Inside the Great Maker - IC Thread

[WlfSamurai]

The explosions swallow Unity. Knowing that her Essence Shield will protect her, she lets the flames wash over her. As the smoke clears, she sees Warrior escalate the situation and attack Justice.

It’s easy to see that Justice is outmatched as he retaliates. Warrior is true to his name-sake. Unity can’t help a half-instant shock run through her systems. How could this be happening? The entire exercise of planning and preparing was to avoid a situation like this. This half-slag Estasian was tossing Kamak into the grinder like unsalvagable parts.

Before Unity can react, Most Assurant of Three stands alongside Justice and attempts to reason with Warrior. Unity knows deep in the bowels of her Essence-fueled reactors that the nature of one such as Warrior could never stand down. It’s gone too far.

She waits anyway. Holding long enough for Warrior to react is worth the hope-beyond-hope that he’ll stand down. It seems like the longest seconds of her life...

Unity will hold her action to see what Warrior does.

Spoiler: Combat & Essence

Essence - 4
Personal - 13/20
Peripheral - 50/50 (46, 4 committed)

Willpower - 8
[ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]

Virtues
Compassion - 2
Conviction - 2
Temperance - 2
Valor - 3

Health Levels
-0 [ ]
-1 [ ][ ]
-2 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]
-4 [ ]
I [ ]

Join Battle: 7
Dodge DV: 7 (8 vs multiple opponents)
Parry DV: 7

Dodge MDV: 8
Parry MDV: 4

Hardness: 2B/1L (20B/15L/10A from Essence Shield Projector)
Soak: 8B/4L/0A

Jade Grand Beamklave:
Spd 4, Acc +1, Dmg +17L/4, Def 7, Rate 1, Tags: 2/O/R

 

[Sherwood]

Warrior glares at the three of you with an evil look, obviously trying to size up his odds in a fight with all of you. Not liking what he sees, and considering that he is in the center of the city with all of the security and Exalted forces available to be leveled against him, he lets out a snarl. "This betrayal will not be forgotten! Fall back! Back to the Skiff!" With that, he begins to slowly backpedal, watching for any sign of further attack.

In the crowd, the people are split into three groups; the first are the ones that are putting discretion ahead of valor and are getting the hell out of there before the Exalts start to go nuts on one another. The second are the security personnel and the few brave souls that are struggling with the third group, which is the grenade throwers. There is a fiery explosion in the middle of the crowd, obviously from a dropped grenade that was armed but the thrower was tackled.

This has the effect of causing even more screams of terror, and even more security personnel come running out from the meeting rooms as Hammer of the Populat and Thousand Gears of Industry rush the cities' Tripartite Assembly members into safety.

If you are going to try to make any effort to stop the Estasian delegation, you must do it now before they get into their ship and fly away.

 

[Crocodile]

"Since when do the Exalts of Estasia make its policy?" Justice glared as he stood from his battle stance now and looked towards the Estasian delegation.

"Representatives of Estasia! Know that today is the act of criminal elements. Ones my men are apprehending. My people do not wish war, I am a judge, not a general! I offer justice for the inflicted wounds. The people who have struck here are traitors to my own state. I am sure if you remain, discussions can be made on how to deal with them after interrogation. I must implore you to stay and not allow one of your servants to drive you into a war that he clearly hungers for!" He shouts out to them imploringly but also enticing them with clearly a likely offer of how to deal with those who had struck.

He looks to the others for aid, hoping to save their homeland from an ugly war. The cold internal rage he felt at those who'd done this burned but he used it to stay focused. He couldn't let Warrior drive Estasia into war with his country because of intentional or misguided outlooks.

 

[WlfSamurai]

Relentless Laborer of Sacred Unity prides herself on having no direct connection, emotionally, to any individual. Emotions are inefficient and can get in the way of making rational intelligent decisions. Unity’s main goal has always been to protect the populate and it’s interests as a whole.

When she sees scores of people in danger or fleeing or pressing forward as a mob, much like now, Unity’s soul aches. It touches a deep emotional part of her human existence. It’s a pain that she’s not willing to admit to anyone that she has. There is something there. Something her soul has been through before.

