Avatar Legends: The Forbidden Scroll

[Random Word]

Yuza's eyebrows cannot possibly go any higher. Scaled the walls? Too old to get to the harbour my ass! She snorts and shakes her head. This isn't going to become any less surreal if she dwells on it, and she has bigger problems right now. She listens carefully as they make their way slowly through the winding underground caverns. She would much prefer to do unto others before they can do unto her. Thankfully the darkness seems to contain no hidden dangers today.

Returned to the surface, Yuza eschews restoring her clips and jewelry, and instead simply ties her hair up and conceals mons and crests. She stands behind and slightly to the side of Zaran and watches for uninvited observers as she waits for him to decide whether to place their lives in the hands of this friend of the docks.

 

[Eonivar]

Sesi readjusts their clothing and then looks about the street as the others get read, putting the facts and ideas together in their head.


<Sesi is going to use the "Assess the Situation" move to get some more information. It's a straight roll for Sesi>

6 = Failure unless one of the others helps.

Sesi casts about looking for something familiar in this foreign land and does not seem to find anything that gives them any insight. They were raised in a remote village and on the run. The City was intimidating to them. Sesi lets out a long sigh and shakes their head wondering if they will get out of this mess.

 

[jaydude]

Sesi might be out of their comfort zone in the Fire Nation Captial, but fortunately Yuza is on hand to assist them in looking around. Between the pair, it doesn't take long for them to spot an unused-looking alleyway between two buildings. It probably won't take them far, but it will get them off the streets, and there are likely to be a lot more of their kind throughout the city, where the guards are unlikely to stray.

Spoiler: Group Stats

Clock: [X][_][_][_] (Morning)

Zaran​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Tradition - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Progress

Sesi​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Forgiveness - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Action

Yuza​

Fatigue: [X][_][_][_][_]

Conditions: (All start unmarked)
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]
Balance:
Control - (_)-(B)-(_)-{_}-(X)-(X)-(X) - Connection

 

[Rykon]

Zaran helps Sesi relate to the patterns and form of the typical commoner's clothes. How the ash and soot of the volcanic islands have impacted the colors many of the people wear day to day and how the constant exposure to heat and fire bending likewise informs much of their culture in contrast to the Water Tribes surviving in harsh, cold weather. With the information at hand, they can paint a picture of what average and circumspect might look like in the capital of the fire nation even on a festival.

[I'll help with a creativity roll, if I can.]

 

[Random Word]

Yuza turns to Sesi as they sigh despondently and suppresses an annoyed tick. She's used to high born turning up their nose to her neighbourhood, or looking dismayed at the prospect of having to traverse it, but Sesi practically breathes water. She didn't expect them to hate Harbour City. It's practically the ocean. You can almost see it from... Oh, but maybe they don't know that. Struck by sudden insight, she grabs Sesi's hand and tugs insistently, "Come on."

"Watch him. I'll be back in a few minutes," she calls over her shoulder. The Sage is still getting changed, and she won't let this stand.

She leads them half way down a nearby alleyway at a breakneck pace, vaulting broken boxes, dodging piles of refuse, and neatly sidestepping puddles of indeterminate liquid until she reaches a seemingly abandoned warehouse. She climbs through an open window, up two flights of rotting set of stairs to another window, and shoves a plank through to make a bridge to the adjacent tower. "They abandoned this post last year. Needed the guards for the treasure ships," she offers by way of explanation as she walks across the wobbly plank and opens the wooden shutter. "Left the shutter open." She climbs in, climbs another two flights of stairs in the dusty abandoned guard tower, and then opens a hatch to the crenellated roof.

When Sesi makes it up, she points to the ocean, visible over the harbour walls from this height. "The ocean," she says bluntly, as if this solves everything. When it plainly doesn't her expression becomes slightly annoyed, and she looks around at the familiar view. Well, she should probably make sure they don't go anywhere stupid if they get separated in the thronging crowds she can already see formed on the main streets.

