Lunar Fury - Exalted 2e IC

[Sherwood]

This will be our story thread.

 

[Sherwood]

It is a cloudy mid-morning day in the valley, and the Chosen of Luna are getting a much deserved day of rest from their normal chores and training exercises thanks to the upcoming harvest celebration taking place later today. The whole small community is getting ready to enjoy many games, dancing, and a fine feast later on in the evening. Even old One Tusk is going to set aside his grumpy façade to enjoy himself, and on past harvest days he has been known to partake in the dancing and other frivolity.

Thanks to several weather control towers, the valley is not hip-deep in snow and ice, and is only pleasantly cool, so no one has to be bundled up in their heavy furs and cloaks to keep warm. In the pleasant day, music can be heard from several people performing, and many of the youngsters are running around like crazy, enjoying a rousing game of tag, and a handful of the teenagers are stringing up decorations for the party tonight.

Right now, Scorpion and Korigard have been tasked to help with the initial prep work for the feast, and Old Man Coyote and Toun are in the orchard gathering up fruit with a few of the villagers.

 

[Psychie]

The woman that calls herself Scorpion is enjoying the relief from One Tusk's grueling training schedule to do something as simple as shucking corn and helping to cook. She hums to herself as she works, her hands moving smoothly as she works, looking forward to the dancing. There are a few of the villagers that have caught her eye that she would like to spend some time with.

 

[Rykon]

Toun wanders through the orchard wearing the skin of a moose, yawning. The youngster sitting on his back seemed disgruntled by his lack of attention to the task at hand, still piling fruit into the makeshift baskets of Toun's antlers. 'This is a nifty shortcut and all, but how much of this stuff do we really need.'' he complained internally. He huffed, looking over at Coyote to see how he was fairing with pillaging trees of their fruit, child still lightly bashing his shoulders with angry demanding kicks from the heel. He huffed again at the brat, tempted to buck him into the mud, but thought better of tossing his bounty there too. 'You may have me in checkmate now you little snot... but there will come a time when I am free...' Images filled his mind of taking flight, dive bombing the brat with fe- The child kicked yet again, knocking his day-dreams aside to move to another spot. 'FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-!'

 

[Sherwood]

Elsewhere in the valley, the last of One Tusk's pupils, a eagle totem named Rogosh, comes out from his home and stretches after having enjoyed the first time sleeping in since the last rest day many months ago. As a budding sorcerer, it is a rare sight to see him without a spellbook in his hands as he studies his craft. He makes his way to the picnic tables that have been set up under the tents where Scorpion and Korigard are currently helping out with the prep work and snags up a hot pastry from a tray. After taking a bite of the steaming fruit pie, he looks at Scorpion, "I haven't seen you without a sword in hand for so long, I hardly recognized you. Man! I've been looking forward to this party for weeks! I can't wait to enjoy some relaxation time."

MasterDAF Kwops

 

[Psychie]

Scorpion glares up at Rogosh and tries to slap his hand away from the pastries. "Keep your hands out of those! They are for the celebration later on tonight, not for you to stuff into your gullet now! So behave yourself, or I'll have to get cross with you." She goes back to kneading a batch of bread dough, trying to look fierce and maintain a level glare, but soon it collapses into a smile. "I have been waiting for this feast day, too. I'm sure that just one cake won't be missed."

 

[Sherwood]

Rogosh laughs. "I wouldn't want you going and getting cross with me, madam Scorpion! I promise, you won't see me taking any more of these delicious treats from the table. That's what bribery is for; I'll have one of the youngsters kipe it for me so I don't get caught! Ha ha ha! I'm just kidding. Mostly." He looks around as he finishes off his stolen treat. "I suppose I should help out; its not like I won't be partaking of all the good stuff here, so I should help with the prep work, too. See ya around, pretty lady!" With that, he turns on his heel and wanders off to help out somewhere else.

 

[MasterDAF]

Korigard shakes his head as Rogosh wanders off. He watches the sorcerer, and snorts out, "all that good-for-nothing mage is ever doing is talking, never working." He angrily eyes the stack of foods he and Scorpion had so far prepared. "If that spell-caster comes back and snags even one more of these," his nails begin to grow and sharpen into the shape of claws, "he'll be strung up with the No-Moon medics for a week."

Korigard was angry that he had not had any personal time to hunt in the past few months, and yet now that time presented itself he was forced to waste it preparing niceties for the festival. His frustration was leaking into his interactions with his fellows, though he wished it wasn't. Normally, he would be glad to attend a festival and prove to the other assembled Lunars his primacy in some of the arranged games and competition. For now though his thoughts were on the hunt, or rather, the lack of it.

He retracted his claws and continued working on food. He had a task to do, and his other desires would have to wait until later as One Tusk required.

