Avatar Legends: The Forbidden Scroll

[jaydude]

Sun Po blinks, as if not expecting the question. "What does it matter to you, kid?" she asks Sesi.

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

 

[Eonivar]

Sesi sighe, getting tired of this woman and her spite. How can this woman live this way, so full of hatred and pride, what of her daughter? Sesi became a bit more animated, their voice raising in the room.

"What does it matter? What matters is that you are trying to marry off your daughter to someone she clearly does not want, you are doing this with your own blood, do you even love her? To an Admiral's son? For what? Pride? Higher station for what? Do you really want to be family associated with such people?" Sesi extends their arms all the stuff in the room and the view. "You have wealth, you have power already, what more do you want? And then...because this Admiral denied your efforts probably out of respect for your daughter's want..you want us to concoct and enact a plan for what? Your petty revenge? Your spite? Your hate? Your pride? What would your daughter think of this? You can do better than that for us. Out of respect for this very esteemed Fire Sage whom you have an association with, I know you can do better."

OOC:
Sesi is using the move:

• Your Rules Stink - When you stand up to an adult by telling them their
  rules are stupid, roll with Passion. On a hit, they are
  surprised by your argument; they must shift their
  balance or offer you a way forward, past the rules. On
  a 10+, both. On a miss, your efforts to move them only
  reveal how strongly they believe in the system—mark
  a condition as their resistance leaves you reeling.

Rolling 2D6+1 = 5+1 = 6

And fail! Yay the dice gods hate me. I will mark a condition for Sesi.

 

[Random Word]

Yuza watches the ships transiting the harbour through the beautiful window as she listens to Sesi's heartfelt appeal. She sighs internally. She's going to have to talk to someone. Someone she can't hurt, or frighten, because they need Sun Po to be helpful. You're in control. You can do this. After a moment gathering her strength she speaks reluctantly, without turning to face Sun Po, "Sesi is appealing to your morality, but we both know that won't work, or you wouldn't be asking. They're too good for this world. You and I though..." She shrugs, as if to say, I don't judge. "I'm going to appeal to what really matters to you: Your ambition. You're angry. You've lost control. You're about to humiliate the future sister in law of an Admiral in the middle of a war. It won't take an eel-hound to sniff out who's responsible. The families will never forget this. Your dreams of ever being more than a mere merchant will be ashes." She runs out of steam and falls quiet. How does Zaran make this look so easy all the time?

 

[jaydude]

[Yuza marks 1-Fatigue to help out]

Yuza's words make Sun Po narrow her eyes, as if resenting the much younger woman for bringing up a line of thought she herself hadn't considered. Prior to that though, an expression of something - shame, perhaps? - flashes across her face at Sesi's ice-cold condemnation of her motive.

She exhales softly. "There's one other way of sneaking out of the capital that I'm vaguely aware of." she says. "An underground tunnel beginning somewhere within this city, that was allegedly once used by smugglers to get to and from the beach they made their landings at. I don't know the exact location of the entrance, but from what I've gleaned, it's somewhere within the northern part of Harbor City. Perhaps one of the Fire Finches will be able to point you in the right direction. As much as I don't envy them, I can't deny they know a good deal about this place..."

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]

"Let's go," declares Yuza as she turns reluctantly away from the window and heads for the door. She sighs, resigned, and mutters, "It's a good thing we're fleeing the country. I'll never live this down. Leave for the Houses, then back begging for help."

 

[Rykon]

Zaran gives Yuza a pat on the shoulder with an apologetic smile. Once they were clear of the office he replied. "Well done. It should be hard to believe a condescending adult needed to be taught about consequences like that, but we have been at war longer than pretty much anyone's been alive." Zaran shrugged with a chuckle, "Guess no one can accuse us of being fast learners."

 

[Eonivar]

Sesi was silent leaving the tower, bringing the golden shaw's hood up to cover their snow-white hair again, lost in the torrent cycle of their fears and thoughts.

Sesi was glad to be leaving the awful tower and the presence of that terrible woman. Sesi was still reeling from the idea that someone would do something like that to their own child, to their own blood and family, and that there seemed to be no real community for support, everyone here seemed to be out for themselves and their greed. That only served to remind Sesi of their village and where they come from, and yet trying to bring forth happy memories of community and family only seemed to bring about memories of burning huts and the fallen charred bodies of loved ones in the falling snow that would never end.

Sesi sighed heavily and looked up at Zaran and Yuza speaking with each other. Sesi realized they were not alone and that the two Fire Benders had not left them or turned on them. They had remained through this whole affair and had even been supportive. That seemed to give Sesi comfort that they could get out of this mess. They looked over at the Fire Sage and then at the other two as they walked back into the market around the customs house.

"Where now?"

 

[jaydude]

"I say we should try and get in contact with the Fire Finches. Right now, the only thing we know about this secret passage of Sun Po's is that it's located somewhere within the northern part of Harbor City. It could take up hours to find it on our own." Niuan replies.

