Trial By Fire - Exalted 2e IC Thread

[Rykon]

Aredin would take Darian's hand and escort her, as usual, to prevent any mishaps with the odd surroundings they walked through. He keeps an eye out for any threats to either of them with his Daiklave in a sheath at his side instead of in his pockets. "...and I am Aredin Lentier..." He added in Old Realm, to try and round out introductions. Before turning to his circle and translating to Riverspeak what had just happened.

 

[MasterDAF]

As the group began to move in the direction Arrog came from, Viktor hooked his armaments back to the straps on his pack and followed. He responded to Aredin in Riverspeak, stating his appreciation for the translation of events.

Until the crafter had learned more about these Dragon-Kings and was sure the Exalt's weren't a marching buffet to the large reptiles, he would refrain from speaking in Old Realm around them. No need for their hosts to know he understood them until he knew he could trust them as well.

 

[LowRollLyfe]

Durke looks around alert but confused; he moves his hand to the hilt of his blade. All these odd beasts appear to be intelligent, but he doesn't at all understand their languages. When Aredin turns and tells them what's going on in Riverspeak, Durke shrugs and follows the group. "I hope you fellas know what yer doin'. Do they know 'bout the spirit we're lookin' for?"

 

[Kalin Scarlet]

Heaven snaps back to attention, the tension of this mission causing him to lose focus for the a majority of the trip. He coughs into his hand gently and waits quietly as the others converse, not entirely keeping up with the conversation.

 

[Psychie]

Darian does her best to keep her ears open as they walk, but also tries to reassure the others. "We came here to try and rebuild Creation, and having some allies here would make that much easier. Let us do our best to be friendly, and see where this takes us." She then asks Arrog, "We have come here looking to make contact with the gods of this city. Are you in contact with Leeayta? She may prove to be pivotal in our efforts to establish Rathess as a vibrant, living city once more."

 

[Sherwood]

Arrog leads the Exalts and the other three Raptoks into the Tower, leaving the Pteroks outside. When Darian asks about the Lizard Queen, he pauses, looking back at her. "Yes, we know her. She has helped me to Awaken several of us. I have a feeling that she will want to meet with you. Please, come with me."

As he walks, he continues to speak. "We have gone through great lengths to secure this Tower from any ground attack, and our winged friends keep an eye on the air above us. The fact that anyone was able to come flying up to the landing deck was enough to sound an alarm in the nest. Most of us here are still not Awakened yet, but the young ones do make a good deterrent to the goblins that run through the streets and underways. Leeayta helps us to try and bolster the numbers here, but it is slow work."

The Raptok takes you to a waiting lift and steps inside. "I assure you, this is quite safe, and unless you wish to use the stairs, this is the fastest way to the lower levels."

 

[Rykon]

Aredin seems troubled. "Ground attack?..." then something hit him like a ton of bricks. "Goblins!? What's going on here?" A dark forboding cloud seemed to settle in his heart.

Oh someone hit the Faerie button didn't they?

I didn't ask you. Don't distract me from hearing this!

Just don't forget who's next to you.

Aredin felt himself start to relax, the release of tension sent faintly audible vibrations to his ears. Am I still that worked up about all this?

Well, I think testing that technique you finally mastered should help you sort some things out. Again, remember the goal of the style. Don't forget who's next to you. Control yourself kid.

Aredin gave his wife's hand a gentle squeeze, trying to remind himself why he was here.

 

[jaydude]

Though everything seemed to be going well so far, Annika had become a bit frustrated at the fact that she was unable to understand the conversations taking place between the Dragon Kings and the rest of the circle, owing to her not knowing Old Realm or Holy High Speech. One thing she did notice was Aredin suddenly becoming agitated by Arrog's words, whatever they were. Oh, what she would steal to be able to understand what was being said!

Still, she followed after the rest of them, and when Arrog gestured to the lift, she went inside.

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Sirocco went silently with the Solars, but when Arrog mentions goblins, she perks up. "What are Goblins doing here? Do you have any idea who's leading them?" She seems for some reason visibly pleased, but Heaven can easily tell, this is what she was meant to do, combat, and she is eager to flex her wings, so to speak.

 

[Rykon]

Aredin remembers to translate to Riverspeak as he steps in the lift. "Goblins are here... which means there are probably bigger faeries here..." Aredin said solemnly. "For you two newcomers, my grudge against them is very personal. Leave no survivors if you see any."

 

[MasterDAF]

Viktor nodded along as they walked. He absentmindedly fidgeted with the small and incomplete Jade sculpture in his hand, rolling it back and forth as they entered the waiting lift. "If you think there are larger Fae here, perhaps we should try to capture one of the goblins alive for later interrogation?" He shrugged, looking to Aredin. "Just a thought. Info could help us find the larger ones, and I know you'd want them put to the sword."

