Dreams of the Second Age - Additional IC

Araneus





Once outside, Araneus opens the compass and channels his energy to it, focusing on what path will take them to the underground chamber where the Dragon Kings may lie, in the quickest manner. "Choices, choices."

Rolling essence to mimic the Yellow Path charm via the compass artifact


[dice]5626[/dice]
 
It will be fastest to take the tram, but it is most likely that you'll either have to sneak by a some bad guys or fight them.
 
Aredin


Aredin steered the orb down to the landing platform nodding to the three greeting him, reaching out to shake their hands, "Alright, let's head to your throne room then." Aredin paused for a minute looking at the other two individuals, "So, I'm Aredin. And you two are?"
 
Last edited by a moderator:
At the Pyramid


The Goblin King nods over at the Dragon Blooded man. "This is my lieutenant, Jontom. He is a Fire Aspect Dragon Blooded, and is well trusted. Our other companion is Shadow That Walks, an aide from the Deathlord known as Mistress of Tears. Shadow and the Mistress have been invaluable in helping me train my army." As Filial speaks, he leads you inside the pyramid with Shadow and Jontom a few steps behind. Inside the massive structure is the 'throne room' of Filial Wisdom. Trash is strewn about the room, along with several hundred creatures of mixed species; some goblins, some human, and some you have no idea what they are.


The large Solar sets himself down in a chair decorated with gems and gold. Jontom stands off to one side while Shadow That Walks sits on the steps leading up to the platform with the throne on it. Filial looks down from his throne and says, "Welcome, Aredin, to my city. What manner of Exalt are you? One of the Solars that have returned to Creation, now freed from their long imprisonment?"
 
Aredin


Shining his caste mark, Aredin nods. "I am indeed a Solar, and I am here because rumors I have heard regarding this place are worrisome. First, I would ask if you still agree to meeting on mutually peaceful terms." Aredin paused waiting for a response, assuming the other parties all agreed, Aredin would bind the agreement. "Now, I am curious, what do you know about the old Solars?"
 
Last edited by a moderator:
The large man on his throne leans back and looks at you. "I probably know as much about the old Solars as anyone does in this Age. They were rulers of all Creation, with all the spirits and gods reporting to them. Even the Primordials feared what the Solars could do, and if it were not for the surprise attack by the Dragon Blooded, they would still be in power now. Why?"


You do not notice anything unusual at this time.
 
Araneus





"We'll get there faster on the tram. Though we should expect trouble if we use it, I get the feeling that Filial Wisdom's pet dragon-blooded and whatever else might use it as well." He puts the compass away and waits for the others to chime in on what they should do.
 
Zen-Aku


"We might put Aredin in danger if we fight the Filial Wisdom's troops directly. Subtlety is our best approach, for now." Zen stated.
 
Nikola shrugs, his player returning from a long absence, to remark, "I am certain they do, but I think there is a very good possibility that we could simply clear a path through them if needs be. Or, if we had a few hours, I could open us up a more direct path."
 
Aredin


"I see, it seems you are in need of some context then. Before I tell this story however, I must insist that the information I give to you all is in confidence, and must not be given to anyone outside the three of us." Aredin's eyes focus on Shadow that walks for a moment, "Actually, speaking of potential eves droppers..."

Flashing Sunspot Attack 3m


All concealment magic breaks and stealth is impossible within a 200 yard diameter of Aredin. Even dematerialized spirits are revealed.


Aredin would quickly a remove a repeater from his pocket and fire his anima into the ground at his feet, locking it in place as the bonfire of essence begins to take over the immediate surroundings. "There, now we are assuredly on equal ground. So...will you all agree to confidentiality?"
 
Last edited by a moderator:
In the Throne Room


Filial motions towards Jontom. "I speak for him, and so for the two of us, we can honor your request for privacy." Then in a loud voice he yells out, "All of you, begone! I have no fear of this lone Exalt, but he will kill the lot of you if you try and attack him" He then turns his attention to the figure wrapped in all black. "What of you, Shadow? Can I have your word that none outside this room will hear of what is spoken today? If so, you can dismiss your apparitions for a time. If not, I will have to ask you to leave."


In a soft voice that helps to confirm your suspicions that this person is female, she says, "Very well. I will stay, after all, I cannot perform my duties as your advisor if I am not here, correct?"


As she speaks, your Charm reveals a good four or five ghosts that silently move out of the room, leaving the four Exalts alone in the audience hall.


The Underways


Pyter offers up the opinion that it would be best not to attack any troops at the tram station. "It might take a little longer, but there is no need to reveal our presence in the city so blatantly. Yet."
 
