Beckoning Shadows: The Dark is calling [Exalted/Shadowrun Quest]
- Thread starter HioH
- Start date
- Location
- The end of all things
While a couple of the other options are very tempting, I must agree that the Ebon Dragon is very fitting for Shadowrun. Lawbreaking all the time, no pesky Unconquered Sun, and enough social charms to make you the life of every party. Well, as far as people remember, anyway. We are getting and using Ebon Dragon social charms, right?
[x] Ebon Dragon
[x] Ebon Dragon
[x] Ebon Dragon
I'd bring to attention this rewrite of swlihn which in my opinion is very good and gives nice flavor to the charms. Oh, and you can actually get the shintai in a single lifetime, as it doesn't need 10 charms prereq.
In any case, a Defiler protagonist!!! awesome!
In any case, a Defiler protagonist!!! awesome!
HioH
Gentleman, Scholar, Dinosaur
Beckoning Shadows 2
I dreamed of crippled titans, of wonders beyond compare. It was more than just a dream, I could feel my emotions swell and ebb as fragmented dreams, memories, Danced inside me. I hovered on the edge of consciousness, flirting with oblivion as I distantly felt my body shift and change. faster and faster the memories came, an endless stream of consciousness unlike anything I had seen before.
Vast world-creatures lording over all reality. -Contentment-
Countless slave-races existing only to serve - Approval-
A shadow slithering across the world -Amusement-
Ten thousand shining spheres dancing in perfect geometric patterns -Joy-
A sea that burns and loves -Love-
A desert of laws and sand -Obedience-
A shining golden light holding infinity at bay -Hate/Respect-
Seven hundred sparks, beneath the notice of reality -Terror/Hate-
Impossibility made real, Death -Desperation-
A wind of blood and silence -Joy-
An unstoppable force -Rebel-
A Brass City under an Emerald Sun -Rage-
I could feel my time in this darkness grow to a close, the images blurring together into an incoherent mass of light and emotion. Green light began to consume everything, a sickly light that radiated hate as much as illumination. More and more of the darkness holding me was erased. One last vision, this one clearer than any before, wormed itself into my mind.
A Roar. Existence shakes. -Destiny-
---
The green light that engulfed my vision dimmed quickly and I found myself in the ruined remains of my apartment standing amongst countless shards of some mysterious material. A quick glance at the AR clock in the corner of my vision told me that five days had passed. What the drek WAS that? The voice of the spirit from before echoes through my mind, it is slightly different from before no longer integrating, but relaxed and poised. It sounds like countless metal blades scraping across each other in harmony, making a surprisingly soothing noise.
"Exaltation my lady, your apotheosis into something more. You are chosen, the Harbinger of what is to come and the creator of wonders. But before all else, you are Exalted."
I take a few minutes to digest it's words, moving through my apartment and gathering up my possessions. A quick rifle through my clothes drawer sees me dressed in a sleek, but armored suit with a bulletproof vest underneath. As I reply, I quickly and efficiently begin to gather what I need, the apartment was ruined from this "Exaltation" and there was a chance that I might be tracked here.
"Where the hell are you? In the astral Plane?"
"Inside you, my lady. As I carried the Exaltation within me, you now carry it and me within you. Until you draw your final breath we will be bound together, our Destiny intertwined. I will be your guide, mentor, and should you need it companion."
"What the fuck? This would have been nice to know before you knocked me out for five fraking days. Just for some kind of party light."
I thrust out one still slightly glowing hand for emphasis, even if he couldn't see it.
"A party light?" It's voice is dubious. "Show some respect. That is the light of Ligier the Unquestionable, Sun and heart of Malfeas." A voiceless sigh. "And An Exaltation is so much more than just some lightshow. To start with, Look yourself in a mirror."
A mirror? I looked around the devastated apartment doubtfully. A few steps later I entered my small bathroom, where, to my relief the mirror had survived mostly unharmed from my… Hatching? I was about to ask what my inner spirit wanted me to see when I caught sight of my reflection. My breath caught.
