conjures a thin and wretched mask, and the ghost holds it out to nobody in particular... despite her reservations, Morse is not yet willing to blow Lute's cover. "When will you accept a mask is just a mask? When will you find your identity? Or are you going to be trapped underneath that damn mask forever, too..." She finishes her verse, and rubs her mask... seems she's got her own problems.

"...for those of you that are left. My lovely mate, River, who burned our dinner. The ugly bastard who brought an axe. You two will stay, and your tribe will sit still. You will both lay down your weapons, and stop snarling at each other, or so help me I will reduce your tribe to ashes, make your horses bleed out all of their orifices and put a collar on your damn necks. Am I understood? Don't move a damn muscle, unless it's to get more food for our guests or organize additional seats." She closes her eyes.

"You all have your orders. Your burdensome sins. Your stupid, pathetic ideals. They mean dust to Oblivion. You will all die, eventually. I have no cares whether it is today or tomorrow, whether I bring the blade upon your necks or you bring it upon yourself. I am not your mother, or your father. I am not your king. Whether or not your life is pleasant is entirely up to you, but whether or not you get to leave before I'm satisfied is entirely up to me." She flashes her fangs... and finishes her spell. MORBID FASCINATION STYLE has now washed over all of them, in turn-- anyone who doesn't pass the MDV check must pay 4 (or more) WP or find themselves unable to flee. "I will not be satisfied leaving all of you be until all of you have found some joy in this meeting. Negative feelings will not linger beyond this room, as if a veil of forgetfulness washed through the entrance. If you do not come to a happy conclusion, I can always start picking off the ones who don't... smile."

Channeling Conviction for 1 WP for 2 extra dice. I thought it might be Compassion for 5 dice and waffled on it for a bit, but if she does use Compassion I'll need a resonance roll for that. Performance 5 + Manipulation 3 is the next up on the list, 2 dice for wearing her mask and making a performance roll, plus 3 dice for utilizing my musical instrument specialty... and 2, maybe 3 for the stunt? I'll ask for confirmation in discord. In addition to her 17-20 dice, she gets 3 automatic successes from Lute's anima power, and everyone's DV is appropriately reduced for the difference between their appearance and appearance 5. Since she's using Performance, she'll act again on Tick 8.

Also, Creep, if you're wondering how she's doing the light show, built in charm called Haunting Apparition Trick. None of these are real-- all of these are illusory and if touched, you'd push them apart like mist or just pass through.
>>
No. 932466 ID: f57349

>>932462
>MORBID FASCINATION STYLE has now washed over all of them, in turn-- anyone who doesn't pass the MDV check must pay 4 (or more) WP or find themselves unable to flee.

That's not how Morbid Fascination Style works. It only costs 1 wp per action to resist, to a maximum of four for the entire scene, and the compulsion is to stay in the Exalt's company and respectfully observe the performance. Anyone who wants to depart, talk back (unless they can spin it as a 'respectful observation'), start a fight, etc. before Morse is done with her rant would have to resist. Exalts also gain a point of Limit the first time in a given scene they resist UMI by spending WP.

It's speed 4, and can't be effectively flurried, so Morse will be acting again on tick 6. I checked, and the mask only provides a bonus to rolls for acting, not every use of the Performance skill.
> plus 3 dice for utilizing my musical instrument specialty
Your shamisen specialty is only +1.

Channeling a 2-dot virtue tends to be a bad deal compared to just spending the WP to add a bonus success directly. How about counting that roll as Charisma 4 + Performance 5 + Excellency 9? I'm seeing seven successes in those first eighteen dice, one more from WP, three from Lute's anima (assuming she's still counting you as an ally, which might be debatable), for a total of eleven. Probably enough to overcome even low-end supernatural mental defenses, but if Carl Akbarson has a Ward Of Determination active he might be able to shrug it off.
>>
No. 932472 ID: 3732a8

Red and Golds attack: She isn’t going to resist. She was already interested in working together.

Iridescent Biles attack: She knew that it was poor form, but she found herself stifling a laugh as she watched what more closely resembled a play than anything else, but she definitely didn’t feel pity for the man.

Morse’s social attack: “Well, threaten me with a good time why don’t you? But, I can’t do that. He gets too close and keeping you alive becomes a whole hell of a lot harder.” She wasn’t really making an argument as she took a moment to politely excuse herself, and walked across the pockmarked field and stood as close to halfway between Morse and the standing army.

Willpower 10+Wits 4+Integrity 0/2 is base 7. Because she is taking this course of action for her Solar Mate and considers what Morse is doing to be wildly self destructive, Solar Bond applies for +5 MDV for a resting of 12.

I also would like to formally change my motivation to ‘Become accepted by Morse’s masters’ since I just need to rip that bandaid off and with 20 exp in the bank seems like a good time for it.
>>
No. 932474 ID: 8d924c

>>932462
Red and Gold is distracted once more by the performance delivered by Morse Song, but does feel the need to provide one comment.

"I was making no threats, nor attempting to recruit akuma, honoured guest. The gifts I offer are significant, even for those of us with power. Moreso for the powerless."

(Not resisting the attack. Not yet, at least. Assuming since it's ongoing influence I could start resisting if things start going differently?)
>>
No. 932516 ID: 0640da

rolled 2, 3, 9, 2, 10, 8 = 34

>>932466
I will go for the option where I spend 1 WP and get the 9 successes. Spending motes is... possible but I don't want to flare anima.

When the silence clears, and as the tensions between the parties rise and Gerald is of of the first to speak up. He scratches his chin, enraged and confused, before he slams his fist down on the table and shouts out. "I don't know what's going on, anymore!" It seems his confusion is overwhelming his anger in the end. "I'm not sure why you're praising me, or why I'm not allowed to leave. I know what you are-- what the realm of the dead wants with my city is important information I think we all ought to know!" He points at the new lunar, Creeping Hunter, along with River and Bridget. "Did you entrust these four with attacking me? Are you trying to bring this meet to all out war by killing us here and sending our heads back to Aketon? Because it looks to me as if you've gathered all of our enemies in one place and pointed them at my throat like a damned blade!"

Gerald is going to roll Investigation + Charisma to figure out Morse's motivations, but she sees no reason to resist his attacks, and is terribly blunt. While she leaves some ambiguity in her wording to protect her Deathlord's identity and final goal, she outlines what he needs to know and doesn't hold any other detail of her agenda back.

"The lunar is mine, but the solar and the demon act on their own. As for the uninvited guest who brought an army... I can say I'm just as surprised as you. I thought they were your soldiers, frankly, and you had ambushed us." She clears her throat. "Let it be said my only interests at this moment require an army capable of infiltrating and destroying the armies in one of the most well guarded prisons in Creation. To that end, I require worldly resources and... the production of new units. Suffice it to say, the Underworld is not capable of creating the kinds of forces I need. Only exalts and mortals will do, and if my the key my Deathlord entrusted me to seek requests that we build a city and salvage it from the hands of enterprising mortals, I shall do as they ask. The word of my Deathlord is law. Oh, and I'm also to secure yozi venom, a priceless artifact belonging to the Bishop and information about some cult or other. The Neverborn are vague on the details."

She gives a pause. "Oh, and I just like the scent of blood on your person. It's a pleasing smell. I'm a connoisseur of sorts, and my mate neglected to make me real meat... not that I would be so impolite as to eat in front of guests." She repeats her translation for the sake of clarity to all at the table.
>>
No. 932521 ID: afdebc

>>932462
>>932466
>>932516
>I will go for the option where I spend 1 WP and get the 9 successes.

Lute's got parry MDV 6, plus 3 from the Serenity anima, so Morbid Fascination Style fails to take hold.

Over her mental link, Morse Song feels a pool of bottomless reserve and certainty- for all the viciousness of her attack, she might as well have been yelling at a storm, or throwing stones into the sea. The sea remains unmoved.

[I know who I am, who I was meant to be, and who I chose to become. Can you remember who you were?]

Social Parry over the Screaming in Silence telepathic link.

>The Uninvited Guest
[Advise Red and Gold that perhaps we should upgrade his demon scout force with more subterranean forces. It won't do to be taken off guard from below, again.]

[He's tattooed, which I believe makes this our Sweet River's first contact with the Silver pact. ...we should see about securing her that advantage without allowing elder stewards a chance to get their claws in her, we've got enough of our own.]
>>
No. 932524 ID: 304f7c

>>932462
Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men watches Morse's finger intently as she point from one person to the next. Noting each of the names spoken. He brays out a command and the loose group of beastmen begin to condense into a formation behind him. Standing shoulder to shoulder and looking confused. "Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men had no intention of interrupting your meal. My apologies." He says calmly trying to force a smile.

>>932388
As Rivers approaches him his eyes leave Morse and lock onto her intensely, "Rivers,this is an auspicious meeting." He lowers his battle axe to the ground forcing the blade into the dirt. He begins to walk around drawing a large circle with his weapon. "We have much to discuss naked one, but first I see your challenge. I accept." Once he finishes his rotation he stops and throws his great axe backwards into the group of beastmen. Knocking a few of them over as they attempt to catch it. The moonsilver that tells his histories begins to glow brightly all over his body. "Our contest shall be one of strength. First one to toss the other out of the ring wins." He begins to undo his armor letting it clatter to the ground. He steps into the circle now fully naked covered only by his fur. Squatting low he adopts a stance and his body tightens in a show of raw power. "Once again my apologies nameless one, Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men wont disturb your meal after this."

I want to channel my Anima
>>
No. 932554 ID: f57349

>>932472
>Because she is taking this course of action for her Solar Mate and considers what Morse is doing to be wildly self destructive, Solar Bond applies for +5 MDV for a resting of 12.
Against social attacks from the mate themselves, Solar Bond almost always applies an MDV penalty, not a bonus. I can imagine exceptions, but that would have to be something like Morse ordering you to attack her, or abandon her to apparently certain doom, not "stick around and respectfully observe until my performance is complete."
>>
No. 932556 ID: f57349

>>932524
Looks like that's a three-action flurry: first action is thaumaturgy to sanctify the dueling ground, Wits + Occult + Art of Geomancy against difficulty 2, probably at least another +3 dice from using Death At The Root as a tool, which conveniently offsets the -3 multiple action penalty. Procedure called "tripping the steel" can be found in either Glories: Maidens or the thaumaturgy reference doc on the wiki. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1N-8geUuklKlno_TGuFZezYnvvkWWOQCPev4rXa4cyRQ/edit#heading=h.bufddnzc500q

Second action would be a Charisma + Presence attack, challenging Rivers to participate in the duel, at a -4 dice penalty for multiple actions, and... I'll say just a -1 external penalty for language barrier, since "come at me, bro" is so easy to convey by tone and posture.

Third action, removing armor, requires only a number of long ticks equal to half the mobility penalty. Probably some of your followers help with the more inconveniently positioned straps.

You need to roll some dice to determine the outcome of those first two actions. Using apprentice-level thaumaturgy costs either 2m or 1wp, and if your DV wasn't high enough to shake off Morbid Fascination Style you'll also need to spend some WP and gain limit accordingly.

Full Moon anima power costs 5m to double your movement speed, jump distance, and steady-force strength - could be used to pick somebody up and throw them, but doesn't boost direct damage.

Hundred Flowing Sweet Rivers currently has the No Moon anima power, which, if she decides to use it (or spends 12+ peripheral essence), will apply a -3 external penalty to all your attacks against her, since you can't see in the dark.
>>
No. 932565 ID: 54735b

>>932554

Then I will take the Willpower Cost (assuming 4) and limit (bringing me up to 5 permanent limit and 1 normal limit) because I am committed to this course of action
>>
No. 932570 ID: f00c13

>>932565
It costs one WP, not four, and that lets you resist the effects of the charm for five minutes; if you wanted to continue resisting the effects after five minutes had passed, you would need to spend another point of WP, continuing on until you either decide to stop resisting, or have spent four WP, at which point the charm no longer effects you. I am uncertain if extra invocations of the charm reset the WP counter though, so it might be possible for Morse to start a new performance and use the charm again to make start burning WP all over again.

Since I'm having trouble deciding what to do with Bridget, but don't want to delay Austin, is it possible to take the guard other action while still in long ticks/listening respectfully, or would that require a join battle roll? I'm thinking Bridget might not resist right away if she can get in a position to protect the visitors and/or her allies without breaking any rules. Part of me doesn't want to do anything to gain limit since I was half-imagining Bridget had to roll for some after the treating the monks, and would maybe have more if anything else affected her during her undescribed activities last month.
>>
No. 932610 ID: afdebc

>>>932431
>"I can carry two, maybe three of us from her. If Rivers takes flight perhaps she can flee, but the mortals would perish. What do we do?"
Luckily, Dutiful Topaz's role readily allows quite conference and advising of the solar to which she is currently attending.

"Peace. The delegation arrived on horseback- if matters come to blows with the beastmen, their escape simply requires giving them sufficient time to mount and retreat in the same manner.

"Our own party is not wholly without our own tricks... but the situation may still yet be salvaged."

If we did need a speedy exit, Lute could duck into the chancel, Rivers could transform and hide or run, and Bridget could grab Red and Gold and Morse and the Mountain Crossing Leap. (Which leaves R&G Cloud Arsenals to act as rearguard or to withdraw on their own). Alternatively, in a fight, Morse is on AOE, the Cloud Arsenals are on offense against the beastmen.
>>
No. 932622 ID: d9acdc

rolled 1, 5, 6, 8, 6, 7, 2, 8, 1, 2, 10, 6, 7, 3, 2, 2, 10, 7, 3, 10, 3, 5, 2, 5, 9, 3, 5, 10, 6, 6 = 160

>>932610
Bridget inclines her head ever so slightly, the gesture somewhat exaggerated by the burning golden brand and her prodigious size; she will make arrangements.

Weaving in between parties, she arrives beside Red and Gold watching Morse as she goes. The whispering trickles of Bridget's rivertongue tell him that the solar can carry him to safety if needed. She then makes her way to the other side of what might get confused with some sort of feast or meal, if one was lacking proper taste or olfactory receptors. There she interposes herself between the army of beast men and the visitors.

"I shall buy time for you to escape if needed."

Curt, but clear, she makes sure the horses are readily available to mounted, and awaits the end of the performance, alert for a boiling over in the tense moments that follow the two lunars meeting.

OOC I'm not actually sure what Morse is actually doing for the rest of her ongoing performance- staying to watch a listen respectfully normally percludes talking and moving around and such, at least in shows/movies/concerts I've gone to. It's been repeatedly stated that talking isn't inherently disrespectful though, so it is my hope that Bridget can shift position without interrupting the performance or having to resist.

Mechanically Bridget cannot get either MDV up to nine right now, so she accepts the effects without spending any WP to resist. If there is an action to help her protect the visitors while still being following the rules of the charm, then Bridget does that too.
>>
No. 932627 ID: 304f7c

rolled 7, 1, 6, 7, 5, 8, 2, 8, 1, 1, 8, 5, 2, 7, 10, 8, 7, 3, 3, 6 = 105

Rolling for Creep
>>
No. 932838 ID: 0640da

rolled 6, 1, 2, 7, 2, 9, 8, 6, 9, 7, 5, 1, 10, 9, 8, 3, 7, 10, 1, 8, 5, 3, 3, 3, 3, 6, 4, 7, 7, 5 = 165

>>932622
Movement is included in the social combat rules, and is therefore considered 'respectful' for the occasion. Interrupting her or grabbing a guest is probably not. I'm counting your action as a Guard under the rules, which means for the next 3 ticks you can jump in the action at any time... which may be this tick, depending on how Bridget reacts.

The horses look between each other, muttering and sweating. They try to back up, but their rein holds them tightly-- so they stay still for now. The four riders seem grateful for the assistance offered, even if they're not sure she's strong enough to back it up, and they flash Bridget smiles. She's probably earned some brownie points.

"Let it be known that the Unconquered Sun does not fight for those who do not protect themselves actively... I pardon for the faux pas. It is not that I don't trust your delegation... only that I trust God more." With that said, he removes a dog-sized lizard from within his heavy cloak... and from the other side of his cloak, a curved and jagged dagger. His arms stretch out in both directions as he closes his eyes and breathes in... before his knife comes plunging through the innocent creature. He gently lays the bloody sacrifice on the table, using his dagger to dig out its beating heart... and offering it to the sky, he takes it to his mouth and takes a bite himself, still holding the half-eaten heart as he offers the other half to Bridget. He has performed a prayer, asking the Unconquered Sun for guidance and taking a bite of their shared sacrifice... it's a little grisly.

He's rolling Charisma (2) + Performance (0), but his core Motivation applies-- as does one of his specialties. He channels his Conviction of 3, adding an additional 3 dice to his pool. He's also acting in the interest of his agenda, so he's getting a 2-dot stunt out of this. This prayer is... by all accounts, a long shot. But if Bridget participates, they may well be able to summon the might of the Unconquered Sun. If she offers, the dice pool for this performance will increase to Charisma (5) + Performance (0+3), with an additional dice from his point in Charisma-- but will prevent her from guarding further.
>>
No. 932991 ID: 5f0ee2

>>932838
>Bridget being invited to join the prayer
>Bridget has 0 occult, 0 read motive

The meaning and intent of the priests actions sail over her head; she assumes he's doing something to defend himself, that much is obvious, but Bridget has no idea that he wants her to participate in prayer, and even if she did get the gist, she would have no idea what to do to fulfill that request.

Instead, she assumes it is her job to act as bodyguard while whatever ritual is going on gets completed.

Mechanically, Bridget does not abort, and does not aid in the prayer roll.
>>

rolled 3, 7, 5, 6, 2, 1, 10, 7, 5, 6, 1, 5, 8, 7, 6, 3, 6, 1, 6, 8, 7, 4, 1, 3, 4, 9, 4, 4, 3, 7 = 149

Tick 6:
Lute's DV refreshes, 2-die stunt award restocks 4m personal, bringing her back to a full tank (not counting commitments).

In the aftermath of the Draconian Dignitary's bold outpost, heretical prayer, and violent offering, Dutiful Topaz tugs nervously on the brim of her hat, sweeps her gaze across those assembled, and then drops her eyes, fall into a minute's muttering in Old Realm, seemingly making a prayer of her own. If anyone who can understand that language passes the wits + awareness roll to make out what she's saying will hear a verse about understanding and contentedness, an allusion to a purple flower, a maiden, and her shadow.

Mechanically, Lute is attempting to activate Blue Verevain Binding, stunting to apply it per magnitude instead of per individual, comboed with the First Kimbery Excellency. Committing 3m peripheral to BVB, and spending 6m personal on the Excellency.

Rolling: Linguistics 3 + Intelligence 6 + Stunt + Excellency 6

MDV -2, Speed 1, Lute will act next on tick 7.

>He gently lays the bloody sacrifice on the table
Rude. There are people trying to eat off that table, you know! Hmm. If the diner table has become a makeshift altar to the Traitor Daystar, Red and Gold might need to purify it before bringing it back to his inn, lest it combust around his Teodozjia.
>>
No. 933028 ID: afdebc

>>933027
Okay, BVB is difficulty 5 to activate, and there's at least 5 successes there.

Blue Verevain Binding is now in effect! Everyone present will understand each other, regardless of what language they speak in.

Additionally, anyone who wants can reflexively buy a dot of linguistics as a training effect, learning any language anyone else in the network knows. Available languages include:

Old Realm
Rivertongue
Skytongue
Pelagial (mermaid-speak)
Guild Cant (the secret language of the guild!)
High Holy Speak (the Dragon-King Language)
The Herd's Tribal Language
Rocktongue (the Jabeborn's Language)
High Realm

And plausibly others, I don't have the full statblock for the NPCs. Creeper and his Herd almost certainly should pick up Rivertongue (the setting's lingua franka) or Old Realm (the language of spirits, including demons) if they want to talk to anyone.

Also note this charm isn't obvious, so characters will have to reach their own explanations for how or why this happens (if they even notice).
>>
No. 933109 ID: f57349

>>933028
>Everyone present
Strictly speaking you're limited to linking up six people at once, but all the beastman extras in Creeping Hunter's herd only count as three. So... yourself, the herd, it's leader, and the guildsman?

I suppose you could link up to twelve people, or nine named characters plus the herd, by using Kimbery's excellency to boost that (Essence + Linguistics) static value.

Also, as for the excellency's applicability, how does all this translation either harm someone, or set someone up to suffer worse in the future?
>>
No. 933118 ID: 5f3f48

>>933109
In that case, I'll link The Herd, Creeper, Lute and Morse for 6m peripheral, which still allows me to keep my caste mark under my hat. Let's Austin learn Rivertongue and/or Old Realm for future communication, and leaves all those extras open to our best performance attacks.

To justify Excellency use, I think it would enable brokering deals, count as generosity, and possibly fertetting out secrets (in the case of making a tribal language available to outsiders).

That cuts down the available languages to:

Old Realm
Rivertongue
Skytongue
Pelagial (mermaid-speak)
The Herd's Tribal Language
High Realm

(Sorry if anyone wanted Guild Cant, we'll have to arrange something later if that's the case).
>>
No. 933595 ID: 0640da

rolled 9, 1, 10, 8, 8, 4, 2, 2, 10, 5, 2, 4, 7, 8, 5, 1, 4, 9, 8, 4, 4, 8, 8, 7, 9, 6, 6, 1, 10, 10 = 180

Morse merely tunes her instrument, preparing for her next song as she watches over the crowd. Her meltdown must have pulled a string, because it doesn't sound right to her anymore. I believe this would work as a 'Study' action? In any case, she does not act for 3 more ticks. She declines to learn their barbaric tongue.

Carl the Guildsman looks over the festivities with confusement and worry, but he doesn't let that get in the way of making a deal. He turns to Red and Gold, and tries to speak to them directly and... shut everything else he's seen out of his mind. "I have a duty to send out my shipment, regardless of whatever trouble has befallen my ship... and with the recent loss of one of my more competent caravan crews in the wilderness of... Malfeas, I think it would be in our mutual interests if you could aid me in getting my shipment... delivered." Carl removes a pen from his pocket, as well as an inkwell, and places them on the table. He proceeds to remove a scroll of paper... a standard employment contract. "I can allow for some modifications to reflect your talent... say, 10% of the net gross on the shipment. As a resident of this place, surely you of all people have the power to deliver this shipment for me? I'm providing a ship, a trained crew and additional benefits which may... accrue as you perform this duty in a timely fashion. A bonus if they're delivered in as timely a manner as possible, you understand. And I would not trouble you to pay for accommodations for yourselves and the beasts as you perform this duty... food and lodgings shall be included in the most gracious display of my wealth that you might yet be able to experience if you sign now. I would not stand for those representing my interests to go hungry..."

Carl is offering Red and Gold a contract with several stipulations-- there could in fact be wealth awaiting you, or great poverty. But his stipulations are clear enough-- he wants to get his ship delivered to some place called 'Sijan', where his business partner will handle the remainder of the transactions. There's only one problem: the river cuts off in hell. He's making an Investigation [3] + Manipulation [3] roll, but his motivation and agendas are shining through. He picks up an additional [2] dice from his stunt, and recovers some WP as he feels refreshed and revitalized doing what he loves. Since he's so revitalized... he will apply his Conviction for an extra [4] dice. That's [12] dice, and he's beaming with a friendly-looking smile.
>>
No. 933697 ID: 5f0ee2

>>933595
>Morse merely tunes her instrument, preparing for her next song

Does this count as an end to the performance, removing the need for everyone in the area to listen respectfully now that it's over? If I understand correctly, everyone who got hit would still be compelled to stay in the area, but they could no longer observe the parts of the charm forcing them to listen respectfully to her performance, since there would be no performance for them to listen to.
>>
No. 933703 ID: 8d924c

>>933595
Red and Gold shakes his head regretfully at the Guildsman as he explains his reasoning.

"While it would be possible for me to drop everything and see your cargo to its destination, I would have to go myself, as it is not so simple for demons to leave their prison. I don't believe that now is the time for me to do so, not until problems of supply and security are resolved here. While I'm sure you wish to make a profit, surely you also want to be secure in the knowledge that food and water will be available? That the wind does not strike you dead? That vitriol does not rain from overhead and destroy your homes? I have to address these things before I can head to Creation proper on errands. I hope your delivery is not of perishable goods, although if it is, I may be able to assist in other ways. Is Aketon well supplied with thaumaturges? I would hope to at least provide education on how to protect oneself from the deadliest perils of the Demon Realm."

(Assuming the performance is complete enough that I can respond this way. If not, let me know. Does this count as using parry DV? Not sure, but not actually hiding motives here from the investigation roll. Also taking Aim actions for now, when my tick arrives. And since it'll be relevant soon, my intended XP spend in the near future is Miracle Gift Mastery>Scoured Perfection of Form>Cecelyne Mythos Exultant>Cecelyne Inevitability Technique, since all of those translate into very direct effectiveness improvements.)
>>

rolled 4, 8, 8, 3, 10, 3, 4, 8, 8, 10, 3, 1, 5, 6, 9, 1, 7, 7, 8, 4, 4, 8, 1, 4, 7, 7, 3, 8, 8, 8 = 175

Tick 7, Stunt award restores 4m personal.

As the Minister of Crocodile Tears grows quiet following of his bloody offering to traitor sun, and Vitrol Falcon and Guildsman set to dickering, Dutiful Topaz steps away from the table, moving towards the boisterous crowd of beastman- their attention torn between anticipation of their chieftain's exhibition fight, and curiosity over strangers so unlike themselves.

Reaching inside her robes, she produces a glittering object from a hidden pocket, and holds it aloft, addressing the tribe as one.

"You are welcome, newcomers, to our summit on the strange circumstances in which we find ourselves. As a token of our goodwill and our respect, I offer your tribe this gift." (Spoken in Rivertongue, so not as to draw suspicion from the other NPCs, but this will be understood by the Herd, thanks to Blue Vervain Binding).

She then crouches down, placing her gift on the ground before her. A glass container, perhaps a small vase or an overlarge drinking cup, wide at the base and narrowing towards the top, decorated with a gentle pattern reminiscent of waves, all in remarkable symmetry. (To those with an eye for such things it bears the mark of superhuman craftsmanship, and will, perhaps, be attributed to the twilight caste Dutiful Topaz has appears attached to).

Making a performance based social attack, predominantly to convince listeners that fine glass knicknacks, such as Topaz's offering, are valuable. Manipulation 6 + Performance 6 + Stunt + First Kimbery Excellency 4 + Serenity Anima Autosuccesses 3. (Excellency justification: setting the herd up for future harm- if the Herd gets a taste for glass beads, Lute will have a hook in them to tug on later).

Spending 4m personal on the excellency, next action will be on tick 13 (which is irrelevant as the scene will end on tick 10 when Rivers and Creeper roll join battle).
>>

rolled 9, 1, 6, 10, 1, 4, 7, 2, 9, 2, 7, 6, 10, 5, 6, 7, 5, 4, 7, 10 = 118

A week before the diplomatic conference

Late one evening, Lute Silhouette seeks out her infernal compatriot for a favor.

"Red and Gold, would you mind summoning a couple of demons for me?" she wheedles. "I was planning to take one of the airships on a date with Rivers, and the hellship is more appropriate than the Haslanti, but two of the crew are missing."

"One Legbreaker, the Erymanthus the cargomaster and omen-engine engineer had the misfortune to become the Unwoven Coadjutor for our departed Slayer of insufficient survival instinct and is regrettably discorporealized. And a little spider tells me the agata navigator 'Cake-Eater' is currently lose and unbound in Creation."
>>
No. 934860 ID: 8d924c

>>934852
Red and Gold looks to the Chosen of the Maidens from the drink in his hand, some awful variety of Malfean wine which is causing him to grimace.

"An airship crew? Could well get the whole thing, most likely. Let me see if I can call you up an appropriate decanthrope."

Red and Gold dumps the remainder of what could only very generously be called a drink out, before stepping into a sufficiently open space to perform a summoning. He murmurs references to the laws of Cecelyne as silvery sand trickles into the vicinity through the floorboards of the inn as if it had always been there, just out of sight.

(Trying to summon an airship crew! Gotta be a decanthrope who can handle the job somewhere out there.)
>>
No. 934873 ID: f57349

rolled 2, 1, 1, 7, 4, 7, 10, 2, 2, 6, 4, 9, 7, 10, 6, 6, 10, 8, 7, 9, 10, 3, 8, 3, 1, 6, 3, 7, 7, 3 = 169

>>934860
Finding a decanthrope with two dots in Sail and similarly basic omen weather engine maintenance skills is automatically successful, but binding is not. How many motes are you spending to penalize the demon's dice pools?
>>
No. 934876 ID: 97b4e3
File 155971905868.jpg - (147.98KB , 750x563 , 1.jpg )
934876

"Okay there, It's blinking. Is it supposed to be blinking ? Well it's blinking"

A brief bit of mumbling can be heard through the humm of the recording; this is sharply disrupted by a grating or scraping noise before counds come into clarity.

"Ohh there I am. Yup, I think it's working now. Hello people of ... yes I know this is just a sample recording. Don't worry, we'll get it all fixed up for the next echo. .... Okay, where was I. Ohh, hello people of this wonderful new world. It's not quite a new world for you, but I assure you it's a whole new world for me and I absolutely can't wait to tell you how excited I am to get to explore this with you. I'm ... well, lets not worry about a name just yet, I learned about the idioms about shining stars and that will be fascinating to witness but I don't think we have anything like that back home. Anyway, this is my new home now and I hope you'll have me."

More mumbling can be heard elsewhere. "Hmm, just say whatever. Don't worry about us, we're just fine tuning the setup here. So what to say. I'd tell you all about the celebrant's saucy wardrobe but I don't think our preceptor would like state secrets being exposed like that." A bouncy chuckle ensues followed by more sounds, almost filtered out as the Champion's voice becomes more crystal clear.

"I'll just tell you all a little bit about myself then. The reason I mentioned stars is because I'm told that's the same name as the wondrous material that I'm made up of, called <Old Realm> Starmetal. Well lots of things too, but the keratinocytes in my dermal clays actually have a cellular lattice of the stuff, which is why sometimes you can see me sparkle. Here watch !"

The sounds become a little more distant. "I came here with an aerotary exploration contingent from my home nation of Kamak. The places here are so strange and different, but that's all part of the fun of exploration, right ? It's so warm you hardly need to bundle up at all, and all the twisting turns feel almost like the near reaches. We've made good friends with the Jadeborn tribe here and they tell us there are even vaster spaces and other peoples to explore antipodal to the gravitational orientation, which appears here as a constant. I bet that's something you weren't aware of either, where I'm from, gravitational forces are relative to technorganic orientations. But it'll be a lot easier to keep track of up here as we start to travel more, that will make navigation easier. I'm tasked as one of the science officers, although I never formally trained as a sodalite."

The sounds become a little louder and focused again. "Would you believe, I'll be nearly two cycles old come next, well, I suppose you don't really have icy seasons here, thank the Maker. I'm not sure what measure is used here yet but if your sleep cycles are like ours, about eight hundred or so. But can you believe it ? Let me tell you, this was quite the prestigious offering to come to your world, especially at my age. But that's my dream, I want to explore wonderful and fantastic new places, just like this, and bring back the knowledge one day to benefit my home Metropolis, and even the other nations, some things just have to be shared for the benefit of everyone; kinda like this fungus we found here, it's nutritious, it has a really ... I'm not really sure how to describe it, like a young kaff but not as bitter with just a little hint, and I mean real subtle, of raw aminoplasm but without the salty notes. You'd need to keep it warm and moist but it doesn't require any additional feeds. I'm sure it could be distilled or refined into something really amazing, our harvester is already working magic."

"REALLY ?! You mean the optics haven't been working this ... so all of my posing." There's something of an exasperated sigh and the silence in the backdrop is broken by a third party chortle. "Okay fine. I'll have you know, I'm adorable. These cheeks, this hair. I've worked hard on my hair and it absolutely sparkles. I like to play around with fashion too which I'd be happy to show off if it were working but I don't think .... Ohh, you're working on it now ? Okay, well, maybe the end of the feed I can show you some of my toys. I've been incorporating some of the jade styles to try to fit in, it's almost surprising how open they are with each other and perfect strangers. I'm a bit on the itty bitty side, but plenty flexible, which comes in handy when doing surgery let me tell you. Right now I'm wearing my hair pink but it does shift a bit with the lighting settings and my optics I have matching. I don't know if you have a button nose here or if I'm just sounding outright <unidentifiable proper adjective>, but I've got one, and it is too ... yup, on the nose. If this were showing what it was supposed to be showing you could see me taping my nose but the joke is kinda lost when you have to explain it."

"Ohh, I should probably say before I get too distracted, I'm here to make new friends, and allies, and learn. Maybe in time trade and become even better friends but you gotta start somewhere, am I right ? No <unidentifiable proper noun>, not even close. Ohh, you probably don't know <the same unidentifiable proper noun> anyway so no matter. We're nice and setup and I'm told any day now we might reach some of the watertable networks that exist not terribly far. Indications point out there are .. wait this recording is almost full. Ohh, we'll I'll tell you about my friends later then too, bye !" The last recorded sounds on the device are that of a kiss being blown and a single still image from when the visual capture was being tinkered with mid recording.
>>
No. 934878 ID: 8d924c

rolled 7, 1, 3, 5, 2, 1, 2, 8, 4, 9, 4, 1, 7 = 54

>>934873
15 additional motes, giving it a -3 and bringing out Red and Gold's caste mark clearly. This conveniently means it also probably won't attempt murder if it's a failure.
>>
No. 934880 ID: 97b4e3
File 155972508639.jpg - (71.00KB , 480x431 , b56580f9a07e77092f758a58d13de601b23e8ae5.jpg )
934880

Step 1

Concept - See
>>934876

Caste - Starmetal

Motivation - Explore new worlds, discover new truths, and bring them home in hopes of awakening Autocthon and bringing together the nations.

Starmetal Caste

Step 2

Attributes (Note: Pretty hard set to future growth for charms) - Caste - Favored - Other - Dex ●●●●● sta ●● per ●●● Man ●● app ●●●●● wit ●●● Int ●●●● cha ●●● str ●

Step 3 ●+

Abilities (Note, not set, prelimiary dots) Archery Integrity ●● Craft - Athletics ●● Bureaucracy Martial Arts ●● Performance ●● Investigation Awareness ●● Linguistics ●● Melee Presence ●● Lore ●● Dodge Ride Thrown Resistance ● Medicine ●●● Larceny ● Sail War Survival Occult ● Stealth ● Socialize ●● Craft: None

Specialties
- One in Medicine: Unknown
- Three Unknown

Step 4

Backgrounds
- 3 dots Class (standard)
- 3 dots Savant
- 7 Unset allocated toward Artifacts & Charms

Merits
- 4 dots Enchanting Features

Flaws[i]
- 10 through various undetermined to offset E3

Potentials:
- Dark Secret - Was entrusted method to return Autocthonia, must keep this state secret, even if we're temporarily abandoned here
- Obligation - To jadeborn
- Code of Honor - vs violence as a solution
- Ward could be fun too

[i]Charm Slots

- 4 Dedicated
- 4 General

Charms

- 1st Dex Augment
- EITHER 2nd Perception Augment or 6th, lowering Per by 1 and raising Manip by 1
- 5th Appearance Augment

- Thousandfold Courtesean Calculations
- Radiant Iconography Array
- Hierarchial Dogma Lock - IIF Dark Secret
- Optical Enhancement - Diagnostic Overlay and either Flash Shutters + Light Intensification Filters OR Thermal
- Synergy Promoting Upgrade
- Omnitool Implant
- Technomorphic Integration Engine

+ An number of others to buy with spare BP/Background

Virtues
- Compassion 3 + 1 or 2
- Conviction 3 + 0 or 1
- Temperance 2
- Valor 1

Step 5

Willpower - 8-10

Intimacies
TBD

Essence - 3

Health - Standard

Bonus Points

18 base (18 Remaining)
(10) flaws (28 Remaining)
10 E3 (18 Remaining)
4 Merits (14 Remaining)
3-5 Willpower (11 to 9 Remaining)
2 Virtues (9 to 7 Remaining)
Remainder: Likely to Artifact & Charm Backgrounds
>>
No. 934971 ID: f57349

Also a week ago, just after Creeping Hunter shattered some enchanted fortifications with his axe, one of the violet-eyed, baggy-skined underpeople stepped forward with a strangely flexible gold mask over it's mouth and ears. When it spoke, everyone could understand. "Truce! Parley! We wish to exchange words, and possibly other considerations, rather than continue fighting!"

"The pact we propose is thus:
First, we shall give you all the living slaves and prisoners which are in our possession at this time.
Second, you shall formally acknowledge the established borders of our territory, depart therefrom forthwith, and commit no further intrusions or aggressions thereon without our explicit permission.
Third, we shall likewise acknowledge and respect your corresponding territorial claims.
Fourth, there shall be another meeting at a time yet to be determined but no less than one month and no more than sixteen months from now, at which further negotiation shall take place. If that meeting ends without further consensus, the nonaggression pact shall be considered concluded and hostilities may resume without penalty.
Are these terms acceptable to you?"
>>
No. 934990 ID: 97b4e3
File 155982514006.png - (667.96KB , 700x980 , 2.png )
934990

>>934880

Okay, updated draft. All we're missing is a name, some descriptions, backstory details, and Intimacies, but all the crunchy bits are done.

------------------

Step 1

Concept - See
>>934876

Caste - Starmetal

Motivation - Find secrets that can unify our nations and heal the Great Maker.

Starmetal Caste

Step 2

Attributes - Caste - Favored - Other - Dex ●●●●● App ●●●●+ Per ●●● Man ●● Cha ●● Sta ●● Int ●●●● Wit ●●●● Str ●●

Step 3

Abilities Archery Integrity ● Craft - Athletics ● Bureaucracy Martial Arts ●●● Performance ● Investigation Awareness ● Linguistics ● Melee Presence ●●● Lore ●●● Dodge ● Ride Thrown Resistance ● Medicine ●●● Larceny Sail War Survival ● Occult ●●● Stealth ● Socialize ● Craft (anything): +++++

Languages
- Autochtonian, Naitive, Kamak dialect. Spoken Only
- Old Realm, Autochonian dialect.

Specialties
- Lore: Technological devices
- Medicine: Trauma
- Performance: Kamakian singing and chant
- Presence: Making fiends/allies
+ Unallocated (x3)

Step 4

Backgrounds
- 3 dots Class (standard)
- 3 dots Savant

Artifacts
- Precision Goggles
- Essence Capacitor
- Omniscient Literary Advisor
- Null-Essence Grenade
- Resplendent Satchel of Healing
- Starmetal Wings of the Raptor
- Five Metal Infinite Resplendence Amulet
- Starmetal Celestial Battle Armor - Essence Gauntlets, Essence Stride, Dematerialize

Flaws
- 6 Crippling physical damage from a cave-in, recovered in VATs and in -12xp deficit.
- 4 Delicious Demon Locust ( Creature of Darkness & Sparkle Eyes )

Charm Slots
- 4 Dedicated
- 4 General

Charms

First Dexterity Augmentation - Essence Optimized
Sixth Perception+Craft Augmentation - Essence Imprinted
Fourth Appearance Augmentation - Essence Integrated

Thousandfold Courtesan Calculations - App
Radiant Iconography Array - App

Accelerated Response System - Dex
Precalculted Evasion System - Dex

Hierarchical Dogma Lock - Int
Imprinted Data Cluster - Int
Thermionic Orthodoxy Array - Int

Optical Enhancement - Per + Flash Shutters, Light-Intensification Filters, Diagnostic Overlay
Anticipatory Simulation Processor - Perception

Omnitool Implant - Wit + Comprehensive Surgical Systems
Technomorphic Integration Engine - Wit

Personal Gravity Manipulation Apparatus - Str


Virtues
- Compassion 4
- Conviction 4
- Temperance 2
- Valor 1

Step 5

Willpower - 10

Intimacies
TBD

Essence - 3

Health - Standard Alchemical

Bonus Points

18 base (18 Remaining)
(10) flaws (28 Remaining)
10 E3 (18 Remaining)
5 Willpower (13 Remaining)
2 Virtues (11 Remaining)
1 Submodules (10 Remaining)
7 Charms
3 Artifact Background

NOTE Starting at -12xp deficit, see Flaws.
>>
No. 934991 ID: f57349

>>934878
>>934873
Four successes each on the first roll of the binding contest. Thirteen dice versus ten means the Fiend is still more likely to succeed, but if you're worried, you could reduce uncertainty by offering one or more oaths.
To further break down the demon’s resistance, the sorcerer may, during the binding process, offer the demon a chance to swear an oath of further restriction.Should the demon accept, this binding oath provides the sorcerer’s player with two automatic successes to one of her binding rolls. She may offer, and the demon may accept, more than one oath.
Typically, these oaths offer mutual benefit, specifying some freedom the sorcerer will allow the demon in exchange for some task the demon will perform above and beyond that which the spell mandates. Oaths need not be mutually beneficial, however—in swearing, the demon accepts the validity of the binding, which weakens its resistance even if the oath is purely for the sorcerer’s benefit. If the sorcerer wishes to trick the demon into accepting an oath with no benefit to itself, the demon’s player uses the rules for reading motivation (see Exalted, p. 131).
A demon that violates an oath made during the binding process dies. If it’s a demon of the First Circle, death is instant and permanent as the demon visibly rots away to nothing. A demon of the Second Circle evaporates into dust and vapor—its Third Circle demon will eventually recreate it. A Third Circle demon reincarnates into a new form instantly, its nature changed enough that the old oath becomes invalid.
A sorcerer who violates an oath suffers a dire fate. At some point in the future, all her bound demons will go free. This happens once for every oath she breaks. Rarely, a sorcerer evades a broken oath’s consequences by dying before facing this calamity (it can be years or even centuries before the demons are freed) or by dismissing all her demons and forswearing demonology thereafter, but no other method of escape exists.

>>
No. 934992 ID: f57349

>>934990
>Flaws
>- 6 Crippling physical damage from a cave-in, recovered in VATs
You got separated from the expedition group by a cave-in which, in hindsight, was probably deliberately triggered. Sticky-fingered, violet-eyed humanoids captured you, stole your Infinite Resplendence Amulet (everything else of value was stashed in the Technomorphic Integration Engine, but it doesn't work so well with magical materials other than starmetal), cut off your arms and legs, fed you some surprisingly tasty rainbow-colored candied crickets, and then sold you (among others) to a tribe of beastfolk in exchange for a nonaggression pact.

The beastfolk in question have just finished digging a hole straight upward, and are now eagerly attempting to sell you to someone else, in exchange for nothing more than a few useless bits of glass.

Your Infinite Resplendence Amulet isn't missing - you know exactly where it is. The leader of the violet-eyed... polar mutants? Whatever they are, their boss clearly wanted to keep it. You've gotten a good look at the layout of their crystalline fortress, and are within shouting distance of someone who's quite capable of breaching it's defenses - they all but surrendered just to buy a few months' delay.
>>
No. 935042 ID: 0fc931

Okay, I just remembered that we had proposed a rule back at the beginning of this whole social debacle that if you go more than 24 hours without posting either in the discord or here to confirm your intentions to post to keep this from getting too clogged up because of one person. So, I’m making a formal motion to just completely skip the next three people (Iridescent Bile for Tick 7, Gerald on Tick 8, and Morse on tick 9) who are up, because they are all Gilly’s characters and it has been 9 days for three characters since we’ve tried pinging every time the discussion of who was up came up.
>>
No. 935045 ID: f57349

>>935042
Motion granted, let's proceed with the assumption Morse is continuing to play her shamisen, while those two envoys are listening politely. Onward to the duel between the two Lunars. Will there be any explicit discussion of stakes, now that you have a realistic prospect of communicating in actual words?
>>
No. 935046 ID: 97b4e3
File 155990607924.jpg - (199.39KB , 512x632 , d55d411a8985f70d60007b9653208d847705c4f4.jpg )
935046

>>934990

And with this, we should have the final details to be character complete.

Name
Luminous Alacrity Recursing in the Reaches (Pet names: Lumie, Allie)

Intimacies
- Fondness for exploration
- Opposed to violence as an answer
- Delight at the small and fuzzy
- Belief in libreal cultural evolution as a positive
- Duty to Aerotary Expeditionary force
- Loyalty to Kamak
- Reverence for Autochton
- Familial closeness with Surgeon Mills (Demiurge)
- Trepidation Respect for Preceptor Nisei
- Friendship to Autocrat Hiro
- Competitive Friendship with Regulator Slee

Current Loadout
*First Dexterity Augmentation - Essence Optimized
*Sixth Perception+Craft Augmentation - Essence Imprinted
*Imprinted Data Cluster - Int
*Optical Enhancement - Per + Flash Shutters, Light-Intensification Filters, *Anticipatory Simulation Processor - Perception
*Omnitool Implant - Wit + Comprehensive Surgical Systems
*Technomorphic Integration Engine - Wit
*Personal Gravity Manipulation Apparatus - Str
>>
No. 935047 ID: f57349

Per discussion on Discord, no flash shutters yet in exchange for starting with the Comprehensive Surgical Systems submodule for only 1 BP. Name field should probably also be updated.

Otherwise ready for action, though the plausible scope of short-term actions is somewhat limited by status as a prisoner of Creeping Hunter's tribe, and by shortage of functional limbs.
>>
No. 935100 ID: 304f7c

>>934971
Creep speaks as he scratches his chin, "Yes, I don't see any need for further violence. You will hear from me in the coming months. I will send a messenger to arrange our next meeting."

>>934306
The herd of beastmen reflexively take a step back as Lute Silhouette places the glassware on the ground watching intensely. One of the beastmen steps forward, wearing iron plate and a helmet with a protruding blade. Looks to Creep and upon receiving a nod runs to the item to attempt to pick it up. "Pehraps this chance meeting can be fortuitous for all of us. We are not without civility." Creep then snaps his fingers twice and there is commotion in the wall of beastmen who look far more relaxed now. Bowls of food are brought forward, containing strange fruit and assorted mushrooms. These bowls are then placed on the ground halfway between the army and the gathered delegates. Instruments made out of horns and skin drums are soon presented and laid out on a fabric in front of the herd. The wall of beastmen parts to let a group of nine humanoids bound in iron chains fastened around their wrists blindfolded and gagged. They shakily follow the slave driver being lead along to their places behind the other goods. The commotion stops and the beastmen step back into their places. A less than impressive assortment of goods in front of them, most objects bare a very obvious red rams head. A voice calls out "Wait! Oh shit!" As a young beastman parts and falls out of the front rank into a very embarrassing face plant. She is carrying more goods on her back tied up with rope into a makeshift back pack. Gingerly she gets back up and places her backpack down next to the other slaves and uncovers the head of her pack to reveal it is another person! Without any limbs of their own they have been tied up with rope to make transport easier for the person who carries them but otherwise completely nude. They are blind folded and gagged like the rest of the slaves. Being held upright by the young beastman who is still nursing her face after their fall.

"We can bargain later," Creep says aloud. "First we must test our strength against yours."
>>
No. 935101 ID: 304f7c

rolled 4, 4, 5, 1, 3, 1, 3, 6, 4, 10, 10, 1, 4, 9, 3, 10, 10, 8, 1, 1, 5, 2, 5, 10, 10, 7, 7, 1, 1, 6 = 152

>>
No. 935103 ID: 54735b

"Alright, but when the time comes, I want that one." Rivers was standing ready, having even been helping build the circle ring where possible, and pointed to the limbless slave. She was beautiful enough that she definitely wanted her, and if she had to win this fight to get her, then all she had to do was win.

And so she stood, body tense and at the ready for the signal to begin to drop, the diplomatic meeting feeling like a smooth blur in the back of her mind as doubtless the crowds and all the many gathered went silent to watch a fight between lunars.

(Temperance 2 vs Sexual Addiction, Wits 4+Awareness 0+Willpower success + Stunt on Initiative
>>
No. 935104 ID: 54735b

rolled 7, 7, 8, 6, 7, 7, 7, 9, 8, 7, 2, 8, 6 = 89

>>
No. 935120 ID: f57349

>>935101
>>935104
Looks like Sweet Rivers got 6 successes on Join Battle while Creeping Hunter botched, so for the duel, Mother Bog's top oppossum is definitely acting on Tick 0, while the champion of the Red Horns is going to stand there flat-footed until Tick 6.

Given that a botch would normally mean Creep acting on tick 6 even if Rivers had rolled zero successes, and the possibility of cultural misunderstanding about exactly when the ceremony is over and the fight is meant to start (formal duels have profoundly different associated standards of etiquette, relative to bar brawls), I'm inclined to also count the first swing as a plain-sight unexpected attack.
>>
No. 935124 ID: 97b4e3

As the days seemed to grow longer in captivity and the injured and butchered girl grown increasingly despondent with the brutality of her captors, she began passing the time by coming up with her own little narrative of the events that followed. From the point of view of the underpeople, it'd be just more incoherent mumbling who's inflexions border on the cloyingly sweet to veiled and condescending, with the occasional shout for attention in the merest hopes that her people were out there, close enough, and might come across these savages. She seems to take a particular issue with the "doctor" that thought it a good idea to resort to amputation. Attempts at gagging proved overall unsuccessful, while her teeth don't seem to be that sharp, hiding a surgical scalpel seems to more or less get the job done.

By the time the tribe of beastfolk would have arrived, she'd be full in her own narrative, adding background noise to the comings and going and the events within. Delirious from lingering pain, boredom and a growing sense of malaise, she'd make commentary at the underfolk as they wander by doing just whatever it was that they were doing, more seemingly in a panic than usual. Her voice rings out a little wheezy from the naitive hospitality, but that doesn't stop her from making the best of her situation and providing a narrative, at least in her own mind.

In her naitive Autocthonian tongue, one that shares a stark number of similarities to Old Realm - in terms of verb structure, object descriptors and loaner words - she muses away at the events unfolding. "Ahh yes, here we see nup nup, scampering about and one can only wonder what the commotion is about. Her overall level of dishevelment is unusually peaked today, perhaps her attempts at courting the wunderling tribal communuine have once again failed her. Tomorrow, however, is another day. Ahh look, she engages with zeeboo, who appears to flailing about his implement as if there were no one around to injure, again. You would think one accidental contusion would be enough to bring about behavioral reprimand, but the big stick policy holds fast. Unsurprisingly we see lumpy plotzing around, looking more disoriented than ever."

Her voice grows somewhat more agitated when in sight of the butcherer who sought fit to amputate rather than mend perfectly healthy if ravaged tissue. "Lumpy, once again following a credo of obscene negligence stumbles around shouting incoherently, more worked up than usual. Perhaps his failings have caught up and he is to be bequeathed righteous reprobation from the thieving chief dingus. Life for the tunnel folk trapses at its usual erratic ... ohh, the handy one is coming this way. Whatever is the matter this time, come to ..."

At this point, with little more than disapproval stemming from the rolling of her eyes, she fidgets as she's once again mishandled and fussed about like some misbegotten invalid, bound and hoisted in some manner of rudsak.

>>935100

As she takes tumble, thanks to the mishandling of the enthusiastic but less than graceful beastman, she gives a disapproving grunt and somewhat of a groan as she's once again subject to further indignities. She hears new voices, however, ones of a different cadence than the usual grunting and with an inflexion that sounds like some different tribe or a unique envelope to their larynx, in either case, another opportunity to better the situation and considering the events of the last few days, betterment is not a high bar to set.

Gagged though she may be, the unclean cloth or leather binding is no match for a set of micro clamps, cutting tools and the ingenuity of a desperate, frustrated and keen minded champion with access to omnitools. No sooner than the pack is opened does she heave with her tongue and expel the precisely sliced remnants of the gag and attempt to shake loose the vision impairing blindfold with a vigorous waggle of her head. A deep breath is taken, sounding a might bit shaky on the inhale, before she proceeds to blurt out as loudly as she can muster in an oddly accented <Old Realm>: "Hello ?! Greetings, friend, help ?" She seems to speed through the important parts, prudence in this situation lending to an expeditious declaration of thought over one more likely to be half-construed if silenced. She then rolls right into another line, one tinged with a sense of desperation and frustration, one at least suitable for the situation she appears to be in. "Please tell me someone knows how to speak."

When revealed, a mass of sparkling, pink and purple hair, dirtied from misuse and lack of a suitable environment to be cleaned in is most prominent. Whomever the misshapley creatures managed to catch, they appear most unusual and distressed.
>>
No. 935131 ID: f57349

>>935124
If you're rolling Join Debate, and a social attack to beg somebody for rescue, gotta roll actual dice for that. Might also need to resist Morse's ongoing use of Morbid Fascination Style.
>>
No. 935143 ID: 97b4e3

>>935131

( Trying to prompt interaction with other players, not force social combat. And I can neither see Morose nor have they said anything since I entered the scene: Nothing to hear/see means nothing to interrupt. )
>>

rolled 10, 9, 9, 6, 6, 3, 4, 9, 4, 2, 4, 2, 9, 8, 4, 7, 10, 6, 6, 5 = 123

>>935100
>>935124
Trusting Rivers will be able to handle herself in her exhibition fight, "Dutiful Topaz" continues respectfully engaging some few members of the tribe who attention remains captured by fine craftmanship, even with with distracting spectacle of ritual combat ongoing.

That is, hears a small commotion and hears a cry for help. Turning, she was certainly not expecting a vibrantly colored starmetal body. (Well, partial body. Judging by the rough edges, the lack of limbs wasn't part of the original design. Assuming she's an automation and that's not a spectacular mutation). Stranger still was the unexpected sensation of fate bearing down- an odd feeling, reminiscent of that day she had first truly come into her own.

Making her excuses and offering reassurances, Lute passes through the beastmen, quickly persuading them to allow the stranger to approach their strange prize (Some moved by pride- the chance to show off what is theirs. Others by greed, and the chance at a trade. And a few, by the logic that perhaps this stranger with her fine crafts unlike their own, might offer new insight on the metal creature).

>"Hello ?! Greetings, friend, help ?"
>"Please tell me someone knows how to speak."
Kneeling besides her, Lumie encounters the first honest to goodness human she's seen since falling afoul of the cave denizens and the horned tribe. The hat the newcomer is wearing leaves her unable to tell if she has a soulgem (likely not, in this Maker-forsaken place). But praise everything, she speaks old realm (even if it is in some odd, unfamiliar Malfean accent).

With a kind smile: "Why, hello there. However did you end up in this situation?"


Rolling... lore or occult I would think. Lute's trying to figure out what the strange creature before her is, or at least, what she can tell about it. (12 dice before stunt, either way).
>>
No. 935161 ID: 8d924c

>>934991
As a potential oath, perhaps I can offer regular access to mortals during Calibration. In exchange, they would agree to obey the laws of the fiefdom.

I forgot to mention, but I intended this to be a task binding. To serve loyally as Lute Silhouette's airship crew.
>>
No. 935196 ID: d9acdc

>>935124
Bridget, not one to stand idly by while slavers do their dirty work, is of course completely oblivious to the maimed alchemical, as the twilight had thought it prudent to get into position between the beastmen and the diplomats, leaving a sea of bodies to block her sight and forestall her rage, inevitable as it to arrive when shown such atrocities.

>>934852
>>934971
Likewise, Bridget would have been very interested in all these going ons- getting the airships running? Fighting against slavery? These have been on her docket for some time now. Tragic, then, that at the time of occurrence Bridget finds herself confronting the ghost in the scorpion, searching the endless desert for her companion once lost.
>>
No. 935208 ID: 97b4e3
File 156005575245.jpg - (165.87KB , 600x500 , 5c3ae9cb7ddb17dd62de547f361d22bafa9d894c.jpg )
935208

>>935100
>>935157

Were it not so pathetic looking she might appear somewhat comical with the vigorous contortions and waggles she puts her head through to give slip to the binding headband. Defying complacency, she powers through and manages to make some headway before taking advantage of a small shift in position, abusing a crack in the obfuscation provided by the blindfold. Head tilted back, she peeks at the person standing ... scratch that, kneeling before her. She'll need to reorient to the diminished point of view.

<Old Realm> "Ohh, thank Noi, another honest to goodness unmutated person, I'd begun to think it was all degenerative <???>." She speaks a word that sounds somewhat unfamiliar, it has roots in the Old Realm word 'passage' and linguistically is structured as a collective noun. She takes a moment to pause to take an examining look along Rivers, meticulous despite its brevity. Her eyes shimmer and sparkle, pupil rapidly contracting at the exposure to light through the blinding and dialating once becoming slightly more acclimated. Brief flashes, tiny sigils sparkle along her cornea for just a heartbeat before they're gone and others might be seen, some private datum for her alone.

The rest of her looks almost as curious as the gleaming eye; while disheveled and sullied would be the obvious words to come to mind, beneath the lackadaisical attempt to allow her modesty or a semblance of presentability is something most curious. Her flesh is surprisingly smooth and occasionally glittering at the right angle. Though she's not quite human, so many of the same qualities are there, beneath the soft, peachy clay like skin is enough translucency to see hints of blood vessels in pink and purplish colors, the shifting of tendons and muscularature and meticulous simulacra to the human form that even jadeborn anatomy looks crude in comparison. At more of a glance, she's unquestionably female even if slight in size, proportions indicating that she might stand an average height were her severed limbs still present and of an appropriately human scale. The way she guards the stubs of her arms as she flails indicates an instinctual quality of pain to them as they look crudely severed. Flesh is torn and bandaged, the scabbing taking an iridescent quality more so than the dullish red of oxidized hemes that you'd expect. A bit of bone protrudes and it seems to be made of some sort of darkened alloy, pocketed and hollow like a typical bone might be but in this state, shows signs of plastic deformation rather than splintering.

She continues, <Old Realm> "These <??? That word again> ambushed me I suspect and utterly failed at any semblance of triage and have been holding me hostage for ... do you have weeks here ? Seven full sleep cycles ? They're in terrible danger too, my people will be looking for me and if they discover any blood trails and these savages, I think they may be likely to be slaughtered in the investigation."
With adroit mindfulness of her precarious semblance of balance, she attempts to crane her head back further to spy on the situation at hand, looking confused and awkwardly positioned at best, seemingly too alarmed and worked up to pay much mind to the beastman girl attempting to tend to her more recent wounds at the mishandling fall. There's equal measures confusion, concern and morbid curiosity at the state of affairs her limited point of view is able to spy while attempting to formulate a way out of this grand mess of things.

With a wary plea she attempts, in a more hushed tone, <Old Realm> "I don't suppose you have the capacity or authority in this situation to help ? I'm certain my people can more than compensate you for any help you can render ... I fear what they might do next beyond mere torture and starvation."
>>
No. 935215 ID: f57349

>>935196
With Bridget's stats, Second Survival Excellency is probably enough to follow the Disciple of Mela's trail there and back, though Trackless Region Navigation would be safer, especially if you're bringing along an undisciplined group.

The ghost, however, will shoot recognizable "anathema" on sight, with no quarter asked nor given. Even without anima flare, Bridget's permanent caste mark and overall monstrous appearance might see her misidentified as some vat-grown supersoldier and presumed hostile on that basis. An Immaculate monk can't exactly be counted on to restrain such impulses - short of sending the ghost on to Lethe, at the expense of all their specialized technical expertise.

Even if you can tank a hit, overuse of the tail gun without maintenance will eventually cause catastrophic failure, and you've got no real way to know how close it is to that point already.

Once all that's dealt with, the mecha-scorpion is still immobile without a 3-dot hearthstone or equivalent power supply and probably quite a bit of deferred maintenance, compounded by centuries of sand in the joints. Alternatively, you could bring some draft animals, or demonic equivalent - parambir have two heads, three eyes, and a tangle of horns, while brantomes are limbless fish-scaled slugs, but both are about the size of elephants, and used in similar ways - and simply drag the thing to a secure repair site.
>>
No. 935217 ID: f57349

>>935157
>Rolling... lore or occult I would think. Lute's trying to figure out what the strange creature before her is
Seven successes, so Efficient Secretary Technique would likely be completely redundant. A glance at the Shard Fallen doesn't reveal any incongruities, so almost certainly not an elaborate disguise or illusion. Exposed stumps of 'bone' protruding from the severed limbs are metallic. Clotting patterns, along with lack of infection despite unsanitary conditions, strongly suggest some sort of supernatural healing factor. Could almost be some sort of bio-construct, like a Minion of Deadly Touch, but far more sophisticated in certain details than anything you're aware of the High First Age ever having produced. Lot of fiddly bits that might be starmetal, but either there's no clear central function, or it's somehow incomplete - in deeper ways than the obvious missing limbs.

She's nothing you've seen or heard of before, but the design has Autocthon's fingerprints all over. Maybe an entirely new thing, comparable to Exaltation. Madelrada will definitely want to know about this - and the Shard Fallen will tell her, unless you pop that hearthstone out quick and scrub the recent logs before synchronization - but this being's Best Self is probably something far more than a captive vivisection subject for That Which Wears Down The Mountains.

As an akuma, voluntarily going against your Urge even by inaction is not an option. You've got some hard decisions to make, and quickly.
>>
No. 935218 ID: f57349

>>935103
Exactly ten seconds after the duel starts, Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men has been punched in the chest twice and launched out of the ring with a caved-in ribcage, lethal damage filling all but his last two dying health levels, while Hundred Flowing Sweet Rivers took a grazing hit to the nose which has already healed.
>>
No. 935222 ID: 97b4e3

>>935120

The two lunars squared off, armor doffed and armaments aside and prepared to step into the ring, looking into each others eyes and knowing intuitively, wordlessly ... this is the way it must be. Two lunars enter the ring, one lunar leaves. Then, the other lunar being declared the victory, also presumably leaves. Off in the distance or in someone's imagination, a battle ballad played.

Rivers jumped in, looking to sunder Creep's legs with a twin strike spinning torpedo kick. Thinking better of turning it into a charnel bloodbath, the deadly twin strike shifted at the last possible moment to but a mere tackle, a colliding of lunar mass. Rather than step away from it, Creep decides to step up and grab Rivers by the leg and overtake her with a flippant show of dominance. Perhaps by instinct, perhaps by luck, perhaps by a hint of mercy, Rivers barely misses the other lunar and lands mere feet away, digging in for reprisal, ready at any moment to turn it into Creep's doom.

Before Creep can even react, however, River jumps in with another twinned assault, thrusting from above while Creep grins on like a madman, weaving in the wind like a reed while reveling in the thrill of the encounter, dreading ... or perhaps hoping for the first taste of blood to come. He's not left waiting long before a set of claws boops into his chest, poking about at his ribcage instead of merely ripping his heart out; this was a match for honor, for glory, not for something so petty as the kill.

And that near hit, or hint of generosity was just what the blood thirsty Creepy looked for. A big meaty arm reared back, and back and slammed forward looking to end it then and there, folding between the shadows of River's defense to seek at her heart and send her flying. Much to his chagrin, a few feet sliding was all he got for his effort.

Enticed, Rivers barred fangs and decided: the time for half measures was at an end, if he was to be ended, he'd be ended by glorious might and not fanciful maneuvering. No more twin assaults, all that fury was packed into one blow, holding back nothing. Creep hesitated, a moment too long and before he could evade, heard the crunching of his own ribs before the rustling of air.

And thus it was concluded, one lunar, bleeding and out, left clinging to the cusp of life after losing his grip on victory and losing consciousness to the sound of his own breath choking on blood. Rivers stands alone, squared center in the ring, blood soaked and laden with adrenaline and victory in equal measures.
>>
No. 935224 ID: 54735b

rolled 5, 6, 3, 10, 3, 6, 10, 1, 10, 7, 1 = 62

"I think I might have over done it just a little." She made sure the other Lunar was outside of the ring before she left, confident in her having won, even if it felt a bit hollow, before walking back to the delegation table and quickly asking Bridget if she can do anything about the crumpled chest, or if a few weeks of bedrest was all that he was going to need, since he didn't actually seem to be able to heal something like that like she could.

Assuming she wasn't attacked by the tribe for almost accidentally killing their leader, god, and possibly literal father, she walked over to the Lute and who she was going to claim as her prize, picking up the Alchemical, holding her tight, and when she was sure that no violence was going to come her way, turning back into an objectively beautiful silver haired person.

"How's that for helping you out of a bind?" she said in Old Realm just loud enough for a few people to hear it with the same accent as Lute.
>>
No. 935235 ID: afdebc

>>935217
I was planning on not taking the Shard Fallen out at all, actually, since I'm currently posing as mortal and there's entirely too many witness about who could recognize a high level artifact (and at very least a hearthstone) at a glance. Currently the Shard Fallen is tucked into my elsewhere pockets, and my hearthstone is in my hearthstone amulet, which is concealed under my Infinite Resplendence Amulet posing as mundane clothes.

>Efficient Secretary Technique would likely be completely redundant
Wouldn't that just determine that she's outside fate? (Well, I suppose, "has anyone heard of a creature matching this description, and if so what do they know" might still work, though it shouldn't get any hits here).

>>935208
>do you have weeks here ? Seven full sleep cycles?
Lute wobbles one hand in a so-so gesture. "More or less. Time is a little funny in Malfeas, clocks are illegal, and the easiest way to track time is the twice-daily screams of the Tomescu."

>They're in terrible danger too, my people will be looking for me and if they discover any blood trails and these savages, I think they may be likely to be slaughtered in the investigation.
Clearly this strange creature is a compassionate and heroic soul, whatever her origins, to remain concerned for her captors even in such a state!

>I don't suppose you have the capacity or authority in this situation to help ?
"Don't worry, we'll get you back on your feet! ...or fins, or tentacles, or whatever you're supposed to have."

Conversation is interrupted by shouts from the crowd of onlookers, and the sound of a body hitting the ground, as the battle between lunars is decisively decided, and Rivers emerges victorious.

"As for authority... more than I had a moment ago, I would say."

>>935224
May I introduce "Hundred Flowing Sweet Rivers not that Lumie knows what a "River" is and... I'm sorry, what's your name?"
>>
No. 935236 ID: 6a05f7

Rivers, had to actually think, while she asked Bridget and before Santova is super busy IRL she didn’t know if she could help the other Lunar out, and she wasn’t going to just let him bleed out.

She imagined that she would probably declared some kind of queen of them, since they didn’t seem particularly violent towards her after she almost killed their current leader. So, making sure he survived had two obvious conclusions in her mind. Either she was looked at as a better leader, because she was honorable enough to not kill someone or make them suffer in defeat, it could make her look better and shame the other Lunar’s defeat even more than losing to someone normally is, or it would lessen the impact of him being carved down in an honor duel.

Clearly, she would have to down into that massive terrifying coffin like cave they crawled out of and have a talk with some people about what she was doing in the aftermath of that bloody brawl, and figure out what kind of relationship she was having with them.

Isn’t+Socialize+WP for automatic one success +Stunt.
>>
No. 935237 ID: 6a05f7

rolled 10, 7, 4, 5, 4, 6, 2, 8, 3, 1 = 50

>>
No. 935238 ID: 6a05f7

rolled 4, 6, 1, 8, 7, 6, 10, 3, 5, 10 = 60

>>
No. 935239 ID: f57349

>>935236
>>935237
Four successes. The Red Horn tribe is looking shocked by this outcome, and standing aside deferentially when you walk among them. Closest analogue Rivers has personally seen as a Lookshy barmaid was a corporal full of liquid courage taking a swing at a lieutenant who turned out to be Exalted. Even if you're not claiming long-term authority, it may be important to provide some clear direction before the surprise wears off. https://www.schlockmercenary.com/2009-12-09
>claustrophobia
They seem to understand Old Realm, so it ought to be possible to tell the beastfolk warriors to bring a medic and any senior advisors up here, rather than crawling into any caves yourself.
>>
No. 935240 ID: 97b4e3
File 156009795809.jpg - (71.00KB , 480x431 , b56580f9a07e77092f758a58d13de601b23e8ae5.jpg )
935240

>>935235

The eccentricities of the law do seem to befuddle her momentarily as it's explained, the figurative gears in her head already busy away turning away at questions that distract from the matter at hand as she quickly confirms, <Old Realm> [i]"approximately fifteen screams then" she quickly confirmed before sharing the fire dust keg that this situation was rapidly turning into, from her point of view.

She shows off a moment of tenseness as Lute's persona reaches forward to fiddle with and remove the blindings in their entirety, making the situation abound both much easier and more difficult to see, ultimately lending to her squinting, eye lids held at just a slit while she grows accustomed to the illumination. But the helpful gesture offered, the stress is relatively abated and her tone takes up a more hopeful candor. [i]"Feet - I assure you: legs, toes, arches, heels, knees, and all."

>>935224

Her eyes, having their moment of acclimation, take to the other extreme as Rivers approaches. Her point of view is not an advantageous one and the person introduced has one feature that the curiously sparkle captive can't seem to take her, juxtaposingly quite wide eyes off of. The scent of fear might as well be palatable coming off her for any whose dispositions are attuned to such things. A hand held at the lax, soaked in crimson to it's metacarpal and dripping fresh. She can see clearly there's no broken skin, no cracked bones, no signs of medical trauma save for the smears of blood of whatever victim it came from. It's also reaching for her in her less than dignant state. And as she's lifted and hugged in such a manner, she does finally manage to squeak out something of a reply, or at least a whimper to that effect. Not that she knew what deer would look like in sudden torchlight, but she gives an amicable impression. Her voice is low, slightly wheezing and squeaky and her face might as well tell the rest of the story that she's hit the point where no snarky remark awaits in the annals of her mind, but that she's hit the point where she's clearly in over her head.

(( OOC point of reference; A hand steeped in violence came to give her an embrace, striking right at the last bastion of Kamakian dignity in their highly developed sense of personal space. Not that anyone would note, but little Lumie just hit the "Freeze" button on the "Fight/Flight/Freeze/Fawn" base level reaction scale. Also having a Valor 1 doesn't help.))
>>

rolled 10, 4, 7, 7, 10, 10, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 2, 1, 7, 6, 3, 4, 8, 8, 10 = 122

>>935240
(In Old Realm).

"Rivers, dear, I think you're scaring her."

"You're also, well, waving her around, and I don't think she shares your sense of modesty (or lack thereof)."

With a glance at the excited tribe around them, "Dutiful Topaz" also adds in Rivertongue "If we're to help her, you may wish to claim her as a conquest, and give any other orders you're going to, before they have a chance to calm down."
>>
No. 935274 ID: 54735b

"I mean, I guess, but look at her, she's so adorable and I love her."

She looked around at them.

"Okay, I wasn't trying to hurt your leader that badly. I got a little excited and... I don't want to make anyone sound bad but as hard as it would take to put me down long enough to drag me out of the ring. I've also decided I'd like to claim this slave you took as the right of conquest. You should get a medic as quickly as possible for him. Also, I want to make sure before everything gets too out of hand, did beating him make me your new chief or something?"
>>
No. 935284 ID: 97b4e3
File 156013847661.jpg - (762.52KB , 627x887 , 09dded1f26dc3831e5db667d10d460d7355df1f3.jpg )
935284

>>935263
>>935274

It takes her a bit of a moment before the nervous mewl would stop and she'd re-appraise the situation. Her current predicament didn't seem to be progressing in the way her sleep deprived, starved, pained and anticipatory simulation fed imagination had thought it would be headed. All things considering, the assessment of certain impending doom may have been slightly, if justifiably, exaggerated. One thing does stand out though, while held she utterly stops breathing, even attempting to, through her eyes dart about trying to put together this clusterfuck of a scenario and find herself a safe route out. Despite her racing heart, she doesn't thrash or flail, doesn't even look like she's trying to fight against a squeeze, it looks more like she forgot to remember to keep breathing and is burning thought cycles on other tasks.

One word seems to trigger her, almost immediately, and once the term 'medic' was uttered she snaps immediately back to attention. Her brow furrows in question, putting two and two together with the word 'him' and she looks immediately to Dutiful Topaz, seeing her as the rational mind in the group at the moment for some measure of explanation, and immediately follows her gaze, taking a momentary subconscious cue and following it right back to the fallen Creep. Her brow furthers in concentration but a mere second or two, craning her neck to try to get a better vantage before her eyes grow wide in horror.

She sucks in a quick breath and puts her own existential dread to the side to slide into something distracting and comfortable as she shouts for attention, <Old Realm> "T-that man is suffering massive internal hemorrhaging and ..." Her tone grows more dire, "an aortic dissection, If he doesn't receive immediate attention he's going to bleed out in minutes." She looks about in the commotion for anyone remotely competent and she sees the worst case scenario. The underfolk she's labeled as lumpy taking interest.

Emotions taking another sudden U-turn, she gets heated and fidgety quick, shouting a pained and wheezy cry, <Old Realm> "Don't you dare touch him you <??? ???? ?? ????? ??>" And what follows is a curt string of what sounds like bile fueled nonsense in her naitive tongue, creative slander too contextual to translate more than <description, verb, adverb, noun adjective>. She looks like she'd be willing to spit fire out of her eyes if she could before she'd let that 'medic' get anywhere near the dying man in desperate need of medical attention. The mere sight has her all hot and angsty.
>>
No. 935285 ID: 54735b

"You know he's an Anathema, and as soon as the bleeding stops he should probably be fine in a few hours. I mean, I think, I would already be up from a hit like that."

She wasn't stupid, well she was actually tremendously stupid, but she was able to pick up social cues well. So, Rivers took her new body pillow and wanted to see what she could do in this state as she walked over to Creep's body.
>>
No. 935286 ID: f57349

>>935274
Relatively casual discussion with other PCs is one thing, but this leadership stuff is a significant enough action, and far enough outside your existing expertise, that you really do need to roll for it.
>>
No. 935289 ID: 97b4e3
File 156014102156.png - (305.80KB , 689x654 , 1c592cc801046d5c9607593a2da60ea963029936.png )
935289

>>935285

<Old Realm> "Regardless of your feelings on his social class, that's still a person right, mutated or not. And that person is bleeding inside from whatever trauma caused this." Contextually, the big A word had no significant meaning. She does another quick look over before glancing up to her current warden, <Old Realm> "Do you see the puncture along the intercostal tis... the hole on his chest along the ribs ? If you can set me down, face down against that wound I can probably go in laparoscopically and .." She stops herself once again and rephrases, [i]"I can stop the internal bleeding and patch up the wound to his heart."

Assuming her request was accommodated, she'd get to work and ... to the vantage of anyone else watching, just go ahead and stick her tongue into the gaping wound and show a face of deep concentration for a minute or two. Internally, she'd lace her saliva with clotting factors and protrude tubules to worm along the inside of the lunar's body cavity, removing bone fragments, suturing and sealing wounds with a miniaturized essence torch ... more of a flicker or a spark, but enough to get the job done. A slight burning smell might be smelled were anyone close enough but she's more than competent and equipped enough to get the job done, even if by touch and disabled as she is.
>>
No. 935290 ID: 304f7c

rolled 1, 9, 10, 9, 9, 8, 2, 3, 6, 9, 3, 9, 10, 5, 9, 10, 5, 8, 6, 10 = 141

Spending XP to learn Old Realm thanks to the Blue Vervain Binding
>>935285
He would not be fine in a few hours. In fact he would most likely be dead. Creep had slumped over coming to a rest watching his vision start to gray out. He looked to his chest and the gaping wound leaking blood like a small river. He heard voices or did he? He wasn't quite sure everything seemed far away. He tries to draw a breath in. He wasn't having much luck and his breathing sounded labored and he coughed up blood before he could get much air in him. His vision came to rest on his moonsilver tattoos still brightly shining. That light was the only thing he could see at this point. His vision mostly black now. He knew he had to stop the bleeding or, well the alternative wasn't a viable option for Creep. He focused on his body and the immense pain he was in, attempting to stop the blood loss,
>>
No. 935291 ID: 3732a8

“I mean, we’re the same type of things. I mean, everyone calls us Anathema, but I’ve been hearing that the right term is Exalt, which doesn’t really make sense for me since those are someone completely different.”

She talks in Old Realm to the torso as she does hold her up to the wound like she wanted.
>>
No. 935293 ID: afdebc

>Naked torso wiggling on naked bloody lunar, applying copious tongue
"Then again, I suppose I could have been mistaken about the modesty", Topaz comments wryly to Rivers. (Old Realm).
>>
No. 935296 ID: 97b4e3

>>935290
>>935291

She doesn't give much a reaction to the conversation at hand, rather focused on her task of tonguing the near dead Creep. She does work quickly and even if her ministrations were ultimately unnecessary, she had no way of knowing that for certain. Content, she looks up, gives a quick blink of her eyes and the professional determined facade quickly devolves to a face that could best be described by the term 'icky.' She cranes her face towards the ground, makes a profound "Bllaaaaaa" sound and spits out a number of bone chips and other viscera with an appropriately disgusted face. Looking about for some relief, she turns to her shoulder and starts to lick that if only to scrape off her tongue preceding a few more spits of blood and foreign matter onto the ground. Then, and only then, would she look to Rivers and give an appropriately confused and presumingly overwhelmed look; as the adrenaline starts to wear off, uncertainty goes to fill that gap and she resumes her earlier quandary of trying to determine what does she do now.
>>
No. 935297 ID: 304f7c

Creep lifts a heavy arm and gestures to River to come closer. "My name is Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men. What is yours?
>>
No. 935299 ID: 97b4e3

>>935293
She glances back to Topaz, looking like that remark cut, even if delayed while she was focusing on doctoring, and gives her a sad pouting look before laying it all out, <Old Realm> "It's not like I ~WANT to be here, naked, crippled and dripping with ... ick. They nearly killed me, they stole everything that wasn't riveted down and even then they still pried at my skull for hours." She can't help but subconsciously glance up toward the brilliant diamond like soulgem nestled deeply into her forehead. "And what am I supposed to do when people are dying around me. I just want my bed, just want Liza and I just want ... all the things they took." She sniffles, takes in a breath and just holds it into try to keep it together again.
>>
No. 935300 ID: 304f7c

Creep attempts to stand and then wobbles before falling over on his side. He is not quite up to moving around unassisted quite yet. "Bring me my axe, and my armor!" He says into the group of wide eye beastmen. It takes a second before the commands land. Seeing their Warmaster nearly killed wasn't part of the plan. Leaning on his axe like a walking stick he hobbles over to the wriggling torso spitting out bones and blood. "And you metal one, can speak now. What is your name?"
>>
No. 935301 ID: 97b4e3
File 156014609749.jpg - (404.94KB , 800x800 , 0efb7d22a97b516e0f6952468b713d5f9ca378ec.jpg )
935301

>>935300
(( Less metal than traces and compositions, though more than mere moral were that the inference.
>>935208
>The rest of her looks almost as curious as the gleaming eye; while disheveled and sullied would be the obvious words to come to mind, beneath the lackadaisical attempt to allow her modesty or a semblance of presentability is something most curious. Her flesh is surprisingly smooth and occasionally glittering at the right angle. Though she's not quite human, so many of the same qualities are there, beneath the soft, peachy clay like skin is enough translucency to see hints of blood vessels in pink and purplish colors, the shifting of tendons and muscularature and meticulous simulacra to the human form that even jadeborn anatomy looks crude in comparison. At more of a glance, she's unquestionably female even if slight in size, proportions indicating that she might stand an average height were her severed limbs still present and of an appropriately human scale. The way she guards the stubs of her arms as she flails indicates an instinctual quality of pain to them as they look crudely severed. Flesh is torn and bandaged, the scabbing taking an iridescent quality more so than the dullish red of oxidized hemes that you'd expect. A bit of bone protrudes and it seems to be made of some sort of darkened alloy, pocketed and hollow like a typical bone might be but in this state, shows signs of plastic deformation rather than splintering.
))

Currently looking up from the ground at Topaz (lest steadied by River), she pauses from her lamentations to quirk her brow at Creep who's already up and about. She quickly cautions, <Old Realm> "Do be careful, the walls of your vena ca.. your heart muscle are being held together by sutures and too much movement can strain them. Umm, they're like threads holding the skin together. But don't worry ... they'll dissolve in about six ... er, fourty ... eighty four screams or so." She looks to Topaz again for confirmation that she got the timeframe right mapping days/weeks to Tomescu wailing.

She then realizes this might not have been the first time it's been asked, but she takes a little bit of a breath to get out all the details, "I'm Luminous Alacrity Recursing in the Reaches, second science officer and honorary sodalite in the science division of the first aerotary exploration contingent of Kamak from the Metropolis Heraj." She takes another breath, "But ... most of my friends call me Lumie as that's easier and because of the obvious ...ohh, I guess that idiom doesn't translate well, so nevermind that."
>>
No. 935302 ID: f57349

>>935296
>even if her ministrations were ultimately unnecessary, she had no way of knowing that for certain
Diagnostic Overlay submodule for optical enhancement says the patient somehow stanched his own hemorrhaging before you even got there, subsequent surgery was mostly a matter of checking his work, disinfecting, a few micro-sutures to close up that punctured lung - and it seemed like you were racing him even on that, stitching up the ruptured pink meringue from one end while it zipped itself shut from the other.

Toothpick-sized rib fragment is tangled in your left eyebrow, a clotted scrap of furry skin is flapping loose over your soulgem, and there's a whole lot of, not just blood, but miscellaneous organic goo all over your cheeks, in your hair, even some on your shoulders. A few parts of it your tongue could reach, but that seems like a horribly sub-optimal grooming strategy unless you can first disable your senses of taste and smell. http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20060125 Haven't had a nice hot bath in an indeterminate period of time, roughly between one week and ten thousand years.
>>
No. 935303 ID: f57349

>>935300
You're incapacitated. Attempting to speak, let along move, absolutely requires a roll.
>>
No. 935308 ID: 8d924c

rolled 9, 5, 5, 8, 7, 7, 9, 7, 1, 9, 9, 4, 2, 2, 1, 7, 9, 3, 8, 3, 1, 6, 9, 7, 2, 10, 6, 5, 3, 4 = 168

Red and Gold is somewhat slow to gather what exactly has just happened, distracted as he was by trying to determine who and what these new people were and how they would fit into existing plans, but it's clear enough that someone is heavily injured, so he excuses himself in Rivertongue,

"Pardon me, but I want to attend to this sudden situation briefly, and aid the injured. I'll be back shortly."

Red and Gold makes his way over to the Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men's side, should he not be stopped, before pulling at the collar of his robe and exposing a bit of pale flesh, speaking in Old Realm.

"Whiskey, could you help patch this one up? I don't need any guests dying here today. I'll find you something new to drink, later."

With the unnerving rippling of flesh, a stomach bottle bug would swim out of Red and Gold's form to land within the flesh of the Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men, before moving to the task of repairing what was broken.
>>
No. 935311 ID: f57349

Details of medical treatment aside, you've now got at least three groups - the Red Horn tribe, the city of Aketon, and the demons represented by Seven Broken Wings of Red and Gold - who possess credible armies but have yet to formally acknowledge each others' diplomatic legitimacy, let alone territorial claims. If you don't want a lot of pointless skirmishes, eventually escalating into a war of conquest, it'd be wise to get that sorted out sooner rather than later.
>>

rolled 10, 9, 3, 2, 3, 10, 10, 1, 10, 3, 7, 5, 10, 6, 4, 1, 5, 3, 6, 5, 8, 3, 2, 6, 4, 7, 6, 2, 3, 9, 7, 7, 9, 4, 7, 7, 2, 1, 6, 1, 6, 5, 6, 8, 9, 5, 6, 4, 6, 3 = 272

Okay, I'm going to let my commitment to Blue Vervain Binding lapse, the tribe has had ample time to better themselves by accepting the magic of communication.

>>935299
"Of course. I'm sorry for making light of your situation."

>desperate for a bath
Turning to the fiendish diplomat and possible possum Queen "Can I trust you to handle the diplomatic situation here, while I see about restoring our new friend some dignity?"

That taken care of, quickly takes advantage of her obvious connection to the woman who may have just become war chief, and Lumie's heroic rescue of the current war chief, to secure a small tent from the herd and some privacy.

With a conspiritual look around "This may look a little odd, but you're not the only one hiding a set of tools. I'd ask you to keep quiet about the fact I can do this, not everyone out there knows, and I'd prefer to keep it that way."

With that, her arm dissolves, transforming into a fractal mass of tentacles, seemingly made of glass. The light of the green sun, shining through the walls, reflects oddly in their movement, playing across Lumie, who is surprised to see the filth on her frame start to drift away.

Using the lens arm + fine manipulation + ranged manipulation functions to clean the junk off her, then going to attempt improving some basic clothes for her from what the tribe has to work with (I assume they have some spares or cloth, but probably not tailored to stay on limbless torsos).

Rolling a bunch of dice, I assume the cleaning is Dex + something, modifying cloth is probably craft (Wood), although dressing her up at all might count as Larceny (disguise). 3 auto success on the rolls that count as fine manipulation. Helping Lumie be more like her best self probably makes the stunt urge-resonant.

Arm will be back in human mode when we leave the tent.
>>
No. 935314 ID: f57349

>>935313
I'd be inclined to count basic grooming as diceless. No real plausible way to botch a sponge bath, just a matter of putting in the time and effort.

With nine successes on the dice and three more from the bushbot arm, Dutiful Topaz manages to rapidly assemble a simple, elegant-looking, and surprisingly comfortable dress (Fine or Fancy Clothing, Resources 2) out of mostly scrap canvas, baling wire, and dry maple leaves. Just imagine what she could accomplish with proper materials, or any training at all as a tailor.
>>
No. 935316 ID: 97b4e3
File 156017645729.jpg - (79.37KB , 500x496 , 6d9debddf2cea98478ce7245fdfad62fe707555e.jpg )
935316

rolled 9, 4, 10, 2, 10, 9, 3, 2, 10, 10, 2, 3, 3, 2, 9, 3, 6, 5, 1, 4, 8, 9, 3, 9, 4, 7, 7, 4, 7, 7 = 172

>>935313
An extended stint of comparative solitude does relative wonders for her mental seems to do relative wonders for curbing the anxiety. When she's alone in the tent with Topaz she mostly just seems to let that drift into a state of exhaustion, occasionally broken up by a flush inducing gurgle of her stomach that she does her best not to adknowledge.

At the offer of solidarity, she'd give a definitive gesture of her head before thinking better of that and answering, <Old Realm> "Yes, of course." Her eyes break from the glare of the sun to a fraction of a heartbeat of caution, eyes darting immediately not to the wriggling mess of appendages, but the spot where they meet up with Topaz's arm. "No tumors, no necrosis, no <???>" Another word without context. She looks relatively content and lets her guard drop once more, seemingly unperturbed by the atypical armatures as if that, in some other form, was not necessarily unfamiliar happenstance.

