Exalted 3E Solars of the Sky - IC

[Epiphany]

Xilanada finishes frowning and says "No. Not a short way. Some long term ways, yes. Whitewall has had some success on that front, for example, if you don't mind waiting years."

"Which puts the area in a great deal of trouble. Not only is Lawless losing one of it's primary sources of agricultural imports but the Haslanti League itself could starve to death if it doesn't take decisive action. Which..." The Twilight's frown returns in some small measure, "I suppose isn't really our problem. Getting involved could put our ship at risk. That said, we're Exalted and if we did want to make a difference, here are some ways we might."

"One, we could side with the Haslanti League and help them scout and secure more Emeralds. With our powers, they might actually survive the way they're provoking the Bull. Certainly the grateful nation would see to all of our expenses, provide maintenance to our airship and probably pay us a handsome retainer so the profits could be quite good. But it means going up against the Bull."

"Two, we could side with the Bull of the North. I've no doubt the man would love more Exalts in his empire and, by our powers combined, we could probably drive the League to complete ruin and wipe them all out, removing one of the Bull's greatest rivals and expanding his borders. Undoubtedly he would also keep us wealthy and, lacking airships of his own, would be all too happy to make use of us. If we want a Solar overlord, anyway."

"Three, we could try dealing with the shadowlands directly. There are some geomantic techniques I know that could offset the damage. They won't be immediate but we get started at least. Significant essence expenditures on our part could speed things along, at the risk of revealing what we are. There's no profit in this course of action, mind you."

"Four, we could investigate the fallen emeralds and see if we can pick up the trail of whoever did it. And perhaps put an end to them. That would make the League and the Bull grateful. And potentially give us power, if we can find a way to replicate the effect ourselves. It's likely to put us and our ship at risk, though, if the cause is another Exalt."

"Five, we could skip the League and the Bull and the food crisis entirely. It sounds like the Fair Folk are up to something. That could be a source of conflict or gain for us, depending on what they want and what we have to offer. Or we could go after that pirate because the last thing we need is competition."

The slim young blonde woman takes a long drink from her wine glass before clearing her throat. "We have many options, Captain. The question is which you wish to commit us to."

 

[Greenstalker]

Stalking Tiger listens while eating rather quietly which is not often happens. He seems to be lost in thoughts which even less happens for the man who acts on his intuitions and instincts. "Whichever captain choose we should not be seen as desperate ones that are in need. I heard stories about Bull they were circulating back in Nexus like a child-scare story that is told at nights. That man beaten one of Scarlet Empires most infamous legions and when he did that he was not as strong as his current standing. I imagine that kind of display of power would draw many exalted on his side including our own kind. Be frank even if we side with league does league stand a chance against Bull while he commands such a force? And what will happen if both sides clashes? It is more likely scarlet empire legions would sweep the remains after two of the greatest threats got weaken from their fighting each other. So no matter which side we pledge we will not only announce that we are exalted but we also become easy targets afterwards of the conflict." He sips some drink from his cup not caring what it is or how it tastes just wanted to wet his throat while his words sinks with them. "Even if we skip then the result won't be that much different once legions of empire sweeps in. Luckily they are in turmoil so i might be thinking too much into it but if I am right the conflict between league and Bull will make region fall under empire control in the end." He takes another sip from his drink at this point the drink seems to be a bad choice to wet his throat and he would prefer to have water but it is too late for that now. "Ofcourse I am down with what boss lady chooses after all it is how my contract works and i plan to honor it but from what i see if we are planning for long term results instead of our usual short term heists than we have only one option and that is mediation between league and Bull which probably as Xilanada pointed out involves to offer solution for root of the problem. Mind you though that might not be enough if there is a third power in motion to make both forces to fight each other."

