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Cast

• Phinnae Juggernaut of the West
• Jade Wisdom Scavenger lord in the making. AKA Cynis Kitaro.
• Scarred Drunken Solar with a hidden past
• Savvy (Beauteous Lunar with a debt to repay)

Extras

• Taros Petasi - Enigmatic Elipse Scavenger Lord, maybe with ties to House Ragara?
  • Ragara Tanro - Servant of Taros
• Baos Gap - Dawn Caste Solar, Circle mate of Taros Petasi
• Incomparable Hammer - Twilight Caste Solar, Circle mate of Taros Petasi
• Peleps Dakura - MUST DIE!!!!... I mean ... IS DEAD! Yay!
• Madam Wu - Owner of a cheap Teahouse in Nexus...
• Pirule Kugimo - hapless mortal Nexus labourer trying to earn a quick coin by spying on Exalts... (and a dwarf)

Deceased and or Unknown

• Su Chi - First Age Dawn Caste
• Eight Times Dreaming - First Age Twilight Caste
• Swift Silence - First Age Changing Moon

Places

• Nexus (d'uh!)
  • Madame Wu's Teahouse of Infinite Courage
  • The Seven-Thousand Pleasures Teahouse
  • The Drunken Carp Tavern
  • Salt of Creation Tavern (in Sentinel Hills)

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Year 768

17th Descending Wood

18th Descending Wood

19th Descending Wood

20th Descending Wood

21st Descending Wood

So, Savvy, Phinae and Jade Wisdom start to wander back to the warehouse with Pirule. Savvy runs off, leaving Phinnae and Jade to stop a short distance away from the Tavern to discuss the situation some more.

Phinnae suggests they should remain close to the Tavern with Pirule so he can identify the wealthy fop. Jade Wisdom is sceptical of this idea due to an inability to reasonably hide Pirule and prevent him from calling out or otherwise attracting unwanted attention. This leads to a small impasse...

Then Pirule helpfully suggests staying inside the Tavern to keep a watch out for the fop, and Phinnae agrees to this idea. So Jade and Pirule head back to the warehouse while Phinnae enters the Tavern to keep watch from a position of stealth and inconspicuousness.

While inside the Tavern, Phinnae call for a bit of fun, gambling on an arm-wrestling contest between herself (a poor frail woman-folk-type) and the big manly men of the bar, to help pass the time. A big burly man takes up the challenge. One scream of pain and a broken arm later, the rest of the Tavern patrons look nervous and edge away from the 'poor frail woman-folk-type' lady who just broke a man's arm without breaking a sweat or showing any signs of remorse... that's right, inconspicuous.

Phinnae then tries to bribe the Barkeep, but with no concept of money, the Barkeep is not impressed...

Jade Wisdom and Pirule make it back to the warehouse safely. The Jadeborn offers the man his bed roll, some food and a cup of tea, all of which are accepted with gratitude.

Dawn comes all too quickly...

Phinnae is phrustrated by Bar-Wenches who cannot understand her High- or Low-Realm Phrases.

Savvy, Jade Wisdom and Pirule Kugimo remain patiently at the warehouse waiting for Phinnae and Taros (and maybe Scarred). Soon, Ragara Tanro arrives with a message for Savvy, that Taros has invited her to the 7000-Pleasures Teahouse. Upon hearing this, the super-intelligent Jadeborn takes Pirule away out of earshot, as y'know, spy and all that... Once Tanro has left, Jade Wisdom leads Pirule back inside and Savvy confides the news to him in a language Pirule cannot comprehend. Jade Wisdom recommends that Savvy go to Taros as soon as possible, while he remains at the warehouse to watch the captive and await Phinnae (and Scarred...).

(Common consensus has it that Scarred has taken all the money and gotten lost inside many Nexus Pubs, Taverns, Whorehouses, Opium Dens and Gambling houses on the way back to the warehouse.)

Savvy finds an discreet corner and becomes a bird to fly to Taros.

Midday. Sunny and warm...

Phinnae is bored (and hungry? and thirsty?) but notices the Dynastic looking man with good clothes, darks hair and noble bearing enter the bar. The man talks quietly and briefly to the man behind the bar, then leaves. Phinnae phollows! Phop has disappeared!! Phrustrated Phinnae phlies high, phails to phind, still phrustrated, phuck!!! She phlies back to the warehouse.

Savvy arrives at the Teahouse to meet Taros. He informs her of some details about Peleps Dakura. Savvy is grateful, and idle chitchat ensues, and soon thereafter Savvy departs.

Jade Wisdom engages in conversation with Pirule, getting a little closer to establishing a bond of intimacy with the man. Then Phinnae arrives.