 

[Rykon]

"I have no mercy in me for fae or fae sympathizers. If you need answers, make them squeal then slay them where they stand. I will not suffer any to live within creation."

 

[Psychie]

Darian gives Aredin's hand a squeeze. "Perhaps it would be best to allow someone else to perform the interrogations to get any information we may need. Then we can cleanse Creation of their taint. But the question remains, Arrog, what are goblins doing in Rathess? Are there Fae in the city?"

 

[Sherwood]

While the elevator lowers, Arrog calmly explains, "We have many perils here in the city. There are a bunch of independent Fae here, and they have established themselves in the other standing Flying Tower. There is at least five Nobles in their ranks, along with countless lesser creatures that follow their whims. But they are not the biggest threat here in the city. There is a pair of powerful beings that have taken control of the three pyramids along the Way of the Sun. I suspect that they are Exalts of some kind, but any attempt to approach them is uniformly lethal for us. They are building an army in the undercity, one composed of some humans, beastmen, and a large group of Wyld-twisted things. They have tried to gain access to our Tower, but we have been successful in keeping them out of our nests. They do provide a good source of food, though. Ah, we are here."

Arrog steps out of the elevator onto a balcony that overlooks a large chamber. Down in the lower level there are dozens of Raptok Dragon Kings that are curled up in various nests that have been built from dirt and debris that have been pulled into the room. A keen eye can even make out a few of the much larger Anklok breed shuffling about, along with a pair of young Pterok that are flying through the room. But what catches your eye even more than the hefty Anklok is a beautifully dressed (yes, dressed!) Raptok in flowing robes and wearing sparkling jewelry. With exquisite grace, the figure moves through the room, going slowly to each of the Dragon Kings. With a gentle touch of her claw, it gives a gentle caress to the ones it approaches, and the ones touched look up at the robed figure with adoration and love. It does not take a genius to figure out that this robed Raptok is most likely Leeayta, the Lizard Queen, goddess of the Dragon Kings.

"You asked to meet with our goddess, and I have brought you to her. Once she has completed her daily rounds through the pen, she will come up and hopefully be willing to speak with you."

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Sirocco pauses. Exalts, dealing with beastmen, and Wyld-twisted things. Could this be a fellow Lunar setting himself up here? or a pair? She had no qualms about attacking a Fae, but another Lunar? She was a bit taken a back, and it took her a few seconds to collect herself. She lays a hand on Heaven's shoulder, and gazes in awe at Leeayta. Finally she will get to meet this goddess that K'rr'cheek has talked much about.

 

[jaydude]

Annika just nodded when Aredin gave the order to kill any Fair Folk they encountered. She knew very well about the Eclipse caste's issues with them, and she wasn't going to try and talk him out of trying to avenge the deaths of his family. At least not until she discovered a good reason to let certain Fair Folk live.

Then the circle stepped out onto the balcony overlooking the chamber, and Annika walked over the edge of it in order to better see the many Dragon Kings that were gathered within it. There were ones like Arrog sleeping or lounging in crude nests, taller and bulkier ones plodding about, and two more of the flying ones zipping and zooming around.

"Wow...are these ones all enlightened?" Annika asked in Riverspeak, addressing no-one in particular. Like Sirocco, her eyes were soon drawn to the robed, bejeweled and almost regal Dragon King female, who seemed to be the subject of much affection and adoration from her lesser kin. Annika wondered if this was Leeayta, the goddess Dunbar had talked about on the journey here, the one who was the deity of both Rathess and the Dragon Kings.

 

[Rykon]

Aredin found a place to sit and began to explain the rest of their discoveries, and that once Leeayta was finished with her rounds they would have a chance to learn more.

"I can't say I look forward to fighting other Exalts but it's not like we haven't stepped up to that plate before." Aredin added, recalling the wyld hunt and Melar in particular. "I knew we'd have some foes among the Lunar host somewhere, but I guess we may have to face the reality of another Solar's blade eventually."

Given how difficult it's been with 3 Dragon-Blooded prisoners already, can we afford to bind more? Could we merely be making immortal enemies of our brethren? I suppose my old enemies aren't necessarily my current ones as far as humans go... but there are a lot that still seek our deaths... Aredin mulled over in passing moments.

 

[Psychie]

Darian places a reassuring hand upon Aredin's shoulder. "Don't fret, my love. We will try to approach these Exalts with the open hand of peace, and if they refuse our generous offer of alliance, we can then reassess our options. One thing is certain, though. We will be cleansing the city of the Fae Nobles in the other Flying Tower. We shall have no business with them."

