War of Despair (Exalted 3e) - IC

[Blackadder]

The Diamond Hounds had no issue fending off the flailing zombie masses, keeping on the move and swiftly cutting away any undead that got too close. Cleon wielded Sage Strife deftly pushing back the laborious strikes of a knot of zombies around him, before he kicked one away and turned, daiklave sweeping to cut off one particularly rotten looking zombie's head.

Spoiler: OOC

The Diamond Hounds' Parry DV 7 resists the attack.
Cleon uses a 1 point stunt to boost his Parry, and 2m for a boost from the Melee Excellency to bring it up to 7.

Personal: 13/13
Peripheral: 21/24
Anima: Glowing

The actions of the Diamond Hounds and Cleon will be coming shortly.

 

[WlfSamurai]

Nexus: Sasha

You’re commands and actions are decisive and effective. Your pikemen engage the undead covering the archers and keeping the zombies at bay. Their experience and steel keep them from taking any loses. The archers loose, raining a cloud of arrows upon the enemy.

All the while, your Nova arrow smashes the back of the undead line into rotting bits.

A few more minutes and volley after volley from you and your archers crush the rest of the undead. Stragglers are surrounded safely by your pikemen and executed.

Rann claps your shoulder. “This is why I stick with you, LT. Nice work.” He sighs and with a wry smile. “Only a few million left to go in this war. Should we get down to that cage?”


Nexus: Hadria

You and the mercenaries battle back the horde now closing in, enough to get the wagons moving again. The streets to the tower are jammed with living dead just looking for flesh. The fill every alley and doorway. They press on all sides.

The situation as it is, you have made a difference and passed the halfway point. The question is not if you and your men will make it to the tower, but how many casualties you’ll suffer to get there and how many carts will survive.

This’ll be a standard roll against difficulty 4. I’m thinking Charisma/Wits+Leadership for you to move your men through, but you could use other rolls if you can tell me how you do it. If you succeed, you’ll have a good portion of the mercenaries and carts when you get to the tower. If you fail, you’ll come through with few men and supplies. Threshold successes will add to your success, as normal. And stunt dice will apply.

 

[Sherwood]

Sasha fires another arrow into the chest of a squirming undead as she shoots a grin over at Rann. "Damn good work, everyone. Lets put a hustle on before we get overrun by the walking dead outside these walls." She breaks into a run, moving quickly to get to the cage. "Don't worry! We are here to free you! Rann, use your Daiklave and cut that lock. Lets get these people out of here and behind those walls. We need to hook up with the rest of the city defenders if there is any hope of saving Nexus from the dead."

 

[Raparth]

The press of the dead grew only stronger as they progressed, as more and more ambulatory corpses drew up in front of them, more and more still bodies falling into their path. The Quill of Heaven wished she'd brought a Sword, Hammer, Arrow, or Dagger along to make this easier. The soldiers were fighting well, but they had no vision of a leader nor any spectacular martial maneuver to drive them. No, she told herself as she took another breath, forcing her mind into the stillness of the Crane, I have everything I need. The others do their work, near or far. I need only find the proper utilization of my resources. Her eyes scanned around the slow-grinding caravan, quickly finding the lack in each unit. She had only to fill that void, to take on the necessary roles, to speed the wheels of their progress.

Hadria moved over to her left, slightly too far ahead, and the mercenaries surged forward to protect her. She shifted back and right, slashing through a cluster of the dead, pulling together the survivors to fight with her. Her gaze fell upon her own people as much as the enemy, and each time she determined what her followers needed, and so she was.

Spoiler: Mechanics

Okay! Wits+Socialize, since she's seeing what her troops need her to be, then stepping into that role, before moving on.
2 Wits + 3 Socialize + 3 Harmonious Presence Meditation + 5 from Excellency + 2 Stunt - 3 due to targeting more than one target with Socialize = 12 dice
That's 4 motes spent for the Excellency (thanks to HPM discount).
Spending Willpower for 1 autosuccess. Higher stunts will add more successes.

12D10 = [3, 9, 10, 2, 1, 1, 8, 4, 8, 1, 6, 10] = 7 + 1WP = 8 successes

So, successful effort (vs Difficulty 4), with 4 Threshold successes.

Oh +5 motes from combat round ending!
Currently at:
8/13 Personal
18/33 Peripheral.
3/5 Willpower

 

[WlfSamurai]

Great Forks: Lumen

The fierce-eyed woman draws her two axes and nods. You both run to the temple, cutting down undead to make a path, fires raging all around you. Once there you find the main temple doors smashed and the dead are pouring in. The back section of the building is on fire.