I looked like a GeneBaby, like my parents had shelled out millions for a perfect child. All the small imperfections that once marred my face and, as I soon discovered as I frantically began stripping of my newly donned clothes, body were gone. Scars that I had had for years where nowhere to be found, The heavy bags that seemed to constantly hover beneath my eyes were gone, everything that once marked me was now simply smoothed perfection. Even my muscle tone had been sculpted, the slight looseness that everyone seemed to accumulate these days was gone, solid muscle flexing under firm skin.
I looked good.
"Think we could sell this in a bottle?"
A sound, like countless arrows striking endless shields, filled me and it took a moment for me to recognize it as laughter. Shaking off my surprise at the sound I instead returned my attentions to the mirror, and my most obvious feature.
A single dark eye hovered above my forehead, less black and more an Absence in the fabric of the world with a slitted iris of burning green. It was intimidating, beautiful, and extremely visible.
"Is this thing permanent?"
"No my lady, your caste mark will fade soon. But it will reappear if you draw upon your new power too much, as will your Anima Banner."
"Seriously, you can't just say things like that and expect me to understand. What the hell is an Anima Banner?"
"Ahh, I forget myself. Where I come from these terms are common, or at least known to most. Your Anima banner is the aura surrounding all living things made manifest. When you use your power, Essence spills over into that aura and manifests with the holy light of Ligier."
"So the more power I use the more I glow?" I asked rhetorically. "Just great. All right chummer, lets get out of here."
A quick glance at my clock tells me that the sun should have fallen already, and a glance around the apartment shows me that I seem to have retrieved everything of value. Pulling out my Deck, I prepare for the most important part of my disappearance act. With a smooth motion I bring my hand up to behind my ear and grab the universal port cable attached to my Neural Link; Pulling it down to my Deck, I plug it in. With some simple mental command I pull up a hidden program bought specifically for this task. I activate it, and a few moments later a targeted virus rips through the systems of the apartment, frying everything beyond repair. A few more seconds and my fake SIN from last night is gone, burned and deleted. As I reformat my device with a new fake SIN I Idly note that this was my last fake. I would need to get another soon.
I pull out the cata-cable, Sliding the Deck into a discrete hip-holster as soon as it's out, and check that my pistol is in my shoulder-holster before opening the door and stepping out into the badly lit hallway. Walking out of the building, I take a deep breath of the polluted Seattle air and fix a small smirk on my face. Life moves on, and it was time for me to do the same.
Where to begin your investigation:
[x] The unofficial gathering place and watering hole for the underground of this part of Seattle, The Troll's Horn.
[x] The nightclub where your contact, Luca, can usually be found.
[x] The restaurant where the main rivals of the Yakuza, and therefore Mitsuhama, the Mob runs it's business.
[x] The local Yakuza Affiliate, Electronic Infiltration
[x] The local Yakuza Affiliate, Physical Infiltration
---
Good news and bad news, The good news is that the SWLiHN charmset has a charm that is ABSOLUTELY vital to even thinking about surviving in the Sixth World. The bad news is her Excellency Can't be used to enhance actions that oppose Megacorporations.
EDIT: Slightly rewritten to fit with RETCON
I dreamed of crippled titans, of wonders beyond compare. It was more than just a dream, I could feel my emotions swell and ebb as fragmented dreams, memories, Danced inside me. I hovered on the edge of consciousness, flirting with oblivion as I distantly felt my body shift and change. faster and faster the memories came, an endless stream of consciousness unlike anything I had seen before.
Vast world-creatures lording over all reality. -Contentment-
Countless slave-races existing only to serve - Approval-
A shadow slithering across the world -Amusement-
Ten thousand shining spheres dancing in perfect geometric patterns -Joy-
A sea that burns and loves -Love-
A desert of laws and sand -Obedience-
A shining golden light holding infinity at bay -Hate/Respect-
Seven hundred sparks, beneath the notice of reality -Terror/Hate-
Impossibility made real, Death -Desperation-
A wind of blood and silence -Joy-
An unstoppable force -Rebel-
A Brass City under an Emerald Sun -Rage-
I could feel my time in this darkness grow to a close, the images blurring together into an incoherent mass of light and emotion. Green light began to consume everything, a sickly light that radiated hate as much as illumination. More and more of the darkness holding me was erased. One last vision, this one clearer than any before, wormed itself into my mind.
