Lunar Fury - Exalted 3e IC

[D. Rex]

Hazel nodded, and with few flicks of her hand, sent out the Infallible Messenger. An invisible Sprite(a black cat with six wings) that, at this distance, would probably appear nigh immediately. Its words to be heard only by them.

She would send one to every member of the circle that was not present.

"Come to the Cargo Bay. Master One Tusk needs to tall to us."

 

[jaydude]

Having escorted the two Dynasts in the cargo hold to where Rufuko was, Selket was heading back to One Tusk when she was visited by the messenger, and simply changed her destination to the cargo hold.

Returning there and waiting for the others, she would take the occasional look at the sphere, now knowing it to contain a very powerful demon.

 

[Aranfan]

"Come to the Cargo Bay. Master One Tusk needs to tall to us."

Two Mornings will make her way to the cargo bay.

"This thing what all the fighting's about?"

 

[FTR]

She had slowed to a jog and then to a walk and then an amble as Hazel had her bout of hysterics. She put a hand up signalling a "Yeah, yeah, I'm coming." to her master and pulled up next to Hazel, placing her hands on her knees. She wasn't feeling terrible, but also wasn't feeling very well planted.
If Eska could be counted on to do anything it was to take very little seriously. As the sorcerer continued to have her fit, Eska only angled her face up at One Tusk and rolled her eyes before straightening up, probably to at least appear as if she possessed a bit of resolve.
She looked around some, head on a swivel and hands on her hips. The setting was definitely a stark contrast to when she had left. Much more colorful(?).
Her attention turned back to them as Hazel got closer to finally speak; she leaned in some, turning her ear towards them.

"The Sphere! Its a DEMON!"..."that which calls to the shadows!..."

Her expression perked up. "Really? I didn't hear anything." she said facetiously. Eska had already ceded to the fact she had absolutely no idea just what was going on and, at this point, was just waiting to be told what to do or what needed to be done. The time for the why of it all had passed in her absence.

One Tusk's decision of running off to see the sphere was met with a groan and a sluggish take off from Eska. Though, she quickly got back into gear.
As they approached the ship her instincts called to her and ordered her to loot.
The beckon was all too tempting, but she'd been disciplined just enough recently to be able to ignore them for the time being.
The group arrived at the artifact and One Tusk went quick to work inspecting it. Again Eska had started walking before the rest of the group had and was the last one to approach the sphere.
"Pisscock..." she greeted Gwen, sarcastically tipping her head. "You're doing a great job. Wouldn't want it getting away...."
Rude as it may be, this sort of behavior was Eska's default. She meant nothing by it, in fact it was a good thing. If she truly didn't like Gwen she'd say nothing at all to her.

"I can't go anywhere without things falling apart or out of the sky can I?" she said to the others as they joined.

"This? It's just a ball.... a talking ball. And Hazel speaks its language." Eska responded to Two Mornings as she took steps closer and leaned over the sphere, hands behind her back.
She had no idea what she was looking at, that much she did know. She was just being herself and trying to discern what kind of monetary value it might hold.

 

[Rykon]

Toun had made no rush but he complied with the request sent by Hazel. On his way across the ship, he made sure to check the interior for other signs of life and injured that may need assistance getting out of the wreckage. I hope those soldiers got the pilot out alright. Bit of a shame to just let the people here die.

He gave Gwen, Hazel, and Eska polite nods once he'd caught up with Two Mornings. He turned to One Tusk to give his report of the situation. "There's more people that will need help, but that should come as no surprise. What do we need to know master?"

 

[Sherwood]

With the Circle gathered around, One Tusk takes a close look at the black sphere and frowns. "No Eska, this is not just a sphere. If we truly have ourselves Erembour in here, we are faced with a foe that none of us could face in combat and win against. I am wondering though, just how in Luna's name did the Fae ever bind a Third Circle Demon? That level of sorcery is beyond even the most powerful of Lunar sorcerers, a gift reserved for the ancient Solars of the Deliberative alone! And even with the return of the Solars from where ever they were hiding for all those years, none have been around long enough to be powerful enough to advance their Essence to the pinnacle of sorcerous power."

