Trial By Fire - Exalted 2e IC Thread

[Rykon]

Aredin piled a select bundle of scones on to a small dish to split with Darian, after filling a couple glasses with liquor from the secret stash in the amulet's pockets. Having a moment to enjoy some stiff drinks and a snack, he tried to refocus on the guests. "So, any plans now that you two made it here? Any questions for us, perhaps?"

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Now the newly arrived officer, who barged in, sword drawn, is no longer an immediate threat, Sirocco turns to Aredin, swallowing the scone. "We haven't made any plans, for now, but I do have some questions. What are your plans for Rathess? Is it just to plunder it? And what about it's inhabitants?" She seemed to be very interested, especially in their plans for it's inhabitants. Anyone with a keen sense of it, can tell that she seems to have something of a vested personal interest in it, despite her earlier saying that she came from a place far removed from Rathess.

 

[jaydude]

Annika turned to the Luna. "Well, there are First Age relics within Rathess that we hope to acquire, but as Aredin said earlier, our goal is to restore and settle in the city, and make it the capital of a new Solar Deliberative. Hopefully by working with its Dragon King inhabitants, and helping to restore them to their previous state of enlightenment."

 

[Rykon]

Aredin washed a mouthful of scone down with some of Mark's finest and cocked his head to the side reflexively puzzling through the implications of the question. However, in a return to normalcy, he started blurting out an answer before thoughts even came to him or before his practiced decorum took back over his speaking pattern. "Well, I'm looking to build an empire and I want my capital there. Bein in a spot to help the inhabitants is just an added bonus. Assumin we're up to the task, it's almost a necessary play to protect my family, friends, and my people. We've already had the hunt after us once. I'd kinda like to make 'em think twice before I have to waste more dining rooms killing or imprisoning them." Aredin said, giving his wife a gentle one-armed hug as he mentioned family. "I reckon that should work for folks like you as well. Makes us an appealing target, sure, but far more dangerous as a unit than apart. Savvy?"

Growing tired of the regal act are we?

The pretention and self-importance does get grating. Doesn't help with you doggin me about it though.

Just remember the lessons we've learned the hard way once before. They must respect you to follow you.

Yeah, but it's gettin hard to respect myself if I stay too formal for too long. I'm still a blue-collar kid, even if I donned the white collar for a time.

No matter, it's all gold from here. Not like either of us ever got that choice.

Aredin reached for another scone, chewing it slowly as he conversed with the shade of a past life, attempting to conceal an idle thought. Just how much of who I became is really me, I wonder.

 

[MasterDAF]

Viktor chewed one of the scones, stifling laughter as Sirocco spoke of the inhabitants of Rathess. He was unable to contain it however, laughing aloud as Annika mentioned restoring enlightenment to the Dragon Kings. He spoke through his smile. "More like if we can restore them. History may label Sol's loyal reptiles as wise savants, warriors, and inventors, and portray them as ardent supporters of the ancient Solars. But the few stories I hear from the East mention only thick forests and predators coming from that direction."

The blacksmith shook his head. "Not that I want to sound like a downer. I'd certainly love to meet some intelligent dinosaurs and learn their unique plant-based form of crafting from their own jaws. But I just don't think our odds are too good." He shrugged. "The only remaining Dragon-Kings I've heard word of in recent years are jungle-stalkers and mindless monsters, and who knows if even they exist any more?"

The Twilight crafter looked to Aredin. "Unless perhaps Aysik has told you differently? That would certainly make me more optimistic."

 

[Rykon]

Aredin blinked and merely repeated words he uttered before in the last meeting. "Never give up, never surrender. Not on ourselves, each other, or old friends. One way or another, we will make a way."

 

[LowRollLyfe]

Content with Annika's response, Durke nods then walks over and takes a seat at the table. He picks up a few scones and turns them over, examining every inch of the delicacies. After a few moments, he shrugs and chomps one in half. He chews for a few moments then makes a few odd faces as he struggles to swallow the dry pastry. He reaches over and takes multiple swigs from the chalice of wine sitting next to his plate. Finally free from the choking embrace of the scone, Durke lets out a croak, "The scones 'cough' are a'little dry."

Durke returns his eyes to the new people in the room, his gaze resting upon the one that changed. Not thinking much on social etiquette, Durke blurts out. "So ughh, by the way, what are you?" Then Durke looks at the rest of his company and adds, "And what in Creation is a 'Dragon king'? Keep hearin' 'bout lizards and monsters and I got quite the weird thoughts now runnin' through my brain. They related to them dragon-blood princes we dealt with earlier?"

 

[Sherwood]

Aysik, who had been quiet in the background, finally steps forward. "The Dragon Kings are a race of four different species; the Anklok that favor the fiery heat of the South, the Raptok that find the wooded areas of the East to be favorable to them, there is the Mosok that are the aquatic Western dwellers, and the flying Pterok from the far North. They are a reptilian race, and sadly, most of these proud warriors have died out a long time ago. Young Dragon Kings that do not as yet have their Essence Awakened in them are savage, wild creatures, and cannot be taught until such time as they do come into their powers. Once that happens, they are a very intelligent and creative race. If you can locate any of the wild Dragon Kings still in Rathess and help to teach them to Awaken their Essence, they would be a very powerful group of allies, very strong and extremely loyal, with the added benefit of having the ability to use Artifacts of Orichalcum just like the Solars do." He pauses to take a drink from his mug. "There are a small handful of Awakened Dragon Kings in Yu-Shan that I may be able to convince to aid in the effort to bring them to sapience."

