Sorrow’s Reach - Exalted 3e

[Sherwood]

Tomiko steeples her fingers as she says, "It may be that your secret has slipped out in more than one area. The Sidereal that helped to train us did send us out here to stop the town from being destroyed by the forces from the Underworld. It may be that she knows more about your hidden treasure than you'd like. If this is the case, you may need to consider moving it out of Sinju, but I don't know where would be safe for it to go. Do you have a secondary hiding place in mind? We can help you by providing an escort . . . provided that you are willing to return the favors that we have done for you."

She smiles, hoping that the favor that Vermilion does for her is to let her look at this book, even if only for a bit. There is so much to be learned from it!

 

[Psychie]

Scorpion looks a bit uninterested in this line of conversation. "Unless that book has a way to regrow lost limbs," she glances down at her missing right arm, "I don't see it holding much of an interest for me. But Tomiko does bring up an interesting thought. What can you offer us in order to assist you in protecting this book of yours?"

 

[WlfSamurai]

“Huh,” says Vermillion realizing her assumption. “What’s in it for you...” she adds with a distance and annoyance to her voice. “I assume you mean other than saving the Scavenger Lands—and perhaps Creation—from a broken future, a goal that coincides with the edicts of the Cult of the Illuminated and Gold Faction.” She considers. “I will take you to Rathess. To collect your Solar birthrights. Do you know if Rathess?”

Anyone with Lore 4 knows of it. Lore 5 and you know some of the legends. Also, Tomiko, you know much about it as you have an obscure knowledge specialty.

 

[Psychie]

Scorpion shakes her head. "It must be somewhere I've never been, since I have no clue as to where it is. Probably not in the South, though. I've done a lot of traveling in the desert, and have never even heard that name before. Where is it? And what 'Solar Birthrights' are we talking about? And does it have any good food there? I've been craving something that I just don't know what it is. Ever get one of those?"

 

[Sherwood]

Tomiko snorts out a laugh. "I seriously doubt that whatever craving you have will be sated in Rathess. From what I've seen in my studies, it is a ruin, a broken city filled with monsters, Fae and the dead. It will be a dangerous journey just to get there, traveling through the jungles of the Southeast, and even more so in the city itself. I remember that there is another city nearby on the river called Chaing-Dav. It is home to a small garrison of Imperial troops and Dragon-Blooded, positioned there to keep watch on anyone that might try to go to the old city."

"At one time, I had hoped to go there leading an expedition of archeologists to study the ruin, but no one was willing to back the project when it was most likely that we would all get killed in short order. I still wonder what secrets that the old city is hiding."

 

[Psychie]

Upon hearing about how dangerous Rathess is, Scorpion sits up, her full attention on the other Exalt. "Oh, really? I am starting to like this more and more! Hey, Vermilion! Tell us about this trip you want to make to Rathess! I want to hear more."

Even now, her hand is resting on the hilt of her blade, as if she is anxious to start to fight the enemies out there right now.

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Gatherer didn't know one bit about this 'Rathess', but the descriptions the others gave, didn't make her comfortable going there... nope, not in the slightest.

 

[WlfSamurai]

Vermillion waves a hand dismissively. “Yes, it is a dangerous trip there and such,” she says with an air of annoyance. “We wouldn’t be traveling through Creation to get there, though. I would take you through Heaven, if you wish to go. the details are a bit droll. But, that is what I offer. Power. First Age Knowledge. Answers. Battle, if you choose.” She shrugs. “If you agree, once Sinju’s Lerallan aid arrives, I can take you.”

 

[Sherwood]

The thought that they were not going through Creation, but instead taking a side trip through Yu-Shan is almost more than the scholar can take! That alone was worth the trip! But when you add in even more First Age knowledge and possible artifacts, it was even doubly enticing!

Doing her best to master her feelings and maintain a calm exterior, she manages to mumble out, "Very well. I shall go with you on this journey. I just hope you don't expect me to not pepper you with a great many questions!" She looks to the others. "Are you with me in joining Vermillion on this journey? I promise that it will be quite exciting and most rewarding if even a tenth of the stories of Rathess are true!"

 

[Psychie]

With an easy shrug, Scorpion nods. "Sure. I'll go. Sounds like it will be fun!" She grins at Tomiko, knowing that the other woman has probably gotten so excited that no force on Creation will be able to stop her, so she'd best go along to keep her safe.

 

[WlfSamurai]

END OF SESSION 2

Everyone gets 5 XP and 4 Solar XP.

Sherwood Psychie Red Shadow Claws MasterDAF

 

[WlfSamurai]

Session 3

The rain assaults the Inn’s rotting roof. In the common room, leaking droplets fall from leaks into buckets and chamber pots creating a percussion of drips. The hearth roars in the corner as if fire will ward off the weather.

You all sit at a worn table. Marks from years of silverware and cups tell a history no sage can decipher. Clay bowls of noodles steam in front of each of you. A strong odor wafts from the saki in your cups.

Vermilion Twilight of Auspicious Shroud, having donned (her)his arcane destiny as the beggar again, shovels noodles into his mouth with chops sticks. He doesn’t look up as he eats.

