[The Lawgivers] PRELUDE: The City of Glass

MIST


Mist turned around and looked at Thri-Khan. He had lost his family too and could understand why someone would go through heaven and earth to find their family and even more their children. He still didn't find the whereabouts of his father yet but he might as well use these newly gained powers for a better cause. He didn't know much about magic and ghosts to guess what kind of exalt was the one surrounded with a dark aura.


"Tri-Khan, you can count on me! I will find your son and bring him back to you. I'm on a similar task as well, to find out where my family is and this kind of injustice can't go unpunished. I'm Mist and I will do everything in my power to bring him back."
 
Takeno


"Thank you, honourable Tri-Khan. I'll try to help as much as possible, if only to repay your kindness and hospitality and also because I still believe that it is important for the whole region that your son is found and safely returned to Chiaroscuro. I also appreciate your offer, as soon as the one that will be coming for me arrives in your city, to point him to my direction".


With that, Takeno bowed to the Tri-Khan and followed Earth Shattering Gaze, to discuss with her, until all were ready to depart for their next destination. He walked faster and stood in front of her, his face still bearing the same expression of almost adoration towards her, as well as an apologetic look for what had happened, something that he apparently had no control over.


"Gaze, please, look at me. It's still me, Takeno. I do not know how this happened, but I saw and felt things. By all accounts I should have died then and there when the capsule crushed me, but instead I felt strength and vigor, unprecedented to anything that I possessed before and I was again on my feet. Please understand that nothing of this changes my disposition towards you. Call even the Wyld Hunt down on my head if you wish and if you think this is the right thing to do, but please delay doing so, until we can locate and safely bring back the Prince. Then I promise that I'll leave - it seems that someone is coming for me even now - and if you do not wish to see me again, I'll abide by your wish, even as my heart will bleed for it. It just seemed that for once I got the chance to be strong for both of us, to be able to look upon the future without being shoved aside by my dragonblooded brethren of the Great Houses who would never regard me as a person of value and who would never allow me to be with you, since I was deprived of the Dragons' blessing. This might be a chance for a new beginning, but it might also be necessary and quite understandable that you'd wish to keep away and take some time to think. I'd hate for you to suffer any ill consequences due to what has happened to me".
 
Layoro


Watching the engagement between his (now) fellow Exalts, the Tri-Khan, and Asalad, Layoro made note of the positions of the soldiers surrounding them. The Tri-Khan was on their side, or at least uncaring of their status and Anathema. Asalad however was a danger to him and needed to be neutralized quickly before things spiraled out of control.


Layoro watched the man carefully, wondereding exactly what his game was.


OOC


Sagacious Reading of Intent on Asalad.
 
Off To Adventure!


There was very little Takeno could say to Gaze that made her change the way she looked at him now. It was a look of disappointment, something that could have been but was lost. There was the making of tears in her eyes when she listened intently, albeit still walking out of the beautifully golden Courtyard of Glass and Power. Once they past the gates that were now bent and twisted from the capsule of gold and Takeno said his peace Gaze finally spoke, not able to look Takeno in the eyes "I knew..." she murmured, almost inaudibly. "I knew the Anathema were coming and I was sent with you to stop them...." she turns around and looks at Takeno, her eyes brilliantly green shined in the noon-day sun. Gaze's face was beautiful even when she was so distraught "I had no idea it would be you... that's not what they told me..." she barely found the words "I will not call the Hunt on you, know that its already been called. The city is housing a team of exalts to strike you and those..... those..." she looked away, wiping the tears from her eyes "I want to believe they are monsters... but your not a monster... " Gaze pauses to think, looking up at the sky then back at Takeno "You have no worry of me hunting you, I should head back to the Isle.. I am to be betrothed after all.." She said this with a voice that sounded more disappointed then happy for Takeno knew her heart laid in his hands, but those hands were now that of a monster. With that she leaps a top one of the buildings "I can't be seen talking to you, the rest of my retinue will be here in a matter of minutes. Hide." she says finally and leaps away across several houses.


