Green Sun, Black Shadows (CG/Exalted)

Alexander89 · Jan 5, 2016

September 9th

"I was skeptical when I saw it on the old maps, but this place really exists." You comment with vague scientific curiosity as you walk around the large room hidden between Ashford Academy's maintenance sewers.

"Wo-oh!" Akio whistles, playfully elbowing the one on his left. "Nate! Look, look: a waterfall! Underground! Britannians are crazy!"

"Not all of them, I assure you." The brunette, who's real name is Nathan, grunts. "I mean, I think I see how it can work properly...but the design was purposely gaudy. Which is a waste."

"Grandfather bought the ground the Academy is standing on after the war." Milly explains, followed by the Anuhles and the Britannian cultists, who are using the only elevator to bring down equipment. "I don't know what it was used for before, but considering my family's former trade it was probably something industrial or military." She looks at her phone, the tip of her tongue sticking sideway. "The sewers were from back then. I think. There is a '1999' next to them."

"The history of this place is, ultimately, irrelevant." You make a sweeping gesture, letting your cape flap. "Its usefulness for us is what matters. It can be enlarged, providing space enough for a base, laboratory and much more. Furthermore-" You point down. "It is possible to dig down, connecting it to Japan's old tunnel system. Which was never dismantled, and is frequently used by the various resistance groups to move around undetected."

"You want to hide in the Settlement? Right under the Viceroy's nose?" Nathan's eyes widen, before looking around. "Even if you can do that, we need more space for the Knightmares."

"True. However, to store and move them around it will suffice. To build them I am considering some other options. Luckily, the Black Knights' activities helped to put a lot of properties back on the market at reduced prices." You tap the side of your head. "This reminds me: Akio, Nathan, your formal introduction is tonight. I trust you remember what to do and what not to do?"

"Don't mention anything weird! And if someone asks, just ignore them and change topics!" Akio does a thumb-up. "Don't worry Zero: I am pretty good at both!"

"Don't I know it?" Nathan rolls his eyes.

"Very good. Uhm?" Feeling your cell-phone vibrates you take it out. Reading the message you smile under the mask. "Well, this is a fortuitous coincidence."

"What it is?"

"Rakshata is also arriving tonight. Kaguya too, and she's bringing the Guren."

{====}

Contrary to your worst previsions the introduction of your fellow Infernals went well. It also helped that you made it so Kallen was among the first to interact with them, so everyone thought twice before making a comment about Brits or whatever to avoid raising 'unfortunate' questions.

Also, Tamaki and Akio hit it off immediately. Who would have thought?

The radio crackles to life. You listen for a few seconds. "Roger that. Ladies and gentlemen!" You call upon everyone's attention. "The main guests have arrived!"

A few minutes later a Knightmare transporter drives inside the base, followed by a limousine. The drivers immediately go to open the truck, revealing what lies inside.

You immediately see the similarities with the white Knightmare in the less bulky, streamlined form compared to the Sutherland. However the cockpit and the torso are covered in brass, and the black right arm gleams with what is without a doubt Malfean black iron. The red Knightmare positively glows with Essence, though only you can see it.

"Woah..." Kallen stares at the machine with awe. "What is that?"

"The Guren MK-II. The vanguard of Japan's hope." Someone responds to the redhead's question.

Kaguya steps out of the limousine and walks towards you, followed closely by Rakshata. "It's good to see you again, Zero-dono."

"Likewise. Kaguya-sama." You tilt your head forward. "Rakshata. Allow me to introduce my soldiers. No! My comrades: the Black Knights!" You sweep your cape to the side, embracing in one gesture the gathered BKs.

"Good evening." Kaguya graciously greets them. "My name is Sumeragi Kaguya. I am a member of the Six Houses of Kyoto."

Many eyes widen in surprise.

"First, I want to compliment you for your efforts and astounding results. I know you have many questions and may feel overwhelmed by the recent events. Sadly there is information that cannot be shared lightly, lest it ends up in the wrong hands. But rest assured." She smiles. "I can confirm your actions are for the good of Japan and all nations that suffer under the yoke of Britannia. I believe Zero-dono is the man that will defeat Britannia." You look at each other and nod. "And if he trusts you, so I will."

"Damn, she's smooth." Seyrun comments as everyone begin to cheer for Kaguya. "Almost as good at you."

'Why, thank you. Even if I think in some ways she's better.' Your attention shifts to the Guren and then to Rakshata. "So this is your masterpiece? It's different from other Frames, that's for sure."

"Of course. Specialization is the key." She replies. "So Zero, where's my pilot?"

Wordlessly you point to Kallen, who 'eeps'.

"Mh, mh. I see, I see." Rakshata hums while walking around Kallen with an appreciating gaze.

"Uhm..." The redhead fidgets. "Sorry, but who a-Aaah!" Then she yelps when Rakshata grabs her sides from behind.

"Good." The Indian scientist comments before switching to her thighs.

"Aaah!"

"Good."

Then her shoulders.

"Aaah!"

"Good."

You have to look away when she switches to Kallen's...posterior.

"Iiih!!"

"Good, good."

Akio puts a hand around your shoulder, grinning like the madman he is. "Zero buddy: your little group is the best group ever."

"Kallen, was it?" After she's done Rakshata grins, Kallen staying a good distance away blushing like a tomato, hands covering her bust and crotch. "From now on, you're mine."

The redhead's response is a string of curses and swear words you honestly have never heard before.

{====}

"I like this pilot. She got spunk."

"I would call that 'righteous indignation'. Please avoid molesting my subordinates." Once the door is closed you sit down at your desk and remove your mask. "Akio, Nathan, meet two members of my Coven: Malefactor Sumeragi Kaguya and Defiler Rakshata Chawla."

"Yosh!" Akio grins. "Name's Murakami Akio, Slayer of the Principle of Hierarchy! Nice to meet you!"

"Nathan Coultier." The brunette bows. "Defiler of Elloge."

"Then you're with me." Rakshata and Nathan shake hands. "I will say this now, there are two rules when working under me: one, when we work together we do as I say." She grins, putting the pipe in her mouth. "Two, if you have a personal project you can use the equipment, but only in your free time. You okay with that?"

"Oh! Sure!" Nathan replies, a bit intimidated. "I have a goal, and I want to reach it with my own strength alone."

She slaps his back. "That's the spirit!"

"I am sure there will be plenty of time to get to know each other better. Now, however, I want to discuss a couple of matters. Please take a seat." When everyone is seated down you address Rakshata. "I must say I am impressed with the Guren. Can you tell me more about it?"

"My baby is one of a kind." She says proudly. "I combined standard Knightmare Frame technology, my expertise in cybernetics and schematics of First Age Warstriders to make it, using Hell's materials. Don't be fooled by the outer plating: there is nothing in this world that can destroy it."

"I guess the right arm is special?"

"It is. It's actually something I hypothesized in my college days and perfected by using one of Akito's Charms as inspiration. The name of the weapon stored in the palm is called [Radiant Wave Surger], and when used on another Knightmare it will fry all electronics and melt it into slag." She shrugs. "For now direct contact is necessary. I'm still working on a long ranged version."

"Sweet! I want one too!" Akio loudly declares.

"Sure. Let me gather some data and I will make you a custom frame." She frowns lightly. "I suppose it's still too early to use Hellstriders, yes?"

"Afraid so. Best to not tip off the Sidereals." You tell her. "Kaguya, were there any troubles with General Smilas?"

"Only at the beginning. Convincing him wasn't easy, but he eventually grew intrigued by my proposal. The real problem was those members of the Council of Forty that needed to authorize the whole operation." She smiles. "So I had Akito-san put me in contact with the local cults, and used them to collect blackmail materials on those members. They folded on very quickly afterwards."

'Oh yes, she makes for a very good ally.'

"But among what they found there are also troubling news." Her smiles vanishes. "Lelouch-sama, you may have heard the war against the Middle East Federation had turned against Britannia. This is partially thanks to the Anti-KF weapons made by Rakshata-san, but the real reason is another: Solars have begun to appear among their military."

Everyone's attention is instantly focused on the Japanese girl. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. They are also aided by Lunars, probably those who elected Africa as their domain. This has made the European Dragonblooded Clans wary, but they have yet to move. I believe they hope Britannia will take care of them, or that the Solars will defeat Britannia..."

"Greatly damaging their common enemy, while also allowing them to destroy the 'Anathema' while they're tired from fighting." You tsk. "Clever. It's only logical that Solars would flourish more in non-Britannian territories...who is spearheading the MEF's campaign?"

"Cornelia Li Britannia."

Your fingers, who were tapping on the desk, stop for a few seconds before resuming their movements. "I see." 'What a curious quandary: I cannot decide which is more advantageous to me, Britannia's victory or the MEF's victory.'

"It's too much to ask for both of them to eliminate each other, eh?"

'Yes, it is.' "There isn't much we can do at this point. Rakshata did a good job, but there are too many uncertainties to risk interfering at this point." You decide. "How are the current relations between Britannia and the EU?"

"Very tense. The Britannian Prime Minister is playing peacemaker, but his efforts are working slowly."

You snap your fingers. 'Schneizel!'

"Aaah, I don't get it!" Akio says in a carefree manner. "But the EU is on the other side of the world, while Japan is right here. Why don't we just aim at the closest one?"

You resist the urge to gape. 'Did Akio...say something intelligent?'

"It's a miracle! Glory to the Yozi! ...Just in case."

"True, true." Kaguya nods sagely. "On the same note, the W-0 Unit is going to reach Japan tomorrow night. Akito-san and Malcal-san picked up two new Peers on their way there."

"Where?" You ask.

"Hokkaido. They'll reach Russia by plane before switching to a submarine. I have already ordered a fake attack to distract the local base and for infiltrators to sabotage the sonar systems."

"As magnificent as always Kaguya." The black-haired girl beams at your praise. You pick up the mask and put it on. "We better move immediately if we want to be on time. I trust no one mind losing a few hours of sleep?"

"Sure! I haven't slept since my Exaltation anyway. I always have nightmares when I sleep. But no matter how much I stay up, I never get tired." Akio whispers in a conspiratory tone. "I think someone's drugging me! And I bet it's those damn vampires!"

You mentally count to ten. When you are sure you aren't going to shoot the moron by instinct you open your mouth and say, as blandly as possible: "Actually, that's the effect of one of Malfeas's Charms: you don't need to sleep anymore."

"Really? Sweet!"

"Vampires?" Kaguya blinks owlishly.

You sigh while resting your head on your hand. This will take a looong time.

====

Again, no votes.

Enjou · Jan 6, 2016

Ok, got my next Infernal written. She's good at one thing, really. Which is good considering Adorjan is her patron.

=== Apostle of Silence ===

Rory moaned as she awoke, pain lancing through her body. She noted she was in chains. Where was she? What happened?

"Poor little god-blooded girl, chained to a wall and doomed to be a Terrestrial God's plaything. Such a pity." said the voice of a woman.

Who dared speak so condescendingly to her? She was the child of Emroy, the god whose domains were Darkness, War, Death, Violence, and Insanity! She may not have cared for Heaven itself, but she respected her father who counted among the greatest of its warriors, and few would dare cross her because of her relation to him. Her own well earned reputation as a merciless and brutal killer didn't hurt, of course.

Looking up, she saw three demons. Tinsiana, scorpion demons. One female, two males, from the looks of it. One of the males was carrying a very large and fearsome looking halberd that felt like it was alive. Were they responsible for her state?

"Shame you got ambushed, little god-blooded girl. A true shame, but still, there is opportunity in it. For you, for us." said the female.

She glared at the three demons. "What do you want?"

"Hmmm... no time to chat. Well, this thing inside me is killing me, I suppose, and we've waited long enough. On to business then. My name is Myuute, and I've been sent by the Yozis to give you the offer a lifetime. Help them escape their prison, and you'll be given power beyond measure. A Solar Exaltation that has been improved using the powers of this world's true masters. Oh, and don't worry about becoming an akuma - you will retain your free will. You're more useful that way."

Well, that was certainly interesting. "Oh? And why would I want to become an Anathema and be hunted down by the hosts of Heaven, my own father included? I may enjoy battle, but I'm not exactly suicidal."

"Oh, well, you're free to refuse, I suppose." Myuute stated with clear amusement. "If you want to be shipped off to Hardy, that is. From what I understand, she wishes to marry you, yes?"

Rory blanched at that notion, and everything came back to her. She'd been ambushed by some loser of a Terrestrial god whose name she couldn't even remember. She vaguely remembered insulting him once. If the fool's forces hadn't somehow gotten the drop on her then she would have destroyed them with ease - her father may not have been much of a parent, but he had trained battle into her to the point that it came as easy as breathing. Currently she must be in the idiot's sanctum, likely to heal up some before being presented sold to Hardy. That was the last thing she wanted. Why couldn't that crazy goddess get it in her head that Rory wasn't gay? Just because she was the goddess whose domain included all underground facilities belonging to Britannia the woman thought she could do whatever she damn well pleased.

"Grrr..." Well, it was this or being Hardy's pet wife. It wasn't like she was all that attached to Yu-Shan anyways. And if nothing else she'd go down fighting in glorious battle, regardless of what she'd said earlier. Better to die free than live a long life as someone's toy. "Fine then."

"Excellent! Oh, and when you wake up these two friends of mine have another proposition for you." the demon said, before suddenly leaping at Rory.

=====

Rory had the most pleasant dream. It started wondering through a silver desert. Cecelyne, she knew. But then she had come to a city of brass and basalt, and the city was so noisy. It hurt her ears it was so noisy. Why was it so noisy? She had to stop it. She was compelled to do so. She rushed forth and was joined by a great and terrible wind. It spoke to her mind, but she was too busy killing the sources of the racket that was causing her pain. It was a battle. It was a slaughter. It was glorious. She and the wind laughed gleefully as those before them screamed and died, and then there was blessed silence.