But now is not the time to explore such things, she knows. Unity focuses, calculates, then explodes in a gout of Essence. In the blink of an eye, she skids to a stop in front of the Estasian skiff. She blocks the path of the delegation to the hatch back into the ship.

“It does not need to be this way, Friends,” Unity says. “This is not Kamak acting against you. We wish for you what do, peace. There is no need for this to be the beginning of a war. Let us talk talk this through.”

Though she stands in their way, Unity knows that if she were to try and stop the Estasians from getting on their skiff, she would only escalate the situation. If push comes to shove, she will stand down and get out of their way. She only hopes they listen to reason before then and war can be avoided.

2m spent on Plasma Thruster Assembly for the burst effect. Rolling Charisma+Presence in case it will have an effect on Unity convincing the delegation.

2 successes

Spoiler: Combat & Essence

Essence - 4
Personal - 11/20
Peripheral - 50/50 (46, 4 committed)

Willpower - 8
[ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]

Virtues
Compassion - 2
Conviction - 2
Temperance - 2
Valor - 3

Health Levels
-0 [ ]
-1 [ ][ ]
-2 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]
-4 [ ]
I [ ]

Join Battle: 7
Dodge DV: 7 (8 vs multiple opponents)
Parry DV: 7

Dodge MDV: 8
Parry MDV: 4

Hardness: 2B/1L (20B/15L/10A from Essence Shield Projector)
Soak: 8B/4L/0A

Jade Grand Beamklave:
Spd 4, Acc +1, Dmg +17L/4, Def 7, Rate 1, Tags: 2/O/R

 

[Sherwood]

Warrior looks like he is about to go ballistic on Unity, but one of the Assembly members that he is escorting back to their Skiff lets out a loud bellow, "STOP! We are here to talk, not fight. Let us hear what they have to say as we present our case. Stand down!"

The large Exalt seems to be visibly struggling with his desire to fight and the orders to stop. He finally gives in, and he gives the man a angry glare. "Very well. I hope you know what you are doing. I will listen, but I don't have to like it."

By now, the crowds of innocent onlookers have scattered, with only a handful remaining that have moved to aid in the apprehension of the traitors that threw the grenades. Dozens of your security forces are now on the landing platform along with a growing number of medical technicians trying to treat the burn injuries of the wounded. Several of the security officers now move to escort the delegates inside, trying to get them in where it is safer.

As things seem to be winding down, what are the three of you doing now?

 

[WlfSamurai]

Unity bows and nods to the Assembly members.

“Your understanding and devotion to peace is inspiring,” she says. “We appreciate you staying and talking with our representatives.” When she can excuse herself, she will do so and find her Circlemates.

“We need to bring as much security with the group as we can muster,” Unity says to her follow Chosen. “We have to do everything we can to keep the Estasians protected. Can we create a wide perimeter with your men, Justice?”

 

[Crocodile]

"My thanks to you, Assemblymen," Justice bows his head. "Now excuse me while I organize my men. I must see if any of the traitors were taken alive."

With that said, Justice Enforcement Engine descends the platform towards him men, taking in reports and inquiring on if htey managed to capture anyone. Any citizens who helped he wanted to grant commendations to in his report and perhaps shepard them into future positions in the Tripartite. Those who were willing to take up the cause of Kamak against true enemies were always worthy of consideration.

 

[Psychie]

Most Assurant will power down her Beamklave and slip the weapon back into her robes before moving over to check on the fallen Champion from Estasia that was brave enough to sacrifice himself by taking the blast of the grenades to save the lives of his Assembly members. If he is still alive, she calls out for a stretcher to take the wounded Exalt to the Vats as rapidly as possible. If not, she will simply say a short prayer for him and gathers up his soulgem for return to the Estasians.

In either case, Most Assurant will then look for traces of the weapons that were used against them, seeking some evidence as to the type of weapon used, and the possible origin of them.

 

[Sherwood]

The guards have managed to grab ahold of four of the eight grenade throwers. One dropped a live round at his feet and blew himself up, and the other three were able to take some kind of poison tablet and committed suicide. Despite that, their bodies are being gathered up and taken to the medical center under guard so every scrap of clothing may be examined, their identities confirmed, and a full autopsy performed. The four living terrorists are being hauled under heavy security to the city's prison where they will be stripped and kept under heavy guard and suicide watch to make sure they can be interrogated.