 

[jaydude]

Annika listened as Aredin explained things to the rest of the circle, and talked about having to fight other Exalts. It wasn't a prospect he sounded happy with, but there was no need for Annika to provide any words of comfort, for Darian beat Annika to the chase; if they ran into other Solars - or any other Exalts - they could try and win them over peacefully, and if that didn't work, they could look into other options. Such sentiments were all well and good, but Annika's main concern was that sooner or later, the circle would run into a Solar who - like Aredin - had the skills and drive to forge an empire of their own, and wouldn't be content with mere vassalage in Aredin and Darian's empire.

She turned her attention back to the many Dragon Kings below, but after a few seconds of watching, she heard a rush of wind, and what she was seeing suddenly changed.

==========================

She was stood at a large, circular table, upon which lay a number of building maps and diagrams. These had had several notes and annotations added to them, indicating guard patrols, points of interest, and even a secret passage. Also stood at the table were two Raptok Dragon Kings, who were both discussing what might have been an upcoming operation. After some time, one of the Dragon Kings gave her a salute, before saying some words of reassurance, letting her know that he could handle whatever was being asked of him. As he said these words, he seemed to shrink and change shape, going from a slender, scaled werelizard to a human male, who could have easily passed himself off as an easterner. Flashing her a confident and cocky grin, he turned away from the table, and left through the room's large double doors.

==========================

Annika opened her eyes, having to blink and shake her head after what had just happened. She was back on the balcony of the chamber, and everyone else was just as they had been before that...vision, memory?...had appeared. Glancing around, Annika saw that she was still near the edge of the balcony, looking down on the many Dragon Kings...and completely able to understand what they were saying.

It wasn't like their words were being translated into Riverspeak. It was more like the spoken language of the Dragon Kings had suddenly appeared in her mind, or it had always been there and she had just remembered it. For more than a few moments, Annika just looked down at the Dragon Kings with a slightly open mouth, trying to comprehend just how this had happened.

 

[Rykon]

Aredin still sat somewhat cold, "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst..." he added. "I didnt voice those concerns for my behalf, but for each of you. I can't make choices for any of you here, but you've followed this far. If you intend to continue doing so, I say to you all. Think carefully about where the line is drawn. The line that separates what you will do, what you won't do... what is right from what is wrong. I suspect we will learn much about it in our time here. So don't be afraid of the challenge."

 

[jaydude]

"Er...why did you feel the need to say that?" Annika asked curiously, turning away from the Dragon Kings to look at Aredin.

 

[Rykon]

Aredin rubbed at his eyes before responding "Really? I've known all but three of you for about a week or two at best and we are stepping into a hot battle ground these Dragon Kings fight in for their survival. Given the arguments Viktor and I have had alone, I know I can't be the only one concerned about what we could be up against."

 

[jaydude]

Annika nodded in understanding, and then smiled at Aredin. "You think I'm afraid that I might not make it out of here alive?" she asked. "I admit that I'm a bit wary about what foes I might encounter here, and I imagine that they'll be like nothing I've ever faced before. But on the other hand, I also know that I'm a lot more capable than the average human - just like everyone else in this circle - and from what I remember, Aysik himself said that he didn't think there was anything in this city that a full circle of solars couldn't handle. Besides, we can hardly back down every time we think something might be dangerous. If we're just going to do that, I'd have been better off quitting thieving, and you and Darian might as well forget about creating a new Solar Deliberative."

"As long as we don't act like total fools, I believe we can make this trip entirely worthwhile, whether or not we manage to lay the foundations for our new empire. And if we run into an opponent that we can't fight in the process? That's fine; we just fall back and reconsider our options."

 

[Rykon]

Aredin blinked, somewhat confused. "That's not at all what I meant. I meant preparing for the moral challenge of making the right call here. The martial challenge I am fairly eager for. I spent the whole trip here training, and I'm eager to see just how much stronger I've become in the past week. I feel like I could probably take on 15 Dragon-blooded alone if those hunters were anything to go by."

 

[Sherwood]

"There are no Dragon-Blooded here, I assure you. They fear what lies in the heart of the city." This voice comes suddenly from a curving stairway that drops down into the lower level. As you look over, you can see the robe-wearing Raptok slowly coming up the stairs. Arrog quickly drops to one knee and bows his head. "Arrog, you have brought visitors to our home. Who are they, and why are they here?"

"M'lady, these are Exalts, most are Solars but there is a Lunar here, also. They wish to speak with you about trying to restore our once great home into a shining city once more. This one," he indicates Sirocco, "knows much about our ways from spending time with other Enlightened Dragon Kings."

The reptile goddess places a clawed hand on his shoulder. "Thank you for bringing them to me, my child." She moves over to a bench and settles down on it. "Well now. Here I am. Please forgive me that I cannot offer you much in the way of refreshments. Your visit was not expected, so I am not quite ready to entertain guests. What do you wish of me?"