Trial By Fire - Exalted 2e IC Thread

[jaydude]

"I really couldn't care less what happens to him in the long run. But I'm a bit curious about why the Walker in Darkness was looking for this Key." Annika said while crossing her arms and looking at the Abyssal.

 

[Sherwood]

Aysik and Dunbar trade a look, then with a sudden burst of speed, they lash out at the Abyssal, striking him several times before he has a chance to react. The dark Exalt lets out a startled gasp and clutches his chest, then in a slow fall he drops to the ground in a puddle of blood. Aysik pulls out a small cloth and wipes off his blade with a calm expression on his face. "No need to tell us twice that you want him removed from the equation. They are a dark stain on the face of Creation, and the sooner that they are all wiped out, the better. Now, what is the story here? What is this Key you are talking about?"

 

[Psychie]

Darian lets out a startled jump when the two attack the Deathknight so suddenly. She then walks over calmly to the body, kneels down and spends a mote of Essence to reduce the remains to ash. "There. At least his soul will be released." She brushes off the traces of ash that smudge her hands, then looks over at the Sidereals. "I was able to hear this one talking to his Master about some Key for some Behemoth hidden in the depths of the city that he has been searching for, and he told this Master of his about a Circle of Solars that have overthrown the Goblin King. I don't suppose that either one of you have an idea of what this Key or the Behemoth that they are talking about? Any information you have might be able to aid us, since anything that a Deathlord and his minions want is something we wish to keep from them."

 

[MasterDAF]

Viktor's eyes widened in surprise as the two Sidereals lunged forward and laid low their dark foe. He is silent in his contemplation, trying to decide if sudden death for the dark Exalt was the right action of course taken, and quietly reattached his shield and blade to the pack-frame he was wearing.

 

[jaydude]

Annika's mouth opened as she watched the two Sidereals dispatch the Abyssal, having not expected such a sudden attack. She soon recovered from the shock however, and turned to see how the Sidereals would respond to Darian's questions.

 

[Sherwood]

Aysik and Dunbar fall silent, thinking. Then, the younger Sidereal answers, "Hmmm. I am thinking that this Behemoth that is hidden in the city must be a First Age device, weapon or vehicle of some sort, and this Key would then either unlock the doors to gain access to it, or it is some sort of control. Possibly both. I just don't know exactly what it is without doing some research on the topic." He seems to be excited at the prospect, falling back to the days when he was a scholar of things dealing with the First Age.

Aysik shakes his head and smiles. "You amaze me with your knowledge, my friend. I have been around as an Exalt for far longer than you have been alive and I still didn't know that much."

"You are too kind, Sifu. Now, if my suspicions are correct, this Key is either on the body of Filial Wisdom as some kind of trophy, or it is hidden away inside the Great Pyramid of the Sun somewhere. Then, once that has been located, we will need to find the Behemoth. We should start with asking Leeayta about it, since she is the goddess of the city. If there is some device hidden in the depths of the city, she may already know about it."

 

[Rykon]

Aredin stood up slowly, "Well let's start with examining the body now that the final threat here has been dealt with. I'll rest a lot easier once this place is fortified and cleaned up. After that we can start attuning to the manses around here." The young lord added briefly, slowly walking back toward the entrance where the body was left under the watch of some awakened soldier.

"I wonder what makes this behemoth so special though. I remember rumors of Mask of Winters deploying a gargantuan monstrosity upon Thorns... How hard are such things to come by for such a being, I wonder. Either way, I'd rather we prevent any Bronze or Abyssal miscreants from getting their hands on such things. Neither group has proven trustworthy with the ancient super weapons they already have access to."

 

[MasterDAF]

Viktor stepped over to Aredin's side. "I would be glad to check Filial Wisdom's body for this key, in case he has it stashed away on his person. While I'm at it I can also catalogue the panoply he was equipped with, so that we can make full use of the added resources before we begin sweeping the pyramid."

 

[Psychie]

"His rooms." Darian looks up at the others. "He has to have rooms here; undoubtedly he will have gathered up many treasures to be able to look them over at his leisure. We should look there."

 

[Rykon]

Aredin chuckled to himself at the idea of Viktor nerding out to ancient treasures and weapons that Filial Wisdom likely collected in his stay here. "As you wish, we need a decent idea of what all this stuff does anyway. It'll certainly help when it comes time to determine what we intend to keep as opposed to leverage as future rewards for vassals and appointees." Aredin's shoulders gave an audible pop as he heaved his arms up to stretch.

"I still need to figure out if I want to change weapons... This daiklave is great for speed and defense an all that, but not so much at getting through heavy armor. Feels like I'm missing something still..." He added idly as he walked through the corridors of the old manse.

 

[MasterDAF]

Viktor made his way back down the ancient passageways, mulling the lead Eclipse's words over in his head while he exited the pyramid's superstructure. The stoic crafter nodded to a few of the guarding Dragon-Kings as he approached the slain Solar, signaling for them to let him pass. Perhaps when we get back to Gwynnin, I can draw up some plans for helping Aredin with his weapon problem. Some kind of upgrade might be sufficient... we'll see.

Viktor knelt by the body and began rummaging through the outfit, removing armor as he worked and setting exotic and interesting items to the side for further inspection.