Mostly she watches at first, quiet and shy at the intimacy of the task but bearing it with practiced dignity. It's when the makeshift clothing comes into play that she feels a little more helpful, slipping a nonchalant question asking about how long Topaz thinks a piece of cloth is, probing for a unit of measure. At that point she tries to make herself useful, able to suggest some surprisingly insightful lengths and measures any time something looks like it's about to be eyeballed, she seems to have a particular talent for craft or at least some insight into it.

As things are beginning to wrap up, both in terms of her exposure and this peaceful little moment, she'd do her best to punctuate it with a sincere, "Thank you. For well, a lot. It's nice to feel human again even if briefly." She's back to squinting again, still trying to adjust to the brightness but already wishing she had access to her arc goggles. "I wonder, wherever this is, is everyone so disfigured ? You're the only other human here I've seen who doesn't have some sort of mutation and it begins to worry me. If there's some mutagen maybe or ...", she gives a weary sigh clipped by more gurgles that she ignores, "I don't know." She leaves a pregnant pause, not certain she's ready for the answer to follow, "What happens next ?"

(( Adding teamwork die as appropriate to any Craft(*) rolls. Or Larceny if apt. ))
>>
No. 935398 ID: afdebc

>>935316
>"No tumors, no necrosis, no <???>"
Assuming Lumie's applying her Diagnostic Overlay, yes, she should be able to tell the arm is in intentional artificial construct of some manner, and not some degenerative condition or negatively impacting the connected natural biology. Universal Precept shroud might conceal the Multifocal Lens Arm's nature as an infernal graft specifically, but that distinction wouldn't mean much to her anyways.

>It's nice to feel human again even if briefly
Might be a turn of phase, but thinking of herself as human might be another point for the maybe-exalted theory.

>"I wonder, wherever this is, is everyone so disfigured ? You're the only other human here I've seen who doesn't have some sort of mutation and it begins to worry me. If there's some mutagen maybe or ..."
"Mmm, your erstwhile captors are a tribe of what are commonly known as beastfolk, that they all share mutations is somewhat self selecting- tied up in cultural identity, common supernatural ancestry, settling too close to the Wyld. They're not representative of the local mortal population."

"...although, given we are in the Demon Realm, the local mortal population isn't representative of the local population."

>"What happens next ?"
"Why, trying to get your feet back under you, I would imagine."
>>
No. 935409 ID: c16127

Okay, formal time, with Creep at the very least not at any risk of dying, and her new slave body pillow being taken care of by Lute, she just had to go and talk to the tribe of beastmen, so she would go and try to navigate to who everyone important was with one really important question. "What now?"

She beat their leader incredibly quickly, and they weren't trying to kill her, so either this happened all the time, or she had to guess that they were going to try and make her leader from everything she's heard about tribes of beastmen, so she wants to get all of the boring parts of whatever's going to happen handled right away.
>>
No. 935415 ID: 304f7c

rolled 2, 8, 3, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 3, 4, 3, 7, 2, 4, 9, 10, 1, 7, 8, 1, 4, 4, 8, 1, 10, 1, 5, 10, 8, 9 = 164

After being stunned for some time one of the beastmen breaks rank and turns to face all the others. Wearing a white tunic with a crude image of a ram's head painted in red. He looks well dressed compared to the others. "Alright put your weapons away. Nothing is gonna happen here you got that?" He barks his order and the beastmen begin sheathing their weapons but look none too pleased. "WHAT! get out of my way. Make room!" A figure starts pushing his way through the rank and file knock beastmen over carelessly. "Have your horns finally grown too long Kakrox? We clearly out number them!" The figure approaches dressed in black armor with red hand prints all over it. the front pushing flat the female beastmen that was carrying Luminous Alacrity earlier. He gets up close and presses his face into Kakrox's view, "Since when do you decide by yourself what happens?" The beastmen who was just pushed flat hops back up and dusts herself off before joining the other two in debate, "Grizzlemaw he can't help it you know the laws. She won in a duel." Slightly shorter than the other two she stands the tips of her hooves to join in. Kakrox stares down Grizzlemaw, "You're too quick in judgment Grizzlemaw you'll dishonor us. Thank you Marthog." He turns around, "These people are under HER protection. Think about what happened to our Warmaster before trying anything! It wouldn't surprise me if they all are strong as her." He turns to River, "What happens now is up to you. We intrude on your presence, we can leave if you will it. However please understand that we are strangers to this land trying to survive. We can send the raiding party away and leave just us three, the war council. If you would allow us the honor to join this delegation perhaps we can trade information or resources. You have proven yourself a very capable warrior, and you did it fairly. It would not be wrong of me to say you have earned my respect as a soldier."
>>
No. 935419 ID: c16127

"Well, we could always use some help. After all, I don't know how long you were down there, but we aren't in an exactly hospitable place. I also don't know how much resources we actually have to share, but I appreciate and am honored by the praise, Kakrox (?), though I'm not sure how deserved it is for my actions today, after all, I let my excitement get in the way of my judgement of an amicable opponent's skills."

For the most part, she didn't pay Grizzlemaw's comments about outnumbering them much heed. In general though, she did feel kind of bad about almost killing their warboss in a friendly duel, but she wanted to figure out what kind of balance of power they had.

"But, I also wanted to ask, what happens, since no matter what, I did come swinging too hard, and I've wound up leaving your Warchief out of commission for some time but it seems like you're not terribly hostile, so that's why I wanted to ask, what now?"
>>
No. 935420 ID: f57349

>>935419
Mother Bog empathically suggests that whatever else happens, you should make sure the Red Horns pay tribute to her on a regular basis from now on.
>>
No. 935422 ID: c16127

>>935420
Rivers will try and empathically say she'll make sure that they do if any of us get back to creation.
>>
No. 935433 ID: 97b4e3
File 156022806624.jpg - (148.43KB , 850x576 , sample_590e9caa42c76a9f744d648fdbb315e555cd410c.jpg )
935433

rolled 3, 5, 6, 4, 3, 7, 6, 1, 9, 7, 1, 5, 2, 3, 5, 4, 9, 3, 3, 8, 6, 1, 3, 1, 1, 7, 2, 9, 5, 1 = 130

>>935398

She seemed to be more or less looking for something in specific and was quickly satisfied that she had not found whatever it is that she was looking for.

<Old Realm> "Well, my originating captors showed somewhat more ..." She closes her eyes and tries to think up the right way to describe it. "divergence in the manifestations, too much to account for inhereted traits unless they've been isolated for ... " she pauses on a unit of measure again before continuing, "several tens of generations. Maybe environmental factors from a wyld zone,j if that is what I think it may be is the case." She shrugs a little and comments. "Would you, given your technological capabilities, say you're representative of the local mortal population ? And are the beastfolk part of a larger community of collective demon beastfolk or is that a landmark term ?"

She listens on, but increasingly weariness is taking its toll. With regard to her convalescence she mentions, "That much is not terribly complicated, I have a good talent for medicine and can probably operate to restore my limbs under the right conditions. As it stands though, I'm dehydrated, malnourished with nothing but insects keeping me even this alert and extremely sleep deprived. While I can't necessarily fault them, they'd shake me awake every time I fell asleep and stopped breathing." She gives a half hearted smile at that that bears closer resemblance to a grimace. "And I was unable to communicate with them that I don't strictly need to be breathing all the time. So ... like most maladies, rest and nutrition seem to be the key."
>>
No. 935481 ID: afdebc

>>935433
>Would you, given your technological capabilities, say you're representative of the local mortal population ?
With a cocked head and slowly sweeping her hand in an arc "Not likely? I benefit from certain advantages and friends others do not."

>And are the beastfolk part of a larger community of collective demon beastfolk
"I haven't known this particular tribe long enough to learn their politics, but I wouldn't expect so." Interestingly, this conversation would seem to suggest Lumie is unfamiliar with the beastfolk, demons, and possibly tribal social structures at all.

>In need of food and sleep
"Well! If you're up for braving attention and showing off your outfit, there's a table of food outside. If you'd rather put off an appearance until after you've rested, I could have some brought in."

The seer diplomatically refrains from mentioning that the meal was provided by the same individual who so frightened Lumie previously. (No sense in scaring her off a meal, and the information might be used to mend bridges later).
>>
No. 935496 ID: 97b4e3

rolled 10, 7, 8, 3, 10, 4, 2, 2, 7, 3, 5, 9, 4, 4, 2, 7, 2, 3, 7, 1, 10, 1, 3, 4, 10, 1, 9, 7, 8, 2 = 155

>>935481

<OId Realm> "Well, I would hate to ..." and, surprising approximately no one, her own biological impulses decide to make themselves known in a complex and an almost animated tummy gurgle, rebuffing and announcing once and for all, that it is well past time to be putting on airs. Attempting to keep a straight face, for risk of further indisgression, she changes tact and aquesses. "Yes I think that might be for the best." A deadpan expression is undermined by a growing pinkend hue of a cheek flush, demonstrating further the complexity of her own biological capacity. She further adds, tone notably diminished in volume, "I may need to request the aid of someone with ... utensils."
>>
No. 935515 ID: 304f7c

rolled 8, 2, 2, 10, 6, 9, 7, 9, 7, 1, 3, 10, 2, 4, 2, 8, 5, 2, 10, 7, 7, 7, 4, 8, 1, 2, 5, 7, 3, 9 = 167

>>935419

It takes a moment of them staring at Rivers to before saying anything. Grizzlemaw, "You could finish him and assert yourself as Warmaster."

"Or if you let him live I am sure he would be grateful. He does have a habit of returning favors." Kakrox says while elbowing Grizzlemaw in the side.

Marthog shrugs and holds her hands up, "As for what happens now. Uh... Let me think whats the best way to phrase this." She takes a moment before diving in to the intricacies of Red Horn's laws and customs, "So in conclusion this immediate area is like your home for a period of time." She draws a square in the air for emphasis. "We are your guests and we have to follow the rules of your house what ever you say they are. We will most likely leave and take the indisposed Warmaster back to the village to heal once your friends are done doing whatever it is they are doing to his body."

Kakrox, "I am sure we can work out some sort of agreement for the benefit of everyone. If you let us."
>>
No. 935534 ID: 5f3f48

>>935496
She's just too cute, it's downright infectious. "Dutiful Topaz" can't resist offering a reassuring headpat before picking Lumie back up.

"We'll figure that out, don't worry."

Taking Lumie back outside to the table Rivers set up, which means she's available to be accosted by or subject to scrutiny by interested PCs or NPCs again.
>>
No. 935541 ID: 54735b

rolled 1, 2, 1, 4, 9, 6, 4, 1, 2, 7, 1, 5, 7, 2, 8, 6, 10, 4, 10, 5, 1, 7, 6, 4, 8, 5, 10, 6, 8, 1 = 151

>>935515

"Well, I was already planning on healing him, because I'm not particularly interested in killing someone in an otherwise friendly enough duel. But, those wounds are really deep, and they'll take over a month to heal. So, maybe I could be Warchief while he's healing up? Since it looks like he had the kind of job you don't want to go vacant for months at a time."
>>
No. 935553 ID: 97b4e3

rolled 6, 6, 3, 9, 8, 5, 2, 1, 9, 10, 10, 6, 6, 6, 1, 3, 10, 6, 5, 4, 3, 6, 3, 2, 2, 4, 9, 6, 1, 5 = 157

>>935534
Lumie, when assisted with the nomming process, would eagerly try anything put before her without reservation, even some of the odder dishes meant for some very specific tastes. Short of water, literally all of it seems to be new to her and she'll make commentary on it, some things she likes, some she really likes, others are less so but there seems to be no rhyme or reason. Sweet, savory, salty ... she seems to have the hardest time wrapping her head around the more spiced dishes but will, without question, ask what each and every dish is. And if ingredients are mentioned, what those are; if animals, plants or locations are referenced, she'd ask what that is too. The good news, however, is a new bit of something else would get her distracted easily enough. The word ravenous does come to mind although if pressed, eventually the food coma might set in where she just can't eat another bite. But may just be just as amusing, alibet in a different fashion.
>>
No. 935554 ID: 97b4e3

rolled 8, 6, 1, 4, 5, 3, 3, 9, 4, 8, 9, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2, 9, 8, 7, 2, 4, 6, 8, 6, 1, 9, 7, 10, 4, 8 = 170

>>935541
If witness to that statement, and in a language she comprehends (Old Realm and only Old Realm), she'd helpfully offer, <Old Realm> [i]"Once I'm recovered, I can probably get him back on his feet in a matter of a day; his injuries are severe but not permanent if treated properly."

(( Note, this is a big IF: If this conversation is happening by the food and if it's in a language she can understand. ))
>>
No. 935612 ID: 304f7c

rolled 7, 9, 6, 7, 1, 5, 7, 6, 1, 7, 5, 9, 2, 1, 4, 7, 8, 10, 8, 9, 8, 1, 7, 8, 8, 6, 4, 10, 2, 9 = 182

>>935541
The three of them look at each other and begin to hem and haw, "An interim Warmaster? Is that even possible? Has something like this happen before? What do you think Kakrox, has something like this happen before? What are we gonna do? Are we even allowed to decide that? The ruling council is in shambles. Do we even need a quorum? What are we gonna do when he wakes up? You mean if he wakes up. She is strong enough, but do we really know her? What if she has issues? Is she going to drag us into things or embroil us in more war? Can we name her champion instead? If we don't give her something is she going to fight us as well?" From this huddled circle they have engrossed themselves in they all turn their head in unison to look at Rivers. "Oh crap she is going to kill us. Definitely." Then Marthog offers one of her simple solutions. "Let her join the war council!"

The three members look at each other and nod in unison. Grizzlemaw proudly walks up and says, "We have decided to give the title of Council Member and Champion of The Red Horn Tribe."

Marthog applauds excitedly, "Yay! Go you! Council Member... uh guys did we ever get her name?" The other two members look pale. Afraid that Marthog might of slighted the frightening warrior in front of them.

Kakrox is the first to react grabbing Marthog's head and begins pressing into the ground as a forced bow. "Forgive Marthog she isn't one with manners in our tribe. She is just our humble quartermaster. While she thinks of an apology let me tell you what being Council Member and Champion mean. I will try to keep it brief. First off you are now on a council with five other members. The three you see before you here and two others back at our village. We handle all the decisions that the tribe might encounter. Wars, feasts, industry, marriages are all handled by the council. We will do our best not to bother someone such as yourself with trivial matters. Now on being champion of the tribe." He pauses and take a deep breath. "You are expected to support the tribe in our fights against enemies just as the tribe is expected to help you against yours. You will basically be taking on the Warmaster role while Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men is recuperating. This is a very serious matter. Please understand that the safety if the tribe is paramount right now as we have been stuck here fighting for the past several of years. Against all manner of beasts, cretin and other civilizations. In truth our population has dwindled even more recently due to infighting. This hole in the ground is a tunnel we have dug in hopes to escape this foreign land. That is another story we can talk about later. We just need to know if you accept your titles."

Marthog has been on the ground shaking this whole time. She turns her head up and says, "I'm really s-s-sorry. P-please don't k-k-kill and eat me scary lady!" Tears running down her face.
>>
No. 935685 ID: 54735b

"Sorry, I thought that I introduced myself earlier, but I guess if you were magicked into being able to understand this language after that than that would make sense that you didn't pick it up. I'm Hundred Sweetly Flowing Rivers."

She didn't bow, after all, she didn't know the tribal rules, but she also looked shocked and hurt that everyone was looking at her like a monster because just five minutes ago she was a giant monster that punched someone so hard in the chest that they almost exploded.

"But, I'll have to go and meet the other Elders soon enough."
>>
No. 935686 ID: 54735b

"But, I'd be honored to accept the title of Champion and Councilor, and I'll head down into the tunnels to meet with everyone when 'night' falls. Until then, I think I'm going to get to know the slave I'm still taking as the spoils of victory."

She would be polite and wait for them to say their piece, but she would then go off and talk to Lumie and Lute.

"Well, at least someone's enjoying that feast I stayed up all night making."
>>
No. 935738 ID: 7dd512
File 156049104595.jpg - (507.50KB , 700x1000 , 3012d3aab2a75aa5022c719e50caa519d54e82eb.jpg )
935738

rolled 6, 2, 2, 3, 7, 9, 7, 3, 4, 5, 8, 3, 3, 8, 6, 3, 8, 7, 2, 3, 5, 6, 5, 10, 9, 9, 4, 8, 7, 7 = 169

>>935685

From Scraps, Topaz was able to make something reasonably fashionable and at least Lumie didn't have to be involuntarily naked at this point while she gets treated to cooked splendors. It quickly gets obvious that she's got no idea what any of it is, not a single protein, veggies, fruit, spice, or liquid short of water, it's all strange, new and she wants to know what all of it is. This current state of getting pampered is slightly better than the last, although she'll soon reach a point just short of bursting where the food coma sleepies start to collaborate with the exhaustion of not being allowed to sleep mixed with all the emotional trauma. The droopy, fluttering eyes and batted lashes do little to abate the stream of questions on details trivial and delicious, but if one point is to be hammered home, she's not from these parts. She's so not from these parts, the entirety of what ought to be meat and potatoes are some exotic affair from far off lands. Also her palate is weird in what she does or doesn't like and doesn't at all conform to any known spice base imaginable or give any clues to an origin other than someplace you've never heard of (from a culinary perspective).
>>
No. 935803 ID: afdebc

Once outside the tent and back among the crowds of beastfolk, and again in view of the delegation from Aketon, Topaz adopts a more deferential bearing- a subtle change, and possibly one overlooked by Luminous Alacrity, given the overwhelming spectrum of unfamiliar stimuli.

>>935686
>"Well, at least someone's enjoying that feast I stayed up all night making."
Looking up from her charge, the incognito answers in a mollifying and playful tone. "I wouldn't take it personally, politics puts some people off their appetite."

"How fare your efforts in ritual diplomacy?"

>>935738
>or liquid short of water
Even the water probably tastes slightly different, given it likely comes from a well or river or other natural source rather than a conduit or water purification plant municipal charm or similar.
>>
No. 935816 ID: 54735b

"Well, I was named a Champion of the Tribe and a council member. If I was really rude and wanted to fully steal his place," she gestured at the lump of Lunar lying where they left him, "they gave me the option of killing him and taking his place."
>>
No. 935928 ID: afdebc

>>935816
"I assume, as your fellow chosen of Luna remains among the living, you have chosen not to be rude?"

"If I could impose on your new Championess, I'd appreciate a chance to examine those moonsilver tattoos of his, but perhaps after things have had a chance to calm down."
>>
No. 935996 ID: 8d924c

>>935738
Red and Gold reassures the tribals around him that the stomach bottle bug is merely assisting with their leader's recovery, and will do no harm aside from drinking any alcohol they bring near it. Then he heads back towards the table and the feast, curious as to what it is that Dutiful Topaz has found.

He inquires directly at the source, the Alchemical herself.

"Welcome. I don't suppose you would be interested in explaining where you were, well, built? Born? I don't recognize the model. Difficult to attempt any sort of repairs if I don't know precisely what you are, you see. And your current state suggests you are in need of them."
>>
No. 936014 ID: 7dd512

>>935803
>>935996

Topaz would get a delighted squeal at one such offering spoonful. At this point Lumie is quickly reaching the threshold where she's not sure she could fit more food, nor would it be overly healthy to try. But, for this spoon, minor exceptions might be made. She's not sure why it didn't start off first and was saved for last but Rivers would find one fan of whatever that sweet substance was.

She goes ahead and makes a commentary, regarding the tatoos between morsels. <Old Realm> "They looked intentional, some sort of ritualistically inlaid moonsilver, but I think it only penetrates fairly shallow into the dermis. It was kind of hard to see from well, my vantage. But I didn't feel any struts or rivets. Maybe decorative like a <???> or some scaffolding for laying enchantments ?"

(Assuming Red & Gold converses in Old Realm)
Lumie quirks her head a little at Red and Gold, not seeming to get the question or at least too busy being caught up on certain nuances. "Well umm, no, I'd rather you not attempt to tinker as if I were a toy, lest you consider knitting bone and mending flesh repair. I'm more in need of a physician than a <??? Some noun related to magi-tech> and I just so happened to possess those skills already. Suffice it to say, time, nutrition and sufficient rest generally work best, as with most maladies." She gives a glance to Topaz, a slightly worrisome one seeming to be more comfortable under her care than this presumptuous stranger's.
>>
No. 936023 ID: 8d924c

>>936014
Red and Gold continues, slightly confused, in Old Realm.

"Ah, well, rest and nutrition are all well and good for most injuries, but it appears you are missing, well, your limbs. Are your systems so sophisticated that you merely need time and food to repair such things? If so, we will of course see to it that such is provided. I merely worry that you would need the assistance of a specialist of the sort not available for a hundred miles, through very dangerous terrain, especially without knowing what you are. My apologies."
>>
No. 936024 ID: afdebc

>>936014
>on tattoos
"From the stories I have heard, they're supposed to provide protections from the wyld and shaping magics, as well as stabilize the wearer's caste. I've not had the chance to see them in person, before."

>responding to Red and Gold
It doesn't escape notice that Lumie completely avoids answering questions of her origin or construction. Noting Lumie's distress, Topaz does offer reassurances. "It's all right, he's a friend."
>>
No. 936040 ID: afdebc

Thanks to a scene transition freeing up commitments and dialog counting as diceless stunts, Lute has more motes than I thought she did!

The infernal vizier spends some personal motes to send her efficient arachnid attendant scuttling and compiling information:

•What's Kamak?
•Who are the members of the Aketon delegation officially representing?
•What are the predominant political positions of [insert people from last answer] as per public statements and documents? (This may be more than one question, assuming the members of the delegation work for different people).
•What established agreements exist between the Mosok tribe and the town of Aketon?
>>
No. 936076 ID: 8c5529

"Well, I'm more than willing to let you look over it while he's recovering, but I still don't think that will be too long if he's getting as much magical treatment as he is."

She gestured to the Lunar who had recently been given a Stomach Bottle Bug.

"But, if it is useful for helping against the Wyld, maybe it could help me with my issues with transforming."
>>
No. 936092 ID: 7dd512
File 156074468915.jpg - (171.32KB , 925x700 , 439adef7fea3194114c9c3b5ca4416ad27aae013.jpg )
936092

rolled 8, 1, 1, 6, 4, 5, 6, 5, 2, 8, 4, 3, 3, 2, 5, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 2, 5, 5, 10, 3, 5, 3, 9, 3, 9 = 123

>>936023
>>936024

Considering the earnestness she had with Topaz, she might notice Lumie's attempts to be obtuse toward Red & Gold; some aspect of the conversation that seems to rub her the wrong way, in that same vein she continues, <Old Realm> "Well, the immune system is capable of recovering from a surprising amount of trauma and microbial assault, like infections.As to yes, my limbs, that can be blamed on the incompetence of a miscreant who likely thinks amputation an appropriate solution to a paper cut." There's some bitterness and spite in there, even as she continues to deflect from R&G yet again.

Looking to Topaz, she nods her head, though doesn't seem to be completely sold on that notion. Instead she leans into the woman while keeping an eye on Red and Gold. In a more hushed tone she also replies, "If you're sure." Addressing more audibly, [i]"Right now, malnutrition, dehydration and fatigue are larger problems and those are best solved with time. I'm fairly certain that when I can think straight I'll come up with a good idea on how to operate and restore mobility, I've treated far more catastrophic trauma before."

Further attempts at technical aspects of her own biology would be expertly deflected with description of biological systems that, with a little thought, are very much human in nature and she's avoiding talking about anything regarding her own anatomy or origins. An oddity considering how candid she was with Topaz earlier in private.
>>
No. 936109 ID: 3732a8

“Well, if you’re hungry and thirsty, I’m just the right person for the job. I’m just glad someone is starting to enjoy my cooking.”

She picks up the Alchemical, seemingly unsurprised that she can grow back her limbs given times. After all, she already knows that trick herself.

“So, what do you say to a home cooked meal just for us and some of the finest cheap booze that we’ve got. It’s close enough to water to count, and safer than drinking from a stream.”
>>
No. 936111 ID: 7dd512

rolled 8, 2, 9, 2, 7, 5, 3, 8, 6, 10, 5, 7, 5, 9, 10, 6, 3, 7, 7, 6, 1, 9, 1, 5, 5, 10, 9, 3, 9, 7 = 184

>>936109

From somewhere in her throat issues a surprised squeak as she's easily hefted again, the juxtaposition between her brawn an Topaz's one of distinction. At the offer of a home cook meal, it puts her into a state of deep deliberation, one punctuated with an audible groan: "HmmmmmmMMMMmmmmmmMMMmmmmmmm.." Several times her voice fluctuates up and down as she's tempted, considers, rejects and shows off a troubling level of uncertainty at the proposition. Eventually she slumps a little and comes to a conclusion she's not completely happy with, <Old Realm> "I don't know if I can eat much more right now." Her tone takes one of a slight pout, "And it's so tasty, it wouldn't be fair to go for all that effort if I just make myself sick eating more and more. Maybe a nap or some <booze>" She pronounces it strangely, like the word is unfamiliar and she's trying to mimic the way Rivers said it.
>>
No. 936114 ID: 3732a8

“Well, I guess I could go for a nap too. I agreed to meet the Council ‘tonight’.”

She was already holding Lumie, but shifted her grip to the comfiest she was aware of, holding her like she was a roughly 100 pound infant as she walked her off to the tavern where she poured them both a mead, since this was a special occasion, and a a good number of cups of beer. Probably enough for an Exalt and a half.
>>
No. 936119 ID: 7dd512

rolled 4, 7, 8, 6, 3, 6, 1, 7, 10, 3, 7, 8, 9, 7, 9, 3, 8, 4, 6, 7, 7, 2, 8, 3, 2, 2, 7, 3, 3, 6 = 166

>>936114

She squints under the light of the sun but tries to keep her eyes out to determine where we're going. Once indoors however, the squinting subsides and she's curious about a good many of the things, fielding a number of questions an inquisitive tourist might just do to try to keep her eyes open long enough to keep alert. Questions like what certain decorations mean, questions about what other people are wearing, what certain devices are.

Once drinks are sorted out, and someone handily thinks to bring a few cut strands of grass for her to use to sip with, she does so, though probably only gets a little more than halfway through one of each. <Old Realm> [i]"This kind of tastes like something we've got, <??? "taswine">. It's mostly fermented sugars, right ?" She artfully avoids questions that are overly complex. She also seems befuddled by whatever bar foods are out, each stranger than the last to her.
>>
No. 936121 ID: 3732a8

For the most part, the bar food looks like the food she had been making, since Rivers was practically running this place for Red and Gold. And she did her best to explain everything.

“Well, I’v never heard of Tasswine, but what you’re drinking now is a bit special, since I don’t know how many flowers we have for honey to make more.”
>>
No. 936123 ID: 7dd512
File 156075916887.jpg - (762.52KB , 627x887 , 09dded1f26dc3831e5db667d10d460d7355df1f3.jpg )
936123

rolled 3, 9, 3, 8, 9, 7, 10, 5, 7, 10, 9, 6, 10, 4, 6, 4, 7, 1, 7, 7, 10, 6, 6, 2, 8, 8, 4, 8, 6, 3 = 193

>>936121
She goes to speak, but her back goes rigid and her eyes grow wide immediately following a hiccup. She closes her lips, tries to keep composure, and plasters on a smile while three more proceed behind closed lips. She takes in a breath, opening her mouth to see if any more follow, and asks Rivers in all earnestness, <Old Realm> "Ohh, so is honey the byproduct of something quite rare ?" out of politeness sake she'd go to slowly nurse more of the mead then, chipping slowly at it as not to let it go to waste. "Ohh, no wait, the second injunctive form of ... Is a flowers supposed to be the best of something or is that something different ? Or .. no third injuctive form with, no anterior declaration." She takes the long way about eventually just asking, "So what is a flower then ? Or what is a flower of that makes honey." One more hiccup proceeds. It's ... entirely likely that this alchemical is a tiny bit of a light weight, a tiny bit tipsy and about 100% likely to be snoozing before we make it out of the tavern.
>>
No. 936125 ID: 3732a8

“Alright, how to explain this. Flowers are kind of like a plant that’s really colorful, but because they’re plants they can’t move, so the make a sweet syrup to get bugs to help them reproduce by coming and taking the syrup. The typical bug is bees, who live in a hive, and they process that syrup into honey, and people take that and use it as sugar, since that’s what it kind of is.

“But, the place normally has a yellow sun and a night time, and I don’t know how that will effect the plants, since they can be sensitive to the lighting. And all the new predators going after native animals.” She didn’t really understand the way she was being asked at all, but she lived out in the woods as enough animals that ate sap to know about how flowers and honey worked

She thought about it, and this torso probably wasn’t used to sleeping in the dirt, so she should actually sleep in one of the beds in the Tavern for her sake, especially since she looks really tired.
>>
No. 936127 ID: 7dd512

rolled 5, 5, 10, 7, 1, 10, 2, 8, 10, 4, 2, 3, 2, 2, 9, 3, 1, 7, 3, 2, 9, 1, 7, 4, 2, 9, 3, 2, 8, 1 = 142

>>936125
This whole conversation does seem fascinating to her, and she remarks on a few of the types of insects she knows about to compare, primarily roaches, spiders and flies, as well as a few offshots that would be unknown here. It's also becomes obvious that she's forcing more conversation from herself to keep awake, but when that eventually comes to a halt, she'd zonk out pretty hard. At some point she would murmur, "If you don't see me breathing, that's normal, no need to fret." And if left still or alone long enough, she'd hold true to that, zonked out hard. No breathing, but those with excellent perception or proximity might still notice the slow rhythmic lull of a heartbeat, slowed while in rest and as a point of clarification, she might indeed drool in her sleep.
>>
No. 936136 ID: 54735b

Well then, there was only one thing to do if she's already fallen asleep. Take that nap that she mentioned to be bright and ready to deal with the rest of the council. So, she picked up the sleeping Alchemical as gingerly as a Dex 4 person possibly can, and plopped down into a bed with her, asking someone to go down and wake her up after the Tomescu howl as she tries to get comfortable in the first actual bed she's slept in in a long time.
>>
No. 936145 ID: 8d924c

Red and Gold doesn't persist when it becomes clear that his queries are unwanted. Instead he moves to make nice with the diplomats, recalling his marottes and assigning them to the task of erecting simple shelter for them and the tribe that has arrived so suddenly. Nothing terribly permanent, merely cover from the elements, before he sends them back to the task of building a granary and then establishing a quarry and forge.

Once the diplomatic sorts seem sorted out, he returns to the inn for a night's rest himself. The negotiations would have to continue tomorrow.
>>

rolled 3, 4, 9, 3, 8, 10, 5, 7, 1, 5, 1, 2, 4, 4, 5, 5, 1, 1, 5, 10, 3, 2, 9, 7, 10, 5, 5, 7, 8, 10, 7, 5, 1, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 8, 7, 8, 8, 2, 10, 8, 2, 10, 2, 7, 5 = 288

With Lumie taken care of (and off drinking with Rivers) and diplomacy wrapping up for the night, Lute will see if she can leverage her shiny baubles and her connection to interim warchief Rivers to get some alone time with Creeping Hunter as he recuperates.

If she's successful, she's going to take the chance to study his moonsilver tattoos, with the idea of possibly getting (or making) some for Rivers later. Assuming she can do so without being seen by any of the representatives from Aketon, she'll break out her crafting arm, and the Shard Fallen for scans. (Not rolling for artifact design yet, just for examination). Willing to throw whatever personal motes I have left (after using Efficient Secretary Technique >>936040 ) on the attempt (justified that this might be the first step in creating art, and the information gleaned may harm the Silver Pact later).

After that, Lute will head to bed herself.
>>
No. 936342 ID: 304f7c

rolled 10, 1, 9, 3, 7, 3, 6, 7, 4, 3, 7, 10, 5, 4, 6, 7, 2, 3, 3, 5, 1, 10, 8, 2, 3, 4, 4, 2, 10, 4 = 153

Once Hundred Sweetly Flowing Rivers leaves the three beastmen...

"Get up! Stop groveling, you are embarrassing us all." Grizzlemaw hisses at Marthog

"Wha- Wha- Wait is she gone? Already? I just started and she left! This isn't how I wanted it to go." Marthog pouts. "Well at least the danger has passed."

"That is where you are wrong Marthog. We have not avoided disaster just yet. Hundred Sweetly Flowing Rivers is mighty warrior and I am certain her friends are as shrewd diplomats as she is strong. For now Marthog bring up the supply wagons out of the tunnel. Grizzlemaw instruct the army to erect the camp here. I'll go and form scouting parties and try to see what our situation really is. Any objections?" He asks, which is responded by a couple shakes of their heads, "Remember Marthog keep your lips shut tight. We can't let any information slip." Kakrox says this while patting them on their shoulders. "I'm sure you two will do fine, horned goddess willing."

The three of them nod to each other in a show of respect and part their separate ways.

Marthog shoots off to the tunnel nearby where some beastmen with picks are taking some much needed rest. Taking turns sipping water from a ladle thanks to a nearby water bucket.
"Alright boys and girls that is enough break time! We are setting camp here. While Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men out of it you got me to listen to. So let do this together you guys!"
They set to work by placing a pair of large cuts of wood into the spokes of the wagon's two front wheel and two back wheels creating a rudimentary litter. The now porters heave and heft and carry wagon after wagon of supplies out of the dark tunnel. All under Marthog's diligent eye until they get to the wagons carrying the barrels of water for the army. Either due to sheer exhaustion or all the weight of water one of the workers collapses and the wagon begins a dangerous tilt. Marthog is quick to respond and shoulders the large wooden pole and yells, "Get him out of here!" As the wagon rights itself and begins moving forward again two beastmen collect the tired worker and another is soon found to take his place. Marthog continues laboring on as the smell of musk, fur wet with sweat and unwashed bodies fills her nostrils every breath she takes. Soon the wagons are all brought out and set around the tunnel entrance. She makes sure the rations and tents are being handed out properly before heading off. I wonder who is still up outisde of camp. There are lots of strange people surely one of them is still there. I sure hope that 'Sweet' Rivers girl is still around. I want to make sure she gets inducted properly.

Meanwhile Grizzlemaw has set to work erecting a camp. "Alright you grubs! Once those supplies get here I want you setting up a proper war camp. If I see one tent out of order that will be ten lashes for the one who set it up. In the mean time start collecting wood and digging a trench around the proximity of the camp. What do you mean the trees are made out of metal? I don't give a shit, figure how to chop it down yourself. No lazing about or I will give you a lashing myself."
This is how Grizzlemaw earned his respect by being the toughest motherfucker in the tribe. Well at least maybe as tough as that useless Warmaster he thought to himself. That Rivers might be the ticket to a new change in leadership he thought. He wondered why she didn't finish Creep right then and there. Oh well, never trust an outsider to follow through on things. He made sure to tell each captain their duties and before long the camp was starting to take shape. "Hey the two of you grab a stretcher and come with me," he led them to Creep and spit on the ground nearby him. "Useless," he muttered under his breath. If he was going to be defeated so easily what purpose did he serve to the tribe? He escorted Creep's unconscious body back to the Warmaster's large black and red tent. He told the two stretcher bearers to guard the entrance. As his work was wrapping up he went to go sleep in the war council's tent. He took his time noting the meal pots being set up and the confusion surrounding the strange flora among the guards.

Kakrox gathered 40 beastmen and divided them into 8 parties of 5. "Alright listen up lads I'm sending each of you out in different directions. North, North-East, East, and so on understand? Listen don't fight don't even make contact just run back here first sight of trouble. I expect everyone back here by tomorrow night. Understand? Just a day of scouting. Give your full reports in the War Council's tent. Please no heroics or stepping on any of our new neighbors tails. We don't need any more conflicts than we already have. We are flying blind here we need this information badly. Now go." He then went to one of his most trusted men and in a hushed voice whispered. "Follow Hundred Flowing Sweet Rivers. We desperately need to know more about our new champion. Keep your distance I don't know how she'll react if you are found." Nothing more was said and the two of them parted like nothing had happened.
>>
No. 936346 ID: f57349

After most of the people in town have settled down for the "night," (the green sun remains directly overhead as always, while the blood-red moon hangs low over what's still thought of as the northern horizon, bright crimson on her lower two-thirds and dark brown above) rain begins to fall.

It's only a slow, gentle drizzle, but freezing cold, and in fact crusts of ice begin to accumulate on exposed surfaces. It's also intensely hallucinogenic on skin contact.

Everybody still actively participating, please attach to your next post some sort of map, at least part of which you drew yourself. Doesn't have to be pretty, but it should include your own character's current location, at least two more fixed landmarks than the previous player's map (so if you want to be lazy and minimalist, you'd better hurry), some useful information about whatever's between those points, and no direct contradiction of previously-established detail. Scale can be 12-mile-wide hexes, floor plans for a specific building or campsite, or anywhere in between.
>>
No. 936356 ID: 54735b
File 156092275732.png - (75.12KB , 499x399 , Map.png )
936356

Because someone has to kick the DB line back into life and nobody else seems willing to do it.

As Sesus Xanin was escorting Unambiguous Waxing Dell and Fanged Flair Effuligence to her office to discuss politics and the like, one of the few things marked maximum priority finally came due as an Agata that frequented the spa came with a map to be hand delivered to one of the humans, a front line archer by the name of Gerard, for passing it along to Xanin personally.

And by the time that the commotion with the jeweled steed was done, the DB party was one lighter as FFE had gone missing in the blink of an eye.

But, the Agata had gotten a good map at least out of it.

(Legend, the fixed points that we already have labeled are the nameless village, the old copper mine, the biogenesis lab, and Sesus Xanin's Manse, which are a village, hilly icon, wizard's tower, and castle respectively. I added Candlepoint to one of the hexes next to the Avarice River, and a whole network of Forester society outposts (though only a small number of which are active at any given time), and the transporte routes that they take to get lumber back to the Manse in the Demon City. I also added a fixed location for the mountain that the lawship is parked on.
>>
No. 936357 ID: f57349

>>936356
Line leading west from Aketon should be the Kingfisher River, not a road, and should curve north, leaving a full hex of trackless forest between it and the copper mine rather than coming adjacent. Road leading between Aketon and the wood demesne should be straight rather than hooked. Two hexes between that road and the Avarice River are full of relatively steep and rocky hills, which is why the road doesn't simply hug the shore.

Lawship is parked in the penthouse dome of a high-class residential tower in a hex adjacent to Sesus Xanin's manse, on the city side of the border, not a mountain seventy miles away on the forest side.
>>
No. 936359 ID: 54735b
File 156092545484.png - (108.71KB , 501x398 , Map.png )
936359

>>
No. 936366 ID: 304f7c
File 156092688434.png - (12.96MB , 2357x3236 , Scan_20190610 (2).png )
936366

A nervous worker approaches Marthog. "I drew up the tunnels like you asked me to." He shakily hands the parchment off.

"Thanks, I hold onto it." She inspects the work. "I take it the triangle things are the village and the blue thing is the portal we came in. What is the X at the top?"

"Oh that is where we started the tunnel. As it is now it is a days march to the village."

"Great I know just where to put this," as she places it in her satchel.
>>
No. 936367 ID: 304f7c
File 156092750898.png - (0.99MB , 770x985 , Scan_20190618 (4).png )
936367

"Sir I have the basic plans for the camp!" this errant captain has interrupted Grizzlemaw's nap.

"Shut up! Leave it on the table and get out."
>>
No. 936376 ID: f57349

>>936366
How much distance does each of those squares correspond to?
>>
No. 936387 ID: 7dd512
File 156095588308.png - (4.80MB , 2300x1432 , exlt_rng2.png )
936387

rolled 10, 8, 3, 4, 7, 9, 8, 7, 2, 4, 7, 8, 1, 9, 9, 10, 10, 2, 1, 1, 8, 2, 3, 3, 1, 4, 7, 9, 6, 6 = 169

Lumie will be asleep for a while due to exhaustion and won't likely be present during night time negotiations

(( Geopgraphical Map. Hexes are 12 miles long between parallel lines on hexes, creation is 50 miles in diameter except where its waters have spilled out into ajoining hexes. Use it if you want, or don't. ))
>>
No. 936411 ID: 5f0ee2
File 156097275830.png - (93.47KB , 751x751 , Map_numbered.png )
936411

rolled 6, 3, 3, 7, 4, 9, 6, 2, 5, 4, 8, 3, 5, 3, 2, 4, 6, 7, 1, 9, 2, 8, 1, 3, 5, 1, 2, 3, 8, 1 = 131

>>935215
Would it be appropriate to suggest that, after the arrival of the DoM, the ghost was distracted and/or otherwise persuaded to hesitate long enough to allow Bridget to approach?

>>935224
Bridget, anxious and on edge, watched the preparations for the duel. The arrival of this third party, and the subsequent disruption that caused, could very easily threaten their chances for a stronger, more unified set of people and resources. There was no telling how the outcome of the fight woul- oh look, it's already over.

Bridget moved to go help, confidence bolster by Rivers request, before the exalt, amputee, and sorcerer all beat her to it.

As we transitioned to creating shelter, especially with the weather worsening, Bridget thought it wise to use some of the malfean vegetation to erect metal walls, erecting walls to keep out any undesirable phenomena.

Using CNNT and the first craft excellency to quickly patch structures with metal sheeting, ensuring there wouldn't be any leaks or drips in their makeshift campsite.

Assuming the groups are sleeping separately, where to the party lines fall?
>>
No. 936412 ID: 5f0ee2
File 156097283771.png - (112.23KB , 501x398 , Map_numbered.png )
936412

>>936411
Didn't add any landmarks, just numbers. This second one is a cropped version since I forgot to take care of that in the original.
>>
No. 936426 ID: 304f7c

>>936376
I am bad with scale but each square should be about 100 meters
>>
No. 936431 ID: afdebc
File 156098366263.png - (7.78KB , 800x600 , A Slice of Devil's Cake.png )
936431

rolled 3, 4, 6, 1, 9, 7, 5, 10, 4, 10, 9, 5, 8, 6, 4, 9, 1, 7, 1, 2 = 111

>map
For a change of pace, here's a side view. (I'm not sure how thick one of Malfeas' layers is supposed to be, or how far down the Creation-zone hits Malfean bedrock)?

>>936346
>while the blood-red moon hangs low over what's still thought of as the northern horizon
Praise be to the Blood Moon! Ululaya is generous to grace us with her light. *Prayer roll*

>>936411
Dutiful Topaz pauses, admiring the reflection before her in the burnished face of the "temporary" shelter wrought by Twilight craftmanship. A moment later she reaches out, gently rapping it with her hand, playing out a soft-steel-drum melody, communicating her approval without words.

If we're figuring out where our characters spent the night, I think Lute will grab one of the metal shelters, tagging along with Bridget. At least until they're woken by the song of rain on the not-tun roof.
>>
No. 936468 ID: 54735b

rolled 5, 4, 1, 10, 10, 6, 10, 9, 9, 10, 1, 2, 1, 6, 9, 2, 4, 2, 3, 1 = 105

After a nice long rest, Rivers woke out, and was going to go out, but she decided first to peek her head out and see how long the rains were going to last. She didn't normally mind getting wet, but she had a hunch that this wasn't something she would want to be caught for too long.

But, the Inn was mostly dead, the few vagabonds that stayed in here and drank all day having long since gone to sleep. But, she had heard that Red and Gold came in before she fell asleep. So, if she's suddenly got a long time to kill, she might as well work on her shortcomings that she knows about, and he was both the smartest person that she knew that wasn't Mother Bog, and her skill as a teacher for the simpler things was questionable at best, even if she knew them. (Plus, she hadn't had the chance to really appreciate Lutes 6 Int +6 Lore/Occult compared to Red and Gold's 5s)

Plus, she always seemed to pick up exactly what she wanted around him.
>>
No. 936480 ID: 8d924c
File 156100222049.png - (20.03KB , 1559x820 , rushedpic.png )
936480

rolled 6, 2, 9, 6, 6, 7, 3, 1, 7, 1, 2, 4, 10, 2, 2, 9, 2, 8, 4, 6, 5, 5, 2, 10, 4, 9, 10, 10, 3, 5 = 160

>>936468
Red and Gold comes thumping up the stairs from the basement, muttering something as he nearly fumbles a handful of sketches and notes he's produced at some point.

The teodozjia sits by the bar, clearly expecting his arrival, but goes ignored as Red and Gold turns to Rivers.

"My Celestial friend. How good to see you. I was just reviewing some of my thoughts on how to achieve protection for the people here. I am thinking that I will be sponsoring a school. For those residents of the demon realm who tragically lack critical knowledge which would be vital to their advancement. Medicine, and the arts of thaumaturgy. Particularly for the less gifted demons. Marottes, and firmin, for example. I'm still considering names, though. The Wise Marotte's Academy of Medicine and Geomancy? Perhaps you can assist me!"

(Will work on producing something more as far as mapping goes, but didn't want to leave Rivers hanging.)
>>
No. 936481 ID: f57349

>>936426
That would make the overall cavern map a little bit under 8km x 11km, or over thirty square miles. Main section the tribe is camped out in looks like it's somewhere in the ballpark of one square mile, which conveniently is just the right size for a district grid by the Pathfinder kingdom-building rules. A notably successful tribe with a strong leader could plausibly be up to 2000 people, though that's near the limit of what tribal organization can manage without splintering, so you could have up to eight 225-meter-square lots filled with buildings per https://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/other-rules/kingdom-building/settlements/buildings#TOC-Building-Descriptions Probably only five single lots, corresponding to the five tents on the map there, and even then, considering how recently the Red Horns arrived, more than half of it would need to effectively be pre-existing infrastructure built by an underground community you conquered on arrival.

Cavern terrain must be very rough going indeed if even the nimble-footed goat people consider about 8km of travel, along tunnels wide as football fields, to be a full day's hike. That the caves are so wide implies correspondingly high arched ceilings, for structural stability, which would also help explain why the best spot for digging upward being a dead end relatively far from camp - though that might have been motivated by security concerns, too.
>>
No. 936482 ID: 6a05f7

“Well,” Rivers was actually pleasantly surprised that she had seemed to be on the same wavelength with him for once. “I guess that’s good news. I mean, I don’t know anything about any of that, but I was actually looking for you to ask to teach me as much as possible for the next good long while while it’s too busy raining something that obviously isn’t water out there.”

As she was talking she sat down at one of the empty tables, deciding against giving the Teodzija head scratches, since she wasn’t sure if that would be rude or not.
>>
No. 936484 ID: 8d924c

>>936482

"Of course, of course! I would be glad to assist you. Do you have any thoughts on where to begin? Should I find some reading for you? I'm far from my library right now, but maybe I can find something."

Red and Gold drops the stack of papers he's carrying onto the bar.
>>
No. 936486 ID: 6a05f7

Rivers took a moment to ponder what exactly she did want to start off learning. There was an awful lot of palaces to start, but eventually she came to an idea.

“Well, I guess learning how to read would probably be a good first thing to learn, especially if reading is particularly important for learning the rest of the lessons.”
>>
No. 936490 ID: f57349

>>936342
Four successes on the Appearance + Backing roll, maybe one more from willpower. Looks like the spy has five dots across relevant skills. First dot in Athletics, Awareness, and Socialize, and two dots in Survival, don't count against the budget because probably every adult in the tribe has at least that much. Stealth, Larceny, Integrity, and Investigation might also be worth selecting for, and given the limited pool to choose from I'm not inclined to allow any skills at the 5-dot level.
>>
No. 936506 ID: 304f7c
File 156101385988.png - (426.54KB , 671x489 , Earthen Mound.png )
936506

Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. It was the sound of the beastmen digging a trench with a berm all around the perimeter around the camp. They worked long and hard that is until the weather took a turn for the worst. Accustomed to time in the cold they knew the best thing to do is get out of it. They returned to the large commons tents. Gathering around the fires in the heart of the tents and setting to sleep for the day.
>>
No. 936517 ID: 7dd512

Olgotary
- 1 Autocrat - Hiro
- 4 Plutarch
- 1 Regulator Chief
- 40 Regulators - Including Regulator Slee

Theomarchracy
- 1 Celebrant
- 1 Senior Preceptor - Nisei
- 6 Preceptors of Mog
- 4 Reach Clerics
- 2 Preceptors
- 4 Lectors
- 1 Drone
- 2 Clerics

Sodalites
- 4 Luminors
- 6 Conductors
- 5 Harvesters
- 4 Scholars
- 5 Surgeons
- 2-6 Additional Demiurges (Depending on other players interests) - Including Surgeon Mills

Champions
- Blessed of Mog (Starmetal Caste) - Luminous Alacrity Recursing in the Reaches
- And more (Count pending on other players interests)

Populate
- Approximately 320, mostly in technical, engineering and research fields.

Allied and cohabitating with 70 local Jadeborn:
- 2 Artisan Caste
- 12 Warrior Caste
- 56 Worker Caste
>>
No. 936557 ID: 8d924c
File 156105955380.png - (118.45KB , 501x398 , proposedlocations.png )
936557

rolled 8, 1, 6, 5, 2, 7, 3, 3, 9, 6, 7, 8, 2, 3, 1, 4, 7, 3, 8, 4, 3, 10, 9, 10, 7, 4, 7, 2, 3, 7 = 159

>>936346
>>936486
(Mapping update: Red circle depicts current location of Red and Gold. Red X is a possible location of Red and Gold's Manse. Purple splotches are areas whose geomancy should be surveyed for potential- if there's a bit of Hrotsvitha with good chances for a demesne engineering project, it would take priority as a location to build school facilities, as this would be a component of the curriculum. Especially if any potential is to be found in the border area. A dual Creation/Malfeas demesne may be exotic enough that even in the First Age it wasn't ever completed. Although it's very likely something that has been attempted. Construction materials for structures should use a mixture of Creation material and Malfean resources, in the hopes of provoking spiritual elements in the Malfean material.)

Red and Gold looks shocked to learn this about Rivers, but quickly recovers.

"Oh dear, my friend, you don't know how to read? Well, we should start with Old Realm. While it may not be the easiest language to read, it is the most broadly used by scholars, and there is more accurate material available. Of course, here in Malfeas, it is the most commonly used language as well, in the Malfean dialect. Here, let me draw out the symbols for you..."

Red and Gold begins sketching out the odd symbolic characters which compose Old Realm script on a scroll for Rivers, pointing out the combinations they make as he goes.

Simultaneously, he activated Verdant Emptiness Endowment in response to her wish to read in order to speed up the process. He didn't have infinite time, after all!
>>
No. 936561 ID: 3cb328

“It was never really something I needed, either in the time training to be in the military, as a barmaid, or while traveling the world as a rogue Anathema.”

She noticed that he was shocked. She was, after all, still good at things like that at least. But she didn’t understand it since it wasn’t like most anybody else could read or write, and between everyone else here, they were possibly the highest population density that she had ever seen of literacy.

But, as the magic took hold, while it would be a while before she really grasped the nuances of the written language, she at least found it easy enough to get a hang of the almost 100 different pictures that old Realm used for an alphabet.

(-3 exp for Lore 1)

“So, I’m guessing that that school you’re planning on opening is to teach people how to do your job? I mean, you can’t be in a bunch of places at once, and I doubt that sorcery or engineering is a super common skill set for people even here.”
>>
No. 936567 ID: d9acdc
File 156106609785.png - (74.39KB , 987x750 , Town Grid.png )
936567

Okay, lets follow the rules this time. Attached is a town grid laid out for Kingmaker rules. Square seven has a temple, which is the converted inn Seven Broken Wings of Red and Gold is working out of. Square fifteen has squatters that were mentioned in the discord. What penalties do they inflict on town leadership? Would tenement housing be an improvement for us in any way, mechanically speaking?

>>936468
>>936480
Sounds like Rivers is staying in the square seven of the nameless town with Red and Gold, rather than in the makeshift camp that has become the meeting zone.

>>936506
The redhorn tribe seems to be turning the neutral zone into their own fortified territory, assumedly with Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men joining them. Bridget would have offered her help with the makeshift metal shelters.

How's his condition looking? Did Seven Broken Wings of Red and Gold manage to heal him with a demon?

>>936431
With Lute staying in one of ruined huts re-enforced by the Forge Trolls metalworking, I'm not sure where Luminous Alacrity sleeps tonight. With Lute? Back in town with Rivers?

I'm guessing the NPCs diplomats are in their own shelter, unless they want to stay with Bridget and Lute? It's also worth considering where Morse is; she likely would have stuck by Rivers, so if the diplomacy continues in the morning it may be left to Bridget and Lute.
>>
No. 936578 ID: afdebc

That night, after her meeting with a star-clad stranger from another world, and before waking to the cacophony of ecstatic rain on a metal roof, Lute Silhouette dreamed.

A strange whirling pastiche of lovers and romance past- endings joyous and tragic, a strange dance of emotions, none of them her own, but all driven and powerful, to whatever ends they led.

The dream changed, as dreams do. No longer a fluid cocktail, it stabilizes on the presence of one woman, a golden star upon her brow, a love of language on her tongue, and a true friendship in her heart. To some minds, a thing a simple and plain as friendship, no matter how powerful, would pale before true love... but it is more personal, more significant, more real.

Her friend fades, and the dream is replaced with memory. Of a day become night, a quill in hand, and a confession inked in ash and tears.

>>936567
>I'm not sure where Luminous Alacrity sleeps tonight
Rivers dragged Lummie back to the inn to cuddle.
>>
No. 936598 ID: 8d924c

>>936561

Red and Gold shakes his head at that.

"No, while we may train them in similar professions in the future, sorcery is illegal for Demons of the First Circle. The purpose of the school is to start constructing infrastructure that will hold up to the dangers of the Demon Realm. But that will take a long time. Generations, most likely. So, we have to create something that will ensure that knowledge gets passed on. And when you say people, do you mean humans, like us, or demons? I intend to start with marottes and firmin. Demons who lack the same intellectual gifts as other varieties but who have gifts which would lend themselves to exceptional craftwork."
>>
No. 936609 ID: 0598d6

"Well, that is a conundrum. I guess I'm kind of aware of how to build military outposts, but I don't know much of anything about building something to survive this place. But, I'm willing to help set that about. But honestly, this place seems really big, and like it would be really hard to notice if a single demon or so learnt magic, especially if they used it sparingly and away from prying eyes.

"As for what I meant by people, a bit of column A, a bit of column B really. I mean, sure they aren't people, but from what I've seen in the last week, a lot of demons are at least as smart as people, and they can probably learn as well as a person, so why not include demons when talking about people in the context of a school?"
>>
No. 936613 ID: 8d924c

>>936609
Red and Gold pauses, listening, before he continues, musing.

"Well, that wasn't precisely what I meant, but I suppose we could discuss the differences between humans and demons. A human is a physical body inhabited by an upper and lower soul. A hun and po. After death, the upper soul sometimes lingers and becomes a ghost, while the lower soul sometimes remains as what is known as a hungry ghost. And then those who are Chosen, like you, gain a third part to the equation. The Exaltation, sometimes called the Second Breath or the Third Soul. Yours was the work of Luna. But demons, demons are different. They never had a physical body as a human did, and their soul was never in two parts. They are crafted in one piece by the Primordials for some purpose. The Primordials themselves are nothing like humanity at all. I simply wished to clarify what you meant when you said, well, people. It could mean so many different things, after all."
>>
No. 936618 ID: 0598d6

"I understood some of that. Not a lot," that was an Occult 2-3 at least answer, "but I know what Hungry Ghosts are at least. But, the talk about the Exalted doesn't really make sense. I mean, Dragon Blooded are chosen at birth by the Dragons, so wouldn't their exaltation be in them when they're born already, and then they'd always have three souls?"
>>
No. 936622 ID: 304f7c

rolled 10, 5, 9, 4, 6, 9, 7, 10, 3, 5, 5, 2, 10, 5, 3, 9, 3, 4, 3, 3, 9, 10, 7, 5, 8, 3, 2, 1, 6, 8 = 174

Bargux

Strength 3 Dexterity 2 Stamina 3
Charisma 2 Manipulation 3 Appearance 2
Perception 3 Intelligence 1 Wits 3

Skills:
Athletics 1
Awareness 1
Socialize 1
Survival 2
Stealth 1
Larceny 2
Integrity 1
Investigation 1

It was almost time to eat when Kakrox pulled Bargux aside and gave him the mission to follow the new champion. He wasn't too pleased with it considering he just watched his target slam the Warmaster into a rock. "I don't think that poor bastard is ever getting up from that." He said it and soon realized he was talking to himself again. "Stop that. It's a bad habit for a spy to have." He pulled on his cloak and adjusted the collar nervously. "Okay step one. What is step one again?" He puzzled on this question for quite some time. "Oh right all I have to do is follow that Rivers woman. Easy! Wait, where did she go again?" He craned his neck left and right peering out of the camp. "Oh shoot, okay relax all I have to do is follow her trail I can do that. Right? I just have to follow her foot prints and smell. Soon enough I'll find her!" He spoke very enthusiastically almost forgetting how opposed he was to his task mere moments before. He went to the circle and attempted to pick up on Hundred Flowing Sweet Rivers's trail.
>>
No. 936623 ID: 8d924c

>>936618
"The Dragonblooded work differently. Their power doesn't travel with a shard, and doesn't leave their body on their death. It runs in their blood. Their upper and lower soul may pass through Lethe and be reincarnated, but there is no continuation for them after death, aside from as a ghost. The Dragonblooded were fashioned as the army which served under the Solar Exalted. Once there were millions of them. All with bloodlines purer than the most potent of the Dragonblooded we know today. The Realm and Lookshy are nothing but pale imitations of the Shogunate, let alone the First Age."
>>
No. 936627 ID: 0598d6

"Well yeah, I may not be really smart, but I don't think there isn't a person that grew up in Lookshy that doesn't know that the Dragon Blooded were slaves to the empires of the Anathema before most of them were killed throwing off their chains, and that one of the reasons that you can't marry up into one of the Gentes is because they're hard at work repairing the thousands of years of damage that the Anathema did by introducing mortals into their bloodlines to keep them easier to control long term."
>>
No. 936637 ID: afdebc
File 156108779208.png - (4.55KB , 189x203 , Castes.png )
936637

No map this time, but I went and drew up some more caste / aspect marks in the same resolution as >>865044 for easy character markers to copy-paste onto maps.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/uh3aem70r5r6hgt/AACxBE36iuQefnl77tYvCbLAa?dl=0

(Haven't got to the complicated Alchemical gears yet, but they're probably coming).
>>
No. 936643 ID: 8d924c

>>936627
"Well. That's a complex one to tackle. The 'Anathema' never introduced mortal bloodlines into the Dragonblooded, as far as I'm aware. There were certainly some very harsh punishments for 'introducing mortal bloodlines' at one point, though. They did it to themselves. A failure of mortality, I suppose. I'm not quite sure how to explain this all. I assumed that like me, you would have, well, remembered parts of it. I don't think this was something they ever covered in my education. The difference between what we remember. I know that my last incarnation was weak, and young. Was yours even present in the First Age? Or was that even further back, for you? They never captured the Lunars. I know enough history to know that much..."
>>
No. 936646 ID: 0598d6

"I have a few memories from what I assumed were past lives, but only one of them is really standout as a memory, and that was turning into a dragon and holding the line against what I can only assume are the Dragon Blooded during the uprising. The rest are just kind of emotions and urges I guess you could call them."

"But, I did come up with a theory that Anathema are fundamentally important to how the world works, so they're always selected for reincarnation regardless of what atrocities they've committed as some kind of backdoor reincarnation rule from the ones you normally hear about."
>>
No. 936652 ID: 8d924c

>>936646
"My memories are nearly as clear as everything that's happened to, well, this version of me. Once I focus on them. Unfortunately, they aren't as complete as what some others have access to, but they're enough. Enough to confirm things I might have realized on my own. Enough to be sure. So I'll tell you a story, as honestly as I can. The Primordials, who created Creation as we know it, were usurped. It was a plan executed by their creations, the Incarna, and two of their siblings who defected, Gaia, and Autocthon. The Incarna, of course, being the Unconquered Sun, Luna, and the Five Maidens. Autocthon built a weapon, the Exaltation, along with the Incarna, and each of them fashioned it to produce warriors from humanity. Three hundred Solars, three hundred Lunars, and a hundred Sidereals. Gaia helped build the army they would lead, the Dragonblooded. When they won, having convinced the surviving Primordials to surrender, they mutilated them, trapping them all within the body of their king. Malfeas. Where we also now reside. The Solar Exalted were granted rulership over Creation by the Incarna, and built the grand empires you may have heard of. I suppose you know how that ended."

Red and Gold stares at the teodozjia, as if expecting it to contradict him.
>>
No. 936654 ID: 0598d6

"Well, I guess I'll just have to trust you on that, since I just know the Immaculate word on it other than that. Honestly, I know that there's probably a lot of biased information from the Immaculate Philosophy, and I kind of wish I was smarter to start untangling all that on my own."
>>
No. 936656 ID: 8d924c

>>936654
"The Immaculate word on it being the line the Sidereals came up with to excuse what they did to us. Orchestrating our murders, all on the same day. During a feast that was meant to prevent violence. Allowing the Great Contagion and the Balorian Crusade to nearly succeed in wiping out everything. No, I don't have much respect for the Immaculate line."

Red and Gold continues to stare at the teodozjia, drumming his fingers on the counter. Activating Verdant Emptiness Endowment again is an afterthought.
>>
No. 936657 ID: 0598d6

"I still don't know what a sidereal is. I mean, you keep talking about them like they're common knowledge, and maybe it's one of those supernatural things that I'm trying to learn here, but wasn't it the Dragonblooded that did the uprising, and just a freak plague that lead to all that other stuff happening?"
>>
No. 936661 ID: f57349

>>936172
Five successes, so now you've got an adequate overview of what the tattoos are and how they work, roughly equivalent to reading a charm or artifact's stat block in one of the books. The tattoos are a form of language (clawspeak) which you don't know how to read yet, they protect the Lunar's body (but not mind or spirit) from Shaping effects through an imperishable record of identity and deeds. With bearer's consent they can interface with other similar tattoos to, among other things, record debts and favors.

Having examined a working copy firsthand is also a significant improvement over operating off of rumors. I'll count that as five successes toward formulating a new lunar tattoo paradigm, meaning you now know one of the exotic ingredients which would be needed: a 3-dot Space-Warping Needle, per MoEP: Infernals p. 178, to convey moonsilver ink beneath the skin without external injury.

Thanks to your mentor and manse archives, it's recognizable as at least partly Raksi's work. Obvious next place to look would be her design notes, presumably in the libraries at Sperimin.
>>
No. 936662 ID: f57349

>>936411
GURPS Low-Tech Companion 3: Daily Life and Economics says a preindustrial metallurgist can smelt about six pounds of soft metal per day. CNNT multiplies that by 12. Might have less than a full day to work, but on the other hand might have been setting this up further in advance. Plenty of raw materials in the form of fallen brass-wood from that blighted section of the Spawning Forest. Fabricating the metal into sheets and poles for crude tents probably isn't much harder than compact ingots. Figuring 72 pounds per day's work, optimistically assuming five square feet per pound of brass sheeting is structurally sound, that's 360 square feet, or about a 19' square, per 8 hours work smelting.

Metal's not the most efficient material for rapidly fabricating shelter, though. If you bought Craft (Wood) up to 4 dots, for 9XP and zero training time since it's in-caste, you'd be able to carve tentpoles from the malfean metal-wood directly instead of needing to smelt and cast them, and weave fabric instead of needing to hammer out sheet metal. In terms of square footage, five times as much coarse cloth (suitable for tents) could be produced per day's work, given adequate raw materials.
>>

rolled 8, 7, 8, 1, 7, 4, 7, 10, 6, 2, 7, 3, 1, 8, 3, 8, 10, 8, 8, 2 = 118

>>936578
Lute wakes, disturbed and unsettled. After a mome, she asks the image of a spider, hiding within the brass wall. "The book. Where is it?" Efficient Secretary Technique on the location of Oadenol’s Codex. I don't expect to find it, but it's on Lute’s mind.

She receives her answer and sits, thinking, watching the rain outside. Eventuall, she asks after the location of the delegation from Aketon.

So that's 4m for two EST activations, and copying Rivers, rolling to read the hell-weather.

>>936661
>Obvious next place to look would be her design notes, presumably in the libraries at Sperimin.
It was something of a given this project would attract the ire of elder lunars. Doing so before even completing the planning phase is a little ahead of schedule!
>>
No. 936684 ID: 5f3f48

In a completely different map hex, miles away from the Nameless Village...

"Excuse me, Commander?"

A Realm soldier stands at attention, clearly uncomfortable, addressing Sesus Xanin, before she could reach her office. A gesture from the Daughter of Hesiesh, he continues.

"A diplomatic envoy has arrived, sir. Another one, from the other side. Normally we'd have them wait as you're already receiving Exalted, but they're making a commotion about being seen immediately."

This a man who's clearly less than thrilled by the position he's been placed in, interrupting his exalted boss with this.

Stunting in Red and Gold's trade representative interrupting at SX's manse, to get the DB side of things unstuck. (If necessary I can throw Destiny 3 at forcing something to happen, but I think this is stuntable).
>>
No. 936692 ID: 8d924c

>>936657
"No, not common knowledge at all. You've probably never heard of them before now. They were Chosen of the Five Maidens. Monitors of Fate and the Loom. They reside in Heaven, Yu-Shan. And they are the architects of the Immaculate Order. Managing which gods receive worship. They are the true enemy, Rivers. But they won't know what we are doing here. Outside the eyes of Fate."
>>
No. 936702 ID: 3732a8

“If that’s the case, than wouldn’t that mean that Lute is the enemy to whatever cause you have, since I don’t know much about the Maidens, but I know Venus and her symbol from blue light districts, and she lit up with that symbol.

“But, I’m also personally convinced that she’s not going to stab me or anyone else that we care about in the back. Also, if they’re important, could you teach me about magical symbols next?”
>>
No. 936725 ID: 304f7c

rolled 7, 5, 6, 5, 9, 5, 8, 8, 8, 2, 3, 5, 6, 3, 7, 6, 8, 3, 10, 3, 4, 9, 7, 1, 10, 2, 10, 10, 5, 1 = 176

Bargux had managed to find Rivers's trail. "An easy feat for Bargux! After all I am the Red Horn's best spy." He hummed cheerily to himself. It was simple times like these following a trail that Bargux felt his happiest. Although he would never admit that, as spying was seen as somewhat underhanded in the tribe. He wasn't very popular, but out here alone he felt quite content. Disregarding whatever was happening in the sky above he pressed on. "Following, following, and following the trail is what Bargux does best. Uh wait where did it go?" He looked around unable to find it. "Maybe the trail went up it into this tree. There is something strange about the trees here I can't place my finger on it. Ugh! What am I supposed to do if I lose something? Oh that is right, retrace my steps starting at the beginning!" So he went all the way back to the start. He did not mind at all. He found the trail again and set off once more. After some time the trail stopped in front of a door to a building. "Blast! I lost the trail, didn't I? Do I really have to go back to the start again? I know, I can ask the people inside of this building! Huh, I haven't seen this building before. I wonder what is inside of it." He reached for the handle. "Wait! What does Kakrox always say about doors? Ummm, some story about things, and people with a- a- uhh a PLACE! Place, no A PACE! Something about paste? Ugh! All this thinking is making me thirsty maybe they have some ale inside. No wait! That is it Kakrox says spies have to go at a sneaky pace! Ha! I know just what I'll do. I'll open this door stealthily like." Sure enough he went to open the door as quietly as he could.
>>
No. 936726 ID: afdebc

rolled 6, 3, 6, 8, 6, 10, 3, 5, 8, 1, 10, 7, 5, 5, 8 = 91

>>936684
>>936356
Whups, I missed Gwen's post, mine makes sense if you assume it happened before the other.

>the DB party was one lighter as FFE had gone missing in the blink of an eye
The Emerald Dragon frowns, noticing her commander had slipped away in the confusion. Where did the bat slip off to...?

Rolling Perception 3 + Awareness 1 + Stunt to see if she noticed where FFE went. If that fails, rolling Essence 2 for the familiarity power from Sworn Brother's Oath.
>>
No. 936728 ID: 3732a8

rolled 2, 4, 9, 4, 1, 4, 2 = 26

It was always a risky proposition to open a creaking door to a mostly empty room while their query was already sitting in a chair facing said squeaky door, but really lucky people have gotten the drop on an Apex predator in worse circumstances than said predator being distracted learning how to read and about magic and the world at large.
>>
No. 936732 ID: 304f7c

rolled 9, 10, 9, 1, 4, 8, 5, 8, 4, 5 = 63

As Bargux 'Stealthily' opens the door a loud creaking sound can be heard. He takes a step inside and the floorboards creak under his weight. He then turns around and closes the door behind him with a resounding slam of the door. "Alright," he says aloud, "I have successfully made it inside undetected. Now to get that ale."
>>
No. 936735 ID: 10b783

"Hey, just because you're new around here doesn't mean you can just try to steal booze under my nose when the place is closed. Why do you even want booze, don't you have a bunch in the whole you crawled out from?"

It seems that the Red Council had neglected to realize that Rivers was probably at least familiar with the drunkards of the town, and the stranger standing before her was either from the new tribe that she was one of the Councilors of, or one of the delegates from Aketon, and the delegates struck her as the type to not go skulking about.

"But seriously, what are you actually doing here?"
>>
No. 936736 ID: 8d924c

>>936702
"I think perhaps that's a subject you should discuss with her, but first there's another thing I should cover, since it's important. The Dragonblooded aren't the only ones whose children can inherit power. Although it was never part of the original plan, the Chosen of the Incarna's children, particularly the children of powerful Chosen, sometimes inherit some of that power. Lunars are particularly well known for it, but it's true of Solars and Sidereals as well. And while your love and myself are, ah, newer varieties, I don't doubt that the same holds true. Of course, the Wyld Hunt doesn't distinguish, anyways. They would kill any of our children as readily as any of us. So it's best that they not have access to them. Just another reason this hunk of Creation falling into the Demon Realm could be to our advantage."

Red and Gold peers at Rivers, curious whether his attempt to deflect has worked.
>>
No. 936739 ID: 304f7c

rolled 7, 6, 1, 9, 3, 9, 8, 3, 4, 1 = 51

>>936735

"Oh shoot! She saw me!" Bargux was found out! How? He was being so stealthy. This was the moment Bargux lived for, relying on his sharp wit! "We do have a lot of Blue Fruit Cider but having the same thing over and over gets tiring. I thought I could just sneak off and this building was close by. Though I could find a tavern blindfolded if I had to. Is this place closed? My mistake, I thought it was open."
>>
No. 936740 ID: 10b783

rolled 6, 10, 8, 2, 5, 7, 10, 4, 6, 3 = 61

"Yeah, it's closed for the night. Also, you probably shouldn't lie to one of your councilors, because I don't know if you know this about me, but I can smell when people are lying to me."

She didn't look away from the newcomer even as she paid attention to what Red and Gold had to say.

"Doesn't everything you just said contradict everything else you've said, about how Exalted power comes from some kind of special soul that doesn't get passed down, and how all of the Exalted were made by gods a long time ago? If so, then how would that power be passed along a bloodline, and how would there be 'new' types of Anathema. Especially since that seems like exactly the kind of thing that everyone would have heard about."
>>
No. 936742 ID: 8d924c

>>936740
"It isn't so simple as the blood of the Dragons. They are not nearly as powerful as their parents. And it rarely lasts more than a single generation. Unless the Chosen is very powerful. And as to, well, new varieties. That's because they're not exactly new. I'll admit I don't quite understand the deathknights as well, but knowing the Neverborn had their hands on Solar Exaltations tells me more than enough about what they are. As for myself, well, I may not have access to the power granted by the Unconquered Sun, but I do have access to the power granted by my Primordial patrons. Does that explain anything for you?"

Red and Gold absentmindedly invokes the effects of Verdant Emptiness Endowment once more.
>>
No. 936744 ID: 304f7c

rolled 7, 6, 10, 9, 2, 5, 10, 2, 5, 7, 8, 2, 9, 3, 10, 10, 10, 6, 1, 5, 10, 4, 4, 1, 6, 10, 1, 1, 10, 3 = 177

>>936740
Someone can smell that? Bargux sniffs the air for his own lie. No doubt this is one of the greatest challenges as a spy Bargux has faced in his long career. He had a only a couple options left. Time to take the power back! On the brink of of real tears, "Can I- Can I- Can I stay in here? I don't want to wait outside in the freezing rain."
>>
No. 936753 ID: 10b783

"Yeah, that's fine, there's beds upstairs. I'm not as much of a monster as I like to pretend I am, and I'm not going to send anyone out into some rain of 'not water'."

(Occult 1 purchased, -3 EXP, (also Int 2, I marked that on my sheet, but forgot to post that in a post))

"Well, I guess it explains a bit, not a lot since I guess I don't really have a whole lot of context for the Primordials. I mean, I just kind of found out that they exist about five minutes ago when you told me, and if they're your patron, wouldn't that make sense to be reasonably skeptical about anything you tell me about them for the same reason I should be skeptical about the Immaculate Philosophy?"
>>
No. 936757 ID: 7dd512
File 156118775280.jpg - (809.67KB , 1000x1193 , 4d9b8716e79c76d5ba8f948e820cf737df6a77ea.jpg )
936757

rolled 2, 3, 2, 6, 5, 5, 4, 5, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 9, 4, 1, 1, 5, 8, 4, 10, 1, 5, 5, 2, 9, 5, 5, 3, 5 = 139

Lumie awakens some time later, the desperate need for good sleep showing in the coma like state she took. True to her warning, she lays almost motionlessly still while asleep, though to an astute observer, the autonomous flow of blood through her body continues at a steady pulse and her eyes might be caught shifting beneath her eyelids as part of that good, deep sleep. With a flutter of her eyelids, consciousness does return and the Alchemical ponders her state of things.

First order of business: self examination. Her eyes are sufficient to provide and adequate diagnostic in addition to her own sense of a state of well being. She feels better, but still hazy enough that the flows of essence within her feel muted, but at least abated. Overall, a better state here in this domicile than she had been in previous cycles. She wasn't fitful enough to disturb the drapings of clothes, so they'd do for now. Second order of business was to explore her environment. With some of her essence flows feeling more restores, she risks it to tinker with her own gravimetric flows, distorting space around her that her limited mobility would allow her to not only scale along the walls to peer out windows (via an elaborate contortion of rolls and wiggles) but she keeps her weight down enough not to crush said walls or cause them to unnecessarily creek. She even takes stock to listen against the walls, the ceiling and the like while she plots out moves for the future.

Would she hear any sound in the hallway or by the door indicative of iminent ingress, the facade would continue and she'd gingerly fall back to an appropriate orientation on the bed with nary but a bounce and tussle of hair to give away her capabilities. The most likely to make an entrance in any case would most likely be Rivers, to which she'd greet, somewhat more chipper than the emotional rollercoaster that was her mood the day before, with a polite, <Old Realm> "Hello. I'm not sure if there's a customary greeting when one awakens, but if there is, then that. Thanks, by the way for your help, and hospitality yesterday. It's been a bit of a stressful time. I'm also concerned that my friends must be worried sick about me. Would you, by chance, be interested in meeting any of them ? It'd sure be nice to be able to share some of my culture with you too, like some of the taswine we brought with us. It's a lot like your mead except we can't really make more of it since, well, I don't think we can refine tas here, but I'm certain you'd love it !"
>>
No. 936758 ID: 304f7c

>>936753
"Thank you! That is very kind of you. Can you wake me up before you leave in the morning? It's my job to follow you around. It's not sinister or anything I promise."
>>
No. 936759 ID: 10b783

rolled 2, 4, 4, 3, 7, 1, 5, 2, 9, 7, 5, 10, 9, 6, 9, 6, 2, 9, 10, 4, 5, 8, 7, 9, 7, 4, 1, 1, 6, 6 = 168

At first, there was a creek. Then another one, and the weird part of it was that they were coming from where the ceiling of the basement room that Rivers slept in whenever Red and Gold wasn't using the whole area for summoning demons. But, given that it was a basement for an Inn, there weren't actually any windows to peer through, since that would let foods spoil faster.

"Excuse me a minute, I think my guest woke up." Rivers excused herself for a bit to go check on Lumie, since clearly she couldn't get around on her own.

"Oh, wow. I mean, I'd love to go and visit where you came from. But, it's raining something weird, and I don't want to walk out into a mystery liquid pretending to be rain, since the last time it was ice cold acid. So, we're both going to probably have to stay put until that stops."

She picked up the Alchemical and started carrying her to the kitchen to make a midnight snack, since she had slept through dinner.

"But, you can tell me all about it while I make some food. Same for you, Red and Gold, if you want to keep telling me about stuff, I'm all ears for today."
>>
No. 936760 ID: 156cdf

>>936758

“Well, if the case is that you have to follow me I’ll be sure to make myself scarce sooner rather than later. Can’t make it too easy for you after all.”
>>
No. 936761 ID: 7dd512

rolled 6, 4, 5, 4, 4, 9, 4, 7, 9, 3, 9, 2, 4, 2, 7, 2, 7, 1, 7, 10, 10, 6, 8, 2, 1, 5, 7, 4, 1, 9 = 159

Lumie seems to have lost a little weight since earlier. That or Rivers is feeling stronger. That or she's distorting her own gravitational constant such that she weighs less. Either way, that makes her a little more mobile. As we move about, she comments on the weather. <Old Realm> "Ohh yes that does sound dangerous if you don't have the right kind of personal protective equipment. We get some very dangerous weather back home, some even more hostile than that in the wrong spots. Ohh shoot, and of course, well some of my protective gear was stolen when I was abducted so I don't know that I'd be so well equipped to handle it either right now." She lets out a little pout at the realization, face quirked in thought. "Add that to the list of things I need to fix."

"Hopefully the rain doesn't last too long ?" she asks, not familiar with the weather patterns here. ""During the icy seasons back home it can go for weeks." Upon seeing Red & Gold, she gives a little nod of her head in greeting seeing as she lacks much else to make more meaningful physical gestures with, and offers a cheery, "Hello."
>>
No. 936776 ID: 156cdf

rolled 1, 7, 8, 9, 3, 1, 4, 8, 5, 10, 4, 7, 3, 10, 2 = 82

“Well, I guess I’m not 100% sure how dangerous the rain actually is, but from everything I’m hearing Red and Gold, I’m pretty sure that it is the work of a powerful demon, of even one of the Primary he’s talking about.”

Rivers sat the suspiciously light Alchemical on the counter as she got to work, determined to make better food than the botched food that she had yesterday that she seemed to enjoy. She was going to make one of the universally loved foods back in lookshy. A simple, personal, and utilitarian pizza.

(Int 2, Craft(water) 2, stunt, conviction 4)

“But, that sounds like an interesting place. Normally weather doesn’t get dangerous, but it seems like Malfeas is all about dangerous locales.”
>>
No. 936780 ID: 7dd512

rolled 1, 10, 9, 8, 10, 3, 10, 4, 1, 5, 10, 1, 7, 5, 1, 6, 10, 1, 6, 9, 6, 8, 3, 2, 1, 5, 5, 7, 9, 5 = 168

She watches in fascination throughout the whole process, even asking to taste some of the ingredients, raw or not. <Old Realm> "OHH, I get it. So it's a fermented starch .. umm ... <???> ?" She sees the confusion and tries to explain. "It rises more the longer you leave it out, right ? And that looks like fermented milk to me. Can I ask how you spiced it ?" She seems a little confused until the sauce comes into the mix at which point it all kind of comes together. "Okay I see. We have something very similar at home, only we use more of an oil instead of a sauce but instead we spice the fermented milk. Although I couldn't tell what breed that was from, are they cute and fuzzy too ? We have a few different breeds of <???> you can milk but some of them aren't quite as cute as the others." While it bakes and smells waft, she wiggles from side to side in a seemingly good mood, not overly concerned with the state of the weather here.

"It is. The climate is a little on the extreme side, other nations have much warmer, or moister climates, some where you they barely cover up at all. We need much more insulation where I live, so lots of heavy layers and protection. And dangerous too in the deeper reaches, all sorts of fascinating and sometimes mean critters doing their jobs."
>>
No. 936781 ID: 7dd512

(( If you want Icons, I came up with the 11 creation/autocthonian elemental icons. Base assets from various web, all edited/arranged by me. ))

https://www.kawaiiwolf.com/img/wiki/elements/Air.png
https://www.kawaiiwolf.com/img/wiki/elements/Earth.png
https://www.kawaiiwolf.com/img/wiki/elements/Fire.png
https://www.kawaiiwolf.com/img/wiki/elements/Water.png
https://www.kawaiiwolf.com/img/wiki/elements/Wood.png

https://www.kawaiiwolf.com/img/wiki/elements/Crystal.png
https://www.kawaiiwolf.com/img/wiki/elements/Lightning.png
https://www.kawaiiwolf.com/img/wiki/elements/Metal.png
https://www.kawaiiwolf.com/img/wiki/elements/Oil.png
https://www.kawaiiwolf.com/img/wiki/elements/Smoke.png
https://www.kawaiiwolf.com/img/wiki/elements/Steam.png
>>
No. 936800 ID: 10b783

"I'm not going to lie, you're saying words that I'm guessing are from your native tongue that don't really have a translation to Old Realm, so I guess I can't really confirm or deny any similarities to whatever foodstuffs or creatures you're talking about.

"I guess I could turn into a cow and show you, but I also don't want to run the risk of breaking one of my souls in half, so I'll just have to settle for shrugging my shoulders and asking you to describe it."

As she was cooking, she was more than willing to give Lumie whatever ingredients she had wanted while she cooked, and she listened to the description of Kamak (not that she knew what that was or what it was called)

"That sounds rough. I've been to the really far north where it gets cold, and I stayed warm in the easiest way for someone living away from civilization while I hunted a few rare animals."
>>
No. 936844 ID: f57349

>>936726
Two successes on supernatural tracking. Across the plaza, dancing between elephant-sized turtles with bubbling bathtubs sunk into their backs, up a zigzagging iron staircase, through a window, across oddly angled alleyways to a one-room brass cottage with an onion dome about fifteen feet in diameter at it's widest point.

The front door is closed, Fanged Flair Effulgence is definitely inside, and the grumpiest-looking lavender-skinned demon courtesan you've ever seen is sitting awkwardly on the black gravel rooftop out in front.
"See those leaves up there?"
She gestures with a coiled whip. Sure enough, the pointed top of the dome has small leafy branches emerging from it, like a sapling.
"That means I'm already behind schedule on the maintenance. They aren't even paying customers! All the decent foundations for a proper tower around here are already taken, so once this tree closes up I'll have to get myself all bruised and blistered either crawling through the thorns or sucking off ugly forge-workers to wrestle with that stupid new toll system so I can seed a new one. Maybe I ought to chuck it all, set up shop on the slopes of Qaf or something instead."
As the rant runs out of steam, she closes her wide, dark eyes and takes a deep breath.
"I'm sorry, that was terribly unprofessional. Would you like to have sex? My rates are very reasonable, just a thumbprint-sized piece of skin for the basics, or add in the right sort of coin for hours of full sensory immersion in a bespoke dreamscape."
>>936679
>the book
Shortly after the destruction of the Versino, the Empress's daughter Mnemon bound an illiterate shrimp-like demon to the task of transcribing Oadenol's codex. The result was an indecipherable muddle, currently on a shelf in the restricted section of the Hall of Celestial Puissance at the Heptagram. The demon refused to depart despite having apparently completed it's task, and with assistance from the Mountain Folk was eventually sealed in a corrosion-resistant cage near what is now the town of Blackwater.
>delegation from Aketon
Majority of them are at the Mayor's house.
>>
No. 936863 ID: 8d924c

rolled 9, 8, 3, 4, 4, 8, 2, 8, 9, 2, 3, 5, 10, 6, 10, 8, 8, 2, 3, 1, 8, 2, 4, 4, 7, 9, 4, 2, 10, 4 = 167

>>936744

Red and Gold looks at the exit through which Rivers has left, then to the spy.

"I'm going to go start on a project. I might as well be getting SOMETHING done while it's raining whatever it's raining out there. Don't destroy anything, alright? I'll see if I can find you a drink."

He turns to the teodozjia then, "Don't torment or eat him please, thank you, he's a guest for now." Red and Gold instructs, before heading back down towards the basement for another summoning.

He still needed to properly spruce up facilities for summoning, but at least he should have enough in him for one.

(Summoning a naneke for a task binding-"I bind you to the task of telling me you want to understand things, repeatedly, until you actually do." we're going to experiment! Channeling Conviction because it's increasingly clear I need some demons in my pocket I can trust to handle more major things, but Second Circles are both too much trouble and a lot of work to come up with new ones.)
>>
No. 936864 ID: 7dd512

rolled 4, 7, 4, 3, 6, 3, 2, 10, 3, 10, 8, 3, 7, 1, 7, 1, 10, 7, 7, 5, 5, 8, 7, 9, 4, 2, 3, 9, 7, 2 = 164

<Old Realm> "Ohh yes, I've been trying to avoid idioms and <???> where possible, some of it doesn't translate really well without proto-<???> constructs, which I remember being really hard to learn when I learned at some point but I guess don't remember that well." She occasionally gives looks of frustration as she talks before resorting to other gestures to punctuate her words, limited to mostly shoulder posture and facial movements to help convey what fidgety hands would normally be able to gesture. "But our for our aged milks, we actually brought some with us you could even see, they're so adorable. They're about ... I dunno, a little over knee high for you and a little on the squat and pudgey side, probably about as long as from your toes to your navel. They've got more rounded snouts and itty bitty whiskers and really dense fur, maybe an inch long, that's actually two layers to help with the cold. But they're always feisty and produce a lot of milk, so they're great to keep around as long as you keep them in groups. They get really depressed if there's only one or two of them together."

"It's honestly not so bad, it just means we get to bundle up in nice snuggly clothing. Plus we're not limited by space so there's lots of room to stretch your arms and have your <????>. I don't think that's much of a thing here though, it's kind of a custom just for us. Is it almost done ? It smells like it's probably almost done !"

>>
No. 936873 ID: 54735b

"Alright, we'll have to continue this later, since this was really informative." She called out through the bar window into the main dining hall as Red and Gold left.

