Fantasy The Fate of Creation

[Ebon_Arbiter]

Kenji leaves Jontom at the hands of the spirits that rush to treat his wounds, making sure, that he will at least feel no pain from his injuries, kneeling besidehim, tapping into his expertise in the medical arts and using his essence to alleviate any suffering caused by them.

Spoiler

Activating Peacable Conclusion on Jontom, more for the thematic rather than for the actual mechanical effect.

Cost: 3m; Mins: Medicine 2, Essence 2; Type: Simple (Speed 3)
Keywords: Combo-OK, Touch, Virtue (Valor)
Duration: One scene
Prerequisite Charms: None

Calling upon the mercy that the Maiden of Endings shows for those in her somber dominion, the Sidereal may take away the suffering that accompanies death.

As she touches a character, she brings an ending to the pain they might feel, negating any wound penalties they would suffer for the duration of this Charm.

Characters who die under the effects of Peaceable Conclusion feel no pain as they pass, and their souls pass into Lethe without regret. The corpses of characters who die such a death can never be raised as undead.

Peaceable Conclusion has the opposite effect when used on a creature of death, suffusing them with the stillness of the grave. Such characters suffer a -3 internal penalty on all non-reflexive actions as a Crippling effect for the duration of this Charm.

Then he stands up, hears the words of the venerable spirit from the Bureau's Security and nods, following it and the Celestial Lions, alongside Val.

"We need to hear Jontom's account when he recovers. If he witnessed what took place in there, his testimony will be invaluable to discover what happened. From what we saw, treachery must have been involved, as well as forces beyond Fate, but we'll tell you everything we so far know at length, once we arrive at your intended destination. If possible I'd like Nara - O, the Head of the Division of Secrets in the Bureau of Destiny, in which I serve, to be notified in the earliest possible opportunity, since I'm under his supervision and I think it would be necessary for him to hear out our account of the situation. Given that this happened at the Bureau's grounds I'm sure the other Divisional Supervisors will be notified as well.

If a hit of such magnitude occured inside Yu-Shan and against the Fivescore Fellowship, one should be deeply concerned about the nature and power of the enemies involved, as well as the security of the Heavenly City itself", he adds, with a serious tone and a look of genuine worry and sadness in his eyes.

 

[Sherwood]

Under the watchful eyes of the guards, Valeren and Kenji are escorted away from the site of the massacre. Once you are safely placed in a holding cell for interrogation, the guards leave you alone for some time before coming into the room. The guard captain sits down across from the two of you and offers a tired smile and introduces himself as Captain Merrick. "Care for something to drink before we get started? I have a feeling that we are going to be at this for a long time."

 

[Psychie]

Valeren nods. "Yes, please. Some water would be quite welcome. A bowl of water, also, so we can clean some of the soot from our faces." As she waits, the old Exalt leans back in her seat and closes her eyes, wondering at what point the pleasantries will end and the accusations will start. Other than Jontom, Kenji and I might be the only survivors of this attack. I don't know how to process something like that. How could this have happened?

 

[Sherwood]

As requested, some personal cleaning supplies are brought for the two of you to clean up with. Once more, you are left alone while you clean up. After some time has passed, the captain once more comes into the room. "I hope you are now feeling better. I have many questions for you. But first, why don't you just start off and simply tell me of your day. Leave no detail out. Something small might be a very big clue."

 

[Ebon_Arbiter]

Kenji sighs, sets his robes straight, makes an effort to appear pleasant and complying to the captain, since so far he's been enacting his duties politely and impeccably and begins recounting his day up that point, with every detail, gesturing to Val when his narration reaches the point of their meeting in the teahouse, to add any relevant detail or perhaps something that he missed.

The experienced Vizier feels as if been audited. There's nothing for him to hide, but at the same time he's worried. Worried that the truth might not be enough and that while their are kept in here, explaining what happened, some other bad event may be unfolding elsewhere in Creation, now that the Fivescore Fellowship has suffered this terrible blow and cannot respond.

He stresses out the part about the message that was delivered to him while there, the comment of the teahouse owner, Zalabar the old Wood Aspect Dragon Blooded, when he brought it, regarding the feeling he got about the messenger and the urgency involved, as well as the apparent author of that message. To add further weight to his words, he then displays the message itself, pointing at the fact that it was not written in ink but rather with some sort of essence script, as well as at the signature that shows Jupiter to be behind this dire warning.

***​

Kenji, my Chosen. Do not return to Yu-Shan before four bells after the noon hour, no matter what else you hear. It is worth your life and the live of your fellow Sidereal, Valeren. Violate this warning at your own peril.

