Session Log 3
<PFP|Storyteller> Session 3 Begins. It's been roughly six days since your arrival in Sijan. Arnold and Morrighan both left a few days ago, with Gentleman instructing them that he had another task he intended for them to perform, leaving the Circle bereft of two of its members. Singer wasn't seen at all until four days had passed, looking to be in rather poor condition and remaining quite silent. Finally, after doing some investigating, the party feels confident that they have all the details they need on the manse to the north.
* Melua makes sure to obtain a backpack to carry Sapphire, rope, clothing, etc in, and to obtain a 10 foot pole
<PFP|Storyteller> Such items are easily acquired.
<AureusSila> Aureus sat in the commonroom of the inn, hunched over the strange book. No matter how he tried, he couldn't make an sort of sense out of it. It was infuriating him to no end and he was seconds away from biting someones head off.
* Erin`Marias makes sure she's got ready if they're heading out for this bloody manse, and is milling around downstairs peering over at Aureus and his fancy book~
<Melua> Melua idly nibbles on a cookie from a plate. "Well, I'm ready to go at any time. Thanks again for helping me, Lionel."
<PFP|Storyteller> Singer walks past Aureus and looks down at the book in his hands, furrowing a brow and reaching down to brush a fingertip across the page, "Hm. That's interesting."
* Reyna_Malach just sits quietly on her kidnapped chair in the far corner, quiet and inconspicuous.
* Lionel chuckles "Any day, though how you managed to get wounds like that in this city..". Lionel gives Melua a sideways glance.
* Mirage sits and scribbles some last notes on a piece of parchment, then folds it into a pile of others and heats up some sealing wax.
<Mirage> Anyone else have letters they want to get to someone in the Silver Pact?
<AureusSila> Aureus managed to very very barely keep himself from lashing out at Singer's hand. "What is?" He more or less spat the words out.
<Reyna_Malach> Peking her ears at Mirages inquiry, Reyna files it away for later use.
* Erin`Marias shakes her head to Mirage, and moves back a bit from cranky mageboy. She glances at Singer for a moment. "You recognize whatever it's written in?"
<Melua> Melua gives a sly smile and shrugs. "I fell down some stairs. Onto rocks. And was then carried to the top of the stairs and fell down them again." Laughing, she shakes her head. "Trust me, it's better for you that you don't know."
<PFP|Storyteller> Singer frowns a little at the way Aureus snaps at her, drawing her hand away, "Those are necromancy rituals." She says simply, looking over the group, "I'm not entirely comfortable going to the manse without two of our best fighters, to be honest, but perhaps it's better that we try resolving this situation without violence."
* Mirage grins at Lionel and Melua. "I did hear that a certain museum had an incident with one of the exhibits the night after we arrived, and is closed for repairs. Petal didn't have details though. I'm sure it's just coincidence."
* Lionel raises an eyebrow. "Interestingly shaped rocks" he mutters. "I suppose I shall take your word for it. I would stay away from those *stairs* in future" Lionel says with a grin
* Erin`Marias nods again. "Me either." She glances sideways at Reyna. "We haven't seen what she can do yet, so who knows."
<Melua> "I saw the wreckage. Terrible mess." Turning to Singer, she tilted her head. "You know, that manse belonged to an Anathema long ago. Rumor has it he was one of the first to dabble in necromancy."
* Lionel pales at the mention of Necromancy. "Great"
* Reyna_Malach frowns at Erin. "And if I could choose you never would see. Combat's wasteful."
<AureusSila> Aureus lit up just a little. Singer could obviously tell what this was, which means Singer could read it. A sly little grin played on his lips for less than a second before he turned his head to Singer and beamed. "Really? I can't read it at all... Could you teach me what it says sometime?" A slight nod to the side made his facial expression all that much more adorable.
* Erin`Marias is going to pretend she didn't hear that from a Full Moon.
* Mirage peers curiously over at Aureus and Singer. Necromancy. Ick.
