Session Start: Thu Oct 07 19:43:20 2004 Session Ident: #ethresh * Logging #ethresh to 'C:\Documents and Settings\Dave\My Documents\Exalted\Abyssal\Logs\AB-10-07-04.BeyondIRC' Lets see, where were we... ah yes. You had managed to wiggle yourself into the good graces of an attacking army. No small feat to be sure. However there seems to be an obstacle. While the zombie Captain Thein is quite taken with your charms, his companion (and apparent leader of the war ghosts) isn’t having any of it. Now there are two sides; 800 or so zombies with Thein and 300 or so war ghosts on the woman’s side. The female mortal also has a disturbing looking fellow to her left, presumably a lieutenant of some variety. "I’ve had enough of your bossing me ‘roud Elize!" Captain Thein points at the woman with scorn. "Now you move on outta here peaceful like or there’ll be trouble." Elize laughs with contempt. She is a good looking woman in her forties wearing a black evening dress more appropriate for a dinner reception than a battlefield. He extensive use of makeup and careful posture give her aware instantly to you. She is the standard issue social climber who sleeps and manipulates her way to the top. Apparently in the world of the dead, nothing beats combat experience, so here she is. The chance that she knows anything about military tactics is slim at best.* (a christ, bad spelling already... sorry once again) * Echoing_Words is a tad bit confused by the situation, but from the looks of it...things aren't going quite as smoothly as he had hoped. The plan was to commandeer the invaders, but now it would seem that plan must be altered. This Elize person seems more difficult to persuade than the zombie overlord...but one never knows until they try. "Greetings...I do not believe we've been formally introduced. Elize, was it? I am Echoing Words From the Darkness, envoy of the Bodhissatva Annointed in Dark Waters. How do you do." Echo says with a swift bow. He assumes the situation will deteriorate all the same, but why not give diplomacy a try anyways?* (rolling your social + appearance for first impression) (7 dice, 3 successes) She places her hands at her hips in irritation. "Greeting envoy, my name is Elize and you are all our prisoners. Seeing as you're such fine catches, no harm will come to you if you do not resist." She smirks with self satisfaction.* * Echoing_Words rolls his eyes. "Madam, we are not prisoners. Your good friend and mine, Captain Thein here, seems to recognize the title of envoy even if you do not. I am negotiating the surrender of the villa...perhaps you would like to sit in on our conversation?" Echo looks to Thein. "With your permission of course."* She smiles again. "With all due respect envoy, you title is little more than a pleasantry at this point. You status as the Bodhissatva's servant holds no sway with The First and Forsaken Lion. He has proclaimed all Deathlords but himself to be false gods, unfitting of their standings. While Thein may have fallen for your honeyed tongue, you'll have little luck with me. You are no more than a dog without a master." "So I repeat, you will submit to be our prisoners and we shall march to the villa victorious. Three Abyssals captured in a single day," She grins in pleasure, "what ever will I do with all the medals I'll win?" Something seems off about the black-clad ghost next to Elize. While the other war ghosts have a semblance of animation to them - mock breathing, a slight sway in their stances - this one is utterly motionless. He remains silent during the woman's speech but you could swear he was staring at her with hatred.* www.angelfire.com/creep/dp/Shackled.jpg (thats the black armored ghost) * Echoing_Words sighs. "You know, I'd think a subordinate like yourself would have a bit more respect. After all, if Captain Thein makes negotiations with me, you should respect his decision to do so." Echo says with a suppressed smile. He turns to Thein and shrugs. "Good Captain, I -do- hope she is just a bad egg...not as disciplined as the rest of your force." Echo waves his artifact hand towards the gathered zombies. * Echoing_Words takes note of the black armored ghost. Perhaps a bodyguard...a well trained Lieutenant...or an assassin? At this point paranoia was a nonfactor though..Echo had already laid himself out in center stage. It wasn't as if he was a poor warrior either..with a little distance and a bit of luck he would silence that wench forever. It's just that he preferred to do so with his words.* The assembled throng of zombies stare past you, not caring if you’re a demi-god or a tree. Thein, however, nods in approval. "I know, ya? All she does is bitch, bitch, bitch." He moves his hands in an odd attempt to portray the woman." ‘Oh, does this look good on me? Is my hair right?’" He chuckles to himself. The reenactment draws several chuckles from the war ghosts behind Elize. The sound is cut off by a fierce look in their direction by the woman. Apparently they aren't too wild about following her either.* * Echoing_Words snickers. "So what is this then? A power struggle? Surely you outrank her, Captain Thein. You really should just put her in her place. It's obvious a woman like her is not fit to command these fine soldiers at her back. Surely they deserve better." Echo says, his eyes levelled on Thein eagerly. The essence in his voice conveys his will, and the magic playing about his eyes demands Theins attention.