Aredin


With another flare of the caste mark and a courtly bow, "Now the deal is done, so I will tell you the whole story." Aredin said voice softening for a moment as the room began to dim. His locked anima weaving outward into life-like images. The throne room would seem new and pristine, the images of Dragon-Kings could be seen and heard throughout the court room and in the center was a group of humans laughing and teasing at each other. The humans were wearing fine attire, orichalcum items found here and there on their person, and their faces shone with enthusiasm as they spoke of their last voyage. A large muscular figure, looked over to what seemed to be an adolescent in their group, patting him on the shoulder with such force he nearly fell over. "This was my circle, and my home town, that was Majestic Brutality, our Zenith caste. He was a master of native Solar hand to hand techniques and diligent inquisitor against the forces of darkness." A red-headed woman approached the group, her sorceress's bracelets and anklets standing out on her lean frame as she looked to them with a bored scowl. "That is Ruby-Wine Rivers, we just called her Ruby. She was a Twilight caste occultist. Back then news of the Black Nadir concordat's findings were still common talk among the Exalted and she was beyond envious. I was newly Exalted and couldn't see it then but she wanted prestige and notoriety among her peers of the Twilight caste, to be important to the advancement of the age. Our victories against Lintha, demon cults, fae, and the undead meant nothing to her." The vision of Rathess in the Era of Dreams fades away as new sights come into the room, the room now seemed to be overlayed with the image of manner wrought of marble, orichalcum, and fine woods. Majestic Brutality and Ruby seemed to be having a heated discussion, an argument on ethics obviously far above the young and seemly bored phantom of Aredin in the corner who seemed to be tuning a couple of string instruments. "Years later, on a mission to meet with the rulers of Stygia, we had lost one. Our Dawn caste by the name of Takarn. He sacrificed himself to let us escape an ambush by three Hekatonkhires. Reinforcements went in after us and found nothing but a smoking black crater. And so, Ruby and Brute argued, until they suddenly stopped both of them so blindingly enraged. That's when I noticed Valsier, our Night caste was gone again." Aredin paused for a moment to chuckle, "Not like being unable to find a Night caste was an unusual place to be. Anyhow, I woke up the next day in the same corner, watching the door as my same ol' carefree mentor dragged in a couple of heavy looking bags. You'll see where it goes from there." The scene began to brighten with young Aredin rubbing at his eyes standing up to help carry the bags. They wound their way through the manner dragging them down into the basement warehouse where Aredin then began to notice an odd smell. He looked to the ground, seeing the dried dark red crust in the crack of the floor tiling. After rounding a corner he saw Ruby standing before 4 bound ghosts next to a fire pit. In her hand was a cleaver caked in blood. Behind her was a table with wet empty sacks lying on it. Her voice rang loudly in the throne room.


"Where are they!? You ghosts were the ones spotting, so spill it!"


"We told you we don't know, we ran as soon as we saw the very city getting mulched in front of us!"


"You blubbering cowards had enough will to bypass Leathe but not enough to keep eyes on your target? I doubt that!"


"No, it's true!"


Ruby's cleaver sank into the bag that Aredin carried. Red fluid poured out of it and into the fire pit as one of the ghosts wailed in raw anguish.


"Looks like we have your fetters up next then!"


Young Aredin stepped back in shock, then in horror as he saw the smirk on Valsier's face. He turned away, dashing up the stairs. "And so naturally, I went to the only one I knew that could stop this madness. Little did I know I was only inviting more madness in."


Over the next few moments the ending played out. Majestic Brutality who had been in prayer in the temple for guidance heard the events from Aredin and stood up. He threw the pews behind him to the far walls, shattering them and everything between in his raw outrage. He stormed out of the temple, roaring in anger at those in his way. The force of his strength ripped the temple doors off their hinges. Looking outside, the crowds were fleeing from him, screaming and with the same degree of utter panic in their eyes that Aredin had felt at the start of all of this. Aredin chased with no avail, unable to keep up with a far older and more powerful Exalt. Once Majestic Brutality had reached the manner it was over. The entire building was ripped off of its foundation and tossed into the city nonchalantly like a lady would discard a used tissue. Only the basement was left on the ground, as Ruby stared up in shock. Majestic Brutality leaped in after her grabbing her by the arm as she attempted to flee. He thrashed her against the boxes, breaking flesh and bones. Eventually there was nothing left unbroken in that ruined basement, Majestic Brutality, however, was still pounding away at her corpse in anger. Aredin watched for 30 minutes as a village they had once helped save was beaten to rubble with the corpse of a comrade. Nothing was remaining at that point aside from the tired giant and the tattered, shattered, and splattered bones ground to near paste. Innocent bodies occasionally were visible in the mounds of rubble as Brutality heaved in exhaustion for a moment. Then he rose, a tear in his eye as he turned to Aredin and then fell to the ground. A single knife protruded from his heart. Valsier glared from the top of the smoking pile of debris, eyes narrowed at Aredin, then seemed to vanish into the smoke.


