Chapter One: Predator and Prey [Anathema Ascendant]

K

knightfall

Junior Member
The last rays of the Sun's light scramble desperately for purchase against the horizon as dusk falls, marking the beginning of Calibration. Perhaps it is chance, mysterious and unpredictable, perhaps it is Fate, written and destined, but in the forests of the Scavenger Lands, Chosen seek each other, each with their own reasons, their own disparate goals. Will they be each others' most valuable allies or each others' worst enemies? Will they save Creation from the forces arrayed against it, or will they bring it to ruin, by folly or by choice? Perhaps there is no story but that of chance. Perhaps there is no story but that of Fate. But this story is theirs...


In the gathering darkness of twilight, a woman, christened by the Void as its preistess, stands alone, lost in the wilderness, seeking that which is about to find her instead...





OOC: Okay, everyone, due to botching a roll, the Beast has caught wind of Trinity, and will be attacking her. As her anima-- and perhaps that of others-- flares, I'll need Perception+Awareness rolls from you all, as you notice the conflict, one by one.
 
Romanatali


It has been a few days since the scion of the Scarlet Dynasty, Tepet Romanatali (champion par excellence of the Realm, dashing little fiery knight errant of House Tepet, protector of the innocent, savior of kittens) had set forth upon trailing the Blasphemous and the possible Moon-mad which followed him.


While she didn't mind Izumi creating a protector, and it sounded fairly reasonable for her to have a body guard (There was always the possibility that something COULD go wrong and thus she might need more protection), Romana didn't trust the cataphract. That feline-like warrior offended Romana's sensibility in several ways that "Kitty" didn't.


Of course, it had nothing to do with the arrogant manner that Leoria had rubbed her nose about the charmless sparring match after her creation that the cataphract had bested her in. Romana was magnanimous enough to allow that she could lose fights... especially when she was not using charms or conserving essence.


It was just that manner that the fey had around Izumi that made Romana's hand itch towards her daiklave. But she wouldn't do that, because really that would be counter-productive and likely also would offend Izumi.


There was also the precept that Romana had been raised with and that she held to; that one could slay a thousand, but that would not make her the better nor a ruler. After all, a true exalt rules not because she can bully the less powerful, but because it is self-evident that she is noble. Because it is plain that the very world spins on the axis that is her will, and to question her is as foolish as questioning the pull of matter upon matter, or the coming of the dawn.


Still, there was dirty work afoot and the fire aspect focused on keeping an eye out for the anathema and not thinking overly upon Leoria. Nor how her 'distant' cousin and the Wyld Hunt should be arriving in the area soon, in a matter of days to a week... if he wasn't already in the region.


***


OOC


Perception + Awareness = 6d10.hits(7) → [1,10,1,8,8,6] = (4)


Tepet Romanatali Stats

Code: 
Combat Defense Values                   Mental Defense Value
Dodge DV       04 +2 (2motes)           Dodge DV            07
Parry DV MA    03 +2 (2motes)           Parry DV            02
Parry DV Melee 08 +2 (2motes)           Soak   16L / 13B / 15A
HL : -0[ ] -1[ ][ ][ ][ ] -2[ ][ ][ ][ ] -4[ ] Incap[ ] Dead[ ]
Essence pool personal 16/16, peripheral 22/22, Willpower 7/7
Anima Flare : 00
Charms ~
 
The cataphract Leoria did not taunt her liege's companion too harshly, especially with Izumi herself instructing her to put a lid on it after their first confrontation. The sparring match had gone exactly as Izumi herself expected but to see her lovely Romanatali thus humiliated had brought her only a vague sentiment of displeasure.


Leoria was nothing if not Izumi's servant and so now she seldomly spoke a word to the knight errant, prefering to avoid any possibility of conflict, as antithetical as that might be to her nature. Her flawless willpower allowed her such feats of self-denial.


The Lady of Snow herself was somewhat blind to the small and innocuous rivalry that was slowly coming into fruition between the Knight of Spade and the elegant Champion of the Realm. In fact, throughout their journey she appeared pensive as if something precise was bothering her.


