Session Start: Sat Jan 25 19:26:16 2003 Session Ident: #pvpexaltedrp [19:26] * GoldenH changes topic to 'Exalted: The Dragon Blooded In-Character Primary Chat [in session] (GoldenH)' [20:41] (is Cic alone, or did idiot sanyet insist on going too?) [20:42] (he's an idiot, draw your own conclusions) [20:42] (...) [20:42] (All I know is that I'm chasing you people across the landscape.) [20:42] (maybe he is a tied up and knocked out idiot lying on the bed at home?) [20:42] (Why you got to run so FAST?) [20:42] (I don't know do you want him to be with a bunchof Dragon blooded going to kill the Solars?)) [20:44] (I suppose she is alone. At least for the moment) [20:44] * Cicada is sitting behind the cover of a tree, sheltering her from the wind. Dressed in the grey white camuflage of early spring mountains. [20:45] * Maris looks for her by himself and not even wearing armor at the moment. [20:45] * Cicada looks up at Maris as he approaches, then looks away again. [20:45] * Maris spots her and walks over tromping through the wood, "You mind we talk Cicada?" [20:46] "I have a few minutes before next patrol." [20:46] * Maris sits down near her but not to close, "You mind me asking why you hate me then?" [20:46] * Cicada sits and silently observes the perimeter. [20:47] * Maris looks at her, "You know this bullshit is going to get us killed. All of it. You and me. Tabius and Vanal. Tala and Tei." [20:47] "Why would I hate you, Cynis? You are working to further our common goals." [20:47] "We're going to die cause we can't trust eachother." [20:48] "We work against eachother near constantly. [20:48] "We're lucky we've even gotten this far." [20:48] "And I don't want to die." [20:48] "Oh, but I trust you and the others." [20:48] "And I have no intention to die either." [20:49] "You trust me?" [20:49] * Maris says sarcastically [20:50] "Yes. I know you after all. So of course i trust you to act in certain ways." [20:50] * Maris grunts, "You trust me enough to let me lead the group of us?" [20:50] * Maris says looking at her. [20:51] "Of course. You are our designated leader. I always follow orders." [20:52] "You swear it then. I give you an order when we're fighting and you'll follow it? You'll inform me fully of what's going on so I can make informed decisions on things?" [20:54] "I swear to do anything to protect those i care for. Even if it means bending my knee to demons." [20:54] * Maris shakes his head, "That's a complete diversion of the question." [20:54] "I know." [20:55] "I need more then that. For this battle. Swear just for this battle." [20:55] * GoldenH is now known as Storyteller [20:55] "But forgive my impertinence, great lord. I will serve you to my fullest capacity in order to bring down fallen Tounge." [20:56] "Again with teh great lord shit. My name is Maris. Start calling me by it." [20:56] "Yes, Cynis Maris, I understand." [20:57] "Truth then. If Tei and Tabius are dying and you can only save one. Which will it be Cicada?" [20:57] "Both." [20:57] "And what relevance does that question have anyway?" [20:57] "Then they'll both die and so will you." [20:58] "Because you've on more then one occsaion chosen them over anyone else. Over anything logical." [20:58] "Maybe. Maybe not." [20:58] "A servant should serve her lord, a daughter her father, a friend her friend." [20:58] "People are probally going to die in this. It might be one of them it might be you. If we work together as a unit that won't ever come up." [20:59] "And that is why I am here, Cynis Maris. To work as a team." [20:59] "As it is you'll expend to much energy watching them to be of any use to me." [20:59] "So what are your orders, sir?" [20:59] "Your orders will be given as they come. Once we make a plan we'll do it. But we'll stick to teh plan. Even if one of us falls." [21:00] "Even if one of those two falls." [21:01] "I will not hear one more word of anyone dying. And i believe I should go relieve the perimeter guard now." [21:01] "Perhaps the great lord would care for some common soldiering?" [21:02] * Maris looks at her, "Let's go then." [21:02] * Cicada hides her annoyed glare and walks towards her post, feet not stirring a single leaf or breaking a single branch. [21:03] "We meet with the other's I'm getting this crap settled." [21:03] * Maris follows her [21:03] "One of us will lead in this battle. The other's will serve only that one." [21:03] "We need discipline in this." [21:04] "Are you questioning my discipline in combat, Cynis?" [21:05] "So far there's yet to have been a fight where's their been any discipline whatsoever." [21:05] "So I'm not even sure if you have any." [21:06] "And whatever you have against Cynis I'd wish you'd stop blaming me for it." [21:06] "Of course, Cynis. As you command." [21:07] * Maris looks at her and shakes his head, "Good." [21:07] * Maris heads off to find Vanal and Jynaru [21:07] * Tabius is finaly done summoning, outfitting, and arming his new pretties. [21:08] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [21:08] Allright from the beginning [21:08] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [21:08] * Vanal is leaning on a tree, running a whetstone along the blade of his daiklaive, looking a wee bit more skittish and nervous than usual [21:08] Cicada and Sanyet have been riding for hours, heading south, fleeing away from the sidereal manse [21:09] Sanyet stops the horse, looking around the forest. Looking around, he sees a a flash of jade to the east, and kicks his horse away [21:10] * Cicada is erasing tracks and hiding their passage. [21:11] "Sanyet, make for the cities or the river. We'll be safe there." [21:11] Cicada, you see that whoever is following you is wearing red jade armor, and is practically leaping around the ground almost as fast as you are [21:11] he nods, as you had crossed a few hours ago and make your way west along the river until he saw your current persuerer [21:12] * Cicada asked Forked River to block the passage of any of her companions. [21:13] * Cicada would also have like to ask Forked River to transport them away south. [21:13] you see more movement ahead of you, and sanyet brings the horse to a stop, spinning around, seeing that you are surrounded by the dragon blooded [21:13] [mhmm but then you won't get to play tonight] [21:13] [good point] [21:13] [gotta keep the group together for now] [21:13] [is this the city bloods?] [21:14] [seems like it [21:14] one of them walks out of the forest, holding his gauntlented hand high [21:14] [then maybe the 'somehow' were waiting where she and Sanyet emerge from the river? :)] [21:14] Sanyet calms his horse, looking at the approaching exalt [21:15] (that's pretty much what happened, yea.) [21:15] * Cicada dismounts and sees the insignia on his armor. [21:15] [just so that I get to make an actually EFFECTIVE escape. So much more in the Cic style, you know] [21:15] "What be you strangers doing in this land?" he asks, looking back and forth between you and sanyet. [21:16] *he takes off his helmet and you see that his skin is a flinty bronze, his long black hair tied behind him [21:16] * Cicada looks to sanyet. (presume that it is the man who is supposed to answer) [21:17] Sanyet nods to cicada and responds "We are making our way west to the cities after an expedition to the forests for plants." [21:17] He nods