 

[Midboss]

The mention of Fair Folk brought a frown at Varrick's face. Even more than a year later, his hatred for them still burned hot, like the embers of his forge. His hand briefly rested on the blade he always carried with him, one entirely made of cold iron. For a moment, he had difficulty focussing on anything but tracking down these fiends and slaying them. But the idea of a war between the Bull and the League.... that was something they could not afford.... not if he hoped one day to make his dream happen.
"I agree with Tiger here, we need to find a way to stop that war from happening. As much a I hate the idea of Fair Folk I'm not killing, this would take higher priority."

 

[Esbilon]

"If we think us supporting the League is enough to let them stand up to the Bull of the North," Lioness speaks after finishing her meal, "does it not stand to reason that if we were to support the Bull with all of our might, he would be able to dictate terms to the League with minimal fighting? That way, people get to eat and the Realm doesn't get to swoop in and take the scraps." She looks to the others and continues, "One way to negotiate a peace is to make sure one side is just plain stronger than the other. It's what the Realm has done, well, until the Bull came along pretty much, isn't it?"

 

[Greenstalker]

Tiger takes another bite from his meal and cleans his plate than leaves fork and knife parallel to each other on plate. A custom he learned while he was still in brothel apparently leaving them randomly means you were not done with meal while placing them like this meant you are done with meal. he takes another sip from his drink as he listens Lioness and waits for her to finish her words. "That would be optimal however despite Bull's strength as Xilanada pointed out he does not have airships which Haslanti league has in bulk one more ship won't change that advantage and that is the balancing factor in this war. Now if we were commandeering an armada that would be another story. There is two problem with siding with Bull. First one is trust and he does not have any reason to trust us a couple of pirates who happen to be exalted. Second is almost all our information about Bull and his army is tales at best, myths at worst even if we join to Bul's side we may not be able to shift the balance that much or while we were trying to add more power to stronger side we might be just strengthening the weaker side. " Tiger takes is last sip from his drink than reaches to water jug to fill a clean cup with it than puts it in front of him meaning that he will be drinking water from now on. "In the end we lack information and our presence although can be considered big, it highly depends on both sides power scale. We can't stay out of this war though for a couple of reasons biggest one is once Bull realize the potential of airships he will start targeting them and any landing points and any docks that can make them. If he is smart he will try to get docks and landing points intact along with engineers to form his own armada or if tales about his temper are true he will just burn every single one of them to ground and it won't matter if they were associated with Haslanti league or not"

 

[Esbilon]

"With all due respect to the Righteous Indignation and the rest of her crew, she's hardly the main thing we'd bring to the table. That said, if we can't shift the powerbalance considerably, why would they listen to us try mediating anything?" Lioness sighs, "you're absolutely right about information, though. We don't have any, and we really should before committing to anything."

 

[Rykon]

Vetter usually didn't want to interrupt but felt he should in matters that could impact his future health should his sponsor go 'missing'. "I will point out most Haslanti ships are transports. Righteous Indignation is unique in that it has armaments that the ship can physically carry. This is partly why the brood of giant birds the Bull now has at his disposal is a huge threat to the league. Those birds rip gas bags mostly unchallenged right now. I'd wager the League's been forced to use mostly ground or mounted deployments where they can't get support from their gods to cover their ships."

 

[Sherwood]

Axtis frowns, deep in thought. "I want to be able to contribute to the well-being of the area, but I am at a loss as to what route to take. A part of me would love to dive into combat using the Righteous Indignation and see how well our ship can do against the Bull. But, with so many Exalts in our crew, it would almost be a waste of the vast array of talents that everyone brings to the table not to let you work on the ground. Perhaps we can look at a mixed approach? Some of us on board the ship, and others working their magic on the ground? Hmmm." She shrugs. "Whatever the course we take, we need more information first. I know a few people that I trust that I can approach for some news. I suggest that we all try to get as much info as we can before jumping onto a course of action."

 

[Epiphany]

"A fair point, Captain."

