Ebeli Quest: How to Manage your Plot Devices and Save Creation

[GreggHL]

So I had an idea and decided that these work best with a protagonist which shouldn't be trusted with power.

It is not that you don't appreciate the effort put into it, goodness knows. It's just that the amount of effort, and the sheer scale of it, makes you wonder at times whether or not there are diminishing returns.
The circle, made out of Malfean Brass, was easy enough to get. Summon up a few First Circles and if you know what you're doing- like you do- you have enough for your basic summoning circle.
Your staff, which you found in your tomb- or really the tomb of your past incarnation- makes things easier but it was still a hassle to get. Not nearly the hassle that the Manse is, though. That was a lot of work, a lot of geomancy, and a lot of money. Lots of it.
But! But!
But you have done this before! And besides which even if you hadn't done this song and dance and chant and ridiculous amount of Essence before, you weren't doing it alone. Your best friend, currently nodding off in a supremely comfortable chair just outside of the blast radius, has his sword by his side just in case things go bad.
And besides which- this will help. There's the City of Dead Flowers to deal with, and the raw power of any Unquestionable will be a great asset against them. You've reassured your circle of this, and they agree. This should be done. This must be done. The power of the Solar Exalted leads to consequences such as this.
You have prepared- your friendship with Mara may pay off tonight if you go with Plan A. Plan B is more dangerous but the lack of preparing would pay off if you are correct, and Plan C- well, Plan C is exciting.
So, Ebeli, Solar Circle Sorcerer, and Summoner of All the Demons- What do?


Welcome to Ebeli Quest- Where you play an experienced, Solar Circle Sorcerer who solves every problems with Demons until demons stop solving her problems. Let's give some backstory:

You are Ebeli, formerly of House V'Neef. Unlike every other one of your siblings, you exalted as a Solar Exalted of the Twilight Caste, rather than a proper Dragon Blooded. That was twenty years ago and it's been a ride since.

You are, without a doubt, one of the two greatest demonologists in all of Creation, with the other being Mother's eldest sister. While you exalted in the satrapies of the East, you currently live in the South, near the Lap. Your Circle travels much, but you don't always travel with them- your main constant companion in regards to the circle is Sky, the circle's Dawn Caste. In addition to his more subdued ambitions and willingness to work towards the goals of others, he rather likes being there by your side because of the prospect of you needing to be saved.

You like the eye candy and wait that came out wrong. You like having someone you can rely on, and you certainly aren't a couple but you do have the weighted end of your staff ready for any Realm temptress that tries to get their claws in him like, say, Mother. Or all of your sisters.

Speaking of which, you have managed to mostly repair your relationship with your former House. In that, you can walk into one of their estates without having to fight your way out, and have a working relationship! Which is a lot healthier than when you were part of that family, and all it took was a civil war breaking out on the Blessed Isle.

But enough about that- Demons!

You solve problems with demons and will stop solving problems with demons when demons stop solving your problems. You are one of a handful of Solar Circle Sorcerers, and that's amazing. Not only that, you have an extremely rare and powerful artifact- the Staff of Authority Over the Binding Of Those Who Shall Be Bound, or the Staff of Binding for short- which makes this even easier.

And you have resolved, on this last night of Calibration, to summon up an Unquestionable, to bind into your substantial entourage (lots and lots of first circles and a handful of second circles) and serve you for a year and a day. You've done this twice before- first, you summoned up the Manse Eternal, Amalion (who built you this very nice Manse), and later on summoned up Orballis (who now doesn't like you).

So! Who's it gonna be?

[ ]Erembour, She Who Calls to the Shadows. You know summoning Erembour is dangerous. The fact that she has no beckoning conditions was something of an obvious red flag. However, you count Mara amongst your closest friends after several years of summoning and visits to Malfeas, and after a particular favor done for her in Great Forks she agreed to soften up Erembour for summoning. Additionally, it lead to Mara giving you a blessing which lets you communicate with forest animals, although you've now lost your taste for venison. More importantly- you have prepared for this.

[ ]Ligier Shin Giri Malfeas, the Green Sun. Because go big or go home. You did not learn Adamant Circle Sorcery to not be able to summon up demons on the power level of the Incarnae and besides which- you know that summoning up Ligier without even as much as a How do you do? would work in your favor, because he appreciates the audacity. Of course, the sheer act of summoning him up will take every erg of power you have even with the Staff, but there are few circumstances where Ligier would not be useful.

[ ]The Fetich Soul of the Ebon Dragon. Because why the fuck not. Okay, backstory: You know how the spell works, so it's a matter of really just calling on the demon by title or name. Yes, there is nothing written about who the heart of the Darkness that Casts a Shadow Upon Darkness Itself is, but that's why you're here! Also, the last third circle you bound was Orballis and it was very obvious you were this close to being flung into the Malfean Sky as an eternally burning effigy of why such knowledge is to be known only to the Yozi, and you have no problems being petty. Also, you are incredibly curious about who or what would appear! Assuming you can successfully bind him. Her. It.

