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Raising Heaven- A FFXIV/Exalted Crossover

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Leaping Sky Helps a Rebellion
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    • Leaping Sky is a man of great temperance. Most often he will set aside his desires for those of his companions, for those of the people he values. Of course, there is a limit- he values them, he loves them, and so when they keep making terrible decisions and causing chaos in their wake, he needs to stop doing what they want and just do what he wants.

    It also helped that, unlike Ebeli, he made it a point to learn how to travel without the aid of demons or technology. So, a few hundred-mile-jumps later, Leaping Sky ended up in the region of Thanalan, and in particular in a settlement filled with refugees from a region known as Ala Mhigo.

    Which lead to Leaping Sky learning about the massive refugee problem in these lands. Which lead to him listening to anyone who would talk.

    Which lead to him sitting across the stone firepit from a middle aged man with white hair and a face that may as well be carved from stone. He listens to the man as he speaks of the trials his people have faced, of the rebellions crushed, of the apathy of the greater powers of these lands. Of course, this is all his perspective. Sky can tell from the bitterness in this man's voice.

    "So, Ilberd," Sky finally says, the cup of soup in his hands long since cooled, "If there was something, anything, that you want to happen- what is it?"

    Sky and Ebeli have worked together for twenty years, and many adventures and trials and tribulations have taught them the importance of overlap. Many times, they would learn the same Charms, teaching each other, because it was never a good idea to have to rely on one of them being at the exact place as the other when needed.

    So, while Sky is himself a fighter, a scrapper, a warrior, he is not without his social magics. For example, Knowing the Soul's Price. Sky would find what the person he's talking with wants the most, and in return the person will work with him. It's an excellent way of making contacts. At least, for Sky, because he tends to be rather nice for a Solar Exalted.

    "What do I want?" Ilberd says, staring at the fire, "I want…something to rally us around. A victory against the Empire. Like…Baelsar's Wall. If we could take that, somehow, it would light a spark."

    Sky nods. "And how long would you be willing to wait for that?"

    Ilbed shakes his head. "Not forever. I'm not young anymore. Neither are my people, and we want to see Ala Mhigo free in our lifetime."

    "So a month?"

    Ilberd blinks and stares at Sky. "A month?"

    "Maybe sooner. Get your people and let's see what we have to work with." Sky sips his cold soup. "Now, mind you, the challenge isn't taking the wall. The challenge is keeping it and turning around all the battlements before the Empire can react."
     
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    • Can someone explain just what this is all about to those of us who don't play?

    And yeah... That's the sort of thing an experienced Solar does. When they're taking their time and being relaxed.
     
    Pyro Hawk said:
    Can someone explain just what this is all about to those of us who don't play?

    And yeah... That's the sort of thing an experienced Solar does. When they're taking their time and being relaxed.
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    Roight. So, the Empire of Garlemald is the single most technologically advanced polity on Eorzea--currently. They conquered the nation of Ala Mhigo a while ago, and that's left the Ala Mhigan refugees feeling down in the dumps. So down in the dumps that Ilberd, himself an Ala Mhigan hyper-patriot, in a future without Exalted running around, would have lost faith in Eorzea's willingness and ability to liberate Ala Mhigo. Which would have prompted him to do a great many villainous fucky wuckies all for the sake of making Garlemald bleed.

    Baelsar's Wall is a gigantic wall that makes the Great Wall of China look like sandcastle pussy shit, made to cut off Ala Mhigo from the rest of Eorzea.
     
    Sometimes, by sheer coincidence, limit break behavior leads to something good.
     
    You know. I never thought about turning shit bird. That changes a medium amount I suppose.

    Alpi not getting his first bits of character development for one. And certain others not dying. Or being crippled.

    Also doesn't let the world come together either. Hmm. That might be the biggest
     
    Lazurman said:
    So down in the dumps that Ilberd, himself an Ala Mhigan hyper-patriot, in a future without Exalted running around, would have lost faith in Eorzea's willingness and ability to liberate Ala Mhigo. Which would have prompted him to do a great many villainous fucky wuckies all for the sake of making Garlemald bleed.
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    You leave out that by the end of it he's not just out to make Garlemald bleed, but everyone else as well by summoning a primal that makes Bahamut look like a propped up chicken.
     
