Trial by Fire - IC Thread

[Sherwood]

The guard thinks for a moment, then says, "If you are looking for a bladesmith, there are a couple that might be able to help you. But I would recommend Master Gaul. His blades are legendary in the River Province region, and if there is anyone that can give you the answers you want, it is him." He gives you directions on how to find Gaul's workshop. It is a short distance away, but is not easy to find. If you don't know what you are looking for, you would most likely miss it.

 

[jaydude]

"Much appreciated." replied Kuaidao, as he looked at Bard and Spider. "Do either of you wish to join us?"

Psychie D. Rex

 

[Psychie]

Spider nods. "Sure. It will be neat to hear if this Master Gaul can give any details on the sword, and can share them with you."

 

[HumanPlus]

Abandoning her previous plan, Rivers glides down over the festive tomb-city towards the huge realm ship docked at the harbor.

Her heart beats faster as she nears the ship. She knows this is stupid, but she has got to know whether these False Princes of the Land are somehow actively looking for her and her new companions. She should have had a better plan, hopefully none would look too closely at her. Luckily she was not the only raven in the city. Corpses were constantly transported to the city, and scavenger birds such as her own current shape flocked on rooftops and around the water.

First she lands on top of the sails, looking down at the bustling sailors and passengers after any groups that clearly stand out from the rabble. Then silently she moves down to sit just near enough to perhaps overhear some conversation.

 

[Syvvaris]

The map consumed his full attention until the friendly spirit came back with the books he requested. "Thank you, Anna. I greatly appreciate it." He gave her his ear and listened intently and to hear her reasoning put a smile on Thallus face. "One day, I hope I'm in the position for something like this. An eternity being able to look at books and helping others on their pursuit of knowledge sounds like paradise. " he gave a chuckle before he found the location on the map of Wrangler's Knob and corresponded the general location of the cache with the larger map. His joyous smile turned into a smirk, "Anna, would you like to see something fascinating?"

He pulled out his journal and pen and placed them just underneath the map. He opened the journal to a blank page and took a deep breathe to concentrate on certain talent of his. In a matter of minutes he copied the map centered on Wrangler's Knobb, detailed to the smallest tree, brush and mountain that is represented on the original. After he was finish, with his hands on his hips and his chest out. "Name a cartographer that can copy a map like that in mere minutes! Almost identical in every way, it would take someone with special eyes to tell a map or book scribe by me to know it wasn't written by the original." He was proud of his work, "But, this one would be simple to spot since it's in a book and not on a large piece of parchment. However, I think It's time for me to peruse those books you brought me. I doubt I'll be able to finish them today, and will have to absorb what I can. Thank you, Anna for your help."

[OOC: I spend 4 personal motes for the two charms below.]

Spoiler: Whirling Brush Method

Cost: 3m; Mins: Linguistics 1, Essence 1
Type: Reflexive
Keywords: Mute, Written-only
Duration: Instant
Prerequisite Charms: None

A Solar with this technique writes with superhuman speed.
The Exalt pens brief social influence or short communiqués
with incredible speed—she can write a full-page letter
in just seconds, while shorter missives may be constructed
almost instantly. She can also quickly copy massive volumes
of information. This Charm does not allow her to produce
new work longer than a few pages, but she may flawlessly
copy a written work of any length as she reads it, writing
quickly enough that she may copy a large book in a single
day, or prepare a document that would take hours to transcribe
in a matter of minutes. The Solar can even perfectly
transcribe a rapid conversation between multiple parties.
The Solar may also quickly copy maps—though this Charm
lends nothing to her artistic ability, she is able to convey all
the information the original conveys, such that one could
be substituted for the other, in function if not in form. This
Charm does not destroy quills from writing too fast, but
writing instruments do wear down at the regular speed,
and the Solar’s writing consumes the normal amount of
ink. As this Charm entails a dramatic action in which the
Solar copies a work, the duration of the effect varies. In a
scene where the Solar has used Whirling Brush Method,
additional activation costs only one mote.

