[IC] [M&M 2e] Exalted: The Dawn of a New Era

[Kaworu]

Exalted: The Dawn of a New Era
Chapter 1: Perpetum Mobile

Detroit, 20th of May 2021

The City of Detroit had it better, of course. Once a seat of prosperous car industry, now it was a total economic collapse. The streets were empty, so were the factories, once upon a time producing cars after cars. Who could had left for Canada or other big cities in the US. Who could not… well, their life weren’t so pretty in this cemetery of a metropolis.

However, this was about to change, and rather soon.

Everybody in the US had heard the new TV commercial about “a total technological change”, “technology as you have never seen before” and “a new chapter for us all”. Of course, nowadays, in an era of Space-X, Google, Microsoft, Apple and start-ups in every corner of the Earth, it could mean everything… or nothing.

Still, it was a curious case, so many people went to investigate. When the True Stone, company responsible for their mysterious invention, announced a grand presentation in Detroit, where it had headquarters, the technological industry was interested, even if only tentatively.

You, however, were there for wholly different reasons.

Revelynne Lafayette, a Chosen of Jupiter, had approached every single one of you. She herself has an order from her Patron to gather a set of individuals with Exaltations and gather them during this technological presentation. Maiden of Secrets was… well, secretive about what this technology was or why she wanted the Exalted involved, but her order was an order and Ravelynne had to comply.

Her Goddess was very well informed, after all, so she was sure that there was a reason and justification for all this.

So now, you, a group of Exalted beings, were sitting in the room, watching the crowd grow more dense and slowly filling all the seats. When everybody was seated, a person appeared, on a stage in the room, facing the auditorium with a microphone. Next to him was a giant shape covered in a coverlet, big and white, hiding it from curious looks and gazes.

“Welcome” the man in a suit and tie, with short, black hair and modern-looking glasses on his nose had said “My name is Arthur White and I will be your host today.”

“As you probably know, the company I am representing, True Stone, has made a brand new invention. In fact, we have made something so spectacular, that we themselves have a trouble with coming to terms with, not ever talking about people who aren’t involved in our research” he explained.

“For many years, people tried to find a mean of getting free, accessible and inexhaustible energy source. Even though we have fotovoltanic batteries, know the technology of nuclear reactions and can turn wind into electricity with the help of turbines, every one of those solutions had it’s own drawback and was no true alternative to carbon-dioxide energy, let’s call it.. But now…” he stopped for a moment for better effect.

“Esteemed quests” – he continued, coming closer to the coverlet and holding it with his free hand, the second grabbing his mic “We, the True Stone Company, have the pleasure and honor to present you with…”

He started taking away the coverlet. Behind it, there was a machinery of purest gold, working with no sound. Some parts were moving, some not. It was in a shape of a perfect cube with some parts stinking out. It was kind of beautiful, in a modern-art way.

“…the Milestone, a new and unlimited energy source!“

The room was filled with dubious noises. Everybody was aware that “zero-point energy” machine or something could not exist, yet the man was claiming otherwise. What a moron! It was all just a fraud, for sure! The scientific community surely would be merciless, only if they would be able to get hold on this equipment and “scientific” theories behind them.

“Please, come closer and investigate…” said the presenter, not in any way discouraged by the cool reaction he got. Either he was well-trained, or just sure of himself.

Spoiler

Show

Okay, so:

Sorry that there is not much happening in the first post, I just wanted to establish the context of what is going and... I feel like I have written too much already? They are though various stuff you can do:

1. I need, first and foremost, to know where are you in the room. It is kind of big, the chairs are facing the podium, you can be in the front, back, middle, staying by the wall etc. This is very important considering the contents of second post I have planned.

2. You can investigate the machine, either using some skills (Knowledge: Technology, for example), Supersenses, some powers etc. You are free to do it.

3. Finally, you could roleplay your first meeting that took place before this post, when Revelynne contacted you for the first time.

And I promise, the Action! will begin soon after... :-)

[Lord Raziere]

Earlier:
Whether she meets them separately or all at once, she will try to gather them all in one place, appearing in a green suave suit and a sunglasses so she only has to say this speech once, but will repeat it if need be:
“Greetings. I am to introduce myself to you as Agent Green, Chosen of Secrets of the Sidereal Exalted and member of an organization known as the Moira by the order of Jupiter, the Maiden of Secrets. My orders are to gather you all to help and guide you going forward. As you can tell by the title and code name, I am and will be keeping secrets from you. Its not personal, its just business. There have been growing concerns that the advent of the internet, the Exalted will not be secret for much longer and I am to ensure the transition is smooth as possible, hopefully with your help. I do not know why I or any of you specifically were chosen for this. I do not expect you to accept or to do so blindly, you can choose to walk away from this if so desired and no action will be taken against you, and it is expected of the Exalted to have their own goals and feeling on matters anyways. If you have memories of past lives that make you feel negatively about this, I understand, the issue will not be pressed.

We were recommended to investigate a particular unveiling of a new technological marvel by the True Stone company. I do not know why, but if a Maiden says so, it must be important. Only I am truly duty-bound to do this, but Jupiter generally has good reasons for what she does. That is all."

Now:
She raises an eyebrow while seated....to the side on the left edge of the seats but in the mid-point between the stage and the exit. It was Gold, or more probably, Orichalcum. Already she was seeing Twilight Caste fingerprints all over this. She will come walking up, disguised in a resplendent destiny as an interested investor looking for the next big innovation, the other Exalts being her entourage she brought along and begin examining the Milestone while asking
"...How does this work exactly? Can you explain it in detail?"