 

[Rykon]

Toun eventually grew tired of screaming profanities in his own consciousness. Having met more than his quota through reach and hauling capacity, he heaved several bushels hanging from a rod on top of his back. He approached the food prep area with a sour and lethargic look about him. "Hey... I got apples, oranges, peaches, and cherries in plenty. Are you missin' anything you need at the moment?" He asked as he set down the load, and plopped on a stool for a short drink.

 

[Sherwood]

One of the women pats Toun on the shoulder. "You've done well, love. All of you have. With as hard as One Tusk works you, I would have to say that you all deserve to take a break." She motions to her other helpers. "We have things under control here."

It is as if the mention of the cranky old man is enough to call him out. One Tusk comes walking up, and snags a apple off of the pile that Toun and his young passenger collected. He almost cracks a smile as he says, "Indeed. You have all done well in your lessons, and I think that if you would like to take a few hours out for a Sacred Hunt to honor our Goddess, I can allow that. Just be back before nightfall. Go and enjoy your hunt, or stay here and enjoy the party. It matters not to me." He then takes a big bite of his apple and wanders over to the large fire pit to warm his old bones by the bonfire for a while.

Spoiler

Those that want to try a Sacred Hunt, give me a Wits + Survival roll and spend a point of temporary Willpower. Normally, it takes six hours for the Hunt. Each success of your roll reduces the time of the Hunt by one hour, with a minimum time of one hour. Declare what you want to hunt, and depending on how rare or dangerous the creature is will determine how well your Hunt goes.

 

[Rykon]

"Finally, a chance to hunt... I'll take the sport while it's available. Beats picking fruit." Toun, feeling both hungry and bored, seeks a challenge. His hunt will target an Ice Weasel, using his spirit totem form of a fox to track his quarry.

[As shown in the roll, wanted to add the extra success, even if that costs a second will]

 

[Psychie]

Scorpion ponders her options. Stay here and party, or go out and Hunt? A Hunt sounds wonderful. I just wonder, what should I go after? I got it! A polar bear! Perfect! "Master, I would love to take a few hours out to honor Luna. Thank you for the opportunity."

Spoiler

With two successes, that lowers the time to a four hour Hunt.

Health Levels
- 0 [ ]
- 1 [ ][ ]
- 2 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] - [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] - [ ][ ][ ][ ]
- 4 [ ]
I [ ]
Dying - [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] - [ ][ ][ ][ ]

Soak:
Bashing: 3 (4 in DBT) +9B from Reinforced Breastplate, +15 from Armor Forming Technique
Lethal: 2 +10L from Reinforced Breastplate, +15 from Armor Forming Technique
Hardness: 8

Willpower: 5 / 4
Personal: 15
Peripheral: 46 / 36
Committed: 10

Dodge DV: 6
Parry DV: 8 (9 in DBT)
Dodge MDV: 5

Join Battle: 6

Paired Moonsilver Short Daiklaves: Speed 4, Accuracy +2, Damage +4L, Defense +3, Rate 2, Attune 6

 

[Rykon]

Toun returns somewhat sullied by the blood of his prey, with a 10-foot long weasel of white fur over his shoulder. Telltale signs of the ritual were clear, blood dripping from his mouth having eaten the bloody heart of the noble beast. "Hope that fire's still hot, plenty of meat to share once this ol' boy is skinned." He declared with a red grin, skinner's knife in his free hand.

 

[Kwops]

Coyote returns to the food prep area, loaded down with baskets of fruit that look far too heavy for him to carry. "Just finished gathering all these, and, I will admit, I probably spent a little too long exploring the orchard, so my apologies if this is showing up a bit late." Coyote chuckles a little, the long silver hair on his back rustling as his body shakes. "Is there anything else that needs to be done? If not, I think I'll go join some of the performers and practice some songs on my sanxian." As he speaks, he sets down the baskets one at a time and draws a long staff of moonsilver off his back, twirling it absently in one hand before planting it into the ground and leaning on it.

 

[MasterDAF]

"Yes, a hunt does sound like a good way to reconnect with Luna, especially after the constant training we've been enduring."

Viktor acts as though he will go on a hunt, but once he believes there's no longer anyone observing him he slips away and spends the six hours hunting for a Raksha to track and interrogate.

[Stealth Roll: Dex +Stealth = 5 Successes]
[Hunt/Track Roll: Wits + Survival + (Tracking) = 4 Successes]

 

[Sherwood]

For Scorpion and Toun, you both have successful hunts. Korigard however, finds no trace of any of the Fae out in the snow and wastes at all. Rather strange.

After everyone gets back from their various hunts, the celebration is underway with much music, dancing and feasting. The entire village is here, having fun. Then, something unusual happens.

While the various performers are taking a break from playing to get a drink or to enjoy some of the food, a strange whistling sound can be heard from off in the distance up in the sky, slowly getting louder.

Everyone, please give me Perception + Awareness rolls.