A Roar. Existence shakes. -Destiny-
---
The green light that engulfed my vision dimmed quickly and I found myself in the ruined remains of my apartment standing amongst countless shards of some mysterious material. A quick glance at the AR clock in the corner of my vision told me that five days had passed. What the drek WAS that? The voice of the spirit from before echoes through my mind, it is slightly different from before no longer integrating, but relaxed and poised. It sounds like countless metal blades scraping across each other in harmony, making a surprisingly soothing noise.
"Exaltation my lady, your apotheosis into something more. You are chosen, the Harbinger of what is to come and the creator of wonders. But before all else, you are Exalted."
I take a few minutes to digest it's words, moving through my apartment and gathering up my possessions. A quick rifle through my clothes drawer sees me dressed in a sleek, but armored suit with a bulletproof vest underneath. As I reply, I quickly and efficiently begin to gather what I need, the apartment was ruined from this "Exaltation" and there was a chance that I might be tracked here.
"Where the hell are you? In the astral Plane?"
"Inside you, my lady. As I carried the Exaltation within me, you now carry it and me within you. Until you draw your final breath we will be bound together, our Destiny intertwined. I will be your guide, mentor, and should you need it companion."
"What the fuck? This would have been nice to know before you knocked me out for five fraking days. Just for some kind of party light."
I thrust out one still slightly glowing hand for emphasis, even if he couldn't see it.
"A party light?" It's voice is dubious. "Show some respect. That is the light of Ligier the Unquestionable, Sun and heart of Malfeas." A voiceless sigh. "And An Exaltation is so much more than just some lightshow. To start with, Look yourself in a mirror."
A mirror? I looked around the devastated apartment doubtfully. A few steps later I entered my small bathroom, where, to my relief the mirror had survived mostly unharmed from my… Hatching? I was about to ask what my inner spirit wanted me to see when I caught sight of my reflection. My breath caught.
I looked like a GeneBaby, like my parents had shelled out millions for a perfect child. All the small imperfections that once marred my face and, as I soon discovered as I frantically began stripping of my newly donned clothes, body were gone. Scars that I had had for years where nowhere to be found, The heavy bags that seemed to constantly hover beneath my eyes were gone, everything that once marked me was now simply smoothed perfection. Even my muscle tone had been sculpted, the slight looseness that everyone seemed to accumulate these days was gone, solid muscle flexing under firm skin.
I looked good.
"Think we could sell this in a bottle?"
A sound, like countless arrows striking endless shields, filled me and it took a moment for me to recognize it as laughter. Shaking off my surprise at the sound I instead returned my attentions to the mirror, and my most obvious feature.
A single dark eye hovered above my forehead, less black and more an Absence in the fabric of the world with a slitted iris of burning green. It was intimidating, beautiful, and extremely visible.
"Is this thing permanent?"
"No my lady, your caste mark will fade soon. But it will reappear if you draw upon your new power too much, as will your Anima Banner."
"Seriously, you can't just say things like that and expect me to understand. What the hell is an Anima Banner?"
"Ahh, I forget myself. Where I come from these terms are common, or at least known to most. Your Anima banner is the aura surrounding all living things made manifest. When you use your power, Essence spills over into that aura and manifests with the holy light of Ligier."
"So the more power I use the more I glow?" I asked rhetorically. "Just great. All right chummer, lets get out of here."
A quick glance at my clock tells me that the sun should have fallen already, and a glance around the apartment shows me that I seem to have retrieved everything of value. Pulling out my Deck, I prepare for the most important part of my disappearance act. With a smooth motion I bring my hand up to behind my ear and grab the universal port cable attached to my Neural Link; Pulling it down to my Deck, I plug it in. With some simple mental command I pull up a hidden program bought specifically for this task. I activate it, and a few moments later a targeted virus rips through the systems of the apartment, frying everything beyond repair. A few more seconds and my fake SIN from last night is gone, burned and deleted. As I reformat my device with a new fake SIN I Idly note that this was my last fake. I would need to get another soon.
