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  1. - Top - End - #31
    Dwarf in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Oasis is Hell - Exalted 2ed - IC

    Of Orbs and Collars

    Bartrand Mar

    Bartrand blinked. Didn't require Starmetal wiring? Of course it required starmetal wiring. She was just too daft to see it. You can't get proper motonic essence transfer without proper wiring. Sure, inert artifacts would be fine without it, so you could probably make a daiklave or something.

    Bartrand leaned back in his chair, looking somewhat smug and self-satisfied. "Which, without a proper link to the labyrinth, doesn't address the underlying issue of limited resources. You'd have to Wyld Shape the requisite Labyrinth Ore into existence to create the Soulsteel in the first place, once our current stockpiles run out. Furthermore, you're ignoring motonic transfer issues for which you will need proper wiring, and lots of it, if you want to build magitech around that... thing." He waved his hand somewhat dismissively, "But sure, if all you want to do is build Daiklaves, they'd likely work fine."

    Bartrand returns his hat to his head, shaking a bit more purple and red powder onto the floor as he does so. "For my part, it's not *that* difficult to Wyld Shape objects into existence which contain true least gods, no more so than in the Middlemarches. Between that, and the Chalcanth this good Jadeborn mentioned, I don't see a compelling reason to use these magic balls of yours."

  2. - Top - End - #32
    Pixie in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Oasis is Hell - Exalted 2ed - IC

    "Diplomacy comes in many forms; it seems that hands-on negotiation is in order" he says quietly to no-one in particular, smiling slightly at the feeble joke.

    The virdian light of Ligier reflects as gold off of Isrukam's lance, giving it the appearance of a beam of sunlight as he whirls it level to meet Zsofika's advance. If she requires combat for him to prove his worth, he is willing to provide it.

    Spoiler
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    Stupid roller
    Result here
    Last edited by oramus; 2011-10-30 at 06:39 PM.

  3. - Top - End - #33
    Dwarf in the Playground
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    Default Re: Oasis is Hell - Exalted 2ed - IC

    Rose...chuckled. "I only wanted to give you a fighting chance." she intoned, before the basalt ground around her shuddered. With a loud, low wail, she drew the Katana at her side, a blur of motion and soundless attack as the massive blade aimed straight for the Demon's Throat. The chains on her outfit rattled as she neared, her face absolutely blank, her fangs flashing.


    Spoiler
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    (9d10)[3][10][6][6][7][8][9][5][4](58)

  4. - Top - End - #34
    Titan in the Playground
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    Default Re: Oasis is Hell - Exalted 2ed - IC

    "Off we go, then." Tapping one foot in time to the beat, Tewi awaits a break in between the two Celestials ahead of him. Wouldn't do to get in their way, but if Zsofika had their measure, she might come for him anyway, and he had a fairly good idea of the appropriate response to that.

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    Join Battle: (3d10)[9][5][2](16)
    Wriggle avatar by memnarch.
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    Current characters:
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  5. - Top - End - #35
    Halfling in the Playground
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    Default Re: Oasis is Hell - Exalted 2ed - IC

    Silver and Gold Span the Infernal Heaven

    Offering a slightly annoyed sigh to the sky above, Punch hugs Min close with a soft spoken "Stay back. I watch you. Keep safe."

    Turning to the interloper as Min shifts form for protection, Punch holds up the ribbon that was used to bind them in matrimony. "Two are one. If she rides, I ride you first."

    Tucking the ribbon back away with one hand, he holds up the other with a highly suggestive fist-making gesture and a grin.
    Last edited by Odd_Canuck; 2011-11-01 at 04:30 PM. Reason: ST made a couple NPC character changes...

  6. - Top - End - #36
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    Default Re: Oasis is Hell - Exalted 2ed - IC

    Orbs and Collars

    As she was listening to your less-than-pleasing verdict, Arianna begun to change, only so slightly. The smug grin on her face faded, her eyes darkened. You could see her throat move, as if she was wanting to say something, but the words would not come to her, so she just opened and closed her cracked lips in a manner of a fish out of water. That was during Jania's speech.

    Then, the Abyssal spoke out, and for a moment she seemed to hope that maybe he would appreciate, understand, already standing up, hands on the table. But instead, he asked difficult questions.

    'Soulsteel' she repeated in a dead voice, glancing at a small lump of black metal next to the furnace 'smelting...' you could almost see something dying within her.

    And on that precise moment, Mar decided to rub vitriol mixed with salt into the freshly opened wound on the Twlight's ego.

    'You...' she muttered, but the solar continued his devastating tirade, and the words he spoke seemed to strike Arianna worse than actual blows. She limped onto the chair again, her dulled eyes stuck to him hopelessly. No trace of the arrogant grin remained on her face, and her hands were slowly - very slowly - clinching themselves into tiny fists. By the look of it, she was either to break out into sobbing or straight out flip out.

    'You...' she snarled again as Mar finished his condemnation, her fingers grasping the edge of the table you sat at. '...you...' she added, breathing heavily, the scarred face of hers narrowing and darkening in anger 'GET THE **** OUT OF MY FORGE!' she howled furious, jerking her arms upwards, flipping the table. The brazen piece of furniture proved a bit to heavy for her, though, and she only managed to throw it a little bit upwards before it came crashing down back to its old place. The soulsteel orbs of her, however, flew in all directions. 'YOU *******S!'