<PFP|Storyteller> Singer would move to Melua's side, "Is that so? My, that is interesting," She says, before reaching down to lift one of Melua's hands up, inspecting the bracelet around her wrist, "My, this is pretty." She murmurs, staring at it for a moment before looking to Aureus, smiling warmly, "I'd be happy to."
* Lionel glances over at Aureus and frowns slightly, evidently not approving of the book, or his choice to read it.
<Melua> "I ah...I'm glad you noticed..." Melua pulls her hand away as Singer looks away. "Actually, I think necromancy is pretty interesting, myself. But we might want to be careful; he apparently caused that shadowland the manse is in."
* Lionel turns to the rest of the group "Shall we make preparations and begin to move, it would likely be preferable to reach this manse with ample daylight"
<AureusSila> A smug look took Aureus face as he closed the book, saving whatever secrets it held for a later time.
* Melua raises her pack. "I'm way ahead of you, myself."
<PFP|Storyteller> Singer frowns slightly, "That Shadowland is one of the largest in the East. He was certainly determined." She says, looking towards Lionel, "Yes, reaching the manse while the sun is still high would be a good idea..."
* Erin`Marias nods. "Ready to go whenever."
* Lionel nods and leans forward over the table "So what information were we able to gather about this manse. Any specific dangers that emerged or good entry points?"
* Mirage nods, sealing up his packet of letters. "I'm ready to go, I can drop this off on the way... I think we would have to find out more about these Abyssals before we can come up with a non-violent solution."
<Melua> "Spying...?" Melua thinks. "Sneaking into a manse is one of the hardest things to do. I can try, but it's very risky. I'd give it 30% success without being noticed."
<PFP|Storyteller> According to the plans found in the library, there is only a single entrance into the manse, a pair of large, ornate doors of black jade and soulsteel. There aren't any sort of traps in the plans, though wards, while passive, are quite extensive.
* Mirage smiles. "Why then, dear Melua, we will simply have to be noticed and appear to be something other than what we are."
<Erin`Marias> "Something -other- than a wandering bunch of, y'know..? That'll be a feat."
<Melua> Melua shoulders her pack. "Well, if you have suggestions, I'm open to hearing them, but we should get moving soon."
<PFP|Storyteller> Singer smiles a little, "We could just walk up to the front doors and knock?"
<AureusSila> Aureus stands up, stuffing the book down into a bag of assorted stuff, along with a scroll and a flask of black oil.
<Mirage> "Oh, I'll be considering it, certainly. The most obvious choice would just be shapeshifting into a squirrel or such." He grins at Singer. "That could be a good plan B, yes."
<Melua> "I don't...think you understand what I meant about sneaking into a manse, Mirage."
<Mirage> "Oh? Possibly not then. What did you mean?"
* Lionel looks at Mirage "Wards.. might they not detect exalted?"
<Melua> "I've known manses to have very sensitive sensors, including essence-based ones."
<Erin`Marias> "They'll probably know we're coming once we're inside, aye. We should get moving though. We can discuss matters on the way, eh?"
* Mirage blinks at Lionel. "I don't know, you tell me? That would be quite problematic though. Well then, why would an Exalted wish to drop by and chit-chat with them?" He nods and stands. "Let's plan on the way."
* Reyna_Malach stands, disappearing into the folds of her voluminous cloak and yawning ever so slightly.
* Lionel glances at Singer. "The fact that we are traveling with an abyssal may make them more inclined to talk than attack on sight.. plus there are seven of us"
* Melua nods. "And I mean, maybe they're nice people, like Singer. Just because we need to stop them doesn't mean they're villains."
* Lionel stands, and says "Off we go" with a wry smile
* Mirage gives Melua an odd look at the 'nice people, like Singer' line. Hmm.
<PFP|Storyteller> Singer raises a hand to brush stray stands of her from her face, her gaze occasionally flickering towards Melua's wrists. She then turns her gaze to Lionel and lofts a brow, "They're far more likely to trust me than any of you." She flickers a smile at Melua as she hears her words, moving towards the exit, "Well, I'm ready to go."