GreggHL threw 1 10-faced dice. Total: 2

 

[GreggHL]

The Story Thus Far (at least in reference to geopolitics)

So, it is currently Realm Year 789 (soon to be 790). The Realm is currently several years into a civil war due to finally noticing that not only is the Empress gone, but she's gone longer than usual and hasn't come back yet. With the exception of House V'Neef- which has more or less pulled out of the Blessed Isle and consolidated around Satrapies- the Isle is at war.

Ebeli and her circle are not taking part in this war for now, however. Currently, their adventures tend to be located around the Lap, having taken advantage of the current civil war to ensure its independence from the Realm. However, they do have airships, and are therefore rather mobile. While they do tend to stay in the general area of the Diamond Road, they are planning a campaign against the City of Dead Flowers and the Walker in Darkness.

Ebeli is summoning an unquestionable for two reasons- first, because she can, and secondly because the circle's leader, Bright Star, asked her to summon a Third Circle who would be an asset against the Dead. Erembour is Plan A due to her friendship with Mara (Erembour's defining soul), and Erembour's revelry potentially turning the Walker's army of ghosts, zombies, and nephracks into a dance troupe.

 

[GreggHL]

So I feel it would help to give an idea of what the choices represent for those who don't follow Exalted.

Erembour is a walking zombie apocalypse. She possesses a horn which, when she plays it, turns all who hears it into Creatures of Darkness and they join her in a revelry. Essentially, she causes the Thriller.

Ligier is the single most powerful Third Circle Demon in existence. Among other things, he can essentially nuke an area, and has in his possession the greatest and most sublime weapon ever made- the Sword of the Yozi. He is also a craftsman with few peers outside of elder Solar craftsmen, the Unconquered Sun, and the Great Maker.

The Fetich Soul of the Ebon Dragon is a complete wildcard, as it has never been defined in any of the books. All we know is that the Dragon keeps such knowledge guarded for supposedly good reason.

 

[GreggHL]

Final Count:

Ligier 10
Fetich 9
Erembour 3

Backstory:
The Circle:

Ebeli and Sky are the Twilight and Dawn Castes, respectively, of a full Solar Circle. They've worked together on and off for about twenty years, admittedly with varied other interests taking their time and other agendas, but tend to team up for major undertakings- such as the taking of the City of Dead Flowers, a massive shadowland in An Teng.

Other members:

Bright Star, Zenith Caste: Tends to be the leader and the most charismatic, helped by him being a Zenith Caste so he is both exceptionally charismatic and shits out sunlight from every orifice.

The Hermit of Timberleaf Peak (created by Goldenlark), Eclipse Caste: A high man in a high place. Also an outright terrifying instrument of combat destruction, who oscillates between drugged off his gourd and uncomfortably lucid. Has a sidereal mentor and a Lunar who only refers to himself as the Demon Cat of Timberlake Peak (long story).

False Ray of Sunshine, Night Caste: The other female member of the otherwise sausage fest, a demon blooded girl with bright red eyes and perhaps a bit too much time in the Wyld. Has fully embraced her stealth magics, to a terrifying degree.

 

[GreggHL]

[X]Ligier Shin Giri Malfeas, the Green Sun. Because go big or go home. You did not learn Adamant Circle Sorcery to not be able to summon up demons on the power level of the Incarnae and besides which- you know that summoning up Ligier without even as much as a How do you do? would work in your favor, because he appreciates the audacity. Of course, the sheer act of summoning him up will take every erg of power you have even with the Staff, but there are few circumstances where Ligier would not be useful.



There is a part of you that wonders how time works in the demon realm of Malfeas. While standing here, wondering which demon to summon, waiting to make a decision, you realize that the one you choose will have left Malfeas five days ago. No matter which one, that one would have left five days ago. With a nod, you resolve to understand how that works, but that is filed with the other future plans.

Right now, you have made a decision, and you have to break it gently. Turning from the summoning circle, you walk over to Sky and the large, study chair he is napping in. You pat him on the cheek to wake him, and blue eyes flutter open before you drape your arms around his shoulders and drop yourself onto his lap.

To his credit he keeps his eyes on your face, and you smile. Let the buttering begin.

"So, question. Your sword is supposed to be the greatest sword in all Creation, right?"

A questioning grunt. Followed by, "I think we figured it's the first sword, which might be why someone keeps trying to steal it?"

"How do you think it'd measure up against the greatest sword of all?"

You could never accuse Sky of being dim, and he does put the pieces together rather fast.