Spoiler: OOC:

Show

Search Roll:
(1d20+11)[17]
Sense Motive on the presenter:
(1d20+11)[27]

[Anti-Eagle]

Spoiler: Info Show "Mark Ritter" (Broken Thorn of the Red Nile) | Initiative -1 | | Defence +0 | | Toughness +10 | | Fortitude +10 | | Reflex -1 | | Will +5 | | Damage 0 | | Notice +20 | - Super Senses 8 [Analytical (Taste), Infravision, Microscopic Vision, Rapid (Hearing and Vision), Scent, Ultra-Hearing, Ultravision)] Spoiler: Investigation Show Thorn is applying his knowledge of art and magic to this, if this is the wrong course alright then. If he's wrong he won't get very far and that will be understandable considering it's being passed off as tech. Use the more related test between the craft and knowledge, I figured Art may be applicable. Notice: (1d20+20)[23] Craft (Artistic): (1d20+20)[36] Knowledge (Arcane Lore): (1d20+20)[34]

Detroit, Michigan - 20th of May, 2021 AD The day had started out well so far for Broken Thorn, having donned his guise and made his way with the others to the conference. After arriving Thorn positioned himself close to the stage at the beginning of the presentation, apart from Ms. Green. He of course knew that wasn't her name but that was as far as he had gotten with her so far... “Greetings. I am to introduce myself to you as Agent Green, Chosen of Secrets of the Sidereal Exalted and member of an organization known as the Moira by the order of Jupiter, the Maiden of Secrets. My orders are to gather you all to help and guide you going forward. As you can tell by the title and code name, I am and will be keeping secrets from you. Its not personal, its just business. There have been growing concerns that the advent of the internet, the Exalted will not be secret for much longer and I am to ensure the transition is smooth as possible, hopefully with your help. I do not know why I or any of you specifically were chosen for this. I do not expect you to accept or to do so blindly, you can choose to walk away from this if so desired and no action will be taken against you, and it is expected of the Exalted to have their own goals and feeling on matters anyways. If you have memories of past lives that make you feel negatively about this, I understand, the issue will not be pressed. We were recommended to investigate a particular unveiling of a new technological marvel by the True Stone company. I do not know why, but if a Maiden says so, it must be important. Only I am truly duty-bound to do this, but Jupiter generally has good reasons for what she does. That is all." Thorn sat in his chair with a thoughtful expression on his face, wearing his suit of choice and thinking things through a bit more thoroughly in his Throne. This had been the second time Thorn had met Agent Green, though the first time she had explained her business to him. He was unsure what to think of her so far, he was unsure whether it was wise to go along with the whims of the ever mysterious Sidereals who appeared to know not only of what he was but what he had been doing since the 60s. He was silent in thought for a few moments before speaking, taking the lead amongst the others in the room. He was unfamiliar with them but the scent of one of them was familiar. "Though you say you do not know, if I may ask for a moment... why us? Was it your gods that have decided this? When you had come to me I fully expected you to try to shoot me. My predecessor certainly had a difficult time with your kind, and what he had become was certainly not in the best interests of your... order? I've been out of the loop for a few years so I'm not up to date with the politics of late, but our kind is still the 'enemy' are we not? Or have you decided it is easier to deal with us as assets now? Certainly it would be a more pleasant arrangement if we can agree to work with one another than go back to tearing eachother apart." It was noticeable at this point that Thorn spoke with a sort of crystalline tone to his voice, something that he put effort into to sound more normal, though it shone through somewhat. Though what really gave it away was that he seemed to be speaking the language that each of them had been raised on down to the accent. To him it was Coptic Arabic. what he was comfortable with. An interesting trait gained over the century or so he'd been alive, having fractured his voice so long ago so that he could speak to and understand the world before him... Coming back to the present, Thorn listened with rapt attention to the press conference before eventually approaching the stage at the urging of Mr. White and crouching infront of it to get a good look at its exterior. There was certainly a reason he had been asked to look into this with Ms. Green and the others, and certainly if it was magic the exterior was as important as the interor. "How does this...?" Thorn put his head to the side of the machine without touching it and listened thoughtfully, trying to discern what was moving inside. This machine was Orichalcum right? That couldn't be right though. Unless the manufacturer was Exalted he wasn't sure where they would get this much. Unless this was something they stumbled upon rather than built? Entirely possible this was a relic, he may not be as familiar with the methods of the future as it may be but he certainly understood the past and the idea of free energy stunk of the past.

[Rhyvurg]

Then:
Marcus was wary of being approached by strangers who knew his name, but he had to admit that it would be better to have more connected friends in this world, and so he had hesitantly showed up at this meeting. Seemed a motley crew this Maiden had wanted gathered, must be some strange things ahead if this is what she thought would be needed. The redhead was kind of cute though, that didn't hurt. When she talked about this tech that was being revealed, he mentally shrugged. Maybe some security guards, maybe a squad of Terrestrial specialists if things went down hill, shouldn't be too dangerous.

Now:
Marcus is at the back of the room, keeping his back to the wall. He's watching exits and overt security more than he's watching the show, but when the mortal pulls off the sheet, Marcus channels the innate perfection of the Sun to see what insights he might glean from observing it's function.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Solar Excellency, Boost for +12 Knowledge (Technology)
Technology - (1d20+12)[14]

[Kaworu]

- Oh, I certainly can – answered the presenter – You see, there are many components. We got some machinery changing the energy of the source into electricity by the means of motion, some cooling mechanism, oil for the moving parts etc. However, what lies at the heart of this machine is both very simple and very innovative. You see, we are using as the source of…

However, the presenter got no chance to explain what exactly the energy source was. At the same time, the doors to the room burst open, and in them stood a very peculiar person. She had long, straight, raven-black hair, shin the whitest of ivory and blood-red lips. What was the most peculiar, however, was her equipment – a full plate armor of black steel that seemed to suck in all the light and a great-blade. With her entry, the back of the room filled itself with a mass of clanking, animated skeletons, fastly filling the room.