    She jumped back, grabbing a random tool from the box, swinging it as if she was about to hurl it at you.

    'OUT!'
    (02:10:41) Emily Lorn: that's beyond angsty
    (02:10:45) Emily Lorn: that's /depressing/
    (02:10:55) Emily Lorn: you're fired as my angst consultant for being overqualified
    ---
    Pink haired Sister of Battle avatar by Akrim.elf

  7. - Top - End - #37
    Dwarf in the Playground
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    Orbs and Collars

    The skin above The Artificer of Ten Thousand Blasphemies' left eye twitched imperceptibly in an imperfect imitation of a raised eyebrow. This is how she reacts to criticism? True, the other attendees had been perhaps a little more harsh than strictly necessary - not that Artificer would withhold harsh criticism himself if he deemed it appropriate - but to his limited understanding of living sensibilities, their questions seemed to be bringing up what their speakers perceived to be legitimate queries. He had expected perhaps scathing replies, but an outright tantrum? Clearly, some of her reputation was exaggerated while the remainder was dramatically-understated.

    All of this went through his mind as he stood sharply, his chair scattering behind him and his hand going to the hilt of Armoursmith's Despair in the same motion. He began to move backwards towards the door, his steps measured and his burning gaze never leaving the enraged Twilight. He did not draw the daiklave, but his intent was obvious; He did not intend to initiate hostilities, but if attacked, he would retaliate with the strength of the Void.

  8. - Top - End - #38
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Oasis is Hell - Exalted 2ed - IC

    Jania sighed audibly at the... rather immature response. Yes, yes, you made an interesting toy. It takes a bit more than 'interesting' to get the praise she seemed to want for it. Well, so much for those rumors being false about the Twilight. She was every bit the person Jania had heard so much about.

    "Very well then. I do hope you find a way to mass-produce your creation there, but it's simply not a permanent solution until you have." She said with a shrug, before spinning on her heel and heading for the door. Her hand remained in her pocket as she moved, ready to respond to any rash attacks the enraged woman seemed likely to throw at her.

  9. - Top - End - #39
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    Default Re: Oasis is Hell - Exalted 2ed - IC

    Of Kites and Flutes

    Vana continues to linger behind the others, though she steels herself for combat. While Zsofika and Rose charge towards each other, she finally begins to move, dashing off to one side in a bid to trap the demon between them and harry her from both sides.

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    Join Battle: (7d10)[9][2][6][1][3][8][3](32)

  10. - Top - End - #40
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    Default Re: Oasis is Hell - Exalted 2ed - IC

    Orbs and Collars

    Bartrand raised an eyebrow. A temper tantrum? Well, he had heard of her reputation, but he didn't really believe it. In retrospect, he probably should have. Well, on the brighter side of things, he already had his hat on, and this meant more time to experiment with Chalcanth for the afternoon. He did need to get to work on that sword idea he had the other day.

    Bartrand stood, pulled his overcoat back on, and gave Arianna a tip of his hat and a half-smile. "Good day." The twilight turned and walked towards the door. He noticed the zombie colossus's hand go to its sword, and moved ever so slightly so that as he walked towards the door, the soulsteel-plated zombie would be between him and Arianna. He very much hoped hostilities did not break out. A temper tantrum was one thing, a fight was another. That said, given the powder saturation left on his hat, all he'd have to do to make this little workshop go up in flames was throw his hat at that Fire Duck... and then dive for cover. While amusing, probably not the best course of action.

  11. - Top - End - #41
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Oasis is Hell - Exalted 2ed - IC

    Orbs and Collars


    'DON'T MOCK ME!' the Twilight yelled 'HOW DARE YOU...' she continued her outburst, her voice most certainly beginning to startle other crafters across the street. The manacled fire-duck pressed her hands to the temples, deafening herself on the wails, and give you all an apologetic look, as her master, or owner, or captor continued to make a fool out of herself 'YOU...'

    Muzzled by her own rage, her face bloodshot, Arianna only managed to gurgle something ineligible (and likely very offensive). Her arm swung, and the tool she held - a small saw, actually - whistled past you, into the ajar door, knocking them wide open, quite conveniently.

    The fact that she even opened the door for you seemed to enrage the solar even further. She howled again, this time without any words, only out of sheer, unbridled fury, and jumped to you - though thankfully, by that time you were outside the humble forge of her.

    'GET THE ****...' she yelled from the threshold, her face now so warped that it started to look silly. Even more amusingly, her voice started to crumble, apparently she put a bit too much strain on her vocal chords and could not shout any more 'out of my sight!' she managed to whine, and shut the door forcefully. You barely managed to make a few steps out into the street before they swung open again, revealing Arianna taking a swing with something once more.

    One of those soulsteel orbs of her flew over your heads, bouncing merrily of the brazen pavement, before finally losing momentum and rolling down the street, stopping by a half-constructed forge.

    People - dragon-bloods and gods mostly gathered, curious about the source of the hellish screams, emerging from their workshops. They eyed you with interest, but after a short moment, apparently already used to Arianna's fits, they returned to their work. An old air-aspect with a long, snow white bread stayed behind and nodded at you, understandingly, before disappearing in the door of his shop too.

    From within Arianna's forge, crashing sounds of a living place being demolished by someone really ticked of were coming.

    But your backs were turned at the Twilight and her immature tantrum, you had more important matters to attend in your own workshops.