But, she listened to the description of the creature, and it was wrong, but she definitely wanted to rip out its heart and drink it. Preferably away from the others of its kind, since it sounded like they were social.

"That's definitely not like any animal that I've ever heard of being ranched. Usually you get things like Goats, hip height and about as long as they are wide little rascals that climb everything, or some kind of Cow, shoulder height walls of solid muscle, or something else like that for milk."

She checked the Oven, and true to form, they were actually done, so, she pulled them out and set them to the side to cool off a bit, since everyone knows that you don't just serve baked goods at close to 400 degrees (at least without having charms to the effect of ignore the environmental damage based from heat).
>>

rolled 6, 3, 6, 9, 10, 4, 3, 10, 6, 6, 4, 1, 5, 6, 10, 3, 1, 1, 5, 2, 7, 4, 9, 10, 2, 2, 10, 9, 6, 7 = 167

>>936844
Binding an illiterate demon to the task of transcription? Hmm. Either it had some special power that made it suited to the task regardless, or it was an information security measure.

Still, something to follow up on. Later.

Dutiful Topaz's robes are replaced with a raincoat, a simple umbrella is pulled from a pocket too shallow to contain such a thing, and Lute heads out into Hegra's rain to see how the beastfolk and villagers are faring.

Rollin to see if I get exposed to the rain, to resist the rain if necessary, and perception + awareness.
>>
No. 936875 ID: 7dd512

Upon seeing the treats, Lumie's eyes literally glisten and shimmer and with that lick she gives to her lips she might as well be salivating. <Old Realm> "Mmmm, they're specialty bred, we've gotten pretty adept at husbandry. We have them for hunting or companionship, or materials finding and digging. Some of them are just fuzzy and cute and make the kids swoon. Although most of them are pretty good at climbing things too if you don't umm..." she struggles a bit for another word, "Grinding, Sanding ? When you make their claws blunt."

She considers for a bit, [i]"Are coows", she tries to mimic the name but maybe doesn't have it just right, "meant for fighting then, are they very dangerous to handle ?"
>>
No. 936878 ID: 54735b

"Sound a lot like cats then, but they're more for keeping pests at bay and companionship, even if they're largely solitary in nature. Actually, one species of cat that I found in my travels was a strange thing, as it purred, it gave off enough heat to keep even the coldest of beds comfortably warm in a blizzard."

Giving it a few minutes so that the Pizzas would cool off (hooray for the square/cube law for small things cooling off faster), she held one of the two bread disks up for Lumie to eat.

"And I'm not going to say that cows aren't dangerous, since one of them charging can and will gore someone to death, and some places have bull fighting arenas, bulls being male cows and they're bigger with bigger horns and usually raised for meat for obvious reasons, but in general they're pretty docile and not really war animals."
>>
No. 936880 ID: 7dd512

rolled 6, 8, 4, 6, 1, 8, 4, 1, 7, 5, 2, 2, 1, 6, 1, 9, 4, 5, 1, 7, 10, 9, 8, 6, 6, 6, 1, 5, 3, 2 = 144

<Old Realm>"Those sound like they would be very handy to have, I'm sure they'd be popular back home. Is that ... when they sing ?" she asks for clarification. However, she'd quickly be mollified by a bit of breakfast, to which only delighted coos can follow while nibbles are had. Turns out this dish too is a resounding success.
>>
No. 936882 ID: 54735b

"Kind of, it's more sort of like a low rumbling noise that they make when they're contented. So I guess you could call it singing, but not really."

She also personally thought that the Pizza was good. Actually, it was probably one of the best things she'd ever created. She'd have to think about taking her cooking more seriously if this was what she could already accomplish.

Good thing she was already asking Red and Gold for the skills to become a sorcerer engineer.
>>
No. 936884 ID: afdebc

rolled 2, 6, 9, 9, 8, 4, 9, 3, 7, 3 = 60

>>936844
>the grumpiest-looking lavender-skinned demon courtesan you've ever seen
Dell reflects for an unhappy moment that her career is such that she even has points of comparison.

>They aren't even paying customers!
"But you let them in anyways?" One of the Exalted could trivially requisition use of a mortal's property in many circumstance, but Dell was not under the impression the Exalted were so respected in the demon realm. Perhaps she had been made to yield by threat, or tricked by the lawyer's silver tongue.

Not that this explained what Flair was doing tree-napping property from grump courtesans instead of negotiating with the Dynast. (Her sworn Brother taking up with the courtesan would have been more in-character than locking her outside).
>>
No. 936888 ID: 7dd512

rolled 7, 5, 5, 8, 7, 10, 10, 4, 8, 6, 1, 6, 10, 5, 10, 3, 8, 7, 5, 7, 6, 1, 1, 1, 5, 6, 10, 9, 7, 7 = 185

<Old Realm>"These will make an umm ... I don't know a good word for it that you'd know. Kind of ..." She presses her tongue to her teeth and makes a little whistling sound, "But a lot louder, or something like ..." She then proceeds, with increasingly flushed cheeks, to make an approximation of an animal sound with a high, energetic pitch, but one that doesn't quite translate perfectly; like a cockle-doodle-doo for crowing, but a more squeaky onamonapia, one childlike that's got enough cultural bias that she just sounds silly more so than informative. With that vocalization out of the way, she licks her lips clean and goes to brush them dry against her shoulder.
>>
No. 936892 ID: 54735b

rolled 4, 5, 7, 2, 8, 2, 7, 3, 4, 2, 4, 4, 4, 10, 1, 8, 10, 10, 7, 8, 5, 4, 7, 7, 10, 4, 3, 3, 4, 1, 4, 2, 3, 3, 1, 1, 5, 1, 3, 6 = 187

Well, where would her guests be headed off to? She was inclined to follow UWD to see what exactly she was up to, and while she wasn't particularly skilled she trailed behind like smoke in the wind to see what they might have been up to, following from a better to watch vantage point as she climbed up the brass trees to where in the treeline the infernal cannon shot a hole at the Anathema earlier for ease of walking in the dense canopy. (Dex 8, Stealth 0, Mobility Penalty -2, dice pool 6+Stunt, for Athletics to climb and glide along the tree line, 8+4-2 for 10+stunt)

As soon as she sees the Neomah being quite annoyed at the occupants of her house, she is half tempted to salvage the situation, but instead just leaps down, covering the azure shield as she does.

"Well, if you're being forced out of your property, all you would normally need to do is file a formal complaint and pay a single coin processing fee, but I'm feeling generous and I'm already here, so I won't bother with sending a thug to evict them for you."

"Also, you wouldn't have struck me as the type to go gallivanting with Neomah in the woods after trying to engage in diplomacy."
>>
No. 936893 ID: 54735b

rolled 18, 10, 6, 14, 20, 18, 12, 2, 17, 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 10, 10, 12, 12, 10, 4 = 196

"No, that's not it. I mean, there are animals that make that kind of noise sort of, but cats are more like -" She dove into trying to do her best cat impersonation, and given that she was, in fact, both familiar with cats and has been one, she was able to come out with at least a reasonable approximation. Though to Lumie, it may have come off as sounding more like an engine's low rumbling than any kind of animal.
>>
No. 936904 ID: 7dd512
File 156127073632.jpg - (217.30KB , 496x700 , 5458f1c4298a23269ee571f5af97fcabfb680e33.jpg )
936904

rolled 3, 6, 8, 9, 3, 1, 2, 7, 10, 8, 5, 8, 2, 8, 4, 10, 8, 1, 8, 6, 9, 8, 3, 2, 10, 7, 9, 2, 9, 7 = 183

<Old Realm>"Huh, I can see that." In Lumie's mind's eye, she's not even close: Some biomchanoid skitters about, whirring up to heat up rooms and junctions when talked to pleasantly or perhaps treated with shiny trinkets."So what do you do while you wait for the weather to grow more hospitable ? It won't last a whole season will it ? My poor friends would be ..." She pauses again, catching herself before using another idiom, [i]"very sad indeed. But I'm sure they'd be thrilled to meet new people too, although the nudity and your tail and such might be surprising." Curiously enough, Lumie seems adept enough to spot the tell, though she doesn't know any better of it. (If not tail, then other appropriate features !)
>>
No. 936907 ID: f57349

>>936863
Naneke doesn't make even a cursory attempt to contest the binding once your intentions are clear. What knowledge are you trying to bestow?
>>936874
Four successes on dex + survival, to keep the umbrella oriented correctly and dance across the solid parts of the ground while avoiding puddles, is easily enough to stay dry. Only two successes on Perception + Awareness, unless you buy extra dice with the Kimbery excellency, and against anything more than ten yards away, one of those successes is going to be eaten up by rain-based concealment, both audio and visual.
>>936884
>"But you let them in anyways?"
"They came toward me and it got quiet. Like, hear-my-own-heartbeat quiet. Couldn't speak, tried to spit fire and nothing came out but a few little dark red wisps. Dunno about you, but I've got better things to do than haggle in sign language when I think I'm about to die."
On closer inspection (and with four successes on a Wits + Lore roll to work a kinematics problem in your head), the leafy branches on the top of the brass cottage are twitching, almost exactly as if a two-meter-long pendulum weighing a couple hundred pounds was hanging from the ceiling in there and being rhythmically slammed against the walls, but with the actual impacts kept silent by... some sort of magic? https://docs.google.com/document/d/14OT55-ySGQVIFdUlPekEQLLd9-tt2Z04LsTpWPK27lA/edit#heading=h.iyphbirxxujs Fanged Flair Effulgence's position within the cottage is in fact perceptibly moving back and forth just like the postulated pendulum.
>>
No. 936908 ID: 54735b

"Well, normally I'd just go walking in the rain. This is weird since it's not really water. And, so best as I can figure, the rain isn't even natural, so no telling how long it will last, but probably not more than a few hours, a few days if it's really coming down.

"But, normally I do what I assume anyone does when they're stuck in a place they're comfortable. Find someone willing to, and spend a few hours fucking to pass the time.

"And would clothes be an essential? I honestly just don't like clothes since ever since I became an Anathema, they just feel kind of itchy and fit weird now that I'm more flexible."
>>
No. 936909 ID: f57349

>>936892
The scene with UWD and the Neomah is happening on the city side of the border, not the forest side.
>>
No. 936918 ID: 54735b

rolled 2, 5, 9, 10, 9, 1, 8, 4, 7, 10, 4, 7, 7, 3, 1, 4, 5, 8, 7, 3, 7, 7, 8, 7, 8, 3, 6, 7, 3, 1, 5, 5, 7, 5, 3, 1, 2, 1, 10, 4 = 214

"Well, I don't know how to say this, but whatever is in there is tied with the silent wind, and in my professional opinion the prognosis for survival is less than great, but in spite of any political differences, I can't just stand to the side and let another Dragonblooded be taken from under my protection without at least giving whatever's in there a fight."

Sesus Xanin's brilliant green sword sprung to life as she was more than willing to kick open the slightly rocking door and cut whatever was in there in two, kind of as revenge for what had happened recently with the silent wind proper.
>>
No. 936920 ID: afdebc

rolled 4, 7, 7, 7, 7, 9, 9, 4, 3, 2 = 59

>They came toward me and it got quiet. Like, hear-my-own-heartbeat quiet. Couldn't speak, tried to spit fire and nothing came out but a few little dark red wisps.
That... doesn't sound like anything Flair could do. No charms or artifacts or sorcery for silence. So that was whoever he's with.

>pendulum swaying, if the tree's a knockin
...and unfortunately, Dell grimaces, it doesn't take a genius to figure out what the two of them are doing up there. This wouldn't be the first time she's caught him en flagrante delicto, though never before hanging like a bat. Flair always had an unprofessional streak, but blowing off a negotiation for tryst with some silence demon is a new low.

>>936892
>"Also, you wouldn't have struck me as the type to go gallivanting with Neomah in the woods after trying to engage in diplomacy."
And if a traitor coworker and the lecherous lawyer hadn't made this day bad enough, now she could be humiliated in front of the Dynast (aren't they supposed to be the hedonistic ones?).

"Me neither, but here I am, riding the coattails of a gallivanting bat."
>>
No. 936932 ID: 8d924c

>>936907
Red and Gold moves around the basement nervously, shifting some of the remaining liquor stocks around.

"Well, new friend, we're going to be testing the limits of the First Circle together! I'm going to be pressing as much knowledge and power onto you as I possibly can, and then we'll see if we can find a way to bring you to a state of enlightenment. I've been very frustrated considering having to deal with celestial lions with what I have available."

Red and Gold ceases fiddling with the supplies.

"Now, do you have a preference for what to start with? I think perhaps craftsmanship. Or possibly endurance, so that you can get started with the meditation that'll likely be necessary. Will we need to find a particularly potent demesne, do you suppose?"

(While waiting for the rain to end, spending personal motes and willpower to raise the naneke's Resistance, then Craft skills.)
>>
No. 936936 ID: 7dd512

rolled 5, 8, 7, 4, 1, 7, 1, 6, 9, 2, 6, 10, 7, 2, 1, 4, 3, 9, 6, 8, 10, 7, 5, 2, 3, 10, 3, 10, 3, 4 = 163

<Old Realm>"Well for most people I'd image but not strictly so no. I mean, that's just one of the things about exploring new places, we need to be respectful to new and different cultures we don't yet understand; which is like most cultures when you think about it. But clothes are useful, they protect the skin and help keep heat in or help keep you cool in other environment. I mean it's like your cooking tools but for dealing with other problems. Some people just aren't as good to work with their hands, especially when there are tools that are really good at what they're designed to do."

She leans back a little and glances upward while musing. "For example, my people aren't nearly so open with their sexuality, it rarely tends to happen outside your bonded pair if you're bonded, and even then it's considered taboo. Hospitality is really important though, something I'm glad we share unlike those other greedy jerks who kidnapped me and stole basically everything they could. OHH !" She perks up a little too. and looks right to Rivers, [i]"Also we all have these. They sort of help with our place in the grand design and they shelter our souls. And you mentioned worrying about yours if you turned into a co-ow ? Maybe we can help you with that too, it's kind of a service to humanity to safeguard others like that. Although it's usually done at birth, installing one as an adult is kind of traumatic and that's a lot easier to forget for an infant."
>>
No. 936957 ID: 54735b

"Well, that's good, but give it a few weeks and enough energy, and I bet I wouldn't need clothes regardless of how hot or cold it gets."

She gave a contemplative thought as she thought about training her resistance to the environment, but decided against it since there were more pressing issues.

"And, while I'm mostly going on half formed knowledge that I just learned about, if that's something to keep everyone's soul, I doubt that would help with my specific problem. After all, I guess this is a separate soul from what makes a human a normal human."

As she talked, she channeled a mote of essence to ignite her caste mark, enough to quench any shadow of a doubt from anyone that knew of the chosen that she was an Exalt.
>>

rolled 9, 10, 6, 2, 6, 8, 10, 3, 4, 3, 1, 2, 4, 1, 4, 9, 8, 7, 3, 7, 9, 4, 10, 1, 10, 6, 1, 2, 7, 10 = 167

>>936907
Hmm, alright. Seeing nothing immediately amiss when she exits the brass shelter, Lute Silhouette will stride across the dream-slicked landscape, humming to herself, towards the inn in which her companions are staying in.

I'll roll perception + awareness again, keeping an eye out on her journey. I'll buy 4 dice form personal from the First Kimbery Excellency, on the log that the hallucinogenic rain might put people in a state to reveal their darkest desires, or secret lusts. (And a whole bunch of extra dice in case any are needed for other things).
>>
No. 936966 ID: afdebc

rolled 5, 3, 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 9, 7, 10, 10, 1, 5, 9, 9, 9, 10, 3, 6, 9 = 117

>>936918
>but whatever is in there is tied with the silent wind, and in my professional opinion the prognosis for survival is less than great
Of course the scoundrel couldn't have taken up with a safe demon, no, it had to be something deadly enough to alarm the Dynast immediately.

Bursting in on demons and debauchery, where's Karal Tin Otter when you need him.

Dell's on guard and ready for... well no telling if it'll be a fight or a screaming match or what at this point, but she won't be able to do anything either way so long as Sesus Xanin blocks the door. Also keeing a wary eye on the ousted courtesan property owner in case the change in circumstances prompts her to try anything (if she backed down in the face of one Dragon Blooded and one monster before, one would think she'd be loath to interfere now that the odds are worse, but how can one ever know with demons?). Rolling join battle if necessary.
>>
No. 936968 ID: f57349

>>936963
Three successes after various penalties. A delirious hopping puppeteer, having wandered away from the excavation site Seven Broken Wings of Red And Gold assigned it to when further progress became impossible due to flooding, has partially disassembled someone's house, more or less safely extracted a screaming baby, and is now being pursued (ineffectually) down the ice-slick street by a middle-aged man with a crutch (named Ivan - you did some reconstructive surgery on his leg, it's almost fully healed by now) and a young woman in her pajamas, possibly the child's mother.

The hopping puppeteer seems to believe it is seeking Red And Gold for further instructions, but the combination of it's native intellectual limitations and ambient hallucinogens means the search pattern is inefficient, and will almost certainly cause more damage before it succeeds.
>>

rolled 6, 7, 6, 1, 4, 8, 8, 3, 5, 5, 9, 8, 7, 8, 6, 4, 8, 1, 7, 9, 1, 2, 1, 7, 9, 1, 5, 10, 7, 4, 4, 9, 7, 6, 4, 8, 4, 10, 7, 6 = 232

>>936968
Oh dear. [i]That's[/] not good.

Waling towards the addled ball of thread, the infernal vizier calls out in Old Realm "Marotte! You search for your summoner- you know me to be his ally. Accompany me and I shall bring you to him." Hopefully the hopping puppeteer remembers her from their efforts laying down the brass-leaf barrier, giving weight to her claim.

Assuming the marrotte cooperates, Lute will escort it the Red and Gold's inn posthaste, holding her umbrella over the demon-swaddled child.

To the pursuing mortals, in Rivertongue "Please, take shelter from this fell weather and dry yourselves, I will see that the child is returned to you. I will bring the demon to its master, who will order the babe's release."

Rolling Investigation 4 + Manipulation 6 + Stunt for marrotte persuasion. Between the -3 for relative appearance, terrible social stats, and penalties from the rain, pilling the excellency on top doesn't seem necessary.

Rolling Investigation 4 (or would it be performance since there's two of them?) + Manipulation 6 + Stunt + Excellency 6 against the mortals (keeping them from the inn helps keep secrets), enhanced by Perfection In Life.

Stunts probably resonate with urge, as letting the baby die or the parents suffer permanent harm is detrimental to realizing their best selves.

11m personal spent.
>>
No. 937053 ID: 7dd512

rolled 6, 4, 8, 10, 4, 1, 3, 2, 6, 2, 6, 8, 4, 2, 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 6, 3, 2, 5, 8, 7, 10, 3, 5, 4 = 151

>>936957
Perhaps surprising to no one, showing off the caste mark doesn't elicit much from Lumie save for more curiosity. <Old Realm> "Interesting.I mean it's not terribly surprising that you wield magic, but is that some form of rank or insignia ?" She punctuates that by staring rather blatantly at her forehead. "We are kind of similar, my gem is going to be different from most of my peoples, they come in all sorts of shapes and colors that reveal the form of what someone is truly blessed with."

She makes a little face, and then brightens up a little bit as it dawns on her, "I think I may understand now. So you're more than the components of a human soul. I think you're right, these aren't meant to contain <deva>"[i] The word was not one of her cultural references, but she's not sure if Rivers would know what it meant specifically either. [i]"But if you're <???> that'd also explain why you don't need clothes to survive harsh environments and such, which is fascinating ! I have one friend, another a lot like you, with the rest of my friends in the rock system below us. I bet you two would be fast friends."
>>
No. 937054 ID: 156cdf

“Okay, now I’m confused again. Clearly you aren’t from creation, but from what I just learned there are only 299 people like me, and I just accidentally exploded one of their chests yesterday.

“But, that glowing mark comes up when I want it to, or when I’m pushing myself past my limits, and it generally changes to match the moon, so right now it’s new. But, from what immaculate scriptures say, they’re a Caste mark, and serve as th mark of an Anathema, but that might also be Exalted in general I guess. I don’t really know the whole situation with that.”

She looks mostly confused at the statement. “So, why don’t you explain what Daeva and whatever that other word you used mean in this context?”
>>
No. 937056 ID: 7dd512
File 156136102307.png - (364.60KB , 500x685 , 3588c43ee0fc25881504ed84cde0ca566d706e7a.png )
937056

>>937054
<Old Realm> "Well, I don't suppose it makes you any less special, I'm sure there are many differences ! And he should survive I imagine, his immune response was quite proactive. Assuming he doesn't succumb to infection, much of which I tried to mitigate, I imagine he'll pull through just fine."

She nods her head a little more as she listens as well. [i]"That's a rather strange term for it but maybe we use it differently. Lets see ... we use marks too, like along the forehead and eyebrows. It's how you can tell who is who when you're all bundled up. Well that and the way someone walks."


"Happily ! So deva are a small part of the divine maker's power, powerful souls meant to safeguard us from things like the void, though they're not all friendly. It takes the right kind of person, but those rare chosen can meld with them and be granted wondrous magic. We look upon them much more highly, however. I believe anatema is supposed to be a bad word right ? Our mmm, our religion looks upon them much more highly." She seems to be somewhat more deliberate about her wording, trying to use fewer words overall the longer the conversation has been going that Rivers might not know, or to keep explanations simpler. "So is the moon a representation of something divine here ?"
>>
No. 937057 ID: 156cdf

“Well, I was expecting him to get up after a few seconds, since that was how long it would take me to fully recover from that. But, I guess it doesn’t matter as long as he doesn’t actually die.”

She took a bit to listen to the explanation.

“Alright, I don’t know who the Divine Maker or the Void or anything like that is. But, from what I understand, a long time ago someone called Autocthon made the Exalted as a weapon, and apparently he gave those weapons to the gods to use to kill the Primordials, and that mark is proof that I’m one of the weapons given to Luna, I guess.

“I still mostly just know that according to everyone, I’m supposed to be a terrifying death dealing monster that brings about karmic fortune to bad people and tempt and sway the righteous.”
>>
No. 937059 ID: 7dd512

rolled 8, 1, 6, 3, 4, 9, 4, 8, 4, 2, 2, 8, 4, 7, 9, 6, 9, 1, 9, 1, 9, 2, 9, 4, 6, 3, 7, 4, 2, 8 = 159

<Old Realm> "OHH, Well perhaps you do then. I can say I'm quite pleased to hear that Autocthon's name is so well ventilated here, you're not the first people to recognize him since we've came here. But Autochton is the Maker, yes, so you're not completely .." She stops herself and mumbled a few words that sound like garbled Old Realm, "Sorry, I don't think that idiom works. You're still pretty knowledgeable. The void ... lets see, it's like if you were to sap the life and magic from somewhere until it felt almost dead. It's a little hard to describe but it's very dangerous and very unnatural."

She looks a little confused at the last part and just figures she's not translating it correctly. [i]"I can't entirely say I know much about that, but the Maker is wise beyond comprehension. More than we know, so maybe it's just a big misunderstanding ?"
>>
No. 937060 ID: 156cdf

“I wouldn’t call myself particularly knowledgeable. I mean, I just heard about all of this stuff about half an hour ago, along with how to read.

“As for that description, while we aren’t in the right place for it, I should take you to a shadowland. That’s kind of what it sounds like you’re describing, and I’m practically married, or I guess bonded was what you used earlier, to someone practically made out of death. She actually never stops talking about the Neverborn. But, they’re mostly dangerous because ghosts and other dead stuff can attack you normally.”
>>
No. 937061 ID: 7dd512

rolled 6, 6, 5, 10, 5, 3, 8, 9, 9, 10, 5, 10, 6, 7, 9, 6, 10, 6, 4, 7, 3, 7, 9, 8, 5, 4, 9, 9, 4, 4 = 203

>>937060
Lumie seems to be at a little bit of a disadvantage here and looks terribly confused, not quite sure what to make all of that. Still, she tries to steer the conversation back around to more familiar and useful territory. <Old Realm> "Perhaps, although it sounds a little dangerous and I'm not exactly in the right condition to be wandering around dangerous places. Might be best, once the rain has cleared up, if we head to see my friends before a shadow land. I'm a pretty skilled surgeon but even still I'm looking at ...". She thinks aloud to herself in her natural tongue, sounding like she's going off a checklist. <Old Realm> "Probably a good two ... seven, twenty eight screams, give or take before I could do it on my own and even then that would need a lot of rest."

She sighs at the reality of that before perking up again. "But my friends have access to much better medical care, especially for me. I'd be up and about in hardly any time really, plus there'd be lots of other interesting people to meet. Once the rain is over, of course."
>>
No. 937062 ID: 156cdf

“Oh yeah, we would need to go back to creation at large to actually find a Shadowland, either that or convince Morse to explode with Death essence again, but that probably would be a bad thing since last time it was days of rotting any food she got near, freezing water, and breaking religious iconography.”

“Plus, I’m really interested in meeting your friends, and if there are enough of them, learning the form of those animals you mentioned.

“Actually, if you have some way to make a waterproof thing to hold, I think these boots are waterproof.”

While she mostly didn’t wear them, Rivers had kept the boots of perfected speed close at hand. “Then I could just carry you and run there while holding an umbrella or something.”
>>
No. 937063 ID: 7dd512

rolled 6, 5, 3, 6, 10, 3, 7, 3, 4, 1, 7, 6, 5, 2, 6, 1, 5, 6, 3, 3, 7, 7, 10, 2, 8, 3, 9, 3, 8, 5 = 154

>>937062
[i]"Hmmmmmm."[i] She muses while glancing around. <Old Realm> [i]"I'm sure we can come up with something. This would be a lot easier with full mobility, but we'll just have to make do with what we've got. So, I saw you cooking with some form of lipid, those can be used for water proofing but let's look around to see what other materials we have to work with ? The rain might expire before we finish but it'll be a fun way to wait it out ? OHh, but you said it was frozen acid earlier. How strong an acid is it ? We'd possibly need to consider more than just hydrophobic material properties, maybe buffer somehow. Then again, we're probably not much further than two <???> from the entry point so that limits exposure."

She gives a little waggle of her head, [i]"I'm sorry, I was just thinking out loud, I didn't mean to be confusing. Why don't you tell me what you know about the rain and we can look to see what materials we have to work with !" She sure does sound chipper like this. Also, while she doesn't necessarily have the best in regards to mobility, she can always use her omnitools to patch up any seems and make an odd spectacle of licking the project we work on. Were things to get to it, she might even consider bringing out her goggles to aid in the matter: Her temples would flash and the material wound seem to materialize around herbrow in a multi-hued display, sat comfortably on her forehead. And with enough brow scrunching, nose wiggling and head tosses, she'd get them to slide right down over her eyes while we work.
>>
No. 937064 ID: 156cdf

“No, the acid was what the rain was last time, this smells completely different from any acids I’ve smelled. I think that this is probably closer to normal water than that.”

As she clarified, she internally wondered what a lipid was, or most of the words she was talking about.

“And as far as entrances to the underground, I know of two, and the closer one is the one that the Red Horn tribe came out of. But, I know how to get to both. Also, where did you get those really cute goggles? They suit you.”
>>
No. 937066 ID: 7dd512
File 156136763260.jpg - (165.26KB , 850x1007 , sample_ac2e0bb7c7b2a09dc4fd5f2c78f61001fd056caa.jpg )
937066

rolled 7, 7, 8, 4, 2, 6, 8, 4, 2, 10, 4, 5, 5, 1, 10, 4, 8, 9, 2, 8, 10, 1, 1, 6, 3, 9, 3, 4, 10, 1 = 162

<Old Realm> "Well that will make things a little easier then, and thanks ! These, well let's say it's a special trick of mine ? But the way it works is kind of complicated between co-harmonic resonance, gravimetric distortion fields and nullspace compression ... well, I can hide away a bunch of my tools when they're not needed, kind of like this." She sticks out her tongue, waggles it a little and out from her tongue extends a little tubile equipped with a miniature torch at the end that gives a spark to life, bends at an angle, and looks like it's giving a little wave to Rivers before she retracts it and gives a sheepish smile. "I like to be prepared for lots of different situations, but that's easier to do when I've got hands to do it. It's also easier when my most important tools aren't stolen by greedy little cretins, but one problem at a time."

She does her best to describe the cave she was brought out of while a captive to help identify it, as well as some of the passages leading back to the violet-eyed mutants. "So step one, we work together and make an umbrella. Step two, we go find the cave entrance. Step three, we find our way to the mutant cave, which is full of mean, primitive and thieving mutated <???>, but I bet they would be pretty intimidated by someone as big and impressive as you. Also I have no idea what language they speak in. Step four, there's a big caved in area, but I have a tool that we can use to bypass those rocks. Well I've got a bunch but only one I really have access to at the moment. Step five, we meet my friends and have a big celebration for the return of our champion and the big brave hero who made it all possible. Sound good ?"

She'd do her best to make do with what we've got, to make a good umbrella or at the very least, pass the time until the rain died down and made step one unnecessary.

(Crafting montage go ! Per 3 + Craft 5 + Omnitools 3 + Precison Goggles 3, minus malus plus teamworks plus 1wp kicker to make for a fun afternoon/evening/liger'o'clock)
>>
No. 937070 ID: 434cee

rolled 4, 8, 8, 4, 10 = 34

"Well, if we're expecting a fight, and want me to be really scary, then we might want to wait a few days on the rain anyway, since I want to give myself some time to cool down before I shapeshift again, since last time I almost actually mutated."

"But, it will be a lot better if I do, since my hands will become really dangerous, like my fingers were five miniature Daiklaives. Plus, I'll regenerate from anything they manage to do in a few seconds at most. So I might want to make some other preparations if I'm supposed to fight a bunch of people at once, but that is entirely doable."

Rivers was more than willing to help out with actually constructing the umbrella, even if she wasn't too skilled at it, she was more than willing to just serve as Lumie's limbs for the project as she helped her off of the varnished wood counter, and going back downstairs into the active demon summoning ritual to get things like butter when that was needed for 'lipids'. (Int 2+stunt)
>>
No. 937072 ID: 7dd512

rolled 2, 5, 8, 10, 1, 3, 8, 10, 5, 3, 4, 6, 9, 8, 10, 10, 1, 10, 10, 1, 8, 1, 1, 8, 4, 8, 8, 4, 10, 1 = 177

<Old Realm> [i]"Well, I more wanted you to be aware of the possibility, they're rather inconsiderate that way, but I don't really wish violence wished upon them. Moreso to be ready because they don't share my sensibilities. A suitable racket would probably frighten them off and the point may be, rather interacting with them might not even be necessary at all, but they could have more traps. That's how I got ... well, injured the way you see now."
>>
No. 937073 ID: 434cee

"Well, I guess that even if we aren't planning to carve a path of destruction through their midst, waiting a few days while I learn how turn my bones into armor, and maybe train myself to be even more flexible, might be in order. Since it's usually a really bad idea to go into a place where you're expecting the possibility of violence without preparing for it.

"But, what kind of traps did they have, since I doubt that they'd be able to do much more than inconvenience me if they cut my limbs off, but I don't want to take an hour of effort to regrow my limbs if I don't have to."
>>
No. 937074 ID: 7dd512

rolled 3, 3, 5, 8, 3, 9, 10, 2, 10, 6, 8, 1, 6, 8, 10, 10, 3, 10, 3, 10, 1, 10, 10, 10, 7, 3, 2, 2, 1, 9 = 183

>>937073
Nonplussed, she spares Rivers a paused look, stopping briefly from surveying the materials at hand. <Old Realm> "Is, is that something you're accustomed to doing ? Learning how to spur your .. bones ?" Letting herself grow curious about the whole persuit, she further asks, "how do you propose to do that ? And wouldn't that process be ... uncomfortable ?" She tries to choose her words charitably, lest she sound too incredulous.

"Ohh, they mostly seemed to carry crude hand tools and they relied on ..." She once again searches for a word, "I'm not sure what you'd call it, like a collapsing tunnel if you were to remove a support structure. Displace a beam and the ceiling comes down ontop of you. That may not end up being too big an issue if we're prepared for them before we encounter any though."
>>
No. 937075 ID: 3cb328

“Well, the fact that we’d have to fight our way through a bunch of stuff means that we might be better waiting a few days before doing anything so I can give myself some time to cool down even ignoring the weird rain. Either that or I could turn into a big monster and stay like that for the foreseeable future. I mean, I’m slammed to a kind of limits with shapeshifting.”

“Actually, maybe I could leverage the fact that it will probably be a bloodbath to help keep myself under wraps. Actually, are you fine with this turning into a massacre of these mutated things? It’s probably the easiest way to handle the situation, since it is really hard to injure me in general or in any lasting sense, and they definitely sound like people who deserve a karmic murdering.”
>>
No. 937076 ID: 3cb328

“Of course I’m not accustomed to doing it, otherwise I’d already be able to do. I’d need a few days to learn how to do it though. But, if they’ve mostly got primitive weapons, that might actually be overkill. “

“As for how I do it, it shouldn’t be too much harder than shapeshifting, just forcing my skin to open up and bones to grow into thick plates like armor instead of forcing my body into the shape of an animal I’ve drank the heart blood of. But, I don’t want to have the first time I do that be on an actual battlefield, so a few days to make sure that I can do that is important.”
>>
No. 937077 ID: 7dd512

rolled 3, 5, 1, 5, 1, 6, 7, 7, 1, 7, 1, 3, 4, 3, 6, 7, 2, 9, 6, 8, 3, 1, 10, 2, 3, 4, 2, 5, 10, 5 = 137

>>937075
>>937076
While Rivers comes up with more and more ideas, she looks to open her mouth before Rivers moves onto the next topic, Lumie not having completely absorbed the first. She feels like she's missing something vital in the translation or maybe at the conceptual level, but at some point she does manage to insist, <Old Realm> [i]"Well, I'd argue murder isn't ever really the appropriate solution. Easier, mabye but by no means humane or necessary. A-and like I was saying, we could simply bypass them, but I still wanted to be honest with the risks involved."
>>
No. 937085 ID: 3cb328

“Well, I wasn’t great, but I was a soldier in the best army in all of creation, and some of that rubbed off on me. So, my guess, while there are some options. But, they’re probably hoarding all of their stolen artifacts, and overwhelming force tends to be enough to get a small tribe like that to do whatever it takes to get rid of you. Fortunately, if they kidnapped you and gave you to the Red Horns, they’ve probably already had to deal with a Lunar.

“But, if they’ve got something of yours, just letting them be isn’t really an option.”
>>
No. 937110 ID: 8d924c

rolled 7, 1, 10, 2, 2, 2, 6, 5, 7, 5, 6, 5, 10, 7, 7, 9, 10, 9, 6, 7, 7, 1, 9, 7, 1, 5, 8, 8, 3, 9 = 181

>>934991
(Regarding the previous binding for the decanthrope, I think it's probably safest to assume I channeled Conviction and am currently down 2 channels due to channeling it for the naneke, since I can't come up with much in the way of oaths that I wouldn't risk accidentally breaking causing every bound demon to go free. Here are more dice in case that's not enough.)

>>937070
>>937077
Red and Gold greets Rivers once more, as they enter the basement, along with the Alchemical. By his side is the naneke, appearing much like a man with the head of a praying mantis.

"Hello again! I was just looking into an experiment of sorts. Planning on trying to raise the spiritual essence of a demon into something greater! I'm sure someone attempted something similar in the past, but they would most likely have been using incompatible forms of essence. My blessings should be perfectly compatible with a demon, you see. Instead of harshly opposed to it. What are the two of you up to?"
>>
No. 937126 ID: 54735b

>>937110
"We're working for to build an Umbrella so we can go and meet Lumie's friends and colleagues. But, how exactly are you planning on boosting a demon's essence, and could you do it to me?"
>>
No. 937138 ID: f57349

>>936977
Five successes on persuading the hopping puppeteer to come with you, though you need to switch disguises to match the outfit you were wearing on the airship before it acknowledges the connection. https://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=4018 Perfection In Life is a Performance charm, so I'd be inclined to say it only works with Performance-based social attacks, meaning it applies to everyone in earshot who speaks Rivertongue. Eleven successes there, so anyone with Appearance 3 or below, MDV 13 or below, and no compelling reason to do otherwise is probably going to be headed indoors, drying off, and trusting you to take care of things.

The puppeteer follows your lead toward Red And Gold's HQ. Ivan and his dead brother's daughter hurry back to their house, which unfortunately is still missing a load-bearing wall.
>>

rolled 7, 2, 4, 5, 7, 5, 5, 1, 4, 8, 3, 9, 10, 5, 4, 10, 9, 10, 4, 7 = 119

A woman wearing a raincoat over Haslanti furs, a thoroughly phlegm and rain soaked ball of hair, and a baby walk into a bar. (Well to be more precise, the woman storms in dramatically, the hair-ball hops drunkenly, and the baby is carried in swaddling tentacles, but the form remains).

>What are the two of you up to?
"I've got a dream-addled marotte and a child in need of its summoner's attention. Red and Gold! If you would?"

>Ivan and his dead brother's daughter hurry back to their house, which unfortunately is still missing a load-bearing wall.
Technically Lute didn't specify where to take shelter, but if that's how they chose to interpret the social attack, that's problematic. One fire at a time, though.

(Nothing that should need a roll, but have some dice just in case).
>>
No. 937157 ID: 7dd512
File 156144255209.jpg - (547.68KB , 700x941 , d53010b33b4ea5dfe3ae64f25080adcd7796b14d.jpg )
937157

rolled 5, 6, 8, 10, 6, 5, 2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 9, 3, 1, 4, 9, 7, 7, 4, 4, 1, 5, 8, 4, 3, 3, 3, 8, 10, 6 = 169

>>937110
>>937126
>>937146

Lumie sits in one of the chairs in the kitchen looking over a good number of sourced materials strewn about the table, looking like she's trying to solve an interesting craft project. Jars and bottles of things are strewn about, any flexible materials lain out and she half leans over the table giving various things a calculating lick. She's adorned in the same robes Topaz made for her the night before out of makeshift materials, a common theme here, but sports some particularly fancy looking goggles, with a number of lenses in exotic, fine crafted crystals, superior fittings and little widgets and doodads poking about.

To the sudden entrance of a good many people, she looks up and around at those gathered. More surprising though was River's use of the word 'colleagues', to which she mentally notes and shifts gears right back to the situation. <Old Realm> "Rivers had mentioned the water here has caustic and other troublesome properties so, trying to fashion some protective layering, yes."

As to the nature of the hairball, child and the woman with the sense to cover up properly, she offers a begoggled glance, letting her eyes run along them as diagnostics flash over her field of vision to determine what she can of their physical state and biological makeups.
>>
No. 937160 ID: 304f7c
File 156144494136.png - (414.18KB , 679x495 , Council_Tent.png )
937160

rolled 3, 10, 7, 9, 6, 7, 4, 5, 6, 1, 9, 7, 4, 7, 5, 4, 9, 9, 5, 2, 1, 3, 4, 1, 7, 8, 5, 5, 8, 6 = 167

"All this waiting around doesn't suit us Kakrox. I know you! Both of us are soldiers, men of action. Marthog what about you? Are you going to laze about all day?" Grizzlemaw pleads his to the other two.

"Well just until the weather isn't terrible. Then I'll probably get back to work. Maybe. You shouldn't worry too much Grizzlemaw. Nothing is happening with this weather." Marthog shakes her head. "I don't trust it though, not one bit."

"We can't make a move Grizzlemaw. Not till we know what we are dealing with. The trouble is what is happened before we got here. We clearly saw two sides in the middle of negotiations. I know opposing sides when I see them. Which one has the upper hand? What are they negotiating about? When we figure that out then we can take action. Though this above ground area is strange I don't know how well our people will fare here."

"Yeah metal trees! What the hell is that about?" Marthog added from her reclined position on a chaise chair. "Can't use them for fire that is for sure. None of our tools can even fell one."

"Well this fucking sucks." Grizzlemaw grumbles, "I was hoping we would get the chance to have battle but since you two are so into diplomacy. I guess we will just sit here like jackasses."

Marthog shuts her eyes and tries to sleep while Grizzlemaw sits down in a pile of cushions and furs. Kakrox paces around the tent finally coming to rest at a table with a crude map of the camp resides. He thinks deeply not of what is in front of him but of what he saw yesterday. Trying to recall what transpired and any details that might be of importance. He sighs and gives up, grabbing a pitcher of cider he pours himself a glass and begins to drink.

"If only I had more information." Kakrox grunts and begins rubbing his temple.
>>
No. 937180 ID: 5f3f48

>As to the nature of the hairball, child and the woman with the sense to cover up properly, she offers a begoggled glance, letting her eyes run along them as diagnostics flash over her field of vision to determine what she can of their physical state and biological makeups.
I'm pretty sure medical scan charmtech from Diagnostic Overlay beats mundane disguise actions, so assuming Lumie's used to recognizing people from medical scans, she might be surprised to realize she didn't initially recognize Dutiful Topaz.

Although the unusual and hallucinogen drenched biology of the marotte or the baby exposed to the same chemicals and possibly suffering from the cold are likely to be more attention grabbing from perspectives of medical interest and humanitarian priorities.
>>
No. 937181 ID: f57349

>>937066
Seven successes - the prototype is still a bit bulky and inelegant, and you had to cannibalize a bedsheet and some of the inn's flatware for parts, but you've managed to invent a whole new type of multi-jointed mechanism for folding umbrellas. Storage configuration could almost fit in a pocket, with overall length less than half the deployed canopy's radius, and it's spring-loaded to deploy at the push of a button rather than needing to be unfolded manually.
>>
No. 937188 ID: f57349

>>937157
Hopping puppeteer causes the diagnostic overlay to briefly glitch out. It's a spirit, one of the sheridans of Adorjan, almost entirely composed of hair and poisonous slime. Doesn't seem to be visibly injured, any other medical problems it might have are beyond your skill to diagnose.

Baby is suffering from two different kinds of poison (both primarily psychoactive rather than deadly, but neither at all beneficial), moderate hypothermia, and an iodine deficiency. Assuming prompt treatment, overall prognosis looks good.
>>
No. 937194 ID: 7dd512

rolled 9, 8, 6, 6, 1, 9, 9, 7, 5, 6, 10, 6, 2, 6, 8, 9, 2, 2, 1, 8, 3, 6, 6, 5, 5, 7, 6, 1, 4, 1 = 164

Aside from the finger pinching potential when retracting the device, and the need to reapply a sealant, it would certainly do for now. Plus it had the added benefit of distracting her long enough not to even notice how much time had passed between now and the new sudden commotion.

The interaction with the sentient ball of phlegm and hair, the child and those gathered seemed to have her more perplexed, but she begins to piece together the situation contextually from the glances other people are given. She does give a worried look to the infant, before glancing about. To Rivers she inquires, <Old Realm> "Is this ... typical ?"
>>
No. 937197 ID: 54735b

rolled 4, 9, 1, 2, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 4, 1, 5, 4, 6, 4, 10, 4 = 117

>>937194
"Depends, in the past, not really, in the future I imagine we'll be seeing a lot more insane demons with babies bursting into here."

Rivers was testing out the new weird Umbrella as all of the commotion was happening, setting it down gingerly on the counter of the Bar before trying to gently take the infant in the hand that she wasn't holding Lumie in to hold it incredibly close to keep it warm while she looked for a blanket to wrap it up in.
>>
No. 937299 ID: 8d924c

>>937146
>>937197
>>937194

Red and Gold blinks at the sudden entrance of the marotte and Lute, caught off guard.

"Oh, er, marotte. Gently pass the baby to me. You see? This is why I'm planning to establish a school. They simply don't understand they're doing anything wrong. A solid grounding in medicine, a bit of a kick to their natural intelligence, which might require my direct intervention, and everything works better. And, er, I have been assisting you, Rivers, with the blessings of Cecelyne. Technically I can call in favors in exchange, and refusing results in terrible things, but we're friends. We can work something simple and easy out later."

Red and Gold looks around for anyone who shows interest in actually treating the baby before passing it on to them. Likely Rivers.
>>
No. 937300 ID: c8a0f5

rolled 20, 20, 8, 5, 6, 8, 15, 11, 13, 13, 16, 2, 20, 9, 19, 20, 8, 5, 16, 18 = 252

>>937299
"So I could just say something like 'I want to be smarter.' and you could make that happen through Primordial(?) magic? Is that how I suddenly started knowing a bunch of stuff?

"Because if it is, then I'm pretty sure that makes it WAY easier to learn how to become a sorcerer engineer."

Rivers does take the baby, cannibalizing another bed-sheet to serve as a swaddling and holding it close to keep it warm through they hypothermia.
>>

rolled 9, 7, 5, 5, 10, 2, 8, 6, 1, 2, 1, 1, 9, 8, 9, 6, 4, 5, 7, 3 = 108

Speaking Old Realm, since Lumie's present, a calmer Lute thanks Red and Gold as she carefully shakes the water from her umbrella (careful not to get any on anyone) and stows it away. "Your assistance is most appreciated. The scamp disassembled a load bearing wall as well, we'll have to address that before it comes down." Moments later her raincoat turns fluid and melts away to nothing, in deliberate manner that results in the wetness deposited on the ground, rather than the clothes underneath.

>>937299
>>937300
>Teaching demons and Rivers
"A worthy effort indeed! I'm proud to see you taking such an interest, Rivers."
>>
No. 937305 ID: 8d924c

>>937300
Red and Gold nods affirmatively at the question.

"It's a little more complicated than that, ultimately, but yes. The blessings of the Endless Desert are genuinely wondrous that way. It would be easier, for example, if I was attuned to the demesne here in town and spending time there, because I would have more essence to work with. And it's not instantaneous yet. Oh, marotte, tell me you want to be smarter. I should get started on the problem of making them more clever now. It's manageable when there are only so many of them."

(Raising the marotte's intelligence by 1. Should leave me still in personal motes right now, barely, but down 2 temporary willpower.)
>>
No. 937310 ID: d9acdc

rolled 8, 9, 4, 10, 10, 8, 4, 5, 5, 1, 8, 10, 3, 5, 1, 5, 5, 2, 7, 5, 9, 3, 9, 10, 4, 2, 6, 8, 1, 8 = 175

>>936662
Alright, Lets assume Bridget was able to do enough work to cover 20 square feet then before nightfall, just to make the math easy. Two separate 10x10 areas, one covering the house Bridget and Lute stayed in, one offered to Red Horn tribe, since the Aketon delegation decided to stay in town, as far as I understand.

Any interest in having me throw together some sort of town council, since visiting dignitaries staying in the mayors house would likely have encountered them? Oh, also, where are their horses?

>>935215
>Once all that's dealt with, the mecha-scorpion is still immobile without a 3-dot hearthstone or equivalent power supply and probably quite a bit of deferred maintenance, compounded by centuries of sand in the joints. Alternatively, you could bring some draft animals, or demonic equivalent - parambir have two heads, three eyes, and a tangle of horns, while brantomes are limbless fish-scaled slugs, but both are about the size of elephants, and used in similar ways - and simply drag the thing to a secure repair site.

While it's probably possible for Bridget to have brought stuff along, and I could act on OOC knowledge per my perk earned as a $5+ donating member- donate to JamesLeng here: https://www.patreon.com/user/overview?u=4587981 -I'm not particularly interested in having Bridget act OOC right now. She finds the ruined machine without any way to power, haul, or repair it.

I cannot seem to find mention of how you wanted this scene to play out, but I seem to remember it being suggested that any attack which would kill Bridget instead causes catastrophic failure, right?

Bridget spent 10m personal 1wp on Mountain Crossing Leap to arrive back where she last saw the DoM, then 10m personal on the Second Survival Excellency to purchase five successes and actually track down where the DoM had gone, and now, upon her arrival, spends 3m peripheral motes on Monkey Leap Technique to quickly reach the sand-covered beast, the unexpected burst of speed making her a hard target for the old ghost.

Current pools at 1m/33m/8wp, Anima Flare at 3/16.
>>
No. 937316 ID: c8a0f5

>>937301
"Oh yeah, I learned that you were something called a Sidereal(?) while I was learning stuff, why didn't you tell me? I mean, I haven't been keeping secrets from you. I mean, I'm pretty sure you told Morse, since that was when you flashed your glowey caste sign to her."

She didn't seem to have any sense of maliciousness when she revealed the secret, and she had to have learned a lot to piece that together at the very least, so she was becoming a lot more like her best possible self.

>>937305
"Well, that's pretty neat. I wonder if this would really help learning how to be a sorcerer. I mean, I can't even really imagine how much smarter I'd get if I really pushed the issue, or how much better I'd be able to get at everything."
>>
No. 937320 ID: afdebc

>>937316
Blue eyes blink owlishly at Hundred Flowing Sweet Rivers.

"You never asked. Well, more to the point, you lacked context where explaining it would have meant anything. Morse asked. Rather strenuously and intently."
>>
No. 937321 ID: c8a0f5

>>937320
"That seems like a bit of a cop out answer. I mean, even if magic was involved I got at least enough context to figure out that you were a Sidereal about 30 seconds after I first heard the term and a definition for it. I mean, how much stuff do you know, because the only reason I didn't ask you anything was because I didn't know if you were smart or not."

She looked a bit annoyed about it, but she ultimately couldn't really complain too much, she DID actually not ask. But, if it turned out Lute was actually smart, she would have to pester her about teaching her everything.
>>
No. 937337 ID: afdebc

>>937321
>That seems like a bit of a cop out answer.
With a wry expression, "I suppose it was at that. We sidereals are good at that, you see."

Glancing around the room, and seeing an audience solely of exalted, bound demons, and an infant child, she continues, "I'm sorry. If it is a serious answer you desire, and we're engaged in show and tell..."

"Of the Celestial host, the Solar exalted exemplify leadership unparalleled excellence. The chosen of Luna, such as yourself, find the core of your power in fluid change, and in the untamed wild."

"The chosen of the stars are less glorious and more subtle. The power of fate is to empower or sabotage, to plot and plan, advise and guide. The worker-behind-the-scenes, the shadow behind the throne. We see that-which-should-be comes to pass, and resonate with starmetal."

"I apologize for not explaining earlier, but a certain degree of secrecy is... somewhat inherent, you see? It certainly does not help that this information is concealed by a Creation-spanning conspiracy, that the Immaculate faith considers such truths heresy, or that, well, in Terrestrial terms, I am something of a Lost Egg operating within the territory of Lookshy or the Realm. These things really are secret."

Turning to Luminous Alacrity "I must offer my apologies to you as well, for my deception. My name is Lute Silhouette Speculation in Comet's Reflection, 'Dutiful Topaz' is a pseudonym. There were those at the meeting last night I did not wish to show my true self to."

>I mean, how much stuff do you know, because the only reason I didn't ask you anything was because I didn't know if you were smart or not.
Cocking her head "...and what would convince you I am?"
>>
No. 937366 ID: 54735b

>>937337
> Lore dump
"Wow, and why did nobody tell me literally any of this before now. Even ignoring the fact that Sidereals are supposed to be secret information stuff, this is the second time I'm hearing literally any of this, and the first was half an hour ago when Red and Gold was explaining things.

> Cocking her head "...and what would convince you I am?"

"Well, you just gave me a pretty clear answer on a lot of stuff, so I'm going to put in you the 'at least reasonably smart' category with Morse. And even though Morse doesn't like it when I bug her for information, I hope you don't mind."
>>
No. 937369 ID: 7dd512

rolled 9, 2, 9, 3, 9, 2, 7, 2, 6, 9, 3, 2, 2, 4, 8, 4, 6, 8, 4, 9, 5, 8, 10, 7, 7, 4, 10, 5, 4, 5 = 173

>>937300
After the child is swaddled and held close, Lumie speaks in a hushed tone, keeping a careful ear out to the conversation at hand without trying to interrupt, as it was full of juicy and interesting details. <Old Realm> "Can you shift the child to lean against your chest with her head on your shoulder, you should be able to support her under her bottom. Just try to hold her very still in a minute."

To anyone watching closely, a few interesting things would happen. Lumie's goggles would shimmer and turn opaque, as if shifting to solidified light, each separate part eventually illuminating before fading into non-existence along the Champion's temples. And like that, they'd just be gone. In much the same way, a small, long box, looking to be composed primarily of jade but containing hinges and fillagrie in a number of materials, manifests into her lap. It takes a bit of balance and manipulation, but the nimble champion is able to wriggle the box into what remains of her lap and bed down to click it open with her nose, fussing around and pulling out a long looking needle. She seems to lose focus in watching the conversation at hand, eyes and attention more focused at the squirming infant beside her.

She carefully leans over, moving slow as not to topple herself, drop her box or throw off River's balance, while she presses her chin into the child's backside through the swaddling, seeming to feel her way along the child's spine while she holds the needle lengthwise between her lips. Satisfied, she mentions. "Very still and this won't hurt a bit." She maneuvers the implement in her mouth to point to the child, pokes through the cloth until she can feel along the child's back, eliciting squirming, but not unexpected squirming, before she leans in with a little poke. If left uninterrupted, this whole process would continue with several more of the things sticking painlessly from the child's back. The end tips of the ornate needles sparkle at some point with trickles of essence, ones that begin to match a sparkle around Lumie's soul gem while she works.

The needles would have the effect of soothing the child and remedying the hallucinatory effects while numbing any discomfort, and also have the side effect of keeping Lumie from speaking as her lips are busy with other tasks and she doesn't bother to keep breathing as she works, opting for the accuracy that stillness brings instead. To the astute, however, she kept moving methodically enough to keep an ear out throughout the whole discourse.

(( should be more than enough dice to cover the medicine roll to utilize wound mending needles and other such aides ))
>>
No. 937372 ID: 8cab49

>>937369

Rivers wasn't going to jostle Lumie in her work, mostly watching her strange and esoteric work. She should learn how to be a doctor to, but then the thought crossed her mind. Was she trying to split herself into too many directions? Should she try to focus less on being a lot better at a few things, or put a lot of effort into being a little bit better at everything?

What should she be. Was she even supposed to really know what she was supposed to be as an Anathema yet?

"Do you think I should try to learn how to be a doctor? I honestly haven't decided which of the idle musings I should really pursue now that I have a lot more potential to learn everything I've ever thought about learning how to do."
>>
No. 937374 ID: 7dd512

>>937337
Lute gets a non-judgemental, "Mmm" in response to the apology, although with her mouth busy with a delicate tool, that's all she's willing to muster at the moment in reply while she diligently works. Wherever she's sticking these, this one between the intercostal ribs deeper into what might look to be the liver, she's extremely particular and precise where she aims and to what depth she inserts. What she's doing looks like she's going beyond acupuncture, some of these delicate devices are being driven in deeply, though no fussy complaints are elicited from her course of treatment.

Once all is said and done however, she'd give a delayed reply. <Old Realm> "No worries, it's not really much of a deception to only give one of the names you go by anyway." She leans in and deftly plucks out two of the needles, leaving six more remaining, tilts her head to drop them in her box, and uses her chin to seal up the box of implements.
>>
No. 937376 ID: 7dd512

>>937372
She gives her jaw a little waggle to roll out any stiffness and blinks to Rivers. <Old Realm> "Well, that can take a lifetime to get right, or more in some cases. But you could learn some first aid if you want, just knowing how to dress a wound, treat burns or clear the airway can be enough to save someone's life until a doctor is able to arrive in an emergency ?"
>>
No. 937379 ID: f57349

rolled 3, 8, 1, 9, 2, 2, 5, 10 = 40

>>937310
Sandstorm is over by the time you get there, engagement starts at the edge of the crater, a thousand yards from the scorpion. Monkey Leap Technique provides a 36-yard horizontal jump per action, or 44 yards with a 2-die stunt. Ordinary movement is another 9 yards per three ticks with guard actions, or 27 yards per three ticks if dashing, which would penalize defenses but also means you'd cross the field in about two-thirds the time. Gunner might get up to twelve shots in if you're being evasive, or more likely eight with careful aim, whereas dashing only allows time for seven or eight quick shots, or five aimed. As a compromise solution, you could alternate, guarding when the cannon's ready to fire and dashing while it recharges, but assessing that timing requires a miscellaneous action and a Perception + War roll, and is only possible after you've seen at least two shots.

Yet another plausible strategy would be buying Craft (Earth) up to 4 dots, activating CNNT, and digging foxholes or trenches as you go. That would mean slower advancement - probably just one jump per five ticks, no effective ground movement - but a +3 cover bonus to your DVs.

Ghost gunner's first shot is an unusually good roll: ten successes, which I'm pretty sure is a hit against Bridget's stunt-modified DV of 6. Base damage 20, plus three threshold successes is 23 raw damage, minus fifteen lethal soak...
>>
No. 937380 ID: f57349

>>937379
Three levels of lethal damage, filling Bridget's -0 and both -1 health boxes. Wound penalty cuts jump distance to 32 yards, ground movement to 6 yards per three ticks dodging or 24 if dashing, and reduces DVs. There'll be two, or possibly three, opportunities to collect stunt awards and activate Soul Fire Resurgence before the next shot - or, since you're still fairly close to the crater ridge, could retreat to full cover and rethink the whole plan.

There's a cluster of massive ruined stone buildings, reachable by circling around the edge of the crater, and Bridget's Survival skill says there might be a source of potable water inside somewhere, if the basements are intact.
>>
No. 937382 ID: d9acdc

rolled 5, 1, 9, 2, 6, 4, 4, 7, 10, 10, 2, 3, 7, 3, 9, 5, 7, 4, 1, 2, 5, 6, 3, 7, 6, 9, 4, 6, 7, 6 = 160

>>937379
Bridget's burst of speed is no match for the ghosts supernatural vigil. The approaching monster, half a mile away and charging fast, won't be allowed anywhere near the new visitor, not while this thing has fighting spirit in it. And the spirit in it was absolutely set on fighting.

As her ruminations on hubris have been very appropriate, Bridget seems to be getting her ass handed to her again with 3-4 successes on that damage roll, meaning her DVs and movement are both penalized right? Kinda feels like tactically there's no good choice. Her defenses are already so low, even if the gunner normally rolls half that Bridget is still getting hit, so I don't see a scenario in which she makes it across the field before some maintenance mishap occurs in place of a finishing blow. Let's go for the faster route which incurs penalties to defense, just in case such a decision actually does matter. Durability of Oak Meditation and Iron Kettle Body were obviously activated. If Bridget got awarded a 2 die stunt I'll put it towards WP, then spend it on Soul Fire Resurgence. Current pools sit at 1/27/8.
>>
No. 937391 ID: f57349

rolled 2, 1, 9, 1, 1 = 14

>>937382
That's enough description for at least two 2-die stunts. First jump covers 44 yards, shot with a bolt of lightning in mid-air as you crest the ridge, three ticks of running across silvery sand under the starless sky covers another 24 yards, jump again for 40 with the wound penalty so at tick 3 you're 108 yards from the ridge.

On tick 6 you're 176 yards from the ridge, and assuming you spent all three stunt awards on healing you're back at full HP.

Second shot, not taking the time to aim, hits with threshold zero. Rolling the dice for that, but it'll miss and deal no damage if you can come up with any bonus to dodge, or a stunted parry that explains how you're safely deflecting
A)a ranged attack,
B)dealing lightning-based lethal damage (when you're empty-handed),
C)while your posture is arranged for sprinting, usually meaning arms at sides pumping forward and back for rotational balance rather than up in a guard position.
>>
No. 937395 ID: f57349

>>937369
Wound Mending Needles successfully deployed, and within the span of a few minutes all the child's apparent health problems have been sorted out, apart from that iodine deficiency and, of course, lack of a soulgem.

Spent four motes uncommitted to cure hypothermia and poisoning, four more motes committed (technically five, but one released from TIE) to power the Resplendent Satchel. Currently you're recovering one mote per hour while active, or five per hour while resting or meditating.

Lute Silhouette Speculation in Comet's Reflection has seen an uncannily similar set of artifact-quality medical tools exactly once before, in the possession of Ledaal Ji, who claimed to be able to regrow a severed arm but demanded hundreds of pounds of jade in advance.
>>
No. 937401 ID: 5f3f48

>>937372
>Do you think I should try to learn how to be a doctor?
"You should try to be yourself. There is value in almost every thing you could learn, so much depends on what is important to you."

"Between Luminous Alacrity, Bridges the Sun and Moon, and Cecelyne's blessings, you certainly would not lack for qualified instructors if you chose to do so."

>>937395
Lumie has access to elsewhere storage, it would seem. Interesting that she hasn't chosen to attempt regrowing her own limbs- has she not had the opportunity, or is she missing resources?

A nearly identical artifact design is interesting- that either implies some kind of congruent (technological) evolution (and idealized design being independently realized) or that means wherever Lumie is from, it diverged / was isolated after that artifact's invention.

>>937374
"There are those who would take offense regardless, thank you."
>>
No. 937402 ID: 7dd512

rolled 3, 6, 10, 4, 1, 2, 10, 2, 4, 4, 2, 8, 4, 10, 3, 4, 2, 3, 4, 3, 8, 5, 3, 10, 7, 8, 4, 6, 3, 5 = 148

Once that matter was seen to, she'd lean over and gingerly pluck each remaining needle, one by one before wriggling it back into its container. She doesn't so haphazardly toss them in, each is deliberately laid down at on end and left to fall in place, before the box is closed and, in a similar display of light as it coalescing into being, it would vanish in a similar regard as her goggles, leaving just lumie, inconspicuously hiding away a yawn into her shoulder.

<Old Realm> [i]"Beyond basic first aid techniques, you might find value consulting a surgeon or apothecary here, by the looks of things I doubt you'd have access to the fabrication, synthesis and materials to construct tools and drugs I'd be familiar with. Plus my field kit is among the items stolen when I was abducted." She leaves out the technical details in that the creatures have no way of getting to it without her, but that's an issue for later.
>>
No. 937407 ID: d9acdc

rolled 3, 7, 9, 7, 9, 9, 10, 5, 3, 7, 3, 3, 8, 6, 9, 3, 10, 10, 9, 2, 9, 5, 7, 3, 2, 4, 6, 6, 8, 7 = 189

>>937401
>I think Occam's razor would suggest she just got possession of the artifact somewhere local.

>>937391
Last I checked, we agreed Bridget would have bands of copper wiring upon her forearm with the intention of allowing her to parry lightning.

Bridget was caught off guard by the first blast, not expecting such accuracy as she dashed across the empty skies. Against the infinite backdrop, her golden glow reminds Cecelyne of a bygone era. Perhaps then, as if to demonstrate who remained unconquered as the rightful ruler of creation, the Daystars power flows through Bridget, and the silver sands all murmur in agreement- the solar was never injured at all. Only six more steps remain before she is carried to her destination then.

The second shot was expected now, and the harmless tingling Bridget felt dance across her golden skin is easy to disperse. Copper wiring, coiled around her arm, directs the surge, like a channel directs molten flow, a semi-circle of molten glass branding the endless desert.

Not sure exactly what I might need to roll for, but there's some dice if I need them.
>>
No. 937410 ID: 54735b

>>937401
"Well yeah, the main issue right now is that with an endless well of possibilities, you still have to start somewhere, and if I can reasonably become some kind of impossible master of everything that's something I do want to do. Plus, just trying to focus on being objectively amazing at everything possible seems like it would be hampering me elsewhere."

>>937402

"You know, it's strange, just recently I was thinking about learning how to create any poison or drug I've ever encountered, maybe I could take that a step further and learn how to recreate anything I've ever taken."
>>
No. 937439 ID: 8d924c

>>937410
>>937402
>>937401

Red and Gold listens closely to the discussion, before giving an order to the marotte.

"Marotte. You are not to speak of or otherwise communicate Lute Silhouette's identity as a Sidereal. What is your name, so I can remember you? I'm afraid I might have to continue to keep you bound for a very long time. Naneke friend, please do me the favor of not speaking of it outside this group as well. I don't want to waste time on unnecessary bindings, but it could endanger an ally if you were to speak carelessly."

Simultaneously, he observes the medical procedure performed by Luminous Alacrity, fascinated.

"Are your ah, components, First Age work? I've never seen anything as advanced as yourself before. But then you said you were...a technical officer? Do I recall correctly?"
>>
No. 937483 ID: 7dd512
File 156169476259.png - (0.96MB , 947x533 , 57a3d51f56bfd2e4a089d47a97157e56fb949f09.png )
937483

rolled 8, 10, 1, 3, 5, 3, 8, 2, 7, 10, 1, 1, 7, 4, 2, 4, 6, 9, 2, 7, 10, 6, 9, 2, 3, 5, 3, 5, 7, 4 = 154

>>937410
>>937439

She perks up a little at River's commentary, <Old Realm> "If you can synthesize any drug, that might be just as valuable. There are a number of easily administered curatives that are difficult to create that could easily stabilize most injuries. There are a lot of useful medications too that have low interactivity risk, you'd just need a little education what you can and can't mix safely."

Her medical tools put away safely, she looks to Red & Gold and asks the question that Rivers could have seen a mile away, "What age is your calendar in now ? Well .. if it was the first, probably not that." She scrunches her face as she muses to herself quietly, "I don't think he had passed more than a few years before I was born ...probably fifty given the inscription." Her voice returns to her normal volume as she addresses Red & Gold. "Probably not, they were actually made for a friend of a friend less than a century .. ahh ... less than nine ... ninety thousand screams, approximately, your time scale ? But not likely long enough to be part of a previous age unless we're just recently in your second age. And I'm a science officer, mostly tasked with exploration and discovery."
>>
No. 937487 ID: 54735b

>>937483
"Well, I can't make any drug I've ever eaten YET, I'll have to take a few days and practice it, just like trying to grow my body into armor for a lot of the same reasons, since even if I can do a lot I still need to take some time to learn new tricks like that."

(From a mechanical perspective, she needs to buy three charms, one of which she takes a penalty in training time because she'd be trying to make a whole new charm to recreate beneficial drugs and the like as opposed to just diseases and toxins)
>>
No. 937488 ID: afdebc

>>937439
Lute inclines her head in thanks to her co-conspirator covering with her.

>>937483
>What age is your calendar in now ?
>less than nine ... ninety thousand screams, approximately, your time scale ?
"The Tomescu scream twice a day in Malfeas, there are seven days in a week, 4 weeks in a month, 15 months in a year (and 5 days for Calibration). The end of the First Age was, oh, a millennium and a half ago or so. And portents indicate the end of the second age is nigh."
>>
No. 937490 ID: 8d924c

>>937483

"...That should be impossible. Noone has infrastructure capable of producing something like, well, you, aside from maybe Ligier. Not anymore. And the Green Sun did not build you. Where did you come from?"

Red and Gold stares at the Alchemical, but there's nothing accusatory in his tone, just confusion.
>>
No. 937498 ID: f57349

rolled 1, 8, 4, 5, 6, 1, 9, 9, 8, 7 = 58

>>937407
>coils of copper wire
Stunts lose effectiveness with repetition. A grazing hit is deflected by the copper coils, but leaves them painfully hot.

On tick 9 you've run another 27 yards and jumped 36, total of 239 yards from the ridge.
On tick 12, run 27 and jumped 36, total of 302 yards from the ridge.
On tick 15, run 27 and jumped 36, total of 365 yards from the ridge, and a third shot, more carefully aimed, scores 8 successes, a hit by 5 for post-soak damage 10. Attempting to deflect the lightning down the same path again gets the crude coils melted to slag and partially vaporized. Now, if you had some mountain-copper, forged into proper hearthstone bracers, that would be a different story.

Bridget finds herself confronted with the fact that ignorance of geomancy is holding her back from true mastery of craft.
>the silver sands all murmur
Want to learn a dot in the Occult skill, right this very second in mid-jump, for 3xp? Refusing costs 1 wp, but doesn't count as resisting UMI.
>>
No. 937505 ID: 7dd512

rolled 6, 7, 5, 8, 3, 5, 3, 9, 10, 1, 3, 2, 1, 6, 4, 8, 6, 8, 4, 10, 6, 8, 10, 6, 4, 6, 4, 9, 4, 7 = 173

<Old Realm> "Well, a unique talent like producing life saving drugs might be more helpful in the long term than learning how to mend and operate. All the same, any effort to improve the lives of others is commendable." To Lute she looks and nods her head in understanding, "Ohh ! I understand now. Alright, regarding that, how tall would you approximately say you are ? And how much would you say this child weighs ? We use a similar time scale, I'm curious what other units of measure we might have in common. Also it will be easier not having to convert every measurement of time into half day segments."

She gives a short little sigh, but feels slightly more emboldened at the moment so she just goes ahead and airs her concerns, [i]"I really do wish you'd stop insinuating I was some mere object. What you see on my forehead ? Human. You can't fit spirits with them, you can't fit automata with the, just people. People with lives, history and feelings."
She punctuates that with a bit of a stern pount, a moment of silence, and then a slight recant. "Well, no real history with say the child, who really ought to be fitted with one but that's a cultural and technological gap that don't have in common. But I hope you know what I mean."
>>
No. 937511 ID: 156cdf

>>937505
“Well, I think I’m supposed to be some kind of antagonistic force of nature to keep people from growing complacent, but I don’t see why i can’t learn a lot of stuff, especially if I’m realistically the only person capable of making the advanced drugs. As for height and weight, it’s been a bit since I checked in, but last I checked I was 6 foot 4 and about 350 pounds. But, the fact that I’ve got a lot of muscle really though.
>>

rolled 2, 6, 6, 6, 9, 6, 9, 7, 7, 10, 8, 9, 3, 10, 9, 8, 7, 10, 9, 4 = 145

>>937505
>>937511
>Ohh ! I understand now. Alright, regarding that, how tall would you approximately say you are ?
"Hmm? Well, most humans are around two yards tall. Rivers here is a hand taller than that, and myself two shorter."

>And how much would you say this child weighs ?
A squint in the bundled child's direction. "Maybe four... and three-quarter hundred obols?" 21 pounds = 336 ounces = 474 obols

"Do you measure things different... where you're from?"

>I really do wish you'd stop insinuating I was some mere object. What you see on my forehead ? Human. You can't fit spirits with them, you can't fit automata with the, just people. People with lives, history and feelings.
"I do not think my companion means to insult you- he is a seeker of knowledge, with training as an engineer, and is merely curious. After all, are you any less a person if you were born, or built, or derived from stranger processes still?"

"And, forgive our ignorance, but your form does appear to be technological in nature, and of remarkable sophistication."
>>
No. 937589 ID: f57349

>>937305
>>937439
>What is your name, so I can remember you?
"My...? I... I don't..." The hopping puppeteer has no mouth, and it's voice is like phlegmy violin music, drifting off into increasingly anguished wailing as intelligence boost and dream-rain start to kick in simultaneously. "Everyone has a name! But not me! It's missing, gone, must have dropped it somewhere, I'm sorry, I'll..." Now it's flailing around, frantically checking under mugs and between floorboards for a solution to this existential crisis.
>>
No. 937595 ID: 7dd512
File 156178250714.jpg - (507.50KB , 700x1000 , 3012d3aab2a75aa5022c719e50caa519d54e82eb.jpg )
937595

rolled 3, 4, 5, 4, 2, 6, 1, 2, 9, 2, 1, 5, 6, 3, 2, 3, 6, 7, 1, 5, 7, 8, 3, 6, 2, 6, 5, 9, 2, 8 = 133

>>937511
>>937548
She looks between Rivers and Lute, nodding a little as she tries to put it together, <Old Realm> "Okay, if I understand that right, three hands to a foot, three feet to a yard, two yards for a person, so the breadth of the hand to the length of a foot to .. whatever a yard is. And were I to estimate maybe ... nine or ten kilos.. so two .. ten more. Okay, so about twenty grams to the obol. And huh, Rivers looks about two meters so, a little shy. Huh, the population must be pretty healthy if they're averaging two yards." Slipping from her own calculations and musing to answer Lute more directly.

"We do, we find one unit of measure, a gram or a meter in this case, and then all other units are a base of ten from that to the next unit, and eachother, instead of a base of three. So where as you have three hands to the foot, three feet to the yard, or nine hands to the yard, we have.. Ten grams to the dekagram, ten dekagrams to the hectogram, ten hectograms to the kilogram. But since it lines up with our number system, it makes it easy to convert. Instead of saying the average height is one meter and seven decimeters, with ten deci to the standard unit, it can be simplified to one point seven meters. It is curious that we have similar measures of time, however. It's one of the few measures we keep that's not base ten."

"As to my remarkable sophistication, you shouldn't discount your own biological complexity. Take, for example, your bones. They're designed to flex under shock and impact without breaking, under certain amounts off force. Honeycombs of calcium and collagen pad out the dense plates, keeping them light weight and springy, while housing marrow that makes blood cells that allow your body to carry vital energy to the rest of your body and help it fight off all sorts of infections and foreign bodies. Mine is merely different materials and different properties, but extraordinarily similar in function. I have more metal reinforcement and different nerve pathways, but since my cells don't strictly require oxygen, or rather since I can synthesize it internally, I don't need to take it in from the air, so there are slight differences in the types of blood produced, also in the bones. I mean, my organs are complex, self repairing and built for a specific purpose ... just like yours, and by a mind just as great. "
>>
No. 937596 ID: 54735b

>>937595
"You know, I think I've heard some of the engineers that I've dated talk about a lot of the same stuff as all that, so maybe it's a common thing for people that work with artifacts to use it as opposed to what everyone else used.

"And if your body was built, it would probably make sense if wherever you came from to be really heavy on making artifacts and stuff that engineers do, so using the engineer number stuff as a standard makes sense."

Rivers listened to the 'biology is great' speech, nodding in agreement that the human body was pretty cool. Not as cool as a lot of the stuff she personally could turn into, but regardless saying something about how awesome her own biology was over everyone else would have been rude and undercutting a cool moment. Kind of like the hooping puppeteer was doing.

>>937589


"Alright, if you don't have a name, I'll give you one. How about Jeff?"
>>
No. 937597 ID: 7dd512

rolled 9, 1, 5, 5, 6, 8, 7, 3, 10, 6, 8, 3, 2, 9, 2, 7, 7, 4, 7, 4, 1, 10, 4, 3, 1, 10, 5, 7, 1, 9 = 164

<Old Realm> "Yes that would be fair to say, compared to what I've seen here, we are more technologically advanced, but from what you've told me and .. that I can remember, of the birds and bees, survival here does seem quite a bit easier intrinsically for smaller societies. Our homelands are harsh, but resource plentiful. But much of it needs refinement so, artiface is just an every day affair. I've a number of them implanted. We also, unsurprisingly, excel at the crafting of prosthesis and synthetic organs to replace damaged ones."
>>
No. 937602 ID: d9acdc

rolled 1, 8, 3, 5, 9, 1, 10, 1, 2, 8, 5, 1, 1, 5, 3, 3, 9, 10, 8, 7, 1, 3, 8, 3, 3, 4, 4, 6, 8, 4 = 144

>>937498
>Stunts lose effectiveness with repetition.

To my knowledge this was the first time I stunted in Bridget deflecting lightning with copper wiring. I was merely pointing out that this seemed to be the very scenario suggested as a use for the copper wiring.

>painfully hot

Been a long time since Bridget worried about that sort of thing. Would Steadfast Emperor Stance mitigate such issues? I believe that's the name of the charm that means you can ignore environmental damage even if it's deliberately being used to target/injure you, right?.

>DV of three

Parry DV of four, no stunt on the second attack, and a minus one penalty for dashing, correct? That looks like five successes on damage, which is pretty nasty.

>Now, if you had some mountain-copper, forged into proper hearthstone bracers, that would be a different story.
Aside from providing a hearthstone socket, what other benefits could I expect?

>Want to learn a dot in the Occult skill, right this very second in mid-jump, for 3xp?

Yes! I will also bite the bullet and spend 9xp to bring Craft (Earth) up to 4. If I didn't have plot armor, I'd be pretty sure Bridget was about the bite the dust here, so I'd probably invest in something to keep her alive.

Blasphemy abounds in this endless expanse, thought the ghost inside the turret. The pulse of the monk nearby helped keep the time, to steady the rhythm of each shot. The anathema would reach them in... twenty five heartbeats. That would have to be long enough. One beat, two, watch carefully now-

click

The gunner did not miss the mark this time. Arcs seared Bridget's flesh, vaporizing copper to leave molten slag stuck to her skin. Of course, she wasn't intending to wield lightning like a brush this time- an accidental reflex, as her body assumed a repeated course of action. Tactics would have to change if she was going to make it past this thing.

In an instant, a spray of sand and glass obscures the area around Bridget. The twilight caste mark is shattered and tossed into the air, but rather than lose form it is turned by a golden blaze into a localized sunset, a mountain centered in front of the brilliant glow, it's peak an anvil to forge creation anew. This is the first glimpse of the natural world, of the Daystars light, that the ghost has had in an unfathomable eon of endless desert. Tears would certainly be appropriate, if ghosts had eyes with which to weep.

Activating Soul Fire Resurgence on every tick possible, putting all stunt rewards toward WP. Activating CNNT and spending 9 motes on the First Craft Excellency, for a total of 16 motes 1wp (plus WP expendature from Soul Fire Resurgence). That flares Bridget's anima to iconic, which is projected onto the sand and glass being thrown into the air as she attempts to craft a foxhole to hide in using Craft (Earth).

Totals at 1/11/7 I think?
>>
No. 937606 ID: 54735b

>>937597
"Well, I don't know how easy it is for small societies to really thrive. I mean, if you're small you're always running the risk of slavers, or wild animals, or roving packs of the dead, or angry gods, or marauding wyld creatures, or Anathema like myself, but I guess the stuff you need to survive is relatively simple to get to.

"But, prosthetics are pretty common where I came from to. I mean, not the really fancy artifact ones unless you're an Exalt, but a lot of the wooden ones and iron ones are still really cool."

Rivers fondly remembered the prosthetics that she had seen in her day, mostly from people that lost limbs in combat. They probably would amaze the Alchemical with how simple and primitive they were compared to advanced Autocthonian engineering though.
>>
No. 937611 ID: 8d924c

>>937589
Red and Gold moves forward quickly to embrace the marotte and their flailing limbs, seemingly uncaring that it most closely resembles hair covered in snot.

"No, no, calm yourself, child of the Wind. Names are often misplaced. Some are never granted one. We will find your name, you need not be distressed. Perhaps you did not have one before? We will grant you one that suits you."
>>937595
Red and Gold remembers then the discussion that was happening previously.

"Oh, my apologies. I did not mean to imply that you were any less of a person. Humanity was as much the creation of another as any other. I'm curious as to what you mean, however. The baby should be fitted with a gem like your own?"
>>
No. 937612 ID: 8d924c

>>937606

"Much harder for those without a patron of some sort. But there are many potential patrons, and some are kinder than others. Even the raksha occasionally find arrangements which are not so dreadful for the most powerless mortals as attempting to survive on their own. Of course, more often the raksha just eat their souls. Not creatures renowned for their restraint."

Red and Gold addresses Luminous Alacrity once more.

"I was trained as a technician in a country that is widely considered to be the most advanced in artifice in all of Creation. Technically, this isn't completely correct, but we'll leave out the conspiracies of the Silver Pact and Yu Shan. Because I doubt even they could ever possibly build anything like you. I don't understand where you could possibly have come from. Perhaps a refuge banished into Elsewhere in the First Age? I've always been skeptical that the Dragonblooded destroyed all of them."
>>
No. 937617 ID: f57349

>>937602
>Parry DV of four, no stunt on the second attack, and a minus one penalty for dashing, correct?
Minus two for dashing, plus a one-die. Should be a two-die stunt, I suppose, which means only four lethal health levels. Still enough to put Bridget at a -2 wound penalty.
>Aside from providing a hearthstone socket, what other benefits could I expect?
Three bonus dice to dodging is the most contextually relevant.
>Yes!
You now owe the Yozi Cecelyne one (1) favor. Also, every time you build any sort of permanent structure from now on, whether humble hut, grand palace, mile-marker stele along a dirt road, or some vast manse, failing to incorporate either glass made from her sands or symbols of her worship in some structurally integral way will result in that occult knowledge being revoked.

As long as you're here, hiding in a hole, and so receptive to making deals, are there any other miracles you might be interested in receiving?
>>
No. 937621 ID: 7dd512

rolled 1, 8, 3, 1, 3, 7, 8, 7, 6, 6, 9, 5, 2, 8, 10, 10, 8, 4, 5, 6, 3, 5, 9, 3, 9, 4, 2, 7, 6, 3 = 168

>>937606
>>937611
>>937612
<Old Realm> "Ohh, these are more or less a human right in my society, the only people who go without are those who live outside of a city or otherwise civil social structures and the worst of criminal offenders. But you'll always have anarchists who prefer freedom to the protection and laws of society. They safeguard the soul and reveal your passions and potential in the form they take, which makes things much easier to fit people into roles their suited toward and will be happy with. It's somewhat traumatic to initially install, so we usually do it during infancy."

"It would be nice to compare, some of our designs strive for just as much aesthetic quality as functionality, although re-learning how to use new limbs always comes with therapeutic challenges."

To Red&Gold,"And you may be, but we are not of Creation, this land is very much new to my society. I wouldn't try to trouble yourself overly much, the details of my genesis are well beyond what a mere human mind, mine included, can truly comprehend and re-create. But then how well can you really understand your own biology ? Sure you can copy and tinker, but with nothing but the most raw of materials ... water, proteins, fats and minerals, what have you. Creating the depths of humanity anew without templating on any existing life is equal to such a task, so don't overly trouble yourself over that which is not honestly meant to be comprehended."
>>
No. 937622 ID: 3732a8

“Considering that they built vast and terrible monsters that required entire armies of Exalts to kill, I’m pretty sure that Anathema like Red Amd Gold could honestly create a new humanity given enough time and resources.

“But, just because you could doesn’t mean you should, and she’s clearly uncomfortable with this line of discussion, so we should just drop it and ask her friends the secrets to their technology after we go and get her stolen stuff back from a race of thieving subterranean assholes and take her home.”
>>
No. 937627 ID: 7dd512

rolled 9, 1, 4, 1, 4, 10, 1, 3, 1, 8, 9, 10, 10, 4, 5, 9, 10, 1, 4, 1, 6, 3, 2, 7, 4, 9, 6, 6, 6, 6 = 160

<Old Realm> "I fear, yes, that's the quickest way to bring me to convalescence without literal ... weeks of rest. It's already been probably a week since my abduction and my friends will only grow more militant and reserved the longer I'm away. Especially if they manage to find blood trails, assuming they haven't already, they might seek armed retaliation against those creatures that could be otherwise avoided. Plus yes, I would very much like my clothes and equipment back. There's a number of drugs and curatives you might find too among them Rivers if you wanted to start there, though nothing terribly elaborate. Anti-<????>, sedatives, pain killers, <????> and the like." The words she's using that are hard to make out likely aren't old realm so much as loaner words or new inventions from her naitive tongue.
>>
No. 937630 ID: 54735b

>>937627
"I will say this again, their ability to not be murdered in armed conflict by incredibly dangerous people depends entirely on their willingness to surrender everything they took from you. I don't care who they are or how dangerous it is, I'm not going to let someone threaten to hurt someone I care about, and really the only reason I'm not planning to slaughter them to the last for being monsters that would abuse slaves like they do AND for treating someone that I like the way that they did is because you've made your opinion on that course of action known."
>>
No. 937650 ID: d9acdc

rolled 2, 7, 4, 1, 2, 4, 5, 5, 8, 8, 3, 7, 7, 2, 9, 9, 1, 9, 2, 10, 2, 4, 2, 3, 10, 7, 7, 2, 2, 1 = 145

>>937617
>Should be a two-die stunt, I suppose

My intent is not to question or urge you to retcon. If you think it was a one dot stunt I'm not arguing.

>Deal with secret conditions hidden within
>Want to make more?

Bridget is less receptive now that she knows such gifts are in fact transactions, where the price is unlisted and the payment required is not agreed soon beforehand.

>Occult 1
>Bureaucracy 0

Not that upset though, given that she doesn't fully understand the situation. Speaking of not fully understanding the situation, does Bridget have knowledge of what Cecelyne symbols actually are, or has she just been told "Honor me with your buildings" by a disembodied presence?

Bridget's current objectives include:
-Find the DoM
-Restore comfort, joy, and prosperity to the village
-Ensure that whatever disaster has befallen everyone is reversed
-Put a stop to her brother Karrod

What deals are on the table, oh silver sands of Cecelyne?

Bridget continues to shore up the foxhole, to keep her out of the line of fire while she recovers.
>>
No. 937665 ID: afdebc

"Wonders of biology aside, Lumie, I do have to wonder why you have not turned your tools on yourself. The last owner of such a wonder I knew was quiet adamant they could regrow limbs."

>>937630
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Will have to find her possessions, dear, before we can attempt to reclaim them."

"And before that we should really do something about the home... 'Jeff' partially disassembled."
>>
No. 937672 ID: 7dd512
File 156186842223.jpg - (116.25KB , 450x579 , 0cbdd1dfe82eb24c61a87874ccfc2c30ef20f5b1.jpg )
937672

rolled 9, 2, 2, 7, 9, 9, 7, 6, 7, 10, 1, 7, 7, 10, 10, 9, 2, 8, 6, 6, 3, 7, 6, 5, 10, 5, 6, 9, 5, 8 = 198

>>937630
>>937665
Lumie looks to Rivers and speaks an elongated word that doesn't really sound familiar, but the context rings clear as a something fond or adorable. (Like going 'awwww !') <Old Realm> "That's very considerate of you. And yes, if they insist on destructive behavior, then they should not be immune to consequence, I just don't wish harm inflicted unduly on ... well anyone really, even if they don't share the same consideration."

Turning to Lute, she grimaces slightly, "Well, yes, I actually can but, it comes back to those wonders of biology again. Starvation aside, the dehydration alone would have killed most any other person as long as I was ignored. But, most of my organs will can go into near dormancy if deprived of vital nutrients but it leaves me in a vulnerable state. Alive, yes, but lacking much of the capacity to recover without sustenance. Thanks to Rivers, her cooking and yourself, my ambient endocytic saturation rates are up to about sixteen percent of their usual, but I'm not at all yet in a healthy state; that takes some time and nutrition to come out of that shock. So to get back to your point, while I could, yes technically regrow my limbs with my tools, at my current state of health it'd take two ... maybe three days in an induced coma to restore a full limb and the energy cell that I power it with has tops a day before it needs to recharge, which can take just as long. Once my immune system is back out of shock though, I'm pretty sure I can hedge the time it takes to regrow an arm down to shy of a full charge. With the equipment and expertise that my friends have, my support team and such are used to dealing with my biology and could have me back to myself in a fraction of that time."
>>
No. 937677 ID: afdebc

>the energy cell that I power it with has tops a day before it needs to recharge
"Ah, you're using some manner of essence capacitor? What you want is a continuous power source, such as a hearthstone."

