The Rim and the Hammer (Exalted/Warhammer Quest)

Date Unknown, Elsewhere

It it weren't for the fact that the Essence lights were still burning in the Council Chamber you would have rushed to the Sezekan's Heart at once and not just to see to the safety of those whom you had worked with and lead for so many years. For most the tall pyramid glowing the cold blue of the sun seen through glacier ice at the crossroad of the city was simply 'magic', a source of pride and reassurance yes, a connection to the glorious past, but one poorly understood. For those who had gained mastery of their own Essence it was a bit more, a reassuring point of stability that one could find and navigate towards even with one's eyes closed from five leagues distant, its quiet hum a sign that home was close. But you know it better than any other living soul, the geometric pathways delved through stone with the perfection of living anima by savants that shone with the brilliance of the Sun itself, the runes that at once proclaimed and enforced its purpose to guard and nurture the city and at the very top of the pyramid the Engine which filled your dreams with its perfection... and your darkest fears of failure.

But in the moment of transposition of change a far greater fear had gripped your heart, all of it all the power of the city, the artifice that allowed your people to be more than barbarians squabbling and scavenging among the rocks was dependent on the Dragon Lines which passed Essence through Creation. If you had been moved to some other place than what chance was there that you would find yourself upon a natural wellspring of power, a domain capable to powering the manse?

And yet the lights were still on. You calm the council as best you can, not for the first time profoundly grateful to Carrie for cutting though the shouting and the recrimination and start taking stock of the situation. 'Start' being the operating word here, everyone is waiting for reports from their own departments, from spirits and priests to the Wyld guard and the healers. As the council takes wing you do as well, the manse you destination.

The upper doors of the manse had long since been sealed, as much to prevent easy access to the Engine by any attackers as because no one would be so conceited as to claim the Prince's apartments, looted though they be. So you dive into the ground level doors, offering that reassurance you can to the engineers at the entrance and pass through halls of stone and glass, through shafts that had once housed the lifts for the use of the Wingless and come at least to the nexus chamber. You need to see it working.

It is, how and why are questions for later, now you are just glad to see it turn and turn again, no different than it had done yesterday or the day before.

The Reality Engine is an icosahedron twice the height of a man, balancing on one point and orbited by a dozen melon-sized tetrahedra, cubes and spheres each filled with intricate clock work that fold and expand space as they turn like the breath of a single living organism, almost painful to watch in its perfection of form... and in spite of all the efforts of your people growing disrepair. Of course, your hopes are to do more than keep it as it is, more than to pass it off to generations hence in the same state you had found it.

Seeking to mend the ancient wonder, to restore it, you had delved into rare and perilous lore, beyond your nature, some would say beyond your station. Fools, you scoff inwardly the Lawmakers are gone and in their absence all you can do it turn what gifts you have to the aid and the betterment of your people. Now that you are the Voice you can reveal and make use of that understanding freely, even teach it to deserving students.

What Forbidden Lore did Sharp Gust of Insight Delve into?

[] Sorcery, be bestride the elements and command the forces of creation

[] Necrotech, the forging of souls into substance and mechanism arcane

[] Astrology, the power to divine and manipulate fate and fortune

[] Write in (Subject to GM approval; must be usable by one of the Terrestrial Exalted)

What are your charms, those powers that mark you as kin of the Elemental Dragon of Air and master of the sky?

Free: Seven Charms, Four of which must come from Aspect or Favored Abilities (Lore, Occult, Stealth and Thrown)

[] Write in (List of Charms)

OOC: Remember that you do have 55 Dragonbloods, though so you are not the only source of Charms at a polity wide level so you do not need to agonize too much on this. Also, of course, you will gain more native charms in play.