As this is going on, one of the Estasian delegates breaks free from his own security and heads over to speak with Justice and Unity. He looks at the two of you, then over to the broken body of the fallen Exalt being looked over by Most Assurant. "I am Adjudicator Skoal-22, and while I am not sure what to think about this . . . incident . . . yet, you certainly have shown your willingness to act in the defense of our people. I do hope that there will not be any further incidents during our stay? Also, I would like to have word sent home to summon another Champion to be here to join in the interrogations. While Warrior is a valiant combatant, he lacks the level of tact and patience for investigative work."


At the slumped figure of the Exalt that blocked the grenades, Most Assurant finds that he is indeed still alive, but just barely. Technicians rush over to take him directly to the Vats for repair, and as they do so, you can see that the source of the explosions are several Red Jade Essence Pulse Grenades. These are reusable Essence-powered weapons that explode in a fiery blast that does a base damage of 12L at the center of the explosion, dropping by 1L per yard out. Rather nasty, and definitely not something that can just be cobbled together by a few malcontents in a chemistry lab. Crime scene techs come up and use great care in slipping them into evidence bags for a more detailed examination with the tools located in the labs.

 

[WlfSamurai]

Unity nods to the Estasian delegate.

“Of course. We shall have word sent immediately. And we will ensure your brave Chosen will get the repairs and care he needs. I appreciate your thanks. I only wish we could have kept everyone from harm. I am glad you and your fellow delegates are okay, though.” Unity braves a glance at Warrior. “As for Ever Vigilant Warrior, I am sure his intentions are for the greater good.”

When she can politely step away, Unity will find the communications team and make sure word is sent as she had promised.

 

[Psychie]

Most Assurant stands back to allow the analysis technicians to do their work and gather up the grenades, then goes to look for her fellow Champions. "The attack was done with Jade Essence Pulse Grenades; not something I would expect that any bunch of people would have access to. Once the Estasians are secure, I want to go to the Vats myself and switch out some Charms to be able to assist in the questioning of the prisoners." She looks about at the scene of this near disaster. "This can't be a simple coincidence. With the Estasians supposedly coming to give proof of our own misdeeds when we all know that the attacks on the border are being done by them, this attack takes place." Most Assurant frowns as the line of thought continues.

"We may be looking at some third party trying to start a war between our nations."

 

[Crocodile]

"Our security forces will do what they can, Adjudicator. Thankfully we prevented these elements so far from infiltrating our security arrangements here. They were forced to hide in the crowd. Once I have more data, I will make my report available to your delegation. I'm sure your own Champion will be able to back it up upon their arrival. We managed to take some alive before they could suicide. If you will excuse me though, my people need to get you to safety within the meeting location," Justice offered with a polite bow of his head and gesture as his forces lined up to escort them to more secure confines before he turned to join his compatriots. He listened to what was presented.

"This was definitely a planned provocation either by Estasian expansionists or a third party hoping to provoke a war. Warrior's selection as an escort almost tipped it over in that favor, which is the only reason I consider possible Estasian elements still. Sadly, the third party theory has building strength if the Estasians aren't lying and they are being attacked as well. We could be facing another Nation or something far worse," Justice said as he ran over the scenario. Replaying the incident from his perspective in his mind as he increasingly feels his earlier concerns being cemented. He would hope no one in Kamak would back this... but if those taken were citizens armed with that level of tech, they had traitors in their midst.

"This may become more internal then most would care for with the level of weaponry used. it denotes high possibility of traitors operating in ranked positions to give access to that tech unless it was brought in from elsewhere. Our nation's wealth though makes it easier to obtain them here...."

 

[WlfSamurai]

“Both scenarios require further investigation to be conclusive,” Unity says. “So, for now, let’s focus our efforts on ensuring the delegate’s safety and eliminating any immediate threat to peace. After this summit, we must draw up plans for a full investigation.”

She will never admit it to the group, but Unity can feel the anxiety building in her mind. Too much chaos. Too many unknowns. Too much at stake.