The crowd wasted no time. People began screaming and running around, begging their Gods for mercy, and not believing their very own eyes. There’s been a general havoc, as people started panicking.

The skeletons did not attacked anyone… just yet, but you could imagine that they would in due time, which could be any second now! Marcus was in the best position to attack them or the lady, but Ravelynne and Broken Thorn had to move through the moving, panicking masses – plus they were pretty far away.

Spoiler

Show

GM notes:

Marcus can attack skeletons at any time, but he would need to take down at least 2 to attack the Deathknight.
Ravelynne and Broken Thorn have to move – if they would need to pass through people, the test of Strength, Acrobatics or something else would be necessary.

Also, roll Notice to hear the skeletons moving behind the doors. Marcus was closer, so his ST is 15, Ravelynne and Broken Thorn were further (plus the crowd was still noisy) so they have to roll 20.

Marcus did not gain any kind of insight into the working of the machine.

MAP:

[----------]
[-----M----] <- STAGE
[--P-RB----]
------------
------------ <- EMPTY SPACE
ccccc—-ccccc
ccccc--ccccc
ccccc—-ccccc <- PEOPLE & CHAIRS
ccccc--ccccc
ccccc—-ccccc
------------
-----SSS---- <- EMPTY SPACE (BACK)
---MSSSSS---
#####-D##### <- DOORS

Legend:
M – Machine
P – presenter
R – Ravelynne
B - Broken Thorn
M – Marcus
S - Skeletons
D – Deathknight

[Anti-Eagle]

Spoiler: Info Show "Mark Ritter" (Broken Thorn of the Red Nile) | Initiative -1 | | Defence +0 | | Toughness +10 | | Fortitude +10 | | Reflex -1 | | Will +5 | | Damage 0 | | Notice +20 | - Super Senses 8 [Analytical (Taste), Infravision, Microscopic Vision, Rapid (Hearing and Vision), Scent, Ultra-Hearing, Ultravision)]

Well this was certainly unexpected. What appeared to be a deathknight in full regalia had walked into the room with a host of the dead, and hadn't started killing yet. Or atleast Thorn assumed she hadn't, he didn't actually know what had happened between the entrance and the stageroom so far all he knew there was a massacre waiting outside. Thorn turned to Agent Green and asked as quietly as he could and still be understood by her and the presenter, "This isn't one of your people by any chance is she?" If she wasn't, would there be a point in trying to talk him down? Thorn had known deathknights and they weren't exactly stable by design as evidenced by the one that had just entered the room.

[Rhyvurg]

Marcus looks over at the rather dramatic entrance, and at first he's not sure if he should intervene at all, he had no idea who this was or what she wanted, and revealing himself seemed a little brash. A fight would draw in the rest of the group. For now he keeps his blade hidden and approaches the deathknight. "Why are the prettiest woman always the most dramatic?"

[Kobold-Bard]

Blind Prism
Defence +10, Hero: 6/6
Conditions: -
Active Powers: Force Suppressing Barrier 10, Witness to Darkness 10, Exalted Healing 36

Arlene had been warned about Sidereals; arrogant, rude and principally responsible for why the world is so **** these days. So getting ambushed by one did not sit well with her at all. She had the air of one of those greedy charity collectors with buckets, trying to bully her into coming along by saying it's "her" choice to help when it really isn't. This Agent, whatever she called herself, was lucky Arlene was already intending to attend the unveiling at the (very polite) request of P’vordzaget; a demon prince of She Who Lives Within Her Name and the foremost expert on essence technology in Hell.

Blind Prism didn't think much of the others the Sidereal had gathered. The man listening to the cube was a traitor, a nazi, a deserter, a wimp, and a bunch of other insults she didn't care to think of. She'd probably have to kill him tbh, and that would be for the best. The other was at the back, channelling that tacky gold essence again. So low-class and brash, it made her neck itch, she wouldn't be surprised if he smoked as well.

Without getting out of her seat she looked over the cube under her magical senses, checking it for an essence signature and looking under the hood.

Spoiler

Show

Super Senses 10 - Essence Awareness & X-Ray, both Extended.

When the doors fly open Prism cloaks herself in an essence barrier but otherwise doesn't respond; based on the purile "banter" from the man at the back she's in no immediate danger.

------
Note: Prism is an a-hole, not me. Also no obvious powers until I know the situation on Exalted secrecy.

[Lord Raziere]

Past:
"The Maidens...don't tell us why things need to happen or why things to need to need to change why at this time and not another time. They are as mysterious to us as they are to you. However there are certain factors we believe that may have influenced their decision: the internet for one. It is quite simply going inevitably reveal Exalts anyways. Another factor is that a connected global society due to the coming challenges needs to work cooperatively. This includes Exalts. The primary mission of the Sidereals, which has been to keep the supernatural secret for millennia....is thus about to End. It is a time of transition. The spirits are unchanging, but humans are as always a different story. I come to you because I have faith that our concerns transcend ancient history of some past Exalts and the patrons they come from. I am not doing this blindly just to follow her orders: I want to make sure the good things about this world survive the change. That secrets are revealed in a manner that does not cause harm. As for why you...I really do not know. Jupiter named you three without giving me a reason then sent me on my way...."
She looks at Thorn
"....didn't I see you once in the 60's? Where was it? Lots of wars during that time. Decolonization was a pain to manage. Endings and Battles were overworked and kept trying to pawn their work on me...memories a little cluttered so much had to be done...."
Between the Moon Landing, nuclear crisises, assassinations, coups, wars, social movements, there was so much to do, so little Sidereals to keep it all from blowing up. Honestly it was a miracle they kept it all together.

