Dice Into the Ruins - Exalted 3e OOC

[Rykon]

I should have an IC post out tonight. Things got a bit crazy toward the end of last week.

 

[Purr]

Rykon If there's something besides the magical lute you want for Aredin, I think now's the time to say it. =)

 

[Purr]

As everyone is pondering the import of Silent Glade's words and what they might mean for you, from behind one of the nearby trees comes a slim green-skinned and haired woman that seems to be dressed in living plants with blooming flowers on them. She has a wooden staff in her hand that has vines growing out of it, with a glowing stone set in the tip of the staff. Both Mercy and Glade recognize that this is most likely one of the forest spirits of this place.

Have any of us encountered a creature such as this in our travels? Fat Cat was in part raised in magical jungles not far from Wyld territory; might he know of what this creature might be?

 

[Rykon]

Rykon If there's something besides the magical lute you want for Aredin, I think now's the time to say it. =)

I'm content with just the instrument. Though given that we don't have any strong bids on the Jewel of the Hero's Panoply, I think tactically it makes the most sense for the person bogged down with the most battle artifact attunement costs (Amara) to snag it to relieve a little bit of that burden. I think most of the rest of us are sitting on only one or two trinkets but I could be forgetting some things.

Have any of us encountered a creature such as this in our travels? Fat Cat was in part raised in magical jungles not far from Wyld territory; might he know of what this creature might be?

Spirits such as this are fairly common in creation. I'd guess that anyone with Occult 2 or 3 will assume this spirit guarding a manse is most likely a Wood Elemental as it lacks the hubris of a stronger demon or the generically identifiable archetypal traits of a First Circle demon while also carrying elemental trappings.

In general, only one of two types of spirits will be posted to guard a manse in creation. An Elemental or a Demon. This is because they can be summoned and bound while Gods cannot and Ghosts would not survive long in creation even if a spellcaster summons and binds one.

 

[Purr]

Why do you crumble? Why do you fear?
Can you not see how the dawn draws near.

Remember who you are and whose light you bear,
who gave you breath, and reigns above air.

Though destiny's stars plot and scheme on high,
Remember how they hide when my time is nigh.

Valor, my children, for the heavens answer to one.
The star that shines brightest. Over darkness, we have won.

Rykon

I like this! Where did this come from? Did you write it?

 

[Rykon]

Rykon

I like this! Where did this come from? Did you write it?

I did. It takes a while cause I'm not very practiced at such things, but I'm hoping to get better at it over time.

 

[Purr]

Keep it up! =)

 

[Purr]

Concerning writing and poetry from characters we create:

In Psychie's Robotech/Southern Cross game, while playing "Kitty" Miyazaki, my Meltrandi information specialist and Veritech Hover Tank pilot, I wrote a poem. I liked it in part because it really says something about her character. Zentraedi and Meltrandi are clones created for war. Their life expectancy? Three years. A little like Replicants from Blade Runner. Kitty realizes this when she notices how much her human comrades see her joy in battle. Her poem is her reply. Maru the name she has given her Hover Tank (named after that wonderful Scottish Fold YouTube celebrity cat in Japan). =)

 

[Psychie]

I'm content with just the instrument. Though given that we don't have any strong bids on the Jewel of the Hero's Panoply, I think tactically it makes the most sense for the person bogged down with the most battle artifact attunement costs (Amara) to snag it to relieve a little bit of that burden. I think most of the rest of us are sitting on only one or two trinkets but I could be forgetting some things.


Spirits such as this are fairly common in creation. I'd guess that anyone with Occult 2 or 3 will assume this spirit guarding a manse is most likely a Wood Elemental as it lacks the hubris of a stronger demon or the generically identifiable archetypal traits of a First Circle demon while also carrying elemental trappings.

In general, only one of two types of spirits will be posted to guard a manse in creation. An Elemental or a Demon. This is because they can be summoned and bound while Gods cannot and Ghosts would not survive long in creation even if a spellcaster summons and binds one.

You are right that she is a wood elemental.

 

[Purr]

Psychie I still have questions about Fat Cat's Animal form (in part because of this challenge coming up where his Animal form might make a difference).