 

[Sherwood]

Heading inside, the security forces have cleared out the halls of any observers that were there, making a clear cordon for you to hurry down. In front of one antechamber you see Hammer of the Populat with his signature Goremaul in hand, standing guard with a half dozen security officers, all of which are looking tense. Hammer looks at the three of you and asks, "How is it possible for this to have happened? We had security checkpoints up to search for hidden weapons like this that everyone was supposed to have gone through! If any of the Estasians had been killed, it would have been a true disaster for any effort for a truce between our nations. We are going to have our hands full looking into where our system broke down. Is it true that the weapons used were Essence Pulse Grenades? If so, we will have to examine our armory to see if any are missing."

The door to the room opens, and you can see Thousand Gears inside, poking her head out. Past her shoulder you spot your Tripartite officials that were on the landing grid when the attack took place. She looks at you and says, "They wish to speak with you. Please come in."

Once inside, Autocrat Garret is in a fury with the Celebrant trying to calm him down. He turns on you and takes a deep breath. "I must commend you all for your swift action and cool heads out there. If it were not for that, we would most certainly be preparing for a full scale war with Estasia. If what I'm hearing is true, someone had to have supplied the attackers with these weapons. I want that person's head on a pike. Champions, I am giving you full authority to do whatever it takes to find out who did this and bring them to justice."

 

[WlfSamurai]

"We will carry out our investigation immediately," Unity says. She looks to her Ciclemates. "I am not skilled in these matters, but I will provide what support I can and protect you with every part of my existence."

In that moment, something swells insider down to her depth. Only for a heartbeat. It's a feeling of pride, determination, and sacrifice. This is what she was built for. Her purpose is more clear in that moment than she can ever recount. She will fight her people until she has nothing left, if necessary. These Champions included.

 

[Crocodile]

"Rest assured, there will be a very thorough examination of the matter. We were fortunate this time. More so that the Estasians were willing to listen which maybe aid in matters. We'll begin with my own detachments weapons consignments. I wish to be sure the grenades weren't taken out of their stocks as they were the main force for this. Otherwise, someone managed to slip those grenades in elsewhere," Justice noted with thoughtful concern.

"In eitehr case, I'll set that in motion while we maintain security for the visit."

 

[Sherwood]

It takes several hours of time in the Vats for Most Assurant's Charms to be switched out for her alternate loadout, and at the same time, the damaged Champion from Estasia undergoes major reconstruction to bring him back from the brink of total dysfunction.

During this time, the armory inventory is being hand counted to see if there are any missing stock of Essence Pulse Grenades, and other agents are working diligently to confirm the identities of the attackers. So far, the initial steps of the investigation do show that at least three of the grenade throwers are from Ein; all of them are factory workers in different areas of the great city. Their lives are being tore into from the ground up, interrogating friends, coworkers, and family to see if there is any clues as to why these few people would wish to make this attack. The rest of the surviving prisoners are so far unwilling to answer any questions on their identities, and the few bodies are also being looked at to try and figure out just who they are.

Word soon comes that a high speed courier is now on the way from Estasia with a agent to work alongside the Kamaki investigators to look into the details of the attack.

 

[Sherwood]

With the passage of time, the three of you are now beginning the process of finding out just what the hell has gone on to allow this to happen. First off, the inventory of the arms depot does show that there are missing weapons, and not just Essence Pulse Grenades. Shock Lances and Assault Crossbows are just a few of the missing items from the Armory.

Second, the surviving members of the assassins are all claiming to have acted under direct orders from their superior officer from what they call Special Section One, a secret government agency that operates in the shadows to ensure the safety of Kamak from the forces out there that would act against them. Their Section Chief is a mysterious masked figure known as Amon, and he has had them perform various missions together that has been directly responsible for saving lives from various threats against Ein.

The problem is that none of you have ever even heard of this Special Section One, ever, and the 'super secret missions' that they describe as having done, there is no record of these actions have been accomplished. Even Autocrat Garret, the head of the Regulators, claims to have no knowledge of this Special Section One. Tuk’Tanorn, the head of the Meticulous Surgeons, wants to try to use her revolutionary encephalic web to try and get them to reveal details that they may be withholding from the interrogators. It is unknown as to how well this plan will work.