The Joybringer holds an elongated blue-green gem blue-green gem aloft, in demonstration.

"Although... it would probably be better if we used yours, Red and Gold. Best not to risk Lumie's dreams brushing up against those who would not mean her well."

"Would you be willing to offer healing to Creeping Hunter as well? I know you did not appreciate how his tribe treated you, but he could be a useful ally if his wounds were dealt with, and able to aid us in located those who initially stole from you."
>>
No. 937678 ID: 8d924c

>>937665

"Yes, if the other marottes are reacting this way, it may also be good to get them out of the rain. Will have to set up some new orders. Can't let them sit in acid rain next time something like that happens. I may need some weather handlers sooner rather than later."
>>
No. 937679 ID: 54735b

"Well, I suppose we would have to find them first, but considering that Lumie wound up in the hands of the tribe I'm now a counciler of, I'm pretty sure I could ask where they got her from and they could just point me out without him. But, it WOULD be a lot easier if there were a few unstopable engines of death telling them to surrender anything they took from you.

"Plus, if he knows that it's to get your stuff, and you heal him, then he'd probably let me borrow some powerful supplies, like that armor he took off for the duel."

"But, the way I see it, there are two options. I take a week to learn how to make my body as close to indestructible as possible and go with the anticipation that they'll attack us, or we just kind of wing it and risk horrific mutation and death if things get violent or fate isn't on my side."
>>
No. 937680 ID: 7dd512

rolled 9, 2, 9, 5, 5, 6, 3, 7, 1, 6, 5, 6, 4, 6, 7, 3, 5, 10, 7, 10, 3, 10, 1, 6, 3, 5, 10, 1, 8, 4 = 167

She studies the blue gem with a quirk of her head while she speaks.<Old Ream> "Huh, I didn't know you could get those outside of city. But yup, a <???> capacitor, works even in blight as long as you don't try to overload it. I would have preferred something like what you've got, except for the obvious." She shrugs, not realizing the obvious was only such to herself. "I might be able to utilize one ? I'd need to do some testing first to see if the energy sources are compatible and if it has enough throughput ... especially if they have deleterious side effects."

"I suppose so but it would probably be best to bring him here. He seemed stable enough to move if you're gentle. But the umbrella we built hasn't been field tested yet and it wouldn't be appropriate for me to operate a medical device with the risk of hallucinogens, especially if Jeff is to serve as an example. While I could purge him of any side effects, in my current state, who knows how useful or useless I'd be if exposed."
>>
No. 937686 ID: 54735b

>>937680
"Well, if it's an issue of testing the thing, I can go grab him incredibly quickly."

Rivers limbered up, slipping on the perfected boots and putting down the baby and Lumie before she picked up the umbrella.

"I'll try to be back quick enough."

And with that, Umbrella sticking out the door, she bolted off like a silver streak, avoiding even so much as a drop of water as she ran with inhuman grace and speed, her miraculous boots never more than tapping the surface of the water running past the Immaculate Church as she did.

As she did, one of the demons of the guardian of sleep, a single Perronele, abandoned by some host either by death or by choice, having been driven from the catacombs going for miles underneath the town, spotted a handy ride in the moving Lunar, but didn't want to immediately draw attention, latching itself harmlessly onto her boots for the time being.
>>
No. 937687 ID: 54735b

rolled 9, 4, 3, 1, 9, 1, 2, 4, 7, 6, 4, 1, 6, 9, 6, 10, 4, 5, 7, 3, 6, 5, 3, 8, 10, 5, 9, 7, 8, 10, 7, 1, 6, 8, 3, 8, 9, 2, 8, 5 = 229

But, with an as of yet un-noticed passenger, Rivers makes her way to where she remembered them taking the warchief. Either to the tent that they are getting set up, or down into the whole where their main camp is.
>>
No. 937689 ID: 304f7c

The war camp is now set up. Tents of various kinds have now been erected. Any sentry or type of guard has abandon their position to take shelter from the weather and the cold. Through the deafening rain rambunctious beastmen can still be heard. Some are in their own tents trying to sleep. Others are in large domed tents engaging in drinks, games of dice, or gathered around the fires engaging in loud and dramatic story telling. If it weren't for the occasional round of laughter or yelling the camp would otherwise appear deserted. Two tents stand out, the Council's tent and the Warmaster's tent are both decorated more so than the others. In Creep's tent two beastmen guard talk in hushed voices. One is telling the other a story. Their weapons lay on the ground away from them. The general mood of the camp is very relaxed.
>>
No. 937691 ID: 54735b

rolled 1, 5, 5, 10, 7, 9, 2, 1, 8, 8, 10, 5, 9, 3, 9, 1, 3, 9, 2, 7, 5, 3, 9, 7, 8, 4, 7, 10, 7, 4, 7, 7, 7, 2, 10, 7, 9, 7, 3, 4 = 241

>>937687

Well, Rivers would just walk past them. They should probably recognize her from earlier considering that what she did was pretty damn impressive for them. If the guards acknowledged her, she'd give a courtesy hello, and ignore them if they tried to tell her no.

Inside the tent, she had a few goals. The first, get prepared for war. She saw that he had a set of superheavy armor, and while she REALLY hated how clothes fit and were all stuffy, and this wasn't actually something she wanted to do, she also didn't want to make Lumie wait a week, so she needed to take some short cuts.

As she took the 5 minutes to properly suit up, the living armor took the opportunity to start covering her as well.

Granted, they'd probably need another 12 hours to actually attune to it properly, but she also really didn't want to have to carry it while she was carrying someone else as she put the war-chief, who inconsiderately hadn't transformed back into a human, over her armored shoulder, used the umbrella to cover the two of them, and walked back this time, just as quickly as she could.

Once again, she gave a courtesy farewell to the guards as she left.
>>
No. 937692 ID: f57349

>>937665
>"And before that we should really do something about the home... 'Jeff' partially disassembled."
Distant wooden cracking, followed by a heavy thud, is audible over the gentle patter of rain. >>937691
>12 hours
Attuning to an artifact normally only takes about 20 minutes, but you need to establish ownership first, and it can't normally be attuned to somebody else at the same time. Attunement lasts through 25 hours out of skin contact unless it's voluntarily withdrawn.

Has Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men withdrawn the committed mote from his armor? Does he consider Hundred Flowing Sweet Rivers an enemy, such that the armor's least god's loyalty to him would be in irreconcilable conflict with loyalty to her?

Normally, for rigid armor, size would be an issue as well, joints needing to be precisely fitted and so on... but refitting itself to different sizes and shapes is the main benefit of Moon-Faced Mail, so if the attunement works at all there'd be no reason to make a fuss about that.
>>
No. 937698 ID: 304f7c

Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men has withdrawn his committed mote at this point. As far as his feelings toward Hundred Flowing Sweet Rivers he mostly sees her as a threat still.
>>
No. 937714 ID: f57349

>>937698
In that case, Rivers will need one or more additional scenes of persuasion to establish metaphysical ownership over the armor before it fits right. Competent maintenance, or wearing it in battle, would be the conventional strategy. Prayers directly to the armor's spirit could also be effective, or various sorts of magical mental influence - which the living-armor symbiote could potentially help with.
>>
No. 937729 ID: 54735b

>>937714
Alright, in that case, two things apply to the first idea she has. It probably wouldn't be too much of a stretch to know that Moonsilver is associated with the blood of Lunar Anathema, and there is plenty of Moonsilver etched into the armor.

So, before putting it on, she takes each piece individually, examines it for any of the wear and tear that a professional soldier would notice and be able to repair just as a side effect of being used to armor.

As soon as she was satisfied with the quality piece being suitable for wear, she stabbed a finger into her own skin to draw blood, tracing over the in-lay, the magic material glowing faintly in recognition.

(Spending 1 willpower for a success on the prayer roll to establish meta-physical ownership and 2-4 motes for Halting the Scarlet Flow, since she didn't use a lot of blood)

As she worked, the Perrenole saw its opportunity to more easily get into a position where it could barter for favors, and started went from the Lunar's boots, and in to the boots of the armor, stretching out almost invisibly, but ready to latch on to the next person that put on the armor.
>>
No. 937730 ID: 54735b

rolled 10, 3, 7, 10, 10, 1, 9, 4, 8, 7, 1, 1, 8, 4, 7, 7, 3, 9, 4, 4, 7, 2, 3, 4, 3, 7, 10, 1, 3, 4 = 161

>>

rolled 6, 3, 8, 7, 10, 6, 7, 9, 9, 3, 10, 10, 5, 6, 4, 7, 1, 8, 2, 7, 3, 4, 8, 5, 10, 4, 7, 6, 2, 10, 7, 3, 4, 8, 6, 3, 3, 3, 6, 1, 6, 3, 10, 6, 9, 9, 8, 9, 7, 6 = 304

>>937686
Before Lute can protest it would be better to bring the mechanical medic to the patient instead of moving him, or propose an alternate route, or reiterate that a building about to fall over is of more pressing concern than a patient who is currently stable... Rivers is gone.

>>937692
>Distant wooden cracking, followed by a heavy thud, is audible over the gentle patter of rain. >>937691
Naturally.

In moments, Lute is once again wearing a raincoat, and cocking her head as if listening to an unheard voice, and passing the umbrella she carried before and the one assembled by Lumie to Red and Gold and his bound demons. Placing the swaddled baby down besides Lumie, she announces "The child's guardians are in peril, but alive. Lumie, look after the child. Everyone else, I require assistance removing them from their ruined home."

2m personal for Efficient Secretary Technique on the location and condition of Ivan and his niece which I already stunted part of the answer to, by saying they aren't dead. Rolling for a social attack, performance 6 + manipulation 6 + stunt (and relative appearance modifiers), to get help for another rescue, enhanced by Perfection in Life for another 5m. (Anyone who doesn't resist the social attack gains +1wp, even if this puts you over your normal max, and can't choose to change their mind about helping for the rest of the scene). Aaaand some extra dice for getting through the rain or trying to extricate anyone if needed.

Between the Shard Fallen, chancel doors, and her hearthstone, Lute can get in and out of a building reduced to rubble, but she'll likely need the help moving the mortals somewhere safe with only strength 1.
>>
No. 937766 ID: 8d924c

>>937732
(Red and Gold doesn't resist this social attack at all, although if anyone starts rolling for full on social combat he'll spend some motes to improve his Join Debate.)

Red and Gold continues embracing the marotte until he's satisfied that the phlegmy creature will not destroy anything else in its distress.

"Come, friend marotte, let us assist our friend Lute here with her rescue mission. Perhaps you'd like to learn more about babies? I would be glad to help you with that."

Red and Gold clings to one of the marotte's 'limbs' as he holds the umbrella over the pair of them, following after Lute.

(With the extra willpower, I should be full up, and able to raise the marotte's Medicine specialty in Childcare to 1? Unless that requires a dot in Medicine, in which case we'll do that first.)
>>
No. 937772 ID: 304f7c

All is dark in Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men mind. He is suddenly aware of his breathing. It isn't strained anymore. I come easy and naturally as it once did before. His body comes into existence now. He feels a warmth all over his body as if he was laying in the sun. He is laying down in a very relaxed position. Cool water begins lapping on his feet. He struggles to move but is unable to. Feeling the world around him he is laying on a sandy beach. The warmth of the sound a nice contrast to the cool water. He can hear the waves in the distance and the gentle rumble of wind on his ears. Struggling to move once again he manages to open his eyes. It is bright and the sun is directly overhead. The sky is a soft blue with white clouds. There is something strange about the clouds he thinks but is unable to determine what exactly it is. Soon he is able to sit up and is greeted with a vast ocean in front of him. It's wave are small and gentle as they reach the shore. Standing now he takes stock of his personage. He reaches for his chest and finds no trace of the mortal wound he was given. He is still naked but the temperature has a pleasant coolness that he does not mind. Looking to the shoreline and further inland there is no one else around. He begins to head deeper inland, seeing a field of strange flowers in every color right along the coast with a forest behind it. He begins to explore the landmass which he quickly discovers is an island. Reaching the other side in a few hours. The same ocean gently lapping the shore. Walking back to the other side where he woke up he feels an urgency that he needs to be somewhere else. Not quite sure where exactly just somewhere else. Wading into the cool ocean he discovers that it never comes higher than his chest no matter how far out he goes. He walks in a straight line away from the island. For hours it seems he walks. The sun still exactly over head and he realizes now what seemed strange with the clouds. They are un-moving, perfectly still just as the sun directly over head. Never moving from the center of the sky. Walking for what seemed like hours at first soon devolves into days. Waves gently pass along his chest the sun always present but never scorching it seemed. The island far out of view. For a week, he thinks, he walked never getting tired until one day he spots a landmass far off in the distance. He approaches it with urgency still feeling the urge to be somewhere. As it comes closer in view becoming clearer in the horizon. It is the same island Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men left weeks ago. Coming ashore he decides to explore the island in greater detail.

He searches the island finding no other life than plants. Nothing, no structures no traces of other life. Not even an insect. He searches further and further into the island until one day he finds something. A cave, dark and foreboding. He can't see into it. As if it were completely black. The sense he gets from the cave is something of utter terror. As if death itself was inside. The longer he looks into it the more encompassing it seems the cave widens and opens up blocking anything else from view. Until he looks away where he sees the island once again. The sense of urgency he felt now gone and he begins to appreciate the islands beauty even more. He notices that he never tires or hungers or thirsts while he is here on the island. He spends his first few weeks building a shelter. Not because he needs it. The weather is never harsh nor is he able to sleep. He can only close his eyes and relax. He begins making arrangements of flowers. The islands flowers are beautiful and are strange in their variety. He begins to collect seeds from them. He clears part of the forest and begins cultivating them. The plants grow normally just like any others, months pass. He walks through his garden of flowers and feels happy and fulfilled. He wanders all over the island always taking wide berth around the cave. He gathers, arranges and begins to look after the island itself. More time passes. He begins to weave mats and textiles from plant fiber. Spending his time anyway he can. The sun has never set once, and the clouds are still un-moving. He spends weeks at a time inside his shelter just lying on his mats with his eyes closed in mediation. Until one day.

He is lying inside his shelter when all of a sudden he hears a CRACK of thunder. Rushing outside and to the coast. The sun is gone replaced with black night. The clouds now turbulent and black. Lighting streaks across them constantly. Now serving as the only sources of light. The waves rush to the coast growing stronger and more powerful. Until they begin ripping parts of the island away. Eroding more and more of the coast. It seems constant and unending parts of the island swallowed by rushing water now black under the sky. Until it stops finally. The waves no longer tearing at the flesh of the island. No more movement at all. The ocean is eerily still. On the horizon figures start coming into view. Walking on top of the still water like glass. It freezes and cracks beneath their foot fall. Thirteen of them are now approaching from the horizon. With them a blizzard is coming.

Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men bolts from the ruined coast. He knows that he is running for his life. He runs to the center of the island and to the cave. He stops in front of it. Its maw is still black and ominous but he steels himself and heads in. The cave continues on pitch black. He has to put his arms out in front of him to guide the way. Until it gets too small to stand upright. He bends over. Continuing blindly it soon gets too small to stand at all. He begins crawling further and further into the cave. The passage gets tighter and tighter. He can barely move now and soon he is stuck. Completely unable to move his body. Hiding from death.
>>
No. 937815 ID: f57349

>>937729
>>937730
Charisma 3 + Performance 1 and a two-die stunt, gives six on the dice, plus one from willpower, you're currently No Moon and thus count as a priest, and that generous offering of blood is surely worth something... I'll call that three threshold successes on the prayer roll. The armor's least god visibly manifests and eagerly discusses technical details, rambling on for an hour or so if you make the slightest pretense of paying attention, which reduces the difficulty of immediate repair or maintenance on the armor by one. Also, you've now established metaphysical ownership enough to attune to it.
>>
No. 937821 ID: 54735b

>>937815
Alright, she's going to go ahead and attune to it, suffusing it with essence as the armor shrank and grew to fit her like it was made exclusively for her.

So, after two and a half hours, Rivers finally actually left the tent for real, and walked through the town under the Umbrella and behind a steel skin with a Lunar draped over her shoulders like an incredibly heavy coat.

Then, the Perronele whispered in her ear, offering to be her armor in exchange for two things, protection from meaner demons, and a small bit of prayer, and to build a sanctum for it.

Rivers told it that she would need to talk to her lawyer first, and headed back to the tavern to see if Red and Gold had gotten back in that period of time.
>>
No. 937822 ID: 54735b

I fucked up, and I'm using this as the experience tracking tool and to reset my name.
>>
No. 937983 ID: f57349

>>937766
You can grant a specialty with no dots in the underlying skill, though it's seldom efficient to do so.

Geoff the Hopping Puppeteer is staggered by these divinely-granted insights, but nonetheless follows obediently, rambling "So babies are actually the larval stage, and humans reproduce by having sex... with each other... it explains so much!"
>>
No. 938163 ID: f57349

>>937732
At a glance, it doesn't look much at all like the collapsed buildings you saw in the aftermath of the bandit raid. More like a big box halfway tipped over, or one of those kitchen drawers with the knob at the top and the hinge at the bottom, leaning out into the street. Upper floor appears to be entirely intact, apart from tilting at a twelve or fifteen degree angle.

Ivan and his niece are still inside, in the small apartment on the second floor. Ground floor was set aside for a shop but not yet furnished nor occupied. You told them to stay inside, and they did, and now pretty much everything is sorted out, just like you said it would be.

She weeps with joy to be reunited with her infant child, by some miracle not only unhurt but seemingly healthier than before. Looks like she's been crying kind of a lot, for at least the past few days. Hasn't said a single word this whole time, though, nor made much of any vocal sound at all beyond those incidental to breathing.

As you're turning to go, Ivan asks, more or less politely, if it's actually the same kid or a fae impostor.

Grandmother, he explains, always talked about seven blights: dry fog, the dead, fire, treachery, pestilence, sorcery, and fair folk.
Had close calls with all the others, why should the show be over so quick? Are the gods tired of laughing already?
Is no "luck" in carpentry! Only mistakes! Catch in time and fix, or get sloppy and end up broken.
That new innkeeper, the red and gold sorcerer, I go talk to him two weeks ago and just for a second he glances at my leg the way I look at an old rusty chisel fished out from behind a bench. "Worth cleaning up, or scrap?" Humans don't look at other humans that way. Real Lookshyans don't summon demons, and they don't work on spec. All this building and guarding and charity but never one word about what is wanted from us in return.
In terms of actual carpentry, though, Ivan feels he has no choice but to respect the kind of skill that can, first, piece a whole house together without nails or glue like a massive masterpiece cabinet or puzzle-box, and second, at the same time, incorporate cross-braces so sturdy the whole second floor rolls as a single unit without even cracking much of the plaster.
>>
No. 938168 ID: 8d924c

rolled 3, 10, 2, 6, 5, 8, 5, 2, 1, 8, 2, 7, 4, 7, 8, 6, 7, 9, 7, 1, 6, 9, 7, 6, 6, 6, 3, 7, 4, 9 = 171

>>938163

Red and Gold appears uncharacteristically embarrassed at the question.

"The same child. I wasn't adept enough myself to treat them, but we had a doctor available. Something I should probably learn at my earliest opportunity. If I were dealing with the Fair Folk, they'd be insisting on hauls of slaves for souls to eat. I don't value what the Fair Folk can do enough to ever make that trade. I can do better. I apologize for events today. Geoff, please apologize as well. I don't associate myself with Lookshy, now. They wouldn't take me back, anyways. Some mistakes aren't so easily fixed, as you said."

Red and Gold looks then to Ivan's niece, clearly still distressed despite the return of her child, before continuing.

"As to why I don't ask anything in return, that's simple. I can bind a demon in a matter of minutes for almost anything I might ask you for. Why would I need a mortal blacksmith's help when I could call a heranhal to draw metal from the Green Sun's light itself to craft whatever I asked? There's only one thing which mortals can really offer that a demon couldn't, and that's prayer. I could tell any of the demons to worship me, or anyone else, and they would, gladly, but there would be no power in it. So if you wanted to offer something, that would be by far the most useful thing you have to give. But I won't demand that of any of you. It would be worth much less than genuine devotion. I am sorry that I may have seemed detached from your concerns. I have dedicated myself to a very long and perhaps impossible task, and the truth is that it's unlikely anyone alive in this village will live to see the end of it. Hundreds of years, at least, it will need. I appreciate you speaking of your concerns to me. I need the reminder at times, for as much as the gifts I've been given are great, I still am human. I can fail, and have in the past, for my mistakes, just as a carpenter who grows sloppy would. I intend not to see any major failures again, but the prodding of those I'm watching over will always be useful."

Red and Gold bows his head then to the pair of them and the child.

"If there is anything you would like to ask of me today, please do. I can ask something in return, but perhaps you would be willing to arrange a 'price' in advance this time? A month's prayer in two hours of the evening, perhaps? I am open to other suggestions for what I would ask for blessings, or negotiation on the time frame. Or possibly some craftwork, if that would be preferable to ask for? Perhaps you would like additional skill with carpentry, or cooking, or an improvement to your body's health? These are things I can offer, if you need them. If you don't, of course, it's not necessary that you do."
>>
No. 938236 ID: f57349

>>938168
Ivan was saying all that to Diligent Topaz when he thought Red and Gold was out of earshot.
>>

rolled 1, 1, 1, 5, 9, 8, 4, 8, 1, 6, 9, 6, 4, 4, 10, 3, 2, 8, 10, 7, 6, 6, 2, 5, 10, 6, 4, 1, 6, 7, 2, 1, 2, 6, 1, 4, 2, 1, 9, 2, 5, 2, 8, 9, 9, 6, 4, 2, 4, 10, 3, 10, 7, 10, 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 = 296

>>938236
What a pity Ivan was mistaken, and that the sorcerer was close enough to overhear, and to insert himself in the conversation.

>As you're turning to go, Ivan asks, more or less politely, if it's actually the same kid or a fae impostor.
Lute will offer her own reassurances in support of the Fiend's. It is the same child, and if you cannot bring yourself to trust us, surely your grandmother's tales covered the weaknesses of the fae? They cannot stand the touch of iron, and even cold it burns them as if it were red hot.

>All this building and guarding and charity but never one word about what is wanted from us in return.
This rings true to Lute as nothing less than a plea for purpose. Who is he supposed to be in these new circumstances? Rolling for... investigation or read motive I would think? Lute needs to appraise who he is before she can help him find his best self! I'm not looking for a whole character sheet here- but grasping something about his virtues, motivation, intimacies, important skills / attributes, or dreams, etc, gives me a starting point to riff on.

>Hasn't said a single word this whole time, though, nor made much of any vocal sound at all beyond those incidental to breathing.
Hmm, can Lute tell if there's anything wrong there, something medical, or some supernatural influence? Might just be psychological, given all that's happened. Roll to see if Lute recognizes something there?

Rolling a whole bunch of dice for social interaction and two assessments. Applying +4 Excellency to each attempt to investigate / figure out the NPCs (preliminary for possibly twisting them into new, more useful selves).
>>
No. 938413 ID: f57349

>>938394
>What a pity Ivan was mistaken
>surely your grandmother's tales covered the weaknesses of the fae?
She was a good woman, and wise, but she's been wrong before, and, well, "measure twice, cut once." So Ivan wants a solemn oath this is the same child, not some kind of trick, and that he and his family won't be punished for speaking honestly.
>a plea for purpose
Ivan's got a lot of his identity tied up with woodworking, and hierarchies based on proven skill. He's gradually getting used to the idea of sharing a town with demons, but panicked and threw salt at the last sesselja who tried to help his leg finish healing faster. Praying for a living sounds to him like giving up and becoming a beggar or sex slave, but if you could somehow recontextualize dream production as a skilled trade in it's own right... Makarios would be the go-to guy for technical details on that sort of thing. That'd really be pushing the limits of those 'best self' criteria, though.

The idea of being granted additional skill by magical fiat horrifies Ivan in ways he'd have a very hard time explaining.

>mute niece diagnosis
Seems like there's something physically wrong with her throat. Could probably be corrected by sufficiently skilled surgery, or a 2-point positive mutation.
>>
No. 938418 ID: 8d924c

>>938413

Red and Gold nods affirmatively at the proposal he swear an oath to that effect.

"I would gladly swear to such. And so I do. I swear to you that this is the same child, not any kind of trick, and that you and your family will not be harmed for speaking honestly."

Red and Gold's caste mark burns brightly enough to be visible from some angles on his forehead as he empowers the oath.

(Spending a couple peripheral motes, and personal motes and a willpower to sanctify it.)
>>

rolled 7, 6, 4, 4, 6, 8, 8, 4, 2, 8, 2, 2, 9, 2, 2, 7, 7, 10, 8, 7, 2, 10, 4, 7, 8, 6, 2, 8, 3, 1 = 164

>So Ivan wants a solemn oath this is the same child, not some kind of trick, and that he and his family won't be punished for speaking honestly.
He wants a binding oath? Convenient that a fiend happens to be on hand.

Well, if she's making an oath, Lute's not going to at least take basic precautions against giving false testimony. She'll look over at the child, for any sign the infant was somehow switched out for a fake tonight, and double checks with an itsy bitsy spider ("How is the child related to the mortals in this building?").

Assuming there's nothing amiss, Lute will attest that she has returned the same child she found Ivan chasing in the rain earlier this very day, that she will not punish him or his family for speaking honestly. (Though there is little she or anyone else could do to protect him should he speak against the lords of hell and draw their ire).

>Ivan's got a lot of his identity tied up with woodworking, and hierarchies based on proven skill. [...] Praying for a living sounds to him like giving up and becoming a beggar or sex slave
Well hierarchies are certainly something that can be provided in hell... what he needs is a new opportunity or application for his mortal craftsmanship to mean something, with hopping puppeteers around for competition on gross construction. Perhaps instead of direct prayer, construction of wooden idols, or decoration for temples?

>Seems like there's something physically wrong with her throat. Could probably be corrected by sufficiently skilled surgery, or a 2-point positive mutation.
Well, there's no need to leave her like that, then. It's not immediately life threatening, so it can wait until Hegra is not overhead, but Lumie or the good barber could be directed her way.
>>
No. 938427 ID: f57349

>>938418
Your normally somnolent coadjutor's imaginary jade ears perk up in alarm, and it points out that your oath didn't include any sort of limit in terms of subject or temporal scope. If Ivan or his close relatives someday mouth off to, say, one of the Unquestionable, now you're on the hook for making sure they get away with it.

Want to pick up a dot in the Unwoven Coadjutor background for 3 xp, so you can get that sort of advice before it's too late?
>>
No. 938433 ID: 8d924c

>>938427
Red and Gold thanks the lion for the advice. A time limitation would have been advisable, it's true.

But if mortals do mouth off to the Unquestionable, it's better that Red and Gold take the blame than them. Mortals are fragile. Red and Gold will most likely survive their displeasure.

(Yeah, Unwoven Coadjutor is on my list right after the next 5 charms. So I should have XP for it now. As many dots as I can get.)
>>
No. 938439 ID: f57349

>>938433
Let's say just up to the 2-dot level for now, gotta pick those stat upgrades, figure out what made this particular teodozjia heroic, and spend some time getting to know each other.

"No, see, for all you know he could have a good-for-nothing cousin picking a fight with somebody in a bar back in Creation less than five days from now. That hypothetical asshole says, in all honesty, 'I don't like your face,' you fail to prevent 'punishment' in the form of a chair being broken over his head, poof, oath violated. Cecelyne's law doesn't cut people a lot of slack for things they couldn't possibly have known."
>>938420
>and double checks with an itsy bitsy spider ("How is the child related to the mortals in this building?").
The Shogunate-era concept of blood separation places every sibling born to the same two parents in a single group with zero degrees of blood separation between them. Outside of that grouping, every line segment one must follow on a genealogical chart to connect two individuals counts as one degree of blood separation.
The child has nine living relatives within three degrees of blood separation, all of whom were inside the special region when it left Creation, and two of whom (the child's mother and uncle Ivan) are easily enough confirmed as the same people you're currently talking to.
>>
No. 938494 ID: afdebc

>>938439
Okay, then there's no pressing reason not to swear.

Lute will attest that she has returned the same child she found Ivan chasing in the rain earlier this very day, that she will not punish him or his family for anything they should say honestly within the next year and a day. (Though, she warns, he should not be careless with his words- if he should speak out against the lords of hell themselves and draw their ire, he stayed hand will not restrict theirs).

Red and Gold can sanctify that if he wishes (or possibly it's lumped into one 3-party oath?).
>>
No. 938552 ID: f57349

>>937650
The disembodied voice, somehow both silken and gravelly, claims that breaking your brother would be simple enough. Look behind you. No, don't turn around and then look in front. Behind you.

A glob of lightning-struck glass lands in the foxhole, forming a convenient (albeit lumpy) palm-sized mirror, which when pivoted at an appropriate angle reveals Karrod's face. Spend 1 wp to reject the gift, or else realize the significance of this (and buy off the delusion).

The Endless Desert says all that stuff about monks and villagers and calamities sounds like a smokescreen. What you really want - the root of every failure that truly haunts you - is to straighten out the borders of the world. So, dig a little bit deeper. No, over to the left there. A salt-encrusted leather bag, somewhere between the size of Bridget's thumb and an ordinary human's fist, full of... more sand. Special sand, each grain is meticulously enchanted. Sprinkle it out somewhere that should be part of Creation but isn't, such as a shadowland or the bordermarches of the wyld, and it'll create a bulwark both physical and spiritual, which can then be reinforced and extended by prayer. While you're here in this crater, you can test out the stuff's physical effects without using it up.

Throwing a pinch of the stuff causes a wall of pitted gray glass to erupt violently from the ground, six inches thick and nearly ten feet high. The walls aren't immune to lightning, but they can take several hits before cracking enough to no longer provide full cover. Again, one willpower to refuse... or, if you accept the gift, remainder of the approach to the mecha-scorpion is relatively trivial.
>>
No. 938597 ID: d9acdc

rolled 10, 4, 10, 3, 5, 9, 4, 5, 5, 2, 3, 2, 7, 10, 10, 5, 8, 4, 2, 6, 5, 3, 4, 7, 10, 5, 6, 6, 2, 4 = 166

>>938552
Bridget chuckles, like sizzling oil quenching iron, (one of the happiest sounds Birdget knows) and holds up a hand. Her third eye, swirling with golden essence, peers closely at the words as they hang in the air, their nature not physically perceived, but their essence analyzed none the less.

"Price disclosed first."

Mechanically, Bridget is requesting to be told the full cost and conditions for each deal before she agrees or declines, and is using the Twilight anima power to try and help her sus out what exactly is going on here.
>>
No. 938659 ID: f57349

>>938597
Cecelyne takes offense at such presumption; one does not haggle over miracles. You're down the two willpower for refusing. If you're so keen to see how magic works, though, she'll provide instant training in the Spirit-Detecting Glance and All-Encompassing Sorcerer's Sight for only a single future favor. Or, if you don't wish to be deeper in debt, she'll depart and let you sort things out by yourself for a while.
>>
No. 938695 ID: d9acdc

rolled 10, 4, 2, 5, 8, 7, 7, 1, 3, 2, 5, 7, 3, 5, 6, 2, 7, 10, 5, 2, 9, 8, 7, 3, 10, 7, 2, 6, 8, 9 = 170

>>938659
>Offers a "gift", then whammies Bridget with a hidden price.
>Gets mad when Bridget asks if there's a price associated with her other "gifts".
>Offers an ambiguously priced trade for the fourth time.

When Cecelyne is ready to talk, Bridget will be ready to listen. Until then, it seems like they'll have little else to discuss. She will remember to honor her in her buildings, and await contact for a favor in the future. Thanks offered, of course, for the generosity and hospitality afforded here.

Mechanically Bridget is uninterested in these deals with their hidden prices. Assuming she's down another WP, then that's 3 from resisting Ceceylne, 1 from MCL, and 8 from SFR over the course of the fight. Haven't been keeping up with stunt awards earned after the first 3, putting me at... 0WP; I've got five posts, including this one, which has unspecified stunt rewards (well, one of them you said it was a one die stunt, but then went back and called it a two dice stunt, and I didn't know where the final ruling landed.)

>>938597
>>937650
>>937602
>>937407

I'd also like answers to the following questions:
-does Bridget have knowledge of what Cecelyne symbols actually are[?]
-Would Steadfast Emperor Stance mitigate such issues? I believe that's the name of the charm that means you can ignore environmental damage even if it's deliberately being used to target/injure you, right? [Referencing the lightning attacks from the scorpamech]

After I have more info on Bridgets WP and mote reserves, I'll give a new course of action. >>937498 saying I'm 365 yards in, so still 635 yards to go, but if Cecelyne hits Bridget with that dot swap, she'll get +2 to her dodge DMV, so that might be help enough.
>>
No. 938733 ID: 7dd512

rolled 5, 6, 1, 9, 10, 8, 8, 6, 6, 3, 6, 6, 10, 9, 3, 2, 6, 6, 8, 3, 3, 9, 10, 6, 7, 8, 3, 3, 10, 6 = 186

Lumie, left to her own devices, started to lose patience in lieu of curiosity as people continue to be away. Perhaps little more than half an hour since the last departure, she started assembling a little makeshift stool to gain a little vertical purchase and, with some less than precse and somewhat embarrassing use of omnitool apertures later, has managed to make a mess. Books, likely ledgers, personal accords or cook books, would be discovered half missing from their shelf in a haphazard sweeping motion, while the remainder would lay nearby to Lumie, piled up as neat as she can nudge them. Sitting atop them seems to be a new addition, what looks to be a book made of fillagried blue jade, lined with oricalcum and starmetal, with little feelers poking into the books below. Lumie seems to be conversing with the automata voice that humms from the book in a soft tone, in a language that sounds like Old Realm but all wrong and in a dialect similar to Lumie's. When anyone returns to the inn, this is the state they'd find the kitchen area they'd left from earlier, with Lumie nestled into a nook, conversing with this strange device piled atop books.
>>
No. 938875 ID: 3cb328

Name: Heavenly Bloodshed Oblivion
Soulsteel Caste Alchemical

Iconic Anima: ???
Motivation: Set up some stable flow of resources back home

Caste Attributes: Stamina, Wits, Manipulation
Favored Attributes: Dex, Charisma, Appearance

Strength: 3 Charisma: 3 Perception: 2
Dex: 4. Manipulation: 4 Intelligence: 2
Stamina: 4 Appearance: 3 Wits: 3

Compassion: 1 Conviction: 3 Temperance: 2 Valor:3

Essence: 3 WP: 10
Essence Pool:
Personal: 19 (8 committed), Peripheral: 51 (20 committed)

Skills:
Athletics 3
Awareness 2
Investigation 2 ‘
Larceny 3
Linguistics 1 (Native: Autochtonic), Old Realm
Lore 1
Martial Arts 5 ‘+1 outnumbered
Performance 2 ‘+2 Propaganda
Presence 3
Socialize 3 ‘+1 keeping secrets
Stealth. 2


Charms:

Dedicated:

Dex Accelerated Response System (Dodge)
Dex Fourth Dex Augmentation
Dex Dex+War 6th Augmentation
Dex Hundredfold Strafing Methodology


General
Per Perfected Lotus Matrix
Per Aim Calibrating Sensor
Int Heirarchical Dogma Lock
Dex. First Dex Augmentation


Uninstalled

Dex Acelerated Response System (Parry)
Cha First Charisma Augmentation
App Husk-Sculpting Apparatus
App. Thousand Courtesan Calculations
Int Technomorphic Integration Engine


Backgrounds:
Class 3
Artifact 6 (5-Metal Sparrow N/A, Mobile Core Recharger 5, Atlas of the Unconquered General 5, Training Manual (White Veil), 1 dot moonsilver core (deeper darkness Hearthstone conversion.)
Artifact 4 (Order Conferring Var 3, Aerial Skiff 4, 4 dot ??? core (cap breaker Yozi Hearthstone conversion), Assault Crossbow 1)
Charms 5

BP:
18 starting
+6 Sunlight Alergy
+3 Creature of Darkness
+1 Sensitivity to Heat
——————————
28 BP
-5 WP
-10 Essence
-3 Dex 3-4
-4 Charms
-2 Artifact 6
-4 MA 3-5
——————
0 BP

5-Metal Sparrow is a combination of a 5 dot IRA and a 5 dot Wings of the Raptor that has all 5 magic materials, and a Crawlspace Creeper’s spider powers integrated in for blunt mechanical details.

Uses the +4 APP from IRA, and prevents any APP damage as Stone or Inhuman Beauty

5m to attune in general, 10m to activate the wings (kept permanently attuned)
>>
No. 938886 ID: f58b80

Charms:
Dedicated:

Dex Accelerated Response System (Parry)
Dex Fourth Dex Augmentation
Dex Dex+War 6th Augmentation
Dex Hundredfold Strafing Methodology


General
Per Perfected Lotus Matrix
Per Aim Calibrating Sensor
Int Heirarchical Dogma Lock
Dex. First Dex Augmentation


Uninstalled


Cha First Charisma Augmentation
App Husk-Sculpting Apparatus
App. Thousand Courtesan Calculations
Int Technomorphic Integration Engine

Backgrounds:
Class 3
Artifact 6 (5-Metal Sparrow N/A, Mobile Core Recharger 5, Atlas of the Unconquered General 5, Training Manual (White Veil), 1 dot moonsilver core (deeper darkness Hearthstone conversion.)
Artifact 5 (Stability Conferring Vats 3, Heavily Armed Aerial Skiff with Twin-linked Medium Essence Cannons 5, 4 dot ??? core (Transgressive Excellency Yozi Hearthstone conversion), Assault Crossbow 2, Thousand Comforts Lounge 1)
Charms 4

BP:
BP:
18 starting
+6 Sunlight Alergy
+4 Creature of Darkness
——————————
28 BP
-5 WP
-10 Essence
-3 Dex 3-4
-4 Charms
-2 Artifact 6
-4 MA 3-5
——————
0 BP
>>
No. 938888 ID: f58b80

Recorrection on charms, Dodge is staying the one that I keep because it's actually higher than Parry in almost every possible situation, especially since I'm taking Larceny to two points and putting one into Dodge

The only exception being if I'm on the ground where it's 5 compared to the Parry DV of throwing a punch at 6.
>>
No. 938908 ID: 5f3f48

>>938733
An hour or a little more after they left, the vizier, fiend and bound demons return. By happenstance, they arrive at the same time as the two lunars, one carrying the other. Considerably more unusual is the fact that Rivers is voluntary clothed for the first time in recent memory, and wearing no less than full plate.

"Crisis happily averted, and babe returned home. ...is something wrong, Rivers? You're dressed for war. And dressed."
>>
No. 938910 ID: 3732a8

“And I absolutely hate it. But, if we’re going through a mess of hostile territory right this second and I don’t have time to learn how to make my skin tougher than any steel, I’d rather have clothes on and try and take all the attacks than anyone else getting hurt.”

But, she walks into the inn, drops of the Lunar, and goes to pick Lumie up, wholly unconcerned by what she was doing to those poor poor books.
>>
No. 938911 ID: 8d924c

rolled 7, 8, 2, 2, 2, 7, 7, 3, 9, 9, 1, 1, 8, 7, 5, 10, 1, 1, 2, 5, 1, 8, 4, 1, 10, 10, 9, 7, 5, 4 = 156

>>938733
>>938908
>>938910

Red and Gold glances at the Omniscient Literary Advisor in recognition.

"Getting some help with the reading? I happen to have one of those in my home library, which I haven't had a chance to visit in quite some time. If you'd be willing to wait a short while, Rivers, I would like to ensure the demons are all sheltered from the rain. Afterwards, I would be glad to assist with your tunnel explorations."

Red and Gold gives directions to those of the bound demons he'd managed to locate, before preparing to head out once more into the rains of Hegra.
>>
No. 938967 ID: 7dd512
File 156298992872.jpg - (387.42KB , 713x1119 , c070b8507564e1cf4ed8df3ed8ad9d2a2cf30aa3.jpg )
938967

rolled 10, 8, 5, 5, 10, 6, 1, 3, 8, 6, 4, 6, 8, 6, 1, 9, 2, 8, 2, 5, 10, 3, 1, 2, 4, 5, 2, 1, 10, 9 = 160

A few more words of the foreign tongue are uttered, both the clipped automata voice as well as Lumie's when she hears people enter. She looks about to those gathered and her eyes go wide for a moment when she sees she's about to be hefted once more. Briefly, she makes a dive (more of a lean) toward the books and gets a soft enough faceplant that she can boop the jade implement with her nose before she's held aloft. In that brief time, it and the device that power it turn to a soft luminescent blue, grow opaque and matte, then fade both to transparency and from existence, each geometric facet fading independent of one another. Just in time too as she's lifted up to breathe a sigh of relief and look to Red & Gold. <Old Realm> "Indeed, when exploring new worlds, it's super useful to have a universal translator. It's a little slow for real time translations but pretty ideal for large data processing."

To the astute, Lumie seems to have quite an array of useful gadgets tucked away wherever she's pulling them from. Tugged close against the armor River is sporting, she quirks her head, "Is that just ablative layers of moonsilver ? Huh." She looks a little curious at the novel notion before shrugging her shoulders and glancing to Creep. "Can you set him on his stomach with something like a pad or rolled up cloth under his chest so he can look down without obstructing his airways ?"
>>
No. 938973 ID: ef5bf3

>>938967
Rivers largely complies, not really sure what Lumie was talking about.

"What, do they not have armor where you're from? Must be nice not to have to worry about war or twisted monsters attacking you."
>>
No. 938983 ID: afdebc

>>938910
"'Right this second' seems a might premature, ideally we would wait for the rain to pass, or at least for the lunar who has been there before to awaken from ministrations. Still, preparedness is always preferable to the alternative."

>>938967
>>938973
"The moonsilver filigree allows the armor to change shape with its wearer when it would not otherwise, I believe."
>>
No. 938987 ID: 7dd512

rolled 10, 6, 7, 3, 1, 9, 4, 6, 3, 7, 2, 5, 6, 1, 9, 1, 8, 1, 3, 10, 2, 1, 8, 1, 2, 6, 3, 3, 6, 10 = 144

<Old Realm> "Ohh, yes protective gear is still important, mostly we manufacture synthetic materials for everyday use but .. It's very pretty, it just seems like a lot of metal to put between you and everything else, isn't it heavy ?"

She humms a little and brings forth her medical implements again, getting to work jabbing the unconscious and battered Creep with long needles, taking utmost care and precision to line them up, adjust some slightly, repositioning others later. To the layman it might look like she's just decisively poking him with deliberate care and then repeating the process to make a lunar pincushion. To someone with a more medical eye, or in her case medical charms integrated into her eyes, she's lining up chakras, nerves, meridians and slowly reworking the flow of essence along his spinal cord and out to the rest of his body. The tips of her needles (the ones not embedded into her patient) occasionally sparkle or literally spark, arcing to a nearby needletip as she works, continuing to converse when her mouth is not otherwise full with doctoring tasks.

"Mine for instance has a lot of composites to help with weight, camouflage, essence <???> circuitry. And heavy yeah but articulated servos make someone as scrawny as me probably as <???> as yourself.". While that last word didn't seem to make oodles of sense, her use of the autochtonian 'swol' is at least implied to be a flattering remark in context and the tone of her voice.

(Dice for Medicine to start getting Creep on the mend via Wound Mending Needles)
>>
No. 938994 ID: ef5bf3

>>938987
"Honestly, it's about fifty pounds, so it isn't super light, but it's pretty natural to wear since you're lifting it with your whole body. But, even if it isn't particularly cumbersome to wear, it's still not really as flexible as going around without any clothes almost by necessity.


"But, sounds like you've got one of the really fancy suits of magitech armor from the first age that some really well connected exalts manage to get their hands on for particularly stubborn situations. I hear they're pretty tough to keep in good running condition."

All of the stuff regarding doctoring went largely over Rivers' head. But, she'd actually seen a dragon-blooded soldier equiped with a shogunate set of battle armor, and that was where her mind jumped, since that was (in her mind at least) the next step up from 'lots of metal like a shell over your body'.

>>938983

"Well, we have an umbrella, you and Red and Gold have whatever methods you've been using, and I'm sure we can think of something for anyone else to figure out. So, I'm pretty sure the rain isn't really as much of an issue as we might have thought."
>>
No. 939002 ID: 7dd512

rolled 3, 5, 3, 8, 9, 8, 8, 4, 5, 2, 2, 2, 6, 9, 5, 1, 8, 6, 4, 9, 3, 5, 5, 1, 6, 3, 1, 5, 9, 9 = 154

>>938994
<Old Realm> "Nothing quite so antiquated, the manufacture for my armor isn't that much older than I am, maybe five years ? Also how many of your obols are in fifty pounds, I'm not yet familiar with that unit of measure."

She seems relatively satisfied with her work and announces more generally, "He should be up and about in an hour or so but someone might have to sit on him if he isn't going to keep still. Shouldn't be any pain right now but if he dislodges the wrong stimulus he's going to go from pain free to <??? ???, sounds like pain convergence place> very quickly. Er, rather in an extraordinary amount of it. But it should be fine as long as he sits still. Is there any more of the baked ... umm, with the savory red sauce and melted lactate fermentation ?" Her words come off a little slowly, trying to figure out how best to translate a description of the dish Rivers made without recalling the name she mentioned or using her own native colloquialisms. "He's likely to be hungry when he awakens." She also leaves out the part where she's feeling peckish too.

After a little musing, "Things probably would have turned out differently were I geared for an engagement when we were exploring but I didn't think it necessary at the time. A mistake I won't make twice once I'm back under my own motility. And it does require a little upkeep, but nothing overly complicated." Not for her anyway, and her tools and knowhow.
>>
No. 939040 ID: 54735b

>>939002
"I don't think that anybody is actually still making things like that, or even really still can honestly. Maybe some of the really old Exalts, but if they can they don't usually."

But, she really put her head to the grindstone, doing more complex math than she had ever been actually tasked with doing in her life before. But, she knew two facts that led her to an answer. There's 1024 Obols in a talent, and a talent is 68 pounds. And eventually, she had an answer.

"700, ish? Maybe 800?"

She was wrong of course, since there's 1,536 Obols in a talent by weight and as such she was off by about 400 obols and her giving a weight of 33 pounds.

"Most nobody outside of the Realm even actually uses Obols. Too rich for most people's blood. For the civilized rest of the world, you've got the Dinnar. Still a lot of money for most people, but you can cut it up as much as into 16 pieces. Then you just add your way back to one whole Dinnar and you've got about 25 Dinnar to a pound, and you just work your way up from there, and then everyone just uses that because nobody really likes carrying around more than a years wages to weigh things with.

"As for something that isn't meaningless, I'd say you're about 80, 85 pounds last night."
>>
No. 939042 ID: 54735b
File 156303687566.jpg - (86.89KB , 640x800 , image0.jpg )
939042

Inevitably Radiant Hunter-Killer, or just Radiance as she tended to be shortened down to in her often justifiably exciting propaganda, was waiting near where she was told to wait for pick-up by the Kamakian representative she was supposed to meet for this 'informal ice-breaker' (pun no doubt not intended, senior Tripartate members rarely had that kind of humor in her experience, before some mission or another.

She HAD been hoping to get the scope on the local scenery, but quickly abandoned that idea when she realized how boring this whole nation felt. Sure, she wasn't going into this expecting the bustling life of Arat, but there was just nothing outside. Not even the usual clatter of manufacturing plants. But, she wasn't one to just skip out on a mission to another nation, even if so far it wasn't exactly a good time for her.
>>
No. 939058 ID: afdebc

>>938994
>"Well, we have an umbrella, you and Red and Gold have whatever methods you've been using, and I'm sure we can think of something for anyone else to figure out. So, I'm pretty sure the rain isn't really as much of an issue as we might have thought."
"Entering subterranean tunnels during the rain risks being caught by floods- which an umbrella will do little against. I would prefer to know the village were safe before we left it as well."

"And while you may be girded against danger, my dear, there are some preparations the rest of us should undertake before we depart. Hmm. I should ask Red and Gold to summon some perroneles before we depart."
>>
No. 939081 ID: f57349

>>936966
>rolled 5, 3, 1, 2, 2, 3, 4
That's a botch on Join Battle.
>>936918
You open the door and some sort of demonic jellyfish blimp thing erupts out of it, easily ten times larger than the cottage it was somehow inside of. Next thing you know, Sesus Xanin, Umbrageous Waxwing Dell, and the neomah are all dangling feet-first from venomous tentacles, and the batfolk have escaped in the confusion.
>>
No. 939083 ID: 7dd512

rolled 7, 5, 6, 2, 4, 3, 2, 8, 10, 6, 1, 5, 9, 9, 7, 10, 5, 1, 10, 3, 1, 5, 1, 6, 1, 4, 4, 3, 7, 8 = 153

She seems slightly more confused now than ever as she tries to piece things together. <Old Realm> "Wait, so .. mass is defined using a unit of barter. That sounds ... well, that level of imprecision may be why you have difficulty fabricating modern artifice. I mean, it's not trivial for something of that scope, so .. somewhat limited military assets, but easily doable. With the right components I could replicate some of the subsystems in no time. Although a full suit like mine requires a lot of <???> and precision work so, you'd need a much more specialized artisan for that."

She gives a bit of a stretch, "Alright, he should be good without too much fussing at this point, just need to keep an eye out for when he regains consciousness. It's probably going to be a while, are you sure you want to carry around that much extra weight, you've been fidgeting a bit more than usual." Looking to the former or perhaps still current Topaz, she asks, "How long would you estimate that would take ? This one's convalescence, at this rate, might not be more than an hour or two."[/i]
>>
No. 939084 ID: 7dd512
File 156308578483.jpg - (410.71KB , 850x637 , 5.jpg )
939084

rolled 3, 1, 4, 1, 1, 2, 7, 5, 2, 9, 9, 6, 6, 3, 2, 2, 6, 7, 10, 2, 3, 2, 2, 7, 2, 9, 3, 4, 8, 1 = 129

>>939042
Radiance wasn't kept waiting too long. Longer than she might expect, but not overly so before she'd be approached by two shrouded figures. The differentiation was clear, among those that passed, few spared more than curious glances and a wide berth in passing, but of those approaching, these looked with intent toward the out of place Champion. The protective layers looked cozy and dense around the both of them. The taller figure, who's only exposed features were eyes and a tattooed brow, sported a force pike along their back along with a pack and a few other gadgets, both dangerous and not held onto utilitarian straps. The other more slight figure walks with deliberate pep and sports covers and garments that stand out with warm hues of peach and coral red. Her eyes sparkle and glow with obvious modifications and the skintone is off just enough to reveal the complexion of a champion. The spirited tone is bright with exuberance as she approaches within several feet and stops.

<Autochonian> "Inevitably Radiant Hunter-Killer I presume ? That most certainly is an intense name the Maker left for you ! I'm Luminous Alacrity Rercursing in the Reaches, although most call me Lumie." She offers a polite little bow at the waist to the newcomer.

Her more considerably armed companion cheekily chimes in, with a feminine voice, "Or Allie, or a number of less appropriate things." Her eyes narrow while her brow remains neutral, the implication of a grin obvious beneath a fuzzy scarf.

"Ohh you." champion replies with an exaggerated roll of her eyes and a gesture of her forefinger pointing at her cheek. A playful exchange, if not one that translates directly to clasast idiosyncrasies. "Or that, but not the other things. Come come though, I thought we'd be meeting you inside ? Lets get you out of the cold, you look like a pinky all on your lonesome out here ! This is Regulator Naomi Slee, she'll be joining us in the great unknown." Radient gets a nod from Slee as well before the regulator makes a gesture toward a route. [i]"And she's family nearby who've graciously offered to host. This way !"

The trio head off in relative quiet, a few blocks away past a multitude of spread out and identical looking domiciles, before arriving to one such and being ushered inside. The first room looks utilitarian, benches and cubbies with racks of clothes and room for boots and such. Once all sealed up inside, the stark difference seems to completely draw to life: The lighting is warm, the air smells of spice and the two start to strip down for the much warmer interior. Slee takes the traditional route of removing clothing bit by bit, drawing down to comfy if revealing almost silken layers of shorts and midriff exposing top in greens and golds. Lumie on the other hand seems to take a much more magnificent approach as her entire wardrobe seems to melt into a blob and wash off her, revealing a radiant silver dress. The fabric slinks naturally over the champion's curves and she gives a quick tussle to her hair before moving to help Radiant free of her protective clothing if need be. Slee Zips off ahead to a room and there's a few friendly voices who cry out in greeting, before Lumie leads the pair with a smile to the interior.

The contrast seems almost as bright as Lumie. Plain with those heavy clothes but now striped away she was all glitter and smiles and a eye stealing garment. "Okay, brace yourself for what you've really been waiting for and never knew about." Her tone gets a little lower, to a secretive whisper. "Have you ever had Kamakian Blue yet ?" The way she bites her lip and hints with one eyebrow, this stuff is being instantly hyped. Inside seems to grow more warm and cheery: Brightly colored cloth drapes, art and sculpture adorn the walls and floors and the furnature looks intimate and lavish. Games are set out, people are gathered and introductions are made. Lumie leans in and rubs her cheek to another in a form of greeting with some and conversation radiates like the heat in here, compared to the stark silence of the cold outside.
>>
No. 939085 ID: afdebc

Okay, so working on figuring out actions by planning out what I’d like to do.

Charm Training Plan: Third Craft Excellency (9 XP, 1 Day), Fateful Craft Excellency (9 XP, 4 Days), Excellent Implementation of Objectives (9XP, 3 Days), Mother Sea Mastery (9 XP, 2 Days), Fathomless Poison Haven (9 XP, 2 Days) for a total of 45 XP.

Kimbery charms will be trained while sleeping, using the sympathetic dream link function of Lute’s manse to contact Madelrada in her sleep.

Schedule:
-Day 1: Third Craft Excellency
-Days 2-5: Fateful Craft Excellency
-Days 6-8: Excellent Implementation of Objectives

-Night 1-2: Mother Sea Mastery
-Night 3-4: Fathomless Poison Haven

Non-training tasks I’d like to get to, schedule more flexible:
-Work with Red and Gold, secure bound perroneles for protection of the circle
-Would probably go faster if Red and Gold secured attunement to the demesne first, which requires permission from Bridget and Edgar.
-Help escort Lumie back to her friends, learn about them
-Check up on Bonesaw and Dr Dinosaur, their situation permitting, bring Ivan’s niece’s injury to her attention, potentially allowing both to come closer to their best selves.
--Otherwise, bring the injury to Lumie’s attention
-Think about possible resolutions to improve Ivan’s not living up to his potential
-Take a nice long bath in molten glass in her Sandpoint workshop after mastering FPH
-Discuss plans and ideas for tattoo crafting with Rivers
-Roll for crafting after charms are learned
-Travel to the edge of the special area, collect some of Cecelyne sand that accumulated there when the region was banished. (Should be a good exotic ingredient for the Key to the Infernal Gate Lute plans to craft someday)
-Research and plan a way to reinforce the barrier keeping the Deer Who Hunt Men out of the area. Eventually something will disturb the carved leaves and open a gap- we need to act before that happens, and can’t wait to build an artifact 8 dome over the entire area, or until we have the capability to move the entire area with sidereal charms or adamant sorcery.
>>
No. 939091 ID: f57349

>>938695
Turns out the ghost is out of motes with which to power the cannon, and won't be recovering any without either waiting until Calibration or receiving an offering of blood. Remainder of your approach passes uneventfully.

You've got a battered and dust-clogged but probably repairable Shogunate combat engineering vehicle, a moderately dehydrated Immaculate monk, and a dead guy trying (and failing) to slay an anathema with a pipe wrench. Now what?
>>
No. 939094 ID: 8d924c

>>939085
>>939083
>>939040

Red and Gold chimes in to the discussion of measurements.

"Lookshy and the Realm's artificers are aware of the imprecision of measurements like this. But there simply isn't wide enough training or education. Not since the Shogunate. I intend to change that, but it won't happen overnight. I'll need at least a few months."

(Currently intended charm buys-
Miracle Gift Mastery-8 xp, 3 days
Scoured Perfection of Form-8 xp, 3 days
Cecelyne Mythos Exultant-8 xp, 3 days
Cecelyne Inevitability Technique-8 xp, 3 days
Bestowal of Accursed Fortune- 8 xp, 3 days
Ego Infused Pattern Primacy-10 xp, 4 days, and then saving for Essence 4 because too many good things are tied to Essence 4)
>>
No. 939098 ID: d9acdc

>>939091
Going to have to come back for this thing, seems like something we could use to create and protect better borders. For now though, DoM needs water, and Bridget needs to attend to Creation, so they'll be returning across the desert.

Bridget needs to spend at least 15 motes per day to invoke food gathering exercise and feed herself + DoM during the five day trip back to creation. With the farmers stone, Bridget can recover that in eight hours, so that leaves eight hours a day free to train. Old Realm, then, seemed to be the natural choice for practice, since the unlikely pair would have nothing but time on their hands to talk and practice. Unfortunately, Bridget had little patience to wait and learn. Up to this point there had been scant which eluded her should she put her mind to it, but she had failed o many tasks within such a short time that she was not content to simply let DoM plod along, explaining in excruciatingly slow detail, no structure or themes- Bridget could teach herself more quickly, no doubt. She quickly dropped the idea of having DoM tutor her in Old Realm, and instead set about using their free time to demonstrate how one gives instruction, correctly this time. By the time they crossed the endless desert and arrived at the stoop of the rented store-front turned temple, Bridget had internalized the principles of gifting wisdom to those who need it.

That's five days of training time for Harmonious Academic Methodology, bringing Bridget back to the present moment, waiting out the rain on the outskirts of town.
>>
No. 939099 ID: afdebc

>>939091
>a moderately dehydrated Immaculate monk
Squinting in the sun, and at the glowing figure before her "Oh... good. I'm chaperoning you. Don't run off again. Bad anathema."

Seems she's a little out of it.
>>
No. 939105 ID: ef5bf3
File 156313368112.png - (160.44KB , 198x541 , Makoto_fullbody_view.png )
939105

rolled 3, 3, 7, 8, 1, 3, 8, 4, 8, 1, 2, 4 = 52

>>939084
As soon as Radiance saw the locals on the horizon (no doubt a decent distance away with her 10 dice for it) she shifted her clothes so that she was wearing clothes actually appropriate for the situation, mostly just adding a wool overcoat and heavy scarf to the ensemble.

"Well, I wouldn't exactly say that it doesn't fit, but generally people just call me Radiance. But, I think I'll just call you Lumie."

There were some things she didn't exactly want to say, like how she felt like an exposed pinkie out in this barren looking snow-scape, or that it felt weird to see a champion standing at less than 6 foot tall, or her personal curiosity if this Champion and Regulator were in some kind of relationship. After all, she didn't want to be rude.

But, she looked like she was trying to enjoy herself at the very least, even if she was hardly as cheerful as her host. "Well, that's certainly gracious of Regulator Slee and her family. Thank you very much."

One of the few things she was generally sure about Kamak was that you generally weren't supposed to ask questions out of line, so as long as Lumie and the Regulator were quiet, she was going to be as well.

As they came in side, the difference was stark enough that her incredibly keenly trained social eyes could spot it instantly, and she was glad that the fears of this being too boring of a trip were assuaged at least a bit as she took stock of what the local in doors fashion seemed to be her clothes turned into a number of countless millions of tiny gold and silver feathers, turning back over into a black dress that didn't really leave much to the eye, trying to match with what little she's seen of the interior fashion, letting herself literally glow with eye-catching golden light.

"No, I can't say I've had Kamakian Blue. I've had Kaff on occasion, but that's about the most 'traditional' Kamak food I've ever had."

As it stood, she was halfway determined that she was going to match Lumie's energy, if nothing else, after all, what kind of an event would it be if two Champions weren't both trying to be the best at something. So she followed suit with a deep bow and warm wishes as she introduced herself as Radiance, and that she hoped to make their acquaintance over the course of this trip, and paying careful attention to who's who in this 'family' to see what kind of power dynamics they had in here.

(Charisma 3+ Socialize 3+ 1st Charisma Aug for an extra +3)
>>
No. 939112 ID: 54735b

Okay, in favor of wrapping things up so that we can push forward with the plot, especially since Rivers doesn't have anything to add to the current set-up.

Current EXP: 75 with this post (7 set aside for her goal of becoming a sorcerer engineer)

Current EXP plans:

10 exp: Armor Forming Method (65 left) 3 days
12 exp: Subduing the Honored Foe (53 left) 3 days
10 exp: Hide Toughening Essence (43 left) 3 days
10 exp: Relentless Lunar Fury (33 left) 5 days
10 exp: Scorpion and Toad Absolution(23 left) 3 days
10 exp: Scorpion and Toad Mastery (13 left) 4 days
2 exp: Lore 1-2 (11 left) at most 1 week
2 exp: Occult 1-2 (9 left) at most 1 week
3 exp: Ally 1 (Perronelle) (6 left) Instant-ish (will post character sheet soon)
3 exp: Presence 1 (3 left)
2 exp: Performance 1-2 (1 left)
8 exp: Int 2-3 (-7 training debt)

Total Training Time:
At best 3 days while waiting for Red and Gold to train Miracle Gift Mastery give some days for willpower recovery and doing other stuff for the party/self, at worst, 13 weeks 2 days.



Non-Training Goals:

Get Lumie healed back up
Get the IRA back from the Violet Eyed Underpeople
Start learning about sorcery from Mother Bog/Boglings
Visit the other towns in the creation area
Go on a date in the molten lava baths when Lute learns FPH
Learn more about Autocthonia
Get down to -3 mutation dice (14 days)
>>
No. 939113 ID: d9acdc

>>939091
>>939099
A pipe wrench bounces ineffectually off the golden bonfire that DoM mistakes for the radiance of the sun. Bridget doesn't blink- examining DoM for injuries, lifting her arms and checking her tongue and what not. Dehydration should be easy enough to deal with- she can carry her if needed, while ensuring she makes a full recovery.

"Lost you after reaching the temple. What has occured?"

Bridget starts leading her across the desert, the dark sky lit only by Bridget foraging in her desolate wastes to keep DoM fed and hydrated. She hopes to make sense of why she didn't return after meeting with Xanin, how she returned to the village, what occured to strand her in a giant machine piloted by an angry ghost in the endless sands of Cecelyne.
>>
No. 939144 ID: afdebc

>>939113
Licking her lips "Sesus X- X- the exalted chased you off. Then, uh, we had a nice talk in... her demon bathhouse. Offered me a, towel I think? Agreed to help in a week. Then I left, and uh, ended up here. Ghost offered me shelter from the sandstorm." She turns to watch the spirit working the wrench and mutters to herself. "I guess he gets points for trying to fight the anathema, although he really shouldn't be hanging around like that."
>>
No. 939154 ID: a36867

>>939144
"What help was offered? When did you return to town?"

Bridget is confused as she remembers one Edgar, disguised as DoM, convincing Bridget and the monks that she was safe and they should trust Bridget. DoM is likely also confused, having left the manse to reunite with Bridget and immediately getting lost in the endless desert. Even if Bridget can give a timeline it's probably difficult for DoM to keep track of how long she was lost amongst the featureless sands.
>>
No. 939158 ID: 7dd512

Regarding the commentary on education, Lummie comments. <Old Realm> "Ohh yes, having an educational foundation is core to the growth of a community, beyond mere survival. Not to say those aren't important as well, but a unified educational system really is best. Your children don't have prescribed curriculums ?"

"Ohh, and it's also useful to standardize your measurements to constants. For instance, a gram can be approximated, with high precision, to the mass of almost freezing water of a very particular volume. Or more precisely defined by the minimum force necessary to induce a conductive charge between lengths of starmetal at a very specific teeny tiny distance I don't quite recall off the top of my head. And all our units are defined like that. Got one unit figured out, got them all. And you use some complex universal constants, outside of blight zones, to derive a few of the starting points that all agree with each other."
>>
No. 939159 ID: 7dd512
File 156316674664.jpg - (580.79KB , 1000x1000 , 888fc77b9e97e82f1e41c4e88b754babfdf3e16f.jpg )
939159

rolled 8, 1, 2, 5, 4, 8, 5, 7, 7, 3, 6, 7, 3, 8, 4, 4, 10, 10, 3, 9, 10, 3, 2, 2, 6, 2, 8, 10, 2, 8 = 167

It'd become quickly obvious by the seating arrangements and by who was more comfortable cuddling with whom, that the matching tattoos shared by some people on the brow/temple indicated some arrangement of familial paring. Lumie's brow was noticeably uninked. And besides the two sparkling diamonds, the rest of the gathered soulgems indicated regulator, two sodalites and a variety of populat. The conversations seem to be flowing freely and mingling, bare toes wiggle relaxed inside on the soft carpets and children play at an ornately etched board game constructed of some semiprecious stones of no considerable strategic value.

Lumie, with a smug little smirk and wave of her hands, puts on a show as she describes the delicacy. <Autochtonian> "Consider yourself lucky, any nation who's tried to migrate out a bottle of this delicacy has found it tastes just awful outside her native soils. Mmm, but here ?" Cupped in her hands, a radiant iconography conjured bottle floats, spinning and twinkling attractively in its ethereal visage. For visual effect there's lots of twinkling sparkly stars and appropriate oohhing and awwing coming from distracted children as they look up from their game to the illusionary display. Slee snickers and a gray haired sodalite rolls his eyes as he goes to fetch some snacks, "Well I suppose now's as good a time as any."

Another couple get up to excuse themselves, make pleasant farewells to Radiant and from Lumie get goodbyes anywhere from a wave, a nod to more brushing against the other's cheeks, especially to the youngest one who's until now been staring shyly at the two Champions. She'd bounce forward to get an affectionate nuzzle, blush, then hide behind someone's leg again.

Some tasty snacks are set out, shotglasses of the fabled Kamakian Blue Flow are poured and that little amount savored by all in slow little sips. Each of the glasses has a crystal of ice to keep everything frigid cold and the viscus liquid flows smoothly around the ice, taking a pale translucent color. It's taste is an intense savory sweet and coats the back of the throat with an aftertaste akin to chocolate or coffee with every breath. Of the six conversations that are happening, nothing are of much consequence, work, gossip, happenstance and rumor. Whatever floodgates were set to keep things quiet outside are burst within and Lumie flows from conversation to conversation, laughing, getting in ribs or chiding teasingly as appropriate; She seems oblivious of any competitive edge, either too masterful to let her take notice or perhaps missing the streak entirely. Instead she just relaxes wholeheartedy between the occasional party trick or silly impression.
>>
No. 939163 ID: ef5bf3

Ally Got: PERRONELES 1 dot

Motivation: To serve Lucien above all else.


Attributes:

Strength 3, Dexterity 4, Stamina 4
Charisma 2, Manipulation 3, Appearance 0
Perception 4,Intelligence 2, Wits 3


Virtues: Compassion 3, Conviction 4, Temperance 2, Valor 5


Abilities:
Athletics 1 (Clinging to Host +1)
Awareness 4(Incoming Physical Attacks +1)
Dodge 2
Integrity 1(Loyalty to Lucien +3)
Linguistics (Native: Old Realm; Others: five additional languages) 5
Lore 2
Martial Arts 5
Occult 3
Presence 3
Resistance 1 (Withstanding Blows +3)
Ride 1(Host +1)
Stealth 2

Backgrounds:
Backing 1

Charms:
Essence Plethora (x2)—20 extra motes

Materialize—Costs 45 motes

Measure the Wind—The demon can gauge the danger others pose to its host

Shapechange—Allows the perronele to cover its host and form mouths and sensory organs as needed

Sheathing the Material Form—May add up to 5L/10B soak, with Hardness: 5L/5B

Spice of Custodial Delectation—The living armor gains a mote of Essence at the end of any scene it has kept its target safe from actual physical harm

Wine of Infinite Heartbreak—The relationship between the demon and its host is a symbiotic one

Boulder Crushing Grasp- With a strength born of the mountain, the User takes hold of a single opponent and inexorably crushes the life from him. When this Charm supplements a successful clinch attack or opposed clinch roll, all crushing damage inflicted by the martial artist becomes lethal. The damage she inflicts continues to be lethal until the clinch is broken.
Out of combat, a Jade Mountain Style practitioner can use this Charm to afflict his social foes with bone-grinding handshakes, adding one success to a relevant roll, if appropriate.

Sliding Glacier Grip-The Martial Artist shifts his position and changes his grasp with his opponent, making sure that she cannot escape their deadly embrace. When the martial artist’s player loses an opposed clinch roll (i.e., the two characters are already in a clinch), his opponent still cannot break the hold. Held by his unavoidable grip, the opponent must either crush him for damage or hold him peacefully

Pillar of Marble- By letting her Essence flow into the ground, the Martial Artist anchors herself. So strong is her connection to the earth beneath her, she cannot be moved. For one mote, she may ignore any single, non-magical effect that would incur knockdown, knockback or otherwise move her.
If a Charm or other magic inflicts such an effect, the martial artist must spend motes equal to the attacker’s Essence, and this Charm does not function if that attacker has a greater permanent Essence than the character.

Fortress of One-After stomping both feet firmly into the ground beneath him, the martial artist’s actions slow as his skin visibly hardens and takes on the aspect of stone. For every three motes spent, the Martial Artist adds one to both his bashing and lethal soak and ignores fatigue penalties for the rest of the scene. There is no limit on how many motes he may spend on a single activation of this Charm.
Martial artists practicing this technique, which is deliberately slow, suffer a -2 Dodge DV penalty without appropriate magic. This Charm ends immediately if the Martial Artist completely breaks contact with the earth or moves more than a yard from his original position. For this reason, Jade Mountain Style practitioners use Pillar of Marble Stance to resist knockback and other such effects.

First (Ability) Excellency—Linguistics, Martial Arts

Second (Ability) Excellency—Resistance

Third (Ability) Excellency—Awareness, Linguistics

Join Battle: 8 (9)
Attacks:

Bite: Speed 6, Accuracy 9, Damage 2L, Parry DV —, Rate 1

Clinch: Speed 6, Accuracy 9, Damage 2B, Parry DV —, Rate 1, Tags P

Tentacle Slam: Speed 5, Accuracy 10, Damage 2B, Parry DV 5, Rate 3

Soak: 2L/4B to 7L/14B (5L/10B and Hardness: 5L/5B from Charm)

Health Levels: -0/-1/-1/-1/-1/-1/-2/-2/-2/-2/-4/Incap

Dodge DV: 4 (usually does not dodge) Willpower: 7

Essence: 2 Essence Pool: 75

Other Notes: A perronele suffers from a two-die internal Awareness penalty when it has no visible sensory organsmanifested. It can manifest such organs anywhere on its
surface, but doing so makes spotting the demon much easier (two extra dice to [Perception + Awareness] checks made to do so).

The being wearing a peronelle enjoys the demon’s soak atop his own. There is no mobility penalty from wearing the demon. Attacks that get through the peronelle’s armor inflict damage on the demon (as well as its host if it gets through that being’s soak as well).
>>
No. 939166 ID: 7dd512

rolled 9, 1, 1, 5, 4, 1, 3, 5, 10, 5, 2, 6, 3, 2, 3, 1, 1, 10, 7, 5, 2, 3, 8, 1, 6, 6, 4, 6, 9, 2 = 131

-- Plans --
Since we're prepping for potential downtime, here's what Lumie has queued up already for builds while she's away:

Flash Shutters ( - Already built - )
Resonance Harmonizer ( 3 Days )
Resonance Harmonizer ( 3 Days ) 2nd
Resonance Harmonizer ( 3 Days ) 3rd
Dynamic Reaction Enhancement Syste ( 5 days )
Secondary Televactory Assembly ( 6 days )
Precursor Technology Absorbtion ( 2 days )
Precursor Technology Absorbtion ( 2 days ) 2nd
Endodiagnostic Analytical Routines ( 4 days )
Pattern-Meding Integration ( 4 days )
Comprehensive Surgical Systems ( 7 days ) 2nd
>>
No. 939167 ID: 8d924c

rolled 3, 6, 4, 9, 6, 6, 3, 1, 3, 4, 2, 5, 5, 10, 9, 5, 1, 10, 7, 4, 2, 6, 3, 9, 8, 7, 7, 9, 5, 3 = 162

>>939158

Red and Gold abruptly snaps his fingers, his face lighting up as if he's remembered something, and goes storming up the stairs. Before long, he can be heard coming back down them, along with an ominous rumbling. At first, it may seem to originate with the teodozjia padding down the stairs after him, but it can eventually be pinpointed to the purring of the tiny white cat Red and Gold has in his arms. He places it on an empty shelf, along with a bowl, filled with some unidentifiable foodstuff.

Red and Gold then turns to the teodozjia.

"I need you to gather up my bound demons, bring them here to shelter from the rain, keep them under control and stop them from breaking things. You're the best suited for this, you'll be fine in the rain, and they'll listen to you, I've told them to. Once you have them under control, you should assist any villagers who might get caught in the rain as well. You can give the other demons orders if you need them for that. Thank you, Blue Jade."

Red and Gold turns back to Lumie and Rivers then, smiling brightly.

"That's resolved. Oh, and it's illegal to harm cats here, if you're from somewhere they're dealt with differently. They're teodozjia-kin, after all."

Red and Gold strokes the tiny white cat as it rumbles and crunches the food from the bowl.
>>
No. 939171 ID: f57349

>>939098
>>939099
Teaching style may involve a lot of Socratic dialogue. Disciple of Mela's rationalization probably involves the idea that, while the Fifth Diligent Practice is resistance to the commands of the Anathema, it can surely be no sin to recite from and/or meditate upon the Immaculate Texts. This is no burning Blasphemous, silver-tongued Trickster, or oath-weaving Deceiver; what harm could there be in a student asking simple questions? http://www.threepanelsoul.com/comic/im-just-saying
>>
No. 939182 ID: 5f3f48

>>939158
"Standardized education in Creation's Age of Sorrow could stand to be improved in many ways more pressing than a universal system of measurements. Basic literacy is far from universal!"

>>939167
>Oh, and it's illegal to harm cats here, if you're from somewhere they're dealt with differently. They're teodozjia-kin, after all.
"Have you run that past the blood apes yet?" asked in the tone of a teasing hypothetical, since so far as Lute knows, Red and Gold hasn't summoned any.

"I agree we should remain long enough to see the village weather the weather. Are you agreeable with summoning living armor afterwards, before we seek out Lumie's allies?"
>>
No. 939183 ID: 5f3f48

>>939154
"I left the same day, if that's what you mean? I've not returned yet, unless the village was swallowed by these sands."
>>
No. 939184 ID: 7dd512

rolled 2, 5, 1, 9, 3, 1, 7, 2, 10, 9, 1, 9, 9, 1, 10, 10, 6, 8, 8, 1, 2, 10, 6, 3, 9, 9, 9, 6, 5, 9 = 180

<Old Realm> "Ohh, how curious, its fur goes all the way up it tail too ? And retractable nails." And with a glance to Rivers she further asks, "Is that the sound to which you're referring ? This isn't one of those cold weather adaptive variants is it?" She observes the strange animal. A glance was made to the big one but it's simply put not as cute as the small one, who's obviously more worthy of attention. "Well, for all you may have lacking in mechanical and <???> engineering, it looks like you have a lot of biodiversity and genetics figured out ? Adapted to cold weather survival, armor umm... I sort of wish I had a third example. Ohh, flight, yes. Rivers did mention some sort of airborn ... umm ... <???> .. no <???> ? ... hmm cultivation assistant. I'm not sure what you'd call them." She also leaves out the part about being intoxicated and so far beyond exhaustion during that conversation so as to explain the lapse in memory.
>>
No. 939192 ID: 54735b

>>939184
"Oh yeah, and I mean, it isn't like nowhere is generating artifacts. We make a lot of them in lookshy, just nothing so fancy as first age armor like you have, since things like that take a lot more resources, and they're way harder to make than more general artifacts that are more broadly usable. I mean, why build something for one soldier, when you can field a ship that can hold hundreds of soldiers for the same cost?"

Red and Gold would definitely know that she probably picked most of this up from one particular colleague of his, Sonju Minow, who was particularly obsessed with air supiriority the stories of the Five Metal Shrike, and how it would guarantee Lookshy's aerial superiority, and was always shot down for her attempts to petition missions to find it. At least that's a good indicator of what she might already know.
>>
No. 939195 ID: 7dd512

rolled 10, 8, 2, 4, 3, 9, 10, 5, 6, 9, 8, 8, 9, 9, 1, 5, 2, 7, 2, 6, 4, 5, 8, 8, 6, 3, 2, 8, 1, 1 = 169

She offers up a shrug of her shoulders. <Old Realm> "I suppose, even if the analogy doesn't make complete sense. Maybe it's a matter of infrastructure then. I mean crafting colossal or municipal <???> takes a considerable amount more materials and labor than personal scale armaments, just from sheer scope alone. And I don't know why you insist on denominating it as a relic ? Not even ten years ago it was produced; as in it's construction started after you were born. And granted it's core design is a classic, but the micro <???> and <???> are every bit as good as the <???> <???> you'd find laticed in a <???> like mine." At this point, slightly on the flustered and defensive, she's being a lot less careful with the terminology that doesn't really have much in the way of direct translation. Regardless, it sounds technical and complicated.
>>
No. 939252 ID: 54735b

rolled 8, 2, 5, 7, 6, 3, 4, 8, 5, 9 = 57

I'm kind of in favor of jumping this up an hour or so, so Rivers goes into the kitchen to prepare enough food for a crowd as quickly as possible.

After all, she had Lumie and the new-found Lunar to worry about, not to mention Lute and Red and Gold. She would try to wrap up about the same time that Creep woke up so they could discus what kind of planning they actually want to do, since nobody seems particularly interested in just rushing down without a plan.
>>
No. 939257 ID: 54735b

>>939159
It was a fairly close 'game' in Radiance's mind. Even if she was the only one playing. After all, Lumie had the home field advantage, but she was naturally more charismatic and had a better grasp of social dynamics. After all, she couldn't exactly work with the Preceptors if she didn't know how to find networks of voidbringers and other heretics, and that was a lot less dangerous or difficult than ingratiating herself to a foreign family.

But, even if she did view this, she'd be lying if she said she didn't genuinely enjoy spending time with humans, even if this wasn't the bright lights and loud music she tended to prefer.

As for Kamakian Blue, it certainly was something. She was expecting something loaded up with stimulants, or some kind of monstrously powerful booze, and this seemed like neither. But, it was good. She was tempted to slip away with a bottle of it stashed away elsewhere to see if it was really soil that impacted it's taste and not time.

She is going to keep it up until everyone but Lumie has gone in for the night. After all, she did kind of hope to meet who she was going to have to spend the next however long with on an individualized basis. Set the bar accordingly.
>>
No. 939274 ID: 7dd512

rolled 3, 1, 10, 7, 9, 9, 8, 9, 7, 6, 7, 6, 10, 4, 2, 4, 7, 9, 1, 6, 7, 3, 8, 5, 2, 8, 3, 8, 4, 8 = 181

>>939257

At some point Lumie was sat on the edge of a cushion with a sibling of Slee's braiding her hair while she similarly worked on one of the nieces' sat on the carpet in front of her. Things would wind down but conversation never got too heavy: some inquisitive questions about the culture and even the jabs at distributed wealth not based upon merit swatted at playfully so as not to sour the tone.

Should Radiant actually get her hands on a bottle of the stuff, she'd likely find it lacking in any of the key flavors and quite lackluster ... if she ever let its temperature get above the freezing point of water that is; but by the time that might happen, it's elusive mystery might be maintained and kept a Kamaki secret.

Things would eventually die down as it got cold and Lumie would guide Radiance out to the entrance, saying her goodbyes to those still awake and exchanging fond farewells. Slee joins us up to the door but opts to stay here tonight. Changing is a somewhat casual affair as the alchemical's wardrobe POOFS into thick leathers and synthetic wools in a cool blue with little traces of luminous streaks to reflect the lights outside. She comments as we leave to step out into the cold air, blowing a hot breath to cloud her face before her with an implied smile, <Autochonian> "Figured you might want to see a little more warmth, most outsiders don't really get us at first and didn't want to leave you that impression before we leave for the great unknown." She bounces playfully, jumping from footprint to footprint left in the snows outside, leaving her own smaller impression in someone's tread as she hops along with uncanny grace and little practical purpose. [i]"A domicile had already been arranged for you and I believe one of your demiurges is already cozy there. They didn't take to the cold and travel so well as you and just wanted a warm room a little time to unwind alone. I dont' remember the name ... Ohh well. You all set for tomorrow ? Said all your goodbyes and such ? It might be hard to get out a message once we're off."
>>
No. 939299 ID: 8d924c

>>939182

Red and Gold shakes his head at that.
"Haven't got any to run it past. But I appreciate cats more than blood apes, so it would be in their best interests not to press me on it. Their love for blood is really not my favorite quirk. It's inconvenient. Tomescu are much more pleasant. You definitely get used to them. Well, unless you're the Silent Wind."

(Red and Gold takes this opportunity now that he should be full up on motes and willpower to invoke Verdant Emptiness Endowment again to raise a marotte's intelligence to 2. Based on the results of the first attempt, it's better to go slowly with them, rather than trying to jump them to 5 all at once.)
>>
No. 939330 ID: 5f3f48

Frenzied Rodent Researcher (Rodent Accumulating Terror)
The Rat Queen
Jade Caste Alchemical

Iconic Anima: a complex maze-like pattern in stark white, backlit in warm green
Motivation: To create new and wonderful breeds of rats

A lithe champion of pale white jade, highlighted and accented with green, with a vibrant, infectious excitement, and an everpresent grin (an emotional openness in sharp contrast to the usual kamakan restraint). One might expect a mad gleam in her eyes, were they not concealed beneath a matching band of green silk. She wears a flared duster coat of synthetic leather (bulging outward at the midsection), an absurdly oversized mechanical collar, and sports a rat riding on her shoulder. And another peeking out of her coat pocket. And another- and another- everywhere. There are rats everywhere, swarming in all directions above and below and behind, and in the shadows, rat shaped things too large loom.

Frenzied Rodent Researcher (sometimes called Rodent Accumulating Terror, in either fear or awe) is an unusual alchemical, with an affinity for biotech rather than conventional magitech. A genesis technician, she specializes in the creation of adorable (so she claims) and useful custom lifeforms for a wide variety of applications (a rat for every occasion!). In her zeal, she has done the unthinkable- and convinced her superiors to authorize the installation of a voidtech genesis laboratory charm (under careful supervision, and subject to a deadly failsafe contingency in the form of an overengineered explosive collar).

Caste: STA, CHA, WITS
Favored: INT, PER, DEX

Strength 2 Dexterity 2 Stamina 4
Charisma 5 Manipulation 1 Appearance 4
Perception 2 (3, w/ DTT) Intelligence 5 Wits 2

Compassion 3, Conviction 2, Temperance 1, Valor 3

Essence 4, Willpower 5
Personal, 24 (19 base + 5 from Reciprocal Maternity Siphon), Peripheral: 41
9/24 Personal Committed (Charm Installations)
12/41 Peripheral Committed (Revelation Blindfold, IRA, Dragon Tear Tiara)

Archery 3
Craft (Water) 2
Craft (Wood) 2
Craft (Steam) 3 (Rats +2)
Linguistics 1 (Native: Autochthonic (Kamakan Dialect), Others: Tribal Rattongue)
Lore 3
Medicine 3
Occult 3 (The Science of Husbandry +2)
Performance 1
Presence 2
Survival 2

Charms:
Sixth Stamina + Resistance Excellency [1m]
Sustenance Replication Engine [1m]
Integrated Genesis System (with Reciprocal Maternity Siphon) [2m]
Sixth Perception + Craft Augmentation [1m]
Sixth Charisma + War Augmentation [1m]
Semiotic Flare Projector [1m]
Omnitool Implant [1m]
Second Dexterity Augmentation [1m]

Thaumaturgy Procedures:
Improve Rat Breeding
Ward Maintenance (Science of Husbandry)

Mutations, Merits and Flaws:
Megalomania (Debility)
Delusion (Debility) (All rats are adorable, regardless of actual appearance)
Hungry (Debility)
Eyes of Wicked Madness (Debility) (Her eyes have seen the horror of the Void, rather than Malfeas)

Backgrounds: (10 dots)
Artifact 4 (•••• Murine Armor, •• Light Implosion Bow Nimhian Lightning, •• Revelation Blindfold, •• Rat Summoning Whistle, •• Hydroponics Lab)
Artifact 4 (•••• Jade-Moonsilver Infinite Resplendence Amulet, ••• Quagmire Perimeter Mine, ••• Rat’s Eye Elemental Core, •• Dragon’s Tear Tiara)
Class 3 (Free)
Followers 2 (Rat Horde)
Henchmen 3 (Murine Corps)
Savant 1

Mundane Equipment / Resource Purchases (from Class 3):
Fine prop rat tail
Fine Hand Crossbow (Resources 3)
Fine Sun-Resistant Duster (Resources 3)
Oversized Thermos
(Crossbow and Duster per Scroll of Fallen Races)

Intimacies: (Max 8)
Rats (Love)
Others TBD

BP:
+18 Free
+2 Megalomania
+2 Delusion
+2 Hungry
+2 Eyes of Wicked Madness
-20 Essence 2 to 4
-2 BP (6 XP of Submodules, 2 procedures)
-4 BP Additional Background Dots

Other:
Wearing an artifact bomb collar as a failsafe against her use of voidtech. As this is artifact belongs to the people who fitted her with it, this has not been purchased as a background. Comparable to a 3 dot Manacle of Night (as it does not interfere with charm use) and a 5-dot Slave Collar, although it deals axiomatic damage rather than aggravated.

Currently incubating a Genesis project that will be a magical creature on the scale of Familiar 3 when complete.

Details:

Murine Armor (Artifact 4)
Similar in shape and function to Metsubou Gremlin-Armor, but not built out of a gremlin spirit. Designed to be work by a giant rat, amputation is not necessary, as the armor supplies humanoid limbs the murine ordinarily lacks, through the hardpoints for nervous system integration still require surgical installation.

