Trial by Fire - IC Thread

[jaydude]

Kuaidao glanced at the map, then replaced it in his pack, ending his Essence commitment to it.

"Two figures likely to be Exalted. Aside from them and the accompanying group of walking dead, no-one else." he said to the others, before walking towards the emissary party.

 

[Random Word]

Maja peers curiously over Kuaidao's shoulder as he examines the map, "Two? I thought there was only one."

She walks alongside Kuaidao, her attention fixed on finding the second exalt, in case the enemy intends to hide an assassin amongst the horde of hungry dead.

 

[Psychie]

Spider shrugs. "They are probably trying to sneak one past us, hiding in plain sight, since we would be paying attention to the rider and not the infantry force. Well, forewarned is forearmed, and we now know about them both. Lets go see what message of gloom and doom that they have for us."

 

[Sherwood]

With the Circle walking out to meet the force from the Shadowlands, it does not take long before the column of dead comes into view. As described, there is only one figure riding on horseback, and the rest of the group is on foot. It is kinda creepy looking at them, knowing that the lot of them are dead, including the horse that the rider is on. The count given to you of the number of foot soldiers seems to be fairly accurate with one hundred hiking along behind the rider.

The rider is wearing full plate mail soulsteel armor that completely covers him, including a helm that obscures his face, and a long dark cloak that is billowing in the cold breeze out over the rear of the undead horse. As far as what weapons he is armed with, you can see a long glaive with a dark pennon being casually carried, with the butt of the staff planted in the stirrup of the saddle, and there is a short bow on the side. The pennon is blank, just a length of black cloth.

There is, however, a flagbearer walking along beside the rider. The banner being carried in the hands of the man is a dark blood red cloth with a symbol of a stylized hammer in gold thread upon it.

jaydude you may try a Int + Lore roll to try and identify the symbol, thanks to your training in heraldry in the Legions.

When you approach, the rider raises up a hand and the column comes to a halt, obviously waiting for you to come closer.

 

[jaydude]

As he approached, Kuaidao looked at the symbol on the banner, trying to see if he could recognize it. It looked strangely familiar...

Spoiler: Mechanics

Rolling Int + Lore (6 dice), and claiming one point stunt. Six successes.

Spoiler: Kuaidao Stats

Essence: 2
Personal Essence: 16/16
Peripheral Essence: 30/40
Anima: Burning

Committed Essence: 15 (Guardian Host + Dauntless)

Willpower: 4/5
Join Battle: 7 dice
Health Levels: -0, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -3, Incapacitated
Resolve 3, Guile 2

Attacks
Guardian Host (Orichalcum & White Jade Daiklave): 14 W. Accuracy, 11 D. Accuracy, 15 Damage, Overwhelming 4 (+3 ACC, +12 DMG, +1 DEF, OVW 4) (Lethal, Melee, Chopping)
Straight Sword: 13 W. Accuracy, 11 D. Accuracy, 12 Damage, Overwhelming 2 (+2 Accuracy +9 Damage, +1 Defense, +2 Overwhelming) (Lethal, Melee, Balanced)

Actions
Rush: 10
Disengage: 8

Evasion 4, Parry 7
Soak/Hardness: 11/7 (Dauntless, Soak +8, Mobility Penalty -1, Hardness +7, Attune 5)

 

[Sherwood]

Familiar indeed. That banner is the symbol flown in combat by an Abyssal Exalt that is known by the title Whisper that Comes From the Heart of Darkness. She is a warlord of some skill serving the Deathlord Deliverer of Dark Dreams and Nightmares, and has made her name in the past several years in the Underworld by leading troops to expand the territory of her mistress. She is a formidable melee combatant in her own right, using her glaive with great skill, wiping out entire squads of infantry on her own as Whisper feels the heat of battle.

 

[jaydude]

An Abyssal Exalt with several years worth of experience. That could be interesting.

"Whisper that Comes From the Heart of Darkness. I suppose I should be honoured that the Deliverer of Dark Dreams is sending such a revered veteran to treat with us. Though I have to say, I'm surprised you felt the need to bring along such an escort, given your formidable skill on the battlefield." Kuaidao said in Skytongue, gesturing to the group of undead behind her. It was his way of both making her aware that he knew about her, and giving his fellow Exalts an idea of what they were dealing with here.

"What is the will of your mistress?" he asked, wanting her to get to the point.

