Trial By Fire - Exalted 2e IC Thread

[Kwops]

Lance turns to look at Darian. "I'm absolute rubbish at keeping myself hidden, supernaturally or otherwise, so I'll probably be of most use assisting Viktor in his distraction. I can summon some elementals ahead of time to assist us, and I have a couple combat spells up my sleeve as well."

 

[Psychie]

She nods in understanding. "Very well. It would seem that our last holdout is Aredin. Will you go in with me and Rashiid? The extra man along might be helpful. Then there is the question of how we are going to get away from the city once we have make our break-out. Who will be making those arrangements?"

Rykon

 

[Rykon]

Aredin nods, and remembers to respond vocally. "Yes, I'm not as skilled in the art as Rashiid, but I can be quiet enough, especially once the ruckus starts. I'll go along with the two of you to help haul out what we can." He still tapped at his jaw in thought for a moment. "Hm...speaking of sleep, I remember the old man recommended an Inn before, I think it was the Starlit Spire over by some of the old town. Tacharius is the keeper I believe. I've gotten drunk a time or two since the last time I was in this side of the sandbox. Let's see if we can find some decent rooms."

 

[Psychie]

"Excellent! It will be the three of us, against all odds, making the run into the castle. I like it. But, I also like the idea of having a pleasant soak to relax before going off to do our sneak. Does this Starlit Spire have a bath house attached?" Darian looks wistful, hoping that there will be one there.

 

[RettieSetGo]

Rashiid nods, "So much the better if it does, though a good night's rest would do me well. I can never get good sleep on the road, too much could go wrong too quickly." Taj nods as well, seeming to understand the conversation on some level

 

[Sherwood]

With a decision made about which ones of you will be making the insertion attempt, you do realize that it is getting fairly late in the afternoon, and it will be getting onward to evening by the time that you get to the Starlit Spire. The money left by Aysik easily covers the bill for the drinks you've enjoyed, so there is no worry about that.

Moving through the streets, you finally arrive at the inn. As you enter the inn, the smell of roasting food assails your nostrils, making your mouths water. A fresh faced serving girl comes up to you. "Welcome, good sirs and ladies. Shall I show you to a table, or are you interested in getting a room for the night?"

 

[Psychie]

"Several rooms, if you please. Once we have settled in, I believe that I speak for everyone when I say that we will certainly be enjoying whatever it is on the spit for dinner tonight." Darian smiles, letting her charm help win over the girl. "Do you have a bath here? I am in desperate need of a good soak before eating."

 

[Sherwood]

The girl nods. "Yes, of course. I will happily escort you to your room, then to the baths."

 

[Rykon]

Aredin nods, adding "Six of us, one night each. Baths if available also. Given how long we were on the road, food fit for 12, if you would... Yes I know it's probably exaggerating, but..." his stomach audibly snarled in hunger. "It's been too long since most of us have eaten anything other than trail rations." Noting mentally, 'That and I know how much Fei and Taj can eat. Wouldn't want Rashiid starving to feed the poor guy.' With that, he'd set a sack of about a dirham's worth on the hostess's counter. 400 silvers is about a third of his traveling coin, though he figured a bank run was due before they fled the city. Hopefully, he'd find his assets retrievable from the guild in the morning... hopefully.

 

[MasterDAF]

Viktor is mostly quiet as they enter the Starlit Spire. 'I've never been to this part of the city before. Don't know if there are any Delzhan nobles here who'd be interested in weapons or armor...maybe I should keep an ear to the ground just in case. Never hurts to pick up a few extra clients.' He nods in agreement when Darian and Aredin mention getting some of the roasting food off the spit. Unlike their crew he didn't have to rely on trail rations to get by the last few days, but failing to eat anything for lunch was still having a magnifying effect on his already voracious appetite.

When Aredin provides the hostess with his sack of silver, Viktor claps a hand on his back in appreciation. "That sure is generous of you. Thank you, Aredin." He points towards the serving girl. "I'm gonna follow her to my room, need to take care of something in private. I'll rejoin the group when I'm done."

Unless Aredin tries to engage Viktor in a conversation, he heads off behind the serving girl towards his room.