"That is when I first saw the truth of the First Age, Filial Wisdom. That for all our accomplishments, heroism, and fellowship... It could all change in a moment, from dream to nightmare." Aredin wiped away the images of carnage from the room, and turned to face the Solar king. "And that is why we died at the end of the age... why we needed to die. I come to you now because I heard disturbing rumors about you, brother, and I would speak with you about it. I will do what I can to ensure that your mind is your own, that you maintain the righteousness found in the backing and favor of the Unconquered Sun and the full potential of perfection. However, I cannot give this gift to you unless you are willing to accept it and speak with me on such things."
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Araneus





Araneus nods to Pyter, "Caution is best until we are sure of how Filial Wisdom will respond. It will not help Aredin if we have to kill more of his minions. I will lead and take a look ahead to make certain we do not run foul of anything in the caves."


His scarf activates and grows into the black cloak that covers him from head to toe, making him almost hazy to anyone's vision who looks directly at him, heading towards the entrance and making his way in without making a sound, whilst simultaneously keeping his eyes wide and alert for any danger that may be in their path ahead.

Also activating Prior Warning as I head inside.


[dice]5643[/dice]


[dice]5644[/dice]
 
In the Throne Room





The Solar King looks down at you with a dark expression on his face. "What are you trying to say? That I am some madman that needs your help? Why should I not take your head right now for such arrogance? I have Exalted at my beck and call, and have built up an army where everyone is telling me that it is impossible. Soon, I will lead my forces into glorious battle against the cities of the East, and they will fall before me. If you wish to spare yourself, kneel before me now."


The Underways





The Circle makes its way down, taking your time to avoid detection. There are a few encounters along the way of some twisted things that make their home in the dark, but they pose no threat to even one Exalt of your power, let alone several. At this point, you haven't even spent any Essence except for the activation of the Prior Warning Charm.


After heading down several levels, Araneus's Prior Warning goes off. There is a threat ahead of you on this path. Unfortunately, to go around this potential threat will take you several hours to work your way back up a few levels, moving over, then going back down.
 
Araneus


Araneus appears from the shadows, having been keeping mostly to them as he led the group further and further down. He puts a finger in front of his lips and stops the others with outspread arms, and speaks softly "Something is ahead. Not sure what it is, but it's a lot more deadly than these little beasts we've come across so far."
 
Rine


"I can send an Eyeless Minion on ahead and watch through it's eyes. If it gets killed, at least we'll be forewarned." he suggested to Araneus.
 
Rine sat down in a meditative position, and mentally urged one of the Eyeless Minions forward. "I'll need you to watch me while I do this, as my senses will be entirely focused on what the Eyeless Minion is aware off." He said to Araneus.
 
The Minion shambles forward down the path, and soon it comes to a larger chamber. Without any warning, out of the darkness comes a giant worm-thing that is about forty feet long, seeming to be a patchwork of multiple bodies all stuck together. In a flash, Rine loses touch with his Minion as it is swallowed whole and chewed up by the monster.


1394404269702_zpsab215658.jpg
 
Aredin


Aredin stepped forward, fury in his voice as it thundered through the palace, "Show you why you shouldn't take my head?" Aredin stopped to guffaw in booming laughter for a moment. "After what I just showed you, do you think I would have survived this long to tell the story if I was either dumb or weak enough for a gathering of mortals, Dragon-Blooded, and future traitors to be even a remote threat to my life? No my friend, I am not here to flaunt arrogance in your face nor suffer yours." Aredin breathed deeply calming down for a moment. "I came here because I wanted to help you reach even greater heights than the first age, to reach your full potential. If you didn't want me to help you, why let me in here in the first place?"

Activating Presence Excellency + Irresistable Salesman Spirit for a Presence based social attack at Appearance 10 total 11m


Effect should double the successes of the following roll against the opponent's MDV.


[dice]5669[/dice]


As per errata'd social combat rules I think he has to pay an additional will for every 3 successes I beat his MDV by.
 
Rine


"Well. I don't know what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn't that." Said Rine, getting out of his sitting position. "There is a big worm made of corpses just down the way. Big enough to eat an Eyeless Minion one one bite. Charming." He said, informing the others of the details.
 
Araneus


"Well we can at least take a look. You have any idea what that thing is, Pyter?" Araneus pulls his staff off it's sling on his back and wipes some excess beastie-goo he'd missed earlier on some rocks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top