Spoiler: Kuaidao Stats

Essence: 2
Personal Essence: 16/16
Peripheral Essence: 30/40
Anima: Burning

Committed Essence: 15 (Guardian Host + Dauntless)

Willpower: 4/5
Join Battle: 7 dice
Health Levels: -0, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -3, Incapacitated
Resolve 3, Guile 2

Attacks
Guardian Host (Orichalcum & White Jade Daiklave): 14 W. Accuracy, 11 D. Accuracy, 15 Damage, Overwhelming 4 (+3 ACC, +12 DMG, +1 DEF, OVW 4) (Lethal, Melee, Chopping)
Straight Sword: 13 W. Accuracy, 11 D. Accuracy, 12 Damage, Overwhelming 2 (+2 Accuracy +9 Damage, +1 Defense, +2 Overwhelming) (Lethal, Melee, Balanced)

Actions
Rush: 10
Disengage: 8

Evasion 4, Parry 7
Soak/Hardness: 11/7 (Dauntless, Soak +8, Mobility Penalty -1, Hardness +7, Attune 5)

 

[Sherwood]

The figure on the horse reaches up and pulls her helmet off, revealing an attractive woman with very pale skin and long platinum blonde hair that is pulled up into a bun. She looks at the four of you one at a time, taking in your posture and expressions before answering. "Ah, a man of wisdom, I see, being able to recognize the banner under which I ride." She glances back at the men standing silently behind her, then gives Kuaidao a smile. "I hardly need the escort; it is merely an honor guard, meant to keep the riffraff at bay. Hardly the numbers I would wish in order to be able to strike at the assembled clans in the Valley ahead, but my Mistress insisted that all the proper steps be taken when approaching a group of unknown Exalted."

The woman reaches into a pouch at her side and pulls out a finely decorated scroll case. "I have a message from my Mistress, Deliverer of Dark Dreams and Nightmares, that I have been instructed to deliver unto the Exalted here." She hands off the scroll to one of the soldiers at her side, and the man takes it with both hands and approaches the Circle where he drops down to one knee a few paces before you with the scroll raised up in his hands as he offers it you.

Raising her voice, Whisper says, "I offer up to you the written word of my Mistress, but not all know Old Realm, so I will relate to you what she has to say. There is a threat that is coming to Creation, one that risks to end all that you know of here. My Mistress is gearing up for war against this threat, and seeks to ally herself with those that have the wisdom to stand with her against the forces that are arrayed against us all. If you would be willing to speak with my Mistress, bring this scroll to her fortress of Shadar Logoch where she will receive you with the promise of safe passage. The scroll includes a map on the location of Shadar Logoch so you can find it easily enough."

She looks at Kuaidao, and continues with, "If you choose to not join with us, we cannot be held responsible for what will happen to these people here at the hands of our enemies. You should give this offer much consideration, and not reject it out of hand."

Do any of you accept the scroll from the soldier?

 

[jaydude]

At Whisper's mention of this threat to Creation, Kuaidao couldn't help raising an eyebrow. A Deathlord offering to come to their aid against another Deathlord?

With a little hesitance - some instinct warned him against freely accepting offerings from the dead - the Dawn took the scroll from the servant, keeping an eye on Whisper all the time.

"You'll forgive me if I'm reluctant to immediately accept this offer. We and the dead haven't exactly seen eye-to-eye in recent years, and the fact that a being like your mistress is willing to lend us her support sounds almost too outlandish to be true." he said bluntly, albeit politely. "Perhaps you can share what information your mistress has given you on this threat? That way, even if we and her do not reach an accord, she will at least have a more informed enemy of her adversary."

Spoiler: Kuaidao Stats

Essence: 2
Personal Essence: 16/16
Peripheral Essence: 30/40
Anima: Burning

Committed Essence: 15 (Guardian Host + Dauntless)

Willpower: 4/5
Join Battle: 7 dice
Health Levels: -0, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -3, Incapacitated
Resolve 3, Guile 2

Attacks
Guardian Host (Orichalcum & White Jade Daiklave): 14 W. Accuracy, 11 D. Accuracy, 15 Damage, Overwhelming 4 (+3 ACC, +12 DMG, +1 DEF, OVW 4) (Lethal, Melee, Chopping)
Straight Sword: 13 W. Accuracy, 11 D. Accuracy, 12 Damage, Overwhelming 2 (+2 Accuracy +9 Damage, +1 Defense, +2 Overwhelming) (Lethal, Melee, Balanced)

Actions
Rush: 10
Disengage: 8

Evasion 4, Parry 7
Soak/Hardness: 11/7 (Dauntless, Soak +8, Mobility Penalty -1, Hardness +7, Attune 5)

 

[Psychie]

Spider looks at this woman with disbelief. "Really? You expect us to believe that line of horse manure? What do you take us for?" She looks over at Kuaidao, feeling glad as she hears his own questioning of the story of this Abyssal that he's clearly not buying this story. Is this just a move to try and get us to come to this Deathlord's fortress where we can be killed and taken out of the way? Or . . .is there a sliver of possibility that this is a straight up request? What do we do if this is a genuine offer? Should we risk all to see?