Indeed, something about this whole situation with the moon-mad and the blasphemous didn't feel right. She couldn't help but get the vague feeling that she'd miss some important part of the puzzle. Still, her instincts would have to wait as they had a job to do.


"This place is far too quiet." Izumi points out to her good friend of sort, brushing a hand through her hair. This was a rare sight indeed, one such as Izumi showing outward signs of concern that were absolutely genuine. This slip to her usual flawless composure couldn't be easily attributed to anything.


"We can't waste too much time either, your cousin could still surprise us if the winds favored him on his journey to the Threshold." she glances at her Terrestrial companion with a certain amount of concern "With him, we'll be unable to act as is best for the Realm. I doubt we would find him as amenable to our methods..." gazing into the distance, still sitting on her mist steed so that she can easily overlook the countryside and any nearby settlements, she takes special note of any unusual sight.


------------------------------


Perception 4 + Awareness 2 = 6 dice


6d10 → [4,5,10,7,8,5] = 4 successes
 
The Prophet Bound in Thorns


The fading of day into night somes as a small comfort to the Prophet Bound in Thorns. The tracks he follows may perhaps be less clear in the darkness, but that is a fleeting matter of convenience beside the reassuring shroud the night brings- the light of the sun always had unsettled him since the day of his Last Breath, as if there was some small but vital detail he was missing.


Thus he forges on into the night, a figure of dark majesty wrapped in a tattered black cloak, his eyes flicking between the ground and the land before with the wary watchfulness of a hunted hunter. He knows he is being followed, but that matters little to him. His holy mission is threatened, and such a threat cannot go unpunished. Let his hunter prove their worth, then- meanwhile, he would seek his foe and show it its just reward.


-----


Perception 3 + Awareness 2 = 5 dice


1, 6, 3, 1, 10 = 2 successes.


(using this here dice roller)
 
Romanatali


"Agreed... quiet is never good," Romanatali nodded in response. It was somewhat disconcerting, but such was to be... expected, given the time of the year. "Still, it is Calibration. Or the start of it."


She nodded at the darkening sky above, with the distant stars twinkling above without a regard for those who gazed at them. The cool breeze rustling the leaves of the trees that lined the road was soothing after the heat of the season of fire.


"And you are right, we must hurry on. I'm sure that my cousin could surprise us... but hopefully you'll be able to convince him that what we do is for the best of the Realm."


***


OOC


Tepet Romanatali Stats

Code: 
Combat Defense Values                   Mental Defense Value
Dodge DV       04 +2 (2motes)           Dodge DV            07
Parry DV MA    03 +2 (2motes)           Parry DV            02
Parry DV Melee 08 +2 (2motes)           Soak   16L / 13B / 15A
HL : -0[ ] -1[ ][ ][ ][ ] -2[ ][ ][ ][ ] -4[ ] Incap[ ] Dead[ ]
Essence pool personal 16/16, peripheral 22/22, Willpower 7/7
Anima Flare : 00
Charms ~
 
Seeing a giant wolf spider out on a hunt wasn't too uncommon in this part of Creation. But, to see such a creature accompanied by a pack of armed and armored soldiers was. The fact that the soldiers also possessed bestial characteristics, including raking talons and keen noses, was mere icing on the cake.


The directions given had led Arishat and her crew to this area, supposedly frequented by her quarry. Now, it was a simple matter of narrowing in on their position. The coming night would conceal her own movements, but it wouldn't hide her prey's scent. Her target's prowess mattered not, at this time, though odd things did occur during calibration; best to expect the unexpected.


***


Arishat rolled the following in her 8 dice:


8, 6, 8, 3, 6, 3, 7, 9


Using 7 as the target number, the roll resulted in 4 successes.
 
"The world stand still as the sun itself is extinguished by the looming night, in the ravenous embrace of the wild moon." Izumi indulges in poetry for a moment, chuckling softly sitting atop her steed "Calibration is always an interesting time for us, isn't it Tali?" she asked almost playfully, as if looking forward to whatever mess they'd get themselves into this time.


