Mare Internum: An Exalted Quest

Varano · Jun 27, 2022

[X] (Remain quiet)

Crumplepunch · Jun 28, 2022

etranger01 said:
[X] (Remain quiet)

You remain silent and look outside awkwardly as Mei rummages through her belongings. There is a clink of metal on metal, a creak of hinges, a rustle of paper.

MEI: "Alright, good to go."

Her face is slightly muffled, distorted by a faint metallic flanging effect. You turn to face her and instead see a fanged demonic visage looming over you. You stumble back, startled.

MEI: "Boo."

The masked helmet looks like something from a profane shrine, a snarling, vaguely feline face remeniscent of both tiger and dragon. Its left eye is closed, the right is accenuated with a ring of ruddy brass that highlights the stark yellow of Mei's pupil.

CRAFT: This is excellent workmanship. The whole helmet is structured asymmetrically to strengthen it around the axis of Mei's central field of vision, with her head angled to the side to focus her eye.

"Rooster's work?"

Mei cocks her head to one side, a gesture unavoidably reminiscent of a great cat sizing up prey.

MEI: "I don't like that you know my people."

You shrug, unsure of what to say.

She walks past you without another word, you follow.

One of the officers that has been following you both offers up another slate to Mei.

OFFICER: "Just arrived, Dragonlord. You should see this."

She pauses to read it and hands it back.

MEI: "Well, fuck."

"What happened?"

MEI: "Scout report, forest fire spreading towards the camp. Looks like your delusion is getting more likely. Runner!"

She scrawls another order on the proferred slate.

MEI: "Make sure he reads it, don't listen to any of his shit."

The girl nods vigorously and withdraws.

MEI: "I'm sending Usamir and his irregulars to the western pallisade. Navy can fight fire well enough, if nothing else."

"Makes sense."

A flash of color and movement in the sky catches your attention. Something brilliant and blue-green, darting like an arrow. You've seen no birds or insects on the island so far, and this doesn't look quite like either. Mei follows your gaze.

MEI: "And that'll be the demon."

The sky looks a deeper grey than it did this morning. Perhaps it's going to rain again.

MEI: "So you say this thing is after you, specifically. Let's say I accept that. What do you think we should do about it?"

[ ] Well, I could just go and kill it myself, that would solve the problem.
[ ] Maybe I should run off in another direction to draw it away.
[ ] I could head outside the camp and try to lure it into a trap.
[ ] I thought maybe you could kill it before it gets anywhere near me.
[ ] I guess I should go to the most secure part of the camp so I am well defended.

TenMoreMiles · Jun 28, 2022

[x ] I could head outside the camp and try to lure it into a trap.

Varano · Jun 28, 2022

[X] Maybe I should run off in another direction to draw it away.

Mirage · Jun 29, 2022

[X] Maybe I should run off in another direction to draw it away.

Crumplepunch · Jun 29, 2022

For those new to the quest, please review the rules in the first post. Only the first vote is used in this quest. Subsequent votes will be taken as signs of enthusiasm but I would prefer a comment.

EDIT: Unless I say "this is a consequential decision, please vote" as I did in the post below. If that happens, please vote.

Crumplepunch · Jun 29, 2022

TenMoreMiles said:
[x ] I could head outside the camp and try to lure it into a trap.

"I could head outside the camp and try to lure it into a trap."

MEI: "Not much time to set up a trap. We've got some stakes and trenches set up out there to deal with cavalry approaches. I guess we could use them. Colter, how are we on bows?"

The second officer following you, an older man, answers.

COLTER: "Still few, dragonlord. Maybe twenty."

MEI: "Fighting a fucking land war with twenty bows, honestly."

She spots your questioning look.

MEI: "Most of them got soaked in the wreck, curing the wood and drying the sinew takes time. We've only got a few replacements so far."

WAR: That thing is on fire. Mortals fighting it probably shouldn't get close.

"Javelins, then?"

MEI: "Javelins and pikes sound like the best bet. It's going to be rough. Send out the order for second talon to head to the western forward trench, Colter."

Colter briskly salutes and withdraws.

"So what now?"

MEI: "We get to the palisades. Follow."

Something swift, gold and glittering moves in your peripheral vision. On reflex, you draw your sword, an underhand cross-draw. At the same time, the officer behind you draws her own sword, a legion short sword, and points it at you.

HAWK SWORD: Have at you!

The source of the disturbance is a tiny humanoid about the size of your hand, with golden skin, a disproportionately large head and multiple insectoid wings. It hovers next to Mei. It glances at you dismissively before turning to her.

WEIRD BUG THING: "Dragonlord."

Its voice is lugubrious and throaty, entirely unlike what you might expect such a thing to sound like.

MEI: "Report."

WEIRD BUG THING: "The agata is poorly suited to reconaissance alone due to its poetical disposition, but I have gleaned what I can from its rambling. The source of the fire is moving directly across the western path. Other things are moving with it, but I could not determine what that meant. Meanwhile there is also movement to the north. Moving stone, apparently."

MEI: "Explain."

WEIRD BUG THING: "As I said, specific information is difficult to extract from the demon's testimony. If you would consent to my request to send up a rider-"

MEI: "Absolutely not."

WEIRD BUG THING: "Then my report is concluded. I return to the important work of shipwrighting."

The creature flies off into the sky before you can react.

MEI: "Alright, alright, put those away."

The officer sheathes her sword immediately, you hesitate.

"Was that the Bane of Kadj? He's smaller than I expected."

MEI: "One of his creatures. It talks in his voice."

You sheathe your sword.

MEI: "At least we know you can fast draw with your left."

WAR: DIFFICULT

CHECK PASSED

"'Moving stone' could mean they are coming across the mountains."

MEI: "A coordinated attack. Makes sense, trying to keep the element of surprise. Mercer, who has the northern pass this morning?"

The whipcord older woman who just pointed a sword at you gives you a narrow look before replying.

MERCER: "Fourth talon and the engineer-adjunt, dragonlord."

MEI: "Well, fuck."

"What?"

MEI: "Rooster's up there."

"Wait, you send Rooster to fight?"

She rounds on you, eye narrowing to match the anger of her snarling mask.

MEI: "I am the commanding legion officer here. I send people to fight. That is literally my job, you absolute candlestick."

"What if there's another one of those things? Do you think he can handle it?"

MEI: "We don't even know what the fuck it is, how can I answer that?"

"Well, we know one of them was sent to kill me."

Mei exhales slowly.

MEI: "Yeah, I don't know if Rooster could handle it."

"Aren't there any other Dragon-Bloods who could back him up?"

She shakes her head but does not elaborate further.

WAR: You're facing an attack on two fronts with unknown forces. Your attacker is coming from the west, so you have to face it there. Usamir, his auxilliaries and the second talon are on the western palisade. Rooster and the fourth talon are holding the northern pass.

[ ] You should go to the north pass to back him up, I can handle things here.
[ ] The north pass is better defended, I think Rooster can manage.

This is a consequential decision, please vote.

Shane_357 · Jun 29, 2022