slowly. [21:18] * Cicada bows to the blood. "I am a healer of some small ability. My husband and I needed to search for the new herbs of spring to replenish my stores after winter." [21:18] He nods slowly, looking over the strange woman who accompanies the otherwise normal Sanyet. "It is dangerous land between here and there. You should accompany us to the army camp, there we can arrange for a proper escort for you both." [21:20] "But we are making our way to the city. I has to meet the ruler of the westernmost city on a matter of great urgency." [21:20] he laughs slowly. [21:21] "Then you can meet him there. All exalted have been called to the eye of the demon, for the final assualt. You must have been away for some time to have missed that." [21:21] (him?) [21:21] (him. even split) [21:21] (the empress you met was not from the westernmost city) [21:21] (easternmost, sorry, my bad) [21:22] (probably a man also) [21:22] (she was about in the middle) [21:22] (the city with our 'empress', damn it. :) [21:22] (the one to the west of the one directly on the fork) [21:22] (anyhow regardless the answer is the same) [21:23] [ok] [21:23] "If you hope to meet her, you should come with us." [21:24] * Cicada looks up at Sanyet. "You said you had to meet your sister and arrange the household first?" [21:24] "It might be easier to go with these soldiers. But if you have to..." [21:24] Sanyet smiles slowly, looking at you with that look in his eyes... [21:25] "It's been two months, Cicada. She can handle a few more days." [21:26] "If you are certain, my husband." [21:26] * Cicada nods to the soldier. "We will go with you. However our horse is tired and we might not be able to keep up with you for long." [21:26] he nods, then bows from his horse to the five dragon blooded who have worked their way out into plain sight [21:28] "Let us go then," the earth aspect says pointing to the southeast. "It is not far." [21:28] He waves for the rest to follow, and they begin to make their way, sanyet and you surrounded by their circle [21:28] * Cicada will follow along if no opportunities of escape show themselves. Sighing to herself in regret and staying close to Sanyet at all times. [21:31] You pass from the forest some several hours later, coming out to a grand cliff. the exalts have travelled most of the way in silence, meeting up with four other scales of exalts. 25 dragon blooded and a solar in this close company is quite a lot.. [21:31] coming to the edge of the cliff, you are presented with the sight below. [21:33] A milling army covers a grassland, stretching south for miles before the camp finally ends. The tents are tiny, and looking you realize that this is no normal army... it's a barbarian army. [21:33] [drumroll] [21:34] banners stream from several points as the force, 15000 strong rests against a small river, and patrols march around it, large enough to be visable even from this cliff high above [21:34] [some time later] [21:35] Maris, you are in your tent when you are alerted by an aide provided by the solar empire to the presence of two stragglers, one cicada, one jynaru, that you had your officers watching out for [21:36] * Maris nods and has them sent to the main fire and the others sent as well [21:37] (Dammit! Super-jump isn't so private a magic after all.) [21:37] * Maris heads to it himself [21:38] a few hours later you are all seated around a roaring bonfire, some 50 feet in diameter, where raw meat is being cooked and clothes made from animal hides are being dried [21:38] smoke rises into air and harmless sparks fly as the massive trees cut down first dry from the flames, and then light on fire, furthering the great becon [21:38] * Maris looks at the others, "Alright then. Everyone's here now. Time for stradegy." [21:39] "Jynaru how long will corssing the pass take?" [21:39] Sanyet sit next to Cicada, hunched over a mug of tea and a blanket covering them both as twilight begins in earnest [21:40] "For 200 or so? I'll give it half a day to get everyone down the side of the mountain." [21:40] * Cicada crawls under Sanyet's blanket as well and looks nervously around, especially at Jynaru. [21:40] "Vanal how long tell the army can reach the pass and be ready to help attack??" [21:40] "Hope you're right about theirchances against the Solars." [21:41] "That...may take longer than a day and a half." [21:41] * Tabius is sitting somewhere in the second ring around the fire, nowhere near the center of things or the others. [21:41] "I'd say about...3 days, might be able to trim it to 2 and a half." [21:41] * Maris had everyone summoned to the circle of them. You delibrately didn't come? [21:42] "It'll take roughly that long for us to get into position as well. We have to cross part of the Eye, remember." [21:42] "3 days is fine. We need our people ready to fight when they get there. [21:42] "I'd rather take a bit longer though. Want them a little mroe rested when the time comes." [21:42] "Which party does everyone feel they'll best work with?" [21:43] "I'm with the army. I trained 'em, I'll be damned if they go in without me." [21:43] * Maris nods [21:44] "Tala?" [21:44] "I'll go where I'm wanted, but I'm not really sorted for straight up military conflict." [21:44] You can go with Jynaru then Tei." [21:44] "What about you then Cicada?" [21:46] "Cicada?" [21:46] * Cicada looks up in half surprise. [21:46] "Which group?" [21:46] Sanyet looks at Cicada [21:46] "Errr.. I will go with the infiltration group, as planned. I have also procured a detailed map of the mountain." [21:47] * Cicada pulls out a rolled pargament from her pack. [21:47] "And as for him? Is he planning on coming?" [21:47] he looks slowly back at his drink, shuddering against the cold [21:47] "Sanyet's not coming." [21:47] * Cicada looks at Sanyet, wishing she could tell him to stay behind. [21:48] "I would like to meet my father." he says, slowly. [21:48] "I don't think he'd last long with you folks. He might be safer with the support crew." [21:48] * Maris nods [21:48] "You can go with Vanal's Group Sanyet. But not the other." [21:48] "That might be preferable. I'm sure Cicada's better at sending messages to him due to their connection, anyway." [21:48] "And which group are you going with, Mar ?" [21:48] "Sanyet... Maybe you should hook up with father and stay with him?" [21:49] He nods [21:49] "I'll go with Jynaru's. I've been itching to fight something for awhile. [21:49] "I... the two of us will be safe. i promise." [21:49] "So I'm in charge here ?" [21:49] He looks up and smiles, hugging you closer to him. [21:49] * Vanal sighs "Goddamn, I wish Gehn was here." [21:50] "Of that group yes. I'll keep in touch though through the spirits and we'll make sure everything works out." [21:50] "Cicada.. It will come out well. I know it will.": [21:50] "Who's Gehn?" [21:50] * Jynaru blinks in surprise. "You're not leading the main army? Maris, I've got to protest. The plan calls for mostly ranged combat. You've seen what happens with that sort of saturation of sorcery and cuntermagic." [21:50] "Tabius which group are you going in." [21:50] "Best friend, XO back at the Talon. Known him for years. Kind of like my more...rational half." [21:51] * Maris nods [21:51] * Tabius looks up looking surprised that he was even asked, "Which ever I will be most helpful