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

[GreggHL]

[X] Put off negotiating until Peak returns.
-[X] Meanwhile, lavish him with the comforts and respect due to his station.
-[X] And lavish your eyes on dem abs


Be that as it may, you realize that while you are one of the greatest demonologists in all Creation and have repeatedly summoned up the Unquestionables, you cannot do your own taxes. You had Peak for this, and you would need Peak for this.

"Allow us some time before we decide on this," you say, clearing your throat, "I have someone who I want to look over this."

Ligier cocks an eyebrow, still smiling. "You do not trust your own abilities in this regard, O Sorcerer?"

"I know my own abilities, Ligier. As I do yours."

He nods his head. A quick, sagacious reading of his statements confirms he is trying to get one over on you, in the most noble way possible. You see Sky let out a relieved breath, still tense. Given, Orballis was the first Unquestionable you summoned who tried to give you serious shit, but at least Ligier doesn't look like he wants to murder you over the course of a thousand years.

Or if he did, he would look amazing doing it.

"Girls," you state.

Your three bound Agatae materialize, the jeweled wasps hovering behind you, bowing their heads to you and to the Green Sun. "Give Ligier a tour of the Manse, and make sure he is comfortable. If he requests anything, contact me at once."

They chitter and buzz their acknowledgments, floating over to the amused demon lord and escorting him out, the doors closing as you hear them explain that the manse was built by Amalion herself.

Which is when you finally remember to start breathing, and brace against the map table. Sky walks over, hand on your shoulder and squeezing reassuringly. "Are you okay?"

"A bit overwhelmed," you respond, "I'd have waited for everyone to be back, but the rules are rules and I can't summon outside of Calibration."

He nods. "So, what are the dangers with him?"

(int+occult, +3 demonology specialty, autopasses)

You shrug. Not out of disinterest, but because you know this. By heart. "The worst thing that could happen is Malfeas possessing him, which breaks the binding. But that would be an insult to Ligier's status and it would be ignoble, so he'd fight that every step of the way." You raise a finger. "Sorry, I was going for the absolute worst, but here's the thing-"

"Which is?"

"For anything Ligier can do, the first question to ask is, 'Is it noble to take this action?' If so, yes. If not, then no. But, he will test the limits of what we will let him do."

"Like with the contract," Sky says, leaning on the table. You nod.

"Many of the items on there were things he could order demons to get, in Malfeas. It was calculated to see if we would let him treat us as servants."

He nods, hand on the pommel of his sword. "Don't be upset," you add, "It is his nature. Again, I want Peak to look over it, because he's better at this than any of this, and possibly have Octavian assist."

Speaking of which, you then fold your hands together, twisting fingers into a familiar sigil. Light pours from your anima and shapes into the sphere of wings and light. "False Ray of Sunshine," you state, and the Infallible Messenger has its target, "I've summoned up an Unquestionable but we had a slight change of plans. I need to know when everyone's going to be back. Especially Peak."

You release the Messenger. It floats in place, not shooting off like it normally does. Odd, you think.

Well, you wouldn't be surprised if they weren't in Creation right now. Maybe in the Underworld or the Wyld. You turn back to the contract, looking over the more exotic conditions.

(Int+Occult, 10 dice. 4 successes)

"So what is the contract for?" Sky asks, in that adorable way which reminds you he's specialized in being able to fight things and inspiring people to fight and not much in the way of science and occult.

"Additional services. Depends on what we want him to do," you say with a shrug, "For example, the lowest level of it, the easiest to pay, would have him tutor me and Peak on how to cast Total Annihilation."

"Which is?"

"A column of green flame which annihilates everything within 300 meters."

He stares at you. Not the cute stare, the 'Did I hear that right?' state.

"What's it's range?" he asks.

"300 meters."

The stare continues. "I would be mobile when casting it," you reassure him, "I would be on an airship or being carried. It's nation-destroying magic."

You turn back to the contract, especially the conditions for an Eclipse Caste learning Ligier's own magics. "Who's Advita Iraivan?"

"One of the Shinma or an Aspect of Nirguna. Kind of doesn't exist but by not existing allows everything else to exist."

That voice came from right behind you and now you realize why the Infallible Member didn't travel. You would insist you did not let out a shriek of surprise when Ray appeared right behind you, but that would be lying.

(Temperance, 3 dice. 1 success)

"When did you get back?" Sky asks, utterly unperturbed by the Surprise Night.

Ray smiles and leans back and forth. "It's a secret," she sing-songs.

Deep breaths. Deep breaths. You pat your chest and glare at the pale skinned, red eyed girl and find, as always, it does nothing to deflate her mood. "Where's everyone else?"