In the Lunars book (p. 132), it is mentioned, "She gains the animal’s innate special abilities and Merits. Dice or successes added by these count as Charm bonuses." Some animals are found in the Exalted Core Book (p. 554). Fat Cat has properties of both the housecat (general attitude and shape but obviously not size) and the great cat (closer to Fat Cat's true size, is jungle-bred, stealthy, has enhanced senses).

I'm thinking O Mighty Fat Cat is closer to being a great cat (Exalted p. 565) than tiny cat (Exalted p. 560) but I've never made a Lunar before. What do you say?

 

[Purr]

Psychie

"Keep in mind, as long as we mind our manners she cannot harm us unless we attempt to harm her. This golden bull's eye on my forehead carries the kind of authority all spirits are obligated to honor after all."

Is Fat Cat, being a Lunar, aware of any of this? As a new Player, I'm clueless here. =)

 

[Rykon]

As a new Player, I'm clueless here. =)

This is the Eclipse anima power Diplomatic immunity. It prevents Fae, Gods, Elementals, Demons, and Ghosts from attacking us (first) when we are on legitimate business.

It's closely defined, but I do want to highlight...

Spoiler

 

[Purr]

Rykon O.K. so this is a Solar Anima Power. O.K.! =)

EDIT: That's one heck of a handy power! =)

 

[Purr]

O.K., so this Solar Eclipse anima power would, I presume, be something a young Lunar like O Mighty Fat Cat would have no clue about. I'll continue to roleplay him accordingly.

Rykon I would like it that Aredin knows how Fat Cat operates among people during business deals - he isn't normally this forthcoming with sensitive information (especially among gossipers or people that he has right to feel is untrustworthy). As a successful deliverer among the "high and mighty," part of Fat Cat's reputation has been built on his discretion and integrity. However, he doesn't turn a blind eye to evil and he doesn't do business with The Guild because they do (especially in matters of slavery).

Concerning this Wood Elemental, Fat Cat was raised in a magical jungle near the Wyld. To borrow from another now-defunct game (one I'm sure jaydude will be familiar with!), I'll call his jungle ("jongol!") home... The Celestial Wildlands. And the people that raised him when he became separated from his birth family? They call themselves the "Rainbow Children." What experiences Fat Cat has with the supernatural are largely from that atmosphere (which, if Psychie agrees, includes jungle spirits which might be Wood Elementals like this one). Otherwise, Fat Cat's experiences are traveling from city to city among the wealthy doing delivery jobs for them. I think his Lunar mentor is the go-between but I haven't fleshed that out quite yet.

If anyone has ideas, I'm open to them! Roleplaying is magic and a magic best shared. =)

 

[jaydude]

Concerning this Wood Elemental, Fat Cat was raised in a magical jungle near the Wyld. To borrow from another now-defunct game (one I'm sure jaydude will be familiar with!), I'll call his jungle ("jongol!") home... The Celestial Wildlands. And the people that raised him when he became separated from his birth family? They call themselves the "Rainbow Children." What experiences Fat Cat has with the supernatural are largely from that atmosphere (which, if Psychie agrees, includes jungle spirits which might be Wood Elementals like this one). Otherwise, Fat Cat's experiences are traveling from city to city among the wealthy doing delivery jobs for them. I think his Lunar mentor is the go-between but I haven't fleshed that out quite yet.

I'm onboard with this idea.

In other stuff, I've been able to catch up with this, and honestly speaking, I don't know how much sense it makes for Grey Stone to go along with Antonia's proposal, or at least not try and reason with her himself first. I mean, if she's worried that a battle between us and the Wyld Hunt would wreck the manse, or that we could lead them here, I'd think that Grey Stone would want to point out that thanks to Fat Cat, we've arguably given them the slip back at Kerwin's camp.

 

[jaydude]

Psychie
I kinda want to pull things back a bit, or at least have Grey Stone make his case before Antonia leaves to give the Circle time to think. He'd basically disregard the Hearthstone for the moment, and ask that the Circle be allowed to stay within the manse until the Wyld Hunt draws close, at which point they'll vacate the premises. Incidentally, what level of task would that be for Antonia?

 

[Rykon]

Given how we made our way here, even if the Wyld Hunt was already aware of our precise location, they were reported to be traveling with a mortal entourage. Accounting for all the challenges they'd need to overcome to figure out where we are and how to get here, I think a week to march their forces here would be quite generous for them. So, how many days do we actually intend to stay at the manse? What purpose is there in letting them catch up after we've had time to rest and plot a new course?