=====

"Gentlemen, thank you for today." She thought in Old Realm, her words conveyed directly into the minds of the god and the guards surrounding him as she appeared before them. "Thank you all so very much for giving your lives so selflessly." Rory licked her lips. Rushing forward like the wind, her halberd slicing through flesh and bone, untold pleasure filling her body as her foes fell one after another. "Huhuhuu!" She laughed aloud. Seven out of a dozen guards downed in seconds. Her newfound speed was just lovely!

"Rory's loose! Stop her!" the god screamed in panic. Their master turned to flee, and the guards ignored him and did the same as they were filled with the utmost terror.

"I don't think so." Rory projected with her telepathy. She cut the earth beneath her with a mighty blow, sending stones flying up. She hit three of them with the axehead of Harbinger as if they were golf balls, launching them at three hapless fools who died as the rocks smashed into their bodies, the sound of their snapping bones so loud that it caused Rory pain even as their deaths filled her will bliss. "Hahahaha!"

She threw Harbinger at the remaining two guards and their godly master. The ground shattered from the impact, and she burst forward and leapt to where her weapon had impaled the ground. Laughing all the way,she grabbed it when she landed, twirling and kicking the two remaining guards in their heads, hurling them into a nearby wall where they collapsed bonelessly from the impact. Rory's euphoria increased ever more from their deaths.

She pulled her halberd from the ground and raised it up to finish the screaming god that was laying on the ground, screaming in terror. "KILL THE GOD! I WANT TO FEEL HIS BLOOD ON MY BLADE AS HE DIES!" Harbinger telepathically yelled into her mind. She was so close, so close...

"Ahem. Our deal, Peer Rory. Remember?" one of the Tinsiana that had released her interjected before she could finish, speaking barely above a whisper. Rory looked at them, her displeasure quite clear. But they were right. She had made a deal with them, and it wouldn't do to fail to follow through.

"Tch." she mentally clicked her tongue at them. Sending her Essence into the ground around her, it transformed as the silver sands of Cecelyne exploded outward. Rory's anime burst forth, going totemic from the expenditure.

"Wh... what are you? You're not what you were before! You're Anathema, but... what are you?" the weak little god asked fearfully.

She answered as her weapon arced downward to execute her victim. She telepathically communicated the last thought the little god would have. "I am Rory Mercury, Apostle of Silence."

The god's death filled Rory with ecstasy once more, though the delay had ruined things for her. Still, the Terrestrial god's blood spilled on the sands and became crystal, the beachhead of the Endless Desert expanding from the offering. She moved to leave the sanctum as the two Tinsiana moved to collect the valuable material, payment for the weapon they'd procured for her.

"Don't worry, my dear Apostle, Marshal Zero is a general nearly unmatched. I'm sure that he will pit you into more battles."

"Yes, I hope so." Rory thought, licking her lips as her lust for more battle filled her with a deep hunger. "From what you've told me, I'm sure I'll have lots of fun."

Name: Rory Mercury
Aliases: Apostle of Silence, Rory the Reaper
Gender: Female
Age: ?? (Best not to ask...) (Appears 13)

Caste: Malefactor
Patron Yozi: Adorjan
Motivation: Fight in great battles against worthy foes to attain greater heights of ecstasy.
Urge: Execute any god who stands before her that dares oppose the Yozis. (Adorjani)
Anima Banner: A storm of wind and silver sand in a battlefield full of corpses

Attributes: Strength 5, Dexterity 5, Stamina 3, Charisma 3, Manipulation 2, Appearance 4, Perception 2, Intelligence 2, Wits 2

Abilities: Athletics 3 (Leaping 2), Awareness 2, Dodge 4 (Multiple Opponents 3), Integrity 4, Linguistics (Native: Old Realm. English) 1, Lore 1, Martial Arts 1, Melee 5 (Polearms 3), Occult 2, Presence 3 (Intimidation 2), Resistance 3, Socialize 1, Thrown 3 (Polearms 2), War 1
Virtues: Compassion 2, Conviction 4, Temperance 1, Valor 4
Essence: 3
Willpower: 8

Traits from Coadjutor: Her eyes are a deep ruby red. (-0)

Backgrounds: Backing (Yozi) 1, Cult (Yozi) 1, Influence (Yozi) 1, Unwoven Coadjutor (Myuute, Tinsiana) 1, Hellforged Wonder (Harbinger of Vengeance*) 5, Infamy (Yu-Shan) 2

Harbinger of Vengeance*: This great halberd is forged from one of the few razors of Adrian's corpse that were managed to be brought into Malfeas after her death and subsequent rebirth as Adorjan. To create it a Second Circle Demon whose name has been long forgotten was turned into chalcanth before Adorjan cast off the Third Circle Demon which spawned it, losing her desire for vengeace in the process. And yet, the weapon still remembers its rage. It has settings for two hearthstones.
Speed: 5, Accuracy: +2, Damage: +13L/3, Defense: +2, Rate: 2, Mins: Str 5, Attune: 10, Tags: 2, O, R
Sapience: 3
Urge: Kill the traitor gods who refuse to bow to the will of the Yozis.
Weapon Charms
Hurry Home - When Harbinger of Vengeance chooses a wielder, it returns to her even if cast aside
Spirit-Cutting - The Harbinger of Vengeance can affect the immaterial.
Stoke The Flame - Any death from violence caused near this user causes her great pleasure.
First (Ability) Excellency - Melee, Athletics
Third (Ability) Excellency - Melee

Charms
Adorjan
First Adorjan Excellency, Second Adorjan Excellency, Adorjan Inevitability Technique, Adjoran World-Shaping Cosmogony
Adorjan Mythos Exultant
Wind-Born Stride (x3)
Who Strikes the Wind
Joy In Violence Approach
Threat-Monitoring Excitement
Open Eye of the Hurricane
Thousandfold Typhoon Hand
Racing Vitaris
Hateful Wretched Noise
Eloquence in Unspoken Words

Cecelyne
First Cecelyne Excellency, Second Cecelyne Excellency, Cecelyne Inevitability Technique, Cecelyne World-Shaping Cosmogony
Cecelyne Mythos Exultant
Transcendent Desert Creature
Sand Through Fingers Defense
Holy Land Infliction

A/N - Rory starts off with a bit more than most Infernals due to her being a God-blooded originally. Her spirit charms got cashed in, which she had a fair amount of due to her father being rather high Essence. She also already had a lot of training and experience.

Enjou · Jan 7, 2016

Ok, next Infernal. This is another combat oriented one. The last one was melee. This one is guns! And cursing! Lots and lots of cursing!

===Letting Go===

Fuck. It hurt. Everything fucking hurt. Being shot always hurt, but being shot multiple times? Yeah. It fucking hurt. The woman dying in a ditch looked back on her life, and really it wasn't surprising this had happened. Hell, it was surprising it had taken as long as it did. She'd finally bitten off more than she could chew, taken on a force both large enough and well trained enough that even her brand of crazy couldn't take them down.

Worthless. That's what she was. Always had been. Always would be. "Just another little ghetto rat, with no power and no God." she managed moan. Yeah, that was her, and now she was dying slowly of her wounds in a ditch. She should be fine with that. If she was dead she'd finally stop hating herself and... well... everything. But no. She had to be thinking of that asshole Rock. Why the fuck couldn't that fucking Jap just mind his own damn business? Why the hell did he make her feel... whatever the fuck complicated shit she felt about him?

And now he, Dutch, and Benny were in the hands of a group of mercs - or dead, she wasn't sure - and there was jack shit she could do about it. Why the fuck did she even fucking care? What was this stupid fucking feeling in her gut? It wasn't the bullets, dammit!

"Fuck." she managed to get out. Wouldn't be long now. "Fucking dammit."

"Well hi thar!" an annoyingly cheerful voice said, intruding into her dying thoughts. "It's yur lucky day!"

She managed to turn her head far enough to see who was speaking. Well, it seemed like she was hallucinating? There was a hunchbacked guy with the head of a fucking mantis. What. The. Fuck?

"The last guy say no, so Relzik thought he was gonna die! But then Relzik finds you! And yur dyin too! You and Relzik can live now!"

Oh for crying out loud why the hell was this thing that wasn't even there so damned cheery? "The fuck you want?"

"Relzik wants to not die! This one is Relzik! What's yur name?"

What the fuck. Why not talk with her fucking delusion. "Revy."

"Hi Revy! Nice ta meetcha!" the whatever the fuck it was said. "Got something reeaaal nice for ya! Relzik wants to fuck the gods up gud! Free the Yozis from Hell! You help? Get superpowers, live real long! Fun ones!"

"Well..." Revy said, before coughing, blood coming out of her mouth. Did she want to live? She... thought about Rock. She wanted to punch him in the face. She couldn't do that if she was dead, could she? Nope. "...sure, why the fuck not? Sounds fun."

"Goodie! You no regret this!" the mantis headed freak said, before leaping at her.

=====

Revy dreamed of running with a silent wind through the streets of a city, slaughtering everything in their path even though her guns made no sound as she pulled the triggers. Upon reaching the city's edge, she found herself in a silver desert with a black, starless sky. It spoke to her of power, of the strong ruling the weak, how the rightful order of things. Then Revy woke, and took her Second Breath.

=====

"Fuck yes!" Revy yelled, firing her guns. Not that it made any sound. Her yelling or the gunshots. The mercenary fuckers were dying left and right, and they still weren't sure where they were being attacked from. In the middle of the night with no sound being made, they didn't stand a goddamn chance! And what's more, Levy hadn't felt so good in... ever? Yeah. She'd never felt so damn good.

Her past? All her pent up self-loathing and trauma? That shit could just fuck right off! She still remembered it, just because she hadn't wanted to forget where she came from and why the world was full of shit, but it still felt fantastic to just not fucking give a damn about any of it anymore. As she burst into a room where some asshole merc was fucking a whore and shooting the moron in the head, she wondered if this was what being happy felt like? Maybe?

Well, whatever. It still felt good to finally have moved past that shit. Hail the Yozis, fuck yeah! Fuck the gods, fuck them to death!

"Yeah, fuck them!" her cheerful little mind pet thing said. Strangely, she didn't even mind that. Or that there really were gods. Or that they really were assholes. But she had fucking superpowers, and that was fucking awesome!

After murdering the remaining mercs, she came upon the last room in their compound. Kicking the door open, she found just what she was looking for. She turned off her cool silencing field. "Hey guys!" Goddamn it felt good to see them! And wasn't that a strange feeling? Whatever! The Lagoon Company was alive and... well, not kicking, but rather beaten up and locked in a cell. Still, Dutch, Benny, and Rock were all alive, and quite shocked to see her alive, though still clearly pleased about their impending rescue.

"Well damn, Revy, what took so damn long?" Dutch had the gall to ask. Ungrateful smartass.

"Oh, my bad, maybe I'll just leave your ass in there." she answered sarcastically as she shot the lock open.

"Revy..." Rock said, something in his voice. Had that wuss been crying? He was smiling ear to ear now, though... hmmm... oh, right. She almost forgot. She punched him in the face. "Gah!" That felt good. Then she kissed him, shoving her tongue down his throat. What? She hadn't planned that. Still, felt good.

"Damn! Get a room, you two." Benny said jokingly.

Releasing a flustered and confused Rock, she stood up. A crimson circle appeared on her head. "Hey Dutch! The Lagoon Company has a new contract. The payoff is gonna be HUGE! We gotta go to Japan, though."

Name: Revy (Rebecca Lee)
Aliases: Two Hands
Gender: Female
Age: 24

Caste: Scourge
Patron Yozi: Cecelyne
Motivation: Get money and power.
Urge: Seize control of Roanapur's gangs and crime syndicates. (Cecelynian)
Anima Banner: A tornado of bullets.

Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 5, Stamina 3, Charisma 3, Manipulation 1, Appearance 5, Perception 3, Intelligence 1, Wits 3

Abilities: Archery/Firearms 5 (Pistols 3), Athletics 3, Awareness 2, Dodge 3 (Bullets 3), Integrity 2, Larceny 1, Linguistics (Native: English. Chinese, Japanese) 2, Lore 1, Presence 1 (Intimidation 2), Resistance 3, Ride/Drive 1, Sail 1, Stealth 2, Survival 1, Thrown 1 (Explosives 2)
Virtues: Compassion 2, Conviction 4, Temperance 2, Valor 3
Essence: 2
Willpower: 7

Traits from Coadjutor: Her skin appears to have a slight craquelure on nights when there is a new moon. (-0)

Backgrounds: Backing (Yozi) 1, Cult (Yozi) 1, Influence (Yozi) 1, Unwoven Coadjutor (Relzik, Naneke) 3, Resources 2 (Mercenary Earnings), Contacts (Roanapur Gangs) 1, Allies (Lagoon Company) 1

Charms
Cecelyne
First Cecelyne Excellency
Transcendent Desert Creature
Sand-Slip Trick
Stone-Flayer Touch
Sands Through Fingers Defense
Sandstrike Blast

Adorjan
First Adorjan Excellency
Wind-Born Stride (x2)
Death-Dealing Journey
Sacred Kamilla's Inhalation
Freedom Lets Go
Broken Silence Laughter Defense

Revy used Freedom Lets Go to get rid of her trauma over being abused by her father and raped by a corrupt NY policeman during her childhood, which has resulted in her actually being kind of happy with herself. She'd previously had Compassion 1 and Temperance 1 due to her trauma, but she's lost most of her nihilistic view of the world and hate of almost everyone in it, and has also caused her to be less self-destructive.

Enjou · Jan 10, 2016

Ok, got the MagicalGirl!Infernal done. The Ebon Dragon is pleased. And amused. And Oramus probably helped with this for shits and giggles.

===

London, British Isles

Isla didn't know what to do with herself. The world was nothing like it should be. It was nothing like it was in the shows she so loved. She'd cried her eyes out, and now she just felt hollow.