    Spoiler
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    The scene ends. You get one day of downtime to return to your working places and state what kind of projects you are working on, so feel free to describe your actions for the time stated. We shall return to actual plot after this short intermission.

    Also, 1 EXP for the three of you.
    (02:10:41) Emily Lorn: that's beyond angsty
    (02:10:45) Emily Lorn: that's /depressing/
    (02:10:55) Emily Lorn: you're fired as my angst consultant for being overqualified
    ---
    Pink haired Sister of Battle avatar by Akrim.elf

  12. - Top - End - #42
    Dwarf in the Playground
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    Default Re: Oasis is Hell - Exalted 2ed - IC

    Zsofika was fast- Rose noted with a frown-, faster then she had assumed. Yet Rose was faster still. Soulbreaker swung through the air faster then sound- slicing wind that didn't exist to prevent it from even making a sound- straight at the Kite Flut's solar plexus. A Wide, sweeping horizontal cut, aiming to cut the muscles in her chest. Then, as the cut moved through, she twisted, sending the weapon at a downward angle, implanting it into the ground. With a roar of shattered pavement being broken, Rose twisted in mid-air, ripping the Sword out of the ground and sending it flying over her head, bringing the blade down towards the demon's face.

    Throughout the whole thing, she said not a word, and her face betrayed no movement.

    Spoiler
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    Flurry of Two Attacks, using Savage Shade Style on both. 1 mote per attack, extra successes over damage are counted twice
    (16d10)[7][1][8][2][5][2][5][2][4][5][6][5][2][3][6][8](71)
    (15d10)[8][1][6][6][5][3][10][10][10][7][2][5][8][9][10](100)v

  13. - Top - End - #43
    Pixie in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Oasis is Hell - Exalted 2ed - IC

    Isrukam quickly recovers from his surprise at Rose's speedy reactions, noticing that she has left herself in a potentially dangerous position.

    He pushes off from a protrusion of tarnished brass which juts from the otherwise smooth floor, propelling himself towards Zsofika and Rose amid the fading kaleidoscope of colours created by his familiar. He levels his lance at the demon's midriff and uses the momentum of the slide to aid in a piercing strike to her chest, then steps back to stand besides Rose and uses the lance to bar the way between the Exalt and Zsofika.

    Spoiler
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    Flurrying a single attack with the lance at Zsofika, then a Defend Other on Rose, using my combo (1wp spent).
    Attack, using Hungry Tiger (1m spent) and 2nd Melee Excellency (2 successes for 4m):
    (9d10)[10][5][4][9][8][4][2][7][5](54)


  14. - Top - End - #44
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    Default Re: Oasis is Hell - Exalted 2ed - IC

    Of Kites and Flutes

    The blades clashed, moonsilver on soulsteel, green sparks showering the streets as Zsofika elegantly parried the first slash made by Abyssal, with a gesture so nonchalant that it seemed that she did not even believe the daiklave to be able to strike at her. On her toes, she jumped backwards, and that was her mistake.

    The second cut she noticed a heartbeat to late, passed by a guard slightly too low, and Rose felt satisfying resistance of the sword cutting through hard skin. A diagonal wound she opened on her face, dark blood dripping to the ground and sizzling with a silent hum.

    'First blood!' she smirked, not moved in a slightest, offering a salute with one of her curved swords.

    To Isrukam's strike, she paid no mind, batting the lance ever so slightly, but making it strike at one of the bells instead of her body. The chime went asunder with mournful wail, splinters of brass flying in all directions.

    And then, there was motion. She kicked of softly, not moving more than it was absolutely necessary, the chimes and bells dangling loudly from her arms and hair, their music so confusing, so mesmerizing.

    She danced to to the abyssal's side, circling, the tips of the blade cutting a complex pattern in the air, leaving a faint trail of silver glow behind them, but not striking. It was easy to lose one's wits by looking at them, by looking at the silver serpent coiling and preparing to strike.

    The slashes came together in the same heartbeat, the moment when the city itself beat in tune with the hunter's heart. Pair of strikes, the blades seeming living a live on their own, flowing around the guard, around the sword, so hungry to bite into abyssal's body...

    Spoiler
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    Two strikes flurry (principle of motion)
    (26d10)[6][5][8][9][6][5][5][5][9][5][9][9][2][8][7][8][1][7][1][4][6][9][1][7][8][9](159)
    (26d10)[9][4][7][10][8][2][4][6][2][4][6][8][1][6][1][3][3][7][2][5][7][1][9][5][5][1](126)

    Combat Order:
    Tick 0: Rose
    Tick 1: Isrukam
    Tick 2: Zsofika

    Tick 3:
    Tick 4: Vana
    Tick 5: Tewi, Rose
    Tick 6: Isrukam, Zsofika
    Last edited by Gargulec; 2011-10-31 at 07:52 PM.
    (02:10:41) Emily Lorn: that's beyond angsty
    (02:10:45) Emily Lorn: that's /depressing/
    (02:10:55) Emily Lorn: you're fired as my angst consultant for being overqualified
    ---
    Pink haired Sister of Battle avatar by Akrim.elf

  15. - Top - End - #45
    Dwarf in the Playground
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    Default Re: Oasis is Hell - Exalted 2ed - IC

    Orbs and Collars

    "The trip was edifying," rasped the Artificer of Ten Thousand Blasphemies, peering at the soulsteel ball he had retrieved from the street after Arianna had hurled it at them. "But not quite in the way I had expected. It would appear part of her reputation is undeserved. Her solution to this 'least god' problem had at least a grain of ingenuity, but clearly it was not fully thought-out. And yet, she apparently expected effusive praise for her work."