“No!” the fierce-eyed woman cries. “They’re trapped! We have to do something!” Her muscles expand, she grows taller, her skin fills with hair, and her face takes the shape of a white tiger. She roars and leaps into the undead at the main entrance.

Nexus: Wukang

The abomination is too slow and you’ve already gained the initiative on it. A few more slices and it falls to pieces. The bits are still writhing, but no threat. Beyond it, you see Gennis and a good portion of his men still fighting the undead, alive. You made it in time.

At the far end of the street, opposite you, a mercenary is smashed to the ground like a rag-doll by the other abomination. Gennis sees you and the opening. He gives you a long thankful glance, then turns back toward his men. “Pull out! Let’s go! Move!” They pull away from the few remaining zombies and follow you. "Where to?" Gennis asks.

Nexus: Sasha

In the cage, you find two men, three women, and two children. They’re bloodied and injured after being beaten and taken, but nothing too serious. Your men help them down off the cart.

One of the men approaches you and Rann. From his tattoo and scars you can tell he’s a mercenary, maybe one of the originals hired by Nexus for defense. “Ma’am,” he says. “We appreciate the help. I thought that was it for sure. There are more in there, trapped. Women. Children. I can point you in the right direction.”

Nexus: Hadria

You pull the men together, give them direction, protect them. You lead them out of the fire as you all fight through straggler zombies that somehow broke through the salt lines. For the most part, the salt you had the forethought to put down saves your lives as it keeps hundreds—if not thousands—at bay.

You make it to the tower having only lost a few men and none of the wagons. The main doors are open having been smashed in during the fighting long ago. They could be barricaded, however. The main entrance chamber of the tower is ruined: destroyed furniture used for cover litters the floor, bodies torn apart or eaten lay motionless in the darkness of the room.

Todora Castle in the Hundred Kingdoms and Surroundings: Ozric & Cleon

Cleon, the dead mass together, closing the gap you and the Diamond Hounds cut through them. They surge forward like a wave of rotting flesh clambering for prey. Even up close, they look like a mass of bodies seething forward, arms bursting out like hair follicles.

They have no particular stratagem. They simply wish to consume you and your men. How do you engage them?

Ozric, you cut through a few of the undead behind Cleon. Two of the three Behemoths rage and lumber toward the city walls, hell-bent on destroying everything inside.

 

[Sherwood]

Nexus: Sasha

In the cage, you find two men, three women, and two children. They’re bloodied and injured after being beaten and taken, but nothing too serious. Your men help them down off the cart.

One of the men approaches you and Rann. From his tattoo and scars you can tell he’s a mercenary, maybe one of the originals hired by Nexus for defense. “Ma’am,” he says. “We appreciate the help. I thought that was it for sure. There are more in there, trapped. Women. Children. I can point you in the right direction.”

Sasha gives a curt nod as she keeps watch for the undead to respond to the Company's presence. "We are here to rescue some friends, but any lives we can save will be a blessing of the Unconquered Sun. Rann, we need to get into the city itself, without letting even more of the damn zombies in to wipe out the last of the defenders. Also, put a squad on protective duty of our rescued survivors. I'll not have them fall after fighting through the hordes to get to them." Her mind races with battle strategy, trying to formulate the best option for her band of warriors to take to ensure the most lives spared of her men.

OOC Spending 3m for Ideal Battle Knowledge Prana and 5m on the Awareness Excellency to see the battlefield accurately. Looking for ways to get the Company inside the walls without getting ground up into hamburger.

 

[Raparth]

Nexus: Hadria

As the caravan pushed past the scattered remains of the Guild's doorway, Hadria quickly surveyed the devastation inside. She turned to the mercenaries first. "A solid line at the door. Work through the building, a room at a time, and give the outer walls the a line as well. Be cautious, as I'm sure the Guild left some presents behind, if the dead haven't."

Then, to her more detail-oriented followers, "I need an accounting of everything: whether it's here or something you know used to be here. Make sure we have a clear layout of the place, as one never knows what to expect when a building is this old. Hidden doors, escape tunnels, vaults, illusions, anything."

Last, she spoke with her craftspeople and laborers, "We need the best gate you can give us, under the circumstances. The salt should do most of the work, but we may need to keep the living out as well. After that's done, do what you can to get things in working order, starting with the cremation of all of the corpses. From here, we will take back the city, so our foundation must be strong. If any of the others make it here, or you see any survivors, come find me immediately."

The Eclipse then began to explore the tower, following the mercenaries as they searched for threats, as she was eager to find out what she could about the Guild's previous operations.

 

[Greenstalker]

Nexus: Wukang

The abomination is too slow and you’ve already gained the initiative on it. A few more slices and it falls to pieces. The bits are still writhing, but no threat. Beyond it, you see Gennis and a good portion of his men still fighting the undead, alive. You made it in time.