"They took an airship and they'll be back soon. I was faster." She is. She truly is. "Anyway, that's Ligier? Can I call dibs?"

"No." Somehow, you and Sky managed to both say that at the same time. You exchange a brief glance, and there is understanding that it's not that either of you want Ligier or at least will not insist you do, but you are both mildly terrified of the prospect of Ray getting her hands on him.

You're still not sure what happened between her and the Sun. You just know that at one point she came back from the Carnival of meeting with her enlightenment raised and with a tan.

"Okay," you state, "We can...talk about dibs later. For right now, Ray? Can you take a look at this contract?"

She's not great at these things, but she's better than you. Or Sky. Peak will still have the final word, but your musings are interrupted by Jnglok, one of your Agatae, appearing above the table.

"Sorcerer?"

"Yes, Jnglok?"

"Ligier would like to leave the Manse and go for a walk."

[ ]Kay

[ ]NO.

[ ]Why?

[ ]Write in.

 

[GreggHL]

[X]Why?


Apropos of nothing, your Agatae wrings two of its long forelimbs, mirroring an unsure humanoid wringing their hands. "The Green Sun says he wishes to assess the works of the Solar Exalted as it has been an Age since he walked Creation's brown shores."

You have been a Solar Exalted for twenty years. While you yourself do not have the best poker face, you have liberal use of magics that cut through others.

A sagacious reading of Jnglok's intent summarizes the report simply-

We don't believe him.

You sigh, pinching your nose. Maybe Erembour would have been a better choice, because she would be more...alien? Than Ligier. Who is starting to remind you more and more of the Bull of the North. "Where is he?"

"He stands by the main entrance to the Manse, Sorcerer."

The main entrance. Not too far away. Why the main entrance?

[ ]Press your agatae for more details.

[ ]Go to the entrance to talk to Ligier.

[ ]Order Ligier back here right now.

[ ]Write in.

 

[GreggHL]

[X] Insist he does not leave the manse.
-[X] Insist that you cannot properly negotiate if he leaves, and that his distinctiveness would lead to the dead (and everyone else) becoming aware in short order, losing tactical advantage.
-[X] Engage Ligier in a conversation about Amalion, Himself, Manses, and the construction thereof.


With a sigh that was more dramatic than intended, you walk out of the map room, down three floors, across that serves as a perfect sorcerous replica of Chiascuro's market quarter, and finally to the main entrance of the manse. Ligier waits, arms folded, face placid, and eyes questioning.

"I insist you do not leave the Manse," you state.

"Do you, Sorcerer?"

(Temperance Roll, 3 dice, 2 successes)

You are tempted to state that you will 'slap that smile off his face', but he isn't smiling. Only testing you. However, your reputation as a sorcerer is more important than giving in to such base urges, so you look him directly in the eye.

"You are one of the Unquestionables, and more importantly you do nothing to hide it. The moment you leave this Manse in a materialized state you will announce your presence in such a manner that there will be no mistake that Ligier has been bound by this circle. And you will negate that tactical advantage we have against the Dead."

He hums, idly checking his fingernails. "And how important is this tactical advantage?"

He is testing you. A single sagacious reading translates his question to 'How far can I push you?' So you narrow your eyes, and for effect materialize the half-filled circle upon your brow.

"Not so important that I cannot send you back to Malfeas, right now, if you wish?" You stand on your tip toes, eye level with him. "Do you have many pokers in the fire, Ligier? Are you that eager to check on them that you cannot have one of your servants do them instead?"

His nails are suddenly less interesting. Both eyebrows raise. "You are located in the Lap. It is tempting to go there. Do you know why?"

(Int+Occult, 13 dice, 11 successes)

You know before he even finishes the question. It isn't the geomancy, it isn't the verdant triangle or the artifice. "There's a Gate to Yu Shan there," you answer, "You could probably just walk right through it and the guardians couldn't do much to stop you."

"Perceptive." He folds his arms behind him. "Very well, I rescind my request."

"What do you think of the Manse?" Change the subject, you think. You just won a victory. Might as well turn it into an opportunity.

"I recognize Amalion's handiwork. You gave her great leeway in its design." Idly, he reaches out and strokes a brass hooked ornament by one of the essence lamps. "It feels Malfean, even if the geomantic energies running through it are more similar to your own."

"And your opinion on Amalion?"

He turns back to you, idly rotating on his heel. "Context?"

He's genuinely puzzled by the question. That is new. "I mean, you're both Malfean Third Circles. Given, you're the Fetich and she is the Twenty Third Soul, so I was curious how Malfean Third Circles relate to each other."

