Session Start: Tue Jan 04 19:16:32 2005 Session Ident: #ethresh * Logging #ethresh to 'C:\Documents and Settings\Dave\My Documents\Exalted\Abyssal\Logs\AB-01-04-2005' well i have my...hand just no melee skill I'm about 95% sure we'll switch over, however, you need to go over all your skills/charms/and weapons and let me know if something is unbalanced. IE something now sucks because of the new rules, and we'll make adjustments as neccessary oh that's right, heh but I'll let you know before the switch alright Ready to get started? sure I honestly didn't think you'd spend an entire session on the townspeople, but it turned out to be entertaining (at least for me) so its cool. yeah humility blows or...humiliation blows.. well, I'm trying my best to act like... i dunno how to describe it, like physics. You push something off a cliff and it falls. You piss somebody off and he might hit you, or if he's a wuss, he might back off. I do warn you, like real life, mobs can suck. But they can be whipped into a frenzy and used to your advantage, but you are definitely playing with fire. So when last we met, you were chasing after Edmon, who is quite pleased with the carnage and general distruction you wrought upon the sleepy town of Shallowater. Edmon has taken straight to fullfilling his bargain with you, and it dutifully leading your through the woods to the city-state of Genove. Unlike this pathetic little farming village, Genove has been around for several hundred years and is used to hardship. War, to be precise. Being a small state next to such giants as Paragon and The Lap is not easy. Every couple of decades a would-be king launches an attack against the fortified city and the citizens of Genove fight back. Genove itself is a walled city built into the side of a mountain and is quite safe from invaders. It does, however, lack a strong leadership base. Its monarchy was overthrown ten years ago and a power vaccum has created quite a few hardships. No news has been heard of importance from the city in awhile, and it assumed to be doing just fine. Thus far it has been spared attack from the Lion's forces (few of his rampaging armies have come this far north. Mostly for fear of the coastal powers of Paragon and The Lap). However, Genove is where Design says Crimson is, and it is (kinda) on the way to Blue Haven, so it is worth the visit. Edmon spins on his heels and grins at you and your bodyguards. "Lovely day isn't it." He inhales deeply. "I do enjoy dank air, don't you?"* (god, seaseme street is on... loudly... in the background, forgive me if 'Rubber Ducky' or 'Ernie' slip into my text) * Echo gazes upon the walled city with greedy eyes. It had been so long since he had gazed upon a human citadel, a bastion for humanity in these troubled times. Cities always had been mans refuge from the terrors of the world, and it looked as if Genove was no different. Although the deathknight knew no history of the place, he was confident he could find resources whereever he went. He was, after all, the Great Deceiver. Yes, that would be an excellent sobriquet once he returns victorious to his ailing Deathlord. Perhaps he will be named duke of the Bodhissatva's lands...perhaps...perhaps when he brings Crimsons head back to Felharbor upon an obsidian platter, perhaps then. Yet he was shaken from his musings by Edmons question. "Yes...the air is very...ripe." Echo replies, his sight lifting towards the walls surrounding the entrance to the city. At the moment Echo wasn't interested in grabbing anyones attention. He walked swiftly in Edmons footsteps, Cho and Greggory at his back to make him appear less important, and more...like a traveller. His armor had become an overlaid brown cloak, long and tattered. The cloak sprang forth from his jet black, almost piercingly dark armor which lay underneath, hidden and disguised. For now, he would be mortal to their eyes.* A mortal you certainly looked. Nobody would believe a godling would wear glasses. You are currently at the peak of a rather large rolling hill overlooking the walled city in the distance. You'll reach the walls easily by nightfall, even on this crude dirt path. Suddenly Edmon stops in his tracks and cocks his head at an odd angle. He licks his lips once and stares intently northeast.