Session Start: Tue Dec 21 19:08:54 2004 Session Ident: #ethresh * Logging #ethresh to 'C:\Documents and Settings\Dave\My Documents\Exalted\Abyssal\Logs\AB-12-21-2004' sorry, had to exchange out these whitening strips for my teeth will have to do so again at 7:40 nice oh yeah, saw Blade: Trinity does the back of the box say that your dazzling white teeth will be able to blind airline pilots when it's done working? actually no, it says it'll work for 140 days hmmm trinity wasn't bad btw pretty standard action flick I noticed your profile except for two things: One, dracula is the man It got fairly bad reviews i would imagine there was no substance to it whatsoever but Hannibal King is AWESOME it's hard to describe him as anything else i mean, whoever decided that the guy who was Van Wilder would be a good vampire hunter was really quite correct so is it like a horror movie like blade 2? or more a straight action style it's an action/comedy wow well i mean, i was laughing Hannibal Kings lines are hysterical wasn't that van wilder guy kind a skinny lame white kid? yeah some of the shit he says is so damned funny dude i had to write the one down in one scene he was captured by the vampires, and this chick vampire was messing with him but he got into it with her verbally, ending the arguement by calling her a "Cock juggling Thundercunt" hah rent it, if only for all of his hilarious dialogue gotcha oh yeah, lance wants to join finally heh, why now? he's not totally sure about a character yet, but probably something necromantic and creepy not sure well, he actually managed to pick a good time i dunno about /tonight/ but he does want to join soonish if you didn't notice your circle is gone and you'll be building up a new group of friends for the next leg of the campaign heh, well i've been sans circle for most of this campaign shit, Laughter went his own way after only a few sessions yes, and I have been pretty heavy handed with the peril. peril schmeril. Nothing Echo couldn't handle I noticed I'm pretty good at introducing characters, but not so much resolving the story-lines *shrug* seems good to me cool oh yeah, and i figured out what i want my artifact to be page 94 of Bo3C it's called a "Dark Rider" real fucking sweet, i think it's -highly- appropriate for Echo too it's basically a figurine made out of soulsteel, usually one of some soldier but when I commit 10 motes to it, its shadow takes on a life of its own, and eventually takes over my shadow as well so i can become aware of pretty much everything around me, especially if someone is trying to kill me. I think it boosts awareness by 2 die or something plus it gives 2 die for intimidation and leadership rolls as it makes me appear more dangerous you'd have to read the full description, but it's real cool i can send the shadow away to do my bidding for me, i can see through its eyes...it's basically impossible to see and can even attack people (sorta) sounds interesting i can see it being extremely useful in many situations that is kind of cool. I don't know if I had ever read of such a thing, very neat. yeah i didn't want just another stat booster and i think its abilities are very cool, kinda helping Echo where he could use the help (spying, subterfuge) very cool, it is yours. excellent Okay, ready to get started? aye As you and Design discussed before, you decided that it would be better to venture into Creation with human bodyguards rather than the painfully obvious ghost ones you have been using. The two that you picked are amoung the Bodhissatva's finest agents. Cho and Greggory are skilled both martially and in subterfuge. Their original mission was to serve as agents of darkness amoung humans in Creation. They were to spread the Bodhissatva's power in various tasks including assassinations, information gathering, and other such wholesome activities. (whilst we play) Cho is a shortish female with features of an Easterner (Asian) with pitch black hair and a rather serious expression on her face at all times. Though she doesn't gloat, it is rumored she can kill a man with her bare hands twenty different ways. Her direct superior in the spy ministry recommended you do not irritate her unneccessarily, she is prone to streaks of violence. (Hmmm, use bitorrent) (http://animesuki.sandwich.net/series.php/359.html) (Promo 2) (Trust me.) Greggory on the other hand is the model of self restraint. That isn't to say he doesn't take things personally. A rather tall (you might say lanky) pale blond man (think Russian features), Greggory is well trained in the use of spycraft and has a number of successful missions involving poisoning people under his belt. While he is quite pleasant on the outside, he has a burning hate for all who live and will make