I pull out the cata-cable, Sliding the Deck into a discrete hip-holster as soon as it's out, and check that my pistol is in my shoulder-holster before opening the door and stepping out into the badly lit hallway. Walking out of the building, I take a deep breath of the polluted Seattle air and fix a small smirk on my face. Life moves on, and it was time for me to do the same.
Where to begin your investigation:
[x] The unofficial gathering place and watering hole for the underground of this part of Seattle, The Troll's Horn.
[x] The nightclub where your contact, Luca, can usually be found.
[x] The restaurant where the main rivals of the Yakuza, and therefore Mitsuhama, the Mob runs it's business.
[x] The local Yakuza Affiliate, Electronic Infiltration
[x] The local Yakuza Affiliate, Physical Infiltration
---
Good news and bad news, The good news is that the SWLiHN charmset has a charm that is ABSOLUTELY vital to even thinking about surviving in the Sixth World. The bad news is her Excellency Can't be used to enhance actions that oppose Megacorporations.
EDIT: Slightly rewritten to fit with RETCON
Darik29
Verified Delicious
Okay. So SWLiHN charm that's vital is apparently one of her Excellencies. Not sure which one it is, yet.
And okay. Our current goal is apparently revenge for whoever set us up on this job. Lets get down to brass tacks here. Who would know the most about what happened, and which option has us hunt down our "Contact"?
[x] The nightclub where your contact, Luca, can usually be found.
And lets make Sure he doesn't run when he sees us coming. Cause then we'd have to chase him to find out what's happening, and this guy has potentially sold us out.
Good thing Ebon Dragon opening charm is that one perfect disguise charm.
HioH! Character Sheet with Charms! Do we has one?
Edit: Lord this lag is unending. And I see on our character sheet we have Two charms.
I'm guessing more will go up soon? Or what?
And okay. Our current goal is apparently revenge for whoever set us up on this job. Lets get down to brass tacks here. Who would know the most about what happened, and which option has us hunt down our "Contact"?
[x] The nightclub where your contact, Luca, can usually be found.
And lets make Sure he doesn't run when he sees us coming. Cause then we'd have to chase him to find out what's happening, and this guy has potentially sold us out.
Good thing Ebon Dragon opening charm is that one perfect disguise charm.
HioH! Character Sheet with Charms! Do we has one?
Edit: Lord this lag is unending. And I see on our character sheet we have Two charms.
I'm guessing more will go up soon? Or what?
Wut?HioH said:
She explicitly allows us to tear down inefficient institutions to pave the way for new orders.
The megacorporations are clearly inefficient. Just look at all the crime they not only permit to exist, but actively promote!
Besides, we are Exalt. They are not. The natural order of the universe is that we are at the top.
Crime isn't inefficiency, crime is part of the system. The MegaCorps are really efficient in working towards their goals: money and power. For example Mitsuhama is the third largest corporation, and it was originally just a front for the Yakuza. It was just so good at making money that the higher-up Yakuza retired and became legitimate businessmen because that was more profitable.DakkaMania said:Wut?
She explicitly allows us to tear down inefficient institutions to pave the way for new orders.
The megacorporations are clearly inefficient. Just look at all the crime they not only permit to exist, but actively promote!
Besides, we are Exalt. They are not. The natural order of the universe is that we are at the top.
Furthermore, the actual quote is "Spreading chaos is never allowed, but ineffective organizations and policies may be dismantled to pave the way for a better order." The MegaCorps are by definition the most effective at what they do.