Xilanada nods agreeably and sips her wine as she considers their situation. Okay, she's really considering Lioness' surprising proposal to join up with the Bull, of all Exalts. Kian had rarely remembered and even more rarely asked his courtesan for an opinion. Exaltation had come to Lioness' hands, though, much as it had Kian. And slowly the other woman grew, willing to speak up on a particular approach rather than simply going along with her employer's wishes. It was a sign of remarkable progress. It was also disconcerting when those opinions ran contrary to Xilanada's own.

"If we want more information, we'll have to get it from traders, merchants and travelers recently come to this city to start. For the best picture, we really need to travel closer to either the League or the Bull. Which is why deciding on an approach might be wise now, even if it's an approach we change later. Or," she adds a moment later as the idea occurs. "I suppose we could make up two groups, no? One to visit the League for intel, one to assess the Bull's intentions and likely course of action? If you think it's needed anyway."

The short, slim blonde finishes her glass of wine and sets it down. "Mediation is all well and good. But I don't like the Bull of the North. I've agreed to help you, Captain and to follow your orders. I'll keep my word. But the Bull of the North is a warlord, a conqueror, a man who inflicts his Icewalker culture on those he conquers, ruthless in war and tyrannical in peace. All of us are at risk of having our reputations bound up with his, should our Exaltations become public knowledge, and his reputation will do us no favors at all except to strike fear into the hearts of others. Given our line of work, fear might be all well and good for now but if you have any hope of ever being more than that, the Bull's shadow is not one we want cast over us."

The Twilight Caste's hand trembles slightly as she refills her wine and her eyes stay focused on the bottle, on the glass. They didn't need to know.

My cousins, my aunt...my childhood sweetheart. They ran and the monster still murdered them all. Why in Mela's name did the Sun Exalt a man like the Bull of the North?

 

[Rykon]

Vetter seemed confused by Xilanada's choice of criticism of the Bull. Is it not normal for a nation to have but the one culture? It's his job to look after the Ice Walkers after all, not some patchwork gaggle of yuppies. I guess leading with strength isn't really an eastern thing though. "Given the growing underworld issues and Realm taxes, I'd wager you could do a lot worse than Ice Walkers, loud as they are. I know ya aren't native to this corner of the world, but life's hard here. Try not to take others' grit and grump so personally, if'n ya plan to stay 'round for a while longer." He'd offer, having more drink than he'd usually imbibe before a big night at the pits.

 

[Esbilon]

The slight tremble of Xilanda's hand stands out to Lioness's eyes like a blizzard on an otherwise cloudless day. She reaches out with her own and places it on top of the other Exalt's, pale northern fingers brushing across equally pale eastern ones. She does not need to know exactly what has brought on this crack in her mistress's otherwise implacable facade, it matters only that it is there and that she can offer some small comfort.

To the rest of the table, she remains unperturbed and continues the thread opened by Xilanda, "making two groups seems reasonable to me. I would like to take the measure of this Bull myself regardless of whether we will pit ourselves against him or not. At the same time, we have information the Haslanti would need if we throw in our lot with them. Not least among that information that they will have six Solar Exalts on their side as well as a well-armed flying privateer." She throws a swift glance at the Twilight by her side and adds, "I believe I can get the man to talk, or at the very least see what sort of man he is, and how he would rule over the people of the League, should he conquer it, and Xilanada can get us safely out should he refuse to let us go."

She could not help feel her heart pumping faster as she spoke. The presumption she made here would have been unthinkable a few months ago. Perhaps even mere weeks ago, but she knew it was what the other woman wanted for her. Independence. And why not? It was not as if her honor dictated that she should not make suggestions, if her idea was not well received, she would not insist.

 

[Psychie]

Griffon looks uneasy. "I don't know about the Bull of the North. From what I've heard, he's bad news all over. Unless what I'm hearing is just rumor and not actually true, I would want to stay as far away from him as we can. Or, better yet, kick him in his teeth a bit and let him know that there are other Solars out here that don't like his behavior too much."

