Trial by Fire - IC Thread

Hallasan raises up an eyebrow. "We have heard of these powerful ghosts in the Underworld, but until now, we have not had any dealings with them. You say that there are two of these ghosts that plan to attack us? Why? We are hardly a threat to anyone. Why would they seek us out?"

Rory rumbles out, "Not just you, Hallasan, but all that live and breathe in Creation are their targets for extermination. My friends and my clan will stand against the dead, but we cannot hope to do it alone. That is why I called for a moot of all the clans. I hope to be able to convince everyone to join us as we prepare to face this threat."

Hallasan takes a deep breath and lets it out in a slow 'whoosh'. "You reach for the Moon with plans like that, and I fear that your plans are too ambitious. I don't see how you will be able to convince the other elders to join you."

Rory nods in agreement. "In most circumstances, I would agree that you can't get the elders to agree that the sun is shining at the height of midday. But how would you feel if we could stop the Fae from culling our people, taking the old away to ravage and throw away like yesterday's garbage."

The other clan leader shakes his head in disbelief. "You know that others have tried to best their champions to no avail. They are inhuman, and cannot be beaten."

Rory laughs. "You underestimate me and my friends. We have a few tricks up our sleeves that can make it possible to take them on and win."

Hallasan is quiet for a long time, looking at Rory, then to the rest of you one at a time. "I can see something about you, my friend, something that is different from the last time I spoke with you. What is it that I see, Rory? What is your secret?"

Rory smiles and says, "I have the honor of being Exalted. Does that make a difference to you? We can do it. We will do this, and when we do, can we count on your support?"

Spider relaxes back as she listens to Rory and Hallasan talk, with a sleepy expression on her face. When Rory says that he's an Exalt, she stretches, yawns, and adds in, "He's not the only one. The threat of the forces of the Underworld have been foretold in the stars, and the champions of Creation are starting to gather to rise up an army to stop them. Trust me when I say that we can deal with whatever warrior that the Fae can bring forth. Will you accept our offer if we defeat the Fae?"

Hallasan leans forward in his seat, firing off a penetrating look, first at Rory, then at Spider. He finally says, "If you can stop the 'tithing' to the Fae by defeating their gladiator, you will have my support, and I hazard a guess that you will have the backing of most if not all the other clans out here." He looks at the rest of the assembled group as he leans back on his cushion and makes the comment, "I have heard rumors that Rory had become one of the Solar Exalted, but I had dismissed it as an idle flight of fancy. It gives me hope that there may actually be a chance to stop our loved ones from having to present themselves to the Fae for the first time in my memory."

As the conversation between Hallasan and the Circle wraps up, Hallasan bids you all the best of luck against the Fae gladiators that you will be facing and sends you on your way back to Rory's people.

It takes five more days of travel to get to a place where you can finally see the rocky mountains that surround the lush valley that this meeting is going to be taking place. It is mid-morning as you make your way through a narrow pass and get to look down into the greenery that stretches out for several miles in front of you. The air is much warmer here, almost as if you cross a line with the winter snows on one side, and a pleasant spring day on the next. There are wildflowers dotting the path down into the valley where there are many different species of towering evergreen trees rising up, reaching for the sky, and there is a small herd of deer that bolt off into the trees at the sight of so many people tromping along into their home. Truly a peaceful and beautiful sight.

Rory's people quickly move off to one of the many wide open spaces here and begin to set up, and as they work, a large figure emerges from the trees, a bark covered forest spirit that stands upwards of fifteen feet tall. It walks slowly, but with a sense of purpose. Rory walks out to meet the spirit, and he offers up a polite bow which is reciprocated by the spirit. Rory then indicates that the rest of you should approach and be introduced to the spirit.

Rory says, "My friends, this is the Guardian of the Valley. Guardian, these are my friends, and I hope you make them feel as welcome as you do to the rest of my people."

Maja looks up, and up, and up again, quietly wishing she had paid more attention when her tutors taught proper obeisance to the spirits. She bows deeply, "Hel- um, greetings honoured spirit. I am Maja of clan Visby, explorers from distant Tusk. We thank you for your protection." During her bow her ears flatten in concern, extended hands briefly opening to cup nothing, somehow unmistakably but silently communicating, Were we supposed to have an offering? Do we have an offering? Someone tell me we have an offering.