The Lunar girl manages to draw a very rough picture of the wealthy man, and conveys her frustration at losing him so quickly. Jade Wisdom informs the young exalt that apart from her being very unlucky (which is unlikely, because Exalts make their own luck), many other types of being can use Charms to hide themselves from view, or travel very quickly, or confuse the mind. Also many magical artifacts can do the same.

Savvy then returns. Jade Wisdom makes her a cup of tea as she relates her information. Phinnae is curious and excited about Dakura's interest in 'Exotic' slaves. And also a little concerned that he may have some of her relatives...

After some discussion, the yacht seems to be the best place to attack the Dragon-Blood without running afoul of Nexus laws. Jade Wisdom suggests it may be very easy for the Lunars to assault the yacht, but getting himself and Scarred aboard to help, if their help is desired, may be somewhat more difficult as they cannot change shape, fly, swim (not that far anyway), walk on water, or sail. Of course, Lord Scarred may have an awesome idea, but he isn't present, and may have run into trouble, or just passed out in a gutter somewhere, or fled the city...

Everyone wonders what has happened to Scarred... (except Pirule, who's probably thankful).

It is mid afternoon.

...---^---...

Phinnae decides to fly around the city to look for Scarred. Soaring high in the sky to avoid attracting attention but using her "eagle" eyes to scour the filthy streets of Nexus. After many hours of searching, Phinnae frustrated, lands on the roof of a two storey building. While resting on the roof she hears shouts and loud sobbing. Curious she flaps down to the window sill at the back of the building. She sees a scantily clad young woman being beaten by a hulk of a man. Phinnae's rage is piqued. She changes shape on the sill and charges through the window. The Man is surprised and is unable to fend off Phinnae's flying, reverse, roundhouse, scissor, hook kick. She executes the move perfectly and the assailant is left in a heap at her feet.

• • Is this the right or wrong way to do this? Does it make sense? And it is not finished if its ok! Phinnae

Jade Wisdom decides to take Pirule and wander through Nexus to try and find Scarred. Everyone present thinks that Scarred has spent all the money in a tavern, opium den, whore-house or gambling den... or all four. Savvy chooses to remain in the warehouse to ponder the information about Dakura.

Scarred awakes in a poor looking tavern, "Salt of Creation". He has a splitting headache, and very patchy memories of the previous 12 hours or so. He orders another ale, and talks to the barkeep to discover where he is. The answer, Sentinel Hills, is not much help. Ordering an extra strong coffee to help recall events, he asks for directions to the Drunken Carp. Soon after, he stumbles back out onto the street and pushes his way slowly towards his original destination. Being very hungry, the local 'rat-on-a-stick' is very appealing, and helps pass the time...

Jade Wisdom talks some more to Pirule Kugimo. Discussing life in Nexus with life in Urvar and generally being nice and building a certain intimacy between the two. (Yay! A new Contact! Social Combat testing moderately successful!!!)

Night falls

Scarred enters the Drunken Carp and makes a bee-line for the barwench. He orders an ale. Perplexed at where the rest of the group are, he bribes the barwench for information. She tells him a little about their arrival and departure, which leaves the drunkard more perplexed.

He sits quietly drinking for a while to ponder what to do next...

The Jadeborn and the mortal man move from pub to tavern to brothel to casino in a futile effort to search all of Nexus for the missing (to them) Solar. Eventually, somewhat weary, they arrive back at the Drunken Carp. Scarred immediately abuses them for being late, and then swiftly buys them a meal and drink. Then he raises his voice and buys the whole tavern a drink. He then sniggers as he realises his magic gourd is unlimited, and could supply endless amounts of alcohol to everyone, but he'd rather spend the money.

The three leave after their meal. Once outside, Jade Wisdom notices Scarred has left the bag of silver inside on the table. He swiftly bursts inside and intimidates the girl taking the money from the table into handing it over. Once outside again, he gives Pirule a few coins and tells him to never talk to anyone about the group, or spy on them again. Pirule is relieved and grateful to be let free, to return to his pregnant wife and his mother who has a bad hip.

The Solar and Jadeborn start the long walk back to the warehouse.

Midnight

22nd Descending Wood

The Jadeborn once again makes tea for the assembled misfits. Scarred snubs it to fall asleep loudly next to his gourd, but Savvy accepts. Jade Wisdom and Savvy engage in a conversation about slavery and the nature of civilisation. Unwittingly the Artisan greatly upsets the Lunar girl from a tribe raided regularly for slaves. Savvy throws a punch in frustration at the Enlightened Ubermensch and storms out. The Jadeborn is perplexed and puzzled by the erratic behaviour by the Exalt, Chosen by Luna and granted powers far beyond mortal men, but figures slavery had something to do with it. He makes a note of it as a valuable lesson learned by both parties, and goes to bed.