a valuable ally. Both were born and raised in Shadowlands within the Bodhissatva's territory and have the same awkward world view that such being have. Not creatures of darkness by design, they have adapted as best they can to live amoungst the dead. Like all those living in Shadowlands, they are both prone to psycosis ranging from quirky behavior to outright insanity. Luckily they're loyal to a fault. (cool, thanks) With your capably bodyguards in tow, you must now make a crucial descision. There are two basic ways to reach Blue Haven. You can travel the main roads, with will take your through one major metropolitan area and several smaller city-states, or a more rural route which will take you from village to village, spending a great deal of time on back roads in the wilderness. Both have their disadvantages. The main roads will offer the safety of other travels. The down side is that if your nature is exposed, those travelers will rend you limb from limb (or at least try). Major cities are easy to hide in, but have millions of eyes and ears. Rural roads offer few prying eyes, but less protection from the elements and more natural enemies. While Creation offers few horrors which compare to those in the Underworld, it's wild areas are still not to be travel lightly. You stand at the gate leading out of Felharbor, make your choice.* * Echo ponders the best action for a time. While it is true that his powers over the teeming masses will perhaps work ever greater for him in cities, there is no doubt that in this tumultuous time someone will recognize his Exalted nature. Although he can blend a bit more easily than most of his kind, it is still a questionable foray. * Echo rubs his chin as he gazes at the gate and what lay beyond. If he took the rural route, he would have little to fear of mortals or ghosts, and especially soldiers of the Lion. In more metropolitan zones the Lions forces may dwell, and in force. Better to brave the rural routes. After all, what have they to fear in the wilderness? The elements and the animal life perhaps, but humanity is the most dangerous animal of all- especially when wounded and in numbers. Humanity is collectively wounded from the blows the Lion is dealing upon the world of man, and she has always been a herd animal. Better to avoid the herds of stampeding, rabid cows...even if it meant chancing the hungry wolves. "We shall take the rural routes." "If you two are ready, then we must depart now. The sooner we arrive in Bluehaven, the better. Besides, I would rather win whatever race we're in." Echo says to the pair with a grin on his nearly venomous lips.* Cho nods solemnly and Greggory flashes a bright smile, "Right on sir. I've been eager to see the faces of the tans now that the Lion's forces have been attacking." The 'tans' he refers to is a commmon derisive slang term for those humans raised outside of Shadowlands. Its a common joke that no one raised in a Shadowland can get a tan, they just burn. They're Irish like that. (we'll time lapse through some stuff here) The first day is spend in relative boredom. Without a cadre of soldiers, you draw little attention as you travel north through the Shadowland that Felharbor lies within. The road is well used and it is a simple matter to reach the border by nightfall. Crossing over into Creation in the dead of night, the three of you manage to find the smaller route north. While Blue Haven is your ultimate goal, you want to follow Crimson's path and perhaps come in contact with the traitorous Exalt. Design says she's currently in the small city-state of Genove. Rathering surpisingly you don't run into any problems in the first three days. Your supplies last easily and you travel at a steady pace. Apparently whatever less than savory creatures that haunted this region are still shy from Laughter's visit. Despite the lack of aggressive wildlife, it is a great comfort to come across the sleepy village. (Think the town in sleepy hollow, rural farming with a fair number of houses spread throughout a modest area. Always cloaked in fog) At the edge of the town you pause. Your stomach rumbles for something hot to eat and this town seems less than threatening.* * Echo casts a quick glance over the town. For a Creation settlement, it carried quite an air of death. That was comforting for now. Besides, these mortals could no doubt provide some hospitality to a trio of weary travellers, especially during these fateful times. * Echo cracks his neck and waves to Cho and Greggory. "Come on you two. Let's find something decent to eat. Perhaps some wine as well..." Echo smiles wickedly. It's been awhile since he had Creation wine...he was curious as to how it would taste since his Exaltation. "Perhaps there is a tavern or an Inn or some variety of travellers stop around. Let's poke around." Echo adds, slowly heading towards the nearest structure in hopes of finding a main road or something similar.* The town is clearly not laid out to invite tourists, but you manage to find the town's only tavern with little trouble. The plain wooden building is as dreary as the rest of the town. Stepping inside you instantly fell the oppressiveness of the atmosphere. Sitting throughout the bar are almost a dozen of the town's inhabitants, each with their own mug of something. Every single eye draws up to you three. Your courtesan's eye darts from face to face and you see fear, loathing, hatred, distrust... quite a lovely place. Not a sound comes from the assembled crowd. You clearly here a mouse scurry through a back room. Sticking out amoung the group are three individuals. A pale woman in her forties sits in a table by herself, her cheeks wet with tears. She looks at you with desperate eyes but says nothing. The bartender, a common looking man in his thirties stares at you. He looks as though he is torn between throwing you out on the street and begging for you patronage. An odd combination. The third is the only black skinned man you've seen thus far in this pale village. He sits in a corner booth and is shrouded in darkness. He is wearing a black leather jacket and matching gloves. The most noticable thing about him is his bright white teeth shinning through the gloom. He's smiling.* * Echo smiles brightly and pulls his hood back away from his face. Better that they see he isn't very threatening to start with. It's always good to make a good first impression, after all. He pushes his useless glasses onto his brow and makes a B line towards the barkeep. Upon reaching the bar Echo lays his hands down on the counter and quietly examines some of the drinks behind the obviously irritated barkeep. "Greetings my good man. Do you, perhaps, have some wine around? Perhaps something...local?" Echo asks while drawing a jade bit across the wooden countertop.* (You'll have to excuse my ignorance when it comes to currency in Exalted. I assume a jade bit is...something..) (eh, the currency system is messed up big time if you actually count out the amounts. You have more than enough with you to buy the tavern if need be.) (of course, once spent, you'll be outta cash. No way to replentish your resources just by visiting a friendly town.) (I disagree) (PLUNDER'D!!!) (aye, you can earn it if you'd like :) The bartender rubs his towels across the bartop in classic barkeep fashion and smiles faintly at the jade. He ignores you and grabs the coin with such amazing speed. "Sure, wine. You drink, you pay, you go." He pours you something purple in a common looking glass. He offers no further conversation.* * Echo makes a minor hand gesture towards Cho and Greggory, keeping them away from the barkeep for now. Better that they focus their attention on keeping Echo alive than indulging in food and drink. Echo takes a quick swig of the purple something and slams the glass down into the countertop. "Damned good if I do say so myself. Damned good. I tell you what, pour me another. And one for her over there, she looks like she could use a drin (could use a drin) (doh, holding the baby) "She looks like she could use a drink. Or...another drink. Or whatever. Just give her what I'm having, and tell her it's from me, eh pal?" Echo smirks, nodding towards the tear smattered woman sitting alone. Echo is acting surprisingly uncouth... Who said dead man can't act?* (doh, hang on) (ok, back. Baby's wailing. Nothing new. He's actually doing pretty good, doesn't cry much at all) (Heh, awesome. I was telling this chick about it. She went off on some rant about how babies are adorable, and I suddenly realized I had an "in".) (So i need to spend more time with Adam to get some more material. Babies and all information relating to them is chick magnetic in nature) The bartender gives you a deadly serious stare. "You ain't got no business with her. Leave her alone. Spend your coin and leave. We don't need outsiders in Shallowater." You could swear the that black man in the corner booth just chuckled. At the sound, everyone in the bar shifts their gaze to their tables, trying to ignore him.