Jupiter

***​

"I was deeply concerned. At that point I could not imagine what it could have meant and why being in Yu-Shan, with all its magnificence and security even during this Age of Tumult, would spell doom for both of us. It was only moments later when we received an Infallibe Messenger by none other than our venerable and now apparently late elder vizier Chejop Kejak, recalling us all to Yu-Shan with a cryptic and urgent message.

***​

A situation has arisen in the Celestial City. All Chosen are to return to Yu-Shan at once with all possible haste for an emergency Conclave of all the Fivescore Fellowship. All other orders are overridden

***​

I am a Vizier and a brother of all members of the Fivescore Fellowship, but when the Maiden by whose grace I've been exalted sends such a message to me I feel obliged to comply.

And it's not like we didn't try to find out what was going on or warn anyone either. My esteemed colleague Val contacted, in front of me, another Sidereal, Roogan, whom she worked with at the Heptagram and what we found out was that Mnemon had told them horrible things about the Empress and that the Fivescore Fellowship now knows where the Empress was for the past five years and that things are really getting crazy. He did not elaborate on that though, just urged us to return hastily to Yu-Shan, so I cannot say what he meant by that.

Besides that, my own attempts to contact my venerable sifu have been met with utter silence and while we did try a couple of sorcerous means of communication, in order to warn him and inquire about what was going on, no response came.

So, finally, when the alloted time by Jupiter's message passed, we returned to Yu-Shan and found out about the disaster that had occured. Demons running out of the building, dead Sidereals everywhere, amongst whom two of our most puissant and recognizable elders, Chejop Kejak and Ayesha Ura, and the telltale signs of a terrible battle that had occured. We did our best to assist in its containment, fighting bravely against what appeared to be two of our younger and erstwhile brothers, a Chosen of Battles and another of Journeys, who had regrettably all the markings of Chosen that had fallen to the service of the Yozis and transformed into Akuma. With our combined martial skills and especially the outstanding performance of my colleague Valeren, we ended their misguided existence, disarmed the traps near wounded Jontom and brought him outside to safety".

 

[Psychie]

Valeren does her best to correctly relay details of the past several hours at the tea house, add their efforts to find out what was going on in Yu-Shan. When she finally gets to the part of facing her fellow members of the order that had fallen under the sway of the Yozis, it is all she can do to keep from breaking down in tears at the loss of life all around them.

"Please tell us, how is Jontom? We need to hear from him as to what happened in that chamber!"

 

[Sherwood]

Several hours of interrogation at the hands of Captain Merrick go by, as he asks you over and over the same questions in different ways, looking for any inconsistencies to your stories. Suddenly the door opens and Merrick snaps, "I said that I was not to be disturbed! What do you want?" Looking up, you see the very familiar face of Jupiter herself as she casually walks into the room. "My pardon, Captain Merrick. I am here to help set the story straight and stop you from wasting any more time. I sent the message that kept these two from returning to Yu-Shan with the rest of the Order. These Exalts are not guilty of being a part of the massacre, so please stop focusing so much of your time on them." She then looks over at Val and Kenji. "Go to Jontom. He has survived his wounds thanks to your quick thinking, and is able to tell you what has happened to the Conclave. I know you have many questions for me, but know that my hands are bound with what I can tell you and what you must delve into yourselves. Quickly now, go. We are already running behind in this war."

 

[Ebon_Arbiter]

For a moment Kenji lets his gaze linger on Jupiter, as if not believing that She is actually present in their interrogation room.

His heart beats with a gradually quickening pound, the confirmation that the Maiden who Chose and Exalted him, still looks after him, burning deeply within his soul, bolstering his courage, while the trust shown in him and his fellow Valeren by no less than an Incarna, uplifts his sould in this darkest hour for the Fivescore Fellowship.

Dropping to one knee - in a dramatic but heartfelt nonetheless gesture of fealty - he thanks her for the intervention that safeguarded his life as well as that of Valeren. His voice almost trembles as he speaks to her.

"Maiden of Secrets. My eternal gratitude for your timely warning. Not only for me, but for my most precious friend and ally, Valeren, whose competence in certain aspects far exceeds mine. It is with regret I face you, for I was incapable of warning more of my fellow Viziers, but all contact was lost. Sadness overcame me as I saw the very eldest of your Chosen, our venerable elder Seer of the Forbidding Manse of Ivy, Chejop Kejak, lying lifeless amidst countless other esteemed and far more experienced and important - than me - Chosen of You and of the other Maidens. Sorrow filled my heart when I had to take up arms against misguided Viziers, who had succumbed to the lies and deceit of the fallen Primordials and turned traitor to their own kind.

The question of why I was spared when my brethren fell, lingers within me, but far from me to question Your providence and Your wisdom. My sincere gratitude to You for it.

I will heed Your call and head on to find out what happened from our young and wounded fellow. It would be a tremendous honour if You could grace us with Your presence afterwards, since Your answers and guidance will be much sought after, at this darkest of hours.