Savvy flies out of Nexus and hunts as a Simhata for a couple of hours, before flying back at about 4am and collapsing, calmer, into bed herself.

Morning arrives.

Scarred and Jade Wisdom awake. The Jadeborn informs the Solar about Peleps Dakura, and then the two decide to spar against each other to pass the time. The Solar clearly outmatches Jade Wisdom, who takes careful note of the Solars technique in an effort to improve himself.

Savvy wakes at the sound of scuffling, and upon seeing this, Jade Wisdom intermingles the sparring with brewing and pouring a cup of tea for her. As he ducks and weaves to avoid the Solars blows he bows low to the Lunar and apologises for causing unintended offense and reaches out to hand her the cup. Scarred slyly whips his hand out to snatch the tea cup away and drink it. He pauses for a moment to express his admiration for its quality. Everyone likes Jade Wisdom's tea! WIth good humour and respect for the Solars skill at martial arts, Jade Wisdom makes Savvy another cup.

Over this liquid breakfast, the three discuss Dakura some more. Scarred mentions that he believes the Dragon-Blood is third in line to the Scarlet Throne! But the others are... unconvinced.

The trio decide the best plan is to head to Dakura's mansion in Bastion to find a servant or slave willing to inform them of Dakura's whereabouts and habits. This agreed to they walk there over course of the morning.

They find Dakura's mansion, and quickly spot a servants entrance. Jade Wisdom is tasked with keeping watch for a likely servant. The Solar and Lunar realise they aren't exactly well kept or clean. Blood spatters and more mysterious stains cover them both... they decide to bathe...

The two filthy Anathema find a nearby canal and wash some of the grit and grime away. The Solar uses a Charm to render himself effectively invisible and gets a cunning plan - since he is so clever and awesome and can make himself invisible, why doesn't he sneak into the mansion?!?!?! OMGWTFBBQ! And he has larceny-fu enough to break into any locked room!

He mentions this to Savvy and Jade Wisdom, who agree it's a much better plan to send in the spy to do some Spying. Even if he is drunk.

So, shortly thereafter,Scarred enters the mansion though the servants door. Sneaking unobserved like a breeze past the single guard. The high walls of the mansion hide a serene and secluded garden of cherry blossoms, hedge rows, pristine gravel paths and fountains. In the centre lies a grand, yet elegant house. He sneaks in, casually disregarding the finery in his search for Dakura, or information about him. He overhears two guards talking about the yacht being prepared for launch the next day, after 'stock' has been acquired. Upon gleaning this information the Solar uber-spy leaves as he entered and informs the patiently waiting Jadeborn and somewhat less patient Lunar.

The trio decide to go to the Nexus Pool. At Jade Wisdom's suggestion they travel by Canal Taxi, saving a lot of walking and time. He is so wise...

Upon arrival the scale of the problem becomes apparent as the frontage is miles long, and there are thousands of water craft docked and coming and going. A cunning plan is formulated. Jade Wisdom will impersonate a Dragon-Blood lord with slave girl Savvy and retainer Scarred. They will then travel to the Dockmaster and enquire as to the whereabouts of Dakura's yacht. Scarred uses his knowledge of the Dynasty to provide a plausible name, Cynis Kitaro. Jade Wisdom indentifies where the Dockmaster would be and leads his new 'retinue' there.

The Dockmaster's headquarters is crowded with people clamouring for attention and standing in queues to present their docking slips or pay their fees. Taking no heed of these lesser individuals, Cynis Kitaro strides past them all in his mighty Jade Power-Armour. The small bureaucratic man behind the counter attempts to charge a small fee, but is quickly cowed into giving directions and waiving the fee entirely. Cynis Kitaro then turns and strides out gesturing his retainers to follow.

The SHining Pearl is about a mile away. An easy walk through the stench and crowded piers. Stopping within sight of the yacht they see it is being loaded by lines of slaves. Cynis Kitaro walks up to the guards and informs them of his delivery to Peleps Dakura of one fine slave girl. The guards appear uncertain, but unwilling to argue they accept Savvy and take her into the holding cells within the yacht.

Cynis Kitaro and his retainer walk away from the docks a short distance, and discuss getting food. They eat at a nearby pub and then go to keep a stealthy watch over the yacht. Inside the boat, Savvy experiments with changing shape to escape her shackles and is relieved to find the shackles do not change size to keep her held.

Some hours pass.

Savvy gets bored, and impatient, and turns into a cat to explore the ship. Scarred is bored but refraining from drinking as he watches from his position on the next boat. Jade Wisdom is calm and observant from a position further away.