Meanwhile in the throne room Layoro listens to the few words that Asalad had spoke, with his new found powers he twisted those words and made them visible. The words fluttered and danced throughout the room but to his eyes only. Several of the letters spun and sizzled, several of them falling away to make one phrase when they were finally all combined. The letters that were to be combined were boldened and in a gold color. This new power amazed Layoro, the message now looked as follows in front of him, they were the words of Asalad, but it was oh so full of intent:


"Great Tri-Khan, these six are a front to everything the immaculate order stands for, they should be destroyed!! Forgive me for saying so, but I will make a fitting Tri-Khan. We need not the help of demons!! Is this how your son would wish to be found?!"


Layoro knew that if he combined those letters it would make one or even two phrases that would show his true intent.


As the group decides to take on the challenge of finding the Tri-Khan's son, they are met with a smile "Fantastic, then there is little time to waste. I can send a small group of horses to take you deeper south, it should not take you long to reach the tribes and in fact our new friend Asad should know where the wedding will be taking place, if not perhaps the people you can find to get you there. Put a stop to this non-sense once and for all, please!"
 
Layoro eyed Aslad critically, debating on his next course of action. On the one hand, while Chiaroscuro and the Tri-Khan weren't exactly enemies with The Realm, they weren't exactly allies either. On the other hand he was clearly doing everything he could to get rid of them, using the "anathema" brand as his justification. Emboldened with his newfound power, Layoro's answer was motivation partially out of petty spite at the label and the desire to prove that he wasn't a monster. "Great Tri-Khan, if it pleases you I would like to remain here to aid you in your time of need."
 
Mist nodded at the Tri-khan. "I will make sure to find your son and hope that you will aid me in finding my father as well. I have heard rumors that he might have come around here. Any information would be greatly appreciated. I will take you up on that horse offer and if Asad can guide us, I will follow him as soon as he is ready." Mist waited to be shown at least where to go and he would be on his way as soon as possible, not seeing the need to waste too much time.
 
Ajani


"In the meantime, I will prepare something that will ensure the safety of the city should the Wyld Hunt ever come to us." Ajani stated simply, "I found a First Age Relic beneath the city that will serve in the defense of the city. I will not betray the generosity and the trust that you have given me and the others." With a polite bow, Ajani left the palace through the gates before walking outside in a secluded location. Once he was there, he hit his fists together, summoning the capsule which dove into the ground and towards the First Age wonder below.
 
Takeno


Quite emotionally charged and still confused and unsure of what to believe himself, regarding the latest dramatic turn of events, Takeno listened intently to the response of Earth Shattering Gaze, discerning effortlessly the obvious fact that she was quite moved herself from all that had transpired mere moments ago. His mind was racing to cope with all the changes that would come with his exaltation and the blackness of the vision that he had still weighed heavily upon his soul.


True, he had wished for power, true he had wished to be more than he was, more than his mortal heritage would allow him to be, but he never expected that. His birth and upbringing in one of the Great Houses of the Scarlet Dynasty had hardly prepared him for such an occurence. He was taught the basic tenets of Immaculate Philosophy and according to it Anathema were monsters, demon-possessed individuals who threatened the safety and stability of Creation, as they had imperiled it in ages past, before the Dragonblooded Host rose as one to depose the mad then-rulers of Creation.


What was even more disturbing was that according to the vision he'd witness a few moments ago, it seemed that those who were "Anathema" in ages past had indeed grow estranged and cruel towards Creation and from what he could deduce from the brief descriptions of the other new exalts in the Tri-Khan's palace, this seemed to be the case indeed and even worse. All these were straining Takeno as he tried to understand how he would fit in that picture. Certainly his mind felt to be his own and even the harsh, menacing voice in his vision seemed not of a darker side of himself but as one coming from a distant ruler, to whom Takeno apparently owed fealty, even if he didn't know it yet. He would just have to wait and see. Maybe that deathknight that was coming for him would explain things, during his training. But he'd have to survive the Wyld Hunt first. And warn the others, inside the palace of its approach.


He grasped firmly his sword and its scabbard, removing it from his belt and threw it up and forward, in a dramatic gesture, parallel to Gaze's jump.


"Take this. You know what it means to me. It's an heirloom of my family and a token of my life and training among the rulers of the Realm. I want you to have it. I do not want it to be stained, even in direst need, with the blood of anyone defending the Realm, such as the members of the approaching Wyld Hunt. It seems more fitting this way and I will be more content and serene if I know that it rests in your alabaster hands. It has always been my most treasured possession and now I give it to you. And I do not mind. For I have already given you my heart from the first moment that I was graced to lay my eyes upon you. You have my sword and my heart in your hands, Gaze. Go now. Go and live. Live for you and live for me as well. Live the life we wish we had. Goodbye fairest of all the daughters of the Dragons. Farewell".