The Lady of Snow's long hair moved along with the wind's whims, as if possessed of a life of their own that only enhanced her inhuman mien of grace and beauty. The road stretched forward into the distance, yet somehow the feeling that their journey was soon coming to an end sticked wetly to Izumi's mind. This did not bother her as much as it should, after all, it was merely narrative convenience.


"Yes, hopefully, if it comes to it I will be able to stay his hand, but I'd rather avoid this if possible."


The Knight of Spade riding next to them lets her lips curl into a small grin, silent anticipation for the violence to come clearly visible on her features.


She so unlike the one who brought her into being, no wonder that Romanatali disliked her so vehemently already.
 
Trinity frowns darkly as she moves through the pre-calibration forest. It had been there... just a moment ago, yes? That Creature certainly had been ahead of her, so why in the name of Oblivion did its trail just become like the rest of the cursed forest. A heavy sigh escapes her lips, the days of her past proving to her now that perhaps more had been at work in keeping her in the employ of the Lover. A slender finger brushes away strands of dark wind kissed hair as the strands fall into her face. She wraps the midnight black cloak tighter around her the silence of the night not nearly as comfortable as she had wanted. The Whispers after all mocked her at times during such periods. Sapphire blue eyes scan the dark forest, while absently her free hand goes to my right thigh where the cobalt set of three triangles sometimes feel as if they were burning. Though she knew it was only a trick of her mind.


She stops for a moment spinning around and growling to herself. That tree and the tress around her, all looked the same. Didn't she pass that rock just an hour ago. Why did it all look the same to her! The East was her home, the Scavenger lands should have been just as easy to navigate. Had all the time in the Underworld dulled her senses, or was there a trick that was being played on her? Some god or spirit brave to toy with a knight of Oblivion?!


"Some knight of Oblivion you are, no," she whispers to herself bitterly as she glares at the darkness and the trees comforted by her own voice amongst the taunting breeze and occasional silence. "I am not lost nor am I turned around. I am right where I want to be and no one can tell me otherwise!" She shakes back her knee-long jet black hair raising her head higher feeling a little more empowered by such vocal thoughts and she continues on... in whatever direction she was facing completly unaware and uncaring if anyone or anything was in fact following her. She was certain nonetheless that the Creature was before her... somewhere.
 
Romanatali


"It is, I suppose," the fire aspect nodded her head in response. "I know you enjoyed that Calibration party and... festival."


A gentle curve of her lips indicated that she had been also been amused by the antics of Izumi as the 'spirit' had gotten into the spirit of the festival of frightening the commoners with Romanatali and the other dragonblooded.


"But I suppose you would like to not tamper too much with dragonblooded now. Yes?" The tilt of Romana's head allowed the gentle breeze to rustle her hair, as she made the slight jab at Izumi, in a somewhat unsubtle reminder that Izumi was subservient to her. Even if that wasn't quite intentional of the dragonblooded.


***


OOC


Tepet Romanatali Stats

Code: 
Combat Defense Values                   Mental Defense Value
Dodge DV       04 +2 (2motes)           Dodge DV            07
Parry DV MA    03 +2 (2motes)           Parry DV            02
Parry DV Melee 08 +2 (2motes)           Soak   16L / 13B / 15A
HL : -0[ ] -1[ ][ ][ ][ ] -2[ ][ ][ ][ ] -4[ ] Incap[ ] Dead[ ]
Essence pool personal 16/16, peripheral 22/22, Willpower 7/7
Anima Flare : 00
Charms ~
 
Something shifts near the priestess of Oblivion. Perhaps the wind? Perhaps the coming of Calibration? Perhaps the whispers of the Neverborn, echoing in her mind... Or perhaps something... Else.


OOC: Unexpected attack on Trinity. Roll Wits+Awareness , once against the unexpected attack, once for join battle, in case you succeed, and declare what defense you intend to use, again, in case you succeed. Everyone else on standby for anima flares drawing attention.
 