At the far end of the street, opposite you, a mercenary is smashed to the ground like a rag-doll by the other abomination. Gennis sees you and the opening. He gives you a long thankful glance, then turns back toward his men. “Pull out! Let’s go! Move!” They pull away from the few remaining zombies and follow you. "Where to?" Gennis asks.

Wukang waves his shadowy figure which hides his features and makes it hard to guess who he is. He looks at Gennis as his shadowy claws brought down to some zombies to make a more clear path. "To Guild Headquarters I saw someone prepared a salt line to there and with luck we can join up with some friends than we can make a proper calculation on the situation." Than Wukang takes vanguard a role which he is not very fond of or have much experience with but harsh times requires improvisation much like how he couldn't deal with more than one abomination. He needs to adjust better to this situation perhaps he could ask Sasha for some bow training later if he ever see his circle mate again.

 

[WlfSamurai]

Nexus: Sasha

The mercenary explains the situation and draws a loose map in the dirt. He points out two locations of refugees trapped he knows about. One is a small holding house for the local militia a few blocks away. The other is an Academy deeper in the city.

The Essence fills you and aids you. It sharpens you resolve and hones your experience. There are many ways into the walls of city. You know. You’ve laid seige to many of them. Nexus’ walls are no different, just on a larger scale. There are several postern gates that dot the wall surrounding the city. There is one close by, but only two men can fit through at time.

Rann says, “What’s the call, L.T.?” He sheathes his sword and puts his bow over his shoulder.



Nexus: Hadria
Your orders are carried out. The mercenaries keep the door and explore the tower for threats. All the rooms that are cleared have their contents accounted for by your followers. The laborers begin work on a steel-reinforced portcullis and double-door set made from debris and salvage.

The tower proper turns up nothing immediately useful. Not even a stray shipping report. The tower is clearly residences and luxuries. It’s when one of the mercenary captains shows you a hidden entrance to the catacombs below that you realize there could be more here. Lighting torches as you go, you and a group of mercenaries move through the tunnels. The floors and walls are covered in blood, but you find no bodies. There are meeting rooms, holding chambers, a full kitchen, sleeping quarters, lounges, and writing rooms. Nothing of interest is found. The last room you step into is a massive council chamber. It should be awe-inspiring, if not for the blood and sickening smell. The room served as a major meeting room, but along the back wall are hundreds and hundreds of shelves jammed with scrolls. This was where they kept their archive at this location. In one of the far corners, a pile of bodies rots.

A smooth female voice says from behind you, “I was wondering when someone would find this place.” A seemingly young woman steps through your group and into the chamber. Her purple hood covers most of her face, but her chestnut hair spills out around it. The purple dress she wears fits her lithe form. She has her hands clasped behind her back.

She turns toward you and says, “Who are you?”



Nexus: Wukang

Gennis and his men do their best to keep pace with you. Together, you run through the streets past hordes of dead milling about. Predators without prey. When you mention the salt and the Guild Headquarters, Gennis perks up.

“Right,” he says. “That’s Hadria and her other mercs. We were running interference for her. They should have made it to the tower by now. Do you have a better place to go than there?”

 

[Sherwood]

Sasha looks at the nearest breech and makes a snap decision. "Stand back. I'm going to blast the wall to make the opening larger. Its not like the city hasn't been overrun by the enemy; one more opening won't make any difference." With an intense gaze, she raises up her bow and fires a Nova Arrow into the wall just above the gap, blasting a huge chunk out of the gate. "Rann, take up the rear and make sure all the men get through. I'll take point. Move like you have a purpose!"

 

[Greenstalker]

Nexus

Sun Wukang

Essence

Essence: 1
Personal: 13 (13)
Peripheral: 15 (33) [5 attuned, 13 committed]
8 mote to Ebon Shadow Form, 5 mote to Sensory Acuity Prana
Willpower: 5{/slide}

Ebon Shadow Form

Cost: 8m; Mins: Martial Arts 4, Essence 1
Type: Simple
Keywords: Form, Mute
Duration: One scene
Prerequisite Charms: Nothing But Shadows, Seven
Points of Weakness Strike

The martial artist’s outline begins to distort and flicker, as if it were a shadow cast by a candle’s unsteady flame. She moves with eerie speed and unnatural grace, making her enemies question whether she is even human. If her anima banner flares, it seems shapeless and dark, an umbral mantle enveloping her in its depths. Any enemy who fails an opposed roll to spot her when she enters stealth loses a point of Initiative, and she adds (her Stealth/2, round up) to her base Initiative when she resets after making a decisive unexpected attack. She also adds +1 to her Defense. If the martial artist is killed while in the Ebon Shadow Form, her body evaporates into an acrid black smoke, leaving behind no physical remains by which she might be identified.