Third, as the security forces go forth to disassemble the lives of the attackers, there are a number of missing people all associated with them, mostly family, but a few close friends and coworkers that have suddenly vanished. The missing number twenty five.

In less than five hours, the investigator from Estasia is due to arrive.

 

[Psychie]

With her time in the Vats now complete, Most Assurant will head to the security station to look into the interrogation of the prisoners herself. With her neural probe Charm, she plans on finding out just what his really going on inside the heads of these fools. She will go tell the others about what she is doing, with the comment, "I am wondering, it may be possible that their memories were tampered with. If so, I may be able to detect it with a deep dive into the minds of the prisoners. If I can show that they have been the victims of altered memories, it may be possible to reconstruct what was there before and find out what happened to them. It might be possible to then show the Estasian Exalt that is on the way that this was caused not by Kamak, but someone else."

Down in the prisoner holding area, Most Assurant will direct that they bring one out at a time to be questioned by her personally. As the first one is brought out to her, she directs the guards to secure him in an examination chair. "You need not worry; what I plan to do is simple and painless. I will spend a few minutes asking you some questions, after which you will be returned to your cell. You know who I am?" She waits for the nod. "Very good. You should also know that as a Exalt in the service of Ein and Kamak, I have full security clearance to be fully briefed on the details of Special Section One. We shall start from the beginning. When were you first recruited into the Section?"

As the questioning begins, she will maneuver herself to be standing behind the prisoner. She will then insert the probe into the skull of the man and release the nanoprobes into his cranium, searching for evidence of memory tampering with her Mind Ripping Probe.

 

[Sherwood]

Psychie please give me a (Manipulation or Wits, whichever is higher) + Presence roll.

 

[Psychie]

Manipulation (5) + Presence (3) coming up.

7 successes. Pretty damn good for eight dice!

 

[Sherwood]

With the prisoner restrained in the examination chair, Most Assurant is able to easily insert her probe into the cranium without any difficulty. Diving deep into the thoughts and memories, you are quickly able to discover that this man is the victim of a major memory wipe and reconstruction. So much of his original memory has been replaced, you are not sure that he can ever recover what was edited.

There is a tiny fragment of a memory that catches your attention. There is a brief memory that appears to be a remnant of his actual set and not implanted by whichever party did this to him. It is a image of a woman that is obviously an Exalt. She appears to be made of crystal or glass, giving her a light blue appearance and spikey crystals in place of her hair. This Exalt is not familiar to you, making it clear that she is not from Ein. You also don't think you've ever heard of her as a Exalt from Estasia; Kamak's intelligence service does try to keep track of the numbers of Champions of their hostile neighbor.

Looking into the other prisoners gives you much of the same. All of them have had sizable parts of their memory rewritten to make them believe that they really are some kind of special operations team in this Special Section One that they have told you about.

 

[Crocodile]

Justice Enforcement Engine had been preoccupied directing investigations and reviewing data. Running analysis against records along with references into all data points emerging from this odd situation. He did however finally pause and make security arrangements to go and personally meet with the arriving Exalt. Estasia was to be involved but he also intended to watch them. Someone wanted to provoke a war and he needed to protect or deflect in all efforts to halt it unless Kamak's Tripartite itself elected to pursue war. There was no reason in his mind. They had great wealth and thus trade capacity.

His thoughts remain troubled as he and his security escort arrive to await the arrival of the Estasian Champion. Assessment was required for this new player in events.

 

[Psychie]

After her various interrogations, Most Assurant heads to a security booth to try and print out the image of the strange Exalt that altered their memories. With the image in hand, she sets out to find the others of her Circle to let them know what she's found out. With any luck, one of her companions will be able to recognize him.

 

[WlfSamurai]

While the rest of the Circle is busy and before the arrival of the Estasian Investigator, Unity heads to each of the arms depots. She visits as many as she can. Her aim is to take inventory from each to make sure the numbers match at each location for what was taken. And if not, try to identify a pattern or grouping from each theft. In addition, she looks to find the entry point for each of the thefts. And at that point of entry or break-in, what the method used for each was.

Rolling Intelligence + Investigation for gathering information and looking for clues.

2 successes

Spoiler: XP Spend

Spending 3 XP to get 1 Investigation. It’s already been useful twice.