* * Echo stops as well and looks at Edmon. "What is it Edmon? Do you see something?" Echo asks quickly. He is unsure of these living lands...they are not so inviting as he remembers. If he was to be ambushed by a prepared force, his mortal bodyguards would not save him, so his curiousity is warranted.* Edmon makes a quick motion with his left hand towards the bushes to the side of the trail. "Smells like humans... sweat... rusty metal... dried blood..." He darts his head back and forth and crouches down. "A patrol, quickly-" He darts into the bushes and lays low, intently watching the trail.* * Retrieving #ethresh info... (?) (sorry, cat) * Echo follows suite, eager to not be captured by overzealous humans with an attitude of abyssal slaying. Better to hide for now, and claim he wasn't hiding should be be captured.* For a long moment nothing happens. Edmon continues staring and just as you begin to think the spirit is imagining things, three humans in crude chain mail peak out of the bushes on the other side of the bushes, just 50 yards in the trail ahead. They look around for a second or two and cautiously come out into the open. The small one pushes a large one, "Hey, you said you heard someone comin'." The other growls a reply, "I did. I dunno what it was, maybe the wind then." The third shrugs and starts walking down the trail in your direction. The leader causally says to the others, "You know, unless we get us some taxes, we're gonna be the lowest earners in the Talon." The others grumble. They are now directly in front of your party and entirely unaware of your presence. Edmon looks at you with a look that says, 'What do you want to do?'* * Echo returns Edmons gaze. "I want you to be -silent-." Echo replies sharply. The Abyssal then glances towards Cho and Greggory to remain hidden as well. Echo might not be a very stealthy man, but he knows common sense to some degree. Besides, they are but mortals- no threat even if they engage him.* The trio of would-be ambushers pass by in time and head down the hill, leaving the road once again silent. Edmon takes a quick look around and walks back out onto the trail. "Hmm, that's odd. I've never run into a city patrol on these roads. At least none like that. They looked more like common thugs than soldiers, yet they wore the colors of the city-guardsmen." He shrugs and continues on the trail as if nothing happened. "I promised I'd get you there safely, and that's what I'll do indeed. Of course, what you do in the city is your business."* * Echo nods and follows Edmon. He'll hold this spirit to his word...which the bloody creature seems to hold in high regard. He would, however, have to keep an eye out for Edmon in the future. Although the spirit holds allegiance to no one but himself, he has proven a worthy companion. Of course, they weren't to the city yet..* The rest of the trip is uneventful and no other people are seen. Oddly enough not a soul is around even as you get very close to the city. A city this large should have people teaming around the main roads. As you reach the gate your heart sinks. The gate is closed. No one is around. Edmon walks to the gate and kicks it. He scratches his head.* (The way is shut. The dead shut it, and the dead keep it. The way is shut.) (?) (Sorry, strangely memorable line from Return of the King) (heh) (When they go to liberate their dead army...that's what the cavern walls all say) (So how big is this place anyways?) (Think the city of Gondor from Return of the King, similar set up) (Menas Tirith, that's how i envisioned it) * Echo sighs as he stands before the gates. Could it be that the Lion has swept through here already? The First and Forsaken Lion was well known in the Underworld for emptying an entire city of her inhabitants merely as training for his countless warriors. Perhaps he did the same here...yet...then who were those thugs patrolling earlier? "Hello?" Echo yells, tipping the hood of his cloak back as he looks to the tops of the city walls. "Is anyone here?" He adds.* For a long second, you voices Echos upward and nothing happens. Then a face appears at the top of the walls with a puzzled look on his face. He stares at the four of you in amazement and shouts, "Yeah?" He doesn't look to be more than fourteen and though he's wearing a uniform, doesn't seem to have much of a military bearing.* * Echo blinks. "Greetings good...sir. Are your gates barred to travellers seeking refuge from the elements?" Echo yells, unsure of the response. It seemed as if this city was in dire need of a military if this boy and those thugs were indicitive of anything.