    The Celestials had granted the Artificer space with which to perform his craft. The upper floor of this forge was rather innocuous, according to the standards of most of the living. No cadavers, nor bloodstained implements were in the walls. In fact, other than a few surfaces the workshop was devoid of tools entirely. This had created some suspicion, but this had been deflected quite easily by demonstrating his Bracers of Universal Crafting. Granted to him by the surgeons of the First and Forsaken Lion, the Bracers had been extremely useful to him during his time as a deathknight. His upper floor had a forge, an anvil, and other accoutrements of the blacksmith, and the lack of tools was easily-explained by his Bracers.

    Nobody else knew of the basement level. Secured with a discreet Essence lock of his own make, it would open only for his own Essence, and appeared as nothing more than solid Malfean brass, as did the rest of the floor. But by charging the lock with a mote of his own Essence, the door would open, revealing a stair down to where his real work went on. Removing the mote from the lock caused it to swing closed once more. The door was impossible to open for anyone else, and while he was down here, there were measures to obscure his presence. Truthfully, the level was not as secure as he would like, but resources were limited. Down here, secure beneath several feet of Malfean brass - or at least, as secure as he could be in this Hellish place - was the only place he allowed himself to relax, and remove his armour. Here was the only place his wasted, grey body, with its bony arms and withered legs was ever seen outside of his soulsteel.

    The lower floor was much closer to what people expected of a lab owned by a deathknight. Tools still were conspicuous by their absence, but secure cabinets held a number of sickly-looking compounds. Stoppered test tubes lined the walls in locked racks, glass apparatus were set up on benches around the wall.

    If just one of these test tubes were opened outside of controlled conditions, they could devastate entire cultures.

    A handful of benches in the centre of the room formed the focal point of the lab, but the Artificer was giving them minimal attention at present. He deposited the ball of soulsteel into a small box and locked it carefully. "Still, the woman could be useful... More information is required before I can be certain, but I saw her face when I asked her about how she smelted soulsteel... I suspect that she cannot, in fact, smelt the metal without Labyrinthine ore." He squinted thoughtfully at a labelled test tube on a nearby bench, and frowned. He hmmed, almost inaudibly, and scratched notes into a book he retrieved from a pocket of his acid-scarred, pock-marked apron. "Hmm, promising... If only I could acquire a sample of this Green Sun Wasting disease of which I hear so much." He replaced the book in the apron. "If my suspicion is correct, then this Solar may be willing to bend over backwards to work with me, and she could be very useful. But I cannot afford to tip my hand too early. I must be absolutely sure of my position and hers before I make any offers."

    At last, the Artificer pulled his attention to the benches in the middle of the room. He examined the subject on the bench approvingly. "You have been a much better conversationalist of late, my friend, without all that tedious begging," he observed dispassionately to the whimpering mortal secured to the bench, its skin a dark and disturbing shade of green, pockmarked here and there with weeping sores. "But it seems our time together is nearing its end. Have no fear... You will be with your family again quite soon. Until then, however..." He snapped his fingers, and a razor-sharp scalpel of black Essence formed in his grip, which he brought down to the chest of the restrained mortal. "There remains much I can learn from you..."

    Spoiler
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    Updated stats and traits:
    Exp: 2/36
    Resonance: ●xxxx xxxxx

  16. - Top - End - #46
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
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    Jania simply shook her head as she walked down the street, rather disappointed in the Solar's outburst. That was a chosen of the Unconquered Sun? She was frankly shocked the woman hadn't marched into Yu-Shan and demanded Sol's position upon exalting. Oh well, it was no concern of hers. She had more important things to do than worry about the ranting of an entitled... well, the rumors didn't do justice, to put it nicely.

    First things first: Gather up some bored mortals and set them to work improving the place, constructing more housing and things. Once she had them working, she could return to her rather simple home and get back to work churning out as many alchemical potions as she could. Not only were they useful, but she would hopefully be able to trade them for the supplies needed to create more impressive things. No shame in starting small, after the devastation Creation had suffered.

    Spoiler
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    Using Transcendent Efficacy Instruction on any mortals she can gather up, making them work on expanding the city at double speed.
    Roll to gather workers, if needed: Charisma + performance, app 7 (8d10)[5][2][6][7][2][3][3][6](34)

    After that, heading back to her home(extremely simple place, likely one of the plainest buildings available) to brew alchemy potions. Using her Incomparable Efficiency Trance and Hundred Tool Technique to work at triple speed without need for a workshop. Potions made: As many Munificent Antivenins and Age-Staving Cordials as possible, on top of a Philter of Desire and two Argent Embrace Resins.

  17. - Top - End - #47
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    Default Re: Oasis is Hell - Exalted 2ed - IC

    Of Kites and Flutes

    Vana slips around the clashing fighters, drifting with the music and weather as she weighs in. Rose attacks faster than them all, drawing blood quickly, while the lancer sets himself out foolishly for the deathly knight's protection. The vain batting of his weapon against the demon's legendary skill was laughable, but also concerning. Not that Vana felt she was much better- the stage was her arena, not the real arena.