"You're summoning Ligier."

"I'm summoning Ligier," you say with a nod. His mouth opens and closes like a fish stranded on land, and he closes his eyes and pinches his nose.

"Ebeli...didn't we spend the entire year preparing to summon Erembour?"

You nod, sucking teeth.

"Didn't we go to Great Forks and rescue Mara's daughter so we could summon Erembour?"

"Let's be fair, it was less saving her and more surviving her attempts to kill us before we found the god controlling her and feeding him to Mara."

You look him in the eye, shifting slightly on his lap and leaning in. Wood aspected siblings and parentage lead to techniques handed down through generations, and his face goes bright red. You didn't exactly dress in layers, and it is the South, after all.

"So, we were going to summon Erembour because of her Revelry, because she can basically control the armies of the Dead, but how about just burning them all?"

He blinks, ponders. Furrows his brow and you see the faint flicker of Essence. "That'd work. But we haven't done any preparation."

You shrug, reach up, and adjust your spectacles. "Ligier appreciates audacity, and it doesn't get any more audacious than 'Get over here because I'm a Solar Circle Sorcerer.'"

"Point." He sighs, faint rattle in his throat. "Bright Star's going to have a fit."

With that, you turn, sitting fully on his lap and pushing yourself off. "Then Bright Star ought to learn some sorcery himself and not give me badly worded requests." You turn, hands on your hips. Buttering has been accomplished, in theory. "Can I count on you?"

He nods with a grin. "Always. Just, one thing?"

You nod, and motion him to continue. "Me getting into a sword fight with Ligier wielding the Sword of the Yozi is a terrible idea."

You shrug. "Technically he wouldn't fight you unless it was the entire Circle." Which is true, but the sour look on his face tells you that isn't what he wanted to hear. So instead, you grab his wrist and pull him up.

"Anyway, time to start!"



Brass and orichalcum torches light. From the staff in her hand, her golden hearthstone gripped within the thin fingers at its top, a light pours forth and into the summoning circle, empowering it and the litany of wards surrounding the manse. It flows outwards and inwards- web lattice of preparations writing their names across the dome that expands and rises above them, and inwards-

Into the Demon City, where the Staff lets its magic be known upon its target five days ago. Still, now is not the time to think of odd time shennanigans or impossibilities, but to wrench miracles from the universe's grasp.

Your coat flutters in the chill wind, and the silver sand already pours forth. To lesser sorcerers, this would be intimidating- calling forth a being venerated, worshipped by trillions of beings in the immense Demon City. But you have done this before.

Well, not with him. But you know what you're doing.

"I make the Sign of Separation-" The staff floats before you and you twist your hands, forming the symbol with glowing golden Essence. "And open the gates of the Demon City. Demon Emperor, King of Kings, know me and be made to know me."

You feel it. Pulling back, resisting.

"I make the Mudra of Victory, and remind you of the oaths and pacts to which you have sworn!"

Practiced motion. Hands sliding against each other, twisting the light into the Old Realm symbols of the Oaths of Surrender and Victory over the Primordials.

"I call upon you, King of Kings, Malfeas," you continue, "And I call upon your Burning Heart. I summon forth-"

And when the words leave your lips, so do you. You open your eyes and the manse is gone, the chamber gone, Sky gone. You stand between tick and tock, here and there. In a desert of silver sands and law, before the brass and vitriol.

A sphere larger than Creation will ever be, and with words and spell and sorcery you stand before it. Not as equal.

Never as equal.

As greater. You use their words and their commands and make them your own. In soft voice, with sanity and humanity and empathy they do not possess. Before you, the great sphere rings with intonation, its identity in Old Realm, in First Language.

MALFEAS.

King of Kings.

Demon Emperor.

Bowed and Broken but Authority Without Equal. Brass and Lordship ripples with emerald light.

And before you, the layers of the Demon Emperor Align. With the eyes of Sorcery, of Adamant Circle, of Primordial Workings Handed to Mortals, you understand, and call him forth, through metaphor and action and the green fire issuing forth.

"I summon you, Ligier Shin Giri Malfeas."

And once more in the manse, once more with your friend by your side, you do not blink when the pillar of emerald fire erupts. The spilled silver sand becomes cecylean glass, the brass heated to burning blue, and the wards of the manse catch the emerald fire in beautiful lattice light.

"For an entire age, I have waited. Unbound, unsummoned, for none stood who could call me forth."

You feel it. You can taste it. The raw power you struggle against, eroding will and power with the last reserves of your own.

"And in this brass age, one has come to summon me forth? I, First Amongst Equals!"

You can see him. Two hands resting on the pommel of the weapon without equal. Two arms folded across the bare, ho wow chest.

"The Fixed Point of Malfeas!"