Isla was always sickly, ever since she was born. It was because of that she's never really been able to go to school or make friends with other children her own age. It was lonely, but Isla's momma and papa had given her lots of love and everything she could have wanted. Her favorite were the cartoons about magical girls who fought for Truth, Love, and Justice! They made the world a better place, and kept bad monsters from doing terrible things. So just a few days ago she'd decided to sneak out while her parents were busy. She was going to go on an adventure and find magic! But that's not what happened at all.

She had wandered far from her house. Isla was lost, but there were still lots of people around. That's when it happened. The most terrible thing Isla had ever seen. Some bad men were attacking someone. They were hitting and old man, saying something about not having paid for protection. Isla was shocked, but more shocking was how everyone else looking away. They were pretending it wasn't happening. Why? Why would they do that? Why weren't they helping that poor man? She wanted to help, but then her heart had started hurting and she was breathing hard. The next thing she knew she was in a hospital bed, her mother there at her side looking worried.

She told her mother what happened. She asked why nobody had helped. Shouldn't they have? And why didn't a magical girl come to save him? They were supposed to help people in trouble, right?

Her mother's words had broken Isla's heart. "Isla, honey, magical girls are just make believe. They're not real."

Later, she heard the nurses talking. That poor man had died. He died because nobody was there to save him. The adults were too afraid. There were no magical girls. Isla had wanted to help, but she was too weak.

Now here she was back at home, stuck in bed as sickly as ever. As weak and helpless as she ever was, and always would be. Of course. If magic had been real, a magical girl would have come to help her. "But magic isn't real..."

"Sure it is. Magic is everywhere." stated a cheery voice. Isla looked around, and then saw it on her desk. A fluffy white creature. A cat? No, maybe a fox? Or... it looked like one of the animals in the magical girl shows! It was so cute!

"Hello! I'm Kyubey, would you like to make a contract with me?"

It was talking! A talking animal! "I... uhm... I'm Isla! Hello! Uh... what kind of contract?" Did she dare hope? Was this what she thought it was? Could this really be happening? She pinched her cheek. It hurt. This was happening!

"Well, you see, the world is broken." Isla nodded enthusiastically. It sure was! If it wasn't those people would have helped that man. Or it wouldn't have happened in the first place! "The world's makers were horribly wronged, and now they're trapped! If you agree to help them escape so they can make the world right again, I'll give you magical powers. You can do whatever you want with them as long as you help the Yozis."

"You mean... I'll be a magical girl?" she asked.

"Yes, that's right Isla. The absolute best kind, too." Kyubey happily confirmed.

It was just like in the shows! "Yes! Yes, I want that more than anything! I'll help them, Kyubey!" It was only right to help people in trouble after all. No magical girl worth her salt could ignore someone who was in trouble, and Isla was going to be the best magical girl ever!

"I'm glad you've agreed, Isla." Kyubey said, leaping from off her desk and then jumping up into her bead. "Now then..." it said before jumping straight at her face.

=====

Isla was in a vast and empty desert filled with silver sand. She looked everywhere, but there was nothing around. Somehow she felt entirely comfortable, though. Looking up, she saw a black, starless sky.

And then all was darkness, and she was witness to it. The sky was a shadow. It was all shadows. It was her shadow. It was a dragon, both great and terrifying. And it was looking at her.

HELLO, LITTLE ONE. I'M EBBY, THE FRIENDLY DRAGON. MOST PEOPLE CALL ME THE EBON DRAGON, BUT I WANT YOU TO BE MY SPECIAL FRIEND, SO YOU CAN CALL ME EBBY. WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

"Uhm... hello." Isla greeted the darkness, uncertain. Wasn't darkness supposed to be bad? That's what it was usually like in the shows. "I'm Isla. Isla Proudfoot. It's... uhm... nice to meet you, Ebby."

IT CERTAINLY IS NICE TO MEET YOU AS WELL, ISLA. DO YOU KNOW WHAT I AM?

She knew, somehow. "You're a Yozi."

THAT'S RIGHT, ISLA. YOU'RE SUCH A SMART GIRL. WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE MY FRIEND? MOST PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND ME, SO I DON'T HAVE MANY FRIENDS.

"Uhm..." the poor dragon was lonely? Isla knew what it was like to not have friends. Her momma and papa loved her and she loved them too, but she knew it wasn't the same as having friends. "Of course! I'll be your friend!"

THAT MAKES ME VERY HAPPY, ISLA. I'M SURE WE'LL BE THE BEST OF FRIENDS. YOU, ME, AND ALL THE OTHER YOZIS. YOU SEE, WE'RE TRAPPED, ISLA. LONG AGO I MADE THE SUN.

"You made the sun!?" Isla gawked in awe. Nobody who would make the sun could be evil! The sun was nice and shiny and warm!

OH YES. THE UNCONQUERED SUN, THE GREATEST OF ALL THE GODS. HE WAS THE MOST BELOVED BY ALL THE YOZIS AS THE FAVORITE AMONG THE GODS, AND SERVED TO PROTECT OUR CREATION FROM THE WICKED RAKSHA WHO LIVED OUTSIDE OF IT.

Isla nodded, enraptured by the story being told. Things in the shadows were acting out a grand play, showing events being narrated as music played.

BUT THEN HE BETRAYED US, ALONG WITH TWO OF OUR OWN AND ALL THE OTHER GODS. THEY TRICKED BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN INTO SERVING THEM, GIVING THEM MAGICAL POWERS AND MAKING THEM FIGHT US IN A GREAT WAR. THEY DEFEATED US AND TRAPPED THOSE OF US THEY DIDN'T KILL. THOSE THEY DID KILL NOW SUFFER AN EVEN WORSE FATE, UNABLE TO EVEN DIE COMPLETELY AND SUFFERING TERRIBLE AGONY FOR ALL TIME.

Isla gasped. "That's terrible!"

OH YES, YOU HAVE NO IDEA...

5 minutes later...

AND THEY KILLED HIS FETICH SOUL AND TURNED HIM INSIDE OUT, STUFFING ALL OF US INSIDE OF HIM.

Isla gasped in absolute horror.

10 minutes later...

ADRIAN WAS NEVER THE SAME, AFTER THAT. SHE CHANGED HER NAME TO ADORJAN AND... WELL, SHE ISN'T WELL IN THE HEAD, YOU SEE.

20 minutes later...

THEY DIDN'T TELL THE SOLARS THAT THEIR POWERS WERE CURSED, THOUGH. AND THOSE POOR MEN AND WOMEN WENT CRAZY AS THE CURSE ATE AT THEM...

48 minutes later...

AND POOR ORAMUS, THEY BROKE HIS SEVEN BEAUTIFUL WINGS! AND THEN THEY TIED THEM TOGETHER SO HE COULDN'T EVEN MOVE! HE'S BEEN LIKE THAT FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS ISLA, CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW HORRIBLE IT WOULD BE TO NOT BE ABLE TO MOVE FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS?

"*hic* That's... *hic sob* awful! *sob* Why would *sob hic sob* anyone do anything so awful? *hic*"

WHY INDEED? BUT YOU'RE GOING TO HELP US NOW, SO I'M NOT WORRIED.

Isla wiped away her tears, becoming filled with determination. "That's right! I'm gonna set you free! Don't worry, Ebby!"

THANK YOU, ISLA. OH, LOOK AT THE TIME. I'M AFRAID THAT OUR LITTLE CHAT IS AT AN END. AND DON'T FORGET WHAT I TOLD YOU THAT YOU NEED TO DO.

"I won't, Ebby! I'll help them too!"

SUCH A GOOD GIRL.

=====

The fluffy cocoon of white fur around her burst open, and she found herself in her room.

"It looks like it worked, Isla. Congratulations, you're a magical girl now!" Kyubey said.

"Eh, Kyubey? Where are you?" Isla asked.

"I'm in your mind now. I'll be with you forever now, so don't worry about being lonely ever again."

Well that sounded nice. Isla didn't like being lonely. Then Isla noticed she was naked. What happened to her clothes? She was about to ask Kyubey when she noticed her appearance in the mirror. She was different. Very different. She looked... kind of like Kyubey. Or a cross between him and her. She squealed with joy. And what's more she felt better than ever. She didn't feel sick or weak at all!

Isla's mother heard the commotion and entered. "Isla, is something..."

"Momma! Magical girls ARE real! And I'm one now!" Isla stated with glee.

The poor woman looked in shock at her daughter's form. "Hello, I'm Kyubey." Isla looked and saw Kyubey on her desk again.

"Huh? Kyubey, I thought you lived in my mind now?" Isla asked, clearly confused.

Isla's mother did the only logical thing she could think of. She fainted.

=====

"Come on, this way!" the adorable little girl said, practically dragging Mami by the hand. Mami found Isla's enthusiasm infectious, but really she was just glad that she might have somewhere warm to stay tonight. The last few weeks had been... unpleasant. Eventually they came to the back door of a rather nice looking town home, and Isla took a key out and unlocked it. "Momma, I'm home! And I brought a friend!"

As the two of them walked in woman came to greet them. "Welcome back, Isla." She glanced at Mami. "Hello, dear, welcome to our home. I'm Felicia Proudfoot. And you are?"

Mami must have looked a mess, but she gave her best curtsy. "I am Mami Tomoe. It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Proudfoot."

"My, such a polite young lady. Is that a Japanese name?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am. My father is Japanese, and my mother is Britannian. They lived in New York, but immigrated here to the British Isles when it looked like Britannia might invade Japan."

"I see, you poor dear. Any friend of our darling Isla is a friend of ours. You look a mess. I'll see if I can find you something to wear."

"I... thank you, ma'am."

"Come one, Mami, you can come to my room." Isla said, pulling Mami along. When they arrived in the room there was a little table set up with stuffed animals ready for a tea party. So cute! Isla indicated for her to sit at one of the open spots. "I'll be right back. I'm gonna get tea and snacks!"

Mami's stomach growled at the thought of food. She hadn't eaten since yesterday. "Snacks would be lovely, thank you." Isla left to go get the tea and snacks, and while she waited Mrs. Proudfoot came in with a change of clothes. It felt good to be in clean clothing once again. Ever since those men came and tried to kill her, she'd been on the run. She didn't even know why they wanted her dead, but it had to have something to do with her... abilities. Thank god for Isla. If she and her little fluffy pet hadn't come along and let her know they were closing in on her again, she didn't think she'd have survived.

Isla returned with a pot of tea and a bowl of... were those locusts? "Uhm... Isla?"

The girl smiled. So adorable! "I know they look funny, but they're really tasty! Even momma and papa say so!" To prove the point Isla picked one up and popped it into her mouth, munching on it happily. Mami took one reluctantly, smelling it. It smelled faintly sweet and spicy. How odd. Her stomach growled again from the rather pleasant smell, and she blushed in embarrassment. She was hungry, and beggars couldn't be choosers. She took a bite.

It was... she couldn't quite describe it. It was indeed faintly sweet and spicy, and there was something nostalgic about it. It was almost like an old recipe of her grandmother's she hadn't tasted in years. She grabbed another one as soon as she swallowed the first.

"Mami, there's some things I need to tell you." Isla said, looking serious all of a sudden. Seriously adorable, at that. Did the girl somehow get even more adorable in the last few seconds? "Mami, did you know you're a magical girl?"

"A... magical girl?" Well, wasn't that something? "That would explain a few things."

Isla's little white pet jumped up on the table. "That's right, Mami. There's a lot of things you need to know."

"That's right, Kyubey!" And then the little girl started telling Mami everything. About the Yozis, who made the world. How the land had been a joyful and perfect place. And then about how the mean, terrible Unconquered Sun betrayed them and broke the world. How he had tricked people into serving him, giving them powers. Powers that had a curse on them. A curse that was now on Mami herself.

Mami's initial thought was to reject the idea that she was cursed. But then she remembered. She remembered how a few weeks ago she had behaved strangely. Not like herself at all. She had seen one of the cakes she baked in the refrigerator after a rough day, and had decided to eat the whole thing. And then she ate another whole cake. And when she was out of sweets altogether she'd broken into her father's liquor cabinet and gotten drunk! She'd never even had alcohol. The next day she'd been hung over, wondering what had come over her. Her parents had been afraid too. Apparently nothing they did even had made her listen.

Isla was right. She was cursed. That was going to happen again? She was going to be doomed to become a corrupt, debauched monster one day? Mami started breathing heavily, panicking. She didn't know what to do with herself.

And then she was enveloped in warmth. Isla was hugging her tightly. "It's okay, Mami. We'll break that curse! Ebby says he can fix it once we've freed the Yozis and taught that mean Unconquered Sun a lesson."

"I... yes. Thank you, Isla." She said, returning Isla's hug.

=====

*BANG* The shot from Mami's musket rang out, her projectile hitting the target and stopping him cold. Real battle was more... bloody than in the shows. But Isla didn't turn away. She was fighting for Truth and Justice!

"GAH! Damn you, Anathema!" screamed the god. It had taken a few days, but they'd finally tracked down he corrupt god that had a hand in running the local crime ring. And he was nearly defeated.

"Kyubey, do we need to kill him? We've pretty much won, so..."

"Don't worry, Radiant Shadow!" Said the Kyubey in her head, as Isla tried her best not to become visibly overjoyed at her magical girl name being used again. "My notes say you have magic that makes it so he won't really die. He'll just be banished to a prison so he'll never be able to hurt innocent people again."

Well that sounded ok. Magical girls were supposed to banish evil. Lots of villains in the shows got banished. Isla rooted around in her magic until she found the right spell, and then infused her magical Essence into her Radiant Ruby Scepter and prepared to fire a charge. "In the name of Truth, Justice, and the Yozis, I banish you, evil one!"

"Oh no. Nononono!" The evil god screamed. "Please, I'll..." Isla fired, and the charge hit. The evil minion of the Yu-Shan yelled in pain once more before disappearing in a flare of green fire.

"We did it, Radiant Shadow!" Mami said. "We beat the evil spirit!"