* "Uh," The boy stammers. "Yeah I guess. Oh wait, hang on." He disappears for a moment and returns with a rather large scroll. He looks it over with a furrowed brow as if he's reading it for the first time. "Yep, okay. You can come in. City rules say so." He puts the scroll down and turns back to you. (brb, bathroom) "Almost forgot, are you villains against the will of the Lord of Majesty and Grace... uh," He glances at the scroll, "Ammenhourer?"* (baaack) * Echo blinks again. "I am..not?...No, certainly not an enemy of the Lord of Majesty and Grace Ammenhourer." Echo smiles at the boy, then casts a confused look at Edmon and shrugs.* The boy nods confidently and disappers again. The massive wooden gates open slowly, creaking loudly as they do so. No one stands to greet you, but you see more than a few of what look like common citizens stare in awe at the opening gate, as if was something they hadn’t seen in quite awhile. The gate closes quickly behind you and a woman runs up to the closing gate. She slams her hand against the gate as it finishes closing, tears running from her eyes. She swears loudly and kicks the gate and shuffles away in despair. Trotting down some stairs attached to the wall, the young soldier greets you, "Don't worry about her, just some people don’t get it, you know? Don’t understand what’s going on. Its all for the best you know."* * Echo scratches his head and looks around. "And what -is- going on? I'm sorry lad, but my curiousity is now getting the better of me." Echo says, rummaging through his thoughts, trying to recall a Lord Ammenhourer. He looks towards Edmon and the boy for some answers.* Edmon shrugs, he's been a spirit in this region for centuries, and the name of this apparently prominent god is unknown to him. Upon closer examination you see that the boy is clearly wearing the uniform of a high ranking officer. Medals clink against his chest and numerous colored tassels bounce on his shoulder as he walks. You notice the uniform is ill fitting and seems rather large. The soldier also has an extraordinarily ornate sword at his hip. "You don't know? I see, you must not be from around here. I'll sum it up. We've been saved!" He exclaims joyously. More than a couple people wince and back away into the street and away from the animated young man. "The great god Amenherer is the greatest god of all! He's here to save us from the perils we've so long faced. Hunger, greed, war, all gone thanks to his Majesty!" He's now grinning ear to ear, his adolescent voice cracking periodically. "But there's a problem you see, there are desevers amoungst us, liars, cheats, heretics!" He stops, clearly thinking he's wowed you all.* (ick, deceivers) * Echo remains rather confused for now, but pushes his glasses up onto the bridge of his nose. "Well that was dramatic." He coughs as he then removes his glasses. As he wipes some of the boys spittle from his spectacles he smirks and asks more- "This...Lord Ammenhourer...he..doesn't have pink hair, does he?" Echo asks, slowly putting his glasses back on and smiling.* "Pink hair? Don't be ridiculous, he wouldn't have pink hair! Or would he." He rubs his chin, "Well, nobody 'cept the Disciples have actually seen him in person. Its because of the heretics that he can't make his glory upon the city, but the disciples are taking care of that."* "....Yes. Well. Have you -seen- anyone come through here with pink hair then? She would have been difficult to see probably so..." Echo trails off, realizing that he's probably already said enough to baffle the boy forever.* "Uh, well there is that one woman, got a sour look to her she does. Musta liked black, because all she wears is black leather. She came in like you did, but just before the Disciples arrived. I ran into her just yesterday, she kept asking about some special building or something about a 'grid' or defense something. She's a little off, ya'know?"* "Hmmm, yes, she is. As I'm sure you've already deduced, she is a friend of mine! I was supposed to meet her here..but she failed to greet me. Luckily I have -you- to help me out! Which direction did you point her? Perhaps she's waiting for me at this special building." The deathknight asks, smiling broadly. Grid...defenses..hmm...why is it that Echo is the least informed of all the deathknights fielded in this cataclysmic battle? (*?) (Musta been cut, yeah) * He smiles brightly, eager to help, "Well, I don't know what she means about a special building. There is the Great Hall, but the Disciples are there and I don't think your pink friend likes them too much. A shame too, we could use more good women in the cause." He winks, "But last I heard she was staying at the Old Stag Inn, she might be there now."