Maja might have neglected her lessons on the subject, but Kuaidao had never been taught it. In the Realm, dealing with spirits had always been the purview of priests, Immaculate Monks and Dragon-blooded. Lacking any specialist knowledge, he opted to stand next to Maja and bow to the spirit as she had done.

The Guardian slowly turns to look at the assembled Circle and returns the bow. In a deep, rumbling voice, it says, "Ah, how nice. Visitors. I get so few that every one is a welcome occasion. And such manners! Especially from the Chosen of the gods. Please be welcome, noble Exalts. So long as you honor the peace of this valley, you may stay as long as you wish."

Rory nods. "Aye, Guardian. We shall obey the rules, and will not cause any fighting, except in the honor challenge ring. I have told my friends about the rules, and all have agreed to follow them. We will probably be using the dueling area to challenge the Fae here, as prescribed by ancient treaty."

The Guardian nods, and says, "I have not seen a challenge placed against the Fae in a long time. Their Champions have always proved to be too strong for your people to be able to face. But if the Exalts here stand forth in the challenge field, you might actually have a chance to win. I, of course, must maintain my neutrality as the judge, but I do wish you luck."

The big red headed man bows once more. "Thank you, Guardian."

With another nod, the spirit says, "Of course."

Spider looks over at Rory and the Guardian spirit, and she asks, "So, you are the peacemaker in this valley? What do we do if we wish to challenge someone? We have plans of facing off against the Fae's champion and challenging them to a fight to stop taking the elderly of the clans around here. What do your rules say about that? I don't want to cause trouble for Rory and his people by my actions."

The Guardian looks down at Spider and replies, "Yes, noble Exalt, I am the spirit of the Valley, and its longtime protector. There are many great secrets to this place that I have at my disposal to help maintain order, and thankfully, the rules are rarely broken for me to have to step in and mete out judgement against the guilty. There is a large coliseum in the center of the valley that has served well in the role of providing a safe place for disputes to be decided. In the ancient days of the First Age, the coliseum was used by visiting Exalted to use trial by combat to end disputes. It is warded to keep wayward weapon and Essence attacks from going astray and harming any spectators that might be in attendance."

He then says, "If you do plan on facing off against the Fae's Champions, I wish you all luck. They are not easy foes to defeat."

"Thank you for your blessing of good fortune, great Spirit, but I think the monsters will need it more than us," Maja replies with a confident grin and cruel eyes. She wraps herself around Kuaidao's arm and presses herself close to him, her gaze softening to a mix of love, pride, and gratitude, "Some of us are well acquainted with the slaying of monsters." [Pass]

"Indeed, I am a Sword of Heaven who has fought and triumphed against Fair Folk in the past. And that was before I obtained the armour I now wear, and the daiklave I carry with me." said Kuaidao, patting the side of Guardian Host's scabbard with his free hand for emphasis. "Nevertheless, you have my thanks for the warning, great spirit. Perhaps you could tell me a bit more about the champions of the Fae?"

It was his military mind doing the thinking. Know your enemy, and you give yourself more chance of defeating him. Whether wielding a single sword or an entire army.

jaydude said:

"Indeed, I am a Sword of Heaven who has fought and triumphed against Fair Folk in the past. And that was before I obtained the armour I now wear, and the daiklave I carry with me." said Kuaidao, patting the side of Guardian Host's scabbard with his free hand for emphasis. "Nevertheless, you have my thanks for the warning, great spirit. Perhaps you could tell me a bit more about the champions of the Fae?"

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The Guardian raises up an eyebrow. "That is an accomplishment, considering that many an Exalt have fallen to the sharp blades of the Fae, and you say you have bested them as a mortal. But I shouldn't be surprised. Those Chosen to be the children of the Unconquered Sun are extraordinary people, or else they would not be candidates for the Exalted Shard inside them."

The spirit thinks for a moment, then says, "In the past, there have been five different warriors that the Fae have used to maintain their iron grip on the throat of the clans in the area, each one a fearsome foe. The first is a woman called Sparkling Moonlit Edge, a lithe and deadly female that uses her nimbleness to evade the sword strikes of her opponents and then counter attacks.

"The second is a huge beastman of a horrible nature, seemingly cobbled together from different monsters to make its body. It answers to the name Thok, and I have never heard it speak, just bellow and roar. It uses strength to pound away at its foes, but do not let its great size let you think it cannot move quickly.