"There is no familial connection," Ligier responds, small upturn of his lip showing genuine amusement, "Malfeas is powerful. As such, he has many facets, and each facet represented by one of us. We are many, and we recognize each other as being of Him, but I do not see Amalion as a sister."

That last word. You read that, how he does not see Amalion as a sister. There is bitterness behind that.

[ ]Press for details.

[ ]Change the subject.

[ ]End the conversation.

[ ]Write in.

 

[GreggHL]

[X] Change the subject
-[X] Ask how his relationship is with his second circle souls.


As curious as you are, you don't want to upset the immensely powerful demon lord. Not because he can do anything to you now, but for the same reason you didn't just tell Orballis to shove his secrets where the Sun don't shine when he gave you warnings: You're going to go down to Malfeas at some point and don't want the ever-present source of light to be pissed at you.

"So," you say, holding up your hands and with both index fingers making the Old Realm symbol for 'changing the subject', "Malfean Third Circles don't have a familial relationship. What about your second circles? How do you view them?"

He makes an amused scoff with his chin and folded arms, and answers in brief, "A Prince requires a Court."

Sagacious Reading of Intent returns- 'Fulfilling a function for me.'

"Ah, so you do have, say, Sondok guarding things valuable to you?" You have run into the Warden Soul of Ligier before. It wasn't a pleasant fight, especially since she clubbed you with the pommel of her sword before you could banish her. Thankfully, she did that within reach of Peak and that was that.

Ligier proceeds to list off the functions each of his souls fulfills- and each matches up with a function more or less with their title. Indulgent Soul, Warden Soul, Reflective Soul, Defining Soul. After naming and explaining the seven of them- which he does with articulate and immaculate gestures, using the sort of long words you use when you try to get Sky to change the subject- he mentions an eighth name and title.

"What's a Progenitor Soul?"

"Malfeas himself insisted I create him," Ligier says, waving it off, "It is perhaps one of the few wise decisions he has made in the last Age."

You tap your fingers together. Well, he seems in a better mood, and that's good. "I wonder how this differs from a Primordial," you mutter to yourself, and he stares at you. No expression, simply stares. "Well, I know there's three types- Yozi, Neverborn, and Primordial, and I would like to study the subsouls of the Neverborn if possible, I'm much more eager to see what an unmodified Deva of a Primordial looks like."

His eyes narrow. "Be careful what you wish for. Only three remain, and none of them are..." He searches for the words. "Favorable."

You nod. Then, the main entrance to the Manse slides open, sparks running on brass doorframes- a cosmetic effect Amalion included, said it added atmosphere- and Ligier turns to meet the gaze of a young man in gold and red priest vestments. Who then turns to you, running a hand down his face and settling on his bare chin.

"You," Bright Star says, "Summoned Ligier."

"Yes."

"You," he repeats, "Summoned Ligier."

"Yes."

"You summoned Ligier."

You cock your hips and narrow your eyes. "You asked that three times. Why?"

"Because I want a different answer?" he asks with a shrug. Ligier just lets off a hearty, noble laugh.

"Dematerialize," you state.

He bows magnanimously. "As you command, Sorcerer," he says, and vanishes. You fold your arms and turn to the on-paper leader of the Circle.

"Where's Peak?"

"Stopped by the market quarter to check up on his business," Bright Star says, rubbing the back of his neck, "I thought we spent the yeah preparing to summon Erembour?"

You sigh, and realize that you're going to be repeating the same exact rationale you did to Sky. Without the flirting, so it will be less fun. By the time you've dragged Bright Star back to the map room and explained things, and he was to his credit agreeing with your rationale, the older Eclipse Caste had somehow managed to beat the both of you and was looking over the contract.

Sky and Ray were pouring over the map, marking new coordinates in the City of Dead Flowers.

"Anything happen?" you ask.

"Some scouts just messaged me," Sky says, "There's some sort of disruption in the Walker's forces. They've been pulling away from the borders and concentrating on this area right here." He points to a particular spot. No place remarkable, not even a garrison or necrotech factory used by the Walker.

"Anything special about that place?" Bright Star asks.

Sky shakes his head. "Flat land, no roads. No idea why they'd be concentrating on it."

You nod. "So, what do we do?"

[ ]Investigate.
[ ]Loudly
[ ]Stealthily

[ ]Take advantage and attack.

[ ]Write in

A/N: Your current forces are as such:

Sky has trained up five Magnitude 5 (650 soldiers) units of Tiger Warriors, who all have at minimum 4 dice in all combat abilities.