    Nonetheless, it was time to make her mark. If foolishness was the order of the day, then there would be a double portion.

    As Zsofika focuses on the black knight and the golden hero, the lady strikes. Her crimson cloth spins from one hand, the blades gathering loosely through weight and momentum. As a bird of prey striking from above, so does Vana attack, suddenly and ferociously. Whirring like wings, her dress and cloth spin with her furious onslaught, battering against the attacking demon.

    Spoiler
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    Crazy flurry time! Four attacks with the cloth of blades, using the bludgeoning damage rather than lethal.

    Attack 1: (14d10)[7][7][4][1][7][6][4][1][2][10][5][3][5][6](68)
    Attack 2: (13d10)[10][9][1][9][7][7][9][9][2][4][2][1][5](75)
    Attack 3: (12d10)[9][1][3][8][9][10][9][1][1][7][6][6](70)
    Attack 4: (11d10)[2][9][1][4][6][6][7][4][8][7][6](60)

    This will absolutely murder Vana's DV, but hopefully Zsofika will have a difficult time choosing between targets.

    Personal: 22/22
    Peripheral: 41/47
    Willpower: 10

  18. - Top - End - #48
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    Default Re: Oasis is Hell - Exalted 2ed - IC

    Of Kites and Flutes

    Start strong, make your mark, show your skill. I can't fight at this level for long, but this is a test, not a war. The gap he had been waiting for appears as Isrukam moves to defend Rose, and Tewi starts forward, two steps to the beat. Three feet to go, and jade strikes brass with another chord, made dissonant by the added note, as he dives forward and plants his hands on the street. Digging his fingers into the gaps in the paving, he flips the rest of his body forward, twisting to bring the back of his legs flat across Zsofika's, just above the knees, and hooks his own around with the impact. Latching on, he shoves off from the street, completing the springing motion as he attempts to both draw her off balance and bring himself upright. Almost as soon as it seems the motion will cause him to fall, he hooks his right arm around hers, utilizing the second axis of his spin to slip behind the demon and lock her blade against her back, then plants his feet in a wide stance and tests her footing as he attempts to finish the rotation and pin her to the ground.

    Spoiler
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    Flurry a kick and a clinch attempt, enhancing the former with Currents Sweep to Sea and 4m on the First Martial Arts excellency, and the second with 4m on the Excellency.

    Kick: (19d10)[4][6][2][8][3][5][8][9][4][10][5][10][4][8][8][7][3][6][4](114) - no damage, but if it hits, automatic knockdown attempt with an internal penalty of (Martial Arts), so either 5 or 8 depending on whether specialties apply to that.
    Clinch (Hold): (18d10)[104] (+ (5d10)[6][10][7][8][4](35) if the knockdown succeeded) (+ (3d10)[2][8][3](13) if specialties count)

    Personal: 6/11
    Peripheral: 11/25
    Willpower: 8/8
    Last edited by Sallera; 2011-11-01 at 11:13 AM.
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    Current characters:
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    Aya
    Sei

  19. - Top - End - #49
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    Default Re: Oasis is Hell - Exalted 2ed - IC

    Of Kites and Flutes

    Isrukam watches Zsofika approach, almost hypnotised by her grace and speed; only the looming possiblities of pain and death keep him from staring in rapture.

    It seems clear to him that Zsofika cannot be allowed to sense any weakness in her prey. Simply denying the attacks from hitting their mark seems to be the best course of action.

    His lance, Bloody Recourse, swings in an impossibly perfect golden arc, leaving a translucent trail of light hanging in the air momentarily. Isrukam accompanies the swing with a proclamation of denial in Old Realm, spoken not loudly nor arrogantly but with a calm, confident authority; to Zsofika and others present who may recognise his words, they seem to have an eerie similarity to the surrender oaths the Yozi swore long ago. As he does so, the trail of light bursts into a glittering shower of runes which spell out his prohibition while falling to the ground and fading. His swing impacts the first blade and then the second in an explosion of bright sparks which briefly illuminates the area more brightly than Ligier, leaving Zsofika open for an assault from one of his allies.

    Isrukam turns hurriedly and manages to give an encouraging smile to Rose before quickly turning his attention back to the huntress.

    Spoiler
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    I'm picking my defence based on what I'd have done before knowing the rolls; my PDV isn't great so I'm gonna HGD both attacks, lest I explode in a shower of gore. I'm assuming that a stunt only applies for the defense as a whole rather than for each attack in the flurry, also. I'm using my intimacy towards Rose as HGD has the compassion flaw.

    Also, the "similar to surrender oaths" bit is intended to humble her a little, not make her angry.

    [4m spent, then another 4m spent]

    Edit: [+4m] from stunt success
    Last edited by oramus; 2011-11-01 at 07:33 AM.

  20. - Top - End - #50
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    Of Kites and Flutes

    Steel clashed with steel once more, as the arcing demon's blades met the unyielding Lawgiver's parry. And though he seemed weaker and less able than the Kite Flute was, she could not fight through him - the moonsilver swords rebounded, and she had step back once more, the bells chiming in a tone slightly different, more pressing, more furious. Her stance lowered, the sword-tips screeching against the brass of the street once more, leaving an elaborate trail in their wake.

    And in that moment, Vana was at her, cloths and weapon spinning.