in, which would likely be the infiltration group ? [21:51] * Maris nods, "Allright." [21:51] "Guys, take the heavy punch's focus OFF our guys if you can." [21:51] * Maris looks to Jynaru, "You'll have to get inside their keep won't you?" [21:51] "My troops won't last long if we're being slammed by arty and spells." [21:51] "Tabius should go with the infiltration unit. We need both him and Minnow in the Manse." [21:52] "I'm afraid that's going to be impossible. New info." [21:52] "What'd you find out?" [21:52] "The group at the pass is roughly 1/3rd their current strength." [21:52] "Where's the rest?" [21:52] "Anyone attempting to scale the mountain will be met with twice what's at the pass." [21:52] "guarding daddy." [21:52] !ex 4 [21:52] Tala (4), 9, 3, 5, 2, Successes : 1 [21:53] "If you think the pass is bad, the mountain itself is worse. I don't think they'll be pulling troops off from there due to the possibility of the surgical strike." [21:53] "So what the hell is the point of the raid, then ?" [21:53] "Then the strike over the mountain should be diversionary, they expect it, so give it to them, but withdraw. [21:54] "With who? We don't have enough forces." [21:54] "We hit them with as much as possible at the pass, taking out 1/3rd their force with but little loss on our part. [21:54] "Little loss ?" [21:54] "Ignore the trinary hit at the mountain. No one we have can deal with it." [21:54] "In comparison to what we would loose should the army at the pass be 100%. [21:55] "Tabius, they've got siege engines and high sorcery. There'll be nothing 'little' about our losses." [21:55] "We take the pass. We'll bring the dragonblooded in their back and take out the solar's there and the others in to take out their men." [21:55] * Vanal sighs [21:55] "Well, sounds good to me." [21:55] "They also can't move there in time to deal with it. After the pass is taken, we can surround the mountain." [21:55] (*Wish's he could actually visualize any of this*) [21:55] * Maris nods [21:55] "Once the pass is taken, we slam the Dragon-damned mountain with every bit of heavy artillery we HAVE." [21:56] * Tei also has little head for tactics and the like [21:56] "We take the pass first and secure our way in. Then we can lay siege to the mountain." [21:57] "That's right. Also, with the pass taken, that frees up my teacher's personal allies." [21:57] * Cicada gets up and rolls out her remarkably detailed map of the mountain, showing the layout of the cities there, the great walls acting as roads betwen them, the locations of camps and fortifications and such for the others to see. [21:57] "The star-spangled ones you'v etold us about ?" [21:58] * Cicada then answers what questions she can about details on the map. Though for really small details she comments that she will have to ask her 'sources'. [21:58] "Yes, them." [21:58] "Well, I don't plan to leave much alive on the mountain. I want the fuckign place *razed*, so they'd better eb careful." [21:59] "The single greatest problem with the original plan is the amount of forces in defense. Otherwise I'd support the original, but I can't with good conscience excpet much of anyone to get past a defensive installation of that caliber." [22:00] "Hey, I understand." [22:00] "My big fear is that our people marhc into a meat-grinder." [22:00] "I can get past." [22:01] "And likely do so with one more." [22:01] "Do we know that's enough to seal the demon off?" [22:02] "We're already at a numerical disadvantage, and if the two of you aren't enough, then we've just lost two of our better resources." [22:03] "Our major edg eis that they are NOT expecting this." [22:03] "If you get caught, say goodbye to both the initiative and surprise." [22:03] "Just keep in mind that I *can* get in." [22:04] "But can you get *out* ?" [22:04] "Asleep, yes." [22:04] "Rather easily, in fact." [22:04] "ASLEEP ?" [22:04] "Yes." [22:04] * Cicada points at Tabius. [22:04] "Can you get anyone in with you as well?" [22:05] "Like I said, probably one, maybe two." [22:05] "It all depends on how far I can get with a Fireshark, and how far I have to glide." [22:06] "The map." (gestues at it) "Is courtesy of the Firesharks, if you hadn't already guessed." [22:07] "Their cover of the central island is most detailed seeing as they fly over it twice a day." [22:07] * Jynaru nods. "Can the firesharks assist us beyond in that fashion?" [22:08] "Carry a few as far as the Well of Tears, but not so much else. i can ask them again, of course." [22:08] "From there it is by invisible glider." [22:08] * Maris nods [22:09] get a few folk at every fireshark that's a hell of a lot in the middle of the place. [22:09] "" [22:09] "Essentially, the new concept is a two-step version of the old one. We always wanted to get people to the Manse." [22:09] "And how many of those are experienced glider pilots?" [22:09] "First we deal with the Pass Cicada ok?" [22:09] "Understood." [22:09] "No idea. We can always learn though." [22:09] "However, we can no longer trust the ability of the strike at the pass to divert their attention. That's why we take the pass and lay siege. I trust they'll be paying attention to the main forces then." [22:10] Can we still get people at both sides of the pass? [22:10] "" [22:11] "We can accomplish that as before. There is no change in that." [22:11] * Maris nods [22:11] "I don't like lacking the Solar ruler support in the secondary pincer, but it cannot be helped." [22:11] If you cover with arrows on the sorcerors I can lead ground troops in and finish them off. [22:11] "" [22:12] "That's sort of the idea. What I'm thinking is this: The stalemate at the pass is caused by the sorcerers, casting spells and countermagicing." [22:12] * Maris clenches his fist, "I want to kill at least one of these bastards with my bare hands." [22:13] "If we can disrupt their counter and normal spell casting, OUR sorcerers can hit them and the troops more effectively." [22:13] "I think a single powerful spell will have a better ratio at their deaths compared to ours than leading ground troops into that sort of hell." [22:14] "I still think I should come with you and help kill their solars." [22:14] "But leading the men would also be good." [22:14] "So I or Tabius get Jynaru and other arrow masters into good positions to snipe at spellcasters under cover of invisibility?" [22:15] "You're far better off using your inestimable personality to keep the Barbarians moving." [22:15] * Tabius looks at the others after Cicada's question. [22:15] * Maris nods, "I actually think I would be best off using my personality on the Dragon Blooded we're bringing with us." [22:15] "That's a good part of it, yes. With luck, we can drop an avalanche on their position as well." [22:16] * Maris says quietly [22:16] "Avalanche is good." [22:16] * Tala just listens to the plan [22:16] "Make it a really rocky one." [22:16] "We need to get through the pass ourselves Jynaru." [22:16] "Otherwise it's pointless." [22:16] * Jynaru shrugs. "There's less of them than there are barbarians. Also, you're the figurehead of the group. If you're missing, they'll think something is up." [22:16] * Maris nods [22:17] "Once the enemy is dead, we can use the sorcery that is no longer being countermagicked to clear the pass." [22:17] "He's got a point. And frankly, I need a familiar