A cloak of finest emerald silk hangs over his bare shoulders, and the emerald fire makes the amber hair flow around him, barely hiding pointed ears- blinding fire but itself dim compared to his own brilliance.

"The Lord of Hell! Green Sun of-"

And then you get a good long look and-

"Good gods you could grind meat on those abs."

The green fire extinguishes. Eyes the color of finely crafted emeralds narrow. Then you realize that yes, you did say that out loud, and grip the staff to lean on it.

"I-" You clear your throat. "I'm sorry, I interrupted. Do you want to start over?"

"No," Ligier says, "No, it's done."

With a deft, still sexy motion, he hefts up the brass daiklave and sheathes it by his side, folding his hands behind him. "So, I win the bet."

You blink. Sky tilts his head with a questioning grunt.

"The bet?" you ask.

"With Amalion. She wagered you were going to summon Erembour. I wagered you would summon me." His form shrinks- two of his arms disappear and he appears almost human, save that your sorcerer's sight, your essence sight, still tells you this is The Green Sun. "So! How may I be of service, O Sorcerer?"

Oh! Right.

"Ligier Shin Giri Malfeas, I bind you to my entourage for a year and a day."

"Excellent. I believe we will negotiate further services, then?"

[ ]'Kay [continues to stare at his abs]

[ ]Negotiate? What do you mean negotiate?

[ ]Take the hard line approach.

[ ]Write in

 

[GreggHL]

So, let's put up the stat sheet so we know what tools are at our disposal.

Ebeli, Formerly of House V'Neef
Caste: Twilight
Motivation: To study the Deva of a free Primordial Prevent the death of the Great Maker
Anima: A blossoming flower of sunlight which explodes into thousands of petals.
Appearance: Redhead with a definite genki feel to her. Constantly excited in regards to anything with the occult, as she appears to vibrate in place when new occult things are mentioned. Unlike a statuesque stunner, she lacks the 'standing in place long enough' merit to be statuesque, and is much more 'bouncy.' However, while her Breeding was burnt out of her via the Exaltation, she still retains a lot of the traits of House V'Neef, which includes spontaneous rose petals.
Backstory: The sole daughter of V'Neef to not exalt as a Dragonblooded, Ebeli exalted as a Twilight when she solved a particular vexing demonology problem. Which lead to her house trying to kill her, and not in the ways they normally tried to kill each other.

Intimacies:
Sky (love, friendship)
Mara (besties)
Shell (Adorable little sister)
Mother (trying for a healthy relationship)
Sisters (dismissal)
Bijar (crazy-ass sister)
Ray (Friendship, terror)
Demons (Excellent problem solvers)
Lytek (patronizing ass)
Lunar Mate (is an insane whale)
Circle (Friends, family)
The Lap (Home)
Children (DO NOT WANT)

Attributes:
Physical:
Strength: 3
Dexterity: 5
Stamina: 3

Social
Charisma: 4
Manipulation: 2
Appearance: 5

Mental:
Perception: 4
Intelligence: 6
Wits: 5

Abilities:

Dawn
Archery 0
Martial Arts 0
Melee 5
Thrown 0
War 0

Zenith
Integrity 3
Presence 5
Performance 5
Resistance 2
Survival 3

Twilight
Craft 5
Craft Fire 3
Craft Magitech 6
Investigation 5
Lore 6
Medicine 2
Occult 6

Eclipse
Bureaucracy 0
Linguistics 5
Ride 0
Sail 0
Socialize 6

Night
Athletics 5
Awareness 5
Dodge 3
Larceny 0
Stealth 0

Specialties
Occult (Demonology) +3
Melee (Staves) +3
Socialize (Dynasts) +2
Investigation (Realm) +2
Lore (Demonology) +3
Melee (Swords) +1

Essence 6
Virtues
Compassion 2
Conviction 4
Temperance 3
Valor 2


Backgrounds
Artifact: The Staff of Authority Over Binding Those Who Shall be Bound (5)
Found in the tomb of one of Ebeli's past lives, this orichalcum staff resembles a direlance without an edge. While in combat it is a prodigious bludgeon, its true power lies in other areas. Roughly six feet long, the top of the staff ends with five long, finger like protrusions perfectly spaced for a hearthstone. When attuned, the staff enhances the three demonic binding spells- drawing on the power of its wielder, it inflicts a penalty of (Essence/2 rounded down) to the demon, after all other penalties are applied by the spell itself, allowing powerful sorcerers to more easily summon up the lieutenants of the Yozi.
Bound Demons: Magnitude 2 First Circle Demons
Bound Demon: Erembour, That Which Calls to the Shadows- 1 year and one day
Bound Demon: Florivet- 1 year and one day
Bound Demon: Ligier Shin Giri Malfeas- 1 year and one day
Bound Demon: Ruvelia, the Cerulean Star- 1 year and one day
Allies (5): Mara.
Backing (2): House V'Neef
Resources (5): Schools. More or less, Ebeli has revolutionized education along the Diamond Road, with a combination of her prodigious learning charms and the infrastructure set up by Ray.
Cult (4): Because she has a tendency of accidental messiah'ing.