* (Like i told her about when i was holding him...that one time. And how he stretched really suddenly. She went all crazy) (yep. Use the force young one. My path is chosen and stuff. I'll send you some pictures when we get them developed) (Heheh, awesome.) (It's cool that he doesn't cry much. I think we must have good genes or something.) (totally. Angel says he just sits there and chills most of the day.) * Echo rolls his eyes. "Oh come now, I've come in for a drink...surely someone will have a drink -with- me?" Echo asks the crowd, turning to face the mass of people who are, for the most part, busying themselves with winning a staring contest with their tables. "Well fine then, I suppose I'll send that drink to the only person here who seems to have a sense of humour! You there, come, have a drink! It's on me." Echo smiles, raising his cup to the chuckling man in the corner. Echo quietly hopes he didn't just solicite a male prostitute, but that's a bridge to be burned when the time comes. For now he needs food, and the idea of sating himself on the blood of the innocent is becoming more and more appealing, even if it would undoubtedly mean wiping out the population of the town. Details, details. For their sake, Echo ponders whilst still grinning madly, cooperation had best come swiftly.* The man in the corner laughs out loud this time. His rich, deep voice fills the bar. You can see the townsfolk shrink at the sound. "Now there’s a fine gentleman standing at the local pub, asking for some companionship. Weary travellers, welcome to Shallowater - the little town with littler hearts." He motions you to his booth.* (brb) (You know what occurs to me? When I said sate himself on the blood of the innocent, since I'm an Abyssal, that could be taken literally. I love Creation already.) (indeed. Luckily you have some hearthstones. That'll replenish your essence, but fairly slowly.) * Echo nods to the man in the booth and motions to Cho and Greggory to keep watch. Echo casts the barkeep an unnerving gaze with his oh so terribly green eyes, but then smiles to assuage the barkeeps likely escalating blood pressure. Echo excuses himself from the counter and moves briskly to the booth. At this point he wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but hopefully it wasn't a dagger on his throat. Or a male prostitute. "So, are you a traveller as well? I only ask because you neither look, nor behave like these other folk." Echo asks, casually sipping at what remains of his wine.* The man chuckles once again in his deep voice. Somehow his voice seems to permeate the entire room. He's not using his inside-voice. (hmm, toddler joke) "Traveller? Yes. Yes I travel quite a bit. You could say I'm a merchant of sorts." He sits perfectly still, his smile frozen on his face, his bright blue eyes blazing. Blue eyes? Can black skinned mortals have blue eyes?... you can't remember, it's been awhile since you've been in Creation. (been in Creat) ...since you've been in Creation. The table before him has a steaming roast duck with ample side dishes. He hasn't touched it. Oddly enough he doesn't have a drink. He figits slightly, pulling his right glove tighter. "So what brings you to this backwater town stranger?"* * Echo takes quiet note of the strangers oddities, but accepts the fact that he likely poses no significant threat to the well being of an Exalt. Besides, if this mortal is indeed something more than mortal, perhaps he can provide information. "Simply passing through, believe it or not. I have no intentions of staying...I am heading directly to Bluehaven. What about yourself? Have you been around this area much recently?" * He leans forward in interest, "Blue Haven? The path to Blue Haven is alive with deceit, adventure, pain. Oh so much pain." His blue eyes sparkle, "I've been here for a fortnight and think I am nearly through, the debts owed to me will be paid shortly." Sobs can be heard from the crying woman and man rushes to her side to quiet here. You realize the entire room is watching and listening in on the conversation. The man looks you over carefully, "You have the look of one who has seen much violence. I too have seen many wonderful things in my travels, and I'm not yet through. Soon though I will leave this town, perhaps I shall travel to Blue Haven." He extends his gloved right hand towards you, "A pleasure to meet you gentleman, I am Edmon. What is your name?" From the corner of the bar, several patrons cringe.* * Echo shakes the mans hand vigorously, but does not let go for a moment. "I am Kynan. Greetings Edmon." Echo says, still grasping the mans hand and grinning.* (FYI, I am now concentrating on Edmon with the powers of the Bauble of Addictive Tongue.) (k) The hand squishes slightly in your tight grip and Edmon smiles. "Kynan, yes Kynan. Welcome." He smiles knowingly at you. You hear a series of drips and looks down at the table. Dripping from Edmon's glove - appears to be blood. He quickly takes the hand back and figits with the glove, attempting to tighten it.