6-1: The Wound of Past Sins [For A Better Age]

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A depressing miasma seems to drift up as you approach one of the most foreboding locations in Creation in the small airship you are using for transformation. Even from this distance you get the sense you are approaching something wrong. Like you are disturbing an already desecrated grave. For here one of the greatest crimes in Creation’s history was committed. Millions were slain in the purge after the fall of the Solars. Creating the greatest Shadowland in all of Creation. An open wound on the face of Creation that refuses to heal. For this is Marama’s Fall.


OOC
So how about we figure out who is on this little voyage into the largest shadowland in Creation? Post if you want to be part of this little incursion, and in the meantime I’ll start to brainstorm some exotic components needed for the artifacts Axel outlined. [OOC]
 
Re: The Wound of Past Sins


Alfrun


Alfrun left little room to spare in packing the airship. Salt, chalk, honey and wine; all these and more crowd the lower decks in sizeable quantities. There are no chances to be taken on this trip.


Standing at the bow, Alfrun looks down and surveys the ground below for any sign of life... Or at least animation. Buildings, tracks, smoke, the usual traces. Whispers swoops lower than the ship, surveying the territory for his mistress. It is because Alfrun knows that he is keeping an eye out that she lets herself sip from a bowl of wine. Leaning on the railing, she looks almost relaxed. Even in this place.


"How far are we from the heart of the Fell?" She calls back to the pilot, briefly turning to look at the wheel. "I want time to set up the wards around the camp before nightfall."
 
Re: The Wound of Past Sins


Asyk


He stands quietly by one of the rails of the ship, looking out over the desolation of the shadowland below. Turning back to face the others on the command deck of the ship, he muses, "I have long time wondered what it would take to close this wound in Creation; it would be one of those epic quests that storytellers would tell tales about for generations." He smiles at the thought of taking on another epic quest, as if restoring his people by itself is not challenging enough. "We must also take care not to cross into the Underworld itself."
 
Re: The Wound of Past Sins


Narrante


The Nimbus had been hastily packed with what materials Alfrun could gather in time as soon as it had delivered the Talonlord safely to Icehold. She stood at the controls, glancing at a few of the machinations she had learned to navigate with in the past year. "Just over two hours," she replied. She had learned that the workings of the airship were quite precise; truly a marvel of engineering. "You'll have plenty of time, so long as nothing gets in our way," she informed confidently. Even the cavalier captain's mood was somewhat dampened by the atmosphere. Somehow even the sky did not feel the same over the poisoned landscape.


As Asyk addressed her, though, her grin returned, if not in its full glory. "I have no desire to crash my ship through the gates of the Underworld, my good Dragon King," she assured, leaning comfortably on the helm. "I have a mind to just anchor the ship and sleep in my quarters," she admitted. She didn't care to sound cowardly, but the ground was not right for spitting on, much less sleeping on. "Thank you for making sure it was packed to the brim with chalk, by the way," she added to Alfrun. "Getting the smell out will be a quest every bit as epic as cleansing a Shadowland."


The events of this thread and So Many Things are disparate enough for Narrante to take part in both, in case anyone's wondering. Yay adventure!
 
Re: The Wound of Past Sins


Alfrun


Alfrun couldn't help but laugh, finishing the last of her wine in a single gulp and then tossing the bowl playfully at Narrante.


"That chalk is what will keep your ship safe. There's ghosts and worse down there, and it'll all be coming out just as you'll be getting sleepy-eyed." The words leave with a smile as she turns around and leans her back into the railing. Her head lolled back briefly, enjoying the breeze running along her face before she is forced to return her attention to the deck.


"Don't forget what we're after here" She says with a glance in Asyk's direction. "This place will be cleansed another day. For now, we're after ingredients."
 
Re: The Wound of Past Sins


One of the members of the crew walks up to Narrante and salutes. “Ma’am, we have spotted a clearing nearby a little bit off to starboard,†she says crisply. “Seems there is about a mile from the clear also. Can’t tell if there is anyone living…or not living, there or not yet. We would have to make a fly over to be sure, though that would make our presence pretty obvious.â€


The forest of the Marama’s Fell continues to stretch on before you, but looking on you can indeed see a clearing, and beyond that a small village. Somewhere a day’s walk is one of the camps that served as the location of the mass murder of millions. A camp part of the industrialized murder that created the largest shadowland in all of Creation.


In addition to other, more relatively more minor exotic components needed within this Shadowland. You must find the Fetter of a powerful ghost, shape it into the sword intended for Bjarn, and then convince that ghost to travel on to Lethe. Using that ghost’s essence to give the reshaped Fetter the elements it need to create a sword that will be the bane of the undead and spirits.
 