 

[Sherwood]

Whisper shakes her head and says, "I will not reveal what my Mistress has discovered; it is not my place. If you wish to talk with her directly, you have the needed information to find Shadar Logoth to be able to talk to her directly." Looking directly at Spider, she smirks. "I care not for what you believe, and trust me when I say that you don't want to hear what I personally think of you."

By now, the one soldier that had offered up the scroll case has risen and returned to his position in the column of troops behind the horse. "Now that my message has been delivered to you, my duties to my Mistress require me to be elsewhere. Perhaps we will meet again."

 

[jaydude]

As Whisper made to depart, Kuaidao called out to her.

"Speaking as a fellow soldier and a Sword of Heaven, a wise strategist doesn't keep her subordinates from passing on information simply because it's 'not their place'." he said, the obvious implication being that the Deliverer was not a wise strategist. It was an attempt to get a rise out of her, to discover just how much she was willing to defend her mistress.

Spoiler: OOC

Read Intentions, aimed at uncovering Whisper's feelings towards the Deliverer. Assuming Whisper actually has any useful information to share, I'd like to try and pry it from her before going to the Deliverer.

Of course, if everyone else would rather carry on with the story, that's fine with me.

Spoiler: Kuaidao Stats

Essence: 2
Personal Essence: 16/16
Peripheral Essence: 30/40
Anima: Burning

Committed Essence: 15 (Guardian Host + Dauntless)

Willpower: 4/5
Join Battle: 7 dice
Health Levels: -0, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -3, Incapacitated
Resolve 3, Guile 2

Attacks
Guardian Host (Orichalcum & White Jade Daiklave): 14 W. Accuracy, 11 D. Accuracy, 15 Damage, Overwhelming 4 (+3 ACC, +12 DMG, +1 DEF, OVW 4) (Lethal, Melee, Chopping)
Straight Sword: 13 W. Accuracy, 11 D. Accuracy, 12 Damage, Overwhelming 2 (+2 Accuracy +9 Damage, +1 Defense, +2 Overwhelming) (Lethal, Melee, Balanced)

Actions
Rush: 10
Disengage: 8

Evasion 4, Parry 7
Soak/Hardness: 11/7 (Dauntless, Soak +8, Mobility Penalty -1, Hardness +7, Attune 5)

 

[Random Word]

Maja scoffs. Treating with icewalkers was bad enough, but the hungry dead? The ancestors these were not. The Fae were at least forced to keep their twisted word. The hungry dead could be trusted to do nothing but devour.

Maja glances sidelong at Kuaidao and Spider, "She insults us. Summons her enemy like a vassal. Sends a rude and dismissive emissary at the head of the desecrated remains of my people. Devouring hearts has taught her nothing about winning them."

She gestures at the retreating enemy rider and draws her fingernail subtly along her neck, silently but clearly communicating There are four of us and only two of them. Shouldn't we end them before they kill anyone else?

 

[Sherwood]

Whisper first looks at Kuaidao, saying in a very measured and controlled tone of voice, "I would not say such things of my Mistress to her when you meet her if I were you. She can be . . . temperamental . . . at times, and it would be disappointing to see your lives snuffed out from something so insignificant as that. The Deliverer is a wise woman, skilled in many fields, and I will not attempt to justify her decisions to you."

Kuaidao gets the feeling from your Read Intentions attempt that Whisper is terrified of her Deathlord, and because of that, she will not speak ill of her Mistress in front of any witnesses.

Turning her attention to Maja, she goes on to say in a more dangerous tone, "If you truly wish to be our enemy, I can oblige you at any time."

 

[jaydude]

Kuaidao gave Whisper a nod. "As you wish."

From her response to his earlier remark, he didn't think he was going to be able to get anything out of her regarding the Deliverer. In that case, he figured that it would be best to send her and her entourage on their way, before things could come to blows between her and his own group. They were obliged to grant her safe passage home under the local traditions, after all.