 

[Thief of Words]

Following behind the others, Fei settled in to the new location with the same drunken equanimity she did the last. Producing another clay vessel from her array of packs, she poured herself a drink of soju into a small stone bowl and began to sip contentedly as she listened to the others natter on and negotiate. Before the blacksmith could leave, however, she gestured to get his attention.

"Hammer? Or Net?" Her contentedly inebriated smile spread into a small smirk, "Which is the better tool?" Stretching in a way that set an audible pop off in her back, she returned to her drink. "Don't answer yet. Think on the question and tell me later."

Wrinkling her nose at the scent that hit her when she'd stretched, she leaned over and sniffed. Perhaps a bath was in order. She had been on the road quite a while. She smelled rather like a drunk who'd rolled in the ashes of a campfire. Which wasn't terribly far off the mark, really. When the time for it came, she'd follow the other woman to the baths.

 

[RettieSetGo]

Rashiid looks around as they enter, jogging his memory about the place as he listens to the voices in the crowd. At the mention of food, Taj pokes his head up out of the pack, looking around for the source of the smell. He quietly follows the hostess to their rooms, and then to the baths, Both he and Taj were still covered in dust from the road.

 

[Sherwood]

With everyone needing to head to the baths, you make your way to a set of changing rooms where you can put your things and grab up some clean towels. The bath itself is designed to look like a natural hot spring that has been fenced in, with steam coming up and filling the air from the scented waters. It is very warm and relaxing, and you can feel the dirt and stress just flowing away from your bodies as you soak.

Done soaking and dressed once more, the group makes its way to the dining room where a large spread has been laid out for you. Compared to the rations you had on the road with the Guild caravan you were traveling with, this is head and shoulders better, with the food just melting in your mouths.

 

[RettieSetGo]

Rashiid enjoys his time in the Onsen, relaxing quite considerably in the hot water, with Taj idly swimming around as well. Afterwards, he leaves off his turban, letting his long raven hair air-dry as he walks into the dining room, hungrily devouring the food laid out before him, casually passing a hefty chunk of it to Taj for him to enjoy. Once full, he leans back in his chair with a contented sigh, "Ahh, now that's what I've missed."

 

[Thief of Words]

For her part, Feihan refused to be parted from sight of her pack. There was, additionally, a somewhat awkward moment afterward when she realized they didn't have coverings sufficient for someone of her particular personal immensities, but she didn't let that stop her from drying off and dressing in a set of more-or-less clean clothes from her pack. She ate her share of the food, and she enjoyed it quite thoroughly. Not that she'd precisely done without during the trip in, the Guild was, after all, more than willing to cater to those who could afford to pay.

 

[Psychie]

Darian daintily climbs into the water with a deep sigh, feeling the moist heat sinking into her bones. After soaking for long enough for her fingers to get all wrinkly, she finally climbs out to get dressed. Feeling much cleaner and sweet smelling, she works her way through the inn, being led by her nose and grumbling tummy, until she finds the dining room.

With a hearty plateful of food in front of her, the diminutive girl dives right into it, eating with gusto, packing away more food than it seems possible for a person her size. With a contented smile on her face, she leans back and rubs her bulging belly. "I must say, I am feeling a hundred percent better." Lowering her voice as to not be overheard, she asks, "So, what is the plan? Once we get the plans for the place, the three of us can break in. Once we get out with our new ally, we'll need some way to get away from the city to keep the guards from coming after us, not to mention our friends from the Realm."

 

[Rykon]

Aredin smiled, getting another taste of the high life for the first time in a month or more. With his body clean and stomach gorged of fine roasted meats he let out a deep breath of satisfaction. At the table he turned to respond to Darian, voice significantly hushed. "Well, I plan on spending the morning commissioning a sand ship to take us out of town as soon as we step aboard, prisoner and spoils in tow. There's bound to be one of our smuggler buddies still around just waitin for a decent payoff, but if that fails, I'll be looking for any sort of wagon or caravan we can sna... Wait... isn't one of the new guys a sorcerer? Think he might have something up his sleeves?"

 

[Psychie]

Darian nods in agreement. "I believe you are correct. Lance, Viktor, I do recall that the two of you said you have some skill at Sorcery. Is there a spell up your sleeves that might help us to get some distance from here, once we have Dunbar in hand?"