Based on what our characters know (meaning I'm not trying to anticipate Sidereal bullshit), I don't see why we'd expect Antonio to be in the line of danger any time soon or why we feel the need to wait things out here if our host isn't feeling hospitable.

If we want to assume the hunt always knows our location and merely will not stop until a pitched battle takes place, we'd be better served by finding a place with allies, fortifying it, and just whittling away their little army until this hunt all but falls over. Speaking of, it only takes one sneaky spirit servant to wipe out an army with uncontrollable dysentery, I'm just saying.

 

[jaydude]

Given how we made our way here, even if the Wyld Hunt was already aware of our precise location, they were reported to be traveling with a mortal entourage. Accounting for all the challenges they'd need to overcome to figure out where we are and how to get here, I think a week to march their forces here would be quite generous for them. So, how many days do we actually intend to stay at the manse? What purpose is there in letting them catch up after we've had time to rest and plot a new course?

Based on what our characters know (meaning I'm not trying to anticipate Sidereal bullshit), I don't see why we'd expect Antonio to be in the line of danger any time soon or why we feel the need to wait things out here if our host isn't feeling hospitable.

If we want to assume the hunt always knows our location and merely will not stop until a pitched battle takes place, we'd be better served by finding a place with allies, fortifying it, and just whittling away their little army until this hunt all but falls over. Speaking of, it only takes one sneaky spirit servant to wipe out an army with uncontrollable dysentery, I'm just saying.

I'll admit that I wasn't aware of any long-term plans the Circle had.

Based on what's been said here, assuming that everyone's been able to rest up and recuperate, I suppose the only objection Grey Stone can really raise is that this place could serve as the location for the Circle to fortify and gather allies. But the problem is, neither he nor I know if it's the best possible place. And if it's not...well, Grey Stone will be happy to move on as soon as convenient. He's more than old enough to know that he doesn't know everything.

 

[Sherwood]

It might be possible to use the wards here against the Wyld Hunt. If we do go through with the scavenger hunt and win, we'd have access to the controls of the wards and can activate them to aid us. If not, we aren't out anything other than a place to rest for a bit. Just a thought.

 

[Psychie]

Psychie
I kinda want to pull things back a bit, or at least have Grey Stone make his case before Antonia leaves to give the Circle time to think. He'd basically disregard the Hearthstone for the moment, and ask that the Circle be allowed to stay within the manse until the Wyld Hunt draws close, at which point they'll vacate the premises. Incidentally, what level of task would that be for Antonia?

If you wish to jump in and speak to Antonia before she leaves, post something to the effect of walking off after her to call her back to the group. I don't wish to have you miss your chance to post.

 

[jaydude]

If you wish to jump in and speak to Antonia before she leaves, post something to the effect of walking off after her to call her back to the group. I don't wish to have you miss your chance to post.

Thanks, though I'm not yet sure if I will now, if no-one else in the Circle wants to stay at the manse.

 

[Purr]

If not, we aren't out anything other than a place to rest for a bit. Just a thought.

That's great if we're just looking out for number one, but me and my character? We are concerned for Antonia, this manse, and everything in it.

If the Wyld Hunt takes this place, not only do I imagine they'll ruin it because they're bad guys, but they'll probably take everything that we miss. Even if it costs them. This manse 7s something that the Solars lose in the grand scheme of things I think. That's a loss that I can't imagine can be replaced.

As for Jay's idea with Grey Stone, I think it's a fantastic idea to "rewind the film" if you will and let Grey Stone have a chat with Antonia. That is if it's okay with Psychie ?

Antonia seems to be under the impression that the Wyld Hunt is "on our heels" which according to Rykon is definitely not the case.

I was hoping just to stay here long enough to have a good night's rest for our characters and then move on out without endangering this place. If we have the chance to explore like with this challenge, all the better! But I don't even want the Wyld Hunt to even know this manse, or Antonia, exist.

 

[Purr]

Thanks, though I'm not yet sure if I will now, if no-one else in the Circle wants to stay at the manse.

jaydude If the option is open to us, sure! Fat Cat and I think this place is really cool!

 

[Psychie]

I am willing to rewind a tad bit to let your post come in.

 

[jaydude]

I am willing to rewind a tad bit to let your post come in.

Sure, if we're willing to have an IC debate about what to do here.