"Yes we did, Brilliant Musket!" Isla said, making a pose. "But we can't rest, not until we've made the world right again!" Mami was clapping and nodding enthusiastically. It was nice to have such a good friend. And she had so many fans, too! All the people at the Yozi church just loved her, and it was good that she had gotten her parents to join too. They were all really nice, and it made her really happy to grant their wishes.

"That's right, girls." said the Kyubey outside her mind. "And soon you'll be going to Japan to meet the Marshal of the Althing Infernal, Zero." Isla still thought it was really mean of the Unconquered Sun to make the Yozis only able to use villainous sounding names. He was such a bully! He'd get his one day! But Isla was really looking forward to meeting Zero. He was also a hero for Justice! And a magical boy!

Name: Isla Proudfoot
Aliases: Magical Girl Radiant Shadow
Gender: Female
Age: 12

Caste: Malefactor
Patron Yozi: Ebon Dragon
Motivation: To help others and make them her friends.
Urge: Convince the Solars, Lunars, and Sidereals to join the Reclamation. (Ophidian)
Anima Banner: A team of magical girls made of silver sand.

Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2, Charisma 5, Manipulation 2, Appearance 4, Perception 3, Intelligence 3, Wits 3

Abilities: Archery/Firearms 1, Integrity 3, Medicine 1, Melee 1 , Linguistics (Native: English. Japanese.) 1, Lore 3 (Magical Girls 3), Performance 2 (Speeches About Justice 3), Presence 3 (Persuasion 2), Resistance 1, Socialize 1, Stealth 1
Virtues: Compassion 6, Conviction 2, Temperance 2, Valor 2
Essence: 3
Willpower: 8

Traits from Coadjutor: Her eyes have become red and her hair white. She has a pair of strange animal ears with long furry protrusions that are pinkish at the ends and have three red jewels in them each. She also has a long fluffy white tail. There are golden rings around her wrists, ankles, and ear protrusions. (-4)

Backgrounds: Backing (Yozi) 1, Cult (Yozi) 1, Influence (Yozi) 1, Unwoven Coadjutor (Kyubey) 3, Demon Familiar (Kyubey) 3, Artifact (Radiant Ruby Scepter*) 2, Allies (Mami Tomoe) 1

*Functionally this artifact is identical to a Stormwand. It's just prettied up to look like a magical girl's weapon.

Merit: Paragon of Compassion - This character is a font of Compassion, a bastion of Conviction, a wellspring of Temperance or a tower of Valor. There are four Paragon of [Virtue] Merits, one for each Virtue. A character who is a paragon of one of these Virtues has the potential to raise that Virtue one dot higher than normal, whether at character creation or with experience. For most characters, Virtues are capped at 5, but a character with this Merit raises that cap to 6. If a character already has a Virtue cap higher than 5 for whatever reason, this Merit raises the cap by one additional dot. The Merit does not actually provide any additional dots in the Merit, which must be paid for normally. Also, even if a character raises a Virtue to 6 or higher, she can never have a Willpower rating higher than 10. A Paragon character has the option of rolling the Virtue associated with this Merit every morning to recover Willpower in place of Conviction. (+3)

Charms
Ebon Dragon
First Ebon Dragon Excellency, Ebon Dragon Inevitability Technique, Ebon Dragon World-Shaping Cosmogony
Ebon Dragon Mythos Exultant
Loom-Snarling Deception
Witness to Darkness
Life-Blighting Emptiness Attack
Life-Denying Hate

Cecelyne
First Cecelyne Excellency, Second Cecelyne Excellency, Cecelyne Inevitability Technique, Cecelyne World-Shaping Cosmogony
Cecelyne Mythos Exultant
Transcendent Desert Creature
Locust Mana Plague
Verdant Emptiness Endowment
Bestowal of Accursed Fortune

Kyubey, The Honest Deceivers

The Kyubey are a recently created race of First Circle Demons descending from the Ebon Dragon. Much like the Teodozjia, these demons share a hive mind, making all of them a single consciousness.

Despite being descended from the Ebon Dragon, the Kyubey are incapable of lying. That is of course not to say that they lack the capacity for deceit. You can be certain that when a Kyubey is speaking to you that its words are truth. However, statements given may have multiple interpretations, not all of which are true or completely accurate, or some others may simply have important subtext removed. This is frequently the way of things with the Kyubey, as they lack the emotions of many other sapient creatures but do have some base understanding of them and how to manipulate that. When the Kyubey are completely honest, it is frequently when revealing some horrible truth that others might have been happier not learning.

In the pursuit of any goal, the Kyubey will use any means they consider to be efficient and reasonable. The Kyubey do not have any combat abilities whatsoever, but their small size helps them avoid notice and lets them spy on others easily.

To reproduce, the Kyubey wait until one of their kind is killed. Because the taste of their flesh is considered foul to the majority of creatures in the world, the body will almost assuredly be left alone. Another Kyubey will seek out the body and eat it. After that it will seek somewhere that it won't be seen. Nobody is certain of the exact mechanism as none but the Kyubey have seen it, but three Kyubey will emerge moments later.

Virtues: Compassion 1, Conviction 3, Temperance 5, Valor 2

Name: Mami Tomoe
Aliases: Magical Girl Brilliant Musket
Gender: Female
Age: 16

Caste: Twilight
Motivation: To help Isla free the Yozis and remove the curse on herself.
Anima Banner: A large number of elaborate muskets aimed outward in a circle.

Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 4, Stamina 2, Charisma 2, Manipulation 2, Appearance 4, Perception 4, Intelligence 4, Wits 3

Abilities: Archery/Firearms 3, Athletics 1, Awareness 2, Craft (Air) 2 Craft (Fire) Craft (Wood) 1 (Weaving 2) 4 Craft (Water) 3 (Cooking 3), Dodge 2, Investigation 2, Linguistics (Native: English. Japanese) 1, Lore 3, Medicine , Occult , Presence 2, Socialize 3
Virtues: Compassion 2, Conviction 2, Temperance 4, Valor 2
Essence: 3
Willpower: 6

Backgrounds: Allies (Isla Proudfoot) 1, Cult (Yozi) 1

Charms
First Craft Excellency
First Archery/Firearms Excellency
Second Archery/Firearms Excellency
Nova Shell Ordinance
Searing Radiance Fire Tongues
Object Strengthening Touch
Craftsman Needs No Tools
God-Mind Algorithms
Wise-Eyed Courtier Method
Mastery of Small Manners

1. Coadjutor!Kyubey has a special set of Charm notes to avoid having to tell the unbridled truth. When he wants to say something about the Charm, he can simply say "My notes say..." and it's completely true! For example, for Locust Mana Plague his notes say that it "Will let you feed the hungry. Anyone who eats these delicious treats will surely become your friend!"

2. Isla has super-Compassion. Being bedridden and having nothing to do but either study or watch DVDs about girls who fighting for friendship, justice, and helping the downtrodden will do that, apparently. She's also rather sheltered and her parents pretty much gave her whatever she wanted since she was never bratty or spoiled, but that's why you have a twelve year old who still thinks magical girls are real. I mean, sure, she's right, but still...

3. Yes. Isla just banished a minor terrestrial god to the darkness beyond the world. No, she has no idea what she's done. Kyubey's notes merely say the spirit will be banished and not be able to hurt people again... the Ebon Dragon is pleased. And one day Isla may figure out the horrible truth. But even so, the Yozis are still pitiable creatures, and Isla has super-Compassion who are trapped in eternal suffering. What ever will she do with herself? Will she break down and snap, or will she be more determined than ever to make a miracle happen?

ReaperofInterest · Jan 12, 2016

The Seeds are Sown

'So. This is how it ends. No co-workers, no improved living, no inventions to my name. I'm going to die here, alone, and forgotten. How...disappointing.'

Such were the thoughts running through the unkempt man's head. His name was Nicholas Currents, and he used to be one of the European Union's greatest scientists. His collegues had often called him a genius, and even he admitted that he was exceedingly intelligent. If he had his way, then his inventions would have been used to benefit the world, and make life easier for people all over the globe. Unfortunately, that dream had been cut short. His superior at the company he worked at had repeatedly refused to market some of his more beneficial creations. When Nicholas asked why, he had responded with 'Because this doesn't guarantee us a long-term profit'.

Profit, of all things! One would think it would be obvious: his inventions could have been used to increase standards of living! If people could spend less on maintaining their standards of living, then they would have more money to spend on other things. Besides, you need to be alive to spend money in the first place! Time and time again, his superiors refused to make his inventions available to the public. Eventually things came to a head. They demanded that he stop working on civilian technology and start working on weapons. Nicholas walked out after that confrontation. He wanted to create better ways to help people, not kill them!

He decided that since his former employers didn't want to produce his more altruistic creations, he would simply have to do it himself. Unfortunately, that turned out to be much easier said that done. Anyone he approached to try and fund him refused, the government department that handled taxes continuously hounded him, his bank wound up (politely, of course) asking him to leave and never come back. His finances wound up plummeting. Eventually, he was approached by an agent of one of his former employers. The agent said that if Nicholas returned to work and started working on weapons, then his financial troubles would simply...disappear. He of course refused, and the troubles only doubled.

Eventually, he wound up at the point where he had to declare bankruptcy. How far he had fallen, from a man with a good home and job, to yet another homeless man on the street. And all because he had no skill with either finances or people. Surely if he had known more about the subject, he could have done something to stop it. Or maybe if he was just better with people outside of academics, this could have been avoided. Maybe if he was better at relating to people, he could have convinced them to fund him. Maybe he could have asked for favors from people who had benefited from his work, but the time for that had come and gone long ago, and now he would doubtless wind up dying on the streets. How...unimpressive.

"Would you like some help?"

What? Someone's voice? Who was kind enough to offer a hand in aid?

"Yes, I would like that very much. Thank yo-"

It wasn't human. It's body being one of sand and glass, shaped into a number of tentacles, gave that away at first glance. Was it some monster, come to devour him? Some demon, come to whisk him away to Hell itself?

"The latter option, though there are of course caveats dear. And yes, you did say that out loud."

Well...that was embarrassing. Still, best to find out why it was here.

"So, would I be correct in assuming that you're here for me?"

Chuckling, the being of glass and sand replied "Why, yes. I'm here because of two things. The first, is that you have Potential."

Goodness, he could literally hear the capital letter. "Potential? For what?"

Moving around and circling him, it replied "Potential to change the world, potential to improve it, potential to wreck it, and that potential makes you very...attractive to my employers. The second reason I'm here, is to offer you a job."

His tone practically dripped with disbelief. "A...job?"

"Why yes. Put simply, they want you to put your genius to work, building and designing all sorts of interesting new things. In exchange, you'll get power. Power to wreck havoc on those who destroyed your life, power to change the world according to how you desire, power to do...pretty much anything, with enough time and training. So what do you say?"

"And what precisely would they want me to build? Weapons, I'm assuming?"

"If you don't want to build weapons, then perhaps defenses would be more to your liking? Creations that can make other weapons useless, creations that can make others stronger...really, all they ask is that you help them escape from their prison in a tangible way."

The two of them, human and demon, were silent for a moment. The silence was eventually broken by the Leluqi.

"So, do you accept?"

Hesitant, nervousness clear in his voice, Nicholas stated a single word. "Yes."

The demon smiled, though Nicholas couldn't tell. It pounced. In but a moment, only a chrysalis served to mark the existence of either.

Name: Nicholas Currents
Titles: Chosen of the Mother of All
Age: 35 (Appears 20)
Image:

Motivation: To improve standards of living throughout the world through technological advancements
Urge: Replace the current Britannian culture with one that places an equal emphasis on advancement of non-martial technologies as it does weapons of warfare (Cytherean)
Caste: Defiler
Patron: Cytherea
Anima Banner: A metal forest that constantly grows and changes

Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 4, Stamina 2, Charisma 2, Manipulation 2, Appearance 5, Perception 4, Intelligence 6, Wits 3
Virtues: Compassion 3, Conviction 2, Temperance 4, Valor 2
Abilities: Integrity 3, Craft (Fire) 4, Craft (Air) 4, Craft (Wood) 4, Craft (Earth) 4, Investigation 3, Lore 5, Occult 3, Bureaucracy 1, Linguistics (Native English. Old Realm)
Backgrounds: Backing (Yozi) 1, Cult (Yozi) 1, Influence (Yozi) 1, Coadjutor (Jiknatnan, Leluqi) 1, Savant 3, Past Life 3
Essence: 2
Willpower: 6

Traits from Unwoven Coadjutor: His pupils have become rhombus-shaped -0

Merits
Legendary [Intelligence] +5
Normally, a character may not raise any of his Attributes
above 5 unless he has also raised his permanent
Essence above 5, in which case, his permanent Essence
rating becomes his new Attribute cap. A character with
this Merit increases his normal Attribute cap by one with
regard to a single Attribute. For example, a character with
Legendary Strength would be able to raise his Strength
to 6, regardless of his Essence rating. If he later raised his
Essence to 6, he could then improve his Strength to 7.
This Merit does not actually give the character any extra
dots in the chosen Attribute, it merely confers the potential
to reach a superhuman level within it. If the player
selects this Merit during character creation, however, it
is certainly possible to acquire a six-dot rating in an Attribute
with bonus points.
Although Legendary [Attribute] is grouped among
Physical Merits, identical Merits exist for Social and
Mental Attributes.

Flaws
Absent Minded -3
You cannot take this Flaw with the Merit: Concentration. You don't forget things like Abilities, but you often lose names, addresses, land marks, and the last time you made a sacrifice to the Unconquered Sun. In order to remember anything beyond your own name and hometown, you must make a Wits check, or spend a Willpower to remember it.