***​

After that, Kenji stands up, asks Merrick to point them to where Jontom is kept and rushes there with all due haste, to find out what had happened during the Conclave that led to the massacre, whose final stage they witnessed.

 

[Psychie]

Valeren joins Kenji on her knee as he shows devotion to his patron Goddess. She may be a Chosen of Serenity, but she is faced with one of the great Celestial Incarne and she will absolutely show the proper respect! "M'Lady? I just would like to know, why us? What is it about the two of us that you singled out to save?"

 

[Sherwood]

Jupiter smiles, and places a reassuring hand on both of your shoulders. "You may not want to thank me once you learn what you are up against, but you are welcome. I have not the time to explain my reasons for warning the two of you right now, but let me say that you both have an important role to play in the future of Creation and the battles to be waged. Go see to your fellow Sidereal." With that, she turns and moves for the door, ignoring the Captain's many questions for her.

The guard captain sits back in frustration. "Well. I suppose our next step is to go and see the wounded man. Come with me. I will escort you there."

Thirty minutes later you are now standing outside the room of Jontom. There are several guards on duty out there, protecting the safety of the last surviving witness. Before you are let inside, one of the guards comes up to the Captain. "Sir, we have some answers for you. First off, we have a tentative body count of ninety six. Assuming that our count is correct, that would mean we have another survivor out there, somewhere. It will take a bit more time to be able to identify the bodies, but we have positively identified both Chejop and Ayesha. Also, there are lingering traces of a powerful spell that was put up around the entire Bureau that seems to have prevented all communication in or out, along with blocking any efforts to teleport out. This spell is not a Celestial level one, and it is not one that we are familiar with. This is telling us that there is at least one Solar involved in this plot."

Merrick nods. "Thank you. Continue trying to lock down the numbers of casualties and the identities of the fallen. If there is another survivor out there, we need to know who it is. Lets see what Jontom has to say."

Inside the hospital room, you find that Jontom is awake and sitting up, with his arm strapped to his chest. For a man on the edge of death a few hours ago, he is looking quite good, thanks to the skill of the medical systems here in Yu-Shan. He does look a bit pale, as if the weight of all Creation is sitting on his shoulders. He looks up as the three of you enter. In a quiet voice, he says, "Kenji, Valeren, I hear that I owe the two of you my life. If you had not pulled me out of there when you did, I wouldn't be here."

Merrick pulls up a seat across from the wounded Exalt. "I know you have been through much, but can you tell us what you saw? What happened in there?"

Jontom nods. "Yes, I suppose. I was in Gem, helping to secure a trade agreement between the Guild Factor and the head of House Harkonen when I received the summons in the form of an Infallible Messenger from Ayesha Ura, telling me to drop all that I was doing and return to Yu-Shan with the greatest haste possible. I traveled to the nearest Gate and made my transition to the Celestial City, and when I got to the Bureau, I learned that the whole of the Fivescore Fellowship was to be in a Grand Conclave to discuss an emergency situation. From another Vizier, I heard that at the Heptagram, Mnemon herself stormed the gates with a small army of demons, looking for any member of the Sidereals that were hiding there. She claimed to know some disturbing news about the Empress. Something horrible. Before I had the chance to hear more, the meeting was called to order. Chejop was there, and he was calling for a number of the eldest members of the Order, from both the Bronze and Gold Factions, to go forth and kill the Empress. She apparently had spent the past five years in Malfias with her new husband, the Ebon Dragon! According to Maser Chejop, she plans on breaking her spouse out of Malfias to run rampant across Creation once more."

He pauses to take a drink of water before continuing. "Before the assassination squad could be released for their deadly work, explosions ripped through the room! It was just pure chance that I wasn't killed outright with most of the other younger members of the Order. I wash knocked out, but when I came to, I could see a pitched battle going on! There were many Second and Third Circle demons, several strange Exalts and the Empress herself, all attacking the remaining Viziers. It was horrible. I struggled to my feet just to have one of those strange Exalts take a spear and throw it at me hard enough to pin me to the wall. I had a ringside seat to see the Empress face off against Master Chejop and Ayesha Ura together and kill them both. She then carves out . . . his eyes, saying something about how the old fool couldn't see this coming."

He pauses again, trying to choke back the tears. "They came up to me as I hung from the wall, and one of the demons asked if I should be killed off, too. The Empress looked at me, and said, 'No, we shall let him live. Relay the message that my darling husband, the Ebon Dragon, shall be coming to reclaim his throne, and there is nothing you can do to stop it. I shall rule alongside him with an iron fist, controlling all of Creation.' She then leans up on her toes and gives me a kiss on the cheek, and she then turns to leave with the others. As she walks off, the demon Erembour orders the others to call forth a host of other demons to run rampant throughout Yu-Shan to cause as much panic and destruction as possible."