    What happened in the next few moments was hard to describe, or even follow, such superhumanly swift was the deadly dance the Iron Wolf and the Kite Flute danced together amidst the basalt snow. The tune of belts melded with the whirling of the flowing robes into an eerie melody that seemed to linger even as the two split. And though no new cut nor bruise blemished Zsofika's body, the demon was panting, her breath coalescing into golden dust, and a pair of long, black braids cut from her mane remained on the street, cut by the sharp edges of the war-fan.

    And here was the opening Tewi sought. His kicks, she managed to catch on the flat of her blades, but the swords were knocked to the sides with the force of the blows, and the terrestrial sprung upwards, grabbing and twisting her arms. For a moment, she struggled, but found herself unable to keep from falling down. With a loud grunt, she landed flatly on the pavement, immobilized in a tight clinch, squirming crazily, but unable to slip free.

    Spoiler
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    Tick 4: Vana
    Tick 5: Tewi, Rose
    Tick 6: Isrukam
    Tick 7:
    Tick 8:
    Tick 9: Vana
    Tick 10:
    Tick 11: Tewi, Zsofika (inactive)
    (02:10:41) Emily Lorn: that's beyond angsty
    (02:10:45) Emily Lorn: that's /depressing/
    (02:10:55) Emily Lorn: you're fired as my angst consultant for being overqualified
    ---
    Pink haired Sister of Battle avatar by Akrim.elf

  21. - Top - End - #51
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    Rose grinned.

    It was not the grin of a pair of fangs in an otherwise perfect mouth. It was a mouth full of elongated, massive fangs, baring down on the pinned Zsofika.

    "You taste delicious." she said, licking those horrible horrible fangs. As she returned to her upright position, she leaped, and, for a moment, was balanced perfectly on Isrukam's head, a single heel on the crown of his brow. Then she jumped even farther in the air, sailing into the sky. Behind her the blood of the demon slowly dripped down Soulbreaker, the grooves worn into it filled with gleaming Demon Blood. From her hands, black fire erupted, covering the blade from head to tip in a dark, moaning fire. She held there, for a moment, in mid-air, high above the rest of the fight. Then she dropped, slamming straight down, the blade to Zsofika's neck. The pavement shattered as she landed sword first, cracking under the pressure.

    Spoiler
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    1 mote to Savage Shade Style, single attack on Zsofika. (18d10)[10][2][3][5][3][4][4][9][6][2][5][4][10][7][5][8][1][6](94)

  22. - Top - End - #52
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    Of Kites and Flutes

    The blow resounded through the streets, sending the flakes of basalt away as the brass itself cracked under the sheer force of Abyssal's puissance. Any lesser being would perish, its head severed from the body, but Zsofika was made of a sterner kind of flesh. The soulsteel dug into her neck and ground against her spine, but could not pass deeper. Rose tore her weapon free, and only then did the demon wail in pain, her sharp cry almost tormenting to hear, a sound given by a predator cornered and beaten, captured and caged. And then, she limped, ceasing to struggle in Water Aspect's iron grasp, her chimes suddenly silent. The city beat once more, and then it was still again, too.

    Black blood poured lazily from the open wound, staining the street behind, mingling with the thin layer of the jet snow. A wind - though none of the really dangerous gales of Malfeas begun to blow, spreading the black flakes back into air, making them dance in the dispersed, all colourful light, reflecting it further. Out in the distance, entire street probably seem to glitter, the air itself alight with flickering lights.

    The aggate buzzed her wings, and dove to the ground, landing right at Isurkam's feet, dropping the tome on the pavement. There was amazement in her eyes.

    'Impressive' she skittered, folding the wings and gazing at fallen Zsofika.

    Spoiler
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    Now leaving combat time.
    Last edited by Gargulec; 2011-11-01 at 12:49 PM.
    (02:10:41) Emily Lorn: that's beyond angsty
    (02:10:45) Emily Lorn: that's /depressing/
    (02:10:55) Emily Lorn: you're fired as my angst consultant for being overqualified
    ---
    Pink haired Sister of Battle avatar by Akrim.elf

  23. - Top - End - #53
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    Of Kites and Flutes

    "Impressive indeed. Well done." Vana says to the others, nodding in particular to Tewi and Rose. "Now... Zsofika. Perhaps you would like to explain the meaning of this? Hunting without intent to kill, sending a servant to draw us in rather than coming yourself, it seems rather strange behavior." Vana whisks away her fan and crosses her arms behind her back. "I would have you explain yourself."

  24. - Top - End - #54
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    Her teeth shrinking back to normal, Rose flicked her blade. The demon's blood left the ground in Soulbreaker, splattering the collapsed demon with it's own gore. She drew the blade forward, then back, sheathing it slowly- it hissed as it was completely sheathed-, then she moved to the tome, grabbing it in both her hands. She quickly reattached it to herself, chains rattling and the book twitching as it replaced on her hip. She felt better, now that the heavy thing was there. She returned to Zsofika, crouching over her. She placed her fingers in the demon's puddle of blood, then clenched her fist, her blue nails sliding across the ground as she did, gathering a handful of the demon's blood. It flowed between her hands, and she licked her palm.