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

 

[jaydude]

The four of you are able to leave the Royal Plaza the same way you came in; word of your theft from the Dragonbone Catacombs has evidently still not made it to the gate. You spot a possible member of the Fire Finches every now and again, but none of them seem interested in hanging around long enough to speak, and you conclude that you'll have more chance of speaking to them on their home turf.

Morning turns to afternoon as you make your way to the Canals. By now the festivities are in full swing, with the streets packed with exuberant festivalgoers, street performers and giant dragon puppets. Every now and again however you see a collection of wanted posters stuck to the wall of a building, displaying pictures of each of you, your names, and claims that you're responsible for sedition. The monetary rewards being offered for you are extortionate; Clan Daishu is presumably footing the bill to save face with the Fire Lord.

Fortunately, the vast majority of festivalgoers don't appear to be interested in looking for criminals right now, and when you do come across a group of guards, you're able to slip out of sight before any of them see you. Thus, you manage to make it to the territory of the Fire Finches unmolested.

The Canals are separated from the rest of Harbor city by a high wall, one that by all appearances is intended solely to shield the slightly more respectable citizens from the sight of the shantytown beyond. There aren't even any guards stationed at the first opening in the wall you find.

Shortly after you step into the Canals and start seeking out the Fire Finches, a familiar voice calls out to you from the left. "Huh. Wasn't expecting to see you guys again."

It's the kid who helped Zaran distract the two spies earlier.

Spoiler: Group Stats

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

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]

"You've got fast legs, kid, and you know how to get around," Yuza sticks her hands in her pockets. "Is Lark still kicking around down here? I guess he'd be too old for picking pockets now. If you know what rock he hides under these days, and you use those legs to find him and tell him Yuza wants to see him, and there's money in it for him, then there's a sage in it for you." Yuza takes the shiny coin from her pocket and twirls it between her fingers.

[I figured Zaran was gonna handle this, but if he's missing I'll move things along ]

 

[jaydude]

Eonivar Random Word Rykon
The kid nods, looking excited at the prospect of getting payment for an apparently simple task. "Sure, I can find him for you."

Then he sobers up and looks over the four of you. "Oh, by the way, most of the city's looking for you guys. And it's not just the guards; from what my friends have said, the Red Feathers and Burning Embers saw the reward being offered and decided to get in on the hunt."

He then looks to his left, and his eyes widen in alarm. "Speak of the dark spirit..."

Looking in the same direction, the lot of you see a group of twelve Red Feathers striding down the street towards your position. Among their number are two of the men that Yuza led the Burning Embers to earlier, only a little worse for wear and very angry.

"You're on your own!" the kid says cheerily, ducking into a small alleyway. He's not the only one; the folks around you close their windows and depart the streets, clearly hoping to get out of the way before the flames start flying.

Spoiler: Group Stats

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

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]

"This way," snaps Yuza curtly as she grabs the Niuan's arm and sets off at precisely the same pace as everyone else rapidly vacating the street into a nearby alley, head bowed in the well practiced gesture adopted by peasants everywhere when anyone who can afford an Ostrich-Horse and a license to openly carry weapons disrupts a street. One half terrified deference, one half 'if I can't see them, maybe they can't see me'.

 

[jaydude]

Eonivar Random Word Rykon
The four of you head down into the alley, with the Red Feathers not appearing to have spotted you. As misfortune would have it however, just as you approach the other end of the alley, a patrol of seven guards happens to walk by it. One of them spots the four of you, and before you can turn around and head back the way you came, he calls out to his comrades.

As the head of the patrol - a tough looking man in his late twenties who wears the armor of a sergeant in the guard - steps into the alley, both Zaran and Yuza instantly recognize him as Kouza, a distant relative of theirs and a decently skilled Firebender. Unfortunately for the four of you, he's a man who places a lot of value in duty - to both the Fire Lord and the clan.

Spoiler: Group Stats

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

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

 

[Rykon]

Zaran steps forward cracking his knuckles. Smoke billowed from his mouth from the exhale of fury. Sparks crackled down the length of his arms ending in sharp, audible, sizzling pops. The very air began to warp about him from the heat of his mien as he entered a low, rooted stance. "This really the fight you think you want to pick Kouza? Do you doubt the conviction of Daishu?" Zaran's voice thundered with authority. Fire Lord's law or not, Zaran is the heir. Zaran is Daishu. To defy his will and purpose is to question the honor that has always guided their course.

So, does Kouza bear the certainty of purpose and duty he thinks he does before his lord's wrath?

OOC:
The only thing that makes sense to me here is to go with intimidation to draw hate. This should give Yuza and Sesi space to set up, analyze, etc.
Result is 10. I presume they attack us, but off balance and the best compliment as a second condition is that some run for backup?

 

[jaydude]

Spoiler: OOC

Kouza and the other guards are backing down but keeping watch. If you attempt to run or take any kind of hostile act, they'll attack.

The guards with Kouza take a few steps back, unnerved by Zaran's display of power. Kouza himself shifts back a little, but otherwise remains unfazed. And if he hadn't recognized Zaran before, he has now.