With that, Takeno breathed deeply and heavily, as if trying to lift a terrible weight from his soul and returned to the Palace to deliver the warning about the approaching Wyld Hunt.


"We do not have much time. Gaze informed me that the Wyld Hunt - which was already stationed in Chiaroscuro, something kept secret from even your Highness it seems, honourable Tri-Khan - is approaching as we speak. They'll be here soon and they're prepared. From what I understood, they were expecting to find new anathema in Chiaroscuro and deal with them. And I don't expect them to be in mood for negotiations".
 
Asad


A bow to the Tri-Khan. "I will return at once with your son safely. I give my word as a warrior." Turning to look at the others. "We must hurry, there is much to do and not much time to do it in." Another bow then leaving the room. Ignoring the guards aiming weapons at him as nothing to worry about. "As for horses do not worry. I have some that you may use to reach my tribe. From there we can get to the son's location quickly."


The journey was swift to his men. Embracing the lead man. "Jamal, we are going to need some mounts for my new companions and you need to send one ahead and tell my love that I will need those experiments she made. The oriculum weapons and armor. My situation has shifted in the time I was gone."


A wave as three men ride off with strings of horses. Turning to his companions. "If you do not have the supplies to survive the desert make sure you pick them up here. While not inhospitable the desert is not kind to the unprepared." A smile. "After that we can ride. I will set forth a hard pace but we will have a feast waiting us on the end."
 
A King's Blessing


The Tri-Khan looked at Takeno with grave eyes "The Wyld Hunt...? That's a breach of our agreement" he murmured as he came down the steps. "Well you boys best be off, I will see to it that they do not get very far. There is a lot of political red tape that can slow them down, and I have reams of it. Layoro, you may stay with me, who knows you may prove useful to my needs in the coming days. Asalad, perhaps you can discuss with him a growing concern about the Undermarket as of late? Hm?" Asalad was none too happy to hear this apparently and sneered slightly "As you wish Great Tri-Khan, follow me Layoro and I will discuss the planning.." Asalad walks through various corridors of the glass tower, leading Layoro to an area that was obviously man made and not those of the First Age. It was obviously an add-on of the Second Age. He lead Layoro to a stone room that looked more like an interrogation room then anything else, it was cooled by funneled First Age air conditioning and the walls were made of a smooth stone. There was a single glass window that was made of Second Age glass, easily breakable. One metal table sat there along with two wicker chairs. The guard in the doorway moved and walked off when Asalad commanded him to do so. "Sit. I will bring the schematics for the under city shortly, we can begin our planning at once. If you are half the thing you say you are this should be an easy task for you..." Asalad says with another sneer, his lanky frame and dark skin, along with the black goatee did not help his appearance of being sneaky.


The Sands of The South


The group of Rowan, Takeno, and Mist, lead by Asad walked out of the gated area. Jamal, taken a back by Asad's new appearance listend to him devotedly. "You have my word, Great Asad! I shall make haste! Beiling will want to speak with you when you reach the camp."


Off they rode into the noon-day, like four heroes who just saved the day hopefully to return again. The last words on Shattering Gaze's lips still rung through Takeno's mind now swimming with voices "I am part of the Wyld Hunt, my heart is yours, but I am afraid my duty... comes first" grasping Takeno's family heirloom she disappeared. The imagery played in his mind like a broken recording of the First Age players. They traveled for quite some time in the desert, the closer they got to the South Direction the hotter it got, nearing 95 degrees. Asad was prepared however and packed many caskets of water and dark clothing to absorb the heat from their skin. At this time the heroes had time to inspect themselves, with all the ruckus in the towers they did not have much time to reflect. Takeno's body as it was, strong and muscular and physically fit. It was just... more so now. His skin complexion and hair did not change as he was already fair skinned and dark haired, the imagery of pail beings and black raven hair matched him closely, but not to the letter. He was still his same handsome self and did not take on the appearance of a monster, though small animals such as desert-rabbits and even snakes strayed away from him. The other three were in much the same shape, Ajani obviously able to changes his tattoo's that marked him for who he was for a long time were now easily changed. While Ajani chose to leave for the under-city the group noticed a once tattoo'd man complete re-wrote his body. Rowan, Mist, and Asad stayed much the same, but in a greater form. A form fit for a demi-god, the descriptions that matched Takeno though in a polar direction. They had a hue about them that made the sun absorb them instead of reflect off of them. Their appearance in the crowd was less subtle, lest they wanted it to be, for they were the sun-children now and any subtlety went straight out the window, in place of it a crescendo of awesome power.