Present:
She whispers back to Thorn.
"No. As far as I know, Abyssals are still enemies. Working with Infernals is one thing, Abyssals entirely another, their mission is to murder existence. Not something the Sidereals work with. She is probably here for the cube, infinite energy source means something that could be to kill a lot of people which the Abyssals are all about."
She turns and pulls two gossamer pistols out her coat, seemingly from hidden unseen spaces without any hint of them being there before.
"Whatever is done, we can't let her have it. Also we should figure out what to do about the civilians. They're defenseless and could be used to bolster her numbers if they fall. They need to get out of here."
She falls into a battle ready stance and looks around the room for any fire exits, things of that nature so they can get out another way.

[Anti-Eagle]

Spoiler: Info Show "Mark Ritter" (Broken Thorn of the Red Nile) | Initiative -1 | | Defence +0 | | Toughness +10 | | Fortitude +10 | | Reflex -1 | | Will +5 | | Damage 0 | | Notice +20 | - Super Senses 8 [Analytical (Taste), Infravision, Microscopic Vision, Rapid (Hearing and Vision), Scent, Ultra-Hearing, Ultravision)]

"The Maidens...don't tell us why things need to happen or why things to need to need to change why at this time and not another time. They are as mysterious to us as they are to you. However there are certain factors we believe that may have influenced their decision: the internet for one. It is quite simply going inevitably reveal Exalts anyways. Another factor is that a connected global society due to the coming challenges needs to work cooperatively. This includes Exalts. The primary mission of the Sidereals, which has been to keep the supernatural secret for millennia....is thus about to End. It is a time of transition. The spirits are unchanging, but humans are as always a different story. I come to you because I have faith that our concerns transcend ancient history of some past Exalts and the patrons they come from. I am not doing this blindly just to follow her orders: I want to make sure the good things about this world survive the change. That secrets are revealed in a manner that does not cause harm. As for why you...I really do not know. Jupiter named you three without giving me a reason then sent me on my way........didn't I see you once in the 60's? Where was it? Lots of wars during that time. Decolonization was a pain to manage. Endings and Battles were overworked and kept trying to pawn their work on me...memories a little cluttered so much had to be done...." "You wouldn't happen to have been involved in ARTICHOKE, OFTEN, or SCANATE would you?" Thorn was rattling off the names of a couple programs that had courted him at one time or another over the past decades. He'd hidden himself well but that only went so far, word of a miraculous man that could talk people into doing just about anything had reached the government at a few points and intelligence officers sought him out for their own purposes. Even going as far as helping him to patch up his identity in the eyes of the government after they had met him. "It's entirely possible we've met before, though I do know your kind trade in identities and the mind does fuzz over a bit around you without the right preparation... I wonder. Was your order involved in North Africa? I walked away after the war- sorry the Second World War, fell apart but I know there were some organizations looking for me. Either for my knowledge or... the other reasons." "That's not good," Thorn muttered upon learning that this was as completely unexpected as it seemed. "Alright, do you want me to get them out?" She already had her pistols out so she would probably want him to clear them, especially if the deathknight charged with his sword, if they won't just make a run for it. "Or, I could try to grab the box?" Unlike the others that were preparing to open fire Thorn drew one of the marked cigarillos from a tin in his coat, lit it, and took a short drag carefully holding it in his mouth. Social acceptabilities and indoor smoking laws be damned, he was probably going to need this when the shooting started. The gun was second priority.

[Kaworu]

“Hands up everybody, and no funny business! ” shouted the Deathknight “Do as I say and do quickly and nobody is going to be hurt. Otherwise…” she let the tread of using violence hang in her unspoken words.

“I want this engine and I want it now. Or maybe you would like to taste my steel? ” she asked as more skeletons entered the room.

The presenter gulped loudly, thinking of what to do. But had he really any choice?

Spoiler

Show

GM notes:

If you do nothing, the engine is being handled down to the Deathknight. There’s no bloodshed, but also no energy source for you.

If you oppose her, the fight ensues.

MAP:

[----------]
[-----M----] <- STAGE
[--P-RB----]
------------
------------ <- EMPTY SPACE
ccccc—-ccccc
ccccc--ccccc
ccccc—-ccccc <- PEOPLE & CHAIRS
ccccc--ccccc
ccccc—-ccccc
-----SSS----
----SSSS---- <- EMPTY SPACE (BACK)
---MSSSSS---
#####-D##### <- DOORS

Legend:
M – Machine
P – presenter
R – Ravelynne
B - Broken Thorn
M – Marcus
S - Skeletons
D – Deathknight

[Rhyvurg]

Robbery and death threats, that'll do. Marcus flexes his shoulders, his long coat splitting down the back, and holds out his hand, drawing Heartstriker from thin air. "You use steel? A lady like you deserves something better. If you like, you can have a taste of mine."

[Kobold-Bard]

Blind Prism
Defence +10, Hero: 6/6
Conditions: -
Active Powers: Force Suppressing Barrier 10, Witness to Darkness 10, Exalted Healing 36, Slave-Spawn Summons 4

"Best of luck with that you scatty, badly-dressed albino. Servants of Sondok and Florivet, ascend!"