He looks over at one of the nearby mortals, and asks, "Have you finished rounding up the human survivors?"

"Yes, sir. There were not many, but the few that we did find are being escorted out of the ship. Thanks to them," with a nod to the Circle, "there are not any other Fae or monsters in the ship to worry about."

"Good. Gather up the dead, and burn the bodies. I want no Hungry Ghosts rampaging about my valley."

"Understood. It will be done." The man then turns and hustles off to relay One Tusk's orders.

"Now, it is time to ask some probing questions of our Dragon Blooded guests and see what they can tell us."

 

[Rykon]

Toun nodded at One Tusk's closing remark. Inwardly there was a small hope that honorable behavior on their part might one day pay off, but age-old vendettas of the Silver Pact were playing out across the world on a daily basis. If there were any appreciation generated, he knew it would likely end with these men and women. For now, he pushed his dreams of peace aside. Fae marched on their masters land and the time for war had come.

"As you say, master. I have some questions of my own I'd like answers to."

 

[Aranfan]

"Idris, that ape we fought, was it a blood ape? I've heard of them, but never seen them."

Red Shadow Claws

 

[D. Rex]

Hazel tapped her fingers together nervously. One Tusks description of the creature left much to be desired. While she was no demonologist, what she DID know about demons was that myths and legends of third circle demons tended to be what was understated. Because those that witnessed their true power were dead or worse. Let your imagination run wild, and such was their weakest capabilities.

"Yes, yes, the dragon blooded. But what about the sphere? Can we not drop in in a volcano or ocean trench?" She asked.

What was the other option? To find a solar with a talent in the sorcerous ways and help them achieve arcane greatness? Ha! And what then, summon it? What if the solar is not so heroic, or one of the circle is its mate and their ambition tears our circle apart. But... a solar could also probably destroy it too. So maybe it was worth considering. If it took Solars to bind it, what hope did Lunars have?


Still... maybe the dragon blooded had an idea if what to do with it. Though she still had a feeling that they were just going to use it against the Anathema or something dastardly like that. But... part of her still hoped there was some nobility in their heroes that they would see it for the danger that it truly was. Not enough to even think about entrusting them with it, though.

 

[jaydude]

"The ocean trench idea might work, though I fear it would take a while to transport the sphere to either the West or the Inland Sea." said Selket. "As for dropping it into a volcano, I'd rather not do that. I have a bad feeling that if the lava could destroy the sphere, it would weaken the thing enough for Erembour to escape it before then."

She turned to One Tusk. "Am I correct, master?"

 

[Rykon]

"Master Leviathan has hardly returned from his sabbatical and we want to dump a demon into his domain so soon?" Toun rolled the idea around for a moment. "Well, I guess he'd certainly have a territorial advantage if the nasty little git ever wriggled out of its cage."

 

[Sherwood]

With a snort, One Tusk says, "I would say that our first step is to get some information on what these Dynasts know about what they have, and how they came about it. Lets go."

As he walks along, the plodding elephant man shimmers and resumes his human form to better be able to fit into the building that the Dragon Blooded are in. With the rest of you following along, you find the three 'guests' currently being looked after by the valley healer, trying to stitch up the wounds on one of the three. One Tusk take a seat and looks at Cynis Amar, the Exalt that was on the deck that made the initial plea for help, and he says, "We found your captive demon in your cargo hold. Care to tell us a story, Exalt?"

Amar nods. "I was wondering when you were going to be coming here, looking for answers. I will tell you what I can, but I warn you that even I don't know the whole story."

"Two weeks ago, there was an intruder at the Imperial Palace. At first it was thought that the thief took nothing, but it was later discovered that a artifact was taken, along with a hearthstone that was socketed into it. Shortly after this theft, savants from the Heptagram started seeing visions of a horrible catastrophe taking place, from the southern Wyld. A second invasion of such scale that it would rival the one during the Great Contagion, but this time, backed up with the power of demons. Someone put two and two together, and it was determined that the artifact that was stolen was a powerful summoning staff from the high First Age, capable of calling forth and binding demons of the Third Circle."