Rat Summoning Whistle (Artifact 2)
A variant Ghost Summoning Whistle that instead summons rats. As rats are less of a neatly defined metaphysical category than ghosts, it may affect anything with clear rodent-like characteristics, whether animal, spirit, bizarre mutant wyld-spawn, etc. Recharge interval is based on the passage of time, rather than the occurrence of sunsets.

Hydroponics Lab (Artifact 2)
Primary food supply for the rats, with Sustenance Replication Engine acting as a supplemental and/or backup supply.

Rat’s Eye Elemental Core (Artifact 3)
A reskinned Spider’s Eye Stone hearthstone, converted to an elemental core. This three dot variant increases the range to Essence x 100 yards.

Dragon Tear Tiara (Artifact 2)
I’m assuming as written that the +3 would apply to practicing the Art of Husbandry, if not, I’d like a variant that swaps that out for Astrology / Geomancy.

Followers 2 (Rat Horde)
A magnitude 4 unit, composed of a tremendous variety of rats. Rats optimized for strength, for speed, for manual dexterity, for intellect, for aesthetic appeal. Rats of different sizes and colors. Rats with wings. And many more. The result of generations of careful thaumaturgical breeding programs, the introduction of genetically engineered genesis projects, and mutts from less-careful crossbreeding between lines. A teeming, chaotic mess to the eyes of most outsiders, but the horde’s mistress carefully tracks the genetic lines, and if asked, could expound for hours on the many breeds and lines in her care, in the baffling and overwhelming detail only a connoisseur can manage.

Mass combat unit statblock pending.

Henchmen (Murine Corps)
6 Heroic Mortal Giant Rats, all the products of past genesis crafting projects. One wears artifact murine armor, statlines pending.
>>

rolled 10, 6, 3, 1, 2, 8, 7, 5, 6, 5 = 53

>>939274
Well, things kept elsewhere like in the pockets of a Star Metal IRA are immune to the ravages of time and every known force, so I'd imagine that it would be as ice cold as the second it went in whenever it was pulled out. So, that will be something to surprise Lumie with later in creation as she quietly palms a bottle of the stuff while said Champion is doing her pyrotechnic light show, replacing it with an empty bottle of similar size and shape (Rolling Dex 5+Larceny 2).

Radiance's clothes were far less casual, maintaining the brilliant coat of many rainbow appearance, the only thing remaining consistent through the appearance was a broach with the symbol of the Great Maker on it.

"Well, it was definitely good to see some kind of action beforehand. I definitely don't think I could keep myself particularly entertained here for more than a few days though. It's too quiet, in more ways than one, but that's a good thing at least."

Really, while it was nice, and she was following Lumie tot he Domicile she was assigned along with her supernova whirlwind romance of the 'week' (or however long this lasted) in the form of a Junior Tripartate member who had been assigned to the mission as her pilot and/or gunner depending on circumstances (said girlfriend/pilot didn't really put much stock in any relationship beyond duty for propaganda because the champion went through intimate relationships like tissue paper), she really wanted to tour the city by flying over it like a small golden sun flying unfettered by anything.

In fact, when she finally got to the domicile, magnificent angel wings that looked sheathed in the same rainbow of gold, silver, and grey feathers that her clothes turned into as they transformed, shedding a corona of golden light like an Infinite Resplendence Amulet.

"It's been lovely, but honestly, while I have the option I might as well take a nice long flight."
>>
No. 939441 ID: 7dd512

rolled 8, 8, 7, 10, 2, 7, 3, 3, 2, 2, 8, 4, 3, 3, 5, 4, 6, 3, 3, 10, 6, 3, 5, 1, 5, 8, 3, 4, 6, 10 = 152

(Dice !)
>>
No. 939442 ID: 7dd512

rolled 6, 10, 4, 8, 3, 7, 9, 2, 8, 5, 7, 5, 4, 7, 1, 10, 1, 4, 4, 5, 9, 1, 10, 6, 7, 3, 6, 7, 10, 5 = 174

Stopping just outside where she's to leave Radiant, she glances to the wings and nods, <Autochtonian> "I never did understand that style particularly. Mine opt for the more subtle and angular aesthetic, the layered ovals seem so impractical." She hesitates a little, before asking, "Did you file a flight request with Heraj ? Vehicles are typically not permitted in the city proper and, while not, you are kind of lit up like a beacon and that's liable to cause a disturbance, even if you don't mean any harm. If you'd like I can show you to some of the metropolitan limits where aerospace isn't so ... lets say limited to outsiders ? I just don't want you getting in trouble or intercepted ? And speaking of that, maybe be a little more careful if we run into natives elsewhere. I realize it's not quite the excitement you must be used to but we're more than happy to host with, let's say fresher libations. I can't say that any new friends we may meet elsewhere would share the same values and we really want to to meet them nose first and whiskers out, not well ..." She leaves it off at that. "It's been a long day, might I recommend getting some rest or maybe loading out for tomorrow, it's bound to be quite exciting."[i] She smiles. [i]"But if you don't need anything else, I do need to squeeze in a refit in the next hour or two and say some goodbyes."
>>
No. 939456 ID: d9acdc

>>939183
"We spoke in town four days prior. You inspired trust in your brethren. Please provide more details."
>>
No. 939459 ID: 54735b

>>939442
"Well, it's not like I personally got to choose what design choice the Great Maker imposed on artifacts he made before he even departed from the homeland.

"But, as for your other question, I haven't actually been briefed as to whether the city is a patropolis or a metropolis, so formal airspace regulations are in fact beyond me."

She also chose not to interact with the rest of what Luminous Alacraty seemed to be (rightfully so) accusing her of.

"Anyway, I'm already geared out for the usual of this kind of work, and the F.O.B. has a vats complex, so I'm not TOO worried about needing a more combat oriented loadout."
>>
No. 939473 ID: f57349

Hopping puppeteer was asked not to identify Lute as a sidereal, but, between intellectual limitations, drugs, and Arcane Fate, has completely forgotten both who Lute is beyond "someone in town" and what identifying characteristic was meant to be concealed. It regards this as a good thing, since deliberate violation of that order is now impossible, but has been erring on the side of caution by refusing to share, or even indirectly acknowledge, any identifying characteristics whatsoever of any human other than Red And Gold.

It's also been trying to teach the other hopping puppeteers about childcare, mostly resulting in confusion and annoyance. "So, wait, wait. Sharp bits of brass or copper are too hard for them to chew, but heating it up to soften it is even worse. Absolutely no arsenic. Now you're saying they need calcium, but quicklime is bad. Same sort of deal with salt, only it's the exact same stuff, just that too much at once is bad. What about if we took some coal - I mean, that can be soft, and it's pretty much organic - and made it white on the surface with some lead oxide paint? No, that's another alchemy thing, isn't it."

>>936342
>Kakrox gathered 40 beastmen and divided them into 8 parties of 5. "Alright listen up lads I'm sending each of you out in different directions. North, North-East, East, and so on understand? Listen don't fight don't even make contact just run back here first sight of trouble. I expect everyone back here by tomorrow night. Understand? Just a day of scouting.

Four days later, five of the eight scouting groups have reported back. Of the three that didn't, two - both headed toward the brass forest - were led by individuals known to be vocally skeptical of traditional protective amulets. Another scouting group returned with two injured and one dead, after fighting something that appeared to be a deer at first, but on closer inspection, turned out to be a ravenous, hateful heap of demonic maggots. Fine steel axe barely left a scratch. Came apart like warm butter when struck with an oaken club, though.

>>939112
Peacetime duties for a war leader involve a certain amount of feasting, carousing, ceremonial appearances, tribal politics, and supervising overeager warriors to keep them busy and out of trouble. Bare minimum seven days per month. Could plausibly be combined with the training time for Armor-Forming Technique and Subduing the Honored Foe, but you won't be getting much else done that week (apart from dissipating wyld taint dice).

>>939085
A day or two after those four riders arrived, Haslanti airship captain mentions wanting to get the crew home to their families before Calibration, with a tone of such deep sincerity such that your Urge does not permit refusal, or even significant delay. You've already learned the Third Craft Excellency and Mother Sea Mastery by that point. Could check in with Red And Gold for extra supplies, bound demons, and/or dots in Sail (so you can grab Mirror-Shattering Method, simplifying a speedy return).
>>
No. 939481 ID: afdebc

rolled 10, 6, 1, 6, 3, 7, 5, 3, 8, 3, 2, 3, 3, 6, 7, 8, 8, 1, 9, 2 = 101

In the demon city, a mere stroll away from a recently conquered manse...

>>939081
Dell really wasn't thrilled at the prospect of having to stick her head into Flair's sex life (again), and she's even less happy at the sudden discovery it apparently involves flying tentacle monsters.

Unless this is some kind of demon pet or... no, the purple-skinned prostitute seems just as surprised this thing burst out of her house, it's not hers. Great. Looks like it missed Angel, at least.

Well, not being carried off into the sky by an oversized sex toy today!

The wood aspect draws her knife, and Chiaroscuran glass stabs towards the bulbous flesh wrapped around her lower extremities.

Rolling: Melee 2 + Accuracy 2 + Dexterity 5 + Stunt.

No idea what the tick order is for this combat, or how to grock the grapple rules (much less how they may have been houseruled), but trying to breaking free, especially before we get up too high, seems the right move. Plus I'm gonna need my boots free for kicking and for the sticking the landing here.
>>
No. 939483 ID: afdebc

>>939456
>You were in the village four days ago
"It's a little hard to count days in this desert, with the wrong sun and the sandstorms, but that doesn't sound right. Unless time is wrong here too?"
>>
No. 939496 ID: d9acdc

PRESENT
>>939473
After the rain stopped, Bridget entered town and sought Lute. The delegates still hard at work hammering out a contract with more exact terms amongst the towns makeshift government, Bridget chooses not to interrupt, lest her temper or other forces endanger the peaceful accords. Upon finding the azure vizier deep in discussion with some poor girl reduced to a torso, and the innkeep constantly surrounded by a menagerie of friends and pets, >>939182, Bridget helpfully contributes her plans to help with that whole "standardized education" issue. She'd like someone else to organize a cohesive social group which should could train with HAM, on top of inviting Lute or Red and Gold to offer assistance with learning Old Realm. Since she's used to isolation and many people here seem to have a dogmatic fear of those like her, plus lots of other issues of varrying relevance, she doesn't think she can organize a class herself. After her encounter with cecelyne she might not take an offer of VEE, but that could provide interesting RP opportunities. In addition, the talk of summoning armor piques her interest- could this innkeeper be a smith as well? She's seen him around but hasn't had much of a chance to speak with him. If they share a common art that could be reason to unite.

"Greetings. I request help organizing classes. Curriculum is debatable. One subject per week, and prior I must study local tongues. How may I address all, and is medical help needed? Once all are safe, discussion of armor interests me. I would trade secrets with another smith, perhaps even tutelage."

PAST
>>939483
>the wrong sun

Hm, seems Cecelyne has taken her toll on poor DoM, confusing Bridget's anima flare for the sun. Can't blame her- being stranded without food or water for days on end in this strange and hospitable realm can't be any good for ones mental capacities.

The two exchange words and eventually come to the conclusion that DoM didn't knowingly return to the nameless village after being separated from Bridget. in this strange place, it's hard to come to any conclusion for definite than that, but it's a start at least.

Troubling then, are the implications for Bridget. If the other monks were tricked into allowing Bridget to tend to them, then the days of screaming would likely be looked upon in a new light, if their opinion of Bridget could somehow worsen. Come to think of it, it wasn't even her own idea to use the bonewine- she'd been urge to by people offering to help her with exactly what she needed, exalted when she needed. Had she been tricked? Urged to torture the monks and further the divides between the people and herself?
This was all too convenient, too close together to be brushed off as mere coincidence. Surely the one who orchestrated this, devised to turn the townsfolk against each other and banish them to this hellscape, must have played some part in tricking Bridget and the monks. Yes, Karrods stink is all over this rotten occurrence, she had been blind not to realize he was diverting her sooner. Of course he wasn't out here targeting a village of nameless repute- he was targeting her. The castle in the sky, made of tortured souls, a perfect target to draw her away. Then, blighting this land and stranding her! He sought to trap her, both in a prison of sand and one of morals, and she had fallen for it. And yet, even knowing this place to be a trap, how could she value the lives of those on the plantation for highly than those around her now? And, further still, Karrod underestimates her: yes, she can navigate this prison.

In the distance, beyond the horizon, a glass mirror twinkles.

The training regiment for Harmonious Academic Methodology will not only incorporate Bridget's instinctive understanding that she has the power to teach within her, but also ruminations upon her own failings. She too must learn to transcend her current limits in order to save creation from Karrods wretched grasp. As she and DoM catch up over the course of a week, DoM slowly regaining her health and strength, Bridget informs her of the regrettable treatment procedure performed on the immaculate.

"After fleeing, I found a student. They promised medicine, unpleasant, but necessary. A personal stock, in return for wisdom. Advised me to avoid pursuing you. Pillar screamed for three days before the sickness was banished. I fear trickery by Karrod. I'll return you safely; retaliation will not be punished. My failure is... regretted. Deeply. Refrain from endangering the villagers at large and any attacks against me are permitted."

Before spending XP and changing intimacies, how does DoM react to Bridgets story of getting tricked into torturing the monks as a ploy by her evil twin to divide the people of the village? Feel free to assume DoM knows the details of what happened even if I didn't state it outright here, considering they'd have a week to talk. I can imagine a lot of different reactions-empathizing with Bridget for struggling to overcome her personal failures, being appreciative that the Monks are alive and healthy, turning against her for the pain she put her brethren through, thinking Bridget is still trying to trick her and pull some larger scheme, some conflicted loyalties that make her distance herself from Bridget, etc. Knowing whether or not to add her as an ally or something like that seems pretty dependent on how DoM actually considers Bridget after this whole ordeal.
>>

rolled 1, 7, 9, 9, 2, 1, 7, 5, 7, 1, 6, 6, 10, 6, 2, 3, 9, 8, 8, 3, 1, 7, 10, 7, 8, 6, 3, 10, 6, 5, 1, 8, 2, 7, 5, 6, 6, 7, 4, 2, 3, 2, 8, 1, 10, 1, 2, 5, 9, 7, 3, 10, 10, 1, 9, 9, 7, 6, 3, 3, 10, 2, 5, 6, 7, 7, 4, 2, 1, 6, 2, 4, 6, 6, 4, 6, 6, 10, 5, 2, 8, 1, 1, 5, 5, 6, 3, 2, 2, 8, 2, 7, 8, 2, 9, 1, 7, 4, 6, 2 = 520

>Haslanti airship captain mentions wanting to get the crew home to their families before Calibration, with a tone of such deep sincerity such that your Urge does not permit refusal, or even significant delay. You've already learned the Third Craft Excellency and Mother Sea Mastery by that point. Could check in with Red And Gold for extra supplies, bound demons, and/or dots in Sail (so you can grab Mirror-Shattering Method, simplifying a speedy return).
Early morning, the fourth day after Hegra's psychedelic rain, Lute Silhouette Speculation, holding a small stack of letters, seeks out Red and Gold, and finds him at his inn, issuing orders to demons and mortals both, while holding his cat.

"I apologize for the suddenness, but I find myself called away by urgent need- you will be absent my company ten days, at the earliest. These," she hands over the letters, "are mementos for the others. I thank you again for the protections you have already provided, and only hope I will be able to sail smoothly."

Each letter is a handwritten note for a member of the circle. Intended as social attacks to reinforce (or establish) a positive intimacy towards Lute, and a contingency against the erosion of arcane fate. (Not that this should be in issue our current locale). Rolling... a whole host of dice for those.

Stunting in Red and Gold having summoned a living armor for Lute already over the timeskip, and providing an opportunity for him to use Verdant Emptiness Endowment to increase her sail by two. (It's been 3 days, he should have Miracle Gift Mastery and be able to do that in one go).
>>
No. 939521 ID: 8d924c

>>939496

Red and Gold breaks into a wide smile at Bridget's offer to assist with classes.

"Oh, of course! I'm afraid I'm only a middling smith, as I've seen your work, and I can't quite compare. Sharing secrets I can do, however. It is one of my gifts to offer, as a Green Sun Prince. I am empowered to ask something in return afterwards, so I will simply ask now, as this is something I've been wishing to do-would it be possible to attune to the demesne which it appears you have claimed, my friend? I have no intention to try to seize it from you, merely to utilize the essence to speed my ability to help provide tutelage for the many people who need it. A good first start would be to teach everyone Old Realm, as it is the language used most here in Malfeas, as well as by scholarly texts. As to what I can offer as to secrets, almost anything you can ask, aside from those forbidden to learn to all but Titans. Would you like further mastery of a particular aspect of your craft, perhaps? My own specialty is in the artifice of essence powered technology, rather than straightforward smith work, but I can grant knowledge I do not have myself."

Red and Gold seems perfectly genuine in what he's offering, because he is, but previous experience with Cecelyne could reasonably make Bridget wary of this offer.

>>939498
(Perroneles task bound to defend their given charge from harm would be a reasonable change to what Red and Gold has been summoning. He'll be taking a break from his previous summoning of a marotte and tomescu per day to instead summon some specifically useful demons. Anyone else interested in a perronele? Would Bridget like a heranhal assistant, perhaps? It may not even be necessary to bind one to achieve that, although Red and Gold would summon and bind a neomah to the task of providing their services LOCALLY rather than just everywhere in Malfeas just in case.)

Red and Gold grants the gift of additional dots of Sail with an abrupt transformative swirling of silver sands around Lute's form. (Instant use makes the charm Obvious.)

"Keep yourself safe, my friend. I will do my best to keep everyone here safe while you are away."
>>

rolled 7, 4, 2, 7, 10, 3, 4, 2, 3, 10, 7, 6, 6, 3, 1, 3, 9, 8, 8, 2 = 105

The afternoon after Hegra's rain...
>>939496
Lute is visibly pleased at the return of her twilight caste companion, and after greetings are given, steps back besides the slightly disheveled flowerpot on the windowsill, and begins quietly reciting a poem in old realm (about maidens, and shadows, and trust) as the others continue to converse. She rejoins them momentarily.

Activating Blue Verevain Binding, and applying Kimbery's excellency to the roll. (This is to be a trade of information after all, and secrets to be had, with potential to harm others later if unearthed). Assuming I roll 5 or more successes, Lute, Bridget, Rivers, Red and Gold, Creeping Hunter, and Lumie will all understand the other, regardless of language used, and can choose to learn any language or dialect known to the others as a training effect.

Linguistics 3 + Intelligence 6 + Excellency 6 + Stunt
6m personal committed, 6m personal spent.

When Bridges the Sun and Moon proposes a school, the Joybringer expresses her enthusiastic approval (in the language of the western mermaids), and readily agrees to help in recruiting perspective students.
>>
No. 939624 ID: 7dd512
File 156351488078.jpg - (307.44KB , 1024x768 , e650948ec837431f7812d572f8fc112354754869.jpg )
939624

rolled 9, 4, 7, 1, 4, 7, 9, 4, 8, 7, 3, 6, 7, 6, 8, 5, 10, 9, 8, 7, 8, 2, 5, 6, 6, 6, 10, 10, 2, 6 = 190

Continuing the topic of education, Lumie offers, <Old Realm> "Well, if you're to start an educational program, I'd recommend a core foundation of literacy and mathematics. Those then give you the necessary tools to expand out to scientific and cultural, as well as ahh ... how would you say it, job studies ? But those specializations should be secondary to a unified educational core. Observational methodology, standardization, and the ability to communicate that to others are pretty necessary before you start to specialize if you want to make long term advancement. Otherwise you end up with overly specialized knowledge that doesn't translate between groups very well since they can't communicate the base ideas without any common ground."

Bridget would get a smile at first but the blank look and uniquely foreign accent might give away the language barrier, that is until Lute's magic settles in. Lumie would be very much curious about how that works and would indeed ask a good number of questions regarding it (as well as picking up the instant dot in Rivertongue, since it seems to be the language group in common used here). When Creep began to come to, after healing up past the -4 health levels, she'd retrieve her implements with a little help from Rivers and let the other creature like Rivers begin to grow acclimated. Though once she retrieves her tools, the pain of a crushed in rib cage would start to manifest again (at the -2 health levels) and she'd do her best to try to keep the situation calm and him from moving overly much.

Eventually, as the conversation grew on, Lumie would ask about the continuous power source that Lute had mentioned before, asking if she could study it for a little while. She had a number of interesting ideas over the next few hours to fashion up a setup whereupon she could mend herself, if allowed the usage of one such hearthstone for a few days. Her own power source, she'd re-iterate, had limited reserves. Over the next few hours though she'd fashion up a gravity fed valved tube and a nutrient mash out of watered down beer, grains and any other suggestions Rivers had to produce a slurry that would keep for several days. The taste would be disgusting but Lumie was relatively confident in the approach, though she frequently suggested it's application only for someone of her particular biology. At some point in the process, after she was relatively confident of some of the occult properties of the hearthstone, she'd bring out her own combat armor to demonstrate to Rivers (and others who chose to stick about and observe her mad science). She'd monitor the armor and check on it from time to time, checking on the power levels, wearing the helm for a few moments at a time and making sure the hearthstone was sufficient for her needs. And satisfied with the current jury rigged setup, she'd dismiss the armor, set up her own instrument of regrowth with the hearthstone, start the drip feeder with the end stuck far down her throat and with that she'd be out for literally days. Before that point though, she'd explain her comatose state and be happy to answer a number of other questions that might come up. But she also explained in an emergency, removing the stone from the band she setup around her stump of a right arm should rouse her, not to be alarmed if she's not breathing or hardly moving and to please not fiddle with her equipment as her limb is regenerating. It's a slow, freaky process as the metal laced bones begin to extrude out from the stump, blood and nerves surface, muscle tissue grows over that and eventually solidifies into skin along the outside ... over the course of 3 days.
>>
No. 939625 ID: 12eff4

One second. That was how long it took for the Demon City to be engulfed in flames, and the demonic blimp to explode into a pile of burning cinders.

Another six seconds was all it took for most of the light show to die down. Of course, now every demon for several dozens of miles would know that this locale was the epicenter of a brief by incredibly huge fight. After all, she was still standing in a cloud of burning ash, glowing like a bonfire.

"So, that could have gone better. We'll probably be swarming with people looking either for a piece of the action, opportunistic looters, or brown nosers looking to get in good with whoever won that fight that. So, I'm going back to wait for that to happen. You're more than welcome to join me. Hell of a nice interruption from some of the tedium of running this place to see someone else that isn't a demon or mortal.

"I don't think I ever got your name, or what a proper Lookshyan would be doing in Hell, especially considering that you came from the side where creation isn't."

Her cigar thoroughly ruined by a blazing inferno, Sesus Xanin pulled out another cigar from her bottomless box, offering it to, lighting it with her teeth as she bit into it, staying there as she waited at least to see what the first wave of onlookers was going to be.
>>
No. 939650 ID: 5f3f48

>>939624
The same day as Hegra's rainstorm...

>until Lute's magic settles in. Lumie would be very much curious about how that works and would indeed ask a good number of questions regarding
It seems Lute’s Essence manipulations largely function by indirect interaction through a medium she describes as "Fate", in this case, the translation effect is achieved by binding together the "threads" of Fate corresponding to affected indaviduals. A deeper understanding proves difficult to convey, as her understanding of her charm seems drawn from insights into poetic verse. While the verses themselves are readily shared, their deeper trusts remain (perhaps frustratingly) opaque to listeners. (Could this be some method of data compression, and Lumie lacks the necessary key?)

The use of the term "charm" itself in this discussion may come across as odd to Luminous Alacrity, as the magical translation ensures the meaning is conveyed, despite the fact Lute sports no visible signs of alchemical charm installation, clearly isn't a spirit, and doesn’t seem to be engaged in supernatural martial arts.

In more practical terms, Blue Vervain Binding also offers a certain measure of security. If each member of a linked group speaks in their most obscure tongue, the resulting polygolt conversation becomes very difficult for a spy to follow without their own translation magics.

>Eventually, as the conversation grew on, Lumie would ask about the continuous power source that Lute had mentioned before, asking if she could study it for a little while.
The Joybringer is happy to explain the basic lore of hearthstones, and bring her own out for examination. She cautions, again, that the stone held by Red and Gold would be much better suited to this task. Through her manse, Lute’s Thread-Body Movement Stone is connected to a powerful spirit, who may visit the dreams of one who bears it. A spirit who would likely express curiosity... deconstructively.

>>939521
Four days after the rainstorm...

>Task Bound
On reflection, I would prefer Abscissic binding, so I can take it off if circumstances warrant. The Functionary, with a function of "serve as Lute Silhouette Speculation's armor" is what I'd like to go with.

>"Keep yourself safe, my friend. I will do my best to keep everyone here safe while you are away."
With a warm smile "Thank you. Look after each other, and be careful seeking out Lumie's allies."
>>
No. 939681 ID: d9acdc

rolled 6, 7, 8, 2, 5, 2, 5, 3, 6, 10, 10, 8, 5, 1, 1, 9, 8, 5, 7, 6, 3, 3, 9, 1, 9, 3, 8, 2, 10, 3 = 165

The same day as Hegra's rainstorm...
>>939521
>>939553
>>939624
>Everyone ignores Bridgets question about names and medical needs
The babble of conversation that bursts forth in response to her presence does the Solar some good. Easy enough then, to forget that she doesn't know everyones name. Assuredly someone would mention it if anyone needed medical attention. Of course, they could be deliberately ignoring her remark if they didn't think she was capable of providing...

That train of thought is derailed as blue light falls softly on the wilting flowers. The conversation is suddenly eased as a single petal hisses silently, the pitting on its surface unobserved. Seven broken Wings of Red and Gold offers to make a deal with Bridget, and the petal dissolves.

Bridget spends 3xp and picks up a dot in linguistics, learning Old Realm through BVB.

>My own specialty is in the artifice of essence powered technology, rather than straightforward smith work
"Armor of essence? Explain."
Bridget is curious- summoning armor, essence powered technology, what exactly does this innkeeper mean?

>utilize the essence to speed my ability to help provide tutelage for the many people who need it
"A shared cause. I will gladly assist. All should assist. Gather, and agree. We shall make an oath now to better the lives of all, and swear allegiance to this common cause."
Bridget would be happy to help a fellow teacher disseminate information! If attuning to the demense furthers such a cause, of course R&G is welcome to join. In fact, Bridget is so caught up in the enthusiasm of finding other like minded teachers, she thinks they should all make it official, and swear an oath to work together and further this shared goal. Bridget doesn't know R&G can officiate oaths, but that would certainly be welcomed if offered.

>Would Bridget like a heranhal assistant, perhaps?
She's not looking for one per-se, but probably wouldn't turn one down. Letting her too close to a bound demon might cause conflict though, if it seems as though the demons are being enslaved rather than acting of their own will.

>A good first start would be to teach everyone Old Realm
>When Bridges the Sun and Moon proposes a school, the Joybringer expresses her enthusiastic approval (in the language of the western mermaids), and readily agrees to help in recruiting perspective students.

"Then, bring me students and we shall share language."

Four days after the rainstorm...
>>939498
>Each letter is a handwritten note for a member of the circle. Intended as social attacks to reinforce (or establish) a positive intimacy towards Lute, and a contingency against the erosion of arcane fate.
Bridget already has a positive intimacy towards Lute- does her letter seek to give it a specific flavor, or otherwise do anything special outside of "Don't forget me while I'm gone!"
Also, if it's been four days, would it be appropriate for Lute and/or R&G or whoever else is getting involved to make a roll to organize classes for Bridget to teach, and see how well that might have been going?
>>
No. 939700 ID: afdebc

In the days before Hegra's Rainstorm...
>>939496
>The two exchange words and eventually come to the conclusion that DoM didn't knowingly return to the nameless village after being separated from Bridget. in this strange place, it's hard to come to any conclusion for definite than that, but it's a start at least.
"It's so hard to tell time in this place, with nothing in the sky. I don't think that happened... unless time itself is wrong here?" The Disciple of Mela shudders at the thought of a world so broken, one could not even be sure of the order of events. In comparison, an alternate explanation of a demonic doppelganger, foul trickster or changeling at work is almost reassuring.

>how does DoM react to Bridgets story of getting tricked into torturing the monks as a ploy by her evil twin to divide the people of the village?
Well, it's certainly better that Pillar Disciple of Pasiap lived, even if the cure was painful. And to her thinking, she supposes it makes a certain degree of sense that even an earnest attempt to provide care by an Anathema might be tainted (as strange is it is to acknowledge one of the Unclean attempting such a thing). Terrible, even reaching for greatness. What must it be like, to have failing that can't be overcome?

She isn't quite sure what to make of the story of an evil twin, but if Bridget has an established opponent, perhaps two anathema engaged in a shadow-conflict could explain some of the strangeness of recent days.
>>
No. 939723 ID: f57349

>>938875
>>938886
>>938888
Should be heavily armored aerial skiff, otherwise approved.
>>
No. 939726 ID: afdebc

>>939625
Arking gracefully backwards, Umbrageous Waxwing Dell slowly spins through a cloud of glowing embers, before landing effortlessly on her feet, bells ringing out in what could almost be mistaken for the applause of an unseen audience.

She couldn't quite decide to be viciously pleased that Flair's betentacled bedroom accessory had been flash-vaporized by the dynast, or frustrated she hadn't get a chance to vent her own frustration. That's the second aborted fight she's had in an as many hours.

>"I don't think I ever got your name, or what a proper Lookshyan would be doing in Hell
"But it's right and proper for a dynast, then?"

"And you didn't hear anything because the one who was supposed to be doing the talking fucked off!" punctuating her declaration with a contemptuous swipe of her arm at a patch of sky, accompanied by an angry jangling. "...*sigh*. It's Umbrageous Waxwing Dell."

>especially considering that you came from the side where creation isn't."
>[Occult 0 + no knowledge of the Exiled-from-Creation zone]
"What's that supposed to mean?"
>>
No. 939727 ID: 54735b

>>939726
"Well, even if you did know that a massive chunk of creation was dragged straight to hell only about a dozen miles from here, I don't imagine you'd be here on your own, or with JUST the one person as it were. So, are your companions liable to follow the great big signal I just gave them, or will they need someone to point out that they're being rude keeping a lady waiting?"

Sesus Xanin decided that nobody was going to come, and for good reason. A tad disappointed by this turn of affairs she never the less offered a cigar to Unambiguous Waxing Drell.

"Regardless, while there's nothing to be gained just standing around chatting between ourselves, it's been nice a pleasure to meet you, my name is Sesus Xanin, and as the local conqueror, for lack of a more accurate descriptor, of the area you're more than welcome to come and stay here."

Sesus Xanin was, regardless of UWD's decision to follow her or not, going to head back to her castle. She did, after all, want nothing more than to have a large number of dragon-blooded allies, but they were lookshyan, and she already had a lot of things on her plate for the day. She had to deal with the other interruption of the golden Agata from some sorcerer no doubt, and even later she'd need to meet with the head of the local butcher's guild to negotiate rates for supplying the Manse with a more permanent food supply so she could start building up a real and proper army to get her hands on some surrounding territory.
>>
No. 939728 ID: 54735b

Ally Got: PERRONELES 1 dot

Motivation: To serve Lucien above all else.


Attributes:

Strength 3 (6), Dexterity 4 (3), Stamina 3 (6)
Charisma 2, Manipulation 3, Appearance 0
Perception 4,Intelligence 2, Wits 3


Virtues: Compassion 3, Conviction 4, Temperance 2, Valor 5


Abilities:
Athletics 1 (Clinging to Host +1)
Awareness 4(Incoming Physical Attacks +1)
Dodge 2
Integrity 1(Loyalty to Lucien +3)
Linguistics (Native: Old Realm; Others: five additional languages) 5
Lore 1
Martial Arts 4
Occult 3
Presence 1 (Counter-revolutionary +3)
Resistance 1 (Withstanding Blows +3)
Ride 1(Host +1)
Stealth 2

Backgrounds:
Backing 1

Charms:
Essence Plethora (x2)—20 extra motes

Materialize—Costs 45 motes

Measure the Wind—The demon can gauge the danger others pose to its host

Shapechange—Allows the perronele to cover its host and form mouths and sensory organs as needed

Sheathing the Material Form—May add up to 7L/15B soak, with Hardness: 7L/7B

Spice of Custodial Delectation—The living armor gains a mote of Essence at the end of any scene it has kept its target safe from actual physical harm

Wine of Infinite Heartbreak—The relationship between the demon and its host is a symbiotic one

Mimic of Toungues

Boulder Crushing Grasp- With a strength born of the mountain, the User takes hold of a single opponent and inexorably crushes the life from him. When this Charm supplements a successful clinch attack or opposed clinch roll, all crushing damage inflicted by the martial artist becomes lethal. The damage she inflicts continues to be lethal until the clinch is broken.
Out of combat, a Jade Mountain Style practitioner can use this Charm to afflict his social foes with bone-grinding handshakes, adding one success to a relevant roll, if appropriate.

Sliding Glacier Grip-The Martial Artist shifts his position and changes his grasp with his opponent, making sure that she cannot escape their deadly embrace. When the martial artist’s player loses an opposed clinch roll (i.e., the two characters are already in a clinch), his opponent still cannot break the hold. Held by his unavoidable grip, the opponent must either crush him for damage or hold him peacefully

Pillar of Marble- By letting her Essence flow into the ground, the Martial Artist anchors herself. So strong is her connection to the earth beneath her, she cannot be moved. For one mote, she may ignore any single, non-magical effect that would incur knockdown, knockback or otherwise move her.
If a Charm or other magic inflicts such an effect, the martial artist must spend motes equal to the attacker’s Essence, and this Charm does not function if that attacker has a greater permanent Essence than the character.

Fortress of One-After stomping both feet firmly into the ground beneath him, the martial artist’s actions slow as his skin visibly hardens and takes on the aspect of stone. For every three motes spent, the Martial Artist adds one to both his bashing and lethal soak and ignores fatigue penalties for the rest of the scene. There is no limit on how many motes he may spend on a single activation of this Charm.
Martial artists practicing this technique, which is deliberately slow, suffer a -2 Dodge DV penalty without appropriate magic. This Charm ends immediately if the Martial Artist completely breaks contact with the earth or moves more than a yard from his original position. For this reason, Jade Mountain Style practitioners use Pillar of Marble Stance to resist knockback and other such effects.

Jade Mountain Form: The earth around the master of Jade Mountain Style shivers, as she briefly falls to one knee and touches her head to the ground. Rising from the meditative position, she reveals the great strength and might of the mountain within her—this Charm adds almost a foot to her height and 100 pounds to her weight.
More stunning are the plates of stone that rip themselves from the earth around her. They lock into place around the martial artist’s body, giving her an external musculature to use in battle. The transformation from martial artist to stone juggernaut adds an amount equal to her Essence to her Strength and Stamina. It also allows her to soak lethal with her full (and improved) Stamina and parry lethal attacks unarmed without a stunt.
Although it is powerful, the mountain is neither agile nor quick. Jade Mountain Form reduces an martial artist’s Dexterity (and corresponding movement rate) by one dot.
Should the martial artist lose contact with the earth for more than one whole action, the Charm ends. That is, a Jade Mountain practitioner can leap from the ground on her action, but as long as she lands before or on her next action, she maintains the Charm. If someone grapples her and lifts her from the ground for five ticks, she must take control of the grapple in the next action and escape to the ground, or Jade Mountain Form ends.

First (Ability) Excellency—Linguistics, Martial Arts

Second (Ability) Excellency—Resistance

Third (Ability) Excellency—Awareness, Linguistics

Join Battle: 8 (9)
Attacks:

Bite: Speed 6, Accuracy 9, Damage 2L, Parry DV —, Rate 1

Clinch: Speed 6, Accuracy 9, Damage 2B, Parry DV —, Rate 1, Tags P

Tentacle Slam: Speed 5, Accuracy 10, Damage 2B, Parry DV 5, Rate 3

Soak: 2L/3B to 9L/18B (7L/15B and Hardness: 7L/7B from Charm)
With Jade Mountain Form: 6L/6B to 13L/21B

Health Levels: -0/-1/-1/-1/-1/-1/-2/-2/-2/-2/-4/Incap

Dodge DV: 4 (usually does not dodge) Willpower: 7

Essence: 3 Essence Pool: 85

Other Notes: A perronele suffers from a two-die internal Awareness penalty when it has no visible sensory organsmanifested. It can manifest such organs anywhere on its
surface, but doing so makes spotting the demon much easier (two extra dice to [Perception + Awareness] checks made to do so).

The being wearing a peronelle enjoys the demon’s soak atop his own. There is no mobility penalty from wearing the demon. Attacks that get through the peronelle’s armor inflict damage on the demon (as well as its host if it gets through that being’s soak as well).
>>
No. 939758 ID: 8d924c

>>939681

Red and Gold visibly winces at the mention of swearing oaths. He strokes the nearby cat, weighing his next statement.

"If you wish a binding oath sworn, enforced by the creators, I would need clear terms, likely in a contract, and most likely an end point. A century, perhaps? A hundred years is quite a long time, longer than I've lived, but at least I could say that it will end, and I won't be bound to an oath that may become impossible to fulfill in such a time. If you merely ask that I swear to do my best without binding magic, though, I will gladly do so. I want the best for these people. Even though they may distrust me, as a sorcerer trafficking with the infernal, my motives are genuine. I don't believe I've properly introduced myself, however, Chosen of the Sun. I am Seven Broken Wings of Red and Gold, Green Sun Prince. I do not know what you have heard, but I say to you that I intend you no harm. We can accomplish far more working together than against eachother, for these mortals have been cast into a realm where I hold influence, and I intend to protect them. Even from those influences they may believe benign. Of course, the demons massing at the borders are a greater concern, as of this moment. Perhaps the best thing to teach the people here for their survival is how to defend themselves against luminata. Weapons of rowan, oak, and ash, are best, but wards as well I could teach them of, to hold them back. You say you're a smith, do you have skills with woodcraft? I have been attempting to get a proper forge built, but there are so many tasks that I've redirected my construction efforts to working on a granary, to ensure we can keep people fed through what may become lean times. You may have seen the marottes, the hopping puppeteers at work? Despite their looks, their worst trait is an affection for infants. I'm attempting to resolve that, but it will take some time. If we could craft arrows and spears of rowan, ash, or oak, then my tomescu would be well prepared to defend the people of the town. Ah, and my specialties in essence technology will be of little use to us as of now. Without magical materials and exotic ingredients, let alone the proper tools, I can't truly craft anything worth mention. I can summon the living armors, of course, and they are often quite willing to defend a host, but they may not be best for mortals. Particularly given their fear of demons, wearing a demon on their skin most likely will not please them."

Red and Gold looks to Bridget for a response, then, concerned.

(As far as arranging classes, probably best would be a general 'demon realm survival' class, which would include literacy first, since that's vital, then also Lore, Occult, and potentially VEE gifts of thaumaturgy degrees in Warding and Exorcism, or Enchantment, or Alchemy. Ideally that'd get anyone in the nameless village not busy with their work or healing up to attend, but might need more than one group and so more than one activation of the charm. Red and Gold would open the inn up for classes! If Bridget was interested, Red and Gold also wants to eventually turn his current bound tomescu force into potential wing leaders for an actual military, and so give them Presence, Performance, Integrity, Bureaucracy, and Socialize most likely. I think those are abilities Bridget can cover? The marottes need training in Medicine. That's pretty much the only thing they need, is Medicine and improved Intelligence.)
>>
No. 939778 ID: f57349

>>939553
While Bargux may be an utterly inadequate spy in many other respects, he does have conversational fluency in both Rivertongue and Pelagial (as well as the Red Horns' tribal dialect), and is casually eavesdropping on this conversation.
>>
No. 939855 ID: afdebc

>>939727
>a massive chunk of creation was dragged straight to hell only about a dozen miles from here
What! That's possible? If that's true (it can't be, right?), why in the name of every dragon is their firm dealing with a petty traffic dispute instead of that?

Dell finds herself alone, staring stupefied at the cigar in her hand, bells silent, as the remaining Khomfai embers crackle and slowly dim, and the neomah works to repair her damaged door. Between Embri's betrayal, Flair disappearing (and somehow impossibly far away), the Dynast's sudden intervention and even more sudden departure and that revelation... the wood aspect feels very much overwhelmed and out of her depth.

Eventually, she stirs, and beacons over one of the builder bugs hovering nearby (also confused as to what's going on, but considerably less concerned by that). "Contact Cathak- tell her to head outside, I'll sending word on the wind." If nothing else makes sense, report it. Sanitizing this disaster into precise military language drilled in by Lookyshian training is almost calming.

Mission FUBAR. Flair MIA, demonic abduction or indulgence unclear.
Traffic obstruction: dynast conquered manse.
Contact made, fire aspect reports creation landmass moved to hell. Unverified.


Activating Wind Carried Words Technique for... however many personal motes it takes to reach the lawship from Dell's current location. (3 or 4 I'd guess).
>>

rolled 5, 9, 2, 2, 2, 8, 8, 9, 10, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 4, 1, 3, 3, 1, 6, 1, 10, 7, 6, 3, 10, 8, 8, 2, 8, 4, 1, 4, 3, 5, 8, 3, 10, 9, 1, 3, 2, 4, 6, 2, 2, 3, 1, 6, 4 = 246

>>939681
>Bridget already has a positive intimacy towards Lute- does her letter seek to give it a specific flavor, or otherwise do anything special outside of "Don't forget me while I'm gone!"
More along the lines of apologizing for her abrupt departure, that she appreciates their friendship, wishing Bridget well with the classes, and hoping Bridget and the others will be safe in her absence.

Embedded Social attack would be for establishing or reinforcing an intimacy of friendship, and I'll leave it to your judgement if that's equivalent to or a change in flavor of the intimacy "allies" Bridget already has towards Lute. (To my mind, that might mean something more professional, but that might not be how you see it).

The text doesn't so much say don't forget me, but the hope is if someone missing Lute rereads their letter, it'll held ward against it.

>Also, if it's been four days, would it be appropriate for Lute and/or R&G or whoever else is getting involved to make a roll to organize classes for Bridget to teach, and see how well that might have been going?
I have no idea what pool to roll for helping Bridget arrange and set up classes in the days before Lute departs, but have a pile of dice regardless. Whatever ends up being rolled, Lute's willing to double it with the First Kimbery Excellency (helping shape people into new and more useful forms), and the stunt should be urge-resonant.

>>939778
And I suppose I'll roll Awareness 0 + Perception 6, no excellency, to see if Lute notices the eavesdropping at the inn, if he's using mundane stealth.
>>
No. 939892 ID: 54735b

rolled 6, 7, 7, 1, 5, 2, 9, 5, 4, 3, 6, 1, 10, 7, 1, 6, 9, 7, 6, 2 = 104

>>939855

SX was a bit surprised that the wood dragon wasn't following her, but that hardly mattered. She looked like she was going through a lot, and she wasn't going to force her to let it all out any sooner than she was ready to. Granted, she couldn't help but think she looked incredibly familiar to a Cynis that she had met once or twice.

But, she had a diplomatic meeting with the Agatae that she hadn't sent for coming to bother her training regiment to whip up a small local militia. So, as she scaled the access ladder made of rope and wood dunked in vitriol visible only to herself and the Dragonblooded, there was more than enough window for the other exalt to climb up before it was rolled off.

As for the unexpected diplomat, she had had it brought to a fairly plush room on the spa floor of the tower, and was finally ready to speak to it as she sat down, and tapped the desk in front of it for good measure.

"So, what might it be that you're looking for me for?" She was putting on a carefully constructed air of having absolutely zero weaknesses on her part.

"After all, it must have been incredibly important to have come all the way out here and interrupt me in the middle of two other unfortunate distractions."
>>
No. 939905 ID: 8d924c

>>939624
(Forgot to mention, but yes, Luminous Alacrity can borrow the hearthstone! It's a 5 dot hearthstone, so it should be fairly helpful. It's also Red and Gold's way back to his manse, though, so he will want it back eventually.)

>>939892
Character sheet-
Adamant Seneschal, Agata Familiar
Motivation: To herald the word of my master the Seven Broken Wings of Red and Gold to all realms of existence.
Intimacies:
Seven Broken Wings of Red and Gold (Rider/Master)
The Tin Orchid Academy (Respect)
Cecelyne (Love)
Sesseljae (Grudging Respect)

Attributes: Strength 6, Dexterity 3, Stamina 5; Charisma 3, Manipulation 1, Appearance 6; Perception 3, Intelligence 5, Wits 2
Virtues: Compassion 3, Conviction 2, Temperance 1, Valor 3
Abilities : Athletics 3, Awareness 1, Dodge 1 (Airborne +2), Integrity 1 (Resisting External Temptation +1), Investigation 1, Linguistics 2, Lore 1, Martial Arts 1 (Sting +2), Occult 1, Presence 1 (Inhumanly Beautiful +1), Resistance 3, Survival 3
Backgrounds: Backing 1
Charms:
Essence Plethora—10 extra motes
Hurry Home
Landscape Travel—An agata uses this Charm to carry up to two armored men while it flies; it can fly unencumbered without the Charm
Materialize—Costs 45 motes
Portal—An agata in flight can open a portal from its current location to another aerial location that it can see up to 30 miles away
Principle of Motion—An agata often has less than six extra actions banked due to its outbursts
First (Ability) Excellency—Athletics, Resistance and Survival
Second (Ability) Excellency—Athletics, Resistance and Survival
Third (Ability) Excellency—Athletics, Resistance and Survival
Join Battle: 3
Attacks:
Claw: Speed 5, Accuracy 5, Damage 6L, Parry DV 3, Rate 2
Sting: Speed 4, Accuracy 7, Damage 9L, Parry DV 3, Rate 3
Soak: 5L/9B (Thin carapace, 2L/4B)
Health Levels: -0/-1/-1/-1/-2/-2/-2/-4/Incap
Dodge DV: 4 (5 if airborne) Willpower: 6
Essence: 3 Essence Pool: 70
Other Notes: Unless the agata is attacking her or one of her Intimacies, an enemy must fail (or spend a temporary Willpower to ignore) a Compassion roll in order to cause the agata to come to physical harm. An agata can use its sting attack only while airborne. Its sustained flight speed is approximately 30 miles per hour, or about 15 yards per tick.

>>939892

The Agata buzzes at the entrance of the Dragonblooded, wings shifting to scatter light in a thousand colors as its six crystalline legs raise it to face them.

"My greetings to you, Prince of the Earth, in your newly acquired residence. May you be blessed by the Endless Desert. I come bearing word from the Seven Broken Wings of Red and Gold! As arrangements must be made for the delivery of foodstuffs, as well as maintaining a trade route through those dreadful maggots lurking on the borders of our beautiful new lands, we are here to negotiate such terms, and return with word."

The Agata hums in a pleasing tone as it studies the desk in front of it.
>>
No. 939943 ID: f57349

>>939886
The town's not really big enough to support multiple layers of bureaucracy, so Lute simply dresses up as a fictitious office assistant and "reminds" the mayor that he'd "already agreed" to fully support Bridget's educational efforts.

If Bargux is approached in any way resembling a confrontation over the issue of which way his ears were pointing, he lets out a panicky squeak - in Pelagial. The most literal translation would be "dreams of the ancestors," but it's generally understood to mean "I observed neither the presence nor the clear lack of what you just specified; I cannot confirm your statement, but neither am I accusing you of lying." Vast religious connotations, too much to get into at the moment. In military contexts, it's used for "say again?" or "scouting inconclusive." He clearly intended it to mean "I heard nothing / paid no attention / wasn't eavesdropping on you" but pre-empting any actual specific question that way is an egregious violation of grammar.
>>
No. 939944 ID: 12eff4

>>939905
Considering that the Agatae has an intimacy of love to Cecelyne, it probably can't see SX through the shield's "People loyal to Cecelyne's Laws can't see me" effect unless it counts as a priest of Cecelyne. That was what the knock was there for, to get it's attention specifically to break that effect.

But, Sesus Xanin was surprised to the fact that she was being offered a good deal.

"Considering I can only imagine you work for a sorcerer, but I've come to expect two things from the last month of prayer and reading the law. Something of this nature always comes with a hidden cost on top of what's been negotiated for. But, before I can think too harshly of you, what manner of being is your master?"

She should have known that Luminata would have appeared around creation. Fortunately, most of the wood she had access to was Oaken, so a few days of going and keeping their population down probably was a good idea. She'd have to take some trusted men with her for that and get to it. Maybe the UWD from earlier and make a day of it.
>>
No. 939960 ID: afdebc

rolled 4, 7, 8, 9, 6, 9, 3, 9, 8, 5, 1, 1, 5, 2, 5, 7, 10, 8, 9, 7 = 123

>>939855
Coming down from the slight high of accomplishing something in this sanity-challenging mess, Dell is confronted with the fact she's still just standing around in the wilderness. Urban wilderness? This part of hell does somehow manage to give the feeling of untamed wilderness despite looking like a city.

Regardless, there's not much she can do here, unless she were inclined to take the purple prostitute up on her offer. (Assuming the offer were even still on the table with the demon distracted by home repair. Not that Waxwing Dell would care either way, because unlike some people, she's a profession who doesn't step away fro her job to sex up demons!).

If Cat or Otter had any immediate response to her message, they'll be busy trying to explain it to the bugs well enough to get a non-mangled response through. (She rolls her eyes at the fact Realm standards don't mandate learning an essential communication charm). Back to the manse, then. It's closer. After that, back to the ship. Then... maybe one of the others can figure out what in hell we're supposed to do next.
>>
No. 939966 ID: 54735b

>>939960
Strictly speaking, UWD can do whatever the hell she wants. The mortal guards aren't trained to not-do what an Exalt says. But, unless she makes a conscious effort to avoid going there, she'll be taken to the spa floor and offered an all expenses paid spa day to 'help her unwind and destress, since it looks like she needs it' are the words that the guard says Xanin herself said.

But, it also wouldn't be too much of a stretch to enter into the meeting with SX and the messenger, and having two Dragonblooded there would help both of them out if they're getting food out of the deal, since the Lawship would have access to rations to keep from depleting their mission provided rations (and also probably with a whole lot more flavor). Plus, it might lead to the resolution of the Lawship's first mission.
>>
No. 939993 ID: 5f3f48

>Strictly speaking, UWD can do whatever the hell she wants.
Little harder than it sounds when someone is in denial about what they want!

>But, unless she makes a conscious effort to avoid going there, she'll be taken to the spa floor and offered an all expenses paid spa day to 'help her unwind and destress, since it looks like she needs it' are the words that the guard says Xanin herself said.
You know what, Dell's has had a very bad day, and Temperance 2 is not gonna be good enough to resist an offer that good. (She's not blowing off her job like Flair was. Accepting Sesus Xanin's hospitality is perfectly reasonable, dealing with her is the mission).

The Bathouse now contains one wood aspect trying to forget her troubles, two unsupervised builder bugs playing like children in the bath (and building floating castles of soap and resin), and an aalu in a bath towel attempting to map out the premises and determine the local bureaucratic situation.
>>

rolled 9, 7, 5, 9, 2, 10, 5, 1, 1, 6, 10, 10, 4, 3, 7, 4, 10, 10, 9, 9, 9, 9, 7, 3, 8, 10, 5, 8, 1, 2, 4, 9, 6, 8, 1, 9, 7, 1, 7, 6, 8, 4, 6, 10, 6, 9, 10, 2, 10, 10 = 326

>>939473
>>939650
Goodbyes given, necessary assistance secured, Lute sets sail across Malfean skies in the Haslanti airship. (Good luck finding the Kamak expedition, protecting the village, and educating the masses, everyone else)!

IRA currently set to Haslanti furs to fit in again, and to compensate for the skin-tone pallor of the living armor. The armor's eyes are disguised as glass jewelry.

Committing 5m peripheral for Stone Skipping Spirit. Rolling for... whatever sail-related activities are relevant. Navigating to and across the Endless Desert seem like non-trivial actions (whether Lute’s assisting or performing them).

Counting the time sailing with the crew towards learning Mirror-Shattering Method.
>>
No. 940055 ID: d9acdc

>>939758
>visibly winces at the mention of swearing oaths
>If you merely ask that I swear to do my best without binding magic
>We can accomplish far more working together than against eachother
>Weapons of rowan, oak, and ash


"My request is only to work together to safeguard the displaced; no tricks. How shall we supply wood?"

>I've redirected my construction efforts to working on a granary
"Shelter first."

Given her experience a week ago, Bridget is convinced that Seven Broken Wings of Red and Gold must also have been tricked into signing a contract without full control of the details. His wariness, then, makes sense, on top of the immediate implication that they might be natural enemies once she mentioned oaths. Bridget could probably teach villagers to make spears and arrows if they have materials to make them out of- I'm assuming malfean plants don't count? I also don't know how many dots in Craft (Wood) you need to have before attempting to craft spears and arrows, but I can't imagine it's very many. While the villagers are learning to craft, Bridget would prefer that proper housing be constructed, since stored food doesn't do much good if everyone died during an acid rainstorm.

What do we need to get weather control/protection for the village? Having normal rain seems like it should be pretty high on the priority list.

>I think those are abilities Bridget can cover?
Conviction, Temperance, Perception, Intelligence, Craft (Air, Earth, Fire, Water or Wood), Investigation, Lore, Linguistics, Performance, Presence or Socialize.

>>939886
A weary smile crosses the craggy face of the solar. It is good then, that *someone* is able to help the villagers. She should have secured the help of the airship crew to transport the villagers, but things have been so hectic... contemplates temperance 1 and conviction 2. Ah well, the viziers presence shall be missed, but it is not the life of a god king to bemoan their status, but rather to will into existence a form and world that fits their purpose.

By the time Lute has left, Bridget has raised the lore of all all the villagers, and any other willing participants such as PCs, demons, etc, by one dot, using Harmonious Academic Methodology. This cannot raise lore above four, so anything with lore four or higher cannot benefit from this training effect.
>>
No. 940075 ID: 54735b

rolled 6, 9, 2, 4, 2, 3, 6 = 32

>>940055
Fortunately, Harmonious Academic Methodology only requires 5 hours on in-class instructions per week. So, Rivers is going to front-load on classes, with 2 on the first two days, and one on the third, if that is possible. All the while training Armor Forming Technique, which requires 24 hours of training. Assuming 8 hours a day max, that's 6 hours on days one and two for half of it done, 7 hours on day three for 19/24, and the rest on day four, with it being below E3 requirement, so Mother Bog and the boglings count as suitable trainers to not double up training times going by the rule established way back when I learned Claws of the Silver Moon.

So, on day 5, presumably with Lumie having regrown all of her limbs, Rivers is ready to successfully find their way down to help her get back with the (stolen) mundane superheavy plate, the Perronelle, and her own War form, with armor forming technique on at full blast.

(6 dice left of mutation dice, +1 for transforming into a true form.

Total soak base:
29B/24L/12Agg 0 hardness)

Raw with sense of purpose and clarity of mind, the Lunar layered in demon, steel, and bone was ready, and she was going down with or without Lumie to find out what was down there, but it was at least worth making sure she was ready to go.

"Are you ready, or am I going into the tunnels by myself and possibly getting lost?" There was something of a cocky sense of self assuredness that that wouldn't happen, but she still didn't want to go down there by herself.
>>
No. 940079 ID: 54735b

I messed my math up, it's actually 31/27/12 soak on Rivers. I'd like to see those damn 12 mortals with sledge hammers try to take me out now.
>>
No. 940080 ID: afdebc

>>939330
Second Draft, after ST review.


Frenzied Rodent Researcher (Rodent Accumulating Terror)
The Rat Queen
Jade Caste Alchemical

Iconic Anima: a complex maze-like pattern in stark white, backlit in warm green
Motivation: To create new and wonderful breeds of rats

A lithe champion of pale white jade, highlighted and accented with green, with a vibrant, infectious excitement, and an everpresent grin (an emotional openness in sharp contrast to the usual kamakan restraint). One might expect a mad gleam in her eyes, were they not concealed beneath a matching band of green silk. She wears a flared duster coat of synthetic leather (bulging outward at the midsection), an absurdly oversized mechanical collar, and sports a rat riding on her shoulder. And another peeking out of her coat pocket. And another- and another- everywhere. There are rats everywhere, swarming in all directions above and below and behind, and in the shadows, rat shaped things too large loom.

Frenzied Rodent Researcher (sometimes called Rodent Accumulating Terror, in either fear or awe) is an unusual alchemical, with an affinity for biotech rather than conventional magitech. A genesis technician, she specializes in the creation of adorable (so she claims) and useful custom lifeforms for a wide variety of applications (a rat for every occasion!). In her zeal, she has done the unthinkable- and convinced her superiors to authorize the installation of a voidtech genesis laboratory charm (under careful supervision, and subject to a deadly failsafe contingency in the form of an overengineered explosive collar).

Caste: STA, CHA, WITS
Favored: INT, PER, DEX

Strength 1 Dexterity 3 Stamina 4
Charisma 4 Manipulation 1 Appearance 5
Perception 1 (2, w/ DTT) Intelligence 5 Wits 3

Compassion 3, Conviction 2, Temperance 1, Valor 3

Essence 4, Willpower 5
Personal, 24 (19 base + 5 from Reciprocal Maternity Siphon), Peripheral: 41
9/24 Personal Committed (Charm Installations)
12/41 Peripheral Committed (Revelation Blindfold, IRA, Dragon Tear Tiara)

Archery 3
Craft (Water) 2
Craft (Wood) 2
Craft (Steam) 3 (Rats +2)
Linguistics 1 (Native: Autochthonic (Kamakan Dialect), Others: Tribal Rattongue)
Lore 3
Medicine 3
Occult 3 (The Science of Husbandry +2)
Performance 1
Presence 1
Survival 3

Charms:
Sixth Stamina + Resistance Excellency [1m]
Sustenance Replication Engine [1m]
Integrated Genesis System (with Reciprocal Maternity Siphon) [2m]
Sixth Perception + Craft Augmentation [1m]
Sixth Charisma + War Augmentation [1m]
Semiotic Flare Projector [1m]
Omnitool Implant [1m]
Second Dexterity Augmentation [1m]

Thaumaturgy Procedures:
Improve Rat Breeding
Keyed Ward (Science of Husbandry)

Mutations, Merits and Flaws:
Megalomania (Debility)
Delusion (Debility) (All rats are adorable, regardless of actual appearance)
Hungry (Deficiency)
Eyes of Wicked Madness (Debility) (Her eyes have seen the horror of the Void, rather than Malfeas)
Phobia (Deficiency) (Cockroaches)

Backgrounds: (10 dots)
Artifact 4 (•••• Murine Armor, •• Light Implosion Bow Wrath of Nimh, •• Revelation Blindfold, •• Rat Summoning Whistle, •• Hydroponics Lab)
Artifact 4 (•••• Jade-Moonsilver Infinite Resplendence Amulet, ••• Quagmire Perimeter Mine, ••• Rat’s Eye Elemental Core, •• Dragon’s Tear Tiara)
Class 3 (Free)
Followers 2 (Rat Horde)
Henchmen 3 (Murine Corps)
Savant 1

Mundane Equipment / Resource Purchases (from Class 3):
Fine prop rat tail
Fine Hand Crossbow (Resources 3)
Fine Sun-Resistant Duster (Resources 3)
Oversized Thermos
(Crossbow and Duster per Scroll of Fallen Races)

Intimacies: (Max 8)
Rats (Love)
Others TBD

BP:
+18 Free
+2 Megalomania
+2 Delusion
+1 Hungry
+1 Phobia
+2 Eyes of Wicked Madness
-20 Essence 2 to 4
-2 (6 XP of Submodules, 2 procedures)
-4 Additional Background Dots

Other:
Wearing an overengineered artifact bomb collar as a failsafe against her use of voidtech. As this is artifact belongs to the people who fitted her with it, this has not been purchased as a background. Detonation counts as four separate simultaneous attacks, all of them unblockable and undodgeable. (1) It deals as much damage as a Sun’s Fist Chakram (axiomatic, rather than aggravated), (2) plus instant death as a shaping effect, (3) plus beheading as a Crippling effect, and (4) a crystal-shard-based cardiovascular necrosis as a shaping effect. Difficulty to remove is comparable to the Manacles of Night or a Slave Collar- it’s not as perfect as a Collar of Dutiful Submission. Wards against scrying can (probably) block the activation signal.

Currently incubating a Genesis project that will be a magical creature on the scale of Familiar 3 when complete. First exotic ingredient taken from the rat swarm.

Details:

Murine Armor (Artifact 4)
Similar in shape and function to Metsubou Gremlin-Armor, but not built out of a gremlin spirit. Designed to be work by a giant rat, amputation is not necessary, as the armor supplies humanoid limbs the murine ordinarily lacks, through the hardpoints for nervous system integration still require surgical installation.

Rat Summoning Whistle (Artifact 2)
A variant Ghost Summoning Whistle that instead summons rats. As rats are less of a neatly defined metaphysical category than ghosts, it may affect anything with clear rodent-like characteristics, whether animal, spirit, bizarre mutant wyld-spawn, etc. Recharge interval is based on the passage of time, rather than the occurrence of sunsets.

Hydroponics Lab (Artifact 2)
Primary food supply for the rats, with Sustenance Replication Engine acting as a supplemental and/or backup supply. Output is sufficient to provide most of the food for the Kamak expedition’s base.

Rat’s Eye Elemental Core (Artifact 3)
A reskinned Spider’s Eye Stone hearthstone, converted to a Jade-Metal elemental core. This three dot variant increases the range to Essence x 100 yards.

Followers 2 (Rat Horde)
A magnitude 4 unit, composed of a tremendous variety of rats. Rats optimized for strength, for speed, for manual dexterity, for intellect, for aesthetic appeal. Rats of different sizes and colors. Rats with wings. And many more. The result of generations of careful thaumaturgical breeding programs, the introduction of genetically engineered genesis projects, and mutts from less-careful crossbreeding between lines. A teeming, chaotic mess to the eyes of most outsiders, but the horde’s mistress carefully tracks the genetic lines, and if asked, could expound for hours on the many breeds and lines in her care, in the baffling and overwhelming detail only a connoisseur can manage.

Mass combat unit statblock pending.

Henchmen (Murine Corps)
6 Heroic Mortal Giant Rats, all the products of past genesis crafting projects. One wears artifact murine armor, statlines pending.
>>
No. 940119 ID: 7dd512
File 156388737952.jpg - (388.56KB , 850x635 , sample_92b3c1ae8c5a2f3e2208eeffc8ba19d3e9ea52e9.jpg )
940119

rolled 2, 9, 5, 10, 8, 3, 4, 10, 1, 4, 3, 7, 4, 1, 6, 7, 1, 8, 1, 7, 7, 7, 7, 4, 8, 6, 5, 6, 8, 6 = 165

>>940075

Lumie's recovery is nothing short of miraculous, though not with fanfair and announcements. Finding the work suitable and already her metabolism restored upon her awakening, she'd waste little time arranging the device upon her other arm and eventually her legs in turn. While the growth of an arm from a stump might have been intriguing to those inclined, her legs would be doubly so, the pace of their genesis rapid enough to detect with the naked eye. At least to those bored or curious enough to do so, Lumie in her tucked away corner is made whole over the course of several days. Her skin is smooth and warm, her nailbeds themselves growing out a thin sheet of purpleish iridescent metal to coat her nails, both finger and toes.

After awakening a third time, and willing her toes to wiggle, the rest was simple: It started with the gagging removal of a tube down her throat, a moment to void her stomach before taking care of other biological urges until then pending and to do what she's longed to do for some time now: a walk about. For good measure, there's some skipping in there too. The spry champion appears to be quite nimble on her feet no less. This, or when she goes poking about to seek some solid food and fresh drink, is when she's most likely to be discovered by her Host. In reply to her readiness, she'd reply, <Old Realm> "mmm, briefly. I believe two things are in order, the first of which, maybe a quick bite. Probably best not to go on an empty stomach." While her feeding apparatus may have sufficed to keep her surviving, she makes it clear without going into detail that it is certainly now empty.

Once that's good and settled, "Two, where should we leave this ?" She holds aloft R&G's hearthstone between forefinger and thumb, "An ample power supply, but I imagine your enterprising friend will want this returned. Ohh, an lastly." For the final bit she holds out a hand, fingers outstretched and a grin to go with it and draws forth her own armor. It appears in the same splendor and display of light as her trinkets in the past, corporeal in a matter of seconds. And with a little smile and a caress of her fingers along it's backside, it folds open with a hiss and a creek spreading enough for her to step inside it. She sweeps up her hair into a quick little bun, lamenting it's shabby state but consigning herself to dealing with that later and the armor closes up around her, covering up any little seam in a display of mechanical splendor. It seems heavy and stiff at first as she moves a gauntleted finger up to her chest and extends one forefinger to her breastbone where a handled crystal pops into place and the armor truly comes alive. It humms briefly with excitement as everything powers up and softens. Her movements become smooth and fluid, the facets of the armor sheen for a moment shifting colors to a hue matching Lumie's nails and with a fanciful flair she dons her helmet to complete the ensemble with a little more flash and fanfare than strictly necessary. "There, systems primed and ready. Charge nominal, air supply nominal, systems operational. How do I look ?"

(Note: Spending the 12xp to buy off the flaw, and with the 2 spent earlier for picking up Linguistics from Lute to 2nd dot, that should be 14 spent total)
>>
No. 940124 ID: 54735b

>>940119
Alchemical regeneration may well have been a miracle, though Rivers has had her baseline expectations for how fast an Exalt should heal from such wounds ruined by her personal experiences and the regenerative power of a Lunar exaltation. But, she appreciated that she wasn't the ONLY person here who could eventually bounce back from such an injury fairly easily.

But, she didn't look particularly amused. "If you wanted to eat, you should have said something BEFORE I turned into a thousand pound 9 foot engine of murder that's too big to fit in a kitchen. Best case scenario, we find something to eat along the way.

"As for the hearthstone, just leave it with one of the jade lions. It'll get back to him."

Rather than wait, she was pressing on ahead, sinking her talons into the stone wall as she leapt in, her own movements being too fast and too fluid to be human, like a mighty bear in perpetual charge.
>>
No. 940130 ID: 7dd512

rolled 9, 2, 10, 9, 8, 6, 5, 7, 6, 9, 1, 5, 6, 10, 2, 10, 2, 5, 9, 4, 8, 6, 9, 2, 2, 10, 6, 9, 9, 6 = 192

>>940124

<Old Realm>"Well, point of order, you were already like that before I rightly had the opportunity to do so, but hold a moment, I won't be long." She would find ... something to nibble on. What exactly she found she can't be certain of but it does indeed get nibbled and it's not likely supposed to be eaten uncooked. Red and Gold's hearthstone is also left in the care of ... well the first large jade thing or creature she comes across, not having an understanding of what a lion is supposed to be but making an educated guess based on the events of evening a few days ago.

And thus, with the culinary knowledge of a toddler does she find some sample nutrition, get geared up and ready to kick some butt. "So, if we find the point of egress to the natural tunnel system, I'm fairly certain I can guide us there. Also, if you find yourself ..." She tries to put this delicately, "Stuck ? Or your intimidating vissage not the tactical approach, please let me know and I can phase us past most obstacles. Are you familiar with the concept of paracentric nullspace displacement ?"

The Champion follows along, using a hand to try to block away the sun from her visor, the coloration of her armor shifting to match the environment as she sprints. She's making a fairly good hustle no less, able to cover a three minute mile at a comfortable stride (enough to keep up with most bears), though if she really pushes herself, she could keep up with a lion at full sprint. (relatively speaking, if she knew what a bear or lion was).
>>
No. 940217 ID: f57349

>>940055
>I also don't know how many dots in Craft (Wood) you need to have before attempting to craft spears and arrows, but I can't imagine it's very many.
One dot in Craft (Wood) is easily enough to make crude spears, clubs, and slings. Might even be able to get by with Survival. Fletching arrows so they'll fly straight, or getting the geometry and ergonomics of an atlatl just right, is a bit trickier - two dots in Craft (Wood), or specialties. You'll also want someone with Craft (Fire) for spearheads, arrowheads, and other details, to say nothing of higher-skill stuff like armor and swords.
>While the villagers are learning to craft, Bridget would prefer that proper housing be constructed, since stored food doesn't do much good if everyone died during an acid rainstorm.
Granary lot isn't just a literal warehouse, it also includes various layers of security (to keep people from making early withdrawals), administrative overhead, and corresponding support networks, including some housing. Might be able to serve as emergency shelter, though admittedly it wouldn't fully resolve the squatters event. Could build both housing and the granary in the same month, given a big enough budget.
>What do we need to get weather control/protection for the village?
In terms of demon realm weather, there are two main categories which warrant roughly equal concern: the Silent Wind, and everything else. For the former, you want somebody making noise, and as a fallback option you want readily-accessible emergency shelters that can be sealed airtight, ideally made of something as sturdy as the magical materials.
For the latter, the current "short notice" answer is Red And Gold summoning a Radeken, which takes on the order of ten seconds assuming he's on-site and has motes and WP to spare. Longer-term, could build a Sky Mantis Tower or helltech equivalent. Medium-term, any teodozjia could teach the locals some of the same omen-weather-suppressing thaumaturgy that the Cult of the Syrinx Prophet Executioner used to get them into this mess.
>>
No. 940238 ID: 54735b

rolled 7, 5, 8, 4, 2, 5, 1, 2, 2, 8, 2, 6, 2, 10, 6, 6, 10, 8, 1, 7 = 102

>>940130
They are in the tunnels now, just at the entrance that the red horns came from. She jumped into the thing, and is making some cursory exploration while Lumie is getting food, because she's excited, and ready to do stuff. After all, if they're looking for a secret cave entrance, than all they have to do is follow the trail of whoever might have used it. After all, if Lumie knows about it, someone had to have mapped it out.

But, being underground was no cause for rudeness, but quite frankly she didn't understand what any of the words Lumie was saying were, so she just smiled and nodded.
>>
No. 940244 ID: 8d924c

>>940055

"Shelter is also a priority. Ideally, I'd intend to move as much housing and other construction as possible outside the demesne, and then to restrict it from mortals as much as possible, to avoid mutation. It's a powerful one, and we don't know what it will do to anyone exposed for too long. I may be able to fix mutation problems if they do arise, given time, but better to avoid anything widespread enough to need much of my time and energy. I only have the fifteen marottes as it is, though. As to wood, our only supply is likely to be what has come through with us. The metal foliage of Malfeas has no special potency against luminata. It can certainly be used for other work, however. I have some small skill as a smith, but more useful would be my ability to summon additional assistance through sorcery. And I could do that faster and more reliably with access to more essence, of course. Which is part of why I would ask attunement to the demesne. The other factor is to grant blessings of knowledge. That is more useful on a personal level than any truly massive scale, but I can grant knowledge I do not have, and then those gifted the knowledge can teach it."
>>
No. 940252 ID: f57349

>>940080
Looks like you forgot about the extra dot to any caste or favored attribute.

The bomb collar's blast deals aggravated damage, but as an Axiomatic effect rather than Holy, meaning double damage against Creatures of the Void rather than Creatures of Darkness. I also reconsidered the fourth effect - originally I was thinking Sickness, but Poison actually makes more sense for purposes of difficulty to simultaneously defend against. Every five dice of damage from the blast corresponds to a chunk of crystalline shrapnel that's as dangerous to gremlinized flesh as a dose of the goo from Rain Of Doom. If it breached hardness, some fragments will be embedded in the wound, even if it didn't inflict actual health levels, and then each dose will need to be extracted separately like a fire pearls shot from an alchemical flame weapon, per Wonders of the Lost Age p. 75. Against other living things, or mundane surfaces not notably corrosion-resistant, fragments only do bashing damage. Fragments evaporate after an hour, like traces from a bonfire-level alchemical anima.

Otherwise looks good to start play. Probably ought to finish henchrat and mass combat numbers before getting involved in any fights, though.
>>
No. 940255 ID: f57349

>>940119
Growing all four limbs back with the satchel means you're out of commission for about a week after the duel between Rivers and Creep. Rivers could easily be exploring the caves via bogling-provided Stormwind Rider during that time.
>>
No. 940270 ID: 5f3f48

>>940080
>>940252
>Looks like you forgot about the extra dot to any caste or favored attribute
I completely missed that rule! Nice.

As a correction, I'll use the extra dot to bump her Charisma back up to 5.
>>
No. 940299 ID: d9acdc

rolled 5, 1, 10, 1, 5, 10, 9, 1, 4, 6, 9, 8, 5, 3, 10, 7, 2, 8, 9, 8, 10, 5, 1, 3, 6, 8, 6, 8, 10, 4 = 182

>>928991
>Embri was exalted, a spy, and she's fired
In a prior lifetime, Cathak Othok Dythyk would have become incensed at such routine interruptions to her duties; sorcery required a tighter reign on ones self however, and there was little room leftover for outbursts of passion to cloud ones mind. Calculated, measured reason ruled her life now, and dictated what she would do next. The chaplain, ready to perform his hired duty, watches on at a safe distance, grimacing as CoD prepares the summoning circle once again, the proper tools and precautions laid out for a Gethin.

With a pool of 16/34/10, and essence 3, CoD can spend 20 peripheral motes and 1wp to summon a Gethin to sift through the crews memories and find any others who lack loyalty; she will penalize it's roll by five, so she's spending an additional 10 peripheral mote and 15 personal motes. The Gethin in Compass Malfeas is E3 with WP 8, so that would give it a pool of 6 total (11-5). CoD has 13 total, and faces no penalty for improper tools or set up- after all, they came prepared.

This will flair her anima to the 16+ level, and as such poses a risk to anything nearby.

Rolling to see who the contest of wills goes.
>>
No. 940306 ID: d9acdc

>>940217
>Craft (Fire) for spearheads, arrowheads, and other details
>>940244
>The metal foliage of Malfeas has no special potency against luminata

If we're designing weapons to wield against Luminata, is there any reason to use Craft (Fire)? Seems counter to our goals.

>Could build both housing and the granary in the same month, given a big enough budget.
Last I checked, the granary cost six dirham, and the middle class housing cost at least three, maybe four if you think we still have to pay the cost of the tenement first before upgrading. With a total budget of four dirham this month, we can build a lot of housing regardless to disperse the squatters, but can't finish a granary until at least next month, and can't do both for a while.

Bridget gladly allows this newfound ally to her cause to share attunement to the demense; of course, he has to go through Edgar first, a fact she doesn't realize at the time. She requests, not as a return favor, but as an action one would take to help those who share your goals, that Seven Broken Wings of Red and Gold build suitable housing for the displaced villagers. She can contribute classes to train anyone who will listen in various academic subjects, and several other useful tricks, so the innkeeper should feel free to come to her with any needs that may help the village.

***

Okay, so reading back over the thread, there's been a lot of skipping forward in the time line. Three weeks after the fateful night in the castle in the sky, Bridget found herself above the namesless village, passenger on a demon airship. Then, she spent a day putting out various fires, real and metaphorical. The immaculates were brutalized, then Bridget spent a day getting supplies, three days training. The day that she healed them she also left to find DoM, and then spent five more days returning. Sometime after this, the visitors arrived, but that's supposed to be two months after they arrived in hell, at the end of the first month of descending fire. At the start of the thread Bridget was still traveling to get bonewine, and when she returns with DoM it's only been ten days, maybe a few more if I've missed some days; overall though, the start of the thread was supposed to represent their first month in hell, so Bridget is at least two weeks behind. If that first week of lore training occurred after the diplomats had arrived, then there's at least six weeks of time that has gone unaccounted for in Bridgets timeline. One helpful thing for me might be a timeline of events that includes everyones actions, but that seems like a pretty big ask- another would be some sort of gimme for the six weeks Bridget missed out on due to time skips that occurred during her active missions, since rescuing DoM should have been finished before this thread even started timeline wise. Maybe we can just say she's given the village six weeks of training with HAM?
>>
No. 940373 ID: 54735b

>Discord

Okay, it looks like Lumie is going to take a full week to regrow all four of her limbs. That means that with a full week, Rivers can successfully train up Hide Toughening Essence by the time that actual official cave exploration goes down. Rivers will also take the extra four days to map out the cave, with a combination of help from the Red Horn tribe, since she's their war chief temporarily (even though Creep was already woken up) and from the various boglings and a good deal of personal investing.

Rolling Perception 4+Survival 5 for how well the path to the Vats Complex can be found.

Also, update for what it matters, with hide toughening essence, the base soak calculations are updated to

37B(5 Stamina+9 Armor-Forming Technique+6 Hide Toughening Essence+3 Perronelle+12 Superheavy Plate Armor+2 Thick Fur)/33L(5/2 round down (2) Stamina+ 2 Living Armor+9 Armor-Forming technique+6 Hide toughening essence+12 Armor Forming Technique+12 Superheavy Plate+2 Thick Fur)/15A (12 Superheavy Plate+3 Armor Forming Technique)

Also, making formal note of it, but she's going to activate both Halting the Scarlet Flow and Bruise-Relief Method on activating wr form.

Also, knocking 3/7 days off of the required minimum partying quotia for getting to know everyone in the subterranean section of the Red Horns tribe.
>>
No. 940374 ID: 54735b

rolled 7, 2, 2, 2, 2, 7, 7, 8, 3, 7, 5, 9 = 61

>>
No. 940379 ID: f57349

>>940299
Binding succeeds on the first roll. Only appreciable trace of disloyalty the gethin unearths is that the life-support technician still holds lustful feelings for Embri. Clearing those out may cause kidney failure, though.

Task complete, the oily feathered salamander demon politely requests permission to ransack your cargo in search of it's soul-treasure.
>This will flair her anima to the 16+ level, and as such poses a risk to anything nearby.
The dome's easily big enough for you to set up a summoning circle away from anything fragile. Just don't run around too much until you've had half an hour or so to stop shedding rock shards.
>>940306
>Last I checked, the granary cost six dirham, and the middle class housing cost at least three, maybe four if you think we still have to pay the cost of the tenement first before upgrading.
Three to build one lot of decent houses, or one for tenements and then two more to upgrade.

It's correct that you don't have enough resources to do both already in hand. That doesn't mean the resources don't exist.

Lot of people, like Ivan the roofer, could be doing some useful work, but instead are sitting around in shock. https://www.schlockmercenary.com/2018-06-08 https://www.schlockmercenary.com/2018-06-17 Tax collection as represented in the Pathfinder rules isn't just door-to-door extortion; it corresponds with government intervention to break up market failures, and get people doing useful work instead of relaxing.

As an alternative (or supplement) to having the figurative tiger harass the mouse, you could find ways to pull in more resources from outside the town. Candleport, or the Red Horns Tribe, or the Autocthonian expedition, or the Reverent Society of Reflective Foresters, or any adjacent demon fiefdom could conceivably provide material aid on an appropriate scale, if you can give them a good reason to do so - and it's not like you've got nothing to offer in return.

Could also try to find ways to squeeze more value out of the assorted miraculous powers you already have available. One of the boglings can plausibly provide multiple dirham worth of stone walls, foundations, and sewer pipes. Red And Gold could be summoning more demons, especially if he had a greater supply of willpower. The Red Horns were digging those earthworks around their camp with wooden tools, cutting efficiency in half for no good reason beyond scarcity of appropriately worked metal; Bridget could help with that.
>If we're designing weapons to wield against Luminata, is there any reason to use Craft (Fire)?
An arrow with an iron head and a shaft of oak, ash, or rowan will still burn a luminata for aggravated damage, but is also reasonably useful against other targets.
>six weeks of training with HAM?
Two, and maybe a third while Luminous Alacrity heals up. For a long while there Bridget was stuck resolving actions back in the first week of Ascending Fire, which was also the second week since the Special Region's cataclysmic departure from Creation. She returned from rescuing the Disciple of Mela around the time of the full moon of Ascending Fire, then could have been helping with reconstruction through the second half of the month, until the big meeting. Now we're sorting out what happens during the first week of Resplendent Fire.
>>
No. 940380 ID: 8d924c

rolled 1, 1, 5, 2, 3, 3, 2, 5, 9, 6, 2, 3, 3, 6, 1, 6, 8, 4, 4, 2, 7, 5, 4, 10, 10, 1, 1, 10, 4, 3 = 131

>>939944

The agata preens, grooming the brilliant wings with crystalline limbs, as it proudly answers.

"My master is indeed a sorcerer, but I serve unbound, as many would, for he is generous. As only befits a Green Sun Prince of his stature. Fear not, for he seeks no vengeance for the crimes of your kind. His mercy is great. As to costs, those would of course be part of the negotiations."

>>940306

Red and Gold settles the cat safely within the inn, and seeks to begin the attunement process as soon as he is given permission.

(For timeskip purposes, noone has really requested anything specific, so Red and Gold is going to be cutting the demon summoning to one a day, and we'll say the first day was a perronele for Lute. He's instead going to be focusing willpower usage on VEE, raising the intelligence of the marottes first of all to 2, then granting them Medicine 5. Since there's no binding contest associated with VEE, it probably is much easier to keep up. After that's done, focus will be on granting bound demons Transcendent Desert Creature. As to what else Red and Gold will be summoning, it's going to be something of an eclectic collection, but-
Day 2: A radeken. Abscissic binding, going to be sending it to handle weather problems, and try to manage the loss of atmosphere when that's not going on.
Day 3: Neomah, task bound to provide services within the boundaries of the Creation region.
Day 4: Heranhal, not bound, merely summoned and asked whether it is interested in working with a Solar smith. Likelihood it would be is high.
Day 5: Another radeken, same story as previous.
Day 6: Demjen, sent to assist Rivers and Lumie.
Day 7: Firmin, after a place for a nest is found, abscissic binding but set to providing tools to anyone who asks it.
Day 8+: Alternating between two types, first teodozjia, requested when summoned to assist in the process of teaching the mortals here, with an understanding that running amok and trying to conquer the whole place or something instead will get them in trouble, but they can go unbound, potentially. Have to make clear that the bound teodozjia is considered to be above them, though. Also will be told about the plans to establish a school. Preference for thaumaturgy knowledge when summoning those, and they'll be told that there is the potential for rewards and blessings of course if they do good work. Second, anuhles, task bound to hunt and feed on luminata. Then obviously told about all the luminata lurking on the borders. These might turn into a spider problem later but the core of their being at least isn't 'murder people for fun' and it's not like I'm going to be able to keep up with luminata numbers anyways. This is just a stopgap.)
>>
No. 940392 ID: d9acdc

>>940379
>Tax collection as represented in the Pathfinder rules isn't just door-to-door extortion; it corresponds with government intervention to break up market failures, and get people doing useful work instead of relaxing.
I was thinking that could be part of organizing classes. Five days a week, spend an hour in lessons each day, then I dunno, seven more working or something like that, as part of more hands on training. People get valuable skills and lessons as payment, and we can use that to break up the squatters by saying "Hey, get out of there and go to class so we can build some proper housing."

>the Red Horns Tribe
Seems like they could also be convinced, perhaps by their new warmaster, to make a peacetime pact and receive food, tools, shelter, and apprenticeships learning various crafts in return for providing labor and defense. Reasonably related to war so Rivers could be involved in directing them towards such efforts I think.

>[How many weeks of training with HAM do I have in the bank?] Two, and maybe a third while Luminous Alacrity heals up.
Okay, so lets say that Bridget spent one week training perception, one week training intelligence, and then the week following the visitors arriving Bridget trained up lore for everyone who wanted it; coincidentally, if they diplomats from Aketon wanted to stay they might be able to bump up their lore and get a first hand look at what Bridget can offer. The Red Horn Tribe are also hopefully included in these classes.

After the conversation with Lute and Seven Broken Wings of Red and Gold, Bridget has a newfound goal for teaching classes, and she'll need Lunas help; more directly, she'll be paying a visit to Hundred Sweet Flowing Rivers, Light of the Moon Cleansing the World, the Red Horn Tribes newest Warmaster. In few terse words, she asks her ally to use her status and invite the Red Horn Tribe to enter a defensive pact with the nameless village, in return for access to as much food as they can eat and shelter from the elements. They'll be required to, first and foremost, attend whatever classes Bridget puts on to learn various craft skills, then to put those skills towards the good of themselves and everyone else residing within the village as laborers, artisans, and militia. They would be asked to field those of able body and mind to defend this village alongside the other capable residents from any dangers which threaten common safety, and will in turn gain more allies, as well as several supernaturally gifted defenders. Essentially, they will be treated as members of the village for the purpose of food, shelter, amenities, and mutual defense. Whether or not they want to fully integrate on a more permanent basis is perhaps a longer term question, but for now it seems to be in everyones best interest to pool resources towards mutual survival.

In addition, her plant friends seem to have great power; could she direct one of them to help Bridget rebuild the town? Bridget doesn't understand the exact mechanics of the spell, but if the Creeper can manage a casting of Raising the Earths Bones every day, or even every other day, every third day, whatever works, that would greating speed up the process of things like housing and sewers and such. If they can get a one dirham discount per lot of housing for having foundations in place through sorcery, that four dirham can then build two lots of housing, sheltering both the homeless villagers and the Red Horn Tribe.

>>940380
>Red and Gold settles the cat safely within the inn, and seeks to begin the attunement process as soon as he is given permission.
This process is stopped frustratingly short as Bridget scratches her head, unsure how to proceed. It was so easy for her to attune, she just walked the perimeter and felt the flow of essence, memorized it's patter and internalized it, the waves of her soul rising and receding in time.