 

[Ebon_Arbiter]

Spoiler

You mentioned that Jontom is one of the youngest Sidereals, if I recall correctly, but do we know approximately how old he is, how many years he's been exalted, what Maiden chose him and anything else that might stand out as information about him ? [sifu, any worthwhile connections or aptitudes etc]

Kenji rests his hand slightly on Jontom's shoulder, in a reassuring gesture to their young fellow Vizier. His account of what took place during the Conclave is quite shocking to hear and fills Kenji both with sorrow, that such events would come to pass, dread at what all these might mean for Creation's future and impotent rage, that somehow all those machinations eluded him and his more experienced peers, allowing such a massacre to occur.

"This grave blow against the Fivescore Fellowship is unprecedented, much like this invasion of Heaven. Measures must be taken that Yu-Shan remains safe, and I'm sure the Captain here and all forces of Heaven are already on it.

It is heartening to see that you're getting better Jontom and also to know that apparently another of our kind has survived. Unfortunately we do not as of yet know who that might be and where, as well as if said Vizier is loyal to Heaven and the Bureau or has turned to the service of the fallen Titans, who appear to have orchestrated this atrocity.

The news though of what transpired here are dire at the extreme".

Kenji pauses for a moment, breathing deeply, as if to better stomach what he heard from Jontom and calmly analyze them to discuss their next course of action.

"The Empress has returned. According to our late elders, during her dissapearance she was in Malfeas conspiring with one of the Yozis, who is now her husband, peculiar as it may sound. Even worse there seems to be a plan to break said Yozi out of Malfeas and unleash him in Creation once again. It appears that Mnemon knows of that as well.

Somehow, they possess the power to invade Yu-Shan without anyone be alerted and also summon or bring along Demons of the 2nd and 3rd circle, which to summon under normal circumstances in Creation is no small feat even for the greatest of sorcerers.

Also, according to the guards' account, they enacted a spell around the entire bureau that prevented all communication and teleportation, which is unknown to the forces of Heaven and of higher power than can be wielded by non-Solar exalted. Which could very well mean that apart from the forces of Malfeas and the Empress, we have to consider the cooperation of a Solar with mastery over sorcery, with the Yozis as well. Things don't add up in our favour.

And as per Jontom's account, there were also some strange Exalts alongside the Demons. How do you mean strange Jontom? Different appearance, animas, powers? Have you ever encountered their ilk before? Did they have any distinguishing features or any powers in common or in resemblance with the Exalt types we know of?"

He then turns to Merrick and Valeren.

"The situation seems worse than we suspected. If one of the Yozis is about to escape Malfeas, has the Empress on his side and they're able to strike against Heaven with such force, success and impunity, I shudder to think at what comes next.

We must act. But as of this tragedy, there are too few of us to properly stemm this tide of darkness. Our missing fellow Sidereal must be identified and found and our next course of action must be planned carefully. But I think that our superior Gods in the Bureau and perhaps the other Incarnae as well ought to know all information available on this development, if they do not know already. We must stand united if we are to preserve both Heaven and Creation".

 

[Sherwood]

You mentioned that Jontom is one of the youngest Sidereals, if I recall correctly, but do we know approximately how old he is, how many years he's been exalted, what Maiden chose him and anything else that might stand out as information about him ? [sifu, any worthwhile connections or aptitudes etc]

Jontom has been Exalted as a Chosen of Journeys for the past forty five years, and has reached Essence 4. He has been studying the Violet Bier of Sorrows style, but has not yet mastered it. The area of influence that he is focusing on is building on his contacts in the South, most notably dealing with the Realm Satrapies and their connections with the Guild.

 

[Psychie]

Val lets out a low whistle. "Damn. I don't think that anyone even guessed that the Empress was in Malfias for her years missing. It explains much, though. I have a thought. We need to find Mnemon and see just how she was able to find out about the truth of her mother. I know some members of House Mnemon, and I may be able to find out where she is hiding. Also, if we are to stop this Demon Empress, we will need an army of Essence users. Having the Exalts of House Mnemon with us will be a good start to that."

 

[Ebon_Arbiter]

Kenji's brow is heavy with thought, as he contemplates Valeren's proposal.

"Indeed. If she found out about her mother, she might be counted upon to stand with those who wish to foil the Empress's plans. It is fortunate that you have ties to her Great House. Might prove invaluable in securing our first allies in this struggle.

I fear though that her progeny may not be enough. Heaven's forces should be roused or at least informed and gradually mobilize, while other Exalts must be located and their allegiances confirmed. No Bronze nor Gold faction stands as of today's disaster and if the Chosen of the Unconquered Sun wish to reclaim the Mandate of Heaven and rule Creation once again, they must fight with us to save it from the disastrous plans of the Scarlet Empress. And if Luna's Chosen wish to honour their purpose as Stewards of Creation, now is the time to prove it. In this hour of dire need, the Exalted Host should let old grudges aside and stand united as it did back in the Primordial War. Too long we've suffered the consequences of being divided.