    "...Delicious..." she murmured, ecstatic, as she licked up some more. "...It's so tasty..." Then, she shook her head, regaining her composure. She almost wanted to bite into the demon and suck her dry right there, but she would control herself. She wiped her hand on the ground, cleaning it, and pulled a knife from her shoe. "Don't worry..." she told the demon, placing the knife on a handful of the demon's hair. With a swift movement, she sliced off a chunk of the demon's bell-filled hair, holding it in her hand.

    "...That's all I want." she explained.

  25. - Top - End - #55
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    Of Kites and Flutes

    Huh. This Knight's a vicious one. All he'd intended to do with his harmless attack was prove he wasn't prey to be carelessly provoked, but Rose had gone straight for the throat. Well, perhaps that's just the way of things here. Knights and Lawgivers play for higher stakes, it seems.

    Rolling easily backward, Tewi regains his feet, attempting to brush off the spots of blood before they stained anything, although after that display it seemed a futile effort. Well, I suppose they also have the advantage of not needing to worry so much about whom they annoy. This challenge was her idea, so I hope she doesn't hold a grudge.
    Wriggle avatar by memnarch.
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    Current characters:
    Faien
    Aya
    Sei

  26. - Top - End - #56
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    Of Kites and Flutes

    After shooting a fiery glance at Rose in a rage over her sudden circus trick, Isrukam strides over to the fallen demon and waits for his ally to move aside. His anger is replaced by a mounting disgust as he watches the Rose drag her tongue across her blood-drenched palm, but he quickly hides his distaste and focuses his attention on Zsofika.

    He stands over her as she lays on the floor panting, with pain, exhaustion and, disturbingly, a perverse joy. Her eyes slowly wander up until their gazes meet and lock. Isrukam sees her in her own eyes; thoughts and emotions which can't be fully hidden rise to the surface to his notice. Her body language, the placement of every limb and her slightly bowed head speak volumes to him. The fading percussive thrum of the ground whispers about her in a language only he can understand. Isrukam sees the alien vista of the demon's psyche, but more than simply seeing, he understands.

    Finally satisfied, he inhales and exhales deeply before reaching down for the hideous tome and passing it to Rose.

    Spoiler
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    I'm aiming to fling some social-fu at Zsofika to try and give her an intimacy towards me, so I'd like to work out what sort of customs and traditions she'd respond to. I'm also using Master of Small Manners, which should help at least somewhat, for [1m].

    Intel + Socialise at a -3 internal penalty:

    (7d10)[5][8][5][6][4][8][4](40)

    Edit: [+2m] for stunt
    Last edited by oramus; 2011-11-01 at 02:08 PM.

  27. - Top - End - #57
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    Bartrand Mar, between Scenes

    Bartand whistled slightly as he walked back to his forge. Sure, nobody would hear it above the din and bustle of life in the Dross, but that wasn't his problem. He wasn't paying attention to the small shanty town that had sprung up around his workshop anyway; the people had come because the workshop grew food, and they ate the food, and that was all the interaction Bartrand had with most of them.

    The Forge room was dark, lit only by flickering lights, but from the upper walkway Bartrand could hear the Haranhal listing around. They were bored; it was their nature without a project. Bartrand pulled a chain, and the emerald fire within the forge flared to life, throwing eerie green and black shadows across the walls. As one, the gathered Haranhal and the two smaller Marrotes looked up at their master.

    "We have a new project! Bring in an Agate, and set steel to fire!" With a flourish, Bartrand grabbed one of the chains hanging from the ceiling, and slid down to the main floor of the forge. Three haranhal ran out to find the bound Agatae that Bartrand kept, and the rest began to scurry about the forge, preparing to smelt steel into whatever shape their master desired. The haranhal sang the beginning of a new Forge Chanty as their hammers began to ring through the forge with the shaping of steel.

    Spoiler
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    Nothing to see here.
    Just using CNNT and the spare time to start on a crafting interval.

  28. - Top - End - #58
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    Holiest of Holy Matrimonies

    A punch bowl is on my head. I’ve been knocked down, I’m in my prettiest dress, and a punch bowl is on my head. This is like some sort of dream that I had in high school, if any of those concepts actually applied to me in any way.

    She didn’t have to do anything like shout, WHO DARES?! She had a pretty good idea who dared. Goddamn Exalted, this is sort of effrontery is basically what they were made to do. Not for the first time, Oriasta wished that this pesky physical body would just go away – to protect her from the embarrassment of being covered in punch, at the very least. Stupid Hell. Stupid Exalted. Stupid punch.

    The goddess got to her feet, spluttering and annoyed and adjusted her hair. Despite the situation, she did not do anything so foolish as to yell, ‘Now see here, you!’. She may be a justifiably angry symbolic embodiment of the procreative force... but you don’t get to stay that way by messing with the Exalted.

