Nobilis: A Game of Powers

[Jibar]

"This is only a temporary solution. A cool, nifty solution, but temporary none the less. That Excrucian will hunt us down, and you can't get us to the capital like this. We need to find these Cammorae. Fast."
He stares down below him and idly spits.

[TakeV]

what does Alibi say?

Alibi escaped. He isn't here...

[Maerok]

"Stolen one of my guns? Well then he better know the Rules... I'll be taking his hands when the day is out. Was that who you were fighting?"

[TakeV]

"By proxie. He is a Power, and a strong one as well. I do believe that you would find it difficult to gain possession of his hands, dear sister. The man that you have seen me battle was not Alibi, but one of his anchors."

[Savant]

"An Excrucian expecting etiquette. Rather odd but it is a rare soul who would remain to converse with an Outsider bent on the absolute dissolution of humanity."

Scion mutters back to himself, sparing the oddity one more glance before devoting his attention to the task at hand, putting as much space between them and the newcomer. Pumping his wings, Scion soars higher to take advantage of thermal currents.

"If I were to express a point, Mike Anders, all solutions are temporary solutions. However, I feel two things are necessary at this time. One is to confirm the actions were are about to take as prudent; Two, the appearance of an Excurcian at this time is rather, troublesome. To take on a third player in the game would have reprocussions well beyond our ability to predict."

Reaching an optimal attitude only slightly higher than his previous height, Scion-Hawk flexs his wings for maximum surface area, and then computes a tilt that would maximize lift and forward speed. The gold sparrow at this point, removes itself from Mike's jacket (where it had gone after leading Mike to the briefcase) and rejoins the hive, storing the excess gold.

"I do not believe in consorting with this Cammorae.." Scion manages to instill a large amount of odium into that word, "They exemplify the heart of that corrupting essence that dooms mankind to a failed path. Any further association would taint whatever good works you would hope to extract from them."


"However, I can in fact take us to the Capital or near enough. And from there, perhaps we should go to Caerleon. Ayleth will be questioning my absence at this point, and there we are at least safe enough to further our plans."

[Jibar]

"I know what I'm doing Scion. What we're doing. It's the right thing. I don't know what'll happen afterwards, but if this works... if we succeed... I'll dismantle the entire Cammorae. It'll just be bit after bit until... we have freedom."
He thinks, making a vain attempt to rub his chin.
"Let's go to Caerleon. That Excrucian probably showed up to finish off Tyranny, but I'm not sure now and we can use what resources we have there to find out. Plus if that Excrucian tries to follow us, we'll stand a better chance there."
He stares across the rows of trees below them.
"...perhaps it would be best if your master did not know of my plans though. I doubt he would approve."

[Savant]

"She most assuredly would not." Scion agrees, noting a glowing sign displaying the words GET INTERNET ACCESS HERE! at a town below them.

Noting that the light was rapidly fading, Scion drops them out of view in the town park, retrieving his clothes and his bag from Mike.

"To enter Caerleon, we must get sufficient funds. Do you perchance happen to have five dollars and twenty five cents on you?"

If not Scion, takes a small amount of the stored gold and sells it on the street for 5 dollars.

Motioning for Memory to follow him, he walks into the internet cafe and speaks to the cashier.

"Excuse me, sir, but I left a file on my desktop when I was here this morning and I would like to copy it to my diskette here if you could point it out for me. You know, the one with the flicking screen?"

[Maerok]

"What? Anchors can do that? Hmm."

(She doesn't have the Spirit to have ever used them effectively and it would be like her to overlook the utility of 'human' resources. What is the status of her Anchors?)
(Silvia is still counting the undisclosed hoard and Oliver should be in the Gray Lotus casino.)

[Krrth]

That was an anchor? I have got to get me one of those....I mean, look at it!

[Jibar]

Mike fishes through his many pockets for a moment.
"Sorry man. No cash."
He follows Scion into the internet cafe, looking thoughtfully at the screens surronding them.
"Ya know, in theory... I could wipe a computer clean with but a thought. Since they all run on memory..."

[JMobius]

The man eyes Scion suspiciously -- something certainly did not seem right about this character and his companion. He glances over the rows of machines, noting their general emptiness, and jerks a thumb in their direction. "Make it quick."

[Savant]

Scion tips his hat, and moves off into the rows of computers, listening with his inner voice for that one machine that never seems to work properly.

In an instance he finds it, a slightly flickering monitor. In mere nanoseconds he has the machine accessed, and faster than the eye can see, has the executable up and running. As that single precious message window comes up, he rises from his chair.

As he passes the cashier again, he slides the exact amount for one hour of use.

"Thanks again."

Beckoning to Memory, he opens the door and gently pushes Memory in and steps in after, closing the door quickly behind him.

As soon as he was through the door, Scion slumped to his knees, an expression of estacsy shining from his face.

"I find having a soul difficult at times, Mike Anders," Scion whispers, his head now clutched in his hands."However, I cannot deny the welcome I feel, at the ability to call a place home."

As he looks up, he sees Caerleon in the distance, the magnificent domed roofs of Romulus and Remus shining gloriously, like a living halo over the massive city. They are on the outskirts, not far from a guard post on one of the main laneways into the city. A quick word at the post secures them a comfortable transport to the Twins.

Sitting in the back of a sedan type transport, Scion procures a package of cigarettes he obtained from guards which he holds up questioningly in front of Mike.

"The military are the only ones permitted cigarettes, so use these sparingly." Scion also hands Mike an earbud. "This will allow you to connect to the Neural Net used by the city for communication and other things. While we are on our way in, do you have any questions?"