Spoiler: Flawless Brush Discipline

Cost: 1m; Mins: Linguistics 3, Essence 1
Type: Supplemental
Keywords: Written-only
Duration: Instant
Prerequisite Charms: Whirling Brush Method

The Solar concentrates all of her talent into a perfect expression
of form. With this Charm, she may perfectly
copy any written work down to the finest detail. Her
flawless precision makes her script impossible to tell
apart from the original, allowing her to create a perfect
replica of a work. If the Exalt focuses intently on aesthetic
elements, she may even use this Charm to copy
them, flawlessly reproducing pictograms, illustrations
and even maps. The Exalt may also forge signatures effortlessly,
but cannot use this Charm to forge seals or
other impressions affixed to a document. It is impossible
to pierce this deception through normal means. Magic
which can detect the Solar’s forgery must overcome a
difficulty equal to the Solar’s (Linguistics + Essence) score
at the time of writing.

 

[Sherwood]

Abandoning her previous plan, Rivers glides down over the festive tomb-city towards the huge realm ship docked at the harbor.

Her heart beats faster as she nears the ship. She knows this is stupid, but she has got to know whether these False Princes of the Land are somehow actively looking for her and her new companions. She should have had a better plan, hopefully none would look too closely at her. Luckily she was not the only raven in the city. Corpses were constantly transported to the city, and scavenger birds such as her own current shape flocked on rooftops and around the water.

First she lands on top of the sails, looking down at the bustling sailors and passengers after any groups that clearly stand out from the rabble. Then silently she moves down to sit just near enough to perhaps overhear some conversation.

As Rivers settles on the mast, no one seems to pay any attention to her, just as you had expected. You don't need to know much about sailing and ships to be able to see that this vessel is much bigger than the Seagull, packing hundreds of men and women on board, most of them soldiers. It is also clear that there are several Dragon Blooded on the ship as there are currently six of the Dynasts gathered together on the deck watching as the crew works to secure the ship to the dock.

From your position in the rigging, you can't hear details of what they are saying, but as they look out at the crowds on the streets celebrating, they don't look happy. At a guess, it is because it will make hunting you much harder. Hard to say.

While you watch, one of the six snarls out loud enough to be heard, "The hell with waiting. I say we go now. These filthy Anathema are no match for us. We don't need the Gunzosha troops. After all there is only six of them, and they are weak."

A different member of the group shakes his head. "We should wait until we have everyone ready. Hit them with overwhelming power and keep these demons from pulling off some escape like they have before. They obviously have something on their side helping them or else they would have never gotten this far."

Still a third says, "I agree with Zan. We have ten Exalts onboard. We have more than enough firepower to eliminate them."

The one called Zan, a man with green-tinted hair, nods vigorously. "Let me and Hax go and scout if you must wait for the mortals to suit up, along with anyone that agrees with us. We can find them, and signal you. They have no idea we are here."

The one that seems to be in charge is silent, clearly torn in what to do. "Anyone else feel the same?" A third Exalt nods. Finally, he lets out a sigh. "Fine. You, Morrolan and Hax go and see if you can find some sign of these Anathema. Then let us know where they are and do not engage until we are there. These may be young, but they are still Celestial Exalts and are powerful in their own right."

The three give each other a smile and Zan says, "Of course! We will not disappoint you." Looking to the other two, he says, "Lets go."

They then set off at a jog, heading into the ship, then they emerge a minute later with their armor and weapons in place, then they take long cloaks and slip them on to help conceal the fact that they are packing for a fight. They look eager to be on the hunt.

 

[HumanPlus]

Rivers rises from her perch with a flap of her wings and circles the inconspicuous Heirs for a bit, to see the directions they go, before flying out herself low above the crowds to see if she can find her new friends and warn them of oncoming danger.

 

[Sherwood]

Rivers rises from her perch with a flap of her wings and circles the inconspicuous Heirs for a bit, to see the directions they go, before flying out herself low above the crowds to see if she can find her new friends and warn them of oncoming danger.

Give me a Perception + Awareness roll to see if you can spot them

 

[HumanPlus]

Alright. Because i am in the shape of a raven, i get some bonuses.

Spoiler: Raven stats

Essence: 1
Willpower: 4
Join Battle: 5
Health Levels: -0/-1/-2x2/-4/Incap.