face with me here." [22:17] "Alright." [22:17] "I don't think we need it. I'd rather save our spells for a sortie that might come out of the mountain." [22:18] "The Warstrider, maybe?" [22:18] "Anything that could clear a pass of rubble would be better used destroying their cities [22:18] "If there's one thign Eleanor can do...it's move bigass rocks." [22:18] "And yeah." [22:19] "Eleanor would be best off following me into combat." [22:19] "It doesn't matter about the cities if we all die at the pass." [22:19] "Pass first, cities AFTER, Maris." [22:19] "Alright. Do it then." [22:20] "Drop one on their heads for me, bud." [22:20] * Jynaru nods. "I'll write some obscenities on it just for you." [22:20] "Make 'em colorful." [22:20] * Maris looks at the others, "Alright I'll clear this with the solars and the Dragon Blooded and we'll head out." [22:21] "Anyone got any other questions?" [22:21] "Check." [22:21] "From a stragetic point of view the pass has to be cleared quickly so that we can set up fortifications and supply lines to the other side. Otherwise a counterattack would be most dangerous as our forces trickle through. But with sorcery, engines of war and manpower the pass should be cleared fairly quickly." [22:21] "Vanal see what you can do about seige weapons and rock movers." [22:21] "If we can have some engineers to helps clear the pass that would be good too. [22:22] "Everyone clear on what we're going to do?" [22:22] "Way ahead of you. Got soem engineers on the ballistae, catapults and other means of morbid destruction right now." [22:22] "Not really, but point me at something and I'll kill it." [22:22] "Gotcha Tei." [22:22] * Maris says with a smirk [22:23] * Maris claps him on the soldier and then goes to inform the Solar's and Dragon blooded of his plans. [22:23] "Raiders, good luck, and may the dragons bless you with strength, valor, and honor." [22:23] "One minute, all of you." [22:23] * Maris stops and looks at her, "Yes?" [22:24] * Vanal stops in mid-stand up [22:24] "There is one little thing I would like to do." [22:24] "Yeah ?" [22:24] "It is just... taking a look at each of you in turn..." [22:24] "Indulge me. I am just being a little sentimental." [22:24] * Maris looks at her and waits [22:25] * Jynaru shrugs. "If you're going to ogle, can I at least put my face on first?" [22:25] "Jynaru cram it." [22:25] * Tabius does what Cicada askes. [22:25] * Vanal shrugs [22:26] * Cicada goes to each in turn, shake hand chat for a second and look deep in their eyes. (Madness-Analyzing Stare at the lot, but slowly, keeping it at personal essesence) [22:26] (at Minnow too) [22:26] "If possible it would be a great idea if we could get a bunch of people to participate in a huge ritual, the night or day that the moon comes up before the battle. [22:27] "I'll talk to some of my scale leaders, I'll see what I can do. [22:27] "Why would we be doing this Tabius?" [22:27] "Morale, I'd think." [22:27] "Is that all Tabius?" [22:28] "Or are there other benifits?" [22:28] * Maris says curiously [22:28] 'Cause I can augment everybody in the ritual greatly." [22:28] "You won't be with our army though." [22:28] " [22:29] "Wont matter, the ritual lasts until the moon sets." [22:29] "Alright tell the Shaman's what the people have to do. I'll make sure they know what it is." [22:29] "They get the other's to do it" even [22:29] * Cicada stands up on her toes and whisper to Tei as she speaks to him. "There is the severe taint of a demon on you. I can treat you if you want. But bathing in Forked River is the most likely cure. Midnight Coils, I presume?" [22:30] * Cicada looks up at Tei, worry evident in her eyes. [22:30] * Maris heads off to arrange things with the solar's and the dragon blooded as he goes. [22:30] "Possibly" [22:30] * Tei keeps his tone completely neutral [22:30] "It will work best for the Exalted among us, actually" [22:30] "The more we can get that can participate the better." [22:30] "I'll tell them as well." [22:31] (to Tei) "Come to me later, and i will see what I can do." [22:31] "All right." [22:31] * Maris go about getting the army on the move then [22:31] * Tabius for the first time in days Tabius actual smiles with pleasure. [22:32] the army will be ready to leave at noon. It is a three days march there. [22:32] Out of curiosity, are my wives around? [22:32] yes [22:32] * Cicada then goes to pay her respects to the Solar empress from before. [22:32] "Tabius, this is going to be the only time you hear me say this, but :be careful out there." [22:32] if there's aynthing I can help with, pmessage or out here in public, doesn't matter. [22:32] * Jynaru should go meet up with them. I just spent two months in rather close proximity to Cicada. I need some stress relief. [22:33] ok... you go to your wives... [22:33] roll charisma + socialize [22:33] * Vanal is gonna link up with Shakel, himself, similar reasons as Jyn, different causes [22:33] Yay for low stats! [22:33] !ex 5 [22:33] Jynaru (5), 2, 3, 2, 9, 7, Successes : 2 [22:34] * Tei will head over to see cicada [22:34] * Jynaru didn't get completely shut down. Is a miracle. [22:35] * Cicada is going to use Madness-Analyzing Stare at the empress as well, once she gets to see her. [22:35] The empress is quite insane, as you would expect after being alive for several thousand years and watching everyone you know die around you. [22:35] [....] [22:36] [But she is not possessed?] [22:36] doing anything for her is probably just going to upset her delicate balance of sanity.. [22:36] not possessed. [22:37] * Cicada only has 7 points of WP, that would likely cure only a few percent of the poor old girl's insanities. [22:37] indeed [22:39] * Cicada thanks for all of her good work before, aske to her health and to the treaty with forked river. And almost as a by-note asks her to be careful about the subversive influence maris can have on the Solar command and tell her to warn her peers as well. [22:40] they've noticed... [22:40] * Maris is sure they're not idiots [22:40] * Maris would say this is grounds for treason thouh [22:40] forked river has been getting what he demanded, and the solars have not been totally attacked though [22:40] * Cicada then courtsy and leaves. [22:40] so it's all good [22:41] anythig else during that three days march? [22:41] three days to the pass [22:41] * Maris does his subversive best. [22:41] trying to cure Tei of outside influence. Just to see if it works. [22:41] * Jynaru 's splitting off at some point to arc around, I assume. [22:41] * Maris will be subversive and pol extrodinaire. [22:42] * Storyteller nods [22:42] it'll kinda be hard for tabius to do his spell thing [22:42] but you can just do it on the folks who are going over the mountain [22:42] * Jynaru 'd also like to talk to Cicada/Sanyet before they split off about the side-effects of their little stunt. [22:43] Might as well get the tension out of the way so she's not looking at me funny for the rest of the march. [22:44] allright [22:44] do that in private chat? [22:44] * Jynaru nods. [22:44] * Storyteller 's going to go with it now.... [22:44] * Tabius is arranging for a huge ritual and trying to find out the best time to do it. [22:45] Might as well get the combat stuff going. [22:45] * Tei is waiting for cicadas attempt to "Fix" me [22:45] Tabius, the best