Prism stands and raises a hand covered in rings to the sky. In front of her 9 bonfires of green flame erupt from the floor and from each crawls out an enormous creature resembling a gorilla with bones jutting out of their elbows and teeth the size of a smartphone; their red fur matted and scorched. The smell is awful, even by the standards of a room filled with the undead. Beside her from another flame emerges a 10ft long wasp with giant pearls for eyes and shimmering rainbow wings.

As the flames die down leaving smouldering circles in the once highly polished floor, Blind Prism mounts the giant wasp and points at the Deathknight.

"There's your dinner, go get it."

The monstrous gorillas roar with delight and rage and charge into the crowd of skeletons to get at their prey.

---
Full: Cast Slave-Spawn Summons (Summon) to conjure 9 Blood Apes and one Agata.
Free: Mount the Agata.
When we roll initiative I'll pay a hero point to Seize The Initiative and go first. Demon's actions will follow that.

Spoiler: Demon Stats

Show

Blood Ape (60pp):
Strength 20 (20pp)
Constitution 20 (20pp)
All-Out Attack feat (1pp)
Attack Focus - Unarmed Feat (1pp)
Elusive Target feat (1pp)
Rage feat x2 - double bonuses, 10 rounds (2pp)
Takedown Attack (1pp)
Teamwork feat x3 (3pp)
Super-Strength power 5 (10pp)
- Super breath power feat (1pp)

Agata (60pp):
Dexterity 20 (20pp)
Constitution 12 (4pp)
Charisma 16 (12pp)
Defensive Roll feat (1pp)
Favoured Environment feat - when being ridden (1pp)
Interpose feat (1pp)
Uncanny Dodge feat (1pp)
Dazzle power 6 - Visual (12pp)
Flight power 4 - 1 mile = 600mph (8pp)

[Lord Raziere]

Revelynne:
"...Thorn take the Cube, now. Civilians, Please escape to the nearest exit, for your own safety!"
She will walk forward, pointing her guns at the skeletons, breathing in and out as she says:
"Gossamer Gunslinger Stance: Hail of Nightmares"
Then begins firing them, her multi-colored guns firing bullets that bounce off the walls and ceilings and evade her allies and civilians to attack the skeletons themselves, homing in on them fated to meet enemies and enemies only, raining down in an sudden oddly precise shower. Every single bullet guided to its destination.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Diplomacy roll to convince the civilians to get out of here while projecting a clam and in control disposition.
(1d20+11)[23]

Using: Gossamer Gunslinger Stance
Damage, Area (Perception, Visual), Selective, Ricochet 2, Homing 3, 20 points, rank 7

Attack Roll:
(1d20+8)[22]
Damage:
(1d20+7)[18]

If they miss, due to how my power works I will maintain this current attack as a free action into the next round to try and roll again to hit them, then fire off a second attack while maintaining the first with Homing, which I can do up to 3 rounds if the first attack does not hit.

[Anti-Eagle]

Spoiler: Info Show "Mark Ritter" (Broken Thorn of the Red Nile) | Initiative -1 | | Defence +0 | | Toughness +10 | | Fortitude +10 | | Reflex -1 | | Will +5 | | Damage 0 | | Notice +20 | - Super Senses 8 [Analytical (Taste), Infravision, Microscopic Vision, Rapid (Hearing and Vision), Scent, Ultra-Hearing, Ultravision)]

"Alright," Thorn stretched his arms out and opened a gate into his Throne underneath the cube with little show. Green light flowed from his hands into a circular hole in the world, rimmed with little green fire, and he moved as quickly as he could to push the object inside into a cell in his reliquary. "Now, perhaps with that out of the way..." With the Energy Cube removed, Thorn readied himself to close the portal as the Regent went about securing it on the other side. He wanted to make sure the fire exit wasn't blocked in some way, for all he knew he would need to start directing the civilians into his hidey hole in reality. "Perhaps we can do away with the skeletons and have a more reasonable discussion?"

[Kaworu]

The fight began.

The people screamed even more. Now not only there was a lot of skeleton eager to get at them, but also some monstrous, stinking-as-hell, blood-red apes. Ravelynne tried to speak some reason into them, but all for naught. With the assault of seemingly unnatural and demonic forces her voice seemed too quiet and too rational – cause for all they knew, what they have just witnessed was completely irrational.

Maybe that’s why, instead of running to the emergency exit, some of them just cried, while others had fallen to their knees and begged God to help them?

At least the device was all set, safe in alternate reality. The scene without it looked kind of small and empty, depressive even, but it was a good decision to hide it well – at least the Deathknight would not get her hands on it.

Speaking of, the Abyssal was really fast. Before everyone could even blink – more or less as the same time Blind Prism mounted his Agata – she was already at Kirnan, deadly blade in her very arms.

She had stricken well, but the body of a Solar was naturally immune to any metallic attack, including the Soulsteel swords.

“Wha…?” she had asked, surprise showing in her face. “Tell me, why my blade has no effect on you?” she continued, ugly smile on her face It seemed that the problem, if anything, had only make her more willing to take the fight. “You are not a… Sun child?” she inquired in a sudden realization. Her eyes got open wide with realization… and excitement.

In the meantime, the skeletons attacked Blood Apes. The swords they were carrying in their undead hands struck, but the power of the attack was nothing for the summoned demons. Blood Apes were knows for their endurance and strength and no second-class necromancy could damage them so easily.