Special activation rules: Whenever the martial artist makes a Stealth roll in combat that beats the opposing rolls of all enemies in the combat, she may reflexively activate Ebon Shadow Form. Enemies within range lose Initiative for failing their roll as described above.

Sensory Acuity Prana

Cost: 5m; Mins: Awareness 2, Essence 1
Type: Reflexive
Keywords: None
Duration: One scene
Prerequisite Charms: None

A breath of Essence seals the five senses into a more perfect form. The Solar’s senses are heightened and attuned to minute motions and sounds, dim and noisy conditions. She can differentiate between subtle tastes and textures with only the slightest variation. Thus sharpened, it is more difficult for characters to escape her notice, or to deceive her hunting senses. For the rest of the scene, the Exalt’s Awareness rolls benefit from double 9s. If the effect of any Unsurpassed (Sense) Discipline applies, reroll 6s until they cease to appear. Use of Sensory Acuity Prana comes without the danger of sensory overload; the Charm helps the Solar manage her senses more effectively.

Basic Combat Values

Evasion DV: 6 (5+1 from ebon shadow)
Parry DV: 6 (5+1 from ebon shadow) (for both styles)
Resolve: 4
Guile: 3
Join Battle: 10d10+3= 10 (6 at end of his turn)

Green Jade Razor Claw (Spring Razor) acc: +5 (+5 dex +5 MA) dam: +10 (12) def:+0 OW: 3 att: 5 (tags: Lethal Brawl Conceable Worn)

Natural Soak: 4
Armored Soak: 0
Total Soak: 4
Hardness: 0

Health Levels
[ ] -0
[ ][ ][ ] -1
[ ][ ][ ][ ] -2
[ ] -4
[ ] I

Nexus: Wukang

Gennis and his men do their best to keep pace with you. Together, you run through the streets past hordes of dead milling about. Predators without prey. When you mention the salt and the Guild Headquarters, Gennis perks up.

“Right,” he says. “That’s Hadria and her other mercs. We were running interference for her. They should have made it to the tower by now. Do you have a better place to go than there?”

Shadowy figure of Wukang flickered for a moment than a smirk appeared on the shadow as if a cat is smiling through darkness. "If you want we can always try our luck in the Firewander district with Fae's and Wyld. are you ready to get into a hail while running away from rain? Or maybe you might interested in Undercity where the death count is probably over tens if not hundreds times over here in streets? Or maybe you wanna check Cinnabar district which is probably flooded by river right now. Are you ready to find out if these things can swim or not?" The smile disappears from shadow. "No there isn't any better place in Nexus than there unless you want to try your luck."

 

[Raparth]

The Quicksilver Falcon was growing displeased with the results of the search. Surely something must have been overlooked, as those cowards fled the city. Once the hidden tunnel down was found, she felt a sense of satisfaction. Something would be here after all. The first areas were mundane enough, but essential to a functional base of operations. The last chamber, however, was breathtaking. Her eyes scanned over the room, sliding over the blood and viscera, taking in the beautiful decorations and the massive bounty of information that awaited her gaze...

The voice brought her back to the present, and she transitioned into an innocuous manner that could offer no offense. The mercenaries moved towards a more defensive position, but she gestured them towards the bodies. This person was most likely one of three groups: a Guild-connected personage watching over what was left behind, a Nexus-oriented entity concerned about what had been abandoned, or a Death-sworn creature likely responsible for the slaughter herein. The Eclipse put on one of her better smiles and wondered what this creature might be seeking from the encounter, as she gave a respectful curtsy.

"Oh, do forgive us for coming in unannounced." Her sapphire-blue eyes studied her opposite for the slightest betrayal of intent. "I am Hadria Salar. Whom might I have the pleasure of addressing?"

Spoiler: Mechanics

Seasoned Criminal Method set to Familiarity and Receptivity (which are her default settings, really).

It occurs to me that I don't know if Mastery of Small Manners or Deft Official's Way count as "social influence" for the purposes of Harmonious Presence Meditation. For now, I will assume they do not (and I'll try to do the research later).

She's doing a Read Intentions to determine what the woman wants out of this interaction. Perception 3 + Socialize 3 + HPM 3 + Excellency 2 = 11
11D10 = [6, 3, 2, 9, 5, 4, 5, 5, 8, 7, 7] = 4 successes... meh.

Reflexively spending 5 personal motes for Mastery of Small Manners, upon realizing there was someone alive. Then Peripheral 1m on Socialize Excellency on Read Intentions.
Currently at:
3/13 Personal
17/33 Peripheral.
3/5 Willpower

 

[WlfSamurai]

Nexus: Sasha

You blast a hole in Nexus’ wall. Your men move quickly through and take a defensive formation.