"The Customs House," she says with distaste, pointing to a massive fortified gate surrounded by slightly more upscale buildings and brightly coloured signs and lanterns indicating dormant nightlife, "That's where the treasure comes in. Don't go there. It's the main entrance to the docks, the most heavily guarded point in Harbour City, and the Red Feathers run the neighbourhood. Noble thugs. They beat up anyone they judge to be 'insufficiently patriotic', or whoever can't fight back. They don't like foreigners who don't kowtow. They'll kill you. The Swan is nearby. It's a teahouse, but no one goes there for the tea. Don't go there, either."

"If you actually want tea, Mama Nuli's is over there in the Canals, and has the best," she points to another distant neighbourhood, a run down shantytown with small canals connecting to fishing wharves "and she'll probably hide you for a few minutes if you need it. Tell her you're with me. The Fire Finches run the Canals, 'cause all the main orphanages are there, and no one else cares about it. Mine, too. They're mostly harmless, just watch your pockets. The night market won't be on today because of the festival, so they'll be all over the city in the crowds. They're easy to bribe."

She points to an adjacent district of tenements and workshops, "The Burning Embers run Glass Alley. Most of the best glassblowers are long gone, but they keep tight control over the cheap stuff. They're vicious, but they don't care who you are so long as your coin's good. You can work with them, just don't look weak. If you want to get drunk, all the best places are there. Try Song's." She pauses for a moment, "Don't do that now. The guard doesn't go there," she looks pointedly down at the empty tower they're standing on top of, "So if you need to get away from them, try to head for the Alley."

She turns back to Sesi and awkwardly adds, "It's a nice place. Really. Just don't do anything stupid and you'll be fine."

If Sesi has a few questions she'll answer some before she gets annoyed and demands they return to the others to get moving, quickly descending a rope hanging from a winch in the warehouse to skip the stairs and dashing back down the alley to rejoin the others, ready to go.

Spoiler: Mechanics

Taking Eonivar's suggestion to roll Guide & Comfort at -1.
2d6-1 = 5

Oh, interesting! There's no penalty for failing a Guide & Comfort. I was ready to mark Insecure or something

 

[jaydude]

Yuza might have genuinely wanted to help, but all that her explanation does is further emphasize to Sesi just how far out of their comfort zone they are.

[Sesi marks Insecure.]

Assuming that there are no further questions on Sesi's part, what do the three of you want to do now?

Spoiler: Group Stats

Clock: [X][_][_][_] (Morning)

Zaran​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Tradition - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Progress

Sesi​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [X]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Forgiveness - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Action

Yuza​

Fatigue: [X][_][_][_][_]

Conditions: (All start unmarked)
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]
Balance:
Control - (_)-(B)-(_)-{_}-(X)-(X)-(X) - Connection

 

[Eonivar]

Sesi goes along with Yuza listening to the descriptions, looking around, and being guided by their new friend's actions and words. Sesi was initially excited that Yuza was trying to help, but as Yuza began to point out things in the city, the places not to go, the dangerous people...not to mention that Sesi was unused to the sheer amount of people everywhere. Sesi's dread only began to grow.

The Water Bender knew that Yuza was trying to comfort them, and yet they did not have the heart to tell Yuza it was not working.

Sesi nodded at Yuza, giving a gentle smile hoping the Fire Bender would not notice the unease in their manner and voice.

"Thank you Yuza, your words comfort me. Forgive my unease, I am not used to cities, I am used to open seas and open ice, and small villages. I am confident with your skils and your knowledge of the place along with Zaran we can get through this without incident."

They followed Yuza back down the stairs towards where Zaran and the Fire Sage waited for them.

Sesi maintained their smile.."So you all are the experts of this place, what is our next move here?"

 

[jaydude]

"We should head to Sun Po's offices with haste. The longer we delay, the more time word of our escape has to spread throughout the capital." Niuan says. He's clearly still favouring the means of escape he personally trusts the most.