"After learning of this, it was determined by the savants that the Fae have started using the artifact to bolster their ranks with scads of demons of the First and Second Circles, and now have expanded their horizons to larger targets. The First Legion was then called forth to try and capture the bound demon so it could not be used against Creation. Hundreds of Exalts were gathered up, with over a thousand soldiers armed with Cold Iron weapons, all ready to do battle with Warstriders and siege weapons of all kinds. We charged in and saw a sea of Fae between us and our target. It was a bloodbath, with casualties piling up left and right. It didn't matter, though. We had one goal, and we fought like madmen for it."

Amar looks tired as he relates the story of all the lives lost. "Finally, we were successful in grabbing this sphere, and in the battle, the staff that was stolen was destroyed, so they cannot summon more demons. But the bad news is, there was another sphere, this one was the same size and bright green. It must be stopped, especially if it is another monster like the one we nabbed."

 

[Rykon]

Toun seats himself and asks his question. "A demon of darkness and one of twisted light I see... If we are to throw ourselves against this tide of fae and demons, then I say we do what we can to destroy these blights for good. What can you tell us of the battle tactics of this fae court? Did they do anything with these orbs in battle?"

 

[Aranfan]

Two Mornings considers the Terrestial Exalt's words. She turns to One Tusk, "I'm far out of my depth here, but I know that Raksi's supposed to be the best sorcerer in the Silver Pact. Should we seek her aid?" At some point she has washed herself off, and is no longer covered with Fae gore, still in the fancy dress though.

 

[Psychie]

Gwen nods in agreement. "I would think that if anyone of the Pact would know what to do in this situation, it would be her."

 

[Sherwood]

One Tusk scratches at his chin, deep in thought. "If what you say is true, and at this point we have no reason to doubt it, we are all in sizable danger. At least the artifact that the Fae were using to summon these demons has been destroyed, so there will be no more to follow. But I only have dabbled in sorcery, enough to know a few spells of the Terrestrial Circle. Outside of that, we need to consult an expert. As much as Raksi scares me, she is a genius in the ways of magic, and it may be possible for us to get her aid in this. I will send her a message, and we will hope for the best."

"In the meantime, we continue to guard the sphere we now have here."

 

[Aranfan]

Two Mornings nods. "Shall be on the guard detail for the demon? Or do you want me guarding the prisoners?" She thinks for a bit, "I should probably also grab a cold iron spear if we expect a giant fae army incoming."

 

[Sherwood]

One Tusk looks over at Two Mornings and says, "If Erembour escapes her prison, there is nothing any of us could do to stop her. Instead, we keep all from getting near the sphere, and protect it from all harm. And having a cold iron weapon would not be a bad idea right now."

 

[Aranfan]

Two Mornings nods, "I'll go see if we confiscated one from any of our guests, and take up position near the ship."

She goes to set action to word.

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Idris shuddered to even consider the idea that Fae and demons could work together. But oh, the mere idea of subsuming a third circle demon... That send tingles down his spine.

 

[D. Rex]

A moan came from Hazel as she heard more about what the terrestrial knew. How many more spheres? Hundreds? Thousands? Like from her dream. First that which calls to the shadow... and now the green sun. But that one isnt even in our hands!

Then came the talk of Raksi. Another horrifying prospect to be involved with. But... sadly, a necessary one in this case.

"Master, they spoke of armies of fae. Even with a full circle, there would be great risks in defending it against such an onslaught. Namely to that of the people of the valley. In my divination, war touched the people of this valley." She gestured to the ship,"This cant be it's only show. If the sphere is their target, would it not be wiser to take it elsewhere and remove what evidence we can of its presence here? We could then see to it that this valley isnt a war zone, at least."

"But that is only half. The green sphere must also be retrieved at all costs. As well as any more they may have their Wyld tainted fingers on."

 

[Sherwood]

One Tusk calmly says, "If we act without a plan, we doom ourselves to failure. Let me contact Raksi, and see what options we have available to us first. Then we can respond with a reasoned response to the threat at hand. I'll send my Infallible Messenger and hopefully we'll get a response."

 

[Aranfan]

"Hazel, calm down." She places a hand on the catgirl's shoulder, "We got this. You saw us having this in hand. All we gotta do is keep our wits about us and not go harring off half cocked and we'll be fine." She smiles at her reassuringly.