Inside the wall, the city is devastated. Crushed buildings, burnt bodies, hordes of living-dead milling about. At best, there is a foul stench that fills your nostrils. At worst, the smell is enough to make you wretch. The occasional din of a desperate fight can be heard, often capped with the scream of death, overwhelmed by zombies.

Rann pulls you aside. “L.T., scouts report Hadria and her men made it to the Guild Tower,” he says. “What’re your orders?”



Nexus: Wukang

You, Gennis, and his men cut through the city following the salt lines. Thanks to Hadria’s salt, it takes minutes to cover the distance to the Guild Tower.

Once there, the mercenaries covering the busted in main door let you all in once Gennis identifies himself. Inside, there are people working on building a new door and make-shift portcullis. Several mercenaries are pulling useful items from rooms in the tower into the main entrance hall. Bodies that had been strewn about have been collected into a pyre pile for burning later.

You don’t see Hadria amongst the rebuilding efforts.



Nexus: Hadria

The woman turns toward you and smiles. “You may call me Avarice,” she says. "Why are you here, Hadria Salar?”

Essence enhances your social prowess and investigative abilities. You pick up on the most subtle cues and hints. Avarice's confident swagger, her steeled expression, her clam hands, and her relaxed shoulders. You don’t know exactly what Avarice’s intentions are, but you know that she’s here for her own agenda. That agenda is greed. A lust for power, but a power beyond mortal means.

She’ll only be helpful as long as it meets her agenda.

The other thing you pick up on is that she is not a threat, yet. She’s not yet hostile to you or planning to be.

 

[Sherwood]

Rann pulls you aside. “L.T., scouts report Hadria and her men made it to the Guild Tower,” he says. “What’re your orders?”

Sasha takes a quick drink from her canteen and wipes the excess water from her chin. "We get to the Tower, and link up with Hadria. Having more Exalts in one place will give us a fighting chance to get as many survivors out of here and let us regroup. Map!" She takes the rolled up parchment from her second in command and looks at the layout of the city. "Here. This street leads to a large square, then we turn east and follow the road there to the Tower. When we get there, I'll send up signal flare arrow to let them know its us." Sasha gives back the map and shoots the Dragon Blood a grin. "Just a walk in the park!"

 

[Raparth]

Nexus: Hadria

The Eclipse smiled wider, offering a light laugh in return, "Well, then, I am pleased to see such a life-long companion here waiting for me. This place," she made a sweeping gesture indicating the entire facility, "has been abandoned." Hadria gave a theatrical sigh and accompanying frown, "It's so sad, the way it's fallen... into disuse. Someone had to come and restart the flow, someone not dissuaded by the distractions outside--" she waved her hand, indicating their insignificance,"-- someone with enough ability and ambition to make it happen. All these things being true, I simply had to come."

Her theatrical air vanished as she locked eyes with self-proclaimed Greed, blue eyes as serious as steel, "And so, dear friend Avarice, I am sure you are ready to work with me, as we have so often in the past. Now we'll simply have the chance to be more directly acquainted."

Spoiler: Social Stuff Goin' On!

First: I'm curious as to whether the Bureaucracy bonus to social influence from Deft Official's Way would help in convincing people to help establish organizations or to promote trade... or if it has to be specifically working within an otherwise functioning system.

Read Intentions (no motes) to look for any Intimacies related to trade, Nexus, or the Guild. Maybe that's too general... Hadria is mostly wondering what Avarice feels about a possible restart of trade/money.
9D10 = [7, 4, 5, 6, 9, 2, 3, 10, 6] = 4 successes
Damn, I keep forgetting stunt dice. Oh well, I'll let it go this time.

The main event here, though, is an Instill action aimed to instill a positive Intimacy of respect, friendship, or kinship to Hadria, based upon an intimacy Avarice has about greed and a desire for power.
Manipulation 5+Presence 3 (not sure if the Persuasion specialty applies here, so I'll ignore it) + HPM 3 + 5 Excellency + 2 stunt = 18
18D10 = [2, 6, 9, 2, 3, 10, 4, 1, 10, 6, 2, 5, 2, 9, 8, 2, 10, 5] = 9 successes

4 Peripheral motes spent for Excellency.
Currently at:
3/13 Personal
13/33 Peripheral.
3/5 Willpower

 

[Greenstalker]

Nexus: Wukang

You, Gennis, and his men cut through the city following the salt lines. Thanks to Hadria’s salt, it takes minutes to cover the distance to the Guild Tower.

Once there, the mercenaries covering the busted in main door let you all in once Gennis identifies himself. Inside, there are people working on building a new door and make-shift portcullis. Several mercenaries are pulling useful items from rooms in the tower into the main entrance hall. Bodies that had been strewn about have been collected into a pyre pile for burning later.