Additionally, you have three Magnitude 6 (1250 soldiers) units of mortal soldiers.

Peak has summoned up a Magnitude 5 force of fire elementals and they have been trained up to Occult 5, giving them the orders to cleanse the Shadowland as they death-march across it.

You have Magnitude 2 first circle demons.

The dead outnumber you but your forces are, individually, far harder to crack. You know that the Walker has a full circle of abyssals serving him.

 

[GreggHL]

[X]Take advantage and attack.


Octavian had your defenses coordinated. To attack, you relied on the shared tactical brilliance of Sky and Peak. With their forces massed, the Dead were vulnerable to an alpha strike- and thanks to Sky's training, his Tiger Warriors wedged themselves between the massed forces of the dead and split their attention between the human super-soldiers coming from the west, and the massive force of fire elementals which came from the south.

On the field of battle, with the armies of war ghosts and zombies engaged with your forces, you met the Chosen of the Neverborn. They were, in many ways, your opposites. One in a Necrostrider with the face of a fierce-some demon. One singing the praises of the Neverborn. One a mad martial artist. One a Void Circle Necromancer, casting army destroying spells of unlight. One a great warrior, wielding a soulsteel blade.

You were better prepared. And no one accurately prepares for the Hermit of Timberleaf Peak, or the sheer bullshit that happens when he is taught Sidereal Magics. Your time was freed up when Peak put his fist through the chest of your counterpart, interrupting his spell and sending him flying back. Bright Star's sunlight anima sent many of their accompanying ghosts dematerializing away, and Ray activated the berserk mode of her warstrider, letting it deal with her counterpart's own while she climbed into the Necrostrider's cockpit and made an example of her counterpart.

The Dusk caste ran, while the Midnight caste disengaged, retreating to the body of the Necromancer. Waiting for something which your Essence sight sees the moment it happens.

The Necromancer rises, laughing maniacally. With a cry of,

"Behold my true form and despair!"

He transformed. Tendrils of unlight wrapped around him, before forming into long, multi-segmented legs of blackest ichor. A core of midnight black forms at the center and six arms ending in poisoned blades emerge from its underbelly.

It opens its fifteen eyes, tendrils wrapping around it, hovering behind it like a twisted anima, and it opens one of its six mouths to sing the song that ends the world.

"Neat," Peak says, walking up next to you, his joints creaking from the multiple sorcerous buffs he cast upon himself prior to the battle, his voice with a robotic din, "Is that-"

"Birth of Sanity's Sorrow," you proclaim, watching the blasphemous thing rise above the battlefield, towering over even Ray's noble warstrider, "A war form created with the aid of mad, dead primordials. This creature is beyond the means of armies to destroy."

You let that hang for a moment.

"Ligier, kill it."

And with that, Ligier appears next to you and walks towards it with a smile.

"Wait is that Ligier?" For last words, the necromancer could have chosen better.

Honor dictates that when the Green Sun enters the battlefield, he does so in his full glory. An action which is best summed up as "Seen through the eyelids." Thankfully, as the sorcerer who bound him, you gave him prior instructions to shield you, your circle, your armies, and anything not Dead or Abyssal from his power.

Hence, when the emerald fire erupts and burns everything on the field, you only feel the cosmetic effects of Hell's Heart. You feel the rage, the anger, the shame of Malfeas' power, as well as the sheer power behind it.

Then Ligier draws his sword, and before the great monster has a chance to react, it bissects the beast. Those words were its last, as it has not even a chance to scream before it falls, rotting and burning to the battlefield below.

You and your circle find someplace comfortable to sit, watching the laughing Unquestionable incinerate the forces of the dead in fiery maelstrom. Even though you know the spell won't have the same range, you resolve that yes, Total Annihilation would be useful.

"Okay," Bright Star says, "I take back any objections I had to summoning him."

Ray whistles. "Dibs "

The four of you turn. You think better of questioning how she makes that sound. Must be her Raksha.

"SORCERER! MAY I HAVE CLARIFICACTION: YOU ONLY COMMAND FOR ME TO DESTROY THE DEAD, YES?"

You all hear it. He usually talks directly to you. Why is he shouting?

"Yes," you reply, "Only the dead."

"ONLY THE DEAD?"

"Only the dead," you repeat. You glance at the others. Sky shrugs. Bright Star cocks his head.

"ARE YOU CERTAIN?"

You open your mouth. Then Ray is in front of you, hand out, and catches the crossbow bolt. Given, you have Invulnerable Skin of Bronze up so it would have probably bounced off but that's beside the point.