The next thing everybody know was a rain of multi-colored, made-of-dreams bullets that Ravelynne unleashed at her enemies. The skulls, bones and armor of skeletons got pierced really well. In fact, they did not stood a chance against her assault. In a few second they were all gone, laying broken and lifeless (erm… more lifeless than before?) on the floor.

Kirnan tried to attack the Deathknight with his golden weapon, but he missed terribly. The lady looked at him intensely, studying his strike, weapon, posture and all other elements of his attack, trying to measure his potential and abilities.

The enemy remained unmoved by the speech of Broken Thorn. “You wanna talk? I will give you talk. Gimme the machine now, and we all can go our own ways. Do not, and there will be bloodsheed. There’s no much middle ground in this situation, is there?” she asked.

Finally, the Blood Apes attacked the Deathknight. Their giantish hands were strong and heavy, but her armor was heavier still. She did not even realized she had been attacked, focusing too much on the “Sun child”. Still, she was just one enemy, her skeletons were taken out, and she was alone against 4 other Exalts. Things were looking bright for the circle, as least for now.

Spoiler

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INITIATIVE ORDER:

Blind Prism – first due to Hero Point
Deathknight - 29 [5]
Summoned demon, Agata – 25 [7]
Skeletons – 23 [4]
Ravelynne – 21 [2]
Kirnan – 18 [1]
Broken Thorn – 13 [3]
Summoned demons, Blood Apes – 5 [6]


ROLLS:
1 - http://kostnica.eu/roll/5f4021756dba6/
2 - http://kostnica.eu/roll/5f402222b16d8/
3 - http://kostnica.eu/roll/5f4022ab05b7e/
4 - http://kostnica.eu/roll/5f40233fa0ddc/
5 - http://kostnica.eu/roll/5f4023e81288f/
6 - http://kostnica.eu/roll/5f4024715712b/
7 - http://kostnica.eu/roll/5f4024b6c534e/

8 – Skeletons attack Blood Apes http://kostnica.eu/roll/5f41696e140db/ 13 DC 10 + DEF (0?) hit
9 – Blood Apes defend from Skeletons damage (DC 15+1=16) http://kostnica.eu/roll/5f4169cfad210/ 24 vs 16 – success, no effect
10 – Ravelynne attacks Skeletons. The DMD is +7, the DC would be 15+7=22, their Toughness bonus is +1, so they are… automatically taken out?
11 – Kirnan attacks the Abyssal - http://kostnica.eu/roll/5f416ec01a270/ 8 She defends
12 – Broken Thorn hm… just speaks? :-P
13 – Blood Apes attack The Abyssal – damage bonus +9 less than 12 (Impervious Protection), so she is not getting damaged

[Anti-Eagle]

Spoiler: Info Show "Mark Ritter" (Broken Thorn of the Red Nile) | Initiative -1 | | Defence +0 | | Toughness +10 | | Fortitude +10 | | Reflex -1 | | Will +5 | | Damage 0 | | Notice +20 | - Super Senses 8 [Analytical (Taste), Infravision, Microscopic Vision, Rapid (Hearing and Vision), Scent, Ultra-Hearing, Ultravision)] Spoiler: Diplomacy Show Thorn is trying to calm and direct the audience to the emergency exit. Additionally the presenter into the portal into his Throne. Diplomacy: (1d20+30)[46] I have the Beautiful Voice feat which allows me to make diplomacy checks during combat, I'm not using it on the Abyssal because there's not much point yet.

"Bloodshed?" Thorn clapped his hands and the portal turned to fire. "Perhaps you're right, perhaps there is no middle ground, but you're not in control here. You should have moved faster. If I don't like where this goes I'll throw the box into Elsewhere. You can kill me all you like and it's gone." "Audience? Audience." Thorn clapped his hands again and clarified the portal, looking at the audience and trying to calm them he urged them to make their way to the exits. "Audience, If you don't want to fight please make your way to an exit. You'll be safe. Trust me." And then the Presenter. He directed him towards the portal on the stage he had dropped the generator into.

[Rhyvurg]

Kirnan smiles at her. "You have much strength, but little wisdom. My blade will act to shield me of it's own accord, no metal can touch me. Now, lovely girl, shall we dance?" He bows and flourishes his sword before turning to the side and putting one arm behind his back, a stance suited for a foil or epee, not the katana he was holding. "You strike well, but let's see your defense." The tip of his sword dips low, then stabs upwards at her torso.

Spoiler

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Attack - (1d20+10)[13]

[Lord Raziere]

Revelynne
She puts the guns away, appearing behind the death knight like a stalking nightmare
"Death Knights only want entropy and destruction. As if I'd allow such a thing to fall into your hands."
Revelynne slashes at the death knight, her fists like the claws of a beast from darkest dreams quick and vicious while trying to hit her pressure points so she can put the death knight to sleep or at least make her drowsy. Any advantage in a fight.

Spoiler: OOC:

Show

Movement Action:
Inescapable Nightmare Pursuit:
Stance, Limited to Pursuing One Person, Powers: Speed 6, Teleport 2, Permeate 3, Water Walking, Air Walking 2, Strike 4, 20 points, rank 4

Switch for Attack Action:
Peaceful Repose Touch:
Sleep, linked with Strike 5, 20 points, rank 5

Attack Roll:
(1d20+8)[10]
Damage:
(1d20+5)[23]

Sleep:
The Death Knight must make a DC 15 Fortitude saving throw. If they fail they are dazed, if they fail by 5 or more, they are stunned and by 10 or more they fall into a deep sleep. The target makes a fortitude check to recover from being dazed or stunned each round, but checks for deep sleep each hour, but may be awoken by a loud noise, taking damage or an aid action to wake them.