Re: The Wound of Past Sins


Asyk


With word that a clearing has been detected, the Dragon King perks up with interest. "I could do a fly-over. I'm more maneuverable than the airship, so if something takes a shot at me, I would have a better chance to dodge the attack than the ship would. I can check to see if there is anything prowling about down there and report back."
 
Re: The Wound of Past Sins


Narrante


"Eager to set down so quickly?" Narrante queried of Asyk. Her tone was almost disappointed. She had expected they would get to the heart of the Fell before making camp. "Your thoughts, my lady?" she wondered, looking toward Alfrun with the playful title she used now and then. She was the one handling the magical protection. Narrante had leapt at the chance to be involved in the expedition, only learning of what the ingredients were specifically for afterward. Bjarn's sword would be a fine thing, she imagined, but she was still hoping to take her ship to the Deathknight's lair and drive her own through his throat in the night.
 
Re: The Wound of Past Sins


Alfrun


"It's daytime, Asyk. The ghosts will barely be able to make themselves material, yet alone get a shot off at you." She points out."Still, if you want, go take a look around. We're not far from Camp 17 and it's probably best we make camp outside of it for the moment."


With that, Alfrun marches down below deck and returns with two small pouches lashed to her belt, filled with materials for her wards. Climbing up onto the railing of the skyship, she leaps off, vanishing from sight, only to return a moment later while sitting side-saddle atop her broomstick.


"I'll start ahead and prepare a landing zone. You bring the ship in, Narrante. Asyk, you look for anything that might be moving. If you see anything, inform my raven and then keep an eye on it while he reports to me." She directs the Night Caste and Dragon King. Turning her head, Alfrun brings her fingers to her lips and emits a piercing whistle, splitting the air and calling her raven back to her. Instructing him to follow Asyk, she then starts to drift down to the clearing at a far faster speed than the airship.

Alfrun used 8 Personal motes to transform the Staff of Tales into its broomstick form. She then drained 5 motes from Whispers, as per the Familiar background, reducing the end cost to 3.


Alfrun also activates Spirit-Detecting Glance as she inspects the area. If there is nothing there, she proceeds to create wards against ghosts and plasmics, starting with a Greater Ward and working her way down. The whole process takes approximately four hours and costs Alfrun 40m, 3wp, but it's spent across the hours, so her Cult rating reduces it to 26m, 2wp, and her anima never flares beyond the 8-11 level.


Lesser Ward successes: 4,1,9,3,4,7,6,3,7,10,4 + 4 successes = 9 successes


Ward successes: 6,2,2,7,2,7,9,6,10,1,7,2,10 + 5 successes = 13 successes


Greater Ward successes: 10,7,10,4,7,4,9,7,7,3,1,8,4 + 5 successes = 15 successes


I ain't afraid of no ghost.
 
Re: The Wound of Past Sins


Narrante


The airship captain gave Alfrun a mock salute before the witch bounded off the ship. That broomstick was a little marvel, but she supposed she'd rather have the Nimbus. Humming a sailing tune to herself, she relaxedly began to lower altitude. The place was supposedly harmless during the day, but she still looked out across the poisoned landscape curiously, wondering if she might see something creep up from the Underworld. She took her time to make sure Alfrun had ample opportunity to set up her wards.
 
Re: The Wound of Past Sins


Asyk


He knew what Alfrun was talking about already, but he still wanted to take a flight around the area. He never felt quite the same unless he was flying under his own power, feeling the wind rushing past beneith his wings. He checks the fit of his weapons to make sure that nothing will fall off by accident, then leaps free of the airship. Asyk dives away from the hull to pick up speed, then lets his wings snap out and catch the air to level out above the trees. Letting his keen predator's eyes scan the ground, Asyk watches out for any signs of life. Or, to be more accurate, movement, since not everything moving in a shadowland is alive.
 
Re: The Wound of Past Sins


After Inguz had heard where the expedition was going, he knew he had to lend a hand. His expertise would be indispensable, and even he had yet to trek deep into Marama's Fell before: the challenge was invigorating. Finally, after flying as hard as he could to catch up to the ship, the large vulture started to come close enough to land.


Once he finally lighted, and was able to catch his breath, he was relieved upon hearing that the expedition had prepared itself. A few deep breathes later, his composure regained, Inguz waited for the right moment to introduce himself a second time, perched upon the aft of the ship.


If Narrante can do both, so can Inguz. :lol: Also, going into a Shadowlands without the Necromancer? That would be silly.
 
Re: The Wound of Past Sins


Narrante


When the massive bird alighted on the railing of her deck, not ten feet to her side, Narrante cast a glance left and right. She was quite alone on deck all of a sudden, looking at a bird she was quite sure was not Alfrun's raven. Or a native of the North. Though the sky captain had never seen a vulture in person, never setting foot anywhere south of the Blessed Isle, the animal was commonly known enough to be recognized. "I know this is a place of the dead, but I didn't think that meant scavengers could live here," she announced, hand on her sword as she slowed the ship's descent. She wondered if she were quick enough to catch a bird before it could take wing again...
 