Spoiler: Group Stats

Clock: [X][_][_][_] (Morning)

Zaran​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Tradition - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Progress

Sesi​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [X]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Forgiveness - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Action

Yuza​

Fatigue: [X][_][_][_][_]

Conditions: (All start unmarked)
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]
Balance:
Control - (_)-(B)-(_)-{_}-(X)-(X)-(X) - Connection

 

[Random Word]

Yuza nods. "This way," she says brusquely, choosing the alleys that will take them most quickly to the docks while avoiding the largest concentrations of soldiers and guards likely to be on the lookout for them.

 

[Rykon]

Zaran nods, keeping his head down and obscured to avoid being recognized while the group moves through the alleys.

 

[Eonivar]

Sesi raises their hood over their head, and proceeds to follow the others taking up the rear of the party, their green eyes glancing here and there while they wound through the street, hoping their friends will lead them true. Sesi longed to hear at least the sound of the seas against the docks, they knew that sound would give them a measure of comfort that they would almost be free of this place.

As they looked about and watched the fire nation city folk going about their daily lives, Sesi was saddened that they could not experience this place as a welcome visitor rather than a fugitive or an enemy. Maybe one day I will be able to come here and actually experience this place as a friend and not as a foe.

Sesi also looked around to see if any place displayed a white lotus symbol, mentally remembering any of those places in case their current schemes fell apart and they could find a temporary sanctuary with their White Lotus brethren.

 

[jaydude]

With the early hour and Yuza's knowledge of the city, the four of you are able to move towards First Lord's Harbor while remaining undetected by the guards.

"Sun Po's offices are located within that tower there." Niuan says as you proceed down a street that's filling up with early celebration-goers, pointing towards one of the towers atop the wall separating the city from the Royal Plaza, where First Lord's Harbor is located. "Unfortunately for all of us, we're going to have to get into the Royal Plaza to access them, which means we'll have to go through the Red Feathers' territory and the customs house. That said, the Royal Plaza will be hosting part of today's festivities, so the checks at the customs house will be a bit more lax than usual..."

He then glances over his shoulder, and suddenly lets out a curse very unbecoming of a Fire Sage. Once that's done, he tries to usher you into the nearest alleyway without causing a scene, looking very much alarmed.

Those of you who look in the same direction as the Fire Sage spot a trio of ostrich-horse riders moving up the street at a brisk pace, the citizens scurrying out of their way like elephant rats. Two of the riders are young-looking and wearing the standard armour of the city watch, but the third is around the same age as Niuan, and clad in a set of Fire Sage robes. It soon dawns on Zaran, Yuza and Sesi that this is Fire Sage Bai, the man who captured you during your ill-fated attempt to steal the scroll last night.

Bai and his two escorts don't seem to have spotted you yet; they appear to simply be on their way to somewhere, but it's no coincidence to any of you that he's out and about following your escape, while the rest of the Fire Sages are up at the Royal Palace. It'll only be a few seconds until they're close enough to notice you though.

What do you wish to do?

Spoiler: Group Stats

Clock:[X][_][_][_] (Morning)

Zaran​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Tradition - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Progress

Sesi​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [X]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Forgiveness - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Action

Yuza​

Fatigue: [X][_][_][_][_]

Conditions: (All start unmarked)
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]
Balance:
Control - (_)-(B)-(_)-{_}-(X)-(X)-(X) - Connection

 

[Random Word]

Yuza needs no ushering. Sharp elbows and sharper glares are all it takes to cut smoothly through a crowd as she ensures everyone makes it into the alley and into cover before the crowd can clear in front of the riders. "I won't punch anyone this time. I promise."

 

[jaydude]

The four of you are able to get out of sight just in time, and Bai and his two escorts ride past you unawares.

"He must be going around informing the guards about our escape." Niuan says. "If he gets to the customs house before us, there's no way we'll be able to get through without being detected. We need to move fast."

