Trial By Fire - Exalted 2e IC Thread

[Red Shadow Claws]

Sirocco gives a slight nod to Ma-Ha-Suchi, enough to denote her acknowledgement of his prestige, and power, but slightly less than the one she gave to Aredin and Darian when they entered. enough to show that while he's an elder Lunar, whom she respects, she regards these two Solars hgiher than she does him.
"This meeting, while fruitful, hopefully, is, for me, just as much a chance to ask once more from you. We NEED to gather the Silver Pact, and discuss what to do about the return of the Empress. I do not know if we can reach a consensus, but at least, we might be able to gather a group of like-minded Lunars, who will help in doing what is needed o curb the ambitions of the Empress. We know her super weapon isn't gonna be able to be used in a regular manner, and we need to research how to counter it. But we also need to rouse the other nations, so that, at the very least, the Empress, and her Dragon-Blooded host, will be contained in their Blessed Isle."

 

[Sherwood]

Ma-Ha-Suchi looks at Sirocco, and says, "I have seen the message you sent, calling for a meeting of the Silver Pact. After what happened to Thorns, I fully expect that the Elders will wish to address this problem. I will add my voice to the call, but it will take some time for all the messages to go back and forth, and for the location to be chosen. The scale of the destruction of Thorns might actually spur the normally sluggish response from the Pact to actually do something other than talk and argue."

 

[Rykon]

Aredin brought a hand to his chin, thinking for a moment of various options then quickly discarded his ponderings due to the raw lack of knowledge. "Honestly, I would be happy to host them either here or in Rathess if they chose to. However, I do not know them, nor do they know us. I will trust you two are more than capable of dealing with such matters but know that Darian and I would love to help in any way we can." Aredin offered with a smile before taking a pull of his wine.

"If you don't mind humoring the line of questions, let's start with an elder we already know of... What can you tell us of Raksi? What makes her wake up in the morning? What does she seek to accomplish and why? The more we know of the interests at play, the better we'll be at building bridges with them."

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Sirocco smiles at the Elder Lunar and at Aredin's mention of Rathess she adds "We have cleared the city, and the Dragon Kings there are making it habitable again. We have gained their trust, and if the Silver Pact wishes, I am sure they will be more than delighted to host us there." She didn't want to mention it to Aredin, especially not with Ma-Ha-Suchi right there, but being there, and helping the Dragon Kings restore it, and clear it, as well as learning Sorcery there, has given her a sense of home more than any other place, including the small village she grew up in.

 

[Sherwood]

Ma-Ha-Suchi rubs his chin, thinking. "Rathess. Hmm. I can try to make that happen. I offer up no promises, though. Some of the Elders are rather set in their ways. But the novelty of holding the meeting at the old city might be enough to draw the majority of the Lunars of the Pact."

Turning his attention back to Aredin, he says, "Raksi is a wild card, and I would strongly advise you against having her come here. She has a taste for human flesh, the younger the better, and the person need not be dead before she starts to dine upon them. If she were not so strong and knowledgeable in the ways of Sorcery, she would have been put down a long time ago. Do not show her fear. That is a ready sign of weakness to her, and that might trigger her urge to attack."

 

[Rykon]

"Hah! She'd quickly regret the attempt. You've given me plenty of motivation to rectify her delusions sooner rather than later. I'll make sure to keep my own sorcerers on hand should she get any ideas." Aredin replied. "I'm sure even at her level of knowledge my companions are fit to handle her tricks. Is that not so Ragnar?" Aredin said, blatantly diverting any potential questioning regarding Heaven. Should he wish to advertise his achievement, that was his own choice to make.

"As for Rathess, it is my domain as of three seasons ago. It's Dragon Kings are under my protection. Your peers should know that any foul play upon them will be met with decisive retribution. I would not have mentioned it, but you've made it clear in your description of Raksi and other elders that some of them may not be quite... normal. At the least, gathering in Rathess should be of such import that even the Empress would hesitate to launch an attack with the sword." Aredin noted. "After all, there is a reason Lookshy still stands despite its opposition."

 

[Psychie]

Darian frowns. "She hardly seems like the type that we would wish to even try to associate with. But, these times call for us to put aside any petty issues and try our best to work together. Personally, I feel more comfortable trying to get this meeting of this Silver Pact to take place in Rathess instead of here in Gwynnin. We can still help our Dragon King friends play host to the Lunars there, away from the mortals of this town. Having Rathess free of the Fae and the forces of Filial Wisdom at our hands will go far to show our abilities to keep what we claim as ours."

 

[D. Rex]

Standing vigilant at the door, the towering Ragnar nodded as he was addressed by the King. "I have no doubt, that even should we play her game, that we would win." He said in a deep voice. "But with a mind so far gone, our rules and reason do not apply. There is a time to walk on eggshells, and a time to completely destroy the path and make the target clean it up. When a mind goes primal, when it goes feral, treat it as such. Diplomacy is taking it by the neck with your teeth and forcing it to submit, only then can you start to bring about recovery." He said, wistfully thinking back to the feral berserker of the Hoohjik tribe. Maufuba, was his name if he remembered correctly. A swell man once the chieftain put him in his place.

 

[Sherwood]

Ma-Ha-Suchi eyes Ragnar carefully. "Do not underestimate the power of Raksi. It may be possible to get through her madness and convince her to join in this coalition you are building here. I will approach her myself; I have had some experience dealing with her. With luck, we can convince the Silver Pact to come to Rathess and you can then address the assembled Lunars with your plans to try and stop the Empress from destroying half of Creation with her super weapon."

 

[Rykon]

"Obviously, I would like to be present to meet with her. I've spent a lot of time cultivating the power to treat madness, I would not see it go to waste. Are there much of any preparations we should make before the trip?" Aredin asked directly. "Now that you have divulged to me the nature of her depravities, I am not willing to suffer this indignity to all involved for longer than necessary."

 

[D. Rex]

Ragnar nodded at the lunar. "I would not be so foolish as to underestimate her. Even so, I will take that further to heart."

"But if your words can not reach her, and the grace of my King fall on dead ears. Then I shall step in. But a madness that drives one to do such things is one that I will not allow to be loose." Ragnar said sincerely. Even the claim of one willing to eat the young was enough to make a deep anger begin to boil.

"There are great many things that I do not know. Nor will ever claim to. But I have learned enough to respect that who you are is who you are, and know enough that if such respect cant be returned then such an alliance is in name only. As well I understand there will be things you can not stand for, just as much as there are things we can not stand for. I am not under the delusion that we will be in full agreement. But we can both agree, that should we let friction start a fire, and we dont in unison put the fire out, that we run the risk of letting an ember burn into something that risks our future even should we succeed against the Empress."

Ragnar turned to look at Aredin, turning silent once again unless addressed. Ragnar was not but a simple man, and the King he trusted from what he had seen, to have infinitely more patience than he. As such, Ragnar put trust into his judgements about how to go about things. By his own hands, he felt he could bring not but force, yet he believed it was the Kings touch that knew how to bring peace. And Ragnar wished to save his hand only for when the touch of King and Queen were not enough.

 

[Sherwood]

At this point, Ma-Ha-Suchi says, "I shall take my leave of this place now, since I have many messages to send to try and convince the members of the Silver Pact to come to Rathess. I suspect that this will happen, but it will take some time for all that will attend to arrive. I suspect that you will be able to make your trip north to hunt for this Artifact and be back well in advance of the majority of the Lunars that will show up. Thank you for your hospitality. Lord Aredin. Lady Darian."

Unless he is stopped, he will then make his way on out, leaving the various members of your Circle in the Tower as he shifts his form into that of a eagle and he takes to the sky, flying off far faster than any normal bird can.

Apple looks over at the Celestial Exalts and says, "M'lords and Ladies, your faithful followers here in Gwynnin will be fine while you make the trip to acquire this Artifact. Is there any specific orders you wish to give us before you go?"

 

[Rykon]

While the lord of Gwynnin did want to resolve the issue of Raksi, there was wisdom if leaving it be, much as he hated to admit it. Once the issue of this artifact was settled, however, Aredin was resolved to end her behavior one way or another.

When Apple entered the room to address the celestials Aredin pondered the question seriously. Most, if not all, of the celestial host taking residence there would be departing shortly.

"See to it that everyone understands we have a plan, we have friends, and that we are far from hopeless or helpless. Don't spurn those wracked with fear or grief. Do not harass those plagued with doubts. Let those that stand strong in their faith lift up those burdened by unbelief. Urge them to stay focused on the projects I have set before them. Their lives, their very fate, is a ship helmed by their own hands. This is a truth they already know, one that has strong roots in their hearts. This is the gift we have given them and that legacy will not be broken by any weapon. So long as you keep to those words and the spirit of our nation, I'm confident you will all do just fine in our hopefully brief absence."