time to do it would be once you arrive at the pass [22:46] but honestly, it's going to be more than a day before you are ready to make the attack [22:47] (*Then perhaps just getting the people in the Explority team would be wise*) [22:47] allright [22:47] (*kinda wondering about the 200+ DB's walking around with armor out their butts*) [22:48] The days pass and you arrive at the mountain pass. straddling a huge wall, several stories high are two sides of the mountain. Though you arrive at day, you can hear the thundering sounds of magic exploding and light storms crackling across the sky as either side tries futily find a weakness in the other [22:49] The solars have instructed you to keep half a day away, so that they are not discovered until the right moment [22:49] Maris and any officers are instructed to join them at the gate for full preperations.. [22:49] * Tabius just prepairs for his ritual unless told to do something else, keeping his personal guard around him. [22:50] meanwhile jynaru prepares to take his force of dragon blooded around the gate [22:50] * Maris goes with Vanal and Irin and Shakel then [22:50] Tabius, are you going to do your ceremony with the barbarians or not? [22:51] * Cicada is in full field gear and happy that Sanyet is off with his father. Looking at the storms and lightning. "They sure are going at it. Wonder if this is the normal level of activity..?" [22:51] (*I can only get like 4 other people that are not exalted..... some Captians could be included.*) [22:52] Nodding slowly, he tells you that this is just testing each other [22:52] * Vanal looks at Maris [22:53] "The displays you see are just the aftereffects of countered spells. When the battle begins in earnest, and some of the spells are fully realized, then it is far more impressive, and deadly. [22:53] "You ready for all this ? " [22:54] * Cicada nods, rather impressed. [22:54] * Tabius will cast the spell at the Lunar Dawn of the day/night, that the battle is to take place. [22:54] Allright. [22:55] * Tala is ready in her armor, watching the display of power [22:56] Jynaru has brought you up his mountain, and you've rappelled down without incident. [22:56] * Tei is armed, armored and raring to go [22:57] After a day of careful, secretive travel, during which you see small patrols of twisted humans, armed in shiney speckled steel armor and blades, scurrying over the countryside as they watch for anyone who might somehow make it over the mountains [22:57] (*Needs to know who is going to be in on the ritual, exalted, and the 4 that aren't, those that are EX need to pay 5 ess [22:58] (I need the soak, incase things get nasty and I need to go tiger. I'm in.) [22:58] (I'll take it) [22:58] (Everyone is exalted here) [22:59] The night before the great battle, everyone is gathered together for tabius' ritual [22:59] (The entire mass of troops I'm leading is Exalted. Yay for that.) [22:59] you have ate your food cold and slept in hiding so as to remain undiscovered, powerful magics hiding you from magical discovery... [23:00] still, you gather together in a great circle as luna first rises over the horizon in the far east [23:01] (*Wonders if he should cast invis before doing the ritual so there isn't a big ass flair! [23:03] (Up to you...) [23:03] (Probably no point)_ [23:06] * Tabius looks up into the sky and greets Luna in old tongue giving her praise for her duties, [23:07] * Tabius praise for lighting their way at night, priase for the gifts of she will bistow and praise for her aid [23:07] * Tabius helping to defeat the great demon. [23:08] * Tabius "I beseach your blessing on this group of heroes who go forth to smite the foes of all creation." [23:09] +2 stunt [23:09] !exx 11 +1 (WP) [23:09] Tabius (11), 9, 5, 5, 1, 3, 8, 7, 7, 1, 6, 10, Successes : 7 [23:11] * Tabius a feeling of strenght of purpose fills everyone in the ritual as they are endowed with two increased abilities and their skins are strengthened . [23:12] essence flows around you, the silky light of the moon, and you think you feel a presence among you, and a touch on the head before fading away... [23:17] so all attributes are +2, to a limit of 5, and your soak increases by +4L [23:18] [neat] [23:18] [+2 Str [23:18] [wait a minute, ALL attributes?] [23:19] (Woa! All atts?) [23:19] yea [23:19] when do you want to attack? it's 3 hours to dawn. [23:20] * Cicada suggests we take high ground on the sides of the pass for archers and other anti-spellcaster units. [23:21] (Indeed. Split up the avalanche makers as well, put them at the bottom, of course.) [23:22] "There should be roughly a dozen of the solars. If we send 10 of us for each of them, the rest can take the wall without much problem [23:23] * Cicada nods to the oficer and begins ordering the deployment of the various units. [23:23] "I see. So, what would you advise for the seuence of attack, and avalanche or no?" [23:25] "If you know how to make an avalanche. I doubt it would be possible at the moment." [23:25] "The avalanche if the terrain allows it. It is not like we have any explosives anyway. If the avalanche cannot be done the avalanche units will attack from the sides of the pass instead. [23:25] "Or just guard the archer and sharpshooter units according to what is appropriate." [23:26] "The signal to begin our assault is the enemy reacting to the frontal assault." [23:27] he nods [23:27] "And me or Jynaru (or any other commanding officer) firing a green flare." [23:27] "We should get into position." [23:27] * Cicada nods. "See to it. You know your orders and the outlay of the pass." [23:27] * Jynaru nods to him, and will of course do so, hoping his thick winter clothing doesn't count as armor. [23:28] * Tabius takes a bow, and at dawn casts ISoB. [23:29] He nods. "It has been an honor. Where do you and your companions wish to attack?" [23:30] * Tei readies his Dai-short lances, and activates air form [23:30] * Jynaru points it out. "If we can work from the back forward, we can trap them on their own defenses." [23:31] "I will escort Jynaru and a few expert archers up one side. tabius will take another side. Hopefully all can be done under cover of invisibility." [23:32] "I am a short range fighter myself and will join the main assault once it starts." [23:32] "We can pull 4 invisibly each." [23:33] he nods [23:33] "I've got an effective range of 30 yards, stick me somewhere." [23:33] "There are only five of you. I am sure I can find more of us who are willing to fight alongside you. [23:34] "Tei, you and Tala are best empolyed in close assault. Please go with the ground force. Press the infernals angainst their own fortifications. [23:35] "Who do we have with experiance in close combat against sorcerers?" [23:35] * Tabius raises his hand. [23:36] the dragon blooded grip their swords uneasily as they make their own prayers to the unconquered sun [23:36] * Tala nods [23:37] "Except you. Damn. I'll trust you to choose those who'll fight with us. [23:37] * Tei says a breif prayer to hesiesh and mela. [23:37] he nods and waves for a few dragon blooded to join you. [23:38] * Tala briefly looks apalled by the Dragonblooded praying to the UC [23:38] * Jynaru nocks the green flare and aims it directly at the center of the Solars. [23:38] "We are essentially struck on this side. If we lose, we all