Everyone is up in that moment. A mental order and the emerald inferno dies down. Peak's anima is at full blast and he sees everything- and he tilts his head. Sky has his sword drawn and Ray's warstrider gives out a roar, taking up flank by your side.

Which is when you see the dozen or so people in leather coats and full face gas masks, wielding some sort of crossbow you've never seen before. They see you in turn, and one of them says something which sounds like,

"Call her patsy?"

But you know is no language you've ever heard. Although it does sound similar to Old Realm.

What do?

[ ]Try to communicate

[ ]Kick their asses.

[ ]Have Ligier kick their asses and watch.

[ ]Write in.

 

[GreggHL]

[X]Try to communicate


"Can I kick their asses?" Ray asks.

"No," Bright Star says, patting her on the shoulder, "Well, not yet. Only if this doesn't work."

About a dozen or so people in leather long coats, wearing some sort of filtering mask, and all of them wielding some kind of crossbow you've never seen before- and you've been to the Haslanti Leagues so you know what a crossbow looks like- are standing in front of you.

"Butts!" one yells.

(Wits+Linguistics, 10 dice, 5 successes)

Oh, right! You might not know the language, but you can cheat.

Sagacious Reading of Intent returns- 'Who are you?'

"So they're asking-"

"Who we are," Peak says, stealing your thunder, and shrugs, "Gimme a sec."

The old Eclipse walks forward, blazing his anima until it becomes a column of light shining two miles high. The foreigners lower their crossbows, looking up. The words reflect off of their mirrored lenses, and with rapt fascination they watch as he begins moving- with hands, with feet, swift and pointed motions of interpretive dance that communicates their intent and message.

"Peak," you say, "Ask if any of them know Old Realm!"

Several of the soldiers fall to their knees in rapturous awe of the linguistic display. A couple of them fall and bow their heads to the ground, fervently praying at the old man's communicative dance.

"Maaaaaan," Rei moans, "I never get to kick mortals' asses. It's always dead or Raksha or other Exalted. Or gods."

"I'm pretty sure you'd make them explode," Sky states, hand still on the pommel of his sword.

"Nah, I learned Knockout Blow and my Sifu taught me some good shit. I'm hoping to get some time to finish up Prismatic Arrangement of Creation and get my Raksha to teach me that Spheres trick."

"Those are words and I understand some of them."

You listen idly to the conversation, swaying side to side as Ligier lands beside you. The light from Peak dies down and there is one of the odd foreigners still standing. They step forward, dropping the crossbow, and reaches into his coat.

"So, I let them in on what we're doing here," Peak says, patting his hands, "The whole, 'We're fighting the dead, we're Solars, who're you' message.'"

"Anything else?" You ask.

"Yep! He's got a disguise charm on!"

The four members of your Circle, including yourself, stare at Peak. "I'm sorry," Bright Star says, "Did you say charm?"

The foreigner pulls out an amulet and thrusts it forward. It erupts in golden lightning, forming into a disk as tall as he is, and flows backwards- over him, revealing golden highlights of his coat, flowing over his mask and revealing a golden helm with features more insectoid than industrial.

The light clears and you see that he now wears golden armor- no, orichalcum armor, and the lightning arcing off of him is warm akin to sunlight. Your eyes already shifted to Essence Sight, you take a brief moment to examine what is before you.

(Int+Occult, 10 dice, 5 successes)

Exalted. Orichalcum Caste.

"I am Warden of the High Walls," he says in Old Realm, "Chosen of Yugash."

[ ]What.

[ ]What?

[ ]What!

[ ]Write in.

 

[GreggHL]

Our Story Thus Far:

20 years ago: Realm Year 769

V'Neef Ebeli exalts- much to her family's consternation- as a Twilight Caste instead of a Wood Caste or even a Fire Caste (which would have been acceptable) and escapes her family's Satrapy in the Scavenger Lands, running into False Ray of Sunlight as she, too, is on the run from a Wyld Hunt.

The two manage to escape and decide to make their way South. Ebeli decides to become a sorcerer, and sacrifices her shyness to reach the Emerald Circle. Along the way, they pick up Sky, who had exalted in some southern ruins while defending his sister from a mob of lintha, and got a shiny artifact sword as a bonus.

All three hear rumors of a mountain god of impossible power in a cliffside village named Timberleaf, and investigate. There, they run into Bright Star, who heard the same rumors, and find the rumors were about the Hermit of Timberleaf Peak. And his cat. The recruitment pitch goes as such.

Peak: What do you have to offer in return for me joining you?

Bright Star: Uh...nothing?

Peak: Excellent! I'm in the market for nothing!