 

[Sherwood]

With that done, when do you wish to set out for Mount Metagalapa?

 

[jaydude]

Annika would prefer to head out sooner rather than later, once she had instructed her people to keep going as they'd always done. She decided to try and keep Idola within the Vermillion Legion for the time being. If it became necessary for her to leave, Annika could no doubt have Heaven send her instructions with Infallible Messenger.

 

[Psychie]

Darian has little to pack, so she will be ready to leave in short order.

 

[Rykon]

Likewise, I'm pretty sure I heaped enough work on the populace to keep them busy for 5 years or so. Not really much else we can get them to do if they are already alert and going about their business. So Aredin is ready to leave ASAP.

 

[D. Rex]

Ragnar is ready to leave now. The only thing he would do is make sure Ram and Hax know he is leaving, and that his prior instructions are understood.

 

[Sherwood]

A look at the map tells you that the flight to Mount Metagalapa in the Globe of Transport will take you only a few hours, and since it is still very close to noon, you can leave now and get there before nightfall.

Everyone is taking care of their last minute business before taking off, giving orders and slipping what might be some needed supplies into your pockets. Soon enough, everyone is ready, and Aredin can now activate the Globe.

The trip to the floating mountain is uneventful, and in no time, you can see it off in the distance as you fly towards it. The mountain is quite large, being over six miles tall and eight miles wide at the base, and it is floating stationary over a thousand feet up from the earth below. Truly a awe inspiring sight.

As you approach closer, you can see that there are tiered farmlands etched into the side of the mountain, along with small buildings constructed along the side of the slope, evidence of the permanent residents of the place. Aside from the many open areas dedicated to farming, there are few open spaces for you to land, but a bit of looking does finally show a spot large enough to set down in that should be safe for everyone. This spot already has a airship currently tethered down, what appears to be a multi-decked schooner of the skies with a large gasbag bobbing in the wind above it. Even with the airship, the clearing has enough room to land.

Flying in closer, you can see people moving about the grounds of the mountain, and soon enough, the Globe is attracting attention. No real surprise; after all, you are in a First Age flying machine! People begin to congregate around the clearing by the dozen, but making sure that there is enough room for you to touch down safely.

 

[jaydude]

"Wow...it's amazing how things like this can come to exist, don't you think?" said an almost awestruck Annika, as she looked up at the floating mountain.

 

[Rykon]

Aredin held his hand high with the orb of light dissipating back into the small crystal relic of a bygone era. The deactivated globe rolled off his palm and down into a pocket concealed in his sleeve before he spoke. "You all live on a mountain this far removed from the rest of the world, how the hells else would you all expect visitors to get here... seriously." He turned to the rest of the circle, "I believe we have business to be about, where would you like to start?"

 

[jaydude]

Annika would stick close to Aredin. From what she remembered, the plan was for her and Ragnar to pose as his bodyguards.

 

[D. Rex]

Ragnar stood tall, and behind and slightly to the side of Aredin. He would say nothing here, all he had to do was look vigilant and intimidating. Both of which would be pretty easy for a man his size and physique.

 

[Psychie]

Darian is sure that there will be someone wanting to see them, and find out exactly why they are there. She glides out of the Globe and looks around them, wondering about the marvel that is this floating mountain. Then, she looks over at the airship that is parked nearby. "Well, we don't appear to be the only visitors to the mountain. Lets move carefully. No telling who is here from that ship."

 

[Sherwood]

As everyone is looking about, the crowd of onlookers parts to allow a trio to pass through. The three, two men and one woman, appear to be Dragon Blooded, but only one of the men are wearing any armor (Reinforced Breastplate) and is armed with a Dire Lance and a short sword. They do not have the general vibe or body language that would indicate that they are overtly hostile, but they appear to be more curious about the newcomers to their mountain.

The three stop a few paces away from you, with the one unarmed man at the center. He offers up a slight bow, and says, "Welcome to the Slope, travelers. I am Duncan, and my companions are Blythe," he indicates the woman, "and Issar," motioning to the armed man. "What brings you to our home in such a wondrous Artifact?"