* Erin`Marias moves to linger around the exit as well, ready to roll out and musing to herself.
<AureusSila> Aureus follows along with the party, absentmindedly practicing his hooded headsman.
* Reyna_Malach returns the chair to it's proper resting place before idling towards the door, absorbed once again in her own little world.
* Melua fastens her cloak and grabs her things. "Well, let's go then!"
* Mirage cue Overworld Music.
<PFP|Storyteller> It's not far to reach the edges of the Black Chase, and each of you feels a faint shiver run up your spine as you cross into the shadowland, but it's a fair way to the manse from there, a good five hours away on foot. During the journey, Lionel, Mirage and Erin all uncover signs that indicate something rather large and unpleasantly skeletal has been roaming these dark forests. Reyna, on the other hand, manages to get seperated from the group, cornered by a massive skeletal lion with a mane of bristling spikes. It growls, taking a step towards her.
* Reyna_Malach gulps, and prays. "Dear gods, please don't let me fuck up and die."
* Melua shivers slightly. "You know, if you get past all the creepiness, this is kinda cool."
* Lionel stands up from inspecting the tracks "I don't like the look of this, something big has been wandering around here"
<Erin`Marias> "Well what were you expecting to be roaming around in a Shadowland? A pack of wild corgis?"
<Lionel> "We should probably hurry, I'm sure anything in a shadowland is bad"
* Melua looks quickly around her own feet. "OH! What a coincidence! I found tracks too! They seem to be mine! I think I should follow them and see where they go!"
* Mirage eyes a suspiciously unhealthy-looking squirrel. "Corgis would probably be preferable, yes."
<PFP|Storyteller> Singer smiles a little to herself, tilting her head back, "The Essence is a lot nicer here..." She mumbles, looking about curiously.
* Lionel sighs
<AureusSila> Aureus found the eerie atmosphere slightly uncomfortable, but also surprisingly excited. He licked his lips and looked around, pretty on edge.
* Erin`Marias smirks slightly. "Undead corgis, maybe? I'm not sure if that would be terrifying or hilarious. Like little landbound piranhas, I suppose."
<PFP|Storyteller> The large bone lion approaches Reyna slowly, leaning forward to snuffle at her through its nostrils, appearing to have a sense of smell in spite of being made entirely of bone. Suddenly a massive paw lashes out, huge claws aiming to rake across the Lunar's chest.
* Mirage coughs. "Not a confrontation one would tell the kids about, I expect."
<Melua> "What's a piranha, anyway?"
<Erin`Marias> "Tropical fish. Tiny. Huge teeth. Carnivorous. Bloody great appetite."
<Erin`Marias> "Little bastards swim in packs and they'll eat you alive if you aren't careful."
<Lionel> "They cause terrible wounds, hard to treat if the person even survives"
<Melua> "...That's nonsense, I would have heard of a fish like that!"
* Melua pouts at being teased
<Lionel> "They only appear in rivers from what I have seen"
<Lionel> "And lakes of course"
<PFP|Storyteller> Singer laughs softly at Melua, "You don't see them so much out in the west. Besides, you've got bigger things to worry about out there. Like Siaka."
* Erin`Marias laughs. "Hey, don't believe me if you want. Just don't blame me when the little bastards eat your toes if you go for a swim in the jungle rivers, eh."
* Melua makes a giant shudder at the mention of Siaka. "Hey, how am I supposed to know you meant rivers? That's right, pick on the foreign girl...!" Despite her words, Melua gives a tiny self-concious smile.
<Erin`Marias> "I did say tropical."
* Reyna_Malach starts, bending in ways no person should be able to and leaping out of the attack's path with a yelp of surprise.
<Melua> Melua looks like she's about to say something, but presses her lips together and nods, averting her eyes.
<PFP|Storyteller> Singer smiles and reaches over to ruffle Melua's hair lightly, laughing a little, before turning her gaze upwards and suddenly stopping in her tracks, "Necromancy has been used here. Recently."