 

[MasterDAF]

Viktor's eyes flew open wide in surprise at Aysik's words. "There are intelligent Dragon Kings that still live, residing up in Yu-Shan!?" A smile danced across his face. "I never would have dreamed such a thing. That is wonderful news!"

He looked back to Aredin, and nodded. "My friend, I suppose you are right. A way exists after all."

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Sirocco was torn. On the one hand, these people seemed to want to help the Dragon Kings, but on the other, Durke and Victor seemed to be belittling them. And it was in a very soft whisper that she spoke "There are still Enlightened Dragon Kings around in Creation."

 

[Psychie]

Darian turns her head over towards Sirocco. "You say that like you have personal experience with Enlightened Dragon Kings. Would you be willing to share what you know?"

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

The usually-proud and confident Sirocco seems unusually frail and doubting for a moment. She knew this could be a make-or-break moment, and was uncertain how to phrase things She gulps down another scone, and sits down. Her voice falters and is only a bit over a whisper at first "Well.. I did... I do... you see... I... I haven't... I never told anyone... Not even Heaven..." And then she lifts her head, and it looks like tears in her eyes, and this is one of the few times Heaven has ever seen her with tears "When the raiders came to my village, I tried my best to fight them off, we all did. But I failed. I failed my brothers, and I failed my fellow villagers. It was only near the end of the raid, when the raiders were about to do things to me, that I was Exalted. I do not remember much from my Exaltation, but apparently I blacked out, and when I woke up, a strange creature was tending to me. Later I found out it was K'rr'cheek, a Pterok. He and his people nursed me back to health, and taught me how to be a Lunar. Apparently my ancient incarnation has brought them to the hidden vale up in the mountains, and they worshipped me. I have taken a vow to help restore their kind." At the end of her story, she turns to Heaven, takes his hands and falling on her knees she says "Am sorry I never told you the full story before. I have taken a vow to keep them secret, I hope you'll understand."

 

[jaydude]

Seconds earlier...
Annika turned around as Aysik made his appearance, and listened as he talked of the Dragon Kings, having heard him say similar things on the night before Aredin and Darian's wedding. Once the Sidereal had finished speaking, Annika turned to Durke.

"And no, I don't think they're related at all." She said, drawing on what she had been told about Dragon Kings in the last few days, and what few parts of the Immaculate Order she had heard and remembered. "From what I understand, Dragon Kings are an entirely different race from humans, whereas Dragon-blooded is just a fancy name for Terrestrial Exalts, who originally got their powers from the Elemental Dragons."

Now...
Revealing this information to the others was clearly a big deal for Sirocco, Annika thought. And the fact that the Luna had apparently lost her homeland to raiders elicited some sympathy from her.

"Hey, it's no problem." Annika said. "Some things you just have to be careful of sharing. And hey, it's not like you've completely betrayed them; we still don't know which mountains they're hidden in."

 

[Rykon]

Aredin pondered for a few moments the implications of some of what had been said and attempted to keep his questions short. "How many are left that we know of? Wild, awakened or otherwise."

 

[MasterDAF]

Viktor listened quietly as they spoke, excitement lighting up his face. He was extremely interested to hear these revelations of enlightened Dragon Kings still alive in hidden enclaves and amongst the gods. Hopefully we will be able to help Sirocco fulfill her vow to the Pterok. Many creatures would have left one in her situation for dead, especially if they knew her to be a Celestial Exalt. That they chose to care for her in her injured state is truly a sign of goodwill on their part.

The crafter nodded along as Aredin asked about the Dragon King's remaining numbers. If a small group of Pterok were able to survive this far removed from the reign of the Solars, then perhaps some of the Raptok that Aysik mentioned have managed the same in Rathess. If we can find the ancient city, perhaps we can begin to re-forge the links of loyalty between their people and our predecessors.

He looked to his companion. "Koharu, I want you to head to the storage room in the workshop and begin compiling everything we've got on Rathess and the surrounding area. I know there are a lot of holes in the information we reclaimed from Sahim's library and the Chiaroscuran tombs, but anything we can look over in advance gives us a bit more of a chance for success."

She shook her head at him in disagreement. "But I belong at your side. If another Terrestrial death-squad were to arrive --"

"Then I would have a room full of Exalts to help fight them off." He pointed to Sirocco. "And if they came prepared for all Solars, the warrior of Luna would give them quite the surprise, I'm sure." Viktor smirked. And two attacks at the same location would not only be improbable, but it would also be a sign that this dining room is cursed.

Koharu gave him a crisp nod. "As you wish." She was clearly not sold on the idea, but recognized the order she'd been given and left to begin her task in the workshop.