Charms
1st​ Excellency (1 mote per extra die)
Melee
Investigation
Lore
Occult
Athletics
Awareness
Linguistics
Presence
Performance
Socialize
Integrity

2nd​ Excellency (2 motes per success)
Presence
Lore
Occult
Awareness

Dawn
Melee
Solar Counterattack
Guardian Sunfire Catechism
Fire and Stones Strike
One Weapon, Two Blows
Heavenly Guardian Defense
Call the Blade
Dipping Swallow Defense
Hungry Tiger
Bulwark Stance


Zenith
Integrity
Integrity protecting Prana

Presence
Enemy Castigating Solar Judgement
Listener-Swaying Argument
Majestic Radiant Presence
Authority-Radiating Stance
Irresistible Salesmen Spirit
Hypnotic Tongue Technique
You Can Be More

Resistance
Durability of Oak Meditation

Survival
Hardship-Surviving Mendicant Spirit

Twilight

Investigation
Courtier's Eye Technique
Judge's Ear Technique
Crafty Observation Method
Evidence-Discerning Method
Know the Soul's Price

Lore
Wyld Shaping
Wyld Cauldron
Harmonious Academic Methodology
Legendary Scholar Curriculum
Essence Lending Method
Immanent Solar Glory (5x)

Occult
Emerald Circle Sorcery
Sapphire Circle Sorcery
Adamant Circle Sorcery
Spirit Detecting Glance
All-Encompassing Sorcerer's Sight

Eclipse

Linguistics
Sagacious Reading of Intent
Letter-within-a-Letter

Socialize
Mastery of Small Manners
Gathering the Congregation
Understanding the Court
Wise-Eyed Courtier Method

Night
Athletics
Perfect Poise Stance
Lightning Speed
Graceful Crane Stance
Feather Foot Style
Spider Foot Style

Awareness
Keen Sight
Unsurpassed Sight Discipline
Eye of the Unconquered Sun

Sorcery:
Emerald Circle:
Cirrus Skiff
Coin of Distant Vision
Commanding Presence of Fire
Demon of the First Circle
Emerald Circle Banishment
Emerald Countermagic
Flight of the Brilliant Raptor
Impervious Sphere of Water
Infallible Messenger
Invulnerable Skin of Bronze
Open the Spirit Door
Spirit Sword
Stormwind Rider
Summon Elemental
Unbreakable Bones of Stone
Wood Dragon's Claw

Sapphire Circle:
Demon of the Second Circle
God Forged Champion of War
Incomparable Body Arsenal
Outside Worlds Within
Sapphire Circle Banishment
Sapphire Countermagic
Servant of Infallible Location
Shadow Theft
Travel Without Distance
Unity of Dreams

Adamant Circle:
Adamant Counter Magic
Adamant Circle Banishment
Demon of the Third Circle
Light of Solar Cleansing
Unity of the Closed Fist

 

[GreggHL]

[X]'Kay [continues to stare at his abs]


It isn't that you were just lust-struck and staring at the impossibly handsome demon lord, craftsman, sorcerer, and all the other things. But, in your extensive studies on the denizens of Malfeas, you knew that Ligier was trustworthy, if alien. Honorable, if alien. Noble, if alien. Maybe a bit patronizing, but for the sheer amount of green fire this was going to net you it was a small price to pay.

More than anything, it seemed Ligier was amused. And you had proof, too, because you have a dizzying array of socializing charms and investigative charms which let you dissect every sentence he said and because why not you used Evidence Discerning Method on him while giving him a tour of the manse.

It took you several tries, and you have resolved to learn the second excellency, but you can now read him like a book. A very pretty book.

Currently, the three of you- Sky, Ligier, and yourself- are in the map room of the manse, which like everything in the manse was slightly off key and with a ceiling that really shouldn't fit, but Amalion made it for free so you don't complain. The map- of the area around the City of Dead Flowers- is unfurled on the table, with its artifact nature showing a three dimensional image of the actual dead city itself, but Ligier's attention is focused on Sky's sword.

Given, you've just spent several hours relating the basics of the plan, and you aren't in charge of it anyway, so a break is good.

Ligier, to his credit, hasn't tried to pull Sky's sword out of the sheathe.

"Ah, I remember this sword. What is it called, now?"

"Stone Splitter," Sky answers.