As Niuan is speaking however, Sesi spots something down the other end of the alley. A business sign, bearing a white lotus symbol. Sesi recalls that by and large, the Fire Nation has no idea that the Order of the White Lotus even exists, so they can get away with advertising their presence somewhat openly.

What do you want to do? Try and beat Bai to the customs house? Investigate the White Lotus establishment? Or something else?

Spoiler: Group Stats

Clock:[X][_][_][_] (Morning)

Zaran​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Tradition - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Progress

Sesi​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [X]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Forgiveness - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Action

Yuza​

Fatigue: [X][_][_][_][_]

Conditions: (All start unmarked)
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]
Balance:
Control - (_)-(B)-(_)-{_}-(X)-(X)-(X) - Connection

 

[Eonivar]

Sesi glances at the White Lotus sign and notes the intersection and names of the streets around. The Water Bender was not sure if they wanted to give up their secret to their new Fire Nation friends yet.

Probably better to use this as an option if the current strategy does not work.

They glance at the Fire Sage, Zaran, and Yuza and whispers to them "We probably should find a way to get to the customs house before they do. Is there a shortcut, or a way through? Or is there something we can do to delay the guards' approach to the customs house? Cause a traffic jam?"

 

[Random Word]

Yuza nods at Sesi's suggestion, then turns to Zaran, "Over the market, through the graveyard, over the canal. You know the way? Good. That way. I will find you soon." If I make no mistakes. She points down a fork in the alley, and then bolts down the other path. One traffic jam, coming up.

She doesn't descend the stairs into the little hole-in-the-wall bar at the edge of Embers territory, she flies. Her knee meets the back of a thick head and sends its owner sprawling through a card table with a terrible crash, while over his head a searing hot whip of flame snaps out to strike all the bottles on the shelf behind the bar, rapidly filling the room with choking black smoke above waist height. Yuza lands in a crouch, one leg extended, low beneath the smoke. She snags the heavy gang-insignia-laden coat off the back of the recently vacated chair and a bottle of cheap liquor freshly liberated from the lieutenant's hands before it can hit the floor, then bolts for the door, tucking the bottle in a large pocket and pulling the coat on as she runs down the alley.

Once she breaks from the alleys into the main street, heart racing - a high heart rate was useful here, she was still in control - sunlight and noise wash over her and she takes a moment to sight her prey. There, ahead of Bai and his entourage, a small group of Red Feathers riding in ostentatious finery made from the finest imports from the new colonies, including the eponymous massive red feather in their caps from some great exotic bird-snake in the Earth Kingdom. What was once the Earth Kingdom, anyway. She weaves through the crowd and leaps onto a passing parade float, smashing the bottle and igniting the contents to cast out a wave of flame that makes the Red Feathers duck for cover. She leaps onto the leading Red Feather's ostrich-horse to knee him in the nose as he rises with a whoop and a cry of, "For the Burning Embers! Get 'em boys!" snatching his hat as it goes flying from his head and carrying her momentum forward to leap from the ostrich-horse onto the next float.

She puts the cap on and tips it to the angry mob of Embers who have just cleared the alley and are furiously cutting through a rapidly scattering crowd as she crosses the float and leaps to the roof of a street food stall on the far side, Embers coat trailing behind her, and then down. Make your enemy lose control, and they have already lost the battle. Cause them to descend into confusion and chaos, and you have no opponent. Once she makes it into an alley she takes a rapid series of turns before casting the coat into a nearby trash heap and making for the rooftops. Someone will probably put out that fire before it engulfs the block. Almost certainly. She's pretty sure, anyway. Now to try to meet up with Zaran, Sesi, and the honourable but venerable Niuan.

Or at least that's the plan.

 

[jaydude]

Yuza nods at Sesi's suggestion, then turns to Zaran, "Over the market, through the graveyard, over the canal. You know the way? Good. That way. I will find you soon." If I make no mistakes. She points down a fork in the alley, and then bolts down the other path. One traffic jam, coming up.