"You can tell your mistress that for the moment, there's peace between her and us. I have no interest in fighting her at the same time I have to fight our existing enemies. Though I cannot make any promises on how the assembled clans will respond to her message." he said. "For the reasons I gave earlier, I won't dismiss her offer outright, but we may not accept it either. Perhaps we and your mistress will end up going to war with each other in the future, but if her offer and her motivations for making it are both genuine, it is my hope that our two factions can at least recognize this foe of yours as the greater threat here. Even if we do not fight as allies."

A peaceful withdrawal, and the hope of future agreement. The Dawn only hoped that Maja and Spider wouldn't seriously hate him for granting Whisper that. Besides the fact they were already going up against a Deathlord, they were obliged under the local customs to allow safe passage.

Spoiler: Kuaidao Stats

Essence: 2
Personal Essence: 16/16
Peripheral Essence: 30/40
Anima: Burning

Committed Essence: 15 (Guardian Host + Dauntless)

Willpower: 4/5
Join Battle: 7 dice
Health Levels: -0, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -3, Incapacitated
Resolve 3, Guile 2

Attacks
Guardian Host (Orichalcum & White Jade Daiklave): 14 W. Accuracy, 11 D. Accuracy, 15 Damage, Overwhelming 4 (+3 ACC, +12 DMG, +1 DEF, OVW 4) (Lethal, Melee, Chopping)
Straight Sword: 13 W. Accuracy, 11 D. Accuracy, 12 Damage, Overwhelming 2 (+2 Accuracy +9 Damage, +1 Defense, +2 Overwhelming) (Lethal, Melee, Balanced)

Actions
Rush: 10
Disengage: 8

Evasion 4, Parry 7
Soak/Hardness: 11/7 (Dauntless, Soak +8, Mobility Penalty -1, Hardness +7, Attune 5)

 

[Psychie]

Spider levels off a glare at the woman on horseback that speaks volumes. If there was no 'free travel' banner in use, she'd happily tear into this undead bitch and scatter her troops to the four winds. I wonder just how bad it would be to these tribesmen if we did rip them to bits. I'm sure that it would not make our work building up an army here any easier. Damn it.

She stands there and watches as the column of troops makes a u-turn and start to march away, firing off daggers from her eyes. When this Whisper is out of hearing range, she says to the others, "Are you sure we can't just kill them and be done with it?"

 

[jaydude]

Kuaidao sighed. To an extent, he was able to see where Spider was coming from here.

"We don't know how our hosts might react to such a breach of their customs, and we've already got one Deathlord to worry about here. Besides, if I condoned or participated in the murder of someone who came here under a flag of peace, how do you think that reflects on me? A lot of our typical enemies - Dragon-blooded, disagreeable spirits - might doubt we'd treat them as anything else if we kill them every chance we get."

The simplest solution, he thought, might be to give Spider his Essence scroll and let her use it to track Whisper down, before murdering her once she was no longer under the flag of safe passage's protection. But that came with the risk of the Deliverer tracing the murder to them and considering them enemies, if she didn't already do so.

Spoiler: Kuaidao Stats

Essence: 2
Personal Essence: 16/16
Peripheral Essence: 30/40
Anima: Burning

Committed Essence: 15 (Guardian Host + Dauntless)

Willpower: 4/5
Join Battle: 7 dice
Health Levels: -0, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -3, Incapacitated
Resolve 3, Guile 2

Attacks
Guardian Host (Orichalcum & White Jade Daiklave): 14 W. Accuracy, 11 D. Accuracy, 15 Damage, Overwhelming 4 (+3 ACC, +12 DMG, +1 DEF, OVW 4) (Lethal, Melee, Chopping)
Straight Sword: 13 W. Accuracy, 11 D. Accuracy, 12 Damage, Overwhelming 2 (+2 Accuracy +9 Damage, +1 Defense, +2 Overwhelming) (Lethal, Melee, Balanced)

Actions
Rush: 10
Disengage: 8

Evasion 4, Parry 7
Soak/Hardness: 11/7 (Dauntless, Soak +8, Mobility Penalty -1, Hardness +7, Attune 5)

 

[Sherwood]

Rory lets out a deep sigh, saying, "You have chosen well by not attacking them. It would have been a very hard thing to be able to convince the various clans to work with us if the flag of truce was broken. Let us return to the Valley and share what we've learned with the various chieftains."

He turns to go back, trudging through the snow, expecting that the three of you will follow.