 

[Esbilon]

Lioness nods at Griffon's words, "which is precisely why I think it's important that at least a few of us take stock of him in person. Pitting ourselves against him is a rather monumental decision, and not one we should root in rumours and hearsay."

 

[Sherwood]

Axtis places her hand on her chin. "Ok, since there are those of us that have issue with the Bull, we should split up to maximize our efforts. I want to take a measure of this Bull myself, and Griffon will obviously want to go to the Haslanti. Who will go with me to the Bull, and who wants to go to the Haslanti? Once we have that set, we can take the first group there, then take the team meeting with the Bull. We'll decide upon a time frame to get a feel for each side, then we can rendezvous and trade notes on what we found."

 

[Greenstalker]

Tiger leans back to his chair and lifts his head looking at ceiling. "I would prefer going with boss lady but I doubt Lioness and Xilanada would like to split and i think since we have 6 of us here we should at least divide equally. Griffon and I can handle most of the information gathering while Varrick can gather some new stuff or check new technologies that might be sued in airships at there and see if Haslanti league truly lacks an armada or are those cargo ships more than meets the eye. Meanwhile the talkers of the group can check the Bull and see if he is the brute as the stories tell. Alternatively we can go to bull with four and Griffon and Varrick can check Haslanti. I will be frank i am not quiet used to streets of north as much as Griffon does. Now if this was eastern forests or Nexus alleys it would be another story."

 

[Sherwood]

"I hazard a guess that Griffon and Varrick can handle themselves with the info gathering from the Haslanti, and that they would probably prefer to not have a clumsy clod like me tromping about as they try to be sneaky." Axtis looks around the table at the assembled Exalts. "Lioness, Xilanada, and Tiger; will there be any problems with the four of us going to look in on the Bull? Speak up now if there is. I don't want any surprises coming my way if they can be avoided."

 

[Esbilon]

"If the Bull gets the notion that we're opposed to him," Lioness says, clearly less sure of herself than she was before, "it seems to me that he would want to sabotage the Righteous Indignation to prevent us from leaving, and though her crew is skilled and her armaments powerful, the canopy is as easily pierced as any other." She glances to the Twilight at her side before continuing, "Xilanada can get us there and back with Sorcery, but the ship is too much to move around. I'm not sure bringing the ship into the camp of a likely enemy is worth the risk."

 

[Midboss]

In barely few minutes, the situation had turned into a highly complicated and divisive issue and now no one was sure how to proceed.
"Yeah, the armor on our ship is still a problem.... I had a thought about that but that's more a long term thing. I hear skysteel is very light and I think it could do the trick... but I haven't had the chance to get a sample yet and I hear it's hard to obtain.... Maybe the Haslanti have some..."
He realized after a few seconds that was perhaps not the subject and went back to the matter at hand:
"Lets be brutally honest, we have no chance in Malfeas of winning an open conflict against the Bull as things currently stand. He has more military experience, a large army and other exalted under his command. Even assuming we can claim a stalemate, once the Realm gets its head out of its own ass, they'll be knocking. I think our best chance if we want to avoid this mess is making him realize that. He may be a brute, but no one who can outsmart the Legions like that is an idiot. I'm sure he's as familiar with the concept of over extension as we are. Besides, the Realm ain't the only possible common foe we would have. Shadowlands usualy means undead trouble. Who knows what these bastards are up to."

 

[Sherwood]

Axtis gives a slight smile. "I can protect the ship better than you may think. Its one of my talents to be able to take any damage meant for the Righteous Indignation myself, and spare the ship. I heal much faster than the average Exalt can. I want to approach the Bull and see him for myself, but I also do not wish to dangle a prize like our ship in front of him. How about a middle ground? We drop off the Haslanti pair, then fly close to the holdings of the Bull and land. At that point, we turn to the sorcery of Xilanada to move us in the rest of the way quickly." She turns to the other Exalt and asks, "Would you be up to doing that? We can then approach, do our recon, and come back to the Indignation without risking the ship at all."