She doesn't descend the stairs into the little hole-in-the-wall bar at the edge of Embers territory, she flies. Her knee meets the back of a thick head and sends its owner sprawling through a card table with a terrible crash, while over his head a searing hot whip of flame snaps out to strike all the bottles on the shelf behind the bar, rapidly filling the room with choking black smoke above waist height. Yuza lands in a crouch, one leg extended, low beneath the smoke. She snags the heavy gang-insignia-laden coat off the back of the recently vacated chair and a bottle of cheap liquor freshly liberated from the lieutenant's hands before it can hit the floor, then bolts for the door, tucking the bottle in a large pocket and pulling the coat on as she runs down the alley.

Once she breaks from the alleys into the main street, heart racing - a high heart rate was useful here, she was still in control - sunlight and noise wash over her and she takes a moment to sight her prey. There, ahead of Bai and his entourage, a small group of Red Feathers riding in ostentatious finery made from the finest imports from the new colonies, including the eponymous massive red feather in their caps from some great exotic bird-snake in the Earth Kingdom. What was once the Earth Kingdom, anyway. She weaves through the crowd and leaps onto a passing parade float, smashing the bottle and igniting the contents to cast out a wave of flame that makes the Red Feathers duck for cover. She leaps onto the leading Red Feather's ostrich-horse to knee him in the nose as he rises with a whoop and a cry of, "For the Burning Embers! Get 'em boys!" snatching his hat as it goes flying from his head and carrying her momentum forward to leap from the ostrich-horse onto the next float.

She puts the cap on and tips it to the angry mob of Embers who have just cleared the alley and are furiously cutting through a rapidly scattering crowd as she crosses the float and leaps to the roof of a street food stall on the far side, Embers coat trailing behind her, and then down. Make your enemy lose control, and they have already lost the battle. Cause them to descend into confusion and chaos, and you have no opponent. Once she makes it into an alley she takes a rapid series of turns before casting the coat into a nearby trash heap and making for the rooftops. Someone will probably put out that fire before it engulfs the block. Almost certainly. She's pretty sure, anyway. Now to try to meet up with Zaran, Sesi, and the honourable but venerable Niuan.

Or at least that's the plan.

Random Word
As Yuza might have hoped, the Red Feathers swiftly lose sight of her in the chaos, and turn their attention onto the angry-looking mob of Burning Embers thugs now running out of the alley. Several of them let out loud war cries and charge their ostrich horses at the Burning Embers, who respond by letting out similar noises and shooting blasts of flame from their hands and feet.

By the time Yuza makes it up to the rooftops, the street upon which she attacked the Red Feathers has become the stage for a ferocious battle between them and the Burning Embers. People from both gangs lay into each other with firebending, weapons and their bare limbs, while ordinary citizens flee the carnage as fast as their feet can take them. The two parade floats lay abandoned, with one engulfed by the fire Yuza started, and several shop windows have been destroyed due to having people thrown through them. It soon becomes clear that it'll take a lot of time - and guards - to get this fight under control. Bai might even have to intervene himself, if only to prevent it from diverting attention away from the fugitives and the stolen scroll.

Safe in the knowledge that she's got Bai and the guards preoccupied with other matters, Yuza can turn and make her way across the rooftops to the customs house. As she moves though, she spots Bai and his escorts riding down the street beneath her, presumably on their way to gather more guards to stop the fight. A quick glance to her left allows her to spot a number of loose tiles within the roof she's currently stood on; one of those dropped on Bai's head as he passes underneath her would surely keep him occupied for a lot longer.

Eonivar Rykon
Niuan opens his mouth, presumably wanting to ask Yuza what exactly she's planning to do, but she's gone before he can get any words out. Roughly a minute or so later, he, Zaran and Sesi all hear the telltale sounds of a huge street-fight coming from a short distance away. Every now and again, they spot either a group of guards or a group of criminals rushing towards the sounds of the fight.