Ligier hums. "During the War, seven Solar Exalted died attempting to wrench the Sword of the Yozi from me. During their age of victorious rule, dozens more died in further attempts." He grins, holding the sword by its sheathe, admiring the hilt. "None of them wielded this sword."

"Why?" Sky asks.

Ligier shrugs. "I credit it to them knowing better. Or being satisfied with what they had, if such a condition could be applied to the Exalted."

Ligier extends the handle to Sky, who takes it. The sheathed blade slides out of Ligier's hand and Sky banishes it to Elsewhere in a flash of white. You cock an eyebrow and watch the exchange, silent and observant.

You know there is no chance of an actual fight- Sky is courteous and humble, and Ligier is noble and would require the entire Circle. Part of it, you understand, is that few things in Creation or beyond are actually capable of killing him. This must give him a level of confidence. Much like members of your circle, and in particular False Ray of Sunshine. And then the chill runs down your spine about what will happen when the Night Caste meets the demon you've bound, and you realize you should contact them.

[ ]Flashback to when you told Ray how demonic binding works

[ ]Continue watching

[ ]Contact your circle to find out when everyone's getting back

[ ]Get your bound demons here because you're curious how they'd react.

[ ]Write in

 

[GreggHL]

[X]Flashback to when you told Ray how demonic binding works


Some time ago, prior to the Rakan Thulio Incident

Upon explanation, False Ray of Sunlight's eyes go wide and she pulls her lips back in an ear to ear smile. As with other times, you consider spending time learning the medical Charms that let you diagnose mutations, to let you finally determine how many your circle-sister has. But you still just don't want to.

"You mean I can hit a bound demon hard enough to reduce it to a fine red mist and not get yelled at?"

Behind her, the fist sized center of the Hopping Puppeteer building the maintenance frame around the azure and ivory warstrider shuffles around to the other side, putting the armored giant between her and it. Which is impressive, as you were sure they didn't know fear as mortals do.

"No," you say, "You'd still get yelled at."

"Aw." The smile disappears, red eyes watery. "I always get yelled at. Usually by Bright Star, because it was something he was going to punch, but Peak just tells me I need to work on my reach."

You're never there when Ray punches something, usually working on a project. You don't regret that. At all.

"I mean, you'd get yelled at for different reasons," you explain, "Because the demon wouldn't die. It would just return to Malfeas and then I'd have to wait a year and a day to summon it up again." The smile returns. Flawless Diagnosis? That would tell you how many teeth she has. Maybe if she also has the Snake Jaws? Hideous Maw? No, that would be on her stomach. "And I'd yell at you because I bind demons for a purpose, and if you..."

"Punchsplode."

That's a word. "If you punchsploded one of the demons I bound, I'd be short a demon I'd need."

Ray nods. Continues smiling. A quick use of magic and you read her like a book. "You want me to summon up demons for you to practice on."

"Because you're using all of yours. And you don't have any blood apes. How many can you summon up and how much money will it be?"

Straight and to the point. "Well, it's a New Moon soon and I'm not planning on summoning any Second Circle demons so I could technically summon up a lot-"

"Of Blood Apes."


Right Now.

You remember when you did that. She went through them surprisingly fast. Worryingly fast. A part of you wonders how she would approach Ligier, then. Potential sparring partner? Potential romantic partner?

Both?

[ ]Continue watching

[ ]Contact your circle to find out when everyone's getting back

[ ]Get your bound demons here because you're curious how they'd react.

[ ]Write in

 

[GreggHL]

Huh. We have a tie. Which means we can do both.

[X]Get your bound demons here because you're curious how they'd react.

They say that curiosity killed the cat, but they're wrong. From a literal perspective, Peak's cat has yet to be permanently harmed by any curiosity he's shown, which included that time they were in the West and he picked a fight with a Mantis Shrimp, but that can also be chalked up to him being a Lunar.

But! The full expression is 'Curiosity killed the cat but satisfaction brought him back.' Hence, if one is curious about something, they should indulge that curiosity!

Attend me! You mentally shout, and through the links you hold does your entourage hear. Invisible to mortal eyes, six dozen first circle demons of varied makes, breeds, caste and character assemble about you. Beautiful jeweled wasps, black poison guzzling bugs, lanky threads of phlegm and hair, and six legged hounds of basalt and quartz.

When they arrive, they see you, and they see the newest arrival to Creation in the room. And as you expect, they all bow, showing deference towards the humanoid form of the Green Sun. The hounds lower their snouts, going still, the wasps curtsying, and the puppeteers bend their thread legs and avert their eyes. The stomach bottle bugs vibrate in place, but maybe that's out of fear.

Ligier preens, and you can tell from his body language the simple message conveyed:

It's good to be king.

What you were most curious about were the Second Circles in your entourage. Visible and solid for mortal eyes, the young, flawless human of ambiguous gender walks in, carrying the brass adorned box of game pieces. The puppet does not react. The box, however, hums.