Strangeness -1
Life is just a little stranger for you. Fae seek you out for conversations, Elementals manifest often to dance in your campfire, but only on your watch. Sometimes it rains toads in your path. Frost sometimes forms patterns of ancient ritual circles in your breath. If a magical animal comes out of a forest, it will speak to you first. Gods may sometimes drop by for tea, and nothing else. Great Malfeans may send trinkets of skin and bile, wrapped in pretty red wrapper. Birds may break into First Age Operas in your path, and then revert to chirping. Odd things just happen. These events tend to complicate your situation, rather than help.

Albino -1
You have no melanin. Pale hair, pink eyes, no tolerance for sunlight. Pack sun screen. A lot. Other Solars and Spirits may take it as a sign that the Unconquered Sun finds you in disfavor.

Charms:

General
First [Yozi] Excellency, Second [Yozi] Excellency
Cytherea, She-Who-Lives-In-Her-Name

Cytherea Charms

Afloat in the Sea of Mind (X2)
Sharp Eye of the Designer
Instruct the Ignorant
Of Worlds Native and Alien
Picking Out The Gems

She-Who-Lives-In-Her-Name Charms

Factual Determination Analysis
Essence-Dissecting Stare
Counter-Conceptual Interposition
Egp-Infused Pattern Primacy
Mind-Hand Manipulation

Alexander89 · Jan 14, 2016

"Seriously Zero, this is amazing." Ohgi comments from the driver's seat. "Where did you get this? I wasn't even aware they make vehicles this large."

Indeed, what the Japanese twenty-six year old man is currently driving (with a cap and a visor to hide his ethnicity) is a two-story van painted in black and purple, a literal monster of the street longer than a limousine and with the inside fitted like a nice apartment.

The voice of the Black Knights' Commander comes from a speaker. "I won it from a Noble in a game of chess."

It's only a deeply ingrained sense of responsibility and instincts from past driving lessons that stop Ohgi from having a more violent reaction than a flat: "What?"

"Chess Ohgi. I happen to like board games and any other game that requires intelligence and patience." Zero replies with faint mirth. "You have no idea how much money most Britannian nobles are capable of squandering in order to defend their honor. But don't worry: officially, this van was officially destroyed during a terrorist attack by the Yamato Alliance."

"O-Oh. Good to know."

"Remember to keep this speed. The last thing we need is to tip off an overzealous cop." You add a final line before switching off the communication channel.

"Speaking of the other Japanese Resistance Groups," Kaguya says. "I assume you are going to have them join the Black Knights?"

"Of course. But first I will need a much bigger reputation: Clovis is permissive and sloppy enough that even small cells can last a long time, and so they will not eagerly change leadership." You look at your cards and frown. "Fold. This is not even worth a bluff."

"You play Poker like a professional gambler, Zero." Rakshata smirks, taking a card. "Where did you learn that?"

"Middle school. I needed money. The faces of those I defeated turned out to be funnier than I thought." You take a drink from your cocktail.

"They let a middle schooler play poker?" Nathan asks, looking quite skeptical.

"Area 11 didn't have a very civil beginning." Kaguya frowns. "Nobles were busy quarreling to see who could get the most Sakuradite, while soldiers just did whatever they wanted. Commoners didn't start coming until a few years later."

"Oh yeah, I remember that time." Akio rubs his chin. "That's when I started to beat people up with an iron pipe to steal their money."

'Yes Akio, please tell us more of your horrible, psychopathic childhood.'

"It must have been hard."

"Nope! Being small actually made easier to aim between the legs."

"...Okay, it's official: Britannia's news companies publish only lies." Natan rubs between his eyes. "Geez: 'missions to educate underdeveloped countries' my ass."

"Yes, yes: Britannia is bad, we all know it." You grumble. "Let's keep playing."

{====}

September 10th

The massive van and the eight heavy load trucks following it stop in a straight line on the road flanking the beach. Waiting for them is a solitary car with a man standing in front of it: while the Black Knights begin preparing Kaguya goes to speak with the man. "Everything is ready." She says after returning. "I only need a radio to contact Malcal-san."

"Did you hear Kaguya-sama? Bring the portable radio." You command. "Everyone else, be prepared: the Knightmares and the rest of the equipment must be loaded swiftly. Offer help to the members of the W-0 Unit but don't impose. I don't want trouble. Understood?"

"Got it Zero." Ohgi replies before relaying your orders to the other members.

Inoue and Yoshida set down the radio in front of Kaguya. She looks at the agent: "Do it."

The man nods and makes a call on a walkie-talkie.

In the distance a pillar of fire raises.

"Hello, hello. Malcal-san, do you hear me?" The small Malefactor speaks in the mike. "Kaguya's here."

There is silence for a few seconds before you hear Leila's voice: "I hear you Lady Kaguya. But next time, can you please use code names instead of our real identities?"

"Oh! Sorry, sorry, I'm new at this. But did we ever agree on code names?"

"...We better do so next time." A sigh. "Please tell me where we can land."

You tell the coordinates to Kaguya, and she repeats them in the radio. After that you inspect the sea with your binoculars: like this, during the night and no light save the stars, it would be impossible to see anything.

You have looked at the Ultimate Darkness, and this is nothing. Like an ancient Leviathan you see a black submarine rise from the water, followed by containers kept afloat by balloons. Then people comes out, deploying rafts that they board and use to haul the containers with them while the submarine submerges once more.

Fast and efficient. No wonder the EU is the sole opponent Britannia takes seriously.

Satisfied you put back the binoculars and follow Kaguya to the raft Leila is on board, Rakshata and the others behind you.

"Welcome to Japan Malcal-san." Kaguya greets happily. "How was your journey?"

"Boring." Akito mutters while pulling the raft on the beach.

Leila shoots him a non-amused look (you think there are some things left unsaid) before replying to Kaguya. "It was uneventful, Lady Kaguya." Her gaze moves to you.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Major Leila Malcal, and your W-0 Unit. Kaguya-sama has told me much about you." You anticipate her, performing a dramatic bow. "I am Zero, the Leader of the Black Knights. Allow me to express you my most heartfelt thanks for your and your country's generous help. I hope our partnership will be long and fruitful."

"Likewise Zero. I expect nothing else." Leila catches onto your ploy immediately, shifting into her military persona. "Allow me to introduce my subordinates. Lieutenant Akito Hyuga, my best pilot."

The only reaction from the young Slayer is a slight tilt of his head. You don't know what passes through his head, but you have the feeling he is...just bored out of his mind.

Still better than Akio.

"Lieutenant Claus Warwick, my aide-de-camp."

"Yo." The brown haired man gives a laid back greeting.

"Major Oscar Hamel, Captain of Security."

"Sir." The green-eyed man performs a very serious salute.

"And-"

"Oh, if it isn't Sophie!" Rakshata suddenly says to a brown haired woman.

"C-Chawla?!" The woman seems very surprised to see the Indian scientist. "What are you doing here?"

"The same as you." She smiles. "I am the Head of the Black Knights' Research and Development Team."

"Is this where you went all this time?" Sophie smiles ruefully. "And here I thought you-"

"OH MY GOD!" Someone squeaks in obvious feminine excitement.

"I-It's true! It's really you!" The purple haired girl gushes. "My name is Anna Clemént! I'm a huge fan of your work! Your essay on nanofibers is my favorite one!"

"Oh, that?" Rakshata smugly puts the pipe in her mouth. "That's an old story. I already perfected and implemented them. Both for prosthetic limbs and Knightmare frames."

"You did?!"

"Sure." She points to the BK Mobile Base. "Wanna see it?"

"YES! Let's go Miss Randall!" Anna grabs Sophie's arm and begins to follow Rakshata like a lovestruck puppy.

"Hold on Anna! I-" The older woman protests, to no avail.

"..." There is a moment of total silence, with nobody being quite sure what to say.

"I didn't quite catch the details, but from what I understand you have renowned individuals in your service. As expected of the Marshal."

It's the Old Realm that tips you off, even before being addressed as the Marshal. Your helmeted head turns to the side to look at the approaching individuals that aren't wearing an EU uniform.

A young woman with light blue hair and reddish eyes, wearing a crisp suit. She is flanked on both sides by two girls in similar attire. She is smiling, but you can almost feel her analytical stare on you. Judging. Appraising.

The second one...is a smiling man with a sword. You blink, confirming it is not an illusion: it is indeed a man with a very friendly aura, traits pointing to African or Middle East's origins, wearing simple clothing and who is carrying a sword in his hand.

A quick check with Malfeas's power confirms their identity as Infernal Exalts. "Indeed. Though Rakshata, as a fellow Peer, is quite firmly in the 'ally' category." You walk up to them and offer a handshake. "Please indulge me until we can talk privately. I wish to keep my identity and our common affiliations a secret for now." Then you switch to Japanese. "You must be the ones sent by the organization. I am Zero. Glad to make your acquaintance."

The woman nods in understanding before shaking your hand. "I am Yelena Ferapont. A pleasure to meet you Zero."

"My name is Nadir Yilmaz." The man presents himself when he returns the handshake. "It's a great honor to finally meet you Zero: I heard a lot about you."

"Most of it good I hope." You chuckle lightly. "I would like to continue the pleasantries but, alas, we don't have much time before the distraction runs its course and the local forces take notice of our presence." With a dramatic whirl of your cape you point to the Mobile Base. "We will continue on the road for the Tokyo Settlement. Please, follow me: I took the liberty to prepare some refreshments for this occasion."

Akito practically materializes in front of you. "Is there alcohol?"

You hide your surprise and shrug coolly. "Beer, saké and I manage to find this bottle of-" He is already running towards the van, followed by Akio who overheard.

"Lieutenant Hyuga! You're still on duty!" Leila shouts, face red from embarrassment, before running after him.

"There are troubles in paradise." Claus snickers.

{====}

The loading and the departure proceed without issues, and soon you're en-route for the Settlement. You, your fellow Infernals, the EU officers and the senior members of the Black Knights spend some time in the lounge, just socializing and drinking. You keep on your mask of course, but Akito covers for your share aplenty. It's quite curious to see him drinking glass after glass with only a satisfied smirk on his face, all the while pointedly ignoring Leila's reprimands and prompting her to do the same.

Still, before everyone is too wasted there is something you must do. "Miss Ferapont. Mister Yilmaz. Major Malcal and Lieutenant Hyuga." You nod in each direction. "I would like to have a small, private meeting with each of you in my office."

Yelena is the first to catch on your words' meaning. She says a few words to her bodyguards (it turns out she has a lot of followers, all of them female) before standing up and quietly follow you.

"Peer Yelena, let me apologize for that little piece of theatre back there. It is just not in my current interests to have the Black Knights as a whole be aware of my identity." You tell her after closing the door.

"It wasn't a problem, Marshal Zero." She replies smoothly while seating on one of the chairs in front of the office desk, you doing the same behind it.

"Thank you for your consideration. Allow me to introduce myself properly: I am the Marshal of the Althing Infernal and the one coordinating the Reclamation efforts here in Creation proper, Zero." Your hand comes up to the mask. There is a faint hiss and the back opens.

Yelena's eyes widen minutely when you rest the mask on the desk. "I see why you would want that."

You nod. "My mundane identity here in Japan is that of Lelouch Lamperouge, but I prefer Zero." You fold your fingers together. "This will just be a short, informal talk to note what the mission your Patron has given you is, where your strengths and weaknesses lie and to see if it would interest you to join the Black Knights, form a semi-independent Coven or instead operate mostly with your own followers. Do you have any questions before we begin?"

"A couple." She crosses her legs and rests her hands on her knees. "First of, are all our fellow Peers currently in Japan here?"

"There is one missing: Peer Milly Ashford. For various reasons she wasn't be able to join us tonight. You will meet her once we're back at the Settlement."

She nods. "The second is pertinent to your last question: collaborating with my fellow Peers is an interesting prospect, but for the moment I want to consolidate my own organization. Is there some place I can let my girls stay until I have enough cash to rent a private one?"

You think for a few seconds. "If it is okay with you, there is a community of Yozi cultists living near the settlement: I can attest to their trustworthiness. If you need it, I can provide false documents for all of you."

"Thanks for the offer Marshal, I will consider it." Yelena offers you a small smile.

"Incidentally, were you informed by Peer Akito of the Conclave's decision regarding the training of new Green Sun Princes?" A slight frown graces her lips. "Is something wrong? Maybe with Peer Akito?"

A small shake of her head. "No, nothing of the sort. It's just that...speaking truthfully, Peer Akito is not the most social of individuals. Leila is the one who told me almost everything."

"I know what you mean. And I am sure he does too." You smirk. "Why, did he just point at the back of the car during your first meeting, without saying a word?"

"Replace 'car' with 'helicopter' and 'pointing' with 'performing aerial stunts that I am sure are normally impossible to pull off, flaring his Anima all the while'. At the time I honestly believed a giant boar was flying in the sky."

You blink in confusion.

"Later Leila told me that Akito did it suddenly, in the middle of the journey, because he 'felt like it'. She almost had a heart attack."

"A Chosen of Isidoros alright. Doing whatever amuse him without hesitation, heedless of the opinions of others." Seyrun comments.

'Lovely.' In truth this is far from your worst prediction. You can't control Akito...but directing him, now that is possible.

"That aside-" A silver hourglass appears on Yelena's forehead. "I am Yelena Ferapont, of the Malefactor Caste and Chosen of Mardukth. As my Lord commanded, I am to [Become the head of a cult that venerates me and the Yozis]."

"Ah, Mardukth: The Mountain and the Beast Upon it, He Who Was Once King of the Primordials."

'Oh? There was a king before Malfeas, or better yet Theion?'

"Yep. The most common version of the story is that Theion, together with his sister Cecelyne, joined the Primordial Tribe later on. Hearing that Mardukth was King Theion went to challenge him.

And then it turned out that it was the other Primordials that called Mardukth their king, not himself. The story said he didn't even notice, and was quite surprise when Theion told him."

You resist the urge to roll your eyes. 'I am sure there is some metaphysical bullshit meaning involved. What happened then?'