die. So attack without mercy or hestiance." [23:40] "Our lives depend on destroying the enemy and linking up with the main assault unit. So make sure you do a good job." [23:41] * Jynaru sends it flying through the air, exploding at the back of the occupied Solar's skull as he rises from concealment and hammers arrows down on them like the wrath of heaven personified. [23:41] *hold on now with that ;) [23:42] (Bah! Ruined my moment ^_^ ) [23:42] [yea well I'm working on a moment too :)] [23:42] * Cicada forego any prayer at all and just go to join her unit of sharpshooters while muttering to herself and absentmindly rubbing her belly, stopping the moment she sees Tabius preparing. [23:42] and so passes the night, and with the first light of day, the entirety of the empire's troops march out into the field, swords and shields held high, gleaming silver armor strapped on, mortal standing by solar, father standing besides daughter, while the eerie song of the singing staff cries out over the land and the landships begin to sail out into the battlefield, banners streaming from their masts as they catch the first winds of the day [23:44] * SparkleJydan is now known as SparkleJydan||AA [23:44] opposed against them is a massive wall of twisted humans, wearing impossilby bright silver armor and swords that are impossible in their simplicity, only having their own swords against the war machiens of the solar empire. [23:44] The number is something like 2,000 to 20,000 [23:44] and then the fighting starts [23:45] * Jynaru rises from concealment like a vengeful ghost, releasing the arrow to be followed by a steady stream of feathered death, smiling with grim satisfaction as an emerald explosion tears a Solar engrossed in the casting of a counterspell to shreds [23:45] (I like that moment better.) [23:45] The infernal solar gathers his sickening essence around him, unaware of Jynaru's attack (+3 stunt) [23:46] !ex 14 [23:46] Jynaru (14), 5, 1, 10, 2, 1, 5, 9, 5, 7, 8, 6, 5, 6, 10, Successes : 7 [23:46] Damage? [23:47] all successes [23:47] * Jynaru meant for the arrow. [23:47] (not dodging) [23:47] they all have 12L soak, being in their battle armor [23:48] * Storyteller checks his numbers [23:48] 15L actually. [23:49] !exm 8 [23:49] Jynaru (8), 7, 9, 1, 1, 7, 8, 3, 3, Successes : 4 [23:50] Next one up. [23:50] !ex 14 [23:50] Jynaru (14), 8, 6, 10, 1, 5, 3, 2, 10, 2, 10, 10, 6, 7, 5, Successes : 10 [23:50] Jynaru's first green flare soars through the air, alerting Maris & Co of their need [23:50] the solar screams in pain as the arrow buries itself into his shoulder [23:50] * Jynaru 'll keep that. [23:50] * Maris sticks to the plan letting the solar's draw them out so they can attack with the barbarians. [23:50] * Vanal smirks within the confines of his strider [23:50] * Vanal grips the massive swords neverously [23:50] !exm 11 [23:50] Jynaru (11), 2, 6, 3, 6, 10, 3, 3, 1, 5, 6, 8, Successes : 2 [23:51] !ex 14 [23:51] Jynaru (14), 8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 6, 10, 8, 8, 10, 2, 2, Successes : 16 [23:51] I do believe I'll keep that. [23:51] !exm 17 [23:51] Jynaru (17), 5, 6, 7, 1, 7, 5, 7, 3, 7, 9, 2, 4, 3, 8, 9, 2, 9, Successes : 8 [23:52] The solar spins, arrows jutting through his solar plate, turning to get a third arrow right into the gut, shocked, he falls to the ground, as the rest of the solars turn to release their spells on you.. [23:52] who wants to go next? [23:52] * Cicada stands in her still invisible form and shouts "Now!" to the archers there with her. Then she throws August Moon several times and it flies with perfet grace through a long curve cutting through great rocks and pillar supports making a tidalwave of stone and debris descend on the infernal positions below. [23:52] (Where's my timed counterspells, dammit?!) [23:52] (i'm sure you'll get them...) [23:53] Meanwhile, the infernal's army continues to match upon the 2000 strong solar contingent, and they meet, the much smaller force trying to purely defend themself against the overwhelming numbers... [23:54] while the landships sail through the twisted humans, making them drown in the very dirt, the three ships have to continuously knock the scurrying troops off the side of the ship [23:56] * Maris looks to his people and Roars in victory holding up one fist with claws and one with his agg sword. "Attack!!!!" Watery figures surround him and he charges forward leading the fray and feeling the bloodlust as he goes [23:57] the infernals are spread along their wall and along either side of the mountain, being completely spread out and not expecting to have to deal with 10 dragon blooded each punking their ass [23:57] * Vanal raises his massive sword and bellows a war cry, his armor amplifying the cry as hte massive strider rushes forward with the army [23:58] * Tei scythes his way tward the infernal masters. [23:58] [strike that, hit enter to soon] [23:59] the barbarians give a mighty war cry as entire sections of the wall swing up, letting them charge through it. Like a flood of men, the barbarins charge the line, where the empire's army begins a retreat, hoping to draw the infernal army farther into the gap. It succeeds [00:00] [tei?] [00:00] [typing] [00:00] [cicada?] [00:00] [tala?] [00:00] * Cicada then activate her aspect ability and still invisible she leaps on the falling rocks and bounds from one to the next as she rides the avalanche of rocks on its crushing descent like a speck of pure clean air in the mass of dust and grit, lashing out with August Moon to take out covering human enemies but making straight for one of the Solars. [00:01] " [00:01] * Tabius all but silently signals his archers and sharpshooters to fire from their position. He watches as arrows fly through the air, become visible and then plunge into the backs of the armored Infernal. [00:01] * Cicada now has lightning playing over her skin and a strong wind buffeting her clothes and hair. [00:01] With his arms crossed in a stoic stance he summons the grace of the Dragons and puts forth a massive amount of energies to counterspell the dark magics the Infernal are summoni/me [00:02] +3 stunt, cicada [00:02] try.. dex + MA? [00:02] * Tala lands infront of one of the spellcasters in mid spell, and spins, tearing up the earth with her feet as she does, and unleashes a torrent of vicious, unrelenting slashes with her claws, (Crashing Wave Style) [00:03] Tabius, you find even your powers useless against the awsome might of solar circle sorcery.... [00:04] +1 stunt tala [00:04] (*Finds that FG would have been better!) [00:04] [using periph essence, Anima up to L2] [00:04] [hmm? I used scenery] [00:04] [you cut up the ground?] [00:04] [+1] [00:04] [Can I do three throws at an surprised Solar, then?] [00:04] !ex 18 (attack 1) [00:04] Tala (18), 5, 5, 3, 1, 9, 8, 9, 6, 6, 1, 3, 6, 7, 6, 1, 4, 7, 3, Successes : 5 [00:05] [sure, but you're at -5 -6 -7 [00:05] * Tei scyhtes his way twards the infernal masters. Grace and fury scream with delight as he lashes out and catches a sorcerer from behind, her magic falling useless around her and exploding in a shower of golden sparkles. he then holds out his hands and with a sharp tug on the chains of air calls both weapons back to his hand. [00:05] * Cicada waits for Tala to finish rolling. [00:06] 15 soak, tala [00:06] !exm ` [00:06] 50 dice or less.x example: !ex 5 [00:06] !exm 1 [00:06] Tala (1), 2, Successes : 0 [00:06] +1 stunt tei [00:06] !ex 17 (attack 2) [00:06] Tala (17), 1, 1, 10, 3, 6, 1, 9, 1, 4, 6, 6, 9, 8, 1, 10, 3, 5, Successes : 7 [00:07] (7 sux) [00:07] !ex 14 (attack 1) [00:07] Tei (14), 3, 7, 10, 5, 8, 1, 5, 5, 5, 9, 4, 5, 4, 2, Successes : 5 [00:08] !ex 13 (attack 2) [00:08] Tei (13), 9, 1, 6, 8, 4, 5, 4, 5, 1, 10, 3, 9, 5, Successes : 5 [00:08] !exm 1 [00:08] Tala (1), 3, Successes : 0 [00:08] !ex 16 (attack 3) [00:08] Tala (16), 4, 6, 5, 9, 8, 10, 9, 4, 9, 3, 8, 10, 3, 10, 8, 9, Successes : 13 [00:09] !exm 7 [00:09] Tala (7), 7, 3, 8, 10, 10, 5, 4, Successes : 4 [00:09] !ex 14 (attack 4) [00:09] Tala (14), 7, 7, 7, 1, 7, 6, 7, 6, 9, 1, 4, 9, 2, 9, Successes : 8 [00:09] !exm 2 [00:09] Tala (2), 8, 3, Successes : 1 [00:09] !exm 1 [00:09] Tei (1), 1, Successes : 0, Botch [00:09] !ex 10 (attack 5) [00:09] Tala (10), 1, 5, 6, 10, 7, 4, 4, 7, 5, 9, Successes : 5 [00:09] !exm 1 [00:09] Tei (1), 6, Successes : 0 [00:09] !exm 1 [00:09] Tala (1), 9, Successes : 1 [00:10] !ex 2 (attack 6) [00:10] Tala (2), 2, 1, Successes : 0, Botch [00:13] !ex 19 (first attack) [00:13] Cicada (19), 10, 4, 7, 7, 1, 1, 7, 6, 3, 5, 3, 5, 9, 6, 6, 9, 7, 9, 6, Successes : 9 [00:14] !exm 5 [00:14] Cicada (5), 9, 9, 8, 5, 1, Successes : 3 [00:15] !ex 18 (second attack) [00:15] Cicada (18), 8, 2, 5, 9, 6, 1, 9, 5, 1, 5, 1, 4, 10, 1, 5, 1, 7, 7, Successes : 7 [00:15] !exm 3 [00:15] Cicada (3), 10, 7, 6, Successes : 2 [00:15] !ex 17 (third attack) [00:15] Cicada (17), 8, 3, 1, 7, 4, 1, 8, 8, 6, 3, 7, 7, 7, 3, 9, 3, 4, Successes : 8 [00:15] !exm 4 [00:15] Cicada (4), 2, 7, 6, 10, Successes : 2 [00:16] [7 levels of damage total if Soak is 15L] [00:17] [nod] [00:17] is that it? [00:18] seems to be [00:47] * Jynaru steps up to Cicada's tent, and knocks on one of the supports. "You awake, Cicada?" [00:47] * Cicada wakes up from the hole in a tree she was curled up in and is instantly fully awake and looking alertly around. "What is it?" [00:48] "You and I need to have a little discussion, Cicada. I assume Sanyet hasn't stowed away?" [00:50] "Sanyet is with his father. He should be safe there. Sorry, I feel a bit tussed up. Is this important. By the look at the sun I still have a few hours to rest in before next patrol." [00:50] "It's a matter of life or death." [00:51] "Sorry for the dramatics, and all. I know it's late, but I'd appreciate it if you'd step down and speak with me." [00:52] "And it concerns sanyet? Is it about those old freks in the hill?" [00:52] * Cicada is suddenly wide awake. [00:52] "Actually, yes, that's part of it." [00:52] * Cicada pushes the covering away from her hole and wiggles out. [00:53] * Jynaru steps aside. [00:53] "I assume you knew from my sudden appearance they expected your little stunt." [00:53] "I am sorry about leaving the way we did. But the place was driving sanyet insane. Me too, I think." [00:54] "I did not really believe we would get far. But we had to try. Please understand." [00:54] "Hrm. Yes. I understand that. However, they were less understanding than I." [00:54] "Sanyet do not want to go back, ever. i hope he will change his mind, but right now he needs a break." [00:55] "I am just no-good helping anyone nowhere where I go, eh?" [00:55] * Cicada shudders a little in the early spring cold. [00:56] * Jynaru shrugs. "I hope so, too. Still, I'd like to ask... what on Pasiap's green earth posessed you to start spying for the Anathema?" [00:56] "Do what...?" [00:56] "Solars. I just left Maris's tent, and he was less than pleased. As was Vanal, and Tala." [00:57] "It seems someone's taken the notion you've been speaking to the Solars about the plans of the group, rather more than is necessary! But that can't possibly be true, right?" [00:58] * Cicada drops to her knees in shock. "It is not like that. I didn't do anything like that." [00:58] "I just..." [00:58] "Just? Just? Just what?" [00:58] * Cicada sighs. [00:59] "I have 'just' been giving the Solars rulers all the information on Maris nation I could, military, political, economical, strongholds, bases, everything..." [00:59] "Everything, Jynaru... everything...." [01:00] "Well, isn't that cute. Once again, what in the hell possessed you to do such a thing?" [01:00] "I don't know..." [01:00] "Let's return to the Sidereals a moment. You know what they told me to do, Cicada?" [01:00] "I am an useless indadequate moron with no sense of loyalty! A fucking traitor! What other answer can there be?!" [01:01] "No, I don't know." [01:01] * Cicada is trying hard not to cry on her knees before Jynaru, but is not entirely succeeding. [01:01] * Jynaru flicks out a single claw of essence, shedding light in a small radius over the area. "They told me to kill you, actually. Funny, that. That's 4 people who at one point were pondering killing you and/or Sanyet." [01:02] * Cicada looks up pleadingly. "Please don't hurt Sanyet! He hasn't done anything!" [01:03] "Ahhh, but I'm afraid that won't do." [01:03] "You see, you're still needed. I managed to talk them out of just killing you while you slept. Sanyet is the insurance, so to speak." [01:04] "Kill me! I don't care anymore! I cannot do anything right to anyone. Just wait until I have given birth, so that Sanyet can have a child..." [01:04] "Just please don't hurt Sanyet." [01:05] * Jynaru wavse the finger back and forth. "Actually, that seems to be the plan. Tala espoused leaving you here." [01:06] "Sanyet is still a bit too compassionate for the tastes of our prediciting friends. That was the whole point of you dying, actually. Toughen him up a bit. You really don't want to know what the other options put on the table were." [01:06] "Let's just say they make my training look like a walk in the park on a summer day." [01:06] "I actually planned to... That is why... one of the reasons why I did what I did. To protect Sanyet's homeland against Maris and his like." [01:07] * Jynaru nods. "I know. Did you ever really think about saying anything, though?" [01:08] "These are still Solars. You've taken a look at them with your charms, haven't you? Can you call them sane? You think you can entrust Sanyet, who WILL Exalt, and into a type they hunt down, to them?" [01:08] "Say what? Tell you I wanted to live under Anathema rule?" [01:09] "Yes, I am still trying to figure out what to do... I looked at the 'empress' Jynaru.. She is utterly mad. Even I could never heal her." [01:09] "But compared to the Realm, to Dynasts..." [01:10] * Cicada is shaking wildly and her words coming out between sobs. [01:10] "I'm sure you could have chosen better words than those. And what in Mela's name do you have against dynasts, dammit? Tabius is a Dynast! I assume Tei was born a Dynast! I'm a goddamn dynast, and I'm sitting here trying to keep you, your child, and Sanyet from being slaughtered like sheep!" [01:12] " I KNOW THAT!" [01:13] "And yet somehow it's not getting through to you! What do you expect, girl? One or the other! You can't have both!" [01:13] "Why do you have to be so damn nice?! Why can't you just be like the rest all be violent rapists and murders?!" [01:13] (murderers) [01:14] "It's easy, really." [01:15] "Because not all of us are like that! Because that's probably the minority!" [01:15] "I don't give a DAMN what the hell