Green Flame Rising (Exalted vs Dresden Files)
- Thread starter DragonParadox
- Start date
- Crossover Fantasy
Arc 1 Post 3: Of Matters Black and Matters Grey
Of Matters Black and Matters Grey
7th of July 2006 A.D.
Harry's apartment feels inexplicably much more crowded with both your dad and his former mentor in it, both of them seeming to take up more room against the backdrop of old paperbacks and original Star Wars posters than they did out in the city. It is admittedly really funny to see Mouse tip his head in sheer doggy confusion at the sight of you and your dad side by side.
"It's just as confusing from this side," you smile at him as you head into the bathroom to try to make yourself look a little less like an extra from a slasher movie.
Scraping the frozen blood off your back is easy enough, but there is still the matter of your ruined jacket... and your ruined shirt. Something prods at the edge of your mind, something that feels alien to all the powers you have called forth so far, a thing of metal and wheels, of surging currents and ever-turning permutations.
Lost 1 Essence
Without a spell or ritual you reach out and pluck out of the air something half-way between one of those fancy high-tech irons and a mechanical spider with loops and knives and needles at every extremity. You really should not know how to use this thing, really you should not even know it's a tool for sowing and stitching. But somehow, 'by the auspices of the Wicked City,' Usum says, you do. In less than fifteen minutes you had picked apart enough thread from your jacket to fix your T-Shirt, if not good as new then at least well enough that mom won't throw it out right away.
You can do a better job later when you are not conserving essence. Speaking of conserving essence when you leave the techno-punk thingamabob loose it dissolves into a bright red rust stain on the counter you had been using. Thankfully 'cleaning' is close enough to repairing that you can conjure a whirling brush thing to get it off and this time you are careful to dismiss it over the sink.
This could be as good for cleaning up after fights as it is at fixing clothes, some small morbid part of you notes
"What is distasteful about contemplating the deaths of your enemies mistress," Usum asks, sounding genuinely bewildered.
Right, time to convince the wizard I'm not going to go mad with power. Squaring your shoulders and combing your hair with your fingers because Harry does not keep a comb in here and you are not sure you want to trust the gadgets of the Wicked City near your face you walk out into a living room already filled with the smell of fresh made coffee.
You take a cup from Harry with thanks and add enough cream and sugar to make it technically count as candy, as Daniel puts it and then you take a seat next to dad.
"I can help," you decide to just barge ahead. Play to your strength, that being 'we just fought a battle as allies against a common foes' and play to your audience that being a hoary old wizard who thinks fighting those things is foolish and does it anyway. "I want to help."
Lost 1 Essence
Dad is about to say something, probably about you offering to enlist in a supernatural war two days after finding out it was even going on but you push on. "The vampires are bad enough, but those fracture-beasts... I do not want to find out what happens when something actually gets through."
"Fracture beasts?" the old wizard asks. "Why do you call them that?"
"Because they are not... er... beings or objects in any real sense, they are like hairline fractures into the Beyond and something out there is playing Dark Powers Nintendo with them." Seeing the confusion on the face of everyone but dad you remember about wizards and tech and correct. "Fracture beasts are like shadow puppets not really here, just being projected and manipulated from afar, within the limitations of their forms."
"You shouldn't look at Outsiders dead on," Harry says looking more worried than you had seen him when you had been covered in blood.
"Well it was hard enough to stab them when I was looking, I wouldn't want to try it the other way," you turn what might have been a boast into self-deprecating humor, before adding. "No seriously I'm fine. I can shut down anything that tries to mess with my head cold."
"Show me if you will," McCoy says politely, but you cannot help but think he might be trying to run you down on power so it would be an easier fight if he goes that way.
It's going to take trust from both sides Molly and you are not alone, you remind yourself. Dad won't let it come to a fight.Thus you call up your sense of impregnable will, that no power but yours may run among your thoughts.
Lost 1 Essence
The elder wizard sort of stares at you for a little bit and then Harry looks really alarmed. "What the hell are you...?"
"Relax Hoss I'm about as likely to get through as I am to carve right through the roots of Mount Le Conte with a wooden spoon," the old man says, but for some reason you are the only one who finds it funny.
"Careful what you do wizard," dad does not raise his voice, but you can hear the anger and more to the point the fear in it.
"Dad I literally felt absolutely nothing," you insist squeezing his hand to make the point that you are alright, other than being an icicle and all.
"OK so we have established that Outsiders cannot mess with my head and they burn when I set them on fire..."
"Usually when something looks too good to be true that's because it is," McCoy cuts you off before taking a sip of his coffee as if daring you to argue. "Lucky for you that you look like some mad conjuror's set loose one of Ravana's Maharajas until we had a sit down. Good talk."
Usum actually starts giggling. "I like this one."
You are not sure if that's a good sign but you'll take it. Taking the chance to turn things about a little you say "I am really, really sorry about breaking the Laws. I did it in ignorance but, truth be told I should have known that it wasn't right to twist Rosie and Nelson's minds like that even for their own good."
"You should've," he agrees. "You're old enough to know better, but you are also young enough that we should've found you and taught you, but that's an argument the Council has been having with itself since before these United States were a country."
As you look at him, really look at him for the first time and realize how old he must be, old not like your power or Usum whose years are lost in the depths of the unknowable, but in a very human way, each passing year graven in lines across his face. "What argument is that?" you ask.
"About doing more than enforcing the Laws, about seeing to it that every wizard takes apprentices when they have the time and not just when the mood strikes 'em. There's some that behave like you asked to boil their cat into chilly when you bring it up, naming no names because it would do you no good to know them." He glances at Harry with what you guess is a silent indication that it might be worth it for him to know what Council politics is like. You wonder how he would take knowing that he agrees with Lasciel's shadow.
"So is that a yes on the help in the war?" you press. You really do want to help.
"That's a 'you need to talk to your pa or he might find some other sword to stab me with'," McCoy chuckles. "But in principle I wouldn't say no. You aren't a warlock, you aren't mortal enough to be a warlock what with not being able to use magic that you haven't transmuted. As to what you may have been three days ago it's best the Council at large doesn't find out least they get confused 'bout it."
Your dad relaxes enough to smile and Harry breathes out the biggest sigh of relief you had heard from him including when you had gotten free of Winter.
Do you have any questions or offers for Ebenezer McCoy before he leaves?
[] Yes
-[] Write in
[] No, as impressive and interesting as he has been you are just glad to have gotten through this
OOC: Remember when Ebenezer came with kenku allies in changes? He actually does know something of the Thousand Hells and the powers that dwell there. Among other things he recognized the dream of nuclear annihilation you used to kill those Outsiders. That said between Dresden and Michael he was willing to give you a hearing and with some excellency powered arguments you managed to strike just the right balance.
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- Location
- Germany
Now that is a decent result.
Also, for the first time we have used more Essence in a day than we will regenerate by tomorrow morning.
Due to that and our wounds we might want to spend the next day doing normal stuff at school.
Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
So I was right in assuming that Ebeneezer wouldn't be totally ignorant of what we are. I guess that means the Gatekeeper probably has a self-penned book somewhere on a shelf in his lair titled 'Exalts, 101 Facts and Falsehoods'.
ThatGazzer
Minds Eye Bind
- Location
- PNW
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Total sidebar but I want to write this down somewhere— brainwave for Shintai inspiration:
Saints. Female Saints specifically, Joan D'Arc is probably the first to come to mind for many, and the Patron Saint of Soldiers is a pretty good pick for the overall look! Plus I think in DF canon she was a holder for one of the Swords? Very likely Molly looks up to her. However a minor saint, Saint Gemma of Lucca, Patron Saint of Mysticism/Knowledge (depending on who you ask) has a really interesting vision that we could steal for a transformation sequence?
A quote from her vision described the blood flowing from Jesus's Wounds transformed into a fire that touch her head, heart and hands where upon the mantle of Mother Mary covered her, which sounds pretty metal!