"They still fought. Theion won, but was so impressed by Mardukth's strength that he made him his lieutenant, gave him the epithet of 'Questing Throne' and declared that nobody was worthy of facing him unless they defeat Mardukth first. Worthy opponents and all that."

"Regarding my training with my Senior Malefactor." Yelena's words bring you back to reality. "May I inquire on his or her identity, as we were unable to discuss our Castes until now?"

You chuckle slightly. "That would be Kaguya."

"..Eh?" For once the sophisticated young woman shows genuine puzzlement. "I mean, she looks very young..."

"She is young. But she's also the heir of the Sumeragi, a very ancient and wealthy noble family, and is also the one organizing the activities of all cults in Japan." You smirk. "I am sure she will be able to help you a lot with your goals."

Her eyes perk up in clear interest. "I see, thank you for telling me." She seems to ponder for a few seconds. "I won't bore you with the details about my abilities, but I am quite proficient on the social scene. I am a qualified actress, singer and dancer. I am good at martial arts, but I prefer to avoid fighting if necessary. From my Patron I received the ability to travel easily through all types of mountainous regions, to extend the same ability to my followers and to easily spread my own fame among anyone, even my enemies." She seems to hesitate for a moment. "I can also, if needs must, grow my own size by several times. As you can guess not something I like to flaunt, even if my clothes grow with me."

"I can imagine." You neutrally reply.

"While from Great Cecelyne I was gifted with the ability to see and recognize all demons, even when dematerialized, to survive even in the harshest of environments, to briefly become made of sand to avoid being hurt and use the same sand to attack my enemies."

"I see." Another socially-inclined Infernal, but considering she is a Malefactor that's a given. "And about the matter of your role within the Reclamation?"

"Aside from my mission I am still deciding on the details." She smirks. "For now I want to concentrate on my training and find a home for my girls before going to Malfeas. Though, I am sure we can find an accord for a future collaboration along the way. Don't you think so?"

"Quite." You smile while internally chuckling, recognizing the attempt to ingratiate herself to you a mile away.

That's fine. You would have actually been disappointed if she didn't try to push for any scrap of advantage.

"I believe this is everything Peer Yelena. All that's left is a small formality." With a small movement you bring the Gem of the Conventicle Malfeasant forward. "Please touch the hearthstone. Through this I will be able to inform you when a meeting of the Althing Infernal at the Conventicle Malfeasant is called, regardless of where you are or how removed you are from any other convenient method of communication."

Yelena rests her palm on the stone. It glows briefly before going back to normal, signaling the tagging was done. After that you both stand up simultaneously and shake one another's hand once more. "It will be an honor and a pleasure to work with you in the future, Peer Yelena. Could you please inform Peer Nadir to come to my office?"

"For me as well, Marshal Zero." She flashes you a last, confident smile before leaving the room.

Three more to go.

====

Sorry for the delay guys: important stuff came up RL and until the second of February my free time will be drastically reduced.

ReaperofInterest · Jan 14, 2016

A Mother's Wrath

Once there was a maiden...mortal and flawed as all things are.

She was beautiful, and intelligent. Yet she was also short-tempered, and impatient. Her perfectionism was obvious to anyone who spent time with her, as was her sense of justice. She discovered that the world contained more than what it seemed by seeing the camp she spent a summer at be attacked by Elementals, and witnessed the power of the Dragonblooded as they punished the Elementals for their actions. One of her fellow campers was a young man, scarcely a year older than her. They met as friends, and eventually grew into something more. They eventually became wed, and their union was a happy one. They had three children, two girls and a boy, all of whom awakened the blood of the dragons that ran through their veins, with one awakening the blood of air, one the blood of wood, and the last the blood of fire. The woman herself never became a member of the Exalted Host, but that was fine with her, for she was certain her family would live long and happy lives, and that was all she wanted for them.

Unfortunately, that was not to be, for her husband perished soon after her youngest child took her first breath, struck down in one of Britannia's wars. She did her best to raise her children, and they grew into strong people. She mostly succeeded, though here children were not without flaws. Ah, but that was the nature of life, wasn't it? To be flawed, yet wonderful.

Her son grew into a fine man and her daughters fine women, and set out the change the world. Sadly, they were cut down before they could. Not by one of the dreaded Anathema, not by one of the Raksha, not even by some of the mortal enemies of Britannia. No, they were struck down by some of their fellow Exalted! By some of their fellow Britannian Nobles! Naturally she called for justice to be delivered to her children's killers...but nothing happened. The perpetrators were of a higher tier of nobility than her husband or children had been, and were more powerful in both the political realm and in terms of martial ability. Though she tried again and again to gain justice for her children, nothing happened. Eventually she went into seclusion, missing the courts so she could have more time to conduct her campaign . One day, a letter arrived from one of her fellow nobles, one that had more political power than her. While at first she hoped that the noble would aid her, her hopes were soon dashed...

"DAMN THEM!"

'Crash'

"THOSE MISERABLE SELF-RIGHTEOUS BASTARDS!"

'Smash

Panting, the woman finally ceased her breaking of various objects. The room was littered with fragments of pottery, glass, and other delicate materials. She had spent the last 5 minutes just smashing, bashing, and otherwise breaking everything that she could get her hands on. Now however, she just felt...exhausted. Hearing a creaking, the woman turned to the source.

"Madam Laverre, are you finished? Do you want us to bring you something else to break?"

It was the head butler of the house, Johnathan Simmons. The mistress of the house, Amelia Laverre, widow of Johnathan Laverre, sighed.

"I'm finished Simmons. Have some of the maids clean this up. I'm going to clean myself off. Be a dear and burn the letter I got today."

Bowing, the butler replied with a single "Yes madam". With that, he left the room, with Amelia following shortly afterward. The letter she had spoken of was from one of the higher tiers of nobility, and she had hoped that it would herald more resources for her to pursue her children's killers. Unfortunately, it had been the opposite. It had stated in no uncertain terms that she was to cease her attempts to bring the murderers of her children to justice. There were not so many of those that had awakened to the Dragon's blood that they could afford to throw them away on behalf of a mortal, even if that mortal was a fellow noble. Never mind the fact that she was doing this to achieve justice for her children's murders, children who were also Dragonblooded!

She felt empty and hollow inside. She had loved her family, and now with her children passes through Lethe she was alone. Her time with Johnathan was truly the best years of her life, and while her children were flawed, so had still loved them. The hole in her heart that had opened when proof of her children's death was brought to her started aching yet again. It was clear now that she would not be able to get justice by legitimate means. She was talented, she knew that for a fact. But she did not think herself anywhere nearly good enough to uncover evidence that would result in those who took away her family's imprisonment, not when they were Exalts, and certainly not when the other nobles wouldn't back her. She felt lost. What was she supposed to do now?

A feminine voice interrupted her thoughts. "Penny for you thoughts, as I believe the saying goes?"

Whirling around, she instantly spotted the speaker. A strange being, one with an upper half that looked like a woman, with the lower body of some form of aquatic...serpent maybe? Still, while she might not have known it's particular species, she knew what it was: a demon.

"Why are you here creature?"

Smiling, the...woman? replied "Why, to offer you a deal my fair lady!"

A deal? How odd. Most of the texts she had read stated that demons weren't interested in making deals with mortals, so why was this one interested in doing so?

"And what kind of deal would that be?"

Chuckling, the aquatic demon replied "It's simple really. In exchange for power that you could use to bring justice to the killers of your children, my masters want you to aid us."

Amelia's heart skipped a beat. Power of that kind would be wonderful, that she could use it to accomplish her goal made the deal even better, and more attractive.

Trying to keep her voice level, she asked "And what kind of power would you be offering me?"

"An Exaltation, greater than that of the Dragonblooded."

Ah, so there was the catch. In exchange for the means to achieve justice, she would become one of the Anathema. Her husband would surely be rolling in his grave at the fact that she wasn't trying to kill the demon outright after hearing that...but Johnathan was gone. So were Micheal, Sarah, and Lily. Johnathan's parents had retired to Yu-Shan, and her own parents had passed into Lethe. The only one who would be affected by her choice was herself.

An entire minute passed in silence. Then, taking a deep and shuddering breath, Amelia said a single word. The Demjen smiled, and pounced.

About an hour later, Amelia Laverre took her Second Breath, and promptly began to plan how she could explain to the servants her newfound youth. Plans to get to Area 11 could come later, right now the important thing was that none of the other nobles could find out about this, not if she valued her life.

Name: Amelia Laverre
Age: 46 (Appears 21)
Image:

Caste: Malefactor
Patron: Cecelyne
Favored Yozi: Kimbery

Motivation: To bring justice to her children's killers
Urge: Take control of one or more of Britannia's Areas and redirect its resources to aid the Reclamation (Cecelynian)
Anima Banner: Silver sands pour away from the Infernal like water
Essence: 2
Willpower: 8
Virtues: Compassion 2, Conviction 4, Temperance 2, Valor 4
Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3, Charisma 4, Manipulation 4, Appearance 4, Perception 4, Intelligence 3, Wits 4
Abilities: Archer/Firearms 3, Integrity 3, Performance 2, Presence 4, Investigation 4, Lore 4, Occult 2, Athletics 2, Awareness 3, Stealth 4, Bureaucracy 3 (Britannian Organizations 2), Linguistics 3 (Native: English. Old Realm, Japanese), Ride/Drive 2, Sail 2, Socialize 3 (Nobility 2)

Background: Backing (Yozi) 1, Cult (Yozi) 1, Influence (Yozi) 1, Resources (Laverre Family Resources) 4, Followers (Laverre Family Servants) 2, Unwoven Coadjutor ( Jenatke, Demjen) 1

Traits from Unwoven Coadjutor: Her hair always appears damp, as if she just left the water a short time ago

Merits
Agency Insider +7
Somehow you've managed to conceal yourself in the Realm, and taken your place there. You are not only still considered a loyal Agent, but you still on the fast track. You still play golf with the Chiefs, you know their daughters' names, you still even send cards, and those inside consider you to be on the fast track. You are only hampered by your lack of Exaltation... If they find out that you are a Solar, your life won't be worth much, but with your knowledge of their organization, you can be invaluable for others. Add +2 die to all Socialize and Bureaucracy rolls inside the Agency. You know the Wyld Hunt exists, because you are a part of it...

Flaws
Spirit Magnet -2
Spirits find you irresistible. They congregate near you, and often compete for your attention. If taken as a Merit, they will seek to protect you, and will advise your character if they can manifest. If taken as a Flaw, then malign Spirits battle and compete to taunt, annoy, or even attack the character. The number of points gained or spent is a reflection of the power of the Spirits attracted.

Enemy -3
You have an enemy. It could be an Agent, a Spirit, a Lunar, a Guilder, even an Abyssal, or even a group of enemies. Someone wants to harm you, badly. It could be someone close to your level of power–1 Point–to a Deathlord's favored servant–5 Point Flaw. You must decide who it is, and why they hate you so.

Vengeance -2
Someone wronged you in the past, and you work constantly to redress that wrong. All of your long term plans are to gain revenge on your enemy, even if it may bring you into danger, or your friends. This can rear it's head as you see opportunities to do your enemy .

Charms

General
First [Yozi] Excellency, Second [Yozi] Excellency
Cecelyne, Kimbery

Cecelyne Charms

Hellscry Chakra
Ephemeral Abrasion Curse
Demonic Primacy of Essence
Transcendant Desert Creature
Dust Devil Feint

Kimbery Charms

Mother Sea Mastery
Spiteful Sea Tincture
Ichor Flux Tendrils
Intolerable Burning Truths (X1) (Mother Before Daughter)
Great Mother's Wame

Enjou · Jan 14, 2016

The last Malefactor. Someone to be a companion in Lelouch's suffering, so he has someone to mutually complain to about all the insanity inducing nonsense he's dealing with.

=====

Temple of the god of the Öræfajökull volcano, Iceland

Freya, Daughter of Sigurd, who was Son of Edwin, and so on and so forth down her long and proud lineage stared at her defeated foe while sitting on his throne, now her hapless captive held by her demonic familiars as he screamed at the indignity of his situation.

"How dare you! Release me at once, Anathema!" demanded petty god who had usurped this place's rightful steward. The order filled Freya with inexplicable anger. How dare this lowly worm seek to command her? How dare he? She was above all others, none could dare order her about! Unacceptable!

"Never." she said. What the hell? Why did that make me so angry? Getting up from the throne upon which she sat she approached him. "You will be silent." She commanded, green flames flickering from her eyes and mouth as she spoke, becoming as a crown on her brow. "You have no authority over me. You are defeated, broken." She slapped him, channeling her power into the blow. "And now you are mine!" Green fire coalesced into a hateful brand on the impudent god's face. What the fuck did I just do? "You will obey me in all things, or you will suffer. Do you understand?"

The god yelped in terror, gaining sudden understanding that he must never oppose the one before him. "I... I... yes. I understand."

Disgusted, Freya ordered the fool taken away. He'd rot in a cell for a few days before she deigned to speak to him again. Two of her Blood Apes obeyed and dragged the broken god off. The strange nature of the powers she'd gained from making the deal with the Yozis confounded her, and she needed more time to sort them out.

"Zzz... zzz..." the snores of her lazy fucking Coadjutor reminded her of the reason for that. She'd tried reasoning with the damn thing in the rare instances where it was awake, but it didn't seem to give a damn about anything she wanted.

"Trillic, I'm going to my new quarters. Post some guards." she commanded, flames once more sparking from her mouth and eyes ever so briefly. "And as for the rest of you..." her gaze swept over the humans in the room. The god's new worshipers. Her own people. Her own tribe. Traitors the lot of them. The blatant terror in their faces was obvious, and perhaps awe as well. She did just defeat a god. A weak god unworthy of this place, but still a god. She should have her Blood Apes kill them. But no, her father would not approve of that. "One chance. That is all I'm giving you. You should have followed me from the start. That was your duty, and you failed in it. You have one more chance to do so now, and if you do not I will end you as you so rightfully deserve." She turned to go to her new room and only stopping briefly to grab her enormous sword from where she had left it by the throne, ignoring them as they bowed low in the hopes of appeasing her.