Their confusion is abated when Edgar, the Dragon King who has also attuned, approaches Bridget to notify her that someone has tried to attune to the demense, only to find Seven Broken Wings of Red and Gold there, obviously attempting that very feat in front of her. Bridget nods to confirm she gave him permission, as they work towards a common goal: the safety and well being of this village. What says the Dragon King then, to the Twilight and the Fiend? And tangentially related, what does the fiend say to putting their dirham towards two lots of housing (or one, if the Red Horn Tribe refuse to integrate?)
>>
No. 940393 ID: f57349

>>940380
>Day 2: A radeken. Abscissic binding, going to be sending it to handle weather problems, and try to manage the loss of atmosphere when that's not going on.
>Day 3: Neomah, task bound to provide services within the boundaries of the Creation region.
Seems like you might have these two backward. Nebulously-defined "services" would benefit more from an abscissic binding to provide follow-up instructions according to nuances of the political environment, whereas "keep the Special Region's weather as benign and Creation-like as possible" fits better as a longer-term, lower-maintenance task binding. It would still be possible to communicate with task-bound demons to coordinate further weather-working, at least in ways consistent with their bound task.
>>
No. 940394 ID: d9acdc

>>940379
>>940393
Speaking of task bindings and what not- the Gethin was task bound towards helping CoD investigate the crew and root out hidden loyalties or lack there of- but now that it's done it's job, she doesn't actually want it here mucking about. Can she safely dismiss it without having it end up nearby? In creation a dismissed demon goes back to the demon realm. In the demon realm, well, I don't know where it goes once she says "okay, done with you now." Might also want to have it stay far away most of the time, just check in once per day to uncover infiltrators among those who come and return.

...hm, actually, she might just have to have the chaplain dismiss it more forcibly anyways, to avoid information leaks. Without a sanctum, a 1CD can't reform without significant prayer and effort right? If killing it removes the possibility of someone else gaining access to all of those memories it just riffled through, she'll have to arrange for it to be destroyed safely.
>>
No. 940395 ID: f57349

>>940392
If leaders on both sides can agree, might be possible to merge the town and the Red Horns territory underground into a single unified government, sharing relevant assets freely. Red Horns have plenty of half-starved slaves, wood demesne produces virtually unlimited quantities of weird gross plant-meat, Ailment-Rectifying Method can provide a quick fix for refeeding syndrome... shouldn't be too hard to free up another five dirham worth of labor that way, assuming Rivers and the tribe elders cooperate.
>>
No. 940397 ID: f57349

>>940394
>Can she safely dismiss it without having it end up nearby?
Mere fact that the task is complete but it's still here asking weird questions rather than having already vanished implies the answer is no, but an Intelligence + Occult academic knowledge roll might provide further detail.

If you're planning to murder a demon to keep it from spilling secrets, you'll want to have some contingency in place against the possibility of it dematerializing.
>>
No. 940578 ID: 54735b

>>940380
>As to costs, those would of course be part of the negotiations.

Oh that poor, poor bug. Sesus Xanin had to blink and catch her repose. While she didn't know what a green sun prince was, given that it had the words 'sun' and 'prince' in the name it was clearly heretical, but she didn't really care about that. Really, it took all of her inborn stiff upper lip to not burst into laughter as she realized what had happened.

This demonic anathema had sent a diplomat with none of the skills necessary to be a diplomat to negotiate against someone who could realistically have graduated from the Spiral Academy (and depending on who you ask, even had the temperament of one of the thousand scales). Even if she didn't break out into an evil grin.

But, she started off on a bureaucratic mobius strip of complex definitions, mind-numbingly dense legalese, and so much technical jargon so obtuse that it would take a team of professional lawyers a full 8 billable hours to translate and dumb down the words flying out of Xanin's lips in a minute.

And she kept up this verbal pitch for a full hour, meticulously defining everything in arbitrary terms occasionally backed up the Laws of Cecelyne herself, usually twisted past the original point but that's the real point of the law, to give this negotiation an air of credence.

As she was talking, her face lit up, much like an anima banner, but not quite so harsh or as overly stated. She just seemed like a genuinely happy and nice person. And by the end of it, a massive pile of paper, woven from silk and painted by the only person in the room who likely understood even half of what Sesus Xanin was saying in the form of an Aalu. The result was something that, while clearly unbalanced and resulted in the creation side of things was under-paid for, wasn't undercutting them by nearly as much as they reasonably could.

Spending 7 exp to train Bureaucracy up from 4-5 because favored skill.

So, Manipulation 2+Bureaucracy 5+Crown of Thunders 5+Virtue Channel (Compassion) 3+Stunt.

It's also creating a social attack built into a physical medium by the Aalu, which uses Resource 3 of the paper as it's appearance value, and Craft (Air) 2 (Caligraphy+3) as a cap for the social attacking stat (Bureaucracy in this case)

So, same roll as above (spending a second willpower and second compassion channel) since the Crown of Thunders effects all social rolls.
>>
No. 940579 ID: 54735b

rolled 8, 5, 7, 9, 1, 1, 6, 1, 5, 1, 10, 10, 3, 2, 10, 4, 10, 3, 1, 9, 6, 3, 6, 4, 3, 7, 7, 8, 4, 7, 8, 1, 7, 10, 7, 6, 9, 3, 5, 8 = 225

>>
No. 940707 ID: f57349

>>940578
Poetry aside, what are the specific contractual terms you're pushing for?
>>
No. 940729 ID: 54735b

>>940707
I wouldn't say poetry, unless you count transcendentally obtuse legal jargon as poetry.

But, in terms of the actual terms of agreement, it's a size and style guide that both specifies that they would only be paid with my own Fiat currency, and as comprehensive a size and style guide as possible detailing what they can expect to be paid from the Fiat currency, with guidelines for Sesus Xanin to add items and redefine as necessary.

In essence, she's trying to rope the nameless village into her manse's economy, and it provides a layer of protection from any hidden Anathema/Cecelyne oaths/debts that are intended to go with the shipment of foodstuffs, since so far the only thing that she knows about Red and Gold is that their messenger is more fervant about their worship of Cecelyne than most, and they're some obviously heretical manner of being called a 'Green Sun Prince'.
>>
No. 940801 ID: f57349

>>940578
> the social attacking stat (Bureaucracy in this case)
Bureaucracy can't be used for social attacks. If Socialize is the equivalent of War for social combat, covering tactics beyond the basic cut-and-thrust, then Bureaucracy is the equivalent of siege engineering. Just as the best defense against being stabbed is not to raise your shield just a little bit faster but rather to have a great big slab of rock between yourself and the would-be assailant, so the best defense against a social attack is impossibility - "much as I'd love to help you, this favor you ask is simply beyond my power to grant." Bureaucracy is the skill of organizations with formal division of responsibility. It's relevant to economics because no single person can keep track of every skill and material necessary for a technological society, that kind of stuff has to be divided among specialized branches, and the branches have to be able to deal with each other without the emissary of one branch first needing to be initiated into all the mysteries of the other.

So, you're writing up this trade agreement like a nightmarish software EULA, or Dimitry Agarkov? "You agree to give us all the food and militarily relevant supplies and anything else we might ask for, in exchange for brass tokens redeemable only for gate access, terms subject to change without notice at our sole discretion," bury the details in fine print, try to distract the Green Sun Prince with a pretty cover page so they'll sign without reading it? I mean, you can certainly do that, but it's the social combat equivalent of wrapping your house in electrified razor wire and antitank mines - anyone smart will get the impression you aren't particularly interested in making new friends.
>>
No. 940915 ID: 5f3f48

rolled 1, 3, 6, 1, 3, 4, 3, 10, 2, 4, 8, 3, 7, 9, 9, 8, 7, 5, 8, 5 = 106

>>940392
>Bridget nods to confirm she gave him permission, as they work towards a common goal: the safety and well being of this village. What says the Dragon King then, to the Twilight and the Fiend?
The Dragon King completely ordinary human woman gives an exaggerated nod of understanding.

"Ah, yes, I seeee. The speaker for the demon princes wants something from me. Hmm yes, good. I have heard you are fond of making deals? This is fortunate, for I am wanting something as well."

Edgar's willing to allow Red and Gold to attune to the demesne, in exchange for a bound oath of a favor to be repaid at a later date.

Rolling for social stuff if necessary.
>>
No. 940923 ID: 8d924c

rolled 4, 2, 8, 10, 10, 1, 4, 8, 2, 4, 7, 2, 2, 9, 5, 10, 5, 2, 9, 2, 7, 9, 9, 4, 7, 10, 3, 9, 8, 2 = 174

>>940915

Red and Gold looks confused at the new arrival, but nods his head slowly.

"While I am willing to repay this favor, of course, I am less willing to agree to a binding and unrestricted obligation. We have only just met, after all, er, madam sorcerer, perhaps? I can't be certain that you will not ask something of me that would be beyond my abilities. I can promise that I would do my best to repay it reasonably, however? I would prefer of course to know what you might want, as I would be glad to assist you more immediately."

(Activating essence sight, also. Red and Gold has no idea who this is!)
>>
No. 940926 ID: 5f3f48

>>940923
Though his Essence-Dissecting Sight (which looks like it beats the roll off vs Guise of the New Form), Red and Gold realizes the human woman before him is actually a somewhat taller dragon king, with a vine of some kind growing out of one arm. Much of her clothes are apparently part of the disguise- most of what the dragon king is wearing simply provides anchor locations for pockets.

"Ah, but see, an oath is how one assures trust when not knowing each other. You building up the village- this is good. But you are also building kingdom, Prince of Other Sun. Once you are powerful on your throne, how can I know you will remember small obligations? Favors from the powerful are more for less, but less reliable."

>unrestricted
Edgar is willing to entertain reasonable constraints on the favor- such as not forcing the Inkeeper-Prince to betray his masters, or surrendering his kingdom, etc.
>>
No. 940930 ID: 8d924c

>>940926

Red and Gold blinks at this new revelation, slipping into High Holy Speech as he speaks.

"My apologies, esteemed friend Dragon King. I did not at first recognize you for who you were. I am of course more than willing to reach a reasonable agreement. So long as we avoid harm to the people of this land, or betrayal of my allies I assure you that we can find accomodations. Shall I see about drawing up a proper agreement?"

(Would writing out an oath that doesn't screw me over be Bureaucracy? I am not exactly sure I'm very good at this myself.)
>>
No. 941032 ID: b3a0d4

Posting my character since I just joined the game!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sqfXvX-0WaQvNW3Li3vC6IEi--T76e0_Yu6lFZKz3vI/edit#
>>
No. 941036 ID: afdebc

>>939330
Follow up, here's the stats for the Rat Queen's murines!

Linking a g-doc because the statblocks for 6 heroic mortals in a row is a little long for a single post.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Rf2V2f-GyqFQvt7oYbePLsoE8rIpwaJAGy-2kVSps7o/edit?usp=sharing
>>
No. 941038 ID: 54735b

>>940801

The brass tokens have some amount of purchasing power, it's just relatively arbitrary and at present only based on what Sesus Xanin's fiat and the resources that she seized upon taking the manse and 'traded' the coins for. If we were to peg an actual exchange rate that she would be using, somewhere between a Dinnar and a Siu is what you it is worth at the Manse itself.

And it lists terms and reasons for which the prices would change, and most of them are even for technical economic reasons to allow for the currency changing in value as it becomes a more widely spread currency, and other things that would arise as an empire gets bigger that I don't really personally grasp the economic mechanics of that would be important to avoid a binding oath locking you into a rate that's no longer favorable several years down the line. It also doesn't actually have any terms in there forcing the nameless village to actually sell her things, since she's going out of her way not to take too much advantage of them.

But, it being a EULA from Hell that favors her is an apt description, but that's mostly because she suspects that the person she's sending this contract to is affiliated with Cecelyne, and one of the things she'd learn over the month is that you DON'T want to leave any variable undefined when dealing with anything related to Cecelyne, because they will take that and turn it into a weapon against you. It is, after all, literally written into the law. Plus, if while she doesn't know that he actually is, if he were some type of Anathema that can turn any agreement into a supernaturally binding one, she doesn't want him to be able to force a different interpretation than she has.

Anyway, if Bureaucracy isn't a skill possible to use for this kind of contract shenanigans, what would be?
>>
No. 941039 ID: f57349

>>941032
Okay. Had an issue with this before. Please post the full proposed character sheet as appropriately-formatted text in the 'message' field, not just a link to an external doc.
>>940926
Essence sight alone doesn't automatically break magical disguises.
>>941038
Bureaucracy is indeed the applicable skill for contract shenanigans - there's even a few DB charms which specifically help with that - but you're proposing a contract which the other party has no clear reason to sign at all.
>>
No. 941054 ID: d9acdc

>>940915
>>940923
>>940926

Bridget is somewhat surprised when Edgar doesn't take the queue from her right away and instead starts haggling- are they not all working towards the same ends? Should they not pool their collected skills and resources? She stays quite though, as she mulls over such ideas, contemplating the back and forth proposals. It would be nice to have a way to ensure people keep their oaths, other than banishment and violence. If Seven broken Wings of Red and Gold becomes some sort of King-Prince, as the Dr. suggests, then cashing in a favor later could be helpful. If it is power, status, or other things that come from knowing those in high places that the sorceress desires, Bridget can arrange for such measures, to smooth this process along.

"Proposal: Request from Seven Broken Wings of Red and Gold aid researching bio-chemistry. Take my oath to grant a future boon in return for cooperation."

Since there seems to be friction over this deal, Bridget suggests an alternative; Edgar can request an immediate favor, working on one of our common goals (food prep and safety) and in return for agreeing to drop the subject of leverage and move forward with sub-optimal personal gains, Bridget will promise a future boon similar to that which one might request from a powerful king. Wyld-Shaping Technique would allow her to provide land, research assistants, and material objects, so this should be a decent promise for future gains, no?

Mechanically Bridget is aiming for three ticks, then making a charisma + ... I dunno, presence? Socialize? Bureaucracy? Against Edgar, to convince him to drop the subject of future boons from SBWoRaG in return for future boons from Bridget. Modified by her unnerving voice and ugly appearance of course.
>>
No. 941055 ID: 54735b

>>941039
Alright, I think that this is generally the best way to put it in terms of what the actual agreement, since she's writing the terms under the assumption that the other side is already interested in trade.

For every shipment of food sent over, you will be paid an amount of currency equal to (somewhere between 1 Siu and 1 Obol) defined as 1 Brass Coin based on the following (with a long and elaborate formula to determine the price of anything edible) with all else following (a separate table, based on what she actually sets the currency equal, since she's trying to expand her economic base to include the nameless village adopting her currency.) to be updated with no less than one weeks warning for (a list of reasons related to economic growth, unexpected imports, and giving the currency some breathing room) by Sesus Xanin.

The actual math works out to short changing them, especially on smaller shipments, but not by a whole lot.

It turns into a nightmare eula deal because everything is defined, so that there isn't a single inch of wiggle room, and that requires a lot of space, and several charts and tables for determining the prices also take up a lot of space, and both use really high specialty legal terms that most people just glaze over that she doesn't make go by any easier, kind of like if you were to come to 30 pages worth of text that was nothing with any mechanical crunch happening, especially since the Agatae has 0 Bureaucracy and Red and Gold has 2 (with it favored)

The reasons to sign it are fairly straight forward. It hooks the town up to a clearly existing power base that has more resources than food, helps smooth out the process of establishing a formal government by establishing a currency to calculate taxes for and in general use as currency, since there's already a currency to use for trade with demons without selling off things with least gods that are super valuable in Malfeas, and while she doesn't know that this is what Red and Gold is doing, it goes a long way towards creating a standardized system to have an internally defined currency rather than the barter system common to the second age.

So, it's a big scary document written in incredibly precise and needlessly obtuse terminology that when actually broken down is an alright, but not particularly great, deal that has a knock on effect of hooking them up to an existing economy.
>>
No. 941124 ID: 304f7c

Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men wakes up unable to open his eyes quite yet. Groaning he touches his chest where it had once been eviscerated finding no wound. He rolls over in an attempt to right himself and is shocked when he begins to fall. "LUNA!" Reaching out he grabs the table where he was laying. His hard grip rips and splinters the wood, he manages to flip the table over on himself once he hits the ground. This elicits another long groan. He pushes himself up and once standing opens his eyes. His silver goat eyes take in the room and it's strange occupants. He instinctively backs up to a wall. A short pause before he speaks.

"Well? What is this then?"
>>
No. 941125 ID: 54735b

>>941124

"First off, that was incredibly rude. I haven't gone around breaking your tables. Those things are tough to replace when you don't have a bunch of wood.

"Second off, you were passed out for honestly way longer than I thought you were. I'm Hundred Sweetly Flowing Rivers, by the way."

She offered her gauntleted hand (in his gauntlet of all things) to shake.
>>
No. 941126 ID: 54735b

I also forgot to mention, while that will kind of be the point of this scene (I THINK, the timeline is a bit screwy)it is worth mentioning that Rivers does 100% support the merging of the village and the Red Horns.
>>
No. 941127 ID: 304f7c

>>941125

The table? He looks over Rivers's shoulder. Oh right that thing.

"Doesn't look that valuable. Maybe it meant something to you."

...

"Well Hundred Sweetly Flowing Rivers my name is Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men. I am assuming everyone else here are your friends? You certainly have a savage way of fighting."

He grips the offered hand and holds it.

"I also see you have taken a couple of my possessions. Maybe you felt entitled to them after your win?"
>>
No. 941128 ID: 54735b

>>941127

"It's more that there aren't any trees that aren't made of metal within like, a dozen miles of here. And those things are a limited resource. But, thank you. I try to be really good at killing things with my hands, and I honestly thought you were only going to take a few seconds to get back up and have your chest heal back up like it does when I turn into that.

"But, enough talking about that, I got a bunch of promotions mostly foisted on me, and I could have taken your place but I also didn't want to rip off your head. And that's why I'm borrowing your armor.

"Also, we should probably discuss politics, since I've only gotten a brief who's who, and I should probably figure out what I'm actually supposed to do if I'm not party chief in general anymore."
>>
No. 941129 ID: 304f7c

>>941128
"Well most challengers don't put a hole through my chest but yes healing like that would be useful. How did I heal so quickly?"

"You might of been better off ripping my head off blankskin. Don't act too familiar with me just yet."

"You want information and help? Well I want to be in charge, maybe there is a way we can both benefit. You can keep the title and I make suggestions to you and move things along to help the tribe. Do you understand savage one? And please never say party chief when referring to the title Warmaster again. Do we have a deal Hundred Sweetly Flowing Rivers? We can talk all the politics you want."
>>
No. 941130 ID: 54735b

>>941129
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot about those stories of Anathema finding older Anathema for protection from Wyld Hunts. Since you seem to have a chip on your shoulder about not having those shiny tattoos, I'm guessing that was something important?"

"Anyway, I'm not about to murder someone I just met that didn't seem like an asshole in a friendly duel. I might have if I knew that it was so important, but whatever, you don't get to die today, and you got healed by a frankly wonderful person that I'm planning on killing whoever cut her limbs off."

"And I guess I'm down with formally trading jobs. Seems a bit weird with everything that happened, but honestly, not the strangest thing that's happened. Anyway, who's out for blood with a gentle smile, and who's actually going to be backing me up?"
>>
No. 941131 ID: f57349

>>941128
>there aren't any trees that aren't made of metal within like, a dozen miles of here. And those things are a limited resource
That is incorrect. This meat-moss demesne has demonstrated the ability to grow olive trees (among others) from seed to full maturity in less than a day.
>>
No. 941132 ID: 304f7c

>>941130
"Anathema? You really are a strange one blankskin. Who taught you that?"

"Well to that person who healed me I guess I am indebted, and hope I had no involvement separating them from their limbs."

"Formally trading jobs? I don't think that is possible, but I could be wrong."

"Kakrox is an old veteran. Though he deals in shady business. He would betray you if he thought it was best for the tribe. Grizzlemaw is always vying for personal power and glory. Marthog, my ward, is a strong warrior but doesn't hold any ideas about advancement. Bit of a disappointment. Then there are the brothers, Bogar and Mogar both smiths, I doubt they would give you any trouble. Rotgut the last one on the council always complains, but he is crafty. Then there is the shaman Clackhand, he is well respected and it is important that he likes you."

"I told you a bit about my people why don't you tell me yours?"
>>
No. 941140 ID: 5f3f48

>>940930
Edgar is surprised enough by this positive reaction to being found out that it doesn't even occur to them to think it might be a bluff, or deny it. After a surreptitious pretty obvious look around for listeners, Edgar answers on kind- their High Holy Speak much grammatically clearer than their Rivertongue.

>>941054
Although it proves necessary to drop back out of the saurian language in order to accommodate Bridges the Sun and Moon.

With the change in tone, and the Twilight's compassionate plea, a more favorable agreement is proposed. Rather than a single absolute favor Edgar is willing to agree to the right to be consulted before any major decision affecting her interests (with those interest defined such that Edgar can't arbitrarily insert themselves into anything). One of those interests is going to be established claims, as Edgar has no wish for their manse to be usurped by more powerful exalts or demons.

If Red and Gold is willing to sanctify this agreement between himself, Edgar and Bridget, he'll have successfully attended to the wood demesne.
>>
No. 941144 ID: 8d924c

rolled 10, 9, 7, 3, 1, 5, 1, 8, 1, 6, 1, 9, 4, 10, 9, 5, 6, 3, 7, 3, 7, 5, 10, 5, 9, 7, 10, 4, 10, 2 = 177

>>941140
"I agree to these terms."

Red and Gold's caste mark burns through on his forehead as his hand meets the Dragon King's claw. Then he breaks back into High Holy Speech.

"Hope you're aware though that this'll mean I'm going to be seeking you out as my liaison to other Dragon Kings. Those associated with Aketon, for example. They don't trust me, which is reasonable, but I do want to help them. Perhaps I can make some arrangements with you? I would be glad to grant blessings in exchange for copies of texts. Whether ancient texts of your kind, or newer ones written recently. I can't summon up books or libraries as easily as I can demons. They have to be written, and built, and taken care of. Are you sorcerously inclined, friend? I would need to arrange a day's absence to take you to my home library, but I have a copy of the White Treatise and the Black Treatise if you have any interest?"

Red and Gold returns to Rivertongue, then.

>>941054

"My thanks, Bridges the Sun and Moon. I was unaware of our friend here, but I am sure this will be a positive development. Ah, additionally, if you need assistance with acquiring materials for woodcraft, please feel free to request the assistance of the hopping puppeteers. I'll be sure they know to help you. I may not be doing the best job of expressing how urgent the luminata problem is."
>>
No. 941152 ID: f57349

>>941144
>I may not be doing the best job of expressing how urgent the luminata problem is.
>rolled 10, 9, 7,
It's easy enough for someone competent at math, and either strong-willed or deeply disinterested in hunting, to stroll along the border and note that there's roughly one luminata every sixty yards. Back around the 16th of Ascending Fire, there were less than half that many.

With every new arrival or split they jostle around to maintain equal spacing, so roughly six more doublings until they're literally crammed in shoulder-to-shoulder. When new arrivals start pushing the ones in front over the line, they'll find out whether Madelrada is enforcing her nominal claim on the area, and if she isn't, the whole region rapidly turns into a massacre.

At the current rate it's looking like that critical tipping point will happen a week or three after Calibration, some time in the month of Ascending Air. Call it two and a half months. Maybe more if you're lucky and made excessively pessimistic assumptions about that exponential growth curve, maybe less if something provokes an early rush.

You'll want to have better defenses in place before it gets to that point. Going out there and proactively reducing their numbers seems unlikely to solve the problem completely, but might be an excellent way to stall for time.
>>

rolled 5, 4, 10, 10, 1, 5, 8, 7, 6, 7, 7, 7, 3, 4, 1, 5, 4, 7, 5, 5, 7, 3, 7, 2, 10, 7, 6, 9, 5, 9 = 176

>>940020
Establishing Lute's cover ID for traveling with the Haslanti airship (I'm amusing the vagaries of arcane fate mean they won't really notice some details being adjusted), since Dutiful Topaz doesn't suit this mission.

Wind-Carried Petal dresses similarly to the Haslanti crews- furs suitable for sailing the northern skies- a mix of natural browns and dyed blues and white trim. The cut sets her apart though- a sailor's dress is not the same as a civilians, or a travelers. She wears her hair up, and her clothes are sporadically decorated with glass jewellery- small charms and balls, some which bear imperfections like cats-eye marbles if examined closely. Her coloration suggests a native of the North or the Scavenger Lands and her fluency in Skytongue and Rivetongue would seem to support this.

Petal presents herself as a traveling poet, hints at having worked as a scribe in her more sedentary past, and is a dabbling occultist (one cannot help but pick up a few things in her line of work- secrets in the word and on the wind). She has a ready easy with story and song, falling in with ship-shanties, and teaching the crew strange new verses. The skyship's recent travails through hell itself must certainly have provided her with plenty of new material! Her presence as passenger is welcome not just for her cheer, nor even her willingness to work besides the sailors (though another hand who knows what she's about is always welcome), no, to a superstitious sailor, especial in these unusual times, what is most appreciated is that she brings good luck. Despite all that has happened, despite all that could have happened in the circumstances, the ship finds clear skies and smooth sailing, avoiding storm and disaster.

Rolling for setting up the disguise: Larceny 0 + Intelligence 6 + IRA Bonus 2 + Lens Arm Bonus 1 + Arcane Fate 3 + Excellency 6, difficulty 1 (Arcane Fate). Specifically using the skin-tone changing moonsilver coating of the IRA to disguise the pallor of the living armor on Lute's skin, and the perronele's eyes are disguised as jewellery though a combination of its own shape-shifting and the IRA morphing around the eyes (and providing other decorations to hide among).
>>
No. 941224 ID: f57349

>>941186
Nine threshold successes should be more than enough for most purposes. Interplay between Kimbery's excellency and Arcane Fate adds some subtle fishlike traits - oddly wide-set eyes, skin that's never completely dry, patches of soft iridescent scales that could almost pass for fanciful makeup - suggestive of descent from the nobility of the Saltspire League, whose damaged desalination manses slowly mutate those living within. No specific backstory is provided (not without a full Resplendent Destiny, or mundane legwork, anyway) but it's easy enough to imagine how various permutations of forbidden romance and/or blackmail might yield someone so well-educated yet officially unacknowledged.

Six days after departing the Demon City, during a moment of inattention, the gray sands of the Endless Desert are replaced by the gray snow of a desolate valley on the outskirts of Marama's Fell. Familiar stars are visible at last. Plenty of food still (though the crew certainly wouldn't mind fresher stuff for variety), and if those faint sparks on the horizon are from the Traveler's Road then the remaining half-load of oil should be easily enough to reach Whitewall in three days, but even with careful rationing potable water might run out before then.

Could set down out in the open, scrape up some snow and ice, melt it with a combination of body heat and waste from warming up the gasbag - but it might be contaminated, or conceal an undead ambush. Could turn west, adding at least half a day, to haggle with somebody on the Road. With a shorter diversion to the east, you could see if anyone's living in that weird manse dozens of miles from nowhere - seems fairly powerful, and definitely not abyssal-aspected, but otherwise you can't figure out the details from so far away, at least not with your current level of geomantic expertise.

Scorpion-mech is still dangling underneath the airship. Ropes seem to be holding together just fine, but the associated ghost has been uncharacteristically silent since the stars came out.
>>
No. 941252 ID: b3a0d4

Name: 5 Seconds of Prayer Before Death
Motivation: Become King of Creation
High Concept: Believes In Natural Law. He is anti-Temperance. We were made with drives and emotions and desires and fulfilling those is our purpose in life. If you are prideful then you were made to be that way and you should indulge in it. Do as thou wilt shall be the whole of the law and all that.

Caste: Slayer
Favored Yozi: Isidoros
Malfean Urge: Destroy Gem
Unwoven Coadjuster: Neomah

Intimacies:
Battle (Thrill)
Natural Laws (Belief)
See the Ocean (Desire)
Indulge in Hedonism (Desire)
Might Makes Right (Belief)


Stats:
Health:
-0,-1,-1,-2, -2, -4, Incap
Movement
Soak:
Hardness
Shortsword:
Speed 4, Accuracy +2, Damage +3L, Defense +1, Rate 2,
Attack Roll: (Dex + Melee + Accuracy)
Raw Damage: (Strength + Weapon)
PDV:
DDV: (Dodge + Essence + Dex)/2 = 3
MDV: (Dex + Melee + Defense)/2 = 5
MPV:
WP: 5
Compassion: 1
Conviction 2
Temperance 1
Valor 5



Backrounds:
Cult (1)
Influence (1)
Backing (1)
Unwoven Coadjuster (2)
Influence (2)
Resources (1)
Followers (2)

Conviction: 2
Valor: 5
Temperance: 1
Essence: 3
Personal:
Peripheral:
Essence Pool - Personal Essence = [Essence x 3] + Willpower
- Peripheral Essence = [Essence x 7] + Willpower + [Sum of Virtues]



Attributes:
Strength: 5
Dex: 3
Stamina: 3
Cha: 5
Manip: 1
App: 3
Perception: 2
Int: 2
Wits: 3

Abilities:

Melee: 5
C (Earth) 4, Specialty (Architecture 2)
C (Fire) 4
Performance 5
Awareness 3
Ride 2
Athletics 2
Lore 2 (Ethics 2)
Occult 1
Bureaucracy 2
Charms
Malfeas:
1st Malfean Excellency
By Pain Reforged
Pathetic Distraction Rebuke
Invulnerable Wounding Futility
Nightmare Fugue Vigilance

SHWLIHN:
Factual Determination Analysis
Cosmic Transcendence of Valor

Isidoros:
Indomitable Hedonism Drive
Stubborn God Beast Indulgence
Merry Boar Rampage
Unbothered by Flies

Coadjuster:
Motivation: Protect my girls


Stats: As Core with the following changes
Strength: 5
War: 3 (Small Unit Tactics 2)
Melee 4 (Hairpin 2)
Valor 5
Charm: Bane Weapon
Charm: Measure the Wind
>>
No. 941253 ID: b3a0d4

For review so I can join the game
>>
No. 941263 ID: f57349

>>941252
List how you spent your bonus points, and which skills are favored.
Both instances of the Influence background need to specify among whom they apply. Followers and Resources would also benefit from some detail.
What do you mean by "belief in natural law," exactly?
Who does your coadjutor's (NOT coadjustor) Bane Weapon charm apply to?
>>
No. 941282 ID: 678411

Name: 5 Seconds of Prayer Before Death
Motivation: Become King of Creation
High Concept: Believes In Natural Law. He is anti-Temperance. We were made with drives and emotions and desires and fulfilling those is our purpose in life. If you are prideful then you were made to be that way and you should indulge in it. Do as thou wilt shall be the whole of the law and all that.

Caste: Slayer
Favored Yozi: Isidoros
Malfean Urge: Destroy Gem
Unwoven Coadjuster: Neomah

Intimacies:
Battle (Thrill)
Natural Laws (Belief)
See the Ocean (Desire)
Indulge in Hedonism (Desire)
Might Makes Right (Belief)


Stats:
Health:
-0,-1,-1,-2, -2, -4, Incap
Movement
Soak:
Hardness
Shortsword:
Speed 4, Accuracy +2, Damage +3L, Defense +1, Rate 2,
Attack Roll: (Dex + Melee + Accuracy)
Raw Damage: (Strength + Weapon)
PDV:
DDV: (Dodge + Essence + Dex)/2 = 3
MDV: (Dex + Melee + Defense)/2 = 5
MPV:
WP: 5
Compassion: 1
Conviction 2
Temperance 1
Valor 5



Backrounds:
Cult (1)
Influence (1) ( Malfean Demons)
Backing (1) (Malfeas)
Unwoven Coadjuster (2)
Influence (2) ( Well-Known Philosopher)
Resources (1)
Followers (2) (Bandit Gang)

Conviction: 2
Valor: 5
Temperance: 1
Essence: 3
Personal:
Peripheral:
Essence Pool - Personal Essence = [Essence x 3] + Willpower
- Peripheral Essence = [Essence x 7] + Willpower + [Sum of Virtues]



Attributes:
Strength: 5
Dex: 3
Stamina: 3
Cha: 5
Manip: 1
App: 3
Perception: 2
Int: 2
Wits: 3

Abilities:

Melee: 5
C (Earth) 4, Specialty (Architecture 2) (Favored)
C (Fire) 4 (Favored)
Performance 5 (Favored)
Awareness 3 (Favored) (1 BP)
Ride 2
Athletics 2
Lore 2 (Ethics 2) (Favored) (1 BP)
Occult 1
Bureaucracy 2
Charms
Malfeas (Caste):
1st Malfean Excellency
By Pain Reforged
Pathetic Distraction Rebuke
Invulnerable Wounding Futility
Nightmare Fugue Vigilance

SHWLIHN:
Factual Determination Analysis
Cosmic Transcendence of Valor

Isidoros (Favored):
Indomitable Hedonism Drive
Stubborn God Beast Indulgence (3BP)
Merry Boar Rampage (3BP)
Unbothered by Flies (3 BP)

Coadjuster:
Komagata
Species: Neomah
Motivation: Protect my girls


Stats: As Core with the following changes
Strength: 5
War: 3 (Small Unit Tactics 2)
Melee 4 (Hairpin 2)
Valor 5
Charm: Bane Weapon
Charm: Measure the Wind
>>
No. 941283 ID: 678411

Natural Law is a real life moral theory that states morality can be discerned from our impulses. We were made to enjoy sex so we would have kids so having kids is good, etc.

My character tends to take it in a baser direction than most theoriests, he would say the sex itself is good as well as pride and other desires/emotions, but regardless he believes in the theory
>>

rolled 6, 3, 5, 2, 3, 6, 3, 7, 5, 7, 5, 3, 3, 8, 5, 3, 1, 7, 2, 1, 10, 10, 6, 8, 8, 3, 2, 8, 5, 8 = 153

>>941224
Petal frowns in contemplation, weighing options under creation's stars in a clear sky, uneven hilly terrain below, snowy with an irregular spattering of forest.

Hmm. Contaminated water would have been a non-issue with Fathomless Poison Haven, but lute has yet to master that one of the Great Mother's blessings (6/7 days into mastering Mirror Shattering Method, though!). Nor does she have yet have the means to defend a group of mortals against an ambush on the ground.

Approaching the manse without receiving permission seems foolish at best- such structures tend to be help by powerful individuals, and may have automated defenses. The presence of a shadow-lands also complicated matter- diverting towards the manse may be a longer diversion than distance would suggest, if we are forced to wait at the border for dawn.

Well, lets break out the sextants and do some quick math. How far/long would it take for the airship to reach signalling distance of the manse, and does that put us within the shadowland? How far is the manse itself, and how deep into the shadowland is it? Lute will also spend a mote to know the current time. Rolling for whatever those calculations would be (sail or survival?) and I'll add 4 dice from Kimbery's Excellency.
>>
No. 941294 ID: f57349

>>941282
Let's say Occult for the fifth favored skill, and "those who have mistreated my subordinates on more than one occasion" for Bane Weapon. With that, I think you'd be ready to start play. How would you feel about your gang being a splinter of the Cult of the Syrinx Prophet Executioner, cut off from their original leadership by the cataclysm that stranded a 50-mile-wide region in Hell?

>>941288
Current time is 7min 10sec after midnight, Marsday 10th Resplendent Fire, year 768 of the Second Age. Venus is currently near the border between the Musician and the Pillar, which one way or another is probably a favorable omen for herbivorous animals that travel in groups, but you haven't quite got enough formal training to define that border with mathematical precision.

Border of Marama's Fell is also difficult to pinpoint visually from the air, due to wind and lack of vegetation, but another sidereal anima power can let you know when it gets within a hundred yards, which is enough to steer clear. Airship's current position and that manse are both outside the actual shadowland, but far too close for comfort. Path to/from Cecelyne seems to have aligned with the border. You might be in heliograph range already, given a nice bright lantern and some high-quality mirrors and lenses to focus it in the right direction, especially if someone outside or near a window in the manse has night vision better than the average human.

Pedaling over and landing near the manse would take less than an hour, but after descending you'd have to either wait for dawn, or burn at least 10% of the remaining fuel for an emergency climb (much less efficient without the benefit of ambient morning warmth)... or ditch the siege strider, but the crew would NOT be happy about losing such a priceless prize. Haslanti farmland is heavily dependent on earthworks to mitigate wind erosion, so if legends are true, if this thing can dig as fast as a thousand picks and shovels without adding a thousand new mouths to feed... "we'll all be rich" doesn't begin to cover it. That's balance-of-power stuff. Folks will be arguing about implications and repercussions in the Assemblies for decades. Plummet an' Plague, there'll be a slab with all our names set in the Tholos if this works out!
>>

rolled 6, 6, 10, 5, 7, 8, 2, 4, 10, 10, 2, 8, 8, 6, 3, 8, 10, 10, 6, 4 = 133

>>941294
>such a priceless prize
That cinches it, I think. A manse is pretty literally a seat of power, we're carrying something valuable, we need something, and the closeness of the shadowland further disadvantages us. Not a good negotiating position if whoever holds that place decides they want more than the crew wishes to give. Also the risk the ghost might be riled up, or might cause trouble if it's allowed to start regaining motes.

Wind-Carried Petal will advise diverting to haggle on the Traveler's Road. Rolling for travel, or finding a trader, or what's needed.
>>
No. 941322 ID: 54735b

>>941132
"Well, second question kind of answers the first. I'm from the first and best line of defense against the Realm's bootheel for the hundred kingdoms. The biggest military superpower at present in all of creation.

"As for the 'trading jobs' thing, you just did. You said you would leave me to the Warmaster role, and you would fall back to advising, and because I'm not completely unprepared, means you're falling onto the council, doing the job I originally was going to when you woke up."

(I'm just going to mark down all of the stuff I spent EXP on and mark the EXP spending now)
>>
No. 941398 ID: 10aada

>>941294
I am 100% okay with that, but uh i onky have core and a couple of other books. What is the cult of the Syrinx Prophet Executioner?
>>
No. 941399 ID: 10aada

>>941294
I am 100% okay with that, but uh i onky have core and a couple of other books. What is the cult of the Syrinx Prophet Executioner?
>>
No. 941407 ID: f57349

>>941399
Long story short, demon-worshipping bandits. They had a very clever plan for plundering this town, which mostly worked, but then went off the rails when the PCs showed up (as plans tend to). Cell-structured organization so anybody out in the field probably wouldn't know the whole plan, but raids put special emphasis on capturing or destroying food stockpiles, so it can be inferred that the overall agenda involved causing widespread famine. Specific demon being worshipped would be Zsofika, the Kite Flute, notable for weather manipulation and insight into the future. Among her progeny are the unholy jade lions known as Teodozjia.
>>
No. 941416 ID: c7496c

>>941132
>>941322

The final day of ascending fire had certainly been an eventful one, although its significance might pale in comparison to the exile of their region as a whole.

Of course, Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men had not born witness to the town leading up to this point, and thus it is possible having his chest caved in during a duel, then subsequently losing his position and possessions to the victor was the most eventful and significant day in recent memory. Regardless, Luna had chosen him for a reason, and so, even injured and beaten as he was, he persisted, perhaps in some way honoring her decision by doing so. Through the pain, he and the other lunar discussed many things, but eventually their conversation gave way to rest. It was later then, after the duel and the storm and the talks, that he found himself sitting down with not just the council of the Red Horn Tribe, but his rival lunar Light of the Moon Cleansing the World; With her was the solar- Bridges the Sun and Moon. While his people had been shaped with purpose and form, the Wyld had given her no gifts. Her silhouette, large and twisted as it is, could easily be mistaken for a trolls. Atop it's apex lies a third eye, glowing with a golden brand, and from her throat spring unnerving watery tonez which upset all who hear them. It was, however, the unnerving tones which had apparently commanded the arrangement of this meeting. Though she lacked manners or eloquence, eventually an understanding of the situation was reached. Somehow this bit of Creation had been displaced, as a ploy by her cruel warmongering twin to destroy that which she loves, and marr Creation in doing so. This hellscape has no day or night, just a hateful green sun and the screams of otherworldly beings. Its weather is unpredictable and deadly, the wildlife cunning and cruel. Like the tide smoothes a beach, natural forces would seek to grind this place under heel, but Bridget and her fellows seek to stop it. For this endeavor, they could use the help of your Tribe. They would have all the food they could desire, much to the benefit of your more emancipated members- clearly you have had some unfortunate folks unable to eat during your long journey here. Weekly lessons on craftsmanship would be provided, and attendance would be required, as they would be obligated to put their skills towards the common survival of themselves and the other villagers. They would be treated as equal to all other members of the village, no less valued or more important, and so all members are asked to shoulder equal burdens of labor and defense for the greater good. As best she is able, Bridget will act as mentor and healer, and endeavor to protect all lives within her fold. What says then, the council, the lunar, and his rival? What says then, the stranded, the fallen, and the warmaster? Overshadowed by massive frame of Bridget, Mother Bogs agent looks on nearby, observing her minions newest find. Will they be food, pawns, or trouble? Time will tell it seems.

The sun is now setting on the first day of Resplendent fire.
>>
No. 941448 ID: 10aada

Name: 5 Seconds of Prayer Before Death
Motivation: Become King of Creation
High Concept: Believes In Natural Law. He is anti-Temperance. We were made with drives and emotions and desires and fulfilling those is our purpose in life. If you are prideful then you were made to be that way and you should indulge in it. Do as thou wilt shall be the whole of the law and all that.

Caste: Slayer
Favored Yozi: Isidoros
Malfean Urge: Destroy Gem
Unwoven Coadjuster: Neomah

Intimacies:
Battle (Thrill)
Natural Laws (Belief)
See the Ocean (Desire)
Indulge in Hedonism (Desire)
Might Makes Right (Belief)


Stats:
Health:
-0,-1,-1,-2, -2, -4, Incap
Movement
Soak:
Hardness
Shortsword:
Speed 4, Accuracy +2, Damage +3L, Defense +1, Rate 2,
Attack Roll: (Dex + Melee + Accuracy)
Raw Damage: (Strength + Weapon)
PDV:
DDV: (Dodge + Essence + Dex)/2 = 3
MDV: (Dex + Melee + Defense)/2 = 5
MPV:
WP: 5
Compassion: 1
Conviction 2
Temperance 1
Valor 5



Backrounds:
Cult (1)
Influence (1) ( Malfean Demons)
Backing (1) (Malfeas)
Unwoven Coadjuster (2)
Influence (2) ( Well-Known Philosopher)
Resources (1)
Followers (2) (Bandit Gang)

Conviction: 2
Valor: 5
Temperance: 1
Essence: 3
Personal:
Peripheral:
Essence Pool - Personal Essence = [Essence x 3] + Willpower
- Peripheral Essence = [Essence x 7] + Willpower + [Sum of Virtues]



Attributes:
Strength: 3
Dex:5
Stamina: 3
Cha: 5
Manip: 1
App: 3
Perception: 2
Int: 2
Wits: 3

Abilities:

Melee: 5
C (Earth) 4, Specialty (Architecture 2) (Favored)
C (Fire) 4 (Favored)
Performance 5 (Favored)
Awareness 3 (Favored) (1 BP)
Ride 2
Athletics 2
Lore 2 (Ethics 2) (Favored) (1 BP)
Occult 1 (Favored)
Bureaucracy 2
Charms
Malfeas (Caste):
By Pain Reforged
Nightmare Fugue Vigilance

SHWLIHN:
Factual Determination Analysis
Cosmic Transcendence of Valor

Isidoros (Favored):
1st Isidoros Excellency
Indomitable Hedonism Drive
Stubborn God Beast Indulgence (3BP)
Merry Boar Rampage (3BP)
Unbothered by Flies (3 BP)

Adorjan:
Wind Born Stride
Who Strikes the Wind


Coadjuster:
Komagata
Species: Neomah
Motivation: Protect my girls


Stats: As Core with the following changes
Strength: 5
War: 3 (Small Unit Tactics 2)
Melee 4 (Hairpin 2)
Valor 5
Charm: Bane Weapon (Those who have mistreated my subordinates on more than one occasion)
Charm: Measure the Wind
>>
No. 941505 ID: f57349

>>941448
Approved. Figure out your initial actions, ideally somewhere you could interact with other PCs.
>>941303
At the northernmost Chrysanthemum Shrine, where the holy Traveller's Road cuts through the shadowland of Marama's Fell, will you let the crew handle resupply themselves? Offer valuables from Sandpoint as additional bargaining chips, at risk of them being discovered as wyld-tainted? Build a prototype of that idea you had for a lighter-weight lens for signal mirrors (it involves effectively splitting up a single thicker lens into a lot of thinner concentric circles, She Who Lives In Her Name would likely approve), and thereby ingratiate yourself with the locals as a step toward infiltrating the city?

Try to acquire a full load of oil, plus enough wood for a bonfire big enough to melt a puddle under the airshp, then use Mirror-Shattering Method to skip right past Whitewall and over the Blackcrag Mountains to Shattered Fellara, where the lingering wreckage of some astrological catastrophe might make an ideal spot to study manipulation of the Loom without attracting the Fivescore Fellowship's attention? Fellara's harbor is the highest navigable point on a river that connects to the White Sea inside Haslanti territory, so that's probably the fastest way to get them home... but then you'd have to backtrack across those same mountains to pick up the stuff you wanted from Whitewall.
>>
No. 941583 ID: 54735b

>>941416
(Two things first. Since I have the EXP, Rivers is going to learn a dot of Tribal Languages through BVB for 2 exp, the only one available at the moment being the Red Horn's language but she'll fill out the other one later, then she's going to ask outright for a quick filling up to the limit of human potential on Presence, putting her 14 exp into debt (7 +1 for this post, for 8, -2 for Linguistics 2, -20 for Presence 1-5 and Otter said he would be willing to hit her with Miracle Gift Mastery)

Rivers was, of course, more than willing to help out with the proceedings. She was, after all, trying to get into her role as Warchief, because love it or hate it, it just felt like a fitting thing to be leading a group of people. She's spent the last few days practicing the art of turning her skin into armor and, importantly, gauging the Red Horn's issues, and general public opinion, and some private talking with the Shaman and her new council to help smooth out the transition.

The silver-clad beastwoman sits, in full lunar glory, having only just recently transformed before being asked by the Troll Solar to help use her social position to help bring together a formal meeting, a feat that she hapilly obliged. After all, she wasn't one much for political schemes, or even really being a grand leader, but it would probably be a good idea to consolodate all of her responsibilities into one place so she can keep it straight.

But, this was still Bridget's goal, to get them all woven into the town. So, she was going to let the council air any political grievances regarding the merger first.

(I suspect this might have to move to the combat channel on discord)
>>
No. 941640 ID: f57349

>>941505
> So if that worked out, that would be studying colleges at the no-tutor rate (6 weeks) rather than the invention from scratch rate (9 weeks)?
Better, actually. If you had some way to directly perceive Essence (such as Tell-Tale Symphony from your native Occult tree) and some reasonably flexible way to mess with Shaping effects (such as Duck Fate), you could receive de facto tutelage from the pattern spiders themselves by meddling with their work while it's under severe yet consistent strain and then listening to the resultant damage-control chatter. M did manage to teach you the Wrapped Fly Eitual, at least, so if the spiders get mad you can shed their disfavor over the course of days rather than seasons - even continuing your training while doing so, since Fellara has been cursed such that no carved stone will rest atop another, and effect from which mundane effort can easily provoke responses. Watching how fate responds differently when the pattern spiders are not actively managing it (due to the ritual) is also likely to be instructive, at least for someone who hardly knows the basics.
>>

rolled 3, 6, 8, 2, 7, 9, 5, 2, 5, 8, 4, 1, 9, 4, 5, 7, 7, 3, 9, 2, 5, 5, 8, 1, 9, 7, 10, 1, 6, 5, 2, 5, 6, 8, 8, 2, 9, 5, 6, 5, 10, 6, 2, 1, 4, 7, 7, 4, 3, 6 = 269

>>941416
>Meeting with the Herd takes place at sundown, on 1 Resplendent Fire
Well, when sundown would occur, if Ligier deigned to maintain any position other than directly overhead, at least.

>>941583
>Rivers is going to learn a dot of Tribal Languages through BVB for 2 exp, the only one available at the moment being the Red Horn's language
"Midmorning", on the first day of the month of Resplendent Fire, when the Greatest of Mother Bog's children (with one of her lesser sisters in tow) approaches Lute Silhouette Speculation with a request, the Joybringer is more than happy to help her friend expand her mastery of languages, and quickly corners a member of the Herd for the new war-chief to learn from.

Firm Hammer, a younger member of the Herd's craftsman caste, is pretty but shy, a little overawed that the new warchief was interested in talking with her. No one in a position of power had ever paid her attention before, and her shyness fades rapidly as this rather quickly goes to her head, discussing some of the crafter-class' grievances, and how she would like to see things run by the newcomer. She pays little heed to when the robed mortal attendant departs on other business.

Blue Verevain Biding used, opportunity provided for Rivers and one of the daughters to learn tribal Herdtongue, but in doing so, Rivers has been introduced to an Appearance 4 beastwoman who seems to have some opportunistic political aspirations.

>>941505
On 10 (or 11?) Resplendent Fire...

>Offer valuables from Sandpoint as additional bargaining chips, at risk of them being discovered as wyld-tainted?
Is there a way to hide that taint? Might not be worth it.

>Build a prototype of that idea you had for a lighter-weight lens for signal mirrors (it involves effectively splitting up a single thicker lens into a lot of thinner concentric circles, She Who Lives In Her Name would likely approve), and thereby ingratiate yourself with the locals as a step toward infiltrating the city?
This seems like an excellent idea, and one Lute will implement, crafting a fine glass assembly of interlocking disks, increasing in size along a geometric progression, stored in a scrimshaw case decorated with ships of sea and sky. Rolling Craft (Air) 6 + Attribute 6 + Excellency 6 + Len Arm Autosuccesses 3 + Stunt. Plus some extra dice for possible social ingratiation.

(Haven't decided if I'm going for the Shattered Fellara yet or not).
>>
No. 941661 ID: afdebc

rolled 2, 3, 5, 7, 5, 8, 2, 10, 3, 2, 10, 8, 6, 8, 9, 2, 3, 10, 6, 9, 4, 10, 5, 7, 4, 2, 9, 4, 8, 1 = 172

Okay, since Rivers and Lumie are going to be exploring for the alchemical base underground sometime soon, I'm going to start laying out what defenses will be waiting for the would-be explorers.

Frenzied Rodent Researcher sought Inevitably Radiant Hunter-Killer's advice and assistance in setting up these defenses, as the soulsteel caste is schooled in the tactics of war.

There's a Quagmire Perimeter Mine buried close the the center to create a band of trapped ground around the entire base. Inside this perimeter is mostly clear, with additional perimeters established around certain valuable locations inside the base. Currently the mine has been set up so that the expedition's personnel (and the Rat Queen's rodents) are whitelisted. Luminous Alacrity, who has been MIA for over a week and may potentially have been compromised by hostile forces (if she's alive at all) is no longer included on this whitelist.

Patrolling rats are distributed throughout the base, and in the tunnels beyond the borders, keeping watch for approaching strangers. Between murine, mortal and technological efforts, the expedition has been working to map their surroundings, searching for threats, and their missing champion.

A Light Implosion Bow is positioned to have line of sight on the "main" entrance to the expedition's fortified area, but can be quickly repositioned.

Additional alarm (and other) wards have been placed in surrounded tunnels by those Jadeborn or autochthonians familiar with such Arts.

Rolling for anything that's needed in that.
>>
No. 941667 ID: 54735b

rolled 2, 9, 8, 10, 8 = 37

>>941658
Well, that's good news on all accounts. Not only is Rivers triple the lingual that she was just two months ago, but she also met someone as good looking as she is right before everyone she's dating leaves for a fairly prolonged period of time. She should probably figure out what the customs are for sleeping with people in the tribe, and honestly it's kind of surprising even to her that that wasn't the first thing she asked about.

Plus, since she was trying to be a good leader, she was even actually listening to the problems she was mentioning, and she was planning on bringing this up to her personal advice people, since she has become smart enough to recognize that she was not yet smart enough to fix her problems on her own.

But, she probably should go ahead and get prepared for the upcoming meeting and not planning on politely working in a quick romp.
>>
No. 941669 ID: 54735b

>>941661
>Frenzied Rodent Researcher sought Inevitably Radiant Hunter-Killer's advice and assistance in setting up these defenses, as the soulsteel caste is schooled in the tactics of war.

"You know, I have a 5th War aug installed, and that's why I'm consistently able to out fight small armies of skilled fighters and big armies of people that aren't really skilled at fighting at all. I mean, I could tell you where all the hidden places are, and where to put sentries so that there isn't a single line of approach that isn't being watched."

The black haired alchemical was presently wearing a standard issue jump suit. The premier in industrial efficiency for clothes. After all, she had uninstalled all of her socializing charms and pre-emptively installed all of her 'murder lots of people quickly' charms.

She also didn't particularly LIKE Frenzied Rodent Researcher, but she was a team mate, even if she was as close to an apostate as she could tolerate a hierarchical dogma lock to keep the worst of her inherent distrust from sabotaging the mission.
>>
No. 941678 ID: 7dd512
File 156515420391.jpg - (1.22MB , 1060x1500 , e1fba7b11aa0079a21d605dd39066f4d3da65a9d.jpg )
941678

rolled 7, 7, 8, 3, 4, 6, 1, 7, 6, 6, 7, 2, 8, 8, 2, 2, 6, 3, 9, 9, 1, 8, 3, 8, 8, 8, 6, 6, 10, 2 = 171

>>940238

Resuming on the 6th of Resplendent Fire

Lumie, fed, rearmed, ( relegged, ) and refreshed is more than happy to walk about with Rivers, excited to see someone as eager as she to seek out her people. She wasn't entirely sure who else would even still be around and interested to join, but she wasn't patient enough to wait overly long, feeling out of the loop for too long and once again in control of her destiny. As she continues, cavebound with her (presumably) armored friend, she wears her own fancy variant, the type she'd been talking up that seems to have many a gizmo, light and mechanical doodad that would be difficult to craft in this day and age in creation.

Noticing River's trepidatious answer she expands, <Old Realm> "Okay, where to start. Ohh, so you may have noticed I have a convenient place to stash my t-...gear." She'd nearly said 'toys'. "There exists a vacuum of space around and in between most of what we know that exists called nullspace. It's very flexible and compressible, but needless to say, it's all around and somewhat accessible with the right magical technology. What I can do with that is move us partway there, but in a self-correcting stable way, that's not too far into null space but not too far into reality. It gives us parallelism with the normally intractable and the converse whiiiich means more or less, most people can't see us, walls can't stop us and even the concept of the floor is one that you mostly have to remember exists until you want to stick your head through it. Although some divine and supernatural edifices can cohabitate those spaces, but that shouldn't be too bad. So if we need it, stick close to me and no one can hear or see us and we can walk right through walls and such. So, I believe we can go this way ...". She starts to follow what she remembers of the paths she'd been on, and geological surveys she'd seen and had uploaded to her assimilated data cluster.

"Ohh,I should also mention, if you see others with ... my level of technological gear. Well, not this armor specifically, these are fairly rare, but more advanced than the mutant folk in the tunnels here, like if we get separated or anything, I want you to repeat very clearly after me. " It's at this point that she slowly speaks out a phrase that doesn't seem to have any meaning. <???> "eee - yooolp". <Old Realm> "But faster, one syllable like this: " <???> "yalp. yalp ... fi ... zu .. ne yalp. fizune yalp." She goes on to explain, <Old Realm> "That call sign will let people know you're with me. It's also pretty tasty, I'll share some with you when we're back"
>>
No. 941680 ID: 54735b

rolled 8, 5, 5, 4, 6, 7, 2, 8, 6, 2, 8, 7, 3, 3, 7, 8, 8, 8, 4, 10 = 119

>>941678
Rivers is still rolling up with 31B/27L/15A soak, so damn right she's heavily armored.

"Alright, I'm not going to lie, none of those words actually mean anything to me, but I guess it kind of sounds like trying to go through elsewhere, and honestly, that sounds like a REALLY bad idea. Especially if spirits live there, since this place has a bunch of spirits.

"Also, I'm probably not going to remember that. I'm probably going to just let them shoot me and try to calmly explain the situation. I mean, I'm heavily armored enough that I might reasonably be able to take that even without putting anyone else's life in danger, and I might as well try to make allies in general now that I'm some kind of tribal general queen thing.

"It's been a long few days."

But, Rivers, on top of having scouted out at least a little bit of the actual passage had been actually studying the maps that she now had at her disposal.

So, she was confident in her ability to navigate the twisting tunnels in near perfect darkness with nothing but her keen sense of direction and forewarning of what was there, and what dangers hunted the path.
>>
No. 941700 ID: 5f3f48

>>941661
>>941669
As both champions were dependent on 6th War Augmentations, much of the advice ended up coming from the henchrats, who had actual dots in War.
>>
No. 941829 ID: 8d924c

>>940578
The agata seems too confused by the mess of bureaucratic language to attempt argument. Instead, Adamant Seneschal agrees to bring a copy to Red and Gold to review. It buzzes off, accordingly, carrying a stretch of Aalu silk bearing the agreement.

>>941680
>>941678
Before Rivers and Lumie depart, a dripping wet creature with a long tail slithers towards them, trailed by a metallic creature that might perhaps be a three foot high lobster. The demjen raises itself up onto the tail for a bow towards Rivers. It has been assigned to assist her.
>>
No. 941835 ID: 6e001f

rolled 7, 4, 9, 3, 5, 3, 4, 3, 5, 9, 8, 6, 2, 10, 5, 4, 7, 1, 5, 1 = 101

>>941829
Rivers looks quizzically at the lobster being, fist trying to figure out if she knows what it is, and with Occult-2=0 for Rivers, she realized that the Infernal knowledge planted in her brain didn't actually include much information about demons, surprisingly, outside of a lot of general broad reaching information that applied to spirits in general.

"I'm sorry, I have no idea what you are, so maybe you could tell me a bit about yourself and your capabilities so I can put you to better use?"

She was being sincere, but also had this tinge of natural respect, sitting in almost complete dark illuminated by a soft silver light shining from River's brow as the visage of the moon shone through.

(Rolling in order.

TEM vs Sexual Addiction, Charisma+Presence+Stunt for socially probing the Demjen into telling me about the species.)
>>
No. 941837 ID: 6e001f

>>941829
Well, that was satisfyingly resolved that. So, she had a few preperations to make for the
deal being struck. First, she wanted to pre-emptively prepare for this deal being signed, so she handed off her beam-klaive to her closest ally to prepare a full talent of brass coins locked away in the basement prepared for distribution, but kept out of the public hands and knowledge.

With all that out of the way, Xanin was going to join Dell in the spa. She was, after all, an aspiring tyrant, but she didn't have the lack of a heart necessary to just leave someone stewing in a bad situation like that. So, she walks up to the edge of the turtle pool, and took the two minutes to properly join the wood dragon in the spa, sitting to her left so she could have her shield floating around her right arm.

"So, should we get down to handling business, or your personal affairs, first?"
>>
No. 941859 ID: f57349

>>941661
Quagmire Perimeter Mine can discriminate based on size, weight, position, and enlightenment, but it's not able to identify specific individuals.
>>941678
The dematerialized stratum of reality is completely different from nullspace/elsewhere. Immaterial stuff can interact with other immaterial stuff based on the same spatial relationships as conventional reality; they're laid alongside, and magic can even reach across in various routine ways to observe or interfere. Elsewhere is NOT contiguous, only tangent to conventional reality at specially constructed gateways. Different bubbles carved out of Nullspace can even have variable time flow relative to each other - that's how your Technomorphic Integration Engine keeps stored items in perfect stasis until retrieved.
>>
No. 941868 ID: f57349

>>941658
Ten successes on 25 dice, if you'd paid for a full excellency, plus three from the arm. During the trip across Cecelyne, you've built one of the finest mundane signal lamps the world has ever seen: reasonably sturdy without being too heavy, elaborate lens focuses the light into a narrow beam, spring-loaded shutters and filters can close it off or change the beam to a variety of vivid colors at the flick of a switch. Maybe worth a Resources 4 or 5 purchase to the right buyer, but it still needs oil (or something essence-based) to actually produce light. Given a nugget of blue unmelting ice, a few more months of work, and help from the Sandpoint Devil or the right sort of fire elemental, you could turn it into a 2-dot artifact searchlight that changes a wide patch of ground hundreds of feet away from night into day, and that wouldn't break after being hit with any ordinary hammer.
>>
No. 941875 ID: f57349

>>941835
Successful Temperance roll, so sex addiction isn't a factor. Only two successes on the social attack, so it's up to Red And Gold what the Quickener of Ores has been instructed to say.
>rolled 10, 5, 4, 7, 1,
However, if it lies or withholds anything of significance, you'll probably know. Mother Bog has digested more than a few books on demonology, and even personally encountered demjen herself on various occasions. Three successes on Intelligence + Occult means she's shared that comprehensive knowledge with you, an you clearly recall it.

For example, the demjen is crawling along the ground only as a deliberate gesture of servile humility - they're fully capable of 'swimming' through air, at least within ten or fifteen feet of a solid surface. Faster and more comfortable in the water, though. The larger mermaid-shaped one (soft flesh, apart from floating strands like smoke or seaweed, and a few plates of green clamshell-styled armor) is in charge, while that cat-sized metal lobster thing is an expendable servant called a chalcothete, created from metal ore by it's master's song. A typical demjen can maintain up to 25 chalcothetes at once, though they rarely keep more than seven to ten since the committed essence would prevent them from doing much else.
>>
No. 941878 ID: afdebc

>>941837
Dell's tempted to comment on the oddity of carrying a shield to the bath, but supposes she's not really in a place to comment, given that she's still in her boots. (Granted, it's not as if she could take them off without assistance, but Xanin doesn't know that. At least moonsilver doesn't care about water the way leather or steel would).

>"So, should we get down to handling business, or your personal affairs, first?"
The wood aspect's leg twitches, and a derisive chime can be faintly heard, muted through the water.

"Well, they're the same thing today, aren't they? Flair's a million miles away when I need him, or so the Oath claims, anyways."

A moment's contemplation, she clearly decides dissembling isn't worth it. "We're deployed as a freelance law firm here, for reasons well above my grade- and Fanged Flair Effulgence, last seen flying naked, is our lawyer."

"Mauger's our current client- he says you're obstructing traffic."

"Oh, and if you see an exalt dressed as a maid or calling herself Embri on a Windblade, feel free to shoot the traitor out of the sky."
>>
No. 941887 ID: 54735b

>>941878
"Well, I can certainly see how that would be troublesome. I'd offer to help, being as incredibly well acquainted with the laws as I am, but I imagine I'm rather too tied down to serve as a 'traveling' lawyer.

"As for blocking traffic, that is the last thing I'd like to be seen as doing, but this place had abysmal record keeping before I took over. But, be that as it may, I am neither stupid or suicidal enough to think that my hold over this Manse is absolute enough to use it as any sort of power base against a second circle demon. So, what sort of tribute does Mauger expect?"

Sesus Xanin was paying the shoes no heed. But, this was shaping into a good meeting, after all, getting on the good side of a second circle demon would make getting a foot in the door that much easier, even if it was apparently a rocky first impression.
>>
No. 941928 ID: 5f3f48

>>941887
>I'd offer to help
"Being the lawyer for both sides sounds like that 'conflict of interest' thing Flair always got so excited about. He always seemed to love it, clients tended to get upset though."

>So, what sort of tribute does Mauger expect?
"I think he's more concerned with his Calibration festival going smoothly than being paid off. Can you call good traffic tribute?"
>>
No. 941933 ID: 54735b

>>941928
>Calibration festival

"Well, I'm going to go on an educated guess and assume that this calibration festival is one of the prizes offered, if it is important enough that's your take away.

"But, if you have someone who can tell me exactly what Mauger wants, I can absolutely work that in, especially considering the blessings of a demon of his caliber is worth the weight of a powerful god out in the threshold here."

In her head, Xanin was already trying to figure out both where and how best to set up traffic outflows to reach Mauger. After all, she wasn't planning on prostrating herself as a slave to him, but she was more than willing to go at least a little bit out of her way to rectify this kind of situation.
>>
No. 941934 ID: 5f3f48

>if you have someone who can tell me exactly what Mauger wants
"That would have been my boss and our lawyer. Who either bailed to sleep with a bat-demon or got kidnapped or both. And when I reach out to the feeling the legion sorcerer put in my head to check on him, it tells me he's numbers that don't even make sense far away."

Dell can only assume there's some kind of demon magic in the way.

"Maybe one of the others would know more, or have better luck. I can't track him across the sky, but Cathak Othok Dythyk has proper sorcery"
>>
No. 941937 ID: 3732a8

>>941934

“Well, I suppose there is one easy answer. How good are you at prayer? Because I suspect that the fastest way is just levying a prayer with questions as to the specific nature as to what he wants, short of just going there personally.”
>>
No. 941945 ID: 5f3f48

>>941937
There’s an awkward pause, as one exalt process what exactly the other just said.

"You want me to pray. To a demon." the incredulous Ashen Bow eventually responds. She had always heard stories of Realm indolence, but blatant heresy being proposed so casually in the bath was more than she was expecting.
>>
No. 941946 ID: 3732a8

>>941937
“Well, consider it this way. The system of prayer was, so I was told, to help keep people safe from rampaging gods. And a demon’s natural place is either in hell or being used as a tool by an Exalted sorcerer. So, since we are in hell, and the demons of the second circle are the closest approximation to the local gods which need supplication, not praying to them in a long term sense could be incredibly dangerous and invite the same violent aggression cheating a god does. Or are you saying you’d rather a powerful demon come and enslave hundreds of thousands of people to worship them daily to the exclusion of everything else?”
>>
No. 941997 ID: afdebc

>>941859
>Quagmire Perimeter Mine can discriminate based on size, weight, position, and enlightenment, but it's not able to identify specific individuals.
We'll set it to distinguish based on weight (so rats can get across safely) and based on the presence of soulgems attached to a living body. Means we're still vulnerable to hostage situations, attacks by demon-rats (or cockroaches! Brrr), and the murines can't cross the border without assistance, but that's probably about as secure as we can get it without a more sophisticated friend-or-foe identification system.
>>
No. 942150 ID: afdebc

rolled 7, 3, 6, 6, 10, 1, 6, 8, 3, 9 = 59

>>941946
>Or are you saying you’d rather a powerful demon come and enslave hundreds of thousands of people to worship them daily to the exclusion of everything else?
"No?" Dell frowns. "That wasn't covered in the mission briefing. And you'd think our chaplain would have spent more time praying to demons if that's how it works."

Let's roll a knowledge check to see what Dell makes of Sesus Xanin's story about demon prayer, here. Lore or Occult + Intelligence, I'd assume?

The wood aspect pauses for a moment, watching water move across brass-veined marble.

"I'm confused what you even want to ask him. Demon traffic isn't moving fast enough, we need them to pass through the manse faster."
>>
No. 942161 ID: afdebc

>>941868
>Given a nugget of blue unmelting ice, a few more months of work, and help from the Sandpoint Devil or the right sort of fire elemental, you could turn it into a 2-dot artifact searchlight that changes a wide patch of ground hundreds of feet away from night into day, and that wouldn't break after being hit with any ordinary hammer.
Well, Lute will save her design notes and some images on the Shard Fallen for later, but if what she has now is already potentially worth resources 4 or 5 at sale, upgrading it to an artifact might push the price too high for her current purposes. If the goal is to sell the tool (or the plans) to the locals for favor, it ideally should be something something mortals can reproduce. Or afford.

>>941640
Lute's current options seem like a) heading directly to Whitewall b) heading across the mountains to try and study colleges or c) doubling back to investigate that manse (or some combination of the three). In order to better make this decision, Lute will use efficient secretary technique to research the manse:

Who and what owns the manse?
Where are they?
What's the current population of the manse?
>>
No. 942191 ID: ee855d

>>942150
"Did your debriefing formally include looking after enough mortals to serve as a prayer mill even a powerful demon would notice?"

Sesus Xanin gave it a shrug. She was already formulating how to set up a demonic prayer calendar in order to provide a sort of protection scheme against the demons, since any one of them attacking the land would earn the ire of everyone else signed into the prayer scheme.

"But, I would ask him what exactly he intends be done, considering that the turn-over rate isn't particularly lower than it was before-hand. After all, the main hindrance are the gates, and the journey is an integral part of the Manse, and trying to wedge them open would cause essence eruption."
>>
No. 942192 ID: afdebc

>"Did your debriefing formally include looking after enough mortals to serve as a prayer mill even a powerful demon would notice?"
A thoughtful chime sounds underwater. "No...".

>"But, I would ask him what exactly he intends be done, considering that the turn-over rate isn't particularly lower than it was before-hand. After all, the main hindrance are the gates, and the journey is an integral part of the Manse, and trying to wedge them open would cause essence eruption."
"He's a demon, he probably doesn't care if it's hard, or if we had to blow up the manse up to get it out of his way."

Dell stands up, stretches, take a step, and then stands on top of the water.

"All right. If we're reporting back to the client, what do we need to do?"

It apparently wasn't very hard to talk Dell into this. Maybe she just wants to make some progress today, maybe the Dynast is just persuasive, maybe her ignorance in occult matters isn't doing her any favors here. The law firm is doing jobs for demon-clients anyways, is it really so bad to contact them?
>>
No. 942195 ID: ee855d

>>942192
"Well, in general I should really figure out a way to set up a demonic prayer calendar, for this specifically, just grab a passing demon, and I'll burn some fancy cloth. I'll say some prayers, and you can do some fancy dance. Hopefully, that should pan out into a coherent prayer while we work out a way to keep them off our backs."

She took some soap and formed it into a writable surface, and wrote out some glyphs in old realm.

"I really hope that this will actually work."
>>
No. 942213 ID: d9acdc

rolled 10, 10, 8, 6, 8, 6, 10, 7, 3, 4, 1, 9, 2, 7, 8, 1, 6, 2, 3, 2, 7, 1, 3, 9, 5, 5, 1, 1, 10, 1 = 156

>>940379

"Satisfy five conditions or any attempt will be met with lethal violence.
First, you agree to have any memories of my choosing scrubbed from your mind by a Passion Moray, with the excluding any memory of finding your soul treasure. Second, that unless directed you refrain from inflicting damage or injury on the premises. Third, that you agree to provide a small amount of tactical advisement on the nature of demons here. Fourth, that you remain here for at least seven hours. Fifth that things are returned to an organized fashion as before your search began."

CoD needs time to recharge motes before summoning a new demon, plus as I understand there's at least a six hour window before summoning a new demon again, so those requirements should give it time to search, clean up, and answer some questions about how to deal with de-materialized demons here, if that's even an issue she can/needs to work around. Then she can summon the passion moray, mind wipe it and be done. Presumably I could outline specific stats for a social attack, but if it doesn't comply then we'll try to kill it regardless of it's debate skills, so detailed social mechanics might not be needed.
>>
No. 942222 ID: f57349

>>942161
>Well, Lute will save her design notes and some images on the Shard Fallen for later, but if what she has now is already potentially worth resources 4 or 5 at sale, upgrading it to an artifact might push the price too high for her current purposes. If the goal is to sell the tool (or the plans) to the locals for favor, it ideally should be something something mortals can reproduce. Or afford.
There's also the issue that the Haslanti don't want you to just walk off with that lantern - they're claiming you used material from ship's stores to build it, including feathersteel of a grade which is illegal to export.

Long as we're on the subject of lanterns, every 40 yards along the Pilgrim's Road (thirty thousand or so in total) there's a pair of columns designed to produce light convenient to travelers but baneful to the undead, and also to sanitize sewage flowing through a pipe deep in the ground below the road. They don't work, and haven't since the Contagion. It's almost painfully obvious to Lute how the lights could be repaired, but being a Creature of Darkness, she can't do the job herself. They're too big and geomancy-bound for Incantation of Effective Restoration, but a dragon king with sufficient proficiency in either of the earth-aspected Paths could probably restore any given pair of lights in just a few minutes, or any non-CoD essence-user with two dots each in Lore, Occult, and Craft (Air) could do it over the course of months with the right tools and materials.
>>
No. 942225 ID: f57349

>>942150
One success on Intelligence 2 + Occult zero means UWD can recall at least enough of the Immaculate texts to be confident that any superficial similarities between Creation and the Demon Realm are often dangerously misleading (though not many useful specifics), and that praying to demons is always an egregious heresy, with no circumstantial exceptions whatsoever.
>>942213
>rolled 10, 10, 8, 6, 8, 6, 10, 7
Feathered salamander demon cooperates fully and without hesitation, memory extraction and secure disposal proceeds exactly according to plan.
>>
No. 942253 ID: afdebc

rolled 2, 8, 5, 2, 7, 1, 6, 2, 4, 2 = 39

>>942195
>praying to demons is always an egregious heresy, with no circumstantial exceptions whatsoever
>If I were UWD I might assume that SX has been misled or otherwise doesn't know what they're talking about.
The Wood Aspect pauses at the edge of the turtle-bath, half-remembered lessons demanding attention. "You're sure this is a good idea? Because, I'm pretty sure this is heresy."

Rollings... probably investigation? Doesn't really matter, Dell's non-performance social stats aren't great.
>>
No. 942255 ID: 54735b

rolled 4, 1, 4, 4, 5, 2, 10, 4, 3, 1, 4, 8, 10, 4, 1 = 65

"I've come to the conclusion that the primary major differences between demons and gods is largely political, and that one of the reasons why there would be no stated exceptions to worshiping demons is much the same, it wouldn't do from a political perspective if you've got gods on your side. And we don't have any gods right now, and we've got, on last realm census, 143,000 people. I know that this might not particularly endear you to me, but I'm going to take whatever path necessary to make sure that as many of them are safe, even if it pisses off all of the immaculate monks."

(Charisma+Presence+stunt, 10m from personal for +5, spending 10 exp on buffing Presence and Socialize, and 3 exp on locking in the Tomescu gunner, but that's slightly less relevant

So 2+4+5+x dice)
>>
No. 942280 ID: f57349

>>942253
>>942255
Since this debate is in public, in front of a group Sesus Xanin commands, and clearly relevant to that group's policies, it's effectively mass social combat. Umbrageous Waxwing Dell's lack of courtly graces makes her easy to embarrass, but between the religious issue and Sesus Xanin's elemental aspect and relative rank I'm willing to say Dell's Performance specialty does apply.

That's only really relevant for hitting back, though. With Willpower 10, Dodge MDV is much more effective. No relative Appearance modifier, but could be at up to -3 from relative Magnitude given that SX has an entire army within shouting distance while UWD only has the builder bugs. Might be another -1 since heretical dancing would play off of UWD's negative intimacy toward her ordained role as a DB, or -2 if "hard women making hard decisions" logic appeals to Conviction, though those wouldn't stack. On the other hand, Conviction or Valor might actually provide an MDV boost if deviation from the immaculate philosophy is interpreted as surrendering in the face of adversity.

Even if a social attack doesn't overcome your best MDV (and this one probably does), you can usually choose to just go along with it for other reasons. In this case, openly disagreeing with Sesus Xanin might set off her megalomania.
>>
No. 942289 ID: afdebc

rolled 1, 8, 3, 10, 2, 3, 2, 9, 2, 5, 9, 10, 5, 3, 8, 1, 9, 7, 9, 4 = 110

>>942255
>Even if a social attack doesn't overcome your best MDV (and this one probably does), you can usually choose to just go along with it
Reassured on the morality and necessity of their task, Dell sets off in a good mood to try and locate the necessary ritual. She even allows one of the demon bath attendants to help her dress, and doll her up a little. (They're rather more skilled at it than a spider has any right to be).

With Angel the Aalu in tow, she then sets about canvasing the local demon population, trying to see if the locals know the details for a ritual contacting Mauger.

First, stunting in a new species of water-spider anhule to help dress up Dell and (if successful) temporarily increase her effective appearance by one. (NPC rolls Intelligence + Larceny for disguise).

Using the houserules for hiring help, Dell rolls Appearance (3 or 4) + Connections 1 (assuming there's any kind of guild presence here) + Stunt. Possibly another die or two using the limited cooperation rules, with Angle helping and working on behalf of Sesus Xanin. I'll also channel a point of wp to buy a single successes.
>>
No. 942290 ID: f57349

>>942289
Success! Some volunteer in the crowd has Occult 3 and rote knowledge of a thaumaturgical procedure to beckon Hrotsvitha's Indulgent soul, and is able and willing to teach it to others. Now all you need to contact the client is an appropriate workspace, six or seven successes on an (Intelligence + Occult + Art of Demon Summoning) roll, and expendable components worth at least a Resources 3 purchase per attempt.
>>
No. 942336 ID: 5f3f48

rolled 5, 2, 8, 1, 6, 7, 5, 7, 2, 10, 7, 9, 3, 3, 5, 10, 5, 8, 5, 9 = 117

>>942290
Dell doesn't have a week to spend learning the ritual (and she doesn't meet the prequesites besides) but she'll discuss some of the particulars for now. If you need a certain kind of wine or incense (or blood, Mauger) for a beckoning ritual, you'd probably need similar stuff for a prayer performance, right? Not... that she's a priest. Or a demonologist. Or has any idea how you adapt between the two disciplines. Dragons, where's Flair, Cat, or Otter when you need them? Any one of them would be better suited to figure out the occult or religious parts.

Then she'll report back to Sesus Xanin with the reasonably good news- she found someone with the know-how they need, but we'd probably still have to prep a temple or get a more skilled occultis involved (probably Dell's friend and coworker could serve, there). Even if Dell gets her builder bugs involved, temples need, you know, mystical stuff. There's more than just putting walls up.
>>
No. 942350 ID: 54735b

rolled 5, 5, 5, 1, 10, 8, 10, 9, 8, 5, 1, 5, 3, 5, 1 = 81

>>942336
Sesus Xanin will itterate. She doesn't have any actual intentions of summoning Mauger, that's a whole level more complex than she has either the time or patience to deal with. She wants to make a relatively simple message encoded into a prayer asking for either a messenger or an infallable messenger or something with exact specifications of what he was looking for.

She is very appreciative of the efforts that UWD went through though, and she praises her efforts and the result of finding a master level thaumaturge, though she doesn't have too much to offer in the way of the usual promotions and extra rations that she would normally offer someone who goes above and beyond the call of duty, so she offers a hug if she wants it.

Otherwise, they've got the mostly temple like first floor of the manse that she's largely kept cordoned off to demons for obvious reasons, and an unfortunate amount of this month's profit that she had kept in tow. It wasn't a whole lot, but it would probably keep her from actually going out and conquering everything surrounding here for some time.

"Alright, does the person you've found have the general ritual for praying?" She asked, laying out the things in a manner that is easy to burn. Fortunately, it was mostly silks and other things that could be replaced given enough time, but still a deep blow.

(Mechanically, she's setting up for the prayer, resource 3 sacrifice to drop the difficulty from 6 to 3, base pool of Charisma 2+Performance 1 spending 10 motes from personal pool for +5 from the crown, stunt (at least 2 because this is in-line with her motivation) and 1 auto-success for willpower.)
>>
No. 942354 ID: 5f3f48

rolled 10, 6, 2, 5, 5, 6, 8, 9, 4, 7 = 62

>>942350
The demon help located knows the ritual by rote, and only has Occult 3,so regrettably they can't have a master degree in thaumaturgy. Dell is assuming ritual paraphernalia carries over, though, so he should be useful to consult.

"If Mauger likes certain things, and they're used in a ritual to summon him, they should also be useful praying to him, right?"

The Wood Aspect will allow her dynastic counterpart to take lead on the ritual, supplementing her efforts with dance and ringing bells- a frenzied primal performance fitting the aestethics of the spawning forest.

She'll also try to rope Angel in- surely it knows a thing or two about proper forms for addressing greater demons? (And Aalu have dice in performance and integrity).

Rolling more dice than is probably necessary for cooperation, only the first 1 or 2 likely matters.
>>
No. 942386 ID: 304f7c

>>941416

The great council of the Red Horn tribe clamors on. More annoyed with each other than the current state of being. Until the great shaman clears his throat and speaks. "Hello friends and new comers. Today we are gathered to forge bonds stronger than iron chains or steel locks." He pauses for a moment and he takes in the group. "And as this is such an auspicious day I am sure the Horned Goddess watches closely. I think it would be fitting and wise if we offered her a little blood letting." The beastmen of the council are starting to get excited. "In the entrails of the sacrifice we will surely see a good omen for events about to transpire!" He motions over and four beastmen bring a slave human who has given up struggling long ago. "In our tribe it is considered custom to paint the blood of the sacrifice upon your body. It ensures the horned goddess favor will be on you."

The slave is brought in front of the shaman and forced to sit while the shaman produces a ceremonial dagger from within his robes. The beastmen of the council have stopped their noises and seemed entirely focused on the dagger. They watch the shaman intensely anticipating the flowing of the red crimson.
>>
No. 942420 ID: 54735b

>>942386
This was a fairly exciting prospect as Rivers keened up and was prepared to watch the sacrifice, taking it as a full confirmation of what being an Anathema was all about. Sure, it was trumped up in a lot more religion than she was used to, but it ultimately boiled down to mentally breaking someone, murdering them, and presumably, eating their corpse.

But, she's been pretty lax since she got to hell about acting like that. Maybe taking her place as the de facto leader of a savage barbarian horde would be good for her Anathemaness. Maybe she should take a page from Lute's book and go on a trip out of hell to take of some personal business. Like a murder sabbatical where she would deliver a caravan of corpses to her sometimes fickle mother, and maybe ask for some advice.
>>
No. 942425 ID: f57349

>>942350
>>942354
After hours of ecstatic dancing, burning of incense, and improvisational ritualized bloodshed, the celebrants collapse exhausted. In a subsequent shared dream, Mauger appears as an enormous tree, twisted and scarred, laden with fruit resembling disembodied brains and breasts. The demon says "That manse's chambers are forty feet high. You've been leading traffic to barely fill the bottom eight feet, then letting neomah and bath-spiders run wild on the backlog."
>>
No. 942439 ID: 54735b

>>942425

"Well, that should be a simple enough thing to resolve." Sesus Xanin's mind was already hard at work thinking of how to implement a tiered system and how to keep the tiered system the same for the higher tiers, but keep the lower tiers extra-jam packed to make up the difference. It seems like she would have to introduce a premium currency, she should send an addendum to the trade agreement to include that information.

"Give it about two weeks to tinker with the social economy, and there should be a lot more people flowing through those gates."

In essence, she's going to turn the manse proper into the personification of a microtransaction laden triple-A game, where you CAN play without paying extra, but the experience is designed to be less enjoyable if you don't fork over extra cash, She's not going to actually introduce a premium currency yet, but the idea has been planted.
>>
No. 942449 ID: 5f3f48

>>942425
Umbrageous Waxwing Dell wakes up uncomfortable from sleeping on a stone floor, slightly sticky, and only partially clothed—she's going to need to visit the baths again before heading back—feeling both embarrassed by the events of the last few hours, and, well, somewhat liberated. Also pleasantly surprised Sesus Xanin's idea seems to have worked and energized at having made progress on the job after what felt like a day long series of failures.

From her recent dream, she remember's Mauger's diagnosis (if the problem is just a misuse of vertical space, at least it should be easy enough to get the Builder Bugs to add extra floors in the tall manse chambers. Well, geomancy permitting, she'll check with 'Thyk). Also remembered is her own embarrassment at the unexpected appearance of their client while in such a state and trying awkwardly to come to attention. He said... something. The words slip between her fingers, as details from dreams so often do, but she remembers amusement, and something to the effect that if she wished to remain presentable (her mind struggles to find a synonym for "pure" or "clean" that could have been uttered in face of the tree's profane indecency) while prostrating herself in his glory and service (her cheeks burn—she definitely embarrassed herself in front of the client) there was something waiting for her in the Spawning Forest. That detail at least stood out clear in dream memory, something hidden between tangled roots at the base of a brass tree, a location she had never before seen but she was sure she could find if she set out into Hrotsvitha.

Setting a plot hook for a side quest to find a Collar Choker of Dawn's Cleansing Light, other complications left to the Storyteller.
>>
No. 942486 ID: 54735b

>>942449

"Alright, well, that was informative, and dragons willing I can use that upswing my own profit from this place, and turn it into a real power base where things are run the right way."

Sesus Xanin allowed a few personal attendants to clean her up before she started putting on her silken clothes and armor.

"If anyone decides to give you flack for your actions here helping me, just know in your heart that you did the right thing, and if they still decide to chew you out, I'll be sure to set the record straight, and figure out the optimized strategy to pack five times the people into each trip, and still getting enough resources to bankroll a bit of an expansionist project."


So far as she was aware, the number of groups she needed to build up a formal rapport with were the priesthood of Cecelyne, the butcher's guild, the local stronghold of Mauger, the woodcutters, and possibly the spirit of Hrotsvitha itself. And this so called Seven Broken Wings of Red and Gold, she'll need to keep a particularly close eye on that situation as it bubbles over.

Who knows, with all the wealth at her disposal, she was going to at least be able to help sway two or three of those factions.

(Mechanically, with her bureaucratic capabilities, she's going to buy up to Resources 5/Wealth 3, or basically the hard cap she can hit without going out and actually establishing a formal kingdom, bringing her 3 exp from having the henchmen necessary to benefit from command again and start establishing herself, even if she goes after political connections before strict expansionism)
>>
No. 942495 ID: d9acdc

rolled 5, 1, 8, 1, 8, 9, 5, 3, 7, 7, 10, 5, 5, 7, 9, 5, 2, 4, 10, 6, 5, 7, 9, 2, 9, 9, 8, 1, 5, 5 = 177

>>942386
"Halt."
Bridget positions herself in between the shaman and the proposed sacrifice in a single, towering step. Flat Tooth stares on indifferently, too broken and starved to react. A squabble between the council is nothing new, right? Why out the energy towards listening to their problems when you're slatted to die.
It would not be long, however, before he and the other slaves began to perk up their ears, hoping silently that this troll-woman has some bite to her bark.
"One chance to repent. Who is responsible for imprisoning these mortals?"

Her posture and tone make it clear any act of violence will not be looked upon kindly.
>>
No. 942543 ID: 54735b

rolled 10, 1, 6, 9, 4, 4, 3, 4, 2, 6, 10, 7, 6, 5, 10, 5, 3, 5, 2, 8 = 110

>>942486
>Discord Stuff

Over the coming weeks, Sesus Xanin starts to change the way that incoming traffic is handled. The spa is far less complimentary, being charged per 10 minutes, since that's how many gates they could have passed in that time, she allowed the local butcher merchant to set up full time stands to cater to the people that paid enough money to be at the top of the pile in exchange for a kickback. She's going to be instituting these changes over two weeks, using the crown and her presence to smooth out complications and help pacify any kind of discontented rumblings before they could explode into violence.