* * Echo quirks a brow and pulls his hand into the light to see if he is bleeding, or if his new 'friend' Edmon is the one who is troubled with a sudden and mysterious case of spontaneous anemia. "So, Edmon...what is it that these quiet folk are endebted to you for?..if you don't mind my asking..? What, did you sell them silence..that appears to be all they value at the moment!" Echo snickers, gazing over the room. * Echo looks specifically at the weeping woman. He tries for a moment to discern anything out of the ordinary regarding her. Something is truly wrong here, and it isn't -just- the fact that an Abyssal Exalted is having a drink with some guy in the corner.* (rolling perception + socialize) (4 successes. You clearly read her emotions. She's distraught, most likely over the loss of something. Judging from her age and the level of her emotions, you'd say she's recently lost a child. Nobody in the bar seems to be comforting her, they are trying to keep her quite. It is as if there is something so terrible that it must not be said aloud, but everybody - except you - know about it. Edmon smiles in delight.) (keep her quiet.) (my pose or yours?) The blood is clearly coming from his glove, but he doesn't seem to be in pain and is regarding the matter with irritation, as if it is an everyday occurance. "I sell many things. What are there desires? I ask myself, then I help them reach their dreams. Each time it is the same, nobody wants to pay the price. Oh but I told them the price up front, but mort- we humans are such fickle creatures. Always the needs and desires of the moment." He glances out the window and regards the height of the sun in the mid-day sky. "Yes. Soon is time to decide the method of payment." He smiles proudly like a father showing off his son. From outside you hear the ringing of a church bell. Loud and clear, the bell rings throughout the town. The sobbing woman begins to wail in terror and the entire crowd in the bar jumps to life. The color drained from their faces, they grab their jackets and walk to the door. Two men grab the woman and help her out into the street. You notice that not one person looks at each other in the eyes. Edmon speaks again, "They've got some thinking to do. Some real pondering. They won't let you join them of course. The church is where they like to meet, it makes them feel safe." He chuckles.* * Echo smiles and laughs. "They should know better." Echo says, slowly leaving the booth and stretching. "Which reminds me. I would like you to tell me what exactly is going on here." Echo continues grinning and stretching, ignorant of the church bells and the rising sun in this foggy town. "I'm not stupid, good Edmon. I've had dealings with all manner of beings, so don't judge me a fool." The Death Knight gives Edmon a quick bow, then sits down in the empty table where the woman had been weeping. * Echo lays his feet on the tabletop and tips his chair back. "So what is it then? Blood debt? Some manner of oath? Or perhaps you are just a predator from the wilderness? Doesn't really matter which to me, frankly. I just prefer truth, is all." The Bodhissatva's Black Words From the Darkness cocks his head to the side and eyes Edmon quizically, waiting for a reply.* The smile remains frozen on the black man's face. "You know much about the world dear gentleman. You know about barter, yes? The trading of equivelant items. Items of value. Well I value things that others do not, and I have access to things others value highly." "I simply trade my wares. Perhaps a trinket for good luck, an incantation of fertility, a pox upon a disliked family's house. Such things are a triffle for my kind. But what I ask for is neither jade nor gold." He tries one last time to adjust the glove on his right hand before sighing and simply pulling the glove off. His hand is entirely covered in blood. It is sticky and running slowly, but he has no obvious wounds and still doesn't seem in pain. He places the bloody hand on the table and looks at you. "But I value things which mortals do all the time. Little things." "A small matter really, they would have done them anyways. Stealing a neighbor's treasured heirloom. Wanting your friends wife. Murdering a bullying schoolyard companion. Such little things."* * Echo rubs his chin. "Interesting. So you have them do these things for you, in return for what? Surely these people did not trade away their lives, or perhaps just that womans life, for a trinket of good luck." Echo says sounding non too impressed. For now he'll let the creature speculate on his origins, just as Echo speculates about the creature. Revealing his nature might prove disruptive at this juncture.