* * Echo nods and smiles. "Thanks for the info, it's been a great help. And if you see her creeping about, don't tell her I'm here! Since she didn't greet me, I want to surprise her!" Echo smiles and turns away, but then looks back. "One more thing...which way to the Old Stag Inn?"* He glances as several scruffy looking soldiers come up to the gate. They have similar colors to the young soldier, but are pretty shabbily dressed and have the look of a common thugs and bums. The young man smiles at them, "Ah, the night watch. It's getting late and I'm heading home, I'll show you the way to the Inn. There's a pretty strict curfew once the sun goes down, so she'll have to be there, follow me!" He says enthusiastically. He walks confidently out into the street. The number of people walking the roads has fallen greatly, but citizens are still moving about. The young man waves and nods to some but gets nothing more than dirty looks in return. Nothing seems to dampen his spirits though. To your left Edmon bows. "My taks is done. May our paths meet in glorious death and destruction some time in the future sir." He bows and walks away briskly.* * Echo bows to the boy, then bids Cho and Greggory to follow. "Stay at the entrance. Don't even bother engaging her if she comes your way- she'll cut you both to pieces. If her back is turned, plant a dagger in it, but do so carefully. She is mindful and dangerous." Echo says, pushing his glasses back onto the bridge of his nose and lowering his hood. * Echo walks into the Inn with haste in mind- something odd is happening in this city, and somehow it doesn't seem like the Lion is involved. He quickly looks around for Crimson. Her visage is forever burned into his mind, as with all who have betrayed the Echoing Words From the Darkness. She is stealthy..but not invisible, or invulnerable. Probably.* She's not to be seen amoung the motely crew assembled on the first floor of the inn. The young soldier gives you a farewell and heads home for the night, leaving you alone. The first floor of the inn is a bar / restaurant and lounge and has seen better days. Paint is peeling from the walls and the floor looks like it hasn't been scrubbed in weeks, if not months. A couple of brutish looking fellows sit at the bar, all wearing the colors of the town guard. Several older gentlemen side beside a roaring fireplace and chuckle at old jokes. The owner is picking up discarded glasses and plates from the dinner crowd and doesn't notice you.* * Echo eyes Cho and Greggory, who quickly take up watch over the entrance in an inconspicuous manner. They certainly are good at what they do. "Excuse me sir," The would-be 'Great Deceiver' approaches the apparent owner, "..not to trouble you sir, but have you seen a woman come through here...a woman with pink hair? She is a friend of mine."* The rugged looking gentleman looks up with weary eyes, "Eh... oh, yeah. Cassandra. We haven't many visitors to the city lately, I'm glad she choose to stay at my inn! I definitely need the jade. She's been jumpy as of late. At first she said she was just passing through, but now with the Disciples taking over, ain't no one allowed to leave the city. She's been bouncing off the walls for days now, ranting about some mensa thing. Or mansey."* (Or manse) Or mansey."* (aww, baby has gas. We think.) * Echo looks concerned for a moment, then smirks. "What do you mean no one is allowed to leave the city?" Is the first question that leaps to mind.* (..yuck?) (not the stinky kind, the kind that just hurts your stomach. He's freaking out because it hurts.) (aha) He arches an eyebrow, "You didn't know?" He chuckles, "No one leaves until the Inquisition has run it's course. Some tried to leave, sure they tried. But ain't none got far. Anybody makes it to the top of the city walls and ZAP! down comes a bolt of lightning right from the heavens. Amazing sight to see, let me tell you."