 

[Sherwood]

At the question of how many Dragon Kings there are, Aysik strokes his chin in thought. "In the beginning, there were more Dragon Kings than humans. It wasn't until after the Primordial War that their numbers dropped down to just the few tens of thousands that exist today. In the area around Rathess, I'd have to guess that there are many hundreds, perhaps as many as a thousand, of these living in the ruins of the city. There are obviously other pockets of Dragon Kings in Creation," he nods over at Sirocco, "and we have some here that have seen Enlightened Dragon Kings themselves. Up in Yu-Shan, the various Bureaus employ many Pterok Dragon Kings as scribes, thanks to their steady claws and beautiful writing. There must be some of these that will know the best and safest way to Awaken the Essence of their more savage cousins. It will be difficult to contain and teach them, but the payoff will be spectacular."

 

[jaydude]

Annika listened to the dialogue between Viktor and Koharu, as well as Aysik's answer to Aredin's question about the number of Dragon Kings in Creation today, before she stood up.

"I hope you'll all forgive me for this, but I think it would be best if I leave now, in order to look into the issue of those two spy groups." She said, addressing the rest of the table as a whole. "Unless anyone here has an important reason for me to stay?"

 

[Rykon]

"Of course Annika. Good luck." Aredin responded with a smile and nod.

Aredin ran several estimations in his head at once.

Various bureaus...assume 5, many dragon kings... assume 20... roughly a 100 on a conservative ballpark...

"So we might get 1 to 5 with the time to escort us among those? Assuming Sirocco has approval to visit her friends, we may convince another 5 at best? Hm... I dont have too much room in the globe so even still we'd need to keep numbers for the initial exploratory crew slim... So I guess the real issue is going to be headcount and whether or not we'll have a knowledgeable guide handy..."

Aredin paused having thought aloud for many of his musings. "There is one final issue. We may have to defend ourselves against Feral Dragon Kings. We may have to kill them... Is that something we can accept?"

 

[Sherwood]

Aysik says, "There is, if I recall correctly, a Folding Land Ship that was taken off of my buddy Mellar. That can be used on land or sea, and should provide more room for passengers and supplies to get to the ancient ruin. As for a knowledgeable guide, I will have to let Dunbar take the lead on that. He has studied more on the old city than I have, and there are issues that I need to address personally that are coming up."

When Aredin brings up the problem of having to face the savage and feral Dragon Kings and having to use lethal force against them, the old Sidereal nods. "The race has always been fervent believers in survival of the fittest. So long as you are not arbitrarily slaughtering them wholesale, there shouldn't be a problem."

 

[MasterDAF]

"Not specifically, no." Viktor answered to Annika's plan to leave. "Not from me, at least."

He considered Aredin's question concerning combat with the Dragon Kings. I don't want to kill them, but I certainly don't want claws digging through me either... "I'm willing to try and limit myself to just incapacitating them, if we deem it possible. Either through the face of a hammer or the flat of my blade, I think I should be able to pull most of my blows to knock them unconscious without any permanent damage."

He looked to Sirocco and gave her an apologetic shrug of his shoulders. "But if push comes to shove and I think we are in over our heads, I won't hesitate to put them down. I'm not willing to put their well-being over our own, not with what's at stake."

 

[Psychie]

Darian leans forward and takes a pastry off of the table with a dainty hand. "I will do my best not to kill any that I don't have to, but I will act to protect the lives of my friends. As for the folding ship, how large is it? I know little of ships and things that go along with them, so I will have to leave the handling of it to others."

 

[jaydude]

Annika left after Aredin and Viktor gave their blessings for her to leave, but before everyone started discussing the Land Ship and the possibility of having to kill some of the Dragon Kings. Returning to her headquarters, the Night caste looked through the information on the two spy groups gathered by her agents, looking for anything that would permit the authorities to carry out a search of their properties under the laws of Gwynnin.

(Will I need a roll for this?)

 

[Sherwood]

The Folding Land Ship is built using a First Age design, the Swift Midday Brilliance class light ship. It can be operated by a single Exalt, but has berths for up to 15 people on it. That does not include the cargo space below decks, which can be converted to hold up to a Talon of infantry and their gear or two common Warstriders curled up. The ship is not armed.

jaydude go ahead and give me a Intelligence + Investigation roll, and add two dice to your attempt to find something chargeable in the laws of the city.

 

[jaydude]

Rolling (Intelligence + Investigation + 2 bonus dice) to look for evidence justifying search of spy properties.

 

[Kalin Scarlet]

"I-It's alright, Sirocco. You were just protecting the people you care about. I...understand, okay? Just, uhm...go ahead a-and sit back down, alright?" Heaven asked, patting her hands gently as he smiled at her.

As he loosed his hands from hers and turned around, Heaven maintained his smile while he picked up another pastry. However, the dullness in his eyes was clear to anyone who paid attention. Despite knowing that her reasons for doing so were likely justified, the solar couldn't help but feel the slightest bit of disappointment to know his sole companion and partner for these last handful of years still had her secrets.
The talk of Dragon Kings and landships faded into the background, the Twilight focused entirely on the food laid out before him.