* Erin`Marias grinds to a half as well. "How recently would you say?"
* Lionel looks at Singer, before slowly moving towards the other group members
<Erin`Marias> (er, halt)
* Melua tilts her head up as well. "What kind?"
* Mirage frowns and tops, looking back at Singer. "How can you tell?"
* Reyna_Malach hits the ground already in motion, crouched over to start but quickly dropping to all fours as she zooms directly away from the massive, er, thing behind her. Gottafindtheothers don'tdiedon'tdie gottafindtheothers.
<PFP|Storyteller> Reyna manages to escape the Bone Lion and retrace her steps, catching up to the rest of the party at a rapid speed. Sadly for them, the Bone Lion is an incredible tracker, and mere moments later it bursts from the underbrush, swiping at Reyna once again.
<Melua> "What-"
<Lionel> "Fu-.." exclaims Lionel, stumbling backwards
<Reyna_Malach> "Higuysyoushouldprobablyrunnow!" Reyna babbles,
* Erin`Marias whirls around at the incoming noise and-- "GODS BE DAMNED WOMAN!"
* Mirage wastes no time with exclaimations! He's already on his way to spirit form and looking for something to hide under!
* Melua sighs and slips up into the trees and disappears
<AureusSila> "Tch!" Aureus tosses himself to the side and rolls on the ground back up on his feet, out of the way of Reyna and the lion, ready to start shaping at any moment.
* Lionel looks at his bow, then at the skeletal lion before sprinting off into the undergrowth
<PFP|Storyteller> Singer is about to respond to those questions when Reyna and then the Bone Lion burst out. Her response is to draw her soulsteel reaver daiklave, lunging forward and swiping at it gracefully.
* Lionel cowers under a bush (-.-)
* Mirage cowers under Lionel. ^o_o^
* Erin`Marias gets the big toys out! She brings her Dire Lance out of it's cloth wrap and into ready status within moments, snapping sectioned haft together with practiced ease. My, that's a big shiny pointy stick. Undeniably moonsilver.
* Erin`Marias twirls the lance around a little - bloody hell it's got some reach - before bringing it up, then down again in an overhead slash!
<PFP|Storyteller> The Lion barely even flinches at the stab from Singer and bats aside Erin's Dire Lance with a massive paw, growling low as it lunges at Singer, the first person to succeed in inflicting harm upon it, even though it was a neglible amount, she is deemed the greatest threat.
* Reyna_Malach skids to a halt, catching a flash of the action in the corner of her eye. Sighing, she frees her own weapon and charges the beast, managing a light slash at it's sides.
<AureusSila> In a moment of uncharacteristic bravery, Aureus starts shaping. Wind tearing at his robes, a slight wailing surrounding him as his eyes flare up in iridescent plumes of fire. "Here, kitty..."
<PFP|Storyteller> Singer cries out as those claws rake across her side, doing a significant amount of damage, spraying her blood all over the place and sending her flying before hitting the ground hard and rolling to her side, bleeding heavily.
* Lionel hearing the cry crawls out of the bush, before drawing his longbow and firing a target arrow at the Lion
* Melua stands on a branch, obscured in the foilage, and forms two long blades of light in her hands, waiting for an opportune moment to strike
* Erin`Marias preps for another attack and waits for an opening, circling a little.
* Mirage creeps out from under the bush, shifting back to human form and drawing his sword. He's going to help, really. Any time now.
<AureusSila> Aureus dashes closer, too close for comfort really, in an attempt to lock eyes with the lion. (Peacock Shadow Eyes, 10motes personal. Also, an automatic fail since the target isn't sentient :[ )
<PFP|Storyteller> The Lion roars and staggers back under Reyna's assault, preparing to attack again as Aureus runs right up to it, only to pause as a voice calls out, "That's enough." The voice comes from an incredibly handsome young man dressed in a snappy black coat, silver hair whipping lightly around his face, "My apologies, he's not usually such a brute. Urien, go back to patroling! Bad boy!" He gestures a finger and the massive bone lion slinks off, looking quite disappointed.