Hell, mix that with the energy of Punk and Metal Culture like I attempted with the Queen in Rags Crust-Punk/battle jacket thing
Like…
with a moment of focus, Stigmata Appear on the Body of the Demon Empress, the golden ichor of Her Unholy Blessing flowing down her forehead, her eyes, and hands as her heart glows visibly under her clothes and skin, and wherever the fel-light touches the blood becomes a heatless flame which burns away all imperfections, the vestiges of her mortal frame are cast aside as it girds her body in Light Devouring Black Armor, replete with gothic gilding and arcane symbols. Behold Her Glory as [Molly's Soul World/Hell/Reality itself?] sing-screams her praises like a riotous punk concert, chanting the ten-thousand thousand titles of the Awaited Infernal Empress so loudly it intrudes upon the mortal world. All who look upon The Shintai can hear it, as if a whisper in their ear or the thumping, organ-shaking bass and muffled words just behind an unseen wall— "The Demon Saint, Praise! The Immortal Akuma of Magic, PRAISE! Blackened Queen Of Mystery and War, PRAISE! PRAISE! PRAISE!"
Or something like that?
Saints. Female Saints specifically, Joan D'Arc is probably the first to come to mind for many, and the Patron Saint of Soldiers is a pretty good pick for the overall look! Plus I think in DF canon she was a holder for one of the Swords? Very likely Molly looks up to her. However a minor saint, Saint Gemma of Lucca, Patron Saint of Mysticism/Knowledge (depending on who you ask) has a really interesting vision that we could steal for a transformation sequence?
A quote from her vision described the blood flowing from Jesus's Wounds transformed into a fire that touch her head, heart and hands where upon the mantle of Mother Mary covered her, which sounds pretty metal!
Hell, mix that with the energy of Punk and Metal Culture like I attempted with the Queen in Rags Crust-Punk/battle jacket thing
Like…
with a moment of focus, Stigmata Appear on the Body of the Demon Empress, the golden ichor of Her Unholy Blessing flowing down her forehead, her eyes, and hands as her heart glows visibly under her clothes and skin, and wherever the fel-light touches the blood becomes a heatless flame which burns away all imperfections, the vestiges of her mortal frame are cast aside as it girds her body in Light Devouring Black Armor, replete with gothic gilding and arcane symbols. Behold Her Glory as [Molly's Soul World/Hell/Reality itself?] sing-screams her praises like a riotous punk concert, chanting the ten-thousand thousand titles of the Awaited Infernal Empress so loudly it intrudes upon the mortal world. All who look upon The Shintai can hear it, as if a whisper in their ear or the thumping, organ-shaking bass and muffled words just behind an unseen wall— "The Demon Saint, Praise! The Immortal Akuma of Magic, PRAISE! Blackened Queen Of Mystery and War, PRAISE! PRAISE! PRAISE!"
Or something like that?
Ebenezer is not ignorant about the Thousand Hells and their influences and marks, the Exaltation is most likely incalculably older (maybe literally due potential universe restructuring or Wyld shit).
That went well though.
Ebenezer rolling 13 dice for WP is very impressive.
After E2 (soon hopefully) and Dex 5 (whenever) I am hoping we'll also get WP 10 someday.
- Location
- Germany
Ebenezer knows some things about the Hells and recognised them, but he does not know about Exaltations.
Even the Hells and their masters did not really understand or remember Exaltations, or ours wouldn't have ended up were it was.
- Location
- Germany
That does sound cool, but it's really infringing into Abyssal aesthetics.
If we ever meet one, she might sue us for trying to steal her style.
Seriously though, black armor, burning heart, that's all nice, but it's too human for my taste.
I want my Shintai a bit more alien demon-god.
Normal clones are normal.
Shintai clones are different, at least according to the letter of the Charm. Also temporary.
Signature effect in Shintai, assuming you pick it as a signature charm. I quote:
Normal form.
We get shintai at Essence 2 at the very earliest, so you have some idea of the passive effects an Infernal's normal form is likely to have running at E2.
Remember, combat effect in shintai. A naked, unarmed temporary clone with no magic is not a useful combat aid.
Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
Yeah, but he still knew enough to recognize that we aren't running on the same power sources.
If mortals are using Alternating Current and Fey are Direct Current, we're mainlining Nuclear Power Metal.
- Location
- Germany
As for questions, I would like to ask Ebenezer why the Rampires are summoning Outsiders.
Like, predator and monster or not, they are still creatures of this world and not safe from the things outside.
Aren't there any less risky demons to use in your service, some less existantial problems to use as warbeasts?
Assuming he knows what they are thinking, but that is vital intelligence on the foe in this war, so he should know.
Edit: I just noticed how the last question sounds, I do not actually want to ask him for summoning tips, this is just a rethoric question.
Like, predator and monster or not, they are still creatures of this world and not safe from the things outside.
Aren't there any less risky demons to use in your service, some less existantial problems to use as warbeasts?
Assuming he knows what they are thinking, but that is vital intelligence on the foe in this war, so he should know.
Edit: I just noticed how the last question sounds, I do not actually want to ask him for summoning tips, this is just a rethoric question.
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Well, more like nuclear power is our emergency rationing/nearly out of power mode.
We don't even have a peripheral mote pool and our pool is small as hell, smh.
Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
They might not actually be summoning the Outsiders. The Outsiders' services could have instead been loaned to the Red Court in a bid to take out the Blackstaff without implicating the true summoner(s). It's not everyday that such a powerful and important wizard is vulnerable to an ambush, after all, and such attacks of opportunity are the bread and butter of a shadowy cabal like the Black Council.
- Location
- Germany
I think I vaguely remember them using Outsiders in other cases too, but without having actually read the books I don't know for sure.
- Location
- Probably at sea
Hooray, we're off the hook!
Well, unless the Merlin decides to use us as a stick to beat Harry with, because even Ebenezar's thumbs-up won't necessarily help us if so, but that's a problem for another day.
(Also, thanks for talking about Outsiders even if the vote didn't specify, that was kind.)
This sort of confused me, but I had a look and this is how Tool Transcending Constructs does say it works now. I kind of liked the original aesthetic where everything was done via precise bits of reality warping rather than just by summoning tools, but fair enough I suppose.
As for anything to ask... I feel like anything we'd ask Ebenezar we could get just as well by asking Harry, apart from things that Ebenezar wouldn't want to tell us anyway. Likewise, I don't think we have anything to offer him apart from our help when needed, which we already did. No, I think we're good.
Well, unless the Merlin decides to use us as a stick to beat Harry with, because even Ebenezar's thumbs-up won't necessarily help us if so, but that's a problem for another day.
(Also, thanks for talking about Outsiders even if the vote didn't specify, that was kind.)
This sort of confused me, but I had a look and this is how Tool Transcending Constructs does say it works now. I kind of liked the original aesthetic where everything was done via precise bits of reality warping rather than just by summoning tools, but fair enough I suppose.
As for anything to ask... I feel like anything we'd ask Ebenezar we could get just as well by asking Harry, apart from things that Ebenezar wouldn't want to tell us anyway. Likewise, I don't think we have anything to offer him apart from our help when needed, which we already did. No, I think we're good.
- Location
- Germany
Well, first the Merlin has to know that we fucked up before becoming our current self.
And since Harry and Ebenezer agree to keep that quiet he'll have to dig to even get there.
It says 'you summon tools out of raw essence'. Those tools can be just magic, but I felt it was more fitting to a Wicked City charm to actually look like you used the thematic of dark cyber-tech
- Pronouns
- He/They
😃Of Matters Black and Matters Grey said:
What I liked about that suggestion is that it leans into our unique (and to much of the supernatural world, terrifying in its implications) status as the daughter of a Knight of the Cross.
Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
I think we lack the proper context to even ask worthwhile questions here, at least any that Ebeneezer would be willing to answer. Better to keep our mouths shut and enjoy another small victory while it lasts, IMO.
[X] No, as impressive and interesting as he has been you are just glad to have gotten through this
[X] No, as impressive and interesting as he has been you are just glad to have gotten through this