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    Erembour Checks In
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    • "Right," Ebeli explains, pinching the bridge of her nose, leaning against the table she and Ragna have been sitting at, "So Hans updated me. The reason the rest of the boys didn't show up is because they tried to use the Aetheryte and it drained their mote pools and spat them out. Also, there's a guest at the workshop. Can you head over and check up on things?"

    Erembour nods, her features hidden by the shade of her parasol. "Of course, Sorcerer. I have a shadow in the workshop consecrated to myself and can use that as an exit point."

    Which, she thinks, also allows her to check up on her side project. Erembour calls upon the darkness- from the perspective of her Sorcerer and the Warrior, she melts into the darkness, flowing into the shadows and vanishing.

    From Erembour's perspective, she simply takes a step back into the shadows, and the wooden floor becomes brass. Closing the parasol, she looks up and finds the three eyes staring back and the yellowed teeth pulled into a giddy smile.

    Hello, Erembour. Come to check in?

    In the distance there is a choking voice, and a pleading "Kill me."

    Later~.

    "Do not enjoy yourself too much," Erembour says with a sigh, "I wish to restore the free will of those that have had it taken from them."

    The grin gets wider. There is mirth in the eyes of the shadow, and she despises that.

    Erembour, Erembour, you wound me. This is for the sake of understanding, and such things require examination. Especially of the soul.

    She can see Nael. She feels no guilt. "And what have you found?"

    Such pain. Such sadness. She was doomed from the start. Taking her brothers name, killing in his name. Would he be disgusted with her? I cannot say. But I love her already.

    And yet, she still feels no pity, for this Legatus attempted to kill her and her student. Was she of her right mind? Was she ever of her right mind?

    "We will discuss this later. I will be back in time."

    Without waiting for his departing remark, she steps out of the shadow and out of the darkened corner of the workshop. Hans is speaking with the masked, armored man, drinking tea out of the good teacups. He stands up as he sees her, and the masked man turns.

    "My Lady," Hans says, falling to one knee and bowing his head, "Welcome back."

    "I am welcomed," she says, her parasol masking her features, and turns to the guest, "I am That Which Calls to the Shadows. Hans informed us that you wished to speak with us?"
     
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    • GreggHL said:
    "I am welcomed," she says, her parasol masking her features, and turns to the guest, "I am That Which Calls to the Shadows. Hans informed us that you wished to speak with us?"
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    Voice in the back of Gaius's mind: "Completely normal barbarian hero! Nothing unusual going on there. Merely a speech quirk and unusual magics, right? DO NOT WORRY. Everything is fiiine!"
     
    Anti-No said:
    Voice in the back of Gaius's mind: "Completely normal barbarian hero! Nothing unusual going on there. Merely a speech quirk and unusual magics, right? DO NOT WORRY. Everything is fiiine!"
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    Especially if his mask has those aether goggles that the Scions use, which would let him realize ohshit she's powerful.

    Remember, Erembour is Essence 9.
     
    GreggHL said:
    Especially if his mask has those aether goggles that the Scions use, which would let him realize ohshit she's powerful.

    Remember, Erembour is Essence 9.
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    Imperial scouts and officers at least sometimes have the same, and use them on a summoned version of Ifrit from some nearby cliffs at one point, commenting that "This instance of Ifrit has low power readings" or something to that effect, just before the WoL walks up to it to beat it down.

    I would be VERY surprised if a standard Legatus helmet does not have some gauge that started blinking rather angrily red in warning - or some other sensor readings going up to levels that means the same - from the moment Erembour came into view. Usually used to detect and mark extreme dangers on the battlefield, but still. The only way I could see said readings not appearing would be if the sensor suite is turned off. And it might be.
     
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    So, Endwalker. Uhh. That is some revelations alright. Especially the end bit. I think the end bit would be very uncomfortable for our solars.
     
    Returned; Impulse Control
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    • There is a thick, heavy silence in the room. Ebeli has examined Garlean magitech, and has an idea of what the armor of, say, a Legatus would include. So when Gaius stares at Erembour, it is most likely not out of awe of her beauty.