(Int 3+Bureaucracy 5+Stunt (Assuming 2 upgraded to 3 by motivation for 11 dice, channeling compassion, because this is the nicest way she can think of to bridge her needs for more revenue to get started building a nation with Mauger's need to have more people flowing through it.)
>>
No. 942545 ID: 5f3f48

rolled 5, 5, 3, 3, 5, 7, 4, 7, 6, 6, 3, 5, 10, 2, 6, 10, 9, 7, 2, 3, 1, 1, 8, 5, 7, 3, 3, 3, 8, 2 = 149

>>942486
After once again resorting to turtle-spa, and putting aside for the moment thoughts of the dream-promised prize, the lawship's scout parts on good terms with the dynast bathhouse warlord, and heads back across the strange winding madness of the demon city towards her companions, with Angel the aalu and the builder bugs who originally accompanied her in tow.

I still have motes committed to Hostile Environment Preparation Method (since the duration is a day), I'll invoke the Horn of the Ways, and I'll spend 3m personal on the First Survival Excellency to boost the navigation roll. Possibly also getting a die from Cooperation from Angel.

Rolling Perception 3 + Survival 5 + Excellency 5 + Horn of the Ways 4 + Cooperation 1 + Stunt.
>>
No. 942546 ID: f57349

>>942486
>>942543
Under the Creation-Ruling Mandate system from Masters of Jade, I'd say you have successfully initiated a project to boost your organization's Wealth and/or Competence by implementing more efficient procedures, increasing traffic throughput, and more thoroughly integrating with the local culture. Working out the details and seeing results will take another month or two.
>>
No. 942550 ID: f57349

>>942545
That's nine successes, since five builder bug comm-relay scouts can each provide their own teamwork bonus. Retracing an uncomplicated route which you took less than a day ago back toward a reasonably clear landmark is only difficulty 1, anyway, and even if you forgot what the specific tower where they parked the Lawship looked like from a distance, Angel lost the scent trail, and builder bug internal comms were somehow jammed, there's the direction sense from your Oathbond.

UWD hikes back to the dome without incident, and reaffirms her dissatisfaction with ranger-work.
>>
No. 942558 ID: 8d924c

>>942543

Karal Tin Otter is waiting inside the entrance to the ship as Umbrageous Waxwing Dell arrives, his shaved head a brilliant crimson matching the color and luster of the red jade dire lance he holds at his side. He looks worriedly to Dell as it becomes clear that Fanged Flair Effulgence is not with her.

"Dell. I'm glad to see you back. The Builders sent back word, but I'm still not sure what's going on. Could you explain things?"
>>
No. 942562 ID: 5f3f48

rolled 8, 6, 1, 7, 4, 2, 5, 10, 2, 2, 9, 1, 9, 4, 9, 7, 6, 6, 1, 5 = 104

>>942558
Dell sends her builder bugs back to their hive, and following 'Thyk's example from earlier, tells Angel its help was appreciated, and that they're done scouting for today.

>I'm still not sure what's going on. Could you explain things?
The ranger sighs. "It was a long day, Otter, let's find Dythyk so I only have to go over it once."

Once the remaining members of the sworn brotherhood are reunited, she begins her report. First, the insanity of the trapped roadway (which as near as they could tell was functioning as intended and was not the traffic problem they needed to resolve). Then the discovery the scouting party had been followed by Embri, and Angel outing her as exalted. (Here Dell thanks their sorcerer- she chose better than she knew). Cover blown, the treacherous spy fled on a flying blade, and Flair chose to let her escape rather than pursue or engage in combat.

Next, on the the boarder of the demon city and a forest of brass trees, their party found a manse, that seems to serve dual purpose as a fortified gatehouse and a bathhouse spa. The manse was recently conquered, within the last few months, by the fire aspect Sesus Xanin, commanding realm soldiers. (Dell is unsure why the Dragon-Blooded is conquering territory in hell, but well, whatever she does with it will have to be better than the demons, right?).

"We arranged for an audience, I was ready for Flair to do his thing... and then he just slipped out on me." The wood aspect relates following their lawyer leader to a strange building, apparently grown rather than built, only to catch him en flagrante delicto with some kind of bat demon. Then she and Xanin were jumped by a flying tentacle monster, by the time it was reduced to burning cinders the bat's were gone. "I still don't know if he was being irresponsible and skipped out on an important meeting to get laid, or if he got himself caught in a magic seductress' snares, and I don't know whether to be furious or worried. The oath just gives back nonsense when I ask where he is, 'Thyk, do you get anything better?"

Then, well, she found herself the only one left to negotiate with the fire aspect, but thankfully it turns out she was pretty reasonable and cooperative. As soon as she heard her manse was causing the traffic problem she wanted to get in touch with Mauger and try and resolve the problem. So I helped her with an improvised ritual to do that! Honestly, Xanin and Angel were the only things that went right today.

Dell's curious what her teammates have been able to find now that the traitor Embri was revealed, and if Cathak Othok Dythyk's sorcery has had any better luck locating Flair.
She's also of the opinion they should relocate the ship, since a friend manse help by humans has been located, and dealing with Sesus Xanin to get the manse running smoothly will satisfy their contract with their current client.

Rolling in case dice is needed. Dell's not trying to hide anything (in fact the oath would make that difficult, I think) but since SX convinced her the ritual wasn't terrible heresy, she obviously didn't call it that.
>>
No. 942563 ID: 8d924c

rolled 4, 1, 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 6, 7, 5, 4, 8, 1, 8, 10, 3, 7, 10, 1, 6 = 104

>>942562

Karal Tin Otter winces as he attempts to locate the missing party in the Oathbond himself.

"Nonsense is a good word for it. That's not even a direction. Can you describe the demons you encountered more clearly? I can see if we have anything on them in the files somewhere. But if you'd like to move the ship to this friendly held location, we should be sure the air is clear of interference first. What did you see on your way back?"

"As to the spy, nothing I've found really explains how we missed that one. If she was Exalted, that would clear up the how, but not why. I've been searching for signs of sabotage, but everything so far has been clean. Perhaps Dythyk has had more luck with that?"

(Rolling in case I manage to figure anything out from what's been said.)
>>
No. 942586 ID: afdebc

rolled 5, 5, 6, 1, 2, 1, 10, 8, 1, 6, 9, 4, 10, 9, 1, 4, 3, 9, 1, 2 = 97

>Can you describe the demons you encountered more clearly?
"Um. There where three where we encountered Embri. One was gnarled and twisted and wooden, another had three left arms and no other limbs, and the last had too-long fingers and made was making a horrible noise. There were all kinds lined up waiting to pass through the manse. Some worked inside, one looked like a blacksmith, the baths had enormous turtles with pools of hot water embedded in their backs, and man-sized spiders as attendants. The homeowner Flair inconvenienced looked like a hairless purple-skinned woman, she offered to prostitute herself in exchange for a scrap of skin.

"The demon with Flair... well, she had the features of a bat, a lot like him. Maybe a bat demon, or some kind of shapeshifter-temptresses that changes to match her partners? The prostitute was terrified of her, and Sesus Xanin was convinced she was dangerous. Then there was the thing like a floating jellyfish, the size of a house.

"Oh! And Mauger looked like a giant tree, with fruit that resemble dismembered body parts."

In order, that's a Chrysogona, [unknown], an Angyalka, various, a Heranhal, the hot spring turtles (a new species invented for our game), bath spiders (a variant anhule), a neomah, Malice the bat-mutant Slayer, a khomfai, and Mauger the Indulgent Soul of the Spawning Forest. I'll leave it to COD and KTO's lore or occult scores to which you can recognize from Dell's descriptions.

>we should be sure the air is clear of interference first. What did you see on your way back?
I'm just gonna roll to see if Dell noticed anything in the skies on the way back. Perception 3 + Awareness 1, or maybe Perception 3 + Survival 5 for predict weather?
>>
No. 942672 ID: d9acdc

>>942562
"Some good news tempers the bad then. I've had mixed success myself. The spy seemed to have infiltrated our ship through supernatural mental influence of crew members- I've deemed them to be *mostly* safe now. Some taint remains, but it shouldn't work against us as long as the traitor doesn't return. If she does, we may have to separate her from the crew and let their loyalties recover, as we don't yet fully understand how exactly she's pulled this off. I suspect she desired to use us for transportation and work horses, so I'm doubtful she'll return now that we've discovered her betrayal. Vigilance will be tantamount however, which it sounds like the house Sesus Dynast could help provide.

As for finding Effulgence, I don't have the tools to do so myself, but I may know someone who can. You said the house Sesus Dynast contacted Mauger with your help? Very interesting indeed. Do they know sorcery? I suspect they might prove a valuable ally, if I understand the situation correctly."

>>942586
>the last had too-long fingers and made was making a horrible noise
"The harpists music is painful for the dissatisfied and resentful. I too will find their music discordant, as I am unable to separate your presence from the injustices we have suffered today, and the lack of control over my own emotions is doubly infuriating during already trying times. We risk being overcome by petty feelings during mission critical events, and should meditate upon ourselves to better center these thoughts and act rationally, rather than letting mindless passions drive us. Do not take this as slander or insult, we have little to gain from infighting."

Cathak Othok Dythyk is frustrated at todays events, and cannot help blaming Umbrageous Waxwing Dell to some extent, even though logically she knows the oath would prevent her from willingly working against FFE. Her inability to control these irrational feelings is a source of frustration for her, and probably of insult to Dell, but it's better to air such grievances honestly and work past them than to let them fester and compromise their teamwork during a more critical time.
>>
No. 942753 ID: 54735b

rolled 8, 10, 7, 9, 7, 2, 5, 8, 1, 1, 1, 8, 6, 5, 3, 8, 5, 6, 10, 10 = 120

>>942546
Alright, that's fair enough that it will take some months before she actually has resources 5.

But, sitting at the end of a long day, Sesus Xanin is confronted with two options. Going and resolving some of the issues on the demon city side of the border to help smooth her transition into building a proper city, or going over the stack of all of the accounting data she had.

Taking a half a moment to rightly realize that she was by far more equipped personally to handle the latter, she had a fresh pot of tea brought up to her, taking the next handful of hours to scour over anything in the actual data brought up to her for any sign of imperfection. After all, she was taking her first steps to the big league now, and if anything was wrong, it was best to find it out early before the issue has an option to entrench itself as a permanent slap in the face to both her, and whatever 2nd circle demon she has to impress in the future who can likely out bureaucracy her by several degrees.

(Rolling Int+Bureaucracy or Wits/Int+Investigation if that's necessary, and hoping to tackle the internal corruption that you mentioned as being one of the at least 3 issues I'll have to resolve before actually expanding into a city.)
>>
No. 942755 ID: f57349

>>942753
A clever bit of statistical analysis cross-referencing duty rosters, revenue, complaints, and certain other factors readily sorts your remaining army by squads - even in some cases individual troopers - into four categories: clever yet honest types readily adapting to the challenges of the demon realm, well-meaning incompetents, those having too much fun with the chance to boss around neomah, and a small but worryingly well-placed group apparently actively working against you.

What will you do with this information?
>>
No. 942756 ID: 5f3f48

>You said the house Sesus Dynast contacted Mauger with your help? Very interesting indeed. Do they know sorcery?
There’s a soft chuffing chime of bells as Waxwing Dell shakes her head. "Not that she said, and she strikes me as more warrior than sorcerer. There was no sorcerer when we made contact either- it was all thaumaturgy and ritual and prayer."

>"The harpists music is painful for the dissatisfied and resentful. I too will find their music discordant, as I am unable to separate your presence from the injustices we have suffered today, and the lack of control over my own emotions is doubly infuriating during already trying times. We risk being overcome by petty feelings during mission critical events, and should meditate upon ourselves to better center these thoughts and act rationally, rather than letting mindless passions drive us. Do not take this as slander or insult, we have little to gain from infighting."
There’s a sharp sound, like a piano string snapping, as wood aspect regards earth, her expression only growing more severe.

"I've got control of my damn feelings, Cathak, and they have no bearing on today's disasters."
>>
No. 942758 ID: 54735b

rolled 9, 8, 2, 10, 7, 8, 9, 9, 4, 10, 4, 1 = 81

>>942755
The Empress, in all her wisdom, cultivated the realm to encourage rot to fester to provide a place for political enemies to tire themselves out. How far back this policy went, Sesus Xanin had no idea. She has, however, seen the aftermath of that policy in the wake of the Empress's disappearance.

So, she organized the list of the entire faction working directly against her by order of rank, least powerful to most powerful.

Then she sent out orders for the lowest ranking member of the group to be brought before her, and in preparation presented a nice image. A desk completely cleared of paperwork into her esoteric filing system, and refreshments presented.

She doubted that they would be brazen enough to resist a direct summons, so she waited, and as soon as they entered the door, she read the face of the traitor, to see what secrets the man's face betrayed before she even said a word.

(Rolling read intentions, Perception 3+Socialize 4+Stunt (presumably upgraded by 1 because rooting out corruption is directly in line with her chosen method of fulfilling her motivation)
>>
No. 942806 ID: 304f7c

rolled 9, 4, 8, 4, 10, 9, 1, 4, 5, 4, 5, 6, 7, 5, 9, 6, 2, 5, 4, 3, 9, 10, 10, 9, 1, 1, 5, 1, 10, 6 = 172

>>942495

The beastmen council mutter amongst themselves. No one had expected the talks to stop this early on. The congregation had no answer for the towering figure. No one claimed responsibility in fear of risking the wrath of the she-troll. The shaman, retreating back to his guards, puts the sacrificial knife away.

Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men takes another sip of his drink before he clears his throat and begins to speak. "These slaves were captured while I was Warmaster of the tribe. So you could say that I am the one responsible for enslaving them. It's a fairly common practice to shackle those who we defeat in battle. It's either that or we put them to the ax or if there is a frenzy... Uh never mind. The point is I've led the Redhorns for a long time guiding them. Their culture and mannerisms are all to produce strong and prolific warriors. I am the one who is ultimately responsible for them."

He stands and puts his right hand to his chest as a show of respect, "I humbly ask you not to judge them too harshly."
>>
No. 942809 ID: 999f13

>>942806
Rivers was surprised by this course of action, but she wasn't as concerned by a perceived weakness as the councilors, and was going to step up to rip out the slave's heart, but decided to hold against it for a moment as Creeping Hunter stepped forward.

"Well, that was a touching display of courage from the council-" She was trying to not be as mean as she could be by masking it in only moderate sarcasm, because Creep did step up -"but the reason we're here isn't to discuss things like 'who's responsible' as the solar anathema's opening questions would have you lead. We're here to discuss merging the tribe with the surrounding population to create a stronger colony, and the topic of what about the slavery would inevitably come up."

Regardless of what she was saying, she did look relieved that the second in command (and still the person most beloved by the soldiers) was at least being honest about his involvement.
>>
No. 942822 ID: d9acdc

>>942756
>I've got control of my damn feelings, Cathak
"Certainl-
Dythyk, true to form, is having this conversation whilst attending to a routine flight check for the manta. It's rare she's ever looking someone in the eyes while talking to them, despite knowing full well it's typically considered standoffish and rude. She's got *work* to do, after all. So, it is unusual that she stops mid task, and stands in silence for a moment after interrupting herself.

Hands planted firmly on the console, leaning over, she tries again.
"Dell, I am distressed at the turn of events, and fighting is counterproductive in our hostile environment. I... I would regret damaging my standing with you. If the demon you encountered was not an Angyalka then my comments were needless, inaccurate. Undoubtedly you can recount your feelings accurately, so I must have drawn conclusions incorrectly, operating on limited knowledge."

She returns to her checklist, memorized of course, meticulously repeating routine tasks to ensure corners aren't cut. Further away now, she speaks somewhat more softly.

"Words of comfort are ultimately hollow and change nothing, but they would be appreciated still."
>>
No. 942823 ID: d9acdc

>>942806
"True leadership. However, cowards blame others; all must resist injustice. Today all start new paths: righteousness, or exile. Renounce, repent, or begone."

>>942809
>We're here to discuss merging the tribe with the surrounding population to create a stronger colony, and the topic of what about the slavery would inevitably come up.
"Slavers merit no consideration, no deals. My offer joins equals as equals, and protects no scum."
>>
No. 942832 ID: 999f13

>>942823
"Look, it sounded like you had a pretty good plan for dealing with the slaves that are already there, so I'm generally fine with the whole 'ending slavery' thing, especially since they'll still probably have to do the heavy manual labor because someone has to. But trumping it up in things like 'repent' or 'righteousness' really kind of bothers me.

"I mean, we're all three Anathema, and our very presence in creation is heretical and corrupting to the natural order, and we're supposed to worship the sun and the moon, two blood thirsty gods who rejoice in massed human sacrifice. That's part of why the Wyld Hunt even exists."
>>
No. 942833 ID: f57349

>>942758
Under Sesus Xanin's discerning eye, Fanglord Cho seems to be a good soldier and dutiful adherent to the Immaculate teachings. At the moment, more confused than frightened or guilty. After the appropriate introductory formalities, he cautiously asks whether his immediate commanding officer is under some sort of investigation, since (implicitly) he's struggling to imagine what other reason you might have to bypass the chain of command and interview him personally.
>>
No. 942850 ID: 4424d1

Horizon Silver
No Moon Lunar
Spirit Form: Warbird Skyship(It's an aircraft, not an actual animal, which is the part that requires GM fiat in order for this character to even be possible)
Iconic Anima: A luminous moonsilver orb collapsing inwards to form the shape of a mechanical falcon.
Motivation: Preserve the technological marvels of Denandsor

Strength 1 Dexterity 5 Stamina 2
Charisma 5 Manipulation 1 Appearance 3
Perception 4 Intelligence 5 Wits 2

Compassion 2, Conviction 3, Temperance 5, Valor 1

Essence 2, Willpower 10
Personal 22, Peripheral 48

Abilities / Skills:
Awareness 2
Bureaucracy 1
Dodge 3
Linguistics 1 (Native: Old Realm, Others: Skytongue)
Lore 3
Martial Arts 1
Sail 1
*Survival 2
Socialize 3
Presence 3
*Craft
Air 2
Fire 1
Water 1
Magitech 3

Charms:
To be determined. Looking for stuff to help analyze, restore and build tech with, with a few social abilities as secondary and a triatery priority
for Martial Arts.


Backgrounds:
Everyone who Horizon Silver had ever known has been dead for centuries.
She has nothing but her clothes on her back, a worker's card, and a repair and maintenance kit that might amount to an Artifact 2-3 in the age of sorrows.
There may also be a few Jade coins in her pocket with which she was planning to buy a drink with after her shift before The Terrestrials went crazy.

Intimacies:
Sol Invictus(Worship)
Autocthon(Worship, admiration)
The Solar Deliberative(Patriotism)
Bright Shattered Ice(Admiration)
Denandsor(Pride/love)
Mysterious Lunar Savior(Gratitude)

BP Spent:
+18 Free with Chargen
-5 raising WP to 10

Lore:
Horizon Silver's Mortal name was Viatrix Senta, a Denandsor born young woman who learned to tinker with machines from a young age and enlisted to The Deliberative's aerial fleet's
engineering core as soon as she came of age. While never first in her class, Viatrix's protectiveness of others and saint-like patience saved many of her less talanted peers from flunking
and established a sometimes exploited reputation for her as that of a pleaser and pushover that stuck until graduation, where the many connections she made over the years landed her
a job in a Factory Cathedral and eventually on a Northern airfield that supplied the Titan Citadel Harmonious Gale.
The Usurpation broke out only a few years afterwards, and during it Viatrix found herself scrambling to escape along with the rest of the field's workers on whatever skyships that could carry them.
The Warbird she and a few others used for escape was shot down soon after, and Viatrix had to push away the dead pilot to try and prevent a fatal crash landing, praying to Sol, to Luna, to The Maidens,
to whatever machine god that might listen and give her dying Warbird another few breaths to carry them safely to a snowy landing.
Viatrix's prayers were indeed answered; partially. The collision into snowy ground knocked her colleagues out cold and slammed her into a damaged panel.
Badly injured and whimpering, Viatrix resolved to live through this no matter what. It felt like hours to her, but she managed to dislodge the broken canopy with her tools and drag her unconcious colleagues one by one
to a nearby cave. Returnig for the last time to pay her respects to the machine that carried them to safety, Viatrix discovered that they had been followed by not only armed and armored Terrestrials but also by
the unmistakable Silhouette of one of the chosen of Luna. Increasingly dizzy from blood loss, Viatrix watched as the strangers exchanged some heated words, with the Terrestrials pointing at Viatrix's own forehead.
Confused, she glanced at her reflection from the metallic husk of the warbird, eyes widening at the burning, silvery ring on her forehead, but before she could fully appreciate the situation, the Lunar standing
between her and the Terrestrials chanted something she couldn't make out under his breath and shoved her backwards. Viatrix expected to soon feel the cold of the snow at her back, but instead felt like she had
fallen through a Kleidoscope without weght or sound. The images felt surprisingly serene and compelled Viatrix to at least rest her eyes for a bit.
When she woke up, Viatrix expected to at best have experienced a terrible dream, at worst having to deal with whatever series of terrible things that just happened.
Neither was the case; Viatrix awoke to what could only be a different season and an only barely recognizable landscape.
>>
No. 942851 ID: 54735b

rolled 1, 6, 3, 10, 2, 5, 1, 7, 8, 10, 8, 2, 8, 4, 9 = 84

>>942833
"Yes, unfortunately, I've found some evidence that Scalelord Shen might be involved in some unsavory business, and I want to compile a concise character report."

She wasn't saying that this was anything about his and Shen's active involvement in plotting against her, but she was going to start building a road map of who's who in her conspirators. Her eyes flashing gold as she spoke.

"So, why don't you tell me absolutely everything you can about his recent activities?"

(Rolling Manipulation 2+Presence 4+Stunt+5 from the crown spending 10 from personal)
>>
No. 942882 ID: afdebc

>>942822
>It's rare she's ever looking someone in the eyes while talking to them, despite knowing full well it's typically considered standoffish and rude
Something Dythyk can likely get away with more easily with Dell than many others, since the wood aspect's tendency to emote musically makes reading her face less necessary.

>"Dell, I am distressed at the turn of events, and fighting is counterproductive in our hostile environment. I... I would regret damaging my standing with you. If the demon you encountered was not an Angyalka then my comments were needless, inaccurate. Undoubtedly you can recount your feelings accurately, so I must have drawn conclusions incorrectly, operating on limited knowledge."
>"Words of comfort are ultimately hollow and change nothing, but they would be appreciated still."
Waxwing Dell's anger slowly cools as her friend's baseless accusations are replaced with stammering apologies. And she's the one in need of comforted now? Dragons.

She sighs and shifts, the movement causes a gentle progression of notes echoing the exhalation. "You haven't broken anything. Appropriate expression of comfort for your concern." Too worn to come up with anything more original, she falls back on mimicking her companion's pattern of speech, knowing it will be taken at face value rather than sarcasm or mockery.

Dell's not without sympathy for her dorky friend, but she's also touchy and very much not willing to face her own issues head on!
>>
No. 942903 ID: f57349

>>942850
If you're going to have Craft (Lightning) for magitech, you need a second dot in Craft (Fire). If you're going to raise it above three dots, need more Lore too. Not strictly required, but t'd be very strange for someone with that sort of background who didn't have at least two or three dots in Occult.

As for the warbird spirit shape... you need to take a Skin Mount Amulet (Artifact 2) and Warstrider Fire Lance (Artifact 4), as de-facto tattoo artifacts, even though they wouldn't normally be valid picks for that. In addition to Machine-Heart Integration, and the plants/rocks/elementals knack as prerequisite, you need Biomagitech Implants as a -2 mutation, and you'll need a 2-dot or higher hearthstone plugged into your skin mount in order to use the warbird's flight systems effectively.
>>
No. 942908 ID: f57349

>>942851
Hard to hold to a tight schedule with no clocks, but Shen's never showed up late or unprepared in any way that caused a problem. She's organized a weekly study group, mostly other officers, to read from a few copies of the Immaculate Texts they scrounged up. Keeps fraternization with the gate traffic to a minimum, apart from what's strictly necessary to follow orders of course. She's also been tearing down those blasphemous posters and seizing every other reasonable opportunity to resist the insidious influence of the Lover Clad In Blue. Cho claims never to have personally seen that particular anathema, but... that's who we came here to fight, isn't it? She must have been the one that laid the curse of madness on that brass forest, cast some sorcery to destroy everyone outside airtight shelters, Now you've teamed up with those Lookshyans to finish subverting her demon armies, and we'll close in for the kill once she's alone. Right?
>>
No. 942915 ID: 3e9bb0

>>942908
“As I recall, the lover clad in blue is a character from a trashy romance novel of the same name I was given by a fellow member of my graduating fang. I don’t imagine that he’s particularly real. No, our purpose here is to stand as a guardian to the waylaid lands cast adrift by some unknown soecter of fate, and to provide a shining example of the majesty of the realm to this misbegotten land.”

Xanin gave a friendly gesture, using her subordinate’s patriotism to help get her on board with the plan.

“Actually, now that I think of it, I’ve heard of that novel turning up in a few demon cults. I want you to tell me more about these meetings where she discusses immaculate scriptures.”
>>
No. 942916 ID: 3e9bb0

rolled 4, 8, 8, 3, 5, 10, 1, 1, 2, 2, 4, 10, 6, 2, 5, 1, 3, 8, 4, 8, 6, 10, 9, 10, 5, 5, 6, 1, 9, 3, 7, 7, 5, 2, 7, 9, 1, 5, 3, 2 = 207

(Mechanically, charisma presence crown stunt for 14 max to get her on my side and working to subvert her back from then subversion.

I also want to see how much of this is misleading, and how much is genuine ignorance of the conspiracy. So PER+Socialize+stunt+crown or 15 max.)
>>
No. 942981 ID: 8d924c

rolled 6, 5, 7, 5, 6, 9, 3, 1, 3, 9, 2, 6, 6, 2, 3, 5, 10, 8, 2, 2, 7, 4, 4, 10, 6, 9, 2, 8, 1, 9 = 160

>>942882
>>942756

Karal Tin Otter's expression flickers briefly from concern to anger, as he hears what Dell has to say, but it's quickly suppressed. Something had to be said, however.

"Ritual and prayer? To a demon? Dell, while I well understand the need for this expedition to interact with the denizens of this place, prayer is not rightfully given to any but the gods. This could rightfully be called heresy, and if we were anywhere else, I would be expected to report this. Dythyk is correct that there is nothing to gain from arguing now, however. I would ask that you try to avoid this in the future. I will need to speak with this Dynast when we arrive."

(Effective Temperance of 7 probably overrides the impulse to start a shouting match right now. Also need to finish spending my Arsenal dots, and I believe we had agreed that the desk/filing cabinet artifact was something to grab but can't remember what we said about how many dots that was.)
>>
No. 942984 ID: afdebc

>>942981
"See, I brought that up, and she explained it. We pray to gods to keep people safe, but there aren't any gods in hell, there are demons, so it's okay to pray to them for the same purpose. It's um, politics and natural order and stuff, not worship."

Dell tries her best to recount the explanation Sesus Xanin used to convince her, though her delivery pretty obviously falls short of the fire aspect's.
>>
No. 942986 ID: 8d924c

>>941875
(Demjen is just ordered to assist Rivers with whatever she asks. Assumption was that a demon primarily used for mining might be helpful in the caves.)

>>942806
>>942823
>>941055

Red and Gold arrives to the meeting, whether or not he was actually invited, trailed by a trio of tomescu. He's initially distracted, going over something written on a roll of silk repeatedly and apparently making no headway in actually understanding what he's reading. Finally, he turns his attention to the subject of the actual meeting.

"From what I have seen, there should no longer be any need for mortal slavery. Although it would be less efficient than summoning, I can grant gifts of health or skill or strength to those who are considered too weak to work. And I believe our friend Bridges the Sun and Moon can handle illness? If not, I may need to adjust my plans, but there is no reason that every person here cannot become able to work, given time. And we may well need that, if to at least buy ourselves more time. We need to deal with the luminata...the 'deer.'"
>>
No. 942993 ID: f57349

>>942915
>>942916
Might want multiple sources to confirm, but the immaculate scriptures they're studying seem to be genuine, and the "anathema" they're after is mostly you, when you've got the shield up. None of the group's beliefs bear any resemblance to the plot of then novel; sounds like somebody got just a glimpse of the cover and the rumor mill took off from there.
>>
No. 943006 ID: 54735b

>>942993
That's the beauty of it, and why I rolled manipulation. She can tell that she's the anathema they're concerned about. She's lying to her, and trying to plant the seed that the scalelord Chen is in a cult and either misteaching the immaculate faith, or hiding subversive subtext in accurate teachings, because she's neither a graduate of the cloister OR an authorized chaplain.
>>
No. 943057 ID: 304f7c

>>942823
With this the council now looks unimpressed at the sudden out burst. Some shake their heads others whispers among themselves. Grizzlemaw the most displeased bursts out of his seat, "We came here for talks! Not to be lectured by some troll bitch!"
>>942832
Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men picks up on this and tries to mediate. "It seems you might of gotten ahead of things here. You demand much but offer nothing." Shooting a sideways glance at Grizzlemaw he continues. "I've seen you work with metal. Perhaps you can train the slaves to work with it. They could become valuable smiths for tools, armor, and weapons. Would that satisfy your need for justice?"
>>
No. 943075 ID: 0cc5eb

>>942832
>our very presence in creation is heretical and corrupting to the natural order
"False."

Bridget does not elaborate, instead turning to address the Red Horn Tribe.

>>943057
>Offer nothing
>>941416
>Outlining the terms of the agreement

"False. I offer slavers nothing. Any who value creation and it's denizens shall feast endlessly, be given shelter, medicine, allies, and exalted champions. In return classes are mandatory. I teach medicine, metal working, earthmoving, carpentry, and more. All must use their skills for mutual defense and aid as best they can."
>>
No. 943083 ID: 54735b

rolled 6, 2, 5, 7, 7, 8, 2, 5, 5, 3, 10, 3, 9, 3, 3 = 78

Sesus Xanin dismisses the fanglord, now fully aware that the 'conspiracy' might be a little more frustrating to deal with than she had hoped.

But, she did decide to do some soul searching, she needed to have a conversation with someone who would be of utmost importance.

As strange as it was to think, she needed help coming up with the terms of a new religion, and the only person who was particularly specialized in that sort of thing was the chaplain. Perhaps, if she explained carefully, and swore her to secrecy, she could help build them back into effective allies.

So, that was how she found herself, in the next day, sitting down with the chaplain, expressing that her intention was to build up an empire much akin to the Realm itself to bring some grander sense of order to this misbegotten realm.

"And, that is why I am beginning to suspect that at the very least I should work together with you to work out something new, as to the Immaculate Faith what the Faith is to the Immaculate Philosophy. Something better suited to prepare the men and women here and in the waylaid section of creation how to at least survive here.

"After all, I think we can both see by now that trying to stop everyone from interacting with the local spirits is impossible, so we need rules beyond a blanket ban of that. Plus, the divine order of creation seems almost like a distant dream, though similar enough in concept that the groundwork to make our tireless labor that much more palatable on a larger scale that it won't grind us to a halt."

(Rolling Charisma 3(because she genuinely believes that this needs to be done) plus Presence 4 +Crown 5 from personal + Stunt 3)
>>
No. 943084 ID: 54735b

rolled 4, 3, 2, 10, 10, 4, 6, 8, 3, 7, 8 = 65

>>943075
Well, that was incredibly rude. What was even more rude was that she was here, practically insulting her to her face by implying that Anathema WEREN'T absolute monsters when everything that she has seen and learned has said to the contrary, AND talking like she didn't even exist when ultimately the decision to free the slaves or not rested in her hands as the acting war-chief.

"Well, that's a tad presumptuous of you. Coming in making demands like that with not even a single offer other than a plan on how to do it. So I'll rebut with a counter offer, in order to make the deal go through, we'll need wooden weapons, strong as steel and as hardy and unbreakable, and in the long term tools to do all the things a slave can easily enough to not need slaves.

"The former because an un-authorized search party reported that the 'deer' melted like hot butter when it was hit with a tree branch, and if we're going to have to deal with that, we need weapons like that. The latter should be for obvious reasons."

(Rivers is finally breaking out the social counter-pressure. Charisma 3 for this being an incredibly direct attack, Presence 5, +stunt 2 assumed)
>>
No. 943085 ID: 54735b

Due to some issues with pre-reqs, I'm going to be swapping out the Charisma Aug with a 4th App Aug, and Husk-Skulpting with 1st Wits Aug.

And, since it's favored, She's going to take the day of the 5th (so 2 days prior to Lumie and Rivers arriving to the base) to have the techs install another dedicated charm slot, and install the Wits aug.

Total cost, 4 exp.
>>
No. 943094 ID: d9acdc

>>943084
>What was even more rude was that she was here, practically insulting her to her face by implying that Anathema WEREN'T absolute monsters when everything that she has seen and learned has said to the contrary, AND talking like she didn't even exist when ultimately the decision to free the slaves or not rested in her hands as the acting war-chief.

See, Bridget doesn't need to elaborate, one word is enough to convey a whole paragraph!

>in order to make the deal go through, we'll need wooden weapons, strong as steel and as hardy and unbreakable, and in the long term tools to do all the things a slave can easily enough to not need slaves.
>Seven successes
>Bridget dodge MDV of seven

Bridget turns away from Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men, first to glance at the council, then at the assembled beastmen and slaves, looking on from nearby.
"I shall hear no words from those who do not renounce slavery. Who discusses the merger with me then?"
Rivers ploy to offer the slaves in return for a bargain of some kind falls of deaf ears, as Bridget refuses to entertain words from any who uphold slavery, and will not barter for the lives of others. In addition, as part of the agreement she has stated and restated, the tribe would be mandated to learn woodworking skills and use them to create homes, defenses, etc, so to insist that be done as a counter offer is like insisting that when the tribe join they be allowed to cook and eat meals from the demense unrestricted; it's already being offered, phrasing it as a counter-offer is not worth her attention or effort in debate.

Mechanically, Bridget is dodging Rivers attack. Bridget has an intimacy of abhorence for slavery, which I feel could be applicable here, although there might be room for debate on that. I am building on previously establish details, so this is probably enough to count as a two dice stunt and push dodge MDV up to nine, but someone mentioned you need at least one threashold success in social combat, so seven successes might be a wiff regardless of other MDV boosting stuff I do.
>>
No. 943096 ID: d9acdc

>>943083
Dreams of Fire pauses to think on this, contemplating the scripture mentally. Her commander *speaks* of creating a new faith, but perhaps in all her glory she thinks in terms beyond what her soldiers can truly grasp; she must intend to invent some tool or mantra to deal with the demons plaguing this place and bring the mandate of creation back into it's proper order.

Dreams of Fire, as a faithful Immaculate, can only trust in Xanin and follow her commands, for fear and doubt are tools of the enemy, and not part of creations correct order. She also can't simply accept heresy and the command to make up a new religion close enough to the immaculate faith to be palatable, but better suited to life around here. That's not how faith works.

So, mechanically as a chaplain I can probably assume integrity 3, and lets say WP 4, essence 1, for a total dodge MDV of 4. If this attack goes against motivation, that's +3 for a total of 7, against 6 successes on Xanins social attack, so I think it's reasonable for her to dodge this and try to change the subject.

"You'll have to excuse me, but in your glory I think your plans are loftier than I can conceive, and as such, I am a bit lost. Fanglord Cho wished to speak with me- would I insult you if I took some time to consider your words more carefully and attended to her needs? I fear in this place- well now, that is quite the racket, isn't it?"

Your conversation with the chaplain is cut short by a low rumbling, heralded by the appearance of a relay bursting into the room: Urgent news it seems- new arrivals, big big new arrivals! Packing heat but not sure if hostile, please come advise ASAP.
>>
No. 943113 ID: 54735b

>>943094
"Well then, if you'll hear nothing of this conversation with me, or the previous war-chief, then there's nothing left to discuss for the time being, either until you're ready to approach this less like you leading a string of demands and more like a joint effort to try to bring everyone together."

It was then that a story flashed through Rivers' mind. It was a tale of corruption, where the leaders of a small farming community had fallen lax with their duty to the Immaculate Dragons, and had been desiring more personal power, so they contacted a tiger anathema, who proceeded to enslave the town with his horde and the smell of burning flesh and human screaming rang through the countryside for days, though nobody could find the source until all that was left was a field of bones.

"But, I do have an idea, and I can promise you that, depending on how the conversation I have with the Shaman later tonight goes, in less than one weeks time, there will be no slaves in the Red Horn Tribe."

She left out that she was planning to ritually cook all of the slaves as a mass sacrifice to the Horned Goddess and however much cannibalistic drunken festivities that she could get out of that.
>>
No. 943118 ID: f57349

>>943094
Bridget would probably be at -2 MDV for having recently made a social attack (proposing her own plan) but it takes eight successes to beat DV 7 so that's still a whiff.

Or at least, it is if all the other modifiers are already taken into account. Is there at least one Magnitude 2+ social group present, which one of the debaters is leading? If so, this counts as mass social combat. If Bridget still has Socialize 0 that's going to put her at just as much of a disadvantage as War 0 in physical mass combat, including capping effective Integrity for dodge MDV - no sense of propriety means it's harder to keep track of who you can get away with ignoring. If she didn't gather supporters of her own, or at least not as many, there's a further MDV penalty for relative magnitude.

Obvious way to work around that is rallying some current slaves into an ad hoc cheering section, but it would be difficult to meaningfully distinguish that from directly inciting an uprising, which Red Horns leadership would (correctly) interpret as a blatant attempt to undermine their authority, and possibly respond to with excessive violence.
>>
No. 943130 ID: d9acdc

>>943118
-2 for making her own attack
We should probably roll debate if keeping track of combat ticks is important.

>Mass combat penalty
So, caping integrity to the same rating at socalize would change Bridget's dodge MDV to 13, rather than 14, but because she's an Exalt she rounds up I believe. Rivers may have a magnitude bonus if the tribe is following her and/or Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men, but currently it's unclear if either lunar has the support of the tribe behind them. Meanwhile, if Bridget is justified in having this go against compassion, as she refuses to put a price on the lives of others making negotiations for ending slavery untenable, her dodge MDV is (7+2+stunt) meaning she's probably at 11. I'm not able to keep track of the penalties, but if they are equal to or greater than 5, which would be the case if she's suffering a -2 from attacking, and -2 from relative appearance, and a -1 from magnitude, then she'd spend a WP to resist, since it goes against her core beliefs and she'll stubbornly refuse to listen even to good agreements and plans involving it.

>>943113
>if you'll hear nothing of this conversation with me, or the previous war-chief

Rivers should speak for herself- Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men seems more interested in negotiations.

And, since it's been questioned multiple times, I'm going to restate exactly what Bridget is suggesting.
So, Bridget is outlining what residents of the nameless have in terms of resources and expectations, specifically what Bridget can offer and expect, not promising anything regarding the other folks involved.
Residents have access to food grown by the wood demense which is gross but bountiful such at folks could feast without end. Presumably of use to the Red Horn Tribe should they not wish to starve.
They have access to Bridget's medical skills, and any other help she can provide as their champion. Presumably of use to the Red Horn Tribe if they have any sick or injured.
They will benefit from any housing and other amenities that are created, which will presumably help them avoid the deadly Malfean weather.
They are expected to attend mandatory classes to enhance their crafting skills, and to use those skills towards the greater common good. Presumably of use to the Red Horn Tribe to have 500 more people to help out with anything.
They are expected to treat eachother with compassion, and rise to eachothers mutual aid and defense if needed. Presumably of use to the Red Horn Tribe if they want 500 more people watching their backs.

If someone wanted to discuss fine detail costs for the merger, such as a shipment of fine tools, they could be arranged; Bridget isn't opposed to working out the details, she's just laying out what villagers get and give, and seeing if the Red Horn Tribe is interested in that arrangement. Questions of particular immediate note include:
A) Is either Lunar leading a mass combat unit?
B) How many total Red Horn Tribe members are there?
C) Where are they all staying, and is it within the defensive perimeter established by Lute, or somewhere at risk of Luminata attacks?
>>
No. 943139 ID: 54735b

>>943130
Rivers is aware practically of the benefits of citizenship, she has been involved with the nameless village before everything else. She's naturally cross with Bridget because she's talking around her, trying to directly contradict her world-view with a flippant one word answer, and is phrasing all of this as a demand, to use the terminology I used in discord like a child trying to lay down a list of chores, or to use one analogy like a slavemaster running their slaves, and the fact that Bridget is so adamantly against even the facade of this being some kind of trade is rubbing her the wrong way.

I was also under the impression that in general Bridget and Rivers had come to the conclusion that they should merge them, but this was to hammer out the details of what that would entail, and that was why the council was even here to make their requests, as opposed to the opening meeting to gauge interest.

But, to answer the questions:

1. It's pretty tricky to say, but by default, Rivers is. Even if she hasn't bought the Influence/Contact backgrounds to reflect it because of not enough EXP, she has been spending the last 3-4 days since becoming Warchief interacting with the tribe and socializing to get a feel for their complaints, but outside of that hasn't really built strong relationships with the council yet.

2. I've been going off the working assumption of at least 2,000 not including slaves, and I remember JL saying that if they were integrated, they would outnumber the original residents 4:1.

3. In a whole that opened up right near the original meeting site with the delegates from candleport in the extensive underground cave network that is hooked into where the Alchemical base is, but on the opposite side of the violet eyed underpeople. So further inside the protected zone than the actual town.
>>
No. 943148 ID: 54735b

>>943096
"Only the Illiberal Churl clings steadfast to traditions out of slavish devotion to the past. Emulating Hesiesh involves recognizing the wisdom of time honored traditions, and recognizing what you need to change to allow the future to prosper. So was the Immaculate Faith born from the corpse of the Shogunate and their philosophies. Just something to meditate on."

But, with that, Sesus Xanin strode to a makeshift landing zone just within the walls, prepared to meet the other Dragonblooded staying here.
>>
No. 943163 ID: afdebc

rolled 10, 8, 7, 6, 9, 9, 4, 7, 8, 8, 4, 7, 4, 6, 3, 10, 1, 2, 10, 8 = 131

>>942822
>>942981
>>942984
All right, so I think that wraps up this scene.

Following their reunion, the remaining members of the sworn brotherhood of the lawship briefed the crew on what happened (the mortals are understandably distressed over Embri's disappearance and even moreso over Fanged Flair Effulgence's, though they agree with the plan to relocate to more favorable environs and continue the job, while Dythyk on means of locating their absent bat). Efforts to break camp, packing what supplies were unpacked, securing what is necessary against flight, are undertaken quickly and efficiently. After a night's rest, the Manta-Class vehicle takes again once more to Malfean skies, absent her captain.

Rolling for trouble, navigation, sailing, what have you.
>>
No. 943227 ID: 4424d1
File 156642388910.jpg - (116.60KB , 600x686 , Now+i+know+why+there+such+a+big+female+_cd7f41b783.jpg )
943227

Alright now, this is the revised version of my previous post, fully mechanically updated.

Viatrix Senta/Horizon Silver
No Moon Lunar
Spirit Form: Warbird Skyship
Iconic Anima: A luminous moonsilver orb collapsing inwards to form the shape of a mechanical falcon.
Motivation: Preserve the technological marvels of Denandsor

Strength 1 Dexterity 5 Stamina 5(Favored)
Charisma 5 Manipulation 1 Appearance 3
Perception 2 Intelligence 5 Wits 1

Compassion 2, Conviction 3, Temperance 5, Valor 1

Essence 3, Willpower 10
Personal 22, Peripheral 48

Abilities / Skills:
Awareness 1
Dodge 3
Linguistics 1 (Native: Old Realm, Others: Skytongue)
Lore 3
Martial Arts 1
Sail 1
Ride 1
*Survival 2
Socialize 1
Presence 3
*Craft
Air 2
Fire 2
Lightning 3

Charms:
Excellencies:
2nd Cha, 2nd Dex(+Instinctive Unity), 2nd Per.
Armor-Forming Technique
Clay-Wetting Practice
Knacks: Somnolent Statuary Method, Machine Heart Integration.

Backgrounds:
Tattoo Artifact(Warstrider Fire Lance)-4
Skin Mount Amulet- 2
Manse- 2
Savant- 1

Intimacies:
Sol Invictus(Worship)
Autocthon(Worship, admiration)
The Solar Deliberative(Patriotism)
Bright Shattered Ice(Admiration)
Denandsor(Pride/love)
Mysterious Lunar Savior(Gratitude)


Lore:
Horizon Silver's Mortal name was Viatrix Senta, a Denandsor born young woman who learned to tinker with machines from a young age and enlisted to The Deliberative's aerial fleet's
engineering core as soon as she came of age. While never first in her class, Viatrix's protectiveness of others and saint-like patience saved many of her less talanted peers from flunking
and established a sometimes exploited reputation for her as that of a pleaser and pushover that stuck until graduation, where the many connections she made over the years landed her
a job in a Factory Cathedral and eventually on a Northern airfield that supplied the Titan Citadel Harmonious Gale.
The Usurpation broke out only a few years afterwards, and during it Viatrix found herself scrambling to escape along with the rest of the field's workers on whatever skyships that could carry them.
The Warbird she and a few others used for escape was shot down soon after, and Viatrix had to push away the dead pilot to try and prevent a fatal crash landing, praying to Sol, to Luna, to The Maidens,
to whatever machine god that might listen and give her dying Warbird another few breaths to carry them safely to a snowy landing.
Viatrix's prayers were indeed answered; partially. The collision into snowy ground knocked her colleagues out cold and slammed her into a damaged panel.
Badly injured and whimpering, Viatrix resolved to live through this no matter what. It felt like hours to her, but she managed to dislodge the broken canopy with her tools and drag her unconcious colleagues one by one
to a nearby cave. Returnig for the last time to pay her respects to the machine that carried them to safety, Viatrix discovered that they had been followed by not only armed and armored Terrestrials but also by
the unmistakable Silhouette of one of the chosen of Luna. Increasingly dizzy from blood loss, Viatrix watched as the strangers exchanged some heated words, with the Terrestrials pointing at Viatrix's own forehead.
Confused, she glanced at her reflection from the metallic husk of the warbird, eyes widening at the burning, silvery ring on her forehead, but before she could fully appreciate the situation, the Lunar standing
between her and the Terrestrials chanted something she couldn't make out under his breath and shoved her backwards. Viatrix expected to soon feel the cold of the snow at her back, but instead felt like she had
fallen through a Kleidoscope without weight or sound. The images felt surprisingly serene and compelled Viatrix to at least rest her eyes for a bit.
When she woke up, Viatrix expected to at best have experienced a terrible dream, at worst having to deal with whatever series of terrible things that just happened.
Neither was the case; Viatrix awoke to what could only be a different season and an only barely recognizable landscape.
>>
No. 943257 ID: f57349

>>943227
That's only 24 skill dots. Might want to start with Survival 1 (since you can train it up instantly) and Occult 2, since that would be more consistent with an adequate First Age education.

Didn't include the BP math but fortunately from previous discussion I can figure it out.

Implanted fire lance works as a personal-scale version whenever you're in a form too small to effectively manage warstrider-scale weaponry, including most that can be acquired without the Towering Beast Form knack - your spirit form can only manage because it's near the top of the allowable size range, magitech composites are much stronger than similar-sized meat, and it's got a heavy weapon mount where a normal animal would have a digestive system.

Could say your manse has been safe and sound ever since the Usurpation, tucked away under hundreds of feet of ice-cold water and silt in the former White Valley Province.

Pick out a hearthstone and I think you'd be ready to go. Manse details are less likely to be immediately relevant.
>>
No. 943259 ID: 54735b

>>943163

As the Manta approaches the tall pagoda built out of Sandstone and Obsidian right along the border, orders are given to the artillerist not to shoot, and a makeshift landing zone is prepared with military efficiency by the mortal soldiers stationed here outside of the line of demons piled into the waiting line to cross into the forest of brass from the forest of chaotic urban sprawl and the reverse.

Estimating where the boarding ramp would descend the master of the manse stood,as imposing as one might expect at six feet tall, and a figure hidden behind what must be several hundreds of pounds of pure Jade, with hair that seemed to flicker like a barely contained fire cropped up into a tight bun, and eyes burning just as furiously. Resting atop her brow was a crown, clearly the toxic green tinted gold of the Anathema sun-metal of the first age, and a shield wrapped in cloth on her back and a strange tube tied to her forearm.

"Greetings, and welcome to the current seat of power of all things good in this world. I'm sure you'll find your stay here amicable at the least."
>>
No. 943311 ID: f57349
File 156647667108.png - (548.35KB , 767x490 , Forward Vat Complex - 100 yards per gridline.png )
943311

One fine day in the middle of Water shift, two weeks after contact with Luminous Alacrity was lost and just two minutes before she returned, an unknown party breached the base's perimeter.

Largest of them was also the least mysterious and alarming: the Locust Crusade had encountered demjen several times before in the past three months, confirming a detailed profile from pre-exile sections of the Tome of the Great Maker, in most cases successfully negotiating mutually-beneficial (though sometimes disturbing) deals.

The other two appear under conventional senses to be a toddler-sized wad of tar and a large, oddly proportioned rat. However, when the Rodent Researcher attempts to use her elemental core to look through the latter being's eyes, there is an unprecedented sense of resistance - whatever this entity is, it seems to be further from the primordial species-template of rats than any nonhuman mammal on record from Kamak's founding to the breaking of the Seal of Eight Divinities, and is possibly also under the protection of some vast and terrible outside force.

The other unusual factor is that this group is approaching without touching the ground, suspended in a miniature hurricane of air, wood, and moonsilver-aspected essence, a tubeless pneumatic tram made from pure immaterial force. They don't seem to be slowing down, and might reach the vats complex wall in 15-20 seconds.

Four jadeborn warriors with imperishable sparti armor, light-up skirmish pikes, echo jewels (linked to the security chief inside), and mundane siege crossbows are stationed at the corners of the vat complex roof. The rat queen is dangling from the cavern ceiling, more or less directly above them, having just finished confirming that the Wrath Of Nimh is both securely mounted and in good working order. Martin, in the Murine Armor, is making sure she doesn't fall.

Lot of options for signaling (semiotic flare projector, heliograph function of the infinite resplendence amulet, rat-summoning whistle, light implosion bow, etc.) but a much less impressive range of possible signal recipients who might plausibly respond in time.
>>
No. 943312 ID: 5f3f48

rolled 9, 10, 10, 5, 9, 4, 9, 2, 8, 5 = 71

A rat, but not a rat, and magical in nature? Fascinating! Still, flight will allow it to bypass the quagmire perimiter mine, and at that base it'll be breaching said perimiter any moment now. Scientific curiously will have to wait... until the specimen can be captured, at any rate. The facility is threatened!

Pale fingers deftly grab an instrument hanging on a braided cord around the Champion's neck, bring it to thin lips, a later a piercing high pitched whistle echoes throughout the cavern, and within moments Rodent Accumulating Terror gives proof to her sobriquet as her minions pour forth from all directions, her very dangerous array of distributed sensors once more becoming a weapon.

Should the intruders have the wherewithal to look up upon arrival (and not be distracted by the sudden appearance of sleek metal construction, or the frantic motion on the ground) they'll see a woman standing upside down on grey-brown basalt bedrock, seemingly uncaring that only an overlarge tentacled abomination holds her in place (her clothes somehow maintain proper orientation, rather than her duster inverting). She stands behind what is obviously a piece of magitech seige equipment blindfolded, and grinning madly.

Activating my Rat-Summoning Whistle and rolling Join War! Wits 3 + War 0 + Stunt ? and I'll channel a point of willpower.
>>
No. 943313 ID: 9a4921

rolled 6, 7, 5, 9, 2, 10, 8, 2, 10, 5 = 64

>>943312

Rivers wasn't used to flying at all like this. On silent wings of a bird of prey sure, but she was armored like a light airship flying along in a tornado.

By all accounts, she wasn't expecting the Manse to be unguarded, and she took one look at that implosion bow, and she knew she had to do something as she positioned herself to take the full brunt of whatever it was going to shoot as her skin started to turn black and harden.

(Mechanically rolling Wits+War for join war (4+2 with 2 auto successes from Wits excellency) and activating Hide-Toughening Essence for +6 soak while the Perronelle activates Sheathing the Material Form for 5L/10B/5L/B hardness)
>>
No. 943326 ID: 5f3f48

>>943259
It would seem they're getting a proper greeting this time. (Funny how that goes much smoother when half the group doesn't sneak off and get into trouble).

As the only one present who has met everyone else, Waxwing Dell takes a step from the ramp with a gentle sound of bells, and offers introductions (slightly awkwardly, as she was not formally trained in such things, but earnestly) "May I present Sesus Xanin, lord of the manse, and Cathak Othok Dythyk and Karal Tin Otter, my sworn brothers."
>>
No. 943328 ID: f57349

>>943312
>>943313
Both of you are effectively leading magnitude 1 units and acting simultaneously on tick 0, unless somebody else somehow manages to roll 8 or more successes. The alchemical's first action is a rally for numbers; if that fails, mass combat time ends for lack of Magnitude 2+ units. Planning to focus completely on that, or make it a flurry? Either way, might want to move this to the combat channel on Discord.
>>
No. 943366 ID: 304f7c

Seeing the Troll woman holding steadfast in the face of criticism for something she believed earnestly, as far as he could tell, moved Creeping hunter of mortal men. Not in the sense that he cared suddenly about the lives of slaves but that he respected her. Also he knew that working together and combining forces would improve the herd's chances of survival. Not liking Rivers's worrying phrasing he moved into action, trying to sway the course of the discussion.

"I, Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men previously Warmaster of the Redhorns, am willing to renounce slavery this day. Those members of the council who might not should think carefully about their chances of survivals and the greater good of the tribe. I suggests the council put it to a vote. To renounce slavery as a tribe or not. Decide quickly."

"Very well," Kakrox is the first of the council to speak, "I see this is a cause of the greater good of my people. I vote to renounce slavery."

"I don't see why we should!" Grizzlemaw was livid. Listening to an outsider talk down to him "I vote against renouncing.

Marthog is Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men's ward and not likely to differ from him in official matters. In addition she had always been a compassionate soul and felt often for the slaves. "I vote to renounce."

Rotgut was tired of this talking already he just wants to take a nap. So he chooses the answer he thinks will wrap these talks up the fastest. "I vote to renounce."

Bogar and Mogar the two brothers were also both of the tribe's smiths and weren't very keen on training so many slaves to be smiths like them as it might undermine their positions in the tribe. "We both vote against renouncing."

Now the votes were all tied up. It became the shaman's turn to decide the fate of the vote. Clackhand thought hard and long about the decision. He closed his eyes and pondered deeply. "I vote to renounce as well."

Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men was pleased with the results of the vote and. Nodding he turned to Bridget and said, "There now that it's decided talks can begin anew."
>>
No. 943382 ID: f57349

>>943366
Haven't already got the council of elders locked in as part of your Followers, since they're not extras, so you'll need to roll some dice to see if that vote goes as planned.
>>
No. 943441 ID: 460580

>>943326
An absent minded wave is all Cathak Othok Dythyk has to offer Sesus Xanin. Landing sequence complete, the brilliant limbs of the lightning spider beging to carry Dythyk across deck for a post-landing inspecting. Addressing Dell, she requests her help:
"I will need unrestricted access to wherever you prayed to Mauger, so I may conduct my research. Please help ensure I will not be stopped or bothered as I do so. I shall be ready by the tomescu's next scream.
>>
No. 943446 ID: f57349

>>942161
The manse is vitriol-aspected and produces a Stone of Acrid Understanding, but it's current ownership and occupancy are obscured in some way that puts them beyond the reach of Efficient Secretary Technique. M has relevant documents on file but they're beyond your security clearance.

>>943227
You're in your spirit shape, cruising around the North, at a loss for landmarks in terrain that's been rendered unrecognizable by the passage of an Age. The entire White Valley Province is flooded, but that was at least predictable - more disorienting is how many cities have been reduced to rubble, mountains wounded in battle or displaced hundreds of miles, sheltered green fields replaced with glaciers.
At last you stumble across the Pilgrim's Road, that arrow-straight white stone path from Ondar Shambal to the sea - or possibly some mocking imitation of it, since it's apparently cutting through miles and miles of some sort of abhorrent necrotic geomancy, and the enchanted pillars are unlit.
Two groups of less than a hundred people each have met on the road, one arriving from the south in wooden wagons, the other possibly from the east in a well-maintained but laughably crude airship - it's literally made of wicker and canvas, and if the smell is anything to go by, powered by a mix of pedaling gearshafts and burning whale oil (mixed with olive oil?). The two groups seem to be bartering supplies in an unfamiliar but intelligible dialect of Skytongue.
Nobody seems to have glyph readers; one old lady in the group with the wagons is fiddling with an actual beads-and-wires abacus. There's an intact-looking siege strider strapped underneath the airship, but the air crew set up some tents in such a way as to keep it out of sight from the road.
Folks in the wagons are harder to place, but the airship's crew clearly resemble the ethnic group that mainly worked for Bright Shattered Ice. Things must really have gone to hell if the greatest living sorcerer let her people be reduced to this... though they do have fairly nice-looking uniforms, especially that one with the lantern.
>>
No. 943471 ID: 4424d1

Even with the exhilaration of flight tempering the thousand horrifying thoughts running through the mind of Viatrix, more urging, base concerns began overtaking her mind; exhaustion, and a hunger the likes of which she had never felt before pushed away wonderings over how safe could it be to approach strangers in a land that looks like it came out of a series of the end of the world novels she had read in her youth.
Trusting in her instincts, and countless logged hours at the flight simulator, Viatrix descended steadily down the road from above, taking care to do so slowly enough as to not squish or alarm anyone more than it would be reasonable, hovering a foot above ground for a good minute before landing softly on the road, about fifty yards away from the two bartering groups.
>>
No. 943474 ID: f57349

>>943471
If you're staying in warbird form rather than attempting a disguise, Lute Silhouette Speculation's EST could provide your full name, age, and birthdate, probably provoking a double-take at the two-order-of-magnitude discrepancy.
>>
No. 943475 ID: 54735b

>>943441
"Well, I can't say how private it will be given that it is in the middle of one of the paths for the throngs of demons to pass through now, but I can definitely guarantee that I'll personally keep away from you.

"Although, I should ask, what primary school did you go to?"
>>

rolled 5, 5, 6, 4, 7, 10, 2, 10, 4, 4, 7, 3, 5, 4, 3, 10, 2, 8, 9, 1 = 109

>>943446
>The manse is vitriol-aspected and produces a Stone of Acrid Understanding, but it's current ownership and occupancy are obscured in some way that puts them beyond the reach of Efficient Secretary Technique. M has relevant documents on file but they're beyond your security clearance.
Now, Lute certainly considers that worth further investigation. (A pity her options for backup are limited, but even still). Regardless, keeping her mortal traveling companions away from anyone or anything that merits security clearance in Madelrada's eyes seems wise.

>>943471
>>943474
Lute Silhouette, still wearing the false identity of Wind-Carried Petal, is surprised (to put it lightly) to see a riderless first age warbird descend from the sky and land nearby in the middle of negotiations (though given how the mortals react with considerably more obvious shock and wary caution, her own reaction appears downright placid). Beyond the rather straightforward mystery of its sudden appearance it seems subtly... off to her eyes, despite not having seen such a vehicle before in her current life.

The joybringer turns once more to her insubstantial arachnid informant, requesting information on the history of the warbird before her, and asking after its owner.

Spending personal motes on Efficient Secretary Technique. Lute should have sufficient MDV to make Horizon's tell while she's in true form. Rolling (if needed) for any lore or occult needed to recognize or make sense of what's been seen.
>>
No. 943477 ID: f57349

>>943476
While you're doing background research, some folks in the Denzik-sponsored caravan are talking among themselves.
"There's no rider."
"Maybe a ghost, and the road...?"
"We'll be rich if..."
"I saw it first!"
A lanky teenage boy with short dark hair, missing a few teeth and under-dressed for the cold, runs toward the warbird brandishing a crowbar. Anyone who wants to intervene, roll Join Battle, and be advised that committing violence while on this road is well known to have terrible consequences for the perpetrator.
>>

rolled 3, 6, 6, 1, 2, 7, 1, 10, 9, 3 = 48

>>943477
Oh dear, the boy doesn't realize she's alive. On this road... that could be a very costly mistake.

Well, let's see if Lute can react in time. I'll put my stunt award from last time back into personal motes, and I'll spend 3m personal on All Things Betray to boost the Join Battle roll.

Wits 6 + Awareness 0 + Stunt + 3 Autosuccesses
>>
No. 943521 ID: f57349

>>943498
Three times as many JB successes as the kid, and your Move is about as fast as his Dash. You can get out in front between him and the warbird with time to spare. Now what?
>>
No. 943526 ID: 4424d1

rolled 4, 4, 6, 5 = 19

Satisfied with her smooth landing, Viatrix is following proper protocol and doing her best to figure out how to have a "feel" for what would be standard system checkup. She thinks that whatever dire age it is, people would certainly have the common decency to let a pilot finish their business and exit their vehicle before coming too close to a military aircraft.

"Oh, I did just land a *military* aircraft not too far away from these folk. I might have caused a big misund"-

Viatrix's train of thought is quickly cut off as she finally notices the boy running at her with what looks like a... prying instrument?


Wits 1 + Awareness 1 + stunt
>>
No. 943528 ID: f57349

>>943526
Zero successes means you'll act on tick 6, while Gordon is on tick 4 and still forty yards away. Should be plenty of time for a takeoff, since he doesn't seem to have a ranged weapon and you didn't even power the engines all the way down.
>>
No. 943545 ID: 54735b

The year: RY 756
Ascendant Fire 23rd.
Location: Anacar Academy

Sesus Xanin (age 10) was doing what any good dynastic general should do. She was making herself fully acquanted with the information of her enemies. It had been challenging getting some of the recently exalted older children to cooperate, after all, it could be seen as a direct challenge to their authority if she hadn't been particularly careful. Honestly, that kind of caution rarely suited her if she could avoid it. She greatly preferred the, admittedly rare, situation where she could cut down her oponents with a quick decisive blow, leaving no time for retaliation. It ended things much quicker, and there was almost universally less suffering involved.

But, for as mighty as the young exalts were, they were still young, and human, and a good flaterer could get a lot of information from their lips by indulging their swolen ego. And here she was, a compiled list of the weaknesses, moral and personal failings, traumatic events, chinks in the armor of the three dozen or so people with the connections to help her rise to the top of the social game.

But, some of this felt almost unreasonably cool to use as ammunition, like a patrician who was lucky to even be in this school who had been pushed to breaking by his parents to exalt the second he turned 9 and occasionally that was a sore spot for him. She wasn't particularly enthused to blackmail someone with clear mental health issues in order to effectively rule the school. At least, not if she had some other way, but she didn't. And of course, this was definitely a worthwhile mission. That Ragara Myxes had shown her up one too many times, and she needed connections to absolutely crush her.

She was deep in thought, contemplating how she should go about establishing a social net of fear and love throughout the school, depending on what suited her needs in the long term to keep her power, when the notes, hard fought with tears and a small fortune of jade for the young dynast caught into flames. At first, it was a worrying moment. After all, she hadn't even had time to memorize them all yet. But then, as her hair started to crackle with barely contained power and the fine cotton of the bedsheets started to catch fire, she realized what was happening. The day of her Exaltation came substantially sooner than she expected.

The next three days were a bit of a mess, as her schedual was thrown into disarray by the introduction of special exalt only classes dedicated to helping her control the flow of her own essence and keep her anima banner from hurting any of the mortal children she was now surrounded by. Regardless, within a week she was able to safely interact with her classmates.

Even in the future, sitting at a fine brass desk in her office in a manse in Hell, Sesus Xanin recalled feeling both satisfaction, and awful as she saw the results of what was, in all likelihood, just a confused child trained from birth to dominate social situations suddenly finding herself isolated and all alone and snubbed for the first time. But now, looking back from a more mature point of view, she sees it as having won a decisive battle for dominance, and the loser just couldn't hold herself together like a propper dynast. It's taken years for her to come to that comforting set of justifications, and she decides that when she's finished, she should meditate on the roadblock she had to becoming a full Dragonlord, or even Strategos even before she broke away from the house as completely as possible, and more importantly what she would do when she had to meet cunning serpants that would seek to undermine her rule with cruelty.

An unrelated note, of how she should make plans to go back to the isle to participate in the 200 year anniversary calibration gateway tournament at the Anacar Accademy also came into her head.
>>
No. 943548 ID: 54735b

Since I just added the exp I got for the first week, and this is a double post/not really pushing things along.

46/57 (including Resources 5 already locked in with EXP, just not active yet)

Conviction 1-2 3xp
Retainer 1 (Specialist Staff: Engineer Corp) for Command 2 3xp
Connection (The Butcher's Guild of Malfeas) 1 3xp because they were explicitly mentioned as part of my plan to profit even more off of the Manse's massive swelling of customers.
Lore 1-2 2 exp 1 week training handled post-law ship scene, presumably with either COD or UWD as trainers, but if not the Harenhel ally.
>>
No. 943566 ID: f57349

>>943548
Conviction and Lore approved, backgrounds not. You haven't even interacted with those people onscreen yet, much less done enough to justify loyalty.
>>
No. 943616 ID: 54735b

Scene 1: A business meeting.

"So, I can see that you're a busy person. So, why don't we get down to brass tacks. I called you here today to discuss a business opportunity. Over the next two and a half weeks, I'm seeking to increase the volume of demons going through this Manse to what it was before I took over. And over the coming months, turn an ever grander profit."

Sesus Xanin had one of her staff on hand pour the Gethin in front of her that was sent by the local Carnifax Guild to help search for real deals as opposed to scams.

"All you'll have to do is open a number of stands, and give me a cut of the profit for owning this Manse."

--------------------------------------

Scene 2: Engineering Corp.

This was a completely experimental procedure, but so far her attempts at raising an army from the local population has been troublesome and resource intensive, but the results have been promising so far. Just, that she would need to expand in order to have a properly trained army personally loyal to her from the locals. But, 5 well trained soldiers could fight as well as a 50 or more improperly trained ones.
3.

But, she was going to try a bit of force multiplication, and to do so she called forth two members of the scale of engineers that never seemed to take as much a shining to her as the actual warriors. Their names, while ultimately distasteful to her more refined tongue, were Faelon Birged and Faelon Bridge, twin citizens who were effectively the mean of the 25 engineer auxiliaries under her command. Hopefully, with proper fortifications and an engineer division to construct traps, 5 could fight a hundred or more.

"I know you may be wondering why I've called you here. Well, I wanted to see about how willing you would be to undergo a potentially risky experiment." She wanted to garner information on it first, seeing first and foremost how they feel about the idea, and trying to gather how much they'll ask for.
>>

rolled 5, 9, 1, 9, 7, 9, 2, 4, 7, 1, 9, 10, 5, 2, 4, 7, 4, 7, 10, 8, 1, 10, 2, 6, 1, 2, 5, 1, 8, 3 = 159

>>943521
>>943526
Wind-Carried Petal places herself between the trader turned opportunistic scavenger lord and his target, and speaks in a hurried rush of skytongue "Restrain yourself! The road, the road!"

Mechanically, taking a blockade movement action. Here's some dice if he contests it on his action.
>>
No. 943675 ID: 4424d1

The Warbird blasts out a short , bass heavy sound in response to Wind-Carried Petal's timely intervention, going higher in pitch towards the end, like a someone trying too hard on their first time with a blowing instrument and then immediately correcting themselves.
"Unbelievable!" Viatrix thought to herself. "Even with so much devastation the road still works!"
Without additional communication, the aircraft shakes about slightly, intricate glowing lines of northern blue and silver rush about its structure, parts beginning to fold onto others, clicking softly as they connect while the overall mass shrinks in size until reaching Human proportions, immediately followed by the metal plating dissolving and being drawn into a perfectly Human woman.
>>
No. 943677 ID: f57349

>>943616
Carnifex Guild rep wants to know why they should be giving a cut of retail profits to you, rather than, say, Mauger.

The Faelons don't seem to be interested in volunteering for anything solely on the basis of it being described as risky and experimental, at least not without further clarification what it's actually about.
>>
No. 943688 ID: 54735b

rolled 5, 5, 7, 4, 3, 9, 3, 10, 2, 5, 6, 2, 6, 8, 10, 7, 10, 10, 10, 9, 1, 2, 5, 8, 5, 6, 6, 4, 4, 1 = 173

>>943677
"For the simple fact that this is an essentially untapped market happening on my manse. Of course, if you're worried about proper tithes flowing up the hierarchy, formal talks about what from here goes to Mauger will be happening shortly. But, if this deal goes through, then I can only imagine that he'll hear nothing but good about you."

(Manipulation 2+Presence 4+Crown 5 (really need to get some excellencies in there)+Stunt (presumably 3))

----------------------------------------

"This may come as a bit of a surprise to you, but I need to see if I can find ways for it to be magnatudes of order safer for mortals to interact with spirits, especially demons in this case. I've heard rumors of a way that I could make sure that everyone could survive leaving in at least one direction. It's dangerous, because clearly it's untested.

"So, it would be testing to see if it works, obviously, an a period of integration with a few demons to make sure we can start to move around in the surrounding area without a huge hassle from the locals."

(Charisma 2+Presence 4+Stunt)
>>
No. 943689 ID: 4424d1

>>943675
The woman- or girl, if judging only by her height, who was just now a Warbird, carefully rises up from a crouching position, helping herself up from the road with a pair of tanned hands which she brushes off against the pants of a suit of dark blue overalls lined at the arms and legs with wide stripes that glow in the dark in a pleasant turquoise light.
The suit is widely torn at the abdomen, revealing a similarly damaged form fitting white shirt underneath on a pale, petite frame. She is without a doubt a northerner(But one who has a working man's tan?), with almost metallic-looking platinum hair and violet eyes that seem to scan her surrounding more methodically than quickly, shifting uneasily on boots that if to disregard how often they seem to have been worn, are of a completely standardized make: No mortal shoemaker could possibly produce boots so perfectly symmetrical.
>>
No. 943690 ID: 4424d1
File 156693664422.jpg - (32.15KB , 564x582 , 91acb2fab471f5e67c39f6746849ac55.jpg )
943690

Added image to aid in visualization. Horizon can be described as "cute" by most, but she's hardly a head turner in a room with other Exalts in it(Appearance 3).
>>
No. 943703 ID: afdebc

>>943675
>>943689
The blue haired woman in furs turns from the now gobsmacked boy to face the warbird turned waif, her expression warm and reassuring. Her clothes would seem to indicate she belongs to the group in control of the wicked and gas vehicle, though a careful examination would notice they are of a different cut than the sailors', and bearing more ornamentation. She beings to speak, in that unfamiliar (modern?) dialect of skytongue:

"Well met, traveler. I am Wind-Carried Petal, teller of tales, and most recently passenger aboard the Bright Fortune. Not quiet as grand as your own manner of flight, perhaps- you certainly do make an entrance, do you not?"

>>943690
Well as luck would have it, we're not in a room, and there's only a couple of exalts around at the moment!

See >>941186 and >>941224 for descriptions of Lute's current appearance.
>>
No. 943728 ID: 4424d1

The platinum haired waif's cheeks immediately flush, letting out a quick, embarrassed cough quickly met with a hand to cover her mouth as she does.
"I'm Viatrix, er… Senta" She adds, finishing much more somberly than she started, as though suddenly realizing something awful.
"I apologize for my rudeness, I really didn't mean to ah..." she pauses, her eyes darting from the caravans, to the boy and back to Petal
"make an entrance" she finishes, still very clearly embarrassed, pulling the cap of her matching blue square top hat a bit closer to her eyes
"I work at one of the airfields in Sezakan"
This doesn't sound very convincing
[Worked] Viatrix thinks to herself.
[They probably declared me missing or fired]
>>
No. 943729 ID: f57349

>>943728
Efficient Secretary Technique can confirm her employment at said airfield was terminated with prejudice Monday 2 Resplendent Air, year one of the Shogunate, after missing four consecutive weeks of work. Reason given for forfeiture of severance pay was listed as "sustained heresy."

The airfield in question was bombed and pillaged in some poorly-documented civil war a century and a half later, then presumed lost during the Balorian Crusade.
>>
No. 943785 ID: 5f3f48

>>943729
Well from that context and her expression, it isn't hard to guess what she's thinking. She's aware of what she's lost then, at least to some extent.

>>943728
Offering a gentle shake of her, Petal rebuffs Viatrix's protestations. "No apologies necessary, dear." Embarrassment wasn't quite the reaction she had been trying for there, but it still serves to dissipate a certain tension all the same. Focused on her losses and perceived missteps though, what our temporal exile needs is something to look forward to, some kind of anchor while she finds her feet (and while groundwork can be laid).

"Where are you headed? We're currently en route to Whitewall, once Ondar Shambal."
>>
No. 943796 ID: 4424d1

>>943785
"Once?" Viatrix repeats in cracking disbelief, feeling her head beginning to spin slightly.
"Then... what about Tzatu? White valley? Diamond hills?" Each name Viatrix mentions comes with a greater sense of desperation than the one before it.
"What happened to The Blessed Road?"
She gestures outwards with both hands, as though looking at an image of sacrilege she could not have possibly imagined, before having it shoved right in front of her.
>>
No. 943873 ID: 8d924c

>>943259

Karal Tin Otter bows his head to the Dynast in greetings. Despite the circumstances, it is at least welcome to see humans rather than demons in this place for a change.

"Greetings, Sesus Xanin. I am Karal Tin Otter, humble chaplain for this Brotherhood. I believe we may need to discuss some matters of theology, if you would be so kind as to lead the way to a more appropriate venue? This is not a matter for mortal ears."

Otter is all smiles as he follows Sesus Xanin to whereever she finds most appropriate.

(Quick note for Red and Gold, changing the neomah's task binding to 'Rebuild Dragonblooded bloodlines in Creation-bordering-Hrotsvitha.' since JL mentioned my previous task was unsuited, and task binding the radeken to managing weather and herding moisture for the region.)
>>
No. 943911 ID: 54735b

rolled 3, 7, 9, 4, 7, 10, 3, 7, 2, 4, 10, 10, 3, 10, 5, 2, 7, 6, 6, 6, 5, 10, 9, 6, 6, 8, 4, 5, 10, 10, 9, 7, 6, 2, 10, 1, 2, 6, 3, 3 = 243

>>943873

"Yes, I actually have an office specifically to deal with such issues. Plus, I had actually been wanting to talk over certain issues both with you specifically, and with everyone in general."

She was acting courteous, at the very least, as she led the new-comers to her office, a red silk draping the window behind her chair, leaving her more an imposing silhouette in the burning red light that filled the room.

"I apologize for the inconvenience, and the imposing decoration. It's rare that I entertain an equal.

"But, before we get into issues of theology, I have a theological question for you. What is the place of demons in the Immaculate Philosophy?"
>>
No. 943915 ID: d9acdc

>>943475
>What Primary School did you go to
>>943911
>she led the new-comers to her office
>I have a theological question

Cathak Othok Dythyk is surprised as Sesus Xanin responds to comments directed towards Dell, but given that she seems willing to allow her to conduct research, it seems that perhaps she won't need help from others to do the politicking. Of course, all the house chatter is a frustrating impediment to what she actually needs to be doing.

"I certainly see the appeal of whiling away my hours in your company, and we would surely have much to discuss given the shared emphasis our houses place on military achievement. I daresay we could even carry on a lengthy discussion on the politics of demons, given my status as a Sorcerer hailing from House Cathak, as much as other members would hate to hear me utter such a phrase. Unfortunately, my studies have left me lacking in the courtly graces one such as yourself should rightly demand of societies finest, and I feel my efforts would only serve to sour the mood. Would you allow me then, to excuse myself without taking offense, o gracious host, to discuss these matters more when I can present myself respectfully and attend to you in the appropriate manners? I myself have not frequented the soirées and balls hosted by House Cynis, but I have discussed politics with some of their members, and learned a great deal regarding their arts; perhaps as a member of House Sesus you would find some familiar comfort in this fact, given we are far-flung from the typical fruits civilization has to offer?
>>
No. 943928 ID: afdebc

>>943441
>"I will need unrestricted access to wherever you prayed to Mauger, so I may conduct my research. Please help ensure I will not be stopped or bothered as I do so. I shall be ready by the tomescu's next scream.
"Well, it's Sesus Xanin's manse, so long as she doesn't have any objections?" Waxwing Dell answers, looking askance at the daughter of Hesiesh. "They had already started cleaning when I left though, so I'm not sure what's left, aside from, uh, mystic traces?" Occult 0 strikes again!

>>943915
Dell gives a sidelong glance at her friend's... rather uncharacteristic gregariousness, and having a hard time telling if the earth aspect was being flirtatious, sarcastic, sucking up, or... some kind of defense mechanism? The ashen bow had never been confident in her own social graces, but while Xanin had been able to put her at ease, the same was clearly not the case for Dythyk. Not for the first time, she found herself wondering what house Cathak had put her friend through.

>>943873
>>943911
At least the fire aspects seem to be getting along amicably, so far.
>>
No. 944004 ID: 8d924c

>>943915

Karal Tin Otter's expression grows grim once they are led to the office, and there is no longer a risk of disturbing the mortals.

"It's a fairly complex matter, and I regret to say that I wasn't chosen for my skills in expounding on it. I was chosen for my ability to kill demons. But while you may be engaged in heretical matters, now that I've seen what we are dealing with I have a far more pressing concern than attempting to admonish you for your actions. You have perhaps a large dragon's worth of soldiers here? Mortal soldiers. This manse may be defensible, but it is certainly not a fortress, not truly. Perhaps you have some effective essence weaponry? Some demons you've employed? I don't believe you currently have the resources to hold this position if pressed by the more aggressive locals."

Karal Tin Otter then looks to COD and Dell, wincing.

"And regrettably, we have less in the way of human resources than expected as well. Our mission involved the transport because of the necessity of mobility. There are local beings who we could not hope to face, even with an army, so of course we needed a way to flee. You have chosen to attempt to hold ground. Do you have a viable retreat? Because the worst potential consequences of your prayer are this. Greater demons lead armies, of other demons. Right now your greatest defense against them is that they are not aware of your presence. Do you understand how communicating in such an insecure way could place the people here in danger?"

Karal Tin Otter turns his attention back to Sesus Xanin then, his voice raising slightly.

"It is your duty to keep them safe, Sesus Xanin. Are you prepared to do so?"

(Spending KTO's remaining Arsenal dots on a sorcery capturing cord loaded with two Infallible Messengers and a Mist of Eventide cast by some older DB, and a 1 dot Windslave Disk. We may need to move some cargo quite quickly, and we may need to send a message back.)
>>
No. 944012 ID: 54735b

>>944004
"I sit here, with an understaffed talon of soldiers, and barely a wing of mortals all together, largely pinned here by the toxic vapors on the one side, and a strange air-born madness that can turn even the most battle hardened soldiers into a mindless killing machine that breaks rank and tries to kill and rape their closest allies. The fact that there is no potential retreat is why I'm electing to hold land.

"I am fully aware that this place isn't nearly defensible enough, however. That's why I needed to provide emergency supplication to the greater demon that was annoyed enough by my presence to send a team of dragon blooded here."

"But, I can tell you that by all means, I have the resolve to do whatever needs to be done to ensure the safety of everyone near by. Although, the situation may be many orders of magnitudes worse than you believe."

Sesus Xanin let out a breath of relief that this was easier than she had hoped.

"And that segues nicely into the other topic of discussion, especially looking at you now. Not a single person here is intimately familiar with the laws of this world, or even on a more basic level running an organization, are you?

"So, since it seems like some force has severed your groups head, it seems like you've a great need for someone capable of filling a lot of those same roles."
>>
No. 944017 ID: 8d924c

>>944012

Karal Tin Otter laughs suddenly at the mention of the laws here.

"I do not profess to any great knowledge of this place's laws. But I know this much. The strong do as they will. All else matters little, in the end. Do you intend to take the ship by force? I will have to resist. Of course, my expertise is in fighting demons, so it's likely I will be the loser, even without your soldiers behind you. But I will buy my allies time to flee."

He motions to the other two to do so as he reaches for his dire lance, stepping back warily.

(Karal Tin Otter has taken the reference to Cecelyne's laws as a threat. I'm assuming he has enough exposure through the lawship's work that this is a logical conclusion.)
>>
No. 944020 ID: afdebc

>>943796
Petal sighs, an expression of regret and sadness flitting across her face. She replies in Old Realm, again, a dialect slightly unfamiliar to her companion.

"An age. An age happened, and it was neither kind nor gentle to the world."
>>
No. 944025 ID: 54735b

>>944017
"I have no intention of taking anything by force. I must admit, though, it sounds like you'll have an incredibly hard time serving lawsuits if you don't have a lawyer, or anyone familiar enough with organizational skills to sort through clients by an effort and profitability ratio, or even just convincing people to use your service.

"Now, while I might be wrong about my assessment, you look like a cart without a horse, coasting by on your existing momentum without any guiding force or anything to keep you going when you come to a crashing halt."
>>
No. 944027 ID: afdebc

>>944025
Waxwing Dell shifts, jingling, relieved the two backed away from conflict, but somewhat frustrated that the conversation seemed to be Xanin and Otter simply pointing out all the flaws in the other's organization.

"Well, all the more reason to find Flair, isn't it? Besides, we already have a job and a client right now. We can worry about looking for him and cleaning up your traffic problem now, and future paperwork later."
>>
No. 944089 ID: 4424d1

>>944020
Viatrix takes half a step back as if just having the wind punched out of her, hands raised over her mouth, and eyes wide.
"Everywhere is like this...?" her voice half heard as it passes through her hands, now in Old Realm as well- The dialect and way of speaking coming off as almost common. Not the language of Gods and Demons, but of regular people who adapted it to a vastly less formal life.
"Where were The Exalted in all this?" She asks, half looking for reason, half for someone responsible. "The deliberative would never have-"

Viatrix glances over to the unlit Blessed Road, the caravans of people traveling by almost... primitive means.
"There is no more Deliberative, is there?"
>>
No. 944115 ID: f57349

>>943688
Okay, you've got a Carnifex Guild wagon set up selling fried cubes of mystery meat on brass bamboo skewers (which stain the meat green where they touch) at about two days wages per mouthful, or three obols for a 'duplicorpse.' A week later she's complaining that sales are barely covering operating expenses.

Three soldiers volunteer to test this new safety equipment you've come up with. What's the actual plan?
>>
No. 944129 ID: 54735b

> A week later she's complaining that sales are barely covering operating expenses.

Since getting merchants set up was already an established part of the plan for increasing wealth as detailed and rolled for here, ( >>942543 ), how much of the process of doing the hard work and coming up with the most effective business strategy and buying Connections(Carnifax Guild) 1 can be automated?

-----------------------

The plan at first is going through the process of making them 100% loyal to me first disguised as an in-depth psychological review to make sure that that they're as up to the task as possible, since I'm trying to buy the retainer background.

After that, securing a supply of demon locusts at least big enough to bring on the TDC mutation in the now three volunteers.
>>
No. 944157 ID: afdebc

rolled 8, 7, 8, 9, 9, 5, 7, 6, 1, 10, 9, 9, 6, 1, 2, 2, 4, 6, 2, 7, 9, 6, 5, 6, 10, 5, 8, 4, 6, 1, 4, 4, 7, 7, 6, 3, 5, 2, 3, 7, 6, 10, 4, 8, 9, 1, 6, 5, 9, 9, 1, 10, 6, 10, 7, 9, 8, 7, 9, 6, 8, 4, 4, 5, 9, 3, 3, 2, 4, 2, 4, 2, 7, 8, 5, 10, 2, 8, 10, 9, 2, 6, 4, 4, 7, 2, 5, 8, 3, 1, 4, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 7, 3, 6, 8 = 551

After the initial niceties (or lack thereof) have been sorted out, Dell falls into a routine for their first week as guests (or perhaps allies of convenience) at the spa manse. While 'Thyk works on investigating occult matters and searching on a lead on Fanged Flair Effulgence, Dell falls back on her own training, and scouting the surrounding woodlands. (So each day has training, scouting, and sleeping). She is, in fact, attempting to follow-up on the dream-imparted clue Mauger left that there is something to find in the Spawning Forest... but she neglects to tell any of the others that this is what she is doing. Despite her curiosity, the wood aspect has the nagging sense pursuing this is unwise or inappropriate, so she chooses not to embarrass herself in front of her companions.

Planning on purchasing Essence 3 (20 XP, immediate), Tireless String-Plucking Meditation (10 XP, 4 days) and Three-String Sword Prana (10 XP, 2 days).

Also rolling a bunch of dice for the extended tracking/navigation action. Adding in a full excellency each time, and Dell will also be using Hostile Environment Preparation Method for penalty negation, and the Horn of the Ways, if applicable (I'm not sure if you need to know where your destination is to benefit from that bonus). No cooperation bonus, because builder bugs are probably susceptible to the fumes and it makes more sense to leave them working on building stuff back at the manse. Probably also a good idea to have Invisible Street Performer Technique up, just to decrease the likelyhood of being surprised by anything hostile out there.

So at best that's: Perception 3 + Survival 5 + Stunt + Excellency 5 + Horn of the Ways 4. (Up to 7 times).

>>943548
>Lore 1-2 2 exp 1 week training handled post-law ship scene, presumably with either COD or UWD as trainers, but if not the Harenhel ally.
Dell is somewhat caught off guard that Sesus Xanin would seek her help in such matters (and eventually concludes is must be do to a combination of the Realm having less rigorous training standards than Lookshy, and the others having more important duties). She agrees, glad to have an excuse to spend time helping the friendly dynast.

I can probably overlap time spent being a tutor with time spent training TSPM, since that charm is all about not being worn out by doing things at the same time as performing.
>>
No. 944175 ID: afdebc

>>944089
>"There is no more Deliberative, is there?"
Petal shakes her head softly. "Not as you would recognize them, no."

>"Where were The Exalted in all this?"
"Divided. The world is not without it's heroes, those who strive towards good and greatness, and the chosen helped see Creation through disasters that might have ended it. But a singular exalted host, united in purpose, no longer exists."
>>
No. 944188 ID: 54735b

rolled 5, 7, 10, 1, 9, 10, 7, 2, 2, 2, 8, 9, 6, 10, 2, 2, 10, 9, 10, 1, 7, 10, 9, 1, 3, 4, 2, 3, 3, 4, 6, 2, 10, 8, 6, 6, 4, 8, 7, 3 = 228

>>944157

Sesus Xanin insists that she would have preferred Dell regardless as a tutor, since she both seems like the most levelheaded of the lawship team. Plus, she looked like she could use some time to break out of the day to day rut that she'd heard came up on ships.