The Empress wields much influence over the Dragon-Blooded of the Realm but the Lookshy and the Outcastes may still be brought to our cause. And it's not like that new threat to Creation's integrity has done anything to lessen all the other present threats, such as the Deathlords for example, which means that not all those we might seek help from will be readily available to assist.

The task ahead of us seems monumental in its scope and I truly wish that my sifu was still with us. His stern but appropriate words always conferred wisdom and he had a unique way of finding out what had to be done, without getting bogged down in unnecessary details.

Besides, we must identify and locate our missing fellow. Even one more of us could prove invaluable in this effort".

 

[Sherwood]

Moving the discussion out of the still recovering Jontom's room, Capt. Merrick looks to the two of you. In a very serious tone, he says, "I will let it be known through official channels that it was Jupiter Herself that kept you from attending the meeting, and that the two of you have no guilt to be laid at your feet for the deaths of so many of your fellows. Even with this done, don't be surprised to be on the receiving end of some hostility until you can prove to all the doubters that you can still be trusted. Now, we have much still to do. It will take some time to be able to accurately identify the bodies of all the fallen to know if we really do have a missing Exalt or not. If we do, --"

He pauses as the hospital room door opens to reveal Jontom carefully walking out of the room. "You can't be thinking to do all of this without me, are you? I may be the rookie of the group, but I can still help. Please, for my sake, don't leave me out of this. I feel helpless as it is, allowed to live by the Demon Empress as an afterthought, so useless in the fight that all I did was try to shake the cobwebs out of my head from the blasts. <snort> Hell, its not like if I had been awake for the fight that I would have been a deciding factor!" He pauses, trying to calm himself down. "Look, I have seen the Exalts that were a part of the fight. They weren't any kind of Exalt that I have ever heard of before. I have been taught how to recognize the anima of a Solar, and these guys were different. They didn't even use any of the typical Magical Materials I know of, but instead they were wielding Malfian Iron, just like the demons that they fought along side with."

Merrick looks to Val and Kenji. "It is up to you, but it is a fact that you are facing a massive task, and every hand can help."

Suddenly, a pale guard comes running up. "Sir! According to an announcement just made by the Empress, she has just used the Sword of Creation to cleanse the city of Thorns and the Shadowland that existed around it from Creation! Several spirits from the Aerial Legion have been dispatched to confirm this claim." His eyes scream the question of 'what do we do now?' even if his mouth doesn't verbalize it.

Jontom lets out a bark of laughter. "If you are looking for allies, you might wish to start off with the Mask of Winters, assuming he survived this attack. We know that these Deathlords have Exalts working for them that seem to be the dark mirror of the Solar Exalted, and most of them have a sizable military force at their disposal. I have contacts with the Guild in the South and the East, and they do business in the Underworld. It would not be very difficult to arrange a meeting between a Guild group and one or more of these Deathlords. Just sayin'"

 

[Ebon_Arbiter]

Moving the discussion out of the still recovering Jontom's room, Capt. Merrick looks to the two of you. In a very serious tone, he says, "I will let it be known through official channels that it was Jupiter Herself that kept you from attending the meeting, and that the two of you have no guilt to be laid at your feet for the deaths of so many of your fellows. Even with this done, don't be surprised to be on the receiving end of some hostility until you can prove to all the doubters that you can still be trusted. Now, we have much still to do. It will take some time to be able to accurately identify the bodies of all the fallen to know if we really do have a missing Exalt or not. If we do, --"

"Kenji bows respectfully to the guardian spirit. Thank you captain Merrick. It is understandable that we'll be regarded with suspicion and no hard feelings will be held on my behalf towards anyone. It seems to be the nature of both mortal, Exalt and immortal spirit to think of the worse, in situations such as this. Please, make sure that our fallen comrades are identified, the quicker to discern the identity and start seeking the whereabouts of the missing Vizier.

He pauses as the hospital room door opens to reveal Jontom carefully walking out of the room. "You can't be thinking to do all of this without me, are you? I may be the rookie of the group, but I can still help. Please, for my sake, don't leave me out of this. I feel helpless as it is, allowed to live by the Demon Empress as an afterthought, so useless in the fight that all I did was try to shake the cobwebs out of my head from the blasts. <snort> Hell, its not like if I had been awake for the fight that I would have been a deciding factor!" He pauses, trying to calm himself down. "Look, I have seen the Exalts that were a part of the fight. They weren't any kind of Exalt that I have ever heard of before. I have been taught how to recognize the anima of a Solar, and these guys were different. They didn't even use any of the typical Magical Materials I know of, but instead they were wielding Malfian Iron, just like the demons that they fought along side with."