 

[Greenstalker]

Tiger slowly stands from his seat. "No objections from me. Now if you don't mind traveling with all the beauties in the ship for two months kinda ignited something down below and I am intended to get rid off some steam before our next departure in here. Especially since Xilanada went with a 'full course' of services. I intend to indulge them." He than turns to others and makes small bow gesture. "See you all in the morning or afternoon depends on the fun tonight each and everyone of us will get."

 

[Rykon]

Once Tiger leaves, he is able to find what he is looking for without trouble.

Vetter raises an eyebrow, "Real subtle for a rogue, that's for sure. Anyhow, Captain, remember to fly solid green colors when you approach. White doesn't really work for truce vessels in the snow, you see. I can't say for sure if the Bull's scouts will honor it, but it should save you some trouble." The old stalker took his tankard and quickly finished it's contents before adding. "By the way, let me know who wants to go to the show tonight. One way or another, I think this may be the last match for the champ. We've still got a few hours before we'd need to take seats, but do decide sooner rather than later."

 

[Midboss]

"Think I'll give it a miss." Varrick responded to the invitation. "Think I'll be hitting the baths and then retire."

 

[Epiphany]

Vetter's support of the Bull isn't terribly surprising and she does her level best not to show how angry at his 'you could do a lot worse than the Ice Walkers' remark. It's remarkably easy, thanks to Lioness and the implicit comfort in the other woman's hand. Thankfully, the Zenith does an excellent job of pitching a sensible proposal, even if a certain irrational streak in the Twilight makes her want to reject the plan at once. It really is the smart play, though.

Lioness could do so much better than her.

"A reasonable plan, Captain," Xilanada offers at last. "I'd be happy to serve as transportation, and an escape route, if we needed it. That's probably more useful for the Bull's contingent than spying out the Haslanti League."

Varrick's own observations are excellent and she gives her fellow Twilight an appreciative nod of respect. "Agreed. The Bull destroyed an entire Realm Legion, led by arguably the most experienced military commander still alive in Creation. We're greater than the Tepets but far fewer. Deterrence is a reasonable goal to go in with, but we need to be mindful of the pressures the Haslanti are under. They are," she grudgingly admits, "are the aggressors here, but they also have to be. If the Bull perceives us as allies of the Haslanti, he may be more willing to," again the faintest of grimaces, "negotiate with us, and with them, to establish a trade relationship that will supply the League with food to offset the emeralds it has lost in exchange for more of their goods. As memory serves, the Icewalkers are fond of Haslanti products anyway."

"I suspect the Shadowlands are the real danger here," Xilanada adds, echoing Varrick.

Once the planning is done, Xilanada rises, still tense from the unpleasant reminders of her past and still concealing them with all of the training of one born to the Realm. "Please, my friends," she says with a warm smile. "The Captain's made her choice and it's a good one. It also means work ahead. Tonight, the Lower Pelt's services are entirely at your disposal." Given the place is plainly a brothel, there's no question of her meaning.

Then she raises an eyebrow at Vetter and asks, "Show?" before glancing curiously at Lioness.

 

[Esbilon]

"A shark fight," Lioness explains, both of her hands now gathered before her. "Or an execution more likely. Vetter told me about it while you were bathing. The local champion has previously defeated no less than six bull sharks, but tonight he is pitted against a full dozen for the killing the son of one of the local cappas. My thinking was that it would be an impressive display of skill, and that a man who can kill half a dozen of those beasts in their own environment might be someone we would do well to take the measure of before we meet each other in battle. And someone who might share our peculiar relationship with the Sun."

 

[Epiphany]

"An intriguing thought," Xilanada says, mulling over the possibility.

Then she smiles brightly. "Sounds like fun. I haven't taken in a match in a while."