You don’t see Hadria amongst the rebuilding efforts.

Nexus

Sun Wukang

Essence

Essence: 1
Personal: 13 (13)
Peripheral: 13 (33) [5 attuned, 13 committed, 2 spend]
8 mote to Ebon Shadow Form, 5 mote to Sensory Acuity Prana, 2 peripheral spend on monkey leap technique
Willpower: 5{/slide}

Ebon Shadow Form

Cost: 8m; Mins: Martial Arts 4, Essence 1
Type: Simple
Keywords: Form, Mute
Duration: One scene
Prerequisite Charms: Nothing But Shadows, Seven
Points of Weakness Strike

The martial artist’s outline begins to distort and flicker, as if it were a shadow cast by a candle’s unsteady flame. She moves with eerie speed and unnatural grace, making her enemies question whether she is even human. If her anima banner flares, it seems shapeless and dark, an umbral mantle enveloping her in its depths. Any enemy who fails an opposed roll to spot her when she enters stealth loses a point of Initiative, and she adds (her Stealth/2, round up) to her base Initiative when she resets after making a decisive unexpected attack. She also adds +1 to her Defense. If the martial artist is killed while in the Ebon Shadow Form, her body evaporates into an acrid black smoke, leaving behind no physical remains by which she might be identified.

Special activation rules: Whenever the martial artist makes a Stealth roll in combat that beats the opposing rolls of all enemies in the combat, she may reflexively activate Ebon Shadow Form. Enemies within range lose Initiative for failing their roll as described above.

Sensory Acuity Prana

Cost: 5m; Mins: Awareness 2, Essence 1
Type: Reflexive
Keywords: None
Duration: One scene
Prerequisite Charms: None

A breath of Essence seals the five senses into a more perfect form. The Solar’s senses are heightened and attuned to minute motions and sounds, dim and noisy conditions. She can differentiate between subtle tastes and textures with only the slightest variation. Thus sharpened, it is more difficult for characters to escape her notice, or to deceive her hunting senses. For the rest of the scene, the Exalt’s Awareness rolls benefit from double 9s. If the effect of any Unsurpassed (Sense) Discipline applies, reroll 6s until they cease to appear. Use of Sensory Acuity Prana comes without the danger of sensory overload; the Charm helps the Solar manage her senses more effectively.

Monkey Leap Technique

Cost: 2m; Mins: Athletics 2, Essence 1
Type: Supplemental
Keywords: None
Duration: Instant
Prerequisite Charms: None

The Exalt leaps with the speed and grace of a striking hawk. Using this technique, a Solar may automatically leap forward or straight up one range band. A Solar using this Charm can easily leap to the top of a twenty foot wall or cross a Nexus street over rooftops, without having to roll. This Charm counts as the Solar’s movement for the turn. If the Solar continues to leap to a different range band each turn, the cost is reduced to one mote after the first activation.

Basic Combat Values

Evasion DV: 6 (5+1 from ebon shadow)
Parry DV: 6 (5+1 from ebon shadow) (for both styles)
Resolve: 4
Guile: 3
Join Battle: 10d10+3= 10 (6 at end of his turn)

Green Jade Razor Claw (Spring Razor) acc: +5 (+5 dex +5 MA) dam: +10 (12) def:+0 OW: 3 att: 5 (tags: Lethal Brawl Conceable Worn)

Natural Soak: 4
Armored Soak: 0
Total Soak: 4
Hardness: 0

Health Levels
[ ] -0
[ ][ ][ ] -1
[ ][ ][ ][ ] -2
[ ] -4
[ ] I

After Gennis and his men enters to guild HQ, Wukang's attention drawn to somewhere else. From Guild HQ where roads are wider and relatively spared from undeads and with his heightened senses Wukang can see the big light show along with a big boom sound coming from walls. He realized Hadria was not around but from the lights color it seems reinforcements came so he simply turned to Gennis " I will be checking who just knocked Nexus' doors if it is who I am asuming tell Hadria we have reinforcements and if I am wrong than probably our enemies brought more troubles. In either case report to Hadria about abominations" After his words are done Wukang's shadowy figure seems like flexed as he jumped to closest rooftop to check what is going on.

Spoiler: actions

Wukang keeps both ebon shadow form and sensory acuit prana. Wukang activates monkey leap technique to cross over rooftop of nexus to where the light show and boom sound came, he will ontinue using monkey leap technique until he reaches destination which means after next round its cost will be reduced to 1. Hopefully it is a solar as Wukang hopes from burning light

 

[WlfSamurai]

Nexus: Sasha & Wukang

Sasha, your plan is sound and its simplicity helps it survive contact with the enemy. Your men keep the zombies at bay until you move through the square and into the streets with Hadria’s salt lines. Once there, you fire off your flare.