    Oriasta merely sulked and tried to squeeze as much juice out of her dress as possible.
    Last edited by MrPrim; 2011-11-01 at 05:12 PM.
    "There is only one difference between a madman and me. I am not mad.." - Dali

  29. - Top - End - #59
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    Things Lost and Broken
    Jania

    Despite her best efforts, mortals remained deaf on her attempts to spur them to work. Looking at them, ignoring her, gave the Jadeborn a queer feeling: they lived like rats, crowded in shacks and tents, scurrying among the dirt, their faces as empty as their eyes. They were the unlucky ones, the ones who could not craft not craft, and yet they decided to come to the the little town that grew around the gate to the Demon-City, in vain hope of finding a place for themselves there. The Green Sun, the brazed pavement, the distant, yet audible noise of the Malfeas' streets together sapped life from them, leaving them so... painfully empty, apathetic. They looked at the workshops and small homes of gods and dragon-bloods with envy, but did not posses any means of taking them form them: and they lacked the spirit to raise a homes for themselves. Jania could vaguely remember that similiar camps arose over all crafter towns and trade depots, and that those living there were said to quickly lose any semblance of culture or civilization - and there was a grain of truth in those words. For those few whose minds were not claimed by apathy looked more like some sort of predators, eyeing others for weakness and striking when they saw one. The Jadeborn, they averted their eyes from, seeing her as a creature of a higher order than they were, but also paid no mind to their calls.

    All in all, after a bitter, fruitless hour of trying to motivate those humans to work, Jania returned to her simple workshop in a nearby gate-town, and quickly lost herself in the work, as she used to, vials of valuable brews filling her small cabinet in a truly impressive speed. And thus, the day ended for her.

    And so, the day came to an end for her, and she laid her head on a hard, cold brass, slipping into a dreamless sleep.

    Knocking to the frame of her door woke her up - for she had no doors, only a veil of coloured beads, gift of a Worker Jadeborn living not so far away, a token of appreciation. She sprang back to conciousness immediately, her eyes open before she even realized she was awake again.

    As always here, it light outside, emerald brilliance glittering on the brass and basalt. But there was more light to her workshop now. A fire-duck, short and supple, clad in a torn, beige robe, stood on the threshold, her dark-skinned face reflecting perplexity.

    'Sorry?' she begun, looking at you with an eyes like embers. 'You recognize me, right? I hope that I am not disturbing?'

    Yes, it was hardly difficult to recognize her. She was the elemental Arianna held chained to a furnace, a short chain and a manacle still around her ankle, one of the links melted.

    'Lady...' the fire-duck lowered her eyes, seriously embarrassed by that violation of Jania's privacy '...Arianna, she is gone, she demolished the smithy and spent essence like a madwoman on nothing, and then just... walked away... into the desert' she made a gesture towards distant Cecelyne 'she may come to harm... please, you seem kind...'

    Formulating her plea apparently did not come easily to the lithe elemental of fire.

    Silver and Gold Span the Infernal Heaven


    Fury's transformation moved the guests more than it did to bother the Infernal, who regarded the Lunar with the same arrogant, mildly bored look on his face.

    'Actually, yes, I quite believe so' he snapped back the Full Moon, walking down towards you, enjoying the fact that mortals gathered made a wide alley for him, scared witless by the caste mark on his forehead. 'And, so to better enlighten you, freakish animal' he continued, ostentatiously looking at some point quite above the Lunar's head 'I am not a slave to demons or whatever, though I'd be keen to make you one some day. You gotta keep the kennels full, you know how it is. Oh, and that's quite rude when made by someone like you' he noticed the gesture made by Punch, and his smirk rose a bit higher on his ugly face. 'Though thanks for the idea, gotta try it too... I guess she's gonna like it, 'cos, you know, Lunar depravities...' he looked the No-Moon squarely in the eye, and before she managed to aver her sight, she something within him that made her too scared to even hear what her newly-wed husband was saying.

    Min tightened her grip on Punch, so much the Solar could easily feel the panicked fluttering of her little heart in her chest. He could remember her telling that she had never truly been in a fight, that she always tried to flee them when she could... and now, she was paying for that.

    'Oh, and I maybe should have had tipped off Cearr about this little thing here too' the Infernal pondered 'he likes such pretty toys. Though he breaks them' he gave an exaggerated sigh 'way to easily... but, the Lunars are hardy, right? They keep saying that to me...'

    His words were a poison, and it worked, tainting the little Lunar's heart with an overwhelming dread.

    'So' he sneered finally, grinding to a halt a few steps from Adamu 'how do we do it? You give her to me for a night, and all live happily ever after, kind... sorta? Or...' with a swift motion, he grabbed the end of one of snarled lines of body paint on his body, and with a powerful jerk, accompanied by an unpleasant sound of rent flesh, tore it free from his skin. The pain broke the skin, weaving itself on your eyes into a long, shadowy tendril... a whip 'do I have to do it forcefully?'
    Last edited by Gargulec; 2011-11-01 at 05:03 PM.
    (02:10:41) Emily Lorn: that's beyond angsty
    (02:10:45) Emily Lorn: that's /depressing/
    (02:10:55) Emily Lorn: you're fired as my angst consultant for being overqualified
    ---
    Pink haired Sister of Battle avatar by Akrim.elf

  30. - Top - End - #60
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    Jania blinked at the elemental several times, her slightly-groggy mind taking a moment to process the information. So... The Solar had wandered out into the desert on her own? That was a five day trip, no matter what happened, and even if the Exalt survived, she didn't know of any way to track down where she would end up. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she rubbed her temples and looked over at the elemental.

    "So, she just ran off, without any explanation? Ugh... While she might have been expecting more praise, it wasn't THAT bad an idea, nor were we all that insulting towards it... I suppose she didn't happen to say anything about a destination?"

    As terrible as the meeting had been, Jania wasn't going to just abandon one of the few survivors of Creation to the demons. But without a bit more to go on, there was literally nothing she could do. Their numbers were too few to search all of Malfeas for just one Solar...

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