* * Echo rubs his eyes. "A lightning bolt hits them? Surely you jest. What manner of power holds this city...?" Echo ponders, wondering exactly what kind of manse, or grid could permit such power. It isn't unheard of for Manses to provide power to magically empowered defenses, but this would be uncanny...if it were true. "..Inquisition?" Being the next question that leaps to mind.* He shrugs, "I don't know what it is. Llarra says it's the power of Ackmenhourer come to life. She says all those who the lightning strike down were heretics recieving their just execution. Now Llarra, there's one beautiful woman. I think Cassandra's jealous. She doesn't like Llarra at all."* "You're beginning to confuse this weary traveller, good sir. This Ackmenhourer...is he different than Ammenhourer? And Llarra, who is that? I must say, this is all very foreign to me..." Echo says, honestly confused. Did he walk into some kind of trap?* "Ammenhourer? Hmm, yeah maybe that's it." He turns to one of the gruff soldiers at the bar, "Hey, what's the name of that god, the glorious majesty one?" The soldier shrugs and pulls out a scroll of parchment, he looks it over carefully and quotes, "Our Lord of Glory and Majesty Ammenhourer...". The barkeep nods, "Yeah, that's it. Sorry, we're pretty new at this. Only yesterday did Llarra proclaim the city under the divine protection..."* "of this new god. And Llarra? Well some say she's a goddess too, but that's just rubbish. I've been around enough years to know her and the other two are Terrestrials, Dragon children! I've seen a few in my time, and these are dressed real pretty and have a haughty accent. I'd bet their from the Blessed Isle." He grins with pride.* * Echo sighs. Godammit. Godamned Terrestrials always showing up at the wrong times. He had had dealings with them in life, and they were rarely pleasent. Except for the time he baited them into butchering many of his rivals, that went swimmingly. In person though, they were diabolical, every one of them. At the time he couldn't match their wits, but now they shouldn't pose much threat. Still.. Still they were Exalted, even if they were pitifully so. He had never met one in battle before, and didn't intend to anytime soon. Echo was smart enough to know that his martial prowess could improve significantly before he would be able to best even weak Terrestrials. Better to play them off one another. Whether that would be possible here...would have to be seen. Still, there was much more to learn, and the Inn owner seemed to be (seemed to be) ..seemed to be brimming with information. "Dragon-Blooded? Amazing! Well then I will do best to stay out of their way, and out of the way of this Ammenhourer. As for Cassandra..where is she? Does she have a room here?"* He begins to talk but is cut off by a soldier at the bar barking for more ale. He turns to you as he shuffles to the bar, "Yeah, upstairs, third door on your right. She's up there now, I just sent her dinner up." He busies himself with preparing the men's drinks.* * Echo smiles. "Why -thank you-." Echo then turns briskly, casts a grin towards Cho and Greggory, then proceeds upstairs alone. Third door on his right...and there it is. Echo quietly keeps his soulsteel arm behind his back, hidden in his tangled cloak. With his flesh hand he knocks on the door three times, but gives no verbal greeting.* There is no light under the door, but you can smell the strong, pleasant scent of roast duck from the room. As you knock, the door swings open slowly. The lights are out and no one seems to be here, despite the half eaten dinner sitting at the table. On the other side of the room, a window is opened and there seems to be some commotion in the alley below.* (Wish I had brawl) * Echo immediatly rushes across to the other side of the room and glares out the window towards the alleyway. She would not escape him this time!* (rolling perception + awareness diff 2) (I need more awareness...i'm too specialized to be in this alone, heh) (1 success, failed. You don't see the ambush coming in time to react. Rolling wits + dexterity...) (eer, not wits + dex... wits + athletics) (Score, 4 die. I'm really not rocking the high dice pools of old) (2 successes, you succeed....) From the darkness a figure moves towards you, or move accurately, the bottom of a boot - directly at your face. (You failed the initial roll and can only dodge with charms, but you can attack this turn normally)* * Echo raises a brow as the boot flies towards his face. How friendly a greeting. Yet the boot finds only black air, which