 

[Psychie]

Scorpion is currently leaning back, enjoying the homemade beer that the valley residents brew up as the music comes to a stop. Then, she starts to hear the whistling. Looking around in curiosity, she says, "Do you hear that? What is making that noise?"

Spoiler

Three successes.

Health Levels
- 0 [ ]
- 1 [ ][ ]
- 2 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] - [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] - [ ][ ][ ][ ]
- 4 [ ]
I [ ]
Dying - [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] - [ ][ ][ ][ ]

Soak:
Bashing: 3 (4 in DBT) +9B from Reinforced Breastplate, +15 from Armor Forming Technique
Lethal: 2 +10L from Reinforced Breastplate, +15 from Armor Forming Technique
Hardness: 8

Willpower: 5 / 4
Personal: 15
Peripheral: 46 / 36
Committed: 10

Dodge DV: 6
Parry DV: 8 (9 in DBT)
Dodge MDV: 5

Join Battle: 6

Paired Moonsilver Short Daiklaves: Speed 4, Accuracy +2, Damage +4L, Defense +3, Rate 2, Attune 6

 

[MasterDAF]

Korigard returns to the festival disappointed, and more angry about his inability to finding any Fae then he was concerned about their lacking presence in the icy wastes. He slips back into the festivities, hopefully unnoticed as to his lack of ritual hunt. If anyone asks, he tells them that another animal intercepted his pretty during the hunt, ruining it before he could complete the ritual.

He joins the activites, and manages to force down the arm of his opponent during an arm wrestling competition of strength. He laughs loudly, bragging about his indomitable strength. As his laughter subsides however, he stops and turns towards the perceived source of the whistling noise.

[Notice Roll: Perception + Awareness = 4]

 

[Rykon]

Toun's ears begin twitching as if he were still in fox form being pestered by flies. Though he's currently still cooking his kill.

[rolling... 6 successes]

 

[Kwops]

Old Man Coyote is sitting on a stump around the fire, playing on his sanxian. As he strums the final chord, the whistling slips through the air, drawing everyone's attention. Slinging the sanxian over his back and standing up on the stump, Coyote calls to Toun "You hear that?"

 

[Sherwood]

In the dark of the evening sky, Toun is the first to notice the source of the noise; a sparkling, flickering light. As the light gets brighter, you can start to see that the flickering light is a burning flame coming off of the side of a massive airship! By now, the others can see the flying ship, and Toun can see that the flames are coming from the side and back of the ship, showing that it is in trouble, and is barreling down into the valley!

As the stricken vessel barrels overhead, those that got 3+ successes can also see multiple smaller shapes flying alongside the airship, either chasing or trying to fly in escort of it.

Finally, Toun's keen eyesight spots two last details as it flies overhead; first is the distinctive symbol of the Realm's First Legion, the Empress' personal elite fighting force from the Blessed Isle. Second, you can see glimpses of the ship's crew in mortal combat with some unknown force that has boarded the ship! A massive fight is underway, even as the huge vessel crashes down in the fields about five hundred feet away from you.

At this point, no one is packing their gear and artifacts; you were coming out to party, not get into a pitched fight, so why have your weapons and armor on? You can either go into your rooms to get your equipment, or face the intruders with just the gifts of Luna at your disposal.

 

[Kwops]

Drawing the wrackstaff on his back, Old Man Coyote dashes towards his room. Quickly removing the sanxian from its place on his back, he drops it on his bed and puts on his Perfected Kata Bracers. With his minimal preparations complete, he begins shifting to his warform as he dashes outside to join the fight.

 

[Psychie]

Scorpion snarls to herself. Shit! The one day that I don't have my armor and weapons out and ready is the one day that I want them on me! She turns and bolts at top speed heading for her room where her Daikalves are.

 

[Rykon]

Toun sprints toward his room as well to grab his coat and Daiklave. 'I'd be soft meat for the slaughter unarmed... and outnumbered...'

 

[Sherwood]

The lumbering ship slams into the ground in a hard landing, skidding for over a hundred feet before coming to a stop, lying slightly on its side, with a swarm of smaller winged monsters surrounding it. They let out a inhuman cry of victory, obviously a part of the attacking force trying to bring down the vessel.

While all of this is happening, One Tusk lets out a angry roar as he transforms into his terrifying Beastman form. In a powerful voice, he calls out, "To arms! Get the children to safety, and prepare to defend ourselves!" He looks up at the flying monsters and snarls. "Fae! The wretched Raksha have sent their minions into my valley?! After a Realm airship? Attack the gremlins first, then we can deal with the ship. Move out!"

Rogosh shifts into his own eagle Beastman form, and half runs-half flies to his own room. As a sorcerer, his preferred mode of combat is to stay away from melee with the enemy, using his spells and bow to engage his foes, so he races for his Powerbow.

Everyone, give me your Join Battle rolls, please.