Clouds amass over Kenji's already troubled brow, feeling suddenly the weight of years he has not lived and of decisions that by all rights should never have been his to make. He sighs slightly and puts a reassuring hand to Jontom's shoulder, while contemplating the emergence of those peculiar Exalted and what their nature could be.

"Worry not my younger fellow. As much as dear Valeren and I would like to shield you from undue risks and grave dangers - especially after your ordeal - such an hour seems to be as upon us, that there are no spectator's seats on this struggle. Gather your courage for you were not rescued by chance nor by the unfathomable clemency of the Scarlet Empress alone. You were safeguarded because as a Chosen of Mercury you still have a destiny to fullfill and perhaps Creation's people and heroes need to make yet another harrowing journey before extinguishing the Flame of the Yozis that threatens to burn everything we hold dear and leave only ashes behind".

Merrick looks to Val and Kenji. "It is up to you, but it is a fact that you are facing a massive task, and every hand can help."

Suddenly, a pale guard comes running up. "Sir! According to an announcement just made by the Empress, she has just used the Sword of Creation to cleanse the city of Thorns and the Shadowland that existed around it from Creation! Several spirits from the Aerial Legion have been dispatched to confirm this claim." His eyes scream the question of 'what do we do now?' even if his mouth doesn't verbalize it.

Kenji nods as if to himself.

"It has begun. The Empress strikes with her terrifying arsenal. And her first target is the forces of a known Deathlord...What could be the meaning of this, I wonder?"

Jontom lets out a bark of laughter. "If you are looking for allies, you might wish to start off with the Mask of Winters, assuming he survived this attack. We know that these Deathlords have Exalts working for them that seem to be the dark mirror of the Solar Exalted, and most of them have a sizable military force at their disposal. I have contacts with the Guild in the South and the East, and they do business in the Underworld. It would not be very difficult to arrange a meeting between a Guild group and one or more of these Deathlords. Just sayin'"

Kenji is almost taken aback by Jontom's suggestion. For a relatively young Vizier, the Chosen of Journeys who cheated death mere hours ago, seems to be quite bold in his proposals to say the least. But desperate times may require desperate measures.

"These are enemies of Creation Jontom. Proven enemies of Creation, true enough, and we must tread very carefully around them. Yet perhaps there is wisdom in your suggestion. They do not appear to be as threatening at the moment or maybe the Empress's act has put them in a position to listen to our proposal for a mutually beneficial truce or alliance. Do you recall anyone from the Convention on Deathlords being present and perhaps managing to escape Jontom? In particular did you see the Green Lady during the Conclave? She is one of my own division who had quite an expertise on such matters from what I recall.

In any case, I'd wish to consult with the Bureau Heads if at all possible before pursuing this course of action. Having their authorization on it could give us a better bargaining and operational strategy in that matter and having their sanction on that would preclude any worse consequences".

 

[Sherwood]

Captain Merrick nods as he looks over at the three Sidereals. "Fear not, Noble Jontom. Your skills will be useful in building a coalition of Exalted to face off against the Demon Empress. In the meantime, you need to give yourself some time to recover from your wounds. Even with the latest technology, you nearly died. Give my office time to identify the missing survivor of the attack, and that will give a lead on just where to go from here." Turning to Kenji and Valeren, he continues. "As it stands now, you two are the heads of the Sidereals, and even after the Shards are prepared by Lytek for reexaltation, it will be some time before there is any kind of Bureau rebuilt from the ashes of this day. What are your orders?"

 

[Psychie]

Valeren blinks a few times with that sudden realization. She had long planned on being a mover and shaker in the Order, just not like this! "Keep working on getting the identities of those that have fallen. We need to know exactly who we have left. Also, someone had to be behind getting the Demon Empress and her followers past security. I want names of any Exalt that might have done this; I feel that it had to be an inside job. How else could so many get past the Celestial Lions at the gateways? Next, get someone out to the location of Thorns to see if what has been announced is true. Now, I am thinking that we need to get some info on the locations of the Solars being sheltered by the Gold Faction. Ayesha Ura must have had that information in her offices; we just need to find it. Do we need some kind of warrant to get access to her private files? Or are we fine to go in there and search as things stand right now? I don't want to run into any bureaucratic bullshit in a time like this."

 

[Ebon_Arbiter]

Turning to Kenji and Valeren, he continues. "As it stands now, you two are the heads of the Sidereals, and even after the Shards are prepared by Lytek for reexaltation, it will be some time before there is any kind of Bureau rebuilt from the ashes of this day. What are your orders?"