Trinity moves through the jungle, displeased, unhappy, but determined. Though far be it for her to be the prey and not the predator when she is hunting. Still her prey's attacks catch her completely offguard. From behind? Surely it had been before her the entire time! She spins on her attacker eyes narrowing as she hold her hands out before her where Joy in Sorrow's large graceful form appears. The Grand Daiklave is a familiar weight in her hands and she frowns imperiously. "Who dares attack me! I shall give you a taste of the Oblivion you so dearly seek for such insolence!" What a horrible week, she silently bemoan to herself attempting to look far more imposing than her attacker.


----


(OOC: Yes hardly any flare of anima... yet. xD


Trinity rolls 4 dice to Wits + Aware 1,5,10,6 (2 successes)


Trinity rolls 4 dice to Wits + Aware 1,9,9,6 (2 successes)


If possible, 1m to Flitting Shadow Form to counter horrible mashing of my DVs and health xD , and calling Joy of Sorrow banished by use of Void Sheath Tech as a Misc action. Assuming she can do anything at all with a set of 2s for Join Battle and Noticing Surprises Oo


Bash 5 | Lethal 6 | DDV of 7 (Though if she is surprised likely 0 no?)


WP 7/7| Personal Essence 16/16 | Periph 22/38 (16 commited to various things)


Resonance 0/10)
 
OOC: Attack is unexpected. DVs set at 0. You get lucky, though-- only one post-soak success for damage. Take one level.


The creatures comes at her neither from the front or the back, but from the side, and as it does, she hears a strange rattling noise, not unlike that of a certain kind of poisonous viper of the South. It flickers into view just as it strikes, fangs bared, its maw drawing blood, though her wispy, seemingly inconsequential armor protects her from the worst of it.


As it growls, she gets a better look at it; a creature reminiscent of many animals, but kin to none. In the dim light, it seems like it might be a hyena, but the last dying rays of light reveal it to have scales like a serpent that slowly change color like a chamelon. Its tail is like that of the viper, but perhaps most disturbing of all is its head, not unlike that of a hound, but lacking any scales or fur to cover it whatsoever, revealing only pink, hideous flesh and gleaming bone and teeth as predatory eyes gauge its prey.


OOC: After the attack is resolved, Trinity Joins Battle normally. The attack had a speed of 5, and so it will act again on tick 5. Currently tick 1. Trinity's turn. Still no anima flare to speak of.
 
Trinity hisses with the pain as she holds the weapon. It was certainly a strange creature, something that she could assume someone had mashed together to create. There would be plenty of time to discover what created it later, for now it needed to be destroyed. Easily sliding into a stance she easily and gracefully brings the large weapon's edge behind her. She dashes at the creature leaping into the air and using momentum and her own strength to drive the weapon down upon the creature's head. As she crashed down she bounds back twirling in the air a bit before landing and glaring at the creature ready for it to strike at her.


---


OOC: I realize that I have no charm enhanced attacks... unless they are social. Plenty of defenses. So no Motes used at all.


My unstunted enhanced (Speed 5) Attack Roll is: Trinity rolls 12 dice to Attack 1,7,9,9,6, 6,6,7,2,3, 1,9 (5 successes)


Currently sitting at


DV 6


WP 7/7 | Essence 16 and 22 | Soak 5B/6L


HLs -0 [x] | -1 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] | -2 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] | -4 [ ] | I [ ] | D [ ] [ ]
 
The monster's grin only splits wider, wider than should be possible, filled with needle-like fangs as it evades, the blade just barely making contact for a second... before the blade slips through its flesh like so much ichor, leaving not a single wound in its wake. With a monstrous growl that was almost a chuckle, it lunged forward again, fangs bared ferociously as its mouth shifts, fangs stretching out from its maw and piercing her through the stomach like spikes, ripping and tearing until she can pull away, long, writhing tongue licking the blood from its lips hungrily.


OOC: Magic-based dodge of some kind. You can roll Occult + Intelligence if you want to identify it. Take five levels of damage this time. Speed 5 still. No anima flare.
 
Izumi


"An interesting distraction, which allowed me more freedom than usual." she points out helpfully, still scanning the horizon for any disturbances even as they kept riding down the road. Somehow she just couldn't shake the feeling that something of narrative significance was in the works.