Back at the valley, several of the clan chiefs are waiting for you, obviously curious as to what has happened out there in the snow.

 

[jaydude]

Kuaidao relaxed a bit at Rory's words, thankful that his hesitation to start a fight with Whisper been vindicated.

Present...
The Dawn Caste cleared his throat, before addressing the assembled chiefs. "The messenger was an Abyssal - a Solar whose Exaltation was corrupted by the powers of the dead. She's known as Whisper that Comes From the Heart of Darkness, and she claimed to be an emissary of a Deathlord known as the Deliverer of Dark Dreams and Nightmares."

He took a deep breath, readying himself to deliver what would likely be surprising news to his audience. "Whisper came to offer an alliance between ourselves and the forces of her mistress, against an enemy she claims will pose a threat to both us and the entirety of Creation. I didn't outright agree or disagree to the offer, and she invited us to her mistress's fortress of Shadar Logoch in order to speak with her further."

He looked towards Rory, wanting to hear what the Zenith had to say about all of this.

Spoiler: Kuaidao Stats

Essence: 2
Personal Essence: 16/16
Peripheral Essence: 30/40

Committed Essence: 10

Willpower: 5
Join Battle: 7 dice
Health Levels: -0, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -3, Incapacitated
Resolve 3, Guile 2

Attacks
Guardian Host (Orichalcum & White Jade Daiklave): 14 W. Accuracy, 11 D. Accuracy, 15 Damage, Overwhelming 4 (+3 ACC, +12 DMG, +1 DEF, OVW 4) (Lethal, Melee, Chopping)
Straight Sword: 13 W. Accuracy, 11 D. Accuracy, 12 Damage, Overwhelming 2 (+2 Accuracy +9 Damage, +1 Defense, +2 Overwhelming) (Lethal, Melee, Balanced)

Actions
Rush: 10
Disengage: 8

Evasion 4, Parry 7
Soak/Hardness: 11/7 (Dauntless, Soak +8, Mobility Penalty -1, Hardness +7, Attune 5)

 

[Sherwood]

When Kuaidao mentioned that the emissary of the Deathlord offered up the chance to ally with her Mistress, there are angry shouts and growls from the various clan leaders. Several angry voices shout out things like, "We don't deal with the dead!" and, "There is no enemy we can't face on our own!" and, "Down with the Deathlords!" Clearly there is no love lost between most of the clans and their neighbors in Shadar Logoth.

But not everyone is quick to shout down the idea. A few are silent, obviously thinking over the implications of the offer. Finally, one speaks up. "I believe that there is no harm in learning more from Deliverer, if it will serve us in our battles to keep our own freedoms. What is she willing to offer us, and what is she asking in return? We can always say 'no' if we do not like her terms."

One of the other men point an angry finger at the one that just spoke. "Of course you are not against the idea of dealing with the undead; your people trade with the residents of the shadowland!"

The speaker replies, "Yes, we trade with them. Why not? It benefits us both."

More angry shouts back and forth fill the air, then Rory stands up and raises his hands to get the attention of the assembled chiefs. "My friends, we are facing an enemy that has called for the Chosen of the Sun, Moon and the Maidens to come here and stand ready to defend all of Creation from its threat. But we don't know the details of just what it is we are facing. One way or another, we do need information on the nature of our enemy. I would suspect that anything that we are told by this Deliverer is to be a dagger hidden in velvet, lies wrapped in the veil of truth, but there may be truth to be learned by those with a discerning ear to hear it. I would propose that while we start the work to prepare ourselves for war, we send someone to this Shadar Logoth to learn what can be ferreted out."

The level of aggravation in the room quickly eases, making the angry clan leaders more open to the idea of trying to get information. Rory then looks over at one of the chiefs, and says, "You have Exalted as one of the Dragon Blooded, have you not? Are there others in your clan that have the same gift of the Dragons that you do?"

The other man slowly nods, saying, "Yes, I am Exalted, and there are others of my family that are also Exalts. Why? Are you suggesting that we are the ones to go to Shadar Logoth to negotiate?"

"Who better to face these people than those with the power to defend themselves if things go badly? No mortal can hope to be able to resist the power of the Deathlord, but some of the Chosen might."

Rory then looks over at Kuaidao, Maja and Spider. "Has there been any word from Melinda? The last I heard, she was trying to gain some allies from the Celestial City."