HioH
Gentleman, Scholar, Dinosaur
Essence-Dissecting Stare. Pretty much all spirits in Shadowrun are only visible in the Astral Realm when not summoned, and because of -Redacted- they can effect you while they are there. This means Bad things for you unless you can see them.Harish said:
By that logic there is no restriction at all, as no system is perfect (except the GLORIOUS SOLAR SYSTEM), so it doesn't effect anything. Even if it only worked when trying to topple the system I wouldn't be very quick to use it, because the MegaCorps are both more powerful and more entrenched than the Realm (and one of them has a Great Dragon).BlackWarth said:
HioH
Gentleman, Scholar, Dinosaur
This is true. If you were working to replace them with something more efficent, more perfect, then you could use the Excellency. But as a private person, or as a Shadowrunner, You are never working for this kind of greater good. In fact, SWLiHN themes are pretty much the opposite of what the shadowrunners as a whole stand for. This of course means that it's gonna be pretty hard to apply the charm unless you change your basic personality a lot, something that won't happen overnight. Especially when you've been opressed by these kinds of organisations for your whole life.BlackWarth said:
HioH
Gentleman, Scholar, Dinosaur
Double Post - Lets see if it can't be productive.
Stuff other choices could have gotten you:
Magician:Bureaucracy fav, Sorcerous enlightenment (of Malfeas), Corporate SIN, +1 Essence, Ares Predator V (Malfeas)
Adept: MA fav, Retribution will follow (Infernal Monster), SINless, Cat's eyes, Enhanced Articulation, Ares Predator V (Isodros)
Technomancer: Stealth fav, Wind-Borne Stride, SINless, Cyberdeck, Ares Predator V (Adjoran)
Face: Socialize fav, Witness to Darkness, National SIN, Contacts +3, Tailored Pheremones, Ares Viper silvergun, Auctioneer business suit (Ebon Dragon)
Rigger:. Craft fav, Mother Sea Mastery, National SIN, GMC Bulldog(Rigger interface/ 4 Weapon mounts), 2 MCT Roto-Drone (2 weapon mounts), 4 Horizion fly-eye, Ares Predator V (Kimbery)
Street Samurai: Melee fav, By Pain Reforged, National SIN, Dermal plating (Al), Bone lacing (Al), Wired Reflexes (1), CyberArm (Full/Holster/Spurs), Ares Viper silvergun, Ingram Smartgun X, (Cecelyne)
Stuff other choices could have gotten you:
Magician:Bureaucracy fav, Sorcerous enlightenment (of Malfeas), Corporate SIN, +1 Essence, Ares Predator V (Malfeas)
Adept: MA fav, Retribution will follow (Infernal Monster), SINless, Cat's eyes, Enhanced Articulation, Ares Predator V (Isodros)
Technomancer: Stealth fav, Wind-Borne Stride, SINless, Cyberdeck, Ares Predator V (Adjoran)
Face: Socialize fav, Witness to Darkness, National SIN, Contacts +3, Tailored Pheremones, Ares Viper silvergun, Auctioneer business suit (Ebon Dragon)
Rigger:. Craft fav, Mother Sea Mastery, National SIN, GMC Bulldog(Rigger interface/ 4 Weapon mounts), 2 MCT Roto-Drone (2 weapon mounts), 4 Horizion fly-eye, Ares Predator V (Kimbery)
Street Samurai: Melee fav, By Pain Reforged, National SIN, Dermal plating (Al), Bone lacing (Al), Wired Reflexes (1), CyberArm (Full/Holster/Spurs), Ares Viper silvergun, Ingram Smartgun X, (Cecelyne)
HioH
Gentleman, Scholar, Dinosaur
Only two votes? I think this is a record low for me, is it really that bad?
Right now you only have two charms, but you will be getting more very quickly until you reach the normal starting ten. Also, the excellency counts as 2.Darik29 said:
[x] The local Yakuza Affiliate, Physical Infiltration
UrsaTempest
Don't Panic!
[x] The local Yakuza Affiliate, Electronic Infiltration
weirdbutgifted
Object at Rest
[x] The local Yakuza Affiliate, Electronic Infiltration
its more the lag to end all lag as we had 17+ hours of itHioH said:Only two votes? I think this is a record low for me, is it really that bad?
Right now you only have two charms, but you will be getting more very quickly until you reach the normal starting ten. Also, the excellency counts as 2.
HioH
Gentleman, Scholar, Dinosaur
Yea I noticed, it seemed to kick in several hours earlier yesterdayScya said: