JesseLowe/PirateMonkeySession63

Session 63: Title (Run January 21, 2007)

Raw Log

You say, "Any stuff to get out of the way before we get started?" Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( I've got a notion about trait-based bonus experience... give out XP instead of BP, just for that purpose. ) think I'd rather not mix the two. The GM . o O ( I'd rather not mix the two. ) Monkey . o O ( I'd rather not bother with trait-based anything. ) Monkey . o O ( By the way, do charms need to be bought with bp still? ) Monkey . o O ( Or are they free with training time? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( OK. It also occurs to me that if Ahlat shows up for a fight, that might mean the Admiral's conviction flaw for his perfect defense would come into play. ) think Free with training time, as long as they _have_ training times The GM . o O ( Free with training time, as long as they _have_ training times ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( I'd imagine that they'd still cost BP, as they're more exotic and harder to learn than skills. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Or not! And not that we get much training time... ) think Hence the change. The GM . o O ( Hence the change. ) Monkey . o O ( Jesse, I think you might want to see whether we have enough training time first before deciding on free raises if you have IC training time. ) think Based on the last game? Kaizoku will drive things as hard as possible. The GM . o O ( Based on the last game? Kaizoku will drive things as hard as possible. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Well, maybe a little less hard now. ) Monkey . o O ( See. :) ) think And it works! Aha! The GM . o O ( And it works! Aha! ) think Anything else? If not, I'm going to put my coffee on and we can get started. The GM . o O ( Anything else? If not, I'm going to put my coffee on and we can get started. ) Monkey . o O ( And already I can figure out ways to exploit that, and while I might feel guilty, I'm sure I'll get over it. :) ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Nope, I think that's it. ) think okay. brb The GM . o O ( okay. brb ) Monkey . o O ( Hmmm, do you remember where we were supposed to go after Ahlat's temple? ) Monkey . o O ( the palace? ) think you went back and had a "discussion" at your quarters The GM . o O ( you went back and had a "discussion" at your quarters ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yes, a limit-provoking one. ) Monkey . o O ( Ah right. ) Monkey . o O ( Well, your move, Kaizoku. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( I think the hunt was supposed to be next, unless there's some fallout from Monkey's dalliance. ) Monkey . o O ( I don't think that word meant what you think it meant. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( With that young dynast? ) Monkey . o O ( Nothing happened! At least not the kind of thing that that word imply. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( 1. Frivolous spending of time; dawdling. 2. Playful flirtation. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( That fits the bill for both 1 and 2! ) @emit The hunt sets out the next day, under the rays of the Unconquered Sun from the East. The heat of the day is not yet upon the city of Kirighast. The hunt is a parade, leaving the east gate of the city. According to Lami, it will be three days before you reach the first hunting grounds - plenty of time for politicking. The hunt sets out the next day, under the rays of the Unconquered Sun from the East. The heat of the day is not yet upon the city of Kirighast. The hunt is a parade, leaving the east gate of the city. According to Lami, it will be three days before you reach the first hunting grounds - plenty of time for politicking. Monkey . o O ( Bah, the word meant what Monkey meant. ) Monkey . o O ( Your Lore 5 does not daunt me. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Monkey's next foe: The English language! ) Monkey . o O ( A completely alien language. Possibly the product of the Yozi. ) Monkey is looking for the Young Dynast, whose name he has forgotten. O, how fleeting is beauty. @emit You travel as more a loose mob than anything else. Elephants and yeddim-drawn wagons bear those who do not wish to walk or ride, as well as many supplies. The Leopard and his entourage ride at the forefront, preceded only by scouts, runners, and heralds. Scouts also fringe the caravan, looking more for sign of good prey than attackers. You, as well, are near the front of the caravan, opposite the Dynastic party. It appears that Guild factor Hiala has been asked to stay between you, and a pair of massive Guild wagons divide you from the Dragon-Blooded. You travel as more a loose mob than anything else. Elephants and yeddim-drawn wagons bear those who do not wish to walk or ride, as well as many supplies. The Leopard and his entourage ride at the forefront, preceded only by scouts, runners, and heralds. Scouts also fringe the caravan, looking more for sign of good prey than attackers. You, as well, are near the front of the caravan, opposite the Dynastic party. It appears that Guild factor Hiala has been asked to stay between you, and a pair of massive Guild wagons divide you from the Dragon-Blooded. @emit Behind you are the Drums and hunters, lesser nobles and rich merchants, and other minor dignitaries -- including the Varangian ambassador. At the tail of the caravan are the slaves and servants who keep the whole thing working. Surrounding all this rear part of the caravan is a contingent of the Royal Guard, the proud Brides of Ahlat resplendent and deadly with their gleaming dark skin and bright spears. Mingled throughout the caravan are the tribal warriors, retainers and relatives of the Drums and merchants. It is by now clear to you: Any native of Harborhead who does not bear a weapon is a slave. This is a nation devoted to war. Monkey . o O ( Well? ) Behind you are the Drums and hunters, lesser nobles and rich merchants, and other minor dignitaries -- including the Varangian ambassador. At the tail of the caravan are the slaves and servants who keep the whole thing working. Surrounding all this rear part of the caravan is a contingent of the Royal Guard, the proud Brides of Ahlat resplendent and deadly with their gleaming dark skin and bright spears. Mingled throughout the caravan are the tribal warriors, retainers and relatives of the Drums and merchants. It is by now clear to you: Any native of Harborhead who does not bear a weapon is a slave. This is a nation devoted to war. think and your poses... The GM . o O ( and your poses... ) Monkey makes a rough count of the number of people in the caravan and a wild estimate of how many slaves are there. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( What were we issued for transport, if anything? ) Monkey . o O ( And I'll leave the actual politicking to Kaizoku. ) Monkey . o O ( Camels. ) think Transport is whatever you feel most comfortable with. Camels are an option, but it's not really camel country. The GM . o O ( Transport is whatever you feel most comfortable with. Camels are an option, but it's not really camel country. ) Monkey walks. think As for numbers, it's the size of a decent guild caravan -- easily a couple thousand people, of whom about a third are slaves. The GM . o O ( As for numbers, it's the size of a decent guild caravan -- easily a couple thousand people, of whom about a third are slaves. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( A couple of pack horses and a mule for the cabin girl. 3 of the troops and one cabin girl are along, the other two and Norio keeping their ears out in the city. ) By the end of the hour, Monkey is bored and tries to join the scouting party. Monkey . o O ( What language does Harborhead use? ) Admiral Kaizoku walks up towards the head of the caravan, his stride impressively fast. He peers ahead and then drops back by the Seat. "An impressive beginning" he calls up to the ruler. think a dialect of Flametongue The GM . o O ( a dialect of Flametongue ) Monkey starts by learning all the swear-words and teaching some of the more amusing ones in Seatongue. think naturally The GM . o O ( naturally ) think posing for the seat The GM . o O ( posing for the seat ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Need to invent a Common Tongue and spread it via the sword. ) Monkey . o O ( That's Low Realm. There's also Rivertongue being spread via silver. ) @emit The Leopard looks down from his litter. "Yes! It is my first great hunt as the Leopard Seat." He lowers his voice a bit. "I must impress the common people with my position, of course. They love a spectacle. As do I!" He tells the bearers to stop. "Ride with me a while, Admiral, and tell of the great beasts you have seen upon the sea." The Leopard looks down from his litter. "Yes! It is my first great hunt as the Leopard Seat." He lowers his voice a bit. "I must impress the common people with my position, of course. They love a spectacle. As do I!" He tells the bearers to stop. "Ride with me a while, Admiral, and tell of the great beasts you have seen upon the sea." think and a quick interstitial pose for Monkey The GM . o O ( and a quick interstitial pose for Monkey ) Admiral Kaizoku leaps up onto the litter with no apparent effort. "As you wish" he says pleasantly, detailing that early encounter with a river dragon, fighting a siaka from within and a savage battle with a giant squid. @emit Monkey hits it off with most of the scouts immediately. They are Totikari, they tell him, lean and tall and athletic, loping alongside the caravan like the dolphins pursuing a ship at sea. Several speak Low Realm and High Realm well enough, and soon they're swapping tales with Monkey of monsters and battles, talking about the wonders of the savannah to the south, and debating which soft Izhalvi kraal might feel the sting of Totikari raiders. Monkey hits it off with most of the scouts immediately. They are Totikari, they tell him, lean and tall and athletic, loping alongside the caravan like the dolphins pursuing a ship at sea. Several speak Low Realm and High Realm well enough, and soon they're swapping tales with Monkey of monsters and battles, talking about the wonders of the savannah to the south, and debating which soft Izhalvi kraal might feel the sting of Totikari raiders. think and another pose for the Admiral... The GM . o O ( and another pose for the Admiral... ) think or both, really... we're just doing some quick color here. The GM . o O ( or both, really... we're just doing some quick color here. ) Monkey says, "Bah, I don't think I'll even need a weapon to beat those kraal into submission, and then Izhalvi would be a - no, no, you have to trill the r a bit longer." @emit The day passes thus, Monkey among the scouts and mingling with the lowly while Kaizoku entertains the mighty with his presence and tales. He's unable to visit with Hiala, who is indisposed according to her secretary, and does not - yet - venture to talk further with the Dynasts. The caravan stops only once, resting in the heat of the day near an Izhalvi village where the elders come and pay tribute to the Leopard Seat. He resolves a few disputes, recruits a few warriors, and acts every bit the mighty ruler. Come nightfall, the hunt settles down for the night in a valley. The night passes peacefully enough, with little mingling. Even experienced travelers are a little wearied, but it is only the first day of the hunt. The day passes thus, Monkey among the scouts and mingling with the lowly while Kaizoku entertains the mighty with his presence and tales. He's unable to visit with Hiala, who is indisposed according to her secretary, and does not - yet - venture to talk further with the Dynasts. The caravan stops only once, resting in the heat of the day near an Izhalvi village where the elders come and pay tribute to the Leopard Seat. He resolves a few disputes, recruits a few warriors, and acts every bit the mighty ruler. Come nightfall, the hunt settles down for the night in a valley. The night passes peacefully enough, with little mingling. Even experienced travelers are a little wearied, but it is only the first day of the hunt. think Any politicking or color scenes you want to do, or shall we cut straight to the first hunt? The GM . o O ( Any politicking or color scenes you want to do, or shall we cut straight to the first hunt? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Nah, it's too early. People will be more relaxed later on, and more impressed by the results of the hunt when they come about. ) think okay, posing The GM . o O ( okay, posing ) Monkey . o O ( Laundry. Be right back. ) Monkey . o O ( back ) think gotta take care of some cat issues. It'll be a minute, so go ahead and post some color scenery if you like. The GM . o O ( gotta take care of some cat issues. It'll be a minute, so go ahead and post some color scenery if you like. ) Admiral Kaizoku takes in the vast landscape in front of the tent as the sun sets. "It has been some time since we have been this far inland, has it not Monkey?" he muses. Monkey says, "Indeed." Monkey says, "I believe the last time was back in Blessed Island." Monkey says, "Was it five years ago?" Monkey says, "Or do you think our trip to the South was even farther from shore?" think argh. kitty keeps walking in front of the monitor. The GM . o O ( argh. kitty keeps walking in front of the monitor. ) Admiral Kaizoku hmmms. "Great Forks was quite a distance, though we did have a ship for much of the trip. Suda's yacht." Monkey . o O ( Kitty is establishing the important things in the world. Of which, the list goes as follow. 1. Kitty. 2. Pay attention to kitty. 3. Kitty. ) Monkey says, "It might not count, the trips we make by following a river." Admiral Kaizoku says, "We were far from the ocean, at least." @emit The second day of travel is more of the same. The third, though... By now you have left the more densely populated areas near Kirighast and are, in fact, approaching a low range of hills. It is hear that you are to hunt a pride of abacasteri, carrion-eaters in the form of golden lions. The mortals are wary -- there is a small shadowland in these hills. The second day of travel is more of the same. The third, though... By now you have left the more densely populated areas near Kirighast and are, in fact, approaching a low range of hills. It is hear that you are to hunt a pride of abacasteri, carrion-eaters in the form of golden lions. The mortals are wary -- there is a small shadowland in these hills. think Well, problem partly solved -- I was able to raise the monitor about 8 inches. The GM . o O ( Well, problem partly solved -- I was able to raise the monitor about 8 inches. ) think now if she'll just stop batting at my fingers as I type... The GM . o O ( now if she'll just stop batting at my fingers as I type... ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Get a lunchbag to distract her? ) think ... hmmm.. a moment, please. The GM . o O ( ... hmmm.. a moment, please. ) Admiral Kaizoku is even more wary at that news. "Be on guard. Anything could come out of there Monkey..." Monkey says, "Never fear! I'm always most alert!" think yay! It works! for now... The GM . o O ( yay! It works! for now... ) Monkey . o O ( Anti-kitty guerilla tactics. ) think Posing The GM . o O ( Posing ) @emit It is just after noon when the caravan sets up the base camp for the abacasteri hunt. This involves a lot of work, and to entertain the nobles, one of the chief guides (a Totikari woman named Zebra's Swiftness) suggests that those who wish to may accompany her scouts into the hills. She implies that those who are particularly alert and swift may bag an abacasteri before the official day of hunting tomorrow -- and therefore bragging rights. Cathak Boruta is among the first to step forward. It is just after noon when the caravan sets up the base camp for the abacasteri hunt. This involves a lot of work, and to entertain the nobles, one of the chief guides (a Totikari woman named Zebra's Swiftness) suggests that those who wish to may accompany her scouts into the hills. She implies that those who are particularly alert and swift may bag an abacasteri before the official day of hunting tomorrow -- and therefore bragging rights. Cathak Boruta is among the first to step forward. Monkey steps forward too. Admiral Kaizoku is also among the first. Monkey looks at the many men trying to gain glory and says, "This is too many. The game will hear us coming from leagues away, and knowing they are no match for real warriors, would've fled far and wide." Admiral Kaizoku says "Many lower creatures do not recognize the approach of the superior predator." He glances towards Catak Boruta. @emit Zebra's Swiftness happens to be standing nearby, and she says, "The abacasteri are cunning, and will not willingly abandon a shadowland. They eat the dead, and they'll not leave such a rich source of food. Still, we shall split into smaller groups. My scouts need to spread out to find the prides in the first place. We should stalk in small groups -- no larger than five hunters apiece." Zebra's Swiftness happens to be standing nearby, and she says, "The abacasteri are cunning, and will not willingly abandon a shadowland. They eat the dead, and they'll not leave such a rich source of food. Still, we shall split into smaller groups. My scouts need to spread out to find the prides in the first place. We should stalk in small groups -- no larger than five hunters apiece." @emit Boruta does not appear to have caught the Admiral's insinuation. "Admiral," he says, "May we speak a moment, in private?" He gestures toward an empty space of ground some thirty feet away. Boruta does not appear to have caught the Admiral's insinuation. "Admiral," he says, "May we speak a moment, in private?" He gestures toward an empty space of ground some thirty feet away. Monkey says, "How shall we divide ourselves? Shall we draw lots?" Admiral Kaizoku 's eyebrow lifts curiously. He holds up a hand to Monkey and heads for that empty spot. Monkey . o O ( Ahem. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Maybe the bag wore off ) Monkey . o O ( Curse that Evil Feline Mastermind. ) @emit Boruta follows a pace behind. As you arrive at the spot, he holds up a small jewel of crystal and white jade. He stares at it a moment, and it begins to glow. You hear the sounds of the caravan and the scouts grow muffled, as if you were hearing them through thick walls. "This will keep our speech private," he explains. "So. Why would you destroy the Realm?" Boruta follows a pace behind. As you arrive at the spot, he holds up a small jewel of crystal and white jade. He stares at it a moment, and it begins to glow. You hear the sounds of the caravan and the scouts grow muffled, as if you were hearing them through thick walls. "This will keep our speech private," he explains. "So. Why would you destroy the Realm?" think not yet. she's still pretty distracted. The GM . o O ( not yet. she's still pretty distracted. ) Monkey . o O ( "I do not intend the destroy the Realm. I simply wish to sweep away her corrupt leadership and replace it with an enlightened rulership." ) Monkey . o O ( Monkey's answer were he asked the same question, "I didn't mean to!" ) Admiral Kaizoku opens with "Because the Realm is destroying itself. You are no faith-blinded Immaculate... you can see the remains of wonders of the First Age. It is clear who created them and how they have decayed since, how Creation itself has continued to shrink, and is beset by ever more powerful enemies. The Realm was nothing more than the toy of the Empress, and with her gone..." He shakes his head. "I would replace the Blessed Realm with a new Solar Deliberative, one that avoids the mistakes of the past." Monkey . o O ( And we'll start by massacring the Dragon Blooded, so they may never rise against us again! ) think man, social combat does take longer... you have to think a lot harder about responses. The GM . o O ( man, social combat does take longer... you have to think a lot harder about responses. ) Monkey . o O ( (Cue evil maddened solar laugh) ) Monkey . o O ( Roll dice first, then shape answer equivalent to result. ) Monkey . o O ( Or heck, roll dice and just say the general result. You are not a scheming centuries-old essence-boosted mastermind, Jesse. We'll forgive you. ) @emit Boruta says, "How many Ana- How many Solars have you met, Admiral? How many are reasonable, accommodating people willing to compromise their own interests for the greater good?" Boruta says, "How many Ana- How many Solars have you met, Admiral? How many are reasonable, accommodating people willing to compromise their own interests for the greater good?" think man, I can _never_ spell "accommodating" right on the first try. The GM . o O ( man, I can _never_ spell "accommodating" right on the first try. ) think and now kitty is sharpening her claws on my bicycle tire. The GM . o O ( and now kitty is sharpening her claws on my bicycle tire. ) Monkey . o O ( You've met 3 in the story. Monkey, Selin, and whoever BrianH's character was. ) think plus that Night caste The GM . o O ( plus that Night caste ) Monkey . o O ( 4 then. ) think you know -- the one married to an _abyssal_. The GM . o O ( you know -- the one married to an _abyssal_. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Hey, he didn't marry her for fetish reasons, but true love! ) Monkey . o O ( Peleps Leden ) think Or -- perhaps! -- to blathe! Which, as everyone knows, means to bluff! The GM . o O ( Or -- perhaps! -- to blathe! Which, as everyone knows, means to bluff! ) think brb The GM . o O ( brb ) Monkey . o O ( Yeah, now if he were a Cynis, we'd be suspecting something. ) Admiral Kaizoku says "A point. How many Dynasts have you met who treat ordinary mortals as worthy compatriots instead of scum to be scraped off one's boot? The Realm's Dragon-Blooded have insured that the Solars will have to tread lightly... they have generations of fear and hatred to overcome." Meanwhile, Monkey helps setting the lots up and drew the first one. "Red!" he proclaims. "I'm going with the Red group!" think back and posing. But first... how much of Creation's real history does Kaizoku know, especially concerning the Usurpation? The GM . o O ( back and posing. But first... how much of Creation's real history does Kaizoku know, especially concerning the Usurpation? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( That's a good question... he knows that he did bad things back then, which is why he wants to do better this time. ) think Does he know of Sidereal involvement? The GM . o O ( Does he know of Sidereal involvement? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( No, that's not come up. ) think Bear in mind that unless Boruta is unusually erudite, connected, and concerned with history, he believes the standard Realm history -- that the Solar period was one of tyranny and cruelty, and they were finally overthrown by the righteous Dragon-Blooded. The GM . o O ( Bear in mind that unless Boruta is unusually erudite, connected, and concerned with history, he believes the standard Realm history -- that the Solar period was one of tyranny and cruelty, and they were finally overthrown by the righteous Dragon-Blooded. ) Monkey . o O ( Monkey doesn't know either. ) think okay, posing reply. The GM . o O ( okay, posing reply. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( The Admiral knows (and believes) that the Solar period was a golden age until the excesses of the end, and that things have just been downhill since the Ursupation. ) @emit Boruta says, "That is the way of the world... no mortal can match the power of the Princes of the Earth. They should pay us fealty, and in return we must protect them and rule them wisely. So to do the Exalted serve Heaven. We worship the Dragons and the Incarna, and in return they guide us and shield us from the horrors beyond Creation. Or so the Immaculates preach. I have killed a few too many horrors to put all my faith in Heaven." Boruta says, "That is the way of the world... no mortal can match the power of the Princes of the Earth. They should pay us fealty, and in return we must protect them and rule them wisely. So to do the Exalted serve Heaven. We worship the Dragons and the Incarna, and in return they guide us and shield us from the horrors beyond Creation. Or so the Immaculates preach. I have killed a few too many horrors to put all my faith in Heaven." think still posing The GM . o O ( still posing ) @emit Boruta continues, "The Realm without the Empress is tottering on the edge of destruction. This is true. But the Triumvirate has brought stability back to the Blessed Isle and purged the Realm of the corruption that the Empress's rule tolerated. If the Realm falls, who can stand against those horrors? You defeated the Deathlord in Thorns, I know. But what of the Silver Prince? The death-cults of the North? What of the armies of the Fair Folk, or the mad beast-lords of the Threshold? Who will protect the mortal herd from the lions of the Wyld, who will shepherd their souls from the whispered corruption of demons?" Boruta continues, "The Realm without the Empress is tottering on the edge of destruction. This is true. But the Triumvirate has brought stability back to the Blessed Isle and purged the Realm of the corruption that the Empress's rule tolerated. If the Realm falls, who can stand against those horrors? You defeated the Deathlord in Thorns, I know. But what of the Silver Prince? The death-cults of the North? What of the armies of the Fair Folk, or the mad beast-lords of the Threshold? Who will protect the mortal herd from the lions of the Wyld, who will shepherd their souls from the whispered corruption of demons?" Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( That it? ) think yep The GM . o O ( yep ) think btw -- let me know if you want to drop into social combat. Right now -- rhetorical though he may be -- he's just sounding you out. The GM . o O ( btw -- let me know if you want to drop into social combat. Right now -- rhetorical though he may be -- he's just sounding you out. ) Admiral Kaizoku asks "Who indeed? Who amongst the Realm can operate the Defense Grid to throw back the Fair Folk? Which of the Triumvirate shall do that and rule over the rest, and purge even more of the Great Houses? Which Dynasts go to confront the Silver Prince? He has declared war on the Solar Navy, and will be dealt with soon, along with his corrupt lackey Darktide." He is positively grim on that note. "I have seen too much inaction and folly on the part of the Blessed Isle to believe your people are capable of dealing with any of those threats... Or perhaps your greatest general has been sent to combat them?" A pointed reference to the Roseblack. @emit Boruta says, "So, two Anathema will take the place of ten thousand Dragon-Blooded?" Boruta says, "So, two Anathema will take the place of ten thousand Dragon-Blooded?" Monkey . o O ( Point out that the Empress is one. ) Admiral Kaizoku gives Boruta an unsettling grin. "Two that you have seen..." he says. "Any and all Dragon-Blooded are welcome to join my cause. I have have found them to be loyal and strong." @emit Boruta leans back on his heels. "So I have heard. That you command loyalty as swiftly and easily as a hunter commands his hounds. Is your Solar Deliberative one that will rule with the free assent of the people, or will you sway their hearts with power, as you have throughout the Threshold? Is that what you will do here?" Boruta leans back on his heels. "So I have heard. That you command loyalty as swiftly and easily as a hunter commands his hounds. Is your Solar Deliberative one that will rule with the free assent of the people, or will you sway their hearts with power, as you have throughout the Threshold? Is that what you will do here?" Monkey . o O ( Well? ) Admiral Kaizoku smirks slightly. "Had I the power to compel hearts and minds that you credit me with, would I not use it on you? Control your fellow dynasts and take hold of the Realm itself? All are welcome as part of the Deliberative and none are held against their will." Monkey . o O ( Hah! You just don't have the right charms yet and you would have no compunction using it when you do. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Shhh! ) Monkey . o O ( Not to mention you're worried he might be able to counter it somehow. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( The hammer of Excellency-boosted Presence rolls doesn't have an easy counter, I think. ) @emit Boruta raises his eyebrows. "Perhaps you have some shred of honor. Look at the hills." You do, and see nothing much, but he continues, looking as well. "Long have I served the Realm, and in my youth it was here. I grew to love Harborhead, and I would not see it destroyed, ground between the might of the Realm and your own power." Boruta raises his eyebrows. "Perhaps you have some shred of honor. Look at the hills." You do, and see nothing much, but he continues, looking as well. "Long have I served the Realm, and in my youth it was here. I grew to love Harborhead, and I would not see it destroyed, ground between the might of the Realm and your own power." think still posing The GM . o O ( still posing ) @emit He looks back at you. "So I offer this arrangement. Harborhead is threatened by this... Ishadhi, this messiah from the south. Let us see who can protect the nation. Let that one claim the prize. This hunt will take us near the Ishadhi's territory -- it should be a small matter to persuade the Leopard to give us a free hand." He looks back at you. "So I offer this arrangement. Harborhead is threatened by this... Ishadhi, this messiah from the south. Let us see who can protect the nation. Let that one claim the prize. This hunt will take us near the Ishadhi's territory -- it should be a small matter to persuade the Leopard to give us a free hand." Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Oh oh... The Ishadi's going to end up being a good person. ) think done posing The GM . o O ( done posing ) Monkey . o O ( Then we kill the Leopard Seat and hand over the control to the Ishadi. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Sure, but we'd look bad. Oh, well. ) Monkey . o O ( Harborhead gets a good person as ruler, we get an ally. ) Monkey . o O ( You are anathema. You look bad. ) Admiral Kaizoku hmmms and rubs his chin. "A worthy and sensible offer. So be it" he says, extending his hand. @emit Boruta shakes it. "May Heaven choose wisely," he says. The glow in the crystal fades and the sound of the world returns. Boruta shakes it. "May Heaven choose wisely," he says. The glow in the crystal fades and the sound of the world returns. Admiral Kaizoku chooses not to invoke the Sun now, knowing that he is looking down on them in any case. He nods once and parts, returning to Monkey and the developing parties. think and now, hunting! The GM . o O ( and now, hunting! ) Monkey looks at Kaizoku and waves, "Kaizoku, I'm afraid the Red group is already assembled, but here, draw your lot." Monkey says, "You too, ummm, Dynast." Admiral Kaizoku draws a lot with some amusement. @emit The scouts and eager hunters have divided into fully eleven groups, ranging from two to five persons each. Most of the hunters are Dragon-blooded, Dynasts or Outcastes, but you see two who might be god-blooded. And, of course, there are you two. The scouts and eager hunters have divided into fully eleven groups, ranging from two to five persons each. Most of the hunters are Dragon-blooded, Dynasts or Outcastes, but you see two who might be god-blooded. And, of course, there are you two. think Kitty, why must you sit on my mouse? The GM . o O ( Kitty, why must you sit on my mouse? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Natural prey? ) think I guess. Do you two want to split up or stay in the same group? The GM . o O ( I guess. Do you two want to split up or stay in the same group? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Stay together. Never split the party. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( BTW, what is an abacasteri exactly? ) Monkey . o O ( Fantastic creature. Nuff said. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Well, if it's the size of a horse, it's one thing, size of a house, it's another. ) Monkey . o O ( I recommend that Kaizoku actually sits this out. ) Monkey . o O ( That is, observe, and comment, but don't participate. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( His Survival tops Monkey's! ) Monkey . o O ( Yes, but you are the head of Great Thorn. I don't see the Leopard Seat getting down and dirty. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( He's not an Exalted. Boruta's in on the action. ) Monkey . o O ( Boruta is not the head of a nation. ) think It's a big golden lion -- literally, made of gold -- that eats carrion. They're some variation of Wyld-spawned creatures that tend to haunt the margins of shadowlands, since they can also eat ghosts. They're good for keeping down the hungry ghost population, too. The tricky bit is that when you kill them, they turn to dust, so if you want the body as a trophy (800+ pounds of gold! Yes, please!), you need to bleed it to death so it stays solid. The GM . o O ( It's a big golden lion -- literally, made of gold -- that eats carrion. They're some variation of Wyld-spawned creatures that tend to haunt the margins of shadowlands, since they can also eat ghosts. They're good for keeping down the hungry ghost population, too. The tricky bit is that when you kill them, they turn to dust, so if you want the body as a trophy (800+ pounds of gold! Yes, please!), you need to bleed it to death so it stays solid. ) think Remember, this isn't the "official" hunt -- this is like a sneak preview. The official hunt, which the Leopard will preside over, is tomorrow. The GM . o O ( Remember, this isn't the "official" hunt -- this is like a sneak preview. The official hunt, which the Leopard will preside over, is tomorrow. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Hmm, good point there. OK, Monkey's show. ) Admiral Kaizoku hands over the silver spear to Monkey. Monkey looks puzzled as he accepts the spear. "What's this for?" Admiral Kaizoku explains about how abacasteri turn to dust and need to be bled out. Monkey says, "Oh." Monkey says, "But would a knife be better?" Monkey says, "If you want to bleed someone, I find knives are better than a spear." Admiral Kaizoku says "Having it and not using it will look more impressive to the other hunters Monkey." Monkey ohs in understanding. @emit Your two guides are Zebra's Swiftness and another Totikari, a very tall, laconic man. Zebra's Swiftness says, "Should we encounter an abacasteri, both of us are skilled in bleeding them out once you have struck the killing blow. If you like, I will teach you the method." Your two guides are Zebra's Swiftness and another Totikari, a very tall, laconic man. Zebra's Swiftness says, "Should we encounter an abacasteri, both of us are skilled in bleeding them out once you have struck the killing blow. If you like, I will teach you the method." Monkey says, "Please do!" think And now kitty is trying to catch my status bar on the screen. The GM . o O ( And now kitty is trying to catch my status bar on the screen. ) think Flash forward to the action! Posing The GM . o O ( Flash forward to the action! Posing ) Monkey . o O ( What you don't realize is that kitty is actually an apprentice Virtual Adept. One of these days you'd see her paw dives into the screen and your status bar will really be gone. ) Monkey . o O ( And then both of you will be hit by Paradox. ) @emit By the time you set out into the hills, the sun is midway from zenith to the western Horizon, and the hills are casting shadows that nearly touch the caravan. Zebra's Swiftness says that it will be no problem if you must spend the night in the hills, so long as you are hardy warriors. She is familiar with this area and knows a few places to shelter -- but she expects it will be unnecessary in any case. Swiftly you move into the hills, soon losing sight of the caravan and the other hunters. By the time you set out into the hills, the sun is midway from zenith to the western Horizon, and the hills are casting shadows that nearly touch the caravan. Zebra's Swiftness says that it will be no problem if you must spend the night in the hills, so long as you are hardy warriors. She is familiar with this area and knows a few places to shelter -- but she expects it will be unnecessary in any case. Swiftly you move into the hills, soon losing sight of the caravan and the other hunters. @emit After perhaps two hours, Swiftness spies some tracks on a game trail. "Look... cattle have been through here recently. Odd." She looks around. "There are no villages near, that I know of..." She and the tall man confer briefly in some kind of sign language. "Let us follow their sign, noble princes... if there is a village nearby, they will have a graveyard, and there we may find the golden lions." You assent, and follow. After perhaps two hours, Swiftness spies some tracks on a game trail. "Look... cattle have been through here recently. Odd." She looks around. "There are no villages near, that I know of..." She and the tall man confer briefly in some kind of sign language. "Let us follow their sign, noble princes... if there is a village nearby, they will have a graveyard, and there we may find the golden lions." You assent, and follow. Monkey yawns. It's been hours, and nothing exciting has happened yet. @emit The trail soon grows obvious. A herd of cattle, though not a large one, has moved through here recently... the occasional dropping is still soft, and the tall, dry grass is crushed in a path twenty feet wide. The trail of the herd leads down a canyon, and Swiftness pauses at the mouth of it. "Cliff-dwellers?" she muses. "Perhaps they are not of the People." She shrugs and hefts her spear. "Be wary of ambush." She leads on, and the tall man takes up the rear, keeping a wary eye on the cliffs. The trail soon grows obvious. A herd of cattle, though not a large one, has moved through here recently... the occasional dropping is still soft, and the tall, dry grass is crushed in a path twenty feet wide. The trail of the herd leads down a canyon, and Swiftness pauses at the mouth of it. "Cliff-dwellers?" she muses. "Perhaps they are not of the People." She shrugs and hefts her spear. "Be wary of ambush." She leads on, and the tall man takes up the rear, keeping a wary eye on the cliffs. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Any shadowland sign? ) think make Survival rolls The GM . o O ( make Survival rolls ) think sorry -- Survival + Perception The GM . o O ( sorry -- Survival + Perception ) Admiral Kaizoku rolled 7 dice on Surv+Per and got 3 successes. Monkey . o O ( Occult related? ) think no The GM . o O ( no ) Monkey rolled 4 dice on Per+Sur+tiara and got 2 successes. think This canyon isn't natural, not carved by water at least. You see surfaces that are far too straight or level. It's a made place, or it was once. The GM . o O ( This canyon isn't natural, not carved by water at least. You see surfaces that are far too straight or level. It's a made place, or it was once. ) think Oh, and no shadowland sign. yet. The GM . o O ( Oh, and no shadowland sign. yet. ) Admiral Kaizoku perks up at that realization. A made place of this size is likely from the First Age. Monkey . o O ( Shogunate. ) think Things cat is not allowed to do, #37: Clean self on owner's keyboard... while owner is trying to type. The GM . o O ( Things cat is not allowed to do, #37: Clean self on owner's keyboard... while owner is trying to type. ) Monkey . o O ( Playing Devil's Advocate. ) think He just sat down, rolled his butt under, and started licking down there. Dammit. The GM . o O ( He just sat down, rolled his butt under, and started licking down there. Dammit. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Shogunate wouldn't be doing some huge civic works program way out here. ) Monkey . o O ( This is a major road, for facilitating troop movement. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Get the cat her own keyboard? ) Monkey . o O ( Trade advantages are welcome too. ) think anyway, posing The GM . o O ( anyway, posing ) @emit About a mile down, the canyon opens into a shallow dish-like valley. The resemblance to an amphitheatre is striking, and in the center of the valley mills a small herd of cattle. Even from here, you can tell that they are magnificent beasts, and the effect on the two Totikari is striking. Abandoning caution, they run forward. About a mile down, the canyon opens into a shallow dish-like valley. The resemblance to an amphitheatre is striking, and in the center of the valley mills a small herd of cattle. Even from here, you can tell that they are magnificent beasts, and the effect on the two Totikari is striking. Abandoning caution, they run forward. think done posing The GM . o O ( done posing ) Admiral Kaizoku says in his booming command voice "Hold!" think roll Cha + Presence, difficulty 3. The GM . o O ( roll Cha + Presence, difficulty 3. ) Admiral Kaizoku rolled 9 dice on Cha+Pre and got 3 successes. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( ... ) think right on the money! The GM . o O ( right on the money! ) @emit Swiftness and the tall man pull up suddenly and look back at the Admiral. "What is it? Do you see something?" she shouts. They're about halfway between you and the herd, maybe forty yards away. Swiftness and the tall man pull up suddenly and look back at the Admiral. "What is it? Do you see something?" she shouts. They're about halfway between you and the herd, maybe forty yards away. Admiral Kaizoku says "This is not a normal tract of land! Why would such a vast wealth of cattle be left unguarded?" Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( DO we see anything unusual? ) think Roll Perception + Occult The GM . o O ( Roll Perception + Occult ) Admiral Kaizoku rolled 9 dice on Per+Occ and got 6 successes. Monkey rolled 6 dice on Per+occ+tiara and got 4 successes. think To your exalted eyes, the cattle have the distinct look of creatures touched by the divine. The GM . o O ( To your exalted eyes, the cattle have the distinct look of creatures touched by the divine. ) Monkey says, "Ah. Are we supposed to take those cattle then? Wouldn't it slow us down on our hunt?" Monkey says, "Swiftness, what is your counsel?" Admiral Kaizoku says "These are someone else's cattle Monkey..." He looks skyward. @emit Swiftness says, "There are one hundred of them -- clearly a hecatomb for Ahlat! We should take them and sacrifice them to his glory." Swiftness says, "There are one hundred of them -- clearly a hecatomb for Ahlat! We should take them and sacrifice them to his glory." Monkey says, "But we would've failed in finding the whatchamacallittorii thing." think roll perception The GM . o O ( roll perception ) think no occult bonus The GM . o O ( no occult bonus ) Admiral Kaizoku rolled 4 dice on Per and got 3 successes. TonyC whispers, "Spending wp" Monkey rolled 3 dice on Per and got 2 successes. TonyC whispers, "total 3 successes." think Actually, there are 101 cattle. The GM . o O ( Actually, there are 101 cattle. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Is that inauspicious? ) Admiral Kaizoku says "Count again... there are one hundred and one, not so clearly a hecatomb for Ahlat!" @emit The herd parts around a huge bull. Its horns are easily six, maybe eight feet from tip to tip, and you'd put its weight at well over a ton. It begins walking toward you, then trotting, then a full charge. You can feel its hoofbeats through the ground like the thunder of a cavalry charge. Swiftness and the tall man dive out of its path and tumble into the grass. The herd parts around a huge bull. Its horns are easily six, maybe eight feet from tip to tip, and you'd put its weight at well over a ton. It begins walking toward you, then trotting, then a full charge. You can feel its hoofbeats through the ground like the thunder of a cavalry charge. Swiftness and the tall man dive out of its path and tumble into the grass. think defenses? The GM . o O ( defenses? ) Monkey . o O ( Dodge. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Dodge DV 7 ) Monkey . o O ( same. ) Monkey says, "Uh oh! Scatter!" Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( What? Shouldn't yours be higher? ) Admiral Kaizoku narrows his eyes, then lets his focus go loose, jumping out of the way of the charging bull. Monkey looks left and right and not seeing a good cover, decides to jump over the charging bull. Monkey . o O ( How so? A maxed out Dodge looks pretty much like a maxed out Dodge and will be the same for every Exalt until actual charms come to play. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( I only have dodge 1 though! ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( And a lower Dex! ) Monkey . o O ( You have an artifact bracer good for +3. ) Monkey . o O ( I might be wrong though. It rounds up, right? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Exalts always round up, as they're cool, yes. ) Monkey . o O ( Err, wrong about my character sheet. ) Monkey . o O ( Dodge 5, Dex 5, Essence 5. Yeah, should be 8. ) @emit You easily dodge the great bull's horns. It wheels around in a cloud of dust behind you, rears up, bellows... and _changes_. The dust rises around it in a whirlwind and through the cloud you see the bull transform into a man twice Kaizoku's height, with the head of a bull, wielding a great spear and clad in a tasseled cloak of crimson: Ahlat, the Southern God of War and Cattle. You easily dodge the great bull's horns. It wheels around in a cloud of dust behind you, rears up, bellows... and _changes_. The dust rises around it in a whirlwind and through the cloud you see the bull transform into a man twice Kaizoku's height, with the head of a bull, wielding a great spear and clad in a tasseled cloak of crimson: Ahlat, the Southern God of War and Cattle. Monkey claps his hands and exclaims, "Finally! The Great One himself." Monkey bows, "We have not been properly introduced. I'm called Monkey. And err, you are Ahlat himself, correct?" Admiral Kaizoku shows a bit more restraint. "Greetings to the God of War and Cattle" he says somewhat coolly. @emit The god strides out of the dust, ground shaking at his tread. "You have scorned me, child of the Dawn. Even one such as you must answer for this insult. Defend yourself, calf!" He lunges forward, striking at Monkey with his great spear. The god strides out of the dust, ground shaking at his tread. "You have scorned me, child of the Dawn. Even one such as you must answer for this insult. Defend yourself, calf!" He lunges forward, striking at Monkey with his great spear. think aaaand Join Battle rolls. The GM . o O ( aaaand Join Battle rolls. ) Monkey . o O ( One moment. ) xl 13 You rolled 13 dice on something and got 7 successes. Admiral Kaizoku rolled 3 dice on Join Battle and got 2 successes. Monkey rolled 10 dice on Join battle and got 3 successes. think dude, you do _not_ have only 3 dice for that. Seriously? The GM . o O ( dude, you do _not_ have only 3 dice for that. Seriously? ) Monkey . o O ( I'm using FLB as part of my Join Battle action. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Wits + Awareness... and no Awareness. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Now things are totally reversed. Monkey will likely go first most of the time. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Also, call the blade for a fast-draw for me. ) think okay, setting up the init chart. one moment. The GM . o O ( okay, setting up the init chart. one moment. ) Monkey . o O ( Draw a circle. ) Monkey . o O ( Do the battle-wheel. ) think Got some pre-printed stuff I set up, actually. The GM . o O ( Got some pre-printed stuff I set up, actually. ) Monkey . o O ( You know, I have some suspicion that whoever created Ahlat was just thinking of Battle Cattle. ) think just needed to put your names on it &c. Anyway. Ahlat acts on Tick 1, Monkey's first action is on Tick 4, and Kaizoku's is on Tick 5. And if it needs to be said, Zebra's Swiftness and the tall man are staying _the hell_ out of this one. The GM . o O ( just needed to put your names on it &c. Anyway. Ahlat acts on Tick 1, Monkey's first action is on Tick 4, and Kaizoku's is on Tick 5. And if it needs to be said, Zebra's Swiftness and the tall man are staying _the hell_ out of this one. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Saves the trouble of having to warn them off. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( I rue that we didn't work out any combination attacks... ) think any mortal who wanted to get involved in a fight between two solars and the god of war would have to be suicidal anyway... The GM . o O ( any mortal who wanted to get involved in a fight between two solars and the god of war would have to be suicidal anyway... ) Monkey . o O ( Some of them may have abyssal leanings. Who'd know? ) Monkey . o O ( But may I ask how many dice is he going to attack me with? ) think indeed you may! I just posed it, so... he has 24 dice here. The GM . o O ( indeed you may! I just posed it, so... he has 24 dice here. ) think defenses? The GM . o O ( defenses? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Parry 8 if he's flurrying. ) Monkey . o O ( Stunting. ) Monkey says, "Wait, what is this. You lay in ambush, attack an unarmed and unarmored man, and on top of that, you claimed to be insulted? Bah, and what about my grievances? Will you not take umbrage had I sent my lieutenant to pray to you rather than do it myself?"" Monkey twists to the side as he speaks, his anima banner flaring into full view. think 2 stunt dice The GM . o O ( 2 stunt dice ) think he'll respond after we resolve the attack The GM . o O ( he'll respond after we resolve the attack ) Monkey . o O ( Dodge Essence Flow + Second Dodge Excellency. 10 motes, peripheral. ) Monkey . o O ( 8+5+uh, if the Dawn anima banner affects Ahlat, 2. ) Monkey rolled 2 dice on stunt and got no successes but no botches either. Monkey . o O ( Dawn anima banner: if attacking enemy's Valor is less or equal Dawn's Essence and enemy can be affected by fear, then Dawn gains +2 DV. ) Monkey . o O ( So Dodge is either 13 or 15. ) Monkey . o O ( Dawn anima is page 92. ) think he's unaffected by the anima banner. The GM . o O ( he's unaffected by the anima banner. ) Monkey . o O ( 13 then. ) think and, if I'm reading this correctly, you don't roll the stunt dice for DV -- they're just added to it, so you get +2 DV from the stunt. The GM . o O ( and, if I'm reading this correctly, you don't roll the stunt dice for DV -- they're just added to it, so you get +2 DV from the stunt. ) Monkey . o O ( The book is in error. ) think Oh? The GM . o O ( Oh? ) Monkey . o O ( If you read further, you'll find a passage saying you roll stunt for DV. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( It contradicts itself explicitly on that issue. ) think Okay. The GM . o O ( Okay. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Your choice, though less rolling is faster. ) Monkey . o O ( People who have worked on the rulebook says that stunt probably ought to be rolled. ) think rolling, then. The GM . o O ( rolling, then. ) xl 24 Ahlat's attack You rolled 24 dice on Ahlat's attack and got 17 successes. Monkey . o O ( Got nothing to stop it. ) think succeeds by 14. Raw damage is 40L. Soak? The GM . o O ( succeeds by 14. Raw damage is 40L. Soak? ) Monkey . o O ( 3. ) think Wow. Good thing we've got that "no one-shot kills" rule. The GM . o O ( Wow. Good thing we've got that "no one-shot kills" rule. ) Monkey . o O ( Nope. mistake. 2. ) xl 38 spearthrust You rolled 38 dice on spearthrust and got 17 successes. think Counterattack? The GM . o O ( Counterattack? ) Monkey . o O ( This Ahlat behaves very much not like I pictured. ) Monkey . o O ( None. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Wait, if you used Essence Flow, don't you have a charm use available? ) Monkey . o O ( Flow Like Blood. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Ah. ) think okay, that knocks you right down to Incapacitated. I'll pose. The GM . o O ( okay, that knocks you right down to Incapacitated. I'll pose. ) think dammit, witty prose is difficult. The GM . o O ( dammit, witty prose is difficult. ) think still posing. The GM . o O ( still posing. ) Monkey . o O ( Jesse, I was expecting a formal duel rather than an ambush. If this is how Ahlat's supposed to act, that's fine, but this pretty much guarantees an escalation. ) Monkey . o O ( David, how does the idea of replacing the Southern God of War with someone more tractable sounds to you? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Kind of moot, but how'd he succeed by 17 vs. Monkey's DV of 13? ) @emit Despite Monkey's essence-driven acrobatic's, the spear catches him in the side and pins him to the ground, driven through his chest. Though he cannot move, he can still hear, and see the hot blue sky above. Ahlat leans over him and says, "Young lion, you have great potential -- but you are not yet my peer. This is my first lesson to you: The warrior who overextends his spear perishes ignobly." Despite Monkey's essence-driven acrobatic's, the spear catches him in the side and pins him to the ground, driven through his chest. Though he cannot move, he can still hear, and see the hot blue sky above. Ahlat leans over him and says, "Young lion, you have great potential -- but you are not yet my peer. This is my first lesson to you: The warrior who overextends his spear perishes ignobly." Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( I'll bet there's a messiah around who'd take the job... ) Monkey . o O ( Weapon accuracy and scene-long charms, I expect. ) think huh. or the GM kinda screwed up the math. The GM . o O ( huh. or the GM kinda screwed up the math. )

looks around innocently.

The GM looks around innocently. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( I count 4 successes there... ) Monkey whispers softly as his vision fades, "Treachery, Ahlat, treachery." think poop. You want to let it stand, or should I re-roll damage? The GM . o O ( poop. You want to let it stand, or should I re-roll damage? ) Monkey . o O ( Depends on your plans for tonight. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Waiting on that before posing. ) Monkey . o O ( And seriously, being that Ahlat is the God of War and presumably knows the long term result of his action, you probably want to kill Monkey. ) think Well, I did expect the battle to take a bit longer, but not much. He's a total combat monster, understandably. Either way works for me. As for Ahlat -- he's the God of War, and you called him a coward in his chief temple. You pretty much sent things straight to the top. If he let it pass, he'd lose serious prestige in Heaven, and probably in Creation. On the other hand, you're a Dawn, one of the greatest warriors to walk Creation. He's going to look on you as an unruly child, someone to be disciplined, not destroyed. Not that Monkey will probably understand this... The GM . o O ( Well, I did expect the battle to take a bit longer, but not much. He's a total combat monster, understandably. Either way works for me. As for Ahlat -- he's the God of War, and you called him a coward in his chief temple. You pretty much sent things straight to the top. If he let it pass, he'd lose serious prestige in Heaven, and probably in Creation. On the other hand, you're a Dawn, one of the greatest warriors to walk Creation. He's going to look on you as an unruly child, someone to be disciplined, not destroyed. Not that Monkey will probably understand this... ) Monkey . o O ( Nope. The ambush pretty much means Monkey will take this badly. ) think as regards formal duel vs. ambush -- he's the god of war, not duels. Besides, he didn't hit you the first round... that's fair warning. The GM . o O ( as regards formal duel vs. ambush -- he's the god of war, not duels. Besides, he didn't hit you the first round... that's fair warning. ) think heh. too bad we can't have Monkey take over as Southern God of War. Suddenly, he has to fill out paperwork and survive audits! The GM . o O ( heh. too bad we can't have Monkey take over as Southern God of War. Suddenly, he has to fill out paperwork and survive audits! ) Monkey . o O ( That's like saying a honk before the 60 mph truck hits you is fair warning. :) ) think anyway: re-roll or not? The GM . o O ( anyway: re-roll or not? ) Monkey . o O ( Fine, fine. Go ahead and reroll it, although with 30 dice it's probably the same result. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Maybe it'll be one of my rolls! ) s You walk toward the wall as though you expected it to open for you. It doesn't. You stop before bruising your nose. n You walk toward the wall as though you expected it to open for you. It doesn't. You stop before bruising your nose. xl 28 spear thrust again You rolled 28 dice on spear thrust again and got 14 successes. think uncanny! Okay, so no change in the poses. The GM . o O ( uncanny! Okay, so no change in the poses. ) Monkey . o O ( See, still the same. ) Admiral Kaizoku think er, yes? Admiral Kaizoku... dances a jig? Pontificates? The GM . o O ( er, yes? Admiral Kaizoku... dances a jig? Pontificates? ) Admiral Kaizoku tightens his eyes. He stalks forward towards Ahlat and the fallen Monkey, tapping on the spear and staring up at the bull-god. "You have made your point. A foolish gesture for a foolish gesture" he warns ominously. "Leave now or there will be dire consequences." Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( He hits the return key too early. ) think posing reply The GM . o O ( posing reply ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Move, Guard... not sure if there's a roll called for. ) Monkey . o O ( Owww, man, I should've tried to bring the Sun in. ) think unless you attack, combat's over The GM . o O ( unless you attack, combat's over ) Monkey . o O ( The heavenly fall-out would've be crazy. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Not unless he presses the issue. I'd need to powerup Infinite Melee Mastery... ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Might have been vaguely possible with Protection of Celestial Bliss, but now, not so much. ) think oh, dammit. totally lost my train of thought. gimme a minute The GM . o O ( oh, dammit. totally lost my train of thought. gimme a minute ) Monkey . o O ( anyway, Body Mending Meditation kicks in. ) think oh, aye. How quickly will Monkey be up and about? The GM . o O ( oh, aye. How quickly will Monkey be up and about? ) Monkey . o O ( Monkey will be healed in, uh, assuming somebody does first aid first, .... ) Monkey . o O ( rats, where is that page. ) Monkey . o O ( Err, go ahead with your poses. ) @emit Ahlat pulls his spear out of Monkey's chest. It makes a wet sucking sound. "No, Golden Bull. I would speak with you a moment." He nods to the cattle. "This hecatomb is a gift to you. Sacrifice it to the Unconquered Sun in my name, for he is my patron as much as he is yours." Ahlat pulls his spear out of Monkey's chest. It makes a wet sucking sound. "No, Golden Bull. I would speak with you a moment." He nods to the cattle. "This hecatomb is a gift to you. Sacrifice it to the Unconquered Sun in my name, for he is my patron as much as he is yours." think quick chance to answer or interrupt before I go on to his next pose. The GM . o O ( quick chance to answer or interrupt before I go on to his next pose. ) think ping me if you want to or I'll just go on. The GM . o O ( ping me if you want to or I'll just go on. ) Admiral Kaizoku nods once, not taking his eyes off the bull god. Monkey . o O ( 1 week of total rest. Divided by ten... Monkey will be unconscious for .7 day. ) Monkey . o O ( Roughly 17 hours. ) Monkey . o O ( Assuming a day = 24 hours in Exalted. ) Monkey . o O ( Then he'll be at -4. ) Monkey . o O ( Go on. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( He's trying to buy off the Sun's wrath with this bribe. ) Monkey . o O ( By mid-day of day 2, he'll be at -2 and he'll be up and about by then. ) Monkey . o O ( Of course. Bad precedent otherwise. ) Monkey . o O ( Next thing you know, Wayang might attempt to kill a Sidereal. ) @emit Ahlat sinks his spear into the ground next to Monkey, its bloodstained tip shining in the light of the sun. "I have ruled the cattle of Creation for millennia -- before even the Great War against the Primordials. In that war, I was a teacher to the Solar Exalted, the Chosen of my patron. I would be so again, for never since has your might been so sorely needed." He looks down at Monkey. "But your power is worse than than dangerous without discipline. You have such, I know, but your companion does not. I will return to him, so long as you are in the South, and will continue to teach him... will he or no. His potential is too great to waste with death." He looks back at Kaizoku. "Soon you will face a threat to my land. I give you a gift to aid you." Ahlat sinks his spear into the ground next to Monkey, its bloodstained tip shining in the light of the sun. "I have ruled the cattle of Creation for millennia -- before even the Great War against the Primordials. In that war, I was a teacher to the Solar Exalted, the Chosen of my patron. I would be so again, for never since has your might been so sorely needed." He looks down at Monkey. "But your power is worse than than dangerous without discipline. You have such, I know, but your companion does not. I will return to him, so long as you are in the South, and will continue to teach him... will he or no. His potential is too great to waste with death." He looks back at Kaizoku. "Soon you will face a threat to my land. I give you a gift to aid you." Monkey . o O ( The Five Metal Shrike? ) @emit He leans down and breathes on the spear Kaizoku holds. The spear writhes and shifts in Kaizoku's hands. "Wield this, and your skill in war shall grow strong." He straightens up. He leans down and breathes on the spear Kaizoku holds. The spear writhes and shifts in Kaizoku's hands. "Wield this, and your skill in war shall grow strong." He straightens up. Monkey . o O ( Proto Puma Prime! ) think yeah... right. The GM . o O ( yeah... right. ) Admiral Kaizoku is clearly not pleased by this turn of events, but the truth of Ahlat's words can't be denied... Directing Monkey is a full-time task, training him in discipline... Solar power has its limits. "The protection of all Creation is the mandate of the Solar Exalted" he agrees. "What can you tell me of this threat?" Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Monkey was holding the spear... The Admiral handed it over for this stage of the hunt. ) Monkey rolled 5 dice on Limit and got 2 successes. @emit Ahlat looks troubled. "It is unclear to me... it lies beyond fate, and I am no god of spying or strange wisdom. Yet I know this: it rises in the uttermost South, and a branch of it has crossed into my land. The one you call the Ishadhi is involved, but I do not know on which side." Ahlat looks troubled. "It is unclear to me... it lies beyond fate, and I am no god of spying or strange wisdom. Yet I know this: it rises in the uttermost South, and a branch of it has crossed into my land. The one you call the Ishadhi is involved, but I do not know on which side." Monkey . o O ( Oh god. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Did you break? ) Monkey . o O ( No. ) think No, it's not Autochthon. The GM . o O ( No, it's not Autochthon. ) Monkey . o O ( But I, the player, made my Lore roll. ) think Remember, you guys ruled that out pre-game. The GM . o O ( Remember, you guys ruled that out pre-game. ) think 'sides, I don't even have that book. The GM . o O ( 'sides, I don't even have that book. ) Admiral Kaizoku 's scowl grows deeper. "I know all too well what dark powers lay outside of fate. If a Deathlord is on the move here, I will burn it down with the power of the Sun!" he says with deadly earnest. think Heh heh heh. The GM . o O ( Heh heh heh. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Too bad... I would like to get a beamklave. ) Monkey . o O ( I need nothing. ) Monkey . o O ( Such is the fate of Martial artists. :) ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( That's because Monkey is a socialist, whereas the Admiral is a materialist. ) whisper How do you feel about Monkey having a cryptic martial arts mentor? to TonyC You whisper, "How do you feel about Monkey having a cryptic martial arts mentor?" to TonyC. Monkey . o O ( you and your bourgeois opression shall soon fall. ) think You forgot "yellow capitalist running dog" The GM . o O ( You forgot "yellow capitalist running dog" ) TonyC whispers, "Not liking it. Remember that back in the first game Monkey wouldn't admit to be needing Suda as a teacher." TonyC whispers, "Substract the cryptic part and he'll more amenable to it." whisper Ah, well that's doable. Very doable, actually... to TonyC You whisper, "Ah, well that's doable. Very doable, actually..." to TonyC. Monkey . o O ( Bah. When the heroic mortal revolution comes, you shall be first to face the wall. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( What does Ahlat have to say? ) think posing it. The GM . o O ( posing it. ) @emit Ahlat says, "Monkey will awaken soon, and I think he will not appreciate his first lesson. I will return to teach the next one... later. In the meantime, I shall send another. Pray to me if you desire my aid or council, and I _may_ answer -- my responsibilities are many and even a god has only so much time." He shrugs, a little wryly. "Farewell. My priests will hear that my displeasure with Monkey is abated." Ahlat says, "Monkey will awaken soon, and I think he will not appreciate his first lesson. I will return to teach the next one... later. In the meantime, I shall send another. Pray to me if you desire my aid or council, and I _may_ answer -- my responsibilities are many and even a god has only so much time." He shrugs, a little wryly. "Farewell. My priests will hear that my displeasure with Monkey is abated." think He's got time for one response, then he's gone. The GM . o O ( He's got time for one response, then he's gone. ) Admiral Kaizoku nods curtly in farewell and turns to treat Monkey. Monkey . o O ( Eh.. ) @emit The god vanishes from sight. Monkey's wound is... closing remarkably fast, actually. His breathing has gone from weak and thready to regular and shallow. The god vanishes from sight. Monkey's wound is... closing remarkably fast, actually. His breathing has gone from weak and thready to regular and shallow. Admiral Kaizoku bids Zebra's Swiftness and the tall man to return, unfurling the camp tent to use as a stretcher for Monkey. Once he is attended to, the Admiral walks to the center of the milling cattle... think So... mentor ideas? I'm kinda leaning toward Grace Jones from Conan the Destroyer. The GM . o O ( So... mentor ideas? I'm kinda leaning toward Grace Jones from Conan the Destroyer. ) Monkey . o O ( I still maintain that a war auroch would not be able to teach Monkey anything. ) think auroch schmauroch The GM . o O ( auroch schmauroch ) think you need a kung fu master The GM . o O ( you need a kung fu master ) Monkey . o O ( Who is Grace Jones? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Aieee! ) think humma-what? The GM . o O ( humma-what? ) think erg. The GM . o O ( erg. ) Monkey . o O ( I... googled Grace Jones. ) think You've seen Conan the Destroyer, right? The GM . o O ( You've seen Conan the Destroyer, right? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( "There's five of them and one of her!" "One, two three four... you're right!" ) Monkey . o O ( Yes. ) think Okay, she's Zula -- the black woman with the spear. "Grab him! And take him!" The GM . o O ( Okay, she's Zula -- the black woman with the spear. "Grab him! And take him!" ) Monkey . o O ( Your ideas are intriguing and I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter. ) think Eeeexcellent. The GM . o O ( Eeeexcellent. ) Admiral Kaizoku raises his daiklave to catch the fading rays of the sun. "Unconquered Sun! A sacrifice for you in the name of Ahlat!" his voice booms out over the artificial walls. Monkey . o O ( A massacre ) think I'm leaving the poses for this up to you, then. The GM . o O ( I'm leaving the poses for this up to you, then. ) Admiral Kaizoku begins a running, spinning pattern, like that of a hurricane, severing the head of one bull after another. In less than a minute, they are all all decapitated and burned off. Monkey . o O ( You'd be glowy too. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Infinite Melee mastery for tons of flurries, stunting every turn to burn the bodies... hmm. ) Monkey . o O ( Anyway, consider Body Mending Meditation to be active all the time until Monkey is fully healed. If the journey takes a week or so, consider him fully healed. ) think blah blah blah. Make a Per + Occult roll The GM . o O ( blah blah blah. Make a Per + Occult roll ) think Er, Kaizoku The GM . o O ( Er, Kaizoku ) Admiral Kaizoku rolled 9 dice on Per+Occ and got 6 successes. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Must not have been important. ) Monkey . o O ( Actually, that's your Prayer roll. ) think Aha! You're in a Demesne, a powerful Solar one. Level 4, in fact. The GM . o O ( Aha! You're in a Demesne, a powerful Solar one. Level 4, in fact. ) think Probably had a manse back in the first age, and now that you think about it, this "amphitheatre" might just as well be the crater from a Manse overloading on Essence. The GM . o O ( Probably had a manse back in the first age, and now that you think about it, this "amphitheatre" might just as well be the crater from a Manse overloading on Essence. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( A former manse, I'm guessing? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Good guess. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Have to buy up this land. ) Monkey . o O ( Ask the Seat for it as a gift. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Assuming it doesn't become a shrine from having Ahlat touch it. ) think May not even be necessary. As Zebra's Swiftness said, nobody lives in these hills. Too close to the shadowland. The GM . o O ( May not even be necessary. As Zebra's Swiftness said, nobody lives in these hills. Too close to the shadowland. ) Monkey . o O ( Hey, question, is it 5 days or 7 days in a week in exalted? ) Monkey . o O ( it's 7, right? ) think seven. The GM . o O ( seven. ) Admiral Kaizoku marks well the site of this demense and then heads has the scouts bring Monkey back to the main camp. think also, it is 24 hours per day. The GM . o O ( also, it is 24 hours per day. ) Admiral Kaizoku keeps a vigil over Monkey until he awakens. think Anyway, one of the Demesne's effects is that you heal Lethal as Bashing as long as you're within the canyon or the crater. The GM . o O ( Anyway, one of the Demesne's effects is that you heal Lethal as Bashing as long as you're within the canyon or the crater. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Whoops. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Presuming I notice that, we wait. ) think sounds good The GM . o O ( sounds good ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Thus, Monkey will heal up in just a few hours, right? ) Monkey . o O ( Might not be necessary. Monkey will be fully healed in a week. Less than six days, to be exact. ) Monkey . o O ( And yes, that includes the time Monkey runs around naked causing trouble to everyone instead of resting in bed. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( But if he's up on one day, all the better! ) Monkey . o O ( Yes, but wouldn't you rather have the 2 days of peace and quiet while Monkey is unconscious? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Better for the Solar image not to be seen with a hole in him. ) Monkey . o O ( Well, one day. The other day he's awake, but too weak to walk. ) think hrm. Whichever you guys want to go with works. The GM . o O ( hrm. Whichever you guys want to go with works. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Camp out overnight in the demense, then back to the main camp at the dawn. ) think color scene with the two now incredibly-awed guides? The GM . o O ( color scene with the two now incredibly-awed guides? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yep. ) think setting the pose The GM . o O ( setting the pose ) Admiral Kaizoku sets up the tent for Monkey to rest in, sitting at the entrance with the god-touched spear across his lap, contemplating the words of the god as well as the gift. Monkey . o O ( Looking at things... Monkey's fully recovered in 3 hours. ) think thank you. Was trying to figure that out and failing. The GM . o O ( thank you. Was trying to figure that out and failing. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( That's about what I figured, but an overnight stay is cool. ) Monkey . o O ( He'll regain consciousness in 18 minutes, be really sore in 18 minutes, and insisting on leaving after that. ) Monkey . o O ( I'm assuming that of course kaizoku is convincing him otherwise. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yep ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( An order to think about what happened and how to avoid it in the future... ) Monkey thinks and resolves to be more careful of ambushes. Monkey . o O ( Oh, and Ahlat is a twit. ) think will set the scene in a minute. trying to resolve a computer issue. The GM . o O ( will set the scene in a minute. trying to resolve a computer issue. ) Monkey . o O ( heh heh heh. ) Monkey . o O ( Cat refusing to let go of the mouse is not considered a computer issue. ^_^ )

okay, I think computer problems are resolved for the moment. old computer. I don't understand that. If you are trying to speak, prefix your words with a double quote (") or the word SAY, i.e. SAY Fnord. For more help on communicating, type HELP COMMUNICATION. think okay, I think computer problems are resolved for the moment. old computer. The GM . o O ( okay, I think computer problems are resolved for the moment. old computer. ) think I think. The GM . o O ( I think. ) think posing. The GM . o O ( posing. ) @emit Swiftness and the tall man have said nothing since Ahlat appeared, but they obey Kaizoku's commands swiftly and without question. Worshipful awe pervades their movements as they prepare the camp. The tall man departs and returns an hour later under the first-appearing stars with a dead deer slung over his shoulder. Meanwhile, Swiftness makes a fire and a shelter near the wall of the canyon. Swiftness and the tall man have said nothing since Ahlat appeared, but they obey Kaizoku's commands swiftly and without question. Worshipful awe pervades their movements as they prepare the camp. The tall man departs and returns an hour later under the first-appearing stars with a dead deer slung over his shoulder. Meanwhile, Swiftness makes a fire and a shelter near the wall of the canyon. think and your poses The GM . o O ( and your poses ) Monkey is back to his usual cheerful self, although the perceptive amongst the hunters may notice that he is not talking about the recent events. Admiral Kaizoku continues to brood, conversely. The approach of a dark power is never a good thing... and a powerful being involved with it? Perhaps a rogue Solar like Darktide? After a time, he decides to meditate in motion, testing out the silver spear. Monkey . o O ( done posing. ) Monkey . o O ( I don't think it's a personal combat artifact, David. ) Monkey . o O ( He did say War. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Could be, though battle is also war. ) Monkey . o O ( You have enough Lore and Occult. You might be able to get some hints of what the spear does. ) think Ah, the spear. It's now a starmetal dire lance, standard stats as per p. 386. Furthermore, so long as you are actively commanding a unit or an army, you have an extra dot of War. I'm thinking Artifact 3, but may need to tweak the powers a bit. The GM . o O ( Ah, the spear. It's now a starmetal dire lance, standard stats as per p. 386. Furthermore, so long as you are actively commanding a unit or an army, you have an extra dot of War. I'm thinking Artifact 3, but may need to tweak the powers a bit. ) think as far as visual imagery, Gungnir, Odin's spear is the inspiration. The GM . o O ( as far as visual imagery, Gungnir, Odin's spear is the inspiration. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Neat, though the attunement cost is going to bite. ) think only if you want the starmetal benefit. The GM . o O ( only if you want the starmetal benefit. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( True, the war benefit's seperate, right? ) think yes The GM . o O ( yes ) Monkey . o O ( Yeah. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Back to the camp? ) Monkey . o O ( One wonders how the Seat manages to get hold of a starmetal spear or how, if that was silver until Ahlat magicked it, how Ahlat learns transmutation, but one shall not look too hard at the gift bull's mouth. ) think as you like. I rather like the image of Kaizoku practicing with flashing starmetal spear in the darkness, lit by the fire to one side and the stars above. The GM . o O ( as you like. I rather like the image of Kaizoku practicing with flashing starmetal spear in the darkness, lit by the fire to one side and the stars above. ) Monkey . o O ( Actually, that might be a better imagery than Kaizoku with daiklave. ) Monkey . o O ( The fact that a spear is unwieldy in tight spaces is absolutely irrelevant in Exalted. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Darn right! ) think posing the camp upon your return. You're coming back in the morning, right? The GM . o O ( posing the camp upon your return. You're coming back in the morning, right? ) Monkey . o O ( Yup. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yes. ) think do you forbid the two guides from speaking of the events? The GM . o O ( do you forbid the two guides from speaking of the events? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Nah. The priests will get word about some version of events, so the truth might as well come out. ) think okay The GM . o O ( okay ) @emit You walk into the rays of the rising sun as you approach the camp. Swiftness and the tall man walk ahead of you. The camp is buzzing with activity, guides conferring with the Leopard and Boruta, people eating breakfast, animals being tended, and so on. You see another party coming toward the camp from the hills. Evidently, you weren't the only ones who spent the night out. You walk into the rays of the rising sun as you approach the camp. Swiftness and the tall man walk ahead of you. The camp is buzzing with activity, guides conferring with the Leopard and Boruta, people eating breakfast, animals being tended, and so on. You see another party coming toward the camp from the hills. Evidently, you weren't the only ones who spent the night out. think where do you go first? The GM . o O ( where do you go first? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Any abacasteri visible? Back to our tent setup. ) think nope, no abacasteri. The GM . o O ( nope, no abacasteri. ) Monkey . o O ( I advise talking to the Leopard. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Once we check in, yes, to the Leopard Seat. ) Monkey . o O ( A short summary of the events from you would not be out of place. ) @emit The cabin girl greets you with a hot bath ready for each of you as well as breakfast. She remarks that they saw a great light in the hills yesterday, but doesn't come right out and ask what happened. The cabin girl greets you with a hot bath ready for each of you as well as breakfast. She remarks that they saw a great light in the hills yesterday, but doesn't come right out and ask what happened. Admiral Kaizoku bathes and changes. "Something big" he tells the cabin girl, answering her unspoken question as he pulls on a new field jacket. That done, he hefts the spear and heads to the Seat's pavillion. Monkey says, "Ahlat ambushed us. He defeated me using trickery, but luckily Kaizoku was there. I don't know what he said to him but he convinced him to leave." think and cut to the Leopard seat The GM . o O ( and cut to the Leopard seat ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( He posing first? ) @emit The Leopard, Boruta, and the guides are conferring on the best way to conduct the hunt when you approach. All look up, but the Leopard speaks first. "Good news! We have found two prides, so there will be trophies for all skilled enough to take them." The Leopard, Boruta, and the guides are conferring on the best way to conduct the hunt when you approach. All look up, but the Leopard speaks first. "Good news! We have found two prides, so there will be trophies for all skilled enough to take them." think done posing The GM . o O ( done posing ) Admiral Kaizoku straightens his glasses. "Fine news indeed" he replies. "I would tell you the truth behind the events of last night, for your ears alone..." he continues. @emit The Leopard glances at Boruta, who bows slightly and walks away with one of the guides. The other guides also withdraw, still debating the best way to approach