got you so turned against the Realm, but it's rather pathetic when you freely admit that the other side is utterly psychotic!" [01:16] "I just want Sanyet and the baby to be safe... That is all... But I am failing at that too, am I not?" [01:17] "You're not doing a very good job, no. Thus far you've managed to set all three major sides on the island against you." [01:17] * Cicada nods. [01:17] "But what *can* I do?" [01:18] "Please tell me, I beg you." [01:18] * Jynaru shrugs. "First things first, stay away from Maris and Vanal for a while. They're not too happy, and you can't do much when you're dead." [01:19] "Next, the less palatable part. Sanyet." [01:19] "I'm fairly sure that you understand the importance of the Sidereals." [01:20] "Personally, I don't care if you run off to the ends of Creation with the man. But as far as I can tell, he needs the training to survive." [01:21] "If you can manage to stand the pain, he's got to be trained. And to be trained, he needs to toughen up. I'm sure you've got time, as the Sidereals were most worred about you dying and him becoming useless with grief." [01:22] * Jynaru shrugs. "And since you're not dying any time soon, you've got a while. The last thing is to stop this shit. You're not doing any good running around half-nocked, doing this and that without stopping to consider the consequences." [01:23] "I worry about that too. But if all goes miracously well, there is a few centuries to that happens, though right now it seems like I only have a few minutes, if even that." [01:24] "Best not to worry about it." [01:25] "Unless you somehow manage to find a major faction and betray the first three to them, I don't think you're in any major danger that the rest of us aren't." [01:26] "But what can I *do*? And what are you doing to Sanyet?" [01:26] "Nothing, yet. However, should your talks with the Solars continue, I'm afraid, well..." [01:27] * Jynaru snuffs out the glowing cone of essence between the finger and thumb. [01:27] * Cicada winces. [01:27] "And we don't want that, now do we?" [01:28] "If it happens, then please - only me..." [01:28] "The Anathema might make requests..." [01:29] "And your teachers would not like if you killed sanyet, would they..?" [01:29] "My teachers are worthless cowards sitting in their Manse." [01:30] "I rather imagine if the barrier goes down, the methods used to get it there will be considered of no importance." [01:30] * Cicada is too scared to nod the way she otherwise enthusiastically would have done. [01:31] "As for the Anathema, well, tell someone about it. Tabius, maybe. I'm sure we can turn whatever you've done against them." [01:33] "But, I cannot tell Tabius... I have not even been able to tell him I am pregnant... I am afraid how much it would hurt him." [01:33] * Jynaru blinks. "What? Ohhhh..... who knows?" [01:33] "Me, Sanyet, Forked River." [01:34] "You... I have no words. Please, allow me to collect my thoughts for a moment." [01:34] "And Sanyet's sister. She would have been hard pressed not to notice and recoqnize my sorry state every morning. And for all i knoe sanyet is proudly telling his father right now." [01:35] * Jynaru leans against the tree. "You've told no one of it in camp right now?" [01:35] "Only you." [01:36] "Joy. At what point did the concept that you could somehow manage to play off not only the Sidereals, but the Solars and us, in such a way as to defeat the Infernals and still leave stability? Alone?" [01:39] "I had to try..." [01:41] "I have never had anywhere i felt at home before. Not since mother was killed - by a Dynast..." [01:42] "Oh, bloody hell." [01:43] "Any other tidbits of information you'd like to throw out there, eh?" [01:44] "Got a brother that's Abyssal?" [01:44] "Don't worry about her. She is likely happier now. No longer starving herself to feed her daughter because our food has been taken - by Dynasts." [01:44] "Family line is Manosque, maybe?" [01:45] * Cicada is pactically grinning with insane eyes that dart back and forth as she dries tears from her face, suceeding only in smearing them all over it. [01:45] "Likely. How would I know? I never got to touch the stone. Me of great fortune." [01:46] "Oh, maybe you'd like to be re-married to some random air aspect?" [01:46] "It could be arranged, you know. I'm sure they'd have to do something about the current child, but they seem to have magics like that well in hand." [01:47] "Yes that would be nice. Will he protect my fair skin by only punishing me by drowning instead of beatings when I get my dayly disiplining like back at my 'training' to be a plaything - of Dynasts?" [01:48] * Cicada laughing raggedly. [01:49] * Jynaru shrugs. [01:49] "Yeah, life can be a bitch." [01:50] "However, exactly WHAT in all that gives you the right to decide to slaughter hundreds of thousands simply because a Dynast happens to be in charge of their country?" [01:51] "Or maybe I get to see more friends beat within an inch of their lives trying to protect me against the rather violent advances of Dynasts... Let me tell you, that is a grand feeling." [01:53] "Or to suddenly lose and reverence of Dynasts as the chosen ones by haveing the gutter sweeping little bastard I am exalt and become one of them? What is holy and mighty about you if I can exalt? Tell me that, Jyn? Can you?" [01:53] * Cicada laughing and gaze is getting madder. [01:55] * Cicada appears rather distant as if she is not really hearing anything anymore. [01:55] "Who said any of our lives were particularly easy? My mother was outcaste. My family is going to be working off the debt they incurred to get her instated as a Dynast for three generations. Maris had to essentially kill his own brother. I'm sure the others have similar stories. No one said we were perfect, Cicada. Just that we have a far better perspective on things." [01:56] "The attitudes of some sadly mistaken few are not my responsibility." [02:00] "Neither will I have your misguided views on the Immaculate Order kill us all, you understand me?" [02:02] * Cicada just there supporting herself with her hands and shakes her head as she is wracked by that sem-insane blend of laughter and sobs. [02:02] (just sits) [02:06] "Please, I beg you. Anything. Just don't hurt Sanyet." [02:06] * Cicada manages to get out between sobs. [02:08] * Jynaru shrugs. "Whatever you say, girl." [02:10] * Jynaru pushes himself off the tree, and tosses her a handkerchief. "I'll see about getting watch re-assigned, and I'll try to do what I can to repair the damage all this running about in secrecy has done. Just remember what's at stake if you fail." [02:11] * Cicada tries to make the handkerchief help her tidy up, but has trouble making her fingers work correctly. [02:12] * Cicada does manage a sembleance of a nod, however. [02:13] * Jynaru will, of course, do what he said. Ye gods, what have I gotten myself into... [02:14] * Cicada cries out in pent up anguish loud enough to be heard for miles around after Jynaru leaves, and she does not stop for quite a while. [02:15] * Jynaru sighs. Now I've got to explain that away, though I'm sure Maris and Vanal will know I did what I said I would... [02:18] * Cicada will take a while to cry it all out, the floodgates have been torn open, it would be useless to stop anyway. Session Close: Sun Jan 26 02:25:25 2003