* Melua dispells the blades of light without being noticed and stays hidden in the trees
* Lionel lowers his bow slightly and gives the new arrival an evil look
* Melua also notes how very very cute this new guy is
* Erin`Marias keeps her guard up and turns to look at the newcomer, narrowing her eyes a little. Bit late to hide the spear, oh well.
* Mirage sheaths his sword and looks over the man curiously, crossing his arms. So much for getting the drop on the Abyssals. "I admit we didn't expect a welcoming party, Mister..."
* Reyna_Malach trots awkwardly back to what's left of the others on three limbs, the other still holding her blade.
* Lionel runs over to Singer, and prepares to use Accelerated Healing
<PFP|Storyteller> Singer remains lying on the ground, wheezing and bleeding heavily. The young man looks over the group and just smiles, "And I must admit, I wasn't expecting visitors today. It's common courtesy to call first, really." He says with an amused little grin, stepping towards Mirage and holding out a hand, "Seventh Scholar of the Sun. Just call me Seven."
<AureusSila> Aureus looked up at this stranger, his eyes flickering in bright flames before they die out. His heart was beating harder than ever before, and he couldn't move his legs.
* Melua heartthrobs in the trees <3
* Lionel closes his eyes as a blazing corona of light bursts forth from his body before coalescing into a snake form. As he reaches forward it slides forward, passing through singers body, healing as it goes.
* Reyna_Malach looks back and forth between her weapon and the new arrival. Visitors...? Sheepishly she puts it away, shrinking back.
* Mirage takes Seven's hand, bowing slightly. "We didn't particularly have a way to send a message ahead, I'm afraid. I hope it's not too crass of us. Speaking of crass..." He goes over to kneel besides Lionel, whispering. "Is she going to be okay?"
<PFP|Storyteller> Singer gasps as Lionel's essence flows into her, flesh knitting back together at an astounding rate, a hand moving to her side as she lets out a little whimper, "Oh lords.." She says, taking a shaking breath, "That was way too close..."
* Melua sighs silently and leans against the trunk, watching
* Erin`Marias hmphs slightly, keeping a close eye on Seven. She's slowwwwly relaxing, but still staying alert. Nothing to say, yet..
* Lionel looks at Mirage, a weary look in his eyes. "Yes, I have repaired what I can". Lionel sits heavily back and rubs his hand over his head
<PFP|Storyteller> Seven grins at Mirage and shrugs his shoulders slightly, "Not your fault. My associate and I typically aren't easy to contact... oh... hello Singer." He says, looking to the bloody Abyssal and greeting her with obvious recognition.
* Mirage nods and stands, turning to face Seven again. "So I have noticed," he says with a bit of acid, gesturing after the departed lion. One eyebrow lifts as he greets Singer. "You two know each other, it appears?"
<Lionel> The snake emerges from Singer's body before coming to rest coiled around Lionel. Its head turns to face Seven, and its tongue flicks nervously
* Lionel helps Singer to her feet. "I don't know what your other wounds are from, but I can't heal them, be careful" he whispers to her.
<PFP|Storyteller> Singer nods her head slowly, "I will." She mumbles, before looking to Lionel, and then finally noticing Seven, her expression becoming cold, "Seven. Fancy you being one of the rogue Deathknights." "Rogue is such a harsh word. I'm freelancing. Me and Tombs, we've had enough of that prick in Thorns. So, please introduce me to your friends... that girl hiding up in the tree seems lovely." He grins, turning his gaze up to Melua.
<Melua> Dropping out of the tree, Melua lands inches in ront of the deathknight, and smiles angelicly. "It's nice to meet you. My name is Melua Maia Mala. You have good eyesight."
* Mirage manages not to facepalm! So much for ace in the hole. Oh well.