"Number three is a Nobleman of the north called Berantram. He fights with a spear, and is probably the smartest of the Champions that the Fae have on their side.

"The fourth one is a mad parody of a court jester, with many limbs coming off of its head in a way to make it look like a colorful jester's hat. It is called Clown by its compatriots, and is known to be able to fight bare handed and can also hurl flaming orbs of Essence at those that dare to stand before it.

"The last one is a tiny thing, even compared to the likes of you, that is called Nimbix. Its power is to be able to duplicate itself into multiple bodies, all fighting as one. Nimbix overwhelms its opponents with sheer numbers.

The Guardian gives off a nod towards the entrance to the valley, and says, "Others are arriving, Noble Exalts, that I should go and greet and play host to the meeting that is to take place here. I look forward to speaking with all of you again. And once more, good luck with the Fae." With that, unless the spirit is stopped, it will offer up another polite bow and walks off.

Unable to think of anything else that needed to be said to the Guardian, Kuaidao bowed to it and let the spirit go on its way.

Over the course of the next week, more of the northern clans arrive at the valley. Soon after, Rory tells the Circle that everyone that is due to attend have shown up. He tells you that later on this night, the meeting between the leaders of the clans will begin, and the case of joining forces to try and stop the armies of the dead from taking over the whole area. He says, "I am thinkin' that if there is to be any chance of this happening is if we can successfully challenge the Fae and win. If that happens, we will have our coalition of the northern clans. Do any of you wish to make a statement to the gathered leaders?"

Maja cheerfully pushes Bard forward, "Bard would love to make a statement. He's good at talking." She pauses, "But better at singing. Can he make a musical statement?"

"Pah!" Croaked bard, "Good at talking? I am fantastic at talking. But you are right that I am better at singing." He said beginning to grin. "And that I would love to make a statement!"

With a laugh, Bard held up a hand and began counting his fingers, "I got dirges, I got purges, I got folktales. I got songs to inspire fire in ones heart, the seat if ines pants, or in their very loins. I can enrage. I can encourage. I can enmadden, ensadden, and embadden. I can cut a rug and then spin a mighty yarn to patch it back together better than it was before."


With a laugh he rubbed his hands together. "But I think it might be more appropriate for me to find out first.... my dear Rory... what does stir the hearts of peers? What has kept them from unifying yet against even just the threat of the Fae? On the horizon we have death itself... so which fires can be lit to burn the hottest? Glory? Rage? Peace? Conquest? Vengeance? Fear?" He asked. If anybody would know, he figured it would be Rory.

Bard is searching for insight regarding the Intimacies of the people and the clans. Something general that he could appeal to most, if not all.

Rory looks wistful as he says, "It has long been a dream to unite the people of the steppes under one banner, and to settle down to a less nomadic lifestyle again. Once, many generations ago, we did have a city to call home. It was torn asunder by the Fae, and it was only through the bargain to turn over our elderly that was able to make them stop the carnage. They could have wiped us all out, but they held their hands back. I have wondered about that, thinking that the forces of the Fae queen were not as powerful as they claimed, but unless the clans were united, there would be no way for any one clan to face them."

"Perhaps a great song, a great speech or a great story could bring them all together. Let them know the benefits of unity and co-operation." suggested Kuaidao, the Dawn glancing towards Bard as he spoke.

Spider nods, saying, "I know that our good ol' Bard will be able to wax eloquent enough to make the clansmen chomping at the bit to join our cause. He's good for that kind of thing." She gives her friend a grin and slaps him on his shoulder in a affectionate way. "I am just wondering when the Fae will make their presence known to us, so we can trounce their champions and get a step up on uniting the clans under the leadership of our glorious general, Kuaidao."

It takes a few days before the various clans arrive at the valley, and while you are waiting, Rory goes around to the various new arrivals to say hello and introduce the Circle.

Before long, the leaders of the clans are called by the Guardian to come to a large meeting hall where the Circle will be able to address the other clan leaders. A quick read of the crowd shows that some appear to be openly hostile, but others are more open and curious as to what is about to be brought up.

Rory looks over at Kuaidao and Bard, saying, "Just to let you know, that pretty boy over there is one of the Fae Lords, a nasty guttersnipe that calls himself the Speaker. Do not underestimate his ability to twist your words, or his ability to use steel to defend himself. I suppose that this is a good thing, since we were planning on facing the Fae in combat. I just can't help but feel a bit anxious at the thought. I suppose it is the old me talking, before I gained my Blessings from the Unconquered Sun."

