Session Start: Sun Dec 29 01:16:07 2002 [01:16] so is Tei going to sleep? [01:16] likely. He'll send a message to the temple if he can't go himself [01:16] ok [01:16] you have a dream with your spirit guide [01:18] it is all blackness around you [01:19] "Tei...' [01:19] "She's lying to you...' [01:19] "She isn't going to give the lands to the order..." [01:19] "what makes you say that?" [01:21] "When you wake up, go to the southern gate, near the bridge... You will find a raiding party. They will leave at midnight." [01:21] "Tei.. the only one who can stop them is the empress of this city... [01:21] "You must stop her before it is too late..." [01:22] "Stop her from what? [01:22] "She will destroy the temple, Tei, and kill everyone in it." [01:23] "Why!?" [01:23] "She doesn't like the immaculates, Tei. She is anathema to them. You know this." [01:24] "Remember how she looked at you when she first saw you?" [01:24] "I noticed nothing." [01:25] the darkness explodes into light, and you see face of the empress lookng down at you. you were on the left side.. now you can see the right. her right eye twitches sharply and she looks at you narrowly before regaining her composure." [01:25] "She didn't let you see, Tei, but everyone else did..." [01:25] "I trust you. I will go immidiately [01:26] "Wake then.. and know that she is powerful.. there is only one way you can defeat her.. you know what it is." [01:26] * Tei seems puzzled [01:26] the darkness begins to curl around you and you become disoriented [01:27] * Tei cries deperately. "What must I do." [01:27] "look at her.. tei..." [01:27] then you are in your bed [01:27] * Tei bolt upright in a cold sweat and quickly gathers his things [01:28] your things are easy enough to find [01:28] * Tei will be out the door and running as soon as he's geared up [01:29] where are you going? It is a crisp night, still cold from the winter snows, the breeze from the south still carrying more than a hint of cold weather. [01:29] it is easy to see the waxing moon above you and the glittering stars... [01:29] the southern gate, with all spped [01:30] I want to see this party before I do anything else [01:31] roll dex + stealth [01:31] and per + awe [01:32] !ex 5 stealth [01:32] Tei (5), 7, 1, 10, 10, 10, Successes : 7 [01:33] !ex 5 awe [01:33] Tei (5), 10, 8, 4, 8, 6, Successes : 4 [01:33] there are maybe two dozen horsesmen clad in black cloaks with spears and swords at their side. they are quiet, so quiet that even their horses cannot be heard. clearly they have been magically silenced [01:33] any exalts? [01:34] probably. hard to tell, the cloaks hide all their features in shadow. their weapons do seem rather big, though they likewise are wrapped in cloth. Possibly daiklaives and powerbows. [01:34] or other things... [01:35] at some prearranged signal, they bolt, silently galloping with incredible speed across the bridge... [01:35] * Tei nods silently thinking "Too many to atack, I'm going to need to do something. But how? I'll never take the empress myself, or with help. The temple must be warned." [01:36] * Tei prays for the dragons guidance and wishes he was'nt alone [01:36] by your estimation on their speed, they could make it there in less than a day. [01:36] they don't seem to see you, in any case [01:38] * Tei can think of no other plan but to attempt to see the empress [01:39] you slip through the darkness towards the empress' castle, until you arrive there undetected, looking at it's massive stone walls reaching into the heavens. [01:40] * Tei makes the holy signs of all the dragons, and treis to find a way in. [01:41] * Tei thinks to himself I don't supose going to the door will help [01:41] there are several small doors but all are secured. none of them are guarded but the front door, and there are only two spearmen there, silently watching guard [01:41] the city is mostly deserted at night, mind you, except for exalts. [01:41] and the city guard. [01:41] the northern part of the city is where business takes place, and the people of the city will not return to their place of work until dawn. [01:42] * Tei approaches one of the small doors and sees if it can be opended [01:42] it's locked [01:42] any open windows [01:43] a few, you'll have to jump [01:43] * Tei 'll chance it [01:43] roll dex + athletics [01:44] adding compassion for i am saving my new friends [01:44] ok [01:44] !ex 10 [01:44] Tei (10), 8, 8, 6, 1, 9, 3, 4, 3, 5, 1, Successes : 3 [01:44] you leap up through the air and grab onto the windowframe and pull yourself inside [01:45] this room is dark but by the light of the room you can see a door across the hall [01:45] snoring comes from a nearby bed [01:45] can I see who it is? [01:46] too dark, and they are under covers [01:46] what's the room like. fit for an anathema queen [01:47] nah this is probably one of her dragon blooded pets' rooms. However it is still quite ornate... but not very large. [01:47] maybe