Re: The Wound of Past Sins


Flying Around


Taking the time to scout around the area, Asyk notices little life in the Shadowland below him. The land itself seems sick. Colors seem muted, and it’s as though the area has failed to recover from some harsh winter.


The clearing looks perfectly safe from Asyk’s initial fly over, and he can quickly signal to the airship that it is safe for them to land, and make their preparations.


After seeing little else of interest in the immediate area, Asyk moves on to the village spotted earlier about a mile from the clearing. Down below he sees humans moving about their business. Though the sharp eyed Dragon King notes that all seems to be wearing muted colors, and even clothing suited for funerary occasions. Numerous tombs, monuments, graves, shrines, and other such things feature prominently around the town. Much more so, and in greater numbers then is at all necessary in a town the size Asyk sees.


Airship Landing


The Nimbus lands without problems. The crew makes various prayers to the gods and spirits of their preference as they look out at the haunted land around them.


Alfrun is able to set up her wards against the undead should they attempt to approach the ship. Should any such beings have hostile intents towards the Nimbus…well…they are going to face a unpleasant surprise.
 
Re: The Wound of Past Sins


Alfrun


As the last ward goes into place, Alfrun gives a sigh of relief. While it might not look it to an outside observer, the effort and concentration required to put up the magical wards is exhausting. Once the last thaumaturgical binding is in place, she sighs with relief and leans against a gnarled, half-dead tree for a moment to gather her mental reserves.


"Alright. We're safe." She calls out to ship as she returns to it and flops down nearby. "Safe enough, anyway." With glance in the direction of the ship, she gestures to the servants.


"Set up camp. Make yourselves useful. When night comes, I want to be ready." She says simply, as she rests to get her strength back after such an exertion.
 
Re: The Wound of Past Sins


Asyk


The Dragon King soars overhead slowly, making sure that no trigger happy crewman mistakes him for some other kind of giant monster. With a flare of his wings he settles down lightly enough for his large frame. "I saw nothing in the woods in the immediate area, but there is a small village about a mile from the clearing. The people there seem normal enough from the air. The only thing that stood out to me was the abundance of shrines and tombs that seem to fill the town. I woudn't mind doing some scouting about there, but even disguised, there will be no way to hide that you are a stranger in town. Its not like it is the hub of a trade line."
 
Re: The Wound of Past Sins


Airship Nimbus


The crew of the ship looks out wearily at the woods around them. Expecting hordes of specters to suddenly jump out and drag them to dark places. As is human nature, many have trouble feeling safe behind a bunch of invisible lines Alfrun has drawn. But to their credit and state of discipline, they do as they are told, and start to make camp and necessary preparations. They even manage to keep from firing on Asyk as he makes his way to the deck of the airship. Though most still keep a good breadth from the wards Alfrun has set up.


OOC
Are there any preparations you guys would like your mortals to do other then maybe set up a line of salt around the ship? [OOC]
 
Re: The Wound of Past Sins


Alfrun


"Don't dilly-dally. The scariest thing inside this circle is me, not some shade or eidolon." Alfrun reminds the servants as she relaxes on a boulder near the ship. Her gaze is drawn skyward by the caw of her crow, who trails after a far larger silhouette. Whispers, swirling on the breeze, dives in after the airborne reptile and alights on his mistress's shoulder.


"Thank you." The witch nods her approval to Asyk as he gives his report. "This is very strange... Slaves, perhaps, or runaways hiding from something. Either way, I can't imagine them being too trustworthy." She muses, a finger running along her chin in thought.


"You'd best summon us an assistant or two, then, if you can manage it." Alfrun points out to Asyk. She had witnessed the workforce of elementals he had helped summon for the creation of the manse. It had been an impressive talent. An elemental guard or two would also mean that they wouldn't need to take shifts on look-out.

Requesting Asyk summon an elemental or two. Ifrit are probably good choices if you can bind them properly.


As for mortals and the ship, them setting up camp is good. Alfrun likely already lined the ship's interior with small bags of salt for at least some protection.


Once night falls, Alfrun will then set about a whole bunch of things, so they'd be best getting out her equipment and supplies.
 
Asyk


A claw reaches up to scratch at his beak. "Mmmm. Yes, that won't be a problem. It will take several hours for a fire elemental, but I can call up an air or earth elemental in a few moments. Depending on how long we are planning on being here, I'd think some earthworks might make things a bit safer. Let me gather my things for the ritual and I'll have a few Ifrit playing guard duty. But for now..." He closes his eyes and holds out a hand, and a earth elemental appears before him, followed by a second. Asyk looks at the two mercury ants and directs them to begin making a pallasade around the clearing. Within a few mintues, he settles down into meditation to call up some fire elementals to aid in guard duty.
 