MasterDAF Kwops

 

[MasterDAF]

Earlier​

Pondering Fei's question as he walked, Viktor followed the serving girl to his room. He took the simple brass key from her, gave a quick parting thanks, then entered and locked the door behind himself. 'Don't need any disturbances.' He took notice of the circular-shaped rotary window embedded in the farthest wall, letting the faint light of stars and streetlights stream through, and he looked around the room for something dark to cover it with. After all, if light could come in from outside, than it could do the same going the opposite direction, and he had no need to draw attention to himself here.

The room was of a reasonable size, not exactly spacious but not tiny either; in this particular case he was grateful as it made it easier to search. The sheets and blanket lying in a scattered heap on the bed seemed too thin, so Viktor got down on his knees and reached underneath the bedframe. His knuckles bumped something made of wood, and upon closer inspection he recognized it to be a simple chest made of chipped pine and fastened with brass latches. Digging into the chest he found a thick black wool throw-blanket, frayed in a few spots but still mostly intact. 'This should do just fine.'

Viktor held the blanket up to the wall so it would obscure the window, and since it would be too heavy to hang from the cheap curtain rod he pulled out two knives and stuck one in either side to secure it in place. The room was draped in darkness, and satisfied that he would not be noticed from outside the inn, he took a seat on the bed and began to shape the Infallible Messenger spell. After a few moments the room lit up with a flash and the tiny cherub appeared. It floated in front of Viktor, its blue-chrome wings fluttering as it silently waited for his message.

"This message is intended for my assistant, Sahlaynah. Do you understand?" The sprite's eyes glazed over for half a second as though it were thinking, then it gazed back into his eyes and nodded its understanding. "Good."

He coughed to clear his throat, then began relaying the message. "Sahlaynah, this is Viktor. You need to leave Chiaroscuro for a few days. I have reason to believe that Dynasts are on their way to the city, and for reasons unknown may be looking for myself and others lying low amongst the Delzhan. I fear if they know where I am, then they may know where I work and of whom I work with. They have no reason to look for you, but I can't imagine they would feel bad turning you into collateral damage either if you are near. In the morning, I want you to stop by the workshop and grab a couple of the swords I finished forging last week. You have my permission to sell them out of town. That should provide you the funds needed to lay low a few days. Don't take anything with a ruby or sapphire encrusted in the hilt, as those will just make you a mark for bandits on the road."

He stopped to swallow, then continued. "Please heed my warning. My recent contact has warned me that these Dynasts constitute a real threat, and I would be forever remorseful to learn that my actions cost you your life. I will contact you as soon as it seems safe to do so."

Viktor nods to the cherub, signaling the end of his message, and in another flash the winged creature disappeared. He removed his belt and hammer, placing them inside the pine chest and kicking it back under the bed. He looked to the door and smiled. "Now to find that bath."

Current​

The bath is warm and relaxing, and Viktor makes sure to thoroughly scrub himself down. 'Could be a little while before we get to do this again...and a whole lot of sand between then and now.' After getting clean he dresses himself and joins the group back inside at the spit. He tears off a large chunk of meat, savoring the flavor, and then food-in-hand begins talking to other patrons and visitors of the inn. He attempts to ply these prospective clients for information concerning their current equipment suppliers and whether their needs are being met. "If high quality arms and armor are the things you request, then you'll find no one better to supply them."

When Darian asks about his spells, he momentarily breaks away from talking tools to shake his head at her. "Sorry, nothing hidden up mine will do that," he responds softly. "I can send a message to someone far away, but when it comes to reaching them I might as well be mortal."

If Darian keeps speaking to him Viktor will continue the conversation. Otherwise, he turns back to a grubby looking fellow dressed in a brown leather doublet and sporting a jagged scar tracing down the side of his face and across one eye. "Where was I? Ah yes, most craftsman go with the bronze-reinforced ridging around the eyeholes. Cheaper, sure, but less durable under stress. I don't skimp however, and use only alloyed steel in all flange and ridge reinforcements. With such care taken towards the faceplate, we can definitely keep you from experiencing any further...umm...life-altering vision adjustments."