And thus the Circle is formed.



Realm Year 771:

After two years if making Timberleaf into a trade hub of a newly growing confederacy of southern towns, the Circle decides to strike out and make some waves. During this time they find that Peak has a mentor who none of them can remember the details of, but nonetheless they decide to try their hands at uniting the Hundred Kingdoms.



Realm Year 772:

They decide to go to Chiascuro instead. Peak finds he has a knack for market politics, and takes over the trade world. Ray takes over their underworld. Bright Star starts a cult to the Sun. Ebeli starts summoning first circles as an ablative meat shield, and Sky learns martial arts.



Realm Year 776.

Ray builds their first airship. Ebeli hits the Sapphire Circle and summons her first second circle demon (Aluvea). Bright Star learns medical charms and heals Peak's brain damage, allowing him to remember his life prior to his Exaltation. They then travel to Cherak, where Peak goes to find out why his first wife tried to murder him.

And then they fight his wife, now an Akuma to the Ebon Dragon. They proceed to kick her ass and Peak (who is now a Sapphire Circle Sorcerer) puts her on ice in an Eternal Crystalline Encasement before beating feet back to the airship. Around this time they also realize Peak's mentor is not, in fact, an old master but rather a young woman who is finally revealed as a Chosen of Secrets.

Chosen of what?

Oh, right. A Sidereal. Ray gets her in a chokehold and she agrees to work with them.



Realm Year 777:

They hijack the Shrike and crash it because none of them had Sail dots.



Realm Year 779:

Ray builds an airship using stuff they salvaged from the Shrike and finishes her Alterier Manse in An Teng, and they travel. They go North, where she proceeds to fuck up the Pearl Court in unspeakable ways and gets the Heart Grace of <Internal Screaming>, who becomes her sidekick/special friend. They meet Yurgen Kaneko when he's out hunting, and he introduces them to his great-great-grandfather, Joachim Kaneko, the Bull of the North. Who's kind of an insane asshole and who Peak beats some sense into.

This raises the question of how old they can get.



Realm Year 780:

Peak starts trade routs with House V'Neef, urging Ebeli for reapproachment. Ebeli puts aside her pain about her lost family and acts as their ambassador, forming a professional rapport with the Great House and its leader. Conversely, this is a big enough sacrifice for Solar Circle Sorcery. Woo!

While in the North, they stop by the city of Whitewall and over one long, hilarious season repair the city and find out it's a gigantic altar to the Sun. Bright Star is happy.

This results in them getting an invite to the Carnival of Meeting.



Realm Year 781:

Circle meets Lytek. Lytek's something of a patronizing dick, but does explain a good amount of the plot. They find out the rough story regarding the origins of the Exaltations and who/what they are, as well as who created them- the Great Maker, who has long since left Creation. Ebeli archive binges at one of Heaven's libraries and resolves on new Motivation- study the Deva of an unbound Primordial.

Kuroku, Peak's sidereal mentor, explains that the Sidereals are exalted who work out of Heaven, and while she was assigned to monitor Peak, this went out the window when he exalted. Also, he's reunited with his daughter, who's also a Sidereal. Wait. How many exalts are in this guy's family tree?



Realm Year 782:

Ebeli summons up Amalion and has her construct her summoning Manse. Ray upgrades her Manse into a Factory Cathedral and they decide to look into taking over the South. Coincidentally, the Realm realizes the Empress is gone and the Realm Civil War breaks out.



Realm Year 783:

The Circle takes over management of the Lap with V'Neef's backing. Ebeli and her mother have a very businesslike relationship, which is strained when V'Neef openly flirts with Sky.

Lytek is killed by an assailant who is believed to be a solar exalted and his nine tools stolen, and the Circle investigates. The culprit, thanks to a mix of investigation and sorcery, is revealed to be a renegade Sidereal named Rakan Thulio.

Once determining that he is in Malfeas, Ebeli summons up Kaludain, the Seeking Soul of the Brass Forest, to retrieve the tools. Kaludain does and returns with ten tools. Upon examining them, Ray reveals that the Auraclast- the supposed missing tool of Lytek- is in fact Lytek himself, and returns him to life as it were. He now owes the Circle a solid.

A trap is set for Rakan Thulio, and he ends up having a bad time.



Realm Year 785:

Ebeli summons Orballis. They end up disliking each other. Circle solidifies control over the Diamond Road and makes plans to destroy the City of Dead Flowers.



Realm Year 787:

First encounter with Infernal Exalted when the circle goes to investigate Opal Spire. In the form of Ray's sister, who has thrown in with the Yozi and has become a pirate with a ship full of demons. And a Hellstrider.