After roughly a six hour ride they made it to the location they sought. It was Asad's camp, and due East was the location of the wedding that he had picked up information about. The Desert Snake's of the tribal sept planned to wed the city-slicker of Basilisk's, the Prince to the Tri-Khan, Semanos Khan. Semanos, it was rumored, wished for the marriage to happen to not only bring the most feuding of the two tribes together, but to bring the city and the tribes together into a new order. One which would provide the city-life the grew the economy and helped those who were not accustomed to the hard life of nomads and at the same time, provide the nomads with an agreement of sorts for trade of cattle and food. "Ahlat's blessings!" someone said from the crowd "Asad is back!" several people pulled themselves away from their various hard-skin tents and moved towards Asad. This was about normal, this encampment. It housed roughly twenty men, all of which was under Asad's command, but there was more further south. In nomadic groups like this it was better for the bulk of the clans to split up to find food and meet back at a specified location after they have preserved it. It was also a form of fealty to the great Ahlat, God of Southern Cattle and War. Those men that could survive with just ten or less around them were truly warriors in Ahlat's eyes. It was rumored that few have gotten a piece of Ahlat's magnificent cape from their bravery from hashing the heat and fighting its dangers. From that single tassel, great power was granted. Suddenly a woman comes out of one of the tents among all these men, she was beautiful but had eyes that were just as devious as her looks. He emotions read like a book, and they had pages filled with plans of the next move in her life, the next chapter to be something greater and better. Being a lost egg she had skin tinted as such, though it was a weak tint which showed that her lineage stretched thinly to the Princes of Creation. "My love.." she moved towards Asad, kissing him and immediately looking at the group "Who are these... men? They don't seem to be ones for the harshness of the south... I have here the weapons I spoke about, made of Orichalculm. I suppose its possible you can find it useful, but the blades...." She stops thinking about it "Well all the armor and weapons are quite heavy for you to swing." the woman looks at Asad for a short time, curiously "You look... different. Almost untouched by dirt and scars. What happened to you?"

Beiling

​



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Golden Boat


Like a child playing with fire, Ajani hits his fists together and the spiraling streamers sprang from his wrists immediately. They twirled around him infinitely fast until it formed the two top pieces again, almost bringing them into existence from nowhere. Immediately the field came on, though Ajani knew instinctively to turn it off was a cost of one mote of power. Moving it meaning imbuing it with two, though the speed it traveled was worth it. He went down the same man sized tube as before, being able to control it now was a boon he was pleased to have. Again it took a full five minutes for him to descend, though this time he came out of the experience a bit confused. This time he arrived at not a boat, but a tunnel? This one was pristine though, untouched by the grime of the Second Age! First Age lighting had long since stopped functioning and the only lighting were the essence-powered headlights on the capsule the floated in this large gaping tunnel. There was a tunnel to match it right next to it, with a large side walk that spanned fifty feet. The tunnels themselves were at least fifty feet high. What kind of train would be that large? One could only imagine. The sides of each of these matching tunnels had a sidewalk that was roughly ten feet wide. With further inspection, and thanks to the pods five pointed essence lights, Ajani was dismayed to see that a cave in was present that covered the entirety of this hundred by fifty foot space housing both tunnels. It is to Ajani's assumption that the trains went both ways, though this is only rumor as the only thing people have had to go on were simply rails in the ground. Though the rails were made of gold and flush with the ground, which made it curious still. Wouldn't a rail train need actual... rails? Not ones that were hiding? Ajani was still able to move his capsule, but it didn't relent. With a simple flick of his mind he was able to move it down here, but it was as if the pod was trying to tell him something when suddenly the shield that protected him opened up enough for him to talk out onto the right-side sidewalk. It looked as though there was a little cubby space that was ten by ten feet and in it a generator of sorts. It was all made of a golden metal material and there were several silver translucent tubes that went from it to the ground and down the entire stretch of this tunnel. In closer inspection the translucent silver tubes were on all the floors here, making straight lines on all side walks, both in the middle and the other side. There was a strange liquid made of green glitter and yellow smoke that was coming from where the cave in was and down these tubes. It met with the generator, which its lid was currently closed. The green glitter did not however continue past the generator. A low hum could be heard from it. Down the only way he could go he heard a noise, something... skittering.
 