    "…indeed." The Legatus stands. He salutes, arm across his chest. The mask conceals any expression, any shock or surprise. He keeps his voice under control. "I am Gaius van Baelsar, Legatus of the XIVth Legion of the Garlean Empire. I came to speak to the Slayer of Eikons about the possibility of cooperation."

    Erembour smiles beneath the shadows. "I admit to knowing very little about the Garlean Empire. But what I know about says that they are very unlikely to be interested in genuine alliances. Those imply an equal partnership, and the Garlean Empire does not do partnerships."

    There is a brief flash from the town square. Two brief flashes, that is, and not insignificant commotion from the demonic horde. Erembour looks out towards the door, raising an eyebrow.

    The door swings open, and Ebeli strides in, alongside Ragna. Both the redhead and the viera are…excited about something. Erembour frowns. Sky is not there, and Erembour respects Sky for many reasons.

    The primary reason is that he serves as the Sorcerer's impulse control.

    "Okay," Ebeli says, hands out, fingers up, "We need some power and we need it quick, because whenever I use an Aetheryte I lose my entire peripheral mote pool."

    Erembour blinks. Gaius turns to her, the expression beneath his mask no doubt asking what the Hell this is. Erembour makes a T with her hands, the universal symbol for 'back up.' "I have theories, but first, why?"

    "Ebeli's been teaching me sorcery," Ragna explains, also giddy, "And we've been talking about timing rules, about how there's certain times of the year that she can summon certain demons-"

    "And we realized those rules only apply in Creation," Ebeli finishes with a smile that can redeem- or consume- souls, "And we need to test it!"

    Erembour blinks. Oh no, she thinks. She knows Ebeli. She knows her well. She knows exactly why she wants to be in full power to test this theory. She turns to the rabbit woman. "Why are you here?"

    "The Scions appointed me to mind her, since last time she was left alone she set the Twelveswoods on fire."

    Gaius stares at Ebeli, but says nothing.

    "I see," Erembour intones, and turns to her sorcerer, "You are not summoning one of the Unquestionable." Next to her, Gaius mouths the word under his mask, completely ignored by all people present. Even as Ebeli raises a finger to protest, Erembour continues.

    "I am aware of how you think, Sorcerer. Upon realizing that the timing rules for the spells of summoning and binding no longer apply, the first thing you pondered was how many things could be made better by including The Green Sun."

    Erembour props her hands on her hips, and in that moment looks less like an ageless being of unfathomable power, and more like an older sister in the middle of a know-it-all lecture. "And you are completely aware he would appreciate the audacity of being summoned with no warning and into another world. But this is not a situation that calls for him, and you are fully aware of it."

    Ebeli raises a finger. Opens her mouth. Closes it. Nods. "Okay, that's fair. However, this must be tested, and I want to determine if the timing does not apply here, and summoning a first circle demon only means a limited amount of timing doesn't apply."

    Her face brightens, and she smiles. "We need transport!"

    Erembour sighs. "I will lend you from my pool. You will keep him under control."

    Erembour's wrist is seized by Ebeli, and the sorcerer, Ragna, and That Which Calls to the Darkness hurry out. Gaius turns to Hans, who simply sips his tea.

    "Summoning?" he asks.

    "It's a spell, and how I work for the Sorcerer," the Blood Ape explains, "Probably different from my summoning. Let her get this out of her system and she'll be ready to talk with you."

    There is a flash of light, and cheers from both Ebeli and Ragna. Gaius looks out the window in the direction of the cheers, and marvels at the suddenly present boat of what appears to be bones and glass.

    "Where did that come from?"
     
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    • So, mounts aren't a canon thing then? At least the way presented? I guess they could be least creation given what we know. Also welcome back. Gaius not being the center of attention must be odd for him. Is this post him losing his little coterie?
     
    They set the Warrior of Light to be the impulse control of an overenthusiastic Solar Sorceress? And expected there to be less significant problems than setting the Twelveswoods on fire? Okay, fine, I can absolutely buy that. If only because what they expect to happen is for the Twelveswoods to be set on fire, only for the WoL to extinguish said fire and that to somehow lead to a series of events occurring which leaves most people better off.