the southern pride of abacasteri. The Leopard glances at Boruta, who bows slightly and walks away with one of the guides. The other guides also withdraw, still debating the best way to approach the southern pride of abacasteri. Monkey gets dressed himself, frowning at his newfound scar. It is already fading into a think white line, and Monkey is not sure whether to be pleased or disappointed. "Some women find scars sexy. But some don't. Do I want scars or not? Oh, hey, Kaizoku isn't here. Where did he leave?" Monkey gets dressed himself and leaves the bath. @emit As he exits the part of the camp reserved for the Solars, he sees the girl from the other night, arguing with one of the other Dynasts. As he exits the part of the camp reserved for the Solars, he sees the girl from the other night, arguing with one of the other Dynasts. Admiral Kaizoku starts with "I am sure a wise ruler such as you has heard of the events at the temple of Ahlat. The God of War and Cattle appeared before Monkey and myself with several warnings... A threat to this land is rising from the uttermost south." think posing response The GM . o O ( posing response ) @emit The Leopard's jaw drops, though he is quick to recover his composure. "Ahlat appeared to you? What threat? Ah, the Ishadhi! I knew he was a fraud!" he says. The Leopard's jaw drops, though he is quick to recover his composure. "Ahlat appeared to you? What threat? Ah, the Ishadhi! I knew he was a fraud!" he says. think done posing The GM . o O ( done posing ) Admiral Kaizoku shakes his head. "'The one you call the Ishadhi is involved, but I do not know on which side' were his exact words. I intend to discover the truth and destroy this threat" he says resolutely. "He gave the warning to the Solars for a reason..." @emit The Leopard says, "Always, we have honored the Great Sun in this land. Clearly, he has sent his Chosen to protect us." The Leopard says, "Always, we have honored the Great Sun in this land. Clearly, he has sent his Chosen to protect us." think done The GM . o O ( done ) Admiral Kaizoku says "And in the name of the Sun, that is what we shall do. Regardless of what you decide on in dealings with my nation, I shall destroy this dark menace." @emit The Leopard Seat bows. "As you will, great lord." The Leopard Seat bows. "As you will, great lord." Admiral Kaizoku returns the bow. "This spear, touched by Ahlat, is a symbol of my resolve" he says, holding it out. "And now, the hunt begins. By your leave." think okay, responding, and then back to Monkey very briefly The GM . o O ( okay, responding, and then back to Monkey very briefly ) @emit The Leopard says, "Indeed! The guides have found two prides, one to the north and one to the south of the shadowland. Today, we hunt the southern pride, which has between seven and ten abacasteri in it. Let us begin!" He shouts to the guides, and the hunting party begins to assemble... The Leopard says, "Indeed! The guides have found two prides, one to the north and one to the south of the shadowland. Today, we hunt the southern pride, which has between seven and ten abacasteri in it. Let us begin!" He shouts to the guides, and the hunting party begins to assemble... @emit Meanwhile, back near Kaizoku's tents, Monkey has just seen Cathak Inari arguing with a fellow Dynast... if he remembers correctly, Boruta's wife. Meanwhile, back near Kaizoku's tents, Monkey has just seen Cathak Inari arguing with a fellow Dynast... if he remembers correctly, Boruta's wife. Monkey . o O ( Oh noes? ) Monkey . o O ( How much Firefly is in that character, by the way? ) think None, since I still haven't seen Firefly or Serenity. The GM . o O ( None, since I still haven't seen Firefly or Serenity. ) think so any resemblances are coincidental. The GM . o O ( so any resemblances are coincidental. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( :gasps! ) Monkey . o O ( You missed out. Serenity you could skip, but there are lots of good steal-able one-liners in Firefly. ) Monkey . o O ( "I'm so going to the special hell", for example. ) Monkey . o O ( But nevermind. ) think I'm about to crash, btw, so let's make this scene quick -- if you want to do it at all. Or we can use it to jumpstart the next session. The GM . o O ( I'm about to crash, btw, so let's make this scene quick -- if you want to do it at all. Or we can use it to jumpstart the next session. ) Monkey veers from his path. He had intended to see Kaizoku about something, but it can't be that important if he can't remember what it is now. So when he finds himself in front of the two ladies, he bows, "I am sorry for interrupting. I just want to invite you two ladies to breakfast." Monkey says, "Surely whatever it is you two are discussing can be discussed more amiably over a spicy dish of River-style poached eggs." Monkey . o O ( done. ) @emit Imani is saying, "But why can't I go?" as Monkey interrupts. She looks like she's trying for reasoned debate, but it comes out more as petulant child, and she looks at Monkey for support. The older Dynast, on the other hand, shoots Monkey a look that would freeze his heart from the contempt... if he ever deigned to notice such things. "We have already eaten," she says, her voice dripping icicles. Imani is saying, "But why can't I go?" as Monkey interrupts. She looks like she's trying for reasoned debate, but it comes out more as petulant child, and she looks at Monkey for support. The older Dynast, on the other hand, shoots Monkey a look that would freeze his heart from the contempt... if he ever deigned to notice such things. "We have already eaten," she says, her voice dripping icicles. think done posing The GM . o O ( done posing ) Monkey says, "Ah, but you don't actually need to eat the dish. Part of the charm is watching and seeing whether the chef can successfully poach an egg from some unsuspecting hen. Although given the lack of hens in this caravan, I suppose I'll have to poach them from Good Master Obulat." Monkey says, "Some has remarked on his similarity to a mother hen." Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( This looks like a job for social combat! ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Monkey's Att 5 should come in handy! ) Monkey says, "However, I'll appreciate it if you two do not inform Obulat. It's very difficult to poach the egg when the mother hen is suspicious." Monkey . o O ( Nonsense, Jesse is tired, and the mother will spend wp because she knows the anathema are golden-tongued, while Inara of course wants to go. ) @emit Imani giggles and gets a nasty look from her aunt. "No, thank you," the aunt says. "We -- or rather I -- will be departing for the hunt momentarily. Imani will be returning to her arms training." "But Aunt Temalin-" "No buts! Respect your elders, dragonling, or you'll fare the worse for it." Imani giggles and gets a nasty look from her aunt. "No, thank you," the aunt says. "We -- or rather I -- will be departing for the hunt momentarily. Imani will be returning to her arms training." "But Aunt Temalin-" "No buts! Respect your elders, dragonling, or you'll fare the worse for it." Monkey . o O ( Ah, Imani, not Inari. I knew the name was off somehow. ) Monkey says, "Indeed, Madame Temalin, you speak wisdom. Arms training is important and I shall not distract her from that pursuit." Monkey says, "We will chat again later." Monkey bows and leaves them alone. For the moment. @emit Temalin sniffs and stalks off, not even dropping a "Farewell." Imani mopes off in the general direction of the dynastic tents. Temalin sniffs and stalks off, not even dropping a "Farewell." Imani mopes off in the general direction of the dynastic tents. Monkey . o O ( This calls for surreptitious invitation to join Monkey's hunting party. ) think indeed. Next session? The GM . o O ( indeed. Next session? ) Monkey . o O ( Where Imani's combat skill can be trained against true opponents that befits a dragon. ) Monkey . o O ( Sure. ) think sounds good! The GM . o O ( sounds good! ) think let's wrap for the night. Anything to cover before I log off? The GM . o O ( let's wrap for the night. Anything to cover before I log off? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( 2 BP as usual? ) think Yes. The GM . o O ( Yes. ) think Does that seem like a good typical award? The GM . o O ( Does that seem like a good typical award? ) Monkey . o O ( That's approxiately 1 charm per 2 session. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Barring outstanding or crazy good plans or stunts, yes, I'd say so. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( We've got most of the good charms for important trees, so we have to climb other charm ladders now. ) Monkey . o O ( I tend toward 1 BP, but 2 is a good starting point. ) think okay, sounds reasonable. I would prefer it, btw, if you spent it more-or-less as you get it instead of hoarding it and splurging later, but it's up to you. The GM . o O ( okay, sounds reasonable. I would prefer it, btw, if you spent it more-or-less as you get it instead of hoarding it and splurging later, but it's up to you. ) Monkey . o O ( That's difficult, as I'd like to get MA charms. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Or more spells. ) Monkey . o O ( And canonically, that requires training time. ) Monkey . o O ( Anyway, go sleep and don't worry about it for a couple days. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Plus access. But yes! Do that! ) think thpppt. I'll think about it. Monkey, any requests regarding the mentor? The GM . o O ( thpppt. I'll think about it. Monkey, any requests regarding the mentor? ) Monkey . o O ( The old crazy man of the mountain that's so common to old kungfu movies? ) Monkey . o O ( Avoid them. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( The sweet old lady Robin had as a mentor in the Teen Titans cartoon! ) Monkey . o O ( Oh, and Pai Mei from Kill Bill 2? He's lame. Real kung-fu masters who manage life-extension techniques do not succumb to common poisons. ) think heh. Maybe I should bring in the Wisest Man In The World from Bridge of Birds. The GM . o O ( heh. Maybe I should bring in the Wisest Man In The World from Bridge of Birds. ) Monkey . o O ( Oooo! ) think Or Li Kao, the sage with a slight flaw in his character... but I couldn't do him justice. The GM . o O ( Or Li Kao, the sage with a slight flaw in his character... but I couldn't do him justice. ) Monkey . o O ( Yes, I draw inspiration from Number Ten Ox, although I'm afraid Kaizoku is nowhere near Master Li's grade. ) think which reminds me... have you seen Kung Fu Hustle? The GM . o O ( which reminds me... have you seen Kung Fu Hustle? ) Monkey . o O ( I have. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Oh, yes. ) Monkey . o O ( Not his funniest. ) think guess I'm the one late to the party. Just watched it last night. The GM . o O ( guess I'm the one late to the party. Just watched it last night. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Better late than never! ) Monkey . o O ( The kungfu styles you saw there are famous fantasy ones, btw. ) think it struck me as perfect Weapons of the Gods inspiration. The GM . o O ( it struck me as perfect Weapons of the Gods inspiration. ) Monkey . o O ( Well, they both draw from the same source. Jin Yong's martial art novels. ) think well, i'm off to bed then. If you come up with any ideas, e-mail me. The GM . o O ( well, i'm off to bed then. If you come up with any ideas, e-mail me. ) Monkey . o O ( They're already hailed as classics, and the author is still alive! ) think good night The GM . o O ( good night ) Monkey . o O ( good night. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Nite! )