"How in the name of all the spirits did you fail to steal the scroll with that woman on your side?" Niuan asks the other two quietly as they head towards the customs house, a haunted expression plain to see upon his face.

Spoiler: Group Stats

Clock:[X][_][_][_] (Morning)

Zaran​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Tradition - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Progress

Sesi​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [X]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Forgiveness - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Action

Yuza​

Fatigue: [X][_][_][_][_]

Conditions: (All start unmarked)
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]
Balance:
Control - (_)-(B)-(_)-{_}-(X)-(X)-(X) - Connection

 

[Random Word]

Stray thoughts are stray arrows in the mind. They are a danger to self and others. So stop thinking about the fire. Fires. And the broken shops. And the festival-goers who - No. Stop. Danger to self and others. Focus on the mission. Survive. Regain control. She glances down at the street and spots Bai, dispassionately kicking the tiles without a second thought before diving right, rolling over the peak of the roof and out of sight. Those who stop to watch what they cannot control are not in control. The knife is cast, and it will fall where it may. May it be on Bai's stupid head. She comes out of the roll and resumes her sprint without missing a beat.

Perfection in all things. She had been perfect since the arrest, and her ignoble failure. She might have earned a small word of praise from an instructor, or at least a nod and silence. She feels the glow, even if the instructor is only in her head. If she keeps this up, maybe everyone won't die.

 

[jaydude]

As she runs, Yuza hears both a shout and the sound of breaking clay. Were she to look back, she'd see a dazed Bai lying on the ground and his two escorts crouched down next to him, the three ostrich-horses milling about in the street.

Spoiler: Group Stats

Clock:[X][_][_][_] (Morning)

Zaran​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Tradition - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Progress

Sesi​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [X]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Forgiveness - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Action

Yuza​

Fatigue: [X][_][_][_][_]

Conditions: (All start unmarked)
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]
Balance:
Control - (_)-(B)-(_)-{_}-(X)-(X)-(X) - Connection

 

[Eonivar]

Sesi grins at Yuza's chaos as they continued towards the Customs House around the disturbance. In response to the Fire Sage's question. "Well, we were still getting to know each other..."

Sesi followed Zaran and the Fire Sage along to the Customs House while keeping an eye open for any further trouble as well as a concerned eye for Yuza.

 

[Rykon]

"How in the name of all the spirits did you fail to steal the scroll with that woman on your side?" Niuan asks the other two quietly as they head towards the customs house, a haunted expression plain to see upon his face.

"Troubled heart, troubled hearth," Zaran replied, using a common saying to let the Fire Sage fill in the gaps. Suddenly having to accept that most of what you knew of the world was built on lies was bound to shake one's perspective. For a Fire Bender especially, having inner conflict could sometimes interfere with their art if severe enough. Sesi wasn't wrong either, he hadn't worked alongside a Water Bender before, nor was he used to Yuza's unfettered approach as well. "Either way, I'd rather put that behind us and get this done. Let's move."

 

[jaydude]

The four of you reunite a short distance away from the customs house. Thanks to the large streetfight Yuza caused, the guards there are fewer than one might expect, and a small crowd of people is being allowed to trickle through the gates. It's second nature to blend in with it, and the guards give you no trouble as you proceed into the Royal Plaza.

The place is moderately busy, but you all get the feeling that it'll become more so in the afternoon, as larger amounts of people join in on the anniversary celebrations. For now though, a number of currently empty stages have been set up throughout the plaza, along with plenty of food stalls currently serving those looking for a late breakfast or early lunch. Looking in the direction of the harbor, you can just about make out a number of cargo ships docked there; within the Fire Nation, trade among the islands and colonies has to continue even during a day of celebration.

With Niuan pointing you in the right direction, the four of you start heading towards Sun Po's offices. As you walk, the Fire Sage moves close to Yuza and speaks to her.