Wukang, from your perch, you can see the bonfire Essence making its way down the square and into the street toward the tower. Its form is that of a brilliant tiger. Suddenly, a signal flare lights the sky above the spot where the Essence is coming from.


Nexus: Hadria

I think you assessment of Deft Official’s Way is correct. I think it needs to be working within a given system.

On the subject of restarting trade and commerce, Avarice has no feeling. As in, she doesn’t care about restarting it. She won’t stop anyone who wants to try, but she won’t help. She has other more important concerns. She may mock you while you do it with talk of, "fool's errands" and such.

As for your instill action:

Avarice inclines her head and sizes you up. After a long silence, she snorts and sighs heavily. “Yes, yes,” she waves a hand dismissively. “I respect what you’re trying to do, I really do. And I’m willing to work with you. But I’ll need guarantees.”

She crosses the wide council chamber. There is a grace and certainty about her movements that seems to somehow transcend reality; as if she could simply discard all around her. She turns and leans on the council table now between you.

“I have dealt with your kind many times,” she says. “It always ends in disaster. And how I hand’t foreseen you coming here troubles me…” She sits at the table. “Sit. Let’s talk.”

 

[Raparth]

Nexus: Hadria

Hadria smiled warmly back at her new friend, "I am so glad to hear that you're willing to talk... that I'll even overlook the implication that I'm not one of a kind." She gave a playful wink at that, and sat opposite of Avarice. She rested elbow on table and chin on palm, leaning slightly forward to let Avarice know how focused Salar was on her. "Now guarantees are not something I make lightly, because I always follow through on a deal. That, I think, might be something you haven't seen before, or else we wouldn't be in such an empty house... That said, if you tell me what I can help you with, I am sure we can come to an accord."

Spoiler: Mechanics

I don't think she's necessarily talked far enough to get this answer (and I'm sorry if I'm being Read Intentions spammy, but Salar is all about figure out what people want), but I'll do the roll so that when you think she's talked/listened enough, she can get in the information.
Read Intentions: Intimacies related to the Chosen/Exalted.
Perception 3 + Socialize 3 + HPM 3 + Excellency 2 + Stunt 2
13D10 = [3, 6, 7, 7, 2, 8, 9, 8, 8, 9, 1, 1, 9] = 8 successes

I really need to start taking it easy with the mote spending.... but all your description has made me worried about Avarice (which is a good thing!).

1 Peripheral motes spent for Excellency.
Currently at:
3/13 Personal
12/33 Peripheral.
3/5 Willpower

 

[Greenstalker]

Nexus

Sun Wukang

Wukang jumps from roof to roof until he reaches to Sasha's group. He lands in front of Sasha's men as a shadowy figure but soon the shadow covering his body melts into nearby shadows and reveals his form to his circlemate. "We almost started party without you. Though it seems you were having your own orgy at the entrance of city yourself and didn't even invited me." Wukang's sarcastic remarks didn't change at all probably a way for him to hide his true feelings since it was part of his training as an assassin.

Spoiler: mechanics

Wukang uses monkey leap technique until he reaches to Sasha's group no matter how many turns it takes his personal pool is at 14 since he is consecutively using monkey leap it only requires 1 mote. Once he finds Sasha's group however he stops using Monkey leap technique and drops ebon shadow form making his personal mote at 14/23 he still keeps Sensory Acuity Prana ongoing.

 

[WlfSamurai]

Todora Castle in the Hundred Kingdoms and Surroundings: Ozric & Cleon

Cleon, you and your Diamond Hounds wheel and split, ready to executer a pincer attack. The strategy is brilliant and timed perfect. The undead are slow and stupid and inflexible. Before they can adjust to your formations, you've ridden through them, meeting in the middle and crossing past your men front the opposite side.

You and your men cut them down like wheat before the reaper, their rotting flesh and innards spread over the dead ground.

In the same moments, two of the Behemoths breach the earth like whales at sea, soaring into the gray sky and finally smashing two of the towers on the outer wall of the city. The third Behemoth hangs back burrowing down, waiting, waiting.


Nexus: Hadria

Avarice’s eyes are black pits of judgement. Her faint smile a cruel joke. She shifts forward as if to engage in negotiations.

“I’ve said: I know your kind. There are those that would see you fail. And those that would raise you up. Take heed: I’m neither. Your lot, as with your kind, is your own. I’ll not interfere on behalf of anyone.

“Now, that does not mean that you do not have your uses to me. I have specific requests that could be helped by one such as you. But first, to start, I need to know two things. First, what do you intend with the mess out there? And second, why you’re here.”