* (Haunting Inflection Trick, 2 dice. Gives me 4 additional performance or presence die, whichever you'd prefer to use. I believe it also applies to socialize, though i may be mistaken.) (errr, 2 motes) (very well, manipulation + presence, 14 dice) (7 successes) (All of their base belongs to me) Thein nods enthusiastically. He makes a bold move and points to the black-clad ghost next to Elize and shouts, "Arrest that wench for disobeying a direct order!" The ghost's movement is almost hard to catch. In a split second the golden harpoon he had behind his back sinks into the side of Elize's chest. The tip protrudes from the other side, wet with blood. She doesn't even have a chance to become alarmed, so many organs pierced so quickly results in an instantaneous death. With a flourish, the ghost withdraws the harpoon and her body slumps to the ground. He stands once again motionless.* * Echoing_Words nods. "Tough but fair. I like your style, Captain Thein. You too Ghost. I think we all can appreciate that kind of decisive leadership. Am I not correct?" Echo says, this time posing the question more to the gathered War Ghosts than to anybody else. His Tyrants Majesty charm still in full swing, plus with some extra magic playing about in his voice...should make it difficult to say no, even for a mass of War Ghosts.* (Haunting Inflection technique, 4 motes. 8 die towards performance or presence) (Best. Charm. Ever.) (performance + manipulation, 17 die) (an astonishing 9 successes) The ghosts can do nothing more than stare at you in awe. Your words are true, oh god of gods. As Thein hastily asks for forgiveness for the bother and beckons you in the direction of the villa where he assures you everything will be taken care of. (I need a new quest. I've already killed someone with words, I can persuade like a Kennedy...i need to make a charm where i literally talk the pants off a woman.) "From the hand of time itself the Lord brought forth twenty score righteous warriors. From the hand of time itself did the Lord foretell the doom of all but himself." The voice is coming from the black ghost, but he doesn’t seem to move. "So is written on the inside of my armor. Find the writing and save yourselves." The cryptic message is not explained and the ghost doesn't move. He says in a haunting voice. "I am Ninth of Recalibration, and no Abyssal shall leave these woods alive. You may die here and now, or after your break. I do not care." Thein stares in disbelief, he turns to you and shrugs. "I don't know who that guy is, got added in at the last second, odd fellow eh?" He looks at the black ghost in concern for a moment.* * Echoing_Words smiles. "I like him. Captain Thein, I humbly request that he be assigned to my personal retinue while I accompany you and your men at the villa where we can, hopefully, continue our talks." Echo says, casually laying his artifact hand on Theins rotted shoulder. As his index finger dabs against Theins decayed flesh, a pulse of necrotic essence lunges into the zombie lords person, seeking memories to devour.* (Using the Hand That Steals Memories. 3 motes and physical contact=loss of memories of the last scene. I'd like to limit the destruction of memories to just bits and pieces of our negotiations.) (certainly of essence wielder) (you're down the 9 more in peripheral essence btw) (motes that is) (Hey man, play em if you got em) He nods to you again, "Well I'll see what I 'cen do, but I don't really know if he's joking or not." A glance at the ghost 'Ninth' reveals nothing. Oddly enough he seems entirely unfazed by your show of charisma. You could swear that the tone of his voice implied he was in fact going to kill all of you. He appears to think he can do it by himself too. Thein shrugs again and smiles, "Pack up this camp you mongrels! We're headed to the villa!" He hoots in glee and walks down the road, expecting everybody else to follow. "And Echo, I look forward to beginning negotiations with you." Ninth stares at the circle coldly.* (By the way, you now have total control over Design so long as you don’t do anything vastly against his nature or put him unduly at risk. You may speak for him and play him as you would a bodyguard) www.angelfire.com/creep/dp/Design.JPG (there is his character sheet) www.angelfire.com/creep/dp/Shadow.JPG (and Shadow's too, you've known her long enough to know her powers, but you don't have control over her... yet) (Cool. I was going to get him involved if shit went downhill, but I needed to make myself appear awesome alone. Cause you know, I don't care about anyone else but me) (According to my themesong anyways) (they will all gain xp along with you, but I'll be spending the points. a word to the wise, this means they will always be about as powerful as you, don't cross them ) (Fair enough) (did you have anything else to add to the end there?) (I'll be honest, you kinda put me in a bind. I don't want to do much else until you get a chance to spend your xp and you've exhausted everything plot related except defeat Ninth) (Yeah) (and you can't leave the