[Kobold-Bard]

Blind Prism
Defence +0, Hero: 5/6
Conditions: - Flying (Agata)
Active Powers: Mind-Hand Manipulation 10, Witness to Darkness 10, Exalted Healing 36, Slave-Spawn Summons 4

Prism collapses her invisible shield into an equally invisible spinning saw blade, and launches it at the the Abyssal to take her head off.

---
Free: Sustain Slave-Spawn Summons
Standard: Attack with Mind-Hand Manipulation (Telekinesis - Damaging, Subtle)
Attack - (d20+10)[25]
Damage DC 25 vs Toughness, Surprise Attack so Deathknight has no Dodge Bonus and takes -2 Defence.

Standard: Blood Apes make a teamwork attack
Attack: (d20+20)[25] Actually +28 so should be [33] (I forgot the Demons had Feats)
Damage: DC 23 vs Toughness

[Kaworu]

Blind Prism attacked with all his might, taking a telekinetic shoot at the Abyssal. The lady in black didn’t even try to dodge, since her Soulsteel plate armor protected her from even this powerful damage. Neither did the attack of Bloody Apes did anything to her. She seemed to be a really tough enemy indeed.

She smiled an awfully creepy smile at Kirnan, putting her blade to a sheath at her back. Still smiling, she tightnened her hands into fists and focused for a brief moment. Her fists became emblazed with a dark energy, something between an aura and a flame. Before he could even blink, she hit him with her full strength with this black energy gathered around her palm. He could feel an icy cold radiating from the point of strike to the rest of his body, but he was too strong to let that feeling overcome him – instead, it washed over him like water over a duck.

The Abyssal looked surprised, but it only widened her awful smile. She certainly had a challenge in front of her, and it seemed that she liked challenges.

Next was the turn of Ravelynne to try and attack the enemy. Sadly, the Deathknight gracefully dodged her attack, not even blinking. While making her drowsy seemed a good idea, she was too good a fighter to let her be touched by this attack, it seemed. Or, rather, the Sidereal was not quick enough this time, it appeared. Whether she would sleep if hit was a different matter, one that nobody could predict just yet.

Neither was good enough an attempt by Kirnan to attack the dark lady. She did another graceful, even lazy dodge, not even sweating a bit. The smile she gave to her main opponent was a mocking one, this time.

At least Broken Thorn was successful at something he wanted to do. Now that skeletons were out of the question, and Blood Apes seemed to not attack them, and the first shock had vanished, it was quite easy to persuade the crowd to do as told- especially for someone as charismatic as Thorn. The people started to go – at a fast speed, let us underline – into the portal. While it would take them some time to all go through it, for now they seemed to be quite safe.

Spoiler

Show

INITIATIVE ORDER:

Blind Prism – first due to Hero Point
Deathknight - 29
Summoned demon, Agata – 25
Skeletons – 23
Ravelynne – 21
Kirnan – 18
Broken Thorn – 13
Summoned demons, Blood Apes – 5

ROLLS:

1. Deathknight attacks Kirnan (17 vs 10, HIT) http://kostnica.eu/roll/5f4fd14b8c475/
2. Kirnan defends against Fatigue (25 vs 18, SUCCESS) http://kostnica.eu/roll/5f4fd2afc4d06/
3. Ravelynne attack Deathknight (10 vs 19, NOT a hit)

[Rhyvurg]

"Very good, you're adapting. But you're having a time of it making your strikes count, maybe I could give you some lessons sometime, perhaps after dinner?" He switches to a more measured stance, putting more emphasis on defense that attacking, but still flicks his blade at her, trying to keep her attention on him.

Spoiler

Show

Defensive Attack, defense bonus is 15 until my next turn, -5 attack bonus
Accurate Attack, +5 attack bonus, damage DC for this attack is 20
(1d20+10)[24]

[Anti-Eagle]

Spoiler: Info Show "Mark Ritter" (Broken Thorn of the Red Nile) | Initiative -1 | | Defence +0 | | Toughness +10 | | Fortitude +10 | | Reflex -1 | | Will +5 | | Damage 0 | | Notice +20 | - Super Senses 8 [Analytical (Taste), Infravision, Microscopic Vision, Rapid (Hearing and Vision), Scent, Ultra-Hearing, Ultravision)] Spoiler: Diplomacy Show I'm using beautiful voice. I'm not attempting to talk her out of combat yet, I don't want to rain on that parade yet. I'm just seeing if I can get her to reveal the plan. Diplomacy: (1d20+30)[37]

"Welcome!" A man quite resembling Thorn, save the white suit, stood before the group that had entered the portal. The box was nowhere to be seen, hidden in the reliquary, as they found themselves in a grand hall of green marble and hieroglyphics. The hall was furnished lavishly in the styles of the 50s and was quite comfortable, even warm. Though this was perhaps going to be skewed by the fantastical and bizarre situation the audience had found themselves in. "Make yourselves at home, if you have any questions I'll be happy to answer them, I'm sure this situation will be resolved soon enough." Back in reality, Thorn stood watching the fight readying to open fire if things turned. He hadn't intended to direct the Audience into his Throne but it had happened so he would live with that. "Are you sure you don't want to talk? We can't give you the box, but perhaps you'd be willing to look the other way today? Walk away and live another day to bring destruction later? What would you even use a box like this for? It doesn't appear tuned to your kind."