Ajani


Ajani frowned as his ears picked up the sound of movement as he walked out the sidewalk, deactivating the capsule as the material that it was made of encircled his arms once more.


With a single thought and some deal of essence and willpower he brought out his essence and shaped it. A large glowing Grand Daiklave manifested in both of his hands with a single thought, the golden orichalcum weapon taking on a spectral appearance as essence flowed freely through the blade. His mind had shaped the blade, and it was a unique design solely for him. The Daiklave was large, almost as tall as he was, the single-edged weapon sparsely decorated. Ajani was never one for over-complex designs, preferring to combine simplicity with perfection.


The single edged Daiklave glowed with a golden light, both the light of his anima and his new weapon illuminated the tunnel that he found himself in. He gave it a couple of test-swings testing the weight and finding it good.


He wrapped more essence around the blade, wreathing it in a white, gold, and blue aura. If that skittering was what he thought it was, then would be ready to face whatever came to him. Steadying himself, Ajani began his walk down the only way that he could, preparing himself for the inevitable conflict that was about to commence.

Spending 5m 1wp for Glorious Solar saber and investing 3 motes for protection of celestial bliss. Spent 1 mote for deactivation of capsule and two for imbuement of capsule [and retrieved prior to deactivation]. All motes are out of peripheral pool, bringing anima out to 11-15 mote level.
 
Asad


A smile as he takes his love into his arms. Kissing her deeply with eyes shining with his emotions. "A most wondrous thing I have been chosen, granted the mantle of the sun so that I can lead our people. A soul has been reincarnated in me and recently uplifted. A warlord of old and now within me he resides." A gesture to the outsiders. "They have as well." A glance at the gawking people.


In a loud joyous voice. "Prepare lodging and baths for my guests. Tonight we feast for tomorrow me and my new comrades ride to aid the Tri-Khan and bring glory to our people."


A gesture to Beiling join him in their tent. Taking a seat and a cup of wine. "I am what some would now call Anathema. Already I've been called such. I fear that my only choices are to run or to rise." Taking a drink and smiling at her. "Yet within me is no cause to fail. I will become the warlord of the south. The Dawn of the Sands. Yet only if you will stand with me. Please my love, you are the stone that I brace upon. The sand that softens my falls. With you at my side I can do anything. Defeat anyone, beat any army that would subjugate our people." A yearning, hopeful look upon his face as he gazes at the women who pushed him to be more then a mere chieftain. The women who gave him his purpose.
 
Tunnel Trouble


Leaving the whining and clicking generator in half operation, Ajani continues down the tunnel the only way he was allowed. The light was dark, very dark. But the light from his caste mark gave enough light to see clearly down the tunnel. It filled all the nooks and cranny's that could be seen, nothing would sneak up on him. After some time of traveling down the tunnel, the skittering became silent and was replaced by the sound of people talking around the corner. It was a large space, about twenty by twenty feet indented in this huge tunnel, a light was shining from it that drowned out Ajani's caste mark. Creeping up Ajani could hear voices "How many more do we have? Just this one? The void gods will not be happy" the voice cracked with a mashing of teeth and a lack of diction. Peeking into this large cut-out of the wall Ajani noticed that these were not simply men, but rat-men! Beasts with hands and feet of humans! Also, the silver translucent tubing followed all the way from the sidewalk he stood to what looked to be another generator. This one lit up quite like the other, with the power being disabled on one end. Though, this was not due to a mechanical reason, but one of magic. There was a warp tunnel of sorts, a portal to another dimension that was five by five feet wide. There were three rat-men total, one of which threw in a human, the person fought hard screaming for his life but ultimately got devoured. This devouring small rift in reality had threads that were whisking in the tunnels winds, they were a blackish-purple, quite like the void itself. After a few moments the human that was thrown into the void comes out as another rat-man. There is now four rat-men, one of them wearing a large necklace that has a pitcher sized cup hooked onto it. It spins with golden clocks. There is one more man laying there, knocked out and wearing noble clothing. The rats look to be picking him up next...
 