 

[Rykon]

Toun takes his hand to ruffle the hair on Hazel's head, teasing her a bit to take her out of her fear. "Hey now, cheer up. It's gonna be all right squirt. As long as I draw breath, I will protect this circle. We may not seem like much before a sea of fae, but they don't have the unity and teamwork we do. Not one of us here hasn't busted their ass in training for nearly the last year. The fae that already came upon us? Couldn't even scratch us." He let out a gentle laugh, trying to replace the foul mood in the air.

He turned to Cynis Amar. "Well, lady Exalt. Since it looks like we'll be needing to build an army, I'll go ahead and ask. Do you and your companions intend to see your mission through to its end? Will you join with us to cull those vile, chaos born filth?"

[Making a Charisma-based Instill roll on the Dragon-Blooded, if the stunt doesn't seem sufficient to justify adding Appearance to the die cap, please ignore the last 3 dice. Note 7m for the Excellency with a wp spent for the success.]

[Pathetic roll, but that's 5 successes still]

 

[Sherwood]

Amar looks at Toun with a half smile. "If someone had told me that this morning I would even be considering working with a bunch of Lunar Exalts, I would have thought them to be crazy. But I took an oath to protect and defend not just the Empire from this threat, but all of Creation. While not everyone of the Scarlet Empire would feel the same, I cannot overlook that oath with the fate of billions on my shoulders." She bows her head, letting out a sigh. "Very well. As I said, I cannot speak for all of us, but I will do what I can to aid in this war against the Fae."

The male Exalt, Vneef Morrolan, looks very upset, and lets out an angry hiss. "You would work with these anathema? The very same creatures that just 'this morning' you would have struck down with your blade if you were given a chance to do so?"

Amar give Morrolan a flat look straight in his eye. "Yes. Yes, I will." Turning her attention to One Tusk, she says, "Master Lunar, I would advise you to take this one and release him far away from here in order to keep from having him return with those more fanatical to the ideals of the Wyld Hunt anytime soon. Morrolan is a good man in a fight, but at this point, I do not think he can be trusted."

At this, Morrolan leaps to his feet in anger. "You traitor! I will let all of the Empire know of this betrayal!" His face is beat red, and you can visibly see smoke rising up off of him.

Amar remains calm, but something tells you that she is a coiled spring, ready to act. "Do what you must, Morrolan. I will do what I see that my own oath takes me to do."

The other Exalt there, Mnemon Katlyn, looks on in wide-eyed shock at the tension building up between the two. Trying to calm them both down, she says, "Don't you think that there has been enough lives lost this day to descend into petty bickering? Morrolan, we are stronger together than separate. Surely you must see that."

He turns on Katlyn and snarls at her, "And now you turn on me, too! Add your name to the list of those that have turned their backs on their Houses, and the Empire!" Looking at One Tusk, he spits out, "Do with me what you will, Lunar! I will not cooperate with you in any way."

One Tusk is very calm on the outside, but you can tell that the old man is steaming mad just by looking at him. "Very well, Dynast. Rufuko, take a dozen of your best Beastman warriors and lock him up. We will deal with you later." He then reaches out and picks up the Exalt by his shirt with one hand and looks him dead in the eye. "Step out of line with my people, and I will split you like the arrogant swine you are. Do you understand me?" With a negligent shove, he half drops/half throws the sputtering Morrolan down for Rufuko to take away.

Amar looks more relaxed now that Morrolan is out of the room, and she says, "I am sorry about that, Master One Tusk. He is a bit hot headed."

The old Lunar nods. "In the next days and weeks, things for all of us will be in flux if this is as bad as it sounds to my ears. In the meantime, Lady Amar, you and Lady Katlyn are our guests here in the Valley. You can come and go as you will, but I ask of you to please do not try and leave. The Vashni people are not kind to strangers, and they will attack you on sight once you enter into their lands. Otherwise, you may do as you will until we know what we are to do with this sphere. Pardon me as I send my message to Raksi now."

It takes several castings of the Infallible Messenger spell to get enough of the story out to the other Lunar to satisfy One Tusk, and when he is done, he turns to look at the Circle. "Now, we wait."

What do you do now?