[Kobold-Bard]

Blind Prism
Defence +0, Hero: 5/6
Conditions: - Flying (Agata)
Active Powers: Constructive Convergence of Principles 14, Witness to Darkness 10, Exalted Healing 36, Slave-Spawn Summons 4

Annoyed that the angry cow managed to deflect her attack, Prism changes tactics and whispers into her hands. Sickly green light seeps out between her fingers as she raises her cupped hands. Throwing them forward Vitriol-tainted brass chains fly from her palms and coil around the Deathknight, seeking to immobilise her.

---
Free: Sustain Slave-Spawn Summons
Standard: Constructive Convergence of Principles (Create Object) to create chains around the Deathknight
Defence: Reflex vs DC 24 or unable to move
DC 29 to break the chains

Standard: Blood Apes make a teamwork attack
Attack: (d20+28)[39]
Damage: DC 23 vs Toughness

[Lord Raziere]

Revelynne
She will try to hit her again but this time for a different effect: Dream Ravager Hand, raking at the Deathknight with her fingers curled like a beast claw to try and not only claw at her flesh but reach in and claw at her mind, to attack her strength of will and thus her psychological will to fight and not give up.

Spoiler: OOC:

Show

Drain (Willpower) Touch 10, Linked with Strike 10, 20 points, rank 10

Attack Roll:
(1d20+8)[9]
Damage Roll:
(1d20+10)[21]

Willpower Drain:
Target must make a fortitude save, if the save fails they lose 1 point per rank in drain in the affected trait. the lost points return at a rate of 1 point per round.

[Kaworu]

The Deathknight grunted as the word spoken bi Kirnan. She had struck a blow with her fist again. However, there were subtle differences Kirnan could see as a warrior himself – whereas before her touch against his skin was brief, subtle even, now she had put a lot, lot more effort and – well, force – into her strike. She had missed with this attack, and luckily, because he could seen – almost felt – the power of her blow.

The Agata that Blind Prism summoned hovered in the air, unsure how to strike best the enemy. His rider was unsure too – or at least it seemed – because he did not attack, even though he had the possibility. Why was that? Only the Incarnae know…

Next was Ravelynne. Her idea to attack the mind of the Lady in Black instead of her body was an interesting idea, even thought it was poorly executed. She had missed her with her claws. In fact, she did not even come close! Oh damn!

Kirnan’s attack was a direct hit, at last! He had struck hard, he knew it… yet it was still too little to damage the enemy?! Of what was she made?!

The Lady in Black ignored Broken Thorn’s remarks. In fact, the was a fury – and strange passion – in her gaze as she looked briefly around, to better measure her opponents and their capabilities. Was she perhaps in some kind of… battle trance?

The last one of the warriors were the Blood Apes, but again, the Deathknight barely seemed to realize they were present.

Spoiler

Show

INITIATIVE ORDER:

Blind Prism – first due to Hero Point
Deathknight - 29
Summoned demon, Agata – 25
Skeletons – 23
Ravelynne – 21
Kirnan – 18
Broken Thorn – 13
Summoned demons, Blood Apes – 5

ROLLS:
Deathknight attacks Kirnan - http://kostnica.eu/roll/5f6ba4dfcd61d/ ROLL: 13 vs 15 miss

[Rhyvurg]

"Temper temper, your passion is getting the better of you, and not in a fun way. Can't we just talk about this?" Not wanting to be on the receiving end of that any time soon, Kirnan adopts a fully defensive posture.

Spoiler

Show

Defensive Attack feat and Defensive Stance action, +7 defense until next turn.

[Anti-Eagle]

Spoiler: Info Show "Mark Ritter" (Broken Thorn of the Red Nile) | Initiative -1 | | Defence +0 | | Toughness +10 | | Fortitude +10 | | Reflex -1 | | Will +5 | | Damage 0 | | Notice +20 | - Super Senses 8 [Analytical (Taste), Infravision, Microscopic Vision, Rapid (Hearing and Vision), Scent, Ultra-Hearing, Ultravision)] Spoiler: Diplomacy Show You said to try again so here we go. Beautiful voice is being used. Diplomacy: (1d20+30)[48]

As the last member of the audience crossed the threshold into his domain, Thorn closed the portal... Alright back to the battle. Abyssal battle trance. Not unbreakable, though Abyssals were never exactly reasonable. It wasn't impossible he could appeal to honour perhaps? "How passionate for the way of the warrior you are. Certainly more than the kin of yours I've met over the long century, honed against the immortal. Perhaps we can talk this out and come to a better agreement than we would find in random bloodshed? You're certainly not at advantage against four of us, your servants gone, your masters absent, and your prize absent. Come, lower your arms and let us speak."

[Kaworu]

Broken Thorn, after sending all people to safety, decided to talk some reason into the Abyssal.

Usually, this would be an utter nonsense. Luckily, Thorn was not unusual. He was an Exalt.

His voice, magically enhanced by the Essence of She Who Lives In Her Name. Voices Like Crystal Facets made him know the exact pitch, the subtle trembles of the voice, the tone and words which would be the most soothing – and expanded that to cosmic proportions.

As such, the enemy turned into friends instantly.

The Abyssal lowered her guards, looking at Thorn unblinkingly for a long moment. Then, she took a few breaths and…

- My name is The Deadly Dancer With a Blade of Obsidian Who Will Walk Upon Bones of Her Foes. Let’s talk. – she did raise a hand to a handshake.

[Rhyvurg]

Kirnan's sword lowers a bit. It'd be great if she really meant to stop fighting, but at the same time he wasn't prepared to believe her just yet.