Somehow, your next bound second circle managed to get through the door, despite being twice as wide as the doorway itself. The massive Quarter Prince allows himself a momentary surprise upon seeing the Green Sun, but clasps his hands together and nods. Ligier, to his credit, returns the greeting. Obvious respect between them.

The hairy, lanky demon in a naval captain's suit remains dematerialized, uncorks the bottle he is somehow carrying, and takes a long, long drag.

You're not going to materialize? You think towards Florivet.

No, comes the half drunk response, He's probably still pissed at me.

I thought Orballis was pissed at you, not Ligier.

Don't have to be mutually exclusive!

You roll your eyes. Well, that was interesting.


[X] Begin negotiations by hitting on him
-[X] Zero subtlety

You lean in, across the table, folding your arms just below your chest and giving off your best smile. "So, you said you wanted to negotiate for further services," you say in your best purr, "What do you want in exchange?"

You actually put some magic into that. Batting your eyes, letting your hair down, that sort of thing. Usually this works because you're usually one of the prettiest people in the room, as Sky has admitted before changing the subject, but in this case Ligier only stares at you because he is far, far prettier.

"Ah, the hair," he says, folding his arms and turning his attention to you, "I should have picked up on it earlier. You're from the Realm, yes?"

Well that kind of fell flat. Sky's face has turned red and he gives you a verbose look of 'What are you doing?'

"Yes," you answer.

"And still alive, and I was sure that the Realm did it's best to kill any Solars emerging from their houses, so credit in your favor," Ligier continues, "Which one of the Great Houses? Mnemon? No, no they are more zealous. House Cynis?" He quirks his lips. "No, your seduction attempt wasn't blatant enough and you are sober."

"House V'Neef," you answer.

He cocks an eyebrow. "Who?"

You stare. Sky rests his face in one hand. "I thought you weren't summoned for an entire age," you say, trying to change the subject. Desperately.

"I have not, but there is little in Malfeas that I do not know of," he says, "And those lessers who are bound in Creation and return do keep me up to date in the happenings of the Creation I once shone upon."

You nod. "My mother is V'Neef, she has her own Great House," you explain with a shrug, "And she is..." Mentally you count. "Eighty? Eighty years old. And a daughter of the Empress."

"Ah." Ligier cocks an eyebrow. "That is rather accomplished for one so young. I would be delighted to meet her."

You stare at him, and even with the charms you have active against him you can't tell if he is reacting to the daggers you are trying to project with your eyes. "So," you say, a little higher pitched than you wanted, attempting to wrench away from this subject both physically and mentally, "What can I count on from you before further payment?"

He smiles with jagged teeth and amber eyes, folding his now four arms across his broad chest. "I am of your entourage, O Sorcerer. I shall protect you from harm and offer my advice when asked. What is your current campaign or working?"

"We're preparing to cleanse the City of Dead Flowers," Sky says, "A shadowland."

"That I shall do for no charge," Ligier says with a grin, "Pissant ghosts."

"It's ruled by a Deathlord," you add.

"Pissant Exalted ghost."

Well, that's a bit of information you can file away for later. He doesn't like the dead. "And for other services? Such as your craftsmanship?"

"That depends on what you ask for, but I imagine you know my reputation." From his sleeve he produces a scroll, unfurling it in noble and exalted fashion. "I do have, how do we say, a package deal. These are what I require for more pointed tasks."

You take the scroll. "We do have someone with a Heart Grace, so if you need Raksha that's..."

Well, reading the scroll, you do spot that. Six Score Raksha Bound in Iron Chains. And that is the first item. You read down it, and find ingredients, regents, items and...wow. Lots of them.

A quick, sagacious reading of it tells you that some of these are available in Malfeas. In fact, he could simply...order...a servant to get them Oh you fucker. But there are some things here you read. Some things which it strains your occult knowledge on.

Blessings of Advaita Iraivan? The fuck is that?

They are tiered- more difficult components, more exotic for more extensive services, topping at 'Tutoring an Eclipse Caste.' The easiest ones are under the tier written, in masterful script, 'The Secret Name and Total Annihilation.'

Of course, there is a question on the back of your mind, as you look up from the scroll. Is this fair? Reasonable?

Of course, you have little idea, as neither you or Sky have any bureaucracy charms worth a damn. That's Peak's job.

[ ] Attempt to negotiate

[ ] Put off negotiating until Peak returns.

[ ] Bluff Ligier.

[ ] Write in

 

[GreggHL]

So I did have a definite idea if the first choice- which demon to summon- was different. Given, it would have played a bit more serious, but I like to think I have a reputation.

====================

Omake:

[x]The Fetich Soul of the Ebon Dragon

"Why are we doing this?"