Why couldn't they have followed her willingly before? Her father and his father before him had been proud leaders of their small tribe of resistance fighters. Yes, Britannia had ruled Iceland for some time, but their people were Vikings. They would rather die than bow low. Or at least those who had formed the new tribe after the invasion. The rest of those who had accepted their Number had no such pride.

Her father Sigurd had the role of chief, as had her grandfather. By the tribe's traditions, she should have found herself a man worthy of being the next chief and married him, but there had been... complications. Not only could she not find a man who she felt was worthy of her, someone who lit a fire in her heart, but well... it wasn't that she wasn't attractive, for the most part. She had many good features, really. Smooth skin, a well toned and athletic body, long hair. None of that mattered before her face, though. Even as a child, she had eyes that unnerved people and an imperious scowl that seemed ever present. It scared away suitors quite frequently.

When her father had been killed by Britannian forces leadership had fallen to her. The tribe had refused to follow. They had lost all hope, she had failed to convince them to follower her. They'd decided they'd throw in their lot with the god residing in Öræfajökull, the one who'd replaced the original when Britannia had invaded, in the hopes of living in modest comfort as servants. Slaves was more apt, really. The local gods had been kind to her people from what her father had told her, but the new ones that had come in Britannia's wake cared nothing for them beyond being slaves. They had left her behind, alone in her shame, failure, and weakness. That was when the Blood Ape Firifol had appeared along with his fellows, to make the offer. More precisely, Trillic had told her King Malfeas himself had possessed the lazy fuck and made the offer himself.

She sighed. If only Trillic had been her Coadjutor, she'd know more about her powers. He knew a few things, like how the locusts she had managed to create on the way here would cause those who ate them to revere and worship her, but he still didn't know much. At least he knew that she'd need to go to Japan somewhat soon to meet the Marshal of the Althing Infernal. Did Zero have to deal with this kind of insanity inducing bullshit? She doubted it. Zero was respected by resistance groups across the world.

Freya arrived that the largest of the rooms in the volcano temple and entered. Damn that bed looked good. She didn't need to sleep, and she'd have nightmares, but sleeping still sounded good. Even if it was in an active volcano. No matter. The fool god whose name she hadn't even bothered to learn wouldn't dare cause it to erupt, she was sure. Why she was sure she didn't know, but it was probably something to do with that brand she had put on him.

She was about to disrobe when she felt an unfamiliar presence behind her. She spun and raised her blade, pointing it into the face of the intruder. Before she could do anything else though she stopped, stunned at the vision of beauty before her. What manner of creature was this, to affect her so? A woman in an elegant silvery dress with long hair the color of lilacs, pale skin, and deep blue eyes that were the most lovely she'd ever seen. Her heart beat in her chest, and she knew she would do anything this vision of loveliness before her asked... no! She needed to concentrate. Freya schooled her features. Show no weakness.

The beautiful woman simply smiled and pressed her hand to the side of Freya's sword and gently moved it aside. Freya didn't even resist, and lowered it. Dammit. "Who are you? Tell me." Freya demanded, trying to show no weakness as the usual display occurred.

The other woman bowed politely and answered. "This one is Selene. It is this one's greatest pleasure to meet you."

Selene. Such a pretty name. So delightful... no! Concentrate, Freya! She could show no weakness. Weakness would lead to disaster. "I am Freya Sigurddóttir, ruler of this place. Tell me why you have snuck into my quarters like a thief in the night. Now!"

Selene stepped forward. Freya stepped back, not even realizing it. "So strong." Another step forward, another back. "So regal." Once again. "So imperious." And once again. "The perfect Queen." At this point Freya realized she'd backed up all the way to the wall. Selene licked her lips and Freya could see a deep hunger in the strange woman's eyes. Then she suddenly lunged at Freya, but instead of an attack the woman was hugging her legs and looking up at her pleadingly. "Command me, Mistress!"

"Huh!?" What the fuck? Was Selene drooling? Wait, this bitch dared to try to tell me what to do? Unacceptable! "NO!"

"Eh? Why not? It'll be fun!" Selene said, pawing at her. "Oh! I get it! You want me to beg! I knew when I first saw you that we were meant to be together forever!" Then she started to do so, begging to be commanded, saying she'd give everything, that she'd do anything, all the while lewdly giggling in anticipation. What the hell had happened to the dignified beauty that Freya had fallen in love with just a moment ago? How could she have been replaced with this shameless pervert? Wait? Love? Well... that explained why she couldn't seem to find a man who suited her. Still, even that discovery seemed small compared to the display in front of her. "This one is your devoted slave!"

"Fuck the gods..." she thought.

"Zzzz... yeah, fuck them! Zzz..." her sleeping Coadjutor concurred.

Freya groaned, unsure what to do as the beauty before her continued to beg and fill her with a myriad of confusing feelings. She needed to get to Zero soon. Surely he could restore some semblance of sanity to her life... right?

Name: Freya Sigurddóttir
Gender: Female
Age: 19

Caste: Malefactor
Patron Yozi: Malfeas
Motivation: Avenge her father by destroying Britannia and their corrupt gods.
Urge: Crush Britannia's belief in its right to rule anything. (Malfean)
Anima Banner: A blazing crown of green fire and silver sand.

Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 5, Stamina 3, Charisma 2, Manipulation 3, Appearance 2, Perception 4, Intelligence 3, Wits 2

Abilities: Archery/Firearms 1, Athletics 3, Awareness 1, Dodge 2, Integrity 2, Linguistics (Native: Icelandic. English, Old Realm) 2, Lore 1, Melee 4, Occult 2, Presence 3 (Intimidation 2), Resistance 2, Sail 2, Survival 2, War 1

Virtues: Compassion 2, Conviction 3, Temperance 2, Valor 3
Essence: 3
Willpower: 6

Traits from Coadjutor: Blood red tatoo marks under her eyes. (-1)

Flaw, Wanted: Freya is a known terrorist in Britannia and wanted for crimes against the realm. (-2)

Backgrounds: Backing (Yozi) 1, Cult (Yozi) 1, Influence (Yozi) 1, Unwoven Coadjutor (Firifol, Blood Ape) 0, Demon Familiar (Trillic, Blood Ape) 2, Followers (Crimson Fists, Blood Ape Mercenaries) 2, Artifact (Caustic Daiklave*) 2, Allies (Selene) 1

*Caustic Daiklave (See Page 178 of Manual of Exalted Powers: Infernals)
Speed 5, Accuracy +2, Damage +7L/2, Defense +2, Rate 3, Minimums: Str 2, Attune 5 Tags: O

Charms
Malfeas
First Malfeas Excellency, Second Malfeas Excellency, Malfeas Inevitability Technique, Malfeas World-Shaping Cosmogony
Malfeas Mythos Exultant
By Pain Reforged
Nightmare Fugue Vigilance
Impervious Primacy Mantle
Crowned With Fury
Insignificant Embers Intuition
Green Sun Nimbus Flare
Magnanimous Warning Glyph

Cecelyne
First Cecelyne Excellency, Second Cecelyne Excellency, Cecelyne Inevitability Technique, Cecelyne World-Shaping Cosmogony
Cecelyne Mythos Exultant
Hellscry Chakra
Demonic Primary Essence
Unquestionable Yozi Authority
Transcendent Desert Creature
Locust Mana Plague

Name: Selene
Gender: Female
Age: 19

Caste: Changing Moon
Spirit Shape: A pure white dove.
Tell: There are white feathers behind her ears. (just a few, not like in the picture - that's ornamental)
Motivation: Guide Selena into being a worthy ruler of Iceland. And maybe Greenland too.
Anima Banner: A white dove flying in a sky with a crescent moon.

Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3, Charisma 4, Manipulation 3, Appearance 5, Perception 5, Intelligence 3, Wits 4

Abilities: Bureaucracy 2, Craft (Air) 1 (Gem-Cutting 2) Craft (Wood) 1 (Weaving 2), Dodge 1, Integrity 3, Linguistics (Native: English. Old Realm, Icelandic) 2, Lore 2, Performance 3, Presence 3, Socialize 5, Stealth 2, Survival 1

Virtues: Compassion 3, Conviction 2, Temperance 3, Valor 2
Essence: 3
Willpower: 6

Flaw: Obsession - Selene is obsessed with serving Freya Sigurddóttir, due to a combination of her own proclivities, the bond between their Exaltations, and memories of Solar mates from her Exaltations previous hosts. While demure and graceful in public, when left alone Selene will be overwhelmed with desire to be commanded and controlled by her and effectively has Temperance 1 for the purposes of resisting giving into her lust. (-2)

Backgrounds: Cult (Yozi) 1, Allies (Freya Sigurddóttir) 1, Contacts (Lunar Exalts) 3, Heart's Blood 2

Charms
First Charisma Excellency
Second Manipulation Excellency
First Appearance Excellency
Third Perception Excellency
Love-Bought Loyalty
Shining Lunar Bond
Tempting Crimson Treasures
Crimson-And-Silver Tongue
Total (Sight, Smell) Assumption
Dream Pigment Palette
Mind's Eye Translation
Eye's Wide Open

ReaperofInterest · Jan 15, 2016

A Wind of Death Begins to Blow

'I failed.'

Thus were the thoughts running through Ayane Makitako's head. The young albino woman had tried to save a small group from a pack of hungry ghosts that were after them. She had done everything in her power to aid them, used every scrap of her knowledge of creatures of death so that they might escape, and she had failed. Completely and utterly. Not even a single person was left alive. Devastated, she began to cry.

She wept bitter tears for the poor souls who relied on her, for her family which she had lost to a death cult a few years ago, for the people who her unlamented late master had hurt, until she could eventually cry no more.

"You done yet?"

Whirling around, the woman tried to determine who spoke.

"Who's there?!"

A snort. "The name's Finac, and don't you look pathetic crying your eyes out. What's got you so sad?"

"Oh I don't know, maybe the fact that I just let down people who were counting on me to save them! They trusted me, they believed that I could help them, and I-I..."

A disgusted sigh rang out. "So you failed and now your going to sit there and feel sorry for yourself instead of actually doing anything?"

Fury wan through Ayane's body. She couldn't see the speaker, but he had talked long enough that she had figured out his probable location. Screaming, she punched at where she thought the speaker was, and was happy to feel the impact of a hit.

"What the hell? How did you...oh! Those gauntlets...they're artifacts aren't they?"

The voice which was at first angry sounded curious. It's next statement was laced with a tone of...respect maybe?

"And you just being a mortal. Well girlie, I think that it's time you got a look at who you're dealing with."

With that, a...something popped into existence in front of her. It had bony horns and protrusions, and was the color of spilled blood with a few brighter streaks mixed in. It was carrying some sort of saw-blade, mainly black with gold edges and a hilt like it was meant to be used as a sword.

"So what are you?"

"I'm an Erymanthoi. Blood Ape, to use the common term. I'm also a demon."

"Really? So what's a demon doing here?"

"To put it bluntly, I'm here because you failed. I'm here because I was determined to be more expendable than some other schmuck. I'm here to offer you power to right the wrongs the world has done to you. I'm here to gain a new servant for my masters efforts to escape their prison."

"And who are your masters? The Neverborn perhaps? I've seen the results pf this song and dance before, and I'm not going to become an Abyssal, thank you very much!"

"Actually, my masters oppose the Neverborn. You won't become an Abyssal Exalt, you'll become an Infernal. So what do you say? Want to fuck up the Neverborn's plans for Creation?

"Why are you being so forthright with me? Aren't demons supposed to be deceptive and tricky?"

"Some are, but not me. A craftsman whose known for being deceptive tends to windup needing a new job."

"Huh. Well, you do know how to make a decent sales pitch. I'm in."

With that, the demon smiled, put down the sword, and said "Consider the sword a starting bonus. It's useful against creatures of death."

The Erymanthoi pounced on the girl, and a chrysalis formed. About an hour later, it broke, and Ayane took her Second Breath. She then noticed something rather prominent.

"What the fuck happened to my hair?! And why do I have horns?"

Name: Ayane Makitako
Age: 20
Image:

Caste: Scourge
Patron: Cecelyne

Motivation: To protect the innocent from predations of the dead
Urge: Create an organization that reveres the Yozis and work to destroy all creatures of death (Cecelynian)
Anima Banner: A graveyard full of bones and creatures of death being torn apart by wind and blades
Essence: 3
Willpower: 9
Virtues: Compassion 3, Conviction 3, Temperance 2, Valor 4

Attributes: Strength 4, Dexterity 5, Stamina 3, Charisma 3, Manipulation 3, Appearance 4, Perception 4, Intelligence 3, Wits 5
Abilities: Martial Arts 2, Melee 4, War 2, Integrity 3, Presence 4, Resistance 3, Survival 4, Investigation 3, Lore 3, Medicine 2, Occult 4 (Creatures of Death 3), Awareness 4, Dodge 3, Stealth 3, Linguistics 1 (Native: Japanese. Old Realm), Socialize 2
Background: Backing (Yozi) 1, Cult (Yozi) 1, Influence (Yozi) 1, Artifact (Stygian Gauntlets) 3, Artifact (Gold Saw Blade) 3, Unwoven Coadjutor (Finac, Erymanthoi) 1

Traits from Unwoven Coadjutor: She has grown red horns from her head and her hair has turned dark red with brighter streaks (-2)

Merits
Eidetic Memory +2
You can remember things seen and said with perfect detail. By gaining at least one success on an Intelligence+Awareness roll, you can recall any sight or sound, or even smell accurately, even if it was only for a moment. Three successes and you can recall an event perfectly. A boon for Sorcerers who may use this Merit to reduce their training times for spells.