It was a good fight.



Realm Year 788:

Exploration of Mount Metagalapa, where they find that it is not actually a flying fortress but an Unshaped that got caught in Creation during the Balorian Crusade. Which also explains the weird flying but anyway, Ray makes plans to get its heart grace and they open up a trade deal.



Realm Year 789-790:

Circle decides to purify the City of Dead Flowers, and Ebeli summons Ligier.

 

[GreggHL]

[X]Neat.



"Nice hat," you say. You shrug, and then think better of it. It was a pretty impressive display of anima even if you've never seen it before. Yugash, he said. Do you know a Yugash?

(Int+Lore, 10 dice +5 Autosux, 9 successes)

You've never heard that name before. "Anyone hear of a god named Yugash who'd have exalted?"

Bright Star shakes his head. Peak shrugs. "Nope," Sky adds.

"Anyway," Bright Star adds, in perfectly pronounced Old Realm, gesturing to everyone present, "I am Bright Star. This is Leaping Sky, False Ray of Sunshine, the Hermit of Timberleaf Peak, Ebeli, and Ligier Shin Giri Malfeas."

The warstrider grunts.

"And the God Smasher."

Warden of the High Walls takes a step back. For a moment, you believe he is reacting to the Noble Warstrider. Many people react that way to a twenty foot tall cyclops with more Essence Cannons than restraint. But no, from how he is looking, where he is looking, he is staring at the preening, satisfied demon.

Who is now studiously examining his nails.

"You are Shining Kings," he says, "You consort with the Breakers?"

"The who?" you ask. Next to you, Ligier narrows his eyes and sniffs. And then, stares. Long and hard at the Warden.

Sorcerer, do you want me to kill it?

You ignore Ligier. Giving Bright Star a pleading look, he steps forward, hands up. "I think we have a bit of miscommunication," he says, "I'm not sure what you mean by Breaker. Or what you mean by Shining King, but I think you mean Solar Exalted, which we are."

Warden nods. His hand has already found the hilt of a sword at his belt- although you can see that somehow, the sword has no blade.

"Are you allied with the dead?" Bright Star asks.

"No. When we made our breakthrough, we found ourselves surrounded by the dead- that is I presume the necrotic creatures you incinerated- and have been holding ground since."

Sorcerer, do you want me to kill it?

You wave off Ligier, paying attention to Warden.

"Breakthrough?" Bright Star asks.

"Yes. We opened the Seal of Eight Divinities and broke through to Creation," Warden states, and starts, "You are using magic on me. That is classified."

Bright Star shrugs and smiles, putting him at ease.

Sorcerer, do you want me to kill it?

(Temperance, 3 dice, botch)

And you whirl on Ligier, on your tip toes to meet his eyes. "Stop asking me to let you kill it!" you shout, "Why do you want to kill it? Him?"

The shout is enough to startle Warden, who draws his bladeless hilt. Then, there is a blade, made of solid gold light, held defensively. His soldiers, having recovered from Peak's attempt at communication, have taken up positions behind him.

"You don't see, do you," Ligier says, eyes narrowed and face pale, "Very well, ask them. Ask them who they worship."

You shrug, and turn to Warden, leaning on your staff. "Okay, like he said. Quite frankly, we've been to Yu Shan and we've never heard of a god named Yugash, much less any Chosen of Yugash. Who do you worship?"

Warden slowly lowers his blade. "I worship the same god all my people worship," he says, "The Great Maker. Autochthon."

[ ]Squeal Internally

[ ]Squeal Externally

[ ]Contact Lytek

[ ]Ask to meet Autochthon

[ ]Write in.

 

[GreggHL]

[X]Squeal Externally
[X]Ask to meet Autochthon


It starts internally- the pressure building inside the depths of your soul, your reason for being. The pressure builds until it begins to physically release, in the form of a soft, high pitched squeal that resembles more a leaky valve or busted steam pipe than a sound a human can make.

Questions of 'Is Ebeli squealing?' and 'Is she vibrating?' are soon replaced with realization on the faces of your Circle and fascination on the face of your summoned Fetich soul.

"Grab her!" Bright Star yells, "Grab her before-"

But no. You have learned Unparalleled Acumen Meditation. You have learned it for reasons such as this.

(dex+athletics, 23 dice, 11 successes)

So you move at speeds Ray would be envious of, and grab the Warden by the lapels of his coat. His mask is expressionless, so you read his body language and the eyes of his mask. There is surprise, and the unfamiliarity and the unconscious message that he believes he needs an adult.