Rowan Lujan


"Well, no real introductions then?" Rowan coughed. He certainly was out of his element, wiping his brow from the heat.
 
Ahlat The Great


After some time of staying with the tribal men and women, getting clean and fed the sun died down and it was beginning to be dusk. A shadowy form was a sillouette against the backdrop of the falling sun. A woman's form approached Rowan who was at the time mingling with the tribal folk. Her skin was very dark and she had battle scars across her exposed arms. Wearing a brilliantly bright red robe was a stark contrast to the dreary sands. Immediately as she was in view all the tribal men bowed down to her repeating "Ahlat, wilife" which in flametongue translates to "Bound to Ahlat" or "Wife of Ahlat". She held in her hand a single red tassel that when dangling the sounds of a spear smashing against iron could be heard. Her face was expressionless, her brown eyes telling no story of feeling or thought. "Rowan, come with me. Ahlat wishes to see you, we will return you to your friends momentarily"
 
Layoro took a seat and said nothing. It was pretty obvious that Asalad hated his guts for deciding to stay behind. Whatever it was that he had planned, he didn't want a Solar poking his nose in to it. Which of course, was exactly why he had stayed behind. Layoro strongly suspected Asalad was planning something, and was possibly behind the vanishing prince as well. He knew at the very least that Asalad had designs on the throne, and if he kept the Tri-Khan in power he would have a powerful ally at his back, something a young Solar Exalt could do with in these trying times.
 
Rowan Lujan


Rowan turned, looking at the woman, with her fierce eyes and determined look. Something about it startled him, despite all the memories of calmly plotting assassinations, bringing criminals to justice that were far more powerful than the Bride of Ahlat.


Still, he was not his former incarnation... and new to the weight of his changing worldview. And he supposed he could talk, with someone who might understand better. "Alright. I'll come."
 
Mist


Mist wasn't quite sure what to expect at the camp and looked at the men assembled. When the woman of Asad mentioned that he didn't look like someone used to the desert, he almost took offense to it. But then again, Being a Delzhan noble, he wasn't the one in the desert, his cousin family were the ones being the nomads. A life that probably would have saved from the unnecessary time spent in the undermarket. He looked at the people present at the camp, maybe for a chance encounter with his parents but he didn't think that they would be here.


He dismounted his horse and could indeed use a bath. He didn't really get a chance to have a proper one in a little while. He listened to Asad stories about becoming the warlord of the South. It was intriguing but for now, Mist only wanted what was good for his homeland.


"I'll take you up on that bath offer!"
 
Takeno


With Gaze's words and heart-rending departure playing over and over again in his mind, Takeno almost seemed lost in thought, as the group of Exalts travelled further South. He was feeling quite strangely here, as if he was ill, just like back in the Blessed Isle during his childhood. While he appeared to be quite healthy and while he didn't seem to suffer any external or internal wound - as far as he could say - his head was heavy, the sunlight seemed insufferable - especially when he was directly exposed to is - and the heat and sand were almost on the verge of choking him. The surroundings felt strange to him, the lay of the land confused him and the very air he was breathing turned to ash in his throat and lungs. Maybe it was all that previous exertion that took its toll on him, maybe the recent radical change in his nature that was causing some sort of side effects. Or even the climate of the South that was evidently having a seriously bad influence on him the further they travelled on.


He looked upon his hands and body, even as he rode on. Though not much seemed to have changed, he couldn't but notice that his physique appeared more toned than ever, a fact which even more worrying and disconcerting when taking into consideration the illness-resembling effects he was experiencing at the same moment. His skin seemed paler, almost alabaster and his long hair even darker as raiton feathers some would say, in stark contrast to his skin tone.


Trying to alleviate his rapidly growing discomfort, Takeno drank more water and made sure to keep as much of his skin covered, but to no avail. Luckily his expertise with horses - due to the excellent training he had received from his uncle during his adolescence - and he could still control his steed quite well, despite his peculiar state. Every once in a while he would turn and look back, in case the Wyld Hunt was on their trail and had approached them. And also, although he would hardly admit it, to see if a lone rider, Earth Shattering Gaze, might be coming after him. That would not happen in any way, though, as he was quite certain. And while part of him longed for her pleasant company, another part of him understood perfectly her position and the severity of her situation. Duty comes first and foremost for Dragonblooded, as young dynasts are taught from a very young age. She had a duty to her House, to the other Dragonblooded, to the Realm as a whole. Her feelings were probably irrelevant though if it were not for them Takeno's head would not probably not stand all too well between his shoulders. Takeno understood her. And he would not be selfish as to drag her to exile and infamy alongside him. She deserved a good life. She deserved the best possible life.