 

[Kwops]

Lance sits down to dinner with a large plate of meats and fruits, and slowly reaches under his hat. Whispering softly, he pulls out a grey bird and sets him down gently on the table next to the fruits. If questioned about him, Lance replies "This is Jehanna. I rescued him a long time ago, and he's followed me around ever since. He likes to hide in my hat whenever he's nervous, but I can usually coax him out with fruit. He particularly likes strawberries for some reason." Other than that, he's too busy stuffing himself with food to make small talk. When he hears Darian's question, however, he starts. Swallowing, he eagerly replies "Oh! If my memory serves me correctly, I learned Stormwind Rider at some point. That should be more than sufficient for us and Holst."

 

[Rykon]

"Well then, I guess the plan is that we'll be getting new clothes tomorrow Darian. I didn't get to pack before I had to leave, so I'm kinda hurtin for less... delicate, attire suitable to these trips. Anyone else is welcome to join us if you want to stock up before we leave again." Aredin stated, with some relief. He took a pull of some of the house's wine from a glass that looked like it was assembled from a shattered bit of one of the many towers in old town.

 

[Sherwood]

As the evening draws to a close, everyone is getting ready to turn in, ready for a good evening's sleep. Unless someone is planning on going out, you make your way to your rooms for the night.

Come morning, the Circle makes their way back to the dining room to get fueled up for the day's activities. Waiting for you at the front desk is a envelope with the promised floorplans to the castle, complete with notes on guard rotation times and the locations of the barracks, the armory, and Dunbar Holst's cell.

Aredin is planning on getting a new wardrobe for the night. What will the rest of you be doing?

 

[MasterDAF]

Viktor will be spending the morning augmenting a piece of equipment with thaumaturgy to add a temporary elemental blessing to it. He will do so in his room at the inn, where he previously spent time obscuring all viewports, so that his anima banner will not be displayed to anyone outside the room while he is working. He will request everyone stay out of his room while he is working and is careful to lock the door so that he can work in privacy, so there should not be a reason anyone else sees his Solar anima unless extenuating circumstances arise.

The thaumaturgical ritual he uses is called Invoke the Elemental Benediction, and it allows him to enchant an item with additional capabilities dependent on the element chosen. He previously offered at the teahouse to work on another group members' equipment if they would like. As such, whichever character first makes a request of him (if any) during the night before (assumedly through a 'previously/earlier' post) will be accepted and he'll provide a benediction to the weapon or armor of their choice. Since elemental benedictions require a substance of the chosen element for the ritual, I am limiting the elements he will use at the moment to Fire (easy to make on the fly) and Earth (since they are literally surrounded with sand/dirt outside). All elemental benediction benefits can be found on page 57 of White Treatise, and I'll also add to my thaumaturgy tab on character sheet.

If no one requests for Viktor to augment their weapon, then he will use the Radiance benediction of Fire on his own hammer to increase it's damage output for the raid to rescue Dunbar Holst. Regardless of who he does the work for or what armament he does it on he starts working at dawn and should finish his work around noon. He will be available to participate with plans of others after that point.

[Essence/WP Costs: 7m,1wp on the charm Craftsman Needs No Tools; 8m to fuel disposable resources of thaumaturgy; 1wp for thaumaturgical ritual cost; 1 wp for automatic success]
[Thaumaturgy Roll: 5 Intelligence + 5 Occult + 1 Thaumaturgy + 1 Willpower Success = 5 Total Successes]

 

[Psychie]

Darian also needs to find a different outfit for the sneak inside the prison, since her usual white and silver robes will stand out in the halls and practically glow in the dark. "Aredin, if you don't mind, I'll join you. You can help me pick out some dark clothes. For obvious reasons, I have some trouble with color."

EDIT With the offer of upgrading some weapons, Darian would happily ask to have her war fans enhanced with a Fire benediction. That will help her to eliminate any guards.

 

[MasterDAF]

Previous Evening
​

When Darian asks to have her war fans blessed with the Radiance Benediction of Fire, Viktor gladly accepts her request. He lets her know that he will need them dropped off at his room no later than one or two in the morning, and that he should have them ready for her around lunch the following day. He also gathers wood and flint sometime during the evening after he finishes speaking with potential clients but before going to sleep. This way he can make a small fire in his room at dawn, since it is a necessary component of the ritual.