[Jibar]

"Yeah... I think I might need you to run over the basics of your family. Your Imperator, other Powers, the laws and what not. I can already see a theme..."
He inspects the box wistfully before pulling one out and lighting it happily.
"Thanks. I needed that. 'Nother question, why are cigarettes banned?"

[Savant]

"The addiction would be considered a weakness, Mike Anders. Lady Ayleth is also known as the Mirror of Perfection, and she does not permit any weakness in those who live in her chancel. As well, nothing is permitted that would intrude on other around you; loud music (except in places where it is licensed) offensive smells.

The military is exempted from this; they have already risen from the shackles of their mortal coils, and embraced the technology that would see them beyond the trivialities of weakness."

Scion looks absentmindly out at the city, his eyes wandering.

"It is my own opinion Mike Anders, and one that you would do well to keep to yourself; Ayleth despises humans as I do. While I find them beneath me as an insect would be; Ayleth is determined to remove the weakness from mankind; to infact, eliminate mankind by forcing thier evolution to what some would consider the next stage."

His eyes flicker back from wandering to Mike.

"This is her personal project, Mike Anders. Caerleon. Technology's Heart. It is here, that she continually makes improvements to the humans living here; altering them not only genetically but socially as well, to go beyond the limitations set by the environment of Prosaic Earth. It does well, but there are always those who are not content with their place; they still burn with that primal fevour that infects mankind. Many goes into the military, where such ferocity can easily be channelled into something that would benefit the whole. There are those who however give into thier greed; thier ambition and they assemble in the Hall of Mirrors, seeking to prove their worth to Lady Ayleth. One could mention similarities between them and the courtiers of long past."

Scion takes his hat off, and brushes it absentmindly.

"However, of my family there is not much to say. We are the sons of Ayleth; Protean, Dominus of Advanced Robotics, Agravar, Dominus of Biotechnology (wetware). Only Agravar is human; and but even that association is but a passing term; in the eyes of many, he could no longer be considered as such. Both no longer partake much of the city; and both rather be engrossed in their prospective domains than meet a stranger.

No, there are only two who should raise caution would be Lady Ayleth and Charon. Charon is the Warden of Caerleon, he is aggressive for a Hecatonchires, my personal speculation is that his empowerment of warden has embittered him, and he seeks to release his frustration on those who have what he does not; the ability to come and go as they please. We are not on amicable terms; previous encounters have shown us not to be particularly compatible.

As for Ayleth, she is an enigma. Of all my brothers, I have spent the most time with her, and she still moves and acts beyond my understanding."

[Jibar]

"Hmph. Wonderful. Surpressing humanity. I'm going to like this place, I can tell."
He puffs in contemplation.
"Well... what are we doing here? What do you want to do? I want only to know what Excrucian wanted and how we can reach the capitol."

[Savant]

"I need to check in with my Imperator. Ayleth becomes somewhat difficult if she feels she is being ignored. As for you Mike Anders, you are free to explore the city; perhaps you may find some information you need. Once I am done, we can take one of the gates directly into the Capitol."

[JMobius]

A servant approaches the group in Ataraxia, shuddering slightly as he approaches the lady Anne. He bows, and speaks: "The Lord Soraire has sent for you all, and he awaits your presence in the Malebolge. He also wishes to inform you... that he would like to know if the Lady of Wealth could get him some statues 'like that' for his own office."

[Krrth]

Well, this is looking to be the perfect end to the day. Ah well, lets get moving.

*At that, he starts jogging to the office*

[Savant]

Spoiler

Show

fast forwarding

Scion goes off for a hour to meet with the Imperator, leaving Mike in care of the driver who happily drives him around , showing off the city. When the hour is up the driver returns to the drop off point and picks up Scion.

"We can be off now," Scion begins, his voice a strange cross between unease and irritation. "The Mirror has allowed my continued absence from the Chancel, my Brother Protean will be standing in court in my stead. Off to the Capital then?"

[Maerok]

"I'm sure we can come to agreement. Perhaps you would like to sit in on that discussion? An honor beyond words, I can assure you. Let's get going then." *left* *left* *left - right - left*

[Krrth]

Look on the bright side. At least we can get good coffee again.

[JMobius]

Spoiler

Show

Sorry for delays. I find myself kind of lacking in motivation at the moment to GM, for some reason.

The family enters the Malebolge, to find Soraire with his feet on Anne's desk, hands folded behind his head, busily admiring the grisly contents of the room. His attention quickly turns to the Powers, and his brow furrows. "THERE you are. I don't know why you people are walking in a time like this. Why did you even leave, anyway? I distinctly recall telling you to bring me a tyrant, not to leave."

"And so while you were gone, it seems Abis has allowed my city to go and get blown up, which is kind of strange as I don't remember telling him to do that." He shakes his head. "Humans need tyrants. They're clearly useless on their own. Have you brought me mine?"

[Maerok]

Despite her bond to Soraire, she didn't like any sort of feet on her desk. One eye twitched as she undid the watch.
"Well, yes, of course! We're not incompetent. Unlike Brother. He ran off. Naughty, like the rest of the humans. He said he quit, I believe. As if he has any power to decide that!"

She tossed the watch across the room, undoing the transformation. It unfolded like clockwork into the normal form of Klaus.

Anna did the best she could to negate the bodily injuries by leaving them as golden scars. Of course, she also infused physical bits of her Estate within him as he changed to mortal form. A not-quite-silver tongue, diamond-laced bones, and a heart wrapped carefully in inert gold were her most prominent gifts; any of which could be lethally manipulated by Wealth's-Regal if he posed a liability.

"They picked him out. I gift-wrapped him." She smiled and jerked a finger at the others. Her other eye twitched this time.

(Minor Change of Wealth - 1 DMP)

[Maerok]

"'Course I kept the receipt..."