<div style="text-align: right;">OOC Thread (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=185351.0)<br/>Character Thread (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=185350.0)<br/></div><br/><strong>28 DESCENDING EARTH, RY 778</strong><br/><br/>It's not every day a person gets a letter from a Bodhisattva.  Of the possible subsets of letters one might receive from a bodhisattva, the group of letters both asking for help in consultation on a matter of dire importance<em>and</em>requesting that the receiver meet with them and others in an attempt to discern the truth behind part of the chaos that has befallen Creation is not a terribly large one.<br/><br/>These letters are all signed under the name Anjushri, better known in the less hospitable parts of the Threshold as the Fleet-Foot Bodhisattva, who answers prayers for strength and prosperity and directs heroes to where they need to be.  She is known to be a compassionate and merciful figure who appears to her petitioners in the form of a white cat with blue eyes and a single black paw, and she is known to have the power to bless children with amazing powers in exchange for their fealty and service.  Depending on who you ask, Anjushri is either a Celestial power descended from Yu-Shan to ease the suffering of Creation, a blessing of unknown origin desperately needed in these trying times, a wicked emissary from the Demon Realm come to tempt the corruptible and the desperate, or a herald from the deepest parts of the Wyld come to seduce Creation's defenders to weakness.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Warlocks know her by another name...</div><div class="spoiler_body">...and that name is the Malefactor Azurine, former Speaker for the Conclaive Malfeascent.  She is among the eldest of the Chosen of the Yozi, one of those who was never entirely comfortable with the notion of the Reclamation, and also one of those who chose to spread her own vision of what should be done in Creation rather than obey orders that hurt her to execute.  For being all by herself nowadays, she's surprisingly well-informed...</div></div><br/>Each of the invitations makes note of the date of the proposed meeting and provides the location: a small penninsula situated on the seaside border between the nations of An-Teng and Paragon (not found on any maps drawn more than a year ago), and the directions necessary to locate it by land or by sea.  At the edge of this penninsula, identifiable by the silvery sands stretching a mile out from shore, stands a temple shrouded in a ravaging windstorm.  Anjushri gives her word that the seal placed upon the letters will allow passage for the bearer and up to nine others-- which it does, the red-flecked winds parting to allow those parties passage to safety.<br/><br/>The black basalt road cutting a line through the penninsula sands leads eventually to a large amphitheater, carved from what appears to be a single hunk of wind-worn red-flecked granite.  Arrivals are met at the entryway by a large number of servants between the ages of twelve and fifteen, girls outnumbering boys about three to one.  All are dressed in white, accented with silver jewelry and a single additional color either in their clothing or done in body paint.  Quarters are provided beneath the temple amphitheatre (sparse but quality furnishings), and food and drink are also provided for arrivals.  The decor is sparse, with engravings of wind-and-arrow-storms set into the walls, floors, and ceilings, and rather than doors, white curtains have been set up in the thresholds to offer privacy.  A sourceless breeze constantly whisks through the rooms and hallways, keeping the air fresh and clean almost to the point of sterility.<br/><br/>By the time of the invitation, eleven folk have arrived to hear her out.  Eight of them are Chosen: two of Ignis Divine, one of Luna, one of the Dragons, and four of the Yozis's get.  We know these souls already, though they do not yet all know one another.<br/><br/>The ninth is an elemental by the name of Gethalee Iori (http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/zavaelduauram/dragoncallerbysaydauu5_zps1faebee6.jpg), representing the Court of Orderly Flame.  Iori has adopted a human-ish shape for the purpose of this meeting and has demonstrated both a biting tongue and a passion for the condition of the Terrestrial courts in these troubled times.  Anyone who's spoken with her at length with an eye towards her opinions on the matter can discern two things: she's here because she was told to put a good face forward (and is actually trying, despite everything, to do so), and she doesn't completely trust your host or her aides.<br/><br/>The tenth is a deathknight who arrived in the night before the day of the meeting.  Seven Hundred Sixty Two Willing Suicides (http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/zavaelduauram/Anima__ShadowLord_by_Wen_M_zpsb07a3c13.jpg) is a Moonshadow in the service of the First and Forsaken Lion, who arrived early and has been spending the time in apparently idle pursuits; he is wrapped almost entirely in black robes and wicked-looking soulsteel armor, and somehow also manages to come across as a genuinely nice guy with a soothing basso profundo voice.  He is attended by a handful of nemissary bodyguards in black iron plate, and while one of them is always at his side, he seems content to leave the rest of his attendants in quarters.  Anjushri's servants give him as much of a berth as they can manage.<br/><br/>The eleventh is a swordsman of the East by the name of Quiet Samaro (http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/zavaelduauram/ak-shakunage_zpsfe41ccf9.jpg), without colors of House, nation, or affiliation, possessed of a stern countenance, a gentle nod, and perfect posture in all circumstances.  Sam has thus far quietly deflected all questions as to why he has been summoned to this meeting.  That may be because he is not the mere mortal human he appears to be at first glance: a sufficiently-strong will (MDV 8+) can pierce the Illusion shrouding his frame, seeing the stoic, sensible-seeming raksha beneath.<br/><br/>Also notable amidst the crowd is a twelfth soul: the Full Moon, Howls Skyward (http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/zavaelduauram/tuninjatalkshowconceptbhy0_zps540df995.jpg).  Howls is a large guy, the same way a grand goremaul propped up against the wall of a mortal tavern is Big: not because he's superhumanly large, but because it's hard to ignore his presence.  Howls has freely announced that he's been asked here for security, and is perhaps one of the most charming idiots any of you have ever met-- apparently incapable of seeing anything for what it is past its face value, including things like euphemisms or metaphors.  He has to have some sort of redeeming cunning, though, as he has somehow managed to survive as an Argent Witch for the past thirty years without being killed.<br/><br/>The last member of your company is Fleet-Footed Anjushri (http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/zavaelduauram/Shilin__s_Blackbird_by_minties_zpsae7f430e.jpg) herself.  While she has greeted each of you as you arrived, whether that arrival was on the scheduled day or in the days she promised her temple would be open beforehand, she has not been outside much.  Questions as to her reasons for asking everyone her have thus far been not answered: "I have much to say, I am afraid," she's said, genuinely apologetic, "and I would like everyone to be present before I begin.  You may rest assured that I believe you have a stake in what I am about to say."<br/><br/>It seems the appointed hour has come.  The servants have spread the word: Anjushri will be emerging from her prayers to address the gathered company in the amphitheater in one hour, just after twilight.  That leaves sixty... fifty-nine minutes, though, for everyone to get their eats and drinks on until serious business time happens, and Howls Skyward is definitely taking advantage of the open bar.  And the food.  And the delicious, delicious manna locusts...