villa until he's dead, seriously.) * Echoing_Words smirks as the camp begins to break down swiftly. War Ghosts and Zombies...a good thing Elize is dead. She could have been a problem. She could have been useful as well, but for now her death would have to suffice. If need be he could always arrange her revival. Her bodys revival at least. For now he was content with his ingratiation efforts. For now the Lion could have his victories, small or large. (I was gonna call them 'Carapi' but I couldn't get over how much it looked like 'Crapy', so I changed it to Shackled Husks. They are big in the plot and very dangerous, Ninth is one btw :) Echo needed sleep...his anima banner was growing out of control. His essence expenditures were becoming exhausting towards the end of his little grandstanding scheme...thankfully he established himself as an Abyssal quickly...his anima betrays him too often. Oh well...the raining blood is a nice touch, especially with the Elegant Tyrants Majesty charm. (*?) * Echoing_Words stretched. "So, Ninth. You shall be our bodyguards while we stay here. After all, you have said no Abyssal shall leave this place alive...just make sure you're the one to kill us if you please." Echo remarks to the black ghost. "But for now, let's follow the good Captain Thein back to our villa. Design, Shadow...let's make haste."* All is right in the world for you. An army (well, a battalion, but whatever) has bowed to your very words and now eagerly walks behind you. Thein and several war ghosts vie for your attention as you head towards the villa, each trying to make conversation with you. Shadow and Design follow in your wake like obedient dogs. Ninth merely follows the crowd, his dead eyes burning holes in your back. The coming weeks and months will certainly be interesting, but don't let this victory dull your senses, much danger awaits. As we speak the Sanguine Army marches on your Liege's prized city of Fell Harbor, threatening his very hold in this continent. And to the east in Creation, a dark wanderer moves from place to place, putting together the pieces of a puzzle that will shatter the underworld... and maybe all of creation. (cue dramatic anime music - and - that's it) you read the story I sent you right? (btw, had you been short on willpower, you would have gained plenty tonight thanks to your nature) * (Did you want to add anything else or call it an early night? I want to give you enough time to figure out how to spend your xp) (I'm good for now) (you have 36 xp btw. Please ignore time requirements for training, the war won't wait for all that junk.) (And i did read the extra part, good stuff) Hopefully I'll be adding several more of those. I wan't Echo to be part of that... but we're at like 9 sessions already. That would take forever, better to just build him up as badass. (i really have nothing else to add...need to figure out xp spending) haha it's cool the story seems sprawling i like the options given to me I figured 3 parts the whole campaing, we're wrapping up the first one cool anything you'd like to see, let me know. I'll see what I can do this session could have, and probably should have ended with me standing bloodied but victorious, commanding a decimated zombie force and yet, thanks to the ol' charms eh, it's your character. You are probably better off getting some more combat charms before taking on any shackled husks. yeah that's my plan i can already manipulate...really well yep but you'll find that your charisma and manipulation pales against a deathlord btw, The Bodhissatva will be in Fell Harbor, pack your good tux. He's pissed. he won't be when i come to him with an army at my behest. An army stolen from the Lion and...whatever else i'm cooking up. Bwahaha. hah, yeah trust me, there will be chances for nation building after this war settles down and there _will_ be fewer deathlords around but enough teasers you know, at 9 sessions, i think this is our longest running campaign heh w00t well the db campaign woulda been longer, but i had to go to basic training well, yeah the air force does have that effect on gaming which reminds me the Solar demon hunting campaign i haven't had much chance to review your character, but he looks good cool, did I send the history too? I forget i also forget as for times and such, that's still up in the air but i would like to start it eh, its straight forward, he's a pirate leader, gets pawned by the realm, swears revenge, yadda yadda yadda well... I dunno when we could do it. well we can keep it on the back burner for now then so its lance and me, that it? should be, yes Lance is getting hormonal and weird though heh greeeeat he's started lusting after women everywhere. it's like puberty caught up to him like an a-bomb "Buxom, the bustiest Solar in all Creation!" more like he's too busy chasing tail to play college can have that effect on people yeah well, it's the age i was getting pretty fucking lonely too no friends around, work is a drag and no female we'll figure something out, honestly I don't know how I can fit 2 sessions in a week, oh well the last one is rectified for now, but the other two remain problems hmm, no friends at work? well yeah but they live all over ah Session Close: Thu Oct 07 20:40:13 2004