------------------------------------------

Okay, since the answer to it being fairly automated as a part of a previous roll is no. I'll try to get this going properly.

Sesus Xanin is going to observe the sales person throughout the day, seeing where their strategy could be optimized, hiding behind the power of her shield, and marking every single thing that could be optimized.

So, when she came to complain about poor sales, she was prepared.

"Well, that's hardly my fault, but don't worry. I've got an answer for that already. I'll just need you to stick around in this one place, maybe feed me some information every once in a while, and actually report every sale."
>>
No. 944212 ID: b74ca9

Step 1

Concept: A mortal soldier of fortune destined to exalt and become an inhuman Berserker

Caste - None

Motivation - knows only to swing a blade, leaves fancy justifications to the leaders .

Name:Jack
Age:18
Sex:Male
Hair/eye color:Brown/Blue
Skin tone: Tanned

Step 2

Attributes
- Physical - Mental - Social -
Dex ● Per ● App ●
Sta ●● Int ● Cha ●
Str ●●● Wit ●● Man ●


Step 3

Abilities
Archery Integrity Craft - Athletics ●●● Bureaucracy
Martial Arts Performance Investigation Awareness ●● Linguistics
Melee ●●● Presence Lore ●●● Dodge ●● Ride
Thrown Resistance ●● Medicine Larceny Sail
War ●● Survival ●●● Occult Stealth Socialize


Languages
- Native. Spoken Only

Specialties
None

Step 4

Backgrounds
- 3 dots Destined
- 3 dots Resource

Equipment/Artifacts
Plate-and-Chain
Great-sword

Flaws

Charm Slots

Charms

Virtues
- Conviction 4

Step 5

Willpower - 5

Intimacies
TBD

Essence - 1

Health - 7

Bonus Points

Remaining Caste/Aspect Abilities:0
Remaining Favored Abilities:0
Remaining Caste/Aspect Attributes:0
Remaining Favored Attributes:0
Remaining Free Abilities:0
Remaining Primary Attributes:0
Remaining Secondary Attributes:0
Remaining Tertiary Attributes:0
Remaining Free Charms/Spells:0
Remaining Merits:0
Remaining Bonus Points:0
>>
No. 944222 ID: 4424d1

>>944175
Viatrix responds with a single sniffle, her eyes red from holding back tears throughout the conversation. She looks down, brow furrowed, no doubt thinking of more things to ask, but as she opens her mouth to do so, she is interrupted by a rolling grumble from her stomach- reducing her back to her previous state of embarrassment.
"I-uh... I guess that it's also been an age"
She paraphrases, with a guilty, sheepish half smile.
>>

rolled 8, 9, 6, 8, 5, 5, 7, 2, 1, 4, 8, 9, 2, 9, 7, 3, 6, 1, 6, 9, 7, 1, 10, 6, 8, 5, 9, 4, 8, 10 = 183

>>944222
Seeing Viatrix's obvious distress, Petal does not answer verbally, but with a soft chime of glass jewellery spreads her arms, and offers the lunar a hug.

Then she'll see about escorting her new companion back to the airship and scrounging up a meal with slightly less prying eyes.

Have some dice if the airship crew needs persuading, or I have to roll for craft (water) food prep. (Not breaking out the glass craft arm for this, but if I need to throw the First Kimbery Excellency at cooking that's more than enough dice).
>>
No. 944271 ID: d9acdc

rolled 8, 9, 8, 2, 9, 9, 3, 3, 4, 3, 3, 7, 9, 5, 3, 2, 5, 1, 2, 6, 10, 5, 7, 10, 5, 4, 1, 9, 2, 2 = 156

>>944157
COD spends the first day, after performing routine maintenance on the Manta, studying the ritual circle they used to pray to Mauger. Counting that as one day of training for the second occult excellency. Of course, seeing as Dell is heading off in to the demon forests, she can't in good conscious let her go alone. Over the week she prepares a demon summoning circle and task binds a beauteous wasp to aid her, as well as sending Angel, the Aalu bound under the courtesan plate, since the two seemed to work well together.

Spending 20 peripheral motes and 1wp to summon the demon, then she'll penalize it's roll by five by spending an additional 10 peripheral mote and 15 personal motes. COD has an effective pool of 13 for the summoning, and of course Karal Tin Otter has been asked ever so kindly to destroy the creature if the process fails to bind it.
>>
No. 944305 ID: 4424d1

>>944231
Surprised and in no small amount elated by the kindness of this stranger she just met, Viatrix cautiously steps into Petal's arms, now feeling her remaining restraint buckle under her welling emotions given license to burst out.
"My parents..." She sobs bitterly.
"I promised them I'd come visit next week. Oh Gods" Viatrix half chokes at the vocalization of her own thoughts, tears soaking up Petal's shoulder as she does.
"They... they *died* never knowing what happened to me. Decades, centuries ago. Everyone I've ever known"
>>
No. 944356 ID: 304f7c

rolled 2, 10, 5, 1, 5, 8, 8, 9, 8, 10, 10, 9, 5, 3, 8, 7, 7, 7, 6, 8, 1, 9, 8, 5, 1, 3, 4, 4, 2, 1 = 174

Seeing the Troll woman holding steadfast in the face of criticism for something she believed earnestly, as far as he could tell, moved Creeping hunter of mortal men. Not in the sense that he cared suddenly about the lives of slaves but that he respected her. Also he knew that working together and combining forces would improve the herd's chances of survival. Not liking Rivers's worrying phrasing he moved into action, trying to sway the course of the discussion.

"I, Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men previously Warmaster of the Redhorns, am willing to renounce slavery this day. Those members of the council who might not should think carefully about their chances of survivals and the greater good of the tribe. I suggests the council put it to a vote. To renounce slavery as a tribe or not. Decide quickly."

Creeping Hunter attempts to will the council to vote in a manner he believes to be the best for the herd.
>>
No. 944358 ID: f57349

>>944271
Seven successes versus a botch, the beauteous wasp is successfully bound. Is the task binding to aid UWD in her current mission, or indefinitely and also serve her heirs unto the seventh generation, or what?
>>
No. 944359 ID: f57349

>>944157
Okay, you've mapped out two hexes of brass forest, and gotten a pretty good sense of which way the clues in that dream are leading you. However, to follow the songline to it's conclusion you'll need to be away from base significantly more than eight hours. Builder bugs could come with you, but to be safe from Hrotsvitha-fumes they'd need to stay within the hearthstone's very limited range rather than acting as continuous comm relays.
>>
No. 944374 ID: 5f3f48

>>944359
How much longer than eight hours? Given I don't know the exact location I don't expect a precise answer, but there's a significant difference between expecting to be gone for a day, or days, or weeks, etc., and what planned precautions that would require. Especially with the cursed boots in play- traveling alone and not returning to base means no countermagic from COD, and potentially piling up dangerous levels of fatigue and/or bashing damage with Tireless String-Plucking Meditation.
>>
No. 944376 ID: 8d924c

>>944356
>>944188

"Good! Again, the offer stands to grant gifts of knowledge, strength, and health to any who do not feel they are contributing enough. Particularly if anyone is interested in learning thaumaturgy, or woodworking. Weapons and arrows of oak, rowan, and ash are deadly to the luminata. While a living luminata is useful if captured, they're breeding at a distressing rate, so it's more urgent to defend ourselves. We'll need to plant new saplings, perhaps do some grafting, but luckily we have access to a powerful Wood demesne. Growing new plants is as easy as those attuned giving a few speeches or lectures. I would be willing of course to do so for anyone wishing to listen. I only need the time to manage my inn and my summoned assistants. Of course, it's much faster to simply grant the knowledge to those who wish for it, but I understand that not everyone wishes to accept the gifts. I will be giving my associate, the naneke Inauspicious Ink, as much knowledge as I possibly can, and you can go to them to learn."

Red and Gold then turns his attention back to the roll of Aalu silk, finally coming to a decision. He rolls it up, tucks it away, and begins to pen a response to the Dynast.

'I cannot disentangle the details of this agreement at this moment, but given the urgency of the problem, I would be glad to deliver the first several shipments free of charge, with only one problem. Between us lies both a small army of luminata, and the wiles of Hrotsvitha. Transporting the food would require a vast investment into military force to ferry it back and forth. While I can grant protection from the effects of Hrotsvitha to my servants, to do so is as costly as summoning a second servant. If you possess any method of at least meeting my shipments halfway, or assisting in the transportation, this would be much smoother. Additionally, I have an interest in rebuilding the damaged Exalted bloodlines within this part of Creation. I will be sending an appropriate envoy on this matter to meet with you.'

Red and Gold then passes the letter to Adamant Seneschal, whom he has whistled for, instructing them to collect the neomah to bring to Sesus Xanin with the letter.

(The neomah is supposed to be bound to the task of repairing Dragonblooded bloodlines in this region, so meeting a DB shouldn't be difficult to convince them to do.)
>>
No. 944410 ID: f57349

>>944374
You can heal bashing damage faster than it accumulates by resting in the shade, even with the boots still on. Already saw the first two stations or stanzas, out of about a dozen from the dream, so it feels like you ought to be able to get there in a week if you really focused on it - two at most, unless there's some wacky trick like the later steps becoming exponentially further apart or the whole sequence repeating. Return trip should be much simpler: even if the guardian broke your legs, builder bugs could construct a landing platform in some high-visibility color and you could call for pickup with Wind-Carried Words.
>>
No. 944413 ID: 54735b

>>944376
Well, thought Sesus Xanin, that wasn't the expected, or even intended, with that contract. But, it definitely told her that even among probable Anathema, she was the most suited to lead, and that warmed her heart to get that vindication.

She had kept the Neomah in a side room at the moment, not particularly sure how she wanted to respond to that particular request. Maybe she would see about getting a small sample of hair or something from the other dragon blooded. See how likely they were to Exalt. Maybe having some spun up infants from the best of the best bred mortals wouldn't be so bad a deal if she got to keep them to make sure that they Exalt, and are loyal to her as opposed to some Anathema.

But, that was a long way off, decades of work would go into a project like that, for now, she would need to get help from the Lawship. She gathers as many of the Lookshyan DBs as possible.

"Alright, I am making a formal request to use your Manta ship to run an initial shipment of food to what I'm formally naming the Boiling Castle. We will need to find some way to formally clear pathways for more convenient shipping, but this should be suitable for an emergency supply run.

"Plus, it will give you a situation to see just what I meant when I proclaimed that the situation in the section of creation was in many magnatudes worse a position than you might have feared."
>>
No. 944415 ID: afdebc

>>944305
The chosen of Kimbery and Venus does not offer her grief stricken companion meaningless platitudes. She does not say that it will be all right, she does not try to cast her loss as less painful or less significant then it truly is. Viatrix Senta's grief is real; she cared for those she lost. To feel for others is the first step towards healing, and the most honest way to honor the lost.

She embraces her companion, offering silent comfort as the No Moon mourns the loss of all she once held dear. The Vizier tries, unsuccessfully, to keep the face from her dreams from appearing in her mind, and the memory of her own complicity in that destruction, lifetimes ago.
>>
No. 944424 ID: afdebc
File 156773456287.png - (112.23KB , 501x398 , Map.png )
944424

rolled 7, 3, 8, 3, 5, 7, 8, 4, 3, 5, 1, 9, 4, 8, 9, 5, 9, 9, 4, 1, 9, 8, 7, 9, 7, 9, 2, 6, 7, 6 = 182

>>944359
>Okay, you've mapped out two hexes of brass forest
>Which two hexes of forest has UWD scouted out?
Let's say Dell mapped hexes 25 and 39, which also serves the purpose of helping establish the trade route Sesus Xanin is interested in. Did Dell find anything noteworthy in those two hexes to report back to the fire aspect? (That she recognized as noteworthy, at least. With occult 0 Dell may have missed the significance of some things she was, though the two demons 'Thyk sent along to help might be able to bridge that gap).

Rolling dice if needed to determine possibly-random woodlands discoveries.

>>944410
Well, she'll need to clear things with the others first, if she's going to step out for a longer expedition, Dell muses to herself. And she may be delayed to address issues the others require assistance with, first.

>>944413
Speaking of!

Dell's willing to accompany SX on the supply run. (And it's not as if they could just let her fly Flair's ship by herself, either).
>>
No. 944440 ID: d9acdc

>>944358
Given what happened with the Gethin, binding it to a simple task might lead to complications if it can complete the task and then hang around afterwards without an easy way to dismiss it. Let's say it's task bound to "Serve the will of Umbrageous Waxwing Dell until both she and I agree without coercion to release you from your service."

Speaking of demon summoning, I'd like to state that during the first week in Malfeas, in addition to having summoned Angel, the Aalu with an aversion to it's own diet, COD also summoned a stomach bottle bug and a set of living armor. Exact stats, personal quirks, and the plate they were bound under is yet to be determined, but I'd prefer they both be heroic, and I was thinking about having the stomach bottle bug specialize in war, maybe name it after the general/cook from the rail-priests in girl genius.

>>944424
COD is also willing to participate in the first cargo run. Of course, they do have their client to worry about, and finding Flair... how's the progress on getting the manse's traffic flowing? Xanin seems to intend to fill up the space as best she can, are there major obstacles we need to go questing to solve?
>>
No. 944452 ID: f57349

>>944305
>>944231
The Haslanti crew have been kneeling respectfully during this whole conversation. As the two exalts walk back toward the airship, negotiators turn to face each other. "As reparations for emotional harm to our aerial scout..." "If she's been yours all along, her carelessness nearly got my only son..." and on in circles.

The airship's senior thaumaturge and dream-interpreter approaches Petal and Viatrix at the campfire. "So, you're a Chosen of Luna? I've never met one in person before. Have you already been to Twisted Stone?"

He's got a necklace of charms and talismans, but one in particular catches Viatrix's eye: the item itself is a simple squarish iron bar the size of a pinky finger painted with a pattern of circles in white and cobalt-blue enamel, but it's clearly meant to symbolize a tower - a specific tower, the heart of an empire spread across five or ten million square miles. That hole isn't just a convenience for display purposes. Rather, it represents the fact that the original tower was so tall it needed a gate to let the moon pass through at night. All this was glimpsed only briefly, but the memory is clear.
>>
No. 944489 ID: 4424d1

>>944415
When Viatrix finally lets go, she still looks plenty haggard, but in a better condition to act on the present instead of wallowing on the past; at least for the moment.
"Thanks" She inhales deeply, the sound of her breathing still erratic. "For putting up with and believing a crazy story from a total stranger" she continues, her voice flowing more steadily, with more impact that could be expected from someone so vulnerable.
"I'll be thanking The Maidens every night for a while, for making me so lucky to have the first person I meet after all that happened to be as kind as you are"
Viatrix's glances for a moment at the boy with the crowbar, previously running at her.
"Even though, technically..." she shuckles, looking back at Petal
"I guess that I interrupted what was happening here. I'm just an airfield technician... now unemployed airfield technician" Viatrix adds with a mix of sadness and humor.
"But I'll be happy to help"

>>944415
The most Viatrix understood out of the Haslanti crew's exchange was that the crowbar boy was somehow upset at not dying. She struggled at filling out her taxes on a good day, and the jargon at use, coupled with its modern regression made her lose interest rather quickly.
"I.. I guess that I am" She replies to the senior thaumaturge, having not thought very much on the subject at all on her own, never thinking that she'd speak with one of The Celestials, so much as *be* one.
"I ah, no. I haven't been to Twisted Stone, sir"
Viatrix makes brief eye contact with Petal immediately after answering, hoping that her new friend could fill the knowledge gap of something that sounded like she should know about.
>>
No. 944494 ID: f57349

>>944489
The kid with the crowbar isn't one of the Haslanti, he's from the group in the wagons, with whom they're haggling for provisions.

The dreamspeaker says that Twisted Stone, an island near the eastern end of the White Sea, is a sacred meeting place where the Haslanti League was founded almost 200 years ago, and Gerd Marrow-Eater still calls young Chosen to meet him there from all across the North, presumably to share those secrets known only to the Chosen.
>>
No. 944509 ID: 54735b

>Discord stuff
>Shipment of demon locust
>One of three volunteers nopes out completely, one spoils the effect, the third becomes completely loyal and a creature of darkness.

While this is happening, since it takes one week to train up Lore 2, and 12 days to train up Elemental Concentration Trance (2 Lore, 2 essence *4 for inventing from first principles) I'll have 5 days left on that when Enrico Botacceli and buying Retainer 1, bringing me fully in line with what I need for Command 2 from the DotFA book.

Enrico Buccellati

Motivation: To serve Sesus Xanin (Because Retainer)

Attributes:
Strength: •• Charisma: • Wits: ••
Dexterity: ••• Manipulation: •• Intelligence: ••••
Stamina: •• Appearance: •• Perception: •••

Skills:

Favored: Craft

Archery
Athletics: ••
Awareness
Bureaucracy
*Craft (Air): •
*Craft (Earth): •••••
*Craft (Fire): •
*Craft (Water):••
*Craft (Wood): ••
*Craft (Steam): ••
Dodge
Integrity
Investigation
Larceny
Linguistics: ••
Lore:•••
Martial Arts
Medicine: ••
Melee: ••
Occult: ••• (Specialty: Art of Geomancy +2, Art of Astrology +2)
Performance
Presence: •
Resistance
Ride
Sail
Socialize: •
Stealth
Survival: •••••
Thrown
War: ••

Virtues:
Compassion: •• Conviction: ••• Temperance: •• Valor: ••

Backgrounds:
Resources: ••
Familiar: •••

Essence: 1 Willpower: 10 Motes: 5/5

BP expenditure:

2/25:

5: Willpower +5

2: Craft (Earth) to 5

1: Craft (Wood) to 2

2: Craft (Water) to 2

2: Craft (Steam) to 2

-4: Creature of Darkness

6: Transcendent Desert Creature

4: Survival to 5

1: Craft (Air) to 1

1: Craft (Fire) to 1

Potato the Hearth-Cat Familiar

Attributes:

Strength: • Charisma: •• Perception: ••
Dexterity: ••• Manipulation: ••• Intelligence: •••
Stamina: •• Appearance: ••• Wits: •••

Abilities:

Archery: ••
Athletics: •••
Awareness: ••
Dodge: ••••
Integrity: ••
Investigation: •
Martial Arts: ••
Presence: •••
Resistance: •••• (Cold +3)
Stealth: •••
Survival: ••

Essence: 1 Willpower: 3 Motes: 5/5

Dodge DV: 3 Parry DV: 3

Special Abilities:

>Hyper-intelligent by cat standards, maybe a little above average for a human. Natural weapon comparable to a plasma tongue repeater that doesn't require ammo. If not brushed regularly, self-grooming results in hairballs that go off like southern fire arrows when disturbed. Can climb any solid flammable surface, even if it seems like it shouldn't be able to support a cat's weight, including metallic malfean vegetation but not ordinary forged metal.

>Having thought it over, I think the cat's natural weapon should actually cost 3m per five shots.

Attack:

Plasma Tongue Repeater speed: 5 Accuracy: +2 (7 dice) base damage:10L Rate: 1 Range: 20 (maximum range) Ammo: 5 Tag: N, F
>>
No. 944510 ID: f57349

>>944509
That's too many skill and attribute dots for a starting nonheroic mortal.
>>
No. 944534 ID: 54735b

>>944510
Oh, yeah, I completely messed that up and made him full heroic. Fixing this now.


Attributes:
Strength: • Charisma: •• Wits: •
Dexterity: ••• Manipulation: •• Intelligence: •••
Stamina: •• Appearance: •• Perception: •••

Skills:

Archery
Athletics:
Awareness
Bureaucracy
Craft (Air):
Craft (Earth): •••
Craft (Fire):
Craft (Water): ••
Craft (Wood): ••
Craft (Steam): •
Dodge
Integrity
Investigation
Larceny
Linguistics: •• (Low Realm: Native, High Realm, Old Realm)
Lore:•••
Martial Arts
Medicine: ••
Melee: •
Occult: ••• (Specialty: Art of Geomancy +2, Art of Astrology +2, Art of Husbandry +1)
Performance
Presence: •
Resistance
Ride
Sail
Socialize: •
Stealth
Survival: •••
Thrown
War: •

Backgrounds:
Backing (Throne of the Crimson Queen): 1

BP:

6/26

Creature of Darkness: +4
Transcendent Desert Creature: -6
Linguistics 2: -4
Temperature Sensitivity (Cold): +1
Craft (Water) 2:-4
Craft (Wood) 2: -4
Craft (Steam)1: -2
Allergy (Rice): +1
Frail: +2
>>
No. 944599 ID: d9acdc

>>944356
Grizzlemaw sputters indigently for a moment before regaining his composure.
"You would threaten us, and abandon your herd for what? The cheap pleasures of a sordid troll? Surely you cannot seriously think this, this... beast has anything of value to us?" Angry spittle lands at Bridget's feat accompanied by an accusatory finger.

Bogar and Mogar exchange a nervous look, not expecting their status to be seriously endangered by these talks.
"Warma- Hunter, you have always ruled through strength. We cannot allow the weak to rise among us as our equals when they have no fur, no hooves, no strength or skill or cunning by which to prove their worth! Look up their docile faces- their spirits lack the fire of a smith, the stubbornness of a stonemason, the liveliness of a shine-worker or ingenuity of a wood carver! They are beasts of burden fit to carry tools and pitch our tents, and yet you would tell us, tell the members of our herd that we mean no more to you than this? That our skills are meaningless? That merit no longer rules here in the herd?"

Marthog, a spark in her eye, suddenly gets an idea. She had seen the shine-worker apprenticed to this smith, had watched her spin brass into shelter with nothing but her hands.
"The smiths are right Grizzlemaw- merit rules, and we must uphold tradition. This woman has promised we would learn her knowledge of fire, be given tools- surely you would honor her right to a challenge of skill?"

Capricious and prideful, Grizzlemaw of course cannot back down, but neither can he happily abide by some outsider bewitching the tribe with petty tricks and destroying the traditions, nay, the foundations upon which their lives are pitched.
"Bah. Should have known where'd you fall brat. This challenge is not just for a position to the tribe, but to us all! She seeks to undermine our way of life, and you would hand it to her on a platter?"

"So you admit she is more skilled and deserving and our best smiths could not best her?"

More sputtering follows, before a retort drenched in vitriol and sarcasm is given.
"Fine! A challenge it is then! And, since she challenges us all, what say you to this, oh great smith? Since you would seek to strip each great crafter in our tribe of their status, you must best them each before we shall submit to you!"

before the others can interject and complain about the ridiculous challenge, Bridget accepts.

"Agreed. A race. Your tribe and I each smith tools matching the members involved. Upon winning you all follow my code, and failure indebts me to fufill my promise of weapons and tools to you."

The council is slackjawed as Bridget accepts, nay, crafts a challenge which should be impossible- one smith competing with a whole tribe?

Clackhand nods at Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men.
"This is a contest of skill. No outside help will be allowed. Crafters, you must prove your own merit without the backing of the herd, or you admit you lack the skill and forfeit automatically. Any who interfere with the challenger or cheat shall die shamed and dishonored. We begin at the next scream."


And so, at the next scream of the tomescu, the race began. Quickly, it became clear to all Bridget's incredible prowess.

"But... she didn't even use a forge..."
"How did she find that vein of iron so quickly?
"She waded in there like it was nothing!"
"I heard she stopped in the middle of fashioning a shovel to help Bogar fix a mistake!"
"I don't even care about winning, I have to see how she does this."

Thus, the Red Horn Tribe did agree to renounce slavery and enter the fold as members of the nameless village.
Details of the actual outcome of the contest are negotiable, as are the terms by which they joined the village if there are any areas of concern, but per discord, we agreed to say that proof of Bridgets crafting capabilities and gall to take on an impossible challenge as if it were a childs dare was enough leverage to sway the tribe into agreeing to move forward by renouncing slavery.
>>
No. 944610 ID: f57349

>>944534
In place of those four points of specific health problems, just knock Stamina down by a dot. Where'd he learn genesis tech? What sort of thaumaturgical tools has he got?
>>
No. 944616 ID: d9acdc

Up until recently, the Red Horn Tribe has had a fairly straightforward leadership structure. With the recent events, it is unclear who the beastmen should turn to. So, we should probably lock in any support we want to claim mechanically as a background, and broad scale we should think about the kingdom roles outlined by pathfinders kingdom building requirements. Creating a single unified government will make things easier going forward and help solidify edicts to raise moral or generate more labor as we face off against the luminata threat or various other Malfean horrors. To help get us all on the same page, I'm going to loosely define some terms and jobs based on information from here: https://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/other-rules/kingdom-building/#TOC-Ruler
Then I'll finish off by making some suggestions for who does what job in the kingdom. If you don't want to read all the kingdom building stuff right now, you can just skip ahead to the "here's what job x should have" part. If you want to read it in more detail, follow the link.

Economy, loyalty, stability, and unrest are the big terms that each roll interacts with. For all rolls, filling them gives the kingdom some benefit provided they have relevant skills to contribute, and for many leaving them vacant imposes penalties. According to JamesLeng:
"Economy, Loyalty and Stability from the Pathfinder kingdom-building rules correspond to the Bureaucracy, Socialize, and War skills, and in a more general sense, Mental, Social, and Physical attributes."
Unrest we don't have a clear correlation to, but in the pathfinder system it makes all rolls for economy, loyalty, and stability harder, lowering your result, so overall more of it makes everything harder to do, and is bad. While the other values are generally static numbers, unrest builds continuously, so any position that creates unrest will continuously generate more and more of it, while any penalties to economy, loyalty, or stability will remain a static debuff.

The roles are listed mechanically below. For each roll, one or more core pathfinder stats are listed; this is the stat which the roll benefits from most in pathfinder. A / means the job can benefit equally well from either listed stat. Below that what the player would normally be rolling to deal with, and below that are the benefits/detriments the kingdom gains overall for having the position filled or vacant.

>Ruler
Charisma
Loyalty checks, any checks or edicts not covered by other rulers
Chooses an aspect of the kingdom, either economy loyalty or stability, and enhance rolls regarding it. If left vacant, generates large amounts of unrest, and you cannot take certain building or expansion actions.

>Consort
Charisma
As Ruler when Ruler is unavailable
Adds a small bonus to loyalty rolls, and can negate the vacancy penalty if the ruler is absent. No vacancy penalty.

>Councilor
Charisma/Wisdom
Holiday edicts
Adds a bonus to loyalty rolls. If left vacant, applies a penalty to stability, you cannot benefit from certain holiday events, and generates a small amount of unrest.

>General
Charisma/Strength
Kingdom checks for events requiring combat
Adds a bonus to stability. If left vacant, applies a large penalty to loyalty.

>Grand Diplomat
Charisma/Intelligence
Diplomatic edicts
Adds a bonus to stability. If left vacant, applies a penalty to stability, and you cannot benefit from certain diplomatic or exploration options.

>Heir
Charisma
Kingdom event rolls
Adds a bonus to loyalty, and can negate or lessen the the vacancy penalty if the ruler is absent. No vacancy penalty.

>High Priest
Charisma/Wisdom
Holiday edicts, rolls to generate magic items from Cathedrals, Shrines, and Temples
Adds a bonus to stability. If left vacant, applies a penalty to stability and loyalty, and generates a small amount of unrest.

>Magister
Charisma/Intelligence
Rolls to generate magic items not rolled by the High Priest
Adds a bonus to economy. If left vacant, applies a large penalty to economy.

>Marshal
Dexterity/Wisdom
Exploration edicts
Adds a bonus to economy. If left vacant, applies a large penalty to economy.

>Royal Enforcer
Dexterity/Strength
Loyalty checks to reduce Unrest or prevent Unrest increases
Adds a bonus to loyalty, and can attempt to decrease unrest by a small amount, but risks decreasing loyalty by a small amount to do so. No vacancy penalty.

>Spymaster
Dexterity/Intelligence
Kingdom checks involving crime and foreigners
Adds a bonus to either economy, loyalty, or stability, as needed. If left vacant, economy decreases a large amount, and generates a small amount of unrest.

>Treasurer
Intelligence/Wisdom
Economy checks, Taxation edicts, Trade edicts
Adds a bonus to economy. If left vacant, economy decreases a large amount, and you cannot collect taxes.

>Viceroy
This one is unclear on if the bonuses are provided to the kingdom as a whole, or only to a vassal state the viceroy leads. If it is the latter, this role and it's penalty can be disregarded.
Intelligence/Wisdom
Vassalage edicts
Adds a small bonus to Economy, and may also provided the benefit of any other roll in the kingdom with a small penalty to the vassal state. If left vacant, the vassal state suffers the vacant ruler penalty.

>Warden
Constitution/Strength.
Stability checks
Adds a bonus to loyalty. If left vacant, loyalty and stability decrease.

So, who does what job?
This is open to debate, but there's been a few suggestions.
Jameslengs suggests Rivers as ruler, Morse as consort, Creeping Hunter as general, Bridget as magister, Red And Gold as diplomat, with Bargux tentatively put down for spymaster if they're actually given the skills to do the job.

I would suggest Seven Broken Wings of Red and Gold as ruler (because he's already sorta in charge and controls much of the labor force), Rivers as councilor (to cook all the feasts and make all the booze) Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men as general (because he has war, and soldiers to back it up), Lute Silhouette Speculation in Comet's Reflection as high priest (cause she wants to be building cults and crafting) Bridget as Magister (cause she's doing all the crafting and teaching), Morse as Marshal (So she's off killing stuff threatening our people, instead of inside the walls threatening to kill them herself). that leaves us relying on outside help for diplomat, treasurer, and warden, the first two being pretty damn important, the next one also probably being important if we want to have laws and stuff. I also think Red and gold fits diplomat very well, and Bridget would be happy to take leader. I have plans in mind for interacting with the holiday edicts and tax edicts, so putting one of my characters in a position to control either of those aspects might be a good idea? Rivers could take over as general with some more dots in war and backgrounds. Lute could probably fill a bunch of different rolls, and calling up Edgar to take a position seems reasonable. Chiming in with what roles you think suit what exalts or mortals is probably useful information for formally merging the village and the Red Horn Tribe.
>>
No. 944619 ID: 9c05a0

>>944610
Alright, though even if he's not getting anything for it he's still going to have cold sensitivity, because that's part of the reason why he got a so-called Fire-Cat.

He learned Craft (Genesis) through his education, having been a normal citizen who had a job lined up as an assistant to a firm who, in addition to being on the edge of trying to build novel new creatures like the Hearth-cat, offered illicit services like helping mortals have unions blessed by the dragons. However, his skill with occult, and something about his demeanor caught the attention of one of Sesus Xanin's cousins, who went to a decent length to have him hired. By that point he had learned astronomy because that was the cheapest and most readily available Thaumaturgy to learn out there, and had basically just started the path to learning husbandry.

He wound up serving under SX as a battlefield engineer because of a combination of familial rivalry, and subterfuge. SX funded and sponsored his education in geomancy, because she was planning on breaking away from the Realm for a minute, and making sure she had a capable geomancer who could harmonize architecture with the local essence flow is really important.

As for tools he has on him, he has an astrolabe, as many quality vials of ink and parchment he can carry for making star-charts and geneology stuff. He also has a pumb-bob that incorporates all 5 color of Jade for surveing and dowsing purposes.
>>
No. 944625 ID: 54735b

>>944599
Rivers had no intention of interfering with the challenge. It at least solved one of the main reasons she objected to getting rid of slavery.

Of course, she hadn't exactly thought through joining the tribe and the town together, since the rest of negotiations were comparatively low tension.

>Kingdom Building Stuff

I tend to agree with JL's assessment, though Bridget being the person advocating for the citizens would probably be good. Maybe give Lute the position of Royal Enforcer, since she's got the attributes for it, and it has no vacancy, so month long trips.

I'm not really sure what Edgar's stats are to put him anywhere.

>Start an adventure:

Well, there are only two days left before the Alchemical base stuff, but Rivers is going to try to take Bridget out and explore the actual brass forests.
>>
No. 944657 ID: a601d0

>>944625
>Rivers is going to try to take Bridget out and explore the actual brass forests.

"Why?"

Bridget is unsure if it's wise to divert their attention to the forest- she's got classes to teach, and needs to fulfill her promise to the villagers.
Still, she does need training, and Rivers says she has plans to to go assist Luminous Alacrity soon regardless, so perhaps a short jaunt is fine. What exactly is the expected timeframe, and the goal/destination of this trip?
>>
No. 944660 ID: 54735b

>>944657
It's bold of you to assume that Rivers has an actual destination/goal in mind outside of just kind of exploring and finding some cool places in the woods.

"Well, it occurs to me that we've never ACTUALLY gone on any kind of adventure together. So, it follows to reason that we should. Just pick a direction, go exploring it for a day, take a day to head back."
>>
No. 944664 ID: d9acdc

rolled 8, 1, 9, 10, 6, 3, 8, 2, 1, 2, 8, 5, 8, 1, 8, 7, 3, 9, 5, 6, 9, 10, 7, 9, 3, 7, 6, 5, 6, 6 = 178

>>944660
Bridget ponders for three, maybe five minutes.

Normally one might go for a walk to find inspiration, relax from the heat, or lure prey to a more opertune location, away from their tools, weapons, and help, or perhaps to safeguard your valuables being damaged in the ensuring fight. Bridget aimed to do none of these. Rivers she was... less sure of. But, she seemed to hold powerful sway in the Red Horn Tribe. She and Morse were mated. She had proven her combat prowess against the interlopers and was armed with powerful new tools. Certainly a person worth knowing, and knowing more about.

"Agreed. We pursue blood apes."

And with that, she sets off towards the forest, hoping to find members of The Reverent Society of Reflective Foresters.

Mechanically, rolling to navigate the brass forest, and purchasing one success with the second survival excellency. If the pool is int+survival, that's ten dice. Traveling overland rather than jumping, just to be clear.
>>
No. 944671 ID: d9acdc

To take folks advise, instead of sitting on my hands and waiting for the time and energy to do research, I'll ask questions in the thread and get XP for it.

So, how long does it take to properly set up a new demon summoning space at the manse? What kind of area is it likely to be, and can I just assume all the tools I need are portable from the last one, or is there stuff that needs to be reaquired for setting up a new circle?

Perhaps more importantly, for her prayer to Stanewald, what should it actually look like? There was some discussion of s
breaking stone being symbolically potent enough- what about other thematic elements? What does she need to complete it? I understand you can burn offerings to make it easier, but an overview of the actual mechanics and various options might help me get in the right place to carry out the actual event.
>>
No. 944672 ID: c8a0f5

rolled 8, 1, 8, 5, 6, 8, 3, 9, 9, 7, 3, 2, 10, 8, 8 = 95

>>944664
"Well, I don't know too much about them, but I'm definitely interested in seeing what it is that you want to do with this."

Tracking is Perception+Survival, so still 10 dice and a 2 dot stunt, and with the excellency I count 7 successes on your roll.

Rivers would do her best to make small talk, not particularly trying to be stealthy, but absolutely heeding the warnings that things should never get too quiet, as she walked shoulder to shoulder with Bridget, her war form more than making up the difference in size.

"I should really ask. Where did you learn how to be an anathema?"

Almost as soon as she finished saying that, however, a blood ape about as big as either of them swinging on a vine made of copper coils swung past and slapped Rivers in the head with a brittle piece of metal, shattering harmlessly on impact on her armored skin.

"Tally ho, bitches. Fancy seeing two strangers to this section of the little old billion acre woods. By right, I should ask you who you work for so I can know if I need to formally challenge you to a duel."
>>
No. 944673 ID: 8d924c

rolled 7, 3, 7, 6, 10, 3, 9, 5, 2, 4, 10, 5, 3, 5, 4, 1, 7, 4, 5, 6, 5, 7, 7, 2, 6, 1, 7, 1, 3, 1 = 146

>>944424
>>944413

"I'll come along on the supply run, to help shifting cargo. Afraid I can't be of much use flying it, though."

In the meantime, for the time unoccupied by the trip KTO will be attempting to drill Sesus Xanin's soldiers in Martial Arts. Sparring, mostly, while he tries to listen to what they have to say about recent events. He'll also be looking to find any clues he can as to FFE's abduction, although he is unlikely to make any progress.

(KTO has a Strength+Athletics dicepool of 7, which is probably on the higher side, although no excellency. Is attempting to get a grasp of what local conversations are about a Socialize thing?)
>>
No. 944676 ID: c8a0f5

Sesus Xanin sat in expertly laundered silk night ware in a room with only the facimile of darkness, the constant emerald sun shining, right where it always was. Her armor stood like an ever vigilant sentinel beside her bed, and her hand gripped tightly to her sword, her shield serving as a second blanket to rest over her head, and her crown lay exactly where it was supposed to, on top of her head.

In truth, while she wouldn't dare bring up a possible sign of weakness, she had only recently changed her nightly routine, and she had started the process of having a thaumaturge to build her as close to a perfected bed as possible. All of this because her sleep had become restless as of late. Her dreams being plagued by a bright white light and visions of glory, and of a black wound over creation.

Regardless, she fell asleep, her dreams once more plagued by visions of darkness and the color of madness washing over creation to leave them ultimately destroyed, only held back by various lights. The first to fall from the madness without was a bright but thoroughly tarnished silver, the light to fall from the darkness within being a radiant but dim gold. Unholy green washed over in waves, but all of it stopped at a pure white light, as bright as the silver, and as radiant as the gold. And then the white light expanded, pushing back the darkness and madness past the borders of creation, and erasing much of their power.

Every night this vision played out, sometimes the details had changed, like the odd splash of powerful green light, or where the conflicting forces meet. But it always ended with the forces of untamed light wining, and every day subconsciously she made sure the Crown of Thunders was affixed tightly to her head.
>>
No. 944683 ID: 4424d1

>>944494
Viatrix squints a little at the sound of Gerd's full name but doesn't say anything in comment.
"Then Twisted Stone is where I should be headed" she replies, half instinctively bringing her left hand's wrist up and glancing down at a thick band's width of alabaster skin, standing out in fierce contrast to the rest of her tanned arm.
"Oh" she remarks, almost miserably.
"I might need to rely on your kindness in giving me directions" She covers her arm back
with her sleeve with an inaudible sigh.
"What would your plans be, Petal?" Viatrix asks her companion, sounding like she doesn't intend to rush off to Twisted Stone immediately.
>>

rolled 5, 8, 2, 3, 10, 9, 4, 5, 9, 10, 5, 2, 6, 10, 8, 2, 1, 4, 6, 3 = 112

>>944683
>glancing down at a thick band's width of alabaster skin, standing out in fierce contrast to the rest of her tanned arm
A missing Resplendent Personal Assistant, perhaps?

>"I might need to rely on your kindness in giving me directions" She covers her arm back
The haslanti airship must have maps for navigation. It seems like it would be a simple matter to start pointing out locations in the now-altered north to the No Moon, or to provide simple sketches otherwise. (Let's roll for that, but "pulling punches" on so as not to create an impossible work of art in the process this time, no craft arm bonus).

>"What would your plans be, Petal?" Viatrix asks her companion, sounding like she doesn't intend to rush off to Twisted Stone immediately.
Sensitive to her companion's discomfort,Petal deftly answers, allowing the topic of conversation to move on (in Skytongue). "Currently I am bound for the city of Whitewall, once known as Ondar Shambal. It flourishes under the aegis of the Syndics, three mighty gods, protected by and containing secrets of a lost age. If it interests you, I would be glad to have your company."
>>
No. 944720 ID: d9acdc

rolled 2, 4, 7, 10, 4, 3, 5, 7, 3, 2, 3, 2, 4, 10, 8, 3, 1, 2, 9, 5, 7, 3, 5, 1, 3, 9, 6, 8, 8, 4 = 148

>>944672
>Where did you learn how to be an anathema?"
"The immaculate texts are inaccurate."

>slapped Rivers in the head with a brittle piece of metal, shattering harmlessly on impact on her armored skin.
"Cease hostilities or I must restrain."

Bridget is making an intimidation attack. Don't know what pool join debate is, but she's potentially got a relative appearance bonus from appearance one for the actual attack, since she's being big and scary. Cha 5, 0 for any other social skill, penalties from disturbing voice and ugly potentially relevant. Blood ape probably has a relevant intimacy or urge that would boost MDV for any commands to not fight.
>>
No. 944765 ID: 4424d1

>A missing Resplendent Personal Assistant, perhaps?
It seems that irony hangs like a rain cloud on Viatrix, to come from an unbelievably wealthier time, but to only have a suit of work clothes to show for it.
>"Currently I am bound for the city of Whitewall, once known as Ondar Shambal. It flourishes under the aegis of the Syndics, three mighty gods, protected by and containing secrets of a lost age. If it interests you, I would be glad to have your company."
Viatrix's expression changes from hopeful expectation to that of a radiant smile, clasping her hands together and close to her chest.
"I would like yours, as well, Wind Carried Petal"
Her mood darkens again as she seems to be weighing her next words for a moment
"I'm scared" Viatrix says plainly, having switched back to Old Realm, and doing her best to keep her voice steady.
"More than I can put into words, by what I've seen, by what you've told me. It will be...
I mean- it won't be as painful to see it with my own eyes if I travel with you"
>>
No. 944785 ID: 54735b

>>944720
Join debate is the same as join battle, Wits+Awareness.

>"The immaculate texts are inaccurate."

"I disagree."

>"Cease hostilities or I must restrain."

While hardly official, counting that as a one dot stunt, and just using the first 6 dice with
a -1 penalty to his DV for appearance 0 to DV 4, and you only got 3 successes, so I'm going to play it like he didn't even realize you were threatening him.

"Well, a boss with a name that long an' dumb sure sounds like a blighter don'e. Name's Reggie, and I'm the tour-guide round 'ere, an' I can tell by lookin' at ya that you're gonna like it here."

Rivers is incredulous at this guy, but honestly seemed pretty interested in what kind of place they have out here.
>>
No. 944798 ID: afdebc

>>944765
>"I'm scared" Viatrix says plainly, having switched back to Old Realm, and doing her best to keep her voice steady.
>"More than I can put into words, by what I've seen, by what you've told me. It will be...
>I mean- it won't be as painful to see it with my own eyes if I travel with you"
"It's all right to be afraid," the disguised joybringer replies in the same tongue. "But if there's one thing the chosen of Luna are known for, it is that you are survivors. You will find the strength you need, when the time comes."
>>
No. 944879 ID: afdebc

Moving ahead on the planning for the lawship resupplying mission.

>How much food are you bringing? How is it being prepared? The Lawship is currently configured so much of the cargo capacity is office space or living quarters, will that have to be unpacked? Where will the offices be kept and how will they be secured while the ship is away?

Given that we probably want to conserve time and resources spent on maintenance, flight, or dealing with any demonic complications en route, it seems reasonable we'd want to pick up as much food as possible in one trip.

Which means it's probably a good idea to free up as much cargo space as is reasonable- unload supplied and break down offices and such- it's worth spending a few hours before and after the mission moving stuff around. The offloaded materials should be stored at SX's manse, probably under guard. (And if the lawship DBs don't entirely trust the realm soldiers with their stuff, Cathak Othok Dythyk could put a bound demon on watching it).

How much food is available for pickup probably comes down to what Red and Gold is arranging for us.

>In character
"So, ah, where are we going to pick up this food shipment for your soldiers, and who's providing it?" Dell asks Sesus Xanin, as the group prepares the lawship for their mission. "I wasn't aware there were any farms in hell, at least not the kind that produce anything safe for mortals."

SX might need to come up with a story before, say, the others discover they're trading with an anathema at the worst possible moment.
>>
No. 944881 ID: d9acdc

>>944785
Turning to Rivers:
"Are you well?"

>>944785
>I'm the tour-guide round 'ere
"I search for The Reverent Society of Reflective Foresters or others to challenge for trade."
>>
No. 944886 ID: f57349

>>944673
Over the course of the first week, any troops with only one dot in Martial Arts gain a second, and most others make incremental progress.

Xanin's soldiers don't seem to be aware they're in the demon realm. They think they're in the Northeast, near Ardeleth, to finish a fight the Tepet Legions started. They take your Manta's arrival as a favorable omen: Lookshy has finally set aside past differences, to close ranks against the common foe of all good Immaculates!

Supposedly - and this is all very hush-hush, so of course the troops manage to hold back for several minutes before gossiping about it - they're here to fight the Lover Clad in Blue, a new ally of the Bull of the North. Composite description of her adds up to a profile of Zsofika, the Kite Flute, distorted just enough to also adequately match traditional depictions of a Blasphemous Anathema. A remarkably precise and detailed profile, right down to details like which kind of incense she prefers, things the Sohei have classified very strictly need-to-know... and nobody needs to know unless they're either planning to summon her, or doing high-level intel analysis to find such a cult.
>>
No. 944889 ID: 4424d1

>>944798
>"It's all right to be afraid," the disguised joybringer replies in the same tongue. "But if there's one thing the chosen of Luna are known for, it is that you are survivors. You will find the strength you need, when the time comes."
"It's one more thing I have to get used to"
The fresh No Moon adds with an air of reverence.
"To be one of the Seven Hundred..." she trails off, distracted by both her own thoughts and the smell of cooking food nearby
>>
No. 944913 ID: 54735b

>>944879

"I believe that I had mentioned there being a notably forty mile across, and in an even worse situation than you might have first imagined. Well, apparently a town in there has developed some degree of magic that enables there to be abundant enough food to be both abundant and lasting enough to survive shipping.

"Plus, this is a good opportunity to see haw accurate the tales of Anathema taking root there are.

Her stance as she boarded the Manta was like a flawless jade rod, her entire body as stable as a chicken's head and flowing less like a person walking and more flowing as effortlessly as a river.

"I've taken precautions against an ambush, however, and there is another, more expensive, location should this ultimately fall through."
>>
No. 945023 ID: 54735b

>>944881
>"Are you well?"
"Well yeah. I mean, I'm wearing armor. Really felt like more of a love tap."

"An' a frien'y tap's the way tah gree' a fe'ow demon roun' thes parts."

>"I search for The Reverent Society of Reflective Foresters or others to challenge for trade."

"Well tha's goo'news. I dinnae thin' yah'd fitt in wi' mos'a the guys he'. Bu' we gah plenny'a tools."
>>
No. 945042 ID: f57349

>>944671
In principle you could do sorcerous demon summoning with no material setup at all, but that's needlessly dangerous. Most important tools are portable and reusable, the rest can be replaced within a few hours by builder bugs, or at acceptable cost by bartering with the locals.

If you wanted to be extra careful, though, you could make a whole new high-quality binding circle... and subtly incorporate a prayer to Stanewald into the crafting process.
Shopping list:
-Slab of sedimentary stone, no less than 64 inches square and 8 inches thick (a ton and a half, at least), ideally with traces of native copper from Creation
-Tanned hide of a horse, killed by strangling without significant blood loss or broken bones, hooves not touching the ground at time of death, ideally owned in life and beloved by someone whose feet never touched unbroken ground at all
-stonemason who can swing four successes for the carving and polishing, preferably in a noisy way
-dancer who can keep moving nonstop for four days and nights/however long it takes the mason to finish, without collapsing from exhaustion
>>
No. 945044 ID: f57349

>>944672
There are two blood ape lumberjacks present, both in jade reinforced buff jackets, and the other one - after sniffing at the air, though you can't smell much over the coppery musk of the trees - says he recognizes you from a brief encounter during that icy acid rainstorm, weeks ago. They're still cleaning up parts of that mess. If you're here to fight, he points out that you ran away last time, and won't be the first exalt he's killed and eaten. On the other hand, if you're here to offer some sort of reparations, he can help you get in touch with the Reflective Foresters' chain of command.
>>
No. 945045 ID: d9acdc

>>945023
Bridget is glad there seems to be no ill will; that form of "greeting" is new to her and may require some... rumination, before adjusting.

>>945044
Bridget would appreciate speaking to those in command, although she was not part of whatever initial event requires reparations. She is interested in tools, labor, and good relations with her neighbors, but being new in town and cut off from her homestead, she has little to offer in the way of honest payment. Would those higher up the chain of command, or any of your fellows be interested in gambling or challenges of skill as alternative payment methods? She has just traveled here from the new development, said to be protected by one of the unquestionables and a diplomat of some renown, although, Bridget admits, she had not heard of him prior and knows not what he did to earn his status. He seems to be well respected by the locals, rather than those from beyond Cecelyne.
>>
No. 945046 ID: d9acdc

rolled 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 7, 3, 6, 10, 3, 8, 10, 8, 6, 1, 3, 4, 7, 3, 7, 1, 6, 9, 8, 4, 4, 5, 6, 10, 6, 8, 9, 5, 9, 4, 3, 5, 1, 10, 9, 10, 6, 6, 2, 3, 10, 3, 8, 6, 9, 3, 6, 9, 7, 8, 7, 8, 6, 2 = 372

>>944913
>her entire body as stable as a chicken's head
An amusingly humble comparison for the Fire Aspect.

>>945042
Since she had the proper tools prior then, I think I'll assume that COD was able to set up the regular summoning without issue after the transfer. The advanced summoning circle sounds like it may require outside assistance, likely from Xanin. Does Cathak Othok Dythyk know about Dells desire to dance? Seems relevant to finding the requisite dancers, if she can convince her it's a good idea. Xanin will also have to be approached in private, to ascertain just how comfortable she is with the demonic- praying to Mauger was a surprising development, and a ray potentially useful sunshine to potentially investigate after they sort this mess out.

So, lets say over the course of the week she spent one day getting set up again, during which she did her excellency training as marked, and at the end she spent one day helping direct extra labor to unpack the ship. If it's a five day week, we can assume she summoned three other demons; lets say three beauteous wasps. Already rolled for one, which was assigned to help Dell. Lets cann that one Dancer. The next roll will be for both Prancer and Vixen, summoned separately of course. Each one would be at -5 penalty as COD spends an additional 10 peripheral and 15 personal on top of the 20m, 1wp for the summoning ritual itself.
>>
No. 945080 ID: afdebc

>>945046
>Does Cathak Othok Dythyk know about Dells desire to dance? Seems relevant to finding the requisite dancers, if she can convince her it's a good idea
It seems unlikely that anyone who has spent as much time around Dell as her Sworn Brothers wouldn't have figured out she's good at dance, and seems to enjoy it.

Dythyk is also probably familiar with the capabilities of Dell's boots, from observation, her own role in providing countermagic when they need to be removed, and (I think) having a good pool for puzzling out how an artifact works.

Dell almost certainly hasn't discussed that she prefers dance to the job she's been trained for, since she hasn't really admitted it to herself. How much of that 'Thyk might have infered might come down to personal insight and sense motive rolls (and you did have a decent clue that something is off given how she responded to the angyalka.
>>
No. 945097 ID: 54735b

>>945044
"I mean, I'm not really HERE for a fight, but if you're offering I'm not more wrapped up with protecting someone, so I'm game."

She limbered up a bit, seeing where this was going.

"But, I'm guessing that this isn't really the type of adventure you would want to go on, is it?"
>>
No. 945098 ID: 54735b

>>945046
Have you seen a chicken's head? It's practically magic biological steady-cam. :v

Anyway, SX is open to approach at any time, and probably out and about a lot more than the demons would suggest that she was if asked. And given everything about her situation, she clearly was at least open to utilizing the demonic.
>>
No. 945149 ID: f57349

>>945046
> Does Cathak Othok Dythyk know about Dells desire to dance?
> rolled 10, 9, 8, 7, 6
Against manipulation 2, socialize 0? If you don't know, it's because the subject has somehow never come up, even though you're the one providing the countermagic for those cursed boots. Confirmation would be as simple as asking why she keeps putting them back on.

Four dice against thirteen is a complete shut-out, beyond even the standard of "true safety" from that sidebar on surviving the summoning. What's the plan for the new demons?
>>
No. 945198 ID: f57349

>>945098
One of your new locust-fed engineer retainers formally submits a proposal for digging a shipping canal back toward Candleport. Basic concept is mounting the infernal essence cannon like a battering ram (but with a clever system of ropes and pulleys so aim can be adjusted a few degrees up, down, or side to side) under a shelter that's mostly sealed airtight all around but wide open at the front, where the Purifying Mercy Stone is. Cannon fire breaks up trees and boulders, troops with picks and shovels clear the debris, rotating back to the shelter every few hours so they can rest and recover in clean air, Builder Bugs create a smooth resin track for the carriage to advance along. Once it reaches the Avarice River, the resin channel floods and you've got an open road for barge traffic.

Need more precise surveying to establish relative altitude, at least to within a few feet, before committing to the overall project, but a feasibility study to test the pulley system (might want somebody else with good Lore and Craft (Wood) to double-check the design and/or help with constructing it) and find out how fast you can expect excavations to move through Hrotsvitha's soil could be started in the meantime. If nothing else it'd be something else to keep the troops busy and out of trouble when they're getting bored with guard duty and customs inspections. Downside is, for a proper test you'd need to either remove the essence cannon from it's turret atop the manse, or get another one.
>>
No. 945204 ID: d9acdc

>>945080
>>945149
If we get the other specialty summoning tools, sounds like COD will be ringing up Dell for a dance then.

>What's the plan for the new demons?
Abscissic binding under the killer plate, since I intend to keep them around for a bit, to serve as mounts and help carry cargo. We'll have some of the retainers or exalted who aren't piloting ride them on the way back. I assume killer plate means every scene they don't act towards their motivation they gain limit, meaning they want to be ridden at least once a day to prevent limit gain, right?
>>
No. 945231 ID: 54735b

rolled 5, 9, 6, 5, 7, 8, 10, 9, 3, 5, 3, 7, 2, 2, 8 = 89

>>945198

That sounds like an excellent idea, but I'm guessing it wouldn't be possible to do an aerial survey of the lad from the Manta without basically clear-cutting the forest.

But, someone with decent Craft (Wood), Lore, and knows the topology of the forest sounds like a member of the Society of Reverant Foresters, who I both want to get a hook into, and will probably need to sign off on the project to make sure that we have all the relevant un-expected Malfean issues (and Hrotsvitha specific issues) that the plan wouldn't have accounted for.

It seems like I'll want to hold off on direct action from an out-of-character perspective to use it as a way to effectively build bridges with Bridget. But, since inviting an Anathema to help work on this project seems like a bad step when dealing with KTO and the non-reformation believers of the Immaculate Faith, and that seems like something you want multiple independent parties to look at, since she doesn't trust either the foresters or Bridget completely.

So, I'll keep my options open and have it triple checked. As she makes the proclomation that she requires the most knowlegeable forester land surveyor and craftsman, she erupts in a shower of golden pyrokinetics, drawing direct attention from the crowd, and for good measure she even de-attuned from her shield for it.

So, rolling Appearance 3, Backing/Relevant Connections 0, Crown of Thunders +5 since it's a social roll, +3 successes because she's leaning ALL the way into making sure this is a success, and spending a willpower.

So, 8 dice, 4 auto-successes, since it's not Attribute+Ability I don't know if that counts for a stuntable roll.
>>
No. 945234 ID: d9acdc

>>945231
>it wouldn't be possible to do an aerial survey

That sounds like something the newly bound demons with the desire to serve as mounts would be able to help alleviate. Normally summoning as many demons as she has requires an expensive insurance policy and project permit/evaluation, but these are trying times. Xanin has her troops to look after, so surely COD would be willing to bind a taskforce to her service. They are drakes of a scale, so to speak, and need to stick together, help eachother out, yes? We can haul cargo and provided labor, and Xanin has already graciously offered help and safety while they try to recover Flair. Given that they don't know what exactly happened, a conversation in a warded office would be prudent, lest the stalker seek to pick them off one by one, using prying eyes and ears to keep tabs.

As for Xanin trying to befriend Bridget, I'm not sure what exactly that has to do with the channel idea, unless you want her to help do the engineering and earth moving? One easy way would be to run over to the nameless village, loudly declare your newfound political stance, preferably playing off compassion. Something that forces her to choose between "allowing innocents to suffer while doing nothing" and trying not to die, she'd probably act on her compassion. Any sort of clear demonstration that you're not tricking her would also probably be nice, but just making a socalize attack somewhere she can hear you would probably easily pass her MDVs, and I wouldn't try to resist if I know it's safe OOC.
>>
No. 945235 ID: 54735b

>>945234
>Paragraph one
"You are aware I have an open door policy for you, and everyone else on your mission, right? You don't need to worry about all the back room dealings, just as soon as you're ready. Although, the fact that offering prayer to a demon is grand treason in the Realm, punishable only by execution, should tell you exactly how far I'm willing to go for the sake of my people, and what I'm comfortable with. That said, I should ward my office against spies."

>Paragraph two

Well, Bridget has Int+Lore of 10, and Int+Craft (Wood) of 6/Dex+Craft (Earth) of 7 with 1st craft excellency, so from an out of character perspective, she's probably better by a country mile than any demon I can get to annalize the blueprints and make sure that it's a structurally sound plan. Convincing her to help actually build it would be nice, but beyond the scope of what she actually expects.
>>
No. 945327 ID: f57349

>>945231
Nine successes, and you could roll again next month to add more. Can't spend willpower on an essentially passive use of your reputation. The best carpenters, civil engineers, Hrotsvitha cultists, and other relevant trades for hundreds of miles around have heard that you're hiring, or will soon. Which traits (skills, specialties, charms, etc.) are you prioritizing? How are those priorities ordered? What are you prepared to offer openly as reward?
>>
No. 945333 ID: 5c4946

>>945327
Alright. Since the primary first goal is to double check over the engineering documents, with a secondary goal of actually overseeing construction as a foreman, I'm thinking that the way that it should play out is:
Craft (Earth) 2 dots
Lore 1 dot: Specialty Engineering +1
Craft (Wood) 3

And I don't know if it would be one of the successes, but a background that allows them to access topological maps.

If that's not actually sufficient to oversee building a ~25 mile long canal through dense and hostile forests, I'll hold off until next month.

As for what I'm prepared to offer, a resource 3 signing bonus up front, another resource 3 payment upon successful completion, and if all goes well consideration for a full time position of resource 2 a month, and informally a degree of protection most 1cd don't have.
>>
No. 945334 ID: 5c4946

Sorry, that should be
Craft (Earth) 3
Lore 1 (Engineering +1)
Craft (Wood) 3

with a background of either backing or influence that lets them access topological maps, and know as much about how to not piss off Hrotsvitha while building this as at least a novice forester.
>>
No. 945335 ID: f57349

>>945333
> a resource 3 signing bonus up front, another resource 3 payment upon successful completion, and if all goes well consideration for a full time position of resource 2 a month
In what form? Jade, your own scrip, letters of credit backed by the Guild, liquor, imported luxury goods and/or alchemical reagents from Creation, live captives, spare arms and armor from soldiers you lost to the Silent Wind, something else entirely?

Priority should cover much more than nine successes so there's something to grow into if the search goes on for more than a month. Given that you're hiring from a pool of mostly demons, the list should also include charms.

Backgrounds are not a valid trait to search for this way. When Helen of Troy's face launches a thousand ships, those successes will measure the skill of pilots and champions, but if kings get involved too, that's up to them. Seeking out well-connected people proactively is more of a job for Socialize and/or Bureaucracy, or the Destiny (or Spies) background could contrive a chance encounter, or if the important people happen to be spirits you could get in touch by some combination of magic and prayer.
>>
No. 945343 ID: afdebc

The wood aspect is a little caught off guard for their preflight preparations and deployment to be interrupted by sudden avid discussion of an engineering project. Not that Lookshy lacks in excitable engineers, but they usually have better restraint that to interrupt mission schedules like that. The Realm is weird.

>>945198
How long would this proposed project take? Since agreeing to commit her Purifying Mercy Stone to the effort would mean it wasn't available for her own safe exploration of Hrotsvitha, and vice versa.
>>
No. 945378 ID: 54735b

>>945335
>What form of currency

Her own currency, but even if that's not directly appealing since it's effectively a fiat currency without even the backing of the ascending heirarchy, unless a weirdly servile 2cd comes along, the stability and informal protection are already a better deal than they might already have, especially since the job is effectively to make an in-road to creation.

>Priority, not number value

Alright, so the things to prioritize:

Attribute wise:
Dex/Per/Int, they should all be at least 3 but around equal, Int the most important, then Per, then Dex.

Ability wise:

Craft (Earth) and Craft (Wood) equal, and at least three, preferring Wood first.

Lore, at least one with a specialization in Engineering, priority on increasing the specialization, then on boosting the base skill.

Charms:

I'm not super confident with how spirit charms work, so the top three charm categories I want, in order, are:

Divinations, focused on being able to spot problems that might show up, and solutions, like Melodious Diagnostic Report
Blessings, to help power up the mortals undertaking the bulk work of the project, such as Benefaction
and
Divine Work, to help speed along the process, presumably by compelling the earth to soften so that the blast clears it out more effectively.

>Seeking out well-connected people proactively is more of a job for Socialize and/or Bureaucracy

Okay, when I settle on a pool of candidates, I'll use those skills to sort them into pools based on what backgrounds they have that make them the best to keep on.

>>945343
>How long will this take?

Since the channel will need to be at least 12 miles long to reach the Avarice River.

Using real world statistics for a smaller trench, and scaling it up to a channel because of the fact that we're basically shooting it with a laser constantly, progress will move at about 100 feet per 12 hours. Also assuming that the cannon can be run constantly, and there are always volunteers ready to swap out, that's ~200 feet per day, or about a month per mile, so four seasons of constant work. That's why I'm putting some weight onto charms that could drastically speed that up, including going so far as to letting an Anathema help, since Bridget could pull off ~100 feet an hour, and do the entire channel by herself in 640 hours of work.
>>
No. 945444 ID: d9acdc

rolled 1, 10, 8, 1, 4, 10, 3, 10, 6, 10, 5, 3, 8, 7, 9, 6, 2, 10, 5, 3, 2, 4, 10, 7, 6, 9, 4, 9, 10, 4, 5, 1, 4, 9, 7, 7, 5, 6, 4, 4, 2, 1, 3, 10, 4, 3, 10, 10, 3, 6, 3, 7, 4, 1, 4, 10, 1, 7, 6, 1, 10, 2, 1, 10, 9, 10, 9, 7, 10, 5, 6, 4, 1, 1, 8, 8, 3, 4, 3, 5, 5, 9, 4, 10, 8, 2, 8, 9, 2, 8, 5, 7, 3, 7, 7, 9, 8, 9, 2, 3 = 575

>>945343
Cathak Othok Dythyk waves the engineer away dismissively.

"All that can be discussed upon our return, unless you're eager to run out of rations."

Rolling to pilot the manta and pick up cargo from the nameless village.
>>
No. 945446 ID: f57349

>>945444
You fly the ship to the village and land safely. However, the place is a mess. Demons and beastmen seem to be working on rebuilding a burned-out granary, and the only food they've got abundant supplies of is bizarre and foul-tasting meat/vegetable hybrid stuff. Refugees have apparently been subsisting on it for weeks, so it's clearly better than nothing, but risk of spoilage or disease seems high, and it's not in convenient bundles for transport.
>>
No. 945464 ID: d9acdc

rolled 3, 7, 10, 1, 2, 10, 4, 9, 9, 6, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 9, 3, 4, 2, 7, 9, 1, 5, 5, 3, 8, 9, 3, 9, 8 = 177

>>945446
>Demons and beastmen seem to be working on rebuilding a burned-out granary

Last thing I remember was Bridget advocating for Seven Broken Wings of Red and Gold to being constructing middle class housing for the squatters she had convinced to joined her classes, and if she has any nominal ability to direct the new influx of labor she's certainly going to be ensuring they're creating decent housing as well. What date has the lawship arrived, and who gets to direct the use of dirham OOC? Obviously this requires input from other PCs, but as the storyteller you get final say on which players do what, especially in the case that people aren't present enough to weigh in.

In addition, what sort of medical care are the new folks requiring at this point? How much of Bridgets time would need to be devoted to the patients in order to attend to them all? What skills are currently lacking that prevent her from providing full treatments?
>>
No. 945466 ID: f57349

>>945464
>What date has the lawship arrived,
Monday 8th Resplendent Fire
>and who gets to direct the use of dirham OOC?
"Who gets to decide how to spend the money" is a very political question, which would have to be at least provisionally settled over the previous week of administrative action if anything is to be accomplished at all. Bridges The Sun And Moon, Hundred Flowing Sweet Rivers, and Seven Broken Wings Of Red And Gold have enough combined leverage that if they can hammer some system out between the three of them, it could then be presented to the wider community without much room for dissent. However, Ivan the roofer, one of Mother Bog's Daughters, and Bargux the spy have also invited themselves to the meeting.
>In addition, what sort of medical care are the new folks requiring at this point? How much of Bridgets time would need to be devoted to the patients in order to attend to them all? What skills are currently lacking that prevent her from providing full treatments?
I'm not sure what you mean by "the new folks." If you want to be able to fix everything perfectly by yourself, you'll need most of the Medicine charms in the corebook, plus Mind-Soothing Anodyne for psychological stuff, and probably Immanent Solar Glory to keep your mote pool topped up.

If you want to delegate rather than micromanaging, Legendary Scholar Curriculum would let you teach everyone in this... newly unified political group, of which the Red Horn Tribe constitutes a majority but can hardly claim dominance, and which probably needs a name of its own... anyway, you could use LSC to teach all those people four dots in Medicine, or use Power-Awarding Prana to loan out your own E2 charms.
>>
No. 945469 ID: d9acdc

>>945466
>Meeting to discuss who gets to do what.
That could happen no earlier than the first, after Bridget engages in the crafting competition and the talks being in earnest, and no later than the fifth, where Bridget and rivers are currently adventuring in the forest. We could run both at the same time as long as we pick a date and stick to the order of events, but the forest adventure could also be resolved fairly quickly if we don't want to hold up the game or run too many scenarios at once. For the forest, Bridget posted this: >>945045 and it's unclear to me who's up next to resolve that. Are you responding to Bridget's inquires to the foresters, or is Gwen?

>I'm not sure what you mean by "the new folks."
The Red horn Tribe mostly, although it's probably that there's other medical stuff going on with the other residents of the town. It was mentioned that the slaves would be suffering from starvation and refeeding syndrome, so I assumed that there was a significant group of people in need of immediate attention. Whats the best way to figure out how many people are at risk of dying? Devote a number of hours per day to Flawless Diagnosis technique? Five minutes per patient means she could spend eight hours a day every day for the next month before she gets a good handle on who needs what, at which point obviously the current data will be outdated. Either empowering a lieutenant or narrowing the conditions under which you get seen would obviously help, but if it's possible to get a ballpark of how many people are about to drop dead in the streets, that'd at least be a good start. Could I include medical stuff during daily classes with HAM?

>Mind-Soothing Anodyne
Which tree/book do I need to look in to find this one?
>>
No. 945480 ID: 54735b

>>945469
She was replying to the demon's comments, and making a note that violence probably wasn't what Bridget would want to do with the epic adventure thing.

>>945469

You could just ask, since that's something that the Shamans might genuinely have on lock, or do normal quick medical overviews on people who at a glance seem the worst off.

> Which tree/book do I need to look in to find this one?

Scroll of errata, page 156. Pre-reqs are Medicine 5 Essence 4, Flawless Diagnosis Technique, and Touch of Blissful Release.

Same mechanics as Hastening the Night's End (same location, presence charm) and lets you conduct supernatural thereapy.
>>
No. 945526 ID: afdebc

rolled 2, 7, 5, 10, 1, 7, 2, 7, 1, 1, 4, 5, 9, 2, 3, 6, 2, 8, 8, 9 = 99

>>945446
>However, the place is a mess.
Dell supposes that's unsurprising for hell, really.

"Sesus Xanin, you negotiated some kind of trade agreement, did you not? That would mean someone is in charge of this disorder." Certainly, one wouldn't expect demons and mortals and beastfolk to be working side by side without some kind of leadership.

Is anyone coming forward from the inevitable crowd of rubberneckers who saw the lawship land? As a leader, or envoy, dockmaster, etc? If any of the PCs in the nameless village want to show up when the airship lands, here's your opportunity. If not, Dell will attempt to find out who's supposed to be in charge from the people nearby.

>the only food they've got abundant supplies of is bizarre and foul-tasting meat/vegetable hybrid stuff. Refugees have apparently been subsisting on it for weeks, so it's clearly better than nothing, but risk of spoilage or disease seems high
Well, quality or provisions and medical effects would both fall under the wood aspect's responsibility, unfortunately. Medical exams and testing of food takes time, though, and there's more immediate concerns to address first. This place is a powerful wood demesne, and while such places can mutate those living there, goods harvested and removed from such places are usually less potent. Odd that a village would have been built inside one, honestly. Doesn't look like anyone has been changed by the experience either, unless it caused all those goat traits (might explain why they seem to be in the majority?).
>>
No. 945616 ID: 8d924c

>>945469
>>945480
>>945526
>what the demons are building
Red and Gold would have been fine with changing priority to housing, since if nothing else the food is still growing, but the weather here is prone to be devastating. Can't speak for the Red Horns, though.

>medicine for the people
If this was brought up to him, he would also be willing to create some new doctors using VEE if volunteers are found. Ideally those with decent physical health and mental acuity and senses, but he can fix a lot of that too if necessary.
The offer to grant skills relating to construction also remains, since humans can be relied on to, if nothing else, want to keep themselves alive, but again, he needs volunteers. He can't do this against their will. Even if he could, he wouldn't be comfortable doing it unless absolutely necessary.

>the arrival of the lawship
Not everything about the ship might be familiar to him, but there are presumably some markings that can be linked to Lookshy. Red and Gold would gather together Blue Jade (the teodozjia,) and five of his tomescu, as well as Inauspicious Ink the naneke before heading to meet with the new arrivals. They were unexpected!

Red and Gold no longer wears Lookshy uniform, or goes by his previous name, but he does resemble a sorcerer-engineer, aside from the following of demons.
>>
No. 945631 ID: 5c4946

>>945616
>>945526
"Well, according to the Agatae, the leader is a so-called 'Green Sun Prince' by the name of 'Seven Broken Wings of Red and Gold'. No word on if they're Anathema, but I imagine if they were than we'd have heard about them."

Xanin's impulse to use the crown to empower her ability to organize the clearly scattered mortals into an actually effective unit was cut short by the arrival of said host arriving with a full fang of war demons, her mind instantly turning to possible strategies to murder them all on the spot if need be.

"As a matter of fact, I think that our host is here now, and I must say, your servant certainly oversold the majesty of what you'd done with this place since I'd been separated by whatever brought us to Malfeas."
>>
No. 945639 ID: 304f7c

rolled 10, 10, 2, 9, 6, 9, 3, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 8, 1, 6, 10, 1, 1, 6, 9, 6, 4, 5, 7, 2, 8, 9, 8, 2, 10 = 176

Having worked so hard to ensure the prosperity of his tribe Creep was not entirely opposed to the merger. He was working hard to accept the new additions into his herd. The former slaves and humans and many needing medical attention. He tries to put away his distaste and distrust of humans. Having no medical training he simply works hard making meals, soups mostly, and feeding them to the injured, impaired and malnourished. Seeing humans this way, in need and sick, sticks a chord somewhere deep inside Creep and brings out his more nourishing side. He works tirelessly hauling materials around to help with constructing more housing. During his work he talks constantly with the beastmen, laughing and chatting. Always trying to take care of any disputes or issues before they become a problem. Trying to gather more support for himself. One day while he was talking to one of the elders the alarm horn blares. He rushes outside and sees an airship flying toward the town. He feared that there was going to be trouble. A shock to test the uneasy peace everyone has been attempting to create here. He watches the airship begin to land and gathers some of his following to tell the others able bodies to gather where it lands ready for anything. He grabs returns to the elder and tells him not to worry but asks to borrow his hooded cloak. A dark red cloak with a white circle containing the white rams head icon inside. Heading over at a quickening pace he notices Red and Gold standing by.

Creeping Hunter of Mortal Men approaches Red and Gold. Looking much different than his warform. Thinner and very pale compared to the other more robust beastmen of his tribe. Tugging on his cloak he messes with the bone clasp. He ask, "Are you expecting this ship?" Pulling his hood down over his face in an attempt not to stand out too much.
>>
No. 945718 ID: 8d924c

>>945639
"I was not expecting the ship. Sesus Xanin is certainly more resourceful than I was aware of."
Red and Gold then approaches the Dragonblooded party.

>>945631

Red and Gold lowers his head regretfully as the subject of current disorganization is brought up.

"No, it's unfortunate, but as of yet things here are not as I would have them be. It would be simpler if more were willing to accept the gifts I offer, but sadly, before I arrived, there was an incident which resulted in a great deal of loss, here. I was unaware you possessed access to a Manta class transport. This should greatly simplify feeding your people. But now that we are face to face, is there anything urgent you wish to address?"
>>
No. 945745 ID: afdebc

>"Well, according to the Agatae, the leader is a so-called 'Green Sun Prince' by the name of 'Seven Broken Wings of Red and Gold'. No word on if they're Anathema, but I imagine if they were than we'd have heard about them."
Dell personally isn't so sure they'd have heard of them- if anathema are demons who take mortals over, surely there would be more of them loose in hell? (Or maybe they're not on good terms with other demons either, if the heretical carvings by the trapped street are to be trusted).

Regardless, the mortals seem to agree with the fire aspect's assessment, although names and titles presented vary. "Red and Gold", "Sorcerer", "Prince", and "Inkeeper" are bandied about in different combinations and permutations.

>Red and Gold would gather together Blue Jade (the teodozjia,) and five of his tomescu, as well as Inauspicious Ink the naneke before heading to meet with the new arrivals. They were unexpected!
>Red and Gold no longer wears Lookshy uniform, or goes by his previous name, but he does resemble a sorcerer-engineer, aside from the following of demons.
Questioning quickly made moot by the approach of the individual in question.

"We got incoming" the scout warns her compatriots at the sorcerer's approach. They know little of his intent or disposition- only that he is armed (well, if you consider demons arms. They certainly have more than enough arms to go around).
>>
No. 945837 ID: d9acdc

rolled 7, 8, 8, 2, 2, 8, 9, 1, 4, 6, 6, 4, 4, 10, 1, 4, 5, 10, 2, 2, 9, 7, 10, 10, 6, 2, 7, 5, 10, 6 = 175

>>945745
>"We got incoming" the scout warns

COD tuts softly under her breath; she doubts that crowd of demons is properly insured. No, this is a power play. Best keep the engines running hot and check for anything immaterial.

"Dax, make a thick broth and perform some mise en place for the sorcerer talking to Xanin. Dell, I'm going to stay in the pilots seat in case those demons aren't just for show- that kind of retinue is the one you bring to a fight. Can you keep an eye on the situation while still being prepped for take off?" We need to know what's going on and also be able to take off ASAP."

Dax, the stomach bottle bug, goes immaterial to count up and report back on potential threats to Dythyk, as instructed.
>>
No. 945924 ID: 54735b

rolled 5, 6, 6, 3, 4, 8, 1, 7, 3, 10, 8, 5, 3, 7, 2, 5, 4, 9, 3, 2, 5, 7, 4, 3, 2, 7, 3, 10, 4, 1 = 147

>>945718
"Well, I can hardly blame people for being wary of gifts from anyone representing Cecelyne. Though I suspect their suspicions are less born from a knowledge of the law.

"But really, this strikes me as less a problem with the labor being un-skilled, and more an issue with nobody here capable of doing so taking charge and dividing labor efficiently to tackle the problems."

Her head was already at work figuring out how exactly to best plot out what needs doing. Obviously getting the granary repaired and building houses was goal number one. Then reinforcing the town with formal military buildings and a wall. Things to consider later.

"Actually, if you'll excuse me for a second..." She politely excused herself for a moment as she looked over to the group of men working on the granary.

"You there. You're being temporarily re-assigned. I want you to line up in single file, and separate yourselves into four teams of five with a leader for each group. Group A, you're in charge of gathering the hardiest eddible meats you have available. Group B get your hands on salt and barrels. Group C, wash and dry the meat. Group D, coat the meat in salt, and pack it into the barrels."

(Rolling Charisma+Presence, boosted by the Crown of Thunders from personal pool)

"Now, back to business. The only other pressing issue beyond the fact that this place is generally unorganized is the issue of finding some way to keep water from leeching into the soil from a 6 mile long channel, and the simpler issue of finding someone capable of double-checking all of the engineering to make sure the blueprints I have are worth something.

>>945837
>>945745

Xanin appreciated the fact that they were treating the demons as a serious potential threat. They were an issue, but it was just as much a power move on her own part to react as though they were beneath her notice in her dealings.
>>
No. 945939 ID: 8d924c

>>945924

Red and Gold frowns slightly at the implication that he is incapable of organizing things, but says nothing as Sesus Xanin chooses to step away to organize labor. When he hears her next words, however, he breaks into a growing smile.

"Well, an ambitious project indeed. That's what I like to hear! I think I can find a solution for you, if you'd allow me to discuss matters with my Head Engineer. While I'm an engineer myself, my specialty is first age technology, not canals, so I will need to draw somewhat on his expertise."

He gestures to the naneke, who walks over to whisper into Red and Gold's ear. Red and Gold nods, whispering back.

"Do you have a copy of these blueprints? We may need to make adjustments if you want them to take into account the geomancy of the project. And I'd hope you would. This transport could do a great deal to assist with the problem of carving a path through the luminata, unless you have other suggestions?"

(Red and Gold is activating VEE to grant Inauspicious Ink 5 dots in Craft (Earth). -10 personal motes, -1 willpower, 2 dot stunt to regain 1 willpower. Planning on discussing this more and granting some other relevant abilities or specialties, but charts and maps will have to wait for a future post for the moment, still getting that figured out.)
>>
No. 945970 ID: 54735b

>>945939

Xanin didn't pay much attention to that. After all, if he wanted to refute that, she isn't parking here and taking over. At least not yet. She was going to secure her position at the manse before something like that.

"Actually routing through the geomancy of the forest before making sure the math works is putting the cart a bit ahead of the horse, wouldn't you agree?"

But regardless, she did hand over the blueprints of a cross-sectional of the designs of the channel.

"As for dealing with the Luminata, do you have anywhere in particular that needs a substantially higher population of them?"
>>
No. 946115 ID: afdebc

rolled 9, 6, 9, 5, 10, 6, 4, 4, 1, 10, 2, 3, 5, 2, 10, 2, 10, 3, 10, 4, 9, 1, 2, 5, 6, 4, 10, 8, 8, 3 = 171

>"You there. You're being temporarily re-assigned. I want you to line up in single file, and separate yourselves into four teams of five [...]
Dell is surprised when Sesus Xanin starts issuing ordering the sorcerer's mortal followers, tenses, and then is surprised again that he offers no protest at her usurping his prerogatives. That's... not really how command chains between different forces are supposed to work. And why find the person in charge, and then not use his authority to organize this mess?

>risk of spoilage or disease seems high, and it's not in convenient bundles for transport
I'm not sure what skill examining food sources for safety and determining how to prevent spoilage would fall under, but it seems like good dice pools for survival and medicine would be relevant. Have a bunch of dice. (If it's survival, I'll throw a full 1st excellency at it).

While negotiations between Sesus Xanin and Red and Gold continue, Dell will inspect the food the mortals have been recruited to pack, checking it for safety or contamination, and making sure packing methods used will actually keep it from spoiling. (And before they leave, she should probably do some medical exams, check if there have been any not-obvious health effects on the people eating it).

Not straying far from the manta though, in case the situation suddenly deteriorates.

>>945939
As the sorcerer speaks, the wood aspect notices an unintentional change in her boots' melody, and that she has risen slightly into the air. After a moment's confusion, she realizes the grass beneath her feet is growing perceptibly taller every time the conversation with the fire aspect swings back towards him.
>>
No. 946244 ID: f57349

>>945924
Five successes, reasonable plan. The indicated mortals mostly shrug and cooperate, though a few stay back to wrap up what they were working on.
>>946115
Testing food for dangerous contaminants is apprentice-level alchemy, a series of variants on the "alchemical touchstone" procedure. Negative for heavy metals, wyld energies, demonic corruption, and cholera. One sample came back positive for hallucinogenic fungi, and all of it has excess wood-aspected essence at levels considered unsafe for pregnant women or the elderly. Should be alright for supplementary rations, provided it's thoroughly cooked and at least half the troops' calories come from somewhere else.
> in case the situation suddenly deteriorates
When Karal Tin Otter makes eye contact with Red And Gold's jade lion bodyguard, portions of the chaplain's uniform and necklace (with a copper amulet of the three-candle mon of Hesiesh) are abruptly destroyed in a flash of violet fire.

The teodozjia then challenges Karal Tin Otter to a duel: first to surrender or have a limb torn out of the socket (meaning shoulder or hip, not wrist, ankle, elbow, or knee) has to do any one immediate non-physical favor of the winner's choosing.
>>
No. 946296 ID: f57349

>>945837
COD, in the pilot's seat, sees through rear-facing sensors as the chaplain is confronted, and recognizes the jade lion. With three successes on Intelligence + Occult, you know what there is to know about teodozjia - basically anything from their writeup in Books of Sorcery 5 can be considered in-character knowledge. Long story short, the physical threat (while very significant) is secondary: they're preachers for the demon princes, relentless enemies of everything that's good and holy.
>>
No. 946499 ID: afdebc

rolled 6, 9, 5, 5, 3, 3, 5, 9, 10, 1, 2, 9, 4, 2, 1, 4, 7, 8, 1, 8 = 102

>>946244
>Food Testing Results
It will be important to make Seses Xanin aware of for longer term planning- another source of food will eventually be required, if this stuff can only safely stretch, but not replace, rations.

What kind of effects would result from a diet where half the calories aren't coming from somewhere else?

>KTO and the Jade Lion
Too far aware to hear exactly what transpired, the daughter of Sextes Jylis can nonetheless sense the sudden change in tension in the negotiating party- and readies herself for the worst. She sets off across the waist high blood red "grass", an unnoticed melody of bells overlaid on the breeze and the stillness before confrontation.

Activating Invisible Street Performer Technique for 3m peripheral. If the lawship is facing south, with the meeting between Sesus Xanin, Red and Gold, and Karal Tin Otter (and attendant demons) taking place behind the rear of the craft center screen, Dell's approaching from the North-West, closing to 60yards (closing to range for Three-String Sword Prana).
>>
No. 946602 ID: f57349

>>946499
>What kind of effects would result from a diet where half the calories aren't coming from somewhere else?
>Intelligence 2, Medicine 5, limited diagnostic tools & reference materials -2, no relevant stunt
>rolled 6, 9, 5, 5, 3
Anybody who can consciously channel essence would probably be fine. In ordinary mortals the excess energy will accumulate, eventually causing sickness and mutation. Kidney stones, or malignant tumors superficially resembling wood aspect markings, perhaps, though it's hard to be sure without knowing more about the specific demesne. Might take years for serious symptoms in an initially healthy adult whose intake was only a bit over safe dose... or some mad genius heretic geomancer could channel the energy just exactly wrong (presumably as part of an attempt to share enlightenment) and cause a spectacular, possibly lethal, transformation same-day. For continuity purposes, since it was pointed out to me UWD actually has zero dots in Occult, one of FFE's Retainers is acting as a lab technician to do apprentice-level analytical alchemy, the results of which can then be easily understood in a medical context. Also, the mad geomancy would be some version of the Essential River Channeling procedure, defined here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1N-8geUuklKlno_TGuFZezYnvvkWWOQCPev4rXa4cyRQ/edit#heading=h.iph4ftx9xnic
>>
No. 946603 ID: d9acdc
File 157036464364.png - (17.84KB , 1202x700 , The 8th of Resplendant Fire.png )
946603

rolled 10, 6, 4, 5, 5, 10, 7, 8, 8, 9, 7, 6, 7, 3, 7, 9, 7, 1, 8, 5, 10, 5, 4, 4, 10, 9, 9, 9, 5, 3 = 200

>>946296
A fearsome opponent; conflict is probably best avoided, if they want everyone to keep their limbs and the trades to go well.

"Dell, I think we should-"
>>946499
COD is cut off as her sworn Brother, instead of sticking with the ship so they can make an emergency takeoff, starts creeping towards the brewing conflict, presumably to jump into the ball of Exalt and demon if things escalate. Great.

"Goose, I need you in the co-pilots seat. Everyone, stop the loading and secure cargo for emergency take off. Tsukumogami, high alert for intruders, don't let anyone disrupt piloting activities, non-lethal action against single attackers or known allies."

Goose is the mortal retainer with enlightened essence, who was trained as an emergency pilot before they recruited Dell. Since Dell was acting as co-pilot before, her Purifying Mercy Stone is still inserted as well.
Tsukumogami is her living armor, who is staying hidden on her form, but actively searching for signs of any unseen intruders.

From what I remember, there's some sort of trick that you can use by taking an action that only lasts a single tick, or can be freely aborted or something like that, effectively allowing you to hold your action until a later tick. COD is doing whatever that entails, preferably shifting into a defensive stance if it doesn't disrupt it, to perform take off in the case that TKO agrees to the duel.

The map is gridded in ten yard increments. I did my best to make the manta to scale and represent things in a sensible fashion. Dell was near enough to the bridge of the Manta to speak to COD, while also being close enough to food prep to get involved, and near enough to the brewing conflict to see it but not hear it, so the food prep has to be happening near the Manta, and Dell is about sixty yards away, moving northwest. Villagers are moving back and forth from the village to the prep site bringing salt water and moss meat. Xanin and SBWoR&G are discussing things a few hundred feet away, four to five yards apart. Blue Jade wouldn't stray too far from R&G, but probably stepped up to issue the challenge; since they didn't see eachother before, KTO was presumably still approaching, and is now stopped about twenty five to thirty yards away, which is probably within earshot of the proclaimed challenge. Dax is intangible, and assessing threats.

Rolling to see how quickly the retainers can prep the ship for take-off given the new cargo, including clearing off any nearby villagers who might compromise security or disrupt take off. Tsukumogami searching for hidden threats may or may not be part of that roll as well, if you have anything relevant in mind as the storyteller; I don't think any PCs have done something to secretly infiltrate the ship yet though.
[Return] [Entire Thread] [Last 50 posts] [Last 100 posts]

Delete post []
Password  
Report post
Reason