* "In return, quite simple. I get to watch their crimes, my pleasure. But word of my good deeds spread through the town quickly, and soon I was flooded with requests. Amazing how a small town could harbor so many grudges. Old scores to settle. Many were will to do quite horrible things for the trinkets I offered - and I was always happy to offer them. But then one day, that damnable priest called on the town's patron spirit." "A woodsy fellow by the name of Ander, I believe. Well he came right to the aid of the townsfolk. He couldn't have another spirit taking away this citizen's devotion, so he challenged me to a duel. I responded by asking him what he wanted." Edmon chuckles. "He took my offer and I killed his territorial rival. Ander has now moved on to bigger and better things and has left this backwater behind. The price he paid me, was of course this town. Right now the citizens are deciding how best to pay my first tax. I require the first born child of each family to join me in my travels, it gets quite lonely you know."* (you know, this is why a solar campaign is so much easier to do than an abyssal. I need to give you a reason to help these people, a solar would just help because he could. Hang on, I need to hold the baby) (A reason to help them? Come -on-, I'm an Exalt for gods sake. I will help them see the reality of their situation, help them commit mass suicide in my name) "Hmmmm...sounds like you've held to your end of the bargain well enough. For a moment there I was considering involving myself in this little conundrum, but you seem to be well within your rights. You are, after all, but a humble merchant. Keeping that in mind, I must ask, you said you were travelling to Blue Have, did you not?" (*?) "Well I have staggeringly important business in Blue Haven, but I do dislike trekking into totally unknown territory. Surely you understand. So I ask you for a ware that you offer. Not a simple trinket, no no. I need information. I need to know about the First and Forsaken Lion." Echo grins widely.* Edmon archs his eyebrows, the first time he has done anything but grin widely. "A Deathlord? A Deathlord yes? He has made quite a mess of things out here, he must learn to keep to himself in that cold dark Underworld," He grins once again, "That you people are so happy to live in. Yes I plan to head to Blue Haven, and a significant reason is to flee the wraith of the undead armies." "No one knows which direction they will head next, they are like the wind, unpredictable. I will tell you, yes, the best route to reach Blue Haven and avoid all entanglements with the undead legions that roam these parts. This I can garentee, for it is the route I shall take shortly. But for this, I am in need of something."* * Echo nods. "Of course. Name your price." * "There are 2,305 ways for a mortal to die. I have seen them all now, they do bore me so. Always just some variation on the old ways," He grins wickedly, "And the old ways are best, are they not? Yes, in the old days Exalts roamed these parts and dealt death to the country side. So spectacular, I must tell you, those essence charms and sorceries. I have not seen their like in many, many years." "You are the tainted Solar Exalt correct? I smell you are of death, but not dead. You are essence, but not a god. Exalted must you be. And a child at that - but with gifts I do not have. I will lead you quickly to Blue Haven, safely, if you were to do me the honor of slaughtering this village to the very last with your essence, with your charms, with your flair for the dramatic and impossible."* * Echo throws his head back and belts out a throaty laugh. His black and ivory hair washes over his face for a moment as he returns his gaze to Edmon. The Death Knight pushes his hair back and pulls his glasses off. Echo casts a glance towards his bodyguards, then snickers. "Well, I'm afraid I might not be quite as impressive as the Exalts of old, but I can most certainly try. I only ask that if I indulge you in this bloodshed, that you must be a true and loyal companion on MY journey to Blue Haven." Echo says, dropping his feet from the table and standing. He approaches the booth and holds his hand out towards the vile spirit. "Let the deal be struck, then."* Edmon grins and stands extending his bloody hand towards you. "Deal." Out of the corner of your eye, you see a table where one of the men sat silently. Carved into the wooden table top are the crude letters - "E D M O N ... d e m o n ..." (and we'll end there for the night) (Awesome) oh, got a short story for you Does using magic to make them kill one another count? cause that's about the only way to get this thing done heh oh yes, you can be very creative. it won't be rolled of anything, you'll be assumed to kill them all http://www.angelfire.com/creep/dp/abyssal.html excellent bottom of the page, "Ruin" lead in to next week's session. I think you'll like it. i'm sure i will i gotta get to bed tho me too later later * Echo has quit IRC Session Close: Tue Dec 21 22:00:34 2004