Actions
Fly: 10 dice; Stealth: 5 dice; Tracking: 5 dice
(see Eagle Eye); Senses: 6 dice (see Eagle Eye)
Resolve 2, Guile 1

Combat
Attack (Talons): 10 dice (Damage 11)
Attack (Grapple): 4 dice (4 dice to control). A raven can
carry seized enemies the size of a housecat, rodent, small
monkey, or similar prey indefinitely. They can grapple
enemies up to the size of a dog or small gazelle, but only
for an instant, reliquishing the grapple at the end of their
turn (which may cause falling damage if the raven ascends).
Ravens cannot slam or throw clinched enemies.
Combat Movement: 8 dice
Evasion 4, Parry 1
Soak/Hardness: 2/0

Special Attacks
Death Dive: As long as the raven is able to soar up to
long range from the ground, it may dive down at an enemy
with devastating force. The first time it moves down into
close range with an enemy while airborne and makes a
decisive attack, it may add four dice to the attack roll
and apply the double 10s rule on the damage roll. Once
it has used this special attack, it must regain altitude,
returning back to vertical long range before it can do
so again.

Swooping Descent: A raven that flies downward to make
a decisive surprise attack or ambush against an enemy
adds two automatic successes to the attack roll. Note that
an eagle soaring high in the sky is generally beyond the
range of sensory detection for characters who lack superhuman
sight, ensuring an ambush on first strike and providing
the possibility of reestablishing stealth in combat
by simply flying higher than enemies can see.

Merits
Eagle Eye: While soaring high in the air, the raven receives
five bonus dice on any visual Perception-based rolls made
to notice things, and can make out the fine details of far-off
objects even when it is flying potentially miles above them.
It also automatically succeeds on any roll to track a character
while airborne, unless that character is employing
perfect track-covering magic.

Wing Rush: A raven may rush enemies from long
range above them, as long as the horizontal distance
between them is still at short range.

 

[Sherwood]

It doesn't take the keen eyes of Rivers to be able to spot four of the others; Thallus is not with them. They are about to enter a shop without any signage on it.


For the others, you make your way to the stall of Master Gaul, the swordsmith. In the front of the stall, there is a young man keeping an eye on the many fine swords and knives that are on display. Behind the display there is the rhythmic sound of a hammer striking an anvil. The young man offers up a pleasant smile. "Welcome! Is there anything in particular you are interested in that I can help you with? Master Gaul produces the finest wares in all of Sijan!"

 

[Psychie]

Spider smiles in return, as she looks over the weapons. "Greetings to you, sir. We have a question for you, about a rare and wondrous sword that we were hoping that Master Gaul could be able to identify for us. Can we have a few minutes of his time?" She lets her hand brush past her coinpurse enough to make the jade inside jingle, indicating that she is willing to pay for the Master's time.

 

[jaydude]

Unable to understand the conversation taking place in Riverspeak, Kuaidao would just remove the sheathed sword from his belt and hold it up. He didn't hand it over, worried as he was that this would be interpreted as him wanting to sell the thing.

 

[Sherwood]

The young man's eyes light up at Spider's hint that she is willing to pay, and he begins the process of haggling a bit for the cost of spending a few minutes picking the brain of Gaul. After a bit of back and forth, an agreement is made and some coins are passed across to the man, and he then excuses himself to go get his employer.

The rhythmic pounding of the hammer comes to an end, and a minute later, the young fellow comes out. "Master Gaul is willing to speak with you for a few minutes. Please, come with me."

Heading back behind the counter, you come to a working forge being run by three people, two of them are clearly apprentices doing the grunt-work of keeping the fires lit. The third man is big and burly, but what catches your eye right away is that his right arm and a part of his chest appears to be made of bronze! That would explain just how the man was able to wield such a large hammer so effortlessly. The rest of his skin is dark from a deep tan, and his exposed flesh looks rocky, showing you that he is most likely a Earth Aspect Dragon Blood.

The man with the metal arm walks over to one of the work benches and takes a long drink from a canteen that was sitting there, and says in thickly accented Riverspeak, "Martin tells me you have a sword you wish me to look at. Well, step forward and show me this blade. My work can wait long enough for a short rest, but not forever."

 

[Psychie]

Spider looks over at Kuaidao, expecting him to step forward, then she realizes that he may not understand Riverspeak. Turning to the Solar, she translates, "He is willing to look at your weapon, so go ahead and show him."