You look up from the vitriol etchwork on the brass summoning circle and turn to Sky. Pulling up the goggles, you give it a moment's thought. "Oh, because we don't need Erembour, but a lot of our preparation could still work due to it being another soul."

"The Fetich Soul," Sky says, arms folded, "Of the Ebon Dragon. The Ebon Dragon equivalent of Ligier."

You shake your head. He's adorable when he's wrong. Ish. Maybe not completely wrong, but you walk over and drape your arms over his shoulders with a smile. "Kind of but not exactly," she says, "Ligier is what he is because he is the Fetich of Malfeas."

He nods.

"And Malfeas has themes of nobility, rulership, and power. So Ligier represents, among other things, power."

"Right."

"The Dragon is Opposition and Darkness and his souls represent that. Or don't, because he refuses definition."

He nods. "Okay. So." He raises a finger to keep you from rolling over him with your brain. "What do you know about it?\ Does it have a name?"

Okay, he's got you there. You sigh, shrugging. "No. No information anywhere about it."

He stares at you. That look. Not the look you like, but the look he gets when he realizes he may be the only sane man in the Circle.

"But I'm especially well equipped for this! It's just that, apparently, no one has successfully summoned up the Fetich but we don't really need an Unquestionable, because between you, Ray, and Peak we should be able to handle anything the Walker can throw at-"

He places a finger on your lips, his serious business face on full display. "Ebeli," he says, "What's the chances that no one's successfully summoned up this demon and lived to tell about it?"

You pull away and grin. "That's why you're here."

He nods, sighing and pinching the bridge of his nose. You know him so well.

The ritual begins- four hours of chanting, of probing, your staff in hand and light emanating from the summoning circle. Letting the staff float, you make the signs- natural in your hands from repeated practice.

"I invoke the Sign of Separation. I open the gates of Malfeas to call you forth.

"I invoke the Mudra of Victory. I remind you of the oaths to which your progenitor has sworn.

"I invoke the Shadow of All Things. Reveal to me your beating heart!

"Open once more, Creation's brown shores! I summon forth-

"The First Soul of the Ebon Dragon!"

Unlight pours forth from the circle. And you can feel it- the raw power resisting you. Both its own power and the sheer stubbornness of the Dragon, the multiple layers of magic obfuscating your search and beating back against the shores of your power.

But you are Exalted. You hold the Mandate of Heaven. Your predecessors tore down the Primordials and made them Yozi, and as the black power screams from the worlds beyond, your voice rings louder.

And success.

The shadow clears, the light returning to the room, and you see your prize.

A small child that makes sympathy well in your soul. Dirty cheeks and tear filled blue eyes stare back at you, and he idly wrings the small cap in his hands, looking about the summoning circle, curious and confused by his situation.

"Excuse me Miss," he says in a lightly accented, high pitched voice, "Where am I? Who are you?"

"Miss?" you ask.

"Well you don't seem old enough to be a Misses or a Madame, begging your pardon," he says, his very aura somehow welling within you the desire to give him a hug. This? This is the Fetich Soul of the Ultimate Darkness? The great enemy? You switch your sight to Sorcerer's Sight and you see that yes, he is a demon. And he is powerful, and enlightened and ho shit what just happened.

Because a darkness obfuscates him, his essence and it erupts within and from without. And the boy is consumed by shadows, which flow around him like blood and conceal him even from you. Darkness that makes the light of the room recoil, but which retreats from your anima, until it rises up into a long, coiled form which ends with a snout.

Three eyes stare back at you.

Leaning back, the serpent folds its hands before it and sucks its teeth, before finally speaking.

So! How can I help you?

Your sorcerer's sight doesn't lie. It tells you what is before you. Simple, and clear.

"You're the Ebon Dragon," you squeak.

Sssssup.

"The Shadow of All Things. The Darkness without Equal. The Shadow that blots out the Green Sun-"

Oh yeah, you dirty bitch. Work the shaft.

You blink. Tilt your head. "I'm...sorry?"

Oh, I apologize.

The shadows around him form into an easy chair, the serpent leaning back.

I, you know, just like to talk dirty-

It leans back, hands folded on its lap.

When's someone's sucking my dick.

Your mouth opens, closes. "I'm trying to be respectful," you say. And you are. Because a Yozi is right in front of you and unbound and you just spent your entire mote pool.

And so am I. And I'm failing. The Dragon tilts its head, blinking its third eye. And I'm sorry. It's just that my Fetich soul got summoned up in a half-assed sorcerous ritual, the sorcerer has just realized how badly they've fucked up, and is now trying to impress me like I'm their alcoholic father.

The Dragon smiles with yellow teeth.

So be a treat and grab Daddy a drink, will you?

And that's when Sky unsheathes his sword.