The Lady of Snow could be inhumanly beautiful and attractive, swaying the hearts of mortals and consuming their dreams with the practiced ease of perfection itself, yet that hardly prevented her from being terrifying beyond mortal nightmares if she should so desire to be. That old fart almost fell dead on the spot from fright, oh the good times...


"Mmm, I didn't know you to be one to gloat." her lips curl into a small grin, easily enough she could fake outrage but that felt pointless and counterproductive "I serve you, my Romanatali, for such is the pact we agree to. Is there such shame in my defeat that you would callously remind me of it at every turn?" she teases her 'friend' mercilessly, her hand lightly brushing against her own lips, hiding her amusement.


Her capacity for acting was flawless and as such her simple prank sounded completely heartfelt to all but the keenest ears.
 
What kind of monster was this, Trinity hisses to herself as it takes another chunk out of her. She hate this with a passion, despised it, cursed it, for every attack she weakened. Her eyes bore into the creature. "You dare to fight me and deny me your blood. Very well you will find that I will not quit until Oblivion takes you!" With that she flare's her anima, the inky violet darkness that envelopes her flares as she stands straight the bleeding disk of black appearing on her forehead, "I will have you beg for your life soon enough." She poises her weapon before her. "Come and have a kiss of death, I promise the agony of defeat will be sweet to me," she says almost sweetly if it weren't for a slight twinge to her lilting voice. For all her blustering, she was hoping to get it reveal a weakness if not give up. Nonetheless she empowers herself with further essence with a smirk. It will be sorry it thought her a tasty treat yet.


---


OOC: So I went with the cheap 1m flare! And if possible. Declaring on its next attack the use of Dread Lord's Demeanor enhanced by Heart-stopping Mein (7m 1wp, Abyssals pg 244 ^^)


Currently sitting at (After the Resolving of the Chimy's attack)


DV 6


WP 6/7 | Essence 8/16 and 22/22 | Soak 5B/6L


HLs -0 [x] | -1 [x] [x] [x] [x] | -2 [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] | -4 [ ] | I [ ] | D [ ] [ ]
 
Romanatali


"Well... I'm not, it just seemed to come out without thinking," the fire aspect shrugged. "But I do appologize."


The flare of pure darkness consuming the dying light of the sun in the distance was a sign that SOMETHING was happening. "Izumi, do you see that?"


***


OOC


Tepet Romanatali Stats

Code: 
Combat Defense Values                   Mental Defense Value
Dodge DV       04 +2 (2motes)           Dodge DV            07
Parry DV MA    03 +2 (2motes)           Parry DV            02
Parry DV Melee 08 +2 (2motes)           Soak   16L / 13B / 15A
HL : -0[ ] -1[ ][ ][ ][ ] -2[ ][ ][ ][ ] -4[ ] Incap[ ] Dead[ ]
Essence pool personal 16/16, peripheral 22/22, Willpower 7/7
Anima Flare : 00
Charms ~
 
"Your apology rings hollow to my ears." Izumi commented distractedly as her eyes were drawn almost instantly by the flashing darkness in the distance, clashing so starkly with the light of the setting sun. Truthfully she simply could not miss or mistake it for anything but was it is.


"Yes, I do." she does not nod, instead keeping her eyes on the 'target' "There's no doubt, we've found our runaway blasphemous." she stares at the brave knight errant next to her "We should hurry, before we lose it." she nods toward Leoria, who is now lightly trembling in restrained anticipation "The hunt is on, my knight. Make me proud." the elegant feline woman pause to take in Izumi's smile but soon enough she is riding at top speed toward their quarry.


Let the bloodhounds howl at the setting sun.
 
Romanatali


"Indeed... no time for talk, there is dirty work afoot," with that, she urged her simhata faster towards the flare of darkness.


***


OOC


Tepet Romanatali Stats

Code: 
Combat Defense Values                   Mental Defense Value
Dodge DV       04 +2 (2motes)           Dodge DV            07
Parry DV MA    03 +2 (2motes)           Parry DV            02
Parry DV Melee 08 +2 (2motes)           Soak   16L / 13B / 15A
HL : -0[ ] -1[ ][ ][ ][ ] -2[ ][ ][ ][ ] -4[ ] Incap[ ] Dead[ ]
Essence pool personal 16/16, peripheral 22/22, Willpower 7/7
Anima Flare : 00
Charms ~
 
Wordlessly did Izumi urge her own steed to follow after her companion's, she did not intend to participate in any hostilities, but it would ill suit her to sit here alone and miss all the excitement. Boredom is by far worse than death, wouldn't you say?


Oh dear, bad habit, talking to herself. It made her smile, even as the subtle scent of blood on the wind tickled her nose. Ah yes, there would be much entertainment today!
 
The anima flare doesn't precisely... glow so much as suck the last remnants of dying twilight into itself, a deep black like that of a moonless, starless night, making everything not consumed in the glow seem somehow a little brighter, even in the dying light.


The Prophet recognizes it for what it is instantly, the anima of another Deathknight flaring. The others only recognize it for what it is if they have faced such a foe before, but the mark is, in and of itself, unmistakable.


The beast gives a noise that sounds half like a growl and half like a chuckle at her caste mark's flare, and, undaunted, its jaws lash for her throat. The necrotic essence crackling about her, however, rebukes the beast, tearing at its flesh, causing blood to ooze from between its scales as it gives a howl of anguish and rage at being denied.


OOC: The attack fails, and the creature takes damage!


Everyone else, roll Join Battle!
 
Romanatali


Galloping at an almost charge, Romana's ever warding shields flickered and formed in their customary form of silver stylized short swords of essence.


***


OOC


http://feacia.com/diceRoller/index.php


15/05/2010 21:16:53 - Romanatali


Rolled Dice: 7


Target Number: 7


Number of Successes: 2


Name of the roll: Join Battle


Turning on Ever Warding Shield by spending 2 personal motes. I'm going to assume that Romanatali will get there after the chimera's next action (tick 10), which is after Trinity's next action (tick 6)... and thus able to act on tick 11.


Tepet Romanatali Stats

Code: 
Combat Defense Values                   Mental Defense Value
Dodge DV       04 +2 (2motes)           Dodge DV            07
Parry DV MA    03 +2 (2motes)           Parry DV            02
Parry DV Melee 08 +2 (2motes)           Soak   16L / 13B / 15A
HL : -0[ ] -1[ ][ ][ ][ ] -2[ ][ ][ ][ ] -4[ ] Incap[ ] Dead[ ]
Essence pool personal 14/16, peripheral 22/22, Willpower 7/7
Anima Flare : 00
Charms ~
 
Arishat's Join Battle:


5d10.hits(7) → [10,9,9,2,9] = (5)


Bloodseed Soldiers' Join Battle:


6d10.hits(7) → [10,3,7,2,6,7] = (4)


6d10.hits(7) → [3,7,6,2,2,2] = (1)


6d10.hits(7) → [9,7,3,5,6,3] = (2)


6d10.hits(7) → [10,3,6,8,1,5] = (3)


6d10.hits(7) → [5,2,9,8,8,8] = (4)
 
The Prophet Bound in Thorns


The pure black flare of another scion of Resplendent Darkness is the last thing the Prophet expects to see in his hunt, but if the beast is so opposed to him, surely it may hunt his Midnight brothers and sisters? Even if the Beast is not there, though, a fellow priest of Oblivion must be faced- whether a fellow renegade from the oppressive Deathlords or a deluded tool of the tyrants of the Underworld...


Join Battle: 2 successes.

Code: 
Defences:
Dodge: 2
Parry: 3 (unarmed)/4 (Razor Claws)
Dodge MDV: 7
Parry MDV: 4
Soak: 14/16/20 A/L/B
Health levels: -0 [ ][ ][ ] -1 [ ][ ][ ][ ] -2 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] -4 [ ] Incap. [ ]
Essence: Personal 18/18 Peripheral 32/44 Willpower: 6
Essence spent: 0
 
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