The arrival to the tribe settlement and the welcoming that awaited them waked him from his reverie. He dismounted and greeted the tribesmen politely, thanking them for their welcoming. His heart experience sorrow and happiness in the same time as he saw one of his group, the tribesman called Asad, whom he'd met in the Tri-Khan's palace, reunite with the lady who apparently held his heart. Sorrow for he might very well have lost Gaze forever and happiness for witnessing another's romantic wellfare.


Listening to Asad's offer for a bath, he smiled, thinking that perhaps this would help alleviate his weariness.


"I'll take you up on that offer as well. It seems that both the sun and heat of the desert have already taken their toll on me".
 
Ajani


Ajani made up his mind. He quickly charged at the rat-man that was about to pick up the next man, quickly slashing once at the inhuman beast. Ajani's conjured Daiklave began to sing as it soar through the air, intent upon showing it's newly born righteous glory upon these new foes. Blood will be spilled and lives shall be saved and avenged.

Assuming that I was not detected. I'm going to make a two move flurry consisting of a dash as well as a single attack against the rat-man about to pick up the other man. Attack is supplemented by +3 sux via second melee excellency as well as channeling compassion to protect the noble guy. Rolling 16 dice and scoring 8+3 sux.
 
Descending


Layoro sat down in the cold room and immediately Asalad closed the door. This didn't seem strange until the door made a locking sound and the room started shaking. Suddenly Layoro felt the inertia of falling as the entire room seemed to go into a free fall as if it became disjointed from the rest of the Golden Palace Tower and fell through a hole. With a slam the room hit the ground, along with Layoro who barely kept on his feet. Best guess was he maybe fell thirty feet before stopping, but this was hard to tell. Looking outside the window in the room he could see only darkness. A simple walk way was there and a cavern-sized tunnel with rails in it as well. It would seem he was in the underground tunnels of the rail system. It was dead quiet up until something or someone opened the door. Suddenly two ratmen looking creatures attacked Layoro! But with his new found exalted dodge skills Layoro did a back flip off the table away from them!

They attempted a surprise attack and failed. Your turn to attack them. Or run out the door


Tick 0 - Layoro


Tick 1 -


Tick 2 - Ratman1 and Ratman2
Ratmen


As soon as Ajani's blade sunk half way through the spine of the ratman holding the noble, who also had the strange mug-shaped medallion around his neck, he also heard a large boom as if something large had fallen down the tunnel. This was not his concern however as he had three ugly little ratmen left to kill. The one he did hit was dead on contact, green blood spewed all over the place in a shower of gore. As soon as the rat hit the floor, the medallion he was wearing did as well and started making a pulsating sound against the ground. A little hammering noise could be heard and felt on the concrete and the portal that created the ratmen in the first place was suddenly closing from it! The threads slowly started to close themselves and making this pocket re-create reality! The ratmen were so surprised that Ajani was able to attack again!

My NPC ratmen are failures and you get to move first since the first action was a surprise and ratmen joined battle very poorly..