* Mirage sighs and gestures at people in general. "Singer you know... this is Lionel, the shiny one over there is Aureus, Erin is the cute one with the spear..." And so on. "Look, I'm sorry for presuming upon you so rudely, but do you have somewhere we could put Singer up for a while? She still isn't looking that good..."
<AureusSila> Aureus slowly regained control of his body, straightening up just a little, staring at this newcomer. And then it struck him, that lion, this person must've made it, or summoned it or something, because it wasn't its own lion. The familiar sensation of holding your target's mind like moldable clay had been completely replaced with an empty feeling in his encounter with the lion. Aureus wanted a lion like that.
* Erin`Marias is cute? Well there's a thing. She'd probably blush, if she weren't still feeling a little like impaling something.
<PFP|Storyteller> Seven smiles warmly at Melua, gazing at her appreciatively and offering a polite little bow, "You flatter me, milady. The pleasure is all mine." He says, before looking to Mirage as he introduces all the other members of the circle, paying particular attention to Lionel's blazing anima, noting the black taint seething through it, "I'd be glad to offer you our hospitality, but I must ask, are you all Celestial Exalts?"
* Melua backed away with a twirl, giggling. "Now what kind of gentleman asks that on the first date?"
* Mirage grins and shrugs. "Probably!"
<AureusSila> Aureus slumps his shoulders. "I guess you wouldn't believe me if I told you I was a pirahna"
* Reyna_Malach frowns slightly at Melua.
* Lionel gives a slight grin at the theatrics of the others
* Erin`Marias muses as she starts to fold the lance up and rewrap it.
<PFP|Storyteller> Singer stares at Seven as he turns his attention back to Melua, grinning broadly, "Well if I've offended I mus-" He's cut off as Singer storms up to him and firmly slaps him, before stalking off. With a slightly more sombre expression Seven rubs his cheek, chuckling sheepishly, "As I said, I'd be delighted to offer you our hospitality. Please, follow me." He turns and starts walking, and after a short while they trees clear, spreading out into a wide road.
* Melua walks up to Seven. "I...um, I'm sorry. Did you two date...?"
* Mirage follows after Singer, not saying anything for once, just making sure she stays in sight.
* Lionel shrugs and follows in Singers wake
* Reyna_Malach follows a short distance behind Mirage, keeping pace easily.
* Lionel walks up to Reyna "Are you okay?" he asks
* Erin`Marias is going to follow Mirage and Singer too. She nearly got pasted once, let's make sure it doesn't happen again. Hopefully.
* Reyna_Malach looks up at Lionel "Should I not be?"
<AureusSila> Aureus puts on just enough pace to get pretty close to Seven. Was this person a necromancer then, or something else? He'd have to find out, sooner or later.
<Erin`Marias> (Go for the eyes, Boo! Go for the eyes!)
* Lionel raises his eyebrow "You were being chased by aa giant lion, I just wondered if you had been injured.. evidently not".
<PFP|Storyteller> "Not so much, but we've got something of a history." Seven replies to Melua, smiling at her. It doesn't take long to catch up to Singer, as she's not far down that road, staring wide-eyed and frozen in shock. It was easy enough for anyone with eyes to tell why. A mile or so down that road, a large, sprawling city is bustling with life and day-to-day business, with a massive soulsteel manse dominating the center of the city, "Welcome to our city." Seven says quietly.
<PFP|Storyteller> Session End.
<Mirage> OH SNAP.
* PinkFlowerPrincess changes topic to '[Exalted, 2nd Edition] Storyteller: PinkFlowerPrincess | Campaign: The Broken Throne | Current Events: Bone Lions can Fuck You Up(tm) and Melua loves silver-haired bishy-bois. | Total Exp: 28']
Edit: Also, it may sound silly, but could I get feedback from those reading the logs? It makes me feel better about it to get feedback. It lets me know that the effort I put into cleaning up the logs, *stripping out the timestamps, superfluous crap, joins and parts, etc) isn't a wasted effort, if people enjoy reading it.