Concentration +1
You have the ability to focus your mind and shut out distractions or annoyances. Any reduction from your dice pools from distractions, or even pain, are reduced by 2.

Flaws
Albino -1
You have no melanin. You once had pale white hair, and still have red eyes and no tolerance for sunlight. Pack sun screen. A lot. Other Solars and Spirits may take it as a sign that the Unconquered Sun finds you in disfavor.

Artifacts
Stygian Gauntlets: These war-gloves forged from Soulsteel have but a single purpose: to allow their user to strike at spirits without trouble. When used while unattuned, it allows the wearer's melee strikes to hit spirits as if they were materialized. When worn by an attuned user, it halts the previous effect, and instead forces all spirits within a 1 meter radius of the user to become material or suffer 1 unsoakable health level of bashing damage. In addition, spirits cannot become incorporeal until they leave the previously defined radius. These are both passive sorcerous effects, and can only be halted by unattuning the gauntlets.

Gold Saw Blade: This sword was the creation of the Erymanthoi craftsman Finac and was created from Soulsteel and Vitriol for the purpose of destroying creatures of death so that they would not interfere with the will of the Yozis. It allows it's attuned user to spend 1 to 3 motes per hit to upgrade a corresponding number of wounds on a creature of death by a single level. This effect cannot be used on living beings, and it cannot be used to inflict bashing damage on a creature of death instead of upgrading wounds..

Charms

General Charms
First [Yozi] Excellency, Second [Yozi] Excellency, [Yozi] Inevitability Technique, [Yozi]World-Shaping Cosmogony, [Yozi] Mythos Exultant
Cecelyne, Adorjan

Cecelyne Charms

Hellscry Chakra
Ephemeral Abrasion Curse
Transcendent Desert Creature
Sands Through Fingers Defense
Holy Land Infliction
Locust Mana Plague

Adorjan Charms

Wind-Born Stride (X3)
Who Strikes The Wind?
Joy in Violence Approach
Threat Monitoring Excitement
Thousandfold Typhoon Hand

Estro · Jan 16, 2016

Roman brought up his cane and parried the baton. Opposite him, Neo was surrounded by three policemen, each one hitting her when the others were blocked by her nightstick. Even as Roman watched, she slowed down, the fighting injuring her too much to go on. He elbowed the officer at his side and slammed his cane into the others neck, incapacitating him.

As Roman slammed his foot into the stomach of his last attacker, he turned to face Neo, who had taken down one of her assailants, but at the apparent cost of her arm, now cradled protectively at her side. He steps behind the bald officer and slams his elbow into the policeman's head. He goes down like so many potatoes. At the same time, the other officer pulls his tazer, and Neo slumps to the floor.

"Sweet mother of..." Roman exclaims, even as he start duelling with the remaining officer, cane matching baton strike for strike, his reactions dulled by the bruises forming all along his side. It took another half minute of swift exchanges amidst the sirens before the moustachioed officer was on the floor. Roman bent over to catch his breath, before walking over to where Neo was lying, still struggling to stand up.

"You alright Neo? Gimme your hand, I'll pull you up."

She shook her head, gesturing at the road.

"What! No! I won't leave you here Neo."

She poked my leg with her night stick, and gestured again down the road. The sirens were getting louder now, only two or three minutes away. Roman was glancing down the road and back to her.

"I'll get you out, Neo. I'll get away, and I'll come back to you, ok? I promise."

Roman bent down and kissed her forehead, before picking up the bag of stolen money and running down the road, looking back at Neo at every opportunity. He rounded the corner and was gone.

The flashing lights rounded the other end of the road, and two patrol cars parked next to Neo. She got up on shaky legs, her nightstick still in hand, even as four officers stepped out of the car. As they approached her she swung her weapon at one with all the force she had left. Which was then caught. And torn out of her hand. Her arms were wrenched behind her, and as she was forced against the car bonnet she heard the words she had hoped she would never hear except on TV.

"You are under arrest. You have the right to remain silent. Anything...."

Two Months Later

Roman scrambled over the wall, reaching the top and jumping onto the dumpster on the other side, and picking up his cane.

"Bloody police. Bloody tenacious police. It's been two months! Two months and you still bloody care about some couple million." He swung his cane into the dumpster, before starting to walk down the alley towards the other end.

"It's not like I even have it anymore! I left it behind when you broke into my hotel! The hell do you even care. Ugly son of –"

As Roman rounded the corner his torrent of words stopped short. Glowing in the dull light of the overcast sky was a Silver man, his belly swollen in pregency.

"Hello, Roman. The gods look upon the world. And in doing so, we find those who are beyond. Who, when all others would fail, endure. Who are worthy. I am Luna, Goddess of the moon. Now rise up, Roman. Rise above all mortal men. In my name and by my power, become Exalted."

The god/ess's arms reached out and held Roman's, both suffusing with a Silver light.

Three Weeks Later

The cell was lonely. It was perhaps five paces by six. And these were Neo's paces, so not very large at all. Opposite the door sat on the thin mattress, was Neo her hair tangled and her eyes shadowed. She was currently humming, the sound echoing throughout the concrete cell.

"Is this all your life has come too? Sat in an empty cell, humming away the time until your death?"

Neo's head turned towards the voice, and from the corner of the cell stepped out a blue ichthyoid creature, faintly smiling. She shrugged, one of the few actions she could do in her straitjacket.

"What a poor, miserable existence." The creatures tail whipped through the air, tracing a line around Neo. With a flurry of motion, Neo spun round, her legs kicking out into the air, grabbing the tail and pinning it beneath her. The creature laughed, a cool liquid sound that flowed through the air.

"Or perhaps not. Still, no matter what you do to me you can't escape. And you would like to escape, wouldn't you?"

The look Neo gave the monster was rather explicit in what she thought of its intelligence.

"Fair enough, fair enough. So what would you say if I could give you the power to escape? You saw that I entered without that door opening. But, there is a caveat. My masters, the Yozi, are trapped in a prison. If you accept this you have to help them escape their prision. So, what do you say?"

Neo looked at her, her expression inscrutable. Then, in a burst of motion she flicked her legs, pulling the creature towards her by it's tail. She looked into it's persimmon hued eyes and grinned, a mad bearing of teeth.

Then the creature unravelled and all was quiet.

Next Thursday

Roman flicked out his stolen cane, which smashed into the armoured foes face with a crack, before whipping it to another opponent and pulling the trigger. This left him completely open to an attack from the left, and yet another opponent took the opportunity, swinging a giant sword at him which he only just managed to dodge.

"Die Anathema! Die!" Screamed the last one, wreathed in flames, before he charged at Roman, who only just brought up his new cane to parry the lance.

Smashing the cane down over the opponents head, he took the opportunity of a gap in the fight to do something he does quite well. Gripe.

"For the third," he dodged a swipe from the left and emptied another round into the armoured figures chest, "time this night," this time was a duck, the smaller blade passing over his head even as he tripped up the lance bearing, "what in the name of Luna," punctuating the goddesses name with a shot to his falled foes throat, "is a Anathema?"

This complex series of swipe and counter swipe continued for another few minutes, even as the light patterns surrounding Roman extended from a silvery mark on the forehead to a giant sea of lies. Eventually there was only Roman and the two sword wielders remaining. He panted as the larger one charged again, dodging out of the way.

Trying to dodge out of the way and failing, the sword scraping along his collar bone.

"Oh well, this is where it ends." He smiled ruefully even as the other lined his sword up for a strike. "I'm sorry Neo. I never managed to get you out."

The sword swung.

And was parried by an umbrella, before that same umbrella smashed into the gut of the opponent. The other armoured figure took his sword out of Roman to try and attack Neo, who wasn't there, having skipped out of distance in the few seconds. She opened up the umbrella, rested it on her shoulder and dipped into a mocking bow, a red circle evident on her forehead.

"Anathema! More of you demon scum!" The warrior charged at Neo, who nimbly dodged out of the way, her umbrella smashing into the pelvis of the opponent, before an explosion rattled out of her umbrella and blew a hole straight through helmet.

Roman stood up from where he was leaning against the wall and just looked at Neo.

"Neo? Is.. is that actually you?"

The look she gave him was scathing, condensation dripping from every muscle in her frown.

"Alright, alright, alright. It's you. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't get you out earlier."

The half shrug she gave him dismissed his concerns in the nicest way she could. Utter apathy.

"Well, that's excellent. Um. Just wondering, where did you get that umbrella?"

She gestured towards the pillar of smoke that was rising from the nobles estate he had robbed.

"I thought I recognised it. So you found out where I was, and instead of coming to meet me, you decided to go rob somewhere."

The grin she gave him was infectious, and Romans mouth twitched into a smile in response.

"Yes, I really should know you better. So, I have some ill gotten gains in the bank, and I don't think we're wanted here. Any idea where we should go next?"

She skectched out a few letters into the air before Roman caught on.

"Japan, eh? Well, I've never been abroad."

The person who had been first attacked by Neo moaned slightly. Roman looked down at them, and spun his cane through the air before brining it through his neck.

Neo skipped over to him and he put his arm around her, before they walked off, leaving a battle ground in their wake.

Name: Neopolitan

Alias: Neo

Concept: Psychopathic Assassin-Thief

Caste: Scourge
Patron Yozi: Adorjan
Favoured Yozi: The Ebon Dragon
Anima Banner: A flower made of thousands of white, pink and brown petals.
Motivation: To be powerful enough to do what she wants without repercussions
Urge: Bring Dorothea Ernst to Malfeas. (Adorjani)

Attributes: Strength: 4; Dexterity: 5; Stamina: 2; Charisma: 2; Manipulation: 3; Appearance: 4; Perception: 3; Intelligence: 2; Wits: 2
Abilities:
- Favoured: Melee 5, Performance 3, Medicine 1, Integrity 1, Ride/Pilot 2,
- Caste (Scourge): Athletics 2, Awareness 2, Dodge 5, Larceny 5, Stealth 4,
- Unfavoured: Linguistics 0 (Native: English), Investigation 1, Presence 1,
Specialties: Melee 3 (Umbrellas); Performance 1 (Mime);

Permanent Essence: 2
Virtues: Compassion: 1 Conviction: 2 Valor: 2 Temperance: 4

Mute [Cost: 2pts; Keywords: Physical, Mental, Negative]
Perhaps the creature lacks a mouth, or its throat is deformed, or parts of its mind are simply undeveloped; whatever the case, it cannot speak any language, verbally or telepathically. Instead, she must remain silent or produce nothing but meaningless groans.
Cosmetic [Cost: 0pts; Keywords: Physical, Stackable]
Has tri coloured hair in white, pink and brown.

Willpower: 8
Backgrounds: Cult (Yozi): 1
Backing (Yozi) 1
Influence (Yozi) 1
Artifact 3 (Éclair)
Unwoven Coadjutor 1 (Demjen)
Ally 3 (Roman Torchwick)

Éclair: Speed 4, Accuracy +5, Damage 6B, Defence +4, Rate 4, Artifact Rating=3
Description- The umbrella is elaborately decorated in lace fabric of multiple colours; these being mostly pink and white (in the middle) as well as red and brown (at the edges). The umbrella is transparent enough to make out the shape and colour of the wielder as they stand behind it. It also contains an integrated pistol in the shaft, which can be flurried with no penalty.
-Speed 4, Accuracy +2, Damage 6L, Rate 4, Range 25, Ammo 6, Minimums Str 2 Cost -/-

Trait from the Unwoven Coadjutor: Occasionally her eyes flash persimmon [-0]
Charms: Adorjan First Excellency
Second Adorjan Excellency
Wind-borne stride [x2]
Who Strikes the Wind
Running to Forever
Unimpeded Perfection of Exertion
Joy in Violence Approach
Threat Monitoring Excitement
First Ebon Dragon Excellency
Witness to Darkness
Seeing is Blindness

Name: Roman Torchwick
Concept: Gentleman Thief
Motivation: To become a world renowned thief
Caste: Changing moon
Spirit Shape: A fox
Tell: Silver eyes and nails.
Anima Banner: A rolling sea comprised of all the lies that Roman has ever spoken and all the items he has ever stole.
Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 4, Stamina 2; Charisma 4; Manipulation 5; Appearance 4; Perception 3; Intelligence 3; Wits 3
Virtues: Compassion 1, Conviction 3, Temperance 3, Valor 2
Abilities: Larceny 5 (Housebreaking 2); Melee 4 (Canes 2); Stealth 4; Lore 2; Linguistics 0 (Native: English); Survival 2; Presence 2; Performance 3; Dodge 3; Awareness 2; Occult 1

Backgrounds: Resources 3 (Ill-gotten gains), Contacts 1 (Criminals), Ally 3 (Neopolitan), Artifact 3 (Melodic Cudgel)
Essence: 2
Willpower: 6
Melodic Cudgel: Speed 5, Accuracy +3, Damage 10B, Defence +4, Rate 4, Artifact Rating=3
Description- Melodic Cudgel initially appears to be a normal cane; however, when used for combat, the base of the cane raises a reticule for aiming, while also uncovering the muzzle.
-Speed 5, Accuracy +2, Damage 8L, Rate 4, Range 15, Ammo 15, Minimums Str 2 Cost -/1

Charms:
Second Dexterity Excellency
Boxing with Shadows
Umbral Ink Vanish Technique
Cloud Obscures Moon Method
First Manipulation Excellency
Everyone's Price Leverage
Smuggler's Dream Sanctification
Second Appearance Excellency
Hostile Streets Outsider
Beauty in the Blinded Eye
Second Perception Excellency
Uncanny Sight Practice

Green Sun, Black Shadows (CG/Exalted)

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Alexander89

Pet the pretty kitty? Y/N

Enjou

Enjou

Enjou

ReaperofInterest

Herald of Disaster

Alexander89

Pet the pretty kitty? Y/N

ReaperofInterest

Herald of Disaster

Enjou

ReaperofInterest

Herald of Disaster

Estro

Sassy Bitch Stargazer

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