The realization hits Kenji like a rude awakening. The feeling of responsibility on their shoulders becomes apparent as he begins to gradually fathom what the Fivescore Fellowship elders must have had to handle daily over the past. One could argue, that they almost made it look easy. In any case, the current outcome would depend on them and they had to do their best.

"Keep working on getting the identities of those that have fallen. We need to know exactly who we have left. Also, someone had to be behind getting the Demon Empress and her followers past security. I want names of any Exalt that might have done this; I feel that it had to be an inside job. How else could so many get past the Celestial Lions at the gateways?

"Indeed. Even though we still do not know how they entered the Heavenly City. This should be investigated in order to be able to shield Yu-Shan from a potential threat in the future as well".

Next, get someone out to the location of Thorns to see if what has been announced is true.

"They did say that Spirits from the Aerial Legion were dispatched to confirm that matter, if I recall correctly. Please let us know of the outcome once they return".

Now, I am thinking that we need to get some info on the locations of the Solars being sheltered by the Gold Faction. Ayesha Ura must have had that information in her offices; we just need to find it. Do we need some kind of warrant to get access to her private files? Or are we fine to go in there and search as things stand right now? I don't want to run into any bureaucratic bullshit in a time like this."

Kenji nods approvingly.

"Like it or not we need the cooperation, cunning and might of any and all Exalts who would stand with us to preserve Creation's integrity. I'd expand that search on the files kept by all Conventions - primarily by the one on Essence users - to find out about and locate any Chosen who could prove and asset, while at the same time prevent the inclusion of any dangerously unstable individuals and narrow down the possibility of any of them harboring opposing affiliations and traitorous tendencies.

As for authorization, I do believe that since the Conventions were overseen and staffed by our esteemed late comrades, it lies within our own authority, as things stand, to inherit their portfolios in their entirety, to further conduct the necessary operations appropriately. I'd agree of course that all the relevant Bureau officials are notified as necessary.

In addition to that, Captain, I'd really appreciate it if you delivered a summons - with all due haste since time is of the essence - to all the Bureau's Division Heads, in order to convene, discuss the latest developments and formulate a plan of action, plus get their authorization on the issue of Mask of Winters, if we are to consider such an option, pending the report from Thorns.

Other than that, I'd wish you to deliver an urgent message to the Incarnae themselves, particularly the Maidens of Destiny. With an invasion of Heaven, at the scale that we witness it and from that particular enemy, resulting in the massacre of the Fivescore Fellowship almost in its entirety, it is my belief that they should be notified, those who may not yet know of it that is, and also be informed that their wisdom and guidance is much sought after in light of these disastrous development.

As for other matters, Valeren, after we organise the meeting with the Bureau's divine leadership and conduct the investigation on these Convention and Bureau files regarding Gold faction affiliated Solars and other active and potentially useful Chosen, I think that we should maintain a stream of intelligence on the current situation on the Realm's affairs, via our contacts and placements in the All-Seeing Eye and the Heptagram, as well as establish a line of communication with Mnemon, to gather support and information from the Dragon-Blooded as well".

 

[Sherwood]

Do we need some kind of warrant to get access to her private files? Or are we fine to go in there and search as things stand right now? I don't want to run into any bureaucratic bullshit in a time like this."

Merrick lets out a low chuckle. "I would like to say that you are going to be able to recover any information without incident, but even now, there are some gods and sprits that are very stubborn and will resist any efforts to make change. But I can say this: my department will work with you in any way we can. Let us go to the former offices of Ayesha Ura. We should be able to find some information on the location of the Solars that they are working with. I hope that by the time my investigators will know who is our missing Sidereal."

 

[Ebon_Arbiter]

Let us go to the former offices of Ayesha Ura. We should be able to find some information on the location of the Solars that they are working with. I hope that by the time my investigators will know who is our missing Sidereal."

"It's as good a place to start as any, on our attempt to figure a way to deal with this situation. Lead on Captain", responded Kenji, with a surge of optimism and determination.

 

[Sherwood]

Leading you back into the building that houses the offices of the Bureau of Destiny, the guard captain heads straight to the former digs of Ayesha Ura, the leader of the Gold Faction. There are several spirits there, all looking shocked and heartbroken at the loss of their leader. They all look up as Capt. Merrick and the two Exalts come walking in. One of the scribes, a Pterok Dragon King, wobbles over. "Greetings, Guard Captain, Noble Exalts. I am Asyk Vaysel, and I wish your visit here were under more pleasant circumstances. I had a feeling that you would be coming here before long, and in expectation of that, I called for Ayesha's complete staff to come in and aid you in any way possible. Please, come in."

Capt. Merrick nods in understanding. "I wish we were here in better times, too. This day will be long remembered in the annals of Yu-Shan as a dark day for us all. These two Exalts are now the eldest known survivors of the Order. While we would normally never ask of you to provide us with secrets of your former master, this is a unusual time, and we need the locations of the Solars that were being trained up by the Gold Faction. There is a war going on against the forces of Malfias, and we need more Exalts of all kinds to bolster our ranks if there is to be any hope of victory."