Well, joke's on him.

You are an adult!

"You worship Autochthon?" you ask, forgetting momentarily your inside or conversational voice in exchange for making sure he, and all of his fellow soldiers who have trained crossbows on you can hear you. "What does he say? What are your prayer rituals? Can you introduce me?!"

(Charisma+Presence, 11 dice, 3 successes. Fails to beat MDV)

You should learn those social charms Bright Star and Peak use, because it would make things far easier. As it is, Warden then erupts in golden lightning, forming into a dome around him and tossing you off. Despite it being made of lightning, it doesn't electrocute you like the last few times you tackled someone with electricity powers.

Instead, the electricity is warm like sunlight, tossing you off of him and into Ray's arms, where she promptly puts you into a headlock for what would be in retrospect your own good.

"I apologize," Warden says, slowly and somehow keeping the tremble from his voice, "I cannot introduce you to the Great Maker. None of us speak to him, not directly."

Bright Star raises a hand, stepping in between you and the foreign exalt. "Maybe we should start back at the beginning," he says, "Where are you from?"

[ ]Write in.

 

[GreggHL]

[X] "So who does speak to him? I... um... ok, why are you here and what do you want? And why the frak did you shoot at me first?"

On Warden's suggestion, you decided to have a talk at his home base. Well, not you. You were still in a headlock courtesy of Ray, and were not given a vote due to your attempt to molest the Exalt- who explained that he is an Alchemical Exalted, which is not one you've ever heard of, and made Ligier blanch and state with complete, dignified concern,

"He's made more."

Realizing he was not going to add anything good to the conversation, you silently ordered him to dematerialize and traveled to with your Circle and Warden to the site of what he referred to as the Breakthrough.

Rather than walking, or even having everyone pile on the shoulders of the God Smasher, the airship was summoned- Ray's airship, which conveyed you all to the site with great speed and comfort. During the trip, you were given speaking privileges once more, and asked,

"So who does speak to the Great Maker?"

Sitting in the underslung lounge of the airship, the chiascuro glass windows provide a nice view of the fire elemental death march across the shadowland. In the formless chair filled with pellets, Warden tries to keep upright as he considers the question.

"I am not sure if anyone does," he says, mask still hiding his features, "I would think, if anyone does, it would be the Divine Ministers."

Warden's group, his fellow soldiers, sit in the lounge. It is a large lounge, and several have taken off their helmets and you can see they are all pale, and they all have gems set in their foreheads. Varied shapes and colors, but all of them have a gemstone jammed into their foreheads.

Divine Ministers, though. You've never heard that term. Have you?

(int+occult, +3 demonology specialty, 13 dice, 5 successes)

Nope. Never heard it.

"So why are you here?" Bright Star asks.

"And what do you want?" Peak adds.

"That I can more easily answer," Warden says, shifting his weight in the guest chair/bag, "My mission is to secure magical materials for my world."

Peak smiles. A smile bright enough to redeem souls.

I am dematerialized and that smile is bright enough to hurt me.

Oh, wait! He might know.

Ligier, you think, What's a Divine Minister?

There is a moment of hesitation. As if he considers the consequence of the information and decides that the consequences are as good as any material payment he could receive.

The Divine Ministers are the Devas of Autochthon.

(Temperance, 3 dice, 2 successes)

To your credit, you do not vibrate in place to the point where Ray would make a statement about not bringing clean underwear. Instead, you sit up, hands in your lap and smile.

"Warden," you say, "How would one go about contacting a Divine Minister?"

Sky gives you a look. He understands. "And," he adds, "Which...one do you work for?"

Warden tents his hands in front of his mask. "Well...exploration would fall under the purview of the Minister Noi. I am unsure how to contact one. You could ask the Tripartite."

The burning and dead land gives way to rough metal tents and bunkers. And behind Warden, you see the Breakthrough. Or what must be the Breakthrough because you realize it is a head. A head, sticking out of the ground, and from your eyeballing of its size you can only guess that if it has a torso of equal proportion, you could stick the entire thing on the Lap and finally fulfill Ray's dream of riding it into battle.

"What."

Warden turns. He nods. "Yes, that is the Breakthough. That is Ot."

On a hunch, you examine it with your sorcerer's sight.

(Int+Occult, 10 dice, 5 successes)

Exalted, Jade Caste.

From the looks of concern on the rest of your circle, you understand that they did the same thing.

[ ]Ignore giant Exalted, press on how to contact the Ministers.

[ ]Ask about the Giant Exalted Head

[ ]Remain silent. Let Peak do his trade thing.

[ ]Write in.