Tick 0 - Ajani


Tick 1 - Ratman1


Tick 2 -


Tick 3 - Ratman2 and Ratman3
 
Ahlat's Request


Rowan followed this strange woman that appeared from the desert for some time. Perhaps thirty minutes to the west he walked before she stopped when the camp was no longer in site. The woman turned around and requested for Rowan to step back about ten feet, and he was glad he did. Slowly a shimmering thread lined the ground around the woman with a circumference of about ten feet. It was docile and majestic at first, but then a huge explosion of sand and golden sparks flew everywhere, causing Rowan's ears to ring. The sounds of a thousand battles raging could be heard in a symphony so serene that it seemed rehearsed by musicians. During this time the clouds that were pretty clear in the sky suddenly started to circle around this one point. When the dust settled there stood a Minotaur-like creature with beautiful golden armor, ornate writings and sketches of battles could be seen on it. The sketches on his armor seemed to move when he moved, small men and women fighting each other in mortal combat could be seen. Other depictions of slain cattle were also there, giving homage to Ahlat. The God stood fifteen feet tall and had a great, power sword in hand that looked to be a very powerful daiklave of sorts. It spanned the length of his body and had the same type of depictions on it. The shield he held was also a copy of sorts of his armor and sword, except on the front of the shield it showed the south as a whole, different tactical maneuvers were being depicted on it. It showed different thoughts of different nations on what would happen if Chiaroscuro attacked Paragon. If Gem stopped sending its trade to other nations and all sorts of "what if's" that would depict strategic shifts in the world. The beasts were black and cold, ready to fight any foe. On his back was a large spear made of brilliant gold and wrapped in crimson silk. His cape was made of thousands upon thousands of tassels. Each move he made caused a chorus of people, each individually making a battle cry of sorts. Ahlat stood there, cold-faced as a god would upon a small mortal and said simply. "WHY HAS LYTEK CREATED YOUR GROUP IN MY LANDS? WHY ALL AT ONCE?" his voice shook a man's very core, but at the same time gave a person bravery. It was a strange feeling only a god could give. curiously, throughout this the woman had disappeared... had she been Ahlat this whole time? Or perhaps she was a conduit for his travel?

AHLAT, SOUTHERN GOD OF WAR AND CATTLE

​



minotaur_by_brianvadell-d3ayjy3.jpg
 
Ajani


The young lawgiver was pleased at the against the leader of the rat-men but he knew that he would have to hurry while he still had the advantage of surprise as well as the first strike. Ajani Steeled his body and focused his breath as he focused for the smallest of seconds, for the smallest of ticks.


The two strikes that followed were faster than most motals were able to perceive. The first sought to cleave the very first ratman in two while the second strike sought out the second ratman, intent on ending both of their lives.

Two attack flurry, intent on killing both of the rat-men. Spending 2 motes for hungry tiger technique on both attacks. Rolling a pool of 14 and 13 acc dice. 9 and 8 sux.
 
Rat Slaughter


The two ratmen plunged at Ajani, but were simply rewarded by being severed in half. Their half-bodies falling to the ground in a spray of green slime and goo. The last rat looks at Ajani, then the bodies, the portal and back at Ajani. There was a slight hesitation from it and as the portal was slowly shutting with every repeated beat of the mug-like medallion the rat decided to make a run for it. Finally after several beats of the portal was nearing closing. The generator could be seen more and more being rebuilt in perfect form.. it was almost done.

The next part aligns with JayTee, so I will wait to see what he does. The last rat failed his fear roll after seeing most of his friends slaughtered. The captain of them being destroyed first. He got a critical fumble, poor rat-man
Desert Hospitality


There were no beautiful ladies to bathe the exalted, of course this was not their main outpost of operation either. But the bath and dinner made of mostly cooked desert snake and other tough meats was good and seasoned well. As the groups got together that night they told war stories of fighting the other tribes. It was during this time Beiling spoke with Asad in private. "I do not take the Immaculate Faith as I am one with the southern sands and Ahlat is my true god I follow." Beiling says and continues as Asad expected she would "Of course I do not oppose your change, I implore it my love! Why, with your new found power we can both rise to the occasion and shape the South together!" This was a tone Asad expected from her, a woman who was bent on gaining power. But, this was the reason Asad loved her, it was that never ending drive and independence about her that made Beiling special to him.


The night passed uneventfully and the sun rose quickly, the heroes getting much needed rest. During their sleep Takeno had a dream so vivid it had to be real. A man's face, with spikey golden hair pushing threads into Takeno's view. These threads were golden and he weaved them with expert style. The vision then changed again to a city, an eye on an iron gate, smoke and mist all around it. Only the eye could be seen. It was the Eye of Paragon! The dream then ended when he was awakened.
 
Layoro


Torn between outrage at the betrayal and exasperation at having having failed to see it coming, Layoro drew the sword and moved to dispatch the rat-creatures. Wasting no time, he thrust the blade towards the throat of the first ratman, hoping for a quick kill.

Sword: Speed 5, Accuracy 12, Damage 8B, Defense 6, Rate 2


1st Excellency: 3 Motes for 3 dice


Hungry Tiger Technique: 1 Mote


Total motes spent: 4


Total dice rolled: 15, for 5 successes.
 
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