"Frankly speaking, no, this isn't the fight I want to pick." he admits. "But you're not giving me much choice here. What you do reflects on all the rest of us, and breaking into the Dragonbone Catacombs and stealing an article of forbidden history...that's sedition and treason of a degree that even our family can't be excused from."

He exhales in frustration. "I don't know what was going through your head when you were planning and carrying out your little heist, but do everyone a favour here and turn yourself in. We can still play this off as a case of youthful idiocy before the Fire Lord. It's not too late."

Spoiler: Group Stats

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

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

 

[Rykon]

"It is for that very reason I must pursue what is right. I won't have our clan be remembered as the one that had the chance to set things right and chose not to." Zaran replied, "And plead like that before the Fire Lord? Who is the youthful idiot here? Have you not seen Zuko?" He challenged. "No, if I am to be charged, I would bear the consequences I deserve, but my task is not yet done. I can't turn away from this calling even for you Kouza. Stand down or feel the fires of Daishu's will."

 

[jaydude]

Kouza shakes his head. "You think you've got any chance of 'setting things right' here? Look at the world; we've long been on our way to taking complete control of it for years. The Airbenders are no more, the snow savages at the South Pole lie broken and scattered like pieces of rubble, while those in the north can do nothing but sit cooped up in their icy city. The Fire Lord controls more of the Earth Kingdom than the Earth King, and the Avatar has been gone for nearly a century. Just what do you think you'll be able to change?"

"Now give up. Final warning. Your father won't mind you getting burned a little."

Spoiler: Group Stats

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

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's heart began to race upon seeing the Red Feathers searching for them, following Zaran's lead and ducking into the alley and skidding to a halt as they were confronted by the guards and the head guard of which both their firebending friends seemed to know. Still a bit emotional and angry from their earlier confrontations, Sesi saw the soldiers and felt their utter disgust of Fire Nation Guards and Soldiers rise, unable to get the visits of the soldiers destroying their village and killing their parents and people. Spitting at him was a complete and utter waste of water. Sesi took a breath and tried to steady themselves, resisting the urge to send an icicle through the mans throat, as striking first was against their nature. To try and calm themselves they focused on the situation, instinctively looking about to inspect their location and situation for any possible advantages and water to use to either run or fight.

Sesi rolls Assess the Situation: Creativity(0) + 2D6 = 5 (FAILURE)

 

[jaydude]

Try as they might, Sesi is unable to glean any useful information as Kouza and Zaran converse. This failure, alongside the presence of the guards and Kouza's remarks about their people do little to help the Waterbender's mood; if anything, the cold fury within them freezes, and then expands.

[Sesi marks Angry, on the basis that I figured it was the most appropriate condition here.]

Spoiler: Group Stats

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

Zaran​

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

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

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

Sesi​

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

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [X]
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 steps forward until she's in front of and to the side of Zaran, well positioned to intercept any attacks against him, fingertips tingling with anticipation. "He's stalling. Are we going to do this, or talk about it?"

You should have run for help with the rest. You're duty bound to stop him, and I'm duty bound to stop you.

 

[jaydude]

Kouza gives the four of you a disappointed sigh. It could be from Zaran's refusal to surrender, or the fact that he's found himself having to arrest kin. Whatever the case, he addresses his men.

"Cuff them."

With that, he and the other guards start slowly moving towards you, hands raised in front of them as if anticipating attempts to resist arrest. Assuming that none of you do anything, they'll grab each one of you and bind your wrists behind your backs with manacles.

Spoiler: Group Stats

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

Zaran​

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

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

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

Sesi​

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

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [X]
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

 

[Rykon]

At the first sign of approach Zaran exhales a gout of searing hot fire spreading across the alleyway and presenting a barrier of roaring flame.

"If you can..." Zaran replied with smoke still billowing from his mouth. "You're in my realm now cousin. This isn't a fight you can win."

[Zaran is activating the technique Wall of Fire.]

 

[jaydude]

Kouza and the guards yelp and jump back as Zaran - focusing his anger - lets forth a great gout of fire from his mouth, creating a wall of intensely hot flame that blocks the entire width of the alley, cutting them off from you. It won't hold them off for long though; Kouza is a skilled enough Firebender to clear a path through the flames. You have however bought yourselves a few seconds before they start attacking you again.

From the other side of the fire wall, you hear a few shouts of surprise and alarm from nearby citizens.

Spoiler: Group Stats

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

Zaran​

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

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

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

Sesi​

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

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [X]
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 steps neatly back as gouts of flame almost always have right of way. "Back the way we came, is it?" She turns to glance swiftly at the entrance to the alley, keeping the wall of flame and the enemies beyond it in her peripheral vision. They may no be able to walk through a wall of flame, but they can certainly hurl fire through it.

 

[Eonivar]

Sesi seemed puzzled at this action..."How will a wall of fire keep firebenders from bending it so they can go through? We either have to deal with them or the Red Feathers, unless we can find a way up and out of this alley to evade them both. If we fight I would prefer it closer to a canal."

Sesi glances around to see if the canal itself was within range for them to bend forth some water while taking a defensive stance, uncorking their waterskin in preparation to pull water to defend themselves with it.