    They're just praying this isn't one of the times the WoL rolls snake eyes...
     
    Pyro Hawk said:
    They set the Warrior of Light to be the impulse control of an overenthusiastic Solar Sorceress? And expected there to be less significant problems than setting the Twelveswoods on fire? Okay, fine, I can absolutely buy that. If only because what they expect to happen is for the Twelveswoods to be set on fire, only for the WoL to extinguish said fire and that to somehow lead to a series of events occurring which leaves most people better off.

    They're just praying this isn't one of the times the WoL rolls snake eyes...
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    I mean, Ragna's not wrong, especially if it was her encouragement that made Ebeli realize it is Ligier O'clock.
     
    This is going to end in tears. The question is what kind of tears, because I have no earthly idea how someone like Ligier could make things better. Oi vey...
     
    Walkers said:
    This is going to end in tears. The question is what kind of tears, because I have no earthly idea how someone like Ligier could make things better. Oi vey...
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    Some dickhead turns off the sun. Or you pay him(the part where you pay him is actually important even if you could pull off skipping it) to make something to fix your problem with. Or you need to literally go nuclear on someone.
     
    Captain Jack Sparrow's Fursona
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    • Outside the gates of Revenant's Toll, an immense ship of glass and bone rests, its keel having carved a path through crystal and ground. From the side of the ship, a gang plank drops, and down it marches a uniformed man. Or really, shape of a man, dressed in a sharp naval uniform, with broad shoulders, a sharp black hip cloak, and a tricorne hat.

    Also, with lots of fur and a snout like a hound. He steps off the plank, and stares at the waiting Ragna and Ebeli, both of them with wide, toothy smiles on their faces.

    "Aw shits," he slurs, "It's you again."

    He produces a flask from his jacket, undoes the top, and chugs it. Tossing the flask aside, he turns to the two.

    "Right, there I was, sailing along, and suddenly I get the Summons. What gives, Sorcerer? That's not supposed to happen outside of Malfeas and the Desert? Did'ye figure out something? Please tell me ye didn't. Me heart can't handle it."

    Florivet, the Whim of the Wind, looks past the two and at the scowling woman in shadow. He takes his hat and holds it close to his chest, as if such paltry things will save him.

    "Pardon me language, Unquestionable."

    The expression Erembour gives indicates that no pardon will ever be given. None, in light of past actions and incidents, too many to name. The Demon of the Second Circle considers turning immaterial, but knows that it will grant him no escape.

    "Florivet," Ebeli declares, pointing at him, "I bind you to my entourage as my primary means of travel! The Foremost Gale shall be my transport over Earth and Water, and with modifications, air!"

    "That thing can fly?" Ragna asks.

    "It will."



    "I have many questions," Gaius intones.

    Hans sips his tea, not looking directly at the ship. Perhaps, he thinks, if he does not acknowledge that the Sorcerer just impulsively summoned that guy, it will not be true. A trick of the light. Swamp gas exploding over water.

    "At least he wasn't followed by the worm this time," he says with a sigh, "First time the Sorcerer summoned him, we were in the Endless Desert and he was followed by a sandworm. Knew then that I'd die serving her, and I'd die happy."

    Gaius turns from the ship to the blood ape. He sits down across from him, the faceplate rising to the nose, and sips his tea.

    "That woman, accompanied by the Viera, she is your mistress?"

    Hans nods.

    "And that summoning is…different from what the Beast Tribes perform when they summon their Eikons."

    Hans nods. His brow furrows, and he thinks for a moment. "Right, those things the people here call Primals. Explain to me what's happening when they're summoned, can you?"
     
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    • Matrix Dragon said:
    Gaius explaining Primals... This will end well.
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    "In this land of creeping mendacity, it is ever the strong who dictate the fate of the weak. Only one choice remains to the false ruler: that of false worship, a path which leads to enervation and death."

    "Right, but how does a primal summoning actually work?"

    "Such information, this is not in my possession."
     
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