just a mortal pet [01:47] * Tei slips out the door [01:47] roll dex + stealth [01:47] !ex 5 [01:47] Tei (5), 9, 8, 4, 9, 1, Successes : 3 [01:49] you make your way out the door without waking him. You are now in a long, well-lit hall. pictures and draperies adorn the engraved gold-plated walls [01:49] * Tei wishes cicada was here, she is better at this sort of thing [01:49] heh [01:49] you could always go find her and ask for her help... [01:51] * Tei banishes that thought. too late now [01:51] roll dex + stealth and per + awe [01:51] 3 motes personal for air dragon sight [01:51] ok [01:51] !ex 5 stealth [01:51] Tei (5), 5, 7, 9, 2, 4, Successes : 2 [01:52] !ex 8 awe [01:52] Tei (8), 10, 8, 4, 7, 1, 7, 2, 9, Successes : 6 [01:52] you think you hear talking from far away [01:52] in the hallways, probably around both turns [01:53] doesn't seem to be getting closer [01:54] I slide throught the hallways like the air dragons breath. silent and constant. my ears pricked up for any sound. the breathing off the world is my only companion [01:54] you come to what looks like a stairway going up, but you don't know where you are, and there isn't exactly a map [01:56] * Tei I follow the talking [01:56] Storyteller (6), 7, 1, 2, 10, 7, 2, Successes : 4 [01:56] !ex 6 [01:56] you stop near the corner, listening to them talk.. [01:56] "Hey.. I think I heard something." [01:56] wind drtagons breath [01:57] whats that do again? [01:57] going invis for 4 personal [01:57] ok [01:58] the guards walk around the corner and look around [01:58] "Don't see anything" says one [01:58] "Probably just a mouse." [01:58] "With all the charms built into the wall?" [01:58] "It's a figure of speech!" [01:58] they continue their conversation here in the intersection of the two halls [01:59] [and wind dragon's breath doesn't last very long [01:59] I slip past them and hope I have time to get out of sight again [02:00] where are you going? [02:00] roll dex + stealth to be silent [02:01] there are many rooms and maybe a few stairways [02:01] what are they gaurding and is this the end of the hallway [02:01] nope it's just a big loop apparently [02:01] !ex 5 and a wp [02:01] Tei (5), 9, 10, 2, 8, 5, Successes : 4 [02:01] probably supposed to patrol [02:02] * Tei thinks to himself "that was too close. I can't just wander around. I need to find the empress [02:03] but of course you don't know where the empress is... and there will no doubt be more guards than the few on this floor. [02:03] you run down this hallway and have to take refuge in one of the doorframes, because the next loop is also being guarded by two more sentries [02:03] it just seems to be a large dining area and bedrooms and storerooms on this floor [02:04] "if I were an empress were would I be. top floor, or throneroom [02:04] "not this floor I think. up then." [02:05] up you go.. [02:06] gotta activate the invis charm again. [02:06] * Tei is just waiting for the botch. [02:06] * Tei does so [02:06] +1 stunt for essence regeneration to your dex + stealth roll [02:06] !ex 5 [02:06] Tei (5), 1, 10, 3, 6, 8, Successes : 3 [02:06] !ex 1 [02:06] Tei (1), 2, Successes : 0 [02:07] thats all my personal essence, I'm in trouble now [02:09] this second floor seems to be less ornate, and the ceiling is at least three floors high. there are no rooms on the inner circut of the hall and only small cubbyholes for guards to sit in, and you peek into one unoccupied roopm that seems to be a break room. Large windows, now dark, make up two floors worth', and slits can be seen in the inner walls far above, like windows [02:09] though you cannot see if there are windows or not in them [02:11] [silent] "more gaurds, perhaps she is above? I should've paid more attention to sleeping t-squares architectural lectures." [02:12] * Tei tries to go on up [02:12] there are spiral staircases.. they are open air and it will be difficult to climb them in time. [02:13] one at each corner. [02:13] * Tei must chance it, the monks are counting on me [02:13] roll dex + ath [02:14] !ex 7 and crosses fingers [02:14] Tei (7), 5, 8, 9, 4, 6, 3, 10, Successes : 1 [02:14] [I'm dead] [02:14] roll dex + stealth -2 [02:15] adding compassion for he is saving the whole temple [02:15] er +2 difficulty [02:15] so full pool [02:15] yea [02:15] !ex 8 [02:15] Tei (8), 3, 1, 8, 2, 3, 4, 2, 6, Successes : 1 [02:16] [I'm dead] [02:16] [again] [02:17] you stop all the way up the stairway and then you arrive in some kind of observation twoer filled with guards. They take one look at you and raise their alarm, reaching for their swords to draw them. [02:19] * Tei draws his klaives and runs through the crowd knocking gaurds out of the way in a desperate scrample to get up. Shouting "I must see the empress, there are lives depending on it [02:20] there is nowhere to go in this observation tower except for town [02:20] any windows [02:20] however you are already in the observation tower [02:20] yea many large open to the air windows [02:20] just pillars holding the roof up [02:22] * Tei mutters this is not my day, and turns tail to run back down. a last desperate prayer to the dragon that the empress will have insomnia and wander by [02:22] heh [02:22] guards begin to congrigate at the bottom of the stairway, and those in the room above begin to follow you down [02:22] maybe a dozen of each [02:24] * Tei takes a flying leap over the bottom gaurds heads and hopes to land in a roll, regain his feet and sprint as far and as fast as possible, leaving his fate in the dragons hands. [02:25] +2 dex + ath [02:25] where are you going? [02:26] !ex 9 [02:26] Tei (9), 6, 5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 10, 7, Successes : 3 [02:26] Storyteller (5), 3, 7, 4, 5, 7, Successes : 2 [02:26] !ex 5 [02:26] Storyteller (6), 1, 9, 7, 9, 5, 10, Successes : 5 [02:26] !ex 6 [02:26] one of the guards leaps up and grabs onto you as you fly overhead, knocking you to the ground. [02:27] you see that he is dragon blooded [02:27] he tries to roll away from you and draw his daiklaive [02:27] I kick him square in the nuts and try to scrable up [02:28] roll init [02:28] Storyteller : Storyteller : 1d10+5, 7 , Total: 12 [02:28] !roll 1d10+5 [02:28] 2 periph to add ma [02:28] !roll 1d10+13 [02:28] Tei : Tei : 1d10+13, 1 , Total: 14 [02:29] allright roll dex + MA [02:29] an attack? [02:30] yea [02:30] !ex 14 [02:30] Tei (14), 5, 8, 5, 2, 8, 9, 5, 1, 3, 10, 4, 7, 9, 10, Successes : 9 [02:30] he aborts to parry, grabbing his jade daiklaive and moving it to knock the sword out of the way [02:30] Storyteller (12), 6, 2, 2, 6, 1, 7, 10, 4, 4, 9, 8, 7, Successes : 6 [02:30] !ex 12 [02:30] +3 damage dice [02:31] !ex 8 [02:31] Tei (8), 8, 7, 6, 1, 5, 4, 2, 5, Successes : 2 [02:33] your blow bypasses his daiklaive, kicking him his well-armored groin area. Angrily he shouts for the other guards "Get him!" and they attack [02:33] Storyteller (6), 7, 3, 1, 10, 9, 9, Successes : 5 [02:33] !ex 6 [02:33] with an average of 5 sux for 12 extras, I think that's for them to pile onto you. [02:33] unless you want to use some charms? [02:34] not really many charms to use [02:35] before they I guess knock me out, not kill me. I shout "I must see the empress" [02:35] They don't knock you out. [02:35] not dead Tei? [02:35] "Fine, we'll take you to see the empress," the blooded say. You are now in a combined hold of half a dozen extras and another dozen surrounding you. [02:36] * Tei bows his head and does not struggle [02:37] They drag you with them as they walk around the hallway until they come to a massive two story orichulum door with the sign of the unconquered sun on it. [02:37] They hold you there, slowly, as the gate begins to open, splitting down the middle before you [02:37] do we go up or down? [02:37] They carry you in, unable to see anything [02:37] (same floor) [02:38] until they throw you down on the ground before the solar empress sitting in her throne. [02:38] * Tei mutters "at least I was going the right way [02:39] She is wearing the same bleached-golden shift she was earlier, though now she has a brilliant blue sash lying over her legs [02:39] * Tei makes the proper bows before royalty [02:39] you're kinda face-first on the floor [02:40] * Tei tries anyway [02:40] he knocks you back to the ground [02:40] the dragon blood walks forward, falling to one knee in front of you. "The monk was caught invading your privacy, my lady. He demanded to see you, and we have brought him here for you to decide what to do with him." [02:41] * Tei does'nt try to speak unless asked [02:41] The Empress looks down at you. [02:42] "Why have you invaded my realm?" [02:43] * Tei keeps my face in the floor. "too beg you're forgivness upon the temple of Pasiap. I wish to offer myself in return for their lives, You're majesty. They have done nothing this is all my Idea." [02:44] "And what makes you think that I am taking their lives," she asks with a questioning tone [02:45] "forgive me you're highness, But my spirit guide, Coils of midnight, has told me you planed to slaughter them all. I have seen the hunting party depart myself, this very night." [02:46] "I see." [02:47] "I would never had entered here against you had I not felt they were in danger [02:47] The dragon blooded turns and looks at his men and he and his guards stomp out of the room, the massive door closing behind them [02:48] "kneel, Tei." she commands [02:48] a harp begins to play [02:49] * Tei rises from his prone position and kneels before her. wondering if she is hiding herself from him again [02:49] she is not really hiding.. [02:50] there are others in this room, all women. Three on the harps in various locations, and two in slips who open and clothes the door. Many seem to be relaxing on woven rugs, knitting or sorting beads. [02:52] "Honestly I only thought of their safety." [02:52] silence!" [02:52] * Tei is so [02:54] "I do not know who thinks to tell you these things but I do not konw why you would think I would betray you. But now you have trespassed against me and now you will pay the price." [02:54] * Tei is silent, and does not move [02:55] She removes the ribbon from her lap and stands, raising her hands into the air as her anima explodes in brilliant golden essence around her, chanting as strange runes fill the air, eyes locked on your own [02:56] I do not dare release coils upon her, whe would likely destroy my poor guide [02:56] Regardless, she seems to be drawing you to a meeting of wills. If you do not do something you are doomed. [02:57] The first flash of essence fills the air, binding your hands in feet in manacles of pure light [02:57] * Tei inwardly. "Midnight my love, there is little time Can you help me one last time or we are doomed [02:58] you feel something inside you twist against the bounds, and you know that she will stand with you now.. [02:59] a second wave of runes fills the air, as she begins chanting in old realm, and you feel yourself being bound to these words, mingling with your own essence [03:00] "Come to my aid. I am in your' hands now, [now aloud] Deliver me! I relese coils of midnight from within me and for this one instant we become one. both our essences slam against the queens in a last desperate attempt to save us [03:01] roll WP +1 [03:01] !ex 6 [03:01] Tei (6), 3, 3, 6, 6, 1, 2, Successes : 0, Botch [03:01] nooooooooooooooo [03:03] you feel yourself being filled with something dark, your skin shifting with darkness as it fills you completely, unable to resist whatever force is controlling you, you stand, glowing with some unnatural light [03:04] the solar empress looks on in shock as she finishes the next phase of the spell, the runes of old realm turning into solid bands that attack you.. from within.. and wrap around your chest [03:05] still unable to control yourself, you leap forward, hurling your fireswords at her, disrupting the spell and then you pass out as you feel yourself changing into something completely different.. [03:07] you awake to feel your head cushioned by something silky and sheer, your head being stroked by a delicate, soft hand [03:08] * Tei comes back to slowly. "where?, Where am I?" [03:09] "Shh, it's okay" comes a voice you instantly recognize as the solar empresses', and she places her cool hand against your forehead. "We're alone." [03:10] * Tei is instantly awake. "what happened, am I dead, what did you do to me?" [03:11] "Shhh!" her kind face smiles at you, rubbing your bald scalp. "Don't worry, it's all going to be okay now. You'll be fine." [03:11] * Tei is still not sure. [03:12] "is this some kind of trick?" he asks stupidly [03:12] she smiles takes your shoulders, slowly turning you around so that you are kneeling before her. [03:12] "No, the tricks are over, Tei. I have recalled the riders. It is over now." [03:13] * Tei relaxes [03:13] "How can I be sure. the last I remember you were casting a spell over me and then Midnight came and it was dark...so dark." [03:14] She smiles and flattens the blue sash lying over her legs [03:14] "I'm sorry tei, I had to do it.. you were so weak.. the spell would have overcome you." [03:15] What did you do, where's coils?" [03:15] * Tei searches within for the spirit [03:15] "I am coils, Tei." [03:15] You feel her within your mind, a little stronger than before. [03:16] you note that it really is just you and her now, nobody else is here [03:16] "what happened?" this time he waits to hear an explanation [03:18] "The solar tried to bind you to her will using a great sorcery, and it completely shattered your resistance to her. At that moment your mind was totally weak.. you would have been like clay in her hands... fortunately, we are linked, you and I." [03:18] "I used the link that allowed me to possess others you saw, and used it to possess you." [03:19] "I'm sorry tei, I couldn't let her hurt you." [03:19] "so what of the empress?" [03:20] "I defeated her and possessed her. She was powerful but was not expecting me. That spell required a great expenditure of power that she could not replenish fast enough." [03:21] "As long as I remain here, she will not awaken." [03:21] So in effect you are the empress? [03:21] she nods [03:21] she smiles [03:22] "I never imagined.." she looked at her arms, and sighed, closing her eyes. "Never thought I would accomplish this.." [03:22] "can you posess her indefinately?" [03:23] she nods, eyes closed. The light is beaming through the windows, it must be day. [03:23] "then we controll this city, you and I. Coils you are an amazing freind. I am forever in you're debt." [03:24] She smiles [03:25] "so what's it like to be an empress?" [03:25] * Tei smiles [03:25] "Yes, we do, don't we?" she looks up into the rafters. "Yes... indeed." [03:26] [03:26] still a fire aspect as of this point. Session Close: Sun Dec 29 03:31:56 2002