Other travelers occupy similar tables, eat from similar bowls, and drink from similar flagons. A couple in a corner share a bowl. The muck that covers their boots tell the story of hiding from the worst of the rain on their way somewhere. Their packs lean against the table next to each of them. Two old men giggle to each other, deep in the drinks for the day, and play go. They're dry robes point to their being here all morning. A quartet of merchants laugh at each others jokes while pulling meat from a chicken leg.

A young bright-eyed girl serves her father’s food and drink to the paying patrons. She flits from table to table with practiced ease.

The road back to Sinju has tested the best of you. The rain alone seems to want some unspoken vengeance. Here now, it's warm and quiet.

Sherwood Psychie Red Shadow Claws MasterDAF

 

[Sherwood]

During their travels, Tomiko will try to learn more about the trip to Rathess from the beggar man. She is quite excited to get to go to the ancient city, because Sol only knows what wonders await them there!

Even the rainy weather cannot put much of a dampener on her good mood.

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Gatherer sighs wistfully as she remembers how, for a brief moment, she was back in a place of civilization...
But then she downs the watery beer, and says "Tomorrow morning we need to notify the mayor about the arrangement we reached. And then what? Do we have any plan?"

She was intrigued by learning about her predecessor, the one who had this Exaltation previously, and maybe getting an Artifact, but she never heard of Rathess, and from what the others said, it was a ruin...

 

[Psychie]

Wet. So much wet. Scorpion does her best to wipe the long strands of hair from her face as the water keeps coming down. "As a desert girl, I can say with confidence that the only thing water is good for is bathing in and the occasional drink. Not to be soaked to the bone like this. This weather sucks."

She glances over at Gatherer and says, "I thought that the plan was to go to this Rathess place. There we will be getting some cool swag, and have the chance to hone our skills against the enemies of Creation, or some such rubbish. I just wonder what the best way for us to get there will be."

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Gatherer glanced at Scorpion "I KNOW that is the plan. But do we have a plan as to how to get there? And what about whatever might lurk there? Do we have a clue as to the identity of whoever dwells there? Or maybe a plan on how to deal with them/it?"

 

[Sherwood]

Tomiko chuckles at the plight of her fellow Solar. "I hate to break the news to you, but the place we are going to is in the middle of the rainforest, so we should all be prepared to face a lot more of this kind of weather. I admit, it is a bit of an irritation, but our scruffy friend did indicate that our trip to Rathess will be made through the Celestial City of Yu-Shan. That alone is a dream come true, to be able to see the great city for myself."

 

[Psychie]

Scorpion glares at the bubbly Tomiko for being in such a good mood. "Feh. However we get there is fine with me, just so long as we keep out of this weather for as long as possible. And does it really matter what lies at the heart of the city? We are a force to be reckoned with. Whatever we can't kill, we sneak past. But hopefully we just get to chop our foes down."

 

[Sherwood]

Tomiko makes a soothing motion with her hands. "Easy there. We are still very new to our . . . abilities, and many out there would be more than a match for all of us even working together. Caution is our watch word right now, or else we will find ourselves overmatched and unable to retreat. Be like the wary mouse searching for a nibble of cheese, knowing that there is a hungry cat looking for you. Even once we have our fill of our treat, we must still be careful if we wish to make use of our new toys."

 

[WlfSamurai]

Before Vermilion Twilight can finish chewing to add his opinion, the final chair at your table is pulled out. Amythest Depths sits and smooths her purple kimono.

"You've all been busy," she says with a mocking smile. "Vermilion Twilight of Auspicious Shroud. It has been a long time. I had hoped you died in the Usurpation. How have you been?"

Vermilion pushes his bowl away with a disgusted look. "Amythest. A pleasure as always."

Amythest Depths looks between all of you. "The townsfolk mentioned their saviors going for help. Where did you go for this...help?"

 

[Sherwood]

Tomiko looks between the two Sidereals with a raised eyebrow. "I see that the two of you have met. Well, to answer your question, we traveled to Leral and thanks to Gatherer, we were able to negotiate a deal with them to help guard the town."

 

[Psychie]

Scorpion leans over and lowers her voice. "It would seem that there is a road trip planned for us to go through the streets of Yu-Shan to go to a place called Rathess. I'd have to guess that you know all about that place. So. What's going on?"

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Gatherer is intrigued by the word exchange between the two Sidereals, even more so by how did Amethyst recognize Vermillion without the later dropping her disguise? Interesting.

 

[WlfSamurai]

Amythest raises an eyebrow. A mocking smirk grows in the corner of her mouth. She takes a long moment looking between you all and then fixes her gaze on Vermilion.

“Rathess,” Amythest says finally. Her tone is that of a disappointed parent. “And through Yu-Shan? How are YOU going to do that, Vermilion? Of all people? I don’t think that gate has been used in a very long time.”

Vermillion shrugs. “And? That doesn’t mean it can’t be.”

Amythest scoffs. “Ah. I see. You haven’t told them.”

“Quiet!”

Amythest looks to you all, again. “And the Lerallan’s? When do the fateful troops arrive?”

Sherwood Psychie Red Shadow Claws MasterDAF

 

[Sherwood]

Tomiko looks over at Vermillion. "What aren't you telling us? I understand that there will be some danger, but what else is there? Why is there an issue about using this Gate?"