The Lunar-as-cat discovers a bedroom with old blood between the cracks in the floorboards - obviously Dakura's main pleasure-room. Then goes to hunt rats to pass the time. Making a sacred hunt of it to expand her library of forms.

Nightfall.

Jade Wisdom walks carefully to Scarred's position. A small discussion takes place about how best to get themselves aboard. Scarred reinforces his awesome Solar might by bragging about his stealthy prowess, and ability to just walk up the gangplank past the guards. Jade Wisdom is suitably impressed, but counters that that doesn't help getting him on board. Scarred agrees, and then skips down to the pier and up the gangplank anyway. Shrugging to himself, the jadeborn noble takes a giant leap onto the yacht, and stays stock still to avoid notice.

Jade and Scarred scout out the layout of the yacht, and find Savvy in the holding pen. Scarred uses his larceny-fu to open the lock and free her, before she leads them to a quiet, hidden place in the hold.

23rd Descending Wood

Dawn breaks...

The trio awake from their uncomfortable positions... ok, Savvy was a cat, thus quite comfy... to the sounds of a ruckus filtering through the decks. They assume this is due to the guards finally noticing Savvy is no longer in the pen. This ruckus dies down eventually and the yacht lurches and rolls under their feet.

Scarred discovers that lurching and rolling motions plus copious alcohol makes for a bad combination. Jade Wisdom innocently enquires why the Iron Wolf does not have some kind of perfect balance fu, so representative of his kind, and Solars in general. Scarred looks green in his direction.

Midday.

The trio discuss whether Savvy is rewuired to kill Dakura herself, or if any of them could do it to free her from the blood debt. They conclude that any of them could do it if needs be, but that the 'honour' should be Savvy's, and they will only step in if the young Lunar appears to be unable to carry the out the deed.

Scarred uses his stealth-fu to scout out where the Dragon Blood is located, and finds him in his pleasure-room with a slave girl. The trio sneaks up to the main deck...

Savvy leaps towards the door of the pleasure-room, changing into a deadly beastman of horse, lion, human, awesome and pure win as she does so. The door splinters under her hooved feet and glass from the windows shatters into glittering crescent moon shapes as it falls. Getting her Fury up, Savvy rushes towards Dakura with fangs bared and anima flaring. The Wood Aspected Dynast is surprised, but manages to avoid the savage bite. He twists and writhes away from the rampaging beastman to grab his Jade Powerbow. Two arrows embed themselves in Savvy's shoulder and chest as his anima explodes into life. A whirling cascade of thorns and vines tears at the furniture and is closing in on the chained slave-girl, who looks remarkably similar to Phinnae. Neigh-roaring in rage Savvy whips out her two war-fans and deftly cuts through the naked Dragon-Blood's defences, sending his head rolling to the floor, his face forever to remain in open surprise.

On the main deck outside the room, Guards race up and spot the not-quite-as-invisible-as-he-thought Solar, while Jade Wisdom remains still and unnoticed, keeping a watch over the two Exalts as they fight. Scarred smashes aside the first guard with his giant gourd while the other guards surround him.

Savvy calms down and changes back into human shape, the two arrows remain embedded and painful, but she rushes to the aid of the slave girl, trying to speak to her.

As the guards attack Scarred, he manages to roll, stagger, flip, punch, trip, bump and kick himself out of harms way. His castemark starts to shine forth in warning. The Jadeborn is fascinated by the Drunken Martial Arts style practised by the Solar, but seeing that the Scarred does not need his help, runs to assist Savvy.

Recognising the Anathema before them, the guards decide to flee! This is a wise move, but one unfortunate soul gets caught before he could jump into the river below.

Jade Wisdom applies some medical treatment to the slave-girl and then removes the arrows from Savvy. He congratulates her on fulfilling her debt and looks around the room for something with which to make a celebratory cup of tea...

Comments

• Added links to the first age exalts and linked other NPCs to my pages. - Bencyclopedia

Trying some organisational changes. If anyone has a better idea, I'd love to see it! :) Will leave the last couple of days in game time (or game sessions) up on this page and archive off the others on a rolling schedule (alternatively, one of you lot can do that too if you feel so inclined, just copy how I've done it. Each Archived day will usually be fairly short to read, has it's own comments section and should be easy to build off, but one thing I'm wary of is losing exactly what the party of misfits has learned. If it's archived away who's to say what day they learned the specific bit of info you're looking for to recall... hm... wordy sentences for the win tonight! Maybe each date should have a reminder about that day? So like: 16th Descending Wood - Nexus, quartet met, alley thugs, Taros intro. - nikink