 

[jaydude]

Giving Spider a smile and a nod of gratitude, Kuaidao held the daiklave up by the scabbard, and then drew it out halfway, allowing Gaul and Martin to see the blade of orichalcum.

 

[Sherwood]

Gaul raises up an eyebrow. "Eh? You don't know the words? No worries. I have some trouble with the river tongue myself." He takes a towel and wipes his brow, then tosses it aside to walk over and take a closer look at the sword. Leaning over to examine the carvings on the blade, he motions for Kuaidao to turn the weapon over so he can see the other side. He murmurs to himself a bit, nodding slowly.

Standing upright, he gives Spider a glance, and says, "Aye. I know of this sword. Tell him that he bears Stormbringer, a weapon of the First Age, wielded by kings and queens across the years. While I don't know exactly what this weapon can do, it is said that in the right hands it can summon up storms and control the weather around it. Truly a item of wonder, and I would have never thought it possible that I would ever see such a weapon in my lifetime."

Spoiler: Weapon Info

jaydude I am using the base stats and Evocations for the weapon Mistweaver on pg 58 of the Arms of the Chosen book. The only differences between that weapon and Stormbringer is that it does not automatically cause rain effects around you when it is drawn, and that once per week you can raise the bare blade up over your head and call forth a rainstorm (or snow, depending on how cold it is) that covers an area of five miles per dot of Permanent Essence you have for a duration of one hour per dot of Essence, but it can be dismissed sooner at the command of the sword's wielder.

 

[Psychie]

Spider does her best to translate the description word for word to Kuaidao, feeling quite impressed with the sword. Wow! That is truly impressive.

 

[Sherwood]

Syvvaris

Meanwhile, in the library, Thallus is busy reading and taking notes as fast as he can, knowing that there is a limit to his time before the ship leaves without you. As you are reading, you are approached by a short, dark-skinned woman with a prominent scar across her face. She sits down across from you and says with a smile, "Why am I not surprised to see you here in a library? We meet again, my friend. Do not be alarmed. I know you won't recognize me like this, but it is Melinda." She turns slightly to let you see the same symbol of Jupiter embroidered in her blouse. "I told you I would come."

 

[jaydude]

Kuaidao would thank both Spider and Gaul, before sheathing the sword and reaching for his coin purse, thinking that at the very least, he should offer to split the cost for this consultation with Spider.

 

[Sherwood]

It is about this time that Rivers arrives at the stall. You are still in your raven form, so if you want to keep from having your shapeshift to human spotted, you'll have to find a hidden place to change.

HumanPlus

 

[HumanPlus]

Seeing her friends, Rivers dives down into a nearby alley to once again don another skin.

A few minutes later Kuaidao is poked on the shoulder by what appears to be a young blonde pale-eyed dancing boy who would not be out of place in the festivities outside who then speaks in the calm and composed tone of voice that he may recognize from Rivers' normal mannerisms.
"It may be advised to sheathe that blade, friend. Dragons in skins of men walks the streets in search of Gold and Silver"

He looks to the others "We may have to find the bookish one and make our quiet exit from the city with more haste than expected"

 

[jaydude]

Kuaidao turned around in surprise at the poke to his shoulder, but relaxed once he recognized Rivers through the disguise. He then uttered a whispered curse once he heard the warning about the Wyld Hunt.

"Just brilliant. Where is Thallus?" he muttered, before looking at Rivers again. "Where are they now? Did they arrive on foot, or by sea?"

 

[HumanPlus]

"They have a warship at the harbor, it would be prudent to detour to our boat".

 

[jaydude]

"They have a warship at the harbor, it would be prudent to detour to our boat".

"Don't you think we should wait for them to head into the city before we go to the harbor?" asked Kuaidao, once they were all away from the stall. As they walked, he would channel his essence into his senses, wanting to be sure he could spot the shikari before they saw him and the other Solars.

[Activating Sensory Acuity Prana for 5m Personal Essence]

 

[Random Word]

Maja pales, "If they followed our ship here, returning to it is suicide. They'll be watching it, and even if we get it underway it can't outrun a warship. I see no option but to escape by land."