Spider gives Rory a wicked grin. "Oh, don't worry, my rotund friend. We'll deal with these Fae soon enough, and then you will be known across the North as one of the Circle to end the 'culling' of your people, and we can then move onto our next goal of preparing to face the army of the dead."

D. Rex You still with us?

Kuaidao looked towards the Speaker, sizing up the possible foe. "Speaking of challenging the Fae, when exactly do we get to that part of the proceedings?" he asked quietly.

The Speaker seems to notice the attention he is getting from Kuaidao from the corner of his eye and turns to face the Solar with a raised eyebrow followed by a dangerous smile before he seems to dismiss you as a threat.

Rory lets out a low chuckle. "If ye be wanting to make your challenge, that is simply enough done. Go forth and lay down your challenge to the Speaker, and name your terms for the battle. Will it be a one-on-one match, or the whole lot of you facing off against their champions? Just remember, no act of violence will be tolerated by the Guardian except inside the dueling arena. I would also suggest that you make your challenge as public and as memorable as possible, making it harder for the Speaker to weasel his way out of a fight."

Maja flashes Kuaidao a smile that is at once euphoric, reassuring, loving, and deeply unsettling as she walks by, squeezing his armoured hand as if to say I've got this. For once she and her soul are perfectly aligned in their hatred, for every fibre of her being detests the demon before her and wishes nothing less than to see her mate cleave it into a thousand pieces and consign each to flame. Her skin tingles with pent up essence yearning to run free, and for once she does absolutely nothing to restrain it. Coruscating silver streamers of it trail after her as she steps into the centre of the hall, drawing in the essence from the icy air in deep breaths that mist when she exhales. She casts a brief glance at Rory that says, watch and learn - not in a mean-spirited or demeaning way, but a reassurance that no longer must they fear the Fae, for now the Fae fear them.

She turns back, closes her eyes, and draws forth the at once painful and euphoric memory of Luna's visitation and the moment she drew her second breath. How heartachingly, terrifyingly, transfixingly, inhumanly beautiful she was. How it screamed to the most primal parts of her mind that she was in the presence of the divine. An inviolable, undeniable, overwhelming force of nature against which she would be powerless if she could even muster the will to defy it. It is burned into her memory unerringly even without the aid of the gemstone socketed in her spine, and her soul whispers to her that if she wants it enough she can, for one brief moment, become that. Give this Speaker a small taste of the terror it must have inflicted on countless victims. She can't say yes fast enough.

Her eyes snap open, fixing like cold iron knives on the Speaker as she explodes with power. A raging blizzard of blood-flecked snow whirls around the bonfire of brilliant silver flame that suffuses her form, the awe inspiring majesty of the fragment of divinity firmly lodged in her soul on full display. She is the Argent Madonna made flesh, a divine visitation here to wreak Heaven's vengeance upon an unworthy world, and woe betide those who draw her ire. From her subtlest movement to her most overt supernatural display, everything is carefully calibrated in inspire the greatest degree of terror by hawklike observation of the tiniest micro expressions and shifts in body language of the Speaker as she works. The smile upon which she skewers the Speaker has a surfeit of fangs and as much warmth as the Pole of Air. "You are a coward. Afraid to take your prey by force, you deceived those you feared into handing you their old and infirm. You are weak. Fattened on decades of bound and helpless prey, you have lost your edge. You are already dead. Kuaidao, sword of the dawn, sun of my sky, effortlessly struck down Tears-Like-Diamonds and a dozen like it. The others are almost as deadly. If you flee, together we will cut you down the moment you leave the grove. Enjoy your stay."

A stunned silence falls over the assembled clansmen, and this Speaker looks up at Maja with a wide-eyed stare. A second Fae, one that is obviously a warrior bodyguard, stands quickly and his hand reaches for the sword at his hip before he is stopped by a hand from the Speaker on his arm. The guard lets his blade slide back into its hilt but continues to deliver a poisonous glare at Maja.

Edited
A flush comes over the face of the Speaker. A hint of the monster that lurks under the pretty face can be seen. "You, little girl, play a dangerous game. You wish to face me and mine on the field of battle? That can be arranged."