Asyk summoned earth elementals go to work, and quickly build the earthworks he desires to protect the camp. The efforts of the human crew seems pitiful in comparison to the supernatural efforts of the mercury ants.


The sun begins to wane, and darkness begins to take hold. The land becomes different. For now it is closer to the Underworld then Creation. The land now belongs to the restless dead. The crew of the Nimbus llok out anxiously. For the danger has increased.


Asyk finishes summoning his fire elementals to protect the camp after the fall of the sun. The camp as well protected as it is going to get, it is up to the Exalted and Dragon King to do as they like next.
 
Alfrun


As Asyk has been summoning the elementals, and the servants setting about their duties, Alfrun has been relaxing and enjoying a few slow bowlfuls of wine. Not enough to affect someone with her constitution and especially not over so many hours, but it is enough of a relaxing departure to help her soul breathe. Even in this bleak place, she cannot help but admire the final rays of sunlight as her patron descends below the horizon and vanishes.

Alfrun recovers all motes over the next few hours, plus uses the reflexive Willpower regain from the Cult background to put her back at 8 temporary wp. Whispers also recovers his motes.


The first chill wind of night stirs her to action once more. Rising to her feet, Alfrun waits for the clouds to part, and reveal the alien sky of the Underworld. When they clear, she walks to the edge of the camp and to the barely visible lines in the dirt where she has placed her wards. A ghost would feel them before they would see them. Her eye flashes gold as she walks the edge of the camp, making a circuit of it to ensure it is secure.


When she is satisfied, Alfrun returns to the others. "It appears we have our work cut out for us. We need to get up in the air and find a centre of activity, probably that village you spotted earlier." Alfrun's gaze settles briefly on Asyk, before drifting towards Narrante. "We can't take the airship, it's too large a target if we get into trouble. That means you'll be getting a lift with one of us, if you want to come."




Spirit-Detecting Glance active. 3 Personal Motes. Don't want to go saying "HERE'S AN ESSENCE USER!" in a place like this.
 
"Just in this circle? I'd wager all the ghosts in the Fell would rather dive headfirst into Lethe than face you, Alfrun," Narrante commented cheerfully. She had little to do in the ensuing hours besides directing her men to aid the elementals in fortifying the camp, for what little good that was worth. She aided some in this regard, but when the evening came, she was relaxing while the men and women rested. The Shadowland's atmosphere didn't seem to be interrupting her relaxation as she laid about on the deck of the Nimbus, but she was being quieter than usual.


It didn't take a genius to tell the crew were nervous, however, and an idea occurred to her. Shortly after the sun went down, the sound of a flute wafted out over the camp from the deck. The tune was half-lullaby, a gentle performance meant to ease their nerves.


I don't know if a roll is really necessary here, but it probably can't hurt. Charisma+Performance, I'd imagine?


4 6 3 1 7 5 7 10 8 4 2 = 5 successes
 
Asyk


"I can carry one person easily, two if you don't mind some bruises on your arms. I'll be slowed down a bit, but I already fly much faster than normal thanks to my armor." He taps his obsidian sheath with a claw, and looks over at their broomstick riding Exalt. "How many can ride on that magic stick of yours, anyways?" He smiles to show he meant no insult. "But I do want to check out how that village deals with the shadowland after dark. From my initial flyover, I didn't see any wards, but that doesn't mean that there isn't any."
 
Alfrun


"This 'magic stick' can outrun you on your best day, Asyk." Alfrun answers the Dragon-King, perhaps a little more tersely than she intended. She squeezes her fist tighter around the staff and a flare of essence runs along its length as it changes form, as its mistress casts it to the ground. It never lands, stopping a few inches above and drifting up a few feet above the ashen dirt. The witch steps aboard, starting to drift.


"I can carry another person, but not much more. There's not enough room beyond that anyway." She says as she glances between her companions, now looking down at them from her higher position, walking to the head of her staff and remaining balanced as if her feet were magnetized to it. "Narrante," she directs her attention to the Night Caste, "pick your mode of transit and let's go. We have a village to examine."
 
Narrante


Though the sky captain had seemed to barely be paying attention to the exchange, she cut off her performance immediately once addressed and got up. "Yes, yes; places to be, ghosts to meet," she sighed, but she was back to her usual mood as she stepped up onto the railing of the Nimbus, then nimbly bounded to the open end of Alfrun's staff. She landed light as could be, an amused grin on her face as she mimicked the witch's pose with ease. "We should spend some quality time together. You remind me of another witch I knew. Fewer eyes, though. And horns. And invisible body parts," she mused. "Do all witches have more or less than normal?"
 
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