Asyk looks troubled. "That is . . . understandable . . . given the disaster. We will not deny you any information that we have access to. Come. What you seek is in here." He then turns to head farther into the office to a massive desk. As he sits down, he explains, "There are several wards on the information you are looking for to keep unwanted eyes from seeing it. I do, however, know the secret to disarming the traps. It only takes a moment . . . there." He then reaches into a hidden drawer that pops open and pulls out a data crystal. "There are three training grounds that we have been using to lead the next generation of Solars on their path. This document has the dossiers on all of these Exalts, along with a few Lunars that have come along with their bound Solars to train with our instructors. There are maps on how to find each location, as they are all hidden away from all forms of scrying and Fate weaving. Take it, and stop those that would deliver such destruction upon us. Make them pay. Make them all pay."

 

[Ebon_Arbiter]

Leading you back into the building that houses the offices of the Bureau of Destiny, the guard captain heads straight to the former digs of Ayesha Ura, the leader of the Gold Faction. There are several spirits there, all looking shocked and heartbroken at the loss of their leader. They all look up as Capt. Merrick and the two Exalts come walking in. One of the scribes, a Pterok Dragon King, wobbles over. "Greetings, Guard Captain, Noble Exalts. I am Asyk Vaysel, and I wish your visit here were under more pleasant circumstances. I had a feeling that you would be coming here before long, and in expectation of that, I called for Ayesha's complete staff to come in and aid you in any way possible. Please, come in."

"Greetings honourable Vaysel. We do wish that we came here under different circumstances indeed. It is lamentable that our visit to the offices of the late Gold Faction leader is due to a catastrophe of a magnitude unprecedented in the history of the Fivescore Fellowship. Alas, there is no time to express our heartfelt sorrow and grief appropriately, for the situation is pressing. Thank you for taking care to assemble the staff in advance of our arrival. We'll need every possible assistance if we are deal with this successfully".

Capt. Merrick nods in understanding. "I wish we were here in better times, too. This day will be long remembered in the annals of Yu-Shan as a dark day for us all. These two Exalts are now the eldest known survivors of the Order. While we would normally never ask of you to provide us with secrets of your former master, this is a unusual time, and we need the locations of the Solars that were being trained up by the Gold Faction. There is a war going on against the forces of Malfias, and we need more Exalts of all kinds to bolster our ranks if there is to be any hope of victory."

Asyk looks troubled. "That is . . . understandable . . . given the disaster. We will not deny you any information that we have access to. Come. What you seek is in here." He then turns to head farther into the office to a massive desk. As he sits down, he explains, "There are several wards on the information you are looking for to keep unwanted eyes from seeing it. I do, however, know the secret to disarming the traps. It only takes a moment . . . there." He then reaches into a hidden drawer that pops open and pulls out a data crystal. "There are three training grounds that we have been using to lead the next generation of Solars on their path. This document has the dossiers on all of these Exalts, along with a few Lunars that have come along with their bound Solars to train with our instructors. There are maps on how to find each location, as they are all hidden away from all forms of scrying and Fate weaving. Take it, and stop those that would deliver such destruction upon us. Make them pay. Make them all pay."

Kenji receives the data crystal and puts it into one of his many pockets that end up into Elsewhere, for safekeeping until they need to access it.

"Thank you again. It is my sincere hope that in light of what has occured and what is about to happen if the Yozi conspiracy succeeds, that those Exalts will set aside differences and enmities and band together once again - after countless years - to thwart this threat to Creation".

Then he turns to Valeren.

"Val. Should we go to my offices in the Forbidding Manse of Ivy or to my Celestial Manse, to access the information on the crystal and plot our next move? That is, until the identity of the last surviving member of the Fellowship is disovered or until, our dutiful Captain Merrick, here, has managed to assemble meeting between ourselves, the Bureau's Division Heads and any of the Incarnae who want to grace us with their presence and guide us with their wisdom".

 

[Psychie]

Valeren runs her hand through her hair. "Damn. This is still trying to sink into my mind. Yes, we need to get to work. Your offices will be fine. I fear that if we were to go to my offices or my Celestial Manse, I would get distracted and lose focus. Lets see if Jontom is ready to join us yet; he may have some insight to provide with his knowledge of the South."

 

[Ebon_Arbiter]

OOC

Spoiler

If you were waiting for another response from Kenji to move on, apologies for the delay. I was under the impression that we'd move on, after Val's agreement to head for my office, read Ayeasha's dossiers and plan our next move, that's why I did not post again. Apologies if my assumption led to delay.

Also, I should note that I totally agree with her suggestion of checking up on Jontom.