Spoiler: OOC

Your roll is noted and you'll have you answer. As you said, it'll just take a little time through the conversation.

 

[Raparth]

Nexus: Hadria

Salar closed her eyes as she took a deep breath, then released it as she looked at Avarice once more, her manner remaining congenial. "I do so love specifics and I am sure we can be very useful to each other. Let's begin that reciprocity now. I will answer your first question, and you can tell me one of your specific requests, then I will answer the second, so that you give me all your other requests."

Hadria leaned back slightly, her posture straight again as she waved lightly each hand to indicate the city above them, "I will tell you very directly that it is my intention that the dead will be drive out of Nexus. Now..." She extended her arms slightly towards her new 'partner,' palms up and open. "What is something I can help you with?"

 

[WlfSamurai]

Nexus: Hadria

Avarice listens and can no longer help herself. Her divisive grin grows wider like a crescent moon mounting dusk. She layers her fingers in a steeple and leans her elbows on the table in front of her.

“I do so like your style, young one. Your caution is wise and your words are well chosen. You would do well in even the Empress’ own courts, were she still in Creation and she allowed you in her presence.

“Something I want? I want these scrolls, ledgers, and logs. There are some that I need and others I don’t. But none should stay here to be ruined by the undead scourge or the ravage of time. And none should fall into mortal hands. They contain a great many secrets, large and small.”

Hadria, you Essence fills your sense and your mind and keeps you steeped in every motion of Avarice’s body: quickening and slowing of breath, slight muscle twitches normally undetectable, tiny eye movements. You have gathered information in ways beyond mortal comprehension.

There are several intimacies that you’re already begun to uncover with your Charm. The obvious being the Solars. It’s clear she has a dedicated indifference toward them with a touch of disdain at how situations always turn out with their involvement, somehow. Or so she claims. But, everything about her that you’re collecting in your mind paints several of the other pictures for you. You know the Dragon-Blooded are her favorite pawns with their ease in domination and abundant population. And the Lunars: a force too random for use, too varied and one-sided in their approach. You begin to see all things for Avarice are painted in this way. She is a calculating woman, one who uses a great knowledge and power to discern the future and make her moves. All things are calculations in value to her.

 

[Sherwood]

Sasha, your plan is sound and its simplicity helps it survive contact with the enemy. Your men keep the zombies at bay until you move through the square and into the streets with Hadria’s salt lines. Once there, you fire off your flare.

"Rann, take a squad and go make contact with the defenders in the tower. Unless they are blind or all dead, they will know we are out here, but I don't want to run up on them until they know its us. Besides, we have a few stragglers that I need to keep an eye on. I want to keep the Company under cover until we can get into the relative safety of the tower." Sasha does a quick check of the number of arrows in her quiver with a sigh. "I'm sure that I'm not the only one that needs more ammo. Signal us ASAP."

 

[Raparth]

Nexus: Hadria

The Eclipse saw some of the contours of the heart of Avarice, but did not deceive herself into believing she knew its full contents. The idea of giving over all the ledgers of the Guild, ledgers that the Quill had only hoped would still remain, was potentially disastrous. There was a nearly endless possibility of gain in those records, and that was not even considering the damage they might cause in other hands. What she must avoid most of all was handing over so many resources of an unknown quality. Should their loss be inevitable, Hadria would have to read them first. A small part of her mind wondered why Avarice had not simply stolen the Guild's logs away before anyone else had arrived. Perhaps the mortal Guildsmen had implemented some ritual that kept spirits from claiming them, or perhaps Avarice could claim something only through a deal. The ways of gods were complex, to say the least, and that seemed the most obvious office for this seeming-woman to have filled.

Outwardly, she gave a small, somewhat embarrassed, giggle, "Why, you do flatter me. I would be happy to discuss the disposition of the records. Now, to play fair, I will now tell you that I find this city to be, if you'll forgive the vulgar wordplay, a nexus of power that is key to the defense of Creation against the tide of the dead. Nexus was the beating heart of the Scavenger Lands, and with it secured and operational, we may have a fighting chance to not lose the entire East."

Hadria smiled slyly again, before giving a helpless shrug, "Now, as the woman with her hand around that heart, I may come to be owed no few favors by all those who will not be able to avoid depending on me. You understand, of course. I am curious as to what other items I could be of assistance to you regarding. So that we can begin a proper agreement, naturally."

 

[UnassumingBoxCat]

Great Forks: Lumen

Lumen steps back, momentarily shocked by the woman's transformation, but quickly clamps down on his uncertainty and dashes forward through the door to join the fray.

Spoiler: OOC

Would this be a join battle roll? I'm not certain.

WlfSamurai