Almost as if speaking her name has summoned her, the doors of the chamber open to reveal the Sidereal, looking quite haggard and tired. She walks in and sinks into a seat, clearly drained of all energy. With a smile, she says, "You always had good timing, my large friend. Yes, I was in Yu-Shan rallying support for our cause, but without much success. Most of the Sidereals are hesitant to throw their lot in with us until it has been studied into the next Age by a host of committees. A few of the local gods are more willing to step in, but it is not going to be enough to do much. It will be with the force of arms that our battle will take place."

 

[Random Word]

"This is madness," mutters Maja, darkly. "If you wish to die, there are far less painful ways. Ones that do not defile the soul. No one who passes through the gates of a palace of the dead returns. Something may return wearing your skin, but only a fool would trust it."

Maja jumps at Melinda's sudden appearance, but smiles at her declaration. "Yes, the Spirits provide. There can be no better ally. If we're going anywhere in search of allies, it should be to seek them out and plead for their intercession."

 

[Psychie]

Spider looks over at Maja, about to say something, but she reconsiders her remark. Finally, she says, "You may be right. But right now, we have a scattered bunch of men and women that might be willing to fight, but it is not an army. We need something to be able to rally the Northern kingdoms and draw in more Exalted to our cause or the enemy will simply steamroll right over us." She turns to look at Melinda, saying, "You know so much, and have access to equipment and allies that we do not. Is there anything you can offer up to us to give us an edge here?"

 

[Sherwood]

Melinda slowly nods. "I do know of one thing that might be helpful, but it will take a lot of effort to make it useable, if it is at all." She takes a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "In the high First Age, there were four massive flying fortresses that were built by the Deliberative, and they were used to maintain order and stability across Creation. Of the four, we know that one was destroyed during the Usurpation by the crew to keep it from falling into the hands of the mutinous Dragon-Blooded. A second one flew out into the Wyld and has been missing ever since. Of the last two, the members of my Order know of the location of one. In theory, it could be used to serve as the beacon you seek to call forth other Exalted to the banner you raise here."

Rory lets out a surprised snort. "Well, by Sol's left tit, why the hell haven't you told us about this before? This sounds like the perfect thing! A massive First Age fortress! All we need to do is go and claim it!"

She looks at him and asks, "Do you know how to fly such a thing? It is no simple task to make one of these fortresses work. We lack the needed skills to make it work, and in order to get the fortress operational, it will take a lot of help and raise the attention of those that would be threatened by it. If we do try to restore the Titan, it will require us to be ready for challengers to our right to keep it from day one."

 

[jaydude]

Kuaidao was confident in his ability to whip these tribespeople into fighting shape within a short window of time, but the mention of this flying fortress - and its potential as both a rallying beacon and a military asset - certainly intrigued him.

"I'm not one for tinkering with First Age Artifice, but I can certainly get to work preparing our current forces for the challenges you speak of." he said to Melinda. "Of course, that would prevent me from assisting in efforts to reach the resting place of this flying fortress, assuming that my involvement would be required there..."

Spoiler: Kuaidao Stats

Essence: 2
Personal Essence: 16/16
Peripheral Essence: 30/40

Committed Essence: 10

Willpower: 5
Join Battle: 7 dice
Health Levels: -0, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -3, Incapacitated
Resolve 3, Guile 2

Attacks
Guardian Host (Orichalcum & White Jade Daiklave): 14 W. Accuracy, 11 D. Accuracy, 15 Damage, Overwhelming 4 (+3 ACC, +12 DMG, +1 DEF, OVW 4) (Lethal, Melee, Chopping)
Straight Sword: 13 W. Accuracy, 11 D. Accuracy, 12 Damage, Overwhelming 2 (+2 Accuracy +9 Damage, +1 Defense, +2 Overwhelming) (Lethal, Melee, Balanced)

Actions
Rush: 10
Disengage: 8

Evasion 4, Parry 7
Soak/Hardness: 11/7 (Dauntless, Soak +8, Mobility Penalty -1, Hardness +7, Attune 5)

 

[Sherwood]

Melinda rubs the back of her neck, thinking. "We can split up, with your group working to prepare the clans here in the north for the fight, and I can see what I can do to get some savants that are trained in First Age lore to aid me in getting the Titan up to speed. This will serve to slow the advance of the enemy down enough for me to bring in reinforcements from the south. Rory, will your people be up to the challenge?"

The big Solar gives her a toothy grin. "Aye, lass. There isn't a foe that we can't handle! Especially with the likes of us at the lead! And I hazard a guess that from the way that Kuaidao is talking, he has more than a few tricks up his sleeves for making the clans an even stronger fighting force."