[Check Body: (4) Perception + (1) Investigation + (1) Stunt = 5 Successes]

 

[Sherwood]

When Viktor gets over to the body of Filial Wisdom, you find that it is still being guarded by a trio of Raptoks. They flash a toothy grin, then part ways for you to look over the body. The first thing you see is that he's wearing a Orichalcum Reinforced Breastplate. It is dirty and covered in filth, but under that it is still a useable suit of armor. Just needs a good cleaning.

The next item on his person is a golden crown. You don't recognize it as a particular artifact, but considering that it is made of the same golden metal as the armor, it is likely that it possesses some magical properties. It will take a bit of investigation and experimentation to see what it does.

He is also wearing a pair of Perfected Boots, an item that is quite popular with the military forces of Lookshy and the Realm.

Finally, you find a Hearthstone Amulet around his neck, but it does not have a stone in it at the moment.

What are the rest of you doing during this time?

 

[jaydude]

As Viktor headed off to look at Filial Wisdom's body, Annika decided to go and look for Filial Wisdom's rooms, or anywhere else within the pyramid likely to hold objects of value.

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Sirocco is surprised and taken aback by the Sidereals' actions. Not from the attack on the deathknight, so much as the suddenness of it, and it made her wary, what if they decide to take one of them out. To sort her thoughts about it, and to help the Dragon-Kings, Sirocco goes out to help make sure that none of Filial Wisdom's troops ever makes it out, and to explore the city.

 

[jaydude]

Annika would spend the next several hours searching the pyramid.

[Rolling Perception 4 + Investigation 3 + Finding Concealed Objects Specialty +3. 24 total successes]

 

[Rykon]

Aredin watched Viktor, Annika, and Sirocco rush about on their own business as he had started heading back to check on the body and then decided better of it. Darian's got the right of the situation, the others seem to be diving into their work with vigor. May as well get a nap then and stay out of their way. With that, he would find a relatively calm place to recover from the front of battle and plan the next phase of settlement into Rathess.

 

[Sherwood]

While Viktor is looking over the body of Filial Wisdom and Aredin is settling down to meditate, Annika is busy examining the Great Pyramid of the Sun. Heading down into the heart of the pyramid, you are able to find a concealed door. It takes a bit of time to be able to open the hidden door, and when you do, it reveals a passage leading deeper underground. There is a set of rooms down here, but what catches your eye is a sealed door made of a blend of the four main Magical Materials. Inlaid in the surface of the door is a series of glyphs in Old Realm. You are not sure what it says, but there is the symbol of both the Unconquered Sun and of Luna on it.

 

[jaydude]

Annika's attention would at first be drawn to the sealed door with the glyphs and symbols on it. However, she would decide to look around the set of rooms first, and then come back to the door.

 

[Psychie]

With most of her Essence tapped out, Darian lets out a sigh as the various members of the Circle head off in their own separate ways. Right now, we are all a bit drained from the fight; best not to let ourselves go off alone if it can be avoided. She glances over at Annika as she heads deeper into the pyramid, and then hurries over to join her. "Care for a friend to come along?"

Assuming that there is no objections, Darian will fall into step next to the other woman, making sure to keep her Awareness Charms up and running to listen for any signs of trouble.

 

[jaydude]

Earlier...
"Be my guest." replied Annika with a smile as Darian came up to accompany her on her exploration of the pyramid.

During the search...
"If you don't mind me asking, Darian, how did you and Aredin end up getting together?" asked Annika as they were making their way towards the heart of the pyramid, thinking that it would be a good way to pass the time, while also sating her curiosity about the woman.

Now...
"Hmm...I'm guessing that door is either hiding something of value, or it used to be." said Annika as she and Darian were stood in front of the ornately decorated door.

"Should we get Leeyata and see if she knows anything about this, or should I see if I can open it right now?" she asked.

 

[Psychie]

Darian looks at the door with curiosity. "Hmmm. Let me see . . . I know some different languages, but by touch, not by sight. I may be able to read what this says." She gently runs her hands over the door, feeling the various glyphs to see what it says.

12 successes

 

[Sherwood]

As you slide your hands over the door, it is quickly clear to you that this is Old Realm. The glyphs say the following: "Sealed for time and all eternity for crimes committed against the Unconquered Sun, by the order of Merla, High Ruler of the Deliberative, and Remara Dens, Priestess of Luna."

Another thing is noticeable by your probing fingers. There are several small imperfections on the door that you can feel. They may be some kind of locking mechanism.

 

[Psychie]

Darian reads off the contents of the message to Annika, and the presence of the points on the door that she felt. "I wonder what is on the other side of the door. Whatever it is, it must have been something serious enough to have this much work put aside to imprison it. Before we do anything rash, we should consult with the others, and probably Leeayta, too."

 

[jaydude]

"Too true. And if whatever's inside there was an enemy of the Unconquered Sun...." said Annika. "Shall we go back and check in with the others, or keep on exploring this pyramid?"

 

[Psychie]

She looks at the door for a moment, then takes a step back. "I think that the others should be made aware of this, but we have time. This door has probably been sealed down here for thousands of years; a few more hours couldn't hurt."