"Are you okay, young lady?" he asks with concern, looking for all the world like an old man worrying about his granddaughter. "You've seemed somewhat...uneasy since re-joining us."

Spoiler: Group Stats

Clock:[X][_][_][_] (Morning)

Zaran​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Tradition - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Progress

Sesi​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [X]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Forgiveness - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Action

Yuza​

Fatigue: [X][_][_][_][_]

Conditions: (All start unmarked)
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]
Balance:
Control - (_)-(B)-(_)-{_}-(X)-(X)-(X) - Connection

 

[Random Word]

Yuza can feel the smouldering flame of her anger erupt, eyes flashing before she tries to shove it violently off to the side into a little box to be opened later in service to the mission. I execute perfectly to save him and everyone else, and in return he questions my stability? Ungrateful. She pauses for a moment and engages in subtle breathing exercises. First control your breath, then everything else. Don't let your anger control you. Remember, he saved you. Gave you a second chance to avert complete disaster. You owe it to him to be polite. Plus he's a Sage. He doesn't know you. He's probably just worried you'll lose control and get him caught. He's just testing you. You haven't proven yourself reliable yet, but he'll see.

She pointedly doesn't look at him to avoid glaring as she mentally walks off her anger. A more cool and collected Yuza replies, "I am stable and fit for duty, Honoured One. You can rely on me to complete the mission."

 

[Eonivar]

Sesi had started to call out a jovial greeting to Yuza when they reunited but the old man seemed to move in on her. Sesi watched carefully the interaction between Yuza and Niuan as they walked along, glancing over at Zaran as if to say 'Are you seeing this?' before walking up beside Yuza and giving her a look up and down. Sesi gave a big smile. "I think she is fine...she looks ok to me..I am glad she is back with us."

Comfort and Guide (+ Harmony) = 2D6+2 = 7+2 = 9 which is a hit.

Comfort and Guide
When you try to honestly guide and comfort
another person, roll with Harmony. On a hit,
they choose one:
• They embrace your guidance and
comfort. They may clear a condition
or 2-fatigue, and you may ask one
question; they must answer honestly.
• They shut you down. They inflict
a condition on you, and you shift
their balance in response.
On a 10+, if they embrace your guidance and
comfort, you may also shift their balance

So Random Word , You will need to choose for Yuza if Yuza will embrace Sesi's comfort/guidance or shut down Sesi and reject their comfort and guidance.

 

[jaydude]

Yuza draws comfort from Sesi's support. Niuan meanwhile looks a little sceptical that Yuza's as okay as she claims, but nevertheless nods.

"Okay. Just try and remember though, that supressing your troubles can be like keeping poison within your body. There's no shame in talking about them with others. If anything, it may let the poison out." he says gently.

Spoiler: OOC

Yuza clears 2-fatigue, bringing it down to zero.

Random Word
With his words, Niuan is attempting to shift Yuza's Balance down towards Connection. If she doesn't resist, I'll move her Balance one step closer to that principle. If she does want to resist (i.e. keep her Balance where it is, you'll need to make a roll without modifiers.

If the roll succeeds, the Balance stays the same, and you can pick one of the three options below (two if you roll 10+):

• Clear a condition or mark growth by immediately acting to prove them wrong
• Shift your balance towards the opposite principle
• Learn what their principle is (if they have one); if you already know, take +1 forward against them

If the roll fails on the other hand, Niuan's words will REALLY get to Yuza, and I'll move her Balance TWO steps towards her Connection Principle. Since the Connection side of her Balance track is locked off due to her Playbook, any further shifts in that direction will cause her to Lose her Balance, which often tends to be a bad thing.

Spoiler: Group Stats

Clock:[X][_][_][_] (Morning)

Zaran​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Tradition - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Progress

Sesi​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [X]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Forgiveness - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Action

Yuza​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions: (All start unmarked)
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]
Balance:
Control - (_)-(B)-(_)-{_}-(X)-(X)-(X) - Connection