dissipates like smoke rising from a burning pyre. Instantly the smoke solidifies on the other side of the room, where Echo stands, bow in hand. "Hello poppet." He grins, reaching for an arrow from the quiver underneath his cloak. For now, a broadhead arrow would do until he could figure out who he was dealing with. (Flickering Wisp Technique- 6 motes) (oh, you are healed of the essence loss from the previous town, the walk here took enough hours for your hearthstone to regen you fully) (Question- is summoning my bow a simple action, or reflexive? If reflexive then I shall attack this turn) (I forget which) (reflexive) (Then I will give ere a volley this round) (very well) (your opponent activates Owl Rends Flesh, a brawl charm that acts as a counterattack clinch. Your attack roll is rolled first...) (The bitch is making up charms now. Custom charms pwn me!!!!11!1!oneone!!) (13 attack dice, 5 successes. You hit... and deal 1L damage) (Her rolls autosucceeds, but and you are clinched. Per the charm, you both reflexively struggle to hold on) (your Brawl + Dex roll... 0 successes, opponent's .... 2 successes. You are held in a clinch... next turn)... Your charm sends you to the other side of the room in a cloud of acrid smoke, but you can still not see your opponent in the dim lighting. You arrow hits home with a wet thunk and you barely manage a smile before she is upon you. Holding your wrists and pincing your legs, you opponent is face to face with you, literately. Her pink hair falls into your eyes and Crimson yells, "What the hell are you doing here!?"* (she doesn't try to crush you this turn, but will try to keep you held) (oh, and don't worry about custom charms popping up in combat where your life is on the line, I won't do that. I just loved this one I came up with too much to let it sit on the back burner.) * Echo sneers. "Glad to see you too Crimson." Echo struggles for a moment, then glares at her. "Sorry about the arrow, I wasn't entirely sure it was you. If I had known it was you, I would have fired -two-." He growls, his anger seething. "I'm here chasing you, Crimson. I haven't -stopped- chasing you since the day you left."* She blows a bit hair out of both of your faces in irritation and narrows her eyes in concentration. "Oh that. I forgot about that. Sorry, we all have our duties, mine was to immediately report to my Liege any important information regarding the Lion's invasion." She smiles dully, "And man, did I find out something important. I trust you, Pain, and Design did okay without me?"* "Of course you had to leave. Pain had to leave as well- his destiny lay somewhere in the Thousand. I'm sure he's dead by now. As for Design and I, well, we did -personally- kill over 20,000 of the Lions men. Thanks for asking." Echo snarls, still infuriated. Of the circle he set out with, it was Crimson he expected to keep at his side. Her betrayal stung more than he let on- it was his first failing as an Exalt.* She snickers slightly at the news, showing white teeth. Her breath smells like roast duck, apparently you interrupted her dinner. "See, you're fine. But now you're stuck here with me bud." She chuckles shallowly. Before she can say anything else, the rucous in the alley picks up and she turns her attention to it. Sounds of men shouting come from the first floor of the inn now and the rumble of the stairs being climbed thunders through the room. The clank of dull metal chainmail and armored boots rings in the air and Crimson turns to you, her face frantic. "They've come for me - you've gotta save me! I know where the Mirror Abyss is - I can't die now!" (and we'll end there I think) (heh oh yes, its not as easy as just killing her yeah well that's not particularly easy either and you'll find she's far more honest than most of the people you meet yeah well i'm none too honest either no, not really. I changed her from a katana wielding chic to a brawling street fighter chic hm gee, this city might just keep us occupied for several more sessions abyssal brawl rocks heartily sweet it does that charm I made is totally along the lines of their other charms heh oo, 10 yep, good timing tonight i can stay up for a few more hour and still get 12 hours of sleep i love going in late.. any questions or comments or shall that be it? good to go okay, see you next tuesday unless something comes up alrighty later then cya Session Close: Tue Jan 04 22:04:20 2005